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HC allows termina-

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Modi has led Indiaout of the darknessof pandemic intoNew Year

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World's biggest vaccina-tion drive set to begin inIndia: PM

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‘NO PLAN TO ENTER CORPORATE FARMING’:RELIANCE GOES TO COURT ON VANDALISM

WIFE KILLS SPOUSE, PUTS IT ONFACEBOOK, ATTEMPTS SUICIDE

OXFORD VACCINE AT RS 1,000 IF CENTREALLOWS US TO SELL: ADAR POONAWALLA

STALIN CAN NEVER BECOME CHIEFMINISTER, SAYS BROTHER ALAGARI

Reliance Industries approached the Punjaband Haryana High Court today pleading that

the government safeguard its assets andservices in the two states against "miscreants"who had damaged several of its telecomtowers some days ago. The installations werevandalised allegedly by farmers angry over thecompany's perceived role in framing threeagricultural laws recently passed by Parliament.They vented their anger by snapping powersupply, cutting cables of telecom towers, anddamaging Reliance Jio's infrastructure. Theculprits apparently viewed the Mukesh Ambani-owned firm as one of themajor beneficiaries of the farm laws passed in September.

A36-year-old woman stabbed her husband todeath, posted the information on her social

media account and then attempted to take herown life inside their rented apartment in southDelhi's Chhatarpur area on Saturday. The DelhiPolice confirmed the information on Monday,saying the matter came to light after they brokethe apartment door open on getting calls from analert neighbour and the landlord. While theneighbour flagged the woman's Facebook post intheir call to the police control room, the landlordcalled seeking assistance as his tenants were notopening the door. "The door was locked from the inside. Blood was smearedon the floor and walls of the apartment," a police statement said.

The Serum Institute of India's Covishield vaccine,which has got approval from the country's drug

regulator, will be commercially available at ` 1,000per dose if the government allows sale in retail,company chief Adar Poonawalla has said. For thegovernment, "We are giving it in a very specialprice of ` 200 for the first hundred million doses.Then there will be tendering and then differentprices will be available," said Poonawalla. "But letme just say -- whatever we give to the government,they are going to provide it free to the people ofIndia and when we subsequently sell it in theprivate market, the MRP is going to be ` 1,000 per shot," he said. The vaccineneeds a booster dose, so the total cost will be ` 2,000.

Expelled DMK leader MK Alagiri on Sundayheld discussions with his close assoiciates

and supporters in Madurai over his next courseof political action and said he might make anannouncement soon. Asking his supporters tobe prepared for any kind of move from him, MrAlagiri said he might either come up with a"good decision" or not, seven years after hewas expelled from the DMK for alleged anti-party activities in the wake of sibling rivalrywith his brother and incumbent party chief M KStalin. With Assembly elections in Tamil Nadulikely to be held in April-May, the former Union Minister's role is beingspeculated, from joining the BJP to floating his own outfit.

PNS n VIJAYAWADA

Every parent dreams of seeinghis or her child achieve a goodposition, career and profession,and when this dream becomesa reality, the joy is paralleled.

Such a dream was realised inChittoor district on Sunday,and the sequence of events thatfollowed left every eyewitnessteary-eyed.

It was the sight of a police-man saluting his superior, butin this instance, it was also afather saluting his daughter andhis expression said it all.

Fortunately, it was witnessedby a handful of cops, includingofficials. The image of thepoliceman saluting his daugh-

ter soon went viral on socialmedia.

The father-daughter duo,posted in different districts,met on duty when they cameto attend the Andhra PradeshState Police Duty Meet in

Tirupati on Sunday.It was a proud moment for

Circle Inspector Y ShyamSundar when he saluted hisdaughter, Y Jessy Prasanthi,who is presently posted as theDeputy Superintendent of

Police (DSP) of Guntur district.Both were in Tirupati to attendthe Andhra Pradesh StatePolice Duty Meet titled 'Ignite',being held there from January4 to 7.

The DSP said she wasn't verycomfortable when she noticedher father saluting her. "It wasthe first time that we met onduty," the DSP said.

She asked her father not tosalute her, but he did. "Ireturned the salute, Jessy said.

She said that her father washer inspiration, and that shehad grown up seeing him serv-ing people relentlessly. "He hashelped many people in what-ever way he could, and that hasmade me choose this profes-

sion and have a very positiveoutlook towards the depart-ment," Jessy said.

Sharing the moment with hiscolleagues, S-I Shyam Sundersaid Prasanthi is a DSP rankofficer and his senior. "I willsalute her like I would do toany other officer," he said,expressing confidence that hisdaughter would serve the peo-ple honestly and uphold hisethics.

Responding to the S-I fatherand DSP daughter salutingincident, Tirupati SP RameshReddy lauded DSP Prashanti,saying, "Generally, we see suchscenes in cinemas but it wasoverwhelming to see it in reallife."

PNS n VIJAYAWADA

Publicly breaking his silenceon the spate of attacks onHindu temples across thestate for the first time, ChiefMinister YS JaganmohanReddy on Monday said thata pattern was emergingbehind the deplorable acts ofdesecration. "It is curious, butnot too surprising, that mostof the incidents took placewhenever the governmentlaunched a welfare scheme. Itcan be safely said that the actsof desecration are only todivert the attention of thepublic from the good beingdone by this government," theChief Minister said.

Speaking during the inau-guration of the Police DutyMeet done virtually onMonday, Jagan criticisedopposition leaders for playingcheap politics by using faith,without having any fear ordevotion towards God, just todivert the attention of thepeople from welfare activities."Who actually benefits fromdesecrating idols? Who ben-efits from anarchy in templesand chapels?" Jagan asked.

He went on to say therecent incidents of attack onHindu temples probably hintat the end of Kaliyuga. Hesuggested police to take upguerrilla-style security fortemples so that such incidentsare prevented.

"Who benefits from pro-voking emotions and com-mitting violence? Who ben-efits from false propagandathat hurts the people andtheir faith? Who is beingtargeted by these evil acts?People need to think," saidthe Chief Minister.

Pointing out the pattern,Jagan said the state govern-ment started the Nadu-Neduprogramme in Ongole onNovember 14, 2019 and onthe same day, the oppositionbrought the issue of demoli-tion of Durga temple inGuntur district for roadwidening. "In fact, that par-ticular temple was shifted toa new premises even beforethe road widening com-menced," he said.

VIJAYAWADA: As expected,Telangana BJP chief BandiSanjay Kumar onMonday turned hisattention towards theforthcoming by-elec-tion for the Tirupati LokSabha seat with an all-outattack on the Andhra PradeshGovernment in general andthe ruling YSRCP in particu-lar.

Alleging that 'only one reli-

gion' is dictating terms in AP,the BJP MP called

upon the people ofTirupati to decidein the coming by-poll whether they

want leaders whotake up campaigns

carrying a Bible orBhagavad Gita.

Predicting that the results ofthe Dubbak by-poll andGHMC elections will be repli-

cated in Tirupati, Bandi Sanjayasked the voters to converttheir faith in Hinduism tovotes and ensure the victory ofthe BJP candidate "to protectHindu Dharma" in the state.

The BJP TS chief was speak-ing after welcoming Congressleader Daruvu Yellanna intothe party fold at the BJP stateoffice in Hyderabad where hecondemned the attacks onHindu temples in AP.

PNS n HYDERABAD

Stating that the Sangam-eshwara project is not a newone, the Andhra Pradesh gov-ernment on Monday told theKrishna River ManagementBoard (KRMB) that there wasno need to submit any DPR ofthe project.

AP Irrigation Departmentengineer-in-chief CNarayana Reddy said thatthe State government hassubmitted detailed projectinformation (DPI) instead ofDPR to the KRMB. "AP isnot yielding water to irrigateeven a single new acrethrough Sangameshwaraproject.

The project is not a newone as it has no storage sys-tem," Narayana Reddy rea-soned. The ENC met withKRMB officials at the JalaSoudha at Errum Manzilalong with Kurnool SE

Muralinath Reddy.Later, briefing the media,

Narayana Reddy said thatthey have stopped doingwork at Sangameshwara fol-lowing the directions ofNational Green Tribunal.

"However, we are con-ducting some tests neededfor the project. As per APReorganisation Act, KRMBoffice should be located inAndhra Pradesh state andhence we requested theKRMB to shift it to Vizag.KRMB would take adminis-trative decisions and it is bet-ter if its office is at Vizag. Allour offices are in Vizag," hesaid. The ENC said that theTelangana government wasconstructing new projectsand providing water to newayacut besides increasingstorage capacity.

He said that they are allnew projects and Telanganamust submit DPRs.

S-I father's salute to DSP daughter melts hearts

In counterattack, Jagan blamesOpposition for desecration spree Curious that desecration acts occur only when govt launches new schemes, points out CM

Chief Minister YS Jaganmohan Reddy and police officers applaud after inaugurating the Police Duty Meet virtually from hiscamp office at Tadepalli on Monday.

Choose between Gita and Bible: Bandi Sanjay

Criminal caseson AditiGajapathi Raju,27 TDP leadersV i s a k h a p a t n a m :Vizianagaram police hasslapped criminal cases on28 TDP leaders, includingP Aditi Gajapathi Raju,the daughter of formerUnion Minister P AshokGajapathi Raju. Aditi isTDP in-charge ofVizianagaram Assemblyconstituency.

On Sunday, the TDPleaders staged a huge rallyagainst the commentsmade by EndowmentMinister VellampalliSrinivas against AshokGajapathi Raju.

CID to probe Ramatheerthamatrocity, govt to renovateKodandarama swamy templeVIJAYAWADA: The Stategovernment on Mondaydecided to hand over casesrelated to desecration ofLord Rama's idol at ancientSri Kodandarama Swamytemple in Ramatheerthamin Vizianagaram districtand also another Hindutemple in Rajahmundry tothe CID.

A decision in this regardwas taken at a high levelmeeting held byEndowments MinisterVellampalli Srinivas withofficials and some seniorpolice officials. TheEndowments Minister exud-ed confidence that the CID

would catch the perpetratorsin two or three days.

Srinivas also said thatthe government has decid-ed to renovate theRamatheertham templecompletely. He assured thata new idol will be installedin the temple as per the tra-dition of Agama sastras andalso renovation will betaken up as per the sameshastras. "It's a sensitiveissue and the governmenthas taken it seriously. Wehave already found someproof to arrest the culprits,"Srinivas said.

PNS n VISAKHAPATNAM:Ahead of the BJP-Jana Senaprotest at Ramatheertham,Vizianagaram police onMonday issued an order reg-ulating public assemblies andprocessions under theSection 30 of The Police Act,1961.Resultantly, public meetingsor rallies have been banned,without the prior permissionfrom the police, as per therule.The BJP and its ally, the JanaSena, had planned a massiveprotest at Ramatheertham onJanuary 5. Vizianagaram police chief BRaja Kumari said thatconsidering the sensitivesituation at theRamatheertham and Covid-19 protocol, Section 30 ofthe Police Act 1861 wasimposed. She urged people to support

the police in connection withthe case and warned thatthey will initiate actionagainst the violators of thelaw. Meanwhile, the Andhra

Pradesh government hasdecided to hand over theprobe into the beheading ofLord Rama idol in SriKodanda RamaswamyTemple located atop(Bodikonda) to the CrimeInvestigation Department(CID). The Vizianagaram police arestruggling to find concreteclues to identify the culpritsin connection with thedesecration of Lord Ramidol. The cops areinvestigating the case frommultiple angles to solve thecase. Since the incident tookplace atop the hill and therewere no CCTV cameras andcrowd at the time of theincident, the cops are findingit difficult to identify theculprits.

Public assemblybanned atRamatheerthamahead of protest

AP: Sangameshwarais not a new project

PAGE 3: ONLY 37 PER CENT OF SHRINES UNDER CCTV SURVEILLANCE IN VIZAG CITY

Promotions for TSstaff, jobs for youthPNS n HYDERABAD

The New Year has broughtan unforeseen bonanza forTelangana Governmentemployees at all levels whoare set to get promotedthis month.

C h i e f Mi n i s t e r KChandrasekhar Rao hasissued directions to pro-mote all Government staffby January 31.

This is for the first timeaf ter the format ion ofTelangana state in 2014that such a massive exerciseof promoting staff at alllevels is being undertaken

by the State Government.Though KCR’s decision

is a sweet surprise for theGovernment staff, it is notsurpris ing, consider ingthat a major ity of theemployees in Telanganahave been working at thesame level, in most cases atsame places, without pro-motion or transfer for thepast six years.

Va c a n c i e s a r i s i n g a tlower level following thepromotions to exist ingstaff will be filled throughdirect recruitment by con-du c t i n g re c r u i t m e ntexams.

2 22

TDP to hijackBJP’s HindutvaMARTHI SUBRAMANYAMn VIJAYAWADA

Perhaps to checkmate the BJPthat has used the Hindutvaagenda to storm to poweracross the country, the TDPpolitburo that met at theparty’s headquarters inMangalagiri on Mondaydecided to cast aside theparty’s secular credentials andstage protests wherever tem-ples are desecrated in thestate.

The politburo also decidedto go to the people and high-light the inaction of theJaganmohan Reddy govern-ment though 127 incidents ofattacks on temples have beenreported in the state so far.

The politburo also decidedto unequivocally condemndesecration of temples andalso be the first to protestagainst the attacks. TDPsources say that the meetingtook the decision to rein in theBJP from running away withthe agenda.

The speed at which the BJPresponded to the desecrationof temples has been disturbingthe TDP.

BJP state president SomuVeerraju has been highlightingthe failures of the TDP rather

than the failures of the YSRCPgovernment on the issue.Carefully analysing the situa-tion, the TDP concluded thatthe BJP has been indirectly be-nefiting the YSRCP. The BJP’sresponse has been to sidetrackthe problem and help theYSRCP get off the hook, sur-mised the TDP leaders.

Setting aside the party’s sec-ular credentials for a whilebecause of the severity of theproblem and political situationat hand, the politburo alsodecided to lead struggles fromthe frontline on religious andother relevant issues.

The politburo felt that thiswould help check the BJP asthe saffron party was trying togrow politically taking advan-tage of the Hindutva agenda.

Tirupati voters goaded to choose faith over leaders

2

PNS n VIJAYAWADA

A carpet of flowers was laid bywomen and farmers here onMonday to accord a send-off tooutgoing Chief Justice of theAndhra Pradesh High CourtJitendra Kumar Maheshwari,who has been transferred toSikkim.

Holding the national flag,people lined up in large num-bers from the High Courtcomplex at Nelapadu throughthe Seed Access Road to givethe Chief Justice a farewell.

They raised slogans hailingJustice Maheshwari, whoendeared himself to the peoplethrough judgements andorders, notably on the statecapital issue.

A large number of farmersand their families, who hadgiven up over 33,000 acres oftheir fertile land for buildingthe state capital city Amaravati,had opposed the government'sdecision to trifurcate the cap-ital.

The High Court has orderedstatus quo on two new lawsenabling the formation of threecapital cities – executive inVisakhapatnam, legislative inAmaravati and judicial capital

in Kurnool.Earlier, other judges and

the high court staff felicitatedJustice Maheshwari.

"People come and go but wehave to uphold the sanctity ofthe institutions," JusticeMaheshwari said on the occa-sion.

"We should always strive toenhance the prestige of thejudiciary," he said, recallingthat he rose to this positionfrom a humble beginning.

Justice Maheswari, address-ing the gathering at a farewellprogramme organised to felic-itate him, said that he was veryhappy at getting the opportu-nity to serve as the ChiefJustice and had put in effortsto enhance the reputation ofthe High Court with the coop-eration of other judicial offi-cials.

Disclosing that he hails froma middle-class family andworked hard to reach the pre-sent position, the Chief Justicesaid that he had the opportu-nity to oversee a State-LevelJudicial Officers Conferenceand also ensure several caseswere settled through videoconference.

Justice C Praveen Kumar

said that Justice Maheswarimade efforts to solve casesthrough Lok Adalat duringCovid pandemic.

Justice U DurgaprasadaRao said Justice Maheswariestablished his mark by ren-dering invaluable services.

Court Registrar Rajasekharsaid that as many as 4,620cases were settled during theJustice Maheswari tenure.

As many as 90,407 cases ofsubordinate courts were set-tled during this time, he said.

Of the total 1,26,084 casesregistered during Covid pan-demic, 18,933 cases were set-tled, Rajasekhar pointed out.

Justice Maheswari wastransferred in the backdropof Andhra Pradesh ChiefMinister YS JaganmohanReddy writing to the ChiefJustice of India S A Bobdealleging that the state highcourt was being used to"destabilise and topple" hisdemocratically elected gov-ernment.

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VIJAYAWADA | TUESDAY | JANUARY 5, 2021vijayawada 02

The New Year hasbrought good news tothe people of the coun-

try regarding the Covid-19vaccine, all due to the series ofmeasures undertaken byPrime Minister NarendraModi over the past severalmonths.

Modi has been encouragingIndian scientists and pharmacompanies to develop the vac-cine and personally super-vised their progress at everystep. He was instrumental informulation of a foolproofplan to distribute the vaccine.Far-sighted Modi constituteda high-level taskforce in Aprilitself for the development ofthe vaccine.

He held a series of discus-sions with the taskforce, head-ed by science and technologyadvisor K Vijaya Raghavan,comprising Niti Aayog mem-ber VK Paul and scientistsfrom ICMR, biotechnologydepartment, Ayush ministry,

DRDO, Drug-ControllerGeneral, Director-Generalhealth services.

The department of biotech-nology was entrusted withthe task of monitoring theglobal efforts on developmentof the vaccine and to coordi-nate the efforts of the indige-nous vaccine trials.

Modi gave directions to thestates from time to time to reinin Coronavirus and also gavesuggestions to CMs regardingthe vaccine.

Because of the stringentmeasures initiated by theModi government, casualtiesdue to the pandemic are veryless compared to the rest of theglobe.

A major programme toadminister the vaccine to overa population of 135 crore inthe country in phases is ready.There is no doubt that thecredit for this goes to Modi.

The world is eagerly waitingto see how the vaccine will be

administered in India at a timemany countries are imposinglockdown and night curfew.Results of Modi’s AtmaNirbhar programme wouldbe there for everyone to see inthe form of production of thevaccine and its distribution.

India’s economy received afillip with the packagesannounced by Modi under theAtma Nirbhar and GaribKalyan programmes. There isno doubt that socioeconomicactivities too will resume afterthe vaccine is rolled out andnormalcy will return to thecountry.

It would be safe to say thatthe country, under the leader-ship of Modi, would achievemany more victories andstand in the comity of super-powers.

However, Opposition par-ties are unable to stomachthese developments. Theyhave been trying to createunrest among the people byspreading rumours about theCovid-19 vaccine.

At a time the entire worldis praising Indian scientists,the Congress claims that theCentre has been hasty in giv-ing permission for the rollout

of the vaccine.The Opposition, having

provoked minorities andfarmers to meet its selfishgoals, is now insulting our sci-entists and playing havoc withpublic health to derive polit-ical advantage.

The philosophy of the BJPis Indianism and there is nocontradiction between thisphilosophy and the country’s

economic development.Indian compa-

nies developingthe vaccinewithin a yearof the virussurfacing andModi saving thecountry with hisAtma Nirbhar package aretestimony to the priority thathe has given to the country'sdevelopment and nurturingthe scientific perspective.

Modi took a series of mea-sures to strengthen India’sinfrastructure. He allocatedRs 15,000 crore in June 2020for development of animalhusbandry. He dedicated thebiggest solar power projectin Rewa of MP to the nation.He allocated Rs 1 lakh-crorein August to agricultureinfrastructural developmentfund. In September, helaunched national highwayand petroleum developmentprojects worth Rs 14,000

crore and also inauguratedthe historic Maha Setu

built across KosiRiver. In September,he launched thePradhan Mantr i

Matsya SampadaYojana with an outlay of

Rs 20,000 crore.In October, he dedicated

the Atal tunnel, the largesttunnel in the world built ata height of 10,000 feet fromsea level in Manali to thenation. In the same month,he launched the Swamitvascheme and distributedproperty cards among thepeople of the country.

In November, he inaugu-rated the new residentialquarters built for MPs inDelhi. In December, he laidthe foundation stone for thenew Parliament as part ofthe Central Vista Project,which is being described asthe pride of the country.Similarly, he also inaugurat-

ed the New Bhaupur-NewKhurja dedicated easternrail freight corridor.

In December, he alsoinaugurated state of the artlighthouse projects in sixstates and a lso IIT inSambalpur and AIIMS inRajkot.

Even at the height of thepandemic in the country,Modi conceived develop-ment projects worth lakhs ofcrores of rupees.

Modi, who laid the foun-dation stone for Ram templeat Ayodhya honouring thesentiments of the people,initiated agricultural reformsthat are likely to change thecontours of Indian economy.

Modi’s resolve i s torebuild the country socioe-conomically for the good ofthe people. There is nodoubt that he will imple-ment this resolve withrenewed zeal in the NewYear.

Y SATYA KUMAR

BJP National Secretary

TRULY

SPEAKING

Modi has been encouraging Indian scientistsand pharma companies to develop thevaccine and personally supervised theirprogress at every step. He was instrumentalin formulation of a foolproof plan todistribute the vaccine, thereby proving hisfarsightedness.

Modi has led India out of the darkness of pandemic into New Year

People lay carpet of flowersto see off transferred HC CJ

Justice Bagchi sworn in AP HC judgeVIJAYAWADA: JusticeJoymalya Bagchi was onMonday morning sworn in as ajudge of Andhra Pradesh HighCourt.High Court Chief Justice,Justice JK Maheshwariadministered the oath to thenew judge.Justice Bagchi had earlierserved as a Kolkata High Courtjudge and was transferred toAP High Court. Justice Bagchiwill continue to be second inthe seniority of AP High Courtjudges. Justice Bagchi hascome to the AP High Court inplace of the recently retired

Justice Rakesh Kumar.Meanwhile, Justice ArupKumar Goswami will be swornin as the Chief Justice of theAP High Court on January 6while Justice JK Maheshwariwill take charge as ChiefJustice of the Sikkim HighCourt.The High Court judges gave afarewell to Maheshwari onMonday.Justice JK Maheshwari tookover as the Chief Justice of theAndhra Pradesh High Court onOctober 7, 2019. He had earlierserved as Madhya PradeshHigh Court judge.

Andhra Pradesh High Court Chief Justice JK Maheswari along with family visits Sri Durga Malleswara Swamivarla Devastanam atop Indrakeeladri on Monday. Theyoffered prayers to Goddess Kanaka Durga during their visit. The Temple EO MV Suresh Babu and temple priests welcomed them with traditional protocol.

Continued from Page 1

"YSRCP is chanting two slo-gans while BJP idealism is'Yedu Kondalavada GovindaGovinda… Not only thenation, but the entire world iswaiting for the Tirupati by-pollresult. The BJP would chaseaway the YSRCP government,"he said, adding that there is aneed for cleaning up of the APEndowments Department.

"The AP EndowmentsDepartment has been divertingthe Hindus gifts to benefit fol-lowers of other faiths," BandiSanjay said.

He warned the AP govern-ment not to casually take the"patience of the BJP activists"."Jagan will pay a heavy pricefor attacks on temples. APBJP is getting ready for amovement. AP BJP activistsare stronger than TelanganaBJP activists," Bandi Sanjaysaid.

He said that the TelanganaChief Minister KChandrasekhar Rao andJagan were trying to win theelections with deceit as theywere unable to take the BJPon politically. "In Telangana,KCR is extending support tothe leaders of one religionand in AP, Jagan is openlysupporting a particular com-munity," the BJP leaderalleged.

He went on to accuse KCRof " insult ing" genuineTelangana protagonists andmaking Telangana betrayersministers. "The genuine pro-tagonists are facing a lot ofproblems in Telangana andthey are even unable to feedthemselves. KCR succeededin making the realTelanganaites disappear fromthe scene," he claimed.

Meanwhile, BJP OBCMorcha national president KLaxman called upon the peo-ple of Tirupati to elect BJP-Jana Sena candidate in thecoming by-poll to get fundsfrom the Centre. He saidthat it was not proper on thepart of Jagan to trivialise theattacks on temples.

He demanded the APGovernment to initiate severeaction against the attackers,whoever they may be.

Laxman said that theattacks on temples are takingplace again and again as thereis no serious action to stopthe perpetrators. "It is betterto hand over the temples toHindu societies for theirupkeep," Laxman suggested.

Finding fault with the CPIsenior leader Dr K Narayanafor alleging the BJP's handbehind the attacks on tem-ples, Laxman alleged that theveteran leader was losing hismental acumen.

Continued from Page 1

"On January 15, 2020, thegovernment had set up amarket intervention fundwith Rs 3,000 crore corpus topurchase crops by payingMinimum Support Price tothe farmers. To divert atten-tion from this, the oppositionvandalised the AnjaneyaSwamy temple in Pithapuramon January 21. After oneweek of the launch of the firstDisha Police Station, threesuch incidents took placeacross the State," Jagan said.

On September 7, while thegovernment announced tolaunch YSR SampoornaPoshana, the previous nightAntarvedi Chariot was guttedin a mysterious fire. Similar

incidents like vandalising ofthe Ramalayam in Vizian-agaram district were report-ed during the distribution ofhouse sites, he added.

Jagan stated that most ofthe temples are not covered

under the EndowmentsDepartment and attack onsuch shrines has been hap-pening in remote areas at latehours when no one is around,especially in private templesowned by the opposition.

Criminal cases on Aditi Gajapathi Raju...Continued from Page 1

The TDP activists, led byAditi Gajapathi, B. NarasingaRao, Karrothu NarasingaRao, IVP Raju and others inlarge numbers participated inthe rally taken out fromAshok Bungalow and gaveslogans against VellampalliSrinivas and later burnt hiseffigy. During the rally, the

police tried to prevent theTDP cadre from burningeffigy, which led to jostlingbetween the cops and theparty cadre. Later K KiranKumar, Sub Inspectorlodged a complaint againstthe TDP leaders statingthat they obstructed himfrom carr ying out hisduties and even attackedhim.

CID to probe...Continued from Page 1

Srinivas also appealedto the BJP and other par-ties to withdraw their planto hold a massive protestas the temple premiseshas a small space.

He said that across thestate around 88 casesrelated to attacks onHindu temples have beenbooked and 169 werearrested. Pol ice hadmapped around 57,584temples across the stateand only 3 ,000 haveCCT V cameras , theMinister said.

Confusion over BJP-Jana Sena pick forTirupati as VeerrajuSNV SUDHIR

n VIJAYAWADA

An interesting game is going onbetween allies BJP and JanaSena on who would contest theforthcoming Tirupati Lok Sabhaby-poll.BJP, fresh from its victory inDubbaka by-poll and GHMCpolls in neighbouring stateTelangana, fancies its chancesand has more or less stakedclaim for the seat, while theJana Sena is refusing to besteamrolled.The Tirupati Lok Sabha seat fellvacant due to the demise ofYSRCP MP Balli Durga Prasada few months ago. Following this, the two allies aremaking moves that can at bestbe described as engrossing tothe observers of Andhrapolitics.Notably, it's been more than amonth that both the partiesannounced that a jointcommittee will finalise thecandidate. However, there areno signs of either such acommittee taking shape orconsensus-building attemptsfrom either party on selection ofthe candidate.

On the other hand, the rulingYSRCP has more or lessfinalised its candidate and theannouncement is a mereformality while the TDP, themain opposition in the state,has already named its pick.In fact, the speed at which TDPsupremo N Chandrababu Naiduannounced former unionminister Panabaka Lakshmi asthe party's candidate was amajor departure from his usualstyle of functioning. Naidu hasbeen often accused of takinghis own sweet time in takingcrucial decisions especially inmatters like finalisingcandidates.He was, in this instance, the

first among the political partychiefs in the state to announcethe candidate, about a fortnightago.YSRCP too has been clear that

the late MP Balli Durga Prasad'sson Kalyan Chakravarthy wouldnot be contesting the by-poll.It's more or less made clearthat Chief Minister YSJaganmohan Reddy's personalphysiotherapist Dr MaddilaGurumurthy would be its pickand a formal announcement isonly due.

Choose between Gita and Bible...

In counterattack, Jagan blames...

Continued from Page 1

This belief in the TDP is thereason why party supremo NChandrababu Naidu raised ‘JaiSriram’ slogan to wrap up hisvisit to Ramatheertam temple.

The party also discussedhow to derive political mileagefrom Naidu’s visit toRamateertham and how thepolice had to back down soonafter he took part in the funer-al of the party youth wingleader in Proddutur.

Vijayasai Reddy’s visit toRamateertham led to peoplegetting upset at the YSRCP andNaidu’s visit brought politicalcapital to the TDP, some lead-ers said.

“Hindus in the state couldmuster confidence after theNaidu’s visit to Ramateertham.

Swamy Srinivasananda sharingthe same dais as Naidu has sentpositive feelers to the people,”these TDP leaders said.

The politburo also discussedthe repercussions of discardingthe secular credentials of theTDP and focusing onHindutva.

Naidu reportedly convincedthe politburo by saying: “Nodoubt ours is a secular party.After Jagan came to power, atleast 127 incidents of desecra-tion of temples have takenplace. But none has been arrest-ed so far. As a responsible polit-ical party, TDP cannot affordto remain mum if sentimentsof Hindus are being hurt. Theparty gives equal preference toHindus and Muslims. Theparty has the responsibility toreassure the Hindus in the

backdrop of attacks on tem-ples.”

In this context, the politburois also reported to have dis-cussed caste politics.

The politburo accepted thatChristians, Dalits and Reddysside with the YSRCP, whileKapus side with the PawanKalyan. Because of the alliancebetween the Jana Sena and theBJP, the BJP has been trying towin over Kapus, the TDP lead-ers reportedly concluded.

The BJP has no strength onits own in the state but it’s try-ing to cash in on incidents likedesecration of temples to winover the Hindus, they report-edly said.

In this backdrop, discus-sions were reported to haveheld on who should the TDPside with? Which caste group

should it take under its wings?As the BJP has been trying

to replace the TDP with itsHindutva agenda, the TDPshould take a crucial decision,several leaders opined.

Some others warned thepolitburo of the impendingdanger of the BJP takingadvantage of the desecration oftemples due to the TDP’ssilence.

Naidu was reported to haveasked the party leaders to keep

tabs on the BJP’s strategieskeeping in mind the forthcom-ing Tirupati by-election.

When the TDP was inpower, not a single attack ontemples was reported and sen-timents of a no faith werehurt.

Jagan did not visit any of thetemples desecrated by miscre-ants, Naidu pointed out, sayingthat this was testimony to lackof sincerity on the part of theCM.

Some of the leaders arereported to have brought to thenotice of the politburo thepublic opinion that the attackson temples are going onunchecked since the CM, DGPand Home Minister belong toChristian community.

At this juncture, Naidu saidto have intervened and said

that people should not haveentertained such opinions hadthe CM, DGP and HomeMinister swung into actionimmediately and took steps tobring the culprits to book.

He reportedly said that Jaganis ruling the state with faction-ist mentality for want ofadministrative experience.

“If the hand of the TDP wassuspected behind such inci-dents as was being alleged bythe YSRCP leaders, whostopped the state governmentto take action against theguilty,” Naidu reportedly ques-tioned.

He wanted the TDP leadersto counterattack the YSRCPwith such questions. He askedthe party leaders to rush toprotest wherever attacks on theparty activists were reported.

TDP politburo decides to hijack BJP’s Hindutva The politburo alsodiscussed the repercu-ssions of discardingthe secular credentialsof the TDP andfocusing on Hindutva

128 fresh cases,3 deaths in APPNS n VIJAYAWADA

AP reported 128 fresh Covid-19 cases, 252 recoveries andthree deaths, while the activecases slid below 3000 in 24hours ending 9 am onMonday.

After 1.20 crore sampletests, the gross confirmedpositives touched 8,83,210with an overall positivity rateof 7.36 per cent, a healthdepartment bulletin said.

The active caseload stoodat 2,943 after a total of8,73,149 recoveries and 7,118deaths, it said. Eight districtsadded less than 10 fresh caseseach and four below 20 eachin a day.

Only Chittoor districtreported 21 new cases.

vijayawada 03VIJAYAWADA | TUESDAY | JANUARY 5, 2021

PNS n VIJAYAWADA

Education MinisterAdimulapu Suresh onMonday launched the coun-selling process for admissionsinto IIIT courses here at IIITNuzvid.

Speaking on the occasion,the minister said that thestate government allocatedRs 200 crore for the develop-ment of infrastructure facili-ties in the IIIT campuses inthe State.

The minister said that thecounselling process will beheld till January 11. Studentswho secured ranks in theentrance test attended thecounseling and chose thecampuses for the academicyear 2021.

Stating that the previousTDP government neglectedthe development of IIIT cam-puses, he said that the YSRCPgovernment allocated Rs 200crore for the development ofinfrastructure facilities in IIITs.

He said former ChiefMinister late YS RajasekharReddy had set up the IIITs inthe state to impart qualitytechnical education to therural children. Rajasekhar

Reddy inaugurated the IIITcampus in Nuzvid in 2018 andlater two more campuses wereset up in Ongole andSrikakulam.

The Minister handed overthe admission letters to thestudents P Venkata Sivasankarand Dasari Abhishek on theoccasion. He suggested thestudents to develop commu-nication skills while continu-ing the education. Heappealed to the parents toanalyse the functioning ofIIIT campuses in the present

government and the previousTDP government.

Suresh said the state gov-ernment was implementingJagananna Vidya Deevena andJagananna Vasati Deevena topromote education in thestate.

The state government isproviding food, accommoda-tion, books and computers tothe IIIT students, he appealedto the students to avail thebenefits extended by the gov-ernment and reach higherpositions.

PNS n VIJAYAWADA

Chief Minister YSJaganmohan Reddy onMonday virtually inaugurat-ed Police Duty Meet beingheld after six years at Tirupati.

Speaking on the occasion,the Chief Minister said thatthe Duty Meet will help policeofficials in working more effi-ciently and recommended tohold similar events every yearfrom now on.

The Chief Minister hadalso recommended the policeofficials to include the currentstate of affairs in the pro-gramme, especially vandalis-ing the temples, and askedthem to come up with plansto prevent such attacks in thefuture.

Drawing a comparisonbetween previous TDP andcurrent YSRCP governments,the Chief Minister said thatthe previous government hadinstructed the police not totake any action against theirparty leaders even if theywere involved in illegal activ-ities.

"Our government has madeit clear that whoever commitsunlawful thing should bepunished even if they belongto our own party. The policeused to handle simple robberycases in the olden days, butnow the era has changed andthey have to deal with cyber-

crimes, white-collar crimi-nals and a few are not evensparing God with no trace offear or devotion," he said.

Various issues like cyber-crimes and women's safety arebeing discussed in this meet,besides focusing on adaptingthe latest technology by sign-ing agreements with world-renowned companies and pre-mier institutions like IITs.

Home Minister MekathotiSucharita, Intelligence ChiefKVRN Reddy and severalsenior police officials werepresent.

Duty meets will help policeperform better, says Jagan

PNS n VISAKHAPATNAM

Only 37 percent of places ofworship or religious places inVizag city are covered byCCTV surveillance.

Vizag city has a total of1,580 places of worship - 1,223temples, 263 churches and 95masjids - according to infor-mation furnished by the Vizagcity police. Of these, only 598religious places are covered byCCTV surveillance while therest are left to the Protection ofthe Almighty.

The police data also men-tioned that 1,533 such places ofworship are properly illuminat-ed and 620 are 'safe' due to thepresence of security guardsand volunteers.

With the recent incidents ofdesecration of places of wor-ship in Andhra Pradesh trig-gering tension, city police held

meetings with committeemembers of various templesand conducted the safety auditof temples.

Also, Circle Inspectors,along with personnel visitedthe places of worship in theirjurisdiction to inspect the secu-rity arrangements and avail-ability of resources.

The police came out withsome plans such as some vol-unteers must sleep in temples,created beats in every policestation limits, not allow drunk-ards to roam near shrines,verify the modus operandi ofcriminals and keep tabs ontheir movements and take helpof Mahila police for the secu-

rity of the temples.On Monday, Gopalapatnam

police in Vizag city verified thesecurity measures at thefamous Sri VarahalakshmiNrusimha Swamy Temple atSimhachalam and also thetemples located down of thehill such as Bairava Kona,Pydimamba, Bangaruthalli,and Sri Venkateswara Swamyshrines.

The police have observedthat temple authorities recent-ly posted four security guardsat Bairavakona Temple andSri Venkateswara Swamy tem-ple and installed 16 new CCcameras.

Similarly, city police exam-ined the security measures atvarious temples in the city andasked the committee membersof the temples to improve thesecurity measures to preventany untoward incidents.

Only 37% religious places under CCTV surveillance in Vizag

n As the recent attacks ontemples in AndhraPradesh triggered tension, the city policeheld meetings withcommittee members ofvarious temples andconducted the safety audit of temples.

n Of the total of 1,580 placesof worship including 1,223temples, 263 churches and95 masjids in Vizag, only598 are equipped withCCTV surveillance whilethe remaining places areyet to be brought underthe surveillance.

Jagan trying todefame TDPon templeattacks: NaiduPNS n VIJAYAWADA

TDP Chief N ChandrababuNaidu on Monday accused theJaganmohan Reddy govern-ment of launching a defama-tion campaign against theTDP. He deplored that CMJaganmohan Reddy was try-ing to save the people involvedin all the 136 attacks on thetemples that took place in thestate in the past 19 months.

He said that charges that theTDP was behind the attacksyet again exposed the fakestatements of the ChiefMinister.

Addressing the partyCentral Committee meetingheld here, Naidu said that theChief Minister should feelashamed of his Minister'scomment that his followersaccused in gambling caseswould come out from jailand would start playing thecards once again as usual.

"It is unfortunate that gam-blers and pokers have becomethe Ministers now," he stated.

Naidu criticised thatYSRCP betrayed the farmersto the tune of Rs 20,000 croreby not giving Rythu Bharosato the eligible farmers. Also, Rs2,000 crore was not being paidonly to harass the farmers.

Hundreds of farmers com-mitted suicide as they wereunable to pay debts and bearlosses, but the Chief Ministerwas not taking any steps torescue them. .

33 arrested for gambling, `55L seized PNS n VIJAYAWADA

The Special EnforcementBureau (SEB) sleuths, alongwith local police, conductedraids on gambling dens arrest-ed 33 persons on charges ofgambling in Ankannagudemvillage of Nandiwada mandalin Krishna district on Sundaynight.

Speaking to the media,Gudivada DSP NSatyanandam said that SEB,along with local police, con-ducted raids on two gamblingdens being organised secret-ly. They also seized 28 cars, 13bikes and Rs 55.39 lakh incash from the gamblers.

Krishna district SP MRavindranath Babu said that,on a tip-off, the team led bySEB Additional SP JayaramiReddy conducted raidJayarami Reddy said that theNandiwada police have regis-tered a case and the accusedwill be produced in the court.Ravindranath Babu said thatthe instructions have beengiven to conduct more raidson hotels and lodges to pre-vent gambling and other ille-gal activities during Sankrantifestival.

PNS n VIJAYAWADA

Civil Supplies minister KodaliSri Venkateswara Rao (Nani)on Monday alleged that theTDP leaders were targetinghim in the wake of raid con-ducted on gambling den inNandivada mandal ofGudivada constituency onSunday night.

Stating that he was respon-

sible for the closure of gam-bling dens and poker clubs inGudivada, he criticised theTDP leaders for levelling alle-gations against him.

Speaking to the media here,the Minister asserted that theraids were conducted by theState Enforcement Bureau(SEB) and the local police, butthe TDP leaders were trying toclaim credit for the achieve-

ment.Asserting that the State gov-

ernment was taking strictaction against the gamblinghouses by making amend-ments to the Gambling Act, theminister recalled that formerMP Konakalla Narayana hadorganised gambling at hishome itself.

TDP leaders are levelingfalse allegations against him

with the help of favouredmedia, he said.

Nani further said that unlikeChandrababu Naidu andDevineni Uma, he didn't haveany need to organise gamblingdens or get involved with it.

"Naidu and Uma live onclubs. Devineni Uma collectscommissions from clubs inVijayawada and Guntur, andshares profits with Nara

Lokesh," he alleged. He said that the people of

Gudivada were well aware ofhis character and won't believethe allegations levelled againsthim.

Nani clarified that he metthe Chief Minister on NDBtenders but not on poker affair.He requested the ChiefMinister to give priority toGudivada in NDB tenders..

PNS n VIJAYAWADA

BJP state general secretary SVishnuvardhan Reddydemanded that CPI leader KNarayana tender apology toHindus for calling the idols inHindu temples as 'mere stones'.

In a statement on Monday,the BJP leader said thatNarayana was too old for cur-rent politics and was passingtime by making controversialstatements.

There is no consistencybetween their words andactions of Communist leaders.They speak more on Gandhismand in total contradiction totheir words, they eat chicken onGandhi Jayanthi, he derided.

Vishnuvardha Reddy ques-tioned Narayana why he hadvisited Tirumala along with hisfamily. Has their family seen astone or had darshan of LordVenkateshwara at Tirumala,

he questioned. Narayana must clarify what

is there in Tirumala and whyhis family visits Tirumala reg-ularly, he asked.

It has become a habit for thecommunist party leaders toinsult gods these days. On theother hand, another commu-nist party leader Ramakrishna

demands beefing up of securi-ty at temples in the state.

Comparing the deities withstones the communist leadersdo not have the moral right totalk about temples and theirprotection, he said and remind-ed that Narayana is the nameof God.

Recalling that all the com-munist leaders have namesrelated to gods - SitaramYechury (Lord Rama), RamaKrishna (Lord Rama, LordKrishna) and others, he won-dered how they can speak ill ofHindu gods.

It is ridiculous for the com-munists to talk about the agri-cultural bill that would changethe lives of farmers in days tocome. The communists aretrying to get political mileageby commenting against thebill and in favour of farmerswho are protesting, added theBJP leader.

Chief Minister YS Jaganmohan Reddy paid a courtesy visit to Governor Biswabhusan Harichandan at Raj Bhavan inVijayawada on Monday.

COURTESY CCALL

Andhra Pradesh DGP Goutham Sawan addressing the Police Duty Meet held at Tirupati on Monday.

BJP’s Vishnuvardhan demandsapology from CPI’s Narayana

Kodali Nani rubbishes allegations of TDP leaders

PNS n VISAKHAPATNAM

Shunning the path of vio-lence, four Maoists, includinga woman with Rs4 lakh boun-ty on her head, surrenderedbefore the DIG (VisakhaRange) LKV Ranga Rao atDistrict Police Office in Vizagon Monday.

Heightened combing oper-ation, according to police, hasdeprived the Maoists of basicneeds. Ill-health is also com-pelling them to surrender, saidthe DIG.

The surrendered Maoistshave been identified as KorraSeetha, 25, alias Swarna, andShailu, Area CommitteeMember (ACM) of Pedabayaluand a native of Sakirevu underPedabayalu mandal in VizagAgency Pangi Musiri, 36, aliasChittibabu, MilitiaCommander of Busiput pock-et, Korra Venkata Rao, 37,and militia member PangiGopala Rao, 55, alias Gopal.

"Seetha was a key memberof the outfit in the PedabayaluArea Committee. As shebelongs to the local Kondutribe, she has command overthe remote villages. Since 2010,she worked in the Maoist party

in various ranks by moving inGalikonda, Korukonda,Pedabayalu and few other areasand worked in various posi-tions, including ACM ofPedabayalu. She was a carryinga cash reward of Rs four lakh,"said the DGP.

Seetha was involved in var-ious crimes, including ninemurder cases, blasting of landmine, six exchanges of fires,two ambushes, arson, onefamine raid, one Praja court,and few others in the past onedecade.

The police said Maoist partyignored to take care of herhealth and struggled to getfood, sleep and other basicneeds due to increasing policecombing operations.

Seetha told reporters thatpeople lost faith in Maoists forobstructing the developmentactivities. She also said thattribal youth are not interestedin joining the outfit as they

want development of theregion such as roads and oth-ers.

The police said that PangiMusiri has been with theMaoist part since 2010 and wasinvolved in over seven crimes,such as damaging the publicand private properties, settingfire to vehicles and putting upposters and banners of the out-fit at various places.

Ranga Rao said that themain reasons for the surrenderof the Maoists are currentlythere are more police combingoperations, pressure of thefamily members, extensiveawareness programmes bypolice and development activ-ities and apparently upset withthe Maoist party leaders killingthe innocent tribal.

The DIG called upon theMaoists to leave weapons andjoin the mainstream. Heassured that the cases againstthose who surrender and jointhe mainstream would bedropped.

In addition, Rehabilitationand the amount of reward(with cash) on them under theSurrender Policy announcedby the government will begranted.

Four Maoists, including womanwith `4 lakh bounty, surrender

Minister opens counsellingfor admission into IIITs

42 places ofworship razedfor PushkaraluPNS n VIJAYAWADA

As many as 42 religious struc-tures, including temples,churches and mosques, weredemolished either totally orpartially during TDP regimein a bid to widen the roadsduring the KrishnaPushkarams in 2016, saidthe YSRCP party in a pressrelease.

As many as 33 temples,seven mosques and twochurches were demolished.The demolished structureswere mainly in Town I, TownII, Bhavanipuram,Ibrahimpatnam andKrishnalanka police limits.

As the desecration of theidols in Hindu templessparked outrage in AndhraPradesh and protests by thepolitical parties, the incidentsof temple demolitions arebeing widely discussed now inthe state.

Among the 33 temples thatwere demolished, theSeethammavari Padalu,Saneeswara Swamy andDakshina Mukha AnjaneyaSwamy temples were promi-nent places of worship inVijayawada.

EducationMinisterAdimulapuSuresh appealedto the studentsto avail thebenefitsextended by the governmentand reachhigher positions

PNS n HYDERABAD

As many as nine more peoplewho had tested positive forCoronavirus in the countrywere found to be infectedwith the new mutated strainon Monday.

With this, the number ofpeople infected with the newstrain, first detected in the UK,reached 38 in India.

However, none of the newcases detected by the CCMB,Hyderabad on Monday werefrom the Telugu States. Ofthese 38 cases, three havebeen detected by CCMB,Hyderabad.

On December 29, 2020,two persons had tested posi-tive for the new strain inTelugu States for the first time.Of them, one was fromTelangana and another wasfrom Andhra Pradesh.

On January 1, one moreperson was tested positive for

the new strain in Telangana.Of these 38 cases of the

mutated strain of Covid-19detected in India so far, 10have been detected atNIMHANS in Bengaluru,eight in NCDC Delhi, five inNational Institute of Virology(NIV) Pune, three in CCMBHyderabad, 11 in Institute ofGenomics and IntegrativeBiology (IGIB) New Delhi,and one at NIBMG Kalyani.

As on January 1, the num-ber of such cases in India was29. The Union Ministry ofHealth has started comprehen-sive contact tracing for co-travellers, family contacts andothers to curtail the spread ofthis mutated variant of thekiller virus.

The samples of all returneesfrom the UK found positive inthe RT-PCR test will begenome sequenced by a con-sortium of 10 governmentlabs.

No new ‘UK strain' infections in AP, TS

VIJAYAWADA | TUESDAY | JANUARY 5, 2021 nation 04

SHORT TAKESKerala youth commission to impartself-defence training for women

ANaxal wanted forattacks on police

and kidnapping ofcivilians as well asother serious offenceswas arrested fromChhattisgarh's Bijapurdistrict, an official saidon Monday. Punem

Binda (48) had a reward of Rs 1 lakh on his head and wasapprehended on Sunday from his native Marudbaka village underUsoor police station limits in an anti-Naxal operation of the CentralReserve Police Force (CRPF) and District Force (DF), he said.Binda was head of the Dandakaranya Adivasi Kisan MazdoorSangthan (DAKMS), a front outfit of the Naxals, and was involvedin six incidents between 2006 and 2018, including attacks onpolice teams, kidnapping of civilians, loot and damage to publicproperty, the official added.

Justice Sanjib Banerjeesworn in as CJ of Madras HC

Justice Sanjib Banerjee wassworn in as Chief Justice of the

Madras High Court by GovernorBanwarilal Purohit here onMonday. Governor Purohitadministered the oath of office toJustice Banerjee in a ceremony atthe Raj Bhavan here. Tamil NaduChief Minister K Palaniswami,Deputy Chief Minister O

Panneerselvam, State Ministers, Chief Secretary K Shanmugamparticipated. Justice Banerjee, senior-most judge of the CalcuttaHigh Court, would be the 50th Chief Justice of the Madras HighCourt. His predecessor, Chief Justice Amreshwar Pratap Sahiretired on December 31, 2020.Justice Banerjee, born onNovember 2, 1961 graduated in Economics (Honours) and in law,both from the University of Calcutta and enrolled as an advocateon November 21, 1990. He practised mainly in the High Court ofCalcutta as well as in the Supreme Court. He was elevated to theBench of the High Court at Calcutta as a permanent Judge onJune 22, 2006.

Naxal with Rs 1 lakh rewardheld in Chhattisgarh's Bijapur

At a time when women'ssafety is a huge

concern, a state-runagency is offering aplatform for them to gettraining in martial arts forfree of cost in Kerala. TheState Youth Commission,aimed at empowering

youth and protecting their rights, is getting ready to give free self-defence training for young women. The objective of the programmewas to prepare every woman in the southern state for self-defenceagainst physical assault, Commission officials here said. Thosewomen, aged between18 and 40 years who have registered with theCommunity Volunteer Force of the state government, can apply forthe free martial arts training, the officials said. Chintha Jerome,Chairperson of the Youth Commission, said the training programmewould begin in Thiruvananthapuram district in the initial phase.

PNS n PATNA

All educational institutions inBihar, including schools, collegesand coaching centres, reopenedon Monday after a gap of overnine months.

Physical classes were held forstudents of standards 9-12 inschools and final year studentsin colleges. The institutionswere closed since March 14due to the COVID-19 outbreak.

Wearing of masks, use ofhand sanitiser and maintenanceof physical distancing have beenmade mandatory at the educa-tional institutions. Schools havebeen asked to operate at half thestrength to ensure social distanc-ing in classes.

Attendance, however, remainedthin as many parents were appre-hensive of sending their wards tothe educational institutions tillthey were vaccinated.

Many students, on the otherhand, were enthusiastic aboutthe development.

"I am happy that schoolshave reopened as students weregetting badly affected. Most ofthe children studying in govern-ment schools do not have lap-tops to carry out online studies.Our syllabus is lagging and wewill work hard to cover it," a class9 student of Patna's Miller HighSchool said. Another class 11student said that though

COVID-19 fears loom large,studies are equally importantand cannot be missed, whileassuring that safety protocolswill be maintained.

Teachers too seemed happy tobe able to take physical classesagain. "It is good that we are get-ting an opportunity to teach stu-dents in physical classrooms. Allthese months we used to come

to schools but did not haveteaching work," an educator ofMiller High School said.

The attendance of class 11 and12 students is lesser than that ofclass 9 and 10 pupils, he said.

Students have to bring con-sent letters from their guardiansto be able to attend the classes,another teacher said.

Many guardians, however,

fear that their children might getinfected with COVID-19 if theyare sent to schools withoutbeing vaccinated.

"We will not send our chil-dren to schools till they are vac-cinated for COVID-19. We can-not take risks despite the precau-tionary measures being taken bythe state government," RajivSingh, a resident of Jethiyan vil-

lage in Gaya district said.Dharmendra Kumar, a resi-

dent of Khijarsarai village in thesame district, echoed thedemand. The decision to reopenthe educational institutions wastaken during a CrisisManagement Group meetingon December 18 last year.

Education DepartmentPrincipal Secretary SanjayKumar had said that studentswill be permitted to enter theeducational institutions only ifthey wear masks.

Authorities of the education-al institutions will keep a tab onstudents to check whether theyhave any COVID symptoms andmedical examination of pupilswill be conducted in govern-ment schools on a randombasis, he said.

Two masks each will be dis-tributed among school childrenand physical classes for studentsof standards 9-12 will be held athalf the strength to ensure socialdistancing, the official said.

PNS n THIRUVANANTHAPURAM

After schools, colleges anduniversity campuses openedpartially in Kerala on Monday, afterremaining closed for over 290 daysdue to restrictions and lockdownimposed in the wake of COVID-19pandemic. Over 1,350 highereducation institutions including artsand science and engineeringcolleges, state universities and the

lone central university in the statelocated in Kasaragod welcomed alimited number of students incompliance with strict COVIDprotocols. Classes restarted for thefinal year undergraduate andpostgraduate students. Thermalscreening, mandatory usage of facemasks, social distancing andfrequent sanitisation of campusesgreeted students in each institution.As per the government

instructions, only 50 per cent ofstudents were allowed in each classand shift system was introduced inmany institutions based on thestrength of students. The respectiveinstitutions can arrange the classesin their campus in two shiftsbetween 8.30 AM to 5 PM on alldays except Sundays, it said. Thedecision to increase the workinghours and to conduct classes onSaturday has irked a section of the

academic fraternity especially thosebelonging to teachers' unionsaffiliated to opposition parties.Schools in the southern state,remained closed since thecoronavirus-induced lockdown in March, had opened partially on January 1 in adherence toCOVID guidelines. Classes beganfor 10th and 12th standardstudents in the schools ingovernment and private sectors.

Schools, colleges reopen in Bihar after over 9 months

Colleges, varsities open in Kerala after a gap of over 290 days

PNS n NEW DELHI

Prime Minister Narendra Modisaid on Monday that theworld's biggest inoculationdrive against coronavirus is setto begin in the country, a dayafter the drugs regulatorapproved two vaccines forrestricted emergency use.

Lauding the scientists andtechnicians for the 'Made inIndia' vaccines, he said thecountry is proud of them.

"World's biggest COVID-19vaccination programme set tobegin in India. For this, thecountry is proud of the contri-butions of its scientists andtechnicians," Modi said.

India's drugs regulator onSunday approved OxfordCOVID-19 vaccine Covishield,manufactured by the SerumInstitute, and indigenouslydeveloped Covaxin of BharatBiotech for restricted emer-

gency use in the country,paving the way for a massiveinoculation drive.

Addressing scientists at theNational Metrology Conclave,

Modi said it must be ensuredthat 'Made in India' productsnot only have global demandbut also global acceptance.

"Quality is as much impor-

tant as quantity, our standardsshould rise with our scale inour quest for AatmanirbharBharat," he said.

The prime minister said inany progressive society,research is key and effectiveand its effects are commercialand social. They also helpwiden approach and think-ing.

"Past teaches us that more acountry concentrates on sci-ence, the more its technologygets strengthened. This tech-

nology in turn helps newindustries and promotesresearch. This cycle takes thecountry ahead," he said.

"We do not want to fill theworld with Indian products,but we must win the hearts ofevery customer of Indian prod-ucts in every corner of theworld," he said.

Quality of services in ourcountry and products, bothpublic or private sector, willdetermine India's strength inthe world, he stressed.

PNS n LONDON

The UK on Monday began rollingout the Oxford University vaccinedeveloped by AstraZeneca asprotection against COVID-19,with an 82-year-old Oxford-borndialysis patient becoming the firstto receive the new jab.Brian Pinker is among the first tobe vaccinated by the OxfordUniversity Hospital's (OUH) chiefnurse, hailed as a majormilestone in the phasedvaccination programme beingundertaken by the National HealthService (NHS) as the Oxford jabbecame the second vaccineapproved for rollout after thePfizer/BioNTech vaccine. A retiredmaintenance manager who hasbeen having dialysis for kidneydisease at the hospital for anumber of years, Pinker said hewas pleased to be gettingprotection against the virus,giving him peace of mind as hecontinues to receive treatment. "Iam so pleased to be getting theCOVID-19 vaccine today andreally proud that it is one thatwas invented in Oxford. Thenurses, doctors and staff todayhave all been brilliant and I can

now really look forward tocelebrating my 48th weddinganniversary with my wife Shirleylater this year," he said.Alongside Pinker, music teacherand father-of-three TrevorCowlett, aged 88, and ProfessorAndrew Pollard, a paediatricianworking at OUH who alsopioneered the Oxford jab, areamong the first to be vaccinatedon Monday. "The Oxford vaccineis a triumph of British scienceand I want to thank everyoneinvolved in its development andproduction," said UK PrimeMinister Boris Johnson. "Weknow there are challenges stillahead of us over the comingweeks and months, but I'mconfident this is the year we willdefeat coronavirus and startbuilding back better," he said.Professor Pollard, Director of theOxford Vaccine Group and ChiefInvestigator of the Oxford VaccineTrial, said: "It was an incrediblyproud moment for me to havereceived the actual vaccine thatthe University of Oxford and theAstraZeneca teams have workedso hard to make available to theUK and the world. "As apaediatrician specialising in

infections, I know how importantit is that healthcare workers alongwith other priority groups areprotected as soon as possible – acrucial role in defeating thisterrible disease". The new Oxfordvaccine is easier to transport andstore than the Pfizer jab, whichhas to be kept at minus 70degrees until shortly before it isused, making it easier to deliverin care homes. "Through itsvaccine delivery plan, ourexceptional NHS has nowdelivered over a millionvaccinations to patients acrossthe UK. The vaccine is our wayout and this huge achievementbrings us a step closer to thenormality we've all been workinghard to reclaim," said UK Health

Secretary Matt Hancock. "Thiswill be a historic day, and causefor celebration, but it's vitaleveryone continues to follow therules and remember hands, face,space, to keep ourselves andothers safe," he said, warning thatthe new variant of the deadlyvirus still remains a major risk tothe NHS services.The first Oxford AstraZenecavaccinations will be delivered at asmall number of hospitals for thefirst few days for surveillancepurposes, as is standard practice,before the bulk of supplies aresent to hundreds of generalpractitioner (GP) led serviceslater in the week. The NHS isgiving GPs an extra 10 poundsfor every care home resident thatthey vaccinate by the end of themonth. Thereafter, hundreds ofnew vaccination sites are due tocome onstream this week, joiningthe 700 which are already inoperation. "The NHS' biggestvaccination programme in historyis off to a strong start, thanks tothe tremendous efforts of NHSstaff who have already deliveredmore than one million jabs," saidNHS medical director ProfessorStephen Powis. "Throughout the

pandemic their response hasbeen phenomenal fromintroducing world-leadingtreatments for coronavirus whichhave saved patients' lives as wellas delivering the very firstCOVID-19 vaccines outside of atrial in a landmark moment inhistory, and now rolling out thenew Oxford AstraZeneca vaccine,chalking up another world firstthat will protect thousands moreover the coming weeks," he said.Last week, regulators and thefour UK chief medical officersannounced that the gap betweenfirst and second doses of thePfizer vaccine should belengthened so that more peoplecan be protected faster.Delivery of the Pfizer jab, the firstvaccine to be approved, istherefore also now able to beaccelerated. The NHS said it hasnow vaccinated more people thananywhere else in Europe,including more than one in fivepeople over the age of 80.It comes as the UK faceschallenges of a very rapidlyspreading new mutation ofcoronavirus, which has plungedmost of the country into thetoughest lockdown restrictions.

PNS n NEW DELHI

India has enough stockpile ofthe COVID-19 vaccine forinoculation of priority groups,including healthcare workersand frontline workers, in thefirst phase, Niti Aayog mem-ber V K Paul said on Monday.

Paul, who is also theChairman of National ExpertGroup On VaccineAdministration for COVID-19(NEGVAC) further said thegovernment will soonannounce its plans for pur-chase and distribution ofCOVID-19 vaccine.

"Our first phase (of vaccina-tion) comprises priority groupswith high risk of mortality andour healthcare and frontlineworkers. For them, we believe,we have enough (COVID-19vaccine) stockpile," he toldPTI in an interview.

India's drug regulator DCGIon Sunday approved theOxford COVID-19 vaccineCovishield, manufactured bythe Serum Institute, andindigenously developedCovaxin of Bharat Biotech forrestricted emergency use in thecountry, paving the way for amassive inoculation drive.

Paul noted that "three tofour months from now, therewill be other vaccines and thestockpile will be even bigger."And more acceleration can bebrought about in the vaccina-tion programme," Paul added.

Asked when the govern-ment will announce its plansfor purchase and distributionof COVID-19 vaccine, he said,"this will follow. Now theessential has taken place, allthese steps will be taken."

Asked what would be thesingle biggest challenge inmass vaccination for COVID-19, Paul noted that the biggestchallenge encompasses thehuge mobilisation that isrequired for such an effort.

"Well, the single most

important challenge for massvaccination on such a scale ismobilising beneficiaries onthe appointed day and to con-duct sessions in smooth, sys-temic protocols, ensuringCOVID-19 appropriate pre-cautions, I think is the singlebiggest challenge," heobserved.

According to Paul, the pur-pose of vaccination is a stag-gered ambition and can beseen as hierarchical.

"Ultimately, we would likevaccination to stop, stall andextinguish the pandemic, thatis the ultimate purpose," hesaid adding that for that to beachieved, a herd immunity ofabout 70 per cent has to be cre-ated either through vaccinationor by adding those people

who have undergone naturalinfection.

Paul pointed out that fornormal life to go on, thereshould be enough vaccinatedpeople, so that the country'sindustry, schools, transporta-tion, judicial system andParliamentary activity go on.

"Even though the virus maybe there, the pandemic maynot have finished but enoughof economic and social lifecould go on," he emphasised.

Replying to a question thatIndia does not have experiencein adult vaccination, the NitiAayog member noted thatcountries face new challengesand then they respond on thebasis of their intrinsic capabil-ity.

"We have tremendous expe-rience of running immunisa-tion programs. We have expe-rience of running affairs likenational elections which hap-pen over a short period of timeacross the country," he said.

"So those experiences andthose SOP will come handyand build on that India's inge-nuity, India's innovation andIndia's experience will make itpossible for us to mount a suc-cessful vaccination pro-gramme, even though it isunprecedented," he added.

Referring to the health min-istry's recently issued 'COVID-19 Vaccine OperationalGuidelines', Paul said, "Godforbid, if you have any comor-bidity, then you will get a vac-cine in the first phase of thevaccination programme.Otherwise, you will get afterthese high priority groups havebeen covered."

India's drug regulator DCGIon Sunday approved theOxford COVID-19 vaccineCovishield, manufactured bythe Serum Institute, andindigenously developedCovaxin of Bharat Biotech forrestricted emergency use in thecountry.

World's biggest vaccination drive set to begin in India: PMPraising Indian scientists for theircontribution in developing Covidvaccine, the PM said: “ We do notwant to fill the world with Indianproducts, but we must win the heartsof every customer of Indian productsin every corner of the world

UK starts vaccine rollout with dialysis patient

Enough stockpile of vaccinefor priority groups: VK Paul

Our first phase of

vaccination

comprises priority

groups with high

risk of mortality

and our

healthcare and

frontline workers.

For them, we bel-

ieve, we have

enough stockp-

ile," says VK Paul

PNS n NEW DELHI

The Supreme Court Mondayasked the Centre to eitherwithdraw or amend rules noti-fied in 2017 for confiscatinganimals of traders and trans-porters during the pendency oftrial in cases under thePrevention of Cruelty toAnimals Act, saying they arecontrary to the law.

The top court said the ruleswill be stayed if not withdrawnor amended by the Centre asthe law provides that animalscan be confiscated only if aperson is convicted under theAct.

A bench of Chief Justice S ABobde and Justices A SBopanna and VRamasubramanian said thatanimals are a source of liveli-hood for the people concerned.

The bench told AdditionalSolicitor General Jayant K Sud,appearing for the Centre, thatthe government cannot confis-cate the cattle and keep itbefore a person is convicted.

At the outset, Sud informed

the bench that the 2017 ruleshave been notified.

The bench said: “Animalsare source of livelihood. We arenot talking about pet dogs andcats. People live on the basis oftheir animals. You can't confis-cate them and keep thembefore the man is convicted.Your rules are contrary. Youeither withdraw it or we willstay it.”

Sud reiterated that the ruleshave been notified as atrocitieswere being committed on ani-mals.

The bench said, “We are try-ing to tell you that the sectionis very clear that only the per-son who is convicted can losethe animal. You either amend

the rule or we will stay it. Wecannot have a situation wherethe rule is running contrary tothe express provision of theAct”.

The ASG urged the court topost the matter for furtherhearing in next week to enablehim seek instructions on thematter.

The bench posted the mat-ter for further hearing onJanuary 11.

The Prevention of Cruelty toAnimals (Care andMaintenance of Case PropertyAnimals) Rules, 2017 framedunder the Prevention ofCruelty to Animals Act, 1960,were notified on May 23, 2017.

The top court had onAugust 17 last year asked Sudto make a statement about thenotification of the Rules inquestion.

On July 2, 2019, the topcourt had sought responsefrom the Centre on a plea ofBuffalo Traders WelfareAssociation challenging theconstitutional validity of therules of 2017.

‘Annul or amend rules onseizing animals during trial’

PNS n GHAZIABAD

Three civic officials werearrested on Monday over thecollapse of a crematoriumroof that claimed 24 lives hereas tension spiralled in the areawith the families of the vic-tims blocking the Delhi-Meerut highway by placingtwo bodies on the road topress for their demand forhigher compensation. Theydemanded a government jobfor each of the grieving fam-ily as officials tried to pursuethem to lift the blockade.

SP (Rural) Iraj Raja saidthat Muradnagar NagarPalika Executive OfficerNiharika Singh, JuniorEngineer Chandra Pal andSupervisor Ashish werearrested this morning.

Police teams are also con-ducting raids at possible hide-outs of contractor Ajay Tyagito arrest him, Raja said.

The road blockade near thePolice Station had led to amassive traffic jam.

3 arrested overGhaziabadcrematoriumincident

PNS n MUMBAI

BJP MP Pragya Singh Thakur,an accused in the Malegaonblast case of 2008, appearedbefore a special NIA court hereon Monday. Thakur remained inthe box reserved for accusedpersons at the back of the court-room along with four other co-accused in the case, which isbeing probed by the NationalInvestigation Agency (NIA).

On December 19, 2020,Special Judge P R Sitre hadgiven "last chance" to Thakur toappear before the court.

He had expressed displea-sure over her failure to appearbefore the court twice lastmonth.

Earlier, in 2019, the court hadsaid the seven accused personsin the case, all of whom are outon bail, should appear before itat least once a week. OnMonday, Thakur and four otheraccused - Lt Col Prasad Purohit,Sameer Kulkarni, RameshUpadhyay and Sudhakar

Chaturvedi - appeared beforethe court. The two other accused- Ajay Rahirkar and SudhakarDwivedi - were absent.

One witness was also presentin the court, but his cross-examination could not be doneas the advocate for accusedDwivedi was not available. Thecourt posted the trial for hear-ing on Tuesday.

After the regular functioningof the court resumed inNovember last year, followingeasing of the coronavirus-induced restrictions, the courthad directed all the sevenaccused in the case to remainpresent before it on December 3.

However, most of theaccused, including Thakur,skipped the court that day, cit-ing the pandemic situation.

The court then asked themto appear before it onDecember 19. Thakur again didnot appear that day and herlawyer told the court that shewas admitted to the AIIMS inDelhi for treatment.

Pragya Thakur appearsbefore special court

MALEGAON BLAST CASE

VIJAYAWADA | TUESDAY | JANUARY 5, 2021 nation 05

Maharashtra Legislative Councildeputy chairperson NeelamGorhe has written to state

ministers Anil Deshmukh and HasanMushrif asking them to look into acase where a woman was "banished"by three gram panchayats in Beeddistrict for filing a rape complaint.The letter, written on January 3 tostate home minister Deshmukh andrural development minister Mushrif, said the woman, from Gevraitehsil in Beed, had been acted against by the gram panchayats ofPachegaon, Vasantnagar Tanda and Jayram Naik Tanda after shecomplained of rape against four people. The people of these villageshad even taken a delegation to the local superintendent of policedemanding that the woman's complaint be ignored. In the letter,Gorhe has sought that an administrator be appointed for these grampanchayats and an inquiry be set up to find out why the districtauthorities failed to take action when such a banishment resolutionwas passed in breach of laws. The senior Shiv Sena leader alsodemanded that the aggrieved woman be given protection.

INDIA CORNER

Sena's Gorhe bats for woman‘banished' for rape complaint

The Income Tax departmenton Monday visited thepremises of Robert Vadra,

son-in-law of CongressPresident Sonia Gandhi, torecord his statement inconnection with its probe againsthim under the benami assetslaw, official sources said. Theysaid Vadra was asked to join theinvestigation at the tax authority's office but as he cited COVID-19restrictions, a team of officials visited his premises in Delhi'sSukhdev Vihar area. A department team has gone to record Vadra'sstatement under the provisions of the Prohibition of BenamiProperty Transactions Act, they said. The department has beenprobing Vadra, the husband of Congress leader Priyanka GandhiVadra, on charges of alleged possession of some undisclosedassets in the UK. The Enforcement Directorate too is investigatingthese charges, under the anti-money laundering law, against thebusinessman. Vadra had denied any wrongdoing in the past even asthe Congress party had called the action political vendetta.

Benami assets case: I-T deptvisits Robert Vadra's premises

Ahand grenade found in alake in Latur inMaharashtra, some 265

kilometres from here, wasdestroyed by a bomb detectionand disposal team and itsremains have been sent forexamination to Nanded, policesaid on Monday.It was found on Saturday inShirur Tajband lake inAhmedpur tehsil and destroyed on Sunday, an official said."An examination found that the object was a grenade.It was destroyed after a pit was dug and a safety perimetercreated around it. The remains have been sent for examinationto Nanded," the Ahmedpur police station official said.

Maha: Hand grenade destroyed in Latur, remains sent for probe

The bodies of a couple wereon Monday found hangingfrom a tree at Alaulpur

village in Bilhaur area here,police said. The deceased havebeen identified as Vikas Singh(22) and Aarti (19).The exact cause of their death isnot known yet, Superintendentof Police (Rural) BrajeshSrivastava said, adding that they did not leave behind any suicidenote.Initial probe revealed that the duo had fallen in love a few yearsago, he said.The incident is being investigated, the SP added.

Couple found hanging from tree in UP

PNS n NEW DELHI

The apprehension that farm-ers may lose their land underthe Centre's farm laws isbaseless, BJP leader and UttarPradesh Vyapaari KalyanBoard Chairman Ravi KantGarg said on Monday.

The former state ministerclaimed that the agriculturereforms introduced by theCentre will safeguard farmers'land. The transfer, sale andmortgaging of farmers' landduring the process of signingany agreement has beenstrictly prohibited, he said.

‘Farmers won'tlose land undernew farm laws’

PNS n NEW DELHI

The seventh round of talksbetween protesting farmerunions and three central min-isters got underway here onMonday afternoon to break theover-a-month-long deadlockon recent farm laws.

Union Agriculture MinisterNarendra Singh Tomar,Railways, Commerce and FoodMinister Piyush Goyal andMinister of State forCommerce Som Parkash, whois an MP from Punjab, areholding the talks with the rep-resentatives of 40 farmerunions at the Vigyan Bhawan.

The meeting began withpaying respects to the farmerswho lost their lives during theongoing protest, sources said.

On December 30, the sixthround of talks was heldbetween the government andthe farmer unions, where somecommon ground was reachedon two demands -- decriminal-isation of stubble-burning andcontinuation of power subsi-dies.

However, no breakthroughhas been reached so far on thetwo main demands of theprotesting farmers -- a repealof the three recent farm laws

and a legal guarantee to theMSP procurement system.

On Sunday, Tomar metDefence Minister RajnathSingh and discussed the gov-ernment strategy to resolve thecurrent crisis at the earliest,sources said.

Tomar discussed with Singh"all possible options" to find a"middle path" to resolve thecrisis, they added.

Thousands of farmers,mainly from Punjab, Haryanaand western Uttar Pradesh, areprotesting at various Delhiborders for over a monthagainst the three laws. Theyhave stayed put despite heavy

rains and waterlogging atprotest sites over the last cou-ple of days, besides severe coldweather conditions prevailingin and around the national cap-ital.

Enacted in September 2020,the government has presentedthese laws as major farmreforms and aimed at increas-ing farmers' income, but theprotesting farmers have raisedconcerns that these legisla-tions would weaken the MSPand "mandi" (wholesale mar-ket) systems and leave them atthe mercy of big corporations.

The government has main-tained that these apprehensions

are misplaced and has ruledout repealing the laws.

While several oppositionparties and people from otherwalks of life have come out insupport of the farmers, somefarmer groups have also metthe agriculture minister overthe last few weeks to extendtheir support to the three laws.

Last month, the govern-ment had sent a draft propos-al to the protesting farmerunions, suggesting seven-eightamendments to the new lawsand a written assurance on theMSP procurement system. Thegovernment has ruled out arepeal of the three agri laws.

Union ministers meet farmergroups to break deadlock PNS n NEW DELHI

The Delhi High CourtMonday granted permission toa woman for medical termina-tion of her 25-week pregnan-cy as survival of the foetus, suf-fering from serious abnor-malities, is unlikely.

The high court allowed thepetition by the 25-year-oldpregnant woman who wasseeking permission to abortthe foetus on the ground thatit was suffering from BilateralAgenesis and Anlyaramni,considering the report ofAIIMS that the condition ispoor and “survival of foetus isunlikely”.

“I see no reason to deny per-mission for medical termina-tion of pregnancy. The petitionis therefore allowed,” JusticeNavin Chawla said.

The court's permission wasrequired as Section 3 of theMedical Termination ofPregnancy Act does not per-mit termination of pregnancyin case the period of gestationis more than 20 weeks.

The high court had earlierdirected the MedicalSuperintendent (MS) of AIIMSto forthwith constitute a boardto examine the condition of thewoman whose foetus was suffer-ing from serious abnormali-

ties.It had asked the MS of All

India Institute of MedicalSciences (AIIMS) to submitthe report regarding the med-ical condition of the foetus andthe possibility of the foetus notsurviving the term of the preg-nancy.

Advocate Sneha Mukherjee,representing the woman, sub-mitted that the foetus wouldnot survive till child birth asboth the kidneys have notdeveloped as yet and addedthat in the circumstances itwould be futile to compel thepetitioner to undergo the fullterms of pregnancy.

The plea said during anultra-sonography, conductedon the woman at the gestation-

al age of 25 weeks, it was dis-covered that the fetus suf-fered from Bilateral RenalAgenesis (both kidneysabsent) thereby making itincompatible with life.

However, the woman hadcrossed the 20 weeks mark andmedical termination of preg-nancy is restricted thereafter.

In January this year, theunion cabinet had approvedthe Medical TerminationPregnancy (Amendment)Bill, 2020, which providesfor enhancing the upper ges-tation limit from 20 to 24weeks for special categories ofwomen including survivors ofrape, victim of incest andother vulnerable women, likedifferently abled and minors.

HC allows termination of 25-week pregnancy

PNS n NEW DELHI

Ahead of the next round oftalks between the Centre andthe agitating farmers, theCongress Monday said it wouldbe a "true test of nationalism”,and warned no governmentcan face the wrath of farmers"who believe they are beingdeceived".

The government will holdthe seventh round of talkswith the agitating farmers andtheir leaders at Vigyan Bhawanlater in the day. Congress chiefspokesperson RandeepSurjewala said on Twitter,"Today is the true test of

‘Nationalism'. Will ModiGovernment act in ‘NationalInterest' or ‘Crony CorporateInterest'." The Congress hasbeen demanding the repeal ofthe three farm laws whoseenactment has triggered a mas-sive protest by farmers.

Congress leader RahulGandhi said those sitting underthe dripping tents in the win-ter rains "are our own fearlessfarmers and not strangers".

There is nothing more left tobe seen as far as the govern-ment's "brutality" on farmers is

concerned, he alleged, as heshared some pictures of agitat-ing farmers braving the winterchill while protesting at Delhi'sborders.

Congress leader PriyankaGandhi Vadra said around 60farmers have lost their lives inthe course of the agitation dueto the "government's arro-gance". Sharing a video of thetear gas shells being hurled atthem, she asked how the farm-ers can trust this government.

'On one hand, the govern-ment is calling farmers fortalks and on the other it is hurl-ing tar gas shells at them in thischilling winter cold. Around 60

farmers have lost their lives dueto this arrogant and cruelbehaviour of the government.How can farmers trust thiscruel government?" She askedin a tweet in Hindi.

Congress leader PChidambaram cited the wordsof noted poet SaintTiruvalluvar who, the Congressleader noted, wrote about 2,000years ago that "if farmers foldtheir hands, even a personwho has renounced life cannotsurvive". "How true it is today.No government can face thewrath of farmers who believethey are being deceived," hesaid on Twitter.

True test of ‘nationalism' today: Congress

PNS n NEW DELHI

How to prevent the next pan-demic? As 2021 begins withCOVID-19 continuing its glob-al spread, scientists have spot-lighted three approaches to atleast reduce the risk of pan-demic potential diseases –screening animals, reducingland-use change and improvinghealth infrastructure.

There can be no one answerto the question at the centre ofan anxious debate across aworld coping with COVID-19and wondering what will hap-pen if another one comes, butthe global scientific communi-ty has been working on multi-ple tracks to ensure thathumankind is better prepared.

Following several multidis-ciplinary studies in 2020, sci-entists now firmly believe a“perfect storm” for an out-break with pandemic potentialis created by the combinedforces of land-use change, high

population density and thepresence of interfaces betweenwildlife and domestic animals.

“We are only as strong asour weakest 'link' given ourglobally connected society,"Krutika Kuppalli, an expert inemerging infectious diseasesaffiliated with the StanfordUniversity School of Medicinein the US, told PTI.

Manuel Ruiz, wildlife veteri-

narian at Montana StateUniversity in the US, addedthat one of the best ways to pre-vent the next pandemic is to"sample animals across theworld to characterise potentialpathogens”.

Instead of spending moneyto curb outbreaks once theyoccurred, “we could invest inreforestation and in trying tochange the way we interact

with wildlife, and alter our levelof land-use change", Ruiz said.

Earlier in the pandemic, itbecame clear that efforts apply-ing scientific approaches toprevent the next big outbreakcould cost countries way lessthan the expenditures theyhave meted out to controlCOVID-19.

A study published in July inthe journal Science estimatedthat COVID-19 may likely costthe global economy betweenUSD 8.1 and 15.8 trillion. Itadded that preventing majoroutbreaks could be 500 timescheaper than the expenditures

meted out to curb the ongoingpandemic

According to Ruiz, detectingor classifying every singlepathogen in the world's wildlifewould be close to impossible,but new methods usingmachine learning algorithmscan be used to generate a cat-alogue of pathogens fromwhich the animal host andplace where the next outbreakmay happen could be predict-ed.

One such international col-laborative project that cameinto the spotlight in 2020 wasUSAID's PREDICT, which

aimed to strengthen globalcapacity for the detection ofnew viruses with pandemicpotential.

Working with over 30 coun-tries and screening more than1,64,000 animals and people,the project has detected near-ly 100 novel viruses globally,including the Bombaliebolavirus and the deadlyMarburg virus.

“The PREDICT project bythe US has created this bigdataset of viruses circulating inbats and other wildlife. Andeven now we know only a smallproportion of the potentialpathogens circulating outthere,” Ruiz, who studies thetransmission of diseases frombats to humans, told PTI.

As several studies in thepast have highlighted, batshave unique 'super immunesystems', enabling them tocarry viruses such as the Nipahvirus and SARS-CoV-2 with-out being infected.

Scientists identify ways of preventing next pandemicEarlier in the pandemic, it becameclear that efforts applying scientificapproaches to prevent the next bigoutbreak could cost countries wayless than the expenditures they havemeted out to control Covid

PNS n GUWAHATI

The Assam government willgive scooters and financialincentives to girl students toensure that they attend class-es regularly, Education minis-ter Himanta Biswa Sarma said.

The state government wascurrently distributing 22,000two-wheelers to Class 12 girlstudents who passed in thefirst division from the stateboard under the PragyanBharti Scheme, he said atSivasagar on Sunday.

The state government willincur an expenditure of Rs144.30 crore for the purpose.

The state government willprovide scooters to all girl stu-dents who passed in the firstdivision from the state boardeven if the number crosses alakh, he said.

Scooters will also be provid-ed to all girl students who

passed Class 12 examinationin the first division in 2018 and2019.

Financial incentives willalso be provided to all girl stu-dents from school to post-graduate level and the schemewould be launched by theend of this month.

He said that girl school stu-dents would be given Rs 100daily for each day so that theyattend school while an amountof Rs 1,500 and Rs 2,000 willbe given to undergraduateand postgraduate studentsrespectively.

The minster is on a visit todistribute scooters also partic-ipated in a cycle rally onMonday. Meanwhile, atten-dance in schools, whichreopened on January one afterbeing closed for nearly 10months due to COVID-19,was much higher on Mondaythan the first two days.

Assam to give scooters,incentives to girl students

PNS n BHOPAL

Madhya Pradesh ChiefMinister Shivraj SinghChouhan on Monday said hewill take the COVID-19 vac-cine shot after priority groupsget vaccinated.

Addressing commissioners,district collectors and superin-tendents of police in the statethrough video-conferencing,Chouhan said all districts ofMadhya Pradesh are ready forthe COVID-19 vaccination.

"All types of arrangementshave been made. I have decid-ed not to get vaccinatedfornow. First, we will ensure thatthe priority groups get vacci-nated and later I will go forvaccination," the CM tweetedwhile sharing details of hisaddress during the meeting.

India's drugs regulator onSunday approved OxfordCOVID-19 vaccine Covishield,

manufactured by the SerumInstitute, and indigenouslydeveloped Covaxin of BharatBiotech for restricted emer-gency use in the country,paving the way for a massiveinoculation drive.

On Saturday, nearly 75health workers underwentdummy vaccination in theMadhya Pradesh capitalBhopal as part of the first dryrun of COVID-19 vaccine

programme in the state, anofficial earlier said.

He said as per the plan,20,000 to 25,000 coronaviruswarriors would first receive thevaccine when the inoculationprocess begins in the state.

The state governmentrecently ordered closure of allCOVID care centres in thestate, except those in Bhopal,from January 1 in view of thelow occupancy of beds.

When asked about the exactnumber of the COVID carecentres which are now closed,state additional director(health) Veena Sinha told PTIon Sunday that these centreswere opened as per need andthere was no fixed number.

Currently, no patient or sus-pected COVID-19 caseremained admitted at thesecentres, following which the

decision was taken to shutthem, she said.

Will take vaccine after prioritygroups are inoculated: MP CM

PNS n GAJRAULA (UP)

A cattle-laden truck over-turned after suffering a tyreburst on the Delhi-Moradabad highway onMonday, leaving six peopledead and 10 others seriouslyinjured, officials said.

The truck was going toSambal from Jaipur whenthe accident took place nearMohamdabad village, theysaid.The deceased are yet toidentified. The bodies havebeen sent for postmortem.

Truck turnsturtle on Delhi-MoradabadHW, six killed

Accept alldemands offarmers, saysKejriwal

AGRI LAWS

Foetus unlikely to survive with abnormalities

WILDLIFE, LAND-USE CHANGE AND HEALTH INFRA

PNS n NEW DELHI

Delhi Chief Minister andAAP convener ArvindKejri-wal on Mondayappealed to the Centre toaccept all the demands ofthe protesting farmers andrepeal the three farm laws.

In a tweet ahead of theprotesting farmer unions' meet-ing with the Centre, Kejriwallauded their resolve in contin-uing their agitation. "Salute tothe resolve of the farmersstaying firm on the roadsdespite rains and cold. Iappeal to the Centre to acceptall the demands of the farm-ers and repeal the threeblack farm laws in today'smeeting," Kejriwal tweeted.

Farmers from Punjab,Haryana, Uttar Pradesh andsome other states are camp-ing at several entry points ofthe national capital blockingthe highways, demandingthat the Centre repeal thefarm laws and give legalguarantee of minimum sup-port price (MSP) for crops.Farmers who have beencamping at Delhi bordersfor the last 39 days bravingcold and now rains havethreatened to intensify theirprotest if their two majordemands are not acceptedby the government in theJanuary 4 meeting.

The recent judgment of theAllahabad High Courtupholding the freedom ofexpression guaranteed

under Article 19(1)(a) and chidingthe State of Uttar Pradesh (UP) formalicious prosecution of a personwho had criticised the ChiefMinister for “poor handling of lawand order in his State”, shouldhopefully have a salutary effect onthe State Governments which havebeen recklessly using penal provi-sions in our laws against those whoexpress dissent.

The case pertained to a FirstInformation Report (FIR) lodged inAugust 2020 against YashwantSingh, who put out a tweet criticis-ing the Chief Minister for trans-forming the State “into a jungle rajin which no law and order prevails”.The tweet also made reference tovarious incidents of abduction,demand of ransom and murders.He was accused of violating twoprovisions in the law — Section 500of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) per-taining to defamation and Section66D of the Information Technology(IT) Act, 2008, which pertains topersonation, or what is commonlyunderstood as impersonation.Yashwant Singh petitioned theHigh Court and sought the quash-ing of the FIR.

The petitioner’s counsel con-tended that the right to commenton the affairs of the State was wellwithin Yashwant Singh’s constitu-tional right envisaged under Article19 of the Constitution of India andthat “mere dissent does not amountto criminality”. Hence, the FIR reg-istered against him was mala fide“and was meant only to coerce himto stop expressing his dissent againstthe State Government”. He also con-tended that no offence had beenmade out and that the FIR shouldbe quashed.

A Division Bench, comprisingJustices Pankaj Naqvi and VivekAgarwal of the Allahabad HighCourt, has made a succinct but sig-nificant observation while quashingthe FIR and other proceedingsagainst the petitioner. Referring tothe charge of “defamation” underSection 500 of the IPC, the judgessaid that no case had been made out“as the alleged tweet cannot be saidto fall within the mischief ofdefamation”. The judges struck ablow for democracy when they saidthat “expressing dissent on the lawand order situation in the State is ahallmark of a constitutional liberaldemocracy like ours, constitution-ally protected under Article 19 of theConstitution”.

The second charge against the

petitioner pertained to violationof Section 66D of the IT Act,2008, which states: “Whoever, bymeans of any communicationdevice or computer resource,cheats by personation, shall bepunished with imprisonment ofeither description for a termwhich may extend to three yearsand shall also be liable to a finewhich may extend to `1 lakh.”The judges analysed these provi-sions vis-à-vis the allegationmade in the FIR and said thatthey did not find “even remote-ly” a commission of offenceunder Section 66D, as the saidprovision relates to cheating bypersonation and it is not the caseof prosecution that while com-mitting the overt act, the petition-er tweeted using somebody else’stwitter handle nor was there anyallegation of cheating. Hence, thecourt concluded that no offencehad been made out under thisSection as well.

As far as the State is con-cerned, this is indeed a damningindictment of the Governmentand the police. To prosecute a cit-izen for criminal defamation —which can entail a fine or a jailterm which can extend up to twoyears — because he is disappoint-ed with the Chief Minister’s han-dling of the law and order situa-tion is something unheard of inthis country, and the judges haverightly ticked off the State fordoing so.

But this scenario is not con-fined to UP only. Several otherChief Ministers and StateGovernments have begun chal-lenging the basic freedoms givento all citizens by the Constitution.The State of West Bengal would

head this list, not only for thesheer number of such cases butalso for starting this trend of jail-ing its critics. It all started with theMamata Banerjee Governmentarresting Prof AmbikeshMahapatra of JadavpurUniversity and his friend in 2012and charging them with offencesunder the IT Act for circulatingcartoons lampooning the ChiefMinister. Following his arrest,

Prof Mahapatra moved the StateHuman Rights Commission,which criticised their arrest anddirected the State Government topay each of them a compensationof `50,000. The State did notcomply with the directions of thecommission, compelling theProfessor to move the CalcuttaHigh Court. The court upheldthe rights commission’s order andenhanced the amount of com-pensation payable to ProfMahapatra and his friend to`75,000 each.

Even more absurd was thesedition charge slapped on a folksinger in Tamil Nadu in 2015 forcriticising the then Chief MinisterJ Jayalalithaa’s policy on the issueof prohibition.

The Communist Party ofIndia (Marxist)-led KeralaGovernment was unhappy withthe State Lalithakala Akademi’sdecision to select a cartoon,which mocked a Bishop accusedof rape, for its annual awards.Several Christian outfits and theState Government wanted theautonomous body to re-consid-er its decision. The Akademi,however, did not relent.

Those of us who are seniorcitizens, have lived and thrived ina healthy democratic environ-ment in this country in which wehave said much harsher thingsagainst the persons in power. Atthe height of the controversy overthe kickbacks paid by Bofors, theSwedish arms manufacturer, toIndian politicians and others, theIndian Express ran RamJethmalani’s famous 10 ques-tions to Prime Minister RajivGandhi every day. Reading thosequestions, Rajiv must have

squirmed every morning but hehad to grin and bear it!

In fact, many of these ChiefMinisters must look at howPrime Minister Narendra Modideals with those who abuse himon the social media. The Modi-baiters constantly upload car-toons and memes seeking toridicule him on Twitter andFacebook. They often generatehashtags like “#WorstPrime-Minister” or some such andbegin a trend along with theircamp followers. On his last birth-day, they created a hashtag,“#NationalUnemploymentDay”,and kept it going the whole day.He is probably the most trolledIndian. Often, his political ene-mies cross the limits of decency.As Modi himself said at a publicmeeting during the last LokSabha elections, a Congressleader called him “gandi naali kakeeda” (a gutter insect) whileanother said that he was a “maddog”. Can there be anythingmore defamatory and abusivethan this? If the Prime Minister’sOffice were to prosecute all thesepeople, Modi would need to cre-ate a full-fledged department tohandle these prosecutions.

In fact, this is one of the pro-fessional hazards of being inpublic life in a democracy and,over the years, and especially inthe age of social media, thepoliticians across democraticcountries — including India —have learnt to develop a thickhide. Some of our Chief Ministersmust follow suit.

(The writer is an author spe-cialising in democracy studies. The views expressed arepersonal.)

On the face of it, what some Indian cricketers inAustralia did by stepping out for a meal was nota big deal. After adhering to Australia’s quar-

antine norms, they were fully within their rights to stepout for a spread. The question is whether an overen-thusiastic Indian fan breached their “bubble” by hug-ging one of the players, as he claimed on the socialmedia. Of course, since that breach we have seen clar-ifications and what not and the “supposed” breachof the bubble has become part of the “mind games”that are a feature of any Australian tour. And, of course,there are those in India who are more upset about whatthe cricketers were eating rather than anything else.However, this incident also highlights something else

altogether and that is more worrying than what these sportsmen ate or did not eat.The problem with any top-level athletes is that they are superstars. Indian Test playersare no exception and, given that the Indian diaspora loves their cricketers, they will bemobbed, hugged or kissed wherever they go. Until the Coronavirus upended our livesand particularly that of global athletes, that was not a problem. Now, however, all sportsper-sons — particularly superstars like Indian cricketers — will have to lead very asceticlives, much like Lewis Hamilton did during the 2020 Formula 1 season.

That is not going to be an easy task for anyone, particularly for a top-level sportstar. But this is a decision that they have to take for themselves, even if they have theability to go out like the quartet of Indian cricketers in Australia: How much do they wantto push the limits and, more importantly, can they push the limits at a time when every-body and their uncle has a smartphone? It is almost certain that in the coming months,a top-level athlete will get caught in a scandal, where they breached the bubble by spend-ing the night with someone or the other. While that was par for the course before every-thing went down, it is not the right thing today. It is not easy staying isolated with onlyyour team and support staff for company, particularly in a strange land. Modern com-munication technologies do make things easier but, make no mistake, staying for daysin a strange hotel room is not a great life, no matter how good the monetary compen-sation. Sports authorities — and in the case of India, a quick aside where we wish SouravGanguly a quick recovery from his cardiac issues — have to dedicate time and effortto soothe the mental health issues that isolation will bring on.

India’s planned vaccination drive against theCoronavirus has understandably generated a lot ofcuriosity, controversy, questions and anxieties. And

at this stage of the pandemic, where the nation is beingchallenged by wave attacks of the mutant virus andwhen our healthcare systems are being worn out tocontain the spiral, the deadliest threat comes not somuch from the disease itself but from misinforma-tion. It is of utmost importance, therefore, that we fol-low science and transparency, go for an exact enu-meration of facts as they are rather than claiming ahuman achievement and send out the right kind of

public service message. Certainly, we can do away without politicising the vaccineprocess, be it by the Government, which needs to curb its over-ambitiousness, orthe Opposition, which is questioning every move just for the sake of doing so. Whileclearing two vaccines for emergency use — Serum Institute’s Covishield and BharatBiotech’s Covaxin — the Government is obviously acting on the notion that thoughtheir efficacy and immunogenicity are still not fully proven as they are still in the trialstage, they are safe enough to be administered and good enough to trigger fightbackresponses in a major part of the population, break the chain of transmission and buildup herd immunity. Every nation is betting on this and our evaluators are still seekingdata for those vaccines even cleared in the West. The drug regulator has built in checksand balances, making their emergency use approval conditional on the developerssubmitting details of both the progress and side-effects to it every fortnight. Besides,each person receiving the dose will be monitored and their responses updated as ifthey are in the “clinical trial mode”. As for the use of Covaxin, which is still awaitingdata from its ongoing clinical trials, the Government and the Indian Council for MedicalResearch (ICMR) are repeatedly clarifying that it is a back-up vaccine and the firstseries to be rolled out will be that of the Serum Institute, which has advanced in tri-als and results. Health Minister Harsh Vardhan has himself said while vaccines approvedglobally based on gene encoding spike proteins have protective efficacy of over 90per cent, Covaxin — which is based on the whole inactivated virus — has other anti-genic epitopes in addition to spike protein. So it’s likely to have similar protective effi-cacy, even for the new strain that has surfaced in the US. But the fact of the matteris that suppositions are not good enough and the Government should immediatelyprioritise an information dissemination system comprising experts, and not bureau-crats, to maintain transparency. Suppression of information could be risky given thatthe vaccine’s effectiveness could vary among different people and gene pools as wouldits side-effects. The fact that the Government did not take questions while approvingthe vaccine use, therefore, backfired somewhat and exposed it to the Opposition’scharges of opacity on a sensitive issue, much like in Russia and China. It is good toclarify that the proposed dosage regime is a work in progress and could be amend-ed depending on shifting data interpretation.

There should be a systematic myth-busting and detailed protocols for adversereactions to eliminate fears and doubts. People must be made fully aware of whatcould go wrong, too, and how that could be taken care of easily as well. Withoutthis interactivity, there will continue to be a trust deficit. The Government’s chal-lenge is to treat a complex issue with sensitivity, maturity and certain simplicity, allat the same time. Of course, equal responsibility is expected of the Opposition. Wecertainly could have done without the kind of response that came from SamajwadiParty (SP) chief Akhilesh Yadav, who said he wouldn’t opt for the inoculation sim-ply because he didn’t believe in a “BJP vaccine”. Or the Congress casting doubtson the indigenously-developed Covaxin, running down an effort that is being pio-neered by the nation’s best minds. The vaccine has already been used on childrenabove 12 in the previous round and has been declared safe. Its third-level trials areon with the biggest sample size and it could actually turn out to be our aatmanirb-har asset. The questions that the Opposition indeed needs to ask are about howwhat looks like a Central plan, using a general election-like apparatus, will be imple-mented neutrally in States, particularly the non-BJP ones. Kerala has already arguedthat given its highest peak since the outbreak and with a large part of its popula-tion suffering co-morbidities, it be given priority for vaccine allocation. How muchof the costs will be divided between the Centre and the States? Who will ensurequality, demarcate the population slabs and who will command this new data ofpublic health? In the end, public health issues become political, and this is the tough-est challenge we need to overcome.

Politics of vaccineP A P E R W I T H P A S S I O N

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op nionVIJAYAWADA | TUESDAY | JANUARY 5, 2021

06

Bubble breach

The Govt needs to be upfront about the inoculation drivebut the Opp, too, needs to act with equal responsibility

Very few meals that Indian athletes have had have ever set off such an intensive discussion

A thick hide is a mustAs a growing number of CMs takes umbrage at being criticised, they'dbetter understand that getting flak is a professional hazard in public life

A SURYA PRAKASH

SEVERAL CHIEFMINISTERS AND

STATEGOVERNMENTSHAVE STARTED

CHALLENGING THEBASIC FREEDOMS

GIVEN TO ALLCITIZENS BY THE

CONSTITUTION

Roof collapse tragedySir — The roof of a shelter at acrematorium in UP'sMuradnagar collapsed onSunday, claiming at least 24 livesand injuring many others. Theroof collapsed at a time whenseveral people had taken shelterunder the structure during aheavy downpour.

It is a serious case of negli-gence on the part of the admin-istration which failed to improvethe condition of the dilapidatedstructure. Those injured areundergoing treatment at differ-ent hospitals. Chief MinisterYogi Adityanath had on Sundayannounced `2 lakh as financialrelief for the families of each ofthe deceased. The victims’ kinblocked the Delhi-MeerutHighway demanding highercompensastion.

On Monday three municipalofficials were arrested by theGhaziabad police over the roofcollapse incident.

The State Governmentshould ensure better manage-ment at such places and takesteps to make sure that over-crowding is avoided at thefunerals during the COVID-19.

MR JayanthiGhaziabad

Speedy recovery Sir — BCCI president and for-mer India captain SouravGanguly, who has undergoneangioplasty after a mild heartattack, is now stable and hishealth parameters are beingclosely monitored.

The 48-year-old sufferedchest discomfort on Saturdaywhile exercising at his home gym

and was admitted to a hospital inKolkata.

We, the cricket fans, pray forhis speedy recovery. Since evenactive cricketers suffer such mildattacks, it is time to routinelyundergo medical tests annuallyto avoid a major setback.

The incident should also betaken as a warning by the gen-eral public. We should learn

from it and the health authori-ties should strive to take aware-ness, education and training tothe citizens to increase thechances of saving more lives asthe immediate minutes followinga heart attack are critical and atrained person can mean the dif-ference between life and death.

CKR NathanKolkata

Vaccine supply chain Sir — After the expert commit-tee’s approval for both SerumInstitute of India’s Covishield andBharat Biotech’s Covaxin, the ballis in the Government’s court toensure seamless administrationof these vaccines to the citizens.

The supply chain infrastruc-ture and management would betested to the core during thisexercise. Union Health MinisterHarsh Vardhan has alreadyannounced that the vaccinationwill be free across the nation and,in the first phase of COVID-19inoculation, it shall be providedto one crore healthcare and twocrore frontline workers.

The Government cannot belax in its approach towards com-bating the deadly virus.Comprehensive supply chainmechanisms need to be preparedand shared with people so thattotal transparency is maintainedto gain people's trust. All COVIDprotocols, like social distancingand wearing masks, must be seri-ously followed till all the citizensget vaccinated.

Bal GovindNoida

Govt, farmers should engage Nobel laureates

The Union Government and the agitating farmers mustengage Nobel laureates like Amartya Sen and AbhijitBanerjee in the ongoing parleys to find an amica-

ble solution to their stalemate. The protesting farmersand the Centre are yet to reach an agreement over therecently introduced farm laws that have emerged as abone of contention between the growers and theGovernment.

Sen and Banerjee can suggest ways of ending theimbroglio and emerging from the crisis. Sen has madeimmense contributions to welfare economics andsocial justice. Banerjee is currently the Ford FoundationInternational Professor of Economics at MassachusettsInstitute of Technology (MIT). They both have in-depthknowledge and understanding of the agriculture scenarioand the challenges it faces.

Indian agriculture is prone to a plethora of prob-lems, including abuse of land, extremity of weather, lackof infrastructure, stockpiling of grains, the chain of mid-dlemen and several other factors that make life miser-able for the farmers.

The seventh round of talks between the farmers’

representatives and the Government began on Mondayas the agitation entered the 40th day, with the farmersstill not ready to settle for anything less than the repealof the three farm laws and a legal guarantee on theMinimum Support Price (MSP). The farmers’ leadershave announced a fortnight-long campaign, rallies anddharna between January 6 and January 12. The agitat-ing farmers have already announced a tractor rally onJanuary 26 towards Delhi to press for their demands.

Madhu P VSecunderabad

Send yyour ffeedback tto:letterstopioneer@gmail.com

Opening batsman DavidWarner brings the X-factor toAustralia and the team wouldlove to have him play the thirdTest against India even if he isnot 100 per cent fit. Australian cricketer

Nathan Lyon

L E T T E R S T O TT H E E D I T O R

S O U N D B I T EDeepika Padukone has done areally good job in making allof us feel comfortable on theset. There are no intimidatingvibes. We did workshopstogether, too. She is a verycaring person.ActorAnanya Panday

Party's State leaders andcadres should strive toensure our victory in theensuing by-elections tothe Belagavi Lok Sabhaseat and two Assemblyseats.Karnataka CMBS Yediyurappa

The countries, includingRussia and China, which votedagainst a resolution recentlyadopted by the 75th UNGA onthe human rights situation ofthe Rohingya refugees, couldplay a better role.Bangladesh Foreign MinisterAK Abdul Momen

A taxing problem

THE HOUSES THAT I BUILT ARE BEING DEMOLISHED

BY THE CONGRESS. I WISH I WAS AS SMART AS YOU

AND WOULD'VE KEPT THE CONGRESS HAPPY.

—ACTOR

KANGANA RANAUT

I HAVE PROOF THAT I BOUGHT MY OFFICE WITH MY

HARD-EARNED MONEY. I BOUGHT MY FLAT MUCH

BEFORE I ENTERED POLITICS.

—ACTOR-POLITICIAN

URMILA MATONDKAR

POINTCOUNTERPOINT

The Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) tri-bunal in The Hague has rejected the back taxdemands of Indian tax authorities in both, the

Cairn and Vodafone cases. These back taxes relateto capital gains made on transactions in 2006-2007.According to the PCA, the demands have beenrejected on two counts. First, they violate India’sobligations under Bilateral Investment Treaties.Second, they are based on a retrospective amend-ment to a tax law passed in 2012. Both the argumentsare untenable. As regards the first, tax is levied onthe earnings of the companies from their operationsin India. The Government has done nothing to puttheir investment at risk. As for the second, the 2012amendment was only in the nature of a “clarifica-tion” to remove ambiguity and bring out the realintent of the law i.e. levy tax on income generatedfrom an underlying asset in India. This is irrespec-tive of how the transaction was given effect. Evenwhen it involves indirect transfer of shares, it can’tbe construed as a change in the law itself. TheNarendra Modi Government has challenged, right-ly so, the tribunal’s order in the Vodafone case andis expected to follow suit in the Cairn case, too.

The capital gains made by the firms on sale oftheir ownership in Indian companies run into tensof thousands of crores. But on September 25, 2020,the PCA rejected the I-T Department’s demand for`22,100 crore in back taxes (`7,990 crore plus inter-est and penalty) relating to Vodafone Group Plc (theBritish telecom giant) $11 billion acquisition of 67per cent stake in the Hutchison Essar Ltd (HEL) —an Indian company running a mobile phone busi-ness — owned by Hutchison Whampoa (HW) inFebruary 2007.

The tribunal held that the Indian Government’sdemand from Vodafone using retrospective legis-lation was in “breach of the guarantee of fair andequitable treatment” assured under the bilateralinvestment protection pact between India and theNetherlands. It also asked the Centre to reimburseVodafone 60 per cent of its legal costs (about `85crore) and half of the Euro 6,000 cost borne byVodafone for appointing an arbitrator on the panel.

Second, on December 23, 2020, a three-mem-ber tribunal at the PCA invalidated India’s March2015 tax claim of around `24,000 crore (`10,247crore in tax plus interest and penalty) on the Britishbehemoth Cairn Energy on capital gains made byit on the “internal reorganisation of its India busi-ness” run by Cairn India in 2006-07 (then, CairnUK transferred shares of its subsidiary Cairn IndiaHoldings to Cairn India).

It also ordered the Indian I-T Department toreturn up to $1.2 billion to Cairn Energy in fundswithheld by the former including the (i) value of thelatter’s 10 per cent shares in Cairn India attached andsold (during 2011, even as Cairn Energy had soldmajority of its holding in Cairn India to Vedanta,the department did not allow it to sell 10 per cent);(ii) seizure of dividends that the company paid toits parent and (iii) tax refunds withheld to recoverthe tax demand. Add $200 million of interest on theseamounts and $20 million of arbitration cost, the totalcomes to $1.4 billion. Cairn can use the arbitrationaward to approach courts in countries such as theUK to seize any property owned by India overseasto recover the money, if the award is not honoured.

There is widespread consternation over the deci-sion of the Indian Government to raise the demandsin the very first place and thereafter pursue thesein the court. Critics argue that raising the demandusing a retrospective amendment in tax laws (this

was enacted in 2012 to negate a judgmentof the Supreme Court in the Vodafone casethat had declared untenable a tax demandearlier raised on the February 2007 trans-action; armed with this amendment, it res-urrected that demand in 2013 besides rais-ing demand on Cairn Energy using thesame law) affects long-term stability of thefiscal environment and underminesinvestor confidence.

Prima facie, retrospective amendmentin tax laws may look bad. Investors canargue that they take decisions on the basisof prevailing laws of the land and if lawsare changed midstream, this is unfair asit undermines the very basis of the busi-ness decision. The million-dollar questionis: Did the then Government fundamen-tally alter the law? To get to the bottomof the truth, we need to closely look at thegenesis behind the 2012 amendment.

The cardinal principle of taxation isthat tax is levied on income generatedfrom an asset. In the Vodafone case, theunderlying asset was the mobile phonebusiness then run by HEL. HW having67 per cent shareholding in HEL throughits fully owned Cayman Island-based sub-sidiary, viz; CGP Investments sold theentire 67 per cent to Vodafone’sNetherland-based subsidiary VodafoneInternational Holding. From the sale ofthese shares, HW made major capitalgains. This was made possible due toincrease in valuation of the Indian asset,viz; HEL — rechristened Vodafone IndiaLimited (VIL) after acquisition of major-ity shares by Vodafone. Hence, the IndianGovernment is fully entitled to collect taxon this income. Yet, the firms exploited anambiguity in the extant law by citing thatthe transaction took place between twoforeign entities CGP Investments andVodafone International Holding Ltd (thebuyer), thus, camouflaging it as an “indi-rect transfer” of Indian assets.

To stop abuse and plug the loopholeof such indirect transfer of Indian assets,in 2012, the Government amended the lawto make such transfers (albeit indirect) tax-able in India. As per an amendment toSection 9 of the Income-Tax Act in 2012,if any share or interest in a foreign entityderives its value substantially from theassets located in India, then such share orinterest is deemed to be situated in Indiaand any income arising from transfer ofsuch a share or interest is deemed to arisein India.

The amendment was merely in thenature of a “clarification” to the subsist-ing law aimed at making the intention ofthe law explicit. Quite clearly, the realintent was to ensure that the income gen-erated from an “underlying asset” in Indiairrespective of how this transaction wasgiven effect — even when it involves indi-rect transfer of shares — is taxed by theIndian Government.

Enacted after the aforementionedtransactions had happened, while this maygive it the colour of being retrospective,the fact remains that the amendment wasonly in the nature of a “clarification.” It can’tbe construed as a change in the law itself.Assuming for the sake of argument thatthe Centre can’t collect tax then, are we toinfer that the capital gains made from saleof Indian assets will go untaxed? Does itnot violate the basic tenet of taxation?

The demand raised by the I-TDepartment is pursuant to a law passedby a sovereign Parliament. There isabsolutely nothing illegal about it. Had itbeen so, the top court would have declaredit invalid. The ruling of the internation-al arbitration tribunal in the two cases citesthe tax demand as being violation of India’sobligation under Bilateral InvestmentTreaty with the countries concerned. Theargument does not hold water as theIndian Government has only levied tax on

the earnings of the companies. There isnothing to suggest that it has put at riskthe latter’s investment in India. Even so,taxation is not covered under investmentprotection treaties and the law on taxationis a sovereign right of the country.

In the Cairns Energy case, the tribunalhas referred to a statement by the thenFinance Minister, Arun Jaitley, onNovember 7, 2014, that his Governmenthad taken a “policy decision that as far asthis Government is concerned, eventhough there is a sovereign power of ret-rospective taxation, we are not going toexercise that power.” The demand raisedby the I-T Department is in no way incon-gruous with Jaitley’s assertion as it is mere-ly the result of removing an ambiguity inthe extant law and certainly does not fallin the category of retrospective tax.

To conclude, India’s sovereign taxationrights can’t be held hostage to its bilater-al investment treaties with other countries.Keeping this overarching consideration inmind and opinion of the Solicitor Generalthat an “arbitral tribunal can’t render a lawpassed by a sovereign Parliament ineffec-tive,” the Government has decided to chal-lenge the tribunal’s order. In the Vodafonecase, on December 24, 2020, it filed a peti-tion in the Singapore court well within thethree-month deadline from the date oforder. In the Cairn Energy case too, itshould challenge the tribunal’s order.

Undoubtedly, India needs foreigninvestment in its march towards acceler-ated growth. But this can’t be taken tomean that the Government will forgo itslegitimate tax dues on the gains made byforeign investors from their operationshere. It should pursue all available legaloptions to make Vodafone and Cairn payup.

(The writer is a New Delhi-based policy analyst. The views expressed

are personal.)

India’s sovereign taxation rights on capital gains cannot be held hostageto its bilateral investment treaties with other countries

07F I R S T C O L U M N

What lies aheadfor Sasikala?

KALYANI SHANKAR

Soon to be released from prison, the lateJayalalithaa’s companion is keeping her cards

close to her chest. But 2021 is not 2017

UTTAM GUPTA

UNDOUBTEDLY,INDIA NEEDS

FOREIGNINVESTMENT IN

ITS MARCHTOWARDS

ACCELERATEDGROWTH. BUTTHIS CAN’T BE

TAKEN TO MEANTHAT THE

GOVERNMENTWILL FORGO ITSLEGITIMATE TAX

DUES ON THEGAINS MADE BY

FOREIGNINVESTORS

FROM THEIROPERATIONS

HERE. IT SHOULDPURSUE ALL

AVAILABLE LEGALOPTIONS TO MAKE

VODAFONE ANDCAIRN PAY UP

VK Sasikala, a close aide and companion of former Tamil NaduChief Minister J Jayalalithaa, will be released from prison soon.Post-Jayalalithaa’s demise in December 2016, there was mas-

sive political turmoil and a major power struggle within the rulingAll India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) until Sasikalawas sent to jail in February 2017 for four years. She is expectedto walk out of the Parappana Agrahara prison in Bengaluru in January-end after completing her prison term in a disproportionate assetscase. The big question is, will she become a factor in Tamil Nadupolitics ahead of the Assembly elections scheduled to be held inApril-May? Some believe that Sasikala can play a role and otherssay that she might bide her time for now but there is no way toknow what her plans for the future are.

For Sasikala, it was the proverbial slip between the cup and thelip in 2017. She was about to become the Chief Minister of TamilNadu soon after Jayalalithaa’s death but destiny took her to prison.People close to her say her ambition is intact though the politics ofthe State has changed in the last four years. Since, according tothe law, Sasikala cannot contest elections for the next six years,she can only wield power from behind the throne.

In the absence of “Amma”, what impact will “Chinna Amma”have in politics of the State? Sasikala’s evolution into a politicianafter emerging from Jayalalithaa’s shadow was cut short abrupt-ly and she should realise that the power she had as Amma’s com-panion was entirely on the seasoned politician’s terms. As of now,the options before her are not many. Much has happened in theState in the four years in which she was incarcerated. Chief MinisterE Palaniswami has not only consolidated his hold in theGovernment and the party, he is also on friendly terms with the BJP.His biggest achievement is keeping the party united so far.

There is speculation that she might try to regain her lost posi-tion in the AIADMK and grab power back from Palaniswami as shestill has many loyalists in the party. Her re-entry into the AIADMKwould further complicate the political environment in the State. Herone-time loyalists, Palaniswami and the Deputy Chief Minister ofthe State O Panneerselvam, will resist this. However, the Ministersreiterating the party line notwithstanding, some second-rung partyleaders striking a “working relationship” with the Sasikala-TTVDhinakaran camp would only be beneficial for the AIADMK in thelong run. Initially, the Coronavirus crisis had helped the AIADMK toimprove its standing in the State. However, the growing number ofinfections eventually led to a dip in the popularity of Palaniswami.Above all, the party has also announced an alliance with the BJPfor the forthcoming Assembly polls. The saffron party seems tobe promoting the concept of a coalition Government in Tamil Nadu,an idea that the AIADMK is opposing strongly. The party has nevershared power and all indications are that it does not intend to startnow. The sudden raid on Sasikala’s property and the Income-TaxDepartment’s recent decision to attach a new palatial bungalow underconstruction for her, opposite Jayalalithaa’s house in the posh PoesGarden area, are an indication of this.

The next best option for Sasikala is to head her nephewDhinakaran’s party, the Amma Makkal Munnetra Kazhagam (AMMK).Even this can pose a serious challenge to the incumbent AIADMKin the forthcoming polls. He had floated the party with Sasikala’sapproval in 2017 and the AMMK has already taken away five percent of the AIADMK’s votes. It must be remembered that Tamil Naduhas chosen either the DMK or the AIADMK since 1967. It is theturn of the DMK now. Sasikala has plenty of money and also polit-ical insight, given her long association with Amma. It is said thatshe and her nephew have some influence in South Tamil Nadu. Thismight cut into the AIADMK’s votes even further. Dhinakaran’s silenceis an indication that there could be some deal in the works. Thereis also talk of a merger of the AIADMK and the AMMK but it is unclearas to what role Sasikala will play if this happens. The third optionbefore Chinna Amma is to take a back seat, silently support theAIADMK and wait for 2026. However, an ambitious woman likeSasikala might not opt for this and try to run the show from behindthe scenes.

“There will be no change in the party’s stand on matters con-cerning Sasikala,” the Chief Minister said recently. The statementassumes significance as it’s the first time that he has made a pub-lic statement on Sasikala’s impending release and her future in theAIADMK. The AMMK, meanwhile, claimed her release would havean impact on State politics. “We are eagerly awaiting Chinna Amma’srelease,” said AMMK spokesperson CR Saraswathi. But for the jailterm, Sasikala might have played a much bigger role in the AIADMKand Tamil Nadu politics. She is keeping her cards close to her chestbut 2021 is not 2017. She will play her role directly or indirectly,however small it might be.

(The writer is a senior journalist. The views expressed are personal.)

Even as the new decade begins,the world continues to reelunder the impact of the

Coronavirus pandemic. To date, thereare over 85,554,736 confirmed casesof COVID-19 while 1,851,952 peoplehave succumbed to the deadly infec-tion globally. In the midst of a glob-al race to inoculate people against thevirus, the pandemic continues tomutate and resurge in several parts ofthe world.

If we take into account frontlineworkers, including healthcare profes-sionals, their families and friends, bil-lions would have direct exposure tothe infection and would experience

severe fear, anxiety due to the lock-down and isolation necessitated by thepandemic. A major part of the world’spopulation will carry emotional scarsleft by the outbreak.

The need of the hour is to bementally resilient and focus on heal-ing our emotional scars so that we canregain physical and psychologicalfitness. Emotional resilience is theability of people to bounce backfrom adversities and difficulties. Life,as we all know, is full of ups anddowns. A resilient person not onlybounces back from a setback butachieves a higher threshold of emo-tional well-being. Emotional resilienceis a skill that can be learnt by anyoneby following these simple steps.

Acceptance: The first steptowards gaining emotional resilienceis the acceptance of reality. Many ofus tend to avoid adverse situations butthis doesn’t help solve the problem.Avoidance only makes the situationworse. We have to learn to perceivereality in an honest and pragmaticmanner. We should neither be toopessimistic nor should we be over-

optimistic about life. We also have toassess the causes of our difficulties ina clear and rational way. It is only afterthorough introspection that we canbegin the journey to overcome adver-sities and bounce back.

Adaptation and innovation: Thesecond step is to adapt to the new sit-uation. Remaining firmly wedded tothe past does not really help the causebecause what had worked beforewill rarely work in a changed scenario.Continuously pondering over pastsuccesses and regretting mistakesstops us from moving forward. Weshould not only adapt ourselves to thenew realities of life but must findinnovative ways to thrive in them. Inthe current scenario, humanity needsto change its behaviour, attitude,thoughts, emotions and learn newskills to overcome adverse circum-stances. For our progress and growth,we must adapt continuously, else wewill become extinct.

Manage negative emotions:When faced with adversities, weoften experience negative emotionslike anger, frustration, hopelessness

and despair. Many people ask, “Whyme?” None of these negative emotionshelp. Such thoughts not only act asbarriers to our revival but also tendto make us physically and emotion-ally weak. The key is to remain opti-mistic and focus on the future insteadof the past.

Opportunity in adversity:Napolean Hill, the self-help guru,famously said: “In every adversity liesan opportunity.” The trick is to focusour energies and abilities not only tospot the opportunity but to exploit itfor our growth. As we navigatethrough the darkness, we need to con-tinuously strive to find the light. OurVedic mantra “Tamaso maa jyotirga-maya (lead me from darkness to thelight)” has never been as relevant asit is these days.

Control what you can: StevenCovey, the famous management guru,developed a simple but highly effec-tive model of commanding the con-trollable. Many people worry a lotabout situations, factors and circum-stances that are beyond their jurisdic-tion. Emotionally resilient people

focus on what they can control whileignoring everything they can neitherinfluence nor control. Worryingabout the uncontrollable is a futileexercise leading to frustration, stressand anxiety.

Resetting: We have to reset ourgoals and dreams in the backdrop ofthe new situation. Many of our futureplans like buying a new house, gettingmarried, going for a holiday, studyingabroad, promotions and so on mayhave to be deferred or even cancelled.We must not regret that our originaltargets can no longer be fulfilled. Butwe must define a new set of goals anddreams that are achievable in thechanged circumstances.

Rebalance: We have alreadystarted to rebalance our lives and theconcept of Work From Home (WFH)has been the biggest driver of this. Inthe new normal, we have to restorefocus on work, self, families, friendsand society.

Renewal and regrowth: Timeand again nature has proved that afterevery cataclysmic disaster, life comesback to normal as the natural regen-

eration process begins. Our rejuvena-tion should begin with a positivedesire to grow and with the optimisticview that the future is bright. Historyhas taught us that we have alwaysmoved towards a brighter future andhave emerged stronger after every dis-aster. People can cope with stress andanxiety by taking care of themselves.On every flight, we are told to put onthe oxygen mask before helping oth-ers. Taking care of oneself is not self-ishness but is indeed the best way tohelp others. “Me time” and hobbiesare absolutely essential now. Sleep,rest, breaks from screen time andexercise are essential.

Organise yourself: In the begin-ning, we all thought that WFH wastemporary. Now it seems that WFHor a hybrid variant of remote work-ing will be the norm of the future.People have to organise themselves,their homes, time and energy, giventhat the working environment andmethods have changed forever.

Set clear boundaries: Thechanged work situation has led to dif-ferent types of expectations from boss-

es, colleagues, family and friends.Now, everybody feels that they caninterrupt any time but these intrusionsand expectations cause frustration andrelationship rifts. People have to setclear boundaries and agree on a newset of behavioural rules even with theirchildren.

Stay positive: Bad or negativetimes require an extra dose of posi-tivity and optimism. Don’t brood,don’t think of the worst, don’t beobsessed about the vaccine. Instead,laugh, play, look at the sky, hear a birdsing, tell your children a story, enjoythe warmth of your partner’s embrace.The world has a lot more light thandarkness in it. Further, don’t be shy orafraid of seeking professional advicefrom a counsellor or a psychologist.They are trained to heal people emo-tionally and to guide them on theirjourney of resilience, renewal andregrowth. And these three positivesare what the world needs the mostright now.

(The writer is chief psychologistat Emotionally.in. The views

expressed are personal.)

The pandemic calls for more emotional resilience History has taught us that humanity has always moved towards a brighter future and emerged stronger after every disaster

ROMA KUMAR

VIJAYAWADA | TUESDAY | JANUARY 5, 2021

www.dailypioneer.com analysis

VIJAYAWADA | TUESDAY | JANUARY 5, 2021 Money 08

MONEY MATTERS

PTC India Financial services (PFS)on Monday said it has approved

the resolution of one of its stressedloan accounts in the thermal-basedsegment -- IL&FS Tamil NaduPower Company Limited. This 2 x600 MW imported Coal-basedThermal Power Project is based atCuddalore, in Tamil Nadu, PFS, a

subsidiary of PTC India, said in a statement. As per RBI circulardated June 7, 2019 and directives of National Company LawAppellate Tribunal (NCLAT), following resolution has been approvedby PFS in line with lead lender Punjab National Bank (PNB), thecompany said. "Post approval of the said resolution plan fromNCLT/NCLAT, the loan account shall be classified under 'Green'category from 'Amber' category," it said.

Public sector CochinShipyard on Monday

declared an interim dividendof Rs 9 per share. In aregulatory filing, CochinShipyard said the board ofdirectors of the companyhas declared an interimdividend of Rs 9 per equityshare of Rs 10 each for thefinancial year 2020-21 and

has fixed Thursday, January 14, 2021, as the record date for theaforesaid interim dividend. The dividend shall be paid to the eligibleshareholders on or before February 2, 2021, the company added.Shares of Cochin Shipyard were trading 1.51 per cent higher at Rs380.90 apiece on BSE.

Social e-commerce platform forfresh produce Otipy on Monday

said it is planning to raise USD 10million this year to expand itspresence in the country. Toempower more resellers andfurther build its business across

India, Otipy is in active discussions to raise USD 10 million in 2021,the company said in a statement. Otipy has already raised USD 2million in 2020 from Inflection Point (IP) Ventures and the SmileGroup. "We have a history and deep understanding of fresh producethat we have leveraged to build a social commerce model that createsearning opportunities for women and stores, helps farmers, andprovides fresher, more nutritious produce to consumers at a lesserprice," Otipy Founder Varun Khurana said. Khurana further noted that"in the last 8-9 months, we have built a robust platform in the freshproduce category supporting over 2,500 women and stores asresellers and are witnessing a phenomenal response from customersin Delhi NCR. We now plan to further expand this market in othercities as well." These community leaders/resellers earn a commissionof up to 10 per cent for all group sales, the highest across all socialcommerce brands in India, the company claimed.

Fresh produce e-platform Otipyto raise USD 10 mn in 2021

PFS approves resolution of IL&FSTamil Nadu Power Company

For 2022, it revised the forecast toRs 77 to a US dollar, from Rs 79

previously, to account for a stronger2021 forecast. "We expect the rupeeto trade only slightly weaker over thenear term from current levels," itsaid in a note. It saw depreciatorypressure on the rupee due toworsening terms of trade from rising

oil prices, further monetary easing, and bouts of risk-off sentimentbeing partially offset by the US dollar weakness and central bankforeign exchange intervention to combat imported inflation. "Over thelonger term, the overvaluation of the rupee in real terms and higherinflation in India vis-à-vis the US should exert weakening pressurefor the rupee," it said. The Indian rupee averaged Rs 74.10 to a USdollar in 2020. "We expect the rupee to only trade marginally weakerin 2021, and have revised our average forecast to Rs 75.50 to a USdollar, from Rs 77.00/USD to account for the effect of extended USdollar weakness," Fitch said.

Cochin Shipyard declares aninterim dividend of `̀9 per share

Fitch Sol revises forecast for Rsto average At Rs 75.50/$ for 2021

PNS n MUMBAI

Rising for the ninth straightsession, the BSE Sensex closedabove the 48,000-mark for thefirst time on Monday asinvestor sentiment got a boostafter India approved two coro-navirus vaccines over theweekend.

A strengthening rupee, pos-itive global cues and encourag-ing macroeconomic data gavefurther impetus to riskappetite, traders said.

The 30-share BSE Sensexended 307.82 points or 0.64per cent higher at 48,176.80. Ittouched a record intra-daypeak of 48,220.47.

Similarly, the broader NSENifty jumped 114.40 points or0.82 per cent to its fresh life-time high of 14,132.90. Itscaled an all-time high of14,147.95 during the session.

ONGC was the top gainer inthe Sensex pack, spurting 4.02per cent, followed by TCS,HCL Tech, Tech Mahindra,Infosys, M&M, HUL, SunPharma and L&T.

On the other hand, KotakBank, Bajaj Finance, AsianPaints, HDFC Bank,PowerGrid and Titan were

among the laggards, sheddingup to 1.43 per cent.

India's drugs regulator onSunday approved Oxford-AstraZeneca's COVID-19 vac-cine Covishield and indige-nously-developed Covaxin ofBharat Biotech for restrictedemergency use in the country.

Experts said the approvalsand likely commencement ofinoculation process soon bodewell for the markets and econ-omy.

"Emboldened by the likelyrollout of the vaccines thismonth, bulls went berserk,bolstered by IT and metal

stocks with able support frompharma stocks. PMI data andrenewed buying in select finan-cials provided buoyancy acrossthe broader markets," said SRanganathan, Head ofResearch at LKP Securities.

India's manufacturing sectoractivity strengthened inDecember, with manufacturersstepping up production andinput buying amid efforts torebuild their inventories fol-lowing business closures ear-lier in the year, PMI datashowed.

The seasonally adjusted IHSMarkit India ManufacturingPurchasing Managers' Index(PMI) was at 56.4 inDecember, a tick higher thanNovember's 56.3 and above thecritical 50 threshold for thefifth straight month.

Sector-wise, BSE metal, IT,teck, oil and gas, auto, indus-trials and telecom indices ral-lied up to 5.34 per cent, whilebankex and consumer durablesslipped.

Broader BSE midcap andsmallcap indices rose up to1.42 per cent. Global equitiessurged as vaccine rollout inmultiple countries enthusedinvestors.

PNS n NEW DELHI

India's tax pie seems to haveundergone a subtle changewith a sharp drop in direct taxcollections resulting from a dis-proportionate impact of theCOVID-19 carnage onincomes.

The share of indirect taxes,which mainly comprise of levyon goods and services as wellas import duty, has risen whilethat of direct taxes - made upof corporate and personalincome tax - has gone down in2020. In an interview, FinanceSecretary Ajay BhushanPandey said in a pandemic likethis where the economy hasbeen impacted, any large scalechanges impact direct taxesmore severely, whereas indirecttax collection is mostly propor-tional to business turnoverand compliance.

"In a situation like this wherethe economy has been impact-ed and we are on the recoverypath, the direct taxes areimpacted more severelybecause the profitability of acompany is not directly pro-portional to the turnoveralways. If your turnoverreduces below a certain bench-mark then the profit will notmerely reduce, but it may getinto a negative zone and there-

fore the company may not payany income tax as it will be intoa loss.

"Similarly, when we are in arecovery phase, the companieswill take a longer time to comeinto the profitable zone to payincome tax. In the case ofindirect tax, it is more or lessproportional to the businessvolume and turnover and com-pliance," he said.

While the government hasofficially not released directand indirect tax collections,industry sources said the shareof indirect taxes in overall taxcollections rose to about 56 percent, the highest in over adecade for the period. This fol-

lows a sharp 26-27 per centdecline in direct tax collections.

Direct taxes are a direct out-come of income levels whileindirect taxes are mostly drivenby consumption as demand forsome goods is inelastic eitherbecause of they being essentialin nature or not substitutablelike petrol and diesel.

Excise collections rose in2020 after the governmentraised the tax on petrol anddiesel by Rs 13 and Rs 10 perlitre, respectively. Customs col-lections, which reflect dutypaid on goods imported, grewsubstantially in November andDecember. While the revenuein December was up 94 per

cent to Rs 16,157 crore, inNovember it was up 43 per centto Rs 11,598 crore.

Pandey said this buoyancy inCustoms collection would bedue to many factors, includingthe introduction of facelessassessment.

"We are doing the analysis asto what kinds of goods are get-ting imported and customsduty on those items," he said."We have also brought inCAROTAR rules wherein theimport from FTA countries arealso being subjected to greaterscrutiny and we are ensuringthat goods which have under-gone requisite value addition inexporting countries only they

are given the benefit of FTA. Sothese measures, along with anuptick in the economy, areyielding results."

The havoc wrecked by thepandemic on tax collections -that is a reflection of the eco-nomic well-being of a nation -led to the first major show-down between the Centre andthe states since the implemen-tation of the GST regime threeyears ago.

Sharply split on politicallines, states demanded Centreto compensate them - throughborrowing or from its own cof-fers - for the loss of revenue ina year that saw 69-days of com-plete lockdown and gradualeasing thereafter.

The sharp decline in GSTcollections has led to Rs 1.80lakh crore shortfall in GST rev-enues on states. This includesRs 1.10 lakh crore revenueloss on account of GST imple-mentation and Rs 70,000 croreon account of the pandemic.

The Centre initially opposedthe demand made by non-BJPruled states, insisting that statesshould borrow against futureaccruals of GST. For days andweeks, it gave all kinds of rea-sons why states should borrowbut one fine day it agreed toborrow and pass on the loansto states.

India's tax pie gets altered becauseof virus; share of direct taxes drops

Pandey said this buoyancy in Customscollection would be due to manyfactors,including theintroduction of facelessassessment

PNS n NEW DELHI

Mahindra group has emergedstronger from the COVID-19crisis and the 'strange & sin-ister year' 2020 will be trans-formed into a year of 'reinven-tion & regeneration' in 2021,according to the chairman ofthe conglomerate, AnandMahindra.

In his New Year address tothe 2.56 lakh employees of thegroup across 100 countries,Mahindra said in spite of allthe problems brought about bythe pandemic last year, "someunexpectedly great things hademerged from what seemedlike an impossibly bad situa-tion".

Drawing parallels to thedevelopment of COVID-19vaccines, in which researchersand regulators have fast-tracked the vaccine develop-ment process to 10 monthswhich otherwise takes 10years, he said there are lessonsfor the group to learn from itin terms of following purpose-driven business, rebooting andre-evaluating.

"I think the first impor-tant learning from that storyis that the day of the purpose-driven business has arrived,"he said adding manufacturingthe vaccine is a true purpose-

driven business, which is gain-ing currency today but thegroup has been at it since 1997.

An even more importantlesson is the power of a quickreboot as demonstrated byhow quickly medical scienceabandoned its conventionalapproach and rebooted totackle the new problem ofCOVID-19 by restructuringtheir processes, applying thelatest technology, cut out theunnecessary loops and hoopsthat researchers used to jumpthrough, and just went fullsteam ahead to develop avaccine, he added. "Just think,until this year, do you knowthe average time it took todevelop a vaccine – 10 years.Yes 10 years. And yet, thanksto this crisis, we have todaydeveloped not one but threeeffective vaccines, within 10months!" Mahindra added.

Anand: 2021 will beyear of reinventionand regeneration

Sensex closes above 48k forfirst time; IT stocks sparkle

PNS n HYDERABAD

GMR Hyderabad InternationalAirport Limited and GMRHyderabad Air Cargo havesigned a MoU with DubaiAirportsfor building an exclu-sive Vaccine Air FreightCorridor Productc a l l e d ' H Y D X B -VAXCOR(Hyderabad toDubai global VaccineCorridor), the infra major saidon Monday.

The MoU was signed in thebackdrop of the city becominga hub for COVID-19 vaccineand other antidotes with sev-eral vaccine manufacturershaving their bases here, a pressrelease from the infra majorsaid.

The MoU was signedbyPradeep Panicker, CEO-GMRHIA, Saurabh Kumar,

CEO-GMRHAC and EugeneBarry, EVP-Commercial,Dubai Airports Corporation ina virtual ceremony organisedlast week, it said.

As per the MoU, RajivGandhi International Airporthere and Dubai Airports will beaccording priority to the tem-perature sensitive vaccine ship-ments moving between boththe airports for further connec-tions to various continents aspart of the "HYDXB-VAX-COR" and build this serviceoffering as a key differentiatorand value proposition for thevaccine customers and logisticsstakeholders, it said.

This agreement will lead tothe rollout of customised andsimplified processes and infra-structural support to stream-line the journey of Covid-19vaccine right from the manu-

facturing unit to the airportand hub logistics to delivery toend-customers, the release said.

The partnership also entailstechnology collaboration,under which the entities willexplore and work together onan integrated IT solution thatwill provide end-to-end visibil-

ity including shipment temper-ature and status tracking for thecustomers while cargo is intransit between Hyderabad andDubai and during its onwardsjourney to various global des-tinations.

Pradeep Panicker said inthe current global context,

there is a need for meticulousplanning and collaborationsto ensure safe and efficient airtransportation of Covid-19vaccines and accordingly,"HYDXB-VAXCOR" is beingoffered for global distributionof COVID-19 vaccines.

"We are also significantly

upgrading our handling capac-ities for Covid-19 Vaccine ship-ments requiring Cold to ultra-cold temperature ranges andbecoming Indias largest AirCargo centre both forExport/Imports and Domesticdistribution of the Vaccine,"Panicker said.

Paul Griffiths, CEO of DubaiAirports, said a major surge indemand for the efficient, safeand reliable global distributionof high volumes of Covid-19vaccines is expected in thecoming months.

"As the world's preeminenthub of choice, we wanted to beready to respond to andaccommodate that demand.Our partnership with GMR-Hyderabad is timed perfectlyjust as the global race to devel-op the vaccines enters the finalstage,” he said.

Hyd, Dubai airports ties up for vaccine's seamless movementThe partnershipalso entails techcollaboration,under which theentities willexplore andwork togetheron an integratedIT solution

PNS n NEW DELHI

Cred on Monday said it hasraised USD 81 million (aboutRs 591.2 crore) in funding,valuing the fintech firm at apost-money valuation of USD806 million (about Rs 5,883crore).

Existing investor, DSTGlobal led the series C roundalong with Sequoia Capital,Ribbit Capital, Tiger Global,and General Catalyst, a state-ment said. In addition, Sofina,Coatue and Satyan Gajwani ofTimes Internet also invested inthis round, it added.

As part of the process, exist-ing and former employeeshave liquidated their employ-ee stock ownership plans(Esops), collectively worthUSD 1.2 million (Rs 9 crore),it said.

The company has raisedUSD a total of USD 228 mil-lion in four rounds till date.This includes USD 1 million inseed capital by founder KunalShah (QED Innovations), USD25 million in series A and USD120 million in series B round.

Cred rewards credit cardusers for making timely billpayments and offers variousbenefits to them. It has over 5.9million users on its platformcurrently, up from 3 million in

March last year. Admission toCred is based on a user's cred-it score, and anyone with ascore over 750 can be part ofthe community.

"The funds raised will beused to create additional valuefor our members throughproducts, services and experi-ences that enable them to leada good life. These offerings willbe introduced in partnershipwith merchants and institu-tions that are part of Cred,"Cred founder Kunal Shah toldPTI.

The focus is on launchingadditional products for mem-bers in collaboration withexisting and new partners thisyear, he added.

"We want to create moreopportunities for merchants toengage customers and forfinancial institutions to cross-

sell. Most importantly, we areat 20 per cent of credit card billpayments in India and wouldlike to gain more share in thatarea," Shah said.

The Esop buyback, whichwas completed on January 1, isthe first Esop liquidity pro-gram initiated by Cred.Employees who hold vestedstocks were eligible to sell upto 50 per cent of their vestedEsop shares in the company.Cred has over 300 employees.

"As we raise funds to sup-port our next phase of growth,it's important to acknowledgethe role that employees haveplayed in our success. We arecommitted to enabling wealth-creation opportunities forthem and have allocated 10 percent of our captable allocatedfor Esops even at the Series Cstage," Shah said.

Cred raises $81 m funding

The 30-shareBSE Sensexended 307.82points or 0.64per cent higherat 48,176.80. It touched arecord intra-daypeak of48,220.47

Ambuja Neotiain a 72-acredevelopmentdeal withSatyaa HomesPNS n KOLKATA

City-based real estate andhospitality major, AmbujaNeotia group had sealed amajor development deal for72 acres at Rajarhat withSatyaa Homes, a North Indiarealty company and totalretail sales value is estimatedat Rs 3000-4000 crore, a com-pany official said on Monday.

Anarock PropertyConsultants Land Servicesannounced the successfulclosure of a joint develop-ment deal.

This is a significant town-ship deal to be struck in thepandemic period and willresult in the large plotted/villadevelopment township to belaunched in Rajarhat.Ambuja Neotia Group is thedevelopment managementpartner, it said.

The land which is in closeproximity of Asia's largestmass housing projectSukhobrihti had been financedby the HDFC Capital Advisors,sources said. HDFC CapitalAdvisors is a specialised realestate private equity investmentmanager. The project entails tooffer land plots in the gatedcommunity and where devel-opment of houses remainsoptional with the owner.

PNS n NEW DELHI

FMCG major Marico onMonday said it has witnessedfaster than expected recoveryin consumer sentiment inIndia and a strong perfor-mance in the third quarterthis fiscal, after being impact-ed by COVID-19 pandemic.

The company said it hasobserved strong performanceacross its portfolio with gen-eral trade continuing to growfirmly and rural markets stay-ing ahead of urban.

"The quarter was charac-

terised by a faster than expect-ed recovery in consumer sen-timent in India, aided by thefestival season and a decliningCOVID-19 graph.

"India business delivered astrong performance with dou-ble-digit volume growth.Revenue growth was in tan-dem with volume growth.Parachute Coconut Oil deliv-ered ahead of its medium-term aspiration. Saffola EdibleOils continued its growthmomentum, delivering dou-ble-digit volume growth,"Marico said in its quarterly

update for December 2020.The value-added hair oils

also exhibited strength with abroad-based sharp recoveryacross sub-segments, leadingto overall double-digit growthfor the category. The foodportfolio continued to witnessexponential growth in linewith the near-term aspiration,backed by strong performancein both the base foods and thenew product launches, thecompany said.

It noted that there was asteady revival in discretionarycategories with the premium

personal care portfolios wit-nessing improving trendssequentially, however, still

posting a modest decline ona year-on-year basis.

Marico said the interna-tional business had a resilientquarter with high-single-digitconstant currency growth, ledby double-digit constant cur-rency growth in Bangladeshand recovery in a few othermarkets.

"The quarter was also char-acterised by inflationary pres-sure in key raw materialsnecessitating cutting back ofsome promotions and takingeffective price increases acrossboth Parachute and Saffola

edible oil portfolios," the com-pany said.

Marico maintains an opti-mistic outlook for the rest ofthe year provided the COVIDand economic situation con-tinues to improve.

The company said itremains steadfast in its medi-um-term aspiration of deliv-ering sustainable and prof-itable volume led growth,building on strong brandequity across core franchiseesand progressively driving andscaling up new engines ofgrowth.

Marico witnesses faster recovery in consumer sentiment

Rules

ARCHIE

GARFIELD

SUDOKU

REALITY CHECK SPEED BUMP CROSSWORD

GINGER MEGGS

NANCY

l Each row and column cancontain each number (1 to 9)exactly once.

l The sum of all numbers inany row or column mustequal 45.

Yesterday’s solution

CALVIN AND HOBBES

FUN

ollywoodstar VarunDhawanhas surelylearnt tolive with

the stifling side ofbeing famous. Hesays he has madepeace with the con-stant scrutiny.

We asked him if itbecomes difficultdealing with the factthat everything,including his health

and personal life, isalways a matter ofpublic scrutiny, andVarun replied: “Yeah,it does (become dif-ficult), but that is thepart and parcel of it.You know what youare getting into. Youcan’t behave like, ‘oh!you didn’t sign upfor this’. I mean youknow that’s going tohappen. So I havekind of adapted to itand made peace with

it.”The actor was

recently seen in thedigitally-releasedfilm Coolie No 1,directed by his fatherDavid Dhawan. Thefilm, which is aremake of the 1995hit of the samename, co-stars SaraAli Khan, and alsofeatures ShikhaTalsania, PareshRawal and RajpalYadav.

Budding actress Ananya Pandayfinds working with Bollywoodstar Deepika Padukone anythingbut intimidating. She callsDeepika the biggest sweetheart.

Ananya is currently workingwith Deepika in Shakun Batra’s untitlednext film that also features SiddhantChaturvedi.

Asked if it’s intimidating to workwith a star, Ananya told IANS: “Not atall. She (Deepika) is the biggest sweet-heart. As beautiful as she is on the out-side, she is as beautiful on the inside.

She is one of the nicest and warmestpeople ever. She is literally like my sis-ter. We have a really good relationship.”

“She has done a really good job inmaking all of us feel comfortable onset. There are no intimidating vibes.We did workshops together, too. She isa very caring person,” she added.

Another Bollywod actress thatAnanya Panday looks up to is KareenaKapoor Khan — especially her charac-ter Poo in Karan Johar’s 2001 filmKabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham. Sherecently had a fangirl moment while

talking to Kareena.“One of the biggest compli-

ments for me was whenKareena herself said, ‘if therehad to be a Poo now, I think youwould be able to play it’. I amjust hoping that Karan saw it orread it somewhere. That’s adream role. She was so iconic forall us while we were growing up,”said Ananya, who was recentlyseen in the digitally-released filmKhaali Peeli, opposite IshaanKhatter.

olitical dramaMadam ChiefMinister, star-ring RichaChadha, is all setto have a theatri-

cal release on January 22,the makers announcedMonday.

The film is written anddirected by SubhashKapoor of Jolly LLB fame.

Madam Chief Minister,which also stars ManavKaul and Saurabh Shukla, isproduced by T-Series Filmsand Kangra Talkies.

T-Series also shared thefirst look of the film, whichis set in Uttar Pradesh, onTwitter.

The poster featuresChadha with abroom in herhand, along-side Kaul

and Shukla, with Untouchable,Unstoppable as tagline.

“Presenting to you, the first lookof #MadamChiefMinister, a gutshaking political drama starringRicha Chaddha, Manav Kaul andSaurabh Shukla! Out in cinemas on22nd January! Stay tuned!” T-Seriestweeted.

Chadha said the film is about an“untouchable” who braves all oddsin life.

“Glad to present to you all, mynew movie #MadamChiefMinister, apolitical drama about an ‘untouch-able’ who hustles and makes it big inlife!” she tweeted.

Madam Chief Minister also fea-tures Akshay Oberoi andShubhrajyoti in pivotal roles.

This would be Chadha’s secondtheatrical release amid the

coronavirus pandemic,after Shakeela which

hit cinema halls lastmonth.

9

Vijayawada Tuesday January 5 2021

Amitabh Bachchan announcesSonu Sood's film Kisaan

egastar Amitabh Bachchanon Monday announced actorSonu Sood’s upcoming filmKisaan, to be directed by ENiwas.The movie will be pro-duced by filmmaker Raaj

Shaandilyaa, who made his directorialdebut with the 2019 comedy DreamGirl, starring Ayushmann Khurrana.

“All good wishes to film #Kisaan,directed by #ENiwas and acted by@SonuSood,” Bachchan tweeted.

Further details about the film are yetto be known.

Last month, Sood opened up abouthow filmmakers have started approach-ing him with lead roles in their filmsdue to his philanthropic work formigrant workers during theCoronavirus-induced lockdown lastyear. Sood had said 2020 changed both

his personal and professional life, espe-cially his image of an actor, after playing

antagonists in films such as Simmba,R... Rajkumar and Dabangg.

m

B

B

Ananya Panday: DeepikaPadukone is the biggest sweetheart

Varun Dhawan opens up onconstant scrutiny in his life

what’s brewing?

P

Richa Chadha-starrer Madam Chief Minister to

theatrically release on Jan 22

ate actorsOm PuriandJagdeepJaffrey’slast

Omprakash Zindabadwas released recently

as a tribute to the leg-endaries for the contri-

bution they have givento Hindi cinema under

the banner of ParanomaStudios. Meanwhile, mak-

ers say that Rajkummar Raowas finalised to play the lead

part of Rambhajjan (which hasbeen essayed by actor Abhay

Joshi), but due to his date issues,he couldn’t be a part of this ven-

ture.The producer of the film Khalid

Kidwai shares, “Initially we had signedRajkummar Rao for Rambhajjan’s char-

acter. He did workshops with Om Purifor fifteen days, however, after doing the

workshops, his shooting dates didn’t matchwith the senior actor’s and was clashing with

some other projects. Hence, unfortunately, thedirector had to take the call to replaceRajkummar Rao with Abhay Joshi. Rajkummarwas in touch with me for a very long time, but

we aren’t the same now, as he has become a bigstar and entered a big-budget project. I guessthat’s what success fever is. We carry goodintentions for him and my best wishes for fur-ther success in life. Hoping to work with him inthe future, soon.”

The film deals with the VictimCompensation Act under section 357A where arape victim gets monetary compensation forhaving suffered loss or injury as a result of thecrime but when it comes to a man, he doesn’treceive any help. The film also starsKulbhushan Kharbanda, Ishtiyak Khan, ZakirHussain, Seema Azmi, Shweta Bhardwaj, RamSethi and Rajkumar Kanaujia, among others.

‘Rajkummar's abig star now'

or years, entrepre-neurs have grum-bled that consumersdon’t intend to buysustainable prod-ucts from stores or

online carts, however, thingshave changed now! The con-ventional wisdom of busi-nessmen has made theirproducts so sustainable asmillennials are increasinglysaying they would love toinvest in such products toembrace their sole purpose.

SustainKart, the brainchildof famous fashion designerand entrepreneur ShilpaReddy, and budding hustlerof town Kanthi Dutt, is doingthe rounds across the city forthe only excellent reason —that it’s India’s first-ever e-marketplace for sustainableproducts. The need for sus-tainable products hasincreased even more duringthe extensive lockdown asdenizens have begun torealise its significance.Consumers are showing apositive attitude towardssuch eco-friendly,

they’re also inspired when theysee their neighbours installingsolar panels or separating drywaste from wet and more, hencemany of them are looking for-ward to sustainability goals.

Having celebs in the spotlightusing their platform for goodinspires us to do our part tohelp the planet too. From cos-metics to clothing, these celebshaved helped pave the way tolive a more full and sustainablelifestyle!

Whether it’s Dia Mirza who isemerging as an environmentallyconscious celebrity or Alia Bhattgoing local for vocal with hernewly launched sustainableclothing line called Ed-a-Mamma or Hyderabad’s veryown socialite Shilpa Reddyturning an eco-warrior — whatmatters is all of them are con-tributing towards a cause andare genuinely passionate about itall.

“An extension to theSustainable Living WithShilpa ReddyShow,

Sustainkart curates a surplus ofproducts for a conscious living,all under one roof, and is a pro-ject that’s really close to myheart. With an aim to revampIndian lifestyle with mindfulalternatives pledging to build asustainable outlook for the com-ing generations, sustainable liv-ing is going to be the new nor-mal,” informs Shilpa Reddy.

“Like many others, we as aduo, understood the weight ofconserving the ecosystem, soour new collaboration for thebusiness enterprise ‘Sustainkart’has simple suggestions aboutwhat you can choose from aplethora of products rang-ing from fashion, décor,gifts, furniture, pet-care, nutritionand wellness,etc,” sharesKanthi,the

co-founder. A moreinteresting facet about ournew project is that thoughthe whole undertaking isabout going green, theirdeliveries will be carried outin plastic bags due to variousreasons including it minimisesdamage from water, weatheretc. “But,” Kanthi adds, “ourconsumers can collect all theplastic bags and at an assignedtime, one of our workers willvisit them and weigh and takeaway the amount of plastic theyhave collected and in turn, thecustomer will be rewarded inthe form of credit points. Isn’t itmotivating? While it might bedifficult at first to go all sust-bringsle, the new lifestyle bringyou a stronger purpose in life.Also, for the people who won-der that trends like ‘going sus-tainable’ or ‘vegan’ are onlyfor the rich and the elite,Sustainkart is here to dimin-ish those perceptions as itholds products of all costs.A person from any sphereof life can avail them.”

The Pioneer hopes themovement is notreduced to just a trend,but people will actual-ly adopt a sustainablelifestyle, be moreaware and envi-ronment-friendly,aware and con-scious aboutthe depletingnaturalresourcesaroundthem.

Going green,setting andliving up to

sustainabilitygoals have

always beenconsidered

things of therich. But

SustainKart, ane-commerce

brand byfashion

designer andentrepreneur

Shilpa Reddy,and Kanthi Dutt,is here to breakthat idea, writes

The Pioneer'sSHIKHA

DUGGAL. Thesite sellsproducts

ranging fromRs.100 to

Rs.8,000, sothere’s no

complaining!

BRINGINGSUSTAINABILITY TOYOUR DOORSTEP!

F

L

magine this:The wrappersyou forgot youthrow away,actually winyou an award!

Well, that’s almost half-true for Dr. GeetanjaliReddy, who had thehabit of collectingchocolate wrappers sinceher childhood. Little didshe know this out-of-the-box, unique hobby ofhers would lead to hermention in the WonderBook of RecordsInternational!

The woman from thecity presented her collec-tion of 222 chocolatewrappers from the year2013 to 2020 and waspresented the new recordcertificate and medal byBingi Narender Goud, allIndia coordinator, LionM.Vijyalaxmi, SouthIndia coordinator, andLion Dr. B Vijyaranga,Telanagana StateCoordinator at theWonder Book of RecordsInternational office,Hyderabad on Sunday.An overjoyed Geetanjalistated that she was happyabout this award andwould try for the LimcaBook of Records andGuinness of WorldRecords too.

Wrapper collection wins Hyd woman a mention inWonder Book of Records

t has never beenmore important toprepare pets for apost-pandemic life.

In 2021, probablyfor many, morethan a year after

pandemic restrictions, mostworkers and students willreturn to campuses, offices andother workplaces. Left behindwill be pets who have becomeaccustomed to humans stayinghome with them.

A Purdue University profes-sor has studied and taughtabout animal behaviour forsome two decades and consult-ed with many veterinariansand others who work withhousehold animals. Here aresome tips on how to preparethem and signs of distress towatch for.

Begin from now

” Start practicing to give thema routine and sense of pre-dictability, taking small stepsincrementally.” Provide them with toys andtreats to focus on while youwork in a different room.” Take walks without them;don’t take them on every carride.” Even if the weather isn’tgood for driving, pull your

car out of the garage and sitfor a while.” If you don’t drive, findanother venue to createspace.” If you feel your pets will findit hard to adjust, consultyour veterinarian to make aplan.” Signs for concern afterreturning to workplace:

Changes in eating ordrinking habits.

” For cats, common signs ofdistress are inappropriateurination or defecation out-side the litter box.” For dogs, excessive whiningand barking, leaving treatsuntouched, changes in toilet-ing habits.

Destructive behaviour.”Acting abnormally franticwhen you return home.Here’s what to do if the petsare able to adjust””Call your veterinarian beforethings get worse.”Use baby-type monitors tocheck on your pets remotely.”Have a friend or paid dog-walker stop by.”Have soft music playing orTV talk shows (not the kindwhere they yell at eachother).

II

Left behind

TuesdayJanuary 5, 2021

Follow us on

@TheDailyPioneer

facebook.com/dailypioneer

AFP n TURIN

Cristiano Ronaldo scoredtwice as champions Juventus

bounced back from their firstSerie A defeat of the season bybeating Udinese 4-1 onSunday to move up tofifth place.

The Milan clubsare top of the Italianleague with Juventus10 points adrift of thesummit having playeda game less.

Leaders AC Milan stayedone point ahead of Inter with a2-0 win over midtableBenevento despite playing anhour a man down.

City rivals Inter extendedtheir winning streak to eightleague games with a dominant6-2 victory over lowly Crotone

with Lautaro Martinez bag-ging a hat-trick. ButMilan restored theiradvantage thanks to aFranck Kessie penaltyon 15 minutes andRafael Leao’s terrificcurling strike from atight angle shortly afterhalf-time.

Sandro Tonali’s sendingoff after 33 minutes for ahigh tackle on Artur Ionita

did not holdback StefanoP i o l i ’ sside.GianluigiDonnarummawas solid inthe Milan goalw h i l eG i a n l u c a

Caprari dragged apenalty wide on thehour.

“We don’t let our-selves be put underpressure by the resultsof the opponents,”said Pioli whose sideare unbeaten in 27

league games going back toMarch.

“We’re ambitious, we’re nothiding it and we aim to win thenext match as well againstJuventus (on Wednesday).”Ronaldo once again proved deci-sive for Juventus scoring a goalin each half to bring his league-

leading tally to 14 this cam-paign and teeing up FedericoChiesa after the break.

Paulo Dybala added thefourth deep into injury timeas Andrea Pirlo’s side movedon from their first defeat ofthe season to Fiorentinalast time out. “It wasn’t thebest Juventus because wewere coming off a baddefeat, we were a bitfearful at the begin-ning,” said Pirlo.

“Slowly we grewand in the secondhalf we did better.It’s a delicatemoment but we

have to have confidence in whatwe can achieve and the determi-nation to get there.”

AFP n CHRISTCHURCH

Aclassic century by Kane Williamsonin an unbroken 215-run stand with

Henry Nicholls hauled New Zealand intoa strong position at 286/3 at stumps onday two of the second Test againstPakistan on Monday.

New Zealand, having recovered from71/3 in Christchurch, ended the day trail-ing Pakistan’s first innings 297 by just 11runs with seven wickets inhand.

Williamson, newlyinstalled as the world’s No 1Test batsman, was unbeatenon 112, his 24th century, withNicholls on 89.

Even when New Zealandwere in trouble there was a sensein the side that Williamson wouldsave them. It was Williamson's thirdcentury in as many Tests in the pastmonth, although fortune was on hisside.

Late in the day, he was droppedtwice and survived a run out whenthe bail had only partially dis-lodged in the split second it tookto get his bat across the crease.

Pakistan, without a win in 10away Tests since 2018, wouldhave felt their luck was changingwhen New Zealand slumped

from 52 without loss to 71/3 when RossTaylor departed in the fifth over afterlunch.

It could have been 74/4 whenNicholls was given out early,caught behind for three, onlyfor the dismissal to bereversed by the TV umpirewho detected ShaheenAfridi's delivery was a no

ball.With New Zealand

in trouble, Williamsonwas all patience as he took70 deliveries to reach 20,

but he then put his foot down.The next 30 runs came off 35

balls to reach 50 and he took just35 balls to race from 50 to 100.

“It’s very difficult to get hiswicket,” said Pakistan quick bowlerMohammad Abbas. “We had someplans against him but he’s a world-class player. He took his time andwhen he settled at the crease he gotsome runs. We bowled well earlybut after tea some catches weredropped and that’s why we’re strug-gling.”

AFP n JOHANNESBURG

Sri Lanka captain DimuthKarunaratne ensured his

team would avoid an inningsdefeat but the tourists were ina precarious position at theend of the second day of thesecond and final Test againstSouth Africa at theWanderers Stadium onMonday.

The tourists were 150/4 atthe close in Johannesburg, alead of five runs with sixwickets remaining.

Karunaratne, one of fiveleft-handers in the Sri Lankantop six, made 91 not out off116 balls with 17 fours.

But there was only onepartnership of note, 85 for thesecond wicket with LahiruThirimanne, who scored 31.They came together afterKusal Perera had been bowledwith only one run scored.

Fast bowler Lungi Ngiditook the first three wickets tofinish the day with 3/26, hav-ing Thirimanne and KusalMendis caught down the legside by wicketkeeper Quinton

de Kock off successive deliv-eries. It was the third succes-sive nought by Mendis.

Karunaratne's inningscontinued a fightback whichstarted with the team'sbowlers, who restricted SouthAfrica's first innings lead to145. Vishwa Fernando took5/101, his first five-wickethaul in Tests, as South Africawere bowled out for 302, los-

ing their last nine wickets for84 runs.

South Africa's collapseseemed unlikely when DeanElgar (127) and Rassie vander Dussen (67) scored 68runs off 14 overs in the firsthour of the day. Their second-wicket stand was worth 184before the mid-morningdrinks break brought achange in fortunes, with both

batsmen dismissed in thefirst two overs after drinks.

Elgar, who made 95 inSouth Africa's innings win inthe first Test at Centurion,completed his 13th Test cen-tury after starting the day on92. He hit 22 fours in a 163-ball innings.

Perera, who made 64 and60 in his previous twoinnings, was bowled for oneby a ball from Ngidi whichswung in from around thewicket. But Karunatne andThirimanne both batted withassurance before Ngidi struckagain.

Debutant MinodBhanuka played a rash pullagainst the pace of AnrichNortje and was out for one,with Keshav Maharaj takinga superb catch at midwicket,running several metres beforediving full length. NiroshanDickwella made 18 not out tosurvive with Karunaratneuntil the close.

sport 11VIJAYAWADA | TUESDAY | JANUARY 5, 2021

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PNS n NEW DELHI

The impasse in the Indianchess finally came to an end

on Monday as incumbentSecretary Bharat Singh Chauhanand his team scored a huge vic-tory over the camp headed bysitting President P R V Raja inan online election conducted asper the directives of the TamilNadu High Court.

Chauhan, who got re-electedto the Secretary post, is seen as aplayer friendly administrator.

The outcome comes as ahuge blow to the Raja, one of thebiggest industrialists of TamilNadu, who lost by a marginal33-31 votes to Dr Sanjay Kapoorof Uttar Pradesh.

Chauhan won 35-29 againsthis rival M Dongre of Maharashtra.

In the other key post NareshSharma from Haryana toppledincumbent Kishor Bandekar by34-30 votes.

Team Bharat Singh won 11of the total 15 posts comprising

President, Secretary, Treasurer,five Vice Presidents, and threeJoint Secretaries.

The rival camp won oneVice President and three JointSecretaries posts.

“We are going to work as ateam, I have been fighting thisfor almost 1.5 years now, just forjustice and the good sense hasfinally prevailed. The justice isdelivered and the Indian Chessis in good hands is all I canpromise for now. All our electionpromises will be delivered”, saidBharat Singh Chauhan.

The AICF has split into twofactions, one led by Raja and theother by Chauhan. The two havebeen at loggerheads for sometime over various issues, includ-ing the conduct of the elections.

Several legal battles werefought in the past one and a halfyear and there were instanceswhen the president and the sec-retary suspended each other atdifferent times.

After a long-drawn battle, a

court-appointed observerJustice (retired) K Kannanpresided over the electionprocess held online because ofthe Covid-19 pandemic.

It was the first time since2005 that the AICF electionssaw a contest as the candidateswere chosen unanimously in thelast 15 years.

Apart from the president,secretary and treasurer, six vice-presidents and six joint secre-taries were also elected.

TEAM AICFPresident(1): Dr Sanjay KapoorVice Presidents (6) : AnanthaDP, Bhavesh Patel, VipneshBhardwaj, Ajay Ajmera, PCLallianthanga & Er NiapungKonia.Secretary: Bharat SinghChauhan.Joint Secretaries: Rajesh R,Mahendra Dhakal, Atul Kumar,Mughaho Awomi, DiljeetKhanna & Atanu Lahiri.Treasurer: Naresh Sharma.

GANGULY MAY UNDERGO ANOTHER ANGIOPLASTYKolkata: Cricket Board president and former Indiacaptain Sourav Ganguly will have to undergo anotherangioplasty in a “few days or weeks” but can for now bedischarged from hospital as his condition is “stable”, theCEO of the medical facility said on Monday. A nine-member board of senior doctors discussed Ganguly'scondition and reached a consensus that thoughnecessary, angioplasty can be deferred to a later date ashe is stable, Woodlands Hospital MD and CEO Dr RupaliBasu said. “The angioplasty will take place for sure in afew days or weeks. He will be discharged most probablythe day after tomorrow,” she said.

SHAKIB IN B’DESH’S PRELIMINARY SQUAD Dhaka: Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) on Mondaynamed Shakib Al Hasan in the preliminary squad for theTest and T20I series against the West Indies, marking thestar all-rounder's return to national reckoning afterserving a ban for not reporting corrupt approaches. Thesouthpaw was banned for two years, one year of it wassuspended, for failing to report corrupt approaches byan alleged Indian bookie during the IPL. Former skipperMashrafe Mortaza, who is the country's highest wicket-taker in the 50 over format and also the longest-servingcaptain, was left out of the 24-member ODI squad.

BARCA BEAT HUESCA 1-00 IN LA LIGA Huesca: Barcelona won 1-0 at bottom side Huesca onSunday as Lionel Messi became the first non-Spaniardto make 500 appearances in the La Liga. Messi returnedfor Barca after missing the final game of 2020 with anankle knock and swung in a cross for Frenkie de Jong todivert home for the only goal on 27 minutes. AlthoughRonald Koeman's side began a potentially season-defining run of four consecutive away matches with acomfortable win, they remain a distant 10 points behindAtletico in fifth having played a game more.

FLETCHER JOINS MAN UTD COACHING STAFFManchester: Former Manchester United midfielderDarren Fletcher joined the team's coaching staff onMonday after a short spell in charge of the under-16s.Fletcher spent 20 years as a player with United, makingmore than 340 appearances for the senior team from2003-15 after coming through the academy.

BINDRA HOPEFUL OF INDIA'S BEST-EEVER SHOW New Delhi: India's only individual Olympic Goldmedallist Abhinav Bindra is hopeful of the countryrecording its best-ever medal haul in the upcomingedition of the mega-event in Tokyo, saying each of theathlete can be counted as a “realistic” prospect. India'sbest showing at the Games remains the six medals itwon in London in 2012. “Tokyo Olympics could end upwith our best ever medal haul even though the times arechallenging due to the Covid-19 pandemic,” Bindra saidon Monday. “Sport is not scripted but I do hope that wecome back with our best medal haul and that means wewill come back with 5-6 medals and better the Londonhaul, which, remains our best.”

RIJIJU OPTIMIST ABOUT NATIONAL GAMESShillong: Union Sports Minister Kiren Rijiju onMonday expressed optimism that the National Games,the calendar of which was affected by Covid-19pandemic, will be held this year in Goa and in Meghalayanext year. He assured full help and support from hisministry. The Union Sports Minister admitted that thecalendar for the games was in jeopardy due to Covid-19and that the infrastructure was also affected. “Dates arebecoming a problem. Goa missed the chance last yearbecause of Covid-19. Hopefully this year Goa could hostthe games”, Rijiju told PTI. AGENCIES

SINGLES

PTI n MELBOURNE

Australia will have planschalked out for thereturning Rohit Sharma,

seasoned off-spinner NathanLyon said on Monday, describ-ing the swashbuckling Indiaopener as one of the best play-ers in world cricket.

Having missed the limitedovers leg of the tour and theTests in Adelaide andMelbourne due to an injury,Rohit has joined an upbeatIndian team for the last twomatches and Lyon is aware ofthe threat the batsman can posewith his wide range of strokes.

“Obviously, Rohit Sharmais one of the best players in theworld going around, so it isgoing to be a big challenge forus bowlers, but we are going toshow our way from it, we lovechallenging ourself,” Lyon saidat a virtual press conference.

“He (Rohit) is a big inputfor Indian side, so it is going tobe interesting to see who theyleave out.

“But we will have our plansready for Rohit, and hopeful-ly, we can get on top of himnice and early, but respectinghow good a cricketer Rohit is,”added Lyon, who is on theverge of playing his 100th Test.

Rohit has been namedIndia’s vice-captain for theremaining two Tests after hemissed the first two as he wasrecovering from an injury sus-tained during the IPL.

Lyon said one of Indiaskipper Ajinkya Rahane’sstrengths is that he does notindulge in sledging or conver-sations with the oppositionbowlers while he is in the mid-dle.

“He (Rahane) is obviouslya world-class batter, whichobviously helps with every-thing. I think the patience thathe shows at the crease, hedoesn’t seem to get (frustrated)much.

“He (Rahane) doesn’t buyinto any sledging or any con-servation out there in the mid-dle, he is pretty calm and col-lective batter (of the) opposi-tion, so it is few differentthings that he offers.

“... But he is obviouslyleader of India at the momentas Virat (Kohli) is not here, sohe is standing up at themoment and I know we willhave our plans ready to hope-fully combat him come theSCG Test,” he said.

Lyon also had words ofpraise for his Indian counter-part Ravichandran Ashwin andsaid the Tamil Nadu off-spin-ner has bowled quite straighterto the Australian batsman andthey had no answer to that.

“Yeah, Ashwin is bowlingvery well. He is a world-classspinner and I have said thatthroughout my whole career.He has bowled quite a straightline to our batters, which theyhaven’t had come up with aplan as yet.

“I think they will come upwith one of them and counterAshwin’s plan in Sydney,” saidLyon, who has 394 wicketsfrom 94 Tests.

“But he (Ashwin) is aworld-class bowler and whatyou expect, he has got a decentrecord around the world, sohats off to him,” the Australianadded.

Lyon also stated that he hasdevised “a couple of differentplans” for Rahane, who hit adogged match-winning 112 inthe Melbourne Test.

“I think (Ajinkya) Rahaneplayed me extremely well inMelbourne, so I know I amgoing to come up with a cou-ple of different plans for himand a few different guys, so Iam looking forward to putting

them in place.“But, to be honest with you,

we have been pretty accuratewith our bowling, as a squad totake 20 wickets quite quickly inAdelaide but then challengedlittle bit in Melbourne.

“But to stay there and keepcreating chances, that was apositive. So, we are very confi-dent as a bowling group and Iknow personally I have got afew different plans to put inplace.”

According to the 33-year-old Lyon, Indian batters havealways tried to be attackingagainst him.

“I think they (Indian bats-men) have played me prettysimilar. Every series I come upagainst India, they try to bequite attacking,” he said.

We’ll have plans for world-class Rohit: Lyon

Indian Test vice-captain Rohit Sharma reacts during Team India’s practice session cricket.com.au/Twitter

PATTINSON OUT Australian pacer James Pattinson was on

Monday ruled out of the third Test againstIndia due to bruised ribs, the home team’scricket board said in a statement.

“Fast bowler James Pattinson has beenruled out of our Australian squad for the third

#AUSvIND Vodafone Test with bruised ribs,”said Cricket Australia (CA).

A replacement has not been named forPattinson, who got injured after a fall at home.

“He will not be replaced in the squad andwill be assessed further ahead of the BrisbaneTest match,” CA added.

PTI n SYDNEY

The crowd limit for the third Testbetween India and Australia,

beginning here from Thursday, hasbeen reduced to 25 per cent of theSCG’s seating capacity on advice ofthe New South Wales Governmentafter fresh Covid-19 cases wererecorded in the city.

Approximately 9500 peoplewould be allowed to watch thegame with the series currentlylocked at 1-1. The SCG has a seat-ing capacity of about 38,000.

“Reducing the capacity of thevenue is crucial in achieving socialdistancing requirements, and wesincerely thank ticket-holders fortheir patience, as we processrefunds today, reconfigure theSCG seating plan to deliver thesesocial distancing measures and goback on sale,” Cricket AustraliaCEO Nick Hockley said in a state-ment.

SCG crowd capacity limited to 25%

CA reject reports of India seekingchange of venue for Brisbane TestPTI n SYDNEY

Cricket Australia chief executive NickHockley on Monday dismissed

reports that the Indian team is reluctantto play the fourth Test in Brisbanebecause of stricter quarantine rulesthere.

Hockley said the Indian cricketboard is “fully across (and) supportive”of quarantine requirements inQueensland.

“We speak to our counterparts at theBCCI daily,” he told reporters here.

“We’ve had nothing formal from theBCCI to suggest anything other thanthey’re supportive. Both teams havewanted to play the schedule as we’ve setout,” he asserted.

The fourth game is due from January15 at the Gabba.

The Australian media has claimedthat the Brisbane Test is in jeopardybecause of the tourists’ reluctance to trav-el there in view of harder quarantine

rules, having already served one uponentering Australia in November.

The reports, citing unnamedsources, claimed that the Indian teamwanted the fourth Test to be also held inSydney.

Earlier in the day, Australia’s leadingspinner Nathan Lyon had called on play-ers from both teams to “get out there andplay the game” instead of worrying overthings that are beyond their control.

“I am not really worried aboutwhat’s being reported, it is for us to worryabout what we can control and the infor-mation that we are receiving from thepeople at Cricket Australia and the med-ical people,” Lyon had said.

“It is just about us making sure thatwe are very well prepared for the SydneyTest, everyone keeps talking about theGabba Test.

“But there is a massive Test matchin just couple of days at the SCG and thatis where our focus is 100 per cent at themoment,” the veteran off-spinner added.

PTI n MELBOURNE

The Indian cricket team and its support staffhave returned negative in the latest Covid-

19 tests conducted here ahead of the third Testagainst Australia in Sydney, the BCCI said onMonday.

The game is due to start on January 7 andThe Indian team landed in Sydney on Mondayas scheduled.

“Playing members of the Indian CricketTeam and support staff underwent an RT-PCRTest for Covid-19 on January 3, 2021. All testshave returned negative results,” the BCCI saidin a short statement.

The statement came a couple of days afterfive Indian players — vice-captain Rohit Sharma,opener Shubman Gill, stumper Rishabh Pant,pacer Navdeep Saini and batsman Prithvi Shaw— were placed in isolation when a video of themat an indoor restaurant was posted by a fan onTwitter.

The five were, however, allowed to train andtravel with the team for the match in Sydney.According to sources in the Indian contingent,they have been cleared to play in the third Testat the Sydney Cricket Ground.

Team India, support staff -ve in latest Covid-19 tests

Kane’s 112 puts NZ in control

Sanjay Kapoor elected AICF President,Chauhan retains secretary's post

Karunaratne takes SL into lead

Cristiano moves pastPele’s domestic goal

tally with his 758thstrike in Juve’s 4-1 win

‘Ronaldo surpasses Pele’s scoring record

fter it wasannounced lastNovember,IndragantiMohanaKrishna’s next

with Sudheer Babu andUppena fame KrithiShetty was launched inHyderabad on Monday.The untitled project, aromantic drama, marksthe debut of famous T-town managersMahendra and KiranBallapalli as producers.Together, they’ve floateda banner, BenchmarkStudios, to shepherd themovie. While the formeris a manager ofSamantha, VennelaKishore, Adivi Sesh andRaashi Khanna amongothers, the latter looksafter the dates ofRashmika Mandanna,

Indraganti, Krithi andVenky Kudumula.

For the muhurthamshot, VV Vinayaksounded the clapboard,while Y Ravi Shankar ofMythri Movie Makersswitched on the camera.Dil Raju, who producedIndraganti’s last venture,V, directed it.

The film will roll inMarch-immediatelyafter Sudheer wraps uphis present film, SrideviSoda Centre. “It’s my14the film but I am asexcited as my 1st. It’s ahat-trick with#Indraganti sir,” theactor posted on Twitter.Indraganti’s regulars —Avasarala Srinivas andVennela Kishore — areplaying supporting rolesin the film, a VivekSagar musical.

The director speaks to NAGARAJ GOUDon landing Alludu Adhurs after his multiple

attempts to remake Tamil monster hit Therifailed, designing a new character for Sreenivas and

why the film will help the actor on his Hindi debutwith Chatrapathi remake

t has been more than four yearssince cinematographer-turned-director Santosh Srinivas had arelease. After Hyper, he devotedtime to the script of Theriremake for Pawan Kalyan, withMythri Movie Makers attachedto produce. The work went onfor months but Pawan’s full-fledged dive into politics

after Agnyaathavaasi meantthat he had to skip headlin-

ing it. Santosh tailored thesame script to suit Ravi Tejaand got the actor’s approval aswell. But two days after thefilming, the shoot was can-celled. The director doesn’twant to discuss what tran-spired, while the industrygrapevine, back then, wasabuzz with the news that

Mythri Movie Makersshelved it after Amar AkbarAnthony, which they pro-

duced with Ravi,has gone downthe chute at theticket counters.“The producersare the bestpeople toanswer it,” thedirectorbegins.

Santosh,however, has-n’t lost hopeon directingPawan Kalyan.“It is my wishto do a film

with him. You

never know… I might get an offer.I want to do a good entertainerwith him,” he reveals.

As he was waiting to make hisnext directorial, Santosh got a callfrom his Kandireega producerBellamkonda Suresh, enquiringfor a good script. “I had an enter-tainment-filled script ready bythen and I told I’ll give an intro-duction of 10 minutes about itbut the narration went on for onehour 30 minutes and Suresh garuwas sold. He said it was excellentand that he was looking for such astory for Sreenivas after a thrillerlike Rakshasudu. That’s how ourjourney started again,” he recallsfondly, adding that they kick-start-ed filming in October 2019 andeven announced April 30, 2020 asa release date. “Three days after weofficially announced the title asAlludu Adhurs, coronavirus startedto scare us. We shot for 10 daysafter it hit us but stopped shootingaltogether after March 20. Whenwe resumed last September, wetook all precautions to ensure asmooth shoot. We shot for 40 daysand luckily no one from the setstested positive. Sankranti is a festi-val which celebrates sons-in-lawand Alludu Adhurs is just the rightfilm for the festival. It’s a well-packaged entertainer with familyemotions, romance, humour andaction.”

Santosh insists that he hasdesigned a unique characterisationfor Sreenivas. “The story tookshape out of his characterisation.The audience will see a lot of ener

gyin hisperformanceand as he was shooting our film,he landed his maiden Hindi film.His looks and energy levels in ourfilm will help him on hisBollywood debut,” he points out,revealing that leading lady NabhaNatesh will be seen as a livewirewho speaks in Telangana dialect,while Anu Emmanuel plays ademure girl.

While most directors used thelockdown period to come up withnew scripts, Santosh’s mind wasoccupied only with Alludu Adhurs.“I’ve used the time to enhance thescript of the film further. I canonly concentrate on one film at a time. I can’t work on twoscripts simultaneously. Until Ideliver the present film that I’mmaking, to my producer, I will not think of my next assign-ment,” he informs.

12

Vijayawada Tuesday January 5, 2021

Summer start for Indraganti'snext with Sudheer

fter winningthe praise ofmegastarChiranjeevilast Augustfollowing

their dance gig toInduvadana numberfrom the film,Challenge, Sudhakarand his wife HarikaSandepogu met themegastar at his resi-dence in Hyderabad

recently and extendedtheir New Year greet-ings. Chiru expressedhis happiness on theduo’s efforts in makingInduvadana go viraland wished Sudhakarfor his future endeav-ors and extended hissupport. The couple,on their part,described the day astheir most memorabletill date.

It's my wish to do a film with Pawan Kalyan:

Santosh Srinivas

t seems likeNandamuriKalyanram isthe latest actorto have joined

the bandwagon ofremaking Malayalamhits, according toreports doing therounds. After rightsto Malayalam hits likeLucifer, AyyappanumKoshiyum, Joseph andKappela wereacquired by multipleTelugu makers in therecent past, AnjaamPathiraa (2020), aninvestigative thrillerseems to have caughtthe interest of lens-man-turned-directorKV Guhan, who it issaid, has even con-vinced Kalyanram to

headline it. The actor-director’s earlier col-laboration, 118, was ahit and endedKalyanram’s poor runof form, and theywant to reteam upwith another thriller,reports have it. Guhanwill tweak the originalscript to suit Telugunativity.

Directed byMidhun ManuelThomas, the original’splot followed a squadof police sleuthsassisted by a consul-tant criminologist,Anwar Hussain, asthey attempt to unveilthe identity of a face-less killer whoemploys brutal tacticsto slay his victims.

a

I

a

i

Sudhakarand wifemeet Chiru

Kalyanram, Guhan to remake a Malayalam hit?

itled Sammathame, the filmmarks the directorial debut ofGopinath Reddy who has beentravelling with Kiran for the pastfour years. It will go in front ofthe cameras from Saturday in

HyderabadKiran Abbavaram, who is filming for

Sebastian P.C. 524, which is in the last leg,will be teaming up with ChandiniChowdary for debutant Gopinath Reddy’sfilm Sammathame, the muhurat of whichwill be held this Friday in Hyderabad. Thedirector tells us that the project, a produc-tion venture of K Praveena under UGProductions, is a family entertainer with alove story. “It’s a perfect story for Kiranwith whom I’ve been travelling for the pastfour years. While writing it I knew how hewas going to perform and that made thejob both easy and tough. The story point isbased on ‘acceptance’ as the title indicates,and I’ve almost spent two years writing it.I’m pretty confident about the audienceembracing it,” Gopinath, who has directed

multiple short films, insists.Sharing about the storyline, he adds,

“Kiran will be seen as a software guy at astart-up; he is also the share holder.Chandini Chowdary is playing a typicalsoftware employee who is born and bred inHyderabad and comes from a middle-classhousehold. They first meet at a matchmak-ing event. She is a completely differentwoman to the one Kiran pictures as his lifepartner. Their journey makes the story.”

Gopinath is planning to wrap up thefilm in a start-to-end schedule after it goesin front of the cameras this Saturday. “Theidea is to complete the entire shoot byMarch first week. The album consists ofsix songs and composer Sekhar Chandrahas already given us five tunes, while lyricsare completed for a couple of numbers.Every song carries the narrative forward.The supporting cast comprises Appaji,Rupa Lakshmi who play Chandini’s par-ents, while Goparaju Ramana will be essay-ing the role of Kiran’s father,” the directorconcludes. — NG

t

Kiran and Chandini teamup for a family entertainer

tollywood