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CHENNAI I WEDNESDAY I 19 FEBRUARY 2025

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India, Qatar in strategic partnership

Krothi: Masi 7
Tithi: Sapthami
Star: Swathi
Rahukalam:
12 noon to 1.30 pm
Yamagandam: ■ Free trade pact on anvil; Qatar to invest $10 b in India
7.30 am to 9 am VINEETA PANDEY | DC ments, one is on the estab-
PRAYERS NEW DELHI, FEB. 18 lishment of a strategic part-
nership between the two
Fajar: 5.22 am Reaching a “new milestone” countries and the second is a
Zuhar: 12.28 am in bilateral relationships, revised agreement for avoid-
Asar: 3.43 pm Prime Minister Narendra ance of double taxation and
Maghrib: 6.12 pm Modi and Emir of Qatar prevention of fiscal evasion
Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad with respect to taxes on
Isha: 7.25 pm Al-Thani on Tuesday decided income.
to elevate “special" ties India and Qatar are also
Russia, US agree to between India and Qatar to a
strategic partnership level
exploring the possibility of
signing a free trade agree-
end Ukraine war, with a focus on security,
trade, investments, technolo-
ment (FTA) with each other,
said ministry of external
revive relations gy and energy., Qatar
announced a commitment to
affairs secretary (CPV and
OIA) Arun Kumar Chatter-
Riyadh: Russia and the US invest $10 billion in India. jee. He added that India and
agreed on Tuesday to start Two agreements and five the Gulf Cooperation Council
working toward ending the MoUs were signed following (GCC) at this moment are
war in Ukraine and improving the wide-ranging talks "negotiating about having an
their diplomatic and econom- between the Prime Minister FTA". Out of six GCC coun-
ic ties, the two countries’ top and the Emir at the tries, India already has an
diplomats said after talks that Hyderabad House. The two independent FTA with the Prime Minister Narendra Modi receives Emir of Qatar Sheikh
reflected an extraordinary leaders also decided to double UAE, while negotiations are Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani as President Droupadi Murmu looks on
about-face in US foreign poli- their trade in the next five in the advanced stage with during his ceremonial welcome at the Rashtrapati Bhavan in New
cy under President Donald years. Out of the two agree- Oman. ■ P6 Delhi on Tuesday. — PTI
Trump. In an interview with
AP after the meeting, US sec-
THENNARASU TO PRESENT
Don’t trigger a language
retary of state Marco Rubio
said the two sides agreed
broadly to pursue three goals:
to restore staffing at their
respective embassies in
BUDGET ON MARCH 14
Washington and Moscow, to
create a high-level team to
support Ukraine peace talks
and to explore closer rela-
tions and economic coopera-
war, DMK, allies tell BJP
G. BABU JAYAKUMAR, mula compulsory in edu-
DC CORRESPONDENT
CHENNAI, FEB 18

The budget session of the state Assembly

has been convened by Speaker M.
tion. Russian Foreign minister D. SEKAR | DC cational institutions. Appavu on Friday, March 14. The pro-
Sergey Lavrov echoed CHENNAI, FEB. 18 Provoked by a statement ceedings will begin with the presenta-
Rubio’s remarks and told of Union education minis- tion of the state budget for 2025-26 by
reporters that “the conversa- The ruling DMK and its ter Dharmendra Pradhan finance minister Thangam Thennarasu.
tion was very useful.” allies raised a belligerent insisting on Tamil Nadu After the presentation of the state bud-
war cry against the Union following the three-lan- get, the agricultural budget would be
SC junks Sukesh plea BJP government, issuing
a warning on the break
guage formula under the
New Education Policy,
presented and the demands for addition-
al funds to meet the expenditures would
for change of jail out of the ‘Third Language
War’ (Mozhi Por) if it tried
wall posters were put up
all over the venue against
be placed before the house on March 21.

New Delhi: Calling it an abuse to thrust the three-lan- ‘Hindi imposition.’

of the process of the law, the guage formula on Tamil Speakers recalled the 1965
Supreme Court on Tuesday Nadu and demanded the DK president Veeramani, anti-Hindi agitation,
dismissed a plea of alleged release of the funds due to MDMK founder Vaiko, known as the second
conman Sukesh the state for education and VCK president Thol Mozhi Por, which resulted
Chandrasekhar to shift him also disaster management. Thirumavalavan, address- in Tami Nadu being
from Mandoli jail in the Spearheaded by deputy ing the crowd and unani- exempted from the three-
national capital to any other chief minister mously taking a vow to language system. The
prison, except ones in Punjab Udhayanidhi Stalin, the fight against what they state has been following
and Delhi. A bench of Justices agitation held before the described as a bid to the two language system
Bela M. Trivedi and P.B. Chennai collector’s office impose Hindi and Sansk- in education without any
Varale noted similar pleas saw all senior leaders of rit by making the adoption hitch, the speakers point-
previously filed by the coalition, including of the three-language for- ed out. ■ P6
Chandrasekhar were dis-
missed by the top court. “You
have money to spend, you
keep on taking chances. This
Centre’s decision on CEC PRESIDENT’S NOD TO
PROSECUTE FORMER
is abuse of process of law.
How can you keep filing same
petition?” the bench said.
worrying, alleges Rahul DELHI MINISTER JAIN
ASHAR KHAN | DC
Prosecution seeks NEW DELHI, FEB. 18 SC MAY ADVANCE New Delhi, Feb. 18:
President Droupadi Mur
death for Sajjan A day after the appoint-
ment of the CEC, leader of
HEARING PLEA ON mu has granted the sanc-
tion to prosecute Aam
New Delhi: The prosecution in
a 1984 anti-Sikh riots case on
the Opposition in the Lok
Sabha Rahul Gandhi on
CEC APPOINTMENT Admi Party (AAP) leader
and former Delhi minister
Tuesday sought the death Tuesday said that it was RAKESH K. SINGH | DC Satyendar Jain in a
penalty for former Congress “disrespectful and dis- NEW DELHI, FEB. 18 money-laundering case
MP Sajjan Kumar, who has courteous” for Prime being investigated by the
been convicted of murdering Minister Narendra Modi The Supreme Court is set Enforcement Directorate
a father-son duo in the and home minister Amit to prioritise the hearing (ED), sources said on
national capital. Kumar was Shah “to have made a on Wednesday on the lega- Tuesday. The sanction
convicted in a case of killing a midnight decision to lity of the recent appoint- against the 60-year-old for-
father-son duo, Jaswant select the new CEC”. He ments of the chief election mer Delhi health minister
Singh and Tarundeep Singh, also made public a “dis- commissioner and an was sought under section
on November 1, 1984. sent note” he had submit- election commissioner 218 of the Bharatiya Nag
ted on the matter. under the 2023 law, which arik Suraksha Sanhita.
Mr Gandhi said this was excludes the Chief Justice The ministry of home
COUNTER POINT done despite “the very
composition of the com-
of India as a member of
the selection panel.
affairs had requested the
President for providing
mittee (that selects the sanction to prosecute Jain
CEC) and the process is He said that “by violat- on the basis of an ED inv
being challenged in the ing the Supreme Court estigation and the pres-
Supreme Court and is due order and removing the ence of “adequate proof”,
to be heard in less than Chief Justice of India fr- sources said.
forty-eight hours”. om the committee...” ■ P6 Full report ■ P6

SC GRANTS BAIL TO BRITISH NATIONAL

ACCUSED IN CHOPPER CORRUPTION DEAL
DC CORRESPONDENT ruption case under CBI the investigation in the
NEW DELHI, FEB. 18 probe. Mr James, a British matter was still under-
national was extradited way, a bench of Justices
The Supreme Court on from Dubai in December, Vikram Nath and Sandeep
Tuesday granted bail to 2018, and arrested subse- Mehta said, “Petitioner
the alleged middleman quently. was extradited in 2018 and
Christian Michel James in Observing that Mr has been in custody for
the purported Rs 3,600- James was in the custody more than six years now.
crore AgustaWestland cor- for the past six years while Full report ■ P6

Nepal PM sends officers to Odisha

AKSHAYA KUMAR SAHOO GIRL STUDENT’S DEATH Tensions escalated at to Cuttack railway station
| DC KIIT, after the body of a 20- and instructed to board
BHUBANESWAR, FEB. 18 of a Nepali girl student. year-old Prakriti Lamsa trains to return home.
In a message on his X han- was discovered in her hostel After the purported video
Nepal Prime Minister K.P. dle, Mr Oli wrote, “Our em- room on Monday. Fellow clips showing some
Sharma Oli has dispatched bassy in New Delhi has dis- Nepali students suspected Nepalese students being
two officers from the coun- patched two officers to cou- foul play in her death and beaten by security guards
try’s embassy in New Delhi nsel Nepali students affect- staged protests. and mistreated by female
to address the tense situa- ed in Odisha. Additionally, The situation worsened on faculty members went viral
tion at Kalinga Institute of arrangements have been Monday when protesting on social media, the Nepali
Industrial Technology (KIIT), made to ensure they have Nepali students were Prime Minister intervened,
a deemed university in Bhu- the option to either remain allegedly forced to vacate urging Indian authorities to
baneswar, Odisha, follow- in their hostel or return home, their hostel immediately. ensure justice for the stu-
ing the “mysterious” death based on their preference.” They were reportedly taken dents of his country.
 CITY
DECCAN CHRONICLE | WEDNESDAY | 19 FEBRUARY 2025 | CHENNAI
pg 2

SHORT TAKES
Will city residents 2 crossing lanes at Perungalathur
IIT-M to launch
plant cell have to sweat it cheer residents, IT employees
DC CORRESPONDENT areas such as and transport depart-
fermentation
out for water
CHENNAI, FEB. 18 Kamaraj Nagar, Sadhanan ments to create a crossing
dhapuram, Alapakkam, lane for them between the
tech lab The residents
Perungalathur
employees of IT compa-
of
and
Puduperungalathur and
Seenivasa Nagar are locat-
ed on both sides of the
two
points.
crossing

Accepting the request, a

this summer?
DC CORRESPONDENT nies welcomed the new GST road. A major IT park crossing lane was formed
CHENNAI, FEB. 18 crossing lanes near Irani is located along the road near the Irani Amman
Amman temple and and thousands of employ- temple and another near
Indian Institute of Technology Perungalathur signal for ees are working in IT com- the Perungalathur
(IIT) Madras has signed an pedestrians and vehicles. panies. Erikarai signal. The offi-
MoU with Herbalife India to Earlier, they had to travel The residents and IT cials also said a foot over-
establish the Herbalife-IITM for around two kilometers employees had to walk for bridge would be con-
Plant Cell Fermentation to cross GST road. about two kilometre up to structed for pedestrians.
Technology Lab. The plans to build an Vandalur flyover to cross The new arrangements
The agreement aims to overbridge for the pedes- the road. On the northern and the proposed foot
bridge the demand-supply gap trians also met with good side, they had to walk till overbridge was received
in plant-based nutraceuticals, reception from the resi- the Erikarai signal to with happiness by the IT
phytoceuticals, and phy- dents and the IT employ- cross the road. The people employees and the resi-
topharmaceuticals while ees. Several residential requested the highways dents.
advancing sustainability and
innovation in the wellness
industry. T. SUDHEESH | DC
MEAL TIME
Prof. Smitha Srivastava,
Department of Biotechnology,
IIT Madras, added, “This facil-
ity represents a milestone in
CHENNAI, FEB. 18

Summer is around the

corner. City residents, as
CMWSSB shows data to
sustainable innovation, foster-
ing research and academic
training for industry applica-
tions. We sincerely thank
usual, are set to face
another round of water
woes. Though the city
water managers had
rule out water shortage
Herbalife for their support in smooth sailing the last T. SUDHEESH | DC last year’s that was 2,652 Chennai Metropolitan
transforming plant cell fer- couple of summer sea- CHENNAI, FEB. 18 mcft. The water level in Water Supply and
mentation research.” sons due to adequate Che mbarambakkam Sewerage Board
Prof. Ashwin Mahalingam, storage of water in the Though Chennai has reservoir is registered at (CMWSSB) expressed The southern suburbs of Chennai are blessed with sprawling lakes and tanks and
dean - Alumni & Corporate major reservoirs, effec- been experiencing sunny 3,387 mcft that is also an confidence that there diverse species of birds thrive there owing to abundant sources of food. Be it the
Relations, IIT Madras, stated, tive distribution of qual- days for over a month increase from the same would be no water short- Pallikaranai marshland or the several lakes and tanks in the vicinity of Tambaram, the
“Herbalife has emerged as a ity water during summer now, the water level in period last year which age, given the current water bodies, despite suffering from man-made problems like encroachment and dis-
leader in sustainable solutions is still a Herculean task. the city reservoirs is was 3,059 mcft, against a storage in reservoirs. We charge of sewage, are home to a wide variety of flora and fauna. People and civic
for high-quality herbal raw The burgeoning popu- holding steady with 83.67 total capacity of 3,645 are able to supply 1,040 groups living around these natural resources have been waging a persistent battle to
materials. This partnership lation, due to rapid percent storage. mcft. MLD of water currently. protect them. This photo was shot at Hasthinapuram lake, near Chromepet, where a
will help India move towards a urbanisation, has dou- According to data on When it comes to Red Maybe, it will go up by 10 black-crowned night heron feasts on a freshly caught fish.
brighter, more sustainable bled the demand for water storage level pro- Hills, the water level per cent as summer —E.K.Sanjay
future.” water in the city. vided by Metrowater, the stands at 3,123 mcft, peaks. However, we won’t
The Centre of Excellence Judicious supply of the current water storage of against its full capacity face any kind of crisis
will focus on sustainable solu-
tions for high-quality herbal
raw materials and phytochem-
icals using plant cell fermenta-
water and uninterrupted
distribution to the resi-
dents still remain a chal-
lenge for the
the top five reservoirs
stands at 11,062 mcft,
against a total capacity
of 11,757 mcft, with
level of 3,300 mcft. The
water level in the reser-
voir the same period last
year was 2,438 mcft.
this year. Inconsistency
in water supply happens
only in some slum and
tail-end areas. Around
Chennai airport gets 2 fire
tion technology. This advanced
approach ensures consistent,
high-quality bioactive com-
pounds for nutraceuticals, cos-
authorities, especially
during
season.
the

Even in the past

summer
inflow at 315 cusecs and
outflow at 748 cusecs.
The storage level of
these reservoirs in the
Cholavaram maintains
the water level at 140
mcft against a total stor-
age capacity of 1,081
1,000 lorries are readied
for effective supply of
water to the residents,
said the
engines, 4 ambulances
meceuticals, and Ayush for- decade, the city faced same period last year mcft. The water level in official. The number of passen- the fire. The pressure of
mulations, contributing to the severe drinking water was 9,469 mcft. the same period last year It may be recalled that N RAVIKUMAR & gers using the airport is the engines will spray the
UN Sustainable Development crisis, especially in the At the 140-ft Poondi was 759 mcft. the city gets 450 MLD of P.A. JEBARAJ | DC increasing every day and water for a long distance
Goals (SDG3 - Good Health & summers of 2015 and reservoir, the biggest in Kannankottai Thervo- water from desalination CHENNAI, FEB. 18 the authorities are bring- and it could reach the top
Well-Being). 2019. Taps in houses ran the city, the water level ykandigai reservoir has plants. It will go up to 750 ing new facilities to meet storey of any of the
The agreement was signed at dry. People were seen out now stands at 2,976 mcft, 458 mcft of water against MLD in the coming years Two fire engines with the demands of passen- airport buildings.
IIT Madras in the presence of on the burning lanes of against the full capacity its total capacity level of as a 400 MLD plant is modern facilities and four gers. Fire service depart- Till now, the airport had
Ajay Khanna, managing direc- the city with pots for of 3,231 mcft. It is an 500 mcft. under construction in ambulances came into ment is a key unit of the only two ambulances and
tor, Herbalife India, Prof. hours, waiting for the increase from the level of A senior official of Perur. operations at the Chennai airport as it is essential in four more vehicles joined
Ashwin Mahalingam and mercy of Chennai airport from Monday. case of accidents at the the operations on Monday. S
other representatives. The ini- Metropolitan Water PEOPLE LOOK ASKANCE AT CMWSSB FOR EFFECTIVE With this, the number of airport. The ambulances are fitted
tiative aligns with India’s Bio- Supply and Sewerage DISTRIBUTION AND QUALITY OF THE ELIXIR OF LIFE fire engines at the airport Two new fire engines with all the modern treat-
E3 policy, which focuses on bio- Board (CMWSSB) to sup- goes up to nine and the were brought to the air- ment facilities and one
manufacturing and supports ply water in tankers. during summer. of the worst-hit areas forced to depend on pri- number of ambulances port and they could hold vehicle could carry four
the vision of Aatmanirbhar Residents scuffled for a CMWSSB is currently due to the water storage, vate tankers. Water from to 6. 10,000 litres of water and persons at a time. All the
Bharat. single bucket of drink- under pressure to supply said summer would private parties is pretty The ambulances and fire spray the water at a speed four ambulances are
ing water. But CMWSSB, at least 1,040 MLD water always burn a hole in the expensive. We don’t get engines were flagged off of 80 kilometres per half a fully air-conditioned,
the water manager of the and it will go up by 10 per pockets of residents. The tap water. Summer is by the airport director minute. They can also the officials
Madurai Cyber city, was helpless as
reservoirs had dried
cent as summer peaks.
According to weather
supply of potable water
by CMWSSB is irregular
always a worrying factor
as there is no tanker
C.V. Deepak on Monday. store 1,300 foam to douse said.

Crime wing arrests out.

The question is
reports, temperature is
expected to surge by 2-3
in Vyasarpadi. Since sup-
ply is irregular, people,
from CMWSSB. It will
add to maintenance STRESS BUSTER
4 persons for whether the water man-
agers had learnt a lesson
degree Celsius than nor-
mal, and would hover
especially from the low-
income families, are
expenses,
said.
she

from past experiences. around 28-34 degree forced to depend upon Karunanidhi, a resi-
investment fraud The primary mandate of
CMWSSB is to provide
Celsius over the coastal
areas in the city.
private water suppliers,
shelling out `500 to `
dent of Kambar Colony
in Anna Nagar, said sum-
DC CORRESPONDENT adequate, quality water The Chennai Water Sus 1,000 a month. During mer was always a strug-
CHENNAI, FEB. 18: to the residents. For the tainability Assessment summer, Metrowater gle as CMWSSB cuts
last couple of summers, report, published by The tankers would be either down the pressure of
Madurai Cyber Crime wing they managed the water Mahindra - The Energy erratic or they wouldn’t water taps. Usually, we
has arrested four persons, one demand with ease and Resources Institute provide an adequate don’t get adequate water
from Kerala and three from thanks to copious rain (TERI) Centre of amount of water to the through taps during
Karnataka, busting an invest- brought in by the north- Excellence (CoE) in June residents. So, summer is summer and the quality
ment scam of collecting east monsoon. CMWSSB 2021, had recommended always a bitter experi- is always poor. If
money by promising high prof- is likely to tackle this water conservation prac- ence for Vyasarpadi resi- CMWSSB improves its
it in online investment summer as they rely tices such as rainwater dents, he infrastructure and water
through trading. upon the storage of harvesting, wastewater said. management system,
One of the victims lodged a water in reservoirs and recycling and reuse to Neelakanta Pillai, a residents can live with-
complaint on June 23 last year supply from desalination mitigate the impact of resident in Madipakk- out struggle during sum-
with the National Cyber Crime plants. climate change. am, pointed out that mer, he said.
Reporting Portal saying that But the quality of The study had predict- summer would be a chal- Mohan, a private water
the gang had defrauded him of water remains a chal- ed that water require- lenge for them as they supplier from
`52,66,417 after the victim lenge. For instance, in ment in the Chennai still depend on private Medavakkam, said they
responded to a Facebook December last year, three Metropolitan area could water suppliers. Though had to go as far as
advertisement. people died after alleged- go beyond 2,000 MLD by it is 12 years since Madi- Chengalpet, Thirupar-
The Madurai Cyber Crime ly consuming contami- 2025, suggesting to iden- pakkam was merged uthikundram, Padappai
wing investigated various nated drinking water in tify and fill-up data gaps with Greater Chennai and Oragadam to get
bank accounts and transac- Pallavaram which comes related to groundwater Corporation, we have not water to the city as water
tions and found a lead. The under CMWSSB’s opera- availability, extraction been provided with dri- from regular sources
police team identified the tional area on the city and use by conducting nking water connection. would have got depleted.
criminals and arrested them outskirts. Though con- detailed surveys and The quality of drinking It will naturally increase
in Kerala. Anvarsha (24) from tamination of water was strengthening of the water is always compro- the cost of the water. We
Kayamkulam in Alappuzha ruled out as the reason water governance struc- mised due to high are currently experienc-
district was arrested. She for the deaths, the resi- ture and administration demand, he ing normal demand and
opened a bank account in the dents had complained in by establishing a trans- said. supply water for `750 for
name of a scrap company unison about the supply parent and participatory Preetha, a resident in 1,200 litre. The cost of
named ‘Zerv’ for committing of poor quality water by mechanism through Kuberan Nagar of the same quantity
the crime. CMWSSB. capacity-building and Madipakkam, explained will change during
The team also found the The residents are still training programmes. that CMWSSB supply April and May A team of doctors from the Government Yoga and Naturopathy Medical College and
involvement of three other concerned about the Sarath Kumar, a resi- was always erratic and, months, he Hospital provides stress management sessions at Egmore Government Presidency
persons Salman Khan (30), quality of potable water dent of Vyasarpadi, one therefore, they were said. Girl’s School to students appearing for board exams. —N.Sampath
Giresh (25) and Zuber
Ullakhan (23) and arrested

Women against 2nd Tasmac shop HC dismisses MGC plea to stop govt
them in Karnataka. A sum of
`76,52,635 was frozen and
`4,13,199 was returned to the
victim.

1.25 kg ganja, 88 near Kilambakkam terminus from digging MRC golf course
liquor bottles seized N RAVIKUMAR &
P.A. JEBARAJ | DC
Thousands of passengers
are using the
at the shop could resort to
eve-teasing of students DC CORRESPONDENT land at Guindy. The action State from digging up the
DC CORRESPONDENT CHENNAI, FEB. 18 Kilambakkam bus termi- and there is a possibility CHENNAI, FEB. 18: THE was performed even with- land further and maintain
CHENNAI, FEB. 18 nus and already one is of serious crimes. out prior notice, the club the status quo. It also con-
Women living around shop was opened near the The protesting women Madras High Court on argued. tended that the rights of
Washermenpet police have Kilambakkam bus termi- terminus. demanded that the exist- Tuesday dismissed the No opportunity was given the client would be com-
seized 1.25 kilograms of ganja nus on Tuesday held a The residents said even ing Tasmac shop be closed Madras Gymkhana Club’s to the MGC which has been pletely damaged if the
and 88 liquor bottles which are protest demonstration while they are demanding and no new shop should (MGC) petition to restrain maintaining the golf government is allowed to
kept for illegal sale near a pub- against the opening of the the removal of the exist- be opened near the major the Tamil Nadu govern- course for the past 147 continue its act of
lic toilet in the second Tasmac shop near ing shop near the termi- bus terminus used by ment from digging up the years, the petitioner said. digging the golf
area. the bus terminus. The pro- nus, the government is thousands of women golf club at the Madras in possession of the land The club said the revenue course.
The police monitored the testers said the shop is planning to open the sec- every day. The police had Race Club (MRC) premises and prior notice is not nec- department officials had However, Additional
area following a secret infor- planned to be opened ond one. Two Tasmac announced stringent reg- in Guindy to create a essary to restore the dug up the golf course Advocate General (AAG) J.
mation and arrested two per- opposite Sankara shops near the terminus ulations for auto drivers waterbody. land. within the MRC using an Ravindran and special gov-
sons selling ganja and liquor. Vidyalaya school where would pose a threat to the coming to the bus termi- Justice D. Bharatha The petitioner contended earth mover and bulldoz- ernment pleader A.
A total of 54 liquor bottles and around 3,000 students are thousands of passengers, nus due to safety concerns Chakravarthy who dis- that the MGC had estab- ers. The officials said the Selvendran opposed the
1.25 kilograms of ganja were studying and it is also especially women, who for women, the protesters missed the petition said the lished the golf course in sidewalks were flooded petition saying that the
seized from the arrested per- located in a residential are going to the terminus pointed out. Police who MGC do not hold posses- 1887 at the centre of the during the monsoon and MGC had no locus standi
sons Saravanan alias area. every day. The proposed came to the area held sion rights to seek a direc- horse race tracks at the action is being taken for and the petition could not
Vijayakanth (25) and Lokesh The shop will be along Tasmac shop is situated negotiations with the pro- tion to stop the State gov- MRC premises in Guindy. disaster management. The be maintained. The gov-
(29) belonging to Old the GST road which is a near a residential apart- testers and received a peti- ernment’s action of creat- The MGC said the State petitioner charged that it ernment leased out the
Washermenpet were arrested. major exit from Chennai ment, the protesters said. tion signed by all of them. ing a water body on the government closed the had spent `50 lakh to land only to the Madras
Another 34 liquor bottles were and those driving the The Tasmac shop oppo- They also assured to take premises of the race club. entrance of the golf course repair the damage Race Club and the land was
seized from Jayanthi (55) from vehicles on the road site the school also raises the issue to the concerned He said the plea did not and prematurely terminat- caused by the taken back after the lease
ICF and she was also would be tempted to con- safety concerns for stu- officials. Accepting the hold merit since neither ed a 99-year-old lease State government. agreement was terminat-
arrested. sume liquor from the dents, especially girls as assurance, the protesters the petitioner nor the MRC between the State and the The club sought a court ed, the government
shop, they said. those who consume liquor dispersed from the spot. which is the original lessee MRC on the 160 acres of direction to restrain the lawyers said.
 STATE
DECCAN CHRONICLE | WEDNESDAY | 19 FEBRUARY 2025 | CHENNAI
pg 3

SHORT TAKES
Complaint made in
EPS government blamed for TN
not receiving Central funds for roads
CM Stalin demands timely
afternoon, conman
nabbed by evening
M. ARULOLI | DC
TIRUNELVELI, FEB. 18

The state highways depart-

advance of `2,000 crore.
“However, the Centre has
agreed to release its fund
for the proposals sent by us
plazas within 50 km on the
national highways and
demanded to remove the
toll plazas whose tenure
release of funds by Centre
DC CORRESPONDENT share of Rs 409.17 crote is Central Share is `184.00 Cr
B. RAVICHANDRAN | DC ment had taken hefty for the road projects to the has ended in CHENNAI, FEB. 18 in the Mission Saksham (60%) and the State share is
OOTY, FEB. 18 advance fund from the tune of `600 crore,” said Tamil Nadu.” Anganwadi & POSHAN 2.0, `120.00 Cr. As per the guide-
Central government dur- Velu, who added that “they Responding to setting up Chief Minister M K Stalin for which the release for lines of PMMVY Scheme,
Speedy action by Nilgiris ing the Edappadi have started releasing the of toll plazas on the state urged the Union the 4th quarter of the year the State share shall be
Collector Lakshmi Bhavya Palaniswami dispensation fund in a phased manner.” highways, he said the four- Government to release the 2023–2024 was done only on deposited after credit of the
Tanneeru saw the police act at and, hence, Tamil Nadu Speaking about the slow lane projects being done funds for the Centrally 26th March 2024. Similarly, Central Share. However, for
lightning speed to nab a con- had not received any new pace of restoring roads with external loans alone Sponsored Schemes within in respect of Mission Vats- the last 2 years (2023–2024
man who duped the unem- Central funds for laying fully damaged during the have toll collection centres. the stipulated time frame alya and Mission Shakthi, a and 2024-2025), not even a
ployed and collected money roads till 2021, said E.V. heavy floods in the south- The road projects taken up so as to enable the State major chunk of the fourth single release has been
from them on the pretext of get- Velu, minister for public ern districts of Tirunelv- with full state funding do Government to implement M K Stalin quarter release for the year done towards the Central
ting them jobs at the collec- works, highways and small eli, Thoothukudi, Tenkasi not have toll collection cen- the welfare schemes more 2023-2024 has happened share. As on date, an amou-
torate here. ports. and Kanyakumari, Velu sa- tres, clarified the efficiently. that a sum of `716.05 Cr is only during April and May nt of `30.65 Cr is available
During the grievance redres- Responding to mediaper- id since the Central gov- minister. In a letter to Union lying unspent in the SNA of 2024,’ Stalin said. in the SNA and this amount
sal day meeting here on sons after inspecting the ernment denied adequate Regarding the museum Minister for Women and accounts as on 29.01.2025 It was not possible to uti- could not be credited to the
Monday afternoon, the ongoing construction flood relief package to the project, he said it has been Child Development, under Centrally Sponsored lize such huge amounts beneficiaries due to API
Collector received a complaint works at the Porunai state, Tamil Nadu has been created to showcase arte- Annapoorna Devi on Schemes (CSS) viz., within the closure of the issues,’ he said.
from Sadasivam that Mano, Museum in Tirunelveli on compelled to do the facts from the early histor- Tuesday, Stalin sought her Mission Saksham Angan- financial year and hence Of the `576.22 crore avail-
hailing from Orasholai village Tuesday, he said the state restoration works from its ical sites of Adichanallur, early intervention in expe- wadi & Poshan 2.0, Mission the funds had to be carried able in the SNA accounts it
in Kotagiri, claiming that he highways department usu- own resources and that Korkai and Sivagalai so diting the release of the Shakti and Mission over to the next financial was expected that a sum of
was working as assistant direc- ally does not receive funds was the reason for the slow that the real history of funds for Tamil Nadu, Vatsalya,’ he pointed out year 2024–2025 and the cas- `482.80 crore would be uti-
tor in the panchayat office at from the Centre for its proj- progress. Tamilians would be known which has been implement- that the Union Govern- cading effect of the above lized before the end of this
Kotagiri, took money from him ects. However, he said, the The minister criticised to the world. ing all Centre-sponsored ment’s share was most trend was observed in financial year and the bal-
for getting a job for his son at state’s yearly share in the the Union highways min- He added that having schemes efficiently with often released only at the every quarter, he said. ance, along with the
the Ooty collectorate. He cess levied by the Centre istry for establishing toll completed more than 75 the State releasing its share fag end of the quarter or ‘As regards, Pradhan Government of India share
alleged that Mano took money on fuel, too, was not given plazas close to each other, per cent of the construc- of funds on time. the subsequent quarters. Mantri Mathru Vandhana to be released would be car-
from nine others for arranging since 2021 as the previous and said, “We have given tion work, the Porunai Referring to Annapoorna ‘Among the total SNA Yojana (PMMVY), the total ried forward to the next
jobs for them at the collectorate. Palaniswami-led adminis- written representations Museum would be inaugu- Devi’s letter of January 31, account unspent balance of budgeted amount is financial year, the Chief
Soon after receiving the com- tration received a hefty against setting up of toll rated by April 30 this year. ‘wherein it has been stated `576.22 crore the major ` 304.00 Cr, of which the Minister clarified.
plaint, the Collector asked the
Nilgiris district police adminis-
tration to investigate the matter.
Sakthivel, the district crime
branch DSP, swung into action
and nabbed Mano on Monday
Inform sexual offences against students to cops ‘Police Akka’ scheme for safety of
evening.
Investigation revealed that
Mano was posing as assistant
DC CORRESPONDENT
CHENNAI, FEB. 18
members penalized under
the POCSO Act and man-
dating police verification
all relevant information
regarding sex abuse and
people to be contacted for
tion trainers, making it
compulsory for women
teachers to chaperone girl
girl students launched in Vellore
director in the panchayat Teachers and heads of during recruitment. help. students to sports events, K. SENTHIL NATHAN I DC
department by producing fake schools and colleges should Applicable to all private NGOs and ‘subject matter cultural meets, education VELLORE, FEB. 18
identity cards and fake docu- inform the police about and government educa- experts preparing the tours and camps.
ments. He was found to have any complaint of a sexual tional institutions in the guide would impart the Outsiders should be A new scheme called
collected Rs. 51 lakh from 10 offence in the institution State, the recommenda- education on the subject to barred from entering ‘Police Akka’ was
persons, promising them gov- without any delay and also tions include the holding of Master Trainers, who women’s hostels that launched in the schools
ernment jobs. submit a complete report the head of the institution would teach the teachers, should be under the super- and colleges of Vellore for
The cops have appealed to the on the case to the district responsible for maintain- who in turn would explain vision of women wardens the safety of women stu-
public to contact phone num- child officer without ing confidentiality of the the details to the students. and educational placards dents on Tuesday. The
bers 9789800100, 9498102160 at revealing the identity of victims, placing of ‘stu- The exercise should be should be placed inside the scheme was inaugurated
the district police office special the student, a high level dents complaint box’ in all repeated every three campuses with the helpline by Collector Subbulak-
branch to lodge complaints if consultative meeting held campuses and educating months, the recommenda- numbers 1098 and 14417 shmi who said the
they were duped by conmen on under the chairmanship of students about the proce- tions said, adding that the prominently written. helpline numbers given in
the pretext of getting them gov- Chief Secretary N Muruga- dures involved in filing of curriculum of all diploma Among the other actions the scheme should be
ernment jobs. nandam recommended. complaints of sexual and degree courses on edu- made mandatory were written in the compound and colleges and receive asked to invite the police
The meeting, organized harassment in the School cation and teaching should CCTV cameras fixed in all walls of schools and col- the complaints from the to address the students
at the behest of Chief Assembly on Mondays. include the subject, ‘child school campuses at all leges and pasted in the helpline numbers. The about the scheme during
Sivarathri fest begins in Minister M K Stalin to pro-
tect children from sexual
While teachers and other
staff members should be
protection against sexual
abuse.
strategic points, appoint-
ment of nodal officers to
announcement board.
According to the scheme
scheme is aimed to pre-
vent drug usage in schools
the morning assembly.
They were told to write
mandated to sign a Child Other recommendations collate and monitor infor- and colleges and crimes the mobile numbers on
Rameswaram temple crimes on Monday, came
up with a set of guidelines
that included cancellation
Safety Declaration
Document, school students
include appointment of
women assistants on board
mation on POCSO cases
and the initiation of
one police officer is
appointed for 290 schools
and one police officer will
against women.
The heads of schools
the compound walls of
schools and the notice
with flag-hoisting of the qualifying higher
education certificates of
should be provided person-
al safety education with the
buses transporting girl stu-
dents, appointment of
departmental action
against those found guilty
be in charge of three uni-
versities. The police
and colleges who took
part in the function to
boards to help the girl stu-
dents complain to the
SP. LOGANATHAN | DC teachers and other staff help of guides containing women as physical educa- of sexual offences. would patrol the schools launch the scheme were police.
RAMESWARAM, FEB. 18

The Maha Sivarathri festival

began Tuesday with the flag-
hoisting ceremony at Ramesw-
25 stolen bicycles recovered, 59-yr-old Call to set up Nilgiri History Museum in Ooty
aram Ramanathaswamy tem-
ple. Aadi Amman Thiruk-
man arrested by Ayanavaram police B. RAVICHANDRAN | DC
OOTY, FEB. 18
was proposed under the
Special Area Development
Centre Museum at Ooty,
established at a huge cost,
tent staff to establish and
sustain the proposed
ing similar local history
museums in every district.
alyanam and Masi Maha DC CORRESPONDENT Hero Sprint bicycle Programme as part of the is languishing and has been Nilgiri museum. Both will The Madras Museum is
Sivarathri festivals are very CHENNAI, FEB. 18 parked in front of his The Nilgiri Documentation bicentenary celebrations of underutilised for a long complement each other. If coordinating with an inter-
famous in the temple. house. Centre (NDC) has urged Ooty in 2023. time. The Hydro-Electricity an archival section is added national study group which
The Masi Maha Sivarathri Ayanavaram police have Following investiga- Deputy Chief Minister The proposal is yet to be Museum by TNEB at to the museum, it can be seeks to establish a Nilgiri
festival, which runs till March arrested a 59-year-old man tions, the police arrested Udhayanidhi Stalin to take implemented for want of Kundah in the Nilgiris is, used purposefully by the civilisation dating to back
1, began today with the flag- involved in stealing costly Venkatesh living in steps to set up a Nilgiri proper conceptualisation again, a non-starter. The nearby Heritage to 2,500 to 3,000 years. The
hoisting ceremony. bicycles and selling them. Urapakkam on Monday. History Museum to com- and a competent authority Sullivan Memorial Mus- Government Arts College. outcome could be very sig-
The main events of the Maha They also seized 25 stolen Investigations showed memorate the bicentenary to execute and curate the eum at Kotagiri, run by the The new museum has to nificant for the state in esta-
Sivarathri festival are the bicycles from him on that he had stolen costly of modern Ooty. museum. The experiences Kotagiri town panchayat is cover the prehistory as well blishing its antiquity. In the
morning chariot and the velli Monday. bicycles at NDC director D. Venug- of the previous museums in a sorry state of affairs. as the ancient, medieval light of this, the NDC has
car at night. A youth Divesh (20) liv- Kodambakkam, Arum- opal, in a letter to Udhaya- in the district show that it The Government and modern history of the urged a favourable decision
Thousands of sadhus and ing in Ayanavaram lodged bakkam and Ayanavaram nidhi, stated that a Nilgiri is not easy or sustainable Museum at Ooty is the only Nilgiris. It cannot be res- to establish the proposed
sanyasis from the northern a complaint on 25 and sold them. The police History Museum to show- for any department to run a institution which has the tricted to tribal history. The Nilgiri History Museum in
states will visit on the eve of November last year that also seized 25 stolen cycles case the history, culture museum. competence, space, ambi- proposed museum could be the Government Museum
Sivarathri. somebody had stolen his from him. and ecology of the Nilgiris The Tribal Research ence, footfall and compe- a trendsetter for establish- at Ooty, Venugopal stated.

REALITY SOON?

Flights to & from Thanjavur to take wing

G. SRINIVASAN | DC
THANJAVUR, FEB. 18

Indian Air Force planes

IAF Thanjavur also to
criss-crossing the skies of
Thanjavur with their char-
acteristic ‘boom’ has
the rescue of civilians
become a regular feature G. SRINIVASAN | DC geopolitical scenario and
nowadays. But the people of THANJAVUR, FEB. 18 threat perception in the
Thanjavur expect domestic oceanic region around the
flights to various places Indian Air Force Station, peninsula, Antony had
from the once Chola capital. Thanjavur, was dedicated said. An inter-departmental cultural competition held at Queen Mary College in which
Will their dream become a to the nation by the then IAF Thanjavur has also
students showcased their unique talents. —N.Sampath
reality? defence minister A.K. come to the rescue of peo-
This may not be new for Antony on May 27, 2013. ple in the delta during nat-
old people in Thanjavur as It has now become one ural calamities. The air-
they have travelled in
Vayudoot flights in the past.
But, this time, they want to
of the major air force sta-
tions in the Southern
Command.
base was used extensively
for relief operations when-
ever the southern peninsu-
Political comedy misses every mark
have permanent civil avia- Thanjavur MP S. Murasoli submitting a letter to union
civil aviation minister Ram Mohan Naidu for developing
During the dedication, la was affected by natural ANUPAMA OTHA
tion from Thanjavur. Antony said assets envis- calamities. SUBRAMANIAN
The history of the airfield Thanjavur air force station into a civil sviation enclave. aged for this futuristic air During heavy floods in VOTTU
O
in Thanjavur dates back to base would be able to pro- Tamil Nadu in November tha Vottu Muthaiya'
the British period. In 1940,
the Royal Indian Airforce
raised and discussed the
issue with the Union minis-
Rs. 200 crore.
Murasoli said an official
vide maritime security
cover to all strategic and
2008, IAF helicopters, oper-
ating from Thanjavur,
brings back leg-
endary comedian
MUTHAIAH
used the airfield in ter for civil aviation Ram inspection has already been vital installations. In the dropped 15,000 kg of relief Goundamani to the big
Thanjavur during World Mohan Naidu recently. done for laying the four-lane emerging scenario, the materials in the screen in a lead role after a CAST:
War II. Aircraft like Lock- Replies given by the minis- approach road. “AAI wants presence of fighter planes Papanasam, Mulandudi decade.
heed, Hudson, Vickers ter reveal where things the road to be straight. But in Thanjavur will not only and Pandanallur areas. Politician Muthaiah Goundamani,
Wellington, Hawker Hurri- stand now. there are some hindrances guard our interest but also The airbase, besides hav- (Goundamani) secures Yogi Babu,
cane, P47 and Thunderbolt According to the minister, and the road plan at present give a feeling of safety to ing helicopters, houses SU only one vote in the assem- Rajeshwari,
were operated. Thanjavur Air Force station is in a zig-zag manner. It will our neighbours. The sta- 30 squadron of Sukhoi bly elections, earning him OAK Sundar,
The Government of India is being developed into a be settled and a straight tion is important from fighter planes. the nickname 'Ottha Vottu Anbu
took over the airfield after civil aviation enclave to approach, four-lane will be Muthaiah'. He wants his Mayilsamy,
Independence. With the for- enable commercial flights built so that AAI can start Once the four-lane House. Timings were not three sisters to marry three Karthik
mation of the Southern Air from Thanjavur. The its domestic flights,” said approach road connectivity kept properly. The plane brothers from the same Vasan, Gajesh
Command of the Indian Air Airports Authority of India the MP. is given to the airport, may come at any time, and family, but the women have Nagesh, Ravi
Force, in 1984, permission (AAI) is responsible for In a reply given to the MP, domestic air connectivity infrastructure was also different plans with their Mariya
for 47th wing at the airfield development. The AAI Union minister of state for will become a reality. poor then. Three policemen own lovers. When denied a
was also provided and signed a memorandum of civil aviation Murlidhar S.P. Selvaraj, chairman of will chase away the bullocks ticket for the upcoming by- Direction: Sai
declared. Vayudoot services understanding (MoU) with Mohol said the Thanjavur Gnanam School of from the airfield when the elections, Muthaiah dec- Rajagopal
were started in 1990 but the Indian Air Force in airport, owned by the Business, welcomed the flight arrives. Later, Vayu- ides to contest independ-
closed due to poor patron- December 2022 to exchange Indian Air Force, was iden- domestic airport in doot was shut,” he recalled. ently. RATING: 1.8/5
age. land. The IAF handed over tified for the operation of Thanjavur. He recollected Now, infrastructure has d- Did he win the elections?
Now, with the Indian Air 26.5 acres to AAI, which regional connectivity his experiences as a ticket- eveloped tremendously. Air Did his sisters who cheat
Force station becoming a plans to build a domestic scheme (RCS) flights in the ing agent for Vayudoot serv- Taxi has evinced interest. on their brother get their including the latest entry of
full-fledged one with war passenger terminal build- second round of bidding ices. “There were only two Services may be good. They partners? actor Vijay into politics.
planes like Sukhoi sta-
tioned here and Chetak hel-
ing at the airport. AAI has
requested the state govern-
under the Udan scheme.
Under Udan 4.2, bidding the
ticketing agents
Vayudoot then and I was
for should keep up quality of
service and timings. Air Ta-
Goundamani's comedy
counters lack the majestic
Movie review However, they hardly evoke
any impact. The disjointed
icopters on standby for use ment to build a four-lane routes connecting one among them. There xi is capable of doing well. voice, speed, timing and up to the mark. scenes add to the woes.
during peace times, the approach road to the air- Thanjavur to Bengaluru may not be much booking. The state government sh- body language that are nor- Director Sai Rajagopal has Some of the dialogues are
demand for a domestic air- port. AAI has announced and Chennai have been We may get two bookings ould expedite the four-lane mally associated with his satirically touched upon disgusting. Goundamani
port has grown. that the terminal and other awarded to Air Taxi for from the Collector’s office approach road, Selvaraj old films and hence falls several political events that even shakes (!) his legs for
Thanjavur MP S. Murasoli associated works will cost operation of RCS flights. and two from the Bishop said. flat. Even the comedy created a buzz in Tamil an item song and has an
scenes of Yogi Babu are not Nadu in the last 10 years, action scene too.
 NATION
DECCAN CHRONICLE | WEDNESDAY | 19 FEBRUARY 2025 | CHENNAI
pg 4

SHORT TAKES ■ AAP leader booked in case of hawala dealings BJP MLA says ■ Defence middleman in jail for over 6 years
Sisodia stole
4 women among 7
killed in MP accident Liquor scam: ED gets property from
Christian Michel gets bail in
`3,600-cr VVIP copter case
MLA office
nod to prosecute Jain
Bhind, MP: Seven persons,
including four women, were
killed and 18 others injured DC CORRESPONDENT DC CORRESPONDENT additional solicitor-gener-
after a dumper truck hit a NEW DELHI, FEB. 18 NEW DELHI, FEB. 18 al was unavailable for
stationary loading van in arguments. When the
Madhya Pradesh’s Bhind dis- DC CORRESPONDENT s u p p l e m e n t a r y Newly-elected BJP MLA The Supreme Court on bench showed its inclina-
trict on Tuesday morning, NEW DELHI, FEB. 18 chargesheet informing from Patpa-rganj Rav-inder Tuesday granted bail to tion to grant bail, the
officials said. The accident the court about the Singh Negi has alleged that the alleged middleman CBI’s lawyer said the plea
occurred around 5 am near President Droupadi approval of the prosecu- former legislator Manish Christian Michel James was filed only in terms of
Jawaharpura village when a Murmu has granted the tion sanction of the Sisodia and the AAP work- in the purported `3,600- seeking bail on medical
group of people was return- sanction to prosecute President, they added. ers have taken away all the crore AgustaWestland grounds.
ing from a wedding, Bhind AAP leader and former The Central agency bo- government properties corruption case under The bench questioned
district superintendent of Delhi minister Satyendar oked Jain in a money laun- (items) from the MLA office CBI probe. Christian Michel James the delay in investigation
police (SP) Asit Yadav said. Jain in a money launder- dering case linked to al- of the area. Observing that Mr and trial in the case, and
He said some of the victims ing case being investigat- leged hawala dealings and He said that they have James was in the custody determined by the trial said, “Given the speed, the
were sitting in the van, and ed by the Enforcement arrested him in May 2022. also taken away “ACs, tele- for the past six years, court. The CBI will make trial would not conclude
others were standing on the Directorate (ED), the As a minister of the visions, chairs, fans, LEDs while the investigation in appropriate requests to in 25 years.”
road when a speeding sources said on Tuesday. Delhi Cabinet, Jain held and everything.” the matter was still under- the trial court for impos- Mr James’ counsels Aljo
dumper truck dashed into The sanction against the health, power, and a few A video of Mr Negi visit- way, a bench of Justices ing necessary condi- K. Joseph and Vishnu
Satyendar Jain
them and their vehicle. Three former Delhi health min- other portfolios when he ing the office was shared Vikram Nath and Sandeep tions.” The court said Mr Shankar referred to his
persons were killed on the ister was sought under Section 218 of the BNSS was taken into ED cus- him on his X handle claim- Mehta said, “Petitioner James would be released six-year long incarcera-
spot, and four others suc- Section 218 of the governs the prosecution of tody. ing that chairs, tables was extradited in 2018 and on bail, subject to terms tion to buttress the plea
cumbed to their injuries Bharatiya Nagarik public servants and judges. He is currently out on among others have been has been in custody for and conditions decided by for relief.
later, taking the toll to seven, Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS). It outlines the procedure bail and has already been taken away. more than 6 years now. the trial court. On December 6, the SC
including four women, col- The Union home min- for bringing charges chargesheeted by the ED. “Former MLA @msiso- According to the CBI Mr James, however, can- sought the CBI’s response
lector Sanjeev Shrivastava istry had requested the against the accused for The money laundering dia of Patparganj from despite filing two not walk out of jail, as he on his plea and issued
told reporters. He said the President to provide sanc- alleged offences committed case arose from an FIR AAP had shown his true chargesheets and a sup- faces a related money notice to the agency.
dumper truck crashed into tions to prosecute Jain on while performing his or filed against Jain and oth- face even before the elec- plementary chargesheet, laundering case and his The alleged scam relates
the van probably while try- the basis of ED’s investi- her official duties. ers by the CBI on charges tions. Items like AC, TV, the investigation is still bail plea is pending before to the irregularities fol-
ing to avoid hitting a motor- gation and the presence of The Central financial of alleged possession of table, chair and fan were going on. We are inclined the Delhi high court. lowing the purchase of 12
cycle. — PTI “adequate proof,” the probe agency is now disproportionate assets in stolen from the to grant bail on such The CBI’s counsel VVIP helicopters from
sources further said. expected to file a fresh August 2017. Vidhansabha camp office. terms and conditions, as sought time, saying the OEM AgustaWestland.
CRPF will protect
own DG G.P. Singh
New Delhi: The Union home
Storm erupts over Don’t trigger a language war, DMK, allies tell BJP
Udit Raj’s ‘strangle
ministry has transferred the
security cover of CRPF DG
G.P. Singh from the CISF to FROM PG 1 language.
his force. The CRPF had Speaking at the agitation,
written to the ministry some-
time ago, seeking for the
change, the official sources
said here on Tuesday. Mr
Mayawati’ remark In his address at the
protest,
Udhayanidhi Stalin
Mr

said there was no need

mr Veeramani said the three-
language formula was a ploy
to bring in Sanskrit in the
education system and make
Singh, a 1991-batch Indian
Police Service (IPS) officer,
BSP demands Congress neta’s arrest for the students of
Tamil Nadu to study
people learn the language.

took over as the CRPF direc- Lucknow, Feb. 18: A con- three languages as
tor-general in January. He troversy erupted on they had already
was under a Z-category Tuesday over Congress excelled at the interna-
Central security cover pro- leader and former Lok tional level and by
vided by the armed com- Sabha MP Udit Raj’s even occupying top
mandos of the Central remarks that BSP chief positions in the coun-
Industrial Security Force for Mayawati has “strangled try like the ISRO chief,
years, keeping in view his the social movement and proving their mettle in
stints in his cadre-state now the time has come to science, technology,
Assam and the National strangle her”, with the industry, business and Tamil Nadu was not
Investigation Agency. The BSP demanding his all areas of life with- a slave state to follow
CRPF DG is now being arrest. out learning Hindi. the dictates of the
guarded by the VIP security Giving references to He warned the Union Union government
wing of his force, after the Mahabharat, Mr Raj told government against and it would not be
the home Ministry trans- reporters in Lucknow on Udit Raj provoking the people intimidated by the
ferred the job to it from the Monday that “during the “To twist and tweak the to take the war path as threat issued by lead-
CISF. Mahabharat war, Arjun entire thing is not right. they could never be ers like Mr Pradhan,
asked Lord Krishna how Political death or murder suppressed or made to Mr Udhayanidhi
CENTRE’S DECISION will he kill his cousins
and relatives. Lord
of democracy are com-
monly referred to during
kowtow by power and
force. Alleging that
Stalin and all the oth-
ers leaders, who
political mentions and attended the protest,
ON CEC WORRYING, Krishna said that there
are no cousins and rela-
tives, fight for justice and
are taken in that light.
Not otherwise,” he added.
the Union government
had taken away the Rs
2190 crore education
said.
The BJP, on its part,
ALLEGES RAHUL kill your own people”.
“Today, my ‘Krishna’
On Tuesday, Bahujan
Samaj Party (BSP) chief
fun ds that were due
for the state and dis-
was trying to justify
Mr Pradhan’s stand
FROM PG 1 has told me that first kill Mayawati hit out at the tributed it to other with its state president
your enemy. And, the Congress, saying that Hindi-speaking stat es, K. Annamalai saying
“The Modi government has enemy of social justice, they have disrespected he said that it was not that posh schools in
exacerbated the concerns of that Ms Mayawati, who Bhimrao Ambedkar’s the BJP leaders’ the state, some of
hundreds of millions of voters strangled the social move- policies and they cannot money. them run by DMK
over the integrity of our elec- ment...Now time has be trusted to be true to By demanding the leaders and their chil-
toral process”. come to strangle her,” he them. funds due to it, the dren, taught Hindi, a
In his dissent note presented added. In her X post, the former state was only assert- privilege that was
before the panel, Mr Gandhi Responding to questions CM said, “The Congress ing its rights over the being denied to the
cited the speech of B.R. about his remarks, Mr party, especially, which money collected as tax poor children in gov-
Ambedkar while speaking in Raj told PTI on Tuesday, has disdained at every from the people, he ernment schools.
the Constituent Assembly in “The movement of the level the humanitarian said. Without an Addressing the
June 1949 to discuss the setting Bahujan community was struggle of Dr Bhimrao understanding of the media at the BJP state
up of an independent Election strangled...Crores of Ambedkar for self-respect history of the state, headquarters, he said
Commission, where he had cadres, who built the and self-esteem of mil- the Union government his party would under-
warned about executive inter- party by staying hungry lions of exploited and was provoking the peo- take a survey for 90
ference in India's democracy and thirsty...This o p p r e s s e d ple, who had resisted days from March 1 to
and the affairs of the Election Bahujan movement was Dalits/Bahujans, even such moves to impose ascertain if the people
Commission. strangled by her during his lifetime and Hindi in the past. wanted to learn Hindi
Union minister Dharmendra (Mayawati).” “On this, after his death, can never Many states that failed or not.
Pradhan, however, attacked when the media asked me be true and trustworthy to to resist the imposi- Learning Hindi had
Mr Gandhi over his criticism questions (on Monday), I his thinking and policies.” tion of Hindi had now its own practical use,
about appointment of new said that definitely, she The BSP chief also said lost the use and signif- he said, adding that
CEC and alleged they are act- too should be strangled that “the Bahujan Samaj icance of their mother the three-language for-
ing like “crybabies” even politically. What I meant needs to be cautious of tongues but the Tamil mula under the New
when no rule or law has been was political death and some party-changing people would not allow Education Policy did
broken. nothing else,” Mr Raj opportunists and selfish that to happen to not insist on learning
clarified. Dalits. — PTI them, he said. Hindi but any Indian

India, Qatar in strategic partnership

FROM PG 1 ing, cybercrime and other level delegation, including The Indian side wel-
transnational crimes." ministers, senior officials comed the decision of
Apart from bilateral “The two leaders also dis- and 38 business leaders. Qatar Investment
issues, regional and global cussed ways and means to Qatar's commerce and Authority (QIA) to open an
issues of mutual interest, promote cooperation in industry minister Sheikh office in India. The Qatar
such as the evolving situa- cybersecurity, including Faisal bin Thani bin Faisal side expressed interest in
tion in West Asia and the prevention of use of cyber- Al Thani, at a later event, exploring investment opp
Hamas and Palestine cri- space for terrorism, radi- said India has become its ortunities in sectors like
sis, were also discussed, calisation and for disturb- third largest trading part- infrastructure, technology,
said the officials, adding ing social harmony. They ner and Qatar is ready to manufacturing, food secu-
that India explained its emphasised the impor- take steps to speed up the rity, logistics, hospitality
position to the Qatar side. tance of holding regular negotiations for a new and other areas of mutual
A joint statement issued meetings of the joint com- bilateral investment pro- interest. In this regard, the
at the end of talks said, mittee on security and law motion and protection Qatar side announced a
“The two leaders unequivo- enforcement,” the state- agreement with India. commitment to invest $10
cally condemned terrorism ment said. The joint statement said billion in India.
in all its forms and mani- The Emir of Qatar was that India and Qatar have Additionally, according to
festations, including cross- on a two-day visit to India agreed on the need to the joint statement, India
border terrorism, and at the invitation of the explore strategies for and Qatar have agreed to
agreed to cooperate in com- Prime Minister. This is his enhanced and diversified implement measures to
bating this menace second state visit to India. trade between the two attract and encourage the
through bilateral and mul- He earlier visited India in countries and address on establishment of joint proj-
tilateral mechanisms. March 2015. Mr Modi had priority market access ects between the private
They agreed to enhance received the Emir at the issues related to trade in sectors of both countries.
cooperation in information airport on Monday night. goods and services. In this The two sides welcomed
and intelligence sharing, He was accorded a ceremo- regard, the two sides the operationalisation of
developing and exchanging nial welcome ahead of agreed to explore the possi- India’s Unified Payment
experiences, best practices talks on Tuesday at bility of entering into a Interface (UPI) in QNB’s
and technologies, capacity Rashtrapati Bhavan. Later, bilateral Comprehensive Points of Sale in Qatar and
building and strengthen- President Droupadi Economic Partnership looked forward to imple-
ing cooperation in law Murmu hosted a dinner in Agreement. Both sides set menting a nationwide roll-
enforcement, anti-money his honour. The Emir was the target to double bilater- out of UPI acceptance in
laundering, drug traffick- accompanied by a high- al trade by 2030. Qatar.

SC JUNKS CONMAN PLEA FOR SHIFTING JAIL: ‘ABUSE OF LAW’

DC CORRESPONDENT ones in Pun jab and Delhi, keep on taking ch ances. the merits of the case.
NEW DELHI, FEB. 18 dubbing it “an abuse of the This is an abuse of the However, we cannot
process of law”. process of law. How can resist ourselves in
The Supreme Court on Noting similar pleas pre- you keep filing the same expressing that the pres-
Tuesday dismissed a plea viously filed by Mr petition?” The SC said, ent petitioner has tried
of the alleged conman Chandra sekhar were dis- “We are not inclined to to misuse the process of
Sukesh Chandrasekhar to missed by the SC, a bench entertain the petition filed law by filing writs one
shift him from Mandoli of Justices Bela M. Trivedi under Article 32 of the after another under the
Jail in the national capital and P.B. Var ale said, “You Constitution. We have not guise of changed circum-
to any other prison, except have money to spend, you expressed an opinion on stances.”
 NATION
DECCAN CHRONICLE | WEDNESDAY | 19 FEBRUARY 2025 | CHENNAI
pg 5

55cr pilgrims taken

holy dip at Sangam
since Jan. 13: UP
Mahakumbh Nagar, Feb.
18: The Uttar Pradesh gov-
ernment Tuesday said an
unprecedented 55 crore
devotees at the Maha
Kumbh Mela have taken a
holy dip in the Triveni
Sangam. The Kumbh Mela
which started on January 13
will continue till February
26 (Maha Shivratri).
Half of India’s 110 crore
Sanatan followers have
immersed themselves, and
this number is expected to
surpass 60 crores by the
final bathing ritual on
February 26, an official
statement said, adding this Passengers jostle to board a train amid rush owing to the
Maha Kumbh has seen the ongoing Maha Kumbh at the Patna railway station on
largest participation in any
Tuesday. — PTI
religious, cultural, or social
event. Compared to India’s total The confluence of rivers
According to the World population, over 38 per cent Ganga, Yamuna, and the
Population Review, Pew of the country’s people have mythical Saraswati has wit-
Research, India’s population participated in the holy dip, nessed a remarkable surge
is approximately 143 crores it said. in the number of saints,
(1.43 billion), with 110 crores On a global scale, accord- devotees, the statement said.
(1.10 billion) followers of ing to Pew Research 2024, an Ahead of the Maha
Sanatan Dharma, the state- estimated 120 crore (1.2 bil- Kumbh, chief minister Yogi
ment said. lion) people worldwide fol- Adityanath had predicted
The number of those who low Sanatan Dharma, mean- that this grand event would
took bath at the Triveni ing that over 45 per cent of break records in the number
Sangam represents 50 per Sanatanis worldwide have of devotees, forecasting an
cent of India’s Sanatan fol- immersed themselves in the initial count of 45 crores
lowers, it claimed. Sangam, it said. people.

After Delhi defeat, Cong

turns to Bihar for revival state unit president since itself as the junior partner
DC CORRESPONDENT 2022. Despite being in lead- of the RJD. One of the state
NEW DELHI, FEB. 18 ership for three years, he leaders, on the condition of
has yet to be able to form anonymity, said, "In the last
After the debilitating defeat committees. The party even couple of years, the
in the Delhi Assembly elec- contested the 2024 Lok Congress in the state has
tions, the Congress is strug- Sabha elections without the surrendered itself to the
gling to put its house in state unit having commit- RJD as the big brother in
order in Bihar. The newly tees. the state. Hence, our party
appointed AICC in-charge Questions are being organisation is weak and
Krishna Allavaru is all set raised as to why the state just wants to go with the
to visit Patna on unit chief did not consti- alliance.”
Wednesday. He is expected tute state unit committees. If Congress sources are to
to stay put in the state for In the 2020 Assembly elec- be believed, the party is
three days and meet with tions, the party contested focusing on Dalit and
various party leaders and elections in an alliance Muslim voters in Bihar. As
workers. with the RJD on 70 seats part of this strategy, they
The biggest challenge and could only win 19 seats have organised a Jai Bapu-
being faced by the Bihar out of the total 243 Jai Bhim-Jai Samvidhan
Congress is that the state- Assembly seats. Thus programme of party presi-
level, district-level, and ensuring that the alliance dent Mallikarjun Kharge on
booth-level committees have could not form the govern- February 22.
not been formed since 2017. ment as the Congress could The Congress has started
The present state unit chief, not do the heavy lifting as efforts to woo Dalit voters
Akhilesh Prasad Singh, who an alliance partner. again. But the organisation
is also a Rajya Sabha mem- Presently, also, the party is not visible on the
ber from Bihar, has been the at the state level is seeing ground.
 WORLD
DECCAN CHRONICLE | CHENNAI | WEDNESDAY | 19 FEBRUARY 2025
pg 6

SHORT

VATICAN CANCELS
TAKES
In US talks, Russia says won’t
POPE’S WEEKEND
ENGAGEMENTS
Vatican City, Feb. 18: Pope
Francis will not take part in
accept Nato troops in Ukraine
this weekend’s Holy Year even- Washington, Moscow to name negotiators; Trump-Putin meet date not fixed A Delta airlines plane sits on its roof after crashing
ts because of his continued ill upon landing at Toronto Pearson Airport in Toronto,
health, the Vatican said on
Tuesday. The 88-year-old pon-
Riyadh, Brussels, Feb.
18: The United States and EXPECT PROGRESS Ontario, on Tuesday. — AFP

Flyers dangled
tiff has been suffering from a Russia agreed in Riyadh
respiratory infection for more
than a week and was admitted
on Tuesday to press ahead
with efforts to end the war
ON U.S. ECONOMIC
to Rome's Gemelli hospital on
Friday.
in Ukraine, a US official
said, as Kyiv and its
TALKS: RUSSIA
The Holy See had already
indicated on Monday that the
pontiff, who was admitted to
Rome’s Gemelli hospital on Fr-
European allies watched
anxiously from the side-
lines and Moscow raised a
major new demand.
Moscow, Feb. 18: Russia
expects “progress” on eco-
nomic talks with the US in
the coming months, a
from seats as
iday, would stay longer than
initially believed due to a “co-
mplex” clinical picture.
Russia and the United
States agreed to establish
teams to negotiate a path
to ending the war in
Russian negotiator said
Tuesday in Saudi Arabia,
where top officials from
both countries are meet-
plane flips over
Ukraine after talks that ing in what the Kremlin Montreal, Feb. 18: Pass- filming himself climbing
4 PARAMILITARY drew a strong rebuke from
Kyiv over its exclusion.
hopes will lead to a
“restoration” of ties.
engers of a Delta Air Lin-
es flight that crashed in
out of the plane door as a
flight attendant in an
PERSONNEL Washington noted Euro-
pean nations would have
Since Donald Trump
called Vladimir Putin last
Canada on Monday swu-
ng upside down from the-
Endeavor Air uniform
helped people get out.
KILLED IN PAK to have a seat at the nego-
tiating table “at some poi- (From L) US Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff, US secretary of state Marco Rubio, US
week and US officials
made speeches indicating
ir seats after their plane
flipped over on the tar-
“Drop everything, drop
everything, come on,” the
Peshawar, Feb. 18: Four para- nt”, following the first national security adviser Mike Waltz, Saudi foreign minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan a change of course mac, videos posted on flight attendant urged,
military personnel were killed high-level official Washin- Al Saud, Saudi national security adviser Mosaad bin Mohammad Al-Aiban, Russian towards Russia, hopes social media showed. balanced on the under-
and five others injured when gton-Moscow talks since President Vladimir Putin’s foreign policy adviser Yuri Ushakov and Russian foreign have risen in Moscow that In one video posted on side of the wing.
unknown militants attacked the 2022 invasion. minister Sergei Lavrov, at Diriyah Palace, in Riyadh, on Tuesday. — AP Washington could lift Snapchat, passenger Ash- Standing outside, Kouk-
their squad in Pakistan’s vio- As European countries sanctions imposed over its ley Zook appeared to be ov cursed repeatedly as
lence-hit Kurram, where an aid discuss the possibility of Ukraine offensive. — AFP dangling from her seat he walked away from the
convoy was also targeted.
According to security offi-
cials, the militants ambushed
the paramilitary Kurram Milit-
contributing peacekeepers
to back any Ukraine peace
deal, Russian foreign min-
ister Sergei Lavrov said in
Kremlin says joining EU RUSSIA VIDEO OF
inside the plane, whose
lights had gone out, strap-
ped in place by her seat-
belt. Moments later, the
plane. “I was just on this
fucking plane,” he said, as
others behind him stag-
gered out of the aircraft,
ia squad in Lower Kurram’s
Ochit area late on Monday,
where an aid convoy carrying
essential supplies was amb-
Riyadh that
would not accept the
Moscow

deployment of Nato troops

there, whatever flag they
Ukraine’s sovereign right CITIZEN CAPTURE
CONCERNS OZ
video cut to Zook walking
beside the overturned
plane as she was buffeted
by the wind.
some clutching belongin-
gs. “Being alive feels pret-
ty cool today,” he wrote in
the video description.
ushed earlier in the day. were operating under. “Of Moscow, Rome, Feb. 18: ● ITALIAN PM Giorgia that Russian President “I was just in a plane Rescue services in the
The injured and dead were course, this is unaccept- The Kremlin said on Tue- Meloni has doubts about Vladimir Putin was seri- Sydney, Feb. 18: Austral- crash, oh my god,” she background sprayed wat-
shifted to a hospital, where the able to us,” he said. sday that it was Ukraine’s deploying European ous about negotiating a ia said on Tuesday it has said breathlessly. The pla- er at the jet, whose under-
condition of one injured was President Vladimir Puti- sovereign right to decide settlement to end the war “serious concerns” for a ne lay on its back on the side was scraped and
stated to be critical. n’s foreign affairs adviser, whether it wanted to join troops to Ukraine. in Ukraine. citizen captured by Russi- snowy ground at Toronto blackened. Koukov later
Yuri Ushakov, who attend- the European Union and Italian Prime Minister an forces in Ukraine after airport, where tempera- told CNN that “we were

SUDAN ASSAULT
ed the talks in Riyadh that Moscow didn’t intend anything to any country, Giorgia Meloni has doubts a video appeared to show tures dropped well below upside down hanging like
alongside Lavrov, told to dictate how it should and we are not going to do about deploying European him emaciated, weak, and freezing on Monday. bats” and that “didn’t

BY PARAMILITARY
Russia’s Channel one that approach the question. that.” He added, though, troops to Ukraine, a gover- complaining of a broken Skier Pete Koukov, ano- know anything was the
no date has been set yet for Asked if Ukraine could that Russia’s position was nment source said on arm. ther passenger, shared an- matter” until the plane
a meeting between Putin one day join the European different when it came to Tuesday, after she joined Prime Minister Anthony other video on Instagram, hit the ground. — AFP
KILLS OVER 200 and US President Donald
Trump. He said the meet-
Union, Kremlin spokes-
man Dmitry Peskov said:
Ukraine joining military
alliances. “There is a com-
other European leaders
for emergency talks in
Albanese said he had seen
the video posted on
Port Sudan, Feb. 18: Sudane- ing was “unlikely” to take “This is the sovereign rig- pletely different position, Paris. She told Monday’s YouTube of Australian
se paramilitaries have killed
more than 200 people, includi-
place next week.
“The delegations of the
ht of any country. We are
talking about integration
of course, on security-re-
lated issues related to
meeting that sending troo-
ps was “the most complex
teacher Oscar Jenkins,
adding that it “appears to
META ROLLS OUT UNDERSEA CABLE
ng women and children, in a
three-day assault on villages in
two countries need to
work closely together. We
and economic integration
processes. And here, of
defence or military allia-
nces,” Peskov said.
and the least effective”
way of securing peace in
confirm” he is alive.
“We still hold serious
PLAN THAT’LL LINK FIVE CONTINENTS
the country’s south, a lawyer are ready for this, but it is course, no one can dictate The Kremlin also said Ukraine. — Agencies concerns for Mr Jenkins' Paris, Feb. 18: Facebook “other regions”, Meta
group monitoring the war said still difficult to talk about welfare,” Albanese told and Instagram parent wrote in a blog on Friday.
on Tuesday. a specific date for the public broadcaster ABC. company Meta has said it Global digital communi-
The Emergency Lawyers gro- meeting of the two lead- as soon as possible in a ed to touch upon.” other countries in the “We’ve made it clear to will lay an undersea cable cation relies on a vast net-
up, which documents rights ers,” he said. way that is enduring, sus- Ukraine and European future. EU chief Ursula Russia that Mr Jenkins is stretching across five con- work of undersea condui-
abuses, said the paramilitary US state department spo- tainable, and acceptable to leaders are worried that von der Leyen told US a prisoner of war and that tinents to carry data, ts, with roughly 1.2 mil-
Rapid Support Forces attacked kesperson Tammy Bruce all sides”. Trump could cut a hasty envoy Keith Kellogg on there are obligations that including for developing lion km of cable already
unarmed civilians in the villa- said the two sides agreed Ushakov told reporters deal with Putin that ignor- Tuesday that Europe wan- kick in accordance with artificial intelligence. installed, according to a
ges of Al-Kadaris and Al- to appoint “respective after more than four hours es their security interests, ts to work with Washin- international humanitari- The cable will run for 2024 report by the US-
Khelwat, in White Nile state. high-level teams to begin of talks: “It was a very rewards Moscow for its in- gton for peace in Ukraine, an law and they must be more than 50,000 km based Centre for Strategic
The RSF carried out “execu- working on a path to end- serious conversation on vasion and leaves Putin and is ready to do more to observed,” he said. between the US, South and International Studies
tions, kidnappings, enforced ing the conflict in Ukraine all the questions we want- free to threaten Ukraine or arm Kyiv. — Agencies — AFP Africa, India, Brazil and (CSIS). — AFP
disappearances and property
looting” during the assault.

‘CRYPTOGATE’: Musk has no decision-making authority: WH

MILEI DENIES Washington, Feb. 18:
PROTESTS RING
Costa Rica to accept Indian
Elon Musk is not an offici-
ROLE, PROBE ON al employee of the depart-
ment of government effi- OUT AGAINST
Buenos Aires, Feb. 18: Arge- ciency (DOGE) and has
TRUMP, MUSK
ntine President Javier Milei on
Monday denied promoting a
cryptocurrency that crashed,
losing investors billions of dol-
“no formal authority to
make government deci-
sions”, according to a
White House court filing
migrants deported from US Boston, Feb. 18: Protest-
ers against President Don-
lars and prompting a flood of even as a US judge temp- San Jose, Feb. 18: Costa of 200 illegal immigrants Organisation for Migra- ald Trump and his poli-
complaints, as prosecutors rep- orarily refused on Monday Rica has agreed to serve to their country. These tion (IOM), which will cies braved frigid temper-
ortedly prepare a probe. to block Musk’s govern- as a “bridge” to repatriate are people originating oversee the migrants’ atures to demonstrate on
“I did not promote it, I spread ment efficiency team from illegal immigrants in the from countries in central care during their stay in Monday at rallies corresp-
it,” Milei told broadcaster TN, Lebanese citizens check the destruction in their village accessing education depa- US, including from India Asia and India,” said the the country, according to onding with the Presid-
adding that it “is a problem be- caused by the Israeli air and ground offensive, in the rtment student data, in a and Central Asia, accord- statement. The release the statement. ents Day holiday. Dubbed
tween private parties because town of Kfar Kila, southern Lebanon, on Tuesday. — AP minor legal victory for the ing to an official release did not say how many of This comes days after “No Kings on Presidents
the State does not play a role world’s richest man in his on Tuesday. them are from India. Prime Minister Narendra Day” by the 50501 Movem-

Hamas to free 6
here.” “I acted in good faith,” blitz on public spending. The first group of 200 “Costa Rica will serve as Modi’s visit to the US, ent, the latest protests
he said. Federal prosecutor’s The drive by Musk and migrants will arrive at a bridge for them to reach where he met President came less than two weeks
office will examine whether his DOGE to slash outgo- the Juan Santamaria Inte- their countries of ori- Donald Trump to discuss after a similar nationwide
Milei engaged in fraud or crim- ings deemed wasteful or rnational Airport on a gin,” it said. These immi- key bilateral issues, event on February 5 drew
inal association or was in contrary to US President commercial flight on grants will be transferred including immigration. participants in dozens of
breach of his duties.

THAI POLICE BUST

Israeli hostages Donald Trump's policies
has run up against multi-
ple legal challenges.
Musk is widely seen as
Wednesday, according to a
statement by Costa Rican
President Rodrigo Chaves
Robles’ office.
to a temporary migrant
care facility in the
Central American nation
before repatriation to
Three batches compris-
ing a total of 332 Indians
have already been sent
back to India amid an
cities. Both protests deno-
unced Trump and billion-
aire adviser Elon Musk,
the leader of Trump’s new

$187 MN ONLINE
Jerusalem, Cairo, Beir-
ut, Feb. 18: Hamas said COURT NOD TO the de-facto head of
DOGE, created by US Pre-
“The Government of
Costa Rica agreed to col-
their countries of origin.
The US-funded repatria-
intensified crackdown by
the Trump administra-
department of govern-
ment efficiency, an out-
on Tuesday that it would sident Donald Trump, laborate with the United tion is being supervised tion against illegal immi- side-government organi-
SCAM GANG hand over all six living Is-
raeli hostages due for rel-
BIBI TESTIMONY which has sought drastica-
lly to reduce government
States in the repatriation by the International grants. . — PTI sation designed to slash
federal spending.
Bangkok, Feb. 18: Thai police
have smashed a $187 million
ease under the first phase
of the Gaza ceasefire this
CANCELLATION spending, including with
thousands of job cuts. President.” “Like other Temporary Organisation brought against Musk by
Nearly 1,000 people mar-
ched in the snow from the
international fraud ring, arres- week, as well as the bod- Tel Aviv, Feb. 18: An Trump had announced senior White House advi- is within the US DOGE 14 US states, including Statehouse in Boston to
ting 10 suspects, including Ch- ies of four dead captives. Israeli court on Monday in November that “the sors, Mr. Musk has no Service. Both are separate New Mexico. City Hall, chanting “Elon
inese nationals, officers said on On the other hand, an accepted another request Great Elon Musk... will actual or formal authority from the White House In a joint interview with Musk has got to go" and
Tuesday, in the kingdom’s lat- extraordinary Arab Leag- by Prime Minister Benja- lead the department of to make government deci- Office,” he said. Musk due to be broadcast “No kings on Presidents
est move against online scam ue meeting on Gaza, ini- min Netanyahu to cancel government efficiency sions himself. Mr. Musk “Mr. Musk is an employ- on Fox News later on Day!” The temperature
centres. Thailand’s Central tially set for next week, a scheduled day of testim- ('DOGE').” According to can only advise the ee of the White House Tuesday, President Trump was below freezing with
Investigation Bureau arrested has been postponed to ony in his criminal trial the filing on Monday by President and communi- Office. He is not an emp- took aim at critics saying wind chills. Boston pro-
the suspects on charges of March 4, host Egypt said for “security reasons”. Joshua Fisher, director of cate the President’s direc- loyee of the US DOGE Se- that the Tesla founder was testers, some dressed in
“fraud, cyberfraud and accom- on Tuesday. The Egyptian Netanyahu is the first the Office of Administr- tives,” Fisher said. rvice or US DOGE Service the one running the White Revolutionary War-style
plice to money laundering” foreign ministry said the sitting Israeli leader to ation, Musk “is an employ- “The US DOGE Service Temporary Organisation. House. clothing from the 1700s,
and is seeking 22 more. new date was agreed with take the stand as a crimi- ee of the White House... as is a component of the Mr. Musk is not the Te- “I think nobody in histo- carried signs saying “This
The bust comes as Thailand Arab League members as nal defendant. He is on a non-career Special Gov- Executive Office of the mporary Administrator,” ry has ever gotten more is a Coup” and “Cowards
tries to crack down on compou- part of “substantive and trial on charges of fraud, ernment Employee” and a President. The United he added. Fisher’s filing bad publicity than me...” Bow to Trump, Patriots
nds housing illegal scam opera- logistical preparations” breach of trust and acce- “Senior Adviser to the States DOGE Service was made in a case — AFP Stand Up”. — AP
tions that have flourished in for the summit. pting bribes in three sep-
parts of Cambodia and Myan- Israeli troops withdrew arate cases. His testimo-
mar’s lawless borderlands. from all but five points in
south Lebanon on Tuesd-
ny was set to take place
six hours a day, three days COMBINING | HOBBIES Enthusiasts are looking to connect with craft community
TURKIYE DETAINS
ay, allowing displaced res- a week. It has been canc-

Knits at the flicks craze grips Vienna

idents to return to border elled multiple times since

282 IN RAIDS ON
villages largely destroyed he first took the stand in
in more than a year of December, for health rea-
hostilities. The fragile sons and to free him up to
PKK SUSPECTS Gaza truce took effect on
January 19 after more
handle state affairs.
Israel is navigating frag- Vienna, Feb. 18: Armed craft cinema nights, a tre- cinemagoers got crafty.
Istanbul, Feb. 18: Turkish than 15 months of fight- ile ceasefires in Gaza and with yarn, needles and nd trailblazed by the “It is a bit ‘grannycore’,
police detained 282 suspects ing between Israel and Lebanon. — AP hooks, dexterous moviego- Nordic countries. but I find it very calming
accused of ties to the Kurdis- Hamas, sparked by the ers flock to a cinema in “We saw that it exists in and pleasant. Why not let
tan Workers Party, or PKK, mil- Palestinian militant Vienna every month to the US, in Denmark, in Fi- out your inner granny?”
itant group. The raids came as group’s October 7, 2023 Hamas “decided to rele- combine their favourite nland, in Germany,” said Alexander Koch, 28, quip-
Turkiye continues to remove attack on Israel. ase on Saturday, February hobbies: Knits and flicks. avid knitter Luisa Palmer, ped while crocheting away.
elected pro-Kurdish mayors Thirty-three Israeli hos- 22, the remaining living With many having tur- who initiated the knitting Kaja Vospernik, a 23-
from their posts over militant tages were due to be relea- (Israeli) prisoners whose ned to time-honoured cra- nights at the Votiv Kino year-old fashion student,
ties in a crackdown coinciding sed under the first phase, release was agreed in the fts like crochet and knit- with a colleague. who is knitting a sweater,
with hopes to end a 40-year con- with 19 freed so far in first phase, numbering ting during the Covid-19 Since the launch event in told AFP that she was ex-
flict with the PKK. exchange for more than six”, the group’s top nego- pandemic, a growing num- December, the monthly cited about “meeting new
Jailed PKK leader Abdullah 1,100 Palestinian prison- tiator Khalil al-Hayya ber of enthusiasts are loo- knitting nights have sold people, who have the same
Ocalan is expected to make a ers. Of the remaining 14, said. The group also “de- king to connect with the out, drawing almost 180 interests”. “I really enjoy
statement on such efforts, four Israel says eight are dead. cided to hand over four Austrian capital’s craft visitors each time. knitting while watching
months after an ally of Pres- Five Thai nationals held bodies on Thursday... and community in real life. With the lights only sli- movies or listening to pod-
ident Tayyip Erdogan urged in Gaza have also been the enemy will release the Vienna’s Votiv Kino has ghtly dimmed while The casts, so of course the cin-
him to call on the militants to released outside the scope corresponding prison- become the latest movie Devil Wears Prada was ema is a great place for Women knit during projection of the movie ‘The Devil
lay down their arms. of the truce deal. ers”, Hayya said. — AFP theatre in Europe to offer showing on Sunday, the that,” she said. — AFP Wears Prada’ at the Votive Cinema in Vienna. — AFP
 SPECIAL
DECCAN CHRONICLE | WEDNESDAY | 19 FEBRUARY 2025 | CHENNAI
pg 7

OTHER STORIES NOVAK DJOKOVIC SAYS

Honda crosses
2 cr sales
milestone in
TENNIS PLAYERS HAVE A ‘LACK OF
south India
DC CORRESPONDENT
TRUST’ IN DOPING AGENCIES
CHENNAI: Doha (Qatar): Novak other sports have normal- widely criticized by other in 2022 after a positive test
Djokovic says a majority ly received in similar players. The positive tests before it was later reduced
Honda Motorcycle & Scooter of tennis players have lost cases. weren’t publicly revealed to nine months — and
India (HMSI) has achieved a faith in the anti-doping “It’s not a good image for until August because British player Tara Moore,
major milestone by surpass- authorities following our sport, that’s for sure,” Sinner successfully who was suspended in
ing 2 crore two-wheeler sales Jannik Sinner’s three- Djokovic, the long-time appealed against being May 2022 while an investi-
in South India, reinforcing its month ban, and there’s a No. 1 in men’s tennis, said. provisionally banned from gation lasted 18 months
dominance in the region’s widespread feeling that “There’s a majority of the playing. He then won the before an independent tri-
mobility sector. “favouritism” is being players that I’ve talked to US Open in September and bunal determined that her
Since its inception, HMSI shown to the sport’s in the locker room, not just the Australian Open in positive test for a banned
has built a loyal customer biggest stars. in the last few days, but January. substance was caused by
base across Tamil Nadu, The 24-time major winner also last few months, that Sinner’s explanation for contaminated meat.
Karnataka, Telangana, called on the World Anti- are not happy with the the positive test was that “Right now it’s a ripe time
Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, Doping Agency and the way this whole process trace amounts of for us to really address the
Puducherry, and Andaman & International Tennis (for Sinner) has been han- Clostebol in his doping system, because the sys-
Nicobar. The company Integrity Agency to over- dled. sample was due to a mas- tem and the structure
reached 1 crore sales in 17 haul their processes for “A majority of the players sage from a trainer who obviously doesn’t work,
years and remarkably dou- dealing with doping cases don’t feel that it’s fair. A used the substance after it’s obvious,” Djokovic
bled that number in just seven “because the system and Jannik Sinner of Italy beat Alexander Zverev of Germany in the men's singles final at majority of the players cutting his own finger, said. “So, I hope that in the
years. the structure obviously the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia, in Jan. —AP File feel like there is favoritism which WADA accepted. ... near future that the gov-
To commemorate this doesn’t work.” happening. It appears that Djokovic said he didn’t erning bodies are going to
achievement, HMSI has “Right now there is a lack you can almost affect the question Sinner’s and come together with our
announced a limited period of trust generally from the ban that will have him Sinner for what it judged November after testing outcome if you are a top Swiatek innocence but tours and the tennis
offer for South Indian cus- tennis players, both male back playing in time for was accidental contamina- positive for a banned sub- player, if you have access that he and other players ecosystem and try to find a
tomers. Throughout Feb., buy- and female, toward WADA the French Open in May tion by a banned anabolic stance that she said was to the top lawyers and are frustrated about the more effective way to deal
ers of Activa and Activa 125 and ITIA and the whole without having to miss a steroid last March. accidentally consumed whatnot.” inconsistent handling of with these processes.”
can avail zero processing fees process,” Djokovic said at single Grand Slam tourna- The short ban for Sinner because of a contaminated The handling of Sinner’s doping cases. He pointed —AP
and zero documentation the Qatar Open. ment. That came after the came after five-time Grand nonprescription medica- case had already raised to the case of former
charges, making Honda’s Top-ranked Sinner International Tennis Slam champion Iga tion. Both bans are much questions about double women’s No. 1 Simona
best-selling models even more reached a deal with WADA Integrity Agency had Swiatek accepted a one- shorter than what other standards, and when the Halep — who was given a
accessible. on Saturday to accept a decided not to suspend month suspension in athletes in tennis and in ban was announced it was four-year ban by the ITIA
“Crossing the 2-crore sales
mark in Southern India
reflects the deep trust and
preference customers have for
Death of South Korean actor sparks
DEMOCRATISING DOORS
Honda two-wheelers,” said
Yogesh Mathur, Director –

talk of social media, internet culture

Sales & Marketing, HMSI.

Renault India Seoul: South Korean actor Kim

Sae-ron’s death this week has
Pop singers Seol-li and Goo
Hara and the 2023 death of
TO CIVIL SERVICES
unveils refreshed triggered an outpouring of grief
and calls for changes to the way
“Squid Games” actor Lee Sun-
kyun while calling for a change SHIVANJALI KAMBLE their infants. in a liberal democracy, it is
Kiger & Triber the country’s celebrities are
treated in the public arena and
in the “harsh, zero-tolerance”
culture toward celebrities. Over the past seven decades,
All these factors lead to a
marked drop in success
imperative that individuals
maintain control over their
with upgrades on social media, which critics
say can foster a culture of
The Hankook Ilbo newspaper
said the country's media outlets
our democracy has under-
gone a significant evolution
rates in the UPSC-CSE from
the age group of 24-26 to 26-
career paths. Empirical data
supports that candidates
DC CORRESPONDENT harassment. were part of the problem, from a singular notion of 28; a decrease that stands who undertake the UPSC-
CHENNAI: The 24-year-old, who began her lamenting that some outlets government to a pluralistic about 4 percentage points CSE three to four times
career as a child actor and continued to exploit Kim for notion of governance. This for men, but a staggering 14 exhibit higher success
Renault India has launched the earned acclaim for her roles in clicks even after her death, transformation underscores percentage points for rates.
Model Year 2025 Kiger and several domestic films, includ- using provocative headlines that the responsibility and women. Hence the concept Another argument that
Triber with enhanced features, ing the 2010 crime noir “The that highlighted her past strug- the right to run the country of 'responsibility-adjusted arose in recent times is to
safety, and technology Man from Nowhere,” was found gles. is not the monopoly of a years' could offer women the arrest the mushrooming of
upgrades. The Kiger RXT(O) dead by a friend at her home in The watchdog Citizens’ select few sections of the opportunity to re-enter the the coaching industry.
Turbo CVT, now the most the country’s capital, Seoul, on Coalition for Democratic Media society. In this scenario, it is competitive field of UPSC- However, they fail to
affordable automatic turbo Sunday. The National Police on Tuesday criticised news imperative to open-minded- CSE after fulfilling key life address the underlying gaps
variant in its segment, is Agency has said that officers organisations for blaming social ly assess the selection proce- milestones. in governmental oversight
priced at ?9.99 lakh. are not suspecting foul play and media without considering dures for public servants Even in the data for lateral and the educational system.
The refreshed models now that Kim left no note. their own “sensational and that form the branches of entrants recruited in 2021, Instead, a more comprehen-
come with all four power win- Once among the brightest provocative reporting." governance, to fulfil the goal only 5 women find the place sive approach, targeting
dows and remote central lock- stars on South Korea’s vibrant icised her whenever she was Born in 2000, Kim began her of inclusive, participative amongst 31 selected appli- substantive reforms rather
ing as standard. Additionally, movie and television scene, Kim seen partying with friends, or acting career at age 9, with the and consensus-oriented cants i.e. about 16%. When than imposing restrictions,
variants from RXL and above struggled to find work after a when she complained about her 2009 film “A Brand New Life,” democracy. the proportion of women is is essential to rectify these
include an 8-inch touchscreen 2022 drunk driving incident, for lack of work and nasty com- portraying a girl’s struggles to A brief review of affirma- low in the open transparent pervasive challenges.
infotainment system with which she was later fined in ments on social media. She was adjust to a new life after being tive actions in the UPSC procedure of UPSC-CSE Another mode of recruit-
Android Auto & Apple court. even criticized for smiling while left at an orphanage by her Civil Service Examinations itself, then little justice can ment into public service, the
CarPlay, along with a rear-view Online posts in South Korea filming an independent movie father. She rose to stardom with reveals a notable gap: there be expected with the opaque Lateral entry, underscores
camera for added convenience. are notoriously harsh toward last year. “The Man from Nowhere,” is no specific provision to process of lateral recruit- an increasing democratisa-
Renault's Human First initia- celebrities who make missteps, Following Kim’s death, several which was one of the biggest enhance women's represen- ment. tion of governance, affirm-
tive also ensures 17 safety fea- especially women, and Kim of the country’s major newspa- hits in the South Korean movie tation in civil services. The The notion of positive dis- ing that the realm of public
tures across all variants, rein- faced constant negative cover- pers on Tuesday published edi- scene that year and won her a data suggests that women crimination for women has administration is not the
forcing the brand’s commit- age from news organisations torials and opinion pieces lam- domestic acting award. She constituted only about 33% been formulated for politi- exclusive monopoly of tra-
ment to innovation and cus- that capitalised on public senti- basting the toxic online com- starred in various movies and of the candidates appearing cal institutions – ditional civil servants.
tomer safety. ment. ments about the actor. Some TV shows before the 2022 drunk in the UPSC-CSE 2021, while Panchayats and Every stakeholder possesses
Newspapers and websites crit- invoked the 2019 deaths of K- driving incident. —AFP 67% were men. Although Municipalities, and now for an inherent right to engage
the proportion of women Lok Sabha, State Legislative in and contribute to gover-
finally selected has Assemblies, and Delhi nance, provided they meet
improved from approxi- Assembly (Nari specific criteria of rational-

‘Saturday Night Live 50’: Comedy, music mately 20% two decades ago
to 34% in recent years, the
data still highlights signifi-
cant disparity.
Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam,
2023).
A logical thought needs to
be given to introduce posi-
ity, credibility, performance
potential alongside by right
intent. Consequently, there
emerges a compelling need

and show’s many, many famous friends One affirmative action tive discrimination to the to transcend traditional
that not only can boost bureaucratic system as well examination and age con-
women’s participation into to realise the goal of women straints for public adminis-
bureaucracy, but also can in leadership and policy- tration in today’s dynamic
bring equity within the making, especially when and complex global land-
New York: Paul Simon incoherent group, is, the our country still finds sig- scape.
and Sabrina Carpenter women shall be provided nificant power concentra- Inclusive representation is
duetted on Simon’s with age relaxation and tion in the hands of bureau- a fundamental criterion. It
“Homeward Bound” to increased number of eligi- crats alongside the political is imperative to establish
open the show, five-decade ble attempts to appear for executives. mechanisms and a transpar-
“Saturday Night Live” UPSC-CSE. There is no In the past, several com- ent recruitment policy that
luminary Steve Martin established difference mittees including the harness the diverse talents
delivered the monologue, between men and women in Kothari Commission, have of this vast nation, thus cre-
and Paul McCartney gave terms of intellectual quo- advocated for stringent ating opportunities for
an epic closing to a 50th tient, merit in civil services’ modifications in the guide- potential change-makers
anniversary special cele- examination and the capa- lines governing the UPSC- into governance to address
brating the sketch institu- bility to deliver perform- CSE. The proposed changes certain stagnant issues per-
tion that was overflowing ance in governance. suggest limiting the permis- taining to socio-e
with famous former One of its illustrations can sible attempts to two, signif- conomic spheres and to
cast members, superstar be seen, that provided with icantly less than the current develop capabilities of the
hosts and legendary a conducive environment, allowance of six, and reduc- system to tackle emerging
guests. women have secured rank 1 ing the upper age limit to 26 problems.
The 83-year-old Simon in 5 out of last 10 years years, a departure from the Therefore, apprehensions
has been essential to UPSC-CSE results. Hence existing threshold of 32 concerning the impact on
“SNL” since its earliest there is no argument years for candidates in the the established permanent
episodes in 1975 and told required, demanding reser- general category. The intent bureaucracy and the aspira-
the 25-year-old pop sensa- vation of seats or conces- behind these recommenda- tions of the youth aiming to
tion of the moment sion in cut-off marks for tions is to attract the most join the civil services, shall
Carpenter that he first women. Nevertheless, there meritorious candidates, not detract from or compro-
performed “Homeward is a lack of level playing while curbing the mise the overarching objec-
Bound” on “SNL” in 1976. field in terms of opportuni- prolonged engagement of tive of good governance and
“I was not born then,” ties available for women's aspirants in the preparation promoting the welfare of
Carpenter said, getting a participation in the public process for these examina- the populace that our coun-
laugh. “And neither were sphere. tions. try is in dire need of.
my parents,” she added, Frequently, women face However, the number of As times evolve, it is cru-
getting a bigger laugh. restrictions that prevent attempts an individual cial for the nation to ensure
McCartney closed with them from relocating to requires to succeed in these that the doors to the civil
the rarely performed song cities that serve as prepara- examinations does not services are open to as
cycle from the Beatles’ tion hubs, thus compelling inherently reflect a deficit broad a spectrum of the
“Abbey Road,” “Golden them to undertake their in capability. Factors such population as possible. It is
Slumbers/Carry That preparatory endeavours as disparate personal cir- a principal democratic right
Weight/The End,” with This image released by Peacock shows Miley Cyrus performing during “SNL50: The Homecoming Concert” in alone. Women’s mean age at cumstances, variability in of every citizen of India to
its wistful ending, “the New York. —AP marriage at all India level is access to preparatory be given a fair opportunity
love you take, is equal to 22.7 years Yet, the upper age- resources, current employ- to attempt to be a part of the
the love you make.” ans including Eddie creator Lorne Michaels “I see some of the most seated in a neighbouring limit for appearing to UPSC- ment status, can influence bureaucratic system. This
Lil Wayne and Miley Murphy, Kristen Wiig and only told him he’d be difficult people I have studio and some had to CSE is the same for both one’s trajectory in these inclusivity is essential for
Cyrus were among the Will Ferrell, who all doing the monologue, “I ever met in my entire watch “from the genders i.e. 32 years (gener- examinations. Notably, indi- fostering a sense of belong-
night’s other musical appeared in early sketch- was actually vacationing life,” Mulaney said. “Over Metropolitan Detention al category). viduals who persevere ingness as well as owner-
guests, though the show’s es. And the evening on a friend’s boat down on the course of 50 years, 894 Center in Brooklyn” as a Pre-marital pressure from through multiple attempts ship in a democracy, ensur-
musical legacy also had included epic cameos that the Gulf of Steve people have hosted photo of Sean “Diddy” home and post-marital often develop a richer appre- ing it remains vibrant and
its own night with a Radio included Meryl Streep, Martin.” ‘Saturday Night Live,’ and Combs appeared. responsibilities and restric- ciation for endurance, gain representative rather than
City Music Hall concert Jack Nicholson and Keith He was joined by former it amazes me that only Martin took a jab at the tions significantly curtail clarity on their motivations devolving into an autocracy
on Friday. Richards. “SNL” luminaries and fre- two of them have commit- always-difficult-to-wran- the time and resources for entering the civil servic- or oligarchy.
“SNL50: The Steve Martin, one of the quent hosts Martin Short ted murder.” gle Bill Murray in his available to women for es, and exhibit substantial
A n n i v e r s a r y show’s most prolific hosts and John Mulaney, who Later, on the night’s monologue. “We wanted preparing for public service emotional resilience.
Celebration” aired live and guests since the first looked at the star-studded “Weekend Update,” to make sure that Bill examinations. Women must These attributes are indis-
from New York, of course, season in 1975, tried to crowd full of former hosts anchor Colin Jost said would be here tonight,” compromise their crucial pensable for an adept civil (The author is an educa-
on NBC and Peacock. The keep it current in the in the same Studio 8H at there are so many former Martin said, “so we didn’t career-building years due to servant. tionist who is alumna of
pop culture juggernaut monologue even on a 30 Rockefeller Plaza that hosts and musical guests invite him.” their birth-giving and care- Furthermore, addressing IIM Calcutta and IIT
has launched the careers backward-looking night. has been the show’s long- that wanted to see the giving responsibility to the secondary contention, Jodhpur)
of generations of comedi- He said when the show’s time home. show that many had to be — AP
 CHENNAI | WEDNESDAY | 19 FEBRUARY 2025
pg 8

quick Financial instruments Govt spending to boost

Q3 GDP growth to 6.4%
BITES start figuring in savings MADHUSUDAN SAHOO
NEW DELHI, FEB. 18 ECONOMIC ASPECTS CONSUMER-
FOCUSSED
NPS private AUM projected at 9.12 cr with 1.5 cr subscribers in 5 yrs ` With the increased gov-
RESERVE NATIONAL
INDICATORS % RAVI RANJAN PRASAD fund managers among
ernment spending, which
is expected to stimulate
BANK OF
INDIA expects
Statistical Office sectors witness a
expects to release pick-up during
Sensex 75967.39 -0.04 MUMBAI, FEB. 18 PENSION FUNDS RETIREMENT government employees, economic activity in the growth to be October-December festive season.

6.6%
Nifty 50 22,945.30 -0.06 corpus needed increased NPS uptake country, domestic rating growth estimates
National pension system NPS private sector AUM as a lesser among younger genera- agency Icra on Tuesday
S&P 500* 6,117.12 0.04 registers 26.8% annual on Feb. 28.
(NPS) private sector number of fami- tions, and integration of said that India’s gross
Dollar (`) 86.95 0.08 assets under management growth over last 5 years, lies staying together to technology and AI in fund domestic product (GDP) is INDIA'S INVESTMENT
Pound Sterling (`) 109.63 0.22 (AUM) growing at current from `84,814 cr to jointly meet post management, according to projected to rise to 6.4 per- activity improves in Q3,
`2,78,102 cr
rate of 26.8 per cent per DSP Pension Fund. cent in the third quarter
Euro (`) 90.98 -0.00 annum is projected to
retirement expenditures. “We believe that India’s of FY2025. as reflected in
Gold (10gm)* (`) 85,900▲845 0.99 exceed `9.12 lakh crore NEW REGISTRATIONS pension market is at the The Indian economy uptick in YoY
with over 1.5 crore sub- NPS VATSALYA, intro- have seen a significant cusp of evolving rapidly grew at 6.7 per cent in growth in sever-
Brent crude ($/bbl)* 75.37 0.20 scribers in next five years, and with the right policies April-June, but it slowed al investment-
duced in September boost between fiscal
IN 10-Yr bond yield 6.682 -0.001 according to DSP Pension 2024 for children below years 2020 and 2024,
and increased awareness, to a seven-quarter low of related indi-
US 10-Yr T-bill yield* 4.478 -0.047 Fund, one of the NPS fund
18 years, attracts over with male subscribers
it has the potential to 5.4 per cent in September cators vis-a-
managers. unlock significant value quarter on sluggish gov- vis Q2.
* As of 8:30 PM IST So far India remains 86,000 subscribers rising by 65% and for its citizens. Our projec- ernment capital expendi-
under penetrated in pen- so far. Tax bene- female subscribers by tions underscore the ture due to general elec-

RInfra to make
sion savings but over the
last five years saving
habits of individuals are
fits for parents
contributing
to it.
119% importance of long-term
retirement planning and
NPS’s role in securing
tions and weak consump-
tion demand. But it has
been observed that some
merchandise exports,
healthy output of major
kharif crops etc, which
expects growth to be 6.6
per cent.
“Overall, while we
changing from traditional financial futures,” said consumer-focussed sec- would have buffered rural expect the pace of GDP
renewable energy instruments to financial
instruments, officials fro- GROWTH DRIVERS for NPS
include government tax reforms,
Rahul Bhagat, CEO, DSP
Pension Fund Managers.
tors witnessed a pick-up
during the festive season,
sentiment,” Icra chief
economist Aditi Nayar
and the GVA expansion to
rise in Q3 FY2025 relative

equipment
m DSP Pension Fund said. Pension Fund Regulato- and other sectors such as said in a statement. to the seven-quarter low
Another catalyst for NPS inclusion of NPS in both old and ry and Development Auth- mining and electricity The National Statistical prints for previous quar-
is the growing need to new tax regimes. ority has been quite acti- also had an improvement Office (NSO) is expected to ter, marking an upturn,
Reliance Infrastructure (RInfra) have a retirement corpus ve in making NPS more after weather-related chal- release the October- the performance may rem-
is entering into the renewable for more people from 2.5 and more efficient and lenges in the previous December growth esti- ain inferior to the NSO’s
energy (RE) equipment manu- per cent to 7 -15 per cent of attractive and introducing quarter. mates on February 28. It initial estimates for Q1
facturing space to increase its population. Also retire- changes in NPS as a pen- “India’s economic per- will also release the sec- FY2025,” Nayar said.
business portfolio, industry ment corpus is needed as a Fund as well as individu- duced in September 2024 sion saving instrument formance in Q3 FY2025 ond advance estimates of The rating agency, how-
sources said. The company has lesser number of families als also enrolling for NPS for children below 18 like fund manager are benefitted from a sharp GDP for the current fiscal. ever, said that India’s
already appointed Ivan Saha as are now staying together as awareness is rising years has been well- allowed to invest in BSE ramp-up in aggregate gov- In the first advance esti- investment activity impr-
chief executive officer (CEO), to jointly meet post retire- about pension savings and received, attracting over 200 companies compared ernment spending (Centre mates released in January, oved in Q3, as reflected in
renewable manufacturing and ment expenditures. maintaining a retirement 86,000 subscribers so far. to 100 companies earlier. and state) on capital and the NSO projected GDP the uptick in YoY growth
Mushtaque Hussain as CEO of The NPS private sector corpus. The growth drivers for The change in invest- revenue expenditure, high growth at a 4-year low in several investment-
battery manufacturing. “RInfra AUM has registered 26.8 New registrations have NPS include government ment option from two growth in services pace of 6.4 per cent in the related indicators vis-a-
is making strategic entry into per cent annual growth seen a significant boost tax reforms, the inclusion times to four times in a exports, a turnaround in current fiscal. The RBI vis Q2.
the RE manufacturing indus- over the last five years, between fiscal years 2020 of NPS in both old and year is also allowing more

Urban joblessness
try,” sources said. from `84,814 crore to and 2024, with male sub- new tax regimes (invest- flexibility both to pension
`2,78,102 crore. scribers increasing by 65 ment by corporates), tax fund managers and sub-
So far 16,000 corporates per cent and female sub- benefits for parents con- scribers in growing their
have enrolled for NPS, scribers by 119 per cent tributing to NPS Vatsha- corpus though superior

falls 6.4% in Q3
according to DSP Pension while NPS Vatsalya, intro- lya, adoption of private return generation.

19 FOREIGN VENTURE
CAPITAL INVESTORS Consumption to see gradual New Delhi, Feb. 18: The
unemployment rate for
ployment rate in urban
areas remained flat at 5.8
28 LAKH COMPANIES
recovery from July this year
people aged 15 years and per cent in October-
LOSE REGISTRATION above in urban areas
dipped to 6.4 per cent in
December 2024 as com-
pared to the rate of the REGISTERED BUT
the October-December same quarter a year ago.

TVS Motor brings

RAVI RANJAN PRASAD
MUMBAI, FEB. 18 FALAKNAAZ SYED
quarter, according to the
National Sample Survey
The rate was 5.7 per cent
in July-September, 2024. ONLY 18 LAKH ACTIVE
MUMBAI, FEB. 18 WAY TO REVIVAL ● REBOUND in India’s Survey (NSSO). Labour force participa-
new Ronin bike at Market regulator Securi-
ties and Exchange Board The Indian equity market IMPROVEMENT
capex in FY26 is expected
as policy certainty returns.
Joblessness, or unem-
ployment rate, is defined
tion rate in current week-
ly status (CWS) in urban
New Delhi, Feb. 18:
More than 28 lakh compa-

`1.35 lakh of India (Sebi) on Tuesd- is expected to witness in employment trends, as the percentage of areas for people aged 15 nies are registered in the
ay cancelled the registra- near-term weakness and revival in unsecured ● A PEAK in US dollar index unemployed people in the years and above increased country and only 65 per
tion of 19 defunct foreign heightened volatility in lending, uptick in wel- to ease rupee depreciation labour force. to 50.4 per cent in October- cent of them or little over
TVS Motor, a two and three- venture capital investors the first quarter of the cal- fare spending. concerns and help stem FPI The unemployment December from 49.9 per 18.1 lakh companies are
wheeler maker, on Tuesday, (FVCI) after detailed inve- endar year (CY) 2025, selling. rate in December cent in the same active, according to offi-
introduced the 2025 edition of stigations and opportuni- according to Emkay quarter of FY24 quarter a year ago. cial data.
ty for personal hearing Institutional Equities. ● RBI'S liquidity was 6.5 per cent. The rate was 50.4 Among those registered
the Ronin, a neo-retro motor-
cycle, with prices starting at found they were unrespo- However, a gradual con- injection can However, the rate per cent in the under the Companies Act,
`1.35 lakh. “TVS Ronin has nsive to Sebi directions sumption recovery is anti- stimulate stayed flat when Ju l y - S e p t e m b e r 2013, just 5,216 are foreign
redefined modern-retro motor- and had failed to meet the cipated in H2 CY25, led by domestic equities. compared sequen- 2024. companies and out of
cycling in the country and con- eligibility criteria. an improvement in empl- tially. Labour force those, 63 per cent or 3,281
tinues to embody the essence FVCI are investors inco- oyment trends, a revival In the preceding refers to the part of entities were active at the
of motorcycling, empowering rporated or established in unsecured lending, and certainty returns. While newed government spend- July-September quarter of the population, which end of January.
riders to explore uncharted outside India, which pro- an uptick in welfare capital-heavy sectors face ing and tax relief led to FY25, the rate of unem- supplies or offers to sup- Latest data from the cor-
paths with style,” said Vimal poses to make invest- spending. The brokerage challenges, green energy consumption spending,” ployment for people aged ply lab-our for pursuing porate affairs ministry
Sumbly, head business - ments in venture capital expects Nifty to be at lev- to be a bright spot. added Sheth. 15 years and above in economic activities for also showed that a total of
Premium, TVS Motor Company. fund(s) or venture capital els of 25,000 by December Nirav Sheth, chief exec- Despite persistent sell- urban areas was at the the production of goods 16,781 companies were
undertakings in India. 2025, and FPI selling to utive officer - Institutional ing pressures, FPI activity same level of 6.4 per cent, and services and, there- registered with a collec-
The 19 entities include subside by Q2 CY25. Equities, Emkay Global is likely to stabilise post the 25th Periodic Labour fore, includes both empl- tive paid up capital of
Axis Capital Mauritius, India’s capital expendi- Financial Services said, Q1 CY25, with valuations Force Survey (PLFS) oyed and unemployed per- `816.14 crore last month.

PURE EV partners
Axis India Infrastructure ture growth, which saw a “Our macros are solid, having moderated and showed. sons. “There is an increase of
Holdings, Blackstone Cap- 31 per cent compounded given the low and stable earnings forecasts bot- The unemployment rate The NSSO had launched 0.14 per cent in the total
ital Partners (Singapore), annual growth rate CAD, fiscal deficit under toming out over the next among females (aged 15 PLFS in April 2017. proportion of active com-
with JioThings to Blackstone Family Inves-
tment Partnership ( Sing-
(CAGR) between FY21 and
FY24, is likely to slow
control, and a more
accommodative monetary
two to three months. A
peak in US dollar index
years and above) in urban
areas declined to 8.1 per
On the basis of PLFS, a
quarterly bulletin is
panies with respect to reg-
istered companies when

bring telematics apore),Summit Partners down to 10-13 per cent in policy now. We estimate could also ease rupee cent in October-December brought out giving esti- compared to December
India Venture Capital Inv- the near term, with elec- that the worst of the earn- depreciation concerns 2024 from 8.6 per cent in mates of labour force indi- 2024,” the ministry said
estments, among others. tion-related constraints ings downgrade cycle is and help stem FPI selling. same quarter a year ago. cators namely unemploy- in its latest monthly infor-
Electric two-wheeler maker As per Sebi order these weighing on investments. behind us and expect a RBI’s liquidity injection The rate was 8.4 per cent ment rate, worker popula- mation bulletin.
PURE EV has partnered with 19 FVCIs did not inti- However, a rebound in recovery in second half of could stimulate domestic in July-September, 2024. tion ratio, labour force As many as 9,49,934 com-
JioThings, a subsidiary of Jio mate Sebi about the FY26 is expected as policy the fiscal – triggered by re- equities, Emkay said. Among males, the unem- participation rate (LFPR), panies shuttered in 2024.
Platforms, to integrate smart change in their regulato- In terms of sectors, the
digital clusters and telematics ry status i.e. the eligibili- maximum number of
into its electric vehicles (EVs).
Under the collaboration, the
Hyderabad-based company
will explore JioThings’ sma-rt
ty criteria, did not file
their quarterly filings and
also could not satisfy the
condition of being an
Prudent biz models driving growth of GCCs active companies were in
business services at 27
per cent, followed by man-
ufacturing (20 per cent),
digital clusters, which incl-ude entity incorporated out- New Delhi, Feb. 18: The tions while ensuring encing over 3,000 GCCs by improvement in propri- spreading into Tier-II, -III trading and community,
end-to-end IoT solutions, into side India and accord- company owned partner strategic ownership. 2030 and attaining a mar- etary process control, cities, scalability has eme- personal and social serv-
its electric two-wheelers to ingly violated the various operated (COPO) model is The combination of ket size of $105 billion, with 94 per cent of firms rged as one of the stren- ices (13 per cent). — PTI
enhance their functionality and provisions Sebi FVCI being utilised increasing- corporate ownership the COPO is setting improving their control gths of COPO model.
interactivity, PURE EV said. Regulations, 2000. ly and is projected to and local knowl- new ben-chmarks over intellectual property “The growth is fuelled by
increase by 25 per cent by
2030, driving India’s over-
edge ensures that
international busi-
for asset manage-
ment, responsive-
compared to conventional
outsourcing models.
COPO model’s proven
capability to shave compli-
INDIA, U.S. TO
all $105 billion global capa- nesses can quickly ness to markets, This structure has also ance delays by 65 per cent,
ENHANCE BILATERAL
RBI launches
bility center (GCC) adapt to the Indian risk evasion and minimised capital spend- achieve talent retention
growth, according to the market while sus- scalability,” it said. ing by 80 per cent over 5 with less than 6 per cent
Inductus report. taining long-term The Inductus report years, enabling companies attrition rates, and min- TRADE TO $500 BN
app for Indian The uptick of the COPO
model is driven by its
growth, it said.
“With the ecosystem
claimed that companies
adopting the COPO model
to function effectively at a
lower cost.
imise market volatility
risk by 40 per cent,” the FC CORRESPONDENT

economy data capacity to simplify opera- shifting towards experi- have experienced an With the GCC ecosystem report estimated. — PTI NEW DELHI, FEB. 18

Commerce and industry

The Reserve Bank of India on
Tuesday launched RBIDATA, a WORK | BEGINS India offers avenue to boost sales after cos posted annual drop in EV deliveries minister Piyush Goyal on
Tuesday hinted that India
Mobile App, that offers macro- and the US are committed

Tesla hiring in India with eye on electric vehicles

economic and financial statis- to increasing bilateral
tics relating to the Indian econ- trade to $500 billion and
omy in a user-friendly and negotiating a strong trade
visually engaging format. The agreement within the
key features of the app include next six to eight months.
access to over 11,000 different Texas, Feb. 18: Tesla is tions specialist, were for over a decade. activity in 2021 by setting offered lower tariffs of 15 Gemini, DeepSeek’s V3 “Once his US counter-
series of economic data to give hiring in India, signaling Mumbai. Although India’s elec- up sales infrastructure in per cent for imports of model and Anthropic’s part takes charge, both
a comprehensive view of the it plans to enter the mar- Tesla and India have tric-car sales barely tou- India, with a team of over electric cars priced above Claude, xAI said. countries will discuss the
Indian economy. Users can ket shortly after chief engaged on-and-off for ched one lakh units last a dozen executives. $40,000, if the carmakers Grok-3 has “more than contours of pact,” Goyal
view time series data in graphs executive officer Elon years, but the carmaker year compared to China’s Tesla even hired a lobby- committed to investing 10 times” the compute said during a CII’s India-
and download for analysis. Musk met Prime Minister has stayed away over con- 1.1 crore, it’s a rapidly ist then to lead negotia- $500 million in India and power of its predecessor Qatar Business Forum
Narendra Modi in the US. cerns about high import growing EV market where tions with the Indian gov- begin local manufacturing and completed pre-train- meet in New Delhi.
The electric-vehicle (EV) duties. India reduced local and global automak- ernment to lower import in three years. ing in January, Musk said When asked if the pact
Printed & Published by
maker is seeking candi- basic customs duty on ers are rolling out battery- tariffs. The lobbying Meanwhile, Elon Musk’s in a presentation along- would have chapters relat-
K Sudhakar on behalf of Deccan dates for 13 roles, includ- cars priced above $40,000 powered vehicles. efforts restarted sometime artificial intelligence side three xAI engineers. ed to goods, services and
Chronicle Holdings Limited. Printed & ing customer-facing and from 110 per cent to 70 per Despite the job openings in 2023 after Musk met start-up xAI debuted its XAI also introduced a investments, the minister
Published at Deccan Chronicle Presses back-end jobs, according cent earlier this month, offering the strongest Modi in the US, with the updated Grok-3 model, new smart search engine also said that businesses
situated at SP-3 Developed Plot, to its LinkedIn page. offering a preemptive sign so far of Tesla’s world’s richest per- showcasing a version of with Grok-3, calling it of both the countries are
Industrial Estate, Guindy, Chennai. At least five of the posi- olive branch to the US, plans to sell cars in son saying Tesla the chatbot technology to DeepSearch. Musk’s team excited about the agree-
Editor: Kaushik Mitter, RNI Reg. No. tions, including service which under President India, it’s not the would like to invest challenge OpenAI days also said it intends to ment.
TNENG/2008/25473 Air surcharge Re 1. technician and various Donald Trump, plans to first time the com- in India as soon as after the billionaire’s uns- release a voice-based chat- “My counterpart has
© All rights reserved. Reproduction in advisory roles, were avail- impose reciprocal tariffs. pany has gone down humanly possible. olicited cash bid to buy bot. “We’re continually not yet been confirmed in
whole or in part without written per- able in both Mumbai and While India’s EV market this path. The Indian govern- the company was rejected. improving the models the US. After the (confir-
mission of The Editor, Financial Delhi, while the rest of the to offer an avenue for The Musk-led ment in March last Across math, science every day, and literally mation), we will do talks
Chronicle ® is prohibited. openings, such as cus- Tesla to boost sales after it firm had year unveiled a and coding benchmarks, within 24 hours, you’ll see and then only we can
tomer engagement man- posted its first annual kicked off a new initia- Grok-3 beats OpenAI’s improvements,” Musk decide the way forward,”
ager and delivery opera- drop in EV de-liveries in flurry of tive which GPT-4o, Alphabet’s Google said. — Bloomberg the minister said.
 GAMES
DECCAN CHRONICLE | CHENNAI | WEDNESDAY | 19 FEBRUARY 2025
pg 9

TROPHY TUSSLE Clinical

WOMEN’S PREMIER | LEAGUE
SHORT TAKES
USA defend lowest
ever One-Day total
Mumbai
Al Amarat, Muscat: The United
States of America on Tuesday
successfully defended the low-
trounce Gujarat
Pak face NZ as CT starts amid debate on relevance of 50-over cricket
Dubai/Karachi, Feb. Vadodara, Feb. 18: All-
est-ever total of 122 in a non-
curtailed ODI match to beat
Oman by 57 runs in a their
18: Intrigue, uncertain-
ty, backstage drama. The
INDIA BOWLING rounder Nat Sciver-Brunt
starred in both depart-
BRIEF SCORES
Cricket World Cup League 2
match here.
ICC Champions Trophy
has seen it all even COACH MORKEL ments as Mumbai Indians
produced a clinical per-
Gujarat Giants 120 in 20
overs (Harleen Deol 32,
The previous lowest total suc- before the curtains go up formance to return to
cessfully defended in a full ODI
was India’s 125 against Pakistan
on the tournament and
it would only get more
RETURNS HOME winning ways with a five-
wicket victory over a self-
Hayley Matthews 3/16)
lost to Mumbai Indians
122/5 in 16.1 overs (Nat
in the Rothmans Four-Nations stirring over the next Dubai, Feb. 18: India’s destructive Gujarat Sciver-Brunt 54,
Cup in 1985. They bowled out three weeks, starting bowling coach Morne Giants in their Women’s Kashvee Gautam 2/15).
Pakistan for 87 to win by 38 with the opening clash Morkel has left for his Premier League match
runs in Sharjah. between Pakistan and home in South Africa here on Tuesday.
In conditions heavily favouring New Zealand in Karachi. due to a family emer- Sciver-Brunt smashed a bringing up her fifty with
spin, it was the metronomic Eight teams will vie for gency. Morkel, who was 39-ball 57, her second con- a four off Ashleigh
work of Nosthush Kenjige that a trophy, often talked up appointed for the job in secutive half-century, Gardner in the 14th over.
led the American charge, with as tougher to win than September last year, had after taking two wickets Amelia Kerr (19) also con-
the left-arm spinner claiming the World Cup, and also travelled to Dubai with for 26, as MI first bowled tributed with a six and a
5/11 from 7.3 overs to sink the to script a new chapter the Indian team on out GG for a modest 120 four before being dis-
hosts for just 65. in their own cricketing Saturday, and also and then chased down the missed by Gautam.
Milind Kumar’s off-spin (2/17) story. attended the side’s first target, scoring 122 for 5 Earlier, Gujarat’s bat-
claimed the key wicket of While India will fight it practice session ahead of with 3.5 overs to spare. ting imploded as they
Oman captain Jatinder Singh out in Dubai, others will the ICC Champions Invited to bat, Gujarat tried to muscle the ball
(7) and the men from the be primarily based in Trophy beginning on paid the price for their rather than build partner-
Sultanate showed little resolve Pakistan, which would Wednesday. over-aggression, with ships. Only two batters in
in their chase. get to host its first ICC The 40-year-old former MI’s bowlers, led by off- the top six reached double
Harmeet Singh (1/25) and Yasir event since the 1996 South African pacer spinner Hayley digits, with Harleen Deol
Mohammed’s 2/10 compliment- World Cup. was, however, not Matthews, delivering a top-scoring with a 31-ball
ed Kenjige, who wrapped up Several barriers had to around for the Indian tight performance. 32. Kashvee Gautam (20)
proceedings by trapping No 11 be hurdled over to cob- team’s second practice Shabnim Ismail (1/17), and Tanuja Kanwar (13)
Siddharth Bukkapatnam (0). ble this tournament session on Monday, it Amelia Kerr (2/22), and also got starts but failed
Electing to bowl in the hope of together after eight has been learned. Amanjot Kaur (1/17) also to capitalize.
emulating their spin success years. The tournament The development played key roles in Gujarat were in early
against Namibia two days prior, is also crucial amid the comes just as India restricting Gujarat’s bat- trouble, crashing to 16 for
the hosts stifled Monank Patel’s raging debate on the rel- geared up to began their ting. 3 in the 4th over, with
side, with the skipper (0) being evance of ODI cricket, campaign with a match In response, Sciver- Beth Mooney (1), Laura
one of the five batters to fall which is struggling to against Bangladesh at Brunt dazzled with a flur- Wolvaardt (4), and
inside the first 13 overs. — PTI find its space amid the Dubai International ry of boundaries, playing Dayalan Hemalatha (9)
rage for T20 cricket and Cricket Stadium here on cut, pull, sweep, and back in the pavilion.
the devotion for Test for- Thursday. scoop shots with ease. She Hemalatha has been in
Centurion Ben big mat.
Perhaps, no other
The Indian bowling
attack for the ICC tour-
hit 11 fours during her
innings and was dis-
poor form for some time.
Gujarat’s in-form skip-
Curran on block cricketing event in the
recent past has been har-
nament comprises spe-
cialist pacers and one
missed in the 16th over
with just seven runs
per, Ashleigh Gardner
(10), tried to inject some
Harare: Ben Curran struck a ried so much by long- fast-bowling all-rounder required to win. momentum, pulling
one-day international career standing geopolitical in Hardik Pandya. Chasing 121, MI lost Sciver-Brunt for a six, but
best 118 on Tuesday to steer tensions, stubbornness Pace spearhead Jasprit Matthews (17), Yastika was dismissed on the very
Zimbabwe to a nine-wicket tri- by administrative Bumrah was ruled out of Bhatia (8) and skipper next delivery. Deandra
umph over Ireland in Harare, boards of two important the event due to lower Harmanpreet Kaur (4) Dottin went for a slog and
and a 2-1 series victory. participants, and the back injury, leaving the early as MI slipped to 55/3 was stumped by Yastika
The son of former Zimbabwe nail-biting anxiety over task of shouldering the in the 8th over. Bhatia off Kerr, leaving
cricketer Kevin Curran and the readiness of venues fast-bowling responsibil- However, Sciver-Brunt Gujarat at 43/5 in 8.2
brother of England internation- in the main hosting ity on Arshdeep Singh, continued to dominate, overs. — PTI
als Tom and Sam Curran faced nation. Harshit Rana and
112 balls, and his knock includ- The chaos has been an Mohammed Shami, with
ed 14 fours. endearing throwback to Pandya being the fourth
Ben Curran could not hide his the 90s when cricket in option. — PTI
pride after the innings as he the sub-continent resem-
became the first player in bled a hastily organised
Curran family to score a century
in international cricket.
It was a dramatic improvement
party.
But all these pre-tour-
nament jitters will be
MINIMUM 36
in form by the 28-year-old,
whose previous highest ODI
forgotten once the teams
enter the field, and the
CAMERAS WILL
score was 28 runs.
He reached his maiden century
from the third ball of the 36th
first of them will be
Pakistan
Zealand.
and New BE USED: ICC
over, hitting off-spinner Andy If anyone needs a Dubai, Feb. 18: A mini-
McBrine for four. reminder, then Pakistan Pakistan’s Saud Shakeel plays a shot during a practice session in Karachi, Pakistan, mum of 36 cameras with
Replying to 240/6 by Ireland, had won the last edition on Tuesday, eve of their Champions Trophy opener against New Zealand. — AP a host of analytical tools
Zimbabwe reached 246/1 with of the Champions and visual enhance-
63 balls to spare. — AFP Trophy in 2017. ments to elevate the
Brief scores: Ireland 240 (Andy
Balbirnie 64, Lorcan Tucker 61,
Harry Tector 51, Richard Ngarava
2/42) lost to Zimbabwe 246/1 (Ben
Curran 118 not out, Craige Ervine 69
The opening match in
itself is a curious clash
— a talented-yet-volatile
Pakistan unsure of its
own destiny against a
Skipper Rizwan urges experience for the view-
ers will be used to broad-
cast the Champions
Trophy matches, the ICC
said on the eve of open-

Pakistan to enjoy CT
not out, Brian Bennett 48).
team for which order is ing game between New
everything. Zealand and Pakistan in
Shardul to join But the blue riband
match of the tourna-
Karachi. “To further
enrich the viewing expe-
Essex for County ment will be
February 23 when India
on Karachi,
Pakistan
Feb. 18:
skipper
rience, the Quidich
Innovation Labs will
London: India all-rounder take on Pakistan, usher- Mohammad Rizwan said deliver Field 360 — a vir-
Shardul Thakur will play seven ing in customary waves on Tuesday the tual field model that
matches for County team Essex of nostalgia, emotions, Champions Trophy would illustrates fielding posi-
in Division One from the begin- political grand-standing, be a “historic occasion” tions and strategies in
ning of the 2025 season, the and the social media bat- for the country, a day real-time,” the ICC said
club announced on Tuesday. tle. before the hosts kick the on Tuesday.
Thakur, who has so far played 11 New Zealand are also tournament off against Their drone camera
Tests, 47 ODIs and 25 T20Is travelling on fresh New Zealand. will offer breathtaking
over the last eight years, will be avenue following the The Champions Trophy aerial views of venues
playing in the English country retirement of Trent is the first major cricket and surrounding land- Neeraj Chopra
circuit for the first time. Thakur Boult and Tim Southee. event hosted by Pakistan scapes, while the roving
has been in rich form both with Kane Williamson is in nearly three decades buggy cam will deliver
their trump card and the and is regarded as second immersive ground-level

90m mark not

the bat and the ball, having
scored 51 and 119 for his second Kiwis would hope that only to the World Cup in visuals. The signature
First-Class century last month he fires for them to earn the one-day game. Spidercams will further
against Jammu and Kashmir, their maiden white ball “A global event has come enhance the broadcast
followed by a brisk 84 against ICC trophy. — PTI to Pakistan after 29 years with its aerial coverage,

too far: Neeraj

Meghalaya in the Ranji Trophy so I think the whole offering dynamic per-
group stage. “I am feeling nation should enjoy this spectives of the action.
excited to join Essex this sum- historic occasion,” Former captains Sunil
mer. Personally it brings new Rizwan told a news con- Gavaskar and Ravi
challenges and opportunities to ference on the eve of the Shastri along with
showcase my talent and skills. tournament, which runs Dinesh Karthik and New Delhi, Feb. 18: takes that he told me
County cricket is something I until March 9. Harsha Bhogle are the Two-time Olympic medal- about was how I was
always wanted to experience Pakistan had been due to four Indian experts in winning javelin throw throwing very low even in
and I am glad that I’ll be repre- host the tournament in the ICC commentary star Neeraj Chopra has Paris and that I was lean-
senting the Eagles,” Thakur 2008 but was thrown into panel for the tourna- revealed that his new ing towards the left.
said. — PTI cricketing isolation by a ment. coach Jan Zelezny has fig- “If I am able to incorpo-
Pakistan captain Mohammad Rizwan during a practice ured out mistakes in his rate those changes, I
security crisis as violence From Pakistan, there
spilled over from the long- session in Karachi, Pakistan, on Tuesday. — AP will be the legendary technique and would now think I will get a lot bet-
Mary Kom denies running war in neigh-
bouring Afghanistan.
this month during a tri-
series event that included
on the pitch after he suf-
fered chest muscle strain
Wasim Akram with
Bazid Khan and Ramiz
make some adjustments
to his throwing routine to
ter,” he added.
But the Panipat-lad
quitting IOA panel “Pakistan has suffered
enough and for a long
South Africa.
“There shouldn’t be any
in the match against New
Zealand in Lahore last
Raja for company.
Nasser Hussain and
achieve the 90m mark
that the Indian star is
insisted that the mile-
stone is still not as impor-
New Delhi: The Indian Olympic time, but we have also won doubts on our perform- week. Michael Atherton, the pursuing for a while. tant as winning medals
Association’s athletes commis- during this phase like the ance,” Rizwan said. “We “Haris bowled 80 per former England cap- The 26-year-old, while for the country.
sion chairperson and boxing 2017 Champions Trophy may not have played on cent yesterday and today tains and respected pun- speaking to India Today, “I want to do it myself.
legend M. C. Mary Kom on and the 2009 Twenty20 our abilities but we all he is bowling at his full dits, will also be provid- also opened up about his But, going to a competi-
Tuesday denied reports that World Cup,” Rizwan said. want to win the event for rhythm and told us that he ing their expert analysis hush-hush wedding to for- tion and winning a medal
she has resigned from her posi- Pakistan’s opponents in the country and people.” is not feeling any discom- alongside former West mer tennis player Himani against people who have
tion, insisting that she has been the tournament opener in Rizwan hoped to have fort, so I hope he is fully Indies pacer Ian Bishop. Mor last month, saying previously thrown 90
misunderstood and will com- Karachi beat them twice pace bowler Haris Rauf fit,” Rizwan said. — AFP — PTI that their relationship meters is even more
plete her tenure in the panel. was a casual friendship at important. There’s no
The 42-year-old Manipuri had first “but slowly we fell in point in throwing 90
love”. meters and not winning.

India will feel Bumrah’s absence: Dhawan

travelled to Haldwani for the
National Games closing cere- Chopra has been trying “What if everyone
mony last week where she hard to hit the 90m mark. throws 90+ there and
expressed her displeasure over His personal best stands despite throwing 90, you
being lodged at an “inferior at 89.94m which was don’t win? I want to throw
hotel”. Dubai, Feb. 18: India will was ruled out of the tour- ● Pace spearhead has come into the side and look beyond India when achieved in 2022. His sea- more than 90 meters;
Mary Kom said her outburst in a feel Jasprit Bumrah’s nament due to a lower I think that is really excit- the discussion turned to son begins in May with everyone believes I can do
Jasprit Bumrah was the Diamond League and that. Klaus (Bartoniet, his
private WhatsApp group was absence “very strongly” in back injury, having taken ruled out of the ing — keep an eye on him, title contenders.
misconstrued and leaked to the the Champions Trophy the maximum load during I think he could have a “There are a lot of rea- would mark the competi- former coach) believed it,
media as resignation. but they still have a great India’s five-match Test tournament due to a breakout tournament. sons to be optimistic for tive start of his partner- Zelezny believes it.
“I have not resigned, I will com- chance to win the tourna- series against Australia. lower back injury, “I like his attitude, he is India. They have a very ship with Zelezny, a for- “It will come off if I can
plete my tenure (which ends in ment considering their “My concern is they are having taken the a go-getter and he is not balanced side, especially mer Olympic and world fix the javelin line. I am
2026),” she asserted. recent form and a host of going to miss Jasprit maximum load during afraid of anything. He with the bat — there is a champion who also holds giving my 100 percent,
“I was merely telling my fellow match-winners at their Bumrah, there is no doubt India’s Test series accepts challenges and we nice blend of experience the world record (98.48m). and that is important for
(athletes commission) members disposal, reckons former he will be a big absence against Australia. have seen in the England and youth. Shubman Gill, “I believe a 90+ throw is me,” he added.
that if this kind of treatment opener Shikhar Dhawan. and I think they will feel it series that he is in form. I in particular, is so consis- happening soon. He (Jan He also spoke about the
happens again, I will consider While the event starts in very strongly,” Dhawan am sure he will look to tent and he has a big role Zelezny) has made some groin injury that marred
resigning. I never said that I am Pakistan on Wednesday, wrote in an ICC column crucial in a huge ICC seize this opportunity and, to play. I think he will have technical adjustments in his season last year.
resigning. IOA is my family and India start their campaign published on Tuesday. event like this.” if he does, he could pro- a great tournament. my game,” said Chopra. Chopra has consulted a
if I am unhappy over some- a day later with a match “For me, he is the best Dhawan is, however, vide a real X-factor for “Rohit Sharma has “He (Zelezny) feels that doctor recommended by
thing, I have every right to against Bangladesh at the bowler in the world, and backing Shubman Gill and India.” found form, Virat Kohli is his tweaks would help me. Zelezny in Prague.
express it. Dubai International his accuracy is hard to Harshit Rana to sizzle in Going by recent form there; they are a top side I’ve been able to under- “I went to Zelezny’s doc-
“This does not mean that I am Cricket Stadium. replicate. He is also a very the tournament. “At the and team strength, and will take some stop- stand what he expects tor in Prague, and he sug-
resigning,” she went on. — PTI Pace spearhead Bumrah calm character and that is same time, Harshit Rana Dhawan found it hard to ping,” he added. — PTI from me. One of the mis- gested some exercises.”
 GAMES
DECCAN CHRONICLE | CHENNAI | WEDNESDAY | 19 FEBRUARY 2025
pg 10

KERALA ON TOP
SHORT TAKES
Germany thrash
India 4-1 in FIH
Pro League
Bhubaneswar: India were found
wanting against a relentless
German outfit as they suffered a
1-4 drubbing at the hands of the
Azharudeen’s ton gives Kerala advantage
reigning world champions in Ahmedabad, Feb. 18:
their FIH Pro League match here Mohammed Azharudeen's BRIEF SCORES
on Tuesday. India were weak in dogged 149 not out, his
defence and they lacked enough first hundred in red ball ■ Kerala 418/7 in 177 overs
quality in the final third. cricket in seven years, (Mohammed Azharudeen
Florian Sperling gave Germany took Kerala to a com- 149 not out; Arzan
the lead with his seventh minute manding 418 for seven at Nagwaswalla 3/64) vs
Gujarat.
strike but Gurjant Singh (13th') stumps on day two of
equalised for India within six their Ranji Trophy semifi- ■ Vidarbha 383 in 107.5 overs
minutes. In what proved to be a nal against Gujarat here (Dhruv Shorey 74, Danish Budding racer Rehan Khan.
riveting first quarter, Thies Prinz on Tuesday.Kerala, who Malewar 79, Yash Rathod 54;
(14') restored Germany's lead a have not gone past the Shivam Dube 5/49, Shams
minute later as three goals were semifinals in the premier Mulani 2/62) vs Mumbai
scored in the first quarter.
After a goalless second and third
quarter, Michel Struthoff (48')
domestic red ball event,
had resumed the day at
206 for four.
188/7 in 59 overs (Akash
Anand 67*; Yash Thakur
2/56, Parth Rekhade 3/16)
by 195 runs.
Chennai boy joins
and Raphael Hartkopf (55')
scored twice in the fourth and
final quarter to power Germany
to a convincing win against the
Skipper Sachin Baby,
who was on 69 overnight,
did not trouble the scorers
on the following day as he
Champion of the
Paris Olympics bronze medal-
lists. Senior defender Amit
Rohidas led the Indian team in
this match as regular skipper
was removed by left-arm
pacer Arzan Nagwaswalla
on the second ball of the
day.
the Rahane-led side, los-
ing four wickets for a
mere five runs, when
Shams Mulani was
Future Academy
Harmanpreet Singh was not part A 149-run stand between trapped leg-before by DC CORRESPONDENT him to further develop his
of the starting XI. It was, howev- Azharudeen and Salman Harsh Dubey for his first CHENNAI, FEB. 18 skills and compete in
er, not clear why the champion Nizar (52 off 202) followed, wicket. Europe, representing
drag flicker did not start. taking Kerala past the 350- Anand then forged a cru- Rehan Khan, an 11-year- India on the international
Harmanpreet, though, was also run mark. On day three, cial 60-run stand with old karting sensation stage.
rested for the home team's sec- Kerala would like to bat as Shardul Thakur but their from Chennai, has been The Champion of the
ond game. Coming into the long as possible and then partnership did not last selected for the presti- Future Academy
game after a 2-0 win over Spain aim for the all-important long. gious Champion of the Programme offers young
in their last outing, India could first-innings lead over the Thakur, who has persist- Future Academy pro- drivers the training and
not begin well as Sperling drew home team on a flat track. ently come to Mumbai’s gramme. exposure needed to com-
the first blood with goalkeeper Azharudeen, who was on rescue with the bat this A student at Don Bosco pete at the highest level of
Krishan Pathak unable to stop. 30 overnight, carried his season, did produce a Egmore, Rehan has been motorsport. He will com-
bat though the day with fightback but could not making waves in the pete in the six-round

Dhamne, Shah
his unbeaten 149 coming push on for a big knock, national karting circuit. championship in Europe
off 303 balls. His gritty perishing for a 41-ball 37 Rehan’s talent has now and the Middle East.
effort comprised 17 fours with four fours and a six earned him a place in the "I would like to express
lose in Maha Open with majority of his
boundaries coming on the
with his knock having all
the elements of his trade-
globally recognised
Champion of the Future
my heartfelt gratitude to
all my sponsors for
ATP Challenger off-side.
Remarkably, it was the
mark counterattack.
He was bounced out by
Academy Programme,
where he will join 36
believing in me and sup-
porting my journey. I will
Pune: India's wildcard entries 30-year-old's second first- Yash Thakur (2), who had other prodigies from strive for success both on
Manas Dhamne and Aryan Shah class hundred and first cleaned up Siddhesh Lad around the world. This and off the track," Rehan
lost in the first round whereas after seven years, having (35) for a vital break- opportunity will allow said.
unseeded Khumoyun Sultanov made his Ranji debut back through earlier in the day
and Jurij Rodionov pulled off in November 2015. to break his stubborn sec-
upsets against seeded players in Nagwaswalla was the ond-wicket partnership
the first round of Maha Open pick of Gujarat bowlers with Anand.
ATP Challenger 100 Men's on Tuesday and has taken Mumbai had begun
Tennis Championship, here on three wickets thus far. The rather shakily in reply to
Tuesday. The 19-year-old Shah left-arm pacer had got rid Vidarbha’s first innings
could not make an impact of Ahammed Imran (24) total when opener Ayush
against sixth-seeded and 153- towards close of play as he Mhatre played one in the
ranked Brandon Holt of the frustrated the hosts with a air early on to find
USA, the son of former world 40-run stand with Malewar at cover, follow-
No 1 Tracy Austin. Azharudeen. ing which the pair of Lad
Holt recorded a 6-2, 6-2 win Kerala's batting and Anand had done well
against Aryan Shah in one hour approach was question- to see off the threat from
and 12 minutes. able in good batting condi- the new ball there on.
However, in a close match last- tions. After accumulating On his part, wicketkeep-
ing over an hour and 42 min- 206 on the opening day, er-batter Anand batted
utes, top-seeded and 110-ranked they could only add 212 on Mumbai's Shivam Dube with teammates celebrates after taking the wicket of extremely well, reaching a
Billy Harris from Great Britain Tuesday. Vidarbha's Yash Thakur during the second day of the Ranji Trophy semi-final. solid 67 off 171 balls,
quelled the challenge 17-year- Gujarat will have to be at including six fours —
old Dhamne, winning 6-4, 6-4. their best with the bat to match, ripped open the then paid a heavy price for most of them coming on
Dhamne started well with a wrest the advantage from Mumbai opener Akash Ranji champions’ batting a hard-handed frontfoot the off-side.
break and led 2-0 in the first set the visitors. Anand was battling at one line-up, first with an prod as an inside edge was But once again it was
but Harris broke the Indian end, unbeaten on 67, with innocuous delivery which sharply collected by Vidarbha who walked
twice in the first set and once in Vidarbha in control the last recognised batter, claimed the prized scalp of Danish Malewar at silly away with the bragging
the second to make it to the against Mumbai Tanush Kotian, on 5 not Ajinkya Rahane in the point over his head. rights after another domi-
second round. Left-arm spinner Parth out at the other, as their 41st over. Another couple of deliv- nant show, having earlier
Rekhade struck thrice in title defence came under Rahane’s defensive prod eries later, Shivam Dube added 75 runs to their

Russell has no
an over as Mumbai intense pressure from a had the ball rolling back (0), who had claimed 5/49 overnight total of 308 for
slipped to a precarious 188 disciplined and persistent to his stumps and knock in Vidarbha’s first five.

concerns over
for 7 in reply to Vidarbha side on their off the bails, ending his innings, was also caught Rathod brought up his
Vidarbha’s first innings home ground at the VCA stay for a 24-ball 18 which for a two-ball duck like his fifty shortly after play
total of 383, trailing by 195 Stadium. also had an outside edge India T20I teammate resumed on the second
Verstappen runs at stumps on Day
Two of their Ranji Trophy
Mumbai were steady at
113 for two at one stage
flying between the wicket-
keeper and the first slip.
Suryakumar as Mumbai
slipped from 113/2 to
day but like his team-
mates, could not push on
London: George Russell insisted semifinal in Nagpur on but Rekhade, playing only Two deliveries later, 113/5. and fell for 54 off 113 balls Tamil Nadu sailor Shreya Krishna (left) won a silver
he had “no concerns” about Tuesday. his second First-Class Suryakumar Yadav (0) It soon became 118/6 for with seven fours. — PTI medal in the girls' category of the Qatar International
world champion Max Verstappen Regatta recently. She finished fourth overall. In the 21st
heading into the new Formula Langkawi international regatta, Shreya emerged on top
One campaign despite their furi- in the girls' section.
ous row during last season's
final race in Abu Dhabi. Russell
accused Verstappen of blocking
him dangerously during qualify-
ing at the Qatar Grand Prix, a
claim that resulted in a stewards'
investigation and Verstappen
WTT STAR TABLE TENNIS FROM MARCH 25 Rebecca wins
DC CORRESPONDENT national talent while providing part of the WTT five-tier compe- Thirteen WTT Star Contenders
losing pole position to Russell. CHENNAI, FEB. 18 Indian players with an unparal- tition structure and will show- have taken place since the com-

Vaspo chess
British driver Russell leled stage to compete at the case five categories: Men’s petition’s debut in 2021, includ-
said Verstappen vowed to put The WTT Star Contender table highest level. Singles, Women’s Singles, Men’s ing four each in 2023 and 2024.
him "on his (expletive) head in tennis tournament be will held This premier tournament is Doubles, Women’s Doubles, and The first WTT Star Contender of
the wall" — calling the at the Nehru Stadium from organised by Stupa Sports Mixed Doubles. The tournament 2025 took place in Doha, Qatar,
Dutchman a "bully" and adding March 25 to 30. The premier Analytics and UTT under the will kick off with qualifiers in with Japan’s Tomokazu
his comments were "unaccept- event offers a $275,000 prize aegis of the Table Tennis the first two days, leading up to Harimoto and China’s Kuai Man DC CORRESPONDENT Final standings: 1.
able". purse and 600 crucial ITTF rank- Federation of India (TTFI). an electrifying finale on March winning the men’s and women’s CHENNAI, FEB. 18 Rebecca Jesumarian
Verstappen, who ing points, attracting elite inter- The WTT Star Contender is 29 and 30. singles, respectively. (Holy Cross College,
won his fourth consecutive Holy Cross College’s Nagercoil); 2. Divya
world championship last season, Rebecca Jesumarian Bharathi M (SRM Institute
labelled Russell a "backstabber" emerged victorious in the of Science and

Dinesh bowls Kanchi to win

and a "loser". Vaspo state-level chess Technology); 3. Achaya
Russell, asked dur- tournament, hosted by Vijayan (St. Joseph's
ing the 2025 Formula One sea- M.O.P. Vaishnav College College of Engineering);
son launch in London on for Women. Jesumarian 4. Kirtana S.P (Women's
Tuesday if he had talked to won a cash prize of Christian College); 5.
Verstappen since the concluding ?20,000 for finishing on Chandni R Y (Guru Nanak
race on December 8, replied: DC CORRESPONDENT Kumaran 4/17, M. Mani n.o, A. Sakthi Kumar top. SRM Institute of College, Velachery) 6.
"No, I haven't spoken (to him). "I CHENNAI, FEB. 18 Shankar 3/17) lost to 3/18) lost to Madurai Science and Technology’s Rindhiya Velavan (Shri
have no concerns about him or Coimbatore 154/4 for 193/4 in 35 overs (S. Divya Bharathi M Shankaralal Sundarbai
his driving -- that happened last R. Dinesh Kumar picked 27.4 overs (G. Siddarth Sivadevan 52, J. Rohit 33, secured second place, Shasun Jain College for
year and I want to focus on five wickets as 56 n.o, P. Saravanan 48 V. Barath Kumar 28, K. earning `15,000. Achaya Women); 7. Femil C (PSG
myself. But obviously things got Kancheepuram beat n.o). Ramanathapuram Wafar 52 n.o). Vijayan of St. Joseph’s College of Arts and
out of line at the end of last Vellore by five wickets in 299 in 48.3 overs (V. Mayiladuthurai 307/5 in College of Engineering Science); 8. Durga R
year, and I made it pretty clear the TNCA inter-district U- Anovankar 135, 115b, 50 overs (M. Avikshit claimed third place, tak- (Ethiraj College for
that I'm not going to take it. 25 tournament. 16x4, 3x6, R. Kaleeswaran Prasath 29, K. ing home ?10,000. The Women); 9. Avanthika Fg
"But now it's 2025 and I'm Brief scores: Tirupur 49, N. Srimukilan 43, S. Matheswaran 35, R. winners will be felicitated (SDNB Vaishnav College
focused on the job and the job 331/7 in 50 overs Rajkumar 4/47, C. Sridhar Rackesh 46, S. Harish 152 by Indian Grandmaster for Women); 10. Swati M
is to win. So I'm not going to (Bhavan Suriya 49, G. 3/69) beat Perambalur n.o, 157b, 17x4, 3x6) beat and Arjuna Awardee R. (Women's Christian
change my approach, fighting Navin 70, A.D. Siyam R. Dinesh V Bhuavneshwar 192 in 41.5 overs (C. Ariyalur 211 in 42.5 overs Vaishali on Wednesday. College).
him, or fighting any other driv- Vikas 126 n.o, 114b, 14x4, Aadhiseshan 71, R. (S. Baranidharan 29, S.
ers. The goal is the same" Ahead 3x6, S. Divakar 41 n.o, S. Yasotharapriyan 54, E. lost to Thanjavur 140/3 in Anandhakumar 38, Vijay Ajith 28, M. Raja Rajan
of the new season, Formula One Pavish 26) beat Rajesh 29). Vellore 123 in 31.1 overs (A. 26, S. Aathi lingam 56, R. Prem Kumar 25).
drivers have been told they face Tirupattur 152 in 34.2 42.4 overs (V. Vaithiyanathan 36 n.o, D. (ramp) 5/36). Thiruvallur 227 in 46.5
race bans or heavy fines for overs (A. Jana 55, R. Prabhakaran 44, R. Aravind 29, P. Virudhunagar 174 in 47.4 overs (V. Tharun Kumar
repeated swearing or criticism Soundar Rajan 36, R. Dinesh Kumar (leggie) Manikandan 29). overs (A.K. Mohan 69, B. Bharath 58, R.
of the sport's governing body, Nithish Kumar 39, S. 5/23) lost to Kanyakumari 231/9 in 50 Krishna 33, M. Prakash Abishek Jenson Jeyaraj
the FIA. Sabari 3/19). Tirunelveli Kancheepuram 124/5 in overs (M.K. Akash 57, S. 3/21) beat Dharmapuri 4/48, P. Robin Manoj
253/8 in 50 overs (A.P. 29 overs (S. Yathin 38 n.o, Salin Bino 32, K.S. 136 in 38.1 overs (M. 3/28) beat Thoothukudi
Ananda Kumar 62, M. Abiseck 30 n.o). Navaneeth 30, I. Gokul Madhavan 3/29). 116 in 28.4 overs (R.
Regd. No. TNENG/2010/35692 Vellapandi 53, Saarukan Cuddalore 189 in 39.1 Santhosh 35) beat Thiruvarur 203 in 49.4 Sashang Srinivas 4/54).
42 n.o) beat Nilgiris overs (M. Yuvaraj 42, P. Sivagangai 192 in 45.4 overs (K. Parthiban 66, Theni 69 in 29.5 overs (P.
Printed & Published by K. Sudhakar on 227/6 in 43 overs (R. Poovarasan 25, S. overs (M.R. Sudarshan 71, G.R. Arun 27, M. Deepak Sanjai 4/15) lost to
behalf of Deccan Chronicle Holdings Limited Bharath 69). Padmapriyan 29, R. P. Arish Ramalan 35, 4/29) beat Ranipet 160 in Tenkasi 70/1 in 7.5 overs
and Printed at Deccan Chronicle Presses
situated at SP 3, Developed Plot, Nagapattinam 188/7 in Hiruthick 3/40) lost to Krithick Roshan 26, B. 38.4 overs (A. Athique (R. Krishna moorthy 34
Industrial Estate, 50 overs (A. Ajim Farvase Pudukkottai 190/5 in 36 Riyash Khan 29 n.o, R.A. Rajamanikam 40, M. n.o). Tiruvannamalai 64
Guindy, Chennai - 600 032. 74 n.o, K. Shiyamganesh overs (G. Keerthivasan 31, Akshai 3/36). Villupuram Pratheep Raj 3/24, T. in 21.1 overs (V.
RNI Registration No: TN ENG/2005/14987
Ph Nos: 22254747, 22254748, 22254750, 34, Yasotharapriyan 3/51) R. Poosalar 39, Abhishek 151 in 40.2 overs (S. Prasath 3/21). Krishnagiri Bhuvaneshwar (ramp)
22254751 lost to Karur 189/2 in 32.1 Yadav 44). Kallakurichi Gokul 26, S. 187 in 42.5 overs (Mishal 5/21) lost to Players ponder their next move during the Vaspo Chess
Editor: KAUSHIK MITTER 137 in 40.1 overs (S. Parameshwaran 42, E. 25, N. Dhaivik 30, B. Chengalpattu 65/6 in 15.2
overs (C.K. Vishal 110, tournament organised by MOP Vaishnav College.
99b, 21x4, 1x6, Mohamed Ibrahim 54) Arun Kumar 39, Adithya Tarun Suryaprasadh 37 overs (H. Dinesh 3/20)