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 SATURDAY www.thehindu.com https://newsth.live/fb
April 26, 2025 https://newsth.live/x
https://newsth.live/ig
DELHI
CITY EDITION Regd. DL(ND)-11/6110/2006-07-08
22 Pages ₹ 12.00 RNI No. UPENG/2012/49940

Vol. 15 앫 No. 99

Printed at » Chennai » Coimbatore » Bengaluru » Hyderabad » Madurai » Noida » Visakhapatnam » Thiruvananthapuram » Kochi » Vijayawada » Mangaluru » Tiruchirapalli » Kolkata » Hubballi » Mohali » Malappuram » Mumbai » Tirupati » Lucknow » Cuttack » Patna

26 RAFALE-M FIGHTERS TERROR ATTACK

India, France The meadow

set to cries out in
conclude fear and grief
DEFAMATION CASE
SC stays summons
deal NON-BAILABLE WARRANT
Court grants bail
Kin grieve loss of loved
SWING FACTOR
Harshal’s spell sets up
ones, Kashmiris peace
issued to Rahul to Medha Patkar SRH’s win over CSK
NEWS » PAGE 10 NEWS » PAGE 10 NEWS » PAGE 10 GROUND ZERO » PAGE 9 SPORT » PAGE 17

IN BRIEF
쑽
Tension grips LoC amid Misuse of Waqf law
led to amendments,
crackdown on militants Centre informs SC
Police used to Army says it effectively responded to small arms firing along the LoC; houses of two persons
linked to Pahalgam attack damaged in ‘blasts during searches’; Army chief arrives in Srinagar Krishnadas Rajagopal After the amendment
prevent V-Cs NEW DELHI brought in the year
K. Kasturirangan
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f1ccf833-44c4-4575-b5cd-33fe76bd21c0
from meet: Ravi 2013, there is a 116%
Peerzada Ashiq not been confirmed by the The Union government has
SRINAGAR Army and the police. told the Supreme Court
rise in auqaf [assets]
UDHAGAMANDALAM/CHENNAI
After Vice-Chancellors of State
The Indo-Pakistan bor- that the “shocking” misuse area, the govt. said Former ISRO
ensions were high der in Jammu was closed of waqf provisions enabled
Chairman
universities skipped a
conference organised by him in
Udhagamandalam on Friday,
Tamil Nadu Governor R.N. Ravi
T along the Line of
Control (LoC) on
Friday with reports of
for civilians at Octroi Post
in Suchetgarh on Friday
“as a precautionary mea-
“rampant encroachments”
into private and govern-
ment properties, leading
2013, in just 11 years, the
addition of waqf land is
20,92,072.536 acres… The Kasturirangan
claimed that the government
small arms firing, even as
the Army chief arrived in
sure”, and the government
hospital in Jammu put all
to a 116% rise in waqf lands
between 2013 and 2024, a
figure of 20 lakh acres is
additional and not the total dies at 84
had used police force to
Srinagar for a security re- its staff on alert. phenomenal high un- figure. The total comes to
prevent the V-Cs from The Hindu Bureau
view, while security forces Amid the escalating ten- matched even in the Mugh- 39,21,236.459 acres of
attending the event. » Page 4 BENGALURU
stepped up anti-militancy sions, Army Chief General al period. This was part of land,” a preliminary reply,
operations in the Kashmir Upendra Dwivedi arrived the Centre’s response to filed by the Ministry of Mi-
valley. The houses of two The house of LeT terrorist Asif Sheikh that was damaged in blasts in Srinagar and held a petitioners challenging the nority Affairs and shared Former ISRO Chairman Dr.
NEET-UG paper local Lashkar-e-Taiba sus- during search operations at Tral in Pulwama. IMRAN NISSAR meeting with J&K Lieute- constitutionality of the on Friday, said. K. Kasturirangan passed
away in Bengaluru on Fri-
leak main suspect pects, believed to be be- nant Governor Manoj Sin- Waqf (Amendment) Act, On May 5, a Supreme
day. He was 84.
hind the Pahalgam attack, ported in these incidents. forces had made contact ha. A Raj Bhavan spokes- 2025. Court Bench headed by
arrested in Patna were demolished in blasts, Pakistan suspended all its with terrorists hiding in man said Mr. Sinha had “After the amendment Chief Justice of India Sanjiv The ISRO, in a state-
which were carried out bilateral agreements with the Kolnar Ajas in Bandipo- called for “effective steps brought in the year 2013, Khanna is scheduled to ment, said he died at 10.43
PATNA during search operations. India on Thursday, includ- ra. “A contact was esta- not only to bring those res- there is a 116% rise in auqaf hear the petitions, repre- a.m. at his residence. His
The suspected mastermind The Army reported inci- ing a 2003 ceasefire agree- blished and firefight en- ponsible for the Pahalgam [assets] area. It is submit- sented by senior advocates body will be kept at the Ra-
in the National dents of small arms firing ment signed in the wake of sued. The operation is in terror attack to justice but ted that right before even Kapil Sibal, A.M. Singhvi, man Research Institute
Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test along the LoC at some plac- the Kargil war to establish progress,” the Army said. also to intensify efforts to Mughal era, pre-Indepen- and advocate Anas Tanwir, from 10 a.m. on Sunday.
(Undergraduate) 2024 question es in J&K, including in Kup- peace on the LoC, which Preliminary reports sug- crush infrastructure of ter- dence and post-indepen- challenging the statute’s
paper leak case, Sanjeev wara in the Kashmir Valley. had resulted in a signifi- gested that one militant rorism and its ecosystem”. dence eras, the total of constitutionality. TOWERING FIGURE
Mukhiya, was arrested by an “It was effectively respond- cant decline in ceasefire was killed in the operation. waqfs created was » PAGE 12
Economic Offences Unit team ed to by the Army,” officials violations. However, the reports of CONTINUED ON 18,29,163.896 acres of land CONTINUED ON TOOK SPACE TO PEOPLE
in Patna on Friday. » Page 10 said. No injuries were re- The Army said security the militant’s killing have » PAGE 10 in India. Shockingly after » PAGE 10 » PAGE 12

Baisaran was always open to public, says J&K

Vijaita Singh ring snowy months. ₹35 a person. an all-party meeting on
NEW DELHI The official said the J&K J&K was demoted from a Thursday that just under a
police were yet to formally State to a Union Territory 1,000 tourists visited the
Day after officials from the communicate with the Un- with an Assembly in 2019, Baisaran meadow from
Union Home Ministry in- ion Territory administra- after which the first elec- April 20 to 22.
formed an all-party meet- tion regarding the permit tions were held in 2024.
ing that police permission issue. “The Baisaran mea- The responsibility for Security protocol
was not sought for opening dow has remained open the maintenance of law He said that hotel and re-
the Baisaran meadow, for tourists for years,” the and order, police, and the sort owners in Pahalgam
where 26 people were official said. security grid lies with the should have been responsi-
killed by terrorists on April Lieutenant-Governor’s of- ble and followed the secur-
22, a senior Jammu and Ticketed entry fice and the Home Minis- ity protocol before sending
Kashmir government offi- A poster at the gate of the try, while tourism comes the tourists there, MPs
cial told The Hindu that “Picnic Spot” says that it is under the ambit of the Un- who attended the meeting
police authorisation has operated by the Pahalgam ion Territory’s elected told The Hindu.
never been sought for the Development Authority in administration.
tourist spot, which is open Anantnag district, and the Union Home Minister CONTINUED ON
throughout the year, bar- cost of an entry ticket is Amit Shah had told MPs at » PAGE 10

HC provides
interim relief
from arrest to
Kunal Kamra
The Hindu Bureau
MUMBAI

The Bombay High Court on

Friday directed the Maha-
rashtra police not to arrest
stand-up comic and satirist
Kunal Kamra.
The two-judge Division
Bench also admitted his
petition seeking to quash
the FIR registered against
him over his remarks dur-
ing a comedy show even as
it allowed the police to
continue the investigation
in the matter.
The Bench also directed
the police to record his
statement in Chennai, with
the help of the local police.
The three other prayers
by Mr. Kamra were in the
nature of interim reliefs,
including a stay on the en-
tire investigation in con-
nection with the alleged of-
fence, protection from
coercive measures, and
seizure of his personal
electronic devices.

DETAILS ON
» PAGE 12
CM M ND-NDE
YK
 THE HINDU
2 Saturday, April 26, 2025

City Delhi

Man held for speeding away Plan in motion to tap Ganga water to clean Yamuna in Delhi
with constable on car bonnet
Nikhil M Babu by Mr. Modi and attended downstream of Delhi,” the verted into the Yamuna via
The Hindu Bureau When asked to step NEW DELHI by Mr. Shah, Delhi Chief official added. existing infrastructure.
NEW DELHI out of the car, the Minister Rekha Gupta, and The Centre is also consi- “There are existing chan-
suspect sped away In a bid to clean the Yamu- top officials further ad- dering giving U.P. addition- nels that can carry the wa-
The Delhi police on Friday na river in the national vanced the discussions. al funds for its irrigation as ter to the Yamuna. Only
arrested a man for speed-
with the policeman capital, the government is “Finer details are being compensation for any po- minor works may be need-
ing away in his car with a clinging to the finalising a plan to aug- worked out, and Uttar Pra- tential impact. “The exact ed, and those won’t take
head constable on the bon- bonnet for 7 km ment its water flow by di- desh is also part of the dis- details, such as the volume long,” the official said.
net for seven kilometre. verting Ganga river water cussions,” said a senior go- of water and diversion Though other water
The accused, Karamveer, from the Upper Ganga Ca- vernment official. points, will be finalised in sources were initially con-
was arrested from Kolkata, an attempt to stop the car, nal (UGC) into the Yamuna, The current proposal in- the agreement with U.P.,” sidered, the UGC emerged
where he had fled after the the head constable stood official sources told The volves diverting about 380 said another source. as the most feasible option
incident, said an officer. in front of the vehicle. But Hindu. MGD (million gallons per due to its higher water Cleaning the Yamuna was one of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s key
“The incident hap- the driver drove straight at The proposal was dis- day) of additional water Big plan availability. According to promises in the lead-up to the Delhi Assembly election. FILE PHOTO
pened on April 22 at 6.28 him, causing Mr. Praveen cussed last week during a from the UGC, the largest Since the UGC does not the sources, the govern-
a.m. near the Bhalswa to land on the bonnet. meeting chaired by Prime Ganga canal, flowing cross Delhi or directly con- ment aims to rely solely on tion lies in constructing season to maintain the re-
landfill. Head constable The car sped towards Minister Narendra Modi, in through western U.P. into nect to the Yamuna, the existing infrastructure to three dams in the upper quired river flow,” the offi-
Praveen signalled a white north Delhi with Mr. Pra- which Union Home Minis- the Yamuna. “U.P. won’t plan involves channelling avoid delays associated reaches of the Yamuna. cial said. Cleaning the Ya-
car near the GTK bypass to veen clinging to the bon- ter Amit Shah and Delhi lose out as most of this ex- water from it into the East- with new construction. “Once these dams are com- muna was one of Prime
halt,” said the officer. On net. He finally jumped off Chief Secretary Dharmen- tra water will flow back in- ern Yamuna Canal, which Ganga water diversion is pleted, excess water dur- Minister Narendra Modi’s
being asked to step out, the near Azadpur Mandi and dra were also present. A to the State through the Ya- also flows through U.P. seen as an interim mea- ing monsoon can be stored key promises in the lead-
driver attempted to flee. In alerted the PCR. separate meeting chaired muna which lies From there, it would be di- sure. The long-term solu- and released during lean up to the Assembly poll.

Mayoral polls: BJP back at the helm

Raja Iqbal Singh, Jai Bhagwan Yadav take over as Mayor, Deputy Mayor as BJP assumes control of MCD after little over two years; Singh
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f1ccf833-44c4-4575-b5cd-33fe76bd21c0
promises cleaner streets, greener parks, and better air quality; no excuses, new leadership must show results in a month: AAP leader

Satvika Mahajan lier this week an- Corporation of Delhi’s voked and the amounts
NEW DELHI nounced its decision (MCD) main decision- paid by residents will be
not to field a candidate making arm, has been adjusted. He also vowed

B
haratiya Janata in the mayoral polls fol- stuck in limbo after AAP to remove garbage
Party’s (BJP) Ra- lowing a series of defec- went to the Supreme dumps and improve
ja Iqbal Singh tions which cost it the Court in September last Delhi’s sanitation.
was elected Delhi’s new majority, the develop- year against the elec- Reacting to his par-
Mayor on Friday follow- ment comes as a second tions of three members ty’s victory, Mr. Sachde-
ing a thumping win setback in Delhi this of the panel. Earlier this va said, “People will
against his Congress op- year after its loss in the week, Mr. Yadav said start seeing the benefits
ponent, Mandeep Assembly election. that under the new lea- of the triple engine go-
Singh, marking the rul- Listing his priorities, dership, the MCD will vernment soon.” Chief
ing party’s return to Mr. Singh said, “We will restart the works stalled Minister Rekha Gupta
power in the civic body Capital gain: New Mayor Raja Iqbal Singh promises to aim to form the Stand- due to the non-forma- said the “triple engine”
after a little over two improve Delhi’s sanitation. SHASHI SHEKHAR KASHYAP ing Committee within a tion of the panel by will help make the city
years. Mr. Singh, who month and work in withdrawing the plea clean, prosperous and
has served as the Lead- the Congress to with- body after the Aam Aad- coordination with the filed by the civic body developed at a faster
er of the Opposition draw its nomination for mi Party (AAP) ended Delhi government to en- under AAP. pace.
(LoP) since 2023, se- the Deputy Mayor’s its 15-year rule in De- sure that people face no The MCD has also AAP’s Delhi presi-
cured 133 votes out of post. Following their cember 2022 and the difficulties. Our priori- been under the scanner dent Saurabh Bharad-
142 while his rival agreement, BJP’s Jai beginning of what the ties include making for implementing user waj said, “No excuses,
bagged eight votes. One Bhagwan Yadav was ap- Delhi BJP chief Virendra parks greener, curbing charges related to door- no rhetoric will be toler-
vote was declared pointed the Deputy Sachdeva has dubbed a corruption and pollu- to-door garbage collec- ated. The work will have
invalid. Mayor. The event “triple engine” govern- tion.” tion as part of the house to be shown by doing it.
Soon after assuming marked the BJP’s return ment in Delhi. The 18-member com- tax. The Mayor said Public will know in a
office, Mr. Singh urged to the helm of the civic For AAP, which ear- mittee, the Municipal these charges will be re- month’s time.”

DFS gets ₹125 crore

to buy cutting-edge
tech. to douse fires
The Hindu Bureau
NEW DELHI

The Delhi Fire Services (DFS) has been

allotted ₹125 crore to procure new equip-
ment, Chief Minister Rekha Gupta said
on Friday. The announcement came fol-
lowing her visit to the DFS headquarters
on Barakhamba Road.
Ms. Gupta said the fund will allow the
DFS to buy “100 small and special fire
vehicles for areas with narrow lanes”.
The agency will also be equipped with
cutting-edge equipment such as 32-me-
ter turntable ladders and mini fire-fight-
ing robots.
“The fire control room will be
equipped with a computer-aided dis-
patch system, allowing real-time track-
ing of all fire vehicles. Besides, surveil-
lance cameras will be installed in all fire
vehicles,” added the CM.

Timings
DELHI
SATURDAY, APR. 26
RISE 05:45 SET 18:53
RISE 04:28 SET 17:24
SUNDAY, APR. 27
RISE 05:44 SET 18:54
RISE 05:04 SET 18:34
MONDAY, APR. 28
RISE 05:43 SET 18:55
RISE 05:44 SET 19:48

0
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CM M ND-NDE
YK
 f1ccf833-44c4-4575-b5cd-33fe76bd21c0
3

M ND-NDE
THE HINDU
Saturday, April 26, 2025

CM
YK
Delhi
f1ccf833-44c4-4575-b5cd-33fe76bd21c0
 THE HINDU
4 Saturday, April 26, 2025

States Delhi

INBRIEF
쑽 T.N. govt. used police force Badlapur case: HC
to prevent V-Cs from taking slams Maharashtra
police over lapses
part in meet, says Governor Purnima Sah A magistrate’s inquiry
MUMBAI submitted to the court on
Ravi asks if it is a ‘police State’ where freedom is denied to attend conferences; V-P says Governor January 20, 2025 held five
The Bombay High Court on police personnel accounta-
vindicating oath by organising such events, urges varsities to develop tolerance for varying ideas Friday expressed strong ble for Shinde’s custodial
Over 1,000 stranded tourists The Hindu Bureau and change must have free
displeasure over the Maha-
rashtra police’s failure to
death. Despite this, no FIR
had been registered
rescued in landslide-hit Sikkim UDHAGAMANDALAM/CHENNAI passage in educational in- act on its directives regard- against the officers,
stitutions. There must be ing the alleged custodial prompting concerns from
Around 1,100 tourists stranded in north Sikkkm’s fter Vice-Chancel- tolerance for varying ideas. death of Akshay Shinde, an the deceased’s family.
Chungthang town following landslides were
evacuated by authorities on Friday, while 1,800
others are awaiting rescue from Lachung and
A lors of State univer-
sities skipped a
conference organised by
Intolerance to a thought
defines democracy the
wrong way,” he said.
accused in a sexual assault
case who died in a purport-
ed police encounter in Ba-
On April 7, the High
Court had ordered the for-
mation of an SIT under the
Lachen, two other popular hill stations in him at Raj Bhavan in Udha- dlapur in September 2024. supervision of Lakhmi
Mangan district. The administration is bringing gamandalam on Friday, Ta- ‘Skipped due to verdict’ A Division Bench of Jus- Gautam, Joint Commis-
the evacuated travellers to the State capital, mil Nadu Governor R.N. Responding to the Gover- tices Revati Mohite Dere sioner of Police, Crime,
Gangtok, 100 km from Chungthang. Those Ravi claimed that the go- nor’s allegation, Higher and Neela Gokhale criti- Mumbai. Mr. Gautam was
tourists, who spent Thursday night in a vernment had used police Education Minister Govi. cised the State police for empowered to select offic-
gurdwara, left in about 200 vehicles, officials force to prevent the V-Cs V-Cs’ forum: V-P Jagdeep Dhankhar, Governor R.N. Ravi, and other Chezhiaan said on Friday failing to register an FIR ers from any department,
said. From Chungthang, the vehicles reached from attending the event. dignitaries at the inaugural session of the conference on Friday. ANI that the V-Cs were aware of against five officers alleged- with the team to be headed
Mangan via a reconstructed bailey bridge at At the inauguration of the recent ruling of the Su- ly involved in the incident by a Deputy Commissioner
Sangkalang that was opened for traffic. PTI the two-day conclave, he the Governor alleged. He Emergency days.” preme Court on 10 Bills. and for not constituting a of Police.
said, “Unfortunately, at added that he had advised Earlier, in his speech as The Assembly had Special Investigation Team
this conference, the State the V-Cs to return home the chief guest at the event, passed the Bills twice, but (SIT) as directed in the ‘Documents not given’
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f1ccf833-44c4-4575-b5cd-33fe76bd21c0
universities have not parti- and take care of their fami- Vice-President Jagdeep the Governor did not give court’s order dated April 7. However, during Friday’s
SC rejects Punjab’s appeal, cipated because they have
informed me, even in writ-
lies due to the alleged
threats by the police.
Dhankhar lauded Mr. Ravi,
saying the Governor was
his assent. The State go-
vernment had to approach
It observed that the
State’s inaction appeared
hearing, amicus curiae and
senior advocate Manjula
Majithia to remain on bail ing, that they have been Later in the day, the Go- only organising the confe- the Supreme Court, which to be a “deliberate at- Rao informed the Bench
warned by the government vernor wondered if Tamil rence due to his “constitu- approved them. Enraged tempt” to disregard orders that the Criminal Investiga-
In a setback to the Punjab government, the not to participate.” Nadu was a “police State”, tional ordainment”. “By by these developments, and warned of potential tion Department had failed
Supreme Court on Friday dismissed its appeal “As of now, one of our and whether the V-Cs did organising such events, the Governor convened contempt proceedings if to transfer the relevant
challenging the bail granted to Shiromani Akali Vice-Chancellors is in the not have the freedom to at- which are extremely rele- the V-Cs’ conference with there was no compliance. documents to Mr. Gautam
Dal leader Bikram Singh Majithia in a drugs case police station. Some Vice- tend academic conferenc- vant to the field of educa- the aim of wresting power, Shinde was arrested on within the two-day period.
by the Punjab and Haryana High Court. The Chancellors had reached es. In a social media post tion, Governor Ravi is vin- Mr. Chezhiaan said. The V- August 17, 2024 on charges The court also ques-
court said it will not entertain the government’s Ooty and something un- by Raj Bhavan a few hours dicating his oath,” he said. Cs refrained from attend- of sexually assaulting two tioned the State’s decision
plea against the bail granted by the High Court precedented happened... after the conference, Mr. Mr. Dhankhar urged the ing the meeting as it would minor girls at a school in to file a Special Leave Peti-
on August 10, 2022. “The respondent (Majithia) there was a midnight Ravi said, “The way the CM universities to share facul- be against the law, he said. Badlapur. He died in an al- tion in the Supreme Court
was participating in the process of further knock at one of their Thiru. Stalin used police to ty talent “virtually, techno- “Intimidating people leged encounter with the without seeking an urgent
investigation. In view of the said facts and also doors. The secret police – deter the Vice-Chancellors logically and otherwise”. runs in the DNA of the BJP. police on September 23, hearing. “There is no stay
taking note that the liberty (bail) was granted on the special branch police of State universities from “That will have a two-fold However, the State govern- following which his pa- on our order. Whether or
August 10, 2022, more than two-and-a-half years of the State — told him that participating in the pre- purpose. While giving it, ment has in its DNA the rents moved the High not you agree with it, com-
ago, at present we are not inclined to interfere if he participates, he will scheduled conference to- you will be receiving also. courage to fight for its Court, alleging that it was a pliance is mandatory,” the
with the order impugned,” the Bench said. PTI not be able to go home,” day is reminiscent of the The winds of innovation rights,” the Minister said. staged encounter. Bench said.

Farmers burning stubble in Row over adviser Ahead of Assembly poll, Bihar
M.P. won’t get benefits of govt. post for Gurugram Cabinet increases subsidy for
scheme, MSP for crops: CM Mayor’s husband power consumers by ₹652 cr.
The Hindu Bureau her adviser in an order dat- Amit Bhelari pur and Begusarai.
The Hindu Bureau part of the scheme started GURUGRAM ed April 21. “Tilak Raj shall PATNA The Cabinet approved
BHOPAL in 2020. About 85 lakh function in an advisory ca- the Tourism Department’s
farmers are benefiting The appointment of Bhara- pacity and assist the Mayor To provide relief to power proposal to select Design
Farmers in Madhya Pra- from it as of March, accord- tiya Janata Party leader in matters as may be as- consumers ahead of the Associates INC, which de-
desh who engage in stub- ing to government data. and Gurugram Mayor Raj signed to him by the Mayor Assembly election due la- signed the Ram Temple in
ble burning will not receive The State reported the Rani’s husband as her ad- from time to time,” reads ter this year, the Bihar Ca- Ayodhya, as the design
benefits under the CM Ki- highest instances of stub- viser has sparked contro- the one-page order. binet chaired by Chief Mi- consultant to build a grand
san Kalyan Scheme and ble burning in the country versy. The Congress It states that the ap- nister Nitish Kumar on temple at Punauradham,
their crops will not be pur- Madhya Pradesh has reported this year, with 24,953 cases termed the move against pointment is purely “hon- Friday sanctioned ₹15,995 the birthplace of goddess
chased at the minimum 24,953 cases of stubble burning of fire recorded from April the “spirit” of constitution- orary and voluntary in na- crore as subsidy under the Nitish Kumar Sita, in Sitamarhi district.
support price (MSP), Chief between April 1 and 24 this year, 1 to 24, as per the Consorti- al provisions meant to pol- ture”, and Mr. Raj was not Mukhya Mantri Vidyut Besides the 17 acres on the
Minister Mohan Yadav has the highest in the country. PTI um for Research on Agroe- itically empower women “entitled to any salary, re- Upbhokta Sahayta Yojana cial flight operations from Punauradham temple pre-
said. The decision was ta- cosystem Monitoring and by reserving seats for them muneration, honorarium for 2025-26. The amount is six towns: Madhubani, Bir- mises, efforts are on to ac-
ken on Thursday at a re- ing its fertility. The State Modeling from Space, a re- in Parliament and the pan- and any other financial be- ₹652 crore more than the pur, Munger, Valmikinagar, quire 50 acres more.
view meeting of the Reve- government has already search body of the Indian chayati raj institutions. nefit” from the MCG in res- previous year’s allocation. Bhagalpur, and Saharsa. The Cabinet also gave its
nue Department chaired banned stubble burning. Agricultural Research Insti- Ms. Rani had registered pect of the assignment. Cabinet Secretariat De- The Airports Authority of nod to the Education De-
by Mr. Yadav, who said the Despite this, if any farmer tute, New Delhi. a landslide win over Con- Congress leader Pearl partment Additional Chief India will carry out the stu- partment’s proposal to
guidelines would be imple- is found burning narwai, gress’s Seema Pahuja with Choudhary, the party’s Pa- Secretary S. Siddharth said dy for which ₹2.43 crore create 526 posts for 422
mented from May 1. they will be denied the be- Farmers booked 1,79,485 votes in the Muni- taudi Vidhan Sabha candi- the amount would be given has been sanctioned. teaching and 104 non-
“The growing practice nefits under the CM Kisan Authorities have been try- cipal Corporation of Guru- date in the last election, directly to the National teaching staff for proposed
of burning crop residue Kalyan Yojana,” a govern- ing to reduce farm fires gram’s (MCG) mayoral however posted a message Thermal Power Corpora- Khelo India games degree colleges. “The Cabi-
(narwai) after harvest is ment statement said, quot- across the State. The In- election held last month. on her X account, saying it tion through the Reserve It also allocated ₹119 crore net also approved the Bi-
causing severe environ- ing Mr. Yadav. “Additional- dore District Collector said The seat was reserved for was “a mockery of the Con- Bank of India. This was one for organising the Khelo In- har Vishesh Sarvekshan
mental damage, including ly, their crops will not be 102 farmers were booked women belonging to Back- stitution and the soul of of the 34 decisions ap- dia Youth Games 2025, Evam Bandobast (Sanshod-
air pollution and degrada- procured at MSP during in a single day on April 16 ward Class (A) category. women empowerment”. proved by the Cabinet. which is being held in Bi- han) Niyamawali 2025 ap-
tion of soil quality. Burning the following year,” it read. while penalties amounting The Municipal Commis- Mr. Raj did not respond The Cabinet gave its nod har for the first time. from plicable to farmers who ex-
stubble destroys essential Eligible farmers receive to ₹3.09 lakh had been im- sioner appointed Ms. Ra- to repeated calls and mes- to carry out a ‘Pre-Feasibil- May 4 to 15 at Patna, Rajgir changed their land on oral
nutrients in the soil, reduc- ₹6,000 as aid every year as posed across the district. ni’s husband Tilak Raj as sages seeking his response. ity Study’ to start commer- (Nalanda), Gaya, Bhagal- basis,” Mr. Siddharth said.

‘50 bombs’ Anti-smuggling Act CID files chargesheet 7 held for gang-raping 3 tribal
remark: Bajwa
quizzed for invoked against Ranya against Jarkiholi girls, one woman in Balaghat
over 6 hours The Hindu Bureau
BENGALURU
The Hindu Bureau
BENGALURU Mehul Malpani They were abducted tion,” he said.
BHOPAL by the accused while Mr. Dawar added that
Press Trust of India The Central Economic In- The Criminal Investigation returning from the survivors knew one of
CHANDIGARH telligence Bureau has in- Department (CID) has filed Seven persons were arrest- a wedding in the the accused as their fami-
voked the Conservation of a chargesheet against BJP ed on Friday for allegedly lies work as farm workers
Congress leader and the
district in M.P.
Foreign Exchange and Pre- MLA and former Minister gang-raping three minor in his fields.
Leader of the Opposition vention of Smuggling Activ- Ramesh Jarkiholi and two tribal girls and a woman
in the Punjab Assembly ities (COFEPOSA) Act, 1974 of his associates on Tues- when they were returning A case under Sections Uncle beaten up
Partap Singh Bajwa was on against actor Ranya Rao, day for allegedly defraud- Ramesh Jarkiholi from a wedding in Madhya 351 and 70(1) (2) of the Bha- “The survivors had gone to
Friday questioned by the allegedly caught smuggling Ranya Rao ing Karnataka State Coop- Pradesh’s Balaghat district, ratiya Nyaya Sanhita, and attend a wedding in Tha-
police for over six hours in 14.2 kg of gold at Kempe- erative Apex Bank Ltd. and The case pertains to police said. provisions of the Protec- kur Tola village. On their
connection with an FIR re- gowda International Air- rested Ms. Rao at KIA, is four district central coop- loans granted by the Kar- According to the police, tion of Children from Sex- return journey, while were
gistered against him over port (KIA) on March 3. the sponsoring agency for erative (DCC) banks to the nataka State Cooperative the incident took place on ual Offences Act, and the crossing Bhagatpur, the
his “50 bombs have The order issued by invoking COFEPOSA Act tune of ₹439.12 crore. Apex Bank and the DCC April 23 at 1 a.m. in the Hat- Scheduled Castes and the men caught hold of them,
reached Punjab” state- Anupam Prakash, Joint Se- against her, sources said. The 4,888-page char- banks of Vijayapura, Tu- ta police station area. The Scheduled Tribes (Preven- beat up the uncle, abduct-
ment. It was for the second cretary, COFEPOSA Wing, This move from comes gesheet was filed after the makuru, Dakshina Kanna- four were abducted by the tion of Atrocities) Act was ed the girls, and gang-
time Mr. Bajwa appeared CEIB, on Tuesday, states when the sessions court High Court of Karnataka da, and Uttara Kannada to men and taken to the near- registered against them raped them,” he said.
for questioning at the Cyb- that the law has been in- has reserved its order on permitted the CID to do so, Gokak-based Sowbhagya by woods. based on a complaint from Another officer at the
er crime police station in voked against Ms. Rao the actor’s bail plea. sources said. Lakshmi Sugars between Balaghat Additional Su- the survivors’ families. police station said the ac-
Mohali. Earlier, he was “with a view to preventing The case of invoking the 2013 and 2017. perintendent of Police Vi- The survivors are aged cused had also attended
questioned on April 15. her from smuggling Act against her will come HC moved against FIR During this period, Mr. jay Dawar told The Hindu 13, 15, 16, and 21. the same wedding and
After coming out of the goods..., concealing and up before the advisory Mr. Jarkiholi had ap- Jarkiholi was the chairman that one of the accused Mr. Dawar said the com- chased the survivors on
police station in the even- keeping smuggled goods in board of the High Court of proached the High Court and managing director of was a juvenile while six plaint was received on Fri- their motorbikes.
ing, Mr. Bajwa refused to future”. The law provides Karnataka within the next to quash the FIR against the company, and the were adults, and that they day morning and the ac- “They hit one of the
speak to the media. for preventive detention three months and the him, and while hearing board had two of his close also beat up the survivors’ cused were nabbed in the bikes that the girls were
He has filed a petition without bail for one year. board has to approve it, for that plea, the court permit- associates, Vasanth V. Patil uncle who was with them. evening. “We have brought travelling on to stop them,”
seeking quashing of the The Directorate of Reve- the actor to be detained ted the CID to file their and Shankar C. Pavade, as The accused belong to the the survivors to the hospi- the police officer said, re-
FIR registered against him. nue Intelligence, which ar- under the law. chargesheet, sources said. directors. OBC community, he said. tal for medical examina- questing anonymity.
Published by Nirmala Lakshman and Printed by S. Ramanujam at HT Media Ltd. Plot No. 8, Udyog Vihar, Greater Noida Distt. Gautam Budh Nagar, U.P. 201306, on behalf of THG PUBLISHING PVT LTD., Chennai-600002. Editor: Suresh Nambath (Responsible for selection of news under the PRP Act).
ISSN 0971 - 751X

CM M ND-NDE
YK
 THE HINDU
Saturday, April 26, 2025 5
Delhi
States

Hundreds pay homage ‘Together in fighting terrorism’: Student loses over ₹2 lakh while
to Pahalgam terror trying to buy avocados online
attack victim in Kochi Telangana CM urges PM Modi The Hindu Bureau The 23-year-old fines, and fake re-

The Hindu Bureau

to act tough against Pakistan HYDERABAD

Buying avocados on-

was duped by scam-
mers posing as sup-
pliers on ‘Just Dial’,
funds, to extract mo-
ney.
Finally, realising he
KOCHI line cost a Hyderabad who spun a web of had been tricked, the
The Hindu Bureau student over ₹2.6 lies, including vehicle student filed an on-
N. Ramachandran, 65, HYDERABAD lakh. breakdowns, police line complaint.
killed in the Pahalgam ter-
ror attack of Tuesday, was Emotions engulfed thousands
given a tearful and emo- of participants, and the agony
tional farewell with State and anger were visible at the
honours as hundreds candlelight march on Necklace
thronged to pay their last Road as Chief Minister A. Re-
respects to him before his vanth Reddy urged the Indian
son, Aravind Ramachan- Family members of N. government to divide Pakistan
dran, lit the pyre on Friday Ramachandran break down as into two parts with one blow
afternoon. they pay their last respects to and integrate Pakistan-occu- Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy, along with his Cabinet colleagues and MP
In an atmosphere him at Changampuzha Park in pied Kashmir into India. Asaduddin Owaisi, leading a candlelight march in protest against the terror
charged with emotions, his Kochi on Friday. THULASI KAKKAT Mr. Reddy said Prime Minis- attack at Pahalgam, in Hyderabad on Friday. SIDDHANT THAKUR
body was taken to Chan- ter Narendra Modi must take
gampuzha Park at Edap- mobile freezer. Ms. Sarath, former Prime Minister Indira PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee likened Khurshid and the Telangana Ca-
pally at 7 a.m. By then, her twin children, and Mr. Gandhi as an example and act Ms. Gandhi to goddess Durga binet to pay homage to the Pa-
there was already a big Aravind Ramachandran, tough against Pakistan, and as- for dividing Pakistan into East as halgam victims. Slogans were
queue, which kept turning equally crestfallen, were serrted that the entire country Pakistan and West as Bangla- raised against Pakistan asking it
even bigger. by her side. is with him. desh. This is the time to follow to stay away from sponsoring
A grieving Sheela Rama- Governor Rajendra Ar- “Prime Minister Modi, as a the path shown by Indira Gand- terrorism and India to hit back.
chandran and Arathy Sa- lekar, Goa Governor P. S. devotee of goddess Durga, take hi and teach Pakistan a lesson, The Chief Minister said there
rath, wife and daughter of Sreedharan Pillai, Kerala Indira Gandhi as an example. Mr. Reddy said. was a need to fight terrorism
f1ccf833-44c4-4575-b5cd-33fe76bd21c0

f1ccf833-44c4-4575-b5cd-33fe76bd21c0
the deceased, put a dagger High Court Judge Devan You should give a strong res- Thousands of people joined beyond politics, and the Indian
through everyone’s heart. Ramachandran, Industries ponse to the terrorists,” he the march, including Deputy government should act sternly.
Ms. Ramachandran sat Minister P. Rajeeve, Union urged speaking at the candle- CM Bhatti Vikramarka, Hydera- He said every step taken by the
with folded hands by the Minister of State Suresh light march. bad MP Asaduddin Owaisi, and Indian government against ter-
side of the body kept in a Gopi, He recollected how former former Union minister Salman rorism will be supported.

Financial support, women’s security

key issues for voters in JNUSU polls
Shivam Mishra new leaders. an inclusive environment
Shashank Kumar Singh “The union must en- where all students feel
NEW DELHI sure women’s security and welcome.
address problems like He added that he will
The Jawaharlal Nehru Un- poor infrastructure in hos- vote for the organisation
iversity Students’ Union tels, washrooms, and the which works for “increas-
( JNUSU) polls were held library,” said Khushi, a ing financial aid and
on Friday after a brief halt first-year PhD student scholarships”.
in the election process last from the School of Inter-
week. national Studies. Results on Monday
Students queued up to Financial support and The polls saw a voter tur-
cast their votes in front of inclusivity were also a con- nout of 70% at the end of
the voting centres on cam- cern among the students. the day. The counting of
pus amid drumbeats and Vinayak Kaushik, an MA votes is set to begin on Fri-
sloganeering. Several stu- first-year student from the day itself. The results are
dents voiced what they School of Social Sciences, expected to be declared
were expecting from the said the university needs on Monday.

CM M ND-NDE
YK
 THE HINDU
6 Saturday, April 26, 2025

STARTUP SUMMIT-25
Delhi

Policy framework that fosters inclusivity in

start-ups is need of the hour, say panellists
At The Hindu Tamil Nadu Startup Summit-25, they discuss the power of inclusive technology, role of academic institutions in fostering such
technology, and how inclusion must be unbiased. They further highlight need for diversification in start-ups, including research-based products

The Hindu Bureau commercialise their ideas

CHENNAI through industry collabo-
rations. Moreover, faculty
ven as Tamil Nadu is start-ups help them align

C. Muthamizhchelvan, Vice-Chancellor, SRMIST, speaking

at the inaugural event on Thursday. B. JOTHI RAMALINGAM
E heading towards a
vibrant and tech-led
start-up ecosystem, there
with their research do-
mains and gain exposure
to market requirements.
is a need for a policy fra- This is reflected in the

‘Hope to train 1,000 mework that fosters inclu-

sivity in start-ups, said pa-
nellists at a session on
quality of their teaching.
Jyotirmayee Dash, ma-
naging director, TeraLu-
faculty members ‘Building a Diverse Startup
Ecosystem: Inclusion and
men Solutions Private Li-
mited, elaborated on her

in AI by December’ Gender Equality’ held in

Chennai on Thursday.
They discussed the pow-
journey of building a start-
up and the terahertz
technology.
er of inclusive technology, persons with physical dis- Underlining the need
The Hindu Bureau role of academic institu- abilities, he added. for diversification in start-
CHENNAI tions in fostering the same, ups, including research-
and how inclusion must be From right, Prateek Madhav, co-founder and CEO, AssisTech Foundation, Jyotirmayee Dash, managing Commercialising ideas based products and manu-
Speaking at the inaugural of The Hindu Tamil Na- unbiased. Speaking on the director, TeraLumen Solutions Private Limited, and Subalalitha C.N., professor, Department of Subalalitha C.N., professor, facturing, she said consis-
du Startup Summit-25 in Chennai on Thursday, C. challenges faced by per- Computing Technologies, SRMIST, at the panel discussion on Thursday. B. JOTHI RAMALINGAM Department of Computing tency and dedication were
f1ccf833-44c4-4575-b5cd-33fe76bd21c0

f1ccf833-44c4-4575-b5cd-33fe76bd21c0
Muthamizhchelvan, Vice-Chancellor (V-C), SRM sons with physical disabili- Technologies, SRM Insti- important to build a com-
Institute of Science and Technology (SRMIST), ties and the role of innova- ups has grown from a mere Highlighting technologi- left behind in the attempt tute of Science and Tech- pany based on deep tech.
called on academia, industry, start-up ventures, tions through assistive 10 or 15 to a vibrant ecosys- cal innovation as the rea- to build an inclusive eco- nology (SRMIST), dis- Collaborations, including
and investors to come together to create a good technology in empowering tem of 500 start-ups, son behind societal trans- system, Mr. Madhav said cussed the role of those with business ex-
ecosystem for start-ups. them, Prateek Madhav, co- which have changed lives formation and the growth they contributed 5% to 7% academia in nurturing perts and various stakehol-
The institute focuses on five areas: AI for educa- founder and CEO, Assis- and enabled persons with of the start-up ecosystem, to the country’s Gross start-up and entrepreneu- ders, would help balance
tion; need-based research; fostering entrepre- Tech Foundation, said the physical disabilities to gain he said it was essential to Domestic Product. Invest- rial mindset among stu- research and business ven-
neurship and innovation through mentorship; country was now growing better accessibility, inde- include assistive technolo- ment, technological inno- dents and encouraging fa- tures, she said.
training programme for faculty; and encouraging into one of the best assis- pendence, and social in- gy in the policy vations, and research in in- culty start-ups. The session was moder-
students to visit villages and find problems they tive technology hubs in the clusion. Several of them framework. clusive start-ups would Besides hackathons and ated by Ramya Kannan,
need solutions for. The institute plans to train world. were from Tamil Nadu,” he Noting that persons help in improving the eco- project-based courses, stu- Chief of Bureau, Tamil Na-
1,000 faculty on AI by December 2025, and this “The number of start- said. with disabilities cannot be nomic impact of including dents are encouraged to du, The Hindu.
will lead to a lot of changes, he said.
“Around 600 faculty have been trained and
support students in their entrepreneurial efforts,”
the V-C said. The institute had 475 patents and
about 10% of them were at the technology readi-
ness level (TRL) 6.
‘Students build, iterate, and refine an
Industry inputs
“Unless we get inputs from the industry, we will
not be able to proceed,” he said, and for this pur-
idea before it is ready for the market’
pose, the institute had started an industrial re-
search and innovation summit to showcase pa- The Hindu Bureau grammes, research, and technology and agri tech-
tents to experts. This has helped some patents to CHENNAI development, as well as nology,” he added.
move to the next level of tech transfer and some the people, who are our Pointing out the diffe-
others to the level of product development. “Pre- An idea is not just an idea; key strength,” he added. rences between the early
sent-day students are not going to rural areas. We students build on it, iter- Narrating an incident days of Silicon Valley and
insist that students go to villages and identify chal- ate, learn, and build on it about developing a motor the start-up ecosystem in Sivarajah Ramanathan, Mission Director and Chief Executive Officer,
lenges and come up with tangible solutions,” he again, said Ananth Kumar, for an e-bike, Dr. Ananth India, Dr. Ananth Kumar StartupTN, speaking at the session on Thursday. B. JOTHI RAMALINGAM
said. associate director of Entre- Kumar said: “It takes over said there was access to
To encourage such students, open elective
courses with credits are offered. “These help our
students to think differently and encourage them
preneurship and Innova-
tion, SRM Institute of
Science and Technology
four years to nurture a
deep-tech product, bring it
to market, and turn it into
risk capital, or patient cap-
ital, where investors were
willing to wait.
State wants to take
to become entrepreneurs,” the V-C said.
So far, the institute had incubated 45 compa-
nies, of which 11 had graduated from the campus
(SRMIST), in Chennai on
Thursday.
Speaking during a ses-
Ananth Kumar

jatha, Deputy Editor, The

an investable company. If
the founders have persis-
tence, passion, and the re-
“So, the best innovators
went there and pitched
ideas. They received the
innovation to villages,
and were doing well. The institute’s pre-incuba-
tion centre was open to all, he added.
sion, ‘Fireside Chat: Nur-
turing Startups from Cam-
Hindu.
Recalling the inception
silience to stay the course,
they will succeed. We want
capital and delivered. Sta-
tistics show that over 30%
says StartupTN CEO
pus to the Global Scale – of incubator cells, he said to focus on such start-ups.” of Silicon Valley start-ups
Building Entrepreneurial he and his colleagues had Stating that they are fo- have Indian founders. The Hindu Bureau pects — gender inclusivity,
Ecosystems in Universi- visited many incubation cusing on setting up a Now, in India, we have CHENNAI caste inclusivity, and geo-
ties’, he said: “This sort of cells across the country. Centre of Excellence for created a lot of resources graphical inclusivity. We
cycle helps students grow, “We then worked on our Rural Technology, he said for risk capital — from go- The Tamil Nadu Startup have over 40 different
as the idea goes through strengths, as that is the on- it would come up on the vernment grants to angel and Innovation Mission schemes,” he added.
multiple iterations and, at ly way to build an active new campus, as it is con- investors. The problem is (StartupTN) will be launch- Throwing statistics on
some point, becomes rea- and growing incubator. nected to 100 villages. “We not in finding funding, but ing a scheme called Gra- how the start-up ecosys-
dy for the market.” He was The strength of SRM is its want to focus on making it in finding the right pro- mam Thorum Puthozhil tem has grown over the last
in conversation with R. Su- diversity in terms of pro- an innovation hub on rural blem,” he added. (Establishing Start-ups in three years, Mr. Ramanath-
Villages) this year, focusing an said Tamil Nadu cur-
on inclusive entrepreneur- rently had over 10,700
ship, rural innovation, and start-ups.

‘Mindset shift crucial to building global brands from small towns’ sustainable
growth.
economic

“We want to take the

When the moderator
asked him about the yard-
stick used to define start-
culture of innovation and ups, he said: “In 2023, the
The Hindu Bureau said. Retention of talent, Regulations by various tricts did not imitate entre- entrepreneurship to villag- Government of Tamil Nadu
CHENNAI digital divide and lack of government authorities preneurship in urbanscape es,” Sivarajah Ramanath- introduced a policy that
resources were some of the were another deterrent for but created their own iden- an, Mission Director and slightly modified the Go-
Mindset shift is the need of challenges faced by entre- aspiring entrepreneurs. tity and promoted their Chief Executive Officer, vernment of India’s defini-
the hour to build global preneurs in south Tamil Nearly 65% of the regulato- culture and traditions StartupTN, said in a fire- tion of a start-up. While the
brands from small towns. Nadu. ry reforms fall within the through their ventures, he side chat on “Harnessing Centre defines a start-up as
This was one of the key de- Panellists also spoke on purview of the State. Be- added. Innovation: Tamil Nadu’s being less than 10 years old
liberations at a session or- the self-imposed con- sides revamping education A framework was being Role in the Global Startup with a turnover of less than
ganised as part of The Hin- straints among the entre- for research, entrepre- built in south Tamil Nadu, Ecosystem.” The session ₹100 crore, Tamil Nadu’s
du Tamil Nadu Startup preneurs in the southern neurs must draw examples taking into account affor- was moderated by Kunal policy revised the turnover
Summit-25 in the city on districts which were res- from other countries like dability, accessibility and Shankar, Deputy Business threshold to ₹50 crore.”
Thursday. tricting them from scaling Israel and Vietnam that availability. It was time to Editor, The Hindu. “Additionally, to sup-
The summit was hosted up their business. have built thriving busi- prepare the workforce for Highlighting the various port social impact, Tamil
by The Hindu along with Chandu Nair, start-up advisor, Akhila Rajeshwar, executive director, On the funding pattern ness ecosystem. AI driven future and create initiatives of StartupTN, Nadu’s definition expands
SRM Institute of Science TiE, Chennai, and Sivakumar Palanisamy, vice-president, StartupTN and investors, Chandu Describing south Tamil new streams of business Mr. Ramanathan said: beyond new innovations.
and Technology and co- during the panel discussion on Thursday. B. VELANKANNI RAJ Nair, start-up advisor and Nadu as trade zone, Siva- models, Mr. Palanisamy “Our primary mandate is For example, while e-com-
presented by StartupTN in member, executive board, kumar Palanisamy, vice- said. Panellists underlined to create a good ecosystem merce may no longer be
association with Sify Tech- jeshwar, said the organisa- TiE had now turned its The Chennai Angels, said president, StartupTN, said the need to prepare entre- for start-up companies to considered an innovation,
nologies. tion was now present in 37 focus from start-ups to mi- Tamil Nadu was yet to de- many entrepreneurs were preneurs to experiment start and grow in the State. if a marginalised commun-
Tracing The Indus En- districts across the State. cro, small and medium en- velop a robust ecosystem reluctant partially due to and explore their potential We are creating funding ity — such as a tribal one —
trepreneurs (TiE)-Chen- She was addressing the ses- terprises and holds net- of entrepreneurs and en- fear of failures and called to build international schemes; we are working is using an online platform
nai’s journey in inspiring, sion on ‘Nurturing Entre- working events in terprises interested in for a change of mindset. brands. Sangeetha Kanda- with Venture Capitalists to to sell their products, it
mentoring and networking preneurship in south Tamil vernacular language to be funding start-ups through StartupTN, with regional vel, Senior Assistant Edi- connect with start-ups. qualifies as a start-up to
entrepreneurs, its execu- Nadu: Opportunities and more accessible to entre- efforts like equity invest- hubs in various places, had tor, The Hindu, moderated Our policy focuses on us,” Mr. Ramanathan ad-
tive director, Akhila Ra- Challenges.’ preneurs in the State, she ment. learnt that southern dis- the session. three major inclusive as- ded.

Cybersecurity should be built into the design in a start-up firm: Sify Digital Services CEO
The Hindu Bureau jayaraghavan, Chief Tech- as they don’t want to miss curity spending is an inte- They should ensure that to be built from day one,”
CHENNAI nology Officer, The Hindu the opportunity for the gral part of the product they do what is minimally he said.
Group, on ‘Cybersecurity product and want to be build. “The start-up is fi- required.” “Not all founding teams
‘Security should be there in the Startup World: Why ahead of the competitor. nancially constrained but Stressing that the con- come with technology ex-
by design’ is a mantra that Stakeholders Can’t Afford They genuinely don’t know everybody starts out that sumer should also be posure. Its important for
every cybersecurity start- to Ignore It’. if it is secure and lastly, way. If you compromise on aware of the importance of founders to present them-
up should follow, said C.R. Speaking on the mis- ‘we’ll see when it happens’ cybersecurity, the cost of security, Mr. Srinivasan selves in a way that funding
Srinivasan, chief executive takes done by start-ups in attitude. However, it be- non conformance to secur- said the start-ups needed firms understand that they
officer (CEO), Sify Digital the initial stages, he said: comes a significant road- ity is very high. Its not just to understand that their care about cybersecurity.
C.R. Srinivasan, CEO, Sify Digital Services, in conversation with Services, in Chennai on “Most of the time they block at some point if they financial loss but also repu- reputation was at stake and The firm that’s funding
Suresh Vijayaraghavan, Chief Technology Officer, The Hindu Group, Thursday. He was in a con- want any product to hit the don’t think about cyberse- tational loss. It is someth- it could not be built mid- should also ask for that,”
at the session on Thursday. B. VELANKANNI RAJ versation with Suresh Vi- market as soon as possible curity.” He said cyberse- ing they need to balance. way on the journey. “It has he added.
CM M ND-NDE
YK
 THE HINDU
Saturday, April 26, 2025 7
STARTUP SUMMIT-25
Delhi

Tamil Nadu is currently home to over

10,800 start-ups, says T.M. Anbarasan
Delivering the valedictory address at The Hindu Tamil Nadu Startup Summit-25, he says a regional innovation centre will come up in Thoothukudi,
and innovation centres have already been set up in several districts; he also says govt. is providing entrepreneurship training to students in the State

The Hindu Bureau duled Castes and Sche- launch the remaining com- Sadique Ahmed, CEO, Pathfinder, speaking at the fireside
CHENNAI duled Tribes (SC/STs) start- panies soon,” he added. chat at the summit on Thursday. B. VELANKANNI RAJ
ups). The government has Mr. Anbarasan also men-

U
ntil March 2021, on-
ly 2,032 start-ups
were registered in
given a total of ₹69.99
crore in funding,” he said.
“Launch pad pro-
tioned how 59,584 entre-
preneurs were created.
This includes 21,281 are
Retail has to
operate both
Tamil Nadu, and now, this grammes are being con- women, 9,224 are from SC/
number has increased to ducted to introduce new STs, 2,497 are from minor-
over 10,800 and nearly businesses. ‘Pre Incuba- ity communities and 717

physically and
50% of these are founded tion Centres’ have been set are disabled individuals.
by women, Tamil Nadu’s up in educational institu- “These initiatives have pro-
Minister for Micro, Small tions across cities in Tamil moted entrepreneurship
and Medium Enterprises Nadu,” he added. across all sections of socie-
(MSMEs) T.M. Anbarasan
said.
The Minister said that at
the Global Investors Meet,
ty, ensuring equality and
social justice, as envi-
digitally: expert
Delivering the valedicto- which was held in January sioned by Chief Minister
ry address at The Hindu Ta- last year, around 5,068 M.K. Stalin,” he said.
mil Nadu Startup Sum- memoranda of under- Suresh Balakrishna, The Hindu Bureau
mit-25, the Minister said a standing were signed in Chief Revenue Officer, The CHENNAI
regional innovation centre the MSMEs sector. These Hindu Group (THG), felici-
f1ccf833-44c4-4575-b5cd-33fe76bd21c0

f1ccf833-44c4-4575-b5cd-33fe76bd21c0
had been planned in Minister T.M. Anbarasan felicitating N. Ram, Director, THG Publishing Private Limited, in the presence of agreements are expected tated the Minister in the “Retail has evolved over the years and the main
Thoothukudi in this fiscal. L.V. Navaneeth, the group’s CEO, at the valedictory event of The Hindu Tamil Nadu Startup Summit-25 to generate employment presence of L.V. Nava- driver is the consumer,” said Sadique Ahmed,
“In the last four years, re- on Thursday. B. VELANKANNI RAJ for 91,785 people. “And of neeth, Chief Executive Of- CEO, Pathfinder, at The Hindu Tamil Nadu Startup
gional innovation centres these, around 2,360 com- ficer (CEO), THG Publish- Summit-25 that was organised by The Hindu along
have been established in Mr. Anbarasan shared 31,11,000 students study- novation training. Over panies have already been ing Private Limited, and with SRM Institute of Science and Technology,
Erode, Tirunelveli, Hosur, details of various projects ing in schools and colleges 205 start-ups have benefit- launched, entailing invest- Sivarajah Ramanathan, and co-presented by StartupTN in association
Salem, Cuddalore, Thanja- that were executed in the have been provided with ed under the TANSEED ments of ₹25,097 crore. Mission Director and CEO, with Sify Technologies.
vur, and Coimbatore.” last four years. “Around entrepreneurship and in- scheme (including 36 Sche- Work is in progress to StartupTN. In a conversation with John Xavier, Editor–
Technology, The Hindu, on the topic ‘Democratis-
ing Retail – How AI is empowering business of all
sizes’, Mr. Ahmed said that in retail, those who

Delving into disruptive powers of AI and digitalisation, adapted and changed succeeded, while tradition-
al retailers were struggling. “The reason for suffer-
ing is the gap has widened now... unless someth-
ing miraculously comes to their rescue... they

and the need to upskill workforce to bring in change would perish,” he said referring to the technolog-
ical advancements happening in this particular
sector.
He explained how technology had improved
The Hindu Bureau it used to be the cloud you implement any policy, and how one knew what the consumer would be
CHENNAI when we approached cus- we also need to be able to buying during the weekend.
tomers as we are a cloud- get feedback. There has to
Artificial intelligence (AI) only platform. The whole be a feedback loop from Evolution and adoption of technology
can be leveraged in indus- perception that cloud is the MSMEs. There has to He also pointed out that technology had evolved
tries, colleges, or schools. bad in many cases or not be a structured format of but the adoption was not there. “This is purely be-
Individuals can learn AI, very secure sometimes policy for every sector cause the availability of tech is limited or cost of
apply it in their jobs and puts fundamental blocks in based on their revenue. embracing it is high and also there is a herd men-
upskill themselves to find a the company’s mind. So That’s how all the players tality like ‘let somebody do it and then I’ll follow’,”
next job, said Ashwin Desi- winning trust over the cus- would benefit.” Pointing to he added.
kan, co-founder and CTO, tomer with what they are the range anxiety that peo- Noting that quick commerce had always been
Atsuya Technologies, at observing was key.” ple might feel when they around, Mr. Ahmed said that neighbourhood
The Hindu Tamil Nadu own an electric vehicle as stores were like quick commerce catering to
Startup Summit-25 in Feedback loop one of the challenges in the neighbourhood needs and delivery at homes.
Chennai on Thursday. Highlighting the need for a sector, Phunith Kumar V., “But they lost because they did not keep up the
Speaking about how AI feedback loop, Tamizh In- CPO, co-founder Raptee pace. The new platforms understood that sitting
and digitalisation will bring ian, founder, CEO, Frigate HV, said: “The best way to in one place they can know what consumers
in disruption, he said, Engineering Services Pvt. solve it is by having better want,” he said.
“Look at how we waste re- Ashwin Desikan, co-founder and CTO, Atsuya Technologies; Tamizh Inian, founder and CEO, Frigate Ltd., said: “I believe in tak- charging infrastructure or
sources today. We believe Engineering Services Private Limited, and Phunith Kumar V., CPO and co-founder, Raptee HV, during the ing Micro, Small and Medi- better energy density tech- Hybrid model
that labour is cheap. It is session on Thursday. B. VELANKANNI RAJ um Enterprises global. You nology than making a vehi- Mr. Ahmed added that most online platforms
not. Rather, we could have to become a global cle run longer on a single were also having a physical store now. “Why...be-
spend that time in cross have full conversations Change’, moderated by Ku- kan drew the example of vendor so that their mar- charge. Putting on bigger cause experiential buying will never die. Phygital
skilling or upskilling them with it.” He was speaking in nal Shankar, Deputy Busi- emergency management gins can rise. If they do op- battery pads is not going to is the solution — Retail has to be there physically
and that would bring in the a panel discussion on ‘Dig- ness Editor, The Hindu. system of the Greater eration efficiency using solve it. These are the and digitally,” he said. He also touched upon how
change. Today, the power ital Transformation: Star- Talking about the challeng- Chennai Corporation and digital there would be a lot things we need to work consumers were expecting rewards on their
of AI is such that you can tup as a Catalyst for es that they faced, Mr. Desi- said, “In the initial stages, of benefit for them. Even if on.” spends and how brands were chasing this trend.

‘Healthcare industry is in need of Experts stress need for early exposure to

technology intervention at all levels’ entrepreneurial experiences in schools
The Hindu Bureau neering,” said Dr. Lallu The Hindu Bureau
CHENNAI about the digital transfor- CHENNAI
mation in healthcare. She
Healthcare industry re- urged youngsters to visit Instilling entrepreneurial
quires technology inter- hospitals and see if their education at the school le-
vention at all levels — from idea could solve a pro- vel is key to shaping the fu-
patient care to maintaining blem. ture. Educational institu-
hospital records and even Dr. Ganapathy agreed tions have a pivotal role in
a hospital’s functioning. that any innovator who providing early exposure
The opportunities are ma- showed evidence that tech- to creative thinking among
ny for the passionate. Of- nology could transform a students, said experts in a
ten a personal setback or service in the healthcare session organised at The
requirement triggers inno- sector would receive sup- Hindu Tamil Nadu Startup From left, Chandran Krishnan, MD and CEO, Campus Angels Network; Revathi Venkatraman, professor
vation and a start-up is port to develop their Summit-25 held in Chennai and chairperson, School of Computing, SRMIST; Shaivee Malik, co-founder and COO, Yotuh Energy;
born, said panellists at a Panellists at the ‘Healthtech Innovations: Revolutionising Healthcare product. on Thursday. Sudharshan Varatharajan, co-founder and CEO, Bversity; and Krishnan Balasubramanian, professor,
session on ‘Healthtech In- in Tamil Nadu’ session held on Thursday. B. VELANKANNI RAJ Dr. Adith said now there The summit was organ- IIT-Madras, at the session on Thursday. B. JOTHI RAMALINGAM
novations: Revolutionising were 250 students per ised by The Hindu along
Healthcare in Tamil Nadu’ MediSim VR. Boopesh Pu- up with contactless remote MBBS class and with clini- with SRM Institute of translational effects. Every ic environment. They are said such cells were part of
on Thursday. gazhendi, consultant neu- monitoring of vital param- cal material in short sup- Science and Technology, institution must commit it- motivated to embrace fai- the ecosystem and helped
The event was present- rosurgeon at Naruvi Hospi- eters for their uncle who ply, virtual reality labs and co-presented by Star- self to creating an entre- lures, adopt solutions, and discuss issues with other
ed by The Hindu and SRM tal, Vellore, said the was being treated at the were an option to ensure tupTN in association with preneurial ecosystem and emerge resilient.” start-up founders. Mentor-
Institute of Science and hospital had gone paper- hospital. that a healthcare profes- Sify Technologies. take learning beyond the Emphasising the intro- ship and motivation were
Technology and co-pre- less, a concept that pa- Hospitals made it a prac- sional could have a certifia- Addressing the session classrooms. Students have duction of entrepreneurial important particularly for
sented by StartupTN in as- tients and hospital staff tice now to install sensors ble level of competency be- on ‘Startup Success Begins to look at technological skills at school level, she those venturing into a sec-
sociation with Sify Tech- equally found difficult to under patients’ beds to fore starting to treat in the Classroom: The Pow- learning and also raise said college students were tor without background.
nologies. grasp. According to him, monitor them. Use of apps patients. er of Education in Innova- funds for their ventures. exposed to a series of inter- Sudarshan Varathara-
Neurosurgeon K. Gana- the challenge was training to monitor workforce had Innovators could rope tion’, Krishnan Balasubra- He said students need to ventions, including boot jan, co-founder and CEO,
pathy, who moderated the the hospital staff. improved patient satisfac- in doctors or hospitals to manian, Institute be on board early to cultiv- camps and interaction Bversity, too underlined
session, recalled his days Lallu Joseph, quality tion, she said. have their innovation test- professor, IIT-Madras, ate innovation skills. The with successful entrepre- the significance of intro-
as a practising clinician, manager and associate Dr. Boopesh said clinical ed. Their feedback would spoke about his experienc- concept must spread to neurs. ducing entrepreneurial ex-
when advanced technolo- general superintendent at history taking in hospitals not only help fine-tune the es in mentoring start-ups. other streams such as agri- These interventions periences early in schools
gy was non-existent. In his Christian Medical College, had undergone a transfor- product but also convince The focus was to enable cultural institutions apart boosted their confidence and said it would help
generation, students Vellore, recalled a personal mation with the introduc- a funding agency to offer fi- mindset change among fa- from engineering colleges. to cope with failures. They mindset among students
learned by practising on experience to explain how tion of technology. The nancial support, Dr. Lallu culty and students to bring also learnt about the chal- and expose them to busi-
patients but today’s medi- healthcare innovations State government used said. deep tech solutions from ‘Discuss failed attempts’ lenges faced by rural peo- ness and innovation skills.
cal students could learn happen. technology to monitor the Dr. Adith said simula- lab to market. Revathi Venkatraman, pro- ple through community Chandran Krishnan,
through simulation labora- “Technology is trans- outbreak of diseases such tion laboratories were wel- Noting that expectations fessor and chairperson, connect programmes and managing director and
tories. forming healthcare deliv- as dengue and pneumonia. come in medical colleges. about educational institu- School of Computing, SRM came up with socially rele- chief executive officer,
In fact, the National ery. There are kids who are The high penetration of “There was never any mo- tions had evolved from Institute of Science and vant solutions, she added. Campus Angels Network
Medical Commission had revolutionising health- smartphones had helped dality (to find out) whether teaching, research to me- Technology, said, “Stu- Pointing out that incu- who moderated the ses-
mandated simulation labo- care,” she said, explaining the State monitor non- a student knows how to trics of patents and their dents are encouraged to bation cells were a source sion, said universities were
ratories, said Adith Chin- how their passion for communicable diseases in handle an emergency. translational effect, he said discuss failed attempts and of support to start-ups, becoming hubs for entre-
naswami, a laparoscopic tracking race cars helped a the population, he added. Now, we have one,” he building start-up ecosys- promote the culture of en- Shaivee Malik, co-founder preneurship, innovation,
surgeon and co-founder of couple of youngsters come “It is more reverse engi- said. tems was one of the strong trepreneurship in academ- and COO, Yotuh Energy, and incubation.
CM M ND-NDE
YK
 THE HINDU
8 Saturday, April 26, 2025

Editorial Delhi

Teaching children to eat well must begin in school

ast month, world leaders gathered in to make healthy choices. Their diets are often ones that include a variety of local, seasonal, and

A gathering storm
Pakistan must eliminate the terror
groups working on its soil
L Paris for the Nutrition for Growth (N4G)
Summit. It was also a time for the
United Nations General Assembly
(UNGA) to announce the extension of the United
Nations Decade of Action on Nutrition, from its
shaped by habits, peer influence, or advertising
rather than nutrition or tradition. As a result,
many children skip breakfast, eat too few fruits
and vegetables, and consume too much sugar
and processed food.
culturally familiar foods. These diets provide
better nutrition, support local farmers, reduce
environmental impact, and preserve traditional
food knowledge.

he diplomatic actions against Pakistan ta- original timeframe of 2016-25, to 2030. This Pawan Agarwal It must be a part of school life

T ken on Wednesday by India’s Cabinet

Committee on Security in reaction to the
Pahalgam terror attack are a measured set of res-
extension seeks to sustain the global momentum
to end all forms of malnutrition and align efforts
more closely with the 2030 Agenda for
is Founder-CEO, Food
Future Foundation
and former CEO, Food
Importance of dietary diversity
A key casualty is dietary diversity — eating a
variety of foods to get all the nutrients the body
Teaching children to eat well should not be
limited to one-off awareness sessions or
occasional activities. It needs to be woven into
ponses that indicate a larger escalation could fol- Sustainable Development. Safety and Standards needs. The UN recently adopted Minimum school life. This means having weekly lessons
low. The decisions such as to cancel visas given to This could be a turning point in nutrition not Authority of India Dietary Diversity as a global indicator under with age-appropriate, well-designed learning
Pakistani nationals, suspend consular opera- only to accelerate progress but also to shift the (FSSAI) Sustainable Development Goal 2 (End Hunger). It materials, supported by healthier school
tions, and to close the Attari border Integrated focus beyond food access — to understanding simply asks: did a child eat at least five of 10 food canteens, kitchen gardens, simple cooking
Check Post (ICP) carry New Delhi’s message that what people eat, how they eat, and why they eat, groups in the last 24 hours? sessions, and student-led campaigns. These
it does not wish to engage with Pakistan above especially when it comes to children. Nutrition is Sadly, in many places — including both cities real-life experiences help children build lasting
the absolute minimum levels required. Some of not just a health concern. It is intricately and villages in India — most children do not. knowledge, habits, and values around food,
these measures had followed previous attacks in- connected to education, equity and Their diets lack variety, which harms their health health, and well-being.
cluding Pulwama (2019). The decision to put the environmental sustainability. and reflects deeper problems in our food systems Around the world, schools are already showing
Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) in abeyance until Pa- So far, global nutrition efforts have rightly and education. what is possible — students growing vegetables,
kistan acts “credibly” against terror groups focused on the first 1,000 days of life — from Poor diets are linked to malnutrition, cooking simple meals, reading food labels, and
means that India will enforce its earlier decision conception to two years of age — as a critical childhood obesity, chronic diseases such as learning how their food choices affect their
to suspend all meetings of the Permanent Com- window to prevent malnutrition. But we now diabetes, and mental health issues. Research health and the planet.
mission that oversees implementation of the trea- know that the next 4,000 days matter just as shows that almost 70% preventable adult diseases In India, the National Education Policy and the
ty, end site visits by Pakistani water teams to In- much. This includes the period of adolescent begin with habits formed in childhood — School Health and Wellness Programme have
dia and continue with hydropower and desilting growth spurt — a time of rapid physical, especially eating habits. This highlights the urgent created room for such integrated learning. But we
projects along the tributaries — measures to emotional, and behavioural changes and offering need to start early, and schools are the best place need a clearer structure, comprehensive
which Pakistan had raised objections. Pakistan’s a second window of opportunity to overcome to build healthy habits. curriculum, at least one dedicated weekly session
response is an attempt to mirror Indian mea- early childhood deficits. Yet, food and nutrition education is missing in all through the academic year, appropriate
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sures, without even trying to address the anguish Good nutrition during this phase can help most classrooms or is out-dated and not linked to learning resources, and properly trained
in India. Nor does it indicate it is willing to track children catch up on growth and set the real life. The absence of a proper curriculum and teachers.
down the perpetrators, despite the fact that The foundation for long-term health. But to do that, age-appropriate learning resources make it even Children must be seen not only as learners but
Resistance Force (TRF), which claimed responsi- we must shift our focus from just feeding children harder to teach children how to eat well. also as key influencers. With the right knowledge
bility for the attack, is a front for the Pakistan- to teaching them how to eat well. Teachers often lack the training and the tools to and tools, they can influence their families,
based LeT. Islamabad has also cancelled visas, A side event at the Paris summit — “Learn to teach it well. Without structured guidance, friends, and even their communities — whether
cut mission strength and has shut down all trade. Eat Well: Bio-diverse Diets and Youth as Agents of schools struggle to deliver meaningful food and by asking for better school meals, reducing food
Pakistan has threatened to suspend other bilater- Change” — made this point loud and clear. It nutrition education. waste, or spreading awareness about healthy
al agreements including the practically defunct signals a global shift in thinking: that food and This is why we need a structured and eating. In the end, learning to eat well is not just
1972 Simla Agreement, which had most notably nutrition education must begin in schools, go age-appropriate curriculum that goes beyond about food. It is about helping children to care for
converted the ceasefire line into the Line of Con- beyond counting calories, and help children food groups and includes lifestyle habits and their health, understand their culture, respect the
trol and abjured third party mediation on Kash- make choices that are good for themselves and Food literacy is environmental awareness. It should start early — planet, and grow into thoughtful, responsible
mir. It also suggested that India’s suspension of the planet. no longer a at the preschool level — and grow with the child citizens. In a world facing the dual burdens of
the IWT would be seen as an “Act of War” if it luxury; the until at least the middle stage, helping them under-nutrition and overconsumption, climate
meant water flows to Pakistan are reduced, and A changing world focus must shift connect the dots between food, health, identity, change and cultural loss, food literacy is no
threatened tit for tat strikes if India conducts mil- Today, children are growing up in a world where and sustainability. longer a luxury — it is essential.
from just
itary operations that harm Pakistani citizens. food is everywhere — ordered with a tap, Such a curriculum could cover everything If we want to raise a generation that is
delivered to the door, and heavily marketed. feeding from how the human body works and the healthier, more compassionate, and better
All signs indicate the stage is being set for
further escalation in tensions and a possible mil- Choosing what to eat has become increasingly children to importance of diverse foods in our diets, to how prepared for the future, we must start by making
itary standoff. Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s complex. teaching them food systems impact the environment. A central learning to eat well a part of every child’s
message from a rally in Bihar is the threat of pun- Most children lack the knowledge and the skills how to eat well part of this must be promoting bio-diverse diets — education — starting today.
ishment “beyond imagination”. New Delhi is Join FREE Whatsapp Channel https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Van2VRb6RGJOKH6oBd0F
reaching out to countries around the world, Fo-
reign Secretary Vikram Misri is briefing foreign
envoys, while senior Ministers have briefed Op-
position leaders on the cross-border links. Given
A chance for India’s creative ecosystem to make waves
geopolitical currents, revulsion at such targeting
of innocent tourists, and a broad understanding
n the face of global trade tariffs and stock a launchpad for international success. WAVEX ads, while Amaze Studios and Offline Human
of India’s stand on the issue of cross-border terro-
rism, it is unlikely that other countries such as
the U.S. will press New Delhi to restrain its next
steps. The government must continue to take all
I market volatility, India shines as a resilient
economy. Leveraging its demographic
advantages and technological capabilities, India
will directly address barriers to capital,
mentorship, and global exposure, offering not
only financial support but also a structured
Studios are redefining storytelling through
animation and VR. Ed-tech ventures such as
InscapeXR and Vision Impact are transforming
stakeholders, especially the Jammu-Kashmir go- can turn challenges into opportunities, ecosystem for growth. Having started Biocon with learning with immersive media. Together, these
vernment into confidence. Pakistan could benefit positioning itself as a global ‘Creative just ₹10,000 and a vision, I understand the startups highlight the vast potential and global
Powerhouse.’ With a rich storytelling tradition, Kiran significance of such catalytic platforms. relevance of India’s creative ecosystem.
from reconsidering its disadvantageous position,
India’s Media & Entertainment (M&E) sector aims Mazumdar-Shaw As a supporter of the arts through initiatives
and even now, show that it is willing to work
against terror groups, and avert the impending to ‘Connect Creators’ worldwide through the is Chairperson, such as the Museum of Art and Photography A vision for the future
escalation. ‘Create in India, Create for the World’ vision. Biocon Group (MAP) and Science Gallery Bengaluru, I believe India has long been celebrated for its rich cultural
that a nation’s culture is rooted in both its arts heritage and enduring legacy of creativity.
Making a mark, globally and sciences. Both arts and science are rooted in This creative energy finds its most vibrant
Carrot and stick India is home to a burgeoning population of
young creators across various fields such as film,
creativity; scientists experiment in labs just as
artists do on canvas.
expression in our youth, who are the creators of
today and the visionaries of tomorrow. Across
The 2015 accord must be revived to music, art, and technology. Notably, Namit India, which thrives on the synergy of its film, music, animation, gaming, and digital
prevent Iran going nuclear Malhotra’s DNEG, the visual effects and demographic advantage, technological media, young Indian creators are pushing
he U.S. and Iran are currently engaged in animation studio demonstrated ground-breaking capabilities, and rich cultural heritage, is a boundaries and redefining genres.

T rare high-stakes diplomacy. They have

held two rounds of talks, in Muscat and in
Rome, with Oman as the mediator, about Teh-
VFX in the Oscar-winning success of Dune 2. This
marked India’s seventh Oscar victory,
highlighting India’s growing influence in the
flourishing hub of creativity. This fusion is not
merely philosophical in India; it is practical,
shaping industries and driving innovation within
The Indian government’s commitment to
nurturing this potential is evident in its support
for initiatives such as WAVES, which is designed
ran’s nuclear programme. A third technical global entertainment industry. The evolution the M&E sector. to foster a dynamic, innovative, and globally
round has been confirmed for the coming days. from traditional film-making to digital production With a storytelling tradition that spans competitive startup ecosystem in the Media and
However, tensions still remain high between the showcases the country’s capability in creating centuries, India is uniquely positioned to emerge Entertainment sector.
Trump administration and the Islamic Republic. world-class content. as a global creative powerhouse. From classical Today, through WAVES, we are not only
It was Donald Trump, during his first term, who WAVES Xcelerator (WAVEX), part of the dance to cinema, and from comics to immersive investing in startups, but we are also investing in
sabotaged a functioning multilateral agreement Government of India’s World Audio-Visual technology, we are entering an exciting era where storytelling, in self-expression, and in the creative
that had significantly curtailed Iran’s nuclear pro- Entertainment Summit (WAVES) 2025, aims to creativity intersects with cutting-edge innovation. economy that will define the future. Whether it is
gramme. Ever since, Iran has accelerated its nu- connect young creators with industry leaders and The vision of ‘Create in India, Create for the in a biotech lab or a digital studio, creativity is the
clear activities. While it has not yet decided to foster startup growth. World’ encapsulates this ambition perfectly. currency that will shape tomorrow’s industries
build a nuclear bomb, most assessments agree Scheduled for May 2025 in Mumbai, WAVES and identities.
that it has the capability to do so within weeks. At seeks to enhance India’s M&E startup ecosystem A catalyst for creative startups WAVES 2025 is more than a celebration of
the same time, Iran’s regional influence stands di- by providing mentorship, funding, and global WAVES exemplifies the beautiful convergence of India’s M&E industry; it is a launchpad for the
minished as a result of Israel’s attacks on its so- opportunities. The sector is projected to grow technology and storytelling. WAVEX is poised to next generation of creators and entrepreneurs
from ₹2,422 billion in 2023 to ₹3,067 billion by The World tap into this by supporting startups in innovative poised to transform how the world consumes
called axis of resistance and other regional shifts
such as the fall of Syria’s Assad regime. Israel is 2027, encompassing innovative fields such as Audio-Visual areas such as animation, AI, Augmented entertainment, education, and culture.
pressing for an attack on Iran’s nuclear facilities, gaming, Artificial Intelligence (AI), and the Entertainment Reality/Virtual Reality (AR/VR), gaming, and the As an advisory board member of WAVES, I am
but Mr. Trump, according to American reports, metaverse. Summit metaverse. proud to be part of this transformative journey.
has vetoed those plans, for now. Despite challenges in gaining recognition, (WAVES) 2025 With more than 4,500 sellers and over 5,900 The impact of this initiative will go far beyond
Mr. Trump has adopted a classic carrot-and- WAVES offers a platform for emerging startups to will be a buyers registered for the WAVES Bazaar, the studios and boardrooms, echoing in every story
stick approach. He said he wanted a deal with showcase their work to global investors. The initiative promises to connect Indian startups told, every startup scaled, and every innovation
launchpad for
Iran but with a warning that if talks failed, there initiative also includes women-led startups such with global players, accelerating India’s ascent as that challenges convention.
as Lapwing Studios and Vygr Media, fostering the next a leader in the global M&E landscape. India’s moment to lead a global creative
would be bombing. He has also launched a mas-
sive aerial campaign against Yemen’s Iran-aligned inclusivity within the M&E ecosystem. generation of WAVES also champions innovation beyond revolution is here. Let us ‘Create in India, Create
Houthis. In addition, the U.S. has ramped up its WAVES is committed to creating a dynamic creators and traditional media. Companies such as Erucanavis for the World’ and show the world the boundless
military presence in West Asia besides moving and competitive startup environment, serving as entrepreneurs Technologies are pioneering AI-driven playable power of our imagination.
B-2 bombers to the Indian Ocean region — all Join FREE Telegram Channel https://t.me/+Bu7senHpQdhlODg1
aimed at signalling to Iran that U.S. threats should
be taken seriously. But despite the combined mil- LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
itary might of the U.S. and Israel, any attack on
Iran would be catastrophic for regional security Now, action India must also not forget again. The Pahalgam ‘India will identify, trace and Saudi Arabia to further The crux of the problem is
and global economy. Iran’s nuclear facilities are All the steps taken by India that China too is waiting to carnage was a deliberate punish every terrorist isolate Pakistan, and identifying and locating the
scattered and underground, making them ex- in its anger to punish use water as a weapon. attempt to instil fear, fuel involved in this dastardly pressure China not to perpetrators of crime at
tremely difficult to destroy. It was precisely be- Pakistan could turn out to Therefore, what is required division, and weaponise assault’ — has obviously obstruct the listing of and Pahalgam. Without local
cause there was no viable military solution to the be double-edged swords. at the moment is not to religion. shaken Pakistan. sanctions on support and a recce, the
Iran nuclear issue that world powers chose the India cannot take back the over react. India needs to R. Sivakumar, India’s neighbour must note Pakistani-backed terrorists. attack could not have been
path of diplomacy in 2015, a path Mr. Trump had areas under the occupation take steps, patiently and Chennai that the bond between If China changes its stance, executed. Therefore, the
abandoned in 2018 for no good reason. Neverthe- of Pakistan (PoK) without diplomatically, to isolate India and Kashmir cannot it will be a major setback starting point is zeroing in
less, despite the challenges and geopolitical pres- unleashing a war which Pakistan from its staunch It is good to see that all be broken. Steps must be for Pakistan’s terror on local handlers. Once
sure, the recent initiation of talks by Mr. Trump could end up with supporters and to dent its political parties have risen taken to isolate radical and networks. The they are identified, the rest
and Iran opens a rare window of opportunity to catastrophic consequences influence in the Muslim as one and expressed their violent elements in unprecedented public anger of the investigation falls in
resolve the issue once and for all. For diplomacy given that both nations world. support to whatever Kashmir. after the Pahalgam attack is place. Last but not the least:
to succeed, the U.S. should act as a responsible possess nuclear weapons. A.Thirugnanasambantham, measures the Centre is Mani Nataraajan, severely damaging utmost restraint from both
global power that is committed to preventing ‘Annulling’ the Indus Waters Coimbatore going to take. Any response Chennai Pakistan’s narrative. Now is sides is the need of the hour
weaponisation of Iran’s nuclear programme, Treaty unilaterally is legally should not be too hasty, as the time for India to lest it become another
rather than as a partisan patron seeking to des- complex and might have What happened in it could cost the country India should not be vigorously expose Palestine issue.
troy Iran on Israel’s behalf. Iran, for its part, has significant risks for India’s Pahalgam will scar Kashmir goodwill. There needs to be satisfied with the initial Islamabad’s support for A.V. Narayanan,
signalled that it was open to scaling back its nu- international standing and for years to come. Precious a well-drafted plan based steps taken after the terrorism globally and also Chennai
clear activities in exchange for the removal of also ensuring regional lives have been lost, on sound intelligence. Pahalgam attack but should campaign to uproot all the Letters emailed to
sanctions and threats. The 2015 agreement, stability. Completely families shattered, and a S.V. Venkatakrishnan, systematically expose structures that fuel letters@thehindu.co.in
which limited Iran’s enrichment capabilities and stopping the natural flow of region already fatigued by Bengaluru Pakistan’s terror network terrorism. must carry the postal address
uranium stockpile, could serve as a reference rivers into Pakistan is also decades of suffering has globally. India should Mohammad Asad, and the full name or the name
point for a deal if talks progress constructively. not immediately feasible. been left in shock once India’s strong line — that leverage new allies such as Mumbai with initials.
CM M ND-NDE
YK
 THE HINDU
Saturday, April 26, 2025 9
GROUND ZERO
Delhi
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Shikara owners protest on the Dal Lake in Srinagar against the terrorist attack on tourists in Baisaran valley of Pahalgam in southern Kashmir. IMRAN NISSAR

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said anything, my husband asked them, ‘Why are given me two brothers,” she says. “Let Allah keep

The meadow cries you pointing guns at us? We have not done anyth-
ing.’ And they shot him,” she says, breaking
down.
Richa remembers that there was no escape.
They sat, frozen in fear. “After they left, we were
you safe,” were her parting words to them. On so-
cial media, when she recounted her words, social
media spewed anger and hatred. A national tra-
gedy was used to stoke hatred.

out in fear and grief

in a state of confusion. A few hours later, military Security at risk
and the police escorted us. There were very few Many tourists confirmed to security officials that
choppers. At such a major tourist destination, the terrorists were wearing khaki and black. The
how come there was no security?” she says. police has announced a reward of ₹20 lakh each
At the army base in Pahalgam, Anushka re- for information on Adil Hussain Thoker, a resi-
members, “A woman with two children was faint- dent of Anantnag; Ali Bhai alias Talha Bhai and
Baisaran, surrounded by the mighty Himalayas that stand against an azure sky, has fallen silent. Here, on April ing in fear. It was a nightmare we never thought Hasim Musa alias Suleiman, both Pakistan na-
we would encounter.” tionals. The houses of Thoker and another sus-
22, terrorists killed 24 tourists from across India, one from Nepal, and one local man who tried to protect pect Asif Sheikh from Tral in Pulwama district
them. Peerzada Ashiq reports on how, four days after, those who lost loved ones are in disbelief, the country Grief hits in many spaces have been demolished during search operations
The newly-wed Himanshi, 24, from Haryana’s by security forces, who believe they belong to the
collectively rages, while the people of Kashmir grieve the loss of a delicate peace Gurugram, sitting beside the body of her hus- banned Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), which has alleg-
band Lieutenant Vinay Narwal, 26, on the mea- edly claimed responsibility for the attack.
Join FREE Whatsapp Channel https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Van2VRb6RGJOKH6oBd0F dow, became the snapshot of the Pahalgam trage- Kashmir’s ruling National Conference leader
Trigger warning: The following has references to jured, 16 in all, have been shifted to the army hos- dy. The image was widely circulated on social and and Pahalgam MLA Altaf Kaloo sees a security
violence. Please avoid reading if you may be dis- pital in Srinagar. news media soon after the terror attack, just six lapse. “It’s a clear case of intelligence failure.
turbed by the details. Baisaran is out of bounds for tourists now. Pa- days after the two had tied the knot at a wedding Now, if they had intelligence and did not act,
estled at an altitude of 8,000 feet Suddenly we halgam was once Bollywood’s favourite haunt, ceremony in Mussoorie. questions need to be raised. A tourist spot not

N amidst lush pine forests, only the jun-

gle crows break the eerie silence
around the Baisaran meadow, 5 kilo-
metres from Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir. The
10-foot-high chain-linked fencing stands witness
heard
gunfire, but
mistook it
for some
where blockbusters like the Rajesh Khanna-star-
rer Roti (1974) and Ranbir Kapoor-starrer Rock-
star (2011) were shot. “Around 1,500 visitors
would visit Baisaran every day. It provided a live-
lihood to over 500 locals, from pony operators to
They had planned to fly to Switzerland
their honeymoon, but when they didn’t get a vi-
sa, decided on Pahalgam, often called mini Swit-
zerland. Vinay, who was from Karnal, in Harya-
na, dreamt of joining the Indian Air Force to
for manned by one armed policeman highlights the
grave lapse of security,” he says.
Officials in security agencies said there were
intelligence inputs about terrorists identifying a
“high-value target” in J&K. One input even identi-
to what happened here, between 2:40 p.m. and 3 adventure shawl sellers,” says Shafi Wani, another pony become a fighter pilot. Considered too tall at 6 fied the tourism industry as terrorists’ likely tar-
p.m. on April 22. In the light afternoon sun, when activity. In operator. feet, 3 inches, he joined the Indian Navy. get, officials said.
the meadow held about 250 people, most tou- no time, we Vinay’s father, Rajesh, a sales tax official in the Officials from the Home Ministry and the Intel-
rists, a group of at least four terrorists selectively Mumbai’s maidan mourns Haryana government, says, “This is going to stay ligence Bureau have said there was no police per-
saw men
killed 25 tourists and injured 16 others on the ba- On April 23, the grief shifted to another meadow: with us for the rest of our lives.” He keeps his mission to open the Baisaran meadow to tourists.
carrying
sis of their religion. A ponywala, one of about 150 Hundreds gathered in the evening in Bhagshala composure, remembering his son as an “out- Pahalgam is one of Kashmir’s three main holi-
who ferries people up to Baisaran, was also killed guns. Their maidan in Dombivli, on the outskirts of Mumbai, standing student” and a “dashing young officer”. day hill-stations, the other two being Gulmarg
when he tried to protect the tourists. faces were to mourn the deaths of cousins Atul Mone (42), In a video that went viral in the aftermath of and Sonmarg, all vulnerable to militants because
Outside the meadow, on the pony trek path, covered. Hemant Joshi (48), and Sanjay Lele (47), three the attack, Himanshi can be heard saying, “I was of tough topography. Baisaran has posed a chal-
mud and boulders bear the marks of the flying They asked victims of the Pahalgam terror attack. Dombivli eating bhelpuri and my husband was standing by lenge to security agencies in the past too. During
bullets. Slippers and shoes of varying sizes, in- us whether observed a bandh to protest the killings. my side. A man came and shot him.” the 2024 Amarnath yatra, it was closed for 52
cluding that of children, are half stuck in mud. we were The photos of the cousins lined Karve road, days, following sightings of armed men nearby.
Broken sunglasses, purses, shattered phones lie which was barricaded for vehicular movement. Breaking news On one side of Baisaran are craggy mountain
Hindu or
scattered. Inside the meadow, the In the maidan, on a stage cloaked in white, were Arathy Sarath, 37, from Kochi, Kerala, remem- cliffs, snow-capped peaks, and deep valleys, con-
orange and blue chairs of the open- Muslim four larger-than-life black-and-white pictures of the bers three things: her father, N. Ramachandran, necting Pahalgam with Kishtwar district’s War-
air food court that served noodles, times three men, forming a backdrop. A few metres 65, being shot dead; a gun thrust to the back of wan area in the Chenab valley. “It takes two to
tea, and paani puri, are scattered, ANUSHKA away were more pictures for people to pay hom- her head by the same militant moments later; three days of trekking from Baisaran to Warwan
marked with blood. The zipline at- MONE age with flowers. and her 7-year-old twins screaming. “I don’t valley,” a local trekker said.
Survivor
tached to a pine tree has fallen silent; At 8 p.m. the bodies were carried on to stage, know whether he intended to shoot me or did it Tensions between India and Pakistan escalat-
the zorbing balls are still. Even the fra- in the presence of Maharashtra’s Chief Minister, merely to scare me. He probably spared me after ed after the attack, with India downgrading di-
grance of pine is mixed with a stench. Devendra Fadnavis. The families bid their last hearing my children,” she says. Later, she joined plomatic ties with its neighbour, holding the 1960
goodbyes, before taking the bodies to the crema- the others fleeing down the hilltop along the Indus Waters Treaty in abeyance, and asking that
Going downhill tion ground, about 2 km away, on foot. horse route to the town. She rang her local cab Pakistani citizens leave the country by April 27.
“I cannot sleep after what I saw. I stood there Before the caskets were lifted, the crowd driver, Musafir, who drove them away to safety. Pakistan closed air space for Indian carriers and
scanning one body after another. Women and chanted in anger, “Pakistan Murdabad!” Mone’s Sheela, Sarath’s mother, did not go to Baisa- the Pakistan army reportedly fired across the
children were wailing, calling for help. The scene daughter, Richa, a 12th-grade student, per- ran, as it involved a steep trek. “In the hotel Line of Control.
keeps playing in my mind when I try to sleep,” formed the last rites for her father. On April 20, room, I ensured the cable TV network remained
says Abdul Waheed Wani, 38, a pony owner who the three families had boarded a train to Ahme- disconnected. Even when I spoke to the cops, I Tourism season takes a hit
is also president of the Baisaran Pony Operators dabad, then flew to Srinagar for a vacation they asked them not to tell my mother about the trage- According to J&K government figures, the State
Association. Abdul and his younger brother Sajad had been planning for a while. dy,” she says. Later, at the Srinagar airport, she has seen an upswing in tourist footfall over the
Wani, were the first to reach the spot after the ter- A day after the funeral, Atul’s wife, Anushka, shielded her mother from those mourning. Shee- past few years. In 2024, there was a record 2.36
rorists’ guns fell silent. He says he froze for a mi- recounts the horrific day: “We had reached Bais- la didn’t know her husband’s body was on the crore visitors, with a revival in border tourism for
nute, then gathered himself and choking, sent a aran around 1 or 1.30. Suddenly we heard gun- same flight on which she returned. the first time in 30 years, in regions like Gurez,
voice note to a WhatsApp group of pony opera- fire, but mistook it for some adventure activity. “Musafir and another local driver, Sameer, Keran, and Karnah.
tors. “There are bodies on the ground, injured. In no time, we saw men carrying guns. Their fac- were with me all through, including when I stood In the forests and small hamlets between Lan-
We need help. Rush all horsemen and ponywalas es were covered. They asked us whether we were outside the morgue until 3 in the morning. They ganbal and Yanner, adjacent to Pahalgam, a 10-
to Baisaran,” he had said, in Urdu. Hindu or Muslim four times. When none of us treated me like a younger sister. Kashmir has now km long stretch, dozens of new hotels are being
Abdul also shot a video of the scene to share constructed. “The hotels came up with the hope
on the group, to give them the scale of the trage- that all segments of tourists could be catered to,”
dy. The video has been shared across social me- says Niyaz Ahmad, a hotelier. “People took huge
dia many times now. Then, he says, he moved loans from banks to invest in the tourism sector.
from person to person saying, “Sab theek ho jay- The investments are gone for now,” he adds.
ga” (Everything will be fine). Looking back, Ab- From hoteliers to cab owners, the act of terror
dul recalls he was reassuring a child whose father has dented the prospects of tourism in Kashmir.
was dead, and two women whose husbands were Tanveer Ahmad, 33, has run cabs for tourists for
killed. “I couldn’t tell the child his father was many years. This year, Ahmad bought four more
dead. I decided to focus on shifting people to Pa- taxis against loans. “Most of my cabs were
halgam hospital. Many were shifted on horse- booked for April and May. Within 24 hours of the
back. My brother Sajad carried one injured tou- Pahalgam attack, there were 47 cancellations for
rist on his shoulders,” says Abdul. April and 28 for May,” Ahmad says.
The duo emptied a vendor’s charpoy full of Tilak Singh, 38, a lawyer from Tamil Nadu, is
sunglasses and converted it into a stretcher to staying put. “We decided to stay back because
shift the injured. He remembers that many tou- our hosts provided us a sense of security and hos-
rists who climbed the fencing were killed outside pitality,” says Singh.
the boundary wall. Syed Adil Hussain Shah, 28, a With inputs from Purnima Sah, Ashok Kumar,
ponywala from Anantnag district’s Hapatnar, and M.P. Praveen
was shot dead for resisting the attackers. The in- A day after people were killed, security personnel patrol Pahalgam, in Anantnag district; a tourist in shock and grief. IMRAN NISSAR & ANI peerzada.ashiq@thehindu.co.in
CM M ND-NDE
YK
 THE HINDU
10 Saturday, April 26, 2025

News Delhi

From Page One SC stays summons to Rahul NEET-UG paper

Tension grips LoC amid Gandhi in defamation case leak prime accused
crackdown on militants arrested in Patna
Stressing the synergy between security agencies,
Mr. Sinha underlined the need to identify perpe-
over remarks on Savarkar Amit Bhelari
PATNA
trators, enablers, and overground workers who The Bench cautions Congress leader against making derogatory comments on freedom fighters;
supported the Pahalgam killings. “Every perpetra- says it will take suo motu action against the Leader of Opposition if he makes such remarks again The suspected mastermind
tor and supporter of the Pahalgam terror attack, in the National Eligibility-
whatever his location or affiliation, must be hunt- cum-Entrance Test (Under-
ed and they must pay the heavy price for the co- Krishnadas Rajagopal tional level”. Mr. Singhvi graduate) 2024 question
wardly and dastardly act against our citizens,” the NEW DELHI submitted it was not Mr. paper leak case, Sanjeev
Lieutenant Governor told the top army officials. Gandhi’s intention to Mukhiya, was arrested by
Apart from the Army Chief, the meeting was at- he Supreme Court create enmity between the the Economic Offences Un-
tended by GOC-in-C Northern Command Lt. Gen.
M.V. Suchindra Kumar, Deputy Chief of Army Staff
Lt. Gen. Pratik Sharma, and GoC 15 Corps Lt. Gen.
T on Friday stayed
summons issued to
Congress leader and Lead-
classes.
“But this is not the way
you treat our freedom
it (EOU) team in Patna on
Friday.
Mukhiya was also want-
Prashant Srivastava. er of the Opposition in the fighters when you do not ed in several other paper Sanjeev Mukhiya
Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi in know anything about the leak cases in Bihar and he
Militants’ homes razed a defamation case accusing history, geography of In- was reported to be ab- charge for cooperation in
Meanwhile, the homes of two Kashmiri LeT terro- him of making derogatory dia… Somebody of your sconding for the last 11 this regard.
rists suspected of being behind the Pahalgam at- remarks against Hindutva stature, the leader of a pol- months. Later, the Special Opera-
tack were destroyed. The houses of Asif Sheikh at ideologue V.D. Savarkar itical party, why should Speaking to The Hindu, tion Team of the EOU was
Tral, Pulwama district, and Adil Thoker in Bijbeh- during his Bharat Jodo Ya- you foment trouble like EOU Additional Director directed to conduct a raid
ara, Anantnag, were razed to the ground, appa- tra in Maharashtra last this? In Calcutta, our judg- General (ADG) Nayyar Has- for the arrest of Mukhiya.
rently using explosives, several media outlets re- year. es address the Chief Justice nain Khan said: “In the
ported in Srinagar. A Bench of Justices Di- The judge asked what Justice Datta said Mr. as ‘your obedient servant’. course of intelligence gath- Danapur raid
According to the police, Mr. Thoker was direct- pankar Datta and Manmo- prompted Mr. Gandhi to Gandhi had a “good point One does not become a ering by the Economic Of- The team raided an apart-
ly involved in the Pahalgam attack and his sketch
f1ccf833-44c4-4575-b5cd-33fe76bd21c0

f1ccf833-44c4-4575-b5cd-33fe76bd21c0
han, however, gave a stern make these statements in in law” which would entit- servant like that. Tomor- fences Unit’s SOG (Special ment in Danapur on the
was released a day ago with a bounty of ₹20 lakh. warning to Mr. Gandhi, re- Maharashtra where Savar- le him to an order of stay row, somebody can say Operations Group), it was night of April 24 with the
Mr. Sheikh is believed to have conspired in the presented by senior advo- kar was “worshipped as on the summons. Mahatma Gandhi was a learnt that Sanjeev Mukhi- help of the local police and
attack. cate A.M. Singhvi and ad- God”. In his petition, Mr. servant of the British… You ya, a criminal with a re- arrested Sanjeev Mukhiya
vocate Prasanna S., asking Referring to Mr. Gand- Gandhi said freedom of ex- are encouraging these ward of ₹3 lakh declared by alias Sanjeev Kumar.
him not to indulge in mak- hi’s remarks that Savarkar pression was essential for a sorts of statements,” Jus- the Bihar government, “Since his involvement
‘Misuse of Waqf law ing such “statements
against our freedom fight-
addressed himself as
“most obedient servant” in
dignified life and guaran-
teed under Article 19(1)(a)
tice Datta admonished Mr.
Gandhi’s side.
who is the mastermind of
various exam paper leak
in the NEET-UG exam pap-
er leak case is also there,
led to amendments’ ers who gave us freedom”.
Justice Datta said should
a communication to the
British authorities, Justice
of the Constitution.
The Congress leader Trial court order
cases and is wanted in ma-
ny cases, was staying in an
the CBI team is also with us
which is already investigat-
he make such remarks Datta asked Mr. Singhvi, said the proceedings The trial court, while sum- apartment in Danapur, ing the case. He is being
The entire response of the Centre, along with an- again, the top court would “Does your client know against him were “clearly moning Mr. Gandhi, had Patna.” questioned by the EOU,”
nexures, is over a thousand pages long, and ob- take suo motu cognisance that even Mahatma Gandhi frivolous, vexatious and observed that he had Mr. Khan said.
jects to the possibility of any kind of judicial stay of it and there would be no used ‘your faithful servant’ designed to inflict the cri- spread hatred and ill-will in Information verified After producing him be-
on the full implementation of the amendments. question of sanction be- while addressing the Vice- minal process as a virtual society through his speech After verifying the informa- fore the court, he would be
On April 16, the three-judge Bench recorded an fore initiating proceedings roy? Does he know that his punishment and deterrent in which he had said that tion and a recce, the team handed over to the CBI,
assurance by the government that it will neither against him. “This is not grandmother, while she for the free exercise of his Savarkar was a servant of passed on the details to Mr. Mr. Khan said and added
denotify any waqf properties, including waqf-by- the way to treat our free- was Prime Minister, sent a freedoms and from freely the British and that he took Khan who requested the that a recommendation is
user ones, nor make any appointments of non- dom fighters. They have gi- letter to somebody prais- performing his duty as a a pension from the British. Senior Superintendent of being sent to Bihar to re-
Muslims to the Central Waqf Council or the States ven us freedom,” Justice ing this gentleman, the responsible Opposition The Bench listed the Police, Patna, to direct the ward the personnel in-
Waqf Boards under the 2025 Act. Datta said. freedom fighter?” political leader at the na- case after eight weeks. Danapur police station in- volved in the raid.
The Centre said that the “phenomenal” in-
crease in waqf property and serious complaints of
land-grabbing had convinced Parliament to enact
the will of the people through a new law.
The government, represented by Solicitor Gen-
eral Tushar Mehta and nodal counsel Kanu Agra-
Delhi court
grants bail to
India, France to finalise ₹63,000-cr. DRDO makes
headway in
wal, said that removing the concept of ‘waqf-by-
user’ in the 2025 amendments did not deprive a
Muslim of his right to create a waqf.
Medha Patkar deal for 26 Rafale-M jets on April 28 hypersonic
“Under the proviso to Section 3[1][r], no trust,
deed or any documentary proof has been insisted The Hindu Bureau
technology
upon in the amendment or even prior thereto. NEW DELHI Dinakar Peri riers and four twin-seat
The only mandatory requirement for being pro- NEW DELHI trainer jets that aren’t car- The Hindu Bureau
tected under the proviso is that such ‘waqf-by-us- Hours after the arrest of rier compatible. The In- NEW DELHI
er’ must be registered as on April 8, 2025, as regis- Narmada Bachao Andolan India and France are set to dian Air Force already op-
tration has always been mandatory as per the activist Medha Patkar by formally announce the erates 36 Rafale jets The Defence Research and
statute governing waqfs since last 100 years,” the the Delhi Police following conclusion of the ₹63,000- acquired under a ₹60,000- Development Organisation
Centre said. Only those who evaded registration issuance of a non-bailable crore deal for 26 Rafale-M crore deal signed in Sep- (DRDO) on Friday an-
to avoid being accountable under a statutory re- warrant (NBW), a Delhi fighter jets on Monday, of- tember 2016. nounced a significant mil-
gime or revealing transactions of land dealings court on Friday directed ficial sources confirmed. The Navy operates two estone in the field of hyper-
would be in trouble. her release subject to her With the French De- aircraft carriers – INS Vik- sonic weapon technology
The government said that enabling a minority furnishing probation fence Minister Sebastien ramaditya procured from with the demonstration of
of non-Muslims to be members of the Central bonds and depositing ₹1 Lecornu deferring his visit Russia, and the indige- long-duration Active
Waqf Council and the State Waqf Boards did not lakh fine. to India due to personal nously built INS Vikrant, Cooled Scramjet Subscale
fall foul of the religious rights of Muslims. Of a to- She has been given time reasons, the government- commissioned in Septem- Combustor ground testing
tal 22 Council members, only four would be non- till May 3 to furnish bonds to-government (G-to-G) ber 2022. for more than 1,000
Muslims, while only three in 11 members of indivi- after she requested to be deal is now being inked by Smooth landing: A Rafale-M fighter jet landing on French carrier Indian aircraft carriers seconds.
dual State Waqf Boards would be non-Muslim. released to fulfil the court’s the two Ministers remote- Charles de Gaulle. DINAKAR PERI use a ski-jump to launch “The ground-test is in
Besides, the Centre said, the Central Waqf conditions. Police had ar- ly, sources in the know Join FREE Telegram Channel https://t.me/+Bu7senHpQdhlODg1 aircraft, and arrester ca- continuation of the earlier
Council and the State Boards were not responsible rested Ms. Patkar after a said. Defence Secretary Rajesh current situation, sources bles to recover aircraft that test reported for 120 se-
for the performance of the religious functions as- court had issued an NBW “The G-to-G agreement Kumar Singh,” sources said. use a tail hook. The lifts conds in January 2025.
sociated with the waqf property. They only per- against her on April 23 in has been signed by the said. Some government-to- As reported by The Hin- (used to move aircraft) on- With the successful test,
formed the secular function of administration of an over two-decades-old French Minister, and will business agreements will du earlier, delivery of the board Indian carriers were the system will be soon
waqf properties, it said. defamation case filed by be signed separately by the be signed at the ceremony, jets will start in three-and- built to accommodate the ready for full-scale flight-
Article 26 of the Constitution did not confer an Delhi Lieutenant-Governor Indian Minister [Rajnath sources added. a-half years once the con- in-service Russian MiG-29K worthy combustor test-
“absolute right” to administer a property in accor- V.K. Saxena, who then Singh]. A ceremony on The visit of the French tract is signed, and will be jets. ing,” the DRDO said in a
dance with the tenets of religion, the government headed an Ahmedabad- Monday to announce this Defence Minister was de- completed in about six- This would necessitate statement. “This test vali-
argued. “The state’s regulation of endowments, based non-governmental will be presided by the ferred a day before the Pa- and-a-half years. The deal minor modifications to Ra- dates the design of long du-
including under the Waqf Act, the Hindu Religious organisation named ‘Coun- French Ambassador in In- halgam terror attack and is for 22 single-seat jets that fales so that they can be ac- ration scramjet combustor
and Charitable Endowments Acts, and public cil for Civil Liberties’. dia, Thierry Mathou, and had nothing to do with the can operate off aircraft car- commodated on the lifts. as well as test facility.”
trust laws, is not a violation of religious freedoms Join FREE Whatsapp Channel https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Van2VRb6RGJOKH6oBd0F
or any principles of arbitrariness,” the Centre sub-
mitted.

Over a dozen annual reports of SC, ST National Herald case:

Baisaran was always
open to public: J&K
and OBC panels yet to be made public court refuses to issue
notices to Sonia, Rahul
Abhinay Lakshman Since the reports reports, the NCSC’s annual the last two years and they
An Intelligence Bureau official informed the parlia- NEW DELHI deal with a wide report of 2022-23, submit- will “soon be submitted to The Hindu Bureau must first be convinced of
mentarians that the attack is suspected to have range of subjects, it ted to the President in mid- the President”. NCST offi- NEW DELHI the need to issue such a
been carried out by loose groups of militants be- More than a dozen crucial February of 2024, is yet to cials said the annual report notice and posted the case
took time to prepare
longing to Pakistan-backed terror outfit Lashkar-e- annual reports of the Na- be tabled in Parliament. Si- for 2023-24 would be “go- A Delhi court on Friday re- for May 2.
Taiba and its proxy The Resistance Front (TRF), tional Commissions for action-taken reports, milarly, five annual reports ing to print soon”, and the fused to issue notices to The case is that a ₹90
who are “operating in the higher reaches”. Scheduled Castes (SCs), say officials of the NCST, from 2018-19 drafting team had been Congress leaders Sonia crore loan advanced by the
Mr. Shah said that security forces have detected Scheduled Tribes (STs), to 2022-23, had been sub- formed for the 2024-25 Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, and Congress to Associated
seven tunnels along the border which were used and Other Backward Class- feguards meant for these mitted to the President but report. others in the National Her- Journals Ltd (AJL), owner
by the terrorists to infiltrate from Pakistan, and es (OBCs) have not been communities. This man- had not been tabled in Par- NCBC Chairperson, ald money laundering case of the National Herald, was
have killed 35 LeT terrorists so far. made public for up to se- date gives the panels pow- liament yet. Hansraj Gangaram Ahir being investigated by the later transferred to Young
The MHA’s presentation said that in the decade ven years now. While the ers to recommend any ne- Regular procedure for told The Hindu that the an- Enforcement Directorate. Indian, a private company,
between June 2014 and May 2024, there were 1,643 National Commission for cessary action the Union making these reports pu- nual reports for 2022-23 Special Judge Vishal for a consideration of ₹50
terrorist-initiated incidents. There were 1,925 infil- Scheduled Castes (NCSC) and State governments blic requires the govern- and 2023-24 were “getting Gogne of the Rouse Avenue lakh.
tration attempts and 726 successful infiltrations and the National Commis- could take for the “protec- ment to lay them in Parlia- printed as we speak” and Court asked the central It has been alleged that
during this time. As many as 576 security person- sion for Scheduled Tribes tion, welfare, and socio- ment with action-taken will be submitted to the agency to bring more doc- there was misappropria-
nel and 1,607 were killed during the same period. (NCST) have not submitted economic development” reports. Those familiar President soon. “We are al- uments on record and tion of assets of over
At the meeting, a Central Reserve Police Force their annual reports to the of these communities. with panels’ working ex- so working on the annual clear the defects. ₹2,000 crore in an equity
(CRPF) official said that there is no permanent de- President for the last two In the past, these re- plained that since the re- report 2024-25,” he said. The order came on a transaction.
ployment of CRPF in the area where the attack years, the National Com- commendations have gone ports deal with a wide A former official of the plea filed by the ED which The complaint in the
took place. The official added that tourists general- mission for Backward into broad areas of policy- range of subjects, includ- NCST told The Hindu that argued that under the law, case was filed by senior BJP
ly frequent this area during the Amarnath Yatra Classes (NCBC) has not making, including diffe- ing those related to State apart from the action-ta- cognisance of a prosecu- leader Subramanian Swa-
period, set to commence from July 3 and conclude done so for three years. rent aspects of reservation, governments, it took time ken reports taking time, tion complaint (chargesh- my who highlighted a cri-
on August 9. The three commissions criteria for creamy-layer to prepare the action-taken “there is an issue of how eet) cannot be taken with- minal conspiracy by Ms.
The official said that the place has to be ap- have a constitutional man- exclusion, categorisation reports. much resources the panels out hearing the accused Gandhi, her son Rahul, late
proached on foot and takes an hour of walking. date to submit these re- of communities, and Officials working with have to prepare the reports and, therefore, notices Motilal Vohra, late Oscar
The first responder was the CRPF and the official ports to the President ev- health and infrastructure the NCSC said that the and the priority that nodal should be issued to the ac- Fernandes, Suman Dubey,
took an hour to reach the attack site and send a re- ery year with a review of interventions. commission was working Ministries give to tabling cused in the case. Howev- Sam Pitroda, and Young
port. the implementation of sa- In addition to the seven on the annual reports for these reports”. er, the judge said the court Indian.
CM M ND-NDE
YK
 THE HINDU
Saturday, April 26, 2025 11
Delhi
News

Pakistan won’t get a drop of water: Patil INBRIEF

쑽

Govt. preparing ‘short, medium and long-term plans’ for this, says Water Resources Minister after meeting Shah; his remark comes a day after India
announced that it was putting on hold the six-decade-old Indus Waters Treaty with Pakistan, which is fully dependent on the Indus tributaries

Jacob Koshy perts from India and Pakis- jects do not halt the flow by
Suhasini Haidar tan that attempt to resolve creating storage struc-
NEW DELHI disputes regarding the tures, though in nearly all
sharing of the waters of the the disputes over the years
ndia will ensure that Indus basin – has not con- regarding hydel projects,

I “not a drop of water

will go to Pakistan”,
Water Resources Minister
vened since 2022. India in
2023 had called on Pakis-
tan to “renegotiate” the
Pakistan has accused India
of modifying the design of
structures to be able to
Govt. revokes 14 types of visas
C.R. Patil said on Friday. treaty primarily because perniciously control the given to Pakistani nationals
The government was several of the original cir- flow of the rivers. India had
preparing “short, medium cumstances that prevailed then clarified that its inten- The government has revoked 14 categories of
and long-term plans” to when the treaty was signed tions were purely to keep visas, including those of business, conference,
implement this, he told re- had changed. Among them the projects running in op- visitor and pilgrim, given to Pakistani nationals
porters, after a meeting were changes in the popu- timal conditions. “For In- following the terror attack at Pahalgam in Jammu
with Union Home Minister lation structure, water re- dia to weaponise the wa- and Kashmir in which 26 people were killed, the
Amit Shah. quirements, the threat ters of the Indus, it has to Union Home Ministry said on Friday. Following
The Indus river system – from climate-related cata- completely ignore the IWT. the Cabinet Committee on Security’s decision,
Indus, Jhelum, Chenab, Ra- clysms and ‘cross-border Under the current terms of Union Home Minister Amit Shah called up all the
vi, Beas, and Sutlej – is Pa- terrorism’. These were the treaty, this can’t be Chief Ministers and asked them to ensure that no
kistan’s main source of wa- A dam on the Indus river system in Reasi, J&K. Nearly 93% of the water from Indus is used for irrigation, among the reasons India done,” said a scientist affi- Pakistani stays in their States beyond the
ter. Eighty per cent of its powering the country’s agricultural backbone and contributes nearly 25% of Pakistan’s GDP. PTI cited to renegotiate the six- liated to the Central Water deadline set for leaving the country. The order
cultivated land, which is Join FREE Whatsapp Channel https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Van2VRb6RGJOKH6oBd0F decade-old treaty. Commission. will not apply to long term visas, and diplomatic
about 16 million hectares, is fundamental to a treaty. Bank (WB), which has his- Following the Pahalgam The main ask was to Following the Pahalgam and official visas, the Home Ministry said. PTI
relies on water from the In- However, what we have torically played a role as an attack, India announced evolve a new dispute reso- attack, sources told The
dus system. Nearly 93% of seen instead is sustained arbiter or appointed neu- on Wednesday that it lution mechanism. Under Hindu that India will ex-
f1ccf833-44c4-4575-b5cd-33fe76bd21c0

f1ccf833-44c4-4575-b5cd-33fe76bd21c0
the water from Indus is cross-border terrorism by tral experts to solve diffe- would hold the IWT, in the terms of the IWT, India plore “options that it has
used for irrigation, power-
ing the country’s agricultu-
Pakistan targeting the Un-
ion Territory of Jammu and
rences between India and
Pakistan on sharing the
place since 1960, “in
abeyance”. On the surface,
cannot create significant
hydropower storage on the
never considered” under
the IWT. This could in-
NIA searches 18 locations in
ral backbone and overall Kashmir,” her letter says. waters from the Indus sys- this implies that India will western rivers — Indus, clude withdrawing from Pak.-backed smuggling case
contributes nearly 25% of The “security uncertain- tem of rivers. stop its periodic communi- Jhelum, Chenab — and talks around evolving a
the country’s GDP. ties” have directly imped- cation with Pakistan on must maintain water levels new dispute resolution The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has
Mr. Patil’s statement fol- ed India’s “full utilisation Water warfare: Pak. sharing hydrological data at prescribed levels, to en- mechanism, change the carried out searches at 18 locations in five States
lows a letter on Thursday rights”, and Pakistan’s ac- Pakistan’s Power Minister on the Indus rivers, or sure that no untoward design of its hydropower and one Union Territory in a case linked to
by Debashree Mukherjee, tion of not responding to Awais Leghari on Thursday keep them apprised of in- flooding or disruption of electric projects to allow it Pakistan-backed smuggling of arms and narcotics
Secretary, Ministry of Wa- previous requests by India said India’s “reckless sus- frastructural work on hy- Pakistan’s agriculture hap- to store greater quantities by “Khalistani” operatives. “Several electronic
ter Resources, to her Pakis- to renegotiate the treaty pension” of the Indus Wa- droelectric projects in the pens. Its prominent hydro- of water and deploy ‘draw devices and other incriminating materials were
tan counterpart, Syed Ali was a “breach of trust”. ters Treaty was an” act of Chenab, Jhelum and the In- power projects on these down flushing’ of its reser- seized during the searches, conducted on
Murtaza, that India was A government source water warfare.” dus main, also known as rivers such as the Kishen- voirs. Flushing, normally Thursday at 18 locations in Punjab, Jammu &
keeping the Indus Waters told The Hindu that as Pa- A spokesperson for the the western rivers. ganga project and Baglihar done to keep the water- Kashmir, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, and
Treaty (IWT) “in abeyance kistan had been informed World Bank said “it did not However, even prior to project are run-of-the river, bearing tunnels free from Karnataka,” the agency said. It said: “NIA teams
with immediate effect”. about India’s position on opine” on “treaty-related the Pahalgam incident, the meaning they divert the silt and debris, can also be are examining the seized items to unravel the
“The obligation to ho- the treaty, there was “no sovereign decisions taken Permanent Indus Commis- flow of the river to gener- used to control the flow of entire conspiracy behind the smuggling and the
nour a treaty in good faith need” to inform the World by its member countries.” sion – or the teams of ex- ate electricity. These pro- rivers downstream. radicalisation of individuals...”
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NHRC asks
State to fix
Opposition will support any action Why was PM not Protests
against Pak.
accountability taken by Centre, says Rahul in J&K present at all-party mark Friday
for attack meeting: Trinamool prayers in U.P.
Peerzada Ashiq
The Hindu Bureau SRINAGAR Shiv Sahay Singh The Hindu Bureau
NEW DELHI KOLKATA LUCKNOW
Leader of the Opposition
Three days after 26 people, in the Lok Sabha Rahul The Trinamool Congress In an hour of grave crisis, People attending Friday
mostly tourists, were killed Gandhi, who held a series on Friday continued to surely the Prime prayers in mosques across
by terrorists in Jammu and of meetings in Srinagar target the Union govern- Uttar Pradesh, including
Minister must be the one
Kashmir’s Pahalgam, the and met the Pahalgam ter- ment over the Pahalgam the Shahi Jama Masjid in
National Human Rights ror attack victims, on Fri- terror attack and ques- taking the Opposition Sambhal, wore black
Commission (NHRC) on day said the entire Opposi- tioned the absence of into confidence bands in protest against
Friday condemned the at- tion will support whatever Prime Minister Narendra SAGARIKA GHOSE the Pahalgam attack. Car-
tack and urged the govern- action the Centre wants to Modi at the all-party meet- Rajya Sabha MP rying placards and raising
ment to fix accountability take after the killing of 26 ing on Thursday. slogans against Pakistan,
for bringing the perpetra- civilians in Baisaran. Several leaders of the they called for the strictest
tors to justice. “The entire people of ruling party in West Ben- tend a campaign rally in action against the “nation
In a communiqué, the J&K have condemned this gal said the Prime Minister Bihar within 48 hours of sponsoring terror”.
NHRC said that it is deeply terrible action, and they had instead chosen to go Pahalgam is strange. In an Demonstrations were
disturbed by the news of have fully supported the campaigning in poll- hour of grave crisis, surely held outside mosques in
the killings, which were nation. I met one of the pe- Standing shoulder to shoulder: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi with a person who was injured in the bound Bihar. Trinamool the Prime Minister must Lucknow, Rampur, Vara-
carried out after identify- ople who was injured. The Pahalgam terror attack, at a hospital in Srinagar on Friday. IMRAN NISSAR Congress Rajya Sabha MP be the one taking the op- nasi, Aligarh, Moradabad,
ing the faith of the victims. idea behind what has hap- Sagarika Ghose said the position into confidence,” Sambhal, and Agra. “The
“The Commission con- pened is to divide society, terday with the govern- Army hospital in Srinagar, that we are also Indians Prime Minister not engag- Ms. Ghose posted on X. attackers and handlers res-
demns the dastardly attack to make brothers fight ment, and the united Op- where the Pahalgam attack and peace loving.” ing with the Opposition in ponsible for the barbaric
on the unarmed and un- brothers. And it is very im- position condemned this victims were being treated. A delegation of the Jam- a moment of national cri- LoPs present act should be punished,” a
suspecting innocent civi- portant that every single action and said that we are Later, he held a series of mu and Kashmir Students sis was “strange”. Saket Gokhale, another protester said.
lians who were on a holi- Indian stands united, there to support whatever meetings with tourism sta- Association also met the “When the country is Trinamool Congress MP,
day to the valley. The stands together, so that we action the government keholders and students. “I leader. The delegation, led numbed & grieving over a said “All political parties
incident has shaken the can defeat what the terro- wants to take,” he added. came here to get a sense of by Nasir Khuehami, shared major terror attack in #Pa- came together last even-
conscience of every right rists were trying to do,” Mr. what is going on and to a ground-level account of halgam, when Opposition ing to support the Union
thinking human being as a Gandhi said. Meets Omar, L-G help,” Mr. Gandhi said. the growing insecurity and parties have given their government in respond-
serious issue of violation of The Congress leader The Congress leader ar- After meeting him, Taw- psychological trauma full support to the Govern- ing to the attack. Leaders
human rights of the inno- said everybody needs to rived in Srinagar on Friday seef Bhat, president of the faced by Kashmiri stu- ment of India for the ac- of Opposition from both
cent victims and their fami- know that the whole na- and met J&K Lieutenant- Kashmir Traders and Ma- dents, especially in the tions it wishes to take, for the Houses of Parliament
lies,” it said, adding that tion was standing together Governor Manoj Sinha and nufacturers, said: “Mr. wake of surcharged nation- @narendramodi to stay were present. But Modi
the state should give suc- as one. Chief Minister Omar Ab- Gandhi was cordial with al events and divisive polit- away from the All Party didn’t feel that 26 Indian
cour to victims’ families. “We had a meeting yes- dullah. He also visited the us. We wanted to convey ical rhetoric. Meeting and instead at- lives are important.”

After Assam MLA, eight 191 Pakistan nationals return

people held in Northeast for home through Attari border;
‘offensive’ post on Pahalgam 287 Indians back to country
The Hindu Bureau on social media. He said ported the terrorists and Press Trust of India
GUWAHATI further arrests were under said such attacks should be CHANDIGARH
way as part of the ongoing carried out across the
A day after an Assam MLA crackdown. Northeast. A total of 191 Pakistani na-
was arrested for linking the “Assam will not tolerate On Thursday, the police tionals visiting India re-
Pahalgam terror attack to any individual who, direct- had in central Assam’s Na- turned home through the
the top Bharatiya Janata ly or indirectly, supports or gaon district arrested All Attari-Wagah land route in
Party leadership, eight pe- defends Pakistan in con- India United Democratic Punjab's Amritsar on Fri-
ople were arrested in two nection with the heinous Front MLA Aminul Islam day, after the Centre set a
Northeastern States on Fri- attack in Pahalgam,” he for linking the Pahalgam 48-hour deadline for them
day for “offensive” social posted on X. terror attack and the 2019 to leave the country in the
media posts on the inci- The Meghalaya Police Pulwama incident to Prime wake of the Pahalgam ter-
dent that left 26 people arrested a 30-year-old resi- Minister Narendra Modi ror attack. An Indian citizen breaks down as she bids goodbye to her husband,
dead. A journalist, a col- dent of Shillong on similar and Home Minister Amit A total of 287 Indian na- a Pakistani citizen, at Attari border. REUTERS
lege student, a lawyer, and charges. Vivek Syiem, the Shah. tionals, who were visiting
a student activist were East Khasi Hills district Su- Members of the United the neighbouring country, blems in going back, des- patient. She alleged that
among the eight people perintendent of Police, Meitei-Pangal Committee, have also returned, offi- pite carrying the required she was not being allowed
arrested. said the man was taken in- an organisation of Manipu- cials said. documents. to go back. Another wo-
Chief Minister Himanta to custody for “anti-nation- ri Muslims, wore black rib- A few women married A woman, married in man, who came to India
Biswa Sarma said they al comments” in a video bons during the Friday in Pakistan but possessing Karachi, said she had come with her two children, de-
were arrested for “promot- aired by a news channel. prayers to protest the Pa- Indian passports alleged to Delhi for 15 days to meet manded she be allowed to
ing the cause of Pakistan” The man allegedly sup- halgam attack. that they were facing pro- her mother, who is a heart return to Pakistan.
CM M ND-NDE
YK
 THE HINDU
12 Saturday, April 26, 2025

News Delhi

INBRIEF
쑽 Bombay HC grants Kamra Process to transfer
PF account after job
interim relief from arrest change simplified
Court admits comedian’s plea to quash FIR lodged against him on a complaint by Shiv Sena MLA,
says police can continue their investigation; it directs police to record his statement in Chennai The Hindu Bureau
NEW DELHI

The Hindu Bureau reasonable notice was gi- The Employees’ Provident
MUMBAI ven to Mr. Kamra. “There- Fund Organisation (EPFO)
Copyright case: Rahman, PS-II he Bombay High
fore, the investigation can
continue. However, it is not
has removed the require-
ment of approval of all
makers told to deposit ₹2 cr.
The Delhi High Court on Friday directed
T Court on Friday ad-
mitted stand-up co-
median and satirist Kunal
necessary to arrest the pe-
titioner. The police them-
selves have sent him a not-
transfer claims at the “des-
tination office” by launch-
ing a “Revamped Form 13”
renowned music director and composer A.R. Kamra’s petition seeking to ice under Section 35(3) of software functionality here
Rahman, along with the co-producers of the film quash the FIR registered the BNSS,” the court said. on Friday. The EPFO said
Ponniyin Selvan–II, to deposit ₹2 crore with the against him over his re- Section 35(3) of the Bha- more than 1.25 crore sub-
court registry over an alleged copyright marks during a comedy ratiya Nagarik Suraksha scribers will get the benefit The EPFO said more than 1.25
infringement related to the song Veera Raja Veera show and directed the Sanhita (BNSS) outlines the of the new simplified pro- crore subscribers will get the
featured in the 2023 film. The order came on a Mumbai Police not to ar- procedure for a police of- cess for transfer of PF ac- benefit of the new process.
lawsuit by classical vocalist Ustad Faiyaz rest him. ficer to issue a notice to a count on change of jobs.
Wasifuddin Dagar, who accused Mr. Rahman and However, the Division suspect believed to have As of now, the transfer non-taxable components
the film’s production houses of unauthorised use Bench of Justice Sarang V. committed a congnisable of PF accumulations is of PF accumulations to fa-
of a classical composition titled Shiva Stuti, Kotwal and Justice S. M. offence but when the per- done with the involvement cilitate accurate calcula-
originally composed by the Junior Dagar Modak allowed the police son’s arrest is not deemed of two EPF offices, the tion of tax deducted at
Brothers, the late Ustad N. Faiyazuddin Dagar to continue the investiga- Kunal Kamra’s petition was filed with the main prayer for quashing necessary. source office and the desti- source on taxable PF inter-
and the late Ustad Zahiruddin Dagar. tion in the case. The Bench the FIR registered at the Khar police station. SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT “At the same time, since nation office. est. It is expected to benefit
also directed the police to serious issues are being “Now, with an aim to more than 1.25 crore mem-
f1ccf833-44c4-4575-b5cd-33fe76bd21c0

f1ccf833-44c4-4575-b5cd-33fe76bd21c0
record his statement in Mr. Kamra’s petition being registered for the considered in this petition, further simplify the pro- bers facilitating the transf-
Chennai, with the help of was filed with the main same cause of action. it is necessary to give furth- cess, EPFO has removed er of around ₹90,000
First HPV test kits for cervical the local police.
“All these questions
prayer for quashing the
FIR registered at the Khar
The court said that it
was not inclined to grant a
er protection to the peti-
tioner in case the charge-
the requirement of appro-
val of all transfer claims at
crore every year hence-
forth as the entire transfer
cancer screening validated raised by both the sides de- police station, based on a complete stay on the inves- sheet is filed so that the the destination office by process shall be speeded
serve serious considera- complaint by Shiv Sena tigation, given that the pe- present petition does not launching a ‘Revamped up,” the EPFO added.
The Department of Biotechnology (DBT), tion. Hence, arguable MLA Murji Kanji Patel. titioner had also shown a become infructuous. In Form 13 software function- The EPFO has also re-
through its Grand Challenges India (GCI) points are raised and, the- The three other prayers willingness to give his own that context, the trial court ality’,” the EPFO said in a laxed the requirement of
initiative at Biotechnology Industry Research refore, we are inclined to by Mr. Kamra were in the statement. “It is the case of can be directed not to pro- statement. Aadhaar for generation of
Assistance Council (BIRAC), has announced the admit this petition. The nature of interim reliefs — the petitioner that he has ceed against the petitioner With the new decision, Universal Account Num-
successful scientific review and validation of next question is regarding seeking stay of the entire been receiving death if the charge-sheet is filed,” once the transfer claim ber/credit of past accumu-
India’s first indigenously developed Human the interim relief which investigation in connection threats. Therefore, his se- the Bench said. Passing the gets approved at the source lations. “Also, a facility for
Papillomavirus (HPV) test kits for cervical cancer needs to be granted in this with the said offence; seek- curity is of concern. To order, the court observed, office, the previous ac- bulk generation of UANs
screening. These test kits developed by Molbio case,” the Bench noted af- ing protection from any that extent, some protec- “The petitioner shall not count will automatically based on the Member Id
Diagnostics Limited, Bangalore, and Mylab ter hearing at length the ar- coercive measures, includ- tion can be granted to be arrested in connection get transferred to the pre- and other member infor-
Discovery Solutions Pvt. Ltd., Pune, are a guments by senior advo- ing arrest, seizure of his him,” the Bench observed. with the C.R. No.194/2025 sent account of the mem- mation available on record
significant leap forward in improving cancer cate Navroz Seervai, for personal electronic devic- registered at Khar Police ber at the destination office so as to enable prompt
diagnostics in the country. The validation process Mr. Kamra, and public pro- es and examination of his Probe can continue Station, Mumbai, during instantly, the EPFO added. crediting of funds in the ac-
also included a partnership with the World secutor Hiten Venegavkar, financial transactions and Mr. Seervai submitted that pendency of this Petition. “This revamped function- counts of such members
Health Organization’s International Agency for for the Maharashtra go- accounts; and directions his client’s statement could However, the investigation ality also provides the bi- has been provided,” the
Research on Cancer (IARC). vernment. against any further FIRs be recorded in Chennai if in this case can continue.” furcation of taxable and EPFO said.

Kasturirangan took space to people, and beyond ‘A towering figure in India’s

r. Krishnaswamy venture into commercial
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science, and Chandrayaan-1 Technology Day in 1999,
scientific, educational journey’
D Kasturirangan,
the former ISRO
Chairman, is no
more. Starting as an X-ray
astronomer, he grew up in
space also, leasing 10
transponders of INSAT-2E
satellite to INTELSAT, an
international consortium
for communication
— lunar science.
Dr. Rangan’s initiative to
translate the benefits of
space to the real users at the
last mile brought in a
ideating the technical
possibility of India placing a
satellite around the moon
using PSLV, that germinated
into a full-fledged project
The Hindu Bureau
BENGALURU

K. Kasturirangan, who
and headed the 12-member
steering committee res-
ponsible for developing a
new National Curriculum
positions, and his scholastic Dr. Mylswamy satellites, for $10 million as system called the National report in 2003. The project passed away in Bengaluru Framework.
services as well as Annadurai early as 1999. It is through Natural Resource [Chandrayaan-1] was on Friday, was the fifth He chaired an influen-
accomplishments in the this service that Indian Management System announced by then Prime Chairman of the Indian tial committee that tem-
fields of science, technology is former Director, households started seeing (NNRMS) wherein various Minister Shri Atal Bihari Space Research Organisa- pered recommendations
ISRO Satellite Centre.
and education have left an cable TV programmes in departments of the Vajpayee on August 15, tion from 1994 to 2003. He of an earlier committee led
He worked with
indelible mark. Dr. K. Kasturirangan regional languages, and Government of India, 2003, during his was also the Secretary, De- by ecologist Madhav Gadgil
India started her national from 1982 to 2003 Indian TV programmes namely, agriculture, Independence day speech partment of Space, for ov- that proposed nearly 75%
space programme in a very reached 47 countries. forestry, town planning, to the nation from the Red er nine years. of the Western Ghats to be
humble way in the late 60s, water resource Fort. I was very fortunate to He is survived by his Dr. K. Kasturirangan declared an “ecologically-
when the U.S. and Russia Thematic missions management, fisheries, be hand-picked by Dr. sons Rajesh Rangan and sensitive area”. Dr. Kasturi-
made their presence on the Dr. Kasturirangan has taken health, education, etc. were Rangan as member Sanjay Rangan. tionalised. The first suc- rangan, following separate
moon. ISRO’s slogan of ‘Space for enabled to harness the secretary of the national During his four-decade- cessful flight testing ofthe studies, recommended in
It was during Dr. Society’ in a true spirit benefits. National and task team that prepared the long career at the ISRO, he Geosynchronous Satellite 2013 that only about 37%
Rangan’s period stretching when he came out with the Regional Remote Sensing project report. It eventually was part of several key mis- Launch Vehicle (GSLV) be declared so and was
nine long years as the thematic space missions, Agencies were also set up to made me the Project sions. He was the project took place under his seen as more accommoda-
Chairman of the ISRO namely EDUSAT — for tele serve the end users. Director for Chandrayaan-1. director of India’s first two leadership. tive of States, such as Kera-
(1994-2003) that the Indian education, INSATs/GSATs — During Dr. Rangan’s Dr. Kasturirangan’s experimental earth obser- Dr. Kasturirangan la and Karnataka, who had
space programme smoothly During Dr. telemedicine and tenure, ISRO’s launch contributions to the vation satellites BHASKA- served as a member of the said that the Western Ghats
graduated from the Rangan’s tenure, communication, vehicles, PSLV and GSLV, well-debated National RA-I & II. He steered the Rajya Sabha and was a committee reports threa-
experimental phase to PSLV and GSLV RESOURCESAT — earth were made operational, Education Policy 2020, his first operational Indian Re- member of the Planning tened their development.
operational phase in the were made resources, METSAT — making ISRO a complete tenure as Rajya Sabha MP mote Sensing satellite Commission during the Prime Minister Naren-
areas of earth observation meteorology, OCEANSAT — national space agency on (2003-09) and Chairman of IRS-1A. UPA government. More re- dra Modi, in his condo-
operational,
satellites, communication oceanography , CARTOSAT the lines of advanced the Karnataka Knowledge When he served as ISRO cently, Dr. Kasturirangan lence message, called Dr.
satellites and launch making ISRO — cartography, countries. Commission are glimpses of Chairman, the Polar Satel- chaired the drafting com- Kasturirangan “a towering
services. His visionary a complete Meghatropique — earth It was Dr. Rangan’s his tireless contribution to lite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) mittee for the National figure in India’s scientific
approach made ISRO boldly space agency science, ASTROSAT — space historic lecture on National the future of the nation. was launched and opera- Education Policy, 2020, and educational journey”.
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To solve this puzzle online,

SCAN TO PLAY
SUDOKU FAITH
14469 get across to our crossword site. 쑽 쑽
@ https://qrgo.page.link/jjpTn
(set by Hypatia)
It’s a wonderful life
13 Squibs essentially going into crackers out of place (10)
As children, we live in a world of wonderment, where ev-
14 Fruit chaat (4)
ery experience is a new adventure. However, as we grow
16 Bob doesn't use chair, kneeling originally (4)
into adults, the monotony of daily life often dulls our
18 Software capturing racing cars registered in Burj Khalifa, for
sense of awe. It is time to reclaim that wonderment and
one (10)
live more fulfilling lives, said Swami Mitrananda.
21 Attempt to salvage via tense discussions during heated cult
Consider the simple act of enjoying a handful of curd
wars (6,2,6)
rice. Behind this everyday pleasure lies a complex web of
23 Roast about performance in shows (8)
factors: farms providing raw materials, roads connecting
24 A father stopped by priest for long (6)
them to markets, storage facilities holding ingredients,
25 Disheartened doctors nursing veteran's strange depression (8) and kitchen preparing the final dish. The same is true of
26 America declines applications (6) every desire we fulfil. However, the process does not end
Down there. Once we eat, our body works tirelessly to convert
1 Instant photo (4) food into energy, repairing and growing tissues. This intri-
2 Shy models in images for school subject (7) cate dance of digestion, absorption and cellular processes
3 Playing regularly, composer's skipping over main part (8) is a marvel in itself.
5 Artists cropped missing Tamil reels (11) Reflecting on the countless desires fulfilled since child-
6 Bees tested hold up - some fly (6) hood, it is astonishing to think of the Lord’s orchestration.
7 Nest ultimately circled by large magnificent bird (7) Connecting people, resources and circumstances to meet
8 Jet through special skating arena next to the French river (9) Solution to previous puzzle Solution to yesterday’s Sudoku our needs is a wonder. The Bhagavad Gita describes the
12 Poet and old character actor crossing my city (Manama), at last
atman as a wonder, beyond human comprehension.
(4,7) Let us rediscover wonderment in our lives. By embrac-
ing awe and gratitude, we can live more happily. As the
Across 13 Global organization's detectives indeed on the fence (9)
verse 29 in Chapter 2 of the Gita says, “Ashcharya vat pash-
1 Fill drink before travel (6) 15 Checks admitting million supporters of members? (8)
yati kashchid enan ashcharya vad vadati tathaiva chanyah
4 Sensibilities affecting cold, detached economist (8) 17 Lawyer cracking clue with son (7)
ashcharya vach chainam anyah shrinoti shrutvapyenam
9 Tom, Dick or Harry (most of those reading this) boring 19 Making a pledge beneath park's shelter (7)
Hathaway, say (6) veda na chaiva kashchit” (Some see the atman as wonder,
20 Basically observe crystals under light augmenting range of some describe it as wonderment, and some hear of the at-
10 Forefather captivated by dance story (8) vision (6)
11 Mini cosmos in embassy (4,10) man as wonder.)
22 A man and woman heading for salon cuts (4) Let us bring back that sense of wonder and live life to
the fullest.
CM M ND-NDE
YK
 THE HINDU
Saturday, April 26, 2025 13
Delhi
Business

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NIFTY 50
The Hindu Bureau nally up at ₹1,17,083 crore subscriber base stood at PRICE
Adani Enter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . 2354.30. . . . . . . . -88.20
CHANGE

MUMBAI against ₹1,16,281 crore. 488.2 million on March 31. Adani Ports. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . 1193.00. . . . . . . . -43.40
The board announced a Reliance Retail recorded Apollo Hosp. . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . 6953.00. . . . . . -206.50
Asian Paints. . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . 2431.60. . . . . . . . -32.80
eliance Industries dividend of ₹5.5 per share a quarterly revenue of

Indian Bank reduces home, R Ltd. (RIL) reported

2.4% year-on-year
growth in consolidated net
of face value of ₹10 for the
year ended March and rais-
ing ₹25,000 crore via non-
₹88,620 crore, up 15.7%.

O2C Segment
Axis Bank . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . 1166.30. . . . . . . . -40.80
Bajaj Auto . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . 8034.00. . . . . . -167.50
Bajaj Finserv . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . 2045.50. . . . . . . . -59.50
Bajaj Finance . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . 9112.00. . . . . . -189.00
Bharat Elec . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . 297.60. . . . . . . . . . -8.10
vehicle loan interest rates profit (attributed to own- convertible debentures. Revenue for Q4 rose 15.4% Bharti Airtel . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . 1817.20. . . . . . . . -28.40
Cipla . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . 1525.90. . . . . . . . -25.80
ers of the company) to In Digital Services seg- to ₹1,64,613 crore on high- Coal India . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . 393.15. . . . . . . . . . -6.70
Indian Bank said it has reduced home loan ₹19,407 crore. ment Jio Platforms report- er volumes and increased Dr Reddys Lab . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . 1174.80. . . . . . . . -25.70
interest rates from the existing 8.15% (per Gross revenue rose 8.8% ed quarterly net profit at domestic product place- Eicher Motors . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . 5575.50. . . . . . . . -75.00
Eternal Ltd.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . 228.81. . . . . . . . . . -7.57
annum) to 7.90% and vehicle loan rates from to ₹2,88,138 crore on dou- ₹7,022 crore, up 25.7%. Jio ment. Segment EBITDA Grasim Ind . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . 2734.80. . . . . . . . . . . . 5.60
8.50% to 8.25%. The lender’s reduction aims to ble-digit growth in O2C and Maintaining momentum: Reliance Retail recorded a quarterly reported 6.1 million net slid 10% to ₹15,080 crore. HCL Tech . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . 1578.20. . . . . . . . . . -8.50
HDFC Bank . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . 1911.20. . . . . . . . . . -5.60
provide relief to borrowers by lowering EMIs and consumer businesses. revenue of ₹88,620 crore, up 15.7%. REUTERS subscriber addition during Oil & Gas segment revenue HDFC Life . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . 704.55. . . . . . . . . . -3.85
promoting affordable credit access. In addition to For FY25, net profit re- the quarter driven by con- for the quarter was lower Hero MotoCorp . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . 3895.50. . . . . . . . -59.00
the reduced interest rates, the bank is also mained almost flat at annual consolidated reve- consumer businesses and tinued subscriber addition by 0.4% YoY at ₹6,440 Hindalco . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . 622.10. . . . . . . . . . -6.25
Hind Unilever . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . 2332.20. . . . . . . . . . . . 6.90
offering benefits such as discounted processing ₹69,648 crore compared nue of ₹10,71,174 crore, up O2C businesses. post tariff hike related crore mainly on lower gas ICICI Bank . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . 1404.80. . . . . . . . . . . . 2.10
fees and zero documentation charges, Indian with ₹69,621 crore. 7.1% supported by conti- Consolidated net debt churn and steady ramp up output and lower oil off- IndusInd Bank. . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . 822.35. . . . . . . . . . . . 2.60
Bank said in a release. Reliance posted record nued revenue growth in as of March 31 was margi- in home connects. Jio’s take from KGD6 basin. Infosys . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . 1480.20. . . . . . . . . . . . 8.80
ITC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . 427.80. . . . . . . . . . -2.25
Jio Financial Servic-
es Ltd. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . 253.05. . . . . . . . . . -5.73
JSW Steel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . 1028.40. . . . . . . . -16.10
Kotak Bank . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . 2204.40. . . . . . . . -18.60

Bank of Maharashtra Q4 net

profit up 23% on higher NII
Maruti Q4 net slips 4% on cost, LIC Housing Finance L&T . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . 3272.10. . . . . . . . -28.50
M&M . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . 2864.20. . . . . . . . -37.20
Maruti Suzuki . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . 11698.00. . . . . . -196.00
f1ccf833-44c4-4575-b5cd-33fe76bd21c0

f1ccf833-44c4-4575-b5cd-33fe76bd21c0
NestleIndia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . 2413.50. . . . . . . . -19.70

Bank of Maharashtra’s standalone net profit

increased 22.6% year-on-year to ₹1,493 crore on
to pay ₹135 dividend for FY25 to cut lending rates NTPC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . 356.45. . . . . . . . . . -6.75
ONGC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . 246.33. . . . . . . . . . -3.04
PowerGrid Corp . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . 306.50. . . . . . . . . . -7.90

by 25 basis points
Reliance Ind . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . 1300.40. . . . . . . . . . -1.20
an increase in net interest income (NII) in the SBI Life. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . 1695.10. . . . . . . . . . 86.90
State Bank . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . 798.65. . . . . . . . -14.75
quarter ended March 31. NII increased 20.6% to The Hindu Bureau and costlier advertisement Shriram Finance
₹3,116 crore in the quarter under review. Net MUMBAI as the factors that pulled Ltd. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . 655.20. . . . . . . . -41.45
interest margin improved to 4.01% while Gross down the margins. Sun Pharma . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . 1787.40. . . . . . . . -16.50
TataConsumerPro-
advances increased 17.8% to ₹2,39,837 crore. India’s largest car maker The Hindu Bureau duct . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . 1155.70. . . . . . . . . . -5.60
Gross non-performing assets ratio (NPA) declined Maruti Suzuki’s (MSIL) Better FY25 sales HYDERABAD Tata Motors . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . 655.25. . . . . . . . -13.10
Tata Steel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . 138.85. . . . . . . . . . -2.67
to 1.74% while net NPA reduced to 0.18%, standalone net profit For FY25, MSIL posted a TCS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . 3448.00. . . . . . . . . . 46.40
showing improving asset quality. slipped 4.2% year-on-year net profit of ₹13,955 crore LIC Housing Finance has Tech Mahindra . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . 1462.00. . . . . . . . . . 16.80
Titan. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . 3365.20. . . . . . . . -17.40
to ₹3,711.1 crore as input up 5.6% on higher sales decided to reduce its
Trent Ltd. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . 5145.00. . . . . . -178.50
costs rose in the last quar- from products. The com- prime lending rate by 25- UltraTech Cement . . . .. . . . . 12237.00. . . . . . . . . . 78.00
ter of fiscal 2025. This pany sold cars worth basis points effective from Wipro . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . 240.90. . . . . . . . . . -1.85

Over 86,000 AI Patents filed number stood at ₹3,877.8

crore in corresponding pe- The company’s share price
₹1,45,115.2 crore, 7.5%
more than FY24.
April 28.
The revised interest
during 2010-2025: Nasscom riod of the previous fiscal. dipped 1.81% on the BSE, Expenses, too, in- rates will start from 8%.
Gold retreats
Net sales grew 5.8% to closing at ₹11,685.90 a piece. creased at a similar pace of The reduction will benefit
Some 86,000 AI Patents were filed in India ₹38,849 crore in the re- 7.6%, coming at ₹1,37,467 both existing and new bor-
during 2010-2025, accounting for over 25% of all porting quarter against 74.7% in the reporting crore for the year. rowers by making home The revised interest rates will PRESS TRUST OF INDIA
tech patents filed in the country during this ₹36,697.5 crore in Q4FY24. quarter, as per the investor The board approved a loans more affordable. start from 8% making home NEW DELHI
period, said Nasscom on Friday. The country’s Expenses rose at a presentation. dividend of ₹135 per share “The interest rate cuts loans more affordable.
pace of innovation has accelerated dramatically, quicker pace of 8.6%, com- in 2024-2025 as against are in line with the RBI’s Gold prices retreated by
with the number of AI patents filed between 2021 ing in at ₹37,328.7 crore in Higher overheads ₹125 a piece in the previous decisions and current mar- mand, especially among ₹839 to ₹95,073 per 10 gm
and 2025 being seven times higher than those the quarter ended March The company cited new fiscal. The company’s ket scenario. We believe the affordable home- in futures trade as U.S. dol-
filed between 2010 and 2015. Notably, 63% of 31, 2025. Share of material plant expenses, higher ma- share price dipped 1.81% this move will boost con- buyers,” MD and CEO Trib- lar strengthened amid po-
these AI patents originated in India, while 17% costs in total expenses nufacturing overheads, ad- on the BSE, closing at sumer sentiments and huwan Adhikari said in a tential de-escalation of the
were first filed in the United States. grew 40 basis points to verse commodity prices ₹11,685.90 a piece. stimulate housing de- release on Friday. U.S.-China trade war.

Opinion market advocates Govt. notifies

rules for GST
say it’s a game of skill, face appellate
tribunals
civil society opposition Press Trust of India
NEW DELHI
Aroon Deep
NEW DELHI The government has noti-
fied the Goods and Servic-
Real money gaming firms es Tax Appellate Tribunal
— an industry that allows (Procedure) Rules, which
users to risk money on fan- provide for mandatory e-
tasy sports, poker, rummy filing of applications and
and so on — are dipping conducting hearings in a
their toes into prediction hybrid mode.
markets, allowing users to The rules also provide
wager on the outcome of that any urgent matter filed
real world events. With by an applicant before 12
this new shift, firms like New bets: Real money gaming firms are dipping into prediction, noon shall be listed before
Probo are trying to emu- allowing users to wager on real world event outcomes. GETTY IMAGES the Appellate Tribunal on
late the legal successes of the following working day,
other firms whose offer- Premier League match, It remains to be seen if the application is com-
ings have been upheld as and even the result of a whether prediction mar- plete in all respects.
legitimate in courts. match in the Pakistan Sup- kets will withstand similar In exceptional cases, the
In the past week, two er League, which is not legal challenges. The Bom- application may be re-
papers argued that predic- even streamed in India. bay High Court is hearing ceived after 12 noon but be-
tion markets (or “opinion In the Probo-commis- pleas against opinion trad- fore 3 p.m. for listing on
trading”) are skill-based sioned paper co-authored ing. While, in March, the the following day.
activities. with an employee of the Supreme Court directed
If courts agree with this company, Amitabha Bag- the Gujarat HC to reconsid-
assessment — supported by chi, a professor of compu- er a PIL on the matter that
an IIT Delhi professor-
authored study commis-
ter science at IIT Delhi, as-
sessed that “opinion
it had dismissed earlier.
The New Indian Consumer
Shriram
sioned by Probo and a pol-
icy paper by the Delhi-
trading is a skill-based
game,” and said that data
Initiative (NICI), a civil so-
ciety group, has urged the
Finance Q4
based Evam Law & Policy —
then betting on real life
analysed from Probo sup-
ported this conclusion.
government to ban opi-
nion trading outright.
net up 10% as
events, long seen as a gam-
bling, would instead be
The authors reasoned that
characteristics that apply
“Opinion trading plat-
forms often claim to foster
NII surges
classified as gaming, ham- to games of skill — such as a skillful engagement, even
pering States’ ability to “gradient” among users, though their core mechan- The Hindu Bureau
curb such firms from solic- with some outperforming ics align more with betting MUMBAI
iting bets from players. others consistently, and of and gambling for two
individual players getting primary reasons — unpred- Shriram Finance Ltd. (SFL)
How it’s structured better over time — apply to ictable outcomes outside standalone net profit in-
Prediction markets are opinion trading. the control or influence of creased 9.9% to ₹2,139
structured in a straightfor- the user and binary deci- crore on higher interest in-
ward way: two or more A likely law? sion making,” NICI said in come in quarter ended
groups of people wager on The question is likely to be its representation. March 31. Analyst however
whether an event will hap- settled by legislation. “Real world events like expected net profit to
pen or not, and after the While betting on sports di- elections or cricket match- come in at more than
platform hosting the wager rectly is regulated by States es are influenced by nume- ₹2,242 crore.
takes a cut, the pooled mo- (under the “betting and rous uncontrollable fac- Net Interest Income
ney is distributed to the gambling” clause in the tors, such as weather, voter (NII) grew 13.4% to
group whose prediction Constitution), at least three turnout, or last-minute ₹6,051.19 crore in Q4 FY25
comes true. For instance, high courts have upheld strategies and can lean on against ₹5,336 crore in the
Probo’s opinion trading the legality of daily fantasy chance heavily. As a result, year-earlier period.
platform is accepting bets sports, where players as- the feature of binary ‘Yes/ Net interest margin
on the value of Bitcoin later semble their own rosters No’ choice in decision- dipped to 8.25% in the
in the day, whether the and teams, and real life making can strip away the quarter under review from
Dow Jones composite will performance impacts the complexity of analysis, 9.02%. Financing costs, ho-
reach a certain value, the outcome of their assem- making outcomes akin to wever, rose at a faster clip
outcome of the next Indian bled rosters. flipping a coin or chance.” of 31% to ₹5,224 crore.
CM M ND-NDE
YK
 THE HINDU
14 Saturday, April 26, 2025

World Delhi

TEHRAN SEOUL BANGKOK WASHINGTON

Iran’s FM Araghchi arrives in Oman Bribery indictment is ‘political’, Six Thai police officers killed in Rubio to host signing of agreement
ahead of nuclear talks with the U.S. says S. Korea’s ex-President Moon plane crash during training drill between Rwanda and DR Congo

AFP AP AFP AFP

X X X X
Iran’s top diplomat Abbas Araghchi arrived in Oman for fresh Former South Korean President Moon Jae-in was indicted for Six Thai police officers were killed when their small plane crashed U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Friday will host the signing of
nuclear talks with the U.S., following progress in earlier rounds. The bribery linked to his son-in-law’s no-show job at a Thai airline from into the sea near Prachuap Khiri Khan during a parachute training a “declaration of principles” between Rwanda and the Democratic
third round includes technical experts from both sides, led by Mr. 2018-2020. Mr. Moon called the charges politically motivated and drill on Friday. Five died instantly, one later in hospital. The crash Republic of Congo, following a truce pledge. The agreement aims to
Araghchi and U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff. Talks aim to curb Iran’s accused prosecutors of abusing power. The case follows a pattern site was about 100 metres from shore. Authorities are examining the promote peace, stability, and economic development, with U.S.
nuclear program amid U.S.’s threats of military action. AFP of legal troubles for ex-leaders amid upcoming elections. REUTERS aircraft’s black box data recorder to find the cause of the crash. AFP interests in Congo’s mineral sector. AFP

Crimea will stay with Russia, China to

exempt some
China’s top leaders vow to
says Trump in snub to Kyiv goods from boost support for economy
U.S. tariffs
f1ccf833-44c4-4575-b5cd-33fe76bd21c0

f1ccf833-44c4-4575-b5cd-33fe76bd21c0
Agence France-Presse of consumption in stimu-
Russia ‘had their submarines there for long before any period that we’re talking about; the people Reuters BEIJING lating economic growth”,
speak largely Russian in Crimea’, says Trump; U.S. envoy Witkoff met Putin in Moscow for talks BEIJING according to Xinhua. They
China’s top leaders also called for action to in-
China is considering ex- pledged on Friday to step crease incomes and “vigo-
Associated Press years. The people speak empting some U.S. imports up support for the econo- rously develop service con-
KYIV largely Russian in Crimea,” from its 125% tariffs and is my and oppose “unilateral sumption”, as well as the
Mr. Trump said. asking businesses to pro- bullying” in global trade in implementation of key rate

U
.S. President Do- Mr. Trump’s frustration vide lists of goods that a veiled rebuke of hefty ta- cuts at “appropriate
nald Trump said in is growing as his effort to could be eligible in the big- riffs imposed by U.S. Presi- times”.
an interview pu- forge a deal between Uk- gest sign yet that Beijing is dent Donald Trump. The readout of the
blished on Friday that “Cri- raine and Russia has failed worried about the eco- The world’s two largest Xi Jinping meeting “shows the go-
mea will stay with Russia,” to achieve a breakthrough. nomic fallout from its trade economies are engaged in vernment is ready to
the latest example of the U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff war with Washington. a high-stakes trade war with the international com- launch new policies when
U.S. leader pressuring Uk- met with Mr. Putin in Mos- A Ministry of Commerce that has spooked markets munity to actively uphold the economy is affected by
raine to make concessions cow on Friday, their se- taskforce is collecting lists and spurred major manu- multilateralism and op- the external shock”, Zhi-
to end the war while it re- cond meeting this month of items that could be ex- facturers to reconsider pose unilateral bullying wei Zhang, President and
mains under siege. and fourth since February. empted from tariffs and is supply chains. practices”, it said. Chief Economist of Pin-
“Zelenskyy understands Mr. Zelenskyy said on asking companies to sub- Leaders at a gathering of The brutal trade war point Asset Management,
that,” Mr. Trump said, re- Diplomatic meet: Vladimir Putin welcomes Steve Witkoff before a Friday that Crimea belongs mit their own requests, ac- the Chinese Communist comes as China’s economy wrote in a note.
ferring to Ukrainian Presi- meeting amid peace deal efforts in Moscow on Friday. REUTERS to Ukraine and that his po- cording to a source who Party’s top decision-mak- strains under the weight of Experts say the Chinese
dent Volodymyr Zelen- sition had not changed af- spoke on condition of ing body focused on eco- long-standing woes in the economy will need to de-
skyy, “and everybody Mr. Zelenskyy of prolong- while U.S. President Ba- ter Mr. Trump’s anonymity. nomic work, which was at- property sector and reluc- pend more on domestic
understands that it’s been ing the war by resisting ne- rack Obama was in office, statements. The exemptions signal tended by President Xi tance by consumers to pull consumption in order to
with them for a long time”. gotiations with Russian years before the full-scale “Our position is un- that, like Washington, Beij- Jinping, acknowledged out their wallets. sustain growth through
The U.S. President made President Vladimir Putin. invasion in 2022 began. changed: only the Ukrai- ing is deeply concerned that “the impact of exter- Leaders at the Politburo coming years. Beijing is
the comments in a Time Crimea is a strategic pe- “They’ve had their sub- nian people have the right about the economic pain nal shocks is increasing”, meeting discussed a range targeting annual growth
magazine interview con- ninsula along the Black Sea marines there for long be- to decide which territories rippling across the country state news agency Xinhua of domestic economic is- this year of 5%, although
ducted on Tuesday. Mr. in southern Ukraine. It was fore any period that we’re are Ukrainian,” Mr. Zelen- as the world’s two largest reported. They also said sues, emphasising the economists consider that
Trump has been accusing seized by Russia in 2014, talking about, for many skyy said. economies decouple. they would seek to “work need to “enhance the role goal to be ambitious.
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Trump to ramp up Probe under way in Moscow as senior Toll from Israeli
deep-sea mining; Russian military officer killed in car blast strike on north Gaza
China slams move Reuters The statement did not
home rises to 23
MOSCOW say who might be behind
Agence France-Presse ping an international regu- the incident. Agence France-Presse an official with the agency.
WASHINGTON latory effort and overriding A senior Russian military Russian media outlet GAZA CITY “This is in addition to
the concerns of officer was killed when a Baza, which has sources in the 12 victims recovered at
U.S. President Donald environmentalists. car exploded on Friday in Russia’s law enforcement Gaza’s civil defence agency the time of the attack yes-
Trump has defied interna- White House aides say it the town of Balashikha just agencies, said a bomb in a reported on Friday that the terday,” he added.
tional norms and instruct- could pump hundreds of east of Moscow, Russia’s In- parked car had been deto- death toll from an Israeli Gaza’s northern area of
ed a quick start to deep-sea billions of dollars into the vestigative Committee nated remotely when the air strike the day before on Jabalia has been a focus Is-
mining in domestic waters American economy, and said. officer — who lived locally a house in the north of the rael’s military offensive
and beyond, sparking an counter Beijing’s choke- It named the officer as — walked past. A second Palestinian territory had ri- since the start of the war
angry warning from Beij- hold on key minerals. But Yaroslav Moskalik, deputy person was also killed. sen to 23. on October 7, 2023 follow-
ing that the move “violates it would also undermine head of the Main Opera- Investigators work the scene where Lt. Gen. Yaroslav Moskalik was Moskalik, who held the “Civil defence teams re- ing Hamas’s attack on Is-
international law”. decades of efforts by global tions Directorate of the killed in Balashikha, just outside Moscow on Friday. AP rank of major general, had covered 11 bodies last night rael. The military has re-
Washington wants to regulators at the Interna- General Staff of the Rus- participated in several and this morning following turned several times after
lead efforts to scoop up tional Seabed Authority to sian Armed Forces, and data, the explosion oc- filled with destructive ele- high-level Russian delega- the Israeli bombing that announcing it had been
mineral-rich deep-sea no- devise a level playing field said it had opened a crimi- curred as a result of the ments,” the Investigative tions, according to Defence targeted a residential cleared of militants, saying
dules and other material and environmental protec- nal case into the incident. detonation of a home- Committee said in a Ministry bulletins and me- house ... in Jabalia,” said Hamas fighters had re-
from the seabed, sidestep- tions for the industry. “According to available made explosive device statement. dia reports. Mohammed al-Mughayyir, grouped there.
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Sport
Kapil terms golf as a true inclusive sport Manikanta left out of 100m despite making
Debosmita Maity the cut for Asian athletics championships
BENGALURU
Stan Rayan been considered,” ex- in the list. The former G. Ragul Kumar, Gurindervir
The legendary Kapil Dev KOCHI plained National chief Asian record-holder suf- Singh; 4x400m relay: T.K. Vishal,
stated that golf was one of coach Radhakrishnan Nair fered his first loss in nearly Jay Kumar, T.S. Manu, Rince
the few really inclusive Despite achieving the qual- after the team was an- eight years finishing se- Joseph, Dharamveer Chaudhary,
Tushar Manna, Santosh Kumar,
sports in today’s land- ification standard and fin- nounced here on Friday. cond in the Federation Na-
Mohit Kumar.
scape. ishing third in the National “We have also not in- tionals with 18.77m (AFI’s
“It’s true inclusiveness,” Federation athletics cham- cluded Gurindervir Singh Asian qualification stan- Women: 200m: Nithya Gandhe;
said Kapil, at the inaugura- pionships which conclud- who clocked 10.20s (break- dard: 19.1m). 400m: Rupal Chaudhary, Vithya
tion of Kapil Dev Grant- ed here on Thursday, ing the national record) in Ramraj; 800m: Twinkle
Thornton Invitational at sprinter Manikanta Hoblid- the recent Indian Grand The Indian team: Men: 200m: Chaudhary, Pooja; 1500m: Lili
Animesh Kujur; 800m: Anu Das, Pooja; 3000m
the Prestige Golfshire Club har does not find a place in Prix in Bengaluru because
Kumar, Krishan Kumar; 1500m: steeplechase: Parul Chaudhary,
in the city’s outskirts on the 100m in the Indian he finished last in the Fed- Yoonus Shah; 3000m Ankita; 5000m: Sanjivani Jadhav,
Thursday. team for next month’s eration Nationals (with steeplechase: Avinash Sable; Parul Chaudhary; 10000m:
“Among physical sports, New initiative: Kapil Dev at the inauguration of the Kapil Dev Grant-Thornton Invitational Asian championships in 11.21).” 5000m: Gulveer Singh, Abhishek Sanjivani Jadhav, Seema; 100m
this is the only game where at the Prestige Golfshire Club in Bengaluru. SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT Gumi, South Korea. World champion javelin Pal; 10,000m: Gulveer Singh, hurdles: Jyothi Yarraji; 400m
men and women can com- Karnataka’s Manikanta thrower Neeraj Chopra, Sawan Barwal; triple jump: hurdles: Vithya Ramraj, R. Anu;
pete from the same point, male professional golfer, a stressed that golf was nev- are indeed the real back- had broken the 100m meet who will be in action in the Praveen Chithravel, Abdulla long jump: Shaili Singh, Ancy
and women can beat the business person who has er meant to be a game only bone of any sport.” record in the semifinal, Neeraj Chopra Classic in Aboobacker; high jump: Sarvesh Sojan; high jump: Pooja; discus
men and men can beat the just started playing could for the rich and that it The Kapil Dev-Grant clocking 10.25s which is al- Bengaluru on May 24, will Kushare; shot put: Samardeep throw: Seema; javelin throw:
women. all play together and have a should be a game for the Thornton Invitational is a so the qualification stan- not be going for the Asian Singh Singh; javelin throw: Annu Rani; heptathlon: Agasara
Sachin Yadav, Yashvir Singh; Nandini; 4x100m relay: Nithya
“It’s one of the few good enjoyable round.” masses. three-day, 54-hole cham- dard set by the Athletics championships which be-
decathlon: Tejaswin Shankar; Gandhe, Abhinaya Rajarajan, S.S.
sports where people of any He also said that spon- pionship which will see Federation of India for the gin on May 27. 20km race walk: Servin Sneha, Srabani Nanda, A.T.
calibre, any age can play Game for the masses sors’ support was essential some of India’s top male Asians but the selectors Asian and Asian Games Sebastian, Amit; 4x100m relay: Daneshwari, V Sudeeksha;
together. So an eight-year- Kapil, who is also the presi- for all sports, not just golf. and female professionals were not impressed. champion Tajinderpal Pranav Pramod Gurav, Animesh 4x400m relay: Rupal, K. Sneha,
old, an 80-year-old, a male dent of the Professional “Without money, noth- compete for a prize purse “Had he finished first or Singh Toor is one of the Kujur, Manikanta Hoblidhar, Subha Venkatesan, Jisna Mathew,
professional golfer, a fe- Golf Tour of India (PGTI), ing is possible. Sponsors of ₹2 crore. second, he would have prominent names missing Amlan Borgohain, S. Tamilarasu, Kunja Rajitha, Sandramol Sabu.
CM M ND-NDE
YK
 THE HINDU
Saturday, April 26, 2025 15
Delhi
Weekend Sport
GETTY IMAGES AND ANI

The big guys can stay still and just muscle it.
The smaller guys need to get the rhythm and
timing of their movements right. And you
can’t get too close to the ball. You need space
JULIAN WOOD
Power-hitting coach

and Suryakumar Yadav work with similar attri-

butes. In the past, AB de Villiers was another of
this ilk, combining malleable wrists, supersonic
hands and insane bat speed.
“The big guys can stay still and just muscle it.
The smaller guys need to get the rhythm and tim-
ing of their movements right. And you can’t get
too close to the ball. You need space,” Wood con-
tinues, “I call it clean space, for the hands and bat
to come through. If you have too much space,
you lose control of the bat. If you have too little
space, you get restricted. What these guys are ve-
ry good at is creating the optimum space that
they want. Without it, you cannot accelerate your
hands through the ball.”

Another dimension
Lending another dimension to the skillset of
these players is a 360-degree repertoire. With
NICHOLAS POORAN JOS BUTTLER
ramps, scoops and sweeps of the conventional
and reverse variety in their locker, for a bowler to
stem the flow of runs is to squeeze water from a
f1ccf833-44c4-4575-b5cd-33fe76bd21c0

f1ccf833-44c4-4575-b5cd-33fe76bd21c0
stone. Even a yorker carries the risk of

The case of the disappearing ball: how going all the way because of the in-
ventive shots behind the wicket.
Take the example of Suryaku-
mar. A pick-up shot over fine-leg,

six-hitting has gone into overdrive often struck with enough velocity to
fetch maximum reward, is his signature.
“He can score at a strike-rate of 180
without taking many risks. He uses
the angles superbly to hit the ball to
Watching a batter clear the fence used to be one of cricket’s novel experiences. In this era, however, sixes are coming at an different places,” says Wood.
astonishing rate. The IPL has played a prominent part in expediting the game’s transformation, but what makes the Then there are touch players,
like Ajinkya Rahane and B. Sai Sud-
modern batter such an inevitable smiter of sixes? harsan, who bank on the ball com-
ing onto the bat and the innate gift
of timing. Favourable match-ups
Vivek Krishnan been smashed across 3,332 matches. ful individual. are particularly sought by these
In the 3,152 T20Is held since 2005, there have If I was going to batters to compensate for cer-

F
or those of an older vintage who fell in been 28,456 hits beyond the boundary. That is make a T20 player, it tain limitations. And yet, both
love with cricket and its time-honoured I just try my roughly nine sixes per game. would be Dre Russ in Rahane and Sudharsan are
traditions long before T20 became an best to get in The Indian Premier League, which has em- his pomp. He can clear among the most prolific six-
all-pervasive part of the game, a six was good braced adulthood this year, has played a promi- the ropes easily,” says En- hitters this year with 15 max-
a rare spectacle. An occasional occurrence that nent part in expediting the game’s transforma- glishman Julian Wood, a spe- imums each.
positions
retained a tinge of novelty each time. tion. Over 18 seasons of the annual summer cialist power-hitting coach who has worked The proliferation of sixes,
For the ball to sail into the stands, a batter had and if it’s extravaganza, the sight of a batter wielding that with Punjab Kings. however, begs the ques-
to summon a fair degree of physical strength and there, just willow like a sledgehammer has been routine. Leading the charts this year is another tion: can it eventually
bring the blade’s thicker middle into play. Even time the ball The current average of 12 sixes per IPL match is West Indian in Nicholas Pooran. The 29- evoke ennui among the
as the quality of bats improved and the 50-over nicely. I’ve only rising. year-old from Trinidad has taken his game to spectators? The query
game grew in popularity in the 1990s and early never Nobody has delivered more humongous hits, a higher plane for Lucknow Super Giants, was put to Wood, who
2000s, six-hitting came naturally to just a worked on of course, than Chris Gayle. In 141 innings for blending his six-hitting prowess with new- makes his living by train-
handful. three different franchises, the Jamaican, tall, bur- found consistency at No. 3. His tally of 31 ing batters to belt the ball
my bat
ly and dreadlocked, plundered 357 sixes. That sixes is far superior to his competitors, out of the ground. “Peo-
The abandoning of inhibition speed, I’m there is no imminent threat to his tally despite and he is also in the race to finish as the ple want to see sixes,” he
And then T20 cricket came along, altering the just blessed his last appearance being in 2021 is proof of his season’s highest run-getter. responds, before adding,
game in many ways on and off the field. Since the with potency. Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli and M.S. Dho- Pooran isn’t physically imposing. But “But they, of course, want
advent of the shortest format in England in 2003 incredible ni are second, third and fourth on this exalted when he extends his arms and brings that to see a fair contest. Peo-
and its subsequent blossoming around the globe, talent list. bat down from a high back-lift to make a ple want to go and see bat-
the biggest cricketing shift has been the abandon- NICHOLAS
sound connection, the ball invariably dis- SURYAKUMAR YADAV ters hit sixes. They want to
ing of inhibition by batters. POORAN No ground big enough appears into the sea of spectators. “I just see pacers bowl 150kmph
They have capitalised on the format’s inherent Gayle, with his long reach and giant slab of mus- try my best to get in good positions and if and spinners who can spin it
leaning towards them and augmented their six- cle, encountered no ground big enough to con- it’s there, just time the ball nicely,” Poo- both ways. That is how I see
hitting skills to an extent that couldn’t have been tain him. The same could be said about two oth- ran said. “I’ve never worked on my bat the game.”
envisaged a couple of decades ago. So much so er West Indians with illustrious IPL careers. speed, I’m just blessed with incredible This IPL season has aver-
that the emphasis on pushing the game forward Kieron Pollard was Mumbai Indians’ designat- talent.” aged about 17 sixes per game
has filtered through to the ostensibly sacrosanct ed destructor in the death overs for 13 straight Casting a keen eye on Pooran’s meth- so far. If hordes of fans are
five-day version as well. seasons, bludgeoning 223 sixes in 189 matches od, Wood explains: “He has great fun- thronging into stadiums in
Here are some numbers to chew over. From with a bat that appeared like a toothpick in front damentals. He relies heavily on the the scorching heat every year
1877 to 1999, the first 123 years of Test cricket, an of his thickset frame. For Kolkata Knight Riders, rhythm and timing of his movements. and many others are tuning in
estimate of the total sixes hit was 4,585 across Andre Russell has been just as intimidating, hit- When the rhythm and timing is right, it on their television screens and
1,480 matches. In the next 25 years, there have ting a six every seven balls on average. Even gets you to the right place at the right mobile phones, you would like to
been 8,293 maximums. In ODI cricket, the first Gayle and Pollard, in fact, didn’t enjoy Russell’s time. He is so clear in what he does. He believe that a six is still a thrill-in-
29 years (1971 to 1999) saw 4,974 sixes over 1,531 six-hitting frequency. knows if the ball is in his slot, it’s six.” ducing spectacle. But let’s just say
matches. Since January 2000, 22,827 sixes have “Russell was just born to hit sixes. Big, power- The likes of Jos Buttler, Glenn Maxwell that it isn’t rare anymore.

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STACKING UP

CM M ND-NDE
YK
 THE HINDU
16 Saturday, April 26, 2025

Weekend Sport Delhi

Meet Eugene Torre, the pioneering Asian GM

who beat Karpov and befriended Fischer
A trailblazer for chess in the continent, Torre changed perceptions by proving he could compete against the world’s best in the 70s
and 80s. In this conversation, he talks about feeling homesick in Europe, becoming a fixture for Philippines at the Olympiad,
working as Fischer’s second, getting the better of World champion Karpov and watching Anand’s rise from across the board

INTERVIEW

Eugene Torre
P.K. Ajith Kumar

V
iswanathan Anand became Asia’s
third Grandmaster in 1988. Eugene
Torre, the first from the continent to
get that most important title for chess
players, did it in 1974. He was also the first Asian
to play at the Candidates, the qualifying event for
the World Championship. He featured in 23
Olympiads for Philippines. He was a friend of the
legendary Bobby Fischer, whom he assisted dur-
ing his 1992 match against Boris Spassky. Ex-
cerpts from an interview Torre gave The Hindu: Becoming a Grandmaster was more than a dream
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f1ccf833-44c4-4575-b5cd-33fe76bd21c0
for me. I was able to do it because my family
When you were trying to become a GM, Asia supported me. And I think it happened with
was hardly a force in chess. Now, two Asians
have contested the World Championship
Anand, too, didn’t it?
and the Women’s World Championship.

I am so happy now that China and India are there

on top already. Back in my time, other than getting
the Grandmaster title, I was really hoping that
chess in Asia would be recognised. We were nowh-
ere near the Soviet Union, the United States or the
European countries. The players from those coun-
tries would treat us just as easy victims.

But you changed that perception. And Asia

finally got a Grandmaster. P.K. AJITH KUMAR AND THE HINDU ARCHIVES

Becoming a Grandmaster was more than a dream I wasn’t expecting to perform well in that tourna- Hort and Lothar Schmid. newspapers, and that had never happened with
for me. I was able to do it because my family sup- ment. I will never forget that game against Kar- chess. I would even go to IBM, because I knew so-
ported me. And I think it happened with Anand, pov. I had black pieces and I played Sicilian De- You were one of the few chess players to get mebody from IBM, and you could get the moves
too, didn’t it? I decided, together with my family, Back in my fence. It was the Richter-Rauzer variation and close to the most influential chess player of of the game from Reykjavik right away.
that in order to become a Grandmaster, I had to time… we Karpov played the Qe1 variation. And I was able all time — Bobby Fischer. You even worked
campaign in Europe for one year, because there were to look at it before our game. as his second for his unofficial world How do you look back at working with
was no tournament in Asia. nowhere championship rematch against Boris Fischer for the 1992 match in Yugoslavia?
I didn’t get even a norm, but the European tour You then became the first Asian to qualify Spassky in 1992.
proved a preparation for my Interzonal champion-
near the for the Candidates in 1983. That We would look at some openings, but he would
ship [part of the World Championship qualifier] at Soviet tournament featured the likes of Garry I admire Fischer. He was our guest in 1968. He not play it on that day. He would play it maybe af-
Leningrad in 1973; as the Asian champion, I had Union, the Kasparov, Vasily Smyslov and Viktor played with some of our top players in the Philip- ter three weeks. You know the match took three
qualified for it. United Korchnoi. pines. And I was just a little boy. I was watching, months, over 30 games [Fischer won 10-5]. He
At that time it was inconceivable for an Asian States or the because he was already my idol. I did not have a called me early in the morning one day because
player to campaign in Europe for a long time. I European Yes, that is one of the achievements close to my chance to meet him then. The next time he was the organiser was already pressing him to finish
was able to talk to a local newspaper, and we countries. heart. I qualified for the Candidates from the 1982 invited, in 1973, I had a small chat with him. He the match. He had won nine games and needed
agreed that I would send reports of my tourna- Interzonals held at Toluca, Mexico. But I lost in was making the opening moves with our presi- only one more. The organiser told him he was
ments and they would pay me $300 a month.
The players the quarterfinals to Zoltan Ribli. Then I had again dent, Ferdinand Marcos. In 1976, I became closer spending every day something like $20,000, for
During that time, life was very cheap in Madrid, I from those a chance to qualify for the Candidates in 1985, but to him. He was again a guest of Mr. Campomanes, the hotel and all that.
was able to get a hostel for one dollar a day. countries missed it narrowly, by half-a-point, in fact. who was then trying to promote a match bet- This was Game 30 and I was surprised when
I was homesick, though. I managed to make te- would treat ween Karpov and Fischer outside of FIDE, but it he called and said, ‘Come here, come here’. His
lephone calls home. But for just three minutes I us just as At the Baku Chess Olympiad in 2016, you did not materialise. For 20 years, Bobby did not room was very dark. He had this little pocket
had to pay $20. I just wanted to hear the voice of easy victims won bronze on the third board. Not a bad play until 1992. He was a special champion, and chess set and told me he was thinking of the Sa-
my family, you know. That would make me feel show for a 65-year-old. he had many demands. Like a special boy, he misch variation of the King’s Indian Defence. And
less isolated. So I returned without making a needed special care. Spassky also played it. Up to move 10. Nb3, the
norm. But next year I got an invitation, thanks to My first Olympiad was in 1970 and the only one I game went exactly according to what we
Florencio Campomanes [who would later be- missed after that was in 2008, when I was ap- In the 1972 World title match against planned.
come FIDE president], to play at Malaga, where I pointed the head coach. Spassky, he made some strange demands,
made my first Grandmaster norm. I had to win and got the chair changed. Your memories of playing against Anand,
my last five games for the norm, though. When I You won individual medals before 2016, Asia’s first World champion?
came home, there was a big celebration. too. The silver on the top board in the 1974 And then he forfeited the second game.
Olympiad at Nice must have been special, I played him in 1986 at the Asian team champion-
Another highlight of your career was for you completed your final GM norm. But he still won. What do you think are ship. Somehow I played great chess and won, but
beating Anatoly Karpov during the Fischer’s biggest contributions to chess? I saw he was a great talent. He beat me in our next
Marlboro-Loyola Kings Challenge, which I played 19 rounds and was unbeaten. I won nine meeting, in Manila. When he became the World
you won, in Manila in 1976. You thus games and drew 10. And there were some strong He made chess very popular. And the 1972 match champion for the first time, in 2000, I was very
finished ahead of the World champion. players I met, such as Viktor Korchnoi, Vlastimil was on the front pages of all the international happy. It was not just India, but Asia was happy.

BBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBB BBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBB

GAME THEORY PICTURE THIS

GETTY IMAGES

Extreme For, these two thrill seekers

hatched a plot to experience
along the cable. The person at
the bottom in this picture is
descent down through the
canyon. The other person has
cocktail all three adventure activities in
the expansive canyons in
riding a zip line on a
contraption attached to a
to be content with merely
completing the zip line ride.
Zip lining, surfing and BASE France’s Saint-julien- surfboard. The average BASE jump is
jumping offer plenty of en-Vercors. The person on top is surfing off fixed objects, such as
excitement, but why try them Zip lining involves riding a the line, instead of a wave, but buildings, cliffs, bridges and
one at a time? pulley system with a grooved that is just one part of the even radio masts, but a
A wild thought along these wheel on a suspended cable — caper. What is to follow is a surfboard atop a zip line
lines must have sparked what the pulley-wheel, propelled by BASE jump off the surfboard makes for a distracting change
you see in this photograph. gravity, turns as it travels for a parachuted, scenic of pace, no doubt.
CM M ND-NDE
YK
 THE HINDU
Saturday, April 26, 2025 17
Delhi
Sport
ANOTHER MILESTONE GO FOR IT ON THE MONEY BRIGHT FUTURE
Dhoni plays 400th T20 match, Moeen hopes KKR batters will RCB hero Hazlewood calls Jitesh Priyansh is one of the finds
becomes fourth Indian to do so be aggressive against Chahal a ‘genius’ for exceptional review of the season, feels Joshi

R. RAGU K.R. DEEPAK K. MURALI KUMAR R.V. MOORTHY

X X X X
M.S. Dhoni played his 400th T20 match on Friday during the IPL The guys would have played (Yuzvendra) Chahal many times and Jitesh (Sharma) is a genius. He has done a few for me throughout Priyansh Arya is one of the finds of the season for Punjab Kings and
clash against SRH in Chennai. Beginning with a T20I against South done well against him. He had a brilliant day (against KKR), we the tournament. One with MI with the leg-before, and that one for the IPL. When we were looking at the domestic talent, that’s
Africa at Johannesburg in 2006, he has also featured for Jharkhand, didn’t play him well. But there are two ways to go, you either think tonight (Thursday) — RCB pacer Josh Hazlewood about the review when we got to know about his talent. I am sure that in the coming
CSK and Rising Pune Supergiant. He is the fourth Indian after Rohit that he is going to destroy you again or you take him on a bit more, which resulted in RR’s Dhruv Jurel getting out for a 34-ball 47 after a years, he will represent the country — PBKS spin-bowling coach
Sharma, Dinesh Karthik and Virat Kohli to play 400 T20s. so hopefully we will do the latter — Moeen Ali. faint edge to the wicketkeeper at a critical juncture of the chase. Sunil Joshi.

‘Hard to say we got the

Harshal, Kishan and Mendis shine auction strategy right’
as Sunrisers break Chepauk jinx Sankar Narayanan E.H. right and you have to take
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f1ccf833-44c4-4575-b5cd-33fe76bd21c0
CHENNAI responsibility from the top
down. You then just ask a
Head coach Stephen Flem- little bit more from the
The Hyderabad outfit keeps its slim playoff hopes alive with a gritty win in a tricky chase; the defeat effectively ends Super Kings’ campaign; ing opened up about Chen- players,” he added.
youngsters Mhatre and Brevis shine for the host before the latter’s dismissal, thanks to a blinder on the boundary, triggers a collapse nai Super Kings’ dismal IPL “The auction has to be
2025 season, saying the an area where we need to
team probably got its auc- reflect upon and say it
tion strategy wrong. wasn’t as good as it could
IPL-18 “It’s hard to say that have been... it hasn’t
we’ve got it [auction strate- worked out how we want-
S. Dipak Ragav gy] completely right. We ed, but it’s also not rocket
CHENNAI have been looking in detail science.
at our performances and “The auction is a very

S
ometimes when it our style of play. We are al- different beast... it’s like
rains, it pours. Chen- so looking at how the game buying 25 houses and you
nai Super Kings once is evolving, and it’s not ea- come away from it mental-
took pride in making the sy. That’s why we’re proud ly and, sometimes, physi-
MAC Stadium a fortress. of our [overall] record. cally exhausted. To be fair,
Opponents had struggled We’ve been able to be con- I still think we’ve got a
for years to breach the hal- sistent for so long, and it good squad and we’re not
lowed turf. doesn’t take much for it to far away.
However, 2025 has been go the other way,” said “We have had a couple
an annus horribilis for Sup- Fleming after CSK’s five- of key injuries, a bit of lack
er Kings. Royal Challengers wicket loss against Sunris- of form and struggled to
Bengaluru won a game ers Hyderabad on Friday. nail a gameplan. We have
here after 17 years, while Pulling his weight: Harshal claimed four to keep Super Kings to a modest total. R. RAGU “The other teams have chopped and changed too
Delhi Capitals (formerly got better... that’s the point much, trying to look for so-
Delhi Daredevils) won here Mendis, along with Nit- SCOREBOARD of the auction. But we just mething that was not
for the first time after 2010. ish Kumar Reddy, added 쑽 haven’t been able to get it there”.
On Friday, it was the turn 49 for the unbroken sixth- CHENNAI SUPER KINGS (Impact Player for Zeeshan) b
of Sunrisers Hyderabad to wicket partnership to Shaik Rasheed c Abhishek b Kamboj 19 (16b, 4x4), Ishan
taste its first-ever victory guide Sunrisers home. Shami 0 (1b), Ayush Mhatre c Kishan c Curran b Noor 44 (34b,
Kishan b Cummins 30 (19b, 6x4), 5x4, 1x6), Heinrich Klaasen c

KKR eager to
against CSK at Chepauk, Earlier, the Chennai out-
Sam Curran c Aniket b Harshal 9 Hooda b Jadeja 7 (8b, 1x4),
when it beat the five-time fit squandered a good start Aniket Verma c Hooda b Noor 19
(10b, 1x4), Ravindra Jadeja b
champion by five wickets and was bowled out for Mendis 21 (17b, 1x4, 1x6), Dewald (19b, 2x6), Kamindu Mendis (not
and effectively ended the 154. The Men in Yellow
home
campaign.
team’s IPL managed 50 in the Power-
Play and more than dou-
Brevis c Mendia b Harshal 42
(25b, 1x4, 4x6), Shivam Dube c
Abhishek b Unadkat 12 (9b, 2x4),
out) 32 (22b, 3x4), Nitish Kumar
(not out) 19 (13b, 2x4); Extras
(lb-2, nb-2, w-11): 15; Total (for
revive campaign
Chasing 155, Sunrisers bled the score in the next five wkts. in 18.4 overs): 155.

as it faces PBKS
Deepak Hooda c Abhishek b
were made to work hard, six overs. Unadkat 22 (21b, 1x4, 1x6), M.S. FALL OF WICKETS
but Ishan Kishan’s well- However, Harshal Patel Dhoni c Abhishek b Harshal 6 1-0 (Abhishek, 0.2), 2-37 (Head,
composed 44 at the top (4-0-28-4) produced a fine (10b, 1x4), Anshul Kamboj 5.3), 3-54 (Klaasen, 8.1), 4-90
(Impact Player for Dube) c
and Kamindu Mendis’ ca- bowling effort through his (Kishan, 11.6), 5-106 (Aniket,
Klaasen b Cummins 2 (4b), Noor 13.5).
meo (32 n.o.) towards the judicious use of slow cut- Ahmad c Shami b Harshal 2 (3b),
end helped Pat Cummins’ ters to derail the host’s Khaleel Ahmed (not out) 1 (2b); SUPER KINGS BOWLING
men get their third win of innings. Extras (lb-3, nb-2, w-2): 7; Total Khaleel 3-0-21-1, Kamboj
the season. Dewald Brevis (42), on (in 19.5 overs): 154. 3-0-16-1, Noor 4-0-42-2, Jadeja
Despite defending a his CSK debut, broke free FALL OF WICKETS 3.4-0-22-1, Curran 2-0-25-0,
modest total, Super Kings in the 12th over when he 1-0 (Rasheed, 0.1 overs), 2-39 Pathirana 3-0-27-0.
had their moments after launched Mendis for three (Curran, 4.3), 3-47 (Mhatre, 5.3), Toss: SRH.
Anshul Kamboj and Kha- sixes, helping his side get 4-74 (Jadeja, 9.3), 5-114 (Brevis, PoM: Harshal.
leel Ahmed ensured SRH past 100. 12.5), 6-118 (Dube, 13.5), 7-131 SRH won by five wickets with
only managed 37 for two in But once Harshal dis- (Dhoni, 16.3), 8-134 (Kamboj, eight balls to spare.
17.3), 9-137 (Noor, 18.1).
the PowerPlay. missed the South African
SUNRISERS BOWLING
And when Ravindra Ja- Audacious: Brevis sparkled on his debut for Super Kings. R. RAGU batter — Mendis pulled off
Shami 3-0-28-1, Cummins
deja had Heinrich Klaasen a blinder while diving full 4-0-21-2, Unadkat 2.5-0-21-2, Cool customers: KKR’s Russell, Gurbaz, Moeen and Narine in a
with the total reading 54 surprising decision to trust tum towards the visitor. On length to his left at long-off Harshal 4-0-28-4, Zeeshan relaxed frame of mind. K.R. DEEPAK
for three in the ninth over, Sam Curran for two overs a tricky pitch, Kishan took — CSK crumbled, losing the 3-0-27-0, Mendis 3-0-26-1.
CSK would have fancied its proved costly as the seam- calculated risks, punishing next five wickets for 40 SUNRISERS HYDERABAD Y.B. Sarangi
chances. er conceded 25 runs, Curran and Noor Ahmad runs, and the total proved Abhishek Sharma c Mhatre b KOLKATA
However, M.S. Dhoni’s which swung the momen- when they erred. inadequate. Khaleel 0 (2b), Travis Head
It’s high time Kolkata
Knight Riders shook off its
batting woes in order to get

Metronomic Hazlewood, Bengaluru’s go-to man

its Indian Premier League
campaign back on track.
More than avenging its
defeat, defending cham-
pion KKR, struggling with
Ashwin Achal just three wins in eight
BENGALURU matches, will be eager to
arrest the slide and lift its
When Royal Challengers morale when it meets Pun-
Bengaluru is in desperate jab Kings at the Eden Gar-
need of a breakthrough, dens here on Saturday.
they turn to Josh
Hazlewood. Poor batting na (11 wickets) and Vaibhav
A four-wicket haul KKR has lost two games on Arora (9) and spinners Va-
against Rajasthan Royals the trot, including the last run Chakaravarthy (10)
on Thursday showed the one against Gujarat Titans and Sunil Narine (7), have
match-winning prowess of at the Eden Gardens, pri- done a decent job.
the Aussie speedster. marily due to the batters’ After its defeat to Royal
Having realised that the poor show. Challengers Bengaluru,
M. Chinnaswamy Stadium The host will hope that PBKS, led by former KKR
pitch offers extra bounce apart from captain Ajinkya skipper Shreyas Iyer, will
and carry from a hard Rahane (271 runs) and be keen to bounce back
length, a relentless Hazle- youngster Angkrish Raghu- and record its sixth victory.
wood honed in. vanshi (197), other batters, Its batting, comprising
As a result, the 34-year- brilliant 19th over. sure in any format of the including Venkatesh Iyer Shreyas (263), rookie Pri-
old played a big part in RCB RCB head coach and game. He thinks clearly and Rinku Singh, also yansh Arya (254), Prabh-
recording a first win at former Zimbabwe captain and he’s got great skill. He’s shine on a flat track. simran Singh (209) and Ne-
home. On the prowl: Hazlewood produced a death overs masterclass to derail Royals. K. MURALI KUMAR Andy Flower showered known for his heavy length KKR may think of re- hal Wadhera (189), has
His first victim came in praise on a “world-class bowling, but he has got placing a misfiring Andre served the side well.
the sixth over, when RR from RCB. A clever change cond spell. RCB was in a conceding just six runs bowler”. great all-round skills. Russell with fellow Carib- Despite its limited re-
opener Yashasvi Jaiswal of angle from around the tight spot, with RR needing from the over. “Hazlewood’s last two “He mixes yorkers, wide bean Rovman Powell. But sources, the PBKS bowling
was going great guns. wicket surprised Jaiswal, 46 runs from the last four Hazlewood saved the overs went for seven runs, yorkers, slower balls… he striking the right balance attack consisting of Arsh-
The southpaw opener who fell out of shape and overs. best for last, when he effec- and he took three wickets. knows what type of ball to will take priority over oth- deep Singh (11), Yuzvendra
had smashed his way to a spooned a catch. The Australian prised tively sealed the game by He’s a class operator, a bowl at the right time,” er factors. Chahal (9) and Marco Jan-
19-ball 49, and threatened Hazlewood showed his out Shimron Hetmyer, and dismissing last hope Dhruv world-class bowler. Flower said at the post- The KKR bowlers, in- sen (8) has helped the team
to take the game away magic once again in his se- put RR on the backfoot by Jurel and Jofra Archer in a “He is great under pres- match press conference. cluding pacers Harshit Ra- record crucial victories.
CM M ND-NDE
YK
 THE HINDU
18 Saturday, April 26, 2025

Sport Delhi

INBRIEF
쑽 Cheptegei is back to Mohun Bagan clashes with
Blasters; Goa meets Punjab
where it all began
SUPER CUP
The city of Bengaluru and the TCS World 10K holds great significance
to the champion long distance runner from Uganda Joan Mathew Jacob
BHUBANESWAR

ATHLETICS Mohun Bagan Super Giant

(MBSG) will begin its quest
to finish the season with a
Rashmika Sahgal sweeps Ashwin Achal third piece of silverware
BENGALURU when it takes on Kerala
air pistol gold medals Blasters FC (KBFC) in the

T
he city of Bengalu- Kalinga Super Cup quarter-
Rashmika Sahgal (in pic, centre) swept the ru and the TCS final at the Kalinga Stadi- Confident bunch: Blasters sent holder East Bengal packing in their
women’s, juniors and youth air pistol gold World 10K holds um here on Saturday. opening game. BISWARANJAN ROUT
medals in the 23rd Kumar Surendra Singh great significance to Joshua It will be MBSG’s first ap-
shooting championship at the Madhya Pradesh Cheptegei. It was in 2014 pearance in this edition of match press conference. Later in the day, Manolo
Academy, Bhopal, on Friday. Rashmika beat when a young Cheptegei the Super Cup after its On the other hand, Marquez’s hope of finish-
Sakshi by one point for the women’s gold, when travelled to these parts, in round-of-16 opponent, KBFC head coach David ing his tenure as FC Goa
the seasoned D. Padma of Railways climbed to what was his first overseas Churchill Brothers FC Goa, Catala had a perfect start to coach with a trophy will
the bronze. trip. He competed hard in withdrew from the tourna- his stint as his side beat de- face a stern challenge
the international elite ment. Moreover, the Ma- fending champion East when his side takes on
The results: 10m air pistol: Women: 1. Rashmika Sahgal
men’s field, and finished a Launchpad: Cheptegei says the 2014 edition opened opportunities riners’ squad will be nota- Bengal 2-0 in its opening Punjab FC in the second
239.9 (576); 2. Sakshi Suryavanshi 238.9 (578); 3. D. Padma
217.9 (576). creditable second behind for him leading to multiple Olympic medals. SUDHAKARA JAIN bly missing the services of match. quarterfinal.
Juniors: 1. Rashmika Sahgal 243.2 (576); 2. Anjali Shekhawat his mentor, Geoffrey its six foreign players, who However, he warned his Both Goa and Punjab
239.4 (578); 3. Muskan 217.5 (580). Kamworor. 10K was the starting point that is why I wanted that have been rested after a players to focus on the are coming off convincing
Youth: 1. Rashmika Sahgal 240.6 (576); 2. Chahek 235.2 (581); That showing gave him for me — it opened oppor- good feeling I get in Benga- taxing season. game at hand instead of 3-0 wins against Gokulam
f1ccf833-44c4-4575-b5cd-33fe76bd21c0

f1ccf833-44c4-4575-b5cd-33fe76bd21c0
3. Agam Ranjit Grewal 214.0 (572). immense confidence going tunities for me. After that luru,” Cheptegei said. “This tournament we dreaming of a maiden tro- Kerala FC and Odisha FC,
Sub-youth: 1. Dikshita Choudhary 571; 2. Anushka 570; 3. into the 2014 World junior run, I was a changed per- Cheptegei rated the are treating as an exposure phy for the club. respectively.
Niyamicka Rana 569. athletics championships, son. I could mentally focus 2024 Olympics 10,000m for the young guys, and “To start thinking about Goa is the only side re-
50m rifle 3-position: Men: 1. Akhil Sheoran 462.5 (585); 2. where he claimed the and chase my dreams. I gold as a career highlight. find out how they can per- trophies right now is, for maining in the competition
Rohit Kanyan 457.5 (584); 3. Niraj Kumar 446.9 (583). 10,000m gold. was fully determined to Having claimed silver in form in the long run,” me, it’s not right. We need that can win it for a second
Juniors: 1. Adriyan Karmakar 453.7 (581); 2. Rohit Kaviti 450.1 The Ugandan then went conquer the world,” Chep- the event in the previous MBSG assistant coach Bas- to just focus on the task to- time, having won the Cup
(579); 3. Amitoj Singh 442.3 (581). to have a stellar senior ca- tegei said here on Friday. edition, Cheptegei was tab Roy said at the pre- morrow,” Catala said. in 2019.
reer, studded with two The 28-year-old has now solely focused on grabbing
Olympic golds (2020 To- left the track behind to fo- the top prize at Paris.
kyo 5,000m, and 2024 Pa- cus on road races. “My “It was so surprising
Zeel Desai enter semifinals
in Monastir
ris 10,000m). Cheptegei is
also the current 5,000m
and 10,000m world record
priority is more on the
roads. I think I’ve done a
lot on the track, and
that I had never won an
Olympic title in the
10,000m because that is
Atletico thumps Rayo,
holder. maybe it’s time for me to my best event. I was not
Zeel Desai beat Lidia Encheva of Bulgaria 6-4, 6-2
in the quarterfinals of the $15,000 TF women’s
tennis tournament in Monastir, Tunisia, on
Now back to compete in
the TCS World 10K after a
gap of 11 years, Cheptegei
move on.
“In this next chapter of
my career, I felt that I need-
going to end my track ca-
reer happily without win-
ning the 10,000m. I went
Valladolid relegated
Friday. turned nostalgic when ed to go back to Bengaluru to Paris with one goal —
asked about his maiden ap- and start over again. I hope win the 10,000m gold, not
The results: $100,000 Challenger, Gwangju, Korea: LALIGA
pearance in Bengaluru. that this second half of my any other medal,” Chepte-
Doubles: Semifinals: Vasil Kirkov (USA) & Bart Stevens (Ned)
“The 2014 TCS World career turns out great, and gei said.
bt Ramkumar Ramanathan & Aoran Wang (Chn) 6-1, 7-6(1).
Agence France-Presse
$60,000 Challenger, Abidjan, Ivory Coast: Quarterfinals: MADRID
Michael Geerts (Bel) bt Aryan Shah 7-6(7), 2-2 (retired).
Doubles: Quarterfinals: Aleksandre Bakshi (Geo) & Prajwal
Dev w/o Aryan Shah & Parikshit Somani.
$15,000 ITF women, Monastir: Quarterfinals: Zeel Desai
Karna Kadur takes a slender lead Atletico Madrid cruised to
a 3-0 La Liga win over Rayo
Vallecano on Thursday.
bt Lidia Encheva (Bul) 6-4, 6-2. at the Madras International 2m, 50.9s). Real Betis bolstered its
APRC Circuit, here on Friday. INRC 1: Kadur & Sherif; INRC 2:
Doubles: Quarterfinals: Zeel & Anastasia Gureva bt Aran Champions League ambi-
Garcia & Maritxell Garcia (Esp) 6-4, 7-6(1). Jason Saldanha & P. V. Srinivasa tions with a 5-1 win over
Kadur, representing Ar- Murthy (Arka Motorsports)
$15,000 ITF women, Antalya: Quarterfinals: Vaishnavi Sports Bureau Real Valladolid, confirming Rising high: Gallagher towers over the Vallecano defence to head
ka Motorsports with vete- 02:51.4.
Adkar bt Amelie Van Impe (Bel) 6-1, 6-3. CHENNAI
ran Musa Sherif in the co- the visitors’ long-expected in Atletico’s second. REUTERS
INRC 3: Seshank Jamwal & relegation.
Doubles: Semifinals: Kaat Coppez & Amelie Van Impe (Bel) driver’s seat, not only Raghu (Pvt.) 02:56.2.
bt Vaishnavi & India Houghton (USA) 7-5, 6-2. Reigning National cham- topped the chart in the Atletico has little to play go, crossed for the Norwe- the season.
pion Karna Kadur set the INRC 3T (turbo): Jeet Jhabhak
APRC (Asia Cup) segment, for in the rest of the season gian target man to nod
& V. Sekar (Pvt.) 03:00.0. The results: Leganes 1 (Munir
early pace and took a slen- but also led the field in the with leader Barcelona 10 home at the back post.
Women: INRC: Anushriya Gulati 90+2) drew with Girona 1 (Stuani
der lead in the FIA Asia FMSCI National Rally points clear with five Sorloth spurned anoth-
& Karan Aukta (Arka Motorsports) 54); Osasuna 1 (Garcia 25) bt
Qualifier Ranjhana to take Pacific Rally Champion-
ship (APRC) after two loops
Championship Round-1. 03:02.6. FMSCI Gypsy matches remaining, but
produced a solid derby dis-
er headed opportunity be-
fore Conor Gallagher
Sevilla 0; Atletico Madrid 3
Challenge: Akash Sundar & Arjun (Sorloth 3, Gallagher 45, Alvarez
on Nainika in title decider of the short Super Special Provisional results (winners Dheerendra (03:19.7). play. Alexander Sorloth struck just before half- 77) bt Rayo Vallecano 0; Real
Stage which kick-started only, leg-1, section-1): FIA FMSCI Classic Challenge: opened the scoring in the time. Alvarez rounded off Betis 5 (Rodriguez 17, Hernandez
Qualifier Ranjhana Sangram beat Shagun Kumari the Indu Chandhok Memo- APRC/ Overall: Karna Kadur & Siddhartha Santhosh & Sawan third minute after Giuliano the win in the second half 64, Isco 66, Perraud 84, Abde 90)
6-4, 6-3 to set up a title clash with Nainika rial 48th South India Rally Musa Sherif (Arka Motorsports) Satyanarayan (Pvt.) 03:14.8. Simeone, son of coach Die- with his 15th LaLiga goal of bt Valladolid 1 (Chuki 41).
Bendram in the AITA National series junior
tennis tournament in Chandigarh on Friday. The
boys final will be between top seed Swaraaj
Dhamdhere and Ribhav Saroha.
The results (semifinals): Under-14 boys: Swaraaj
Dhamdhere bt Armaan Walia 6-2, 6-2; Ribhav Saroha bt Nithin
Chithravel capable of jumping Australia tour will help us assess
Barath 6-3, 6-1.
Under-18 girls: Ranjhana Sangram bt Shagun Kumari 6-4,
6-63; Nainika Bendram bt Sherry Sharma 6-4, 7-5.
17.50m this year: coach Betanzos where we stand: Harendra
ATHLETICS

Jensi and Srishti move Stan Rayan

KOCHI
into the semifinals
Two years ago, when triple
Jensi Kanabar beat Nualsri Paweenon of Thailand jumper Praveen Chithravel
6-1, 7-5 in the girls’ quarterfinals of the Asian broke the National record
under-14 Development tennis championship in with a stunning 17.37m in
New Delhi on Friday. Cuba, many had wondered
how genuine it was.
The results (quarterfinals): Boys: Jang Junseo (Kor) bt Was he tested in Hava-
Ramtin Rafeeiboroujeni (Iri) 6-2, 6-4; Fu Choi (Hkg) bt He
na, was the question that
Xiande (Chn) 6-2, 6-0; Kim Siyun (Kor) bt Saidaslam Farkxodov
(Uzb) 6-1, 6-2; Wu Yuting (Chn) bt Bing-Huan Tsai (Tpe) 4-1, often popped up?
retd. Girls: Lim Yerin (Kor) bt Ailin Mohammadian (Iri) 3-6, 6-0, A year later, the Tamil
6-0; Srishti Kiran bt Tamina Saken (Kaz) 6-4, 6-0; Sun Jiarui Nadu athlete could only
(Chn) bt Kim Seohyeon (Kor) 6-4, 6-4; Jensi Kanabar bt Nualsri manage a weak 16.25m at
Paweenon (Tha) 6-1, 7-5. the Paris Olympics, failing
to qualify for the final and
finishing 27th overall. Not
many were surprised, for
CAPITAL ROUND-UP Chithravel has been one of
the country’s most incon- In fine form: Praveen Chithravel on his way to winning the tripe
Harendra says the focus is on giving players international exposure. FILE PHOTO: BISWARANJAN ROUT

쑽 ly been a strong rival, win- depth, and trying out

sistent athletes. jump gold at the Federation Nationals. R.K. NITHIN HOCKEY ning 10 of the 16 matches combinations.
That had put him under
Avinash slams century played between the two “ Playing against Austra-
a lot of pressure. He want- me. But I won’t tell you Betanzos.
Avinash Sudha starred with a knock of 132 as Press Trust of India sides, while drawing three. lia-A and the senior Austra-
ed to prove the world how far I can jump this Where has Chithravel
Pioneer Club beat Bhawan Cricket Academy in a PERTH Harendra is confident lian team in their home
wrong. This year, the 23- year, that will be the sur- improved?
Super Over in a quarterfinal clash of the All year-old is trying to add prise… I’m just praying “Here,” said the Cuban, that the month-long train- conditions will be a good
India Laxman Das Chhabra Memorial Cricket The challenging Australia ing camp in Bengaluru had learning experience and
some consistency to his act that I stay injury-free. The pointing to the head. tour, beginning on Satur-
Tournament. Both teams had scored 342 each even while chasing the big focus this year is on the “He has power, speed, prepared the team well for help us prepare for the im-
in their quota of 40 overs. day, will help the Indian the matches. portant competitions com-
jumps. Worlds,” said Chithravel, and technique. Only, I women’s hockey team as-
The scores: Pioneer Club 342/4 in 40 overs (Avinash Sudha
After a 17.13m effort at now third in this year’s need to talk to him more ing up this year.”
132, Vivek Yadav 74) tied with Bhawan Cricket Academy 342 sess where it stands, chief Intense training
last month’s Bengaluru world list, in a chat with and more psychologically India had a mixed out-
in 40 overs (Sidharth Choudhary 61, Vikram Mehra 49, coach Harendra Singh said
Jumps Indian Open, the The Hindu. to improve him. He “The team has trained in- ing in the home leg of the
Ghanshyam 47, Dev Parashar 47). on Friday, adding that he
Asian Games bronze me- Cuban Yoandri Betan- jumped only 70% here.” tensely during the camp in Pro League recently where
Super Over: Bhawan Cricket Academy 7/0 lost to Pioneer will also experiment with
dallist stunningly equalled zos, a former two-time Bengaluru, and this tour it registered two wins and a
Club 8/0. combinations, keeping in
his National record at the Worlds silver medallist will help us assess where shootout victory against
mind important future
Federation Nationals here who coaches Chithravel at we stand,” said Harendra. the Dutch, which gave it a
Nazma does the star turn assignments.
on Thursday. That also the JSW’s IIS Ballari centre, LIVE TELECAST India will draw inspira- bonus point.
Nazma starred with the bat and ball (65 and The Salima Tete-led In-
2/14) in R.P. Cricket XI’s five-wicket win over helped him qualify for this threw some light on the 쑽 tion from its recent victory The squad includes five
September’s World Cham- coming ‘surprise’. dian team will clash with against powerhouse and new faces — Jyoti Singh, Su-
Cricket Academy of Narwal in the All India Premier League: SS Select 1, 2
pionships in Tokyo. “This year, my plan for & JioHotstar, 5 & 7.30 p.m. Australia-A in Perth on World No. 1 the Nether- jata Kujur, Ajmina Kujur,
Kalpana Chawla Women’s Cricket Tournament April 26 and 27, and take
at the Siri Fort Sports Complex. So what is Chithravel him is 17.50m. He will be Bundesliga: Sony Sports Ten 2 lands in the Pro League. Pooja Yadav, and Mahima
capable of doing this year? doing that at the Inter-State (SD & HD) & LIV, 7 & 10 p.m. on the senior team on May “Our focus is on giving Tete — who could make
The scores: Cricket Academy of Narwal 193 in 37 overs
“There will be a big sur- Nationals (Chennai, Au- 1, 3 and 4. players international expo- their senior team debuts in
(Amisha 47, Riya Bhati Gujjar 39) lost to R.P. Cricket XI 194/5 IPL: Star Sports 1 (SD & HD) &
in 39 overs (Nazma 65, Diksha Sharma 57 n.o.). prise for everybody from gust) and the Worlds,” said JioHotstar, 7.30 p.m. Australia has traditional- sure, building squad Australia.
CM M ND-NDE
YK
 f1ccf833-44c4-4575-b5cd-33fe76bd21c0
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M ND-NDE
EDUCATIONAL
GENERAL
THE HINDU
Saturday, April 26, 2025

CM
YK
Delhi
f1ccf833-44c4-4575-b5cd-33fe76bd21c0
 f1ccf833-44c4-4575-b5cd-33fe76bd21c0
Saturday, April 26, 2025
Delhi

M ND-NDE
THE HINDU

CM
YK
20
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