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covid19india.org
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India, China to hold
Corps Commanders’
talks today at Chushul
New Delhi: Indian and Chinese
Corps Commanders will be
holding 4th round of military
level talks on Tuesday to dis-
cuss further “disengagement
and re-location of troops in the
areas of contesting claims.”
The meeting will take place at
Chushul in Ladakh sector which
is on the Indian side of line of
actual control (LAC) and is like-
ly to start at 11.30 am in the
morning, said sources.
Nepal partially lifts ban
on Indian private
news channels
Kathmandu: Nepals cable televi-
sion operators on Monday partial-
ly lifted the ban imposed on
Indian private news channels. A
meeting of the cable operators
decided to lift the ban on the
Indian news channels with only a
few news channels still banned in
Nepal, vice president of television
operators’ association Dhurba
Sharma told reporters.
COUNTER POINT
Google to invest `75,000 crore in digital India: Sundar Pichai
New Delhi, July 13: Google
chief executive Sundar
Pichai on Monday
announced plans to invest
`75,000 crore in India over
the next five to seven years to
help accelerate the adoption
of digital technologies in the
country. India-born Pichai,
who held a virtual meeting
with Prime Minister Naren-
dra Modi on Monday morn-
ing, made the announcement
at annual ‘Google for India’
event via video conference.
Announcing the `75,000
crore investment in India
over the next 5-7 years
deccanchronicle.com, facebook.com/deccannews, twitter.com/deccanchronicle, google.com/+deccanchronicle
SC upholds ex-Kerala royals’ Gehlot Raj seems safe, door
PADMANABHASWAMY SHRINE
right to run historic temple still left open for rebel Pilot
PARMOD KUMAR | DC
NEW DELHI, JULY 13
Travancore’s erstwhile
royal family on Monday
regained ownership of the
historic Sree Padman-
abhaswamy Temple in
Thiruvananthapuram,
Kerala, as Supreme Court
ruled that the Shebaitship
of the temple rested with the
royal family and succession
of Shebait would be ruled by
the prevailing law, includ-
ing heritability and custom-
ary rights.
The judgment was on an
appeal filed by Uthradam
Thirunal Marthanda
Varma, younger brother of
Chithira Thirunal
Balarama Varma, the last
ruler of Travancore, against
a high court ruling that had
dismissed his claim over
the ownership of the tem-
ple.
The central legal question
was whether Utradam
could claim to be the “Ruler
of Travancore” after the
death of the ruler in 1991
and retained Shebait rights
(right to manage the finan-
cial affairs of the deity).
Global virus cases
rise above 13 mn
as US cases surge
Washington, July 13:
Coronavirus infections
rose above 13 million
across the world on
Monday, according to a
Reuters tally, climbing by
one million in just five
days in a pandemic that
has killed more than half a
million people.
World Health Orga-
nization chief Tedros
Adhanom Ghebreyesus
said there would be no
return to the old normal
for the foreseeable future,
with too many countries
headed in the wrong direc-
tion.
“The virus remains pub-
lic enemy number one,”
he told a virtual briefing
from WHO headquarters
in Geneva.
“If basics are not fol-
lowed, the only way this
pandemic is going to go, it
is going to get worse and
worse and worse. But it
does not have to be this
way.”
The Reuters global tally,
which is based on govern-
ment reports, shows the
disease is accelerating the
fastest in Latin America.
The Americas account for
more than half the world’s
infections and half the
deaths.
Parts of the world, espe-
cially the United States
with more than 3.3 million
confirmed cases, are still
seeing huge increases in a
first wave of Covid-19
infections, while others
"flatten the curve" and
ease lockdowns.
Some places, such as the
Australian city of Melbo-
urne and Leicester in
England, are implement-
ing a second round of shut-
downs. — Reuters
through ‘Google for India
Digitisation Fund’, Pichai
asserted that the move is a
reflection of company’s con-
fidence in the future of the
country and its digital econo-
my. Pichai said a whole new
generation of technologies
are happening in India first,
and that people in the coun-
try no longer have to wait for
technology to come to them.
“There’s no question we are
facing a difficult moment
today, in India and around
the world. The dual chal-
lenges to our health and to
our economies have forced
STATE | 3
CM to write to
heads of MNCs
● The controversy over the administration
and management of the historic temple
was pending in the top court for the last
nine years in the wake of charges of
alleged financial irregularities
A bench comprising
Justice Uday Umesh Lalit
and Justice Indu Malhotra
said, “We hold that the
death of Sree Chithira
Thirunal Balarama Varma
who had signed the
covenant, would not in any
way affect the Shebaitship
of the temple held by the
royal
Travancore…
family of
The
TN Covid death toll
crosses 2,000 mark
DC CORRESPONDENT
CHENNAI, JULY 13
The government has deci-
ded not to resume bus ser-
vices till July 31 in view
of the continuing
coronavirus spread
across the State, which
recorded 4,328 new infec-
tions and 66 deaths on
Monday, taking the toll to
2,032.
Bus services, which
were resumed in many
parts of the State other
than Chennai and its sur-
roundings after the lock-
down was relaxed, were
stopped on July 1 for 15
days.
Now the government
has not decided to resume
the services with a view
to combating the epidem-
ic
Minister for Municipal
Administration S P
Velumani urged local
bodies across the State to
take a cue from Chennai
Corporation and fight
the spread of
CBSE 12th: Girls fare better than boys
New Delhi, July 13: Girls
outshone boys by nearly 6
percentage points in CBSE
class 12 examination results
declared on Monday based
on an alternative assess-
ment system adapted after
some tests had to be can-
celled due to the Covid-19
pandemic.
The Central Board of
Secondary Education has
decided against releasing
the merit list and replaced
the term ‘fail’ with “essen-
● Investments will focus on four areas key to
India’s digitisation, including enabling afford-
able access and information for every Indian
in their own language, be it Hindi, Tamil,
Punjabi or any other,Google chief executive
Sundar Pichai said
● Commenting on the fresh investments, the
Google CEO said, “This is a reflection of our
confidence in the future of India and its digi-
tal economy”
us to rethink how we work
and how we live. But times of to ensure that India not only
challenge can lead to incredi- benefits from the next wave
ble moments of innovation,” of innovation, but in fact
Pichai said. leads it, he said. “Today, I’m
CHENNAI I TUESDAY 14 I JULY 2020
Shebaitship must devolve
in accordance with the
applicable law and custom
upon his successor; that the
expression ‘Ruler of
Travancore’ as appearing
in Chapter III of Part I of the
TC Act must include his
natural successors accord-
ing to law and custom; and
that the Shebaitship did not
lapse in favour of the state.”
● The government
has decided not to
resume bus ser-
vices throughout
the state till July 31
with a view to
combating the
epidemic
Coronavirus. In a tweet,
Velumani said that med-
ical waste was piling in
many places and the gov-
ernment was planning to
buy mobile incinerators
that help dispose the
waste.
In Chennai, the organi-
zation of fever camps
across the 15 zones has
helped fight the pandemic
in an effective manner,
Food and Civil Supplies
Minister R Kamaraj said.
He visited a few camps in
Teynampet and Annan-
agar zones and said that
the spread was under
control due to the efforts
of the government and
the cooperation of the
people. ■ P2
tial repeat” because of the
exceptional circumstances.
Accordingly, the term ‘fail’
will not figure in the result
documents.
The pass percentage of girls
was 92.15 and that of boys
was 86.19.
Transgender candidates
recorded a pass percentage
of 66.67.
The overall pass percentage
increased by 5.38 points this
year. While 83.40 per cent
students cleared the exam
The company is committed
Army chief visits forward
areas in Jammu
SREEPARNA
CHAKRABARTY | DC
NEW DELHI, JULY 13
The fate of the Congress
government in Rajasthan
remained in a limbo as
Deputy Chief Minister
Sachin Pilot dug in his heels
and Chief Minister Ashok
Gehlot paraded and then
holed up his MLAs in a
resort.
On the face of it, there
seemed to be no immediate
threat to the Gehlot govern-
ment as the chief minister
claimed the support of more
than 100 MLAs, but Mr Pilot
seemed determined to jump
ship refusing it is under-
stood even a meeting with
Congress leader Rahul
Gandhi with whom he is
known to have a personal
rapport.
The day began on a nega-
tive note for the Congress
with the Deputy Chief
Minister, who has been on a
warpath with his boss and
arch rival Mr Gehlot, refus-
ing to attend the Congress
Legislature Party meeting.
Though there was no offi-
cial word on the number of
MLAs who attended the
meeting at Mr Gehlot’s
home, party leaders
claimed 106 legislators were
there.
Mr Pilot had claimed on
Sunday night that he had
the support of more than 30
MLAs. In the 200-member
assembly, the Congress has
107 MLAs and the BJP 72.
Later, when it began after
a delay of three hours, the
CLP meeting adopted a res-
olution urging “strong dis-
ciplinary action” against
Madras HC to decide TN plea
for OBC quota in medical seats
New Delhi, July 13: The
Supreme Court Monday
asked the Madras high
court to decide the pleas,
including one filed by
Tamil Nadu government,
against the Centre’s deci-
sion not to grant 50 per cent
quota to OBCs in medical
seats surrendered by the
state in all India quota for
under graduate, post gradu-
ate and dental courses in
2020-21.
A bench of Justices L
.Nageswara Rao and
Hemant Gupta said the
high court should decide
the plea of the state govern-
● The overall pass percentage increased by
5.38 points this year. While 83.40 per cent
students cleared the exam last year, 88.78
per cent students cleared it this year
last year, 88.78 per cent stu-
dents cleared it this year.
More than 38,000 students
secured marks above 95 per
cent and over 1.57 lakh
scored above 90 per cent.
A total of 11.92 lakh candi-
dates appeared for the
examination.
The Trivandrum region
excited to announce the
Google for India Digitisation
Fund. Through this effort,
we will invest `75,000 crore,
or approximately US$ 10 bil-
NATION | 4
Stokes backs his decision
to drop Broad in 1st Test
Vol. 16 No. 109 Established 1938
Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot with senior Congress leaders Randeep
Surjewala, Avinash Pandey, Ajay Maken and K.C. Venugopal flashes victory sign during
a meeting with the party MLAs at his residence in Jaipur, Monday.
any party office-bearer or
CLP member who does any-
thing to weaken the govern-
ment or the party.
The resolution though
stopped short of naming Mr
Pilot. The resolution
blamed the BJP for the cri-
sis. On Saturday, Mr Gehlot
had accused the opposition
party of trying to lure away
Congress MLAs.
Sources in the Congress
told this newspaper that
the Congress central lead-
ership has offered the
Deputy Chief Minister the
state Home and Finance
ministries and withdraw-
al of FIR filed against him
in the state.
Officially reaching out to
him before the CLP meet-
ing, Congress Chief
Spokesperson Randeep
Surjewala also adopted a
ment and others irrespec-
tive of the pendency of
another case here.
In a hearing conducted
via video link, the top court
said, “All the contention
raised in petitions (before
it) should be decided by the
high court” and requested
the high court to deal with
the case.
Earlier, the state govern-
ment had moved the
Supreme Court on July 2
seeking a direction to the
high court to expeditiously
decide its plea challenging
the Centre’s decision not to
grant 50 per cent quota to
recorded the highest pass
percentage of 97.67 while the
Patna region recorded the
lowest at 74.57. Delhi record-
ed 94.39 pass percentage.
Also, the government-run
Jawahar Navodaya Vidya-
laya group recorded the
highest pass percentage of
98.70.
lion, into India over the next
5-7 years. We’ll do this
through a mix of equity
investments, partnerships,
and operational, infrastruc-
ture and ecosystem invest-
ments,” Pichai said.
Investments will focus on
four areas key to India’s digi-
tisation, including enabling
affordable access and infor-
mation for every Indian in
their own language, be it
Hindi, Tamil, Punjabi or any
other, he said. Other focus
areas will be building new
products and services rele-
vant to India’s unique needs,
SPORT | 8
● Though there was no official word on the
number of MLAs who attended the meeting
at Mr Gehlot's home, party leaders claimed
106 legislators were there
conciliatory tone. He said
Mr Pilot and other MLAs
could still attend the CLP
meeting from which they
had distanced themselves.
“When a member of the
family gets annoyed, he
does not make the family
fall but sits with family
members and resolves the
issue,” he said.
“Doors are open for
Sachin Pilot and other
MLAs. They will be heard
and solutions will be found.
This is the discipline of the
party,” the AICC spokesper-
son said.
The sources also claimed
that Congress leader
OBCs in medical seats sur-
rendered by the state in all
India quota for UG, PG and
dental courses in 2020-21.
It had assailed the June 22
high court order which
refused to grant any inter-
im order on the OBC quota
row saying that a similar
petition was already sched-
uled to be heard by the
Supreme Court. The apex
court, which was scheduled
to hear the case titled as
Saloni Kumar versus
Union of Kndia on July 8,
has adjourned the hearing
and had fixed the case for a
later date. — PTI
Private schools recorded a
pass percentage of 88.22.
The results of 400 students,
however, could not be com-
puted as per the alterna-
tive scheme and will be
announced later, a senior
board official said.
Students had a tough time
accessing the board web-
site which crashed within
minutes of announcement
of the results and was not
accessible even hours
later. — PTI
empowering businesses as
they continue or embark on
their digital transformation,
and leveraging technology
and Aritificial Intelligence
(AI) for social good, in areas
such as health, education,
and agriculture.
Earlier, the Prime Minister
tweeted: “This morning, had
an extremely fruitful interac-
tion with @sundarpichai. We
spoke on a wide range of sub-
jects, particularly leveraging
the power of technology to
transform the lives of India's
farmers, youngsters, and
entrepreneurs”. — PTI
cmyk
| 8 PAGES| `3.00
— PTI
Priyanka Gandhi was in
touch with Mr Pilot and was
making efforts to broker
peace between the two war-
ring factions.
Meanwhile, barely hours
before the CLP meeting,
Income
searched
Tax officials
premises
Jaipur said to be linked to
in
local party leaders Rajiv
Arora and Dharmendra
Rathore, an action critcised
by the Congress.
The Congress central lead-
ership had rushed senior
leaders Avinash Pande, Mr
Surjewala and Ajay Maken
to Jaipur to resolve the cri-
sis.
Debendra Nath Roy
Bengal BJP MLA
found hanging
near residence
RAJIB CHOWDHURI |
DC
KOLKATA, JULY 13
West Bengal BJP MLA
Debendra Nath Roy was
found dead by hanging
under mysterious cir-
cumstances near his res-
idence at Raiganj in
North Dinajpur early
Monday, prompting his
family and party to cry of
his ‘murder’ by the Trin-
amul Congress and
demand a Central Bur-
eau of Investigation
(CBI) probe. The Ma-
mata Banerjee govern-
ment however ordered
the criminal investiga-
tion department of the
state police for the probe.
The state BJP called 12-
hour North Bengal ban-
dh on Tuesday after tak-
ing out a protest rally in
the city and submitting a
deputation to Governor
Jagdeep Dhankhar.
Roy won as a CPI(M)
MLA from Hemtabad in
2016 but defected to the
BJP last year.
Clad in lungi and shirt
with his spectacle in
pocket, he was hanging
from the shed of a closed
tea stall at Balia More
with his left hand tied
with the rope which was
also used as the noose
around the neck.
His feet was barely at a
height from the ground.
SP (North Dinajpur)
Sumit Kumar said,
“Prima facie it is a sui-
cide. A suicide note was
found from his pocket.
He accused some people
in it for his death.”
 CITY
DECCAN CHRONICLE | TUESDAY | 14 JULY 2020 | CHENNAI
OTHER STORIES
Snag in TTPS, power
production falls
ARULOLI M | DC
THOOTHUKUDI, JULY 13
Power generation at the
5x210MW Tuticorin Thermal
Power Station (TTPS) here fell
below 200MW, as only one of the
five units was under operation.
Having three units 1, 2 and 3
exhausted their nominal life of
40 years at the state-owned old-
est coal fired power station,
TTPS has kept its fifth unit that
is 24-years-old, under suspen-
sion for about eight months,
due to a turbine system fault.
The unit awaits spare parts
from Punjab, which is expected
to come in a couple of weeks,
said a highly-placed source at
the power station.
The fourth unit which was
under operation till July 4 this
year, was shut for annual main-
tenance and two more units - 1
and 3, were shut down last week
following the increase in wind
power generation, that was at
3,344 MW on July 1.
Therefore, the second unit
with the power generating
capacity of 210MW, alone was
functional at the TTPS.
However, power generation at
the second unit also got sus-
pended taking the generation of
the 5x210 MW thermal power
station to zero at around 3 am
on Monday (July 13), as the unit
tripped due to a burst in the
potential transformer (PT) sys-
tem.
The lull in generation at the
TTPS continued till 11 am on
Monday, when the third unit
kept under suspension since
Saturday, was put into opera-
tion. The unit was performing
well, and is said to have
attained its maximum genera-
tion capacity of 210MW by 4
pm.
The fourth unit of TTPS, kept
under suspension since July 4,
is expected to resume opera-
tions in the next 15 days as
maintenance procedure is
mandatory for any thermal
power unit for its licence to be
renewed by deputy director of
boilers.
Free rice, essentials
to 2.2 cr card holders
FROM P1
A total of 16,106 fever camps had
been held and it had helped
1,08,805 people, he said adding
that 50,730 were found to have
fever, cold and cough, the usual
symptoms of Covid-19. Of them
46,277 persons were sent were
testing, he said.
Referring to the efforts of the
government in helping out peo-
ple affected by the lockdown, the
food and civil supplies minister
said that Tamil Nadu was the
only state in the country that
had provide free rice and essen-
tial items to 2.2 crore ration card
holders. Revenue minister R. B.
Udhayakumar, who visited
some fever camps in Thiru Vi
Ka Nagar, said that infection
rate in the area which was a hot
spot once upon had come down
only because of the govern-
ment’s efforts to curb the spread
of the disease. He said more
people were getting cured of
coronavirus infection and going
back home. On Monday alone
3,035 persons were discharged
after treatment in the State. In
Chennai, the number of persons
discharged was 2,079 and num-
ber of deaths was 24 against a
new infection figure of 2,079.
District continued to report
high infection figures. Places
around where the numbers were
high were Chengalpattu 219,
Kancheepuram 352 and
Thiruvallur 337.
Atrocities against Dalits spiral during lockdown
SINDHIYA SAMUE | DC
CHENNAI, JULY 13
Even as Tamil Nadu tries to
grapple with spiralling coro-
na cases, there seems to be
no end to caste-based atroci-
ties in the state.
The sudden spike in the
numbers of caste-based
crimes is baffling. Indeed,
even parallels can be drawn
between the rate at which
both the viruses - corona and
casteism have begun to prop-
agate.
The lockdown has brought
a sharp uptick in caste-
based atrocities in the last
three months alone. On 8
May, Vishnupriyan, a 30-
year-old man from the Adi
Dravidar Dalit community,
was killed by upper-caste
youth just outside his house
in Pudhukadai, a Dalit
colony in Salem district.
Vishnupriyan worked at an
IT company in Chennai but
had returned to Pudhukadai
because of the lockdown. On
the day of his murder, a
group of Vanniyar youth
argued with some locals.
AMMK man held in land dispute
DC CORRESPONDENT
CHENNAI, JULY 13
The police on Monday
arrested an AMMK func-
tionary in connection
with a land dispute.
Acting on a complaint
filed by Thiruporur DMK
MLA Idhayavarman‘s
father Lakshmipathy,
police arrested Imayan
Kumar alias Kumar, of
Thoraipakkam, an AMMK
functionary.
According to the Thiru-
porur police, the dispute
pertained to a common
path leading to a large
government land behind
Idhayavarman's house,
which was allegedly
encroached by Imayan
Kumar for his real estate
business.
The dispute took an ugly
turn on Saturday after the
MLA allegedly dug up the
adjoining private land
owned by one Kumar with-
out his consent to drain
water from his area.
A hummingbird in search of honey at Kovalam.
72 COPS RETURN TO WORK
AFTER RECOVERING FROM COVID
DC CORRESPONDENT
CHENNAI, JULY 13
As many as 72 police per-
sonnel in Chennai
returned to work on
Monday after recovering
from Covid-19. They were
welcomed back to work
by Chennai police com-
missioner Mahesh
Kumar Aggarwal at the
commissioner's office in
the city.
According to reports,
around 1,500 police per-
sonnel in the Greater
Chennai police had con-
tracted the virus as of
DRIVER TO VENDOR
A cab owner, who lost his livelihood due to Covid lockdown, has set up a temporary fruit stall on his vehicle on
New Avadi road on Monday.
atrocities against Dalits over the past months
ual abuse against Dalit women, four cases of
caste-based honour killings and attacks, one
case of discrimination in an educational institute,
four manual scavenging deaths, three cases of
caste-based atrocities against government
employees and 41 other caste-based assaults.
When the Dalit youth ques- was raped by a caste Hindu,
tioned them, a fight broke Pothuraja. On May 13, in
out. Vishnupriyan who was Hosur, a Dalit girl was kid-
not aware of the scuffle, napped and gang-raped by
stepped out of his house upper-caste men, Ramesh,
hearing the commotion, Madhu
when the upper caste gang Thiyagarasanapalli Village
attacked him with knives in Krishnagiri district.
and rods, killing him. Speaking
In Eruvarpatti village of Chronicle, K. Samuel Raj,
Madurai district, a Dalit state general secretary of
woman with mental illness the
EX-DMK MAN HELD FOR WOMAN’S SUICIDE
DC CORRESPONDENT
CHENNAI, JULY 13
allegedly threatened the
woman using a video of
hers filmed a year ago.
The Cheyyur police on Purushothaman had
Monday arrested a for- surrendered to the police
mer DMK functionary, in a few days ago and was
connection with the sui- remanded to judicial cus-
cide of a 26-year-old tody, while Devendran
woman in Chengalpet. went missing after the
The accused, D. incident. Meanwhile, on
Devendran, was arrested Monday, according to the
for allegedly driving the police, he was arrested
woman to suicide. from a hideout in
According to the police, Vyasarpadi.
Devendran and his broth- Devendran was the
er Purushothaman Kancheepuram South
Imayam Kumar lodged a ed the car and attacked
complaint with the them. In the altercation,
Thiruporur police against Lakshmipathy and two
the MLA. others were allegedly
On Saturday, when attacked with a sickle by
Kumar and others visited Kumar and his support-
the land, Idhayavarman's ers, following which he
father Lakhsmipathy and allegedly opened three
a few of his men intercept- rounds of fire from the
DEMONETISATION WOES
Collector gives `25K to
visually impaired couple
Erode, July 13:
Coming to the aid of a
visually impaired cou-
ple, a top district official
on Monday gave them
`25,000 from his person-
al funds after they
pleaded for help on
learning that their sav-
ings were worthless,
being in `1,000 and `500
notes demonetised near-
ly four years ago.
District Collector C.
Kathiravan gave Somu
—DC
(58) and his wife
Palaniammal, who eked
out a living by selling
incense sticks, a cheque
for Rs 1,000 higher than
the face value of the
scrapped notes they had
saved over 10 years, offi-
Monday and close to half cial sources said.
of them have recovered.
The state, as a whole, has
seen over 3,000 police offi-
Playing the role of a
good Samaritan two
days after Somu of
cers infected by the virus. Pothiya Moopanure vil-
Asymptomatic policemen lage in the district made
were being treated and an appeal to the govern-
monitored at a Covid-19 ment for help, the collec-
tor arranged a vehicle
care centre in IIT-Madras.
Three police personnel for them to come to his
have so far succumbed to office and handed over
the virus in the city. This
include an inspector from
the cheque, they said.
He directed officials to
the Mamabalam police present the demonetised
station, a special sub- currency notes with a
inspector from the total face value of Rs
Pattinapakkam police sta- 24,000 to the district lead
tion and a constable at the bank for processing as
Vepery police station.
SHOCKING According to the data by the
Tamil Nadu Untouchability
DATA
Eradication Front (TNEUF),
detailing a wide range of
under the Covid-19 lockdown, at least 81
caste-based atrocities took place in
Tamil Nadu during the period.
According to the data, 14 Dalits were
murdered in the state during the
lockdown, there were five cases of sex-
Untouchables Eradication
Front said that this lock-
down has seen a clear rise in
the atrocities on Dalits by
the ‘so-called’ upper caste
and Raja, of people.
He said SC/ST ( Prevention
of Atrocities ) act, 1989, in
to Deccan the first place was formed to
prevent offences against the
members of the scheduled
Tamil Nadu castes and Scheduled Tribes
district Edaikazhinadu
deputy youth wing
that they doubted her
death. Reportedly, the
organiser of the DMK DMK leader along with
before he was suspended his
by the party after this Purushothaman
incident. His brother D secretly filmed her and
Purushothaman, also a then used it to blackmail
DMK man, and her stating that he would
Devendran are accused of share it on social media if
harassing a woman, who she did not fulfil their
was found dead in her sexual desires, which
house on June 24. drove her to commit sui-
The death of the cide. The DMK suspend-
woman was initially sus- ed the brother duo from
pected to be a suicide but the party after the inci-
later, her family alleged dent.
MLA‘s pistol.
Police have filed three
different cases based on
the complaints given
Lakshmipathy, Imayam
Kumar and Srinivasan, a
passerby who was injured
in the firing.
On a complaint from
per rules.
Somu and his wife
thanked the collector for
his prompt response
and gesture, official
sources said.
Somu had said he
came to know about the
scrapping of the high-
value currency notes in
November, 2016 only on
Friday when he took the
savings to deposit in a
bank so that they can
utilise the interest to
meet their require-
ments.
Since they could not
make earnings in the
last four months owing
to Covid-19 lockdown,
he had taken the cash,
kept with his illiterate
mother, to a bank for
depositing when the
officials there told him
that the notes were
demonetised.
He had said the money
was saved by him and
his wife over ten years
from sale of incense
sticks and camphor in
nearby Anthiyur and
surrounding areas.
All the three were not
aware of the demoneti-
sation of `1,000 and `500
currency notes, he had
told reporters on
Saturday. — PTI
—DC
group. However, these atroci-
ties throw light on the inef-
fectiveness of the act.
As per the act, to provide
speedy trial, the state gov-
ernment, with the concur-
rence of the Chief Justice of
the High Court, should set
up a special court in each
district, however, as far now,
there are only six special
courts in Tamil Nadu.
One of the key points of
the act is to provide compen-
sation to the victims.
Samuel points out that in
most cases victims do not get
compensation stating lack of
funds from the government
side.
He added: “The state gov-
ernment should every year
place on the table of assem-
bly a report on the measures
taken by the government in
pursuance of the provisions
of this section, nevertheless,
the current government, nei-
ther submitted any reports
on the cases under SC/ST
act nor suggested measures
for the better implementa-
tion of the provision of this
Act.”
brother
had
Imayam Kumar and
Srinivasan against the
MLA, police on Sunday
arrested MLA Idhayava-
rman and eight others. On
Lakshmipathy’s complai-
nt, Thiruporur police on
Monday arrested Imayam
Kumar.
Flipping through
Teachers checking new school books at the despatch centre, Kalyanam higher
secondary school for girls, at Chintadripet on Monday.
Provide nutritious food to
kids, in Amma canteens: PIL
DC CORRESPONDENT
CHENNAI, JULY 13
A public interest litiga-
tion has been filed in the
Madras high court to
direct authorities to for-
mulate and implement a
scheme in and by which
the students benefiting
under the mid-day noon-
meal scheme are provided
food even during the
Covid times and Amma
canteens also provide
nutritious food to boost
the immunity by provid-
ing egg as part of its meal
apart from providing a
‘Nutrition Hamper’ as
part of the dry groceries
in the local ration shops
till the Covid-19 pandemic
is over. A division bench
comprising Justices
M.M.Sundresh and
R.Hemalatha, before
whom the public interest
litigation filed by advo-
cate R.Sudha, came up for
hearing, posted the matter
to next week to enable the
government advocate to
get the response of the
state government.
According to the petition-
er, during these testing
times when all the educa-
tional institutions are
closed due to the pandem-
ic, it would help immense-
ly if the authorities dis-
tribute a ‘Nutrition
Hamper; to the house-
holds which have children
so that the package would
compactly contain all the
nourishment and nutri-
tion that the children
require. The package
could either be distrib-
uted at the local ration
shops or micro level
mobile units may be set
up to distribute the pack-
ages at the door step. Such
measures if undertaken
by the government at this
juncture, it would help the
young and old, the needy
and sick. The overall
health and development of
the public with added
attention to the health of
the aged and the young
would come in aid of the
fight against corona
virus, she added.
She said with nearly 407
canteens in the whole of
Tamil Nadu and nearly
200 in and around
Chennai, the role of
Amma canteen during the
Covid-19 period cannot be
overlooked. With the
access to Amma
Unavagam being wide and
easy, it was only axiomatic
that the facility was used
to not only serve hygienic
food at normal rates but
also serve food that would
pg 2
MLA: Opened fire
in self-defence
Chennai, July 13: DMK trict told PTI. In total, 12
MLA L. Idhayavarman men including the legisla-
has said during question- tor and property develop-
ing that he "opened fire in er G. Kumar have been
self-defence" during a arrested and remanded to
clash over a land dispute judicial custody. To a
with a realtor, police said question, the officer said,
on Monday. Following the "more people are being
firing incident near sub- questioned in connection
urban Tiruporur, which with the incident." Senior
allegedly caused injury to AIADMK leader and fish-
a bystander, the MLA was eries minister D.
arrested and remanded to Jayakumar, reacting to
14 days of judicial cus- the MLA's arrest had
tody on Sunday. During alleged that the incident
questioning, the 46-year showed that the DMK has
old MLA, L gone towards gun culture.
Idhayavarman, repre- Also, the minister had
senting Tiruporur con- alleged that the unruly
stituency had said he behaviour has become the
opened fire in self-defence practice of DMK men and
since there were about 50 that the party "is synony-
people in the opposite mous with a culture of
group, a police officer in violence."
nearby Chengelpet dis- — PTI
— DC
HC TO TAKE UP FINAL HEARING OF CASES
UPON CONSENT FROM BOTH SIDES
J.STALIN| DC Motor Vehicle Act, Civil
CHENNAI, JULY 13 Revision Petitions arising
from suits pending in
In response to the request trial courts, petitions
made by members of the filed under Article 227 of
Bar, the Madras high the Constitution of India,
court has decided to take writ petition filed under
up the final hearing stage Article 226 of the
cases of all classification Constitution of India for
only upon consent from a simple mandamus, peti-
both side advocates. tions filed under section
By order of Chief Jus- 482 of Cr.P.C., review
tice A.P.Sahi of the Mad- applications and con-
ras high court, M.Jothira- tempt petitions (where
man, registrar (judicial) the compliance required
issued a notification to to be reported), he added.
this effect on Monday. He said, “It is further
In his notification, resolved to take up final
Jothiraman said pur- hearing stage cases of all
suant to the representa- classification only upon
tions received from the consent from both side
Bar, the administrative Advocates. The listing of
committee of the Madras cases with the above
high court by its resolu- changes will come into
tion dated July 12, 2020, effect from July 14, 2020”.
has resolved to take up all The Bar Council of
fresh admissions, Tamil Nadu and
adjourned admission and Puducherry by its chair-
notice of motion stage man P.S.Amalraj had on
cases of all categories July 1, 2020, in response to
and in addition thereto
subject to allocation by
a letter sent by the
Registrar General of the
the Chief Justice. It is Madras high court sub-
also resolved to take up mitted a set of sugges-
hearing of the pending tions with regard to the
cases viz., Appeals filed mode of functioning of
under the provisions of the Madras high court.
MIXED RESPONSE FROM ADVOCATES’ ASSNS
R
esponding to the notification, P.S.Amalraj, chairman, BCTP
said, “Though the members of the BCTP are happy with the
decision of the administrative committee of the Madras high
court to accept the suggestion made by the BCTP relating to final
hearing cases, we feel that the advocates community will be bene-
fited at large particularly during this Covid period, if the high court
resume the physical court hearings in a phased manner subject to
following safety protocols”
Reacting to the notification, the president, Madras High Court
Advocates Association, Mohanakrishnan said, “Though the notifi-
cation says the final hearing stage cases will be taken up only
upon the consent from both side advocates, we still feel it is very
difficult to conduct final hearing of cases through video conferenc-
ing relating to notice of motion stage cases, civil revision peti-
tions, writ petitions and petitions filed under section 482 Cr.P.C.
Therefore, we request the administrative committee to kindly con-
sider not to take up any cases for final hearing relating to all cate-
gories”. Welcoming the present notification, M.Baskar, secretary,
the Madras Bar Association said, “It is a success for advocates.
This shows that the Chief Justice is bar friendly Chief Justice. He
has accepted the grievance of the entire bar. The decision of the
Administrative Committee will be helpful to the advocates at large
and the litigant public. We wholeheartedly thank the Chief Justice
for his immediate response and answer”.
improve immunity of the food to keep the virus at
public who depend of it bay. If for any reason it
for their sustenance, by was not conducive to sell
serving boiled egg along or distribute boiled egg
with the meal, it would be during pandemic, it would
beneficial to the patrons be beneficial if the state
and at the same time government considers the
increase its patronage. distribution of eggs along
The introduction of egg with the distribution of
would be in line with the groceries in the local
various studies and ration shops at least till
reports that suggest we were able to tide over
intake of protein-rich the Covid crisis.
 STATE
DECCAN CHRONICLE | TUESDAY | 14 JULY 2020 | CHENNAI
pg 3

OTHER STORIES
Training for teachers in CM to write to
heads of MNCs
North American schools
G.SRINIVASAN | DC
THANJAVUR, 13

The Tamil Development Centre DC CORRESPONDENT the Chief Minister has

(Tamil Valar Maiyyam) at the
Tamil University here and
EduRight foundation of
America, have jointly started a
refresher course on internet to
train Tamil teachers in North
American schools.
“The idea is to teach new tech-
niques in teaching learning
methods of Tamil in this chang-
ing world scenario,” said G.
Balasubramanian, vice-chan-
cellor, Tamil University, who
inaugurated the refresher
course on July 11. The two-
month course will have lecture
sessions, discussions and reach-
CHENNAI, JULY 13
Chief Minister Edappadi
K.Palaniswami has decid-
ed to write to global heads
of two prominent compa-
nies in the logistics sector
and three in petro chemi-
cal sector, outlining the
investment attractiveness
and inherent advantages
of Tamil Nadu.
The Chief Minister
would also offer the com-
panies excellent support
for business and industry
to further their growth
David P Abney. Chairman
of Saudi Aramco, Amin H
Nasser, Chairman of
Exxon Mobil Corporation,
Darren Woods and
constituted a special
investment promotion
task Force under the
chairmanship of chief
secretary for attracting
these investments.
Among the efforts made
by the Chief Minister to
attract foreign invest-
ments into Tamil Nadu
include country specific
investment facilitation
desks, diplomatic out-
reach programmes and
A stone quarry near Pallavaram filled with water after the recent rains in the city. — DC
formation of special
investment promotion
task force. “The positive

Stalin’s advice to govt

ing research findings to Tamil
teachers in North America.
A total of 208 teachers from
North America would take part
in this course, said the VC. The
internet refresher course has
been initiated by the university
to promote its objective of
reaching Tamil the world over,
he added. Dr R. Kurinji
Vendhan, director (in-charge),
and promises a cus-
tomized incentive pack-
age as per their require-
ment as part of the sever-
al steps taken to attract
investors across the globe.
The global heads whom
Palaniswami would be
reaching out to are:
Founder CEO of FedEx
Frederic W. Smith, Chief
Chairman of CPC
Corporation, Jia Ruey Ou.
“Due to the impact
caused by Covid to the
world economy, many
overseas industries are
likely to exit from certain
countries and relocate
their manufacturing
activities in countries like
India,” an official press
steps taken by the govern-
ment is already showing
results as evidenced by
the fact that the state
could recently sign MoUs
with 17 foreign invest-
ments for `15,128 crore. DC CORRESPONDENT
This shows that Tamil
Nadu is the best destina-
tion for investment even
in this pandemic situa-
CHENNAI, JULY 13

The state government,

Tamil development centre, Dr C
Thyagarajan, professor of the
centre, Caldwel Velnambi, vice-
president, Tamil Sanga Peravai
of North America and Keerthi
Jayaraj, founder, EduRight
foundation, participated.
Executive Officer of UPS
Fisherman dies
release said, adding that
with a view to offsetting
.. protests amendments
to election rules
tion,” the release said. the economic loss caused
by the lockdown, should
take steps to enhance the
FATHER, SON people’s buying power by
KILLING ALTERED
ensuring that they had
more cash at hand.
This is the first of the
DC CORRESPONDENT
CHENNAI, JULY 13
ues to risk the lives of a
large number of people,

70 sovereign jewels stolen

from ex-banker’s house
D. SENTHIL NATHAN | DC
VELLORE, 13
The house of a retired bank
official identified as
Murugesan of
Periyaankuppam area near
Ambur in Tirupattur district,
was burgled on Sunday night
by unknown miscreants.
Police said that Murugesan
had died a few years back, and
his wife, Malliga, was living
in a house built in a farmland
that the family owned.
Sources said, Malliga on
Sunday had gone to visit a rel-
ative, when miscreants broke
into the house and stole 70
sovereigns of jewels, bonds
and documents worth `28
lakh.
Malliga had returned on
Monday and was shocked to
find the house burggled.
in bridge work
LOGANATHAN S P | DC
RAMESWARAM, JULY 13
A fisherman accustomed
to 'pearl diving', involved
in the construction of the
new railway bridge at
Pampan near here in
Ramanathapuram dis-
trict, allegedly died of
suffocation.
Sources said work on
the construction of a new
railway bridge in the Palk
Straits over the Pamban
sea, began last November,
and is under progress.
In the past one week,
iron rollers and girders
were being sunk in the
deep sea bed, to raise pil-
lars for the bridge.
Three fisherman from
Thoothukudi district who
are also pearl divers -
Sathyanathan, Amar and
Sahaya Urzone - were
brought to the construc-
tion site to help others,
and they have been also
working for the past one
week.
On Monday, a part of the
giant rig got trapped in
the ocean bed, and
Sahaya Urzone entered
the 100-feet deep pit, to set
things right. But soon, he
came out with blood flow-
ing from his mouth and
swooned.
His colleagues quickly
pulled him out of water
and rushed him to the
Pamban Government
Primary Health Centre
for treatment.
But, on examination,
doctors declared him
dead. The body is kept at
the Rameswaram
Government Hospital for
post-mortem. Marine
police have registered a
case and are investigat-
ing.
TO MURDER CASE
DC CORRESPONDENT
TIRUNELVELI, JULY 13
The Central Bureau of
Investigation (CBI), reg-
istered the Sathankulam
father-son, duo custodial
death case under section
176 (1-A)(1) of CrPc
altered the case to mur-
der under Section 302 of
IPC, on Monday.
The CBI also has
charged the 10 police-
men arrested in the case
for wrongful restraint
under Section 341 of
IPC, causing disappear-
ance of evidences under
Section 201 and under
Section 109 of IPC, for
abetting the crime.
Further, the CBI led by
ADSP Vijay Kumar
Shukla, also filed a peti-
tion in the Madurai
chief judicial magis-
trate court, seeking cus-
tody of five accused
including inspector
Sridhar and prime
accused sub-inspectors
Raghu Ganesh
Balakrishnan, who are
and
now in Madurai central
prison, under judicial
custody.
Meanwhile, the
Thoothukudi district
court dismissed the bail
petition of accused
inspector Sridhar, as the
Madurai chief judicial
magistrate court had
ordered to produce him
before it on Tuesday, in
its order on the petition
moved by the CBI seek-
ing custody of the
accused.
seven pieces of advice for
immediate action that the
leader of the Opposition
M. K. Stalin has offered to
the government after hold-
ing a discussion, through
video conference, with
medical, economic and
business experts.
Urging the government
to at least take his advice
seriously now, Stalin, in a
statement on Monday, reit-
erated his demand for pay-
ment of Rs 5, 000 to every
family as the second
advice.
Allowing movement of
goods and people with reg-
ulations during the lock-
down, the state and
Central governments pay-
ing MSMEs their dues,
increasing the annual
working days under
Mahatma Gandhi
National Rural
Employment Guarantee
Act to 250 days, increasing
3 die of suffocation in farm well
R. VALAYAPATHY | DC
PERAMBALUR, JULY 13
A 36-year-old fire and res-
cue department personnel
attached to the
Perambalur fire station
and another person aged
25 years died of asphyxia-
tion at a farm well which
was under renovation, in
Selliyampalayam village
near here, on Sunday.
Police said Murugesan a
village farmer, had under-
taken renovation of his
farm well and also sink-
ing a new borewell inside
the existing one.
Murugasen had asked
DMK president M. K.
Stalin has written to the
Election Commission of
India (ECI) seeking the
scrapping of the Conduct
of Elections
(Amendment) Rules, 2019,
and the Conduct of
Elections (Amendment)
Rules 2020, which, he said,
were illegal and intro-
duced behind the back of
stakeholders
In a lengthy letter to the
ECI, Stalin wanted a con-
sultative process with all
political parties and rele-
vant stakeholders across
the investment expendi-
ture in health and such
essential services and
restructuring the GST
with the state recusing
itself from it now are the
other advice he had for the
government.
The two long-term
the
Radhakrishnan
deceased
and
Baskar (26) of the same
village to get into the well
one by one, and inspect
the completed renovation
work. But they did not
come up for a long time.
Both had swooned
inside, but
Radhakrishnan had sub-
sequently died. On infor-
mation, a three member
fire service team compris-
ing Dhanapal, Palraj and
the deceased Rajkumar,
got into the well with the
help of a rope. The
deceased, Rajkumar, bold-
ly retrieved Basker, who
the country to find the
best solution that can
ensure the safety of citi-
zens without compromis-
ing their statutory right to
cast their vote independ-
ently.
He said, ”This decision
taken in the midst of the
Covid-19 pandemic contin-
advice he had were build-
ing a common income gen-
erating infrastructure
that will ensure basic
financial security to peo-
ple, not just at times of cri-
sis but at all times, and an
universal medical insur-
ance scheme that services
had already swooned
inside the well, with help
of his colleagues Palraj
and Dhanapal. Then he
swooned. All the three
were rushed to the gov-
ernment hospital,
Perambalur. In order to
rescue fireman Rajkumar,
another team of fire serv-
ice personnel with oxygen
cylinders tried to get into
the well and bring him out
from the well, but he had
already died. After post-
mortem, Rajkumar’s body
was brought to the fire
station where family and
colleagues paid their hom-
age.
raises valid concerns
regarding a free and fair
electoral process and
deprives all stakeholders
of equal opportunities,”
Describing the amend-
ments as an attempt to
bring an ocean of voters
under the purview of a
newly carved out class of
voters called “absentee
voters,” Stalin said, “ This
exercise is done by the
ECI without studying the
ramifications of the move.
The move will certainly
destroy free and fair elec-
tions in the world’s largest
democracy.”
offered by the private hos-
pitals were also available
to the poor.
Both the measures
would have all citizens a
comprehensive social
security and help solve
problems arising in a
future crisis, Stalin said.
COLLECTOR
INSPECTS FOOD
FOR PATIENTS
DC CORRESPONDENT
THANJAVUR, JULY 13
Immunity boosting food
is given to corona
patients at the
Thanjavur medical col-
lege hospital, said M.
Govinda Rao, district
collector, here as he
inspected the prepara-
tion and supply of food
to corona patients at the
TMCH, on Monday.
Listing the time-table
and variety of food sup-
plied, the collector said

50 new cases in Pondy take tally to 1,468

Puducherry, July 13:
Puducherry on Monday
the fatality rate was 1.2
per cent.
ered and discharged so far
was 785 and fatalities were
theGovernment GH in
Karaikal, Rao said. Of the
that kabasura kudineer,
amla juice, eggs, greens
and buttermilk are
essential part of the
menu. He checked the
stock position at the

WINNERS ALLL
reported 50 new Covid-19
cases, taking the overall
tally of infections to 1,468.
Health Minister Malladi
Krishna Rao told
reporters here that the 50
cases were identified at
The Central Board of Secondary (CBSE) on Monday declared class 12 results on Monday. Of the end of testing of 384
11,92,961 students who appeared for the exam, 10,59,080 passed. Students celebrate at samples showing 13 per
Korattur Bhaktavatsalam Vidyashram. — DC cent positivity rate while
He said that while five
patients of the new cases
were below 18 years, 37
were between 18 and 60
years. The remaining
eight patients were above
sixty years. The Minister
said the total active cases
stood at 665, while the
number of those recov-
18. No fatality occurred
during the last two days.
Forty-nine of the fifty new
cases were admitted to
hospitals in Puducherry
(33 in government hospi-
tal and 16 in centrally-
administered Jipmer)
while the remaining one
was admittedto
26,208 samples tested so
far,24,461 samples turned
out to be negative and
results of the examination
of the remaining samples
were awaited, he added.
Also, the minister said
44 patients were dis-
charged during the last 24
hours. —PTI
kitchen and also the
quality of food supplied.
The collector distributed
108 flasks, as corona
patients need a lot of hot
water.
Dr. Maruthu Durai,
dean (in-charge), TMCH,
was present on the occa-
sion.

PCCF forms panel to study serial elephant deaths Rise in count: Kovai
DC IMPACT and Madurai circle and
duct a detailed study by an
expert committee.
cops seek PPE suits
DC

The
Task of the committee
ANANTH MATHIVANAN |

COIMBATORE, JULY 13

Principal Chief he committee is human-wildlife conflict, births and deaths, and sug-
also elephant being migra-
tory in nature, they are
found in other parts of for-
est areas of Tamil Nadu.
So far, based on studies
Dr. Shekar Kumar Niraj
(IFS), Additional Principal
Chief Conservator of Forest
(Wildlife) is deputed as com-
mittee chairperson and S
DC CORRESPONDENT
COIMBATORE, JULY 13

Police stations across the

Conservator of Forest
(PCCF) has constituted an
expert committee to conduct
a detailed study on the serial
elephant deaths reported by
Deccan Chronicle on July 3.
A detailed report on the
series of deaths of wild ele-
phants in Coimbatore forest
division, particularly in
Sirumugai range, was pub-
lished in Deccan Chronicle,
stating that as many as 14
elephants had died in the
last three months. While
most of them were found to
be weak and sick, a few
experts claimed that when
other fodder gets limited,
these elephants could have
consumed the dangerous
weed ‘Prosopis Juliflora’.
It has been debated that
the tannins and other chem-
ical components in
‘Prosopis Juliflora’ causes
problems in the gastroin-
T requested to under-
take the scientific
study of the elephant pop-
ulation and their move-
ment in the entire Tamil
Nadu forest areas and to
look into various aspects of
elephant habitat restora-
tion and amelioration
measures. It is also
requested to come out with
a suitable comprehensive
proposal including cost
estimation for restoration
of habitat-related meas-
ures.
The committee would
also concentrate on
testinal tracts of elephants,
and its quick death. Another
source said that gradual
toxic accumulation due to
pesticides used in crops
which stray elephants feed,
could also result in the fre-
and the adequacy of the
measures taken by the for-
est department to curb it.
It is requested to suggest
suitable measures to mini-
mize human-wildlife con-
flict, with cost.
It is also proposed to
study the social economic
structure of adjoining vil-
lages where human-
wildlife conflict often takes
place, and suggest suitable
measures to educate vil-
lagers to minimize human
wildlife conflict.
The study would study
the pattern of elephant
quent elephant deaths in the
region.
Also the eutrophic and
contaminated dam waters
that elephants are forced to
drink when no other sources
are available, causes infec-
gest suitable measures to
increase its population, in
accordance to its habitat.
The committee is also
requested to include any
other relevant study which
will be useful for elephant
habitat management.
The expert committee is
constituted to conduct sci-
entific study of elephant
population in Tamil Nadu.
The elephant population in
the state is spread over in
various forest areas like
MTR, ATR, KMTR, STR,
Dharmapuri circle, Vellore
circle, Virdhunagar circle
tion in weak animals that
eventually die to the infec-
tion. Having said this,
activists and conservation
journalists demanded a
detailed scientific study by
an expert committee to
on human-wildlife conflict
in Tamil Nadu for the past
15 years, it is found that
spillover incidents of ele-
phant conflicts outside the
Reserve Forest area to the
adjoining agricultural
fields and nearby habita-
tions, is increasing. The
forest department is tak-
ing various measures like
elephant proof trenches,
solar fencing, wall con-
struction, wildlife compen-
sation and other various
mitigation measures, to
minimize the effect of the
conflict.
avoid further wild elephant
deaths.
Responding to the news
published in Deccan
Chronicle on July 3, the
PCCF had circulated an
order dated July 4, to con-
Ananda (IFS), DFO, Madu-
rai, will be member secre-
tary, to coordinate the func-
tioning of the committee
under the guidance of the
chairperson.
Committee members wou-
ld be Ajay Oesai, expert on
elephants, Sivaganeson, ex-
pert on elephants, Dr Ariva-
lagan, managing trustee,
Indo-American Society, Dr
M Kalaivanan, veterinarian
from Theni, Dr A Pradeep,
veterinarian from Chennai,
Boominathan, World Wide
Fund from Coimbatore, Dr
Nitin Sekar, coordinator,
WFF, Coimbatore, Dr Sree
Kumar, veterinarian, TAN-
UAS, and a representative
from WCCB, Southern
region, Chennai.
The period of study would
be 01.01.2006 to 30.06.2020
(Year wise report to be gen-
erated).
city are not disinfected
periodically, allege cops
after three more cops
attached to two different
police stations that
already remain closed,
tested positive on
Monday. While the CCB
inside the
Commissioner’s office
premises was locked after
a head constable tested
positive on Monday, five
cops including a woman
tested positive at the
Thudiyaloor police sta-
tion on Sunday, resulting
in locking the station tem-
porarily.
In addition, the Sulur
police station was also
locked on Saturday after a
Grade I cop tested posi-
tive. A constable from
Podanur police station
was confirmed positive
on Monday, and the sta-
tion remains closed since
Friday, after a woman
head constable who visit-
ed the city court complex
several times, allegedly
drew the infection and
tested corona positive.
Following her test
reports, the rest of the 100
cops attached to Podanur
station were made to
undergo Covid-19 tests,
resulting in the shifting
of the station to a nearby
marriage hall.
Two more cops attached
to Thudiyaloor police sta-
tion tested positive on
Monday.
Cops gripped with panic
have urged the authori-
ties to provide them PPE
dress, and also deploy a
safety cop in the entrance
of every station, armed
with thermal screening
equipment. They also
wanted concerned offi-
cials to fumigate the PPE
dress of cops before
entering police stations,
and create a Corona-free
work area.
 NATION
DECCAN CHRONICLE | CHENNAI | TUESDAY | 14 JULY 2020
pg 4

SHORT

LADAKH: CORPS
TAKES
COMMANDERS TO
MEET TODAY
DC CORRESPONDENT
NEW DELHI, JULY 13
Indian and Chinese Corps
Commanders will be holding
4th round of military level
talks on Tuesday to discuss
further “disengagement and
re-location of troops in the
areas of contesting claims.”
The meeting will take place
at Chushul in Ladakh sector
which is on the Indian side of
line of actual control (LAC)
and is likely to start at 11:30
am in the morning, said
sources.
“The meeting on Tuesday
will discuss the modalities of
further disengaging Chinese
troops from the Pangong Tso
and other face-off points. It
will also focus on how heavy
build-up of troops on the both
sides of the LAC could be
brought down,” said sources.
In the last meeting on June
30, 14 Corps Commander Lt
Gen Harinder Singh and South
India Covid cases cross 9-lakh mark
One lakh cases recorded in 3 days, high number of cases reported from Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu
DC CORRESPONDENT
NEW DELHI, JULY 13
Another day, another high.
India on Monday once
again registered a record
single-day jump in coron-
avirus cases with 28,701
fresh cases and 500 deaths
taking overall cases to
8,78,254 and deaths to
23,174.
However, covid19
india.org said that the
cases in the country has
crossed the 9-lakh mark.
According to the website,
India registered 9,04,225
with 3,10,377 as active
cases. The casualty figure
was 23,711.
The country took not
more than three days to
log in over one lakh cases.
High number of cases
continue to be reported
from Maharashtra, Tamil
Nadu, Karnataka and
Telangana while Delhi has
started showing signs of
improvement with marked
reduction in fresh cases
and fatalities. High num-
ber of fresh cases are also
now coming from Uttar
Pradesh, Bihar, West
Bengal and Andhra
Pradesh. Several states
have now started explor-
ing the option of brief
lockdowns to break the
cycle of virus spread.
Karnataka announced a
lockdown in its Dharwad
district from July 15 to 24.
The number of recover-
ies stands at 5,53,470, while
there are 3,01,609 active
cases. The recovery rate
(RR) has further improved
to 63.02% and 19 states
have a recovery rate high-
er than the national aver-
age. Ladakh has the best
RR with 84.45% followed
by Delhi (79.98%),
Uttarakhand (78.77%),
Chhattisgarh (77.68%) and
Himachal Pradesh
(76.59%). Union health
ministry said that India’s
fatality rate has dropped to
2.64% due to the enhanced
stress on clinical manage-
ment of critical cases.
Officials said that AIIMS
Delhi continues to hand-
hold the Dedicated Covid
Hospitals through the
Covid-19 National
Teleconsultation Centre.
As of Monday, 30
states/UTs have a fatality
rate lower than the nation-
al average out of which 5
states/UT have zero fatali-
ty rate. These are
Manipur, Nagaland, Dadra
and Nagar Haveli and
Daman and Diu, Mizoram,
Andaman and Nicobar
Islands, and Sikkim.
Delhi’s fatality rate is
2.64%.
1,919 NEW CASES, TS: MORE CASES KERALA TO FOCUS ON COASTAL AREAS;
37 DEATHS IN AP FROM VILLAGES KARNATAKA TALLY CROSSES 40K MARK
DC CORRESPONDENT
VIJAYAWADA, JULY 13
Andhra Pradesh wit-
nessed the highest single
day spike of 1,919 Covid-
19 cases and the death of
37 patients on Monday.
Meanwhile, the state
government issued
Covid Instant Order-64
reviewing the policy of
quarantine. Accordingly,
institutional quarantine
is compulsory for for-
eign returnees for seven
days while domestic air
passengers would be
allowed home quaran-
tine for 14 days. All train
passengers must under-
go home quarantine for
10 days.
DC CORRESPONDENT
HYDERABAD, JULY 13
A total of 1,550 new
Covid-19 cases were
recorded in the state on
Monday, taking the total
number to 36,221. The
non-GHMC areas regis-
tered the highest-ever
624 cases, while 926 were
in the GHMC area.
There were nine deaths,
taking the toll to 365.
Ranga Reddy recorded
212 cases, the first time
it has crossed the 200-
mark. Karimnagar saw a
major spike with 86
cases. Medchal recorded
53 cases, Nalgonda 41,
Khammam 38 and
Kamareddy 33 cases.
DC CORRESPONDENTS
THIRUVNANTHAPURAM,
BENGALURU, JULY 13
Kerala on Monday record-
ed 449 cases of Covid - 19
even as 162 recovered from
disease.Of the new cases,
140 persons came from
abroad, 64 from other
states and 144 contracted
the disease through con-
tact. The source of infec-
tion is yet to be traced
among 18 patients. Two
more persons died of
Covid-19 on Monday.
Meanwhile, the state gov-
ernment has formulated a
special action plan to
check the spread of dis-
ease in coastal areas. The
health department along
with other agencies has
stepped up Covid - 19
detection, treatment and
prevention activities in
the state. Besides, reserve
quarantine and awareness
programmes are also
being planned in a big way.
The number of infected
persons crossed 40,000 on
Monday as the state
reported 2,738 fresh cases
and 73 related fatalities,
taking the death toll to 757.
As of July 13, there are
41,581 confirmed Covid-19
cases in the state,which
includes 757 deaths and
16,248 discharges, the
health department said in
its bulletin.

Embattled Nepali prime minister kicks up a storm

Xinjiang Military Region,
commander Maj Gen Liu Lin
had agreed to mutually move
back their troops in flash
points by upto 2 kilometers in
the Ladakh sector to bring
down chances of a confronta-
tion.
Last week Indian and Chinese
troops completed their initial
phase of disengagement from
flashpoints by mutually mov-
ing back from Galwan Valley,
Hot Springs, Gogra Post and
finger 4 area of Pangong Tso.
Chinese troops have moved
back from finger 4 area to fin-
ger 5 in Pangong Tso.
WB BJP MLA’s death
sparks political row Ram was born in Nepal, claims Oli
RAJIB CHOWDHURI |
DC
KOLKATA, JULY 13
West Bengal BJP MLA
Debendra Nath Roy was
found dead under mys-
terious circumstances
in North Dinajpur early
cide. A suicide note was of the Gunda Raj & fail-
found from his pocket. ure of law and order in
He accused some people the Mamata govt.” (sic)
in it for his death.” State BJP president
But Roy’s nephew Dilip Ghosh said, “Roy
Khitish said, “At around was our party's 105th
1 am, a motorcycle came functionary killed by
to pick up my uncle the TMC here.Though it
from home. While going rained heavily on
POWER | GAME
Kathmandu, July 13:
Stoking a potential contro-
versy, embattled Prime
Minister K P Sharma Oli on
Monday claimed that the
“real” Ayodhya lies in
Nepal, not in India and that
Lord Ram was born in Thori
in southern Nepal.
Speaking at an event on the
claimed the Indian site as
the birthplace of Lord
Ram,” Mr Oli said.
“We also believe that deity
Sita got married to Prince
Ram of India. Actually,
Ayodhya is a village lying
west of Birgunj,” he said,
adding that the marriage
between bride and bride-
where King Dasharath had
executed the rites to get the
son is in Ridi, which is in
Nepal,” he said. As
Dasharath was the ruler of
Nepal, it is natural that his
son Ram was also born in
Nepal, Mr Oli argued.
Therefore, real Ayodhya lies
in Nepal, he claimed.
territories.
His allegations have been
criticised by senior NCP
leaders, including former
prime minister ''Prachanda'',
who demanded Prime
Minister Oli''s resignation,
saying his recent anti-India
remarks were "neither polit-
ically correct nor diplomati-

LT. COL. MOVES HC Monday, prompting his

family and party to
out he told my aunt that
he would be back soon
Sunday night there, no
mud was on the body.
birth anniversary
Nepalese poet Bhanubhakta
of groom at such a distance
was not possible at the time
Many scientific inventions
and knowledge originated in
cally appropriate."
Condemning Mr Oli for his

AGAINST SOCIAL term it as a “murder” but he did not. My aunt We demand a CBI probe at the Prime Minister’s resi- when there was no commu- Nepal, but unfortunately remarks, BJP national
by the Trinamul didn’t see the two- because the state police dence in Kathmandu, Mr Oli nication and transportation such a rich tradition could spokesperson Bizay Sonkar

MEDIA BAN
New Delhi, July 13: A senior
rank officer of the Indian
Army on Monday approached
the Delhi High Court challeng-
ing a recent policy banning
armed forces officials from
using social networking plat-
forms like Facebook and
Instagram.
The petition, likely to come
up for hearing on Tuesday,
sought the court’s direction to
the Director General of
Military Intelligence to with-
draw its June 6 policy to the
extent that it orders all the
members of the Indian Army
to delete their accounts from
Facebook and Instagram and
87 other applications.
Lieutenant Colonel P. K.
Choudhary, who is currently
posted in Jammu and
Kashmir, said in the plea that
he is an active user of
Facebook and uses the plat-
form to connect with his
friends and family as most of
them are settled abroad,
including his elder daughter.
In the petition, filed through
advocates Shivank Pratap
Singh and Sanandika Pratap
Singh, the officer sought direc-
tion to the Central government
through Ministry of Defence
to withdraw its June 6 policy
to ensure that the fundamental
rights of armed forces person-
nel are not abrogated.
ARMY CHIEF
VISITS FORWARD
AREAS IN JAMMU
PAWAN BALI | DC
NEW DELHI, JULY 13
Army chief General M.M.
Naravane on Monday visited
forward areas in Jammu-
Pathankot (Punjab) region to
review the current security
situation and operational
readiness of the troops
deployed on ground along the
International border with
Pakistan.
When tensions with China
are all time high, the visit of
Army chief to forward areas
at the International Border in
Jammu-Pathankot (Punjab) is
significant as it signals that
the Army does not want to
take any chance at the border
with Pakistan.
This area comes under
Western Command of Indian
Army.
The Army chief said that
there should be ‘zero toler-
ance’ against the ceasefire vio-
lations by Pakistan and
infiltration attempts by terror-
ists.
He asked troops to continue
to defeat the nefarious design
of proxy war being fueled by
our adversaries.
The Army chief was received
in Jammu by Western Army
Command chief Lt. Gen. R.P.
Singh, GoC Rising Star Corps
Lt Gen Upendra Dwivedi and
Maj Gen V.B. Nair, GoC Tiger
Division.
The Army chief was briefed
by Lt. Gen. Dwivedi on the
operational preparedness, up-
gradation of security infra-
structure and the internal
security matters.
Congress and demand a
Central Bureau of
Investigation probe.
The Mamata Banerjee
government, however,
ordered a probe by the
criminal investigation
department of the state
police. The state BJP
called 12-hour North
Bengal bandh on
Tuesday after holding a
protest rally in the city.
Roy won as a CPI(M)
MLA from Hemtabad in
2016 but defected to the
BJP last year.
SP (North Dinajpur)
Sumit Kumar said,
“Prima facie it is a sui-
I-T raids on in
Delhi, Jaipur
New Delhi/Jaipur,
July 13: The Income Tax
Department is conduct-
ing searches in four
cities, including Delhi
and Jaipur, in connec-
tion with a tax evasion
case against a ers Rajiv Arora and
Rajasthan-based
hydropower infrastruc-
ture company and some
other business groups,
officials said on Monday.
The raids come at a
time when Rajasthan is
witnessing an intense
power tussle between
Chief Minister Ashok
Gehlot and his deputy
Sachin Pilot.
While official sources
in the tax department
did not confirm if those
searched are linked to
the Congress leadership
in the state, party lead-
ers in Delhi and
Rajasthan questioned
the timing of the raids
and condemned the
action.
Congress sources in
Rajasthan said the prem-
J&K govt completely ignores
‘Kashmir Martyrs’ Day’
YUSUF JAMEEL | DC
SRINAGAR, JULY 13
For the first time in 73
years, the Jammu and
Kashmir government on
Monday completely dis-
regarded a historical
event that had led to
local Muslims’ uprising
against autocratic
Maharaja’s rule but is
interpreted differently
by BJP, Kashmiri Pandit
outfits and some other
like-minded political
groups.
On July 13, 1931, as
many as 22 Kashmiri
Muslims were killed in
firing by the Maharaja’s
army outside Srinagar’s
central prison where an
in-camera trial of famed
Abdul Qadeer Khan, a
non-local chef with a
British traveller, was
being held.
wheeler rider but over- cannot be trusted.” said that Nepal “has become system. not continue later, Oli said. Shastri said the Left parties
heard some conversa- Countering him, a victim of cultural “The place called Thori, Mr Oli, under growing even in India played with
tion.” Trinamul Congress encroachment and its histo- near Birgunj is the real pressure to resign amidst a people''s faith, and the
“At around 5 am, I got minister Firhad Hakim ry has been manipulated.” Ayodhya, where Lord Ram rift in the ruling Nepal Communists in Nepal will
the shocking news. His said, “It is regular case. Bhanubhakta was born in was born. In India there is Communist Party over his be rejected by the masses in
killers hanged the body What will the CBI do? 1814 in Tanhu of western great dispute on Ayodhya. style of functioning, has the same way they have been
to project that he com- The BJP is playing Nepal and is credited for But, there is no dispute in alleged that some of the rul- here.
mitted suicide. As he body-politics over it.” translating Valmiki’s our Ayodhya,” the Prime ing party leaders are align- “Lord Ram is a matter of
was the sitting MLA, we Governor Jagdeep Ramayan into Nepali lan- Minister was quoted as say- ing with the southern neigh- faith for us, and people will
demand a CBI probe,” Dhankar tweeted, guage. He died in 1868. ing by his press advisor bour to remove him from not allow anybody, be it
he added. “Political violence and “Although the real Surya Thapa. power after his government prime minister of Nepal or
BJP president J.P. v e n d e t t a Ayodhya lies at Thori in the “Valmiki Ashram is also in issued a new political map anyone, to play with this," he
Nadda tweeted, “The @MamataOfficial shows west of Birgunj, India has Nepal and the holy place incorporating three Indian said in New Delhi. PTI
suspected heinous no signs of abating.
killing of Debendra Death of Debendra Nath
Nath Ray, BJP MLA Roy, Hemtabad MLA
from Hemtabad in West raises issues including
Bengal, is extremely allegations of murder.
shocking and Need for thorough
deplorable. This speaks probe.” (sic)
KERALA GOVT
WELCOMES SC
TEMPLE ORDER
GILVESTER ASSARY |
DC
● THE RAIDS come THIRUVANANTHAPU-
against the backdrop RAM, JULY 13
of Gehlot-Scindia
tussle in Rajasthan. The Kerala govern-
ment on Monday wel-
ises linked to party lead- comed the Supreme
Court verdict on
Dharmendra Rathore upholding the rights of
are being searched. the former royal fami-
I-T teams were seen ly in running the
visiting the Amrapali administration of
jewellers showroom in Sree Padmanabha-
Jaipur, stated to be swamy Temple.
owned by Rajiv Arora. Devaswom Minister
While Arora is the Vice
President of the
Kadakampally Suren-
dran said in country
Rajasthan Congress,
Rathore is a former
where rule of law pre-
vails, the Supreme
Chairman of the state
seed corporation.
Court verdict is to be
implemented in full
Income Tax officials letter and spirit.
said the tax raids have “Whatever may be
been launched early the verdict, it is the
morning in Delhi, constitutional respon-
Jaipur, Mumbai and sibility of a democrati-
Kota and premises of the cally elected govern-
promoters and owners ment to comply with
are being covered. the apex court judg-
At least 80 tax sleuths ment. This has been
apart from police offi- the LDF government’s
cials are part of the stand on all occa-
action, they said. - PTI sions,” he said.
Khan had been post the bugle and pres-
charged with sedition ent the ceremonial
and instigating people guard of honour to the
for violence after he martyrs. However, it was
made fiery speeches for the first time since
against the Maharaja’s 1947, that no such cus-
“oppressive” rule at a tomary ceremony took
Friday congregation place at the cemetery
and while pointing nor was any resident
towards his Palace allowed to enter the
asked people to raze it premises which also
“brick by brick.” Since houses a mausoleum of
July 13 is observed as a Sufi of Naqshbandi
‘Martyrs’ Day’ on both order, a mosque and a
sides of the Line of hospice.
Control (LoC). The J&K police and
Traditionally, the head CRPF personnel had at
of the government in dawn blocked all roads,
J&K or its representa- lanes and bylanes lead-
tives would visit ing to the cemetery by
‘Mazaar-e-Shohada’ in laying Concertina razor
Srinagar’s Khawaja wire and placing
Bazaar area to pay obei- ‘bunker’ vehicles en
sance to the martyrs of route. Both entrances to
July 13, 1931 and lay the mazaar were locked
wreaths at their grave. A and gun-wielding police-
special contingent of men stood guard outside
J&K policemen would the whole day.
 WORLD
DECCAN CHRONICLE | CHENNAI | TUESDAY | 14 JULY 2020
pg 5

IN

Zindzi Mandela
BRIEF
Latin American US official warns of strong
passes away at 59
Johannesburg: Zindzi
Mandela, the daughter of
South African anti-apartheid
virus death toll
surpasses USA
action on TikTok, WeChat
leaders Nelson Mandela and
Winnie Madikizela-Mandela,
has died aged 59. State Lerida(Spain), July 13: ing to some semblance of
China dismisses Navarro’s comment as ‘ridiculous, narrow-minded’
television South African Latin America surged normality, authorities San Franciso, July 13: A
Broadcasting Corporation
has reported that Mandela
died at a Johannesburg hos-
pital early Monday morning.
past the US and Canada to
become the world’s sec-
ond worst-hit region for
virus deaths on Monday
across the continent are
worriedly watching
dozens of areas where
cases have resurged.
top White House official
said he expected President
Trump to act firmly again-
st the TikTok and WeChat
China hits back on Uighurs, HK’S TIANANMEN
VIGIL ORGANISERS
The cause of her death has
not been announced.
She had been South Africa's
ambassador to Denmark
as a Spanish court
blocked a move to lock
down some 200,000 people.
South Africa meanwhile
Concerned by a spike in
the town of Lerida in
Spain’s northeastern Cat-
alonia region, officials on
social media apps, prompt-
ing an angry response
from China on Monday.
China dismissed White
limits visas of US officials APPEAR IN COURT
Hong Kong, July 13: The
since 2015. reimposed a nationwide Sunday ordered nearly House trade advisor Peter Beijing, July 13: China on ruling Chinese Communist and crackdown against ter- organisers of a vigil com-

Actor Kelly
curfew to prevent a
“Coronavirus storm”
from ravaging the conti-
Preston dies 57 nent’s hardest-hit nation.
Since the start of July,
Los Angeles: Actor Kelly nearly 2.5 million new
Preston, best known for her infections have been
work in films Mischief, Twins detected across the globe,
and Jerry Maguire, has died with the number of cases
following a two-year battle doubling over the past six
with breast cancer. She was weeks, according to tally
57. John Travolta, her hus- based on official figures.
band of 29 years, shared the And with cases surging
news of her demise on his in Latin America, the
Instagram account. “It is continent on Monday had
with a very heavy heart that officially declared a total
I inform you that my beauti- of 144,758 deaths, passing
ful wife Kelly has lost her the 144,023 recorded in
two-year battle with breast the United States and
cancer. She fought a coura- Canada.
geous fight with the love It now stands second
and support of so many,” only to Europe, where
202,505 people have died.
11 KILLED, 63 Although life in parts of
Europe has been return-
INJURED IN
200,000 residents to stay Navarro’s comments as
home in the first such or- “ridiculous and narrow-
der since the country's lo- minded”, and slammed
ckdown ended on June 21.
But early Monday, a
the United States as “the
world’s real hacker emp-
local court suspended the ire” amid rising tensions
measure as “contrary to between the two super-
law” despite concerns powers.
over the scale of the out- “For a long time now, it
break — one of scores (the US) has carried out
being monitored across indiscriminate and illegal
badly-hit Spain, where cyber attacks, surveil-
the virus has killed more lance and theft of secrets
than 28,400 people. on a global scale,” said
Fears of a second wave Chinese foreign ministry
also forced South Africa spokeswoman Hua Chun-
to re-impose a nationwide ying at a routine briefing.
curfew on Sunday, with “The US continues to
President Cyril Rama- have strong values, but
phosa warning the coun- why is it so scared of a fun
try faced a “Coronavirus video-sharing social med-
storm” that was “far ia network loved by young
fiercer and more destruc- people?” Trump last week
tive” than any before.
— AFP
had said he is considering
banning the wildly popu-
lar TikTok app as a way to
punish China over the
Monday imposed visa res-
trictions on some top US
officials and politicians in
the latest tit-for-tat respon-
se to America’s move to sa-
nction several Chinese offi-
cials for alleged human rig-
hts abuses targeting ethnic
minority groups in the Mu-
slim-majority Xinjiang
province.
Foreign Ministry spoke-
sperson Hua Chunying told
the media here that the
behaviour of the US offi-
cials and politicians, and
visa ban on some Chinese
officials from Uighur Mu-
slim dominated Xinjiang
province “severely dam-
aged China-US relations,”
and should be condemned.
Hua made the comments
in response to US sanctions
and visa restrictions on
three senior officials of the
Party from Xinjiang for
alleged human rights
abuses targeting Muslim
Uighurs.
China has decided to
impose sanctions starting
from Monday against US
Congressional-Executive
Commission on China
(CECC), US Ambassador at
Large for International Rel-
igious Freedom Samuel
Brownback, Congressman
Chris Smit and US Senat-
ors Marco Rubio and Ted
Cruz. The CECC is headed
by Rubio, a vocal critic of
China.
Announcing the ban on
US officials, Hua reiterated
Xinjiang is entirely the
internal affair of China,
and the US has no right to
interfere. The Chinese gov-
ernment’s determination
to protect its sovereignty,
rorism, separatism and
extreme religious forces is
unshakeable. Hua said
China would take further
measures based on the situ-
ation. This is the first-time
China has banned top US
politicians in its retaliation
to US sanctions and visa
bans on Chinese officials
from Xinjiang, Tibet and
over the new national sec-
urity law in Hong Kong.
Beijing’s move comes
days after the US on Thur-
sday slapped sanctions on
some Chinese officials in-
charge of Xinjiang Uighur
autonomous region who
were believed to be respon-
sible for, or complicit in,
the unjust detention or ab-
use of Uighurs, ethnic Ka-
zakhs and members of
other minority groups in
Xinjiang. — PTI
memorating China’s bloo-
dy 1989 crackdown in
Tiananmen Square
appeared in a Hong Kong
court on Monday on
charges of inciting others
to participate in an unlaw-
ful assembly.
A total of 13 people were
charged over the June 4
vigil, including Lee
Cheuk-Yan, who chairs
the Hong Kong Alliance in
Support of Patriotic and
Democratic Movements of
China.
The alliance organises
the vigil, which is annual
event. Others charged
include Jimmy Lai, fou-
nder of the Apple Daily
newspaper and a pro-dem-
ocracy advocate, as well as
activists and alliance
members Richard Tsoi
and Albert Ho. — AP

TALIBAN ATTACK coronavirus pandemic.

Kabul, July 13: Taliban insur-

Virus puts schooling In an interview with Fox
News on Sunday, Navarro
argued that “what the
pointing out it has an
American CEO and con-
sistently denying allega- Chinese professor held for
gents launched a complex
attack on an intelligence co-
mpound in northern Afghanist-
an on Monday that began with a
of 10 mn kids at risk American people have to
understand is all of the
data that goes into those
mobile apps that kids have
tions that it shares data
with Beijing.
WeChat, owned by Tenc-
ent, is a versatile app with questioning Xi-led govt freed
suicide bombing and killed at London, July 13: The shut out of school and so much fun with... goes more than one billion use-
least 11 intelligence agency per- Coronavirus pandemic university due to measu- right to servers in China, rs in China who use it for Beijing, July 13: A Chin- 6, according to associates. ness contributed to the out-
sonnel, officials said. has caused an “unprece- res to contain Covid-19. right to the Chinese mili- text messaging, mobile pa- ese academic who penned He returned home on break of the Coronavirus,
The attack took place in dented education emer- “For the first time in tary, the Chinese yments and social media. an essay blaming the Sunday and was well, two which first appeared in
Aybak, the capital of the Sam- gency” with up to 9.7 mil- human history, an entire Communist Party.” He Navarro also accused Coronavirus pandemic on friends confirmed on China late last year and ev-
angan province. Sediq Azizi, a lion children affected by generation of children said these apps can be TikTok’s new boss Kevin President Xi Jinping’s Sunday, speaking on condi- entually spread globally
spokesman for the provincial school closures at risk of globally have had their used to steal intellectual Mayer, former head of authoritarianism and cen- tion of anonymity. after Communist Party off-
governor, said another 63 people never going back to class, education disrupted,” it property. “So expect Disney’s streaming plat- sorship has been released In an essay published on icials tried to suppress ini-
were wounded in the attack and Save the Children warned said in a new report, Save strong actions on that” by forms, of being a puppet. after nearly a week in overseas websites, Xu had tial news of the contagion.
the ensuing clashes. on Monday. The British our Education. It said the Trump, Navarro warned. On Friday, Amazon said detention, his friends said. written that the leadership It was not immediately
A suicide bomber struck the charity cited UNESCO economic fall-out of the TikTok belongs to the it mistakenly sent workers Xu Zhangrun, a law pro- system under Xi — China’s clear whether he would
compound, followed by two data showing that in crisis could force an extra Chinese group ByteDance an email telling them to fessor at Beijing’s presti- most powerful leader since face further repercussions.
insurgents who opened fire. April, 1.6 billion young 90 to 117 million children and has nearly one billion dump the TikTok mobile gious Tsinghua University, Mao Zedong — was Beijing police did not
Both were killed in the gunbat- people — about 90 per into poverty, with a users worldwide. It has application from their cell was taken from his home in “destroying the structure of immediately respond to a
tle, Azizi said. cent of the world’s entire knock-on effect on school sought to distance itself phones because of securi- the capital by a group of governance”. request for comment on
student population were admissions. from its Chinese owners, ty concerns. — AFP more than 20 people on July He said the lack of open- Monday. — AFP

COFFEE-BREAK
CALVIN AND HOBBES|Bill Watterson

Your day today By Dr C.V.B. Subrahmanyam QUICK CROSSWORD

Aries: Some of you need to keep yourself
away from flirting. Your luck and hard work
both are likely to prove instrumental in the
achieving success on professional front.
Taurus: Peace may prevail among the family
members. However, the health of an elderly
person may require attention. Romance is in THE WIZARD OF ID|Parker and Hartsd
the air for those who are single.
Gemini: Family members would be positive
and supportive. You need to remain careful
since someone might try to flatter you for his
personal gain.
Cancer: Your sincere efforts to revive old con-
tacts would bear fruit. This is a great day to
spend time with friends and having loads of
fun. Kick off those shoes and just relax!
Leo: Today is best spent meditating in quiet
surroundings. You have been working very
hard for too long now. Take this well deserved ARCHIE|Bill Henry Scarpelli & craig boldman
break to relax.
Virgo: Your potential and willingness to learn new
things are likely to enhance career prospects. Try to
stay away from negativity. Profess your love to your
beloved before it is too late to rebuild your relationship. Across Down YESTERDAY’S ANSWER
1.Passed (9) 2. Put into words (5)
You share your b’day with 6. Old building remains (5) 3. Trick (4) Across: 1.
Crawling, 7. Alien,
Conor McGregor, an Irish retired professional mixed 7. Flowering bulb (5) 4. Reach (6) 8. Moist, 9. Infant,
martial artist and boxer. He is a former Ultimate 9. Competed (4) 5. Girl's name (5) 10. Left, 12. Ache,
14. Snooze, 17.
Fighting Championship featherweight and 10. Meal (6) 6. Small stream (7) Exile, 18. Guest,
lightweight champion. 19. Bifocals.
12. Captain (6) 8. Chased (7)
Libra: Your rude behaviour could create rifts in your 14. Religious cult leader (4) 11. Choose (6) Down: 1. Chief, 2. BLONDIE|Dean Young and John Marshall
Awning, 3. Lime, 4.
romantic relationship. Today let actions speak for 17. Banal (5) 13. Accused's defence (5) Naive, 5. Laminated,
you. Take care of your health. Consult a doctor and 18. Youngster (5) 15. Combine (5) 6. Statuette, 11.
Enigma, 13. Haiti,
stick to proper diet chart. Avoid junk food. 19. Destroyed the peace 16. Old wound 15. Omens, 16.
and tranquility of (9) mark (4) Veto.
Scorpio: Children will bring good news. There
will be some major changes on the work front.
Expenses are about to increase due to bad Word Mine
planning. Health will be good.
jumble
Sagittarius: People will be ready to seek your
advice. Your importance will increase in home E
among relatives. Some of you might be given
leadership positions. MCV
Capricorn: You may have to face a change of
place and atmosphere regarding work. You NEHEE ANDY CAPP |Reg Smythe
would overcome small tensions and hurdles TODAY’S RATINGS: 2 AVERAGE; 3 GOOD;
with a firm conviction. 4 OUTSTANDING
Aquarius: The day will be favourable for How many words of four or more
letters can you make from the
obtaining official clearance for new project. letters shown in today’s puzzle?
Don’t be afraid to ask for help from friends. In making a word, each letter
All will be fine soon. may be used once only. Each
word must contain the letter at
Pisces: You may be able to sort out many of your the top of the pyramid. There
should be at least one nine letter
problems. The day is favourable for some of you word. Plurals, foreign words and
who are truly keen on furthering career interests. proper names are not allowed.
There is a possibility that you will get a promotion ANSWERS: emcee, even, hence, VEHEMENCE

before turn, leading to a tiff with your competitors. TARZAN|Edgar Rice Burroughs

F
bridge yodor Dostoevsky wrote,
"Man is fond of counting
PHILLIP his troubles, but he does
not count his joys."
ALDER As I have mentioned at
least once or twice in this col-
KEEP AN umn(!), a bridge player who
counts, especially one who
keeps track of the high-card
ABACUS IN points, will end most deals
joyfully and have a happy
partner.
YOUR MIND How is that relevant in
today's deal? South is in four
spades. West leads the dia-
mond ace: four, queen, six. major-suit loser, but not two. with 11 points: the spade
(East is showing the queen- Logically, he crosses to the king, the diamond ace-king
jack or a singleton queen.) club queen, then runs the and the club jack. If he had
West continues with the dia- spade eight. It loses to West's the heart queen as well, he
mond five: seven, nine, three. king. After taking West's would have opened the bid-
East tries to cash the dia- club-jack exit with dummy's ding as dealer. The only
mond jack. After ruffing, how
should South continue?
king, how should South han-
dle the hearts?
chance is to find East with a
singleton or doubleton
In the auction, North's two- In isolation, cashing the queen.
club response was the Drury
convention (recommended).
king, then playing low to
dummy's jack is mathemati-
Today, as you knew it
would be, justice is seen to be
He was showing three or cally much better than any- done.
more spades and a maximum thing else. But here that can- Copyright United Feature
pass. not be right -- why? Syndicate
Declarer can afford one West has already shown up (Asia Features)
 EDIT
DECCAN CHRONICLE | TUESDAY | 14 JULY 2020 | CHENNAI
pg 6

14 JULY 2020

Defuse new Raj crisis: Subhani

Pilot’s revolt ill-timed
T
he political crisis that flared up in Rajasthan late last week may
not have any easy solution: the threat to chief minister Ashok
Gehlot’s Congress government from his disgruntled deputy Sachin
Pilot, also the state PCC chief, is real, and the Congress may have
to work hard to save its ministry. Mr Pilot’s open rebellion on Sunday,
where he claimed the support of 30 MLAs and some Independents, soon
after he met some senior central leaders in New Delhi, has only made it
more difficult. The immediate reason behind the revolt was the state
police’s notice sent to him on Friday over the inquiry into the alleged
attempts to destabilise the Gehlot government, under IPC sections related
to sedition and conspiracy, but the real cause is that Mr Pilot feels his
voice is not heard with respect in the Gehlot government’s decision-mak-
ing. Mr Pilot had played a major role in ensuring the party’s victory in the

Don’t allow rancour to LETTERS

2018 polls, defeating the BJP led by Vasundhara Raje, and though he was
made deputy CM, he still feels his views aren’t considered adequately.
Though Mr Pilot claimed Sunday the Ashok Gehlot government is in a
minority, it was apparent at the legislature party meeting at Mr Gehlot’s
residence on Monday, attended by at least 100 MLAs, that a majority of the
INVISIBLE MONSTER
Apropos the editorial (Step
state’s Congress legislators support the CM. Mr Gehlot’s camp claims the

hinder ties with Nepal

support of 106 MLAs; while Mr Pilot’s camp disputes this, saying he has at a time will win Covid
the support of only 93-94 MLAs. But that itself establishes many more leg- fight, July 13), it is timely,
islators are backing the CM than the 30 MLAs whose support Mr Pilot
claims. Mr Pilot aspires to be CM, true, but in a democratic set-up even he even as it dwells at length
must recognise the numbers are stacked in the senior leader’s favour. And advocating the govern-
as the nation faces a huge threat from China, and needs to tackle the ments to chalk out contin-
snowballing coronavirus cases, on which the Rajasthan government’s
entire attention must be focused now, the timing of Mr Pilot’s revolt was explained. Beijing sees gency plans as a collective
The unavoidable
extremely inappropriate.
The Congress, through spokesman Randeep Singh Surjewala, has said
Sunanda K. central fact is
Kathmandu as crucial to
its massive transconti-
force to contain the spread
that despite his rebellion, the party’s “doors are always open” to Mr Pilot,
and all his grievances can be listened to and solutions found. Perhaps the
Datta-Ray that the two
countries cannot
nental infrastructure Belt
and Road Initiative that
of Covid-19 pandemic
which is spiralling upward
offer of more portfolios of his choice could be a way out. Mr Pilot, while do without each builds on the appealing
floating suggestions that he may form a regional party, ruled out a move legend of the ancient Silk on a daily basis. It is
Reflections other. If Nepal Road that is said to have appalling to note that the
towards the BJP, which might jump at the chance to re-enter the govern-
ment through the backdoor after being soundly rejected by voters. (The needs India, once connected China to virus-affected dead bodies
tax raids on two of Mr Gehlot’s backers at this juncture might indicate India’s need for the West. The new ven-

I
how dirty these games can get.) Mr Pilot had a long chat with old friend t would be short-sight-
Jyotiraditya Scindia, now with the BJP, in New Delhi Sunday, but he ed and counter-pro-
should remember that despite the latter’s comments about his “talent and ductive to attribute
capability” in a tweet, the political circumstances of the two are very dif- the reported stubborn-
ferent. ness of Nepal’s Prime
At Monday’s legislature party meeting, the MLAs formally adopted a res- Minister K.P. Sharma Oli
olution expressing support for the CM, but the matter is far from over. It only to Sino-India quar-
is learnt the MLAs, accompanied by Mr Gehlot, have gone to a five-star rels. India has had prob-
resort in Jaipur, where they will stay some time, presumably to deter lems with Nepal long
poaching attempts. Till the issue of Mr Pilot’s rebellion is resolved, one before there were any
way or another, political uncertainty will continue in Rajasthan. with China, and Nepalese
sensitivity to geopolitical
compulsions was reflect-
ed in the country’s
charmed the Nepalese by
dancing to a popular local
song “If only I could fly
like a bird under the wide
open sky!” in a lehenga-
choli ensemble when the
Chinese embassy in
Kathmandu celebrated
International Women’s
Day.
Second, Mr Oli’s allega-
tions against New Delhi,
the constitutional amend-
ment and map to include
ture involves political
Nepal is just as cooperation and econom-
great and cancels ic integration and a con-
out the disadvan- sequent increase of
tages Chinese influence. No
inherent in the wonder China is invest-
ing heavily in building
asymmetries of airports, highways and
size, population hydropower projects in
and resources. Nepal, as in many other
countries that lie on the
One of King Birendra’s Belt and Road route.
leading officials told me, Chinese diplomats, like
for instance, that Ms Hou, are also assidu-
don’t have decent burial,
necessitating the police
force to beef up its hold at
the graveyard/crematori-
um, leave alone the virus
not sparing even the privi-
leged class like that of the
Bachchans’ family, who too
are vulnerable despite their
not moving with the less-

Save prisoner in trauma description by its astute

18th century founder,
Prithvi Narayan Shah, as
Limpiadhura, Lipulek
and Kalapani in Nepal,
ban on all Indian news
although the 1950 India-
Nepal treaty provides for
consultation in times of
ously courting Nepalese
opinion. Investment in
tourism, post-earthquake
privileged classes.
E.S.Chandrasekaran
Chennai
T
he family of writer and poet Varavara Rao has complained that the octo- “a yam between two boul- channels except threat, India had not ever reconstruction, trade and
genarian, who has been jailed since October 2018 under the Unlawful ders”. Doordarshan, and law discussed its China prob- energy has increased
Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) for his alleged role in the January 2018 Now, however, Mr Oli is obliging the Indian wives lems with the Nepalese. China’s popularity just as CORONA IMPACT
Bhima-Koregaon riot case, faces a threat to his life from fast deteriorating health. cynically using India as of Nepalese men to wait Even then, Kathmandu salaciously suggestive
It’s for the courts to go into the merits of the case and pronounce judgments; the the whipping boy in his seven years before they saw Indian claims of a Indian TV programmes APROPOS REPORT Quack gets con-
family has been categorical that it asks not for bail but for hospitalisation which rivalry with his Nepal can acquire their hus- “special relationship” as have added to India’s ditional bail (July 11). The old time
can save his life. As the authorities of the Taloja jail in Mumbai, where he had Communist Party rivals, bands’ citizenship all a euphemism for a subor- unpopularity. proverb was that unless one kills two
been held as an undertrial, have not responded positively, nor the family’s rep- including Pushpa Kamal appear anti-Indian. But, dinate alliance. Bishnu As between China and or three he cannot become a doctor.
resentations to Union and state ministers have yielded results, it’s time for the Dahal “Prachanda”, a for- truth to tell, he is no more Rijal, deputy chief of the the United States, India But did ‘Dr Quack’, arrested under
courts to step in and ensure that the constitutional rights of the prisoner are pro- mer Prime Minister who anti-Indian than other NCP’s department of for- has been trapped in inde- the Goondas Act, kill anyone except
tected. is desperate to return to Nepalese politicians. Mr eign affairs and a mem- cision. New Delhi backed that he practiced Siddha and made
Article 21 of the Indian Constitution, which mandates that no person shall be the gaddi. India cannot Prachanda also breathed ber of the party’s central the Shah dynasty, believ- medicines? The most baffling one is
deprived of his life or personal liberty except according to procedure established really expect stability to fire and thunder against committee, dismisses the ing that a single king was for the first time a Siddha practition-
by law, does not stop at the gates of the prison; it applies inside as well. True, the be restored until the bat- India at one time. Even “Roti Beti ka Rishta” link more easily controlled er was arrested under the Goondas
recent record of the Supreme Court has not been all that encouraging given the tle is resolved, as it might Nepal’s first elected that defence minister than a bunch of contrary Act, that too in Tamil Nadu where
way the habeas corpus writ petitions moved by Indian citizens from Jammu and be at the NCP’s July 17 Prime Minister, the late Rajnath Singh invoked politicians. That was also the divine Siddhars had conducted
Kashmir were put off for months. However, democratic institutions can reflect meeting. B.P. Koirala, whom King recently as irrelevant. the strategy in neigh- extensive research and gifted us
fresh insights anytime; the judiciary, the invaluable guarantor of human rights, The unavoidable and Mahendra sacked, was Both sides will still eat bouring Sikkim. When Siddha texts and medicines. Perhaps
is the easiest organ of the state to take such an option. inescapable central fact is extremely scathing about the same bread and seek Sikkim’s Chogyal (king) the authorities are ignorant or con-
The courts must intervene and stop Mr Rao from becoming a prisoner of con- that the two countries Indian motives and meth- spouses for their daugh- proved that he had a veniently forgot that the Siddha
science and order his immediate hospitalisation. There are many illustrious cannot do without each ods although he was ters in each other’s com- mind of his own, he had Vaidyars of yore had practiced, pre-
jurists who have cast such a duty on their successors to be guardian angels of other. If Nepal needs regarded as an Indian munities, but the to go. India didn’t abolish pared medicines, treated the popu-
prisoner rights. One of them, eminent jurist Justice V.R. Krishna Iyer, who ini- India, India’s need for protégé. Nepalese find it prudent Nepal’s monarchy. lace sans degrees or registration. The
tiated prison reforms through judicial intervention, had this to remind them: Nepal is just as great and India is the football that not to talk about it. Whether or not China second one is that US President
When a prisoner is traumatised, the Constitution suffers a shock. cancels out the disadvan- almost all Nepalese politi- Obviously, their reti- was involved, New Delhi Trump wears a face mask for the first
Now, an octogenarian prisoner is in trauma. tages inherent in the cians kick around. cence has something to has been wary ever since time! Had he done the same earlier
asymmetries of size, pop- Sanjay Upadhya, a do with keeping Beijing 2017 when a Communist and asked Americans to wear face
ulation and resources. In Nepalese journalist, cap- placated. “China is a big- government came to masks and practice social distancing,
DECCAN CHRONICLE fact, Nepal’s strength can tured their sense of being ger power now, while it power. Again, Chinese millions who got infected with more
be said to lie in its very wronged in the title of his was considered a sleeping involvement is denied, than one lakh who died may have
ADITYA SINHA K. SUDHAKAR but who knows?
Editor Printer & Publisher weakness, making it a book, The Raj Lives: dragon in the past,” is Mr been saved. And the third one is that
R. MOHAN formidable power when it India in Nepal. As the Rijal’s frank admission, There is no quick or 239 scientists of various countries
Resident Editor comes to bargaining. successor state, the no doubt echoing popular easy answer. But India say the coronavirus is airborne!
DECCAN CHRONICLE offices are located at: Two further aspects of Republic of India is not Nepalese thinking. “The must not allow any sense What belated wisdom.
Chennai: SP 3 Developed Plot, Industrial Estate, Guindy, Chennai 600032. Phones: (044) 22254747, of rancour to affect its
22254748 the situation deserve seen as operationally dif- dragon has woken up A.Seshagiri Rao
Coimbatore: 77 Vivekananda Road, Ramnagar, Coimbatore 641009. Phone: (0422) 2231255, 2231256 attention. First, much ferent from the British now.” He doesn’t regard wholehearted support for Chennai
Hyderabad: 36, Sarojini Devi Road, Secunderabad 500 003. Phone: (040) 27803930-4. Fax: (040) has been written about Raj. Nepalese grievances China as “an aggressive relief in the flooding dis-
aster that has struck
27805256.
Bengaluru: 5th Floor, BMTC Commercial Complex, 80 Ft. Road, Koramangala, Bangalore-560095. Ph:
08043460500; Fax: 080-22960551/52/55
China’s ambassador to
Nepal, Hou Yanqi, who is
are many and the tragedy
is that no important
country”. China merely
looks after its own inter- Nepal, killing 23 people, KUDOS TO WINDIES
Visakhapatnam: Survey No. 1/3A Beach Road, Near Kailasagiri Ropeway, Sector-9 MVP Colony, by all accounts astute, Indian spares much ests. “It believes in silent and against the Covid-19 MANY CONGRATULATIONS to
Visakhapatnam - 530 017. Phones: (0891) 2552333/2552334, Fax (0891) 2755285 diplomatically dextrous, thought on them. diplomacy.” He blames pandemic. Nor can India West Indies for winning the first Test
Vijayawada: No. C 3 & 4, Patamata, Industrial Estate, Auto Nagar, Vijayawada (A.P.). Phones: (0866) culturally versatile and India by implication, avoid formal talks on the against England at Southampton to
2555284/ 2555287, Fax (0866) 2555234 personally popular. describing as “unfortu- border question. Rigidity
Rajahmundry: Vemagiri, Dhawleswaram Rd, Rajahmundry 533125. Phones: (0883) 2417208, 2417618 There is no quick take a 1-0 lead in the three-match
These are enviable attrib- nate” the death of 20 only plays into the hands series. The Test will also be much
Anantapur: Thapovan Colony, Bangalore Bye-Pass Road, Anantapur 515004. Phones: (08554) 276903,
Fax: 08554-276904 utes and one wishes
or easy answer. Indian soldiers, “what of mischief-makers who remembered for a variety of reasons.
Nellore: Survey No. 527/2, Burranpur Village, Venkatachalam (M), Chemudugunta Panchayat, Nellore. India’s envoys were simi- But India must happened between India are always ready to It was the Test that saw resumption
Phone: (0861) 2348581/ 82, Telefax (0861) 2348580
Karimnagar: Survey No. 1341, Vavilalapally Colony, Jagityala Road, Karimnagar 505 001.
larly blest. Whereas a for- not allow any and China” and the accuse India of bullying. of cricket after a four-month hiatus
Phone: (0878 ) 2228908; Telefax (0878) 2220433 mer Indian ambassador sense of rancour prevalent tension. “I hope in the wake of the Covid-19 pandem-
Kochi: No. 3-B, 3rd Floor, DD TRADE TOWER, Kaloor-Kadavanthara Road, Ernakulam, prostrated himself before to affect its it is resolved through dia- ic. It is hard to digest seeing the beau-
Ph: 0484-4039408 Nepal’s then monarch wholehearted logue. They should sit The writer is a senior tiful game played without passionate
Kozhikode: No 6/1002 E, First Floor City Mall, Opp. YMCA Kannur Road, Kozhikode - 673 001 whom he hailed as the together and resolve the journalist, columnist and crowds.
Fax : 0495 4019018
incarnation of Vishnu, support for relief disputes.” author R. Sivakumar
Thiruvananthapuram: St Joseph Press Thycaud post, Cotton Hills, Thiruvananthapuram-14, Ph: 0471-
2735105/6/7, Fax: 0471-4016112 Gram: CHRONICLE Postal registration no: No. H/SD-348/2006-08ss the 50-year-old Ms Hou in the flood that This bias is easily Chennai
has struck Nepal.

T
he United Nations defines the
rule of law as a “principle of
governance in which all per-
Aakar sons, institutions and entities, pub-
lic and private, including the State
Patel itself, are accountable to laws that
are publicly promulgated, equally
enforced and independently adjudi-
cated, and which are consistent with
international human rights norms
and standards”.
India is a rule of law state and
Article 21 of our Constitution says
“no person shall be deprived of his
under Article 21 was at the mercy of
the state. To this, Justice Khanna
asked: “Supposing some policeman
for reasons of enmity, not of state,
kills someone, would there not be a
remedy?”
De said: “Consistent with my posi-
tion, My Lord, not so long as the
Emergency lasts. It shocks my con-
science, it may shock yours, but
there is no remedy.”
Decades later, Justice Khanna’s
view was upheld by a nine-judge
bench which said: “No civilised
In lawless states like India,
even the government does
not know the law. The
Centre passed a law ban-
ning the sale of cows and
buffaloes for slaughter at
animal markets. Mr Modi
loves cows but did not
know that he had no
authority to do this.
used his influence to get away with
is a fact. Those who have power will
use it against those they can in law-
less states.
In lawless states like India, even
the government does not know the
law. The Narendra Modi govern-
ment passed a law banning the sale
of cows and buffaloes for slaughter
at animal markets. Mr Modi loves
cows but did not know that he had
no authority to do this. This is
because the subject is on the State
List of the Constitution, and not the
Central List. The Union government
down the law but the Supreme
Court, using faulty, illogical,
unsound and barely literate reason-
ing, overruled the high court judg-
ment. What has resulted is that 10
states have now legislated anti-con-
version laws (deceitfully titled
“Freedom of Religion Laws”), and
Uttar Pradesh is poised to be the
11th.
Yogi Adityanath will be surprised
to be told that what he has instruct-
ed his police to do is a crime for
which, constitutionally, he should

The realities life or personal liberty except

according to the procedure estab-
lished by law”. The government is
state can contemplate an encroach-
ment upon life and personal liberty
without the authority of law.
the worst crimes surrenders and is
shot dead in custody before he can
reveal his secrets. He is not tried as
did not know this before it wrote the
law.
When the Supreme Court pointed
be punished. He will believe, like
Narendra Modi believed with his
cow law, that he is doing the right

of life in a bound by law to follow this. To

break this rule is to break the law
and commit a crime.
Neither life nor liberty are bounties
conferred by the State nor does the
Constitution create these rights.
the Constitution requires him to be
but executed without due process.
This is not the basis on which I am
this out, the law was withdrawn.
This is what happens in lawless
states. Governments don’t even
thing because it is Bharatiya san-
skriti.
Such things happen in a lawless

lawless state In his dissent against the Supreme

Court sanctioning of Indira
Gandhi’s power grab, Justice H.R.
Khanna said: “Without such sancti-
ty of life and liberty, the distinction
between a lawless society and one
governed by laws would cease to
have any meaning.”
In that case, then attorney-general
of India Niren De is said to have
made the claim that during the
Emergency, even the right to life
The right to life has existed even
before the advent of
Constitution. In recognising the
the
right, the Constitution does not
become the sole repository of the
right.”
What is happening in India today
is not the rule of law. We are a law-
less nation, and I do not say this in
anger or in frustration. I am saying
it as an objective statement of what
is going on around us. A man who
saying that we are a lawless state.
This is not the first encounter in
India or even in Uttar Pradesh.
Since Yogi Adityanath took charge
of UP there have been 119 such exe-
cutions and there have been thou-
sands elsewhere, as there will con-
tinue to be. A father and his son can
be tortured and murdered by the
police for keeping their shop open.
This happens in India. It also hap-
pens in other lawless states, and that
know the law so how are they sup-
posed to follow it? State govern-
ments don’t know the law either and
sometimes even the Supreme Court
doesn’t know. Odisha passed a law
banning conversions in 1967, which
is in clear violation of Article 25. The
right to propagation with the specif-
ic meaning of conversion is guaran-
teed in Article 25 as the Constituent
Assembly debates show.
The Odisha high court struck
state. Courts are dysfunctional,
judges illiterate about the law, lower
courts overrule the Supreme Court
on matters like sedition, legislatures
don’t meet, elected representatives
don’t follow the law, and the police
can murder someone in their cus-
tody. It happens. This is India.
The writer is a senior journalist
and columnist
 TUESDAY | 14 JULY 2020 | CHENNAI
quick
HDFC Bank probes
BITES vehicle loan unit
INDICATORS % New Delhi, July 13:
Sensex 36,693.69 0.27
Nifty 50 10,802.70 0.32
S&P 500* 3,224.41 1.24
Dollar (`) 75.18 0.03
Pound Sterling (`) 94.79 -0.12
Euro (`) 85.03 -0.15
Gold (10gm)* (`) 49,960▼120 0.00
Brent crude ($/bbl)* 43.27 0.03
IN 10-Yr bond yield 5.786 0.026
US 10-Yr T-bill yield* 0.656 0.023
* As of 9:30 PM IST
Glenmark cuts
Covid drug
price by 27%
Glenmark Pharmaceuticals said
it has cut price of antiviral drug
favipiravir, sold under the brand
FabiFlu for the treatment of
mild to moderate Covid-19 sym-
ptoms, by 27 per cent to Rs 75
per tablet. The firm had launch-
ed the drug last month at Rs
103 per tablet. It said the price
cut has been made possible
through benefits gained from
higher yields and better scale,
as both the API and formula-
tions are made at its facilities.
Airlines to see
49% contraction
in demand: IATA
The passenger demand for air
travel will contract by 49 per
cent this year for Indian carri-
ers in comparison to last year,
said the International Air
Transport Association (IATA). It
said the Indian carriers' rev-
enues will decrease by $11.61
billion this year in comparison
to last year due to the Covid
pandemic. It said the airlines of
the Asia-Pacific region will see
passenger demand collapse by
53.8 per cent this year.
RBI turns net
purchaser of
dollar in May
After being net seller of the US
currency in the first month of
this fiscal, the Reserve Bank of
India turned net purchaser in
May as it bought $4.363 billion
of the greenback on a net
basis. During the month, the
RBI bought $4.663 billion from
the spot market while sold
$300 million. In April, it had
sold $1.142 billion US dollar on
a net basis. The RBI in May
2019 had bought a net $2.538
billion of the greenback.
Toyota launches
55% assured
buyback scheme
Toyota Kirloskar Motor said it
has launched special finance
offers and schemes for cus-
tomers, including 55 per cent
buyback scheme for its Yaris
and Glanza models, this month.
Besides, the company has
launched initiatives like low
EMI scheme of Rs 9,999 for
Innova Crysta, and EMI defer-
ment of three months across
all Toyota models, the compa-
ny’s senior VP-sales and serv-
ice Naveen Soni said.
Printed & Published by
K Sudhakar on behalf of Deccan
Chronicle Holdings Limited. Printed &
Published at Deccan Chronicle Presses
situated at SP-3 Developed Plot,
Industrial Estate, Guindy, Chennai.
Editor: T.Venkatram Reddy, RNI Reg.
No. TNENG/2008/25473 Air surcharge Re
1. © All rights reserved. Reproduction in
whole or in part without written per-
mission of The Editor, Financial
Chronicle ® is prohibited.
 Looks into charges of improper lending
SUVASHREE GHOSH &
ANTO ANTONY
JULY 13
HDFC Bank Ltd has con-
ducted a probe into allega-
tions of improper lending
practices and conflicts of
interests in its vehicle-
financing operation involv-
ing the unit's former head,
according to people famil-
iar with the matter.
Both HDFC Bank and
HDFC Ltd slumped by over
2 2 per cent on the BSE fol-
lowing the report.
India's most valuable
lender by market capitali-
sation decided against pro-
ceeding with an earlier
proposal to extend the
employment of Ashok
Khanna, an 18-year veter-
an at the bank, after the
investigation was complet-
ed, said the people, who
asked not to be identified
as the information
remains confidential. The
vehicle-financing unit he
headed had outstanding
loans of more than Rs 1.2
lakh crore ($16 billion) as
of March 31.
HDFC Bank's manage-
ment had been discussing
a proposal for Khanna to
stay on as the unit's head
for six months until
October, to ensure continu-
ity ahead of the retirement
later this year of long-
standing managing direc-
tor Aditya Puri, according
to the people. After the
investigation, Khanna
retired at the end of March
in line with his contract,
they added.
The result of the investi-
gation isn't public, but it
followed issues thrown up
PE/VC
investments
drop 10%
in first half
SANGEETHA G
CHENNAI, JULY 13
In spite of Reliance’s Jio
Platforms attracting huge
investments, private equi-
ty and venture capital
funding in the first half
(H1) of the year was down
10 per cent year-on-year.
On a half-yearly basis,
investments in H1 of cal-
endar year 2020 declined
by 10 per cent to $18.3 bil-
lion against $20.4 billion
in the same period last
year. Private equity/ven-
ture capital (PE/VC)
investment performance
in the first half was
propped up by $9.6 billion
attracted by Jio Platforms
and this accounted for 52
per cent of the total fund-
ing, as per EY data.
"1H20 and more specifi-
cally, 2Q20 has been a very
challenging time for both
corporate India and
investors alike. Because
of Covid-19, both sides
have had to deal with
their own set of uncer-
tainties, some of which
are expected to persist,"
Vivek Soni, partner and
national leader, private
equity services, EY India.
"Headline numbers for
PE/VC investments in the
first half and second
quarter of 2020 have been
far better than anticipat-
ed, largely because of the
spree of PE/VC invest-
ments in Jio Platforms
that happened in 2Q20.
While these investments
bode well for the India
investment story, they are
a one-off and unlikely to
be repeated. If we keep
the Jio Platform deals
aside, 2Q20 would have
been the lowest since the
past 15 quarters for
PE/VC investment activi-
ty," he added.
One of the biggest rea-
sons for the decline in
investments in H1 was the
underperformance of the
infrastructure and real
estate sectors, which
attracted the largest
chunk of funds in 2019 at
$20 billion, accounting for
42 per cent of all invest-
ments in 2019. In H1, 2020,
these sectors received
only $1.9 billion, account-
ing for just 11 per cent of
total PE/VC investments.
INTERNAL AUDIT RAISES RED FLAG
◗ Bank decided against proceeding with an
earlier proposal to extend the service of Ashok
Khanna, an 18-year veteran at the bank
◗ The vehicle-financing unit he headed had out-
standing loans of over `1.2 lakh crore in March
by an internal audit of the
bank's vehicle-dealer lend-
ing, as well as allegations
of conflicts of interest in
the purchase of global
positioning systems for
vehicles financed by the
bank, the people said, with-
out disclosing what the
probe uncovered.
HDFC Bank is bracing
for a leadership change
with Puri set to step down
after 26 years at the helm.
He will retire when he
turns 70 in October under
Reserve Bank of India
rules that restrict the age
of top bank executives.
Khanna, who was 63 at
the time of leaving the
bank in March, had been
due to step aside at the age
of 60 but had been receiv-
ing extensions since 2017.
That was due in part to the
importance of the unit he
headed, which accounts for
more than 10 per cent of
the total loan book.
A representative of
Voda moves tribunal
against Trai order
New Delhi, July 13:
Vodafone Idea on Monday
approached the telecom
tribunal TDSAT against
the sectoral regulator
Trai's missive to put on
hold its plan that prom-
ised faster speeds to cer-
tain priority users,
according to sources.
Sources privy to the
development said that the
telecom operator has filed
a petition in the Telecom
Disputes Settlement and
Appellate Tribunal
(TDSAT), challenging
Trai's move and has
requested for an early
hearing on the matter.
On Saturday, Trai had
asked Vodafone Idea as
well as Bharti Airtel to
put on hold specific plans
that promised faster
speeds to certain priority
users, as the regulator
questioned the telcos on
whether network prefer-
ence to specific customers
came at the cost of deteri-
oration of services for
other subscribers.
The Telecom Regulatory
Authority of India (Trai)
also asked the two opera-
tors to withhold the spe-
cific plan in the interim
period while the issue is
being examined.
Wealthy investors worry about Indian biz outlook
lack of cash if pandemic returns worst in world: IHS
DEVON PENDLETON
JULY 13
The fallout from coron-
avirus has provoked fears
among the world's wealthy,
with the majority plan-
ning to curtail travel and
move closer to family in a
world they see permanent-
ly altered by the pandemic.
More than half of
respondents in a survey of
wealthy investors by UBS
Group AG said they feared
not having enough liquidi-
ty in the event of another
pandemic, while a similar
percentage expressed
worry about leaving suffi-
cient money to their heirs.
The crisis "feels very per-
sonal," said Bonnie Park,
head of wealth planning
for UBS in the Americas.
HDFC Bank confirmed
there had been an investi-
gation into the vehicle-
financing unit but declined
to give details. In an
emailed statement, he said
Khanna had retired in
March in line with the
terms of his employment
contract.
"The bank has a well-
established process of
investigating every com-
plaint that it receives and
takes actions as appropri-
ate," the representative
said in the email. "In the
said instance as well, the
bank has followed the due
process."
Khanna declined to com-
ment on the investigation,
referring questions on the
subject to the bank. He
denied that any extension
to his contract had been
proposed, adding that he
had retired from the bank
in March as planned.
— Bloomberg
The regulator had writ-
ten to the two operators—
Airtel and Vodafone
Idea—over the weekend
questioning them about
their individual plans that
promised faster speeds to
certain priority users.
Trai questioned the pri-
ority being given to high-
paying customers in those
specific plans. The regula-
tor asked the operators
how they are protecting
the interest of other gen-
eral subscribers.
An email query sent to
Vodafone Idea on its
appeal in the TDSAT did
not elicit a response.
Under Trai's scanner is
Vodafone Idea (VIL) post-
paid plan, REDX, promis-
ing up to 50 per cent faster
data speed, besides other
benefits and privileges.
A VIL source had said
on Sunday that the compa-
ny was taken aback by
Trai's moves. —PTI
"In the US specifically, 82
per cent of investors feel
their lives have changed
permanently."
To be sure, the poor and
working classes have
borne the brunt of the eco-
nomic fallout from Covid-
19, which has triggered the
worst economic contrac-
tion since the Great
Depression and resulted in
tens of millions of layoffs.
Of the wealthy investors
surveyed, 70 per cent said
they'd been financially
affected by the pandemic,
with 36 per cent of those
describing the impact as
"significant."
Younger investors indi-
cated they were dispropor-
tionately affected by Covid
turmoil. More than 70 per
cent of wealthy millenni-
DPIIT to move
soon on 74%
FDI in defence
via auto route
The DPIIT would soon
approach the Union
Cabinet to seek approval
for relaxing norms to
allow up to 74 per cent
foreign direct invest-
ment (FDI) in defence
manufacturing under
the automatic route,
with a view to attract
overseas players in the
sector, sources said.
They said the Depart-
ment for Promotion of
Industry and Internal
Trade (DPIIT) has dis-
cussed the matter with
the defence ministry.
The decision to permit
up to 74 per cent FDI in
the defence manufactur-
ing through the auto-
matic route was
announced by finance
minister
Sitharaman in May
Nirmala
while announcing the
fourth tranche of the Rs
20 lakh crore stimulus
package for the coron-
avirus-hit economy.
As per the current FDI
policy, 100 per cent over-
seas investments are
permitted in the defence
industry—49 per cent
under the automatic
route, while beyond that
the government
approval is required.
In July 2018, the gov-
ernment had relaxed for-
eign direct investment
norms in the defence
sector by allowing up to
49 per cent FDI under
the automatic route. The
move was aimed at
boosting domestic ind-
ustry as India imports
about 70 per cent of its
military hardware.
— PTI
Q1 seen as worst quarter
for organised retailers
SANGEETHA G
CHENNAI, JULY 13
Organised retail is expect-
ed to report steep revenue
losses in the June quarter.
While retailers focused on
discretionary items might
see revenue losses as huge
as 70 to 80 per cent; the
lockdown has not spared
grocery stores either.
Brokerage Emkay Global
Research finds April- June
to be the worst quarter for
retail brands, with most of
them reporting revenue
losses. "We expect a steep
fall in revenues to the tune
of 70-80 per cent net losses
across for Titan and fash-
ion retailers due to the clo-
sure of stores during the
lockdown period in April
and May," it said.
"Discretionary consump-
tion continues to be under
pressure, especially in the
non-FMCG categories,''
says another brokerage
Motilal Oswal Research
Ltd.
Unlike developed coun-
tries where organised
retailers saw major cus-
tomer traffic even in lock-
down, the situation was
different in India.
Enforcement of store shut-
downs and restricted
als said their finances
were impacted by the pan-
demic and a similar per-
centage said they antici-
pated having to work
longer to make up for the
losses, compared with just
34 per cent of Baby
Boomers. Millennials
were also twice as likely as
boomers to have extended
financial support to family
Gold prices surge past
`50,000 in Delhi market
SANGEETHA G
CHENNAI, JULY 13
Gold prices in the New
Delhi market moved up
above Rs 50,000 per 10 gm,
as the international mar-
ket remains bullish on the
yellow metal.
In the New Delhi spot
market, prices touched an
all-time high of Rs 50,850
per 10 gm (999 purity) and
22-carat or 995 purity gold
was trading at Rs 50,600.
In the Multi Commodity
Exchange gold August
futures were trading at Rs
49,155, closer to all-time
high of Rs 49,348. In the
Chennai market, 22-carat
gold was trading at Rs
47,060 per 10 gm.
In the international
market, gold saw an intra-
day high of $1,812 and was
trading firm above $1,800
throughout the day.
"International bullion
prices are trading firm
this Monday afternoon
session, extending gains
from last week amidst
safe haven appeal, as the
Covid-19 pandemic con-
tinues to worsen around
the world. There was a
record increase in global
Covid-19 cases on July 12,
with a total of 230,370 new
cases in 24 hours, accord-
ing to the World Health
Retail inflation at 6.09% in June
MADHUSUDAN SAHOO
NEW DELHI, JULY 13
After suspending the
headline consumer infla-
tion for last two months,
the government on
Monday unveiled the
price data for June. With a
spike in prices of certain
PEPSICO BEVERAGE
SALES DROP IN INDIA
New Delhi, July 13:
PepsiCo Inc witnessed a
double-digit decline in
its beverage sales in
India in the 12-week
period ended June 13
amidst the coronavirus
pandemic, according to
its earnings statement.
The company said its
snacks volume also wit-
nessed double-digit
decline in India during
the period.
In Africa, Middle East
and South Asia region,
the company said its
"beverage volume
declined 25 per cent,
reflecting double-digit
declines in India and
Pakistan, a low-single-
digit decline in
Nigeria.” —PTI
movement within stores
worked against even
organised grocery retail.
Traditional trade made a
roaring comeback and has
successfully served the
needs of anxious cus-
tomers. Value offerings
and discounts appear to be
and friends.
Despite any damage to
their net worth, most
wealthy investors see the
recent volatility in the
equity markets as a buy-
ing opportunity.
"We saw some investors
shift out of equities and 60
per cent of them regret
that," said Jeff Scott,
UBS's head of client
research. "Better to stick
with your plan than be
reactive in the market."
Investments aside,
wealthy people are expect-
ing to make permanent
changes to their lifestyles
in the wake of the coron-
avirus. More than two-
thirds are prepared to
work remotely, while 70
per cent anticipate travel-
ing less. — Bloomberg
Organization (WHO),"
said Sriram Iyer, senior
research analyst at
Reliance Securities.
Slightly weak US dollar
and simmering US-China
tensions also decreased
investors' risk appetite
and supported bullion.
Gold has been getting
stronger after US
President Donald Trump
announced last week that
there will be no phase-
two trade deal with
China in the near future.
Investors are now look-
ing out for China's reac-
tion to Trump's state-
ment.
By sustaining above
$1,800 levels, gold prices
indicate a bullish move up
to $1,820-$1,832 levels in
the near-term. Prices will
continue its bullish
food items, India's annual
retail inflation rose to 6.09
per cent in June compared
with 5.84 per cent in
March. But overall food
prices in June eased to a
nine-month low of 7.87 per
cent compared to 9.2 per
cent in March as tempo-
rary supply constraints
no priority among con-
sumers during the lock-
down, which is hurting the
hypermarkets.
Jewellery and watch
retailer Titan might report
revenue decline of 65 per
cent. Jewellery is expected
to see sales drop of 75 per
cent and watches 90 per
cent. Comparable Ebitda
should see a loss of Rs 200
crore against gain of Rs
520 crore in Q1FY20.
However, Titan also has
witnessed a 70 per cent
recovery in June, finds
Emkay.
Among fashion retailers,
Aditya Birla Fashion
Retail is expected to see a
revenue decline of 76 per
cent. Store closures have
driven sales decline for
both Pantaloon and
Lifestyle divisions.
Comparable Ebitda would
see a loss of Rs 320 crore
against a gain of Rs 140
crore in Q1FY20.
Shoppers Stop too would
find revenues declining by
84 per cent on account of
higher exposure to closed
malls, coupled with ongo-
ing growth challenges.
Comparable Ebitda should
see a loss of Rs 80 crore
against a gain of Rs 50
crore in Q1FY20.
VRISHTI BENIWAL
JULY 13
Indian business sentiment
turned negative for the
first time in more than a
decade, reflecting pes-
simism on activity and
profits following the coron-
avirus outbreak.
The business activity net
balance fell sharply to -30
per cent in June, from +26
per cent in February,
according to IHS Markit
India Business Outlook
survey results released on
Monday. This was the low-
est reading on record and
the first time that a nega-
tive outlook has been sig-
nalled since the series
began in late-2009, IHS
said.
Many respondents indi-
cated that the outlook was
pg 7
momentum in the Indian
market as well.
Meanwhile, silver at the
MCX was trading closer
to Rs 53,000 per kg, which
was a multi-year high. In
the international market
also, silver broke the cru-
cial $19 level and was at a
multi-year high of $19.29
per ounce. Silver has
been taking cue from
base metals as well as
they too have remained
bullish of late.
With this, the gold/sil-
ver ratio (ounces of silver
needed to buy one ounce
of gold) dropped below 95
and moved towards the 94
level. The current ratio is
highly favourable for sil-
ver prices as there are
high chances of the ratio
going back to pre-Covid
level of 90.
due to nationwide lock-
down eased, the govern-
ment data showed.
“In view of the preven-
tive measures…the price
collection of Consumer
Price Index (CPI) through
personal visits of price
collectors was suspend-
ed," the CSO said.
MG BRINGS
6-SEATER
HECTOR SUV
MICHAEL GONSALVES
PUNE, JULY 13
After the successful
launch of MG Hector
SUV in January last
year, Morris Garages,
the British brand
owned by Chinese giant
SAIC Motor, on Monday
drove in the six-seater
Hector Plus in four vari-
ants, starting at an
introductory price of Rs
13.49 lakh at New Delhi
showroom to boost sales
in Asia’s third biggest
economy.
However, this launch
is happening at a time
when a boisterous cam-
paign to shun products
from China is raging
across the country. In
this backdrop, it would
now be interesting to
watch its sales perform-
ance as MG is the only
bonafide Chinese com-
pany present in India,
the world's fourth-
largest passenger vehi-
cle market.
The Hector Plus has
been priced between Rs
13.49 lakh– Rs 18.21 lakh
in petrol and Rs 14.44
lakh–Rs 18.54 lakh in
diesel engines.
unusually uncertain and
were unsure of how activi-
ty would develop over the
coming 12 months, accord-
ing to IHS.
"The outlook for India
was the worst globally,"
said Andrew Harker, eco-
nomics director at IHS
Markit, referring to confi-
dence level among all coun-
tries monitored by IHS.
"There appears to be little
light at the end of the tun-
nel at present."
Input costs are predicted
to fall, while output prices
were forecast to rise only
slightly over weak cus-
tomer demand, according
to the survey. Local compa-
nies, specially those in
services sector, look set to
respond to falling activity
by scaling back workforce
numbers. — Bloomberg
 GAMES
DECCAN CHRONICLE | CHENNAI | TUESDAY | 14 JULY 2020
SHORT
Spurs footballer’s
sibling shot dead
TAKES
London: Tottenham have con-
firmed the death of defender
Serge Aurier’s younger brother,
who, media reports in France
say, was fatally shot on Monday.
According to the French
reports, 26-year-old
Christopher Aurier was shot
near a bar at 5 am in the south-
ern city of Toulouse and there
have been no arrests.
Tottenham said on its website
that it was “deeply saddened to
confirm media reports” of the
death, but did not give a cause.
“We are supporting Serge at
this difficult time and we ask
that the privacy of the player
and his family is respected.
Everybody at the club sends
their sincerest condolences to
Serge and his family,” the
Premier League team said.
Serge Aurier, a 27-year-old
right back, previously played
for Toulouse. The Ivory Coast
international joined Tottenham
in the summer of 2017 from
Paris Saint-Germain. He repre-
sented his country at the 2014
World Cup. — AP
Fish wins golf,
jumps into water
Stateline, USA: US Davis Cup
captain Mardy Fish won the
American Century
Championship, holding off for-
mer Buffalo defensive tackle
Kyle Williams a day after a
record-setting round.
The 38-year-old former tennis
player jumped into Lake Tahoe
in celebration. “I’ve wanted to
play well here for a long time. It
just doesn’t suit my eye very
well, so I haven’t put it all
together. And thankfully I put it
all together yesterday because
it wasn’t today and it wasn’t
Friday,” said Fish, a six-time
winner on the ATP Tour.
The celebrity tournament was
played without fans at
Edgewood Tahoe Golf Course
because of the Coronavirus
pandemic. The $600,000 purse
and additional money will be
donated to organisations sup-
porting Covid-19 relief efforts,
the Equal Justice Initiative and
Lake Tahoe regional non-prof-
its. Fish birdied the par-5 16th
and 18th holes for a 21-point
day and 76-point total — nine
better than Williams — under
the modified Stableford scoring
system. — AP
Morikawa wraps
Workday Open
Dublin, Ohio (USA): Collin
Morikawa never looked like a
winner at the Workday Charity
Open until he tapped in for par
on the third playoff hole, cap-
ping off a wild finish at
Muirfield Village.
Morikawa trailed Justin Thomas
by three shots with three holes
to play and managed to get
into a playoff with a 6-under
66. Then, after watching
Thomas hole a 50-foot birdie
putt on the first extra hole, he
had to make a 25-footer just to
stay alive on Sunday. He could
only watch as Thomas had a 10-
footer to win on the 18th on the
second playoff hole.
It finally ended on No. 10 when
Thomas had to lay up from
behind a tree and made bogey,
and Morikawa took two putts
from just inside 10 feet for his
second career victory, and first
against a strong PGA Tour field.
It was a shocker for Thomas,
too. He lost a two-shot lead at
the start in three holes. — AP
ORDER ON
UMAR’S BAN
RESERVED
Lahore: The independent adju-
dicator hearing Pakistan crick-
eter Umar Akmal’s appeal
against a three-year ban for
failure to report corrupt
approaches reserved his order
on the matter on Monday.
Akmal was banned in April
after he failed to report corrupt
approaches at the beginning of
the currently suspended
Pakistan Super League T20
event. He was declared uncoop-
erative during the disciplinary
hearing into the matter.
The Board also stated that it
would make no further com-
ment on the matter.
— PTI
Regd. No.
TNENG/2010/35692
Printed & Published by
K. Sudhakar on behalf of
Deccan Chronicle Holdings Limited
and Printed at
Deccan Chronicle Presses situated
at SP 3, Developed Plot, Industrial Estate,
Guindy, Chennai - 600 032.
RNI Registration No: TN ENG/2005/14987
Ph Nos: 22254747, 22254748, 22254750,
22254751
Editor: ADITYA SINHA
Spurs shoot Arsenal
Alderweireld curls a late winner as Tottenham triumph 2-1
London, July 13: Toby
Alderweireld gave Totten-
ham a late 2-1 win over
Arsenal as Jose
Mourinho’s men climbed
above their north London
rivals, while Aston Villa
boosted their Premier
League survival hopes
with a 2-0 victory against
Crystal Palace on Sunday.
Mourinho had endured a
barrage of criticism as
Tottenham slipped out of
the race to qualify for the
Champions League with
just one win in three
games.
But thanks to
Alderweireld’s winner
with nine minutes left,
Tottenham took the local
bragging rights and got
back in contention for a
place in next season’s
Europa League.
Tottenham are eighth,
two points above ninth
placed Arsenal and two
behind Sheffield United as
they try to avoid missing
out on European action
for the first time since
2009-10.
Arsenal’s lead lasted just
three minutes as Sead
Kolasinac’s sloppy pass
gifted Son Heung-min the
ball.
Son easily eluded David
Luiz before chipping over
onrushing keeper
Emiliano Martinez.
VILLA DOWN PALACE
At Villa Park, Dean
Smith’s side kicked off
languishing seven points
from safety, but Egypt
winger Trezeguet scored
twice to keep them in with
a chance of avoiding rele-
gation.
Villa’s first win in 11
league games lifted them
into 18th, within four
points of fourth-from-bot-
tom Watford with three
games left.
Smith’s men got an early
stroke of luck when
Palace defender Mamadou
Sakho had a goal ruled out
by VAR for handball
Villa snatched the lead
in first half stoppage-time
when Conor Hourihane’s
free-kick picked out
Trezeguet, who side-foot-
ed home at the far post.
Meanwhile Dominic
Solanke scored twice as
Bournemouth’s clinched
4-1 victory over Leicester,
which was reduced to 10
men.
Junior Stanislas and
Jonny Evans also found
the back of the net to
make Bournemouth’s win
even more emphatic.
— Agencies
WI SKIPPER
ALL PRAISE FOR
HIS TEAMMATES
Southampton, July 13:
West Indies captain Jason
Holder eulogised his
team’s gritty fightback on
day four of the first Test
against England, saying it
was “by far the best
effort” he has seen from
the side under his leader-
ship. The West Indies took
five wickets for just 30
runs to leave England at
284 for eight at stumps on
day four.
The effort from the pac-
ers, late in the day, proved
decisive in their four-
wicket win on Sunday
with Jermaine Black-
wood making a match-
winning 95.
“Yesterday’s effort was
by far the best effort I’ve
seen from this group. It’s
a massive, massive win.
To beat England in
England is no easy feat,”
Holder said in the post-
match interaction. — PTI
Coach dispels talk he tried NASSER
HAPPY WITH
to remove Kane as captain ENGLAND BATS
Wellington, July 13:
New Zealand coach Gary
Stead on Monday dis-
missed speculations that
he had tried to remove
Kane Williamson from
Test captaincy, saying
“there is no truth” in
them and his relation
with the skipper remains
“strong”.
Following New Zeal-
and’s 0-3 defeat at the
hands of Australia earlier
this year, rumours sur-
faced that Stead preferred
left-handed batsman Tom
Tottenham Hotspur’s Toby Alderweireld (second from left) heads the ball to score during their English Premier
League football match against Arsenal at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London on Sunday.
Sevilla keep Mallorca at bay
Madrid, July 13: Sevilla
beat Mallorca 2-0 in the
Spanish league to move
within a draw of qualify-
ing for the Champions
League next season.
Forwards Lucas
Ocampos and Youssef En-
Nesyri scored a goal in
each half to give Sevilla
its fourth straight win and
leave the team a point
away from securing
fourth place and a return
to Europe’s top club com-
petition.
We knew this was a key
match for us, Sevilla mid-
fielder Fernando said.
This victory leaves us
very close to achieving
our goal.
Sevilla made it to the
Champions League quar-
terfinals in 2018 but didn’t
qualify for the competi-
tion this season. It has
played in the Europa
League instead, where it
will face Roma in the
round of 16.
Sevilla, unbeaten since
the league resumed fol-
lowing the pandemic
break, moved nine points
ahead of fifth-place
Villarreal, which hosts
Real Sociedad on Monday
with a chance to get back
to within six points with
Stokes backs his decision
to drop Broad in 1st Test
Southampton, July 13:
Stand-in captain Ben
Stokes won’t regret the
decision to drop Stuart
Broad from the side
despite losing the first
Test against the West
Indies but lauded the sen-
ior pacer’s burning desire
to play for England.
England lost the series-
opener by four wickets
with Jermaine Blackwood
leading the West Indies to
a gripping four-wicket
win on the final day.
Broad minced no words
in railing the decision,
saying he felt “angry, frus-
trated and gutted”. Stokes
said, “Broad’s reaction
was natural.”
“Stuart’s interview was
absolutely brilliant. For a
guy who has played over
100 Tests and taken the
amount of wickets he has
to have that emotion and
desire still burning inside
NOT SO
Latham for Test captaincy
over incumbent Willia-
mson.
“There’s no truth to it ...
that was certainly news to
me certainly had no con-
versations around that
sort of thing,” Stead was
quoted as saying by
Newshub as he opened up
on the issue for the first
time.
“At this stage, Kane’s our
man. He’s the guy we’ve
backed, he’s been a great
leader for this team and
I’m sure he will be in the
pg 8
IOA secy asks for
gender equality
New Delhi, July 13: The ● The Indian Olympic
Indian Olympic Association secretary
Association on Monday
conceded that it has to take Rajeev Mehta wrote to
lead in addressing the officials after the
issue of gender equality in International Olympic
sports governance, asking Committee directed all
the executive council to National Olympic
prepare a proposal which Committees to
would ensure that one out maintain gender
of three NSF representa- equality, which would
tives in its General
Assembly is a woman.
ensure that one out of
IOA secretary general three NSF
Rajeev Mehta wrote to IOA representatives in its
officials on the issue after General Assembly is a
the International Olympic woman.
Committee (IOC) directed
all National Olympic on the proposal of setting a
Committees (NOCs) to norm that one among the
maintain gender equality. three representatives of
A minimum of 30 per the NSF to the General
cent of women representa- Assembly of the IOA is a
tion is required within the woman,” Mehta wrote.
governing bodies of the “I believe once such a
sports organisations change is initiated by us,
belonging to the olympic more National Sports
movement to maintain Federations would also
gender equality. change their governance
“As proposed in my letter structures as suitable to
dated 15th July 2019, I give more representation
request members of the to women, in accordance
Executive Council of the
IOA to initiate a discussion
with the norms,” he added.
— PTI
— AFP
NAPOLI HELD BY MILAN MANCHESTER
IN TWO-ALL STALEMATE CITY EUROPEAN
Milan, July 13: Napoli coach Gennaro Gattuso’s
first-ever match against AC Milan ended in a 2-2
draw in Italian league.
BAN QUASHED
Giovanni Di Lorenzo and Dries Mertens scored for
Napoli to cancel out Theo Hernndez’s opener but
Lausanne, July 13:
Manchester City are free
WASHINGTON NFL TEAM
Franck Kessi leveled from the penalty spot 17 min-
utes from time.
Napoli remained sixth in the Italian league, two
to play Champions
League football next sea-
son after the Court of
DROPS ‘REDSKINS’ NAME
points above Milan. Gattuso had both played for and Arbitration for Sport on Washington, July 13: The Washington NFL fran-
coached Milan but had never faced the Rossoneri Monday lifted a two-sea- chise announced Monday it is dropping the
since leaving by mutual consent at the end of last son ban from European “Redskins” name and Indian head logo, bowing to
season. competitions imposed by recent pressure from sponsors and decades of criti-
Milan goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma pulled UEFA. cism that they are offensive to Native Americans.
off two superb saves before his side went ahead An initial fine of 30 mil- A new name must still be selected for one of the old-
against the run of play in the 20th with Hernndez lion euros ($34 million, 27 est and most storied teams in the National Football
volleying in Ante Rebic’s cross. million) was also reduced League, and it was unclear how soon that will happen.
Meanwhile, Genoa boosted its hopes of avoiding to 10 million euros on But for now, arguably the most polarizing name in
relegation with a 2-0 win over last-place Spal in appeal. City were accused North American professional sports is gone at a time
Serie ‘A’ on Sunday. of deliberately inflating of reckoning over racial injustice, iconography and
Goran Pandev and Lasse Schne scored in each half the value of income from racism in the U.S.
and Genoa also had a penalty saved. Genoa is two sponsors with links to the The move came less than two weeks after owner Dan
points above Lecce and Spal is 11 points from safety Abu Dhabi United Group, Snyder, a boyhood fan of the team who once declared
with six matches remaining. — AP also owned by City owner
Sheikh Mansour, to avoid
he would never get rid of the name, launched a “thor-
ough review” amid pressure from sponsors. FedEx,
two rounds to go. results. Mallorca had won
falling foul of financial
fair play (FFP) regula-
Nike, Pepsi and Bank of America all lined up against
the name, which was given to the franchise in 1933
Villarreal has the head-to- two of its last three tions between 2012 and when the team was still based in Boston.
head tiebreaker advan- matches. 2016. CAS found that “The NFL and Dan Snyder, we have to commend
tage over Sevilla. Mallorca’s loss meant “most of the alleged them on making the right call to change the name,”
Mallorca dropped to sec- both Eibar and Valladolid breaches reported by the said Oneida Indian Nation Representative Ray
ond-to-last place, three will stay in the top flight. Adjudi-catory Chamber of Halbritter, leader of the “Change the Mascot” cam-
points from safety. It could Leader Real Madrid vis- the CFCB were either not paign.
end the round four points its midtable Granada on established or time- — AP
back depending on other Monday. — AP barred”. — AFP
Stuart Broad (left) and Ben Stokes in this file photo.
is amazing,” Stokes told decision that pace would
BBC Sport. Stokes defend-
ed the selection for the
do better for us in the long
run on this game,”he said.
first Test, which marked Meanwhile, England
the resumption of inter- cricket coach Chris
national cricket since Silverwood refused to give
March. any guarantees that Broad
“In terms of the selec- will be recalled for the sec-
tion, if I was to regret that ond test against the West
it doesn’t send a very good Indies, saying Monday
message to the guys who selection was still up for
played. We went with the grabs. — AP
future as well,” he added. Southampton, July 13:
Asked about his rela- England’s batting contin-
tionship with Kane, Stead ues to remain their
said: “I think it’s very “nemesis” despite the
good. I think it’s strong. focus being on stand-in
Stead, however, conceded captain Ben Stokes’ ques-
that he and Williamson tionable decisions in the
are “philosophically dif- opening Test against the
ferent”. West Indies, feels former
“I think I probably have skipper Nasser Hussain.
philosophical differences “Let’s not get lost with
with every single person the Broad issue or the
in the team at different toss issue. England hav-
times, and that’s just ing batted first were
about me and him being a bowled out for 204 — that
human being ,” Stead fur- is still their nemesis,”
ther added. — PTI Hussain said. — PTI
 chennai
CHRONICLE TUESDAY | 14 JULY 2020
‘BE THE BEST VERSION
OF YOURSELF’, SAYS
PADMA
PG
4

The young business class

Entrepreneurs in their 30s have the best of both worlds — advantage over those in their 20s in terms of
wisdom, experience, and energy vis-a-vis seasoned professionals in their early 50s
POOJA PRABBHAN

There goes a popular ‘Believe in yourself and push your boundaries’

adage — “little hinges
swing big doors.” The
world of start-ups
runs on this ideology. Look
around: A vast majority of
entrepreneurs were, after
all, a bunch of ordinary folks
who decided to take that
plunge at a phase when the
risking it all touched its
MITALI TANDON, 30 years
(Founder of ‘Morning Fresh’, India’s
first natural hangover-detox drink tar-
geted at millennials aged 21–40 years
as well as health enthusiasts actively
seeking natural solutions to
maintain their work–fun
balance).
they are 30-years-old. By then, you’ve put
yourself in enough situations to under-
stand your strengths and limitations. You
also smarten up about your work and
thinking and learn that more than the idea
or approach to, it is consistency that
works,” says Mitali.
Mitali used the advantage of her age to
better gauge the pulse of her target con-
has been designed to be caffeine-sugar-
and-gluten-free — keeping our customers’
healthy lifestyle at the forefront.”
ADVICE TO UPCOMING ENTREPRENEURS:
1. Be consistent.
2. Zoom in and out of your business when
you need to and believe in yourself.

E
peak. Deccan Chronicle ntrepreneurs sumers. “I have always wanted to create a 3. Don’t be disappointed if others don’t
explores what makes who start early, natural detox drink that protects the liver, understand you.
these young profession- as I did, have flushes out toxins and keeps you fresh 4. Stay versatile at work so you can keep
als jump into the world made enough mis- after a night out,” she tells us. “With a finding avenues that help you learn, grow
of business. takes by the time strong focus on wellness, our formulation and push your boundaries.

Time to
blossom
JHELUM BISWAS BOSE, 39 years
(Founder of ‘Jhelum Loves’
that creates products based
on Bach flower therapy,
aroma remedies and chakra
healing theories, person-
alised as per individual
needs).

E
ntrepreneur Jhelum
Biswas Bose, who also
calls herself flower witch,
believes that when one is pre-
pared, the pathways just show
up. An erstwhile English litera-
ture student who aspired to be a
teacher and realised she didn’t
have the patience for the job!
Jhelum first worked as a beauty
editor and then a marketing
head of a beauty giant for 10–12
years cumulatively before
becoming a freelance writer.
Later, she began exploring
alternative remedies. “Soon, I
decided to make it a career,
where I was not only healing
myself but also creating skin
and haircare products that
healed others emotionally,”
says Jhelum.
Thus began her organic move
into entrepreneurship. “I creat-
ed just one product with honey, in your 30s is rewarding enterprise in.
which amassed a lot of appreci- because you haven’t still lost 2. Get your finances, legali-
ation. Then, the orders kept your zeal. Moreover, by then, ties and licenses in order.
coming in, and that’s how you’ve reached an age when 3. Don’t rely blindly on
‘Jhelum Loves’ came about,” you can judge things objec- those helping you.
she adds. tively,” she adds. 4. Keep upskilling — be
Jhelum believes she found prepared to study and
mental stability in her 30s. ADVICE TO UPCOMING update your knowledge.
“Despite the risks of leaving the ENTREPRENEURS: 5. Stay alert and wise to
comforts of a regular job and changes around you — it’s
perhaps unsettling your family 1. Be well-versed in the what you need when you run
life, starting entrepreneurship area you want to create your a successful business.

TURN TO PAGE 3 >>

 Tuesday 14 July 2020 2

kollywood Deccan Chronicle

Fans give a memorable

birthday gift to Suriya
7 million views
and counting

It’s all about marbles

Nikhila Vimal’s sports film with rural
backdrop to have a digital release
Tamil audiences always lap
up well-made sports films.
The latest to join the list is
Onbadhu Kuzhi Sampath,
directed by Raghupathy, a for-
mer assistant of R.K.
Selvamani.
OKS deals with the rural game
of marbles (Goli). “The film is
about a guy who is an expert in
playing marbles, and how his
life takes a U-turn with the
arrival of a girl. The suspense
thriller is set in a remote village
in Trichy and besides Onbadhu
Kuzhi, you will also get to know
the different kinds of games one
can play using marbles,” says
the director.
Balaji and Nikhila Vimal essay
the lead roles. National award-
winning Appu Kutty will be
seen as a key character.
Owing to the extended lock-
down and being a small budget ANUPAMA SUBRAMANIAN fans have come up with a day poster has garnered so
movie, the film will be streamed quirky idea and executed it many shares.
DECCAN CHRONICLE
on C.V. Kumar’s Regal Talkies successfully. They approached The celebrities include
soon. You can pay for one ticket Though Suriya has 115 K’town film celebrities and S.Thanu, Gnanvelraja, Arya,
(pay per view) and the entire decided to keep his got them to release a common Karthi, Madhavan,
family can watch the film at the birthday (July 23) cele- birthday poster designed by Tamannah, Simran, Aditi Rao,
comfort of your home, says the brations low-key due to the them. The poster hashtag Rana Daggubati, Allu Sirish,
director. COVID-19 pandemic, it has not #SuriyaBirthdayFestCDP is Sundeep Kishan,
dampened the spirit of his reportedly going viral with 7 Shivarajkumar, Sam CS,
numerous fans. million views and shares in Imman, Satish, Venakt

‘I didn’t want to
With no live events and social just 24 hours. Prabhu, Rashi Khanna,
activities normally associated Sources say this is the first Logesh Kanagaraj and
with Suriya’s birthday, the time an Indian actor’s birth- Vignesh Shivan among others.

make promises’
VSP reveals the reason for opting out Mathangi elated to sing
of an action thriller, Pushpa
There were reports that Vijay Sethupathi,
who was to play the antagonist in Allu
with K.J. Yesudas
Arjun’s action thriller Pushpa, had demanded I was over the moon, says the singer
a mammoth `10 crore as his remuneration and
hence the makers had replaced him with Mathangi Ajith Kumar, who started her
Kannada actor Dhananjaya. singing career at the tender age of seven
In a recent interview, Makkal Selvan opened alongside late iconic music composer M.S.
up about the matter, saying he had himself Viswanathan, has got the credit of being the
opted out of the project due to an issue with fourth-generation singer to render a duet
dates. with Padma Vibhushan K.J. Yesudas for a
He also revealed that he had personally met yet-to-be-released Tamil film.
director Sukumar and explained his inability Speaking to DC, an excited Mathangi says,
to accommodate dates, although he “I have brought out independent music
liked the script. He didn’t want to albums and sung on several stage shows.
make promises and later mess up Watching me in one of my shows, direc-
the dates, he had told Sukumar. tor Ravi Menon Sir offered me the first
It was director Sukumar who song in a Tamil film Kadhuvu En Ezhu
had approached Vijay Ganeshapuram directed by P.R.
Sethupathi, who made his Krishna and I was lucky enough to
Telugu debut with Chiranjeevi’s croon the melody Pani Thuliyaai
Sye Raa Narasimha Reddy, for Kanavil Vandhu alongside Vijay
the pan-Indian movie starring Yesudas. After completing singing in
Allu Arjun. six Tamil movies and two Malayalam
Pushpa’s first look was released films, what followed was something
simultaneously in Tamil, Telugu, astonishing. Yes, once again, Ravi
Malayalam, Kannada and Hindi, Sir brought me on board to sing a Mathangi Ajith Kumar and K.J. Yesudas
showing Allu Arjun in a rustic song with none other than leg-
look. endary singer K.J. Yesudas Sir. It is Mathangi says that she is truly blessed to
Meanwhile, Vijay Sethupathi has a romantic number Nee Paarkum sing with the octogenarian at this young age.
his kitty full with films such as Master, Nodigal Ellam with Devadas’ lyrics for “Sir blessed me and said that I have a good
which will release after theatres an upcoming K’town film produced by voice and great future. I was over the moon,”
reopen, Kadaisi Vivasayi, Laabam, Iqbal.” she gushes.
Kaathu Vakkula Rendu Kadhal and
Tughlaq Durbar.
— Snippets by AS

the buzz
The young business class
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1
Labour of love
NIBHRANT SHAH, 35 years
(Founder and CEO of Isprava Luxury
Homes)
W
hile many entrepreneurs
believe that instincts to venture
out on your own and clarity
comes with time, Nibhrant Shah,
believes otherwise. “While I always
wanted to be an entrepreneur, I knew
the advantages of having experience,”
states Nibhrant, who used his experi-
ence as an investment banker in New
York and London to nurture and sharp-
en skills and character traits such as
discipline, hard work and business acu-
men.
Then in 2013, he longed to escape his
hectic life and seek a place offering
tranquillity and luxury. Looking for a
perfect home away from home, a get-
away to Goa became the first chapter of
his ever-evolving entrepreneurial story.
“Goa then was marred by gated com-
munities, complicated paperwork and
lax regulations, where purchasing a
home was an ordeal. And the homes
lacked a feeling of authenticity and
exclusivity,” he remembers. “So we
made it our USP to offer a hassle-free
purchase experience, taking away our
buyers’ pain-points — from paperwork
and procuring licenses to designing
and construction.”
Since then, Nibhrant has celebrated
tremendous success by crafting homes
with the brand’s signature aesthetics,
furnishings, facilities and amenities,
their concierge service, seamless pur-
chase experience, etc.
For Nibhrant, the experience and
insights he gained in his 30s definitely
helped in manoeuvring through the
ups and downs of entrepreneurship.
“The experience, expertise, financial
resources and backing that you lack in
your 20s to support your business, you
have just the right amount of all of
Business before pleasure
(Owner of Briggs Brewery, Bengaluru’s first home-grown craft beer)
those in your 30s. Then, there is the
enthusiasm and the sheer hunger to
achieve big goals, not giving in to any
excuses and pushing yourself harder to
do better,” he says.
ADVICE TO UPCOMING
ENTREPRENEURS:
1. As an entrepreneur, you’re always
on the move — working, thinking about
your business — whether you’re at a
business meeting or networking at a
social event.
2. Incorporate meaningful structure
and plan for your life — end your day
by summing up everything that went
right and wrong in it and prioritising
your next day.
3. Choose a day in the week, perhaps
Sunday, to note down the positive
things that happened. List out your
short- and long-term tasks so
you can build some structure around
you work.
HARI SINGH, 38 years
Tuesday 14 July 2020 3
Deccan Chronicle
Dream chasers space to discuss and decide what to buy.”
Cheenu would go on to realise that this
CHEENU KALA, 33 years
consumer understanding was a subject in
MBA curricula, called ‘Consumer
(Founder of Rubans Accessory) Behaviour’.
When she decided it was time to be an
C
heenu Kala’s is the rags-to-riches entrepreneur, she founded ‘Fonte
story that could inspire every enter- Corporate Solutions’, a company that spe-
prising wide-eyed youngster to take cialised in corporate merchandising. But
the plunge. She tells us how she left home with her innate interest in fashion, in
when she was 15-years-old, with merely 2016, she started Fonte Fashions India
`300 in her pocket. Pvt Ltd — parent company of
“I had to pretty much fend for Rubans Accessories — to bridge
myself, learning things the hard the gap between customer
way,” she says. Then with a expectation and products sold
chuckle, she adds, “I don’t in the market, offering jew-
think I even knew the spelling ellery for everyone and every
of ‘entrepreneurship’ then occasion, in over thousand
but I knew I wanted to be designs in western and ethnic
successful, which during jewellery, at suitable price
my initial days meant get- points.
ting three meals a day. I Cheenu also believes that
wanted to be the best, 30s is the best age to do any-
whether it was as a door- thing new. “It sets in the
to-door sales girl, floor right balance of experi-
manager for an apparel ence, exposure, confi-
store or part-time wait- dence and risk-tak-
ress.” ing,” she asserts.
But what Cheenu
walked away with ADVICE TO
from those difficult UPCOMING
times was experi- ENTREPRENEURS:
ence, which
became her biggest 1. Pursue what
asset. “I developed a you are passion-
keen sense of con- ate about because
sumer understand- passion gives pur-
ing while working pose to life.
as a salesperson in 2. When starting
the apparel store. your entrepreneurial
For instance, I’d journey, don’t keep
guess what cus- options — no Plan B’s.
tomers were If you do fall, fall for-
looking for by wards, not backwards,
their turn so you see where you
out and are falling.
would sug- 3. Develop the abili-
gest options ty to thrive in chaos
based on their because then the
fashion sensibil- journey will be excit-
ity and give ing, no matter if you
them their own are in your 30s or not.
H
ari Singh talks about how physically aligned with your pas-
the brand hopes their array sion and in managing your ups
of unique and international and downs,” he adds. “That being
collection of craft beers serves as said, I do believe that in my 30s,
the bridge between stories among I’ve actually started learning and
patrons, serving the perfect mug thinking about every decision,
of cold beer as they swap conver- every risk. And it’s an added
sations and build relationships. advantage that you work with
“I’ve always believed that the today’s youth, who’s constantly
best stories unfold over a great teaching you fresh ideas, innova-
beer,” states Hari, who previously tiveness, patience and persis-
worked in the corporate world for tence,” he says.
five years. Someone who always At 38, Hari feels blessed for a lov-
wanted to run his own firm, Hari ing family, a beautiful daughter
started a couple of businesses, and to be able to do everything he
with zero investment and watched loves to do, including staying close
them sink. “However, the learning to alcohol through his business.
experience helped me make cor-
rect decisions. It’s truly been a ADVICE TO UPCOMING
long battle of patience and persis- ENTREPRENEURS:
tence that got me to where I’m
today.” 1. Work extremely hard to realise
As for being in his 30s, an age your dream — the sense of satis-
perceived to be quite flexible in faction an entrepreneur feels at
manoeuvring the ups and downs his brand succeeding is unlike
of entrepreneurship, Hari anything else.
believes age is just a number. “It 2. Understand that no matter how
doesn’t matter if you’re in the 20s, confident you are about your
30s or older. What matters is if you plan, you need to be prepared to
are mentally, emotionally and work towards it.
 Tuesday 14 July 2020 4

glam sham Deccan Chronicle

PeeCee wishes
mama Jonas
DC CORRESPONDENT social media to wish Denise and
penned a sweet note for her. “Happy
Priyanka Chopra, who has been Birthday MamaJ ! Thank you for your
quarantining with her husband constant grace and generosity.. I’m So
Nick Jonas in Los Angeles, cele- glad you are here and we can celebrate
brated her mother-in-law Denise Jonas’ you today together...Love you so much.
birthday on Monday. And giving goals @DeniseJonas @nickjonas,” she wrote.
on how to keep it cordial with in-laws, While Priyanka juggles between her
the Quantico actress gave a peek into multiple roles — as an actor, producer,
the loving relation- singer, and philanthropist, she knows
ship she shares how to stay on a roll with her familial
with her musi- responsibilities. Despite the cultural
cian hus- and geographical differences, the
band’s fam- actress has been successful in winning
ily. the hearts of her in-laws. As Sophie
T h e Turner, wife of Joe Jonas too expressed
actress in an interview, Priyanka is managing
took to it very well.

Tara
Juhi confuses inspired
netizens by Julia
In a tweet for the quick recovery of
Bachchans, the actress used the
word ‘Ayurveda’, leaving the Child
Twitterati to scratch their brains DC CORRESPONDENT
DC CORRESPONDENT
The ongoing pandemic
As soon as the news provided B-Towners
of Bachchans — with much-needed free time
Amitabh, Abhishek, to explore their other
Aishwarya Rai, and interests. Jumping on the
Aaradhya — contracting
coronavirus was out, the
who’s who of the film indus-
opportunity, the Student
of the Year 2 starlet Tara
Sutaria has been spend-
‘Be the best
try took to their social media
accounts to send prayers for
ing the three-months
long lockdown, testing version of
yourself’,
their speedy recovery. Among her skills in the
the many such messages that kitchen. And now, the
surfaced online, a well-intend- actress has attempted a
ed tweet by Juhi Chawla caught
the attention of netizens.
Sending Twitterati into a tizzy,
recipe of the formidable
legend of French cuisine
— Julia Child.
says Padma
the actress wrote: “Amitji ... Taking to Instagram, the DC CORRESPONDENT
Abhishek ... Ayurveda.... jaldi actress posted a photo of
theek ho jaayenge .. dekhiyega ... delectable seafood made by Popular television host
(Amitji, Abhishek, Ayurveda will recover soon, her in the tradition of the and former model Padma
you’ll see).” As the netizens took note of the cook, who Lakshmi recently took to
tweet, there was no stopping to the hilarity inspired the Instagram to share a couple of
that ensued. They were left wondering 2009 movie Julie lovely pictures of her beach
whether the Bol Radha Bol actress was sug- and Julia, star- gateway where she is seen
gesting Ayurveda as a cure to the aggrieved, ring Meryl catching crabs. Dressed in
or if she accidentally wrote ‘Ayurveda’ Steep in the titu- vibrant hued bikinis, the Top
instead of Aishwarya or Aaradhya. After lar role. “Always Chef host received a lot of
getting trolled, the actress soon offered a wanted to bake appreciation, where one of her
clarification with the following tweet. traditional followers asked her “What
“Amitji, Abhishek, Aishwarya & French Fish like advice would you give to some-
Aaradhya... Our heartfelt best wishes for Julia Child. one who wants to be the next
your speedy recovery My earlier tweet This was my ‘Padma Lakshmi’?” To which
was not a typo, I meant , when I wrote, attempt ! Not too the former model replied, “I’d
Ayurveda, that with Nature’s Grace, it will shabby (sic),” say I’m flattered, but quit
help to recover fast . @SrBachchan @junior- wrote Tara. thinking you have to be the
bachchan (sic),” she tweeted. Meanwhile, the Adding fur- “next” anyone, and work on
senior Bachchan tweeted his heartfelt grati- ther, the being the best version of your-
tude to his well-wishers. “It shall not be pos- Marjaavaan self. Its easy to waste so much
sible for me to acknowledge and respond to actress lists the time comparing ourselves to
all the prayers and wishes expressed by ingredients when she wrote, others but find what your pas-
them that have shown concern towards “Cant go wrong with Lemon sion is, what unique perspec-
Abhishek, Aishwarya, Aaradhya and butter rosemary and garlic tive you have to offer the world
me..I put my hands together and say (sic).” and do your research. Study,
..Thank you for your eternal love and work hard, be focused on your
affection (sic),” he wrote. own path (sic).”

tollywood
I am back
to work,
says
Sanjana
Work on
Malleswari’s biopic
has begun
SURESH KAVIRAYANI
DECCAN CHRONICLE
Director Sanjana Reddy,
who is directing the biopic
of weightlifter Karnam
Malleswari, is back at work,
having completely recovered
from her illness.
“I fell sick with high fever and
was hospitalised. After a few
days of rest, I am now fit and I
have started work on the
biopic,” says Sanjana.
The biopic on the first Indian
woman to win an Olympic
medal is being made in multi-
ple languages, including Hindi,
Telugu and Tamil.
Sanjana said she is in touch
with Karanam Malleswari and
writer-producer Kona Venkat.
The director also revealed that
producer K. L. Damodara
Prasad had agreed to do a film
with her.
“I met him many times after
my Rajugadu film and I narrat-
ed a story to him. He asked me
to make a few changes and I am
working on that,” she said. The
cameras will start rolling once
she completes the biopic.
I fell sick with high fever and
was hospitalised. After a few
days of rest, I am now fit and
I have started work on the
biopic. I am in touch with
Karanam Malleswari and
writer-producer Kona Venkat
Tuesday 14 July 2020 5
Deccan Chronicle
Sidhu
Looks like Sidhu Jonnalagadda is taking rapid
strides in the industry. After Krishna and his
Leela, the Guntur Talkies star has signed another
breezy entertainer.
set for
While the project will be helmed by debutant Vimal
Kumar, Suryadevara Nagavamsi will bankroll it.
Sidhu has been picking up new-age entertainers
and his next project is a step in that direction. He
his next
liked the script and his role and gave the green light
immediately
Nagavamsi was fascinated with Vimal’s narrative
and believed that Sidhu would be apt to play the pro-
New age
tagonist. When they approached Sidhu for the part,
the actor was more than ready to come on board.
According to a source, “Pre-production is in full
entertainer to swing and the director is putting final touches to the
script. He will then move on to finalising other
be helmed by modalities. The producer wants to be ready with
everything so that he can go for the shoot whenever
Vimal Kumar normality is restored.” — SA
‘We have to
move on
at some
stage’
Payal Rajput says that
the lockdown has been a
learning experience
SASHIDHAR ADIVI
DECCAN CHRONICLE
Payal Rajput is glad that she has successfully navi-
gated the initial tough phases of the lockdown. The
Venky Mama actress reveals that she was in
Mumbai during the first three phases of the lockdown. She
reached her hometown, Delhi, on June 12.
“The lockdown has taught so many things to so many
people. I was stuck in my apartment in Mumbai for more
than two months; there was no maid, so I did all the
chores on my own and that is something I had never
done before in my life. During that period, I realised
the significance of being content and grateful with
what we have in life,” she
shares. “After I came to
I was stuck in my Delhi I am being pam-
apartment in pered by my parents
Mumbai for more (smiles). So it just goes
than two months; to show that family is
there was no maid, our real strength dur-
so I did all the ing these testing
times.”
chores on my own The actress has
and that is signed a new music
something I had video in Punjabi, and
never done before in says she will start
my life. During that shooting next month.
period, I realised the “We have to start
somewhere; we can’t
significance of being get into a shell. I have
content and grateful been getting offers, but
was hesitant to take them up fearing
the Coronavirus spread. But now I
have taken up one project. I need to
build immunity whilst taking all
the precautionary measures,” she elaborates.
Shooting in the new normal will be challenging, she
feels. “Wearing masks, gloves and sanitising frequently is
very annoying, but we need to do those things to ensure
that the virus doesn’t spread,” the RDX Love actress adds.
For Payal, staging a comeback to Punjabi cinema is like a
homecoming. “It’s a romantic music video and will serve as
a drive to take up more films there,” she says. The actress
will be seen in the Telugu remake of Kannada film, Kalratri.
“I instantly connected to the script; this is the kind of role
the audience would love to see me in,”she signs off.
 Tuesday 14 June 2020 6

bodylicious Deccan Chronicle

Getting wrinkles out Get monsoon glow

Monsoon brings sticky skin and oily face. While
there are various products out in the market, here
Experts weigh in are a few face packs that can be made using
on what causes ingredients from your kitchen for a fresh glowing
early signs of skin this monsoon
ageing, and how SUGAR AND OLIVE OIL Cucumber juice: 2-3 tbsp
to get rid of The combination of both help
get rid of dead skin cell, reju-
Direction: In a bowl, mix a lit-
tle bit of rose water and
them by venates the skin and complex- cucumber juice. Mix the two

—DIANA.GRYTSKU
ion. well and leave it in the fridge to
using organic Ingredients:
Sugar: 1 tbsp
chill. When you are ready to
use it, take a cotton pad, and
products Olive oil: 2 tbsp
Directions:
apply it all over your face.
Leave the mixture on for a
In a bowl mix the two ingredi- while before you wash it off
ents well and then apply the with cold water.
mixture on your face.Then gen-

—YANALYA
tly massage it in circular
motions for a few minutes.
Once the sugar starts to
absorb, wash it off with a mild
cleanser and cold water.

PEAS AND LEMON JUICE

The lemon juice with its citrus
properties combined with the
minerals, like magnesium,
potassium and calcium from
peas leads to nourishing skin.
ALMOND FACE PACK
For those with dry skin,
almonds are a great source of

NIRTIKA PANDITA
AT HOME-REMEDIES
Everyday stress can lead
to wrinkles and fine lines.
Even though the anti-
aging products promising wrin-
kle-free skin pervade the market,
growing awareness in people has
left them wanting to improve fine
lines by using organic products.
According to Dr B L Jangid, der-
matologist and hair transplant
surgeon at SkinQure Clinic, as a
person enters their 30s, the skin
ebbs down the production of col-
lagen, which is an essential pro-
tein that provides skin its shape,
helping it stay plump. In areas
where the amount of collagen
present is low, it’s easier for wrin-
kles to occur.
“With a lower amount of colla-
gen present, it’s easier for wrin-
kles to occur. This is much more
noticeable in frequently used
muscles such as lips, forehead, or
the parts that are more exposed
to the sun. From genetics to sun-
exposure, mental-stress to sleep-
ing schedule, several factors can
be associated with premature
wrinkles. The menacing rays of
the sun are responsible for 90 per
ALOE VERA: Regularly applying aloe
gel to the skin reduces the appear-
ance of wrinkles, adds collagen, and
hydrates the skin.
EGG WHITES: It can be a natural
remedy for wrinkles. It has protein,
Vitamin B, and E. Take some egg
whites in a bowl and apply it on the
skin directly. Allow it to sit for 15
minutes. Then wash it with warm
water.
OLIVE OIL (rich in omega 3 fatty
acids) or organic coconut oil, vitamin
E capsules. Gently massage on wrin-
kle-prone areas with a few drops of
the oil. Now clean it with a towel. It
will make the skin soft and supple.
LEMON: Rich in vitamin C it can be
the best way to treat wrinkles natu-
rally. Squeeze lemon juice into your
fine lines and massage it all over.
Acidic properties of lemon will help
the skin look brighter and will
reduce the wrinkles as well.
BANANAS: Its nutritional properties
fight the causes of wrinkles. Take
bananas, avocado and honey and
form a paste. Apply this paste on the
face and let it lest for half an hour
and then wash it off.
Gentle upward tapping on your
moisturised face with your fingertips
for 10-15 min can do wonders for
thicker in men, the wrinkles tend
to be as deep furrows, resistant to
treatment unless started early,”
warns Dr Venkat.
In fact, Dr Rana explains the
wrinkles on men are deeper than
those on women’s skin.
“Men don’t have many fine
lines around the mouth because
their hair follicles are big, rigid
protein sitting four millimeters
below the skin’s surface. These
thick proteins protect the skin,”
he adds.
Hence, Dr Rana urges to exfoli-
ate the skin at least three times a
week using a vibrating facial
brush that can activate the
superficial cells of the connec-
tive tissue and activate blood
flow.
“Eat lots of vegetables and
antioxidant food. Drink water
constantly to hydrate the skin.
Additionally, use a retinoid, as it
is an anti-aging ingredient
derived from Vitamin A, encour-
ages skin regeneration, and can
promote the creation of new
blood vessels, thus helps in
improving the skin’s overall
appearance and texture,” he lists.
Whereas, Dr Venkat advice fol-
Ingredients:
Powdered peas: Half a cup
Curd: 2 tsp
Lemon juice: 1 tsp
Papaya: 1 tbsp mashed papaya
Direction:
In a bowl, blend all the ingredi-
ents into a smooth paste before
you apply it all over your face.
Leave the mixture on for face
at least 20 minutes to get the
most out of it. Once it starts to
dry up a bit wash with water.
ROSEWATER AND CUCUMBER
JUICE
Ingredients:
Rosewater: 2-3 tbsp
With the summer in full swing, it is time to treat your cracked heels
with some basic home remedies:
MOISTURISER
nourishment to awaken the
dry skin and fill with moisture.
Ingredients:
Full cream milk: 2 tbsp
Almonds: 7
Oatmeal: 2 tsp
China clay: 2 tsp
Lemon juice: 2 drops
Avocado: 1 mashed
Direction: Blend all the ingre-
dients well to make it into a
smooth paste. Then, apply the
face pack all over your face and
leave it on for 30 minutes.
When it is time to remove, use
cotton and milk to gently
wipe it off your face before
you wash it with water.

cent of the signs of ageing,” he
says.
Dr Ajay Rana, dermatologist
and aesthetic physician, explains
that with age, the skin loses its
flexibility, and the harmful ultra-
violet rays further break down
the elastic fibres under the skin,
causing it to become weaker. “In
fact, excessive use of skincare
products can also clog pores and
fuel in the appearance of face
wrinkles,” he says.
There are two types of wrinkles
— static and dynamic. “Dynamic
wrinkles appear with facial
movements in the 20s. When
these become a constant feature,
they’re called static wrinkles.
Excess sugar, skipping on the
sunscreen, dehydration, pollu-
tion, frequent late nights and
binge drinking, smoking, stress
getting the blood and lymph flowing
and maintaining the skin moisture.
and constant squinting at a
screen contribute to poor skin-
care and early aging,” explains
Dr Devayani Barve-Venkat, plas-
tic, aesthetic and reconstructive
surgeon
The surgeon adds that wrinkles
develop sooner in thin, mobile
skin and start to show differently
in men and women.
“In women, the skin is thinner
and wrinkles show up early.
Typical areas are around the
eyes, nose, and mouth. On the
other hand, in men, since the
skin is thinnest in the forehead
and around the eyes, they devel-
op wrinkles first in these areas.
Also since overall the skin is
lowing a good skincare routine
early in one’s 20s to control skin
aging.
“Avoid smoking, binge drink-
ing, frequent late nights, and do
not skip sunscreen. If your work
demands late nights and a lot of
screen time, make sure you take
breaks,” adds Dr Venkat.
Meanwhile, Dr Jangid suggests
wearing sunscreen not only in
summers, but also in monsoon
and winters, and re-applying it
every two hours.
“For people with sweet-tooth,
excessive sugar consumption is a
major factor in premature aging
as sugar accelerates body weight
while also causing premature
aging especially for dark circles
and wrinkles. At the same time,
avoid stress and start meditat-
ing,” he concludes.
T
he first line of treatment for cracked heels
is using a heel balm. Make sure the
moisturiser has urea, salicylic acid, alpha-
hydroxy acids and saccharide isomerate.
Make sure to apply the balm in the morning
to increase skin elasticity, and moisturise the
heel two to three times a day. Additionally,
wear shoes that protect your heel.
SOAK AND EXFOLIATE:
S ince the cracked skin is often thicker and
drier, keep your feet in lukewarm, soapy
water for up to 20 minutes. Then use a
loofah, foot scrubber, or pumice stone to
remove any hard, thick skin. Then apply a
heel balm or a thick moisturiser to the
affected area. Even applying petroleum jelly
to lock in moisture is good.
 Tuesday 14 July 2020 7

matinee Deccan Chronicle

‘My best is yet to come’

In an interaction, Hrithik Roshan opens up about his
performance in Super 30 and WAR, and what it means to him
LIPIKA VARMA
For Hrithik Roshan, the back-
to-back successes of his films
Super 30 and War has been a
big boost. Super 30 was a stupendous
box office hit, and within two
months of its release, War proved to
be a huge money grosser too.
“Can’t believe it has been a year,”
says Hrithik, talking about the
release of Super 30, which complet-
ed one year on July 12. “For me, the
success of Super 30 is way more sat-
isfying than the success of any of
my other films. My journey from
being myself to becoming Anand
Kumar in front of the camera was a
very special one. Remembering the
process of picking up the body lan-
guage, learning the nuances and
transforming myself always leaves
a smile on my face,” he says.
Does the success of one film help
the next one? “Definitely,” he says.
But that’s not all. Hrithik says he
was more encouraged because it
was an important success. “My
instincts for that film were very
strong,” he explains. “If they had
failed me, I would have been a little
affected, because, for us actors, the my life. I am feeling very encour-
most important thing in the creative aged, very motivated. So, I think I
field is to be able to trust our will choose even better films.
instincts. So, when your instinct However, how much time it
gets reaffirmed and strengthened, takes is not in my
then it empowers you,” he adds. hands. But I
Asked to comment on the double promise, my
success, Hrithik says, “I can only best work is
say thank you very much. For me it yet to
is a celebration. For me it’s a mile- come.”
stone celebration. I am happy a few
chickens have been hatched since
the film has opened to such a huge
box office number. It was a journey
filled with warmth that has connect-
ed to audiences here and all over the
world. I have been fortunate to be
part of films that have made me feel
so empowered. I have felt so much
love and passion for both the films.
War also being hugely successful, I
feel very much encouraged.
From now I am going to set my
benchmark even higher.”
Talking about how he goes
about selecting a film to
work on, he says,
“Probably the time has
come for me to give my
best when I am mak-
ing any decisions in

Shah Rukh to do a
cameo in Krrish 4?
After Shah Rukh Khan’s
company Red Chillies
bagged the special effects work
of the Hrithik Roshan starrer
Krrish 4, there is a buzz that
Shah Rukh will be doing a
cameo in the film.
“This is akin to what he has
done for Karan Johar in films
like Ae Dil Hai Mushkil and
Brahmastra. Shah Rukh loves
Gudduji (Rakesh Roshan) a lot
and he has often collaborated in
the past with him; they decided
not just to work together with
Shah Rukh’s company taking
care of the VFX of the film, but
Shah Rukh may also do a cameo
in the film,” say sources.
Rakesh Roshan had taken a
break from work after undergo-
ing treatment for cancer and
wants to make a much bigger
fourth film in the Krrish series.
It will be interesting to see
whether it will be proved that
Bollywood folks can’t afford to
stay angry with each other for
long.
Shah Rukh Khan and Rakesh
Roshan have done three films
together back-to-back — King
Uncle, Karan Arjun and Koyla,
in which SRK worked under
Rakesh Roshan’s direction. He
also did a dance number to pro-
mote Krazzy 4 produced by
Rakesh Roshan.
The two shared a fabulous
bond till Raees starring Shah
Rukh clashed with Kaabil, star-
ring Hrithik Roshan, produced
by Rakesh Roshan, both being
released on the same date.
Efforts to prevent this happen-
ing did not succeed, and though
both films did have good collec-
tions, they could have done
without the clash and made a lot
more money at the turnstiles.
— Sanskriti Media
Alia wary of
resuming work
Alia Bhatt was the first actress to say she’s
ready to re-start shooting, beginning with the
film Gangubai Kathaiwadi at Film City. But since
then, many shoots at Film City have been disrupted
and Alia and the team at Sanjay Leela Bhansali
Productions have decided not to endanger anyone’s
life by starting work immediately.
With Parth Samthaan, lead actor in one of the most
popular TV serials, testing positive
soon after news broke of the
Bachchans — Amitabh,
Abhishek and Aishwarya — With
having caught the infection, an increasing
many shoots in Film City are number of
in trouble. COVID-positive
Last week, two shoots were cases in Bollywood,
stopped after COVID-19 Alia is now becom-
cases were found. The dub- ing wary of
bing studio Sound N Vision resuming
too has been temporarily shoot
closed, as Abhishek had dubbed
there. Amit Sadh, the other actor
who dubbed there, also took a test,
but he is negative.
“It is not a good idea to start shooting now. The
TV producers succumbed to pressure from the
channels. But there is no such deadline for
films. Unless people pick a proper green zone
to shoot after making sure that everyone has
been in quarantine, it is not advisable for
Bollywood shoots to start. The team at
Bhansali Productions would rather wait
than risk the lives of many actors and
technicians and other crew. Hence
shoots will be indefinitely postponed,”
says a source.
The set of Gangubai Kathaiawadi
erected at Film City has been stand-
ing idle ever since the lockdown
happened. — Sanskriti Media