PD: 04-04-2025 Z: Delhi E: 1 U: prabha.

jha T: 04-04-2025 00:48

BENNETT, COLEMAN & CO. LTD. | Estd. MDCCCXXXVIII | VOL. 76 NO. 80 | NEW DELHI | FRIDAY, APRIL 4, 2025

INCLUSIVE OF DELHI TIMES (CIRCULATED ONLY IN DELHI NCR) |

India, very, very tough. Very, very

tough. The Prime Minister... is a
great friend of mine, but I said, ‘You’re
a friend of mine, but you’re not treating
us right.’ They charge us 52%. You have
to understand, we charge them almost
nothing for years and years and decades

27% LEVY ON INDIA; PHARMA, CHIPS, COPPER EXEMPTED

India Gets Slapped With

Tariff, Others Punched
Chidanand Rajghatta & Sidhartha “For decades, our country has been INDIA’S REACTION: The govt said it would
looted, pillaged, raped and plundered by seek to “expeditiously” clinch a “mu-

A
t a White House Rose Garden nations near and far – both friend and foe tually beneficial” bilateral trade deal
event on Wednesday on what he alike. Foreign cheaters have ransacked with the US and reiterated its com-
called “Liberation Day” for the our factories, and foreign scavengers have mitment to strong strategic relations.
US, India became a middling victim in torn apart our once beautiful American Sources said the commerce depart-
Trump’s take-no-prisoner approach dream,” the president of the richest coun- ment is consulting export councils and
that treated friend and foe alike with a try on earth raged in remarks that were ministries to gauge the fallout and ex-
two-tier tariff: a baseline tax of 10% on borderline offensive and distasteful. plore support for affected businesses.
all countries that will go into effect on Financial markets plunged in re- With PM Modi and Trump agreeing
April 5, and additional tariffs on some sponse. Some $2tn of market value was to a bilateral trade agreement later this
countries that he considers to be the wiped out in S&P 500 stocks alone as year, India and the US have finalised the
“worst offenders”, which will be im- broad contours of detailed discussions
posed on April 9. 5 Ways Tariffs Could Hit (And Help) with technical negotiations expected to
India, described by Trump as the ‘tar- India, INSIDE FLAP be launched this month. This, sources
iff king’, makes the US President’s ‘worst Full Coverage, P 17, 22-24, EDIT PAGE said, gave India a lead over others who
offender’ checklist because, by his calcu- will now begin an engagement with the
lation, New Delhi taxes US imports to the the index fell 4%, its worst day since Sept US to seek tariff cuts. “India was an
tune of 52%, a dubious figure arrived at 2022. The dollar recorded its largest early mover and over the last 50 days a
by adding perceived non-monetary, non- single-day decline ever, dropping 2.1% lot of work has been done. The idea is to
tariff barriers, ‘currency manipulation’ against major currencies. settle all outstanding bilateral trade is-
etc. China was assessed at 67%, Taiwan The ripple effect of Trump’s sweep- sues,” an official said. The assessment is
at 64%, and South Korea at 50%. ing tariffs will reshape global trade flows, that the Trump administration too is
But out of the ‘kindness of his heart’ disrupt supply chains, and test long- keen to engage and a deal can be crafted
he would impose not a ‘commonsense standing diplomatic alliances. As coun- by lowering a few duties in India.
reciprocal tariff ’ but give a 50% ‘dis- tries scramble to respond, the economic Here’s a quick look at what the tariffs
count,’ Trump said, thus making it 27% and geopolitical fallout is likely to be mean, who’s hit hardest, and why India
tariff on imports from India. deep and enduring. may feel mildly relieved – for now.

WHAT WHEN WHERE

h A basic universal tariff of 10% on h Basic tariff of Tariff By The Reciprocal
US imports from all countries 10% comes into Country Country On Tariff
effect from 12:01am US Imports – Imposed h Tariff on India
h A reciprocal tariff on 60 ‘worst is lower than
US Claim On April 2
offenders’* (India being one) April 5 (Saturday) what’s imposed
with whom the US has large trade on most countries
deficits – US imports more from h Reciprocal India 52% 27%
in the region
them than it exports duties would
apply from
China 67% 34%
h These duties will be in addition 12:01am
to the ones existing. So, if an Indian Bangladesh 74% 37% h No new tariff on
product attracted 10% tariff in the April 9 Canada; 25% tariff
past, the new duty rate would be 37% (Thursday) Pakistan 58% 29% was imposed on
range of imports
*‘Worst offender’ is any country which has Sri Lanka 88% 44% from it and Mexico
a trade surplus with US on March 4
Vietnam 90% 46%
US Tariff Could Touch Thailand 72% 36%
Highest Postwar Rate Indonesia 64% 32%
h Though no
Average Effective Tariff, In % reciprocal tariff was
imposed on countries
30 Japan 46% 24% that have trade
With new tariffs,
EU 39% 20% deficit with US, they
average could
were subjected to
20 rise to anywhere
UK 10% 10% 10% ‘baseline duty’
in this range

10
Thailand 72% 36%

Now 10 50
0 New US Tariffs, %
1900 1950 2000 2025

WHAT’S SPARED
Semiconductors, pharmaceuticals and
copper not put in reciprocal tariffs. But there
is a threat of tariff on these in future
Cars and car parts already hit with 25%
duties last week, spared reciprocal tariffs.
The levy will apply from April 3
Bullion and minerals not found in the US
won’t attract reciprocal tariffs

ARE THESE IMPACT ON INDIA & THE WORLD

TARIFFS FINAL? h If US, world’s largest economy, goes into a recession
Trump has said that retaliatory tariffs global economy will face slowdown
by countries could lead to additional
h Experts sticking to 6.5% GDP growth for 2025-26 for India, for now
duties by the US
h RBI may cut interest rates more frequently
CAN TARIFFS BE CUT h Vietnam has said it will cut tariff, more Asian countries could follow suit
OR REMOVED? h Chinese exports to Asian countries could rise further
Tariff order said the president can
reduce or ease the tariffs if a country
takes major steps to fix unfair trade IMPACT ON
and align closely with US on
economic and security issues THE US
NEGATIVE & IMMEDIATE:
WHAT ABOUT h Higher inflation
EXPORTS IN TRANSIT? h Possible unemployment
Goods in transit or in containers at & lower growth
ports on April 9 midnight are likely h Pundits say stocks likely to
to be spared reciprocal duty keep sliding, which will hurt
many Americans’ savings plans
WHAT LED TO THIS POSITIVE & IMMEDIATE:
Feb 1: New tariffs Mar 4: Duties Mar 12: Mar 24: Higher customs revenues
on Canada, Mexico, on Chinese and Canada hits US threatens tariffs POSITIVE & LONG TERM:
China announced, Canadian imports back with on countries buying Possible revival of
put on hold on Feb 3 announced tariffs Venezuelan oil manufacturing

-0.2 Shanghai Yen 2.4

HOW GLOBAL -0.4 Sensex Euro 2.2
STOCK INDICES -0.8 Seoul
REACTED Pound 1.2
(% change) -1.4 FTSE 100 Rupee 0.1
-1.5 Hang Seng Yuan -0.4 HOW MAJOR
-2.8 Nikkei CURRENCIES
-3.4 Dow
MOVED
As of 9pm April 3 (% change)
-4.1 S&P 500 Source: LSEG Data
PD: 04-04-2025 Z: Delhi E: 1 U: c-saurabh.kumar T: 04-04-2025 00:16

TimesSpecial
Times Special THE
THETIMES
TIMESOF
OFINDIA,
INDIA,NEW
FRIDAY,
FRIDAY,
NEW DELHI
AUGUST
DELHI
APRIL27, 2015
4, 2025

The quick brown

5 Ways That Trump’s Tariffs
Overall Index

fox jumps over

Could Hit... And Help India
the lazy dog
Bihar
29
Rank

T
he Social Progress Index is a tool to capture Score: 44.89
the social progress of regions based on
social performance. The index
[email protected] measures
are more dependent on ex-
the extent to which social needsports, of citizens are
especially to the US, HOW TARIFFS MAY IMPACT GDP
being fulfilled.
New
Donald
Delhi: US
Trump
the Institute
The President
overall index are
for delivered on
Competitiveness
– released
toand
staringbyat a bigger hit
their
the economies,
Social accord-
OF SELECT ASIAN COUNTRIES
his election
Progress promise—
Imperative and im-
is broken ing to analysts.
up into three In any case, Change in Export to US Export as Est. Impact of
Country
posed reciprocal
dimensions, Basictariffs
Human onNeeds,
57 apart from a 34% reciprocal
Foundations Tariffs (%) ($bn, 2023) % of GDP Tariffs (% GDP)
countries with India facing tariff announced in Wash- China 54 501 2.8 -1.1
of Wellbeing and Opportunity, which together
a 27% across-the-board levy. ington on Wednesday, China
measure 35 social indicators.
India is placed somewhere At an all-India level,
has to contend with the 20% Vietnam 46 98 22.8 -6.9
Boria
thethe
in latest index with
middle foundseveral
that in 2016, the overallduty imposed
additional Thailand 36 48 9.3 porro -1.8
score of 57.03 had gone
Asian countries – from Chi- up about 8 points since
during Trump’s first term Taiwan 32 67 vero
8.8 ommos et-1.2
2005.Cambodia
na, The groupand of states
Vietnam in the very
and low socialtariff on sever-
the 25%
progress
to tier inand
Bangladesh 2005Malaysia
(Tripura, Meghalaya,
al exportsUttarannounced more Indonesia 32 23 omnimpelique
1.7 veriam
-0.3
— facing higher levies. recently. India 26 76 labo. Us
2.2 reptian Boria
-0.2
Pradesh, Odisha, Rajasthan, Jharkhand and
porro vero ommos
Bihar) recorded the highest improvements over South Korea 25 116 6.3 -0.8
Advantage India? Demand Dip Likely Globally et omnimpelique
the 11-year period. The report also highlights a
While exporters argue that But the latest announce-KeralaMalaysia 24 35 8.9
veriam labo. Us-0.2
comparison between Gujarat and Kerala to show
this gives India some com-
that whileadvantage,
parative the westernhigher
ment is expected to have a
state hasspillover
an economy effect as there willRank
1
Japan 24 145 3.4 -0.5
about twice the size of
import duties will push up do- the southern one, Kerala’s
be surplus capacity in, say, Trinh Nguyen, an economist at Natixis, tweeted this table
social progress
mestic scoreUS,
prices in t+he is about
even 10thepoints higher Union, along
European Score: 68.09
showing how Trump’s tariffs will hit Vietnam hardest due to its
than the
with Gujarat’s
baselinegiving them of
scenario top rank
withand 15thdemand,
lower rank making heavy export dependence — more than
social progress India or even China
(score)
respectively,
10% duty for showing that economic
some countries, growth to
it difficult alone
diversify the>69 61 56 53 <43
and
cannotdampen
deliver consumer
a good quality de- of life
export basket, at least im- Very
for citizens. on high
factories and
Highvendors in Middle electric vehicles Low to agricul-
mand. The uncertainty is al- mediately. multiple countries may also tural products, to find a so-
ready leading to some orders Besides, the comparison need to recalibrate their sup- lution to reciprocal duties.
Sub
being put on hold,head
impactingxpxpmust
xpxxp Sub head
be product xpxp
specific. ply xpxxp Sub head
chains, especially if theyxpxpInxpxxpaddition, the other
factories worldwide. For instance, India’s shrimp have high dependence on free trade agreements on
Estimates suggest that exports may be hit by con- China or Vietnam. the table, from the UK and
around two-thirds of India’s signments from Ecuador. Many companies in In- the European Union to
exports will bear the impact Or, in the case of carpets, dia and govt officials view Oman, Australia and New
of reciprocal tariffs. The Türkiye with lower tariffs this as an opportunity for Zealand, may move quickly
remaining, including criti- will be more competitive in MNCs to invest more in as countries seek to reduce
cal sectors such as pharma the US market. India and accelerate the their dependence on the
Basic
and some Human
petroleumNeedsprod- FoundationsChina-plus-one
of wellbeingtrend that American Opportunity
market.
ucts, have managed to get Disadvantage Bangladesh started after Covid.
Goa
a reprieve, at least for76.6
now. Uttarakhand
When it comes to garments, 66.4 Himachal Pradesh
Reforms Need A Leg 65.4
Up
The 25%Tamil
import
Naduduty on au-
76.3 however, Bangladesh will KeralaTrade Deals On Fast Track
65.4 Lower Kerala
tariff protection
65.1 for
tomobiles and components lose a significant part of the With Trump clearly signal- Indian companies means
which comeKerala 73.8on duty advantageHimachal
into effect Pradeshling62.7
it had over his intent to use the Tamil
that theyNadu 60.9 to in-
will have
Thursday could
Gujaratsee a slow-
73.3 India, due to concessional
Meghalaya tariff bomb
61.8 as a bargaining crease Sikkim competitiveness
their 59.1
down in exports. Same is tariffs, thanks to its status tool, the Indian govt is keen and govt will have to push
Mizoram
the case with steel and71 iron Arunachal Pradesh
as a least developed country. Punjab
61.6 ahead quickly to through with critical
to move 58.8reforms
products, which, too, were Tariffs apart, Bangladesh Mizoramsecure
Maharashtra 70.7 61.3a trade deal with the —Uttarakhand
from labour laws to reduc-
58.7
subjected to 25% tariff. has an edge in labour cost. US. It will mean lowering ing logistics costs, lowering
Countries,Sikkim
such as 69.9Vi- Companies such as Apple, 60.3
Delhilevies on several items of Goa on loans
interest rates 58.2and let-
etnam andPunjabChina, which Samsung or Nike that depend Sikkiminterest, such as bikes and tingKarnataka
the rupee depreciate.
68.6 59.2 57.5
Himachal Pradesh 68.1 Punjab 59.1 Delhi 57.3
WHICH SECTORS WILL TARIFFS HURT MOST?
Andhra Pradesh 68.0 Tamil Nadu 58.8 Mizoram 56.3
How will it work? A product that attracts import duty of 3% will now face a 30% levy from April 9 55.0
Uttarakhand 67.6 West Bengal 58.0 Rajasthan
Nagaland 66.6 Manipur 57.9 Chhattisgarh 54.9
Agricultural,ManipurDairy 65.9 Products Jammu & Kashmir 56.2
As Will Gems And Jewellery, And Oil Haryana 54.6
And Textiles
KarnatakaWill65.6 Take Heavy Hit Karnataka 56.0 Madhya Pradesh 52.0
Avg appliedHaryana
duty (%) 64.2 for India*
Proposed Nagaland 55.6 Exports
($ bn)
CurrentAndhra Proposed for50.1
tariff (%) Pradesh India*

ChhattisgarhDairy 63.2 16.8 Tripura 55.6

Textiles 6-9
Jammu & Kashmir 48.9
43.8 2.9 33-36
Delhi 62.9 Goa 55.4 0
Maharashtra 48.6
5.3 Telecom
WestFruits
Bengal & veg 62.5 32.3 Assam 54.7 6 Odisha 27 48.5
JammuCoffee, tea, cocoa, 61.2
& Kashmir 1.5 Maharashtra 54.3 5.5-13.5
Nagaland 48.1
28.5 Gems & jewellery 9.2 32.5-40.5
spices
Tripura 60.3 8 Madhya Pradesh 54.0 5.2
Uttar Pradesh 47.5
Textiles 35 Oil & gas 4.2
Madhya Pradesh 59.1 Haryana 53.2 Gujarat 32.2
47.2
Clothing 11.7 4-5
Rajasthan 59.1 38.7Chhattisgarh Food 52.0
& agri 5.5 Arunachal Pradesh 46.7
31-32
Rubber, leather,
Uttar Pradesh 57.94 Odisha 51.0 Meghalaya 46.1
footwear 31
Arunachal machinery, 57.4
ElectricalPradesh 1.2
Andhra Pradesh
Trade50.3 Surplus With US Has Trended Up 43.8 $ bn
Tripura
electronic equipement 56.1
Jharkhand 28.2 Gujarat 49.4 Manipur 42.7
1.3 2022-23 2023-24 2024-25*
Mechanical,Odishaoffice & 55.4 Uttar Pradesh 47.4 West Bengal 42.6
28.3
computing machinery India’s exports 78.5 77.5 60
Bihar
Chemicals 52.7 2.7 Bihar 47.2 Jharkhand 40.3
29.7 India’s imports 50.8 42.2 35
Meghalaya 52.6 Jharkhand 47 Assam 38.7
Trade surplus 27.7 35.3 25
*Duty once reciprocal
Assam tariffs
higher or lower. Data for 2023
52.2
kick in. Product specific levies may be Rajasthan 42.8
*April-December
Bihar 34.7

Share Of US In India’s Exports Petro Products Top List Of Manufacturing Products

Has Increased... What India Buys From US Is What India Sells Most
In % Imports ($ bn, 2023-24) Exports ($ bn, 2023-24)
Mineral oil 13 Machinery, engg 17.2
FY14 12.1 Machinery,
6.1
goods
engg goods Gems & jewellery 9.9
Pearls & 5.2 Textiles &
8.8
FY25
18.6 stones
Aircraft 2.3
carpets
Pharma 8.1
...So Has Its Share In India’s Medical
1.9 Oil products 5.8
equipmt
Imports, But Not By As Much Iron & steel
Plastics 1.6
In %
products 2.8
Organic 1.5
FY14
5.1 chemicals Vehicles 2.6
Fruits & nuts 1 Organic
chemicals 2.4
FY25
6.4 Iron & steel 1 Plastics 1.4
Source: World Tariff Profiles 2024, Commerce dept, EY

THE SILLY, THE BIZARRE, THE CRAZY

Economists are going nuts over stuff in Trump’s ‘yuge’ list
of tariffs — and others are going WTF. Here’s a selection
1 The first crazy thing was the formula
for calculating country-specific tariffs.
Financial writer James Surowiecki cracked
only known to penguins, and geography
geeks.
tariff. It’s a French territory but France only
faces a 20% tariff, as part of EU.

the code on X: “...they just took our (US’s)

trade deficit with that country and
5 Others in this category include Sao
Tome & Principe, which is a tiny island 7 There’s a 10% tariff on
Ecuador, Trump labelled it
divided it by the country’s exports a ‘currency manipulator’. Only,
to us... and multiplied by 0.5.” Ecuador’s official currency is…
Economists trashed this. Silly was the US dollar.

8
among the politer epithets used. But Despite being slapped with
White House tried to make it sound a 32% tariff, Taiwanese
more complex than it is, by giving a were delighted. Trump’s tariff
complicated looking formula. But no board had listed Taiwan as a
pundit was fooled. country. This even prompted
a reaction from the Chinese
2 Harvard prof Joseph Allen
summed the disbelief up best, by
tweeting that now economists know
ambassador in Washington,
who put out a finger-wagging
how scientists felt when Trump said X message that Taiwan was
“inject bleach” at the start of the part of China. With Taiwan’s
pandemic. crucial semiconductor
industry exempted by Trump,

3 Because Team Trump took a

simple, dhobi list approach,
tariffs were imposed even on
Taiwanese are taking the tariff
listing as a win.
Uday Deb
countries with which US has a trade
surplus, for example, Australia, UK, nation off the coast of Central Africa, and And the winner is…
UAE and Argentina. Tokelau, a group of atolls between Hawaii Trump tariffed a US military base! The
and New Zealand, which is a Kiwi territory.
4 Stranger still, a 10% tariff on all imports British Indian Ocean Territory hosts the

6
from the Heard and McDonald Islands. What about this? The archipelago of Diego Garcia airbase, populated by 3,000
These Australia-administered, completely Saint Pierre and Miquelon (exports: British and American military personnel.
uninhabited, super remote islands about crustaceans and shellfish, population: It’s been slapped with a 10% tariff. The
1,000 miles north of Antarctica are mostly 5,000) has been hit with a whopping 50% question is who will pay it, and on what?
 PD: 04-04-2025 Z: Delhi E: 3 U: c-ravi.dixit T: 04-04-2025 02:17

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LOP Rahul Gandhi slams govt, claiming China has taken Supporters of Nepal’s ex-king Gyanendra raise US govt bans American govt personnel Diogo Jota scores a 57th-minute
territory, and seeks answers
over 4,000 sq km of Indian territory, Nepalese Rs 4.8 lakh through crowdfunding drive. in China, as well as family members goal to see Liverpool win the
from govt on issue of import duties imposed by US. BJP Funds are being collected to help Shah pay and contractors with security Merseyside derby 1-0 against
MP Anurag Thakur hits back, says ‘not an inch of land’ Nepalese Rs 8L penalty imposed by civic authority clearances, from any romantic or sexual Everton and retain a 12-point
tenure, P 17
has been given to China during BJP’s tenure, for damage to public property during protest, P 22 relationships with Chinese citizens, P 22 lead in the Premier League, P 26

Court orders fresh

probe as ‘murder SC quashes ‘tainted’ selection After LS, waqf bill debate, vote
victim’ turns up go beyond midnight in RS
M ysuru court pulled up
police for shoddy inves-
tigation that led to a man spe-
nding one-and-a-half years
of 25,752 Bengal school staff YSRCP, BJD Ask
Their MPs To ‘Go
TRIGGERS REVOLT
h CM M K Stalin says TN
Lok Sabha adopts
resolution on
in judicial custody for the
‘Fraud, Cover-Up ‘We’re doomed,’ will initiate legal action
Photo: Indranil Das

How can a single person’s crime lead to punishment for

murder of his wife, who tur-
ned up in court Wednesday.
all... I’ve read reports of huge cash at a judge’s residence. By Conscience’ against Waqf (Amendment)
Bill. ‘Tamil Nadu will fight,
Manipur well past
Judge Gururaj Somakkala- Dented Process If you recover money from a sitting judge’s home, he is only
transferred. Then why were these candidates not transferred? The say untainted but TIMES NEWS NETWORK Tamil Nadu will win’ | P 17 1am Thursday
var directed the SP to cond- first judge (former Calcutta HC judge Abhijit Gangopadhyay) to h NDA ally All-Jharkhand
uct a fresh probe and submit
a report on Apr 17. Kurubara
Beyond Repair’ give this order is now a BJP MP —Mamata Banerjee, Bengal CM sacked teachers New Delhi: Just like in Lok
Sabha the previous day, the Students Union Party’s
New Delhi: In proceedings
that started after the waqf
Sole responsibility for this central joint secretary Ashraf
Suresha reported his wife
Mallige missing in Dec 2020
from Kodagu and in Sept
Dhananjay.Mahapatra
@timesofindia.com massive corruption in teacher
recruitment lies with the
I got this job on merit… After
nine years of service, I was
let go due to corruption, not
debate in Rajya Sabha on the
Waqf (Amendment) Bill and
the subsequent vote on Thu-
Khan quits party, accusing
it of taking a position
bill was passed in LS around
1am Thursday, the House
adopted a resolution confir-
2021, police allegedly forced New Delhi: In a blow to the failed CM @MamataOfficial. my fault,” said Saikat Ghosh, rsday stretched well past mid- against Muslim interests ming the imposition of Presi-
him to accept a woman’s bo- Bengal govt, Supreme Court SC verdict has made it one of the affected teachers night and was continuing at dent’s rule in Manipur. Home
h JD(U)’s Mohd Qasim
clear how, under Mamata
dy as hers and made him pri- Thursday concurred with Cal- who supports a family of se- the time of going to press. Ansari resigns, says party’s minister Amit Shah said the
Banerjee’s rule, the merit
me accused in the case. P 19 cutta HC’s decision to cancel of educated unemployed ven. “We are doomed for life,” The debate, again like in stance has shattered situation in the state was lar-
the 2016 recruitment of over youth in Bengal was sold in he added. While the court ack- Lok Sabha, followed a parti- trust of millions of Indian gely under control as there
25,700 teachers and non-tea- exchange for money nowledged “tainted” and “un- san alignment. NDA, with Muslims. Party dismisses had been no death in the last
8 suffocate to death ching staff for state govt scho-
—Sukanta Majumdar, Union A Bengal govt school staffer breaks Cancer survivor is sole
support from ‘secular’ allies, him as a non-entity four months but it couldn’t be
ols, saying the selections were appeared to hold a clear edge, considered satisfactory with
in bid to clean well tainted beyond repair.
junior minister for education down after the SC verdict teacher to keep job, P 16
and was likely to prevail in not bereft of a surprise ele- displaced people still living
ight people suffocated to Dismissing appeals of Ma- ment that rejected pleas for of candidates’ OMR (answer) tainted” candidates, the mass the showdown — an outcome ment — YSRCP and BJD’s de- in relief camps.
E death Thursday in a well
in Kondawat village of Mad-
mata govt, West Bengal School
Services Commission and 125
segregating tainted candida-
tes instead of cancelling the
sheets purportedly for illegal
rank jumping, selection of
firing has left many in despa-
ir. Thousands of teachers are
that would clear the way for
enactment of the new law to
cision to withdraw its whip
to leave its seven members to
Shah also said after the
imposition of President's ru-
hya Pradesh’s Khandwa dis- successful candidates, a bench entire recruitment, CJI Khan- those who didn’t qualify and left wondering how to repay regulate Islamic endowments vote as “per their conscien- le, discussions were held
trict after one person fell in, of Chief Justice Sanjiv Khan- na said, “Manipulations and even those who gave blank ans- loans and pay bills. The court spanning lakhs of acres and ce” — a move which should with Meiteis and Kukis, and
and the others went in, one na and Justice Sanjay Kumar frauds on a large scale, coupled wer papers, the bench said HC offered them the option to re- other assets across the count- potentially clear the way for separate meetings were con-
by one, to rescue him. They said, “The entire selection pro- with attempted cover-up, have had on April 22 last year right- appear for hiring exams, but ry worth lakhs of crore. a couple of unexpected votes ducted with organisations
were cleaning the well ahe- cess has been vitiated and tain- dented the process... (Its) credi- ly cancelled the entire process. many question the fairness Although the procee- for the governing side. from both communities.
ad of immersions for Gang- ted beyond resolution.” bility and legitimacy are denu- of being tested again after ne- dings followed the ‘secular-
aur festival. TNN Writing the 41-page judge- ded.” Referring to destruction Untainted can seek..., P 16 arly a decade. P16 communal’ faultline, it was  ‘Unfinished tasks’, P 17  ‘Want peace’, P 24

I-T relief on value of

redevelopment flat
Sanjeev Sanyal After cash pile row, SC Kerala CM’s In counter to Yunus’s remark, Modi
T he Income Tax Appellate
Tribunal, Mumbai, has
sacked as GIPE
chancellor, fresh
judges resolve to post daughter named
in chargesheet
says Northeast integral to Bimstec
held that the value of a new
assets, liabilities online V Sachin Parashar & Ahsan Tasnim

PTI
flat received in a redevelop-
ment project cannot be taxed row breaks out eena T, daughter of Kera-
la CM Pinarayi Vijayan, s he departed for Thai-
as ‘income from other sourc-
es’ under Income Tax Act. As
of May 2024, 31,000-plus rede-
Pune: A governance dispu-
te has escalated at Gokhale
Institute of Politics and
New Delhi: Supreme Court
judges led by CJI Sanjiv Khan-
na have unanimously decided
IN THE COURTS
h HC asks Chandigarh DGP
has been named in a charges-
heet filed by the Serious
Fraud Investigation Office,
A land to participate in
the 6th Bimstec sum-
mit, PM Narendra Modi as-
velopment projects had been Economics (GIPE) in Pune to make public their assets to appoint AGMUT cadre which said her company re- serted India’s Northeast lies
approved in the city. P 19 after trustees removed Tu- and liabilities as a dormant is- IPS officer to probe alleged ceived Rs 2.7 crore from Co- at the heart of the inter-re-
esday economist Sanjeev sue about wealth of constitu- assault on Col Bath and his chin Minerals and Rutile Ltd gional group, underlining
Sanyal as chancellor, repla- tional court judges was revi- son by Punjab cops | P 19 without providing any legiti- the primacy of the northeas-
Man kills son’s cing him with Bombay HC’s ved after the alleged discovery h Delhi court directs perjury mate service. tern states in the region, da-
ex-judge SC Dharmadhika- of a huge amount of cash at The accused have been
‘murderer’ in UP ri, reports Ardhra Nair. high court judge Justice Yash-
proceedings against a woman
charged under Companies
India, Thailand upgrade PM Modi with Bangladesh’s Muhammad Yunus (R) & Nepal PM
for filing false rape case in ties, sign 5 MoUs, P 16 KP Sharma Oli at a Bimstec dinner in Bangkok on Thursday
ays after a Meerut man Interim VC Shankar Das want Varma’s official residen- Act, 2013 Section 447, which
D publicly announced his
intention to take revenge on
challenged the decision
Thursday, calling it a viola-
ce on March 14, reports Dha-
nanjay Mahapatra.
2022, says she honeytrapped
and extorted the man | P 5
deals with corporate fraud
and entails minimum impri-
ys after Bangladesh chief ad-
viser Muhammad Yunus sa-
remark came ahead of a lik-
ely bilateral meeting betwe-
to face for the first time at the
dinner hosted by Thailand
his son’s ‘killer’, he allegedly tion of UGC regulations. In a CJI Khanna mooted the pr- h Bombay HC dismisses sonment of six months and id in China the “7 sisters” are en the two on Friday on the PM Paetongtarn Shinawatra.
shot dead the alleged ‘mur- letter to GIPE’s parent orga- oposal before the collegium co- woman’s plea to record only maximum of 10 years besi- landlocked with no way of summit’s margins.
derer’ on Wednesday night. nisation Servants of India mprising himself and Justices her name as a single parent des a steep fine. P 14 reaching the ocean. Modi’s Modi and Yunus came face Meet today, P 24
Prabhu Singh’s son was kil- Society, Das declared any ap- B R Gavai, Surya Kant, A S Oka in her child’s birth certificate,
led on Dec 6, 2023, following a pointment replacing Sanyal and Vikram Nath and later, the says neither parent can make
political rivalry over gram “null and void”. Justice issue was put forth before a full changes to birth record | P 19
pradhan polls. TNN Dharmadhikari confirmed court meeting Tuesday. All jud- h DNA report only proves
his appointment, saying he ges agreed to the proposal to child’s paternity, not offence
accepted it “with humility make public their assets and li- of rape, says Delhi HC,
265 pax of UK flight for an opportunity to serve abilities by posting it on the acquitting rape convict | P 5
such a renowned institu- SC’s website. The SC in a press
stranded in Turkiye tion”. Sanyal, a member of release said 30 of the 33 SC
h Indore bench of MP high
court says a person’s legal
ver 260 flyers of a Virgin EAC to the PM, did not re- judges, including the CJI, ha-
O Atlantic flight from
London to Mumbai have be-
spond to calls or messages. ve declared their assets.
and fundamental right cannot
be curtailed due to failure of
biometric verification | P 19
en stranded at Turkiye’s Di- Accused of inaction, P24 Practice petered out, P 24
yarbakir airport for the
past 18 hours, after the air-
craft was diverted on Wed-
nesday owing to a medical High speed does not SC refuses to
emergency & subsequently
reconsider NCR
faced a technical glitch. P14
necessarily mean rash & ban on crackers
Pilot took Jaguar negligent driving: HC New Delhi: Observing that
the right to health and to li-
away from popn New Delhi: Driving a vehicle ve in a pollution-free envi-
lt Lt Siddharth Yadav, a re- at high speed does not necessa- Drunk CISF driver hits ronment is an essential part
F sident of Rewari, saved co-
untless lives during the crash
rily mean rash and negligent
driving, Delhi high court ru- auto; 1 killed, 3 hurt of fundamental right to life
under Article 21, Supreme
of a Jaguar jet in Jamnagar.
Amid a technical snag, Sidd-
harth steered the aircraft
led while acquitting a petitio-
ner, reports Abhinav Garg.
The HC ruling came while
A 50-year-old woman, out to
celebrate Eid in Mumbai
with her family, was killed
Court Thursday refused to
relax the ban on sale and
manufacture of firecrack-
away from a densely popula- hearing an appeal filed by a while three others were inju- ers, even green ones, in Na-
ted area and also ejected his car cleaner, who had taken so- red after a drunk CISF driver tional Capital Region.
fellow pilot, ensuring his sa- meone else’s vehicle out for a rammed into the autoricks- It said there was no way
fety before losing his life. P 14 spin, but lost control and fa- haw they were travelling in to reconsider the ban order
tally hit two pedestrians in Thursday. Among those hurt till firecrackers became
2012. The petitioner man, who were the woman’s two daugh- pollution-free.
UP police defy order, claimed there was a sudden ters and the auto driver. The A bench of Justices Ab-
tyre burst that led to the acci- accused was arrested. P 19 hay S Oka and Ujjal Bhuyan
send youth to jail dent, was handed an 18-month dismissed the arguments of
aking note of a Punjab & jail term in 2022. witnesses who all said the car firecracker makers and tra-
T Haryana HC order —
which granted “protection
Allowing the appeal filed
by the man, Justice Saurabh
was being driven at a high
speed, but could offer no furt-
ders that the ban would af-
fect their right to trade and
from harassment” to a flee- Banerjee observed that mere- her details on whether it was livelihood, that it should be
ing young couple from UP — ly because the petitioner was being driven rashly. imposed for only 3-4 months
but was “disregarded by Ba- driving at a “high speed”, one The judge pointed out that a year, particularly during
reilly police”, a Pocso court cannot conclude he was “rash there were lacunae in the case winter, and that green crack-
on Wednesday declared “the and negligent”. set up by prosecution. ers be exempted.
urgent release of the 23-year- Justice Banerjee had ex-
old man from jail”. P 19 amined the testimonies of Flat tyre possibility? P 8 Not everyone can..., P 3

Govt plans 2nd

carriageway at
Tyeb Mehta’s bull run continues: 2nd
Savitri flyover priciest Indian painting at `61.8cr
D elhi govt said it will
construct a second car-
[email protected]
FIVE PRICIEST INDIAN PAINTINGS

T
riageway of the flyover ne- he bull run seems to be M F Husain’s Tyeb Mehta’s
ar Savitri Cinema to ease truly on in the Indian ‘Gram Yatra’ ‘Trussed Bull’
traffic going towards Neh-
ru Place, Okhla and surro-
market, and who better
to capture its animal spirits
118cr 61.8cr
unding areas, reports Ab- than Tyeb Mehta, the celebra- Amrita Sher-Gil’s
hinav Rajput. The current ted modernist who made the ‘The Story Teller’
flyover, constructed in 2001,
is only one side of the road
bull his enduring motif ?
Less than a fortnight after 61.8cr
— for traffic heading to- a work by his contemporary M S H Raza’s V S Gaitonde
wards Chirag Dilli. F Husain joined the Rs 100-cro- ‘Gestation’ Untitled
PWD intends to revive
the proposal for a second car-
re club, Mehta’s ‘Trussed Bull’
(1956) went for Rs 61.8 crore
51.7cr 47.5cr
riageway, initially suggested ($7.27 million), becoming the subjugated bull went for near- Indian art. In 2002, his triptych,
in 2016, considering the sig- second most expensive Indian ly nine times its higher esti- ‘Celebration’, from The Times
nificant increase in traffic painting sold at auction glo- mate at a Saffronart auction in of India’s collection, made his-
congestion on this section of bally. It is now tied with Amri- Mumbai on Wednesday. tory as the first modern Indian
Outer Ring Road. “Even in ta Sher-Gil’s ‘The Story Tel- This is not the first time artwork to sell for over a crore
off-peak hours, there is too ler’, which sold for the same Mehta, who lived in Mumbai (Rs 1.5 crore at Christie’s).
much traffic,” said PWD mi- price in 2023. Mehta’s power- most of his life and passed aw-
nister Parvesh Verma. P 4 ful image of a shackled and ay in 2009, has raised the bar for Work worth crores, P 24
PD: 04-04-2025 Z: Delhi E: 1 U: vivek.kumar T: 04-03-2025 22:44
 PD: 04-04-2025 Z: Delhi E: 1 U: c-ravi.dixit T: 04-04-2025 00:32

THE TIMES OF INDIA, NEW DELHI

FRIDAY, APRIL 4, 2025 TIMES CITY 3

Air quality poor for 2nd straight day

TIMES NEWS NETWORK that this year, the city has fect in NCR.
seen 56 days of AQIs above The weather department
New Delhi: Delhi’s air qua- 200. “The drop in the wind did not declare a heatwave
lity continued to remain in speed caused the accumula- anywhere in the city.
the ‘poor’ category for the se- tion of pollution on Wednes- A heat wave is declared
cond consecutive day with day and Thursday. The wind when the maximum tempe-
an Air Quality Index (AQI) speed is likely to rise during rature is above 40 degrees
of 217 on Thursday. It may daytime (on Friday),” an of- Celsius and its increase
improve and reach the ‘mo- ficial said. from the season’s normal is
derate’ category on Friday. According to the Air Qu- over 4.5 degrees. Although
The city also experien- ality Early Warning System at the Ridge, the maximum
ced the warmest day of the for Delhi (EWS), the AQI is was 40.4 degrees Celsius,
year on Thursday. The maxi- likely to stay in the modera- which was 5.7 degrees above
mum rose by three degrees. te zone from Friday to Sun- normal, a heatwave wasn’t
The Ridge recorded 40.6 deg- day. In the subsequent six da- declared as at least two such
rees Celsius. At Safdarjung, ys, the air quality is likely to stations must show heatwa-
the maximum was 39 degre- be ‘moderate’ or ‘poor’. ve conditions for two days.
es Celsius, five notches abo- After Delhi’s AQI rose to The minimum tempera-
ve normal and the highest of 217 on Wednesday, the Com- ture was 15.6 degrees Celsius.
the year so far. mission for Air Quality Ma- The wind speed may be
Regarding air quality, nagement imposed Stage I 20kmph on Friday. The max-
the Central Pollution of the Graded Response Ac- imum, however, is expected
Control Board’s data shows tion Plan with immediate ef- to reach 40 degrees Celsius.

Not everyone Noida Authority buys 10 anti-smog gun machines to combat air pollution

Heat Islands: Why Ridge Is can afford air

purifier: SC
Noida: The Noida Authority purchased 10 truck-mounted anti-smog gun machines and one Homosep
robot sewage cleaning machine on Thursday to tackle rising pollution levels and improve sanitation in
the region. Officials said these measures aimed at managing air pollution under GRAP guidelines. An
anti-smog gun is a device designed to help reduce the concentration of smog particles in the air. TNN

Warmer Than Safdarjung Continued from P1

T
hink of common man,
not everyone can afford
Adequate Green Cover, Other Factors Behind Disparities air purifiers’. Armed
with the Centre’s affidavit
Priyangi.Agarwal hi, said: “The urban heat is- that green crackers reduce
@timesofindia.com AT LEAST 60 SUCH SPOTS IN CITY land effect is mainly due to pollution by 30% in compari-
anthropogenic activities and son to normal crackers, fire-
New Delhi: Pitampura and What is an urban Why some areas are hotter land use cover. Anthropoge- cracker traders submitted
the Ridge in north Delhi have heat island than others nic heat emissions are from that they should be allowed
recorded higher temperatures vehicles, other types of fuel to deal in green crackers.
than Safdarjung, the city’s ba- h An area or hotspot Inadequate green cover, burning, air conditioners, The court, however, re-
se weather station, on most da- in the city where urbanisation, cluster of concrete gadgets, etc. Land use cover minded them of the plight of
ys this season. Experts say that the temperature structures, increase in greenhouse like higher built-up areas and the common man. “One can
some parts of Delhi are hotter recorded are higher gases and emissions from lack of green areas give rise imagine the effect of air
than others because of the heat than its surroundings vehicles and domestic appliances to a higher urban heat effect.” pollution on the common
island effect, inadequate green h Delhi currently “During the daytime, there man as everyone cannot af-
cover, and other factors. has at least 60 urban is an urban cool island effect. ford to have air purifiers at
On April 3, the maximum heat islands North Because during the day, the so- their residence or place of
temperature at the weather East lar heat is absorbed by the buil- work. There is a section of
North
station on Delhi’s Northern ding making it slightly cooler the population that works on
Ridge rose to 40.4 degrees Cel- April 3 Shahdara but during night time, this he- streets and they are the worst
sius, six degrees higher than Pitampura | 38.3 North West at which is absorbed by the bu- affected by this pollution,”
the season’s normal. At Safdar- Ridge | 40.4 Pitampura ilding causes higher tempera- the bench observed. It said
jung, about 15 km from the Rid- Ridge ture over the urban built-up traders and manufacturers
ge, the day temperature was 39 Najafgarh | 36.8 West area in comparison to the ne- are free to do business in the
Najafgarh Pusa Raj Ghat
degrees Celsius. Some parts of Safdarjung | 39 Central East ighbouring areas,” she said. rest of the country except
Delhi saw a lower temperatu- Lodhi Road Mohan said local and re- NCR which is a very small
SPS
res than Safdarjung. The maxi- Safdarjung Mayur gional factors like wind direc- part of the country.
South West
mum was 35.8 degrees at May- March 26 Palam New Vihar tion also contribute to the hea- It said that restricting the
Delhi South
ur Vihar. The stations at Pusa Pitampura | 40.6 East ting effect. “If there is rainfall ban for a few months will not
recorded 36.4 and at Rajghat under the influence of a wes- serve any purpose as fire-
Ridge | 40.1 South
36.6 degrees Celsius. Ayanagar tern disturbance, it may lead crackers will be stored and
Similarly, on March 26, Najafgarh | 39.4 to a cooling effect,” she said. used during the ban period.
the mercury crossed 40 deg- Safdarjung | 38.9 In summer last year, the Regarding green crackers,
rees Celsius at the Ridge and western areas of Delhi, such the court said there is no
Pitampura. The maximum at as Mungeshpur, Najafgarh scientific report which says
Safdarjung was 38.9. mity to water bodies, presence ning. Their location on Delhi's and Jafarpur, recorded a hig- that green crackers are
Experts said the heat is- of barren land, concrete and western periphery means that her number of heatwave da- pollution-free. “Unless it is
land effect causes some areas dense urban clusters, green the winds reach these places ys. For instance, Safdarjung shown that the pollution cau-
to become warmer than areas. “Some areas experience first, before hitting other parts recorded five heatwave days sed by the so-called green
others. IMD said the tempera- a stronger impact from the of the city,” a Met official said. in May last year, while Mung- crackers is bare minimum,
ture in urban areas varies arid and scorching winds ori- Manju Mohan, former eshpur, Najafgarh, and Jafar- there is no question of recon-
from place to place depending ginating in Rajasthan because professor at the Centre for At- pur were under the grip of ni- sidering the decision,” the
on local factors such as proxi- of their geographical positio- mospheric Sciences, IIT Del- ne to ten heatwave days. court said.

Cloud seeding
back on table
for fighting
bad air in city
TIMES NEWS NETWORK

New Delhi: Repeatedly presen-

ted by previous govts as a poten-
tial solution to the city’s emer-
gency air crisis during winters
but never implemented, cloud
seeding is back in talk as envi-
ronment minister Manjinder
Singh Sirsa held a meeting on
Thursday.
The meeting
reviewed the po-
tential of artifi-
cial rain with
stakeholders,
including offici-
als from Central
Manjinder
Pollution Cont-
Singh Sirsa
rol Board, Delhi
Pollution Cont-
rol Committee, IIT Kanpur, In-
stitute of Tropical Meteorolo-
gy, Union home, defence and en-
vironment ministries, Directo-
rate General of Civil Aviation
and Airport Authority of India.
Cloud seeding is a weather-
modification measure that in-
troduces substances in the air to
aggregate and condense moistu-
re particles into rain. Earlier, the
previous Aam Aadmi Party govt
stated that they couldn’t do the
artificial rain due to the lack of
moisture, a must for the rain,
while later they accused central
govt of not cooperating.
“IIT Kanpur previously de-
monstrated success in cloud se-
eding, with six out of seven ex-
periments showing positive re-
sults in inducing rainfall under
suitable atmospheric condi-
tions. The minister carefully
examined the viability and ef-
fectiveness of the project based
on these past experiences and
urged the departments concer-
ned to extend cooperation for
the necessary permissions for
its implementation in Delhi,”
Delhi govt stated.
The meeting included dis-
cussions on the necessary
compliance measures and per-
missions required, regulatory
approvals, flight clearances
and inter-departmental coordi-
nation to ensure a smooth ex-
ecution of the project.
“We are fighting a war aga-
inst air pollution in Delhi and
are committed to implemen-
ting all necessary solutions. We
are doing this for our children,
so they can breathe clean air,”
Sirsa said.
 PD: 04-04-2025 Z: Delhi E: 1 U: ipsita.mazumdar T: 04-03-2025 23:49

4 TIMES CITY THE TIMES OF INDIA, NEW DELHI

FRIDAY, APRIL 4, 2025

Work On 2nd Flyover At Savitri Govt to implement paperless

property sale deed registration
May Begin Soon To Ease Woes [email protected]

New Delhi: Delhi govt is likely

to make the registration of sale
The online integrated
portal will help citizens
book appointments with
not only help sub-registrars
check online if the property
whose sale deeds are brought
to their office is free from all

Verma Asks PWD To Execute Plan First Proposed In 2016, But Not Implemented deeds of properties “paperless
and faceless” in the next few
months. The new system will
sub-registrars for the
registration of
encumbrances, but civic agen-
cies will also be able to access
the ownership record of pro-
Abhinav.Rajput also have the list of all “prohi- documents, valuation of perties on a real-time basis.
@timesofindia.com bited” properties available to property, fee calculation, Officials said the entire
Proposed Pamposh both officials and citizens to list of Waqf Board properties
Enclave payment, and document
New Delhi: The plan to new flyover ensure that these are not frau- would also be made available
construct a second flyover ne- dulently sold and the registra- data entry to the citizens.
ar Savitri Cinema to ease the Masjid Moth tion of sale deeds is prevented. Before Delhi, the system
passage for motorists going Greater r Outer Additional chief secreta- entirely faceless and ensure was implemented in 18 diffe-
ove
towards Nehru Place and Kailash itri Fly Ring Rd ry (revenue) Ashish Chandra there is no human interferen- rent states. It is an online in-
Okhla, proposed first in 2016, Sav Verma held a meeting with all ce. For this, we will have to ma- tegrated portal for taking ap-
looks likely to be executed stakeholders on Thursday to ke technological changes and pointments with sub-regist-
now. With traffic on this cong- Chittaranjan discuss ways to make the re- set up kiosks where people can rars for the registration of do-
estion section of Outer Ring Park gistration of the sale deed of go, register, and upload the do- cuments, valuation of
Road having increased mani- properties convenient and cuments,” Verma said. property, fee calculation, pay-
fold, the Public Works De- corruption-free for the citi- Verma said the project ment, and document data ent-
partment intends to revive
D E L H I zens of the city. Verma said was a priority for the new ry. The system allows citizens
the project. A one-way flyover The new flyover will be parallel the revenue department had govt and would be completed to calculate the stamp duty, re-
has been in operation at the to the existing Savitri flyover roped in Deloitte as a consul- within this year. gistration fees, and other app-
site since 2001. tant to map the processes and Delhi has started using the licable charges through the
PWD minister Parvesh suggest possible solutions to National Generic Document property valuation module.
Verma said on Thursday, “The make the system robust. The Registration System (NGDRS) “Under NGDRS, the regis-
road there is not wide enough portal will also have a drop- for the registration of sale de- tered documents are stored on
and doesn’t have enough diver- down module for the citizens eds, power of attorney, will, a central server and can in-
gence length to prevent traffic to search for prohibited pro- and 25 other such documents stantly be searched by deed
jams during peak travel times. perties—those booked by ci- by sub-registrars. The softwa- number, PAN number, or pro-
Even in off-peak hours, there vic agencies for illegal const- re used for the registration of perty address. The property bu-
is a huge volume of traffic.” ruction, apart from disputed, sale deeds will be integrated yers can also check and authen-
He said that PWD officials enemy, evacuee, gram sabha with the online system of the ticate the actual ownership of a
have instructed to start the land, and waqf — easily. assessment and collection de- property to save themselves
process of the flyover’s const- “We want the system to be partment of MCD. This will from fraud,” said an official.
ruction. Accordingly, offici-
als said that the tendering
process would start soon. An
official said that the project
had already received the app-
h PWD to construct a second YOU READ IT HERE Vacancies in juvenile boards,
child welfare panels irk HC
flyover near Savitri Cinema
roval of road engineering to provide relief to motorists
authority UTTIPEC and Del- going towards Nehru Place,
hi Urban Arts Committee. Okhla and surrounding areas
The Savitri Cinema crossing TIMES NEWS NETWORK by the home secretary that they will come up
and surrounding areas are h The plan was first proposed with the final names in two weeks, we are in
expected to benefit from the in 2016, but never executed New Delhi: Delhi High Court on Thursday to- April," the court said.
creation of a new passage, the ok exception to the non-appointment of mem- "JJBs in Delhi have not been functioning
h Currently, the road width is
official said. bers to vacant posts in the Child Welfare Com- for two years. The kind of function that CWC,
insufficient and doesn’t have
PWD will submit a revi- mittees and Juvenile Justice Boards in the ca- JJB perform, you are aware. Six months the
sed financial estimate to the enough divergence length to pital, despite an assurance by the Union home recommendation is available. Since Sept till
finance department for the prevent traffic jams during
peak travel times
Feb 01 secretary in Feb that the names would be fina- March, there is no JJB in Delhi," it said.
project. Officials agreed that lised in two weeks. "On request, the ASG (Chetan Sharma) has
the current road design po- h Even during off-peak
2023 July 16 The bench of Chief Justice DK Upadhyaya appeared. He has been apprised of the con-
sed accident risks even du- 2024 and Justice Tushar Rao Gedela, while dealing cerns of the court. On his prayer, list on Mon-
hours, there is a likelihood of
ring off-peak periods. The si- accidents due to its current with a batch of petitions on the deficiencies in day to enable him to get complete instructions
tuation is particularly chal- configuration the implementation of the Juvenile Justice in respect of the statement made in the affida-
lenging because vehicles ma- Act, asked the additional solicitor-general of vit dated February 11," the court further recor-
ke right turns from India to seek "complete instructions" and app- ded, posting the matter for next week.
Ambedkar Nagar and Meh- ting flyover, that is towards Officials said that adding having traffic moving on the In 2015, PWD thought that rise the authorities of the court's concerns. In Jan, the court took on record the Cent-
rauli in an attempt to merge Nehru Place, splits into three a parallel flyover would not surface on the parallel side is easing the commute between The court underscored the significant role re's stand that the process of scrutinising and
with the main traffic flow. directions after descending be easy with so many space not sustainable in the long Sarai Kale Khan and Malviya of Child Welfare Committees (CWCs) and Ju- finalising the members would be concluded in
At this vexing traffic point, from the Chirag Dilli flyover: constraints at the site. Other run because of the increase Nagar in south Delhi would venile Justice Boards (JJBs) in matters invol- four weeks. Subsequently, on Feb 11, the home
there is only a flyover carrying straight towards Nehru Pla- deterring factors include the in traffic volume.” be possible with a combina- ving minors and expressed its displeasure secretary filed an affidavit deposing that the
traffic towards IIT Delhi. It ce, a U-turn and a right turn periphery wall of Greater Ka- “Will the addition of the tion of infrastructure inter- over the delay in appointments, despite the se- process would be completed in two weeks.
was erected during the 2010 towards Savitri Cinema. Ve- ilash metro station, an exis- flyover solve the traffic pro- ventions that would include lection committee recommending the names The bench said the authorities were yet to
Commonwealth Games. The hicles reduce speed near the ting commercial complex, re- blem? The answer is yes, but two new flyovers and a loop. in September last year. come up with the final names, and the recom-
need for a second flyover in the GK Enclave metro station sidential pockets and a bus it should not ignore the pro- While the second flyover at "In the absence of members of CWC, JJB, mendations of the selection committee,
parallel direction was felt by and the right turn beneath stop on Ho Chi Minh Marg. blem of traffic below the flyo- Sarai Kale Khan ISBT has be- what is happening to juveniles? You have been which was "not an ordinary committee" but
the authorities in 2016, after the existing flyover, causing a Sewa Ram, professor of ver,” said Ram. “If an innova- en opened to the public, the unable to notify or return the selected list. De- headed by a retired judge, has to be given "so-
which a plan was prepared traffic build up on the carria- transport planning, School tive design is required, then long-term project remains in- spite considering the significant function of me credence."
and approved by UTTIPEC. geways from the former BRT of Planning and Architectu- that should be incorporated complete. Work on a similar CWC, JJB, the positions were lying vacant for Senior advocate H S Phoolka and lawyer
Traffic heading in the op- corridor and IIT Delhi to- re, said, “The concept of ma- in the design to avert any new intervention at Savitri Cine- two years. The selection committee made the Prabhsahay Kaur appeared for the NGO Bach-
posite direction of the exis- wards Nehru Place. king a flyover on one side and problem arising.” ma may begin at long last. recommendation in Sept. Despite assurance pan Bachao Andolan (BBA) in the matter.

Desilting ponds to double After extortion

call, gunmen
capacity at water plant open fire on
bizman’s house
TIMES NEWS NETWORK
TIMES NEWS NETWORK
New Delhi: Water minister Parvesh Verma on
Thursday said directions were issued to carry New Delhi: Three weeks after
out desilting work that would double the storage an east Delhi-based business-
capacity of the Wazirabad treatment plant. Ver- man received an extortion call
ma mentioned that the desilting process would demanding Rs 4 crore from fo-
be completed within one to one and a half reign-based gangster, Rashid
months, following which the plant would be able Cablewala, unidentified gun-
to store water at double its current capacity. men opened fire on his house
“The Wazirabad water treatment plant has in Shahdara’s Jagatpuri. The
a storage capacity of 220 MGD, but due to silt victim has gone to Dubai fea-
accumulation along a one-kilometre stretch, ring his safety. The incident
it is currently holding only around 100MGD,” has raised questions about the
he said while inspecting the WTP. During the Parvesh Verma drinks water from STP at Wazirabad law and order in the area.
visit, Verma also drank the treated water, Police said the shooting inci-
checked its quality and assured that the water every WTP and STP, he added. dent occurred on Wednesday. A
was completely safe and drinkable. Verma further mentioned that there were 30 team from the local police sta-
The minister said that while Delhi recei- sewage treatment plants under Delhi Jal Board tion arrived at the scene and be-
ved an adequate water supply from neighbou- that required regular monitoring. He said strict gan reviewing CCTV footage,
ring states, improvements were needed in the steps were also being taken to stop increasing which showed two masked men
storage infrastructure and leakage preven- pollution and illegal encroachment on the approaching the house and fi-
tion. He announced that Delhi govt was prepa- banks of the Yamuna, and DJB had requested ring shots. They fled the scene
ring a master plan for water management for Territorial Army to ensure that there was no en- on a bike. A case was registered
the next 50 years to avoid any water crisis. Ef- croachment on the Yamuna riverbank. in this regard and will be trans-
forts are also being made to regulate ammonia The minister added that he would perso- ferred to the crime branch.
levels in the Yamuna, he added. nally inspect all water and sewage treatment Police said they are revie-
Verma said the TDS level of water coming plants in the city, one by one. Questioning the wing CCTV cameras along the
from Wazirabad barrage was found to be 170, policies of the previous Kejriwal govt, Verma entry and exit routes of the
completely safe according to the World Health said, “I did not go to anyone’s house and show miscreants. Local police intel-
Organization (WHO) and Indian standards. off by keeping a 20-litre Bisleri bottle. I went to ligence and technical surveil-
All water purification and sewage treatment the WTP and drank the same water that is be- lance are also being utilised.
plants are being strictly monitored, and govt ing supplied to every house. We are committed “The profiles of the miscre-
is developing an IT dashboard for real-time to providing clean water to the people of Delhi ants are being scrutinised. It has
monitoring of water intake and discharge of in a transparent manner.” come to light that the business-
man is currently abroad, and it

No headway on 11 new hospital has been approximately a week

since he left,” sources said.
Special commissioner of
police (law and order) Ravin-

projects; govt promises funds der Yadav has been asked to in-
crease patrolling in the area.
Sources said the business-
[email protected] unstarred question in the as- neral hospitals is only slightly man, who is also alleged to be a
sembly by health minister better. While the one in Hastsal bookie, received the first set
New Delhi: Eleven new ho- Pankaj Kumar Singh, the faci- is 51% complete, the physical of calls on March 11 from two
spitals, which were taken up lities will together add over progress in the rest is between different UK-based numbers.
for construction in 2020 and 10,000 beds in the state-run ho- 77-81%. While the Jwalapuri The callers threatened him
2021 after the Covid-19 pande- spitals. While four of them will and Siraspur hospitals were and demanded Rs 3-4 crore.
mic hit the world, saw little be large general hospitals in sanctioned in Aug 2020, imme- “In one call, the caller told him
progress in the past six Siraspur, Madipur, Jwalapuri diately after the first wave of that it was they who previously
months. These hospitals, and Hastsal with 3,237 general Covid-19, the one in Madipur fired at him to threaten him,
along with 13 existing health- beds, the rest in Shalimar was approved in Nov 2020, and and warned that if he didn’t pay,
care facilities where new Bagh, Kirari, Sultanpuri, Sari- Hastsal was taken up in June he would be shot dead,” said an
blocks were being built, requ- ta Vihar, Raghubir Nagar, Gu- 2021. The sanction to build se- officer from the eastern range.
ire more than Rs 10,250 crore ru Teg Bahadur Hospital and ven ICU hospitals was given in The victim subsequently filed a
for completion and another Chacha Nehru Child Hospital Sept 2021. All the hospitals we- complaint at the Jagatpuri poli-
Rs 8,000 crore annually for will add 6,836 ICU beds. re to be built on priority, but ha- ce station, after which an FIR
their operation. Officials, however, said the ve missed deadlines due to the was filed.
Chief minister Rekha Gup- hospitals stood in the same po- paucity of funds. Police are also looking into
ta recently told TOI that govt sition as they were about a ye- The finance department allegations that an inspector
would take up those hospitals ar ago. “There is zero physical flagged a serious “resource from the counter-intelligence
where little work was remai- construction in the Kirari ho- crunch” in Sept 2024. A high- unit of the special cell offered
ning in the first phase, and the spital. In the remaining six level meeting under LG VK to get the matter resolved thro-
rest would be taken up in the se- with ICU beds, construction is Saxena the same month ur- ugh rival bookies. Police are al-
cond phase. CM also said her between 40-63%,” said an offi- ged govt to take a decision on so verifying reports of some po-
govt allocated Rs 2,000 crore in cial. “Unless we infuse a lot of the construction. The budge- licemen who attended a party
the 2025-26 budget for the comp- money, the construction can- tary allocation for capital thrown by the complainant, as
letion of their completion. not be completed.” works for the 2024-25 financi- well as his alleged links with
According to the reply to an The situation of the four ge- al year was Rs 372 crore. bookies, they said.
 PD: 04-04-2025
Z: DelhiE: 1 U: manas.bhardwaj
T: 04-03-2025 23:30

THE TIMES OF INDIA, NEW DELHI

FRIDAY, APRIL 4, 2025 TIMES CITY 5

‘DNA Report Just Proves Paternity, 50 vehicles lost

to fire at south
Delhi malkhana
Not Rape’: Convict Gets HC Relief New Delhi: Several vehicles
seized at a malkhana in so-
uth Delhi’s Nehru Place we-
re gutted in a massive fire on

Court Flags Absence Of Medical, Forensic Evidence To Establish Assault Thursday, a Delhi Fire Servi-
ces (DFS) official said.
According to DFS, the
TIMES NEWS NETWORK not and cannot, by itself, es- ‘Though the DNA But it also does not convict in loped an affection for him. blaze erupted in a vehicle pit
tablish the absence of con- the absence of proof beyond Further, there was no medi- near MTNL office, where ve-
New Delhi: Delhi High Co- sent. It is trite law that the of- report established reasonable doubt. And in cal evidence to indicate force hicles seized by Delhi Police
urt has said that a DNA re- fence under Section 376 (ra- the child born to this case, doubt persists — or resistance, and there was were stored. DFS received a
port only proves paternity pe) of the IPC hinges on the the woman was not due to conjecture, but due inconsistency in the prose- call about the fire at 2:02pm
and not the offence of rape or absence of consent,” the co- to the evidence itself.” cutrix’s narrative that dimi- and dispatched five fire ten-
absence of consent, while ac- urt said, adding that circums- biologically While the woman’s testi- nished the credibility of her ders with around 25 firefigh-
quitting a rape convict sen- tances surrounding the case fathered by the mony was found to be incon- testimony, it said. ters to the scene. “The fire
tenced to a 10-year jail term. rendered the prosecution’s accused, the sistent, the court flagged the The woman alleged that started in one vehicle and qu-
In a recent order, Justice case “highly improbable”. absence of medical and fo- the man, who lived in her ne- ickly spread, engulfing near-
Amit Mahajan said that tho- The high court did not rule pregnancy itself rensic evidence to establish ighbourhood, raped her mul- ly 50 vehicles, including cars,
ugh the DNA report establis- out the possibility of the FIR was ‘insufficient’ to rape. Despite being an adult, tiple times after inviting her three-wheelers, and two-
hed the child born to the wo- — registered belatedly witho- prove the offence of educated and living with fa- to his house on the pretext of wheelers,” DFS official said.
man was biologically fathered ut an explanation — being a mily, the court noted, the wo- playing Ludo. The malkhana where the fire
by the accused, the pregnancy “reaction to social pressure.” rape’, HC says man offered no explanation An FIR against the man erupted is an open area and
itself was “insufficient” to Giving the benefit of the do- order to shield the prosecutrix on why she did not approach was registered in Jan 2018, no casualties were reported.
prove the offence of rape un- ubt to the convict, the court sa- and her family from societal the authorities earlier. and a trial court convicted “Seized vehicles and their
less it was also proved that the id the “possibility that the alle- backlash, cannot be ruled out.” It noted that the woman him in Dec 2022. He challeng- parts were kept there. Luckily,
act was non-consensual. gations were made to retro- It added that the law “of continued to visit the man’s ed his punishment on the gro- we were able to control the fire
“The DNA report merely spectively reframe a consensu- course, does not presume home to play Ludo over an ex- und that his relationship with in time. The presence of flam-
proves paternity — it does al relationship as rape, in consent merely from silence. tended period and even deve- the woman was consensual. mable substances in the vehi-
cles contributed to the rapid
propagation of the flames,”
25 e-bikes gutted at showroom
Woman to face perjury Court calls man’s bluff, the fire service official added.
Firefighters managed to
douse the flames within two
Gurgaon: Around 20-25 electric bikes were gutted in a fire when
the basement of a Hero e-bike showroom in Ashok Vihar caught
fire after a short circuit around 9.30am, shortly before the sho-

charge for ‘false rape case’ convicts him of 2017 rape hours, though cooling opera-
tions continued afterward.
The cause of the fire is yet to
be determined.
wroom was to open. Within minutes, the fire spread rapidly, eng-
ulfing the entire basement, which housed many e-scooters and
bikes. No casualties were reported. The blaze was controlled in
an hour, preventing the fire from reaching the ground and first
TIMES NEWS NETWORK [email protected] This inconsistency reinforced the In Aug last year, 280 vehi- floors. The showroom owner said a fault in the electricity meter
JUDGE SAYS prosecution’s case, ultimately lea- cles were gutted at a police caused the fire, alleging no action was taken on his complaint.
New Delhi: Quoting Charles John Dar- New Delhi: In a case that undersco- ding to his conviction. He was senten- vehicle pit in northeast Del- Discom officials said they received no complaint about the elec-
ling (1849-1936), an English lawyer and A simple acquittal cannot red how ingrained habits can betray ced to life by the court on March 25. hi’s Wazirabad. TNN tricity meter. TNN
politician, a Delhi court recently sta- compensate for the hapless calculated deception, a sessions co- Additional public prosecutor
ted that “perjury is often bold and accused’s agony as the false urt, dismissing the claim of mista- Arun KV submitted before the court
open. It is truth that is shamefaced.” accusation of rape has the ken identity, convicted a man for ra- that the prosecution has proved the
The court directed the initiation of potential to tarnish his ping a six-year-old in 2017 and senten- case as against the accused beyond
perjury proceedings against a woman ced him to rigorous imprisonment all reasonable doubt.
reputation and destroy his soul
for filing a false case of rape in 2022. for the remainder of his natural life. Allegations against Mantram
While acquitting the man accused The court of additional sessions were that he kidnapped a six-year-
of rape, criminal intimidation, assaul- judge Anu Aggarwal, on March 21, old girl, took her to his house, and
ting a woman with the intent to disrobe right, so that the meek shall also survi- convicted the man for the penal pro- committed aggravated penetrative
her, outraging a woman’s modesty, and ve is the question before this court? visions of rape, kidnapping, crimi- sexual assault on her. He also alle-
sexual harassment, the court of addi- The answer perhaps lies in hearing not nal intimidation, and under Section gedly threatened her not to disclose
tional sessions judge Anuj Agrawal ob- only the shrieks of a complainant but 6 (aggravated penetrative sexual as- the incident.
served that it was a case of a honey trap also the unheard cries of a person stan- sault) of POCSO Act. The court no- During the trial, the accused de-
wherein the victim entrapped the ac- ding before this court with folded ted that while an individual might nied the charges, claiming that he
cused in a pre-planned manner to ex- hands beseeching justice for a crime consciously attempt to fabricate an was not 'Mantram' but 'Patiram'. He
tort money from him. that he never committed, which got lo- identity, deeply ingrained habits- produced multiple documents and
The judge noted that the testimony uder as the lies of the prosecutrix got —such as signing one’s name—often defence witnesses to support his as-
of the prosecutrix was not only full of manifested with the progression of the persist unconsciously. sertion. However, his own conduct
contradictions but was also inherently trial,” the judge said. “There is an old saying, ‘Old ha- in court undermined his defence-
inconsistent, tainted, and full of con- Further observing that the oath ta- bits die hard’. The accused may lie —his habitual signature.
coctions. Further observing that it was ken by a witness was a solemn appeal about his identity and may also Despite insisting that his name
evident from the record that the woman to the deity, made binding upon the change his name. He may also prepa- was Patiram, the accused repeatedly
made a false statement before the court, conscience by a penalty for perjury, re documents to hide his true identi- signed court documents as Mantram
the court said that a simple acquittal co- the judge remarked, “Since it is evi- ty, but some habits are incorporated in Hindi. This pattern emerged at cri-
uld not compensate for the hapless ac- dent from the record that the prosecut- into our day-to-day functioning and tical junctures. First, when charges
cused’s agony as the false accusation of rix betrayed the solemn oath (she took are embedded in our minds so dee- were framed against him on Aug 23,
rape had the potential to tarnish his re- in the witness box) and treaded on a ply that unconsciously, we keep on 2018, again, when his statement under
putation and destroy his soul. treacherous path of perjury, therefore repeating the same. The accused Section 313 CrPC was recorded on Nov
“I am reminded of one famous Eng- let a complaint under Section 379 of consciously lied about his identity, 11, 2024, spanning 29 pages, each be-
lish poem which rhymes as ‘The song Bharatiya Nagrik Suraksha Sanhita but unconsciously, he kept on sig- aring his signature as 'Mantram'. Yet
of the meek, will darken any brow, as for offences of perjury be sent against ning various documents during the again, when he testified as a defence
they cry aloud and beseech justice.’ her to the court of chief judicial ma- trial with the name ‘Mantram’ in witness, he still maintained that he
But how to find strength, to do the gistrate (central).” Hindi,” the judge said. was Patiram, but signed as 'Mantram'.
 PD: 04-04-2025 Z: Delhi E: 1 U: neeraj.kumar1 T: 04-03-2025 23:34

6 TIMES CITY THE TIMES OF INDIA, NEW DELHI

FRIDAY, APRIL 4, 2025

It was gang war that killed man last week; 23-year-old arrested
New Delhi: In a case of gang war, a 23-year-old man, a member of the Tillu gang, was arrested for shooting
dead a member of a rival gang in Outer Delhi's Alipur. The deceased has been identified as Karan Thapa.
Solar power to help Delhi Assembly save `15L a yr
The incident was reported on March 28 after a PCR call was received at the Alipur police station at 7:30 [email protected] lied that they were stopped from
pm . “Police teams were dispatched to the spot and it was found that the victim had been taken to a hospital SPEAKER SAYS speaking on the issue of power
for treatment, where he was declared dead,” a police officer said. The victim was found to be involved in New Delhi: Speaker Vijender Gup- Delhi assembly will promote cuts,” the Speaker said.
two cases of attempted murder and extortion. During the investigation, Monu was apprehended. TNN ta on Thursday said that the Delhi The Speaker claimed that one
solar energy to send a
Assembly would set up solar panels day of the session was kept for pri-
of 500 KVA capacity in the next 100 message to the people to vate members’ resolutions and a
days to save on its monthly electri- adopt it and ensure zero record 78 matters were raised un-
city bill of Rs 15 lakh. bill against electricity der the special mention rule.
Addressing a press conference a consumption “Eight reports of the Comptroller
day after the culmination of the and Auditor General on the perfor-
budget session, Gupta said the Delhi mance of Delhi govt were also tab-
Assembly would promote solar ters will also be set up,” Gupta said. hours by 36 members, including tho- led in the House, but the opposition
energy to send a message to the peo- Giving details of the functioning se from the opposition AAP,” Gupta did not take part in the discussions.
ple to adopt it and ensure zero bill of the Delhi Assembly during the in- said. He added that the only calling A resolution under Rule 107 was
against electricity consumption. augural and budget session, Gupta attention accepted in the session also passed in the session, dispo-
The speaker also said that the as- said in 40 days of the formation of was also from the opposition. sing of over 300 matters taken up
sembly had targeted to go paperless the new govt in the capital, two ses- “But it is surprising that despi- by committees of the previous as-
before the monsoon session by set- sions were held and properly proro- te being in the assembly premises, sembly,” he said.
ting up the National e-Vidhan Appli- gued. “The seven-day budget ses- the AAP MLAs did not attend the Gupta said the celebration of
cation. “Under the project, a media sion was conducted for a record 27.6 discussion on their motion. I want the Hindu New Year for the first ti-
desk equipped with 25 computers hours. The budget was tabled on to ask the opposition why they cho- me in the assembly was yet another
with internet connection and prin- March 25 and was discussed for 7.1 se not to attend the discussion and achievement.

Thief cracks password of

stolen phone, transfers `1L
New Delhi: A businessman about to take a vehicle near
from central Delhi’s Chawri the metro station when he
Bazar lost Rs 1 lakh due to a was targeted by the thief. “By
weak password he set on his the time he got the SIM block-
mobile phone. His password ed, the money was already
was a simple six-digit sequ- debited,” the officer added.
ence starting from 1.
His phone was stolen ne- The thief made multiple
ar Pitampura Metro Station transactions from his
while he was on his way ho- UPI account. One of the
me. Later, he discovered that
the thief made multiple suspects was arrested
transactions from his UPI ac-
count to other accounts. One In Feb, two gangs that
of the suspects was arrested. transfered funds using sto-
A police officer said that len mobile phones were bus-
the incident took place on ted in the city. The gangs,
March 15, and a case was re- which trained juveniles
gistered with the cyber poli- from Jharkhand in exploi-
ce station in Outer Delhi. Du- ting weak passwords, smugg-
ring the inquiry, it was found led 12,000 phones to Bangla-
that the businessman was desh, Nepal and Bihar. TNN

Missing from
19th Death Anniversary
Tilak Nagar,
Rajneesh Saini (Raja)
S/o Late Sh. Dharamveer Saini
bizman found
23.11.1975 to 04.04.2006
We feel your Presence, dead in UP
you will always remain
TIMES NEWS NETWORK
in our hearts, we miss
you every moments.
Krishna Saini (Mother) New Delhi: A businessman, who
& All Family members 17-E, Banglow Road, went missing from west Delhi's
Kamla Nagar, Delhi-110007 Tilak Nagar, was found murdered
in Shamli, Uttar Pradesh, police
confirmed. The family named
three people as suspects in the ab-
duction. These three individuals
used to work with the business-
man, but he, along with his brot-
hers, separated and started their
own business, after which they
were threatened by the trio.
Sagar, who along with his brot-
hers, ran a leased hotel in Tilak
Nagar, left the premises but never
returned home on March 26. Poli-
ce said investigation teams were
formed to track the suspects using
technical and manual surveillan-
ce. Several individuals were detai-
ned for questioning, but the prime
accused remain on the run. Non-
bailable warrants have been issu-
ed against them.
On March 27, Shamli’s Kandla
police station registered a murder
case. The victim’s body was iden-
In Fond & Loving Memory tified as Sagar’s on April 2. “We re-
gistered a case of abduction on the
MRS. INDU complaint of the victim's family
on March 30,” police said.
(on 17th Anniversary)
“Delhi Police, coordinating
You are always in with their UP counterparts, dis-
our hearts. Fondly patched a team to Shamli along
remembered & missed with Sagar’s family. All available
by Shambhu, Pintu, information is being shared to tra-
Chintu, Jubilee, ce the accused,” the officer said.
Manisha, Madhulika, Deepak, Mekhla, The deceased's family is from
Samriddhi, Unnati, Sharanya, Rithwik. Haryana, and his brother in the
complaint told cops that for the
past four months, he has been li-
ving with his other siblings in
SH. A.L. SHARDA Sunder Vihar. They run a business
IRS (RETD.) in a hotel leased by them. “From
2020 to Nov 2024, Sagar and his two
1924-2007
A karamyogi, an instr- brothers worked as salaried emp-
ument of the Lord, loyees at the hotel along with some
who brought with him people from their village. About
love, peace, compassion three months ago, the trio decided
and light. This day you to separate from those people and
transcended beyond, leaving behind a rich started their own hotel business in
legacy of an actualised soul. You epitomise Delhi,” the complainant said.
honesty and dignity and as a manifestation On the night of March 26, 2025,
of the Supreme Being you rest in our hearts Sagar left a hotel in Keshopur
eternally. Family and Friends. Mandi around 11.30pm to head ho-
me to Sunder Vihar, but never rea-
ched his residence. “The family
was unable to trace him. We su-
spect that the three people who pre-
viously worked with Sagar might
have been involved in his abduc-
tion,” Sagar’s brother said. Anot-
her brother alleged that they were
threatened in the past by the trio.

Man’s body found in

house caught in fire
New Delhi: A charred body of a 29-
year-old man was found in a house
that caught fire in Northeast Del-
hi's Jafrabad on Thursday. Police
said they received a PCR call at 6:31
pm reporting a fire at a building on
Main Road in Jafrabad. The fire
broke out on the ground floor of the
building, which housed a godown
for cloth used in making jackets.
Three fire tenders were deploy-
ed to extinguish the blaze. After the
fire was doused, the Delhi Fire Ser-
vices discovered a charred body at
the scene. The body was shifted to
GTB Hospital for a postmortem.
Efforts are underway to identi-
fy the victim and determine the
cause of the fire. “Legal action in
the matter has been taken, and
Published for the Proprietors, Bennett, Coleman & Co. Ltd., by Rajeev Yadav at Times House, 7,Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg, New Delhi -110002 and printed by him at Times Of India Press, 13, Site IV, Industrial Area, Sahibabad (UP), Dainik Jagran Press, Plot NO. C2/2-1, Selaqui Industrial Area, Dehradun(UTTARAKHAND) and Dainik Jagran Press , Biharman Nagla, Pilibhit Bypass Road, Bareilly (UP) and Bennett Coleman & Co. Ltd. Plot No. 7-8, Sector M-11, Transport
further investigation is in pro-
Hub, Industrial Model Township, Manesar, Haryana-122051. Regd . Office,: Dr. Dadabhai Naoroji Road, Mumbai-400001. Editor (Delhi Market) : Diwakar Asthana – responsible for selection of news under PRB Act, @ All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission of Publisher is prohibited
RNI NO : 508/57 gress,” police said. TNN
Air Charge : Ahmedabad, Hyderabad, Chennai, Nagpur & via Rs.5.00, Leh, Srinagar and via Rs.2.00, Price in Nepal : NEP Rs.15.00
Made in New Delhi
PD: 04-04-2025 Z: Delhi E: 1 U: vivek.kumar T: 04-03-2025 22:44
 PD: 04-04-2025 Z: Delhi E: 1 U: ipsita.mazumdar T: 04-03-2025 23:34

8 TIMES CITY THE TIMES OF INDIA, NEW DELHI

FRIDAY, APRIL 4, 2025

HC’s Ruling May Put Brakes On Rush Row erupts after

attendance made
To Book Drivers Of Speeding Vehicles must at DU event
Sparks Debate On Police Practices In Accident Cases, Likely To Bring Hope To Car Owners [email protected]

New Delhi: A circular issued

COLLEGE DIRECTOR

Rajshekhar.Jha feel pressure from the public by Delhi School of Journalism The topic of the event,
‘One Nation, One
THE BURNING
@timesofindia.com Images: AI or media to act against the (DSJ), mandating attendance
driver of the bigger vehicle, for an event attended by BJP Election’, is part of the
New Delhi: Delhi High Co-
urt’s decision to discharge QUESTION even if they are not entirely
at fault, he added. Senior cops
national general secretary Su-
nil Bansal, has drawn criti-
students’ assessment
and, hence,
a driver accused of fatally hit- also pointed out that many in- cism from several students attendance was made
ting two pedestrians while
observing that driving at WHOSE vestigating officers are not
adequately trained to investi-
and teachers. The circular
warned that students abstai-
compulsory
high speed doesn’t automati-
cally imply “rash and negli- FAULT gate accidents, leading to
misunderstandings and mi-
ning from the event will face di-
sciplinary action. member at DU, said, “The uni-
gent” behaviour has sparked
a debate about police practi- IS IT sapplication of the law.
In many western countri-
“The presence of all stu-
dents is mandatory, particu-
versity may invite ministers
and member of parliament to
ces, which often involve es, police do not mechanically larly during the valedictory their events. But inviting BJP
booking the driver of the ve- Why police mostly book book the owner of a vehicle in- ceremony at 3pm (where Ban- dignitaries makes no sense
hicle in a case of accident drivers of bigger vehicles volved in a fatal accident; inste- sal was scheduled to address) and only reflects their inten-
even if prima facie evidence ad, they investigate to determi- and no exceptions will be en- tion of promoting saffronisa-
suggests otherwise. Perceived Menace ne who contributed to the acci- tertained. Failure to comply tion on campus. The manda-
In many cases, police tend Larger vehicles are dent and may issue citations or with these instructions will tory attendance for the event
to assume that the driver of perceived as more make arrests based on the evi- result in strict disciplinary is totally unfair.”
the vehicle, or the bigger ve- Vehicle Inspection dence and applicable laws. action,” the circular stated. Earlier, controversy erup-
menacing or intimidating,
hicle for that matter, is at Officers inspect In the US, for instance, The event, organised as ted after a purported video
leading police to take a more
fault and file a case against the vehicles while the police reports may the second edition of the Swa- surfaced on internet recently
the person. In fatal or non- aggressive approach when indicate who or what “contri- mi Vivekananda Memorial in which college director Bha-
investigating accidents involved, looking
fatal accidents, the initial for signs of buted” to the accident, they National Debate, included a rati Gore was heard telling
lens is seldom on the other involving these vehicles generally don’t determine special address on “One Na- students, “Joote se peetungi,
mechanical failure,
party who may be a jaywalker Assumed Liability who was “at fault” in the legal tion, One Election”, held on keep quiet.” The students we-
tampering, or other factors
or a rash biker. sense. Police officers use the April 2 at the Convention Hall re protesting the alleged lack
Police often assume that the that may have contributed
The high court’s judgment collected evidence, including at Vice Regal Lodge. Bansal of facilities on campus despi-
may bring hope to many car
driver of the bigger vehicle to the accident traffic law violations, to de- was invited as the chief guest. te substantial fees.
owners who are often mecha- is more likely to be at fault Toxicology Reports termine who contributed to The circular stated, “All “Despite paying hefty amo-
nically booked and arrested by in an accident, regardless of the accident and whether any students must report sharp at unts of Rs 80,000 in fees, we are
the actual circumstances. Police may obtain
police in accident cases. toxicology reports criminal charges are warran- 9am. A roll call will be con- provided with poor infrastruc-
“Although this doesn’t hap- This assumption can lead to ted, said a senior police offi- ducted and any late arrival or ture, no books in library and li-
a biased investigation and to determine
pen in every case, the practice cer. Depending on the cir- absence will be noted.” mited seating capacity, and no
is prevalent. The investigating unfair treatment of the driver if any drivers cumstances and the specific It emphasised mandatory WiFi or functioning AC in
officer does due diligence and involved were under the laws of the state, drivers in- attendance throughout the classrooms. We had raised the-
Public Pressure influence of substances
presents his probe details in volved in fatal accidents may programme, during which se issues before the director
the chargesheet, but the FIR In some cases, police Reconstruction face charges like reckless dri- Bansal was scheduled to speak and demanded transparency
registration happens mecha- may feel pressured by ving, vehicular manslaugh- at 3pm, cautioning strict disci- in the funds utilised. But the di-
the public or media to In some cases, police may
nically in a lot of cases. For ex- ter, or other crimes. Insuran- plinary measures against non- rector threatened us that she
take action against the reconstruct the accident to
ample, at the stage of filing of ce companies and their inves- compliance. “This event holds would call our family and
drivers of the bigger help determine the cause
case in a case of collision bet- How the US does it tigators usually determine utmost importance for the in- thrash us in front of them,”
ween a bike and a car, it’s often vehicle, even if they’re not and fault fault in civil cases. stitution and your presence is claimed Anant Tiwari, a se-
the car driver who is mostly as- entirely at fault After a thorough In the UAE, the legal sy- strictly mandatory,” the circu- cond-year student.
Police officers Preliminary Probe
sumed guilty,” explained a re- stem relies on the principle lar stated, adding, “All stu- On the row over mandatory
tired senior cop.
Lack of Training follow a standardised Officers gather investigation, of negligence to determine li- dents must remain present for attendance, Gore said, “The to-
Similarly, even if a person Police officers don’t always procedure when information, including a decision ability. This means the focus the entire duration.” pic of the event, ‘One Nation,
suddenly appears before a receive adequate training on investigating fatal accidents statements from witnesses, is on whether a driver failed Opposing the compulsory One Election’, is part of the
speeding vehicle on the road, how to investigate accidents drivers and passengers. They also
is made to exercise reasonable care, attendance, DUSU president students’ assessment and, hen-
making it impossible for the involving larger vehicles, Primary goal document the accident scene, about which resulted in the acci- Ronak Khatri staged a de- ce, attendance was made com-
driver to apply the brake in ti- leading to misunderstandings Aim is to determine the cause including damage to vehicles and citations dent and harm to others. monstration outside the event pulsory. All the students were
me, the driver is still arrested and misapplication of the law of the accident and identify surrounding property In the UK, the police do not on Wednesday and accused the duly informed about it by the
and presumed guilty imme- or arrests automatically assume the dri- DU administration of promo- teachers in classes.”
Insurance and Liability the responsible parties Evidence Collection
diately, the cop added. Citations or arrests ver of the vehicle or bigger ve- ting the governing party. “They On the remarks in the vi-
According to police, this Concerns Initial Response Police collect physical evidence, hicle is at fault in accident ca- (administration) should be as- deo, Gore said she was insti-
If the investigation reveals
is mostly done because of fac- Police often book Police officers respond to such as skid marks, vehicle that a driver was at fault ses. Instead, they conduct a hamed of threatening students gated by the students. “Some
tors like compensation, insu- the driver of the the accident scene, secure debris and any other relevant thorough investigation, gat- with disciplinary action if of them were continuously
or violated traffic laws, the
rance and liability. “The of- bigger vehicle due the area, and provide aid to material. They may also obtain hering evidence from various they don’t attend BJP’s event. passing derogatory remarks
fence of causing death due to
officer may issue a citation sources, including witness Govts come and go, but making at me for the past 15 days. I re-
to insurance and liability anyone injured surveillance footage, if available or make an arrest
rash and negligent driving is concerns. If the driver of the and driver statements, details the event compulsory is sheer taliated to their comments
anyway bailable, so generally bigger vehicle is deemed to of vehicle data recorder, dictatorship,” Khatri said. against a woman, and I stand
the FIR is filed against the car Vehicle size or ownership CCTV footage and accident Pankaj Garg, a faculty by it,” she added.
be at fault, their insurance
driver to facilitate the release scene analysis. The police
company may be more The size of the vehicle or its ownership does not automatically determine fault. Police focus
of compensation,” said an in- then analyse the evidence to
likely to cover damages and
vestigator who was tasked
with coordinating with the medical expenses
on the actions of the drivers involved and the circumstances surrounding the accident determine fault, regardless
of the vehicle size or type. LIGHTS OF DEVOTION
Motor Accidents Claims Tri- “In some cases, the driver
bunal (MACT), which hand- for this ‘oversight’, according dating, leading police to take ce, more often than not, assu- less of the actual circumstan- of the bigger vehicle may be
les compensation claims ari- to road safety experts. “Lar- a more aggressive approach me that the driver of the big- ces,” said a senior member of found responsible, but it’s not
sing from road accidents. ger vehicles can be perceived when investigating accidents ger vehicle is more likely to be a transport watchdog. an automatic assumption,”
There are several reasons as more menacing or intimi- involving these vehicles. Poli- at fault in an accident, regard- In some cases, police may said an officer.

Possibility of a flat tyre ‘Necessary elements missing’: Court rejects

not considered, says HC defamation case against Atishi, Sanjay Singh
Continued from P1 trial courts.
The court explained that to [email protected] magistrate (ACJM) Paras Dalal, in his 21- According to court, these were “political

W
hile acquitting the sustain any punishment or page order, found that the allegations aspirations and assertions” made in the
petitioner, Justice conviction, it is a pre-requisite New Delhi: A Delhi court on Thursday made were part of political discourse context of the elections. Noting that cas-
Banerjee of Delhi that the act that leads to death dismissed the defamation complaint filed and did not amount to criminal defama- ting political accusations is common in
high court ruled: “Prosecu- or is likely to cause injury must by former MP Sandeep Dikshit against tion. “This court fails to find that the ne- Indian elections, the judge observed that
tion was not able to prove its be “rash” and “negligent”. former Delhi chief minister Atishi and cessary ingredients of criminal defama- such statements are often made to pre-
case beyond reasonable doubt Going through the state- Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MP Sanjay tion are prima facie not made out,” the sent the various perspectives to voters.
that the petitioner was indeed ments of four witnesses, the Singh. The court observed that the neces- judge stated, explaining that the re- The ACJM court also referenced a Su-
driving the car in a ‘rash and high court said though all of sary elements of criminal defamation we- marks made by Atishi and Singh were preme Court ruling, which set a high
negligent’ manner, which re- them deposed that the pet- re not prima facie established in the case. “nothing more than political discourse threshold for defamation cases. The co-
sulted in the demise of the itioner was driving the car at The defamation suit stemmed from a amongst rival parties.” The court emp- urt noted that defamation laws must not
two pedestrians.” a “high speed”, “however, nei- press conference held on Dec 26, 2024, du- hasised that such statements, made in a unduly restrict freedom of speech and
The judge further observ- ther of them” deposed he was ring which Atishi and Singh accused public forum, were intended to be add- expression. “There should be a pre-
ed that several circumstan- driving in a “rash and negli- Dikshit of taking crores of rupees from ressed in the political arena rather than sumption in favour of the accused,” the
tial aspects, such as the time gent” manner. the BJP and claimed his party, Congress, through judicial intervention. judge stated, explaining that only when
of the accident, the condition “This court, thus, does not was colluding with the saffron party to The judge further said the statements substantial evidence is presented sho-
of the vehicle, and whether find any evidence on record defeat AAP in the Delhi elections. The made by AAP leaders regarding the alle- uld magistrates proceed with such cases.
there was indeed a flat tyre that reflects that the petition- complaint alleged that the statements ged collusion between the BJP and Cong- “Since no prima facie offence has be-
had “neither been addressed er was indeed driving the car made by the AAP leaders were intended ress were covered under the “Fundamen- en made out from the ‘complaint of Chief minister Rekha Gupta performs aarti at Sur Ghat on Thursday.
by prosecution nor taken in a ‘rash and negligent’ man- to harm Dikshit’s reputation. tal Freedom of Speech and Expression,” facts’, this court declines to take cogni- She said that Rs 1,000 crore would be spent on cleaning the Yamuna
into consideration” by the ner,” it noted. However, additional chief judicial and could not be considered defamatory. zance of the offence,” the judge said.
 PD: 04-04-2025
Z: DelhiE: 1 U: shivani.kashyap
T: 04-03-2025 23:34

THE TIMES OF INDIA, NEW DELHI

FRIDAY, APRIL 4, 2025 TIMES CITY 9

Signature View Residents Up In Arms

Delayed Rental Reimbursements And Crumbling Buildings Spark Protest At DDA’s Office Photos: Rajesh Mehta
Vibha.Sharma ir current residence.
@timesofindia.com Rupali Dhawan of F
block, who has been residing
New Delhi: Residents of Sig- in the apartment for eight ye-
nature View Apartments in ars, undertook repairs on
north Delhi’s Mukherjee Na- two occasions. "The second
gar staged a protest both at time, we literally moved to a
the complex and at Delhi De- rented accommodation to get
velopment Authority’s office all the cracks repaired. But
at Vikas Sadan in INA Colo- things are now beyond repa-
ny on Thursday against the ir,” she said. “Structural
delay in confirming rental cracks have appeared in the
reimbursement dates. beams. The exposed reinfor-
Reporting structural dete- cement bars in balconies and
rioration of their flats at Sig- common spaces heighten sa-
nature View Apartments, the fety concerns. With a single
protestors claimed that in spi- working member in the fami-
te of Delhi High Court and LG ly, we can't afford to live on
directing DDA to have the pre- rent and pay the EMI too.”
mises vacated and commence Signature View Apart-
redevelopment, little had hap- Out of 336 flats, 111 residents have already relocated due to safety concerns, while others await DDA's approval for rental compensation ment complex has 10 towers
pened on the ground. with a stilt+10 storeys and
On Thursday, when the re- ments RWA. “It was a public condition of vacation of all nature View flats. ments. Ayesha Sharma, who two towers with a stilt+6 sto-
sidents tried to enter the DDA meeting day when unrestric- 336 flats for the start of rent Out of 336 flats owners, 111 lives in L block, said, “The reys. It was constructed bet-
office at Vikas Sadan, the gu- ted entry is allowed. After wa- payment and ordered DDA to have already relocated due to plaster on the balcony roof ween 2007 and 2010 and allot-
ards held the door shut. In the iting for an hour and a half, provide the rent or facilita- safety concerns. The others fell when my husband was sit- ted to residents in 2011-2012.
melee, a glass door panel bro- we were informed that VC tion amount from the date of are awaiting DDA's approval ting there. We got it repaired, However, within a few years,
ke and eventually Delhi Poli- wasn’t in office.” vacation to the respective for rental compensation, ha- but it was damaged again. We residents were alarmed abo-
ce had to intervene. “We only Rakesh added, “Despite owners individually.” ving confirmed their wil- initially thought the problem ut the structural safety of the
tried to meet senior officials, four months passing since J block resident Laxmi lingness to vacate their re- would be sorted out within a buildings. DDA conducted a
including the DDA vice-cha- the court order, the authori- Bhatt pointed out that a three spective flats, according to year, but more than two years structural audit through IIT-
irman and hand over a me- ties have not established a de- BHK flat in the vicinity rents RWA members. passed without any progress. Delhi in 2021-22. The institu-
morandum,” claimed Ama- finite timeline for disbursal for Rs 60,000 a month, a big The affected families told The bedroom wall is also tion recommended the im-
rendra Kumar Rakesh, presi- of rental payments. The co- burden when most residents TOI of unsuccessful attempts damp.” She said they had in- mediate “vacating and dis-
dent, Signature View Apart- urt has whittled down the are paying EMIs for their Sig- at repairing their apart- deed decided to shift from the- mantling” of the buildings.

Fearing disruption during protests over waqf Cops begin probe into
bill, police keep an eye on streets, social media ‘fake’ marksheet case
TIMES NEWS NETWORK deployed to tackle any areas were identified, and TIMES NEWS NETWORK The candidate appeared
POLICE OFFICER SAYS untoward incidents that measures such as barri-
New Delhi: Security was be- might arise. cading and increased force New Delhi: Delhi Police’s
for Combined Graduate
efed up across Delhi to pre- There are strict orders "There are strict orders to deployment were implemen- Crime Branch has launched Level Examination
empt any protest or violence to ensure the proper ensure the proper deploy- ted to prevent potential dis- an investigation into a case (Tier-1) held from April
against the Waqf (Amend- deployment of ment of female police officers turbances.” The officer ad- involving a 27-year-old wo- 11, 2022 to April 23, 2022
ment) Bill, 2025, which aims female police to manage women protesters ded that the police were also man suspected of submit-
to bring changes in the admi- during possible demonstra- keeping an eye on the move- ting forged documents for
nistration of waqf properti-
es. Companies of the central
officers to manage
women protesters tions. They will be properly
equipped to manage distur-
ments of known troublema-
kers of the area.
the Combined Graduate Le-
vel (CGL) Examination con-
examination,” the complai-
nant stated.
Govt extends land lease allotted
during possible
armed police forces were pos-
ted in sensitive areas of the demonstrations
bing situations,” an officer
said. “The female officers ha-
In northeast Delhi, an
area domination exercise
ducted by Staff Selection
Commission (SSC).
“She claimed that her
normalised score was over
to Delhi Golf Club till 2050
city. Besides CCTV cameras, ve been given specific in- was conducted on Thursday Earlier, in a complaint, an 103 marks and despite sco- TIMES NEWS NETWORK lease of the land allotted earlier
drones were also used to mo- structions on how to manage morning. “Four companies SSC staff member told police ring more than the cut-off has been extended from time to
nitor rooftops and lanes. media to track public senti- the women protestors.” are being posted there daily that they conducted a compu- marks, she was not qualified New Delhi: Govt extended lea- time. “The last lease extension
In the wake of intell- ment. “There’s watchfulness Station house officers in to prevent any untoward inci- ter-based examination for the for the next stage,” the comp- se of land allotted to Delhi Golf was done July 19, 2012 on the re-
igence inputs, district DCPs on social media to identify south Delhi have been direc- dent,” an officer explained. CGL Exam-2021 (Tier-1) from lainant added. Club till 2050 from 2012 conside- quest of the Delhi Golf Club, till
were instructed to deploy any organised activities re- ted to be on high alert in their “The personnel have been in- April 11, 2022 to April 23, 2022 During verification, it was ring the club’s submission that the year 2050. This extension
around 100 female police offi- lated to the bill and to detect areas. Police vehicles have be- structed to immediately re- in which a candidate, Mansi found that she actually scored it wanted to raise the facility to was done taking into considera-
cers in specific areas to mana- any potential disruptions or en stationed to support deplo- port any protest-like situa- Trilok, appeared. “After the 46.8 marks, making her ineli- international standards "since tion the request of The Delhi
ge potential women protes- security concerns,” a police yment efforts and ensure a tions. In fact, they have been declaration of the result, gible for the second stage. golf would be part of Olympics Golf Club for bringing the club
tors, while there was hawk- officer said. swift response if needed, a po- directed to prevent large gat- which shortlists candidates “The documents, along from 2016", the union housing to international standards, sin-
eyed surveillance in areas In southeast Delhi, three lice source said. herings from forming.” The to appear in Tier-II and Tier- with the marksheet submit- and urban affairs ministry told ce golf would be a part of Olym-
such as Jamia Nagar, Seelam- CAPF companies were mobi- An officer revealed, “As officer added that police per- III of the examination, SSC ted by Trilok, were cross- Lok Sabha on Thursday. pic games from 2016,” it said.
pur, Jafrabad and around lised and strategically de- part of the preparations, an- sonnel were briefed to seek received a representation on checked with the data availab- In a written reply, the mini- The ministry added that for
Jama Masjid. ployed at sensitive locations ti-riot equipment was thoro- assistance from neighbou- July 20, 2022 from Trilok who le with SSC, and it was found stry said the club was establis- upgrading the infrastructure
Senior police officers we- to maintain law and order. ughly inspected and repaired ring district police forces in requested a re-check of her that the marksheet submitted hed as a municipal course in for this purpose, the club had re-
re instructed to be extra vigi- Two companies comprising if needed to ensure optimal the event of an uncontrollab- result and permission to ap- by her was fabricated,” the early 1930s and was earlier quested for a lease extension till
lant while monitoring social women personnel were also functionality. Vulnerable le situation developing. pear in the next stages of the complainant claimed. known as Lodhi Golf Club. The 2070, for long term planning.
 PD: 04-04-2025 Z: Delhi E: 1 U: ipsita.mazumdar T: 04-03-2025 23:21

10 TIMES CITY THE TIMES OF INDIA, NEW DELHI

FRIDAY, APRIL 4, 2025

72-Yr-Old Woman,
Daughter Thwart
Burglary Attempt
PITAMPURA: House Nearby Ransacked, Robbed
TIMES NEWS NETWORK

New Delhi: A burglary attempt in north-

west Delhi’s Pitampura was foiled on
Monday afternoon when a 72-year-old wo-
man and her 40-year-old daughter fought
off two armed intruders. No arrests have
been made yet.
Barely 500 metres away, another house
was ransacked on Thursday, with the su-
spects fleeing with jewellery worth Rs 20 lakh.
Monday’s incident occurred at the KU
Block home of a 75-year-old cable business-
man, who lives with his wife, daughter and
son. Around 1pm, a masked man wearing a
helmet rang the doorbell, claiming to be a
courier delivery agent. When the elderly
woman opened the door, the intruder alle-
gedly attempted to strangle her.
Hearing her mother scream for help,
the daughter rushed out, only to be con-
fronted by a second armed accomplice
who pointed a pistol at her. However, befo-
re the men could overpower them, the yo-
unger woman acted swiftly, pushing the
attackers and managing to shut the door,
forcing them to flee.
A case was registered at Maurya En-
clave police station and an investigation Barely 500 metres from KU Block, a burglary
is underway. Special commissioner of po- took place in G and JU Block, where Ankur
lice (law and order) Ravinder Yadav has Bindal (top) and his family woke up to find
been asked to boost patrolling in the area. their home ransacked, their gate’s lock broken
Vikas Meena, a property dealer from
the DDA market opposite the house, te market watching our house closely.
credited the women for raising the When I approached them to ask what they
alarm. “The old woman screamed for were doing, they quickly ran away. It se-
help. The next thing we knew, many shop- ems burglars are very active in this area.”
keepers left their stores and joined the On Thursday, 500 metres from KU
chase,” he said. Block, a burglary took place in G and JU
Goldy (30), a car dealer in the DDA Block, where a family of four woke up to
complex, witnessed the incident. “I was find their home ransacked, their entran-
outside my office when I saw a masked ce gate’s lock broken, and Rs 20 lakh
man run out, followed by the elderly wo- worth of jewellery missing.
man shouting ‘chor, chor.’ My brother, Homeowner Ankur Bindal told TOI,
our staff and I joined others in chasing “My wife, children and I were sleeping
him. Just a few houses ahead, two men on when it happened. We woke up around 6am
a silver bike, both wearing helmets, were to find our almirah looted and valuables go-
waiting. He jumped on, and at least 8-10 ne. We are very scared for our safety.”
people ran after them,” he said. The chase The couple’s 14-year-old daughter was
continued till a traffic signal, but the su- sleeping alone in the living room. “I shud-
spects zig-zagged through and escaped. der to think what could have happened
While some homes in the lane have had she woken up. Are we supposed to live
private security guards stationed at the in fear?” said Ankur’s wife Shivani.
entrance, the house targeted on Monday On March 25, two men allegedly at-
didn’t have one at the time. However, tacked a 59-year-old man and his domestic
when TOI visited the location on Thurs- helper outside a bank in Pitampura’s
day, a guard was present. RP Block, looting Rs 30 lakh before flee-
An elderly neighbour said, “These ing. Earlier, on March 19, a septuagenari-
burglaries have become common. Just an couple was found brutally murdered
this week, I noticed two men in the opposi- in Kohat Enclave.

Clarification on DDA to convert four

TOI report on
ILBS charges
more community
New Delhi: Responding to a
report, “At Delhi govt’s ILBS,
centres into libraries
many services are no longer
free”, published in TOI on
March 30, 2025, the assistant
and reading rooms
head of operations at the in- TIMES NEWS NETWORK
stitute, Dr Shantanu Dubey,
has written to TOI that the re- New Delhi: Working on a project to convert many of
vision of charges was a rou- its under-utilised community centres and halls into li-
tine process and was “essen- braries and reading rooms, Delhi Development Aut-
tial to ensure the continued hority (DDA) has started developing four more facili-
provision of high-quality care ties into reading centres. The authority hopes to make
and to reflect the increasing them operational for the public by the end of May.
costs of medical supplies, At a recent meeting to review the progress, lieute-
equipment maintenance and nant governor VK Saxena was informed about the
operational expenses”. overwhelming response at the first such facility, Aa-
He has pointed out that rambh Pustakalaya, at Old Rajendra Nagar. Officials
“the institute has operated on also said the construction of the libraries at Adhchini
a self-sustaining/paying mod- village, Sector 16B in Dwarka, M Block Vikaspuri, and
el, maintaining charges sig- Sector 11 in Rohini was at an advanced stage. They will
nificantly lower than those of have space for a cafe.
private hospitals for all essen- In July 2024, LG had asked DDA to provide library
tial aspects of patient care.” and reading room facilities to students following the
“The OPD charges at our death of three civil service aspirants due to drowning
hospital continue to be Rs 400, in the waterlogged basement reading room of a priva-
which is considerably lower te coaching centre in Rajendra Nagar.
than the fees charged by cor- “Saxena, who visited the site immediately in the
porate hospitals, where a su- aftermath of the tragedy, met the protesting students
per-specialist consultation there and assured them that he would do everything
can cost four to five times this possible to address the issue of exploitative reading
amount,” he has said, explain- room facilities and charges being faced by them at the
ing why most of the revised earliest. Thereafter, a meeting was convened with
charges were much lower DDA officials, and they were asked to identify commu-
than that of private hospitals. nity centres inside or close to the students’ hubs that
The TOI report was based could be converted into libraries,” said an official.
on information from an official The first such centre was inaugurated by the lieu-
directive regarding "revision/ tenant governor on Jan 5, 2025, and it received a tre-
charges of essential services", mendous response from students and competitive ex-
issued by Dr Arun Kumar Ras- amination aspirants living in Karol Bagh, Rajendra
togi, head of operations (Medi- Nagar and Patel Nagar.
cal), on February 24. Dr Rastogi “All its 60 seats remain permanently occupied,
had declined to provide any with students utilising the facility in shifts of eight
comments to the reporter. hours each. The existence of a cafe on the premises
also helps them,” said the official. “The growing
demand at this centre has led DDA to expand its
capacity, including the seating arrangements. The
process for providing accessible toilets and construc-
ting extension blocks is in progress. To prevent water-
logging, rainwater harvesting pits are also construc-
ted,” he added.
The new areas where the four facilities are coming
up have a sizeable student population preparing for
various entrance exams like civil services, medical,
engineering and chartered accountancy.
“These will be 24x7 open libraries or reading rooms,
like the one at Rajendra Nagar, and equipped with mul-
tiple facilities like a cafeteria, locker, power-plug on all
seats, airconditioning in summer, newspapers and ma-
gazines, separate toilets for men and women, and facili-
ties to read and sit outside,” said an official.

Gangster held in Gzb

Ghaziabad: A 35-year-old
gangster carrying a reward
of Rs 25,000 was arrested
in Madhuban Bapudham in
Sadarpur on Wednesday.
Police said the accused,
Shah Fahad, was wanted
under the Gangster Act
and evaded capture for an
extended period. TNN
 PD: 04-04-2025 Z: Delhi E: 1 U: manas.bhardwaj T: 04-03-2025 23:35

THE TIMES OF INDIA, NEW DELHI

FRIDAY, APRIL 4, 2025 TIMES CITY 11

More camera traps UNDOING THE [email protected]

Cops destroy 1.6kg narcotics,
DAMAGE AT
TOI had reported on March 18 as to how poor up-

for vigil at Asola keep was putting paid to restoration efforts on

eye drug-free Delhi by 2027
BAANSERA
Yamuna floodplain, with lack of proper water quality
monitoring resulting in algal growth at DDA's bam-
boo-themed park, Baansera. A revisit to the site on

Bhatti Sanctuary YOU READ IT HERE

Thursday showed corrective measures being taken

Photos: Anindya Chattopadhyay

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

New Delhi: Over 1,600 kg of il-

LG VK Saxena
appreciated police’s
an additional Rs 5 crore of as-
sets in the final stages of fi-
nancial investigation,”
Kushagra.Dixit we have to enhance vigilance licit narcotics worth Rs 2,622 efforts and asked Srivastava said.
@timesofindia.com as well. We made good use of crore went up in flames as them to intensify the Police also proposed pro-
the 16 camera traps, but there Delhi Police conducted a mas- ceedings under the PIT-NDPS
New Delhi: For better vigi- was a need for a better mecha- sive drug destruction event drive against Act against several drug traf-
lance of its wildlife, especial- nism to assess animal health. on Thursday. narcotics traffickers fickers and peddlers involved
ly with a rising leopard popu- This can be easily achieved Lieutenant governor VK in narco-smuggling and traf-
lation and its prey, foresters at when we have high-resolu- Saxena kicked off the opera- heroin, 15 grams of MDMA, ficking. This move aims to
Asola Bhatti Wildlife Sanctu- tion pictures and videos. The- tion, which was held at a was- 542 kg of poppy straw, 8 kg of curb repeat offenders and dis-
ary have procured 45 high-qu- se cameras will gradually be te solution plant’s incinerator ketamine and 6 kg of ephedri- rupt the drug supply chain in
ality camera traps, which will installed at hotspots where on GT Karnal Road. Saxena ne. Notably, 517 kg of cocaine the city.
take pictures and record 60- wildlife, particularly leo- appreciated police’s efforts was also destroyed on Thurs- “Delhi Police also laun-
second videos of animals or pards, are spotted, such as wa- and asked them to intensify day, which was part of a larger ched a comprehensive one-
any mobile object passing ter holes and their tracks,” sa- Mar 18 the drive against narcotics seizure of 1,289 kg of cocaine month pilot campaign, which
2025
through their sensor range. id Vipul Pandey, deputy con- traffickers. “This initiative is recovered during a massive includes raids on hostels,
Officials said 16 cameras servator of forest (south), Before a significant step towards era- haul last year. schools, colleges, shops, ho-
were earlier installed across who manages Asola as well. dicating drugs from their ro- Special commissioner De- tels, pubs, bars and restau-
various beats, or blocks, at Previous camera traps re- After ots and ensuring a safer, healt- vesh Srivastava said that the rants. Random checks of auto
Asola sanctuary, aimed to im- gularly captured species like hier capital for all citizens,” exercise sent a strong messa- and taxi drivers are being
prove wildlife monitoring. striped hyena, spotted deer, Saxena said. ge to drug traffickers. “Over conducted too,” Srivastava
During the recently-conclu- porcupines, wild boar, nilgai Police commissioner San- the past two years, police have further said.
ded leopard census, the pre- and peacocks, among others. jay Arora said this destruc- destroyed significant quanti- Police have urged the pub-
sence of 11-13 free-ranging leo- “Multiple images of leo- tion was conducted as part of ties of narcotics, with an esti- lic to come forward with any
pards in the sanctuary was es- pards have been caught, par- the govt’s commitment to mated international market information on narco-rela-
timated, up by five since 2022. ticularly in the daytime and achieving a “drug-free Delhi” value of Rs 5,997 crore. ted activities and are offe-
While the older camera night. It’s an elusive species by 2027 and demonstrated the- In 2024, Delhi Police regis- ring cash rewards for tips
traps had a resolution of 16 and hard to spot. We noticed ir zero-tolerance policy aga- tered 1,789 cases under the that lead to successful opera-
megapixels and a storage ca- they frequently come to the inst narcotics. NDPS Act, resulting in the tions. The public can provide
pacity of 32GB, the new 45 ca- watering holes we have crea- The total of 1,643 kg of illi- arrest of 2,290 drug traffick- information anonymously
mera traps have a 32MP reso- ted, and some even follow the cit narcotics which were dest- ers. Financial investigations through the Manas portal,
lution and 512GB memory. Al- same route,” said Pandey. royed included 529 kg of can- led to the seizure of assets which has been launched by
so, the older traps could only Spread over an area of nabis, 27 kg of charas, 11 kg of worth over Rs 4 crore, with Narcotics Control Bureau.
take pictures while the new 32.7 sq km in the southern
ones can also record a minute- Ridge, Asola Bhatti is Delhi’s
long video at each flash. Fo- lone wildlife sanctuary. Offi-
rest officials said this would cials said a year-long leopard
provide them with an idea census by Wildlife Institute
about leopard health and mo- of India (WII) is already un-
vement in the sanctuary. derway and is expected to
“As our wildlife thrives, conclude in 2026.

Vendor applications invited for

night market near Salimgarh Fort
[email protected] “Around 50 vendors will be ac- siasts,” stated the civic body.
commodated at the location, with The project was first proposed
New Delhi: Municipal Corpora- the possibility of daily rotation ba- in 2023 after the lieutenant gover-
tion of Delhi (MCD) began accep- sed on application volume. The nor visited the site and later in-
ting vendor applications for set- vendors will be permitted to put structed the civic body to proceed
ting up food stalls at the proposed chairs and tables which they can with its implementation.
night market near Salimgarh Fort bring with themselves. Interested “If the model is successful,
on Thursday, marking progress in vendors can inspect the location it can be replicated in
a long-delayed Delhi project. Ven- also or contact the officials for furt- other parts of the city to
dors can submit applications until her clarity,” stated the circular is- showcase the variety of
April 11 at the zonal office. sued by the zone. The food street Delhi’s popular street fo-
The city Sadar Paharganj zo- will be operational from 6-10 pm. ods,” an official said.
ne's deputy commissioner relea- The participating vendors will An MCD official earlier
sed a circular on April 1 seeking be liable to pay a municipal fee stated, “Since the site is loca-
applications from certified ven- along with a sanitation fee to the ted right next to Red Fort and
dors. “The market will be establis- corporation. “In case a large num- Salimgarh Fort, and these
hed adjacent to the historic Salim- ber of applications are received, are monuments protected by
garh Fort, offering a unique culi- the vendors will be selected thro- the Archaeological Survey
nary experience to foodies. The ugh a draw of lots. This is a pilot of India, the civic body can-
market, which will operate from 6 project and the initiative aims to not develop any permanent
pm to 10 pm, will feature street fo- promote the street food vendors of structures on this patch.
od vendors from Chandni Chowk, Old Delhi, prevent unauthorised Non-permanent structures
showcasing the specialty dishes encroachments, and provide a and tents can be used to crea-
of Old Delhi,” stated the MCD. unique experience for food enthu- te the hosting area.”
 PD: 04-04-2025 Z: Delhi E: 1 U: mayank.verma1 T: 04-03-2025 21:19

12 THE TIMES OF INDIA, NEW DELHI

FRIDAY, APRIL 4, 2025

...................................................................

............................................................................................

............................................................................................
1.5 Acr Farmhouse Morni
hills, Panchkula, 500’ road
frontage on District road
fully dvlpd with 2BHK frnshd
home swimming Pool, 250
Fruit Plants. 79862 80608 ...................................................................
GK-1, FF, 500, 4BHK, Corner,

............................................................................................

............................................................................................
Lift, Broad Road, @9.90 GK-1,
In Shamli Land avbl 4 FF, 3BHK, Lift, Stilt, Adj
Park @3.90. BHP Realtors
sale at Shamli-Dli hghwy 9711499560
3,55,000 Sqft (40 bigha),
65 km from Delhi, at ................................................................... ...................................................................
junction of 6 Ntnl expwy.

............................................................................................

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...................................................................

GOA Villa for Sale, 550

Sqyd @ 4.75Cr on hill top,
...................................................................
SEA View & Forest, Nr
airport & Beach, 3bhk +
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5bath+Serv,Pool,Terrace
...................................................................

Sheikh Sarai Phase -1, ...................................................................

FOR RENT IMT Mane-

............................................................................................

............................................................................................
RPS Flat, 3 BHK, sar, Sector 3 RCC struc-
3 Balconies, Corner Park ture. 1st Floor 7500 Sqft
Facing, Allottee 2.8 CR with Lift and Power Con-
Prime Location
................................................................... nection. Cont: 9810213956
...................................................................

DRAWING + 3Bed +
2Toilet + 2Side + Prkg 80
sqyd, allttd by delhi Govt.
Flr Sale 25L. Pehladpur Plot For Sale, 5400 Mtr
................................................................... 20 point plot sec-31Rohini
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Highway, Verna, best sui-
table for villa, settlement
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plot with Sanad (CLU).

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FOR SALE Penthouse
3200 sqft,2 Garages , Own- ROHINI BUY/ Sell
er relocating abroad , Fu- Plots Alloted by DDA
lly furnished Price 3 cr. Sec-1-38. Liaison/ Collab-
in Surya Vihar, Gurgaon. oration/ New Allotment GOA, FURNISHED
Investment. 8448552918. sea view 2bhk+3balcony,
2 Prime Loc for sale 1000 sqm,
...................................................................
nxt to Tata/Adora. infin-
Udyog Vhr Ph-5, Ggn nr Shan- ity pool,tennnis court,
kar Chowk, Trident Hotel,
DLF Cyber Prk. 1210sqy, Nar- gym, kids pool@92 lacs
...................................................................
hera Rd Pataudi. # 9810312732 ...................................................................
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............................................................................................

RENT 3000sqft Basement

Adj Modern Bazar, Bikaner,
Croma Sector 12A Dwarka
Contact: 9811140076

MANDATE Deal:
Sushant Lok-1, C Block FULLY FURN Studio
BRAND NEW Builder 300 sq. yards with NOC, Apts, SEA/Forest Fac.,5
flrs 215/300/400/500/1000 Price Rs.9 Cr/-. Capital Min Dabolim Airp.& Vel-
yd 3/4/5 [email protected] on- Partners:- 9599210017
sao Beach, Bits Pilani,
wards DLF City & S.Lok CIVIL Lines, Ganpati Aptt 600 Sqft@60L#9266556611
Lift & Stilt Car Parking. Opp. Oberoi Maidens Hotel ...................................................................
................................................................... 3BHK Flat, Plinth Area 2160 ...................................................................
sqft. with Servant Quarters,
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2 Car Parkings. #8368070218.

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Goa Plot for Sale, S-1
Zone,100% FAR, 3 sides
open,Nxt to TATA & Ado
Best Investment ra, MES colony, sizes: 293,
Option Sec 34, 35, 36, 37, 38 453 & 525 mtr@ 40kpsm
...................................................................
Availability of Plots in
...................................................................
Rohini. DDA Liaison
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Freehold of Plots.
...................................................................

In Shamli Land avlbl 4

warehouse/lease at Sha-
mli- DLI highway, 55,000
sqft,65km frm DLI at jun-
MANDATE Deal: DLF ction of 6 ntsnl Expwy.
...................................................................
Phase-4, 270 Sq Yards Kothi
for Sale next to Galleria Mar-
ket, Gated, Prime Location
Capital Partners:- 9999774666

UTTAM Nagar, Mohan FOR SALE South Goa,

Garden, For Sale, R Block, Madgaon,N.facing,cornr
Ground Parking, 1st, 2nd, 3rd 2 Side Open (26.5X68)
& 4th Floor with Terrace 1802mtr@8Cr,Suitable
Contact # 9811128653 for Shop, Studio, HOTEL.
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FOR SALE, Corporate

Bldg, 1028 sqm, 11 Floors,
44000 sqft, ready for pos-
session, on Main Noida
Xway-Sec-136, Noida
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Studio Apts fully furn,

ready to move Gr. Noida
(w), Bank Loan Avalb,
prevailing rental com. 17-
20K (pm),580s ft@42 Lacs
...................................................................
 PD: 04-04-2025 Z: Delhi E: 1 U: vivek.kumar T: 04-03-2025 22:44

THE TIMES OF INDIA, NEW DELHI

FRIDAY, APRIL 4, 2025 13
 PD: 04-04-2025
Z: DelhiE: 2 U: affanul.haque
T: 04-04-2025 01:50

TIMES NATION * THE TIMES OF INDIA, NEW DELHI | FRIDAY, APRIL 4, 2025

BE READY FOR UNCONVENTIONAL AND ASYMMETRIC KARL MARX STATUE TO RISE IN CHENNAI, ‘CRADLE OF
WARFARE, RAJNATH TELLS ARMY COMMANDERS TRADE UNION MOVEMENT,’ ANNOUNCES CM STALIN

Didi: ‘Judge under cash cloud is SFIO charges Kerala

CM’s daughter with
merely shifted, but teachers...’ corporate fraud
‘Can’t Accept Rivals train guns on Mamata after SC order TIMES NEWS NETWORK Ltd, a company linked to Kar-

SC Judgment B JP slammed Mamata Banerjee-led TMC govt over Thursday’s

SC order upholding cancellation of 25,752 teacher and school
staff appointments of 2016. Other opposition parties struck a
T’puram: The Serious Fraud
Investigation Office (SFIO)
tha’s family. The chargesheet
states that these payments
had no valid business justifi-
On Job Fraud’ similar tone, though all showed sympathy for job losers. State BJP
chief and Union minister Sukanta Majumdar held CM Mamata and
has filed a chargesheet nam-
ing Veena T, daughter of Ker-
cation, making them a viola-
tion of corporate fraud laws.
Dwaipayan Ghosh & TMC responsible. His party colleague and LoP Suvendu Adhikari ala CM Pinarayi Vijayan, The accused have been
Debashis Konar TNN demanded the CM’s resignation and arrest of all her cabinet in the CMRL payoff case. charged under Companies
members. Adhikari demanded that the CM’s relief fund be used to She has been accused by Act, 2013 Sect 447, which deals
Kolkata: Bengal CM Mamata pay salaries of all job losers. CPM’s Sujan Chakraborty wondered SFIO, which functions under with corporate fraud. If con-
Banerjee refused to accept why the govt couldn’t differentiate between the deserving and the ministry of corporate affairs, victed, they face minimum
The CM will meet affected teachers
SC’s ruling Thursday that up- tainted. “Is the govt siding with the unqualified?” he asked. TNN of fraudulent transactions imprisonment of six months
on Monday to explore legal options
held the cancellation of over amounting to Rs 2.7 crore in and a maximum of 10 years.
25,000 teaching and non- on humanitarian grounds.” School Service Commission Gangopadhyay, who had ruled the case in the form of al- Additionally, they could be
teaching jobs due to fraud in She accused BJP and CPM between 2016 and 2021, citing against the recruitment proc- leged monthly pay- fined an amount not
the state’s school recruitment of trying to destabilise Ben- irregularities in the hiring ess in 2022 before resigning to ments to her from Ko- less than what is in-
process. She said transferring gal’s education system and process. The “bribe-for-jobs” join BJP and winning the Tam- chi-based Cochin Min- volved in the fraud,
the affected staff would have questioned why other recruit- controversy had led to the 2022 luk seat. “Calcutta HC verdict erals and Rutile Ltd. and up to three times
Bolivia deports Nithyananda followers been a more just solution.
“I have a question here. If
ment scandals, such as MP’s
Vyapam scam, had not faced
arrest of former state educa-
tion minister Partha Chatter-
was first given by (someone
who is now) a BJP MP. It is
The chargesheet,
filed in a trial court in
that sum. If the court
determines that the

B olivia recently arrested and deported 20-odd people

associated with the nonexistent country ‘United States of
Kailasa’ — ‘founded’ by fugitive godman Nithyananda, who had
the only consequence after
crores are recovered from a
judge’s house is a transfer, they
similar consequences. “Over
11,000 of these teachers were
teaching students of classes
jee, who was charged by ED
with money laundering. Au-
thorities seized more than Rs
some Ganguly, Danguly, I do
not know his name,” she said.
The CM announced plans
Delhi, also names
CMRL MD Sasidharan Kar-
tha, director Anil Ananda
fraud involves public
interest, the minimum jail
term goes up to three years.
fled India in 2019 after being accused of rape, torture and child could have just transferred IX and X and 5,596 of them 49 crore in cash from two flats to meet affected teachers to ex- Panicker, CFO Suresh Ku- SFIO says its investiga-
abuse — accusing them of “land trafficking” after they these 25,000 brothers and sis- were teaching classes XI and of Chatterjee’s aide, actor-pro- plore legal options. She sought mar, CGM P Suresh Kumar, tion also exposed wider finan-
negotiated 1,000-year leases with indigenous groups for swaths ters as well,” she said, refer- XII… Many have been check- ducer Arpita Mukherjee. to reassure them, urging pa- and statutory auditors Sa- cial irregularities at CMRL
of the Amazon three times the size of New Delhi. Officials said ring to a recent controversy. ing Madhyamik and higher “The former education tience & vowing state support. gesh Kumar K A and Mura- amounting to Rs 182 crore. In-
the deals were declared void, and the ‘Kailasans’ were deported “We have no complaint secondary answer scripts,” minister has been in jail for Banerjee said Bengal leekrishnan A K. Mean- vestigators found that ex-
— to their actual home countries, among them India & the US. against any judge. But, as a ci- Banerjee said. “Who will now years. How many times must would implement SC’s ruling while, Delhi HC refused on penses were misreported un-
‘Kailasa’ did not respond to requests for comment. tizen, I have every right to say teach these kids? Is BJP-CPM there be punishment for same and complete fresh recruit- Thursday the mining firm’s der sludge handling & trans-
Scandal erupted after a Bolivian newspaper exposed the — with respect to the judici- trying to trigger a collapse of crime? How many people will ment within three months, petition to stay SFIO probe. portation costs, while Rs 13
leases. A leader of the Baure, one of the groups, said its contact ary — that I cannot accept the the state’s education system?” be punished for a single per- as directed. However, she SFIO claims its probe re- crore was allegedly paid in
with ‘Kailasa’ emissaries began late last year, when they arrived judgment,” Banerjee said. SC upheld an earlier Cal- son’s crime?” Banerjee said. stressed that those removed veals that Veena T’s company, fraudulent commissions to
offering help after forest fires. Subsequently, land leases were “We cannot criticise a judge, cutta HC order cancelling the She also took aim at former from their positions would not Exalogic Solutions Pvt Ltd, Panicker. The transactions
proposed and the Baure agreed to a 25-year deal that would but we can express our views appointments made by state’s Calcutta HC judge Abhijit be required to return salaries. received Rs 2.7 crore from were allegedly carried out
supposedly have paid them nearly $200,000 annually. But when CMRL without providing any through firms linked to Kar-
‘Kailasa’ representatives came back with a draft in English, it legitimate service. The pay- tha’s family. These entities
covered 1,000 years and included use of airspace and extraction
of natural resources. Bolivia has declared the deals void. NYT

STATOISTICS A slice of life in numbers

Pilot killed in Guj Jaguar crash Now, no fee for
updating PPF
ments were allegedly routed
through CMRL and Empower
India Capital Investments Pvt
were allegedly used to inflate
expenses, fabricate bills and
siphon off company funds.

Where Are New Stock had got engaged just 10 days ago nominees: FM 260 on London-Mumbai flight
Investors Coming From? Kumar Mukesh TNN through Rewari. His body is New Delhi: Finance minister
UP had the maximum number of new investors in stocks on
National Stock Exchange, confirming the trend of market Hisar: Flight Lieutenant
IAF said on ‘X’ the pilots expected to arrive Friday for
the final rites in his ances-
Nirmala Sitharaman said
on Thursday that no fees will
stranded in Türkiye since Wed
Siddharth Yadav, who lost encountered ‘technical tral village Bhalkhi Majra. be charged for updation or ad- New Delhi: Over 260 passen- the airline failed to arrange
investor base growing faster in the north and among the youth
his life in Wednesday’s crash malfunction mid-flight Siddharth’s co-pilot was dition of nominees for Public gers of a Virgin Atlantic basic facilities. “After land-
% Share
New investor registrations (FY25 top 5, in lakh) in total of an IAF Jaguar in Guja- and ejected to avoid injured in the crash of the Provident Fund flight from London to Mum- ing, we remained on board for
rat’s Jamnagar, had got en- two-seater jet and is in a hospi- (PPF) accounts bai have been stranded at Tür- five hours. Then, we were
Uttar 14 gaged barely 10 days ago on damage to airfield and tal. According to an IAF state- as changes have kiye’s Diyarbakır airport for asked to alight as the airline
Pradesh 29.5
March 23 and his wedding nearby populated areas’ ment on X, the pilots encoun- been done by the past 24 hours, after the air- needed to fix a technical is-
had been fixed for Nov 2 in tered a “technical malfunc- govt through a craft was diverted on Wednes- sue,” Sagar Kochhar, a pas-
Maharashtra 26.2 13 Haryana hometown Rewari. forces. His father also served tion mid-flight and ejected to notification. day owing to a medical emer- senger, told TOI over phone
The 28-year-old was the on- in IAF and is now with LIC. avoid damage to the airfield “Recently, it gency, and subsequently from Türkiye. He alleged that
ly son of his parents. He leaves Cousin Sachin said Sidd- and nearby populated areas”. was informed that a fee was be- faced a technical glitch. Virgin neither made any ar-
8 them behind, apart from a harth’s father Sushil had built IAF said it “deeply” re- ing levied by financial institu- “VS358 flight from Heath- rangements for passengers,
Gujarat 17.2
younger sister. Siddharth his house in Rewari in antici- gretted the loss and stood tions for updating/modifying row to Mumbai on April 2 was nor was providing any infor-
hailed from a family with a pation of his son’s wedding. firmly with the bereaved fam- nominee details in PPF ac- cancelled after to an urgent mation on when they would
West Bengal 14.1 7 legacy of military service. His “Instead of celebrations, this ily. Having cleared the NDA counts,” Sitharaman said on X. medical diversion to Diyarba- be able to depart for Mumbai.
great-grandfather served in house has become a place exam in 2016, Siddharth un- “Necessary changes have been kır, followed by technical in- The airline said it was
Rajasthan 13 6 Bengal Engineers during of mourning,” said Sachin. derwent three years of train- made to remove any charges on spections of aircraft,” a Vir- making all efforts to ensure
British rule and his grandfa- News of Siddharth’s de- ing before being commis- the updation of nominees for gin Atlantic spokesman said. passengers are flown to their
Source: NSE
ther was in paramilitary mise sent shockwaves sioned as a fighter pilot in IAF. PPF accounts,” she added. TNN Stranded flyers alleged destination at the earliest. TNN

A successfully running ima-

ging, scan centre available
for lease at malerkotla, I , Manoj Kumar S/O Shri
Punjab. MRI (0.3T, Airis2), CT Hari Singh R/O H.NO. B-665,
wipro revolution ACT Ex16 Galaxy North Avenue-II,
Slice (2021), mindray DC Gaur City 2, Greater Noida
80X insight ultrasound. West, UP-201301, declare that
Contact: Dr.Puneet Kathuria: I have changed my daughter's
99884-62021 name from Manasvi to
Manasvi Singh

IT is for general information

that I, Pankaj Deep S/O Sh.
Pancharasi Deep, permanent
R/O Kansar, Balangir, Ghun-
sar, Odisha 767032 and cur-
rent R/O of C-48, Type 5, Fa-
culty House Gautam Buddha
University, Gtreater Noida,
U.P. 201312, declare that my
name has been wrongly
written as Pankaja Deep in
all my educational docu-
ments. The actual name of
mine is Pankaj Deep, which
has been amended accord-
ingly for all future purposes.
 PD: 04-04-2025 Z: Delhi E: 1 U: vivek.kumar T: 04-03-2025 22:44

THE TIMES OF INDIA, NEW DELHI

FRIDAY, APRIL 4, 2025 15
 PD: 04-04-2025 Z: Delhi E: 1 U: leela.murali T: 04-04-2025 00:37

16 TIMES NATION THE TIMES OF INDIA, NEW DELHI

FRIDAY, APRIL 4, 2025

SC verdict out, ED probe into ‘Untainted’ can

seek return to
India, Thailand boost We’ve food apps,
China has AI, EV:
previous jobs in strategic ties with Goyal’s startup
WB job scam to shift gears govt depts: SC
Continued from P 1
focus on Asean unity reality check
Summonses BLOW BY BLOW
tha Chatterjee, who held the
education portfolio during TIMES NEWS NETWORK
Reuters Saurabh.Sinha
@timesofindia.com

S
the period of the scam. C said tainted candidates,
To TMC Netas 2016: The West Bengal School
Service Commission (SSC)
16 July: SC provides final
chance for responses from all
Both Chatterjee and his fe-
male associate, Arpita Muk-
who were appointed as
teachers or to non-teach-
New Delhi: India and Thai-
land upgraded their rela-
New Delhi: “We are making
food/hyper delivery apps; cre-
Likely To Be begins selection test. From
23 lakh candidates, 25,753
parties, including govt
19 Dec: SC questions state’s
herjee, were later arrested by
the agency, besides half a doz-
ing staff posts, “should be requ-
ired to refund any salaries/
tionship to a strategic part-
nership, and announced a
ating cheap labour so that the
rich can have a meal without
Issued Soon appointment letters given for
24,640 available positions
creation of supernumerary
posts rather than removing
en govt officials and other
TMC functionaries. Subse-
payments received. Since their
appointments were the result
strategic dialogue between
the security agencies, as PM
stepping out while the Chinese
are working on EVs, AI and
Pradeep.Thakur 22 April, 2024: Calcutta HC irregular appointments quent investigation revealed of fraud, this amounts to cheat- Narendra Modi held bilater- semiconductors.” Union com-
@timesofindia.com invalidates 25,753 teaching 15 Jan, 2025: Several litigants that Chatterjee and his associ- ing”. However, it said even tho- al talks with his counterpart merce minister Piyush Goyal
and non-teaching highlight how cancelling ates’ made investments in lux- ugh non-tainted candidates wo- Paetongtarn Shinawatra. gave a reality check to India’s
New Delhi: The SC judgment staff appointments in all appointments affected ury properties and land hold- uld lose jobs, they won’t be ask- Modi backed “Asean unity” startup ecosystem by compari-
cancelling recruitment of government-sponsored genuine candidates’ lives ing worth more than Rs 126 ed to refund salaries and re- and “Asean centrality”, say- ng them with their Chinese
more than 25,000 teachers by and aided schools. and careers crore from the alleged pro- imbursements they received. ing that in the Indo-Pacific Modi with Thai PM Paetongtarn counterparts at the second
West Bengal govt is likely to HC finds evidence of 27 Jan: Other litigants argue ceeds of crime. These assets In another important clarif- region, both countries advo- Shinawatra in Bangkok on Startup Maha Kumbh here
spur on Enforcement Directo- manipulation, fraud, OMR widespread malpractice were attached by the agency. ication, SC said the selected ca- cate a free, open, inclusive Thursday. The two countries Thursday and exhorting the
rate to speed up the investiga- sheet tampering and rank- corrupted entire selection Several people were ar- ndidates, who do not fall in the and rule-based order. signed five MoUs former to step up their game.
tion it had to pause into cases jumping, declaring the process process, with the govt trying to rested in the case, including tainted category and may have “Asean is the comprehen- Showing a slide comparing
of alleged money laundering
against TMC functionaries.
‘null and void’ and ordering a
CBI probe
safeguard illegal appointments
10 Feb: SC concludes hearings
Partha Chatterjee; Arpita
Mukherjee; Manik Bhatta-
worked in govt departments pr-
ior to their selection to teachi-
sive strategic partner of Ind-
ia, and in this region, as nei- Thai epic based the countries, the minister said
Indian startups
“The investigation, which charya, TMC MLA and ex- ng and non-teaching jobs, “will ghbouring maritime countr- are busy mak-
was stalled because case was
pending in SC, will be pursu-
29 April: State govt moves SC
against HC ruling. SC stays CBI
on 127 pleas, indicating
possible removal of wrongfully
president of the West Bengal
Board of Primary Education;
have the right to apply to their ies, we have shared interests
in regional peace, stability,
on Ramayana ing “food deliv-
ery apps, fancy
probe order, but maintains the
ed with vigour, and wrongdoe-
rs will be punished,” an offici-
appointment cancellations
appointed candidates
3 April: SC cancels 25,753
Kuntal Ghosh; Santanu Ba-
nerjee; and Ayan Sil. Rela- Stds 9-12 to be hit in
and prosperity... we believe in
development and not expan-
staged for PM ice cream & coo-
kies, instant gro-
al associated with the probe 7 May: SC suspends HC order school staff appointments, tives, personal assistants and sionism,” said the PM, allud- New Delhi: PM Narendra cery delivery, be-
said, asserting the SC verdict invalidating appointments orders fresh selection process OSDs of ministers and TMC govt-aided schools ing to the threat that several Modi’s global visits have be- tting & fantasy sport apps and
marked a validation of ED
probe. There are indications
the probe against TMC func-
to the involvement of many
senior TMC functionaries,
chief operating officer Sujay
Krishna Bhadra — arrested
functionaries, and officials
were found part of the syndi-
cate that “sold” teachers jobs
S upreme Court’s verdict in the
jobs-for-cash scam has left
state-aided schools staring at
Asean States feel from in-
creasing Chinese assertive-
ness in South China Sea.
come a popular platform to
showcase India’s cultural
legacy. On his current visit to
reels & influencer economy.”
On the other hand, the startups
in China are working on “EV &
tionaries, including a very se- including one “particularly for allegedly handling the to ineligible candidates. uncertainty, reports Poulami India and Thailand sign- Thailand, Modi witnessed a battery tech, semiconductors
nior one, is expected to pick close” to CM Mamata Baner- proceeds of crime. During a search oper- Roy. The verdict has diminished ed five MoUs, including one vibrant presentation of & AI, robotics & automation,
pace and fresh summons will jee. The agency had also In 2022, a money launder- ation in Kolkata in Aug 2023, the strength of teaching staff for between ministry of develop- “Ramakien”, Thailand’s na- global logistics & trade and
be issued against other ac- tracked a company involved ing probe was initiated by ED ED officials seized various in- classes 9 to 12 by about 25%. The ment of North Eastern regi- tional epic deeply influenced deep tech & infrastructure.”
cused and suspects very soon. in laundering the proceeds of in the West Bengal teachers’ criminating documents and 19,500 state-aided schools have on (MDoNER) and Thailand by the Indian “Ramayana”, He also said the Indian star-
Sources said searches crime in the teachers’ recruitment case, which led to digital devices that led them around 76,000 teachers for foreign ministry. Modi said reports Akhilesh Singh. tup ecosystem needed more do-
conducted by ED in this case recruitment scam, they said the recovery of Rs 50 crore in to Leaps and Bounds Pvt Ltd, classes 9 to 12, of which around the countries emphasised on This centuries-old tale, mestic capital, instead of forei-
in Aug 2023 had led to seizure Its investigation had cash from two flats of a “close a company used for making 18,500 teachers and 6,000 Group cooperation in the fields of an integral part of Thai lit- gn entities buying stake in the
of “crucial evidence”, includ- turned up the role of Leaps female friend” of Mamata’s dubious transactions run- C and D staff have lost their jobs. tourism, culture and educa- erature and culture, reflects same. For this, unicorns and in-
ing those allegedly pointing and Bounds Pvt Ltd and its former cabinet minister Par- ning into crores of rupees. Bhawanipur Mitra Instit- tion between Thailand and the enduring impact of In- dustry can create a fund.
ution’s headmaster, Raja Dey, India’s northeastern states. dia’s spiritual narratives. “Grow and maintain your own-

‘Doomed for life’: Distraught teachers worry said, “A teacher each of Bengali
and Maths who used to take 25
classes lost the job. I don’t know
how to manage these classes.”
While talking about secu-
rity ties, Modi thanked Thai-
land for the cooperation in fa-
cilitating the return of Indi-
Modi was also presented
with “The World Tipitaka:
Sajjhaya Phonetic Edition”
by Thai PM Paetongtarn Shi-
ership. I feel sad when I come to
know that for Rs 25 lakh or Rs 50
lakh a bright idea of a young
start-up got sold to a foreign

about fresh recruitment tests, repaying loans previous departments or auto-

nomous bodies to continue in
an victims of cybercrime.
“We have agreed that our
agencies will collaborate
nawatra. The Tipitaka (in Pa-
li) or Tripitaka (in Sanskrit)
is a revered compilation of
company. Let’s try and get some
more domestic capital coming
into this ecosystem,” he said.
Under such circumstances, I their service with those enti- closely to combat human Lord Buddha’s teachings, “India has the largest num-
Dipawali.Mitra
@timesofindia.com
Cancer survivor is sole teacher to keep job do not know how it is possible ties”. The bench said, “Their trafficking and illegal migra- consisting of 108 volumes ber of STEM graduates pass-

Kolkata: Every morning for

the past six years, Saikat
S oma Das should have felt relieved. Instead, she is distraught.
Standing alone as the sole teacher whose job was saved on
humanitarian grounds, she finds no solace, reports Poulami Roy.
to appear in another exam.”
For Rupa Banerjee, who
taught science at a govt-aided
seniority and other entitleme-
nts will be preserved, and they
will be eligible for increments.
tion,” said Modi, adding that
Thailand held a special place
in India’s Act East Policy and
and is regarded as the princi-
pal Buddhist scripture.
The edition presented to
ing out every year. Are you
proud that we are creating de-
livery boys and girls? We need
Ghosh woke up before dawn “How can I be happy while I was one of those battling against school in Bhangar, the SC However, for the period they its Indo-Pacific vision. Modi is a meticulously craft- to work for the future. PM Mo-
in Bengal’s Chandernagore, the scam?” said Das, a cancer survivor who teaches at Modhura ruling has left her devastated. were employed under the disp- The leaders discussed gr- ed version written in Pali and di has added ‘jai anusand-
packed his lunch, and set off High School in Birbhum. “I never wanted others to lose jobs. Their “My family is dependent on uted appointment, no wages owing mutual trade, invest- Thai scripts, ensuring the ac- haan’ (research) to the slogan
on a long journey by subur- battle was mine too.” She had cleared the 2016 job exam, but her me. I have a loan, and my will be paid by the state or auto- ment and business exchan- curate pronunciation of over of ‘jai jawaan, jai kisaan, jai
ban train or bus to his school appointment came only after a Calcutta HC order in 2022, which SC father is a heart patient. I do nomous bodies. If needed supe- ges, appreciating agreeme- nine million syllables. This vigyan (which late PM Vaj-
in South 24 Parganas district, upheld due to her medical condition. Das said she relies on her not know how I will tackle rnumerary posts would be cre- nts signed to foster coopera- edition was published in 2016 payee had added to Lal Baha-
where he taught history. On salary to fund her treatment. “This job is the only option for me.” these expenses,” she said. ated to accommodate them.” tion in the areas of MSME, as part of the World Tipitaka dur Shastri’s famous slogan).
Thursday, he lost his job. For many, the battle is al- SC will on April 8 hear the handloom and handicrafts. Project by Thai govt to com- We need to work on that more
“I got this job on merit ni- With their livelihoods up- ter more than a decade. so about dignity. “Losing the petition filed by state govt “We have decided to stre- memorate the 70-year reign aggressively,” Goyal said.
ne years ago and have been ended, thousands of teach- Deepa Mondal, who teach- job will not only cause finan- challenging the HC direction ngthen cooperation in rene- of King Bhumibol Adulyadej Slamming betting apps bei-
working in this school since ers are left wondering how to es science at a school in South cial problems but will be so- for a CBI probe against officials wable energy, digital technol- (Rama IX) and Queen Sirikit. ng developed here that “encou-
Feb 28, 2019. After years of ser- repay loans, pay bills. Su- 24 Parganas, said: “We were cially damaging for us. Ev- and ministers who decided to ogy, e-vehicles, robotics, sp- rage gambling and addiction
vice, I was let go due to corrup- preme Court offered “unta- mentally prepared for the ex- eryone will look at us with create supernumerary posts ace, bio-technology and star- said Modi, adding that with instead of real economic prod-
tion, not my fault,” said ined” candidates the option am in 2014. I was not married. I suspicion,” said Salma Kha- for teachers and non-teaching tups. In addition to enhanci- the aim of promoting people- uctivity”, he said the “Chinese
Ghosh, the sole breadwinner, to reappear for hiring exams, did not have kids. Now I have a tun, a teacher in Nadia, who staff, and appoint more people ng physical connectivity, bo- to-people exchanges, India are building supply chain gi-
who supports a family of sev- but many question the fair- family to support, raise two fears the judgment has tar- than those who had made it to th the countries will work to has started offering free e-vi- ants like Shein, DJI & Alibaba
en. “We are doomed for life.” ness of being tested again af- kids, and a home loan to pay. nished her reputation. the list of selected candidates. boost FinTech connectivity,” sa facilities to Thai tourists. that dictate global commerce.”
 PD: 04-04-2025 Z: Delhi E: 1 U: affanul.haque T: 04-04-2025 01:14

THE TIMES OF INDIA, NEW DELHI

FRIDAY, APRIL 4, 2025 TIMES NATION | Politics & Policy 17

Rijiju: Waqf bill seeks to complete Omar calls

meet over LG’s
Rahul says China has
grabbed 4,000 sqkm,
transfer order
unfinished tasks of previous govts of 48 officers Anurag hits back
Even Saudi, Iran NDA’s new ‘secular’
Srinagar: J&K CM Omar Ab- TIMES NEWS NETWORK what exactly is happening to
dullahhas convened a meeting this territory of 4,000 sqkm
Friday to discuss growing ten- New Delhi: Leader of oppo- that China has taken?”
Have Changed sions over lieutenant-governor sition Rahul Gandhi on Referring to the Galwan

Laws: Nadda
TIMES NEWS NETWORK
entrants, NCP and (LG) Manoj Sinha’s recent
transfers of officers, the first
time he will examine and de-
bate an administrative deci-
Thursday slammed the govt,
claiming that China had tak-
en over 4,000 sqkm of Indian
territory, and also sought an-
incident, Rahul said 20 ja-
wans were martyred in
2020. He said, “There is a cel-
ebration taking place over

New Delhi: Minority affairs

minister Kiren Rijiju on
JDS, support bill sion taken by the Centre-
appointed authority, reports
Naseer Ganai.
swers from the Centre on the
issue of import duties im-
posed by the US, saying it
their martyrdom by cutting
a cake. We are not against
normalcy but there should
Thursday refuted the opposi- TIMES NEWS NETWORK bhai is always aggressive The bone of would “completely devas- be a status quo before that.
tion's charge of the govt bull- when he speaks. But today he contention tate” the Indian economy. We should get our land
dozing an “anti-Muslim” legis- New Delhi: Rajya Sabha wit- did not know what to say?” emerged Tues- Speaking in Lok Sabha, back.” “Our ally US has sud-
lation, and said the new waqf Union home minister Amit Shah speaks in the Rajya Sabha on Thursday nessed an intense debate on Earlier, Patel had ticked off day when Sinha Rahul said the govt must give denly decided to impose tar-
law was aimed at better man- the waqf bill, with leaders Sena’s Priyanka Chaturvedi ordered trans- answers as to “what it is do- iffs on us that are going to
agement of waqf properties fit of Muslims. the country. “This is against from BJP’s “secular” allies, when she objected to his criti- fers of 48 Jam- ing about our land and about completely devastate” the
and to accomplish “unfulfilled Nadda said Muslim wom- Muslims, not constitutional, NCP and JDS, both new en- cal comments on Sena. “You mu Kashmir Administrative these tariffs that our ally economy, Rahul said.
tasks of previous govts”. en became second-grade citi- and don’t try to stoke disturb- trants to NDA, supporting don’t know because you were Service (JKAS) officers while has imposed on us”. Thakur asked un-
When the bill was taken up zens during UPA’s term. “It ances in the peaceful fabric the legislation then a Congress spo- CM and other members of his BJP member Anu- der whose rule did
in RS, some opposition MPs was only India where Muslim of society,” he said. NCP’s Praful Patel kesperson.” “She is be- NC were away for Eid holi- rag Thakur hit back at China occupy Aksai
were wearing black as a mark women were not brought into Rijiju countered the allega- was aggressive, in par- ing more loyal than the days. NC did not name the the Congress MP, say- Chin area. “They kept
of protest. INDIA bloc parties the mainstream,” he said, add- tions and said, “Many people ticular as he took on king”, said Patel before Centre-appointed Sinha but ing “not an inch of talking about Hindi-
alleged that the bill was “un- ing that triple talaq was said this is unconstitutional, Congress and its allies launching into a full- asserted that no one would be land” has been given Chini bhai bhai and
constitutional” and aimed at banned in Muslim countries illegal and the right of Mus- over their claim that scale defence of PM. allowed to “play with the dem- to China during BJP’s stabbed us in the back.
targeting Muslims. Congress, such as Egypt, Sudan, Bangla- lims is being snatched away. they were opposesd to “Modi went to Nag- ocratic set-up”. NC has also tenure and that it was during Who was the leader that was
TMC, DMK, AAP, Shiv Sena desh and Syria several years Very categorically, I want to re- the bill because it was pur and everybody taken up the issue with the Congress’s tenure China had having Chinese soup with
(UBT), Samajwadi Party, RJD ago. “We believe in real ser- ject all these allegations.” not “secular”. He re- started speaking how Centre, party sources said. occupied Indian territory. Chinese officials at the time
and Left parties questioned vice, not lip service. Today “Whatever you could not minded Congress of he met the RSS chief or Omar wrote Thursday to On celebration of the of Doklam and did not stand
the govt’s intent behind bring- crores of Muslim sisters have fulfil, the Narendra Modi Shiv Sena founder Ba- visited their head- Union home minister Amit 75th anniversary of India- with the people of the Indian
ing the legislation. the right to live with dignity. govt has shown the courage lasaheb Thackeray’s quarters. But during Shah and Sinha expressing China diplomatic ties, Ra- army. Which is the founda-
Leader of the House and Who did it? It is a historic deci- to pursue,” he said referring proud “we -did- it” the same visit, PM also concern after chief secretary hul said, “China is sitting on tion which took money from
BJP president J P Nadda sion and none other than PM to Congress and its allies. He boast after the demoli- visited Deeksha Bhu- Atal Dulloo did not comply 4,000 sqkm of our territory. I Chinese officials. Question
pointed out that other Mus- Modi has done it,” Nadda said. accused the Congress of “ap- tion of Babri Masjid in Praful Patel & mi to pay tribute to the with CM’s directive to rescind was shocked some time back has not been answered
lim-dominated countries, in- Nominated BJP MP Ghu- peasement politics” and said Ayodhya on Dec 6, 1992 Deve Gowda framer of Constitu- the transfers by the previous to see that our foreign secre- whether Rajiv Gandhi foun-
cluding Turkiye, Malaysia, lam Ali supported the bill and that in 2013, the UPA govt had and also referred to the tion and an inspiration evening (April 2). The issue is tary (Misri) was cutting a dation had taken that mon-
Indonesia, Saudi Arabia and said there was an urgent need brought amendments to the allegation about Shiv Sena’s for Dalits, Dr B R Ambedkar. likely to come up during cake with the Chinese am- ey or not, for what was the
Iran had changed their laws for this legislation as a certain 1995 Waqf Act ahead of the involvement in the commu- This was completely blanked Shah’s visit to J&K next week. bassador. The question is — money taken?” he added.
for better management of family was usurping Muslims’ 2014 Lok Sabha polls in a rush nal riots in Mumbai in 1993. out of the commentary.
waqf properties. “When land. He called for a CBI inqui- to appeal to the sentiments of “Be aware of whom you JDS founder HD Deve Gow- TARIFF TALES
these Muslim nations are dig- ry into the misuse of waqf the minority vote bank. have aligned yourself with, da backed the waqf bill, prais-
itising waqf properties and
making them accountable,
board and waqf properties.
Leader of opposition in
Rijiju said 31,999 cases
were pending in the waqf tri-
their mindset has not ing PM Modi for safeguarding
changed,” said Patel as he at- waqf properties. He reflected ‘We’re getting calls ‘It’s a setback, but
then what is the problem if it Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun bunal and more than 14,000 li- tacked the opposition for rak- on past failures in addressing
is being done in India?” he
said, adding that with the
Kharge accused the govt of
trying to sow the seeds of con-
tigants were Muslims, add-
ing that a provision has been
ing up the “communal-secu- minority concerns and ques-
lar” angle during the debate. tioned why Muslims left Con-
for bigger orders we’re in a relatively
amendments, the govt has
tried to ensure that waqf
flict by suppressing Muslims
through the legislation and
created to enable a person to
challenge the tribunal’s deci-
He also pointed to the difficul- gress. Gowda also stressed his
ties that Shiv Sena is having as belief in India’s secular ethos,
from some customers’ comfortable situation’
I A
properties are in the right appealed to BJP not to dis- sion through civil suits in it tries to cast itself as a “secu- stating his religious visits are srar Ahmed, director of Farida group — jay Sahai, director general at industry
hands and used for the bene- turb peace and harmony in high courts. lar” formation. “Sanjay (Raut) driven by faith, not politics. one of the largest shoe and leather exporters body Fieo, told TOI’s Sidhartha that
with over 50% US exposure — told TOI’s some American buyers are reviewing

Bill unconstitutional, aimed

Sidhartha he expects more investment to flow orders in the pipeline but completing a trade
MINORITY REPORT to India but also wants a weaker rupee and low- deal quickly can help India get a lot of busi-
er interest rates. Excerpts from the interview: ness. Excerpts from the interview:

Mantri plays up BJP member

church backing offers to quote at targeting Muslims: Oppn Impact on business
■ There will be a very positive impact as China,
Vietnam and Cambodia, which are the three
big shoe manufacturers, will see higher tariffs.
Impact on India’s exports
■ We never expected such high tariffs on India,
it’s a setback. But when we look at competing
countries, since tariffs on them are pretty high,
to seek support from Quran, TIMES NEWS NETWORK
Lawyers Singhvi & Sibal find fault with We’re getting calls from some of our customers
asking us for more capacity. Today we’ve got
we are in a relatively comfortable situation. We
need to watch out for a reduction in demand

for waqf bill surprises RS New Delhi: The opposition

continued its attack on BJP ‘selective law’, say it’s against statute some mails asking if we are open to producing
more shoes for the immediate fu-
because some US trading partners may retal-
iate, which will not be good for

New Delhi: Continuing to play

up the support the Waqf
New Delhi: BJP’s Radha Mo-
han Das Agrawal surprised
over the waqf bill and called
the proposed legislation
“unconstitutional” and
T op lawyers and MPs Abhishek Singhvi and Kapil Sibal on
Thursday targeted govt over the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, with
Singhvi alleging that the legislation “is more a conspiracy than an
ture. But we must understand
that this difference will stay for
about six months till countries
global trade and the economy.

Impact on US demand
(Amendment) Bill has received RS Thursday by claiming to aimed at targeting Muslims. attempt to bring reforms” and violates the Constitution’s Article 25 strike deals with the US. ■Prices in USmay rise 30-40%. A
from Christian bodies, minori- have studied the Quran and Congress, TMC, DMK, and 26. He warned that the bill could be struck down by courts as substantial reduction in income
ty affairs minister Kiren Riji- offering to present four specif- RJD, AAP, Shiv Sena (UBT), unconstitutional, citing two key principles established by SC Renegotiation by buyers for tax in the US can provide greater
ju in Rajya Sab- ic verses during his speech SP and Left parties ques- regarding religious practices and the rights of religious commun- orders in pipeline TOI INTERVIEW purchasing power. Otherwise,
ha Thursday supporting the waqf bill. tioned the intent behind the ities. Singhvi criticised the bill for giving state govts full control ■ We received one mail which actually asked absorbing such high costs may be difficult. It’s
picked up from “I am a member of JPC, bill and asked why the govt over Waqf boards, diminishing Muslim representation, and for us to hold all orders, but that was sent out to ev- a very challenging situation in the short term.
where he had they (opposition) are also was “suddenly focusing on applying double standards on religious autonomy, pointing to ery single supplier in their supply chain. They
left off in LS a members. They are witnesses welfare of poor Muslims”. similar acts governing Hindu and Sikh religious institutions. are taking stock of the situation because it’s Impact on orders in the pipeline
day earlier. to the fact that whenever reli- LoP in Rajya Sabha Malli- Opposing the bill, Sibal, an Independent RS member, said, “It is rapidly changing. I don’t believe that it should ■ There is a different approach by different US
Seeking gious scholars were called as karjun Kharge rejected the the PM who talks about one nation, one law, then why are they brin- have a major impact on us because they will buyers. Some large companies have sent mess-
support for the bill, he cited witnesses, I quoted the Quran bill and called it “divisive”, ging this selective law? Why are they giving the DM (district magis- need shoes. Even if sales drop by 30%, you still ages to all countries to put all orders on hold…
the case of 600 Christian fam- to them,” he said. Agrawal as- adding that it introduced trate) this power to resolve disputes? If there is a dispute with the need 70% of the shoes to still come in. And, in apparel and food, since large departmental
ilies from Munambam in serted that certain verses “draconian clauses”. “This is govt, then the govt itself will resolve it... How is it right?” TNN you need it at the most competitive price. stores are importing, they would like to see the
Kerala who are contesting prove that the Quran mandates against Muslims, not consti- landed price of the products from different
the waqf board’s claim over written documentation of all tutional, and don’t try to stoke Syed Naseer Hussain called bill was “legally flawed, con- Will companies like Nike, Adidas invest countries. Compared to China, Vietnam, Indo-
their ancestral land. “You financial transactions, con- disturbances in the peaceful the bill “unconstitutional” stitutionally indefensible more in India nesia, Bangladesh or Sri Lanka, we will gain in
should listen at least to the trasting this with waqf ’s al- fabric of society,” he said. and accused BJP of using the and morally reprehensible”. ■ Post-Covid, people realised that you can’t sectors such as apparel, footwear, gems and
church,” Rijiju said in what leged lack of property records. Faulting the clause on in- proposed legislation to trigger CPM’s John Brittas said a have all eggs in one basket. Trump’s tariff or- jewellery, furniture, electronics. But with Tur-
was seen as a reference to “I read the Quran and clusion of non-Muslims in the communal tension and polari- “cardinal violation” was der is another reinforcement of the issue. It re- key getting 10% reciprocal tariff, compared to
BJP’s charge that sections in asked them to show me a sin- central waqf council and state sation in society in order to happening. “They have al- inforces move away from Vietnam or Indone- India’s 27%, there may be some challenge for
Congress have been insensi- gle verse or Hadith that states waqf boards, he asked the govt strengthen its vote bank. ready discriminated against sia; instead of sourcing 60-70% from one coun- textiles or carpets. At the macro level we will
tive to the church’s concerns. that if a property has not been if it would put Muslims in the TMC’s Mohd Nadimul people by segregating them. try, you source 25-30% from different coun- be a gainer but of course at the micro level in
Rijiju justified the remov- donated explicitly, it can still Tirupati trust or in the Ram Haq spoke in Urdu and said They are now segregating tries. So, investments will continue into India. some of the sectors we have to work hard so
al of Section 40 of the Waqf be considered waqf by the us- Mandir trust. “I am a Hindu, the bill was an assault on God from God. Hindu God that the market doesn’t move away from us.
Act, which gave waqf boards er. Not one of them could an- even Dalits are not in the trust. “fundamental rights”. In a fi- from Allah,” he added. Suggestions for govt
power to declare property as swer my question,” he said. In so many mandirs, Sched- ery speech, he said that the Samajwadi Party’s Ram ■ One of the things that will happen is the trade More pressure for a trade deal
waqf. He highlighted support “They kept calling me uled Castes are not present (in bill “violates the Constitu- Gopal Yadav cautioned that pact. Govt has been engaged with the US to en- ■ Thanks to the govt, we have an early mover
from organizations like the ‘Maulana’ because I had read trusts). You are foraying into tion and is anti-federalism”. the govt must prevent India sure that we are not caught with a higher rate of advantage. We would request govt to expe-
Catholic Bishops’ Conference the Quran,” he said, adding all places and meddling ev- RJD member Manoj Jha from “shifting towards a tariff. One of the things we were expecting was dite it at their end. We will have a huge ad-
of India (CBCI) and argued that it was good that Hindus erywhere. These things sow said it was like “dog whistle totalitarian state”. Shiv Se- a weaker rupee, but it is now stronger, because vantage if we can sign the BTA quickly…
that the provisions of the were conversant with all the seeds of discord,” he said. politics” to alienate Muslims na (UBT)’s Sanjay Raut said the dollar weakened. So, there may be some there is an opportunity to reduce the reci-
Waqf Act were being misused, verses in Quran. “Otherwise, Opening the debate from from the mainstream. it was mere diversionary pressure on customers. There is always the procal tariff to zero, which can move a lot
affecting ordinary people. TNN all hell would break loose.” TNN the opposition, Congress MP DMK’s Tiruchi Siva said the tactics from real issues. ask for better interest rates and stuff like that. of business from other countries to India.

BJD softens stand, leaves waqf

call to MPs’ individual choice
Bhubaneswar: A day after BJD asked its seven Rajya Sab-
ha members to vote against the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, the
Naveen Patnaik-led party on Thursday softened its stand on
the contentious bill, leaving it to individual members to
take a call at the time of voting, reports Ashok Pradhan.
Announcing the change in the party’s stance on X, par-
ty’s national spokesperson Sasmit Patra said BJD respects
the diverse sentiments expressed by different sections of
the minority communities on the Bill. Patra’s post came
after party MP Muzibulla Khan opposed the Bill on the
floor of the House during the debate on Thursday. Of the
seven BJD MPs, two are from the minority communities —
Khan is the lone Muslim MP while Patra is a Christian.
“Our party, having taken these views into careful
consideration, has entrusted our Hon’ble Members in the
Rajya Sabha with the responsibility of exercising their
conscience in the best interest of justice, harmony and
the rights of all communities, should the Bill come up
for voting. There is no party whip,” Patra wrote on X.

‘TN will Fight! Fight! Fight!’:

Stalin vows legal battle in SC
Chennai: Condemning the Union govt for passing the
Waqf (Amendment) Bill 2024 in the Lok Sabha late
Wednesday evening, Tamil Nadu chief minister M K Sta-
lin said the state will initiate legal action against it. “Ta-
mil Nadu will fight, Tamil Nadu will win,” said Stalin.
Making the announcement under Rule 110 of the assemb-
ly on Thursday, Stalin said the assembly
unanimously passed a resolution against the
bill with the support of all parties, except
BJP, on March 27 this year. The bill will affect
religious harmony in the country and impact
the lives of the Muslim community, he said.
Later, in a post on X, Stalin said, “BJP
rammed through the anti-minority#Wakf Amendment
Bill past midnight, ignoring united opposition. This bra-
zen move undermines constitutional values and secular-
ism. Tamil Nadu and DMK will challenge it in the SC.”
Stalin assured the state assembly that DMK would ini-
tiate legal action in SC against this “attack on the Consti-
tution”, which caused fear among the Muslims. TNN
User: vivek.kumar Time: 2025-04-03 Product: TOIDelhiBS PubDate: 04-04-2025 Zone: Delhi Edition: 1 Page: CAPEEWS Color:

18 THE TIMES OF INDIA, NEW DELHI

FRIDAY, APRIL 4, 2025
 PD: 04-04-2025 Z: Delhi E: 1 U: komal.sharma T: 04-04-2025 00:36

THE TIMES OF INDIA, NEW DELHI

FRIDAY, APRIL 4, 2025 TIMES NATION | In The Courts 19
Drunk CISF
jawan rams SUV HC: Biometric failure ITAT order brings
relief to owners of
2 new Agniveers
among 3 killed in
Doon bike crash
into auto, kills
woman in Mum can’t curtail rights redevelopment flats
Dehradun: Three men, in-
cluding two newly inducted
Agniveers, died after their
bike hit a divider in Dehra-
Mumbai: A 50-year-old wom-
an, who was in the city with ‘Verify Identity HC chides woman for ‘ego’, bins plea to put Lubna Kably TNN dun’s Rajpur area. Victims
Aditya Rawat, 21, Mohit Ra-

On Basis Of single parent’s name in child’s birth cert

family to celebrate Eid, died, Mumbai: In a significant wat, 21, and Naveen Singh, 20,
while three others were in- decision, Income Tax Ap- were from Uttarkashi.

Documents’ D
jured after an inebriated driv- ismissing a woman’s plea to record only her name as a single pellate Tribunal (ITAT), Aditya and Mohit were
er steering a Central Industri- parent in her child’s birth certificate, Bombay HC said her plea Mumbai, has held that the recruited into the Indian Ar-
al Security Forces (CISF) ve- “demonstrates to what extent the parents embroiled in a matrimo- value of a new flat re- my under the Agnipath
hicle rammed into the autor- Salil.Mekaad nial dispute can go to satisfy their ego”, reports Swati Deshpande. ceived in a redevelopment scheme recently and were set
ickshaw they were travelling @timesofindia.com “Neither parent can exercise any right in respect of the child’s project cannot be taxed as to begin training soon, said
in early Thursday, reports Ni- birth record,” the Aurangabad bench of Bombay HC said in a recent ‘Income from Other Sourc- ITAT said value of a new flat Dalanwala circle officer Anuj
tasha Natu. Among the in- Indore: The Indore bench of order. “It is quite evident that the petitioner, to satisfy her ego, is es’ under Section 56(2)(x) received in a redevelopment Arya, adding Naveen was pre-
jured were her two daughters Madhya Pradesh HC has not bothered about the interest of the child. The child has not even of Income Tax (I-T) Act. project cannot be taxed as paring to join the Army. TNN
and the auto driver while her held that a person’s identity been made a party... In all such matters, the welfare of the child is Mumbai is witnessing ‘income from other sources’
grandson narrowly escaped. is not lost when he/she is not of paramount consideration,” observed justices Mangesh Patil and a surge in redevelopment
The accused is CISF consta- recognised by a machine and Y G Khobragade on March 28. The woman did not dispute that her projects. As of last May, value of the new flat (Rs 25.1
ble, Dhodiram Yadav (33). He that their legal and funda- husband was the father, but she sought directions from the HC to over 31,000 redevelopment lakh) and the indexed cost
was arrested at the spot. mental right cannot be cur- the municipal corporation of Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar to issue projects had been approv- of the old flat (Rs 5.4 lakh),
The deceased, Hazra tailed due to failure of a bio- their child’s birth certificate with only her name as the parent. ed. According to chartered which works out to Rs 19.7
Shaikh, her two daughters, metric verification. Her reason, her lawyer argued, was that her husband never accountants, the ITAT ord- lakh, as taxable in Pitale’s
Shaheen (20) and Shirin (17), Justice Subodh Abhyan- saw the child and was “addicted to vices”. er provides clarity to flat hands under the head ‘In-
and her grandson were re- kar made the observations on The woman’s petition is “a sheer abuse” of the legal process owners who have opted for come from other sources’.
turning to Jogeshwari after March 25, while allowing a and a “precious waste” of court time, the HC said , dismissing it redevelopment or plan to ITAT ruled in favour of
visiting a relative.Vanrai cops petition that with Rs 5,000 costs to be deposited in court in two weeks. do so. It will ensure they the taxpayer, emphasising
seized the CISF SUV . Police alleged that are not unfairly taxed. that receiving a new flat in
said Yadav was posted at Kali- candidate Vi- In this case, A Pitale lieu of an old one is a case of
na Camp. “The vehicle had un- nod Kumar Probe ‘assault’ on Col, son in Patiala: HC purchased a flat in a hous- ‘extinguishment’ of prope-
dergone repairs and he was
steering it back when the
crash occurred,” said a cop.
Meena,
petitioner,
the

was refused a
P unjab and Haryana HC directed Chandigarh police Thursday
to investigate an alleged assault on Col Pushpinder Bath and
his son by Punjab police personnel outside an eatery on the night
ing society in 1997-98. Wh-
en the society underwent
redevelopment, he rece-
rty rights rather than an in-
come-generating transacti-
on. It observed: “This is not
job after his biometric verifi- of March 13 in Patiala. The court instructed Chandigarh DGP to ived a new flat in Dec 2017. a case of receipt of immov-
cation failed during onboard- assign the probe to an IPS officer from the Agmut cadre, However, for financial able property for inadequa-

Shipping bill gets ing process at Life Insurance

Corporation of India.
ensuring the investigation remains independent of Punjab
police influence. The appointment must be made within a week.
year 2017-18, during the
course of assessment, the
te consideration. It is a legi-
timate transaction involvi-
The petitioner said that Justice Harpreet Singh Brar issued the order after both Col I-T officer treated the dif- ng replacement of an exist-
LS nod, to boost he had appeared for the ex-
amination and his biomet-
Bath’s legal counsel and representatives of state govt agreed
that an IPS officer from outside Punjab cadre should oversee the
ference between the stamp ing asset with a new one.”

maritime trade rics were verified by Tata investigation. According to the court’s directive, the appointed

New Delhi: The Lok Sabha on

Consultancy Services (TCS)
during entry to the examin-
investigator must complete the inquiry within four months and
submit findings to the jurisdictional court. TNN
NIA opposes
Thursday passed the coastal
shipping bill that seeks to reg-
ation hall, but there was a
mismatch during exit. true that biometric verifica- opinion that a person’s legal
Teltumbde plea
ulate commercial goods ves-
sels operating in Indian wa-
He was still shortlisted
but when the onboarding
tion is not always successful
in eliminating discrepan-
and fundamental right can-
not be curtailed or sidelined
for trip abroad
ters. Ports and Shipping min- process began, the biometric cies, like in the present case, only on account of failure of a Mumbai: National In-
ister Sarbananda Sonowal verification failed, the pet- and there are occasions machine to recognise him, for vestigation Agency on
said it will give a boost to mari- itioner’s counsel said, adding: when biometric verification whatever reason.” Thursday opposed the
time trade in the country. “It was merely a technical is- of a candidate cannot be “This court is also of the plea filed by Dalit rights
The bill was drafted incor- sue which led the petitioner to done due to a myriad rea- considered opinion that a per- activist Dr Anand Tel-
porating the global best prac- file this petition, and the re- sons, beyond the control of son’s identity is not lost when tumbde before Bombay
tices, including those in major spondents (LIC) have also not the parties.” he is not recognised by a ma- HC seeking permission
maritime countries like the disclosed the report of the The court, while consider- chine, and in such circum- to travel abroad for aca-
US, Thailand and Australia, TCS, on the basis of which ing the plea, referred to an old stances, his claim has to be ve- demic purposes in April
he said, adding it will provide they have rejected the pet- adage, ‘Procedure is the hand- rified on the basis of the docu- and May this year.
the much needed exclusive, itioner’s candidature for the maid of justice, not its mis- ments which he possesses re- In an affidavit filed
strategic and futuristic law post of assistant.” tress’, and observed in its or- garding his identification,” before HC, NIA explicit-
for optimal utilisation of the Justice Abhyankar ob- der: “In the circumstances, Justice Abhyankar said. ly voiced its apprehen-
nation’s immense, untapped served: “Although it is true can it be said that only on ac- The court directed LIC to sion that Dr Teltumbde,
potential in coastal shipping. that biometric verification count of failure on the part of verify the petitioner’s identi- an accused in the Bhima
The current law is 67 years is necessary nowadays to a machine, a person’s rightful ty on the basis of the docu- Koregaon case, might
old, and it was important to eliminate any discrepancy, claim can be rejected, and the ments in his possession, and abscond and take shel-
amend it, he said, adding India and to ensure free and fair answer is an emphatic ‘no’, as issue the appointment letter ter in foreign countries
has coastline of 11,098 km. TNN process of selection, it is also this court is of the considered to him within four weeks. to avoid trial. TNN

Woman tagged ‘murdered’

by cops surfaces, K’taka
court orders fresh probe
Lawrence Milton TNN
In Sept 2021, police
Mysuru: A day after a wom- found a woman’s
an declared “murdered” by
cops surfaced in a Mysuru
body, allegedly
court, the judge came down forced a man to
heavily Thursday on the po- accept that it was
lice officers over botched in-
vestigations, ordered the SP
his wife and made
to conduct a fresh probe and him prime accused
submit a report on April 17. in the murder case
Judge Gururaj Somak-
kalavar quashed the charg- edly forced Suresha to ac-
esheet against her accused cept that it was his wife and
husband and noted that this made him the prime accused
egregious case must be the in the murder case.
“third or fourth in the entire “What concrete evidence
nation”. Husband Kurubara police have to prove the body
Suresha, now 38, suffered is that of the missing wom-
due to erroneous investiga- an? There is no positive evi-
tions and was in judicial cus- dence and (the flawed charg-
tody for one-and-a-half esheet) looks (to be) based on
years, the judge said. hearsay,” judge said, adding
He flagged serious lapses he could not pass any order
and said he was “puzzled” based on a chargesheet un-
that Mallige, the woman connected to the accused.
who the cops claimed had Trial began in Sept
been murdered, was alive. 2022. On Wednesday when
Suresha had complained Mallige was produced in
that his wife Mallige had court, she said clothes found
gone missing in Dec 2020 on the unidentified body
from Kodagu district in Kar- were not hers. Officers earli-
nataka. Over nine months er said they decided body
later in Sept 2021, the police was Mallige’s based on
found a woman’s body, alleg- clothes and bangles.

Pocso court orders release

of man sent to jail by UP
cops despite HC shield
Kanwardeep.Singh Bareilly on Feb 22.
@timesofindia.com Rana was subsequently
booked under the Pocso Act
Bareilly: Taking note of a and other BNS sections.
Punjab and Haryana high In the meantime, the cou-
court order — which grant- ple sought protection from
ed “protection from harass- family and police, and ap-
ment” to a fleeing young cou- proached Punjab and Harya-
ple from UP — but was “dis- na high court for a ruling.
regarded by Bareilly po- The court in Chandigarh
lice”, a local Protection of granted them protection.
Children from Sexual Of- But, Rana was picked up by
fences (Pocso) court on UP police and sent to jail.
Wednesday issued instruc- A few days later, when
tions for the urgent release the girl returned home, she
of the 23-year-old man from told the police in her state-
jail and directed the Bareilly ment that “Rana neither had
SSP to probe the investigat- physical relations with her
ing officer’s “negligence and nor engaged in harassment
take necessary action”. or sexual assault”. Rana’s
After Ravi Rana, 23, and lawyer, Lavlesh Pathak,
his 19-year-old lover, both then submitted an ob-
from different castes, fled jection letter in Bare-
from Bareilly to marry in illy court, arguing
Delhi and took shelter in that the basis for send-
Chandigarh in mid-Feb, the ing the young man to
girl’s father claimed that his judicial custody was
daughter was 17 years old, “incorrect,” and BNS
and filed a case of rape and section 64 and 3/4 of
abduction against him at the the Pocso Act against
Aliganj police station in him were also wrong.
 PD: 04-04-2025 Z: Delhi E: 1 U: c-vijay.laxmi T: 04-03-2025 22:28

20 EVERY WAR’S A GAME EVERY GAME’S A WAR THE TIMES OF INDIA

FRIDAY, APRIL 4, 2025

CONTRAPUNTO
Without uncertainty, the bringing off of even the
greatest business triumph would be unsatisfying
For India, Tariff Game’s Just Begun
– J PAUL GETTY Whether Indian exports can benefit from higher tariffs on other countries is an open question. Plus, in
FTA talks, New Delhi will face pressure from Trump to cut agri, auto tariffs. It must not. Instead, it can go
What Now? No Idea easy on import-intensive exports, like smartphones. Net forex earning from these exports to US is low
Ajay Srivastava Six-point strategy for India
● Rethink FTA with US. India will have difficulty
The worst thing, for US & all others, about Trump’s Trump’s country-specific tariffs, agreeing to most demands. For example, weakening
tariffs is the chaotic uncertainty they’ve produced varying from 10% to 54% – India’s been
slapped with a 27% rate – can push
MSP could jeopardise farmer incomes and food security,
while allowing GM crops and low-tariff imports may

S
uspense over Trump’s tariffs is over, or is it? Anyone looking investments in countries with lower harm domestic agriculture and biodiversity. Similarly,
at bare numbers for clarity is driving blind through fog. Those tariff disadvantage. This may lead to diluting patent law will increase medicine prices, and
the emergence of new manufacturing allowing Amazon to store and sell its products will hurt
‘discounted’ tariffs are as nuanced as national boundaries in locations for prepared countries. India will need millions of kirana shops and workers.
Africa, drawn by colonialists in a room. Don’t ask for the source specific internal reforms to benefit. Will it step up? A better approach for India is to offer a zero-to-zero
code, because there isn’t any. As financial writer James Surowiecki tariff deal on 90% of industrial goods excluding cars,
pointed out yesterday, the tariffs used for computation are “made-up But why’s the tariff rate for India on the lower side? | In 2024, based on mutual give-and-take.
numbers”. But the pain is real, and nobody knows how bad it India exported over $80bn worth of goods to US, with a ● Do not cut agri tariffs. This could devastate the
will get. trade surplus of $36.4bn. To India’s worried business livelihoods of 700mn Indians. Global grain price volati-
people, a 27% country-specific tariff on India is steep lity has already wiped out self-sufficient farming in
For starters, stock markets fell yesterday. That was expected but appears moderate compared to Vietnam’s 46% and parts of Africa. The cheap price cycle kills farmers’
because tariffs are never good for business. And tariffs on a global China’s 54%. interest in cultivation, while the expensive cycle fuels
scale are like a magnitude-10 quake. Former US treasury secretary Was India given softer treatment? No one knows. inflation. India may lower tariffs on a few fruits and
Larry Summers estimated that tariffs could cost America $30tn – But note that since Trump took office in Jan, India has nuts but not on grains and other agri-produces.
roughly one year’s GDP. But that’s without knowing what other made several policy decisions to help US companies. ● Do not cut auto tariffs. Trump has already imposed
countries will do next. Should China and EU retaliate with tariffs, These include cutting import taxes on bourbon a 25% tariff on automobiles. Cutting Indian tariffs
whiskey, fish feed, motorcycles, satellite parts and mobile will harm a key industry that makes up nearly a third
2025 could be a very bad year for everybody. Even if they don’t, the phone components. India also removed a 6% digital tax of manufacturing GDP. The collapse of Australia’s
uncertainty is killing. on revenue earned from Indian users, benefitting US domestic auto industry after steep tariff cuts from 45%
Businesses, for instance, are in a firms like Google, Meta and Amazon. It is working on to 5% in the early 1990s serves as a warning.
bind. Move manufacturing from changing its nuclear liability law so US companies can ● Fast-track other FTA negotiations. Talks are on
China or India to US? But Trump supply nuclear equipment without fear of legal risk. with EU, UK and Canada. Explore broader economic
could negotiate new deals, making India may soon allow Elon Musk’s Starlink to offer alignments like India-China-Russia. Deepen engage-
satellite internet through local partners like Reliance ment with existing FTA partners such as Japan, South
such moves futile. It is widely believed Jio and Bharti Airtel. Korea and Asean.
his tariffs are just a ploy to force other ● Do tariff and other reforms. Uneven country-
countries to negotiate trade terms. What is the impact of the new tariff on India’s exports? | specific tariffs create an opportunity for India, especi-

Ajit Ninan
Apple, for instance, built up a supplier Trump’s sweeping tariff action creates mixed ally in labour-intensive sectors. However, India must
base in India over the past few years, outcomes for Indian exports. India may gain a relative reform its tariffs, quality standards, GST and trade
and exported iPhones worth `1L cr last advantage in select sectors, but gains won’t be auto- largely unaffected. Petroleum exports are exempt. procedures to take advantage. Many of these changes,
matic. Total tariff charged from April 9 will be a sum of however, are unlikely to happen soon.
year. With tariffs, its India plans look less rosy. That’s true for the existing US tariffs and new country-specific tariffs. But more pain for India may be on the way | India faces ● Give up smartphone exports. A sure way India
garment exporters in Bangladesh, and footwear factories in Textiles and garments are well-positioned to more significant pressure than most countries, which could halve its $36.4bn trade surplus with US – with
Vietnam also. In fact, tariffs could cost Vietnam 5.5% of its GDP, benefit, as US tariffs reduce competitiveness of rivals have to absorb only Trump tariffs. As India negotiates a minimal economic pain – is by curbing exports of
according to an ING analysis. like China and Bangladesh. However, India must free trade deal with US, it must contend with broader products with very high import content, such as smart-
There are other unknowns. The dollar slipped yesterday, reform labour laws and enable large-scale production American demands beyond tariffs. The 2025 National phones, solar panels, gold jewellery and diamonds to
although Team Trump were hoping it would rise to offset the impact to fully capitalise on this opening. Trade Estimates report, released by US on March 31, US. These goods made up $16.9bn in exports to US in
In electronics and telecom, steep tariffs on outlines Washington’s key demands from India: 2024, but net foreign exchange earnings were under
of tariffs on US customers. If it remains depressed, US could face Vietnam and Thailand create space for India, but ● In agriculture, US wants India to reform its MSP $150mn. For instance, India exported $7bn worth of
high inflation. But if the Fed raises rates, economic growth could limited domestic value addition and high component system for rice and wheat, allow GM food imports and smartphones yet retained just $42mn – much of it was
slow or stall. There’s no clarity on how high America’s average tariff imports dilute competitiveness. Tariff exemptions lower tariffs on farm products. distributed as production-linked incentives. This will
will be – 22%, estimated by Bloomberg, or 25-30%, estimated by others. on 28 mobile components in the latest budget may ● Washington also wants India to amend its Patents be a controversial reform domestically for India. But
In the best case, if every country makes terms with Trump, the new further weaken the domestic ecosystem. Act to allow ever-greening, a practice that extends logically, it’s an easy way out.
baseline tariff of 10% would be far higher than 2.3% last year. India’s top export, pharmaceuticals ($12.7bn), patent protection for older drugs and delays generic The world must understand that Trump can demand
remains tariff-free, though reducing dependency on alternatives. more. He could soon push countries to appreciate
Unlike China and EU, India has not taken a combative stance on Chinese APIs is crucial. ● In e-commerce, US demands the removal of rest- their currencies, to boost US exports. But also, high
tariffs, choosing to study “opportunities” instead. For now, with Diamonds and jewellery ($11.9bn) and auto parts rictions on inventory-based models, allowing Amazon inflation, rising costs and market volatility at home
China and its offshoring destinations taxed more severely, India ($2.2bn) face 25% tariffs – worrisome as US is a major and Walmart to sell directly to Indian consumers. may limit Trump’s options in the coming months.
seems to have a comparative advantage, but again, nothing’s buyer. Specialty chemicals, footwear, and processed Other demands include granting US firms access to In this uncertain environment, India should tread
certain. Trump could change his tariff map, keep tariffs for the rest foods also face demand shocks. govt contracts – including defence. carefully – and avoid long-term commitments that
of his term or drop them six months from now. As of now, no one Agriculture will be hit unevenly. Shrimp and These are all tough demands. Some of them will may not age well.
dairy exports may decline, while rice exports remain have huge social consequences if accepted. The writer is an expert on trade & tech issues
knows, including Trump.

2 Cases, 1 Conclusion It Looks Worse For America Than For India

Criminal defamation has a chilling effect on free It’ll take a year for Americans to feel the full burden of ‘Liberation Day’. As US moves into poll mode in
speech. Civil law can protect right to reputation 2026, Republicans may electorally pay the price for Trump’s taxes. But there are opportunities for India

T
wo defamation cases decided within a week again highlight Amit Gupta swallow the loss and accept reduced profits; or diversify There are countries that will find opportunities
their supply chains to find ways to bypass the tariffs. emerging. As WSJ pointed out, Brazil, world’s second
why criminal defamation is an unreasonable restriction on The first two have immediate painful consequences for largest exporter of agro-products after US, sees itself
Trump has three objectives in buck-
free speech. A Delhi court upheld activist Medha Patkar’s DECODING Xiopolitics-I
ling down on his ‘Liberation Day’ the American economy while the third takes time and selling more beef, soybean, oil and iron ore to China
DECOLONISINGTHE
conviction in a case LAW-5
filed by VK Saxena 24 years ago when the current imposition of global tariffs. They’ll lead is expensive to carry out. It is feared, therefore, that US while also selling products like footwear to US.
How to write
Delhi LG statutes
headed for free
anIndia writers’ views are
NGO in Gujarat, and Patkar led NBA. Last year,
she was sentenced to 5 months in jail and fined `10L. Patkar will
In October, Xi Jinping
anointed as China’sto
will again be
the revival
leader.
5-part series on theThey’ll
A special of American industries.
man & whatcutheUS trade deficit. They’ll
will slip into a recession.
Worse, time may not be on Trump’s side since it may
India sees tariffs as worrisome but they may provide a
1991-like opportunity to reshape the domestic economy by
receive her sentence on April 8. In Bengal, P Calcutta
E R SHC Oquashed
N A aL might mean for India & the world
help reduce national debt. take a year or so for the full coercive effects of tariffs to removing protection from the economy’s unproductive
Columnist based Higher tariffs will incentivise take place and modify the behaviour of other countries. sectors. Letting in American ‘safe foods’ and investments
defamation suit by an educational institute’s superintendent, who
BUDGET
DECODING THE JOB MARKET in Ottawa foreign and domestic corporations to Yet, by late-2026, America will be moving into election in areas like education, health, tourism would help to
had sued over 280 people in 2013 for petitioning Bengal CM against DECODING Xiopolitics-5 establish factories in US and lead to mode and Republicans would face electoral costs of mollify Trump who feels India has an extremely high tariff
him. Calcutta HC said public interest far outweighed official’s right
2023-24
to reputation. But for 15 years, 280 people had a
criminal case against them – that can wreak
Inhigher
October,levels
well with
anointed
5-part
as China’s
has series
seenon
ofwill
Xi Jinping
Trump’s
employment.
again be
leader. Aworking
special
the man & what
thousands of he
This resonates
class base that
factories close and
persistent inflation. While this is a gamble, there are
countries on whom the threat of tariffs will work.
Both Canada and Mexico are heavily
structure that makes it difficult for countries to invest in.
Further, many of the items Trump wants to sell in
India will not find a foothold in the Indian market. Harley
THE might mean for India & the world
large parts turn into an industrial rust belt dependent on the American market Davidsons are too expensive. When Indians think luxury
FREEBIES havoc with students’ futures.
Rahul Gandhi was convicted
A TRIBUTE
in a defama- of dying towns. and, despite tough talk from Ottawa cars, they don’t think Cadillac, but Mercedes or BMW.
D E B A T E tion case and disqualified Lata Mangeshkar
from Parliament.
As an indicator that his strategy is wor- and Mexico City of responding in A zero tariff on American cars would make Trump
1929-2022 king, Trump points to Campari, Honda, kind, the two countries would think he achieved a major victory without significantly
Kejriwal apologised to Arun Jaitley. From GALWAN
Hyundai, Volkswagen, Volvo, LG and face a serious economic crisis changing the shape of India’s automotive market.
FREEBIES Digvijaya Singh to Subramanian Swamy, Samsung all talking of setting up new if the trade confrontation Another major consequence will be that countries
THE

TWO YEARS AFTER

factories in US to mitigate adverse with Washington were to will seek to insulate themselves from US pressures. The
D E B A T E defamation is a suit easily HIGH slapped,PRICEShard to effects of tariffs. Problem is that in the age continue over an extended initiative for this will come from Asia. China-Asean
shake off. If the widelyB varying
I G Q U E S Toutcomes
IONS of
ECONOMY
of AI and robotics these factories are going period of time. bilateral trade is already over $900bn and in the face of
such cases are any indication, what stands out is the inconsistency
THE FREEBIES
and vague interpretations of ‘reputation’ and chilling effect on
to be high on technology and low on labour. Europe, similarly, will American tariffs these countries will seek to increase

free speech. There D are

E B two
AT Eways to review this. Ideally, remove WATCH-2Trump administration also believes it’ll gain
over $600bn in revenue from tariffs, thereby redu-
seek accommodation with
Trump because it cannot do
their intra-regional options.
In the short term the countries most dependent on
defamation totally. Removal will not leave reputation unprotected. cing national debt that has spiralled out of control of without its security umbrella. US for trade and security will seek to placate the Trump
BNS Sec 351 deals with criminal intimidation – threatening some- late to reach 123% of GDP. Lowering imports, a fallout Europe requires US to provide it the administration. In the long run though, tariffs at best

adam@home
one with harm to body, reputation, or property. Further, BNS Sec 352 of higher tariffs, will reduce trade deficit between US security guarantee that subsidises its economies. will push the world towards economic multipolarity or
and trading partners. Many analysts believe, however, Europeans also lack the imagination to negotiate a new at worst plunge it into a trade war with adverse econo-
provides for “insult to someone to provoke breach of peace”. Both that these tariffs are going to backfire on US. relationship with Moscow that would permit lower mic consequences. India should think in terms of the
are reasonable restrictions on free speech with provisions that Manufacturers will have three choices – none defence spending, or to build a strong economic partner- opportunities Trump’s disruptive policy opens up.
protect right to reputation. Or, decriminalise defamation. A civil Calvin and Hobbes
particularly attractive. They can pass on the higher ship with Beijing that would permit Brussels to stand The writer is senior adviser to Forum of Federations, Ontario,
law would reflect the sensitivity required to preserve both right to costs to US consumers and risk lower sales; they can up to Trump’s coercive economic diplomacy. and specialises in US foreign trade and defence policy
free speech and right to reputation. And of course, our politicians
do need to grow a thick skin. Calvin & Hobbes Sacredspace

Aurangzeb test
That which is invisible,
ungraspable,
unoriginated and
attributeless, that
Thanks to the UP chief minister, we now have a simple which has neither eyes
nor ears nor hands nor
and infallible method of identifying potential traitors legs – that is Eternal,
full of manifestations, All-pervading,
Jug Suraiya
Subtlest of the subtle, that Imperishable
The problem with traitors – apart from the fact that they are Being, the wise perceived as the Source

KARNATAKA
traitors – is that only too often they are devilishly difficult to of all creation.
identify, subterfuge and concealment being part and parcel of Mundakopnishad
their treasonable nature.

FINAL COUNTDOWN-4
Though they sometimes inadvertently give themselves away

Death And Immortality, Both Evoke Fear

by sporting kurtas emblazoned with the slogan ‘I JNU’, and/
or carrying jholas containing the collected works of Marx and Lenin, by and
large they remain below the radar of patriotic vigilance to pursue their
nefarious and seditious activities.
To expose suspected anti-nationals – be they acquaintances, neighbours, Narayani Ganesh dent on others for my sustenance and dominant factor is the constant anxiety Parashurama, Mahabali, Vyasa,
friends, or relatives – one could strap them down in an interrogation chamber daily tasks? What if I live long but the over the uncertainty of both prolonged Vibhishana, Kripa and Markandeya.

A
and subject them to a lie-detector test to determine their patriotic lot is discussed and debated quality of my life is simply the pits? living and the mystery or uncertainty of In Greek mythology, Goddess Selena,
credentials or lack of them, but such direct-action methods, about death and dying, and how This kind of phobia for living, is called what happens after death. Both life and who fell in love at first sight with
particularly if the testee was proven innocent, could lead to oneself most of us are so fearful of the apeirophobia, “characterised by an death may involve pain and suffering – Endymion, a beautiful shepherd,
getting unfriended on Facebook. end. Will it be painful? Will the end be intense fear of existence, often linked to less for some, more for others. asked Zeus to grant him the boon of
However now, thanks to UP chief minister Yogi sudden and peaceful or violent? Will I existential dread about eternal life… Many today are obsessed with immortality. Zeus granted her wish but
Adityanath, we have a simple and effective way – a linger on, ailing in hospital, with life connected to anxiety disorders.” longevity; to prolong one’s lifespan. let Endymion remain sleeping,
jugularvein litmus test for traitorism, so to speak – to sniff out, or support? Would I have completed my When you agonise over the Experts say it would be more beautiful as ever, with a smile on his
rather sound out, such anti-national elements. duties and responsibilities? What meaning and purpose of life practical to aim for good health lips. Mahavatar Babaji, the Kriya Yoga
According to Yogiji, the “glorification” of Aurangzeb is a give-away sign of happens to my near and dear ones once I and the nature of reality, rather than long life that may guru, is said to be alive for the past 5,000
a traitor, and as such abhorrent to the ethos of a “new India”. leave for good? This fear has spawned an you are in existential angst. entail reduced mobility, and years. Physical sightings of Babaji have
The CM’s formulation on traitor-detecting is, in its own way, as significant entire industry that peddles anti-ageing Living a long life does not more illness. Those with been reported over the years, by seekers
a breakthrough in political science as Alexander Fleming’s discovery of and longevity products and practices, hold any charm, for you apeirophobia wonder if they who meditate in the Himalayas.
penicillin to combat infection was in medical science. some that cost nothing and others that live in constant fear of life. will become a burden on their A shloka chanted with all eight
How does one apply the Aurangzeb test to unmask traitors? In casual are brutally expensive. So what gives? You die a thousand deaths children. names of the Chiranjivis, is believed to
conversation, slip in a random question such as: Wasn’t this Aurangzeb guy Does prolonging life with lifestyle every day. Those who live in There are instances in bestow one with long life, free of sick-
who’s in the news a proto-urban Naxal who should have been put under digital changes mean that we no longer live fear of death, their phobia is called Hindu legend, of people either doing ness, to live to a hundred years at least.
arrest, if they’d had digital arrest in those days? If the person spoken to doesn’t in fear? thanatophobia – you may suffer panic tapas, penance, to obtain the boon of The search for the elixir of life has been
emphatically endorse this opinion, then he obviously harbours treasonous In reality, most of us are as fearful of attacks, wondering how and when you immortality or of those who are described ongoing for thousands of years. But, to
sentiments and should immediately be reported to the… living as we are of death. What if I live may die, what could happen after you as chiranjivis, the immortals, who remain be immortal is a gift or curse? The jury
(Editor’s note: Jug Suraiya has been detained by police for repeated mention of a long years, turning feeble and disabled, die, what lies beyond death and so on. alive till the end of Kali Yuga. The eight is still out on that score.
non-person belonging to a non-existent people called Mughals) and what if I become completely depen- In both phobias, the underlying immortals are Hanuman, Ashwathama, [email protected]
 PD: 04-04-2025 Z: Delhi E: 1 U: c-ravi.dixit T: 04-03-2025 22:54

THE TIMES OF INDIA, NEW DELHI

FRIDAY, APRIL 4, 2025 TIMES Special 21

How Mizoram Became Entry Point

H C Vanlalruata | TNN

Chin (Myanmar): In June last year, Mi-

zoram police arrested Daniel Newey at
Aizawl’s Lengpui airport. The Britisher,
returning from Myanmar, had one live

For Mercenaries Headed To Myanmar

bullet in his bag. A crime punishable un-
der the Arms Act, 1959, but not the kind
of news anyone would care to follow.
But the context of this arrest became
clear only recently. Mizoram chief minis-
ter Lalduhoma said foreigners, including
mercenaries and ex-members of the spe- Across the N-E state’s border, resistance groups
cial forces of the UK and the US, are enter-
ing Myanmar via Mizoram to give arms fighting the Myanmar junta claim they have received DECADES OF
training to insurgent groups there. Newey
spent six months in jail and then walked training from former soldiers belonging to countries MILITARY RULE...
free in Feb. But now we know who he was. h Myanmar won its independence from
“Nearly 2,000 foreigners visited Aizawl like UK and US. The Mizoram CM recently said that British rule in 1948. It was a parliamentary
during June and December last year, but
they were never seen here,” Lalduhoma
these foreigners had used his state to cross over I N D I A
democracy to begin with, but military
seized power in a 1962 coup and has run the
said. “Their main intention might have
been to interfere in the internal affairs of
into the neighbouring country. TOI travelled to the country ever since.
h Though it yielded some space to
Myanmar. Chin state of Myanmar on their trail democratically-elected lawmakers, the
“New Delhi has been closely watching Photos: H C Vanlalruata Bangladesh C H I N A
military — known as Tatmadaw — seized
the situation in the border areas,” he said,
back total control in another coup in Feb
adding that the recent visit to Mizoram Mizoram 2021, ousting lawmakers of the National
by US diplomats came as a surprise to the Camp Victoria League for Democracy (NLD), which had
state govt. To understand what’s happen-
ing on the ground in Myanmar, TOI trav- won elections in 2020, and putting its leader
elled to the neighbouring country. This is Mandalay Aung San Suu Kyi under house arrest.
what we found.
Chin That’s Led To
An Empty Village On A Hill Full-Blown Civil War...
Some 16 km from the Mizoram border is h The 2021 coup led to large-scale protests
Haimual village, which sits atop a pictur- and saw the deposed lawmakers forming
esque hill. The village of 200-odd families Naypyidaw the National Unity Government (NGU) in
is empty. All the women, children, and exile. NGU also formed a volunteer army,
most of the men are sheltering at the Uilui the People’s Defence Force (PDF).
relief camp across the border, in Mizoram. h Even before the coup, the junta had been
But Salai Rina (name changed) is locked in protracted conflict with several
Bay of T H A I L A N D
around, watching news on TV in his hut. regional and ethnic minority militias,
Bengal
The earthquake in Myanmar has killed practically present in all its border zones,
over 2,700, but the ruling Junta that Yangon that effectively controlled large chunks of
grabbed power in a coup and ousted the the country.
Aung Sang Suu Kyi govt in Feb 2021, con-
tinues to bomb the many rebel-held out- h Fighting a common enemy, PDF and
posts in the country. Rina is a rebel leader, the regional militias — including Kachin
Camp Victoria (above) is the military
a commander of the People’s Defence Area Of Control Independence Army (KIA), Shan State
HQ of the Chin National Front and its Army, and Karen National Liberation Army
Force (PDF)-Zoland, which is holding on
to parts of Myanmar’s Chin state. With
armed wing, Chin National Army. A
rebel commander with the resistance
local police department, as well as health
and education services. Hminga said they 21% (KNLA) to name just a few — came together
him are a few other rifle-toting rebels in also build and maintain roads. Largely military junta and their coordinated attacks are said to
forces fighting the Myanmar army control have increasingly chipped away at the
military fatigues. The civilian govt is being run by for-
said ex-soldiers from UK (inset) and Tatmadaw’s hold on power and ability to
“Our villages are empty. Our people mer commanders of the CDF-Hualngo-
are living in relief camps inside India. But
US (standing, far right) had imparted
training to their fighters
ram, who are elected by different village >40% control Myanmar.
these attacks cannot break our resolve. council leaders. “We are part of the Chin- Largely resistance
h A Dec 2024 BBC report said the military
We’ve also had good training from foreign land Council/Chinland govt affiliated to control
now controls only about 21% of Myanmar’s
soldiers and can fight the (Myanmar) in Myanmar’s Hualngoram, the National Unity Govt (NUG), the My- territory while the armed militias hold over
military,” said one of the rebels. across the border from Mizo- anmar govt-in-exile established by repre- Contested
40%. Conflict watchers say at least 50,000
Rina confirmed that him and his com- ram’s Champhai district, sentatives of the Myanmar govt elected people have been killed in fighting since
rades have received arms training from said they had seen a number and offering mental in the 2020 general elections who were the Feb coup and more than 2.6 million
former British soldiers. “There was also of foreign mercenaries in health support and relief later ousted in the Feb 2021 coup,” he said. Source: NYT
displaced.
a former member of the US special forces other Chin groups. “Initially, items. A large number of
who trained other anti-coup Chin groups we had our arms training at those with grievous inju- Delhi Is Worried are in close contact with the central govt.
operating from here,” Rina said. Camp Victoria, the military ries were sent to private hos- Back home in New Delhi, a worried home Law enforcement agencies are vigilant,”
Warplanes of the Myanmar air force HQ of Chin National Front (CNF) pitals in Aizawl for treatment, ministry has reimposed what is known as state home minister K Sapdanga said.
continue to bomb important townships in and its armed wing, Chin National mostly to undergo surgery for ex- ‘Protected Area Regime’ (PAR) in Mizo- The Centre has suspended the free Three years after the coup, the
central and eastern Chin state like Army (CNA),” he said. traction of shrapnel. MSF is bearing the ram. A holding area is being prepared movement regime, which allows locals centre of Myanmar remains
Halkha, the capital of Chin, Falam, Te- treatment cost. inside the terminal building of the Leng- on either side of the border to travel up mostly under junta control, but the
dim, Thantlang and Mindat, where the The Healing Touch pui airport to verify the protected area to 16km into Myanmar or Mizoram. rest of the country is a kaleidoscopic
Chin resistance group have failed to cap- There are also a large number of medical Keeping Things Going permit (PAP) and restricted area permit That has led to outrage as people have
ture the military bases and outposts of professionals working with the PDF and One of the top administrators of the (RAP) for travellers. From now on, foreign- to obtain border passes from the Assam array of competing influences, fiefs,
the Tatmadaw, which is the name for the CDF groups inside Chin state, mainly Hualngoram People’s Organisation ers visiting Mizoram will have to seek Rifles personnel guarding the border. democratic havens and drug-lord
Myanmar armed forces. A number of funded by the Geneva-based Médecins (HPO), Pu Hminga, based in Khawmawi special permits from the govt, as was the Even Mizoram govt is objecting to the hideouts. Ethnic armed groups govern
people, including civilians, have been Sans Frontières (MSF), providing medical village of Chin state, told TOI that the case before 2010, in accordance with the scrapping of the free movement regime some areas.
killed or maimed in the bombings. assistance to people displaced by the con- HPO has been running a local self-govt to Foreigners (Protected Areas) Order, 1958. as people on both sides of the border
A former commander of Chinland flict. They are also helping those who have look after the ‘mipui sipai’, or people’s “We are making arrangements per the share the same culture, tradition, reli- — NYT, in a May 2024 report
Defence Force (CDF), now chief of police fled to Mizoram, running mobile clinics resistance militia (CDF-Hualngoram), the directions of the MHA and our officials gion and ancestry.
 PD: 04-04-2025 Z: Delhi E: 1 U: leela.murali T: 04-04-2025 00:30

TIMES GLOBAL THE TIMES OF INDIA, NEW DELHI | FRIDAY, APRIL 4, 2025
SECRET OF STAYING YOUNG
IS TO LIVE HONESTLY, EAT
SLOWLY AND LIE ABOUT
YOUR AGE — LUCILLE BALL

SCARLETT JOHANSSON, WHO STARS IN ‘JURASSIC WORLD REBIRTH’, ROSAMUND PIKE RECALLS A ‘HAIRY’ SITUATION WHILE FILMING BED
SAYS IT WAS HER CHILDHOOD DREAM TO BE IN A JURASSIC PARK FILM SCENE WITH PIERCE BROSNAN ON 007 SET LEFT HER ‘MORTIFIED’

World Reels From Trump Tariff Shock Dairy of an agro phile:

How now, holy cow?
Formula used by
US to measure
trade imbalances
L
aptop computers from Tai- facturers, and that their orders
wan, wine from Italy, fro-
zen shrimp from India, Ni-
No retaliatory tariffs: Aus
Anthony Albanese, the PM
could shift to places with lower
tariffs and greater industrial Chidanand Rajghatta TNN
Reuters baffles economists

T
ke sneakers from Vietnam and of Australia, said his country muscle. “We will have to write rade economists were
Irish butter. These products are would not respond with retalia- our obituary notice,” said a Washington: US President scratching their heads on
found in homes across the US, a tory tariffs, vowing Australia consultant at Joint Apparel As- Trump unveiled a laundry list Thursday at the formula
testament to America’s endu- would not “join a race to the bot- sociation Forum of Sri Lanka. of his administration’s grie- used by the White House to me-
ring role as a champion of free tom that leads to higher prices Bangladesh sends more than vances about “Tariff King” asure trade imbalances and in-
trade and its standing as the and slower growth.” $7bn of clothing to the US every New Delhi’s “trade barriers,” flict punishment on all its glo-
most lucrative market for go- year. The industry makes up but few gripes were more tone bal trading partners.
ods from around the world. Japan calls tariff regrettable 80% of its total exports and em- deaf than ones against India's In a 400-page report on foreign Handed a chart in the White
They are now among the In Japan, officials and trade ploys more than four million agriculture and dairy sector, trade barriers that Trump waved House Rose Garden, US Presi-
vast categories of goods subject experts were caught off guard people. In Lanka, the industry the life blood of rural India that around, there was a 16-page dent Donald Trump presented
to additional taxes after Presi- by the size of the new tariff the employs over 3,50,000 people. employs nearly 50% of the co- critique on India’s practices the rationale for how his admi-
dent Trump imposed universal country will face — 24%. It was Garments make up about half untry’s workforce. nistration would impose reci-
tariffs on all US trade partners particularly jarring given Ja- of Lanka’s exports. In a 400-page report on fore- and not HHS is the primarily procal tariffs on partners. The
as well as additional, heavier pan’s average tariff on nonag- ign trade barriers that Trump agency to regulate animal feed figures presented bear little re-
duties on 60 countries he dee- ricultural goods is among the SE Asia’s role as alternative waved around while announ- and dairy farming practices, semblance to actual tariff le-
med the “worst offenders” of lowest globally. Japan called to China takes a hit cing punitive global tariffs, the- the US dairy industry is bra- vels, however. While the chart
unfair trade practices. The an- the tariff “extremely regrettab- For years, countries in Sout- re was a 16-page critique on In- cing for scrutiny of feed additi- claims China imposes a 67% ta-
nouncement sent shock waves le” and vowed to continue see- heast Asia like Vietnam, Cam- dia’s practices, including “one- ves like antibiotics, synthetic riff on American products, da-
across the world and raised the king an exemption. PM Shige- bodia and Thailand have wor- rous requirements” that Delhi hormones, bloodmeal and bo- ta shows China’s average tariff
spectre of a global trade war. Al- ru Ishiba has pledged to increa- ked to turn themselves into al- imposes on dairy imports. nemeal used in ruminant diets in 2024 was just 4.9%. Similar
lies and adversaries are se Japanese investment to ro- ternatives to China for factori- “India requires that dairy to boost milk production. discrepancies exist for the EU
scrambling to make sense of ughly $1trillion, focusing on es making the bags, electronics, products intended for food be Europe continues to rest- (39% vs 1.7%) and India (52% vs
Trump’s tariff barrage. purchasing more US products. shoes and auto parts that even- derived from animals that ha- rict US dairy on similar gro- 6.2%). Officials explained they
tually end up in the US. That is ve not consumed feeds contai- unds, including the use of re- incorporated factors beyond ta-
China calls tariff ‘unilateral B’desh and Lanka’s garment now poised to change. Singapo- ning internal organs, blood combinant bovine somatotro- riffs, including environmental
bullying,’ vows to hit back EU prepares countermeasures Canada slaps 25% tariff on manufacturers hit hard re, a close partner of the US, sa- meal, or tissues of ruminant or pin (rBST), a synthetic hormo- standards and “currency mani-
China vowed countermea- The EU, taken as a whole, is cars and trucks from US Through Covid, political id it was disappointed by the porcine origin and that expor- ne injected into cows to pulation and trade barriers”.
sures against the sweeping ta- America’s biggest trading part- Canada PM Mark Carney chaos, and economic disarray, imposition of 10% tariffs despi- ting countries certify to these increase milk production. Yet “There’s so much wrong
riffs, warning there would be ner. On Thursday, Ursula von said that Canada will match Sri Lanka and Bangladesh kept te a FTA with the US and said conditions,” the report comp- the tariff tome complains that with this approach that it’s
no winners in a trade war. The der Leyen, European Commis- US’ 25% auto tariffs with a ta- one industry central to their that it would engage with the lained, maintaining that the New Delhi continues to ham- hard to know where to start,”
tariffs are “based on subjecti- sion president, said the global riff on vehicles imported from hopes of prosperity afloat: the US to understand how it calcu- conditions “lack a discernable per market access for US milk wrote Nobel laureate Paul
ve and unilateral assess- economy will “massively suf- the US. Trump’s previously an- manufacturing of ready-made lated the tariffs. Vietnam and (sic) animal health or human and dairy product exports to Krugman, a trade economist
ments,” China’s commerce fer” from the tariffs. While ur- nounced 25% tariffs on auto im- garments, with the US as their Cambodia were singled out wi- health justification.” India, describing it as “one of and frequent Trump critic.
ministry said, describing ging negotiation, she said EU is ports took effect Thursday. “We main market. Then came th new tariffs of 46% and 49% There was no mention of the largest dairy markets in the Trump’s focus on trade defi-
them as “unilateral bullying,” preparing further countermea- take these measures reluctant- Trump’s tariffs. The two count- — among the steepest. In Thai- religious or cultural norms. world,” that Washington still cits reflects his view that they
and urging the US to use dialo- sures in addition to retaliatory ly... and in ways that is intended ries are reeling after Sri Lanka land and Indonesia, the tariffs The irony is that many intends to break into. Evident- represent American job losses
gue for resolving trade issues. tariffs it had already prepared and will cause maximum im- was hit with 44% tariffs and were at 36% and 32%. Vietnam American practices in the food ly, the farm constituency in to foreign production — a zero-
The tariffs on China have lik- for the earlier tax on foreign ste- pact in the US and minimum Bangladesh with 37% levies. PM Pham Minh Chinh held an and agro sector is being scrap- MAGAland is important eno- sum standpoint that contra-
ely dimmed hope of a meeting el and aluminum. French Pre- impact in Canada,” Carney sa- Officials scrambled to contain emergency cabinet meeting to ped or reversed by Trump’s ugh electorally to not practise dicts establishedprinciples sin-
between President Xi Jinping sident Macron even called for id. It will not apply to vehicles panic among traders, who wor- discuss the tariffs. In Thailand, own health and human servi- what is preached. ce World War II. To most econo-
and Trump, who has expres- suspension of investment in and parts made in Mexico, nor ried they may no longer be able the govt emphasised it was rea- ces (HHS) chief Robert F Ken- Similar gripes litter the cri- mists, Trump’s deficit-obses-
sed interest in a summit. the US until tariffs are clarified. to auto parts from the US. to compete with bigger manu- dy to negotiate with US. AGENCIES nedy as part of his “Make Ame- tique, including India’s high ta- sed beliefs dismiss the intrica-
rica Healthy Again” (MAHA) riffs on alcoholic beverages cies of the world’s biggest

Trump trolls ‘tariff terrorism’ talk as US markets tank agenda, from his beef against
beef tallow to banning synthe-
tic food dyes. Although the US-
(150%, but since reduced). Iro-
ny alert: Both Trump and Ken-
nedy, who once battled addic-
economy, where a company like
Apple manufactures 90% of its
products abroad, but delivers
Chidanand Rajghatta TNN The NASDAQ index plunged assure panicked Americans. Trump’s former vice-presi- kicking and screaming into glo- DA (US dept of agriculture) tion, are teetotalers. huge wealth domestically. AFP
by almost 5% and the Dow and Treasury secretary Scott dent Mike Pence was among th- balisation. And now he is comp-
Washington: American stock
indices tanked “bigly” the
morning after the MAGA su-
S&P by 4% moments after the
trading opened wiping out some
$2 trillion in market wealth as
Bessent said the tariffs were
part of a negotiating process
and urged countries not to re-
ose who trashed the tariff gam-
bit. “The Trump Tariff Tax is
the largest peacetime tax hike
laining that they ate America’s
lunch based on dodgy statis-
tics, dubious claims and out-
Trump fires 3 national security officials
premo Donald Trump’s “ta-
riff terrorism” but the US pre-
sident remained upbeat about
most analysts piled on to the pre-
sident for “detonating” a tariff
bomb on US and the world, even
act dramatically. “My advice to
everyone is do not retaliate. Sit
back. Take it in. Let’s see how it
in US history. These Tariffs are
nearly 10x the size of those im-
posed during the Trump-Pence
right falsification which even
the US press is exposing.
Among them: Trump clai-
over concerns they are not loyal: Report
P
the eventual outcome of his as Trump declared a national goes. Because, if you retaliate, administration and will cost A- ming that US trade deficit with resident Trump fired at le- by Trump allies to disparage mentally at odds with Trump’s
tectonic trade gambit amid economic emergency. The ban- there will be escalation. If you merican families over $3,500 per India is $100 billion (it is in the ast three senior national members of his White House “America First” foreign policy.
the market meltdown. ner headline in the NewYork don’t retaliate, this is the high year. Check Out “Spoiling Ame- region of $45 billion) and that security council officials staff. The campaign has inclu- Loomer, who has spread
“THE OPERATION IS Post read: World War Fee! water mark,” he said. rica’s Golden Age,” he posted, India has a 70% tax on Ameri- after an extraordinary mee- ded online attacks about the conspiracy theories about the
OVER! THE PATIENT LIVED, “Never before has an hour Trump’s son Eric pitched in with a link to a critique from a can motorcycle (it is 40%). ting in Oval Office with far- members’ families, past emplo- Sept 11 attacks, presented her
AND IS HEALING. THE PRO- of presidential rhetoric cost so with call for urgent talks: “I wo- think tank he has founded. In fact, Trump’s whole trea- right activist Laura Loomer, yment and aspects of their findings directly to Trump.
GNOSIS IS THAT THE PATI- many people so much... The best uldn’t want to be the last count- Supporters argued that in tise on India’s 52%tariff rate on who laid out a list of pe- backgrounds, inclu- The meeting was attended by
ENT WILL BE FAR STRONG- estimate of the loss from tariff ry that tries to negotiate a trade fairness, Trump has done what US seems dodgy. According to ople she believed were ding professional asso- Waltz and V-P JD Vance. For
ER, BIGGER, BETTER, AND policy is now is closer to $30 tril- deal with @realDonaldTrump. he promised to do almost 40 ye- the WTO, India’s average tariff disloyal to Trump, ac- ciations, that have been now, one of her top targets, the
MORE RESILIENT THAN lion or $300,000 per family of fo- The first to negotiate will win - ars ago. Commerce secretary in 2023 was around 17%, with cording to a US official used to claim they were deputy NSA Alex Wong, has be-
EVER BEFORE,” the tariff em- ur,” said former treasury secre- the last will absolutely lose.” Howard Lutnick posted an agricultural goods at 39% and with direct knowledge either disloyal or ideo- en spared, the official said. It is
peror posted in all caps, deploy- tary Lawrence Summers. And But even some of Trump’s Oprah interview with Trump non-agricultural goods closer of the matter. logically unfit to serve unclear what the firings mean
ing his minions, some of them from a Democratic Party unit: legislative allies were skeptical from 1988 where he complains to 14%. The overall trade-we- Other members of in his administration. for Waltz, who has a tenuous
Laura Loomer
skeptical, for damage control. Tariffs are ECONOMIC TER- of the tariff bonanza the presi- about the US being ripped off ighted average was 12% compa- NSC are expected to be The agitators have hold on his own job. Trump has
White House officials spread RORISM — crushing small bu- dent promised. “In the long by foreign countries and the ne- red to 2% by the US. So while fired as part of the purge, the used the phrase “neocon” — so far declined to terminate
out to preach Trump’s gospel of sinesses, jacking up prices, and run, he’s right. But ... in the long ed to staunch the bleeding. there may be a case for levelling official added. Some of those short for neoconservative — to Waltz after he inadvertently in-
reciprocal tariff and how it wo- killing jobs. They’re anti-capita- run, we’re all dead. Short run But the premise of his argu- the playing field, Trump’s MA- officials had been detailed to describe many of those wor- vited the Atlantic journalist
uld bring trillions of revenue to list, anti-free market, and pure matters too. Nobody knows wh- ment is as false today as it was GA supporters have an easy ex- the council and were sent back king for NSA Michael Waltz. Jeffrey Goldberg onto a Signal
the US, billions in foreign in- sabotage, plain and simple. at the impact of these tariffs is in then, many analysts are po- planation for the exaggeration to their home agencies over the The insinuation is that the offi- group chat in which top offici-
vestment, millions of jobs etc. Trump officials fought the going to be on their economy,” inting out. It was the US which and discrepancies in the num- weekend, even before the mee- cials are too hawkish, too eager als shared sensitive details
There were few believers and dominant negative narrative conceded one GOP senator on dragged a reluctant India, and bers: It’s a negotiating tactic ting held Wednesday. Loomer to commit American troops about forthcoming strikes aga-
many bolted the stock market. and essayed positive spin to re- tv before ramping up a defence. much of the developing world, straight out of Art of the Deal. has been part of a group effort around the world and funda- inst Houthi terrorists. NYT

Sacked Nepal official crowdfunds Hungary says it

will exit ICC as
Shingles vax can decrease DAILY PLANET
AFP

to pay fine imposed on Gyanendra Orban hosts Bibi dementia risk, finds study
G
Budapest: Hungary Thursday etting vaccinated aga- cines lower dementia risk.
moter in Lisbon, Portugal, on said it will quit the Internatio- inst shingles can redu- Whether the protection
AFP

Vishant.Agarwala
@timesofindia.com March 10 after he publicly sup- nal Criminal Court, just as its ce the risk of develo- can last beyond seven years
ported Shah, contributed Ne- PM Viktor Orban hosted Israeli ping dementia, a large new can only be determined with
Kathmandu: Supporters of pal Rs 50,000 (Rs 31,000) and ur- counterpart Benjamin Netany- study finds. The results provi- further research. But with
Nepal’s former king Gyanend- ged others to join the effort. ahu, whom the tribunal has ac- de some of the strongest evi- few currently effective treat-
ra Shah have raised Nepal Rs Bastola said he did not wish to cused of war crimes in Gaza. dence yet that some viral in- ments or preventions, Harri-
4.8 lakh (INR 3 lakh) so far serve under a “corrupt govt”. Hungary’s announcement fections can have effects on son said, shingles vaccines ap-
through a crowdfunding cam- Gyanendra Shah has been fined for He wrote, “If you have any that it will start the year-long brain function years later and pear to have “some of the
paign launched by a recently damage to public property during objections to my support for withdrawal process came as that preventing them can help strongest potential protective
sacked govt-appointed tou- last week’s pro-monarchy protest the king and religion, you may Orban welcomed Netanyahu in stave off cognitive decline. effects against dementia...”
rism promoter, who was remo- keep the post for yourself.” Budapest on his first trip to Eu- The study, published in the Shingles cases stem from
MYANMAR QUAKE TOLL TOPS 3000: A monk takes photos
ved for publicly supporting rejecting the charge by PM K P RPP member Swati Thapa rope since 2023. Netanyahu, fa- journal Nature, found people the virus that causes childho-
of the collapsed Ava Bridge in Sagaing. The toll from last Friday’s
the ex-monarch and critici- Sharma Oli that the ex-king said, “Yes, there’s a spontaneo- cing an ICC arrest warrant that who received the vaccine were od chickenpox, varicella-zos-
7.7 earthquake in Myanmar rose to 3,145 on Thursday
sing the govt as corrupt. The had incited the violence. us wave of support. People are Hungary said it would not car- ter, which typically remains
funds are being collected to A statement issued by contributing small and large ry out, welcomed his hosts’ RAY OF HOPE dormant in nerve cells for de-
help Shah pay a Nepal Rs 8 Shah’s secretariat said, “The amounts to make a statement “bold and principled” decision cades. As people age and their Bodega cats make clean by deterring other ubiqu-
itous creatures, like rodents
lakh (Rs 5 lakh)-penalty impo- govt’s shortcomings and we- — that this isn’t just about a fi- to leave the tribunal, calling it a 20% less likely to develop de- immune systems weaken, the
sed by Kathmandu aknesses are respon- ne or money. It’s about solida- “corrupt organisation”. mentia in the seven years af- virus can reactivate and cause New Yorkers’ hearts and cockroaches. However,
some shopkeepers say the feli-
Metropolitan City sible for this tragic rity.” On Thursday, Nepal Poli- Orban said during a press
meet with Netanyahu ICC was
terward than those who were
not vaccinated. “If you’re re-
shingles, with symptoms like
burning, tingling, painful
purr, even if they nes’ most important job is brin-
for damage to public incident.” Shah’s ce said they used 58 rounds of
property during last communication se- live ammunition and 746 tear “no longer an impartial court” ducing the risk of dementia blisters and numbness. The violate state rules ging in customers. At one bod-
ega in Brooklyn, a fluffy gray
week’s pro-monarchy protest cretary added that neither the gas shells, with 20 people sus- but a “political court” as shown by 20%, that’s quite important nerve pain can become chro-
and white cat, Mimi, has bec-
in central Kathmandu. palace nor the former mo- taining bullet wounds, in the “most clearly by the decisions in a public health context, gi- nic and disabling.
ome even more of a star attr-
This came even as govt narch’s supporters would take violence. Nepal’s ministry of on Israel”. ICC on Thursday in- ven that we don’t really have The study involved an ol-
action after a customer posted
sanctioned Nepal Rs 10 lakh responsibility for the violen- home affairs said it had in- sisted Hungary had a “duty” to much else at the moment that der form of shingles vaccine,
her video on TikTok that was
(Rs 6.3 lakh) each for families ce, vandalism or looting. structed the ministry of finan- cooperate with the body. Ex- slows down the onset of de- Zostavax, which contains a
viewed over 9 million times.
of the two people killed in the “By holding him respon- ce to disburse compensation perts say Netanyahu is trying mentia,” said Paul Harrison, modified version of the live vi-
violence. Meanwhile, Shah on sible for the deaths and arson, to families of Sabin Mahar- to diminish the impact of ICC’s a professor of psychiatry at rus. The new vaccine, Shing-
the University of Oxford. Har- rix, which contains an inacti-
UK watchdog to probe
Thursday denied any role in Oli govt is attempting to hide jan, who was shot during the decision. “His ultimate goal is
rison was not involved in the vated portion of the virus, is
charity co-founded by Harry
the unrest, saying the incident its own failures.” Rameshraj protest, and photojournalist to regain the ability to travel
was triggered “because of lap-
ses and failures within govt”,
Bastola, who was dismissed
from his role as tourism pro-
Suresh Rajak, who died while
covering the event.
wherever he wants,” said a for-
mer advisor to Netanyahu. AFP
study but has done other rese-
arch indicating shingles vac-
more effective and lasting, re-
search shows. NYT
N ew York City’s “bodega
cats” are beloved fixtures
in the Big Apple — but they’re
after boardroom dispute
Britain’s charity regulator has
opened an investigation into an
on the wrong side of the law. African charity co-founded by
The convenience store cats Prince Harry, a week after the

US bans govt personnel in China from romantic or sexual ties with locals that live at many of NYC’s
bodegas and delis look in-
nocent enough, spending their
prince and the organization’s
board of trustees resigned
amid a dispute with the chari-
Washington: The US govt has locals and even marry them. policy covers US missions in have long had stringent repor- is that Chinese state security
AP

days lounging in storefronts or ty’s chairwoman. Sentebale,

banned American govt person- A more limited version of mainland China as well as the ting requirements on perso- doesn’t gather intelligence just
slinking between shelves of which provides support for
nel in China, as well as family the policy was enacted last consulate in Hong Kong. nal ties for US personnel sta- through spies, but also by pres-
snack foods as they collect young people in Botswana and
members and contractors with summer prohibiting US per- The only exception to the tioned there, as well as rivals sing ordinary Chinese people
pets from customers. Officially, Lesotho, has been wracked by
security clearances, from any sonnel from “romantic and sex- policy is US personnel with considered high intelligence for information, often through
though, state law bars most turmoil since Harry and his
romantic or sexual relations- ual relations” with Chinese ci- pre-existing relations with Chi- threats such as Russia or Cu- threats or intimidation. That,
animals from stores that sell co-founder abruptly resigned
hips with Chinese citizens. tizens working as guards and nese citizens; they can apply ba. In recent years, tensions Mattis said, means any Chine-
food, with bodega owners March 26, saying the relations-
The policy was put into ef- other support staff at the em- for exemptions.The policy was between Washington and Be- se citizen who dates a US diplo-
potentially facing fines if their hip between the board and its
fect by departing US ambassa- bassy and five consulates in communicated verbally and ijing have escalated over tra- mat could be vulnerable to co-
tabby is caught curling up near chair was beyond repair. Chair
dor Nicholas Burns in Jan China. But Burns broadened it electronically to American per- de, technology and geopoliti- ercion. “This rule change sug-
tins of tuna and toilet paper. Sophie Chandauka later accu-
shortly before he left China. to a blanket ban, days before sonnel in China in Jan. The sta- Though some US agencies already cal competition. gests MSS (China’s ministry of
The pets’ precarious legal sed the prince of orchestrating
Though some US agencies alre- President Donald Trump took te department said it doesn’t had strict rules on such relationships, Peter Mattis, a former CIA state security) has gotten a lot
position recently came into the a campaign of bullying and
ady had strict rules on such re- office. Two people with know- comment on internal matters. a blanket ‘non-fraternisation’ policy, analyst, said there were at le- more aggressive at trying to ac-
spotlight when an online harassment to try to force her
lationships, a blanket “non-fra- ledge of the ban said the policy Burns did not reply to an AP re- as it is known, has been unheard of ast two publicised cases in cess the embassy and US govt.”
petition, advocating for the city out. The Charity Commission
ternisation” policy, as it is was first discussed last sum- quest for comment. publicly since the Cold War which Chinese agents sedu- China also has been tightening
to shield bodega cat owners said Thursday that it was in
known, has been unheard of mer after members of Cong- Intel services across the ced US diplomats stationed in already strict controls on its
from fines, racked up over “direct contact” with parties
publicly since the Cold War. It’s ress expressed concern that world have long used attracti- usly during the Cold War. The China, though he hasn’t heard personnel overseas, according
10,000 signatures. Fans argue on both sides to gather eviden-
not uncommon for US diplo- restrictions on such ties were ve men and women to obtain state department and other of any recent case. to reports and people familiar
the cats help keep the stores ce in its compliance case.
mats in other countries to date not stringent enough. The new sensitive information, famo- agencies with offices in China Mattis added another issue with China’s bureaucracy. AP
 PD: 04-04-2025 Z: Delhi E: 1 U: c-ravi.dixit T: 04-04-2025 00:16

Wall St Biggest Loser

From Trump’s Tariffs
Trump’s shake-up of the global trading
TIMES BUSINESS -4.1
THE TIMES OF INDIA, NEW DELHI | FRIDAY, APRIL 4, 2025
S&P 500
Magnificent Meltdown
Mag 7 stocks on Thursday (% change)
-8 Apple
system is hurting US assets more than -7 Amazon
-2.6
those in many of the big economies -0.7
Stoxx Europe 600
MSCI Asia-Pacific
1.5% | Expected Hit To $2 Trillion Mcap Wiped Out In US
-6 Nvidia
he has just slapped with additional US Assets Fall US GDP & Inflation Flare-Up The damage is heaviest in
Most After Tariff -2.1 Dollar Spot Index -5 Meta
tariffs. The impact in other 1.2
companies whose supply chains -4 Tesla
Announcement Pound
markets was less extreme 2.2 The dollar dropped 2.1% are dependent on overseas -3
(% change) Euro Alphabet
2.4 in a day, the most on record manufacturing like Apple & Nike -2
Source: Bloomberg; Nos as of 12am Yen Microsoft

Sighs & Cries As Scale Of Trump Tariffs Sinks In

D-St dodges drubbing on Day 1 Tech stocks
tumble over It’s advantage India
Sensex Dips 322 Pts | Watch Out For US Stock Slump Fallout US spends
TIMES NEWS NETWORK
OIL PRICES SLIP OVER RECESSION FEARS uncertainty dent Donald Trump's announ-
cement of a 26% reciprocal tar-
in smartphone mfg
Mumbai: Investors on Dalal
Street largely discounted the 0.1
Rupee Sensex Bitcoin
Gold
futures
Hang
Seng Copper Silver
Oil (Brent)
futures
iff on Indian imports. Addi-
tionally, a 25% tariff on auto Veena Mani & Apple, Samsung May Expand Production
US’s new tariff plans on component imports further Shilpa Phadnis TNN
Thursday with the sensex, af-
ter opening about 800 points
-0.4
-0.8
dampened market sentiment,
prompting a cautious stance Bengaluru: US President Do-
Here As China, Vietnam Face Higher Tariffs
-1.1
lower, closed 322 points or % CHANGE -1.5 among investors,” Kewat said. nald Trump’s tariff announ- [email protected] untries may happen to arrest
0.4% down. On the NSE, Nifty ON THURSDAY Although the domestic cement sent tech stocks into a AWAITING TALKS impact of high manufacturing
too took a similar trajectory -3 markets closed marginally frenzy on Thursday. Stocks of New Delhi: US President Do- costs, which threaten to fuel in-
Smartphone shipments
and closed 82 points or 0.4% lower on Thursday, as the US Indian IT firms fell between nald Trump’s tariff announce- to the US ($bn) flation and thus reduce con-
lower at 23,250 points. The Sensex fares better than Asian markets were sliding in mid- 3% and 10% amid projections ments may end up giving India sumption in US,” the official sa-
peers like Hang Seng session, market players ex- of sluggish growth and re- a larger share in global FY23 id. Key industry associations
 Jewellers stare at low Brent on course for worst -5.9 pect some hard times for Dalal strictive trade measures af- smartphone production from 2.2 of electronics are alerting govt
US demand, job losses, P 24 percentage drop since Aug 2022 Source: Reuters Street investors on Friday. fecting some sectors that Apple and Samsung, though a on need to maintain guard on
-7.1 FY24
In the commodity market might impact overall technol- more clearer picture will emergence of competing ma-
day’s selling was led by for- and S&P 500 4%. Among the sectoral indic- globally, prices of gold and sil- ogy expenditure. The increas- emerge once US concludes its 5.6 nufacturing locations beyond
eign funds who recorded a net On Dalal Street, although es, the IT index corrected ver both were deep in the red. ing macroeconomic uncer- negotiations with various co- FY25* China and Vietnam. “Several
selling figure of Rs 2,806 the two leading indices sharply to close over 4% down On NYMEX, gold futures were tainties are expected to affect untries to fix final rates. developing countries have se-
crore, BSE data showed. showed a negative close, mid- while the pharma index ral- down over 1% at $3,135/ounce growth prospects in FY 26. There is still a chance that 5 cured lower tariff rates compa-
In comparison, the Nikkei cap and smallcap stocks saw lied to close 1.8% higher. while silver was down 7.4% at countries like Saudi Arabia, *Apr-Dec red to India, including Brazil,
in Japan closed 2.8% lower buying interest. As a result, According to Sundar Ke- $32.1/ounce. In the domestic IT WASHOUT UAE and Brazil, which are in Over 95% of these Turkey, Saudi Arabia, UAE
while Hang Seng in Hong BSE’s midcap index closed wat of Ashika Institutional market too, prices of gold and 10% tariff bracket — may shipments are of (each at 10%), and the Philippi-
% change on Thursday
Kong lost 1.5% and FTSE in 0.3% higher while the small- Equity, Indian markets opened silver had softened during the emerge as ‘new competing ma- Apple’s iPhones. Other nes (17%). Saudi Arabia and
the UK, that closed a few cap index was up 0.8%. The with a gap down but managed a day. In Mumbai, gold closed at -9.8 Persistent nufacturing destinations’ as brands exporting from UAE represent near-term thre-
hours after the Indian market, buying, mainly in midcap and recovery to close near the day’s Rs 89,600/10 grams, down -7.8 Coforge India include Samsung ats to India’s electronics ex-
was down 1.6%. In early trades smallcap stocks, made inves- high. “The primary catalyst from Rs 90,500 on Wednesday -4 TCS
 Pharma cos escape and Motorola ports due to SEZs, competitive
in the US, stocks were deep in tors richer by Rs 35,000 crore for today’s decline was the de- while silver was at Rs 95,700/ bitter pill, for now, P 24 manufacturing environments
-3.9 HCL Tech Source: Commerce ministry
the red with Dow Jones down with BSE’s market capitalisa- teriorating global sentiment, kg, down from Rs 99,500 the and potential labour-cost ad-
-3.7 Accenture
3.3%, Nasdaq Composite 5.1% tion now at Rs 413.3 lakh crore. exacerbated by the US’s Presi- previous day. American electronics makers to manage to get lower tariffs vantages,” Indian Cellular &
-3.7 Tech Mahindra venture into low-duty locations from the US during BTA talks, Electronics Association said.
-3.6

Respite for rupee as dollar dives

Cognizant to keep their costs and prices especially when it comes to ex- “Brazil’s favourable tariff
-3.5 Infy low to protect consumption. ports of value-added products, treatment, despite historical
-2.6 Wipro Apple, which nearly domi- such as smartphones, as govt trade barriers, adds to strate-
nates India’s smartphone positions itself as a ‘trusted gic ambiguity and warrants ca-
TIMES NEWS NETWORK month low. Safe havens like TCS fell nearly 4%, while shipments of roughly $9 bil- manufacturing ally’ for the US. reful monitoring.” When it co-
RE RISES TO 85.43 the yen and Swiss franc sur- Infosys dropped about 3.5%. lion to the US, will find expan- “Also, support from corpo- mes to Samsung, the company
Mumbai: The rupee closed at Rupee strengthened Asian currencies ged as central banks hedged Mid-tier IT firms Persistent sion in India more attractive, rations, such as Apple, Micro- has been hit hard after the US
85.43 against the dollar, gai- after sluggish start, started weaker reserves by deploying funds Systems and Coforge plum- considering tariff on New Del- soft and Google, may be sought slapped a 46% tariff on Viet-
ning seven paise from 85.50 on largely due to weakening but pared losses in alternative currencies. meted nearly 10% and 7.7% re- hi stands at 27%, compared to as they may be roped in as key nam, which is the Korean elec-
Wednesday. It had opened wea- of US dollar Dollar index India is assessing the im- spectively. Chirag Kachhadi- peak duty of 54% on China. partners to reinforce India’s tronics major’s biggest manu-
ker at 86.75 after the US anno- US recession concerns dropped 1.65% pact of US tariffs and pushing ya of Ashika Stock Broking, Apple primarily makes iPho- pitch during BTA negotiations facturing base. (Samsung’s ex-
unced higher-than-expected and rising inflation added to 102.09 on for a trade deal. The dollar in- said, “The US remains the nes in India and China. with Trump administration,” ports from Vietnam to the US
tariffs on Indian imports. pressure on dollar Thursday dex dropped 1.65% to 102.09, largest revenue-contributing Through Foxconn and Tata akey industry official told TOI. and other key regions are esti-
“The Indian rupee streng- while Brent crude fell 4.1% to geography for large-cap IT group, Apple has been expan- Electronics industry fears mated at around $55 billion)
thened after a sluggish start, a volatile range of 85.75 to weaker but pared losses. The $71.88 per barrel. Bloomberg’s companies, accounting for ding in India as part of the ‘Chi- that if tariffs on India conti- This, industry analysts say,
largely due to the weakening 85.35. A 1% drop in the dollar offshore yuan retreated from dollar gauge saw its steepest over 50% of industry revenue. na+1 strategy’ and India also nue to remain at 27% for may make it “more profitable
of the US dollar,” said Dilip index aided the rupee’s recove- 7.34 to 7.30. Indian equities intraday decline since 2005, While we do not expect IT ser- enjoys an advantage in starting smartphones and other allied and easier” for Samsung to
Parmar, senior research ana- ry. The new tariffs, although outperformed, with Nifty 50 dropping 2.1%. Investors ex- vices to face a direct impact negotiations for a bilateral tra- products then there is a “chan- scale up its smartphone manu-
lyst, HDFC Securities. US re- higher than expected, are lo- down 0.3% compared to Hang pect further dollar deprecia- from tariffs, restrictive trade de agreement (BTA) with the ce that companies start setting facturing base in India. Sam-
cession concerns and rising wer compared to China, Viet- Seng’s 1.5% drop. US stocks tion, with traders viewing a policies affecting other sec- US. The Indian negotiators and up new manufacturing units” sung officials are understood
inflation added pressure on nam and Thailand. saw a negative opening, while US slowdown as a bigger risk tors and countries could influ- the electronics industry is ho- in countries with lower tariffs. to be in a huddle at the mo-
the dollar. The rupee traded in Asian currencies started the dollar index hit a six- than inflation. ence overall tech spending.” ping that New Delhi will be able “The shift to low tariff co- ment, weighing options.
 PD: 04-04-2025 Z: Delhi E: 1 U: komal.sharma T: 04-04-2025 00:52

24 TIMES BUSINESS | Tariff Tribulations THE TIMES OF INDIA, NEW DELHI

FRIDAY, APRIL 4, 2025

US tariffs
a self-goal, Jewellers stare at low Pharma cos escape UltraTech buys
Patni’s putty
says Rajan
New Delhi: Former RBI go-
US demand, job losses bitter pill, for now biz for `235cr
Mumbai: Aditya Birla Group
vernor Raghuram Rajan on
Thursday described the reci-
procal tariffs on about 60 co-
‘Tariff Hike To Make Jewellery Out Of Reach’ Some Analysts Fear ‘Short-Lived’ Relief | chairman Kumar Mangalam
Birla is currently on an acqui-
sition spree. His group flagship

Medical Devices Get Tariff Prescription

untries by the [email protected] UltraTech Cement is set to ac-
Trump admi- EXPORTS MAY PLUNGE UP TO 50% quire the white cement busi-
nistration a Mumbai: US President Do- After the steep tariff hike, ness of Wonder Cement for an
“self goal” and nald Trump’s decision to im- industry expects a sharp decline Rupali.Mukherjee India has been a key supplier enterprise value of
said its impact pose 27% tariff on gems & je- in demand for India’s gems @timesofindia.com BUCKING THE TREND of cost-effective, high-quali- Rs 235 crore, including debt.
on India will be wellery imports from India and jewellery in the US Pharma stocks (in %) ty medical devices to the US, Wonder Cement operates a
“smaller”. has put the industry on the New Delhi: The Trump ad- primarily in low-value, high- 6-lakh million tonne white ce-
It could also lead to job cuts Lupin 4.2
US President Donald backfoot as they expect a ministration’s decision to volume consumables catego- ment manufacturing plant in
Trump has announced the im- sharp decline in demand for in the industry that depends exempt tariffs on pharma ries. However, this new tariff Rajsamand-Nathdwara, Rajas-
Sun Pharma 3.3
position of additional ad-va- their products in the world’s largely on manual labour for imports from India calmed may possibly impact domes- than. The company is owned by
lorem duties ranging from largest export market. This diamond cutting, polishing and industry nerves, delivering Cipla 2.9 tic medical devices exports, Ashok Patni—who founded RK
Exports to the US could fall
10% to 50% on imports from all in turn could also lead to job for making exquisite jewellery relief to a sector tied to Indi- and we have to explore win- Marble in May 1989—along
between 30% and 50% unless Dr Reddy’s 0.1
trading partners. cuts in the industry that to a In FY24, of the total $33 billion a’s $9 billion-plus US export dows of opportunities where with his family.
“Let us recognise that in the large extent depends on ma- India and US trade officials get market. This move under- the US has been seeking to di- Wonder Cement’s white ce-
worth of gems & jewellery into a bilateral export-import BSE’s healthcare
short run, this will adversely nual labour for diamond cut- scores the critical role of In- 1.8 versify its supply chain de- ment (also known as wall put-
exports from India, nearly a third relationship that favours Indian index
affect the US economy first and ting, polishing and also for dia’s domestic pharma in- pendence on any one na- ty) plant is strategically located
(about $10 billion) was to the US gems & jewellery industry
foremost — it is a self-goal as fo- making exquisite jewellery. dustry in supplying cost-ef- vision to double trade to $500 tion,” Rajiv Nath, forum co- near large reserves of raw ma-
otballers would say. Coming to In FY24, of the total $33 bil- fective, life-saving generic billion under the Mission ordinator, AiMeD, said. terials and close to Ultra Tech’s
the effects on other countries, lion worth of gems & jewelle- id. The 27% tariff announced in cost for these Indian pro- medicines, with the US rely- 500 initiative. Pharmaceuti- In 2023-24, India’s medi- existing putty manufacturing
the direct effect of any tariff on ry exports from India, nearly by the US was way above the ducts for US buyers which in ing on India for nearly 30% cals remain a cornerstone of cal device exports to the US facilities in Rajasthan. The Pat-
India’s exports will be to raise a third (about $10 billion) was industry’s expectations, turn would affect demand.” of its prescription medica- this partnership, as India stood at around $714 million, ni family entered the wall putty
prices for US consumers, redu- to the US, official data sho- which has the potential to rai- A statement from Gems & tions. The sector was jittery plays a vital role in global while US exports to India we- manufacturing business in
cing their demand, and hence wed. Currently, the US char- se prices of jewellery and pro- Jewellery Export Promotion with the expectation of a 10% and US healthcare by ensu- re double, around $1,500 mil- 2019, and the unit saw a signifi-
Indian growth,” he said. ges a 6% tariff on gems & je- cessed diamonds from India, Council (GJEPC) also war- tariff on Indian pharma ex- ring a steady supply of affor- lion, as per data shared by cant increase in turnover, reac-
“Of course, to the extent wellery from India. With an and keep them out of reach ned about the expected uphill ports to the US. However, so- dable medicines.” the Exports Promotion Co- hing Rs 79 crore in FY24, up
that the US has applied tariffs additional 27% tariff, this ra- for many in the US. task for Indian exporters and me analysts caution that this Meanwhile, the medical uncil of Medical Devices. In- from Rs 21 crore in FY23.
on other countries also, and In- te is expected to rise to about “Over the past few weeks, American consumers. “The relief may be short-lived, sa- device sector wasn’t as fort- dia levies a duty of 0 to 7.5% The acquisition, expected
dia is competing with produ- 34%, industry players said. we expected some hike in ta- Trump administration’s an- ying tariffs are not complete- unate, facing the brunt of on imports of medical devi- to be concluded in three
cers from those countries, the Unless India and US trade riff by the US on gems & je- nouncement of a reciprocal ly ruled out for the future. new tariff challenges and ces, with most devices char- months, will allow UltraTech
overall effect will be smaller officials get into a bilateral wellery exports from India. tariff on Indian gem and je- Sudarshan Jain, secreta- cost pressures. “The imposi- ged at 7.5%. Medical devices to expand its putty production
than if the tariffs had been app- export-import relationship We were preparing for a 10- wellery exports to the US wo- ry general, Indian Pharma- tion of a 26% reciprocal ta- include consumables and capacity, currently at 2.7m
lied only on India — since US that favours Indian gems & je- 15% hike. But 27% is too high uld be a significant burden on ceutical Alliance, says, “In- riff on Indian medical devi- disposables (gloves, syring- tonnes, in the highly competi-
consumers will not be able to wellery industry, exports to a rate,” said Colin Shah, foun- Indian exporters and Ameri- dia and the US share a strong ce exports to the US may pose es, PPP kits), electronic equ- tive and fragmented putty man-
substitute away to non-tariffed the US could fall between 30% der & MD, Kama Jewelry. can consumers alike,” the sta- and growing bilateral trade a significant challenge to the ipment, instruments, imp- ufacturing market. TNN
producers,” he noted. AGENCIES and 50%, industry players sa- “This will lead to a steep hike tement said. relationship, with a shared sector’s growth. Historically, lants, and IVD reagents.

Steel, aluminium untouched; Gain for leather, apparel, pain for carpets Govt exempted
from open offer
metal exporters breathe easy Yogesh Kabirdoss
@timesofindia.com The announcements will have
substantial implications for global
re. It will bring us business.”
Out of the country’s $4 bil-
lion leather and non-leather
in Voda Idea
TIMES NEWS NETWORK feguard duty on steel, recently Chennai/New Delhi: Leat- footwear exports in April-Feb New Delhi: Sebi on Thursday
figure it out
trade and growth prospects. While the
proposed by the Directorate her goods, non-leather foot- situation is rapidly evolving, our initial of FY25, the US accounted for exempted govt from making
Mumbai: Metal exporters he- General of Trade Remedies wear, apparel and textile ma- estimates suggest that these measures, 22% or $870 million. an open offer to the sharehol-
aved a sigh of relief when Whi-
te House exempted steel and
aluminium from an additional
$3.3 trillion
Goods imported by the US in
(DGTR), the steel sector might
be protected from secondary
spillover effects of the tariff
kers expect revenues to
grow in the US, following lo-
wer tariff rates than compe-
coupled with those introduced since
beginning of the year, could lead to
On the textiles front, the
Apparel Exports Promotion
Council (AEPC) said India
ders of Vodafone Idea (VIL),
following its proposed acqui-
sition of just over 34% stake in
contraction of around 1% in global
27% duty. Last month, it had 2024. That’s more than dispute. Yes Securities’ execu- ting China, Vietnam and merchandise trade volumes this year. I’m stands to gain as rates are lo- VIL on the conversion of spec-
imposed a 25% tariff on ste- $25,000 per household tive director Amar Ambani ex- Bangladesh. However, labo- concerned about potential for escalation into a tariff war wer than China, Bangladesh, trum dues into equity.
el and aluminium, key mate- plained that the unchanged ur-intensive carpet makers —ngozi okonjo-iweala | wto dg Vietnam, Cambodia, and Sri Sebi whole time member
rials used in everything from 25% US tariff on steel and alu- fear loss of business due to Lanka. “The current Trump Ashwani Bhatia said, “Acquisi-
cars to kitchen appliances. minium will increase US do- lesser duty on Turkey, Azer- India. Margins are not much Regarding opportunities tariff, however, offers edge to tion of shareholding by govt in
The industry was surprised mestic prices. baijan and Nepal. to play around for us and if we in leather goods, non-leather Brazil, Turkey and other ap- VIL is proposed with the sole in-
when copper was also left out “However, exporters from Carpet exports from In- lose business, there are chan- footwear and textile exports, parel exporting EU countries tent of protecting the larger
of reciprocal tariffs. Vietnam, Japan, and South Ko- dia to the US are pegged at ces that many units may shut Israr Ahmed, former VP of like Italy, Germany and Spain. public interest.” The conver-
Indian metals and mining rea are pivoting to India and around $1.2 billion (out of to- down,” Rudra Chatterjee, cha- Federation of Indian Export But given the intrinsic sion — which would raise govt’s
companies have modest ex- the Middle East, exacerbating tal $2 billion global ship- irman of carpet maker Obe- Organisations (Fieo) and strength of Indian apparel holding in the company to near-
ports to the US (less than $5 bil- India’s challenge with cheap ments) and companies fear etee told TOI. MD of Farida Group, said sector and presence of the en- ly 49% from 22.6%, would enab-
lion annually). “So to that ex- steel imports,” Ambani said. that the tariffs may make the Saying that it will take a currently 80% of the global tire value chain, it may work le VIL to continue servicing its
tent, the first order impact on Source: Axios While copper remains hand-crafted products un- long time to develop alterna- footwear are sourced from out in India’s favour eventual- customer base and increasing
the sector is not material,” sa- tariff conflict emerges betwe- unaffected by tariffs, US as- competitive. te markets across Europe, China, Vietnam, Bangla- ly,” Mithileshwar Thakur, se- telecom penetration in India.
id Choice Broking lead analyst en the US and other major eco- sessments of import impacts “These tariffs are dange- Chatterjee hoped that govt desh, Indonesia and Cambo- cretary general, AEPC said. Sebi said at present GoI
(basic materials) Prashanth nomic powers. indicate possible 25% duties in rous. Turkey is a threat and so will negotiate lower tariffs dia. “The lower tariffs on In- India’s textile exports are has no intent to participate in
Kota. He added that the sector Kota suggested that once future. “Such a move could res- are some of other competing for the sector during the bila- dia will open the window for estimated at $33.2 billion in management or the board of
could face consequences from India’s finance ministry en- hape trade and put pressure on countries due to lower tariffs teral trade agreement (BTA) contract manufacturers of the April-Feb ’24-25 period, VIL and there will be no
potential secondary effects if a dorses the 12% provisional sa- export nations,” Ambani said. on them compared to 27% on talks with the US. global brands to expand he- of which 30% were to the US. change in control. AGENCIES

TIMES NATION

Modi to meet Yunus today, Back prez rule

but want peace,
His work is worth crores, but
Tyeb struggled most of his life
claim top B’desh officials
say Cong & TMC
on Manipur uContinued from P 1 the tumult around him – the
horrors of Partition, the st-

I
uContinued from P 1 and the threat to minorities desh will take over as the uContinued from P 1 t was a Tyeb work again ruggles of a newly independ-
amid increasing radicalisa- chair of Bimstec at the Bang- (‘Mahishasura’) which ent India and the violence of

M T
odi was seated be- tion in the country. kok summit. he home ministry will crossed the $1m mark for the 1992 Bombay riots. In an
tween Yunus and Ne- According to govt sourc- At the last summit in Col- soon convene a joint the first time in 2005. Now, he interview, he recounted his
pal PM KP Sharma es, bilateral meetings are ombo in 2022, the leaders meeting, he said, adding has set another benchmark memories of Partition. “At
Oli. An Indian govt source likely also with Nepal PM K P adopted the Bimstec Charter, that while the govt was work- for Indian art. Wednesday’s the time, I was living on Mo-
speaking on condition of Sharma Oli and Myanmar completing its transition ing to find a path to end the vi- auction was also a benchmark hammed Ali Road, which was
anonymity said the meeting, junta chief Senior General from a grouping to a regional olence, the top priority was to for homegrown auction virtually a Muslim ghetto. I
as sought by Dhaka, is “in the Min Aung Hlaing, who is un- organisation. With Saarc now establish peace. house Saffronart, which cele- remember watching a young
works”. Senior officials in dertaking a rare visit abroad non-functional because of the President’s rule was im- brated its 25th anniversary PERFECTIONIST TILL THE END man being slaughtered in the
Dhaka were quoted as saying amid the civil war in the lack of any diplomatic en- posed in Manipur on Feb 13 af- with an auction that raked in street below my window. The
that the leaders would meet country for Bimstec. gagement between India and ter then CM Biren Singh re- a record-breaking $25 million. His work now goes for su- crowd beat him to death,
on Friday afternoon, shortly In his departure state- Pakistan, the Indian govt has signed on Feb 9 following “It’s a global record for an In- ms that are as jaw-dropping as smashed his head with
after the Bimstec summit. India-Myanmar-Thailand ment, Modi also said that pushed Bimstec as an alterna- months of ethnic violence dian art auction. It shows the his pregnant Kali and aveng- stones.” Those images haunt-
The meeting, if it happens, highway will connect the region Bimstec has emerged as a sig- tive for regional trade, con- which started in May 2023. strength of the art market ing yet tender Durga but to ed him for life, as did the sight
would be the first between to Pacific Ocean and would be a nificant forum for promoting nectivity and security. Ad- Shah said the opposition when other asset classes are talk of Mehta purely in terms of bullocks being led to
the leaders since the interim game-changer, Jaishankar said regional development, con- dressing the Colombo sum- had been trying to portray a struggling,” said Dinesh Vazi- of zeroes does no justice to the slaughter at an abattoir in
govt took charge in Bangla- nectivity and economic pro- mit, Modi had also called for picture that ethnic clashes be- rani, Saffronart CEO and co- man and the ideals he lived by. Bombay. The bull, Mehta later
desh in Aug 2025. interpreted wrongly. The fact gress in the Bay of Bengal re- expediti ng ongoing talks for a tween the Meitei and Kuki com- founder. “It’s even more mea- “The power of painting was said, was important to him on
Separately, in a Bimstec that he was speaking in Chi- gion. “I look forward to meet- Bimstec free trade agreement munities was the first violence ningful because it is Mehta’s far more important to him many levels. “The way they tie
ministerial, Jaishankar said na, while inviting Beijing to ing the leaders of the Bimstec (FTA) that would enhance in Manipur and the BJP-led centenary year.” than the prices it command- up the animal’s legs and fling
that the North-East had take advantage of Bangla- countries and engaging pro- mutual trade. govt had failed to maintain law The proceeds will go to the ed,” said Singh, narrating an it on the floor of the slaughter-
emerged as a connectivity desh’s geographical location, ductively to further strength- The PM will also visit Sri and order. “Three major in- Mehta family since the work anecdote from Delhi gallerist house before butchering it…
hub for the Bimstec and the raised eyebrows in India. en our collaboration with the Lanka from Bangkok. “This stances of violence spanning 10 was from their collection. For Arun Vadehra who was close you feel something very vital
completion of the India- Modi had last week writ- interest of our people in follows the highly successful years, three years, and six most of his life, the artist lived to Mehta. “Arun used to have has been lost. The trussed bull
Myanmar-Thailand trilateral ten to Yunus on Bangladesh mind,” said Modi. visit of President Dissanaya- months had occurred during in a cramped one-room apart- one of his paintings hanging also seemed representative of
highway will connect the re- National Day, extending his Bimstec or the Bay of Ben- ka to India last Dec. We will earlier govts. After those inci- ment that was studio by day in his office. One day, Mehta the national condition… the
gion all the way to the Pacific felicitations and underlining gal Initiative for Multi-Secto- have the opportunity to re- dents, neither the Prime Minis- and bedroom at night. It was took it away, only to replace it mass of humanity unable to
Ocean. This, he said, would be the significance of working ral Technical and Economic view progress made on the ter nor the Union home minis- only in the 1990s that he and later with another work. channel or direct its tremen-
a veritable game-changer. together on the basis of mu- Cooperation is an inter-re- joint vision of fostering part- ter visited the state,” he said. his wife Sakina could afford to When Arun asked, he said he dous energies…”
Yunus’s office had clar- tual sensitivity to each oth- gional grouping comprising nerships for a shared future Congress MP Shashi Tha- move into a two-bedroom had ripped the earlier paint- In the winter of his life,
ified on Wednesday that his er’s interests and concerns. five South Asian countries and provide further guid- roor said his party supported place in Lokhandwala. “Like ing because he wasn’t happy Mehta’s vision was im-
remarks about India’s North- India also remains con- and two Asean states, lying in ance to realise our shared ob- the resolution but wanted the many other artist wives of with it. Tyeb may not have paired. “Those primary col-
East had been made with cerned about the law-and-or- the littoral and adjacent areas jectives,” he said in his de- restoration of peace and sta- that period, Sakina supported been very prolific but he ours that he used so much
“honest intentions” but were der situation in Bangladesh, of the Bay of Bengal. Bangla- parture statement. bility in the state. “End in- him. She used to work as a stayed true to his art.” was because his sight was af-
surgency, restore peace and teacher,” said Kishore Singh, Mehta’s strong imagery fected,” explained Singh.
stability, promote dialogue senior VP at DAG (formerly was always rooted in his life, But he continued to paint, a

Judges began declaring assets in 2009 with each other, promote in-
clusivity,” he said.
Sayani Ghosh of Trina-
Delhi Art Gallery). with his canvases charting perfectionist till the end.

but practice petered out after 4-5 years

mool Congress said her party
supported the resolution but
favoured early restoration of
Sanyal accused of inaction over
uContinued from P 1 had decided to upload the as-
sets and liabilities declared
reluctant to share details of
their huge assets.
which read, “Resolved that
every judge should make a
peace. DMK’s K Kanimozhi
said “divisive” politics should
come to an end in Manipur.
GIPE’s ‘declining credentials’
T
wo newly-appointed by judges immediately after In Nov 2019, a five-judge SC declaration of all his/her as- uContinued from P 1 staff recruitment. “The in- action from you,” Sahoo
judges — Justices K Vi- getting appointed to the SC, bench, of which Justice sets in the form of real estate terim VC issued appoint- wrote, justifying the need for
Man, fiancee killed
S
nod Chandran and Joy- on the SC website after Jus- Khanna was a part, had ruled or investments (held by him/ anjeev Sanyal had served ments without forming a a new chancellor to restore
malya Bagchi — are yet to de- tice Shylendra Kumar of that the office of CJI was a her in his/her own name or as chancellor for less th- proper selection committee,” the institute’s standing.
clare their assets and liabili-
ties to the CJI. The SC has a
Karnataka HC publicly
joined issue with CJI Balak-
public authority and amena-
ble to RTI Act. Justice Khanna
in the name of his/her
spouse or any person de-
in Saudi accident an six months. His remo-
val marks another turn in GI-
said an SIS trustee. “When
we asked Sanyal to review
Das wrote back the follow-
ing day, saying UGC regula-
sanctioned strength of 34
judges but one post is vacant.
“The assets and liabilities
rishnan for his stand that
judges should not be re-
quired to disclose their as-
had said independence of ju-
diciary and transparency
went hand in hand. Justice N
pendent on him/her) within
a reasonable time of assum-
ing office and in the case of
A man (27) and his fiancee
(26), both from Kerala’s
Wayanad, died in a road accident
PE’s recent shake-ups. He to-
ok over in Oct 2024 after Bibek
Debroy resigned amid tensi-
these irregularities, there
was no response. Registrar
Kapil Jodh opposed these ap-
tions stipulate a chancellor’s
five-year tenure and do not
outline a removal process. He
statements of judges, which sets to the public. V Ramana, who became CJI sitting judge within a rea- in Saudi Arabia when their on over the appointment of pointments and Das termi- urged SIS to retract the deci-
are mandatorily declared be- But the practice petered in 2021, had concurred with sonable time of adoption of vehicle collided with a Land former VC Ajit Ranade. Debr- nated him Wednesday.” sion to prevent legal compli-
fore the CJI by every judge of out four or five years later Justice Khanna and said this resolution and thereaf- Cruiser car on Wednesday. Three oy had attempted to terminate SIS president Damodar cations. GIPE’s officiating
the SC and, thereafter, kept in when a judge stirred a there should be a balance be- ter whenever any acquisi- Saudi nationals died in the crash. Ranade, a move later reversed Sahoo accused Sanyal of in- deputy registrar Vishal Gaik-
sealed cover, is likely to be up- huge controversy by men- tween right to information, tion of substantial nature is Akhil Alex, an engineer by Sanyal. Ranade resigned in action in a letter Wednesday, wad backed Das, confirming
loaded on the SC website by tioning “daughters’ mar- transparency and independ- made, it shall be disclosed employed in the UK, and his Nov 2024, leading to Das’s ap- citing GIPE’s declining cre- that “all recruitments at the
the end of this month,” an SC riage” as a liability in her ence of judiciary. within a reasonable time.” fiancee, K Teena, a nurse at a pointment as interim VC. dentials, including its down- institute have been advertised
source told TOI. declaration. Moreover, judg- Declaration of assets and But the declarations were Saudi hospital, were scheduled The trustees said the lat- grade to a ‘B’ grade in NAAC and due process followed”. He
The full court of the SC in es, who as lawyers had roar- liabilities by judges started kept confidential till 2009, to marry on June 16. Teena was est controversy stemmed accreditation. “We are dismissed allegations against
Aug 2009, during the tenure ing practices prior to joining with a full court resolution when it was made public for planning to quit her job to move from Das allegedly bypassing pained to see GIPE’s decline. Das as false and insisted Sa-
of CJI K G Balakrishnan, constitutional courts, were of the SC on May 7, 1997, the first time. to the UK for a marital life. TNN procedures in faculty and There is no concrete plan of nyal remains chancellor.
 PD: 04-04-2025 Z: Delhi E: 1 U: c-ravi.dixit T: 04-03-2025 23:51

TIMES SPORT
LAST FIVE MATCHES THE TIMES OF INDIA, NEW DELHI
TODAY’S PLAYED L W L W L FRIDAY, APRIL 4, 2025 “THE MOST IMPORTANT THING WHICH

6
LSG
FACE-OFF Won by Won by
HAS HELPED MY EVOLUTION AND THE
WAY I’VE IMPROVED MY T20 BATTING
MI W L L L L
LSG LSG MI IS THE GAME TIME I’VE GOT AND THE
5 1
VS
MI VENUE: LUCKNOW PRACTICE I GET HERE WITH THE TITANS
ODDS BOWLERS. THEY’RE ALL QUALITY
TV TIME (83.33%) (16.67%) LSG MI INTERNATIONAL BOWLERS.”

13/10 6/10
7:30 PM —B Sai Sudharsan | GUJARAT TITANS OPENER
STAR SPORTS / JIOHOTSTAR

Krishna Roy

Venkatesh, Rinku Shine Before

Bowlers Tame SRH’s Heavy
TEAM

PBKS
M

2
W

2 0
L NRR

1.485
PTS

4 Struggling Rohit,
Pant face the music
DC 2 2 0 1.320 4

Hitters In Big 80-Run Win RCB

GT
3
3
2
2
1
1
1.149
0.807
4
4

KNIGHTS HIT
KKR 4 2 2 0.070 4 Fazal.Khan | tnn
WEATHER
MI 3 1 2 0.309 2
31 C
Lucknow: Lucknow Super 0
LSG 3 1 2 -0.150 2 Giants (LSG) skipper Rishabh
Pant and Mumbai Indians

5
CSK 3 1 2 -0.771 2 (MI) star Rohit Sharma will be LSG’s tally of wins, out

THEIR STRIDE
RR 3 1 2 -1.112 2 under the scanner due to poor of six played vs MI, is
form when these two teams the most by them
SRH 4 1 3 -1.612 2 face off at the Ekana Stadium against any opponent.
here on Friday. The lean patch Against SRH, they have won
of the two stalwarts has put four out of five played.
SCOREBOARD more pressure on their respec-

4/38
KKR: Q de Kock c Ansari b Cummins tive teams, both of which have Naveen-
[email protected] 1, S Narine c Klaasen b Shami 7, A blown hot and cold and not ul-Haq’s
Rahane c Klaasen b Ansari 38, A really built any sort of win- figures in
Kolkata: Everything went right for Raghuvanshi c Harshal b Mendis 50, ning momentum so far. the 2023 Eliminator are the
the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) on V Iyer c Aniket b Harshal 60, R Singh LSG lost their first home best by an LSG bowler vs MI.
not out 32, A Russell run out 1,
Thursday night as they returned to Extras: (lb8, w3) 11; Total: (6 wkts)
game to PBKS by eight wickets, —Stats: Rajesh Kumar
their winning ways. To top it all, skip- 200; FoW: 1-14, 2-16, 3-97, 4-106, being outplayed in all depart-
per Ajinkya Rahane even came away 5-197, 6-200; Bowling: Shami 4-0-29- ments, while five-time champi- fall of an early wicket.
happy with the Eden Gardens pitch 1, Cummins 4-0-44-1, Simarjeet 4-0- ons Mumbai Indians have not Meanwhile, Pant, the cost-
for the first time this season! 47-0, Ansari 3-0-25-1, Harshal 4-0-43- really clicked so far this season, liest player in IPL history, has
Although KKR got off to yet an- 1, Mendis 1-0-4-1. with just two points from three just 17 runs from three match-
other poor start after Sunrisers Hy- SRH: T Head c Harshit b Arora 4, A games. MI and LSG are sixth es. Pant will be concerned
derabad skipper Pat Cummins put Sharma c Iyer b Rana 2, I Kishan c and seventh respectively on the about the runs not flowing
them in to bat, some incredible hitting Rahane b Arora 2, N Reddy c Narine b points table, though Friday’s tie from his blade ahead of a busy
by Venkatesh Iyer (60 off 29 balls; 7x4, Russell 19, K Mendis c sub (A Roy) b puts more pressure on Luc- season. He has scores of 0, 15
3x6) and Rinku Singh (32 not out off Narine 27, H Klaasen c Ali b Arora 33, know since it is another ‘home’ and 2 in the three games so far
CRUCIAL KNOCK: Venkatesh Iyer plays a shot A Verma c Iyer b Varun 6, P Cummins
17 balls; 4x4, 1x6) saw the hosts getting c Harshit b Varun 14, H Patel c&b
game, even though any sort of and the ‘honeymoon period’
against SRH at the Eden Gardens on Thursday
their first 200-run total this season. Russell 3, S Singh b Varun 0, M Shami help from the surface hasn’t with a new franchise may
The total proved challenging on not out 2; Extras: (lb3, w5) 8; Total been forthcoming yet, leading soon run out.
the slowish track. The ball did not (16.4 overs) 120; FoW: 1-4, 2-9, 3-9, to controversy. The good news for the LSG
come on to the bat as expected, neu- 4-44, 5-66, 6-75, 7-112, 8-114, 9-114; MI, meanwhile, beat Kolka- skipper is that the depleted
tering the power-packed SRH batting Bowling: Arora 4-1-29-3, Harshit 3-0- ta Knight Riders (KKR) in their pace attack now wears a
lineup, which folded for 120 in 16.4 15-1, Varun 4-0-22-3, Russell 1.4-0-21- own backyard and will be rela- much-improved look with
overs to go down by 80 runs. 2, Narine 4-0-30-1. tively upbeat. It’s Rohit’s lack Avesh Khan joining the team
KKR, who struggled to get to 53/2 RESULT: KKR won by 80 runs of runs at the top of the order, against SRH and Akash Deep
in the Powerplay, collected 78 runs though, that may have them in slated to play Friday’s game.
losing two wickets in the last five a quandary. The former MI The prospect of some ex-
overs to get to a respectable total. skipper seems reluctant to give plosive batting from Nicholas

50
The Knights seized early initia- Angkrish Raghuvanshi himself any sort of time to Pooran (LSG) and Suryaku-
tive by reducing SRH to 9/3 within has posted his second- gauge the surface or settle in, mar Yadav (MI), though, will
the first three overs. Apart from highest IPL score which has invariably led to the please fans.
Heinrich Klaasen (33 off 21 balls), no behind the 54 off 27 balls vs Delhi PTI

one could put up any meaningful spinner Zeeshan Ansari, after his boundaries in the very next over as Capitals in Vizag on April 3, 2024.

200
challenge as the visitors kept losing three-for on debut for SRH in Vizag Sunil Narine has KKR reached 150 in 17.1 overs.

1
wickets at regular interval to fizzle in the last game, provided the break- become the first The duo got 17 runs off Sima- Venkatesh Iyer has become
out tamely, with Vaibhav Arora and through by having Rahane caught bowler to complete rjeet’s last over, with Iyer hitting him the first KKR batter to
Varun Chakravarthy picking up behind by Klaasen. The KKR skipper 200 wickets (avg 24.14) in 189 for two consecutive boundaries and register three successive
three wickets each. got an edge while trying to reverse matches for KKR in T20s. His tally Rinku finishing off with a straight fifties against SRH.
Both sides went in with spin- sweep the spinner. includes 8 four-wicket hauls and 1 six. Iyer got his first 50 in this IPL off

12
heavy attacks. While the hosts opted Raghuvanshi, who was dropped five-wicket haul. The only other just 25 balls, hitting Cummins for Venkatesh Iyer’s 12th
for Moeen Ali in place of left-arm by Nitish Reddy at deep square-leg bowler to accomplish the feat in three fours and one six to collect 21 fifty is his 3rd in 9
pacer Spencer Johnson, the visitors on 42 off Simarjeet Singh, got to his T20s is Samit Patil (208 wickets at runs in the penultimate over. innings vs SRH.
brought in Kamindu Mendis for second IPL half-century in 30 balls. 26.34) in 232 matches for The KKR vice-captain finally de-

91
Wiaan Mulder. But he fell soon after to IPL debutant Nottinghamshire. parted trying to clear Harshal for a Runs put on by Iyer
Rahane and Angkrish Raghuvan- Mendis, the Sri Lankann getting the six but was caught at long-on. The and Rinku Singh, KKR’s
shi (50 off 32 balls; 5x4, 2x6) steadied Mumbai batter caught by Harshal free by pulling Simarjeet for a six. fifth-wicket stand between Iyer and highest fifth-wicket
the KKR innings with an 81-run Patel at backward point. Rinku joined the party soon, hitting Rinku yielded 91 runs off 41 balls. partnership vs SRH, bettering the
third-wicket stand off 51 balls. But The two newcomers in the middle, a boundary in local boy Mohammed No wonder Rahane said at the 65* between Andre Russell and
KKR suffered a jolt, losing both the Venkatesh and Rinku, initially strug- Shami’s last over and then striking toss, “It looks good, I’m really happy Shubman Gill in Kolkata on
batters in quick succession. Leg- gled to get going before Iyer broke Harshal Patel for three consecutive with the pitch!” March 24, 2019. LEADERSHIP GROUP: MI’s Hardik Pandya with LSG’s Rishabh Pant

Sportzpics

When Siraj silenced ‘DROPPING SALT

EMBARRASSING’ ‘I’m 100% fit and eager to play’
the Chinnaswamy
Bengaluru: Gujarat Titans’ Jos Buttler
admitted that he was “embarrassed”
at dropping RCB opener Phil Salt LSG’s Akash Deep matches have
been played, ‘Don’t judge
while keeping here, but he was able Says He’s Ready there have
Rohit on couple
GT Pacer’s Emphatic Show On Return To His to make amends, been many
using the long For The Big Stage positive as- of low scores’
Previous ‘Home’ Was Perfect Riposte To RCB handle to help pects for
his side to an After Injury Layoff our team. Lucknow: MI batting coach
[email protected] eight-wicket Despite four Kieron Pollard on Thursday
win. “I don’t Fazal Khan | tnn AKASH of our fast bowl- played down the chat
DEEP
Bengaluru: It was a glorious return know, pretty ers being injured, the surrounding Rohit Sharma’s
to the M Chinnaswamy Stadium for embarrassed. We Lucknow: Pacer Akash Deep way we performed in the first lukewarm start to the season.
Mohammed Siraj on Wednesday night. MOHAMMED JOS know Salt is a has declared himself “100% fit three games is commendable. I Former skipper Rohit has
The venue had been his IPL SIRAJ BUTTLER dangerous player. I barely and ready to play” after having think there are many good scores of 0, 8 and 13 so far.
‘home’ for the past seven seasons got a glove on it and it hit me in the recovered from the back injury things with us, and since the “Rohit has etched his name in
with Royal Challengers Bengaluru chest, so was determined to score that plagued him in Australia tournament is quite long, good history, in record books, in
(RCB), until the franchise unceremo- shorter formats. Mumbai Indians (2/34) before breath- some runs,” Buttler said. “As a team, and kept him away from the things are yet to come. We’ve different situations, in different
niously let go of the star pacer at the Siraj’s underwhelming perfor- ing fire against his former team. we did not field well. Had we fielded game for the last three months. see in IPL matches during the formats of the game. He is a
mega auction last year. mance (an economy rate of 8.81) at At the Chinnaswamy, which has a better, myself included, we would Akash Deep joined LSG on last two years, you can’t predict legend of the game. So, let’s
Added to that snub was the hurt this venue was said to be one of the benign batting pitch which is unforgiv- have chased less. Nice win and well Thursday night and was seen a safe target. There have been not judge him on a couple of
of being kept out of Team India’s reasons he had to seek a new home ing of even marginal errors, Siraj deserved. The bowlers did a fantastic in franchise colours for the instances when teams have low scores,” said Pollard. PTI
white-ball scheme of things — he was with Gujarat Titans. Wednesday’s more than held his own. Barring a job,” he said. PTI first time at the pre-game me- failed to defend 240 or 260. If our
ignored for the Champions Trophy 3/19 showed he had reinvented him- boundary by Virat Kohli and a Phil dia interaction. “I’m feeling fast-bowling unit is together, we much interaction with the
recently — and no wonder Siraj was self, and the effort even earned praise Salt six , both coming in the Powerplay, quite ready and am eager to have a balanced side.” coaches yet.”
itching to unleash his trademark
‘Siu’ celebration here at the venue in
from RCB’s head coach Andy Flower.
“He bowled an outstanding spell
there weren’t any loose deliveries from
the Hyderabadi. The only blip was a
GT’S RABADA play. I’m 100% fit and well-pre-
pared to go as I’ve played one
On switching from RCB to
LSG, Deep said, “The jersey
On Zaheer Khan’s mentor-
ship of the franchise, he said,
Gujarat Titans colours. with the new ball. His lines were re- wide he bowled in the 19th over. RETURNS HOME practice match. In cricket, may change but the person will “I’m lucky to have the opportu-
In the past, the celebration — in- ally tight, his lengths were good, and The fitter and fierier Siraj, dwelling Ahmedabad: South African fast when you get a gap of two-three remain the same. I’m feeling nity to play under such a great
spired by his favourite footballer he threatened the stumps a lot. So on his second coming, said, “I had been bowler Kagiso Rabada has left the months, no matter how much very good with this franchise. coach, even if it’s just for two-
Cristiano Ronaldo — would often good on him,” Flower said. playing consistently, but during the Gujarat Titans squad to return to his you practice, you don’t gain I haven’t spent much time with three months. His internation-
drown in the stadium’s din. On Flower’s assessment reflects Siraj’s break I corrected my mistakes and country due to personal reasons, the confidence until you play a the team yet, but the time I did al experience is excellent, and
Wednesday, after his dismissal of growth as a white-ball bowler. He worked on my fitness. Once I was Indian Premier League (IPL) team match. I feel the first match spend, which was about two- he will identify and improve
Phil Salt, his chant reverberated hasn’t donned the Indian colours in picked up by Gujarat Titans, I spoke to said on Thursday. “Kagiso Rabada (will be) very important for three days during the prepara- my skills and fine-tune my
around the Chinnaswamy, stunning limited-overs formats for more than Ashish bhai (Nehra, former India has returned to South Africa to deal me,” he said. tory camp, it felt great and gave weaknesses and variations.”
the crowd into silence as the 31-year- seven months now but that hasn’t bowler and GT coach). He told me to go with an important personal matter,” Asked about the team’s be- me a lot of confidence. Because Asked how injured LSG
old ripped through the RCB top-order. stopped him from knocking on the enjoy my bowling and Ishu bhai (Ishant Gujarat said in a statement without low-par performance so far, I was at the NCA in rehab, I speed sensation Mayank Yadav’s
It was the perfect riposte to not door. Having started off on the wrong Sharma) told me what line and length elaborating. Rabada had played the Akash Deep said, “In cricket, joined the team (only) last rehab was coming along, he said,
only his old franchise but those who foot (0/54) against Punjab Kings, Siraj to bowl. My mindset is to have belief, first two games of the IPL season in performance is not in our con- night, and today is the first “I believe it’ll be good if he can
have doubted his credentials in the made amends when his team took on and then the pitch does not matter.” Ahmedabad. REUTERS trol. Even though only three practice session. I haven’t had join the team soon.”

‘Calm’ Sudharsan begins Sai Kishore: Benchwarmer to key cog in GT wheel

season on strong note Unique Carrom Ball Unleashed By
Spinner Against RCB A Product
I’ve been very
honest with myself
Sportzpics
spinner in the ‘playing XII’.
The 28-year-old is leading the
‘wickets’ chart for GT with six
been practising that ball for the
last three years, but I had not
bowled it anywhere. I was confi-
[email protected] Sudharsan’s timing and deft use of the and have worked really scalps in three matches. “I’m actu- dent enough to bowl it in this IPL,
wrists, especially against the pacers. Of ‘Three Years Of Hard Work’ hard. Let us hope that this ally looking forward to this season I just went with my instinct. It is
Bengaluru: The sense of calm Sai He began the season with a 74 and season is a wonderful one.” (playing more matches). All this like a carrom ball, I get more dip
Sudharsan brings to the crease can 63 against Punjab Kings and Mumbai [email protected] —R Sai Kishore while, I’ve watched a lot of games on it. You can call it anything
unsettle the best of bowlers. Indians and was looking for his third and learnt a lot. I’ve been very hon- (laughs),” said Sai Kishore.
Since his IPL debut in 2022, the consecutive half-century, but a sloppy Chennai: R Sai Kishore has been est with myself and have worked Sai Sudharsan, the TN red-
southpaw has gone from strength to shot off Hazlewood left him one short. one of the best finger spinners in really hard. Let us hope that this ball skipper’s statemate and a
strength, and last season he scored 527 By then, he had batted until the 13th the Indian domestic circuit for a season is a wonderful one,” said Sai teammate at GT, hailed him for
runs for Gujarat Titans. IPL-18 is still over and had set the stage for Jos But- few years now. But the Tamil Nadu Kishore after GT’s win over Mum- being a street-smart operator.
in its infancy but Sudharshan is al- tler, with whom he shared a 75-run left-arm orthodox bowler had to bai Indians in Ahmedabad. “Of f the field, I see the
ready holding out the promise of going association for the second wicket. bide his time to become a regular The left-arm slow bowler has amount of effort he puts in and
past that mark, having clobbered his Sudharsan, who earned his India playing member in the IPL. underlined his credentials with the preparation he does in terms
way to 186 runs from three matches. cap in 2023, attributed his form to his In his first IPL stint at Chen- match-influencing spells in less- of having tactical advantages
Against Royal Challengers Ben- ability to adapt to different venues. nai Super Kings, Sai Kishore than-favourable conditions for the over the batters. That is putting
galuru Wednesday night, the 23-year- “It’s my fourth year (in IPL), and I’ve warmed the bench for two succes- spinners. When PBKS put on a him ahead of the other bowlers.
old opener scored a 36-ball 49. been exposed to difficult conditions,” sive seasons as he was expectedly boundary-hitting exhibition in He understands the game and
It wasn’t as easy as he made it he said. On his partnership with behind Ravindra Jadeja, a master Ahmedabad, Sai Kishore produced situation, he uses his speeds and
look. The surface was tricky Buttler, he said, “Buttler of his craft, in the pecking order. a miserly effort of 3-30. On Wednes- angles accordingly. It is one of
and RCB’s new-ball bowl- “Jos brings in a lot of experi- While the tweaker broke into day, he foxed the RCB batters with the strengths he has. That is why
ers, Josh Hazlewood and Buttler brings ence and knowledge, the Gujarat Titans XI in the busi- variations, which included angles, he is bowling the way he has
Bhuvneshwar Kumar, in a lot of which helps us settle ness end of their title-winning speeds and type of deliveries. been,” Sai Sudharsan said.
are no pushovers. It experience and or stabilise the mid- campaign in 2022, he had to be The one that caught everyone’s “In this game, Sai Kishore’s
took him 12 deliveries knowledge, which helps dle-overs and give us content with a bit-part role in the attention was the ‘carrom ball’ spell was the most important one
to get his eye in, but us settle or stabilise the a chance of an excel- previous three-year cycle because my Stadium against Royal Chal- using the ‘Right To Match’ card that he unleashed against Krunal because it was difficult facing the
on the 13th delivery, middle-overs and give us a lent last five overs. of the presence of top-quality lengers Bengaluru, it was his at the mega auction. With Noor Pandya, with the southpaw having fast bowlers on this pitch. As bat-
he improvised to ham- chance of an excellent Buttler’s innings (73 spinners in Rashid Khan and spell of 2-22 that went a long way making the move to CSK, Sai no clue how to deal with it and ters, we try to maximise against the
mer Hazelwood for a last five overs.” no; 39b) was excellent, Noor Ahmad. But this year, he has in Titans winning the game. Kishore, who has a phenomenal handing a simple return catch. spinners (on such pitches). He was
six over the ’keeper’s —Sai Sudharsan because the wicket was been a re gular feature. On The lanky left-ar mer was economy of 5.98 in 73 T20 match- “To be relevant in T20 cricket, smart enough. He used the right
head. What stood out was not easy.” Wednesday at the M Chinnaswa- bought back by Titans for Rs 2 cr es, has been elevated to a frontline you have to keep evolving. I have speeds and angles,” he added.
PD: 04-04-2025 Z: Delhi E: 1 U: c-saurabh.kumar T: 04-03-2025 23:26

26 TIMES SPORT THE TIMES OF INDIA, NEW DELHI

FRIDAY, APRIL 4, 2025

Getty Images

Liverpool’s Slot Happy To Let JFC snatch late

The countdown
GALLERY
Premier League Title Bid Take
Verstappen not
happy with the Its Course After Derby Win
ONE FOR ALL: Diogo Jota scores the all-important
winner in first leg
Sudeshna.Ghosh field to get a spectacular equa-
Tsunoda-Lawson London: Arne Slot says Liverpool are goal for Liverpool against Everton at Anfield
@timesofindia.com liser from Jason Cummings 13
unconcerned by how soon they can win
Red Bull swap the Premier League title after going 12
minutes later, the Red Miners’

T
hey were beaten in the defence kept Bagan’s quest for
Max Verstappen confirmed points clear again with victory in first leg of the league sta- the winner at bay. The hosts
Thursday he was unhappy Wednesday’s Merseyside derby. ge and managed a 1-1 then edged ahead of Bagan
with Red Bull’s ruthless A day after second-placed Arsenal draw in front of the home with the 91st-minute winner
driver swap for the Japane- cut the gap to nine points by beating crowd in the return leg. On from the Spanish midfielder to
se Grand Prix, saying his Fulham 2-1 at home, Liverpool respond- Thursday, Khalid Jamil’s earn a lead ahead of Monday’s
endorsement of a social ed by defeating Everton 1-0 at Anfield. Jamshedpur FC lit up JRD Ta- second leg in Kolkata.
media post criticising the Liverpool next face Fulham at Cra- ta Sports Complex with skip- Jamil’s 4-3-2-1 combina-
move “speaks for itself”. ven Cottage on Sunday. per Javi Hernandez scoring a tion — bringing in Siverio up-
Red Bull have been critici- Slot, in his first season as Liverpool later winner front with Jordan Murray —
manager since succeeding Jurgen
sed for not giving Lawson
enough time. Klopp, was asked Thursday how close
ISL SF in the 2-1 win worked well for the hosts as
against Mo- they dominated the first 20
he felt to clinching the title. “We are not hun Bagan Super Giant in the minutes with Bagan their ti-
‘Sinner’s former physio working on theories about how many Reuters first leg of their ISL semifinal. me to find their rhythm.
to blame for failed dope
tests’: Tennis world No. 1
points this is, this, this,” said Slot.
“We are taking the challenge of Ful-
GREALISH DEDICATES SLIDE RULE: Barca’s Ferran Torres (left)
Jose Molina’s Shield win-
ners went in as the favourites
The breakthrough came
in the 24th minute. Stephen
Jannik Sinner’s former ham on for Sunday, where we have to be GOAL TO LATE BROTHER celebrates with Lamine Yamal (centre)
and Fermin Lopez after scoring at Atletico
on the day, especially with Eze was in the thick of things
physical trainer Umberto at our best again, like yesterday, to get Manchester: Manchester City star Jamshedpur’s disappointing as Muhammad Uvais’s long
Ferrara said on Thursday he a result. We’ve played 30 games now. Jack Grealish dedicated his long-await- season at home. But Jamil and throw grazed the back of the
was blameless in the case of Maybe there were three or four where ed goal in Wednesday’s 2-0 win against his men came out on top sho- Nigerian’s head and reached
the three-time Grand Slam the score was so clear that in the last 20 Leicester to his late brother. Grealish wing grit and rigour, Javier Si- Siverio who turned it in with
champion testing positive minutes it wasn’t a problem anymore. scored in the Premier League for the verio getting them the opener his head to the frustration of
twice for a banned sub- Almost all of our other games have been first time in 16 months. in the 24th minute. While Ba- the Bagan defenders and Vis-
stance. Ferrara told Gazzetta really tight. That probably tells you as It came on the 25th anniversary of gan showed their might in the hal Kaith under the bar.
dello Sport that he had used well how big of an accomplishment it the death of his younger brother Kee-
the spray himself for years is that we are 12 points clear at the mo- lan, who died at the age of just nine
after it was prescribed by a COPA DEL REY
India playing at
ment and doing so well.” months. “This day is always hard in the
doctor for an illness. Arsenal play Everton at Goodison family, but I was happy to score,” Greal-
Park in a Saturday lunchtime kick-off. ish said. “My mum and dad were here.
Manish, Hitesh, “We have more than enough rest for This day is always difficult in the fam-
Abhinash in World
Boxing Cup SF: Manish
Rathore, Hitesh and Ab-
the Sunday game, so it’s not a problem,”
added Slot. “But I do feel for Everton,
that they play on a Wednesday night and
ily. So to score and to win was brilliant.”
Newcastle beat Brentford 2-1 to main-
tain the party mood after the their first
same level as our
hinash Jamwal registered
commanding victories to
storm into the semi-finals
have to have the early kick-off Saturday.
AP
major trophy for 56 years. AFP
’75 WC side: Onkar
INTER AND MILAN LEVEL
Barca in final but ‘it is
ANI
of their respective weight [email protected]
categories in the World
Boxing Cup Brazil 2025 on IN ITALIAN CUP SEMIS Mumbai: The Indian hockey
Wednesday. AGENCIES

too early for treble talk’

Milan: Inter Milan and AC Milan’s Italian Cup team’s Olympic medal-win-
semifinal was left finely balanced on ning performances -- back-to-
Saurabh falters in back bronze medals in the
Wednesday after the two giants of Italian
shooting WC: Saurabh 2021 and 2024 Games-- have re-
football played out a 1-1 draw at the San Siro. Madrid: Barcelona manager Han-
Chaudhary’s international
Hakan Calhanoglu’s strike in the 67th minute si Flick was keen to keep talk of REAL TOP LAST SEASON’S vived the hopes of the hockey
comeback after two years
made sure that Inter would head into the tie’s trophies in check after his side UEFA PRIZE MONEY fans in the country including
ended on a disappointing
second leg later this month with the scores booked their spot in the Copa del TABLE, EARNING $154M former stalwarts of the game Onkar Singh on Thursday
note as the Meerut shooter who witnessed years of un-
failed to enter the final of Galatasaray’s Buruk falls to the ground level. Turkey captain Calhanoglu’s low shot Rey final against rivals Real Ma- Champions League winners Real
derachievement following In- that it would be a favourable
the Buenos Aires World Cup. after the nose-grabbing incident squirmed past Milan goalkeeper Mike Maignan drid with a hard-fought 1-0 win at Madrid topped the list last season
dia’s maiden World Cup title campaign. “I feel we will win
and cancelled out Tammy Abraham’s brilliantly Atletico Madrid (5-4 on aggregate). by getting almost 139 million euros
50 years ago in 1975. the World Cup next year. Our
Yuvraj, Arjun rise to top taken opener, netted a minute after half-time. Barcelona are on a 21-game un- ($154 million), UEFA said. Paris
in Rd 2: Yuvraj Sandhu and MOURINHO APPEARS Milan need something to cheer about more beaten run and are the only team in Saint-Germain was the second
Onkar Singh, debutant
left half from that World Cup
team is back to the level where
it was at when we won the
Arjun Prasad climbed atop TO GRAB NOSE OF than Italian champions and current Serie A
leaders Inter, who are chasing the treble
Europe’s top-five leagues yet to lose
in 2025 as they bid for three titles.
biggest earner — despite being
eliminated in the semifinals — with
winning team, wished that In- World Cup in 1975. There was a
the leaderboard with totals
of seven-under 137 after
RIVAL COACH! ahead of their Champions League quarter-final But Flick remained cautious 122.4m ($135.7m). Borussia
dia’s current side emulated
the feat at the next World Cup
period in all these years when
we weren’t that good, perhaps
round two of the Rs 1.5 crore Istanbul: Jose Mourinho appeared to with Bayern Munich. Sergio Conceicao’s Milan about their chances of winning the Dortmund, the beaten finalists, just in 2026, to be jointly held in due to the introduction of the
Adani Invitational Golf pinch the nose of Galatasaray coach are ninth in Italy’s top flight. AFP treble and urged his players to edged Bayern Munich with both Wavre, Belgium and Amstel- astroturf in the game. Howe-
Championship 2025 being Okan Buruk after his Fenerbahce team maintain a next-game mentality. “I getting more than 120m euros veen, Netherlands. ver, I don’t believe that playing
played in Greater Noida. TNN was knocked out of the Turkish Cup in a know everyone wants us to talk ($133m). In the Europa League, “I wish the present Indian on the astroturf is much diffe-
fiery match on Wednesday. In footage STUTTGART REACH about the final, it’s a ‘Clasico’, I get beaten finalists Bayer Leverkusen hockey team, which is looking rent to playing on grass. I think
ACTION TODAY widely shared on social media,
Mourinho appears to reach out from GERMAN CUP FINAL that, but I don’t live in the past or got the highest payment of 41.m so good, emulates us. All of us this team is as fit as we were; su-
in the future and our focus should euros ($45.7m). Winners Atalanta 11 surviving members of the te- preme fitness was a major rea-
CRICKET: LSG vs MI, 7.30 behind his opponent and make contact Milan: Stuttgart set up a German Cup final be Betis, who are our next oppo- got almost 34m euros ($37.7m). am would like to see another son for our success,” he said.
pm (Star Sports, JioHot- with his nose. Buruk then falls to the clash with third-division Arminia Bielefeld after nents in LaLiga,” Flick said. “Eve- Barcelona got just 98m euros World Cup win in our lifeti- Also present on the occa-
star) ground holding his face before a 3-1 win over RB Leipzig. Under the watchful rything can change in a heartbeat, ($108.6 million) for reaching the me.” Onkar said at a ceremony sion – launch of ‘March of
FOOTBALL: I-League, Inter Mourinho is escorted away. Three eyes of Jurgen Klopp, the new head of global so we need to keep focused.” Champions League quarters. AP here, “Let’s pray for our team’s Glory: The Story of India’s
Kashi vs Rajasthan United, players were sent off in the Istanbul soccer for Leipzig’s owners Red Bull, the Barcelona are top of the LaLiga success in next year’s World 1975 World Cup triumph’, co-
4.30 pm; Gokulam Kerala vs derby at Fenerbahce’s stadium. visitors were outclassed by a strong Stuttgart. standings with 66 points, three host Borussia Dortmund. They will Cup, and the 2028 Olympics. authored by Errol D'Cruz and
Dempo SC, 7 pm (Sony Galatasary won 2-1. “He squeezed my It put Stuttgart, under former Leipzig youth- ahead of Real. Real will travel to Ar- meet in the Copa del Rey final on The 77-year-old, the sole K Arumugam -- was former
Sports) nose while I was going on. There was a team coach Sebastian Hoeness, on track for a senal in the Champions League April 26 before they clash again at surviving Mumbaikar from India hockey captain and
slight scratch,” Buruk said. AP first German Cup triumph since 1997. AFP quarterfinals next week while Barca Barcelona on May 11. REUTERS the team of 1975, was confident Olympian Viren Rasquinha.
 CCI NG 3.7 Product: TIMSDelhiBS PubDate: 04-04-2025 Zone: Delhi Edition: 1 Page: DTFP User: cci Time: 04-03-2025 15:48 Color:

Pics: Tejas Kudtarkar

FRIDAY, APRIL 4, 2025
ADVERTORIAL, ENTERTAINMENT INDUSTRY
PROMOTIONAL FEATURE

MY CITY MY OF INDIA
WEEKEND
DELHIITES
EXPLORE THE
FINE CRAFT
OF ITR
MAKING
P6 Any feedback related to stories in Delhi Times?
Mail us @[email protected]

‘Some of the biggest

stars audition in the
West, why not here?’
@poojahegde
Onkar Kulkarni

POOJA
P
ooja Hegde has been a
part of showbiz for
HEGDE over a decade, and
even now, the actress has no
inhibitions when it comes to
auditioning for roles. The
Deva actress shares, “I re-
cently auditioned for a Tamil
film and got rejected. They
felt I was too young for the
part, so they chose someone
older. But I’m open to audi-
tions and never shy away
from them. In fact, I prefer
when people reach out to me
for auditions rather than as-
suming I’m not right for the
role. This way, I get a chance
to prove myself as an actor
and show them how I can
convincingly play the role
and also dispel any doubts
the director may have about
my suitability for the part.”

Westwood’s nod
Pooja, who is currently
busy with her south pro-
jects, views auditions as an
opportunity to break stere-
otypes. She explains, “Film-

to Indian fabrics at
makers have a certain per-
ception about actors, espe-
cially female actors as we
tend to get typecast easily.
That’s why I feel it’s impor-
tant to audition and show-
case your traits that
haven’t been explored yet.
It’s better to be in the run-
ning for a role than to be
debut India show
overlooked. I’m not afraid
of working hard and put- Legendary luxury brand Vivienne Westwood’s rain-kissed India
ting myself out there. You
can’t let your ego interfere
debut was a visual tapestry set against the iconic Gateway of India
with your craft. Many peo-
ple don’t get the privilege Vinay MR Mishra dia. Westwood’s Spring Summer 2025 collection
of being called for an au- Kareena was a masterful amalgamation of archival piec-

O
dition, so when the op- Kapoor Khan n Tuesday evening, Mumbai wit- es, reinterpreted with Indian fabrics such as
portunity arises, you nessed a rare April drizzle. And Chanderi and khadi among others. An in-house
should take it up. In the weather just added to the team, which is now helming the brand, decon-
the West, some of the mood of Vivienne Westwood’s maiden structed and reimagined the extensive archives,
biggest stars still fashion show in India, set against the paying homage to Westwood’s punk-infused
audition, so why backdrop of the iconic Gateway of In- aesthetic.
not here?” CONTINUED ON BACK PAGE

Legally Blonde R
eese Witherspoon has announced that Elle,
the upcoming prequel series to Legally Blonde
movies, has started production. In the series,
newcomer Lexi Minetree will essay the role of a
Reese

spin-off begins Witherspoon

young Elle Woods, a role that Witherspoon played in
two movies in the 2000s. Sharing the first look of the
show, Reese, wrote, “Harvard was hard. High School
was harder. Our new series, Elle, is now in produc-
Many people don’t get the privilege of being called
for an audition, so when the opportunity arises,
you should take it up
production tion! Couldn’t be more excited to introduce you all to
@leximinetree as Elle Woods.” Elle marks the first
lead TV role for Minetree, who earlier appeared in
series like Law & Order: SVU. Agencies

DELHI HIGH COURT SLASHES MANDATORY SERVICE CHARGE AT RESTOS

No service charge = Expensive resto outing?

!
iStock

As a diner, you may not have to pay service charge now even ‘The immediate impact will
if it appears on bills, but the recent ruling has left restos with be a sudden drop in pay’
Restaurateurs say that service charges allow them to
a dilemma – raise menu prices or let staff absorb the loss pay not just their servers but the entire staff. “Even if
customers leave a tip, those tips are not guaranteed
Niharika Lal to reach all staff members as they used to with the
Collecting service charge service charge. For restaurant staff, income

A
fter the recent Delhi High from service charges was a part of their
Court ruling that service on a mandatory basis salary. Now that income will decrease.
charges can’t be manda-
tory on food bills, restaurants are
is contrary to consumer The immediate impact is a sudden drop
in pay, the long-term effect could lead
oscillating between increasing interest: Court to an exodus of expertise and skilled
food and drink prices and letting Justice Prathiba M Singh said that workers,” says a restaurateurs.
the restaurant staff for the consumers, the collection of Rohit Malhotra, CEO of Playboy India
bear the loss. Justice service charge is proving to be a double Venues, says that the ruling will affect
Prathiba M Singh whammy - they are forced to pay service wages. He says, “The Delhi High Court’s
said that for con- tax and GST on the service charge as ban on automatic service charges disrupts industry
sumers, the collec- well. And that this position cannot be norms, much like removing fuel surcharges in airlines
tion of service ignored by the Court. She imposed costs or handling fees in e-commerce. Service charges
charges is proving of `1 lakh on the restaurant associations ensure fair wages for hospitality workers, just as
to be a double that challenged the CCPA guideline. delivery fees support logistics staff and convenience
whammy – they are The court stated, “Service charge or fees sustain digital payment platforms. Instead of
forced to pay service tax tip as it is colloquially referred, is a banning, regulations should ensure transparency and
and GST on the service charge as voluntary payment by the customer. It fair distribution, preserving an essential system that
well. Industry experts say that cannot be compulsory or mandatory. The sustains businesses and workers alike.”
the ruling will leave restos to re- practice undertaken by the restaurant
assess their pricing, affecting not establishments of collecting service
only businesses but also consum-
ers. Should diners be ready to
charge that too on a mandatory basis, The service charge battle Why restos add a Service charge directly
in a coercive manner, would be contrary benefits staff, ensuring
deal with a high-priced menu? In- to consumer interest and is violative of
2017: The Department of Consumer Affairs (DoCA) issued guidelines service charge
dustry experts say, “Not immedi- stating that charging anything beyond menu price inclusive of all fair earnings. Without it, we
ately, but eventually.”
consumer rights.” taxes without consumer’s consent was unfair trade practice instead of increasing
June 2022: Food and Consumer Affairs Minister Piyush Goyal said menu prices are left with few alternatives
As soon as restaurant establishments mandate that restaurants cannot add ‘service charge’ to the food bills, though
Restos impose a service charge
- either restaurant staff bear
customers at their discretion can give “tips”
customers to pay service charge, there is an July 2022: The Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) issued instead of menu prices, because the loss, or prices increase.
automatic increase of at least 10-15% of the new guidelines prohibiting hotels and restos from automatically guests don’t want to pay more This change doesn’t just
for food. “The reason restaurants
price of food items, which the consumer adding service charges to food bills
hesitate to incorporate service impact restaurants, it impacts
July, 2022: The National Restaurant Association of India (NRAI)
would not be aware of while perusing the and the Federation of Hotels and Restaurant Associations of India charges by raising menu prices is the entire hospitality
(FHRAI) challenged the CCPA’s guidelines that it directly affects customers, ecosystem
menu. This is contrary to the basic principles and we didn’t want to switch to
The plea by NRAI contended that there is no law which disallows – Riyaaz Amlani, MD and
of fairness as the consumer has an unbridled restaurants from levying service charge and there has been no that model. Diners often prefer
founder of Impresario Entertainment &
restaurants where they feel
right to know the exact cost amendment to the existing laws which would render levy of the
they are getting a better deal,” Hospitality Pvt Ltd
service charge illegal
– Delhi High Court explains a restaurateur.
 CCI NG 3.7 Product: TIMSDelhiBS
PubDate: 04-04-2025Z one: Delhi Edition: 1 Page: DTLIST User: gagan.aroraTime: 04-02-2025 22:59
C olor:

2 FRIDAY, APRIL 4, 2025

DELHI TIMES, THE TIMES OF INDIA
........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
 CCI NG 3.7 Product: TIMSDelhiBS PubDate: 04-04-2025 Zone: Delhi Edition: 1 Page: DTDITA User: cci Time: 04-03-2025 15:03 Color:

DELHI IS TALKING ABOUT FRIDAY, APRIL 4, 2025

DELHI TIMES, THE TIMES OF INDIA 3
Pics: Ajay Kumar Gautam

The film’s title was

initially different – Dil
To Pagal Hai was
not the first choice of
filmmaker Yash Chopra.

Dil To Pagal Hai

The working title was
Maine to Mohabbat
was originally Kar Li and a little later,
even Mohabbat Kar
Ravi Kishan called Maine Le was considered.
greeted fellow to Mohabbat However, the makers
politicians with Kar Li eventually settled on
his signature line, Dil To Pagal Hai.
“Kaisan ba,
Sansad ji?”
Shahnawaz Hussain, his wife Renu and daughter Ayrah, with Murli
Manohar Joshi. The family welcomed the guests personally
Manoj Tiwari

Celebrating joy of kinship with Eid daawat Niharika Lal

F
or over two dec-
ades, Delhi’s social
calendar has had
one fixed Eid celebra-
tion – the lavish daawat
hosted by Shahnawaz
and Renu Hussain.
Guests say that the
Eid bash at the Hus-
sains is more of a
tradition for them, Gajendra Singh Shekhawat
where old friends, Jagdeep Dhankhar Nitin Gadkari said, “Eid Mubarak toh
acquaintances, poli- sabke liye hota hai”
ticians, artistes, and industrialists come to-
gether year after year.
The politician was seen welcoming the
Chirag Paswan, who obliged
guests and ensuring everyone felt at home.
everyone with a selfie, said, “I
About the event, Hussain said, “There was a
just want to say Eid Mubarak”
time when Manmohan Singh ji and Atal Biha-
ri Vajpayee ji would attend our Eid celebra-
tions. This is the only event we organise every
year.” The curated Eid daawat also had a sec-
tion for guests who were fasting for Navratri.
Conversations flowed between courses as
guests shared how they look forward to cele- Vinai Kumar Saxena
brating the festivals together.
Shashi Tharoor
Arbaz
“I have been coming here << Rina Dhaka said, “I
and
with my father for years, always look forward to
Adeeb
and now I’m here to celebrating Eid at
Hussain
represent him,” said Renu and Shahnawaz
Pratibha Advani, daughter ji’s home”
Dilip and Devi Cherian of LK Advani

Neelam and Rajiv Pratap Rudy

with their daughter Atisha
“My wife (Kitty Kalra) is
Muslim, so we are celebrating
both Navratri and Eid today,”
<< Charu
said Navneet Kalra
Parashar

“People from all faiths

come together to
celebrate Eid with
Shahnawaz ji,” said
Naveen Jindal
 CCI NG 3.7 Product: TIMSDelhiBS PubDate: 04-04-2025 Zone: Delhi Edition: 1 Page: DTJB User: cci Time: 04-03-2025 14:39 Color:

4 FRIDAY, APRIL 4, 2025

DELHI TIMES, THE TIMES OF INDIA VARIETY

Bizarre had his models wear badges read-

‘Science nerd’ trying to collect every element

A ‘model’ fashion show? Possible ing “showstopper” with their faces
covered, making a pointed critique
of the industry’s priorities. More
of periodic table might be jailed for 10 years
K

@lakmefashionwk
areena Kapoor Khan closed who are backstage.” parazzi to understand that a su- recently, Sabyasachi broke away
the Fashion Week with a Interesting pivot from a star, permodel’s wardrobe malfunc- from the celebrity showstopper
An Australian man, Emmanuel Lidden, faces potential jail time after speech that was anything who has been crucial to the idea tion is not the only reason to tradition altogether, making a
importing plutonium to collect elements of the periodic table. The but routine. As the face of the of fashion events being associat- keep their eyes trained on the statement that fashion should
24-year-old, dubbed a “science nerd,” pleaded guilty to violating brand, she had every reason to ed with all things Bollywood. ramp. But what has also speak for itself.
Australia’s Nuclear Non-Proliferation Act. His lawyer argues that bask in the spotlight. Instead, she A lot has changed in the 25 emerged, over time, is this: To But can Indian fashion sur-
Lidden is not some maniac or mad scientist with a nefarious agenda, acknowledged: “The real icons are years since India got its first generate buzz, to get the coun- vive without star power?
but rather a “science nerd” who had made it his goal to collect all fashion stylists, makeup artists, Fashion Week. Informed fashion try’s most stylish set and the big- Every time a celebrity takes
the elements in the periodic table, even radioactive ones. hair stylists, choreographers, and writing was still a fairly untested gest sponsors on-board, you to the ramp the response is
those smashingly hot 60 models terrain, it took a while for the pa- have to bring in the heavy artil- mixed: does he/she belong
lery. And that meant getting a up there? There are eyeballs
star to walk the ramp, blowing and trending hashtags, yes,
kisses at their friends and fans, but there is also criticism.
paps in a frenzy and whoops of Because clearly, we are hes-
delight giving you a sense of a itant to draw the line be-
show done well. tween a celebrity ‘face’ en-
However, this strategy has not dorsing a brand or a design-
been uncontested. In 2023, de- er and a professional model
signer Sanjay Garg had Karisma championing the designs on
Kapoor, Saba Azad, and Kalki the runway.
Koechlin walk as part of the Interestingly, a couple of
regular model lineup. “Why days after Kareena’s speech,
can’t we have celebrities walk in legendary British design
the flow of the show and not be house Vivienne Westwood
the showstopper? I am not here debuted in India at the Gate-
to entertain at fashion shows,” way. Kareena and her peers
he stated. In 2019, Rohit Bal had from the industry added the
been even more candid: “Show- requisite star power. From the
stoppers are present only be- front row. The showstoppers?
cause of the sponsors; they are An elegant mix of Indian tex-
never the wish of the designer.” tiles showcased by the finest
That same year, Tarun Tahiliani models.
Agree? Disagree? Got a POV idea? Write to us at: pov@timesofindia.com

LEISURE
SUDOKU CHALLENGE TIMES HITORI LOOP THE LOOP THE DAILY CROSSWORD
Level: Medium
HOW HOW RULES
TO PLAY
TO PLAY • Connect adjacent dots with vertical
1. A number
Fill in the grid so or horizontal lines, creating a single
may appear
that every hori- loop (Fig A).
just once in
zontal row, every • Crossovers or branches are not
each row
vertical column allowed (As shown by dotted lines Not allowed
or column.
and every 3x3 in Fig B). (Fig A) (Fig B)
Eliminate
box contains • Numbers in the
repeat
the digits 1-9, puzzle indicate the
numbers by
without repeating number of lines that
darkening
the numbers in should surround it,
cells. (see
the same row, while empty cells
example)
column or box. may be surrounded
2. Darkened
You can’t change by any number of
cells must
the digits already lines.
never be adja-
given in the grid. • You can’t draw lines
cent in a row
Every puzzle has around zeroes.
or column.
one solution. • Each puzzle has just
3. Unmarked
one unique solution.
cells must
create a single continuous area, HOW TO
undivided by darkened cells. BEGIN:
4. Every time you darken a cell, you
Example (Fig A) -
can automatically circle its vertical Begin with the zero next to 3. Since no lines can be drawn around zero,
and horizontal neighbours, which mark crosses around it, as shown. Now there is a cross in one space By Matthew Luter 04/04/2025
means they cannot be eliminated. around 3. So we know the three lines of 3 can only be drawn in the ACROSS Thursday’s Puzzle Solved
5. Any cell "sandwiched" between remaining three spaces. Next, these lines can only be extended in one 1 Billiard table accessory
direction each. Continue, using the same logic. 5 Natl. Pizza Mo.
ENJOY A HOST OF neighbours of the same value can be
8 Stay behind
circled. (e.g. 6 4 6 )
ENGAGING PUZZLES 6. A "triple" is a special case of
Hints: Keep eliminating possibilities by marking crosses in spaces 14 Sultanate on the
AND GAMES EVERY DAY sandwich. Circle the centre cells, and
between dots where a line isn’t possible, i.e., if you have already Arabian peninsula
completed required lines or where a line extension may create a branch 15 Massage
darken the ends. (e.g. 6 6 6 ) Example or cause a deadend (Fig B). 16 Ford model named
Play now! Scan the QR code or visit toi.in/games for a city
17 *Evil eyes
SCRAMBLE 19 Less prosperous
20 “Whenever you’re
NTAEE done talking ... ”
Rearrange the letters in 21 Word with cat or
the four word jumbles,
GARFIELD

power
one letter to each square/ KNAPS 22 Course for intl.
circle, to make four students
ordinary words 23 Driving aid
ARYCCU 24 *Stuffy nose
27 Story that might be
HOW TO PLAY dark and creepy ©2024 Tribune Content Agency, LLC 03/04/2025
Now arrange the letters BELNCH 29 Unrefined resource
in the circles to form the 30 Pays to play need full of drawers
answer to the riddle or to 31 Closest pals 63 Mathematician Turing 26 Actress Bassett
fill in the missing word as ___ is a word void of sense; nothing can exist 33 Channel that often 64 Insect’s legs, e.g. 28 “In the event that ... ”
indicated airs films in letterbox 65 “As I __ saying ... ” 32 Org. with a summer
without a __. - Voltaire (6,.,5) format 66 Riveted All-Star break
35 HS proficiency test 34 Umami source, briefly
36 *Smart mouth DOWN 36 Calls for
39 Cleveland pro 1 Guitar-playing “Sesame 37 Numeral
ARIES: Expenses go over you have. Or you’re wor- Street” Muppet 38 Pleasantly
40 Sketch on a dust
ARCHIE

the top. Stay centred, ried about your budget. jacket 2 Protective talisman calm
and know what is hap- LIBRA: Fatigue plays a 41 Semisolid hair product 3 Coated pill 39 One official language
pening behind the role in your dealings with 42 Render unreadable, 4 “Who __?” of the U.N.
scenes. You could be a work-related matter. in a way 5 Go around 42 Gooey sandwiches
tired of a partner distanc- Confusion surrounds you 44 Grasped 6 Dos y dos 43 Act
ing him- or herself from as well as others. 46 Yogurt-based dip 7 Short “We’ll announce charitably
you. A misunderstanding Confirm meeting times, 50 *Double chin this later” 45 Seattle’s airport-
starts up from out of no- locations and any state- 53 Flash __ 8 Parade VIP sharing neighbor
where. Know what you ments that seem off. Let 54 __ whim 9 Brouhaha 47 Chevy model named
want. A situation could See what the stars have in store for a friend take the lead for 55 After expenses 10 Person who prefers for an animal
easily backfire. you – according to your moon sign. the moment. 56 Party bites platonic relationships, 48 Steel part of a work
SPELLATHON DENNIS THE MENACE TAURUS: Power strug- SCORPIO: Pace yourself, 58 Ride for a few days for short boot
gles with a close friend and understand what is 60 Suffer disgrace, or 11 Led 49 __-minded
Today’s Ratings: How many words of four or partner are likely today. But you don’t have to get going on around you. See what might be the best what the starred clues 12 Bracket favorite 51 Sublease
or more letters can you involved because it takes two to make a fight, as way to proceed. Communication could run amok must do as a set to 13 Best of both __ 52 Shocked sounds
04-average 05-good match their answers? 18 Mischievous type 57 Nowhere near
make from the letters you well know. You might be concerned about when dealing with a co-worker or someone who
06-outstanding shown in today’s puzzle? money, shared property, inheritances or how to plays a low-key role in your daily life.
61 __ planning 21 Female kin 59 Ink spot?
62 Electric guitarist’s 25 School space that’s 60 Grisham’s field
In making a word, a letter divide the cost of a social situation, a vacation, or SAGITTARIUS: You might be at odds with partners,
can be used as many expenses related to kids. Something does not flow friends, bosses, parents and authority figures. This
M times as it appears in the easily today and it’s probably connected to money. is a much milder day than yesterday. Just go with SOLUTIONS TO GAMES/PUZZLES
puzzle. Each word must GEMINI: This is a mildly argumentative day. Be the flow. Patience and courtesy will cover most of
D D contain the central letter. aware of this so that you can avoid entanglements the challenges that you face today. TIMES SUDOKU LOOP THE LOOP TIMES HITORI
with siblings, daily contacts and relatives. Also, be CAPRICORN: You will encounter some challenges
E There should be at least
one seven letter word. aware that people are mildly stressed today. It’s at work today, but overcome them easily. It’s not
minor, but it’s there. big stuff. It simply means you have to be aware
L D Plurals, foreign words
CANCER: Power struggles about possessions and and stay calm and professional, which is easy for
and proper names are not
money is likely today. People are always touchy you to do.
U allowed. British English about money. Respect someone else’s position AQUARIUS: Your imagination helps you come to
Dictionary is used as about money and possessions. And don’t let them terms with a wild person. Recognize what is
reference. bully you about yours. happening around you, especially if a partner
LEO: Relations with an acquaintance or perhaps a is being affected. Confusion marks the
Vol. 25 No. 93
member of a group might require some finesse and moment. Double-check meeting places and any
RNI Registration No. DELENG/2001/5765.
diplomacy on your part. Romantic stress might also other key details.
arise but it’s mild. Don’t take things personally. PISCES: Listen more carefully to what is occurring SPELLATHON SCRAMBLE
Published for the proprietors, Bennett, Coleman & Co. Ltd. by Rajeev Yadav at Times House,
7, Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg, New Delhi — 110 002 and printed by him at Times of India Press, 13 VIRGO: Today you might have some financial con- around you. You might feel as if everything is under can exist without a cause. - Voltaire
& 15/1, Site IV Industrial Area, Sahibabad (U.P.) and Bennett Coleman & Co. Ltd. Plot No. 7-8, MUDDLED, mule
Sector M-11, Transport Hub, Industrial Model Township, Manesar, Haryana-122051. cerns. Someone older or more experienced might control, but a surprise visit could throw you off. Note dude, duel, meld, muddle,
Answer: Chance is a word void of sense; nothing
Words: Eaten, spank, curacy, blench
Regd. Office: Dr Dadabhai Naoroji Road, Mumbai – 400 001.
Editor (Delhi Market): Anshul Chaturvedi, responsible for selection of news under PRB Act.
be critical of your style of spending. Or you may when you feel out of sync. You might want to back
© All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission of the publish- feel duties and obligations require more money than off until you feel more centred.
er is prohibited. Circulated with The Times of India in Delhi & adjoining areas.
 CCI NG 3.7 P r o d u c t : T I M S D e l hPiuBbSD a t e : 0 4 - 0 4 - 2 0 2Z5o n e : D e l h iE d i t i o n : 1P a g e : D T N SU s e r : g a g a n . a r o rTai m e : 0 4 - 0 2 - 2 0 2 5 2 2 :C
5 9o l o r :

FRIDAY, APRIL 4, 2025

DELHI TIMES, THE TIMES OF INDIA 5
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6 FRIDAY, APRIL 4, 2025

DELHI TIMES, THE TIMES OF INDIA MY CITY MY WEEKEND Every weekend has a story, make yours a good one - Anonymous
Pics: Ajay Kumar Gautam Weekend Planner

Itr magic in
full bloom Itr makers
from Kannauj
If you’re into INDIAN OCEAN
LIVE
Puppetoscope
Where: India
International

at Sunder music
showcased Where: The Piano Man Centre
deg-bhapka, Eldeco Centre When: Fri-Sun
a slow
When: Sat Time: 10am
distillation
process to TRIBUTE TO SITAR Time: 8.30pm
onwards
MAESTRO RAVI

Nursery
craft itr
World Jazz
SHANKAR Festival
Where: Museo Camera Where: Kamani
When: Sun Auditorium
When: Fri
Time: 11am Time: 6.30pm
onwards onwards

Chai Pe Charcha
Where: Dirty
>> Rabbit, GK-2
Shivika Manchanda When: Sun
SITAR FOR Time: 4pm

A
qua, woody and floral notes of itr
lingered in the air, weaving seam- MENTAL HEALTH onwards
lessly with natural fragrances of Where: Indira Gandhi
the flowers lining the Sunder Nursery gar- Rishab Arena VolFest:
Volunteering
When: Sun
dens during the Itr and Sugandhi Mela. Rikhiram
Sharma Festival
The three-day festival, organised by Where: JLN
Delhi Tourism, celebrated the tradi- Time: 7pm onwards
Stadium,
tional craft of perfumery, bringing Gate no 1
together itr-makers and scent lov- When: Sat-Sun
ers to the heritage gardens.
During the weekend before
‘Itrs are trending, If you like attending Time: 11am
onwards
people want to explore

@mostlysane
Eid, Delhiites who flocked to en-
joy musical performances with
the fragrant mist in the air. On
day two of the fest, the Sabri
heritage perfumery’
With renewed appreciation for heritage
festivals Niyazi Brothers:
Sufi Night
Where: Home,
taking place in every space,

@sachdevaakhilnasha
Brothers presented a set of Sufi Vasant Kunj
qawwalis like Chhap Tilak, Bhar Indians are keen on Prajakta
Koli When: Sun
Do Jholi and Rangreza. exploring the rich Time: 9.30pm
heritage perfumery
as well. Devika
Gahlot, founder Sangeet Sudha
Sabri Brothers (in picture), Jyoti of a fragrance Where:
Nooran, folk-pop ensemble Sadho brand, says, “In Humayun's Tomb
the perfumery World Heritage
Band and ghazal artiste Indira Naik Site Museum
also performed at the festival space, there’s Auditorium
an inclination

>>
Akhil Sachdeva When: Fri
to explore itrs. Time: 4pm
Even for premium SOCIAL NATION
fragrances, FESTIVAL Mind, Body
people ask for
the oil version.
(A festival for content SHANKAR SHAD & Soul
Those interested
creators & fans) MUSHAIRA Where: Select
in both, layer itr and Where: Jawahar Lal Nehru Where: Modern School, City Walk
perfumes of different Stadium Barakhamba Road When: Sat
When: Fri-Sat
Time: Noon
scent notes and profiles, When: Sat
for better projection, sillage
and longevity. I suggest Time: Noon onwards Time: 7pm onwards Samras: Connect
people always go for with Nature
Off-beat natural, oil-based itrs Where:
natural itrs that Chakkarpur

“I am obsessed with itrs, caught Delhi’s

with milder tones to
begin with.”
“The mindset shift
If you like to go for Wazirabad Bundh,
Gurgaon
People got to experience what When: Sat
natural attars smell like,
breaking many myths about
my current fave is
mitti ki khushboo. It
smells earthy,” said
Sangeeta Yadav, a
attention
 Tabak (Tobacco)  Petrichor
(The smell of first rain)
towards opting
for clean, natural
products have
city walks QUTUB &
BEYOND
Where: Qutub Minar
Time: 8.30am -
9.30am
prompted us to find
traditional fragrances. Many came visitor. Scents like  Mehendi  Lavender
natural components When: Sun Chirps & Calls:
looking for refreshing aromas khus and mogra are  Marigold Understanding
like chyura butter, Time: 6pm onwards Bird Vocals
- Ranjana Verma, part of an itr brand popular in summers jojoba butter, annota

enroute_indian_history
Where: Amrut
seeds (for orange colour), Biodiversity Park
alkanet (for lavender or olive When: Sun
green colour), blue pea flowers to make Time: 7am - 9am
solid perfumes, soaps,” says Gunjan Bist, EK MAQBARA,
who runs a beauty wellness brand. ANEK Screening: All
KAHANIYAAN That Breathes
Where: Safdarjung Tomb (at Delhi Air
Quality
When: Sat Conference)
Time: 5.30pm onwards Where: Red
House, B203,
Okhla Phase-1
When: Sat
@b
ar
ke
tin
dia
If you love Time: 7pm - 9pm

Students from the Fragrance and Flavour

workshops Frisbee Club
Where: Lodhi
Gardens
When: Sat
Development Centre, Kannauj, were making
perfumes and blends as per visitors’ choices PAINT WITH Time: 8am - 11am
PUPPIES Sushi Cookalong
Where: BeeYoung Where:
Brewgarden Asian
How to: Start When: Sun Tapas Bar,
Gurgaon
Time: 4pm onwards
journaling on When: Sun
Time: 4pm - 6pm
PERFUME
the weekends @kimeyskorner
PLAYDATE
Where: Unlocked, Se
Cafe de Poetry
Where: Sidecar, M
c 15, Block, GK-2
Gurgaon When: Sat
When: Sun Time: 10am -
noon
Time: 4pm
Sip & Paint
DIY CROCHET Where: Echoes,
FLOWER Dwarka
When: Fri
WORKSHOP Time: 3.30pm
Where: Bagu Mithu, Maurya
Enclave, Pitampura Summer Mela
When: Fri-Sun Where: Dastkar,
Chhattarpur
Time: 1pm and 3pm When: Till Apr 14
Time: 11am - 7pm

If you're a Lutyen's Cycle

Tour

theatre fan Starting Point:

Daryaganj
When: Sun
Time: 8.30am
CHOOSE THE TYPE OF JOURNAL HARSHVARDHAN
Pick a journal that reflects your interests. A AUR KARO HAVELI MEIN HATYA Runner's Rave
gratitude journal helps you focus on what
you’re thankful for. If you love to explore,
THEATRE Where: Shri Ram Centre for (5km run followed
document your travel stories and adventures (A musical on theatre) Performing Arts, Mandi Hou
se by a party)
Starting Point:
in a travel journal. For art enthusiasts, an art Where: LTG Auditorium When: Sat & Sun Arun Jaitley Park
journal is perfect for sketches, drawings, and When: Sun Time: 7pm When: Sun
creative expressions. And if you’re a foodie, Time: 7.30am
maintain a food journal with photos, resto Time: 5pm,
receipts and delicious memories. 7.30pm shows
>> Salsa 101 - Los
@gopaldatt

QUESTIONS TO ADDRESS DURING Angeles Style

JOURNALING Where: The MEC,
Ask yourself: What am I grateful for this 32nd Avenue
week? What could I have done better? When: Sat
What are my goals for next week? What
challenges did I face, and how did I
EK MAIN AUR Time: 5pm
onwards
overcome them? These prompts help you
EK TWO
reflect, grow and stay motivated. Where: Kamani Pottery Wheel
Auditorium Where: The Vault,
MAKE THE JOURNAL ATTRACTIVE
Add personal touches like photos, dried When: Sat 32nd Avenue
Gopal When: Fri
flowers, sketches, washi tape, and stencils. Time: 11am - 1pm
Datt Time: 11.30am
These details make your journal not just a
diary, but a creative keepsake.
Want your event to be featured? Email us at tims.delhitimes@timesofindia.com
CCI NG 3.7 Product: TIMSDelhiBS PubDate: 04-04-2025 Zone: Delhi Edition: 1 Page: DTMSMD User: gagan.arora Time: 04-02-2025 22:59 Color:
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8 FRIDAY, APRIL 4, 2025

DELHI TIMES, THE TIMES OF INDIA FOOD

Chia kheer, exotic fruit chaat Cakes with a desi twist

are the newest craze
Navratri
platter
gets a luxe Gajar
Halwa
cake

upgrade A chaat
made using
exotic fruits Alia Bhatt’s
Aditi Pancholi Pics: iStock
sister, Shaheen,
surprised her

N
avratri is a time of devotion, celebration and mindful eat- SUPERFOOD with a moong
ing. While traditional fasting meals include staples like FRUITS dal halwa cake
sabudana, kuttu (buckwheat) and makhana, modern Elevate your fruit bowls Natasha Coutinho (below) this
gourmands are embracing a more refined approach to vrat with fresh dragon fruit and year
cuisine. By incorporating high-end ingredients, one

A
kiwis. These high-antioxidant fruits not lia Bhatt recently turned 32,
can enjoy a luxurious yet sattvik diet without only make fasting meals visually appealing and what grabbed every-
compromising on taste or tradition. but also provide a refreshing one’s attention – especially
alternative to routine offerings her fans and food lovers – was her
GOURMET FLOUR ALTERNATIVES unique birthday cake. Instead of the
Buckwheat and water chestnut flour are fasting Fasting dishes with usual chocolate or red velvet, her
cake was made with her favourite
staples, but for a refined take, consider using
amaranth flour blended with organic a high-end twist Indian dessert: moong dal halwa.
quinoa flour. These alternatives lend a  Sabudana khichdi with black The Bachchan family also loves an
nutty flavour to pooris and parathas truffle shavings and cold-pressed Indian touch to their birthday
while enhancing their nutritional avocado oil cakes. Jaya Bachchan has shared
profile. Gluten-free rajgira (amaranth)  Kuttu poori made with a blend that they prefer milk cake over tra-
flour can also be used for a unique twist of amaranth and rajgira flour, ditional cakes for special occasions.
on Navratri rotis. Quinoa can also be used to served with a saffron-infused Here’s why cakes with a desi twist
prepare vegan cutlets for vrat pumpkin curry are winning hearts.
Foxtail  Samak rice pulao with
millet idlis
‘MAINTAIN THE INTEGRITY
toasted pine nuts, wild OF THE CAKE, BUT ADD YOUR
mushrooms, and microgreens OWN UNIQUE ELEMENTS’
 Vrat ke aloo cooked in
Chef Pooja Dhingra, who baked
organic A2 ghee with smoked Alia’s cake, says that while it’s im-
sea salt and fresh basil portant to do justice to the cake,
 Paneer makhana curry using
experimenting with Indian des-
buffalo milk paneer and a rich serts adds to the personalised ex-
nut paste for a creamier texture perience. She says, “You want to
 Fruit chaat featuring fresh figs
maintain the integrity of the cake
LUXURY OILS and Kashmiri apples, drizzled but also add your own unique ele-
AND GHEE with raw honey ments. Make sure it’s well bal-
Cold-pressed avocado anced in sweetness and texture.”
oil can add a premium touch to Navratri fasting is no longer just about
fasting dishes. Organic, hand- simplicity – it’s about mindful indulgence. ‘MAKE SURE THE FUSION OF
FLAVOURS IN THE CAKE Chef Sheetal Dedhia adds, “Not
churned A2 ghee enhances the Dishes like kuttu crepes or roasted makhana all Indian desserts are healthy, but
flavour of vrat ke aloo, DOESN’T FEEL FORCED’
there are many which are healthi-
sabudana cutlets and samak tossed in truffle ghee redefine festive eating while Besides Indian desserts, cakes are
er than international desserts. To
also capturing the essence of desi
Sabudana rice pulao, making them more staying true to tradition – Chef Neha Malhotra
beverages like masala chai and balance the sweetness, check the
cutlets delectable and aromatic combination of flavours.”
rose falooda. Chef Pooja Ganeri-
EXOTIC NUTS AND SEEDS wala, however, insists that a fu-
Eating HIGH- Makhana is a fasting staple, but adding mamra sion cake shouldn’t feel forced. Create the perfect
QUALITY almonds, macadamia and pistachios can She explains, “Though people are
sattvik food SWEETENERS provide a richer flavour and >> loving fusion cakes, one should fusion cake
doesn’t mean Ditch refined sugar for creamy texture to kheer or make sure that the fusion of fla-  Balance the flavours
artisanal raw honey, Kashmiri chaat. Chia and hemp
compromising saffron-infused jaggery, or seeds offer a
vours doesn’t feel carefully. Indian sweets can
forced. It’s im- be overpowering, so blend
on taste. Opt monk fruit sweetener. These modern touch portant to them subtly into the cake.
for cold-pressed add nuanced sweetness to to kheer, understand  Combine creamy
desserts like kheer and giving it a elements with crispy or
coconut oil, A2 shrikhand nutrient
how to in-
more textural ones.
fuse the
milk, organic boost flavours  Watch the moisture
jaggery to enhance into the content. Since Indian
dessert sweets are dairy-
samak rice kheer, without heavy, it can make
baked sabudana letting desserts soggy and
tikki and makhana >>
anything Masala also reduce shelf life.
overpower Chai  Don’t overcomplicate
laddoos Makhane
it.” cake it. Avoid too many
ki kheer
– Rhea Mehta, food blogger elements.

Add a smoky twist to everyday dishes

Badam thandai

Chefs are using wood-

chip smoking to add a
rich, smoky depth to
desserts like ice cream
and various beverages.
They’re also flame-
charring fruits and
vegetables to enhance
sweetness and
caramelisation,
creating bold, layered
flavours

Tandoori
momos

Shikha Shah Tips to add Charred garnishes: Lightly

torch onions, tomatoes or citrus
smokiness to
A
ccording to the Michelin Guide, ‘flame-cooked for salads and chutneys
flavours’ is one of the top trends of 2025. Chef Slow cooking in matka or cast
Ishijyot Surri believes there is an appreciation
everyday dishes iron: For an earthy flavour,
for open-fire cooking which electric or gas methods can- Dhungar method: Heat a piece prepare dal tadka in a handi
Tandoori
chai
Some sweetand
of charcoal and place it in a
not replicate. “Some modern dishes incorporate charred
veggies like eggplant purees, smoky butter in curries, and small bowl in the centre of the
Smoky sauces: Incorporate
smoked paprika, chipotle, or
savoury smoky
flame-kissed paneer. The addition of aromatic wood chips pro- cooked dish. Drizzle ghee or oil sauces like BBQ and chimichurri innovations to try
vides smokiness to drinks and desserts too,” says Surri. Before over it, cover immediately, Tea leaves: Place tea leaves on  Tandoori avocado with
modern stoves, meals in India were prepared over clay stoves and let the smoke hot charcoal and add to dishes spiced yoghurt marinade 
Chimichurri adds a infuse for 2-3 to give a mild smoky flavour to
(chulha), charcoal grills (sigri), and tandoors. “Live flames Smoked paneer tikka with
rustic feel to dishes minutes meats or tofu
create varying heat zones, allowing for caramelisation, applewood infusion
charring, and slow infusion of smokiness,” says chef  Flame-charred chaat
Gautam Mehrishi. with burnt tomato chutney
There is a revival of the open-fire cooking style Open-fire cooking  Tandoori paneer tacos
now. “Chefs are incorporating smoking techniques imparts a deep, smoky  Grilled watermelon and
to add depth and richness to dishes, like smoked essence and a distinctive feta salad  Pasta with
butter-infused sauces, and even smoked condi- smoked cream sauce 
ments that elevate a dish’s overall profile,” says character to a dish. The Flame-kissed avocado chaat
chef Shreyas Kadam. Adds Mehrishi, “Tandoori combination of flame and  Charred jaggery kulfi
momos, bhutta, and seekh kebabs remain crowd fa- with a caramelised crust 
vourites, while tandoori chai is a great innovation.
natural heat creates complex Wood-fired gajar ka halwa
Some chefs are blending international methods, layers, enhancing texture  Burnt mishti doi  Smoky
like Japanese binchotan grilling, with Indian spic- and taste cardamom gelato  Charred
es for a modern twist.” – Chef Shreyas Kadam pineapple kheer
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FRIDAY, APRIL 4, 2025

DELHI TIMES, THE TIMES OF INDIA 9
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10 FRIDAY, APRIL 4, 2025

DELHI TIMES, THE TIMES OF INDIA BACK BEAT Pics: Tejas Kudtarkar

Couture meets heritage at star- Bhumi

Pednekar

Alaya F studded Gateway of India show

Twinkle
Khanna

Mira Rajput
Kapoor

Janhvi
Kapoor

>> Kal
Penn

Aditya
Roy Kapur

The quintessential Westwood bride made a resplendent appearance, adorned in a majestic gown that embodied
the designer’s signature rebellious elegance. Oversized pearls added a touch of whimsy, while eclectic footwear
– a hallmark of Westwood’s avant-garde aesthetic – elevated each look

CONTINUED FROM 1 Westwood, who passed away in 2022, was known for mas- Merchant, Aditya Roy Kapur, Bhumi Pednekar,
terfully merging discordant elements to spark conversation Janhvi Kapoor, Vijay Varma, Manushi Chhillar,
As the show unfolded, the audience was treated to a visual tap- and challenge the status quo. While one might have anticipat- Disha Patani and several others in attendance.
estry. The runway was a blend of sheer silhouettes, signature ed more unbridled creativity and bold experimentation that Carlo D’Amario, the brand’s CEO, who graced the
tartan and wool fabrics, as male models sashayed in skirts and once defined her aesthetics on this show, the subtle approach occasion, joked about the delayed start and said, “I
corsets, blurring the lines of traditional menswear. Accessories had its own flair and impact. The khadi was supplied by the wanted to thank everyone an hour ago!” Kareena, re-
added an extra layer of sophistication, with bags, jewellery and Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC). splendent in a ruby red off-shoulder corset gown, fe-
footwear meticulously crafted to complement the outfits. For Contrary to most fashion shows in India, this one didn’t see licitated D’Amario, and said, “Vivienne Westwood’s
the grand finale, the models took their final bow and sashayed a celebrity as the showstopper. The front row, however, was a collaboration with Indian artisans is a proud moment,
to the beats of the unforgettable Boom Boom by Nazia Hassan. star-studded affair, with Kareena Kapoor Khan, Radhika and I’m thrilled to witness this.”
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