First india ahmedabad edition-16 december 2020

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AHMEDABAD l WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2020 l Pages 12 l 3.00 RNI NO. GUJENG/2019/16208 l Vol 2 l Issue No. 22
OUR EDITIONS: JAIPUR, AHMEDABAD & LUCKNOW
NO WINTER SESSION
OF PARLIAMENT DUE
TO COVID-19: GOVT
Union Minister of Parliamentary
Affairs Pralhad Joshi has said
that he has informally contacted
floor leaders of various political
parties and they have expressed
their concerns about the ongoing
COVID-19 pandemic and opined
of doing away with Winter Session
of the Parliament. Joshi said this
in a letter dated December 14,
addressed to Congress leader
Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury who had
written to Lok Sabha Speaker Om
Birla for convening a short winter
session of Parliament. Joshi said
winter months are very crucial for
managing pandemic and added
that government is willing to have
the next session of Parliament at
the earliest.
HC orders Guj Govt to stop illegal mining in Gir Forests
First India Bureau
Ahmedabad: In a firm
directive, the Gujarat
High Court has asked
the State Forest De-
partment and the Ju-
nagadh district au-
thorities to ensure
that illegal mining is
stopped with immedi-
ate effect in the eco-
sensitive zone in the
Gir Forest.
A division bench of
Justice J B Pardiwala
and Justice Ilesh Vora
issued the directive on
Tuesday in a public in-
terest litigation filed by
Sanjay Kapadia. After
hearing the primary
submissions of the peti-
tioner, the court issued
notices to the State Gov-
ernment, the Principal
Chief Conservator of
Forest and Chief Wild-
life Warden and Juna-
gadh District Collector
to file a detailed report
on the issue.
The bench directed,
“As on date, if any
such illegal mining or
crushing activities
are going on within
the Eco-Sensitive
Zone, then steps shall
be taken at the earli-
est to stop such illegal
activities.”
The court took note
of the submission of
the petitioner’s advo-
cate Girish Das that,
“Even as on date, such
illegal activities of
quarrying and min-
ing in the Eco-Sensi-
tive- Zone continue. It
has invited the court’s
order passed in De-
cember 2010.”
The bench reminded
the State Government
and the Forest Depart-
ment that the notifica-
tionforprotectedforests
was issued for the long
term protection and
conservation of Asiatic
Lions and also the rare
and endangered biolog-
ical diversity.
The notification
states that it is neces-
sary to conserve and
protect the area around
the protected area of
Girnar Wildlife Sanctu-
ary as an Eco-Sensitive
zone from ecological
and environmental
point of view. The noti-
fication provides for
prohibited, regulated
and permitted activities
intheeco-sensitivezone.
It provides that no
mining or crushing ac-
tivities shall be allowed
in the eco-sensitive
zone and no major land-
scaping shall be allowed
that may affect the hy-
drology and ecology of
the region.
The court directed that eco-
sensitive zone in the only abode
of Asiatic lions must be protected
Gir Sanctuary
Kutch (Gujarat): At a
time when farmers are
protesting against the
three farm laws, Prime
Minister Narendra
Modi said here on
Tuesday that a conspir-
acy is going on in and
around Delhi to con-
fuse farmers.
The Prime Minister
was speaking at Dhordo
in Kutch, Gujarat dur-
ing foundation stone
laying ceremony of sev-
eral development pro-
jects in the state. These
projects include a de-
salination plant, a hy-
brid renewable energy
park, and a fully auto-
mated milk processing
and packing plant.
Chief Minister of Guja-
rat Vijay Rupani was
present on the occasion.
“Farmers are being
misled about the new
agrarian reforms. They
are being told that oth-
ers will occupy their
lands. The agriculture
reforms that have taken
place are exactly what
farmer bodies and even
Opposition have been
asking over the years.
Government of India is
always committed to
farmer welfare and we
will keep assuring the
farmers and addressing
their concerns,” he said.
“People who are sit-
ting in the opposition
and misleading farmers
today were in the favour
of these farm reforms
during their govern-
ment. They could not
make a decision during
their government. To-
day when the nation has
taken a historical step
then these people are
misleading farmers,”
he added.
Remembering the
2001 earthquake in
Kutch that caused huge
destruction in the area,
the Prime Minister said
people of Kutch have
turned disappointment
into hope, and it is one
of the fastest develop-
ing areas in the country
today.
“Today Kutch has
taken a big step towards
new-age technology and
new age economy. It is
one of the fastest devel-
oping areas in the coun-
try. Connectivity is im-
proving here day by day.
People of Kutch turned
disappointment into
hope,’ PM Modi said.
He said that even a
big earthquake couldn’t
shatter the morale of
Kutch residents and
over the last 20 years,
Gujarat introduced
many farmer-friendly
schemes.
“Everyone stood-up
again after the quake
and now look where
have they taken Kutch...
Gujarat was among the
earliest to work on
strengthening solar en-
ergy capacities...Today
Kutch has the world’s
largest hybrid renewal
energy park. It is ap-
proximately as big a
Singapore and Bahrain.
Turn to P6
A conspiracy on to confuse farmers: Modi
New agri laws are exactly what farmer bodies, opposition parties have been asking for yrs, says PM
Prime Minister Narendra Modi meets women from various groups in Kutch on Tuesday.
Gazipur, Singhu borders closed
for traffic due to farmer protests
New Delhi: Gazipur,
Singhubordersamong
others, on Tuesday,
were closed for incom-
ing traffic from Ghazi-
abad to Delhi in the
wake of farmers’ pro-
tests, the Delhi Traffic
Police (DTP) informed
on Tuesday.
“Gazipur border is
closed for traffic com-
ing from Ghaziabad to
Delhi due to farmers’
protests. People are
advised to take an al-
ternate route for com-
ing to Delhi via Anand
Vihar, DND, Chilla,
Apsara and Bhopra
borders,” DTP’s tweet
read. The tweet fur-
ther added, “Singhu,
Auchandi, Piau Mani-
yari, Sabholi and
Mangesh borders are
closed. Please take al-
ternate routes via
Lampur, Safiabad &
Singhu school toll tax
borders. Traffic has
been diverted from
Mukarba and GTK
road. Please avoid
Outer Ring Road, GTK
Road, NH-44.” —ANI
Farmers and Police personnel sitting on the divider of the road amid the farmers’ protest
against the new farm laws at Ghazipur border in New Delhi on Tuesday. —PHOTO BY ANI
New Delhi: The Su-
preme Court asked the
Centre on Tuesday to
consider granting a
breaktodoctorsengaged
in COVID-19 duty for the
last seven-eight months.
The top court said
that continuous work
might be affecting men-
tal health of doctors.
A bench of Justices
Ashok Bhushan, RS
Reddy and MR Shah,
which is hearing a suo
motu case on proper
treatment of COVID-19
patients and dignified
handling of dead bodies
in hospitals, asked So-
licitor General Tushar
Mehta to consider the
suggestions of giving
the doctors some break.
“For the last seven-
eight months doctors
have not been given
any break and are con-
tinuously working. You
take instruction and
think over giving them
some break. It must be
very painful and might
be affecting their men-
tal health,” bench told
Mehta.
The solicitor general
assured the bench that
the government would
consider the suggestion
of the bench to grant
some break to health
workers engaged in
COVID-19 duty.
Meanwhile in anoth-
er ruling, the SC on
Tuesday said that ho-
meopathy medical prac-
titioners can prescribe
medicines for prophy-
laxis, amelioration and
mitigation of COVID-19
patients Turn to P6
‘Consider giving break to
docs doing Corona duty’
SC says continuous work could affect mental health of doctors.
US court terminates $100 mm suit against Modi, Shah
Washington: A US
court has dismissed a
USD 100-million lawsuit
filed against Prime
Minister Narendra
Modi and Union Home
Minister Amit Shah af-
ter the litigants - a sepa-
ratist Kashmir Khal-
istan outfit and two as-
sociates - failed to ap-
pear before it at two
scheduled hearings.
The suit was filed on
September 19, 2019,
days before Modi’s his-
toric “Howdy, Modi!”
event in Houston, Tex-
as. It challenged the In-
dian Parliament’s deci-
sion on Jammu and
Kashmir that abrogated
the special privileges of
the state and carved out
two union territories
and sought a compensa-
tion of USD 100 million
from Modi, Shah and
Lt. Gen. Kanwal Jeet
Singh Dhillon.
Dhillon is currently
serving as the Director-
General Defence Intelli-
gence Agency and Depu-
ty Chief of Integrated
Defence Staff under the
Chief of Defence Staff.
“Other than that at-
tempted service,” Kash-
mir Khalistan Referen-
dum Front “have done
nothing to prosecute
this case”, and have now
failed to appear at two
duly set Scheduling
Conferences, US Dis-
trict Court Southern
District of Texas Judge
Frances H Stacy said in
his order dated October
6andrecommendedthat
the case be dismissed.
The case was termi-
nated by Judge Andrew
S Hanen of the US Dis-
trict Court in Texas on
October 22. Turn to P6
Ruckus in K’taka Council:
Dy chairman manhandled
Bengaluru: The Kar-
nataka Legislative
Council witnessed high
drama on Tuesday with
members hurling abus-
es and pushing each
other and Deputy
Chairman S L Dharme
Gowda being pulled
down from the Chair-
man’s seat over a row
pertaining to the no-
confidence motion.
Amid the pandemoni-
um and chaos, which
many senior members
termedasa“blackmark”
and “unprecedented” in
the House’s century old
history, Turn to P6
London: UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson has accepted
his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi’s invitation to be
the chief guest at the Republic Day parade on January
26, Downing Street said here on Tuesday, marking his
first major bilateral visit since taking office last year and
the first since Britain’s exit from the European Union.
Describing India as a key player in the Indo-Pacific
region, Johnson said on Tuesday that his visit will mark
the start of an “exciting year” for Global Britain and
deliver a “quantum leap” in the bilateral ties. Turn to P6
UK PM JOHNSON TO BE
R-DAY PARADE CHIEF GUEST
Prime Minister Narendra Modi & Home Minister Amit Shah
They are being scared that after the new agriculture laws,
the land of farmers will be occupied by others. Tell me, if a
dairy has a contract of collecting milk from you, do they
take away your cattle too? —Narendra Modi, PM
—PHOTO BY ANI

First India Bureau
Bharuch: Almost two
weeks ago, Bharatiya
Janata Party (BJP)
Dabhoi MLA Shailesh
Mehta had demanded
the enactment of the
recently implemented
Love Jihad law in Ut-
tar Pradesh, to be in-
troduced in Gujarat.
The demand has been
seconded Member of
Parliament from
Bharuch Mansukh
Vasava. He also ex-
pressed concern re-
garding lack of protec-
tion for girls belonging
to tribal communities,
who were being ‘sold’
under the guise of
marriage due to gen-
der deficit in a few re-
gions of the state.
In a letter to Chief
Minister Vijay Rupani,
Vasava demanded a law
to curtail ‘love jihad’
(forced conversion of
women to Islam by
their Muslim hus-
bands). By addressing
the issue of ‘buying’
brides from tribal com-
munities, the MP also
highlighted a grave
concern prevalent in
the tribal belt of the
state.
He stated, “There are
rumours that adivasi
girls are being sold in
gender deficit areas
such as North Gujarat,
Saurashtra and Kutch
regions. The middle-
men even charge a com-
mission from the
groom’s family to
search for a bride, and
a portion of the com-
mission is also shared
with the bride’s par-
ents. Girls belonging to
such communities need
to be protected from
such trade.”Talking
about the Love Jihad
law, Vasava said that
the ‘scam’ to lure Hindu
girls into marriage and
forcing them to convert
to Islam needs to be
stopped and can only be
done by the implemen-
tation of a law.
“I don’t believe in cre-
ating hype on social me-
dia platforms. I have
been trying to highlight
these issues for the past
five years,” he asserted.
Bharuch MP Mansukh Vasava
NEWSAHMEDABAD | WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2020
02www.firstindia.co.in I www.firstindia.co.in/epaper/ I twitter.com/thefirstindia I facebook.com/thefirstindia I instagram.com/thefirstindia
First India Bureau
Ahmedabad: The state
government was left
hard-pressed for cover
when the Gujarat High
Court raised queries
while hearing public in-
terest litigations on fire
safety issues on Tues-
day. The court also
called into question the
government’s inaction
in the implementation
of the Clinical Estab-
lishments Act in the
state.
A first division bench
comprising Chief Jus-
tice Vikram Nath and
Justice JB Pardiwala
has been hearing public
interest litigations re-
garding fire safety. Ad-
vocate General Kamal
Trivedi submitted that
the state will implement
the act at the earliest.
Posing a question to
local civic body
Ahmedabad Municipal
Corporation (AMC), the
court inquired, “How is
it that a building with-
out fire No Objection
Certificate (NOC) re-
ceives a building certifi-
cate? All the builders
need to do is pay the im-
pact fees, and the corpo-
ration grants permis-
sion.”
Referringtothetragic
Shrey Hospital tragedy,
the court remarked,
“Shrey Hospital too was
registered as a residen-
tial building. The build-
ers then paid the impact
fee and it was regular-
ized as a hospital. Some-
times we feel that the
investigation of the
Shrey Hospital fire inci-
dent should be handed
over to Scotland but, un-
fortunately it is out of
our jurisdiction.”
The petitioner Amit
Panchal,inhisresponse,
submitted that little had
been done by the AMC
to fill vacancies in the
Ahmedabad fire depart-
ment. “There are two
deputy chief officers’
posts vacant, four divi-
sional, five officers’ post
and 21 sub-officers’ posi-
tions. The state claims
that it will finish re-
cruitment in two weeks,
but no move has been
made in this direction
yet,” said Panchal.
Shedding light on a
similar situation in Va-
dodara, the petitioner
apprised the court of
vacancies in the fire de-
partment there as well.
Panchal also drew the
attention of the court to
inform that out of 593
postsin32nagarpalikas,
not a single position is
for applications of dis-
trict fire officer, divi-
sional fire.
HCquestionslackofClinicalEstablishmentsActinstate
ACCOUNTABILITY
lll
It also raised
concern over
fire NOCs
granted to
buildings
without
thorough
checks and
only
payment of
impact fees
BHARUCH MP DEMANDS
LOVE JIHAD LAW IN GUJARAT
MansukhVasavaalsoshedlightonissueof‘bridesale’
faced by girls from tribal communities of the state
The letter written by Vasava
to CM Rupani
The court cited Shrey Hospital fire incident as the reason to have stringent rules for fire NOCs.
BJPbrainstormingplanforlocalbodyelections
First India Bureau
Gandhinagar: State
leaders of the Bharati-
ya Janata Party (BJP)
met late on Monday
evening to chalk out
plans for upcoming lo-
cal bodies elections
likely to take place in
February next year.
The meeting was
chaired by BJP state
unit party President CR
Patil and General Secre-
tary (Organization)
Bhikhubhai Dalsaniya.
A condolence message
and tribute was also
paid to late Rajya Sabha
member Abhay Bhard-
waj, who recently
passed away from COV-
ID-19 complications.
Prioritizing the perfor-
mance and age of po-
tential candidates for
civic and local body
elections, CR Patil said,
“Repetition will not be
an issue as most of the
elected representatives
are in contact with the
voters. But, the party
will surely take into ac-
count the performance
and age while deciding
candidates for the polls.
Those representatives
who have not received
satisfactory feedback
may not find their
names on the list.”
While the party has al-
ready appointed dis-
trict in-charges and
state election in-charg-
es, it will work out a de-
tailed plan to gain con-
sensus of party leaders
and workers on election
candidates.
According to sources,
BJP may soon begin ap-
pointment of observers
in districts, taluka pan-
chayats and nagarpa-
likas. These observers
will pay a visit to their
respective districts and
help gain on-ground in-
formation about poten-
tial candidates.
The party also plans
to roll out localized
manifestos to address
voters and their expec-
tations.
CR Patil and Bhikhubhai Dalsaniya at the state leaders’ meet.
Topreventdetention,
state farmers reach
Delhi in disguise
First India Bureau
Ahmedabad: Farm-
er groups in the state
say they had to dis-
guise themselves in
order to avoid being
noticed and to join
the protest by farm-
ers in northern India.
On Tuesday, around
150 farmers from
across the state gath-
ered at the Delhi-Ra-
jasthan border to
stage demonstrations
after rejecting the
Centre’s three new
agricultural laws.
Sources say that
the farmers from the
state travelled by bus
to the national capital
so that the police
would not detain
them. Farmers from
Gandhinagar reached
the Rajasthan-Delhi
border by secretly
holding a video meet-
ing on the Zoom ap-
plication, sources
added. Farmers’ lead-
ers from the state in-
cluding Pal Ambali-
ya, Dahyabhai Ga-
jera, Jayesh Patel,
and Arun Mehta have
also joined the move-
ment in Delhi.
According to infor-
mation obtained,
farmer groups from
the state gathered on
the mobile app and
formed the Gujarat
Kisan Sangharsh
Samiti. They organ-
ized a ‘Farmers Par-
liament’ at Gandhi-
nagar on December
11 and planned their
trip to Delhi en
masse.
To stop farmers
from entering the na-
tional capital in mass-
es, authorities have
stepped up security
measures by setting
up barricades and de-
ploying additional po-
lice personnel.
Farmer unions and
opposition parties
have been conducting
protests since the
first week of Decem-
ber, urging the au-
thorities to repeal the
three new farm laws
recently passed by the
Centre.
Member of Krantikari Vichaar Manch blocking a road in Amraiwadi, Ahmedabad at a recent
farmer demonstration. —FILE PHOTO
Around 150
farmers from
across the state
gathered at the
Delhi-Rajasthan
border to stage
demonstrations
on Tuesday

First India Bureau
Mehsana/Hazelton: A
Gujarati man working
as a store clerk in the
United States died after
being shot in an at-
tempted robbery in Ha-
zleton, Pennsylvania.
According to officials,
50-year-old Ashok Ku-
mar Patel, who worked
at Craig’s Food Mart in
Hazleton, was shot dead
behind the register on
Saturday night.
Luzerne County Dis-
trict Attorney Stefanie
Salavantis says the po-
lice reported to the West
Broad Street shop after
they received a call ask-
ing for help. Upon ar-
rival at the crime scene,
they found Patel, the
store clerk, shot to
death behind the regis-
ter, according to a re-
port by WNEP.
“Ashok Kumar Patel
was murdered in a cru-
el and violent ambush
while he worked to sup-
port himself and his
family,” Salavantis said.
“Patel did nothing to
provoke his killer and
the preliminary investi-
gation reveals that the
shooter walked into the
store to commit a rob-
bery and shot him for
no other reason than to
avoid leaving a witness
behind.”
Investigators believe
that the shooter fled the
scene in a dark coloured
Jeep. Police are also
looking for a woman
who was a customer in-
side the store prior to
the murder. Investiga-
tors believe she might
have information that
could lead to the gun-
man.
This incident has
shocked other local
businessmen in Ha-
zleton. According to
another news report,
John Smulligan, own-
er of a tuxedo shop
down the street, was
shocked to hear the
news. “Everyone here
was caught off guard,
people don’t under-
stand what to make
of this incident,” he
said.
GUJARATAHMEDABAD | WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2020
First India Bureau
Ahmedabad: At 27, he
battled a critical ill-
ness like an angry
young man and won.
Eighteen years on, he
continues to dodge his
illness and treads on
blissfully. This is the
story of Umesh Desai
– a chronic kidney dis-
ease (CKD) patient. In
a few years, his real-
life success story will
hit its silver jubilee –
courtesy of the Guja-
rat Dialysis Pro-
gramme (GDP).
Desai, now 45, has
survived end-stage re-
nal disease (ESRD) con-
ditions for many years
because of world-class
dialysis facilities ex-
tended by the govern-
ment of Gujarat under
the programme.
Looking at a gloomy
future when his biop-
sy reports confirmed
kidney failure, Umesh
repeatedly attempted
to find a kidney trans-
plant match, which
did not fructify. A na-
tive of Dakor and a
Lord Krishna devotee,
he finally decided to
tackle his ESRD con-
dition through regu-
lar dialysis.
The Gujarat Dialysis
Programme, a network
of state-wide dialysis
centres, single-handed-
ly managed by the Insti-
tute of Kidney Diseases
and Research Centre
(IKDRC), is a grassroots
success story of the
largest governmental
critical care health pro-
gramme for renal pa-
tients anywhere in the
world.
“I can live a healthier
life only because of this
programme, which is
some sort of a boon to
patients like me. The
quality of dialysis is
best and helps to main-
tain my health like a
normal person,” he as-
serted. He added that
the facilities of the pro-
gramme could be
availed anywhere in
Gujarat through its net-
work of 46 centres with
465 dialysis machines.
There are over
52,000 ESRD patients
in the state, but only
16,000 patients are
served through dialy-
sis delivery infra-
structure available in
Gujarat. “We are de-
termined to ramp up
a number of centres
to reduce travel time
by keeping dialysis fa-
cilities within a
30-kilometre range of
any patient’s home
across the state,” said
Dr Vineet Mishra, Di-
rector, IKDRC-ITS.
Man lives on without kidneys due to Guj Dialysis Programme
NEW LEASE OF LIFE

Umesh Desai
survived end-
stage-renal-
disease (ESRD)
conditions for
several years
because of
world-class
facilities ex-
tended to him Desai survived end-stage renal disease.
Jamnagar native Anand Sitapara had 44 theft offences registered against him dating back 2006
First India Bureau
Rajkot: A team of Ra-
jkot crime branch of-
ficials on Tuesday ar-
rested Anand Jaisin-
gh Sitapara alias the
‘crorepati’ thief, who
has 44 offences regis-
tered against him at
different police sta-
tions in the city.
Anand’s son Has-
mukh was also appre-
hended by the police.
Police also seized
goods amounting to
Rs15 lakh including
gold and silver orna-
ments as well as
utensils totalling
Rs10.50 lakh and
Rs3.19 lakh in cash,
from his residence.
According to the po-
lice, Anand usually tar-
geted locked bunga-
lows located in posh
areas with compound
walls and roadside lo-
cations. His modus op-
erandi was to break in
during festive seasons
especially at night by
scaling the compound
walls, breaking the
glass of windows or re-
moving the grilles of
the windows to gain en-
try inside homes. One
of his signature moves
was wearing white
clothes while executing
a theft. This was done
mainly to avoid detec-
tion and having a ready
excuse of waiting for a
relative to accompany
them to a funeral in
case anyone suspected
anything.
The stolen gold was
sold by Anand and or-
naments were pur-
chased with the money
from the sale to avoid
suspicion on him.
Speaking to First
India, crime branch
police inspector Viral
Gadhvi said, “Anand
had been conducting
thefts since 2006.
There are 44 regis-
tered offences
against him, of
which, 12 cases have
been detected. If the
total amount of the
goods stolen by
Anand is calculated,
it may come to
around Rs1 crore.
During Diwali this
year, he executed
over six thefts in Ra-
jkot alone.”
‘Crorepati’ thief nabbed by
Rajkot crime branch officials
(Inset) Anand Sitapara, the ‘crorepati’ thief; the team of ofﬁcials that arrested him.
ON THE MOVE
City woman accuses
husband of affairs,
infecting her with STD
GUJARAT ADDS 1,110 FRESH
COVID-19 CASES, 11 DEATHS
First India Bureau
Ahmedabad: At least
11 patients succumbed
to COVID-19 on Tuesday,
with Ahmedabad city
reporting 8 cases fol-
lowed by Surat city with
2 cases and Mehsana
one. The total toll stands
at 4,193.
The state reported
1,110 new cases of the
virus infection taking
the tally to 2,29,913.
Meanwhile, 1,236 pa-
tients were also dis-
charged from hospitals.
So far, 2,12,839 patients
have recovered.
At 239, Ahmedabad
also reported the high-
est number of cases in
the state. At least 232 of
them were reported
from urban areas and 7
from the rural areas.
Ahmedabad district has
reported 54,447 cases so
far. Surat, too, recorded
a high number of cases
at 167, including 141
from the city and 26
from rural areas. A total
of 46,871caseshavebeen
reported from Surat so
far. Vadodara with 143
and Rajkot 124 also re-
ported more than 100
fresh cases on Tuesday.
There are 12,881 active
cases in the state and 61
patients of them are on
ventilator support. Gu-
jarat has conducted
87.70 lakh tests.
First India Bureau
Ahmedabad: A city
woman filed a domestic
violence complaint
against her husband.
She also accused him of
infecting her with her-
pes, a sexually trans-
mitted disease (STD),
because of his extra-
marital affairs with
other women.
In the complaint filed
at Vejalpur police sta-
tion on Monday even-
ing, the woman stated
that she married Ankil
Desai in April 2017.
Soon after, her husband
and in-laws started
physical and mental
harassing her over dow-
ry issues. She further
alleged that when they
shifted to South Bopal
last year, their quarrels
and arguments contin-
ued. After shifting to a
place in Manekbaug
during the lockdown,
the woman found a
cream belonging to her
husband. When she de-
veloped rashes on her
private parts, Ankil ad-
vised her to use the
cream she had found.
Post consultation with
a doctor, she came to
know that her husband
had been infected with
herpes and that he had
been likely using the
cream to treat the infec-
tion.
She added that in Au-
gust last year, she had
sent a legal notice to
Ankil, after which, both
their families had
reached a compromise.
“But their harassment
did not stop,” she said.
Gujarati store clerk shot
dead in Hazelton, US
Interndocsstayfirmon
demand,continuestrike
First India Bureau
Ahmedabad: More
than 2,000 intern doc-
tors, who have been on
an indefinite strike
since Monday, stood
firm in their resolve to
not go back to their du-
ties on Tuesday. They
have demanded an in-
crement in stipend from
Rs12,800 to Rs20,000 per
month.
The interns did not
budge even when state
health minister Nitin
Patel warned them that
their absence from du-
ties will be marked as
leave. According to the
protesting doctors, the
Gujarat government
has been underpaying
doctors as compared to
other states amidst the
COVID-19 pandemic.
On the other hand,
Patel termed the strike
of interns as “illegal
and unreasonable.”
In a bid to garner
more support for their
campaign, the doctor
interns also requested
senior doctors who
have not joined their
protest, to stand with
them.
One of the protesting
interns said, “The issue
raised by Deputy Chief
Minister Nitin Patel, at
the press conference
held on Monday, was
unfair to us. One thing
that I would like to clar-
ify is that there is a dif-
ference between foreign
medical graduates and
those who have gradu-
ated from here. The
comparison is baseless.
They have not studied
from Medical Council
of India (MCI) recog-
nized colleges like us.
Moreover, they are not
made to sign bonds.”
In Surat, around 150
residents from Civil
Hospital joined the
strike led by intern doc-
tors on Tuesday. They
held sit-in demonstra-
tions, blood donation
drives, and conducted
distribution of masks
and pamphlets to create
awareness about the
pandemic.
Meanwhile, the gen-
eral secretary of Na-
tional Students’ Union
of India (NSUI) Bhavik
Solanki has alleged that
the Gujarat University
has declared a biased
result for recently con-
ducted offline and on-
line examinations. Ac-
cording to Solanki,
those who appeared in
the online exam have
received full marks
even in arts and human-
ities subjects.
Robber
caught
on CCTV
camera;
The victim,
Ashok
Kumar Patel.
Doctors donating blood as part of their protest in Surat.
EXTREME MAKEOVER
One of Ahmedabad's oldest government structures, the district panchayat buildings at Lal
Darwaza, is undergoing renovation amid the nCoV pandemic. —PHOTO BY HANIF SINDHI
While 4 districts
reported more than 100
cases, Gandhinagar
had 51 new cases.

G Vol 2 G Issue No. 22 G RNI NO. GUJENG/2019/16208. Printed and published by Anita Hada Sangwan on behalf of First Express Publishers. Printed at Bhaskar Printing Planet Survey No.148P, Changodar-Bavla Highway, Tal. Sanand, Dist. Ahmedabad.
Published at D/302 3rd Floor Plot No. 35 Titanium Square, Scheme No. 2, Thaltej Taluka, Ghatlodiya, Ahmedabad. Editor-In-Chief: Jagdeesh Chandra. Editor: Anita Hada Sangwan responsible for selection of news under the PRB Act
PERSPECTIVEAHMEDABAD | WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2020
any managers
are treating
this year’s pan-
demic-induced
shift to work
from home as though it
were standard telecom-
muting. But it’s not, and
operating under the as-
sumption that it is can ulti-
mately harm employees’
morale. While office work-
ers are typically faring bet-
ter than essential workers
during the pandemic, the
abrupt shift to remote work
was jarring, and its effects
should not be overlooked.
Leadership experts and
cognitive scientists can at-
test that resistance to
change is less about the
change itself and more
about losing control and
fear of uncertainty. Hu-
mans – and other animals,
for that matter – respond
defensively when the pow-
er to make decisions about
their own lives is removed.
And in a recent study on
COVID-19 and mental
health, researchers found
that adults surveyed in the
United States and five Eu-
ropean countries who be-
lieve that other people or
random chance mostly dic-
tates what happens to them
also report greater symp-
toms of depression.
There’s a big difference
between choosing to tele-
commute and suddenly be-
ing forced to work from
home. While eliminating
the daily commute has
been nice, the average of-
fice worker simply wasn’t
mentally or financially pre-
pared to turn their home
into a makeshift WeWork
location while also taking
on previously outsourced
teaching, childcare, and el-
dercare duties. Many fami-
lies do not live in homes
that can easily accommo-
date telecommuting, and
some employees’ domestic
arrangements are not con-
ducive to success.
Managers can take sev-
eral steps to ease these bur-
dens for their employees.
Set reasonable expecta-
tions: Many employees are
bearing new burdens and
facing pressure from multi-
ple sources. Managers can
avoid overwhelming them
by eliminating unneces-
saryreportsandredundant
procedures, and by being as
transparent as possible
about deadlines. For exam-
ple, if an important client
meeting is postponed, man-
agers should inform every-
one who is preparing mate-
rials for it immediately, so
they can reprioritize the
day’s tasks. Likewise, man-
agers shouldn’t expect im-
mediate replies to emails –
aconstantsenseof urgency
contributes to employee
burnout. Sending emails
outside of working hours
(especially late at night and
on weekends) should be
avoided, or staff shouldn’t
be expected (much less re-
quired) to answer after-
hours messages immedi-
ately.
Don’t force employees to
be “on” all the time: Zoom
fatigue is sky high, and em-
ployeesmayhavetomanage
quietspacesothatallhouse-
hold members can partici-
pateintheirrespectivework
calls and video meetings.
Womenusuallygettheshort
end of the stick, with one
author dubbing them “re-
luctantnomads”inthe“bat-
tle for space.” For example,
anemployeemightfindher-
self perched on the edge of
the bathtub, precariously
balancing a computer on
her knees, so that her part-
ner and children can con-
ducttheirbusinessorschool
work from the living room,
bedroom, and kitchen. And
women tend to face unfair
criticism and pressure over
their appearance on Zoom.
Managers should ask
whetheranymeetingscould
beeliminated,shortened,or
conducted without video.
SOURCE: PROJECT SYNDICATE
Managing well in the work-from-home era
M
Like a muddied spring or a
polluted fountain is a
righteous man who gives
way before the wicked.
—Proverbs 25:26
Spiritual
SPEAK
Top
TWEET
Piyush Goyal
@PiyushGoyal
Building upon our Govt’s principles
of inclusivity, convenience &
accessibility, 69 crore beneficiaries
are a part of One Nation One Ration
Card scheme across 32 States &
UTs. They can seamlessly access
their allotted food grains anywhere
in India with their existing cards.
Ravi Shankar Prasad
@rsprasad
@IndiaPostOffice is the only
department which reaches the
nook and the corner of the country
and that is their strength, asset and
heritage. The postal department
has an emotional connect with the
people of the country.
IJAY DIWAS is celebrated on 16
Dec, every year to commemo-
ratetheVictoryof Indianarmed
forces over East Pakistan and
Liberation of Bangla Desh. Vic-
tory over Pakistan Army in
Eastern Theatre was a marvel
of military strategy, executed
with perfection by troops on the
ground. It is an excellent exam-
pleof jointmanshipamongstall
three services. It’s prudent to
highlight with great pride that
the Liberation of Bangla Desh
andFalklandsWararetwoshin-
ing examples of brilliant mili-
tary campaigns, post-WWII and
they are taught in Military His-
tory, the world over.
Soldiering has been a noble
profession for ages. The royal
families joined Army since the
profession of arms was always
associated with pride, dignity,
and the highest form of nation-
alism since times immemorial.
Many of us left well paying cor-
poratejobstojoindefenceforces
since it was considered as a
proud privilege to don the com-
bat uniform. Indian ancient his-
tory, including the epics of
Ramayana and Mahabharat,
haveingrainedfightingtenetsin
our people where the profession
of armsisconsideredatradition
and an ultimate goal in a per-
son’s life. Indian armed forces
have proved their mettle every
time they have faced the enemy.
CHANAKYA TEACHINGS
The role of a soldier in nation-
building and duty of king to-
wards the welfare of soldiers
has been clearly defined by
great Indian strategic thinker
Chanakya - “While the Magad-
hacitizenryendeavourstomake
the State prosper and flourish,
theMauryansoldierguarantees
that the State continues to exist!
……..” It’s so true even today.
RECENT DOWNGRADINGS
The teachings of Chanakya
have been forgotten by the pre-
sent leadership. It’s very unfor-
tunate that the expenditure on
defence forces is not seen as in-
surance by having a force of
deterrencebutseenthroughthe
prism of an auditor. As we say-
War over, the soldier is soon for-
gotten. The auditor forgets the
bodies and devastated families
andstartscountingthepennies.
In the recent past, we have seen
high rhetoric on nationalism,
soldiers sacrifices and pride as
a political narrative but the ero-
sion of pride, respect, dignity,
pay, pension, perks, and privi-
leges of defence forces, with re-
sultant damage to the martial
streak in our country. This indi-
cates apathy of Govt towards
defence forces. The same mis-
take was done by Govt prior to
1962 debacle. A few examples of
the same are highlighted here-
z Gradual reduction in defence
budget as percentage of GDP.
z Taxing disability pensions and
statements by senior offic-
ers to say that disability is all
manipulated.
z Not giving NFU status while the
same is being given to civilians
and CAPF.
z Granting truncated OROP to
ESM and the same being given
to even bank employees.
z Gradually reducing avenues
of post retirement settlement
through Directorate General of
Resettlement.
z Imposing restrictions on CSD
Canteen purchases on pretext
of misuse, painting all ESM
and as profiteers.
z Starving ECHS of funds,
thereby making the scheme
almost redundant.
z The Siachin and J&K allowanc-
es for the military are far below
that of CAPF and police.
z Throwing open the cantts to
civilians, thereby compromis-
ing the security and privacy of
soldiers.
z Proposal to reduce pensions
on the pretext of ballooning
defence pension bills. Detailed
analysis indicates the contrary.
z Proposal to Close down
ceremonials like Army Day Pa-
rade, Vijay Diwas, Kargil Vijay,
Battle Honour Days and Rais-
ing Day celebrations. These are
celebrated the world over.
z Proposal to close down or
curtail Officer’s Messes and
Clubs on the name of austerity
measures.
PINCHING THE PENSION
Thestateisneverabletopaythe
soldier adequately who stands
as a sentinel to the nation’s
growth and prosperity. He
guards the frontiers facing all
hardshipsandpreparedtomake
the supreme sacrifice, if the
need arises, to defend the moth-
erland. The citizens sleeping
peacefully in air-conditioned
houses living in metro comforts
will never be able to fathom the
hardships involved in the pro-
fession of arms. The soldier is
paid less compared to corporate
world but paid higher the pen-
sion which is in-fact a different
salaryitself.Also,adequatepen-
sion is paid after retirement to
ensurethattheonewhogavehis
youth for guarding the country
should be able to live a decent
life in the sunset years and his
prideisnotcompromiseddueto
financial constraints.
CONCLUSION
Vijay Diwas is a symbol of
Pride for the Indian Armed
Forces. Such celebrations, all
across the globe reminds the
citizens about the valour and
sacrifices of our soldiers. The
nation also pays tribute to the
bravehearts who did not come
back home after the war. The
Armed Forces have created a
niche for itself, in the society
projecting itself as a role model
in the crumbling edifice of pre-
sent social structure. Even the
Ex-service-men are highly re-
spected in the society, since
they stand out due to their dis-
ciplined life, nationalistic atti-
tude, and helping nature which
they carry home from Army
life, even after retirement. If
India aspires to become a su-
perpower in 21st century, it
should take pride in achieve-
ments of it’s Defence Forces
and respect its soldiers includ-
ing veterans. On this GOLDEN
VIJAY DIWAS, Let’s take a
pledge to restore the pride in
soldiering.
THE VIEWS EXPRESSED BY
THE AUTHOR ARE PERSONAL
VIJAY DIWAS
CELEBRATING THE
PRIDE IN SOLDIERING
V
Soldiering has
been a noble
profession for
ages. The royal
families joined
the Army since
the profession of
arms was always
associated with
pride, dignity,
and the highest
form of
nationalism
since times
immemorial.
Many of us left
well paying
corporate jobs to
join defence
forces since it was
considered a
proud privilege
to don the
combat uniform
THE TEACHINGS OF
CHANAKYA HAVE BEEN
FORGOTTEN BY THE
PRESENT LEADERSHIP.
IT’S VERY UNFORTUNATE
THAT THE EXPENDITURE
ON DEFENCE FORCES IS
NOT SEEN AS INSURANCE
BY HAVING A FORCE OF
DETERRENCE BUT SEEN
THROUGH THE PRISM
OF AN AUDITOR
MAJ GEN
CP SINGH, RETD
The writer is a scholar soldier
accredited with MA, MSc, LLB,
MBA, M Phil (Def Mgt) and M Phil
(International Strategic Affairs)
NO WINTER SESSION AFTER
36 YEARS RAISES HACKLES
t a time when there are burning national
issues to be debated in Parliament, the
government has decided to do away with
thewintersession.ParliamentaryAffairs
Minister Prahlad Joshi said that the gov-
ernment was willing to have the next session of
Parliamentatthe“earliest”andsuggestedtheBudg-
et session in January. In 2018 and 2019 also the Budg-
et session began in January. Joshi said that the ses-
sion was being scrapped in view of the pandemic.
The winter session was earlier cancelled in 1975,
1979, and 1984. The government is under no consti-
tutional obligation to hold the winter session. The
Constitution mandates that there should not be a
gap of more than six months between two sessions
of Parliament.
The government may have scrapped the winter
sessionduetoCovid-19butthemessagethathasgone
out is that it is shying away from a democratic pro-
cess because there have been instances like Telan-
gana civic elections and poll campaigning in Bengal
when the BJP has violated the necessary Covid pro-
tocols. The Congress called it the “complete decima-
tionof parliamentarydemocracy”andremindedthe
government of how it held NEET and JEE examina-
tions when the pandemic was at its peak.
The government’s reason for not holding the
winter session also beats all logic as the positive
case load has come down to a little over 3 percent.
Is the Opposition wrong in saying that the govern-
ment was avoiding a debate on farmers’ protests
over the contentious farm laws which were passed
by voice vote in Rajya Sabha amid protests by the
Opposition?
A
IN-DEPTH
BJP SEEKS EC HELP TO
TAME BENGAL’S CM
hen Mamata Banerjee dislodged West
Bengal’s Communist Party of India-
Marxistgovernmentafter34yearsof rule
in 2011, her victory was attributed to her
street-fighter qualities. After becoming
the chief minister she remained calm for some time
but returned to her old ways not long after as she
never eased pressure on the Central government of
the day. Mamata’s militant style of politics first
grabbed headlines when on January 7, 1993, she
bargedintotheWriters’Buildingsandsatonadhar-
na outside the chamber of Chief Minister Jyoti
Basu. She was then a leader of the Youth Congress.
Before the parliamentary elections of 2019, her
government kept up her offensive against the BJP-
led coalition government at the Centre over the
Saradha chit fund scam. When the CBI team land-
ed in Kolkata to interrogate Police Commissioner
Rajiv Kumar, it was detained by the local police.
Mamata began an indefinite dharna at Esplanade
against the CBI’s move in the absence of a “gen-
eral consent” to the investigative agency to probe
cases in the state without permission.
In 2013 she was ordered by the Supreme Court to
abide by the State Election Commissioner’s (SEC)
order for five-phase panchayat elections in the
state. Mamata had challenged the SEC’s order to
deploy additional central forces for the elections.
It is almost an action replay as political tem-
peratures rise once again with the BJP attacking
the TMC over law and order. The BJP has urged
the Election Commissioner to deploy additional
central forces and impose the model code of con-
duct in the state six months ahead of elections.
W

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INDIAAHMEDABAD | WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2020
GULMARG COLDEST AT MINUS 10.2
DEG CELSIUS, SAY IMD EXPERTS
Srinagar: Night tem-
peratures in the Kashmir
Valley dipped below the
freezing point owing to a
clear sky, with the famous
ski-resort of Gulmarg
shivering at minus 10.2
degrees Celsius, Mete-
orological department
officials said here on
Tuesday. All weather
stations in the Valley
recorded sub-zero night
temperatures several
degrees below the normal
for this season, officials
said. They said the tem-
perature in Gulmarg, the
famous ski-resort in north
Kashmir, settled at a low
of minus 10.2 degrees
Celsius, which is six
degrees below the normal
for this season. The resort
was the coldest recorded
place in the UT.
2 BOOKED FOR DESTROYING
POLLING MATERIALS IN POONCH
Jammu: Two people were booked by police for
destroying polling materials in J&K’s Poonch dis-
trict. The presiding officer of Keri polling station
informed Gursai police station about the destruc-
tion of polling materials at a booth on Sunday,
they said. The application said that in DDC
election at government high school in Keri, two
people, namely Gafoor Ahmad, agent of Rabia
Younis Khan, and Wahidullha Khan, polling agent
of Saima Khan, attacked polling staff& snatched
ballot papers in order to cast bogus votes.
C’GARH: RATH YATRA TO MARK
2 YEARS OF GOVERNMENT
New Delhi: Places associated with Lord Ram
will be developed as Ram Van Gaman Path’ in
Chhattisgarh as part of an ambitious plan chalked
out by Bhupesh Baghel-led state government to
mark the completion of its two years, an official
statement said. The Ram Van Gaman Path is
referred to route taken by Lord Ram during his
14 years of exile. The Ram Van Gaman tourism
circuit project was chalked out to highlight the
mythological background of Chhattisgarh and its
close association with the life of Lord Ram.
RS 700 CR TAX EVASION AFTER
RAIDS AGAINST CHETTINAD GROUP
New Delhi: The Income
Tax Department has
detected tax evasion of
more than Rs 700 crore
after it recently raided
multiple locations of
Chennai-based Chettinad
Group, official sources
said. “The highlight of the
search includes seizure
of unaccounted cash of
Rs 23 crore from various
locations,” the CBDT
said. “As of now, the
department has succeed-
ed in detecting evasion
of income of over Rs
700 crore,” it said. The
statement claimed that
tax sleuths also detected
documents related to
possession of “foreign
assets to the extent of Rs
110 crore in form of fixed
deposits, which were not
disclosed in the return.”
New Delhi: Noting that
the government is
ready to accept all good
suggestions from farm-
ers about the farm laws,
Union Minister Nitin
Gadkari on Tuesday
said it will "convince
farmers, explain and
find a way through dia-
logue".
In an interview with
ANI, he said dialogue is
the only way to find a
solution to protest by
farmer unions and a
break in talks can lead
to miscommunication.
The minister, who is
Minister of Road Trans-
port and Highways and
a senior BJP leader,
said there will no injus-
tice with the farmers in
the Narendra Modi gov-
ernment.
"The government is
ready to accept all good
suggestions (from farm-
ers). It will take some
time. Our government
will convince the farm-
ers, explain & find a way
through dialogue," he
said. The minister said
farmers should be told
the truth "in the right
way". "Farmers should
understand these laws.
Our government is dedi-
cated to farmers & is
ready to accept the sug-
gestions given by them.
There will not be any
injustice with farmers,"
he said. —ANI
‘Govtopentoacceptsuggestionsonfarmlaws’
Union Minister Nitin Gadkari on Tuesday said the government will convince farmers, explain and find a way through dialogue
New Delhi: Urging
government & farmers'
organisations to resolve
the impasse over new
agri laws, industry body
ASSOCHAM said the
ongoing protests are
dealing a big blow to
inter-connected econo-
mies of the region. A daily
loss of Rs 3,000 crores to
3,500 crores is result-
ing in economies of the
region from value chain
& transport disruption
because of protests, ac-
cording to ASSOCHAM
rough estimates. Though
economies of Punjab,
Haryana & Himachal are
based on agriculture,
several industries have
become their lifeline.
‘FARMERS’ PROTESTS RESULTING
IN DAILY LOSS OF RS 3,500 CR’
New Delhi: The Con-
gress on Tuesday paid
tributes to India's first
deputy prime minister
Sardar Vallabhbhai Pa-
tel on his death anniver-
sary, with Rahul Gan-
dhi and Priyanka Gan-
dhi Vadra underlining
the importance of re-
membering his princi-
ples at a time when
farmers are protesting
against the new agri
laws.
Patel, a freedom
fighter who also became
India's first home min-
ister, is credited with
unifying hundreds of
princely states in to the
Union of India follow-
ing independence
through a mix of per-
suasion, dialogue and
even use of force when
required.
"On his death anni-
versary, we pay solemn
tribute to India's Sard-
ar, the man behind a
united India, Shri
Vallabhbhai Patel," the
Congress said on its of-
ficial Twitter handle.
"As a brave freedom
fighter & the nation's
first Deputy PM, his in-
numerable contribu-
tions to nation-building
inspire countless of In-
dians even today," the
party said.
In a Facebook post in
Hindi, Rahul Gandhi
shared Patel's quote
that "my only wish is
that India should be a
good producer and no
one in this country
should shed tears while
being hungry".
"Tributes to Sardar
Vallabhbhai Patel on
his death anniversary.
Today when 'an-
nadaatas' (food provid-
ers) are themselves
shedding tears, we need
to consider the princi-
ples of Sardar Patel."
In her tribute to Pa-
tel, Congress general
secretary Priyanka
Gandhi Vadra tweeted,
"The British threatened
the farmers of Bardoli
with things like prop-
erty attachment, but
under the leadership of
Sardar Patel, the farm-
ers did not back off and
their Satyagraha won."
Several other Con-
gress leaders, including
chief spokesperson
Randeep Surjewala, Ra-
jasthan Abhishek Sing-
hvi also paid rich trib-
utes to Patel. —PTI
Need to keep his principles in mind: RaGa
New Delhi: External
affairs minister S Jais-
hankar said it was a
matter of satisfaction
that there is a growing
recognition and accept-
ance of the idea of Indo-
Pacific. Jaishankar was
speaking at the joint
conference alongside
UKforeign secretary
Dominic Raab.
“India has its own vi-
sion of Indo-Pacific.
But I will also recognise
that other country too.
There could be overlaps
in Indian and UK vi-
sions of Indo-Pacific.
There could be big over-
laps and there could be
a few nuances. it is a
matter of satisfaction
that there is growing
recognition and accept-
ance of the idea of Indo-
Pacific,” Jaishankar
said. Raab, who is in
India for a four-day vis-
it, referred to UK’s “In-
do-Pacific tilt” and said
there is no stronger
partner than India
when UK looks to the
east. He further said
that UK wants closer
defence & security part-
nership to deal with
challenges. —ANI
Growing recognition, acceptance for
idea of Indo-Pacific: S Jaishankar
Kolkata: While ad-
dressing a rally in Jal-
paiguri, West Bengal
CM Mamata Banerjee
said refugee colonies
have been recognised in
state, and no one needs
to fear the National Reg-
ister of Citizens, the
Citizenship (Amend-
ment) Act and the Na-
tional Population Regis-
ter. Banerjee also ac-
cused the BJP of trying
to convert West Bengal
into “riot-torn” Gujarat
and dared the Union
government to impose
President’s Rule in the
state. “BJP has created
a new religion of riots
and hatred among com-
munities,” she alleged.
The TMC supremo
reiterated that BJP na-
tional president J P Na-
dda’s convoy was not
attacked and wondered
why “convicted crimi-
nals” were accompany-
ing him. The Centre is
summoning our offic-
ers. No one wanted to
hurt him (Nadda) or his
convoy,” Banerjee said.
‘Refugee colonies recognised
in WB, no need to fear NRC’
New Delhi: The Delhi
HC directed the Centre
and the AAP govern-
ment to treat as repre-
sentation a PIL claim-
ing that the mechanism
of issuing challans un-
der the Motor Vehicles
(Amendment) Act of
2019 was "arbitrary and
faulty" and needs to be
rectified using better
technology.
A bench of Chief Jus-
tice D N Patel and Jus-
tice Prateek Jalan di-
rected that the griev-
ances ventilated in the
plea, which is filed by a
lawyer, be decided in ac-
cordance with the law,
rules, regulations and
government policy ap-
plicable to the facts of
the case.
The court said a deci-
sion be taken on the
representation as expe-
ditiously as possible
and practicable, and
with this direction, dis-
posed of the petition by
Sonali Karwasra.
The court at the out-
set made it clear it was
not going to entertain
the matter and suggest-
ed that it can ask the
authorities concerned
to treat the plea as a rep-
resentation.
The petitioner
agreed with the court''s
suggestion. The peti-
tion had claimed that
challans were being is-
sued without proper
and reliable technolo-
gy in place. —PTI
Mechanism of issuing challans
faulty,plea filed in High Court
New Delhi: A special
court in Delhi has dis-
missed an application
seeking cancellation of
non-bailable warrants
(NBWs) issued against
Shravan Gupta, the for-
mer MD of realty major
Emmar MGF, in con-
nection with a money
laundering case related
to the Agusta Westland
VVIP chopper scam.
Special CBI Judge
Arvind Kumar, in an or-
der passed on Decem-
ber 5, observed that
even during present
proceedings, the appli-
cant did not express in-
tention to appear before
ED to join the investiga-
tion. —ANI
AGUSTA WESTLANDONLINE CLASSES
PIL to cancel
NBWs against
Gupta quashed
New Delhi: The Su-
preme Court directed
all the state govern-
ments to provide neces-
sary infrastructure,
stationaries, books, and
other equipment to
child care institutions
for online classes with-
in 30 days.
A bench headed by
Justice L Nageswara
Rao ordered that States
should ensure that the
required number of
teachers are also made
available to teach chil-
dren in the child care
institutions. The top
court passed a slew of
directions to cater to ed-
ucational needs of child
care institutions. —ANI
SC directs state
govts to provide
infra, books
IN THE COURTYARD
If there is no dialogue,
it can lead to miscom-
munication, to con-
troversy and spar-
ring. If there is a dia-
logue then issues will
be resolved, the whole
thing will end, farm-
ers will get justice,
they will get relief. We
are working in the in-
terest of farmers.
—Nitin Gadkari
Union Minister
Farmers gather at Ghazipur border during their protest against Centres agri-laws, in New Delhi on Tuesday. —PHOTO BY PTI
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar with his British counterpart
Dominic Raab, in New Delhi. —PHOTO BY PTI
RAUT SPEAK
‘OPPN BEHIND FARMERS' PROTEST’
THE GANDHI SCION SLAMS CENTRE
TMC SUVENDU ADHIKARI MAY JOIN BJP
Congress pays
tributes to
Sardar Patel
Rahul Gandhi
Mamata Banerjee

INDIAAHMEDABAD | WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2020
A conspiracy...
It is built on 70,000 hec-
tare land, larger than
many big cities in the
country,” the PM added.
The Prime Minister
said India featured in
the top three among
144 countries in the
Clean Energy Invest-
ment rankings. He
added, the country is
showing a path to the
entire world and lead-
ing the fight against
climate change.
He also remembered
Sardar Vallabhbhai Pa-
tel on his 70th death an-
niversary and said the
late leader’s statue in
Kevadia district in-
spires the people of the
country to work harder
every day and take the
country forward. —ANI
‘Consider giving...
and the prescription
has to be given only by
institutionally quali-
fied practitioners.
The top court said
that when statutory
regulations itself pro-
hibit advertisement,
there is no occasion for
Homeopathic medical
practitioners to adver-
tise that they are com-
petent to cure COVID-19
disease.
It said that Homeopa-
thy is contemplated to
be used in preventing
and mitigating COV-
ID-19, as is reflected by
the advisory and guide-
lines issued by the Min-
istry of AYUSH (Ayur-
veda, Yoga and Natur-
opathy, Unani, Siddha
and Homeopathy).
The top court said
that Homeopathic med-
ical practitioners have
to follow the advisory
dated March 6, issued
by AYUSH Ministry as
well as guidelines for
Homeopathic medical
practitioners for COV-
ID-19 issued by Minis-
try of AYUSH.
A bench of Justices
Ashok Bhushan, RS
Reddy and M R Shah
said, When the Scien-
tists of the entire world
are engaged in research
to find out proper medi-
cine/ vaccine for COV-
ID-19, there is no occa-
sion for making any
observation as con-
tained in with regard to
Homeopathic medical
practitioners. The ho-
meopathy does not cure
the disease, but it cures
the patients. —PTI
US court...
Apart from the Kash-
mir Khalistan Referen-
dum Front, the other
two complainants have
not been identified, oth-
er than the acronyms
‘TFK’ and ‘SMS’. The
suing party was repre-
sented by separatist
lawyer Gurpatwant
Singh Pannun. —PTI
Ruckus in...
it was adjourned sine-
die within minutes af-
ter it met for the day.
After it was ad-
journed sine-die on De-
cember 10, the House
was convened for a day
on Tuesday by the gov-
ernment, which had
even petitioned the Gov-
ernor, accusing the
Chairman K Prata-
pachandra Shetty of
“abruptly” adjourning
the session, without
taking up the no-confi-
dence motion against
him.
As the House met for
the day, Gowda occu-
pied the Chairman’s
seat even before Shetty
arrived and the quorum
bell still ringing, which
angered Congress
MLCs who rushed to
the well demanding
that he vacate it, as he
would have allowed the
no-confidence motion
against Shetty.
Following this, BJP
and JD(S) members too
rushed towards the
Chair in his defence.
This resulted in a
heated exchange of
words and much jos-
tling between members
from both sides.
Several members and
marshals of the council
were also allegedly
manhandled in the me-
lee, even as Congress
managed to make one
of its members occupy
the chair until Shetty
arrived in the House,
and the party MLCs
stood guard around the
seat. After some time
Chairman Prata-
pachandra Shetty en-
tered the house and
managed to go up to the
chair, from where he
announced that the
house was adjourned
sine die. —ANI
UK PM...
Johnson will be only
the second British lead-
er since Indian inde-
pendence to attend the
annual Republic Day
parade in New Delhi as
Guest of Honour, after
former prime minister
John Major in 1993.
Downing Street said
that Johnson had writ-
ten to Prime Minister
Modi not only to accept
his invitation but also
to invite India to attend
the UK’s G7 Summit as
one of three guest na-
tions alongside South
Korea and Australia
with a focus on his de-
clared ambition to work
with a group of “like-
minded democracies”
to advance shared inter-
ests and tackle common
challenges.
FROM PG 1
IS PM NOT HAPPY WITH FUNCTIONING
OF THE BUREAUCRACY?
Insiders say PM Narendra Modi is at present not
happy with the functioning of certain ministries.
Outcome of his anger will be known during the
top level bureaucratic reshuffle.
WHO WILL SUCCEED ARUN SINHA IN NTRO?
Who will succeed Advisor Arun Sinha this month
end ? Will he be an IPS officer or an Army officer.
Tenure of Sinha is coming to an end this month.
MAJ GEN KRISHNAN TO SUCCEED
MAJ GEN AUJLA?
Major General V M B Krishnan is likely to suc-
ceed Major General ADS Aujla as new GOC of 28
Infantry Division.
IRS OFFICER ISHTIYAQUE AHMED
TO JOIN NITI AAYOG
The services of Ishtiyaque Ahmed have been
transferred to the Niti Aayog on loan basis. He is
an IRS-IT officer.
DIG TO IG LEVEL PROMOTIONS
IN ITBP LIKELY HALF A DOZEN
DIG level officers are likely to be promoted to the
rank of IG in the ITBP in a couple of weeks.
E A SUBRAMANIAN LIKELY TO
GET EXTENSION
E A Subramanian is expected to get extension to
the post of Director (Operations & Technical), HLL
Lifecare Limited upto August 31, 2022.
M K SURANA LIKELY TO GET
EXTENSION AS CMD, HPCL
Mukesh Kumar Surana is expected to get exten-
sion to the post of Chairman-cum-Managing Di-
rector, Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited
(HPCL). Surana, whose tenure is ending in March
202, may get extension upto April 30, 2022.
APPLICATIONS INVITED FOR
POST OF SECRETARY, CWC
Ministry of Minority Affairs has invited applica-
tions for the post of Secretary in Central Waqf
Council (CWC), New Delhi, on deputation basis on
Foreign Service terms.
AMEET KUMAR APPOINTED AS
PS TO BABUL SUPRIYO
Ameet Kumar has been appointed as Private
Secretary to Babul Supriyo, Minister of state for
Environment, Forest and Climate Change. He is a
2010 batch IAS officer of Jharkhand cadre.
S RAVICHANDRAN RELIEVED TO
JOIN AS SPECIAL DIRECTOR, ED
S Ravichandran has been relieved to join as
Special Director of Enforcement in the Directorate
of Enforcement, Delhi on deputation basis. He is
an IRS-IT officer.
POWERGallery
By arrangement with: http://
whispersinthecorridors.com
New delhi: India's ac-
tive COVID-19 caseload
has fallen below 3.4
lakh, a mere 3.43 per
cent of the total infec-
tions, supplemented
by an impressive re-
covery rate of over 95
per cent, which is
among the highest in
the world for countries
with high caseloads,
the Union Health Min-
istry said Tuesday.
The daily new cases
recorded on Tuesday --
22,065 -- were also the
lowest in over five
months. As many as
22,252 cases were re-
ported on July 7, the
ministry said.
The number of recov-
eries have crossed 94
lakhs (94,22,636), push-
ing the national recov-
ery rate to over 95 per
cent, which is "one of
the highest in the world
for countries with high
caseload", the ministry
underlined.
There are 3,39,820 ac-
tive cases of coronavi-
rus infections as on
Tuesday.
AYUSH doctors and
homeopaths cannot pre-
scribe or advertise med-
icines as cures for
COVID-19, the Supreme
Court stated on Tues-
day, 15 December. It
also maintained that
qualified AYUSH doc-
tors can prescribe gov-
ernment-approved tab-
lets or mixtures as “im-
munity boosters” for
COVID-19 patients.
India’srecoveryratehighestinworld
Daily new cases recorded on Tuesday was 22,065 were the lowest in over five months
People wearing masks as part of a comprehensive strategy of measures to suppress transmission
and save lives and also to provide an adequate level of protection against COVID-19. —FILE PHOTO
New Delhi: A Delhi
court Tuesday acquit-
ted 36 foreigners, who
were charge sheeted for
attending Tablighi
Jamaat congregation
in Delhi by allegedly be-
ing negligent and diso-
beying the government
guidelines issued in
wake of COVID-19 pan-
demic in the country.
Chief Metropolitan
Magistrate Arun Ku-
mar Garg acquitted
the foreigners from 14
countries of all charg-
es. The charges were
also framed under sec-
tion 51 (obstruction)
Disaster Management
Act, 2005.
However, they were
discharged for the of-
fences under section
14 (1) (b) (violation of
visa norms) of For-
eigners Act, sections
270 (Malignant act
likely to spread infec-
tion of disease danger-
ous to life) and 271
(Disobedience to quar-
antine rule) of IPC.
36 foreigners attended
Tablighi Jamaat event
acquitted of all charges
New Delhi: A book,
“The Presidential
Years“, by late former
president Pranab
Mukherjee, to be re-
leased in January 2021,
saw wrangling between
his son Abhijit Mukher-
jee & daughter Sharm-
ishtha Mukherjee, both
members of Congress
party. While Abhijeet,
in a tweet, requested
the publisher Rupa to
stop publication of the
memoir as well as “mo-
tivated excerpts” with-
out his written consent,
& Mukherjee’s daugh-
ter, on other hand, re-
quested his brother not
to create “unnecessary
hurdles”. The memoir
was in the news recent-
ly for Pranab ’s critical
comments on Congress,
including his observa-
tion that the party lost
political focus after his
elevation as president.
Pranab Mukherjee’s son and daughter
spat over his last memoir on Twitter
New Delhi: The Delhi
High Court Tuesday is-
sued an order restrain-
ing AIIMS Nurses Un-
ion from continuing
with its ongoing strike
demanding clarity on
salary structure.
This comes after the
Union Health Ministry
directed the director of
AIIMS to ensure no dis-
ruption of nursing
functions given the
coronavirus pandemic.
Over 3,000 nurses at
AIIMS began an indefi-
nite strike Monday af-
ternoon demanding
clarity over their long-
pending demands, in-
cluding those with re-
gard to the Sixth Cen-
tral Pay Commission.
Earlier today, AIIMS
had approached the
High Court against
the union, arguing
that its strike was
“against the law and
public interest” and
has brought the hospi-
tal to a standstill.
In a letter to AIIMS
director Dr Randeep
Guleria, the nursing
union had raised con-
cerns over the 6th Cen-
tral Pay Commission
(CPC) anomaly.
“The callous attitude
of AIIMS administra-
tion towards nurses
has forced us to go on
an indefinite strike
from Monday after-
noon onwards,” said
the letter.
Delhi HC restrains
AIIMS nurses from
continuing with strike
CENTRE INTERFERING
IN WB'S JURISDICTION:
MAMATA BANERJEE
‘Daughters being brutally
assaulted every day’
New Delhi: The Minis-
try of Health & Family
Welfare in fifth round
of National Family
Health Survey (NFHS),
said India’s population
is finally stabilising.
India has seen a sig-
nificant decrease in to-
tal fertility rate across
most states over the
past 4 years. The fifth
round of the NFHS was
conducted in 2019-20.
India's fertility
rate declines
across states
Jalpaiguri : West Ben-
gal Chief Minister
Mamata Banerjee on
Tuesday accused the
Centre of interfering in
the state''s jurisdiction
by summoning IPS of-
ficers to serve under it.
Banerjee also dared
the Union government
to impose President''s
Rule in the state, lash-
ing out at the BJP
for trying to convert
West Bengal into "riot-
torn" Gujarat.
She reiterated that
BJP national president
J P Nadda''s convoy was
not attacked and won-
dered why "convicted
criminals" were accom-
panying him.
"If the BJP and the
central government
think they can scare us
by bringing in central
forces and transferring
state cadre officers,
they are wrong.
The Centre is sum-
moning our officers...
No one wanted to hurt
him (Nadda) or his con-
voy," Banerjee said at a
rally here.
New delhi: The Nirb-
haya rape and murder
case may have seen a
decision but that has
not been a deterrent to
the number of crimes
against women on the
streets of the country,
according to Nirb-
haya’s father.
On the intervening
night of December 16
and 17, 2012, a 23-year-
old physiotherapy in-
tern, referred to as Nirb-
haya, was raped and
brutally assaulted in a
moving bus in south
Delhi by six people be-
forebeingthrownouton
the road. Nirbhaya’s fa-
ther, who joined an on-
line petition which was
started by NGOs Save
the Children and Yuva
to mark the eighth an-
niversary of the grue-
some gangrape case,
said that “the fight is not
over yet”.
NAVY SENIOR-MOST
SUBMARINER DIES
VACCINE WITH 2
YEARS OF IMMUNITY
The Vice Admiral Sri-
kant died due to COVID
related complications,
officials said. The vice
admiral, the Navy's
senior-most submarin-
er, was due to retire on
December 31. Defence
Minister Rajnath Singh
Expressied his condo-
lences on Twitter.
Russian coronavirus
vaccine Sputnik V is
likely to provide up to
2 years of immunity
against Covid-19, as
compared to 4-5
months of immunity
that might be achieved
by using Covid vaccine
developed by Pfizer
and BioNTech.
THE CHARGES
Mumbai: The Narcot-
ics Control Bureau
(NCB) has summoned
Bollywood actor Arjun
Rampal in Mumbai on
Wednesdayforquestion-
ing in connection with a
drug-related case.
The actor has been
asked to remain present
before the NCB team,
which is conducting a
probe into the alleged
Bollywood drugs nexus
following the death of
actor Sushant Singh Ra-
jput, the official said.
NCB again
summons Arjun
in drug case
New Delhi: The De-
partment of Posts
(DoP) and India Post
Payments Bank
(IPPB) have virtual-
ly unveiled a new
digital payment app
‘DakPay’, an official
statementsaid.“The
App is launched as
part of its ongoing
efforts to provide
Digital Financial in-
clusion at the last
mile across India,”
the statement said.
Launch of DakPay
adds up to the legacy
of India Post, which
isaboutreachingout
to every household.
New Delhi: After form-
ingthegovernmentinthe
national capital thrice
andemergingasthemain
opposition party in Pun-
jab, the Aam Aadmi Par-
ty (AAP) announced it
will contest the Uttar
Pradesh Assembly elec-
tionin2022.AAP’snation-
al convenor & Delhi CM
ArvindKejriwalmadethe
announcement here in a
digitalpressbriefing.
IPPB launches
its digital
payments’
services
‘AAP TO TAKE
PART IN 2020
UP ELECTIONS’

TALKING POINTAHMEDABAD | WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2020
O
ver time, scientific evi-
dence accumulates, and
the quality of the evi-
dence available often im-
proves. For instance, when the
United States Preventive Ser-
vices Task Force (USPSTF)
makes recommendations, it
notes that there can be low,
moderate or high certainty re-
garding the net benefit. While
interventions with low cer-
tainty of net benefit may be
beneficial, such interventions
nonetheless are only support-
ed by a limited number of
studies, studies with methodo-
logical flaws or studies that
cannot be generalized.
Likewise, there may be in-
consistency in findings across
the literature. Different pro-
fessional societies may like-
wise review the same evidence
and offer different, but equally
valid, recommendations due to
differences in priorities as
well as their interpretations of
the evidence.
Unsurprisingly, the evidence
supporting COVID-19-related
interventions has evolved over
the course of 2020, and public
policy has changed as well.
While early public policy ef-
forts included closing large
outdoor spaces, such as nation-
al and state parks, as the dan-
gers of respiratory spread be-
came better understood, the
emphasis instead became on
encouraging people to spend
time outdoors when possible.
The US surgeon general
switched from telling people
not to wear masks to providing
instructions on how people
could make their own.
Science itself has reversed
course several times during the
pandemic as well. There has
been a rush to develop scien-
tific evidence, and in many
cases, a reliance on findings
that have yet to have undergone
peer review. Preprint servers
have enabled scientists to dis-
tribute their work at a rapid
pace, but have also removed the
safeguards offered by the tradi-
tional publication process. That
said, even the integrity of peer
review has been called into
question, with The Lancet and
the New England Journal of
Medicine both retracting stud-
ies regarding the treatment of
COVID-19.
As the article retractions
demonstrate, science is not
about trust, but about a process
of inquiry in which even pub-
lished findings may be ques-
tioned. The very novelty of the
SARS-CoV-2 virus should lead
us to expect there to be changes
in our collective knowledge of
it over time. Nonetheless, diag-
nostic, treatment and public
policy decisions must be made
based upon the information
available. As inaction is a deci-
sion in itself, leaders must con-
sciously use the evidence avail-
able to provide direction.
AS THE SCIENTIFIC COMMUNITY LEARNS MORE ABOUT THE NOVEL
CORONAVIRUS, DIAGNOSTIC, TREATMENT AND PUBLIC POLICY DECISIONS
MUST BE MADE BASED UPON THE BEST INFORMATION AVAILABLE
TRUSTING SCIENCE IN
TIMES OF UNCERTAINTY
I
n response to the
novel coronavi-
rus pandemic,
there have been
repeated calls to
“trust the science.”
The first definition in
the Merriam-Webster
dictionary for the
word “science” is “the
state of knowing,”
while the third defini-
tion is “knowledge or
a system of knowl-
edge covering general
truths or the opera-
tion of general laws
especially as obtained
and tested through
scientific method.”
Science is not about
trust, but instead
about knowledge, as
obtained through ob-
servation and experi-
mentation.
Prior to 2019, noth-
ing was known about
the SARS-CoV-2 virus,
although there was
general knowledge of
virology. Thus, while
science is “the state of
knowing,” with re-
gards to the particu-
larities of this virus,
the world’s research-
ers have until the past
year been in a state of
ignorance. Using the
information at their
disposal, different
governments have
taken different scien-
tific approaches to ad-
dressing COVID-19.
ADAM POWELL
I
t is essential to move
from blindly follow-
ing scientific find-
ings of varying quality
to actively weighing
them. Following an ap-
proach similar to the
United States Preventive
Services Task Force, rec-
ommendations that are
made should consider
the quality of the scien-
tific information on
which they are based,
with the understanding
that the evidence may be
of uneven quality. Cost-
benefit analyses should
be performed on policy
interventions that are
being discussed, with
both direct and indirect
costs considered as fac-
tors.
As we proceed with un-
certainty, it is important
to remember that the
costs associated with er-
rors are sometimes not
symmetric. For instance,
there has been some de-
bate around the efficacy
of mask-wearing. If
masks are worn but later
proven to be ineffective,
the costs society will
have borne will likely be
the relatively minimal
cost associated with
their purchase or con-
struction, as well as the
physical and social dis-
comfort caused by their
utilization. Meanwhile,
if masks are not worn,
but later further evi-
dence mounts that they
are effective, the cost
will be the societal losses
due to the resulting ill-
ness and business clo-
sures.
The calculus regard-
ing online versus live
education for school chil-
dren is hazier, as there
are clear downsides to
either path: Bringing
children into schools
may lead to increased
spread of the virus,
while keeping children
at home may both ham-
per their education and
their parents’ ability to
work. The path that has
been widely chosen, hy-
brid education, may be
the most costly of all, as
it both fails to shelter
families from exposure
and fails to provide par-
ents with consistent
childcare, in many cases,
leading to the children
spending increased time
with vulnerable retired
relatives or additional
groups of children from
alternative childcare ar-
rangements.
One of the drivers of
the decision to move to-
ward the Solomonic
judgment represented by
the hybrid model has
been the belief that stu-
dents must be able to
keep a distance of six
feet, or two meters, at all
times while in the class-
room, a recommendation
given by the United
States Centers for Dis-
ease Control and Preven-
tion but contrary to the
guidance of the World
Health Organization
(WHO), which recom-
mends keeping a dis-
tance of three feet, or
one metre.
The reason for the dis-
cordance between the
guidance of the WHO
and the United States is
because there likely is no
single optimum distance
but, instead, a gradient
of risk. Two metres is
likely somewhat safer
than one meter, and 20
metres is safer still. As
with every decision in
health care, the costs and
benefits of different safe-
ty thresholds must be
weighed. If maintaining
a six-foot distance forces
schools to not operate at
full capacity (or at all), it
must be weighed against
the potential medical
and financial harms that
come from implementing
such a regulation, such
as increased potential
exposure of the elderly.
Moreover, it must be
appreciated that neither
distance completely miti-
gates risk due to the aer-
osol-based spread of the
virus. There may be a
right answer regarding
the distance that is so-
cially optimal, but such a
distance needs further
exploration using the sci-
entific process. While do-
ing so, we must appreci-
ate both what we know
and what we currently do
not know, and increase
our comfort with declar-
ing our uncertainty.
PROCEED WITH UNCERTAINTY
Source : FAIROBSERVER.COM

Darshan Desai
Dhordo (Kutch):
Prime Minister Nar-
endra Modi on Tues-
day asked research-
ers and universities
to look at Kutch as a
case study on the re-
gion’s rise from the
ashes of the massive
destruction caused by
the 2001 earthquake
there.
Modi, who laid the
foundation stone of the
world’s largest 30,000
MW hybrid renewable
energy park at Kharera
in the desert district,
counted Kutch among
the country’s fastest de-
veloping regions.
He also launched
Shapoorji Pallonji
Group’s desalination
plant with a capacity to
treat 1,000 lakh litres a
day in Mandvi, besides
a a fully automated
milk processing and
packing plant in Anjar.
Chief Minister Vijay
Rupani accompanied
the Prime Minister.
He said the people
fought back and con-
verted the quake trage-
dy into hope. “Everyone
rose from the destruc-
tion caused by the
quake and look where
they brought Kutch,” he
said, and referred to the
renewable enery park
he launched.
“Gujarat was among
the earliest to work on
strengthening solar en-
ergy capacities. Today
Kutch has the world’s
largest hybrid renewa-
ble energy park. It is
almost as big as Singa-
pore and Bahrain. It is
built on 70,000 hectare
land, larger than many
big cities in the coun-
try,” the Prime Minister
said.
He added that India
featured in the top three
among 144 countries in
the Clean Energy In-
vestment rankings.
Modi said, “The coun-
try has shown a path to
the entire world and is
leadingthefightagainst
climate change.”
Stating that one had
to keep pace up with the
changing times and em-
brace global best prac-
tices, Modi lauded the
farmers in Kutch and
pointed out they were
now exporting fruits.
The Prime Minister
said this indicated the
“innovative zeal of our
farmers.”
He said agriculture,
dairy and fisheries sec-
tors had prospered in
Gujarat over the last 2
decades due to mini-
mum interference from
the Government. “What
Gujarat did was to em-
power farmers and co-
operatives,” Modi said.
Remembering Sardar
Vallabhbhai Patel on
his 70th death anniver-
sary, the Prime Minis-
ter said Patel’s statue in
Kevadia in Narmada
district was a source of
inspiration for the peo-
ple of the country.
Humanity for all its
achievements has been unable
to control mother nature,
maybe it needs to learn to respect it more.
—Jagdeesh Chandra, CEO & Editor, First India
AHMEDABAD | WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2020www.firstindia.co.in I www.firstindia.co.in/epaper/ I twitter.com/thefirstindia I facebook.com/thefirstindia I instagram.com/thefirstindia
08
2NDFRONT
Sand mound slide kills worker 10
feet in a pit dug to lay water lines
Parents call cops to get son freed from divorcee
First India Bureau
Ahmedabad: A huge
mound of sand dug
up to lay an under-
ground water pipe-
line collapsed on a
labourer working 10
feet inside the pit,
killing him near the
Nursing Society near
Ramapir no Tekro in
Juna Vadaj area of
the city on Tuesday.
Two fire brigade
teams worked for
hours but could not
rescue the worker. The
victim was rushed to a
nearby hospital but
was pronounced dead
there. The fire brigade
conducted a thorough
investigation but
found he was the only
one inside.
The locals had called
the fire brigade to res-
cue the labourer. The
work site was barricad-
ed and there were no
rescue tools available
even for the workers.
The Vadaj police
have initiated an inves-
tigation in the matter.
First India Bureau
Ahmedabad: City’s
Anandnagar police is
playing the role of a me-
diator to convince a di-
vorced woman to “free”
a 17-year-old boy with
whom she has an affair
and is not allowing him
to return to his parents.
The boy’s parents
have filed a police com-
plaint that the woman,
in her 30’s with a child,
had trapped their son.
The two are often seen
chatting over the phone
and she sends him lewd
messages, and the boy
would also search sexu-
al content on the inter-
net. While he had often
stayed at her house, he
hadn’t returned home
for two days this time,
the parents said.
When they went to
her house, it was locked
but the two were inside.
She opened after the po-
lice reached but argued
that they were in a rela-
tionship and wished to
live together.
The police are con-
vincing the woman to
allow the boy to return,
or she could be booked
under IPC and POCSO
since the boy is not an
adult.
PM also launches a 1,000 lakh litre a day desalination plant; calls Kutch country’s fastest developing region
Modi’sgifttoKutch:30,000MWgreenenergy
Prime Minister Narendra Modi was in Kutch on Tuesday to launch several projects. He was welcomed by Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani (left).The PM also had a separate
meeting with Sikh farmers during his day-long visit. (Bottom left).
First India Bureau
Ahmedabad: The Gu-
jarat High Court on
Tuesday issued no-
tices to the State Gov-
ernment following a
petition by Congress
leader Hardik Patel
seeking quashing of
criminal proceedings
against him in a De-
cember 2017 case of
unlawful assembly
and holding a public
rally in Ahmedabad
without permission.
Justice AG Uraizee
issued the notices and
posted the matter for
further hearing to Jan-
uary 12.
The proceedings
against Patel pending
before the 3rd Addi-
tional Sr. Civil Court,
Mirzapur, in
Ahmedabad, have
been launched on the
basis of an FIR at the
Bopal Police Station
under Section 188.
The allegation in FIR
refers to the incident
of December 2017,
where Patel and oth-
ers held a rally in the
Bopal-Ghuma area
without permission
and thus violated an
order promulgated by
the Additional Dis-
trict Magistrate.
Appearing for the
Patidar leader, Advo-
cate Anand Yagnik sub-
mitted that an FIR un-
der Section 188 was not
maintainable because
only the public servant
who promulgated the
order and whose order
was violated could file a
complaint before the
Magistrate.
He argued that only
after such a com-
plaint could a court
take cognizance while
in this case prosecu-
tion had been
launched by lodging
an FIR and this was
not maintainable. He
submitted that 4 high
courts in India had
held that an FIR was
not maintainable in
such cases and also
cited a Gujarat High
Court order in a case
of Parshottambhai
Solanki vs. State of
Gujarat.
Public Prosecutor
and senior advocate
Mitesh Amin appearing
for the State had vehe-
mently opposed the said
application.
December 2017 FIR against Hardik caught in a legal wrangle
LEGAL KNOTS

Gujarat HC
issues notice
to State Gov-
ernment in a
petition seek-
ing quashing of
entire criminal
proceeding in
the case Congress leader Hardik Patel. —FILE PHOTO
KUTCH RENEWABLE ENERGY PARK
1. Adani Green Energy Ltd 9,500 MW 19,000 hectares
2. Suzlon Group 4,750 MW 9,500 hectares
3. PSU Solar Energy Corp 3,000 MW 23,000 hectares
4. NTPC 4,750 MW 9,500 hectares
5. GIPCL 2,375 MW 4,750 hectares
6. GSEC 3,325 MW 6,650 hectares
COVID-19
UPDATE
GUJARAT
4,193
DEATHS
2,29,913
CONFIRMED CASES
RAJASTHAN
2,568 DEATHS 2,93,584 CASES
DELHI
10,115 DEATHS 6,10,447 CASES
WORLD
16,32,958
DEATHS
7,34,15,710
CONFIRMED CASES
INDIA
99,31,011
CONFIRMED CASES
1,44,090
DEATHS
MAHARASHTRA
48,339 DEATHS 18,86,807 CASES
UTTAR PRADESH
8,083 DEATHS 5,66,728 CASES
KARNATAKA
11,965 DEATHS 9,03,425 CASES
—FILE PHOTO

AHMEDABAD, WEDNESDAY
DECEMBER 16, 2020
www.firstindia.co.in I www.firstindia.co.in/epaper/ I twitter.com/thefirstindia
facebook.com/thefirstindia I instagram.com/thefirstindia 09
It’s finally D-Day! The Fashion Connect by First India will
be held today at Rambagh Palace Jaipur, after a long
wait. Stay tuned, a great show is about to begin...
he eighth season of
The Fashion Con-
nect by First India
will be held today, 16
December at Maha-
rani Bagh at Ram-
bagh Palace Jaipur.
The seventh season was sup-
posed to take place earlier
this year in March, but due
to the COVID outbreak
across the globe, it was post-
poned, keeping in mind the
health of the people who
would be a part of the event.
A virtual season was
showcased live to the public
recently, which was loved by
the audience. Looking at the
great response, we have now
come up with the eighth sea-
son, keeping all the COVID
protocols in place.
With only limited seating,
proper sanitization and so-
cial distancing, the eighth
season of The Fashion Con-
nect by First India is going to
set high standards for all the
upcoming on-ground fash-
ion shows, with the best de-
signers on board to showcase
their collections!
NEHAL NAYAR
nehal.nayar@firstindia.co.in
T
THE WAIT IS
FINALLY OVER
The collection
for Fashion
Connect,
Jaipur epi-
sode, is an amalgama-
tion of a strict curation
of our Bali collection
further coordinated
and fused with our
Indian heritage motifs
from the Mughal
Era, and we
are super ex-
cited for it.
—RAJDEEP
RANAWAT,
Designer
The col-
lection
Pharaoh’s
will be
showcased at The
Fashion Connect,
which inspires
women and shows
how the ancient
era Egyptian em-
presses handled
power authority in
a graceful way.
—BANI PASRICHA,
Designer
Ranka’s collec-
tion that will
be showcased
during the show
can easily be described
as classy, royal and
elegant. People are
going to love the colour
combinations and the
entire look of simple yet
graceful outfits.
—TINA RANKA, Designer
Pharaoh’s collection Bani Pasricha
Bali Collection by Rajdeep Ranawat

Rishee Miglani
Lokesh Sharma
Brand Ambassador
Show Director
SEASON 8
#SEASON8#TheFashionConnect
16th December, 2020
5 PM to 7PM
Rambagh Palace, Jaipur
RAJDEEP RANAWAT
BANI PASRICHA
SAKH JAIPUR BY NEHA KHATRI
RANKA’S BY TINA RANKA
HOUSE OF KOTWARA
Showcasing Designers
GRAND OPENING BY
GRAND FINALE BY
ACCESSORY SHOW BY COSA NOSTRAA
ONLY BY INVITATION

ETC 11
D
elighting her fans with an en-
chanting post, Bollywood actor
Shilpa Shetty, on Tuesday
shared tips for staying healthy.
One of the fittest actors in Bolly-
wood, Shetty leaves no stone unturned
to inspire her fans. In her latest Insta-
gram post, the ‘Dhadkan’ star shared
a winsome picture of herself
in which she is randomly
captured flashing her ra-
diant smile. Emphasis-
ing the significance of
a ‘good laugher’, she
suggested her fans to
watch a funny
movie/video.
—ANI
B
ollywood actor Ka-
reena Kapoor
Khan, on Tuesday
treated her fans
with an adorable picture,
this time with father and
‘sons’.
Bebo, who is one of the
most active Bollywood ce-
lebrities on social media,
shared a picture on Insta-
gram, which features her
husband and actor Saif
Ali Khan with both his
sons, Taimur and Ibra-
him in one frame. With
the post that shares
the father and sons
bonding, the ‘Heroine’
star wrote, “Favourite
boys! #FatherAnd-
Sons,” using smiling
face with red hearts
emoticons. —ANI
R
eali-
t y
star
Kim
Kardashi-
an and her
r a p p e r
husband Kanye West are
still finding their rela-
tionship difficult as a
couple and staying in dif-
ferent states. Even
though Kim and Kanye’s
relationship is not a nor-
mal one yet they have re-
portedly found a way not
to end their marriage.
The celebrity couple has
decided to keep them-
selves away from the di-
vorce courts even though
they are not enjoying the
ideal relationship. The
couple is still reportedly
struggling to “stay to-
gether as a couple” but
they are happy to keep
this status. —Agency
‘MY BEST
FILMMAKING
EXPERIENCE’
UNIQUE
LEAF ART
BIOPIC IN
MAKING...
S
hahid Kapoor on Tuesday
celebrated the shooting wrap-
up of his upcoming sports
drama film ‘Jersey’ with other cast
and crew members of the flick. The
‘Kabir Singh’ shared the announce-
ment of wrap-up of his much-await-
ed film ‘Jersey’on Instagram and
wrote, “It’s a film wrap on #jersey
.... 47 days of the shoot during
covid. Just unbelievable. I am so
proud of the entire team. It’s noth-
ing short of a miracle.” Extending
thanks to the crew members who
came to the sets amid the pan-
demic, the star noted, “It’s nothing
short of a miracle. I want to thank
each and everyone from the unit
for coming to set every day, putting
themselves at risk and doing what
we all love doing.” —ANI
I
mpressed by an art piece of
him created by a fan, Bollywood
actor Sonu Sood on Tuesday
posted its picture on social media.
The art, posted on Twitter, features
Sood’s face carved on a leaf that is
dedicated to him by one of his fans
referring to him as his superhero. To
acknowledge the art, the ‘Dabangg’
star re-tweeted his fan’s post and
wrote, “Patte patte pe likha hai
chapne wale ka naam”(translation:
On each leaf is written the name
of the printer’s name), with folded
hands emoticon. — ANI
T
he life and times of Indian field
hockey player Major Dhyan
Chand will soon be seen on the
big screen as a biopic. The movie
will be a collaboration by ‘Sonchiri-
ya’ producer Ronnie Screwvala and
director Abhishek Chaubey. Film
critic and movie trade analyst Taran
Adarsh took to Twitter on Tuesday
and announced the news. “HOCKEY
LEGEND #DHYANCHAND BIOPIC
ANNOUNCED... Producer Ronnie
Screwvala and director Abhishek
Chaubey reunite, after #Sonchiriya...
Announce a film on #Hockey legend
#DhyanChand...,” tweeted Adarsh.“-
Co-produced by Premnath Rajago-
palan... Star cast under finalisation...
Starts 2021... 2022 release,” he
added. —ANI
RELATIONSHIP STRUGGLE
BIG REUNION
rew Barrymore
began hosting
The Drew Bar-
rymore Show in
September this
year and the
show is already
loved by millions of fans
from around the world.
The actress and host will
be reuniting with her
‘Never Been Kissed’ co-
star and the actresses
will be dishing out some
fun stories for the audi-
ence. Speaking about
their time from the 90s
film, Jessica was full of
gratitude for Drew as
she said, “You propped
up so many actors at that
time and you took so
many people under your
wings. You guided them
and you set the stage for
us who were just start-
ing.” Jessica Alba, who
has starred in films like
Sin City and Fantastic
Four, also opened up on
juggling her work and
home life.
She jokingly said, “I
told everyone in the fam-
ily that I need a break
from them.” —Agency
D
RECOVERED
RELATION
T
here’s a very
hopeful update
about the state
of Prince Har-
ry and Prince Wil-
liam‘s relationship
after months of ru-
mours of a major rift
in the royal family. A
friend of the royals
confirmed they were
feuding and Prince
Harry also publicly
spoke about the rift.
Many were worried
the family would nev-
errecoverafterPrince
Harry and Meghan
Markle‘s bombshell
decision to exit as sen-
ior members of the
royal family. The
brothers’ relationship
is much better than it
was. They are now in
regular contact and
the Sussex family has
sent Christmas pre-
sents to Prince Wil-
liam and Kate Middle-
ton‘s family.
—Agency
Yolanda Hadid revealed
Y
olanda Hadid loves being a new
grandma. She took to Insta-
gram to share a picture of the
day Gigi and her longtime
beau, Zayn Malik, found out they were
having a baby girl. The adorable cou-
ple posed side by side, showing off a
sliced-into gender-reveal cake proving
that a little girl was on the way. Gigi
appeared cosy, wearing a white polo-
style sweater; a cream-hued, knit car-
digan; and light-wash denim. She had
her hair pulled back into a casual bun.
As for Malik, he looked dapper in a
leather bomber jacket and a simple
black T-shirt. —Agency
Kareena’sFavouriteBoys
Fitness Mantra
Jessica Alba
... her post
Kim Kardashian
Kareena Kapoor Khan
... her post
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle
Shilpa Shetty Kundra
Yolanda’s post
www.firstindia.co.in I www.firstindia.co.in/epaper/ I twitter.com/thefirstindia I facebook.com/thefirstindia I instagram.com/thefirstindia
Taran’s Tweet
Fan Art
Shahid’s post
AHMEDABAD | WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2020

12AHMEDABAD | WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2020www.firstindia.co.in I www.firstindia.co.in/epaper/ I twitter.com/thefirstindia I facebook.com/thefirstindia I instagram.com/thefirstindia
CITY BUZZ
IPS Keshar Singh
Shekhawat celebrated his
birthday on Tuesday, 15
December. We wish him
all the best!
HAPPY B’DAY! EVENTS!
Raj: Amer
Fort has been
the attraction
of the city
since always.
The crowning
Jewel of
Jaipur was
captured
beautifully
on Tuesday
morning.
Guj: The
Officers from
Election
commission of
India arranged
voter list
reformation
program at
various wards
in Ahmedabad
city, ahead of
AMC Election
on Monday.
—PHOTO BY NAIM KHAN —PHOTO BY HANIF SINDHI
BUZZ
FICCI Rajasthan State Council is organising the
virtual edition of the 5th HR Summit, 2020 today
from 10:30 a.m to 1:10 p.m. The theme of this
edition is ‘Reimagineering the Role of HR in the
post-Covid World’. —City First
Fruitful panel
DISCUSSION
CITY FIRST
J
airangam Thea-
tre Festival re-
cently had Ra-
manjit Kaur, an
International award-
winning Theatre and
Film Actor and Direc-
tor from India,
founder-director of
The Creative Arts,
and the National
Vice-President of Arts
Leadership Council,
Women’s Indian Cham-
ber of Commerce and
Industry (WICCI). She
curated and moderated
a panel discussion on-
line with Anita R Rat-
nam, an Indian classi-
cal and contemporary
dancer and choreogra-
pher.
Sanjoy K Roy, the
Managing Director of
Teamwork Arts.
Baldeep Singh, a pio-
neering polymath in
cultural conserva-
tion and Founder
of The Anad Foun-
dation. Quasar Tha-
kore, Indian stage di-
rector and Samara
Hersch, a theatre practi-
tioner exploring the in-
tersection of contempo-
rary performance and
community engage-
ment. cityfirst@firstindia.co.in
NEHAL NAYAR
he last audition and
interview round for
the three-day national
beauty pageant Miss
and Mrs India Glam
Season 2 will be held
tomorrow, 17 De-
cember at The Blackbox,
Hotel Clarion Bella Casa,
Jaipur. The top 10 finalists
will be chosen amongst the
ones selected.
Organizers Pawan Tank and
Vishnu Sharma said that audi-
tions will take place keeping in
mind the COVID situation and
all precautions will be taken.
Founder Direc-
tor of Miss and Mrs
India Glam, Pawan
Tank said that the fi-
nale of this national
pageant organised in
collaboration with ‘The
Heritage Village’, will be
heldfrom29to31December.
Anoop Chaudhary,
Managing Director of
Miss and Mrs India Glam,
said that the participants
in this event will be given
various great opportu-
nities after the
pageant.
nehal.nayar
@firstindia.
co.in
T
MISS & MRS INDIA
GLAM 2020
It was the 50th Wedding
anniversary of Sudha and
Ravi Kuchhal on Sunday.
They celebrated with a
beautiful simple ceremony
re-enacting their marriage
ceremony and vows with
their close family and
friends.
HAPPY
ANNIVERSARY!
The 5-day program begins
R
ajasthanTechnicalUni-
versity, TEQ IP - III and
Jaipur Engineering
College Sitapura have
organised a five-day faculty
development program on
‘Stress and Anger Manage-
ment’ which is being conduct-
ed online starting from today
to 19 December.
Participants from more
than 40 countries and more
than 400 cities are participat-
inginthisfacultydevelopment
program. The program was
inaugurated by Professor RA
Gupta (Vice-Chancellor, RTU)
andShriSandeshNayak(Com-
missioner, DCE Rajasthan).
The Vice-Chancellor of
RTU, Professor R. A. Gupta
appreciated the program and
said that such programs give
technical benefits as well as
emotional and spiritual
knowledge to the teachers
which is necessary to live a
stress-free life. —City First
Soaring Heights
CITY FIRST
T
he Digital Baal
Mela, sponsored by
LIC is witnessing
huge participation
with each passing day.
Children are sending their
entries from Goa and Gu-
jarat. A good number of
participants could be seen
from Maharashtra and
Delhi too. Contributing to
the Corona awareness
campaign run by the gov-
ernment, children gave
messages from the crea-
tive platform of the Baal
Mela. 10-year-old Arnav
Gupta from Goa gave a
“share safety not the vi-
rus” message to stop the
spread of Corona infec-
tion. Sanklecha from Ba-
lotra, Rajasthan, saluted
the corona warriors. Ved-
ha Jain from Delhi also
wrote “stay home stay
safe” for Corona aware-
ness. cityfirst@firstindia.co.in
ReadymadeCabaret2.0
CITY FIRST
B
ased on Marcel Du-
champ’s notions of
readymade art and
the philosophies of
Dada as practised by Tristan
Tzara, Readymade Cabaret
2.0 spoke about the current
COVID scenario by asking
whether our lives are deter-
mined by Chance – Fate or
Free Will. The virtual ses-
sion was conducted at 9:30
pm on Tuesday. The main fo-
cus was to celebrate the beau-
ty of chance via the play.
cityfirst@firstindia.co.in
CITY FIRST
T
he Jaipur branch
of Chartered Ac-
countant Insti-
tute of India dis-
tributed warm clothes
to needy people and
children studying in
government schools on
Sunday and Monday.
Jaipur branch Presi-
dent, CA Anil Kumar
Yadav informed that
sweaters and warm
clothes were distribut-
ed to children study-
ing in government
schools and poor
and helpless chil-
dren living in slums.
Many CA members
participated in this pro-
gram and appealed to
the common people to
follow social distancing
and wear masks. The
program was done
keeping in mind all the
guidelines of COVID-19.
GOODDEED
Sudha and Ravi with Nandini, Ritu, Shreya, Rashmi, Sandeep,
Gurinder, Kunal Apnavi, Arjun, Apra, Gauri and Shreshth
Ravi and Sudha exchange garlands
VedhaPahalJheelArnav

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