FOLLOW US: @TheStatesmanLtd @thestatesmanltd thestatesman1875 www.thestatesman.com People’s Parliament, Always in Session India’s National Newspaper since 1818 | Pages 16 | ` 5.00 | KOLKATA LC | NEW DELHI | SILIGURI | BHUBANESWAR Nitish bats for women as Tejashwi seeks fresh image India, UK ties evolved into forward looking partnership: New Delhi: S Jaishankar on Friday said India & the United Kingdom have not only expanded their cooperation under the Technology Security Initiative, but also deepened it with regard to connectivity, critical minerals. In his remarks during the UK National Day celebrations, EAM said, "Let me start with our relationship. I think over the years, our ties have evolved from a complicated historical association to a dynamic & forward-looking partnership.” ‘Navy closely tracking all Chinese vessels in Indian Ocean Region’: New Delhi: More than a month after reports indicated the presence of the Chinese spy vessel Yuan Wang-5 in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR), the Indian Navy said that it is closely monitoring each and every Chinese Vessel entering the region and remains fully aware of their movements. Reportedly, in September, Geo-intelligence Analyst Damien Symon from The Intel Lab had shared satellite images on X showing the movements of the Chinese tracking vessel Yuan Wang-5. Operated by the PLA’s Strategic Support Force (SSF), the third-generation ship is among four active vessels in the Yuan Wang class, designed to monitor satellites and intercontinental ballistic missiles. Notably, the ship carries advanced navigation, meteorological, and computing systems that enable long-range space surveillance and missile telemetry operations. Page 11 NDA Bihar manifesto: Focus on jobs, women’s empowerment BJP National President JP Nadda along with Bihar CM Nitish Kumar, Dy CM Samrat Chaudhary, and Jitan Ram Manjhi, Chirag Paswan and others release the NDA manifesto for the Bihar Assembly Elections 2025, in Patna on Friday. AGENCIES IMRAN MOJIB Patna, 31 October T he National Democratic Alliance (NDA) on Friday released its ‘Sankalp Patra’ (manifesto) for the upcoming Bihar Assembly Elections. BJP National President J P Nadda, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, JD (U) Working National President Sanjay Jha, LJP (Ram Vilas) Chief Chirag Paswan, HAM Chief Jitan Ram Manjhi, RLSP Chief Upendra Kushwaha, and other senior leaders were present at the launch ceremony. Later, Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Chaudhary addressed the media, stating that the manifesto reflects the NDA’s vision for development — a pledge to make Bihar self-reliant, educated, and prosperous. He said it serves as a roadmap for the progress of every community, every sector, and every citizen. Among the major announcements made in the manifesto are financial assistance of Rs 3,000 to farmers, in addition to the central government’s Kisan Samman Nidhi of Rs6,000. Assistance for fish farmers will be increased from Rs 4,500 to R s 9,0 0 0. The N DA government has also pledged to invest Rs 1 lakh crore in agricultural infrastructure and ensure the procurement of key crops at the MSP level in every panchayat. To ensure the welfare of t h e p o o r, t h e N DA h a s promised 50 lakh pucca houses, free ration distribution, and residential schools in every subdivision for Scheduled Caste (SC) students. The manifesto further promises to continue ongoing welfare schemes, including 125 units of free electricity per household, free medical treatment up to Rs5 lakh, and social security pensions. The alliance reiterated its commitment to providing Rs 2 lakh financial assistance to women entrepreneurs. For modern infrastructure, the NDA has proposed the construction of seven expressways, modernisation of 3,600 km of railway lines, metro networks in four cities, and international airports in four cities. To fulfill Nitish Kumar’s pledge of creating over one crore new government jobs and employment opportunities, the new government will focus on industrial expansion. The NDA plans to establish factories in every district, 10 major industrial parks, 100 MSME parks, and 50,000 cottage industries. The development o f a D e f e n c e C o r r i d o r, Semiconductor Park, and transforming Bihar into South Asia’s Textile and Silk Hub are among the key promises. The alliance also plans to generate employment through tourism by promoting religious tourism at sites such as Vishnupad Temple in Gaya and the Mahabodhi Corridor in Bodh Gaya. It aims to develop Maa Janaki’s birthplace in Sitamarhi as a world-class spiritual city and expand the Ramayana, Jain, Buddhist, and Ganga circuits. ‘Lawyers can’t be summoned over advice to clients unless exceptional circumstances exist’ PARMOD KUMAR New Delhi, 31 October The Supreme Court on Friday r uled that, as a general principle, investigating agencies such as the Enforcement Directorate (ED) cannot summon advocates in relation to the legal advice they have given to their clients. However, it clarified that under exceptional circumstances covered by the exceptions specified in Section 132 of the Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam, 2023, such summons may be issued. The apex court also cautioned investigating officers against overstepping this statutory privilege, warning that any impulsive transgression into the conf idential communications between a lawyer and their client would amount to a violation of the law. It’s ok to ask for help: Jemimah opens up India and US renew defence partnership with 10-year pact on battle with anxiety after SF heroics STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE New Delhi, 31 October Following the strained ties between India and US following the tariff war, the two countries signed a 10-year defence framework agreement in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, today. After inking the deal, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh dubbed it as a “signal” of growing strategic convergence between the two nations. Singh met with US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth during the ongoing 12th ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting Plus (ADMM-Plus). Post the delegation-level talks, the two leaders had a one-to-one meeting on the sidelines of the summit. In a statement, the Ministry of Defence stated that the two leaders appreciated the continuing momentum in the bilateral Kejriwal’s ‘Sheesh Mahal’ in Punjab grander than the Delhi one: Maliwal STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE New Delhi, 31 October AAP Rajya Sabha MP Swati Maliwal on Friday unleashed a fresh assault on former Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal, alleging that the party head was building a “Sheesh Mahal” in Punjab much grander than the one in the national capital. Taking to X, she wrote, “After Delhi's Sheesh Mahal was vacated, Arvind Kejriwal has built a Sheesh Mahal in Punjab, even more magnificent than Delhi's." In her post, she claimed that Kejriwal has been allotted a luxurious “seven-star” government bungalow. "Arvind Kejriwal has been given a luxurious 7-star government bungalow of 2 acres in Sector 2, Chandigarh, from the Chief Page 16 NATION Direct selling’s strength is its inclusivity: NITI Aayog BRIEFLY Hazlewood, Marsh lead Australia to 4-wicket win vs India in 2nd T20I Page 5 Xi promises to protect free trade at APEC Page 12 Saturday, 01 November 2025 SPORTS WORLD BUSINESS | Minister's quota," she added in her tweet. Maliwal alleged that the Bhagwant Mann-led Punjab government has diverted the state machinery to serve the party supremo, making arrangements for his travel from Punjab to Gujarat, aided by a private jet. "Yesterday, he boarded a government helicopter from in front of his house for Ambala. Then, from Ambala, a private jet of the Punjab government took him to Gujarat for party work. The entire Punjab government is busy serving one man," the Rajya Sabha MP alleged. The allegations were also posted on the Delhi BJP handle. “After vacating Delhi’s Sheesh Mahal, Punjab’s Super CM Arvind Kejriwal has now had an even more magnificent 'Sheesh Mahal' built in Punjab,” claimed the Delhi BJP. Responding to the allegations, the AAP wrote on X, “Since the Prime Minister’s fake Yamuna story got exposed, the BJP has been in panic mode. And in this panic, the BJP has started faking everything these days — fake Yamuna, fake pollution data, fake rainfall claims, and now a fake “7-star” claim.” defence cooperation and reaffirmed their commitment to further build upon the mutually beneficial partnership across all its pillars. They reviewed the ongoing defence issues and the challenges that persist and deliberated upon the ongoing defence industry and technology collaborations. The Secretary of War reiterated that India is a priority country for the US in defence cooperation and they were committed to work closely with India to ensureafreeandopenIndo-Pacific. After the meeting, both leaders signed the ‘framework for the US-India major defence partnership’ which will usher a new era in an already strong defence partnership. The 2025 framework marks a new chapter to further transform the partnership over the next 10 years. TRIDIB BAPARNASH New Delhi, 31 October On a humid Navi Mumbai evening, when Jemimah Rodrigues sank to her knees after guiding India into the ICC Women’s World Cup final, it wasn’t just the emotion that overwhelmed her, it was relief. The smile on her face and the tears that followed were not just for the epic unbeaten 127 that she scored to knock out defending champions Australia, but for every silent battle she had fought in the weeks leading up to the marquee tournament. Dropped from the last edition of the ODI World Cup, Jemimah worked tirelessly over the next three years to deservingly earn a call-up in the 2025 World Cup squad. But after a few inconsistent outings in this edition, she found herself benched again, a moment that spiralled into anxiety, self-doubt, fear of failure and sleepless nights. Yet, with unwavering support from family, friends and teammates, the 25-year-old found shoulders to lean on. And when she struck a match-winning century in the crunch semifinal, it told a quiet story of courage, one where vulnerability met resilience and where the simple act of asking for help became her greatest strength. For Jemimah, the semifinal against Australia wasn’t just about fifties or hundreds, it was about redemption. The Mumbai youngster opened up after the match about the emotional turmoil she endured through the tournament, a rare, honest reflection from a player who has often worn her heart on her sleeve. “I'll be very vulnerable here because I know if someone is watching this, might be going through the same thing and that's my whole purpose of saying it because nobody likes to talk about their weakness,” she said. “I was going through a lot of anxiety at the start of the tournament and it was a lot before few games also I used to call my mum and cry, cry the entire time, let it all out, because when you're going through anxiety, you just feel numb. “You don't know what to do. You're trying to be yourself. And also in this time, my mum and my dad, they supported me a lot. PM Modi calls for unity & vigilance to uphold ‘Viksit Bharat’ vision STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE New Delhi, 31 October On the occasion of Rashtriya Ekta Diwas, Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid heartfelt tribute to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel at the iconic Statue of Unity in Kevadia on Friday. Standing tall as the world’s tallest statue, the monument is a symbol of India’s unity and collective strength, embodying the vision of the Iron Man of India. Addressing the gathering, PM Modi said, “The Statue of Unity is a monumental tribute to Sardar Patel and his vision towards India’s unity and strength. It is not just a statue, but a symbol of national pride and our collective resolve to fulfill Sardar Patel’s dreams.” Highlighting the spiritual ethos of the nation, he emphasized, “The devotion to Maa Bharti is the highest form of worship for every Indian.” The Prime Minister outlined the four pillars that uphold India’s unity: “Cultural unity, linguistic unity, inclusive development, and the connection of hearts through connectivity.” He underlined the importance of safeguarding these pillars to achieve the vision of a ‘Viksit Bharat’ (Developed India). “To achieve this goal, we must thwart every conspiracy that seeks to undermine the unity of our nation,” he warned, stressing the need for vigilance and national solidarity. Remembering the sacrifices made for the country, PM Modi said, “By honouring those who sacrificed their lives for the nation, we are strengthening the spirit of ‘Nation First’.” He also reflected on India’s journey since independence: “Today, the nation is removing every trace of a colonial mindset.” On the day dedicated to national unity, he added, “Our resolve is to remove every infiltrator living in India.” Since 2014, the government has taken strong measures against internal threats. “Our government has dealt a decisive and powerful blow to Naxalism and Maoist terrorism,” PM Modi asserted. He reiterated the legacy of Sardar Patel by saying, “This is Iron Man Sardar Patel’s India. It will never compromise on its security or its self-respect.” Calling for national unity above all, he appealed, “Every thought or action that weakens the unity of our nation must be shunned by every citizen. This is the need of the hour for our country.”