MONDAY www.thestatesman.com 16 MAY 2022 FIND US ONLINE Scan this with your smartphone twitter.com/TheStatesmanLtd facebook.com/thestatesman1875 Pages 12 |` 5.00|LC KOLKATA | NEW DELHI | SILIGURI | BHUBANESWAR P5 WEATHER PARTLY CLOUDY SKY WITH POSSIBILITY OF DUSTSTORM/THUNDERSTORM. THE MAXIMUM AND MINIMUM TEMPERATURES WOULD BE AROUND 41 AND 28 DEGREES CELSIUS RESPECTIVELY. TEMPERATURE Min: 25.0°C (+1) SUN SETS 19:05 hrs MOON SETS 06:12 hrs India clinch maiden Thomas Cup title THUMBNAILS A woman carrying water bottle walking with her son, outside Shanti Stupa, a Buddhist monument SUBRATA DUTTA in the national capital. Gunman kills 10 at US supermarket: A white 18-year-old wearing military gear and livestreaming with a helmet camera opened fire with a rifle at a supermarket in Buffalo, killing 10 people and wounding three others Saturday in what authorities described as “racially motivated violent extremism.”Police said he shot 11 Black and two white victims (P10) before surrendering to authorities. Anurag Thakur announces `1 crore reward T he Indian men's badminton team lifted their Thomas Cup title after registering a resounding 3-0 win over defending champions Indonesia in the final, here on Sunday. Victories from Lakshya Sen, the doubles pair of Satwiksairaj Rankireddy-Chirag Shetty and former World No 1 Kidambi Srikanth guided India to the coveted trophy, the most prestigious title in men's team badminton. Indianmenhadpreviously reached the Thomas Cup semis in 1952, 1955, and 1979 while Indonesia are the most successful nation in the history of the tournament, with 14 titles to their name. The high-flying Indian team began their maiden Thomas Cup final tie at the Impact Arena with world championship bronze winner Lakshya Sen, ranked nine in the badminton world rankings, taking on world No 4 and Tokyo 2020 bronze winner Anthony Ginting. Sen went intothematchwitha1-0headto-head advantage, having beaten Ginting at the German Open in March. However, the 20-year-old Indian had only NEW DELHI, 15 MAY won once in the ongoing Thomas Cup and lost thrice. The young Indian went toeto-toe with the Indonesian in the early exchanges, but Ginting switched gears to win 12 straight points and pocket the opening game with ease in just 17 minutes. In the second game, the momentum was with Ginting, who was playing on the more favourable side of the court, playing against the drift, and brimming with confidence but India's top-ranked Sen responded well and upped his pace and attack to win the second game force a decider. Despite trailing in the opening half of the third game, Lakshya dug deep to churn out some brilliant winners and matched Ginting's immaculate net game. Sen eventually prevailed 8-21, 21-17, 21-16 to put India ahead in the tie. Thereafter, the doubles team of Chirag Shetty and Satwiksairaj Rankireddy produced a brilliant come-from- behind win against Mohammad Ahsan and Kevin Sukamuljo to put India firmly in the driver's seat. After going down in the opening game, Chirag-Satwik came up with a herculean effort in the second, saving three match points to win and take the contest into the decider. In the decider, the Indians held the upper hand early but Ahsan and Sukamuljo levelled at 11-11 and moved into the lead. But there was nothing separating the two pairs as they drew level again at 17-17. Rankireddy and Shetty, finally had their first match point opportunity but Ahsan smashed the Indonesians to safety. But on the second time of asking the world No 8 pairing held through to register an 18-21, 23-21, 21-19 win for India. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Sports minister Anuraj Thakur and the country's first individual gold medal winner at the Olympics, Abhinav Bindra on Members of Indian men’s badminton team which created history by winning the coveted Thomas Cup for the first time in the final in Bangkok are going to be ‘crorepatis’. Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports Anurag Singh Thakur today announced an award of Rs 1 crore to the Indian men’s badminton team. The Minister also complimented the players, coaches, and support staff of the Indian team. SNS Sunday led the nation in hailing the men's badminton team for winning a historic maiden title in Thomas Cup World team badminton championships in Bangkok. India scripted history with a dominant 3-0 victory over 14-time winners Indonesia in their maiden entry into the Thomas Cup final, becoming only the sixth nation to win the title in the sevendecade history of the tournament. Two Sikhs gunned down near Peshawar PM Modi to participate in ‘Shilanyas’ of Buddhist culture centre in Lumbini today BUFFALO, 15 MAY STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE NEW DELHI, 15 MAY Unidentified assailants gunned down two members of the Sikh community near Peshawar, police said on Sunday. In a statement, Peshawar Capital City Police Office Ijaz Khan said that the incident occurred within the jurisdiction of the Sarband police station, reports Dawn news. He also identified the victims as 42-year-old Suljeet Singh and 38-year-old Ranjeet Singh, adding that they owned spice shops in Batatal locality.Police reached the scene soon after receiving information about the incident and shifted the bodies to the hospital for an autopsy, Khan said, adding that officials were also collecting evidence from the scene of the (SEE P9) crime. FACT FILE TOTAL CASES 4,31,21,599 ACTIVE CASES 17,692 NEW CASES 2,487 2,878 NEW RECOVERIES TOTAL DEATHS 5,24,214 UNION HEALTH MINISTRY FIGURES AS OF 8.00 A.M. SUNDAY 15 MAY 2022 Delhi recorded 613 new cases and 3 deaths Two stations in Delhi record max temperature: All stations in Delhi recorded maximum temperature above 45 degrees Celsius, with Safdarjung see 45.6 degrees Celsius while two other stations recording over 49 degrees Celsius, as a result of the massive heat wave on Sunday, as per India Meteorological Department. The weatherman predicting IANS a slight relief today. SEE PAGE 2 Prime Minister Narendra Modi will participate in the "Shilanyas” ceremony for the construction of a unique centre for Buddhist Culture and Heritage within the Lumbini Monastic Zone during his official visit to Lumbini tomorrow on the occasion of Vaishakha Buddha Purnima. At Lumbini, the PM will visit the sacred Mayadevi temple to offer prayers. He will also deliver an address at a Buddha Jayanti event organised by the Lumbini Development Trust under the aegis of the Government of Nepal. The construction of the unique ‘India International Centre for Buddhist Culture & Heritage’ with a universal appeal will be undertaken by the International Buddhist Confederation (IBC), India under the auspices of the Lumbini Development Trust with the financial support of the Ministry of Culture. The Buddhist Centre will be the first ‘Net Zero Emission’ building in Nepal. Also, on the occasion, the Ministry of Culture in collaboration with the International Buddhist Confederation (IBC) is hosting a colourful programme for the Vaishakha Buddha Purnima Divas celebrations in New Delhi. The highlight will be the screen- Pillai first Indian layman to be Catholic saint as Pope Francis canonises him SNS & AGENCIES CHENNAI, 15 MAY Pope Francis on Sunday canonised Devasahayam Pillai, or 'Blessed Lazarus', who became the first layman from India to be granted sainthood. Pillai, a Hindu who converted to Christianity in the 18th century - drawing the ire of the then rulers, was canonised at 2.30 p.m. (IST) at the St Peter's Basilica in Vatican along with nine others. A miracle attributed to him was recognised by Pope Francis in 2014 leading to his canonisation now. Church records state that Pillai was born as Neelakanda Pillai in Nattalam in the Kanniyakumari district in 1712. Kanniyakumari was then part of the Travancore kingdom and Pillai's embracing of Christianity in 1745 made the Maharaja angry. An court official, Pillai introduced to Christianity by Dutch naval officer, Cap- tain De Lannoy when he was in Travancore. After his conversion, he assumed the name of 'Lazarus or 'Devasahayam', meaning 'God is my Help'.The Travancore Maharaja was, however, furious about his conversion and shot him dead at Aralvaimozhy forest on January 14, 1752. Pillai was declared blessed in 2012 in Nagercoil and the Vatican cleared him for sainthood in 2020.His mortal remains were interred near the altar inside St Xavier's Church, Kottar, Nagercoil which is a diocesan Cathedral now.Special prayers were conducted at churches that are linked to his life in the Kottar diocese of Kanniyakumari. CBCI laity secretary, V.C. Sebastian said that the "conferment of sainthood to Devasahayam Pillai will rejuvenate the Christian community in the country, in particular the Catholic laity.” ing of a film on PM Modi’s foundation- stone laying ceremony, earlier in the day for the Centre for Buddhist Culture and Heritage at Lumbini, Nepal. The event will start at 2:00 pm with Chanting from various Buddhist sites played on the screen.The Chief Guest for the event will be KirenRijiju, Minister of Law and Justice while the Guest of Honour will be G. Kishan Reddy, Minister for Culture, Tourism and DoNER with Arjun Ram Meghwal, Minister of State for Culture being the special guest. The significance of the timing of the PM's visit to Nepal is to coincide with the inauguration of Lumbini Buddhist Centre with the Holy Vaishakha Buddha Purnima Divas. The day is recognised as the thrice blessed day that marks the Birth, Enlightenment ANDREW SYMONDS DIES IN CAR CRASH P12 P6 SNS & AGENCIES BANGKOK, 15 MAY Min: 13% Max: 45.6°C (+5) SUN RISES 05:30 hrs MOON RISES 19:30 hrs P4 Indian men had previously reached the Thomas Cup semis in 1952, 1955 & 1979 RAINFALL: Nil RELATIVE HUMIDITY Max: 56% END OF AN ERA ‘DECISION ON CABINET EXPANSION IN TWO DAYS’ ‘HONOURED TO BE HEAD OF THE ELECTION COMMISSION’ and Mahaparinirvana of Lord Buddha. While Buddha was born in Lumbiniin Nepal, he attained enlightenment in Bodhgaya in Bihar, preached his first sermon at Sarnath and attained Nirvana in Kushinagar, in Uttar Pradesh. Lumbini is the holy place where according to Buddhist tradition, Queen Mahamayadevi gave birth to Siddhartha Gautama at around 623 B.C. Lord Buddha, was born in the famous gardens of Lumbini, which soon became a place of pilgrimage. Among the pilgrims was the Indian emperor Ashoka, who erected one of his commemorative pillars there. The site is now being developed as a Buddhist pilgrimage centre, where the archaeological remains associated with the birth of the Lord Buddha form a central feature. Congress wants caste census report out, promises 50% quota for below 50 SNS & AGENCIES UDAIPUR, 15 MAY The Congress on Sunday adopted the Udaipur Declaration on the final day of its three-day 'Chintan Shivir' here, in which it has demanded that caste census report should be made public, pressed for an MSP guarantee act and that the party will reserve 50 per cent posts for people below 50, among others. Reading the statement in Udaipur, party General Secretary Ajay Maken said that this resolution was adopted by the Congress Working Committee, the party's highest-decision making body on Sunday, and the party will move forward from here to take on BJP. In the political resolution, the party said that it will incorporate all sections of the society in the party and will fight over the attack on core values of the constitution. The resolution also mentioned the Chinese incursion in Indian territory. As part of organisational restructuring, the party will set up a public insight group, and election management committee, and a political affairs committee in the states and one session each of the AICC and the PCC will be held per year. The party has also approved 'one family one ticket' decision but the higher age group cap could not find any mention in the final resolution. The Congress said that it has not compromised on core ideology issue as has been suggested by some leaders and will take the BJP head on through economic and social issues, according to reports. Congress President Sonia Gandhi on Sunday announced that the party will embark on a "Bharat Jodo" padyatra from October 2, the birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, and will also set a task force for internal reforms within a week. An advisory body to advise the Congress President in day-to-day functioning will also be constituted, she said in her concluding remarks at the 'Chintan Shivir' (brainstorming camp) in the Rajasthan city. "A compact Task Force will be set up to drive the process of internal reforms that are essential and that has been discussed in different groups here at Udaipur. These reforms with focus on the 2024 Lok Sabha polls will cover all aspects of the organisation including structure, rules for appointments to party posts, communications and publicity, outreach, finances and election management. Delhi fire tragedy: Building owner, 2 others arrested SNS & AGENCIES NEW DELHI, 15 MAY The police have arrested three persons in connection with the fire accident at a multi-storey building on May 13 here in Mundka that left at least 27 people dead. The arrested individuals have been identified as Manish Lakra -- the owner of the building, and Harish Goel and Varun Goel -- owners of a firm named Cofe Impax Pvt Ltd., the police said on Sunday. So far, only eight of the 27 bodies have been identified. The eight deceased have been identified as Tania Bhushan, Mohini Pal, Yashoda Devi, Ranju Devi, Vishal, Drishti, Kailash Jyani and Amit Jyani. Officials said that most of the bodies were burnt to such an extent that even it was difficult to establish whether the charred remains were of a man or a woman. However, two days after the incident, the medics have now found that of the 27 dead, 14 are females and three males. The unidentified bodies have been placed in the Sanjay Gandhi Memorial Hospital's Mortuary here in Mangolpuri. "We have collected the DNA samples of the rest of the bodies. As soon as DNA matching is completed, we will get to know their identities," Deputy Commissioner of Police Sameer Sharma said, adding it might take 4-5 days more. "On the fateful day, a sales motivational programme was conducted by the said company and at about 4 p.m., all employees were on the 2nd floor. Due to the sudden fire breakout many people got trapped and could not come out as there was a lot of fire and smoke inside the building and there is only one exit point at the back side of the building," the senior police officer said.During the rescue operation, 50-60 people were safely rescued jointly by the police, Fire Department and the local people.Later, the police registered an FIR under sections 304 (Punishment for culpable homicide not amounting to murder), 308 (Attempt to commit culpable homicide), 120 (Concealing design to commit offence punishable with imprisonment) and 34 (Acts done by several persons in furtherance of common intention) of the Indian Penal Code. Vijayendra for Legislative Council - A bid to revive saffron party in Karnataka? SHASHI KANT SHARMA T he Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) core committee’s decision to recommend to the Central election committee the name of BY Vijayendra, son of the former chief minister B S Yediurappa for the Legislative Council polls, is being seen as a deft move by the top leadership to rejuvenate the party while preparing for the ensuing assembly elections due next year. The election to the seven seats of the Legislative Council will be held on 3 June, and if his name is cleared this would be the debut of the state BJP vice president as a legislator. Observers feel that such a development may well pave the way for his induction into the Karnataka Cabinet thus projecting him as a key player in the coming elections. While his critics may have earlier derided him by calling Vijayendra the Super Chief Minister when his father was at the helm of affairs, he has proved his mettle to the party on several occasions.His mass base and popularity amongst the youth is a key factor playing out in his favour, that may well result in projecting him as party’s face in the coming times. Observers feel giving prominence to the young leader, who his supporters claim has been instrumental in the party’s strong performance in the by-elections in the state, seems to be part of a well thought out plan for the party in view of the impending assembly and then later gen- eral elections in 2024. . His supporters point out that under Vijayendra’s leadership BJP won 12 out of 15 assembly by elections when his father Yediyurappa was the chief minister. Prominent amongst these victories was from K.R. Pete and Sira assembly seats from where the BJP candidates earlier had failed even lost their security deposits. Notably, K.R. Pete seat is not a Lingayat-dominated sea, to which Vijayendra belongs. It is a Vokkaliga dominated seat, thus proving that Vijayendra has influence in other communities as well. There is a big vacuum in Karnataka’s BJP leadership after Yediyurappa’s departure when he resigned from the chief ministership and the BJP will now have to look for a new leader, with a larger base. BJP insiders claim that the top leadership has also been receiving feedback that for ensuring victory in the coming elections, the party would need the active involvement and support of Yediyurappa's family, particularly Vijayendra, who has emerged stronger despite his criticism by his opponents. Political analysts recall that in 2011 too when Yediyurappa was forced to leave BJP, Sadananda Gowda became the Chief Minister while later Jagadish Shettar became the next Chief Minister. Despite being from the Lingayat community, Shettar had failed to establish himself as a strong leader as was Yediyurappa. No wonder then the party had to to take B.S. Yediyurappa back into the partyfold. A similar situation seems to be emerging again in Karnataka as the present Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai has been unable to make a significant impact and already speculation is rife about his replacement. Drawing a parallel with the situation of Congress in Himachal Pradesh, where it had to bank of the family of former chief minister and party stalwart Virbhadra Singh, for filling up the leadership vacuum, observers note that there is a big void in the Karnatka's politics, which the top leadership seems to have realised cannot be filled without the active involvement of Yediyurappa's family. So the present move may well be a plan to rehabilitate the Yediyurappa family and bring Vijayendra from background to the forefront.For the time being all eyes are on the outcome of elections of seven seats of the legislative council, which are slated to be held on June 3.