FRIDAY www.thestatesman.com 29 JULY 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 NEW PRESIDENT CAN ACT AS SYMBOL OF SOCIAL JUSTICE FEELING THE HEAT P6 WEATHER GENERALLY CLOUDY SKY. LIGHT TO MODERATE RAIN/THUNDERSHOWERS. THE MAXIMUM AND MINIMUM TEMPERATURES WOULD BE AROUND 31 AND 25 DEGREES CELSIUS RESPECTIVELY. RAINFALL: Nil RELATIVE HUMIDITY Max.95% Max: 31.2°C (-3) SUN RISES 05:42 hrs MOON RISES 06:50 hrs Min: 26.7°C (-1) SUN SETS 19:14 hrs MOON SETS 19:59 hrs THUMBNAILS Two MH-60 R multirole helicopters from the US were received by the Indian Navy at Cochin International Airport and the third helicopter is scheduled to be delivered in Aug 2022. Mother only natural guardian of child, has the right to decide the surname,says SC: The Supreme Court on Thursday ruled that a mother, being the only natural guardian of the child, has the right to decide the surname of the child, and even after the demise of her first husband, cannot be restrained from including the child in her new family and deciding the surname. A bench of Justices Dinesh Maheshwari and Krishna Murari said: "The mother being the only natural guardian of the child has the right to decide the surname of the child. She also has the right to Pg5 give the child in adoption". IAF's MIG crashes in Barmer district: A MIG fighter aircraft crashed in Rajasthan's Barmar. The MIG crashed after 9 pm. Nearby villagers and a Baytu police Thana cops also rushed to the spot, the Superintendent of Police Barmer Deepak Bhargawa said. Debris was found scattered on a half-kilometre stretch in Bhimda village. SC to hear plea against tree felling in Aarey colony NEW DELHI, 28 JULY The Supreme Court on Thursday agreed to examine a plea against the cutting of trees in Mumbai's Aarey colony for a Metro car shed. Senior advocate Gopal Sankaranarayan mentioned the matter before a bench of Justices D.Y. Chandrachud and Surya Kant, submitting that cutting of trees is going on overnight despite the stay order, which was issued earlier. The bench agreed to take up the matter. Sankaranarayanan submitted that they have photographs and Chief Justice N.V. Ramana said the matter will be heard by this bench. Seeking urgent listing of the matter on Friday, counsel added that there is a probability that JCBs could be operated over the weekend and emphasised that the case should be heard urgently.After hearing brief submissions in the matter, the bench agreed to list the matter for hearing on Friday. Earlier this month, the Eknath Shinde-led state government removed the stay on construction of a Metro 3 car shed at Aarey Colony. The decision paved the way for construction of the Metro car shed at the green lung, which was stopped on November 29, 2019.The stay was given by then Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray, barely 24 hours after he assumed office on November 28, 2019, and he later declared around 800 acres of land in Aarey Colony as 'forest' and planned shifting the car-shed to a new site in Kanjurmarg. P7 Congress leader says ‘don’t talk to me’ when Irani demanded an apology U gly scenes were witnessed in The Lok Sabha on Thursday after the House was adjourned at 1200 noon as a war of words erupted between Congress president Sonia Gandhi and Union minister Smriti Irani over Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury’s controversial reference to President Droupadi Murmu as “Rashtrapatni”. Soon after the Lok Sabha was adjourned amid an uproar by BJP members demanding an apology from Sonia and Chowdhury over the latter's remark, Sonia went towards the treasury benches to approach BJP leader Rama Devi, who is on the panel of chairpersons of the House. She is believed to have told Rama Devi that Chowdhury had already apologised and wondered why her name was being dragged into the controversy. Smriti, who was also there, is said to have sought an apology from Sonia. To this, the agitated Congress president turned around and said ‘don’t talk to me’, BJP sources said. The heated exchange between the two senior women politicians lasted 2-3 minutes. Union ministers Pralhad Joshi and Arjun Meghwal and Opposition members, including TMC’s Mahua Moitra and NCP’s Supriya Sule, came forward to resolve the situation. Congress members alleged that even some BJP MPs misbehaved with Sonia. Later talking to the media, finance minister Nirmala Congress Interim president Sonia Gandhi seen with Congress MP Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, whose 'Rashtrapatni' remark against President Droupadi Murmu, sparked a row in Parliament, in New Delhi on Thursday.  ANI Atrocious and outrageous behaviour by Union minister Smriti Irani in the Lok Sabha today! But will she be pulled up by the Speaker? Are rules only meant for the Opposition JAIRAM RAMESH CONGRESS LEADER Sitharaman said, “Some of our Lok Sabha MPs felt threatened when Sonia Gandhi came up to our senior leader Rama Devi to find out what was happening during which, one of our members approached there and she (Sonia Gandhi) said “You don't talk to me.” Sitharaman said that instead of tendering an apology, Sonia was misleading by claiming that Chowdhury has already apologised. “Instead of an apology, she is resorting to threats,” Sitharaman said. Rama Devi told the media that Sonia sought to know why her name was dragged into the issue. “What is my fault?” she asked Rama Devi. Rama Devi told Sonia that her fault was that she had chosen Chowdhury as the Congress leader in the Lok Sabha. The Congress party’s communication in charge INDIA CRUISE TO ODI SERIES SWEEP OVER WINDIES P9 Sonia, Smriti spar over ‘Rashtrapatni’ remark STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE NEW DELHI, 28 JULY Min. 77% TEMPERATURE KIM THREATENS TO USE NUKES Three more RS MPs suspended STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE NEW DELHI, 28 JULY Both Houses of Parliament, Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha, were adjourned on Thursday after members continued to shout slogans and protest. Three more MPs, AAP’s Sushil Kumar Gupta and Sanjeev Kumar Pathak, and independent Ajit Kumar Bhuyan, were suspended from the Rajya Sabha for carrying placards in the House. The three MPs were protesting against and demanding a discussion on Gujarat hooch tragedy. The total number of suspended MPs from the Rajya Sabha has now reached 23. Four Congress MPs from the Lok Sabha were also suspended earlier. The proceedings in the LS and the RS remained stalled on the ninth day of the Monsoon Session of Parliament amid continued protests from the Congress-led Opposition over Jairam Ramesh tweeted; “Atrocious and outrageous behaviour by Union minister Smriti Irani in the Lok Sabha today! But will she be pulled up by the Speaker? Are rules only meant for the Opposition.” Another Congress spokesperson Supriya Shrinate tweeted; “Smriti Irani’s behaviour with Congress president smacks of arro- AAP’s Sushil Kumar Gupta, Sanjeev Kumar Pathak, and independent Ajit Kumar Bhuyan, were suspended for carrying placards in the House inflation, GST hike. The Opposition members also demanded that the suspension of 20 MPs be also revoked. The 20 suspended MPs are currently holding a 50hour-long protest inside the Parliament complex near the Gandhi Statue. In both the Houses, BJP MPs slammed Congress leader in the LS Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury for allegedly insulting President Droupadi Murmu by calling her “rashtrapatni”. Union finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman said it was “a deliberate, sexist insult” against the President who comes from a tribal background, and demanded an apology from Congress president Sonia Gandhi. gance. How dare she heckles and physically intimidate? And Nirmala Ji, feel sorry for you - having to lie and defend the indefensible behaviour. Smriti Irani answer on the “illegal bar scam.” Chowdhury said he had mistakenly said “Rashtrapatni” and that the ruling party was deliberately trying to make mountain out of a molehill. P12 Partha Chatterjee sacked from Bengal Cabinet, stripped of party posts STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE KOLKATA, 28 JULY Mr Partha Chatterjee, who was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in connection with the teacher recruitment scam in West Bengal, was today removed from the state Cabinet, in addition to being suspended from the Trinamul Congress. Chief minister Mamata Banerjee has taken charge of all the departments that are currently held by Mr Chatterjee for the time being, according to an order issued by the state chief secretary HK Dwivedi this afternoon. Shortly after, the TMC announced that Mr Chatterjee, who was the secretary-general of the party, stands suspended from the TMC till such time as the investigations in the matter are completed, Mr Chatterjee held the portfolios of industry, commerce and enterprises, parliamentary affairs, information technology and electronics, and public enterprises and industrial reconstruction in the state cabinet. He has been “relieved of his duties as minister in Charge of the aforesaid departments with effective from 28th day of July, 2022”, read the order issued by the state chief secretary. While chairing the West Bengal Industrial Promotional Board’s meeting at Soujanya auditorium, Miss Banerjee said: “Partha Chatterjee has been relieved from the minister’s charge. I will look after industry till the next Cabinet reshuffle. Our party is very strict. There Cash of Rs 27.9 crores in cash, gold, and jewellery worth Rs 4.31 crores were recovered from the residence of Arpita Mukherjee on Thursday.  ANI Partha Chatterjee has been relieved from the minister’s charge. I will look after industry till the next Cabinet reshuffle. Our party is very strict. There is a lot of game in this but I don’t want to say anything MAMATA BANERJEE BENGAL CHIEF MINISTER is a lot of game in this but I don’t want to say anything.” Mr Chatterjee’s name plate outside his chamber at the Nabanna state secretariat was also removed later today. A meeting of the party's disciplinary committee, chaired by national General Secretary Abhishek Banerjee at the party's head office, also decided today to suspend Mr Chatterjee from the party and to remove him from all party posts.“He will remain suspended from the party till the time the investigation is completed and the entire picture is clear. At the same time, he stands removed from the party posts like Secretary General, national Working Committee member, Disciplinary Committee member and the editor of the party’s organ in Bengali, Jago Bangla. The decision has been taken following certain circumstantial evidences that came forth since the last one week. We are committed to the people and hence we decided to give the benefit of doubt to the people rather than our own party Secretary General,”Mr Banerjee said. At the same time, he maintained that the party has no connection with Partha Chatterjee’s aide. He also said that if by any chance Mr Chatterjee in future comes to an understanding with BJP, he will surely come clean of all allegations. “I am not trying to defend anyone. But there had been such instances in the past like the present Leader of the Opposition in the Assembly,” he said, in a jibe at Suvendu Adhikari. Earlier, TMC state general secretary Kunal Ghosh demanded Mr Chatterjee be sacked from the cabinet and expelled from the party after nearly Rs 50 crore in cash was recovered from properties linked to Arpita Mukherjee.Echoing him, TMC spokesperson Debangshu Bhattacharya also demanded that Mr Chatterjee be expelled. May the games begin: PM opens 44 Chess Olympiad There’s a limit on targeting judges, give us a break, says Justice Chandrachud AGENCIES CHENNAI, 28 JULY In the year when India is going to celebrate the 75th year of Independence, it is apt that the Chess Olympiad has come to the country ~ the home of chess, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Thursday. Inaugurating the Chess Olympiad, Modi, who wearing a white shirt, white dhoti, and a white shawl with black and white check border, told the chess players and officials that it was an honour to have them here on such an important occasion. He also declared open the 44th Chess Olympiad, saying: “May the Games begin.” Quoting Thirukural, Modi said the whole purpose of earning and living is to be hospitable and India believes in PM Narendra Modi and Tamil Nadu CM MK Stalin at the Opening Ceremony of the 44th Chess Olympiad, in Chennai.  ANI 'Athithi Devo Bhava' ~ a guest is akin to the God. Listing out the several firsts of the 44th Chess Olympiad the first time the event is held in the game's place of origin, the first time it is Asia in three decades, having highest number of countries, teams participating and first time having the torch relay, he said the location of the event is more fitting. He also said that sports have the power to unite peo- ple and there are no losers. “There are winners and future winners," Modi said. He also drew the colours for the top seeded teams in the Open and Women's section. In the women's section, the top-seeded Indian team will play with black pieces while in the Open category, the US team will also play with the same colour pieces. Tamil Nadu chief minister M.K. Stalin said the state government has sanctioned Rs 102 crore for hosting the Olympiad. He also thanked Modi for agreeing to inaugurate the event though the invite was made over phone from the hospital for Covid. Young boy Lydian Nadhaswaram kept the audience spellbound playing the piano. And so was sand artist Sarvam Patel with his art. Indian Grandmaster and one of the world's top women chess players K.Humpy administered the player's pledge. A total of about 350 teams from over 180 countries are participating in the 11 round event that will begin on July 29 at 3 p.m. The final round will be on 9 August. The FIDE has banned Russia and Belarus from participating in the event following Russia's military action in Ukraine. AGENCIES NEW DELHI, 28 JULY Supreme Court Justice D.Y. Chandrachud on Thursday expressed anguish over personal attacks by online portals against judges. A lawyer mentioned a matter in connection with violence against the Christian community before a bench headed by Justice Chandrachud. The lawyer urged the top court to urgently list the matter. Justice Chandrachud said he had come across some news reports saying that the apex court is delaying the hearing on the matter and added since he had Covid, the matter could not be taken up for hearing. “I was down with Covid, so the matter could not be taken up. Recently read a news article saying the Supreme Court is delaying the hearing in the matter... Give us a break!"“There's a limit to how much you can target judges.... Who is publishing such news?" he asked. The bench, also comprising Justice Surya Kant, agreed to list the case for hearing. “Alright, list it," said the bench.On June 27, the Supreme Court had agreed to examine a plea alleging First indigenous aircraft carrier Vikrant delivered to Indian Navy STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE NEW DELHI, 28 JULY The Indian Navy created maritime history today by taking delivery of the prestigious Indigenous Aircraft Carrier (IAC) ‘Vikrant’ from her builder Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL), Kochi. Designed by the Indian Navy’s in-house Directorate of Naval Design (DND) and built by CSL, a Public Sector Shipyard under the Ministry of Shipping (MoS), the carrier is christened after her illustrious predecessor, India's first Aircraft Carrier which played a vital role in the 1971 war. Coinciding with the celebrations to commemorate the 75th anniversary of India's independence “Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav”, the reincarnation of Vikrant is a true  The vessel was built by Cochin Shipyard Limited, Kochi.  The Navy said that the carrier is 262 metres long and has a full displacement of 45,000 tonnes. The aircraft carrier has a top speed of 28 knots, and is testimony to the country's zeal and fervour in pursuing capability build up towards enhanced maritime security. The 262-meter-long carrier has a full displacement of close to 45,000 tonnes which is much larger and more advanced than her pre- powered by gas turbines with a total capacity of 88 Mega Watts  It has been constructed at a cost of approximately Rs. 20,000 crores. decessor. The ship is powered by four Gas Turbines totaling 88 MW power and has a maximum speed of 28 Knots. Built at an overall cost of close to Rs. 20,000 crores, the project has progressed in three Phases of a contract between the Ministry of  With an overall indige- nous content of 76 per cent, the aircraft carrier is a perfect example of the quest for Aatma Nirbhar Bharat and provides a thrust to the government’s Make in India initiative, the Navy said Defence (MoD) and CSL, concluded in May 2007, December 2014, and October 2019 respectively. The ship’s keel was laid in February 2009, followed by launching in August 2013. With an overall indigenous content of 76 per cent, the IAC is a perfect example of the nation's quest for “Aatma Nirbhar Bharat” and provides a thrust to the government's “Make in India” initiative. With the delivery of Vikrant, India has joined a select group of nations having the niche capability to indigenously design and build an Aircraft Carrier. Vikrant has been built with a high degree of automation for machinery operation, ship navigation, and survivability, and has been designed to accommodate an assortment of fixed-wing and rotary aircraft. The ship would be capable of operating an air wing consisting of 30 aircraft comprising of MIG-29K fighter jets, Kamov-31, MH60R multi-role helicopters, in addition to indigenously manufactured Advanced Light Helicopters (ALH) and Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) (Navy). Using a novel aircraftoperation mode known as STOBAR (Short Take-Off but Arrested Landing), the IAC is equipped with a ski- jump for launching aircraft, and a set of 'arrester wires' for their recovery onboard. The ship has a large number of indigenous equipment and machinery, involving major industrial houses in the country viz. BEL, BHEL, GRSE, Keltron, Kirloskar, Larsen & Toubro, Wartsila India etc. as well as over 100 MSMEs. The carrier would soon be commissioned into the Indian Navy as Indian Naval Ship (INS) Vikrant which would bolster India's position in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) and its quest for a blue water Navy. increase in attacks on Christian institutions and priests across the country.Senior advocate Colin Gonsalves mentioned the matter before a vacation bench comprising Justices Surya Kant and J.B. Pardiwala and sought an urgent listing of the matter. Gonsalves submitted that on an average between 40 to 50 violent attacks occurred against Christian institutions and priests every month across the country, as he pressed on the implementation of guidelines which were issued by the top court in a 2018 judgment to curb hate crimes. He emphasised that in May this year, more than 50 cases of violent attacks took place. FACT FILE TOTAL CASES 4,39,59,321 ACTIVE CASES 1,46,323 NEW CASES 20,557 NEW RECOVERIES 19,216 TOTAL DEATHS 5,26,211 UNION HEALTH MINISTRY FIGURES AS OF 8.00 A.M. THURSDAY 28 JULY 2022 Delhi recorded 1000 cases & zero deaths in the last 24 hrs