WEDNESDAY 25 JANUARY 2023 Pages 12 |` 5.00|LC www.thestatesman.com KOLKATA | NEW DELHI | SILIGURI | BHUBANESWAR WEATHER GENERALLY CLOUDY SKY. POSSIBILITY OF VERY LIGHT RAIN/DRIZZLE IN THE MORNING. RAINFALL: Nil RELATIVE HUMIDITY Max. 95 % TEMPERATURE Max: 21.6°C (0) SUN RISES 07:12 hrs MOON RISES 10:27 hrs PM Modi interacts with PMRBP awardees, presents souvenirs He suggested the awardees should start by solving small problems, gradually build capacity Min. 68% Min:18.7°C (+5) SUN SETS 17:55 hrs MOON SETS 21:54 hrs THUMBNAILS Workers install National Flags at Kartavya Path, in the Capital on Tuesday. SUBRATA DUTTA India beat NZ: India defeated New Zealand by 90 runs in the third and final ODI match in Indore on Tuesday, making a clean sweep of the 3-match series and also taking the number one spot in ODI rankings, replacing England. (Earlier report on P12) STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE NEW DELHI, 24 JANUARY Prime Minister Narendra Modi today interacted with Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar awardees (PMRBP) at his residence at 7 Lok Kalyan Marg today.The Prime Minister presented souvenirs to all the awardees and discussed their achievements on a one-to-one basis, which was followed by interaction with the entire group. He engaged in an open-hearted interaction in the informal setting. The children asked him various questions about the challenges they face and sought his guidance on a variety of topics. He suggested the awardees should start by solving small problems, gradually build capacity, enhance capability and develop confidence to solve bigger problems as they go ahead in life. Discussing the issue of mental health and problems faced by children, he talked about tackling stigma around the issue and the important role of family in tackling such issues. Several other topics were also taken up by the Prime Minister during the interaction, including the benefits of playing Chess, taking up art & culture as a career, research & innovation, spirituality, among others. The Government of India has been conferring the Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar to children for their exceptional achievement in six categories namely Innovation, Social Service, Scholastic, Sports, Art & Culture and Bravery. Each awardee is given a medal, a cash prize of Rs 1 Lakh and certificate. This year, 11 children from across the country, under different categories of Bal Prime Minister Narendra Modi interacts with the Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar Awardees in New Delhi on Tuesday.  ANI Shakti Puraskar, were selected for the PMRBP-2023. The awardees, belonging to 11 States and UTs, include six boys and five girls, namely: Aadithya Suresh, M. Gauravi Reddy, Shreya Bhattacharjee, Sambhab Mishra, Rohan Ramchandra Bahir, Aditya Pratap Singh Chauhan, Rishi Digvijaya’s remark on Balakot ‘ridiculous’: Rahul STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE JHAJJAR-KOTLI (JAMMU), 24 JANUARY Distancing himself from the controversial remarks of senior party leader Digvijaya Singh questioning the 2016 surgical strikes across the LoC, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday said he completely disagrees with what Mr Singh said and also described his remarks “ridiculous”. “We don't appreciate Digvijaya Singh's personal views. His views are outlier views. We are absolutely clear that the Armed Forces do their job exceptionally well and they do not need to provide proof of that,” Rahul Gandhi said, addressing a Press conference here while leading the Yatra on the Jammu~Srinagar highway.Asked why action was not taken against Mr Singh, who has in the past too embarrassed the party with such remarks, Mr Gandhi said the Congress was a democratic party and not a dictatorship like BJP and RSS where conversation on issues is not allowed. We allow debate and discussion within the party, he said. “We struggled for independence of the country while BJP and RSS stood with the British rulers”, he added. Digvijaya Singh while speaking in Jammu on Monday accused the BJP government at the Centre of “spreading lies” about surgical strikes. Responding to Defence Minister Rajnath Singh’s remarks that Rahul Gandhi was defaming the country by claiming there was hatred in India, the Congress leader Grave concern: Rijiju on SC publishing RAW, IB inputs SNS & AGENCIES NEW DELHI, 24 JANUARY Law minister Kiren Rijiju on Tuesday said that the Supreme Court collegium publishing sensitive inputs of Research & Analysis Wing (RAW) and Intelligence Bureau (IB) on candidates recommended by the collegium for judgeship, is a serious issue. He made the remarks while addressing the media at the felicitation of award winners of the e-courts project. He added that if a person is working for the nation, then he may think one day his RAW and IB files can be made public. “It is a matter of concern... It is a serious issue and one day I will speak on this," he said, while responding to a query regarding the collegium's recent statements in public domain citing objections raised by the Central government to recommendations made regarding the judges' appointment.He declined to comment further on the collegium resolutions. Mr Rijiju added: “No one should make a comment on a judicial order. But these are administrative orders and not judicial. I have seen some tweets that are making comments about NJAC is contempt. The order of the bench is totally different and this is all administrative." Last week, the apex court collegium published on its website resolutions reiterating names of some advocates for judgeship in various high courts. The apex court cited inputs by RAW and IB on candidates, whose files were returned by the Centre to the collegium for reconsideration.In a statement, in connection with appointment of openly gay lawyer Saurabh Kripal as a judge of the Delhi High Court, the collegium said: "From the letters of the Research & Analysis Wing (RAW) dated 11 April 2019 and 18 March 2021, it appears that there are two objections to the recommendation which was made by the collegium of this court on 11 November 2021 approving the name of Saurabh Kirpal namely: (i) the partner of Saurabh Kirpal is a Swiss National, and (ii) he is in an intimate relationship and is open about his sexual orientation". asked: "How is a padyatra that is uniting the people of India harming the interest of the nation?" Attacking Rahul Gandhi for dubbing Digvijaya Singh’s “surgical strike proof” remark as his “personal views”, the BJP on Tuesday alleged that Congress resorts to these tactics “whenever the party is trapped” due to its leaders’ statements against the Armed Forces. Recalling the old statements of Congress leaders, including those of Rahul Gandhi in connection with the Armed Forces, BJP leader Ravi Shankar Prasad demanded the party to clarify its stand over the issue of terrorism and national security. Oscars: RRR’s song Naatu Naatu nominated for ‘Best Original Song’ SNS & AGENCIES NEW DLEHI, 24 JANUARY Rejoice all 'RRR' fans! History has been created. SS Rajamouli's magnum opus ‘RRR’ has made it to official Oscars nominations. The film's song 'Naatu Naatu' has officially entered the Oscars race in the 'Best Original Song' category.After a great winning streak at Golden Globes and Critics Choice Awards, the film has officially entered the race for the Academy Awards.Earlier, 'Naatu Naatu' bagged the Golden Globes for the category 'Best original Song'. Shiv Prasanna, Anoushka Jolly, Hanaya Nisar, Kolagatla Alana Meenakshi and Shauryajit Ranjitkumar Khaire. Yesterday, on Prakaram Diwas, the Prime Minister interacted with youngsters who were selected under the ‘Know Your Leader’ programme to participate in the ceremony to honour Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose in the Central Hall of Parliament.This interaction also took place at his residence.The Prime Minister engaged in a candid and free-wheeling interaction with the youngsters. He discussed various facets of the life of Netaji and what can be learnt from his life. The youngsters shared their excitement on getting the unique opportunity to meet the Prime Minister of the country and to sit in the Central Hall of Parliament. Chief guest Egyptian Prez lands in India for R-Day STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE NEW DELHI, 24 JANUARY Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi arrived here this evening on a three-day visit to India as the chief guest at the Republic Day celebrations. Minister of State for External Affairs Rajkumar Ranjan Singh and senior officials of the Ministry of External Affairs received President Sisi and his delegation at the airport. “This visit will further deepen the long-standing friendship,” between India and Egypt, MEA spokesperson Arindam Bagchi tweeted while posting a few pictures of the brief ceremony held at the airport to welcome the visiting dignitary.