CMYK MONDAY 29 MAY 2023 Pages 12 |` 5.00|LC www.thestatesman.com KOLKATA | NEW DELHI | SILIGURI | BHUBANESWAR ‘SENGOL IN LS AFFIRMS INDIAN SOVEREIGNTY’ DADA’S WONDERLAND P6 MESSI SETS ANOTHER RECORD AS PSG CLINCH LIGUE 1 TITLE PAK GOVERNMENT TURNS DOWN KHAN’S TALKS OFFER P5 P9 WEATHER Mamata likely to attend Opp meet in Patna on 12 June Prime Minister dedicated to nation a state-of-the-art new building for Indian Parliament Humid and discomfort weather very likely. Rain / Thundershowers likely to occur in some areas towards Afternoon/ Evening.Maximum and minimum temperatures likely to be around 36 °C and 27 °C respectively. P12 ‘New Parl building reflects aspirations of 140 cr Indians’ RAINFALL: Nil RELATIVE HUMIDITY Max. 90 % TEMPERATURE STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE KOLKATA, 28 MAY Says Modi while addressing MPs & distinguished guests in new peacock-shaped chamber of LS Min. 69 % Max: 33.7°C (-1) Min: 27.6°C (0) SUN RISES SUN SETS 04:53 hrs 18:15 hrs MOON RISES MOON SETS 12:4 hrs 00:22 hrs Full Moon on 04 June THUMBNAILS People's Democratic Party chief Mehbooba Mufti offers prayers at Kheer Bhawani Temple on the occasion of the Zyeth Atham festival, at Tulmulla, in Ganderbal on Sunday.  ANI Rain delays toss in IPL 2023 summit clash: The start of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023 summit clash on Sunday between the fourtime winners Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and defending champions Gujarat Titans (GT) has been delayed due to a heavy downpour in Ahmedabad. Additionally, as per the CSK and GT's official Twitter, no overs would be lost if the game starts by 9:40 PM local time. The match could be pushed to a reserve day on Monday if even a five-over game is not possible by the cut-off time of 12:26 AM local time. DEEPAK RAZDAN NEW DELHI, 28 MAY rime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday dedicated to the nation a stateof-the-art new building for the Indian Parliament, describing it as a reflection of aspirations and dreams of 140 crore people of the country. Addressing a large gathering of MPs and distinguished guests in the peacock-shaped new chamber of the Lok Sabha, the Prime Minister said the new building sends a message of India’s strong power of determination to the world, while being a temple of for its democracy. The Prime Minister said every brick, every wall and every part of this building is dedicated to the poor. The laws which are enacted in this building in the next 25 years will make India a developed nation. They will help India to come out of poverty, and offer new opportunities for youth and women of this country. “I am confident, this new building of Parliament will act as the foundation to create a New India ~ a prosperous, empowered and Viksit Bharat (developed India), and a nation which P Prime Minister Narendra Modi carries the historic 'Sengol' into the Lok Sabha chamber of the new Parliament building, in New Delhi on Sunday.  ANI follows reason, justice, truth, standards and a path of duty,” the Prime Minister said. Mr Modi said the new Parliament building will provide new energy and strength to the world’s largest democracy. The workers have built a magnificent structure with their sweat and labour. It is now the responsibility of all Members of Parliament to prove its greatness by their dedication of work, he said. The determination of 140 crore people of the country will imbue this Parliament with a life-force, he said. Every decision that is taken in this Parliament will improve the lot of generations of people to come. Mr Modi entered the green-dominated chamber with folded hands, amidst chants of “Modi, Modi” and a strong thumping of desks, accompanied by clapping. He was accompanied by Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla. Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman Harivansh welcomed the Prime Minister and other guests. Mr Modi’s sense of achievement on the completion of the new building in less than two and a half years was writ on his face, while he was full of eagerness to explain its new features, and how it would help MPs perform their work efficiently. As he finished his half an hour speech, he received a standing ovation from a packed House, which included some chief ministers, former President Ram Nath Kovind, former Prime Minister H D Deve Gowda and former Speaker Sumitra Mahajan, with galleries filled with diplomats and other visitors. Most of the Opposition parties had boycotted the ceremony as per their declaration, and Opposition benches had therefore some vacant spaces. He began his speech saying there are some moments in the life of nations which are immortalised for ever. Today, the 28th May 2023 is one such occasion. The nation is celebrating the Amrit Kaal of 75 years of its Independence, and on this occasion, citizens of the country have gifted this new Parliament House to its republic. Earlier in the day, the Prime Minister installed a sacred “Sengol” with Nandi close to the seat of the Speaker in the Lok Sabha chamber after a small havan and all-religion prayers. The Sengol was on his right side while he gave his speech. The Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman read out messages of greetings and good wishes on the occasion from President Droupadi Murmu and Vice-President and Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar. He pointed out that the interiors of Lok Sabha are themed on the national bird peacock and Rajya Sabha on the national flower lotus.The Parliament premises have the national tree Banyan.Every part of the country has provided some material for the new building, he said. There was granite from Rajasthan, timber from Maharashtra and carpet by Bhadohi artisans. Trinamul Congress chairperson Mamata Banerjee is likely to attend a meeting of Opposition leaders which is scheduled to be held in Patna on 12 June. It was learnt that Miss Banerjee is likely to leave Kolkata on 11 June. Earlier, it was decided that on her way back home after attending the programme of Niti Ayog in New Delhi, she would visit Patna and attend the meeting of the leaders of the opposition parties.But the meeting was temporarily suspended as 11 Chief Ministers including Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar did not attend the Niti Ayog programme. The Opposition leaders remained tight lipped as to who would attend the meeting of 12 June. It is not clear whether Congress would join the meeting. Political observers said the opposition parties will have to decide whether they will go without Congress or not.Already the leaders including Miss Banerjee has suggested that those who are strong in the respective areas should be allowed to fight the elections there. They said Miss Banerjee is trying her level best to ensure that there is one-onone fight against the BJP in 2024 Lok Sabha election. The BJP is trying hard to destroy the opposition unity, but the party is badly hit by infighting.Politicalexpertssaid in 226 seats spanning over Andhra Pradesh (25), Bihar (40), Jharkhand (14), Karnataka ( 28), Odisha ( 21), Tamilnadu ( 39), Telengana (17),Kerala(20)andWestBengal (42) BJP has slim chance of victory. TMC has 35 MPs inLokSabhaandRajyaSabha and Miss Banerjee is playing a key role in bringing together the opposition. Already Akhilesh Yadav, HD Kumarswamy, Arvind Kejriwal, Bhagwant Mann, Nitish Kumar and Tejwashi Yadav have held meeting with Miss Banerjee either in her Kalighat residence or in Nabanna. Political experts said that though not much is coming out in the media about the meeting among the Opposition leaders, all of them are well connected.It may be recalled that Jay Prakash Narayan had held the first meeting of Janata Dal to oust Indira Gandhi in Patna which was followed by a public meeting.The second meeting was held at the Brigade Parade ground. Police detain wrestlers at Jantar Mantar, clear protest site AWARENESS DRIVE STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE NEW DELHI, 28 MAY At least 1,500 school students participate in an awareness program and Limca Book of Records on the occasion of Menstrual Hygiene Day, in Howrah on Sunday.  ANI All the protesting wrestlers, including Bajrang Punia, Sakshi Malik, Vinesh Phogat and Sangeeta Phogat were detained by Delhi Police here at Jantar Mantar on Sunday after they along with their supporters tried to march towards the newly constructed Parliament building. Police have also removed the tents from the protest site. A senior police official said that the protesting wrestlers were detained following the violation of law and order. “Legal action will be initiated as per law,” the official added. Earlier, the protesting wrestlers along with their supporters jumped over the police barricades and tried to march towards the newly constructed Parliament building. However, they were stopped by police, who were deployed in large numbers. The wrestlers, including Sakshi Malik, also clashed with police personnel (L) Police detained wrestler Shakshi Malik in the Capital. (R) Police remove tents and vacate the dharna location at Jantar Mantar on Sunday. SUBRATA DUTTA when they were stopped while marching towards Parliament. Ahead of the protesting wrestlers’ planned march towards the newly constructed Parliament building, security was beefed up in Delhi. Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the new Parliament building on Sunday morning.Multi-layer barricades were installed from Jantar Mantar to the newly constructed Parliament building. Thousands of police personnel were deployed on Delhi’s borders, including Tikri, Ghazipur, Singhu and Badarpur borders and police were conducting thorough vehicle inspections of those entering from the borders. After the protesting wrestlers were detained on Sunday and the site was cleared at Jantar Mantar, the Delhi Commission for Women (DCW) chief Swati Maliwal took toTwitter and condemned the police action. “This is Sakshi Malik. Olympics medallist, Padma Shri and Khel Ratna awardee. This is how she was dragged on the streets of Delhi today," Maliwal tweeted while sharing the picture of Sakshi Malik being forcefully taken into police custody.“This is @BajrangPunia. He is also an Olympics medallist and PadmaShri, Khel Ratna awardee. He has put his entire career on risk to fight for justice for women wrestlers. He too has been dragged and detained by Delhi Police!," she wrote in another tweet. “They are the champions of the country, not terrorists! Embarrassing,” she said. Earlier in the day, Bajrang Punia, Strongly condemn the way Delhi police manhandled Sakshi Malik, Vinesh Phogat and other wrestlers. It’s shameful our champions are treated in this manner. Democracy lies in tolerance but autocratic forces thrive on intolerance and quelling of dissent. I demand they be immediately released by police. I stand by our wrestlers MAMATA BANERJEE BENGAL CHIEF MINISTER who along with other grapplers are protesting against WFI chief for more than a month now, asserted that the Mahapanchayat will take place on Sunday while emphasising the fight for self-respect. Punia accused the government of murdering democracy in the country and appealed to the authorities to release individuals who have been detained by the police. Ghoribabu: Timekeeper to the City of Joy & beyond Fresh clashes erupt in Manipur, 30 militants killed ANWESHA SANTRA KOLKATA, 28 MAY Gandalf or Dumbledore, call him what you wish; in the world of vintage clocks, Swapan Dutta(photo) can be called the timekeeper of the City of Joy, as sure as eggs are eggs. Close by the almost 200-year-old Medical College lies a nearinconspicuous serpentine alley called Madan Gopal Lane, which hides Sono Time, the workshop of the timekeeper family. To a fellow wanderer, it might seem like tapping the wall behind the Leaky Cauldron to reach Cogg and Bell Clockmakers. Faithfully continuing a profession that his family has persued for four generations, Swapan Dutta’s work includes mending, restoring and maintaining all of the oldest clock towers in Kolkata as well as across the country. Repairing vintage house clocks is part of the job too. Dharanidhar Dutta, the great-grandfather of Swapan Dutta, a piece worker for Cooke and Kelvey, silversmiths and watchmakers, was given the task of maintaining the city's clock towers as soon as they were constructed. The Duttas have been in business ever since. Sitting in conversation with The Statesman in their six-byfour-feet workstation, Swapan Dutta and his son, Satyajit Dutta, delved into the methods of restoration and upkeep of vintage clocks. “Tower clocks come in three varieties: those that do not strike, those that chime musically every 15 minutes, and those that gong every hour. These clocks are over a century old. We examine the mechanism to determine the clock's condition and note any issues that require fixing. Parts, if missing, are inserted into the clock mechanism using steel or gunmetal castings,” said Swapan Dutta. “With sufficient maintenance, the clocks often function well for a lifetime. These clocks are not automated, though. They require routine winding, cleaning and oiling because they run on weights,” added Dutta. The father-son duo went on to tell several tales of the clocks they maintain across the country, whether it's the clock tower at Haridwar's Har Ki Pauri, the Vasco Clock Tower in Goa, the Christ Church at Kasauli, the Gidhaur Maharaja tower in Bihar, or the King's Palace clock tower in Kathmandu. The family also maintains the clock towers at the Bandel Church, the 'Big Ben of Kolkata', Darjeeling Mall, the BSNL clock tower in Shimla Malls and the Kapurthala clock tower in Punjab. Besides clock towers, the Duttas also have a cure for dysfunctional vintage house clocks. These include quarter chiming, hourly striking, bimbam, 400 days, procession clocks, moon-face grandfather clocks and wall clocks. “The chimes of these clocks have a special place in our hearts. No matter how preoccupied we are, our ears will still be attuned to the bell of the clock,”said a smiling Satyajit Dutta, holding the face of a Westminster and Whittington chiming grandfather clock. STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE IMPHAL, 28 MAY At least 30 Kuki militants in combat dress have been killed by security forces in the last 48 hours Manipur chief minister N Biren Singh said, as fresh clashes erupted between armed groups and security forces at over half a dozen places in the trouble-hit state on Sunday. Mr Singh, who described those killed as terrorists involved in torching houses and attacking civilians, told mediapersons that full powers have been given to the state forces to swing into action, for which sanction has been given by the Union Home Ministry. “In retaliatory and defensive operations against these terrorist groups who are using sophisticated arms against the civilian population, around 30 of these terrorists have been killed in different areas. A few have also been arrested by the security forces," the CM said. CMYK Charred remains of a car is seen in the violence-hit area of Manipur, on Saturday. ANI One police officer belonging to the Manipur police commandos was killed this morning when they were ambushed near Sugnu and in the ensuing exchange of fire four Meitei civillians were also killed. Another Meitei was also killed in Phayeng. Kuki militants set ablaze three Meitei villages in the early hours today including Sugnu, Serou and Tangjeng in Kakching District. Thousands of Meitei youths also rushed to Sugnu and set ablaze the Kuki villages there. Heavy exchange of fire also took place at Yaignangpokpi area and a Meitei who participated in the exchange of fire informed the Statesman that he saw at least two bodies being carried back by the Kuki militants. Four Meiteis were critically injured in the Andro area today morning also. State government officials earlier said that clashes broke out in the early hours of the morning at several places in different districts surrounding the Imphal Valley both between militant groups and security forces as well as between rival ethnic militant groups. “According to our information, firing has been reported from Sugnu in Kakching, Kangvi in Churachandpur, Kangchup in Imphal West, Sagolmang in Imphal East, Nungoipokpi in Bishenpur, Khurkhul in Imphal West and Yaingangpokpi in Kangpokpi," the official said. In Uripok in Imphal, an irate mob stormed the house of the BJP MLA Kh Raghumani and set it on fire. Two ladies were injured when the MLA's son opened fire from the house. According to informed sources, over 1000 firearms were seized by Meitei civillians from various Manipur Rifles and India Reserved Battalion units. Union home minister Amit Shah is arriving tomorrow at Imphal on a three days visit to the state.