MONDAY 18 SEPTEMBER 2023 www.thestatesman.com twitter.com/thestatesman facebook.com/thestatesman INDIA’S NATIONAL NEWSPAPER SINCE 1818 Pages 12 |` 5.00|LC KOLKATA | NEW DELHI | SILIGURI | BHUBANESWAR BJP BRS AND AIMIM , WORKING TOGETHER IN TELANGANA: RAHUL PARTIES SLAM EACH OTHER ON HYDERABAD LIBERATION DAY P5 P4 WEATHER Partly cloudy sky. Light Rain/ thundershower likely in some areas. Maximum and minimum temperatures likely to be around 34 °C and 28 °C respectively. RAINFALL: NIL RELATIVE HUMIDITY PM Modi inaugurates Vishwakarma scheme Modi also inaugurates convention centre ‘Yashobhoomi’ on birthday NEW DELHI, 17 SEPTEMBER Min. 60 % Max: 34.2°C (+1) SUN RISES 05:24 hrs MOON RISES 07:5 hrs Min:27.6 °C (+1) SUN SETS 17:40 hrs MOON SETS 19:1 hrs TEMPERATURE P10 NIKHIL VYAS Max. 94 % Full Moon on 29 September THUMBNAILS The National Flag is unfurled at the New Parliament building in the Capital on Sunday.  SUBRATA DUTTA ED issues summons to Jharkhand CM : The Directorate of Enforcement (ED) has issued a fresh summons to Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren and asked him to appear on 23 September in a money laundering case, sources said on Sunday.ED has asked Jharkhand CM Soren to join its investigation in the alleged money laundering case on 23 September. Earlier on 15 September, the Supreme Court adjourned to 18 September Jharkhand chief minister Hemant Soren’s plea against the ED summons to him in a money laundering case. n his birthday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the “PMVishwakarma Scheme” for traditional artisans and craftspeople and dedicated the Phase 1 of India International Convention and Expo Centre ~ “Yashobhoomi” ~ to the nation at Dwarka in the national capital, on Sunday. With a total project area of over 8.9 lakh square metres and a total built-up area of more than 1.8 lakh square metres, Yashobhoomi will find its place among the world’s largest MICE (meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions) facilities. Developed at a cost of around Rs 5,400 crore, Yashobhoomi boasts of a magnificent convention centre, multiple exhibition halls and other facilities. Mr Modi also launched the PM Vishwakarma logo, tagline, and portal. He also released a customized stamp sheet, a toolkit, an e-booklet, and a video on the occasion. The prime minister distributed Vishwakarma Certificates to 18 beneficiaries. The Centre will fully fund the PM Vishwakarma Scheme, which has an out- O Prime Minister Narendra Modi interacts with K Palanivel while presenting him a PM Vishwakarma Certificate during the launch of the 'PM Vishwakarma' scheme, at the India International Convention and Expo Centre, Dwarka, in New Delhi on Sunday.  ANI lay of Rs 13,000 crore. Upon arriving at the venue, Mr Modi took a walk-through of the exhibition titled Guru-Shishya Parampara and New Technology. He also inspected the 3D model of Yashobhoomi. Addressing the gathering, Mr Modi said PM Vishwakarma Scheme is a “ray DAVIS CUP: BOPANNA BIDS ADIEU IN STYLE YOON WARNS OVER RUSSIA-N KOREA MILITARY TIES of hope” for the lakhs of artisans and their families. He conveyed his best wishes for Vishwakarma Jayanti and remarked that it is dedicated to the traditional artisans and craftspeople. Modi expressed delight at getting the opportunity to connect with millions of “vishwakarmas” (craftsmen) from across P12 After Siraj’s heroics, openers gift India 8th Asia Cup title TRIDIB BAPARNASH NEW DELHI, 17 SEPTEMBER the country. “Today is Vishwakarma Jayanti. This day is dedicated to the artisans and craftspersons of the country. I want to extend my wishes to the people of the country, on the occasion of Vishwakarma Jayanti. I am happy that today, I got the opportunity to join our Vishwakarma members. The ‘PM Vishwakarma Scheme’ has been launched today which will emerge as a ray of hope for artists and craftspersons,” Modi said. He also highlighted the great experience of visiting the exhibition showcased on the occasion and interacting with the artisans and craftsmen. The Prime Minister acknowledged the contribution of the shramiks (workers) and vishwakarmas in the construction of Yashobhoomi and dedicated the building to every worker and craftsperson of the country Throwing light on the 18 focus areas of artisans and craftsmen, the prime minister informed that carpenters, blacksmiths, goldsmiths, sculptors, potters, cobblers, tailors, masons, hairdressers, washermen, etc, have been included in the PM Vishwakarma Scheme, and the expenditure will be Rs 13,000 crore. W 0 W W 4 W... those were the magical figures for pacer Mohammed Siraj as he brought Sri Lanka to their knees as the Islanders were bowled out for 50 runs, a target Indian openers Shubman Gill (27 not out) and Ishan Kishan (23 not out) crossed with ease for India to clinch their eighth Asia Cup title. Only two Sri Lankan batters managed to reach double digits in Sunday’s Asia Cup final at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo, with Kusal Mendis getting a top score of 17, even as half of the batting unit perished without opening their accounts. After Jasprit Bumrah gave India a dream start with the wicket of Kusal Perera in the opening over, Siraj left Sri Lanka in all sorts of trouble with a deadly spell that saw four wickets fall in a span of six deliveries. Siraj, who started off with a maiden over, blew the top off the opposition’s batting line-up with an unplayable spell that reduced the home side to 12 for 6 inside the first six overs. The Hyderabadi rightarmer started the onslaught by bowling seven straight outswingers and the seventh one fetched him the wicket of opener Pathum Nissanka (2), and one ball later, the wobble-seam delivery did the trick as Sadeera Samarawickrama was BRIEF SCORES Sri Lanka 50 all out (Kusal Mendis 17; Mohammed Siraj 6-21, Hardik Pandya 3-3) lost to India 51 for no loss (Shubman Gill 27 not out, Ishan Kishan 23 not out) by 10 wickets trapped for a duck. On the fourth ball of the over, Charith Asalanka holed out to Ishan Kishan to make his way back without opening his account. Dhananjaya de Silva (4) did everything to survive the hat-trick delivery but got an outside edge off the final ball of the over to take the long walk back to the dressing room. Siraj then returned to dismiss Sri Lanka captain Dasun Shanaka for a duck, completing his five-wicket haul in just his third over, and later picked up Kusal Mendis (17) to register the second best figures by a bowler in Asia Cup finals. Siraj’s 6 for 21 is only behind Ajantha Mendis’ 6 for 18 during the 2008 edition. Decision on Women’s Quota Bill to be taken at an appropriate time: Govt FESTIVE MOMENT SNS & AGENCIES CWC calls for passage of Women’s Reservation Bill in Special Session NEW DELHI, 17 SEPTEMBER An artist gives final touches to the idols of Lord Vishwakarma on the occasion of Vishwakarma Jayanti, in Agartala on Sunday.  ANI The government on Sunday said that an appropriate decision on the Women's Reservation Bill will be taken at the right time. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi, after an allparty meeting on the eve of the special session of Parliament, said that an appropriate decision on the passage of women's reservation bill will be taken at an appropriate time. The customary all-party meeting was called by the government on Sunday, on the eve of the special session of Parliament, where floor leaders of all parties were present. During the meeting, Opposition parties led by the Congress, sought passage of the Bill in Lok Sabha. Leader of the Congress in Lok Sabha Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury said after the STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE Union ministers Rajnath Singh, Piyush Goyal, Pralhad Joshi, Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury and other leaders at the all-party meeting ahead of the special session of Parliament, at Parliament Library building on Sunday. SUBRATA DUTTA The Congress Working Committee, at its extended meeting in Hyderabad, has demanded in its resolution that the Women’s Reservation Bill be passed during the Special Session of Parliament. CWC member Jairam Ramesh pointed out, posting on microblogging site X: “Bills introduced in Rajya Sabha do not lapse. Women’s Reservation Bill is very much active. The Congress party for the past nine years has been demanding that the Women’s Reservation Bill already passed by the Rajya Sabha should now get passed by the Lok Sabha as well.” He also said that the Parliament will shift to the new building on the auspicious occasion of Ganesh Chaturthi on 19 September. The special session of Parliament will be held between 18 and 22 September. At the all party meeting, tributes were paid to security forces personnel who laid down their lives in Kashmir, Joshi said. Four bills including the controversial Chief Election Commissioner and other Election Commissioners (Appointment, Conditions of Service and Term of Office) Bill, 2023, are to be taken up for consideration and passage during the upcoming session. The Chief Election Commissioner and other Election Commissioners (Appointment, Conditions of Service and Term of Office) Bill, 2023 was introduced in Rajya Sabha during the Monsoon session, and will be put for Lok Sabha's consideration and passing, once it is passed by the upper house. HYDERABAD, 17 SEPTEMBER meeting that all Opposition parties demanded passage of the Women's Reservation Bill during the special session. “We appeal to the government to pass the women's reservation bill in this Parliament session," BJP ally and NCP-Ajit Pawar leader Praful Patel said after the all-party meeting. Kokernag Op stretches into 5th day; challenging task for forces Santiniketan included SP SHARMA JAMMU, 17 SEPTEMBER The Army on Sunday is reported to have recovered an unidentified charred body from a terrorist hideout in the Garole forest in South Kashmir’s Kokernag where the hunt for the terrorists who killed four security forces personnel has entered the fifth day. Further reports were awaited. The running gunbattle between the Indian Army and Pakistan-backed terrorists in the dense Garol forest of south Kashmir’s Kokernag that has stretched to more than 120 hours has become a challenging task for the security forces. Stakes are high for the security forces that are proceeding cautiously to prevent further casualties among troops. Survival of the terrorist group against the hi-tech weaponry of the Army even though the operation entered fifth day on Sunday indicates (Above) Security personnel deployed during the search operation for terrorists in the forest area of Gadole, Kokernag in Anantnag district on Sunday.(R)Lt. General Rajiv Ghai reviewing counter-terrorism grid in the forward area of Uri.  SNS that they were trained in jungle warfare and were also well-versed with the topography of the area. The terrorists were using the natural caves and foliage to escape from the eye of weaponised drones and helicopters of the Army. Unconfirmed reports claim that at least three terrorists have been killed in the joint Operation of the Army, CRPF and Special Operation Group (SOG) of J&K Police. The hunt for two other hiding terrorists, who were intermittently firing at the security forces, is continuing. Their movement is being tracked using drones. Security forces have cordoned the entire area and Stakes are high for the security forces that are proceeding cautiously to prevent further casualties among troops. schools have been shut till completion of the operation. Four security forces personnel, including the commanding officer of the 19 Rashtriya Rifles (RR), a Major, a DSP of J&K Police and an Army soldier lost their life while trying to track down these terrorists on 12 September. Pakistan’s desperation in pushing terrorists into Indi- an territory was exposed on Saturday when their Army violated the ceasefire by opening cover fire to enable three terrorists to infiltrate through the Line of Control (LoC) in the Uri Sector in North Kashmir. However, alert troops of the Indian Army eliminated the three infiltrating terrorists who were heavily armed. Srinagar-based Chinar Corps of the Indian Army said that a Pakistani post in the vicinity of the LoC indulged in firing to prevent our soldiers reaching the body of a killed terrorist. In a bid to plug the infiltration routes of terrorists in the Uri Sector, the Chinar Corps commander Lt. General Rajiv Ghai on Sunday visited the forward areas of Uri to review the anti-infiltration and counter-terrorism grid along the LoC. The drift towards longstretched encounters after a lull has shifted the spotlight to South Kashmir and RajouriPoonch districts of Jammu. CMYK Prolonged encounters were also witnessed in forest areas of North Kashmir’s Kupwara where too the Army suffered casualties. This indicates that Pakistani agencies have changed the training pattern of terrorists to jungle warfare instead of face-to-face encounters. It is after 20 years of peace that the Rajouri, Poonch and Reasi districts of Jammu are again witnessing terror strikes. Peace prevailed in these areas along the Pir-Panjal ranges after the Operation Sarapvinash that was launched by the Army in 2003, killing hundreds of Pakistani terrorists who had built concrete bunkers on mountain top. Ten soldiers, including five of Special Forces, were recently killed in the Rajouri and Poonch districts in two separate ambushes laid by terrorists. The terrorists escaped after inflicting these casualties but were tracked and eliminated after a few days. in UNESCO’s World Heritage Sites list STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE KOLKATA, 17 SEPTEMBER Santiniketan, in Birbhum district, where Rabindranath Tagore set upVisva Bharati over a century ago, has been included in the UNESCO World Heritage list, the organisation announced on Sunday. “BREAKING! New inscription on the @UNESCO #WorldHeritage List: Santiniketan, #India. Congratulations!” the UNESCO wrote on microblogging site X on Sunday. The decision was taken during the 45th Session of the World Heritage Committee in Saudi Arabia, UNESCO said. Prime Minister Narendra Modi called the inclusion of Santiniketan in the UNESCO World Heritage Sites list a proud moment for all Indians. Posting on X, PM Modi said: “Delighted that Santinike- India had been striving for a long time to get a UNESCO tag for this cultural site located in West Bengal’s Birbhum district. tan, an embodiment of Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore's vision and India's rich cultural heritage, has been inscribed on the @UNESCO World Heritage List. This is a proud moment for all Indians.” Established in 1901 by Tagore, Santiniketan was a residential school and centre for art based on ancient Indian traditions and a vision of the unity of humanity transcending religious and cultural boundaries. A university was established at Santiniketan in 1921, embodying the unity of humanity or “Visva Bharati”.