FREEDOM BY MIDNIGHT 18 AUGUST 2024 PROFESSOR'S DELIGHTFUL RESEARCH ‘HAD VINESH GOT THE MEDAL, INDIA’S TALLY WOULD HAVE BEEN THE SAME AS TOKYO’ www.thestatesman.com X.com/thestatesmanltd. Fb/thestatesman1875 PAGE 12 PAGE 13 PAGE 15 INDIA’S NATIONAL NEWSPAPER SINCE 1818 PAGES 16 |` 5.00|LC KOLKATA | NEW DELHI | SILIGURI | BHUBANESWAR WEATHER Generally cloudy sky. Rain / thundershower very likely to occur. Maximum and minimum temperatures likely to be around 32 °C and 27 °C respectively. Women’s safety: Bengal MUDA scam: K’taka Governor unveils ‘Rattirer Shaathi’ approves prosecution of CM The guidelines would be introduced in all government & private hospitals RAINFALL: 19.0 mm RELATIVE HUMIDITY Max. 94 % SAFETY MEASURES Min. 63 % TEMPERATURE Max: 34.2˚C (+2.3) SUN RISES 05:14 hrs MOON RISES 16:24 hrs Min: 27.9˚C (+1.4) SUN SETS 18:7 hrs MOON SETS 02:11 hrs Full Moon on 19 August THUMBNAILS People participate in a protest rally organised by the Indian Medical Association, Bengal unit, in Kolkata on Saturday against the rape and murder of a PGT doctor last week. n SNS STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE KOLKATA, 17 AUGUST Glimpse of the Third edition of the 'Tamil Nadu International Kite Festival' 2024, in Chennai on Saturday. n ANI Lateral entry move: In a fresh push for lateral entry of domain experts in the Central bureaucracy, the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) on Saturday issued an advertisement notifying vacancies for 45 domain experts in the rank and pay of Joint Secretaries, Deputy Secretaries and Directors in various Central government departments. Notably, this is the biggest proposed lateral entry of domain experts as bureaucrats in the government machinery since 2018. A mid public outrage and continuing protests over the rape and murder of a junior woman doctor at the RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, the state government on Saturday announced a slew of measures and guidelines to ensure the safety of women healthcare workers as part of a new initiative called “Rattirer Shaathi” (Helpers of the Night). Alapan Bandopadhyay, chief adviser to Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, said that the decision to issue guidelines for the safety of women doctors and women in general working on night shifts, was taken at a meeting today presided over by Miss Banerjee and attended by the Commissioner of Kolkata Police, the state chief secretary and other senior officers. The guidelines would be introduced in all government and private hospitals in the state and would take effect as soon as possible. “All attempts will be made to avoid allotting night duties to women doctors wherever possible,” Mr Bandopadhyay stated, adding that working hour of women, including women doctors, should not exceed 12 hours at a a time. At Global South Summit 3.0, PM Modi proposes Global Development Compact “There will be separate toilets and restrooms for women doctors. Safe zones will be created for them which will be under blanket CCTV coverage. A special app will be created through which the doctors will be connected to the local police stations. It will be compulsory for all women doctors to download the app,” he said. He said that womenfriendly security personnel will be deployed at all medical colleges and hospitals. Security check and breathalyzer test will be carried out at medical colleges and hospitals, superspeciality hospitals and district hospitals. All organisations have been requested to set up Visakha committee on sexual harassment in workplaces, if not done. Organisations will be encouraged to devise schedules so that women work in pairs or teams on night shifts and know each other’s movements. Night police patrolling will be carried out in all medical colleges and hospitals, women hostels and other places. Identity cards should be carried and displayed by all faculty, staff, security guards in medical colleges and hospitals. The Karnataka Governor, Thawarchand Gehlot, on Saturday gave his nod for the prosecution of state Chief Minister Siddaramaiah in connection with the alleged Mysore Urban Development Authority (MUDA) land scam. An order dated 17 August and issued by the Karnataka Governor's Secretariat, stated: “As directed by the Hon'ble Governor, I am enclosing herewith the copy of the decision of the Competent Authority on the request of sanction for prosecution against the Chief Minister Shri. Siddaramaiah, under section 17 of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 and section 218 of the Bharathiya Nagarika Suraksha Samhitha, 2023 for the commission of the alleged offences mentioned in the petitions." Following Governor Gehlot's nod to Siddaramaiah's prosecution, the Karnataka government has reportedly decided to challenge it in the high court. Terming the Governor's decision “anti-Constitution” and “against the law”, Mr Siddaramaiah said: “It will be questioned in court. I have done no wrong to resign.” Despite growing demands for his resignation from the Opposition, he reassured his supporters, stating: “The entire Cabinet, party high command, all MLAs, MLCs, Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha MPs are with me.” He further described the move as part of a “conspiracy to dislodge a democratically elected government by the BJP, JD(S), and others.” The allegations against Mr Siddaramaiah pertain to the allotment of 14 housing sites in Mysuru, including one to his wife, as well as the alleged misappropriation of Rs 89.73 crore from a state development corporation intended for the welfare of Scheduled Tribes. This has drawn severe criticism from Opposition parties in the state. The controversy began earlier this year when social activist Snehamayi Krishna filed a complaint accusing Mr Siddaramaiah and nine others of forging documents burden the needy countries with debt in the name of development finance. It will help in the balanced and sustainable development of partner countries,” the PM said. nder the Compact, he said, focus will be on trade for development, capacity building for sustainable growth, technology sharing, project specific concessional finance and grants. To strengthen trade promotion activities, India will start a special fund of 2.5 million dollars. Training will be provided in trade policy and trade negotiation for capacity building. A fund of one million dollars will be provided for this. India is already cooperating in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Stimulus leaders group for financial stress and development funding in the countries of the Global South. “We will work to make affordable and effective generic medicines available to the Global South. We will also assist in training drug regulators. We will be happy to share our experience and technology of ‘natural farming’ in the agricultural sector,” Mr Modi said. The UN “Summit on the Future” next month can be an occasion where the Global South can raise its voice, he added, stating that this Summit is due to discuss the “Pact for the Future” and the Global South can adopt a positive and united stand to make its voice heard. Waqf Bill JPC to hold first meet on 22 Aug Nadda reviews mpox preparedness; risk of large outbreak low at present, says govt STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE NEW DELHI, 17 AUGUST STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE NEW DELHI, 17 AUGUST Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday addressed the Voice of Global South Summit 3.0, and proposed a comprehensive “Global Development Compact” based on India's development journey and experiences of development partnership. Making closing remarks at the inaugural leaders’ session, held virtually, Mr Modi said he was proposing the Compact after listening to the views of all participants. The Session was attended by Heads of State and Government of the participating nations. Mr Modi said the Compact will be inspired by the development priorities set by the countries of the Global South themselves. It will be humancentric and multi-dimensional and will promote multi-sectoral approach. “It will not 8 There should be separate designated rest rooms with toilets for women. Safe Zones will be identified and created for women with full CCTV coverage. 8 Rattirer Shaathi or woman volunteers shall be on duty at night. 8 A special mobile phone app with alarm devices will be developed which shall be downloaded by all working women and which will be connected to local police stations/police control room. 8 Helpline No. 100/112 should be extensively utilised during any panic/emergency situation. 8 Security check and breathalyzer test will be carried out at medical colleges and hospitals, superspeciality hospitals, district hospitals. 8 Organisations will be encouraged to devise schedules so that women work in pairs or teams and know each other's movements while working on the night shift. STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE NEW DELHI, 17 AUGUST STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE The first meeting of the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) on the Waqf (Amendment) Bill 2024 will be held on 22 August at the Parliament House Annexe. Representatives from the Minority Affairs Ministry and the Law & Justice Ministry will brief the JPC members about the Bill. The chairman of the JPC is BJP MP Jagdambika Pal. The 31-member committee has 21 members of the Lok Sabha and 10 from the Rajya Sabha. Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju introduced the Bill in the last session of the Lok Sabha amid objections from the Opposition. He agreed to refer the Bill for study by a Joint Committee of Parliament. Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare Jagat Prakash Nadda on Saturday reviewed India’s preparedness for Monkeypox, days after the World Health Organization (WHO) declared it as a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC). In a communique, the Health Ministry said: “A detailed review of the Monkeypox situation and the preparedness was taken by the Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare Jagat Prakash Nadda in a meeting with the senior officials of the Ministry, here today.There are no reported cases of Monkeypox in India as of date.” In the meeting chaired by the Health Minister, it was decided that as a matter of abundant caution, certain NEW DELHI, 17 AUGUST measures such as sensitising the health units at all the airports, seaports, and ground crossings; readying the testing laboratories (32 in number), gearing up health facilities for detecting, isolating and managing any case etc are put in place, it said. The meeting noted that Monkeypox infections are usually self-limiting, lasting between 2-4 weeks and patients generally recover with supportive management. The transmission requires prolonged close contact with an infected case and is generally through the sexual route, direct contact with body/lesion fluid, or contaminated clothing/linen of an infected person, the statement said. "WHO had earlier declared Monkeypox as a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) in July 2022 and subsequently revoked the same in May 2023. Globally since 2022, WHO has reported 99,176 cases and 208 deaths due to Monkeypox from 116 countries. Since the 2022 declaration by WHO, a total of 30 cases were detected in India with the last case in March 2024," it said. The Health Ministry also informed that a Joint Monitoring Group Meeting under the Chairmanship of the Director General of Health Services (DGHS) consisting of experts from relevant fields was held on 16 August to review the situation. IAF, Army carry out first-of-its-kind para-drop of trauma care cube Love & respect I received is more than 1,000 gold medals, says emotional Vinesh Phogat on return STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE NEW DELHI, 17 AUGUST NEW DELHI, 17 AUGUST The Indian Air Force (IAF) and the Indian Army have jointly carried out the firstof-its-kind precise para-drop operation of the Aarogya Maitri Health Cube at a high-altitude area close to 15,000 feet. These critical trauma care cubes have been indigenously developed under Project BHISHM (Bharat Health Initiative for Sahyog Hita and Maitri). The operation was conducted in line with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of providing critical supplies to Humanitarian Aid and Disaster Relief (HADR) affected areas, the Ministry of Defence said. The IAF utilised its advanced tactical transport aircraft C-130J Super Hercules to airlift and precisely paradrop the cube. The Indian Army’s Para Brigade, known for its operational acumen and agility, played an instru- These critical trauma care cubes have been indigenously developed under Project BHISHM (Bharat Health Initiative for Sahyog Hita and Maitri). mental role in the successful deployment of the trauma care cube, utilising their advanced precision drop equipment. This demonstration underscored the capability of such specialised military assets to effectively support HADR operations, even in the most remote and mountainous regions. “The successful para-drop and deployment of the BHISHM trauma care cube exemplified the synergy & jointness of the Armed Forces and underscored the commitment to providing timely & effective assistance as first responders,” the MoD added. TRIDIB BAPARNASH A couple of days after the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) verdict dashed Vinesh Phogat’s final hopes of a silver medal at the Paris Olympics, the wrestler returned home to a rousing welcome in the national capital on Saturday. Thousands of supporters assembled outside the IGI Airport, in a massive show of solidarity. Vinesh, who endured a heartbreaking disqualification for being 100 grams over the stipulated weight during the weigh-in on the morning of the 50kg women’s gold medal bout at the Paris Games, was received by brother Harvinder Phogat, fellow wrestlers Bajrang Punia, Sakshi Malik and panchayat leaders. The overwhelming support turned the wrestler emotional as she broke into tears before leaving the airport, waving at the crowds in an open four-wheeler that made its way through the national capital to her native village, Balali, in Haryana. “Although they didn't give me the gold medal, people here have given me that. The love and the respect that I have received is more than 1,000 gold medals,” said an emotional Vinesh after reaching home amid loud cheers from the locals. Hints at comeback Vinesh, who had announced her retirement after her disqualification, shared an emotional post on Friday, where she had hinted of making a comeback to the sport that has defined her life, and where she has “unfinished business”. “The goal that we were working towards and what we had planned to achieve is unfinished, that something might always remain missing, and that things might never be the same again,” she wrote. “Maybe under different circumstances, I could see myself playing till 2032, because the fight in me and wrestling in me will always be there. I can’t predict what the future holds for me, and what awaits me in this journey next. But I am sure that I will continue to fight always for what I believe in and for the right thing,” she added. In the three-page social media post, Vinesh also expressed her gratitude to those who stood by her in her journey, and what stood out was the part where she mentioned Dr Dinshaw Pardiwala, the Indian contingent’s Chief Medical Officer at the Paris Olympics. Dr Pardiwala found himself targeted by social media users after he along with Indian Olympic Association chief PT Usha spoke to the media following Vinesh Phogat’s disqualification for being 100 grams over the stipulated weight during the weigh-in on the morning of the 50kg women’s gold medal bout. “Dr Dinshaw Pardiwala. This is not a new name in Indian sports. For me, and I think for many other Indian athletes, he is not just a doctor but an angel in disguise sent by god. When I had stopped believing in myself after facing injuries, it was his belief, work and faith in me that got me back on my feet again,” Vinesh wrote. “Dr Dinshaw Pardiwala has operated on me not once but thrice (both knees and one elbow) and has shown me how resilient the human body can be. His dedication, kindness and honesty towards his work and towards Indian Sports is something no one will doubt including God. I’m forever grateful to him and his entire team for their work and dedication. As a part of the Indian contingent, having him present at the Paris Olympics was a god’s gift for all fellow athletes,” she wrote. to claim compensation from MUDA. The Chief Minister has consistently denied these allegations, asserting that “everything was done according to law” concerning the land allotment in Mysuru. “In the case of MUDA, everything was done according to law. I have not exerted any kind of influence on the allotment of the plot. My wife has been given a replacement plot in 2021 during the government period of the BJP as per the law,” Mr Siddaramaiah said, defending his actions. He further elaborated on the situation, stating: “In 2014, when I was the Chief Minister, my wife applied for a replacement site as MUDA had illegally acquired our land. At that time, I did not take any action in this regard. BJP and JDS parties are making allegations against me intending to destabilise the government. 26/11 accused Tahawwur Rana ‘extraditable to India’: US court WASHINGTON DC, 17 AUGUST The US Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit has ruled that Tahawwur Rana, the Pakistan-origin Canadian businessman involved in the 26/11 attack is "extraditable to India" under the extradition treaty between the two countries. The court affirmed the district court's denial of Tahawwur Hussain Rana's habeas corpus petition challenging a magistrate judge's certification of Rana as extraditable to India for his alleged participation in the terrorist attacks in Mumbai. The court also held that India has provided sufficient competent evidence to support the magistrate judge's finding of probable cause that Rana committed the charged crimes. Mumbai Police had named Rana in its 405-page chargesheet in connection with the 26/11 attacks, accusing him of being an operative of ISI and Lashkar-e-Taiyyabaand of supporting the 26/11 attacks' mastermind David Coleman Headley in scouting Mumbai ahead of the attacks. Under the limited scope of habeas review of an extradition order, the US court held that Rana's alleged offence fell within the terms of the extradition treaty between the United States and India, which included a NonBis in Idem (double jeopardy) exception to extraditability "when the person sought has been convicted or acquitted in the Requested State for the offence for which extradition is requested." Less than a year after the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks, the FBI arrested Rana in Chicago. He and his friend David Coleman Headley are accused of having scouted Mumbai locations and landing zones ahead of the attack. Rana and Headley were charged with aiding the terror plot. Headley cooperated with investigators, while Rana fought it and lost. After serving a 14-year prison term, Rana was about to be freed from a US prison when India requested his extradition. AGENCIES