MONDAY 13 JANUARY 2025 www.thestatesman.com SINCE 1818 Pages 12 |` 5.00 | LC X.com/thestatesmanltd. Fb/thestatesman1875 KOLKATA | NEW DELHI | SILIGURI | BHUBANESWAR SHAH TAKES A DIG AT SHARAD PAWAR, UDDHAV THACKERAY TRUMP’S IMPACT P6 WEATHER Partly cloudy. Clear in the evening. Maximum and minimum temperatures likely to be around 28°C and 17°C respectively. 2ND ODI: JEMIMAH’S MAIDEN TON SEALS SERIES FOR INDIA ‘INDIA BLOC IS UNBROKEN AND STANDS STRONG’ P8 P4 Border tension: B’desh govt conveys concerns P12 EAM Jaishankar to represent India at Donald Trump’s inauguration Indonesian Prez likely to be R-Day chief guest B’desh foreign secy holds meeting with Indian High Commissioner RAINFALL: NIL RELATIVE HUMIDITY AGENCIES Max. 74% Min. 59% DHAKA, 12 JANUARY Min: 17.3˚C SUN SETS 17:12 hrs MOON SETS 05:47 hrs B TEMPERATURE Max: 28.8˚C SUN RISES 06:18 hrs MOON RISES 16:34 hrs Full Moon on 14 January THUMBNAILS Lakshadweep's first High-Speed Craft (HSC) vessel successfully berths at Amini Island’s western jetty, at Kochi in Ernakulam on Sunday. n ANI Five Maoists killed in encounter with security forces in Bijapur: At least five Maoists, including two women, have been killed in an encounter with security forces on Sunday in Chhattisgarh's Bijapur district, said Bijapur Police. The security personnel have also recovered several automatic and other weapons and explosives from the forests under the National Park area of Bijapur district. Currently, a search operation is going on in the area and the security personnel are identifying the dead Maoists. (Page 8) angladesh’s Foreign Secretary Md. Jashim Uddin (far right) on Sunday expressed Dhaka's “deep concern” over the recent border tensions during a meeting with Indian High Commissioner Pranay Verma (right) at the Foreign Ministry here. The Indian envoy arrived at the ministry on Sunday afternoon in response to a call extended by Foreign Secretary Md Jashim Uddin, media reports said. After meeting with the foreign secretary, Mr Verma told reporters: "We have an understanding to ensure a crime-free border; to build a border fence for security to effectively deal with the challenges of smuggling, movement of criminals, and trafficking." “Our two border guarding forces – BSF and BGB – are in touch in this regard,” he said. He said: “We expect that the decisions made by the two sides will be implemented and there will be a cooperative approach to combating crime.” Earlier, Home Advisor STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE NEW DELHI, 12 JANUARY We have an understanding to ensure a crime-free border; to build a border fence for security to effectively deal with the challenges of smuggling, movement of criminals, and trafficking, Indian High Commissioner Pranay Verma said after the meeting. Jahangir Alam Chowdhury said that Border Guard Bangladesh and the people have thwarted Indian efforts to erect barbedwire fences at five locations at the borders. India was looking to set up barbed-wire fences inside the 150-yard no man’s land at Lalmonirhat’s Tin Bigha Corridor, Naogaon’s Patnitala, and three other places, he said. “The BSF [Border Security Force] and the BGB held a discussion over it. India stopped work after the BGB took a firm stand,” he said. Tensions have risen on the India-Bangladesh border particularly in the Tin Bigha corridor, stemming from makeshift fencing erected by Indian villagers near the Zero Line, intended to protect standing crops from cattle and human intrusion from the Bangladesh side near the enclaves of Dahagram and Angarpota. A statement issued by the Bangladesh foreign office said the foreign secretary stressed during his meeting with Mr Verma “that such activities particularly the unauthorised attempt to construct barbed wire fencing and the related operational actions by BSF, have caused tensions Yuva Shakti will make India developed nation: PM STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE NEW DELHI, 12 JANUARY Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Sunday that the strength of “Yuva Shakti” will make India a developed nation. The Prime Minister was addressing the “Viksit Bharat Young Leaders Dialogue 2025” at Bharat Mandapam here on the occasion of National Youth Day, celebrated in commemoration of the birth anniversary of spiritual leader Swami Vivekananda. He said: “India is truly blessed to have such a 'Yuva Shakti'. I have faith that this 'Yuva Shakti' will make India a developed nation. People who calculate data may think it is impossible...I know it is a huge target but certainly not impossible.” Citing the immense faith Vivekananda had in the youth of the nation, Mr Modi said he believed that his disciples would come from the younger generation, who would solve every problem, like lions. He said since he had faith in Vivekananda and his beliefs, he trusted his vision for the youth. “If Swami Vivekananda were among us today, he would be filled with new confidence upon witnessing the awakened power and active efforts of the 21st-century youth,” he added. Recalling the G-20 Summit hosted at Bharat Mandapam in 2023, Mr Modi highlighted the significance of the venue stating that the world leaders were at the same venue to discuss the future of the world while today, the youth of India were charting the roadmap for the next 25 years for India. Recounting a conversation with young athletes at his residence, he said one of them referred to him as a friend. Emphasising his bond of friendship with the youth of the nation, Mr Modi stated that the strongest link in friendship is trust. He expressed his immense trust in the youth, which inspired the formation of MY Bharat and the foundation of the Viksit Bharat Young Leaders Dialogue. Stating that setting big goals and achieving them within a timeframe is not impossible, he said: “Without a clear goal, nothing can be achieved, and today's India is working with this mindset.” Highlighting several examples of achieving goals through determination over the past decade, Mr Modi said India resolved to become open defecation-free, and within 60 months, 60 crore citizens achieved this goal. Nearly every family in India now has access to banking services, and over 100 million gas connections have been provided to free women's kitchens from smoke. Noting that India is achieving its targets ahead of schedule in various sectors, the Prime Minister said during the Covid-19 pandemic, while the world struggled for vaccines, Indian scientists developed a vaccine ahead of time. He also highlighted India's commitment to green energy, noting that India was the first country to meet the Paris Agreement commitments, nine years ahead of schedule. and disturbances along the border.” "He emphasised that the construction of barbed wire fences without proper authorisation undermines the spirit of cooperation and friendly relations between the two neighbouring countries. He hoped that the upcoming BGB-BSF DG Level Talks would be able to discuss the matter at length," it added. Referring to the recent killing of a Bangladesh citizen at Sunamganj by BSF, the foreign secretary expressed deep concern and disappointment over such repetition of border killings, it said. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar will represent India at the inauguration of Mr Donald Trump as the President of the United States on 20 January. "On the invitation of the Trump-Vance Inaugural Committee, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar will represent the Government of India at the swearing-In ceremony of President-Elect Donald J Trump as the 47th President of the United States of America," the Ministry of External Affairs said on Sunday. It said Mr Jaishankar will also have meetings with representatives of the incoming Trump administration during the visit as also some other dignitaries visiting the US on that occasion. Mr Trump, who defeated Vice President Kamala Harris in the presidential election held in November, will be the 47th President of the USA. Mr J D Vance will be his Vice President. New Delhi is confident that the Indo-US relationship will grow from strength to strength under President Trump's leadership, given his equation with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Mr Jaishankar had visited the USA last month also and met key officials in the outgoing Joe Biden administration apart from holding talks with some key aides of Mr Trump. The Indian minister has already stated that Mr Trump has had a positive political view of India and the country is in a much more advantageous position than many other nations to build "deeper" relations with the incoming administration in Washington and take bilateral ties forward. NEW DELHI, 12 JANUARY The newly-elected President of Indonesia Prabowo Subianto is likely to be the Chief Guest for the 76th Republic Day celebrations of India, it is learnt. The visit by the Indonesian leader becomes significant as India and Indonesia are commemorating 75 years of diplomatic relations. There were reports in the Pakistani media that the Indonesian president proposed to visit Pakistan immediately after concluding his visit to India. However, New Delhi was not in favour of Mr Subianto clubbing his visit to India with Pakistan. Indonesia is believed to have taken into consideration New Delhi's view on the matter. It is learnt that the Indonesian leader will now not travel to Pakistan after his India visit. Devajit Saikia officially takes over as BCCI secy TRIDIB BAPARNASH Mr Saikia’s elevation as the secretary has also left the joint secretary’s post vacant, and thus the board will now have to fill the post within the next 45 days, according to the BCCI constitution. NEW DELHI, 12 JANUARY Former Assam Ranji player and the current Advocate General of the state, Devajit Lon Saikia, was on Sunday officially appointed the BCCI secretary, replacing Jay Shah, who took over as ICC chairman last month. Along with Mr Saikia, Prabhtej Singh Bhatia, who has earlier served as a councillor, took over as the new treasurer of the board. Mr Bhatia succeeds Ashish Shelar, who had to step down immediately after being sworn in as a minister in the Maharashtra cabinet last month. Both Mr Saikia and Mr Bhatia were the only candidates in their respective categories, and as such there was no need for a vote. Election officer A.K. Joti formally appointed the duo as office-bearers in the board’s Special General Meeting that lasted a mere 10 minutes on Sunday. Meanwhile, Mr Saikia’s elevation as the secretary has also left the joint secretary’s post vacant, and thus the board will now have to fill the post within the next 45 days, according to the BCCI constitution. Mr Saikia, the new BCCI secretary played in four Ranji Trophy matches for Assam in 1990-91. Ever since he stepped into cricket administration in 2016, he has played a pivotal role in uplifting the state of the sport in Assam. Under Mr Saikia’s tenure as the Assam Cricket Association secretary, he ensured completion of the Barsapara Cricket Stadium, besides completing the con- struction of the Amingaon Cricket Stadium in North Guwahati. Mr Saikia was also instrumental in bringing the Indian Premier League to the Northeast, and while the preparations started back in 2020-21, Guwahati finally witnessed live IPL action in 2023 when Rajasthan Royals announced the city as their second base. During his stint at ACA as general secretary, women’s cricket saw a structural change, resulting in two cricketers, Jintimoni Kalita and Uma Chettry, rising in the national scene. While all-rounder Jintimoni was roped in by the Mumbai Indians franchise for the inaugural Women’s Premier League, wicketkeeper Uma is now a regular in the Indian women’s team. “During my tenure with the ACA from 2019-2022, we had started an inter-district tournament with 18 districts and the Challengers Trophy among the top six teams in which we had a pool of around 90 girls. In fact, earlier there was no structure for women’s cricket. Earlier, the girls came and straightway played for the state, there was no way to access the player's strengths, so these tournaments have really helped the girls to perform and catch the attention of the selectors,” Mr Saikia had told The Statesman. Initiatives unveiled to promote Mahakumbh 2025 as global tourism hub ISRO SpaDeX docking mission: Spacecraft brought to within 3 metres in trial attempt STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE NEW DELHI, 12 JANUARY The Centre is set to make Mahakumbh 2025 a landmark event not only as a spiritual gathering but also for global tourism. To celebrate theoccasion, the Ministry of Tourism is rolling out several initiatives aimed at boosting both domestic and international tourism. The Mahakumbh is one of the largest and most significant religious congregations in the world, held every 12 years at one of four locations in India. The Mahakumbh2025, which is Poorna Kumbh, is taking place in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, from 13 January to 26 February. This event, expected to attract millions of devotees, tourists, and pilgrims from across the world offers a unique opportunity to showcase India's cultural, spiritual heritage and tourism potential. The Ministry of Tourism is setting up the Incredible India Pavilion, a sprawling 5,000 sq ft space at the Mahakumbh, which will facilitate foreign tourists, scholars, researchers, photographers, journalists, the expat community, and Indian diaspora etc. The pavilion will offer an immersive experience for visitors, showcasing India's rich cultural heritage and the significance of the Kumbh Mela. The pavilion will also feature the Dekho Apna Desh People's Choice Poll, allowing visitors to vote for their favourite tourism destinations in India. To meet the specific needs of foreign tourists, influencers, journalists, and photographers attending the Mahakumbh, the Ministry of Tourism has set up a dedicated toll-free Tourist Infoline (1800111363 or 1363). Besides English and Hindi the Toll Free Infoline is now operating in ten (10) International languages and also in Indian languages including Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Bengali, Assamese and Marathi. The service will provide assistance, information, and guidance to make the experience smoother and more enjoyable for international visitors. The ministry has launched a major social media campaign to generate buzz about the upcoming Mahakumbh. Special hashtags such as #Mahakumbh2025 and #SpiritualPrayagraj are being used to encourage people to share their experiences and moments from the event. Social media contests, collaborative posts with organizations like ITDC, UP Tourism, and other organizations, will amplify the visibility of the event and invite people to witness this spiritual extravaganza. The Ministry of Tourism has collaborated with key tourism stakeholders like the Uttar Pradesh State Tourism Development Corporation (UPSTDC), IRCTC, and ITDC to offer a range of curated tour packages and luxury accommodation options. ITDC has set up 80 luxury accommodation at Tent City, Prayagraj, while IRCTC is also providing luxury tents to accommodate the influx of pilgrims and tourists. These packages will be available in a digital brochure, which has been widely circulated to Indian missions and India Tourism offices for greater amplification To ensure seamless travel for tourists attending the Mahakumbh, the ministry has partnered with Alliance Air to enhance air connectivity to Prayagraj from multiple cities across India. This will facilitate easier access for domestic and international visitors, allowing them to reach the event with ease and convenience. AGENCIES NEW DELHI, 12 JANUARY Two ISRO satellites came as close as three metres in a trial attempt for space docking and are now moving back, the Indian space agency said on Sunday. Giving an update on the SpaDeX Docking Mission, ISRO posted on X: “A trial attempt to reach up to 15 m and further to 3 m is done. Moving back spacecrafts to safe distance. The docking process will be done after analysing data further." Earlier, the space agency said that the SpaDeX satellites were holding position at 15m and “capturing stunning photos and videos of each other!” The agency posted pictures taken at various distances by the satellites. This experiment comes ahead of the main docking experiment. In this trial "A trial attempt to reach up to 15 m and further to 3 m is done. Moving back spacecrafts to safe distance The docking process will be done after analysing data further," ISRO stated. attempt, both the SpaDeX satellites ~ SDX01 (Chaser) and SDX02 (Target) ~came as close as three metres to each other. However, the satellites were then moved apart to safer distances with ISRO saying that the docking process would only go ahead after analysis of the data. Docking is a very complex process with the satellites being moved back and forth to achieve what ISRO has described as an "exciting handshake" of the two satellites in space. India is using the indigenously developed Bhartiya Docking System to achieve this feat. The SpaDeX mission was launched on 30 December with the satellites, SDX01 (Chaser) and SDX02 (Target), being lifted onboard a PSLV C60 rocket and placed into a 475 km circular orbit. If the mission becomes successful, India will be the fourth nation in the world ~ after the USA, Russia and China ~ to master the complex technologies that are crucial for its future missions. The feat, if achieved, will help the country in its future space explorations such as the Bharatiya Antariksh Station and Chandrayaan 4. ISRO has postponed the historic docking of the two satellites' twice with its chief Dr S. Somnath saying that it was India's first attempt at docking and every first attempt has challenges.