TUESDAY 04 MARCH 2025 www.thestatesman.com X.com/thestatesmanltd. Fb/thestatesman1875 SINCE 1818 Pages 12 |` 5.00 KOLKATA | NEW DELHI | SILIGURI | BHUBANESWAR BIHAR BUDGET: NITISH GOVT LINES UP SOPS FOR WOMEN STALIN URGES TN PEOPLE TO HAVE MORE CHILDREN P4 SENSEX 73,085.94 q112.16 WEATHER Mainly clear sky. Maximum and Minimum Temperature most likely to be around 32˚C and 22˚C respectively. RAINFALL: 0.0 mm SUN RISES 05:56 hrs MOON RISES 08:02 hrs NIFTY 22,119.30 q5.40 ` vs $ 87.28 P9 P12 SILVER `97,000 GOLD `87,730 BRENT CRUDE (IN $) 73.20 Battle lines drawn: India set for stern Aussie test Min. 32% TEMPERATURE Max: 32.2˚C (-0.1) P5 AUSTRALIA NAME COOPER AS REPLACEMENT FOR MATTHEW India have so far enjoyed a near-perfect campaign in the tournament, registering convincing victories RELATIVE HUMIDITY Max. 89% ADRIEN BRODY WINS OSCAR FOR 'THE BRUTALIST' Min: 24.4˚C (+3.4) Champions Troph hy INDIA v AUSTR vs SUN SETS 17:41 hrs MOON SETS 21:15 hrs 1st Semi-Final Full Moon on 14 March Venue: Dubai Internatio onal Cricket Stadium, Dubai Time: 2:30 pm (IST) p ( ) THUMBNAILS Head to head In Champions Trophy 2 India Devotees dressed as Lord Hanuman take part in an annual religious procession organized by the Sri Hanuman Chalisa Parivar, in Amritsar on Monday. nANI 1 Aus stralia 4 Total matches No result TRIDIB BAPARNASH NEW DELHI, 3 MARCH Strip club Cinderella story ÂAnora' wins best picture at 97th Academy Awards: ‘Anora,' a strip club Cinderella story without the fairy tale ending, was crowned best picture at the 97th Academy Awards on Sunday, handing Sean Baker’s gritty, Brooklynset screwball farce Hollywood’s top prize. In a stubbornly fluctuating Oscar season, “Anora,” the Palme d’Or-winner at the Cannes Film Festival, emerged as the unlikely frontrunner. Baker’s tale of an erotic dancer who elopes with the son of a Russian oligarch — unusually explicit for a best-picture winner — was made for just $6 million but went home with five big awards, including four for its scrappy indie director.(PG9) 1 T he last time India faced Australia in an ICC knockout fixture was the ODI World Cup final at home in November 2023 in which the Kangaroos left Indian fans heartbroken after spoiling their unblemished run even as Pat Cummins kept his word of “silencing the crowd”. In 2024, India managed to return the favour in their final Super Eight stage clash against the Aussies with a 24-run win, to book their place in the semifinal of the T20 World Cup in the Caribbean. Cut to the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, the two teams are poised to face each other in another crucial knockout clash, with the winner getting a chance to make it to Sunday’s title clash against the winner between South Africa and New Zealand. In the past, India has faced Australia four times in the Champions Trophy, winning two games and losing one. One game between the sides ended in a no result. India have so far enjoyed a near-perfect campaign in the tournament, registering convincing victories against Bangladesh, Pakistan before beating the other semifinalists — New Zealand, to top the Group Stage table, and set their date against the Australians for Wednesday’s semifinal. On the other hand, a stunning win in the opener, followed by two rain-hit games, sealed Australia’s spot in the semi-finals. Australia's path to the semi-finals has been a case of resilience and subsequent favourable results. Despite losing five of their touted starting XI before the tournament even began, they have demonstrated admirable mental toughness in the face of adversity. With India operating as a well-oiled unit and more importantly, playing all their matches at the same venue in the Dubai International Cricket Stadium, they would be eager to continue the momentum in familiar conditions. The challenge is now very much on Australia, not only to execute in a knockout game but to get their tactics and plans in order. With less game time and multiple injury woes to deal with, the Kan- Govt determined to restore statehood of J-K: Lt Guv Sinha STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE JAMMU, 3 MARCH Jammu and Kashmir Lt Governor Manoj Sinha on Monday said the administration is determined to restore full statehood to the region and it will continue discussions with all stakeholders to make this happen. He was addressing the opening of the 40-days budget session of the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly that is being held after a gap of seven years. “One of the foremost aspirations of the people of Jammu and Kashmir is restoration of full statehood. My government remains steadfast in its commitment to addressing this legitimate desire of the citizens of Jammu and Kashmir”, he said. “My government recognises the emotional and political significance of the statehood for the people and is actively engaging with all stakeholders to facilitate this process in a manner that ensures peace, stability and progress”, the LG added. Referring to further political empowerment of the people, Sinha said the government was creating an enabling environment for employment, sustainable development, More women now seeking credit, monitoring their credit scores: NITI Aayog report STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE NEW DELHI, 3 MARCH NITI Aayog on Monday launched the report titled “From Borrowers to Builders: Women’s Role in India’s Financial Growth Story”. The report launched by CEO NITI Aayog B.V.R. Subrahmanyam reveals that more women in India are seeking credit and actively monitoring their credit scores. As of December 2024, 27 million women were monitoring their credit, marking a 42% increase from the previous year, signaling growing financial awareness. The report has been published by TransUnion CIBIL, Women Entrepreneurship Platform’s (WEP) of NITI Aayog and MicroSave Consulting (MSC). The report highlights that women’s share of the total self-monitoring base increased to 19.43% in December 2024, up from 17.89% in 2023. More women from non-metro regions are actively self-monitoring their credit compared to those in metro areas, with growth of 48% in non-metro regions and 30% in metro areas. In 2024, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Uttar Pradesh and Telangana accounted for 49% of all self-monitoring women, with the southern region leading at 10.2 million. Northern and central states, including Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, and Madhya Pradesh, saw the highest compounded annual growth rates (CAGR) in active women borrowers over the past five years. social inclusiveness and expansion of economy for enhancing the overall quality of life. Good governance remains the cornerstone of a prosperous and harmonious future for Jammu and Kashmir. The government will continue to work on various reforms to strengthen the fiscal position of J&K. He highlighted efforts to ensure the return of Kashmiri Pandits by providing a safe and supportive environment. The government is committed to the dignified rehabilitation of Kashmiri migrants back into the valley by ensuring a safe and secure environment. He said the local governance would be strengthened through timely Panchayat and Urban Local Body elec- tions. Sinha highlighted that this budget is the first in seven years to be presented by an elected government, symbolising the power of the people and the aspirations of their elected representatives. Sinha reiterated the government’s commitment to maintaining peace and prosperity in the region, emphasizing that the promises made to the people of Jammu and Kashmir are being fulfilled. Despite the challenges posed by the region’s unique geopolitical and socio-economic landscape, he noted that the economy has shown notable growth. “The government is working to make Jammu and Kashmir a progressive economy,” he said. garoos will have to battle those challenges. Ahead of the crucial encounter, young all-rounder Cooper Connolly has been added in place of the injured Matthew Short, who suffered an injury during the Afghanistan encounter. Connolly has thus far featured in six internationals for Australia, of which three have been ODIs. He's a left-handed batter who bowls left-arm spin as well. Despite the fact, India can’t afford any complacency against an Aussie side that specialises in stepping up in huge tournament games. “Australia, as we know, has a rich history (in) ICC tournaments … we do understand that,” India captain Rohit Sharma said. “It’s about us, what we want to do against (that) opposition and try and do that right. We’ll just have to be focused on what we need to do on that particular day. It’s going to be a great contest,” he added. ‘Will not tolerate delays in industrial projects’ STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE KOLKATA, 3 MARCH Chief minister Mamata Banerjee met with industry leaders on Monday and stressed on speedy implementation of various industrial projects, which are in pipeline in the state. The meeting was also attended by concerned departmental bureaucrats. This meeting with industrialists followed her Bengal Global Business Summit in February. Banerjee said, "Bengal is No. 1 in terms of skill availability SC allows Allahabadia to resume his show maintaining standards of morality & decency PARMOD KUMAR NEW DELHI, 3 MARCH The Supreme Court on Monday allowed YouTuber and Podcaster Ranveer Allahabadia to resume his podcast ‘The Ranveer Show’ maintaining the desired standards of decency and morality and emphasised the need for a mechanism to regulate vulgar content in programmes telecast on YouTube and other online social media platforms. A bench of Justice Surya Kant and Justice Nongmeikapam Kotiswar Singh permitted the resumption of ‘The Ranveer Show’, subject to furnishing of an undertaking that his podcast shows will maintain the desired standards of morality and decency. The bench said, “As of now, the petitioner was restrained from airing any shows. Subject to the petitioner furnishing an undertaking that his podcast shows will maintain the desired standards of morality and decency so that viewers of any age group can watch, the petitioner is permitted to resume ‘The Ranveer Show.’ The livelihood of around 280 employees that depend on the telecast of his show also weighed with the court in relaxing its earlier order. In the last hearing of the matter on February 18, the top court had directed Ranveer Allahabadia and his associates to be “off from show business for some time”. Taking note of the submission by the Attorney General R Venkatramani and the Solicitor General Tushar Mehta saying that to prevent telecast or airing of programmes which are not acceptable in terms of known moral standards of our society, some regulatory measures may be required, the bench asked the central government to propose measures to regulate contents of the programmes on the YouTube channels and social media platforms. Population of Asiatic lions in Gir rising steadily: PM STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE NEW DELHI, 3 MARCH Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday hailed the steady rise in population of Asiatic lions at Gujarat’s Gir wildlife sanctuary and also praised the role of tribal communities in the surrounding areas in preserving their natural habitat. Modi also said the population of tigers, leopards as well as rhinos have increased in the past ten years. In a post on X, the prime minister said, "In the last many years, collective efforts have ensured that the population of Asiatic Lions is rising steadily." The Prime Minister made these announcements after undertaking a lion safari at the Gir sanctuary in Junagadh district, on Monday morning, coinciding with the World Wildlife Day. PM Modi was seen donning a safari outfit and holding a camera to capture glimpses of Gir's Asiatic lions. Modi reiterated the commitment to protect and preserve the incredible biodiversity of our planet today on the occasion of World Wildlife Day. In a post on X, he said: “Today, on #WorldWildlifeDay, let’s reiterate our commitment to protect and preserve the incredible biodiversity of our planet. Every species plays a vital role— let’s safeguard their future for generations to come! We also take pride in India’s contributions towards preserving and protecting wildlife.” Modi further said, “In the last many years, collective efforts have ensured that the population of Asiatic Lions is rising steadily. Equally commendable is the role of tribal communities and women from surrounding areas in preserving the habitat of the Asiatic Lions.” The pictures shared from his social media handles showed PM Modi taking a closer view of the majestic Asiatic lions at the national park and also taking their snaps. The Prime Minister also took to X to share the enchanting pictures of lion and lioness that he clicked from his camera. “Lions and lionesses in Gir! Tried my hand at some photography this morning,” Modi said in a post on X. Further taking a trip down the memory lane, PM Modi also recalled the initiatives and collective endeavour that were taken during his tenure as Gujarat Chief Minister to promote the growth of big cats. “This morning, on #WorldWildlifeDay, I went on a Safari in Gir, which, as we all know, is home to the majestic Asiatic Lion. Coming to Gir also brings back many memories of the work we collectively did when I was serving as Gujarat CM,” the prime minister said in a post on X. Gujarat government, in 2007, when Narendra Modi was Chief Minister, established the Greater Gir Wildlife Protection Task Force to monitor wildlife crimes and strengthen conservation measures. The Greater Gir Conservation Model was introduced, expanding lion protection beyond Gir National Park to 30,000 sq. km, ensuring a safer habitat. His tenure also saw the historic recruitment of women beat guards, with 111 women currently working in the Gir region. The 'Khushbu Gujarat Ki' campaign, launched by the Gujarat Tourism Department, helped put Gir on the global tourism map, attracting over 33 lakh visitors in the past five years. and talent pool. We will not tolerate any laxity and delay in project execution in various sectors such as IT and small and medium industries. The small and medium enterprise sector has a very big potential for employment generation. Many government departments sit on project files. Senior officers should study the projects themselves and not leave it to lower-level officers," she said. Ms Banerjee also stressed on the need for quick solutions to problems which crop up on the way to implementation of projects. "Red-tape bureaucracy needs to change and employment has to be created. Speedy and time-bound solutions are the need of the hour. For this, departmental coordination is required. Sitting together will help in creating solutions," said CM. Jaishankar to leave for UK, Ireland on Tuesday STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE NEW DELHI, 3 MARCH External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar will leave here on Tuesday on an official visit to the United Kingdom & Ireland from 04 -09 March. India and the UK share a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, which has strengthened across diverse areas including Defence & Security, Trade & Economy, Health, Education, and people-to-people ties. During the visit, Mr Jaishankar will be holding discussions with his counterpart, Foreign Secretary David Lammy and meet several other dignitaries as well as Indian community members, the Ministry of External Affairs said today. India and Ireland share friendly bilateral relations based on shared democratic values, cultural ties and growing economic engagements. EAM will be meeting with his Irish counterpart, Simon Harris, other dignitaries and members of the Indian community, during his visit to Ireland on 06-07 March. Mr Jaishankar's visit will provide renewed impetus to India’s friendly ties with both the UK and Ireland, the MEA added.