MONDAY 30 DECEMBER 2024 www.thestatesman.com Pages 12 |` 5.00 |LC INDIA’S NATIONAL NEWSPAPER SINCE 1818 X.com/thestatesmanltd. Fb/thestatesman1875 KOLKATA | NEW DELHI | SILIGURI | BHUBANESWAR RAJNATH CALLS ON ARMED FORCES TO REMAIN ALERT TRUMP SIDES WITH MUSK IN DEBATE OVER H1-B VISAS P9 WEATHER SMOG/DENSE FOG IN MOST OF THE PLACES AND VERY DENSE FOG IN ISOLATED PLACES IS LIKELY IN THE MORNING. MAINLY CLEAR SKY. SMOG/SHALLOW FOG IS LIKELY IN THE EVENING/NIGHT. THE MAXIMUM AND MINIMUM TEMPERATURES WOULD BE AROUND 18 AND 09 DEGREES CELSIUS RESPECTIVELY. TEMPERATURE P4 Min: 13.0 °C (+6) SUN SETS 17:35 hrs MOON SETS 16:51 hrs THUMBNAILS A man carrying a child on his shoulder walks through a mustard flower field on the outskirts of Guwahati on Sunday. n ANI ABVP wins majority in DUSU Executive Council elections: Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) candidates won six out of the 11 seats in Delhi University Students Union (DUSU) Executive Council elections held on Sunday. A total of 103 out of 135 representatives who cast their votes in the EC polls picked ABVP-supported candidates as their first choice, a statement said. The Executive Councillors are elected by an Electoral College comprising the President and Central Councillors in DUSU and College Student Unions. (P3) BGT 2024-25: BUMRAH OVERTAKES KAPIL DEV P12 179 killed in plane crash India’s Koneru Humpy clinches second world rapid chess crown at South Korean airport AGENCIES NEW YORK, 29 DECEMBER The airliner burst into flames after it skidded off a runway and hit a wall SEOUL, 29 DECEMBER Min. 78 % Max: 18.0 °C (-2) SUN RISES 07:14 hrs MOON RISES 07:42 hrs P5 STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE RAINFALL: NIL RELATIVE HUMIDITY Max. 100 % ‘DR SINGH DESERVED MUCH BETTER IN BOTH LIFE AND DEATH’ A passenger plane skidded off a runway at a South Korean airport Sunday, slammed into a concrete fence and burst into flames after its front landing gear apparently failed to deploy. All but two of the 181 people on board died in one of the country’s worst aviation disasters. The Jeju Air plane crashed while landing in the town of Muan, about 290 kilometres south of Seoul. The Transport Ministry said the plane was a 15-year-old Boeing 737800 jet that had arrived from Bangkok and that the crash happened at 9:03 a.m. A total of 179 people ~ 85 women, 84 men and 10 others whose genders weren’t immediately identifiable ~ died in the fire, the South Korean fire agency said. Emergency workers pulled two people, both crew members, to safety. Health officials said they are conscious and not in life-threatening condition. Among the 177 bodies Firefighters and rescue team members work near the wreckage of a passenger plane at Muan International Airport in Muan, South Korea, on Sunday. n AP so far found, officials have so far identified 88 of them, the fire agency said. The passengers were predominantly South Korean, as well as two Thai nationals. Ju Woong, director of the Ewha Womans University Seoul Hospital, where one of the survivors was hospitalised, said the man was being treated in an intensive care unit for fractures to his ribs, shoulder blade and upper spine. Ju said the man, whose name wasn’t released, told doctors he “woke up to find (himself) rescued.” Footage of the crash aired by South Korean television channels showed the plane skidding across the airstrip at high speed, apparently with its landing gear still closed, overrunning the runway and colliding head-on with a concrete wall on the outskirts of the facility, triggering an explosion. Other local TV stations aired footage showing thick plumes of black smoke billowing from the plane, which was engulfed in flames. Lee Jeong-hyeon, chief of the Muan fire station, told a televised briefing that the plane was completely destroyed, with only the tail assembly remaining recognisable among the wreckage. Lee said that workers were looking into various possibilities about what caused the crash, including whether the aircraft was struck by birds, Lee said. Transport Ministry officials later said their early assessment of communication records show the airport control tower issued a bird strike warning to the plane shortly before it intended to land and gave its pilot permission to land in a different area. (See also Page 9) Koneru Humpy, India's toprated female chess player, secured her second World Rapid Championship title, finishing the tournament with 8.5/11 here on Sunday (IST). She won her first gold in the 2019 edition, in Moscow. In a seven-way tie at the top at the start of the final, 11th round, Koneru stood out as the only player to score a victory. Playing with the black pieces, she outmanoeuvred Indonesia’s International Master Irine Kharisma Sukandar in a challenging endgame, claiming the title in style. “It's not easy to become a world champion when you are 37. It's quite difficult when you get older to keep that motivation and stay sharp when required. I'm glad that I made it,” Kuneru said after the triumph, as quoted by FIDE. “I feel very happy for winning for the second time. In fact, I didn't expect it at all because I lost my first-round game, and I never imagined that I could finish the tournament as a world champion. This victory is very special. When I am on my lower side, I think this gave me the boost to fight and to again work on chess,” she added. Prime Minister Narendra Modi praised Koneru Humpy for her grit and brilliance after she secured the World Rapid Chess Championship title. “Congratulations to @humpy_koneru on winning the 2024 FIDE Women’s World Rapid Championship! Her grit and brilliance continues to inspire millions. This victory is even more historic because it is her second world rapid championship title, thereby making her the only Indian to achieve this incredible feat,” PM Modi wrote on X. Koneru’s victory adds another feather to the spectacular success of Indian chess in 2024, after the country won gold in the Chess Olympiad this summer in both the Open and the Women’s Competition, and Gukesh D won the title of World Champion in classical chess. “It's high time for India we have Gukesh as the World Champion and now I got the second world title in the Rapid event,” Kuneru said. Koneru’s path to the top began quietly, with just 2.5 points out of four on day one. By the conclusion of day two, however, she surged into shared first place alongside compatriot Harika Dronavalli and reigning Classical World Champion Ju Wenjun of China. Entering the last round, the leaderboard featured an unprecedented seven-way tie. Alongside Koneru - Ju Wenjun, Harika Dronavalli, Kateryna Lagno, Tan Zhongyi, Irine Kharisma Sukandar, and Uzbekistan’s Afruza Khamdamova all held a chance at the title, FIDE reports. Lagno, one of the pre-tournament favourites, had earlier dealt a critical blow to former World Champion Alexandra Kosteniuk in round nine, while Khamdamova stunned Grandmaster Elisabeth Paehtz to join the leaders. Manmohan Singh’s ashes immersed in the Yamuna Constitution guiding light for citizens: PM in Mann ki Baat STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE AGENCIES The Congress in a post on X wrote: „Today, the ashes of former Prime Minister of the country, Dr Manmohan Singh ji were immersed at the Yamuna Ghat near the Gurdwara at Majnu Ka Tila with full rituals.‰ NEW DELHI, 29 DECEMBER Former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s ashes were immersed in the Yamuna in the national capital on Sunday. The ashes of Singh, the key architect of India’s economic liberalisation, were immersed by his family members in accordance with Sikh rituals this morning at the Yamuna Ghat near the Gurdwara at Majnu Ka Tilla. Earlier, the ashes of the former Prime Minister were brought to the Gurdwara. Singh’s wife, Gursharan Kaura was also present. The Congress in a post on X wrote: “Today, the ashes of former Prime Minister of the country, Dr Manmohan Singh ji were immersed at the Yamuna Ghat near the Gurdwara at Majnu Ka Tila with full rituals.” Rituals for the 'Asthi Visarjan' of former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh being performed at Yamuna Ghat near Gurdwara Majnu Ka Tilla in New Delhi on Sunday. n ANI Recalling the contribution of Singh, who had served as Prime Minister from 2004 to 2014, the party said, “We will always remember Manmohan Singh ji’s service to the nation, his dedication and simplicity.” The former Prime Minister was cremated with full state honours at the Nigambodh Ghat here on Satur- day. Singh, already a renowned economist before he reluctantly joined politics, passed away at 9.51 p.m. at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in the national Capital on Thursday at the age of 92. As Finance Minister in the early 1990s, Singh was the architect of India's economic liberali- sation. He initiated a series of reforms that not only saved the nation from a balance-of-payments crisis but also opened the doors to global markets. Through his policies of deregulation, privatisation, and the encouragement of foreign investment, he laid the foundation for India’s rapid economic growth. Under his stewardship, India emerged as one of the world’s fastest-growing economies, a testament to his brilliance and vision. NEW DELHI, 29 DECEMBER Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday said that the Constitution of India has stood the test of time and has been a guiding light for the citizens. He addressed the year’s last and 117th episode of the monthly radio show Mann Ki Baat, saying: “On 26 January 2025, our Constitution will complete 75 years of its implementation. It is a matter of great pride for all of us. The Constitution handed over to us by our Constitution makers has stood the test of time. The Constitution is a guiding light for us, our guide," the Prime Minister said. He said that the government has also rolled out a special website to connect the citizens with the legacy of the Constitution. Honouring the milestone of India completing 75 years of Constitution next January, PM Modi announced that a nationwide campaign has been created, inviting citizens to read the Preamble and share their videos on the holy book. “In this, you can upload your video by reading the preamble of the constitution. You can read the Constitution in different languages and can also ask questions about the Constitution. I request the listeners of ‘Mann Ki Baat,’ school-going children, and college-going youth to definitely visit this website and become a part of it," he said. Speaking about the Mahakumbh event going to be held in Prayagraj from 13 January, PM Modi said an AI chatbot will be available for users to access information related to Kumbh, available in 11 Indian languages. Calling the 'Mahakumbh' as 'Mahakumbh' of unity, PM Modi appealed to the devout to return from it with resolve to remove hate and division from society. "Let us also make a resolve to annihilate the feeling of division and hatred in the society. If I have to say it in a few words, then I will say, Mahakumbh Ka Sandesh, Ek Ho Poora Desh..." The message of the Mahakumbh, Let the whole country be united," he added. Prime Minister Modi hailed India's soft power through films, saying that the WAVES summit to be organised in India next year is an important step in making 'India a hub of global content creation.' He further added this summit is an important step towards making India a hub of global content creation. “I feel proud informing you that the young creators of our country are also joining with full enthusiasm in the preparations for this summit. When we are moving towards a 5 trillion dollar economy, our creator economy is bringing in a new energy,” he said. After 21 day s on the run across 3 states, tigress Zeenat captured ISRO to launch its SpaDeX mission today KANCHAN SIDDIQUI AGENCIES RANIBANDH, 29 DECEMBER Fugitive tigress Zeenat was finally tranquilised and captured here today, 21 days after she escaped from the Similipal Tiger Reserve in Odisha. The captured tiger, secured in a specially designed cage, was dispatched to the Alipore Zoo in Kolkata within an hour. It will be kept under observation by veterinary experts for a couple of days before being returned to the Similipal Tiger Reserve, senior forest officials said. “The tigress was tranquilised with a single dart today at 3.56 p.m,” said S Kulandaivel, Chief Conservator of Forests (Central). “The tranquilisation by experts from the Sundarban Tiger Reserve, assisted by our own officials from both the Bankura and Purulia divisions, was a fantastic operation and a coordinated effort, along with experts from Odisha. It was a fantastic team effort," Yesterday at 2:26 p.m, for- est officials fired a tranquiliser dart aiming to sedate Zeenat, but missed the target. Drones had captured her thermal images in the Gosaindihi small jungle patch, and signals from the tigress's radio collar confirmed her location. As the first dart failed to penetrate, another dart was fired at 3:45 pm and then at 8:30 pm, both of which also missed the target. Early this morning, foresters held a brief meeting attended by police and civil administration officials. The radius of the nylon fencing was gradually reduced to confine the tigress and shorten the target zone. Live bait, made up of a pair of goats were placed closer. “However, Zeenat didn't show any interest in approaching them,” said a senior forest official, adding: "She appears to be in good health, although she seemed angry and agitated by the presence of so many people and machinery around her.” “After her transfer, she may be offered food tomorrow at the Alipore Zoo under the supervision and prescription of the veterinary experts," Mr Kulandaivel said. The three-year-old tigress continued to elude capture, and repeated tranquillisation attempts proved unsuccessful since yesterday afternoon after she was cornered by foresters at Gosaindihi, close to the Mukutmonipur tourism circuit surrounding the Kansavati reservoir here. The tigress had escaped from the Similipal Tiger Reserve in Odisha on the night of 8 December, and STR officials began tracking Zeenat after she was spotted in the Rajabasa jungle in Jharkhand on 10 December. Zeenat was relocated to Odisha from the TadobaAndhari Tiger Reserve in Maharashtra on 14 November to enhance the gene pool. Prior to that, Yamuna, another tigress, was airlifted to Odisha on 27 October. Yamuna also escaped from the STR and was tracked in Kuldiha forests in Balasore last week. Prakash Chand Gogineni, Field Director, STR, said: “We are also keeping track of her.” Zeenat entered Bengal by crossing the Subarnarekha river through the Chahala point of the Belpahari range in Jhargram district early on 20 December. The young feline traversed the dense forest corridor and was found in Raika hillock in Purulia's Bandwan on the morning of 22 December. On Friday night, she evaded a tranquillisation attempt and escaped the nylon fencing at Dangardihi point in Manbazar, crossed the Kumari river, walked along the Kansavati irrigation canal bank beside the Khoriduara and Basantapur villages, and her pugmarks were spotted at Gosaindihi yesterday morning, triggering panic among residents. The panicked residents of Gosaindihi and Gopalpur heard Zeenat growling repeatedly as the tigress became restless in the late evening. NEW DELHI, 29 DECEMBER The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is set to launch its year-end mission, "Space Docking Experiment" (SpaDeX), on Monday at 9:58 pm from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC) SHAR in Sriharikota. The mission will use the PSLV-C60 launcher. As per the ISRO, the primary objective of the SpaDeX mission is to develop and demonstrate the technology needed for rendezvous, docking, and undocking of two small spacecraft (SDX01, which is the Chaser, and SDX02, the Target, nominally) in a low-Earth circular orbit. “In addition, SpaDeX, because of its small size and mass, is even more challenging due to the finer precision required for the rendezvous and docking maneuvers compared to docking two large spacecraft. This mission will be a forerunner for autonomous docking needed for future lunar missions like Chandrayaan-4 without the support of GNSS from Earth," ISRO said in a statement. Like all ISRO satellites in low-Earth orbit, both the SpaDeX spacecraft carry a differential GNSS-based Satellite Positioning System (SPS), which provides PNT (Position, Navigation, and Timing) solutions for the satellites. “In SpaDeX, a novel RODP processor is included in the SPS receiver, which allows accurate determination of the relative position and velocity of the Chaser and the Target. By subtracting the carrier phase measurements from the same GNSS satellites in both Chaser and Target SPS receivers, highly accurate relative states of the two satellites are determined. The VHF/UHF transceivers in both satellites aid this process by transferring the GNSS satellite measurements from one satellite to the other. Hardware and software test beds, including closed-loop verifications, were carried out to characterise the RODP performance," the statement said. The SpaDeX spacecraft were designed and realized by the UR Rao Satellite Centre (URSC) with the support of other ISRO centres (VSSC, LPSC, SAC, IISU, and LEOS).