THURSDAY 02 JANUARY 2025 www.thestatesman.com Pages 12 |` 5.00|LC X.com/thestatesmanltd. Fb/thestatesman1875 SINCE 1818 KOLKATA | NEW DELHI | SILIGURI | BHUBANESWAR ASSAM CM RAISES ALARM OVER CHINA’S BRAHMAPUTRA DAM GOVT INITIATES PROCESS FOR DR SINGH'S MEMORIAL P5 SENSEX 78,507.41p368.40 WEATHER SMOG/SHALLOW FOG IS LIKELY IN THE EVENING/NIGHT. SURFACE WIND SPEED (1015 KMPH). THE MAXIMUM AND MINIMUM TEMPERATURES WOULD BE AROUND 17 AND 08 DEGREES CELSIUS RESPECTIVELY. RAINFALL: NIL RELATIVE HUMIDITY Max. 97 % TEMPERATURE 23,742.90p98.10 THUMBNAILS Army commemorates soldiers, especially those guarding the Line of Control, despite facing extreme weather conditions, on Wednesday. ANI 2024 warmest year on record since 1901: The year 2024 was the warmest on record in India since 1901, with the average minimum temperature settling 0.90 degrees Celsius above the long-period average, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD). The annual mean land surface air temperature across India in 2024 was 0.65 degrees Celsius above the long-term average (1991-2020 period), Mrutyunjay Mohapatra, director general of the IMD said at a virtual press briefing. ` vs $ 85.67 GOLD 78,970.00 P12 SILVER 98,000 BRENT CRUDE (IN $) 74.80p0.16 Pakistan asked to expedite At least ten killed after man rams vehicle into repatriation of prisoners crowd in New Orleans India made the request in the context of the annual exchange of lists of civilian prisoners and fishermen by both the countries A mid frosty ties, India and Pakistan on Wednesday exchanged the lists of nuclear installations and facilities and civilian prisoners and fishermen in each other’s custody. The lists were exchanged simultaneously in Delhi and Islamabad. The exchange of lists of nuclear installations and facilities is covered under the Agreement on the prohibition of Attack against Nuclear Installation and Facilities between India and Pakistan. The agreement, which was signed on 31 December 1988 and entered into force on 27 January 1991 provides, inter alia, that India and Pakistan inform each other of the nuclear installations and facilities to be covered under the Agreement on the first of January of every calendar year. This is the 34th consecutive exchange of such lists between the two countries, the first one having taken place on January 1, 1992. The lists of civilian prisoners and fishermen in each other’s custody are covered under the provisions of the bilateral Agreement on Consular Access 2008. Such lists are exchanged between the two nations every year on 1 January and on 1 July. India has shared names of 381 civilian prisoners and 81 fishermen in its custody, who are Pakistani or are believed-to-be-Pakistani. Similarly, Pakistan has shared names of 49 civilian prisoners and 217 fishermen in its custody, who are Indian or are believed-to-be-Indian. The Ministry of External Affairs said India has called for early release and repatriation of civilian prisoners, fishermen along with their boats, and missing Indian defence personnel from Pakistan's custody. Pakistan has been asked to expedite the release and repatriation of 183 Indian fishermen and civilian prisoners, who have completed their sentence. In addition, Islamabad has been asked to provide immediate consular access to the 18 civilian prisoners and fishermen in Pakistan's custody, who are believed-to-be-Indian and have not been provided consular access so far. Pakistan has been requested to ensure the safety, security and welfare of all Indian and believedto-be-Indian civilian prisoners and fishermen, pending their release and repatriation to India. ''India remains committed to addressing, on priority, all humanitarian matters, including those pertaining to prisoners and fishermen in each other's country. In this context, India has urged Pakistan to expedite the nationality verification process of 76 believedto-be-Pakistani civilian prisoners and fishermen in India’s custody, whose repatriation is pending for want of nationality confirmation from Pakistan,'' the MEA said. As a result of sustained efforts by the government, 2,639 Indian fishermen and 71 Indian civilian prisoners have been repatriated from Pakistan since 2014. This includes 478 Indian fishermen and 13 Indian civilian prisoners who have been repatriated from Pakistan since 2023 till date. BJP leaders distributing money to buy votes: CM Kejriwal to RSS chief STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE NEW DELHI, 1 JANUARY Former Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal on Wednesday wrote to RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat, accusing BJP leaders of distributing money to get votes and asked whether the RSS endorses such “unethical” practices. In his recent letter addressed to the RSS chief, Mr Kejriwal said: “There have been media reports suggesting that the RSS will campaign for votes for the BJP in the Delhi elections. Is this true? Before this, people wish to know whether the RSS endorses the recent wrongful actions taken by the BJP.” “BJP leaders are openly distributing money to buy votes,” he wrote, asking whether the RSS endorses such unethical practices. Cabinet approves continuation of Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE NEW DELHI, 1 JANUARY AGENCIES NEW ORLEANS, 1 JANUARY Ten people were killed and 30 were injured after a man rammed a vehicle at high speed into a crowd of New Year revellers in New Orleans’ bustling French Quarter district at 3:15 a.m. Wednesday along Bourbon Street in what authorities described as a terrorist attack. The suspect was later killed after a firefight with police, law enforcement officials said. The area is known worldwide as one of the largest destinations for New Year’s Eve parties. The FBI said in a statement that it was heading an investigation “with our partners to investigate this as an act of terrorism.” At a news conference, New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell described the killings as a “terrorist attack” and the city’s police chief said the act was clearly intentional. An FBI official said authorities were investigating the discovery of at least one suspected improvised explosive device at the scene. Police Commissioner Anne Kirkpatrick said the suspect was “hell-bent on creating the carnage and the damage that he did.” “It was very intentional behaviour. This man was trying to run over as many people as he could,” Kirkpatrick said. Two police officers who were shot after the driver emerged from the truck are in stable condition, she said. NOLA Ready, the city’s emergency preparedness department, said the injured had been taken to five local hospitals. The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on Wednesday approved continuation of the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana and Restructured Weather Based Crop Insurance Scheme till 2025-26 with an overall outlay of Rs.69,515.71 crore from 202122 to 2025-26. The decision will help in risk coverage of crops from non-preventable natural calamities for farmers across the country till 2025-26. In addition to the same, for large scale technology infusion in implementation of the scheme leading to increasing transparency and claim calculation and settlement, the Union Cabinet has also approved creation of Fund for Innovation and Technology (FIAT) with a corpus of Rs 824.77 crore. The fund will be utilised towards funding technological initiatives under the scheme namely, YES-TECH, WINDS, etc as well as Research and Development studies. Yield Estimation System using Technology (YES-TECH) uses Remote Sensing Technology for yield estimation with minimum 30 per cent weightage to Technology based yield estimates. (Details on Pg 4) UNDER A SNOW BLANKET Mr Kejriwal said: „There have been media reports suggesting that the RSS will campaign for votes for the BJP in the Delhi elections. Is this true? Before this, people wish to know whether the RSS endorses the recent wrongful actions taken by the BJP.‰ NEW DELHI, 1 JANUARY Tata group-owned Air India becomes the first airline to offer inflight Wi-Fi Internet connectivity services on domestic flights, according to the airline's press release on Wednesday. According to Air India, passengers can avail of WiFi Internet connectivity service on domestic routes in Airbus A350, Boeing 787-9 and select Airbus A321neo aircraft. "This makes Air India the first to offer in-flight Wi-Fi Internet connectivity on flights within India, enabling travellers – flying for leisure or business – to stay connected to the Internet during their flights, and to enjoy browsing, accessing social media, catching up on work, or texting friends and family," the airline said. AGENCIES P4 NEW DELHI, 1 JANUARY Min: .07.4 °C (+1) SUN SETS 17:37 hrs MOON SETS 20:03 hrs AI launches inflight Wi-Fi services on domestic routes P8 STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE Min. 70 % Max: 15.0 °C (-4) SUN RISES 07:15 hrs MOON RISES 09:55 hrs NIFTY BUMRAH SUSPASSES ASHWIN’S RECORD IN TEST RANKINGS ‘ALLEGATIONS POLITICALLY MOTIVATED’ The AAP convener also sought clarity on whether the RSS considers voter suppression justified in a democracy. “There is a large-scale effort to remove the names of poor, Dalit, Purvanchali, and slum dwellers from the voter list, even though these people have been residing here for many years. Does the RSS believe such actions are in the interest of Indian democracy?” Mr Kejriwal said. The former chief minister asserted these actions could severely weaken Indian democracy and urged Bhag- wat to reflect on whether the RSS should support such behaviour. “Don’t you think that the BJP is weakening Indian democracy with such behaviour?” Mr Kejriwal questioned. Elections to the 70 Assembly seats in Delhi are scheduled to be held early this year. An aerial view of Solang Valley covered in snow after the area received snowfallI in Manali on Wednesday. n ANI Indian Navy to commission three frontline fleet Ministry of Defence declares 2025 as the ‘Year of assets, Nilgiri, Surat and Vagsheer, on 15 January Reforms’ to boost Armed Forces’ modernisation STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE NEW DELHI, 1 JANUARY The Indian Navy is all set to create history by simultaneously commissioning three frontline combatants at Naval Dockyard, Mumbai on 15 January. The event will see the induction of Nilgiri, the lead ship of the Project 17A stealth frigate class, Surat, the fourth and final ship of the Project 15B stealth destroyer class; and Vagsheer, the sixth and final submarine of the Scorpene-class project. This historic occasion will not only enhance the Navy’s combat capabilities but also underscore India’s growing stature as a global leader in indigenous defense manufacturing. All three vessels have been designed and constructed entirely at Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL) in Mumbai, highlighting the country’s increas- ing self-reliance in the critical defense sector. The Nilgiri, as the lead ship of the Project 17A class, represents a significant leap in naval warfare technology. With advanced stealth features and a reduced radar signature, Nilgiri is an upgrade over the Shivalik-class frigates. Designed to handle a range of missions, including air defense, anti-submarine war- fare, and surface operations, Nilgiri boasts cutting-edge sensors and weaponry developed largely in India. The frigate is equipped with state-of-the-art aviation facilities and can operate helicopters like the Chetak, ALH, Sea King, and the newly inducted MH-60R. Its Rail-Less Helicopter Traversing System and Visual Aid and Landing System ensure seamless oper- ations in all conditions, a key asset in modern naval combat. The Surat, the fourth and final ship of the Project 15B destroyer class, is a culmination of the Project 15A (Kolkataclass) destroyers, with major enhancements in both design and capabilities. Surat comes with advanced weapon systems, sensors, and communications equipment that position it as one of the most formidable ships in the Indian Navy. Designed by the Indian Navy’s Warship Design Bureau, Surat integrates both indigenous and international technologies, bolstering India's defense capabilities and selfreliance in warship construction. The Vagsheer, the sixth and final submarine of the Scorpene-class (Project 75), is one of the most silent and versatile diesel-electric submarines globally. STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE NEW DELHI, 1 JANUARY The Ministry of Defence has announced the year 2025 as the “Year of Reforms” for the Indian Armed Forces during a meeting chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh. This initiative aims to transform the military into a technologically advanced, combatready force capable of executing multi-domain integrated operations. The meeting outlined several broad areas where focused interventions would take place throughout the year. A key focus will be on strengthening jointness and integration within the Armed Forces, particularly with the establishment of Integrated Theatre Commands. Emphasis will also be placed on emerging domains such as Cyber and Space, as well as next-generation technologies like Arti- ficial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Hypersonics, and Robotics. The need for associated tactics, techniques, and procedures to successfully engage in future warfare was also highlighted. Furthermore, the meeting underscored the importance of inter-service cooperation and training to build a shared understanding of operational requirements and joint operational capabilities. Simplifying and streamlining acquisition procedures to enable faster and more effective capability development was also identified as a priority. The reforms will also aim to facilitate technology transfer and foster collaboration between the defence sector and civil industries, promoting public-private partnerships to enhance the ease of doing business. Additionally, a collaborative approach across various stakeholders in the defence ecosystem will be encouraged, with a focus on breaking silos and optimising resources through effective civil-military coordination. Another significant aspect of the reforms will be to position India as a credible exporter of defence products and encourage R&D partnerships between Indian industries and foreign Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) to promote knowledge sharing and resource integration. Additionally, the welfare of veterans will be given greater focus, ensuring their expertise is leveraged and welfare measures are optimised for their well-being. The minister also emphasised the importance of instilling a sense of pride in Indian culture and ideas, reinforcing confidence in the nation’s indigenous capabilities while adopting best practices from modern militaries suited to India’s conditions.