SATURDAY 11 JANUARY 2025 www.thestatesman.com X.com/thestatesmanltd. Fb/thestatesman1875 SINCE 1818 Pages 12 |` 5.00 KOLKATA | NEW DELHI | SILIGURI | BHUBANESWAR ‘INDIAN DIASPORA IS INTEGRAL TO THE VISION OF DEVELOPED INDIA’ STRINGENT PUNISHMENT FOR OFFENCES AGAINST WOMEN: STALIN P5 P4 SENSEX 77,378.91q241.30 WEATHER Partly cloudy. Hazy in the evening. Maximum and minimum temperatures likely to be around 25°C and 13°C respectively. NIFTY 23,440.00q86.50 ` vs $ 85.96 Max. 76% Min. 59% NEW DELHI, 10 JANUARY Min: 13.3˚C SUN SETS 17:10 hrs MOON SETS 03:42 hrs P TEMPERATURE Full Moon on 14 January THUMBNAILS Virat Kohli and Anushka Sharma visited Premanand Maharaj Ji at Vrindavan with Akaay and Vamika. n INSTAGRAM Rahul Gandhi gets bail from Pune court in Savarkar defamation case: Lok Sabha's Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi was granted bail by a special MP MLA court in Pune on Friday in the Savarkar defamation case after Mr Gandhi appeared before the court through video conferencing. Mr Gandhi was granted bail by the court on a surety bond of Rs 25,000, while senior Congress leader Mohan Joshi stood as surety before the court. (Pg 5) GOLD 80,370.00 PM, in first podcast, said he would never do anything with ill intention NIKHIL VYAS Max: 25.2˚C SUN RISES 06:18 hrs MOON RISES 14:31 hrs P7 ‘I do make mistakes, I am also human and not God’ RAINFALL: NIL RELATIVE HUMIDITY rime Minister Narendra Modi has said he does make mistakes like everyone else as he is also a human being and not God, but asserted that he would never do anything with ill intention. He also stressed that good people should come into politics with a mission. Making his podcast debut, the Prime Minister said: "When I became the Chief Minister (Gujarat Chief Minister), I gave a speech in which I said, 'I will not shy away from hard work' and 'I will not do anything for myself' and 'I am human who can make mistakes, but I will never do anything wrong with bad intentions.' This is my life's Mantra. Everyone makes mistakes, including me. After all, I am a human being, not some God." In a nearly two-hour podcast which was hosted by entrepreneur Nikhil Kamath, Mr Modi shared insights about his political journey and personal per- spectives. In the podcast titled, 'People By WTF,' hosted by the Zerodha cofounder, Mr Modi emphasised that winning the hearts of the people is the most important task of a politician. "Good people should come into politics. They should come with a mission not with ambition. Mission should be above ambition," the Prime Minister said in the podcast which was released on Friday. He said people participated in India's freedom movement out of their love for their nation. Mr Modi further said there were many tall leaders in the post-independence period whose commitment to society was unparalleled. Talking about the difference between being an entrepreneur and a politician, he said while the former wants to grow himself and his company, the latter should have the ability to sacrifice himself for society. "Entrepreneur's training is how to grow, in politics it should be how to sacrifice. There (in entrepreneurship) it is how to make your company number one. In politics it should be nation first. This is the difference," he said. VARUN AARON ANNOUNCES RETIREMENT ‘IT IS CONGRESS VS AAP’ Talking about "minimum government, maximum governance", Mr Modi said: "We often misunderstand the concept of minimum government, maximum governance. Some believe that minimum government means fewer ministers and fewer employees. However, this is not my understanding. I made different ministries for skill, cooperatives, and fisheries. When I say minimum government... my point is that we took away 40,000 compliances to increase the speed of work. Otherwise, the different departments will demand the same things. If one department has it, use it for all." "I have abolished 1,500 old laws. I have changed laws that criminalised certain things. This is my vision of minimum government and maximum governance. I am witnessing it all happen," the Prime Minister further said. PM Modi underlined his vision for the future, saying that he envisages a solution for all problems by 2047 for Viksit Bharat. P12 SILVER 1,01,000 BRENT CRUDE (IN $) 79.59p2.67 Prime Minister’s PR dominating over vision of progress: Priyanka Vadra STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE NEW DELHI, 10 JANUARY Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra accused the Central government of focusing on Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 'personal publicity,' and claimed that "substantial funds" have been spent on the Prime Minister's public relations while the government failed to provide scholarships that could have transformed the lives of many youths. She raised concerns over the suspension of the 'National Talent Search Examination' (NTSE) scholarship, which traditionally helped bright students pursue higher education and contribute to the nation's growth. Citing a news report, she stated that the scholarship programme launched in 1963 provided opportunities for numerous children across the country, but has been halted for the past three years, leading to the loss of opportunities for aspiring students. Ms Vadra accused the government of prioritising the Prime Minister's personal publicity over the welfare of young students and pointed out that while 62 crores were spent on public relations for the Prime Minister during this period, a mere 40 crores could have funded the scholarships for the same duration. “The Prime Minister's PR dominates the vision of progress. The 'National Talent Search Examination Scholarship, started in 1963, paved the way for the future of many children, they became partners in the country's progress, and the doors of good education opened for them," Ms Vadra stated in a post on social media. “In three years, 40 crores would have been spent on scholarship, while 62 crores were spent on publicity," she added. "With the closure of scholarships, the road to a bright future for lakhs of youth was closed, but the Prime Minister's PR did not stop." Earlier on Thursday, the Congress leader expressed concern over the deteriorating health of farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal, who has been on an indefinite hunger strike and urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to hold talks with the farmers. Accusing the Bharatiya Janata Party-led Central government of 'cruelty' towards farmers, the Lok Sabha MP appealed to Prime Minister Modi to put aside his "ego" and initiate talks with the farmers. The Congress leader called for an urgent dialogue between the government and the farmers to resolve the ongoing issue and end the hunger strike. Mr Dallewal, a key figure in the farmers' movement, had begun his hunger strike as part of a protest against the "non-fulfilment of promises" made by the Central Government to the farmers during the 2021 agitation. Mr Dallewal, the convener of the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (Non-Political), has been on a fast-unto-death at the Khanouri border to press the Centre to accept the farmers' demands, including a legal guarantee of minimum support price (MSP) for crops. ECI issues India’s IIP reaches 6-month high of 5.2 per ‘Indian economy to grow by 6.6 pc in cent in November driven by manufacturing 2025, global growth to remain subdued’ notification for Delhi Assembly STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE NEW DELHI, 10 JANUARY NEW DELHI, 10 JANUARY India's industrial output, which is measured by the Index of Industrial Production (IIP), reached a six-month high of 5.2 per cent in November 2024, data released by the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) on Friday. The factory output during the same month in 2023 saw a growth of 2.5 per cent. The growth rates of the three sectors, Mining, Manufacturing and Electricity for the month of November 2024 are 1.9 per cent, 5.8 per cent and 4.4 per cent respectively. The Quick Estimates of IIP stands at 148.4 against 141.1 in November 2023. The Indices of Industrial Production for the Mining, Manufacturing and Electricity sectors for the month of November 2024 stand at 133.8, 147.4 and 184.1 respectively, the data released by the MoSPI said. In the April-November period, the IIP registered a growth of 4.1 per cent, a decline from 6.5 per cent in the same period last year. In May 2024, IIP growth rose to 5.9 per cent, before dropping to 4.2 per cent in June. The government data suggested that the growth was driven by a strong performance in the manufacturing sector which saw a notable increase of 5.8 per cent, up from 4.1 per cent in October. Within the sector, 18 out of 23 industry groups in the National Industrial Classification, recorded a positive growth in November 2024 compared to November 2023. Top three contributors included basic metals, electrical equipment, and non-metallic mineral products, respectively. The corresponding growth rates of IIP in November 2024 over November 2023 are 2.7 per cent in Primary goods, 9 per cent in Capital goods, 5 per cent in Intermediate goods, 10 per cent in Infrastructure/ Construction Goods, 13.1 per cent in Consumer durables and 0.6 per cent in Consumer non-durables. India's economy is projected to grow by 6.6 per cent in 2025, following an estimated expansion of 6.9 per cent in 2024, UN World Economic Situation and Prospects (WESP) 2025 report said. The growth will be largely driven by private consumption and investment, the report said. India's strong export growth in services and certain manufactured goods will bolster economic activity, it added. Further, on China, the report said the Chinese economy is expected to continue the trend of a gradual moderation amid tepid household consumption, lingering property sector weakness and rising trade tensions. Growth is projected to be at 4.8 per cent in 2025, compared to an estimated 4.9 per cent in 2024. Growth in the United States is projected to moderate from 2.8 per cent in 2024 to 1.9 per cent in 2025, as the labour SIT unravels conspiracy in Chh’garh’s scribe murder STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE RAIPUR, 10 JANUARY The Special Investigation Team (SIT) formed by the Chhattisgarh government to investigate the murder of journalist Mukesh Chandrakar has uncovered a chilling conspiracy, marked by brutality and a deliberate cover-up. The SIT’s report details how Chandrakar, a reporter for a national news channel, was brutally murdered by contractor Suresh Chandrakar’s brother, Ritesh Chandrakar, and worker Mahendra Ramteke. The murder was driven by rage over Mukesh Chandrakar’s investigative reporting on questionable construction contracts linked to the accused. The SIT’s comprehensive findings reveal a premeditated crime, executed with extreme violence. According to the report, contractor Suresh Chandrakar's brother Ritesh, along with his associates, brutally murdered journalist on 1 January. Mukesh Chandrakar’s investigative reports, which exposed irregularities in their road construction projects, had led to an official inquiry, enraging the accused. The SIT investigation uncovered that Ritesh Chandrakar and Mahendra Ramteke lured Mukesh to a warehouse, where he was savagely attacked and killed. To mislead authorities, the perpetrators discarded Mukesh’s mobile phone 50 kilometres away in the Tumnaar River in Bijapur district, and concealed his body in a septic tank at the crime scene. Dinesh Chandrakar, another key accused, played a significant role in destroying evidence and aiding the perpetrators in escaping. The SIT’s exhaustive probe involved analysing over 100 Call Detail Records (CDRs), extensive CCTV footage, and the use of AI-assisted tools. Mukesh’s body was recovered on 3 January, following information extracted from Dinesh’s interrogation. Ritesh was arrested at a Bijapur hospital, while Mahendra Ramteke was apprehended at the Bijapur bus stand. Their arrests led to crucial details about the location of Mukesh’s remains, which were found in the septic tank. Suresh, meanwhile, was apprehended in Hyderabad after an intense 48-hour manhunt. Authorities have seized four vehicles, a concrete mixer machine, and other significant pieces of evidence from Suresh Chandrakar. The murder weapon and other incriminating materials were also recovered. Efforts are currently underway to retrieve deleted data from the accused’s phones, which could further strengthen the case. market softens, and consumer spending slows. Europe is expected to recover modestly, with GDP growth increasing from 0.9 per cent in 2024 to 1.3 per cent in 2025, supported by easing inflation and resilient labour markets, though fiscal tightening and long-term challenges such as weak productivity growth and an ageing population, continue to weigh on the economic outlook. The report warned that the global growth is expected to remain subdued in 2025 due to ongoing uncertainty. While the global economy has demonstrated resilience, withstanding a series of mutually reinforcing shocks, growth remains below the pre-pandemic average of 3.2 per cent, constrained by weak investment, sluggish productivity growth, and high debt levels, the UN report said. Global economic growth is projected to remain at 2.8 per cent in 2025, unchanged from 2024, it said. It said that the lower inflation and ongoing monetary easing in many economies could provide a modest boost to global economic activity in 2025. Uncertainty still looms large, with risks stemming from geopolitical conflicts, rising trade tensions and elevated borrowing costs in many parts of the world. Further, giving the regional growth projections, the UN Report said East Asia is forecast to grow by 4.7 per cent in 2025, driven by China's projected stable growth of 4.8 per cent. South Asia is expected to remain the fastest-growing region, with GDP growth projected at 5.7 per cent in 2025, led by India's robust 6.6 per cent expansion. It further said economic growth in Africa is forecast to rise modestly from 3.4 per cent in 2024 to 3.7 per cent in 2025, thanks to recoveries in major economies including Egypt, Nigeria, and South Africa. However, conflicts, rising debt-servicing costs, lack of employment opportunities and increasing severity of climate-change impacts weigh on Africa's outlook. SC stays execution of Sambhal civic body's notice on well near mosque’s entrance PARMOD KUMAR NEW DELHI, 10 JANUARY The Supreme Court on Friday directed that the notice issued by the Sambhal Nagar Palika in respect of the well located near the stairs/ entrance of the Shahi mosque should not be executed. Issuing notice to the Uttar Pradesh government on an application by the Committee of Management, Shahi Jama Masjid, which has sought direction to the Sambhal District Magistrate (DM) to ensure that status quo is maintained in respect to a well situated near the stairs/entrance of the mosque, a bench of Chief Justice Sanjiv Khanna and Justice Sanjay Kumar sought status report from the state government within two weeks. However, Chief Justice Khanna observed that there is no harm if someone else uses the well from outside the mosque. “There is no harm if someone uses the well from outside, you have covered the well let them use, what is the harm?” he said. The observation from the bench came after senior advocate Huzefa Ahmadi, representing the Shahi Masjid Management Committee, drew the attention of the court to the notice issued by Sambhal Nagar Palika. “Now what they say, in the notice, it is called 'Hari Mandir', now they will start using it for puja, bathing etc,” Mr Ahmadi said, adding that the well was being used for the purposes of the mosque. The state government told the court that the situation was “very peaceful” and that “they (the mosque committee) want to create an issue”. The mosque committee has approached the apex court seeking direction to the district magistrate to ensure that the status quo is maintained with respect to a well situated near the stairs/ entrance of the mosque. It has also sought direction to the DM not to take any steps/actions with regard to the investigation of the well, and not to open the welllocated at the entrance of the mosque stairs without due permission from the top court. elections STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE NEW DELHI, 10 JANUARY The Election Commission of India (ECI) on Friday issued notification for the single phase Delhi Assembly polls , scheduled to be held on 5 February. With the issuing of the notification by the poll panel, the filing of nomination has started. “The Lieutenant Governor of the National Capital Territory of Delhi has, by notification issued under subsection (2) of Section 15 of the Representation of the People Act, 1951 (43 of 1951), published in the official Gazette of the National Capital Territory of Delhi on the 10th January, been pleased to call upon all Assembly constituencies in the National Capital Territory of Delhi, to elect members to the Legislative Assembly of the National Capital Territory of Delhi, in accordance with the provisions of the said Act ,” read the notification issued by the ECI. According to the notification, the last date for filing nomination is 17 January and the scrutiny of nomination will take place the next day.The last date for withdrawal of nomination is 20 January. The polling will be held on 5 February p. The voting will begin at 7 a.m. and conclude at 6 p.m. The date before which the election shall be completed is 10 February, as per the notification.The counting of votes will take place on 8 February. The upcoming Delhi assembly elections would see a triangular contest among the three major parties-AAP, BJP and Congress.