FRIDAY 07 FEBRUARY 2025 www.thestatesman.com Pages 12 |` 5.00|LC X.com/thestatesmanltd. Fb/thestatesman1875 INDIA’S NATIONAL NEWSPAPER SINCE 1818 KOLKATA | NEW DELHI | SILIGURI | BHUBANESWAR PRINCE RAHIM AGA KHAN V NAMED HEREDITARY IMAM OF SHIA ISMAILIS ‘ENTREPRENEURS MUST TAKE CALCULATED RISKS TO BUILD INSTITUTIONS’ P9 P10 SENSEX 78,058.16q213.12 WEATHER SHALLOW FOG/MIST LIKELY IN THE MORNING.MAINLY CLEAR SKY. STRONG SURFACE WINDS (SPEED 20-30 KMPH) LIKELY DURING THE DAY. THE MAXIMUM AND MINIMUM TEMPERATURES WOULD BE AROUND 24 AND 08 DEGREES CELSIUS RESPECTIVELY. 23,603.35q92.95 ` vs $ 87.57 GOLD 87,075.00 ‘Family first’ is Congress model of politics: Modi A mixture of lies, deception, corruption, nepotism & appeasement: PM NEW DELHI, 6 FEBRUARY Max. 95% Min. 23% Max: 23.6˚C (+0.3) SUN RISES 7:05 hrs MOON RISES 12:54 hrs Min: 08.3˚C (-1.2) SUN SETS 18:05 hrs MOON SETS 03:43 hrs THUMBNAILS A bale of turtles seen near Jorpukhuri pond in Guwahati on Thursday. n ANI IAF aircraft crashes in Shivpuri, trainee pilots safe: A twin-seater Indian Air Force (IAF) Mirage 2000 aircraft crashed in Madhya Pradesh's Shivpuri while it was on a routine training sortie on Thursday. Fortunately, the two pilots of the Mirage 2000 fighter plane were safe, and they were rushed to a nearby hospital for a medical checkup. An inquiry has been ordered by the IAF, to ascertain the cause of the accident. P rime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday came down heavily on the Congress, alleging that it had prepared a model of politics which was a mixture of lies, deception, corruption, nepotism and appeasement. “Family First is paramount in the Congress model. Therefore, their policies, customs, speech and behaviour have been devoted to managing that one thing only,” Mr Modi said during his reply to the Motion of Thanks on the President’s address in the Rajya Sabha. The Prime Minister said he was grateful to the nation for choosing the BJP-led NDA government to serve for the third time. “The people of India have tested our policy of progress and have seen us deliver on the promises. We have constantly worked with the ideal of 'Nation First',” Mr Modi asserted. In a sharp attack at the Congress, the Prime Minister said expecting 'Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas' from the party will be a huge mistake. "A lot has been said about 'Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas' here. I don't understand why people are fretting over this. It is a shared responsibility of everyone and the people of India have chosen us for exactly this. However, to expect the Congress to understand this slogan and how it works would be a major mistake. The entire party is dedicated to just one family and thus, for it to work with the motto of 'Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas' is impossible," Mr Modi said. “‘Sabka Saath-Sabka Vikas’ is the responsibility of all of us. That's why the country has given all of us an opportunity to sit here," the Prime Minister said. Hitting out at the past Congress governments, the Prime Minister said for five-six decades, there was no alternate model for the nation. “Post 2014, the nation has got an alternate model of governance. This new model isn't focused on appeasement, but on satisfaction,” Mr Modi said. The Prime Minister also accused Congress of "hatred and anger" towards BR Ambedkar and said they were raising the slogan of 'Jai Bhim' due to com- ‘Didi’s Bengal’ receives investment proposals worth `4.40 lakh crore across various sectors STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE NEW DELHI, 6 FEBRUARY West Bengal, which is often perceived to be cash-starved, has received investment proposals worth over Rs 4.40 lakh crore during the two-day business conclave this year, said a beaming Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Thursday. There is no doubt whatsoever that the state remains a prime destination for the investors, she added. The Bengal Global Business Summit (BGBS) 2025, which had started on a spirited note on Wednesday with corporate bigwigs like Reliance boss Mukesh Ambani, JSW’s Sajjan Jindal, ITC Chairman Sanjeev Puri, RPSG Chairman Sanjiv Goenka and Ambuja Neotia Chairman Harshavardhan Neotia making large investment pledges, had more cause for cheer for the Bengal government and its chief minister Mamata Banerjee on Thursday. Altogether .as many as 212 memoranda of understanding P6 NIKHIL VYAS RAINFALL: NIL RELATIVE HUMIDITY TEMPERATURE NIFTY and letters of intent were signed across various sectors, underlining the state’s potential as an investment destination, said the Chief Minister, while addressing the concluding session of the Bengal Global Business Summit (BGBS). “We have received investment proposals amounting to Rs 4, 40,595 lakh crore during the two-day event. This will create thousands of job opportunities in West Bengal,” she said. The "overwhelming response" to BGBS 2025 is a testament to Bengal’s "growing economic potential", Miss Banerjee said. The chief minister took the opportunity to highlight her government's development efforts since 2011, stating that these initiatives have helped 1.72 crore people rise above the poverty line in the state. She said: "Our continued focus on infrastructure, industry, and social welfare has yielded results”. This year’s figure was much higher than the figure of the BGBS edition in 2023. In 2023, West Bengal had received investment proposals worth over Rs 3.76 lakh crore. A key highlight of this year’s summit was the investment commitment from Reliance Industries, with its Chairman Mukesh Ambani pledging to invest Rs 50,000 crore in the state by the end of the decade. The summit witnessed other significant announcements, including the unveiling of a global centre of excellence for artificial intelligence by ITC in the New Town area of Kolkata. The summit also saw participation of leading industrialists, policymakers, and international delegates, reinforcing Bengal’s position as a key investment hub in eastern India. Meanwhile, breaking down his group’s investment plans in the state, Ambuja Neotia group Chairman Harsh Neotia said that in the healthcare sector, the group would pump in Rs 1,500 crore to set up five new hospitals across West Bengal ~ three in Kolkata, one in Durgapur, and one in Siliguri. INDIA BEAT ENGLAND BY FOUR WICKETS IN OPENING ODI WESTERN THREATS pulsion. He alleged that Congress did everything it could to defeat Ambedkar in elections due to its "hatred". Congress did not confer Bharat Ratna on Babasaheb Ambedkar, he added. “It is well documented how much anger and hatred Congress had towards Dr Baba Saheb Ambedkar. They felt irritated with his words. Due to this anger, they did everything to defeat Babasaheb in the two elections (1952, 1954) . They did not consider Babasaheb worthy of the Bharat Ratna. Today due to compulsions they are raising the slogan of 'Jai Bhim'. Congress is expert in changing colours. This can be clearly seen," PM Modi said. The Prime Minister also accused the Congress of destabalising elected governments when it was in power at the Centre. He alleged that a reason for the "present condition" of the Congress is that rather than trying to improve its own position, it is busy impeding progress of others. P12 SILVER 1,07,000 BRENT CRUDE (IN $) 74.87p0.26 India engaging with US to ensure deportees are not mistreated: EAM STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE NEW DELHI, 6 FEBRUARY India is engaging with the United States to ensure that illegal Indian immigrants being deported from America are not mistreated in any manner during the flight, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar told the Rajya Sabha on Thursday. His statement came after the Opposition created a ruckus in both Houses over the “inhuman treatment” meted out to 104 Indian illegal immigrants who returned in an American military aircraft to Amritsar yesterday. Mr Jaishankar explained that deportations by the USA are organised and executed by the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) authorities. The standard operating procedure for deportation by an aircraft used by ICE that is effective from 2012 provides for the use of restraints, he said. “However, we have been informed by ICE that women and children are not restrained. Further, the needs of deportees, including during transit, related to food and other necessities, including possible medical emergencies are attended to. During toilet breaks, deportees are temporarily unrestrained, if needed, in that regard,” the minister said. This, he said, is applicable to chartered civilian aircraft as well as military aircraft. “There has been no change, I repeat, no change from past procedures for the flight undertaken by the US on 5 February,” he added. Responding to questions raised by some members, the minister said the authorities have been instructed to sit with each one of the returnees and find out how they went to America, who was the agent, and what precautions can be taken to stop illegal migration. Mr Jaishankar said it is the obligation of all countries to take back their nationals if they are found to be living illegally abroad. This is naturally subject to an unambiguous verification of their nationality. This is not a policy applicable to any specific country nor indeed one only practiced by India, he added. It is a general accepted principle in international relations. He told the House that the process of deportation is not a new one and has been going on for several years. He then went on to give the number of deportations from the US since 2009. Mr Jaishankar said the government is of the view that it is in everyone's collective interest to encourage legal mobility and discourage illegal movement. In fact, illegal mobility and migration has many other associated activities also of an illegal nature. ''Moreover, those of our citizens who have been inveigled into illegal movement themselves become prey to other crimes,'' he added. AAP & Congress reject exit polls' prediction of clean sweep for BJP STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE NEW DELHI, 6 FEBRUARY The AAP, Congress and other Opposition parties on Thursday rejected the exit poll prediction of a clean sweep for the saffron party in the Delhi Assembly elections. With most exit polls forecasting a debacle for the Congress and a comfortable victory for the BJP, leaders from both the Congress and Shiv Sena (UBT) dismissed these predictions. “The people of Delhi will make a thoughtful decision. The Congress has seen a rise in support and we are determined to build on that momentum. From having no presence last time to securing more votes and seats now, the Congress will surge ahead, not just in Delhi, but across the country,” Congress leader Ajai Rai (photo, left) told a news agency. Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Priyanka Chaturvedi was equally dismissive of the exit polls, recalling the shocking results of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. “Exit polls have failed repeatedly. During the last national elections, some predicted over 400 seats for certain parties, only for them to be proven wrong. People are waiting for the actual results to be announced. It is clear that the people of Delhi have voted for those who are truly working for them. Despite the misuse of central agencies against those striving for schools and hospitals in Delhi, the voters will stand with those who are fighting for their rights,” she noted. P-Marq exit poll has predicted a majority for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). The agency has given 39-49 seats to BJP, 21-31 seats to AAP and 0-1 seats to the Congress. Several other pollsters ~ Peoples Pulse, JVC Poll, People's insight and Chanakya Strategies ~- predicted a comfortable win for the BJP in Delhi. Meanwhile, Matrize predicted a hung assembly in Delhi. Only two exit polls predicted landslide victory for Arvind Kejriwal's Aam Aadmi Party (AAP). They were Mind Blink and Wee Preside. Rajya Sabha MP Swati Maliwal stated that people should wait for results as exit polls are premature and it can be right or wrong. She affirmed her hope that people of Delhi have “wisely” voted for those who actually work for the national capital, adding that Delhi has become a "dustbin" and the city is in its "worst state" as of now. AAP's Sanjay Singh (photo) said: "If companies that give massages and run spas, conduct exit polls, then you know what will be the condition of exit polls. I would only request everyone to wait till February 8." PM Modi kicks off Pariksha Pe Charcha 2025 with star-studded line-up Asaram docu: SC orders protection STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE NEW DELHI, 6 FEBRUARY Prime Minister Narendra Modi has announced the return of the highly anticipated Pariksha Pe Charcha series, offering a fresh format with eight new episodes aimed at guiding students, parents, and teachers through the challenges of exam preparation, stress management, and personal growth. The series, which is set to air on 10 February at 11 a.m. on multiple platforms, including Doordarshan, features a line of guests including MC Mary Kom, Deepika Padukone, Sadhguru, and Vikrant Massey. In a tweet shared on the microblogging platform X, Mr Modi wrote: “Pariksha Pe Charcha is back and that too in a fresh and livelier format! Urging all #ExamWarriors, their parents and teachers to watch #PPC2025, consisting of 8 very interesting episodes covering different aspects of stressfree exams!” This year’s edition will include a variety of influential personalities and experts who will address essential topics related to emotional well-being, nutrition, technology, and creativity. The guests lined up for the 2025 edition include some of the country’s inspiring figures. In the segment on sports and discipline, Olympic champion MC Mary Kom, along with Avani Lekhara and Suhas Yathiraj, will discuss goal setting, resilience, and stress management through discipline. Deepika Padukone will explore mental health, focus- ing on emotional well-being and self-expression. Nutrition experts Shonali Sabherwal and Rujuta Diwekar, along with Revant Himatsingka (Food Farmer), will highlight the importance of healthy eating and quality sleep in achieving academic success. Technology and financial literacy will be covered by Gaurav Chaudhary (Technical Guruji) and Radhika Gupta, who will discuss how students can use technology as a tool for smarter learning and financial planning. Vikrant Massey and Bhumi Pednekar will inspire students to foster a positive mindset by visualizing success and releasing negative thoughts. Renowned spiritual leader Sadhguru will share mindfulness techniques to help students maintain mental clarity and mental peace throughout their academic journey. Additionally, the series will feature inspiring stories from exam toppers of UPSC, IIT-JEE, CBSE, ICSE, and others, as well as participants from previous editions of PPC, who will talk about how the program influenced their preparation strategies and motivated them to succeed. The 2025 edition also sees 36 students selected from across India, representing different regions and educational institutions like Kendriya Vidyalayas, Sainik Schools, and Navodaya Vidyalayas. Some of the selected students are alumni of special programs like PRERANA and winners of the Kala Utsav and Veer Gatha competitions. Since its launch in 2018, ‘Pariksha Pe Charcha’ has grown into a nationwide movement. This year, the program has surpassed previous records, with over 5 crore participants, marking it as the most impactful edition to date. for Discovery officials after threats PARMOD KUMAR NEW DELHI, 6 FEBRUARY The Supreme Court on Thursday granted interim protection to the officials of Discovery Communications India who are allegedly facing threats after the release of a documentary series, Cult of Fear: Asaram Bapu. A bench of Chief Justice Sanjiv Khanna, Justice Sanjay Kumar, and Justice KV Viswanathan ordered the police authorities of Karnataka, Maharashtra, West Bengal, Delhi, Haryana, Telangana, and Tamil Nadu to ensure the protection to the officials of the broadcasting channel and its properties. Observing that it may not be possible for the petitioners – Discovery Communications India and its officials – to approach dif- ferent high courts where their staff may be posted, the bench issued notice to the Central government and the police authorities in Karnataka, Maharashtra, West Bengal, Delhi, Haryana, Telangana, and Tamil Nadu and posted the matter in the week coming 3 March 2025. “Issue notice, returnable in the week commencing 3rd March 2025. In the mean- while, we request the police authorities to ensure that the petitioner gets to use their office and no threats by way of physical harm are extended to the petitioners,” the bench ordered. The top court order came on a petition by Discovery Communications India and its senior staff members based in different states across the country. The channel that released the documentary on selfstyled godman Asaram Bapu said that several hate comments against the Discovery channel and persons associated with it were received on the social media accounts of the broadcasters. The advocate appearing for the channel told the bench that it has become increasingly difficult for the petitioners to travel freely across the country.