FOR LASTING LOVE: READ MARITAL MUSINGS 09 MARCH 2025 www.thestatesman.com PURNAPANI: FROM WASTELAND TO WATERBODY X.com/thestatesmanltd. Fb/thestatesman1875 SINCE 1818 PAGES 16 |` 5.00 KOLKATA | NEW DELHI | SILIGURI | BHUBANESWAR One final hurdle: India’s quest for glory against familiar foe NZ WEATHER MIST LIKELY IN THE MORNING. PARTLY CLOUDY SKY. THE MAXIMUM AND MINIMUM TEMPERATURES WOULD BE AROUND 32 AND 15 DEGREES CELSIUS RESPECTIVELY. India look to spin quartet to work their magic against chief tormentors in ICC tournaments RAINFALL: Nil RELATIVE HUMIDITY Max. 80 % TEMPERATURE TRIDIB BAPARNASH NEW DELHI, 8 MARCH Min. 23 % Max: 31.1 °C (+2.7) SUN RISES 06:36 hrs MOON RISES 13:49 hrs Min: 13.4 °C (-0.6) SUN SETS 18:26 hrs MOON SETS 04:19 hrs THUMBNAILS Women autorickshaw drivers during the flagging off ceremony of pink autorickshaws on the occasion of International Women's Day, in Chennai on Saturday. n ANI Israeli national among two women raped near KarnatakaÊs Hampi: Two women, including an Israeli national, were allegedly raped by three men near the Hampi heritage site in Karnataka's Vijayanagara district on the night of March 6, Koppal police said on Saturday. A male tourist accompanying them was later found dead, they added. According to police, a 29-year-old homestay operator, three male tourists, and an Israeli tourist had gone to the Tungabhadra Canal near Sanapur Lake to stargaze. (Page 6) T welve years of waiting, a campaign built on resilience, and one final hurdle against a team that has so often been India’s Achilles' heel ~ the New Zealand challenge. The stakes couldn’t be higher as Rohit Sharma’s men step onto the field at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Sunday, seeking to reclaim the ICC Champions Trophy and rewrite history. For years, the Kiwis have been India’s tormentors in ICC tournaments, holding a 10-6 record in global events and, more tellingly, a 3-1 advantage in knockout matches. From heartbreaking defeats in Manchester (2019) to Southampton (2021), the memories linger. But this Indian team isn’t dwelling on the past, it is here to break the cycle and create a new legacy. The biggest weapon in India’s arsenal in the tournament has been the spin quartet ~ Kuldeep Yadav and Varun Chakravarthy have turned the middle overs into a magician’s show, while Ravindra Jadeja and Axar Patel have been precision artists, choking the opposition into submission. If the final is played on the same slow, gripping deck as the IndiaPakistan match, the Kiwis might find themselves trapped in a spin maze. Having said that, the New Zealanders are no strangerstotheseconditions. Kane Williamson and Rachin Ravindra ~ arguably the most technically sound batters against spin in the Kiwi lineup ~ will carry the hopes of a team searching for its first ICC ODI trophy since 2000. Their own spin quartet ~ Mitchell Santner, Michael Bracewell, Glenn Phillips, and Ravindra ~ could pose problems for India as well, making this a battle of patience, skill and adaptability. History adds another subplot: 25 years ago, New Zealand had beaten India in the final of the Knockouts tournament in Nairobi. But India will not want history to repeat itself. Instead, they will look to add another trophy to their cabinet after last year’s T20 World Cup triumph, where Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma played pivotal roles in an unforgettable campaign that culminated in a glorious Barbados night. Now, the distance to the final stop is getting shorter. Adding to the layers of drama is the uncertain future of India’s two greatest icons — Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma in ICC tournaments. This could very well be their last ICC final together, and if so, they will want to walk away bathed in glory. For Rohit, that means breaking free from the string of quickfire 20s and 30s and playing the kind of innings that defines finals. Kohli, on the other hand, has already found his rhythm ~ his last five innings have yielded a century and two fifties, reminiscent of his prime years when he lorded over bowling attacks with ease. The concern surrounding injured Matt Henry might also offer Rohit some relief as the pacer has troubled him a lot in the past with his ability to find movement and bounce even on the most docile tracks. But even in his absence, Rohit will have to find a way out to lead from the front. But India’s success will not rest on just these two legends. Shubman Gill, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul, and Hardik Pandya will need to bring their A-game once more, just as they did against Australia in the semi-final. If India can bring all these elements together, they will turn their emphatic campaign into a fairytale finish. Everything is at stake — history, legacy, and redemption. With the weight of past heartbreaks and the hope of a billion hearts, the final chapter is about to be written in Dubai on Sunday. CHAMPIONS TROPHY FINAL: INDIA VS NEW ZEALAND. P15 Delhi Cabinet approves `5,100 crore for Mahila Samridhi Yojana Phase 1 AGRAJ PRATAP SINGH NEW DELHI, 8 MARCH In a landmark decision on International Women's Day, the Rekha Gupta-led Delhi government on Saturday fulfilled one of the BJP's key election promises by approving rupees 5,100 crore for the first phase of the Mahila Samridhi Yojana in the national capital. BJP National President JP Nadda, while speaking at an event organised by the BJP Mahila Morcha at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium to mark International Women's Day, said: “Let me tell AAP, we have come into power and have started working towards empowering Nari Shakti. I would like to congratulate women on Women's Day and on the launch of the Mahila Samridhi Yojana. Under the leadership of Rekha Gupta, the Cabinet has decided to implement it soon.” He further stated that the scheme, which was highlighted in the BJP's manifesto during the Delhi elections with a focus on the financial empowerment of women, is a priority for the party. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has also emphasised its importance. Mr Nadda expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Modi and congratulated Chief Min- ister Rekha Gupta on initiating steps toward women's empowerment. Speaking to reporters after the event, Chief Minister Gupta confirmed that the Delhi cabinet, in its meeting today, had approved the scheme, which was a key election promise aimed at providing rupees 2,500 per month to women in the national capital. Ms Gupta informed that rupees 5,100 crore has been allocated in the Delhi budget for the implementation of the Mahila Samridhi Yojana. She also announced the formation of a committee, led by her, comprising ministers Ashish Sood, Parvesh Verma, and Kapil Mishra. The committee will finalize the terms and conditions of the scheme, and a dedicated portal will be launched soon for registrations. 2 groups in Gujarat Congress; one is working for BJP, says Rahul Gandhi in Ahmedabad Hill-plain divide triggers Cabinet rejig talk in U’khand STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE Uttarakhand chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami's return from his Delhi visit and harsh statement made by the BJP's national spokesperson and Pauri Lok Sabha MP Anil Baluni, on the hill-plain divide controversy, has fuelled talk as to an imminent Cabinet rejig. Talk is rife that Dhami may have to drop couple of his present cabinet ministers and induct four new faces. Sources in the BJP state organisation have informed that the reshuffle in the Dhami cabinet is likely to happen soon as party's central organisation too want to remove at least two current ministers. This is been seen as an important development in Uttarakhand's politics specially in view of the statement made by BJP national spokesperson Anil Baluni who claimed he has raised the issue of state parilamentary minister Premchand Agarwal's alleged abusive language used against people AHMEDABAD, 8 MARCH Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Saturday called for a structural overhaul in the Gujarat Congress, asserting that a faction within the party is "conniving with the BJP from within". Addressing party workers and former candidates of local body elections in Ahmedabad, Mr Gandhi said there are two groups of Congress leaders in the state — one that is well-connected with the people and carries the Congress ideology in their hearts, and another that is disconnected from the ground, does not respect the public, and is working in collusion with the BJP. "Our first task is to separate these two groups. If we have to take strict action and remove 30-40 people, then we should do that. If people are working for BJP from inside, then remove them and let them work for BJP from outside. Then let's see how they make space for themselves there, because they (BJP) will throw them out," Mr Gandhi said. The Gandhi scion further urged Gujarat Congress officials and workers to establish direct connections with the public, stating, "Only then will the public believe in you." He highlighted that the opposition already has a vote share of 40 per cent and the Congress only need to increase its vote share by just 5 per cent to return to power. "If you field two people anywhere in the state, one will be from BJP and the other from Congress. If our vote increases by 5 per cent in Gujarat, Congress will form the government. In Telangana, we have increased our votes by 22 per cent, here only 5 per cent is needed," he stated. Laying down an action plan for party leaders in Gujarat, Mr Gandhi stressed the importance of grassroots politics to revive the party in the state, which has been the stronghold of the BJP for the last three decades. "Our 'Bharat Jodo Yatra' has shown how people connect. During the journey from Kanyakumari to Kashmir, the people joined the Congress Party and the politics of the country changed. Our leaders will have to go among the people of Gujarat. We will have to go door-todoor to the people and listen to their voices. We need to ask the public what we can do for you," he said. He highlighted that the opposition already has a vote share of 40 per cent and the Congress only need to increase its vote share by just 5 per cent to return to power. PR SINGH DEHRADUN, 8 MARCH of the hill areas in the recently held budget session of the state assembly. Replying to a question seeking his response on Agarwal's statement in the house Baluni said: “This was very unfortunate and painful issue. You all know I am national chief spokesperson of the party and have certain limitations in raising my voices. However I have raised my voice on the right platform in the party. Rest you all know and understand." Baluni's statement is being seen as castigating Agarwal for the latter's anti-hill statement Six women achievers take over PM's social media handle on Int’l Women’s Day PARWINDER SANDHU NEW DELHI, 8 MARCH On International Women's Day, six accomplished women from diverse fields took over Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Twitter handle to share their inspiring journeys of empowerment and achievement. The initiative highlighted the contributions of women in sectors such as farming, sports, and science and technology. These women included Vaishali Rameshbabu from Chennai, Dr. Anjlee Agarwal from Delhi, Anita Devi from Nalanda, Elina Mishra from Bhubaneswar, Ajaita Shah from Rajasthan, and Shilpi Soni from Sagar. This initiative mirrors a similar effort from 2020 when seven women achievers took over PM Modi's social media accounts to share their remarkable success stories. Elina Mishra, a nuclear scientist at Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC), expressed her gratitude for her family's academic influence. "My interest made inside the assembly. According to the BJP leaders in the state CM's rush to Delhi on 6 March, immediately after PM Modi's Uttarkashi visit was also indicative of the cabinet reshuffle in the state. Although party leaders did not disclose the names, they stressed thst Pushkar Singh Dhami had a few big meetings lined up with a couple of senior BJP leaders in the party who have bigger say in organisational decisions. "Dhami's Delhi visit Immediately after PM Modi's coming to Uttarakhand and Baluni's statement PM to visit Mauritius for National Day celebrations on 11-12 March, says MEA STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE NEW DELHI, 8 MARCH Ajaita Shah and inquisitiveness for science developed due to my father, who is my inspiration," wrote Mishra. Reflecting on her work in developing magnetic and RF characterization of Drift Tube Linac cavities for the Low Energy High Intensity Proton Accelerator (LEHIPA), she added, "It was indeed a very proud and satisfying moment when a 20 MeV proton beam was successfully accelerated." Shilpi Soni, a space scientist at the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), shared her pride in contributing to over 35 communication and Anita Devi Dr. Anjlee Agarwal navigation missions for ISRO over the past 24 years. "It was a dream come true to work with ISRO," she said. Encouraging women to explore science, she remarked, "India surely has the right platform for women to innovate and grow." Ajaita Shah, CEO of Frontier Markets, has empowered over 35,000 digitally-enabled women entrepreneurs in rural India. "One issue that remained close to my heart was the challenges women face in rural areas. Thus, I have spent the last two decades mitigating this," she wrote, encouraging women to become Elina Mishra self-reliant and contribute to India's economic growth. Vaishali Rameshbabu, a chess Grandmaster from Chennai, called her chess journey "learning, thrilling, and rewarding." She urged young girls to chase their dreams, regardless of obstacles, and encouraged parents to support their daughters' ambitions. Encouraging young girls, she said: “Your passion will power your success... Follow your dreams, no matter the hurdles.” She thanked her parents for their unwavering support. Known as the "Mushroom Lady of Bihar," Anita Devi Shilpi Soni founded the Madhopur Farmers Producer Company in 2016 to empower women through employment and entrepreneurship. She proudly spoke about her journey from struggle to success, helping hundreds of women achieve self-reliance by providing employment opportunities and essential farming resources. Known as the "Mushroom Lady of Bihar," Anita Devi founded the Madhopur Farmers Producer Company in 2016 to empower women through employment and entrepreneurship. She proudly spoke Vaishali Rameshbabu about her journey from struggle to success, helping hundreds of women achieve self-reliance by providing employment opportunities and essential farming resources. Dr. Anjlee Agarwal, a staunch advocate for universal accessibility and founder of Samarthyam Centre for Universal Accessibility, called for a society that transcends labels and barriers. Her vision is to create inclusive spaces and empower individuals with disabilities, inspiring change through improved policies and groundlevel action. are indications of some major political development and possible organisational as well as cabinet rejig in Uttarakhand" said a senior BJP office bearer in Dehradun on the condition of anonymous. Interestingly, BJP state president and Rajya sabha member Mahendra Bhatt too in his public statement made it clear that cabinet expansion was imminent in the state. “Cabinet rejig was bound to take place in the state and Chief Minister will soon take a decision on this" Bhatt said on Friday when CM Dhami was in Delhi. Although Dhami was to remain in the Delhi till Saturday, he returned on Friday evening. It's notable that four berths in Dhami cabinet are still vacant. “There had been a subdued demand for filling vacant cabinet berths by the party legislators in Uttarakhand but no one dared to go vocal on their demand. However the ongoing hill-plain divide has set the ball rolling for cabinet reshuffle once again" said another BJP leader. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Mauritius on 11-12 March to attend the 57th National Day celebrations of the island as the guest of honour, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has announced. “PM Modi will be in Mauritius on March 11 and 12 to attend the National Day celebrations of Mauritius, which falls on the 12th of March, as the Chief Guest. A contingent of Indian defence forces will participate in the celebrations along with a ship from the Indian Navy,'' the MEA said. During the visit, the PM will call on the President of Mauritius and meet his Mauritian counterpart and other key leaders from the country. Mr Modi last visited Mauritius in 2015. Last month, Mauritius PM Navin Ramgoolam had informed the country’s parliament about PM Modi’s upcoming visit. “In the context of the celebrations of the 57th anniversary of the Independence of our country, I have great pleasure to inform the House, that following my invitation, His Excellency, Shri Narendra Modi, Prime Minister of India, has kindly agreed to be the Guest of Honour for our National Day celebrations,” Mr Ramgoolam said. PM Modi has underlined New Delhi’s unwavering commitment to its special and enduring partnership with Mauritius, calling it terming it as “special” and “unique”.