LAND OF INTOXICATING MAHUA PROFILE: KIRAN DIXIT THACKER 27 APRIL 2025 RCB AIM TO CONTINUE AWAY FORM AGAINST DELHI CAPITALS www.thestatesman.com X.com/thestatesmanltd. Fb/thestatesman1875 PAGE 16 SINCE 1818 PAGES 16 |` 5.00|LC KOLKATA | NEW DELHI | SILIGURI | BHUBANESWAR WEATHER PARTLY CLOUDY SKY. OCCASIONAL SUSTAINED SURFACE WINDS (SPEED 10-20 KMPH) GUSTING UPTO 30 KMPH.THE MAXIMUM AND MINIMUM TEMPERATURES WOULD BE AROUND 41 AND 24 DEGREES CELSIUS RESPECTIVELY. UNSC strongly condemns Pahalgam terror attack UNSC reiterates that any acts of terrorism are criminal and unjustifiable RAINFALL: Nil RELATIVE HUMIDITY Max. 67 % TEMPERATURE Min. 15 % Max: 42.1 °C (+3.1) SUN RISES 05:43 hrs MOON RISES 05:44 hrs Min: 20.7 °C (-3.1) SUN SETS 18:54 hrs MOON SETS 18:34 hrs THUMBNAILS STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE NEW DELHI, 26 APRIL Odissi artists perform during the 2nd Asian Yogasana Sport Championship, at the Indira Gandhi Sports Complex in New Delhi on Saturday. nANI (Report on page 15) Pune court summons Rahul Gandhi in Savarkar defamation case: A court in Pune, Maharashtra, has asked Leader of Opposition and Congress Member of Parliament Rahul Gandhi to appear before it on May 9 and record his plea in a criminal defamation case filed against him for his remarks about the late Hindu Mahasabha leader and Hindutva ideologue, Vinayak Damodar Savarkar. (P5) T he United Nations Security Council (UNSC) has strongly condemned the recent terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam, and underlined the need to hold perpetrators, organisers, financiers and sponsors of this reprehensible act of terrorism accountable and to bring them to justice. In a statement, the 15member UNSC on Friday said: "The members of the Security Council con- demned in the strongest terms the terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir on April 22, during which at least 26 people were killed and many more injured. The members of the Security Council expressed their deepest sympathy and condolences to the families of the victims and to the Government of India and Government of Nepal and wished a speedy and full recovery to those who were injured." The members of the UNSC noted that terrorism in all its forms and manifestations constitutes one Govt issues advisory on media reporting of defence operations AGENCIES NEW DELHI, 26 APRIL The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting on Saturday issued an advisory directing all media outlets to refrain from broadcasting live coverage of military operations or movements of security forces. The advisory extends to news agencies, digital platforms, and social media users, emphasising the need for utmost caution and responsibility in reporting matters related to national security. "In the interest of national security, all media platforms, news agencies, and social media users are advised to exercise utmost responsibility and adhere strictly to existing laws and regulations while reporting on matters concerning defence and other security-related operations," the Ministry said in a state- ment. The government specifically prohibited the real-time dissemination of visuals, live reporting from sensitive locations, and the use of "sourcebased" information relating to ongoing military actions. It warned that premature disclosure of sensitive operational details could inadvertently assist hostile elements, jeopardising both the effectiveness of missions and the safety of personnel involved. Citing past experiences such as the Kargil conflict, the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks, and the Kandahar hijacking, the advisory underlined how unrestricted media coverage in times of crisis had in the past led to unintended consequences detrimental to national interests. The Ministry stressed that the media, digital platforms, and individual users play a crucial role in upholding national security. "Beyond the legal obligations, it is a shared moral duty to ensure that collective actions do not compromise the integrity of ongoing operations or endanger the lives of security forces," the statement said. This advisory reiterates earlier communications from the Ministry, reminding broadcasters of Rule 6(1)(p) of the Cable Television Networks (Amendment) Rules, 2021. The rule clearly states: "No programme should be carried in the cable service which contains live coverage of any anti-terrorist operation by security forces, wherein media coverage shall be restricted to periodic briefing by an officer designated by the appropriate Government, till such operation concludes." The Ministry warned that violations of these provisions could attract strict action under the applicable laws. of the most serious threats to international peace and security. Underlining the need to hold perpetrators, organisers, financiers and sponsors of this reprehensible act of terrorism accountable and bring them to justice, they stressed that those responsible for these killings should be held accountable, and urged all countries, in accordance with their obligations under international law and relevant Security Council resolutions, to cooperate actively with all relevant authorities in this regard. The members of the UNSC reiterated that any acts of terrorism are criminal and unjustifiable, regardless of their motivation, wherever, whenever and by whomsoever committed. They reaffirmed the need for all countries to combat by all means, in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations and other obligations under international law, including international human rights law, international refugee law and international humanitarian law, threats to international peace and security caused by terrorist acts. Pak official makes throat-slitting gesture at Indian protesters VATICAN CITY, 26 AGENCIES The funeral mass ceremony of Pope Francis, that began Saturday afternoon, India time, in the iconic Baroque plaza before St. Peter’s Basilica, is being attended by several top world leaders, including US President Donald Trump. According to the Vatican authorities, approximately 2,00,000 people have gathered for the funeral of Pope Francis. Additionally, more than 100 delegations have come together to pay respects to the late leader of the Catholic Church, who was later laid to rest in a private ceremony at the St. Mary Major Basilica in the Italian capital on Saturday. The solemn and moving celebration was presided over by Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, joined by some 250 Cardinals, Patriarchs, Archbishops, Bishops, priests, and consecrated religious. “We are gathered with sad hearts in prayer around his mortal remains,” Cardinal Re said in his homily at the funeral Mass for Pope Francis. The cardinal recalled the final days of the Pope's life, marked by declining health. AGENCIES NEW DELHI, 26 APRIL STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE NEW DELHI, 26 APRIL A senior Pakistani Army official was caught on camera making threatening gestures at Indian community members who were holding a protest outside the Pakistani High Commission in London. In a video that has gone viral on social media, Colonel Taimur Rahat, Pakistan Army & Air Advisor in the High Commission in London is seen making a throatslitting gesture at the protesters. He also held up a poster of Indian Air Force Group Captain Abhinandan Varthaman, who was briefly captured by Pakistani Army following India's air strike in 2019. Hundreds of Indian community members had gathered outside the Pak High Commission building in London to protest against the brutal terrorist attack in Pahalgam in J&K. Days after India announced punitive measures against Pakistan over its involvement in a brutal terrorist attack on tourists in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam, Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has expressed his willingness to participate in a "neutral and transparent" investigation into the attack, a leading Pakistani daily reported on Saturday. Shehbaz Sharif made the remarks while addressing a passing-out parade at the Pakistan Military Academy in Kakul. He said: “The recent tragedy in Pahalgam is yet another example of this perpetual blame game, which must come to a grinding halt. Continuing with its role as a responsible country, Pakistan is open to participating in any neutral, transparent and credible investigation.” The Pakistani Prime Minister's remarks came after India announced suspension of the Indus Water Treaty along with several other punitive measures against Pakistan for its role in the Pahalgam terror against. At least 26 people, including a foreign national, were killed in the targeted attack on tourists at Baisaran meadow near Pahalgam in Jammu and Kashmir's Anantnag district. Earlier, responding to India's decision to suspend the Indus Water Treaty, Pakistan had said any such move would be seen as an “act of war” and announced a series of steps, including blocking its airspace for India, and the suspension of all trade activities. After a meeting of its top committee on security, chaired by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, the Pakistan Prime Minister's Office said Islamabad has decided to keep all bilateral agreements with India, including the Shimla Pact, in abeyance. Pakistan also decided to close down the Wagah Border Post with immediate effect, and halt all cross-border transit from India through this route. PM distributes over 51,000 appointment letters in government jobs to new recruits STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE NEW DELHI, 26 APRIL Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday emphasised that India’s “growth has been inclusive as the “participation of women has risen in every sector.” “Three of the top five toppers in this year's UPSC (Union Public Service Commission) exam are women,” Mr Modi said while adding that “over 90 lakh self-help groups have more than 10 crore women working for them.” After distributing over 51000 appointment letters at the 15th edition of Rozgar Mela via videoconferencing to newly recruited Central government employees in different departments, Mr Modi also underlined that “it’s a time for unprecedented opportunities for youth.” “The foundation of any nation's progress and success lies in its youth, when the youth actively participate in nation-building, the nation experiences rapid development and establishes its identity on the global stage,” the Prime Minister asserted while distributing appointment letters. Asserting that “three of the top five toppers in this year's UPSC (Union Public Service Commission) exam are women, Mr Modi underlined that “over 90 lakh self- Over 2 lakh people, top world leaders attend funeral of Pope Francis at the Vatican AGENCIES Ready to participate in any ‘neutral & transparent’ investigation: Pakistan PM "Despite his frailty and suffering towards the end, Pope Francis chose to follow this path of self-giving until the last day of his earthly life," he said. After the funeral mass, Pope Francis was buried outside the Vatican in St. Mary Major, a basilica in Rome in a private ceremonyt Francis is the first Pontiff in more than a century to be buried outside the Vatican Grottoes. The Indian leaders joined more than 50 heads of state, 10 reigning monarchs, and 130 foreign delegations attending Saturday's ceremony. Among the global dignitaries in attendance are US President Donald Trump French President Emmanuel Macron. Representing the United Kingdom are Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Prince William. While Russian President Vladimir Putin is absent, Russia has sent its Culture Minister in his place. World will always remember Pope Francis’s service to society: PM Modi STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE NEW DELHI, 26 APRIL Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday paid homage to Pope Francis and said the world will always remember his service to society. In a post on X, the Prime Minister wrote: "Rashtrapati Ji pays homage to His Holiness, Pope Francis on behalf of the people of India. The world will always remember his service to society." President Droupadi Murmu, who is in Rome, to attend the State funeral of Pope Francis is accompanied by Kiren Rijiju, George Kurian and Joshua De Souza. help groups have more than 10 crore women working for them.” “India’s women power is reaching new heights in fields ranging from bureaucracy to space and science, the government is also focusing on empowering rural women,” he added. “India's youth are showcasing their immense potential to the world through their hard work and innovation,” he said further stating that the government is ensuring, at every step that employment and self-employment opportunities for the country's youth continue to grow. Emphasising that production and export in automobile and footwear industries have hit new records, generating employment in huge numbers Mr Modi announced that his government is taking several measures to ensure that the opportunities for employment and self-employment keeps growing. The job fair was held at 47 locations simultaneously across the country. This is in line with the Centre's commitment to accord top priority to employment generation, a government release said. He said that in the budget, the government has announced the Manufacturing Mission, with a goal to promote the 'Make in India' initiative and provide India's youth with the opportunity to create globally standardized products. Kailash Yatra to take place in June-August STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE NEW DELHI, 26 APRIL The Ministry of External Affairs Saturday announced that the Kailash Manasarovar Yatra for the current year will commence between June and August. “Kailash Manasarovar Yatra organised by the Ministry of External Affairs is set to take place during June to August 2025 this year,” a Ministry of External Affairs release said. It informed that “5 batches, each consisting of 50 Yatris, and 10 batches, each consisting of 50 Yatris, are scheduled to travel through Uttarakhand State crossing over at Lipulekh Pass, and through Sikkim State crossing over at Nathu La Pass, respectively.” Inviting applications from the pilgrimage the ministry said: “Since the entire process is fully computerised since 2015, pilgrims can register at https://kmy.gov.in.” It said that the “selection will be through a fair, computer-generated, random and gender-balanced selection process.” Resumption of the yatra that was suspended in 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic has been a key topic during the border agreement talks between Indian and Chinese official when the two sides discussed early resumption of cross-border cooperation and exchanges, including on trans-border rivers and Kailash-Mansarovar Yatra. The Kailash Mansarovar Yatra is a sacred pilgrimage for Hindus, Buddhists, Jains, and Bon followers, undertaken to visit the holy Mount Kailash and the surrounding Lake Mansarovar. It's a journey of spiritual significance, often involving a trek or a vehiclebased route, and is considered a "tirth yatra" (sacred journey) of utmost importance. India, Pak exchange gunfire for second day SRINAGAR, 26 APRIL Amid the escalating tensions, Indian and Pakistani troops exchanged fire overnight across the Line of Control (LoC) in Kashmir, Army sources said on Saturday. They said the small arms firing was “initiated by Pakistan” and it was “effectively responded to”. The Army said during the intervening night of 2526 April, unprovoked smallarms firing was carried out by various Pakistan Army posts all across LoC in Kashmir. “Indian troops responded appropriately with small arms,” they said, adding that no casualties was reported during the exchange of fire. This is the second consecutive night when the Pakistan Army opened small arms fire at several locations along the LoC. Defence officials said Pakistani troops over the last two nights have been resorting to small arms fire along the LoC out of fear that the Indian Army might launch a cross-border operation. The Srinagar-based defence spokesperson did not respond about the reported exchange of fire along the LoC. Agencies DGCA issues advisory to Indian airlines after Pakistan closes its airspace STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE NEW DELHI, 26 APRIL In the wake of the closure of Pakistani airspace for Indian airlines on Thursday evening, the Ministry of Civil Aviation has issued an advisory to airlines to implement passenger handling measures to ensure continued passenger comfort, safety, and regulatory compliance. Pakistan had earlier closed its airspace for Indian airlines for over four months in 2019, following the Balakot air strike carried out by the Indian Air Force in response to the Pulwama terror attack. The move follows rising tension between the two countries after the Pahalgam terror attack on 22 April. In a statement, the Director General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) stated that owing to the international airspace closures and overflight restrictions, several flight routes have been significantly altered, leading to extended flight durations and the possibility of technical stops. Under the key measures, the DGCA has asked airlines to ensure transparent communication, proactively informing passengers about route changes, extended travel times, and any technical halts during their journey. This communication should occur at check-in, boarding, and via digital alerts. Further, the airlines are required to revise catering based on the actual block time, ensuring adequate food, hydration, and special meal availability throughout the flight, including any technical stopovers. The airlines have also been asked to be prepared for medical emergencies with sufficient onboard medical supplies and verification of the availability of emergency services at potential technical halt airports. The call centres and customer service teams must be ready to handle delays, missed connections, and provide assistance or compensation as required by applicable regulations.