EPS BACKS HM AMIT SHAH’S VIEWS ON MOTHER TONGUE 22 JUNE 2025 ‘FIXED ELECTION IS POISON FOR DEMOCRACY’ PANT SURPASSES DHONI, BUT ENGLAND SEIZE MOMENTUM www.thestatesman.com X.com/thestatesmanltd. Fb/thestatesman1875 PAGE 4 PAGE 5 PAGE 12 SINCE 1818 PAGES 12 |` 5.00 KOLKATA | NEW DELHI | SILIGURI | BHUBANESWAR WEATHER Generally Cloudy sky. Possibility of light rain/ thundershower in some areas. RAINFALL: 0.0 mm India to also evacuate citizens of Nepal and Sri Lanka from Iran under Op Sindhu RELATIVE HUMIDITY Max. 95% TEMPERATURE Max: 31.6˚C ( -1.4 ) SUN RISES 04:53 hrs MOON RISES 00:51 hrs Min. 62% STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE Min: 26.3 ˚C ( -0.5 ) SUN SETS 18:24 hrs MOON SETS 14:07 hrs New Moon on 25 June THUMBNAILS People perform Yoga on the International Yoga Day, at Sangam in Prayagraj on Saturday. nANI 16 billion passwords exposed in recordbreaking data breach: Researchers at cybersecurity outlet Cybernews say that billions of login credentials have been leaked and compiled into datasets online, giving criminals “unprecedented access” to accounts consumers use each day. According to a report published this week, Cybernews recently discovered 30 exposed datasets that each contain a vast amount of login information — amounting to a total of 16 billion compromised credentials. That includes user passwords for a range of popular platforms including Google, Facebook and Apple. (Details on Page 10) NEW DELHI, 21 JUNE O ver 800 Indian nationals have returned to India from Iran under Operation Sindhu till now, the Ministry of External Affairs said on Saturday. MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said a special flight from Turkmenistan's Ashgabat arrived in New Delhi in the early hours of Saturday. Another evacuation flight from Mashhad, carrying 310 Indians, landed in Delhi at 4:30 p.m. In view of the deteriorating situation as a result of the ongoing conflict between Iran and Israel, India on Wednesday launched Operation Sindhu to evacuate its nationals from Iran. In a post on X, Mr Jaiswal said: “Operation Sindhu continues. A special evacuation flight from Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, landed in New Delhi at 0300 hrs on 21st June, bringing Indians from Iran home. With this, so far 517 Indian nationals from Iran have returned home under Operation Sindhu." The MEA spokesperson in an earlier post, said: “Operation Sindhu flight brings citizens home. Evacuated 290 Indian nationals from Iran, including students and religious pilgrims, by a charter flight. The flight arrived in New Delhi at 2330 hrs on 20 June and was received by Secretary (CPV & OIA) Arun Chatterjee.” He added: “The Government of India is grateful to the Government of Iran for the facilitation of the evacuation process.” As the third flight under 'Operation Sindhu' touched down in Delhi from Iran, nearly 290 Indians, including 190 from Jammu and Kashmir, were welcomed home amid scenes of patriotic fervour and tearful gratitude. Passengers, carrying Indian flags, raised slogans of ‘Bharat Mata Ki Jai’ at the Delhi airport, expressing thanks to the Indian government for ensuring their safe return amid escalating tensions between Iran and Israel. Amid the ongoing conflict between Iran and Israel, Iran on Friday opened its airspace restrictions for three charter flights to evacuate about Islamabad nominates Trump for Nobel Peace Prize, US President again takes credit for brokering Indo-Pak truce ASHOK TUTEJA „I should have gotten it four or five times,‰ Trump claimed. „They wonÊt give me a Nobel Peace Prize because they only give it to liberals.‰ NEW DELHI, 21 JUNE Pakistan has proposed that US President Donald Trump be awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for his “decisive diplomatic intervention and pivotal leadership” during the recent India-Pakistan conflict as the American leader claimed yet again that he brokered peace between the two South Asian neighbours. “President Trump demonstrated great strategic foresight and stellar statesmanship through robust diplomatic engagement with both Islamabad and New Delhi, which de-escalated a rapidly deteriorating situation, ultimately securing a ceasefire and averting a broader conflict between the two nuclear states that would have had catastrophic consequences for millions of people in the region and beyond,” Pakistan said in a statement. President Trump, mean- ECI reaffirms commitment to voter secrecy amid allegations and footage demand 827 Indians brought back from Iran so far while, said he believes he deserves the Nobel Peace Prize for several reasons, including his involvement in de-escalating the IndiaPakistan tensions and his efforts in brokering a peace agreement between Congo and Rwanda. “I should have gotten it four or five times,” he claimed. “They won’t give me a Nobel Peace Prize because they only give it to liberals.” His fresh statement on the Indo-Pak conflict came in a social media post on "Truth Social'' within days of his telephone conversation with Prime Minister Narendra Modi during which the Indian leader sought to set the record straight by categorically telling the American leader that the truce between India and Pakistan was achieved after direct military talks between the two countries without any foreign intervention. “I am very happy to report that I have arranged, along with Secretary of State Marco Rubio, a wonderful Treaty between the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and the Republic of Rwanda, in their War, which was known for violent bloodshed and death, more so even than most other Wars, and has gone on for decades,” President Trump wrote. He went on to say that representatives from Rwanda and the Congo will be in Washington on Monday to sign the agreement. India has time and again made it clear that the USA or any other foreign power had no role to play in bringing hostilities between India and Pakistan to a halt after India launched ‘Operation Sindoor’ to destroy terrorist hideouts in the neighbouring country in the wake of the 22 April Pahalgam attack. New Delhi has also ruled out the possibility of mediation by any foreign power in resolving bilateral issues between India and Pakistan. 1,000 Indian nationals, most of them students, under Operation Sindhu. The Indian Embassy in Tehran coordinated the safe movement of the evacuees, while the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) ensured their safe return. Meanwhile, the the Indian Embassy in Tehran has announced that, upon formal requests from the governments of Nepal and Sri Lanka, the evacuation operation under Operation Sindhu will now also include nationals from these two neighbouring countries. In a post on X, the Indian Embassy in Iran said: “On request of the Governments of Nepal and Sri Lanka, the Indian Embassy's evacuation efforts in Iran will also cover Citizens of Nepal and Sri Lanka." The embassy also issued emergency contact numbers for affected citizens to seek immediate assistance: +989010144557, +989128109115, and +989128109109. A Telegram channel has also been activated for effective coordination and communication. STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE NEW DELHI, 21 JUNE The Election Commission of India (ECI) has raised serious concerns over demands to share video or CCTV footage from polling station webcasts, warning that such disclosures could compromise voter privacy and the secrecy of the ballot. According to the ECI, releasing this footage could lead to the identification of individuals who have voted or chosen not to vote, thereby exposing them to possible pressure, discrimination, or intimidation by anti-social elements. On Saturday, the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, repeated his allegation that the Election Commission had engaged in "matchfixing" recent elections. He claimed that the instruction to delete CCTV footage 45 days after polling was a tactic to "destroy evidence." In response, the Election Commission issued a note, viewed as a rebuttal to Mr Gandhi's statement, stating that the secrecy of the voter is a constitutional principle that cannot be compromised. “Sharing video footage may compromise this secrecy, particularly for those who decide not to vote,” the ECI said. The note further explained: “In any election, there may be electors who decide not to vote. Sharing video footage of polling day may lead to the identification of such electors. This could result in the profiling of voters based on whether they voted or abstained, and may form the basis for discrimination, denial of services, intimidation, or inducement.” The Commission emphasised that the Supreme Court has recognised the right not to vote as part of the broader right to vote and affirmed that the secrecy of this choice must be upheld. Citing legal provisions, the ECI said that both the Representation of the People Act, 1950 and 1951, and Supreme Court directives reinforce its stand on maintaining voter confidentiality. It also reminded that any violation of voting secrecy is a punishable offense under Section 128 of the RP Act, 1951. The Commission clarified that webcasting is used purely as an internal management tool to monitor polling day activities. The footage is retained for 45 days—matching the period allowed for filing an election petition—and is not shared with the public or third parties unless directed by a competent court. Reaffirming its position, the ECI stated that it remains unwavering in its commitment to protecting the privacy and security of voters, placing these concerns above demands made by political parties or special interest groups. It reiterated its willingness to share footage only with courts in the context of an election petition, thereby upholding the principles of transparency and voter protection. Air India implements DGCA’s order, 3 airline officials removed for rostering violations STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE NEW DELHI, 21 JUNE Aviation safety watchdog Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has issued a show cause notice to Air India for violating flight time rules. The aviation regulator also issued a notice against three Air India officials on the rostering team, ordering the airline to remove them on account of “repeated violations”. In its order issued to Air India to remove three senior officials responsible for“serious and repeated lapses” in crew scheduling, the DGCA has highlighted “systemic failures in crew scheduling, compliance monitoring, and internal accountability” at the airline. In the show cause notice, the DGCA said: “During a spot check, it has been observed that the Accountable Manager of M/s Air India operated two flights from Bangalore to London (AI133) on 16 May 2025 and 17 May 2025, both of which exceeded the stipulated flight time limit of 10 hours, in violation of Para 6.1.3 of Civil Aviation Requirement (CAR) Section 7 Series J Part III, Issue Ill dated 24 April 2019.” In its notice, the DGCA said the manager did not ensure adherence to specific provisions under the Civil Aviation Requirements, and warned that enforcement action could follow if no response is received. “Whereas, it is further noted that the Accountable Manager of Mis Air India Ltd. has failed to ensure adherence to the provisions and compliance requirements as stipulated under Para 1 and Para 2.4 of Annexure III of Civil Aviation Requirements (CARs) of Section 3, Series C Part Il. Now, therefore, you are hereby called upon to show cause within 07 days of receipt of this notice as to why appropriate enforcement action should not be initiated against you under the applicable provisions of the Aircraft Rules and Civil Aviation Requirements for the aforementioned violations,” the notice said. The airline on Saturday said it has acknowledged the regulator’s directive and has implemented it. The DGCA had ordered Air India to remove the three officials from all roles and responsibilities related to crew scheduling and rostering. According to a formal direc- tive issued by the aviation regulator, it identified the trio as being directly responsible for multiple violations, including unauthorised and noncompliant crew pairings, breaches of mandatory licensing requirements, and a failure to adhere to flight crew recency norms. The DGCA described the situation as a “systemic failure” in both scheduling procedures and supervisory oversight. According to the DGCA, “These three officials have been involved in serious and repeated lapses regarding crew rostering”. It said internal disciplinary proceedings must be initiated against them within 10 days. The aviation regulator identified Choorah Singh, Divisional Vice President; Pinky Mittal, Chief Manager-DOPS, Crew Scheduling and Payal Arora, Crew Scheduling – Planning, as directly responsible for the continued non-compliance. Prime Minister Modi delivers peace message on International Yoga Day STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE HYDERABAD, 21 JUNE With the world in the grip of rising tension and conflicts, Prime Minister Narendra Modi delivered a peace message on the occasion of the 11th International Day of Yoga, terming Yoga as the pause button that humanity needs to be whole again. He said yoga would guide the world from conflict to cooperation and from stress to solution. He also called upon the global community to integrate yoga with public policy to bring inner peace, harmony and wellness. PM led the celebrations of International Yoga Day at RK Beach in Visakhapatnam with Andhra Pradesh chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu and deputy chief minister Pawan Kalyan. Delivering a message of peace and oneness amidst rising conflicts in different parts of the world, Prime Minister Narendra Modi declared: “Yoga is the pause button humanity needs, to breathe, to balance, to become whole again.” He went on to add, “Yoga should guide the world from conflict to cooperation and from stress to solutions.” He not only harped on global peace, but also stressed the need for inner peace, reminding the world that everyone was mutually dependent and hence the need for collective wellness. Calling upon every nation and society to integrate yoga with lifestyle and public policy, he appealed to the global community, saying, “Let this Yoga Day mark the beginning of Yoga for Humanity 2.0. where inner peace becomes global policy.” He added that this year’s motto of “Yoga for one earth, one health” was significant since it highlighted that the health of every entity was interconnected. Elaborating, he said human health depends on the soil that grows our food, on the river that provides us with water and on the animals that share our ecosystem on the planet. “Yoga should serve as a thread that weaves humanity together. Yoga for One Earth, One Health should become a global resolution, “he said. The Prime minister reminded that Yoga was for everyone, beyond boundaries, beyond backgrounds, beyond age or ability. He gave a call to transform Yoga into a people’s movement, leading the world towards peace, health and harmony. To ensure the global community benefits from India’s wellness ecosystem, the Prime Minister announced that provisions of special eAyush visas would be introduced. He said the country’s leading medical institutions were actively engaged in yoga research to establish its scientific relevance within contemporary medical practices. India was promoting evidence-based therapy in the field of yoga through its medical and research institutions. Citing AIIMS research findings, he stated that yoga had shown a significant impact in the treatment of cardiac and neurological disorders and in improving women’s health and mental well-being. Yoga unites world in pursuit of peace and wellness on International Day of Yoga SHAHID K ABBAS NEW DELHI, 21 JUNE Millions of people across the globe celebrated the 11th International Day of Yoga, with events held in various countries, including India, the United States, China, and the United Kingdom. The theme for this year's celebration was "Yoga for One Earth, One Health," emphasizing the interconnectedness of human well-being and the natural world. President Droupadi Murmu participated in a mass yoga session in Dehradun, while Raksha Mantri Rajnath Singh led the Armed Forces in celebrating the day with 2,500 soldiers at Northern Command, Udhampur, Jammu and Kashmir. Yoga sessions were also held at iconic locations, including the Sydney Opera House, the United Nations headquarters in New York, and the banks of the River Ganga in Varanasi. Foreign tourists joined yoga sessions in Varanasi, and ambassadors, high commissioners, and members of the diplomatic corps participated in the celebration led by External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar in New Delhi. A yoga session held at the United Nations headquarters in NewYork, emphasized harmony between human well-being and the natural world.The High Commission of India in London organized a yoga session, with India's High Commissioner to the UK, Vikaram Doraiswami, participating in the event.