MONDAY 28 JULY 2025 www.thestatesman.com Pages 12 |` 5.00| LC SINCE 1818 X.com/thestatesmanltd. Fb/thestatesman1875 KOLKATA | NEW DELHI | SILIGURI | BHUBANESWAR ‘WARS WON WITH TIMELY DELIVERIES, NOT JUST BULLETS’ NITISH KUMAR SETS UP SAFAI KARMACHARI COMMISSION P8 WEATHER GENERALLY CLOUDY SKY. LIGHT TO MODERATE RAIN ACCOMPANIED WITH THUNDERSTORM/ LIGHTNING. THE MAXIMUM AND MINIMUM TEMPERATURES WOULD BE AROUND 34 AND 27 DEGREES CELSIUS RESPECTIVELY.. RAINFALL: 000.0 mm RELATIVE HUMIDITY Max. 87% TEMPERATURE Max: 37.5°C (+2.6) SUN RISES 05:41 hrs MOON RISES 09:51 hrs Min. 59% Min: 28.8°C (+1.5) SUN SETS 19:15 hrs MOON SETS 21:33 hrs THUMBNAILS Amy chief Gen Upendra Dwivedi, on Sunday, visited a forward post at the Siachen Glacier, and interacted with troops of 18 JAK RIF. n SNS Thailand, Cambodia willing to negotiate after clashes: Thailand and Cambodia on Sunday signaled their readiness to negotiate an end to a deadly border dispute following mediation efforts by US President Donald Trump. The fighting, now in its fourth day, has killed at least 34 people and displaced more than 168,000. Trump posted on Truth Social on Saturday that he spoke to the leaders of Thailand and Cambodia. He said both sides agreed to meet to negotiate a ceasefire. (Page 9) CHINA’S TIBET DAM TO GILL MATCHES CREATE ECOLOGICAL BRADMAN’S IMBALANCES RECORD P5 P11 Cholas gave blueprint Six die, 28 injured in Mansa for modern India: PM Devi Temple stampede in Centre to erect statues of Raja Raja, Rajendra Chola in Tamil Nadu M C RAJAN DEHRADUN, 27 JULY C rediting the imperial Chola dynasty for giving the blueprint for a resurgent new India of the future, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday eulogised emperors Raja Raja and Rajendra Chola as the identities of Bharat, calling their rule a golden era for the country. PM Modi was participating in the birth anniversary celebration of Rajendra Chola I and the 1000th commemoration of his victory over the Sri Vijaya Kingdom of present-day Indonesia, at the ancient capital of Gangaikonda Cholapuram in Tamil Nadu’s Ariyalur district. He said: “The names, Raja Raja and his son, Rajendra, are identities of Bharat. Their empire, according to historians, was one of the golden eras of India. While Raja Raja built a navy, Rajendra expanded and strengthened it as a formidable force. During his reign, the country was very advanced not only in warfare but also in many domains and on those lines, we have to strengthen our armed forces.” “Though historians used to turn to Magna Carta of Britain as the mother of democracy, it is the Cholas who have the legitimate claim to that. The system of ‘kudavolai’, a method of voting to elect functionaries for local administration and panchayats was the precursor for modern democracy. AGENCIES As such, it is not the British, but the Cholas, who were the pioneers of democracy,” he said. “Unlike kings of those times, who brought hefty booty from conquered territories, Rajendra brought Ganga water and built a ‘jalasthambam’, a liquid pillar of victory – Chola Gangam, the massive lake abutting Gangaikonda Cholapuram, the capital, constructed to mark his successful military expedition to the Gangetic plains. They are pioneers of water management and it is a message very relevant in these days when we are confronted with climate change,” Mr Modi said. “As the people’s representative of Kashi (Varanasi), I’m proud to bring Ganga jal to Chola Gangam, the lake built by Rajendra,” he said. The PM, who released a commemorative coin on Rajendra Chola, said the temple that the monarch had erected as a replica of the Thanjavur Big temple, is one of the great monuments of the world. “Our government follows the footsteps of the Cholas in strengthening and integrating the nation and its people. Saivite philosopher Thirumoolar’s dictum ‘Anbe Sivam; (Love is Shiva), the futuristic vision is the guiding principle of our government and it is the mantra for saving the world from war and violence,” Mr Modi said and announced that statues for both Raja Raja and Rajendra would be erected in Tamil Nadu to honour them. NEW DELHI, 27 JULY Lutnick said. “You know they're hoping they make a deal, and it's up to President Trump, who's the leader of this negotiating table. We set the table,” he added. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen was set to meet Trump to clinch a trade deal for Europe that would likely see a 15 per cent baseline tariff on most EU goods. US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer and Commerce Secretary Lutnick flew to Scotland this weekend to meet EU Trade Commissioner Maros Sefcovic. Five countries have so far signed trade deals with the Trump administration ahead of next week's deadline. These are Britain, Vietnam, Indonesia, the Philippines and Japan. Six devotees died and 26 others were injured in a stampede at the Mansa Devi Temple in Haridwar on Sunday morning. The administration attributed the stampede to panic that ensued after an electric wire fell on the temple steps amid the presence of a huge crowd of the devotees. Garhwal Commissioner Vinay Shankar Pandey confirmed six deaths in the stampede. He said the exact cause of the stampede would be known only after a probe into the incident, but officials in the Haridwar district administration claimed that it happened due to the panic over the fall of a live electric wire on the temple steps after breaking away from an electric pole. “More details about the incident can be had only after the probe. The injured, who were shifted to a government hospital, are undergoing treatment,” said Haridwar District Magistrate Mayur Dixit. Mr Pandey and the Haridwar district magistrate did not share more details. A district administration official informed that around 28 devotees were injured in the stampede. Later, a statement Parliament expected to function smoothly after govt agrees to discuss Op Sindoor SHAHID K ABBAS NEW DELHI, 27 JULY Haridwar; probe ordered PR SINGH CHENNAI, 27 JULY US confirms no extension to 1 August tariff deadline The US administration on Sunday said the 1 August deadline for imposing reciprocal tariffs remains unchanged and there will be no extension this time. US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick ruled out any possibility of an extension on the Fox News Sunday TV programme. “No extensions, no more grace periods. August 1, the tariffs are set. They'll go into place. Customs will start collecting the money, and off we go," Mr Lutnick was quoted as saying. He also said that the European Union (EU) needed to open its markets for more US exports to convince US President Donald Trump to reduce a 30 per cent tariff rate that is due to kick in on 1 August. “The question is, do they offer President Trump a good enough deal that is worth it for him to step off the 30 per cent tariffs that he set," Mr After a week-long impasse, Parliament is set to resume its proceedings smoothly from Monday, with the government agreeing to hold a special discussion on Operation Sindoor, the military operation the government had launched in response to the terrorist attack in Pahalgam in April. The development comes after an agreement was on Friday reached between the government and the opposition to ensure the smooth functioning of both Houses during the ongoing Monsoon Session of Parliament that started 21 July and has since not transacted any constructive business. The agreement was hammered out during a meeting convened by Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla with floor leaders from various political parties and government representatives, including Min- ister of Parliamentary Affairs Kiren Rijiju and Congress Deputy Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Gaurav Gogoi. As part of the agreement, the government has allocated 16 hours for the debate on Operation Sindoor. Operation Sindoor is a retaliatory military operation conducted by the Indian armed forces in response to a terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir. The operation aimed to neutralize the terrorists and prevent further attacks on civilians and security personnel. The Opposition had been demanding a discussion on the operation, seeking clarity on the government's response to the terrorist attack and the measures taken to prevent future attacks. Parliament's proceedings were disrupted for five consecutive days till Friday due to protests by the opposition parties over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Bihar being conducted by the Election Commission of India (ECI) and the sudden resignation of Jagdeep Dhankhar as the Vice President of India, which the Opposition has attributed to differences with the government over the issue of an impeachment motion against Justice Yashwant Varma of Allahabad High Court. The INDIA bloc MPs had been demanding a discussion on the SIR exercise in Bihar, citing concerns over voter disenfranchisement and alleging cheating in the voter list revision process. The protests had led to repeated adjournments of both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, with the opposition staging protests inside and outside Parliament. However, with the agreement in place, Parliament is now expected to function smoothly, allowing for meaningful discussions and debates on important issues, including Operation Sindoor. Embracing scientific spirit key to India’s growth: PM SHAHID K ABBAS NEW DELHI, 27 JULY Prime Minister Narendra Modi Sunday emphasised the importance of embracing India's scientific spirit, saying, "In 21st century India, science is progressing with a renewed energy." In the 124th episode of his radio address programme, ‘Mann Ki Baat', Prime Minister Modi also stressed the importance of taking pride in the country's achievements in space technology. Recalling his recent interaction with Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, the first Indian astronaut to visit the International Space Station (ISS), PM Modi said he congratulated Shukla on his remarkable achievement. “Recently, there was a lot of talk in the country over Shubhanshu Shukla’s return from Space. As soon as Shubhanshu landed safely on Earth, people jumped with joy; a P12 wave of happiness rippled through every heart. The entire country was filled with pride,” Mr Modi said. PM Modi emphasised the importance of promoting innovation among children, citing the INSPIRE-MANAK Abhiyan. “In this, five children are selected from each school. Each child brings up a new idea. So far, lakhs of children have joined this, and after Chandrayaan-3, their number has doubled,” he said. Underlining India's advancements in science and technology, including the growth of space start-ups, the Prime Minister said: "Space start-ups are also growing rapidly in the country. Five years ago, there were fewer than 50 start-ups. Today, there are more than 200, just in the Space sector.” PM Modi encouraged the nation's youth to develop a passion for science and technology, urging them to con- Bharatiya Janata Party supporters listen to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Mann Ki Baat in Ranchi on Sunday. n ANI tribute to India's growth story. Citing the achievements of Indian students in international Olympiads, Modi recalled four Indian students - Devesh Pankaj, Sandeep Kuchi, Debdutt Priyadarshi, and Ujjwal Kesari – who won medals in the International Chemistry Olympiad, bringing glory to India. He also praised Indian students who excelled in the International Mathematical Olympiad held in Australia, winning three gold, two silver, and a bronze medal. The Prime Minister also announced that the Astronomy and Astrophysics Olympiad will be held in Mumbai next month, featuring students from over 60 countries. "This will be the biggest Olympiad till date," he said, emphasising India's growing presence in both Olympics and Olympiads. Praising the historical significance of the country, PM Modi highlighted UNESCO’s recognition of 12 Maratha forts as World Heritage Sites, including 11 in Maharashtra and one in Tamil Nadu. He noted the historical importance of these forts, such as Salher Fort, where the Mughals were defeated, and Shivneri, where Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj was born. "Each fort has a chapter of history attached to it. Every stone is a testimony to a historical event," he said. Recalling a chapter in India’s freedom movement, PM Modi talked about the importance of the month of August, which he said holds great significance in India's struggle for independence. On August 11, 1908, Khudiram Bose, a brave 18year-old youth, was hanged by the British for expressing his patriotism. "There was no fear on the face of that youth, rather it was full of pride," PM Modi said, remembering the sacrifices of freedom fighters. August is also the month of revolution, marking the death anniversary of Lokmanya Bal Gangadhar Tilak on August 1 and the start of the 'Quit India Movement' on August 8, led by Mahatma Gandhi. The PM also highlighted the significance of August 14 as 'Partition Horrors Remembrance Day' and August 15 as Independence Day. The Swadeshi Movement, which began on 7 August, 1905, lent new energy to local products, especially handlooms. This year marks the completion of 10 years of 'National Handloom Day', which has empowered lakhs of people in the textile sector. PM Modi shared inspiring stories of women like Kavita Dhawale from Maharashtra and tribal women from Mayurbhanj, Odisha, who have revived traditional sarees and are earning a living. The injured are taken to hospital following a stampede at the Mansa Devi temple, in Haridwar on Sunday. n ANI was issued by the state Disaster Management Department confirming six deaths. Five of the injured were in a critical condition and admitted at AIIMS, Rishikesh, while 23 others were undergoing medication at two government hospitals in Haridwar. Reacting to the incident, Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami conveyed his condolences to the deceased devotees and announced Rs 2 lakh compensation to each the families of each deceased. In a social media post, Mr Dhami said: "The news of the heartbreaking incident on Mansa Devi Temple steps in Haridwar resulting in the death of six people is extremely saddening. I pray God to grant peace to the souls of the deceased devotees and provide strength to the grieving families to bear their sorrow. The state government will provide an assistance of ₹2 lakh each to the families of the deceased and ₹50,000 each to the injured persons." Mr Dhami also announced a magisterial inquiry into the incident. According to Mr Pandey, the stampede occurred in the morning when the steps of the Mansa Devi temple, located on the hilltop, were heavily crowded with devotees. In a post on the X social media platform, Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended his condolences to the families of those who lost their loved ones and wished a speedy recovery to the injured. Bihar SIR: 65 lakh voters out of draft rolls INTENSIVE REVIEW n Of the 65 lakh electors being dropped from the draft electoral rolls in Bihar, - 22 lakh are deceased - 36 lakh have shifted permanently or were not found - 7 lakh were enrolled at more than one place n There is a one-month window for corrections, inclusions and deletions, from 1 August to 1 September. n Young citizens turning 18 by 1 October 2025 can register themselves during the same period. n The ECI has said no name will be removed without a formal speaking order, and appeals can be made under Section 24 of the RP Act, 1950 AGENCIES NEW DELHI, 27 JULY A day before the Supreme Court is scheduled to hear a batch of pleas challenging the Election Commission of India's decision to undertake a special intensive revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in pollbound Bihar, the ECI on Sunday said that it has successfully concluded the enumeration phase of the Special Summary Revision (SIR) in Bihar, held from 24 June to 25 July 2025. According to a detailed press release shared by the Election Commission, as many as 65 lakh voters will not figure in the state’s new draft electoral rolls, which are to be published on 1 August. This includes 22 lakh deceased electors (2.83 per cent), 36 lakh (4.59 per cent) who have permanently shifted or not found and seven lakh (0.89 per cent) who have enrolled at more than one place. According to the ECI, more than 7.24 crore electors, out of a total of 7.89 crore, submitted their enumeration forms. This large-scale campaign, which began just a few months before the high-stakes Bihar assembly elections, was aimed at ensuring “No Elector Left Behind”, with a focus on firsttime voters, urban populations, migrants, and vulnerable groups such as the elderly and persons with disabilities, the Election Commission said. Around 29 lakh forms were submitted digitally, either through the ECI website or mobile app, signifying an increasing shift towards techsavvy voter engagement. Young citizens turning 18 by 1 October 2025, are being encouraged to register from 1 August to 1 September. “ECI will conduct special campaigns across Bihar from August 1 to September 1 2025, to enrol such young electors, so that all eligible electors can be enrolled and no one is left out,” the ECI said. Volunteers and officials are assisting senior citizens and PwD voters in completing documentation. The draft roll will be made available both digitally and in print on 1 August. Any inclusions, deletions, or corrections must be submitted during the one-month window. No name will be removed without a formal speaking order, and appeals can be made under Section 24 of the RP Act, 1950. The Supreme Court, meanwhile, is slated to hear on Monday a batch of petitions challenging the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise in Bihar. According to the causelist published on the website of the Supreme Court, a bench of Justices Surya Kant and Joymalya Bagchi will resume hearing the matter on 28 July.