FOLLOW US: @TheStatesmanLtd @thestatesmanltd thestatesman1875 www.thestatesman.com People’s Parliament, Always in Session India’s National Newspaper since 1818 | Pages 16 | ` 5.00 | KOLKATA LC | NEW DELHI | SILIGURI | BHUBANESWAR Modinomics at 75 Israel expands operation in Gaza City, residents told to leave Page 8 Page 11 BRIEFLY 5 killed after Uttarakhand cloudburst Dehradun: Overnight heavy rains in the Uttarakhand capital, Dehradun, on Tuesday caused massive devastation, leaving nearly five people dead and several missing. Rescue operations were launched by the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), local public, police, and the fire brigade as hundreds were stranded in different places in the town. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah spoke with Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami to review the situation following a massive cloudburst in the Sahastradhara region of Dehradun. At least five people died, and several went missing in the overnight heavy rainfall in Dehradun that resulted in swelling of the river, causing massive destruction mainly on the fringes of Dehradun. NATION Meghalaya: Sangma reshuffles cabinet Page 13 India between China and the USA: Many perspectives MOHUL BHATTACHARYA Kolkata, 16 september T he annual Statesman Rural Reporting Awards continues to be a compelling event, offering insights that extend beyond journalism. This year’s panel discussion was titled Trump or Tianjin: Devil or the Deep Sea, a theme reflecting India’s often delicate geopolitical balancing act. Mr Ravindra Kumar, Editor and Managing Director of The Statesman, opened the session by underscoring the importance of such dialogues. He highlighted how the panelists bring global and national perspectives to the fore, enriching public understanding of international relations. “These issues are nuanced,” he said, “and everyone stands to gain from engaging with them.” He spoke of legacy, representation, and the relevance of such discussions in times of global crisis. The distinguished panel During the panel discussion at The Statesman Awards for Rural Reporting in Kolkata on Tuesday. BISWAJIT GHOSHAL included Dinesh Trivedi, former Minister of Railways, Sitaram Sharma, former Director of Andhra Paper Limited, Professor Partho P. Majumdar, known as the “Gene Guru”, Major General Harsha Kakkar (Retd.), strategic affairs columnist for The Statesman. Arpan Banerjee, lawyer, professor of law, and alumnus of the University of London was the moderator. ArpanBanerjee,contextualising the debate, reflected on the historical framing of US presidents in The Statesman’s debates. “This is only the second time a sitting US president has been directly referenced,” he noted. “Thefirstwasaround2003–2004, during the Iraq War under President Bush.” He observed that the term “Weapons of Mass Destruction” has resurfaced during the Trump presidency, often invoked but rarelyaddressed SC transfers to itself pleas challenging law Panel set up for India’s regulating conversion upon marriage PARMOD KUMAR New Delhi, 16 September The Supreme Court on Tuesday transferred to itself the petitions pending before various High Courts in the BJP ruled states challenging the controversial laws regulating religious conversion upon inter-faith marriages coupled with stringent provisions for bail and prolonged sentences. Giving four weeks to the Centre, Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Uttarakhand and Haryana to respond to the petitions and the related applications, a bench of Chief Justice B.R. Gavai and Justice K. Vinod Chandran also issued notice on the pleas seeking stay on the operation of the laws, posting the matter after six weeks for considering plea for stay. Telling the bench that the law under challenge is basically anti-conversion law titled as the Freedom of Religion Act in Uttar Pradesh, senior advocate Chander Uday Singh, appearingforoneofthepetitioners, said: “Now, as courts grant bail, etc...UP has made the minimum sentence of 20 years or the end of natural life, coupled with twin conditions of bail on par with stringent PMLA and the reverse burden of proof... Several States are enacting them. Rajasthan also enacted a law a few weeks ago. Any person can make a complaint. Mobs are picking them up during festivals, etc.” Mr Singh also sought the court’s nod for filing an amendment application to challenge the new provisions included in the Uttar Pradesh law. He said that it is impossible for a person accused in an interfaith marriage to get bail. Seeking the transfer of a matter pending before the Madhya Pradesh High Court in which she is representing a part respondent, senior advocate Indira Jaising said, “Let other such pending petitions be transferred here. It will be a challenge to all such laws.” As lawyers appearing for the petitioners pressed for the transfer of petitions pending before the High Courts to the Supreme Court, Additional Solicitor General K.M. Nataraj, appearing for Madhya Pradesh said, “We have no objection to transfer.” Upon this, the bench said, "Ok, transfer all such petitions here. Amendment application allowed.” However, CJI Gavai said that it will take time to decide on the validity of all these laws. Next-Gen air defence PARWINDER SANDHU New Delhi, 16 September A month after Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced Mission Sudarshan Chakra, to establish an Iron Dome air-defence system, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday confirmed that a committee has been formed to examine the project and prepare a “realistic action plan”. The announcement was made by the defence minister during the ongoing Combined Commanders’ Conference 2025 in Kolkata, West Bengal. Calling upon the commanders to be proactive in their approach and strive to build the Sudarshan Chakra, Singh said the committee has been formed to examine the project and prepare a “realistic action plan”. PM Modi turns 75: A legacy of transformation and service STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE hospitals, railway stations, bus stands, temples, parks, riversides, and heritage sites. Despite speculation about his retirement after turning 75, BJP leaders have dismissed the rumours. Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said: "There is no need to search for his successor. He is our leader and will continue." Mr Fadnavis also stated that in 2029, Mr Modi will again be the Prime Minister. New Delhi, 16 September Prime Minister Narendra Modi celebrates his 75th birthday on Wednesday, 17 S e p te m b e r, m a r k i n g a milestone in his remarkable journey as a leader who has redefined India's political, social, and economic landscape. Over the past decade, Mr M o d i h a s sp e a r h e a d e d numerous ambitious initiatives that have transformed India's landscape. Mr Modi's vision for inclusive growth and d e ve l o p m e n t h a s b e e n reflected in several flagship programmes. PM’s governance has consistently reinforced the strength of India's farmers, women, and youth. Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi provided direct financial assistance to over 11 crore farmers. PM Modi amplified India's voice on issues like counter-terrorism, climate change, and digital innovation. The BJP has plans to celebrate Prime Minister Modi’s 75th birthday by organizing an ove r two-week-long ‘seva pakhwara’ Wednesday, 17 September 2025 SPORTS WORLD EDITORIAL PAGE | (service fortnight) across the country from 17 September to 2 October. The campaign will begin with blood donation camps in 1,000 districts on 17 September. From 18 September to 2 October, blood donation drives will continue at every Mandal, alongside cleanliness c a m p a i g n s i n s c h o o l s, PM thanks Trump After US President Donald Trump called him up to which him on his birthday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday thanked him and said he is fully committed to taking the India-US Comprehensive and Global Partnership to new heights. substantively. Mr Banerjee added: “India drifting towards China is both delusional and utopian. Yet, we must ask whether it’s time to consider China a strategic partner in areas like rare earth minerals, defence, and geological cooperation.” “I come from the world of science,” said Professor Majumdar. “Let me compare the two nations ~ Trump’s America and China’s Tianjin.” He criticised China’s aggressive patent-filing culture, suggesting that many patents are submitted merely to boost numbers and secure university remuneration, often lacking peer-reviewed credibility. “They aspire to lead in publications, but many of these journals are predatory. It’s essentially academic trash.” Turning to the USA, Majumdar lamented the decline in scientific openness under Trump. “Indian scholars are being pushed out. Diversity, which once enriched • Turn to page 4 Mandhana reclaims No.1 position in women’s ODI rankings Page 16 Discussions with USA on trade deal positive: Govt STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE New Delhi, 16 September The Union Ministry of Commerce and Industry said on Tuesday that discussions with visiting US Chief Negotiator Brendan Lynch were positive and forwardlooking, and that it was decided to intensify efforts to reach a mutually bilateral trade agreement at the earliest. The high-level US trade delegation led by Brendan Lynch, Assistant US Trade Representative for South and Central Asia, arrived in Delhi on Monday evening. “Acknowledging the enduring importance of bilateral trade between India and the US, the discussions were positive & forward looking covering various aspects of the trade deal,” the Commerce ministry said in a statement, adding that both sides agreed to push for an early conclusion. Apollo Tyres bags India jersey rights until 2028 STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE New Delhi, 16 September Apollo Tyres has secured the lead sponsorship rights of the Indian cricket teams with a winning bid of Rs 579 crore, outbidding Canva (Rs 544 crore) & JK Cements (Rs 477 crore) in a closely contested three-way race. The Gurgaon-based tyre major, which operates in more than 100 countries, will hold the rights for two and a half years until March 2028. The deal covers 121 bilateral matches and 21 ICC fixtures.