www.thestatesman.com | FOLLOW US: India’s National Newspaper since 1818 | @TheStatesmanLtd Pages 20 | ` 5.00 @thestatesmanltd | LC | People’s Parliament, Always in Session thestatesman1875 KOLKATA | NEW DELHI | SILIGURI Death toll rises to 14 in MP cough syrup tragedy Hamas to free Israeli hostages, supports Trump’s Gaza plan STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE AGENCIES Bhopal, 4 October New Delhi, 4 October Another child from Chhindwara district of Madhya Pradesh died of kidney failure during treatment at a Nagpur hospital on Saturday, taking the total number of deaths in the district to 14 ~ all suspected to be caused by the consumption of adulterated Coldrif cough syrup. Two-year-old Yogita, a resident of the Parasia area in Chhindwara, died during treatment at a Nagpur hospital this morning. According to Parasia Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) Saurabh Kumar Yadav, 11 children have died in the sub-division so far. In total, 14 children ~ including two from Chhindwara city, and one from Chaurai tehsil ~ all in Chhindwara district, have died between 7 September and today. The SDM said that six children, including five in Nagpur and one in Chhindwara, are still undergoing treatment, with the condition of three admitted in Nagpur described as critical. Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav on Saturday announced a statewide ban on Coldrif syrup with immediate effect. He also declared an ex gratia compensation of Rs 4 lakh each for the families of the deceased children. H amas on Friday (local time) agreed to release all Israeli hostages, whether dead or alive, as it partially accepted the 20-point Gaza peace plan introduced by US President Donald Trump earlier this week. “In this context, the movement affirms its readiness to immediately enter into negotiations through the mediators to discuss the details of this agreement,” Hamas said in a statement released on Telegram, quoted by Al Jazeera. The group also agreed to hand over the Gaza administration to an independent Palestinian technocrats' body “based on Palestinian national consensus and Arab and Islamic support.” “Other issues mentioned in President Trump's proposal regarding the future of the Gaza Strip and the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people are connected to a unified national position and relevant international laws and resolutions," the statement said. “They will be addressed through a comprehensive Palestinian national framework, in which Hamas will participate and contribute responsibly,” the statement added. The development comes after United States President Donald Trump issued a stern Modi backs Trump’s Gaza peace push STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE New Delhi, 4 October warning to Hamas, saying the militant group is “militarily trapped” and gave it till Sunday to agree to the peace deal that has been endorsed by regional and global powers. Mr Trump earlier in the week unveiled his peace plan, which includes an immediate ceasefire, the release of all Israeli hostages held by Hamas, a staged withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza, the disarmament of Hamas and the introduction of a transitional government led by an international body. Hamas, while agreeing to release all Israeli hostages and hand over administration of Gaza to Palestinian technocrats, has notably not mentioned disarmament. The international community has welcomed Hamas' response, with Qatar beginning coordination with mediator Egypt and the USA to continue talks on Trump's Gaza plan. Reciprocating Hamas’ response, Mr Trump Saturday asked Israel to “immediately stop bombing Gaza.” The Israeli military, however, launched fresh airstrikes in the enclave on Saturday that killed at least six people. The conflict between Israel and Hamas has resulted in significant loss of life, with over 66,000 people killed in Gaza since October 2023, according to Gaza health authorities. Israel began its military campaign after Hamas-led militants attacked Israel, killing around 1,200 people and taking 251 hostages. • More reports: Page 17 Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday welcomed the leadership shown by US President Donald Trump in advancing peace efforts in Gaza, citing “decisive progress” in the peace process. “We welcome President Trump’s leadership as peace efforts in Gaza make decisive progress. Indications of the release of hostages mark a significant step forward. India will continue to strongly support all efforts towards a durable and just peace,” PM Modi said in a post on X. The Indian government has historically maintained good relations with both Israel and Palestine and has consistently been supportive of efforts to achieve a durable and just resolution to the longstanding Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Shubman Gill replaces Rohit Sharma as India’s ODI captain TRIDIB BAPARNASH New Delhi, 4 October Test skipper Shubman Gill has replaced Rohit Sharma as India’s new ODI captain, and will lead the side in the three-match series in Australia starting 19 October. Rohit, along with batting stalwart Virat Kohli, have been named in the squad with Shreyas Iyer as the vice-captain. Having retired from Tests and T20Is, both Rohit and Kohli were last seen in action during India’s successful campaign in the ICC Cham- pions Trophy in March, this year. After the three ODIs in Australia, their next opportunities to play for India are in the three-ODI home series against South Africa in November-December and against New Zealand in January. The selection committee, led by former India fast bowler Ajit Agarkar, convened on Saturday in Ahmedabad, shortly after India’s innings-and-140-run victory over the West Indies in the first Test. The captaincy change was driven by the selectors’ intent to give Gill ample time to establish himself ahead of the 2027 ODI World Cup in South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia. The decision was taken collectively by Agarkar in consultation with head coach Gautam Gambhir and BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia. With the change in guard in ODIs, the 26-year-old Gill is now officially in the leadership role across all three formats, as Test and ODI captain and vice-captain of the T20I team. Agarkar brushed aside questions on G i l l ’s workload saying: “Hopefully not, he is still quite young.” The 38-year- old Rohit Sharma was India's full-time ODI captain from December 2021. Overall, he led India in 56 ODIs, winning 42, losing 12, with one tie and another no-result. He led India to the 2018 Asia Cup title as stand-in captain, and then to the 2023 Asia Cup title as full-time captain. Under his leadership, India made the final of the 2023 ODI World Cup. His tenure culminated in India winning the ICC Champions Trophy, earlier this year. PM launches youth-focussed initiatives worth ` 62,000 crore STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE launch include: New Delhi, 4 October Prime Minister Narendra Modi Saturday unveiled a slew of youth-focussed initiatives worth more than Rs 62,000 crore, with a special emphasis on poll-bound Bihar. The initiatives aim to boost education, skilling, and entrepreneurship across the country, with a focus on preparing the youth to lead the future. “With a strong focus on skilling and innovation, our government is preparing the Yuva Shakti to lead the future,” PM Modi said while speaking at the occasion. “India is a country of knowledge and skill. This intellectual strength is our greatest power. Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) are not only premier institutions of industrial education, they are also the workshops of an Aatmanirbhar Bharat,” he added. He further said: “A few years ago, our government started a new tradition of large-scale convocations for ITI students. Today, we are all witnessing another milestone in this tradition. I extend my best wishes to all the young ITI colleagues from every corner of India. Today's ceremony symbolises the importance India places on skills. Today, two more major education and skill development projects have been launched for youth across the country...” He also added that India was a fragile economy before 2014 and that it will soon become the top economy. Key initiatives of the PM-SETU Scheme: A centrally sponsored scheme with an investment of Rs 60,000 crore, aimed at upgrading 1,000 government ITIs across the country in a hub-and-spoke model. The scheme will be industry-managed, with global co-financing support from the World Bank and Asian Development Bank. Mukhyamantri Nishchay Svyam Sahayata Bhatta Yojana: A revamped scheme under which nearly five lakh graduates in Bihar will receive a monthly allowance of Rs 1,000 each for two years, along with free skill training. Bihar Student Credit Card Scheme: A redesigned scheme that will provide interest-free education loans of up to Rs 4 lakh, significantly easing the financial burden of higher education. Over 3.92 lakh students have already availed loans worth more than Rs 7,880 crore under the scheme. Jan Nayak Karpoori Thakur Skill University: A new skill university in Bihar that will impart industry-oriented courses and vocational education to create a globally competitive workforce. Bihar Yuva Ayog: A statutory commission for people between the ages of 18 and 45, aimed at channelising and harnessing the potential of the state’s young population. | BHUBANESWAR | 05 October 2025 UK PM Starmer to visit next week, hold talks with PM Modi STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE New Delhi, 4 October United Kingdom (UK) Prime Minister Keir Starmer will be on an official visit to India from 8 to 9 October. This will be Prime Minister Starmer’s first official visit to India. “At the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, United Kingdom Prime Minister Keir Starmer will visit India on 8-9 October 2025,” the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said in a statement on Saturday. During the visit, Mr Starmer and Prime Minister Narendra Modi will meet in Mumbai on 9 October. The two Prime Ministers will take stock of progress in diverse aspects of the India-UK Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in line with ‘Vision 2035’, a focussed and time -bound 10 -year Roadmap of programmes and initiatives in key pillars of trade and investment, technology and innovation, defence and security, climate and energy, health, education and people to people relations, the MEA statement said. “Both leaders will engage with businesses and industry leaders on opportunities presented by the India–UK Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) as a central pillar of the future India–UK economic partnership," it said. Mr Modi and Mr Starmer will attend the 6th edition of the Global Fintech Fest in Mumbai and deliver keynote addresses. The leaders will also engage with industry experts, policymakers and innovators, according to the MEA. Mr Modi had met Mr Starmer earlier this year in July, during the Prime Minister’s official visit to the United Kingdom. ECI reviews Bihar poll preparedness; parties push for elections after Chhath STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE New Delhi, 4 October The Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) on Saturday reviewed the poll preparations for the upcoming Bihar Assembly elections in Patna. CEC Gyanesh Kumar led a delegation that included Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi, and met with representatives of 12 recognised national political parties to discuss election-related issues. During the meetings, representatives of various parties suggested that the elections be scheduled immediately after the Chhath festival, which falls on 28 October this year. They also urged that the elections be completed in as few phases as possible. Representatives of Aam Aadmi Party, Bahujan Samaj Party, Bharatiya Janata Party, Communist Party of India (Marxist), Indian National Congress, National People's Party, CPI(ML) Liberation, Janata Dal (United), Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas), Rashtriya Janata Dal, and Rashtriya Lok Janshakti Party attended the meet.