FOLLOW US: @TheStatesmanLtd @thestatesmanltd thestatesman1875 www.thestatesman.com People’s Parliament, Always in Session Vol.1 Issue. 290 India’s National Newspaper since 1818 | Pages 12 | ` 5.00 | KOLKATA | NEW DELHI | MUMBAI | BHUBANESWAR | LUCKNOW | Iran has not compromised on MoU, says Pezeshkian NORTH-EAST India’s market Page 6 Assam’s broken sky Page 9 STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE Will work together to rebuild Bengal: Suvendu Adhikari Kolkata, 23 August D A Bhumi Pujan ceremony for Yantra India Limited was held at GRSE in the presence of Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari in Kolkata. SNS of maritime forces and other defence stakeholders, while advancing the Aatmanirbhar Bharat and Make in India visions. At YIL’s Metal and Steel Factory (MSF), Ishapore, two facilities with a combined investment of over Rs 750 crore will strengthen indigenous metallurgical and defence manufacturing. Padikkal century lifts India to 300/5 in Colombo Page 12 Page 11 Bengal to lead India’s industrial renaissance once again: Rajnath efence Minister Rajnath Singh on Sunday said Bengal, which has historically given the nation new ideas, revolutions, and talent, must now provide a new meaning and direction to India’s journey of development. Mr Singh was speaking at the foundation-laying ceremony for five brownfield expansion projects of Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers Ltd. (GRSE), a Navratna Defence PSU, and Yantra India Limited (YIL), held at GRSE Bhavan in Kolkata on Sunday. West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari was also present at the event. The three GRSE projects mark a significant step towards enhancing the shipyard’s manufacturing capacity and infrastructure, enabling it to meet the growing requirements Monday, 24 August 2026 SPORTS WORLD EDITORIAL SILIGURI | The Defence Minister said that there is a new national confidence in West Bengal, which is contributing to national security. “The state government has made 1,100 acres of land available for border security, which is no mean feat in just 100-odd days of being in power. Today’s investment of Rs 3,400 crore is not just Kolkata: West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari said on Sunday that he believes that Bengal will be one of the most developed state in the country by 2047. He said that the doubleengine government will lead to bigger investment and more employment. The CM was speaking at the foundation for five brownfield expansion projects of Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers Ltd. (GRSE), a Navratna Defence PSU and Yantra India Limited (YIL), at GRSE Bhavan on Sunday. “The negativity of the last 50 years of rule in West Bengal was led by the slogan of ‘virodh karo virodh karo’ (oppose Central initiatives) but that has now ended. We will all work together and we will rebuild Bengal. When India becomes a Viksit Bharat in 2047, Bengal will also be a ‘viksit’ state,” said Mr Adhikari. Page 3 investment in Bengal but also in strengthening India as a nation. Foundations were laid for five new projects today, and in the days to come these projects will be very significant for the nation,” he said. Expressing faith in West Bengal, Mr Singh added: “Bengal will once again play a major role in India’s renaissance with its hard work and the feeling of nationalism. Bengal, once a land that was the seat of India’s industrialisation, is once again stepping forward for India’s industrial renaissance.” He expressed hope that the five projects will not only advance India’s defence production but also support MSMEs and allied industries, apart from generating employment. Back in BJP’s frontline, Smriti Irani takes fresh aim at Rahul STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE New Delhi, 23 August Having remained out of the political spotlight for around two years following her defeat in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections at the hands of Congress leader Kishori Lal Sharma, former Union minister and senior BJP leader Smriti Irani is back in the political limelight, and her aggressive stance against Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi, whom she still refers to as the former Congress president, remains unchanged. Ms Irani, who scripted a major political upset by defeating Rahul Gandhi in the 2019 Lok Sabha polls in Amethi, has now dared Rahul Gandhi to support PM Modi’s proposed bill providing 33 per cent reservation for women across the country. Reacting to Rahul Gandhi’s remarks during his “Chhatron Ki Goonj” programme in Maharashtra’s Pune, Ms Irani said: “The former national president of the Congress party stated at an event that he supports women. Today, I would like to make a request to the former national president. PM Modi has appealed to all political parties to cooperate with him in the swift implementation of this women’s reservation law. I humbly ask him to support the Prime Minister’s initiative, specifically the swift implementation of the law providing 33 per cent reservation for women and enabling them to take on leadership roles in Parliament.” The Congress party has publicly offered support for women’s reservation, but not for the linked Delimitation Bill, which seeks to increase the India-US trade deal almost done Search intensifies for 22 crew after Ocean Winner sinks off Odisha coast in principle: US envoy Sergio Gor STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE Paradip, 23 August The Indian Navy and Coast Guard have intensified a multi-agency search and rescue operation for 22 crew members of Panama-flagged bulk carrier MV Ocean Winner, which sank off the Odisha coast after two of its 24-member crew were rescued from life rafts. The two survivors were rescued late Saturday evening by merchant vessel MT Aisopos after an Indian Navy P8I aircraft located life rafts in the area. The survivors are being provided medical care, while their identities and ranks are being verified. The distress alert was received after Ocean Winner, located around 290 nautical miles from Paradip Port, lost communication and disappeared from tracking systems. The Navy redeployed its P8I aircraft for the search in coordination with the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC), Sri Vijaya Puram. Coast Guard ships Varad, Anmol and Vijit, along with Navy assets and nearby merchant vessels, are participating in the operation to locate the missing crew. The vessel had sailed from Paradip at around 10.30 a.m. on Wednesday carrying nearly 71,000 tonnes of iron ore for China via Singapore. The 225-metre-long vessel had 24 crew members ~ 20 Chinese, three Myanmar nationals and one Bangladeshi. The cause of the sinking has not yet been established. Investigators are expected to examine the vessel’s cargo condition and loading practices, stability, structural integrity, ballast arrangements, mechanical systems and prevailing sea conditions. The large quantity of iron ore fines on board could also lead to scrutiny of possible cargo liquefaction, in which excess moisture can reduce the stability of bulk cargo and affect a vessel’s overall stability. Possible overloading or improper cargo distribution may also be examined, though there is no official confirmation that any such factor caused the accident. The vessel, reportedly built in 1998, was about 28 years old. Maritime experts, however, said the age of the vessel alone cannot be considered evidence of the cause of the accident. Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal expressed concern over the incident and said all agencies were coordinating closely in the rescue operation. PM Modi calls for India to become global hub for space talent and innovation The proposed trade agreement between India and the United States is close to being finalised in principle, with negotiators now focused on resolving the remaining legal and technical details, US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor said. Speaking at a media interaction in New Delhi, Mr Gor indicated that the two countries had broadly agreed on the key elements of the pact. The remaining task, he said, involves refining and restructuring portions of the agreement’s text before it can be formally concluded. Mr Gor attributed the delay in wrapping up the deal primarily to the complexity of the legal and technical language involved in finalising the agreement. The ambassador also commented on a proposal in the US Congress that could Whatever decisions we take, we should remain consistent with them and should not keep changing them repeatedly. New Delhi, 23 August NARENDRA MODI, PRIME MINISTER participation. The Prime Minister emphasised that predictable policymaking was essential to encourage innovation and risk-taking. He said entrepreneurs should have confidence that policies would remain stable and that they would not be left unsupported when ventures faced difficulties. “Whatever decisions we take, we should remain consistent with them and should not keep changing them repeatedly,” Mr Modi said. The interaction featured discussions with CEOs of startups working on launch vehicles, satellite propulsion, orbital services, space debris removal, in-orbit refuelling, ground stations and pharmaceutical manufacturing in space. lead to tariffs of as much as 100 per cent on countries importing Russian oil. Mr Gor stressed that the proposal was being advanced by lawmakers across party lines and was not an initiative being pushed by the White House. He noted that President Donald Trump has not publicly advocated the measure. The proposed legislation could have implications for India given its purchases of Russian crude. Mr Gor, however, said Mr Trump’s broader priority remained ending the Russia-Ukraine war, describing the resolution of the conflict as a critical objective for the US President. He further underlined the importance of the relationship between Mr Trump and Prime Minister Narendra Modi in strengthening bilateral ties. Describing the relationship as a close and personal one, the ambassador said both Congress questions delay in Lok Sabha prorogation STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE New Delhi, 23 August leaders favour a fast-moving, results-oriented approach to bilateral issues. He added that Trump has considerable respect for Modi. Mr Gor also recalled Mr Modi’s support for Mr Trump during the period after the 2020 US presidential election, when Mr Trump was no longer in the White House. According to the ambassador, that support helped deepen the trust between the two leaders. He said the personal rapport between Mr Trump and Mr Modi has contributed to stronger India-US relations and could help both sides move quickly on areas of mutual interest. Congress general secretary in-charge of communications Jairam Ramesh on Sunday questioned the delay in the prorogation of the Lok Sabha, alleging that the unusually long gap since the House was adjourned sine die could be linked to fresh political manoeuvring over a constitutional amendment concerning delimitation. In a post on social media platform X, Mr Ramesh said that while the interval between the Lok Sabha's adjournment sine die and its prorogation was generally two to four days, there had also been several occasions when both took place on the same day. “Ten days have gone by since this Lok Sabha was adjourned sine die but still there is no information on its prorogation,” he added. Grassroots outreach, youth connect, expanding membership ~ BJP sharpens poll strategy for 2027 polls STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday interacted with chief executives of Indian space startups, highlighting the need for policy consistency, global competitiveness and an ecosystem capable of attracting talent from across the world as India’s private space sector expands rapidly. During the interaction, Mr Modi lauded entrepreneurs for taking risks in a relatively new sector and for placing their trust in the government after the opening up of the space industry to private New Delhi, 23 August number of Lok Sabha seats. Ms Irani further claimed that remarks were made about the Hindu religion at Rahul Gandhi’s event. “Given that he has invoked religion, I make one further request to that leader: the lines of Vande Mataram that were halted at the Congress headquarters actually contain a reference to Goddess Durga… Regarding Mother Durga, the full rendition of Vande Mataram should take place at the Congress headquarters. This would reflect the inclination they have shown towards women’s issues,” she said. New Delhi, 23 August The BJP is sharpening its strategy for the 2027 Assembly elections, with a focus on grassroots outreach, expanding membership and strengthening connect with young voters, sources have said. Over the weekend, party president Nitin Nabin’s team of national office-bearers met to discuss the strategy for elections in seven states ~ Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Punjab, Manipur and Goa, followed by Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh. The BJP is currently in power in five of the poll-bound states ~ Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, Uttarakhand, Manipur and Goa ~ while the Aam Aadmi Party governs Punjab and the Congress Himachal Pradesh. Sources said the meetings also focused on strengthening the party’s grassroots presence and engaging young voters through a dedicated Gen Z programme. Expanding the BJP’s membership and outreach among the younger generation will be the key organisational priority ahead of the 2027 polls and the 2029 Lok Sabha elections, they added Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who visited the BJP headquarters on Saturday, also interacted with the newly appointed national office-bearers for around five hours. In his first interaction with the new team following the party’s organisational overhaul, the PM urged them to remain connected with people, expand grassroots outreach and strengthen the organisation and the party’s ideology while remaining committed to public service. “The interaction also focussed on the BJP’s working style and strategy in response to changing political circumstances and the expectations of the new generation,” sources said. PM Modi also took to the social media post, sharing pictures from the meeting. “Organisational meetings are all about new ideas and perspectives aimed at strengthening the Party and deepening connection with the people. Great interaction with fellow party colleagues and the new organisational team,” he said The sources said all office-bearers introduced themselves and shared their views and work experience with the Prime Minister. The BJP on Saturday also passed a resolution criticising the Congress over its decision to sing only two stanzas of Vande Mataram at its events and vowed to protect the “dignity and the national status” of the full version of the national song and announced a nationwide campaign highlighting its significance. The party will be holding a month-long nationwide “Seva Sankalp Abhiyan” around Modi’s birthday to highlight his commitment to public service and mobilise citizens, particularly youth.