hyderabad l Monday l January 27, 2025 l `9.00 l PAGES 12 l late city EDITION trump wants to clean up Gaza, asks Egypt, Jordan to help with refugees US President Donald Trump said that he would like to see Jordan, Egypt, and other Arab nations raise the number of refugees they are accepting resettling may be temporary or long term “You’re talking about probably a million and a half people,” Trump said, adding that the resettling “could be temporary or long term”. He said he wants to move out enough people to “clean out” Gaza to create a virtual clean slate. It comes days after Trump commended its “phenomenal location” and said, “something beautiful could be done with it” ■ 1.9 million ban lifted, Israel to get 2,000-pound bombs ■ Trump also said he’s ended his predecessor Joe Biden’s hold on sending 2,000-pound bombs to Israel. Asked why he lifted the ban, Trump responded, “Because they (Israel) bought them” Former president Biden imposed the ban as a measure to reduce civilian casualties arising out of Israel’s operations in Gaza Strip | P9 Gaza residents displaced by war, as per human rights watch CHENNAI ■ MADURAI ■ VIJAYAWADA ■ BENGALURU ■ KOCHI ■ HYDERABAD ■ VISAKHAPATNAM ■ COIMBATORE ■ KOZHIKODE ■ THIRUVANANTHAPURAM ■ BELAGAVI ■ BHUBANESWAR ■ SHIVAMOgGA ■ MANGALURU ■ TIRUPATI ■ TIRUCHY ■ TIRUNELVELI ■ SAMBALPUR ■ HUBBALLI ■ DHARMAPURI ■ KOTTAYAM ■ KANNUR ■ VILLUPURAM ■ KOLLAM ■ TADEPALLIGUDEM ■ NAGAPATTINAM ■ THRISSUR ■ KALABURAGI thinkedu 2025 Stage set for celebration of ideas in Chennai Express News Service @ Chennai The ThinkEdu Conclave is back. Over 40 esteemed panelists will lead thought-provoking discussions by sharing their insights into education, polity, economy, technology history art, and , , culture, during the two-day conclave, beginning today (January 27). Themed ‘Rise of the Indosphere’, the 13th edition of the conclave, presented by Sastra University, promises to continue the celebration of Indian exc e l l e n c e . Attendees will gain invaluable insights from a diverse lineup of thought leaders, policymakers, and innovators. This includes Justice V Ramasubramanian, Chairperson of the National Human Rights Comm i s s i o n ( N H RC ) ; A r i f Mohammed Khan, Governor of Bihar; Priyank Kharge, Minister for Electronics, IT/BT and Rural Development & Panchayat Raj, Karnataka; and Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka, Deputy Chief Minister of Telangana. Additionally, first-time california rain helps firefighters, toxic runoff a threat Members of Parliament like Sasikanth Senthil (Tiruvallur constituency) and Angomcha Bimol Akoijam (Inner Manipur constituency), alongside seasoned veteran Parliamentarians such as Subramanian Swamy and Shashi Tharoor, will share their perspectives on India’s political and social landscape. The conclave also promises enriching discussions from thinkers like Sanjeev Sanyal, Member of the Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister of India, and Mukunda CR, Joint General Secretary of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, to delve into contemporary issues. Artificial intelligence (AI) takes centre stage with four sessions exploring its sociopolitical and economic implications, guided by academic and industry pioneers. Concurrently, eminent academics such as Prof Sudha Seshayyan, Prof Mamidala Jagadesh Kumar, and Prof Himanshu Rai will tackle topics ranging from accessibility in higher education to teaching Gen Z.  Potentially heavy downpour forecast for the region on charred hillsides could invite new troubles such as runoff arising from toxic ash Culture, defence might top draws at R-Day Marked emphasis on showcasing India’s spiritual, cultural heritage; new tactical missile Pralay makes its debut Kuch Kuch Hota Hai as Bollywood complements diplomacy at Prez’s dinner J aya n th J a c o b @ New Delhi Folk artists put up a performance during 76th Republic Day parade in New Delhi on Sunday; (Below, from left) Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto, President Droupadi Murmu and Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar during the ‘At-Home’ reception at Rashtrapati Bhavan | Shekhar yadav/PTI R A J ES H K U M A R T H A K U R & M aya n k s i n g h @ New Delhi THE 76th Republic Day celebrations appeared to take a unique approach, with spiritual and cultural aspects displayed with the same vigour as economic and military might. The eclectic parade on Kartavya Path came alive shortly after the national flag was unfurled in the presence of President Droupadi Murmu. This was followed by a tableaux showcasing 45 dance forms from states. From the Laxminarayan Temple in Karnataka to the Mahakumbh in UP, each state’s tableau displayed a rich cultural tapestry West Bengal’s tribute . to Durga Puja and Bihar’s ode to Buddha monuments highlighted their spiritual significance. AP’s tableau focussed on Etikoppaka wooden toys of Lord Ganesh and others, signifying its rich tradition of crafts and sculpture. The Sangeet Natak Academy curated a 11-minute performance titled “Jayati Jaya Mamah Bharatam” — a tribute to tribal icon Birsa Munda. India’s defence capabilities Members of the Indonesian delegation singing Kuch Kuch Hota Hai at the banquet hosted by President Murmu | ani ral on social media. Kajol shared the video on her profile, captioning it: “Bollywood’s power to unite shines again! The Indonesian delegation singing Kuch Kuch Hota Hai is such a heartwarming tribute. Truly honoured!” Indian films were first introduced to Indonesia in 1945 by the allied armies, as entertainment for Indian troops following Indonesia’s declaration of independence. Bollywood films have since been beloved by Indonesians. Another highlight of the night was a painting on the walls of the Rashtrapati Bhavan. President Murmu showed Subianto the painting depicting a historic moment: Former Indonesian President Sukarno and the First Lady attending the swearing-in of India’s first President, Dr Rajendra Prasad in 1950. Sukarno was the chief guest at India’s first Republic Day . Express News Service @ Hyderabad Commending the state gover nment’s commitment to upholding constitutional values, Governor Jishnu Dev Varma said, “By maintaining cordial and constructive relations with the Union government, the Telangana government exemplifies the true spirit of federalism enshrined in our Constitution. This federal spirit strengthens the fabric of our democracy and ensures har monious governance.” The governor addressed the public after unfurling the national flag on Sunday Republic , Day at Parade Grounds. He not, ed that Telangana remains a leader in paddy production, achieving a record output of 1.59 crore tonnes during the 2024 rainy season. “Agriculture continues to be the backbone of Telangana’s economy,” he said. Varma also stated that Telangana’s “Prajaa Prabhuthvam” (people’s government) has consistently prioritised the preservation of the state’s rich culture and traditions. The governor further explained that the design of Telangana Talli embodies the daily life and essence of the people of Telangana, focusing on the resilience and cultural identity of the common citizen.  continued on P4 My family serves, doesn’t loot like KCR’s: CM Respecting differences key to living in peace: Bhagwat M a n da Rav i n d e r r e d dy ‘Centre conspiring to control universities’ @ Hyderabad R A J ES H K U M A R T H A K U R @ New Delhi DIVERSITY is natural and differences should be respected, Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat said on Sunday . Addressing a gathering after unfurling the national flag at the Republic Day celebration at a college at Bhiwandi in Maharashtra’s Thane district, Bhagwat emphasised the need to ensure equal opportunities for all to thrive in society . “No one should be suppressed, and everyone should get an opportunity to grow. Cohesion is the key to living in harmony he said. ,” Bhagwat said diversity is India’s strength and should be embraced. “ C l a s h e s a re happening outside Bharat due to diversity We see diversity as . a natural part of life. You can have your own specialities, but you must be good to each other. If you want to live, it should be a cohesive living. You cannot be happy if your family is unhappy Similarly a family cannot be . , happy if the town is facing trouble,” he said. The RSS chief also underlined the need for combining knowledge with dedication in all endeavours and efforts while working for the nation and society together. He urged citizens to recognise their collective responsibility toward the nation. “You cannot outsource or contract it to anyone else,” he said. were showcased with the debut of a new tactical missile Pralay and the army’s battle surveillance system ‘Sanjay’. In a first, a tri-services tableau depicted the nation’s focus on enhancing synergy among its armed forces. The tableau displayed a battlefield scenario in land, water, and air with the indigenous Arjun battle tank and Tejas MKII fighter aircraft. The C-130J Super Hercules, C-295, C-17 Globemaster, Dornier, AN-32, Rafale, Jaguar and Su-30, took part in the flypast. President Murmu, Supreme Commander of armed forces, took the salute in a parade led by Lieutenant General Bhavnish Kumar, General Officer Commanding, Delhi Area. President Murmu was joined by Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto, the chief guest.  P7 I n do n e s i a n P r e s i d e n t Prabowo Subianto, who was the chief guest at the Republic Day parade, was at his humorous best when he declared his love for Indian film music during the state banquet hosted in his honour by President Droupadi Mur mu on Saturday night. Seated between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar, Subianto said a few days ago he “had done his genetic sequencing test, the DNA test” and found that he was an “Indian,” eliciting laughter from the dignitaries. “Everyone knows that I dance when I hear Indian music,” the Indonesian President said. Indonesia’s love for Indian film music was on display when some members of the Indonesian delegation took to the stage at Rashtrapati Bhavan to perform the song Kuch Kuch Hota Hai, creating a memorable moment that seamlessly bl e n d e d d i p l o m a cy w i t h entertainment. The song, from the 1998 Bollywood film Kuch Kuch Hota Hai, starring Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol, added a touch of fun and nostalgia to the evening. The Indonesian delegation’s performance quickly went vi- TG exemplifies true spirit of federalism: Guv Blaze on lake Two boats on Hussainsagar catch fire during the Bharatha Matha Harathi programme in Hyderabad on Sunday. At least two persons were hurt in the mishap | p3 State partners with Swiss firm to establish India’s first Quantum Hub in Hyd E x p r e ss N e ws S e r v i c e @ Hyderabad The state government on Sunday announced a partnership with QuantumBasel, Switzerland’s quantum and AI innovation hub, to establish a Quantum Hub in Hyderabad, touted to be the first such facility in India. IT & Industries Minister D Sridhar Babu met a delegation from QuantumBasel, led by CEO Damir Bogdan and board member Karl Gun. A letter of intent (LOI) was signed in the presence of Nicholas Gugger, a member of the National Council of Switzerland and president of the India-Switzerland Parliamentary Group. According to a release, the hub will focus on quantum computing, AI and innovative solutions for industries such as finance, life sciences and logistics. It will also provide mentorship for research and startups and foster collaborations be- tween academia, industry and entrepreneurs. “Telangana is poised to become a global leader in quantum technologies! We’re thrilled to announce a groundbreaking partnership between the Government of Telangana and QuantumBasel, Switzerland’s pioneering Quantum and AI hub, to establish India’s firstever Quantum Hub in Hyderabad,” the minister posted on X. Highlighting Telangana’s role as a pioneer in emerging technologies, Sridhar Babu added, “This Quantum Hub is a giant leap towards making our state a hub for futuristic technologies.” In November, Sridhar Babu mentioned plans to bring professors onto a common platform to raise awareness about quantum computing and to organise a seminar or summit at Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University (JNTU) for engineering students. Reacting to the BRS’ allegations regarding the involvement of his family members in the affairs of the Kodangal constituency Chief Minister A Revanth , Reddy defended his family stat, ing that they serve the people selflessly and without holding any official positions. Addressing the gathering after launching Rythu Bharosa, Indiramma Housing Scheme, Indiramma Atmeeya Bharosa and issuing new ration cards in Chandravancha village, Narayanapet district, on Sunday, he remarked, “(BRS supremo) KCR’s family is finding fault with my family members while they are working selflessly We . will not compete for loot like KCR’s family My family is not . Opposing the draft UGC regulations for appointment of vice-chancellors and filling vacancies, Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy alleged that the Centre was conspiring to assume control of universities and deprive states of their rights | p4 Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy at the launch of schemes in Narayanapet district on Sunday here to loot the state.” Revanth accused the previous government of ignoring the needs of people, and instead, fo- cusing on building farmhouses and misusing public funds. He also alleged that opposition leaders, particularly KCR, were deliberately stalling pending projects to hinder development in Kodangal. Claiming that the Opposition fears losing political power if the pending projects are completed, he asked, “Should we remain back- wards forever? Should the youth of Kodangal still wear lungis and roam bus stations? Should Kodangal not have medical, engineering, polytechnic and junior colleges?” Subsequently, Revanth criticised Leader of Opposition K Chandrasekhar Rao for skipping Assembly sessions for the past 13 months, asking, “What is the purpose of holding a post if he shirks responsibility?” He also mocked KCR’s claim of reading 80,000 books and BRS working president KT Rama Rao’s brag on being an “American student”, adding that neither knew how to issue ration cards to the poor. Revanth said his government has decided to issue ration cards to 40 lakh new families, ensuring superfine rice distribution to every cardholder.  continued on p4 top of the world Mel-bourne supremacy: Sinner retains Oz Open E x p r e s s N e w s S e r v i c e @ Chennai The raised hands and a glance at the sky It was more than just . joy, it was divine but cathartic too for Jannik Sinner on Sunday Just last year, Sinner was . caught in one of sports’ worst nightmare — doping. Traces of steroids, twice in a period of 10 days, were found in his body in March last year and even though he avoided suspension, he was facing severe heat from many quarters. Anybody could have been shattered given the circumstances but not Sinner. The World No 1 gathered the pieces of tennis and life and has gone about doing what he does best — play and win. The Australian Open was a stage where he looked absolutely un- 1 Sinner has become the first Italian player in history, man or woman, to win three Major titles World No 1 Jannik Sinner celebrates after winning the Australian Open men’s singles title | AP shakable. It culminated in a near-perfect tennis like an art of canvas. The results were a reflection of his dominance. 23y 163 days Sinner is the youngest man to win multiple AO titles since Jim Courier in 1992-93 5 Sinner becomes the fifth player in the Open Era to win three consecutive hard court Grand Slam men's singles titles The final was a battle between the sport’s highest-ranked players as Sinner met Greece’s Alexander Zverev (No 2). Sinner was locked in from the word go and clinched the contest 6-3, 7-6 (4), 6-3) in just under three hours. After a close tussle in the early period, Sinner broke Zverev in the eighth game before going on to complete the job. Sinner was superior in every metric — baseline points won, net points won, long rallies, forehand winners. Zverev, meanwhile, was full of errors and that didn’t help his cause. While the CAS hearing is set to happen before the French Open, Sinner wants to enjoy this win. “I just came off an amazing run again here. I want to enjoy this moment, to be honest. Then it’s the hearing. We know now the dates, and that’s it. I mean, I want to enjoy this one now.”