vijayawada l saturday l july 26, 2025 l `9.00 l PAGES 14 l late city EDITION Modi becomes second longest serving PM surpassing Indira Narendra Modi has reached what the NDA described on Friday as a “historic milestone”, consecutive terms of 11 years as prime minister BJP leaders said Modi is the first and only Prime Minister born after Independence to become the longest-serving non-Congress PM no mean feat: 4,078 days in high office Vajpayee too had three shots at PM post After completing 4,078 consecutive days in office, PM Modi has now surpassed former prime minister Indira Gandhi, who served for 4,077 days from 1966 to 1977. Throughout his uninterrupted 24 years in office, Modi was Gujarat chief minister for 13 years from 2001 before seamlessly occupying the post of PM after winning the general elections in 2014 ■ ■ Modi has already matched first prime minister Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, who had won three consecutive general elections | P9 BJP stalwart Atal Bihari Vajpayee too did three stints as prime minister after elections in 1996 (13-day government); 1998, when he headed the government for 13 months; and in 1999 for a full term Six consecutive elections won by modi in 2002, 2007, 2012, 2014, 2019, 2024 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 India successfully tests UAV-launched missile E x p ress N e w s S er v i c e @ Vijayawada ULPGM-V3 a key milestone in self-reliance The advanced missile was launched from a drone crafted by Bengaluru-based startup, highlighting India’s strides in homegrown technology In a major boost to India’s defence capabilities, the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has successfully carried out flight trials of Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Launched Precision Guided Missile (ULPGM-V3) at the National Open Area Range (NOAR) in Kurnool, Andhra Pradesh. The missile is an enhanced version of the ULPGM-V2 missile developed and delivered by DRDO earlier. The ULPGM-V3 features a cutting-edge high-definition dual-channel seeker, enabling it to accurately engage a wide array of targets. Engineered for adaptability, the missile performs seamlessly across plain and high-altitude environments, with round-the-clock operational capability and a two-way data , link for real-time target or aimpoint adjustments post-launch. It offers three modular warhead variants, which include an anti-armour warhead designed to neutralise moder n ar mored vehicles equipped with Rolled Homogeneous Armour (RHA), and Explosive Reactive Armour (ERA), a penetration-cum-blast warhead for antibunker missions, and a pre-fragmentation warhead with a highly effective lethal radius. The latest trials showcased the anti-armor configuration. This advanced missile was launched from a drone crafted by Bengaluru-based startup Newspace Research and Technologies, highlighting India’s strides in home g rown technolog y. DRDO is actively exploring the integration of ULPGM systems with long-range, high-endurance UAVs from other Indian firms. The project benefited from collaboration with Development cum Production Partners (DcPPs) like Adani Defence and Bharat Dynamics Limited, alongside contributions from 30 Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) and startups, marking a significant triumph of public-private partnership. Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh lauded the achievement, calling it a major boost to India’s P4 defence strength.  AP’s push for Buddhist artefacts B an d ha v i A nnam @ Guntur In a bold cultural reclamation move, the Andhra Pradesh government has formally urged the Centre to help bring back centuries-old Buddhist artefacts from the British Museum and Indian institutions, marking a renewed push to restore Amaravati’s lost heritage as the State reimagines its capital. In a letter dated July 19, Ajay Jain, Special Chief Secretary Youth , Advancement, Tourism and Culture Department, requested the Ministry of External Affairs to initiate talks with the UK for the return of over 130 Amaravati limestone sculptures currently housed in the British Museum. These in- Museum at Amaravati As Amaravati is being developed as world-class capital, proposed international museum in Amaravati with all the artefacts restored in it will be a hub for Buddhist tourism and scholarship clude rare dome slabs, railing pillars, and Jataka panels dating as far back as the 2nd century BCE. The artefacts trace back to the great Amaravati Stupa, built during the reign of the Satavahanas, who ruled the Deccan between the 1st century BCE and 3rd century CE. Known for its refined relief carvings depicting the life of the Buddha, and early Buddhist symbolism, the stupa was one of the most sophisticated centres of Buddhist art in India. Many sculptures were removed during the colonial rule, first documented by Colin Mackenzie in 1797, and later systematically excavated by the British officials. By the late 19th century, several prized pieces were transported to London, and others to the Egmore Museum in Chennai. Today, the British Museum’s Gallery 33A houses a globally renowned collection of Amaravati artefacts. The AP government also asked Tamil Nadu to expedite return of nearly 500 Amaravati-origin pieces P4 from the Egmore Museum.  President sends back Aparajita Bill to WB kaush i k p ra d han @ Kolkata IN what appears to be a setback for the West Bengal government, President Droupadi Murmu recently sent the ‘Aparajita Bill’, passed in the state assembly last year, back to Raj Bhavan, Kolkata, after raising a few questions, sources said on Friday Subsequently West Bengal . , Governor C V Ananda Bose sent back the bill to the assembly Speaker. Governor Bose had reserved ‘The Aparajita Women and Child (West Bengal Criminal Laws Amendment) Bill, 2024’ for consideration of the President. The Centre has since conveyed its observations on certain amendments proposed to the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) through this bill, highly placed sources in Raj Bhavan informed. One of the proposed amendments seeks to enhance punishment for rape, raising it from the existing 10 years to life imprisonment for the remainder of one’s life or death. The Union home ministry termed this change as “excessively harsh and disproportionate,” sources said. Another proposed amendment seeks to delete Section 65 of the BNS, 2023. “Thereby it is removing the distinction in punishment for rape of women under 16 and 12 years of age. The Union home ministry observed that the removal of such classification violates the principle of proportionality in sentencing,” sources revealed. Locals removing bricks and cement slabs by hand to rescue students trapped under debris | pti 7 students killed, 25 hurt as Rajasthan school collapses R A J E S H A S N A N I @ Jaipur Seven students were killed and over 25 others were injured when a government school collapsed on Friday morning at Piplodi village in Rajasthan’s Jhalawar district. The students, mostly from Class 7, were inside the school when the structure gave way burying the stu, dents under piles of concrete slabs, bricks and stones. Five children died on the spot, while two succumbed to injuries in hospital. The tragedy occurred at 8 am on Monday. Moments before the collapse, students noticed debris falling from the ceiling and alerted teachers, who allegedly ignored the warning signs. Locals said a portion of the school building collapsed with such force that it sounded like an explosion. Villagers who rushed to the site and the school staff conducted the initial rescue operation. The villagers said the children were taken out with great difficulty . The injured were initially taken to Manohar Thana Hospital. “Thirty-five injured children were brought in. Eleven were critical and they were referred to the district hospital in Jhalawar,” said Dr Kaushal Lodha, medical officer, Manohar Thana Hospital. “There were about 50 children in the school when it collapsed. I had alerted the teachers several times about the poor condition of the building, but no repairs were done,” said Badrilal, father of a student. Jhalawar district collector Ajay Singh Rathore said the school was not listed among structurally unsafe buildings. The Education Department suspended five teachers. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, President Droupadi Murmu and Rajasthan CM Bhajanlal Sharma expressed condolences over the loss of lives. India and Maldives reset bilateral relations Modi gives Muizzu L4,850 crore lifeline; FTA on the table Defence and security cooperation is a testament to mutual trust. The roots of our relationship are older than history and as deep as the sea… Narendra Modi, Prime Minister India’s continued assistance to the Maldives through the export of essential commodities is a key facet of our bilateral cooperation under the longstanding trade agreement Mohamed Muizzu, Maldivian President Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu during the exchange of an MoU and virtual inauguration of the projects, in Male | pti J AYA N T H J A CO B @ New Delhi India and the Maldives on Friday unveiled a significant reset in bilateral relations, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi announcing a `4,850 crore line of credit (LoC) and a new framework for expanding cooperation in trade, defence, infrastructure, and digital connectivity among others. , Modi’s visit, his first to the Maldives in his third term, marks a sharp turnaround in bilateral ties, which had faced strain early in President Mohamed Muizzu’s tenure when the latter tried to strengthen relations with China by moving away from India. Reflecting the renewed warmth, Muizzu and his ministers welcomed Modi at Velana airport. After delegation-level talks, Modi said: “India is proud to be the most trusted friend of the Maldives. For us, it is always friendship first.” He added that the Maldives holds a central place in India’s Neighbourhood First policy and the MAHASAGAR vision for regional maritime cooperation. “India will always stand by the Maldives in strengthening its defence capabilities,” Modi said, adding that deepening security ties reflect the trust between the two nations. “Our defence and security cooperation is a testament to mutual trust. express read Apex court rejects plea for delimitation in AP & TG New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Friday dismissed a plea for conducting delimitation exercise in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana for increasing the Assembly seats. A two-judge bench rejected the contention of the alleged discrimination against the two States. The writ petition was filed by Prof K Purushottam Reddy | P4 root record Joe Root celebrates hundred against India at Old Trafford on Friday. He became second-highest run-getter in Tests behind Sachin Tendulkar | AP The roots of our relationship are older than history and as deep as the sea… our friendship will remain bright and clear,” the prime minister said. Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri described the visit as “a demonstration of trust and strategic convergence.” On India’s concerns about foreign military presence in the region, Misri said: “Security is a mutual concern. Both sides reaffirmed that peace and stability in the Indian Ocean are shared responsibilities.” The two nations agreed to move swiftly on finalising a bilateral investment treaty and launched negotiations for a free trade agreement (FTA). “We hope to conclude the India-Maldives FTA quickly Misri said. ,” Modi’s two-day visit also aims to reinvigorate India’s development partnership with the Maldives, with the `4,850 crore LoC at its core. “This will support infrastructure projects aligned with the priorities of the Maldivian people,” Modi said. India also agreed to ease Maldives’ debt repayment obligations on existing Indian lines of credit — a move that signals New Delhi’s willingness to support Male’s economic recovery . Muizzu, who once distanced from New Delhi, appreciated India’s help. He also condemned the Pahalgam terror attack, expressing solidarity with India on its counterterrorism efforts. Phase 1 over, 65.2 lakh out of electoral rolls in Bihar M U K E S H R A N J A N an d R am ashankar @ New Delhi/Patna As many as 65.2 lakh names have been excluded from the Bihar election rolls months ahead of the assembly polls, whose controversial voter enumeration phase ended on Friday. Voters and political parties have till September 1 to challenge the deletion or addition of names after the Election Commission of India (ECI) publishes the draft rolls on August 1. Of the total 7.9 crore registered voters in Bihar, 22 lakh were weeded out as they were dead, 35 lakh permanently migrated, 7 lakh had registered at more than one place, and 1.2 lakh are untraceable, the ECI said. The ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) made a mockery of the summery revision of poll rolls in Bihar in January this year, which had arrived at the figure of 7.9 crore voters in the state. The RJD, Bihar’s main opposition party said it will con, tinue its protest against the SIR exercise. Former chief minister Rabri Devi, mother of former deputy chief minister Tejashwi Yadav, wondered how four crore Biharis living outside the state would be able to complete the SIR formalities within the short span of two months. The RJD and the Congress have already hinted at the possibility of boycotting the state polls due in October-November if the discrepancies pointed out by them in the SIR are not properly addressed. Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha and senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi recently warned of action against ‘partisan’ poll officials involved in conducting the SIR exercise in Bihar. zero poverty initiative Unveiling the #IAmMargadarsi poster at the State Secretariat in Velagapudi on Friday, Chief Minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu declared, “I am adopting 250 families from my Kuppam constituency” | P4 SC issues 15 guidelines to prevent student suicides S U C H IT R A K A LYA N M O H A N TY @ New Delhi The Supreme Court on Friday issued 15 pan-India guidelines to curb the rising trend of suicides among students in educational institutions. The guidelines were part of its verdict on an appeal against an Andhra Pradesh High Court order that rejected a plea to transfer the probe into the death of a 17-year-old National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET) aspirant in Vishakhapatnam, to the CBI. Quashing the order, the bench directed the CBI to probe the case. A bench of justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta, while issuing the guidelines, said they will be binding till an appropriate law or regulatory framework is enacted. The court mandated that all educational institutions shall adopt and implement a uniform mental health policy, drawing cues from the UMMEED (Understand, Motivate, Man- age, Empathise, Empower, and Develop) Draft Guidelines for the Prevention of Student Suicide, the MANODARPAN initiative, and the National Suicide Prevention Strategy, released by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare in 2022. The policy shall be reviewed and updated annually and made publicly accessible on institutional websites and notice boards. “All educational institutions with 100 or more enrolled students shall appoint at least one qualified counsellor, psychologist, or social worker with demonstrable training in child and adolescent mental health. Institutions with fewer students shall establish formal referral linkages with professionals,” it added. The bench directed all institutions to ensure optimal student-counsellor ratio. Suicide helpline numbers shall be prominently displayed in hostels, classrooms, common areas, and on websites, the order said.