hyderabad l Monday l august 11, 2025 l `9.00 l PAGES 12 l late city EDITION Air India set to upgrade its Dreamliner fleet Air India’s move to upgrade its 26 Dreamliners is to reduce operational disruptions and better overall reliability first aircraft in california for upgrade Air India’s Dreamliner fleet—26 legacy 787-8s and seven 787-9s—had undergone checks, including fuel switches, after the fatal crash on June 12 in Ahmedabad. Under the $400 million fleet retrofit programme announced in December 2022, the airline has flown its first Dreamliner to a Boeing facility in California in July configuration records for these aircraft, followed by modifications based on Boeing’s service information bulletins, Air India said ■ As part of a Reliability Enhancement Programme, the airline will upgrade the avionics of its 26 legacy B787-8 aircraft 190 re-configuration to be done if needed ■ The retrofit programme entails analysis of maintenance and narrow-body and wide-body planes are part of air india’s fleet 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 Rajnath targets Trump, says India’s rise irks some people Defence minister Rajnath Singh during the foundation stone laying ceremony of BRAHMA Project to make rail coaches, in Raisen district, Madhya Pradesh | pti Express News Service @ Bhopal IN a veiled dig at US President Donald Trump for his tariff action and repeated targeting of India, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Sunday said that some people are not willing to accept India’s economic progress and influence on the world stage. Describing India’s economy as the world’s most “dashing and dynamic”, Rajnath said that some people who consider themselves as Sabke Boss (everyone’s boss) are unable to digest India’s progress and economic development. “They think that we are everyone’s boss and how is India moving forward so fast? Many people are trying to do something, so that when things made by the hands of Indians in India go to other countries, they become more expensive than the things made in those countries,” he said of Trump’s tariff action against India. “But, I’m confident that the pace at which India is pro- gressing, no global power can stop our country from becoming a major world power,” Singh asserted during his speech after laying the foundation of BEML Rail Hub for Manufacturing (BRAHMA) -a greenfield rail manufacturing facility at central Madhya Pradesh’s Raisen district. Describing Operation Sindoor as a symbol of India’s self-reliance and self-confidence, Singh asserted that the armed forces effectively utilised indigenous equipment, which played a pivotal role in the success of the operation. “India was able to reach this position only because it has taken the pledge to become Aatmanirbhar in the defence sector,” he added. Singh said India is now not only manufacturing equipment on its soil, but is also catering to the security needs of friendly nations. “When Modiji became PM for the first time in 2014, the defence sector exports from India were merely `600 crore, which 10 years later have soared to `24,000 crore.” Munir meets US military brass Pak Army chief Asim Munir, currently in the US, met top US military leaders, the army said. Munir met Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff General Dan Caine and invited him to visit Pakistan, the Pak army’s statement said. This is Munir’s second visit to US since India’s Operation Sindoor | P9 Prime Minister Narendra Modi being received by Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Governor Thawar Chand Gehlot, in Bengaluru | Express India is the world’s fastest growing economy: Modi UPA dispensation. “In 2014, India had only 74 airports, and now, there are Days after US President Don- over 160. Then, only three naald Trump’s ‘dead economy’ tional waterways were operabarb, Prime Minister Naren- tional, now there are 30. The dra Modi on Sunday asserted country had only seven AIIMS that India is the fastest grow- and 387 medical colleges, but ing economy in the world. today we have 22 AIIMS hospi“In the last 11 years, our tals and 704 medical colleges, economy has gone from 10th adding 1 lakh more medical place to top five. We seats in the past 11 are now moving rapyears. The number idly towards becomof IITs has risen from ing one of the top 16 to 23, IIITs from 9 We are moving three economies,” he to 25, and IIMs from fast to become said after inaugurat13 to 21,” Modi said. one of the top ing the Yellow Line three economies. “Before 2014, Inof Bengaluru Metro dia’s total exports How we got this rail and laying the were only $468 bilspeed? Through the spirit of foundation stone for lion. The figure is ‘reform, perform Phase-3. $824 billion now. Inand transform’ Attributing the dia used to import Prime Minister growth momentum mobile phones; we Narendra Modi to the spirit of ‘reare among the top form, perform and five exporters of motransform’, he said: “The bile phones,” he added. journey to a Viksit Bharat India has become a global will move forward hand in example of low-cost, highhand with Digital India.” tech space missions, he said, Modi’s remarks were also emphasising that India is proaimed at Leader of Opposi- gressing in all areas of futurtion in the Lok Sabha Rahul istic technologies. “Our next Gandhi, who had drawn eco- big priority should be becomnomic parallels between the ing self-reliant in technology ,” NDA government and the Modi said. Indigenous Stealth frigate Indian Navy’s advanced frontline stealth frigate Himgiri (F34) ahead of its commissioning in Visakhapatnam. Another advanced frigate, Udaygiri (F35), simultaneously commissioned on August 26. Both are part of Project 17A stealth frigates | PTI habitat concerns Grrr... India’s lion count up by 32% in 5 yrs INDIA’s Asiatic lion population has grown from 674 in 2020 to 891 in 2025, a 32.2% increase, per the 16th Lion Population Estimation report released on Sunday This conservation suc. cess is tempered by concerns, as most lions now live near human settlements, altering their natural hunting instincts and increasing reliance on livestock or human-provided food. Asiatic lions are exclusively found in Gir National Park and Wildlife Sanctuary in Gujarat. Data analysed by experts reveal only 20% of lions reside in the 258 sq. km core area of Gir The Asiatic lion in Gir National Park, Gujarat. A recent study found that Asiatic lion attacks on livestock near Gir have increased by 10% per year | ANI National Park (GNP), Gujarat, where they can prey on wild animals. The park, with its buffer zone, spans over 1,400 sq. km. A senior Gujarat forest officer stated that the remaining lions, living near humans, “primarily prey on livestock or consume dead livestock that hu- @ Bengaluru/New Delhi IN the wake of ‘vote theft’ allegations levelled by Congress leader Rahul Gandhi against the Election Commission of India at a press conference in New Delhi on August 7, the chief electoral officer (CEO) of Karnataka on Sunday served a notice to the Congress leader, asking him to share documents based on which he had alleged that a woman voted twice. Gandhi had alleged that there was an instance of duplicate voting, citing the case of one Shakun Rani, who he claimed had voted twice in the Mahadevapura constituency in the 2024 general election and had stated that the document was from the ECI. The ECI, however, stated that its preliminary inquiry found no such evi- Rahul Gandhi dence, with Shakun Rani herself asserting that she voted only once and the “tick-marked” document Gandhi displayed not being an official record issued by a polling officer. The CEO has asked Gandhi to submit the documents he relied upon to support his allegations, so that an investigation can be conducted. The Karnataka CEO’s notice to Gandhi was followed by a reminder from the CEO of Hary- mans dispose of.” This proximity is troubling for locals. A June 2025 study by the Wildlife Institute of India, Gujarat Forest Department, Macalester College (USA), and NCBS (Bangalore) found lion attacks on livestock rising by 10% annually, with livestock losses per village up by 15% yearly Human attacks, averag. ing 21 per year, show no significant increase. “Lions receive food from locals and share space with them, while local communities benefit from enhanced livelihoods through tourism,” said Yadvendradev V . Jhala, a study author and former WII chief. ana asking for Gandhi’s declaration under oath that there was vote theft. On Sunday ECI , authorities said: “Rahul Gandhi should either give a Declaration on Chief Electoral Officer, Karnataka’s first Notice and Chief Electoral Officer, Haryana’s reminder on time or apologise to the country .” In response, AICC General Secretary K C Venugopal dismissed the ECI’s demands, stating, “We are not afraid of any notice.” Upping the ante over Gandhi’s poll rigging claims, the Congress on Sunday launched a web portal for people to register and demand accountability from the EC against “vote theft”, and express support for the demand for digital voter rolls. “Join us and support the demand for transparency from ECI,” he said on X. Heavy rains likely in city from Aug 14 @ Bengaluru Hawala link puts Srushti Fertility on ED radar J i t e n d r a C h o u b e y @ New Delhi express news service D eva ra j B H i r e h a l l i express read Hyderabad: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) is likely to investigate suspected money laundering by Dr Namratha and her team while running the illegal surrogacy and baby-selling racket uncovered at Srushti Fertility Centre. Hyderabad police are already probing the fertility centre for its suspected involvement in unlawful activities. According to sources, the ED suspects the centre conducted large-scale hawala transactions to procure babies from multiple states and supply them to childless couples | P5 Karnataka EC officer sends notice to Rahul for proof of ‘vote theft’ Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy interacts with HYDRAA Commissioner AV Ranganath during his visit to Ameerpet in Hyderabad on Sunday CM visits flood-hit areas in Hyd, orders urgent interventions Express News Service @ Hyderabad Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy on Sunday made an unannounced visit to flood-affected areas in Balkampet and Ameerpet, taking stock of the situation and directing officials to implement immediate and long-term solutions. Accompanied by HYDRAA Commissioner AV Ranganath and other officials, the chief minister interacted with residents and assessed the drainage systems in submerged localities. His inspection revealed critical flaws in infrastructure that have exacerbated flooding, prompting swift directives for corrective action. During his visit to Buddha Nagar, he discovered that the drainage canal was positioned higher than the colony road, obstructing water flow and worsening floods. Expressing concern over this engineering lapse, he ordered officials to immediately redesign the drainage network to ensure unobstructed water discharge. At Gangubai Kunta, the residents informed the chief minister that some unscrupulous individuals converted the water body into a parking lot, aggravating water stagnation. Taking serious note of the issue, the chief minister instructed authorities to clear the encroachments without delay and restore the water body . He also directed officials to lay a trunk line as a permanent flood-prevention measure, asking for immediate action plans. At Maitrivanam, he inspected chronic water stagnation points and discussed flood-related challenges with locals. He emphasised the need for sustainable solutions and issued specific instructions to officials for long-term mitigation strategies. Continued on P4 Hyderabad is expected to see varying intensities of rainfall over the coming week, with a significant wet spell forecast between August 14 and 17. According to the latest forecast, August 10 and 11 will bring scattered heavy showers and intense afternoon-to-night thunderstorms. On August 12 and 13, scattered moderate rainfall is expected, with a slight reduction in intensity. Between August 14 and 17, a well-marked lowpressure area or depression is likely to trigger persistent and multiple spells of moderate to heavy rainfall across the GHMC area. As of 1 am on Sunday, Nirmal recorded the highest rainfall of 110.8 mm. The IMD has issued yellow and orange warnings for several districts for August 14. yellow alert orange alert Rajanna Sircilla Adilabad Karimnagar Mancherial Bhadradri Kothagudem Komaram Bheem Asifabad Khammam Nirmal Suryapet Nizamabad Warangal Jagtial Hanamkonda Peddapalli Jangaon Jayashankar Bhupalapally Siddipet Mulugu Kamareddy Nalgonda Mahbubnagar Mahbubabad Nagarkurnool Yadadri Bhuvanagiri Wanaparthy Rangareddy Narayanpet Hyderabad Jogulamba Gadwal Medchal Malkajgiri Vikarabad Sangareddy Medak Inflation of a different kind in jr colleges across TG M e g h n a N at h @ Hyderabad The Telangana Board of Intermediate Education (TGBIE) has claimed a sizeable surge in student enrolment in government junior colleges this academic year. However, lecturers are voicing their suspicion that an uncomfortably large number of these enrolments are “bogus”. According to the TGBIE, as many as 94,155 students enrolled in 430 colleges across the state, an increase of over 10,000 from last year’s 83,844. Members of the Government Junior College Lecturers’ Association, however, have raised red flags, claiming that nearly 30,000 of these enrolments are nothing more than a mirage. They say the inflated enrolment figures are due to whispers of college closures, insisting that there is pressure on institutions to exaggerate numbers. This has meant that names of students are being added to rosters without their actual attendance. Take, for instance, the Government Junior College in Huzurabad, where 240 students are officially enrolled, yet only 160 have submitted their transfer certificates. In Kacheguda, out of 524 admissions, 72 students are unaccounted for, having neither submitted certificates nor ever set foot in the classroom. Likewise, 42 of the 607 admissions in Government Junior College, Nalgonda, were suspected to be bogus; in the Government Junior College, Malkajgiri, out of 577, only 350 students were found to be attending classes. Lecturers TNIE spoke to, on condition of anonymity, estimated that the true enrolment across the state hovers around 60,000. Amidst these claims and counter-claims, over 100 colleges have reported enrolments below 100. This is being attributed to inadequate infrastructure and the fact that the intermediate education system requires 12,000 additional jun- ior lecturers. Madhusudhan Reddy, president of the Government Junior Colleges Lecturers’ Association, gave insight into where the discrepancy in figures might have originated. “During enrolment, fearing closures, lecturers collected student memos from nearby schools, inflating numbers with names of those who may never set foot in the classroom. Some students enrol just to secure a certificate while pursuing education elsewhere,” he stated. “It’s time for the TGBIE to take decisive action. If they can scrutinise private colleges, why not the government ones?” he questioned. Continued on P5