BHUBANESWAR  TUESDAY  OCTOBER 08, 2024  `9.00  PAGES 12  LATE CITY EDITION U.S. SCIENTISTS WIN NOBEL MEDICINE PRIZE FOR DISCOVERY OF microRNA Victor Ambros and Gary Ruvkun discovered microRNA, the tiny pieces of genetic material that alter how genes work at the cellular level VICTOR AMBROS GARY RUVKUN A NEW PRINCIPLE OF GENE REGULATION: JURY PROMISING WEAPON IN FIGHT AGAINST CANCER Though each cell in our body has the same set of instructions, called DNA, some turn into brain cells, while others become muscles. That’s because microRNAs regulate genes at cellular level, acting as a switch that turns genes off or on. “Their groundbreaking discovery revealed a new principle of gene regulation essential for multicellular organisms,” the jury said ■ ■ Ambros and Ruvkun discovered microRNAs during their study on two mutant strains of worms. The study’s results were published in 1993 As microRNAs allow us to control the behaviour of genes, they could help in treating various diseases. In cancer patients, they can be used to cause the mutated gene in the cancer cells to stop its activities | P9 Dec 10 WHEN NOBEL LAUREATES ARE INVITED TO RECEIVE THEIR AWARDS 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 extends $400 mn assistance Majhi seeks 12 CAPF companies, to Maldives, signs a slew of pacts chopper for anti-LWE operations `3,000 crore currency swap deal to address forex shortage; RuPay card launched in Malé Y E S H I S E L I @ New Delhi INDIA on Monday took a major step in healing the strained ties with the Maldives by enhancing its development assistance to the cash-strapped nation and signing a slew of pacts, including a `3,000 crore currency swap agreement. After the bilateral talks with the visiting Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced a $400 million support to the island nation to overcome its financial challenges. Announcing the details, the Reserve Bank of India said it has entered into a currency swap agreement with the Maldives Monetary Authority (MMA) under the SAARC Currency Swap Framework 202427. Under the pact, the MMA is eligible for financing support from the RBI amounting to $400 million under the US Dollar/ Euro Swap Window and `3,000 crore under the INR Swap Win- PM Narendra Modi and Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu virtually inaugurate the new runway at the Hanimaadhoo Int’l Airport, at Hyderabad House in New Delhi | PTI dow. The agreement would be valid till June 18, 2027. The SAARC currency swap framework is designed to offer short-term foreign exchange liquidity to member countries experiencing balance of payments stress or foreign exchange shortages. It serves as a temporary solution until more permanent financing arrangements can be made. The bilateral meet saw the signing of several agreements, including the launch of RuPay card in Maldives and enhancing the relationship between the two nations to a Comprehensive Economic and Maritime Security Partnership. Modi and Muizzu virtually inaugurated the new runway at the Hanimadhoo International airport and witnessed a live transaction using a RuPay payment service card in the Maldives. The airport’s redevelopment under Indian Line of Credit of $132 million aims to provide complete new infrastructure including ATC tower, hangar, cargo facilities, and passenger terminal building. The two leaders agreed to bolster bilateral ties that had hit a rocky patch last year after some Maldivian ministers tried to fan anti-India sentiments. Stressing India’s historic relations with the Maldives, Modi said New Delhi has supported Malé in times of crisis. “India has always been the first responder for Maldives whether it was essential commodities or vaccines,” he added. Muizzu thanked India for the assistance. “We hope to welcome more Indian tourists to Maldives,” he said. EXPRESS NEWS SERVICE @ Bhubaneswar CHIEF Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Monday requested the Centre to deploy at least 12 companies of central armed police forces (CAPF) for a period of two years in Left Wing Extremism (LWE) affected areas to prevent infiltration of Naxalite cadres from Chhattisgarh. He also sought a dedicated helicopter to meet the critical requirements of security forces in the conflict zones. Addressing a meeting of chief ministers of LWE-affected states chaired by Union Home minister Amit Shah in New Delhi, Majhi also called for real-time technical support of specialised agencies of the central government to further improve operational capabilities of special forces engaged in anti-Naxal operations. The chief minister congratulated the security forces of Chhattisgarh for achieving a major success three days back by neutralising 31 Maoists. He, however, said there is a reasonable apprehension of possible In the current scenario, I request you not to withdraw the central forces till the induction process in Odisha police is complete Mohan Charan Majhi, CM shifting of the cadres and operations from Chhattisgarh to Odisha following intensified anti-Naxal operations in the neighbouring state. Apprising the centre that the state government has raised thee battalions of Odisha Special Striking Force (OSSF) by inducting ex-servicemen, the chief minister said it is in the process of filling up vacancies in different ranks of the police. “In the current scenario, I request you not to withdraw the central forces till the induction process is complete. Also, may I request you, to send at least 12 coys of CAPF for a period of two years, to be deployed in affected areas to prevent infiltration and eradicate LWE from Odisha in a timebound manner,” he said. Emphasising the need for an uninterrupted helicopter service, Majhi said it is a critical requirement for timely movement of troops, maintenance of forward posts and responding to the exigencies in the LWE theatre of conflict. He made a strong plea for a dedicated helicopter for Odisha. Highlighting the achievements of the state government in combating the Naxal menace, he said, “The LWE activities have been restricted to a significant extent and incidents of violence minimised. The security personnel have fought back, to free more areas from the influence of CPI (Maoist) which is now confined to sporadic pockets of 10 district in the state.” The chief minister requested the Centre to sanction the 127 roads projects submitted for approval as these will considerably augment connectivity in LWE-hit areas and also facilitate effective operations by security forces against Naxals. Siddu plays the caste census card, Parties brace for J&K, From buses to buildings, sets Oct 18 for cabinet discussion Haryana verdict today Majhi govt begins to COLOUR CODE paint Odisha in saffron The BJD had painted various buildings from schools HAVING formed its first gov- to hospitals and other government in Odisha, the BJP ernment buildings in green is not holding back from during its tenure. Close to flaunting its colours. In a 8,677 public schools were colconscious bid to scrub off oured green. Two of the bigthe remnants and symbols gest public hospitals in the of the BJD, which had ruled state - Capital Hospital and the state for 24 long years, SCB Medical College and the Mohan Charan Majhi Hospital - also wear a green government is going scheme. all out to paint the The new order cities, towns and vilcomes a week after lages saffron. the state gover nAfter making a The government ment changed the has approved start with changing colour and design of adoption of a the colour of BJD’s uniforms for seconduniform colour LAccMI scheme busary school students code for all es - rechristened as f r o m wh i t e a n d buildings. The Mukhyamantri Bus colour codes will green to light brown be orange for Seva - from green to and maroon under exterior walls, saf fron in many the Mukhyamantri red for borders places, it has now Chhatra Chhatri ventured to paint all Paridhan Yojana. Notification government buildSchool and Mass Edings in its hue. ucation minister NityananIn a notification issued on da Gond had also said that Monday, the Works depart- colour of the school buildment informed that the state ings would also be changed government has approved soon. The colour change drive, adoption of a uniform colour code henceforth for all though, has not gone down new government buildings well with the BJD. Party as well as the existing ones spokesperson Lenin Mohanty at the time of periodical re- said it is a BJP tactic to divert pair or renovation. The col- people’s focus away from our codes will be orange pressing issues in the state (read saffron) for exterior including law and order and w a l l s a n d re d fo r t h e its failure in fulfilling election promises. CONTINUED ON P5 borders. D I A N A S A H U @ Bhubaneswar EXPRESS NEWS SERVICE @ Bengaluru AMID the growing demand from leaders of Backward Classes (BC) to implement the socioeconomic and educational survey report, popularly known as caste census, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Monday said a decision on implementing it will be taken after a discussion at the cabinet meeting on October 18. However, Union Minister for Steel and Heavy Industries Kumaraswamy said the Congress is talking about the caste census report to divert attention from the Mysuru Urban Development Authority sites allotment case against Siddaramaiah. He dared the Congress to dissolve the Assembly and go for elections with the caste census issue. After a meeting with ministers, legislators and leaders from Backward Classes, Siddaramaiah said Karnataka was the first state in the country to conduct such a survey during his first tenure as chief minister from 2013 to 2018. The survey report was submitted to the state government in February. Siddaramaiah said legislators and leaders from BC communities have urged him to implement the recommendations of the report. However, sources said even after cabinet discussion, a cabinet sub-committee is likely to be formed to look into the report and give its recommendations. Siddaramaiah said during his first tenure, the H Kantharaj Commission conducted a detailed survey, but its report was not ready then. It was completed when H D Kumaraswamy was chief minister, but he refused to accept it. Later, the BJP government too did not accept the report. EXPRESS READ Govt issues guidelines for PS, OSD appointment Bhubaneswar: In a bid to bring transparency in selection of officers attached to ministers, the state government on Monday issued guidelines for appointment of private secretary and OSD for them | P3 House surgeons at VIMSAR go on strike HAUNTING MEMORIES Rotem gets a hug from her husband Yoav after a commemoration marking one year since the Hamas attacks, at the Coral Temple Synagogue in Bucharest, Romania on Monday | AP Sambalpur: A day after house surgeons and PG students of VIMSAR came to blows over a trivial issue, the latter launched a ease work protest on Monday, demanding action against the seniors involved in the scuffle | P4 P R E E T H A N A I R @ New Delhi WITH the counting of votes for Haryana and J&K assembly elections on Tuesday, the results would hold significance for all major players, coming as they do three months after the Modi government assumed office for the third consecutive term. While Haryana witnessed the first direct contest between the BJP and the Congress after the Lok Sabha polls, the mood is upbeat in the grand old party as most of the exit polls predicted its smooth win. If the exit poll results are validated in Haryana, it will be a shot in the arm for the Congress and the INDIA bloc in the upcoming Maharashtra and Jharkhand elections. The party is hoping to keep up the momentum of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, where a resurgent Opposition INDIA bloc reduced the ruling BJP to 240 seats. For the Congress, victory in Haryana would indicate a strong support from the farmers and the Dalit community which consti, tutes 20% of the state’s population. However, a tussle for the chief minister’s post can mar the glory of a Congress victory with former CM Bhupender Singh Hooda and his bete noire Kumari Selja vying for the top post. Despite the exit poll results, the ruling BJP is confident of retaining power for a third Security personnel stand outside a counting centre in Jammu, a day before the counting of votes for Jammu & Kashmir Assembly polls on Monday | PTI term. Apart from the BJP and the Congress, the Aam Aadmi Party INLD-BSP and JJP-Azad , Samaj Party are also in the fray . In the keenly watched J&K polls, some pollsters have given an edge to the Congress-National Conference alliance while others predicted a hung assembly. These polls are the first since the abrogation of Article 370. While the BJP is hoping to form the government in ‘Naya Kashmir’ with the help of Independents, the Congress-NC alliance has also begun backchannel talks with other parties. J&K saw the entry of a large number of Independents and smaller parties like the People’s Conference, Apni Party and Awami Ittehad Party (AIP). The PDP which severed its ties , with the BJP in 2018, is hoping to emerge as a kingmaker. On Monday, NC president Farooq Abdullah said he will “accept PDP’s support from the core of his heart”. CHECKMATE Global conflicts take the moolah out of the Amritsar chess industry H A R P R E E T B A J W A @ Chandigarh A bustling industry of chess kits with an international clientele is struggling due to global uncertainty following the Israel and Ukraine wars. Before the wars broke, chess kit manufacturers in Amritsar sold goods worth about `20 crore, of which 75% was exported. Export orders are now down by 70-80%. Wooden chess kits are among the sought-after gift items during Christmas and New Year, yet there is little demand as of now. “Though winter is our busiest season, most of us hardly have any orders,’’ rues Rishi Sharma, a third generation manufacturer, who says his business took a 40% hit last year. He proudly claims he made a chess set for English business magnate Richard Branson in 2021. Amritsar has a small but specialised industry of about 35 medium and small chess manufactures. They employ around 500 highly skilled artisans plus another 1,000 semi-skilled workers to make the wooden pieces and sets. It’s a craft that has been passed from generation to generation. The artisans take great pride in their artistry as they use simple implements to carve the exquisite pieces. For example, the carving of a knight itself takes 5-7 days. The cost of their chess kits range between `5,000 and `25,000 depending on the quality, design, material and craftsmanship. “We were exporting to the US, Canada, the UK, Europe, Australia, Ukraine, Iran and Israel. But with inflation rising IVORY TO RED SANDALWOOD TO SHEESHAM Before Independence, chess pieces were carved out of ivory. When ivory was banned, it was replaced with red sandalwood. When that too was prohibited, manufacturers shifted to sheesham. Now that sheesham is on the restricted list, chess pieces are made from Kikkar as well due to global uncertainty, our industry has been affected,’’ says Sharma. The cost of raw material and labour, too, have gone through the roof. Then there is the issue of obtaining a ‘Vriksh Certificate’ from the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). The certification process started in 2018 takes 15-30 days to get as every minute detail of each sheesham tree from where wood for the chess pieces are sourced are to be recorded and shared. “Due to these stringent rules restricting the sale of sheesham, the market share of wooden chess sets has declined sharply says Sharma. ,’’ Surjit Singh Ahuja, another Amritsar-based exporter, says, “when a Netflix web series, The Queen’s Gambit released in the UK in 2020, it was a worldwide hit and our sales went up manifold. The bounce continued till December 2022 before it tapered down.’’