visakhapatnam l saturday l november 09, 2024 l `9.00 l PAGES 12 l late city EDITION Champions Trophy: BCCI says no to Pak travel, PCB not amused With less than three months to go for the ICC event, the relationship between two subcontinental countries could affect the venue for the event India proposes hybrid model again PCB chief not for any hybrid model Right from the beginning, the BCCI had maintained that the Indian government will take a call on whether the team would travel to Pakistan or not. On Friday, the BCCI reportedly claimed that they had intimated PCB about not travelling and had proposed a hybrid format like the Asia Cup where India played all their games in SL. This time India might opt for UAE ■ ■ Hours after reports emerged, PCB chairperson Mohsin Naqvi  categorically denied receiving any formal communication from the BCCI “Till today, no one has discussed any ‘Hybrid Model’ nor are we willing  to talk about it. But we have been showing good gestures for the last few years. No one should expect us to do it all the time,” Naqvi said 2008 The last time India travelled to Pakistan for cricket 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 Putin says India deserves status of Superpower 1967 verdict nixed SC lifts crucial bar that kept AMU out of the minority list Cites fastest growing economy, population, culture to make his point Y e s h i S e l i @ New Delhi India is a great country, now the largest in terms of population: 1.5 billion people, plus 10 million every year Vladimir Putin On India-China Putin acknowledged difficulties on the border between India and China but said wise and competent people who keep the future of their nations in mind, are searching for compromises and will eventually find them ON Brahmos “In fact, we made it (BrahMos) fit for use in three environments — in air, in sea and on land. These projects, conducted for the benefit of India’s security, are ongoing,” he said S u c h i t r a K a lya n M o h a n t y In a landmark verdict on his last day in office on Friday a , Supreme Court bench led by Chief Justice of India D Y Chandrachud overruled by 4:3 its 1967 position that the Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) can’t claim minority status because it was created by a statute. The seven-judge bench, however, left the issue of deciding AMU’s minority status to a regular bench while laying down a series of tests to make the determination. The bench should also examine the 2006 decision of the Allahabad High Court, which struck down a 1981 amendment conferring minority status on the varsity — based on the principles laid down in this judgment. While the CJI authored the majority judgment on behalf of justices Sanjiv Khanna, J B Pardiwala and Manoj Misra, justices Surya Kant, Dipankar Datta, and S C Sharma wrote separate dissenting opinions. “The decision in Azeez Basha is overruled. The question on deciding the minority status of AMU must be done on the basis of the tests laid down in the present case. Papers to be placed before the CJI for constituting a bench to decide the issue and correctness of 2006 Allahabad HC judgment,” the CJI said in his verdict. In 1967, a five-judge bench in the Azeez Basha case had held that AMU was a Central university and couldn’t be considered a minority institution. In the majority Russian President Vladimir Putin sprang a pleasent surprise by saying India deserves to be included in the list of global superpowers. Putin is among India’s closest allies, but seeking to add the country to the exclusive superpower club was a welcome gesture, particularly when even netas of the ruling alliance in the country have not sought to give it that spin. India’s articulated ambitions at present are to jump from the fifth largest economy in the world to the fourth and third positions, and to get a permanent seat at the UN Security Council. “India should undoubtedly be added to the list of superpowers, with its billion-and-ahalf population, the fastest growth among all economies in the world, ancient culture and very good prospects for further growth,” he said while address- Vision based on today’s realities “Our vision of where and at what pace our relations will develop is based on today’s realities. The volume of our cooperation is increasing many times over, every year,” President Putin said ing the plenary session of the Valdai Discussion Club in Sochi on Thursday . Putin also called India a great country, with the largest population of 1.5 billion, and said they were developing relations with India in all directions. Both Putin and Prime Minister Narendra Modi share great vibes, with the former recently joking at the BRICS Summit in Kazan, “you understand me without a translator.” “President Putin has been extremely positive on India over the past few years and he has been consistently talking about two great powers - India and China, particularly as economic powerhouses. It’s in the same strain that he makes references to Prime Minister Modi. He has also been appreciative of India’s independent foreign policy former Ambas,” sador to Russia P S Raghavan told this newspaper. Putin said the volume of cooperation between Russia and India is increasing manifold. Talking about the defence cooperation between the two nations, he said, “Look at how many types of Russian military equipment are in service with the Indian armed forces. There is a great degree of trust in this relationship. We don’t just sell our weapons to India, we design them jointly .” He referred to the BrahMos cruise missile and said that this was made for use in air, sea and land which has enhanced India’s security “These projects . show a high level of mutual trust and cooperation.” Cong trying to divide OBCs, restore J&K’s special status: Modi S UDHIR S URYAWAN S HI @ Mumbai PRIME Minister Narendra Modi on Friday kicked off his campaign for the Maharashtra assembly polls at Dhule, tearing into the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) in general and the Congress in particular. He claimed during the Congress rule, there were two constitutions — one for India and another for Jammu and Kashmir. But the BJP government implemented Dr BR Ambedkar’s constitution in Jammu and Kashmir by removing Article 370, which granted special status to the state, he added. “The Congress was unhappy with this decision. So, it is try- BJP MLAs being marshalled out during a ruckus in J&K assembly on Friday | PTI ing to bring back Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir with the help of its ally. However, we will never allow this to happen,” Modi said. Modi’s comments came two days after the Omar Abdullahled government Jammu and Kashmir passed a resolution seeking restoration of statehood and special status. Attacking the MVA in Maharashtra, Modi urged people not to elect ‘the corrupt’ alliance which he alleged first illegally formed a government and then looted the state. MVA is an alliance of Opposition parties in Maharashtra comprising Shiv Sena (UBT), NCP (Sharadchandra Pawar) and the Congress. Modi alleged the Congress wants to create rift among the OBCs by making them fight among themselves. “Congress thinks only when the OBCs are weakened, will the path to power open for the grand old party,” he alleged. Modi claimed that this is a strategy followed by the Congress since the days of Jawaharlal Nehru. Maharashtra is a crucial state to win for the BJP after the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. Modi, who is scheduled to address 10 rallies across the state, said India’s growth story will be incomplete without Maharashtra. The Gauthami Satyagraha Ashram, often called the ‘Sabarmati of the South,’ stands as a forgotten relic of India’s freedom struggle, waiting for revival as it approaches its centenary Founded on November 9, . 1924, this ashram on the banks of the Godavari River in Seethanagaram, was a hub for 2 3 4 Consider the genesis of the educational institution; identify who was the brain behind establishing the institution Determine the purpose for which it was established. Must predominently be for the benefit of a religious or linguistic minority Trace steps taken towards the implementation of the idea — who all funded, who made effort to obtain land, etc Who took steps for establishing institution, such as obtaining permissions, constructing buildings, and arranging other infrastructure opinion on Friday the court , held that the valid proof of ideation of a minority community to establish the institution can be determined from letters and other materials. “Indicia can be proven by private communication and speeches relating to the struggles of the minority community. It is also not necessary to prove that administration rests with the minority....The right guaranteed by Article 30(1) is applicable to universities established before the commencement of the Constitution.” Justice Datta, in his opinion said AMU was not a minority institution. He wondered how a two-judge bench could at all request that the case be placed before a bench of at least seven judges, adding another simliar bench could well doubt the ‘basic structure’ doctrine and request a 15-judge bench for adjudication. @ New Delhi Taking cognizance of complaints of impropriety and conflict of interest filed by Trinamool Congress MP Mahua Moitra and two others, anticorruption body Lokpal on Friday sought explanation from Sebi chief Madhabi Puri Buch on the matter. The complaints were made on the basis of a report by US-based short-seller Hindenburg Research, according to an official order which asked Buch to submit her response within four weeks. The Lokpal said its order, signed by Lokpal chairperson Justice A M Khanwilkar and five other members, is only procedural and not an expression of its opinion on any matter. “This opportunity is being afforded to the named RPS as per the mandate in the third proviso of sub section (1) of Section 20 of the Lokpal Act, before the bench would proceed to determine whether there exists a prima facie case for investigation into the allegations,” it said. The order, signed by judicial members Justices L Narayana Swamy Sanjay Yadav and Ritu , Raj Awasthi, and members Sushil Chandra and Ajay Tirkey, said Buch can file an affidavit within four weeks from the receipt of the order. The Lokpal has listed the matter on December 19 for further consideration. In a post on X on September 13, Moitra said she had filed a complaint with the Lokpal, urging it to forward it to the ED or CBI for preliminary probe followed by a “full FIR enquiry”. CM to launch seaplane trial run today Final sitting Outgoing Chief Justice of India D Y Chandrachud with CJI-designate Justice Sanjiv Khanna, senior lawyer Kapil Sibal and others at a farewell function on Friday | PTI | P7 Probe reveals illegal mining of red gravel ‘Male tailors can’t take women’s measurements’ Vijayawada: Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu is set to launch the trial run for the seaplane service on Saturday, from Prakasam Barrage in Vijayawada to Srisailam in Nandyal district. A demo for the service was held Friday | P3 Vijayawada: Illegal excavation of 6.15 lakh cubic metres of red gravel in an area of 20.95 acres at IS Jagannadhapuram village in Eluru district came to light in an inquiry ordered by Deputy Chief Minister (Environment and Forest) Pawan Kalyan | P4 Lucknow: Men should not take women’s measurements at tailor shops, not cut a woman’s hair, nor train her in the gym. These are among the radical remedies mooted by the Uttar Pradesh State Women Commission to stymie the ill intentions of men YSRC social media activist ‘arrested’ S N a g a r a j a R a o @ Kadapa A special team of police officers reportedly arrested Varra Ravindra Reddy a social media , activist associated with the YSRC, at Mahbubnagar border in Telangana on Thursday on the charges of posting derogatory content against TDP leade r s u n d e r t h e p r ev i o u s administration. It has been learnt that Kadapa police had served a notice on him under Section 41A, arrested him near Pulivendula on Tuesday and subsequently released him on Wednesday How. ever, when Rajampet police att e mp t e d t o n ab h i m fo r investigation into another case for similar charges, Varra Ravindra allegedly managed to flee. Consequently, four special teams with officers from Kadapa, Pulivendula, Kamalapur, Hyderabad, and Bengaluru were formed to trace him. The police officers found him near Mahbubnagar and escorted him back to Kadapa under tight security to continue investigation. The activist has been accused of posting hateful comments targeting TDP supremo N Chandrababu Naidu and g e n e r a l s e c re t a r y Nara Lokesh, Jana Sena president Pawan Kalyan, TDP leader Vangalapudi Anitha and then Chief Minister YS Jagan Moh a n Re d d y ’s c o u s i n Y S Sunitha. Century-old freedom struggle landmark languishes in neglect freedom fighters, visited twice by Mahatma Gandhi, who saw it as a sanctuary for patriotism. The ashram was established by freedom fighter Brahmajyosula Subrahmanyam, a staunch nationalist known as the ‘Lala Lajpat Rai of South India.’ Subrahmanyam’s dedication to India’s independence eventually led to his martyrdom during a 1 E x p r e ss N e w s S e r v i c e express read sabarmati of south K V S a i l e n d r a @ Rajamahendravaram Determining the status @ New Delhi Lokpal seeks Sebi chief’s explanation on complaints Gauthami Satyagraha Ashram in Seethanagaram I Express police crackdown in 1936. His legacy echoes in the walls of this 14-acre site, where Gandhi, accompanied by his wife Kasturba, visited in 1929 and 1930. He stayed in the ashram for several days and inspired local activists to bolster the movement. During the struggle, British authorities frequently raided the ashram, arresting many of its supporters. Once a bustling centre of resistance, the ashram attracted national figures like Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, Alluri Sitarama Raju, Tanguturi Prakasam Pantulu, Madduri Annapurnaiah, and Babu Rajendra Prasad. Despite its historic significance, the ashram now languishes in neglect, with crumbling infrastructure, scarce funds, and limited activity  P4 . Polavaram hydel project crucial phase begins S V i s w a n at h @ Vijayawada Installation of the Stay Ring Segment at the Polavaram Hydroelectric Project commenced on Friday, marking a significant milestone in the progress of the project. A special puja was held to inaugurate the installation process. The Stay Ring is a critical component of the Kaplan turbine, essential for efficient power generation. The successful installation of the Stay Ring and Runner envelope will pave way for the subsequent vital construction phases — including the building of a concrete spiral casing that will house the turbine and generator, and the construction of the steel generator barrel. A complete Stay Ring consists of four segments, each weighing 34 MT. The project team thanked all stakeholders, including APGENCO (AP Power Generation Corporation), MEIL (Megha Engineering and Infrastruc- Works to install Stay Ring begin at the Polavaram hydel project | Express ture Limited), for their support in executing the project. Expert panel inspects Polavaram site As part of the workshop on the design and construction of the Polavaram Irrigation Project, a panel — including international experts, officials from the Central Water Commission, Polavaram Project Authority Wa, ter Resources Department and MEIL, inspected the site where the construction of the diaphragm wall has been proposed. They discussed designs for the diaphragm wall and ECRF dam.