FIRST IMPEACMENT IN 40 YEARS IN s kOREA Seoul: South Korea’s parliament on Saturday impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol over his martial law decree. The parliament passed the motion 204-85. Hundreds of thousands of people gathered near the parliament roared in jubilation. Yoon’s presidential powers and duties were subsequently suspended and Prime Minister Han Duck-soo took over presidential powers | AP | P9 kollam l Sunday l december 15, 2024 l `12.00 l PAGES 24 l city edition 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 PM: Cong tasted blood, wounded Constitution rare first when anand noticed gukesh Accuses previous govts of amending statute 75 times in six decades Italy sings viva cricket ahead of 2026 T20 WC G o m e s h S @ Brisbane WITH THIS ISSUE Southern Terrors PLUS 12 PAGES Italy, known for its footballing pedigree, is slowly turning its attention towards another game -cricket. It is encouraging talents from other countries, especially Australia, to move to Italy and help them qualify for the 2026 T20 World Cup. Remember Joe Burns? The hard-hitting Queenslander who made his Test debut along with KL Rahul during the Boxing Day Test between India and Australia ten years ago? He is now leading Italy. The country may lack proper cricket ground and practice in the middle of tomato field, yet Burns and his teammates are going all out to help them qualify Though many . are from Australia, there a few from the sub-continent too. Burns’ grandparents were born and brought up in Italy before migrat- ing to Australia after the World War II. Burns is an Australian cricketer with dual passport. Though he had been longing to play for Italy in 2008-09, Burns made the decision this year. His brother, Dominic, had passed away in February and Burns took on his jersey number (85), while making a commitment to honour his Italian heritage. He made his debut for the Italy in T20 World Cup European Regional Qualifier, and ensured Italy’s qualification for the Europe Regional final with a century against Romania in the final. “My story is very similar to a lot of Italians my age,” Burns tells this daily . Burns is not alone harbouring this longing. Since the time he joined the team, Italian Cricket Federation has received a flurry of requests from Australian cricketers with P11 Italian heritage.  Rahul’s Savarkar poke at BJP-rss P r ee t h a N a i r @ New Delhi Five-time world champion V Anand posted a TNIE page grab dated 18.03.2017 on X with the title: Can you spot Two World Champions? Going by Anand’s tweet, this was the first time he noticed D Gukesh (2nd from L) during a workshop. R Praggnanandhaa participated. Here’s a clearer picture | D Sampathkumar EXPRESS READ UDF for micro-level mgmt to maximise winnability T’Puram: Taking a cue from the BJP which prioritised assembly constituencies as A, B and C on the basis of winnability, the UDF is also taking a similar step to maximise its winning chances in the coming LSG and assembly elections. However, unlike the BJP, the UDF would be focusing on booths, instead of assembly segments. The UDF meeting to be held on December 17 will start preliminary discussion on formulating a strategy along this line. P5 After night in jail, Allu Arjun released Hyderabad: Actor Allu Arjun was released on Saturday early morning after the Telangana High Court granted bail on Friday. The court granted him bail for four weeks. He was arrested on Friday in connection with the death of a woman at the Sandhya Theatre during the premiere of his movie Pushpa-2 on December 4. Though the High Court granted him bail on Friday, the prison officials released him on Saturday. In a no holds barred attack on the Congress, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday said the grand old party having , ‘tasted blood’, repeatedly tampered with the Constitution, adding that the party can’t wipe off the taint. In his reply to the two-day debate commemorating 75 years of the adoption of the Constitution, Modi accused the previous Congress governments of amending the Constitution 75 times in the last six decades. “The seed was planted by the first PM, was followed by another PM Indira Gandhi. Disregarding the Supreme Court’s decision of 1971, she amended the Constitution to clip the wings of our judiciary to give complete power to the Parliament,” he said. “Whenever democracy is discussed in the world, this sin of the Congress will never be forgiven... The Constitution was torn apart when it was celebrating 25th anniversary he added. ,” Recalling the dark days of Emergency Modi said that the , country was turned into a prison, citizens’ rights were snatched and press freedom curtailed. “When Indira Gandhi’s election to the Lok Sabha was turned down, she imposed Emergency to save her position in 1975. She also ensured that Justice Khanna, who gave the order against her election, was Narendra Modi, prime minister Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi launched a broadside against the BJPRSS, saying Hindutva ideologue V D Savarkar considered Manusmriti superior to the Constitution. He quoted Savarkar as saying that there was “nothing Indian about our Constitution.” Ridiculing the BJP, he said, “when you speak about defending the Constitution, you are defaming Savarkar.” | P7 not made the CJI,” Modi said. Continuing his attack, he said former PM Rajiv Gandhi disregarded Supreme Court’s order in favour of Shah Bano, and pursued vote-bank politics. Their next generation is also into the same game, he said in a swipe at the Leader of Opposition in the House Rahul Gandhi and his sister and Wayanad MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra. In a veiled reference to Rahul, the PM said an ‘arrogant’ person tore the decision of the Cabinet when the Congress-led UPA government headed by the then prime minister Manmohan Singh was in power. The National Advisory Council, which was headed by Sonia Gandhi, was put above the Cabi- net during the UPA rule, he pointed out. Referring to the Uniform Civil Code, he said it was a topic debated by the Constituent Assembly and they decided that the decision should be taken by subsequent governments. “Today we are committed to bring about a secular code in the country Modi said. ,” While the makers of the Constitution took a considered decision to disallow reservation on the basis of religion and faith in the interest of the country’s unity and integrity, the Congress in its ‘greed for power’ and to ‘appease its vote bank’ pushed for it in violation of the constitutional spirit, the prime minister charged.  P7 Jumla is a favourite word of the Congress. The biggest jumla in country’s history was Indira Gandhi’s slogan of garibi hatao, which was used by their four generations Pinarayi urges PM to withdraw VGF repayment norm for Vizhinjam port E x p r e s s N e w s Se r v i c e @ T’Puram In an effort to get unconditional viability gap funding (VGF) support to the Vizhinjam seaport project, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi seeking his urgent intervention. Pinarayi urged the Prime Minister to withdraw the Union finance ministry’s norm making it mandatory for the state to repay the VGF. In his letter, Pinarayi pointed out that since the Union finance ministry introduced the VGF scheme in 2005, never in the past has such a proposal for repayment been demanded by the finance ministry. Vizhinjam project would be the only exception in the country where the Union government has demanded a repayment. “As the `817.80 crore provided by the Government of India is to be repaid on net present value (NPV) basis, interventions would result in repayment of `10,000 to `12,000 crore from the state exchequer in actual terms, computed on projected interest rates and revenue realisation from the port over the period of repayment,” said the CM. If the Centre insists on payback, the assistance provided would be a loan. It’s contrary to the intent of the scheme, he said. Pinarayi pointed out that the Vizhinjam project is structured to avail VGF under the scheme of financial support to public private partnerships in infrastructure by the Department of Economic affairs. As per the VGF guidelines, the fund should be provided as a grant and not as a loan. Nowhere in the guidelines issued by the DEA, repayment of the grant is envisaged, said the chief minister. To facilitate the commercial viability of the project, the state is giving 817.80 crore as VGF. In addition to this, the state is also investing `4,777.80 crore in the project. “The efforts taken by the state government in investing substantial amount in a project of national importance, despite its limited financial resources, should be given due consideration,” he said. Pinarayi further pointed out that the Outer Harbour project of VOC Tuticorin Port is structured on similar lines as the Vizhinjam project. The Tuticorin project was given VGF without the condition of repayment. The Vizhinjam project deserves the same treatment accorded to Tuticorin, said the chief minister. Christmas exam Question paper leak triggers row E x p r e s s N e w s Se r v i c e @T’Puram sport for all Players in action during the National Disabled Cricket Championship in Kozhikode on Saturday | E Gokul Min: KSRTC to launch Shabana Azmi terms ‘Ankur’ her favourite film innovative plans to attract family travellers IFFK ‘Sangharsha Ghadana’ to be screened today E x p r e s s N e w s Se r v i c e @ T’Puram Veteran actor Shabana Azmi revealed that ‘Ankur’ holds a special place in her heart and remains her favourite film. Speaking at a session during the screening of the film at the 29th International Film Festival of Kerala (IFFK), Shabana said the film’s enduring appeal, both in India and abroad, even after 50 years is its greatest recognition. The session also marked the celebration of the actor completing five decades in cinema. Reflecting on her role in ‘Ankur’, Shabana recalled how director Shyam Benegal transformed her from a middle-class college student into Lakshmi, the central character. She also expressed pride in being part of the inaugural IFFK and her joy at returning for the 29th edition. She said the screening of ‘ nkur’ on Shyam Benegal’s A birthday at the IFFK venue was an emotional moment for her. Actor Shabana Azmi interacts with former minister M A Baby at the International Film Festival of Kerala (IFFK) in Thiruvananthapuram on Saturday | Express The event preceding the film’s screening was inaugurated by former minister M A Baby who presented a token of , appreciation to Shabana on behalf of the Kerala State Chalachitra Academy . He also extended birthday wishes to Shyam Benegal, who turned 90. A short video show- casing Shabana Azmi’s contributions to cinema and culture was screened as part of the event. After interacting with the media, the actress attended the screening of the Malayalam film ‘Velicham Thedi’ at Kairali Theatre before concluding her visit. Speaking at IFFK, national award winner Krishand R K opened up about his film ‘Sangharsha Ghadana’ (The Art of Warfare), which will be screened in the Malayalam Film Today category on Sunday. The film is an adaptation of ancient Chinese military treatise, Art of War, attributed to the then military strategist Sun Tzu. “At times of war, it’s interesting to know about a book which speaks about the art of war. The answer to whether this art has changed over 3,000 years or not reveals the relevance of whom to fight and whom not to,” he said. The movie delves into the life of Kodamazha Suni, a retired organised crime leader, and his inner consciousness through the wisdom of Sun Tzu’s texts, when haunted by his past decisions. The film is Krishand’s research on the text and wars. He says the film follows a different narrative like his previous movies. E x p r e s s N e w s Se r v i c e @ Palakkad Transport Minister K B Ganesh Kumar on Saturday announced that KSRTC will introduce innovative plans to attract more family travellers, by prioritising safety, cleanliness, and quality food. Speaking after inaugurating the air-conditioned restrooms at Palakkad KSRTC bus terminal, he said all buses will be fitted with High Court-mandated cameras which can be monitored directly from the KSRTC headquarters. He said KSRTC is also planning to implement advanced camera systems on buses to guard against drivers falling asleep or feeling tired while driving. “All KSRTC buses in Kerala will eventually be air-conditioned and it will bring in a new travel culture. Apart from Faults on road will be rectified soon: Ganesh Kumar After visiting the accident site at Panayampadam in Palakkad where four school students died after a lorry overturned and fell on them on Thursday, Minister K B Ganesh Kumar said the road construction issues at Panayampadam will be rectified immediately. He said the centreline of the road will be shifted by 2 metres, and a divider will be erected immediately. this, 35 new AC semi-sleeper buses will be introduced. In order to generate more revenue, KSRTC will lease out unused spaces effectively he said. ,” He also emphasised that the salaries of KSRTC employees will be paid on the first of every month within 2 to 3 months. Question papers for the second term Christmas examinations in government schools have leaked, kicking up a controversy. General Education Minister V Sivankutty filed a complaint with the police chief and the general education department will hold a meeting on Monday to discuss the matter. So far, there has been no decision on re-examination. The question papers for the Plus-I mathematics examination and the Class 10 English examination appeared on a YouTube channel named ‘MS Solutions’, ahead of the examinations. Sivankutty raised suspicion over the role of private coaching centres in the leak. “The questions papers cannot be leaked without the knowledge of those who prepare and supply them. The investigation would find whether government teachers are as- sociating with private coaching centres,” said the minister. Terming it a serious crime, the general education department said in a statement that it would bring the guilty before the law. High security measures are taken while making and distributing the question papers. Complaints will be lodged with state police chief and the cyber cell, it said. The question papers for the Plus-I, Plus-II model examinations are prepared at the workshop conducted by the SCERT. Two sets of question papers are prepared for an examination. One of them is selected and printed at a press outside the state. The press supplies the question papers to all the district centres from where school principals collect them. MS Solutions released a video on its channel in response to the media reports. A person who introduced himself as the chief executive officer said they will cooperate with any probe.