tirupati l monday l january 27, 2025 l `9.00 l PAGES 12 l late city EDITION trump wants to clean up Gaza, asks Egypt, Jordan to help with refugees US President Donald Trump said that he would like to see Jordan, Egypt, and other Arab nations raise the number of refugees they are accepting resettling may be temporary or long term ban lifted, Israel to get 2,000-pound bombs “You’re talking about probably a million and a half people,” Trump said, adding that the resettling “could be temporary or long term”. He said he wants to move out enough people to “clean out” Gaza to create a virtual clean slate. It comes days after Trump commended its “phenomenal location” and said, “something beautiful could be done with it” ■ ■ Trump also said he’s ended his predecessor Joe Biden’s hold on sending 2,000-pound bombs to Israel. Asked why he lifted the ban, Trump responded, “Because they (Israel) bought them” Former president Biden imposed the ban as a measure to reduce civilian casualties arising out of Israel’s operations in Gaza Strip | P9 1.9 million Gaza residents displaced by war, as per human rights watch 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 thinkedu 2025 Stage set for celebration of ideas in Chennai E x p r ess Ne w s S e r v i c e @ Chennai The ThinkEdu Conclave is back. Over 40 esteemed panelists will lead thought-provoking discussions by sharing their insights into education, polity, economy, technology history art, and , , culture, during the two-day conclave, beginning today (January 27). Themed ‘Rise of the Indosphere’, the 13th edition of the conclave, presented by Sastra University, promises to continue the celebration of Indian exc e l l e n c e . Attendees will gain invaluable insights from a diverse lineup of thought leaders, policymakers, and innovators. This includes Justice V Ramasubramanian, Chairperson of the National Human Rights Comm i s s i o n ( NHRC ) ; A r i f Mohammed Khan, Governor of Bihar; Priyank Kharge, Minister for Electronics, IT/BT and Rural Development & Panchayat Raj, Karnataka; and Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka, Deputy Chief Minister of Telangana. Additionally, first-time california rain helps firefighters, at risk of toxic runoff Members of Parliament like Sasikanth Senthil (Tiruvallur constituency) and Angomcha Bimol Akoijam (Inner Manipur constituency), alongside seasoned veteran Parliamentarians such as Subramanian Swamy and Shashi Tharoor, will share their perspectives on India’s political and social landscape. The conclave also promises enriching discussions from thinkers like Sanjeev Sanyal, Member of the Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister of India, and Mukunda CR, Joint General Secretary of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, to delve into contemporary issues. Artificial intelligence (AI) takes centre stage with four sessions exploring its sociopolitical and economic implications, guided by academic and industry pioneers. Concurrently, eminent academics such as Prof Sudha Seshayyan, Prof Mamidala Jagadesh Kumar, and Prof Himanshu Rai will tackle topics ranging from accessibility in higher education to teaching Gen Z. Potentially heavy downpour forecast for the region on charred hillsides could invite new troubles such as runoff arising from toxic ash Culture, defence might top draws at R-Day Marked emphasis on showcasing India’s spiritual, cultural heritage; new tactical missile Pralay makes its debut Kuch Kuch Hota Hai as Bollywood complements diplomacy at Prez’s dinner J aya n t h J a c o b @ New Delhi Folk artists put up a performance as part of a cultural dance during 76th Republic Day parade in New Delhi on Sunday; (Below, from left) Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto, President Droupadi Murmu and Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar during the ‘At-Home’ reception at Rashtrapati Bhavan | Shekhar yadav/PTI RA J E S H KU M AR THAKUR & M aya n k s i n g h @ New Delhi THE 76th Republic Day celebrations appeared to take a unique approach, with spiritual and cultural aspects displayed with the same vigour as economic and military might. The eclectic parade on Kartavya Path came alive shortly after the national flag was unfurled in the presence of President Droupadi Murmu. This was followed by a tableaux showcasing 45 dance forms from states. From the Laxminarayan Temple in Karnataka to the Mahakumbh in UP, each state’s tableau displayed a rich cultural tapestry West Bengal’s tribute to . Durga Puja and Bihar’s ode to Buddha monuments highlighted their spiritual significance. Andhra Pradesh’s tableau focussed on Etikoppaka wooden toys of Lord Ganesh and others, AP’s Debt Sustainability reached zero for FY 2022-23: NITI Aayog report Respecting differences key to living in peace: Bhagwat S G u r u S r i k a n t h @ Vijayawada RA J E S H KU M AR THAKUR @ New Delhi DIVERSITY is natural and differences should be respected, Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat said on Sunday . Addressing a gathering after unfurling the national flag at the Republic Day celebration at a college at Bhiwandi in Maharashtra’s Thane district, Bhagwat emphasised the need to ensure equal opportunities for all to thrive in society . “No one should be suppressed, and everyone should get an opportunity to grow. Cohesion is the key to living in harmony he said. ,” Bhagwat said diversity is India’s strength and should be embraced. “ C l a s h e s a re happening outside Bharat due to diversity We see diversity as . a natural part of life. You can have your own specialities, but you must be good to each other. If you want to live, it should be a cohesive living. You cannot be happy if your family is unhappy Similarly a family cannot be . , happy if the town is facing trouble,” he said. The RSS chief also underlined the need for combining knowledge with dedication in all endeavours and efforts while working for the nation and society together. He urged citizens to recognise their collective responsibility toward the nation. “You cannot outsource or contract it to anyone else,” he said. signifying its rich tradition of crafts and sculpture. The Sangeet Natak Academy curated a 11-minute cultural performance titled “Jayati Jaya Mamah Bharatam” — a tribute to tribal icon Birsa Munda. India’s defence capabilities were showcased with the debut of a new tactical missile Pralay and the army’s battle surveillance system ‘Sanjay’. In a first, a tri-services tableau depicted the nation’s renewed focus on enhancing synergy among its armed forces. The tableau displayed a battlefield scenario in land, water, and air with the indigenous Arjun battle tank and Tejas MKII fighter aircraft. The C-130J Super Hercules, C-295, C-17 Globemaster, Dornier, AN-32, Rafale, Jaguar and Su-30, took part in the flypast. President Murmu, Supreme Commander of armed forces, took the salute in a parade led by Lieutenant General Bhavnish Kumar, General Officer Commanding, Delhi Area. President Murmu was joined by Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto, the chief guest. An Indonesian military band was given the honour of leading the parade. Prime Minister Narendra Modi described the tableaux as a vibrant display of India’s P7 unity in diversity  . I n d o n esia n P r e s i d e n t Prabowo Subianto, who was the chief guest at the Republic Day parade, was at his humorous best when he declared his love for Indian film music during the state banquet hosted in his honour by President Droupadi Mur mu on Saturday night. Seated between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar, Subianto said a few days ago he “had done his genetic sequencing test, the DNA test” and found that he was an “Indian,” eliciting laughter from the dignitaries. “Everyone knows that I dance when I hear Indian music,” the Indonesian President said. Indonesia’s love for Indian film music was on display when some members of the Indonesian delegation took to the stage at Rashtrapati Bhavan to perform the song Kuch Kuch Hota Hai, creating a memorable moment that seamlessly bl e n d e d d i p l o m a cy w i t h entertainment. The song, from the 1998 Bollywood film Kuch Kuch Hota Hai, starring Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol, added a touch of fun and nostalgia to the evening. The Indonesian delegation’s performance quickly went viral on social media. Actor Ka- Governor S Abdul Nazeer takes the salute at the 76th Republic Day parade at the IGMC Stadium in Vijayawada on Sunday | Prasant Madugula Let us strive to realise Swarna Andhra Vision, Guv exhorts people S G u r u S r i k a n t h @ Vijayawada Governor S Abdul Nazeer’s speech at the 76th Republic Day celebrations reflected on the financial and administrative mess the State inherited seven months ago. It unveiled the roadmap for Vision Swarna Andhra 2047, elaborating on the 10 guiding principles for the vision. The Governor said the previous regime’s mismanagement of State finances and diversion of resources coupled with misgovernance had left a deep scar on the State’s economy and infrastructure, and it financial health was further crippled by exorbitant debt, high-interest borrowing, etc. “Andhra Pradesh was burdened by unpaid liabilities, stalled projects, and a broken governance structure. Amidst this turmoil, the people of the State delivered a historic mandate in the recently held Lok Sabha and Assembly elections. It was a powerful rejection of the previous regime’s misrule and a resounding endorsement of the leadership of Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu, and the NDA government. It is now our solemn responsibility to fulfil this trust, rebuild the State, and transform every challenge into an opportunity ,” he asserted. Mentioning that it was the government’s moral responsibility to understand and inform the people about the true extent of damage done to the State by the misgovernance of the previous regime, the Governor said it was done through the seven white papers brought out on different sectors. “Such was the deplorable state of the State’s finances that we were compelled to first present a vote-on-account budget, which provided the breathing solace needed to examine the depth of the fiscal mismanagement. It was a critical step in laying the groundwork for the recovery process, and in restoring finanP4 cial discipline,” he said. Andhra Pradesh is the only State in the country to have Zero Debt Sustainability as per the Fiscal Health Index 2025 released by NITI Aayog for the financial year 2022-23. It means the State is unable to service its debt obligations, potentially leading to deflation, which can severely damage its credit rating, limit access to future borrowing, and harm economic growth. Essentially it signifies a situation where the debt is completely unsustainable. The NITI Aayog’s revelation stands as a testimony to the deterioration of State’s financial health during the previous regime. According to fiscal experts, ‘Govt initiated steps to revive fiscal growth’ TDP official spokesperson Gottipati Ramakrishna Prasad said it was fiscal mismanagement of the previous government that adversely affected State finances. “Now, our government is making efforts to set right the situation. We have even taken the help of Centre to revive Amaravati and Polavaram projects, which in the will help the State revenue grow.” when debt sustainability reaches zero, borrowers are no longer able to meet their debt obligations, potentially leading to default or debt restructuring. A default can disrupt financial markets, increase borrowing costs for other entities in the State, and discourage investments. Further, when the State is focused on managing its debt crisis, it may have fewer resources available to invest in infrastr ucture and other growth-oriented initiatives. In its analysis, NITI Aayog observed that since 2018-19 the capital expenditure of the State came down in both social and economic service sectors by 84.3% and 60.1% respectively on a cumulative basis. The State had also been unable to achieve its budget estimates under capital expenditure. Capex was 3.5% of the total expenditure, and just 4.4% of the total borrowings in P4 2022-23. Members of the Indonesian delegation singing Kuch Kuch Hota Hai at the banquet hosted by President Murmu | ani jol, who stars in the film, shared the video on her profile, captioning it: “Bollywood’s power to unite shines again! The Indonesian delegation singing Kuch Kuch Hota Hai is such a heartwarming tribute. Truly honoured!” Indian films were first introduced to Indonesia in 1945 by the allied armies, as entertainment for Indian troops following Indonesia’s declaration of independence. Bollywood films have since been beloved by Indonesians. Another highlight of the night was a painting on the walls of the Rashtrapati Bhavan. President Murmu showed Subianto the painting depicting a historic moment: Former Indonesian President Sukarno and the First Lady attending the swearing-in of India’s first President, Dr Rajendra Prasad in 1950. Sukarno was the chief guest at India’s first Republic Day . express read Jyothi Yarraji wins 60m hurdles gold in France Visakhapatnam: Indian athlete Jyothi Yarraji from Vizag made a remarkable comeback to the track, setting not just one but two national records, and winning gold in the 60m hurdles at the ‘Meeting de Nantes Métropole’ in Nantes, France, on Saturday. In the final, Yarraji clocked 8.04 seconds to claim the gold | P4 Warden suspended for leaving boys hungry Anantapur: Over 120 students of the BC Welfare Hostel for Boys at Chennekothapalli (CK Palli) in Sri Sathya Sai district were left hungry on the Republic Day as the authorities failed to serve them lunch. Having learnt about the incident, BC Welfare Minister S Savitha ordered suspension of the hostel warden | P3 top of the world Mel-bourne supremacy: Sinner retains Oz Open E x p r ess Ne w s S e r v i c e @ Chennai The raised hands and a glance at the sky It was more than just . joy, it was divine but cathartic too for Jannik Sinner on Sunday Just last year, Sinner was . caught in one of sports’ worst nightmare — doping. Traces of steroids, twice in a period of 10 days, were found in his body in March last year and even though he avoided suspension, he was facing severe heat from many quarters. Anybody could have been shattered given the circumstances but not Sinner. The World No 1 gathered the pieces of tennis and life and has gone about doing what he does best — play and win. The Australian Open was a stage where he looked absolutely un- 1 Sinner has become the first Italian player in history, man or woman, to win three Major titles World No 1 Jannik Sinner celebrates after winning the Australian Open men’s singles title | AP shakable. It culminated in a near-perfect tennis like an art of canvas. The results were a reflection of his dominance. 23y 163 days Sinner is the youngest man to win multiple AO titles since Jim Courier in 1992-93 5 Sinner becomes the fifth player in the Open Era to win three consecutive hard court Grand Slam men's singles titles The final was a battle between the sport’s highest-ranked players as Sinner met Greece’s Alexander Zverev (No 2). Sinner was locked in from the word go and clinched the contest 6-3, 7-6 (4), 6-3) in just under three hours. After a close tussle in the early period, Sinner broke Zverev in the eighth game before going on to complete the job. Sinner was superior in every metric — baseline points won, net points won, long rallies, forehand winners. Zverev, meanwhile, was full of errors and that didn’t help his cause. While the CAS hearing is set to happen before the French Open, Sinner wants to enjoy this win. “I just came off an amazing run again here. I want to enjoy this moment, to be honest. Then it’s the hearing. We know now the dates, and that’s it. I mean, I want to enjoy this one now.”