Donald Trump wants to ‘clean out’ Gaza 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. He said he wants to move out enough people to “clean out” Gaza to create a virtual clean slate. “You’re talking about probably a million and a half people,” Trump said, adding that the resettling “could be temporary or long term” | P9 villupuram l Monday l January 27, 2025 l `9.00 l PAGES 12 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 thinkedu 2025 Stage set for celebration of ideas in Chennai E x press Ne w s S er 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 c o n c l ave, p r e sented by Sastra University, promises to continue the celebration of Indian excellence. 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 ( N H RC ) ; 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 CM of Telangana. Additionally, first-time Members of Parliament like Sasikanth Senthil (Tiruvallur constituency) and Angomcha Bimol Akoijam (Inner Manipur constituency), alongside seas o n e d ve t e r a n 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 f ro m t h i n ke r s like Sanjeev Sanyal, Member of the Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister of India, and Mukunda CR, Jo i n t G e n e r a l Secretary of the R a s h t r i y a S w aya m s eva k Sangh, to delve into contemporary issues. Artificial intelligence (AI) takes centre stage with four sessions exploring its socio-political 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.  P5 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 R A J E S H K U M A R THA K U R & 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, 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. 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.  P7 Indonesian President 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 Murmu 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,” Subianto 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 blended d i p l o m a c y 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. Members of the Indonesian delegation singing Kuch Kuch Hota Hai at the banquet hosted by President Murmu | ani The Indonesian delegation’s performance quickly went viral on social media. Kajol shared the video on her profile, captioning it: “Bollywood’s power to unite shines again!” Indian films were first introduced to Indonesia in 1945 by the allied armies, as entertainment for the Indian troops stationed there. 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 .