tadepalligudem l wednesday l april 23, 2025 l `9.00 l PAGES 12 l city EDITION Maharashtra rolls back its diktat on Hindi as 3rd language Maharashtra has stayed its order to make Hindi mandatory as a third language for Classes 1 to 5 in Marathi and English-medium schools decision comes after stiff opposition The decision taken last week met with stiff resistance from different quarters, including some opposition parties, and comes days after the Maharashtra government’s language consultation committee urged CM Devendra Fadnavis to revoke the decision. School Education Minister Dada Bhuse said the Centre did not pressure them to “impose” Hindi ■ 3 learning hindi will be made voluntary ■ A senior minister of Maharashtra government said a new order will be issued making it voluntary to learn Hindi in these classes Rahul Rekhawar, Director of the State Council of Educational Research and Training (SCERT), said efforts will be taken to ensure students do not feel any pressure of learning a third language language formula is part of the new curriculum under NEP 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 Illustration: Mandar Pardikar Lidder river Pahalgam Baisaran Valley Amarnath Yatra Base Camp Tourists enjoying a balmy afternoon at Baisaran meadow, a non-motorable spot about 5-10 km from Pahalgam Terrorists in combat uniform emerge from the dense forest around the site, ask tourists about their identity Terrorists open fire selectively on Hindus; 28 killed, including two foreigners and a couple of locals Video grab of security personnel taking scared tourists to safety at the massacre site in J&K’s Pahalgam 28 massacred in J&K E x p r e s s N e w s Se r v i c e @ New Delhi In one of the biggest attacks on tourists coinciding with the visit of US Vice President J D Vance to India, terrorists on Tuesday massacred 28 people, most of them tourists, in J&K’s Pahalgam area and injuring many others. Among the victims were two foreigners from UAE and Nepal and a couple of locals. Prime Minister Narendra Modi cut short his visit to Saudi Arabia and returned home after the business part of his trip was over. Official sources said twothree terrorists emerged from the dense forest around the Baisaran meadow, a scenic but non-motorable spot about 5-10 km from Pahalgam around 2.30 pm. They were heavily armed and in combat Prime Minister Narenda Modi will depart for India from Saudi Arabia tonight, cutting short his visit in view of the terrorist attack in Kashmir. Earlier in the day, he reached out to Union Home Minister Amit Shah, directing him to take immediate charge of the situation. Following his instructions, Shah held a high-level meeting with senior officials through video conferencing soon after the attack and landed in Srinagar by 9 pm. Condemning the incident in the strongest terms, Modi said those responsible would face the full force of the law. Lt Governor Manoj Sinha, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, senior Army officials, and the Director Generals of the CRPF and J&K Police joined the emergency video conference called by Shah. Later in Srinagar, the home minister chaired a detailed security meeting. According to sources, the Cabinet Committee on Security will meet to assess the situation and consider additional measures to tighten the security grid. F aya z W a n i @ Srinagar uniform. The terrorists separated the Hindu tourists from the rest after checking their identity and fired on them indiscriminately sources said. , Waseem Khan, a security guard, said he heard the firing but initially thought it was due to firecrackers. “The firing continued for 10 minutes. As there were cries, we rushed to the spot and saw bodies lying on the ground. Some of them were dead and some injured,” he said. Baisaran, which is known as mini Switzerland for its lush green meadows, can be reached only through foot or on horses. “You cannot go to the area in the vehicles because there is no motorable road,” he said. In a viral video, a woman tourist, whose husband was shot at by militants, said, “We were enjoying belpuri and my husband was sitting by my side, when an individual came and shot at him. He thought he is not a Muslim and fired. “Please save my husband,” she pleaded. One of the victims was Manjunath Rao, a businessman from Shivamogga district of Karnataka. The victims included Prasant Kumar Satpathy from Odisha, Manish Ranjan from Hyderabad and another from Kochi. A tourist from Maw Nagar, Gujarat, said he was travelling on horse back when the terrorists fired. “I was hit in the right arm,” he said. He is under treatment in Anantnag. The Resistance Front, a shadow group of Lashkar-eToiba, claimed responsibility for the attack. ‘No errant official will be spared’ tdp concedes BJP candidate likely for RS seat Vijayawada: The vacant Rajya Sabha seat from Andhra Pradesh is likely to be filled by a candidate from the BJP. This was decided during a meeting held between Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu and Union Home Minister Amit Shah in New Delhi on Tuesday. An official announcement in this regard is likely to be made by this weekend. 3.5K% levy plan US wants to slap up to a whopping 3,500% tariff on solar panels from Southeast Asia to address dumping IMF says economic outlooks for US and world have worsened significantly due to trade war V-P J D Vance urges India to drop non-tariff barriers, give greater access to its markets, buy more US energy and military products | P8 Resolve to fight terror unshakable: Modi “Those behind this heinous act will be brought to justice... they will not be spared! Their evil agenda will never succeed. Our resolve to fight terrorism is unshakable and it will get even stronger,” PM Modi said The perpetrators are animals, inhuman: CM “This attack on our visitors is an abomination. The perpetrators of this attack are animals — inhuman and worthy of contempt. No words of condemnation are enough,” CM Omar Abdullah said Those involved will not be spared, says Shah “Those involved in this dastardly act of terror will not be spared. We will come down heavily on the perpetrators with the harshest consequences.” Union home minister Amit Shah said TDP leader, former MPP Veeraiah killed in Ongole express read Vijayawada: Home Minister Vangalapudi Anitha has said law is taking its own course and officials are being booked strictly based on evidence for their alleged misconduct during the previous YSRCP regime. Anitha said, “We were in the opposition for years. Many cases were filed against us. . Today, officers are facing legal action only for the wrongdoings they committed during YSRCP government.” PM cuts short visit, returns man Satya, and APTDC Chairman Dr Nukasani Balaji, visited the hosIn a horrific incident on Tuesday pital to inquire about the incident night, Muppavarapu Veeraiah Chow- and pay their respects. dary, a prominent Telugu Desam District SP AR Damodar, along Party (TDP) leader and former Nagu- with other police officials, inspected luppalapadu MPP was brutally mur- the crime scene and gathered details , dered in his office at Padabout the attack. A case ma Towers, Ongole. has been registered, and Three masked assailt h e i nve s t i g a t i o n i s ants armed with knives underway . entered his office around Chief Minister N Chan7:45 - 7:50 pm, stabbed drababu Naidu strongly him repeatedly, and fled condemned the murder, the scene. Despite being describing the loss of Veerushed to a nearby hosraiah, an active and dedipital by locals, Veeraiah cated TDP leader, as tragic was declared dead on and deeply unfortunate. Veeraiah Chow arrival. Naidu, who discussed the Veeraiah Chowdary, a incident with district 3 masked men close relative of former attack Veeraiah MLAs, ministers, and poMLA and ex-ZP Chairlice officials, instructed Veeraiah Chowdary, a man Edara Haribabu, authorities to take strinclose relative of was a key TDP figure gent action against the former MLA and and the official repreperpetrators. He assured ex-ZP Chairman sentative of the Bapatla full support to Veeraiah’s Parliament. He managed Edara Haribabu, was family during this chalhis liquor business from a key TDP figure. He lenging time. managed his liquor his office in Ongole, Home Minister V Anita business from his where the attack took expressing shock over the Ongole office, where place. The news of his brutal murder, ordered murder sent shockwaves the attack took place. Prakasam district police through the TDP ranks, to expedite the investigawith party leaders and cadres rush- tion and apprehend the culprits at ing to the hospital. the earliest. She also directed a thorProminent TDP leaders, including ough inquiry into the incident. Minister Dr Swamy Ongole MP Ma, N a r a L o ke s h , M i n i s t e r fo r gunta Srinivasulu Reddy, Ongole Education and IT, expressed proMLA Damacharla Janardhan Rao, found shock, recalling Veeraiah’s Santhanuthalapadu MLA BN Vijaya dedication during the Yuvagalam PaP4 Kumar, AP Maritime Board Chair- dayatra.  E x p r e s s N e w s Se r v i c e @ Ongole Prime Minister Narendra Modi looks at fighter jets of Royal Saudi Air Force escorting his aircraft as it arrives in Jeddah on Tuesday | PTI PM’s Saudi trip to bolster strategic, trade partnership ties. We have shared interest and commitment to promote regional peace, prosperity, PRIME Minister Narendra security and stability Modi ,” Modi arrived in Saudi Ara- said. This marks Modi’s third bia on Tuesday for a two-day visit to Saudi Arabia in the visit aimed at strengthening last decade and his first to the strategic partnership be- the historic coastal city of tween the two nations, with a Jeddah, the first here by an special focus on defence and Indian Prime Minister in last energy cooperation. 40 years. The visit, at the invitation In an interview with Arab of Crown Prince and News, Modi described Prime Minister MoSaudi Arabia as “one hammed bin Salman, of India’s most valcomes as both counued partners – a maritries seek to deepen This visit will time neighbour, a strengthen the collaboration in key trusted friend and a friendship sectors critical to re- between India strategic ally.” Refergional stability and ring to Crown Prince and Saudi economic growth and Mohammed bin SalArabia At least six agreeman, he added, “He is Narendra Modi, ments are expected to my brother,” reflectPM be signed during the ing the personal rapvisit, underscoring port between the two. the expanding scope of bilatThe focus of the visit is the eral engagement. second meeting of the IndiaModi said India deeply val- Saudi Strategic Partnership ues its long and historic ties Council, co-chaired by Modi with Saudi Arabia that have and the Crown Prince. “Our acquired strategic depth and partnership has limitless pomomentum in recent years. tential,” Modi said. “Together, we have developed In 2023–2024, bilateral a mutually beneficial and trade between the two natisubstantive partnership in- osn reached nearly $43 bilcluding in the domains of de- lion, making Saudi Arabia fence, trade, investment, en- India’s fifth-largest trading ergy and people to people partner. j aya n t h j a c o b @ New Delhi Shakti dubey bags top rank Impressive show by Telugu students in Civil Services exam E x p r e s s N e w s Se r v i c e @ Vijayawada Telugu students have put up an impressive performance in the UPSC Civil Services Examination 2024, with several securing top ranks in the final list released on Tuesday E Sai Shivani stood out with an All . India Rank (AIR) of 11, followed by Banna Venkatesh (AIR 15) and Abhishek Sharma (AIR 38). Other notable achievers from Andhra Pradesh and Telangana include Ravula Jayasimha Reddy (46), Shravan Kumar Reddy (62), Sai Chaitanya Jadhav (68), N Chetana Reddy (110), Chennamreddy Sivaganesh Reddy (119), Challa Pawan Kalyan (146), N Srikanth Reddy (151), Nellore Sai Teja (154), Kolipaka Srikrishna Sai (190). Pavan Kumar Reddy (375) and Dr Ravada Sai Mohini Manasa (975). The UPSC announced the results for the recruitment of 1,056 posts in IAS, IPS, IFS, and Central Services. This year’s topper is Shakti Dubey from Prayagraj in UP, followed by Harshita Goyal (2), Archit Parag (3), Shah Margi Chirag (4), and Akash Garg (5), rounding out the top five. The recruitment notification was issued in February 2023. The preliminary exam took place on June 16, followed by mains from September 20 to 29. Personal interviews were conB Venkatesh ducted in phases between January 7 and April 17. Of the total candidates selected, 1,009 have been recommended for Group A services and 335 for Group B. The final list includes 109 candidates from EWS, 318 from OBC, 160 from SC, and 87 from ST categories. Additionally 230 , candidates have been kept on N Srikanth Reddy the reserve list. UPSC has set up a facilitation counter at its New Delhi office for any queries related to the results. Candidates can also reach out via the official helpline numbers on working days between 10 am and 5 pm. The commission has informed that individual marks will be published on its website within 15 days. From IPS to IAS - Venkatesh scripts a success story Banna Venkatesh, who hails from Alladapeta village in Jalumuru mandal in Srikakulam district, secured the 15 th rank. Earlier in 2023, Venkatesh had achieved 467 rank, got selected for IPS and is currently undergoing training. With an aim to achieve IAS, he again appeared for the exam and secured the top-2o rank. Venkatesh’s father Chandra Rao, a local trader, and mother Rohini expressed immense joy over their son’s achievement. Alladapeta village surpanch Kalyanam Srinivasa Rao P4 also congratulated the civil services ranker.  back to earlier schedule TTD to begin trial run for early VIP Break Darshan B M u r a l i @ Tirumala Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) has announced a trial run to reinstate the Early Morning VIP Break Darshan, shifting from the current VIP Break Darshan schedule that begins at 8 am or 10 am on peak days like Fridays, and concludes by 1:30 pm. The decision, made by TTD officials and temple authorities, aims to revert to the earlier 4:30 am or 5:00 am start time. Earlier during the previous YSRCP government, the then Executive Officer AV Dharma Reddy introduced changes allowing VIP Break Darshan to start at 8 am or 10 am based on VIP demand and refer ral letters. Initially ticket numbers were , capped below 1,000, even on peak days, but later surged to 2,300. Government orders during that period mandated the temple board to accept at least one referral letter per MLA/MP daily . Later, it was increased to two, extending the same policy to Telangana MLAs and MPs. This change led to a significant rise in VIP tickets, reaching 4,000 to 5,000 per day . Following the election code, TTD temporarily halted the discretionary quota but resumed it post-gover nment change, recently reinstating Telangana representatives’ reP4 ferral privileges.