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 ■ ■ BHUBANESWAR  TUESDAY  AUGUST 05, 2025  `9.00  PAGES 12  LATE CITY EDITION ENOUGH! INDIA HOLDS UP A MIRROR TO TRUMP’S HYPOCRISY J AYA N T H J A C O B & D I PA K M O N D A L @ New Delhi IN a strong rebuttal to renewed US criticism on India’s trade with Russia, New Delhi on Monday accused Washington and its allies of “unjustified and unreasonable” targeting, reminding them that it was the United States itself that once encouraged those very purchases to stabilise global markets. Ruling out any rethink on its energy trade with Russia, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) stated: “Like any major economy India will take , all necessary measures to safeguard its national interests and economic security .” The sharp message came minutes after US President Donald Trump threatened to ‘substantially’ raise tariffs to punish India for its purchase and resale of Russian oil. Trump’s statement posted on Truth Social on Monday said: , “India is not only buying massive amounts of Russian Oil... they are selling it for big profits. They don’t care how many people in Ukraine are being killed by the Russian War Ma- chine... I will be substantially raising the tariff paid by India to the USA.” In its blistering response, India made it clear that such rhetoric smacks of geopolitical hypocrisy “India has . been targeted by the United States and the European Union for importing oil from Russia after the commencement of the Ukraine conflict,” said MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal. “But in fact, India began importing from Russia because traditional supplies were diverted to Europe. The US at that time actively encouraged such imports to strengthen global energy market stability .” Jaiswal’s message was loud and clear that India will not be lectured. “India’s imports are meant to ensure predictable and affordable energy costs to the Indian consumer. They are a necessity compelled by global market realities... However, it is revealing that the very nations criticising India are themselves US continues to import uranium hexafluoride, palladium, fertilizers and chemicals from Russia. The targeting of India is unjustified and unreasonable. Like any major economy, India will take all measures to safeguard its national interests and economic security —Ministry of External Affairs indulging in trade with Russia... Such trade is not even a vital national compulsion.” India listed hard numbers to underscore the double standards. The EU in 2024 had India is not only buying massive amounts of Russian Oil... they are selling it for big profits... They don’t care how many people in Ukraine are being killed by the Russian War Machine. Because of this, I will be substantially raising the Tariff paid by India to the USA — Donald Trump a bilateral trade of Euro 67.5 billion in goods with Russia. It had trade in services estimated at Euro 17.2 billion in 2023. This is significantly more than India’s total trade with SIRAJMATAZZHELD HIGH INDIA OVAL AND OUT WITH HEAD TNIE in England FIROZ MIRZA @LONDON T India celebrate England’s Jamie Overton wicket in the fifth and final Test on Monday. Captain Shubman Gill (right) with the Player of the Series medal. Mohammed Siraj was adjudged Player of the Match | AP EXPRESS READ Odisha to form task force for BCPPR corridor Bhubaneswar: The state government is set to constitute an urban development task force for its ambitious Bhubaneswar-CuttackPuri-Paradip (BCPPR) corridor project. The mega metropolitan and quad-city region is envisaged to play a key role in the state’s broader vision of achieving a $500 billion economy by 2036 and $1.5 trillion by 2047 | P3 Two held for instigating FM College victim Bhubaneswar/Balasore: The Crime Branch on Sunday night arrested two youths in connection with the self-immolation of the girl student of FM (Autonomous) College. Subhra Sambit Nayak, the state joint secretary of ABVP, and Jyoti Prakash Biswal, a student of the same college, have been accused of instigating the girl to set herself on fire | P3 HE Oval match was the story of the series. It reflected the ferocity with which it was fought. First Test, England win comfortably India re. turn the favour with same magnanimity Third Test, . England win but with quite an effort. India draw despite trailing by 311 runs in the fourth. It would have been a travesty for cricket had the last not gone to the wire. India 835 Godabarish Mishra Adarsh primary schools to be set up in first phase: Majhi won by the barest of margins — six runs. Series 2-2. The celebration in the middle was wild. It’s poetic that after carrying the burden of bowling in the series, Mohammed Siraj took the final wicket and finished with a fifer (four in first innings and 23 overall). There he stood celebrating like his football idol Cristiano Ronaldo. He admitted how he changed the wallpaper on his phone on Monday morning to inspire him on the field. The conditions early on favoured pacers and Siraj was right on the money With only . 35 runs to get, margin of error was thin. The crowd, like in all days thronged the stadium to witness one of cricket’s most SC’s ‘true Indian’ barb at Rahul EXPRESS NEWS SERVICE S U C H I T R A K A LYA N M O H A N T Y THE state gover nment on Monday decided to set up 835 model primary schools under the Godabarish Mishra Adarsh Prathamika Vidyalaya programme in the first phase with an aim to bring transformation in the education system in line with the National Education Policy . This was decided at a highlevel meeting chaired by Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi at Lok Seva Bhawan. As per the decision taken in the meeting, the Vidyalayas will act as feeder schools for the high schools in the state. Each school will be developed at a cost of `7 crore. Schools with more than 100 students and having over 2 acre land and classes from Sishu Vatika to Class-VIII will be selected for development as model schools under the scheme. The chief minister emphasised that one Adarsh Vidyalaya will be constructed in each gram panchayat headquarters, taking into account the geographical location. Quality education will be provided on par with national standards, considering the socio-economic background of THE SC on Monday castigated Congress leader Rahul Gandhi for his comments on China capturing Indian territory in the wake of the Galwan attack in 2020, adding if he was an “true Indian”, he wouldn’t have said it. “How do you (Rahul) get to know when 2000 sq km was acquired by China? What is the credible material? A true Indian will not say this. When there is a conflict across border, can you say all this? Why can’t you ask the question in Parliament?” asked a bench comprising justices Dipankar Datta and Augustine George Masih. The court, however, stayed further proceedings against him in a defamation case in Lucknow and fixed the matter for further hearing after three weeks. During the hearing, Justice Datta said, “just because you have 19(1)(a) you cannot say anything.” Senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi, appearing for Rahul, said: “If he can’t say these things which are @ Bhubaneswar @ New Delhi CM Mohan Majhi chairing a review meeting on Godabarish Mishra Adarsh primary schools the students. Stressing the importance of ensuring convenient transportation for students, he directed that free transportation facilities should be provided to students residing in remote areas and difficult terrains. Majhi instructed the School and Mass Education department to select schools with sufficient land and upgrade them for potential future development into high schools, improve educational outcomes through technology and take proactive steps in teacher selection process. He emphasised the importance of building foundational skills, adopting modern teach- ing methods, and encouraging community involvement, including parents, alumni and local stakeholders, in line with the NEP . The meeting discussed the state government’s efforts to support the holistic development of students by fostering creativity, critical thinking, and life skills, with a focus on providing multi-disciplinary education, including STEM (science, technology engineer, ing and mathematics) education, vocational skills and experiential learning. The aim is to encourage students to excel in various fields and become well-rounded individuals, government sources said. enthralling finishes. India did not disappoint, either. Siraj in beginning of the series was in the shadow of Jasprit Bumrah. As a batter, he was the last to fall in the third Test at Lord’s. On Monday he was the archi, tect of a historic win. A lot was at stake for the two incredibly talented sides. No series has seen so many ups and downs or twists and turns as this one. If Harry Brook and Joe Root were regaling the audience with their artistry, Siraj enthralled with 25 deliveries he bowled out of 53. He had taken three out of four wickets that fell. And, of course, the adage of frontline bowler for India will be his to keep. As for now, it’s P11 Oval and out. published in the Press, he can’t be a leader of opposition... It is also possible that a true Indian will say that our 20 Indian soldiers were beaten up and killed and that it is a matter of concern.” The defamation complaint filed by Uday Shankar Srivastava, the for mer Border Roads Organisation (BRO) director, was pending in a Lucknow court. His petition said Rahul made the ‘derogatory’ remarks was on December 16, 2022, during his Bharat Jodo Yatra. In May the Allahabad High , Court had rejected Rahul’s plea challenging the issuance of summons by an MP/ MLA court in Lucknow. The court said that freedom of speech and expression does not include the freedom to make statements defamatory to the Indian Army . In its pushback later in the day, the Congress said every patriotic Indian has sought answers on China since the 2020 Galwan incident, adding the Centre has chosen to obfuscate and hide the truth with its policy of “DDLJ—deny, distract, lie, and justify .” Russia that year or subsequently European imports of . LNG in 2024 reached a record 16.5 million tonnes, surpassing the previous record of 15.21 million tonnes in 2022. Trump’s snooty remarks evoked a sharp reaction from Russia as well. “Washington is unable to accept the erosion of its dominance in an emerging multipolar international order... No tariff wars or sanctions can halt the natural course of history said Maria ,” Vladimirovna Zakharova, spokesperson of Russia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Govt lifts curbs on night shifts for women EXPRESS NEWS SERVICE @ Bhubaneswar WOMEN can now work night shifts at private shops and commercial establishments with the state government removing all restrictions on their work hours and time. But, they will have to give their written consent to join night duty . Night shifts for women was earlier prohibited under the Odisha Shops and Commercial Establishments Act, 1956, on safety grounds. However, the state government, in a bid to increase employment opportunities for women, has exempted all the shops and commercial establishments from applicability of Section 23 of the Odisha Shops and Commercial Establishments Act, 1956. This section prohibited employment of women during the night in any establishment, whether as employees or otherwise. The provision was to ensure their safety and well-being by restricting their work hours during the night. The government has allowed employment of women during the night hours provided, they are willing to work at night and give their consent in writing. Additionally, there must be a minimum of three women employees present during the shift, and a female supervisor must be on duty to oversee operations. Pick-up and drop services must use GPS-enabled vehicles, and all drivers must undergo police verification, read a notification by the Labour department. Workplaces have to prominently display emergency helpline numbers including 181 (state women’s helpline) and 1800-345-6703 (Labour department helpline), both within the premises and inside the transportation vehicles. SUBAS PANI PASSES AWAY Pani was silently battling cancer for the last few years. A former chief secretary of Odisha, he was a much-respected voice on the state’s culture and an authority on Jayadev’s Geeta Govinda and Jagannath Culture | P2 JAN 11, 1944-AUG 4, 2025 Shibu Soren and the soil-soaked struggle for self-rule HC concerned over rise in honour killings in TN V V P S H A R M A @ New Delhi Chennai: The Madras High Court on Monday expressed anguish and concern over the increasing number of socalled honour killings in Tamil Nadu. Justice P Velmurugan made the comments while transferring the investigation into a suspected case of murder of an SC student in the name of caste honour this May to the CB-CID | P5 HIBU Soren was an avatar to the Santhals of the Chhotanagpur plateau of the undivided Bihar. They called him Dishom Guru — the god of all 10 directions. In his younger days, his black locks, flowing beard and chiselled features mesmerised the tribals as much as they frustrated the Bihar Police, as he led a movement for tribal rights that saw a separate tribal state of Jharkhand carved from Bihar in his lifetime. S At 81, Soren breathed his last in Sir Ganga Ram Hospital in the national capital from kidney complications on Monday . Called Guruji by now, he became chief minister thrice, never able to complete a full term as politics or police cases disrupted his reign. He even went to Delhi as minister at the Centre, but as the years dragged on, and the health taking its toll, he hung up his boots and, succumbing to dynasty politics, handed over control of the party he cofounded, Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM), to his son, He- mant. The younger Soren is the current chief minister of a coalition with the Congress. Shibu Soren’s legacy is inseparable from the struggle for tribal rights in undivided Bihar. A Santhal, he grew up in an oppressive environment where politicians, landlords and usurers milked tribals of their dignity and displaced them from their hereditary forest dwellings, reducing them to literal slavery . Prime Minister Narendra Modi pays respects to Shibu Soren in New Delhi on Monday | PTI The angry young man decided to rebel and become the prophet of tribal identity. His target was the “diku”, an outsider in the tribal language. That could mean any of the many oppressors. His demand was for ‘jal, jungle, zameen’, water, forest, land, which the tribals considered their godgiven resources. The movement he birthed thus arose from generations of exploitation, dispossession and deprivation of tribals — he preferred ‘adivasis’ — till in the early 1970s it turned into a political struggle under the ban- ner of the JMM. It was headquartered in the hundreds of tribal villages, the tribal councils deciding agitational agendas, the Santhali folk songs arousing political passions. Soren nurtured the movement across the land. He would move from village to village on foot. He had nothing he could call his own except the clothes and chappals he wore. The villagers fed him, listened to him, and obeyed him blindly. He would explain to them facts of life they felt but could not express. CONTINUED ON: P8