MADURAI l Monday l august 11, 2025 l `9.00 l PAGES 12 l LATE CITY EDITION Air India set to upgrade its Dreamliner fleet Air India’s move to upgrade its 26 Dreamliners is to reduce operational disruptions and better overall reliability first aircraft in california for upgrade re-configuration to be done if needed Air India’s fleet of Dreamliners — 26 legacy 787-8s and seven 787-9s — had undergone checks, including fuel switches, after the fatal crash on June 12 in Ahmedabad. Under the $400 million fleet retrofit programme announced in December 2022, the airline has flown its first Dreamliner to a Boeing facility in California in July configuration records for these aircraft, followed by modifications based on Boeing’s service information bulletins, Air India said ■ As part of a Reliability Enhancement Programme, the airline will upgrade the avionics of its 26 legacy B787-8 aircraft ■ The retrofit programme entails analysis of maintenance and 190 narrow-body and wide-body planes are part of air india’s fleet 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 Rajnath targets Trump, says India’s rise irks some people Defence minister Rajnath Singh during the foundation stone laying ceremony of BRAHMA Project to make rail coaches, in Raisen district, Madhya Pradesh | pti Express News Service @ Bhopal IN a veiled dig at US President Donald Trump for his tariff action and repeated targeting of India, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Sunday said that some people are not willing to accept India’s economic progress and influence on the world stage. Describing India’s economy as the world’s most “dashing and dynamic”, Rajnath said that some people who consider themselves as Sabke Boss (everyone’s boss) are unable to digest India’s progress and economic development. “They think that we are everyone’s boss and how is India moving forward so fast? Many people are trying to do something, so that when things made by the hands of Indians in India go to other countries, they become more expensive than the things made in those countries,” he said of Trump’s tariff action against India. “But, I’m confident that the pace at which India is pro- gressing, no global power can stop our country from becoming a major world power,” Singh asserted during his speech after laying the foundation of BEML Rail Hub for Manufacturing (BRAHMA) -a greenfield rail manufacturing facility at central Madhya Pradesh’s Raisen district. Describing Operation Sindoor as a symbol of India’s self-reliance and self-confidence, Singh asserted that the armed forces effectively utilised indigenous equipment, which played a pivotal role in the success of the operation. “India was able to reach this position only because it has taken the pledge to become Aatmanirbhar in the defence sector,” he added. Singh said India is now not only manufacturing equipment on its soil, but is also catering to the security needs of friendly nations. “When Modiji became PM for the first time in 2014, the defence sector exports from India were merely `600 crore, which 10 years later have soared to `24,000 crore.” Munir meets US military brass Pak Army chief Asim Munir, currently in the US, met top US military leaders, the army said. Munir met Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff General Dan Caine and invited him to visit Pakistan, the Pak army’s statement said. This is Munir’s second visit to US since India’s Operation Sindoor | P9 Prime Minister Narendra Modi being received by Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Governor Thawar Chand Gehlot, in Bengaluru | Express India is the world’s fastest growing economy: Modi UPA dispensation. “In 2014, India had only 74 airports, and now, there are Days after US President Don- over 160. Then, only three naald Trump’s ‘dead economy’ tional waterways were operabarb, Prime Minister Naren- tional, now there are 30. The dra Modi on Sunday asserted country had only seven AIIMS that India is the fastest grow- and 387 medical colleges, but ing economy in the world. today we have 22 AIIMS hospi“In the last 11 years, our tals and 704 medical colleges, economy has gone from 10th adding 1 lakh more medical place to top five. We seats in the past 11 are now moving rapyears. The number idly towards becomof IITs has risen from ing one of the top 16 to 23, IIITs from 9 We are moving three economies,” he to 25, and IIMs from fast to become said after inaugurat13 to 21,” Modi said. one of the top ing the Yellow Line three economies. “Before 2014, Inof Bengaluru Metro dia’s total exports How we got this rail and laying the were only $468 bilspeed? Through the spirit of foundation stone for lion. The figure is ‘reform, perform Phase-3. $824 billion now. Inand transform’ Attributing the dia used to import Prime Minister growth momentum mobile phones; we Narendra Modi to the spirit of ‘reare among the top form, perform and five exporters of motransform’, he said: “The bile phones,” he added. journey to a Viksit Bharat India has become a global will move forward hand in example of low-cost, highhand with Digital India.” tech space missions, he said, Modi’s remarks were also emphasising that India is proaimed at Leader of Opposi- gressing in all areas of futurtion in the Lok Sabha Rahul istic technologies. “Our next Gandhi, who had drawn eco- big priority should be becomnomic parallels between the ing self-reliant in technology ,” NDA government and the Modi said. D eva ra j B H i r e h a l l i @ Bengaluru CM Stalin likely to visit Europe in September Karnataka EC officer sends notice to Rahul for proof of ‘vote theft’ express news service @ Bengaluru/New Delhi IN the wake of ‘vote theft’ allegations levelled by Congress leader Rahul Gandhi against the Election Commission at a press conference in New Delhi on August 7, the chief electoral officer (CEO) of Karnataka on Sunday served a notice to the Congress leader, asking him to share documents based on which he had alleged that a woman voted twice. Gandhi had alleged that there was an instance of duplicate voting, citing the case of one Shakun Rani, who he claimed had voted twice in the Mahadevapura constituency in the 2024 general election and had stated that the document was from the ECI. The ECI, however, stated that its preliminary inquiry found no such evi- dence, with Shakun Rani herself asserting that she voted only once and the “tick-marked” document Gandhi displayed not being an official record issued by a polling officer. The CEO has asked Gandhi to submit the documents he relied upon to support his allegations, so that an investigation can be conducted. Upping the ante over Rahul Gandhi’s poll rigging claims, the Cong ress on Sunday Kidney trafficking: Transplant licences of 2 hosps cancelled Express News Service @ Namakkal The Tamil Nadu government has decided to permanently cancel the kidney transplant licences of Dhanalakshmi Srinivasan Medical College Hospital in Perambalur and Cethar Hospital in Tiruchy following a health department probe into a suspected kidney trafficking racket in Namakkal district that uncovered irregularities and illegal practices. The racket came to light when police and health officials received complaints about brokers allegedly coercing vulnerable individuals from Pallipalayam and nearby areas in Namakkal into selling kidneys. Subsequently, Health Minister Ma Subramanian ordered a detailed probe by a panel led by S Vineet, Project Director of TN Health System Reform Programme. The panel’s report, details of which were released on Sunday , revealed that activities by both T M u r u g a n a n d h a m @ Chennai Chief Minister MK Stalin is expected to travel to the United Kingdom and Germany by the end of this month or the first week of September, during which meetings related to attracting more investments to the state are planned, in addition to meetings with the diaspora and other commitments, highly placed sources said. During the trip, the chief minister is also expected to deliver a lecture at the King’s College London (KCL), sources said, adding that the details are yet to be finalised. It is to be noted that renowned academic Christophe Jaffrelot, who is the Avantha Chair and Professor of Indian Politics and Sociology at the King’s India Institute in KCL, has written extensively on Indian politics, including the Dravidian parties, besides guiding research scholars. When contacted by TNIE, officials said the engagements of the CM during the trip cannot be confirmed at the moment since the programmes are still being finalised. They said the trip is likely to last for a week or 10 days. This would be Stalin’s fifth foreign visit. With the polls just eight months away this is likely to be , his last foreign visit in the present government.  P5 Rahul Gandhi the hospitals violated the Transplantation of Human Organs and Tissues Act, 1994 with evidence showing that forged documents were obtained and submitted by the private hospitals to improperly secure authorisation for transplants. Brokers acquired the organs for money, and transplants were conducted in breach of laws, the report said. Dhanalakshmi Srinivasan MCH and Cethar Hospital were the two hospitals primarily accused of involvement in the racket and their transplant licences were earlier temporarily suspended. Now, based on the report, the government will proceed with permanent cancellation of the transplant licence through Directorate of Medical and Rural Health Services. Also, FIRs have been filed against Anandan and Stanley Mohan, accused of brokering the deals, under BNS sections, based on their bank transactions and call records. P5 express read Ramadoss reiterates demand for caste survey Indigenous Stealth frigate Indian Navy’s advanced frontline stealth frigate Himgiri (F34) ahead of its commissioning in Visakhapatnam. Another advanced frigate, Udaygiri (F35), simultaneously commissioned on August 26. Both are part of Project 17A stealth frigates | PTI Ramnad fishers to hold indefinite stir from Aug 11 Mayiladuthurai: PMK founder Dr S Ramadoss on Sunday questioned Chief Minister MK Stalin why caste survey has not been conducted yet in Tamil Nadu and said the party would resort to state-wide protests if it is not conducted soon | P4 Ramanathapuram: Demanding the union government to take action to address the fishermen’s long-pending issues, Rameswaram fishermen associations on Sunday announced to stage an indefinite strike from August 11 and a hunger strike on Independence Day | P4 launched a web portal for people to register and demand accountability from the EC against what it called “vote theft”, and express support for the demand for digital voter rolls. “The responsibility is once again on us and you, the people of the country — join us and support the demand for transparency and fairness from the Election Commission,” Gandhi said on X, urging people to register on the portal. Deputy Leader of Congress in Lok Sabha Gaurav Gogoi on Sunday urged the ECI to ‘clean up’ alleged fraudulent entries in voter lists. “If the ECI has access to digital lists, why doesn’t it clean up the list of fraudulent entries by itself ? How come there were 1 lakh fraudulent entries in one assembly seat? Will the ECI explain?” he said. restobar clash Bouncer stabs youth to death in Pondy, 1 hurt B a g a l a v a n P e r i e r @ Puducherry A 21-year-old youth was killed at a restobar in Puducherry after one of the bouncers allegedly stabbed him with a kitchen knife during a clash that broke out between the victim’s friends and the bouncers on Saturday midnight. The incident occurred at OMG (Oh My Gulp) restobar on Mission Street around 1 am, after the permitted closing time. The deceased, identified as Moshiq of Sivaganga district, a postgraduate student at a private college in Chennai, had come to the union territory to attend a birthday party. His friend, Shajan (21) of Melur in Madurai, who had organised the party also sus, tained injuries Moshiq in the clash, and is undergoing treatment at Indira Gandhi Medical College and Research Institute. The Grand Bazaar police have detained around 10 people, including the restobar owner, in connection with the murder. According to police, Shajan, a private college student, came to Puducherry to celebrate his birthday He went to the resto. bar on Saturday night, along with 15 of his friends, including Moshiq. The clash broke out after Shajan and his friends got too close to a girl, while dancing at the restobar, making her uncomfortable, police said.  P5 habitat concerns Grrr... India’s Asiatic lion population jumps 32% in five years J i t e n d r a C h o u b e y @ New Delhi INDIA’s Asiatic lion population has grown from 674 in 2020 to 891 in 2025, a 32.2% increase, per the 16th Lion Population Estimation report released on Sunday This conservation suc. cess is tempered by concerns, as most lions now live near human settlements, altering their natural hunting instincts and increasing reliance on livestock or human-provided food. Asiatic lions are exclusively found in Gir National Park and Wildlife Sanctuary in Gujarat. Data analysed by experts re- veal only 20% of lions reside in the 258 sq. km core area of Gir National Park (GNP), Gujarat, where they can prey on wild animals. The park, with its buffer zone, spans over 1,400 sq. km. A senior Gujarat forest officer stated that the remaining lions, living near humans, “primarily prey on livestock or consume dead livestock that humans dispose of.” This proximity is troubling for locals. A June 2025 study by the Wildlife Institute of India, Gujarat Forest Department, Macalester College (USA), and NCBS (Bangalore) found lion attacks on livestock rising by 10% annually, with livestock losses per village up by 15% yearly Human attacks, av. eraging 21 per year, show no significant increase. “Lions receive food from locals and share space with them, while local communities benefit from enhanced livelihoods through tourism,” said Yadvendradev V Jhala, a study . author and former WII chief. To accommodate the growing population, the government ex- The Asiatic lion in Gir National Park, Gujarat. A recent study found that Asiatic lion attacks on livestock near Gir have increased by 10% per year | ANI panded the lions’ habitat to 30,000 sq. km, designating Barda in Porbandar as a secondary sanctuary GNP hosts 15 . lions per 100 sq. km, but outside, the density drops to three per 100 sq. km. “Populations are sparse outside the forest, making them more habituated to living near humans. This may change their natural behaviours,” officials noted. Officials questioned why lions, like tigers requiring 7001,000 sq. km of human-free habi t a t u n d e r t h e Wi l d l i f e Protection Act, aren’t given similar protected spaces.