HYDERABAD l monday l august 31, 2026 l `9.00 l PAGES 16 l LATE CITY EDITION Over 2.63 Lakh appear in NEET-PG, re-test at two centres in Jaipur NEET-PG 2026 was successfully conducted across the country on Sunday, but not at two centres in Jaipur due to an internal power failure action against technical partner The National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences (NBEMS) has scheduled a re-examination for the affected candidates in Jaipur at 3 pm on September 5, while also calling an immediate meeting to decide the course of action against the technological partner and agency responsible for ensuring adequate infrastructure at the examination centres ■ 2,445 biometric authentication at all centres ■ As part of the measures to further strengthen examination security and prevent impersonation, Aadhaar-based authentication of candidates was successfully undertaken at the examination centres The examination for admission to PG medical courses was conducted by NBEMS in computer-based mode in one shift from 9 am-12.30 pm candidates from jaipur will appear for re-test on sept 5 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 Justice Bhuyan calls for hiring top jurists as SC judges s u c h i t r a k a lya n m o h a n t y @ New Delhi SUPREME Court judge Justice Ujjal Bhuyan on Sunday strongly favoured appointing distinguished jurists as judges of the top court, saying such a move would diversify the bench and enable reputed scholars to contribute to decision-making. Speaking at the 13th convocation of National Law University, Delhi, Justice Bhuyan said Article 124(3)(c) of the Constitution specifically provides for this category. Yet, in more than 76 years, no one other than high court judges or practising lawyers has been elevated to the Supreme Court. “It is regrettable that this provision has remained one of our Constitution’s unused mandates,” he said. Either the Centre and the Collegium believe Indian academia lacks sufficient depth for serious consideration, or the provision has simply not been explored properly he said. Jus, tice Bhuyan dismissed the common argument that legal scholars lack practical experience as a “very shallow objection”. He pointed out that distinguished academics routinely serve as judges of constitutional courts in the United States, Britain, Canada and Kenya. The purpose of the “distinguished jurist” clause, he said, was to bring in judges whose academic scholarship would free them from rigid technical constraints and equip them better to handle complex public law issues. Further, he said that the right to question is central to democracy, adding that students cannot be threatened when they express a different viewpoint. inside Orient Blackswan hit by ransomware I P3 Indo-Uzbek uranium pact in works Bilateral ties elevated to strategic partnership; 11 agreements signed; $5-bn trade target set J AYANTH J ACO B @ New Delhi INDIA and Uzbekistan on Sunday agreed to establish a longterm arrangement for uranium supplies from Uzbekistan to India as part of their civil nuclear cooperation, while elevating bilateral ties to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. The decision was taken during talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev in Tashkent, where the two sides also set a target of increasing annual bilateral trade to $5 billion by 2030. The two sides also signed 11 agreements covering areas including trade, investment, infrastructure, critical minerals, mining, defence, pharmaceuticals, healthcare, information technology, education and digital public infrastructure. Uranium emerged as a key new area of cooperation in the civil nuclear energy sector. During delegation-level talks, Modi said the two countries would establish a long-term arrangement for uranium supplies from Uzbekistan. “We will also establish a longterm arrangement for the supply of uranium,” Modi said, adding that India and Uzbekistan should develop a roadmap to fully realise the potential of their partnership. Secretary (West) in the MEA Sibi George later said discussions on uranium supplies had capital consultations CM, senior leaders head to Delhi for high-level talks on Surekha’s future I r e d d y S r i n i v a s Re d d y @ Hyderabad Prime Minister Narendra Modi attends the delegation-level talks with Uzbekistan President Shavkat Mirziyoyev in Tashkent | pti 1 2 3 Uzbekistan will remove visa requirements for Indian citizens for stays of up to 30 days, which will encourage tourism, business travel and wider people-topeople contact. Indians travelling to Uzbekistan would be able to use UPI-enabled applications within a year In the joint statement, India and Uzbekistan “unequivocally condemned terrorism, including cross-border terrorism, in all forms and manifestations” and reiterated zero tolerance to terrorism. Both sides called for action against terror outfits and their financing networks Prime Minister Narendra Modi was conferred with Uzbekistan’s highest state honour. Modi described the recognition as a moment of “great pride” and dedicated it to the 140 crore Indians, saying it reflected the strength and depth of India-Uzbekistan relations been “positive” and that the two countries were close to signing an agreement shortly . He said the upgraded strategic partnership would include a foreign minister-level coordination group and elevate the existing ‘joint commission mechanism’ from secretarylevel to ministerial. The two sides called for concerted action against terrorist organisations and their financing networks, safe havens and infrastructure, while stressing that those responsible for terrorism, as well as their backers, facilitators and affiliates, must be brought to justice. Cooperation in intelligence-sharing, law enforcement, countering violent extremism, organised crime, illicit drug trafficking and cyber threats will also be strengthened. Defence cooperation is another area where the two countries intend to move beyond traditional exchanges. Modi said India and Uzbekistan would encourage their defence industries to establish direct linkages and pursue co-development and co-production of military equipment. Highlighting Uzbekistan’s strategic importance, Modi said: “Uzbekistan is at the heart of Central Asia and is at the heart of India’s engagement in the re gion,” describing a stronger bilateral partnership as a “powerful force for peace, progress and prosperity in Central Asia.” The discussions over the internal issues raging within the ruling Congress, especially those related to Endowments Minister Konda Surekha and Planning Board vice-chairman G Chinna Reddy as well as other organisational matters, are set to reach New Delhi with Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy and a number of senior party leaders scheduled to visit the national capital this week. While the chief minister is scheduled to leave for Delhi either late Monday or early Tuesday to attend the Dr YS Rajasekhara Reddy Award function on Wednesday, reports that he will be camping in the capital for four days have sparked speculation that this visit may Expansion or lead to some intense deliberations and reshuffle likely some kind of action against those who Sources said that the are going against the party line. Congress high According to sources, ministers Mal- command has decided lu Bhatti Vikramarka, N Uttam Kumar to take key decisions Reddy and D Sridhar Babu, as well as on Cabinet expansion TPCC president B Mahesh Kumar Goud, or reshuffle by are also likely to visit Delhi for crucial dropping two or three meetings with the AICC top leadership ministers and by and to attend the award function. including new faces Sources within the grand old party revealed that the immediate focus during discussions with the national leadership will be on the political future of Surekha and Chinna Reddy . AICC Telangana in-charge Meenakshi Natarajan, according to sources, is expected to submit her report on the findings of the Disciplinary Action Committee to AICC General Secretary (Organisation) KC Venugopal on Tuesday when he returns to the capital from an overseas trip. The AICC, it is learnt, is likely to call a key meeting with the chief minister, TPCC president and ministers to discuss issues involving Surekha and Chinna Reddy According to party insid. ers, AICC president Mallikarjun Kharge and KC Venugopal will gather the opinions of the state leaders on what kind of disciplinary action could be taken against Surekha — whether or not to remove her from the state Cabinet.  continued on p4 Hyd cricket facility to Nepal toll nears 800, rescue ops intensify surpass NaMo stadium 68.8 tonnes Indian aid E X P R E SS N E W S S E R V IC E @ New Delhi M a n d a R a v i n d e r Re d d y @ Hyderabad India’s largest cricket stadium is proposed to be built at Bharat Future City with the state gov, ernment planning a 100 acre facility that would surpass the 1.32 lakh capacity Narendra Modi stadium in Ahmedabad. Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy is expected to lay the foundation stone in December. T he gover nment plans to develop the stadium as part of an international-standard, multi-pur pose sporting and events facility. Officials are currently identifying suitable land at Bharat Future City for the project. The proposed stadium is expected to have a seating capacity higher than that of the Narendra Modi stadium, currently India’s largest cricket venue. Its construction cost is also likely to exceed that of the Ahmedabad stadium. Sources said the BCCI would bear the construction and main- tenance costs, while the state government would provide the land required. Officials are working on a model under which the facility would be jointly managed by the BCCI and the state government. The stadium is expected to have strong connectivity, with the Outer Ring Road, proposed Regional Ring Road, proposed Metro extension to Future City and Rajiv Gandhi International Airport (RGIA) at Shamshabad located nearby The fa. cility would also form part of the Sports City, tourism and Net-Zero City concepts planned for Future City . Officials said the existing Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium at Uppal does not have the capacity required for major international events such as World Cup matches. The gover nment therefore wants a new, state-of-the-art venue that can meet the city’s future requirements.  continued on p4 INDIA has stepped up its rescue and relief operations in flood-hit Nepal, deploying tunnel engineers, doctors, paramedics and forensic experts as rescuers race against time to reach people feared trapped in hydropower tunnels on the fifth day of the disaster. Nepal’s disaster authority said 781 people had died and 2,502 remained missing. Across the border in China’s Gyirong County authorities reported 16 , deaths. Bodies have been recovered from eight affected districts as security forces and specialist teams continue clearing debris and searching inundated areas. As of 5:30 pm on Sunday 149 , Indian nationals had been rescued, an update from the government said. India has so far provided 68.5 tonnes of relief material and deployed specialised technical and forensic teams. A fourth Indian flight carrying 11 tonnes of assistance reached Nepal on Sunday . The latest consignment includ- India has so far provided 68.5 tonnes of relief material and deployed technical and forensic teams. A fourth Indian flight carrying 11 tonnes of aid reached Nepal on Sunday. It includes a tunnel technical team and equipment for search and rescue 10,000 Nepali troops A woman carries essentials as she walks along a muddy road in the aftermath of recent flash floods at Belkotgadhi in Nuwakot district of Nepal on Sunday | PTI 10,000 Nepali troops are involved in the wider rescue operation, alongside specialist teams from India and China. With hundreds missing, the priority remains gaining access to isolated and debris-covered areas before trapped survivors run out of time ed a tunnel technical team and equipment for search-and-rescue operations, forensic equipment for DNA analysis and essential relief supplies. The supplies included blankets, sleeping bags, tarpaulin, plastic sheets and hygiene kits. An 11-member Indian technical team, comprising doctors, paramedics and tunnel engineers, in Kathmandu conducted reconnaissance of hydro- pal Army Armed Police Force , and Nepal Police has been working since Friday night to clear debris and reach those believed to be trapped. On Sunday, Nepal’s military airlifted heavy machinery to the remote site, with rescuers reaching the entrance of one tunnel. Oxygen supplies and cameras are being prepared for deployment once a safe passage is created. P9 power tunnels in the flood-hit Trishuli area of Nuwakot district. The team carried out an aerial survey of Chilime and Langtang before beginning work around the tunnel sites. The rescue effort is focused on the Upper Trishuli hydropower complex, where authorities received information that around 350 people could be trapped inside a tunnel. An 82member joint team of the Ne- No true Hindu rejects Muslims in India: RSS chief Nurse murdered, family alleges rape r a je s h k u m a r t h a k u r Five-point plan @ New Delhi RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat on Sunday called upon the Indian diaspora in the US and across the world to contribute to both their “janmabhoomi” and “karmabhoomi” with the loyalty and values India has given them. Addressing a packed gathering at New York’s Madison Square Garden during the Universal Oneness Celebration, Bhagwat said no nation is merely a piece of land. “ naAll tions have a destiny to fulfil. This is Bharat’s destiny Let us . awaken, as Bharatiyas, to that destiny and fulfil our duties in our Karmabhoomi as well as our Janmabhoomi.” RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat in New York on Sunday | PTI He told the diaspora that their primary duty is to their place of work. Serving the motherland is desirable but not obligatory “Your Janmabhoo. mi expects you to live the values it has imparted on you.” Bhagwat underlined unity in The New York gathering, which attracted delegates from 853 cities across 39 US states, opened with 180 religious leaders from 30 countries presenting a fivepoint resolution rejecting the use of religion to justify hatred or violence, which was formally submitted to Bhagwat diversity as India’s DNA. Defining dharma as the principle that unites, upholds and balances everything without causing rifts, he said diversity must be celebrated and respected even as the feeling of oneness is kept alive. Quoting Swami Vivekananda, he said Bharat’s mission is to realise and make the world realise this unity in diversity . In a strong message on inclusiveness, Bhagwat declared that anyone who calls himself a Hindu but believes there should be no Muslim in India cannot be considered a Hindu. “If any Hindu thinks that there should be no Muslim in Bharat, he is not a Hindu. If you want to call yourself Hindu, you must believe that all paths are leading to the same goal and t h a t e ve r y h u m a n h a s dignity”. Earlier, speaking on ‘One World One Humanity’, Bhagwat said the RSS stands for global unity and the dignity of every human being. E xp r e s s New s Se r v i c e @ Hyderabad A young nurse was found dead in a pool of blood in her room in Thukkuguda, with her family alleging that she was raped and murdered. Police have detained a suspect and are awaiting medical reports to establish whether she was sexually assaulted. The 21-year-old victim, a native of Bhadradri Kothagudem district, had been working as a nurse at a private hospital in Thukkuguda for the past seven months. She was staying alone in a room opposite the hospital. The suspect, who works at a mechanic garage near the vic- tim’s room, was detained and questioned by the police. A relative of the victim told the media on Sunday that she received a call from the nurse’s colleague on Saturday afternoon. The colleague was crying and, when asked what had happened, informed her that the nurse had died, the relative said. The colleague told the relat ive t h at s h e h a d knocked on the door several times but received no response. She then opened the window and found the nurse lying in a pool of blood. The victim’s mother alleged that her daughter had been raped and murdered and that she had suffered multiple inju- ries, including to her head, knees, throat and chest. She also alleged that a hammer was used for the offence. Police, however, have not confirmed sexual assault and said they were awaiting the postmortem and medical reports. After receiving information, family members and colleagues rushed to the spot. Pahadishareef police shifted the body to Osmania General Hospital for postmortem on Sunday and registered a murder case. Shamshabad DCP B Rajesh said investigation was under way . Meanwhile, a few people staged a protest at OGH, demanding justice for the woman and her family, and action against those responsible.