YK MYK IMRAN'S PEACE PIPELINE IS MEANT TO WOO INTERNATIONAL MONETARY FUND OPINION Rs. 5 RANCHI SUNDAY, 16 JAN, 2022 PG-12, YEAR—11, ISSUE—249 (RNI NO: JHAENG / 2012 / 44137) AT A GLANCE 27-YEAR-OLD GORED TO DEATH BY BULL AT JALLIKATTU EVENT IN TN CHENNAI: A 27-yearold man was gored to death by his own bull at the 'Jallikattu' event held at Periya Suriyur in Tamil Nadu's Tiruchi district on Saturday morning. This is the second death caused during the bulltaming competition in the state. Addressing the media, the Jallikattu organisers said that the victim, Meenakshisundaram, was guiding his bull to the entrance of the event when the bull gored him on his thigh. When he started bleeding, he was taken to Tiruchi Mahatma Gandhi Memorial Government Hospital where the doctors declared him brought dead. At least nine people have been injured till now at the Periya Suriyur Jallikattu and are receiving treatment at various hospitals. ECI EXTENDS BAN ON PHYSICAL RALLIES, ROAD SHOWS TILL JAN 22 NEW DELHI: The Election Commission of India (ECI) on Saturday extended the ban on the physical rallies and road shows till January 22, however, it has allowed the political parties to hold indoor meetings of maximum of 300 persons or 50 per cent of the capacity of the hall or the prescribed limit set by State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA). The decision came after the Election Commission held separate virtual meetings with the Union Health Secretary, Chief Secretaries and Health Secretaries of Goa, Manipur, Punjab, Uttarakhand and Uttar Pradesh, as also the CEOs of these five poll bound states. CORONA METER INDIA TOTAL CASES: 36,850,962 TOTAL DEATHS: 485,780 WORLD TOTAL CASES: 324,614,858 TOTAL DEATHS: 5,549,535 INDIA OPEN: LAKSHYA SEN TO MEET WORLD CHAMP LOH KEAN IN FINAL SPORTS Morning India STATE EXTENDS COVID-19 CURBS TILL JAN 31 SANJAY SAHAY RANCHI: Government has extended the prevailing restrictions for preventing Covid till January 31 even as the state is recording high number of Covid cases every day. Chief Secretary Sukhdeo Singh in an order issued on Saturday stated, “In exercise of the powers conferred under section 22(2) (h) of the Disaster Management Act 2005 the undersigned , in his capacity as chairperson, State Executive Committee, herby orders that the provisions of the order dated 03.01.2022 as amended vide order dated 04.01.2022 shall stand extended up to 31.01.2022. All the district administration shall ensure strict compliance of these provisions.” The health minister Banna Gupta also tweeted to inform the people about the government’s decision. He said that the decision was taken in public interest while keeping both safety of life and livelihood in mind. He stated that there is rise in Covid cases in state adding the situation is tense but under control. Gupta stated that the impression of the second wave is still in everyone’s mind adding no one knows when the situation would explode. He said that the government is very careful on the issue and would take decisions according to situa- tions. Notably, the state government has closed down all parks, gymnasiums, swim- ming pools, zoos, tourist spots, sports stadiums, schools, colleges and coach- ing institutions. The schools, colleges and coaching institutions are allowed to carry out administrative works at 50 percent of their staff strength. The cinema halls, restaurants, bars and shopping malls would allow visitors at 50 percent of their capacity. All shops barring the medicine stores, restaurants and bars would close down at 8 PM. The outdoor function should not have more than 100 persons. The indoor function should have people at 50 percent of capacity or 100 persons, whichever is less. The government offices would have 50 percent of the staffs and the biometric attendance system would be suspended. 14 OMICRON CASES REPORTED IN JHARKHAND, SAYS GOVT SOURCES RANCHI: As many as 14 cases of Omicron variant were reported from Jharkhand, government sources have confirmed. The report was confirmed after 87 samples were sent to Bhubneshwar for genome sequencing, out of which 14 cases were found to be of Omicron variant and one delta variant. Further details are awaited. Meanwhile, the Centre on Saturday said that more than 14.84 crore balance and unutilized COVID-19 vaccine doses are still available with the States and UTs to be administered. An official statement from the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare read, "14,84,52,821 balance and unutilized COVID Vaccine doses are still available with the States/UTs to be administered." It further stated that more than 157.87 crore vaccine doses have been provided to States/UTs so far through the Centre's free-of-cost channel and through direct state procurement category. MORE ON PG 5 Jan 16 to be celebrated as ‘National Startup Day’: PM NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday announced that January 16 will be celebrated as 'Startup' day and said that while small businesses are the spine of India's economy, Start-Ups are the game changers. "Small businesses are the spine of India's economy and Startups are the game changers. This partnership can benefit both, the society and the economy, especially women employment will get strengthened because of this," Modi said as he interacted with Start-Ups via video conferencing as part of the Start-Up India Innovation Week. "I congratulate all the startups of the country, all the innovative youth, who are raising the flag of India in the world of Start-Ups. For the culture of Start-Ups to reach the far-flung parts of the country, it has been decided to celebrate January 16 as National Start-up Day," Modi announced. Recalling the concept of the current decade as the 'techade' of India, the Prime Minister listed three important aspects of the massive changes that the government is making in this decade to strengthen the innovation, entrepreneurship, and startup ecosystem. Elaborating on those steps, Modi said, first, to liberate entrepreneurship and innovation from the web of government processes, bureaucratic silos; second, Virat Kohli steps down as Test captain creating an institutional mechanism to promote innovation and third, handholding of young innovators and young enterprises. He listed programmes such as 'Startup India' and 'StandUp India' as part of the efforts. Modi also spoke about bringing in ease by way of addressing issues related to 'angel tax', simplification of tax procedure, arranging for government funding and allowing self-certification of nine labour and three environment laws. The Start-Ups gave presentations on six themes viz 'Growing from Roots'; 'Nudging the DNA'; 'From Local to Global'; 'Technology of Future'; 'Building Champions in Manufacturing'; and 'Sustainable Development.' More than 150 Start-Ups were divided into six working groups for the purpose of these presentations. For each theme, there were presentations by two Start- Up representatives. MORE ON PG 7 CBI FILES FIR AGAINST GAIL MARKETING DIRECTOR FOR OBTAINING BRIBE NEW DELHI: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Saturday filed an FIR against ES Ranganathan, Director (Marketing) of GAIL for allegedly obtaining bribes through middlemen for granting discounts on petrochemical products marketed by it. An FIR was registered under criminal conspiracy, obtaining undue advantage by a public servant, taking undue advantage to influence a public servant, and bribing a public servant. Further investigation is underway. Handcarts parked on a deserted road during a weekend curfew in Delhi on Saturday. Pak launches public version of 1st-ever NSP ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan has launched the public version of the country's first-ever National Security Policy document and called it an "allencompassing" framework for inclusive development. Addressing a launching ceremony here on Friday, Khan said that this policy roadmap is citizen-centric on the notion that the security of Pakistan rests in the security of its citizens, reports Xinhua news agency. The Prime Minister said that any national security approach must prioritise national cohesion and the prosperity of people, while guaranteeing fundamental rights and social justice without discrimination. To achieve the vast potential of the citizens, it is necessary for Pakistan to promote delivery-based good governance, he added. Khan said that the foremost aim of Pakistan's foreign policy and military capability will remain peace and stability in the region and beyond. He added that foreign policy will also focus much more on the pursuance and promotion of economic ‘CONCERNED BY RISE OF HINDUTVA POLITICS IN INDIA’ diplomacy. On the occasion, National Security Adviser Moeed Yusuf said that this policy framework has taken a broad view of national security as both traditional and non-traditional issues impacted Pakistan's security. The National Security Policy is centred around economic security, and the geo-strategic and geo-political imperatives also feature prominently to strengthen Pakistan's security and standing in the world, he added. The National Security Policy was approved by Pakistan's National Security Committee and federal cabinet late December. PAKISTAN, under its policy of peace at home and abroad, wishes to improve its relationship with India, the country's first National Security Policy document said. "A just and peaceful resolution of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute remains at the core of our bilateral relationship. The rise of Hindutvadriven politics in India is deeply concerning and impacts Pakistan's immediate security. The political exploitation of a policy of belligerence towards Pakistan by India's leadership has led to the threat of military adventurism and non-contact warfare to our immediate east," said the document. "Growing Indian arms build-up, facilitated by access to advanced technologies and exceptions in the non-proliferation rules, is a matter of concern for Pakistan.” Indians more likely to consider alcohol-free dates NEW DELHI: According to a recent study by Bumble, 32 percent of single Indians believe their relationship with alcohol has altered as a result of the pandemic, and they now drink much less than they did previously. The women's first dating app, highlights the growing trend of 'DryDating' among single Indians as we enter the new year. In fact, more than half of Indians (51 percent) are now more willing than they were before the outbreak to consider going on a 'dry date.' This trend is even more pronounced among GenZ, who are defying the 'Dry Dating' trend by refusing to drink at all on a date. As we manage the pandemic, people have re-evaluated their connection with alcohol. In fact, 43 percent of Indians polled said they plan to drink less in the new year than they did previously. The platform recently introduced a new industry-first 'Sober' badge for people to clearly identify their sober lifestyle and drinking habits within the current 'Drinking' badge menu within the app to celebrate our sober members-and to give them the right tools to highlight their full, genuine selves to potential matches. One of the most popular badges among Bumble users in India is the 'Drinking' badge, which now includes the options 'Frequently,' ANI 'Socially,' 'Never,' and 'Sober.' Bumble's Relationship Expert Shahzeen Shivdasani shares a few tips on how to ace a dry date: Dating while sober may feel more difficult, but nothing feels more empowering than living a life true to your needs. Remember to always be your authentic self. Try proposing the first date spot yourself to avoid ending up at a bar. How about a cafe or a walk in the park? Avoid being critical about yourself, a few positive affirmations before going on the date can help boost your self-esteem! While on the date, focus on your good qualities and stay away from conversations about past relationships that may trigger an emotional reaction within you. Most importantly, be honest with yourself about your desires and limitations! MORE ON PG 9 NEW DELHI: Virat Kohli on Saturday announced that he is stepping down as the captain of the Indian Test team. Last year, Kohli had stepped down as the T20I captain and then he was removed as the ODI leader as the selectors wanted one captain for the white-ball format. "It's been 7 years of hard work, toil and relentless perseverance everyday to take the team in the right direction. I've done the job with absolute honesty and left nothing out there. Every thing has to LAST YEAR, KOHLI come to a halt at HAD STEPPED some stage and DOWN AS THE for me as Test T20I CAPTAIN AND Captain of India, THEN HE WAS it's now. There REMOVED AS THE have been many ODI LEADER AS ups and also THE SELECTORS some downs WANTED ONE CAPalong the jourTAIN FOR THE ney, but never WHITE-BALL FORhas there been a MAT. lack of effort or lack of belief. I have always believed in giving my 120 percent in everything I do, and if I can't do that, I know it's not the right thing to do. I have absolute clarity in my heart and I cannot be dishonest to my team," Kohli said in a statement. "I want to thank the BCCI for giving me the opportunity to lead my country for such a long period of time and more importantly to all the teammates who bought into the vision I bad for the team from day one and never gave up in any situation. You guys have made this journey so memorable and beautiful. To Ravi Bhai and the support group who were the engine behind this vehicle that moved us upwards in Test Cricket consistently, you all have played a massive role in bringing this vision to life. Lastly, a big thank you to MS Dhoni who believed in me as a Captain and found me to be an able individual who could take Indian Cricket forward," he added. Kohli's decision to leave Test captaincy comes a day after India lost the threematch Test series against South Africa on Friday. WEATHER TO BE MAINLY SUNNY IN THE COMING DAYS, SAYS IMD RANCHI: Ranchi: Weather will mostly sunny all over the state from Sunday as the impact of the western disturbance is expected to end. The meteorological department said that after the morning fog the sky will remain clear during the day. Ranchi and it surrounding areas would witness largely clear skies as well. The maximum temperature would, however, increase and reach the normal range. The minimum temperature will decrease by three to five degree centigrade. In the last 24 hours Ranchi registered the maximum temperature 17.8 degrees centigrade, which was six degrees below the normal. The night temperature was 12.6 degrees centigrade, which was 2.5 degrees above normal. Ranchi and its surrounding areas remained cloudy for the entire day on Saturday due to the impact of western disturbance. Jamshedpur, Daltongang, Bokaro Thermal, and Chaibasa also recorded below normal daytime temperature. —Sanjay Sahay