FREE PRESS The publishers permit sharing of the e-paper's pdf on WhatsApp and other social media platforms VOL. XXXX NO. 209 | INDORE | FRIDAY | JANUARY 5, 2024 | PAGES 16 SHORTEST TEST BAD LIGHT CURTAILS FINAL SESSION; HOSTS, VISITORS EVENLY POISED SPORTS TEAM INDIA secures 7-wicket victory at Cape Town to draw series for first time in South Africa CAPE TOWN: The second Test between South Africa and India saw the shortest red ball cricket played between two teams in terms of a number of balls bowled on Thursday . The second Test saw India walking away victorious with a seven-wicket victory within two days. A total of 642 deliveries were bowled in both innings. Before this red ball affair, the AUSTRALIA AND SOUTH AFRICA TEST IN 1932 IN MELBOURNE was the shortest Test in terms of balls bowled. A total of 656 deliveries were bowled which saw the hosts emerge victorious by an innings and 72 runs. WEST INDIES CLASH AGAINST ENGLAND IN 1935 IN BRIDGETOWN was completed in 672 balls which saw the Caribbean side emerging triumphant by an innings and 161 runs. The FOURTH SHORTEST TEST MATCH WAS PLAYED BETWEEN ENGLAND AND AUSTRALIA IN MANCHESTER IN 1888 which was completed in 788 bowled deliveries. Finally, the fifth shortest Test match was played between two of the oldest cricket rivals England and Australia at Lord's in 1888. Coming to the Test match between India and South Africa, saw the visitors levelling the series on a spiteful surface surrounded by the idyllic Table mountains, where the ball did all kinds of tricks, India made short work of the hosts with the ball on the second day, despite a heroic ton by opener Aiden Markram, and chased down a paltry target under 11 overs. The two-day affair brought the curtains down on the international career of Protea opener Dean Elgar. With regular skipper Temba Bavuma out injured, Elgar took over the reins in the second Test as stand-in skipper. However, the hosts ended up on the losing side after two days of intriguing and, to a large extent, bizarre cricket. India's leading pace pair of Jasprit Bumrah (6-61) and Mohammed Siraj (615) were the architects of India's redeeming, serieslevelling win. Jasprit Bumrah celebrates after dismissal of Keshav Maharaj during second day of second Test between South Africa and India at Newlands stadium in Cape Town on Thursday Indore, Bhopal named for WCA RAMSAR CONVENTION ON WETLANDS NEWS BRIEF Mumbai gets first woman DGP MUMBAI: After days of dilly-dallying, the Maharashtra government on Thursday appointed senior IPS officer Rashmi Shukla as the new Director General of Police (DGP) of the state, the first-ever woman to occupy the coveted post. Shukla, a 1998 batch IPS officer, currently the Director-General of Seema Sashastra Bal (SSB), replaces DGP Rajnish Sheth, who retired on December 31. DoT’s advisory to telecom operators NEW DELHThe Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has cautioned the public about malicious calls from international numbers spreading false information about Indian stock exchanges, and advised people to report such cases to telecom operators. Such malicious calls are initiated by anti-national elements and are aimed at creating panic, adding that the telecom operators have been directed to block malicious calls. `3 - r Regd. No. Indore MP/ICD 216/2021-2023; EDITIONS: INDORE, BHOPAL, UJJAIN, MUMBAI, PUNE EDIT DRAWBACKS EXPOSED IN BNS DRAFTING OUR STAFF REPORTER City.bhopal@fpj.co.in Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) has submitted three nominations from India for Wetland City Accreditation (WCA) of Indore (Madhya Pradesh), Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh) and Udaipur (Rajasthan) under the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands. These are the first three Indian cities for which nominations have been submitted for WCA based on the proposals received from respective State Wetlands Authorities in collaboration with the municipal corporations. The wetlands situated in and around these cities provide a plethora of benefits to its citizens in terms of flood regulation, livelihood opportunities, and recreational and cultural values. Sirpur Wetland (Ramsar site in Indore), Yashwant Sagar (Ramsar site closer to Indore), Bhoj Wetland (Ramsar Site in Bhopal), and several wetlands (Lakes) in and around Udaipur are lifelines to these cities. The scheme aims to promote conservation and wise use of urban and periurban wetlands as well as sustainable socio-economic benefits for local populations. This will also provide an opportunity for cities that value their natural or human-made wetlands to gain international recognition and positive branding opportunities for their efforts in demonstrating strong positive relationships with wetlands. Bhupendra Yadav, Union Minister for Environment, Forest & Climate, tweeted, "This is another example of PM @narendramodi ji's commitment to conservation through community participation, and prosperity through conservation." QUALITY AT VALUE r RNI No. 38281/83 www.freepressjournal.in MERRY TIMES AHEAD 29.00c. 14.60c Sunrise : 07.07 Sunset : 05.53 STATE SHIVERS UNDER COLD WAVE CINEMA Yellow alert for rain, fog in entire state Day temp down by 6 degrees in Indore OUR STAFF REPORTER City.bhopal@fpj.co.in Biting cold shivered Bhopal after a spell of rain simultaneously with sharp drop in day temperature was recorded in Bhopal on Thursday . Sharp drop in day temperature was also recorded in other cities in state. Normal life paralysed after dense fog enveloped Bhopal throughout the day . It infused intense cold in state capital. In evening, it rained infusing much chill. Navy veterans get 60 days to appeal against prison terms AGENCIES New Delhi The eight jailed former Indian Navy personnel in Qatar have been given 60 days to appeal against the varying prison terms handed by a Qatari court last week, which came following the commutation of their death sentences, the Ministry of External Affairs said on Thursday . On December 28, the Court of Appeal in Qatar commuted the death sentence handed down to the Indians in October and sentenced them to prison for varying durations, weeks after their family members filed an appeal against the earlier order by another court. External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said the legal team of the Indian nationals received a copy of the court order that he described as a "confidential document". CONTD. ON P7 Rain in evening brought mercury further down in Bhopal Bhopal also experienced a spell of rain Wednesday night. Bhopal recorded a drop of 7.2 degrees Celsius in day temperature settled at 16.7 degrees Celsius while it recorded Bhopal recorded 14 degree Celsius which was CONTD. ON P7 Bajrang Dal activist stabbed to death during Ranjeet Hanuman prabhat pheri OUR STAFF REPORTER city.indore@fpj.co.in A Bajrang Dal activist was stabbed to death by some youths following an argument during prabhatpheri of Ranjeet Hanuman Temple on Shubham Thursday morning, in full public view. One person from the group of the accused was also injured during the fracas. Police claimed they had arrested two people and also seized the knife used in the murder, all within eight hours of the incident. Interestingly, the knife used in the murder had been snatched by the accused from another youth with whom he had clashed earlier in the prabhatpheri. Jabalpur collector sacked day after cabinet meeting SIRPUR WETLAND WEATHER FP Axe falls on four collectors in 20 days OUR STAFF REPORTER Bhopal The collector was removed the next day of the cabinet meeting in Jabalpur. The state government removed collector of Jabalpur Saurabh Kumar Suman and posted him in Mantralaya. Director of food and civil supplies Deepak Saxena was made collector of Jabalpur. Deputy secretary in the CM's Secretariat Sheetla Patle was appointed collector of Narsinghpur. Chief Minister Mohan Yadav has so far removed four collectors. Before shifting the Jabalpur collector, he transferred the collectors of Guna, Ujjain and Shajapur. During Yadav's stay in Jabalpur, party leaders spoke to Yadav about the shifting of Jabalpur collector. In the wake of their advice, Yadav took the decision. BAJRANG DAL DEMANDS STRICT ACTION Shubham was a Bajrang Dal activist so a large number of Bajrang Dal activists reached Commissioner of Police Makrand Deouskar's office demanding strict action against the accused and demanded that the houses of the accused be demolished. CP assured that appropriate action would be taken against the accused. Additional DCP Vishwakarma said that the information about the assets of the accused is being collected so that IMC could demolish the illegal portions. Additional DCP (zone-4) Abhinay Vishwakarma said that the incident took place in Mahawar Nagar area near Mhow Naka Square on Annapurna Road at around 7 am. The deceased has been identified as Shubham Raghuwanshi, 20, a resident of Goma Ki Phel area of the city . Shubham along with his brother and other youths had gone to take part in the prabhatpheri. Preliminary investigation revealed that the accused were sitting on the railing when one of them, identified as Krishna, fell on the group of the deceased. This led to an altercation, and the accused and his friends assaulted Krishna and he started bleeding. This angered Shubham and his friends and youths of the two groups clashed. However, the matter appeared to have settled down and Shubham and his friends started leaving when suddenly one of the accused came from the rear and stuck a knife at Shubham’s neck. Though Shubham was taken to a hospital, he could not be saved. Based on video footage, police caught some youths who were from the group of the accused. CONTD. ON P7 North-easterly winds pulled the day temperature down by six degrees Celsius in 24 hours, on Thursday. City witnessed fog for the third consecutive day as the visibility was dropped to 800 meters between 6 am and 8 am.The cold winds coupled with haze continued to reel the city throughout the day, keeping Indoreans wrapped under warm clothes. The day temperature was 19.6 degrees Celsius while night temperature was recorded 16 degrees Celsius IndiGo withdraws fuel charges, fares to come down NEW DELHI The country's largest airline IndiGo on Thursday announced the withdrawal of fuel charge that was collected from passengers, a move that will reduce airfares by up to Rs 1,000 on certain long routes. In the wake of a spike in jet fuel prices, the airline started levying the fuel charge on each domestic and international ticket from October 6, 2023. The quantum of the fuel charge varied from Rs 300 to up to Rs 1,000 depending on the distance. The airline, which is expanding its operations, said the fuel charge has been withdrawn with effect from January 4, due to the recent reduction in Aviation Turbine Fuel (ATF) prices. "As ATF prices are dynamic, we will continue to adjust our fares and components thereof, to respond to any change in prices or market conditions," IndiGo said in a statement. CONTD. ON P7 HuM terrorist Javed Declare Nitish as PM Mattoo caught in Delhi face: Bihar minister NEW DELHI Javed Ahmed Mattoo is accused of carrying out many terrorist activities in Jammu and Kashmir. Javed Ahmed Mattoo, a wanted terrorist of Hizbul-Mujahideen in Jammu and Kashmir, was caught in Delhi on Thursday . In coordination with central agencies, a team of the Special Cell of Delhi Police arrested Mattoo. The police team recovered a pistol, six live cartridges and a stolen car from Mattoo. Mattoo was wanted in 11 terror attacks in Jammu and Kashmir and was among the top 10 targets in the Valley on the list of security agencies. He was carrying a reward of Rs 10 lakh on his head. A few days ago, the Delhi Police received information that Mattoo would be coming to Delhi-NCR to collect arms and ammunition. Acting on the tip-off, sources keeping tabs on sleeper cells and weapon suppliers were activated. The police was also informed that Mattoo's Pakistan-based handler would be coordinating the delivery of arms and ammunition, and he would carry out terror strikes in Jammu and Kashmir. Mattoo is a resident of Sopore and has been to Pakistan many times. Last year, ahead of Independence Day, a video went viral showing Mattoo's brother hoisting the Tricolour at his home in Sopore. PATNA Amid buzz that Nitish Kumar may become the convenor of INDIA bloc, some JD(U) leaders are demanding that he be projected as the prime ministerial face ahead of the Lok Sabha election. Madan Sahani, the cabinet minister in the Bihar government under the JD(U) quota, said that the convenor post was not enough for a leader like Nitish Kumar. "Nitish Kumar is the most experienced chief minister in the country. He has done many things in Bihar that were followed by the other states. I want to say that convenor in the INDIA bloc is not good enough for him. He should be projected as the prime ministerial face of the INDIA bloc. The work of the convener has already been done by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar," Sahani said. "NItish Kumar was the one who united the opposition parties in the country . The first meeting was also held in Patna followed by three more meetings in Bengaluru, Mumbai and New Delhi. It is an initiative of Nitish Kumar to unite the opposition parties," Sahani said. During the meeting in New Delhi, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal projected Mallikarjun Kharge as the prime ministerial face of the INDIA bloc. However, many other leaders have said that the selection of PM face will be decided post-Lok Sabha election. INDIA BLOC IN TURMOIL AS CONGRESS AND TMC CLASH OVER SEAT SHARING IN BENGAL 13-year-old makes history, beats Tetris Didi busy serving PM Modi: Adhir SOHAM SHETTY / MUMBAI A 13-year-old boy Willis , Gibson, has become the first person ever to beat Tetris, pushing the more than three-decade-old classic Nintendo video game to a “kill screen.” A ‘kill screen’ occurs when a player advances to a level that causes the game to crash. No human has been able to reach this level before. Tetris features relentless arrays of shapes floating down a player s screen. The object of the game is to keep the blocks from piling up. Players can rotate the blocks and position them to form solid lines, at which point those rows are cleared away . Gibson, a streamer who carries the moniker Blue Scuti, put his hands to his head and rocked back and forth in an office chair in his bedroom in Stillwater, Oklahoma, unable to believe what he had just accomplished. His screen had frozen, and his Tetris score read 999999. Oh my god, Willis repeated in a high pitch, in video of his triumph that he uploaded to YouTube on Tuesday, as he collapses into his chair. I can t feel my fingers. Remarkably, it only took him 38 minutes to complete the game, which celebrates its 40th anniversary this year, reaching a level of 157. Prior to this feat, only an AI program named StackRabbit had managed to reach the game’s true kill screen at level 237 in 2021. Until recently, players believed that progressing to level 29 was the maximum achievement. Gib- son shattered world records for overall score, level attained, and the total number of lines. He employed a ‘rolling’ controller technique popularized in 2021, in which a gamer combines a multifinger technique from arcade games, using one finger at the bottom of the controller to push against another finger at the top. Gibson managed to manipulate the directional pad (D-pad) at a rate of at least 20 times per second to maneuver the blocks. CONTD. ON P7 BADMOUTHING AND alliance can't go hand in hand, says TMC BERHAMPORE/KOLKATA Fissures appear to have emerged in the INDIA alliance as its two key allies, the Congress and the Trinamool Congress, on Thursday clashed over seat sharing for the upcoming Lok Sabha polls in West Bengal. State Congress president Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury said, "The grand old party won't beg for seats from the TMC," drawing a response from the Mamata Banerjee-led party, which said, "Badmouthing alliance partners and seat sharing can't go hand in hand." Chowdhury, a staunch critic of the TMC, launched a no-holdsbarred attack, accusing Bengal's ruling party of being busy "serving Prime Minister Narendra Modi" rather than strengthening the opposition alliance. His remarks prompted a sharp reaction from the TMC, which criticised Chowdhury for making "callous remarks" and cautioned the Congress high command to rein in their state president. Seat sharing between the two parties has been a bone of contention, with media reports suggesting that the TMC is keen to allocate only two seats, a proposition unacceptable to the Congress Bengal unit. CONTD. ON P7