FP The publishers permit sharing of the e-paper's pdf on WhatsApp and other social media platforms FREE PRESS Vol. XLII No. 242 | INDORE | SUNDAY | FEBRUARY 8, 2026 | Pages 18 ` 4 | Regd. No. Indore MP/ICD 216/2024-2026 | RNI No. 38281/83 www.freepressjournal.in Sports Undercooked SL faces unpredictable Ireland in campaign opener P.18 Vijay Shah again tenders apology before SC hearing Apex court said that time to tender an apology was over Our Staff Reporter BHOPAL Minister Vijay Shah has again tendered an apology before the hearing of the case in the Supreme Court on Monday. Shah’s apology came at a time when the apex court will hear the case a day after. The minister called a press conference in Indore, where he tendered the apology. A day before, the minister avoided questions over his statement raised by media persons. An SIT, inquiring into Shah’s statement that she is the sister of terrorists, has found him guilty and sought permission from the state government for his prosecution. The SC directed the government to take a decision within two weeks to pros- It indicates that the government has not given permission to SIT to prosecute him ESTD-1983 iii QUALITY @ VALUE EDITIONS: INDORE WORLD 4Continued on | P8 As part of the 10-day ‘Shiv-Navratri Festival’ at Mahakaleshwar Temple in Ujjain, the presiding deity was adorned with new clothes on Saturday evening. The festival began on Friday FP Photo Our Staff Reporter State Revenue Minister Karan Singh Verma has said a little bit of corruption exists everywhere. Verma made the statement at a press conference in Rajgarh on Friday when the reporters sought his reaction to Chief Secretary Anurag Jain's remark on the collectors during a video conference. A dishonest person, whether he is a minister, a Tehsildar, an engineer or a labourer, will remain corrupt, he said. There are many Tehsildars whom he himself suspended on the charges of corruption, he said. He suspended the officers SKY’s 84, Siraj’s 3-29 help India overcome USA Lens on oil purchases Ashwin Ahmad India and the United States unveiled an interim trade agreement on Saturday the framework of which may serve the foundation of an eventual Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between the two nations. Taking to X, the US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor unveiled a White House statement that called the trade agreement a “historic milestone in our countries partnership” and stated. “Today’s framework reaffirms the countries’ commitment to the broader U.S.-India Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA) negotiations, launched by President Donald J. Trump and Prime Minister Narendra Modi on February 13, 2025, which will include additional market access commitments and support more resilient supply chains.” India’s politicians also took to X to announce the interim trade agreement but unlike Ambassador Gor they made no mention of an eventual FTA. Prime Minister Modi wrote that the in- Ashwin Ahmad NEW DELHI OFF TABLE Maize Wheat Rice Soya Poultry Milk Cheese Ethanol (fuel) Tobacco Certain vegetables Meat terim trade agreement showcased the “growing depth, trust and dynamism of our partnership. It strengthens ‘Make in India’ by opening new opportunities for India’s hardworking farmers, entrepreneurs, MSMEs, StartUp innovators, fishermen and more. It will generate large-scale employment for women and youngsters.” 4Continued on | P8 Map speaks louder than trade When the Office of the United States Trade Representative released a post on X to promote India-US trade post the new deal, an unusual detail stood out. The post had a map, which depicts India as a single, undivided territory. The outline includes the entire region of Jammu and Kashmir, without demarcations separating areas administered by Pakistan or China from Rajgarh, Ashta, Seoni, and other places across the state, Verma said. Now, the situation has come to such a pass that even before a discussion over an issue, the collectors say they will correct the errors, if there are any, Verma said. Verma further said he was not the first person to have made such a remark. The officers should work with honesty and for the nation, the minister said, adding that those who take bribes are antinationals. Whosoever he or she may be, a person involved in corruption is working against the nation, Verma said. 4Continued on | P8 Gwalior varsity scientists grow potatoes in ‘air’ FP News Service GWALIOR a community programme here, Modi said the Indian diaspora served as a living bridge between India and Malaysia and announced a new consulate in the archipelago nation and the Thiruvalluvar Scholarship to enable students to study in India. In a breakthrough that sounds straight out of a science fiction movie, agricultural scientists at Rajmata Vijayaraje Scindia Krishi Vishwavidyalaya (RVSKVV) in Gwalior are now successfully growing potatoes in the air using aeroponic technology. Leveraging the advanced Aeroponic technology, the university’s specialized unit is producing potato seeds (minitubers) without oil. Instead, the plants are suspended in a controlled environment where a fogging system delivers essential nutrients directly to the roots. These red-skinned potatoes are sugar-free and contain significantly lower starch levels, 4Continued on | P8 4Continued on | P8 Pak win Netherlands: 147 all out in 19.5 overs Pakistan: 148 for 7 in 19.3 overs WI win Captain Suryakumar Yadav plays a shot during the match between India and USA, at Wankhede Stadium, in Mumbai ‘Trust is India’s strongest currency’ KUALA LUMPUR Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday said India is seen as a "trusted partner for growth" and it was reflected in the recent trade deals it has agreed with various countries, including the UK, USA and the EU. Addressing Cheetah Aasha gives birth to 5 cubs India’s tally rises to 24 Our Staff Reporter BHOPAL In yet another feather in hat of Project Cheetah, Cheetah Aasha gave birth to five cubs at Kuno National Park on Saturday. With this, the number of Indian-born cheetah cubs rises to 24. Union Minister for Forest and Climate Change, Bhupendra Yadav, took to Twitter to express his joy: "Aasha’s legacy leaps forward—India welcomes five adorable cubs. A moment of immense pride and joy for Project Cheetah as Aasha— the Namibian cheetah and proud second-time mother—gave birth to five cubs." With this addition, the tally of surviving Indian- MUMBAI E-paper Cinema Theatre remains my anchor... P.15 Interim agreement framework in place T20 WORLD CUP KICKS OFF PTI NASHIK TARIFFS SLASHED | Commerce Min says pact opens a $30 trillion market for Indian exporters MUMBAI: Skipper Suryakumar Yadav blasted a majestic unbeaten 84, and seasoned pacer Mohammad Siraj bagged 3-29 coming in as a last-minute replacement as India saved themselves the blushes with a face-saving 29-run victory over the USA in their opening match in the ICC Men's T20 World Cup in Mumbai on Saturday. West Indies 182/5 in 20 overs Scotland 147 in 18.5 overs BHOPAL Readers’ Corner Ease of Doing Agriculture... P.6 Small-scale corruption exists everywhere: Revenue Min BHOPAL PUNE Trust India’s strongest currency, says Modi NEW DELHI ecute the minister. The state has sent a reply to the apex court. The way Shah sought an apology indicates that the government has not given permission for his prosecution. Saha read out the written apology before media persons. The words used in the apology indicate that it will be presented to the apex court, which has already said that the time for tendering an apology was over. In his apology, Shah said, "It is necessary to use courteous words in public life. I have reflected over the incident. I have learnt a lesson.’’ In the apology, he wrote he would keep his tongue under control and never make such a mistake. UJJAIN born cubs reaches 24, marking the eighth successful cheetah litter on Indian soil, a significant milestone in India’s cheetah conservation journey under the environmentally conscious leadership of PM Narendra Modi. 4Continued on | P8 On Russian oil, President Trump Executive Order released on Friday evening stated, “The Secretary of Commerce, in coordination with the Secretary of State, the Secretary of the Treasury, and any other senior official the Secretary of Commerce deems appropriate, shall monitor whether India resumes directly or indirectly importing Russian Federation oil, as defined in section 7 of Executive Order 14329.” The order added. “If the Secretary of Commerce finds that India has resumed directly or indirectly importing Russian Federation oil…shall recommend whether and to what extent I should take additional action as to India, including whether I should reimpose the additional ad valorem rate of duty of 25 percent on imports of articles of India.” Till date India has not officially reacted to the US president’s missive. 4Continued on | P8 State Budget on Feb 18 Our Staff Reporter INDORE Deputy Chief Minister and Finance Minister Jagdish Devda announced that the state’s annual budget for 2026-27 will be presented on February 18. Devda said that public suggestions were taken into account while preparing the budget. Discussions were also held with subject experts and experienced professionals to ensure the budget is comprehensive and beneficial to the people. 4Continued on | P8 CJI opens conference on people-centric judiciary Our Staff Reporter BHOPAL Chief Justice of India Surya Kant inaugurated a two-day conference of all the chief justices of high courts on a unified, efficient and people-centric judiciary here on Saturday. The conference aimed at a collective commitment to build a modern, uniform and accessible justice system for every citizen. The summit is centred on transforming the Indian judiciary through visionary leadership and the formulation of a national judicial policy. Key discussions focused on adopting strategic, data-driven judicial governance to streamline court administration and effective use and integration of advanced technology to en- CJI, HC chief justices visit Mrignayani Emporium The CJI and others visited the Mrignayani Emporium in GTB Complex in the evening, said ML Sharma, emporium head. hance alternative dispute resolution methods, ensuring the legal system evolved beyond traditional constraints. 4Continued on | P8