VOL. 32 NO. 38| MUMBAI, PUNE, INDORE, BHOPAL SUNDAY| JANUARY 24, 2021| 13 PAGES Wuhan returns to normal as world battles pandemic WUHAN: A year ago, a notice sent to smartphones in Wuhan at 2 a.m. announced the world's first coronavirus lockdown. Early Saturday morning, residents in Wuhan were jogging and practicing tai chi. (Report on Pg 7) Coronavirus Cases 98,890,288 Deaths 2,119,423 PM, MAMATA HAVE A SILENT SLUGFEST AT NETAJI’S EVENT Source - Worldometer BATTLE FOR BENGAL Banerjee refuses to speak amid chants of ‘Jai Sri Ram’ l PM Modi declares Netaji’s birth anniversary (Jan 23) as ‘Parakram Divas’ Didi wants four capitals ARITRA SINGHA Kolkata PM Modi and West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee at Netaji's birth anniversary event in Kolkata FPJ BUREAU Kolkata There were moments of eerie silence between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee at Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose’s 125th birth anniversary at Victoria Memorial, Kolkata on Saturday . In his first visit to West Fast News Soldiers find tunnel used by Pak in J&K JAMMU: The BSF today detected another underground tunnel, constructed by Pakistan at the International Border (IB) to facilitate infiltration of terrorists into J&K in Kathua district during the past 10 days, a spokesperson of the border guarding force said. The secret tunnel was detected during an anti-tunnelling operation in the border outpost Pansar area of J&K's Hiranagar sector. PTI Termites feast on bizman’s ` 2 lakh VADODARA: A person lost over Rs 2 lakh that he had kept in his bank locker in the city when the cash bundles were infested by termites. The man, identified as Rehna Qutubddin Desarwal, a resident of Vadodara, had kept Rs 2.20 lakh cash in a locker at the Bank of Baroda branch in the city. When he opened the locker to take the money recently, he found the cash bundles were eaten by termites, reported Zee News. Six cricketers to get Mahindra SUVs MUMBAI: The stunning performance of the young Indian side Down Under has been applauded across the globe. On Saturday, in a series of tweets, Anand Mahindra took to Twitter to announce that he will gift six SUVs to the Indian cricketers who played their first Test in Australia and stood up to challenge. The Indian team had fielded the youngsters after several key members of the side were sidelined by injuries. As many as five players received their debuts under the leadership of Rahane and each of them made significant contributions towards Team India’s success. Bengal in the run-up to the Assembly elections, PM Modi said, “Netaji had dreamt of a strong India… from the Line of Actual Control (LAC) to the Line of Control (LOC), we are following his footsteps.” He announced that Netaji’s birth anniversary (January 23) henceforth would be celebrated as ‘Parakram Divas’. Ahead of the PM’s visit to Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Saturday claimed that there should be four capital states in the country. Garlanding the statue of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose on his 125 th birth anniversary, at Shyambazar area of North Kolkata, CM claimed that January 23 will be observed as ‘Desh Nayak Diwas’ and also that soon this day will be declared as ‘national holiday’. “Despite several reminders the BJP led central government didn’t declare this day as national holiday but soon it will be declared. I believe that India must have four rotating capital states. The British ruled the entire country from Kolkata. Why should there be only one capital city in our country,” she said. PTI Kolkata, Banerjee had taken a dig at the BJP saying her party did not celebrate Netaji’s anniversary only when elections were around. The BJP and ruling TMC are engaged in a bitter tussle over the celebrations of Netaji’s birth anniversary . Banerjee erupted in fury due to the chants of ‘Jai Sri Ram’ at the Victoria Memo. rial. CONTD. ON P6 CONTD. ON P6 Ten-men FC Goa snatch a point from Kerala Dubai’s Supreme Committee of Crisis and Disaster Management has issued fresh norms for gathering at weddings, social events and private parties. Accordingly the new deci, sion will limit the attendance of weddings, social events, and private parties to first-degree relatives BAMBOLIM: Ten-men FC Goa managed to fend off a tough press by Kerala Blasters to settle for a point with a 1-1 draw in the Hero Indian Super League on Saturday. The Gaurs took the lead through Jorge Ortiz Mendoza while Rahul KP (57’) scored with header in second half. (Report on Pg 14) Centre yields to farmers’ tractor parade on Jan 26 Farmers unions claim Delhi Police gave them permission Lalu Yadav airlifted to Delhi AIIMS for treatment LAW KUMAR MISHRA / Patna RJD president and former Bihar chief minister Lalu Prasad Yadav has been shifted to AIIMS in New Delhi from Ranchi a hospital in an air ambulance on Saturday . Lalu's wife Rabri Devi, daughter Misa Bharti and son Tejaswi Prasad Yadav have also accompanied him. A green corridor was created on the 10-km long route between Rajendra Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS) and the airport for the ailing political leader of Bihar. Earlier, a medical board of eight doctors examined the former railway minister in a paying ward of RIMS in Ranchi and recommended his treatment at All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in New Delhi. CONTD. ON P6 Attendance at weddings, parties reduced to 10 in Dubai FPJ BUREAU / Mumbai Quality at Value FROM OUR BUREAU New Delhi After failing to get any help from the Supreme Court, the Narendra Modi government at the Centre on Saturday yielded to the farmers' "tractor parade" on the outer ring road of Delhi encircling the national capital on the Republic Day to register their protest against three controversial farm laws enacted last September. There is still no word from Delhi Police, but the protesting unions said the police have given nod to the tractor parade as yet another victory of the farmers in their fight against the farm laws. The protests that complete 60 days on Sunday came as a major factor for the police to agree that there will not be any kind of violence, the farmer leaders said, dismissing a man nabbed on Friday night at one of the borders as an isolated incident, making the farmers more alert to ensure peace. Meanwhile, some 30 farmer unions, who are part of the Samyukt Kisan Morcha, on Saturday discussed the government's offer, in a gathering in Singhu border, to suspend the laws for 12-18 months, but they remained firm that they shall not be able to mobilise the farmers if they are asked to go back until the three laws are repealed as holding them is a temporary solution not acceptable to them. The Supreme Court refused to intervene saying it is the issue to be decided by police and six days of talks by the senior officers of Delhi police resulted in an agreement reached Saturday evening to allow the tractors to move on the outer ring road, after the farmer leaders assured the show will be totally peaceful. Police agreed to remove the barricades put on the borders to prevent the agitating farmers from entering the National Capital on January 26, but only in the afternoon after the official Republic Day parade is over in the central vista of New Delhi. CONTD. ON P6 Police seal TN resort where an elephant was set on fire SC lawyer seeks CJI to intervene to end cruelty towards animals FPJ BUREAU & PTI Chennai/ New Delhi totalling a maximum of 10 people only whether at a ho, tel or at home, effective January 27, according to a tweet by Dubai Media Office. The supreme committee said that the new decisions are part of enhancing the precautionary and safety measures at various social events, said the tweet. The new rule is applicable for events at home and hotels. A day after a video of a burning tyre being hurled on an elephant, which eventually died went viral, a Supreme Court lawyer wrote to the Chief Justice of India seeking his intervention to end cruelty towards animals. The lawyer cited the horrific incident in which the elephant was set ablaze by some people in Tamil Nadu. The police on Saturday sealed the resort from where a burning tyre 2021 will be strictly through invitation card/ticket only! All those, who don't have a valid Invitation card/ticket are advised to watch the live program at home. Children below 15 years of age are not allowed to RDC-2021 at Rajpath," the Delhi Police said in a tweet. In another tweet, the police instructed the invitees not to carry bags, briefcases, pins, eatables, cameras, binoculars, handicams, electronic gadgets such as iPads, iPods, palm-top computers, laptops, computers, tablet computers, power-banks, digital diaries. The invitees have also been advised not to carry articiles including remotecontrolled car keys (will be deposited at the facilitation counter), arms and ammunition, thermos flasks, water bottles, cigarettes, bidis, matchboxes, lighters, knives and razors. was hurled on the wild elephant which died in Nilgiris district, even as the resort owner is absconding. So far two persons have been arrested in connection with the death and remanded to 14-day judicial custody the police said. , On Friday the Forest De, partment released a video in which the two were seen throwing the burning tyre from the resort building. A search for the resort owner has begun and a special team has been formed to catch him, the police said. The wanton act caused serious injuries to the ear of the straying 50-year-old elephant, leading to formation of pus and death. ‘Broadcast King’ of R-Day parade entry restrained Pichai, Tim applaud all times dies at 87 via invitation cards, tickets immigration reforms AP Los Angeles Larry King, the suspenderssporting radio and TV host, whose broadcast interviews with world leaders, movie stars and ordinary Joes helped define American conversation for a half-century , died on Saturday He was 87. . King died at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, Ora Media, the studio and network he co-founded, tweeted. No cause of death was given, but CNN reported January 2 that King had been hospitalised for more than a week with COVID-19. A longtime nationally syndicated radio host, from 1985 through 2010 he was a nightly fixture on CNN, where he won many honours, including two Peabody awards. With his celebrity interviews, political debates and topical discussions, King wasn't just an enduring onair personality He also set . himself apart with the curiosity to be brought to every interview, whether questioning the assault victim known FPJ BUREAU New Delhi Delhi Police said on Saturday that citizens will be allowed to watch the Republic Day parade at Rajpath strictly on the production of an invitation card or a ticket. The police issued an advisor in which it said that those below 15 years of age will not be allowed at the event. "This year, entry to RDC- as the Central Park jogger or billionaire industrialist Ross Perot, who in 1992 rocked the presidential contest by announcing his candidacy on King's show. King conducted an estimated 50,000 on-air interviews. In 1995 he presided over a Middle East peace summit with PLO Chairman Yasser Arafat, King Hussein of Jordan and Israeli PM Yitzhak Rabin. He welcomed everyone from the Dalai Lama to Elizabeth Taylor, from Mikhail Gorbachev to Barack Obama, Bill Gates to Lady Gaga. His shows were in the thick of celebrity news, including Paris Hilton talking about her stint in jail. FULL STORY ON P7 Petrol and diesel prices in the country on Saturday touched new all-time highs after rates were increased for the fourth time this week. Petrol and diesel prices were hiked by 25 paise per litre each, according to a price notification from oil marketing companies. This took the petrol price in Delhi to Rs 85.70 per litre and in Mumbai to Rs 92.28. Diesel rate climbed to Rs 75.88 a litre in Delhi and to Rs 82.66 per litre in Mumbai, the price data showed. This is the second consecutive day of rate increase and the fourth this week. ing them into 'street food hubs'. In a meeting earlier, the civic body officials had informed Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray about their plan on the street food hub. On the lines of the food truck systems in foreign countries, the BMC plans to realign the existing stalls uniformly allowing food , trucks. Those willing to start a stall or food truck can apply for licenses to BMC, the civic body will allot them pitches at places earmarked as food hubs across the city . The food hubs will be allowed to operate between 6 pm to 10 pm every day at the designated areas, officials said. “Many people rely on outside food due to their busy schedule. They look forward to street food. However, the way these food stalls are operating currently needs realigning and redesigning. Cleanliness and hygiene will be the priority for these food stalls and food trucks. Also, we are working out on the timing window these food hubs will be operational. They will be allowed to do business only during that window," said a senior BMC official. CONTD. ON P6 Petrol, diesel prices AAP’s Somnath touch all-time high Bharti sentenced FPJ BUREAU Mumbai BMC keen to bring meal on wheels in Mumbai streets The civic body picks 62 streets for developing them into ‘street food hubs’ DIPTI SINGH Mumbai In a move that will not only bring a much-needed 'change of flavor' at some of the most famous Khau Gallis but also ensure that Mumbaikars can savour street food cooked in hygiene, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has selected 62 streets or Khau Gallis for develop- to two-year jail FPJ BUREAU New Delhi A court in Delhi on Saturday sentenced Aam Aadmi Party MLA Somnath Bharti to two years in jail for assaulting the AIIMS security staff in a case registered in 2016. Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Ravindra Kumar Pandey also imposed a fine of ` one lakh on the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader. Bharti, was however, granted bail to enable him to file an appeal before the high court against his conviction in the case and jail term. According to the prosecution, on September 9, 2016, Bharti, along with 300 others brought down the fence of a boundary wall at AIIMS, Delhi with a JCB operator. FPJ BUREAU & ANI Washington On Day 1, President Joe Biden sent a comprehensive immigration bill to Congress which proposes major overhauls to the system, including granting legal status and a path to citizenship to tens of thousands of undocumented immigrants and reduce time that family members must wait for green cards. US tech companies like Apple, Google and Microsoft employ a huge number of IT professionals from countries like India and China. They have applauded President Biden's steps to initiate immigration reforms, underlining that the move would boost American economy create jobs and attract , and retain the best talent from across the world. Called the US Citizenship Act of 2021, the legislation modernises the immigration system, and also proposes to Google to redesign mobile search Google is soon going to roll out a new design for its mobile search results. The redesign will focus on having larger and bolder texts which will help to scan the data easily. The results of the search will also be occupying more width of the user's screen. Google will also modify the colours of the interface to help highlight important information without being distracting. eliminate the per country cap for employment-based green cards, a move that would benefit thousands of Indian IT professionals whose current wait period for legal permanent residency runs into several decades. Google CEO Sundar Pichai We look forward to working with the new administration to help the US recover from the pandemic + grow our economy .” 6 dead, 18 injured after vehicle falls into gorge Nandurbar Accident FPJ BUREAU & PTI / Mumbai At least six persons, including five women, were killed and 18 others injured when their vehicle fell into a 400feet deep gorge in Nandurbar district on Saturday The acci. dent took place around 10.30 am on the hilly stretch of Khadki ghat near Toranmal hill station. Around 24 persons, most of them labourers, were going to Danduka in Ahmedabad from Khadki and neighbouring villages in Nandurbar in the ill-fated Mahindra Max vehicle. "While passing through the ghat section (winding hill route), the driver lost control of the vehicle, following which it went backwards and fell into the gorge," Nandurbar SP Mahendra Pandit told PTI. He said six people were killed, and 18 injured, of which seven are serious.