Saturday, May 24, 2025 | 37 Pages | `5 & for State (+6 pages) `6 Reg.No MCS/048/2021-23; RNI No. 1541/1957 M.p.c.s office Mumbai. PIN 400001 THE FREE PRESS JOURNAL Vol. 68 No. 198 | Leader in E-paper circulation l www.freepressjournal.in ● EDITIONS: ● MUMBAI ● INDORE ● PUNE ● BHOPAL ● NASHIK ● KONKAN ● E-paper ● Member: Audit Bureau of Circulation (July to December 2024) GAMES NATION Why are students dying only in Kota, Supreme Court asks Rajasthan Cinema Check out our verdict on film releases Punjab Kings will be aiming top-two finish when they take on Delhi Capitals today Edit More shock than awe for Field Marshal Munir Briefs INVESTORS SUMMIT | 10,000 have given up arms to embrace peace in region; focus is now on energy and semiconductors India slams Pak at UNSC PM Modi will speed up North East growth India called out Pakistan's "grossly hypocritical" behaviour at the UN Security Council, saying a nation that makes no distinction between terrorists and civilians has no credentials to speak about protecting civilians as Delhi highlighted that the Pakistani Army shelled border villages earlier this month killing civilians and targeted places of worship. "I am constrained to respond to the baseless allegations of the representative of Pakistan on a number of issues," India's Permanent Representative to the UN Ambassador Parvathaneni Harish said at the UNSC open debate. Earlier, Pakistan's Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad raked the Kashmir issue and spoke about the conflict between India and Pakistan. MPs’ jet circles Moscow sky The flight carrying an Indian MPs delegation to Moscow led by DMK leader Kanimozhi had to circle in the sky for some time due to a drone attack but the aircraft landed safely on Thursday night. “The flight circled in the air and later landed and there was a delay of 45 minutes,” a source said. The delegation held talks on counter-terrorism combat between Russia and India and briefed the Russian side on Operation Sindoor. The MPs exchanged views with all-party members of the Russian Federation Assembly (Parliament). “The Russian side condemned the Pahalgam attack, and said Russia stands in solidarity with India!” Adani, Reliance, Vedanta commit `2.05L cr PTI NEW DELHI The Northeastern region, once synonymous with "bombs, guns and blockades", is now witnessing unprecedented progress, with the government determined to accelerate its growth story, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Friday. Addressing the Rising North East Investors Summit here, the prime minister said diversity of the Northeast is its biggest strength, and every state in the region is declaring its readiness for investment and leadership. "The Northeast is emerging The Delhi High Court on Friday reserved its verdict on petitions by Turkeybased Celebi against the revocation of its security clearance. Justice Sachin Datta heard the submissions of both parties before reserving the judgment. The judge asked the parties to file written submissions by May 26. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, representing the Central authority, defended the action, pointing out an “unprecedented” threat to aviation security. Senior counsel Mukul Rohatgi, representing Celebi, contended the Centre's move was against the principles of natural justice and in violation of the procedure under the Aircraft Security Rules. Judge blocks Harvard bar A judge has issued a temporary restraining order blocking the Trump administration's plan to strip Harvard University of its ability to enrol foreign students. The ruling came after Harvard filed a lawsuit and said the administration's decision was a "blatant violation" of the law and free speech rights. US District Judge Allison Burroughs issued a temporary restraining order in a short ruling issued on Friday. “With the stroke of a pen, the government has sought to erase a quarter of Harvard's student body, international students who contribute significantly to the University and its mission. Without its international students, Harvard is not Harvard,” the 389-year-old school added. SEE P25 He said the Northeast was once associated with "bombs, guns and blockades" that severely impacted opportunities for its youth. "Our government has a zerotolerance policy against terrorism and insurgency," he said. The government's consistent efforts towards peace agreements resulted in 10,000 young individuals abandoning arms to embrace peace over the past 10-11 years, Modi said. He said this shift has unlocked new employment and entrepreneurial opportunities within the region. 4Contd on | nation 4See also | money By invitation Jayanto Roy Chowdhury T he big news out of Bangladesh is that the army is out in full strength on the streets of Dhaka and Prof Mohammad Yunus, head of the interim government has dropped hints at resigning from his job. (PTI reported that studentled National Citizen Party chief Nhid Islam was quoted by BBC Bangla Service that Yunus is apprehensive over the evolving political situation in the country and whether he will be able to carry on with his work. "Sir said, 'If I can't work. I was brought here after a mass uprising to bring change and reform to the country. But in the current situation, with mounting pressure from movements and the way I'm being cornered, this isn't how I can work. The political partiesyou've all failed to reach com- mon ground'," Islam told the BBC. Islam is a key coordinator of the Students Against Discrimination which led the July uprising last year that forced prime minister Sheikh Hasina's resignation). Things in Bangladesh are fluid. The official logic for the deployment is that the soldiers are out to safeguard B’desh from the mobs that have been on a spree of looting, dacoity, moral policing of women, and what have you. Everyone agrees that there is a need to rein them in or else the country may slide faster into the kind of chaos being witnessed in many central African nations. The rumours of “Yunus out” started after a meeting between the three service chiefs and Prof Yunus and his top aides earlier this week, which in turn was 4Contd on | nation 4See also money Delhi push for ‘Foreign policy has collapsed’ FATF listing for Pakistan Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Friday claimed that India's foreign policy has "collapsed" and asked External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar to explain why has India been hyphenated with Pakistan and who asked US President Donald Trump to “mediate” between the two South Asian neighbours. Gandhi tagged a post by the Congress which carried a video clip of Jaishankar answering questions on the Pahalgam terror attack and the subsequent tensions between India and Pakistan, during an interview with Dutch broadcaster NOS “Will JJ explain: Why has India been hyphenated with Pakistan? Why didn't a single country back us in condemning Pakistan? Who asked Trump to ‘mediate’ between India & Pakistan?” Gandhi said. RBI gives govt `2.69 lakh cr FY25 dividend TRUMP TARGETS iPHONES WITH 25% TARIFF THREAT PTI NEW DELHI Agencies Celebi verdict reserved as a key destination for two strategic sectors -- energy and semiconductors," he said and added that the role of Assam is growing in strengthening India's semiconductor ecosystem. He said the first Made in India chip from a Northeastbased semiconductor plant will soon be introduced, signaling a major milestone for the region that will unlock opportunities for cutting-edge technology and solidify the region's position in India's high-tech industrial growth. The prime minister said peace and law and order are the most crucial factors for any region's development. Conglomerates Reliance Industries, Vedanta Group and Adani Group on Friday committed to investing an additional Rs 2.05 lakh crore in Northeast states. Reliance Industries will invest Rs 75,000 crore in setting up 350 biogas plants, expanding its telecom services, retail footprint, and clean energy projects. Billionaire Gautam Adani has committed to investing an additional Rs 50,000 cr over the next 10 years in green energy, road construction and creating digital infrastructure, and Vedanta Group Rs 30,000 cr in fields of oil and gas, critical minerals, refining facilities, power, optical fibre, system integration, renewable energy, transmission sectors and data centres. YUNUS VS THE ARMY: WHO WILL WIN? NEW DELHI India will make a strong case with the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), global money laundering and terror financing watchdog, to revert Pakistan to its "grey list" for failure to comply with anti-money laundering and terror financing rules, a government source said. "We will be taking it up (with the FATF)," the source said when asked whether India will make a case with Financial Action Task Force (FATF) to place Pakistan in the grey list. FATF has been told of the upcoming move. Government sources said that India will send a detailed dossier to the FATF, outlining evidence and concerns regarding the involvement of certain entities and individuals in terror financing and money laundering activities. The dossier will highlight India's findings and demand strict scrutiny and action by the FATF under international protocols. Tensions between India and Pakistan have heightened following the terror attack in Pahalgam on April 22, which To oppose WB funding India will next month oppose the World Bank (WB) funding to cash-starved Pakistan, just as it had done in case of IMF, arguing that Islamabad had used such funds in the past to procure arms and ammunition. Multilateral agencies’ funding to developing countries are meant for poverty alleviation and development goals, but Pakistan’s track record has been to misuse them for military purposes. The World Bank is likely to review next month its $20 billion lending to Pakistan under the Country Partnership Framework agreed in January this year. T killed 26 civilians. India feels that Pakistan has failed to act on terror emanating from its territory and has been diverting funds from multilateral agencies to buy arms and ammunition. he RBI on Friday approved a whopping dividend of `2.69 lakh crore for FY25 to the Modi 3.0 government. The dividend transfer will ease pressure on the government’s balance sheet as the payout is 27.4% more than the dividend paid in 2023-24. The apex bank had transferred `2.1L cr as dividend to the government for FY24 and `87,416 cr for FY23. It will help the Centre narrow the country’s fiscal deficit to 4.4% for the current fiscal. The higher payout is attributed to higher dollar sales and foreign exchange gains. 4Contd on | nation 4See also | money “India’s foreign policy has collapsed,” the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha claimed. Gandhi on Thursday had accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of having compromised with India's prestige and asked him why he sacrificed the nation's interests by agreeing to halting of military hostilities against Pakistan. “Modiji, stop giving hollow speeches. “I have long ago informed Tim Cook of Apple that I expect their iPhone’s that will be sold in the United States of America will be manufactured and built in the United States, not India, or any place else.” —Donald Trump WASHINGTON President Donald Trump has said he will impose a 25 per cent tariff on Apple iPhones unless the company shifts production to the US. Apple CEO Tim Cook had said earlier this month that Indian factories would supply the “majority” of iPhones sold in the US after Trump had exhorted him to shift production to the US. The second Trump threat escalates the situation as Apple dodges tariffs on Chinese-made goods imposed by Trump. The threat also comes as India and the US are negotiating a trade deal that seeks to fend off a Trump threat to slap a 26% tariff on Indian goods. “I have long ago informed Tim Cook of Apple that I expect their iPhone’s that will be sold in the United States of America will be manufactured and built in the United States, not India, Biswajeet Banerjee VARANASI: In a unique tribute to India's armed forces, artisans in the spiritual capital of the country have transformed the traditional Banarasi saree into a canvas of military might and national pride. Featuring digitally printed motifs of India’s most formidable defence assets — including the S400 missile system, the BrahMos missile, MiG and Rafale fighter jets, and the aircraft carrier INS Vikrant — these sarees are a symbolic homage to the indomitable courage of the Indian military, especially during Operation Sindoor. Varanasi-based saree entrepreneur Vikas, who conceptualized the project, has dedicated this exclusive creation to Colonel Sophia Qureshi and Wing Commander Vyomika Singh — two decorated officers who played key roles in recent operations. "This saree is not for sale. Even if someone offers Rs 5 crore, we will not sell it," said Vikas, a resident of Mahmoorganj. "It is a gift — a token of deep respect for the brave women and men in uniform. This saree is exclusively for soldiers." Vikas has written to the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), seeking approval to present the sarees as a personal gift to Colonel Qureshi and Wing Commander Singh. “I have sent a letter along with photos and videos of the saree to the PM's parliamentary office. We are waiting for permission to send them,” he confirmed. 4Contd on | nation Frequent users of app-based cab services in Maharashtra can look forward to a more commuter-friendly experience, as the state government has recently approved a new Cab Aggregator Policy aimed at ensuring fairer pricing and greater accountability from ridehailing platforms. According to the state transport department, after implementa- tion, the new policy will place a cap on surge Will JJ explain: Why has India been hyphenated with Pakistan? Why didn't a single country back us in condemning Pakistan? Who asked Trump to ‘mediate’ between India and Pakistan? Tailpiece Jaipur shop drops ‘pak’ from sweets PTI JAIPUR 4Contd on | nation 4Contd on | nation 4Contd on | nation 4See also | money Cap soon on surge pricing Kamal Mishra 4Contd on | nation pricing, limiting fare hikes to no more than 1.5 times the base fare during peak demand periods such as festivals, holidays, and rush hours. This move is intended to protect passengers from excessive fare increases during high-demand times. “In addition to regulating fares, the policy imposes financial penalties to discourage unjustified ride cancellations,” said a senior official from the state transport department. or any place else,” Trump wrote in a Truth Social post on Friday. “If that is not the case, a Tariff of at least 25% must be paid by Apple to the US.” CAB AGGREGATOR POLICY MUMBAI Chhagan Bhujbal, who was recently sworn in as a minister from the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), has been given charge of the Food and Civil Supplies Department. The portfolio, which he has previously held in the Eknath Shinde government, had been assigned to Dhananjay Munde who resigned following his alleged involvement in the Santosh Deshmukh murder case. Since then, there had been speculation that the portfolio would return to Bhujbal. That has now been confirmed with an official notification issued on Friday. After being handed the portfolio, senior NCP (Ajit Pawar faction) leader Chhagan Bhujbal addressed the media, reflecting on his long political journey. “I’ve entered and exited the cabinet nine to ten times. I’ve taken charge of departments and stepped down just as often,” he said. Expressing satisfaction over the latest development, Bhujbal noted, “I’m happy. This is the third time I’ve been given the Food and Civil Supplies Department. I held it while working with Sharad Pawar, again during the Maha Vikas Aghadi government, and now, Shakespeare may not have found much in a name but some in Rajasthan's capital of Jaipur could disagree as they tuck into 'Moti Shree' instead of 'Moti Pak' and 'Mysore Shree' not 'Mysore Pak' — the sweets the same, the moniker changed in keeping with the anti-Pakistan mood of the times. The name change is complete in at least three famous confectionaries, which have dropped 'Pak' from the entire range of their traditional sweets and replaced it with 'Shree' instead. So, 'Aam Pak' is 'Aam Shree', 'Gond Pak' is 'Gond Shree' and so on. Luxury offerings 'Swarn Bhasm Pak' and 'Chandi Bhasm Pak' have also been rechristened 'Swarn Shree' and 'Chandi Shree', a move intended as giving expression to the patriotic spirit in the wake of the Pahalgam terror attack and Operation Sindoor that struck terror targets in Pakistan. Anjali Jain, the owner of Tyohaar Sweets, a premium shop known for its elaborate and festive sweet offerings in Vaishali Nagar, said their delicacies must also reflect national pride. operation sindoor UP weaves military glory into sarees Prajakta Pol MUMBAI Rahul Gandhi 4Contd on | nation Agencies BHUJBAL GETS HIS OLD PORTFOLIO