FP The publishers permit sharing of the e-paper's pdf on WhatsApp and other social media platforms Vol. XLI No. 299 | INDORE | MONDAY | APRIL 7, 2025 | Pages 14 ` 3 | Regd. No. Indore MP/ICD 216/2024-2026 | RNI No. 38281/83 FREE www.freepressjournal.in Kohli opens up on his bond with Rohit P.11 Briefs NEW DELHI Prez on Portugal, Slovakia visit President Droupadi Murmu set off on a state visit to Portugal and the Slovak Republic on Sunday, marking the first such visit in nearly three decades. Her tour comes at a time of significant global economic change, with trade tariffs recently imposed by the United States reshaping international commerce and India's growing engagement with Europe. CHENNAI ‘Allay fear over delimitation’ Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin has urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to address the ‘legitimate fears’ of the people of Tamil Nadu and other southern states regarding the potential impact of the upcoming delimitation exercise. He expressed concern that the redrawing of parliamentary constituencies could result in a reduced number of seats for southern states that have successfully controlled their population growth. NEW DELHI Fresh plea in SC on Waqf Act A fresh plea has been filed in the Supreme Court challenging the constitutional validity of the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025, claiming it was a "blatant intrusion" into the rights of a religious denomination to manage its own affairs in the matter of religion. President Droupadi Murmu on Saturday gave her assent to the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025, which was earlier passed by Parliament after heated debates in both Houses. NEW DELHI More aid to Myanmar India on Sunday sent 31 tonnes of humanitarian aid, including replenishment stores for an Indian army field hospital unit deployed in Myanmar, to augment New Delhi's efforts to provide succour to the quakehit neighbouring country. The aid was sent in a C-17 Globemaster heavy-lift aircraft. iii QUALITY @ VALUE EDITIONS: INDORE MONEY Sports fp ESTD-1983 UJJAIN PRESS PUNE BHOPAL NASHIK MUMBAI E-paper Edit India, Lanka deepen ties P.6 India to focus on trade deal, avoids retaliation on tariffs Brand Sutra Anything But Stationary P.12 Massive ‘Hands Off!’ anti-Trump protests sweep US cities CENTRE-TN TUSSLE | PM says funds allocated for railway projects in Tamil Nadu has gone up nearly seven times Some cry without any reason: Modi jabs Stalin Agencies PM for med edu in Tamil RAMESWARAM Prime Minister Narendra Modi, inaugurating Tamil Nadu's Pamban bridge on Sunday, mocked the Opposition, saying they are like people who cry without any reason. In the backdrop of Chief Minister MK Stalin's complaints about delimitation and the third language issue, the PM pointed out that the funds allocated for the rail projects of the state has gone up nearly seven times. "The infrastructure of Tamil Nadu is a top priority for the government... Before 2014, only Rs 900 crore was received every year for rail projects and you all know who was heading the INDI alliance at that time. This time, Tamil Nadu's rail budget is more than Rs 6,000 crore," he said amid allegations of inadequate allocation of funds. The government is also modernising 77 railway stations, in- COUNTRY'S FIRST VERTICAL SEA-LIFT BRIDGE: A train passes on the newly-inaugurated Pamban sea bridge. Spanning 2.08 km, the bridge comprises 99 spans and a 72.5-metre-long vertical lift span that can be raised up to 17 metres cluding the one in Rameswaram, he said. Pointing to the Centre's largesse in another area, he said, "Over the last 10 years, under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana, a lot of Action against Kuno staff after cheetah video leak Our Staff Reporter BHOPAL The Kuno National Park administration has taken action against its field staff following the circulation of a viral video showing a vehicle driver offering water to a female cheetah, Jwala, and her four cubs in a steel bowl. The incident, which took place near the park's Agra range on April 4, has raised concern over violation of wildlife handling protocols. According to a statement released by Kuno authorities, only authorised personnel are permitted to approach cheetahs for special tasks. In this case, the field staff violated set norms and showed indiscipline by allowing a daily wage driver, who was engaged for official vehicle duties, to approach the cheetah and her cubs. Moreover, the incident was recorded and circulated on social media, further breaching park protocols. Sources said that the driver in question was removed from duty on the same day, Saturday. The cheetah and her cubs OFFERING WATER TO THIRSTY CHEETAH work has been done on village roads and highways". "After 2014, with the help of the central government, around 4,000 km of roads have been built in Tamil Nadu," he three-language policy. The Centre, he said, has made it clear that the state's funds will be held back if it did not follow the National Education policy. 4Continued on | P8 MS Dhoni breaks silence on IPL retirement rumours FP News Service MUMBAI As speculation over his IPL retirement intensifies, MS Dhoni has finally addressed the buzz, stating he is in no rush to decide his future in cricket. Following Chennai Super Kings’ clash with Delhi Capitals on Saturday, social media was rife with reports suggesting that the 2025 season could Russia unleashes relentless aerial onslaught had ventured into agricultural field near human habitation on the morning of April 4, prompting forest officials to try to lure them back into the forest by offering water. It was during this effort that the driver was seen in the video calling out to cheetahs and encouraging them to drink from the bowl. Following the viral video, park officials have identified four to six field staff members who may face disciplinary action for their involvement in the incident. added. Chief Minister Stalin has repeatedly alleged that the Centre has been attempting to curb the southern states politically through delimitation and culturally through the Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday made a strong pitch for Tamil and asserted that all efforts are on to take the language across the world and asked the Tamil Nadu government to impart medical education in Tamil medium to benefit the poor. Modi said efforts were on to take Tamil language, heritage to all corners of the world. Without naming anyone, Modi said he gets letters from leaders of TN and "they do not sign in Tamil In one of its deadliest strikes yet, Russia launched a ferocious aerial assault on Ukraine, firing 120 missiles and deploying 90 drones. The attack, which began at dawn, targeted military sites, infrastructure, and civilian areas, leaving behind widespread destruction and numerous casualties. Among the munitions used were 21 ballistic and cruise missiles, including Kalibr variants, fired from multiple directions. 4Continued on | P8 “I will be 44. I’ve got 10 months to assess if I can play another season” be Dhoni’s last. At 43, the legendary wicketkeeper-batsman admitted that while his performances have dipped, especially with the bat, the final call will depend on how his body holds up. Speaking on Raj Shamani’s podcast, Dhoni clarified, “I’m still playing the IPL and taking it one year at a time. By July, I’ll be 44. I’ve got 10 months to assess if I can play another season—it’s not just up to me, it’s up to my body.” With the 18th IPL season concluding in May, fans will have to wait until early 2026 to know whether ‘Thala’ will return. FP News Service MUMBAI Tens of thousands of demonstrators flooded streets across major U.S. cities on Saturday, mounting the largest wave of protests since Donald Trump’s controversial return to the White House. From Washington D.C. to Los Angeles, a groundswell of anger erupted as protesters rallied against what they called the President’s reckless, regressive policies—spanning sweeping government cuts, rising trade tariffs, and an erosion of civil liberties. In Manhattan, painter Shaina Kesner, 43, marched with a seething crowd. “I’m angry. Furious, actually. A bunch of privileged, white alleged rapists are running our country. It’s not great,” she said. In the nation’s capital, thousands descended on the National Mall, some travelling from across the country. “We brought around 100 people from New Hampshire,” said Diane Kolifrath, 64, a bike tour guide. “This outrageous ad- ministration is isolating us globally and devastating lives at home. They’re gutting our government.” Boston, Chicago, and Houston also saw mass mobilisations, while in Los Angeles, a protester dressed as a character from The Handmaid’s Tale waved a flag reading: “Get out of my uterus”—a sharp rebuke of Trump’s anti-abortion stance. In Denver, a lone placard declared: “No king for USA.” The Hands Off! movement, spearheaded by a coalition of progressive groups including MoveOn and Women’s March, staged demonstrations in over 1,000 cities and every congressional district, organisers said. The protests even spilled beyond U.S. borders. In London, dual U.S.-British citizen Liz Chamberlin joined demonstrators outside Parliament. “What’s happening in America is everyone’s problem,” she said. “This is economic lunacy—he’s steering us into global recession.” 4Continued on | P8 Trumponomics looms, RBI decision April 9 ALL EYES ON POLICY MEET Palazhi Ashok Kumar MUMBAI A critical week lies ahead for Indian stock markets and the broader economy, with a confluence of domestic and global developments that could set the tone for the first half of FY26. At the heart of investor anxiety are two focal points: the escalating uncertainty around ‘Trumponomics’ and the Reserve Bank of India’s monetary policy meeting scheduled for April 7–9. The big question remains— is India among the major casualties of Trump’s new economic doctrine? With a sweeping tariff regime now confirmed, early signs suggest India may follow the example of Taiwan, Indonesia, and Israel—countries that have publicly stated they will not retaliate. However, the full impact of former US President Donald Trump’s protectionist economic policies—viewed by critics as “bad” and “sad” economic vandalism—has yet to unfold. His return to the world stage appears set to once again reshape global trade and capital flows, potentially to India’s detriment. Amid this uncertainty, markets are closely watching the RBI’s next move. “It is expected that the Reserve Bank may reduce the repo rate by another 50 basis points over FY26,” said a senior economist. “In February 2025, the central bank cut the repo rate by 25 bps to 6.25%—its first reduction since May 2020— while maintaining a neutral stance. We anticipate another 25 bps cut to 6% on April 9.” However, not all experts are convinced. “A status quo cannot be ruled out,” a senior banker noted, pointing to complications arising from the titfor-tat tariff environment. Market volatility has surged. After a brief buying spree in March, Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs) turned net sellers in early April. 4Continued on | P8 TEHRAN Iran rejects talks with US Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi on Sunday rejected direct negotiations with the United States as "meaningless", after US President Donald Trump said he would prefer direct talks with the Islamic Republic. Over 50 nations approach US for trade talks amid tariff chaos FP News Service MUMBAI More than 50 countries have expressed interest in launching trade negotiations with the United States, according to White House Economic Adviser Kevin Hassett. His remarks come as global markets reel from President Donald Trump’s surprise announcement of sweeping new tariffs, which have drawn retaliatory responses and ignited fears of a global economic downturn reported Reuters. Appearing on ABC’s This Week, Hassett denied claims that the tariff policy was designed to crash financial markets and force the Federal RSS affiliate urges India Farmer leader Dallewal ends to exit WTO pacts 132-day fast T Reserve to lower interest rates. Trump had earlier posted a video on Truth Social suggesting that such a strategy might pressure the Fed. Hassett, however, insisted there would be no political meddling in central bank decisions. he Swadeshi Jagran Manch (SJM), an affiliate of the RSS, has called on India to withdraw from “exploitative” WTO agreements such as TRIPS and TRIMS, following the US decision to impose 26% tariffs on Indian goods. SJM’s Ashwani Mahajan said India incurs over USD 17 billion annually in royalty payments 4Continued on | P8 under TRIPS and suffers from unfair trade practices, including subsidised Western agriculture and Chinese dumping. With developed nations openly flouting WTO norms, he advocated a shift towards bilateral trade deals and urged India to tap emerging global value chain opportunities, especially in defence. offgrid IANS CHANDIGARH Heavenly glow: Ayodhya cheers Ram Lalla’s solar tilak Biswajeet Banerjee AYODHYA Ayodhya donned her finest on Sunday as the ancient city burst into colour, song, and celestial wonder to mark Ram Janmotsav—the birthday of Lord Ram—with unparalleled grandeur. But the true showstopper? A blazing disc of sunlight that kissed the forehead of Ram Lalla in a dazzling Surya Tilak that held an entire nation in collective awe. At the stroke of noon, science and spirituality shook hands. A miracle not of myth, but of mirrors and mathematics unfolded. After weeks of fine-tuning by scientists from ISRO and IITs, a precise alignment of lenses and reflectors directed a golden beam from the heavens straight onto the deity’s forehead. For four transcendent minutes, the child form of Ram shimmered in solar splendour— bathed in a 75 mm disc of pure light. The crowd erupted. Bells rang. Devotees wept. Chants of “Bhaye Pragat Kripala After weeks of fine-tuning by scientists from ISRO and IITs, a precise alignment of lenses and reflectors directed a golden beam from the heavens straight onto the deity’s forehead. For four transcendent minutes, the child form of Ram shimmered in solar splendour— bathed in a 75 mm disc of pure light Deen Dayala, Kaushalya Hitkari” filled the air, as garlands fluttered and conches roared in triumph. Ram Lalla, dressed in gleaming yellow silks and crowned with gold, seemed to come alive under the solar spotlight. The temple had opened its gates at an unholy hour—3:30 AM—but the darshan was worth every blearyeyed second. Shringar, Raag-Bhog, Aarti—each rit- Vows to fight again at right time ual sparkled with opulence and love. The logistics were no less divine. Ayodhya Dham railway station resembled a well-drilled army cantonment. Inspector Yashwant Singh marshalled 200 RPF officers, conducted flag marches, and guarded the surging pilgrim tide with military precision. With three entry gates, two exits, and a no-nonsense ban on track-crossing, the city ran smoother than a chariot on fresh oil. Vowing to fight again to resume “morcha” for farmers’ rights, at right time, farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal, 70, on Sunday announced to end his 132-day-long fast onto death, but said he would continue leading the protest over the demands of the farmers, including a legal guarantee on the minimum support price (MSP) for crops. Dallewal was, however, categorically clear in saying that the struggle to realise the legal right of minimum support price on crops as per C2+50 per cent would continue and 4Continued on | P8 4Continued on | P8