FP The publishers permit sharing of the e-paper's pdf on WhatsApp and other social media platforms Vol. 14 No. 293 | BHOPAL | MONDAY | APRIL 7, 2025 | Pages 14 ` 3 | Regd. No. Indore MP/ICD 216/2024-2026 | RNI No. mpeng/2010/35815 FREE www.freepressjournal.in Kohli opens up on his bond with Rohit P.12 Briefs JAMMU Shah on 3-day J&K visit Union Home Minister Amit Shah arrived here on Sunday to begin his three-daylong packed schedule visit to J&K. Lt Governor (L-G) Manoj Sinha and MoS (PMO), Jitendra Singh received the Union Home Minister at Jammu airport. The Home Minister drove straight to the Raj Bhawan in Jammu and is scheduled to visit the BJP headquarters in the Trikuta Nagar area of the city, where he will meet the party MLAs. NEW DELHI White T-shirt movement Congress MP Rahul Gandhi on Sunday made a fervent appeal to the youth of Bihar to participate in the White T-Shirt movement, beginning Monday, in huge numbers to send across a strong message that people of the state won’t get swayed away anymore and they are ready to write their own destiny. The Leader of Opposition issued a video appeal on his social media account, seeking success of the White T-shirt movement in Bihar, ahead of his visit to Bihar's Begusarai district on April 7. 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 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. It took off from the Hindon air force station in Ghaziabad early Sunday, a senior official said. 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.Trump had called last month on Tehran to hold negotiations on its nuclear programme with Washington, but threatened to bomb Iran if diplomacy fails. iii QUALITY @ VALUE EDITIONS: BHOPAL MONEY Sports fp ESTD-1983 UJJAIN PRESS PUNE INDORE NASHIK Cinema ‘My film does not have an agenda’ P.11 CENTRE-TN TUSSLE | PM says funds allocated for rail projects in Tamil Nadu has gone up nearly seven times Some cry without any reason: Modi jabs Stalin PM for med edu in Tamil Agencies 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 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 Tamil Nadu and "they do not sign in Tamil. 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, including the one in Rameswaram, he said. Pointing to the Centre's largesse in another E-paper Edit India, Lanka deepen ties P.6 India to focus on trade deal, avoids retaliation on tariffs RAMESWARAM MUMBAI area, he said, "Over the last 10 years, under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana, a lot of 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 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 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 HANDS OFF: Protesters assail Trump, Musk AP WASHINGTON Crowds of people angry about the way President Donald Trump is running the country marched and rallied in scores of American cities Saturday in the biggest day of demonstrations yet by an opposition movement trying to regain its momentum after the shock of the Republican's first weeks in office. So-called Hands Off! demonstrations were organised for more than 1,200 locations in all 50 states by more than 150 groups, including civil rights organisations, labour unions, LBGTQ+ advocates, veterans and elections activists. The rallies appeared peaceful, with no immediate reports of arrests. Thousands of protesters in cities dotting the nation from Midtown Manhattan to Anchorage, Alaska, including at multiple state capitols, assailed Trump and billionaire Elon Musk's actions on government downsizing, the economy, immigration and human rights. On the West Coast, in the shadow of Seattle's iconic Space Needle, protesters held signs with slogans like "Fight the oligarchy." Protesters chanted as they took to the streets in Portland, Oregon, and Los Angeles, where they marched from Pershing Square to City Hall. Country's first vertical sea-lift rly bridge opens Action against PTI RAMESWARAM First train from Tambaram to Rameswaram runs via the new Pamban Bridge during its flag-off ceremony, at Rameswaram in Ramanathapuram on Sunday. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday inaugurated the Pamban sea bridge, providing rail link between Rameswaram island and the mainland and flagged off the new Rameswaram-Tambaram (Chennai) train service here. The PM also flagged off a Two India-assisted railway projects launched in Sri Lanka PTI COLOMBO Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday visited the Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi temple in the historic city of Anuradhapura in Sri Lanka and paid respects at the revered Buddhist shrine. Modi was accompanied by Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake during the trip to Anuradhapura, a spiritual city that is located at a distance of around 200 km from Colombo. The two leaders also jointly launched two railway projects built with Indian assistance in Anuradhapura. Modi and Dissanayake inaugurated the 128 km Maho-Omanthai railway line refurbished with Indian assistance of USD Hindus in Europe, US mull 'Ram Naam Bank' PTI LUCKNOW Indian origin Hindus living in Europe and US are mulling opening overseas chapters of Prayagraj-based 'Ram Naam Bank' in their countries. On the occasion of Ram Navami on Sunday, the idea of opening a Ram Naam Bank was discussed among the devotees in Sweden. Nityanand Sharma, an IT Solution Architect, who works for a global furniture retailer in Sweden's Almhult and man- ages the affairs of a local temple there, said people were enamoured by the idea of a bank that propagates the name of Lord Ram. "The name of Lord Ram is powerful and effective enough to dispel doubts, fears and anxiety. That is why the concept propagated by Prayagraj-based Ram Naam Bank, of embracing the divine presence by writing his name 108 times a day in a booklet has many takers globally," he said. 4Continued on | P8 91.27 million, followed by the launch of the construction of an advanced signalling system from Maho to Anuradhapura. 4Continued on | P8 Coast Guard ship which passed under the bridge. The bridge is all set to improve connectivity to this spiritual destination flocked by devotees throughout the year from across the country. Built at a cost of over Rs 550 crore, this is India's first vertical sea-lift bridge. 4Continued on | P8 Prez on Portugal, Slovakia visit amid shifting trade dynamics New Delhi: 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. In February, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and the College of Commissioners visited India. 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 Navy provides medical aid to Pak national in Arabian Sea PTI NEW DELHI Indian Navy's stealth frigate INS Trikand altered its course to reach a fishing vessel in the Central Arabian Sea and provided urgent medical assistance to a critically injured Pakistani crew member onboard it, off the coast of Oman, officials said on Sunday. INS Trikand on Friday morning intercepted a distress call from an Iranian dhow Al Omeedi, a Navy spokesperson said. Upon further investigation, it was found that a crew member of the dhow had sustained "severe injuries to his fingers while working on the engine" and was in critical condition, and that he had been transferred to another dhow named FV Abdul Rehman Hanzia, which was en route to Iran, the officials said. The person had suffered severe injuries involving multiple fractures and blood loss, they said. "Trikand immediately altered her course to provide medical assistance to the injured crew member," the spokesperson said. 4Continued on | P8 OFFERING WATER TO THIRSTY CHEETAH duty on the same day, Saturday. The cheetah and her cubs 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. AYODHYA Amidst chants, bhajans and an overwhelming spiritual fervour, the Ram Janmotsav was celebrated with great pomp in Ayodhya on Sunday. The highlight of the day was the Surya Tilak of Ram Lalla, precisely at 12 noon, when the Sun’s rays illuminated the deity’s forehead for four divine minutes — a rare confluence of spirituality and science witnessed by the world. head of the idol in a 75 mm bright disc. On this auspicious occasion, Ram Lalla was adorned in gem-studded yellow garments and a magnificent golden crown. As the clock struck 12, the temple bells rang out and the crowd erupted in chants of “Bhaye Pragat Kripala Deen Dayala, Kaushalya Hitkari”. The entire atmosphere was soaked in emotion and reverence as the Surya Tilak ritual unfolded. The temple doors were opened early at 3:30 am, and devotees were treated to the sacred rituals including Shringar, Raag-Bhog, Aarti, Fresh plea in SC challenges validity of Waqf Act, 2025 PTI NEW DELHI 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. Several petitions have been filed in the apex court challenging the validity of the bill. The fresh petition has been filed by Samastha Kerala Jamiathul Ulema, a religious organisation of Sunni Muslim scholars and clerics in Kerala. The plea, filed through advocate Zulfiker Ali P S, said these amendments would distort the religious character of Waqfs while also irreversibly damaging the democratic process in the administration of Waqf and Waqf Boards. 4Continued on | P8 Vows to fight again at right time IANS CHANDIGARH 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-daylong 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, cat- egorically 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 for that “all need to come prepared, and for it, if needed be, they would again start the sitin protest at appropriate time.” 4Continued on | P8 NEW DELHI Spectacular Surya Tilak marks Ram Janmotsav In a marvel of scientific precision and religious devotion, scientists from ISRO and premier IITs had been rehearsing the alignment for weeks. Their efforts paid off as the trial conducted on Saturday was successfully replicated during the live ceremony. The rays of the Sun were channelled through a complex system of mirrors and lenses, strategically placed on the temple’s upper structure, reflecting the sunlight onto the fore- 4Continued on | P8 Farmer leader Dallewal ends 132-day-long fast offgrid Biswajeet Banerjee Demonstrators voiced anger over the administration's moves to fire thousands of federal workers, close Social Security Administration field offices, effectively shutter entire agencies, deport immigrants, scale back protections for transgender people and cut funding for health programs. and Darshan. The child form of Ram and the festive idol were central to the day’s visual splendour, leaving devotees spellbound. Ahead of the celebrations, Ayodhya Dham railway station was transformed into a fortress. Under the supervision of Inspector Yashwant Singh, over 200 RPF personnel conducted flag marches and ensured foolproof arrangements. To manage the surge in footfall, three entry gates and two exit gates, along with an emergency gate, were designated. Surveillance was beefed up with 235 CCTV cameras across the station premises, and no passenger was allowed to cross railway tracks. To avoid overcrowding, three holding areas were established near the station where pilgrims were temporarily halted and then allowed to proceed in a phased manner. 4Continued on | P8 Startup funding jumps to $357 mn India’s startup ecosystem witnessed a strong funding rebound this week, with total investments soaring over 2.3 times to around $357.29 million across 30 deals, compared to $152.49 million raised by 23 startups last week. This surge reflects growing investor confidence in innovation-driven growth story, especially after Union Minister Piyush Goyal credited startups as key drivers in the country’s journey to becoming the third-largest economy.