THE SUNDAY Vol. 36 No. 32 | Sunday, May 4, 2025 29 Pages | `5 & for State `6 | Reg. No. MCS/048/2021-23; RNI No. 46955/1988 M.p.c.s. office Mumbai-400001 FREE PRESS JOURNAL Leader in E-paper circulation l www.freepressjournal.in ● EDITIONS: ● MUMBAI ● INDORE ● PUNE ● BHOPAL ● NASHIK ● KONKAN ● E-paper PLAY AND PAUSE Weekend Six realistic ways to cope with news anxiety FPJ campaign for clean air Tighter squeeze on Pak Agencies Briefs Flight searched A search was undertaken at the Colombo airport on Saturday noon after a tipoff from India that six suspects believed to be involved in the Pahalgam attack had reached Sri Lanka on board flight UL 122 from Chennai. NDTV reported Sri Lanka Police, Sri Lanka Air Force, and airport security units jointly carried out the operation. But no suspect was found. The airline said it received an alert from the Chennai Area Control Centre. Meanwhile, EAM S Jaishankar discussed with his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov the recent escalation in tension between India and Pakistan in the wake of the Pahalagam attack. “Discussed the Pahalgam terrorist attack with FM Lavrov of Russia yesterday. Its perpetrators, backers and planners must be brought to justice. Also spoke about our bilateral coooeration activities," EAM said. FIR against Sonu Nigam An FIR has been filed against singer Sonu Nigam for allegedly making hurtful remarks about the Kannadiga community during a music event in Bengaluru. The complaint was lodged by Dharmaraj A, President of the Bengaluru City District Unit of Karnataka Rakshana Vedike, a pro-Kannada organisation. The event was held on April 25-26, at East Point College of Engineering and Technology, Virgonagar, Bengaluru. Trump on Musk’s U-turn Trump stirred a fresh row during a commencement speech at the University of Alabama on Thursday night, telling graduates to “break the system” while boasting tech billionaires who once scorned him are among his staunchest supporters. “If you look at internet people, I know so many of them, Elon is so terrific. Now all of them, you know they all hated me in my first term, and now they’re kissing my ass. It’s true. All of them. It’s true,” he said. In 2022, Musk dismissed Trump as “too old” to serve another term and was reported by Politico to have privately called him “a f---ing moron” during a visit to the White House. India on Saturday announced a complete ban on imports of all goods from Pakistan with immediate effect, barred Pakistan-flagged ships from entering any of its ports, prohibited India-flagged vessels from docking at ports in Pakistan and suspended suspended exchange of all categories of mail and parcels from Pakistan through air and surface routes. Though the 200 per cent import duty imposed on Pakistani goods in 2019 after the Pulwama terror attack had effectively halted direct imports, the latest decision also prohibits the entry of Pakistani goods routed through third countries. "This will prohibit import of goods from Pakistan directly or through any other trade route," the commerce ministry said. After the Pulwama terror attack, besides imposing 200 per cent duty, India had also withdrawn Pakistan's 'Most Favoured Nation' trade status. Bilateral trade dipped to USD 647.2 million in 2023-24 from USD 2.41 billion in 2017-18 and Loan freeze on cards? India will be asking global multilateral agencies, including the IMF, to have a relook at funds and loans provided to Pakistan, PTI reports quoting a government source. The IMF Executive Board is scheduled to meet Pakistan officials on May 9 for first review of the extended funding facility, and request for an arrangement under the resilience and sustainability facility. The IMF Board will evaluate fresh $1.3 billion arrangement for Pakistan under its climate resilience loan programme. It will also assess an ongoing $7 billion bailout package. As of December 31, 2024, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) has committed 764 public sector loans, grants, and technical assistance totalling $43.4 billion to Pakistan. ADB’s current sovereign portfolio in Pakistan includes 53 loans and 3 grants worth $9.13 billion USD 2.27 billion in 2016-17. As per information available on the official website of the High Commission of India in Islamabad, major items of import by India from Pakistan are copper and copper articles, edible fruits and nuts, Six dead, 70 hurt in Goa stampede J&K CM meets PM Modi PTI NEW DELHI A screenshot of video Full article on GoodLife Sunday Read What makes Tagore relevant even today PRESSURE TACTIC | India bans all direct and indirect imports, stops exports, denies entry for Pakistan-flagged ships, and disallows all categories of mails and parcels NEW DELHI FPJ joins Luke Coutinho in his fight for clean air as birthright. This is a message for every state and central government — this goes beyond Maharashtra. We don’t need more vanity projects. We need clean air, clean water, and safe food—our most basic human rights. We urge lawmakers, civic bodies, public figures, athletes, and influencers to step up. Use your voice. Push for policy change. Live Smart Habits to sharpen your brain Gambian kora player Dawda Jobarteh to pay tribute to Pandit Shiv Kumar Sharma FPJ News Service MUMBAI Six persons, including two women, were killed and over 70 sustained injuries after a stampede broke out during a temple festival in North Goa’s Shirgao village in the early hours of Saturday, officials said. The Goa government has ordered a magisterial inquiry into the tragedy and transferred five senior officials, including the North Goa district collector and superintendent of police, to ensure an impartial probe. The stampede occurred around 3 am as thousands of devotees thronged the narrow lanes leading to the temple of Goddess Sree Lairai Devi for the annual jatra. Shirgao is located about 40 km from Panaji. "Between 30,000 and 40,000 people had gathered, many Temple festival at Shirgao village turns tragic as devotees throng narrow lanes standing on a slope. A few fell, triggering a chain reaction," said Director General of Police Alok Kumar. He added that nearly 50 people fell in the area where the slope collapsed, confining the stampede to that spot. Devotees from across Goa, Maharashtra, and Karnataka gather each year for the festival. Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed deep anguish over the incident, wishing the injured a speedy recovery and assuring support from the local administration. 4Contd on | Nation Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday and discussed various issues, including last week's terror attack in Pahalgam, officials said. The meeting at the prime minister's residence lasted around 30 minutes, they said. This is the first meeting between the two leaders since the April 22 terror attack in which 26 people, mostly tourists, were killed. The officials said Abdullah briefed the prime minister about the ground situation, especially the outrage among the people over the deadly attack and their spontaneous protests in every nook and corner to convey their disapproval of the violence, which had happened for the first time since the eruption of terrorism in 1989. He also highlighted the sacrifice of pony ride operator Syed Adil Hussain Shah, who had tried to snatch a weapon from one of the terrorists in a courageous attempt to protect the tourists. The fallout of the attack on the booming tourism industry and the upcoming Amarnath Yatra also came up for discussion, the officials said. 4Contd on | Nation PM PLEDGES ACTION ON TERRORISM IANS NEW DELHI cotton, salt, sulphur and earth and stones, organic chemicals, mineral fuels, plastic products, wool, glassware, raw hides & skin, etc. On the other hand, the main items of export from India to Pakistan are cotton, organic chemicals, food products, including prepared animal fodder, edible vegetables, plastic articles, man-made filament, coffee, tea, spices, dyes, oil seeds, dairy products, pharmaceuticals, etc. India's exports to Pakistan in April-January 2024-25 stood at USD 447.65 million, while imports were meagre USD 0.42 million. These imports were limited to niche items like figs (USD 78,000), Basil and Rosemary herbs (USD 18,856), certain chemicals, and Himalayan pink salt. The imports were USD 2.88 million in 2023-24. In April-January 2024-25, exports of organic chemicals and pharmaceutical products accounted for about 60 per cent of the country's total outbound shipments to Pakistan. It was USD 129.55 million and USD 110.06 million, respectively. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday reaffirmed India's unwavering resolve to act decisively against terrorism and those who support it. Speaking during a joint press conference with Angolan President Joao Manuel Goncalves Lourenco, Prime Minister Modi stated, "We are firmly united in our stance against terrorism. I expressed my gratitude to President Lourenco and the people of Angola for their sympathies to those killed in the Pahalgam terror attack." "We are committed to taking firm and decisive actions against terrorists and those who support them. We thank Angola for its support in our fight against terrorism," the Prime Minister added. This is the third time after Pahalgam attack that prime minister has vowed action. The first time was in Madhubani district in Bihar when he broke into English saying, “Today, from the soil of Bihar I want to say to the whole world that India will identify, trace and punish every terrorist, supporter and conspirator. 4Contd on | Nation This ATM will melt your gold and pay you in real time 4Contd on | Nation FPJ News Service MUMBAI Gone are the days of a customer physically visiting an outlet to buy, sell, exchange, lease, digitize and monetize (melt) gold and gold jewellery. There is an ATM ready and waiting to do it. It is AI powered and will melt gold and pay the real time price within 30 minutes. Once regulatory approvals are through of course. Once that happens the company will launch it. India’s ‘Goldsikka” on Satur- 4Contd on | Nation Mahayuti cracks widen after funds diverted S Balakrishnan & Prajakta Pol MUMBAI Cracks surfaced in the ruling Mahayuti government in Maharashtra on Saturday with minister for social Justice Sanjay Shirsat, who is close to deputy chief minister Eknath Shinde, angrily suggesting that his ministry be shut down since its funds are being diverted to other departments behind his back. Vide a government resolution on Friday, the cash-strapped government, which is staring at a Why don't they cut all funds once? Why do SC and ST students need scholarships and hostels? What is the need to bring them (backward communities) into the mainstream? It will be alright if the social justice department doesn't exist. — Sanjay Sirsat public debt of over Rs 8 lakh crores, had diverted Rs 413.30 cr from Shirsat's ministry to its flagship Ladki Bahin scheme. Other states have laws which bans the reallocation of funds reserved for SCs and STs, but not Maharashtra. Mahayuti won the assembly elections big time by piggy backing on the hugely successful Ladki Bahin scheme, which ironically was the brainchild of Shinde. But after winning the polls the ruling alliance found that it simply does not have the Next week's conclave to elect the successor to Pope Francis as leader of the world's 1.4 billion Catholics is a solemn affair steeped in centuriesold traditions. But far from the Sistine Chapel where cloistered cardinals will cast votes, people are placing bets on who will be chosen as the next pope. From cash bets on websites to online games modelled after fantasy football leagues and casual wagers among friends and families, the popularity of guessing and gambling on the future of the papacy is increasing worldwide, experts and participants say. It's even topped the Europa League soccer tournament and Formula One drivers' championship, said Sam Eaton, UK manager for Oddschecker, a leading online platform analyzing odds across sports, events and other betting markets. The New York Post reported that odds on the next Cardinal Peter Turkson 4Contd on | Nation Tejashwi urges caste reservation Trump’s No 1 in private sector and judiciary choice for Dheeraj Kumar PATNA Former Bihar Deputy Chief Minister and RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, urging a series of sweeping measures including reservations in the private sector and judiciary. The letter has sparked a fresh political row in the state, with the NDA launching a scathing counterattack. Tejashwi’s move is widely seen as a strategic effort to reclaim political momentum following the Centre’s announcement of a nationwide caste census, which has the potential to reshape Bihar's electoral landscape ahead of the state assembly elections. In his letter, the RJD leader also demanded proportional reservations based on caste census data, and full implementation of the long-pending recommendations of the Mandal Commission. “The private sector, which has been a significant beneficiary of public resources, cannot remain untouched by the imperatives of social justice,” Tejashwi wrote. “Companies have enjoyed access to subsidized land, power, tax exemptions, infrastructure, and financial incentives – all funded by taxpayers. In return, it is reasonable to expect these entities to reflect the social composition of the country.” 4Contd on | Nation Cardinal Pietro Parolin Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle pope have been available since the beginning of the year and grew in popularity following Francis’ illness. But betting has increased. Vatican Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Parolin is the 15-to-8 favorite — slightly better than 21 odds — to become the next pontiff, according to the latestreported by OLBG, online sports betting community. Parolin, 70, a native of Italy, is the man Pope Francis chose to lead the conclave, where cardinals from all all over the world vote for the Pope FPJ News Service MUMBAI next pope in isolation from the outside world — with no access to phones, the internet or newspapers. Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, 67, of the Philippines, dubbed “Asian Francis,” is second with 5-2 odds. If elected he would make history as the first Asian pope. Cardinal Peter Turkson of Ghana, 76, who Pope Francis named chancellor of the Pontifical Academies of Sciences, is third at 5-1. He’d be the first African pope. Three days after American President Donald Trump joked he would be his own “number one choice” to be the next leader of the Catholic Church, and a couple of days before the conclave began to select the next Pope, Trump posted an AI generated picture of himself dressed in papal robes. He posted the image without any text or context. “I’d like to be pope,” Trump who is a billionnaire and has been married three times told a reporter recently. When asked who should succeed Francis, Trump told a reporter on Tuesday: “I have no preference,” after joking that “I'd like to be pope”, he declared. 4Contd on | Nation 4Contd on | Nation Betting fever: What are the odds on the next Pope? AP funds to keep the scheme going. Hence it is moving funds from other departments. ``The government is paying for its populism," a bureaucrat observed. Tailpiece off grid ROME day unveiled an AI-powered gold melting ATM in Hyderabad. The ATM will soon offer the facility to buy, sell, exchange, lease, digitize and monetize gold and gold jewellery  at one’s convenience. At the present, customers have no choice but to trust the outlet staff while melting and selling gold. In the process of selling gold, when the customer deposits gold in the ATM, it will be melted, purity will be tested, and the value of the pure gold will be displayed on the screen. Once the depositor accepts the value displayed, the amount will be transferred into his bank account within 30 minutes. The machine takes the photograph of the depositor, and verifies ID proofs. If any crime record is detected, the ATM will hold back the gold, and will automatically report it to the authorities. “The next-generation Gold Melting ATM incorporates advanced features that revolutionize traditional gold transactions,” said Goldsikka CEO Sy Taruj.