FP The publishers permit sharing of the e-paper's pdf on WhatsApp and other social media platforms FREE PRESS Vol. XLI No. 335 | INDORE | TUESDAY | MAY 13, 2025 | Pages 14 ` 3 | Regd. No. Indore MP/ICD 216/2024-2026 | RNI No. 38281/83 www.freepressjournal.in Sports KOHLI-NOOR: SHINES ON AS VIRAT ERA ENDS P.12 fp Briefs SENSEX, NIFTY SOAR he markets witnessed an unprecedented rally on Monday, with benchmark indices recording their biggest single-day gains in nearly four years, driven by a series of positive geopolitical developments and global trade optimism. The Sensex surged 2,975.43 points (3.74 per cent) to close at 82,429.90, while the Nifty 50 jumped 916.70 points (3.82per cent) to end at 24,924.70. The market’s explosive rally was primarily triggered by a ceasefire agreement between India and Pakistan, coupled with renewed optimism surrounding the US-China trade negotiations. T WASHINGTON Trump’s 30-day deadline President Donald Trump said he will set a 30-day deadline for drugmakers to lower the cost of prescription drugs in a sweeping executive order that he will sign on Monday. The order calls on the health department, led by Robert F. Kennedy Jr., to broker new price tags for drugs. ESTD-1983 iii QUALITY @ VALUE EDITIONS: INDORE UJJAIN PUNE MONEY BHOPAL NASHIK MUMBAI E-paper Edit Cong banking on Kerala revamp P.6 FMCG sector set for recovery in H1FY26 Cinema Grasshopper brain cell gen: Kangana P.14 MUH TOD JAWAB MILEGA | Pakistan has said it will stop undertaking terror activity and military misadventure, therefore India considered it. Delhi has only postponed retaliation, and will be watching every step Islamabad takes ‘NO TALKS AMID TERROR, I NO WATER AMID BLOOD’ QUICK READ ‘Pak Army responsible for their ‘losses’ Gaurav Vivek Bhatnagar PM’S TOP QUOTES NEW DELHI In his first address to the nation after Operation Sindoor, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday said “India has set a new normal” for its relations with Pakistan and threatened that it would reserve the right to attack any terror or military infrastructure in India if it is attacked again. Amid buzz of how some foreign countries played a key role in ensuring truce between India and Pakistan and now wanted them to discuss the Kashmir issue, Modi said “I want to address the world community and tell them ‘it is our stated policy that if we will talk to Pakistan it will only be on terror and only on Pakistan occupied Kashmir’.” He also made it clear that India would not roll back its decision to suspend the trade ties and Indus Waters Treaty with Pakistan, saying: “Our view is clear. Terror and talk cannot go on together; and terror and trade cannot happen together”. Also, he threatened Pakistan with not reneging on the suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty saying, “water and blood can also tan on its chest) n The Country's potential and resilience were seen. First, I want to salute the forces, paramilitary, and intelligence agencies. I salute the soldiers on behalf of every Indian. n Operation Sindoor is not just a name, it is a reflection of the sentiments of our people. Ye nyay ki akhand pratigya hai (It is an unbroken promise of justice) not flow together”. Modi also said that while the two sides have agreed to stop their military actions, “our forces continue to remain on alert”. On what the “new normal” means, he explained that “If there is another terror attack then we will hit back hard – in our own way and on our conditions. We will act in every place from where the roots of terror grow.” Modi added that “India will not tolerate any nuclear blackmail. We will conduct precise and decisive strikes on terror sites operating under the cover of nuclear blackmail.”< 4Continued on | P8 n We have only postponed our military action, our action will depend on Pakistan's next step n In the 21st century warfare, the world is watching how Made-InIndia weapons performed. It's important for us to unite against terrorism n Pakistan ki tyaari seema par war ki thi, Bharat ne Pak ke seene pe var kar diya ( Pakistan had prepared for war on the border, India attacked Pakis- Suspected drones observed along IB in Samba ecurity forces are engaging suspected drones observed along the International Border in Samba district of Jammu region on Monday, an Army said. The Army, however, said there is no need to be alarmed. "A small number of suspected drones have been observed near Samba in J&K. They are being engaged," it said. In the backdrop of the situation, several areas witnessed blackouts in Samba, Kathua, Rajouri, and Jammu. S n On April 22, civilians were brutally killed. They asked them about their religion and killed them in front of children. Personally, it affected me a lot. After this attack, the entire nation wanted strong action against terrorism DGMOs OF PAKISTAN, INDIA HOLD FIRST ROUND OF TALKS he Directors General of Military Operations (DGMOs) of India and Pakistan held crucial talks on Monday at 5:00 PM. The discussion focused on upholding the commitment to cease hostilities, refraining from firing or initiating aggressive actions against each other. Both sides agreed to explore immediate measures to reduce troop presence along the borders and forward areas. Both sides agreed to consider reducing troop presence along the borders and T I In a significant moment of the briefing, Bharti invoked a line from the Ramcharitmanas to emphasise the philosophical grounding of India's response: “Vinay na maanat jaladhi jad, gaye teen din beet. Bole Ram sakop tab, bhay tan's military. That's why we struck only terror camps on May 7. It is a pity that Pakistan's military chose to side with terrorists and made it their own fight. That's why our retaliation was necessary. They are themselves responsible for their losses," Air Marshal AK Bharti said. n World has seen the ugly face of Pak forward areas to ease tensions. Talks between DGMOs (of India and Pakistan) were held at 5:00 PM, 12 May 2025. Issues related to continuing the commitment that both sides must not fire a single shot or initiate any aggressive and inimical action against each other were discussed. It was also agreed that both sides consider immediate measures to ensure troop reduction from the borders and forward areas: Indian Army, according to Indian Army. AIR MARSHAL BHARTI MENTIONS COUPLET FROM RAMCHARITMANAS n a powerful and detailed briefing, Air Marshal A.K. Bharti, Director General of Air Operations, provided a comprehensive assessment of India’s robust air defence and offensive capabilities during ‘Operation Sindoor’. ndian armed forces reiterated on Monday that Operation Sindoor only targeted terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir (POK), and that Islamabad was responsible for any loss that they incurred. "Our fight was with terrorists and their infrastructure, and not Pakis- binu hoye na preet. (When humility does not work with the obstinate, and days pass without resolution, then one must act with firmness. Fear becomes necessary to foster respect and peace.)” PM declares India’s firm policy against terrorism: CM Kirana Hills, alleged nuke site, not targeted Agencies NEW DELHI US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced here on Monday that an agreement has been reached with China, at the trade talks held here, for a bilateral reduction in tariffs with effect from May 14 for a 90-day period. The US will reduce tariffs on Chinese goods from 145 per cent to 30 per cent for 90 days, while China said it will cut tariffs on US goods from 125 per cent to 10 per cent for 90 days. “We have reached an agreement on a 90-day pause and to substantially move down the tariff levels. Both sides on the reciprocal tariffs will move their tariffs down 115 per cent,” Bessent said at a press conference. “We had a very robust and productive discussion on steps forward on fentanyl. We are in agreement that neither side wants to decouple,” he added. D ‘Man who led terrorists’ funeral Family man’ he Pakistani armed forces have claimed that Hafiz Abdur Rauf, a US-designated global terrorist, who led the funeral of the terrorists killed in Indian airstrikes during Operation Sindoor is an ordinary citizen. Lieutenant General Ahmed T Sharif Chaudhry, Pakistan's Director General of Inter-Services Public Relations (DG ISPR), categorically denied that the man seen in the image was a terrorist. Instead, he was described as a religious leader and "a common family man." India did not cross LoC or IB: Army All 32 airports resume services irector General of Military Operations of India on Monday said India had not crossed the International Border or the Line of Control during Operation Sindoor and it carried out all the strikes against the terror infrastructure in Pakistan from within its territory. Speaking during a briefing, Lieutenant General Rajiv Ghai spoke about how India used a multi-layered air defence grid effectively to counter the drone attack that was launched by Pakistan on May 9 and 10 after India went after terrorist infrastructure in its territory. D GAURAV VIVEK BHATNAGAR / NEW DELHI The Ministry of Civil Aviation on Monday announced the immediate opening of 32 airports across north and west India where civil aircraft operations had earlier been suspended till May 15 morning in view of the tension along the India-Pakistan border. The ministry said these airports would now be available for civil aircraft operations with immediate effect and advised travellers to check flight status directly with the airlines and monitor their websites for regular updates. 4Continued on | P8 GENEVA Director General of Air Operations Air Marshal A.K. Bharti Monday clarified that Indian forces didn't hit Kirana Hills in Pakistan, a site that allegedly housed nuclear installations. Responding to a question on whether India hit a nuclear facility in Kirana Hills, the air marshal said, "Thank you for telling us that Kirana Hills houses some nuclear installation, we did not know about it. We have not hit Kirana Hills, whatever is there." The air marshal's remarks came amid speculation and various reports claiming that India had struck the Mushaf Airbase in Sargodha. This airbase is reportedly linked to underground nuclear storage beneath the Kirana Hills, and the alleged attack involved loitering and penetrating munitions. At the joint press conference by the director generals of operations of the navy, army and airforce on Sunday and irector General of Military Operations Lieutenant General Rajiv Ghai on Monday drew upon a cricket analogy to describe how India’s air defence system acted like Australian fast bowling duo of Jeff Thomson and Dennis Lillee while noting how cricketer Virat Kohli, who announced his retirement from Test cricket, remained one of his “favourites”. IANS Our Staff Reporter A Kohli mention in Op Sindoor briefing US, China sign deal to roll back tariffs for 90 days No more Tests for ‘King Kohli’ Haridev Pushparaj BHOPAL Chief Minister Mohan Yadav stated that Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in his address to the nation, has emphatically declared India’s unwavering policy against terrorism. The Operation Sindoor has merely been paused — not concluded. He added that the blow India has dealt to Pakistan through missiles is significant, but even more impactful is the blow delivered today through the Prime Minister’s words, which have shaken the very ground under the feet of Pakistan’s leadership — its President, Prime Minister, and military chiefs. In his reaction following the Prime Minister’s address, he emphasised that the world is now witnessing a transforming India. The Prime Minister’s message has not only instilled confidence among citizens but also energized and uplifted the morale of the armed forces. He praised the Indian military's swift and powerful response, saying that within just five days, they had broken Pakistan’s backbone through decisive retaliation. Terrorism will no longer be tolerated by India. He also commended the Prime Minister’s call for self-reliance in defence through Made in India security systems, and his clear stance that any future talks with Pakistan would only be in the context of PoK (Pakistan-occupied Kashmir).PM has decisively crushed Pakistan’s strategy of nuclear blackmail, and that every word of the Prime Minister’s address has filled every Indian with pride and strength. Thank you for telling us that Kirana Hills houses some nuclear installation, we did not know about it. We have not hit Kirana Hills, whatever is there. Air Marshal A K Bharti Monday, the military officers asserted that huge damage was inflicted to Pakistan armed forces and presented visual evidence. The air marshal showed the images of damages to the air defence system and airbases of Pakistan forces. Damage on the runway at Rahim Yar Khan air base after precise Indian bombing MUMBAI Seldom does one find Indian cricketers having a transformational effect on the popular psyche as Virat Kohli does. When he announced his retirement from Test cricket on Monday morning through a social media post, it signalled the end of an era in Indian cricket. The last Indian cricketer who had a similar huge impact on the national consciousness was Sachin Tendulkar and through his incredible career in Test cricket, Kohli has been a shapeshifter of sorts. An embodiment of the pursuit of excellence in the five-day format of the game especially along with the white-ball versions of the sport. With a staggering 9230 runs with 30 hundreds and an average of 46.85 in 123 Tests, the former Indian captain is a behemoth in the longest format of the sport. Add to that the simple yet significant stat of seven double hundreds in Tests, the highest by an Indian batter leaving behind fellow greats such as Tendulkar (6), Virender Sehwag (6), Rahul Dravid (5) and Sunil Gavaskar (4). 4Continued on | P8 offgrid MP records third highest population growth in India Our Staff Reporter BHOPAL Madhya Pradesh has emerged as the third fastest-growing state in the country in terms of population growth, according to the latest Sample Registration System (SRS) 2025 report released by the Registrar General of India earlier this month. MP’s natural population growth rate — difference between birth and death rates — is 15.7, ranking it behind only Bihar (19.0) and Uttar Pradesh (17.8). The national average stands at 11.8. A closer look reveals a rural growth rate of 17.3 and an urban rate of 11.2 for Madhya Pradesh, highlighting a sharper increase in the countryside. The report, based on data from 2019–21, also shows MP has the third highest birth rate in India, with 23.8 live births per 1,000 people per year, higher than the national average of 19.3. Bihar tops the list with 25.6, followed by UP at 24.8. The rural birth rate in MP is 25.7, and the urban rate is 18.5. In contrast, Kerala (12.9) and Tamil Nadu (13.4) have the lowest birth rates in the country. On the other end of the spectrum, MP ranks eighth in death rate, with an overall figure of 8.1 deaths per 1,000 people per year — 8.4 in rural areas and 7.3 in urban areas. The national death rate is 7.5. Chhattisgarh (10.1), Kerala (9.0) and Karnataka and Gujarat (8.5) report higher death rates. State in SRS ‘25 n Natural Growth Rate: 15.7 (3rd highest in India) n Birth Rate: 23.8 (Rural: 25.7 | Urban: 18.5) n Death Rate: 8.1 (Rural: 8.4 | Urban: 7.3) n National Growth Rate: 11.8 n National Birth Rate: 19.3 n National Death Rate: 7.5 n Rankings: 3rd in population growth, 3rd in birth rate & 8th in death rate