FP The publishers permit sharing of the e-paper's pdf on WhatsApp and other social media platforms FREE PRESS Vol. XLI No. 354 | INDORE | SUNDAY | JUNE 1, 2025 | Pages 18 ` 4 | Regd. No. Indore MP/ICD 216/2024-2026 | RNI No. 38281/83 www.freepressjournal.in ESTD-1983 iii QUALITY @ VALUE EDITIONS: INDORE WORLD Sports Khelif must undergo genetic sex... P.18 US raises steel tariffs to 50% UJJAIN PUNE BHOPAL NASHIK MUMBAI E-paper Nation Army conducts trials... P.7 Weekend Culturally connected P.11 FIERCE RESOLVE | PM says Op Sindoor made it crystal clear that proxy war through terrorists is unacceptable. Those who support terrorists will have to pay a heavy price ‘GOLA FOR EVERY GOLI’ Terrorists challenged Nari Shakti, now facing doom: Modi Inaugurates Indore Metro, Datia & Satna airports Our Staff Reporter Our Staff Reporter BHOPAL BHOPAL 4Continued on | P6 fp Briefs GUWAHATI/ITANAGAR 27 dead in NE rain fury At least 27 people died in six northeastern states while normal life in the region was badly affected for the second consecutive days on Saturday due to moderate to heavy rain triggered by a depression in the Bay of Bengal. Nine died in Arunachal Pradesh, six in Meghalaya, five each in Assam and Mizoram, and one each in Tripura and Nagaland. PM Narendra Modi and CM Mohan Yadav garland the statue of Lokmata Devi Ahilyabai Holkar, on the occasion of her 300th birth anniversary during Mahila Sashaktikaran Mahasammelan Under PM’s leadership, Army taught a lesson to terrorists & Pak: CM hief Minister Mohan Yadav praised Operation Sindoor, saying that under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, Indian Army gave a befitting reply to terrorists and Pakistan. He also highlighted India’s recent achievement of surpassing Japan to become the fourth-largest economy. Yadav said the Madhya Pradesh government, with the Centre’s support, is working for welfare of the poor, farmers, youth and women. Paying tribute to Devi Ahilyabai Holkar on her 300th birth anniversary, he praised her as an ideal daughter-in-law, wife and ruler. He said she maintained a clear distinction between public and private wealth. He also recalled Rani Avanti Bai’s victories against Akbar and Rani Durgawati’s resistance against Mughals. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday virtually inaugurated the Indore Metro train along with Datia and Satna airports, while attending the Women Empowerment Mega Convention at Jamboree Ground. He also laid the foundation stone for Atal Gram Sushashan Bhawan. The Prime Minister said that the start of Indore Metro and air connectivity to Datia and Satna will enhance facilities in Madhya Pradesh, boost development and open up new employment opportunities. Indore, already the cleanest city in the country, has now re- ceived a new identity through the metro. To further expand transportation in the Malwa region, the Centre has approved development of new rail lines. With air services now reaching Datia and Satna, pilgrimage to Maa Pitambara and Maa Sharda will be more convenient. This step will also improve connectivity in the Bundelkhand and Baghelkhand re- Active Covid cases in country rise to 3,395 PTI NEW DELHI COVID-19 situation in India is being closely monitored. The severity of infections is low, with most of the patients under home care. There is no reason to worry, the sources said. There were 257 active cases in the country on May 22. The figure rose to 1,010 by May 26 and reached 3,395 on Saturday. Kerala has 1,336 active cases, Maharashtra 467, Delhi 375, Gujarat 265, Karnataka 234, West Bengal 205, Tamil Nadu 185 and Uttar Pradesh 117. 4Continued on | P6 WOMEN ENJOY METRO RIDE Details on Page-3 Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday flagged off the much-anticipated Indore Metro, marking a historic day for the Malwa region as it coincided with the 300th birth anniversary of the legendary queen, Devi Ahilyabai Holkar. The inaugural metro ride through the land of Devi Ahilyabai Holkar turned into a celebration, especially for the city’s women. Local residents expressed their excitement, capturing the moment with selfies and photographs during their first-ever metro ride. A significant number of women joined the occasion, shouting patriotic slogans like "Bharat Mata Ki Jai" and cel- CDS admits to aircraft loss FP News Service MUMBAI What is important is why they went down. That is more important for us and what did we do after that. That's more important the jet being downed but why they were being downed.” Bloomberg: “At least one jet was downed?” Gen Chauhan: “...the good part is that we understood the tactical mistake that we made. Remedied, rectified, and then implemented again after two days and flew all our jets and again targeting at long range.” Bloomberg: “Pakistan claims six indian jets were downed. Is that estimate correct?” Acknowledgement has come from the Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan, the higest ranking general that India lost aircraft during Operation Sindoor. In what has been the clearest indication that perhaps more than one aircraft was lost, the CDS told Bloomberg's Halsinda Amin on Saturday on the sidelines of the Shangrila security dialogue in Singapore that “I think what is important is not the jet being downed but why they were being downed.” Bloomberg asked the CDS: “Whether or not Pakistan US defence secy paints India as China counterweight Agencies Uttar Pradesh MLA Abbas Ansari, son of gangsterturned-politician Mukhtar Ansari, was sentenced to two years imprisonment in a 2022 hate speech case by a special MP-MLA court on Saturday. NEW DELHI General Anil Chauhan Chief of Defence Staff downed an indian jet or in fact more than that. Can you confirm?” The CDS responded: “I think what is important is not FP News Service MUMBAI Miss World 2025 Thailand's Opal Suchata was crowned Miss World 2025 in Hyderabad, Telangana, on Saturday. The Delhi High Court has dismissed a plea by RJD chief and former Railway Minister Lalu Prasad Yadav seeking to stay trial court proceedings in the alleged 'land-for-jobs' corruption case, investigated by the CBI. Justice Ravinder Dudeja ruled that Yadav remains free to present his arguments before the trial court at the charge consideration stage, stating there were no compelling reasons to halt proceedings. 4Continued on | P6 At the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore, US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth on Saturday called for stronger alliances across the Indo-Pacific, identifying India as a pivotal partner in Washington’s efforts to counter Beijing’s growing assertiveness. “We will continue to wrap our arms around our friends and find new ways to work together — not only with our treaty allies, but also with key defence partners in ASEAN and across the Indo-Pacific,” Hegseth said. “Look no further than our growing defence rela- offgrid Musk shows up with black eye at farewell Elon Musk surprised reporters at a farewell event at the White House, appearing with a black eye. During a press conference with President Donald Trump, Musk announced his departure as a "special government employee." Reporters quickly noticed Musk's injury, prompting him to explain its Our Staff Reporter/Agencies BHOPAL HC rejects Lalu's plea to halt trial in land-for-jobs scam The number of active COVID19 cases in India has crossed 3,000, with Kerala accounting for the highest at 1,336, followed by Maharashtra and Delhi, Union health ministry data released on Saturday showed. According to the data, four deaths -- one each in Delhi, Kerala, Karnataka and Uttar Pradesh -- have been reported in the country in the last 24 hours. Official sources said the Ansari’s son gets 2-yr jail FP Online NEXT STOP: OP SINDOOR C MAU WASHINGTON DC gions. PM Modi emphasised the need to strengthen India’s foundation by drawing inspiration from Devi Ahilyabai. He recalled contributions of great women leaders like Rani Kamlapati, Rani Durgawati, Rani Avantibai and Rani Chennamma, saying their names fill hearts with pride. Highlighting his government’s efforts toward women empowerment, he said that the majority of beneficiaries under the Mudra Yojana are women entrepreneurs. Over 10 crore women are associated with Self Help Groups and are earning independently. Pic by Anand Shivre In a fiery address at the Mahila Sashaktikaran Mahasammelan at Jamboree Ground on Saturday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi issued a stern warning to Pakistan and terror groups, saying, “Now every citizen of India, all 140 crore of them, say that if you fire a bullet, the reply will be given with a bomb.” Referring to the recent antiterror operation, he said, “Operation Sindoor has made it crystal clear that proxy war through terrorists will not continue. Now, we will attack by barging inside the house, and those who support terrorists will have to pay a heavy price.” Modi said terrorists in Pahalgam not only caused bloodshed but also attacked India’s culture and tried to divide society. "The biggest thing is that they challenged Nari Shakti of India. That challenge has now become their doom (Kaal). Operation Sindoor is the biggest and most successful anti-terror operation in India’s history,” he declared. He said that, going beyond Pakistan’s imagination, the Indian Army struck deep inside enemy territory, destroying terrorist bases located hundreds of kilometers away. With air services now reaching Datia and Satna, pilgrimage to Maa Pitambara and Maa Sharda will be more convenient origin. Responding to a question about French President Emmanuel Macron being pushed by his wife, Trump admitted ignorance but humorously suggested the couple ensure closed doors. Musk, pointing to his black eye, joked, “I’ve got a little shiner here," revealing it was caused by his 5-year-old son, X. He recounted that they were playing, and he playfully encouraged his son to punch him, which he did. Musk began to reflect on the experience but abruptly paused without completing his thought. Musk's tenure at the White House concluded after 130 days, a duration allowed by his status as a special employee, which was rooted in the Trump administration. During his time, Musk led the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), with ambitions of reducing government costs. He expressed a goal to save $2 trillion through various initiatives. Musk’s unexpected appearance with a black eye sparked a flurry of speculation and theories online, capturing significant attention. Dressed in a "Dogefather" T-shirt and cap, the 53-year-old tech magnate stood next to Trump, a notable image that drove conversations in the media about both his physical state and his brief role in government. 4Continued on | P6 tionship with India, where we’re hitting new milestones daily — from joint ventures in defence production to greater operational coordination and interoperability between our two militaries.” Hegseth also highlighted collaboration with New Delhi on autonomous systems, saying such partnerships, coupled with increased US military spending and forward deploy- 4Continued on | P6 ment, would ensure “peace through strength” in the region. While stressing that the US seeks to avoid direct conflict with China, Hegseth made it clear that Washington is intensifying efforts to deter Beijing’s expansionist ambitions through deeper cooperation with regional allies — especially India. Addressing top political, military, and strategic leaders from Asia, Hegseth sought to reassure partners that they would not face Chinese pressure — military or economic — alone. He outlined a dual-track strategy of deterrence and partnership. 4Continued on | P6 CM Mohan Yadav and urban development minister Kailash Vijayvargiya take metro ride ebrating the launch of a new era in public transportation for Indore. In a symbolic gesture linking India’s cultural heritage with its contemporary valour, a metro station has been named after the country's recent anti-terror operation, Operation Sindoor. 4Continued on | P6 Colombia U-turn on statement condoling Pak terrorists PTI BOGOTA Colombia has withdrawn a statement offering condolences to Pakistan for the loss of lives following India's military strikes in response to the Pahalgam attack after an Indian parliamentary delegation explained Islamabad's relentless support to cross-border terrorism. Congress MP Shashi Tharoor, leading an all-party delegation to the South American country, confirmed Bogota's withdrawal of the controversial statement after meeting Vice Foreign Minister Rosa Yolanda Villavicencio. In the last two days, the nine-member delegation held a series of meetings with Columbia's senior political brass, apprising India's policy of "zero tolerance for terrorism" and its retaliatory strikes against terror infrastructure on Pakistani soil following the April 22 Pahalgam attack. "Began today with an excellent meeting with the Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs of Colombia, Rosa Yolanda Villavicencio, and her senior colleagues dealing with the Asia-Pacific," Tharoor said in a social media post. 4Continued on | P6 Centre to establish medical colleges in all ESIC hosps with over 200 beds IANS NEW DELHI Union Minister of Labour and Employment Mansukh Mandaviya on Saturday announced that the government has decided to establish medical colleges in all ESIC (Employee State Insurance Corporation) hospitals with 200 or more beds. Inaugurating a newly constructed 30-bedded ESIC Hospital in Himachal Pradesh’s Kala Amb, the Union Minister noted that “40 per cent of seats in these institutions will be reserved for the wards of insured persons”. This will ensure "greater educational opportunities for workers’ families,” he said.In a heartwarming gesture, Mandaviya also felicitated the construction workers who played a vital role in building the hospital, underscoring the government's commitment to honouring the dignity of labour. “This hospital is not just a walled structure -- it is a shrine that honours our Shram Shakti, the strength of our nation. 4Continued on | P6