FP The publishers permit sharing of the e-paper's pdf on WhatsApp and other social media platforms FREE PRESS Vol. XLII No. 21 | INDORE | SUNDAY | JUNE 29, 2025 | Pages 16 ` 4 | Regd. No. Indore MP/ICD 216/2024-2026 | RNI No. 38281/83 www.freepressjournal.in Sports India’s Olympic hero sees crossover potential in pace ace P.15 ESTD-1983 iii QUALITY @ VALUE EDITIONS: INDORE UJJAIN WORLD PUNE BHOPAL NASHIK MUMBAI E-paper Readers’ Corner A lifelong romance P.6 US PREZ ENDS TRADE TALKS WITH CANADA Cinema Middle-Class Girl To Sensation P.14 Rs 20 lakh for one girl: A village school’s strange arithmetic The school has two assistant teachers, one contractual teacher Pankaj Malik NEEMUCH In Neemuch district’s Gulabkhedi village, a silent paradox plays out every school day. A government 2 CEs among 7 suspended over faulty Aishbagh ROB design Our Staff Reporter BHOPAL Acting over faulty design of Aisbagh Railway overbridge, the state government on Saturday night initiated action against eight engineers. Chief Minister Mohan Yadav announced suspension of seven engineers, including two chief engineers, with immediate effect. He also ordered departmental inquiry against a retired sub-engineer He further said that construction agency and design consultant were black-listed over faulty design of ROB. A committee had been constituted for making necessary changes in ROB, he said and added that the ROB would be inaugurated only after amendment was carried out. 4Continued on | P8 fp Briefs primary school built to educate dozens now opens its doors for just one student — Tejaswini Singh, a class III girl — while the state spends over Rs 20 lakh annually to keep it running. Once a functional school with multiple classes, today it stands quiet, its chalkboards largely untouched, its classrooms echoing with absence. Yet, it still employs two assistant teachers and one contractual teacher, with a monthly salary bill of Rs 2.5 lakh. Add costs for midday meals, stationery, electricity, and water — and the numbers only rise. “Tejaswini is the only student left,” confirms a teacher. “We teach her with full dedication — but how sustainable is this?” District Education Officer SM Mangriya admits this is not a one-off. “We have three to four dozen Saquib Nachan, an accused with links to the terror group Islamic State (ISIS), died in Delhi's Safdarjung Hospital, said sources on Saturday. He had been in judicial custody in Tihar Jail since 2023 and was admitted to the hospital a few days ago, they said. dents,” he said. “Currently, 537 primary schools serve SWIFT ACTION | Yadav asks minister Kunwar Vijay Shah to visit site and extend all possible help to those affected 51 TRIBAL HOUSES RAZED IN KHEONI; CM FUMES Our Staff Reporter BHOPAL/ SEHORE Annoyed at the action of the forest department, which razed 51 mud houses of tribals in Kheoni Sanctuary of Dewas, chief minister Mohan Yadav on Saturday directed tribal affairs minister Kunwar Vijay Shah to visit the site, assess the situation and ensure all possible help to the affected families. The forest department razed the mud houses on June 23, calling them as encroachment on forest land. The tribal families spent two nights under the open sky, that too amid rainfall. The CM said the forest department had been instructed to avoid any action that may cause inconvenience to people during the monsoon season. When contacted, Dewas collector Rituraj told the Free Press that in the wake of the CM’s instructions, basic humanitarian help was being provided to the affected people. In addition to the PDS rations, six months’ additional rations were given to them. Along with this, each affected family would get Rs 20,000 and cooked food as well. Even a temporary tin shed arrangement was made for care of their cattle. 4Continued on | P8 Dewas Collector Rituraj talks to tribals whose houses were demolished. (File photo) TRIBALS GHERAO SEHORE COLLECTORATE Thousands of tribals laid siege to the collectorate in Sehore to oppose the proposed Sardar Vallabh Bhai Patel Sanctuary in Budhni assembly constituency. At that time, union minister Shivraj Singh Chauhan was attending a DISHA meeting in the collectorate. On learning about the protest, he reached the spot. He said that there was no need for a sanctuary. He added that in meetings to be held in connection with the proposed sanctuary, a proposal would be passed that there was no need for a sanctuary in Ichhawar- Budhni. He also said that he would meet the CM on the issue along with the tribals’ delegation. The tribals said that forest officers were taking action against the land which was in their possession for the past 30 to 35 years. At least two lakh tribals live in around 200 villages and survive through farming on forest land. PILOT PROJECT: Unique QR codes for houses NEW DELHI ISIS India chief dies schools across Neemuch with fewer than 10 stu- FIRST IN INDIA Our Staff Reporter INDORE In a major step towards digital transformation, Indore is going to become the first city in India to connect with the Government of India’s  DigiPIN initiative.  The pilot project will officially be launched on Sunday in Ward 82, introducing a system in which every household will be assigned a unique QR code.  The inaugural ceremony will take place in Sudama Nagar, Triveni Corner and will be attended by Mayor Pushyamitra Bhargav and regional MLA Malini Gaud (Indore-4 assembly seat). The event will begin at 10 AM, drawing the attention of local residents and dignitaries alike. “With this digital innovation, residents will now be able to access more than 20 government services with a single QR scan, including electricity and water bill payments, property tax payments, filing complaints and requesting certificates and documents”, Bhargav said. On scanning their unique QR code, residents will be directed to a personalized digital page on their mobile devices, streamlining access to essential civic services. “This project will revolutionize public service delivery, increase transparency and significantly reduce time and paperwork for citizens”, the Mayor said. “Indore’s digital leap reaffirms its position as a front-runner in smart city development and citizen-centric governance”, he added. 48,757 students, taught by 1,029 teachers. No orders have been issued to close or merge such schools. The focus remains on increasing enrolment.” But teacher Dharmendra Singh points to a deeper issue. “Since last year, children under six can’t be admitted here due to policy. Private schools admit kids as young as three. Most villagers now prefer Sandipani (CM Rise) and other private schools.” What makes the case even more baffling is that Mundla School, just one kilometre away, has 110 students, offers better education, and boasts children reading English novels. “Why would parents keep their kids in Gulabkhedi when Mundla has proven outcomes,” ask locals. Former sarpanch Bhon Singh Chouhan blames apathy. “Instead of letting HC asks DGP to mandate pregnancy test in rape cases Dhankhar adds voice to RSS FP News Service JABALPUR The High Court has directed Director General of Police (DGP) to ensure that in all alleged rape cases, victims undergo a pregnancy test immediately after their medical examination. The court stressed the importance of early detection to safeguard health and rights of victims, especially minors. The court also instructed that if the victim and her parents opt for termination of pregnancy, it should be carried out at the earliest and safest stage to reduce risks to victim’s life. Justice Vishal Mishra ordered the DGP to circulate these instructions to all district Superintendents of Police, emphasising that the directions are issued with victim’s best interests in mind. 4Continued on | P8 Agencies NEW DELHI/VARANASI In a strongly worded speech resonating with the ideological spectrum of the RSS, Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar on Saturday launched a broadside against the 1976 amendment to the Constitution's Preamble, calling it a "nasoor" (festering wound) and an "unpardonable insult to the Sanatan soul of India." Speaking at a book release function at his residence, Dhankhar, "The Preamble is the soul of the Constitution. It was disfigured during the darkest phase of Indian democracy - the Emergency when terms like 'Socialist', 'Secular', and 'Integrity' were inserted under coercion." Calling the 42nd Amendment "an unjust and illegitimate act," he said, "We altered something that should never have been changed. And that too, not by the will of the people but at a time when the Gadkari steps in after NH tragedy, assures traffic fix Our Staff Reporter INDORE Following the tragic death of three commuters and a massive 20-hour-long traffic jam on NH-52 along AB Road and the Bypass, Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari has assured that the ongoing National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) works in the area will be reviewed im- mediately and instructions are being given to officers to take immediate remedial measures. The assurance came after former Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan personally briefed the Union Minister about the grim and worsening traffic condition between Arjun Barod and Dakachhya villages. Archaeologists have uncovered a 4,500-year-old settlement in Rajasthan’s Deeg district, revealing statues, utensils, and weapons possibly linked to the Mahabharata era and the Maurya and Shunga dynasties, offering tantalising evidence of a previously unknown ancient civilisation buried beneath layers of history. Saved Khamenei from ugly death: Trump Agencies WASHINGTON Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi condemned on Saturday the "disrespectful and unacceptable" comments from  Donald Trump, after the  U.S. President claimed to have saved Iran's Ayatollah Ali Khamenei from an "ugly and ignominious death". "If President Trump is genuine about wanting a deal, he should put aside the disrespectful and unacceptable tone towards Iran's Supreme Leader, Grand Ayatollah Khamenei, and stop hurting his millions of heartfelt supporters," Mr. Araghchi posted on his account on social media plat- Parag Jain new RAW chief NEW DELHI form X. The Great and Powerful Iranian People, who showed the world that the Israeli regime had NO CHOICE but to RUN to 'Daddy' to avoid being flattened by our Missiles, do not take kindly to Threats and Insults," the Foreign Minister said. The United States carried out strikes on three Iranian nuclear sites last weekend, with no consensus as to how effective they were. Araghchi's condemnation on Saturday came after Trump said on his Truth Social platform that he had saved the Iranian leader from assassination, accusing Mr. Khamenei of ingratitude. Parag Jain, one of the brains behind the meticulous planning of 'Operation S indoor', has been appointed as the new Chief of the Research and Analysis Wing (R&AW), according to an official order issued here on Saturday. The two-year tenure of Jain, an Indian Police Service (IPS) officer from the 1989 batch of the Punjab cadre, officially begins on July 1. He takes over from Ravi Sinha, who retires on June 30. 4Continued on | P8 4Continued on | P8 Agencies Chief Justice of India B R Gavai on Saturday said Dr B R Ambedkar envisioned one Constitution for the country to keep it united and never favoured the idea of a separate constitution for a state. Speaking at the inauguration of the Constitution Preamble Park at Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar Law School, Nagpur University, the CJI said the Supreme Court drew inspiration from Dr Ambedkar's vision of a united India under a single constitution while upholding the Centre's decision to abrogate Article 370 that granted special status to Jammu and Kashmir. offgrid ‘India appears bigger, more majestic from space’ Shukla interacts with PM Modi IANS NEW DELHI The Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, interacted with Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, the Indian Astronaut, who became the first Indian to go to the International Space Station, via videoconferencing on Saturday. The Prime Minister remarked that although Shubhanshu Shukla is presently the farthest from the Indian motherland, he remains closest to the hearts of all Indians. He noted that Shubhanshu’s name itself carries auspiciousness, and his journey marks the beginning of a new era. PM Modi stated that while it was a conversation between two individuals, it embodied the emotions and enthusiasm of 140 crore Indians. He said that the voice speaking to Shubhanshu carried the collective zeal and pride of the entire nation and extended his heartfelt congratulations and best wishes to Shubhanshu for hoisting India’s flag in space. 4Continued on | P8 When Article 370 was challenged, it came before us, and when the hearing was underway, I recalled Dr Babasaheb's words that one Constitution is suited for a country... If we want to keep the country united, we need only one Constitution B R Gavai, Chief Justice Gavai was part of a five-judge Constitution bench, headed by then Chief Justice DY Chandrachud, that unanimously upheld the Centre's decision to abrogate Article 370, which bestowed special status to the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir. Jagdeep Dhankhar, Vice President people, the source of power, were behind bars." He remarked that no other country in the world had tampered with the Preamble of its Constitution and described the 1976 additions as "a betrayal of our civilisational ethos and the intentions of our Constitution makers." 4Continued on | P8 COVID surge: Sehore woman dies in Indore hosp, toll 6 Our Staff Reporter INDORE "When Article 370 was challenged, it came before us, and when the hearing was underway, I recalled Dr Babasaheb's words that one Constitution is suited for a country... If we want to keep the country united, we need only one Constitution," he said, while addressing the gathering in Marathi. On August 5, 2019, the Centre decided to strip Jammu and Kashmir of special status and divide it into two Union Territories. Gavai said Dr Ambedkar had been criticised, saying the Constitution provides for too much federalism, and in times of war, the country may not remain united. 4Continued on | P8 4Continued on | P8 4Continued on | P8 ‘Article 370 was against Ambedkar’s ideology’ NAGPUR Preamble is not changeable. Preamble is not alterable. Preamble is the basis on which the Constitution has grown. Preamble is the seed of the Constitution. It is soul of the Constitution but this Preamble for Bharat was changed by the 42nd Constitutional Amendment act of 1976 State reported sixth Covid death on Saturday, after a 50year-old Sehore woman died during course of treatment at a private hospital in Indore. She was admitted with severe respiratory distress and was also suffering from kidney failure, hypertension and other co-morbidities. The woman was kept in an isolation ward but succumbed on June 26. However, the case came to fore on Saturday. The death was added to Sehore district's official tally. The latest death adds to a growing list of COVID-related fatalities in the state during the current spike. Earlier victims include 44-year-old Khargone woman, 74-year-old Indore woman, 52-year-old TB patient from Ratlam, and 52year-old hind woman. Meanwhile, the health department has deployed nine Rapid Response Teams (RRTs) for contact tracing and sample collection from individuals who came into contact with infected patients. These teams are also overseeing the enforcement of home isolation protocols to curb further transmission. JAIPUR Civilisation unearthed the school wither, the government should invest in improving its image — recruit good staff, upgrade infrastructure, and win back parents’ trust.” As Tejaswini continues to attend class alone, her school becomes a symbol of the urgent need for policy clarity, rational resource use, and a ground-up education rethink — before more classrooms across rural India fall silent. Transfer caught between CM’s choice & CS’ 360-degree formula Our Staff Reporter BHOPAL The list of transfers of IAS officers is caught between Chief Minister Mohan Yadav’s choice and Chief Secretary Anurag Jain’s 360degree formula. The officers whom Yadav wants to transfer to the im- portant departments and to the fields do not fit into the formula of Jain. After taking over as Chief Secretary, Jain has come up with the 360degree feedback formula. According to the formula, before posting of an officer to an important department, the feedback on him is taken from his counter- parts with whom he has worked. The officials from whom the feedback is collected may be senior or junior to the officer about whom the info is taken. Besides the officials, feedback is taken from other people. 4Continued on | P8