TUESDAY 30 JANUARY 2024 www.thestatesman.com Pages 12 |` 5.00|LC Twitter.com/thestatesman Facebook.com/thestatesman INDIA’S NATIONAL NEWSPAPER SINCE 1818 KOLKATA | NEW DELHI | SILIGURI | BHUBANESWAR ED RAIDS SOREN'S DELHI RESIDENCE, J’KHAND BHAWAN MALDIVIAN OPP PARTY READIES IMPEACHMENT MOTION AGAINST PREZ P9 SENSEX 71,941.571,240.90 WEATHER MAINLY CLEAR SKY BECOMING PARTLY CLOUDY SKY TOWARDS EVENING. SHALLOW TO MODERATE FOG IN THE MORNING. THE MAXIMUM AND MINIMUM TEMPERATURES WOULD BE AROUND 22 AND 08 DEGREE CELSIUS RESPECTIVELY. RAINFALL: NIL RELATIVE HUMIDITY Max. 100% Min: 6.8°C SUN SETS 17:58 hrs MOON SETS 10:12 hrs TEMPERATURE P8 ` vs $ 83.143 PAISE Tourists enjoy a white blanket of snow after fresh snowfall received in Gulmarg on ANI Monday. Govt extends ban on SIMI for another 5 years: The government on Monday declared ‘Students Islamic Movement of India (SIMI)’ as an 'Unlawful Association' for a further period of five years under Section 3(1) of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) 1967. The last ban on SIMI was imposed on 31 January, 2019. ''SIMI is continuing to be involved in fomenting terrorism, disturbing peace and communal harmony in the country which are prejudicial to the sovereignty, security and integrity of India,'' the Ministry of Home Affairs said. Situation along LAC stable but sensitive: Army chief He was interacting with students in the seventh edition of the Pariksha Pe Charcha Chief of the Army Staff, Gen Manoj Pande on Monday said the situation along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) is stable but 'sensitive' while acknowledging that there have not been any more friction areas between India and China in the last one year. "Situation along the LAC remains stable but sensitive. In the last year or thereabouts, we haven't had any more friction areas. In terms of our efforts at resolution, our talks and dialogue both at the military level as well as at the diplomatic level continue with the adversary," he said. Gen Pande noted that a total of 20 senior higher military commander meetings and 14 meetings of Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination on China-India Border Affairs (WMCC) have taken place since April 2020 when the military stand-off between the two countries began in eastern Ladakh. "We have had a total of 20 senior higher military commander level meetings and 14 WMCC meetings since April 2020. So through these talks, we're hopeful that we'll find a resolution," to the ongoing military face-off, he added. His comments came amid reports that India and China are in touch to decide the next round of talks both at the military and the diplomatic levels to resolve the border stand- rime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday said “I have shut all doors and windows of disappointment in my life,” when young students asked him how he handles pressures of his office and remains positive in work. He was interacting with students in the seventh edition of the Pariksha Pe Charcha, a programme where he attempts to create a stress-free atmosphere for youngsters who are preparing to take their exams. M Vagesh, a student of Modern Senior Secondary School, Chennai, Tamil Nadu asked Mr Modi how he handles pressure and stress in the position of Prime Minister. Sneha Tyagi, a student of Dynasty Modern Gurukul Academy, Udam Singh Nagar, Uttarakhand asked him “How can we be positive like you?” The Prime Minister said that everyone faces unforeseen situations. One can react to them by avoidance, but such people do not achieve much in life. “My approach which I found useful is that I challenge every challenge. I do not wait passively for the challenge to pass. This gives me an opportunity to learn all the time. Dealing with new situations enriches me,” the Prime Minister said. He said that decisionmaking becomes easier when the resolve to do something is strong. “When there is no selfish motive, there is never confusion in decision,” he said. Mr Modi told the students “My biggest confidence is that I have 140 crore countrymen with me. If there are 100 million challenges, there are billions of solutions. I never find myself alone and everything is on me, I am always aware of the capabilities of my country and countrymen. This is the fundamental crux of my thinking.” Giving an example of the poverty issue, the Prime Minister said when the poor themselves decide to remove poverty, poverty will go away. “It is my responsibility to give them tools for dreaming for a pucca house, toilet, education, Ayushman, piped water,” he said. “Once they are unshackled of the daily indignities, they will be sure of the abolition of poverty,” he said. In his tenure of 10 years, 25 crore people came out of poverty, the Prime Min- ister said. Giving illustration of the Covid pandemic, he said that instead of sitting idle he chose to rally people and raise their collective strength through acts like calling for diya lighting, or thali-sound. Celebrating sporting success and right direction and leadership resulted in a massive medal haul at international events, he said. During the interaction, the Prime Minister highlighted the role of teachers in mitigating the impact of added pressure from external factors upon students and pointed out that parents have experienced this from time to time. He asked parents not to India to become $7 trillion economy by 2030: Finance Ministry ahead of Budget Govt calls all-party meet today ahead of Parl Session STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE NEW DELHI, 29 JANUARY A few days ahead of the Interim Union Budget 2024, the finance ministry on Monday released a report titled ‘Indian Economy -- A Review’, saying the Indian economy is expected to grow at a rate above 7% in coming years The growth will be riding on the strength of its financial sector and other recent and future structural reforms and can aspire to become a $7 trillion economy by 2030. “In the next three years, India is expected to become the third-largest economy in the world, with a GDP [gross domestic product] of $5 trillion. The government has, however, set a higher goal of becoming a ‘developed country’ by 2047,” said the report. Importantly, the report indicates continuity in economic reforms if the Modi government comes to the power for a third-term. Accounting for the two terms of the Modi government, the report said, “This 10-year journey is marked by several reforms, both substantive and incrementa. These reforms have also delivered an economic resilience that the country will need to deal with unanticipated global shocks in the future.” India, which was the 10th largest economy in the world with a GDP of $1.9 trillion at current market prices, is now the 5th largest with a GDP of $3.7 trillion (est. FY24), despite the Covid pandemic and “despite inheriting an economy with macro imbalances and a broken financial sec- tor”, it said. “The strength of the domestic demand has driven the economy to a 7% plus growth rate in the last three years… the robustness seen in domestic demand, namely, private consumption and investment, traces its origin to the reforms and measures implemented by the government over the last 10 years,” the report added. The government’s policies also strengthened the supply side with investment in physical and digital infrastructure to boost output. “Accordingly, in FY25, real GDP growth will likely be closer to 7%,” it said. Despite global headwinds such as conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza and the Red Sea trade disruption, India’s first advance estimates of growth released on January 5 projected a higher-than-expected GDP growth of 7.3% in FY24. STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE NEW DELHI, 29 JANUARY The amendment will address situations where marital discord leads to divorce proceedings or cases filed under acts such as the Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, Dowry Prohibition Act or the Indian Penal Code, he said. Previously, family pension was granted to the spouse of a deceased government servant or pensioner, while other family members became eligible only after the spouse's ineligibility or demise. However, the new amendment allows female government servants or pensioners to request the grant of family pension to their eligible child/children after their own demise, instead of their spouse. Hailing the move, Dr Jitendra Singh said, the amendment is in line with Prime Min- do “running commentary” when students are preparing for examinations. The parents can avoid stress by providing new clothes, doing rituals or gifting stationery. Mr Modi asked students not to keep preparing until the last moment and approach exams with a relaxed mindset and to avoid any external distraction that can lead to unwanted tension. Mr Modi urged the students, families and teachers to collectively address the issue of external stress while evolving the process rather than following traditional ways. He suggested that families of students should discuss different ways that work for each of them. The Prime Minister asked the parents to avoid comparison among the children. The Prime Minister gave an example of a video where children prioritized helping each other while competing in a healthy manner. He asked students to maintain a balanced lifestyle and avoiding excess of everything. He said teachers should become more accessible to students rather than associating with them just on the basis of subjects taught. STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE NEW DELHI, 29 JANUARY off which has led to bilateral ties touching a new low. Gen Pande told news agency ANI that "Our deployment remains robust as well as balanced and we are also maintaining adequate reserves to be able to deal with any contingencies." The Army, he said, was also focussing on its capability development in these areas in terms of infusion of technology, modernisation, inducting better systems such as protected vehicles, surveillance drones, better communication radio sets etc. ''Simultaneously, our effort and focus are also on infrastructure development. Be it the habitat, forward connectivities to the LAC, or strategic road connectivity...it also includes extending power supply to our forward troops, improving communication in terms of 5G communication to our troops deployed in forward areas," the Army chief said. "We are also working alongside other government agencies, local administration and the local population to make sure that our preparedness levels along the LAC always remain high," he added. Foot-tapping Indian tunes at Beating Retreat ceremony NEW DELHI, 29 JANUARY Minister of Parliamentary Affairs Pralhad Joshi will hold a meeting with the floor Leaders of political parties in both Houses of Parliament, before the start of the Parliament Session. The all-party meeting will be held at 1130 hrs on Tuesday at the Parliament Library Building. The Parliament session will commence with the address of President Droupadi Murmu on 31 January, and subject to exigencies of government business, conclude on 9 February. Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will present the Interim Union Budget on 1 February. An interim Budget serves as a financial statement presented during an election year or a transitional period. It functions as a temporary financial plan, catering to government expenditures until a new government is elected and can present a full Budget. Traditionally, it seeks approvals for expenses until the end of the government's tenure. This is known as a vote of account. The Parliament session is being held amid simmering tensions between the Modi government and the Opposition over a plethora of issues. The session is expected to witness 'fireworks' between the treasury benches and the Opposition. Govt amends rules to allow women to nominate children instead of husband for pension In keeping with its policy to provide equitable rights to women, the government, In a path-breaking decision, has amended the long-standing established rule, thereby granting a woman employee the right to nominate her son or daughter for family pension instead of her husband as has been the practice so far. Sharing this information with the media, Union Minister Jitendra Singh said the Department of Pensions and Pensioners' Welfare (DoP&PW) has introduced an amendment to the CCS (Pension) Rules, 2021, allowing female government employees or pensioners to grant family pension to their eligible child/children after their own demise, instead of their spouse. BRENT CRUDE (IN $) 81.680.45 Have shut all doors & windows of disappointment: PM Modi P THUMBNAILS P12 SILVER 76,200 GOLD 64,620.00 STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE NEW DELHI, 29 JANUARY Min. 61% Max: 22.6°C SUN RISES 07:10 hrs MOON RISES 22:03 hrs P5 NIFTY 21,737.60385.00 JADEJA, KL RAHUL RULED OUT OF 2ND TEST ‘IEW TO HAVE PAVILIONS OF SIX NATIONS’ ister Modi’s policy of giving equitable, just and legitimate rights to the women functionaries in every sector, whether it be Permanent Commission to Women in the Armed Forces or Women’s Reservation Amendment in Parliament. In an office memorandum, the DoP&PW said, the female government servant or pensioner must make a written request to the concerned Head of Office, stating that family pension should be granted to her eligible child/children in precedence to her spouse, in the event of her death during the ongoing proceedings. If the female government servant or pensioner passes away during the proceedings, the family pension will be disbursed accordingly. The DoP&PW notification said if a woman employee is survived by a widower with no eligible child, the family pension will be payable to the widower. However, if the widower is the guardian of a minor child or a child suffering from a mental disorder, the family pension will be payable to the widower, as long as he remains the guardian. Once the child attains majority and remains eligible for family pension, it will be payable directly to the child. For cases where the deceased female government servant or pensioner is survived by a widower and children who have attained majority but are still eligible for family pension, the family pension will be payable to such children. After all eligible children cease to be eligible for family pension, it will become payable to the widower until his death or remarriage, whichever occurs first. President Droupadi Murmu arrives for the Beating Retreat ceremony, at Vijay Chowk in New Delhi on Monday.  SUBRATA DUTTA NIKHIL VYAS NEW DELHI, 29 JANUARY A total of 31 captivating and foot-tapping Indian tunes were the flavour of the ‘Beating Retreat’ ceremony held in the national capital on Monday evening to mark the culmination of the 75th Republic Day celebrations. With the sunset on January 29, the historic Vijay Chowk at Raisina Hills came alive to the ceremonial ‘Beating Retreat’ with music bands of the Indian Army, Indian Navy, Indian Air Force, and Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) playing Indian tunes before a distinguished audience. President and Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces Droupadi Murmu, Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankhar, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, other Union Ministers, senior officials, and the general public were among the dignitaries present on the occasion. The ceremony commenced with the massed band’s ‘Shankhnaad’ tune followed by enthralling tunes such as ‘Veer Bharat’, ‘Sangam Dur’, ‘Deshon ka Sartaj Bharat’, ‘Bhagirathi’, and ‘Arjuna’ by Pipes and Drums band. The CAPF bands played ‘Bharat Ke Jawan’ and ‘Vijay Bharat’ among others. ‘Tiger Hill’, ‘Rejoice in Prime Minister Narendra Modi being welcomed by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh as he arrives for the Beating Retreat ceremony, at Vijay Chowk in New Delhi on Monday.  SNS Raisina’ and ‘Swadeshi’ were among the tunes that were played by the band of the Indian Air Force, while the audience witnessed the Indian Navy band playing a number of tunes, including ‘INS Vikrant’, ‘Mission Chandrayaan’, ‘Jai Bharati’ and ‘Hum Tayyar Hain’. This was followed by the Indian Army band which played ‘Faulad Ka Jigar’, ‘Agniveer’, ‘Kargil 1999’, and ‘Taqat Watan’ among others. The Massed Bands then played the tunes ‘Kadam Kadam Badhaye Ja’, ‘Aye Mere Watan Ke Logon’, and ‘Drummers Call’. The event came to a close with the ever-popular tune of ‘Sare Jahan se Acha’. The principal conductor of the ceremony was Lt Col Vimal Joshi. While the Army Band conductor was Subedar Major Moti Lal, MCPO MUS II M Antony and Warrant Officer Ashok Kumar were the Conductors of the Indian Navy and Indian Air Force respectively. The conductor of the CAPF band was Constable GD Ranidevi. The buglers performed under the leadership of Naib Subedar Umesh Kumar, and the Pipes and Drums band were played under the instructions of Subedar Major Rajender Singh. ‘Beating Retreat’ traces its origin to the early 1950s when Major Roberts of the Indian Army indigenously developed the unique ceremony of display by the massed bands. It marks a centuries-old military tradition, when the troops ceased fighting, sheathed their arms, withdrew from the battlefield, and returned to the camps at sunset at the sounding of the Retreat. Colours and Standards are cased and flags are lowered. The ceremony creates nostalgia for the times gone by.