WEDNESDAY 21 FEBRUARY 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 P6 SENSEX 73,057.40349.24 WEATHER PARTLY CLOUDY SKY. VERY LIGHT RAIN/ THUNDERSHOWERS. THE MAXIMUM AND MINIMUM TEMPERATURES WOULD BE AROUND 26 AND 12 DEGREES CELSIUS RESPECTIVELY. RAINFALL: NIL RELATIVE HUMIDITY Max. 96 % P9 NIFTY 22,196.9574.70 ` vs $ 82.956 PAISE GOLD 64,110.00 SC quashes Chandigarh Mayor election result Top court also issues show cause notice to presiding officer Anil Masih Truth can be troubled, but not defeated: Kejriwal Min: 14.7 °C (+3) SUN SETS 18:15 hrs MOON SETS 05:46 hrs TEMPERATURE STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE NEW DELHI, 20 FEBRUARY THUMBNAILS AAP councillor Kuldeep Kumar (middle) after the Supreme Court declared him as winner of the election to the post of Mayor of Chandigarh .  AGENCIES PARMOD KUMAR NEW DELHI, 20 FEBRUARY I The rooftops of houses seen covered with snow after heavy snowfall in Leh on ANI Tuesday. Maha Assembly unanimously passes 10 pc Maratha quota bill: The Maharashtra Legislative Assembly unanimously passed the Maratha Reservation Bill giving 10 pc quotas to the community in education and government jobs. The Bill was introduced in the assembly at the Special Session of the Legislature this afternoon and CM Eknath Shinde detailed the govt’s position on the quotas issue. Now, the Marathas will be entitled to 10 pc reservations in educational institu(P3) tions and in state government jobs. n a big boost to the AAP-Congress combine, the Supreme Court on Tuesday declared the Aam Aadmi Party-Congress combine’s candidate Kuldeep Kumar as Mayor of Chandigarh and quashed the election result announced by the presiding officer Anil Masih on 30 January. The top court also directed its Registrar (Judicial) to issue Mr Masih a show cause notice for his misconduct and making false statements before the court. Quashing the election result in which Bharatiya Janata Party candidate Manoj Kumar Sonkar was declared elected as Mayor after the invalidation of eight votes cast in favour of the AAP-Congress candidate, Chief Justice DY Chandrachud, heading a three-judge bench, said that for the reasons detailed in the order, “…, we have come to the conclusion that the results declared by the Presiding Officer are unlawful and have to be set aside. We order accordingly.” The Bench, also comprising Justices JB Pardiwala and Manoj Misra, in its order said: “The petitioner (Kuldeep Kumar) is declared to be the validly elected candidate for the post of Mayor of Chandigarh Municipal Corpo- PM Modi to inaugurate Raisina Dialogue on major global issues STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE NEW DELHI, 20 FEBRUARY Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate on Wednesday the 9th edition of the Raisina Dialogue, India’s flagship conference on geopolitics and geo-economics, committed to addressing the most challenging issues facing the international community. Prime Minister of the Hellenic Republic (Greece), Mr. Kyriakos Mitsotakis, will join the inaugural session as the Chief Guest, and deliver the keynote address. The event will witness participation of representatives from over 100 countries including Ministers, former Heads of State and Heads of Government, Military Commanders, Captains of Industry, Technology Leaders, Academics, Journalists, Scholars on Strategic Affairs, Experts from leading Think Tanks, and Youth. The theme of the 2024 edition is "Chaturanga: Conflict, Contest, Cooperate, Create”. Over the course of three days, decision makers and thought leaders of the world will engage each other across conversations in various formats, over six thematic pillars: (i) Tech Frontiers: Regulations & Realities; (ii) Peace with the Planet: Invest & Innovate; (iii) War & Peace: Armouries & Asymmetries; (iv) Decolonising Multilateralism: Institutions & Inclusion; (v) The Post 2030 Agenda: People & Progress; and (vi) Defending Democracy: Society & Sovereignty. Over 2500 participants from about 115 countries will be joining the Dialogue in-person, and the proceedings will be viewed by millions across the world on various digital platforms, the Ministry of External Affairs said. KYLIAN MBAPPE AGREES TO JOIN REAL MADRID: REPORT P4 Min. 55 % Max: 28.1 °C+3) SUN RISES 6:54 hrs MOON RISES 15:24 hrs ‘CONGRESS WILL NOT WIN EVEN 30 SEATS’ PUTIN WAITS FOR WESTERN SUPPORT FOR KYIV TO WITHER BRAVE ODYSSEY ration.” The court, referring to the result sheet, noted that while Kuldeep Kumar got 12 votes, the eight votes which were treated as invalid wrongly, were validly passed in his favour. Adding the eight votes would make his tally 20 votes. On the other hand, the BJP candidate Manoj Kumar Sonkar polled 16 votes. The Bench said: “This Court is duty bound to ensure that the democratic process is not set at nought by such subterfuges. We are therefore of the view that the Court must step in (in) such exceptional circumstances to ensure that the basic democratic mandate is ensured.” Delhi Chief Minister and Aam Aadmi Party convener Arvind Kejriwal on Tuesday expressed his gratitude towards the Supreme Court for declaring the AAP-Congress candidate as the winner instead of the previously declared BJP candidate, in the Chandigarh Mayoral polls, as per reports. Arvind Kejriwal congratulated Kuldeep Kumar on behalf of the INDIA alliance on becoming the mayor of Chandigarh, saying that this was possible because of Indian democracy and the honourable Supreme Court. Mr Kejriwal further said: "We have to preserve the impartiality of our democracy and autonomous institutions at any cost." SILVER 75,500 P12 BRENT CRUDE (IN $) 81.260.85 J&K seeing balanced development after abrogation of Article 370: Modi STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE NEW DELHI, 22 NOVEMBER Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday said Jammu and Kashmir is now moving towards overall development after the abrogation of Article 370, which he said was the biggest roadblock in its balanced progress. Mr Modi was addressing a massive public meeting after inaugurating and laying the foundation stones of projects worth Rs.32,000 crores. Braving rain and bad weather, thousands of men and women from across the Union territory reached the MAM Stadium to listen to Mr Modi. Mr Modi said: “It is because of the abrogation of Article 370, I have urged the people to help BJP win 370 seats and NDA win 400+ seats in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections." "Article 370 was the biggest hurdle in the development of Jammu and Kashmir. The BJP government has removed it and now the UT is moving towards overall balanced development.” In an indirect attack on the Abdullah and Mufti clans, Mr Modi said J&K has been a victim of dynastic rule for decades and the youth were the biggest victim. "The dynasts were only concerned about their families, not about your interests, your families...I am happy that Jammu and Kashmir has now got freedom from this dynastic politics. Women have also got their rights after abrogation of Article 35A that denied basic rights to the womenfolk," he said. Common people of J&K got assurance of social justice mentioned in the Constitution for the first time after abrogation of Article 370, he said Record number of schools, colleges, universities have been established in the country in the last 10 years and in J&K alone, 50 new degree colleges were set up, he said. "There was a time when schools were burnt, today schools are being decorated. Today, health facilities are improving rapidly in Jammu and Kashmir. Before 2014, there were 4 medical colleges in Jammu and Kashmir, now there are 12 medical colleges,” the PM said. Referring to the forthcoming movie ‘Article 370’, Mr Modi said: "I have heard that a film on Article 370 is going to be released this week. It is a good thing as it will help people in getting correct infor- Jaishankar strongly defends India's ties with Russia STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE NEW DELHI, 20 FEBRUARY Strongly defending India's strong ties with Moscow, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has asserted that just as India does not expect Europe to have a view of China that is identical to its own, the Western world should understand that India cannot have a view of Russia that is identical to the European one. “Let us accept that there are natural differences in relationships,” he remarked in an interview to a leading German economic daily, Handelsblattduring his visit for the Munich Security Conference. Underlining the fact that every country conducts a relationship based on its past experiences, Mr Jaishankar said Russia has never hurt India's interests while the relations of powers like Europe, the USA, China or Japan with Russia have all seen ups and downs. “We have had a stable and always very friendly relationship with Russia. And External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar meets with French Senate Chairman Gerard Larcher, in New Delhi on Tuesday.  ANI our relationship with Russia today is based on this experience. For others, things were different, and conflicts may have shaped the relationship. We, on the other hand, had a politically and militarily much more difficult relationship with China, for example,” he added. He did not agree with a suggestion that India's ties with Russia have caused a strain in India-Europe relations. Both sides have communicated their positions clearly and have not emphasised their differences, he said. Mr Jaishankar recalled that when the fighting started in Ukraine, Europe shifted a large part of its energy procurement to the Middle East - until then the main supplier for India and other countries. ''What should we have done? In many cases, our Middle East suppliers gave priority to Europe because Europe paid higher prices. Either we would have had no energy because everything would have gone to them. Or we would have ended up paying a lot more because you were paying more. And in a certain way, we stabilised the energy market that way,'' he added. When it was pointed out that Russia is still the most important arms supplier to India, he said: ''In terms of inventory, yes, because many Western countries have long preferred to supply Pakistan, and not India. But that has changed in the past ten or fifteen years with the USA, for example, and our new purchases have diversified with the USA, Russia, France and Israel as the main suppliers.'' Asked if he would like support from Europe in the border conflict with China in 2020, the minister shot back: “My point is: just as I do not expect Europe to have a view of China that is identical to mine, Europe should understand that I cannot have a view of Russia that is identical to the European one. Let us accept that there are natural differences in relationships.'' mation." "We have taken a pledge of 'Viksit Jammu and Kashmir'. I have full faith in you and I know that we will make Jammu and Kashmir 'viksit'. Your dreams remained unfulfilled for the past 70 years. However, Modi will fulfil your dreams in the next few years," the PM said. Dedicating to people projects related to several sectors including health, education, rail, road, aviation, petroleum, civic infrastructure, etc; Mr Modi said this is the first time in J&K that the government has reached people's doorstep, this is Modi's guarantee, he said amid applause from the audience. Mr Modi said: "In December 2013, when I had participated in BJP's Lalkar rally here, I raised the question of why educational institutions like IIT and IIM cannot be built in Jammu. We fulfilled those promises and today there is an IIT, IIM and AIIMS in Jammu. That is why people believe Modi ki guarantee yani guarantee pura hone ki guarantee." ‘US will remain engaged with India over plot to kill Pannun’ NEW DELHI, 20 FEBRUARY US Deputy Secretary of State for Management and Resources Richard Verma on Tuesday said his country will stay engaged with the Indian government on the issue of the alleged plot to kill 'Khalistan' supporter Gurpatwant Singh Pannun in America. “I know we raised our concerns with the Government of India. There is a committee of inquiry looking into the matter, and we will stay engaged with the government and look forward to their findings. And they've taken it very seriously, and we're grateful for that," he said at an event titled 'The Long View from DC: The India-US Partnership' hosted by the Observer Research Foundation SNS (ORF) here. ‘Pujya Acharya Ji will always be remembered as a Triveni of wisdom, compassion and service” NARENDRA MODI S ant Shiromani Acharya Shri 108 Vidhyasagar Ji Maharaj Ji attained Samadhi and left us all saddened. His life is a spiritually rich epoch graced with profound wisdom, boundless compassion and an unwavering commitment to uplift humanity. I have had the honour of receiving his blessings on numerous occasions. Thus, I feel a deep sense of loss, akin to losing a guiding light that has illuminated the path for countless souls, including myself. His warmth, affection and blessings were not just gestures of goodwill but profound transmissions of spiritual energy, empowering and inspiring all those fortunate enough to have come in contact with him. Pujya Acharya Ji will always be remembered as a Triveni of wisdom, compassion and service. He was a true Tapasvi, whose life epitomised the ideals of Bhagwan Mahavir. His life exemplified the core principles of Jainism, embodying its ideals through his own actions and teachings. His care towards all living beings mirrored Jainism's profound respect for life. He lived a life of truthfulness, reflecting Jainism’s emphasis on honesty in thought, word, and deed. He also led a very simple lifestyle. It is due to stalwarts like him that the world continues to be inspired by Jainism and the life of Bhagwan Mahavir. He stood tall among the Jain community but his impact and influence were not limited to only one community. People across faiths, regions and cultures came to him and he worked tirelessly towards spiritual awakening, particularly among the youth. Education was an area very close to his heart. His journey from Vidhyadhar (his childhood name) to Vidhyasagar was one of deep commitment to acquiring and imparting knowledge. It was his firm belief that education is the cornerstone of a just and enlightened society. He championed the cause of knowledge as a means to empower individuals, enabling them to lead lives of purpose and contribution. His teachings emphasised the importance of self-study and selfawareness as the pathways to true wisdom, urging his followers to engage in lifelong learning and spiritual growth. At the same time, Sant Shiromani Acharya Vidhyasagar Ji Maharaj Ji wanted our youngsters to get an education that is also rooted in our cultural ethos. He often said that it was because we drifted away from the learnings of the past that we were not able to find solutions to key challenges like water scarcity. He also believed that a holistic education is one that focusses on skilling and innovating. He took immense pride in India’s linguistic diversity and encouraged youngsters to learn Indian languages. Pujya Acharya Ji himself wrote extensively in Sanskrit, Prakrit and Hindi. The heights he reached as a saint, and how grounded he was on the earth, is seen clearly in his iconic work Mookmati. Through his works, he gave a voice to the downtrodden. In the domain of healthcare too, Pujya Acharya Ji’s contributions were transformative. He was associated with several efforts, especially in underserved areas. His approach to healthcare was holistic, integrating physical well-being with spiritual wellness, thereby addressing the needs of the person as a whole. I would especially urge the coming generations to study extensively about Sant Shiromani Acharya Shri Vid- hyasagar Ji Maharaj Ji’s commitment to nation building. He would always urge people to rise above any partisan considerations and instead focus on national interest. He was one of the strongest votaries of voting because he saw it as an expression of participation in democratic processes. He advocated healthy as well as clean politics, even saying that policy making has to be about people’s welfare, not selfinterest(Lokneeti is about Loksangrahnot Lobhsangrah). He believed that a strong nation is built on the foundation of its citizens' commitment to their duties— towards themselves, their families, society, and the country. He encouraged individuals to cultivate virtues such as honesty, integrity and self-reliance, which he saw as essential for the creation of a just, compassionate, and thriving society. This emphasis on duties is of great importance as we work towards building a Viksit Bharat. In an era where environmental degradation is rampant world over, Pujya Acharya Ji called for a way of life which would minimise the harm being inflicted on nature. Likewise, he saw a paramount role for agriculture in our economy, also stressing on making agriculture modern as well as sustainable. His work towards reforming jail inmates was also noteworthy. The beauty of our land is that for thousands of years, our soil has produced greats who have shown light to others and made our society better. Pujya Acharya Ji stands as a towering figure in this illustrious lineage of saints and social reformers. Whatever he did, he did not just for the present but also the future. In November last year, I had the opportunity to visit the Chandragiri Jain Mandir in Dongargarh in Chhattisgarh. Little did I know that this visit would be my last meeting with Pujya Acharya Ji. Those moments were very special. He spoke to me for a long time, blessing me for my efforts in serving the nation. He expressed joy on the direction our nation is taking and the respect India is getting on the world stage. He was filled with enthusiasm while talking about the work he was doing. Then and always, his gentle gaze and serene smile were enough to instill a sense of peace and purpose. His blessings felt like a soothing balm on the soul, a reminder of the divine presence within and around us. Sant Shiromani Acharya Shri Vidhyasagar Ji Maharaj Ji’s void is deeply felt by all who knew him and were touched by his teachings and his life. However, he lives on in the hearts and minds of those he inspired. In honouring his memory, we commit to embodying the values he espoused. In this way, we not only pay tribute to a great soul but also take forward his mission for our country and people.