THURSDAY 22 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 CONSENSUS AT MIDNIGHT PAVES WAY FOR ‘PDM 2.0’ ‘INDIA’S ENGAGEMENT WITH THE WORLD IS GROWING’ P5 SENSEX 72,623.09434.30 WEATHER Sunshine with some cloudy intervals. Maximum and minimum temperatures likely to be around 32°C and 21°C respectively. RAINFALL: NIL RELATIVE HUMIDITY Max. 85% Max: 32.4°C SUN RISES 06:03 hrs MOON RISES 15:47 hrs P6 ` vs $ 82.961 PAISE Min: 21.2°C SUN SETS 17:36 hrs MOON SETS 04:46 hrs ‘Vested interests trying to destroy Bengal’s culture’ Deactivation of Aadhaar cards inhuman vote politics, says CM Mamata THUMBNAILS Artistes perform the Kathak dance during the inauguration ceremony of the 50th Khajuraho Dance festival, in Khajuraho on Tuesday.  ANI SP, Congress strike deal for LS polls: The much-awaited Congress-Samajwadi Party alliance for the 2024 Lok Sabha polls came to fruition on Wednesday with the Congress set to contest 17 seats and the SP the remaining 63 seats in the politically crucial state of Uttar Pradesh. In a joint press conference held here, Congress' UP in-charge Avinash Pandey said the two parties will together fight to save democ(P10) racy. STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE NEW DELHI, 21 FEBRUARY ome sections were bent on destroying Bengal’s rich culture, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said on Wednesday, asking people to resist such efforts. She was addressing a gathering to celebrate the International Mother Language Day at Deshpriya Park this afternoon. “There is a deep-rooted conspiracy to demolish Bengal’s rich culture. Those who insult Bengal on some television channels are the worst evil. We know how to protect our culture and we will do it,” she said. She said people speaking different languages and following different religions addressed the gathering in their own language. “Language is the vehicle to express our thoughts and views. We respect everybody’s views and there is freedom of expression in Bengal. The same Bengali language is spoken in different ways in different districts. In Birbhum Bengali is spoken differently. Our culture has been enriched due to these variations. But there are some who want to Aadhaar deactivation: Helpline number set up STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE KOLKATA, 21 FEBRUARY steamroll everything,” she remarked. To the younger generation she said: “Learn English, but do not neglect Bengali. Bengali literature is world’s treasure. In 34 years our students had suffered badly as they were deprived from learning.The result has between disastrous. Some of our finest officers become nervous when they have to do a draft in English and we have to give them training,” she said. Referring to the deactivation of Aadhar cards, she said:“We have stopped this conspiracy. They have deactivated the Aadhaar cards of the Matuas. We have prevented it.Without informing a person, how I-T dept mandated banks to transfer over `65 cr from party accounts, claims Cong could you scrap the Aadhaar card. They will try to impose NRC and then send a person to the detention camp branding them as a foreigner. Then after five years, a card will be issued to them. We have stopped this inhuman vote politics. I put humanity first and vote comes later,” she said. Without naming the BJP she said: “Yesterday an IPS officer was branded as a Khalistani just because he was wearing a turban. There are many Muslim IAS and IPS officer, but you cannot call then Pakistani just because of their religion. This should be stopped.” Miss Banerjee read out a poem written by her. The state government has introduced Ek Phone Samadhan, an initiative to help those whose Aadhaar cards have been deactivated without giving any intimation. Those whose Aadhaar cards have been deactivated can call up 9088885544 or Whatsapp the number to register their complaints. Miss Banerjee has assured the persons whose Aadhaar Cards have been deactivated that they will continue to get all the benefits under the state government. Miss Banerjee has also written to PM Narendra Modi to look into the matter. Ministers Mr Indranil Sen, Mr Bratya Basu and Mr Aroop Biswas were present along with Debashis Kumar. Mrs Mala Roy, MP from South Kolkata attended the function. Farmer leader from the Kisan Mazdoor Sangharsh Committee Sarwan Singh Pandher said here on Wednesday that the ‘Dilli Chalo’ march would be on hold for two days as the farmer leaders want to review the situation on the Khanauri border. Addressing the media on Wednesday evening, Sarwan Singh Pandher said the future course of action with regard to the march to Delhi would be decided after two days. Meanwhile, agitating farmers once again tried to move towards the barricades at the Punjab-Haryana Shambhu and Khanauri borders in a bid to march towards Delhi. However, they were once again stopped by the police firing tear-gas shells to disperse the protestors before they could advance towards the barricades. As the farmers’ protest entered its ninth day, Union Agriculture Minister Arjun Munda said the Centre was ready to discuss all the issues including the demand for the minimum support price (MSP). Inviting the protesting farmers for a fifth round of talks, the Union agriculture minister urged them to maintain peace and find a solution through ‘dialogue’. Gaganyaan mission: ISRO successfully tests rocket engine for human spaceflight STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE NEW DELHI, 21 FEBRUARY The Congress on Wednesday claimed that the Income Tax department ordered banks to transfer more than Rs 65 crore from the accounts of the party, Youth Congress and NSUI to the government. The party reiterated that democracy is under attack from the ruling dispensation. The claim of the Congress came days after it accused the government that it had frozen the accounts of the country’s largest Opposition party ahead of the Lok Sabha elections. The party said that “the issue was related to 2018-19 for which the Income Tax department asked for a recovery of Rs 210 crore from it". Later, it said it can operate its accounts with a lien of the IT department thereon. In a post on X, Congress’ national treasurer, Ajay Maken BRENT CRUDE (IN $) 82.120.22 ‘Dilli Chalo’ programme on hold for two days: Farmer leader S New Moon on 24 February P12 SILVER 75,700 GOLD 64,185.00 STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE KOLKATA, 21 FEBRUARY Min. 64% TEMPERATURE P9 NIFTY 22,055.05141.90 BUMRAH RESTED FROM FOURTH TEST DEMOCRACY ALARMS NEW DELHI, 21 FEBRUARY said: “Yesterday, the Income Tax department mandated banks to transfer over Rs 65 crores from INC, IYC, and NSUI accounts to the government ~ Rs 5 crores from IYC and NSUI, and Rs 60.25 crores from INC, marking a concerning move by the BJP Government.” Attacking the BJP, Maken said: “Is it common for national political parties to pay Income Tax? No. Does the BJP pay Income Tax? No. Why then is the Congress party facing an unprecedented demand of Rs 210 crores?” The senior Congress leader said: “During today’s ITAT (Income Tax Appellate Tribunal) proceedings, we presented our case. The hearing is set to continue tomorrow.” He reiterated that the funds in question were raised through grassroots efforts, including crowdfunding and membership drives by the IYC and NSUI. “This situation raises a crucial question about the state of democracy. Is it under threat?,” Mr Maken said. In a major announcement, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) on Wednesday said it has completed the final round of ground qualification tests of the country's 'Gaganyaan' mission on 13 February. In other words, the performance of the key cryogenic engine to be used on board the LVM3 launch vehicles for India’s Gaganyaan has been qualified and now certified for missions that will transport humans into space. "ISRO has accomplished a major milestone in the human rating of its CE20 cryogenic engine that powers the cryogenic stage of the humanrated LVM3 launch vehicle for Gaganyaan missions, with the completion of the final round of ground qualification tests on February 13, 2024," the space agency said in a statement. Gaganyaan is India’s proposed first human flight mission that envisions sending a three-membered crew into an orbit of 400 km for a period of three days and bringing them back to Earth. The first unmanned Gaganyaan–1 mission is scheduled in mid-2024. ISRO's heavy lift launcher, the LVM, has been identified as the launch vehicle to be used during the Gaganyaan missions. Comprising solid, liquid and a cryogenic stage, these systems can be configured to ferry humans into space. Life demonstration tests, endurance tests, and performance assessment under nominal operating conditions as well as off-nominal conditions, thrust, mixture ratio, and propellant tank pressure are part of the ground qualification tests that were taken for human rating of the CE20 engine. ISRO had in 2023 successfully executed the Test Flight Abort Mission after the first test flight was aborted at 8:45 am due to a problem in the engine ignition. The three main parachutes of Gaganyaan TV-D1 were deployed after the launch. India and Greece to double bilateral trade by 2030, says PM Modi STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE NEW DELHI, 21 FEBRUARY Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday said the visit of Greece Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis to India reflects strengthening of the strategic partnership between the two countries. In a joint Press statement after holding bilateral and delegation level talks here with his Greek counterpart, Mr Modi said that both countries have agreed to double their bilateral trade by 2030. The Prime Minister said that the growing cooperation in defence and security sectors reflects deep mutual tr ust between the two nations. With the setting up of a working group, the two countries will be able to meet challenges in cyber security, counter-terrorism and maritime security in a coordinated manner. Mr Modi said: “I am happy to welcome PM Kyriakos Mitsotakis and his delegation to India. After my visit to Greece last year, his visit to India is a symbol of the strengthening strategic par tnership between the two countries. The visit of the Greek PM to India after 16 years is a historic occasion.” External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, Union Minister of State for External Affairs Meenakashi Lekhi, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra were present in the delegation level talks. Teming his discussions with Mr Mitsotakis “meaningful and useful”, Mr Modi expressed happiness that India and Greece are taking steps to implement the agreements on trade reached in this area in 2023. PM Modi said new opportunities were explored during his meeting ranging from agriculture, pharma, medical devices, technologies, innovation, skill development, and space. He said shipping and connectivity are the highest priority areas and he had discussed increasing cooperation in these areas with the Greek PM. Mr Modi noted that India and Greece have common concerns and priorities in the fight against terrorism. The Prime Minister said "We also discussed connecting the start-ups of both countries. Shipping and connectivity are topics of high priority for both the countries. We also discussed increasing cooperation in these areas." Greek Prime Minister, Kyriakos Mitsotakis heaped praise on Mr Modi and said that he has found a visionary leader and a true friend in him, adding that the India-Greece relations are beyond bilateral contacts. Legendary Radio host Ameen Sayani is no more Legal doyen Fali Sam Nariman passes away at 95 RITA SACHDEVA NEW DELHI, 21 FEBRUARY NEW DELHI, 21 FEBRUARY India has lost the true legend of the airwaves -- Ameen Sayani -- the iconic radio broadcaster who revolutionised the art of radio presentation. Sayani, the iconic radio presenter of the popular show "Binaca Geetmala', died on Tuesday of a heart attack. He was 91. His voice, synonymous with the golden era of radio, and the timeless 'Geetmala', will forever echo in the hearts of crores of people. For 42 years since 1952, Sayani hosted ‘Binaca Geetmala’, a programme of hits over the airwaves of Radio Ceylon, and he addressed the listeners in his unique style as "Behno aur bhaiyo". His style of addressing the crowd with "Behno aur Bhaiyo" (sisters and brothers) as against the traditional "Bhaiyo aur Behno" is still treated as an announcement with a melodious touch. He had produced, compered and spoken for over 54,000 radio programmes and 19,000 spots and jingles since 1951. The news of his demise was confirmed by his son Rajil Sayani, who stated that Ameen Sayani breathed his last at a hospital last night. The cause of his demise has been attributed to heart failure. Condolences are pouring in on social media as the news of the legendary presenter broke out. Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his sadness and extended his condolences. He wrote that Ameen Sayani Ji’s golden voice on the airwaves had a charm and warmth that endeared him to people across generations. "Through his work, he played an important role in revolutionising Indian broadcasting and nurtured a very special bond with his listeners. Saddened by his passing away. Condolences to his family, admirers and all radio lovers. May his soul rest in peace," he wrote in his post on X. Union Home Minister Amit Shah, too, condoled the demise of Sayani. "Pained to know that Shri Ameen Sayani Ji the voice of the radio is no more. Sayani Ji leaves a void behind that will be difficult to fill. His golden legacy makes him immortal. My sincerest condolences to his near and dear ones and millions of admirers. Om Shanti.," he wrote in his post on X. Born in 1932, Sayani assisted his mother, Kulsum Sayani, in editing, publishing and printing a fortnightly journal for neo-literates, under the instructions of Mahatma Gandhi. It was this grounding in simple communication that helped him in his long career in commercial broadcasting and culminated in his being awarded the "Hindi Ratna Puraskaar" by the prestigious Hindi Bhavan of New Delhi in 2007. He was introduced to All India Radio, Bombay, by his brother Hamid Sayani. Ameen participated in English programmes there for ten years. Some of the better-known radio shows produced and compered by Ameen Sayani include 'Cibaca (formerly Binaca) Geetmala', 'S Kumars Ka Filmi Mukaddama', 'Filmi Mulaqaat', 'Saridon Ke Sathi', 'Bournvita Quiz Contest', 'Shalimar Superlac Zodi' and 'Sangeet Key Sitaron KI Mehfil'. CMYK PARMOD KUMAR Eminent jurist and doyen of the legal profession Fali Sam Nariman passed away at the age of 95 on Wednesday morning in New Delhi. An influential figure in India's legal landscape, his contributions have impacted many landmark judgments in the country. He leaves behind a son, a retired Supreme Court judge Rohinton Fali Nariman, daughter Anaheeta Fali Nariman and daughter-in-law Sanaya. His wife Bapsi Nariman passed away in 2020. His burial will take place in New Delhi on Thursday at 10 a.m. at the Parsi Aramgah, near Khan Market, and the traditional prayer meeting (Uthamna) in the Parsi Anjuman, opposite Feroz Shah Kotla Stadium, at 4 p.m. on Thursday that is allowed only to the Parsis. Nariman was suffering from multiple ailments, including cardiac issues. Born on 10 January 1929, Nariman did his law from Government Law College, Mumbai. Initially he practiced at Bombay High Court before shifting to the Supreme Court after appointment as Additional Solicitor General by the Indira Gandhi government in 1972. He resigned as ADG in 1975 in protest against the imposition of the National Emergency in June 1975. He received the Padma Bhushan in January 1991 and was awarded the Padma Vibhushan in 2007. Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his condolences said: “Shri Fali Nariman Ji was among the most outstanding legal minds and intellectuals. He devoted his life to making justice accessible to common citizens. I am pained by his passing away. My thoughts are with his family and admirers. May his soul rest in peace.” Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge in his condolence message said: "The passing away of eminent jurist, senior advocate, and a fierce votary of Constitutional Civil Liberties, Fali S Nariman is a huge loss to the legal system. A PadmaVibhushan recipient, his unwavering commitment to his principles remained steadfast and admirable. My deepest condolences to his family, friends and compatriots. May his soul rest in peace."