WEDNESDAY 10 JULY 2024 www.thestatesman.com Pages 12 |` 5.00|LC X.com/thestatesmanltd. Fb/thestatesman1875 INDIA’S NATIONAL NEWSPAPER SINCE 1818 KOLKATA | NEW DELHI | SILIGURI | BHUBANESWAR RAHUL GANDHI VISITS RAE BARELI ‘NEP PRIORITISES EDU IN MOTHER TONGUE & ALL INDIAN LANGUAGES’ P10 P5 SENSEX 80,351.64391.26 WEATHER GENERALLY CLOUDY SKY. VERY LIGHT RAIN TO LIGHT RAIN. THE MAXIMUM AND MINIMUM TEMPERATURES WOULD BE AROUND 34 AND 26 DEGREE CELSIUS RESPECTIVELY. RAINFALL: 30.8 mm RELATIVE HUMIDITY P4 GOLD 73,200380 ` vs $ 83.49 Min. 74 % Max: 33.2 °C (-0.3) SUN RISES 05:32 hrs MOON RISES 10:15 hrs Min: 27.2°C (+1) SUN SETS 19:22 hrs MOON SETS 22:26 hrs Modi to Putin: War not a solution to Ukraine crisis ASHOK TUTEJA THUMBNAILS Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Singh Dhami pays last respect to the mortal remains of the five soldiers from the state who lost their lives in the Kathua attack, in Dehradun. ANI ‘Services not stopped for LPG consumers with incomplete biometric authentication‘: The Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas (MoPNG) on Tuesday clarified that no service or benefit has been stopped for consumers whose biometric authentication has not been completed. Reiterating the process for the domestic LPG consumers to complete the Biometric Aadhaar Authentication, the ministry said they can use various channels. P him with rapt attention in the presence of senior ministers and officials of the two countries. To this, Mr Putin said: “ appreciate the attention you pay to the most pressing issues, including your efforts to find ways to resolve the Ukraine crisis, primarily through peaceful means.” The PM said he wants to assure both President Putin and the global community that India is in favour of peace and is ready to contribute to it. He said he had an open conversation with President Putin on the issue and the latter's views have given him a sense of optimism. "I am happy that we could discuss the war in Ukraine with an open mind, and we listened to each other's thoughts on the war with great respect," he said. Mr Modi also lauded the IndiaRussia fuel agreement, saying it had helped bring stability to the global market. Mr Putin, speaking before Mr Modi, said their two countries enjoy a special strategic partnership and thanked him for his efforts to find a peaceful solution to the war. STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE NEW DELHI, 9 JULY Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday conferred Russia’s highest civilian honour, Order of St Andrew the Apostle, on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is on a two-day official visit to Moscow at the invitation of the Russian President for the 22nd Annual Summit. In a special ceremony in St. Andrew Hall in the Kremlin, the Russian President conferred the highest national award of Russia “for his contribution to fostering IndiaRussia ties. The award was announced in 2019,” the Ministry of External Affairs said. The award was instituted over 300 years ago. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is the first Indian leader to be conferred with this award. While accepting the award, the Prime Minister dedicated it to the people of India and to the traditional bonds of friendship between India and Russia. He said that the recognition illuminates the Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership between the two countries. The Russian President presented the award to Mr Modi for his distinguished contribution to the development of a privileged strategic partnership between Russia and India and friendly ties between the two countries. Ukraine’s Zelenskyy condemns Modi-Putin meeting STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE NEW DELHI, 9 JULY People walk on a waterlogged road amid heavy rainfall at Chhattarpur in New Delhi on (P2) Tuesday.  ANI Hathras: SC to hear plea for probe by expert committee PARMOD KUMAR NEW DELHI, 9 JULY The Supreme Court on Tuesday agreed to hear a plea seeking appointment of a fivemember expert committee to enquire under the supervision of a retired top court judge into the Hathras stampede incident where more than 100 people were killed on July 2. On a mentioning for an early listing by the PIL petitioner lawyer Vishal Tiwari, Chief Justice D.Y. Chandrachud heading a bench also comprising Justice J.B. Pardiwala and Justice Manoj Misra said, “I have given my listing orders already. It will be listed.” The PIL petitioner advocate Tiwari has sought framing of guidelines and safety measures to avoid such incidents at large public gatherings. The PIL petitioner has also sought direction to the Uttar Pradesh government to file before the top court a report on Hathras stampede and initiate action against the persons, and authorities for their negligent conduct. Enlarging the scope of the petition to cover such incidents that had happened in the past across the country, the PIL petitioner advocate has sought direction to all the State governments to issue directions and guidelines to prevent stampede or other such incidents at mass religious gatherings. The Hathras event, the reports say, drew a gathering of over two lakh devotees, whereas the permission was only for the assembly of around 80,000 people. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has condemned the meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin. The meeting, held in Moscow, coincided with a tragic missile strike in Ukraine that resulted in the deaths of 37 people, including three children, and injuries to 170 others, 13 of whom were children. In a social media post on ‘X’, Ukrainian PresidentZelenskyy highlighted the devastating impact of the Russian missile strike, which targeted Ukraine's largest children's hospital, home to young cancer patients. “It is a huge disappointment and a devastating blow to peace efforts to see the leader of the world's largest democracy hug the world's most bloody criminal in Moscow on such a day," he wrote on 'X'. BCCI officially confirms Gambhir as India’s new head coach TRIDIB BAPARNASH NEW DELHI, 9 JULY Two-time World Cup winner Gautam Gambhir was on Tuesday officially confirmed the new head coach of the Indian team after Rahul Dravid’s tenure ended with the 2024 T20 World Cup triumph in Barbados last month. BCCI secretary Jay Shah announced the appointment of Gambhir in a social media post. “It is with immense pleasure that I welcome Gautam Gambhir as the new head coach of the Indian Cricket Team. Modern-day cricket has evolved rapidly, and Gautam has witnessed this chang- BRENT CRUDE (IN $) 83.460.24 My govt will work with triple speed during 3rd term: PM PM conferred Russia’s highest civilian award NEW DELHI, 9 JULY rime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday firmly told Russian President Vladimir Putin that war is not a solution to the Ukraine crisis and said India is prepared to do what it takes to bring the ongoing conflict to an end. “There is no solution on the battlefield. We have to resolve the issue through diplomacy and dialogue for the sake of a bright future for the next generation. Bombs, missiles and guns can't resolve the crisis,'' he told the Russian leader at the start of the delegationlevel talks at the Kremlin as part of the 22nd IndiaRussia Annual Summit in Moscow. “Whether it be war, conflicts, or terror attacks, everyone who believes in humanity is pained when there is loss of lives. But when we see innocent children dying, it is heartwrenching and that pain is immense,'' the PM said as President Putin heard P12 SILVER 94,500500 PM says he wants to assure both Putin & global community that India is in favour of peace Max. 98 % TEMPERATURE NIFTY 24,433.20112.65 TRYING NOT TO CRY: ANDERSON ‘ARMSTRONG'S MURDERERS WILL BE BROUGHT TO BOOK’ ing landscape up close. Having endured the grind and excelled in various roles throughout his career, I am confident that Gautam is the ideal person to steer Indian cricket forward,” Shah said. “His clear vision for #TeamIndia, coupled with his vast experience, positions him perfectly to take on this exciting and most sought-after coaching role. The BCCI fully supports him as he embarks on this new journey,” he added. Gambhir recently inspired Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) to their third IPL title haul as a mentor. The KKR job was Gambhir’s second stint in a coaching role after spending a couple of seasons (2022 and 2023) as mentor at Lucknow Super Giants, helping the team qualify for the playoffs both times. Gambhir will take over the role from the limited overs tour of Sri Lanka. The stylish southpaw will be assigned for the next three years, which will include three major ICC tournaments across different formats, start- ing with the ICC Champions Trophy early 2025. Accepting the new role, Gambhir said, “It is an absolute honour to serve my tricolour, my people, my country. I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate Rahul Dravid and his team of support staff for their exemplary run with the team. I am honoured and excited to take on the role of Head Coach for Team India.” “I have always taken pride while donning the Indian jersey during my playing days and it is going to be no different when I take up this new role. Cricket has been my passion and I look forward to working closely with the BCCI, Head of Cricket – Mr VVS Laxman, the support staff, and, most importantly, the players, as we work towards achieving success in the upcoming tournaments,” he added. The 42-year-old Gambhir takes over a team riding a wave of immense success. They reached the finals of both the World Test Championship and the ODI World Cup last year before becoming T20 World Champions, and they are on course to reach their third successive WTC final next year. However, the greatest challenge that poses in front of the former Delhi batter is that the team is in the middle of a transition phase. Prime Minister Narendra Modi meets the Indian Community in Moscow on Tuesday.  ANI STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE NEW DELHI, 9 JULY Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday declared that his government will work with triple speed during its third term in office to turn every Indian’s dream of 'Viksit Bharat' into a reality. Addressing the Indian community in Moscow on the second day of his visit to Russia, he said ''number 3 has a special significance for us during the third term of our government: we will make India the world's third-largest economy, build three crore homes for the poor and make three crore poor women 'Lakhpati Didis' in villages.’’ India's development in the last ten years was just a trailer. “We will see much faster growth over the next ten years,” he said, amid a thunderous applause by the gathering. The PM said The Indian youth today is full of confidence and this confidence is the biggest capital of the country. The first step towards achieving success, he observed, is self-belief and selfconfidence. In a veiled attack on the previous Congress regime, he said, “Before 2014, we were in the depths of despair. But today, the country is full of confidence. And this is our biggest asset.” Mr Modi said India is changing fast as it believes in the strength of its 140 crore people. "Today, as a friend to the world, India is giving new confidence to the world. India's growing capabilities have given hope of stability and prosperity to the entire world. India is being seen as a strong pillar in the new, emerging multipolar world order," he added. Giving an example of the Indian cricket team's victory in the T20 World Cup, the PM said the players did not give up until the last bowl was bowled. “Victory is achieved by only those who refuse to give up. The real story of winning the World Cup is also the journey of victory. Today's youth of India does not accept defeat till the last ball and the last moment," he said. The PM also paid glowing tributes to the India-Russia friendship, saying it has withstood the vagaries of time. He also complimented Russian President Vladimir Putin for his contribution in deepening the relationship between the two countries. India and Russia, he said, are working on the ChennaiVladivostok Eastern Maritime Corridor. The two countries are discovering each other through Ganga-Volga dialogue. “Two years ago, the first commercial consignment also reached here from the North-South Transport Corridor... Now we are also working on Chennai-Vladivostok Eastern Maritime Corridor. Both our countries are discovering each other through Ganga Volga dialogue and civilisation," Mr Modi said. He recalled his visit to Russia in 2015 and said that he had then said the 21st century belongs to India. Today, the whole world is saying this as it witnesses India's phenomenal growth, he added. "India's growing capability has given the whole world a hope of stability and prosperity. India is being seen as a strong pillar of the new, emerging, multipolar, world order," he said. He said India is always the first country to provide aid whenever any country faces a crisis. "When India talks about peace, dialogue and diplomacy, the whole world listens. Whenever the world faces a crisis, India is the first country to reach there," he said. Mumbai Police arrest main accused Mihir Shah in Worli hit-and-run case CCPA directs ‘Yatra’ to refund `2.5 cr for tickets booked during lockdown AGENCIES STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE MUMBAI , 9 JULY Mumbai Police on Tuesday arrested Mihir Shah, the main accused in the Worli hit-andrun case in which a woman was killed. Mihir Shah had been absconding since the accident took place and the Mumbai Police had formed 14 teams to arrest Mihir Shah who has been missing since the car he was allegedly driving hit a scooter on Dr Annie Besant Road in Worli. Earlier, Police arrested Rajendra Singh Bidawat and the father of the main accused, Rajesh Shah for their alleged involvement in the Worli hitand-run case that took place on Sunday (July 7). This comes after a BMW car hit a bike in Mumbai's Worli area on Sunday (July 7), resulting in the death of a woman travelling with her husband. Following the tragic incident in the Worli area of Mumbai on Sunday, the husband of a deceased woman, Pradeep Nakhwa questioned the delay in the arrest of the accused Mihir Shah, and said that he dragged his wife from Ceejay House to Sea Link Road. Regarding the delay in the arrest, Nakhwa said it was due to "politics" and asserted that the accused would not be arrested till the Vidhan Sabha session ends. Nakhwa alleged that the accused is not getting arrested because he is the son of a political leader. In an exclusive interview with a news agency, the husband of the deceased woman in the Worli hit-and-run case, Pradeep Nakhwa said, "We were on our daily routine, as we are fishermen and as part of our daily routine, on Sunday at 4 am, we were returning through the Peddar Road from the fish hatchery after buying fish. We were driving slowly with a speed of 35-40 km/hr on the side of the road. Suddenly, a car with extreme speed came and hit us, we didn't even realize how fast it was. We flew into the air and dropped on his car's bonnet." "When he put the brake, I fell on the left side of the road while my wife came under the wheels of his vehicle. He didn't stop after that, I tried to stop him but he didn't and dragged her from Ceejay House to Sea Link Road. There was smoke from the wheels when he was dragging my wife. After the incident, he fled from the spot," said Nakhwa. NEW DELHI, 9 JULY The Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) initiated a suo moto action against the online ticket booking platform ‘Yatra’ for nonrefund of airline tickets cancelled due to the Covid lockdown. A show-cause notice vide dated 09.03.2021 was sent to Yatra Online Limited regarding the pendency of refunds of bookings which got affected by Covid. According to the information shared by CCPA, from 8 July, 2021, to 25 June, 2024, the authority conducted several hearings to address issues regarding nonrefund of airline tickets cancelled due to the Covid-19 lockdown. As a result of these efforts, Yatra Online Limited made significant progress in reduc- ing the total number of pending refund bookings. In 2021, there were 36,276 pending bookings amounting to `26,25,82,484. As of 21 June, 2024, this number has been significantly reduced to 4,837 bookings, amounting to ` 2,52,87,098. Yatra has refunded approximately 87per cent amount to consumers and further endeavour to refund approximately 13% amount to consumers to ensure that all pending refunds are processed promptly and efficiently by airlines. In 2021, there were a total of 5,771 bookings pertaining to airlines pending refunds amounting to ` 9,60,14,463. By 2024, Yatra has reduced the pendency of airlines to 98 bookings with an outstanding amount of ` 31,79,069. CCPA vide order dated 27.06.2024 directed 22 remaining airlines of Yatra to expeditiously refund ?31,79,069 to consumers. During the proceedings held before CCPA, several other travel platforms like MakeMyTrip, EaseMyTrip, ClearTrip, Ixigo and Thomas Cook have refunded the entire amount to Consumers whose tickets got affected due to the Covid-19 lockdown. To further facilitate the timely processing of refunds to consumers, CCPA issued an order on 27 June, 2024, wherein it directed Yatra to set up dedicated arrangements at the National Consumer Helpline (NCH).