FRIDAY 25 OCTOBER 2024 www.thestatesman.com X.com/thestatesmanltd. Fb/thestatesman1875 INDIA’S NATIONAL NEWSPAPER SINCE 1818 Pages 16 |` 5.00|LC KOLKATA | NEW DELHI | SILIGURI | BHUBANESWAR SITHARAMAN MEETS WORLD BANK PRESIDENT, DISCUSSES KEY ISSUES FAMILY FEUDS ARE GHAR GHAR KI KAHANI: JAGAN P6 SENSEX 80,065.16q16.82 WEATHER Rain and thunder. Storms could contain frequent lightning. Maximum and minimum temperatures likely to be around 28°C and 25°C respectively. RAINFALL: NIL RELATIVE HUMIDITY Max: 28.3˚C SUN RISES 05:37 hrs MOON RISES 06:32 hrs P12 NIFTY 24,399.40q36.10 ` vs $ 84.07 STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE BHUBANESWAR, 24 OCTOBER sense of imminent danger looms large over Odisha’s Kendrapara and Bhadrak districts as Cyclone Dana, a severe cyclonic storm, is set to make landfall well past midnight. Massive sea waves in Dhamra and Bhitarkanika have already battered the shoreline, damaging fishing trawlers and signalling the storm's rapid approach. With wind speeds expected to reach 110 kmph, the state government has focused on urgent evacuation. Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, addressing the media after reviewing the situation with district officials, claimed that over three lakh people have already been evacuated to cyclone shelters out of a target of 3.62 lakh. "Our goal is to ensure the safety of every individual, with zero casualties," he stated, emphasising that teams were working around the clock to ensure complete evacuation from the most A New Moon on 1 November THUMBNAILS Decorative lanterns at a shop ahead of the Diwali festival, in Nagpur on Wednesday. n ANI Justice Sanjiv Khanna appointed next CJI: The Centre on Thursday cleared the appointment of Justice Sanjiv Khanna as the 51st Chief Justice of India (CJI). "...(T)he President is pleased to appoint Shri Justice Sanjiv Khanna, Judge of the Supreme Court, to be the Chief Justice of India with effect from 11 November 2024," a Ministry of Law and Justice notification said. CJI D Y Chandrachud, who retires on 10 November, had recommended Justice Khanna as his successor. vulnerable areas before the storm strikes. Amid intensifying rains and escalating winds, the Odisha government has activated 7,285 shelters, including 842 permanent cyclone shelters and 6,443 temporary facilities. District collectors have been instructed to ensure that all evacuees receive cooked food, while over 2,338 pregnant women have been relocated to hospitals and maternity homes to ensure their safety, said the CM. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is closely monitoring the situation, and efforts are being coordinated at the highest levels Jaishankar calls for addressing conflicts, tensions at BRICS meet STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE NEW DELHI, 24 OCTOBER External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Thursday called for effectively addressing conflicts and tensions and appealed to the global community to show ‘zero tolerance’ to terrorism. “Addressing conflicts and tensions effectively is a particular need of the day. Prime Minister (Narendra) Modi has emphasised that this is not an era of war. Disputes and differences must be settled by dialogue and diplomacy. Agreements, once reached, must be scrupulously respected. International law should be adhered to, without exception. And there should be zero tolerance for terrorism,” he said, addressing the BRICS Outreach Session in Kazan. The minister expressed concern over the situation in West Asia, saying there is a widespread anxiety that the ongoing conflict would spread further in the region. Noting that maritime trade has also been deeply affected, he said the human and material consequences of further escalation are truly serious. “Any approach has to be fair and durable, leading to a two state solution,” he added. Mr Jaishankar, who represented PM Modi at the outreach session, observed that even as forces of change have advanced in the world, some long-standing issues have only become more complex. On the one hand, there is the steady diversification of production and consumption. Nations that attained independence from colonialism have accelerated their development and socio-economic progress. New capabilities have emerged, facilitating the harnessing of more talent. “This economic, political and cultural rebalancing has now reached a point where we can contemplate real multipolarity. The BRICS itself is a statement of how profoundly the old order is changing,” he added. At the same time, he observed that many inequities of the past also continue. In fact, they have assumed new forms and manifestations. For creating a more equitable global order, Mr Jaishankar suggested strengthening and expanding platforms of an independent nature. And by widening the choices in different domains and minimising undue reliance on those that can be leveraged. to mitigate the disaster’s impact, stated Mr Majhi. The storm is expected to affect 1,653 villages, 9 towns, and 26 wards across 11 districts, including Kendrapara, Bhadrak, Balasore, and Jagatsinghpur. In anticipation of the storm’s impact, 19 teams of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), 51 teams of the Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force (ODRAF), and 220 fire brigade units have been deployed. Additionally, 157 police platoons, 92 medical teams, and 58 veterinary teams have been dispatched to handle both human and animal welfare during and after the storm. Despite the government’s proactive measures, concerns remain high over the potential for a tidal surge of 1-2 meters, which could devastate coastal areas. "The timing of the landfall ~ after midnight ~ is particularly worrying," an official noted, as emergency response efforts may be further complicated by the dark and severe conditions. While authorities have assured the public that all cyclone shelters are equipped with essential supplies, some complaints have arisen, particularly from women, about the lack of dry food provisions in certain shelters. As heavy rains and strong winds batter the coastline, Odisha's coastal communities brace for what could be a night of destruction. With Cyclone Dana now less than 100 kilometres from the coast, the state’s readiness will be tested as the storm barrels toward its landfall. Heavy rainfall across several coastal districts pose the threat of rainwater inundation. Two soldiers, two civilian porters killed as terrorists attack Army vehicle near LoC STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE JAMMU, 24 OCTOBER Two Indian Army soldiers and two civilian porters were killed and three soldiers injured on Thursday evening when an Army patrol vehicle was attacked by terrorists near the Nagin area of Botapathari in North Kashmir's Gulmarg. The Srinagar-based Chinar Corps of the Indian Army said: “A brief firefight took place between Indian Army and terroristsingeneralareaButapathri, #Baramulla. Details are being ascertained”. Baramulla district police wrote on X; "Some exchange of fire took place between forces and terrorists in the Butapathri sector of District Baramulla around Nagin post. Further details will be shared after verifying facts". Security forces have cordoned the area, and rein- forcements have been rushed to track down the attackers. Gulmarg is a popular tourist destination in Kashmir. Unconfirmed reports said that the attack was on vehicles of 18 Rashtriya Rifles (RR) near Nagin Chowk, Botapathri area near the LOC. It is yet to be confirmed whether it was an infiltration bid or not. Earlier in the morning, continuing to target migrant labourers, terrorists shot and injured a 19-year-old worker from Uttar Pradesh in Batagund village in Tral in South Kashmir. Shubam Singh, of Bijnore, sustained gunshot wounds in his arm. He was taken to hospital where his condition is stated to be stable. In an earlier incident, six non-locals and a local Kashmiri doctor were killed on Sunday in a terrorist attack at a tunnel construction site in Ganderbal district. P16 SILVER 1,10,000 GOLD 80,660.00 Over 300,000 evacuated as Odisha braces for the severe cyclonic storm Min: 25.6˚C SUN SETS 17:03 hrs MOON SETS 13:05 hrs WASHINGTON SUNDAR SPINS OUT NZ FOR 259 P9 ‘Dana’ landfall between midnight & early Friday Min. 86% Max. 89% TEMPERATURE CANADA’S EMERGENCE AS A HAVEN FOR TERRORISTS CM staying at Nabanna overnight to monitor Cyclone ‘Dana’ as landfall approaches STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE KOLKATA, 24 OCTOBER With cyclonic storm Dana expected to make landfall later tonight, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is staying at the state secretariat, Nabanna, the whole night to monitor the unfolding situation from the control room there. Miss Banerjee disclosed this at a press conference at Nabanna today. She said: “The state government has identified a total of 3,56,941 individuals residing around vulnerable low-lying areas. A total of 1,55,337 individuals have voluntarily shifted to safer places. A total of 83,547 individuals have already been shifted to the temporary relief camps.” She added that a total of 859 relief camps have been made operational. Miss Banerjee said that a round-the-clock helpline has been set up at Nabanna and the districts as well. The chief minister said people can call up 033-2214-3526, the Nabanna helpline number, and emergency number 1070 for any exigencies but advised them to desist from making any call that could spread misinformation. “Just as there is no reason to panic unnecessarily, there is also no reason to be overcomplacent that Cyclone Dana’s landfall will happen in neighbouring Odisha and not in West Bengal. To me human life is most important KOLKATA, 24 OCTOBER The lifeline of the 'City of Joy' – Kolkata Metro, India’s first metro which is fully operated by Indian Railways – has completed 40 years of successful commercial service on Thursday, providing fast, smooth, and hassle-free journeys to lakhs of commuters daily and continues to be the cheapest mode of transport in the country with a minimum fare of Rs 5 and a maximum of Rs 50. In March this year, Metro Railway, Kolkata, achieved a groundbreaking feat when it launched India's first underwater service under the Hooghly River, connecting the two centuries-old cities of Howrah and Kolkata. It was the first time in the country that a metro train is plying underwater. This transformation from under the surface to underwater, both for the first time in the country, has made Kolkata Metro special in the country. On 6 March 2024, Prime Minister Narendra Modi inau- gurated the 4.8 Km stretch from Howrah Maidan to Esplanade under the River Hooghly of Green Line-2. This has been completed at the cost of Rs 4,965 crore. At present, Metro Railway, Kolkata, has four corridors. Since its inception on 24 October 1984, Metro Railway, Kolkata, India’s first Metro system, has travelled a long way and carried millions of passengers to their destinations safely. Starting with a stretch of only 3.4 km from Esplanade to Bhawanipore (now Netaji Bhavan), Metro Railway now has a network of nearly 60 km connecting different corners of the city. According to the Ministry of Railways, by next year, the Kolkata Metro network will be spread over 90 km, and by 2027 it will further increase to 130 km. Talking to The Statesman, Kaushik Mitra, CPRO, Eastern Railway, and CPRO, Metro Railways, Kolkata, said the omnipresence of the Metro system in Kolkata has made people's lives fast, smooth, and hassle-free. The Metro has already stitched Kolkata, Howrah, North, and South 24 Parganas together and become ‘Amar Metro’. He said the Metro system in Kolkata has fully air-conditioned coaches. Travelling by Metro saves time and it is also a pocket-friendly mode of transport. “Residents of Howrah, Hooghly, Medinipur, Burdwan, North and South 24-Parganas, Nadia are availing Metro services from Howrah, Sealdah, Dum Dum and Kavi Subhash stations. Even passengers from other states are also availing our services from Howrah and Sealdah. As a result, Metro Railway is now carrying around 7 lakh commuters daily. This was unthinkable on 24 October 1984 when the first Metro services began at Kolkata," he said. “By 2025, the Kolkata Metro network will be spread over 90 km and by 2027 it will further increase to 130 km,” Mr Mitra added. He said Kolkata is popularly known as the “City of Joy” as well as the cultural capital of the country. Metro Railway, Kolkata is the “life line” in the field of the transport network of this great city. “Kolkata Metro provides the cheapest mode of transport in the city and all over India as the minimum fare of the ticket is Rs 5 for up to 2 km journey. The maximum fare is Rs 50," the CPRO, Metro Railways, Kolkata, said. A series of events including a heritage walk, exhibition walkathon, running of old non-AC rake, and cultural evening were held from 18 October to 24 October to celebrate the 40 years of Metro Railway, Kolkata, and make it a memorable occasion. In the exhibition, rare photographs, old tickets, smart cards, and philately items were on display. A special cover and stamp were also released during the celebrations. and the primary task of the administration is to protect human lives. I have decided to stay back at Nabanna on Thursday and monitor the entire situation,” the Chief Minister said. Chief secretary Manoj Pant too would monitor the situation from his residence and would coordinate with other officials in the morning, Miss Banerjee said. While observing that the sewerage system in Kolkata had seen a large-scale improvement in the last few years, she said officials in the districts have been asked to keep a close watch on the possiblity of water-logging due to overflow of drains clogged by sand, plastic and other substances. Criticising the Damodar Valley Corporation (DVC), Miss Banerjee said: “I heard that they have released 24,000 cusecs of water again. Had they done the dredging properly, their water-holding capacities could have been more.” India, China reach consensus on LAC: Patrolling and grazing rights to be restored PARWINDER SANDHU NEW DELHI, 24 OCTOBER In a significant step towards de-escalation along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in eastern Ladakh, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh announced today that a broad consensus has been reached with China to restore the ground situation and allow traditional patrolling and grazing activities in the contested areas. Mr Singh made this statement during the Chanakya Defence Dialogue, held at the Manekshaw Center in New Delhi. The Defence Minister emphasised the importance of continuous dialogue in resolving conflicts, stating that diplomatic and military talks between India and China had paved the way for this consensus. “Pursuant to the talks, broad consensus has been achieved to restore the ground situation based on the principles of equal and mutual security. The consensus achieved includes patrolling and grazing in traditional areas. This is the power of engaging in continuous dialogues because sooner or later some solutions will emerge,” he went on to add. This follows a recent announcement by Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri, who disclosed that discussions over the past several weeks had resulted in new patrolling arrangements along the LAC. The Statesman is looking for the most beautiful and best-dressed women in Indian and Western attire. And you could be the lucky one to win the coveted prize! At 40, Kolkata Metro remains the cheapest mode of transport in the country NIKHIL VYAS BRENT CRUDE (IN $) 75.41p0.45 ess r The Statesman is organising a competition and those who wis to participate, can g g p sh p p , send in their picture in Indi or Indo-western dress. ian You can post your pics between 9th October and 2nd November, 2024 at s puja@thestatesmangrou up.com along with your name, addres phone number and ss, email. 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