FP The publishers permit sharing of the e-paper's pdf on WhatsApp and other social media platforms FREE PRESS Vol. XLI No. - | BHOPAL | FRIDAY | NOVEMBER 1, 2024 | ` 3 | Regd. No. Indore MP/ICD 216/2024-2026 | RNI No. mpeng/2010/35815 www.freepressjournal.in Sports India play for pride against rampaging Kiwis in the third Test at Wankhede EDITIONS: INDORE ESTD-1983 iii QUALITY @ VALUE UJJAIN PUNE MONEY BHOPAL NASHIK MUMBAI E-paper INCLUDING TRANSPORTATION Edit Sweet exchanges, sweeter prospects Markets decline on selling in IT shares, FII sell out Cinema Shriya on her childhood Diwali memories PMSPEAK | Enemies can see the end of their sinister plans when they see the Indian armed forces, he said at Sir Creek in Kutch Three more elephants die, ‘WON’T CEDE EVEN AN toll now 10 INCH OF OUR BORDERS’ FP News Service UMARIA (MP) Three more wild elephants have died in Madhya Pradesh’s Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve (BTR) after consuming a toxic substance, taking the toll to 10 so far this week, while another jumbo is in a critical condition, an official said on Thursday. “One tusker died on Wednesday and another one on Thurs- BANDHAVGARH day morning. One more is battling for life,” he told PTI preferring anonymity. Post-mortem examinations of eight elephants have been completed, while the autopsy of the ninth pachyderm was currently on, he said. When contacted over phone, additional principal chief conservator of forest (Wildlife) L Krishnamoorthy said, “Autopsies have been conducted and veterinary doctors on the basis of circumstantial evidence have Temples too marked as Waqf property, claims BJP in Karnataka IANS BENGALURU Karnataka BJP on Thursday alleged that along with agricultural lands in Karnataka, the Hindu temples have also been marked as Waqf properties. Karnataka Leader of the Opposition (LoP) R. Ashoka said that a massive protest will be launched on November 4 against the Waqf Board and the state government for encroaching on farmers' lands and temple properties. “After Vijayapura, temple properties in Kolar are being marked as Waqf properties. Similarly, in places like Nagamangala, Channapatna, and Belagavi, farmers' lands have been recorded as Waqf properties to seize them,” said Ashoka while addressing the media persons. He claimed that it’s not just land grabbers but the government itself that is officially occupying these lands, adding that the farmer organisations must protest strongly against this. “In the past, Muslim rulers attacked and imposed their religion by force; Tipu Sultan forcibly converted people in Kodagu, and now, similar land grabbing is taking place. Such people are being supported by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah,” he claimed. In response to Siddaramaiah's remark that the BJP does not take any issue to a logical conclusion, Ashoka said: said toxicity has been observed in their stomach.” “Also, a lot of kodo millet has been found (in their stomach),” said Krishnamoorthy, who heads the state government-appointed five-member committee probing the death of tuskers in Bandhavgarh which is spread across Umaria and Katni districts in eastern Madhya Pradesh. When pointed out that monkeys eat an enormous amount of kodo millet, but do not die, he said, “We have sent samples (viscera) of elephants to a Jabalpurbased school of wildlife forensic and health for examination.” “Only forensic examination will reveal the toxin,” Krishnamoorthy said when asked whether the dead elephants had consumed some poisonous pesticides sprayed in the field. All the dead elephants were part of a herd of 13 which included one male jumbo that has died, he said. 4Cont. on | Nation Agencies The United States has imposed sanctions on more than four private firms from India for aiding Russia amid its war ongoing against Ukraine. Sanctions were imposed on over 350 firms across Russia, India, and China accusing them of providing products and services that enable Russia’s war effort and aid its ability to evade sanctions. This is not the first time that Indian firms have been targeted by US sanctions. The Treasury and State Department's effort is aimed at punishing third-party countries that are accused of providing material assistance to the Kremlin. A US State Department official told Reuters that the latest move was the “most concerted push so far against third-country evasion.” Sanctions were also imposed on tar- MS Dhoni CSK `4 crore Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the Diwali celebration with Jawans in Gujarat’s Kutch on Thursday against such attempts, Modi said. The prime minister said that we see the Army, Navy and Air Force as different entities, "but their strength will increase manifold when they come together." The creation of the post of Chief gets in the United Arab Emirates, Turkey, Thailand and Malaysia. “This should send a serious message to both the governments and the private sectors of these countries that the US government is committed to countering the evasion of our sanctions against Russia and to continue putting pressure on Russia to end its war in Ukraine,” said the official. Meanwhile, Deputy Treasury Secretary Wally Adeyemo said in a statement that the US and its allies will continue to take decisive action across the globe to stop the flow of technologies and weapons that aid Russia in its war against Ukraine. Sanctions on Indian companies come at a time when the bilateral ties are under stress over the allegation of New Delhi's role in a plot to kill Sikh separatist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun in the US. The US has repeatedly warned against supplying Russia with Common High Priority Items. The State Department official said there has been an increase in the export of such goods from India to Russia, as well as increased interest in taking action against the companies facilitating such activity. Border Security Force (BSF) personnel light candles to celebrate the Diwali festival near the Indo-Bangladesh Border, at Atila, Tapan, in Dakshin Dinajpur district of West Bengal on Thursday. A few personnel even broke into dance to celebrate the occasion away from their families of Defence Staff (CDS) was a step in this direction, and the government is now working on creating Integrated Theatre Command. In Ekta Nagar, addressing a gathering near the statue of Sardar Patel, the Prime Minister opening his mouth. Her campaign has, on multiple occasions, resisted having them appear together on the campaign trail. The party and the inner circle of Harris views Biden as an undisciplined and confusing communicator, and his comments on Tuesday undercut a speech Harris delivered that same night at the Ellipse in which she made unity a major theme. Her response on Wednesday made it clear that she and her campaign would like to move on from Biden’s comments. But the Trump campaign has latched on to the opportun- warned that some forces in and outside India are trying to destabilise the country and underscored the need to "identify and unmask the urban Naxals." 4Cont. on | Nation RCB 1 dead, 6 hurt in Diwali ‘onion bomb’ tragedy in Andhra SWEET ENGAGEMENT AT LAC WITH CHINA Agencies Kunal Dutt HYDERABAD NEW DELHI One person was killed and six were injured in an accident involving firecrackers in Andhra Pradesh's Eluru district. A man on a two-wheeler was carrying a shipment of 'onion bombs' - a speciality Diwali firecracker - when the bike hit a pothole near a local temple, and the 'bombs' fell off and exploded. Reports suggest the shipment of Diwali 'bombs' had the same explosive power as an IED, or improvised explos- India and Chinese troops exchanged sweets at several border points along the Line of Actual Control (LAC), on the occasion of Diwali on Thursday. The traditional practice was observed a day after both countries completed troop disengagement at the two friction points at Demchok and Depsang Plains in eastern Ladakh, bringing a fresh thaw in the Sino-Indian ties. The exchange took place at all the five Border Personnel Meeting (BPM) points along the LAC -- Bum La and Wacha/Kibithu in Arunachal Pradesh, Chushul-Moldo and Daulat Beg Oldi in Ladakh and Nathu La in Sikkim -- among several other locations, sources added. Sweets were also exchanged at Kongk La, KK Pass ive device. CCTV footage of the tragedy showed two men on a white scooter driving at speed through a narrow street; this was at 12.17 pm. The bike explodes as it approaches a point where the street widens and meets a main road. There was a small group of men five to six - at the junction. The force of the explosion is such that the entire area is covered in dark grey smoke, with bits of paper fluttering around. As the smoke clears two men, somehow having survived the blast, come running to safety and parts of the bike and body can be seen scattered in the distance. Biden shoots Kamala campaign in the foot In the final days before the November 5 US presidential election, Democratic Party candidate Kamala Harris found a new problem at hand: her boss, President Joe Biden. The President unwittingly scored a self-goal over his muddled remarks that appeared to call Republican Party supporters of former President Donald Trump ‘garbage.’ 4Cont. on | Nation `16.30 cr Lighting up the border Harris on Wednesday tried to fire-fight the fallout by delinking herself from his comments and telling reporters: “Let me be clear: I strongly disagree with any criticism of people based on who they vote for,” although she, for good measure, said Biden had “clarified his comments.” Privately, an exacerbated Harris’ campaign team has asked Biden to either ‘vanish’ for the next six days till elections are over, or stay put in the White House without `21 crore Mumbai Indians offgrid FPJ News Service Virat Kohli Great players never walk into sunset. So, the legend called MS Dhoni will return to the Chennai Super Kings dressing room, to play his 18th season of the Indian Premier League. Ever since 2024, there was a buzz about Dhoni finally resting on his laurels. Much to the delight of the fans, their beloved Thala has returned to take his position behind the stumps. Dhoni returns as an uncapped player and the ‘yellow army’ had to fork out Rs 4 crore to retain him. Since inception, Dhonia has led CSK to a record five IPL titles. Likewise, Rohit Sharma has been retained by Mumbai Indians for 16.30 crores.  A surprise omission was Kolkata Knight Riders deciding not to retain their captain Shreyas Iyer, who helped them pocket the IPL title after almost a decade. The batter belted 34 fours and 14 sixes last season and was able to glue the unit together under the guidance of Gautam Gambhir and Chandrakanth Pandit. Swashbuckling keeper-batter Rishabh Pant, too, has been released by the Delhi Capitals while Sunrisers Hyderabad dazzler Heinrich Klaasen (23 crore) pipped RCB talisman Virat Kohli (21 crore) to the post by commanding the highest price among players retained by the IPL franchises. Rohit Sharma Meanwhile, Deputy Treasury Secretary Wally Adeyemo said in a statement that the US and its allies will continue to take decisive action across the globe to stop the flow of technologies and weapons that aid Russia in its war against Ukraine 4Cont. on | Nation WASHINGTON FPJ News Service NEW DELHI Agencies US sanctions 19 Indian firms, says helped Russia with tech WASHINGTON IPL JACKPOTS AND JOLTS BHUJ/EKTA NAGAR Even as Indian and Chinese troops were completing the process of disengaging, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday said India cannot compromise on even an "inch" of land on its borders, adding the people believe in the strength of its armed forces for defending the country. Enemies can "see the end of their sinister plans" when they see the Indian armed forces, he said at Sir Creek in Gujarat's Kutch district, as he kept up his tradition of celebrating Diwali with personnel of the armed forces. "In the past, attempts were made to turn this region into a battlefield. But we are not worried as you are guarding the nation. Our enemy also knows it well," Modi asserted.Attempts were made in the past to capture Sir Creek "in the name of diplomacy," but he, as then Gujarat chief minister, had raised his voice Happy Laxmi Poojan ity provided by Biden and aims to keep it running in the news cycle. At multiple rallies in Wisconsin, a battleground state, he put aside all his comments on other issues and dug into Biden’s garbage comment. He told his supporters: “you know what (Democrats) call us? Garbage,” amid boos. He also appeared in the rallies in the uniform of garbage collectors and later drove a garbage truck. 4Cont. on | Nation and Hot Springs (in eastern Ladakh), they said. The army, however, did not detail what kind of sweets were exchanged and at which BPM. On Wednesday, an Army source had said that troops of both sides had completed the disengagement at the two friction points and pa- trolling would commence soon at these points. The verification process after the disengagement was in progress and patrolling modalities were to be decided between ground commanders, the source had added. 4Cont. on | Nation 2nd foreign paraglider dies in Manali in 48hrs Banks to remain closed on 13 days in November Agencies NEW DELHI Agencies SHIMLA A day after the death of a Belgian paraglider, another paraglider from Czech Republic was killed in Himachal Pradesh's Manali after she crashed into the mountainside on Wednesday, officials said. Two paragliders have died in two days in Himachal Pradesh ahead of the Paragliding World Cup 2024 commencing on November 2 in Bir-Billing, considered as 'paragliding paradise', in Himachal's Kangra district. The deceased solo paraglider, identified as Dita Misurcova (43), crashed into the mountains near Marhi in Manali. She lost control over the glider due to strong winds, as per preliminary reports. The paraglider was immediately rushed to a hospital in Manali, where she was declared dead, officials added. An experienced paraglider, Misurcova had been paragliding for the past six years. On Tuesday, a Belgian paraglider was killed after colliding mid-air with another paraglider in Bir-Bil- ling as his parachute failed to open after the crash, while 50-year old Russian national Aleksei Kozlochkov died due to suspected heart attack in his hotel room in Bir on Monday. The Tuesday accident occurred when the two paragliders, who took off separately, collided mid-air leading to the death of Belgian paraglider Feyaret, while the Polish paraglider sustained injuries. Feyarets was a free-flying paraglider in his mid-sixties, officials said. Ten paragliders were flying simultaneously and two of them crashed with each other mid-air. The Belgium paraglider died as his parachute did not open after the crash, Kangra district's Deputy Director, Tourism, Vinay Dhiman told PTI. 4Cont. on | Nation The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has released the list of bank holidays for November 2024. This month, banks will remain closed for 13 days, covering both public and regional holidays. Apart from second and fourth Saturdays, all Sundays and banks will remain shut on eight additional holidays under the Negotiable Instruments Act. Diwali, Laxmi Puja, Chhath Puja and Guru Nanak Jayanti are among the major events this month. The holiday schedule for banks in India varies from state to state, depending on festivals the regions observe or celebrate. Since not all holidays apply to every state and Union Territory in India, customers should regularly check the official RBI website for a detailed list of holidays. To avoid inconvenience, individuals are advised to verify the holiday dates specific to their state before visiting any bank branch. Customers can, however, continue to use online banking and UPI on holidays for a smoother and faster experience. Although banks may be closed on certain holidays, customers can still access various banking services through official bank websites, ATMs, mobile applications, and net banking.