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Rahul visit to poll-bound Karnataka won’t have any impact: Bommai

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CM Basavaraj Bommai at an event organised to distribute cheques to government scheme beneficiaries in Mangaluru on Thursday | Express

HUBBALLI: Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai on Tuesday said former AICC president Rahul Gandhi’s visit to poll-bound Karnataka will not have any impact. Speaking to reporters here, the CM termed Congress’ guarantees as bogus announcements.

“His  (Rahul) Bharat Jodo Yatra did not have any impact. His recent visit to Belagavi will not influence state politics,” Bommai said. The CM said the people of Karnataka will not give any value to Rahul’s words, especially after his recent remarks in the UK regarding the state of democracy in India.

Bommai said the Congress has a track record of not implementing the promises it makes. “It is their track record. For instance, in Chhattisgarh, the party promises Rs 1,000 to each household… they did not give it in the first four years…now in the last year of the tenure, they are giving it. So these are not guarantee cards, but visiting cards,” he added.  

Further lashing out at CLP leader Siddaramaiah over allegations of corruption against his government, Bommai said complaints were lodged with the Lokayukta against the Congress leader over several cases, including the redo of Arkavathy Layout. “Siddaramaiah raising the issue of corruption is like the pot calling the kettle black,” he added.

He said discussions are underway with legal experts to conduct a judicial inquiry into 59 “corruption cases” of Siddaramaiah’s government, and a decision will be made soon.

On the ongoing controversy over Uri Gowda and Nanje Gowda, the CM said, “Several historical facts of India and Karnataka are twisted. Once the actual facts are established after research, the truth will prevail. Moreover, everyone knows who was involved in the killing of Tipu… but some people can’t digest the truth.” 

 Chief Minister Bommai said that he will remain as the CM after the polls. This comes amid speculation that the BJP top brass may pick a new CM if it returns to power.  

JDS leader HD Kumaraswamy called Congress’ ‘guarantee card’  as a ‘duplicate card’. He took a jibe at CLP leader Siddaramaiah’s hunt for a safe seat. “My sympathies are with Siddaramaiah… it shows his lack of confidence,” he said. Kumaraswamy said he has no plans of fighting from two seats.   “Speculation is rife that ex-MP Ramya will face me in Channapatna. I am not bothered about my opponents,” he said. 

Indian mission in London’s security heightened as British Sikh groups call for protests

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Khalistani attempt to pull down the Indian flag at the High Commission of India, London. (Photo | ANI Twitter)

LONDON: There is a heightened security presence and barricades have been erected outside the Indian High Commission here on Wednesday due to a planned demonstration called by some British Sikh groups.

Banners for a so-called “National Protest”, organised by groups such as the Federation of Sikh Organisations (FSO) and Sikh Youth Jathebandia, have been circulating on social media since before a protest on Sunday, which ended in violent disorder at the India House.

The Indian government registered a strong protest over the lack of security measures at its diplomatic mission, which ended in Khalistan flag-waving protesters smashing windows of the mission and attempting to pull down the tricolour.

Since the weekend, several uniformed officers have been patrolling the area in Aldwych and Metropolitan Police vans have been stationed at India Place.

Wednesday’s planned demonstration claims to be in response to discriminatory actions of the Indian Police in Punjab.

The Indian High Commission in London has been working to counter disinformation circulating around developments in Punjab, related to enforcement action against the separatist group ‘Waris Punjab De’.

“Let me assure all our friends here in the UK, especially brothers and sisters with relatives in Punjab, that there is no truth to the sensationalist lies being circulated on social media,” Indian High Commissioner Vikram Doraiswami said in a video posted on Twitter.

“The situation in your ancestral homeland is not what is being reported. The elected chief minister of the state and the local police authorities have put out detailed information, including interviews on television, please watch these. Do not believe the small handful of people putting out fiction and disinformation,” he said.

In an update on the enforcement action since March 18, Doraiswami said that the Punjab Police launched an operation against elements of ‘Waris Punjab De’ against whom criminal cases have been recorded, in particular against Amritpal Singh, the chief of this organisation.

He added that the constitutional rights to legal defence for all those arrested will be protected and reiterated that all communication services, including mobile telephone networks and the internet, are up and running in the state.

British Sikh MPs, Labour’s Tanmanjeet Singh and Preet Kaur Gill, were among those to express concern for their UK constituents with relatives in Punjab.

“Monitoring developments surrounding the Punjab. So many of my constituents are concerned for their loved ones given an internet blackout. Ministers should engage with Indian authorities so UK families who can’t reach their relatives regain contact as soon as possible,” Gill tweeted on Sunday.

On being alerted to the violent protest at the High Commission, she added: “No one should resort to such attacks. This is unacceptable.”

Several diaspora groups gathered for a We Stand By High Commission of India festive demonstration outside India House in London on Tuesday as a show of solidarity following vandalism.

The Metropolitan Police said its “enquiries continue” and one male arrested on suspicion of violent disorder has since been bailed to appear in court in mid-June.

Meanwhile, in New Delhi, police have removed barricades “that created hurdles” for commuters outside the British High Commission here but the security of the diplomatic mission remains intact, officials said on Wednesday.

India lose 3rd ODI by 21 runs

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CHENNAI: Australia spinners Adam Zampa (4-45) and Ashton Agar (2-41) picked up six wickets to beat India by 21 runs in the final ODI at the MA Chidambaram stadium here on Wednesday

India was all out for 248 in 49.1 overs, chasing Australia’s 269 on a pitch offering turn. Steve Smith’s captaincy needs a special mention for he never gave up the game at any moment and fought till the very end to guide the visitors a well deserved 2-1 win in the series.

This ODI series is an eye-opener for India for things to come, as they are the hosts of the upcoming World Cup to be played in October. Smith is a captain who knows how to exploit an opportunity when he senses it. When Virat Kohli and Suryakumar Yadav (the third one-baller of the series) were removed off successive deliveries, Smith believed that Australia stood a chance to win.

This self-belief and tidy bowling by the Australian bowlers in the last ten overs enabled the visitors to taste victory. The attack is the best form of defence goes a famous adage. India used this ploy to counter the in-form Mitchell Starc and reaped rich dividends.

Virat Kohli played a mature and responsible inning (54) to keep India alive in the match as the top-order could not convert the starts into big scores. The master craftsman once again showed why he is considered the best of his generation.

Kohli had done his homework well and thus played a lot straighter, and attacked only when required. He cut, pulled and swept with relish. He was also at ease against the spinners off the back foot.  He once pulled Agar to the fence and then executed a well-planned inside-out shot to the boundary. Later, a well-set Kohli went for a half-hearted inside-out shot from a ball that came in from Agar and it sailed into Warner’s hands at long off.

Adam Zampa (C) celebrates a wicket on Wednesday

The very next ball Yadav was castled by Agar. The fact that the team shielded Yadav and sent him at No 7 was to give the Mumbaikar some time. But alas Yadav once again did not grab the opportunity. Thus, from a comfortable position, India was reduced to 185 for 6.

Now it was left to Hardik Pandya and Ravindra Jadeja the last two recognised batters to do the rescue act. The pressure was so high that they could not even rotate the strike regularly. The boundaries were not coming due to the excellent field setting by Smith. Finally, Pandya (40) played against the spin of an Adam Zampa delivery but only managed to find Smith in the covers. Set a target of 270 for a win, India began the chase in earnest with skipper Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill carefully negotiating Mitchel Starc and Marcus Stoinis.

Luckily for India, Starc chose to bowl the wrong lengths and pitched the ball in the wrong areas. This exploited the host’s top order. During one such moment, Gill carted a half-volley from Starc that was pitched on the middle and leg stump over deep mid-wicket.

Again to relieve the team of pressure Gill square cut Stoinis to the fence, picking the gaps intelligently, with the Australian fielders watching the ball travel like a bullet to the fence. Gill showed his sense of timing by executing a short-arm jab to the long-on fence, then he came well behind the line of the ball to execute a copybook off drive wide of mid-off.

The India team think tank ploy of unsettling Starc worked as the Australian speedster was visibly unhappy with the treatment he was getting. Rohit Sharma and Gill added 65 runs for the first wicket.

Rohit (30) was done in by change of pace and fell to Sean Abbott. A while later, Gill (37) was also trapped in front of Zampa. Kohli and KL Rahul seemingly settled in for a long night’s work but their vigil fell short. Apart from the spinners, Australia had a number of batters to thank for putting up 269.

Brief scores

Australia 269 in 49 ovs (Head 33, Marsh 47, Carey 38; Kuldeep 3/56, Pandya 3/44, Axar 2/57, Siraj 2/37) bt India 248 in 49.1 ovs (Gill 37, Kohli 54, Pandya 40; Zampa 4/45, Agar 2/41). 

2023 ODI WC in India likely to start on Oct 5, final in Ahmedabad

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NEW DELHI: The 2023 ODI World Cup in India is likely to start on October 5 with the final to be held at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on November 19, according to a report.

The BCCI has shortlisted at least a dozen venues for the 10-team marquee event, which will see 48 matches, including three knockouts across the 46-day period, an ESPNcricinfo report said.

The 11 other shortlisted venues, according to the report, are Bengaluru, Chennai, Delhi, Dharamsala, Guwahati, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Lucknow, Indore, Rajkot and Mumbai.

Except for the final match, which is set to be played at the world’s largest stadium in Ahmedabad, the BCCI has not specified the venues for any games as yet.

The list of 12 cities, however, does not include Mohali and Nagpur, which had hosted a Test match against visiting Australia recently.

India had won the title when it last hosted the 50-over World Cup in 2011.

PM Modi reviews state of hospitals amid rise in COVID-19

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NEW DELHI: As COVID-19 and influenza cases are seeing a surge in India, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday held a high-level review meeting and directed hospitals to conduct regular mock drills to ensure they are prepared for all emergencies.

Highlighting that COVID-19 is far from over, the PM emphasised on following appropriate behaviour, including wearing of masks in hospital premises by both patients and health workers. He also advised senior citizens and those with comorbidities to wear masks when in a crowded area.

His directions came at a high-level meeting to assess the COVID-19 and Influenza-related preparedness of health infrastructure and logistics, the status of the vaccination campaign, the emergence of new COVID-19 variants and Influenza types and their public health implications.

This review meeting comes against the backdrop of a spike in Influenza cases in the country and a rise in COVID-19 cases in the past two weeks. “The PM highlighted that COVID-19 there is a need to monitor the status across the country on a regular basis,” said a statement issued by the union health ministry.

India has been witnessing a slight rise in new Covid-19 cases with average daily cases reported as 888 and weekly positivity reported as 0.98 per cent in the week ending March 22. However, 1.08 lakh daily average cases have been reported globally during the same week.

For the past few months, India is reporting a high number of Influenza-like illnesses, especially H1N1 (Swine flu) and H3N2 (Influenza A virus subtype), and Severe Acute Respiratory Infections (SARI) cases.  Two deaths were reported in the country due to influenza caused by the H3N2 virus. PM Modi directed officials for the effective monitoring of these cases and oversee that testing for Influenza, Coronavirus and Adenovirus are being followed up with states.

The Prime Minister was informed about the monitoring and availability and prices of 20 main Covid drugs, 12 other drugs, 8 buffer drugs and 1 influenza drug, the statement said.

The meeting was attended by Principal Secretary to PM PK Mishra, Member (Health) NITI Aayog Dr V K Paul, Cabinet Secretary Rajiv Gauba, Union Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan, Advisor PMO Amit Khare, and other senior officials.

Cancer, high BP, diabetes have treatment in Ayurveda but not in allopathy: Ramdev

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Cancer, high BP, diabetes have treatment in Ayurveda but not in allopathy: Ramdev

Haridwar: Yoga guru Swami Ramdev once again targeted the allopathic system of medicine, saying that there is no cure for diseases like cancer, hypertension and diabetes in allopathy, whereas through Ayurveda they can be eradicated from the root.

Ramdev made the remark while addressing the closing session of the International Ayurveda Conclave-2023 organised under the joint aegis of Uttarakhand Ayurved University and Deendayal Kamdhenu Gaushala Samiti on Sunday.

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, cabinet minister Satpal Maharaj, and vice chancellor of Ayurveda University Sunil Joshi also attended the programme.

Noting the importance and medical properties of cow’s milk, Ramdev said it increases the body’s immunity.

It “cures” many diseases naturally, he said, adding people around the world have it.

Ramdev claimed that diseases like cancer have been cured by the combination of cow urine extract and Ayurvedic medicines in his institute.

While addressing the students of Ayurveda, the Yoga guru said that there is no cure for diseases like diabetes, high blood pressure, and cancer in allopaths whereas Ayurveda has remedies for all these illnesses.

The Yoga guru has been in controversy with Ramdev in the past for making such statements against allopathic medicine.

DC thrash MI by nine wickets to jump to top of WPL table

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DC thrash MI by nine wickets to jump to top of WPL table

Navi Mumbai: A breathtaking boundary-hitting show after a clinical bowling attack helped Delhi Capitals thrash Mumbai Indians by nine wickets to jump to the top of the table in the Women’s Premier League here on Monday.

South African pacer Marizanne Kapp (2/13) struck twice in two balls early on to help Delhi restrict Mumbai, who were put in to bat, to a meagre 109 for 8. Shikha Pandey and Jess Jonassen also chipped in with two wickets for DC.

Chasing a small total, the top three Delhi batters of captain Meg Lanning (32 not out off 22 balls), Shafali Verma (33 off 15 balls) and Alice Capsey (38 not out of 18 balls) competed among themselves in hitting boundaries as their side chased down the target with 66 balls remaining.

Lanning struck four boundaries and one six during her unbeaten knock, while her opening partner Verma hit six fours and one six. One-down Capsey then hoisted five sixes and one four during her blitzkrieg to take Delhi to 110 for one in nine overs.

Already in the play-offs before Monday’s match, Delhi and Mumbai now have 10 points from seven matches each. But Delhi are ahead on net run rate — plus 1.978 as against plus 1.725 of Mumbai.

Delhi face UP Warriorz — who also have qualified for the play-offs — on Tuesday, while Mumbai take on Royal Challengers Bangalore — who are out of reckoning — on the same day.

Tuesday’s matches will decide which team tops the table and directly qualifies for the final. The second and third place teams will play the eliminator.

Defending a small total, Mumbai needed early wickets but Delhi openers Lanning and Shafali denied them any breakthrough till the fifth over when the latter was out for 33 off just 15 balls. Verma hit six fours — including three in the second over bowled by Issy Wong — and one six during her aggressive innings.

Lanning, who began with two fours in the first over, then took upon herself to chase down the target in a jiffy. She hoisted Wong for a six in the last ball of the powerplay.

Capsey then took over as she punished Hayley Matthews with three sixes in the seventh over before hitting Saika Ishaque to end the match.

Earlier, invited to bat in the top-of-the-table clash, Mumbai were reduced to 10 for 3 in 3.3 overs with Kapp (2/13) fetching wickets off consecutive deliveries in the third over, and they never recovered from there.

Pooja Vastrakar top-scored for Mumbai with a 26 while captain Harmanpreet Kaur and Issy Wong contributed 23 each.

The 37-run partnership for the fifth wicket between Kaur and Vastrakar was the highest for Mumbai.

Kapp first forced Yastika Bhatia (1) to edge an in-swinging delivery to wicketkeeper Taniya Bhatia before knocking off Nat Sciver-Brunt’s stumps the next ball for a first ball duck.

Kapp could not complete a hat-trick as Kaur defended solidly. But, Mumbai suffered another jolt as Hayley Matthews (5) fell the next over with the lively Jemimah Rodrigues taking a stunning one-handed catch at mid-on off the bowling of Shikha Pandey.

Mumbai were in tatters at 10 for 3 in the fourth over and they crawled to their lowest powerplay total of 19 for 3, before another blow struck them.

Introduced in the seventh over, Arundhati Reddy struck in her fifth ball, dismissing Amelia Kerr, who offered a loose shot into the hands of Bhatia behind the stumps as Mumbai wickets continued to tumble.

Vastrakar then struck a six and a four out of the blue as Mumbai took 18 runs from the 10th over to reach 46 for 4 at the halfway mark.

With Kaur needing to play sheet-anchor, Vastrakar was given the task to take risks and she had another couple of boundaries in the next over. But her stay was cut short with Jonassen dismissing her in the 12th over for 26.

Runs were hard to come by and even an in-form Kaur could not force the pace of Mumbai innings. She had a soft dismissal, trying to find a boundary with Jemimah taking the catch at deep midwicket.

Mumbai were 74 for 6 when Kaur was out and they added 35 runs in the last five overs to go past the 100-run mark.

Sukhoi fighter jet engages aircraft arrester barrier on landing at Pune airport; probe on

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Sukhoi fighter jet engages aircraft arrester barrier on landing at Pune airport; probe on

Pune: A Sukhoi-30 MKI fighter jet of the Indian Air Force had to engage an arrester barrier to stop the aircraft because of inadequate deceleration experienced by the pilots due to a technical snag on Monday, said the IAF.

The incident, which basically involved the use of a speed control technique, took place in the morning at the Air Force Station in Lohegaon in Pune after a routine training sortie, and a probe has been ordered.

Wing Commander Ashish Moghe, IAF Public Relations Officer (PRO), said, “Today, a Su-30 MKI of the Indian Air Force engaged the aircraft arrester barrier at the Air Force Station, Pune. The event occurred after a routine training sortie, following inadequate deceleration experienced by the pilots, on the landing roll due to a technical snag. Engaging of an arrester barrier gear is a planned activity for stopping of a fighter aircraft.”

The runway, which was closed for sometime, was made operational again, he said, adding a probe has been ordered into the incident.

The Pune international airport is a civil enclave operating from the IAF station at Lohegaon. It is a base for the IAF’s frontline Sukhoi aircraft.

Surat court’s verdict in defamation case against Rahul over ‘Modi’ surname remark likely on Mar 23

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Surat court's verdict in defamation case against Rahul over 'Modi' surname remark likely on Mar 23

Surat: A court in Gujarat’s Surat city is likely to pass an order on March 23 in a criminal defamation case against Congress MP Rahul Gandhi over his alleged “Modi surname” remark, his lawyer said on Monday.

The Congress leader will remain present in the court when the order will be passed, the lawyer Kirit Panwala told PTI.

The case was filed against Rahul Gandhi for his alleged “how come all the thieves have Modi as the common surname?” remark on a complaint lodged by BJP MLA and former Gujarat minister Purnesh Modi.

The complainant claimed that the controversial remark was made at a rally at Kolar in Karnataka ahead of the 2019 Lok Sabha elections which defamed the entire Modi community.

The court of Chief Judicial Magistrate, H H Varma, concluded hearing final arguments from both sides last Friday and set March 23 as the date to pronounce the judgment, lawyers said.

“The court concluded the hearing of the criminal defamation case and kept the matter for judgement on March 23. Rahul Gandhi will remain present in the court when it passes the order,” Kirit Panwala said.

Rahul Gandhi had remained present in the court on three occasions during the hearing of the case. He last appeared in October 2021 to record his statement and pleaded not guilty.

The final arguments in the defamation case resumed in February 2023 after the Gujarat High Court vacated the interim stay it had imposed on proceedings in March 2022 on the complainant’s plea demanding the personal appearance of Rahul Gandhi.

The complainant, Purnesh Modi, had served as a minister in the first term of the Bhupendra Patel government in Gujarat. He was re-elected from the Surat West assembly seat in December 2022 elections.

The lawyer for the complainant argued that CDs and a pen drive of Rahul Gandhi’s speech prove that he had indeed made the remark at the rally and that his words defamed the Modi community.

Rahul Gandhi’s lawyer argued that the proceeding was flawed from the beginning as the legal procedure under section 202 of the CrPC was not followed.

He also argued that Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and not Purnesh Modi, should have been the complainant in the case as an aggrieved party because most of Rahul Gandhi’s speech had targeted the prime minister.

Indian-origin Laxman Narasimhan assumes role of Starbucks Chief Executive Officer

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Indian-origin Laxman Narasimhan assumes role of Starbucks Chief Executive Officer

New York: Indian-origin executive Laxman Narasimhan on Monday officially assumed the role of Chief Executive Officer of global coffee giant Starbucks, joining the growing cohort of business leaders originally hailing from India at the helm of global corporations.

In September last year, Starbucks had announced that Narasimhan would become the company’s next chief executive officer and a member of the Starbucks Board of Directors.

Following the global search for the new leader of Starbucks to succeed company founder and now former CEO, Howard Schultz, Narasimhan joined Starbucks as incoming CEO on October 1, 2022 after relocating from London to the Seattle area.

“Effective today, Laxman Narasimhan has assumed the role of chief executive officer and will join the company’s board of directors,” Starbucks said in a statement.
Narasimhan will lead Starbucks Annual Shareholder Meeting on March 23.

“As he ascends into the role, Narasimhan will continue engaging the leadership team, sharing his early learnings and insights and assessing opportunities for the company as they chart a path forward,” the company said.

Narasimhan, the former CEO of UK-based consumer health, hygiene and nutrition multinational Reckitt Benckiser, brings to Starbucks nearly 30 years of experience leading global consumer goods businesses and advising retail, grocery, restaurant and e-commerce companies.

The company said that over the past five months, he has embarked on a unique immersion experience, traveling to work with employees in over 30 stores, manufacturing plants and in support centers around the world, “earning his barista certification” along the way.

“I am humbled to officially step into my role as Starbucks chief executive officer, leading our incredible team of more than 450,000 green apron partners around the world,” the company statement quoted Narasimhan as saying.

He said the foundation laid by Schultz “building from scratch an iconic global brand fuelled by a lasting passion to uplift humanity” is truly remarkable, “and I am honoured to have the opportunity to build on this deep heritage.

“As a human connection business, we have limitless possibilities to deliver for our partners, our customers, our investors and our communities through every cup and every connection. I am excited to work alongside our partners worldwide to unlock the limitless future of Starbucks.”

With his appointment, Narasimhan joined the growing list of Indian-origin CEOs at the helm of global giants, including Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella, Adobe CEO Shantanu Narayen, Alphabet CEO Sundar Pichai and IBM Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Arvind Krishna. Indra Nooyi had served as PepsiCo’s CEO for 12 years before stepping down in 2018.

Former Mastercard CEO Ajay Banga was last month nominated by US President Joe Biden to lead the World Bank.

Narasimhan holds a degree in Mechanical Engineering from the College of Engineering, University of Pune, India.

He also has a Master of Arts in German and International Studies from The Lauder Institute at The University of Pennsylvania and a Master of Business Administration in Finance from The Wharton School of The University of Pennsylvania.

Starbucks said that it has unveiled a company-wide reinvention strategy and continues to deliver on more than USD 1 billion in investments in retail partners and stores for prioritized areas such as increased pay and sick time accrual, new financial well-being benefits, modernized training and collaboration, store innovation and equipment and the celebration of coffee.

Independent Starbucks Board of Directors chair Mellody Hobson said in the statement that Narasimhan’s “intensive immersion” into the business coupled with his extensive experience as a proven brand builder, innovator and operator have uniquely prepared him to lead Starbucks into its next phase of growth.

“This immersion has deepened Laxman’s understanding of Starbucks culture and values. In this time of learning and listening, he has already won the hearts and minds of our partners around the world,” Hobson said.

Previously, Narasimhan has served as an executive in various leadership roles at PepsiCo, including as global chief commercial officer, where he was responsible for the company’s long-term growth strategy and commercial capabilities.

Prior to PepsiCo, he spent 19 years at McKinsey & Company, where he advised companies across the retail, consumer goods, and healthcare industries in the US, Asia, and India.

He is a trustee of the Brookings Institution, a member of the Council on Foreign Relations, a member of the UK Prime Minister’s Build Back Better Council and a member of Verizon’s Board of Directors, according to the Starbucks website.

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