SATURDAY NEET-UG 2024 RANKS CHANGE AS NTA RELEASES FINAL REVISED RESULTS 27 JULY, 2024 The National Testing Agency (NTA) on Friday announced the final results of the controversy ridden medical entrance exam NEET-UG 2024 epaper.morningstandard.in facebook.com/TheMorningStandard X.com/TheMornStandard 23,33,297 IMRAN KHAN IN OXFORD VARSITY CHANCELLOR RACE 44 TOPPERS LOSE 5 MARKS AFTER REVISION Oxford-educated former Pak PM is likely to run for the position of the chancellor of his alma mater in the UK from his prison cell through an online ballot. A CAPITAL VIEW OF NEWS PAGE 9 NEW DELHI J8.00 Some facts and figures from the Opening Ceremony M U K E S H R A N J A N @ New Delhi 85 No. of boats 205 Delegations Indian athletes wave their national flags from a boat on the Seine River in Paris, France, during the opening ceremony of the 2024 Summer Olympics on Friday | AP SURREAL CEREMONY OPENS PARIS GAMES T HE Eiffel Tower stood attentive, as if trying to capture the moment that will forever be embossed in the annals of Olympic history adorned , with a bouquet of adjectives: outrageous, bold, wild, yet beautiful and sublime. The Seine flowed majestically as ever beside it. The Trocadero stood on the other side where the dignitaries sat in the immersive settings of the Opening Ceremony It all began at 7.30 pm Par. is time, with football legend Zinedine Zidane starting off things in a humorous skit. On a wet evening, Paris did not need an invocation of the TMS @ OLYMPICS spirits or intervenINDRANEEL DAS tion from divinity For . once, the city that had PARIS been an inspiration for many poets, artists, writers and composers was its own muse. From the depths of its heart, it sang melodious tunes and ushered in a new-age world of sport — an apt reflection of the central theme of unity and brotherhood the Opening Ceremony tried to showcase. On Friday the city wished for a dry , evening. But the day started on a damp note. The biggest wish on Friday would have been to keep the rains away There was some rain but . not heavy enough to send the joyous crowd home. The gigantic screens on the course of the river captured every movement of the 85 boats ferrying about 6800 athletes over 6 km cheered by over 3,00,000 spectators congregating on the banks on various stages to watch their favourite athletes float by; like how dreams float in the air. The Games are an opportunity to celebrate Paris in its essence. ‘Us’ is the underlying theme and the ceremony was an amalgamation of history and innovation, heritage and creativity. It celebrated a city that has always been imbued with thought, art, festivity and daring, a world-city where the plurality of living together first emerged, birthing along with it, the possibility of an ‘Us’. The challenge was keeping the audience engaged while the athletes sailed on their boats. Parkour, another reflection of modern urban sport, was like an interlude fusing the 12 tableau and while each composer presented their story Lady Gaga did her gig too. . The parade of boats along the Seine continued into the evening as athletes danced, waved their flags and wore their smiles easily . From Saturday, though, the festivities will be replaced by the world’s best athletes going against each other for global glory. Let the P11, 12 games begin. 6,800 Attending athletes 6KM Distance between Pont d’Austerlitz (starting point) and the Pont d’lena (end) 3.2L Spectators in 124 ground stands 170 Cameras 200 Rehearsal days 2,000 Artists 1,800 Costumes 78 Indian athletes in parade Indian group led by PV Sindhu and A Sharath Kamal, had 78 athletes & officials from 12 different sporting disciplines Paradigm shift as PSU sale put on ice D I PA K M O N D A L @ New Delhi IN a marked departure from its aggressive privatisation pitch in the past, the Narendra Modiled government seems to have quietly put the disinvestment drive on the back burner. Confirming this paradigm shift, top government sources told this newspaper that privatisation of public sector companies is no longer a priority for the Centre. The new line of thinking is that there is great value to be unlocked in some of the State-owned entities on the block, and that it makes more sense in holding on to such enterprises and making them profitable than giving them away at low prices. FRIDAY FURY... 34.8 mm rain between 5.30 & 8.30 am DISINVESTMENT PROCEEDS (IN ` CRORE) 50,000 50K 40K 35,293 16,500 30K 50,300 32,885 13,534 20K 10K 2024-25* 2023-24 2022-23 2021-22 2020-21 2019-20 * Budget Estimate | Source: Department of Investment and Public Asset Management “There has been a change of emphasis and a change of orientation, more towards a balanced view of the benefits of holding versus the benefits selling off. But disinvestment will continue, but will not be the sole priority said a source. ,” This, however, doesn’t mean privatisation plans are on hold; only that sell-off is no longer the priority of the government, which will continue to look for ways to pare down its holdings in some public sector entities. The Budget has estimated ...WHERE IS THE ROAD? Maximum 93 mm at DU’s North Campus Lowest 10mm recorded in Pitampura Waterlogging at Diplomatic Enclave, Africa Avenue, Gole Market and CP Traffic hit at Mother Teresa Crescent, Shivaji Stadium, Moti Bagh Metro Stations, Shanti Path, Bhikaji Cama Place, and Motibagh Ring Road IMD’s ‘yellow’ alert till Sunday Maximum temp 33.30 C, 1.6 notches below normal | P3 Final results were released after the Supreme Court dismissed pleas seeking re-test. The earlier scores were revised taking into account SC’s decision on the correct answer to an ambiguous physics question, which NTA said had two answers. As a consequence, 5 marks were cut from those who chose the incorrect option. They include 44 students who had scored full marks earlier | P7 PAGES 12 SC pulls up MCD over solid waste disposal, warns of ‘health emergency’ Mamata, Soren to attend NITI Aayog council meeting today WEST Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee will participate in the ninth meeting of the NITI Aayog governing council on Saturday for some time if she is allowed to speak, as will her Jharkhand counterpart Hemant Soren, amid a boycott by other chief ministers of Opposition-ruled states. The meet will discuss a range of issues, including a Viksit Bharat@2047 document. “If they allow me to record our voice, I will do so. Else, I will leave in protest. I will try to speak on behalf of our state. As far as I know, Hemant (Soren) is also going to speak for his state. On behalf of us (INDIA Mamata Banerjee bloc), we will speak for everybody,” Mamata said in Kolkata. Upon her arrival in Delhi, she went ballistic against the NITI Aayog, sayHemant Soren ing it should be scrapped and the Planning Commission brought back. “Since the NITI Aayog came up, I have not seen a single work being done because they don’t have power. Earlier, there was a Planning Commission.... at that time I saw there was a system,” she charged. As for Viksit Bharat@2047, sources said it is a vision document on making India a developed economy of $30 trillion by 2047. “In 2023, NITI Aayog was entrusted with the task of consolidating the 10 sector-wise thematic visions into a combined vision for ViksitBharat @2047. The vision encompasses various aspects of development,” a senior official said. The governing council includes all CMs. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is the chairman of NITI Aayog. NUMBER OF STUDENTS WHO APPEARED FOR THE 2024 MEDICAL ENTRANCE TEST A BMW wades through a waterlogged road in Chanakyapuri on Friday | SHEKHAR YADAV `50,000 collection from disinvestment in FY25. Last year, disinvestment proceeds stood at `16,500 crore against revised estimates of `30,000 crore. Despite its best efforts, the government could privatise only two PSUs – Air India and Neelanchal Ispat Nigam – so far. Stake sale in IDBI Bank is ongoing, and that is the only PSU which may go to a private entity as the government and LIC—which together hold 94.7% in the bank—look to sell 46% stake to a new entity . Disinvestment Secretary Tuhin Kanta Pandey recently disclosed that the Reserve Bank of India might soon give clearance on fit and proper criteria for the prospective investors. P R A B H AT S H U K L A @ New Delhi RAISING serious concerns over the untreated solid waste, the Supreme Court on Friday instructed the Centre to convene a meeting to find a solution to the menace and also warned the Municipal Corporation of Delhi of a possible public health emergency if the issue is not addressed on priority . A bench of Justices Abhay S Oka and Augustine George Masih noted that there appears to be no effective solution until at least 2027 for managing the 11,000 tonnes of solid waste produced daily in Delhi. The court underscored the potential for a “public health crisis” if immediate action is not taken. “Going by the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) affidavit and timelines therein, there are no possibilities of adequate facilities in Delhi till 2027 to treat 11,000 tonnes of solid waste in Delhi. No guesswork is needed that by then solid waste generated will multiply. It is a sorry state of affairs in the capital city and can lead to a public health emergency the court stated. ,” It directed the Secretary of MODI CALLS OUT PAK FOR TERROR ON KARGIL ANNIV Says Agnipath scheme was implemented at the behest of the armed forces for reforms blast of the Shinkun La Tunnel Project in Ladakh, virtually. PRIME Minister Narendra The project consists of a 4.1 km Modi on Friday called out Paki- long twin-tube tunnel to be constan for using proxy war to stay structed at an altitude of relevant, in his address to mark around 15,800 ft on the Nimuthe 25th anniversary of India’s Padum-Darcha Road to provide victory in the Kargil war. all-weather connectivity to Leh. “Today, I am speaking at a Once completed, it will be the place from where the masters highest tunnel in the world. of terror can hear my voice diThe Shinkun La tunnel will rectly. I want to tell these pa- not only ensure swift and effitrons of terrorism that cient movement of the their nefarious intenArmy and equipment tions will never sucbut also foster economceed,” Modi said at the ic and social developKargil War Memorial I salute the brave ment in Ladakh. sons of the in Dras, Ladakh. Lauding the defence country who Referring to Pakiforces for the reforms made the stan’s deceit when In- supreme sacrifice in the defence sector, dia was making all efModi dwelt at length on to protect the forts to maintain peace, motherland. India the Agnipath scheme. he said, “Falsehood will overcome all “The purpose of the a n d t e r r o r w e r e challenges that Agnipath scheme is to brought down to their come in the way keep forces young and of development knees by truth...We not continuously battleonly won the war, we ready,” Modi asserted, Narendra Modi, presented an incrediwhile criticising its Prime Minister ble example of truth, politicisation. restraint and strength.” “The truth is that the AgnipModi asserted that the nefar- ath scheme will increase the ious intentions of terrorists strength of the forces and the will never be fulfilled. “Our country will get capable youth,” bravehearts will trample all the he added. Modi sought to reset terror attempts.” the perception that Agnipath Modi paid homage to the bra- was merely a pension-saving vehearts, who made the su- scheme. “We have respected the preme sacrifice in the line of decision taken by the armed duty, on the occasion of 25th forces (on Agnipath) because Kargil Vijay Diwas. for us the security is more imHe also witnessed the first portant than politics.” M AYA N K S I N G H @ Dras Prime Minister Narendra Modi pays tribute to Kargil martyrs in Dras on Friday | PTI the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change to meet with the Delhi government and MCD, including its commissioner, to discuss necessary steps to prevent an emergency. The SC also urged the Delhi government to consider recent proposals regarding funding and permits for solid waste management plants, stressing that without these, the MCD cannot comply with the rules. In May, the SC expressed its shock at the worsening untreated solid waste levels in Delhi-NCR and slammed the authorities’ indifference to it. SEXUAL ASSAULT Survivor, witness asked to appear in court against ex-chief of WFI S H E K H A R S I N G H @ New Delhi THE Rouse Avenue Court has summoned a survivor and witness to provide evidence in a sexual harassment case against former Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh. The move comes as the court seeks to advance the criminal proceedings initiated by women wrestlers against Singh and former WFI assistant secretary Vinod Tomar. On Friday, the court heard testimony from a cop involved in the probe. However, the recording of further evidence was postponed because a mobile phone seized during the probe is now held at the Forensic Science Lab (FSL) in Rohini. This led Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate Priyanka Rajpoot to defer the examination of constable Mukesh Kumar, who was part of the probe team that visited Singh’s village in Gonda, Uttar Pradesh. The police had confiscated two mobile phones which are crucial evidence under analysis at FSL. The court has scheduled the next hearing for August 6, where the survivor’s testimony will be recorded. On July 11, the court directed recording of prosecution witnesses’ statements. Singh, through his counsel Rajiv Mohan, withdrew an application requesting documents related to his foreign travel and hotel stays but retained the option to file a fresh petition. The formal framing of charges against Singh and Tomar took place on May 21, with both denying the allegations and demanding a trial. The court had initially ordered the framing of charges on May 10, following sufficient material evidence against Singh for sexual harassment and outraging modesty of five women wrestlers. Charges under Sections 354 and 354A of the IPC have been framed against Singh, along with charges under Section 506 (part 1) based on allegations by two women. EXPRESS READ Coast Guard rescues 14 crew of grounded ship Rahul offered bungalow in Sunehri Bagh Road In a 1st, online bid for rare presidential gifts K’taka CM defends MUDA sites to wife The Indian Coast Guard on Friday evacuated 14 crew members of the cargo vessel JSW Raigad, which ran aground off the coast of Alibaug in Maharashtra. The Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre in Mumbai received a distress call at 1.27 pm on Thursday. Braving adverse weather, a Coast Guard helicopter evacuated the crew from the vessel and safely landed them at Alibaug beach. Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi may soon be allotted bungalow No. 5 on Sunehri Bagh Road, with the House Committee offering him the property. Rahul is yet to accept the accommodation. His sister Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, however, visited the house on Friday. Rahul, being LoP in the Lok Sabha, is entitled to a TypeVIII bungalow as he holds a Cabinet minister’s rank. P7 The Rashtrapati Bhavan Museum is offering an opportunity for the public to acquire distinctive gifts from former and current presidents through an online auction, named E-Upahaar. Registrations for the auction began on July 25, and final bids will be accepted until August 5. The auction will feature a range of antique items, gifted to the presidents from around the world. Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Friday defended the allotment of sites to his wife by Mysuru Urban Development Authority (Muda), while admitting that he did not declare this in his 2013 election affidavit due to an oversight. He said that the same was subsequently declared before the Lokayukta. The CM also released documents in support of his claims. P5
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