WEDNESDAY 15 42,241 JANUARY, 2025 epaper.morningstandard.in J&K INCOMPLETE WITHOUT POK, SAYS DEFENCE MINISTER IN AKHNOOR facebook.com/TheMorningStandard X.com/TheMornStandard Rajnath Singh on Tuesday described PoK as India’s ‘crown jewel’ and said that Pakistan is using the ‘foreign territory’ ‘for terrorism’ Q ATA R END TERROR OR FACE CONSEQUENCES, PAK TOLD GAZA TRUCE DEAL IN FINAL STAGES Doha said negotiations for a truce and hostage release deal were in their “final stages” on Tuesday, adding that it was hopeful of a pact “very soon”. PAGE 9 A CAPITAL VIEW OF NEWS  NEW DELHI  J8.00  Rajnath Singh warned Pakistan to end terrorism or face consequences. “J&K is incomplete without PoK. People there are deprived of a dignified life. Pakistan makes efforts to mislead and provoke them against India in the name of religion. PoK’s land is being used for terrorism,” he said, adding that Pakistan will have to put an end to its nefarious designs. P7 PAGES 12 SQ KM IS THE GEOGRAPHICAL AREA OF JAMMU AND KASHMIR BATTLE OF AKHNOOR HOLDS SIGNIFICANCE The Battle of Akhnoor is significant as the Army successfully thwarted Pak’s Operation Grand Slam and advanced towards Lahore ‘History stands as a testament that Pakistan has lost every war against India — be it the tribal invasion of 1948, 1965, 1971, or 1999 Kargil. In each case, Pakistan has faced humiliation and defeat’ House panel to Make India climate-smart, summon Meta predict quakes better: PM over Zuckerberg election claims R A J E S H K U M A R T H A K U R @ New Delhi Will seek an apology from the social media giant for ‘factually incorrect’ statements R A J E S H K U M A R T H A K U R @ New Delhi CHAIRMAN of Parliament’s Standing Committee on Communications and Information Technology Nishikant Dubey announced on Tuesday that the panel would summon Meta chairman Mark Zuckerberg over his “factually incorrect” statements about the outcome of the 2024 Lok Sabha poll. The panel will seek an apology from the social media giant for “tarnishing” India’s image. On Monday, I&B Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw had lashed out at Zuckerberg for his remarks. Zuckerberg founded Meta, which owns Facebook. “My committee will summon Meta for this incorrect information. Incorrect information about any democratic country tarnishes its image. This organisation will have to apologise to Parliament and the people here for this mistake,” Dubey wrote on ‘X’. On Monday Vaishnaw react, ed strongly on ‘X’, tagging Meta and saying, “It is disappointing to see misinformation from Mr. Zuckerberg himself. Let’s uphold facts and credibility .” Vaishnaw said: “From free food for 800 million, 2.2 billion free vaccines, and aid to nations worldwide during COVID, to leading India as the fastestgrowing major economy, PM Modi’s decisive 3rd-term victory is a testament to good governance and public trust.” Vaishnaw said that Zuckerberg’s “factually incorrect” remarks failed to acknowledge India’s achievements and the strong mandate secured by the government. The remarks are part of the Meta founder’s comments in a podcast with Joe Rogan. Zuckerberg said that 2024 was a big election year globally, and in many countries, including In- TARNISHING INDIA’S IMAGE, SAYS DUBEY Parliament’s Standing Committee on Communications and IT chairman Nishikant Dubey said, “This organisation (Meta) will have to apologise to Parliament and the people here for this mistake.” META FOUNDER’S PODCAST REMARKS In a podcast with Joe Rogan, Meta founder Mark Zukherberg said that 2024 was a big election year globally, and in several countries, including India, incumbents lost the polls. dia, incumbents lost the polls. “There is some sort of global phenomenon — whether it was inflation due to the economic policies to deal with Covid or just how the governments handled Covid — which seems to have had a broad effect not just in the US, but globally leading , to a decrease in trust in incumbents and perhaps in democratic institutions overall,” he stated in the podcast. In the 2024 elections, while the BJP fell short of a majority on its own, its alliance secured enough seats to form the government, reinstating Modi as PM for a third straight term. PM Narendra Modi called on the scientists on Tuesday to focus on innovating early-warning systems for earthquakes and launched initiatives to make India “climate-smart”. Emphasising the importance of research, he said, “There is a need to develop warning systems for earthquakes and scientists and researchers should work in this direction.” Commemorating the 150th year of the India Meteorological Department (IMD), Modi described its journey as a significant chapter in India’s modern science and technology . Modi also launched ‘Mission Mausam’, the initiative to boost weather monitoring using state-of-the-art technologies, including advanced radars, satellites, and high-performance IN a major breakthrough in the investigation into a series of hoax bomb threats targeting schools across the national capital, the Delhi Police has revealed that an NGO with long association with a political party played a significant role in influencing the workplace of the accused boy’s parents. According to a senior Delhi Police officer, the NGO is publicly known for its advocacy of a specific political party. Further investigation revealed that the NGO had opposed the hanging of convicted terrorist Afzal Guru and supported the political party via social media. While the police have not disclosed the political party’s identity, BJP has named AAP and demanded a transparent response from its leadership regarding the incident and the people involved. This comes after a juvenile, a student at a private school, was identified as having sent over 400 hoax bomb emails to Delhi schools, causing widespread panic. Security agencies strug- ‘Known for advocacy’ The NGO is known for its advocacy of a specific political party and had opposed the hanging of convicted terrorist Afzal Guru, according to a senior officer of Delhi Police. gled to identify the sender for nearly a year, with investigations repeatedly hitting dead ends. However, on January 8, a new email threat targeting more than 23 schools prompted an intensive investigation. “The Cyber and South District Police launched a technical analysis of email sources. This led to the identification of the accused through digital footprints and email tracking,” said DCP (South) Ankit Chauhan. During a search of the juvenile’s home, police recovered a laptop and two cellphones. They were subjected to forensic analysis, revealing digital evidence linking him to the threats. Further investigation confirmed that the juvenile had been involved in sending similar emails to over 400 schools. PM Modi unveils Vision-2047 document to commemorate the 150th year of the India Meteorological Department (IMD) | PTI ment, he expressed satisfaction over “our flash-flood guidance system providing critical info to Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka”. He elaborated on India’s initiative, ‘’Early Warning to All’’, which currently covers more than 90% of the population, and mentioned the ‘Meghdoot mobile app’, which provides weather updates in local languages. VISION ’47 IMD AIMS TO ACHIEVE 100% DETECTION OF ALL TYPES OF SEVERE WEATHER IN VILLAGES The goal is to ensure zero deaths from severe weather events by enabling disaster managers, stakeholders and people to take early action based on warnings AKHADAS GET RIGHT OF WAY TO SANGAM PA R A M I TA G H OS H @ Prayagraj THE day of the first Shahi Snan of Maha Kumbh, 2025, was, like always, primarily the day of the akhadas. Shahi Snans are the red-letter days on the Kumbh timetable, and for the devout, who have come from far and wide to take a dip in the Sangam on the occasion of the first Shahi Snan of Makar Sankranti, there is a slight interruption in programme — when the Naga sadhus, their lithe bodies resplendent with ash and health, break into a run for the river. For most, this is the marquee event of the mela, as sadhus wielding swords, maces, and tridents, blissed out on life, wave to the crowds, creating a few moments of intense connection as they move towards the Sangam. It is believed that the dip taken after the babas have bathed will yield great spiritual benefits. The gesture of making way for others is part of the Kumbh tradition. “It all began in 1801 when fights broke out between the different sects and denominations, or the akhadas. On being petitioned to broker a peace, the Peshwa intervened and BJP slams AAP on hoax bomb emails as cops flag NGO’s political party link S H E K H A R S I N G H @ New Delhi computing systems. He underscored the necessity of making India more “weather-resilient” and “climatesmart”. The objective is to improve “the understanding of weather and climate processes and provide air quality data that will help strategise weather management and intervention in the long run”. Commending the IMD’s efforts in delivering weather-related services, especially to vulnerable communities, the PM said, “A decade ago, only 10% of the far mers could access weather-related services, but today, this number has risen to over 50%. With the support of IMD, fishermen receive timely info on weatherrelated aspects.” Highlighting India’s regional leadership in meteorological services and disaster manage- FIRs filed against AAP leaders over poll code breach S H E K H A R S I N G H @ New Delhi THE Delhi Police has filed two separate FIRs against AAP leaders over allegations related to poll conduct. The charges include violation of the model code of conduct by CM Atishi, though she has not been named as accused in the FIR, and the use of AI-generated videos targeting political rivals. Acting on a complaint citing AI-generated videos of PM Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah, allegedly designed to influence the polls, an FIR was lodged at the North Avenue police station. In the second FIR, Atishi has been accused of violating the model code by using a government vehicle for election-related travel. The complaint named Sanjay Kumar, Executive Engineer in PWD, for allegedly providing the vehicle for Atishi’s use in political activities. Around 3.5 crore devotees take holy dip on Makar Sankranti on Tuesday | PTI Special celestial alignment after 144 years Purna Kumbh happens every 12 years. The Maha Kumbh happens when a special celestial alignment takes place — once in 144 years. The Shahi Snan builds up an atmosphere of spiritual frenzy and divine immersion. decreed the sequential order of the akhadas at the Shahi Snans,” says Herambh Chaturvedi, a retired professor of Allahabad University. Ever since, that order — which gives the sects of Naga sanyasis the first right of way to the Sangam — has been enforced by the Akhada Parishad and followed by the different sects of ascetics and renunciants. Tuesday’s Shahi Snan passed without incident except for a brief period of chaos when devotees pushed through the security cordon and entered the area reserved for the sadhus. AFTER DRUBBING, DOs & DON’Ts Bathers started crowding the banks of the river by 4 am and the wave of excitement rippled through them at the first sighting of the sadhus. It seemed a carnival of spirits. Sadhus began bathing at 5.15 am. Sri Panchayati Akhada Maha Nirvani and Sri Sambhu Panchawati Atal Akhada were among the early entrants. Conch shells were blown, and dhol (drums) and tasha, nagare (kettle drums) were beaten, even as chants of ‘Har Har Mahadev’, ‘Jai Ganga Maiyya ki Jai’ and ‘Har Har Gauri Shankar’ rent the air. P8 Irani, Shekhar Kapur among new members in rejigged PMML Society PA R V E Z S U LTA N @ New Delhi BCCI is possibly launching a pushback against its players after the embarrassing loss in Australia. After a review meeting in Mumbai to assess the team’s performance, the cricketing bosses appear convinced that a dose of discipline is what the players require. THE CURBS Wives/family can’t stay more than a fortnight in a 45-day long tour Anything less than that, they stay only for a week All players to travel in team bus; no separate travel Players will bear luggage charges in excess of a 150kg limit Personal manager of head coach cannot stay in same hotel as players or travel in the team bus or enter the VIP box EXPRESS READ 1,000 additional CRPF jawans for VIP security Plea: Make CAG reports public before elections In view of the Centre’s plans to gradually transfer certain protectees from the National Security Guard to the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has sanctioned an additional 1,000 personnel to the VIP security wing, taking the total strength of the paramilitary force to 7,000, comprising both men and women. | P7 A petition has been filed in the Delhi High Court seeking directives for the Centre, the L-G, and the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) to ensure that CAG reports are made publicly accessible. The petitioner argued the reports should be published on respective government portals to inform the electorate about Delhi’s financial health ahead of Assembly polls. | P4 THE Prime Ministers’ Museum & Library (PMML) society and its executive council have been reconstituted. Former Principal Secretary to the PM Nripendra Mishra has been reappointed for a five-year term as the chairperson of the council. Several new members have been nominated to the society . According to an order issued by the culture ministry the newly , added representatives are exUnion minister Smriti Irani, filmmaker and director of International Film Festival of India Shekhar Kapur, former NITI Aayog vice-chairman Rajiv Kumar and retired Army General Syed Ata Hasnain. The reconstituted body will have 34 members instead of 29, said Ahmadabad-based historian Rizwan Kadri. He has been nominated to the society . The organisation is headed by the PM and has Defence Minister Rajnath Singh as its vice-president. Union ministers Amit Shah, Nirmala Sith- araman, Dharmendra Pradhan, Ashwini Vaihnaw and Gajendra Singh Shekhawat are also its members. As per the memorandum of association and rules and regulations of the society the terms , of the members nominated and executive council will be five years or until further order. The PMML society is an autonomous institution under the culture ministry. It has four major constituents; Pradhanmantri Sangrahalaya, library, Centre for Contemporary Studies and Nehru Planetarium. The other new members include Sanjeev Sanyal, who is also the member of PM’s Economic Advisory Council, educationist Chamu Krishna Shastry, Vasudev Kamath of Sanskar Bharti, and archaeologist KK Mohammad.