MONDAY 11 AUGUST, 2025 epaper.morningstandard.in facebook.com/TheMorningStandard X.com/TheMornStandard Air India’s move to upgrade its 26 Dreamliners is to reduce operational disruptions and better overall reliability ISRAEL BIBI DEFENDS GAZA OFFENSIVE Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday sought to defend a new military offensive in one of Gaza’s most populated areas amid condemnation. PAGE 9 A CAPITAL VIEW OF NEWS Defence Minister Rajnath Singh during the foundation stone laying ceremony of BRAHMA Project to make rail coaches, in Raisen district, Madhya Pradesh | PTI IN a veiled dig at US President Donald Trump for his tariff action and repeated targeting of India, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Sunday said that some people are not willing to accept India’s economic progress and influence on the world stage. Describing India’s economy as the world’s most “dashing and dynamic”, Rajnath said that some people who consider themselves as Sabke Boss (everyone’s boss) are unable to digest India’s progress and economic development. “They think that we are everyone’s boss and how is India moving forward so fast? Many people are trying to do something, so that when things made by the hands of Indians in India go to other countries, they become more expensive than the things made in those countries,” he said of Trump’s tariff action against India. “But, I’m confident that the pace at which India is progressing, no global power can stop our country from becoming a major world power,” Singh asserted during his speech after laying the foundation of BEML Rail Hub for Manufacturing (BRAHMA) -a greenfield rail manufacturing facility at central Madhya Pradesh’s Raisen district. Describing Operation Sindoor as a symbol of India’s self-reliance and self-confidence, Singh asserted that the armed forces effectively utilised indigenous equipment, which played a pivotal role in the success of the operation. “India was able to reach this position only because it has taken the pledge to become Aatmanirbhar in the defence sector,” he added. Singh said India is now not only manufacturing equipment on its soil, but is also catering to the security needs of friendly nations. “When Modiji became PM for the first time in 2014, the defence sector exports from India were merely `600 crore, which 10 years later have soared to `24,000 crore.” Munir meets US military brass Pak Army chief Asim Munir, currently in the US, met top US military leaders, the army said. Munir met Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff General Dan Caine and invited him to visit Pakistan, the Pak army’s statement said. This is Munir’s second visit to US since India’s Operation Sindoor | P9  NEW DELHI  J8.00 Prime Minister Narendra Modi being received by Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Governor Thawar Chand Gehlot, in Bengaluru | EXPRESS India is the world’s fastest growing economy: Modi UPA dispensation. “In 2014, India had only 74 airports, and now, there are DAYS after US President Don- over 160. Then, only three naald Trump’s ‘dead economy’ tional waterways were operabarb, Prime Minister Naren- tional, now there are 30. The dra Modi on Sunday asserted country had only seven AIIMS that India is the fastest grow- and 387 medical colleges, but ing economy in the world. today we have 22 AIIMS hospi“In the last 11 years, our tals and 704 medical colleges, economy has gone from 10th adding 1 lakh more medical place to top five. We seats in the past 11 are now moving rapyears. The number idly towards becomof IITs has risen from ing one of the top 16 to 23, IIITs from 9 We are moving three economies,” he to 25, and IIMs from fast to become said after inaugurat13 to 21,” Modi said. one of the top ing the Yellow Line three economies. “Before 2014, Inof Bengaluru Metro dia’s total exports How we got this rail and laying the were only $468 bilspeed? Through the spirit of foundation stone for lion. The figure is ‘reform, perform Phase-3. $824 billion now. Inand transform’ Attributing the dia used to import Prime Minister growth momentum mobile phones; we Narendra Modi to the spirit of ‘reare among the top form, perform and five exporters of motransform’, he said: “The bile phones,” he added. journey to a Viksit Bharat India has become a global will move forward hand in example of low-cost, highhand with Digital India.” tech space missions, he said, Modi’s remarks were also emphasising that India is proaimed at Leader of Opposi- gressing in all areas of futurtion in the Lok Sabha Rahul istic technologies. “Our next Gandhi, who had drawn eco- big priority should be becomnomic parallels between the ing self-reliant in technology ,” NDA government and the Modi said. D EVA RA J B H I R E H A L L I @ Bengaluru KERALA Dead organ donors, kin to be honoured  Air India’s fleet of Dreamliners — 26 legacy 787-8s and seven 787-9s — had undergone checks, including fuel switches, after the fatal crash on June 12 in Ahmedabad. Under the $400 million fleet retrofit programme announced in December 2022, the airline has flown its first Dreamliner to a Boeing facility in California in July PAGES 12 Karnataka EC officer sends notice to Rahul for proof of ‘vote theft’ EXPRESS NEWS SERVICE @ Bengaluru/New Delhi IN the wake of ‘vote theft’ allegations levelled by Congress leader Rahul Gandhi against the Election Commission of India at a press conference in New Delhi on August 7, the chief electoral officer (CEO) of Karnataka on Sunday served a notice to the Congress leader, asking him to share documents based on which he had alleged that a woman voted twice. Gandhi had alleged that there was an instance of duplicate voting, citing the case of one Shakun Rani, who he claimed had voted twice in the Mahadevapura constituency in the 2024 general election and had stated that the document was from the ECI. The ECI, however, stated that its preliminary inquiry found no such evi- dence, with Shakun Rani herself asserting that she voted only once and the “tick-marked” document Gandhi displayed not being an official record issued by a polling officer. The CEO has asked Gandhi to submit the documents he relied upon to support his allegations, so that an investigation can be conducted. The Karnataka CEO’s notice to Gandhi was followed by a reminder from the CEO of Hary- Rent for residences of Delhi ministers, MLAs to cost more A S H I S H S R I V A S TA V A @ New Delhi THE rent for government residences allotted to Delhi government ministers and officials has been increased, with the Public Works Department (PWD) revising the licence fee for all houses under its general pool. According to the order, Type 7 bungalows, most of which are located in the Civil Lines area, will now carry a monthly licence fee of `5,430. This category includes the controversial 6 Flagstaff R o a d b u n g a l o w, once the official residence of AAP chief and for mer CM Arvind Kejriwal. “The flat rates of licence fee for the various types of residential (general pool) accommodation of PWD, GNCTD of Delhi, have been revised as per Annexure with effect from the date of issue of this order,” the order copy read. It further said that PWD had “adopted the revised living area of various types of residential accommodation” and directed all departments under the Delhi government with their housing pools to follow the new rates and ensure collection from allottees. For Type 6 quarters in areas such as Vasant Kunj and Tilak Marg, the fee has been fixed at `2,590 per month. Type 5 quarters, located in neighbourhoods like Greater Kailash, Gulabi Bagh, Motia Khan and the Commonwealth Games Village, will now cost `1,750 per month. In the case of Type 4 quarters spread across Mayur Vihar, Model Town, Karkardooma and adjoining areas, with a space of less than 100 square metres,—the rent has been set at `880 per month. The fee, officials said, is collected by PWD from the departments concerned that allot the accommodation. The amount is paid monthly to the government. EXPRESS READ U N N I K R I S H N A N S @ T’Puram LOOKING to counter growing misconceptions about organ donation, the Kerala State Organ and Tissue Transplantation Organisation (K-SOTTO) has decided to honour deceased organ donors and their families. The special event will be held in Thiruvananthapuram on World Organ Donation DayAugust 13. The event comes at time when organ donations from brain-dead patients in Kerala are on a steady decline. The programme aims to recognise 120 families who made the decision to donate the organs of their loved ones who were declared brain dead, even as negative campaigns and legal controversies have cast a shadow over the initiative. Families from other states, including Tamil Nadu and Maharashtra, who chose to donate the organs of their loved ones who were declared brain dead in Kerala, will be in attendance. “There has been overwhelming response to the programme. It’s as if the families were waiting for such an event,” said KSOTTO executive director Dr Noble Gracious, adding, “This is an important opportunity to convey the importance of organ donation” 190 NARROW-BODY AND WIDE-BODY PLANES ARE PART OF AIR INDIA’S FLEET FIRST AIRCRAFT IN CALIFORNIA FOR UPGRADE Rajnath targets Trump, says India’s rise irks some people A N U R A A G S I N G H @ Bhopal AIR INDIA SET TO UPGRADE ITS DREAMLINER FLEET Bhagwat for affordable healthcare, education INDIGENOUS STEALTH FRIGATE Indian Navy’s advanced frontline stealth frigate Himgiri (F34) ahead of its commissioning in Visakhapatnam. Another advanced frigate, Udaygiri (F35), will simultaneously be commissioned on August 26. Both are part of Project 17A stealth frigates | PTI Army combat units set for major overhaul Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh chief Mohan Bhagwat on Sunday said accessibility and affordability of quality healthcare and education were the need of the hour as both are out of the reach and financial capacity of citizens. | P8 The combat formations of the Indian Army are set for a major reorganisation, for which the orders have been issued with ‘implementation instructions.’ Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi is pushing for it as part of the modernisation plan. | P7 ana asking for Gandhi’s declaration under oath that there was vote theft. On Sunday ECI , authorities said: “Rahul Gandhi should either give a Declaration on Chief Electoral Officer, Karnataka’s first Notice and Chief Electoral Officer, Haryana’s reminder on time or apologise to the country .” In response, AICC General Secretary K C Venugopal dismissed the ECI’s demands, stating, “We are not afraid of any notice.” Upping the ante over Gandhi’s poll rigging claims, the Congress on Sunday launched a web portal for people to register and demand accountability from the EC against “vote theft”, and express support for the demand for digital voter rolls. “Join us and support the demand for transparency from ECI,” he said on X. P7 1 dead, 1 hurt as SUV mounts pavement in Chanakyapuri P R A B H AT S H U K L A @ New Delhi IN the early hours of Sunday, a morning walk near Delhi’s iconic Gyarah Murti landmark turned tragic when an SUV mounted the pavement and ploughed into two pedestrians, leaving one dead and the other seriously injured. The accident occurred around 6:30 a.m. in the upscale Chanakyapuri area. Police said the vehicle, with UP registration, was travelling from central Delhi when it suddenly veered onto the pavement, hitting the men. Both victims were rushed by a police patrol team to the AIIMS Trauma Centre, where one was declared brought dead, while the other is undergoing treatment. They are yet to be identified. The driver, identified as Ashish, a resident of east Delhi, was apprehended at the spot. According to investigators, he was retur ning home from Dhaula Kuan when the accident took place. The vehicle belonged to his friend Ankit, a Ghaziabad resident. Police are looking into Ashish’s background. Senior officers, including New Delhi Deputy Commissioner of Police Devesh Kumar Mahla, visited the scene. Forensic experts examined the site, while CCTV footage from nearby cameras is being reviewed to reconstruct the sequence of events. Authorities are probing whether Ashish was under the influence of alcohol or other substances at the time.A police officer said a patrolling team in the vicinity witnessed the incident and acted immediately . HABITAT CONCERNS Grrr... India’s Asiatic lion population jumps 32% in five years J I T E N D R A C H O U B E Y @ New Delhi INDIA’S Asiatic lion population has grown from 674 in 2020 to 891 in 2025, a 32.2% increase, per the 16th Lion Population Estimation report released on Sunday This conservation suc. cess is tempered by concerns, as most lions now live near human settlements, altering their natural hunting instincts and increasing reliance on livestock or human-provided food. Asiatic lions are exclusively found in Gir National Park and Wildlife Sanctuary in Gujarat. Data analysed by experts re- veal only 20% of lions reside in the 258 sq. km core area of Gir National Park (GNP), Gujarat, where they can prey on wild animals. The park, with its buffer zone, spans over 1,400 sq. km. A senior Gujarat forest officer stated that the remaining lions, living near humans, “primarily prey on livestock or consume dead livestock that humans dispose of.” This proximity is troubling for locals. A June 2025 study by the Wildlife Institute of India, Gujarat Forest Department, Macalester College (USA), and NCBS (Bangalore) found lion attacks on livestock rising by 10% annually, with livestock losses per village up by 15% yearly Human attacks, av. eraging 21 per year, show no significant increase. “Lions receive food from locals and share space with them, while local communities benefit from enhanced livelihoods through tourism,” said Yadvendradev V Jhala, a study . author and former WII chief. To accommodate the growing population, the government ex- Asiatic lions at Gir National Park in Gujarat. A recent study found that Asiatic lion attacks on livestock near Gir have increased by 10% per year | ANI panded the lions’ habitat to 30,000 sq. km, designating Barda in Porbandar as a secondary sanctuary GNP hosts 15 . lions per 100 sq. km, but outside, the density drops to three per 100 sq. km. “Populations are sparse outside the forest, making them more habituated to living near humans. This may change their natural behaviours,” officials noted. Officials questioned why lions, like tigers requiring 7001,000 sq. km of human-free habi t a t u n d e r t h e Wi l d l i f e Protection Act, aren’t given similar protected spaces.