NEW DELHI 22 MARCH 2026 SUNDAY `12 PAGES 24  facebook/TheMorningStandard  X.com/TheMornStandard https://epaper.morningstandard.in PLUS: 12 PAGES TWO TALES OF ONE CITY MAGAZINE Anand Neelakantan Prabhu Chawla Ravi Shankar Shankkar Aiyar Debashis Chatterjee Santwana Bhattacharya Utkarsh Amitabh It’s All in the Mind A Hundred Windows into Bengal The Faith and the Fable EXCLUSIVE VOICES A Script Carved Out of Mountains Loaded Iranian message in attack on Diego Garcia Missiles shot down, may have used space launch vehicle for reach A G E N C I E S @ London, Tehran, Tel Aviv Protests after truck runs over cow vigilante in Mathura N A M I TA B A J PA I @ Lucknow A cow vigilante died allegedly after being run over by a truck in UP’s Mathura early Saturday, triggering protests by thousands of local people who blocked the Delhi-Mathura highway and clashed with the police. T he vigilante, Chandrashekhar Baba who was also known as ‘Farsa Wale Baba’, was chasing a truck along with two aides on the suspicion that it was transporting cattle. “After overtaking the vehicle between Kosi and Chhata areas, Baba parked his bike in front of it, but the truck driver sped up and ran over him killing him on the spot. The driver fled away said a local. ,” The protesters kept the body on a junction of the highway and demanded an encounter of the accused. When the police reached the spot to clear the blockade, protesters threw stones at them and damaged five-six vehicles, officials said. Cops resorted to lathi-charge and used teargas shells to disperse the agitators. CM Yogi Adityanath directed officials to take strict action, saying the accused would not be spared. DIG, Agra zone, Shailesh Pandey , said, “No cattle were found in the trucks. Strict action will be taken against those involved in the violence.” IRAN was “unsuccessful” in targeting the joint UK-US Indian Ocean military base at Diego Garcia, a UK official source confirmed to AFP on Saturday , after the Wall Street Journal reported that Tehran fired two ballistic missiles at it. Die go Garcia, which is around 4,000 kilometres from Iranian territory, is one of the two bases the UK has allowed the US to use for “defensive operations” in its ongoing war against Iran. The launch suggests that Tehran has missiles with longer ranges than previously thought. Iran has “always had missiles of that sort of range that we’ve known about, maybe not declared”, former UK Royal Navy commander and defence expert Tom Sharpe told AFP Some ex. perts felt Iran may have used a space launch vehicle to aim missiles at Diego Garcia. The US military said on Saturday it had taken out an Iranian bunker housing weapons threatening oil and gas shipments in the Strait of Hormuz, as thousands of Iranians marked Eid al-Fitr with prayer. The US statement appeared designed to calm the concerns of energy markets and of Washington’s sceptical international allies, more than 20 of whom issued a statement vowing to back efforts to re-open the key sea lane. The standoff has sent crude oil prices soaring, with a barrel of North Sea Brent crude hovering beyond $105. Twenty-two countries, including Australia, Britain, France, Germany, Japan and South Korea, jointly condemned Iran’s attacks on ships in the Gulf and effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz. The US was not a signatory . Iran’s atomic energy body said US-Israeli strikes hit the Natanz nuclear facility previously used for uranium enrichment, but “no leakage of radioactive materials” was reported. Israel denied it attacked the Natanz facility The Revolutionary . Guards also said they “struck” an Israeli F-16 over central Iran. Shortly after, Russian president Vladimir Putin said “Moscow remains Tehran’s loyal friend and reliable partner.” Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said attacks against Iran will “increase significantly”. His words come hours after Trump hinted at “winding down militrary operations”. IRAQ THE BIG PICTURE Sending missiles to Diego Garcia, a strategic UK-US base in the Indian Ocean about 4,000 km away from Tehran, sent a loud message that Iran could even reach the US. This was the first time Iran fired missiles beyond 2,000 km range Tehran IRAN SAUDI ARABIA INDIA Cannon Point Peacekeeper Inn (PK) Sunset View Park Diego Garcia Nsf Point Marianne DAY 22 Allocation of commercial LPG up The petroleum ministry on Saturday increased the allocation of commercial LPG by an additional 20% to states and UTs, taking the total allocation to 50%. In a letter to chief secretaries, it said the enhanced allocation would support key sectors such as restaurants, hotels, industrial canteens, food processing units. India reiterated the importance of safeguarding freedom of navigation and ensuring that shipping lanes remain open and secure Prime Minister Narendra Modi in call with Iran President Masoud Pezeshkian INDIAN OCEAN Diego Garcia PM dials Pezeshkian, calls for protection to global shipping routes J AYA N T H J A C O B @ New Delhi PRIME Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday stressed the urgency of protecting global shipping routes and critical infrastructure during a phone call with Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian, as tensions in West Asia continue to raise concerns over regional stability and supply chains. The conversation, their second since the outbreak of hostilities on February 28, comes at a time of heightened geopolitical uncertainty impacting energy flows and maritime trade corridors. PM Modi conveyed greetings on the occasions of Eid and Nowruz, while also using the exchange to press India’s concerns over security and economic disruptions. In a post on X, Modi said, “Spoke with President Dr Masoud Pezeshkian ... condemned attacks on critical infrastructure in the region, which threaten regional stability and disrupt global supply chains,” the post said. The PM emphasised that uninterrupted maritime movement remains vital for global commerce. “Reiterated the importance of safeguarding freedom of navigation and ensuring shipping lanes remain open and secure,” he said. The call highlighted India’s immediate consular priorities. Modi appreciated “Iran’s continued support for the safety and security of Indian nationals in Iran,” amid concerns for diaspora populations in conflict-affected countries in the region. Stirring the Pot Again ‘Promoting awarness’ Introducing the new policy, Air India told the cabin crew members that the initial launch aims to promote awareness of maintaining a healthy lifestyle and familiarise them with the process of maintaining an appropriate weight category those with a reading between 25 and 29.9 will be viewed as overweight. Crew members who are underweight and overweight will be derostered and sent for a complete medical evaluation and functional assessment test at the Air India Training Academy “If cleared, then they will . be allowed to fly. If not, they will be placed on loss of pay,” an aviation expert said, requesting anonymity . The action will be swift for those in the obese category. “Obese crew will be instantly grounded and placed on loss of pay. Within seven days, the crew must undergo certain medical tests, including getting their glucose tolerance and lipid profile checked. They will be given 30 days to report back with an acceptable BMI, and then, undergo functional and medical assessment,” the aviation expert said, sharing details of the new policy . If the individual fails to lose weight, then an official letter of caution will be issued. After 30 days, if the individual still The Art of Being Happy Salary cut for CM, ministers; babus to get late payment H A R P R E E T B A J W A @ Chandigarh HIMACHAL Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Saturday announced a six-month salary deferment: a 50% cut for himself, 30% for ministers, and 20% for MLAs, in view of the hill state’s severely weak financial situation. He assured the people that the cuts will be restored once finances improve. The move extends to the bureaucracy as well. This is the first time that the budget size has been reduced to `54,928 crore from `58,514 crore for the ongoing fiscal year, resulting in a cut of `3,586 crore, as the CM presented the `54,928-crore budget for 2026-27 in the Assembly . Sukhu, who also holds the finance portfolio, while presenting his fourth budget, blamed the discontinuation of Revenue Deficit Grant (RDG) to the state for annual losses of more than `8,000 crore and accused the BJP-led Central government for not supporting the state’s interests. He said that this was the first time since 1952 that the budget was being presented in the absence of RDG. “It is unfair to the people of Himachal to stop the grant of RDG to the state,” he said. Sukhu said, “The opposition BJP has not sided with the state government in these hard times and history will never forget them,” Sukhu said, drawing reaction from BJP . Reset in ties as B’desh PM accepts Modi invite J AYA N T H J A C O B @ New Delhi BANGLADESH’S Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has written to PM Narendra Modi accepting his invitation to visit India, while signaling a broader effort to reset bilateral ties after a period of strain. However, sources indicate that Rahman’s first foreign visit may not be to India, but instead to Bhutan, a move seen by analysts as a nuanced diplomatic balancing act in the region. In his letter, Rahman struck a conciliatory tone, emphasising the need to “reinvigorate our cooperative engagement” to secure “peace, harmony, and prosperity” over the long term. “I deeply value your kind reflection on the historic and long-standing relationship between our two countries,” Rahman wrote. “The people of our two countries share considerable commonality and enjoy a deep-rooted relationship.” The outreach comes against the backdrop of frosty ties following the ouster of former PM Sheikh Hasina, which introduced uncertainty into Dhaka-Delhi relations. Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla represented India at Rahman’s swearing-in as a signal that New Delhi is open to re-engagement despite recent tensions. EID MUBARAK People offer prayers on the occassion of Eid al-Fitr at the Feroz Shah Kotla Mosque in the capital on Saturday | PTI Lose weight or be grounded, Air India tells cabin crew S L A L I T H A @ New Delhi SWAMI SUKHABODHANANDA SPEAKS HIMACHAL BUDGET SHAPE UP OR SHIP OUT AIR India has given its cabin crew a shape up or ship out warning. Under its new ‘Cabin Crew Health and Fitness Compliance Policy’, cabin crew members who are found underweight, overweight, or obese could be derostered or even placed on loss of pay . Those who are obese will be given 30 days to shed weight or face further action. The fitness assessment, under the policy, will be based on the crew’s Body Mass Index (BMI). A BMI reading of 18 to 24.9 will be considered desirable. Those above 30 will be marked obese, bracketed as ‘Non Acceptable Range’. Those with a BMI of 18 or less will be considered underweight while Leaving on a Jet Plane has not reduced weight, then 30 more days will be given along with a letter of final warning. The final warning under the policy hints at termination. However, it is vaguely worded. An Air India official sought more time to get back with some clarity. “There are instances of crew reporting sick on and off. This initiative is being done to ensure the good health of our crew,” the official told this daily . The crew will be assessed during initial and recurrent training, through specialised Safety and Emergency Procedures (SEP) training, and during pre- and post-flight evaluations. Sources said the new rules will be applicable for crew on both national and international flights from May 1. Case after Lamborghini spotted doing K’taka stunt E X P R E S S N E W S S E R V I C E @ B’luru A white Lamborghini was spotted doing donuts (a manoeuvre where the driver spins either the front or rear of the vehicle in a continuous circle and creates smoke) at Anil Kumble Circle on MG Road under the Metro flyover in Bengaluru the early hours of Saturday . A video, recorded by either a motorist passing by or a resident, had tagged the Bengaluru Traffic Police seeking action. The video, posted on X at 7.57 am on Saturday has gone viral. , Along with the 10-second video that shows the Lamborghini drifting, a photograph of the car, showing its registration number KA-05-NR-0009, too has been posted on social media. In the photograph, the car’s sunroof is seen open, but no occupants are seen standing out. The post read, “Lamborghini KA 05 NR 0009 seen repeatedly doing donuts at a public junction under a flyover while other vehicles were present, posing a safety risk.” “A suo motu case has been lodged by the Cubbon Park traffic police. The luxury sports car was caught on camera drifting and posing a threat to other motorists. We are checking the details of the car’s owner and probing if a fake registration number was used,” said an officer. A case of rash driving on a public way under BNS has been registered against the unknown car owner.