www.thestatesman.com | FOLLOW US: India’s National Newspaper since 1818 @TheStatesmanLtd | Pages 16 @thestatesmanltd | ₹5.00 8th Day | People’s Parliament, Always in Session thestatesman1875 KOLKATA | NEW DELHI | BHUBANESWAR Evolve LUCKNOW | SILIGURI | 25 January 2026 S P O RT S Goddess of Knowledge in Kolkata Goodbye, Calcutta Winters | MUMBAI | Djokovic secures 400th Grand Slam match win to extend record, ties Federer’s Australian Open mark Page 16 BRIEFLY Scotland replaces B’desh in 2026 T20 World Cup US Treasury Secretary hints at rolling back 25 pc tariffs on India over Russian oil purchase TRIDIB BAPARNASH EU chief arrives, to be Chief Guest at R-Day celebrations: PCB chief Naqvi fans the fire: UNITED NEWS OF INDIA New Delhi: Hours after the ICC formally removed Bangladesh from the upcoming T20 World Cup, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) reacted by expressing support for Bangladesh and criticising the global body for what it believes is preferential treatment towards India. PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi reiterated that Pakistan’s own participation in the tournament will ultimately depend on clearance from the government. Pakistan was among the two boards that voted in favour of Bangladesh during Wednesday’s ICC Board Directors’ meeting, which ended in a 14-2 decision backing Bangladesh’s replacement. US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, a close aide of American President Donald Trump, has dropped hints that Washington may remove the additional 25 per cent tariff slapped on India, saying New Delhi's purchases of Russian oil have significantly gone down because of the increased tariff. Bessent, in an interview to Politico on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum annual meeting, called the levying of the additional tariff on India a "huge success." Mr Bessent claimed the purchase of Russian oil by Indian refineries has “collapsed” as a result of the steep US tariff. “We put a 25 per cent tariff on India for buying Russian oil, and the Indian purchases by their refineries of Russian oil have collapsed. So that is a New Delhi, 24 January P New Delhi: European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on Saturday arrived in India on a State Visit during which she, along with European Council President Antonio Luis Santos da Costa, will also be attending India’s 77th Republic Day celebrations as a Chief Guest, marking a significant milestone in India–EU relations. The EU chief was received by Minister of State for Commerce and Industry and Electronics and Information Technology Jitin Prasada upon her arrival. utting an end to nearly three weeks of negotiations between the International Cricket Council (ICC) and the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) over the latter’s refusal to send its team to India for the upcoming 20265 T20 World Cup, the global cricketing body on Saturday finally cracked the whip and replaced Bangladesh with Scotland. “The BCB is not agreeable to playing the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026 per the match schedule with their matches in India. We are, therefore, going ahead with the Board decision to replace Bangladesh in the tournament,” read an ICC mail to its board members. According to multiple reports, the decision was formally communicated to the BCB via email on Friday evening, after the board informed the ICC that the Bangladesh government had not granted permission for the team to travel to India for the tournament, which begins on 7 February and will be co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka. A formal invitation has also been sent to Cricket Scotland to participate in the tournament. The matter had escalated earlier in the week when the ICC Board held an emergency video conference on Wednesday. During that meeting, a clear majority of directors (14-2) voted in favour of replacing Bangladesh should they continue to insist on shifting their matches out of India. The ICC subsequently gave the BCB a final 24-hour window to consult with the government and confirm participation under the existing schedule. On Thursday, however, both the Bangladesh government and the BCB reiterated their position that the team would not travel to India. Four dead, all of Indian origin, in US domestic shooting UNITED NEWS OF INDIA Atlanta, 24 January An Indian-origin man has been arrested by police in the US state of Georgia after allegedly shooting his wife and three other people, all of Indian origin, dead in an incident that officials say is linked to an alleged family dispute. The shooting occurred early on Friday morning in Lawrenceville, Gwinnett County, local media reported. Three children were inside the home at the time of the incident but were not reported among the fatalities. Gwinnett County Police are investigating the incident as a domestic-related shooting that left four adults dead at a residence in Lawrenceville, while three children survived by hiding and alerting authorities, Fox 5 Atlanta reported. Police responded to a “shots fired” call around 2:30 a.m. at a home in the 1000 block of Brook Ivy Court. On arrival, officers found four adults inside the residence with fatal gunshot wounds, local medi aeported. The suspect was identified as Vijay Kumar, 51, of Atlanta. He has been charged with four counts of aggravated assault, four counts of felony murder, four counts of malice murder, one count of cruelty to children in the first degree, and two counts of cruelty to children in the third degree, as per Fox 5 Atlanta. The victims were identified as Kumar’s wife, Meemu Dogra, 43, of Atlanta, and Gourav Cumar, 33, Nidhi Chander, 37, and Harish Chander, 38, all of Lawrenceville. The Indian mission in Atlanta confirmed the deaths and said authorities had arrested a suspect and that all possible assistance was being offered to the bereaved families. According to investigators, an argument allegedly began between Kumar and Dogra at their Atlanta home, after 11 states’ tableaux, including Delhi’s, will not be showcased at the ‘Kartavya Path’ Parade MEENAKSHI BHATTACHARYA New Delhi, 24 January This year, 11 states' tableaux, including Delhi's, will not be showcased at the ‘Kartavya Path’ Repulic Day Parade. According to the new rotation policy of the Ministry of Defence (2024-2026), certain states have not been given the opportunity this year to allow other states to participate. This time, Delhi, Arunachal Pradesh, Mizoram, Tripura, Sikkim, Meghalaya, Jharkhand, Goa, Karnataka, Telangana, and Andhra Pradesh will not be part of the parade. The aim of this policy is to ensure that each state has the opportunity to showcase their parade at least once in a three-year cycle. The expert committee of the Ministry of Defence selects the floats through a complex and transparent process. Well-known individuals from fields such as industry, culture, sculpture, and architecture, along with Padma award winners, are members of this committee. In the first phase, sketches and designs are evaluated. In the second phase, 3D models are created. Final recognition is granted based on the accuracy of music, colours and messages. The parade on 26 January will not only showcase the military strength of the nation but will also serve as a vibrant representation of India's cultural unity and the ongoing steps towards becoming 'self-reliant'. According to sources from the ministry, this year's event is particularly dedicated to the historic occasion of the 150th anniversary of the national song 'Vande Mataram'. The central government has prepared the event this time around with the two joint themes ~ "Mantra of Indep endence : Vande Mataram" and "Mantra of Prosperity: Atmanirbhar Bharat". There will be a total of 30 tableaux from various states, Union territories, and Central government ministries. The most significant feature of this year's Republic Day parade is the celebration of the glorious 150 years of the song "Vande Mataram". Through various displays, the contribution of this song to the freedom struggle and national awareness will be highlighted. Additionally, the objectives of "Atmanirbhar Bharat" will be presented through the progress achieved in various sectors such as defence, technology, and agriculture. This year, a total of 17 states and Union territories will showcase their cultural highlights through a vibrant display. which they travelled with their 12-year-old child to the Brook Ivy Court residence, where the other three victims, relatives of the couple, lived along with two other children aged seven and ten. Authorities confirmed that three children were present inside the home at the time of the shooting. The children hid in a closet to protect themselves, and one of them managed to call 911, enabling police to reach the scene quickly. The children were unharmed and were later taken into the care of a family member. Police said officers arrived while the suspect’s vehicle was still parked in the driveway. K-9 units were deployed and tracked the suspect to a nearby woodline, where he was apprehended without incident. Reacting to the incident, the Consulate General of India in Atlanta expressed grief over the loss of lives. (Representational image) Davos, 24 January success. The tariffs are still on. I would imagine there is a path to take them off, so that's a check and a huge success,” Mr Bessent said. The US Treasury Secretary's remarks have come in the midst of a debate in the US Congress on a proposed legislation imposing a huge 500 per cent duty on countries purchasing Russian oil. New Delhi has, however, reiterated its India First energy policy, saying its oil purchases were based on the requirement of "affordable energy" for its population. The US Treasury Secretary also came down on European nations for purchasing refined Russian oil from India. Accusing the European nations of indirectly financing Russia's war effort by buying refined Russian-crude made petroleum products from India, he dubbed it "the ultimate act of irony and stupidity". “...in the ultimate act of irony and stupidity, guess who was buying the refined products from the Indian refineries made from Russian oil? The Europeans. They are financing the war against themselves. They are financing the Russians,” Mr Bessent said. Mr Bessent further described the EU's avoidance of imposing US-like tariffs on India as "virtue signalling". “I will also point out that our virtue signalling European allies refused to do it because they wanted to sign this big trade deal with India,” he added. PM inaugurates 18th Rozgar Mela, empowers over 61,000 youth with government jobs STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE New Delhi, 24 January Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday addressed the 18th Rozgar Mela through video conferencing, as more than 61,000 young individuals received appointment letters to join various government departments nationwide. The event, conducted simultaneously at 45 locations across India, reaffirmed the government’s strong commitment to job creation and nation-building. Highlighting the significance of the day, which coincided with major national observances like Parakram Diwas, National Voters’ Day, and the day India adopted its National Anthem and National Song, PM Modi said: “Today, more than sixty-one thousand young people are beginning a new chapter in their lives by receiving appointment letters for government services. These letters represent not just employment but a commitment to building a developed India.” Since its inception, the Rozgar Mela has become a vital platform, issuing over 11 lakh appointment letters and connecting youth with employment and selfemployment opportunities. “To bring government recruitments into mission mode, the Rozgar Mela was launched, and it has now become an institution,” the Prime Minister remarked. Addressing India’s young population, PM Modi emphasised the government’s efforts to generate opportunities both within the country and internationally. “The Government of India is entering into trade and mobility agreements with numerous countries, opening countless new avenues for Indian youth,” he stated. The Prime Minister also spotlighted India’s robust economic growth, noting that India is the only major economy to have doubled its GDP in the last decade. “More than a hundred countries are investing in India through foreign direct investment, creating more jobs for our youth,” he added, citing growth in electronics, pharmaceuticals, defence, and automobile sectors. On women’s workforce participation, PM Modi expressed optimism: “Over 8,000 daughters have received appointment letters today. Women’s participation in the workforce has nearly doubled in the past 11 years.” He attributed this progress to initiatives like Mudra and Startup India, which have boosted female entrepreneurship and leadership. Buzz of new ‘younger’ BJP team said to be adding to anxiety of senior leaders VIBHA SHARMA New Delhi, 24 January BJP supporters celebrate after Nitin Nabin gets elected as National President of Bharatiya Janata Party, in Patna on 20 January. FILE PHOTOGRAPH With the appointment of young party president Nitin Nabin, speculation is rife over the formation of his new team. The buzz is that Nabin’s team will give preference to younger leaders and women ~ a probability that appears to have triggered anxiety among several existing office-bearers and those aspiring to be part of the team. The BJP is likely to announce its new team soon. Deliberations on the composition of the team are almost complete and only final approval remains, which will be granted only when the senior leadership gives a go-ahead, sources say. Some major changes are expected across the organisation, including at the levels of vice-presidents, general secretaries and secretaries, with the objective of projecting a refreshed line of action. Nearly 50 per cent of these positions may see new faces, and some leaders could also be shifted from one role to another. Amid uncertainty over who will find a place in the final line-up and in what capacity, in view of Mr Nabin’s age (he is just 45) many senior leaders are said to be apprehensive that their age may work against them in the selection process if that is taken into consideration. Mr Nabin faces a challenging task ahead—preparing the party for the 2029 Lok Sabha elections, managing reforms such as women’s reservation, delimitation and One Nation One Election, and expanding the BJP’s presence in states like West Bengal, Tamil Nadu and Kerala. A key job will also be to manage factional expectations and maintain cohesion in the organisation and for that he will need those who will are able to work under his guidance. “It is only natural that working with leaders closer to his age will be more comfortable for the new party president. He will be able to function better, channel fresh energy and ideas more effectively,” a party leader said. Additionally, with women’s reservation expected to be implemented in the Lok Sabha and state assemblies in the coming years, the new BJP team may also have more women than the previous one. Given the party’s expanding footprint, several leaders currently working at the state level may also be inducted into the central team. Also, apparently, some dynamic faces from the states may also be assigned important responsibilities.