The Evening Wrap: All-women crew of SCI ship makes history

The Hindu Newsletter - Here are the latest updates and the big news stories to follow today [The Hindu Logo]( [Facebook]( [Twitter]( [Youtube]( [Linkedin]( [Instagram]( Sunday 07, March 2021 [alt_text]( The Evening Wrap Here are the biggest news stories of the day [alt_text]( Welcome to the Evening Wrap newsletter, your guide to the day’s biggest stories with concise analysis from The Hindu. We hope you are staying safe. All-women crew of MT Swarna Krishna makes history In an attempt to acknowledge the efforts of women in breaking down the stereotypes of the erstwhile male-dominated maritime sector, Union Minister Mansukh Mandaviya has flagged off [an all-women crew onboard Shipping Corporation of India (SCI) vessel MT Swarna Krishna](, the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways said on Sunday. The vessel was virtually flagged off by the Ports, Shipping and Waterways Minister on March 6, it said. "The Shipping Corporation of India, as a part of its ongoing Diamond Jubilee celebrations and also to commemorate the International Women’s Day on March 8, 2021, achieved another feat when Mansukh Mandaviya, Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Ports, Shipping & Waterways, virtually flagged off the 'All Women Officers’ Sailing' on MT Swarna Krishna – SCI’s product carrier from JNPT Liquid Berth Jetty on March 6, 2021," the Ministry statement said. This is the first time in the world maritime history that a ship is being sailed by all women officers, it added. Mr. Mandaviya acknowledged the contribution and sacrifice of the women seafarers who acted as the Indian ambassadors to the global maritime community and had made the nation proud, it said. "The move demonstrated the gradual shift in the perception of seafaring as a male-oriented profession and the principles of Diversity & Inclusion that SCI upholds. SCI has been a pioneer in employing women seafarers onboard its vessels and has implemented various initiatives including age relaxations and fee concessions to aspiring female cadets through its Maritime Training Institute to promote their integration into the maritime sector," the statement said. Veteran actor Mithun Chakraborty joins BJP in Kolkata Veteran actor [Mithun Chakraborty joined the BJP]( on Sunday at Brigade Parade Ground in Kolkata, where Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed a rally. Mr. Chakraborty was welcomed into the party fold by BJP national general secretary Kailash Vijayvargiya and State party chief Dilip Ghosh among others. [Prime Minister Narendra Modi exchanges greetings with Bollywood actor Mithun Chakraborty during a public meeting at Brigade Parade Ground in Kolkata on March 7, 2021.]Prime Minister Narendra Modi exchanges greetings with Bollywood actor Mithun Chakraborty during a public meeting at Brigade Parade Ground in Kolkata on March 7, 2021. RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat had met the actor at his Mumbai residence last month setting off speculation that he might join the BJP. Mr. Chakraborty, a former Rajya Sabha member of the TMC, had quit the Upper House in 2016 after his name surfaced in Saradha Ponzi scam. PM Modi promises to usher in ‘real change’ in West Bengal Prime Minister Modi headlined the weekend campaigning ahead of the coming Assembly Elections in four States, [promising to usher in ‘Asol Paribortan (real change)’ by bringing in development]( in West Bengal. Mr. Modi was speaking at a public rally at Brigade parade grounds targeted Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee saying that this is not the same “Didi” that removed Left Front from power. Describing the public rally as one of biggest rallies he has ever addressed Mr Modi in his hour-long speech went on lengths to explain that “Asol Paribortan real change” means. “From this Brigade ground I want to give you assurance of real change… assurance of development of Bengal, assurance of things to change in Bengal increasing of increasing investment in Bengal and assurance that for youths, farmers and workers we will work 24 hours,” the Prime Minister said. [Prime Minister Narendra Modi addresses a public rally in Kolkata on March 7, 2021.]Prime Minister Narendra Modi addresses a public rally in Kolkata on March 7, 2021. Mr Modi said that the BJP government in Bengal will draw its inspiration from the mantra of “Asol Paribortan” which would mean such a situation where there are jobs for youths and there is no migration for youth and industries can prosper and will have the infrastructure of the 21st century. The Prime Minister also went on which Kolkata is called city of joy and there is no reason Kolkata would not be the city of future. Mr Modi said on one side there is Trinamool Congress and the Left parties and Congress and one side there are people of the State. The PM accused the Left parties government of bringing in vote bank politics in the State and using an old slogan of the Left parties “Congresser kalo haath gudie dao bhenge dao ( Break and grind the evil hand of Congress)” also took the swipe of Left Congress alliance in West Bengal. Mr Modi said that after three decades of Left rule people Bengal trusted Mamata Banerjee to bring in “partivartan change” but she betrayed its people, insulted them. Amit Shah talks up NDA ‘coalition government’ in Tamil Nadu Meanwhile, Home Minister Amit Shah was in Tamil Nadu to launch his party’s campaign for the April 6 Lok Sabha bypoll in Kanniyakumari and exuded confidence that the party would not only win Kanniyakumari, but the [NDA in Tamil Nadu would emerge victorious in the Assembly elections]( also next month. Launching his “Vetri Kodi Eandhi” (Carrying the flag of victory) campaign from Suseendiram in this district, he said he was confident that a coalition government of the NDA will come to power in the State after the April 6 Assembly polls. The party has fielded former Union Minister Pon. Radhakrishnan for the Lok Sabha bypoll, necessitated due to the death of Congress MP H. Vasantha Kumar last year due to COVID-19. [Union Home Minister Amit Shah distributes pamphlets during a BJP campaign at Suchindrum in Tamil Nadu’s Kanniyakumari district on March 7, 2021. ]Union Home Minister Amit Shah distributes pamphlets during a BJP campaign at Suchindrum in Tamil Nadu’s Kanniyakumari district on March 7, 2021. Kicking off his party’s campaign with Mr. Radhakrishnan and senior State BJP leaders in tow, Mr. Shah said he visited 11 houses to “convey Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s message.” “We have started the campaign to take the BJP’s Lotus symbol door-to-door,” he said and appealed to the public and the voters to elect Mr. Radhakrishnan as the party “needs him”. “I am sure about the outcome [of the polls], looking at the excitement of the people” both in Kanyakumari Lok Sabha seat as well in the Assembly polls, he said, implying that the NDA would emerge victorious in the hustings. “I am confident that a coalition government of AIADMK-BJP-PMK will be formed [after the Assembly polls],” he added. India, China should create ‘enabling conditions’ to settle border dispute, says Wang Yi [China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Sunday said]( India and China needed “to create enabling conditions for the settlement” of the boundary dispute, even as he reiterated China’s view that “the rights and wrongs” of last year’s crisis were clear. His comments came at his annual press meet along the sidelines of the on-going convening in Beijing of the National People’s Congress (NPC), the ceremonial Communist Party-controlled legislature. Mr. Wang addressed China’s relations with the United States, the EU, Japan and India among other issues. “The China-India relationship is essentially about how the world’s two largest developing countries get along and pursue development and rejuvenation together,” he said to a question on the on-going disengagement along the Line of Actual Control (LAC). [Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi speaking at a remote video press conference held on the sidelines of the annual meeting of China's National People's Congress (NPC) in Beijing on March 7, 2021.]Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi speaking at a remote video press conference held on the sidelines of the annual meeting of China's National People's Congress (NPC) in Beijing on March 7, 2021. Mr. Wang reiterated the statement he made during a February 25 call with External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar that “the boundary dispute, an issue left from history, is not the whole story of the China-India relationship”. “It is important that the two sides manage disputes properly and, at the same time, expand and enhance cooperation to create enabling conditions for the settlement of the issue,” he told reporters. “The rights and wrongs of what happened in the border area last year are clear, so are the stakes involved. It again proves that initiating confrontation will not solve the problem. Returning to peaceful negotiation is the right way forward. China’s position is very clear. We are committed to settling the boundary dispute through dialogue and consultation. At the same time, we are resolved to safeguard our sovereign rights and interests.” India has conveyed a different message, underlining that without full disengagement along the LAC, and then de-escalation, restoring normalcy in the relationship would not be possible. IPL 2021 season to begin in Chennai on April 9 The [Indian Premier League (IPL) 2021 will run from April 9 to May 30 across six venues]( with no team getting to play at home, its Governing Council announced on Sunday. Despite COVID-19 surge, Mumbai has been named as one of the host cities and the tournament will be held behind closed doors at least in in the initial phase of the tournament. The other venues are Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Chennai, Delhi and Kolkata. The Nardendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad will host the final on May 30 as well as the play-offs. Defending champions Mumbai Indians will face Royal Challengers Bangalore in the tournament opener in Chennai on April 9. Each team is set to play at four venues during the league stage. Out of the 56 league matches, Chennai, Mumbai, Kolkata and Bengaluru will host 10 matches each while Ahmedabad and Delhi will host eight matches each. There will be a total of 11 double headers where six teams will play three afternoon matches and two teams will play two afternoon matches. [ Ahmedabad's Narendra Modi Stadium will host the playoffs as well as the May 30 final. Photo: Twitter/@IPL ] Ahmedabad's Narendra Modi Stadium will host the playoffs as well as the May 30 final. Photo: Twitter/@IPL The afternoon games are slated for a 3:30 p.m. start while the evening games will have a 7:30 p.m. start. "The fixtures of the tournament have been mapped in a way that every team will travel only three times during the league stage, thus reducing commute and minimising risk. "The VIVO IPL this year at home will be played behind closed doors to begin with and a call on allowing spectators will be taken at a later stage of the tournament," the statement read further. Covid watch: Numbers and Developments The [number of reported coronavirus cases from India]( stands at 1,12,24,520 at the time of publishing this newsletter with the death toll at 1,59,212. In Brief: Urging people to buy affordable medicines from Janaushadhi Kendras, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday [inaugurated the 7500th Janaushadhi Kendra at NEIGRIHMS, Shillong](, through videoconference as part of his address on ‘Janaushadhi Diwas’ celebrations. “You are my family and your ailments are ailments of my family members, that’s why I want all my countrymen to stay healthy. Janaushadhi scheme relieved the poor of high medical expenses,” said the Prime Minister while interacting with beneficiaries of Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana. He added that due to affordability, patients were taking the required medicines leading to better health outcomes. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and its two main regional allies on Sunday [reaffirmed their commitment towards the National Democratic Alliance (NDA)]( while making light of the reported dissidence over the denial of tickets to 15 MLAs. The BJP is contesting the three-phase Assam Assembly elections with the Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) and United People’s Party Liberal (UPPL), the latter replacing the Bodoland People’s Front as the saffron party’s ally in areas under the Bodoland Territorial Council covering 12 constituencies. Of the 15 MLAs denied tickets, 11, including a Minister, are from the BJP, and four are from the AGP. 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