eye THE SUNDAY EXPRESS MAGAZINE Grand Dame of Indian Fashion PUNE,LATECITY AUGUST17,2025 Ritu Kumar, 80, is writing a book on reclaiming lost textile traditions FOUR-PAGE PULLOUT 16+4PAGES,`7.00 WWW.INDIANEXPRESS.COM PUTIN DEMANDS KYIV CEDE DONETSK; ZELENSKYY REFUSES, SET TO MEET TRUMP 17/08/2025 80 108 132 66 Trump echoes Putin stance on Ukraine war as Alaska meet ends without truce India will have to look beyond tariff, at reset of US-Russia ties, its implications SaysUkrainehas tomakeadeal: ‘Bestwayispeace agreementand notceasefire…’ STEVE HOLLAND, ANDREW OSBORN & TOM BALMFORTH Man kills his four children by throwing them in a well in Ahilyanagar, dies by suicide EXPRESS NEWS SERVICE PUNE, AUGUST 16 A MAN allegedly threw four of his children in a well, killing them andthen diedbysuicide at Korhale village in Ahilyanagar district on Saturday. Police identified the 5 deceasedasArunSunilKale(30),his daughter Shivani (9) and sons Prem (7), Veer (6) and Kabir (5). PolicesuspectthatKaleconsumed liquorbeforecommittingtheact. Prima-facie, the police suspectthatArunallegedlythrewhis children in a well in Korhale villagefollowingadomesticdispute withhiswife.Hethenkilledhimself in the same well, police said. Kale was from Chikhali village in Shrigonda taluka of Ahilyanagar district. His wife Shilpa left home over some quarrels she had had with her husband and wenttoher maternal house in Yeola in Nashik district. Theirchildren studied at an Ashram school in Ahilyanagar. PolicesaidKalewasupsetbecause his wife had refused to come back to him. On Saturday, he took his children from the Ashram school on the pretext of CONTINUEDONPAGE2 US PRESIDENT Donald Trump said on Saturday that Ukraine should make a deal to end the war with Russia because “Russia is a very big power, and they’re not”, after hosting a summit where Vladimir Putin was reported to have demanded more Ukrainian land. Inasubsequentbriefingwith Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy,asourcefamiliarwith the discussion cited Trump as sayingtheRussianleaderhadoffered to freeze most front lines if Kyiv’sforcescededallof Donetsk, the industrial region that is one of Moscow’s main targets. Zelenskyy rejected the demand, the source said. Russia already controls a fifth of Ukraine, including about three-quarters of Donetsk province, which it first entered in 2014. Trumpalsosaidhehadagreed with Putin that a peace deal should be sought without the prior ceasefire that Ukraine and itsEuropeanallies,untilnowwith US support, have demanded. Zelenskyy said he would meet Trump in Washington on Monday, while Kyiv’s European allies welcomed Trump’s efforts but vowed to back Ukraine and tighten sanctions on Russia. The sourcesaidEuropeanleadershad also been invited to those talks. Trump’s meeting with Putin in Alaska on Friday, the first USRussia summit since Moscow launched a full-scale invasion of UkraineinFebruary2022,lasted just three hours. “It was determined by all that the best way to NEW DELHI, AUGUST 16 CONTINUED ON PAGE 2 INSIDE United States President Donald J Trump with Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Anchorage, Alaska. AP US team visit ‘halted’ for now, trade talks with India stuck NegotiatorsweretoarriveinIndialater thismonth;agrisectormainhurdle RAVI DUTTA MISHRA NEW DELHI, AUGUST 16 THE INDIA-US negotiations for a trade deal, which began in February after Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the UnitedStates,havebeenpaused, with the scheduled visit of officials from Washington DC to India later this month “halted” by the US for now, a source aware of the development told The Indian Express. Thebreakdownintradetalks assumes significance as US President DonaldTrump hasannounced 50 per cent tariff on Indian products, the highest on any country globally. While 25 per cent tariff has already come into effect, government officials have said the levy of another 25 per cent — for Russia oil trade — could depend on “how geopolitical events unfold”. The Indian Express had first reportedonAugust8thatthearrival of the US trade team was uncertain, as no formal communication had been received from their side. Deal stuck over agriculture The deal has been stuck over India’s long-standing stance of protectingfarmersineverytrade agreement. The US, under Trump, is prioritising market access for its agricultural products. In his Independence Day CONTINUED ON PAGE 2 HANDSHAKES, LIMO PUTIN EMERGES FROM SUMMIT RIDE... ABRUPT ENDING WITH INCREASED STATURE Meanwhile, India hails meet, Trump sends positive signal on ‘penalty’ SHUBHAJIT ROY NEW DELHI, AUGUST 16 INDIAON Saturday “welcomed” the meeting between US President Donald Trump and RussianPresidentVladimirPutin in Alaska and “appreciated the progressmade”.Meanwhile,before his meeting with Putin, Trump indicated that the US may not impose secondary tariffs on countries continuing to procure Russian crude oil. CONTINUED ON PAGE 2 UKRAINIANS DISMAYED BY MEET OUTCOME, OPTICS P 12 IF INDIA was counting on a clear and positive outcome from the Alaska summit to avert the additional 25 per cent US tariff on Indian exports, it will be disappointed by the inability of Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin to deliver last night. The unfinished US-Russian talks in Alaska leave a cloud of uncertainty over India’s trade negotiations with Washington. On the upside, though, there was no breakdown of engagement, and the two leaders remain hopeful of an accommodation. As the details of the summit conversations comeintopublic view, India will have to look beyond the tariff question at the implications of a potential reset in Russia’s relationswiththeUSandtheWest. At their joint press appearance, Putin spoke of the “agreement” between the two leaders that “will pave the path toward peace in Ukraine”. Trump was less definitive. “There’s no deal until there’s a deal,” he said. “We didn’t get there, but we have a very good chance of getting there... There are just a very few (sticking points) left,” Trump said. “Some are not that significant. One is probably the most significant — but we have a very good chance of gettingthere,”headded,without identifying the issues. Whiletheinitialassessments of the summit focused on the lack of an agreement on ceasefire in Ukraine, Trump and Putin CONTINUED ON PAGE 2 GEM AND JEWELLERY SECTOR FEARS RIVALS COULD UNDERCUT EXPORTS P 13 BIHAR SPECIAL INTENSIVE REVISION PHASE-2 ENDS SEPTEMBER 1 Centre to SC: Setting deadline for President, As last date for papers looms, some confused, others unaware: ‘Will father’s passbook work?’ Governors can cause constitutional disorder SANTOSH SINGH ANANTHAKRISHNAN G NEW DELHI, AUGUST 16 OPPOSINGTHESupremeCourt's decision to fix a timeline for the President and Governors to act on Bills forwarded by State Legislatures, the Centre has underlined the separation of powers between the executive, legislature and judiciary, and said the order has the potential to “destabilise the constitutional balance between (the) organs of State”. It has emphasised that “gubernatorial assent is a high prerogative, plenary, non-justiciable power”. In a written submission to the court on August 12 — a fivejudge bench is hearing a reference made by the President on whether timelines can be fixed for the actions of the President orGovernors— SolicitorGeneral Tushar Mehta said the judiciary does not hold answers to all problemsinademocracy,and“if any organ is permitted to arrogate to itself the functions of CONTINUED ON PAGE 2 SAMASTIPUR, AUGUST 16 FOR THE last 10 days, Kumar, a teacher, has been shuttling betweenhisschooland“fieldduty” in a village in Sarairanjan Assemblyconstituencyof Bihar’s Samastipur district. A volunteer for the Election Commission of India, he has a list of about 120 women whom he has to help with documents to ensure they make it to the final electoral roll. “I have prepared an allwoman list because they are the oneswhoarestrugglingforidentity documents — both of them- GoM meeting on GST reforms next week, tight timeline for Council’s nod Pre-filled returns, refunds within fixed time among other proposed changes ANIL SASI & P VAIDYANATHAN IYER NEW DELHI, AUGUST 16 C RAJA MOHAN WASHINGTON, MOSCOW, KYIV, AUGUST 16 TWO-RATE STRUCTURE, 5% AND 18% THE GROUP of Ministers (GoM) on Rate Rationalisation is set to meet in the coming week to discuss the proposal on next-generation GST reforms Prime Minister Narendra Modi announcedonFriday.The GoMhas ministers from six states: Kerala, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, West Bengal, Bihar and Karnataka. While the proposal was shared with the ministers from the six states a day before the PM’sIndependenceDayaddress, the Department of Revenue in the Union Ministry of Finance will make a presentation to the GoMwhenitmeets,sourcessaid. Sources in the Union Finance Ministrysaidtheywereconfident theGoMandlatertheGSTCouncil would find merit in the proposal. Internal calculations by the Department of Revenue in the Finance Ministry suggest that grossGSTrevenuesundertheproposedtwo-pillarratestructureof 5percentand18percentwillnot be lower than what it is now. Giving a broad idea of the COUNTINBIHAR selves and their parents,” says Kumar, whose first name has been withheld to protect his identity. The second phase of Bihar’s ● Behind the timing THE CENTRE is learnt to have factored in at least three meetings of the Group of Ministers (GoM) before a final proposal is put before the GST Council. Indications are that a rollout is being targeted well ahead of Diwali, since the industry needs time to reconcile to the new rate structure and any disruption ahead of the festive season would need to be avoided. proposal, sources said most of the products and services would be placed in either of the two rates — 5 per cent or 18 per cent. Goods and services used by the common man, or as inputs by farmers, small entrepreneurs and MSMEs, will attract the lower 5 per cent duty. This will reduce the tax burden and is expected to drive consumption. CONTINUED ON PAGE 2 Lower 18% for small cars, tax on luxury cars may remain high AANCHAL MAGAZINE NEW DELHI, AUGUST 16 THE PROPOSED overhaul of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) regime is likely to bring relief to those looking to buy cars, especially smaller cars, with the government looking at creating a distinctionintaxratesforsmaller andbiggercars.Smallcars,which currently attract 28 per cent GST plus small cess rates of 1-3 per cent,couldgetmovedintothe18 per cent bracket in the new dispensation, government sources said.BiggerluxurycarsandSUVs are likely to be shifted into the special rate category of 40 per cent after the removal of the 28 per cent slab, they said. “Small cars are not luxury items or demerit goods. Only 57 items are going to be retained inthe40percentslab,”agovernment source told The Indian WHAT WILL NOT E E X P L A I NE D DAILY FROM: AHMEDABAD, CHANDIGARH, DELHI, JAIPUR, KOLKATA, LUCKNOW, MUMBAI, NAGPUR, PATNA, PUNE, VADODARA Express. The benefits are also expected to accrue for entry-level motorcycles.GSTon350ccbikes is 28 per cent at present, which may be brought down to 18 per cent, while bikes with an engine capacity of more than 350 cc may get charged the higher rate. Atpresent,bikeswithengine capacity of over 350 cc attract a GST rate of 28 per cent along with a cess of 3 per cent, taking the total tax levy to 31 per cent. Among cars, smaller cars, including entry level hatchbacks, small sedans and mini-SUVs attract 28 per cent GST along with cess rates of 1 per cent or 3 per cent at present. For instance, small cars with engine capacity upto1200ccandlessthan4metres in length figure in the highest slab rate of 28 per cent and face a cess of 1 per cent (petrol) and 3 per cent (diesel). CONTINUED ON PAGE 2 GOVT & POLITICS MukeshKumarfromDighashowshisAadhaarcardanddriving licence,bothof whicharenotamongthe11 EC-mandated documents; Pramila Devi of Samastipur district is banking on her son, a DU student, for help. Rahul Sharma & Santosh Singh Special Intensive Revision (SIR) — during which the EC has invited claimsandobjectionsto its draft electoral roll that was published on August 1 — ends on CHINA’S WANG YI TO ARRIVE MONDAY, HOLD TALKS WITH NSA DOVAL SHUBHANSHU SHUKLA RETURNS TO INDIA TODAY, TO MEET PM PAGE 8 September 1. While data released by the EC showed over 7.24 crore people had submitted their enumeration forms, many CONTINUED ON PAGE 2 ‘Encounter’ heat on Jharkhand cops, tribal area mourns politician behind school PAGE 1 ANCHOR SHUBHAM TIGGA LALMATIA (GODDA), RANCHI, AUGUST 16 DEPENDING ON whom you ask, there were two Surya Hansdas. ForhisvillageLalmatiainBoarijor block of Godda district, he was a man dedicated to tribal welfare, who ran a school providing free educationandlodgingtoAdivasi children. For police, the 45-yearold who entered politics some- time in 2009 and changed parties several times, was a troublemaker, with 25 criminal cases against him. On the evening of August 10, Hansda, who was once associated with the BJP, was killed in a police “encounter”. While a pall of gloom hangs over Lalmatia, with videos of children of his school crying over his body goingviral,policepointtothecases registered against him across Godda and neighbouring areas, onchargesof murder,attemptto murder, kidnapping for ransom, extortion, criminal conspiracy, possessionof illegal arms andri- oting. One case police talk about is of Hansda allegedly breaking the hand of an officer who had gone to arrest him. However, details regarding the cases against him remain fuzzy, with police clamming up as the issue snowballs. “Surya’s killing is not just his encounter. It is an encounter of the entire future of Adivasi children,” says his younger brother Pramod Hansda, who lives in LalmatiaandworkswithEastern Coalfields Limited (ECL), the largest employer in these parts. Jharkhand BJP chief Babulal Marandi—withwhomHansda’s Surya Hansda, 45, was killed on August 10; students pay tribute to him at the school he opened in Jharkhand’s Godda district. Express family claims he was close – has announced a seven-member team to “probe” the alleged encounter, calling it a murder. Hansda was one of five siblings — four brothers and a sister — born to Raja Hansda, who served for a time as mukhiya of Lalmatia village. A graduate in English from Sahibganj College — a rarity in an area where few go for higher studies — Raja believed fervently in tribalsgetting agoodeducation,thefamilysays. He donated land for the local church authority to start a school, says Pramod. Hansda studied at St John’s Missionary School in the village and later joined a college in Godda.However,hedroppedout halfway through his BA course. In the early 2000s, after Jharkhand had been carved out of Bihar, Hansda got a job as a worker at ECL, as compensation for the government taking over an acre of the family land. According to Pramod, it was then that Hansda was attracted to activism, with tribals feeling shortchanged by the government on land compensation. “Hewaslabelledanextremistfor raising Adivasi issues,” he says. CONTINUED ON PAGE 10