First India-Delhi Edition-02nd January 2023

`

Sandeep Singh, accused of sexual harassment, gives up his sports portfolio

PRICE OF COMMERCIAL GAS CYLINDER UP BY `25

Complainant is a junior athletics coach, she urges CM Khattar to set up SIT probe

Coach alleges that she had to quit social media due to constant harassment

HARYANA MINISTER BOOKED

ATTEMPT TO SPOIL MY IMAGE: SINGH

India, Pakistan exchange list of their nuclear installations

First India Bureau

New Delhi: In continuing a 32-year practice, India and Pakistan on Sunday exchanged a list of their nuclear installations under a bilateral pact which prohibits the two sides from attacking each other’s atomic facilities.

Tragic! 12 lives lost in Sikar, 11 more in 5 mishaps in Raj

A case under Sections 354 (assault or criminal force to woman with intent to outrage her modesty), 354-A, 354-B, 342 and 506 of the IPC has been registered against The woman, junior

More such women who have been harassed will come forward if the Sports Minister is arrested. After all, how long will a person remain silent? The Sports Minister has officially, mentally harassed me. Singh invited me to his home and forcefully engaged me in sexual misconduct.

athletics coach, held a PC at office of Opposition INLD, which has demanded that Manohar Lal Khattar govt, Haryana HM Anil Vij to set up a Special Investigation Team to probe matter.

Politicians, well-wishers attend prayer meet for Modi’s mother

—Junior athletics coach

She said Singh harassed her from February to November last year, by repeated messages on social media. He touched her inappropriately and also threatened her in messages, she alleged.

The exchange of the list took place under the provisions of the agreement on the prohibition of attack against nuclear installations and facilities, the MEA said.

First India Bureau

Jaipur: 23 people died in separate accidents in the State on Sunday and Saturday night.

Sikar: 12 people, 7 of a family, died in a fierce collision of three vehicles in Sikar on Khandela-Palsana road on Sunday evening. 20 people in the pickup were returning after visiting Ganesh Dham temple in Khandela. A pickup and a bike collided near Maji Saheb’s Dhani and both the vehicles collided with the truck coming from the front.

Hanumangarh: 5 persons died on Saturday

night after their car collided with a truck on the Rawatsar- Sardarshahar Megha Highway in Pallu PS area.

Kota: Couple was killed and three others were injured when a speeding car lost its balance and rammed into a tree on NH near Sehnali.

Chomu: Two people were killed while half-adozen people were injured in Hadota area on Sunday evening after two speeding cars collided with each other.

Jaisalmer: Two minor girls were killed when car overturned while returning to Sumerpur in Pali.

First India Bureau

Hyderabad:

3 DEAD, 6 INJURED IN SUSPECTED TERROR ATTACK IN RAJOURI

Jammu: Three civilians were killed and six others were injured in a suspected terrorist attack in a village in Rajouri district of Jammu and Kashmir on Sunday evening. ‘The firing incident happened at upper Dhangri village of Rajouri district’ Mukesh Singh, ADGP, Jammu Zone, said after the incident.

Ahmedabad: A prayer meeting was organized in memory of Heeraben ‘Hiraba’ Modi, the mother of PM Narendra Modi in Vadnagar on Sunday. The prayer meeting was held between 9:00 am and 12:00 noon at PM’s birthplace Vadnagar. Heeraben Modi, 100, passed away at around 03:30 am on Friday at the UN Mehta Institute of Cardiology and Research Centre in

Ahmedabad, according to a bulletin from the hospital. She was hospitalized on Wednesday

after her health deteriorated. Modi performed last rites of his mom in Gandhinagar on Friday.

Kabul: At least 10 people were killed and eight others seriously injured in an explosion that rocked Kabul military airport on Sunday. Abdul Nafee Takkur, a spokesman for the Taliban Interior Ministry, reported that an explosion caused injuries close to the military airport’s main gate in Kabul. No one has taken responsibility for the attack as of yet.

PM MODI TO ADDRESS 108TH INDIAN SCIENCE CONGRESS

ment.” The ISC will see discussions on sustainable development, women empowerment, and the role of science & technology in achieving these objectives.

l SC to pronounce its judgment on a batch of pleas over govt’s 2016 decision to demonetise

1,000, `500 notes today

l At least nine people died, most aged between 10 and 20, in a shopping mall crush as revellers rang in the NY in Uganda

New Delhi (PTI):

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address the 108th Indian Science Congress (ISC) on January 3 via video conferencing, his office said on Sunday.

The PMO said the focal theme of this year’s ISC is “Science and Technology for Sustainable Development with Women Empower-

Participants are slated to discuss ways to increase the number of women in higher rungs of teaching, research, and industry, the PMO statement said.

They will also deliberate on ways to increase women’s numbers in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) fields, and their equal status in education, re-

search, and economic participation. A special programme to showcase the contri-

bution of women in science and technology will also be held with lectures by renowned

women scientists.

Several other programmes are also scheduled to be held.

ic interest and temperament among children.

The Farmers’ Science Congress will provide a platform to improve the bio-economy and attract young people to agriculture.

The Tribal Science Congress will be a platform for the scientific display of indigenous ancient knowledge systems and practices, and will focus on the empowerment of tribal women, the PMO said.

The event will also see a Children’s Science Congress, organised to help stimulate scientif-

Held first in 1914, the 108th session of ISC will take place at Rashtrasant Tukadoji Maharaj Nagpur University.

l Women’s work and empowerment in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) fields is special theme

CS MANJULA SUBRAMANIAM

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday expressed anguish at the death of Manjula Subramaniam, who had served as chief secretary during Modi’s tenure as Gujarat’s chief minister. “Anguished by the demise of veteran bureaucrat Dr. Manjula Subramaniam Ji. She was widely respected for her understanding of policy related issues and action oriented approach. I recall my interactions with her when I was CM. Condolences to her family and friends.

Om Shanti,” PM Modi tweeted.

CHEER

People gathered to celebrate New Year near India Gate on Sunday.

—PHOTO BY PTI

Prime Minister Narendra Modi speaks during a ceremony to flag off Vande Bharat Express and inaugurate other railway projects, via video conferencing on Friday.

Haryana sports Minister Sandeep Singh has been booked on charges of sexual harassment and outraging modesty of a woman after a junior athletics coach filed a complaint against the Olympian.

ANIL LAHOTI TAKES OVER CHARGE AS NEW CRB CHAIRMAN

New Delhi: The price of commercial gas cylinder has increased after seven consecutive reductions. The price of a 19-kg LPG commercial cylinder has increased by `25 kg on Sunday. Domestic cylinders cost remain unchanged.

New Delhi: Anil Kumar Lahoti has taken over the charge of new Chairman & Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Railway Board (Ministry of Railways) on Sunday. The appointments committee of the Cabinet approved his appointment.

20 PLAYERS SHORTLISTED BY BCCI FOR WORLD CUP ’23

New Delhi: BCCI secy Jay Shah has opened up on India’s plans for the 2023 ODI World Cup which will take place later this year on home soil. Shah revealed that the board has already shortlisted a total of the 20 players for quadrennial event. P6

Sports Minister Sandeep Singh has handed over his portfolio to the Chief Minister ML Khattar, and dismissed the allegations as an attempt to ‘spoil his image’. “There is an attempt to spoil my image. I hope there will be a thorough investigation into the false allegations levelled against me. I hand over the responsibility of the Sports department to the CM until the report of the investigation comes out,” he said.

3 KILLED IN STAMPEDE

AT CHANDRABABU’S

RALLY IN GUNTUR

3 women have died in a stampede at a rally of Telugu Desam president and former Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu in AP’s Guntur district. This is 2nd incident in a span of 4 days that people lost their lives at a public event of Naidu.

First India Bureau

A prayer meeting was organised in memory of PM Modi’s mother Hiraba at Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya, at Vadnagar on Sunday.

10 die, 8 injured after big blast outside Kabul’s military airport

RELEASE PRISONERS SOON: IND ASKS PAK

MAY THE NEW YEAR BRING INSPIRATIONS: PREZ MURMU, MODI GREET CITIZENS

India on Sunday asked Pakistan to expedite the release and repatriation of 631 Indian fishermen and 2 Indian civilian prisoners, who have completed their sentence and whose nationality has been confirmed and conveyed to Pakistan.

New Delhi: President Droupadi Murmu greeted people on the occasion of New Year and hoped that the year 2023 brings new inspirations, goals and achievements in the lives of people. PM Narendra Modi also extended New Year greetings and hoped that it will be filled with hope, happiness and lots of success.

Fierce collision of 3 vehicles on Khandela-Palsana road on Sunday.

Sandeep Singh

IMD predicts colder January this year

n Both max and min temp to be below normal n Rainfall in January also to be below normal

Moradabad (ANI):

Minimum and maximum temperatures in January 2023 are most likely to be below normal over many parts of central India and adjoining areas of peninsular, east and northwest India, said India Meteorological Department on Sunday.

As per IMD, abovenormal to normal minimum temperatures are most likely over southern parts of the south Peninsula, many parts of northeast India and some parts of northwest India. It also said, “Above normal maximum temperatures are likely over most parts of northeast India and some parts of northwest, east and east central India.”

IMD also predicted monthly rainfall for January 2023 over Northwest India consisting of seven meteorological subdivisions (East Uttar Pradesh, West Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Haryana, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh) is most likely to be below normal (78 per cent of Long Period Average (LPA)), said IMD on Sunday. The rainfall over Northwest India consists of seven mete-

Delhi’s air to be ‘poor’ for next three days, says IMD

New Delhi (ANI): India Meteorological Department Scientist Dr Vijay Kumar Soni said that the air quality of Delhi is to remain in the 'poor category' for the next three days.

"In Delhi, the air quality reached the 'severe' category in the last few days. After 30th December, there's an improvement in the index number. Right now, the air quality is in the 'poor' category. We hope there won't be much deterioration

orological subdivisions (East Uttar Pradesh, West Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Haryana, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu &

The deterioration of air quality is mainly because of meteorological conditions which are generally not favourable during the winter.

—Dr Vijay Kumar Soni, IMD Scientist

after that," Dr Soni said in a telephonic interview. Soni added, "The deterioration of air quality is mainly because of meteorological conditions which are generally not favourable during the winter. The wind speed is low and light winds blow during winter. Also as the

Kashmir and Ladakh) is most likely to be below normal (86 per cent of Long Period Average (LPA)), said IMD. Monthly rainfall

temperature is low, mixing height is also low during this season. Combined all the factors, this ventilation index comes down and that deteriorates the air quality."

Soni concluded that despite unfavourable conditions, air quality was much better on New Year's eve.

over the country as a whole during January 2023 is most likely to be below normal (82 per cent of Long Period Average (LPA)).

Court suggests police booked 5 on basis of religious, ethnic identity

New Delhi (PTI): Acquitting six accused of the charge of dacoity and five of them of the charge of being illegal residents, a court here has observed that in the country's prevailing scenario, it would be a “misuse” of the Foreigners Act to charge “suspected criminals” with “issues relating to citizenship”.

Also observing that police, in the first place, lacked diligence in collecting the documents regarding citizenship, the court wondered whether the provisions of the Foreigners Act would have been invoked against the ac-

The

cused if they had any other religious and ethnic identities.

The court was hearing a case against the six accused for allegedly making preparations to commit dacoity and assembling for the said purpose, along with

purportedly obstructing and assaulting a police team that apprehended them on the basis of a tip-off.

The incident took place on October 29, 2015 at a park in Geeta Colony here.

Five of the accused

were charged under the Foreigners Act, being suspected as illegal Bangladeshi residents in India.

Additional Sessions Judge Vishal Gogne said, “The court is compelled to make a necessary observation. Issues relating to citizenship, especially in the contemporary context, have undeniably become linked to questions of identity, mostly religious and often ethnic, and this complexity belies the reality of a vast number of residents of India who still do not possess authentic documents related to citizenship.”

WITH SEVEN DOCTORS

Minimum temperature drops to 5.5o Celsius

New Delhi (PTI): The minimum temperature in the national capital on Sunday dipped to 5.5 degrees Celsius, two notches below the season's average, the IMD said.

The maximum temperature was 21.1 degrees Celsius, a notch above the season’s average, the IMD said.

The relative humidity oscillated between 97 per cent and 62 per cent, the IMD said.

The IMD has forecast ‘dense’ fog in Delhi on Monday. The minimum and maximum temperatures are likely to be around 6 degrees Celsius and 20 degrees Celsius.

Below-normal rainfall is most likely over most parts of the country except many parts of south peninsular India and some pockets of central India where above-normal to normal rainfall is expected.

During January 2023, monthly minimum temperatures are most likely to be below-normal by 2-4 degrees over many parts of central India and adjoining areas of peninsular, east and northwest India.

Above normal to normal minimum temperatures are most likely over southern parts of south Peninsula, many parts of northeast India and some parts of northwest India.

Ban on coal, unapproved fuels comes into force in Delhi-NCR

New Delhi (PTI): A stringent ban on the use of coal and other unapproved fuels in industries and commercial establishments came into force in Delhi-NCR on Sunday, with officials saying defaulting units will be closed down without any warning.

The use of low-sulphur coal in thermal power plants is allowed, the central government's CAQM said.

Authorities have been directed to close down industries and commercial establish-

A LOST COMRADE

ments using unapproved fuels, including coal, without giving them any show-cause notice. A heavy fine will be levied on the defaulting units.

Firewood and biomass briquettes can be

used for religious purposes and cremation, wood or bamboo charcoal can be used for tandoors and grills of hotels, restaurants, banquet halls (with emission control system) and open eateries.

Delhi BJP chief visits night shelter, slams Kejriwal for not caring

New Delhi (ANI): Delhi Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president Virendra Sachdeva on Saturday visited a night shelter at Mori Gate and expressed dissatisfaction over the arrangements made by the Kejriwal government in the shelter.

I can see

ICCR

felicitates foreign

artistes of Indian classical music and dance

New Delhi (PTI): The Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) on Sunday felicitated foreign artistes of Indian dance and music from 8-10 countries including Iran and Malaysia selected through a first-of-its-kind talent recognition initiative. These artistes will also perform at the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas event this month in Indore.

Sachdeva distributed blankets to people at the night shelter.

"Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal claims that his government has cleaned the city and made arrangements in all shelter homes. But here I can see people who had to sleep without any arrangements this winter. I can see a dilapidated building and no shelter for the people," Sachdeva said.

sleep without any arrangements this winter.

First health clinic for sex workers at GB Road

lll

NGO S ewa Bharti started this clinic in collaboration with Utkarsh Initiative to provide medical facilities to sex workers and their families

New Delhi (PTI): A first-ever health clinic for sex workers and their families has been opened in Delhi’s redlight area, GB Road, with facilities for routine check-ups and treatment.

The clinic was inaugurated on Sunday. It has been started in a part of a non-functional school by some civil society groups.

Shalini (name changed), a sex worker, said she hopes the facil-

ity will help her fight the stigma that she faces in visiting clinics in

other parts of the city. “Even doctors start behaving differently

when they learn we are sex workers and this clinic can help change that as it is meant just for people like us,” she told PTI.

NGO Sewa Bharti started this clinic in collaboration with Utkarsh Initiative to provide medical facilities to sex workers and their families. This clinic will have seven doctors.

“We have started this initiative on the first day of the year to start this year with the right

initiative catering to the secluded and exploited strata of the society,” said Sushil Gupta, General Secretary of Sewa Bharti Delhi Province.

He said this is the first such clinic in the area and aims to solve the health issues faced by the sex workers while maintaining their dignity.

GB Road, or Garstin Bastion Road, is a road running from Ajmeri Gate to Lahori Gate.

Last week, LG VK Saxena transferred the Urban Shelter Improvement Board (DUSIB) CEO K. Mahesh, shunting him to Union Territory Civil Services (UTCS) as Special Director after night shelters were found overcrowded and deficient in toilet facilities.

The development comes following LG's visit to night shelters run by DUSIB at Inter State Bus Terminal (ISBT) and Hanuman Mandir, on the night of December 23 where it was found that, while all the shelters at the

location had a total capacity of only about 600 beds, there were thousands who were forced to sleep on the pavements in the bitter cold.

Moreover, the LG during his visit had also flagged the issue of inhumane sanitary conditions for the occupants and for other homeless, forced to reside on streets under the open sky.

Due to the severe lack of toilet facilities attached to the Night Shelters, the occupants and others were forced to defecate in the open, mostly on the adjacent Yamuna Bank.

Apart from polluting the river, this also posed severe health hazards to the homeless people.

A milkman rides a two-wheeler amid dense fog as cold wave and fog conditions prevail, in Ujjain on Sunday. —PHOTO BY ANI

Women sit around a bonfire to keep themselves warm on a cold winter day, in New Delhi on Sunday. —PHOTO BY ANI

—REPRESENTATIVE PHOTO

Sex workers carry essential goods, distributed by volunteers at GB Road during a nationwide lockdown imposed in the wake of coronavirus pandemic, in New Delhi. —PHOTO BY PTI

Here

people who had to

I can see a dilapidated building and no shelter for the people.

—Virendra Sachdeva, Delhi BJP Interim President

Naseeruddin Shah with his wife Ratna Pathak at a programme to commemorate the death anniversary of communist playwright and director Safdar Hashmi, at Jhandapur village in Ghaziabad on Sunday.

— PHOTO BY ANI

The Accused: ‘Chota, Lambu’

Geeta Colony police station had filed a chargesheet against Anul Haq, Miraz alias "chota", Mohammad Burhan, Miraz alias "lambu", Mohammad Suhail and Saddam for various offences under the IPC, including attempt to murder, assault or criminal force to deter public servant from discharge of duty, obstructing public servant in discharge of public functions and common intention. Saddam and Miraz ("lambu") were also charged under the Arms Act, while all the accused, except Haq, were also charged under the Foreigners Act.

Fire at old age home in GK-II, two women burnt to death

Woman dragged for 4 km in car accident, dies; 5 arrested

New Delhi (PTI): A 20-year-old woman who lived in Delhi died after her scooty was hit by a car and her body dragged under it for around four kilometres in outer Delhi’s Sultanpuri on Sunday.

Police said that five men travelling in the Maruti Baleno have been arrested.

First India Bureau

New Delhi: A fire broke out at an old age home here on Sunday that led to the death of two elderly women in south Delhi’s Greater Kailash area.

Thirteen inmates of Antara Care for Seniors were rescued, they said, adding that there were around 35 people in the four-storey building when the incident took place.

Police got the information about a fire at Antara Care for Seniors at around 5.10 am through a passerby.

Five fire tenders and a few ambulances were

rushed to the spot, and the blaze was brought under control by 6.50 am, the fire department said.

According to police, the fire had occurred on the building’s second floor where two charred bodies were found. The deceased were identified as Kanchan Arora, 86, and Kamal, 92.

The crime and FSL teams have been called

around 8.30 am, police said. He used to visit his mother regularly, police said, adding that the family members of the other deceased woman live in Noida.

to the spot, the Deputy Commissioner of Police (South) Chandan Chowdhary said.

One senior citizen has been shifted to Max Hospital Saket and 12

others to another branch in Okhla of Antara Care, he said.

According to sources, it was suspected that some burning candles might have caused

the fire. However, a detailed investigation will ascertain the exact cause of fire, they said.

A case under sections 285 (negligent conduct with respect to fire or combustible mat ter), 337 (causing hurt by act endangering life or personal safety of others) and 304A (causing death by negligence) has been registered against unknown persons at CR Park PS.

Clash at bash in Noida society lands 3, including cop, in jail

A purported video of the woman’s body without clothes and broken legs made rounds on social media. The footage led to claims that the victim was raped and murdered, but the police called it an accident.

Deputy Commissioner of Police Harendra Kumar Singh said the victim’s leg got entangled in one of the wheels.

“Deepak Khanna (26), Amit Khanna (25), Krishan (27), Mithun (26) and Manoj Mittal have been arrested,” he said, adding that blood sample of the driver will be examine to see whether he was under the influence of alcohol or not.

SC verdict on demonetisation scheduled

CAR OCCUPANTS WERE DRUNK:

DCW

Delhi Commission of Women (DCW) chief Swati Maliwal took cognisance of the matter and issued notice to the Delhi Police. “The naked body of a girl was found in Delhi's Kanjhawala, it is being told that some boys in an inebriated state hit her scooty with a car and dragged her for several kilometres. I am issuing an appearance summons to Delhi Police. The whole truth should come out,” she said in a tweet. Talking to ANI, she alleged that the five men on the vehicle were drunk.

“A girl was hit by a car and then dragged on the road. The car was driven by five people who were badly drunk. I have summoned Delhi Police to ask how will justice be provided to the girl. Secondly, I want to ask, despite the girl being dragged for kilometres, no check post was able to catch anything. No one stopped those drunk people. This is a very scary and shocking incident,” she said.

CM Kejriwal returns from Vipassana, condoles demise of

PM Modi’s mother

Crowds at India Gate, traffic jams across city

New Delhi (PTI): Large crowds thronged popular boulevards, tourist hubs and entertainment centres and many joined special prayers at places of worship on Sunday as people stepped out to celebrate the New Year without COVID restrictions.

With no major curbs except advisories to prevent the spread of coronavirus, revellers marked the beginning of 2023 with gusto, while police kept a tight vigil and hundreds of people faced action for violations like drunk driving. There were massive traffic snarls, especially near India Gate and Connaught Place, while metro stations were teeming with people.

Noida (PTI): Three people, including a Delhi Police personnel, were arrested after a clash between two groups resulted in injuries to four people during New Year celebrations at a group housing society near Noida, officials said on Sunday.

The clash broke out around 11.30 pm on Saturday over the trio allegedly trying to take pictures with two women residents of the society without their consent. However, the accused claimed that they

were taking selfies and the women just happened to be in the background and it was a case of misunderstanding, an official said.

Video clips purportedly of the incident at Gaur City's First Avenue society in Greater Noida (West), also known as Noida Extension, surfaced on social media, prompting the police action, despite

no official complaint from either side, the official said.

An official of the local Bisrakh police station said, “The women had claimed that the accused were taking their pictures without their consent and when they informed their friends about it, an argument broke out between the two sides, followed by a fight.”

New Delhi (PTI): The Supreme Court is scheduled to pronounce its judgment on Monday on a batch of pleas challenging the government's 2016 decision to demonetise currency notes of Rs 1,000 and Rs 500 denominations.

A 5-judge Constitution bench headed by Justice SA Nazeer is likely to pronounce its verdict as the top court reopens after its winter break. There will be two separate judgements to be pronounced by Justices BR Gavai and BV Nagarathna.

New Delhi (PTI): Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Sunday said he was saddened to hear the news of the death of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's mother Hiraben.

Kejriwal had left for a Vipassana meditation session in Bengaluru on December 24. The session ended on Sunday. “Today when I came out of the Vipassana meditation after seven days, I received the news of the death of the prime minister's respected mother. I was

saddened to hear the news. I pray to God to give the departed soul a place at his feet,” he said in a tweet in Hindi.

In another tweet, Kejriwal said he was returning with a resolve to serve the nation with greater energy.

New Delhi (ANI) : A man was arrested here for allegedly murdering his 30-yr-old wife and her paramour, police said on Saturday.

According to Delhi Police, “Five police teams were constituted to nab the accused. They raided the possible hideouts of the accused at Noida, Gokulpuri, Kusumpur Pahari, Karkardooma and other areas and succeeded to apprehend accused Sunny.”

GROWING CONCERN

NCW received 31k complaints of crimes against women in 2022

lll

The numb er of complaints received by the NCW in 2022 is the highest since 2014, when the panel had received 33,906 complaints

New Delhi (PTI):

Nearly 31,000 complaints of crimes committed against women were received by the National Commission for Women (NCW) in 2022, the highest since 2014.

In 2021, the NCW had received 30,864 complaints while in 2022, the number slightly increased to 30,957.

Of the 30,957 complaints, the maximum of 9,710 were related to the right to live with

dignity that takes into account the emotional abuse of women, followed by those related to domestic violence at 6,970 and dowry harassment at 4,600, ac -

cording to NCW data accessed by PTI.

The highest number, i.e. about 54.5 per cent (16,872) of the complaints were received from the most popu -

lous state of Uttar Pradesh.

Delhi recorded 3,004 complaints, followed by Maharashtra (1,381), Bihar (1,368) and Haryana (1,362).

According to the data, the highest number of complaints related to the right to live with dignity and domestic violence were received from Uttar Pradesh.

The number of complaints received by the NCW in 2022 is the

highest since 2014, when the panel had received 33,906 complaints.

As many as 2,523 complaints were received regarding the offence of outraging the modesty of women or molestation, 1,701 were related to rape and attempt to rape, 1,623 were in connection with police apathy against women and 924 complaints were related to cyber crimes, according to the data.

l Highest since 2014: The number of complaints received by the NCW in 2022 is the highest since 2014, when the panel had received 33,906 complaints.

l 54.5% from UP: About 54.5 per cent (16,872) of the complaints were received from the most populous state of Uttar Pradesh.

l 3,004 complaints in Delhi: Delhi recorded 3,004 complaints, followed by Maharashtra (1,381), Bihar (1,368) and Haryana (1,362).

l Right to Dignity violated: Of the 30,957 complaints, the maximum of 9,710 were related to the right to live with dignity that takes into account the emotional abuse of women.

The old age nursing home where a fire broke out in Greater Kailash area, in New Delhi on Sunday. (R) Police personnel guard outside the nursing home on Sunday. —PHOTOS BY PTI

Five fire tenders were rushed to Antara Care for Seniors after information came at 5.14 am

SON JUST LANDED FROM ENGLAND

New Delhi (ANI): The son of one of the victims who was coming to India from England to meet her mother landed here

The car involved in the accident outside Sultanpuri police station.

—PHOTO

People of Jain community protest at India Gate on Sunday for maintaining sanctity of 'Sammed Shikhar ji’, the biggest pilgrimage site of the Jains on Parasnath Hills in Giridih district of Jharkhand. The Hemant Soren govt wants to develop tourism there. —PHOTOS BY PTI

Man murders wife and her lover in Delhi, arrested

Heavy rush of people is seen at India Gate during the New Year 2023 celebrations on Sunday. —PHOTO BY ANI

Traffic congestion on the first day of New Year, at Pragati Maidan in New Delhi, on Sunday. —PHOTO BY PTI

The two sides reached a compromise later and there was no official complaint from either side.

—Official, Delhi Police

today

PM NARENDRA MODI WANTS 350 BJP MPs IN 2024

India’s Prime Minister played the role of a catalyst, even providing Rs 3,000 crore in funding, for the accelerated development of a vaccine against nCov through publicprivate enterprise that proved crucial in the battle against the nCov. Not only that, he also exported the Indian vaccine free of cost to less developed nations of the world that were reeling under the impact of the pandemic even as exorbitant costs demanded by European vaccine manufacturers ruled out their ability to purchase those vaccines.

ASENIORBJPLEADER TOLDFIRSTINDIA

Prime Minister Narendra Modi appears to be in perpetual election mode with a current focus on the north-eastern state of Tripura in India where the next round of state assembly elections are scheduled as well as the southern state of Karnataka in the coming months. And yet, the Modi juggernaut has also upped the ante on the international political landscape for a high stakes gambit likely to transcend India as a major world player to pitchfork the Indian premier into the race for the next Nobel peace prize.

The latest endorsement of Prime Minister Narendra Modi came a couple of days ago when Ukraine’s president Volodymyr Zelenskyy called him up ostensibly to congratulate him on ascending to the presidency of the G20 formation of nations. Zelenskyy tweeted thereafter and said, “I had a phone call with@PMOIndia.”

Narendra Modi wished a suc-

cessful G20 presidency. It was on this platform that In announced the peace formula and now, I count on India’s participation on its implementation. I also thanked for humanitarian aid and support in the UN (United Nations).” Earlier, Russian President Vladimir Putin had also paid glowing tributes to an emergent India under PM Modi’s leadership evidencing his amiability to India playing a mitigating role to end the Russian conflict with Ukraine.

While Modi plays peacemaker on the global stage currently, his international role during the global Covid 19 pandemic has also been acknowledged as a game changer by the world.

Even the World Health Organisation (WHO) had acknowledged India’s professional and sanitized response to deal with the Covid 19 pandemic right since its outbreak in February 2020 considering the herculean task of protecting and vaccinating a 1.38 billion plus population in India was concerned.

PM Modi’s emphasis on the development of an indigenous vaccine in the country that was also subsequently distributed free of cost to several underdeveloped nations of the world came in for particular ac-

PM MODI PLAYS PEACEMAKER ON THE GLOBAL STAGE

While Modi plays peacemaker on the global stage currently, his international role during the global Covid 19 pandemic has also been acknowledged as a game changer by the world. Even the WHO had acknowledged India’s professional and sanitized response to deal with the Covid 19 pandemic right since its outbreak in February 2020 considering the herculean task of protecting and vaccinating a 1.38 billion plus population in India was concerned.

claim globally.

“India’s Prime Minister played the role of a catalyst, even providing Rs 3,000 crore in

funding, for the accelerated development of a vaccine against nCov through public-private enterprise that proved crucial

REST IN PEACE POPE BENEDICT XVI

enedict XVI leaves behind a complex legacy as a Pope and theologian. To many observers, Benedict, who died on Dec. 31, 2022 at the age of 95, was known for criticizing what he saw as the modern world’s rejection of God and Christianity’s timeless truths. But as a scholar of the diversity of global Catholicism, I think it’s best to avoid simple characterizations of Benedict’s theology, which I believe will influence the Catholic Church for generations.

While the brilliance of this intellectual legacy will certainly endure, it will also have to contend with the shadows of the numerous controversies that marked Benedict’s time as pope and,

later, as pope emeritus.

PRIEST & PROFESSOR

Benedict was born Josef Alois Ratzinger on April 16, 1927, in Marktl am Inn, Germany. During World War II, he was required to join the

Hitler Youth, a wing of the Nazi Party. He was later drafted into an anti-aircraft unit and then the infantry of Nazi Germany.

CARDINAL AND POPE

As a skilled theologian,

Ratzinger was chosen by Pope John Paul II to head the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, which oversees and enforces Catholic doctrine. In this position, Cardinal Ratzinger disciplined a number of theologians.

CONTROVERSIES

After his election, Pope Benedict XVI had to confront a growing sexual abuse scandal in the Catholic Church. While a cardinal, he had publicly downplayed the extent and seriousness of the crisis. And it was under his leadership that The Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith decided not to remove Lawrence C. Murphy from the priesthood, even though Murphy had been accused of molesting more than 200

boys at a Catholic school for the deaf in Wisconsin.

THEOLOGICAL WRITINGS

As pope, Benedict continued his theological writing and produced three important encyclicals or papal letters. The first encyclical, Deus Caritas Est, or “God is Love,” defends “charity” as love that is freely given. Charity is not simply a good deed but an act that changes both the giver and the recipient.

LEGACY OF BENEDICT

When Benedict resigned as pope in 2013, it took the world by surprise. In saying that he could no longer bear the burdens of the Papacy, Benedict promised to live in seclusion. His official title became “Pope Emeritus.”

SOURCE: THE CONVERSATION

in the battle against the nCov. Not only that, he also exported the Indian vaccine free of cost to less developed nations of the world that were reeling under the impact of the pandemic even as exorbitant costs demanded by European vaccine manufacturers ruled out their ability to purchase those vaccines,” a senior BJP leader told First India. He added, “While Balakot played an important role to ensure a 300 plus Lok Sabha result in favour of the BJP in 2019, the Prime Minister’s proactive human service record is expected to secure the political future of party even in 2024 general elections when the party expects to further consolidate its presence across India by achieving a target of electing over 350 Members of Parliament in Lok Sabha.”

The only political reversal that may adversely impact the BJP prospects in the 2024 polls is the looming worry regarding Supreme Court of India’s likely verdict on the issue of political reservations for the other backward caste communities (OBC) coming before the general elections are announced, the senior BJP leader noted.

THE VIEWS EXPRESSED BY THE AUTHOR ARE PERSONAL

RENNI ABRAHAM

The writer is Honorary Consulting Editor, First India Mumbai

Narendra Modi wished a successful G20 presidency. It was on this platform that In announced the peace formula and now, I count on India’s participation on its implementation. I also thanked for humanitarian aid and support in the United Nations

SPIRITUAL SPEAK

For the lord takes delight in his people; He crowns the humble and salvation. Bible

Narendra Modi@narendramodi

Birthday greetings to Union Minister Shri Jyotiraditya Scindia Ji, who is working to ensure a vibrant aviation sector with a focus on connectivity and boost the steel sector. May Almighty bless him with a long and healthy life.@JM_Scindia

TOP TWEETS

Amit Shah@AmitShah

Birthday greetings to the Chief Minister of Manipur, Shri @ NBirenSingh Ji. Your commitment towards the development of Manipur and the welfare of people is commendable. May God bless you with a long and healthy life.

PM Narendra Modi

2024 LOK SABHA ELECTIONS

BJP TO LAUNCH PRE-POLL DRIVE IN MAHARASHTRA FROM TODAY

First India Bureau

Mumbai: BJP chief JP Nadda will launch the party’s pre-poll campaign for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections in Maharashtra on Monday.

He will visit Chandrapur constituency, and hold a series of meetings during his day-long stay under ‘Lok Sabha Pravas Yojana’.

The BJP has started preparations for the 2024 elections. Nadda will do ‘pravas’ (stays) in every state to kick-start prepoll campaigns.

Of total 545 Lok Sabha constituencies, the party has shortlisted 160 constituencies where it may face a tough contest. Maharashtra has 144 constituencies of which 18 are tough it.

Prominent leaders such as Union Minister Nitin Gadkari, Deputy Chief Minister Devender Fadnavis and Minister Raosaheb Danve will accompany Nadda in his day-long tour in Maharashtra.

New Delhi (ANI): The Central govt should take nation into confidence about recent border clashes between Indian and Chinese troops, said Congress leader Harish Rawat on Sunday. “The whole nation wants to know what is happening at the borders,” Rawat said in reply to a query about Rahul Gandhi accusing Centre of hiding behind the back of Indian soldiers. “Whenever you start to question this government whether on Galwan, Depsang or Tawang or any issue, when you question them on Chinese incursions, when you ask them to take the whole nation into confidence on border issues, then the BJP leadership says we are raising questions about the loyalty of Indian soldiers,” Rawat added.

SETS TARGET OF 60 LS SEATS IN SOUTHERN INDIA FOR 2024 ELECTIONS

New Delhi (ANI): Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) after capturing fortress Karnataka has now started preparations to spread its wings in other southern states as well. According to the party sources, the preparations are in full swing and seasoned BJP workers are being deployed on more than 50 seats. Their training in this regard was conducted in Hyderabad a few days back. There are 20 Lok Sabha seats in Kerala, 25 in Andhra Pradesh, 39 in Tamil Nadu, 17 in Telangana and 28 in Karnataka. The sources further said that the BJP has recently conducted a training camp in Hyderabad, in which a complete plan has been prepared to target about 60 Lok Sabha seats in the Southern States of the country.

K’TAKA: BJP TO WOO VOKKALIGA LEADERS

New Delhi (PTI): The BJP is going to allure several Vokkaliga leaders from “panchayat to Parliament” into its fold from Karnataka’s Old Mysuru region ahead of the Assembly polls in the southern state due later this year, party leaders said on Sunday. They said the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has already been working on the ground and reaching out to like-minded people in the run-up to the election.

BENGAL BJP TO SHIFT PARTY HEADQUARTERS

Kolkata (Agencies): The 98-year long journey of the state BJP headquarters in West Bengal in rented accommodation at the congested and narrow Muralidhar Sen Lane in north Kolkata is about to end this new year. Instead, the state headquarters of the saffron camp will be shifted to a new modern office in Salt Lake on the outskirts of Kolkata which is considered as the information technology hub of the state.

Guv sign it or return it to assembly: U’khand CM Baghel on reservation bill

Raipur (ANI): Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel once again attacked the Governor and BJP on Sunday about the issue of delaying the reservation bill, which has been passed in the state assembly.

He said, “A bill which was passed in the assembly, is called the property of the assembly. It has left the assembly and gone to the Raj Bhavan, even that too is pending. The Governor should either sign it or return it to the Vidhan Sabha. The bill was passed in

the Vidhan Sabha on 2nd December. Even after one month, the fu-

at stake due to the stubbornness of the government.” CM Baghel was speaking to the reporters at the event of the blanket distribution programme among the labourers on the very first day of the year.

Raipur North MLA Kuldeep Juneja, Mayor Ejaz Dhebar, and former Mayor Pramod Dubey were present during the programme along with Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel.

`1L cr worth mobile phone exports is PM’s vision: Min

New Delhi (PTI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision for 2023 is to have mobile phone exports with the segment featuring in the top 10 export category from India, Minister of State for Electronics and IT Rajeev Chandrasekhar said.

While speaking with PTI, the minister said that the government will take all the measures that are required for boosting the electronics manufacturing ecosystem in the country and in 2023 will look at widening the manufacturing base beyond mobile phone manufacturing.

“PM Narendramodi Ji’s vision for 2023 is mobile phone exports worth Rs 1 lakh crore, with mobile phones featuring in the Top 10 exported category,” Chandrasekhar said.

Om Birla tells Kota students: Reach out to me

Kota (PTI): Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla urged students coming to Kota to study without any stress and reach out to him in case of any trouble. “Students should not be depressed about their studies. Life is full of challenges and one who is determined and works hard for his goal never fails,” he said.

“Each and every family living in Kota is your family and they will take care of you,” Birla told the students.

KASHI TO DIBRUGARH VIA B’DESH: PM TO LAUNCH 3,200 KM RIVER CRUISE

New Delhi: The river cruise from Varanasi in UP to Dibrugarh in Assam via Bangladesh, billed as the world’s longest, will be flagged off by PM Narendra Modi on January 13. The luxury cruise with foreign tourists will cover around 3,200 km of 27 river systems including Ganga-Bhagirathi-Hooghly, Brahmaputra and West Coast Canal in India in a span of 50 days. The cruise will cover 50 major tourist sites, including some heritage sites, the famous Ganga Aarti at Varanasi and sanctuaries such as Kaziranga National Park and the Sundarbans Delta.

PM MODI CONDOLES DEATH OF TRIPURA LEADER NC DEBBARMA

ture of the students and youth of the entire state who want to get a job is

The assembly session is about to start tomorrow, as per the official sources.

Medical colleges in each district of UP this year, says Yogi

Lucknow (ANI): In order to strengthen the health infrastructure of the state, the Yogi Adityanath government will start 4,600 health ATMs in all wellness centers and medical colleges in every district, informed the government on Sunday.

He also assured to provide them with phone numbers of his office in Delhi and Kota.

Bharat Jodo Yatra left a huge impact on people: Vaiko

Chennai (ANI): MDMK general secretary and MP Vaiko on Sunday said that congress’s Bharat Jodo Yatra has left a huge impact on people.

Viako said,” Congress’s Bharat Jodo Yatra led by Rahul Gandhi has left a huge impact on people. The opposition has to unite to defeat the BJP in the 2024

FISSURES IN ALLIANCE?

general election. There is a danger to Democracy because of the policies of the Union Government”. ‘BJP is strong in all aspects,” he added.

This statement comes a day after Congress MP Rahul Gandhi on Saturday claimed there is a huge undercurrent against the BJP and said that his party will win a landslide victory in the

upcoming elections in Madhya Pradesh.

On Saturday, Rahul Gandhi said “I can give this in writing that Congress is going to sweep the Madhya Pradesh elections. BJP will be seen nowhere. I can guarantee this for you.

Every person in MP knows that BJP has formed its government using money.”

JDU-RJD: Allies with no mutual trust?

Shamsher Singh

New Delhi: Lalu Prasad’s party Rashtriya Janata Dal and Chief Minister Nitish Kumar’s JDU are not of the same opinion on the post of Chief Minister in Bihar.

Nitish Kumar said recently that Tejashwi Yadav will lead the Grand Alliance in 2025. Nitish had said this in front of RJD leader and Deputy Chief Minister of the state Tejashwi Yadav but Tejashwi or his par-

ty did not react to it. Even before this, Nitish Kumar had said that

Tejashwi will take care of the development work of Bihar. At first

glance, it appears to be Nitish’s goodwill towards Tejashwi, but RJD leaders are seeing it as a strategy to postpone Tejashwi’s coronation for three more years.

RJD leaders want Nitish Kumar to leave the post of Chief Minister now and get involved in the strategy of 2024 general elections. RJD state president Jagdanand Singh has said in very clear words that one has to give up small things

to achieve big things. What he meant to say was that in order to become the Prime Minister, Nitish Kumar should leave the post of Chief Minister. Other RJD leaders also said that if Nitish has to become a contender for the post of Prime Minister of the united opposition, then he should hand over the command of the state to Tejashwi and work for coordination with the opposition parties across the country.

According to an official release, the process of appointing expert personnel to assist the people at all health ATMs has also been expedited. “With its launch, the patient will be able to get the facility of 60 tests. Teleconsultation facilities will also be available at health centers. Furthermore, all the PHCs and CHCs of the state will be connected with SGPGI and people will not have to run to the medical college for minor problems. At the same time, the facility of medical colleges will also start in almost all the districts of the state this year. Work is going on in this direction on a war footing,” it said.

UP’S PLANS FOR $1tn ECONOMY

Uttar Pradesh State Industrial Development Authority (UPSIDA) has prepared a landbank of more than 15,000 acres as part of the Yogi govt’s goal to make the state a $ 1 trillion economy and to strengthen the infrastructure so that global companies coming to GIS-23 do not face any problem.

The Yogi Government’s special focus, for this year, will be on the health sector, law and order, tourism, education, and infrastructure development.

The Government wants to ensure that the people of the state get better health facilities as well as technologybased education.

IN THE COURTYARD

OFFICER CANNOT ACT AS THE MOUTHPIECE OF J&K CID, RULES HIGH COURT

has pulled up authorities for denying passport to PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti’s mother, saying passport officer cannot “act as a mouthpiece” of the CID. It said it appears, there is no ground to refuse her request for issue or renewal of passport. “Even, there is not an iota of allegation against the petitioner that may point out to any security concerns. The police verification report formulated by CID-CIK cannot override the statutory provisions of Section 6 of the Passport Act 1967,” court said in an order on Saturday.

EX-MP MINISTER SENTENCED TO THREE-YEAR IMPRISONMENT IN CORRUPTION CASE

Gwalior: A local court has convicted Congress leader and former minister Bhagwan Singh Yadav in a 2004 cooperative bank corruption case and sentenced him to three-year imprisonment. Besides Yadav, five other accused were also handed jail terms for periods of three years and four years while two others were absolved of the charges, according to the prosecution. Special MPs and MLAs court judge Sushil Kumar Joshi on Friday imposed a fine of Rs 15,000 on Yadav, government advocate Dharmendra Sharma told PTI.

BJP

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) National President JP Nadda addresses a public meeting, in Coimbatore, recently. —PHOTO BY PTI

R Chandrasekhar says

govt will take measures needed to boost electronics manufacturing ecosystem in India

‘Take nation into confidence over India-China border clashes’

Either

Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel speaking to the media. —FILE PHOTO

Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (MDMK) Rajya Sabha MP Vaiko speaks in the Upper House during the Monsoon Session of Parliament, in New Delhi recently. —FILE PHOTO

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and Deputy CM Tejashwi Yadav during the ceremony to distribute appointment letters to teachers related to the Education, Science and Technology department, at Gyan Bhawan, in Patna on Saturday. —PHOTO BY ANI

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi condoled the death of Tripura minister NC Debbarma, saying he will be remembered by the coming generations as a hardworking grassroots leader. "Shri NC Debbarma Ji will be remembered by the coming generations as a hardworking grassroots leader who always worked for the well-being of people. He made a rich contribution to Tripura's progress. Pained by his demise. Condolences to his family and supporters. Om Shanti," Modi tweeted.

J&K: SNOW-CLEARING PARTIES DEPLOYED IN DODA AS TOURIST INFLOW CONTINUES

Doda (ANI): The Doda civil administration has deployed snow-clearing parties after fresh snowfall on Saturday suspended vehicular movement in some places.

Snowfall in Kashmir attracts tourists from across the world at this time of the year.

Due to heavy snowfall on the highway, vehicular movement got suspended, and the tourists were facing difficulties, informed the administration. Many tourists had to wait for a long till the road was cleared. Indian Army deployed along LoC in the Uri sector continues patrolling in harsh winter conditions.

The India Meteorological Department on Sunday said that minimum and maximum temperatures in January 2023 are most likely

to be below normal over many parts of central India and adjoining areas of peninsular, east and northwest India.

As per IMD, abovenormal to normal minimum temperatures are most likely over southern parts of the south

Peninsula, many parts of northeast India and some parts of northwest India.

IMD also predicted monthly rainfall for January 2023 over Northwest India consisting of seven meteorological subdivisions (East Uttar

Int’l Year of Millets 2023 kicks off

140 Indian embassies will participate in the global events

New Delhi (ANI): The International Year of Millets 2023 has officially kicked off.

The government of India under Prime Minister Narendra Modi spearheaded the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) resolution for declaring the

year 2023 as the International Year of Millets and the proposal of India was supported by 72 countries. UNGA declared 2023 as the International Year of Millets in March 2021.

CRUCIAL READ

2 WORKERS KILLED IN NASHIK FACTORY BLAST AND BLAZE

Nashik: Two persons were killed and 14 others injured when massive fire, following by a deafening blast, engulfed a factory in Igatpuri in Maharashtra’s Nashik district on Sunday, officials said. The explosion and fire, reportedly in a boiler, in the Jindal Polyfilms Company’s plant at Gonde village, was reported around 11.30 a.m., as people were waking up after the New Year celebrations.

KIN SEEK HELP TO BRING BODY OF TN BOY DIED IN CHINA

Hyderabad: A 22-year-old student from Tamil Nadu who was studying in China for last five years has died of an illness, and his economically weak family has requested the foreign ministry for help to bring back his body. Towards the end of his medical education, the student, Abdul Sheikh, was doing internship in China. He had returned to India recently and gone back to China on December 11.

JAINS PROTEST AS SHRI SAMMED SHIKHARJI DECLARED TOURIST PLACE

New Delhi: Members of Jain community protested in several parts of the country against the Jharkhand govt’s decision of declaring ‘sacred’ Shri Sammed Shikharji a tourist place. Jain community members gathered in huge numbers and protested at the India Gate in Delhi against the decision. Similarly, in Aligarh, a huge rally was carried out from Ramlila ground. The rally comprised of both men and women in huge numbers.

NEPAL’S 3RD INTERNATIONAL

AIRPORT OPENS

Kathmandu (PTI): Nepal

Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal Prachanda’ on Sunday inaugurated the Himalayan nation’s third international airport in western Nepal’s tourist hub of Pokhara built with Chinese assistance. The Pokhara Regional International Airport (PRIA), a flagship project of Nepal-China Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) cooperation, was constructed with Chinese loan assistance. International flights are expected to take off after Feb second week.

100 HOSPITALISED IN KERALA AFTER FOOD POISONING

Pathanamthitta: Over 100 eople suffered from suspected food poisoning with one of them in a serious condition after allegedly taking meals during a baptism in a church near Keezhvaipur in Pathanamthitta district of Kerala. State Health Minister Veena George ordered an enquiry into the incident. The probe is to be done by the Food Safety Department that has been asked to submit a report immediately. The police said they filed a case against the caterers who provided the meals.

WHAT ARE MILLETS?

Millet is a common term for categorizing smallseeded grasses that are often called Nutri-cereals. Some of them are sorghum (jowar), pearl millet (bajra), finger millet (ragi), little millet (kutki), foxtail millet (kakun), proso millet (cheena), barnyard millet (sawa), and kodo millet (kodon). An essential staple cereal crop for millions of smallholder dryland farmers, millets offer nutrition, resilience, income and livelihood for farmers.

Pradesh, West Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Haryana, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh) is most likely to be below normal (78 per cent of Long Period Average (LPA)), IMD said on Sunday.

ARMY IN URI CONTINUES PATROLLING IN HARSH WINTER CONDITIONS

ICG rescues 12 crew of sinking vessel in Gujarat

IMD PREDICTS RAINS IN COASTAL AREAS OF TN BETWEEN JANUARY 3-5

Chennai: The Regional Meteorological Centre (RMC) of the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) on Sunday predicted light to moderate rains in coastal districts of Tamil Nadu

between January 3 and January 5. “Dry weather is likely to prevail in Tamil Nadu, Puduwcherry and Karaikal regions for today and tomorrow,” the RMC said in a statement on Sunday.

Ahmedabad (PTI):

The Indian Coast Guard (ICG) rescued 12 crew members of a sinking supply vessel in the Arabian sea off the Gujarat coast, it said on Sunday.

The operation was carried out on Saturday after a distress message was received by the Mumbai-based ICG Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC). The Motorised Supply Vessel (MSV)

reported to be heavily flooded and sinking.

Over 91 lakh pilgrims at Vaishno Devi in ’22

Jammu (PTI): More than 91 lakh pilgrims visited the Mata Vaishno Devi temple in 2022, the highest in last nine years, a senior official of the shrine board said on Sunday. Over 23,000 devotees offered prayers at the shrine located atop Trikuta hills on New Year’s Eve.

In a tweet, Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board CEO Anshul Garg said, “91.25 lakh devotees paid obeisance

at Shri Mata Vaishno Devi shrine in 2022, the highest number since the start of Online Indi-

vidual Yatri registration in 2013. May Mata Rani continue to shower blessings of peace,

happiness and prosperity upon all of us.”

According to shrine board data, 23,110 pilgrims offered prayers at the shrine on the last day of 2022.

In 2022, the highest footfall was recorded in June with more than 11.29 lakh pilgrims visiting the temple. At 3.61 lakh, February saw the lowest footfall last year.

In December, 5.67 lakh devotees visited the shrine.

Rohit stays skipper, BCCI shortlists 20 players for WC

New Delhi (PTI): There is no imminent threat to Rohit Sharma’s ODI and Test captaincy as the BCCI brass hasn’t found anything unsatisfactory about his leadership in the traditional formats, according to sources in the board. Skipper Rohit, along with head coach Rahul Dravid, attended the review meeting in Mumbai. The meeting was conducted by BCCI secretary Jay Shah. Along with last selection committee’s chairman Chetan Sharma, NCA head VVS Laxman, president Roger Binny also attended the review meeting.

New T20 captain Hardik Pandya wasn’t a part of the meeting.

BCCI’S FOCUS ON FITNESS OF PLAYERS

Mumbai: The BCCI will increase its focus on player fitness and consider who have played a substantial domestic season when

it said on Sunday following a review

of the 2023 World Cup.

INJURY-PRONE PLAYERS TOLD TO SKIP IPL

Mumbai: Among several key decisions was also a verdict on players’ participation in the Indian Premier League (IPL). The top officials of the Indian cricket board have decided that the World Cup-bound players who are prone to injuries will not play in the IPL.

As it eventually sank, all the 12 Indian crew were taken onboard Motor Tanker (MT) Searanger. The call was made regarding uncontrolled flooding onboard Indian MSV, ‘Nigahen Karam’. After receiving the call, the MRCC alerted all the vessels operating in vicinity of the spot and coordinated with Maritime Rescue Sub Centre, Porbandar to divert a Motor Tanker Searanger to provide immediate assistance.

Tripura: BJP ally IPFT’s founder dies

Agartala (PTI): Senior Tripura minister and BJP’s ruling ally IPFT’s founder-president N C Debbarma on Sunday died following a massive cerebral stroke.

He was 80, and is survived by his wife, four sons and three daughters. The BJP-led government declared a three-day state mourning as mark of respect.

SHAH EXPLAINS

ODI WC ROADMAP AFTER THE REVIEW MEETING

Mumbai:

the 50 overs World Cup,” he said.

U’KHAND CM DHAMI VISITS RISHAB PANT GOVT TO HONOUR ROADWAYS STAFF

Dehradun: Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Singh Dhami reached Dehradun’s Max hospital on Sunday afternoon to see the star cricketer Rishabh Pant, who is undergoing treatment after getting seriously injured in a road accident near Roorkee. Dhami also inquired about the treatment being given to the cricketer.

ROADMAP FOR FUTURE

Dehradun: After visiting injured Rishabh Pant, Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Singh Dhami on Sunday announced that his government will on Republic Day honour the driver and operator of Haryana Roadways, who saved the life of star cricketer Rishabh Pant who met with an accident recently.

The state revenue and forest minister was not keeping well for the last few months as he was suffering from chronic diabetes, Indigenous People’s Front of Tripura (IPFT) spokesperson Amit Debbarma said. He suffered a massive cerebral stroke on Saturday and was admitted to a state-run hospital here, where he underwent surgery but breathed his last on Sunday, the spokesperson said.

Debbarma floated IPFT in 2009 after his retirement as the director of All India Radio (AIR), Agartala.

He forged a political alliance with the BJP ahead of the 2018 assembly elections and toppled the Manik Sarkar-led Left Front government, which was in power for 25 years.

“Today’s actions will define India’s picture in 2047”

First India Bureau

New Delhi: Science and Technology Minister Jitendra Singh on Sunday said that science, technology and innovation in 2023 will define India’s picture in 2047.

Union Minister Jitendra Singh, while speaking on ‘2023 Science Vision’ said, “2023 holds significance because 2023 would outline India’s form in 2047. India’s picture of 2047 will be determined

in 2023 itself. This picture will be an outline of the last eight years.”

He lauded Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s efforts for giving a new dimension to the country in the field of science and technology, which is recognized worldwide and has now started showing results.

“2023 is the last 25 years before 2047. India will celebrate its hundredth anniversary of Independence in 2047, so the last quarter will

also have 2023 as its first year. It will be 2047 when India will be able to see all the dreams of

its century come true. This also because the economy of India depends on our innova-

tions, and our scientific achievements to a considerable extent.”

The minister further appreciated PM Modi for the respect he has accorded to science in the last eight years, the way he has treated the scientists by giving them respectable positions and the way he has simplified several rules for the ease of doing scientific work.

Giving an example, the minister said, “Space has been opened

for private public participation, and as a result, private rockets are being launched. As this year ends, the country would be filled with enthusiasm.”

“Gaganyaan would be a matter of pride for us. Being the first of its type, Gaganyaan will be the first human flight that will take Astronauts of Indian origin to space. This will as a result increase our selfesteem,” Dr Singh further added.

MoS Dr Jitendra Singh talks to media in New Delhi on Sunday.

JAY

INDIA’S 2023

BCCI secretary Jay Shah opened up on plans for the 2023 ODI World Cup to be held later this year on home soil. The BCCI has already shortlisted a total of 20 players for the event.“BCCI has

shortlisted 20 players who will be rotated till

making selections for the national team,

meeting ahead

Baramulla: Indian Army deployed along LoC in Uri sector continues patrolling in harsh winter conditions.“We are doing our duty to keep the nation safe. Till the time we’re deployed here no infiltration attempt can be successful. No challenge big enough for a soldier,” an Army personnel said.“These jawans are patrolling of fence despite heavy snowfall and minus temperature,” he said.

was

A view of the snow-covered Gulmarg ski resort after heavy snowfall, in Gulmarg. —PHOTO BY ANI

Devotees on their way to offer prayers at Mata Vaishno Devi shrine on the first day of New Year 2023 on Sunday. —PHOTO BY ANI

INDIA’S ELECTRICITY CONSUMPTION GROWS 11% IN DEC

GST COLLECTIONS RISE BY 15% IN DEC 2022

New Delhi: India’s power consumption logged a double-digit growth of over 11% to 121.19 billion units in December 2022 compared to the year-ago period. The robust growth of power consumption indicates sustained momentum of economic activities in December. Experts say power consumption and demand will further increase in January due to use of heating appliances, especially in the northern parts of the country, and further improvement in economic activities. —PTI

FPIs PUMP IN `11,119 CRORE IN INDIAN EQUITIES IN DEC

New Delhi: The collections from Goods and Services Tax (GST) grew by 15% to over ` 1.49 lakh crore in December 2022, indicating improved manufacturing output and consumption demand, besides better compliance.

This is the 10th month in a row that the revenues have remained above the ` 1.4 lakh crore mark. The collection in November was about `1.46 lakh crore.

“The gross GST revenue collected during December 2022 is ` 1,49,507 crore, of which CGST is ` 26,711 crore, SGST is ` 33,357 crore, IGST is `78,434 crore (including ` 40,263 crore collected on import of goods) and Cess is ` 11,005 crore (including `850 crore collected on import of goods),” the ministry said.

CORPORATE TAX TO GDP RATIO EXCEEDS 3 PER CENT AFTER TWO YEARS IN FY’22

New Delhi (PTI): Corporate tax collections exceeded 3% of the GDP after a gap of two years in 2021-22, reflecting overall improvement in profitability of India Inc propelled by increase in demand for goods and services. However, the corporate tax collection is yet to surpass its five-year high of 3.51% of GDP recorded in 2018-19. In actual terms, the net corporate tax collection in 2021-22 stood at `7.12 lakh crore. The Gross Domestic Product (GDP) at current market price was `236.64 lakh crore. The percentage of net corporate tax to GDP worked out to be 3.01%.

PETROL, DIESEL SALES SURGE IN DECEMBER 2022 ‘Confident to surpass 700MT production target in FY’23’

New Delhi (PTI): India’s petrol and diesel demand soared in December as increased consumption in agriculture sector helped build on the momentum generated by the festive season, preliminary industry data showed on Sunday.

Petrol sales soared 8.6% to 2.76 million tonnes in December, as compared to 2.54 million tonnes of consumption in the same month last year. Sales were 13.3% higher than in COVIDmarred December 2020 and 23.2% more than in prepandemic December 2019.

Month-on-month, the demand was up 3.7% on the high base festive season created since October.

Diesel, the most used fuel in the country, posted a 13% rise in sales in December to 7.3 million tonnes, as compared to the same month last year.

Consumption was up 14.8% over December 2020.

Kolkata (PTI): Coal India chairman Pramod Agrawal remained confident in surpassing the ambitious 700 million tonne production target by March 2023 and said a “price revision is essential” for the dry fuel to get the company compensated adequately.

INDIA’S COAL PRODUCTION LIKELY AT 997 MT IN FY’24

New Delhi: Foreign investors pumped in `11,119 crore in the Indian equities in December, making it the second consecutive monthly inflow, despite increasing concerns over the re-emergence of Covid-19 cases in some parts of the world. However, foreign portfolio investors (FPIs) have turned cautious in recent days. The inflow in December was much lower compared to `36,239 crore invested by FPIs in the month of November, data with the depositories showed. —PTI

MCAP OF EIGHT OF TOP-10 FIRMS

JUMPS `1.35 L CR

The revenues for December 2022 are 15% higher than the GST collection in the same month last year, which itself was close to `1.30 lakh crore.

During the month, revenues from the import of goods were 8% higher, and the revenues from the do-

mestic transaction (including the import of services) are 18% more than the revenues from these sources during the same month last year. In November 2022, 7.9 crore e-way bills were generated, which was significantly higher than the 7.6 crore e-way bill issued in October 2022.

Revenues from GST

Electric two-wheeler sales may miss target

New Delhi (PTI): Electric two-wheeler sales could miss the target of 10 lakh units in fiscal 2022-23 by 20%, mainly due to withholding of around Rs 1,100 crore subsidy by the government, according to industry body SMEV.

touched a record of about ` 1.68 lakh crore in April.

In May, the collection was about ` 1.41 lakh crore, June ( ` 1.45 lakh crore), July (`1.49 lakh crore), August ( ` 1.44 lakh crore), September ( ` 1.48 lakh crore), October (`1.52 lakh crore), November ( ` 1.46 lakh crore) & December (`1.49 lakh crore).

Diesel sales, however, dipped marginally by 0.5% when compared with November 2022.

It will be another feather in coal India’s cap, once the company meets the annual production target with over 12% growth for the first time set by the government, while keeping the coal price capped for nearly five years to support the nation containing the inflation to some extent.

In 2021-22, the production was 622.6 million tonne. The company is extracting more coal to meet India’s growing energy demand, but at the same time, it was

New Delhi (PTI): The country is expected to produce 997.14 million tonnes (MT) of coal in the coming financial year. Of the projected figure, state-owed CIL’s output is likely to be 760 MT, followed by Singareni Collieries Company Ltd (SCCL) at 75 MT, and captive and others at 162.14 MT, according to government data.

“taking several measures to reduce emissions to support the country’s net zero target by 2070”.

“The 700 million tonne aim itself is challenging and ambitious. So far we are ahead of the progressive target. In December, we achieved 101% of the year-on-date target. Our coal companies are pushing hard,” Agrawal said.

Domestic Passenger Vehicle sales rise 23% in 2022

New Delhi (PTI): Domestic passenger vehicles sales rose by 23% to a record of 37.93 lakh units in 2022 led by the likes of Maruti Suzuki, Hyundai and Tata Motors as the companies rode on easing of pandemic related challenges and semiconductor shortages to cash in on pent up demand, specially for SUVs.

37.93 LAKH UNITS IN 2022

z According to MSI official the industry wholesales in January to December 2022 were just short of 38 lakh units. It was 37.93 lakh units against 30.82 lakh in 2021, which is a growth of 23%

2022. “The industry wholesales in January to December 2022 were just short of 38 lakh units. It was 37.93 lakh units against 30.82 lakh in 2021, which is a growth of 23%,” MSI Senior Executive Officer, Marketing & Sales Shashank Srivastava told reporters.

highest was in 2018 which was 33.3 lakh units.

“So, this is about 14% higher than the highest ever,” he added.

New Delhi: Eight of the 10 most valued firms together added Rs 1,35,794.06 crore in market valuation last week, with State Bank of India and Reliance Industries Limited emerging as the biggest winners. Last week, the 30-share BSE benchmark climbed 995.45 points or 1.66%.

Hindustan Unilever Limited and Bharti Airtel were the laggards from the top-10 pack. Reliance Industries remained the most valued firm, followed by TCS, HDFC Bank, Infosys, ICICI Bank, Hindustan Unilever, SBI, HDFC, Bharti Airtel and Adani Enterprises. —PTI

POWER DEFICIT RISES SLIGHTLY TO 0.6% IN APRIL-NOV

In 2022, sales of electric two-wheelers stood at around 6 lakh units, with three major electric twowheeler (E2W) makers -Hero Electric, Ola and Okinawa -- crossing the 1 lakh annual sales mark for the first time, the SMEV said.

These OEMs dominated the E2W market, controlling over 50% of the total market share, and emerged as the top players in the category. Though the E2W industry performance in the calendar year 2022 looks positive with sales of around 6 lakh units, “the volumes are not keeping up with the projections made by Niti Aayog and many other research agencies”,

JSW GROUP MULLS FORAY INTO 4-WHEELER EVs

New Delhi (PTI): Sajjan Jindalled conglomerate JSW Group is considering a foray into the manufacturing of electric vehicles, according to a top official of the group. “The group had examined EV manufacturing plans earlier also but now it is becoming attractive,” JSW Group CFO Seshagiri Rao said. The group is looking to manufacture four-wheelers, Rao added.

SMEV said.

“December has raised a red flag for the industry as it has witnessed a 28% dip in sales, reaching a total of only 59,554 units compared to 76,162 units in November, 22, as per the VAHAN portal,” it added.

NEW YEAR CELEBRATIONS

Swiggy

First India Bureau

New

New Delhi: Power deficit in the country rose slightly to 0.6% in April-November this fiscal year, while electricity demand has witnessed around 11% jump in the said period. The latest government data available showed that the power deficit in the country stood at 5,691 mn units (MU) in April to Nov 2022, while it was 4,058 MU in April-Nov 2021. The power producers supplied 10,12,249 MU in April-Nov2022. —PTI

Swiggy also said as per a poll it conducted on Twitter, 75.4% per cent orders came for Hyderabadi Biryani, followed by Lucknowi-14.2% and Kolkata-10.4%.

“With 3.50 lakh orders, Biryani was the top item that was delivered,” sourc-

Other manufacturers like Toyota Kirloskar Motor and Skoda India also reported record sales in

China Covid situation, macro data to drive mkt

New Delhi (PTI): Macroeconomic data announcements, the Covid situation in China and global market cues would guide Dalal Street in the first week of trading in the New Year, analysts said. Markets would also keep a track on rupee movement, Brent crude oil prices and foreign fund investment trends.

“As market players attempt to understand the Fed’s stance, Indian markets may respond in lockstep with their international counterparts when the FOMC minutes are made public later this week. PMI data for the mfg sector to be announced on Monday and services sector on Wednesday will also influence trading.”

He further said the 2022 wholesales are “the highest ever in the industry for a calendar year” and the last

OTHER STORIES

On the reasons for the growth, Srivastava said, “I believe this resurgence to the highest ever level is partly because of the better availability of semiconductors because last year was badly affected by the semiconductor issue.”

units last year from 2,36,693 units in 2021 across seven major cities. New launches of housing units were up in five cities —Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR), Kolkata, Bengaluru, Hyderabad and Pune, but fresh supply fell in Delhi-NCR and Chennai.

biryani orders

RECORD NO. OF ORDERS

PM MODI’S VISION FOR 2023 IS MOBILE PHONE EXPORTS OF `1 LAKH CRORE: CHANDRASEKHAR

2023 is to have mobile

es said. The app had delivered 1.65 lakh Biryani orders at 7.20 PM on Saturday.

Bawarchi, one of top

biryani selling restaurants in Hyderabad delivered two biryanis per minute on 2021 New year Eve and for

December 31, 2022, it prepared 15 tonnes of the delicacy to meet the demand, restaurant sources said.

New Delhi: PM

wid-

Narendra Modi’s vision for

phone exports with the segment featuring in the top 10 export category from India, MoS for Electronics and IT Rajeev Chandrasekhar said. The minister said that the government will take all the measures that are required for boosting the electronics manufacturing ecosystem in the country and in 2023 will look at

ening the manufacturing base beyond mobile phone manufacturing.

First India Bureau

‘There are many but they are scared of coming forward’

Says woman who has accused Haryana sports minister Sandeep Singh of sexual harassment

Chandigarh (PTI): The woman who made the sexual harassment complaint against Haryana sports minister Sandeep Singh said that other women officials in the sports department could have faced a similar plight. “I am being told so but this fight is mine. There are many but maybe they are scared of coming forward. But I am sure that they will come forward once this man is put behind bars.”

Haryana home minister Anil Vij said he would speak to Singh and CM Manohar Lal Khattar regarding the matter.

“I listened to what she (woman coach) had to say. I will speak to the minister and chief minister. Justice will be done in this case,” he told reporters.

The junior athletics coach levelled the sexual harassment allegations against Singh on Thursday and filed a police complaint a day later. After receiving a complaint from the woman coach, Chandigarh police had earlier said an inquiry would be conducted into the allegations against the minister.

“I have given a complaint to SSP madam here. I am hopeful that I will get justice and Chandigarh police will

As per complaint, the woman agreed to meet Singh at his residence-cum-camp office. The minister molested her, she claimed. “He took me to a side cabin of his residence and placed his hand on my foot. He said when he saw me, he liked me. He said you keep me happy and I will keep you happy.

I removed his hand and he even tore my T-shirt. I was crying and raised an alarm and though all his staff was there, no one helped me,” she alleged.

investigate my complaint,” the woman told reporters on Friday.

She has alleged that Singh contacted her on Instagram after seeing her at a gym and kept insisting that they meet.

“He messaged me on Instagram and said my National Games certificate is pending and wanted to meet in this regard. “Unfortunately, my certificate has been misplaced by my feder-

Singh started his new innings as an MLA over 3 years ago. The prolific drag-flicker, nicknamed “Flicker Singh”, was the only one among the three sportspersons fielded by the BJP in the October 2019 Haryana polls to taste victory. Singh’s life was made into a biopic, “Soorma”, in 2018. It was an inspirational story about Singh, who was paralysed after being hit by an accidental gunshot on a train in 2006 but came back stronger.

ation and I have been taking it up with the concerned authorities,” the woman said.

Former Haryana CM Bhupinder Singh Hooda had earlier called for an impartial inquiry into the allegations, while the Indian National Lok Dal demanded that the government immediately sack Singh and set up a Special Investigation Team to probe the matter.

VHP resolution seeks stringent anti-conversion law and UCC

Indore (PTI): The Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) has passed a resolution against religious radicalism, which it said was responsible for terror attacks across the world, and demanded a stringent law to ban illegal conversions and implementation of the Uniform Civil Code (UCC), its functionary said.

This resolution was passed and demands were made during the three-day meeting of the VHP’s central board of trustees and the governing council that concluded on Sunday. “An important resolution on ‘Religious Dogmatism Its Ill-effects and Solution’ was passed in the meeting,” VHP working president advocate Alok Kumar told reporters.

“The resolution made it clear that the declarations by some traditions that ‘Only my religion is right, others have to accept and if they don’t, then I have the divine command to eliminate them’ are unacceptable to humanity. Those who insist on such heavenly commands to destroy have actually destroyed many ancient civilisations of the world,” he said.

Air Marshal Pankaj Mohan Sinha assumes charge of IAF’s western air command

New Delhi (ANI): Air Marshal Pankaj Mohan Sinha assumed command of the Indian Air Force’s Western Air Command on Sunday.

The Air Marshal is a graduate of the National Defence Academy, Pune and was commissioned into the IAF as a fighter pilot in Jun 1985. He is an alumnus of the prestigious Defence Services Staff College, Wellington, said a press release.

An experienced fighter pilot, Category ‘A’ Qualified Flying Instructor, fighter Striker Leader, Instrument Rating Instructor & Examiner, Air Marshal Sinha has more than 4500 hours of flying experience, added the statement.

In his service career spanning over 37 years, the Air Marshal has tenanted important command and staff appointments.

These included Commanding Officer of a Fighter Squadron,

Chief Instructor (Flying) at a flying station, Training Coordination Officer at Royal Air Force Valley, United Kingdom where he flew the Hawk aircraft, Principal Director Personnel Officers at Air Headquarters, Air Officer Commanding of a prestigious Air Force Station, Air Assistant

Santhosh in Lko for two days to meet with party officials

Lucknow (PTI): BJP national general secretary (organisation) BL Santhosh will arrive in Lucknow on Monday and hold multiple party meetings. During his two-day stay, Santhosh will hold meetings with state unit office-bearers, regional unit heads, district chairpersons, district in-charges and chairpersons of various frontal organisations, and review the ongoing

programmes and campaigns of the BJP, as per statement on Sunday.

BJP national vicepresident & UP incharge Radha Mohan Singh, state party chief Bhupendra Singh Chaudhary, state general secretary (organi-

sation) Dharampal Singh, and state co-incharges Satyakumar, Sanjeev Chaurasia and Sunil Ojha will be present during the meetings, the statement said. Chaudhary told reporters, “BJP national general secretary (organisation), who will be on a two-day visit to Lucknow, will review the ongoing programmes and guide us as to how to move ahead.”

WORDS OF INSPIRATION

to Chief of the Air Staff and Assistant Chief of Air Staff Operations (Offensive) at Air Headquarters.

He is the Commodore Commandant of a premier fighter Sqn and was Director of General of Air Operations at Air Headquarters prior to taking over the present appointment.

The Air Officer is a recipient of ‘Vishist Seva Medal’ and ‘Ati Vishist Seva Medal’.

Air Marshal Pankaj Mohan Sinha succeeds Air Marshal S Prabhakaran who superannuated on 31 December 2022 after putting in more than 39 years of distinguished service in the IAF.

Non-NCR cities pip Noida, Gzb in new housing projects

Noida: Non-NCR cities of Uttar Pradesh pipped Noida, Greater Noida, and Ghaziabad to attract over 60 per cent of the new realty projects in the last 5 years, as per registration data of UP Real Estate Regulatory Authority (RERA).

In 2022, the UP RERA registered around 225 projects of which over 150 were in non-NCR cities of the state like Lucknow, Varanasi, Gorakhpur, Bareilly, Agra, Mathura and Moradabad, the data showed.

“So far, 3,340 plus real estate projects are registered with RERA. In 2022, about 225 applications of

RELIGIOUS WAR

new project registration have been received of which 125 in the first half and 100 in the second half of the year.

“Almost 72 projects were in the NCR and 153 projects in the non-NCR districts. The ratio of project registration in NCR & non-NCR is 32:68,” as per UP RERA. —PTI

China continuing Mao’s policy of clamping down on Buddhism: Dalai Lama

Bodh Gaya (ANI): Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama on Sunday extended New Year greetings to Buddhists across the world on the last day of the 3-day special teaching which came to an end at Kalachakra Ground in Bihar’s Bodh Gaya.

Thousands of monks and devotees here today offered special prayers to the Tibetan spiritual

leader wishing him a long life.

Thousands of devotees from every corner of the world were present in this program. Prayers were offered on the occasion according to Tibetan tradition for the long life of the Dalai Lama. Dance and music were also presented by Tibetan artists.

Speaking to ANI, Dalai Lama’s Hindi trans-

lator, Kailash Sonbodh said that Dalai Lama while extending best wishes said that his health is keeping well.

“Today’s programme was to offer prayers for his holiness Dalai Lama. In the beginning, his holiness gave the best wishes on the occasion of the new year.

Then he said that this is a very precious day today at Bodh Gaya. To-

day is the new year and all Buddhists are offering prayers for long life.

He gave best wishes to the people living here and around the world. He said that his health is well and that he would live till 115 to 120 years of age,” Sonbodh said. The translator informed that the prayers were also offered today for “world peace”.

The woman coach (L) and Haryana sports minister Sandeep Singh.

‘HE EVEN TORE MY T-SHIRT’

‘DRAG FLICKER’, ‘SOORMA’

Air Marshal Pankaj Mohan Sinha receives the Guard of Honour during the ceremony as he assumes the command of the Indian Air Force’s western air command, on Sunday. —PHOTO BY ANI

Prior to this, he was Commodore Commandant of a premier fighter Sqn and was Director Gen of Air Operations at Air Headquarters

Tibetan Spiritual leader Dalai Lama gives blessings to a devotee on the last day of his teaching session, at Kalachakra Ground, Bodh Gaya, in Gaya on Sunday. —PHOTO BY ANI

Kishor Dwivedi

‘CHINA IS ATTEMPTING TO DESTROY BUDDHISM’

President Droupadi Murmu interacts with the students of various schools who presented her New Year 2023 greetings, at Rashtrapati Bhavan, in New Delhi on Sunday. —PHOTO BY ANI

A priest blows a conch shell on the first day of New Year 2023, at Triveni Sangam in Prayagraj on Sunday.

—PHOTO BY ANI

uttkarsha.shekhar@firstindia.co.in

ed symbolises boldness, pas sion and love. It is a favour ite of both Cupid and fash ion enthusiasts. While Blue depicts royalty and elegance, both colours are the life of a party. I’m here to talk about the colours which will make you look hot and elegant especially in New

Even though they are among the most stunning and brilliant hues, it may be difficult to con trast. However, with a little experimentation, you may design looks that will set you apart from the crowd. Any shade of red, including crimson, scar let, and wine, can quickly improve your overall appear ance when combined with

Additionally, you may keep re pur posing this costume concept all year long, regardless of the season. Ex plore our basic, straightforward, and innovative concepts by sliding up! If you have an eye for style, red and blue may be a sophisticated pairing. For formal meetings, you may layer a powder blue leather jacket over a muted red dress, or a blue chambray blazer. Finish it off the other way with a red hat and a red handbag. If red is not your type then you may try Royal Blue! You must be looking for the best makeup looks to wear with a blue dress right now if you want to seem like a genuine blue princess at your prom or wedding. Imagine yourself wearing a blue outfit and looking per fect. Once you begin coordinating col ours and picturing how your eye shad ow or lipstick will appear, you may start applying makeup. With consid eration for your skin, the colour of your eyes, and the occasion, you’ll need advice on whether to wear subtle makeup and when to go dramatic.

NEW YEAR RESOLUTIONS TO ENHANCE CHILDREN’S EDUCATION!

vides, the learning is more enjoyable, more immersive, more permanent, and deeper. It can be:  A field trip to a local restaurant where one practically experiences various aspects of Commerce and Accounting practices play-out 

hen it comes to our children, most kids, aided by us, their parents, will make generic new year’s resolutions such as being healthier, eating better, and so on. Neither will our children stay invested in these statements, nor will we. I propose that why not, for the sake of our children and their long-term happiness, the resolution this year, be directly related to education. To correct, in some measure, the dwindling interest and ‘fun’ in education and restore it using an experiential, practical approach?

FUN… WHY & AMP; HOW?

As the very simple and straightforward title of this article suggests, Make Fun-Learning and TravelLearning Approaches Your Child’s New Year Resolution; why this specifically?

And what precisely do I mean by Fun-Learning & Travel-Learning Approaches? Let us examine this.

Fact – children in classrooms read books. These textbooks or reference books serve as the primary source of their knowledge.

Let us draw a parallel. We eat food at home. It is our primary source of nutrition. It is good as well –clean, sanitary, safe, healthy, and in most cases, tasty too! We still get bored and want to eat at a restaurant, don’t we?

It works similarly with learning. Reading a text or a reference becomes a

chore and a bore. The mind shuts off and becomes fatigued by constantly having to ingest knowledge in this manner. It needs a ‘change’ in the scenario, however temporary, shortlived, or superficial.

This is where the FUN aspect of learning comes in. At home at least, in an environment controlled and administered by us parents, we can ensure that at least not ALL learningtime, feels like the same-old boring drag. How? By making it fun. How?

 Study outdoors. Don’t subject your child to their desk and chair. Gardens, lawns, and parks are great places to study. These environments positively predispose the child and put the learner in a great frame of mind to imbibe.



Curtail Tuitions. Lacking in a certain subject? Join yet another tuition. This itself creates mental fatigue and boredom.

Essentially, we are recreating a second-school, postschool, each day, for our children. Let us stop this and encourage them to selfstudy. It will be more fun, I promise.

 Make Time. As parents, we have no time for our children. We may be justified to

an extent in the alibi that the reason we don’t have time is that we are building a better life for them. Hav ing said that, children don’t just need ‘facilities and in frastructure’, they need their parents! And they don’t just need their par ents for emotional growth, having parents around can be immensely beneficial in making mundane things fun. Study with your kids. They will enjoy it infinitely more than being in an extra class!

TRAVEL - EXPERI ENCE Makes You UNDERSTAND:

Travel-led approach to education also has similar benefits to a fun approach. Travel puts con cepts, fundamentals, and bookish knowledge into a real-world, practical per spective. It gives children, students and learners a chance to ‘experience’ something that hitherto they could only read about. A concept that oth erwise remains a concept is turned into a real ity they can share, see, touch, and feel.

Travel also simplifies and exemplifies scho-

lastic lessons. Something that might be difficult to understand from a textbook might become more easily digested, and permanent when experienced during travel. A naturally occurring phenomenon such as birth, if for instance, viewed in the wild during travel, will stay with a student much longer than merely being told about it in class. The moment we equate a lesson with a practical, hands-on experience that travel pro-

A holiday to Europe that encompasses lessons ranging from History to the Arts, Literature to many other subjects  A curated travel experience that we design for our children that is neither far away or expensive, something as simple as a day trip to a close-by farm, where children will experience, and learn through those experiences, various aspects of multiple subjects ranging from science to mathematics. The simple point behind all this is to make learning, which was once fun and interesting, the same again. To alleviate at least some of the intense pressure that our children are in today, by making studies not ONLY about grades and GPAs but also about just being children, and experiencing the joys of discovery!

The education environment today has become a toxic gas-chamber of unbreathable proportions with too much trauma as a result of academic and societal expectations, ones that are simply too unrealistic and out of reach. This is deeply impacting children’s mental well-being and causing mental distress that manifests in various ways including and not limited to physical illness and disease, emotionally stunted growth and academic as well as career decisions that end up in frustration and discontentment. All this can be seized, or at the very least, mitigated, by making learning fun! And what better time and opportunity to make that change, than at the cusp of a brand new year?

KARTIK BAJORIA (the author is a Jaipur-based Communication Skills Educator & Writer)

Disha Parmar is a prominent name in the entertainment world. The actress was presently busy impressing the audience by showcasing her exceptional acting prowess in the se quel of Ekta Ka poor’s hit show Bade Achhe Lagte Hain 2. Disha es sayed the female lead Priya and starred opposite Nakuul Mehta who played Ram. Recently, Nakuul shocked fans when he announced his exit from show, Now Disha also decided to quit the hit daily soap. She shared that earlier, when the makers in troduced a leap, and she had to play the role of a mother to a five-year-old girl, she had apprehen sions, but as the track was intrigu ing, she decided to continue with the show.

AMAZING ALIA!

Actress Alia Bhatt started the year 2022 on a high note and definitely ended it on a rather happy note. She ruled the year like no one. She managed to impress the audience with her classy performance in Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Gangubai Kathiawadi. Not only in India but she was highly praised on an international level too. It went on to be come one of the highest earners of 2022 at the box office. Later, she featured in Darlings which was re leased on an OTT plat form. Again, she received an overwhelm ing response

from the audience and critics alike. Last but not the least, she featured with her husband Ranbir Kapoor in Brahmastra. After getting delayed several times, the film finally saw the light of day and it ruled the box office. This was her first film with Ranbir post their marriage.

—Agency

—Agency

film Tehran. She will be seen sharing the screen space with John Abraham in her second film. Manushi spilt the beans on her dreamy wish list of directors that she wants to work with. She also shared her thoughts on the ongoing debate be tween OTT vs thea tres.

—Agency

IU

Disha Parmar

Manushi Chhillar

Katrina Kaif

Alia Bhatt

Miley Cyrus

Vicky Kaushal’s post...

AN EXPERIENCE OF MOVING THROUGH TIME

CITY FIRST

n ongoing art exhibition titled “sixteen” was organised at Visual Art Gallery India habitat centre, New Delhi from December 31 2022 to January 4 2023. The magnificent art gallery is showcasing unique and beautiful creations by some of the most well-known artists of all time. The exhibition was inaugurated by Uma Nair an Independent Curator and Art Critic / Eagle Eyed Art Connoisseur. Uma Nair was born in 1955 in Kerala to humble, brilliant parents. She has been writing as a critic for more than 3 decades. Sachin Kharbanda graced the event as the Guest of Honour.

Talking about the artists Anand Singh, Anita Tanwar, Deepak Kumar Ambuj, Dharamvir, Giriraj Singh Sansanwal, Izhar Alam, Lalit Bhartiya, Lalit Pant, Mamoon Nomani, Rajesh Tanwar, Ram Sanjeevan, Ramesh Bisht, Ramesh Kandagiri, Sanjeev Kumar, Santoo Kumar Chaubey, Susmita Lakhyani were some of the eminent opening artists participating in the art show.

The exhibition Images of Time ‘ reflects these images in the form of sculptures and paintings. Lukt Bhartiya reflect their dialogues with nature.

Lalit Pant’s art purely goes to the notice that nature has infinite moods and inspires the human spirit. On the other hand, Rajesh Tanwar has a deep and abiding appreciation for the joy that can be found in the spectrum of colours, from the

purest to the most complex tones. The textured surfaces of socks are another source of inspiration for Monesh Buhe’s artwork. Mamoon Noman’s

ous

Ramesh

ly identifiable objective realm one can feel the artist’s communion with the internal and external. Deepak Kumor Aniboj’s artwork depicts an inner dialogue that is philosophical in nature.

Through the play of sweat tonal variations of different hues and semi-realistic forms, Giriraj Singh Sansanwal expresses his concern for the state of society as a whole. We find ourselves in and

CITY FIRST

Ishan Soni, the thirdgeneration owner of Delhi’s iconic 74-yearold eatery Roshan Di Kulfi, talks about how his grandfather Roshan Lal Soni set up the food stall after the Partition of India. Over the years, Old Delhi has come to be home to a variety of old eateries. One of these is the beloved Roshan Di Kulfi, over seven decades old, nestled among the bustling streets of the marketplace and thronged by a sea of hungry visitors looking to satisfy their sweet

cravings.

The story of this eatery dates back to 1947, right after the Partition of India, when then-19-yearold Roshan Lal Soni migrated from Lahore to Delhi. In order to earn a livelihood, young Roshan began selling dry fruits in neighbourhoods in Connaught Place, where he would walk from door to door to sell his products. He later moved to Karol Bagh, and inspired by the scorching Delhi heat, decided to venture into selling kulfis.

Roshan’s legacy was taken forward by his sons, Joginder Kumar Soni (Is-

han’s father), Pradish Kumar Soni, and the late Ashok Kumar Soni. Ishan notes that over the years, the family has tried their best to stabilise the business, but has faced their fair share of challenges along the way.

Roshan started by selling the kesar pista falooda kulfi, which Ishan notes are their most popular dish to this date.

Ishan recalls his grandfather was both strict about his routine, as well as fun-loving, he said on same “He was hard-working, and put all his efforts into the business, which is what we try to carry forward even today.”

CITY FIRST

Foxtini, One of the first businesses in India to successfully commercialise the ground-breaking Axial Flux BLDC electric motor with stateof-the-art soft magnetic composites Foxtini is an electric motor engineering start-up from New Delhi. The business created a variety of cuttingedge electric motors, for which they received a multimillion Euro tech expo order from an Italian company called Arihant s.r.l. that makes nondomestic cleaning equipment. Globally Europe has been the frontrunner in adopting electrical vehicles led by high envi-

ronmental awareness among consumers and supportive government policies. The rising demand for electric cars in the region has created ample opportunities even for small players offering high-tech electric motors. Indian electric motors market is projected to surpass US $ 2.08B by 2024. Recently, FOXTINI has also won the coveted “Uber Green Mobility Innovation Challenge and Crompton - Start-up India design challenge “ ( Energy Efficient Motor Technology ) award. It is one of the first companies in India to successfully commercialize the revolutionary Axial Flux BLDC electric motor.

work echoes with a melodi-

silence. The works

of

Santoo Kumar Chaubey reflect his uniqueness in creating harmony in contrasts.

Kandagini’s works are his contemplative explorations of the inner world lar from the conventional-

the direction in which they may be headed Susmite Lokhyanis paintings, as viewed by an art critic and an author, Asharfi s Bagat, are a visual discourse on the essential values of life.

The official

handle of the DCP Central Delhi

of officers of PS DBG Road, Central District visiting senior citizens of the area

Ananda Moy Benerji Ramesh Bisht

Sanjeev Kumar

Lalit Mohan Pant and Sachin Kharbanda

Ram Sanjeevan Lalit Bhartiya

Neeraj Kumar and Rakesh Gupta Sachin Kharbanda

Uma Nair

Uma Nair with guests

Glimpse from the inauguration ceremony

Mesmerizing artistry