First India-Mumbai Edition-02nd March 2023

CHORMANDAL

With one word, Sanjay Raut wreaks havoc

Raut’s comment leads to uproar in Assembly, early adjournment in Legislative Council

First India Bureau

Mumbai: Shiv Sena -Uddhav Balasaheb

Thackeray leader Sanjay Raut alleg edly called the legislature “chor mandal” (body of thieves), leading to chaos in both Houses on Wednesday.

The Maha rashtra Leg islative Council ad journed

early amid allegations and counter-allegations by the ruling and opposition parties, while proceedings in the assembly were also disrupted.

Earlier in the day, talking to reporters in Kolhapur, Raut allegedly called the “vidhi-

mandal” (legislature) a “chormandal” (a body of thieves), upsetting lawmakers across party lines.

The issue was raised by Bharatiya Janata Party leader Ashish Shelar as soon as the Lower House assembled for the day.

“Lawmakers are being called thieves and it is an insult to the state,” he said.

Atul Bhatkhalkar, another BJP legislator, said he has submitted a notice of breach of privilege against Raut, who is a Rajya Sabha member, and urged Speaker Rahul Narvekar to admit it.

In the Upper

EAM Jaishankar meets Cleverly, discuss Young

Pro Scheme

New Delhi: The G20 Foreign Ministers Meeting (FMM), which is scheduled to take place in physical format from March 1-2 in New Delhi under India’s Presidency is “one of the largest gatherings of foreign ministers hosted by any G20 Presidency.” The venue of G20 FMM is Rashtrapati Bhavan Cultural Center.

UK foreign secretary James Cleverly is in India to attend a meeting of G20 foreign ministers. Cleverly raised the issue of tax searches at BBC offices at a meeting with his Indian counterpart S Jaishankar on Wednesday and was told all entities operating in the country have to comply with rules and regulations, people familiar with the matter said.

The duo held a bilateral meeting over discussions on the commencement of the Young Professional Scheme. EAM also exchanged views on the global situation as well as the G20 agenda.

He (Raut) is not an ordinary person, but a respected member of the Rajya Sabha. If we are not going to condemn his comments jointly irrespective of the party line, then there will be thousands of Sanjay Rauts in society who will disrespect the House every day.

—Devendra Fadnavis, Dy CM

House, Deputy Chief Minister and BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis said, “Sanjay Raut did not call any person chor (thief), he used the word “chormandal” for the legislative body.

Raut and his faction’s

leader Uddhav Thackeray are also legislative house members. (Based on Raut’s comment), He is also a member of the chormandal.”

Referring to the breach of privilege motion moved by an assembly member against Raut, Fadnavis said it is to maintain the respect for the house.

“If the deputy chairperson does not want to accept the privilege motion, it is your decision.

I am standing here to protect the decorum and respect for the house. If a BJP member had made such comments, my stand as part of the state government would have been the same,” said Fadnavis.

New Delhi (PTI): Shiv Sena leader Eknath

Shinde could not have been sworn in as the CM of Maharashtra if the assembly speaker was not restrained from deciding the disqualification petitions pending against 39 MLAs, the SC on Wednesday said.

The Shinde faction told the top court that even if 39 MLAs had been disqualified, the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) govt would have fallen because it had lost its majority and the then-CM Uddhav Thackeray had resigned before the floor test.

The Thackeray faction had earlier told the

WORLD TRUSTS THE INDIAN PRESIDENCY!

G20 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting “one of the largest gatherings” in India

OVERALL 40 DELEGATIONS

UK raises BBC issue with EAM, he says all entities must comply with law

A rgentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, European Union, France, Germany, India as host, Indonesia both as immediate past president and ASEAN chair, Italy, Japan, Mexico, South Korea, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Turkey, UK, US (all G20 member countries) -- to participate in the meeting. 9 more guest countries participating at the level of FMs.

THIS ISN’T AN ERA OF WAR: INDIA ON UKRAINE CONFLICT

India is a hugely important partner to the UK and “the deeper ties we are forging now will help to grow the UK economy and boost industries for the future.

E xternal Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Wednesday held wide-ranging discussions with his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov on bilateral cooperation, the Ukraine conflict and issues relating to G-20.

top court that the formation of a new state govt under Shinde was the “direct and inevitable result” of two orders of the apex court dated June 27, 2022 (restraining the speaker from deciding the pending disqualification pe-

titions), and June 29, 2022 (allowing the trust vote to be held), and had “disturbed the coequal and mutual balance” between judicial and legislative organs of the State. The hearing will continue on Thursday.

THREE-TIER SECURITY IN TRIPURA, NAGALAND AND MEGHALAYA TODAY

Countdown for counting begins

First India Bureau Agartala/Kohima/ Shillong: Counting of votes for assembly elections held in Meghalaya, Nagaland and Tripura will take place on Thursday (March 2).

The voting on 178 seats across three states was held on February 16 and 27. The counting of votes will begin at 8am

BRITISH

EXTRADITION

Referring to the extradition of fugitive economic offenders Vijay Mallya and Nirav Modi, British Foreign Secretary James Cleverly on Wednesday said that the British Judicial system was independent of the government and it was them to decide. Without mentioning the names of fugitive economic offenders, Cleverly said, “The legal process in the UK, just as it is in India, is independent of govt. We always want to see the machinery of the justice system working promptly but those are the decisions of the British judicial system.”

COOKING GAS

India on Wednesday cleared its stand on the Russia-Ukraine conflict, reaffirming Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s statement that “this isn’t an era of war”. Speaking at a special briefing on G20 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra said, “Dialogue and diplomacy are the way forward. The agenda is for the foreign ministers to discuss in the meet.”

AADHAAR & UPI CAN HAVE GLOBAL IMPACT, SAYS BILL GATES @ G20

B illionaire-philanthropist Bill Gates, on his first tour of India since the pandemic, does not mince his words when he talks about lessons from the tragedy wrought by Covid. Bill Gates, co-chair and trustee of Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, is in India to get a sense of the country’s recovery after the Covid-19 pandemic.

DAY AFTER, SISODIA & JAIN RESIGN AS MINISTERS... Saurabh, Atishi set to be new mins

First India Bureau New Delhi: The AAP has picked MLAs Saurabh Bharadwaj and Atishi Singh as the two new faces in the Delhi cabinet. According to sources, their names will be sent to Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena, as per rules, who will then forward them to the President for her assent. This comes a day after Manish Sisodia and Satyendar Jain resigned from their ministerial positions. Sisodia is in CBI custody, Jain is in Tihar. P5

Delhi BJP and Congress on Wednesday escalated its attack on the AAP after Sisodia and Jain, arrested in different corruption cases, resigned from the cabinet on Tuesday. Parties protested at over 10 locations demanding resignation of Kejri.

DELHI LG SENDS

as per the directives from Election Commission of India (ECI). While there are 60 seats in Nagaland, one constituency (Akuluto) has been won uncontested by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). In Meghalaya too, the total number come down from 60 to 59 as election on one seat has been countermanded.

Saxena on Wednesday sent the resignations of deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia and minister Satyendar Jain to the president recommending that they be accepted, officials said.

TRIPURA MEGHALAYA

NAGALAND

The Communist Party of India (Marxist) was in power in Tripura for more than 30 years until BJP recorded a historic win in 2018. In the last assembly election, the BJP won 36 of 60 seats. CM Conrad Sangma, who heads NPP and had decided to fight elections solo. His party and Himanta Biswa Sarma’s BJP had been running the state govt together under banner of the MDA. BJP and NDPP came to power in 2018. The two parties had come together to form govt with support from JD (U) and an Independent. The current Chief Minister of State of Neiphiu Rio.

Maha Assembly Speaker sets up privileges panel

Mumbai (PTI): Amid uproar over Shiv SenaUddhav Balasaheb Thackeray (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut’s comments, Rahul Narwekar, the Speaker of the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly, on Wednesday constituted a privileges committee in the Lower House for 2023-24.

The 15-member committee comprises three MLAs of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), two members of the Congress, two independent MLAs supporting the ruling alliance, two MLAs of the Eknath

Rahul Narwekar —FILE PHOTO

Shinde-led Shiv Sena and six Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLAs.

Notably, no MLA of the Shiv Sena - UBT has found a place on the panel. Narwekar’s move comes in the backdrop of uproar in the House after Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Raut allegedly called the legislature “chor-mandal”.

‘Shinde couldn’t have become CM if speaker disqualified him’

CM Shinde arrives for the Budget Session of the Assembly, in Mumbai on Wednesday. —PHOTO BY PTI

BJP, CONGRESS HOLD PROTEST ACROSS DELHI, SEEK CM ARVIND KEJRIWAL’S RESIGNATION

SISODIA, JAIN’S RESIGNATIONS TO PRESIDENT MURMU

Delhi LG Vinai Kumar

Saurabh Bharadwaj Atishi Singh

FOREIGN SECRETARY SPEAKS ON NIRAV MODI, VIJAY MALLYA’S

S JAISHANKAR HOLDS TALKS ON UKRAINE CONFLICT, OTHER KEY AREAS WITH LAVROV

—James Cleverly, UK foreign secy

Moni Sharma

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar meets with UK Foreign Secretary James Cleverly, in New Delhi on Wednesday.

S Jaishankar with Sergey Lavrov in New Delhi on Wednesday.

‘Assembly stalled to avoid key issues’

islature a “chormandal” (a body of thieves).

First India Bureau

Mumbai: State Congress president Nana Patole on Wednesday accused the ruling combine of Eknath Shindeled Shiv Sena and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of avoiding a discussion on important issues concerning people by stalling the functioning of the state Assembly.

The Speaker of the Legislative Assembly on Wednesday adjourned the Lower House for the day in the wake of chaos that ensued after Shiv SenaUddhav Balasaheb

Thackeray leader Sanjay Raut called the leg-

VOTES FOR BYPOLLS IN CHICHWAD, KASBA TO BE COUNTED

Pune (PTI): Counting of votes for the byelections to Kasba and Chinchwad Assembly constituencies in Pune district will start on Thursday morning.

The bypolls, necessitated by the deaths of incumbent Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)

MLAs Mukta Tilak (Kasba Peth) and Laxman Jagtap (Chinchwad), were held last Sunday and saw 50% voter turnout.

The elections pitted the BJP and Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena against the Maha Vikas Aghadi alliance of the Congress, Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) and Shiv Sena - Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray.

The main contenders in the Kasba Peth constituency are Hemant Rasane of the BJP and Ravindra Dhangekar of the Congress (backed by the MVA).

In Chinchwad the fight is between BJP’s Ashwini Jagtap, NCP’s Nana Kate and Independent Rahul Kalate. Counting will begin at 8 am, an official said.

Talking to reporters after the Assembly saw an early adjournment, Patole said Raut’s statement indefensible and the Speaker should have taken an “urgent decision” on it.

“What Sanjay Raut said about the legislature is objectionable...it cannot be supported. No one has the right to insult the legislature. It is also an insult to the people of the state. BJP has introduced a breach of privilege motion against him in this regard. There was no opposition from anyone on this in the House,” Patole said.

Inflation and spiralling prices are adding to the woes of the common people. Farmers do not get electricity. Opposition parties wanted to raise these important issues, facing common people, in the House. They should have been discussed in the Assembly, but it wasn’t allowed.

The Speaker should have given an urgent decision on this and then discussion should have been held over other issues faced by the people, he said, adding, “The ruling parties decided to stall the proceedings of the House for the day, so that the issues of the people could not be discussed.”

Breach of privilege notice against CM

First India Bureau

Mumbai: Ambadas

Danve, the Leader of Opposition in the Maharashtra Legislative Council, on Wednesday submitted a breach of privilege notice against Chief Minister Eknath Shinde for allegedly referring to Opposition legislators as “anti-nationals”.

Meanwhile, Shiv Sena - Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray (UBT) MLA

Sunil Prabhu has written to Assembly Speaker Rahul Narvekar requesting permission to address the Lower House on Shinde's remarks.

Both Prabhu and Danve claimed that even though the Opposition boycotted the tea party convened last

Sunday—the eve of the Budget Session—by the CM with a letter, Shinde went on to say he had avoided having tea with “anti-nationals”.

Submitting his notice to the Council’s deputy chairperson Neelam Gorhe, Danve, a senior MLC from the Shiv Sena - UBT said CM Shinde’s alleged comments were an insult to the supremacy of the legislature. He appealed to Gorhe to send the notice to the privileges committee.

He also hit out at the government on issues such as the cooking gas price hike and inflation. The Centre on Wednesday hiked the price of cooking gas LPG by Rs50 per cylinder.

“Inflation and spiralling prices are adding to the woes of the common people. Farmers do not get electricity. The power supply of agricultural pumps is being cut off. Opposition parties wanted to raise these issues in the House. These are important problems that common people face and it should have been discussed in the Assembly, but it wasn’t allowed,” he said. The ruling alliance did not allow the functioning of the legislature. This was done to divert the attention of the common man, he added.

Cong workers protest against Adani group in Mum, detained

First India Bureau

Mumbai: Police detained local Congress leader Bhai Jagtap and many other party workers on Wednesday while they were protesting against the Adani group and its chairman Gautam Adani outside the National Stock Exchange (NSE) building in Bandra-Kurla Complex, an official said.

Hundreds of Congress party workers, including women, gathered outside the NSE building and started shouting slogans against the Adani group. Thereafter, 40-50 party workers and leaders including Mumbai Regional Congress Committee chief Jagtap, were detained and

Want SIT to probe COVID-19 centre contracts: Somaiya

taken to the BKC, Kherwadi and Nirmal Nagar police stations, the official said.

The action was taken under the Bombay Police Act and the protesters were later allowed to leave, the official said, adding that no one was arrested.

Jagtap said they were protesting against the move to include some Adani group stocks in dedicated indices by the NSE.

“We also demand that Gautam Adani’s passport be seized so that he cannot flee the country” the Congress leader said.

First India Bureau

Mumbai: Bharatiya Janata Party leader Kirit Somaiya on Wednesday demanded a special investigation team (SIT) be formed to look into alleged irregularities in the award of contracts for COVID-19 centres by the city civic body during the pandemic.

Addressing a press conference at his home here, Somaiya alleged that a “scam of Rs100 crore” related to Lifeline Hospital Management Services had occurred. Sujeet Patkar, a partner in the firm is a close aide of Shiv Sena - Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut, he said.

The Mumbai police had in August 2022 registered an FIR against the hospital management company and four persons, including Patkar, for allegedly submitting fake documents to obtain contracts for COVID-19 care centres in 2020.

Somaiya said the police on Tuesday arrested two persons in connection with the case and one of them is a tea vendor outside the civic-run KEM hospital in Parel. “How did the Mumbai municipal corporation give Rs100

Ex-MP alleges ‘scam of `100 crore’ related to Lifeline Hospital Management Services

crore COVID centre contract to this company, which didn’t even exist (in 2020)? Whose pressure was it? Was it from Bandra or Bhandup?” Somaiya asked.

While then-CM Uddhav Thackeray is a resident of Bandra, Raut lives in Bhandup. Somaiya, a former MP, alleged that Shiv Sena leader Aaditya Thackeray had given the Worli and Dahisar jumbo centre ICU management contracts to the company despite it being blacklisted by the Pune Metropolitan Region Development Authority.

The BJP leader claimed that the company has received profits of Rs32 crore so far and its four co-partners have distributed Rs20 crore among themselves. The tea vendor is a co-partner and a “profit of Rs4.11 crore has been officially credited to his account”, he said.

Now, read judgements in Marathi on High Court website

First India Bureau

Mumbai: The Bombay High Court on Wednesday started uploading Marathi translations of its judgements onto its website.

A separate ‘Nivadak Nirnay’ (selected judgments) tab has been made available on the home page of bombayhighcourt.nic.in for these translations.

Translations of three

judgements pronounced on February 20 by division benches of Justices DH Thakur and Kamal Khata, Justices DH Thakur and Abhay Ahuja, and Justices AS Gadkari and PD Naik became available through this tab on Wednesday.

A clarification was also issued stating that the translations should be used only for the purpose of helping liti-

Translations of three judgements pronounced on Feb 20 became available on Wednesday

gants understand judgements in their mother-tongue, and not for any other purposes like execution or enforcement of court

directives.

English would continue to be the official language for judgements, it said.

In January, Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud had launched a service for translating Supreme Court judgements into regional languages.

The Kerala High Court recently began to upload its judgements in Malayalam.

India skipper Harmanpreet Kaur to captain Mumbai Indians

WPL 2023 lll

Harman will inspire our women's team to play their best cricket, bring more glory to women in sports, Nita

Ambani says

First India Bureau

Mumbai: Star Indian batter and skipper Harmanpreet Kaur will lead Mumbai Indians (MI) team into the inaugural season of Women’s Premier League (WPL), the team announced on Wednesday.

MI will play the season opener of WPL 2023 on March 04, at the DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai against the Gujarat Giants.

“We are looking for-

ward to the beginning of this new chapter for MI! I cannot wait to see our girls play the fearless and entertaining MI brand of cricket that our fans adore. More power to Harmanpreet and the entire MI team on this exciting journey ahead,” team owner Nita M Ambani said in a statement.

Harman has played against head coach Charlotte Edwards and has played with and captained Jhulan Goswami,

We are thrilled to have Harmanpreet as the captain of MI’s first-ever women’s cricket team. As the national captain, she has led the Indian women’s team to some of their most exciting wins. And I am sure that with Charlotte and Jhulan’s support, she will inspire our MI women’s team to play their best cricket, display a sense of pride, and bring even more glory to women in sports.

—Nita M Ambani, Owner, MI

who is the team’s mentor and bowling coach. She recently became the first cricketer to play

150 T20Is and has been a pillar for the national team for over a decade now across formats,

since debuting at the age of 20. The national team captain, an Arjuna Awardee, has a solid

winning record, and also holds the record for the highest-ever individual score in a knock-

out game in a Women’s World Cup match (171*). Harmanpreet has played a total of 151 T20Is for India, in which she has scored 3,058 runs at an average of 28.05. She has also scored one century and 10 half-centuries in the shorter format for her country, with the best score of 103. The Indian skipper can deliver some crucial wickets for her side too, having taken 32 wickets in T20Is, with best bowling figures of 4/23.

National skipper Harmanpreet Kaur recently became the first cricketer to play 150 T20Is.

Cops detained Congress leader Bhai Jagtap and party workers outside NSE building in Mumbai on Wednesday. —PHOTO BY PTI

Ambadas Danve —FILE PHOTO

Kirit Somaiya —FILE PHOTO

On Day 03 of the ongoing Budget Session, opposition parties staged a protest seeking a reduction in domestic gas prices, and 12-hour electricity supply for farmers. —PHOTO BY BHUSHAN KOYANDE

Maha Cong chief Patole targets ruling combine of BJP, Shinde’s Sena

—Nana Patole, Maha Cong chief

Statue stolen from Mumbai church; search on for culprit

Mumbai (PTI): A statue of St Anthony has been stolen allegedly by an unidentified person from a church in Mumbai following which the city police have registered an FIR, an official said on Wednesday. Efforts were on to nab the culprit who stole the statue, located in Gloria Church compound in the Byculla area, on February 21, he said.

The statue, made of “cheeni matti” (China clay), was stolen by breaking the lock of a grill door outside the church compound, the official from Byculla police station said.

As per CCTV footage of the church, it seems the culprit might be a drug addict and committed the crime to earn quick money, he said.

Angry neighbour throws 2 kids off building, 1 dies

Statue was made of China clay and was stolen by breaking the lock of a grill door

The person decamped with the statue a day before the beginning of the Christian holy period of Lent, he said. “We are searching for the culprit and hope to catch him soon. We have registered a case of theft and a probe is on into it,” the official said.

In January, crosses in a cemetery attached to St Michael’s Church in the Mahim area were vandalized. Last month, a person threw a stone at a grotto of Mother Mary outside a church in suburban Malad, official added.

Alcoholic woman held for beating up minor daughters

First India Bureau

ACT OF RAGE

First India Bureau

Thane: A man allegedly threw his neighbour’s five-year-old son and four-year-old daughter from the second floor of a building in Maharashtra’s Thane district following which the boy died and the girl was severely injured, police said on Wednesday.

The incident took place in the Devripada area of Mumbra township on Saturday and a probe was on to ascertain the exact motive behind the crime, they said.

The accused, identified as Asif, was arrested on Monday, an official from Mumbra police station said. Asif and his wife, who do not

have a child, were next door neighbours of the victims in the building.

The accused and his wife used to have frequent quarrels over petty issues. The accused’s wife was a friend of the victims’ mother and they used to talk frequently which he did not like, the official said.

On Saturday, the accused allegedly threw the two children from the second floor of the building where they were playing, he said.

The boy died on the spot and his sister suffered serious injuries.

The girl, however, managed to go home and informed her father that their neighbour threw

Bar raided in Thane; 7 held for flouting norms

Thane (PTI): Police raided an orchestra bar and arrested seven people for allegedly flouting rules and indulging in obscene acts, an official said on Wednesday.

Following a complaint and a tip-off, officials of the Mira Bhayander-Vasai Virar police’s anti-human trafficking cell (AHTC) raided the bar located in Kashimira area on the intervening night of Monday-Tuesday, senior police inspector Sameer Ahirrao said.

Civic body invites tender to recycle seized plastic

First India Bureau

Mumbai: The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has revealed that 4,148 kg of plastic is lying unused in its warehouses for the past few months. Despite the civic body’s plans to recycle the seized plastic into benches, dustbins and school stationery, the idea is yet to materialise.

Therefore, the civic body has now revived discussion with a few NGOs willing to recycle this plastic material and has also decided to invite a tender.

The BMC resumed its drive against since July last year. Single-use plastic is banned in the city, with ward-wise teams of the licensing department visiting markets, shops and establishments to seize the prohibited material.

The seized plastic is being stored in warehouses until a policy decision is taken on its disposal or recycling.

The police found some women indulging in obscene acts in the premises, he said. Seven people, including the bar

contractor, manager and a male singer, were arrested, the official said. Search was on for the bar owner, he said. A

FLYING SQUAD INTERCEPTS TEMPO, LIQUOR WORTH ` 30 LAKH SEIZED

Thane (PTI): Indian-Made Foreign Liquor (IMFL) worth Rs30,56,000 was seized in Palghar district on Wednesday, an official said. Officials of the Konkan flying squad of the Maharashtra excise department intercepted a tempo at Talasari, he said. IMFL meant for sale only in the Union Territory of Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu was being transported to Palghar district, he said. The tempo was intercepted near Khanvel Udhva Road and liquor of several brands packed in 400 boxes concealed under the bags of sawdust was seized, the official added.

case was registered against the accused under the Maharashtra Prohibition of Obscene Dance in Hotels, Res-

taurants and Bar Rooms and Protection of Dignity of Women (Working Therein) Act, 2016, the police added.

12 cars destroyed in automobile garage fire

First India Bureau

Thane: Twelve cars were destroyed after a fire broke out in an automobile garage in Maharashtra’s Thane district on Wednesday morning, fire officials said. A person suffered a minor injury while handling a fire extinguisher, Ambernath Municipal Council’s deputy fire officer SN

Sutar said.

The blaze erupted at around 7.30 am in the garage located on Ambernath-Badlapur road

close to a supermarket and a gas station, he said. The CNG cylinders of the cars parked in the garage exploded,

them from the building, the official said. The body was sent to a government hospital for post-mortem. Based on a complaint by the children’s mother, the police arrested the accused and booked him under Indian Penal Code Sections 302 (murder) and 307 (attempt to murder), the official said.

Thane: Police have arrested a 33-year-old woman for allegedly severely beating up her two minor daughters under influence of liquor, an official said on Wednesday.

The Mira BhayandarVasai Virar (MBVV) police took action against the woman based on a complaint lodged by her husband, who works as a jewellery designer, on February 25.

“The couple lives with their two daughters aged twelve and six. The woman has a habit of drinking liquor and beating up her daughters for no particular reason. On February 22, one of their neighbours called up the woman’s husband, who was at his workplace, and informed that his daughters have suffered injuries on their hands and legs after his wife thrashed them,” an official of Navghar police station said. The woman’s husband rushed back home and administered first-aid to the daughters, he said.

The girls showed their father video of their mother beating them. He then approached police & filed a complaint

His daughters showed him a video of the mother beating them. After that, he approached police and lodged a complaint. He told police that his wife has been addicted to drinking since the past eight years and that she would regularly abuse and beat their daughters.

Following her arrest, the woman has been charged under Indian Penal Code (IPC) sections 323, 324 (voluntarily causing hurt by dangerous weapons or means) and 504 (intentional insult with intent to provoke breach of the peace) and the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2000, the police said.

shattering the vehicles, the official said.

Two fire engines from the Ambernath MIDC and one each from the Ambernath and Badlapur civic bodies were rushed to the spot and the blaze was brought under control after about two hours, he said.

The garage was gutted and 12 cars were completely destroyed, the official said.

LOUD & CLEAR

‘Newborn’ means full-term & preterm baby: Bombay HC

twins who were born prematurely.

First India Bureau

Mumbai: A new born would mean both a fullterm baby and a preterm baby, the Bombay High Court on Wednesday said while directing an insurance company to pay a claimant Rs11 lakh medical expenses for the treatment of her

The petitioner, a woman legal practitioner, moved the HC in 2021 after New India Assurance Company refused her claims on the grounds that her two mediclaim policies only covered newborns who are born full-term and not babies born preterm.

As per the plea, the woman had taken two policies for Rs20 lakh from the firm in 2007, and renewed them periodically.

In September 2018, she delivered twin baby boys in an emergency Caesarean surgery at 30 weeks’ gestation. The premature babies had

to be admitted to the NeoNatal Intensive Care Unit for life-saving treatment.

After their discharge, the petitioner submit-

ted a claim for Rs11 lakh to the insurance company for the expenses she had incurred.

However, the firm opposed the petition and said the twins developed complications due to their premature birth, which would not have occurred if they had been full-term births.

A division bench of Justices Gautam Patel and Neela Gokhale refused to accept this argument and said the insurance firm’s rejec-

tion of the claim was “contrary to law, unreasonable and arbitrary, and liable to be set aside”.

Noting that the firm’s approach was “unreasonable, unjust and contrary to the fundamental utmost good faith ethic of an insurance policy”, the court also ordered it to pay the woman an additional Rs5 lakh for interpreting clauses, only with a view to avoid honouring claims.

The distinction between a ‘newborn’ and a ‘premature baby’ or a baby born ‘preterm’ is baseless as a newborn baby can be one that is born ‘full-term’ or ‘preterm’. A full-term baby does not become more ‘newer’ any more than a ‘preterm’ baby becomes an ‘earlier born’ or, to make it even more pointed, ‘old born’.

—Bombay HC

All the amounts would have to be paid within a period of four weeks, the court said.

5-year-old boy died on the spot; his 4-year-old sister suffered serious injuries in the fall

The court raps insurance co that tried to avoid paying claim for preemie twins

COURTESY MEET

Dr Jagdeesh Chandra meets Union Minister of Road Transport & Highways Nitin Gadkari at the latter’s residence in New Delhi on Wednesday.

NaMo: THE PEOPLE’S PRIME MINISTER

The Man Who Always Worries About the “Last Man Standing”: PM Modi

These stories bring to the fore the determination of PM Modi to come down heavily on corruption and squashing the heavy bureaucratic processes that hinder the welfare schemes from reaching their actual beneficiaries. Garib Kalyan Mela is an initiative that tamed corruption by cutting out the middle men and helping the poorest of the poor to avail the benefits of government schemes. The narrators share their personal experiences when Modiji inspired them with his vision, his love for the poor and his inventiveness when it comes to making a difference to people’s lives. He ensured that rather than the poor reaching out for the schemes and failing, the schemes reached them directly, thereby ushering in welfare in the truest sense.

GOVERNMENT TO BENEFICIARIES

WEEDING OUT THE MIDDLE CLASS MEN

...GARIB KALYAN YOJANA BECOMES BENEFICIARY-CENTRIC

Modiji started the Garib Kalyan Mela. It was meant to take the welfare schemes to their beneficiaries. Earlier the beneficiaries of welfare schemes would have to waste their time by doing several rounds of government offices in order to avail the benefits, and would seldom achieve anything even after trying so hard. But what Modi did here proved to be extremely beneficial to the poor. He tasked the officers in various departments to go and find the beneficiaries of the schemes that came under each department. For this, he sent them out deep into the villages. It was not a superficial or a cursory exercise. Proper lists were created and the beneficiaries were invited with full respect. Programs were organized in every tehsil where either the CM or the ministers or the Collector would present the schemes to the invited beneficiaries. Modiji would give out cheques, letters, items or whatever people needed to avail the schemes and this would be done with complete decorum and planning. This made the entire process extremely transparent. There was no scope left for any corruption to creep into the system.

“I WANT TO SEE DUST ON THEIR COATS!”

When Modi directed the Secretaries to visit the villages and resolve issues

Once CM Modi said to me “We need to take the benefits to the people. We have to cut the bureaucratic line and ensure that benefits are directly given to the people.” And that was when he had just become CM, it was that early in his tenure that he wanted to ensure that practices that allow corruption to creep into the system are nipped in the bud. Lok Mela

program was his brainchild and was implemented with full gusto. I remember that once a program was organized in a north Gujarat village. Now it was extremely dusty there. So I covered my nose with a cloth as we are not used to such dust. Next day in a meeting, he remarked “I witnessed there was 1 inch dust in the coats of our Secretaries. That’s what I want to see!” And this become a buzzword - that CM Modi wants to see the Secretaries of the departments to work with the masses at the ground level, and get their coats dusty. He did not like the Secretaries to revert to him sitting in their AC offices. They must visit the villages,

they must observe and understand the problems and challenges of the people with their own eyes and head, and he also motivated the Secretaries telling them “I know this. I am convinced of the fact that if you go to the villages yourself, problems will be resolved.”

He would often quote Mahatma Gandhi and say “We have to worry about the last man standing in the line.” He told us that nobody is bothered about that poor person and therefore, it was our duty to worry about him. Whenever you draw up a scheme, always keep the last man standing in the picture and plan for him, who is the poorest of the poor. Keep him in mind, always.

All the government schemes would be implemented in Collector office, Zilla Parishad, and there people would be asked to visit to fill up forms as per the Yojana, and attach the necessary documents for the schemes to work out for them. There used to be no guarantee whether the beneficiaries would be able to avail the benefits of the schemes as the entire process involved several middlemen before it could reach completion. So it was not that the government schemes were not in place. Everything was there but the system was not people friendly or beneficiary-centric. People were left to their fate and the mood of the middlemen if they wanted to benefit from government welfare schemes. The entire credit goes to Modiji for devising a new method of implementing these schemes. He did not want people to come to the yojanas. He wanted the yojanas to reach the people. He created a full-proof system that ensured that the schemes reached the people. In one of the meetings, he announced the conduct of Garib Kalyan Mela. He said that first it would be organized at the Zilla level and then in every tehsil. Each and every scheme of the government available for the poor would be covered in the program.

All the beneficiaries of schemes from Collector office, DDO office etc would be asked to collect at one place and they would be made to directly avail the schemes, thereby removing all the middlemen.

For instance, if the beneficiaries had to get cycles, they were given cycles first-hand in the event organized specially for them. Thousands of beneficiaries under one roof directly availing the benefits that they are entitled for under welfare schemes for the poor - it was a remarkable and a very successful initiative undertaken by PM Modi, who was CM at that time. This was only a preliminary introduction to the creative vision of PM Modi!

Well-planned cities will determine fate of country: PM Modi

New Delhi: Prime Min-

ister Narendra Modi on Wednesday said that well-panned Indian cities will determine the fate of the country. In a webinar on ‘Urban Planning, Development and Sanitation’, he said with India urbanising rapidly, it is important to build infrastructure that is futuristic.

“The well-planned cities of India will only determine the fate of India. When planning is better, our cities will become climate resilient and water secure,” the the PM said. He also

listed 3 focus areas for urban planning and development - How to strengthen urban planning ecosystem in states,

show to better utilise expertise available in private sector for urban planning and how to develop such Centres of

Excellence which take urban planning to the new level. The government has organised a series of post-budget we-

binars to seek ideas and suggestions for the effective implementation of initiatives announced in the Union Budget 2023.

AAP UNDER ATTACK?

PM to inaugurate Raisina Dialogue on March 2

New Delhi (ANI): India’s flagship conference on geopolitics and geo-strategy, Raisina Dialogue is coming up with its 8th edition on March 2 and prime minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate it, according to the statement released by the EAM. In collaboration with Observer Research Foundation (URF), External Affairs Ministry is organizing the event

Delhi CM calls meeting with MLAs

Amid the ongoing crisis, Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal called a meeting of AAP MLAs & MCD councillors to discuss the strategies, a day after Manish Sisodia and Satyendar Jain, both arrested on corruption charges & resigned from Cabinet

New Delhi (PTI): Delhi

chief minister Arvind Kejriwal is chairing a high-level meeting with Aam Aadmi Party MLAs and councillors amid the political crisis plaguing his government.

The meeting with AAP elected representatives comes a day after two top Delhi ministers Manish Sisodia and Satyendar Jain, who are in jail over allegations of corruption, resigned from the government.

Kejriwal on Wednesday said the entire country is proud of former AAP ministers Manish Sisodia and Satyendar Jain and alleged they were arrested just to “stop the good work being done” in the national capital.

Addressing reporters after a meeting with AAP MLAs and councillors, the chief minister challenged the BJP: “AAP is a storm. We will be unstoppable now and our time has come.” He alleged that Sisodia’s ar-

KEJRIWAL ORDERS MLAS TO HOLD DOORTO-DOOR CAMPAIGN AGAINST ARREST

New Delhi(Agencies):

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) will hold door-todoor protests in Delhi beginning March 5 in response to the arrests of Manish Sisodia and Satyendar Jain. AAP MLAs have been tasked with telling the “story” behind Sisodia and Jain’s resignations. Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, following a meeting at his residence, asked the AAP leaders to begin the

rest in the excise policy case was just an excuse, and asserted that new ministers would carry on the good work of the

IN THE COURTYARD

NEED STRONG EVIDENCE TO CORROBORATE EXTRA-JUDICIAL CONFESSION, SAYS SC

New Delhi: Extra-judicial confession is a weak piece of evidence which requires strong evidence to corroborate it, the SC said while acquitting a man in a 2007 murder case. “Extra-judicial confession is a weak piece of evidence and especially when it has been retracted during trial. It requires strong evidence to corroborate it and also it must be established that it was completely voluntary and truthful. In view of the discussion, we do not find any corroborating evidence to support the extra judicial confession,” the bench said.

UMESH MURDER: AHMED MOVES SC SEEKING SECURITY

New Delhi: Former

Samajwadi Party leader

Atiq Ahmed moved the Supreme Court seeking its protection, claiming that he has been “roped in” as an accused in the Umesh Pal murder case and fears threat to his life. Lodged in the Central Jail, Ahmed has also sought directions to ensure that no physical or bodily injury or harm is done to him.

COURT UPHOLDS ACQUITTAL OF EXJAMIA REGISTRAR

New Delhi: A court has upheld the order of a magisterial court to acquit a former registrar of Jamia Hamdard University of the charges of sexual harassment, criminal intimidation and assault or criminal force to a woman with intent to outrage her modesty. The woman filed an appeal in the superior sessions court against previous order in Dec 2021.

WORKING ON TENDER PROCESS TO SET UP CCTV CAMERAS: DELHI POLICE TO HC

New Delhi: Delhi police filed a status report in the High court and said that they are working expeditiously on a tender for the installation of CCTV cameras in all police stations. It is also stated that the SC is monitoring this issue and has called for a report from all the State governments on the issue of the installation of CCTV cameras with a storage capacity of 18 months in police Stations. The HC directed Delhi police to comply with the order of the SC in relation to the installation of CCTV cameras in Police stations.

door-to-door campaign to inform the public that Sisodia and Jain were sent to jail after the BJP-led Centre became “disturbed” by the success of Delhi’s health and education models.

Satyendar Jain held the health and prisons departments, and Sisodia was Kejriwal’s deputy and handled finance, education, and several other departments in the Delhi government.

government at double the speed. “We shall see if the need arises,” said Kejriwal said Wednesday try-

BJP DEMANDS KEJRIWAL’S RESIGNATION

New Delhi (PTI): The BJP on Wednesday staged protests at various places, demanding the resignation of Arvind Kejriwal as it stepped up its attack against the AAP and its supremo in the wake of resignations by two Delhi ministers facing corruption charges. The saffron party also took its protest online, running a series of tweets with the hashtag “#Thekedar_Kejriwal_Istifa_Do”.

ing to end speculations about appointing a deputy following the arrest and resignation of Manish Sisodia.

LG APPROVES

New Delhi (ANI): Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena has approved Arvind Kejriwal’s proposal to give the responsibility of additional departments to ministers Kailash Gahlot and Raajkumar Anand. Gahlot has been given the responsibility of Law, Justice and Legis-

CONGRESS SILENT, MAKEN SUPPORTS CBI ACTION

New Delhi (Agencies): The Congress has officially maintained a studied and intriguing silence over the arrest of former Delhi deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on February 26 in the excise police case. As events unfolded, the only senior national-level Congress leader to not just talk about the arrest but also to support the CBI action is former Union minister Ajay Maken.

lative Affairs; Transport; Revenue; Finance; Planning; Power; Home; Urban Development; Water; Administrative Reforms; Information and Technology; Public Works Department; Women and Child Development; Irrigation and Flood Control, said Gazette notification on Wednesday.

‘PM WANTS TO STOP GOOD WORK DONE IN DELHI’

New Delhi (PTI): Delhi

Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Wednesday said the entire country is proud of former AAP ministers Manish Sisodia and Satyendar Jain and alleged they were arrested just to “stop the good work being done” in the national capital. Addressing reporters after a meeting with AAP MLAs and councillors, the chief minister challenged the BJP: “AAP is a storm. We will be unstoppable now and our time has come.”

MP presents `3.14 Lakh Cr Budget

Bhopal: The Madhya Pradesh government on Wednesday presented a Rs 3.14 lakh crore state budget for 2023-24, even as the Opposition Congress staged a walkout from the Assembly on the issue of hike in the LPG cylinder price.

Congress members including former ministers Tarun Bhanot, Vijay Laxmi Sadho and

Jitu Patwari created ruckus in the House over the LPG price hike

issue the moment state Finance Minister Jagdish Devda started reading out the budget proposals. “The central government has increased the price of an LPG cylinder by Rs 50, Rs 300 on commercial cylinder, causing lot of hardships to the people,” Bhanot told reporters. He demanded that like the Rajasthan

from March 2-4. On Thursday, PM Narendra Modi will inaugurate the Dialogue and Italian prime minister Giorgia Meloni will join the inaugural session as the Chief Guest. The Raisina Dialogue 2023 will witness the participation of representatives from over 100 countries including Ministers, former Heads of State and Heads of Government, Military Com-

manders, Captains of the Industry, Technology Leaders, Academia, Journalists, Scholars on Strategic Affairs, Experts from leading Think Tanks, and Youth. This year’s edition assumes special significance coming against the backdrop of India’s G20 Presidency.

The theme of the 2023 Edition is “Provocation, Uncertainty, Turbulence: Lighthouse in the Tempest.

Congress slams BJP govt over LPG price hike

government, the BJP government in Madhya Pradesh also provide LPG cylinders at Rs 500 each (to people below poverty line).

Earlier in the morning, Congress members staged a protest in front of the statue of Mahatma Gandhi in the Assembly premises on the issue of hike in the price of LPG cylinders.

BJP’S MISSION TELANGANA

New Delhi (PTI): Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Wednesday slammed the Centre for raising prices of domestic and commercial LPG ahead of Holi. Kharge said in a tweet in Hindi, “Price of domestic gas has increased by Rs 50 and commercial by Rs 350, the people are now asking how to make Holi dishes, how long will these orders of loot continue?” He said the people are being crushed due to high inflation during the government.

The Prices of domestic cooking gas and commercial cylinders have been hiked by Rs 50 and Rs 350.50 per cylinder respectively.

The CPI(M) on Wednesday also demanded a rollback in the LPG cylinder price hike, stating that the rise will further lead people to forgo the benefits under the Ujjwala Scheme which has already seen a 10 per cent decrease in beneficiaries opting for refills.

In a statement, the

OPPOSITION SLAMS

BJP GOVT OVER LPG PRICE HIKE IN GOA

Panaji (Agencies): Reacting sharply to price hike of domestic cooking gas and commercial cylinders, Goa’s Leader of Opposition Yuri Alemao on Wednesday sarcastically said that now even frying ‘pakodas’ (fritters) will be difficult for educated unemployed youths. Alemao slammed the BJP Government for continuously “putting financial burden” on people. “This hike will result in complete collapse of household budgets. This is a financial emergency imposed by the insensitive BJP Government on the middle class and poor. The increase in price of commercial LPG cylinders will result in escalation of food items in restaurants and food outlets,” he said.

CPI(M) politburo said that with the hike of Rs 50, the burden on people will increase at a time when the cost of all food and essential commodities is rising relentlessly.

Shah expresses displeasure over factionalism

New Delhi (Agencies):

Union Home Minister Amit Shah in a meeting held with BJP’s Telangana leaders and the national leaders associated with the state’s Assembly election campaign expressed strong displeasure over the ongoing factionalism in the state unit.

Leaders, including party’s national organisation Secretary B.L. Santhosh, General Secretary Sunil Bansal, who monitors and coordinates the work of the party in Telangana, state in-charge and national General Secretary Tarun Chugh, state chief Bandi Sanjay

Kumar, Union Minister

G. Kishan Reddy, D.K. Aruna, national President of BJP OBC Morcha

K. Laxman among others were present in the meeting held at party J.P. Nadda’s residence.

Telangana is the second state after Karnataka in South India where the saffron party is confident of winning, due to which the BJP high command has been busy preparing extensively for the Legislative Assembly elections to be held later this year.

TRIBAL RESEARCH CENTRES WILL BE OPENED: NADDA

Chamarajanagar (ANI): BJP President JP Nadda while interacting with the tribal community said that 27 tribal research centres would be opened in the country. “27 tribal research centres will highlight the developmental work done by tribals. I want to assure the tribal brothers and sisters that we will change landscape of the area,” Nadda said.

EX BENGALURU TOP COP QUITS AAP, JOINS BJP

Bengaluru (PTI): In a setback to the Aam Aadmi Party in Karnataka, its prominent face and former Bengaluru police commissioner Bhaskar Rao on Wednesday quit the party and joined the ruling BJP in the state. Rao had joined the AAP just 11 months ago in New Delhi in the presence of the AAP supremo and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi addresses the Post-Budget Webinar on ‘Urban Planning, Development and Sanitation’, in New Delhi on Wednesday. Hardeep Singh Puri, Bhupender Yadav and other dignitaries are also present.

—PHOTO BY ANI

Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal holds a meeting with AAP MLAs and Councilors, in New Delhi on Wednesday.

KEJRIWAL’S PROPOSAL TO GIVE ADDN DEPTS TO GAHLOT, ANAND

Congress MLAs stage a walkout from the Madhya Pradesh Assembly against the price hike in the domestic and commercial LPG cylinders during the Budget Session, in Bhopal on Wednesday.

MP Finance Min Jagdish Devda

—PHOTO

BY ANI

‘

BILL GATES PRAISES INDIA’S DIGITAL PUBLIC NETWORKS; SAYS THIS WILL BE CHEAPEST 5G MARKET

No one built more comprehensive platforms’

New Delhi (Agencies): Telecom and IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on Wednesday termed 2023 as a landmark year and said, “India has built a unique framework for the digital economy.”

Microsoft co-founder Gates, who addressed the session, appreciated India’s competitive private market and reliable and low-cost connectivity. “This will be the cheapest 5G market,” Gates added.

India has a great digital network and a very high percentage of people using smartphones, he noted.

Union Minister of Communications, Electronics and IT, and Railways Ashwini

Vaishnaw mentioned, “India has created a unique framework for the digital economy that focuses on making a difference in people’s lives.”

Top commanders to discuss ops in Arabian Sea

New Delhi: In a bid to promote Make In India defence systems, the Indian Navy is going to hold its senior commanders’ conference on board the aircraft carrier INS Vikrant in the Arabian Sea. The decision is also in line with PM Narendra Modi’s directives to organise major events outside Delhi after which offidecided to hold it on board the new aircraft carrier on March 6.

AUS’S UNIVERSITIES TO SET UP CAMPUSES IN GUJ

New Delhi (PTI): Two Australian universities — Wollongong and Deakin — will soon establish campuses in Gujarat’s ‘GIFT City’, Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan announced on Wednesday.

The two varsities will sign an agreement on setting

up their campuses during Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s maiden visit to India next week.Pradhan made the announcement during an event at Delhi University’s Venkateshwara College that hosted Australian Education Minister Jason

Never said who will lead or become PM: Congress

Chennai (ANI): Pitching for opposition unity to take on the BJP-led government in the 2024 LS polls, Congress President Mallikarjun

Kharge said on Wednesday that he had never said “who will lead or who will become PM” and that the party is keen that the like-minded parties come together for the electoral challenge. “All like-minded opposition parties should come together against the divisive forc-

Indian, Japanese air forces in Shinyuu Maitri exercise

New Delhi: The Indian Air Force (IAF) is participating in Exercise Shinyuu Maitri with the Japan Air Self Defence Force (JASDF).

The exercise is being organised on the sidelines of the Indo-Japan Joint Army Exercise, Dharma Guardian, which is being conducted from 13 February 2023 to 02 March 2023 at Komatsu, Japan.

The IAF contingent is participating in Exercise Shinyuu Maitri 23 with one C-17 Globemaster III aircraft. The Exercise is being conducted on 01 and 02 March 2023. The first

phase of the exercise consists of discussions on transport operations and tactical manoeuvring, followed by the second phase of flying drills by IAF’s C-17 and JASDF C-2 transport aircraft. The exercise gives an opportunity for the respective subject matter experts to interact and study each other’s operational philosophies and best practices.

es. I never said who will lead or who will become PM. It’s not the question. We want to fight together unitedly, this is our desire,” Kharge said at an event to mark the 70th birthday celebrations of DMK president and Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin.

Jailed conman writes to Delhi

Guv over ‘Prison Footage Leak’

New Delhi: Jailed businessman Sukesh Chandrashekhar has filed a complaint to Delhi Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena, claiming CCTV footage of his cell were being leaked and circulated online, amounting to a security breach. Chandrasekhar also sought an inquiry into the alleged leak of CCTV footage of his cell.The businessman further alleged that it was a deliberate security breach by responsible officers for their “personal gain”.

COUNTERING TERRORISM: KWATRA

JAISHANKAR MEETS MINISTERS OF ARGENTINA, NETHERLANDS, SA

MAN HELD FOR STEALING FLOWER POTS

Clare, who is on a four-day visit to the country.“Two Australian universities will be establishing campuses in the GIFT City in Gujarat. We want to partner with Australia with accessibility, affordability and quality of education for youngsters,” he said.

CISF to celebrate Raising Day in Hyderabad

New Delhi: Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) will hold its annual Raising Day celebrations in Hyderabad on March 12.

As per officials, this will be the first time that CISF will be holding the ‘Raising Day’ celebrations outside the National capital, New Delhi. A senior CISF officer has confirmed that for the first time, the annual celebration will be held outside Delhi.

New Delhi (ANI): India on Wednesday highlighted the use of crypto-currencies in spreading terrorism across nations and asserted that crypto will form one constituent of countering terrorism at the G20 deliberations. Speaking at a special briefing on G20 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra said, “What we expect from tomorrow’s meet is a clear, strong allencompassing message on the problem of terrorism on its challenges and the need for the G20 countries to come together to fight, address and defeat it comprehensively.

New Delhi (ANI): Ahead of the G20 Foreign Minister’s Meeting, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar met Argentina’s Foreign Minister Santiago Cafiero, Netherlands Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Wopke Hoekstra and South Africa’s Foreign Minister Naledi Pandor. The Foreign Ministers Meeting is scheduled to take

place from March 1-2, 2023 in New Delhi. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to address the foreign ministers of the member countries of G20 and he will talk about India’s growing influence globally. The March 1-2 meeting of the G20 foreign ministers will be held days after a meeting of finance chiefs of the bloc in Bengaluru.

Gurugram(ANI): Gurugram police have arrested one person in connection with a case related to theft of flower pots set up for the G20 event, police said on Wednesday. Earlier a video had earlier gone viral on social media, which showed two people purportedly stealing the flower pots kept on the DelhiGurugram expressway.The accused has been identified as one 50-yearold Manmohan, a resident of Gurugram.“Police have seized the stolen flower pots and the car used in the theft,” said Gurugram police.

Security tightened across Meghalaya

Tura (ANI): The Election Commission of India has set up 13 counting centres for the counting of votes for the Meghalaya assembly elections on March 2 and adequate security measures have been taken across the state. The security at all EVM strong rooms has been strengthened with up to three layers of security in place. The voting for 59 assembly constituencies of the Meghalaya Legislative Assembly was held on

February 27 and an 85.17 per cent voter turnout was recorded.

FR Kharkongor, Chief Electoral Officer, said, the counting of votes will be held on March 2 and all arrangements for counting have been

Twitter was down for hours after Elon Musk fired 200 employees, later fixed

New Delhi (Agencies): Twitter is down is nothing new as the platform has faced multiple outages in the last few months, especially after Elon Musk acquired the platform and fired thousands of employees. On Wednesday, the microblogging site faced a massive outage globally. And Twitter users believe that the platform is down because Musk fired some engineers in the latest round of layoffs.

The issue occurred after Musk abruptly fired 10% of the workforce, which is around 200 people. Twitter em-

ployees who lost jobs included many product managers, engineers, and people in data science department. Musk also fired Esther Crawford, who was heading some big projects such as Blue verification subscription and payments platform. Chris Reidy, who was the acting Twitter head of sales, was also asked to leave during the layoffs.

New Delhi (Agencies):

The official Twitter account of TMC was restored after over 13 hours, officials said.The account was hacked on Monday and its name was changed to ‘Yuga Labs’, sources said. “It was restored at around 4 PM after nearly 13 hours,” a member of the AITC media team said.The party lodged a complaint with the cyber cell of Kolkata Police, he said. TMC spokesperson Derek O’Brien said that the account was compromised.

India tops world in internet shutdowns: Report

lll

Out of 187 internet shutdowns globally, 84 took place in India, including 49 in J&K, the New York-based firm revealed in its report

New Delhi (Agencies): India imposed by far the highest number of internet shutdowns in the world in 2022, internet advocacy watchdog Access Now said on Tuesday, as the country topped the list for the fifth successive year.

Out of 187 internet shutdowns globally recorded by Access Now, 84 took place in India, including 49 in Jammu and Kashmir, the New York-based digital rights advocacy group

said in a report published. “Authorities disrupted internet access at least 49 times in Kashmir due to political instability and violence,

including a string of 16 back-to-back orders for three-day-long curfewstyle shutdowns in January and February 2022,” the watchdog re-

UKRAINE ON 2ND

port added. In August 2019, the Bharatiya Janata Party government led by PM Narendra Modi scrapped the autonomy of J&K, split-

ting it into two federally administered territories. The government has since regularly imposed communications restrictions on the region on security grounds, which rights groups have condemned.

Although India once again led the world in internet shutdowns, 2022 marked the first time since 2017 that there were fewer than 100 shutdowns in the country, the watchdog said.

made. “We have set up 13 counting centres in all 12 districts and in one SubDivision. 27 counting observers and 500 micro observers have been deployed for the counting of votes. We have made all arrangements,” Kharkongor said. In West Garo Hills district which has 11 constituencies, the counting centre has been set up in the Dakopgre area and a large number of personnel have been deployed for the security of the EVM room.

TRIPURA:

CANNABIS WORTH `3 CR SEIZED

New Delhi (Agencies): A massive consignment of cannabis worth approximately Rs 3 crores was caught in Tripura, a day before the counting begins in the state for the recently held assembly elections. As per initial reports, the officials said that the massive consignment was seized during a regular checking set up at Ganganagar area which falls under the Dhalai district of Tripura today.

CRUCIAL READ

16-YEAR-OLD BOY FOUND HANGING IN PVT COLLEGE, KIN ALLEGE TORTURE

Telangana (ANI): A 16-year-old boy was found hanging from the ceiling fan of his classroom at a private college in the Rangareddy district of Telangana on Wednesday. The deceased boy was identified as Nagula Satwik & his parents alleged foul play saying that his death was the fallout of the tortured perpetrated on him by the management of the private college. A police team rushed to the spot and set about breaking up the protest, a source informed further.

ABDULLAH HAILS

STALIN, BATS FOR

DMK CHIEF AS PM

New Delhi (Agencies):

TN Chief Minister MK Stalin is celebrating his 70th birthday today, March 1, with warm wishes pouring in from celebrities, political leaders, and volunteers. Former Jammu and Kashmir National Conference (JKNC) president Farooq Abdullah is also a part of his birthday celebrations, among other leaders. On being asked what the chances are of Stalin becoming the PM, Abdullah said, “Why not? What is wrong about it?”

SCHOOLS

REOPEN IN KASHMIR AFTER 3-MONTH BREAK

Srinagar (PTI): Schools in Kashmir reopened today after remaining closed for 3 months on account of winter vacations. There was a sudden change in weather conditions following a spell of rainfall but the downpour failed to dampen the enthusiasm among the students, many of whom were feeling bored confined at home. Also, there was some criticism of the administration for opening the schools early in the morning as the weather is still cold.

4 OF FAMILY KILLED AS CAR RAMS INTO TRUCK IN UP’S HAPUR, SAYS POLICE

Hapur (PTI): Four members of a family were killed when a speeding car rammed into a stationary canter truck in Uttar Pradesh’s Hapur, police said on Wednesday. A minor girl was also seriously injured in the accident which took place late on Tuesday night. The family was returning from a wedding ceremony in Garhmukteshwar and going towards Delhi when the accident took place. Police pullled out the bodies from the car and got the injured girl admitted to a hospital.

Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw looks on as Microsoft’s co-founder Bill Gates speaks during the G20 Secretariat programme at Sushma Swaraj Bhawan, in New Delhi on Wednesday. —PHOTOS BY ANI

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar meets with Netherlands Foreign Minister Wopke Hoekstra on the sidelines of the G20 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, in New Delhi on Wednesday.

Problems are a part of life and when they arise, we come to know two important things- our own strengths and who is a true well-wisher!

— Dr Jagdeesh Chandra, CEO & Editor-in-Chief, First India

PM Modi is one of the most caring persons; has successfully achieved his target of improving the image of leaders in nation: CM Khattar

z Decades back when you came from Pakistan, did you ever think that you would reach such heights and would become Chief Minister?

CM ML Khattar: Well, it was not Pakistan, but I had come from West Punjab. Pakistan was created later. This is a fact that those who came here, were ‘hand to mouth’ and fought the situation, worked as labourers, or small-time farmers, or worked in shops. Our family was one such family, which had to undergo immense struggle. Even our studies happened under many hardships. After completing my studies when I realised that the family needs to be supported, I started my cloth shop so that a properly organised system can be set up. It so happened that since Emergency was enforced in 1975, we learned about the Sangh being a nationalist organisation. We learned about it because of the Emergency and started attending the ‘Shakhas’. In 1980, I became a ‘Pracharak.’ So, all these developments brought a major turn in my life. Subjects like nationalism, discipline, etc. touched my heart.

And once I became a Pracharak, I kept on working whatever the organisation demanded of me and when they asked me to carry out this responsibility in the political field, I am carrying it out.

z So when did you enter active politics from Sangh?

This happened in 1994 and before that, as a Pracharak of the Sangh, I used to handle the shakhas and other work.

In 1994, I was told that I will have to handle the work of the Organisational Secretary of Haryana BJP and I worked in that position till 2002. After 2002, I was given various works across the nation, which I carried out. Then in 2013, I was made the Chairman of the Election Committee for the 2014 General elections for Haryana State. In 2014, we contested a good election and eight out of ten seats went into BJP’s kitty and that very year, I was told that I have to contest the Assembly polls. Although, I had never thought of contesting from any seat,

still I discussed it with my friends, supporters and well wishers, who pinpointed a few seats and National President Amit Shah told me to contest from Karnal, so I contested. Then he planned that as a Chief Minister, Manohar Lal could be the face, although there were several leaders for the position, my stand was that whatever the organisation says I will do that. So the organisation decided and I became the Chief Minister and I am now serving the people continuously.

z When did you meet Amit Shah for the first time?

It was during the 2013 election that we met. During the Lok Sabha election too he used to guide us and then after the Assembly election, the meetings increased.

z How do you rate him as a strategist?

Brilliant! Just like how as a loved leader Narendra Modi is the leader of the nation, similarly, on the strategic level, whether it is forming a strategy for elections or expanding the organisation, the work that Amit Shah ji has done, is unparalleled.

CEO and Editor-in-Chief, Bharat24-Vision of New India and First India; CMD, First India News, Dr Jagdeesh Chandra holds a tete-a-tete with Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar and finds how and why PM Narendra Modi has an indelible connect with everyone he meets, how Amit Shah is as a master strategist, learns about Khattar’s political life and how despite not being from the Jat community, he has successfully run a government for two terms in a state, where it was claimed that Jats would always be the CM face and yet, Khattar has broken the stereotype and has public’s support too going ahead. Excerpts... (Part-I)

z I have read that one became a Prime Minister from being a ‘Karma Yogi’ and the other became Chief Minister from a ‘Karma Yogi.’ I have heard that you two used to travel on a Scooter?

Sometimes, we had to stay together since he handled four regions of North India and I had Haryana under me. Coincidentally, his centre was Panchkula and for three years, due to party work, my centre was also Panchkula, hence, it is obvious that meetings were frequent.

z Generally it is said that you are Narendra Modi’s find as a Chief Minister. So when did you first meet Narendra Bhai?

I met him first when he handled the work of Haryana in 1996, as he had North-Indian regions of Himachal, Haryana, Jammu and Kashmir and Chandigarh under him and I was working in Haryana. Although my very first interaction with him was in 1991, when he crossed Haryana under his ‘Tiranga Yatra ’ and I was a Pracharak in the Hisar region. So when the Yatra reached Luharu, that is when I first met him, but that was a meeting of just one day. Therefore, when in 1996, he became the incharge of Haryana, since then, the touch has been constant.

z You used to cook together?

Oh, he enjoyed that. When we were in Rohtak office, he used to enter the kitchen and used to ask our office boy Deepak what has he made. So he would list out what he had made and he (PM Modi) liked to make Khichdi and he made it really well like that which is prepared in Gujarat.

z During his public rally in 2014, he mentioned about Deepak also.

Yes, it was a rally in Jhajjhar. I asked him do you remember Deepak? He said yes, where is he?

So, I said he is in the crowd. He immediately asked me to call Deepak on the stage and when Deepak came, he (Modi) hugged him. It was a never before-seen instance wherein, a boy that worked in the kitch-

en, was hugged by a person of the Prime Ministerial level.

z This is his quality. He does not forget his people. He told a journalist from Shimla that he used to interact with journalists in a cafe at Mall Road. How do you see this one-to-one connect of his? Superb. He is always caring and worries about the personal well-being of people. When I contracted Covid-19, he came to know about it and we spoke over the phone. He told me to contact good doctors immediately and he told Dr Guleriya who then called me up and said, “Our Chief Minister has contracted Covid?” I said yes but how did you come to know. He said that Prime Minister had called him and told to speak to me. So he worries for people’s well-being. And he (PM Modi) used to call up every day and ask about my health. Later, he told me that its ‘after effects’ are also bad and one has to be extremely cautious. He told me that my weight was on the higher side and asked me to lose some. I was actually 93 kilograms and from that moment onwards, I worked on it. Although my target was to reach 80 kilograms, but even right now, I weigh around 86-87 kilograms.

z Haryana is called Jatland. Yet, a non-

Jat Chief Minister has been so successful and it has been eight years. The party is now gearing up for yet another five-year term. How did this become a possibility?

See, in our nation’s politics, this casteism became too dominant during the Congress rule. And not just in Haryana, I have observed that in other states too, caste politics made a huge impact. The influential castes did not let those from simple or less influential castes come forward. The entire politics used to revolve around one or two castes. But I give this credit to Prime Minister Modi, as he started working on what was the need for society and kept the casteist politics at bay, which impressed the general public. And because that happened, people, in reality, got freedom from the pressure of the influential castes and started saying that they want their own CM. I did not know, during the first tenure, that I will become the Chief Minister, but ultimately, people knew the second time around. So, during the second time too, our vote percentage in Haryana increased. In the first tenure, we were at 34 percent and the second time, we secured 37 percent votes.

Yes, the number of seats did fall, but the people of Haryana kept on increasing their

trust and love towards us. We also do not engage in any caste-based preference or influence any one particular community anyhow, be it Jats or non-Jats, or Punjabis, Baniyas, Brahmins or backward classes, whoever it is. Even people from Scheduled Castes that have joined us, feel that in this government, be it PM Narendra Modi’s govt at the Centre or the BJP Government in Haryana, they will get justice and no one will do injustice to them. Otherwise, people say that there were those too that used to use their power, but now people know that such a thing does not happen.

z So what do you think, will you form the government for the third time in Assembly polls next year?

See, firstly, this decision has to be taken by the people. We can’t enforce them. Secondly, we work so much for the benefit of the people that we have complete faith that the masses will choose us and why will they negate us? The people have to see their benefit at the end of the day, and we too have to work for the welfare of the masses. There is no personal benefit here. We had started the government with a resolution of working for the people. We are not those leaders or governments that used to enjoy the

power of the government. We haven’t come here to enjoy that power, rather we believe that power can be a way to serve the people, which has been established by PM Modi, and us too. Otherwise, when people used to be asked about politicians, at times, they would make comments. Even a good person would feel that such is the thought of people for them. Modiji was once asked by a person that what he thought would be his biggest challenge once he becomes the Prime Minister. He replied saying that his biggest challenge would be to better the image of leaders and politicians in the minds of people.

So in a sense, his remarks meant that such is the image of politicians that they must be dacoits or thieves or are engaged in corruption.

Such was the image of politicians. Today, even good people are coming forward with the aim that they too want to play a role in the governance or leadership of the country. This picture changed after Modiji came to power.

z PM Modi has been successful in bettering the image of the party and politicians. Exactly. He has achieved that target of his to a great degree. Today people say that BJP leaders have no desires of their own but rather want to work for the nation and

society. The leaders in states keep the states ahead and national leaders keep the nation ahead, be it Modiji or Yogiji and the same goes for Manohar Lal.

z So you will bring the majority in poll results on your basis or will you opt for alliance?

All these depend on the situation. And at times, we have seen that even after winning the majority, several people walk together, and that too is a way of giving a strong government. And going about on your own is also a way to move ahead. See, there are many political parties in this country and this doesn’t mean that if one party forms a government, all others become its opponent. When there are parties that have the same sort of ideologies, then they move together. Today BJP has the full majority, but we have other parties in NDA. In 1980, when the election was contested under the leadership of Choudhary Devilalji, the party alliance won 80 seats, of which, we had only 18. Devilalji had 62 seats of his own and only 45 seats were needed for the majority and yet we walked together till 1991.

Dr Jagdeesh Chandra in conversation with Haryana CM Manohar Lal Khattar during The JC Show.

FEEL BEFORE YOU HEAL DOCTORS’ FASHION SHOW..!

A stunning cultural fest was held at the Birla Auditorium, to mark the Platinum Jubilee of SMS Medical College. Bollywood actress Mugdha Godse and actor Gavie Chahal graced the evening as the showstoppers on Tuesday!

MITALI DUSAD mitalidusad01@gmail.com

In a unique event of its kind, doctors and other healthcare staff of the Sawai Man Singh Medical College turned showstoppers of the fashion show by donning traditional and Indowestern attires. The glitterati occasion witnessed a magical response. The doctors were appreciated for their relentless services during the unprecedented peak phases of the coronavirus pandemic.

Taking a break from their medical profession, the members of SMS Medical College celebrated the Platinum Jubilee with utmost grace. The main event of the day was a fashion show which saw the participation of over 100 doctors.

Doctors-turned-models walked the ramp with elegance and full confidence. They looked ravishing in trendy designer outfits. Several senior doctors also graced the occasion including Dr Saurabh Jain, Dr Rimmi Shekhawat, Ekta Ajmani, Parth Ajmani, srMamta Dhaka and Dr Vijaylaxmi Nangliya with others.

Principal Dr Rajeev Bagarhatta and Organising Secretary Dr Ashok Gupta informed that the grand finale of the cultural fest will be held on March 4. The stage was operated by Dr Ramesh Roop Rai.

Cultural Fest coordinator Dr Sandeep Nijhawan said that before the fashion show, a musical night was organised in which Dr Gaurav Jain, Dr Sanjay Raizada and Dr Pooja Rathore were present as

the jury members. Dr Rajesh Arora said, “We doctors have to learn to dress up in a few minutes as we face many emergency cases. There fore, we must be updated with the latest fashion trends. The fashion show was very interest ing and we all en joyed it a lot. The day was a memora ble one for the en tire fraternity.”

Dr Saurabh Jain told that 100 doctors walked the ramp in the fashion show. The doctors walked the ramp wearing outfits from fashion designer Ekta N Parth’s Kafra, Aashna Vaswani’s Fashionolic, Pra nay’s Nikhar Fash ion and Mayur Mo han’s Mohanlal & Sons range. Dur ing this, male doc tors wore Sher wani, Tuxedo and Jodhpuri outfits, while the female doctors walked the ramp in tradi tional outfits, and flaunted gota pat ti, zari, and patola print saree.

Anjali Tiwari, Jaya Dadheech, Mamta Meena, Alka Mittal, Ekta Ajmani, Dr Anupama Soni, Parth Ajmani, Aashu, Parul Gupta, Mukta Meel and Poonam Jakhar with others during the ramp walk

Dr Rajeev Bagarhatta with (L-R) Dr Saurabh Jain, Dr Rimmi Shekhawat, Ekta Ajmani and Parth Ajmani

Dr Rajesh Arora and IAS Sushma Arora

Clockwise: Dr Anupama Soni, Dr Maya Bagree, Mugdha Godse, Mamta Dhaka and Vijaylaxmi Nangliya

—PHOTOS BY SANTOSH SHARMA

ABOUT CAULDRON SISTERS

Ratika & Richa Khetan, two Sisters, started Cauldron Sisters in 2015. It started as an exotic food gift hamper business, but their love for food encouraged them to start culinary workshops, food deliveries, and slowly and gradually it turned huge as restaurants and cafes started approaching them for consultancy.

High-five to those who are playing Holi with gulal this year and will not waste any water! However, it’s hard to let go of the repercussions that break free after Holi. Acne, dry texture, and wrinkled skin still occur even if you play with dry colours. So, what’s the solution?

We would not prefer relying on cosmetics available in the market, instead, we enjoy making skin care products at home that are relatively more effective and less expensive. After Holi, if you want some ideas for a quick skin care DIY from inside your kitchen, Here is what you can do:

BEFORE HOLI

Apply coconut or Sarson oil all over your body, including hair. Covering the body with a layer of oil will not let the artificial colours stay longer on our bodies. Wash hair 2-3 times using your everyday shampoo.

TO REMOVE COLOURS FROM FACE

Wash your face with tap water

15 DIY REMEDIES TO Heal Skin, Hair, Hands, Feet & Lips After Holi

and afterward, take pure coconut oil and dab it on your skin to easily clear the Gulal.

GIVE YOUR SOAP A BREAK

WHILE BATHING

Mix 1-2 tbsp yogurt in 2-3 tbsp besan to form a paste. Apply it all over your body and let it dry for a couple of minutes. Later, wet your hands and start rubbing them all over so you can smoothly remove the body pack. This will eliminate all the dirt and colours from the body.

TO SCRUB THE SKIN

Mix ground oatmeal with honey to make your natural scrub. It is anti-inflammatory and antiseptic. Even if you’ve dry skin, honey will take care of moisturization.

IN CASE YOU PLAYED WITH PAKKA-RANG

Use an exfoliating sugar scrub to remove the almost-permanent marks. To make it, mix coconut oil with ground sugar and coffee powder. Gently scrub it onto your face, neck, or chest, and the rest of the body. Leave on for 3-5 minutes before rinsing off with warm water.

TO DEEPLY CLEAN THE PORES

An egg white mixed with a tablespoon of yoghurt can deeply clean your open pores that are currently home to harmful colours. The lactic acid in yoghurt loosens up the pore openings so the dirt comes out and the egg whites clarify the surface further. Leave the mixture on your face for ten minutes and then rinse off.

TO TREAT DAMAGED CELL MEMBRANES

There are times when people cruelly rub the colours on your face. This causes eczema and underlying inflammation. (Ec-

zema is a condition where patches of skin become inflamed, itchy, red, cracked, and rough. To cure this, make your mist by dipping 2 bags of green tea in a cup of boiling water. Once they release their essence, remove the bags and add half a cup of rose water. You can now pour this into a spray bottle and sprinkle it on your face thrice a day.

FACEOFTHEDAY

IF THE IRRITATION DOESN’T GO

Soak a cotton pad in fresh, unboiled milk and keep dabbing it on your face. This sure calms down your sensitivity.

TO CURE NAIL INFECTION

White vinegar works as a disinfectant and kills germs hiding in your cuticles. After you take a bath, soak your fingertips (hands and feet) in a mix of white vinegar and water. This will cure the sore cuticles and

YOUR DAY

Horoscope by Saurabbh Sachdeva

nails that are usually prone to yeast and bacterial infections after Holi.

FOR ITCHY EYES

Refrigerate the used bags of your green/camomile tea and put them on your eyes, in case they are itching due to colours. The tannins in Chamomile tea, used as a cold compress, can bring some ease to your itchy eyes.

protect and cure the skin against free radicals.

FOR CRACKED OR CALLOUSED FEET

If you plan to play holi bare feet, chances are the surface is extremely damaged by now because of its direct contact with chemically-rich colours. For the remedy, take lukewarm water in a bucket and add one cup of baking soda to it. Soak your feet in for about 30 minutes before drying them with a cotton towel, applying the cream.

IF RED PATCHES APPEAR ON THE FACE THE NEXT DAY

Grind ½ cup ground rice, ½ cup coconut milk, ¼ cup brown sugar, and 1½ tablespoon ginger in a mixer to form a paste. Rub it all over your face in a circular motion and scrub softly. Wash after 20-something minutes. This will remove the dead skin, make the texture smooth, and hydrate the skin.

DON’T FORGET THE LIPS

Take 1 teaspoon coconut oil, 1 teaspoon honey, 2 tablespoons sugar, and 1

FOR DRY HANDS/FEET

Use ghee/milk cream as a mois turizer. Both of them are rich in Vitamin E & A that nourish your skin well.

FOR FACE DETOX

Take a few black grapes, crush them, and add 1 tbsp lemon juice, 1 tbsp cucumber juice, and 1 tbsp baking soda in it. Make a paste, apply it on the face for about 15 minutes, and rinse with lukewarm water. This pack is rich in antioxidants that

ARIES

MAR 21 - APR 20

Listening to someone’s advice on the professional front will be in your interest. You are very generous by nature and also you are the backbone of your family. Be careful of the words that come out of your mouth. Your lover may finally say yes to get married to you.

LEO

JULY 24 - AUGUST 23

Pending paperwork concerning a property will be completed. Your spouse may make you spend more than you expected. Admit your faults in relationship. Fantastic day for investing money in stock market. You miss your parents and somewhere fear to loose them.

SAGITTARIUS

NOV 23 - DEC 22

Whatever you have in mind, you will manage to implement it at work. You are likely to feel much healthy and energetic today. Visit a doctor if you have any doubts about your health. You want to have your own house and you will work hard to make your dream come true.

TAURUS

APR 21 - MAY 20

It will be in your interest to guide a family youngster on the academic front. Scrumptious food is what you are craving for today. You may start a side business to earn extra money. You are not a jealous kind and you feel happy for others. You are a very grounded person.

VIRGO

AUG 24 - SEP 23

You are very fortunate to have a great friend circle. You care about you lover but somehow hesitate in expressing that care. On social front, you may have to spend some extra money in buying gifts for someone for some specific occasion. Overall health will be satisfactory.

CAPRICORN

DEC 23 - JAN 20

You are most wanted by your friends. You can have romantic affair in office and a serious one. You will invest money in clothes and accessories today. You are a God fearing person. Never demotivate someone even if someone is not capable of doing something.

GEMINI

MAY 21 - JUNE 21

Your spouse is someone who can do anything for your happiness. You are happy spending whole day at home. Tensions on the family front are likely to get sorted out. Help your mothers at home today. You are opportunist and this will make you successful one day.

LIBRA

SEPT 24 - OCTOBER 22

Fortunes are set to rise for those in trade and business. You love to live close to your family. You are a child at heart and never let this child die. You have a big heart and you always help someone if you can.

Expected payments are likely to get released soon.

AQUARIUS

JAN 21 - FEB 19

You make sure to make things work your way. You will feel amorous towards your wife. Work on your limitations, there can be no better time than this. You have more opposite sex friends than the same and you may be judged sometimes but don’t care. You will feel happy today.

CANCER

JUNE 22 - JULY 23

You must create an environment of understanding at home. Your regular exercise routine promises to keep you fit and energetic. You will succeed in any sort of examination. You need a break for a day and to cope up with stress and to meditate.

SCORPIO

OCT 23 - NOVEMBER 22

Family will be supportive of your ideas, but only to an extent. Many people get inspired by you. You will get special treatment from your dear ones. Good health is assured through own efforts. Meeting people you get along with well is likely to make the day enjoyable for you.

PISCES

FEB20 - MARCH 20

Some of you are likely to enjoy an excursion with friends.You will feel financially comfortable. Your personality will attract many eligible bachelors. Spend time talking with likeminded people as it will make you feel good for now. You will work to achieve more.

PRIYANKA IN ‘ASSUME NOTHING’

JISOO DAZZLES IN PURPLE

BLACKPINK’s Jisoo

who is also Dior’s ambassador attended the Fall-Winter Women’s Fashion Show in Paris on February 28 local time. Sharing the pictures on her Instagram, the 28-yearold wore an exquisite strapless purple attire and stunned her fans with her look. The K-pop star attended the fashion show, sitting in the front row with Hollywood actress Charlize Theron. The singer-actress shared some glimpses of her time in Paris on her Instagram story.

Jisoo previously announced her ambassador-

ship with Dior in March 2021, and since then, fans have seen her dressing up in the French brand’s fit. The K-pop star has been collaborating with the said French brand since 2019 when she first became the local ambassador. Since then she has been part of several beauty campaigns and attended Dior shows all over the world.

There’s no stopping for Priyanka Chopra! The actress has many feathers in her cap, and recently, her first look from the Russo Brothers’ upcoming series Citadel left fans nighty impressed. She has some exciting projects in her kitty, and guess what?

PeeCee is also set to execu tive produce a limited series under her banner Purple Pebble Pictures. Deadline reported that Amazon Studios is developing a limited series titled ‘As sume Nothing’, which is based on Tanya Selvarat nam’s book of the same name. While Priyan ka will executive produce the se ries, she is also in talks to star in the project. The book

‘Assume Nothing’ shall be adapted and executive produced by Mimi Won Techentin. Deadline reported that Joanna Coles and Jessica Whitaker will executive pro duce for Joanna Coles Productions, and Pri yanka and Mary Rohlich will executive produce for Purple Pebble Pictures.

Sara Ali Khan is one of the most loved star kids in town. She has proven herself as a talented actor with her work, she has also witnessed a few failures in her career. Sara featured in Imtiaz Ali’s Love Aaj Kal 2 with Kartik Aaryan and the film was rejected by the audience. Sara, in a recent interview, spoke about her journey and making mistakes in her career.

Recently, Sara revealed learning new things in her career. She also talked about the films which didn’t do well at the box office. Sara said that as an actor, she learns a lot every day. While speaking about her journey in Bollywood, Sara admitted that she has made some mistakes. She also said that she has done some films which haven’t been loved by the audience, but it’s her age to make mistakes, and feels that it’s important to fall and get up every time. She added that she has had her own set of setbacks.

Shakira opens up about her collaboration with Bizarrap in her first interview since releasing the song. The singer says that this song was a chance to express herself and feel the pain which made her emotionally empowered.

Reportedly, Shakira Bzrp Music Sessions 53 disses her ex-partner Gerard Piqué who has been allegedly cheating on the Waka Waka singer with Clara Chia Marti. The lyrics of Shakira’s song loosely translate to how she is out of her league and how it is like swapping Ferrari with Twingo or replacing Rolex with Casio. Gerard Piqué responded to this by showing up in a Twingo and wearing a Casio watch.

In a recent interview, Shakira said that she would be in a very different place if she had not created Shakira Bzrp Music Sessions 53. Shakira continues that she was grateful to Biza who gave the Waka Waka singer opportunity and space to vent what was important for her recovery process.

TEJASSWI STUNS IN A PEACH DRESS

Tejasswi Prakash has won over everyone’s hearts with her performance in Ekta Kapoor’s fictional show ‘Naagin 6’. The actress has recently won the Dada saheb Phalke Award and made headlines every where. Besides her powerful acting skills and cute looks, Tejasswi is known for making heads turn with her choice of outfits. She actively takes to her Instagram account to share some jaw-dropping photos. Recently, she was spotted in a cute peach micro mini dress leaving a restaurant with a friend by her side.

Tejasswi opted for a fitted peach cocktail dress that made her look cute as a button. The dress is layered on the bottom. She completed her look with minimal makeup, left her hair open.

Suhana Khan will soon make her acting debut with Zoya Akhtar’s upcoming film The Archies, which will release on Netflix. Fans are super-excited to see Suhana Khan in the movie. Suhana often makes chic appearances in the city, and never fails to impress us with her on-point fashion game. On Wednesday, she was seen at the Mumbai airport, and she was seen with acing comfy yet chic airport look. She also flaunted her new hairdo, and we’re loving her fresh look!

Suhana was spotted by the paparazzi at the Mumbai airport. She was seen flaunting her new layered haircut and kept her outfit simple yet stylish.

‘MAKING MISTAKES’

‘IT WAS A GREAT RELIEF’

Kim Jisoo

Sara Ali Khan

Her post...

Tejasswi spotted outside the restaurant

Tejasswi Prakash

Suhana Khan

Priyanka Chopra

Shakira

Her post...

The Global Fame Awards was held on February 28 and organised by Shridhar Verma & Amrita Roy Verma, owners of Vkonnect Star Events and Entertainment. The night turned out to be one of the most fun events of the month. The Event took place in the heart of the fashion industry, at Novotel Juhu in Mumbai with the highly regarded superstar Sonu Sood, as the Chief Guest.

A myriad of celebrities, socialites, bureaucrats and VIPs were seen attending the event in style and elegance as they do every year. Anjali Arora, Sreejita De, Akanksha Puri, Salman Yusuff Khan, Manya Singh and many more were seen dazzling on the red carpet. The atmosphere was that of pride and excitement with awards and appreciation being presented to those who deserved it the most! The evening was a

GLOBAL FAME AWARDS 2023 Was A Resplendent Success

highly pleasant one with activities to keep everyone entertained. Sizzling live performances were organised to keep the atmosphere light and celebratory. The award ceremony was covered by leading newspapers and TV channels.

With a mission to recognise the various companies, entrepreneurs & service providers for their outstanding performances and achievements in their respective fields, Global Fame Awards is a great platform indeed. This event had been designed with the objective to identify & recognize the achievers, brands, businesses and people for their inspiring stories & innovation in their own respective industries from different parts of the country. cityfirst.mumbai@firstindia.co.in

SUNIEL SHETTY ON HERA PHERI 3

he audience is definitely on cloud nine as Hera Pheri 3 is finally happening and we are excited to know that Suniel Shetty is looking forward to working with Akshay Kumar in the third instalment of "Hera Pheri".

Recently the actor said: “So Hera Pheri 3 is

Kangana back on the sets of Chandramukhi 2

Actress Kangana Ranaut has been preoccupied with the postproduction of her upcoming film, "Emergency," and she is juggling her roles as both a director and an actor. The "Queen" actress recently returned to "Chandramukhi 2" filming.

On Wednesday, Kangana shared images from her vanity van in which she can be seen getting ready for her role in the movie on Twitter. She tweeted: “Back on the sets of my upcoming movie Chandramukhi 2 with my team. It’s a very dramatic look and situation we are all very excited about it.”

The Golden Globe Award winner M. M. Keeravani, whose song

finally happening! Look forward to being back on set with Pareshji and Akki (Akshay). Like all good things, this one took some time, but it’s a relief to finally have an answer to this question!”

He further added, “Films are such a huge part of our culture, and yet, not many understand what goes into making a

film. Apart from creative challenges, the business model and needs of the movie business make it as challenging as any other.”

He concluded by adding that the business and finance parts of filmmaking are a major part of the process. “There are several factors for any business to succeed – a good idea, thorough market research, a solid busi-

ness plan, a skilled team, funding at the right time and a strong distribution network. The movie business isn’t very different.

Hera Pheri 3 is being directed by Farhad Samji. Kartik Aaryan has also been roped in for the third film in the hit comedy franchise. The first film in the series came out in 2000 and was directed by Priyadarshan.

Friends stars get emotional

The latest figure to receive a Hollywood Walk of Fame star is actor Courteney Cox at her felicitation ceremony, there was a Friends reunion. Jennifer Aniston and Lisa Kudrow, Courteney's close friends and co-stars from Friends, attended the formal event. Moreover, Jennifer and Lisa spoke movingly for Courteney.

Jennifer said, “We’re very honoured to be here today to speak on your behalf as your co-workers, your friends, and your family, your sisters, and that’s happened since we’ve known you for a very long time.”

“It’s been that way since we met almost 30 years ago,” Kudrow

then said before Aniston interjected, “No, not 30 years ago. That’s a typo.” The moment was met with lots of laughs before Aniston continued.

“To be friends with Courteney family with Court eney. She is respon

Ranbir Kapoor on Raha

n November 7, 2022, Alia Bhatt and Ranbir Kapoor welcomed a lovely baby girl into the world. After a few days, the couple revealed her name as Raha Kapoor in a sweet message that won everyone over.

Ranbir has also stated his love for parenthood and how he wishes he had done so much earlier.

Along with Shraddha Kapoor, the actor is pres-

ently promoting his new movie, "Tu Jhoothi Main Makkaar." Ranbir stated that being a father is the most beautiful experience when asked about it.

He revealed, "She has just started smiling two weeks back and to see that smile and then leaveing home breaks your heart. You just don't feel like leaving home.

But I'm just too grateful. It feels like a blessing and it feels like a new understanding of love."

Ranbir also revealed that he misses Raha when he is away from her. "I miss her. Uske photo dekhta rehta hoon"

Allu Arjun to be a part of Jawan?

sible for all of that. From the beginning of when we met her, she was immediately inclusive, warm, loving, interested in everything about you,” Jennifer said.

Courteney gained inter-

According to credible rumours, Allu Arjun will play a fascinating role in Shah Rukh Khan's Jawan. Allu Arjun was recently contacted by the movie's producers about making a cameo appearance in the Shah Rukh Khan starrer. But, we are unaware of the fact that Allu Arjun would not be appearing in Shah Rukh Khan's Jawan due to a number of factors, including his muchanticipated flick Pushpa 2.

"The narration happened with the makers but Allu Ar-

jun couldn't say yes to the film due to his choco block schedule. AA has been training rigorously to get into the skin of his character for Pushpa: The Rule and for the next few months, he is only going to focus on it. Pushpa-2 shoot is underway at a fast pace with two major schedules wrapped in Vizag and Hyderabad," revealed a source.

"Allu Arjun did take his time to think about Shah Rukh Khan’s Jawan, where he was offered a small yet impactful role but it’s quite difficult to choose over Pushpa,” the source added.

Magic of Ram Charan

Megastar Ram

Charan who is in the US currency for the Oscars, and Hollywood Critics Awards has been on a talk show spree for the audience in the west.

In a brown and white ensemble, looking dashing and dapper as usual, Ram Charan attended the KTLA Entertainments’ morning show in conversation with Sam RuThe actor spoke about how he is happy and proud that after 85 years, Indian cinema is getting its due acknowledgement from the west and how he is excited to enter-

tain the audience from different parts of the world.

Ram Charan mentioned that Naatu Naatu is the most beautiful song and how his knees still wobble thinking about the rehearsal. Talking about the film, He said, “It’s about the camaraderie of these two guys. It’s a little bit about fighting against oppression in India. I think that it touched the sentiments of many people in many ways.”

Ram Charan

Ranbir Kapoor

Glimpse from the show

Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox and Lisa Kudrow

Kangana Ranaut

Suniel Shetty

Allu Arjun

Sonu Sood and Sunita Gupta felicitate Akanksha Puri Sonu Sood and Sunita Gupta felicitate Manya Singh Sonu Sood and Sunita Gupta felicitate Salman Yusuff Khan