First India-Jaipur Edition-3rd April 2023

CBI’S DIAMOND JUBILEE CELEBRATIONS TO START TODAY

New Delhi: PM Narendra Modi will inaugurate the Diamond Jubilee celebrations of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) at Vigyan Bhawan in here on Monday. He will also inaugurate newly constructed offices of CBI at Shillong, Pune and Nagpur.

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PM CONDOLES DEMISE OF FORMER CRICKETER SALIM DURANI

OVER 3,800 COVID CASES, 4 DEATHS IN 24 HOURS

New Delhi: India reported 3,823 new Covid-19 cases in last 24 hours, a 27 per cent jump from previous day, according to the health ministry data. One death each was reported from Delhi, Haryana, Kerala and Rajasthan in a span of 24 hours and one was reconciled by Kerala.

HEY RAM!

Jamnagar: PM Narendra Modi has expressed grief over the demise of former cricketer Salim Durani (88) who died in Jamnagar on Sunday. In a tweet thread, PM Modi shared a photo of him with Durani from a programme in Jamnagar in January 2004.

AT LEAST 21 DIE IN HORRIFIC US SOUTH, MIDWEST TORNADOES

Washington: At least 21 people have been killed after devastating storms and tornadoes scraped the South and Midwest parts of the United States on Friday into early Saturday and dozens were reported injured, media reported.

CHURU: 5, INCLUDING 3

CHILDREN, KILLED, 19 INJURED IN ACCIDENT

Churu: Five people, including three children, were killed and 19 others injured in a collision between a truck and a pickup van in Rajasthan’s Churu district, police said on Sunday. SHO Subhash Chandra said the accident took place on Saturday night.

RAJ POLICE NABS 4255 IN AJMER AND UDAIPUR RANGES

Jaipur: The police under a special drive in districts of Udaipur and Ajmer range on Sunday caught 4255 miscreants by raiding 4808 places. DGP Umesh Mishra said that hardcore and wanted active criminals and anti-social elements and illegal weapons and other illegal material such as drugs, illegal mining, illegal liquor were seized. P7

KHALISTAN RADICALS THREATEN ASSAM CM

Guwahati: Assam DGP Gyanendra Pratap Singh on Sunday said threat to CM Himanta Biswa Sarma by a pro-Khalistan group was being taken very seriously. In an audio clip, Gurpatwant Singh Pannu, a designated individual terrorist, was heard threatening Sarma.

WHAT’S HAPPENING IN BIHAR & BENGAL

HM Amit Shah speaks to Bihar Guv, takes stock of Ram Navami violence

New Delhi (ANI): Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Sunday spoke to Bihar Governor Rajendra Arlekar and took stock of situation in wake of the violence during Ram Navami celebrations and after.

Further, according to sources, Shah assured provision of additional security reinforcements from the Central Armed Police Forces (CRPF, SSB and ITBP) in view of the current situation. Meanwhile, fresh violence erupted in parts of Bihar on Saturday night. As many as six people were injured handling illegal explosives at a private residence while two people were arrested in Rohtas, said a police officer.

BIHAR VIOLENCE: 77 ARRESTED, NORMALCY RESTORED, SAY COPS

Patna (PTI): Altogether 77 people have been arrested in communal violence that erupted in Bihar Sharif town in Nalanda during Ram Navami festivities, police said on Sunday. Normalcy has been restored in Bihar Sharif, the police said. Bihar Police in a tweet on Sunday said, “Normalcy has been restored in Bihar Sharif…the situation is completely under control. Total 77 people have so far been arrested by the police.”

Rioters will be hung upside down if BJP forms govt in Bihar in 2025: Shah

Hisua (PTI): Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Sunday tore into the Nitish Kumar govt in Bihar for “failing to check” communal violence in Sasaram and Bihar Sharif towns and asserted that rioters will be hung upside down if the BJP forms govt in the state in 2025. At a rally here, Shah asserted that the people of Bihar have decided to ensure the victory of party candidates in all 40 Lok Sabha seats in the 2024 general elections.

NOW, FREE EDUCATION UP TO CLASS 12 UNDER RTE

Naresh Sharma

Jaipur: Now the students of private schools up to class 12 will also get free education in the State. Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot has approved the proposal to reimburse the fees of the students studying under the Right to Education (RTE). Rs 46 crore will be spent on this, said an official statement.

Through RTE, there is a provision of free education only for the students of classes 1 to 8. In the last budget, Gehlot had made a provision to continue free education for girl students in private schools from class 9 to 12 at the expense of the state government. In this sequence, free education will be provided

BJP’s Bengal prez raps Mamata after party worker shot dead

WEST BENGAL

Kolkata (ANI): The BJP’s West Bengal chief Sukanta Majumdar, on Sunday hit out at CM

Mamata Banerjee over the killing of a party worker in Purba Bardhaman saying law and order had collapsed in the state. BJP worker Raju Jha, was shot dead by some unidentified miscreants on Saturday night at Shaktigarh in Purba Bardhaman. Majumdar said, “It is not important which party he (the deceased) belonged to. What matters is the fact that a citizen of the state was shot dead by five people in broad daylight.”

WILL DISLODGE MAHAGATHBANDHAN GOVT IN BIHAR IN NEXT ASSEMBLY POLLS: SHAH

Hisua: Union HM Amit Shah on Sunday asserted that the BJP will dislodge the Mahagathbandhan’ from power in the next assembly polls in Bihar where the govt was “BAD”, characterised by bhrashtachar’ (corruption), arajakata’(anarchy) and daman’ (oppression). He squarely blamed the Nitish Kumar govt for the communal tension that forced him to cancel a scheduled visit to Sasaram.

Rathore is new Leader of Oppn, Poonia his deputy

Aishwary Pradhan

Jaipur: Deputy leader of Opposition in state assembly Rajendra Rathore, 68, was elevated to the post of Leader of Opposition while former BJP state chief Satish Poonia, 58, was made new Dy LoP on Sunday. The decisions were taken at a meeting chaired by state chief CP Joshi. “A grassroots worker like me has been elected as the LoP. A new responsibility

3 NEW MEDICAL COLLEGES IN STATE

to students from class 1 to 12 on taking admission in private schools under RTE. The an-

nouncement in this regard was made by the CM in the budget for the year 2023-24.

has been assigned,” said Rathore, a 7-time MLA. Rathore’s name was proposed by Phool Singh Meena and approved by Vasundhara Raje, Anita Bhadel, Madan Dilawar, Kanhaiyalal Chaudhary. Rathore proposed Poonia’s name and all MLAs supported it. State incharge Arun Singh, coincharge Vijaya Rahatkar, Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Kailash Choudhary and others were present. P3

Vehicles set on fire during clashes between two groups, at Kajipara in Howrah district, on Thursday. —FILE PHOTO

THAKUR SLAMS DIDI OVER WORSENING LAW AND ORDER SITUATION IN STATE

New Delhi: Hitting out at the West Bengal government over the death of a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) worker in the state, Union Minister Anurag Thakur on Sunday accused Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee of being “biased” and “instigating violence” through her speeches. The BJP leader was reacting over the death of a party worker Raju Jha, who was allegedly shot dead by some unidentified miscreants on Saturday night in Shaktigarh of Purba Bardhaman in West Bengal.

MEANWHILE IN GUJARAT...

FIR against woman right-wing activist for ‘hate speech’, 50 held after clash

Gir Somnath (PTI):

An FIR has been lodged against a right-wing woman activist for her alleged hate speech and over 50 people have been detained for rioting following a communal clash at Una town that left two persons injured, police said on Sunday.

The clash erupted in a sensitive area of Una on Saturday night with two groups hurling stones at each other amid tension caused by speech of one Kajal Hindustani at a ‘Hindu Sammelan’ organised on Ram Navami on Thursday, in which she

allegedly targeted a minority community. The police and local leaders had on Saturday called for a peace committee meeting of both communities who ensured normalcy. But hours after the meeting, a clash broke out in the sensitive area.

RaGa to challenge conviction in defamation case in Gujarat today

First India Bureau

New Delhi: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, recently disqualified from the Parliament after being sentenced to two years in prison over a 2019 defamation case, will challenge his conviction and sentencing in the Surat sessions court on Monday. Sources said the former Congress president has, in his plea, asked the sessions court to set aside the Magistrate order convicting him in the defamation case. He also asked for an interim stay on the conviction till the matter is disposed of. Rahul was granted bail and his sentence was suspended for 30 days to let him appeal the decision.

CONGRESS SHOULD ALSO APOLOGISE TO OBCs, SAYS BJP

New Delhi (PTI): The Congress has finally shown its faith in the judicial system and it should now also apologise to backward classes for “insulting” them, the Bharatiya Janata Party said on Sunday following reports that Rahul Gandhi will file an appeal against his conviction in a defamation case.

BJP TARGETS GOP WITH ‘CONGRESS FILES’ VIDEO SERIES

New Delhi (ANI): The BJP on Sunday hit out at the Congress by releasing the first episode of ‘Congress Files’, a video series alleging corruption during grand-old party’s 70-year-rule. The 3-minute video featured former PM Manmohan Singh and former Congress presidents Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi. P5

BIHAR

Charred remains of vehicles after a clash broke out between two groups during Ram Navami procession, in Nalanda district in Bihar, on Sunday.

—PHOTO BY PTI

Union HM and senior BJP leader Amit Shah being garlanded during a Samrat Ashok Jayanti function in Nawada, on Sunday.

CM Ashok Gehlot greeting a student when a delegation of students came to meet him at CMR in Jaipur on Sunday.

M Ashok Gehlot on Sunday approved a proposal to set up three new medical colleges in Pratapgarh, Jalore and Rajsamand. As per an official statement, each medical college will be constructed at the cost of Rs 250 crores. P7

NOW, LEADERS FROM SC-ST AND KSHATRIYA COMMUNITIES SHOW STRENGTH IN ELECTION YEAR

Withdraw cases lodged during Bharat Bandh: SC-ST leaders

Govind R Meghwal interrupted during speech after which he left the event

Kamal Kant

Jaipur: A controversy broke out in the SC-ST Mahapanchayat on Sunday when the organisers interrupted the disaster management and relief minister Govind Ram Meghwal during his speech and asked him to sum up in two minutes. He got angry over this and left the programme abruptly.

When Meghwal was addressing from the stage, he was asked to complete the address in two minutes. Irked over this, the minister told the audience from the stage that he had been asked to complete the address in two minutes, so he was stopping.

Ministers Mamta Bhupesh, Bhajan Lal Jatav and Tikaram Jully also left the programme.

The programme was organised at Mansarover ground here by the Ambedkar Memorial

NEWS DIGEST

POLICE SEIZES `21.48 LAKH FROM A CAR DURING BLOCKADE IN CHITTORGARH

Chittorgarh: Shambhupura police station team seized Rs 21.48 lakh from a car driver during the blockade. The car driver could not give clear information about the suspected money. SP Rajan Dushyant said that on Saturday, the blockade was being done at Sand Road Tirahe by Sava Chowki Incharge Sheetal Gurjar and her team on the instructions of SHO Adhyatma Gautam. During the blockade, a white colored Indica Vista car came, when it was stopped and checked, a man was sitting on the driver’s seat and a woman was sitting on the adjacent seat.

MINOR ALLEGEDLY RAPED BY FATHER IN BANSWARA, ACCUSED ARRESTED

Banswara: A 14-year-old minor girl was allegedly raped by her father in Ghatol town of Banswara district, police said. Police informed the accused raped the victim while her mother was working in the farmland. “The incident took place on Friday. When the victim’s mother reached the home, the girl narrated the incident to her mother. The accused has been arrested and the medical of the victim has been done. An FIR has been filed by the uncle of the girl under relevant sections of the POCSO Act,” police said.

Welfare Society in which various pending issues pertaining to reservation, police cases

were raised. They said that the government had promised to withdraw cases

registered after Bharat bandh on April 2, 2018 but the cases have not been withdrawn so far.

Artificial limb fitment camp of Jpr Foot concludes in Cambodia

First India Bureau Jaipur: The artificial limb fitment camp of Jaipur Foot concluded in Cambodia with a total of 639 beneficiaries.

The camp in Cambodia’s Serei Saophon city in Bantey Meanchey province was organized by the Ministry of external affairs as part of commemoration of 70th Anniversary of Establishment of India-Cambodia Diplomatic Relations and Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav (AKAM)

Rajputs demand EWS reservation to 14 percent

Satyanarayan Sharma

Jaipur: Kesariya Mahapanchayat organized by Rashtriya Rajput Karni Sena was held today at Vidhyadhar Nagar Stadium in Jaipur.

Brij Bhushan Singh, MLA from Kesarganj in UP, Raghuraj Pratap Singh, Minister for Labour and Service Planning in UP Pankaj Singh, Director of Nims University, Siyaram Das Maharaj, Gopal Das Maharaj of Galta Gate, Mahant Ramraj Das and Sawal of Panchmukhi Hanuman ji reached for the mahapanchayat. Flowers were showered by helicopter.

Sukhdev Singh Gogamedi, president of Rashtriya Rajput Karni Sena, said that the Mahapanchayat was not a plat-

Cong declares 17 block heads, spokespersons, media panelists

First India Bureau

form for politics and has been called for some issues. “Our main demand is that EWS reservation should be increased from 10 to 14

percent. Economically backward upper castes should get a place at the Centre,” he said. He demanded for the Kshatriya Jan Kalyan Board.

Kapil Mishra targets RaGa over surname, Savarkar remark

celebrating 75 years of India’s independence.

The camp was inaugurated by Dr. Devyani Khobragade, Ambassa-

Teacher beats student for coming late to school in Baran

First India Bureau

dor of India to Cambodia on March 2, this year at the Polytechnic Institute, Serei Saophoan.

Kota: Man kills wife for dowry

First India Bureau

Jaipur: Congress has announced the names of 17 more block presidents in Rajasthan on Sunday. The important thing about the new list is that so far the names of both the block presidents have been announced in Hawamahal, the assembly of Minister Mahesh Joshi, who received showcause notices due to a parallel meeting on September 25.

Tripti Gautam

NEW CONSPIRACIES

JHALAWAR TOPS IN RECOVERING DUES & REVENUE COLLECTION WITH RS 846.60

CR

Jhalawar: Jhalawar has topped in recovering dues with 20.97 percent more than the set target under the Jaipur discom. In the recovery campaign which lasted for about two months, Rs 846.60 crore has been recovered surpassing the target of Rs 825.63 crore. Jaipur discom officials said that against the target of 100, they recovered 102.54 percent. According to information, the engineers and the linemen worked day and night since February. Action was taken for recovery along with problem solving by setting up a camp in the office. —Arif Mansoori

Baran: A class sixth student, studying at a govt school in Anta town of Baran district, was injured after being beaten by an ad-hoc teacher. Police informed the student, Rasbihari Kewat, was beaten by his teacher, Dhanraj Suman, for coming to school late.

“A police complaint has

been filed by the family members of the victim stating that Dhanraj Suman had mercilessly beaten Rasbihari for coming late to school during the prayers session. The other staff had to intervene when the incident took place. The student sustained neck injuries and a police complaint has been filed at Anta Police Station,” police said.

SPREADING AWARNESS

Kota: A man brutally beat up his wife to death in Kota’s Bombay Yojna area. The deceased, Lakshmi, was married to Ajay, a resident of Kota about four years ago. The relatives of the deceased claimed that Ajay used to fight with his wife for dowry. Police have registered a case and started an investigation.

RHB & DNudge celebrate World Autism Day

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Arora said that apart from the general public, young parents also need to be made aware so that they can recognize the symptoms of autism

Jaipur: R ajasthan Housing Board and DNudge together celebrated World Autism Awareness Day at Jaipur Chaupati, Mansarovar on Sunday. Board Commissioner Pawan Arora said that the pro gram was organized in association with voluntary organizations to spread awareness about autism disease.

entations. At the same time, renowned singer Man-

meet Singh created a pleasant atmosphere all around with his performance.

Arora said that apart from the general public, young parents also need to be made aware so that they can recognize the symptoms of autism and guide their children properly as soon as possible. Reva Sudeep, the founder of DNudge said that it is very important to fight autism and try to bring a sense of positivity in them.

Meanwhile, PCC appointed Amit Chachan, Indraj Gurjar and Prashant Bairwa, Khanu Khan Budhwali, Mahendra Gehlot, Ajay Kachhawa, RR Tiwari as the spokesperson. Rajendra Yadav, Pratiksha Yadav, Pradeep Chaturvedi, Anil Tatia, Prateek Singh, Kishore Sharma, Bharat Meghwal as media panelists. Similarly, new media co-ordinator are Pankaj Sharma, Shubhdev Singh Chauhan and Nitin Saraswat.

Jaipur: Targeting former Congress president Rahul Gandhi for his ‘I am not Savarkar’ remark, BJP leader Kapil Mishra said that he can never be like the freedom fighter who was a patriot. Mishra also said that Congress leaders once questioned the existence of Lord Ram while living in big houses but today when Lord Ram’s magnificent temple is ready, they “are losing their bungalow”.

“The biggest lie was told just a few days back that ‘I am Gandhi and not Savarkar’. ...You are not even a real Gandhi and

BEING HATCHED Rajya Sabha MP Dr. Sudhanshu Trivedi said that some powers in the world are not able to digest India’s changing forces. “New conspiracies are being hatched every day. They don’t want India to be called Vishwaguru again,” he said.

you cannot be Savarkar because the first condition of being a Savarkar is to be a patriot,” Mishra said.

Judges brainstorm at Moulding Future Legal Profession event

Kamal Kant

Jaipur: A national training programme on ‘Moulding Future Legal Profession’ was organised in Jaipur on Sunday which was attended by law professions and students from different parts of the country.

Supreme Court judge Dinesh Maheshwari was the chief guest while Rajasthan HC judge Ashok Kumar Jain was the special guest in the event by Ranka Charitable Trust at Vivekanand Global

University. Justice MN Bhandari, (former Chief Justice of Madras HC), Justice Ashok Kumar Jain, Rajasthan HC

judges S. Shivkumar, Bhanwaru Khan, former judge and Chairman OBC Commission were also present.

Leaders at the Kesariya Mahapanchayat at Vidhyadhar Nagar Stadium in Jaipur on Sunday.

Tikaram Jully, Mamta Bhupesh, Govind Ram Meghwal, Bhajan Lal Jatav, Prashant Bairwa and other leaders participating in the mahapanchayat organised at Mansarovar by the Ambedkar Memorial Welfare Society in Jaipur on Sunday.

Dr Ravi Prakash Mehrada, Satyaveer Singh and other office bearers of the mahapanchayat at the event.

Thousands of people gathered at the mahapanchayat in Jaipur on Sunday. —PHOTOS BY MUKESH KIRADOO

Sukhdev Singh Gogamedi presenting a momento to Maharaj Triveni Dham on Sunday. —PHOTOS BY SANTOSH SHARMA

Shailendra Singh & Brij Bhushan Singh at the event. Flowers were showered from the helicopter during the event.

Dr. Devyani Khobragade and others describing details about the limb to guests in the concluding camp in Cambodia on Sunday.

Justice JK Ranka lighting the lamp as Dinesh Maheshwari, Justice MN Bhandari, Justice Ashok Kumar Jain look on at the Moulding Future Legal Profession event in Jaipur on Sunday.

Kapil Mishra addressing a session on Sanatan Sanskriti & Hindutva organised by Navonmesh Foundation in Jaipur on Sunday.

—PHOTO BY MUKESH KIRADOO

z What is the meaning of ‘crowning’ of CP Joshi as BJP state chief in Rajasthan?

Dr Jagdeesh Chandra:

The first meaning of this move is that now Rajasthan will directly be under control of Delhi and all major decisions of Rajasthan BJP will be done from Delhi. This was started from the day when the meeting of Rajasthan core committee happened in Delhi and not in Jaipur. The second message of this move is that for a long time, Narendra Modi and Amit Shah were in search for a renowned Brahmin face, a second generation young face who can lead the politics for the next 25-30 years and stay in active politics. Now their search has ended at CP Joshi and whenever a Brahmin Chief Minister is to be made, Joshi will be the first priority.

Aishwary Pradhan

z Did it really take three months to find a new face because three months back Satish Poonia’s tenure ended and he was given an extension of sorts?

Jaipur: The State BJP will organise protests and demonstrations in all the districts against various issues including paper leak, law and order, women safety in coming days.

BJP State president CP Joshi said that the party will create a movement against the “anti-people policies” of the Congress government among the people.

The issues and strategy to corner the Ashok Gehlot government

The time was spent because it was a major decision. 2023 is election year and there is immense groupism. All the groups have to be taken in confidence. Then the BJP was engaged in North-East and then in Gujarat and other issues. So it was due to the general busy schedule of the party high command which caused a minor delay and coupled with the time taken to create a general consensus and now a person who has consensus has been positioned.

were discussed in the meeting of the party office bearers held at the party’s state headquarters here on Sunday.

It was the first meeting after Chittorgarh MP CP Joshi took over the post of the state president, replacing Satish Poonia.

What were these incidents? Once it so happened that senior BJP leader V. Satish was in Jaipur and to meet him, Raje reached BJP office. Satish Poonia’s car was parked under the porch in the office. When a two time chief minister comes, there are people around their vehicle and a huge crowd reaches to welcome them. While this was happening, Poonia’s driver vanished and even though a search was made for him, he could not be seen anywhere. So madam got down and walked towards the BJP office. This could be a coincidence too. But a few days after this incident, madam again went to the party office and this time the same thing happened with a minor twist. This time the driver was there but he claimed that he has lost the car keys! This is funny as well as foolish. How can it be that the driver would loose the key to the car? Madam again walked to the office. So the cumulative effect of such incidents was that madam, it is obvious, would have got hurt. She is a two time CM and may have been adamant that Poonia be removed. Second aspect is that almost all senior leaders of the party were displeased with Satish Poonia’s style of functioning. Poonia is a

BJP to launch statewide stir

Rathore as the Leader of Opposition.

“The Congress party has always done the politics of division. It was Congress rule when the massacre of Sikhs took place in 1984. Terrorists also got patronage and protection during the Congress gov-

z What does Satish Poonia’s farewell mean for BJP?

See it is not Satish Poonia’s farewell. It is not removal. He had a three year tenure, he completed it and stayed three months extra as party president in Rajasthan.

Mahesh Sharma

In a way, he lived more than his allotted life as BJP chief. So this is not farewell, rather it is shifting of responsibility which happens in every party. But still, there are questions being raised as to why was he shifted and why wasnt he given an extension. For that I say the first issue is Vasundhara Raje’s stubborness.

Jaipur: A police constable was beaten in the Kanota area by people for allegedly demanding Rs 50,000 as ransom.

Police informed the constable, Shailendra Singh, posted in Gandhi Nagar Police Station, had taken Anmol, a resident of Kho Nagoriyan, into custody.

Satish Poonia always checked Raje from coming to main stream and a few incidents happened where she had to face insult. Due to these incidents, Madam was adamant that Poonia should first be removed.

“Along with two other men, Anmol was taken to areas near the Ring Road. They later called the family members of Anmol and demanded a ransom of Rs. 50,000. Later, when the

family members reached the spot, they found that Shailendra Singh was sitting with the two men. The constable was then beaten by the family members of Anmol,” police said.

“Shailendra Singh was rushed to hospital for treatment. The constable is presently in the security of a judicial magistrate and was absent from duty for the last week.

Shailendra Singh has been sent to police lines following the incident and the matter is being investigated,” police said.

ernment rule,” Joshi said in the meeting.

He said that in peaceloving Rajasthan, the

Dinesh Tiwari

young and straightforward person, but everyone’s style of functioning is different, so people were not happy. Thirdly, nine by-elections happened in Poonia’s tenure, and the party lost in seven. There was no response of it. So you will have to take moral responsibility. Fourthly, the Jan Aakrosh yatra was carried out but you could not pick up any major issue against Ashok Gehlot government. When the high command sought report, you said seven and a half lakh people gave their applications. PM said that if so many people are against Gehlot that means the people are

Jaipur: Now children of private doctors protesting against the Right to Health Act have joined the stir. Children took out a rally in support of the movement from Jaipur Medical Association (JMA) with posters and banners giving the protest an emotional turn.

troubled and that BJP will win 150 seats. But it was not so as when the claims were checked, Poonia had to face embarassment. But perhaps the biggest issue of all was that, in a display of immaturity and excitement, he projected himself as CM candidate. The meetings in which he would go, workers would take him to the stage on their shoulders and slogans would be raised praising Poonia. But they should understand that there is only one lion in BJP, rather in the country and that is Narendra Modi and you are venturing in that domain unnecessarily. This was uncalled for. In fact, it was more of the immature workers that damaged him and the cumulative effect of all these was that his regular and routine departure got converted into a removal, in public perception.

government is giving protection to the people who have been spoiling harmony in the last

four and a half years.

Joshi also accused the Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot of doing the politics of appeasement.

Om Mathur, Arun Singh, CP Joshi, Satish Poonia, Gajendra Singh Shekhawat and all other leaders were seen united on the par-

fought the battles of the Dara Singh encounter case in CBI court on

tant issues inside and outside the State Assembly,” said Rathore while speaking to media on Sunday.

Dr Jagdeesh Chandra, CEO and Editor-in-Chief of Bharat24-Vision of New India and First India; CMD First India News, reflects on the recent appointment of Lok Sabha MP CP Joshi as BJP Rajasthan President. Chandra stresses that CP Joshi is saffron leadership’s ‘war horse’ and that Poonia’s change has occurred due to various factors including ‘tussle’ with some senior leaders. However, although Poonia is out, but his political future is still bright. Excerpts... (Part-1)

The rally rally started at 10:30 am. Along with this, GBM will be organised at the JMA

z You mentioned the incidents between Vasundhara Raje and Satish Poonia. Do you think that the developments of March 4, wherein Raje conducted her birthday celebrations at Salasar while Poonia held a protest in Jaipur, played any role in Poonia’s removal? That was an act of immaturity, nothing more, nothing less. Madam had already sounded off, a month in advance, all senior leaders of BJP including JP Nadda, Amit Shah and BL

Auditorium. Doctors will start a mass de-empanelment campaign in the GBM. However, Dr Neelam broke her fast unto death after senior doctor Dr Virendra Singh offered her juice. Dr Neelam Khandelwal was on fast unto death in JMA. She was on fast unto death for five days in protest against the Act. The declining health of Dr Khandelwal has worried the doctors.

Santosh that on her birthday she carried out the devdarshan yatra and requested that it should not be taken otherwise. So everything was well, since all the seniors had been informed. It is not known whether Poonia knew about Raje’s plan or not, but he announced a rally against Gehlot government will be taken out by BJYM till state assembly. But that day the assembly was adjourned that day and some people said that Gehlot has extended a courtesy to Raje. They then protested at CMR, but the same day, when Raje was carry ing out such a major program, you held the rally. It is said there were four or five thousand peo ple in Poonia’s rally but there were at least ten times more people in Raje’s birthday program. So without any reason you gave a message in the party that there is a vertical di vide between Vasundhara Raje and Satish Poonia, which is unfortunate. The situa tion was gauged by state incharge Arun Singh who reached to Ashok Parnami and even danced in the Phag Utsav and doused the stand off. But it was

“The people of Rajasthan will give an answer to the Congress government in the 2023 assembly elections. BJP will get a huge mandate,” he said.

an uncalled for confrontation which ultimately became a loss for Poonia. So yes you are right that this was the ‘last nail in the coffin’ in this adverse relationship.

Sources said that the party high command wants to hand over some important responsibilities to Satish Poonia (58) before the Assembly elections, so that the right message can be given to the public. In the coming days, he can also be entrusted with important responsibility in the Election Committee.

z Has Satish Poonia, who has been objecting to madam throughout his tenure, became a scapegoat or did he got ‘hit-wicket’? Perhaps he may have got this mandate to bring down the supremacy of Raje in Rajasthan. It is true that the party was in the hands of one person — Raje.

Jaipur: Leader of Opposition Rajendra Rathore, BJP’s state in-charge Arun Singh, and BJP State President CP Joshi reached 13, Civil Lines residence of former CM Vasundhara Raje for political consultations on Sunday after the party meeting. Rathore reached Raje’s residence after about 4.5 years. Although both of them met at the BJP state headquarters, the meeting at her residence has great signifi cance in itself.

gets into the decentralisation mood, it stresses that the power should not get concentrated in the hands of one person. So it is possible that the high command may have said to Poonia to run the affairs in such a democratic manner that the power does not remain constricted in the hands of one person. But the manner in which he implemented this mandate was defective. I wouldnt say he was a scapegoat or hit wicket but yes he had to face the consequences of his overt actions. As such he had to go since the three year tenure had been completed.

Divya sent to three-day police remand

Suspended Additional Superintendent of Police (AdSP) Divya Mittal was produced before a court on Sunday, after which she was sent on a three-day police remand. Divya Mittal, who is facing charges of corruption to the tune of Rs 2 crore, was produced before judge Gaurav Garwa at his residence and thereafter sent on police remand till April 4. Additional SP Kamal Singh Tanwar informed that Divya Mittal will be taken to Jaipur for interrogation. “Divya Mittal has been arrested under the provisions of the NDPS Act for doing a shoddy investigation in three cases of NDPS. A fiveday remand was sought, but the court granted three days of police remand,” said Kamal Singh Tanwar.

39TH CONVOCATION CEREMONY

Manoj Sharma

Tonk (Niwai): Governor Kalraj Mishra on Sunday took part in the 39th convocation ceremony of Banasthali University in Niwai town of Tonk district. While addressing the gathering, the governor thanked Hiralal Shastri and Ratan Shastri and all those people who have worked to build the institution like Banasthali University.

Police find chopped

So now that Poonia is not there as party chief, who will head the Jat leadership in BJP? Secondly, you said that this is not his farewell, so what do you believe his political future will be like?

of minor girl in Udaipur, one arrested

Ravi Sharma

rather the leadership is in hands of two individuals i.e. Narendra Modi and Amit Shah. But for self satisfaction one can say that in Jat quota, the leadership will be in Poonia’s hands. As far as his future is concerned, it will not be wrong to say that his future is bright. His rehabilitation will be done soon. It is being said that perhaps he may be made deputy leader of opposition under Rajendra Rathore as LoP. But there are apprehensions among senior Sangh leaders who say that Poonia has seniority as party president. How can he work under Rathore? He may also be given charge of some state or taken in Nadda’s team and if BJP comes to power in Rajasthan, he can be made a minister with an important portfolio.

Udaipur: A 20-year-old man allegedly murdered a minor girl, chopped her body into pieces and stuffed them in plastic bags here, police said on Sunday.

As far as Jat leadership is concerned, it is established by the high command only, broadly speaking. However, it would not be wrong to say that as of now, the tallest leader is Satish Poonia. Next to him could be Rahul Kaswa or Kailash Choudhary. So in stature, they are not near Poonia. Then there is PP Choudhary, who has claimed that his ancestors were Rajputs, but then again his claim to the Jat leadership in BJP is not that sound. As such in BJP, no one has any leadership

z Why did Rajendra Gehlot and Arun Chaturvedi fall behind in the race for party presidency in Rajasthan?

According to police, the possibility of the eight-year-old girl being raped before the murder has not been ruled out and the accused, a school dropout, is being interrogated.

The girl was missing since March 28. Her chopped body parts were found at an abandoned house in Mavli area on Saturday night, they said.

Rajendra Gehlot is a favourite of Sangh and was close contestant in the race. But two factors went against him. Firstly, he is a leader from Jodhpur-Marwar and there are already two senior leaders from the region — Gajendra Singh Shekhawat and Ashwini Vaishnav. Then there is Om Mathur from Pali and Kailash Choudhary from Barmer. So he does not have a major role there. Secondly, he hails from the Mali com-

Some local residents had complained of a foul smell emanating from the abandoned house, police said, adding that the victim lived in the same neighbourhood. Superintendent of Police Vikas Sharma

Guv terms Banasthali Univ ‘dynamic’ edu institution

The wife of Vice-President of India

Jagdeep Dhankhar, Sudesh Dhankhar, was awarded the PhD degree on Sunday. The doctorate degree on “Sustainable Development - Assessment of Sustainability of Groundwater Resource and Irrigated Agriculture in Jhunjhunu District, Rajasthan” was awarded to Sudesh Dhankhar at the 39th convocation ceremony at the Banasthali Vidhyapith. She was enrolled for PhD at Banasthali Vidyapith in September, 2013.

“Over the years, it has emerged as a dynamic educational institution that has pre-

pared its students to play various roles in life. Banasthali Vidyapeeth has achieved a

different position in the crowd of educational institutions. I am very impressed

with the all-around education provided here,” said Governor Kalraj Mishra.

said the accused resided near the victim’s house.

The post-mortem was done at a Government Hospital. Police are probing the death of the child from other angles, including occult.

munity and that community has securely standing with Ashok Gehlot. Thirdly, when the leadership was mulling on the name of party president, Gehlot must have thought tat he should present his side to Amit Shah and by chance, Shah was in Rajasthan. When he was returning back, Gehlot asked him if he can accompany Shah back to Delhi in the charter flight. Shah did not say anything but Gehlot accompanied in the flight. However, in the flight, several books were placed on the set next to Shah and as soon as he sat, Shah went into a meditation. Rajendra Gehlot waited for Shah’s meditation to end, but it ended only after the plane had landed. So he did not get the opportunity to speak on the issue. So it is about luck also. Regarding Arun Chaturvedi, he too is a Brahmin but in front of CP, he is a weaker candidate in the race. Moreover, he has lost the election also. Although he is close to Dattatreya Hosabole of RSS. However, Chaturvedi has reportedly told some friend of his that madam did not support him at the end moment. May be that happened, you never know. I feel Rajendra Gehlot was a stronger candidature but he could not make it.

TO BE CONTINUED…

The villagers have demanded that the killers be caught and punished at the earliest. According to information, the girl’s father had filed a missing complaint on March 28.

During the show #JCon2023Poll trended top All-India on Twitter

The victim was a student of class IV in Government Higher Primary School.

16 more FIRs filed in Sanjivani scam in Jodhpur

Shiv Prakash Purohit

Jodhpur: On the basis of complaints by victims of Sanjivani scam, 16 cases were registered in three different police stations in Jodhpur on a single day. Besides, FIRs are being registered in the police stations across the state. In western Rajasthan, 123 cases have been registered in the last one week. A total of 123 cases have been registered in different police stations.

Newly appointed LoP Rajendra Rathore and Dy LoP Satish Poonia with BJP leaders Vasundhara Raje, Arun Singh, CP Joshi, GS Shekhawat, Kailash Choudhary, Chandrashekhar, and Vijaya Rahatkar at State BJP Headquarters in Jaipur on Sunday.

—PHOTOS BY SUNIL SHARMA

Doctors’ kids participate in the protest march against the Right to Health Act, in Jaipur on Sunday. —PHOTOS BY SUNIL SHARMA

A student receives a medal from Governor Kalraj Mishra during Banasthali University convocation ceremony in Tonk on Sunday.

Punjab Governor Banwarilal Purohit meets Governor Kalraj Mishra at Raj Bhavan in Jaipur on Sunday.

Rajendra Rathore presents bouquet to newly appointed Deputy LoP Satish Poonia, at BJP headquarters in Jaipur on Sunday.

Constable beaten for demanding `50,000 ransom in Kanota

body

During party meet, Kailash Meghwal left after getting angry but later returned

Doctors’ kids join RTH protest; Dr Neelam ends fast unto death

Constable Shailendra Singh’s face covered in blood.

Dr Jagdeesh Chandra in interaction with (L) Poornima Mishra, Aditi Nagar, Surbhi, Astha Khandelwal, and Megha Kaushik during The New JC Show. —PHOTOS BY MUKESH KIRADOO

Dr Jagdeesh Chandra during The New JC Show.

CAN KAUTILYA HELP LOOK AT INDIA’S WAR RISK DIFFERENTLY?

ROHAN BEDI

China and India have many similarities. India has been shaped by Hinduism and China by Buddhism. Buddhism originated in India and has a similar value system to Hinduism. The roots of many systems considered Chinese are actually Indian, including martial arts, acupressure and acupuncture. China is also emerging as the new yoga superpower after the US. Logically, India and China should be friends, although China’s ambitions do not allow this. India is a nuclear state with two nuclear-armed adversaries in China and Pakistan on its borders. China seeks to deepen economic relations with Pakistan via its Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). It has followed a “string of pearls” strategy to encircle India and makes constant revisionist claims about the India-China border.

BRI initiative of China through Pakistan

Occupied Kashmir (POK) to Gwadar port creates a super link through which military equipment can be moved. China is weaponizing BRI and this is detrimental to India. In a future scenario, Chinese military bases in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) in Myanmar, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Maldives and Pakistan, acquired through debt trap diplomacy, would jeopardize Indian national security. Beijing is also cosying up with both Nepal and Afghanistan.

Nevertheless, it is important to note that China had not supported Pakistan in the 1999 Kargil conflict. However, China’s assistance to Pakistan’s nuclear weapon and missile programmes, and its BRI investments in Pakistan threaten India. Therefore, India faces the risk of a two-front war.

A POWER-HUNGRY CHINA SEEKS TO DOMINATE INDIA

China only respects hard power. Money and military might are the operative metrics. Beijing is seeking to wrest the mantle of global leadership from Washington. India has traditionally played a passive role with China. New Delhi has consistently demonstrated reluctance to confront Beijing or take the initiative of proposing new solutions to sort out its border disputes. Indian foreign policy, influenced by Hindu philosophy, including

ahimsa, has traditionally seen leadership as an exercise of soft power, moral pressure, and diplomatic negotiations.

This soft “head-in-thesand” foreign policy of unending talk and little action is further aggravated by India’s inability to reduce import dependence on Chinese electronics and pharmaceutical intermediates.

Thus, China’s authoritarian regime believes that it has a free pass to bully India. The Chinese test this periodically through persistently revisionist border skirmishes and aggressive rhetoric in different forums.

Rising powers attempt to dominate their “near abroad” and this reflects clearly in China’s string of pearls, debt trap diplomacy, BRI and hexiao gongda—uniting with the small to counter the big—strategies. Jawaharlal Nehru, India’s first prime minister, came up with five Panchsheel principles, which included the principle of non-aggression. Yet the 1962 India-China War broke out at the height of Hindi-Chini bhai-bhai.

China has no problem with deception. Through the millennia, the Chinese have been guided by The Art of War, the classic penned by Sun Tzu in the

Why Inflation Persists

Inflation is back, and it is demonstrating its usual tenacity. In the United States, the inflation rate rose from 1.2% in 2020 to 4.7% in 2021 and 8.1% in 2022. The forecast for 2023 is 3.5%, but recent figures have shown a disappointingly modest decline. As of February 2023, the US annual inflation rate was 6%, but core inflation (excluding volatile energy and food prices) had increased by 0.5% and remained high, at 5.5%. Inflation in the eurozone is demonstrating similar persistence. The annual rate increased from 0.3% in 2020 to 2.6% in 2021 and 8.4% in 2022. And while inflation is expected to decline to 5.6% in 2023, recent figures,

like in the US, have been disappointing. In February, annual inflation decreased only slightly, to 8.5% (from 8.6% in January), while core inflation increased to 5.6% (from 5.3% in January). Far from being confined to the US and Europe, high inflation is a global phenomenon, with countries like Turkey and Argentina reporting recordbreaking rates above 70%.

A MACROECONOMIC PHENOMENON

It has become standard to look at different price components to identify what is contributing most to headline inflation. Obviously, energy prices come to mind, and some observers have deemed today’s price rises “Putin’s inflation,”

Contrary to what many would like to think, high inflation today is a macroeconomic phenomenon, resulting from too much money chasing too few goods. Worse, there are reasons to worry that it will prove to be more persistent

owing to the undeniable role that Russia’s invasion of Ukraine played in driving up firms and households’ energy costs last year. This interpretation has encouraged hope that inflation will be much lower in 2023, since energy prices are expected not to rise further this year, and

5th century BC. He argued that “warfare is a way of deception” and the 1962 war serves as a good example of the application of this principle. China uses Sun Tzu’s psychological techniques to achieve its political goals. In the case of Uyghur Muslims and Tibetans, China has practiced cultural genocide. China is aggressive, persistent, and unpredictable in its constant attempts to redraw the borders. Even 18 rounds of border negotiations with India have yielded no results.

China’s BRI initiative through Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (POK) to Gwadar port creates a super link through which military equipment can be moved. China is weaponizing BRI and this is detrimental to India. In a future scenario, Chinese military bases in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) in Myanmar, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Maldives and Pakistan, acquired through debt trap diplomacy, would jeopardize Indian national security. Beijing is also cosying up with both Nepal and Afghanistan. In Nepal, China has had much success and the country even elected a communist government. In Afghanistan, success has been harder to come by because the Tali-

ban runs a hardline Islamist regime.

India has to respond to Chinese aggression. It will only achieve peace when the country achieves adequate military and economic power. India could also turn to its very own political philosopher known as Chanakya or Kautilya who wrote Arthaś stra in 300 BC.

NUCLEAR PAKISTAN’S ECONOMIC WOES CAN UNLEASH JIHADISM

The 1971 India-Pakistan War still scars the Pakistani psyche. India liberated Bangladesh, which until then was East Pakistan. Since then, Pakistan has been obsessed with India. As revenge it sought to “bleed India with a thousand cuts.” It funded and supported insurgencies in India. In Punjab, it led to a campaign of terror for Khalistan. Pakistan has always dreamt of annexing Kashmir and has persistently fomented trouble there since 1947. India and Pakistan have fought three major wars, one minor one and engaged in countless border clashes. So, a Pakistan-China nexus worries India.

Pakistan describes its friendship with China as

being “higher than the mountains, deeper than the oceans, sweeter than honey.” Pakistan is the biggest recipient of BRI money. Chinese debt is $30 billion—30% of its external debt—and continues to grow. Because of this debt, Pakistan has lost its ability to be an independent voice for Muslims. Pakistanis speak about Kashmiris all the time but dare not mention fellow Muslim Uyghurs. So beholden is Islamabad to Beijing that Pakistan would have to follow China’s lead and could lead to a two-front war for India.

After years of military rule and a pseudo-democracy, Pakistan’s economy is in tatters. Both economic mismanagement and natural disasters have brought the country to its knees. The poverty rate has increased dramatically. Inflation has spiraled out of control. Thousands of madrassas have churned out tens of thousands of jihadis since the 1980s when Saudi money flooded into the country. Then, the goal was to fight the Soviets in Afghanistan. Now, jihadis could cause civil war and the implosion of Pakistan. Since Pakistan is a nuclear-armed state, an implosion poses tremendous security risks.

INDIA MUST HEED KAUTILYA’S WISE WORDS

Kautilya recommends that states strive for a balance of power and prevent rivals from becoming too powerful. He asks the king to become the most powerful among his peers (vijigishu) to achieve peace and security. He includes conquest, psychological influence, physical domination, seduction and assassination as tools of state policy.

Kautilya also speaks of security alliances as a key tool of foreign policy. The combined military spending of Pakistan and China was $263 billion in 2020. This was nearly 3.6 times India’s defense budget. China alone outspends India by $180 billion. China spends less than 33% on personnel costs, while India spends about 60%. Needless to say, the Indian Army needs to focus on technology-driven modernization. Indian foreign policy wonks must deepen the country’s security arrangement with US and Japan, which has just doubled its military spending.

The Chinese army has an edge over the Indian Army, but India is better prepared in high-altitude warfare with experienced troops.

Source: Fair Observer

TOP TWEETS

Salim Durani Ji was a cricketing legend, an institution in himself. He made a key contribution to India’s rise in the world of cricket. On and off the field, he was known for his style. Pained by his demise. Condolences to his family and friends. May his soul rest in peace.

perhaps even to decline. Accordingly, some commentators in the US and Europe warn that monetary-policy tightening by the US Federal Reserve and the European Central Bank risks overshooting.

More importantly, focusing on the relative strength of price components (like

energy prices) as a causal factor overstates the microeconomic foundation of macroeconomics. Inflation still is what it always has been: a macroeconomic phenomenon that results from the disequilibrium of aggregate demand and aggregate supply.

Source: Project Syndicate

The peace witnessed in Mizoram today is an unprecedented example of the victory of India’s democracy. With the efforts of Modi ji and the cooperation of the local people, peace has been established in Northeast. As compared to 2014 there has been a 67% dip in incidents of violence, a 60% decrease in deaths of security personnel and an 80% reduction in civilian deaths in 2021.

SPIRITUAL SPEAK

The actions of a great man are an inspiration for others. Whatever he does becomes standard for others to follow. Bhagavad Gita

Narendra Modi @narendramodi

Amit Shah @AmitShah

The author is the Managing Director & Chief Trainer of Singapore Financial Crime Compliance Association (www.sfcca.com.sg)

BJP launches ‘Congress files’ to target party over corruption

‘CONG LOOTED PEOPLE’S HARD-EARNED MONEY’

In the video, the BJP alleged that the Congress has looted ` 48,20,69,00,00,000 of the hard-earned money of the people. The coal scam of 1.86 lakh crore has also been mentioned in the video.

MENTION OF COAL, 2G SPECTRUM, CWG SCAM

MANY WORKS COULD HAVE BEEN DONE: BJP

‘Why PM Modi, Shah Silent’: Sibal on Bengal, Bihar clash

New Delhi (PTI): In the wake of communal violence in West Bengal and Bihar, Rajya Sabha MP Kapil Sibal on Sunday questioned the “silence” of PM Narendra Modi over the matter, and said “let not 2024 general elections be the reason” for the violence.

New Delhi (Agencies):

The Bharatiya Janata Party on Sunday released the first episode of ‘Congress Files’, in a fresh round of attack on the Congress over corruption allegations during the UPA tenure.

In the video message titled ‘Congress means corruption’, the BJP said, “The Congress has looted `48,20,69,00,00,000 from the public in 70 years of its rule. That money could have been utilised for so many

useful areas of security and development.”

The three-minute video also featured for-

Cong should first set its house in order

z How do you see JD(S) prospects in the upcoming Karnataka Assembly elections?

mer Congress president Sonia Gandhi and then Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.

Referring to the last 10 years of the Congress government, the BJP accused AgustaWestland CEO of giving a bribe of 350 crore in the VVIP helicopter purchase. “Coal scam of `1.86 lakh crore, 2G Spectrum scam of `1.76 lakh crore, MNREGA scam of `10 lakh crore, Commonwealth scam of `70K crore, a bribe of `362 crore in the helicopter deal with Italy, `12 crore bribe for chairman of railway board.

The BJP claimed that with ` 48 trillion 20 billion 69 crore, many works could have been done - from security to the development of the country. “Using this much amount, 24 INS Vikrant, 300 Rafale jets, and 1,000 Mangal Missions could have been made or purchased. But the country had to bear the cost of Congress’ corruption, and it lagged behind in the race of progress,” said the message.

THE MOVIE IS STILL NOT OVER, SAYS BJP

A t the end of the video message, the BJP stated, “This is only the jhanki (trailer) of Congress’ corruption, the movie is still not over.” Earlier, Congress had also attacked BJP over the Adani issue, and released multiple sets of questions under the campaign of “Hum Adani Ke Hain Kaun”. The party alleged that the BJP granted “monopolies” to the Adani group in various projects.

Sibal appealed to the people to put a stop to the “burning of Bengal and Bihar, and to the seeds of hatred” which, he said, can only benefit politicians and political ideologies. The ordinary man becomes a victim of this hatred, he said.

“I want the PM (Modi) to speak up, I want the home minister (Shah) to speak up & condemn the violence. It is unfortunate that in the midst of this violence, neither of them have spoken, why are they quiet,” he asked.

RaGa's disqualification created surprising wave of Opposition unity: Shashi Tharoor

GIRIRAJ SINGH SLAMS NITISH, RAISES QUESTIONS ON FIRING IN NALANDA VIOLENCE

Patna (Agencies): After the violence in Sasaram and Nalanda districts, Union Minister Giriraj Singh on Sunday said that two persons died in Nalanda due to gunshots fired by either ‘police’ or ‘people of Muslim community’. “The people of Hindu community are facing the atrocity. They are being killed either by the gunshots of police or by firing by the people of Muslim community but the chief minister is saying that the third force is involved in the riot,” Singh said. “The people of Hindu community are feeling insecure in Nalanda and Sasaram. Violence had taken place on Saturday night in Nalanda as well. There is no police. Nitish Kumar should tell us that he is only a chief minister of Muslim,” Singh said. “Bihar is following the path of West Bengal. Why the police have not taken action against them,” Singh said.

Bengaluru (PTI):

Amid the buzz around forging opposition unity ahead of the Lok Sabha elections, Janata Dal (Secular) patriarch and former Prime Minister H D Deve Gowda said on Sunday that the Congress should set its house in order first. In an interview to PTI, he also said there are many options before opposition parties and this nation has a wealth of leadership.

Upbeat about JD(S)’ prospects in the May 10 Assembly polls in Karnataka, the veteran leader who has withdrawn from active campaigning due to age- related ailments said it will set the tone for other state elections this year and the Parliamentary elections in 2024.

SC TO HEAR PLEA OF 14 PARTIES LED BY CONGRESS

My party will do well across Karnataka. A lot of people who are cynical and focusing only on the two national parties will be surprised. We are not seeking votes for a divisive agenda. We are seeking votes in the name of an inclusive social and development vision the Pancharatna programme. My party will come to power and we will implement the programme. Our leader H D Kumaraswamy has just completed a statewide tour to publicise this programme. The response he has received is overwhelming. Our party strategy is very simple work hard and be sincere with people, don’t keep bluffing to them and don’t divide them.

z What is your take on BJP & Cong, and have they delivered when in power in Karnataka?

I don’t want to comment on this. Our leaders H D Kumaraswamy and C M Ibrahim (JDS state president) can offer a proper analysis on this. I can only say that the national parties are in the habit of making tall claims and false claims. People have seen through their circus and falsehoods.

New Delhi (PTI): Welcoming the recent “wave of Opposition unity”, Lok Sabha MP Shashi Tharoor on Sunday said the Congress will “de facto” be the fulcrum around which other parties converge, but asserted that if he were in the party leadership, he would not “crow about it” and encourage one of the smaller outfits to play the role of convenor of an alliance to take on the BJP in the 2024 general election.

In an interview with PTI, Tharoor said Rahul Gandhi’s disqualification from Lok Sabha following his conviction in a 2019 defamation case has generated a “surprising wave of Opposition unity” with many parties having begun to feel the truth of the adage -- “united we stand, divided we fall.”

The former Union minister also said if most of the Opposition parties have now found a new reason to come together and stop dividing each other’s vote, the BJP might find it much harder to win a

IN THE COURTYARD Centre not giving Bihar its due funds, says Bihar FinMin

COURT ACQUITS 26 IN GANG-RAPE, MURDER CASES

New Delhi: The Supreme Court is scheduled to hear on Wednesday a plea filed by 14 parties, led by the Congress, alleging arbitrary use of central probe agencies against opposition leaders and seeking guidelines for the future.

According to the list of business uploaded on the apex court website, the plea of Opposition parties would be heard on April 5 by a three-judge bench headed by Chief Justice of India D Y Chandrachud. The joint plea was mentioned for urgent hearing on March 24 by senior advocate Abhishek Singhvi. “I am asking for the guidelines for the future. This is a remarkable convergence of 14 parties against the misuse of the agencies, both CBI and ED,” Singhvi had said.

RaGa ‘cannot be like Savarkar’ even if reborn, says Thakur

UNITY IS FAR MORE IMPORTANT THAN PRIDE OF PLACE, IN MY VIEW: THAROOR

majority in the 2024 elections.

Asked about Congress leader Digvijaya Singh’s ‘thank you Germany’ tweet after that country took note of Gandhi’s disqualification, Tharoor said he would have advised his senior party colleague not to say what he did.

“The international attention - and the negative press for Indiashould not surprise (Narendra) Modi and his government. Doubts about the democratic credentials of this government have been growing for some years,

as is evident from the global media,” he said.

“Still, I would have advised my highly respected senior colleague and friend not to say what he did. It has always been an article of faith for the Congress party that we do not require or accept any foreign tutelage after 200 years of subjection to colonial rule,” Tharoor stressed.

“I am confident the people of India will vote for democracy and the right to determine who rules them,” the MP from Thiruvananthapuram said.

New Delhi (PTI): Everyone knows what the Congress represents and it doesn’t need to insist on that being recognised, he said. In fact a modicum of humility will go a long way towards winning over the other parties, said Tharoor, who had contested for the post of Congress president last year but had lost the internal party election to Mallikarjun Kharge. Unity is far more important than pride of place, in my view,” Tharoor asserted. Asked if he sees a parallel in Rahul’s disqualification with that of his grandmother, former prime minister Indira Gandhi in the 1970s, Tharoor said there is little doubt that public sympathy is with Rahul Gandhi after this “reprehensible disqualification and jail sentence”. People realise it is not good for democracy that the principal leader of the major Opposition party is sentenced to jail and denied a voice in Parliament, he said.

New Delhi (ANI): Training his guns at Congress leader Rahul Gandhi over his remark on Veer Savarkar, Union Minister Anurag Thakur on Sunday said that the former “cannot become like Savarkar even if he takes 10 births.”

Rahul Gandhi, who was disqualified as an MP after being convicted in the criminal defamation case over the ‘Modi surname’ remark, on March 25 said, “My name is not Savarkar, my name is Gandhi. Gandhis don’t apologise to anyone”.

Speaking to ANI, at the JITO Ahimsa Run at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, here, Anurag Thakur said that the country will never forgive Rahul Gandhi for his insult to Savarkar.

“The country will never forgive Rahul Gandhi for his insult to Savarkar.

Rahul Gandhi can’t be Savarkar even if he takes 10 births. Sa varkar ji spent his

1st-time voters are children of Modi era and that is their greatest blessing: Singh

Godhra: A court in Gujarat has acquitted all 26 persons accused of gangrape and murder of more than a dozen members of a minority community in separate incidents in Kalol during 2002 communal riots for want of evidence in the 20-year-old case. Of the total 39 accused, 13 died during the pendency of the case and the trial against them was abated.

A court of additional sessions judge of Halol in Panchmahal district, Leelabhai Chudasama, on Friday acquitted 26 persons for the offence of murder, gangrape and rioting for want of evidence. “As many as 13 out of a total 39 accused in the case had died during the pendency of the trial,” the court in the order said.

Patna (PTI): Bihar Finance minister Vijay Kumar Choudhary said that state govt has spent `2,35,000 crore, which is 99 per cent of the total estimated budget of `2,37,691 in 2022-23. He also claimed that Bihar’s economy is one of the fastest-growing in India. “Bihar has not only grown consistently but also outperformed even the most developed states. The state spent `2,35,000 crore, which is 99 per cent of the total estimated budget of ` 2,37,691, in 2022-23.

This is the highest ever spending by Bihar so far,” he said. He accused the Centre of showing reluctance in releasing funds/share under various centrally sponsored schemes.

New Delhi (Agencies): Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh today said that the firsttime voters who have attained the age of 18 are the children of the Modi era and that is their greatest blessing and advantage.

Singh said that as these new young voters are getting the opportunity to exercise their franchise, they will be voting for the Modi led dispensation in an India which is full of optimism and upward journey. He said that this is something quite in contrast to the plight the earlier two generations of youth after independence went through, when there was an atmosphere of pessimism and lack of esteem. Many of the

youth went aboard during this time as they were not able to find any future hope for themselves by staying back in the country, the Minister remarked.

Singh said that whereas now the trend has shifted. Not only the

Indian youth are looked up with esteem but the youth who have gone out of India are looking to come back and explore the opportunities in front of them.

The Minister mentioned that those who vote for the first-time

now will have the opportunity to become key voters and opinion makers of the Indian society at a time when India celebrates 100 years of independence 25 years from now as they would be at the prime of their age.

whole life for freedom and Rahul Gandhi spent his whole time campaigning against Indian democracy with the help of Britishers,” he said.

Earlier on March 28, after former chief minister Uddhav Thackeray cautioned Congress leader Rahul Gandhi against criticising the VD Savarkar, CM Eknath Shinde hit out at Rahul Gandhi saying that the latter should go and stay at the Andamans jail like Savarkar if he can.

“The citizens of Maharashtra are upset with what Rahul Gandhi said. Rahul Gandhi should go and stay at the Andamans jail for one day if he can,” Mr Shinde had said while talking

New Delhi: Former president Ram Nath Kovind on Sunday said barring PM Narendra Modi, who spoke about building toilets from the ramparts of the Red Fort, no other prime minister had laid stress on the subject.

Kovind was speaking at the National Conference on Sociology of Sanitation where Modi’s message was also read out. The former president lauded PM’s nationwide campaign for building toilets and igniting the mind of the masses towards sanitation.

BJP in a video alleges rampant corruption under the UPA government

DEVE GOWDA ON OPPN UNITY AHEAD OF 2024 POLLS

Congress supporters protest in front of the statue of BR Ambedkar against the disqualification of party leader Rahul Gandhi as an MP, in Bhubaneswar on Sunday. —PHOTO BY ANI

‘Barring Modi, no other PM has spoken about building toilets’

Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh addressing a congregation of First-time Voters at Hasanpur Assembly constituency, Amroha district, Uttar Pradesh on Sunday.

PM Narendra Modi Kapil Sibal

How was personal data of 67 cr people stolen: Cong asks Centre

Cong leader Jairam Ramesh questions Centre after Cyberabad police busts “biggest” cyber theft

New Delhi (ANI): Congress leader Jairam Ramesh on Sunday questioned the Centre after the Cyberabad Police in connection with the "biggest" cyber theft arrested one person over procuring and selling personal and confidential data of 66.9 crore people & organisations.

On Saturday, the Cyberabad Police arrested one person over procuring and selling personal and confidential data of 66.9 crore people and organisations in 104 categories across 24 states and eight metropolitan cities of the country.

Taking to Twitter, the Congress leader raised several questions and shared a news report.

He asked, "How and why was the personal information of 67 crore people in India stolen?

Who stole the data of

the army and how?"

He added, "This is an attack on the privacy and security of Indians and we do not accept it at all. The government should immediately clarify this matter."

(roughly translated

CRUCIAL READ

BUS WITH 22 ONBOARD FALLS INTO DITCH IN UTTARAKHAND

Dehradun: As many as 22 people, including the bus driver, were injured when a bus fell into a ditch on the Mussoorie-Dehradun road Sunday, said police.

“With the help of Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), all the injured have been rescued and admitted to the hospital for treatment,” according to Mussoorie police.The condition of three passengers is serious, said police. Further details are awaited.

from Hindi)

On Saturday, Cyberabad police tweeted, "Cyberabad police busted a data theft gang who has been involved in the theft, procurement, holding, and selling of personal and confidential

GANGSTER

Prayagraj: The Special Task Force (STF) arrested gangster Atiq Ahmed’s brother-in-law, Akhlaq, from Meerut, as per the police sources. Akhlaq was arrested for allegedly harbouring shooters and helping them escape after the crime. He is a resident of the Nauchandi area in Uttar Pradesh’s Meerut.As per police sources, after murdering Umesh Pal, the shooter and Asad, Atiq Ahmed’s son, absconded with the help of Akhlaq.

4 INDIANS AMONG 8 DEAD AS THEY ATTEMPTED TO ENTER US ILLEGALLY FROM CANADA

Toronto (PTI): Canadian police have named two of the eight people, including four Indians, whose bodies were found in a marshland area along the US-Canada border, amid an investigation into the circumstances of their deaths. Bodies of eight persons were recovered last week from the marsh on the riverbank near Akwesasne, a community which straddles Quebec, Ontario and New York state. Police say the deceased — believed to be two families of Indian and Romanian descent — were trying to cross into the US from Canada.

MAN KILLED IN TIGER ATTACK IN MADHYA PRADESH RESERVE

New Delhi: A 22-year-old man was mauled to death by a tiger in a buffer zone of the Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve in Madhya Pradesh’s Umaria district, an official said on Sunday. The incident took place between 8 pm and 9 pm on Saturday at Kumbhai village in Manpur buffer zone of the reserve, police said. The victim, identified as Anuj Baiga, had gone out near Chamkui drain when the tiger, apparently hiding in the bushes nearby, attacked him, the official said.

New Delhi: A PhD student of the Indian Institute of Technology, Madras, died by suicide in his room in Tamil Nadu’s Velachery, police said on Sunday. This is the third incident of suicide reported from IIT Madras this year and the 11th case since 2018. “On March 31, the deceased student posted a WhatsApp status ‘I am sorry not good Enough’. Seeing the status, his friends reached his home and found Sachin hanging in his room,” police said.

Suraj takes charge as new Chief of Personnel of Navy

NOTICES TO 11 ORGANISATIONS

New Delhi (PTI): The Cyberabad Police has issued notices to as many as 11 organisations, including three banks, a social media giant and an Information Technology services company, asking their representatives to appear before it in connection with a breach of data of 66.9 crore persons across the country, a senior police official said on Sunday.

New Delhi (ANI): Vice Admiral Suraj Berry on Sunday took over as the new Chief of Personnel of the Indian Navy, according to an official statement.

He succeeded Vice Admiral Satish Kumar Namdeo Ghormade who superannuated after more than 39 years of service to the Navy on Friday.

data of 66.9 cr individuals and organizations across 24 states and eight metropolitan cities."

The Cyberabad added, "the accused has been found to possess data from various sources, including Byjus, Vedan-

tu, cab users, GST, RTO, Amazon, Netflix, Paytm, Phonepe etc. The accused was operating through a website called 'InspireWebz' based in Faridabad, Haryana, and was selling the database to clients."

Assam govt to ‘examine’ misuse of funds during ex-Prez’s visit

Guwahati (PTI): The Assam government on Sunday said it has directed an additional chief secretary to "examine" the alleged diversion of funds under tiger conservation and other projects to the visit of former President Ram Nath Kovind and his family to Kaziranga National Park.

Environment and Forest Minister Chandra Mohan Patowary said the additional chief secretary of the forest and environment department Ravi Shankar Prasad has been directed to look after the allegation following a reply to a social activist under the Right to Information Act.

"We have asked Prasad to examine the entire issue. He is currently examining if funds allocated to tiger projects and other conservation efforts were diverted and misused during the visit of the former President to Kaziranga National Park," he said.

Patowary, however, declined to share fur-

VAdm Berry was commissioned on January 1, 1987, and is a specialist in Gunnery and Missile Warfare. His Sea commands include the missile vessel INS Nirbhik, missile corvette INS Karmuk, stealth frigate INS Talwar, and the aircraft carrier INS Vikramaditya of which he was the commissioning Commanding Officer, the statement said. His Staff and Operational appoint -

Not hard but impossible for SP to defeat BJP: Mayawati

Vice Admiral Suraj Berry appointed new Chief of Personnel of Indian Navy, on Sunday. —PHOTO BY ANI

ments include those as the Operations Officer of the Mobile Missile Coastal Battery, Fleet Gunnery Officer of the Western Fleet, Defence Adviser to the Indian High Commissioner of Sri Lanka and Maldives, Director at the Directorate of Staff Requirements and Naval Assistant to the Chief of Naval Staff and Principal Direc -

Suraj Berry was commissioned on January 1, 1987. His Sea commands include the missile vessel INS Nirbhik, missile corvette INS Karmuk, and the aircraft carrier INS Vikramaditya of which he was the commissioning Commanding Officer.

—Official statement

tor Strategy, Concepts and Transformation at the Naval Headquarters, the statement said. VAdm Berry was awarded the Vishisht Seva Medal (Meritorious Service Medal) in 2006 for services during the Tsunami Relief operations in Sri Lanka/ Maldives and the Nau Sena Medal (Navy Medal) in 2015 for devotion to duty.

Punjab CM asks MLAs to expedite crop loss relief

ther details and said other information will be shared once Prasad gives his opinion. Meanwhile, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (PCCF) M K Yadava, who is also the Head of Forest Force (HoFF) Assam, was relieved from his additional charge of Chief Wildlife Warden with immediate effect.

❍ FOR WORK ON GROUND WATER CONSERVATION

Lucknow (PTI): Ahead of the UP urban local body polls, Bahujan Samaj Party chief Mayawati on Sunday launched a scathing attack on the Samajwadi Party and asked her party workers to remain cautious about the propaganda that its support among Dalits was weakening. Having been deceived repeatedly, people have now realised that it is “not difficult but impossible” for the SP to defeat the BJP, she charged.

“To defeat BJP, BSP is necessary,” she asserted. It was decided in the meeting that BSP will go it alone in the urban local body polls.

Vice Prez Dhankhar’s wife awarded PhD

New Delhi (PTI): Vice President Jagdeep

Dhankhar's wife Sudesh

Dhankhar was on Sunday awarded a PhD in Economics for her work on sustainable development & ground water conservation in Jhunjhunu district of Rajasthan. The doctorate degree on "Sustainable Development - Assessment of Sustainability of Groundwater Re-

source and Irrigated Agriculture in Jhunjhunu District, Rajasthan" was awarded to Sudesh Dhankhar at a convocation ceremony at the Banasthali Vidhyapith.

The degree was handed over by Rajasthan Governor Kalraj Mishra. She enrolled for PhD at the Banasthali Vidyapith in September, 2013, and completed it on March 14, 2022.

REVOLUTIONISING INDIA’S TOURISM INDUSTRY

Punjab Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MLA Devinder Dhos visited the villages of Dharamkot (Amiwala, Sangalan, Bizapur, Manjhali, Sherpur Tayamba) to take stock of the crops damaged by the rains with the administration, on Sunday. —PHOTO BY ANI

New Delhi: To ensure compensation for crop loss to farmers before the festival of Baisakhi, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann Sunday asked MLAs and officers to increase their field visits to and redress the problems of farmers.

“The MLAs should meet the farmers and listen to their grievances; likewise, the officers should ensure that the special girdawari (crop loss inspection) is completed soon so we can disburse the compensation before Baisakhi,” said the chief minister.

Expressing solidarity with the farmers who lost their crops due to incessant rain and hailstorm, Mann said the government is with the food growers in this hour of crisis. He said

Punjab CM Mann also said that the govt is with the food growers in this hour of crisis

that loss worth every penny would be compensated, and no stone will be left unturned.

Mann said that he was aware of the agony faced by the farming community due to the whopping loss suffered by them on account of inclement weather conditions.

The CM said he was personally monitoring the entire drive daily to ensure that the affected farmers are compensated most transparently and expeditiously.

G20 meet will help India maximise its potential in tourism: Reddy

lll

Speaking on the 2nd day of the meeting, Reddy said that the vision of the conference is to project domestic tourism in mission mode

New Delhi (PTI): The second G20 Tourism Working Group meeting is focused on projecting domestic tourism in mission mode and will help India maximise its potential in the sector, Tourism Minister G Kishan Reddy said on Sunday. The meeting, being held in Darjeeling and Siliguri in West Bengal from April 1 to 3, is being attended by more

than 130 participants, including delegates of G20 members, invitee countries and international organisations, industry partners, state tourism officials and local tour operators.

Reddy said the vision of the conference is to project domestic tourism in mission mode. “It will also make India maximise its potential in the tourism sector,” he said. The Union Min-

istry of Tourism has also formulated a comprehensive tourism policy with holistic flavour for a sustainable and responsible growth of the tourism sector in the country,” he stated.

Welcoming the delegates to Siliguri, Union Minister of State for Minority Affairs John Barla said West Bengal is the land from where India got its national anthem. “West Bengal is a

favourite destination for tourists from not only India but across the world as well and hence infrastructure development and promotion of tourism are going on in tandem to draw more globetrotters to this part of the country,” he said.

The day started with a yoga session organised by the Ministry of AYUSH for the delegates from G20 member countries.

The Cyberabad Police said they arrested a person who was allegedly involved in stealing, holding and selling personal and confidential data of 66.9 crore individuals and organisations.

ATIQ AHMED'S RELATIVE ARRESTED IN UP

IIT-MADRAS STUDENT DIES BY SUICIDE, THIRD CASE THIS YEAR

Ram Nath Kovind, accompanied by family, was on a three-day tour to Assam on February 2022. —FILE PHOTO

Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar and wife Sudesh Dhankhar

‘

Students of Raj thank CM for decisions taken for youth

CM Ashok Gehlot flagging off the ‘Ahimsa Run’ in Jaipur on Sunday. MLA Rafeek Khan, Nitin Jain, Vimal Singhvi, Saloni Jain and thousands of

Dinesh Tiwari

Jaipur: Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot said on Sunday that a family, society and state that walks on the path of non-violence and peace moves forward. Flagging off an ‘Ahimsa Run’ here from the Shri Mahavir Jain Digambar school, he said the ideals of non-violence, peace and truth propounded by Lord Mahavir and Mahatma Gandhi are relevant even today.

“We should take a vow of non-violence in life. The Rajasthan government is also working in the direction of public welfare with the same commitment. Ra-

jasthan is the only state in the whole country, where the department of non-violence and peace has been created,” he said.

The run was organised by the Jain International Trade Organization (JITO). The

JITO, through its ladies’ wing, has organised the IIFL JITO Ahimsa Run across 70 locations in India.

“We should take a vow of non-violence in life by participating in activities like marathon,” he said. Gehlot

said that this initiative of Jain International Trade Organization and Ladies Wing will inspire the youth. He also released the poster of ‘JITO Connect 2023’ proposed in October.

Ex-cricketer Salim Durrani no more, CM pays tribute

First India Bureau

Jaipur: Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot on Sunday approved a proposal to set up three new medical colleges in Pratapgarh, Jalore and Rajsamand. As per an official statement, each medical college will be constructed at the cost of Rs 250 crores.

“The state government is working towards strengthening basic medical services and providing better medical facilities to the general public,” Gehlot said. Rs 75 crore would be spent for necessary equipment, furniture

and books in these colleges. With this decision, the health infrastructure in the state will be strengthened.

“Students will not have to go far to study

medicine,” Chief Minister said. During the budget, the Govt announced to set up 3 new medical colleges in Pratapgarh, Jalore and Rajsamand.

First India Bureau Jaipur: Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot expressed deep sorrow over the demise of former Arjuna Awardee veteran cricketer Salim Durrani. In his condolence message, the CM said that his demise has caused an irreparable loss to the cricket world and Rajasthan. His contribution to Rajasthan and Indian cricket will always be remembered. Gehlot said that Durrani made the Indian cricket team win many matches with his talent. He had a special attachment to Rajasthan. He has played Ranji matches for Rajasthan from the year 1956-1978.

Jaipur Chapter Nitin Jain, Convener of JITO Connect Vimal Singhvi and Women Chief Patron Jaipur Saloni Jain along with other office bearers, organizers and thousands of runners were present on the occasion on Sunday.

First India Bureau Jaipur: A delegation of students from different regions of the state met Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot at the Chief Minister’s residence on Sunday. The students thanked Gehlot for the decisions taken in the interest of youth and students.

“The youth is the future of the country and the state government is working with determination for the youth and students. Education is one of the main priorities of the state government. Quality human resources develops in the society only through good education,” Gehlot said. Gehlot said that the State Government has made provision for free preparation of competitive examinations for 30,000 students under the Anuprati Coaching Scheme.

GEHLOT IN SURAT TODAY FOR ONE DAY TOUR

Nehru Youth Transit Hostel and Facilitation Centre is being constructed for the students preparing for competitive exams while staying in Delhi. Medical colleges, nursing colleges and ITIs are being constructed in every district. Mahatma Gandhi Institute of Governance and Social

hief Minister Ashok Gehlot will be visiting Surat onSciences is being built on the lines of Tata Institute of Social Sciences. A provision has been made for a scholarship of Rs 20 thousand per month for three years for research scholars in the state. A budget of Rs 50 crore has been allocated for the development of various facilities in Raj University.

First India Bureau Jaipur/ Sri Ganganagar: Protests intensified across several parts of Rajasthan with people climbing water tanks and picketing at bus stands demanding declaration of districts. Seven student leaders under the leadership of former student union prezRa-

mu Chhimpa, climbed a water tank in Suratgarh demanding formation of a district. Despite persuasion from the police and admin, the student leader did not get down.

Police, ambulance and fire brigade have been deployed on the spot. Pooja Chhabra, president of the liquor ban movement, is on fast

for last 13 days demanding creation of a district.

Senior Cong leaders Balram Verma and Umesh Mudgal are also on fast for last 11 days. Meanwhile, three BJP councillors, Rohit Arora, Vipin Sharma and Manmohan Sen, protested by climbing on a water tank demanding that Chhabra be made a district.

SUJANGARH MLA PUTS DEMAND OF NEW DIST

MINES ‘MAGIC’ lll

Mines Department creates record by earning all time high revenue of `7,211 cr in FY-2022-23

This has been result of transparent functioning, effective monitoring, team spirit of the state govt, says Mine Min Bhaya

Nirmal Tiwari

: The Mines department has made an all-time record in revenue generation by collecting Rs 7211.69 crore in the financial year ended March 31. This is 816 crore more than the last

sult of transparent functioning, effective monitoring, team spirit and coordinated efforts of the state government. He also congratulated

ACS Dr. Subodh Agarwal, Director Sandesh Nayak and other officers and personnel for setting the all-time record of revenue generation. Agarwal said that in order to effectively curb the wastage of revenue, the department has taken action to stop illegal mining, transportation and storage, while e-auction of minor and major minerals has also created a new record to encourage legal mining.

First India Bureau

Monday. He will leave from Jaipur at 11 am and will participate in local programs at Surat. CM Gehlot will return to Jaipur on Monday evening at 5 pm. I n Sujangarh, the Janhit Sangharsh Morcha has been protesting for 16 days. They picketed at the bus stand and had earlier blocked roads for their demand. Sujangarh MLA Manoj Meghwal met CM Gehlot in CMR regarding the demand of making Sujla, Sujangarh, Ladnun, Bidasar and Ratangarh as districts. Delegation of students from various regions of Rajasthan with CM Ashok Gehlot at CMR on Sunday. Pramod Jain Bhaya, Mines Min Dr Subodh Agarwal, ACS Mines Team of 2 IGs, 11 SPs and 7K cops in Udpr, Ajmer nab 4,255 criminals Students, councillors climb water tanks in Sgnr, Churu; Dudu people thank CM Poeple protest to make Suratgarh separate dist in Sri Ganganagr on Sunday. (Inset) 7 agitators climb water tank for more than 15 hrs. CM Gehlot addressing the students in CMR on Sunday. WCD Min Mamta Bhupesh, Disaster Management & Assistance Mini Govind Ram Meghwal, PWD Min Bhajanlal Jatav, Social Justice & Empowerment Min Tikaram Jully and NSUI State Prez Abhishek Chaudhary are also seen. A delegation led by Babulal Nagar thanked CM Ashok Gehlot at the CMR on Sunday for declaring Dudu as new district. Arrested criminals in custody of Ajmer Police on Sunday. New med colleges in Jalore, Pratapgarh, and Rajsamand 20 NEW POSTS TO COME UP IN MATHURADAS MATHUR HOSPITAL JODHPUR SOON C hief Minister Ashok Gehlot has approved the proposal for creation of 20 new posts in Mathuradas Mathur Hospital, Jodhpur. As per the proposal, the posts will include 3 Assistant Professor Cardiology, 2 Senior Resident, 4 Junior Resident, 1 Senior Nursing Officer, 4 Nursing Officer, 2 ECG technician, one each of ECHO Lab Technician and Junior A+ssistant, and 2 posts of Class IV employees. CM has Ashok Gehlot approved the proposal for creation of new posts in Mathuradas Mathur Hospital in view of the increasing workload. With this, better health services will be available. The workload on doctors and staff will be less, due to which departmental work can be done regularly and in a better way. Each medical college will be constructed at the cost of `250 crores: CM Gehlot DIFFERENT TALES OF FORMING NEW DISTRICTS

Jaipur: Under CM Gehlot’s zero tolerance policy towards criminals, a special campaign was conducted in Udaipur and Ajmer range on Sunday under the guidance of DGP Umesh Mishra and ADG Crime Dinesh MN. Police have arrested 4,255 miscreants by raiding 4,808 places in Ajmer and Udaipur.

DGP Mishra said that during the campaign action was taken against wanted criminals and

anti-social elements. All the proceedings were monitored by IG Ajmer Range Rupinder Singh and IG Udaipur Range Ajaypal Lamba.

Dinesh MN said that 474 teams of 3,077 police-

men raided 1,727 places in Ajmer range and arrested 2011 miscreants. Similarly, teams raided places in Bhilwara, Nagaur, Tonk, Chittor, Banswara, Dungarpur, and Pratapgarh districts.

Lord Mahavir, Mahatma Gandhi’s msg of non-violence still relevant’

runners were present

CM

Ashok Gehlot and office bearers of JITO launching the poster of ‘JITO CONNECT 2023’ during the marathon on Sunday. —PHOTOS BY MUKESH KIRADOO

l CM Gehlot: A family, society and state that walks on the path of non-violence and peace moves forward always l The run was organised by the Jain trade front JITO

Dhariwal flags off Ahimsa run in Kota on Mahavir Jayanti

Kota: UDH minister Shanti Dhariwal on Sunday flagged off Ahimsa Run in Kota on Sunday morning. Khadi board vice president Pankaj Mehta, collector OP Bunkar, IG Prashan Kumar were also present on the occasion. The 10-KM run was flagged off from Ummed club. The rally was organized to give the message of peace and non-violence in which people from all ages participated. On the other hand, an Ahimsa padyatra was also organized by the Jain community in the city on the eve of

Mahavir Jayanti.

There has been a considerable Om Birla impact on CP’s political grooming, says Dr Chandra

 But this development beckons another main question. Did Delhi mull upon Gajendra Singh Shekhawat’s name for State President?

Dr Jagdeesh Chandra:

It definitely happened. A fortnight back we had carried this news as well that his name is being considered with all seriousness. And I felt that it was so because Gajendra Singh Shekhawat has an old dream to become state president of BJP. We had carried the news and perhaps Madam saw this. It is rightly said that everyone in politics have equations, and in fact madam had given the ticket to Shekhawat after the patron of Shri Kshatriya Yuvak Sangh took him to meet Raje and seek the MP ticket from Jodhpur. Raje said that Shekhawat would have base in Shekhawati as Jodhpur region is dominated by Bhatis and Rathore Rajputs. But Rolsabsar gave his personal guarantee to get good result. So both Bhagwan Singh and Madam Raje kept their promise and Shekhawat won the election. Anyhow, equations keep changing with time in politics. What happened that day was that Madam took a stand that Shekhawat will not become state president and suddenly the appointment got stalled. For 66 days this game went on and this was a time when Raje was sitting CM. No one can dictate terms to Modi and Shah today, but that was a different situation and after 66 days, Madan Lal Saini became party president in Rajasthan. But I consider this to be a blessing in disguise as it benefitted Shekhawat in his political career because today Shekhawat is a potential CM candidate. So he was a candidate for state chief and had he become he may have felt elated too.

 It is said that Rajasthan BJP is divided into various groups. So is CP Joshi the consensus choice as state president?

Almost 99% it is so. This can be gathered from the fact that when he was appointed, it felt as if a chief minister has been appointed. I was surprised. I even told the reporters to check if he has been named as CM nominee?

I was told it was not so. The editor told me that he has been appointed

as state president only. I was surprised at the welcome accorded to him. Such was the eagerness to meet him, every central minister wanted to meet him, madam too was eager to him Joshi. All leaders like Rathore or be it Om Birla’s supporters, everyone was too eager to meet the new state chief and extend congratulations. So I was confused as to how come he is getting this overwhelming support? That is when I found out that since its election year, hence he is getting all the support. It was one of a kind development. So he is a consensus choice.

 Do you think CP Joshi is high command’s personal choice?

100 percent! Not just high command, I would say a consultation must have happened with Amit Shah regarding this, but he is the personal choice of Naren-

DrJagdeeshChandra,CEOandEditor-in-ChiefofBharat24-VisionofNewIndiaandFirstIndia;CMDFirst IndiaNews, lays bare the behind the curtain equations that led to GS Shekhawat being out of race for state chief, how CP Joshi has learnt to be a no nonsense worker, working behind the curtains on the mandate and how his ‘political upbringing’ happened in the offices of the Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla. Excerpts… (Part II)

dra Modi. I have heard that the day his name was announced for state chief, twelve hours prior to that PM met Joshi and within an hour of the announcement, he got an appointment with Modi, so he went and met Modi. Not many things stay hidden in politics. He is the personal choice of prime minister which means he will have a say in ticket distribution.

 But if the double engine government is formed in Rajasthan, will there be political and administrative coordination between union and state government?

Definitely. If Ashok Gehlot’s government does not get repeated and BJP comes to power, then two major changes will occur in Rajasthan. The behaviour and habit of

MLAs will get changed and they will become disciplined. No legislator will trouble bureaucracy in the field or create nuisance. As of now there are so many complaints against MLAs and fact is that Ashok Gehlot’s real challenge are his MLAs. If tickets of eighty percent legislators is cut, then Ashok Gehlot is an extremely strong contender for comeback. The compulsion that befell Gehlot camp due to Pilot camp, as a result of which Gehlot camp had to look the other way on MLAs’ activities, will come to an end. Political interference in administration will end immediately. Secondly the role of PMO will increase just like in Gujarat. All major projects will be discussed with PMO. Officials from Rajasthan will go there or officials may come here, as part of the natural movement of ad-

ministration in double engine government. The stalled schemes and projects of the government will be given a go. The GST amount has been stalled that will, obviously, be released. So if the double engine government gets formed, then all this and more will happen. So basically, there will be some cleaning in the field as regards the behaviour of MLAs and the coordination between CMO and PMO will increase and get better.

 What has been the social and political background of the ‘dark horse’ of Rajasthan BJP — CP Joshi?

He has been a grassroot worker. A son of the soil. He was born in a village in Chittorgarh, and it is seen that those who have reached heights in politics have come from the simple backgrounds. He studied in Chittor itself and in his college days, he reached up to the Vice presidency in NSUI. Later people convinced him that this was not his party and thus he entered BJP and Mukesh Dadhich, who is currently vice president, brought him to Yuva Morcha and Vidhyarthi Parishad. In 2010 he became district president and in

2013 assembly election, during his tenure, all five seats in Chittor fell in BJP’s kitty. So a person gets credit and then person’s luck also plays a role and in 2014 he became a MP and won by a good margin. Then he became MP again in 2019 and as MP he used to go to Lok Sabha and started meeting the Lok Sabha Speaker OM Birla, who is also known as the pandit of politics. SO there he started gathering ‘gyan’ and learnt a lot. A lot many people told me that whenever they went to meet Birla, CP Joshi would always be there in the room. When he was appointed as state chief, I spoke to Birla ji about it and he said that he is away from all the politics. Obviously, as Lok Sabha Speaker his conduct has to be apolitical. But there is no denying the fact that Joshi must have learnt a lot from Birla. So all in all Joshi is a simple man who moved ahead with the support of friends and hard work and ultimately Modi-Shah finally noticed him and he was uplifted.

 2023 assembly election is a major challenge for BJP. What role do you see CP Joshi playing in this election?

CP Joshi does not fit in

the public perception of a burly warrior who rides out to battle on his steed. Rather Joshi is one who directs such warriors and facilitates them to win the battle.

He believes in collective leadership and thus he is not the ‘yoddha’ who fights using a sword but one who believes in collective leadership.

 Joshi is known to be a silent worker who goes about doing the job for the party.

But when he recently met Amit Shah, there was a certain confidence in him. How do you see that? This is the confidence and self respect of a worker. Secondly, he met Amit Shah and in turn Amit Shah smiled.

There are two rare occurrences in this nation: first is Narendra Modi meeting someone with a smile and second is Amit Shah meeting someone with a smile. I saw the picture and realised Amit Shah is smiling more than Joshi, so Joshi’s life is on the seventh heaven, in today’s situation. Hence his body language was also such due to confidence and frankly, I quiet liked that picture.

 What was the reason for the immense crowd on the swearing in of CP Joshi? Was it a display of disgruntlement of senior leaders against Satish Poonia, or was it CP Joshi’s popularity?

I think all aspects are touched in this issue. But perhaps the biggest of them was that elections are round the corner and thus the workers wanted to show their face to the party

chief. There re 5-7 candidates always eyeing any given seat. These people, if they get a hundred people with them to mark their presence and hope that the new president notices, then a lot of people get assembled. These leaders also know that no one can say for sure whose final word will be considered for ticket distribution hence they reach to please all relevant. You were right in saying that people had resentment towards Poonia and obviously Joshi is popular hence the crowd. So overall it was a combination was various factors. Also, I will add one more thing. A lot of people may have thought on these lines, and perhaps may have been thinking still, that perhaps he too may become Chief Minister one day. I am also one of those who think so. Hence when the crowd assembled, there were people who thought that he is the potential CM candidate.

 CP Joshi appeared sensitive towards not getting slogans raised for him or getting his posters installed and appears to be, generally, extra cautious. Why do you think that is?

Its reason is that his political upbringing has been in Lok Sabha Speaker’s office. Om Birla stays away from publicity and he always ensures that his name is not taken anywhere. He does not have that attraction for publicity.

Perhaps Joshi may have picked this habit from some place else as well, but main contributor in this is Om Birla since he was under Birla’s tutelage. So he has real-

ised that it is better to stay behind the curtains. As far as putting up posters are concerned, look at Satish Poonia and the type of posters that were put up. So Joshi said he doesnt want that limelight. His political wisdom came forth when he asked not to put up faces of leaders rather highlight the union government’s scheme on posters and the beneficiaries of these schemes along with PM. So he has understood one thing in his life that he has reached where he has in life due to Narendra Modi, Amit Shah and JP Nadda and so he should stay on that one line and he does not want to sway away from it. So that’s the point with him.

 But the official posters at BJP office in Jaipur have CP Joshi and Vasundhara Raje. What does this mean?

This means that it is an attempt to hand back the alleged lost honour of Vasundhara Raje. She is also being made to realise that she is with one with the high command and that she has all the honour and her seniority is respected. This is also move to make her understand to stay with the main stream of the party and to walk hand in hand with the new president and to bless him as a senior leader. This is party’s strategic move which may have hurt several local leaders. But this is the high command’s decision. So this is a positive step to take everyone along.

Dr Jagdeesh Chandra in interaction with (L) Poornima Mishra, Aditi Nagar, Surbhi, Tripti Gautam, and Aishwary Pradhan during The New JC Show. —PHOTOS BY MUKESH KIRADOO

Dr Jagdeesh Chandra during The New JC Show.

City First highlights some glimpses of designer Khushi Chauhan’s collection showcased at the Jaipur Couture Show, held at The Palace from March 13 to March 15!

MAGIC OF BEAUTIFUL GALA

plaining her collection, the designer said, “We have revolutionized the bridal arena with glamorous looks, Indian and contemporary silhouettes, and craftsmanship.”

The three-day Jaipur Couture Show, presented by First India and Bharat24-Vision of New India, was organised at The Palace on Ajmer Highway from March 13 to March 15.

Jagdeesh Chandra graced the occasion as the chief guest and appreciated the designer, Khushi Chauhan, for her gorgeous collection. While ex-

Couturier Khushi Chauhan has been showcasing her collection on national and international runways for more than 5 years now. Having revolutionized the bridal arena with her glamorous looks, Indian and contemporary silhouettes, and craftsmanship, Khushi has slowly carved a niche for herself.

Her global design sensibility is a perfect marriage between exquisite embroidery and nouveau texturizing techniques, which are traditionally rooted, all of these are in different traditional patterns.

Class couture has achieved unparalleled success. Not only has she brought out the best of Uttarakhand tradition and techniques with master craftsmen from across the country.

The collection “Beautiful Gala represents the designer’s takeaways from her insightful expeditions, which have put Indian contemporary and traditional patterns on the global map. The spectacular show had the gorgeous Zoya Afroz as the showstopper in an embroidered red lehenga.

UTTKARSHA SHEKHAR uttkarsha.shekhar@firstindia.co.in

Showstopper Zoya Afroz during the ramp walk

(L-R) Shrishti Khatri, Ritu Sharma, Aarzoo Choudhary and Simran

Designer Khushi Chouhan with (L-R) Varunavi, Neelanjana, Tanu, Simran, Mahima, Showstopper Joya Afroz and Shrishti with others

YOUR DAY

by Saurabbh Sachdeva

Aries

MARCH 21 - APRIL 20

You are very generous by nature and also you are the backbone of your family. Today is a favourable day for business. You may postpone your study plans. You are very fortunate to have a great friend circle. Be careful of the words that come out of your mouth.

Gemini

MAY 21 - JUNE 21

Your spouse may make you spend more than you expected. Fantastic day for investing money in stock market as you can make fortune. You need help on academic front and you should not shy away from asking. You miss your parents a lot and fear to loose them.

Leo

JULY 24 - AUGUST 23

You love to live close to your family. Best day to buy gold and silver or any precious metal for investment sake. 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. Video gathering is possible as you miss your social circle.

Libra

SEPTEMBER 24 - OCTOBER 22

Visit a doctor if you have any doubts about your health. Don’t attack stress even if you don’t have any.

Let go of things that are not in your control. You want to have your own house and you will work hard to make your dream come true. Health remains perfect.

Sagittarius

NOVEMBER 23 - DECEMBER 22

Your spouse is someone who can do anything for your happiness. You are opportunist and this will make you successful one day. There may be delays in property possession and it won’t effect you. You are happy spending whole day at home.

Aquarius

JANUARY 21 - FEBRUARY 19

You will feel amorous towards your wife. This is the best time try something new with life give yourself a new purpose. Work on your limitations, there can be no better time than this. You have more opposite sex friends and you may be judged sometimes.

FATTY LIVER DISEASE A Growing Health Problem in India

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the leading cause of liver dysfunction worldwide and is a rapidly growing health problem in regions such as the Middle East, the Far East, Africa, the Caribbean, and Latin America. some of the developing countries like India.

Taurus

APRIL 21 - MAY 20

You need a break from day to tensions and the way to cope up with stress is to meditate. You must create an environment of understanding at home. You will succeed in any sort of examination if you put your heart and soul to it. Promotion can be expected even if other are not.

Cancer

JUNE 22 - JULY 23

You care about you lover but somehow hesitate in expressing that care. Don’t make friends for money and status rather make friends who will stick with you forever. On social front, you may have to spend some extra money in buying gifts for someone for some specific occasion.

Virgo

AUGUST 24 - SEPTEMBER 23

You are a pro in your field and none can beat you. You give tough competition to people. Many people get inspired by you. You will get special treatment from your dear ones. Take stand where you need to, don’t run in the same direction where everybody else is going.

Scorpio

OCTOBER 23 - NOVEMBER 22

You make sure to make things work your way. Never demotivate someone even if someone is not capable of doing something. 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.

Capricorn

DECEMBER 23 - JANUARY 20

Scrumptious food is what you are craving for today. You always maintain cordial relationship with everyone. You workout daily to keep yourself fit. You may start a side business to earn extra money. You are not a jealous kind and you feel happy for others.

Pisces

FEBRUARY 20 - MARCH 20

Spend time talking with likeminded people as it will make you feel good for now.

Boisterous behaviour is what everyone needs right now, do whatever you can do to cheer everyone up. You will feel financially comfortable. Your personality will attract many eligible bachelors.

NAFLD ranges from benign accumulation of fat droplets within liver cells (“steatosis”) to an inflammatory state causing fibrosis of the liver (Non-Alcoholic Steatohepatitis, or NASH) to endstage liver cirrhosis. In NAFLD the excess fat accumulation is in the form of excess triglycerides in the liver and they occupy more than 5% of liver cells called hepatocytes. This means that the fat forms 5% of the weight of the liver. Normally there is hardly any fat present in the liver.

In NASH there is an injury to liver cells due to the fat and this causes inflammation and fibrosis as stated earlier. Aside from the risk of liver failure, there is also an increased risk of developing liver cancer (hepatocellular carcinoma or HCC) with NASH.

Within the next five years, NASH cirrhosis will surpass Hepatitis C Virus cirrhosis as the leading indication for liver transplant in Western countries. In 2008 there were at least 1.46 billion adults who were overweight or obese and another 170 million children who were obese and this number seems to be on the rise. Currently, there seems to be a worldwide epidemic of diabetes and obesity. All this together contributes to the rising fatty liver problem. The incidence of NAFLD among the Indian population is estimated to be as high as 32%.

CAUSES OF NON-ALCOHOLIC

FATTY LIVER DISEASE (NAFLD)

The two main causes of NAFLD are poor diet and a sedentary lifestyle.

NAFLD goes hand in hand with obesity and diabetes and is therefore a component of the Metabolic Syndrome, which consists of 3 or more of the following: obesity, hypertension, elevated fasting blood glucose, hypertriglyceridemia or low highdensity lipoprotein levels.

Indians and NAFLD A recent study by Kalra and colleagues reported that among Indians with Type II Diabetes Mellitus, 56.5% also have NAFLD.

There are also genetic factors predisposing to NAFLD. For instance, simple steatosis is highly prevalent in the Indian population, even in people who are not overweight, are not diabetic, and don’t drink alcohol. So the unfortunate combination of a genetic predisposition, lack of exercise, and a diet rich in ghee, sugar, and oils, all conspire to make NAFLD a major health problem in India.

Other causes of fat accumulation within liver cells are excessive alcohol intake, many drugs (particularly chemotherapeutic agents and certain antiviral medications), pregnancy, and chemicals such as carbon tetrachloride. The term NAFLD is used to distinguish fatty liver disease caused by Metabolic Syndrome from these other causes. A fatty liver is reversible in its

early stages if the offending causes are curtailed or ceased, but the continued injury can ultimately cause progression to NASH, cirrhosis, and liver cancer.

SYMPTOMS OF NAFLD & NASH

NAFLD and NASH are asymptomatic in their early stages. As the disease progresses, fatigue, malaise, and right upper quadrant pain are the earliest symptoms. As NASH progresses to liver cirrhosis, classic symptoms of liver insufficiency can occur swelling of the legs and abdomen, confusion, muscle wasting, etc. Symptoms associated with the Metabolic Syndrome (obesity, diabetes, hypertension, and hyperlipidemia) such as frequent urination, excessive thirst, and headache, should alert treating physicians to the possibility of underlying, asymptomatic fatty liver disease.

DIAGNOSIS OF NAFLD & NASH

LIVER FUNCTION TESTS: Simple liver function tests, such as AST, ALT, INR, and GGT, can be slightly elevated in early NASH, but they are nonspecific in determining the severity of the disease.

ULTRASOUND: New multiparametric ultrasound techniques are emerging that can quantify fibrosis, steatosis, and possibly inflammation. This would be a perfect non-invasive way to diag-

nose and monitor these patients and would be useful even for nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH).

CT SCAN & MRI: Imaging tests such as ultrasound, CAT scan, and MRI can diagnose later-stage NAFLD, but they are insensitive in detecting early disease. Combining these imaging techniques with other modalities such as elastography can improve sensitivity and there is active research promising that these procedures will soon be available.

FIBRO SCAN: Proprietary tests such as FibroTest (trademark) have been shown to be more sensitive and specific, but they are not routinely used due to expense.

LIVER BIOPSY: The gold standard for diagnosing NAFLD is liver biopsy, but this procedure is invasive, painful, and carries risks of complications such as internal bleeding. So, doctors are reluctant to order a liver biopsy unless absolutely necessary.

TREATMENT FOR NAFLD

The primary treatment for NAFLD is lifestyle modification. Eating a balanced diet, eating less, and increasing one's physical activity all promote weight loss and improve or prevent diabetes and fatty liver. In severe cases of obesity, surgical or minimally invasive weight loss procedures may be considered, such as gastric by-

pass surgery (open, laparoscopic, or robotic) or endoscopy. Basic research points to potential medical therapies that treat NAFLD, for example, the diabetes drug Metformin and inhibitors of the endocannabinoid pathway, but no human clinical trials exist as of yet that show efficacy. There is some evidence that treating diseases concomitant with NAFLD, such as diabetes and hyperlipidemia, can improve NAFLD and possibly prevent the progression of liver disease.

RECENT ADVANCES IN THE TREATMENT OF NAFLD SAROGLITAZAR: It is a welltolerated drug and effective with no new onset decompensation in compensated cirrhosis patients with approximately 23% reduction in 'Liver Stiffnes'at one year compared with baseline.

LIRAGLUTIDE: This drug has the potential to cure Type 2 diabetes with NAFLD.

Pegozafermin: It is another drug in early trials that shows it is well tolerated and can reduce liver fat, improve liver function, and increase circulating lipids.

TROPIFEXOR: Treatment helped improve liver function However it can cause pruritus. VITAMIN D: It may play a role in NAFLD prevention among Europeans.

SOURCE: https://www.medindia.net/patients/patientinfo/fatty-liver-disease.htm

Horoscope

DR CHRISTOPHER T. BARRY MD, PhD, FACS (USA)

GLOBAL CELEBS GRACE NMACC OPENING

The who's who of the arts and entertainment world, both Indian and international, gathered for the grand inauguration of the Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Centre (NMACC) at the Jio World Gardens, Bandra-Kurla Complex, Mumbai, on Friday evening. The Ambani family was in full attendance at the opening of Nita Ambani's dream cultural project. Mukesh Ambani arrived with his daughter Esha and her father-inlaw, Dilip Piramal, while Akash Ambani came with his wife Shloka Mehta and Anant Ambani with fiancee Radhika Merchant. And then the red carpet saw a procession of celebrities, from 'Citadel' star Priyanka Chopra and her husband Nick Jonas, who had landed in Mumbai on Friday afternoon, along with their daughter Malti Marie, and cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar (with wife Anjali and daughter Sara), to Bollywood's Great Khans -- Shah Rukh (with wife Gauri, Aaryan and Suhana), Salman, Aamir (dressed down in casual kurta and blue jeans, and with his many children). The A-plus list included 'Thalaivar' Rajinikanth, who came in tees, jeans and sandals, Uddhav, Rashmi and Aditya Thackeray, celebrated sculptor Jeff Coons, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan and daughter Aaradhya, 'Never Have I Ever' star Poorna Jagannathan, and the American supermodel Gigi Hadid. Giving them competition in getting paparazzi attention were Saif Ali Khan and Kareena (striking in red), Ranveer Singh and Deepika (looking lovingly into each other's eyes for the cameras), Alia Bhatt (with Mahesh Bhatt and Soni Razdan), Shahid Kapoor and Mira Rajput, Sidharth Malhotra and Kiara Advani, Ektaa Kapoor with father Jeetendra and brother Tusshar, Varun Dhawan, Kriti Sanon and Sonam Kapoor.

Rihanna's baby boy

he Umbrella hitmaker keeps on treating her fans and followers to glimpses of her personal and professional lives. Speaking of which, earlier today Rihanna took to her Instagram space yet again and shared a new video of her adorable son. In the video, the 35-year-old can be seen holding her baby in her lap, as the little one smiles and coos.

We also get a sneak peek of Rihanna’s baby bump. The pop titan then says “Please?” Sharing

this video, she captioned the video, “Look who don’t want mommy to work out (shrugging emoji)”. As soon as the Super Bowl performer shared the video, it was flooded with likes and comments from

fans and followers. In February this year, Rihanna revealed that she is pregnant for the second time during her performance at the Super Bowl Halftime Show performance. Recently, the 35-year-old pop titan took to the story feature on Instagram and shared two new pictures. In the photos, one can see Rihanna getting food at the drive-through, as she placed a plate of spaghetti on her lap, while seated inside the car. She also captured her baby bump in the picture. While in the first photo, she used the caption ‘drive-true’, in the second snapshot, she added an emoji of a pregnant lady.

BEAUTIFUL SURPRISE!

BTS member Jin dropped two back-to-back posts on his In-

Jin seated in the corner of a room. Jin gave his latest post the most on-brand caption and

still handsome’. The posts were quick to get noticed by netizens and soon went vi-

comeback to his official SNS after almost a month. His last appearance on social media

Anoushka Shankar

Gigi Hadid Saba Azad and Hrithik Roshan

Vicky Kaushal Alia Bhatt

Emma Chamberlain

Zendaya, Priyanka Chopra and Nick Jonas

Khushi Kapoor, Suhana Khan, Aryan Khan and Janhvi Kapoor Shahid Kapoor, Mira Rajput Kapoor and Salman Khan

Her post...

Rihanna

BEAUTY IN HUSTLE-BUSTLE!

THE ENERGETIC PCL!

CITY FIRST

On the last day of the Punjabi Cricket League held at Suraj Maidan, Rajapark, Jaipur, on Sunday, Bhatia Super King overcame the hurdle of the semifinal match and managed to win the final by defeating Jhang Panther in the final match. Cricket league convenor Jani Makkad shared that after the match, a prize distribution ceremony was organised in which the winning team, Bhatia Super King, was given the main trophy and prize of 11000 and the second team was awarded 5100. The Best Man of the Series, Best Baller, and Best Bates Man were also given the

—PHOTOS BY SANTOSH SHARMA

prize. President of Swami Gangadas Satsang Sabha, Mahesh Popli, who started the Punjabi Cricket League said that

THE GRAND LAUNCH!

Sharma, and Kushi Vijay were seen flaunting for the cameras.

On being asked about the concept and the makeup, Manisha Pandel, Managing Director of Hashtag Blunt Salon, said, “Having spent 10 years in the cosmetics and beauty industries, makeup can only enhance your appearance

CAFE ORLEANS: A HISTORICAL ADDITION TO NARAIN NIWAS

CITY FIRST

The renowned heritage hotel of the Pink City, Narain Niwas has long been the preferred choice of both international and domestic travellers.

Bar Palladio and Shikaar Bagh are both beloved by foodies, offering tantalizing cocktails and mouth-watering dishes that are simply irresistible. Its shopping arcade is home to some of the most exclusive brands, offering a truly unique experience for both travellers and locals alike. General Amar Singh Kanota, a renowned food connoisseur and an important figure in the Kanota family, built Narain Niwas in 1928. Today,

his legacy lives on in the form of Cafe Orleans, a tribute to his love of travel and fine cuisine. To commemorate the 80th anniversary of his passing in 2022, Thakur Man Singh Kanota, a food connoisseur in his own right, put together Cafe Orleans as a way of honouring his grandfather’s memory.

During the First World War, General Amar

Singh Kanota served as a captain in the British Army and spent a month in Orleans, a city in France, awaiting deployment orders to the front lines. It was here that he was introduced to the rich culture of French cafes, Cafe Orleans stands as a testament to the enduring legacy of General Kanota and impact of French culture on the world at large.

if it is properly applied.” Most people don’t apply makeup properly, so all you see is makeup instead of a pretty face, so here we are showcasing nude makeup, which would last long and enhance the beauty without the feeling of being covered in layers of foundation and makeup. In the days to come,

more such conceptual shoots are planned, and the work would be showcased on the opening day of the salon and on other social platforms soon. The photography Team include Ajay Gupta, Nitin Vijayvargiya, Rahul Das, Aniket Shrivastava, Vikas Agarwal and Ganesh Meena.

DURING THE DAY!

For the successful organisation of the Ahir Janajagruti Sammelan to be held in Jaipur on April 16, OP Yadav (Rtd IAS) wished for the success of the conference by providing a check of Rs 51000 for organising the Ahir Janajagruti Sammelan.

the Punjabi society showed great enthusiasm towards the league, He further said that BJP leader Ashok Parnami, BJP Spokesperson Rakesh Pareek, VC of Mahatma Gandhi Hospital Sanjeev Sachdeva, former Principal Santosh Bajaj, and Vinod Gera from Saras Dairy also participated. All sponsors were honoured at the conclusion of the league.

The grand launch of Roseberry, a real vegetarian multi-cuisine restaurant, took place at Tonk Road, Jaipur on Sunday. The restaurant was opened by the husband-wife duo, whose aim was to excel in the F&B industry and prove their mettle. Roseberry is a fresh, real vegetarian multi-cuisine restaurant in Jaipur. The team at the restaurant has curated an innovative menu that promises to cater to new-age foodies as well as regular diners that look for authentic food with real flavours. Roseberry serves a wonderful variety of North Indian, Mexican, Italian, and Continental cuisines to tantalize the taste buds. —PHOTOS BY MUKESH KIRADOO

CELEBRATIONS!

In the series of Net Theat programs, classical singer Kaustubh Kanti Ganguly, who came from the UAE, pierced the notes of Raag Lalit Pancham with his melodious voice on Saturday. Net Theate’s Rajendra Sharma Raju told that artist Ganguly started his program with Lalit Pancham in three taals. These donated compositions were composed by Late Pandit Gyan Prakash Ghosh.

Students of Umang took over the streets of Shipra Path, Mansarovar on the eve of World Autism Awareness Day by marching with plaque cards carrying slogans like “AUTISMit’s just seeing the world from a different angle.”; “Look at Autism with your heart.” The march with the plaque cards made many bypassers stop, read and be curious. It definitely made heads turn and people to stop and reflect.

Bridging the Skill Gap, Beauty-Fully

CITY FIRST

The Beauty & Wellness Sector

Skill Council (B&WSSC) took a lead and conducted an end-to-end ‘Skill Gap Study’ for the beauty and wellness sector at a pan-India level, providing insights into the requirements of skilled workforce across the subsectors till 2030.

The Skill Gap Study was launched in an event titled “Bridging the Skill Gap, BeautyFully”, in the august presence of Cabinet Minister Narayan Rane, Ministry of MSME; Atul Kumar Tiwari, Secretary, MSDE, KK Dwivedi, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Skill Development & Entre-

preneurship. B&WSSC also felicitated 500 students who underwent skills training under the Up-Skilling and ReSkilling programs through a formal convocation program. The highlight of the event was the felicitation of “acid attack survivors” by Cabinet Minister Narayan Rane. In talking about this initiative, Narayan Rane said in his address that “it is a matter of pride to award skills training certificates to these incredible acid attack survivors who have accomplished their aspi -

rations and have fulfilled their dream to earn a respectable livelihood.” Their power lies in their undying determination to make lives beautiful around them.

This event also celebrated the success of trainees through a formal certificate distribution ceremony for various Govt. & CSR programs are undertaken by B&WSSC, like LinkedIn CSR, Google CSR, the Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) program of Skill India, and the Returnable Grant program.

of food to the needy, and a plantation program were organised in Ajmer district on Sunday.

On the auspicious occasion of Ramnavami, on Saturday, on behalf of Bharatiya Sanskriti Sansthan Charitable Trust, food offerings were distributed to girls and poor children in slums. Seema Sharma, director of the institute, said that the institute has been poor for the past years.

Cauldron sisters Ratika & Riccha were invited to have a Tiffin’s book reading session at Ananta World School. The parents of students in the school were invited to learn about easy and simple recipes for tiffin or breakfast. The Cauldron sisters talked about kitchen hacks, nutrition, and planning a meal. Ananta World School is known for its experiential learning. The three guiding pillars of their school are holistic learning and humanity.

—PHOTOS BY MUKESH KIRADOO

The birthday of Chairman of Rajasthan Tourism Development Corporation Dharmendra Singh Rathore was celebrated with enthusiasm in Ajmer district on Sunday. During the celebration, a large number of supporters welcomed him at various places and wished him a long life. On the occasion of the birthday of Corporation Chairman Rathore, a blood donation camp, distribution

Ashok Parnami and Rakesh Pareek with others during the PCL During the event

AGlimpse of the Salon Cafe

(L-R) Shweta, Shivangi, Himakshi and Kushi

(L-R) Kusum, Radha, Paarsh, Kamal, Mukesh and Neeta (L-R) Manila, Paarsh, Darsh and Bhavuk

Shivangi

Monica Bahl, Dr Blossom Kochhar, Gurpreet Seble, Atul Kumar Tiwari, Dr HR Nagendra, Dr IV Basavaraddi, Dr KK Dwivedi and Dr Vinita Agarwal with others