First India-Jaipur Edition-4th January 2023

WHEN SLOGANS ‘RAM’ POLITICAL IDEOLOGIES TO ‘MAR’ A SHOW…

Ashwini Vaishnaw, who was present on the dais, tried his best to control the BJP supporters and requested them to refrain from shouting slogans, but they refused to pay heed. CM refused to come on the dais. The railways minister was seen pleading to her again and again to get on the dais but she refused.

CM Banerjee even refused to deliver her speech on the occasion. However, following repeated requests from the Governor, CV Ananda Bose, she agreed to deliver the speech, which she did without getting on to the dais.

FLASHBACK

On January 23, 2021, on the occasion of celebrating the birthday of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose at Victoria Memorial Hall in Kolkata, the BJP supporters shouted slogans. PM Modi and other Union ministers were present on the occasion. Expressing her grievance over the incident, CM Banerjee said any govt programme should follow certain decorum. “It is unwise to insult any invited person at such a function. So, in protest I refuse to say anything here. Jai Hind. Jai Bangla,” she had said.

MORE CONTROVERSY?

IN-DEPTH

ULTRAS TRYING TO DERAIL GOVT’S NORMALISATION PLANS IN J&K

BJP Lok Sabha MP, Locket Chatterjee, said the Jai Shri Ram slogans were raised when the Prime Minister appeared online to inaugurate Vande Bharat Express. “The slogans were not raised to irritate the Chief Minister,” she said

What happened on January 23, 2021 at a Government of India programme, was “re-enacted” again on December 30, 2022 and again at a Government of India programme. The venue may be different but the dignitaries present at both occasions were same.

A controversy erupted at the inaugural ceremony of West Bengal’s first Vande Bharat Express on Friday morning as irked by ‘Jai Shri Ram’ slogans on her arrival, CM Mamata Banerjee refused to share dais. Instead, throughout programme, she sat on a chair adjacent to the dais. From here she expressed her condolences over demise of Heeraben, mother of PM Narendra Modi.

Going by the local BJP leaders and even by the Union Railway minister, that even if they tried to persuade the workers not to chant the slogans, they refused to stop. The matter, for the common man, for whom development “only” matters is really becoming a matter of concern. The com-

BOTTOM CONG UPBEAT ON DISSENTING ORDER

BJP DEMANDS NIA PROBE...

Stones were hurled at Newly-launched Vande Bharat Express, connecting Howrah to New Jalpaiguri near Malda station, WB. Hours after the incident, BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari took to Twitter to slam WB CM Mamata Banerjee linking it to ‘Jai Shree Ram’ chants incident that took place on the Inaugural day of the premium train. “Unfortunate & sickening. Stones pelted at India’s pride Vande Bharat Express in WB’s Malda district. Is this revenge for ‘Jai Shree Ram’ chants on the Inaugural day? I urge @PMOIndia & @RailMinIndia to handover the probe to @NIA_India & punish the perpetrators. @AshwiniVaishnaw,” BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari tweeted.

THE EARLIER ATTACKS...

On its third commercial run on February 20, 2019, stones were thrown at Vande Bharat Express breaking one of its window panes. The railways had said that was the third incident in the last two months. The first one took place in December, 2018 during the train’s trial run between Delhi and Agra with the second following earlier in February, 2019. The train was crossing Tundla junction in UP when stones were hurled at it. The RPF had started campaigns to stop such incidents across the areas where they were reported. Investigations established that most stone-throwers were young children.

mon man who actually wants to remain away from such sensitive issues today is in a fix. It is becoming such an issue that it encompasses everyone and whether you like it or not, the aam aadmi is coming under the ambit of such issues.

A RECAP

As soon as CM arrived at the inauguration venue at the Howrah Station on Friday morning, the BJP supporters present there raised ‘Jai Shri Ram’ slogans.

Union Railways Minister,

Meanwhile, a political slugfest erupted over the development on Friday morning. State municipal affairs & urban development minister and Mayor of KMC, Firhad Hakim said, “Jai Shri Ram should be said in a temple or house with a pure mind. But the BJP supporters are using this slogan to irritate our CM. Had we wished we could have stopped them immediately. But we believe in political courtesy,” he said.

During 2019 LS polls, WB CM stepped off her vehicle to slam those shouting Jai Shri Ram. In May 2019 after general polls results were announced, 7 persons were arrested in WB for shouting Jai Shri Ram as Mamata’s cavalcade passed through their area. AND TATHAGATA ROY, Governor of Tripura from 2015 to 2018 and Governor of Meghalaya from August 2018 to end of his term in August 2020 had tweeted at 7.58 pm on May 31, 2019. It is perfectly possible that the people who shouted ‘Jai Shri Ram’ would be slapped with non-bailable attempt-to-murder (S.307 IPC) cases. I should know,it happened to ME in 2011! I was booked under 307 because I made a speech local MLA didn’t like. Had to spend a night in JC.

By 4-1 majority verdict the Supreme Court has upheld the much-criticised decision of the Narendra Modi government to demonetise the Rs 1,000 and Rs 500 denomination currency notes. The sudden announcement was no less than a tremor that jolted the economy in 2016. The success of its intended objectives of wiping out black money, bringing down the excess liquidity in circulation and dealing a blow to fake currency were, and are still, disputed. The Supreme Court’s decision has therefore come as a shot in the arm for the government. The Congress does not see the judgment as a vindication of the government’s decision.

By a 4-1 majority verdict, SC has upheld the much-criticised decision of Modi govt to demonetize `1,000, `500 denomination currency notes. Sudden announcement was no less than a tremor that jolted economy in 2016

The Congress has picked up the judgment of Justice BV Nagarathna, who dissented from the majority verdict, to repeat its earlier line that the decision was illegal and there were irregularities. In her judgment Justice Nagarathna pointed out that scrap-

ping of old currency notes was done through a notification and not through legislation. Based on this Cong argued that majority verdict deals with the limited issue of decision-making process and not with outcomes and that it will be wrong to say that DeMo has been upheld.

“None of these goals---reducing currency in circulation, moving to cashless economy, curbing counterfeit currency, ending terrorism and unearthing black money--was achieved in significant measure,” Jairam Ramesh said. P Chidambaram called it a “slap on wrist of govt”. Congress cannot deny that cashless economy has grown exponentially after government began to discourage the cash payments.

Terrorists had their murderous way in a Jammu village where they shot down four villagers in another case of targeted killing. The attacks followed the killing of four suspected terrorists of Lashkar-e-Taiba in an encounter on Jammu’s outskirts on Wednesday. They identified their victims after asking for their Aadhaar cards. The targeted killings coming close on the heels of the encounter with terrorists indicates that terrorists are down but not out.

Targeted killings of Kashmiri Pandit employees had earlier triggered a wave of fear in the community. After a series of killings, Pandits demanded that they be moved out of the Kashmir Valley. Their demand was turned down by the Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha with the warning that they won’t be paid salaries for “sitting at home”.

Terrorists look intent on derailing the Prime Minister’s Special Employment Scheme to bring Pandits back to the Valley and also instill confidence among Hindus. Fortunately, in this war of attrition terrorists are on the losing side.

SPIRITUAL SPEAK

l Vol 4 l Issue No. 209

l RNI NO. RAJENG/2019/77764.

Printed and published by Anita Hada Sangwan on behalf of First Express Publishers. Printed at Bhaskar Printing Press, D.B. Corp Limited, Shivdaspura, Tonk Road, Jaipur. Published at 304, 3rd Floor, City Mall, Bhagwan Das Road, C-Scheme, Jaipur-302001, Rajasthan. Phone 0141-4920504.

Editor-In-Chief:

Dr Jagdeesh Chandra Editor: Anita Hada Sangwan responsible for selection of news under the PRB Act

Nitin Gadkari

@nitin_gadkari

Pained by hearing about the demise of Paramapujya Shri Siddheshwara Swami Ji. He will be eternally remembered for his teachings to spread humanism. My thoughts and prayers are with all his devotees. Om Shanti.

Anurag Thakur

@ianuragthakur

Regards on the birth anniversary of eminent social reformer Savitribai Phule, pioneer of

the

women’s liberation movement, who laid the foundation of the first girls’ school in the country and played a leading role in the advancement and empowerment of Indian women. Your movement against the evils prevalent in the 19th century will always be remembered.

Let all-embracing thoughts for all beings be yours.

Buddha

TOP TWEETS

THE VIEWS EXPRESSED BY THE AUTHOR ARE PERSONAL

ROBIN ROY

The writer is Senior Journalist and former Managing Editor, First India

PHUKET-BOUND INDIGO RETURNS DELHI DUE TO GLITCH

Constitution capable of containing people’s changing aspirations: President Murmu

Our democracy is the largest and most vibrant democracy in the world. The Constitution is the basis of our great democracy.

—Droupadi Murmu, Prez Indian constitution is a living reflection of Indian culture. This park could be prepared with support and interest of CM Gehlot, UDH Minister Shanti Dhariwal.

Ours is first Raj Bhavan where Constitution Park has been created: Gehlot

President

—Kalraj Mishra, Raj Guv

here along with Maharana Pratap. The contribution of Pannadhaya and Bhamashah

READ Crucial

MOVING SCIENCE FROM LAB TO LAND!

Need to make India advance science lab in 75th year of Independence, PM Modi says while inaugurating the 108th Indian Science Congress

CM Ashok Gehlot welcomed President Droupadi Murmu in his address and said that with creation of our Constitution, equal rights were given to all citizens including women in this country. “Guv Mishra is working with great commitment for constitutional awareness,” Gehlot said and expressed confidence that newly constructed Constitution Park here will spread constitutional ideals, values and its core spirit. CM said, “Ours if the first Raj

Bhavan of country, where Constitution park is established. Women have been given equal rights to vote, but it took America 130 years to give women same rights.”

SC: Can’t attribute minister’s comment vicariously to Govt

First India Bureau

Kolkata: Acclaimed Rabindra Sangeet artist Sumitra Sen died on Tuesday in Kolkata. She was 89. She is survived by her two daughters, Indrani Sen and Sraboni Sen, both of whom are acclaimed Rabindra Sangeet singers.

SECOND BATCH OF 12 CHEETAHS LIKELY TO ARRIVE AT KUNO SOON

New Delhi: A second batch of 12 cheetahs is likely to arrive in India from South Africa in January, sources said on Tuesday. Discussions with SA authorities to translocate 12 cheetahs to Kuno are at an advanced stage, the Environment ministry said.

RUSSIAN FOUND DEAD ONBOARD CARGO SHIP IN ODISHA, 3RD CASE

New Delhi: Russian national who was working as a chief engineer in a cargo ship, was found dead onboard in Odisha on Tuesday. This is 3rd Russian found dead in State within a span of 2 weeks. Police with other statutory authorities will carry out an probe of death of namely Milyakov Sergey.

First India Bureau

Itanagar: In a massive infra push amid simmering border tension between India and China over the recent clash in AP’s Tawang, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday inaugurated strategicallyimportant Siyom Bridge and 28 other infrastructure projects. He inaugurated 22 bridges, 3 roads and 3 other misc projects. Highlight of event was inauguration of state of the art “100 meter long, Class 70 steel arch superstructure Siyom Bridge on Along-Yinkiong Road over Siyom River”.

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday underlined the importance of women’s involvement in scientific research and that the increasing participation of women is a reflection of progress of society and science.

PM said in his virtual address to 108th Indian Science Congress (ISC) said that the aim is to give new impetus to science and research. He pointed out that the efforts of science can bear fruit only when they are taken from labs to the land. Underlining India’s positional growth in Global Innovation Index PM said, “Today India is among the top 3 nations in startups.

Till 2015 we were at 81st place in the Global Innovation Index of 130 countries, but in 2022 we have reached 40th place.”

Science should make India Atmanirbhar. The efforts of Science can bear fruit only when they go from labs to land. With 2023 being declared as the International Year of Millets, India’s millets and their use should be further improved with the use of science. —Narendra Modi, Prime Minister

New Delhi: A minister’s statement cannot be attributed “vicariously” to the government even when applying the principle of collective responsibility, the SC said on Tuesday and held that there can be no additional restrictions on freedom of speech for public functionaries.

A five-judge Constitution bench headed by Justice SA Nazeer said no additional restrictions, except those mentioned under Article 19(2) of the Constitution, can be imposed on a public functionary’s right to freedom of speech and expression.

No additional restrictions, except those mentioned under Article 19(2) of the Constitution, can be imposed on a public functionary’s right to freedom of speech and expression. —Justice SA Nazeer

Fundamental right under Article 19(1) (a) can be exercised even against other instrumentalities other than the state. Statement made by a minister even if traceable to any affairs of state or protecting the government cannot be attributed vicariously to the government even applying the principle of collective responsibility. —Justices

On

Boost to border infra!

Jaipur:

WHY JAINS PROTESTING?

Injuries due to dragging, sex assault ruled out

First India Bureau

New Delhi: Ruling out sexual assault, an autopsy found “no injuries to the private parts” of the Delhi woman who was dragged for 13 kilometres by a car in the early hours of January 1. The report of the autopsy by a board of doctors at Maulana Azad Medical College — was submitted to the police.

Kejriwal announces `10L compensation

Sugyesagar

from Sanganer Sanghi temple on Tuesday. A large number of

people of Jain society, including Acharya Sunil Sagar were present. The Jain monk was given a samadhi at Sanganer in Jaipur.

Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal met victim’s family on Tuesday and announced ` 10L compensation. Cremation performed amid presence of the police personnel.

First India Bureau

Maharashtra Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari, Union Ministers Nitin Gadkari and Dr Jitendra Singh, CM Eknath Shinde, Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis and other dignitaries listen to PM Modi as he virtually addresses during inauguration of the ISC Mega Expo, at Nagpur University on Tuesday.

—Rajnath Singh, Defence Minister

BR Gavai, AS Bopanna & V Ramasubramanian

to Arunachal Pradesh after the India-China border skirmish

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh inaugurates the Siyom Bridge on Along-Yinkiong Road on Tuesday.

Dinesh

RABINDRA SANGEET LEGEND SUMITRA SEN PASSES AWAY AT 89

Mumbai: India secured a thrilling two-run win against Sri Lanka in the first T20I to go 1-0 up in the threematch series. Chasing 163, the Sri Lankan innings got folded in the final ball of the match as they reached 160 in 20 overs. Shivam Mavi had a brilliant outing with ball.

GANGULY SET TO JOIN DELHI CAPITALS AS DIR OF CRICKET

Kolkata: Sourav Ganguly is all set to join Delhi Capitals as Director of Cricket during IPL starting in April. He will also oversee all cricket verticals of the franchise along with the ILT20 team Dubai Capitals and the SA T230 league side Pretoria Capitals.

The Jharkhand government has declared Parasnath hills in Giridih district as a tourist place. People of Jain society across the country have been protesting against this decision. Parasnath hill is famous as Sammed Shikhar, the highest pilgrimage among the Jains.

He was fasting over the Jharkhand govt’s decision to turn Shri Sammed Shikharji into a tourism hub

INAUGURATION OF THE CONSTITUTION PARK AT RAJ BHAVAN RAJASTHAN

Kashiram Choudhary and Abhishek Shrivastava

Jaipur: President Droupadi Murmu has stressed on working to awaken sense of the constitutional morality among the countrymen. Appreciating creation of Constitution Park at Raj Bhavan, the President said that it will increase awareness about the Constitution.

Murmu addressed the inauguration of the Constitution Park at Raj Bhavan here on Tuesday. “Inaugurating this park makes me very happy. The Consti-

tution Park with Peacock Pillar and Maharana Pratap post are good initiatives. This is my first visit to Ra-

jasthan and this is the land of brave warriors. Veer Durgadas played an important role in post-independence wars

cannot be forgotten. Turn to P10

Prez Droupadi Murmu being presented a memento by Rajasthan Governor Kalraj Mishra and CM Ashok Gehlot during inauguration of ‘Samvidhan Udyan’ at the Raj Bhavan in Jaipur on Tuesday.

President Droupadi Murmu with Governor Kalraj Mishra, CM Ashok Gehlot, Speaker Dr CP Joshi and UDH Minister Shanti Dhariwal during inauguration of Samvidhan Udyan at Raj Bhavan on Tuesday.

You (Prez Murmu) are the second female President of our country. Coincidentally, the first President was the Governor in this very Raj Bhavan. Governor Kalraj Mishra took new initiative and teaches the basic rights and duties of the Constitution.

—Ashok Gehlot, Chief Minister

BJP will oust Cong from power in 2023 elections, says Poonia

Anil Sharma

AJmer: BJP State President Dr. Satish Poonia on Tuesday said that the Congress is going through a very bad phase in Rajasthan and nothing will be able to empower it now.

He said that the only mission of the BJP is to oust Congress from power in the 2023 elections and bring the BJP to power.

Poonia claimed that the major reason for the change of power will be ‘Jan Aakrosh Yatra’ and the name and work of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

He was in Pushkar to

address the inaugural session of BJP’s twoday Vistarak Abhyas Varg organized at Vaishnav Dharamsha -

la. Talking to reporters, he targeted the Congress government.

Poonia said that the Congress government

THIS WILL BE THE LAST REGIME OF CONG: POONIA

Gurjars protest after PWD razes temple’s boundary wall

First India Bureau

suffered from factionalism and the slogans of two chief ministers were raised in the Raj Bhavan.

Kisan Kamera Constitutional Rights Yatra will start on Republic Day: Meel

First India Bureau

Jaipur: Kisan Kamera Samvedhanik Adhikar Morcha will take out a constitutional rights yatra from republic day, farmers leader Rajaram Meel said.

He said that it will be a non-political yatra with 34 issues which will start at 11 am from Amar Jawan Jyoti on

republic day. Two public meetings will be held daily in the yatra which will culminate by Febru-

ary 15. “Through the yatra, experts will give information to farmers about the Constitutional

JRF & SRF files not forwarded, ABVP student leaders protest

First India Bureau

Jaipur: Student leaders associated with Akhil Bhartiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) on Tuesday staged a protest outside the registrar’s office in Rajasthan University and alleged that files related to JRF and SRF are not being forwarded, which is leading to delay in work of Ph.D. students. The protestors took out a funeral procession against registrar Neelima Takshak on the varsity campus.

ABVP leader Shaurya Jaiman informed that the registrar is working in an arbitrary manner while the students and

faculties are forced to suffer. “The files related to JRF and SRF of Ph.D. scholars have been put on hold without any reason. Similarly, university professors are

rights so that they can protect their rights,” he said at a press conference.

S atish Poonia said that the Congress government suffered from factionalism and slogans of two chief ministers were raised in the Raj Bhavan. He said that Congress MLAs resigned but the speaker failed to take any decision and now resignations are being withdrawn despite the fact that there is no provision to withdraw the resignation. Responding to a question on the Chief Minister’s claim to repeat the government, Dr. Poonia said that there is no substance in his claims.

Raj to emerge as green energy hub in next 7-8 yrs

First India Bureau

Jaipur: Rajasthan will emerge as the green energy hub in the next 7-8 years with the generation of solar and wind energy in western Rajasthan districts. Around 100 companies are looking for lands to set up solar and wind plants in Barmer, Jodhpur, Bikaner, Jaisalmer and Jalore. At present, more than 16000 MW of solar energy is being generated every day in the state.

Ajmer: A controversy erupted on Monday night after the boundary wall of Dev Narayan Temple, situated in Vaishali Nagar of Ajmer, was razed by the Public Works Department terming it as an encroachment. Following the incident, people from the Gurjar community gathered outside the temple and jammed the road. The police later closed the roads to avoid further deterioration of law and order. Later, a delegation of the Gurjar community met Collector Anshdeep, and consensus was built on three issues between the administration and community.

Heritage seizes 80.5 kgs of single-use plastic

First India Bureau

Jaipur: Ahead of the upcoming Swachhta Survey, the Jaipur Municipal Corporation (Heritage) has gone strict on violators. On Tuesday, health officials of Heritage Nagar Nigam raided different places falling under the jurisdiction of the heritage area and seized 80.5 kgs of polythene. The team has also collected a fine of around Rs 26,000. Deputy Commissioner (Health) Ashish Kumar informed that a

Single-use plastic confiscated from shops located in Jaipur.

campaign has been started to stop the use of single-use plastic. “Under the campaign, shops located in the walled city were raided and several single-use plastics were confiscated. The shopkeepers were fined during the raids,” said Ashish Kumar.

Journalist, wife beaten at toll plaza in Chomu, accused held

Vinod Kumar Sharma

First India Bureau

GOVT

stumbling door to door to get promoted in the senior scale. We are forced to protest to demand our legitimate demands,” said Shaurya Jaiman.

Jaipur: Former Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje recounted the development done under her government and said, “It is known that in Rajasthan we had constructed and strengthened 25 km of roads on an average per day, thanks to which the total length was 2 lakh 31 thousand km till 2018. Bad roads were the hallmark of Rajasthan, which became better after the BJP government in 2003 started working towards it. Be it a small town or a large city, our BJP government had established dimensions.

EMPHASIZING ON SPORTS

Jaipur: In an incident that highlights the barbarian behaviour of the employees at NH 52’s Tatiyawas toll plaza, a journalist and his wife were brutally attacked on Tuesday afternoon. The brutal toll plaza employees not only indulged in eve teasing of journalist’s wife and cut her fingers too attacking the couple with sharp-edged weapons.

Chomu police station incharge Vikrant Sharma said that a journalist Kanhaiyalal Kumawat has filed a complaint that when he reached the toll plaza by his car, traffic was jammed and when he

‘Workplace stress can be reduced by sports’

lll

Pawan Arora said that the Board teams have an important contribution in successful implementation of the schemes of the RHB

Jaipur: On Tuesday, Rajasthan Housing Board (RHB) Commissioner Pawan Arora attended the sports competition held in Jodhpur from December 17th-20th and felicitated Chief Engineer II G.S. Baghela with a momento for the successful organization of the competition, while extending his best wishes.

The commissioner while honoring the co-

ordinator of the committee in his chamber on Tuesday said that not only the stress in

the workplace can be reduced by sports competitions but also extra energy can be devel-

oped for better work. He also emphasized conducting such competitions continuously.

Arora said that the Board teams have an important contribution in the successful implementation of the schemes of the RHB. In such a way, by being associated with sports competitions, the board is continuously getting good results. He also urged more and more personnel to participate in the competitions.

tried to confront toll booth workers and asked them to clear it, they came and started abusing and later beat them up.

Reportedly, when his wife tried to break in the chaos, the miscreants eve-teased her and beat her up following which

they also cut her fingers with a sharp-edged object. Police have registered a case under Sections 141, 341, 323, 354 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and arrested a toll worker Anoop Sharma, a resident of Mudik Baseri Dholpur.

Fine for throwing garbage in open: JMC

First India Bureau

Jaipur: The Jaipur Municipal Corporation (Greater) will now impose a carrying charge on shopkeepers and people for throwing garbage in the open. The civic body will impose a fine between Rs. 200 to Rs. 1000. The move is being taken to improve ranking in the Swachhta Survey, scheduled to start in January. A team from the centre will conduct a sudden inspection of Jaipur in the coming days. Both the civic bodies, Heritage and Greater, have started preparations to include Jaipur in the top-10 rankings.

Mayor of Jaipur Municipal Corporation (Greater) Dr Somya and Commissioner Mahendra Soni said that Municipal Corporation is working at its own level, but without the participation of the public, it is not possible to bring Jaipur in the top-10 ranking.

First India Bureau

Jaipur: An interesting ‘undercurrent’ is visible these days in Congress. The party’s most talked about point and issue these days is “Who is the biggest Dalit leader?” As of today, there are four Dalit cabinet ministers in the Rajasthan government and all four were very active in Rahul Gandhi’s Bharat Jodo Yatra. 3 out of 4 Dalit leaders got more opportunities than necessary.

Shivendra Parmar

Poonia claimed that the major reason for change of power will be ‘Jan Aakrosh

Yatra’

Satish Poonia addressing the inaugural session of Vistarak Abhyas Varg in Pushkar on Tuesday.

The yatra will go to all 33 districts in the State

Rajaram Meel addressing the media in Jaipur on Tuesday.

Pawan Arora felicitating G.S. Baghela with a momento in Jaipur.

Gurjar community protesting against the demolition in Ajmer. —PHPOTO BY ANAND SHARMA

DEVNARAYAN TEMPLE WALL DEMOLITION: POONIA, DEVNANI SLAM STATE

Ajmer: BJP state president Satish Poonia expressed anger in a case of breaking the boundary wall of the Devnarayan temple in Ajmer. He asked, “How many times will public faith be attacked and Hindu temples be demolished?.” MLA Vasudev Devnani said, “The antiHindu government of the state broke the 200-year-old temple in Ajmer at night. The demolition of the temple is very shameful and condemnable. How long will the state government continue to attack the faith of Hindus?”

Raje recounts devel work done under her govt

JMC

‘Who is the biggest Dalit leader in state Congress government?’

Minister Bhajanlal Jatav got compliments after seeing the picture of the roads. The meeting of Malakheda boosted the stature of Minister Tikaram Jully. The padayatra that started from

Dausa strengthened Minister Mamta Bhupesh. Now only the disaster relief minister Govind Ram Meghwal is left, even though he was present at every important stage.

Student leaders associated with ABVP protesting outside the registrar’s office in Rajasthan University on Tuesday.

—PHOTO BY MUKESH KIRADOO

Advocates of Bar Association along with journos giving information about the case to Chomu police station in-charge Vikrant Sharma.

Bhajanlal Jatav Tikaram Jully Mamta Bhupesh

Court extends judicial custody of 9 accused till January 10

IMD ISSUES ORANGE ALERT FOR SEVERAL DISTRICTS

Uncle strangulates 24-year-old widow to death, tries to kill self

Jaipur: The nine accused involved in the brutal killing of Tailor Kanhaiyalal in Udaipur were produced before the NIA court in Jaipur on Tuesday. The court extended the judicial custody of the accused till January 10.

The nine accused, including Mohammad Riyas, Gaus Mohammad, Mohsin Khan, Asif, Mohammad Mohsin, Wasim Ali, Farhad Mohammad Sheikh, Mohammad Javed and Muslim Mohammad, were brought from Ajmer High-Security Jail to Jaipur and produced before the NIA court amid tight security arrangements.

Extra police personnel were deployed on the court premises. In the charge sheet, Salman, and Abu Ibrahim, both residents of Karachi (Pakistan) have also been named by the NIA.

Jaipur: Severe cold and fog threw daily life out of gear in many regions of Rajasthan with Fatehpur recording the lowest minimum temperature at minus 1 degree Celsius on Monday night.

According to the Met department, the minimum temperature was minus 0.9 degree in Churu on Monday night, 2.4 degrees in Sangaria, 2.6 degrees in Pilani, 3.0 degrees in Sikar, 3.7 degrees in Ganganagar, 4.5 degrees in Nagaur, 4.9 degrees in Chittorgarh.

Bikaner recorded a minimum temperature of 6.9 degrees Celsius.

An ‘Orange Alert’ for an extreme cold wave in several districts, including Churu, Jhunjhunu and Sikar, has also been issued by the weather office.

FOG DELAYS FLIGHTS, FLYERS LEFT HARRIED

Jaipur: Harried passengers created ruckus at the airport

to flight delays, lack of food and drinks. Flights got delayed by hours due to fog

Jaipur Airport on Tuesday.

Alliance Air flight 9I-844 at 8:20 am from Jaipur to Delhi departed at 1 pm.

SpiceJet Mumbai flight SG -279 at 8:35 am departed at 12 noon. Indigo’s 9:10 am flight 6E-7218 to Udaipur departed at 1:20 am.

Reason behind killing yet to be ascertained: Cops

Jaipur: A 24-year-old widow was allegedly strangulated to death by his uncle in the Jawahar Circle area on Tuesday, police said. Police informed the deceased has been identified as Chandani Meena, a resident of Sector-8 in Malviya Nagar.

“The accused uncle, Vijay Meena, also tried to commit suicide by hanging himself after killing the girl. However, the family members immediately took

him to SMS Hospital where he is presently undergoing treatment,” police said.

“When Chandani did not come out of her room on Tuesday morning, the family members went to see her and spotted her lying on the floor from the window. The post-mortem of the girl has been performed and the body has been handed over to family members. The accused is yet to gain conscience, following which, the reason behind the girl’s murder will be known,” police said.

JUDICIAL TRANSFERS

Raj

police

working in a professional manner, will take it several notches further, says DGP Mishra

PART 2: Speaking to First India’s Shivendra Parmar, DGP Umesh Mishra reveals how State police’s professional approach helped in cracking Raju Thehat murder and how he looks forward to holding dialogues with counterparts to curb inter-state gangs

z You mentioned acting against organised crime. Recently the Raju Thehat murder occured and the manner in which the Rajasthan police acted in the case, it sent a message that the state police works extremely profession-

ally and criminals from other states can not come and conducted activities in Rajasthan.

Raju Thehat murder case was a major challenge, but Rajasthan police conducted the search for the accused in a professional man-

ner and that is why they were arrested within 24 hours of the incident.

Similarly, the railway track blast in Udaipur, which we thought was a terrorist incident, was also investigated by the local police, ATS, and SOG and with their concentrated efforts, the

case was quickly solved and the accused were arrested. Rajasthan police is moving ahead with professional approach.

z Are DGPs of other states like Harayana and Punjab being talked to about criminal movement etc?

Yes, we are in constant touch with them and will increase the coordination and connect in the times to come,

because only through a united and concentrated effort can there be a leash on the various inter-state gangs. Therefore, dedicated and coordinated efforts will be undertaken with Haryana, Punjab, Delhi police to curb the inter-state gangs. We have some issues with Uttar Pradesh Police as well. So, to control the interstate gangs, it is extremely important to have a mutual dialogue and coordination with the neighbouring state police.

Raj hold 9-run lead over J’khand on Ranji Day 1

Naresh Sharma

Jaipur: Rajasthan has taken an edge over Jharkhand on the first day of the Ranji match between Rajasthan and Jharkhand being played at Sawai Mansingh Stadium.

On the first day of the match, the fast bowlers of Rajasthan performed very well and got the entire Jharkhand team all out for 92 runs.

Rajasthan won the toss and invited Jharkhand to bat first, a decision which turned out to be right.

Rajasthan’s fast bowlers Aniket Chaudhary and Tanveer ul Haq took four wickets each while Rituraj Singh took 2 wickets.

Aryaman Sen scored the maximum 38 runs from Jharkhand. Jharkhand’s first innings was reduced to just 92 runs.

Rajasthan team’s opener Yash Kothari played a brilliant innings of 52 runs.

Bhuvan Goyal new Principal Secy, Law; Bhatnagar Director, Law, JDA

Jaipur: Two Judicial Officers transferred on Tuesday. Bhuvan Goyal was appointed as Principal Secretary Law while Praveer Bhatnagar was made Director Law at JDA in Jaipur. High Court Registrar General Chandraprakash Shrimali issued the transfer orders. On the other hand, 26 IAS officers will go for the 124th induction training programme. The training will be held from February 13 to March 24 at Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration in Mussoorie.

Rajendra Chhabra

Jaipur: Apart from Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot , there is perhaps no other Chief Minister in the nation today who is known for recognising talented and hard working retired bureaucrats and keeping them connected with the state machinery to take benefit of their experience. In his current tenure, he has connected 25 retired officers with himself which is a record in itself.

Actully, Gehlot is fully aware that the experience of seasoned bureaucrats is somethiong that can be used very well for the benefit of the state and through that the CM can have one less thing to worry about since these officials are responsible towards the roles assigned to them, thus ensuring good governance.

19 IAS, 5 IPS and 1 RAS amount to the 25

retired officials whose services have been taken. In fact 4 retied Chief Secretaries are currently working in the government — Nihal Chand Goyal is the Chairman of RERA, DB Gupta is Chairman of Information Commission, Rajeeva Swarup is Chairman of the Environment Impact Assessment Authority while Niranjan Aryra is advisor to CM.

Meanwhile, two senior IAS — Arvind Mayaram and Govind Sharma — have been included in Gehlot team right after the Gehlot government was formed for the third time in the State.

Madhukar Gupta — who retired in September 2020 — has been called back after two and a half years and five months back, he ws handed the responsibility of State Election Commission. Similarly, Ramlubhaya - who retired in 2012, has been

recalled once again and has been given the responsibility of Chairman, New Districts Formation Committee.

Notably, in his previous stint, CM Gehlot had called Ramlubhaya after retirement and handed him the responsibility of State Election Commissioner.

GS Sandhu has been Gehlot’s trusted officer and after retirement, this time Gehlot has appointed him as Advisor to the UDH Department and given him the responsibility of Prashasan Shehro/Gaon Ke Sang campaign. Whereas another retired IAS BN Sharma has been given the important responsibility of Chairman of Elec-

tricity Regulatory Commission. Moreover, IAS BN Sharma, who retired in July 2022, has been made a member in the commission.

Similarly, Bannalal (retired 2017) has been appointed as member secretary in Finance Commission and Khemraj (retired 2019) has been appointed as Chairman of the committee formed for state government employees’ demands. Moreover, Shailendra Agrawal and Salvinder Sohta have been appointed as RERA members. Three other IAS - Jagroop Yadav, Matadeen Sharma and Chetan deora - have been appointed as members of of Appellate Tribunal (RAT) along with retired IAS Suchi Sharma and retired RAS Lekhraj Toshwara.

Must like IAS, 5 IPS have also ben accorded responsibilities. Former DG Bhupendra Yadav was given the top posting of RPSC Chair-

man after retirement in 2020. After his retirement, once again another IAS — Sanjay Shotriya — has been made RPSC Chairman.

Similarly, IPS Alok Tripathi, who retired from forces as ADG, has been appointed as Chancellor of Jodhpur Police University. Retired IPS Hari Prasad Sharma was accorded the important post of Chairman, State Services Selection Board while former DG of BSF - ML Kumawathas been made the chairman of committee set up to suggest measures to end cheating in exams.

It is believed that CM Gehlot’s style of functioning and bringing retired bureaucrats in service is going to continue in the future as well, as recently retired IPS BL Soni and soon to retire IAS Pawan Kumar Goyal are also trusted officers of CM Gehlot. It is believed that Gehlot will not let them sit at home after retirement.

First India Bureau

Fatehpur records lowest minimum temperature at -1 degree Celsius

Commuters were seen struggling due to dense fog in Jaipur on Tuesday. People sit near fire to stay warm as cold wave intensifies in State. —PHOTOS BY MUKESH KIRADOO AND SUNIL SHARMA

due

at

The police and the FSL team inspect the room of the deceased Chandani Meena in Malviya Nagar on Tuesday.

First India Bureau

First India Bureau

Rajasthan players Aniket Choudhary, Tanveer Ul Haq, Rituraj Singh pose during the match at SMS Stadium.

JUNGLE RAJ’ HAS RETURNED TO BIHAR: NADDA

Ex-RAW chief AS Dulat, Shiv Sena’s Priyanka Chaturvedi join BJY in UP

Lucknow (ANI): Amarjit Singh Dulat, former Cheif of the Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) and former special director of the Indian Intelligence Bureau, joined Rahul Gandhi-led Bharat Jodo Yatra on Tuesday in the Uttar Pradesh leg of the Yatra.

Shiv Sena MP Priyanka Chaturvedi also joined Bharat Jodo Yatra with RG in Seelampur. Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi also joined the UP leg of the yatra today.

Patna (PTI): BJP president JP Nadda on Tuesday alleged that ‘Jungle Raj’ has returned to Bihar, alluding to the formation of the ‘Mahagathbandhan’ (Grand Alliance) govt in Bihar around five months ago.

At a rally in Muzaffarpur’s Paru, which falls under Vaishali Lok Sabha constituency, Nadda claimed there has been a complete breakdown in law and order in the state after the Nitish Kumar-led JD(U) formed the government with Congress and RJD.

“Since the formation of the ‘Mahagathbandhan’ govt in Bihar, not a day goes without hearing about murders, loot, kidnapping, rape and other crimes. ‘Jungle Raj’ has returned to the state. There is a complete breakdown in law and order in the state,” he said.

“Nitish Kumar betrayed the people of Bihar. His decision to form

APEX

an alliance with the RJD and other parties is against the mandate of the people. The people of the state will give a befitting reply to Kumar in the coming polls.

The ‘Mahagathbandhan’ government will be

IN THE COURTYARD

BAIL

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Tuesday granted interim bail of one month to suspended IAS officer Pooja Singhal who sought the relief to look after her ailing daughter. A bench of Justices Sanjay Kishan Kaul and Abhay S Oka granted interim bail to Singhal and imposed some conditions on her, including that she will not visit Ranchi unless a court case is listed for hearing in the city. The top court has now listed the plea for hearing on February 6 and asked Enforcement Directorate to file response in three weeks to Singhal’s main bail plea.

CINEMA HALL NOT A GYM: SC ON FOOD

SERVED AT MOVIES

New Delhi: At a Supreme Court hearing on Tuesday on whether people can take food to cinema halls, the judges remarked at one point, “Should we start bringing jalebis to the movies?” The court was hearing a petition that called for a ban on food from outside at cinemas.

Cinema halls have the right to set terms and conditions and decide whether to allow food and beverages from outside, court ruled.

SC SEEKS CBI’S REPLY ON BAIL PLEA OF EX-COUNCILLOR

New Delhi: The Supreme Court has sought reply from the CBI to the bail plea of former Congress councillor Balwan Khokhar, sentenced to life imprisonment in a 1984 anti-Sikh riots case, on several grounds including having already served almost nine years in jail. Besides him, ex-Congress MP Sajjan Kumar and ex-MLA Mahender Yadav are serving life imprisonment and 10-year term respectively.

CUSTODIAL DEATH CASE: SC TO HEAR ON JAN 10 PLEA OF EX-IPS SANJIV BHATT

New Delhi: The Supreme Court Tuesday said it will consider on January 10 the petition filed by sacked Gujaratcadre IPS officer Sanjiv Bhatt seeking to bring in additional evidence in an appeal filed by him in the Gujarat High Court. Bhatt has filed an appeal in the high court challenging his conviction in a 1990 custodial death case. At the outset, a bench of Justices MR Shah and CT Ravikumar asked senior advocate Devadatt Kamat, appearing for Bhat, if he was serious with regard to a plea seeking recusal of Justice Shah.

thrown out by voters in the next election,” Nadda added.

Nitish Kumar had formed the government with the Opposition parties after ending its coalition with BJP in August last year.

Notably, leaders like Mayawati and Akhilesh Yadav extended their warm wishes to Bharat Jodo Yatra on Monday. But they won’t join the Yatra in Uttar Pradesh, sources said.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi led Bharat Jodo Yatra entered Uttar Pradesh today after a nine-day Christmas and New Year break. The Yatra resumed from Delhi’s Marghat Hanuman Mandir near Kashmiri Gate at around 10 AM today.

Congress MP Rahul Gandhi visited Marghat Hanuman Mandir in Delhi in the morning. Temple Ma-

hant Vaibhav Sharma said that Rahul Gandhi chanted mantras in his mind and bowed before the idol of Hanuman.

Shiv Sena Rajya Sabha MP Priyanka Chaturvedi on Tuesday joined the Bharat Jodo Yatra after Rahul Gandhi sent an invite to her. She said, “The time has come for the opposition to unite and confront the current situation in the country.”

The Yatra is expected to cross Uttar Pradesh over a span of three days before reentering Haryana on January 6.

CONG SAYS PM’S NEW YEAR ‘GIFT’ CUTS RATIONS OF POOR BY 50%

New Delhi: The Congress on Tuesday alleged that the Modi govt has reduced the ration of the 81 crore poor people by 50% in the new year.

The opposition party said 81 crore Indians who were eligible for 10 kilograms of foodgrains will now get only five kilograms. “The year 2023 began with the depressing news that PM Modi’s Cabinet has discontinued the Pradhan Mantri Garib Anna Kalyan Yojana (PMGKAY), which provided an additional 5 kgs of food grains to beneficiaries under the National Food Security Act (NFSA),” said party leader Jairam Ramesh.

RAHUL, PRIYANKA SHARE SIBLING LOVE, AS BHARAT JODO YATRA ENTERS UTTAR PRADESH

Ghaziabad: The brother-sister duo of Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra shared some affectionate moments during the Bharat Jodo Yatra after it entered Uttar Pradesh on Tuesday. As Priyanka Vadra called her elder brother a ‘’warrior’’ who was wearing the ‘’shield of truth’’ and was not afraid of anyone, Rahul Gandhi affectionately hugged her and even kissed her on the cheek during the flag handing-over ceremony at the Loni border. They later walked hand in hand during the yatra in Uttar Pradesh, often waving to the ecstatic crowds who welcomed their leaders with enthusiasm.

“AMBANI, ADANI BUT COULDN’T BUY RaGa”

Ghaziabad: Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Tuesday called her brother Rahul Gandhi a “warrior” and said he is not afraid of the might of the govt. She said big industrialists like Adani and Ambani may have bought many a politician, but “they have not been, and will never be, able to buy my brother.”

RAM JANMABHOOMI TEMPLE

PRIEST EXTENDS SUPPORT TO BJY

Ayodhya: Head priest of the Ram Janmabhoomi temple, Acharya Satyendra Das, has written a letter to Congress leader Rahul Gandhi extending his support for the ‘Bharat Jodo Yatra’. In the letter dated December 31, 2022, Das wished that the blessings of Lord Ram be always upon the Congress leader. The letter has been trending on social media platforms. In the letter, Das prayed for the success of the campaign (Bharat Jodo Yatra) that is being run to connect the country from Kanyakumari to Kashmir.

Gayathri Raguramm quits BJP, claims women not safe in TN unit

Chennai (PTI): Actorpolitician Gayathri Raguramm, who was suspended from the BJP in November last year, announced on Tuesday that she is resigning from the party and claimed that women are not safe in the Tamil Nadu unit as “nobody cares about true karyakartas”. She blamed state BJP chief K Annamalai for her decision to quit the party.

A senior leader, how-

ever, rejected her claims and said she is not a loss to the party. The leader said they do not give much importance to her allegations.

K’TAKA

BIZMAN SUICIDE: CONG DEMANDS ARREST OF BJP MLA NAMED IN FIR

Bengaluru: Congress leaders on Tuesday demanded the arrest of Karnataka BJP MLA Arvind Limbavali and five others named in the FIR in connection with the alleged suicide of a businessman, and urged the state govt to ensure justice to his family. Congress leaders met Pradeep’s family at their residence here. Pradeep (47) was found dead in his car at Nettigere near here on Sunday. He had allegedly shot himself in the head inside his car.

Kolkata (ANI): West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday hit out at the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and said that the BJP’s ideology is to be “self-centred “ while her party Trinamool Congress abides by the Constitution.

CAN BJY UNITE OPPOSITION?

PERMANENT SEAT FOR SONIA GANDHI, RAHUL AT CWC?

New Delhi: With Congress set to decide its future course of action with organisational revamp and appointment of new office-bearers, the party has a tricky issue to settle—what to do with the two former Congress presidents in its ranks? It is possible that the party may name Sonia Gandhi and Rahul as permanent members to the Congress Working Committee, the top decision-making forum of the party. Congress is set to hold a plenary session in Raipur from February 24-26 to confirm the election of veteran Mallikarjun Kharge as party president for five years.

New Delhi: The BJP on Tuesday derided Rahul Gandhi for being “perpetually confused” and accused the Congress leader of wanting India to surrender before China following his recent remarks on the border tensions. India cannot be understood only by travelling across the country, one needs to understand Indianness, BJP Spokesperson Sudhanshu Trivedi said. “Discovery of India has been going on for four generations (of Gandhi’s family),” Trivedi said in an apparent reference to Jawaharlal Nehru’s ‘Discovery of India’.

doesn’t make a person guilty”

Chandigarh (PTI): Haryana CM ML Khattar on Tuesday termed as “absurd” the allegations of sexual harassment against minister Sandeep Singh and said a person does not become guilty just because an accusation is levelled against him. He said the police are investigating the matter and further action will be taken once the report comes.

Sandeep Singh gave

up the sports portfolio saying he has taken the step on moral grounds, and claimed that the charges levelled against him by the woman coach are baseless.

How will Oppn consider Rahul Gandhi as its leader?

New Delhi: Senior Congress leader and former Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh Kamal Nath has bluntly said that Rahul Gandhi will be the prime ministerial candidate of the Congress in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. He said that Rahul is the face of the Congress. But at the same time he also said that Rahul would be the face of the opposition as well. The question is

how will this happen?

How and why will the opposition accept him as its leader? It is also a big question whether anyone from the Congress has talked to the leaders of the opposition? At least as of now, it does not appear that the Congress has created any channel of dialogue with the opposition leaders behind the scenes.

No senior Congress leader that holds a tall stature in opposition parties can be seen for this

work. That’s why the announcement of Kamal Nath is surprising. There

was no point in praising Rahul’s yatra and mentioning the sacrifices of

the Nehru-Gandhi family, but by mentioning these things, he tried to make Rahul the face of the opposition. That is why the opposition parties have not taken it seriously. A big leader like Kamal Nath should have given such a statement after thinking. It is not a matter of forcing the opposition by putting any pressure. It is not that the opposition will accept Rahul as the leader after repeated statements from the Congress. The

first condition for considering Rahul Gandhi as the Leader of the Opposition is that the strength of the Congress should increase and it should be established that the strength of the Congress has increased because of Rahul. That is, Rahul should be established as the leader who won the elections for the Congress. If he can do this work in the new year, then the opposition itself will consider him as the leader.

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) National President JP Nadda being garlanded during a public rally, at Paroo High school, in Vaishali on Tuesday. —PHOTO BY ANI

BJP NATIONAL EXECUTIVE MEET ON JAN 16, 17; NADDA’S TENURE EXTENSION ON CARDS

New Delhi: Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) national executive meeting will be held in the national capital on January 16 and 17, said sources on Tuesday. According to the sources, the party is expected to deliberate on the upcoming Assembly elections and 2024 Lok Sabha elections. BJP national president JP Nadda’s tenure may be extended at the executive meeting. Nadda’s three-year term as the party president will end later this month. Apart from this, many organizational decisions will be taken. The ruling party has increased the number of Lok Sabha seats which it considers difficult to win in 2024 from 144 to 160 now.

Mahesh Sharma

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi waves during the Bharat Jodo Yatra at Gokulpuri, in east Delhi, on Tuesday. —PHOTO BY PTI

BHARAT JODO YATRA

Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, KC Venugopal and others raise hands during the National flag handing over ceremony to Delhi chief Anil Chaudhary by UP chief Brijlal Khabri as Bharat Jodo Yatra enters UP, in Ghaziabad on Tuesday. —PHOTO BY ANI

RAHUL GANDHI WANTS INDIA TO SURRENDER BEFORE CHINA: BJP

COURT GRANTS INTERIM

TO SUSPENDED IAS OFFICER POOJA SINGHAL

“Allegation

BJP’s ideology is to be self-centred, says Mamata

Permanent members clearly not in hurry to see UN reforms: Jaishankar

Vienna (PTI): External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has slammed the slow pace of the UN reforms, saying those who are enjoying the benefits of permanent membership are not in a hurry to see reforms.

India has been at the forefront of efforts at the UN to push for urgent long-pending reform of the Security Council, emphasising that it rightly deserves a place at the UN high table as a permanent member.

“You will have a situation when the world’s most populous country

EAM S Jaishankar with Foreign Ministers Alexander Schallenberg of Austria, Jan Lipavský of Czech Republic and Rastislav Kácer of Slovak Republic during a meeting in Vienna. —PHOTO BY PTI

is not among the permanent members of the security council, what does it say about the state of the UN”, Jais-

hankar said in an interview to Austria’s national broadcaster ORF on Monday.

When asked how long

will it take until this reform of the UN Security Council, he said, “... those who are today enjoying the benefits of

COULD USE HARSHER WORDS...’ JAISHANKAR ON USE OF PHRASE ‘EPICENTRE OF TERRORISM’ FOR PAKISTAN

Vienna: External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has said that he could have used “much harsher words than epicentre” for Pakistan for its role in promoting crossborder terrorism as he underlined that the world needs to be concerned about terrorism. Jaishankar, who has often

described Pakistan as the “epicentre of terrorism’, in an interview to Austria’s national broadcaster ORF on Monday also criticised European nations for not condemning the (terrorism) practices that have been going on for multiple decades. “Because you are a diplomat, doesn’t

mean you are untruthful. I could use much harsher words than epicentre. So believe me, considering what has been happening to us, I think epicentre is a very diplomatic word,” he said while responding to a question on using the word “epicentre of terrorism” for Pakistan.

permanent membership clearly are not in a hurry to see reform. I think it’s a very shortsighted view Because at

the end of the day, the credibility of the UN and their own interests and effectiveness are at stake.”

“So my sense is, it will take some time, hopefully not too much time. I can see a growing body of opinion

among UN members who believe that they must be changed. It’s not just us,” Jaishankar said.

Tearful adieu to twin terror victims in J&K

Defence Minister calls upon State govts & pvt sector

First India Bureau

New Delhi: Agnipath is a game changer scheme for the Armed Forces which is going to act as force multiplier in making Indian military as one of the best in the world with youthful, high-tech and ultramodern outlook.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said during his virtual address at the MoU Exchange Ceremony ‘Outreach Programme with Ministry of Education (MoE) & and Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MoSDE’) on Tuesday. He elaborated on the paradigm shifting

Rajnath Singh at inauguration of Siyom Bridge in Arunachal Pradesh.

changes the Agnipath scheme is going to make in transforming the Armed Forces into a tech-savvy, well-equipped and combat ready unit to face future challenges. He said, “As the De-

fence Minister, I do see the Agnipath scheme as helpful in building a strong, capable Armed Forces. Also, being a citizen, I am seeing this scheme as a helper in nation-building.”

Beijing (Agencies): Beijing is blasting testing requirements on passengers from China and threatening countermeasures against countries involved based on reciprocity.

“We believe that the entry restrictions adopted by some countries targeting China lack scientific basis, and some excessive practices are even more unacceptable,” Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said at a daily briefing Tuesday.

INDIA SEES SLIGHT RISE IN COVID CASES

New Delhi: For the second week running, India recorded a marginal rise in Covid-19 cases although the numbers remained very low. In the week ending Sunday, 1,526 fresh cases were recorded in the country, up 25% from the previous week’s tally of 1,219. Meanwhile, in a first since March 2020, Covid deaths during the week (December 26-January 1) dipped to single figures at six.

countermeasures based on the principle of reciprocity,” he said.

Siang (ANI): Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday said that during his childhood he used to think that the acronym ‘BRO’ of the Border Roads Organisation actually meant ‘bro’ a slang for brother but now after seeing their work he pointed out that they could be seen as brothers of our armed forces. The defence minister also lauded the spirit and speed with which the

BRO carried out development works in the recent past. “When i used to see the short form of BRO (Border Roads Organisation) on signboards in my childhood, I used to think it meant ‘Bro’ which our younger generation uses for brother. But after seeing the work they are doing, they are actually brothers of our Armed forces and people,” Singh said.

Winter tourism thrives in Valley; celebrations end on a high note

Srinagar (ANI): Tourists thronging Kashmir to celebrate Christmas and New Year created a buzz in the Valley as all the tourist resorts, including Gulmarg, Pahalgam and Sonamarg, were sold out even before the celebrations could begin. The festivities ended on a high note as tourists started their New Year amid snow-clad mountains and peaks in the Valley.

Nearly 26 lakh tourists visited Kashmir from January 1, 2022, to December 21, 2022. The highest grossing months were April (2.72 lakh), May (3.75 lakh) and June (3.33 lakh)

FOG SHROUDS LUCKNOW AMID SEVERE COLD CONDITION; MERCURY DROPS

while in lean months, there were 62,000 arrivals in January, one lakh

SIMILARITY IN DISPARITY

Rajouri (PTI): The mortal remains of six people including two minor cousins who were killed in twin terrorist incidents in Jammu and Kashmir’s Rajouri district were given a tearful and emotional farewell as they were cremated at their native place on Tuesday.

Hundreds of mourners — relatives, friends and neighbours — queued up with flowers and wreaths to pay their last respects to the mortal remains at the government higher second school, where the bodies were kept for the night.

Amid slogans by people who took out processions, the bodies of the six victims of the terror attacks at Dhangri village, were brought to the cremation ground for

Ankita murder: Accuseds’ narco test on Jan 5

Dehradun (ANI): The First Class Judicial Magistrate Court Kotdwar on Tuesday fixed the date of narco and polygraph tests of the three accused in the Ankita Bhandari murder case for January 5.

The Court of Judicial Magistrate First Class, Kotdwar fixed the date after hearing the arguments of both parties.

The case pertains to 19-year-old Ankita, whose body was recovered from the Chilla canal in Rishikesh on September 24.

last rites. The bodies of four-year-old Vihan Sharma, 16-year-old Samiksha Sharma, Satish Kumar (45), Deepak Ku-

FIVE OF FAMILY DIE IN VEHICLES’ PILEUP IN TN

Cuddalore: Five of a family were killed in a six-vehicle pileup on the Trichy-Chennai National Highway in Tamil Nadu’s Cuddalore district early Tuesday, police said. The vehicles in the pileup were two private buses, two lorries, and two cars. The deceased members of the family, who are yet to be identified, were in one of the cars, added the police. The bodies were recovered with the help Veppur Firemen team.

mar (23), Pritam Lal (57) and Shishu Pal (32) were

cremated in six pyres lined up at Dhangri cremation ground.

INDIAN CHARGED FOR MOLESTING WOMAN IN S’PORE

Singapore: A 25-year-old Indian national has been arrested on charges of allegedly molesting a woman in the Sentosa resort island here on New Year’s Day, a report said on Tuesday. Subramanian Muralimanogarjoshi was charged on Monday with one count each of criminal trespass and outrage of modesty of a woman and wrongful restraint, Channel News Asia reported. The police are investigating the matter.

arrivals in February and 1.05 lakh in December (up to December 21).

She was reported missing for at least six days before the officials found her body.

Is Akhilesh on the path of bête noire Mayawati?

Shamsher Singh

New Delhi: National President of the Samajwadi Party (SP) Akhilesh Yadav made a wonderful statement recently. He talked about not getting the invitation of Congress for Bharat Jodo Yatra and distanced himself from it but at the same time said that the Congress is also like the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). He made another interesting point that the Sa-

majwadi Party has a different ideology. However, leaving aside the matter of ideology, even the attack he made on Congress by calling Congress like BJP is astonishing. No one asked him since when has the Congress become like the BJP? Obviously it must have happened only after 2017 because in 2017 it was not like the BJP, that’s why Akhilesh had coordinated with the Congress and ‘two boys from UP’

Akhilesh Yadav with Mayawati.

came out to stop the Bharatiya Janata Party. However, the way he

attacked the Congress, the question has arisen whether he too will fol-

low the path of Bahujan Samaj Party leader Mayawati? Mayawati has been describing Congress as the Bharatiya Janata Party for a long time. She has been helping the BJP in one way or the other for some time now. Her inaction has resulted in transfer of BSP’s vote to BJP and in the last elections their candidates helped BJP. Is there some unknown reason why Akhilesh Yadav is keeping distance from

opposition unity and indirectly ensuring that the Bharatiya Janata Party wins the elections? Or is it the reason that he is worried about Congress or he is feeling that Congress can make a comeback? By describing Congress as BJP, he is making SSP the sole contender for the minority votes of the state. It is possible that he has attacked the Congress in the concern of Congress benefiting from Rahul’s yatra.

New Delhi: Ministry of Home Affairs has upgraded the security of Minister of State for Home Nityanand Rai to ‘Z’ category for all India level, sources said on Tuesday. Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) will be providing round the clock security cover to the minister at his residence as well as during his travel to other states across the country. Earlier, the CRPF used to provide Rai ‘Z’ category security during his stay and travel in West Bengal.

INDIAN HELD IN NEPAL FOR ‘KILLING’ ELDERLY WOMAN

Kathmandu: A 23-year-old

Indian national has been arrested for his alleged involvement in the murder of an elderly woman in the Arghakhanchi district of western Nepal, police said on Tuesday. Sushanta Singh, a permanent resident of Haryana, was arrested on Sunday on the charges of murdering 60-year-old Radha Thapa, police said.

Thapa’s body was recovered with deep head injuries from a forest near the municipality on Sunday.

MAN DROWNS WHILE TRYING TO RESCUE PET DOG

Chandigarh: A 40-year-old merchant navy officer was drowned in Bhakra canal in Punjab while trying to rescue his dog, police said on Tuesday. The incident occurred near Morinda town on Monday. Deceased Ramandeep Singh was on a picnic with his family, and when they were strolling on the bank of the canal, the pet accidentally fell into the canal. Ramandeep jumped into the canal to save it but drowned. However, the dog was rescued by passers-by.

You will have a situation when the world’s most populous country is not among the permanent members of the security council, what does it say about the state of the UN, —S Jaishankar, EAM

—FILE PHOTO

to provide opportunities to Agniveers

BRO are actually our brothers Defence Minister

UNION MINISTER NITYANAND RAI’S SECURITY UPGRADED TO ‘Z’ CATEGORY

Members of Shiv Sena Dogra Front protest the killing of people in Rajouri attack, in Jammu. —PHOTO BY PTI

NIGHT CURFEW IMPOSED ALONGSIDE INT’L BORDER IN J&K’S SAMBA DISTRICT

Jammu (PTI): Authorities on Tuesday imposed night curfew along a kilometer stretch along the International Border in Jammu and Kashmir’s Samba district to ensure better area domination by BSF troops, according to an official order. The step was taken in view of the threat of cross-border infiltration and smuggling of weapons through drones in the present foggy weather, it stated.

China warns nations of tit-for-tat curbs

READ

CRUCIAL

New Delhi: Capital markets regulator Sebi has asked Oravel Stays Ltd, the parent company of travel-tech firm OYO, to refile the draft IPO papers with certain updates. The move might delay the Gurugram-based hospitality unicorn’s initial public offering (IPO). OYO filed preliminary documents with the Sebi in September 2021 for a `8,430 crore IPO. The proposed offering consists of a fresh issue of shares of up to `7,000 crore and an offer-for-sale of as much as `1,430 crore. —PTI

New Delhi: The new process can be initiated after submitting proof of relationship documents like a ration card, mark sheet, marriage certificate, passport etc, mentioning the name of both the applicant and head of family (HOF) and the relationship between them. The process requires OTPbased authentication by the HOF. In case proof of relationship document is not available, UIDAI provides the resident to submit a self-declaration by the HOF in the UIDAI.

New Delhi: BharatPe CEO Suhail Sameer, who had fallen out with former cofounder Ashneer Grover, has quit. In a statement, BharatPe said he “will transition from Chief Executive Officer to Strategic Advisor effective January 7, 2023. BharatPe

CFO Nalin Negi will take over as the interim CEO.

“This will ensure a smooth transition for current CFO, Nalin Negi who has been appointed interim CEO to partner with senior executives to bolster execution in all phases of the company’s business,” the fintech added.

BharatPe was founded in 2018.

IEX TRADE VOLUME

FALLS 7% TO 8,452 MILLION UNITS

New Delhi: The Indian Energy Exchange’s total trade volume in December 2022 dipped 7% to 8,452 million units as compared to the year-ago period. “The overall volume on the exchange in December 2022 increased 9% on a MoM basis.

However, it declined by 7% on YoY basis due to high REC (renewable energy certificates) traded volumes of 13.85 lakh in (December 2021) the previous year,” an IEX statement said. —PTI

ON EXPORT OF

DIESEL,

ATF Govt hikes windfall tax on crude oil

First India Bureau

New Delhi: The government has raised the windfall profit tax levied on domestically produced crude oil as well as on the export of diesel and ATF, in line with firming international oil prices, according to an official order.

The levy on crude oil produced by companies such as Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) has been increased to `2,100 per tonne from `1,700 per tonne, the order dated January 2, said.

Crude oil pumped out of the ground and from below the seabed is refined and converted into fuel like petrol, diesel and aviation turbine fuel (ATF).

The government has also raised the tax on the export of diesel to ` 6.5 per litre, from ` 5 and the same on overseas shipments of ATF to ` 4.5 a litre, from ` 1.5 a litre.

The new tax rates are effective from January 3.

Tax rates were cut at the last fortnightly review on December 16, following a decline in global crude oil prices. International oil

OTHER STORIES

TOP TALKING POINTS

 The levy on crude oil produced by companies such as Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) has been increased to `2,100 per tonne from `1,700 per tonne, the order dated January 2, said

prices have since then firmed up, necessitating the raising of windfall tax.

India first imposed windfall profit taxes on July 1, joining a growing number of nations that tax super normal profits of energy companies. At that time, export duties of `6 per litre ($12 per barrel) each were levied on petrol and ATF

GOLD RATE INCREASES BY `506; SILVER PRICE ALSO ZOOMS BY RUPEES 1,374

New Delhi: Gold price in the national capital jumped `506 to `55,940 per 10 grams on Tuesday amid a rally in prices of the precious metal internationally, according to Housing Development Finance Corporation (HDFC) Securities. The yellow metal had touched `55,434 per 10 grams in the previous trade. Silver also zoomed to `1,374 to `71,224 per kilogram. In the overseas market, gold was trading in green at $1,843 per ounce while silver was up at $24.37 per ounce. —PTI

INDIA’S OCT-DEC SUGAR OUTPUT UP 3.69% AT 120.7 LAKH TONNES

New Delhi: The country’s sugar production rose 3.69% to 120.7 lakh tonnes in the October-December quarter of the ongoing marketing year, according to the industry body ISMA. Sugar production in India, one of the world’s major producers of the sweetener, stood at 116.4 lakh tonnes in the same period of the previous marketing year. Sugar marketing year runs from October to September. According to the Indian Sugar Mills Association (ISMA), about 509 mills were operating as against 500 mills in the said period. PTI

MARUTI SUZUKI INDIA LOGS 28% RISE IN EXPORTS IN 2022

New Delhi: Maruti Suzuki India on Tuesday reported a 28% rise in exports at 2,63,068 units in 2022, its highest ever overseas shipments.

The company’s previous highest exports was achieved in 2021 with 2,05,450 units. The highest exported models in 2022 were Dzire, Swift, S-Presso, Baleno, Brezza.

“Crossing the 2 lakh milestone in exports for the second consecutive year signifies the trust, quality, reliability, performance, and affordability of our products,” MSIL MD & CEO Hisashi Takeuchi said. —PTI



The tax on the export of diesel to `6.5 per litre, from `5 and the same on overseas shipments of ATF to `4.5 a litre, from `1.5 a litre



Tax rates were cut at the last fortnightly review on December 16, following a decline in global crude oil prices

and `13 a litre ($26 a barrel) on diesel.

A ` 23,250 per tonne ($40 per barrel) windfall profit tax on domestic crude production was also levied.

The export tax on petrol has since been scrapped.

The tax rates are reviewed every fortnight based on average oil prices in the previous two weeks.

EAM Jaishankar defends India’s move to import Russian oil

Cloud a big game changer: Nadella

Mumbai (PTI): Microsoft Chairman and CEO Satya Nadella on Tuesday said there is tremendous momentum in cloud adoption, as he termed cloud a “big game changer”.

ACC TO IDC RESEARCH FIRM



Vienna (PTI): EAM S Jaishankar has defended India’s move to import crude oil from Russia, saying that Europe has imported six times the fossil fuel energy from Russia than India has done since February 2022.

Jaishankar also said that if the European political leadership would like to soften the impact of the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict to their population, it’s a privilege they should extend to other political leaderships as well.

“Europe has managed to reduce its imports while doing it in a manner that is comfortable. If at a (per capita income) of 60,000 euros, you are so caring about your population, I have a population at $2,000. I also need energy, and I am not in a position to pay high prices for oil,” Jaishankar said. Jaishankar also pointed out that Europe has imported six times the energy from Russia than India has done since February 2022.

Nadella, in his address on Tuesday, listed cloud and Artificial Intelligence (AI) as imperatives that can be helpful in driving economic growth. “Cloud has been a big game changer... Cloud is in early-to-intermediate innings...,” Nadella said and noted the “tremendous momentum in cloud adoption.”

According to research firm IDC, the overall Indian public cloud services market is expected to reach $13 billion by 2026, growing at a CAGR of 23.1% for 202126. The revenue totaled $2.8 billion for the first half of 2022. Public cloud service (PCS) makes computing

The overall Indian public cloud services market is expected to reach $13 billion by 2026, growing at a CAGR of 23.1% for 2021-26. The revenue totaled $2.8 billion for the first half of 2022 

Top cloud computing providers in India include AWS, Google Cloud and Microsoft’s Azure

and storage applications available on demand to organisations and individuals over the public internet. A private cloud model’s resources are available only to a single organisation.

Top cloud computing providers in India include Amazon Web Services (AWS), Google Cloud and Microsoft’s Azure.

Hyderabad-born Nadella also lauded the way in which India is building public infrastructure.

He said, “... We see tremendous momentum today, when it comes to cloud adoption. In fact, when I think about Microsoft Windows, in the client server era, we sold a few servers in the cloud. It’s a completely different ballgame. But I look at every business in the cloud consumption.”

Market benchmarks settle with gains in day’s volatile trade

New Delhi (PTI): Publicprivate partnership in port infrastructure has been an important source of investment in the sector and the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways has a pipeline of 44 projects for total investment of `22,900 crore till 2024-25, Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal said on Tuesday.

Moreover, the government is working on the guidelines for dealing with stressed public-private partnership (PPP) projects at major ports and has also come up with policies to support the shipbuilding industry in India, Sonowal said.

TO TOUCH `1.6 LAKH CR REVENUE IN FY24

Mumbai (PTI): Equity benchmarks ended with gains on Tuesday amid a largely firm trend in global markets after facing bouts of volatility during the session. The 30-share BSE Sensex climbed 126.41 points or 0.21% to settle at 61,294.20. During the day, it hit a high of 61,343.96 and a low of 61,004.04.

The broader NSE Nifty gained 35.10 points or 0.19% to end at 18,232.55.

From the Sensex pack, Axis Bank, Titan, Tata Consultancy Services, Tech Mahindra, IndusInd Bank, Wipro, Nestle and Bajaj Finance were among the major winners.

Mahindra & Mahindra, Reliance Industries, Hindustan Unilever and Tata Steel were the main laggards.

M&E sector likely to grow 12-14 percent

First India Bureau

New Delhi: Indian media and entertainment sector is likely to grow 12-14% to clock ` 1.6 lakh crore revenue in FY24, according to a report by rating agency Crisil.

The revenue growth of the Indian media and entertainment (M&E) from advertising would be led by digital platforms, followed by TV and print, it added in the report.

“Ad revenue, which accounts for 55% of the sector’s revenue, will grow 14%, given its strong cor-

relation with economic activity. Also, the general elections expected in mid2024 will trigger an in-

crease in ad spending in the last quarter of the next fiscal,” Crisil said. The rest 45% would come

ACC TO REPORT BY CRISIL

Ad revenue, which accounts for 55% of the sector’s revenue, will grow 14%, given its strong correlation with economic activity. Also, the general elections expected in mid-2024 will trigger an increase in ad spending in the last quarter of the next fiscal

from subscription revenue, which will grow at a slower pace of 12%, according to the report.

RUPEE FALLS 8 PAISE TO CLOSE AT 82.86

AGAINST US DOLLAR

Mumbai (PTI): The rupee pared initial gains and settled 8 paise lower at 82.86 (provisional) against the US dollar on Tuesday, weighed by a strong greenback overseas and sustained foreign fund outflows. At the interbank foreign exchange market, the rupee opened on a positive note at 82.69 against the greenback, but pared the gains and fell to an intra-day low of 82.92. The domestic currency finally settled at 82.86, down 8 paise over its previous close of 82.78.

GTRI

New Delhi (PTI): The Indian economy and exports will be moderately impacted in 2023 by weak global demand and recession in large economies and to improve its current account, the country should aim at reducing energy import bill, economic think tank GTRI said on Tuesday.

The Global Trade Research Initiative (GTRI) said that in 2022, India will pay $270 billion in imports of crude oil and coal, which is about 40% of total merchandise import bill.

It also said the US effort to create alternate supply chains excluding China is gradually leading to restructuring of global supply chains and relocation of few large manufacturing firms shows that India is in a good position to benefit from this trend.

rollout to drive telecom hiring in 2023’

New Delhi (PTI): The 5G rollout is expected to drive hiring in the telecom sector in 2023, as the expansion of the high-speed service unleashes a “compounding impact” on recruitment for both non-niche skills and technical skills, according to NLB Services. Demand for specialised telecom technology talent grew by almost 20% in 2022, the international staffing and recruiting company said.

Going forward, the hiring demand is not going to be restricted to the telecom sector alone, it estimated.

UIDAI OK’S UPDATING ADDRESS IN AADHAAR WITH ‘HOF’ CONSENT

SUHAIL SAMEER TO STEP DOWN AS CEO AT BHARATPE

SEBI RETURNS OYO’S

Indian economy & exports will be moderately impacted:

‘5G

AIRTEL LAUNCHES 5G SERVICES IN INDORE

New Delhi (PTI): Bharti Airtel on Tuesday announced the launch of its 5G services in Indore. The company said customers with 5G-enabled devices will experience high speed Airtel 5G Plus network at no extra cost until the rollout is more widespread. Airtel 5G Plus service will boost the entire portfolio of services that the telco offers.

Government has pipeline of 44 port projects till 2024-25: Min

Lokesh Tatwal

Sawai Madhopur : ACB, On Tuesday, arrested Prakash Meena Executive Engineer taking a bribe of Rs 40,000 and Murari Lal Meena assistant engineer, Public Works Department, District Sawai Madhopur taking a bribe of Rs 5,000.

Hemant Priyadarshi, Additional Director General, Anti-Corruption Bureau said that a complaint was given by the complainant to SIW unit, Jaipur about Rs 10

lakh due for the construction and maintenance works done by his firm. In lieu of getting the bills passed, Prakash Meena and Murari Lal Meena were harassing the complainant by de-

manding a bribe amount of Rs 50,000 each as commission. Under the supervision of Vishnukant, IG, ACB, Jaipur, the complaint was verified and a trap was laid where the duo were held.

Sawai Madhopur: ACB Sawai Madhopur arrested Mukesh Kumar Meena Senior Assistant, Office Tehsildar Bamanwas and his broker Meghraj alias Meghi Mali red-handed taking a bribe of Rs 2,500 from the complainant.

Additional Director General of Anti-Corruption Bureau Hemant Priyadarshi said that ACB Sawai Mad-

hopur unit received a complaint that Meena sought a bribe amount of Rs 5,000 in lieu of registering relinquishment of land.

Under the supervision of Deputy Inspector General of Police, ACB, Bharatpur, Kaluram Rawat and led by Additional Superintendent of Police of Sawaimadhopur unit Surendra Kumar Sharma, a trap was laid and the two were arrested.

Trains back on track after rail route repaired in Pali

Rly track was affected after Suryanagri Express got derailed on Monday morning

First India Bureau

Pali : After the derailment of Bandra Terminus-Jodhpur Suryanagari Express at 3.27 am on Monday morning, relief operations started on a war footing by the Railways. The injured passengers were taken to the hospital. Later, the repair work

on the track lasted for about 20 hours and the track was cleared at 11.49 pm.

The rail diversion between Rajkiawas-Bomadara section of Jodhpur division was rectified by the railway administration at 10.50 pm. Later a goods train was successfully run. After this, it was taken to Rajkiawas at 11.45 pm.

Four minutes later, the Railways gave a green signal after which the normal train operation resumed. Chief Safety Commissioner of Central Circle Manoj Arora inspected the accident site on Tuesday.

2 women killed, 3 others injured in road mishap

First India Bureau

Jaipur: A Sneh Milan Samaroh was organized at Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) headquarters on Tuesday. Additional Director General of ACB, Hemant Priyadarshi extended his new year greetings to officials and employees

of Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB). On this occasion, Hemant Priyadarshi said that the ACB team has lived up to the expectations of the people in 2022 and the whole team should work with the same spirit, and enthusiasm and dis-

charge their responsibility with dedication in 2023 also. ACB IG (First) Sawai Singh Godara, IG (Second) Dr Vishnu Kant, DIG Kaluram Rawat and other officers and employees of the bureau were present on the occasion.

First India Bureau

Jaipur: Farewell ceremony of retired IPS officers was held at RPA on Monday night in which the farewell was given to BL Soni and Kesar Singh Shekhawat.

DGP Umesh Mishra, former DGP ML Lather and many other serving

and retired officers were present in the farewell ceremony.

BL Soni, who retired as DG ACB sang a song while Kesar Singh Shekhawat gave important suggestions based on his experiences.

He said that law and order in the state is good but positive things don’t

come out. Shekhawat said that positive efforts of police should reach the public. He also said that SPs should also get separate PROs in districts. He said that IPS association is needed to be strengthen. “If there is a case against a police officer, he should get legal help,” he said.

Barmer : Two women were killed and three others of a family were critically injured when an uncontrolled speeding pickup van overturned in Balotra town of Barmer district on Monday night. Police informed the deceased has been identified as Jivo (32) and Leela (30), both residents of Malwa village in Barmer.

“The incident occurred at a curve near Gol Station in Balotra. The speeding van loaded with ten passengers was heading towards Sarnu village from Malwa village when it lost its control and overturned at the curve,” police said.

First India Bureau

Kota : Prisoners with good conduct will now be able to operate a petrol pump inside the premises of Kota central Jail. The petrol pump was inaugurated by Jail Superintendent Paramjit Singh Sidhu on Tuesday. Open jail inmates

will get employment at the petrol pump. Around 20 to 25 inmates will be on duty at the pump and the income will be used for prisoner welfare and development of the jail department. This is the second innovation of the prison administration after Aashayein The Jail Shop.

Inmates of Kota jail to work at petrol pump One more FIR on former RTU prof Parmar

Kota : Former associate professor of Rajasthan Technical University (RTU), Girish Parmar, has been booked in one more case for allegedly harassing a female faculty

member of the varsity. The female professor has filed a case against Girish Parmar and two others at Dadabari Police Station in Kota.

The victim has al-

leged mental harassment and molestation by Girish Parmar, faculty members Rajiv Gupta and others in the FIR.

The matter will be

investigated by SIT. Notably, the victim was appointed on June 28, 2008, as an assistant lecturer in the electricity department of the varsity. Later, the victim was harassed by the accused on several occasions.

Police patrol team attacked by sand mafias in Dholpur

Dholpur (FIB): A police team was attacked by sand mafias in Dholpur on Monday night. Police informed that Dholpur DSP Suresh Sankhla and Kotwali Police Station InCharge Anil Jasoriya were inspecting liquor shops when they spotted a tractor filled with illegal sand, they chased it for 10 kms and stopped it but sand mafias opened fire and flee from the spot.

VMOU under scanner over alleged paper leak; question paper viral on social media

Kota: The examination system of Vardhman Mahaveer Open University Kota is under scanner after the paper of Hindi Literature BA second year exam to be held on Tuesday went viral on WhatsApp and other social media. About 5,000 candidates were to appear in the exam at 115 examina-

tion centres of the university across the state. But the question along with the answers started circulating on What-

sApp groups from morning.

Apart from Hindi, the Physics exam question paper, which is go-

ing to be held today is also alleged to have gone viral. Although the university management is quietly accepting the paper leak, Vice-Chancellor Prof KC Sodani said that an inquiry will be done into this. Meanwhile, Arun Kumar, Controller of Examinations of the University, could not be contacted on phone.

466.60 873, 874, 877, 878, 879, 880, 881, 882, 884, 886

488.82 873, 874, 877, 878, 879, 880, 881, 882, 884, 886

466.60 873, 874, 877, 878, 879, 880, 881, 882, 884, 886

873, 874, 877, 878, 879, 880, 881, 882, 884, 886

873, 874, 877, 878, 879, 880, 881, 882, 884, 886

873, 874, 877, 878, 879, 880, 881, 882, 884, 886

873, 874, 877, 878, 879, 880, 881, 882, 884, 886

200.00 873, 874, 877, 878, 879, 880, 881, 882, 884, 886

873, 874, 877, 878, 879, 880, 881, 882, 884, 886

873, 874, 877, 878, 879, 880, 881, 882, 884, 886

873, 874, 875, 877, 878, 879, 880, 881, 882, 884, 886

256.00 873, 874, 875, 877, 878, 879, 880, 881, 882, 884, 886

PRAYERS AT PUSHKAR SAROVAR

RTDC Chairman Dharmendra Rathore wished for the prosperity of the State by performing Maha Aarti at the holy Pushkar Sarovar and worshiping Lord Brahma on Tuesday.

Sandeep Goyal

Gul Mohd

Bhanwar S Charan

XEn Prakash Meena (L), AEn Murari Lal Meena (R) in ACB custody.

Passengers getting onboard at Pali Rly Stn on Tuesday.

Accused Mukesh Meena and Meghraj in ACB custody on Tuesday.

Jail Superintendent Paramjit S Sidhu & Dy Superintendent Jaswant Singh inaugurated the pump by filling petrol in vehicles on Tuesday.

BL Soni singing song during his farewell on Monday night.

INDIA IS HARBINGER OF PEACE IN WORLD: PREZ

Ravi Sharma & Ashok Kumawat

Abu Road: President Droupadi Murmu while addressing the conference ‘Rising India

Through Spiritual Empowerment’ at Brahma Kumaris, an spiritual organisation, at Abu Road in Sirohi district, “In an atmosphere of wars and discord, the world community is looking towards India for a solution. In this era of uncertainty, along with protecting its national interests, India is also playing the role of a harbinger of peace in the world.”

“This is the world’s largest spiritual organisation run by women. Its success proves that on getting opportunity, women can work equal to or perhaps better

than the male counterparts. She said that environment conservation is a kind of spirituality because this gives inner

Prez lays foundation stone for 1,000 MW solar project in Raj

peace. During the event, President Murmu virtually inaugurated newly built Silence Retreat Centre in Secunderabad,

BHUPESH MISTAKEN FOR VASUNDHARA RAJE

Jaipur:

Prez to inaugurate Nat’l Scouts & Guides Jamboree in Pali today

Rajeev Gaur

ABOUT MEGA EVENT

Mamta

(UP) & auditorium & Shivdarshan Art Gallery of Shiv Shakti Sarovar Retreat Centre built in Indore.

No matter which country, religion, caste or community we belong to, mental peace is our fundamental need like food and water.

—Droupadi Murmu, President of India

Jodhpur: The State will host the 18th National Bharat Scouts & Guide Jamboree from January 4 to 10 in RIICO area at Nimbli Brahmanan village in Pali district of Jodhpur. The event will be inaugurated by President Droupadi Murmu and Rajasthan Governor Kalraj Mishra. The theme of the event is ‘Progress with Peace.’

A provision of Rs 25 crore was announced by Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot for the event. A total of 35,000 domestic and foreign scouts and guides will

‘Educate girls to make them self-reliant’

The tribal community has a great contribution in saving water, forests & land. Marketing the forest products made by them need to be marketed effectively.

—Droupadi Murmu, President of India

z 3,520 tents on 220 hectares of land have been set up. Around 400 scouts & guides from across the world will attend the event.

z Arrangements for 50 beds, temporary hospitals, giant conference halls, exhibition halls, helipad, 80 shops and a huge entrance gate has been made, seating arrangement for 35,000 people.

z Army’s Surya Kiran aircraft’s acrobatics skills will be displayed during the Jamboree.

participate in this. In 1956, Rajasthan got the opportunity to organize

z Jamboree has been designed by Pali’s architect Sundar Rathore.

z Various interesting competitions and activities will be held.

z A cultural evening will be organised by Raj Tourism Dept todaywhere famous folk singer Mame Khan and his troupe & famous Kalbelia dancer Gulabo will regale the audience. There will be dance performances like Kalbeliya, Peacock, Phoolon ki Holi and puppet show.

the second Jamboree in Jaipur from December 27 to 31.

Guv: Being vigilant is every citizen’s basic duty

Kashiram Choudhary

Jaipur:

Murmu on Tuesday virtually laid

stone of

firm SJVN’s 1,000 MW Bikaner Solar Power Project in Jaipur, Rajasthan. Governor of Rajasthan Kalraj Mishra and state Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot also attended the event, SJVN said in a statement.

This project will be implemented through its wholly-owned subsidiary SJVN Green Energy Limited (SGEL), the company said. The project is sched-

uled to be commissioned by March 2024, he said, adding the project will generate 2,454.55 MU in the first year and approximately 56,838 MU would be generated on a cumulative basis for 25 years. The project would also lead to a reduction in carbon emissions of 27,85,077 tonnes. Maximum usage charges have been fixed at Rs 2.57 per unit, which will help in providing cheaper electricity to consumers. The project will generate up to 200 direct & 1,000 indirect employment opportunities. —PTI

Development cost of the project is Rs 5,492 crore and viability gap funding support of Rs 44.72 lakh per megawatt for this project is being done by IREDA. It will come up on a 5,000 acres area.

Jaipur: President Draupadi Murmu met the representatives of Saharia and Kathodi tribes at the Raj Bhavan and inquired about their everyday problems. She also asked the tribal community not to marry children at an early age and pay attention towards the education of girls and make them self-reliant. Murmu said that there is a

need to educate the girls as it will give them opportunities to move forward in life.

She inquired about the daily routine of the community representatives and asked them about the drinking water, electricity and other facilities available. She emphasized on making efforts to increase live-

lihood through works related to traditional and manual skills. She inquired about schemes implemented at State govt level for tribal welfare. She also inquired about the work being done for beekeeping in tribal areas and the income generated from it.

Governor Kalraj Mishra informed about

FROM P1…

Constitution capable...

This Constitution Park has shown the basic spirit of the Constitution,” she said.

“The framers of the Constitution framed the Constitution on the principles of social, economic, political justice, liberty, equality and fraternity. India’s democratic tradition is very ancient. Here the Bodhi Sangh also followed parliamentary

the work to be done in tribal areas under Samvad and informed about the youth being benefited from skill development and employmentoriented programmes.

CM Ashok Gehlot said that State government is committed to tribal welfare & directed the officials to ensure that tribals are benefited.

Jaipur: Governor Kalraj Mishra held a press conference and informed about the intention to construct the Constitution Park at Raj Bhavan. “The matter of resignation of Congress MLAs isn’t in my jurisdiction. This matter is pending in the court, so I do not want to comment on this mat-

ter,” Mishra said. “ Since I became the Governor, I have been continuously working to make people aware of the Constitution, which is not a book related with governing a nation. It is a philosophy of Indian life & with rights, we have to fulfill fundamental duties. The fundamental duty of citizens is to be vigilant,” Governor said.

EXPLORE THE CONSTITUTION PARK

President Draupadi Murmu inaugurated the Constitution Park by unveiling the plaque. After this she met Governor Kalraj Mishra, CM Ashok Gehlot, Assembly Speaker Dr CPJoshi and visited Constitution Park with UDH Minister Shanti Dhariwal. She reviewed the historical journey of the creation of the Indian Constitution preserved in various sculptures, photographs, models etc. She appreciated the Flag Post, Peacock Column, Gandhi Statue and Maharana Pratap Statue installed in Raj Bhavan. She said that people coming here will connect with the culture of the Constitution.

procedures,” she said. “There are 82 women members in Lok Sabha and 33 in Rajya Sabha. This is the first time

Gehlot Cabinet reshuffle likely after Assembly session

Jaipur: Cabinet reshuffle is expected after the Assembly session in Rajasthan. The Assembly session is beginning on January 23. After the session, Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot is likely to reshuffle his cabinet after meeting AICC General Secretary KC Venugopal.

Social engineering will be seen in the reshuffle. Deputy Chief Minister can also be made on the basis of caste equation. Sources

said that for reshuffle this time, Jagan Reddy formula is being studied. RG’s input will also be reflected in the reshuffle. On the other hand, nearly 50 Congressmen will be made AICC members from Rajasthan.

PRO Rajendra Kump-

awat has come to Jaipur for this purpose. A list has to be given in view of the convention to be held in Chhattisgarh.

The PRO has met CM Gehlot and PCC Chief Govind Singh Dotasra. The PRO is focusing on finalising the list of AICC members.

First India Bureau

Jaipur: Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot will leave Udaipur for Banswara on January 6, at 11.30 am and reach Ganga Talai at 12.30 pm, where he will lay the foundation stone of Upper High Level Canal.

Thereafter, Gehlot will reach Sagwara in Dungarpur at 2.30 pm and participate in Gau Katha Navya Mahotsav in Mahipal Khel Maidan.

He will leave Sagwara at 3.30 pm and reach Dabok Airport at 4 pm. From Dabok Airport, he will leave at 4.10 pm for Jodhpur and reach Jodhpur at 4.40 pm, where he will inaugurate Western Rajasthan Handicrafts Industry Festival at 6 pm at Ravana Ka Chabutara Maidan.

Thereafter, he will leave for Jaipur by special flight from Jodhpur at 7.30 pm and reach the State capital at 8.15 pm.

First India Bureau

Kota: A grand loan distribution fair will be organised in Kota’s Dussehra Maidan on January 8 for street vendors, small entrepreneurs and cattle herders of Kota-Bundi parliamentary constituency.

LS Speaker Om Birla & Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will release the loan amount in the programme. With Birla’s efforts, all types of street vendors including dairy booth operators and tea vendors

that more than 100 women MPs are representing Parliament,” she said.

On this occasion,

‘Con-

will get a chance to expand their work. Along with this, financial support should also be provided to small entrepreneurs working in construction, processing

and service sectors. For this, he took the initiative to get them loans at a very cheap rate of interest through PM Swanidhi Yojana and Mudra Yojana.

Aditi Nagar

President Droupadi Murmu being felicitated during the launch of the nationwide campaign ‘RISE - Rising India through Spiritual Empowerment’ initiated by the Brahmakumaris Institute under the Azadi KaAmrit Mahotsav in Mount Abu on Tuesday.

Min Mamta Bhupesh was mistaken for former CM Vausndhara Raje by anchor during the inauguration of the Constitution park at Raj Bhavan. The anchor recognized Mamta Bhupesh as Raje and welcomed her to the programme. However, she instantly realized the faux pas and corrected the mistake.

Bhupesh also smiled on the goof up.

MAMTA

I learnt Rajyoga in this organisation which brought a light in my life at a time when I was in despair: Murmu

President Droupadi

the foundation

state-owned energy

President Droupadi Murmu inaugurates various projects of Ministry of Power during a programme at Raj Bhavan in Jaipur. Also seen here are Governor Kalraj Mishra and CM Ashok Gehlot.

—Nand Lal Sharma, SJVN CMD

Dinesh Tiwari

Murmu instructed CS Usha Sharma and other officials to implement various public welfare schemes in tribal areas

President Droupadi Murmu interacts with the representatives of Saharia and Kathodi tribes at the Raj Bhavan on Tuesday. Also seen here are Guv Kalraj Mishra and CM Ashok Gehlot.

Governor Kalraj Mishra addresses the media during a press conference at Raj Bhavan in Jaipur. Also seen here are Subir Kumar & Govindram Jaiswal. —PHOTO BY SANTOSH SHARMA

Governor Kalraj Mishra expressed his gratitude to President Droupadi Murmu for inaugurating the

stitution Park’ and said that our Constitution is a living vision of Indian culture. The Governor said that the people coming to the Raj Bhavan can learn about our Constitution and the culture associated with it, for this purpose the Constitution Park has been set up here.

Governor Kalraj Mishra and CM Ashok Gehlot greet President Droupadi Murmu upon her arrival at Jaipur Airport on Tuesday.

Om Birla during his Kota visit, chairs a meeting to review preps of upcoming Loan Fair in Kota on Jan 8.

—FILE

LET YOUR CURVES SPEAK

Acorset is a typical support garment

may look like a lovely aesthetic, it is scarcely realistic or feasible for a day-to-day look. However, the Bridgerton costume department has more than simply standard corsets. They are quickly becoming fundamental wardrobe pieces like Tshirts. I kid you not! In fact, they complement practically everything and quickly dress up or down anything that is too fussy or informal.

The most typical and wellknown application of corsets is to contour the body to a trendy silhouette. Narrowing the waist and so emphasising the breast and hips, commonly highlights a curvaceous body in women.

Traditionally, a corset spreads the strain from enormous gowns, such as the bustle and crinoline, and supports the visible garment. Sometimes a corset cover is used to hide the corset’s lines and shield outside clothing from it. To provide a barrier between the corset and the body, the original corset cover was worn below. Corsets were not worn near the skin, presumably because they were difficult to clean in the 19th century since they contained steel boning and rust-prone metal eyelets.

Corsets can be worn as a top with low-slung slacks, tiny skirts, cargo pants, or as a coordinated set. It will give you the best out of your body.

You can also wear this trendy spectacular look on a loose-fit dress to add a pinch of glam to your look. A smoky bold makeup would look the best with this type of

MRIDULA SHARMA cityfirst@firstindia.co.in

The corset fashion in 2022 was more Euphoric than bright hues, metallic sheens, and edgy designs. Let’s dive into the magical world of corset fashion with City First

SHOULD THE MEALS BE SMALL AND FREQUENT

DR RAMAVTAR SHARMA ramawatarf132@gmail.com

As human life evolved on earth and man started living in villages and then cities the human body started changing internally as far as its metabolism is concerned. A significant majority started gaining more body weight than desirable while some people could gain no weight despite all the possible efforts on the part of the individual. Culturally, people prefer breakfast, lunch and dinner with some snacking in the evening. It is widely believed that this routine improves health and wellness though no definite scientific scrutiny has ever been done.

Another line of thought is that small frequent meals are better suited to gain and maintaining body weight and muscle mass. All this may sound confusing but being a complex living being everyone out of us may need a bit of an individualized approach. Some studies where one group ate three large meals while the other group enjoyed six smaller meals a day showed no significant difference in body fat provided the total calorie intake was controlled and equal. But it has been observed that those in the six meals-a-day programs developed more appetite which could make them prone to excess calorie consumption in future as there would be no restriction on calorie intake at home.

The studies came to a near conclusion that there is no need to be bounded by any strict regime regarding the number of meals one consumes. What is important is the quality and type of food and also the state of mind when one is having one's meal. Many people believe that small frequent meals control weight gain and improve body metabolism but studies do not support such claims. Rather a large meal may improve metabolism but again there are individual variations. But some studies indicate that small fre-

quent meals with adequate protein content may improve athletic performance.

It has been observed that food quality is better in the groups where people have three or more meals per day because legumes, vegetables, greens, fruits, dairy and nuts are added to the meals as varieties. These people are also less likely to have added sugar and salt than those who have only two meals a day.

Thus, it has become reasonably clear that there is nothing miraculous as far as frequent meals or two meals a day are concerned. It is an individual approach and dis-

ARIES

MAR 21 - APR 20

Health tips from an expert will enable you to get closer to your fitness goals. Using your initiative at work will be much appreciated. You may get a chance to pursue old hobby. Your generous behavior would enable to enjoy some lovely moments with family. You will get a good price for your property.

TAURUS

APR 21 - MAY 20

Following a health diet will be a good idea. Luck favours you today on the professional front. Focussing on health now will help you in keeping physically fit. Clarity of mind and retentive power will help you forge ahead on the academic front. Frustration on the romantic front is possible

GEMINI

MAY 21 - JUNE 21

Distant relatives may drop in for a surprise visit. On professional front, recognition for good work would motivate you to work harder. Those awaiting an affirmation on romantic front are likely to get lucky today, as partner responds positively. Today you will enjoy the trust of senior management.

CANCER

JUNE 22 - JULY 23

Your intuition will save you from a tricky spot today. Yoga would help in raising energy levels and improve your metabolism. You will manage to achieve your aim through travel. This is a great time on the academic front, when you mange to render your best. You will get successful in love.

LEO

JULY 24 - AUGUST 23

Family will be most supportive, when it really matters for you. Some of you may add to your list of properties by booking a new one. It is good day to confess your love as stars appear favourable for positive reply. A long drive is likely to help you get over mental tiredness.

VIRGO

LIBRA

SEPT 24 - OCTOBER 22 Despite hectic schedule you will manage to find time for family. Seek the opinion of your family before finalizing a property deal. Your bold initiatives on romantic front bring back passion and spark in romantic relationship. Overall health remains fine. Some of you can get romantically involved.

SCORPIO

OCT 23 - NOVEMBER 22 Happiness in the domestic sphere will only come with a changed mind set. Some of you are likely to become a part of an overseas official trip. Better to consult an expert in financial matters before making an investment. Harsh words may create a rift in your romantic relationship; be careful.

SAGITTARIUS

NOV 23 - DEC 22

It’s a very good day to take calculated risks in financial matters. Your efforts on the professional front will be recognised. Opting for some healthy choices will ensure you remain in perfect health. You will feel much happy and contented on the family front. Today you will enjoy the trust of senior management.

CAPRICORN

DEC 23 - JAN 20

You will succeed in resolving problem with family members, normalizing ties. Despite your misgivings, you retain good health. You will do much to bring peace and harmony at home. You will remain much in demand on social front. Some of you can get romantically involved.

AQUARIUS

JAN 21 - FEB 19

A friend or colleague may motivate you to take up a healthy activity. Parents may appear more than happy with what you deliver. Plans for overseas travel are likely to materialise. You are likely to get clearance or approval for your construction plans. You find things moving in the way you want them.

PISCES

DAY

cipline. Quality of ingredients and balance of calories is very important. The needs of individuals have to be tailored. Remember that food is one of the many factors which keep us healthy and fit or vice versa. To stay fit you have to review your overall lifestyle because health includes physical, mental, social and spiritual well-being.

FACEOFTHEDAY

Horoscope by Saurabbh Sachdeva

Seal Kiss

It’s New Year 2023

and Malaika Arora’s first post is with her boyfriend Arjun Kapoor. The actress treated her Insta family to a monochrome picture from their New Year festivities with their friends in Ranthambore, Rajasthan. In the image, Malaika is planting a kiss on Arjun’s cheek, while he clicks an adorable picture. In the background, we can see a tree covered with fairy lights. In the caption, Malaika wrote, “Hello 2023 (a heart emoticon)... Love and light.” Arjun

SAMANTHA IN CITADEL?

Alot is being written about Samantha Ruth Prabhu’s health and how that is impacting the shooting schedules of her upcoming projects. Once again, speculations are doing rounds that Samantha has quit Raj and DK’s upcoming film Citadel, an original spy series that will co-star Varun Dhawan. It is also said that Sam, who is diagnosed with an autoimmune disease called Myositis, will be taking a long break from work, leading to rumour mills buzzing that she is being replaced in the upcoming projects.

Samantha Ruth Prabhu is very much a part of Varun Dhawan’s costarrer Citadel and will start shooting the same in the second half of January 2023.

The official dates will be confirmed soon. “Anything and everything is written about her being replaced in Citadel is rubbish.

She will begin the shoot in the second half of January,” confirmed a source.

“An uncomfortable filming experience”

Chiranjeevi and Ravi Teja’s most-awaited mass action entertainer Waltair Veerayya hits the big screens, on January 13.

From songs to the first look, everything about the film is drawing a huge response from moviegoers.

The on-screen chemistry between the lead pair in the 3-minute video catches our attention. However, Shruti Haasan did not really enjoy filming the song in a snow-clad location. Sharing her experience of shooting for the song, Shruti said, “I do hope and completely be very honest that I don’t have to do another song in the snow wearing a saree because physically it is so uncomfortable but I guess, people still want to see it and we will have to keep doing it. It is truly uncomfortable for a

BREAK-UP?

ara Sutaria and Aadar Jain, who had been in a relationship for a few years, have reportedly broken up. As per reports, the couple has decided to amicably part ways, and are on good terms. One of the most loved couples of B-Town, the two had kept their relationship low-key, but would often grab headlines for their mushy posts on each other’s birthdays and special occasions. Tara and Aadar were often spotted by the paparazzi together, and the actress was also seen with him at all the Kapoor family functions. A source informed the publication, “Aadar and Tara have decided to amicably part ways. They’re both mature and they will remain friends and care for each other fondly.”

Jisoo to make her solo debut

On January 2nd, YG Entertainment announced, “BLACKPINK’s Jisoo is currently accelerating the recording of a solo album.” YG Entertainment added, “Amidst the busy schedule of the world tour since last year, to keep the promise with fans, we have finished taking photos for the jacket and have

been working on music in our spare time. We will come back soon with good news.”

With this, Jisoo will make her solo debut as the last member of BLACKPINK, following Jennie, Rosé, and Lisa. Currently, BLACKPINK is conducting the largest world tour done by any K-pop girl group. Starting with the concert in Seoul last October,

BLACKPINK members held North American concerts, seven cities and a European tour. Starting this year, they will perform in parts of Asia. In the past few years, each member of BLACKPINK, except Jisoo, had made their solo debut and received a lot of love from fans and nonfans too.

also shared the same picture on

his Instagram handle with a different caption, “Happy 2023 everyone...Let the light guide you this year...”

Malaika Arora and Arjun Kapoor rang in the new year with friends Varun Dhawan-Natasha Dalal, Kunal Rawal-Arpita Mehta and Mohit Marwah-Antara Motiwala in Rajasthan. Sharing a group picture on her Instagram handle, she wrote, “Love, happiness and eternal sunshine ..... happy 2023.” Arjun Kapoor also shared a similar picture with a different caption “Bring it on 2023 !!!”

Samantha Ruth Prabhu

Kim Jisoo

Tara Sutaria

Malaika Arora

Chiranjeevi and Shruti Haasan in a still from the song

Samantha with Varun Dhawan

Her post...

Things to look out for!

CELEBRATING SUCCESS!

CITY FIRST

Jaipur Literature Festival, is all set to run its sixteenth edition from January 19 to 23. The five-day literary extravaganza promises to bring together a stellar line-up of speakers, writers and thinkers from India and across the world at Hotel Clarks Amer, Jaipur.

The Festival will infuse the Pink City with the infectious enthusiasm that books, ideas and discourse bring, along with the dynamic energy of its customary music, merchandise, food and ancillary events.

Here are some highlights from the Festival that truly make it the ‘greatest literary show on Earth’.

Listen to some of the greatest minds of the world: hosts some of the world’s best literary minds and brings them together for dis cussions and in teractions spanning fiction, poetry, economics, history and more.

Heritage Evening: The Festival will also host a fascinating Her itage Evening at the historic Amer Fort with a mesmerising performance by hu ti-the Nrityagram Dance Ensemble in collaboration with the Chitrasena Dance Company.

The Jaipur Music Stage: The exhila rating Jaipur Music

Stage will bring in a range of powerpacked musicians to the literary extravaganza. The Music Stage will feature a range of celebrated artistes from all around the globe.

Jaipur Book Mark: South Asia’s biggest publishing conclave, the prestigious Jaipur BookMark, returns to the annual JLF with its ninth edition, bringing together publishers, editors, literary agents, writers, translators and booksellers from across the world.

‘Friend of the Festival’ Experience: While the Festival is open to all, a specially-curated ‘FOF’ package promises an unmatched experience of the Festival including access to an exclusive and wellappointed Festival Lounge where FOFs can relax, network and occasionally meet speakers too over tea.

PAYING TRIBUTE!

CITY FIRST

n Tuesday, on the birth anniversary of the country’s first woman teacher Savitri Bai Phule, the unveiling program of the statue of Mahatma Jyotiba Bhule Woh Mata Savitribai Phule was organised at Saini Samaj Sabha Bhavan, Rin-

gas Road in the city. On this occasion, the program was inaugurated by lighting a lamp in front of the idol of Savitribai Phule and aarti was organised for the girls.

On this occasion, former Agriculture Minister Prabhu Lal Saini, Jaitaran MLA Avinash Gehlot, former MLA Khetri Puranmal Saini and former MLA Bhagwan Sahay Saini unveiled

CITY FIRST

The grand finale of Ravi Surya and Ananta Resort presents SKJ Jewellers Miss & Mrs India Glam, Season 4 took place at Ananta Spa & Resort, Delhi Road, Jaipur on Wednesday, December 28. Dr Jagdeesh Chandra hosted a grand dinner for the winners of Miss & Mrs India Glam, Season 4 to celebrate the glorious victory of the crowned beauties at Rambagh Palace, Jaipur on Monday. During the occasion, he motivated the winners and said that if you are determined to reach the top, then do whatever is

necessary to fulfill your dreams. One day the whole world will salute you. In the same episode, Dr Chandra was honoured by Pawan Tank, organiser of Miss & Mrs India Glam. Heena Sharma (Miss India Glam Fashion Icon 2023), Deepika Singh (Miss India Glam 2023 2nd runner up), Abhishekta Tanwar (Miss India Glam 2023 1st runner up), Neha shekhawat (Miss India Glam 2023 winner), Kavita choudhary (Miss India Glam Rajasthan 2023), Harshita Kanwar (Miss India Glam Best Rampwalk 2023 ) and Tanya Jakhar (Miss India Glam Fitness fanatic 2023) were present on the occasion.

PROUD MOMENT!

the statues of Mahatma Jyotiba Phule and Savitri Bai Phule. On this occasion, former Agriculture Minister Saini said that if society has to move forward on the path of progress, education will have to be supported.

Social progress is not possible without education. Mahatma Jyotiba Phule understood this very well in those days.

That’s why facing all the opposition and struggles. If we want to fulfil the dreams of Mahatma Jyotirao

Phule and Savitri Bai Phule, then we have to move forward only on the strength of education. Only then the progress of the country and the society is possible. On this occasion, Chomu Municipality Chairman Vishnu Kumar Saini, State Presi-

On the occasion of Christmas and New Year, Institute Of Design And Technology, Jaipur students showcased their 1st collection in the Leading Kids Fashion Show - INDIA’S LITTLE FASHION HUNTERS - Chapter 6, at Zee studio, Sitapura. More than 10 designers took part in the Fashion Show. Director Ar. Purva Rana mentioned that their 1st-year students Priya Pancholi, Arti Sharma, Pooja Dixit And Samim Tanwir showcased their DISNEY DEVILS theme collection and Mr Rajasthan- Surya Raj Singh was the showstopper for their collection. Our students felt motivated after Showcasing their designs along with renowned designers from the Fashion industry.

heart of the poem with classical dance expressions, postures and acting, which is very interesting.

Jagdeesh Chandra was greeted by Akshay Garg, Media Coordinator, Jaipur, Isha foundation, during a courtesy meeting at the former’s residence on Tuesday. During the meeting, Garg also presented a book titled ‘Inner Engineering book of Sadhguru’ and a calendar to him.

Singer Sarita Rao from Jaipur (Rajasthan) and Arisia Ponet from Belgium (Europe) together created a musically interesting project which is quite interesting. The subject of this project is based on poetry, dance and sound. Dutchbased sound artist and guitarist Tristan Visser have created the trailer for the project. In this, all three artists have tried to give a positive message showing the agony of the women bound in the bonds of society and the desire to be free from it. In this project, on the poem, Kab Tak... written by singer Sarita Rao, Belgium’s Arisia Ponet has tried to touch and feel the

Bollywood actor Varun Dhawan was papped at the Jaipur International Airport on Tuesday for a private affair.

VVR National Karate League organised a Karate competition at SMS Stadium Jaipur, on Tuesday, in which stars of Cambridge Public School made their school proud by bagging medals in the tournament. Rijul bagged the Silver Medal whereas Manvi, Avika, Samridhi, Dhruv and Naksh grabbed bronze medals for their exceptional performance in the match.

dent of Saini Development Institute Guddu Saini Shahpura, Civil Rights Association President Suresh Saini NHI, State President Chuttanlal Sainia among others were present. The stage was moderated by anchor Deepa Saini.

The poster of the Fashion Show for Special Abled Person, which is going to be organised by Baba Balak Nath Seva Sansthan and Bengal Super, was released by Tikaram Julie, Cabinet Minister of Social Justice and Empowerment Department at his residence recently. Organiser Ritu Umesh Aggarwal shared that about 200 Divyang people are coming from all over India to participate in it. People with disabilities will be given a golden opportunity to present their cases before the nation. Officers Rajni Dinesh Mathur and Sapna Rahul Jain were present at the time of release. He shared that the program will be held on January 8 at Royal Palace Garden Sanganer Jaipur. Gifts to all Divyangs will be distributed by the Nandini Group and wheelchairs will be distributed to the needy by the Virat Group.

—PHOTOS BY SUNIL SHARMA

Jagdeesh Chandra with (L-R) Heena Sharma (Miss India Glam Fashion Icon 2023),

Deepika Singh (Miss India Glam 2023 2nd runner up), Abhishekta Tanwar (Miss India Glam 2023 1st runner up), Neha Shekhawat (Miss India Glam 2023 winner), Kavita Choudhary (Miss India Glam Rajasthan 2023), Harshita Kanwar (Miss India Glam Best Rampwalk 2023 ) and Tanya Jakhar (Miss India Glam Fitness Fanatic 2023)

Jagdeesh Chandra greeted by Pawan Tank and Shivani Chauhan

—FILE