First India-Delhi Edition-4th November 2022

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OUR EDITIONS: JAIPUR, NEW DELHI & MUMBAI

NEW DELHI l FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 2022 l Pages 14 l 3.00 RNI TITLE NO. DELENG/2021/19840 l Vol 2 l Issue No. 65

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NEW DELHI | FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 2022

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NEW DELHI l FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 2022 l Pages 14 l 3.00 RNI TITLE NO. DELENG/2021/19840 l Vol 2 l Issue No. 65

CAN’T REPRESENT BIZMAN, HE IS NOT TRACEABLE: ADV OF MALLYA TO SC

New Delhi: A lawyer representing Vijay Mallya on Thursday requested the Supreme Court to be relieved from the case concerning the fugitive businessman as he was untraceable and not responding to any communication from his lawyer.

OUR EDITIONS: JAIPUR, NEW DELHI & MUMBAI

BSE SENSEX 60,836.41

ARMY FOILS INFILTRATION BID, KILLS 3 TERRORISTS IN J&K Poonch: The Indian Army has foiled a major infiltration bid along the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir’s Poonch sector by eliminating three terrorists, according to sources. The Indian Army on Thursday observed suspicious movement of some individuals along the LoC in Poonch sector.

69.68 | NSE NIFTY 18,052.70

30.15

FACEBOOKPARENT META’S INDIA HEAD AJIT STEPS DOWN

Bengaluru: Facebook-parent Meta Platforms Inc said on Thursday that its India head, Ajit Mohan, has stepped down after 4 years, while a media report said he would join rival Snap Inc. Manish Chopra will take over on an interim capacity.

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WATCH THE NATIONAL HINDI NEWS CHANNEL BHARAT24 - JAHAN TAK BHARAT WAHAN TAK BHARAT24

BATTLE FOR GUJ ‘RAJ’!

Gujarat election dates announced

Moni Sharma New Delhi: The Election Commission on Thursday announced the schedule for assembly election in Gujarat.

The state, where the BJP is currently in power, goes to the hustings on December 1.

Assembly polls in Gujarat will be held in two phases. The Legislative Assembly of Gujarat is 182-members strong.

This time, the election will witness a three-cornered contest between the ruling BJP, the Congress and the AAP. Jagat Prakash Nadda @JPNadda I welcome the announcement of the Gujarat Assembly elections by the Election Commission. Under the leadership of respected Prime Minister Shri @ narendramodi ji, BJP will again form a double engine government in Gujarat with a huge majority and will work with a commitment to fulfill the aspirations of the people for the next 5 years.

BELOW IS A DETAIL BREAKDOWN OF THE ELECTION SCHEDULE TO BE HELD IN GUJ: PHASE 1 l Date of issue of notification: November 5 l Last date for filing nomination: November 14 l Date of the scrutiny: November 15 l Last date of withdrawal of the nomination: November 17 CEC Rajiv Kumar with EC Anup Chandra Pandey and others at a press conference to announce the schedule of Legislative Assembly elections in Gujarat, at Akashvani Bhawan on Thursday.

ABOUT LAST 2 ASSEMBLY ELECTIONS Gujarat TOTAL SEATS

182

POLL DAYS PHASE 1: DEC 1 (89 SEATS) PHASE 2: DEC 5 (93 SEATS) COUNTING: DEC 8

2012

2017

Seats Won (vote share%)

Seats Won (vote share%)

l BJP: 115 seats (47.8%) l INC: 61 seats (38.9%) l Others: 6 seats (13.3% )

l BJP: 99 seats (49%) l INC: 77 seats (41.4%) l Others: 6 seats (9.6% )

PM TO CAMPAIGN IN GUJARAT ON SUNDAY, 1ST VISIT AFTER POLL DATES ANNOUNCED

PM Modi will head to Gujarat on November 6, his first visit since the announcement of poll dates for his home state.

The PM will address rallies in Bhavnagar, Surendranagar and Valsad. BJP has been in power in Gujarat since 1998.

SMOKE FROM PUNJAB IN DELHI’S LUNGS A farm labourer burns paddy stubble on the outskirts of Jalandhar on Thursday.

The share of stubble burning in Delhi’s PM2.5 pollution jumped to 38 per cent on Thursday, the highest this season.

—PHOTO

BY PTI

Crucial READ

NOIDA SCHOOLS TO HOLD ONLINE CLASSES TILL NOVEMBER 8

Noida (ANI): All schools will hold online classes mandatorily for students from class 1 to class 8 in Gautam Budh Nagar district till Nov 8 in wake of rising air pollution, according to a notice issued by DIOS Dharamveer Singh.

SC AFFIRMS DEATH TO LASHKAR TERRORIST IN RED FORT CASE

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Thursday affirmed the death sentence of Lashkare-Taiba (LeT) militant Mohammad Ashfaq Arif convicted of attacking Red Fort in December 2000.

PHASE 2 l Date of issue of notification: November 10 l Last date for filing nomination: November 17 l Date of scrutiny: November 18 l Last date of withdrawal of nomination: November 21

BJP WOULD RETAIN POWER IN GUJ: SHAH HM Amit Shah last month predicted that the BJP would retain power in the 182-member Gujarat assembly with a twothirds majority.

Don’t spare corrupt and don’t be defensive: Modi New Delhi (ANI): Showing unflinching support to anti-corruption agencies, PM Narendra Modi on Thursday said they need not be defensive while tackling graft even when some people with vested interests keep hollering & maligning them.

Addressing the ‘Vigilance Awareness Week’, PM exhorted the panel, other agencies and officers to ensure that no corrupt person is spared no matter how powerful the individual may be. He said it is the responsibility of organisations like CVC that no corrupt person gets “political or social refuge”. He said during his long tenure as head of govt, he has gone through mud-slinging & abuses, but people stand with you when you walk on path of honesty.

P10

Power subsidy: Last date now November 15

Ranchi: Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren on Thursday termed ED’s summons to him as a weapon used by the BJP to target him and said if he has committed a serious offence then he should be directly arrested. ED on Wednesday asked JMM leader to appear for questioning at its regional office in Ranchi on Thursday but Soren skipped ED summons

New Delhi: With just over 60 per cent of about 57 lakh power consumers in the national capital applying for power subsidy till October end, the Delhi government has extended the last date for application submission up to November 15.

Those consumers applying for the subsidy after November 15 will have to pay their bill for the month of October.

and attended National Tribal Dance Festival & Chhattisgarh’s statehood celebration event called ‘Rajyotsava 2022’.

EMERGENCY SITUATION

Diesel cars disallowed in Delhi-NCR from today Entry of trucks, construction of highways, flyovers, pipelines banned First India Bureau New Delhi: Except BSVI compliant diesel vehicles and those used for essential and emergency services, all fourwheeled diesel light motor vehicles (LMVs) have been barred from the roads in Delhi and adjoining NCR districts. The order was issued by the Commis-

Akshardham Temple completely engulfed in a thick layer of smog on Thursday.

—PHOTO BY PTI

sion for Air Quality Management (CAQM) as part of the final stage (IV) of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) as Delhi’s air

quality index (AQI) fell to a notch short of entering the “severe plus” category on Thursday.

“Ban on plying of 4-wheeler diesel LMVs

in NCT of Delhi and Districts of NCR bordering Delhi, except BSVI vehicles and vehicles used for essential/ emergency services,” the order read.

The CAQM also ordered a ban on Delhiregistered diesel-run medium and heavy goods vehicles in the capital. Those carrying essential commodities and providing essential services are exempted.

The entry of trucks other than electric and CNG ones in Delhi is banned too.

‘PROJECTS OF `2L CR FOR MAHA APPROVED’ Mumbai: PM Narendra Modi on Thursday said the central govt has given a nod to projects worth Rs 2 lakh crore for Maharashtra. His statement comes in the wake of Shinde-Fadnavis govt coming under the Opposition’s fire after some proposed bigticket projects moved out of Maha to poll-bound Gujarat and some other states.

Every corrupt person should be held accountable by the society.

It is important to build such an atmosphere. We are seeing that paeans are being sung for people already proven corrupt. People calling themselves honest do not feel the shame to go and get photographed with such corrupt people. This situation is not good for the Indian society.

—Narendra Modi, Prime Minister

Why send summons? arrest me: Soren to ED

CM Hemant Soren skips the ED summons and speaks to party workers in Ranchi on Thursday.

PM Narendra Modi during programme marking Vigilance Awareness Week of Central Vigilance Commission (CVC), in Delhi on Thursday.

Also seen here is Dr Jitendra Singh, Suresh N Patel and others.

GRAP-IV KICKS IN z Ban on construction and demolition works in public projects such as highways, flyovers, overbridges, power transmission, pipelines. z Closure of all industries that are not running on clean fuels in NCR. z Industries like milk and those involved in manufacturing life-saving medical equipment, medicines exempted. z States to decide on closure of schools. z Govts to decide on work from home.

ALLAH GAVE ME NEW LIFE AND I WILL FIGHT BACK...

Imran Khan injured in a shooting incident in Wazirabad on Thursday.

Imran Khan survives assassination attempt

l Imran Khan has been shot and lightly wounded in leg, in an attack on protest march in Wazirabad l 1 killed, several other supporters injured; 1 of the gunmen, who attacked Imran arrested soon First India Bureau Wazirabad (Pakistan): A gunman opened fire at a campaign truck carrying Pakistan’s former PM Imran Khan in Wazirabad district on T hursday, wounding him in both his legs. In Accused Naved attack 1 person has reportedly died and 7 including PTI Senator Faisal Javed have been wounded. Imran Khan was soon after taken to hospital in Lahore where his condition is stated to be out of danger.

Accused: Shot as he is misleading people One of the gunmen, who attacked Imran Khan, was arrested, officials said. In his confession, he said, “Imran Khan is misleading people.” Accused Naved was caught firing at Khan in Wazirabad.

HIGHLIGHTS z The attack is completely unacceptable: Canada PM z Khan stable and conscious, said his doctor z A man tried to stop a suspected assailant z Violence erupted in several cities of Pakistan z We’re closely keeping an eye on it & continue to monitor devp: India

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04

Wrestling coach gets bail 9 months after sexually assaulting girl First India Bureau

The judge, though, issued directions that the accused is not to contact or intimidate the prosecutrix (victim) or any of her family members, and he must not go near the prosecutrix within a range of 500 metres for any purpose.

Appearing for the accused, advocate Ravi Drall submitted that a trivial issue pertaining to a mobile phone had been given the colour

New Delhi: Additional sessions judge of Dwarka court, LK Sharma, granted bail to Rajesh Kumar Malik, a wrestling coach employed by the Haryana govt and also an ex-Army subedar, who was arrested in February for posing as a policeman and sexually assaulting a 19-year-old woman at a park in Dwarka.

FREQUENTED PARKS IN EVENINGS

of a heinous crime against his client who is an ex-army personnel and presently work-

ing as a wrestling coach with clean antecedents.

The victim's mother opposed the bail plea

saying there was a serious threat to her security as she lives with her son in a society that

IYC for high-level probe into extortion charge against Jain New Delhi (PTI): The Indian Youth Congress (IYC) staged a protest outside the Aam Aadmi Party office in Delhi demanding a high-level investigation into the allegations levelled by jailed conman Sukesh Chandrashekhar against AAP leader Satyendar Jain.

IYC President Srinivas BV alleged that the "character" of AAP has been "exposed" by Chandrashekhar's allegations.

"The real business of the AAP is taking donations from corrupt, collecting money from criminals sitting in jail and sending money for campaigning in Gujarat," he alleged.

Jailed conman Sukesh Chandrashekhar had written to the Delhi Lieutenant Governor on October 8 through his advocate Ashok K Singh, alleging that

COURT GIVEN MORE TIME TO DECIDE BAIL PLEA

Indian Youth Congress (IYC) protest in New Delhi on Thursday.

This is a serious matter after liquor and education scam. This has proven the only model of AAP is corruption model.

—Srinivas BV, Youth Congress President

AAP leader Satyendar Jain 'extorted' Rs 10 crore from him in 2019 to ensure his safety in

prison.

Srinivas further alleged that corruption cases have been surfac-

Adequate security at Swamy’s residence ensured: Centre to HC New Delhi (PTI): The Centre on Thursday told the Delhi High Court that adequate security arrangements have been made to ensure safety of former BJP MP Subramanian Swamy at his private residence considering that he is a 'Z category' protectee.

Taking note of the Central government's submission, Justice Yashwant Varma closed the proceedings in the application filed by Swamy in which he claimed that in spite of an earlier assurance, the Centre was yet to make ade-

quate security arrangements at his private accommodation.

Senior advocate Jayant Mehta, appearing for Swamy, also told the court that vacant possession of the bungalow will be handed over to the authorities by Saturday. The counsel had contended that securi-

Sagar Dhankar murder: Parole to accused for taking Class 12 exam New Delhi (ANI): A Delhi Court on Wednesday granted custody parole to accused Gaurav Laura to appear in the class 12 exam in Jhajjar, Haryana on November 5 and 9. Laura is an accused in the Sagar Dhankar murder case.

Wrestler Sushil Kumar is one of the 18 accused in the case. Additional Sessions Judge Shivaji Anand of Rohini Court granted custody parole to Gaurav from 12 pm to 6 pm to appear in

the exam. The court also noted that Gaurav was earlier granted parole on the grounds of an exam.

The application moved on behalf of the accused submitted that Gaurav is a National Institute of Open Schooling student and is studying in class 12th.

ty-related facilities were yet to be provided at the former MP's private residence and while October 26 was the last date given to him to vacate the government bungalow, authorities "visited" the new premises only after the matter was mentioned before the high court on October 27.

On October 31, the court was informed by the central government that Swamy would get whatever he was entitled to as a 'Z category' protectee residing in a private space.

—PHOTO BY ANI

ing ever since the "AAP party came to power".

“This is a serious matter that has come to the fore, after liquor and education scam. This has proven that the only model of the Aam Aadmi Party is the corruption model,” he alleged.

New Delhi (PTI): A principal district and sessions judge has granted more time to a sessions court here for deciding the bail plea of AAP leader Satyendar Jain in a money laundering case. The judge directed that the pending arguments be concluded by November 11. The judge also noted that the Enforcement Directorate (ED) took adjournment in the case because of nonavailability of Additional Solicitor General S V Raju. The matter was posted for further hearing on November 7.

Earlier, the judge had transferred the matter to the court of Special Judge Vikas Dhull and the time frame fixed for deciding the bail plea was about to end.

30 African nationals to be deported from Dwarka home New Delhi (ANI): A total of thirty foreign nationals were deported from the Dwarka area in Delhi, said officials on Thursday.

The foreign nationals were nabbed in a joint operation and under the continuous crackdown on illegally staying foreign nationals in Dwarka District by teams of AATS, AntiNarcotics Cell, PS Uttam Nagar, and PS Mohan Garden, Dwarka District, under the overall supervision of DCP Dwarka.

Out of the 30 deported persons, 27 were Nigerian nationals, two held Ivory Coast nationalities, and one was Ivoirienne national.

"They were found overstaying in India without a valid Visa.

They were produced before the FRRO who ordered for their deportation. Accordingly, they have been sent to the Detention Centre," read an official statement.

LG VK Saxena with CM Arvind Kejriwal and newly-appointed GNCTD Minister Raaj Kumar Anand during the latter's swearing-in ceremony at Raj Niwas, in New Delhi on Thursday. —PHOTO BY ANI

New Delhi (PTI): Aam Aadmi Party MLA Raaj Kumar Anand was on Thursday administered oath as a minister in the Delhi government by Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena in a ceremony at Raj Niwas.

Anand took the oath in presence of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and Chief Secretary Naresh Kumar.

"Administered the oath of office and secrecy to Raaj Kumar Anand as Minister in GNCTD. I convey my best wishes to him and hope that he will work for the betterment of Delhi and its

The ED has alleged that Mahendru was one of the kingpins who defeated the policy’s objectives and was involved in bribery bribery. Mahendru’s lawyers told the court that Mahendru’s employees were called for questioning every day and that “half of them had resigned as the ED was “using tremendous force”. The employees were asked to join the investigation early morning at short notice,

they added. The judge said to ED, “Do it in a fair manner. If there is physical torture, I will call for CCTV footage.”

The judge warned the ED, “I will call for the cell location. Till midnight whether they were there or not. Do it in a legal manner, not in a manner like this.”

2011 minor’s gang rape case: HC upholds life imprisonment to 3 New Delhi (PTI): The Delhi High Court Thursday upheld the life imprisonment awarded to three persons in an unusual case in which a minor was girl gang-raped when she sought help from passersby after being raped by a relative.

The case dates back to 2011 when the minor girl was taken to a place by her relative on the pretext of giving some gift and was raped. After the incident, the girl

The Patel Nagar MLA was inducted into his Council of Ministers by Kejriwal following Minister Rajendra Pal Gautam’s resignation People," Saxena tweeted after the oath ceremony.

The Patel Nagar MLA was inducted into his Council of Ministers by Kejriwal after Rajendra Pal Gautam’s resignation.

Man shot at by neighbour over petty dispute

Vijay Goel, Vice Chairman, Gandhi Smriti, with BJP leaders stage a protest against the Delhi Government over the rising level of air pollution, at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi on Thursday.

—PHOTO BY ANI

First India Bureau

ed that he also targeted other couples there to extort money.

The victim, in her complaint, said she was sexually assaulted in a park while she was sitting with a friend. A man in a pair of khaki trousers approached them claiming to be a Delhi Police officer. He then robbed Rs 5,000 from her friend before forcing himself on her, she claimed.

Raaj Kumar Anand takes oath as minister

INDIA AGAINST POLLUTION!

ED warned after complaint

by Mahendru’s lawyers New Delhi: : Special judge NK Nagpal on Thursday warned the ED after lawyers for Sameer Mahendru, managing director of Indospirit group, alleged unprofessional behaviour by agency officials during the questioning of his employees in the Delhi excise policy case.

The ED has alleged that Mahendru was one of the kingpins who defeated the policy’s objectives and was involved in

the accused knows very well. She said her husband, an Army officer, is currently posted out

of station and the prosecutrix is also out of Delhi for her higher studies.

According to the police, the investigating team found that the accused, who is contractually employed with the Haryana government's sports department as a wrestling coach, would frequent public parks in south Delhi and Rohini in the evening. It was suspect-

managed to escape and some men in a car offered her help and assured her to safely drop at her house.

However, they took the girl, then a student of Class 10, to a jungle and gang-raped her.

A trial court had awarded life term to the three men.

New Delhi (PTI): A man allegedly shot at his neighbour in south Delhi’s Sangam Vihar for not involving him in the preparations of an event in their locality, police said on Thursday.

The accused Sunil Kalka (35) was arrested on Wednesday, they said.

A country-made pistol and an empty cartridge was recovered from the crime spot, Deputy Commissioner of Police (South) Chandan Chowdhary.

Lalit (37), who sustained a gunshot injury on his back, was rushed to a hospital and discharged after treatment, she said.

According to police, Lalit was heading preparations for an event to be organised in his locality on November 12. He kept ignoring Kalka who wanted to actively participate in the preparations. This led Kalka to develop a grudge against Lalit. The accused went to Lalit’s house to resolve the issue, however, it took a violent turn and the accused fired upon him, the DCP said.

The accused absconded after committing the crime and the police nabbed him after conducting searches at his suspected hideouts, she said.

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Patient surge at hospital OPDs New Delhi (PTI): Hospitals in Delhi are teeming with people suffering from cough, nasal congestion, shortness of breath and even asthma attacks as an eyestinging smog blankets the national capital.

With Delhi's air quality remaining 'severe', doctors advised a return to wearing masks to guard against pollution. At Holy Family Hospital in Okhla, there has been a 30 per cent increase in such patients coming to outpatient departments, said Dr Sumit Ray, head of department of critical care.

Last year, the hospital had started writing "pollution-related" in diagnosis in what was probably a first for a medical facility here.

Dr Ashish Kumar Prakash, consultant (respiratory and sleep medicine) at Medanta in Gurugram, said doctors have been attending to patients complaining of cough, nasal congestion and breathing difficulty since Diwali.

"Currently, I have 25 to 30 patients in my OPD with such conditions and the entire unit/department has approximately 50-75 cases in total. Patients suffering from respiratory illnesses such as COPD, asthma, and oth-

Patients suffering from cough, nasal congestion, shortness of breath, asthma attacks

At Holy Family Hospital in Okhla, a 30 per cent increase in such patients coming to OPDs

n Situation is An anti smog gun fitted on a modified truck is used to spray water to curb pollution in New Delhi on Thursday.

—PHOTOS BY PTI

ers are reporting acute exacerbations, an increase in symptoms such as coughing, dyspnea and acute nasal problems," he said.

Prakash said apart from worsening AQI, the change in weather was another factor behind a lot of the problems in patients with respiratory illnesses.

"As the weather transitions to cold and breezy, the cold, dry air and sudden shifts in the weather can irritate the airways, causing one to produce more mucus and leading to exacerbations if the patients are not taking their medications properly," he said.

PATIENTS WITH NO PREVIOUS HISTORY OF RESPIRATORY AILMENTS Hospitals are also seeing patients with no previous history of respiratory ailments coming for treatment. When the respiratory system is affected, it can lead to persistent cough, said Dr Ravi Shekhar Jha, director (pulmonology) at Fortis Escorts Hospital in Faridabad.

"Those patients who have respiratory history like asthma are getting more frequent attacks and even inside the hospital, patients are taking more than usual to recover from asthma and COPD attacks. Viral infection is fairly common in this weather but even those who did not have any evidence of viral infection are taking longer and higher doses of medicines for recovery," he told PTI. Dr Hemant Kalra, a chest specialist at Maharaja Agrasen Hospital in New Delhi, concurred with Jha and said the rise in pollution along with the cold and dry air due to the changing season could irritate the airways and cause symptoms such as shortness of breath, coughing, wheezing and asthma attacks.

Delhi BJP President Adesh Gupta (L) and BJP MP Parvesh Verma

Adesh Gupta. "The question now arises -- is the Kejriwal govern-

Encourage students to join professional courses: Sisodia

ment meant for political tourism and poll campaigning in other

states by wasting tax payers money or it also cares for the people living in Delhi," Gupta said in a presser.

BJP MP Parvesh Verma said people in Delhi were forced to breathe in air that is as harmful as smoking 50 cigarettes. "Every child's life is getting shorter by two years every year and AAP leaders are roaming in the clean air of Gujarat and Himachal," Verma said.

Students wait outside their school on a road engulfed in smog, at Kasturba Nagar in New Delhi, on Thursday.

‘USE AIR FILTERS’

Many doctors are also recommending patients to use air filters at home. Dr Rahul Sharma, additional director (pulmonology) at Fortis Hospital in Noida, said, “HEPA (high efficiency particulate) filters work well and we recommend them to patients.

While buying a purifier one should check the capacity of how much air it can purify in accordance with the capacity of your home.

Another important thing is that there are HEPA filters and HEPA-like filters, which are not as effective as HEPA filters.”

Dr Suresh Singh Naruka, senior consultant (ENT) at Indraprastha Apollo Hospitals in Delhi, said there has a been a "significant jump" in the number of patients visiting him in his OPD post Diwali due to rising pollution levels.

"ENT patients have been showing hyper response since Diwali and they are coming with increased coughing, runny nose, nasal symptoms, watery eyes.

Among the patients I am seeing daily, 50 per cent of those have allergic symptoms induced by pollution, which earlier was about 10-15 per cent," Naruka said.

Neither govt, nor people serious: Varun Gandhi on worsening air New Delhi (PTI): With the air quality in Delhi-NCT worsening, BJP MP Varun Gandhi on Thursday questioned the lack of "concern and coordination" among multiple government agencies in tackling the crisis.

Neither government nor people are serious about this monstrous problem, he said in tweets, claiming that hospitals are full of patients with breathing, heart and lung problems. "Eight out of 10 children in Delhi-NCR have respiratory problems. After years of discussions, why is there a continuing lack of concern/coordination between multiple government entities," he asked.

the students at ITI in Khichripur.

Sisodia said the Delhi government's ITIs are playing a "vital role" in the mission to upskill India's youth.

The Deputy Chief Minister further said the students emerging from training institutes like ITI will initiate a "new chapter" for the "development of India" with their ability.

"We have to empower children to adopt professional courses, and the students of our ITIs must inspire school students," he said.

worst in Noida which falls in the path of emissions

New Delhi (PTI): The share of stubble burning in Delhi's PM2.5 pollution jumped to 38 per cent on Thursday, which, experts said was the reason behind the thick layer of pungent smog over the national capital.

Gufran Beig, founder project director, SAFAR, a forecasting agency under the Ministry of Earth Sciences, said, "The share of stubble burning in Delhi's pollution has increased to 38 per cent which is quite significant."

The air pollution situation is the worst in Noida which falls into the path of emissions being transported from stubble burning, he said. "Gurugram and Lodhi Road areas which do not fall into this path are the least affected," Beig said.

"The overall air quality in Delhi will continue to remain in the severe category till Friday morning. There will be slight improvement afterwards. A major relief is likely on Saturday due to expected improvement in wind speed and direction," Beig said.

53% Delhi-NCR residents say stubble burning is main cause

New Delhi (PTI): Around 53 per cent of the Delhi-NCR residents identify stubble burning in neighbouring states as the "primary cause" of rising levels of air pollution, according to a survey.

The survey conducted by LocalCircles is based on responses from 20,000 citizens.

Around 10,037 respondents identified stubble burning by farmers in adjoining states as the root cause of bad air quality in the national capital, it said.

The data breakup shows that a much smaller percentage or 13 per cent believe the primary cause is "motor vehicle emissions", while 7 per cent of the respondents blamed it on "garbage burning in the city".

Around 7 per cent respondents held "industrial emissions" responsible and 7 per cent blamed "construction activity", the survey said. When asked about the Odd-Even vehicle program, around 10,547 of the respondents said they "don't support" the scheme, the survey said.

Airport metro services affected 11pm-7am

SHROUDED TOMB

CM Arvind Kejriwal with Deputy CM Manish Sisodia during an interaction with yoga instructors on Wednesday. —PHOTO BY ANI

New Delhi (PTI): A programme will be designed in which ITI students and graduates can interact with school students and encourage them to pursue professional courses in these institutes, Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia said here on Thursday.

Advanced professional courses of Industrial Training Institute help students build the conviction to achieve their career aspirations and give them clarity about future goals, he said while interacting with

Farm fires' share in air pollution 38%, highest this season

Farmers walk past a field as smoke envelops the area after dry paddy stubble burns at a village in Sangrur, Punjab, on Thursday.

—PHOTO BY ANI

Kejriwal busy in Gujarat, Himachal: Delhi BJP New Delhi (PTI): Amid worsening air quality in the capital, the Delhi BJP on Thursday accused Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal of indulging in "political tourism" without caring for the health of people in Delhi.

Delhiites are facing difficulty in breathing but Kejriwal is busy in election campaigning in Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh, said Delhi BJP president

Change in weather another factor behind problems in patients with respiratory illnesses

05

Tourists visit the Taj Mahal, shrouded in a thick layer of smog, in Agra on Thursday.

—PHOTO BY PTI

New Delhi (PTI): Services on the Airport Express Line are likely to be affected till the end of November due to track maintenance work, Delhi Metro said on Thursday.

“In view of the ongoing track maintenance work on the Airport Express Line (AEL) for increasing the operational speed of trains, the frequency of trains on the AEL may get slightly affected after 11 PM till the end of revenue service hours and up to 7 AM from the start of revenue service

hours,” the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation said in a statement.

“The frequency of metro trains during this time period is 15 minutes during regular service which may get delayed by another 5-7 minutes till November end this year,” it said.

Regular services on the line begin at 5am, the officials said.

ED charge sheet against SRS Sister alleges honour killing of 20-year-old woman New Delhi (PTI): The Enforcement Directorate has filed a charge sheet against the SRS group and its promoters in a money laundering case linked to alleged cheating of homebuyers and investors.

Nineteen accused persons and entities, including SRS group chairman Anil Jindal and company directors Jitender Kumar Garg, Praveen Kumar Kapoor and Vinod Jindal, have been named in the prosecution complaint filed under various sections of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), the agency said. The complaint has been filed before a special PMLA court in Gurugram and the court took cognisance on October 31.

Ghaziabad (PTI): A 20-year-old woman was found dead at her house on Thursday and her sister has alleged that she has been strangled by other family members who were opposed to her love affair.

The woman’s name was Gulfashan and it seemed that she was strangled last night,

The sister has informed police that Gulfashan was allegedly strangled over her love affair as the family was against her relationship.

City Superintendent of Police Nipun Agarwal said. Police are questioning her father and other family members.

The sister of the de-

ceased has informed police that Gulfashan was allegedly strangled over her love affair as the family was against her relationship.

The woman had also called up her boyfriend Wednesday night asking him to save her, she told police.

Police are probing the case from different angles including ‘honour killing’. The cause of her death would be ascertained after the autopsy report which is awaited, Agarwal said.

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INDIA GOES BEYOND EARTH (Exploring the Universe)

tian orbit in its maiden attempt. India became the fourth space agency in the world to reach Mars orbit, at the lowest cost.

GSLV: Another outstanding development by ISRO is the Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV).

GSLV-D5 was the first successful flight using the indigenous cryogenic engine. Recently, LVM-3 created history by carrying highest payload of 5796 Kg and successfully placing 36 satellites into orbit of Earth.

Mission Shakti: In a maiden attempt, the Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO) successfully blasted a satellite with its anti-satellite (ASAT) missile on 27 March 2019. With this, India became the fourth country in the world to acquire antisatellite capabilities.

MAJ GEN CP SINGH (RETD)

The writer is a scholar soldier accredited with MA, MSc, LLB, MBA, M Phil (Def Mgt) and M Phil (International Strategic Affairs)

I The perception of space security threats are increasing with belligerent China at our doorsteps. In the future, India is likely to press ahead with its ambitious space goals to enhance India’s space capabilities and influence in global governance of space

ndia created history when the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) successfully launched it’s heaviest rocket Launch Vehicle Mark-3 (LVM3)PSLV on 23 Oct 2022 carrying 36 satellites and launched them into space successfully.

This was the highest number of satellites ever launched from a launcher vehicle. 135 crore Indians including the President and the Prime Minister of India put their hands together to applaud the efforts of ISRO scientists.

In 1960, the thought of just inventing space technology was far-fetched and nearly impossible for Indians. Till the end of 20th Century, India was still perceived as a low cost, poor technology destination. We converted this threat into opportunity in 21st Century and today India is most economic launch-pad for space missions and satellites in the world.

BABY STEPS TO GIANT LEAPS Dr Vikram Sarabhai formed the Indian National Committee for Space Research (INCOSPAR) in 1962. INCOSPAR

KERALA GUV PUTS VIJAYAN IN SPOT

then grew and became the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) on August 15th, 1969.

The world looked up to applaud India’s feat when it achieved the rare success of launching record breaking 104 nano satellites into orbit, from a single rocket. It soon became the workhorse launcher for satellites, with a high success rate. As ISRO launched many satellites India established itself as a as a reliable and cost effective place in the world for satellite launches.

As we celebrate “Azaadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav”, let’s look back at this arduous space journey of 75 years and flag the discoveries that put India on the global map.

Aryabhatta: Named after the noted Indian astronomer, Aryabhatta was India’s first satellite which was launched on 19th April, 1975. This was an iconic moment in the history of India.

Satellite SLV-3: The Launch Vehicle-3 (SLV-3) was India’s first experimental satellite launch vehicle, which was a four-stage vehicle It was launched on July 18, 1980.

SLV-3 made India the sixth member of an exclusive club of space-faring nations.

PSLV: The Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) was India’s third generation launch vehicle, equipped with liquid stages, launched in Oct 1994. It emerged as a

K

erala Governor Arif Mohammed Khan and the Left Democratic Front government headed by CPM’s Pinarayi Vijayan have been having frequent run-ins over a variety of issues. Power to appoint vicechancellors of universities was one of them. The recent dispute is about the governor’s power to recommend the dismissal of a minister. In a letter he wrote to the chief minister on October 25, Khan asked him to take “constitutionally appropriate action” against Finance Minister KN Balagopal as he had ceased to enjoy the Governor’s pleasure. In other words Khan wanted the minister to be sacked. Balagopal earned Khan’s ire for a speech that “undermined the unity and integrity of India”.

India created history when the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) successfully launched it’s heaviest rocket Launch Vehicle Mark-3 (LVM-3) PSLV on 23 Oct 2022 carrying 36 satellites and launched them into space successfully. This was the highest number of satellites ever launched from a launcher vehicle. 135 crore Indians including the President and the Prime Minister of India put their hands together to applaud the efforts of ISRO scientistss

AEROSPACE DOMINANCE Dominance of space is the new buzz in the 21st Century.

It is perceived that future wars will witness aerospace as the new battlefield and hence the race to dominate space. An advancement in the space domain is seen as an lead demonstrator in military technology. Hence the ‘space race’ to dominate the space for future warfare.

In March 2019, India successfully tested an anti-satellite weapon. Perhaps more significantly, India established two new space agencies in 2019: the DSA and the DSRO DSA is organized to perform duties of integrating space assets from the three services and developing strategy for space dominance and space warfare, whenever it happens.

DSRO is a research organization geared toward facilitating devp of civilian space technology for military purposes.

reliable launch vehicle with 39 consecutively successful missions and the vehicle has launched 48 Indian satellites and 209 satellites for customers.

Chandrayaan-I: Chandrayaan-1 was India’s first moon mission launched in October 2008. The spacecraft completed over 3,400 orbits around the moon and indicated existence of water on the moon, for the first time.

Mangalyaan: The Mars Orbiter Mission (MOM) was India’s first interplanetary mission. This was launched on Nov 5, 2013. It made India proud to be the first nation in the world to reach the Mar-

CONCLUSION ISRO is developing Next Generation Launch Vehicles with reusable energy and capable of lifting payloads upto 10 tonnes. It’s likely to be ready by 2030. India also eyes setting up of own space station by 2035, a rare feat indeed. In the changing space security dynamics, India’s space program has developed credible launch capabilities. The country is working to increase its capabilities in the space domain to assert itself as a potent regional power in the future while pursuing its goal of becoming a global power.

Kerala Governor Arif Mohammed Khan and the Left Democratic Front government headed by CPM’s Pinarayi Vijayan have been having frequent run-ins over a variety of issues.

Power to appoint vicechancellors of universities was one of them. The recent dispute is about the governor’s power to recommend the dismissal of a minister

if “statements by individual ministers lower the dignity of office of the Governor”.

Khan’s assertion is based on Article 164 (1) of the Constitution which says that “Ministers shall hold office during the pleasure of the Governor.”

Technically the Governor’s letter is in sync with the Constitution but legal experts argue that notwithstanding the constitutional provision, no governor in the history of post-Independence India has exercised this power unilaterally. The controversy is still simmering as Pinarayi Vijayan is refusing to sack his cabinet colleague. Khan, whom the state government calls an agent of the Centre, is not known to backtrack on a decision which he thinks is constitutionally and legally correct.

Vijayan faces a challenge.

Ever since Khan’s letter there has been a debate on whether the Governor is constitutionally empowered to sack a minister. Khan claimed in a tweet that he was empowered to “invite action including withdrawal of pleasure”

THE VIEWS EXPRESSED BY THE AUTHOR ARE PERSONAL

06

IN-DEPTH

IMRAN ESCAPES GUN ATTACK AFTER TAKING ON PAK’S ISI

F

ormer Prime Minister of Pakistan Imran Khan survived a gun attack, which is being described as an assassination attempt, when his long convoy was heading towards Islamabad. The Tehreeke-Insaaf party leader’s popularity has been at its peak after his removal from office through a no-confidence vote. He has been boldly taking on the Shehbaz Sharif government, the Pakistan army and the “deep state” or the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) of Pakistan. His allegation that the ISI was behind the murder of a Pakistani journalist in Kenya forced the ISI chief to defend the agency in a rare public appearance.

Clearly the former prime minister has made too many powerful enemies, which is always a dangerous situation for any democratically elected political leader. Last month the Election Commission of Pakistan disqualified him from contesting election for five years. But the popular cricketer-turned-politician was insistent on his demand for fresh polls in the country. Thursday’s development shows how dangerous Pakistan is for democracy.

SPIRITUAL SPEAK Faith and prayer both are invisible, but they make impossible things possible.

—Buddha

TOP TWEETS Nirmala Sitharaman @nsitharaman

“India has the conditions in place for an economic boom fueled by offshoring, investment in manufacturing, the energy transition, and the country’s advanced digital infrastructure,”Morgan Stanley Smriti Z Irani @smritiirani

Those who work for the betterment of the country need not live in guilt.

Only those people who have their own vested interests are shouting due to the attack on corruption, but the public is standing with the truth in this fight. l Vol 2 l Issue No.65 RNI TITLE NO. DELENG/2021/19840 Printed and published by Anita Hada Sangwan on behalf of First Express Publishers. Printed at Impressions Printing and Packaging Limited, C-21, 22 Sector-59, Noida-201301. Published at G-20, 3rd Floor, 309, Preet Vihar, New Delhi-110092. Phone 011-49846474.

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

l

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07

“DHAIRYA RAKHIYE” SAYS RAJNATH SINGH as crowd chants “We want POK”

Jaisinghpur: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Thursday said “Dhairya rakhiye,”(Be patient) as some people in his rally shouted they want Pakistan Occupied Kashmir(POK).

Addressing a rally here, Singh smiled and said ‘Dhairya rakhiye as some people chanted ‘we want POK’.

“Today, not one but six medical colleges have either opened or are being opened in the state of Himachal Pradesh.

AIIMS has too been opened here,” he said.

Rajnath Singh hailed the centre’s decision to abrogate Article 370 from J&K and said, “The incidents of terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir have come down after the abrogation of Article 370. I want to assure you that terrorism will be eradicated from the country.”

Kerala: Guv challenges CM on political interference

New Delhi (ANI): Challenging Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan, state Governor Arif Mohammed Khan on Thursday said that he would resign if the CM showed one example of political interference by him in the appointments of the Vice-Chancellor. While rejecting the chief minister’s allegation of political interference in this particular case, Khan offered to resign if Vijayan succeeded in presenting an example.

“He is saying that I am doing this (action against VCs) to bring RSS people. If I have nominated even one person, not just of RSS, any person, using my authority, then I will resign. Will he (CM) be able to resign if he is not able to prove it?”

Khan said in Delhi.

ONLY VAJPAYEE AND MODI GAVE IMPORTANCE TO HIMACHAL: SINGH

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh being garlanded by BJP leaders during the public meeting for the upcoming Himachal Pradesh Assembly elections, in Jaisinghpur on Thursday.

—PHOTO BY ANI

ROYALS HOLD SWAY IN LAND OF GODS; CONG BANKS ON THEM AS BJP RAISES PITCH AGAINST ‘RAJAS-RANIS’ Shimla (PTI): In the land of gods, where local deities are revered, royalty continues to command its own space in the politics of Himachal Pradesh. While kingdoms may have gone, many scions of the erstwhile royal families of the hill state are persisting at the hustings, in their bid to continue to “rule” albeit by the dint of the ballot now. Not that the royal charms have sustained the electoral weathers. The influence of royals in Himachal’s politics has waned over the years, as is clear from their depleting numbers in the poll fray this time. Only a handful of royal scions are contesting the state Assembly election to be held on November 12.

Solan (ANI): Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Thursday said only two Prime Ministers including Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Narendra Modi gave importance to Himachal Pradesh like nobody else. Addressing a public meeting here, Singh said, “People of this country can evaluate well what earlier govts did and what present govt is doing. Cong has been in power for a long time postindependence. But only two PMs-Atal Bihari Vajpayee and PM Modi-gave importance to Himachal like nobody else”. He lauded PM Modi’s leadership and said that India’s prestige has increased on the global stage under his prime ministership.“No one can deny the fact that after PM Modi became PM, India’s prestige increased on the global stage. Today if India says anything on the global forum, other countries listen carefully to what India is saying,” he said.

Jharkhand CM Hemant Soren dares ED, Centre to arrest him; skips visit to Agency Ranchi (ANI): Jharkhand CM Hemant Soren on Thursday challenged the Enforcement Directorate (ED) to arrest him instead of sending summons to him for questioning.

Soren was to appear before the ED in its regional office in Ranchi but he skipped his visit.

Addressing the party workers outside his official residence before leaving for Raipur to attend a tribal festival, Soren urged his party workers to be prepared for a long political fight against the the BJP-led Central government.

HEMANT SOREN SEEKS 3-WEEK TIME FROM ED

Jharkhand CM Hemant Soren addressing party workers over ED summon to him in money laundering case, in Ranchi on Thursday.

JMM HOLDS MARCH IN RANCHI TO PROTEST AGAINST ED SUMMONS TO HEMANT SOREN Ranchi (PTI): Workers of Jharkhand’s ruling JMM on Thursday took out a rally here to protest against Enforcement Directorate’s summons to Chief Minister Hemant Soren for questioning in connection with a case of alleged illegal mining. Shouting slogans against the BJP and carrying party flags, hundreds of Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) activists from across the state gathered at Morabadi ground.

New Delhi: Jharkhand CM Hemant Soren on Thursday sought three weeks’ time to appear before theED in connection with the money laundering case pertaining to illegal mining and extortion in Jharkhand and Bihar. Sources in the ED claimed that Soren has written a letter to the probe agency seeking time to attend a few programs. Soren was summoned by the ED to join the investigation on Thursday, but he skipped the questioning.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi joins artistes performing the traditional folk dance ‘Dhimsa’ amid the party’s Bharat Jodo Yatra on Thursday.

—PHOTO BY PTI

“Why separate dates for Himachal, Gujarat polls?”

New Delhi (PTI): The Congress on Thursday said the Election Commission must give an explanation to the people of the country as to why it announced the poll schedule for Himachal Pradesh and Gujarat on separate dates even though counting of votes would be held on the same day. Congress’s Gujarat in-charge Raghu Sharma alleged that the BJP got time to hold several rallies on official expense and misused public resources to the hilt in Gujarat.

At a presser at the AICC headquarters here, he said, “Want to thank Election Commission for announcing Gujarat polls finally despite BJP-led government’s pressure.” “The Election Commission should give an explanation as a constitutional body that while counting of votes for elections in both states will be on the same day, why elections were announced on different dates,” Sharma said.

He also attacked PM Narendra Modi over the Morbi bridge collapse, saying when the tragedy happened the Congress had cancelled all political programmes but the prime minister “went ahead with official programmes”.

Hyderabad (PTI): Former Navy Chief Admiral L Ramdas joined Rahul Gandhi in ‘Bharat Jodo Yatra’ in Telangana on Thursday. “Admiral Ramdas, former Chief of Naval Staff, who at 89 continues to be an indefatigable campaigner for public causes, along with his wife Lalita Ramdas, herself the daughter of Admiral Katari, 1st Indian Chief of Naval Staff, walked with @RahulGandhi on Day 57 of #BharatJodoYatra,” Jairam Ramesh, tweeted.

RAHUL CORRECTS CHILD’S KARATE TECHNIQUES; CONG TAKES DIG AT BJP Hyderabad (Agencies): The Congress on Thursday shared a light moment from Rahul Gandhi’s Bharat Jodo Yatra where the Congress leader can be seen interacting with a karate kid. And the interaction, as captured in the video, is mostly about punches. Rahul Gandhi, who is a black belt in Aikido, supervised the deliveries of a Karate kid and apparently corrected his technique. The Congress shared this vide on its official Twitter handle.

COURTYARD 1984 ANTI-SIKH RIOTS: SUPREME COURT TAKES SIT ON RECORD

New Delhi (ANI): Senior Advocate HS Phoolka on Thursday apprised the Supreme Court about the sham trial that has taken place in 1984 cases. Phoolka cited the SIT report which was filed on Nov 29, 2019. According to the SIT report, while police after clubbing various cases sent a challan in respect of the murder of 56 persons, the trial court framed charges only in respect of the killing of 5 persons.

KARNATAKA HIGH COURT TAKES UP THE CAUSE OF CHILD HAWKERS

Bengaluru (PTI): Taking serious note of children being forced to sell trinkets and toys at traffic signals and street-corners, the High Court of Karnataka has directed the stakeholders to meet and suggest ways to rehabilitate and provide such children education. A Division Bench directed the meeting to be held on November 15 under the aegis of the Karnataka State Legal Services Authority (KSLSA).

3 SENIOR CITIZENS CONVICTED IN DUTY EVASION SCAM

Mumbai (PTI): A court here has convicted three senior citizens including two former Customs officials and imposed a fine of Rs 5.50 crore in a two-decade-old case of customs duty evasion.

Special judge for CBI cases, SU Wadgaonkar said in his order on Wednesday that economic offences have serious consequences for the country’s economy and financial health.

SC RESERVES JUDGMENT ON MEDIA ONE’S PLEA CHALLENGING HC ORDER

New Delhi (ANI): A Supreme Court bench headed by Justice DY Chandrachud reserved order on Thursday on Media One’s plea challenging the Kerala HC’s order which upheld the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting revoking the license of the Malayalam news channel. The court had earlier stayed the central government’s ban and allowed it to resume broadcasting.

ELECTIONS OF INDIAN OLYMPIC ASSOCIATION TO BE HELD ON DECEMBER 10 New Delhi (PTI): The Supreme Court has approved a fresh timeline submitted by Justice (retd) LN Rao committee for holding of elections of the executive committee of the Indian Olympic Association (IOA), and said the polls will be held on December 10. A bench of Justices DY Chandrachud and Hima Kohli also allowed circulation of the draft amended constitution among members of the IOA as per rules.

RURAL WASH PARTNERSHIPS

Swachh Survekshan Grameen 2023 Toolkit launched Department of Drinking Water & Sanitation holds technical session First India Bureau New Delhi: Department of Drinking Water & Sanitation, Ministry of Jal Shakti held Technical Session on “Rural WASH Partnerships – the way forward’ on the second day of the 7th India Water Week.

The focus of the ses-

EX-NAVY CHIEF ADMIRAL RAMDAS JOINS RaGa IN BHARAT JODO YATRA

Union Minister of Jal Shakti Gajendra Singh Shekhawat at the technical session on ‘Rural Wash Partnerships – The Way Forward’ in New Delhi, on Thursday & Union Minister Shekhawat, with other dignitaries, launching the ‘Retrofitting Module’.

—PHOTO BY PIB

sion, chaired by Union Minister of Jal Shakti Gajendra Singh Shek-

hawat, was on how the partnerships with academia, WASH experts

and other partners can be harnessed to achieve the targets of the two

flagship programs of DDWS – Jal Jeevan Mission and the Swachh

Bharat Mission Grameen phase-II. Union Minister also launched the toolkit for Swachh Survekshan Grameen (SSG) 2023 and the web portal for the ‘Twinpit to Retrofit Abhiyan’.

An important initiative under Swachh Bharat Mission is the Swachh Survekshan Grameen (SSG). DDWS has been conducting SSG since 2018 onwards to rank the States and Districts on the basis of their performance.

DEATH PENALTY TO PAK LeT TERRORIST IN 2000 RED FORT ATTACK CASE

New Delhi (Agencies): The Supreme Court on Thursday affirmed the death sentence of Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) terrorist Mohammad Ashfaq Arif convicted of attacking an army barracks at Delhi’s Red Fort in December 2000. A Supreme Court bench dismissed the review petition filed by Arif noting the order of conviction and sentence do not warrant any intervention.

Morbi: Guj govt calls off search operation New Delhi (Agencies): Gujarat on Thursday called of the search operation following the bridge collapse in Morbi that led to the death of 135 people. An official said that there is no information about anyone still being missing in the bridge tragedy. “A total of 135 people have died.

But our control room is still operational. People can offer us all such information, we’ll follow it up with due process,” Morbi District Collector, GT Pandya, said. “All

persons have been accounted for. And hence the decision to call off the search operation,” Pandya added. Local fire brigade, state and national disaster teams will be kept on standby, a govt statement said.

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08

ASSEMBLY BYPOLLS IN SIX STATES

POLLING BY AND LARGE PEACEFUL: EC

Telangana’s Munugode records 77%, Haryana’s Adampur 75%, 66.63% turnout in Odisha New Delhi (PTI): Byelections to seven assembly constituencies in six states were held on Thursday with the voter turnout ranging from 31.74 per cent in Andheri (East) of Maharashtra to 77.55 per cent in Telangana’s Munugode.

Till last reports came in, the polling percentages in the five other seats were Mokama (53.45) and Gopalganj (51.48) of Bihar, Adampur (75.25) of Haryana, Gola Gokarannath (55.68) of Uttar Pradesh, and Dhamnagar (66.63) of Odisha. These figures are likely to change.

Officials said the bypolls were by and large peaceful barring some minor incidents.

Among the seven seats where bypolls are being held, the BJP held three seats and the Congress two, while the Shiv Sena and the RJD had one each. The contest is symbolic of the fierce turf war between the BJP and the regional parties.

For the bypolls in Bihar, the main contest is between the BJP and the RJD, and the saffron party’s main contenders in Haryana are the Congress, INLD and the AAP. In Telangana, Uttar Pradesh and Odisha, the main contests are between the BJP and the TRS, SP and the BJD respectively.

While a victory in the

T’GANA COPS LATHI-CHARGE 2 GROUPS AT MARRIGUDA POLLING STATION DURING BYPOLL

Voters stand in a queue outside a polling station during the Bihar Assembly by- election in Gopalganj, on Thursday.

—PHOTO BY PTI

BJP backs-off at last moment, but will it matter in Andheri East bypoll?

Mahesh Sharma Mumbai: The BJP withdrew its candidate for the Andheri East assembly seat in Maharashtra on the last day for withdrawal of nomination. On the appeal of Shiv Sena leaders of Chief Minister Eknath Shinde faction and MNS leader Raj Thackeray, the BJP withdrew the name of its candidate so that Rutuja Latte, wife of late MLA Ramesh Latte, could win the election easily.

However, even then Shiv Sena, Congress and NCP have said that bypolls will be inconsequential to their position in the assemblies,

CRUCIAL READ NEXT VANDE BHARAT TRAIN BETWEEN CHENNAI-BENGALURU-MYSURU SOON

CNI MODERATOR KERALA CPI-M MP BOOKED IN MONEY AM ARIFF INJURED LAUNDERING CASE IN CAR ACCIDENT Bhopal (Agencies): The Bhopal unit of ED has registered money laundering case to probe alleged irregularities against Jabalpur bishop PC Singh — moderator of Church of North India (CNI) in India — and his family. The federal company has filed the case underneath varied sections of the PMLA Act taking cognizance of a EOW FIR that has named Singh and his son.

Kochi (Agencies): The lone CPI-M Lok Sabha MP from Kerala, AM Ariff, suffered injuries on Thursday after the car he was driving hit a lorry in Alappuzha. The incident took place near KVM Junction when the car rammed into the lorry. While the front portion of the car was badly damaged, Ariff suffered injuries on his legs. He was brought out of the car with the help of fire officials.

the parties have not taken the contest lightly and carried out a

Bengaluru (Agencies): The Dakshina Kannada district administration on Thursday started the process of attaching the property of the slaughterhouses in connection with illegal cow slaughtering. C Madana Mohan, Assistant Commissioner of Mangaluru Sub-Division and Sub divisional Magistrate issued an order for the attachment of properties for carrying out illegal cow slaughtering. The four properties of slaughterhouses in Adyapaadi near Adkur, Bajal Pakaladka, Jalligudde and Kattapuni have been attached following the order. Jurisdictional Kankanady police have been directed to get the valuation of properties and vehicles done from the concerned authorities and submit the approximate value of the property to the court.

high-pitched campaign.

The counting of votes will take place on

CONG IN SELF-DESTRUCTION MODE, HAS NO FUTURE: KULDEEP BISHNOI Hisar (ANI): Kuldeep Bishnoi who joined BJP after being expelled from Congress, on Thursday said his former party is in “self-destruction mode” and has no future. Bishnoi, who reached the polling booth to cast his vote in the Adampur constituency bypoll in Haryana, took a jibe at Rahul

November 6.

In UP, the Samajwadi Party alleged that some

K’taka woman, twins die IMD predicts heavy rain in after delivery at home Tumakuru (Karnataka): In a heart wrenching incident, a woman and her new-born twins died on Thursday, after the hospital authorities refused to admit her.

Thirty-year-old Kasturi hailed from Tamil Nadu. Her two newborn babies died at her residence at Bharathinagar locality in Tumakuru city.

Protesting the hospital’s apathy, the locals staged a protest and demanded suspension of the concerned doctors and staff.

The family and relatives of the woman also refused to cremate the bodies until action is taken against the guilty.

According to locals, Kasturi had come from Tamil Nadu and was

South TN today

staying at a rented place with her daughter. Kasturi, who was pregnant, developed labour pain on Wednesday evening.

She was taken to the government district hospital in an auto. But, the authorities and staff of the government district hospital refused admission in the absence of Aadhaar and Mother's card.

The doctors also refused to provide her treatment and admit her to the hospital despite the woman being in labour.

Chennai (Agencies): The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted heavy to very heavy rains at isolated places in some southern districts of Tamil Nadu on Friday.

As per the weather department, the districts that are likely to be affected by this heavy rainfall, are - Ramanathapuram, Nagapattinam, Thanjavur, Tiruvarur, Sivaganga and Myladuthurai.

In a statement on Thursday, the IMD officials said that an upper cyclonic circulation that lies over south Tamil Nadu and its neighbourhood and extends up to upper tropospheric areas is expected to bring in rains.

Gandhi and said the former Congress president could commit political suicide, by continuing in Congress, but not he.

Bishnoi said, “Congress is in self-destruction mode. It would remain in the number two spot, but BJP would win the bypoll.” Bishnoi’s son Bhawya Bishnoi is in fray in Adampur.

polling centres were captured by workers of the ruling BJP.

Foreign cigarettes worth `2.47 crore seized in Mizoram Aizawl (Agencies): Assam Rifles and Customs officials in a joint operation seized 190 cases of foreign origin cigarettes worth Rs 2.47 crore from eastern Mizoram's Champhai district, a hotspot of illegal trade from Myanmar.

Officials on Thursday said that the para-military troopers of 23 Sector accompanied by Assam Rifles officials recovered the foreign origin cigarettes on Wednesday night from an abandoned place at New Zotlang of Champhai district, adjoining Myanmar. The seized items were handed over to the Customs department, Champhai to undertake further legal proceedings.

Ongoing smuggling of drugs and foreign origin cigarettes is a major cause of concern for Mizoram, especially along the India-Myanmar border, an Assam Rifles statement said.

The Mizoram-based International Trade Initiative Forum (ITIF) recently urged Prime Min-

In the absence of formal & regular official border trade between India and Myanmar, not only smuggling and illegal trade is going on unchecked but govt is losing crores of rupees in revenue.

—A retired IAS officer

ister Narendra Modi and Mizoram Governor to resume trade with Myanmar through the Zokhawthar border point.

ITIF President PC Lawmkunga, a retired IAS officer, who served as Manipur’s Chief Secretary, reportedly said “in the absence of the formal and regular official border trade between India and Myanmar, not only smuggling and illegal trade is going on unchecked but the govt is losing crores of rupees in revenue.”

Over 20K schools shut UP govt okays during 2021-22: Report move to set up

New Delhi (PTI): Over 20,000 schools across the country were shut down during the 202021, a report by the Ministry of Education found. The number of teachers also declined by 1.95 per cent compared to the previous year.

The report titled, Unified District Information System for Education Plus (UDISE+) on school education in India for 2021-22 also

pointed out that only 44.85 per cent schools had computer facilities while nearly 34 per cent had internet connection.

“Total number of schools in 2021-22 stood at 14.89 lakhs as compared to 15.09 lakhs in 2020-21. The decline in total schools is mainly due to closure of schools under private and other management,” said the report launched on Thursday.

pvt varsities

Lucknow (ANI): UP cabinet has cleared setting up private universities in Ghaziabad, Noida and Farrukhabad, along with another 19 proposals. At a cabinet meeting on Thursday in which 22 of 23 proposals tabled were passed.

Among the proposals cleared were those pertaining to issuance of letters of intent for setting up the SDGI Global University in Ghaziabad and Major SD Singh University in Fatehgarh, Farrukhabad, under the Uttar Pradesh Private Universities Act, 2019. A proposal regarding the release of the letter of intent for establishing the JSS University in Noida was also approved.

IIMC AT AIZAWL

Murmu inaugurates North Eastern Regional Campus lll

SLAUGHTERHOUSE PROPERTIES ATTACHED IN KARNATAKA DISTRICT

with the Shiv Sena's Uddhav Thackeray faction. There is the news that BJP is creating trouble for the candidate of Uddhav Thackeray faction in Andheri East seat. Shiv Sena leader Anil Parab has alleged that voters in the a ssembly constituency are being lured by money and BJP is asking them to vote on the option of NOTA i.e. None Of The Above. Significantly, even after the withdrawal of the BJP candidate, many independent candidates are in the fray.

control now,” Nalgonda SP Rema Rajeshwari said.

The BJP supporters tried to stage a protest at a polling station in Marriguda alleging that the TRS party is trying to influence voters.

The BJP also demanded action against those trying to influence the voters.

The foreign cigarettes were reportedly smuggled from Myanmar.

—Representational pic

New Delhi (Agencies): PM Narendra Modi is all set to flag off South India’s first ‘Vande Bharat Express’ train during his visit to Bengaluru on November 11.

The country’s fifth Vande Bharat Express, it will run between Chennai and Mysuru via Bengaluru. On November 5, this semi-high-speed train will leave the Integrated Coach Factory for trials. Vande Bharat is India’s first semi high speed train equipped with world class passenger amenities. It can achieve high speeds due to faster acceleration and deceleration and will reduce journey times by 25% to 45%. The train can attain speed from 0-100 kmph in 52 seconds. All Vande Bharat coaches are equipped with automatic doors; GPS based audio-visual information system etc.

the BJP knew it was going to be defeated and to avoid this humiliation, it played this gamble. Had the BJP lost in the by-elections, the narrative around that lost would have made it difficult for BJP to hope for a good outing in the municipal corporation elections to be held in the next few days and the position of Shiv Sena would have been strengthened. So the party withdrew the candidate.

But it seems that despite the removal of the candidate, there has been no harmony

Munugodu (ANI): The Telangana Police on Thursday lathi-charged two groups at a polling station in Munugodu’s Marriguda during voting for the bypolls, after both the groups alleged that they are not from the same village. This came amid the voting in the Munugodu assembly constituency. “In Marriguda, two groups gathered and alleged against each other that they are not from the same village. Immediately the police intervened and dispersed the two groups.

The situation is under

Since its inauguration in 2011, the institute is headed by LR Sailo, Regional Director, who has decades of experience in public relations

First India Bureau Aizawl: President Droupadi Murmu on her visit to Mizoram inaugurates the Campus of IIMC North East located at Mizoram University in virtual mode. The Indian Institute of Mass Communication (IIMC) is an autonomous Institution under I&B Ministry.

The IIMC North East Campus began functioning in 2011 from a temporary building made available by Mizoram Univer-

President Droupadi Murmu addresses the 17th Convocation of Mizoram University, in Aizawal on Thursday. —PHOTO BY ANI

sity. The construction work for the campus began in 2015 and complet-

ed in 2019. The total cost is 25 crores. The IIMC permanent campus on

the 8 acres of land given

by Mizoram University has separate Administrative and Academic buildings along with hostels and staff quarters.

Since its inception, the campus is offering PG Diploma course in English Journalism for which most of the students come from other parts of India. This year, the Institute takes pride in having a topper in English Journalism for the second time. The Campus also enables its

students to secure employments in reputed media organisations across the country through campus placements and their own efforts. Year after year, students are establishing their own niche in wellknown media organizations like Doordarshan.

From the 2022-23 session, the North East Campus has been chosen to start PG Diploma Course in Digital Media along with two other Campuses of IIMC.

COMMODITIES

CURRENCIES

Commodity

Price

Change

% Chg

Currency

Price

Change

% Chg

GOLD

50,597.00

402.00

0.79 (Per 10g)

USDINR

82.88

0.08

0.09

SILVER

58,111.00

1244.00

2.14 (Per 1kg)

GBPINR

93.28

1.89

1.99

*Rates till the edition went to print.

NEW DELHI | FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 2022

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business BRIEFS

INDIA’S OCTOBER IRON ORE EXPORTS ARE ‘NEARLY ZERO’

New Delhi: India’s iron ore exports dropped to “nearly zero” in October, and overseas shipments of the steelmaking raw material are expected to continue to languish due to higher export taxes and lower demand from China, a senior industry official said on Thursday. India in May raised the export tax on low-grade iron ore lumps and fines - with iron content below 58% to 50% from zero, and hiked the duties on pellets to 45% from zero, as part of efforts to meet rising —FIB local demand.

BYJU’S FINALISING PLANS FOR $1 BN IPO FOR AAKASH

RBI panel meets to draft report on retail inflation Mumbai (PTI): The RBI’s rate setting panel met on Thursday to discuss and draft a report for the government on why it failed to keep retail inflation below the target of 6% for three consecutive quarters since January this year.

“A separate meeting of the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) was held on November 3, 2022 to discuss and draft the report to be sent to the Government by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) under the provisions of Section 45ZN of the RBI Act, 1934 and Regulation 7 of RBI MPC and Monetary Policy Process Regulations, 2016,” the central bank said in a statement.

Section 45ZN of RBI Act deals with failure to maintain the inflation target.

The meeting was chaired

MAJOR HIGHLIGHTS z The meeting was chaired

by RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das and attended by all MPC members — Michael Debabrata Patra, Rajiv Ranjan, Shashanka Bhide, Ashima Goyal and Jayanth R Varma

OTHER STORIES New Delhi: India’s most valuable startup, onlineeducation giant Byju’s, is finalizing plans for a $1 billion initial public offering of its tutoring business Aakash Educational Services, according to people familiar with the matter. The company is in talks with at least four foreign banks as well as Indian banks including Kotak Mahindra Bank Ltd and Axis Bank Ltd as it seeks arrangers for the listing. The unit may be valued at $3.5 billion to —FIB $4 billion.

INDIA AIMS TO END UREA IMPORTS FROM 2025

New Delhi: India aims to end imports of urea from 2025 as the nation boosts its local production capacity with the commissioning of new plants, fertilisers minister Mansukh Mandaviya said.

India, the top importer of urea, imports about 30% of its average 35 million tonnes of annual consumption of the crop nutrient. “We are aiming for ending our dependence on imported urea by 2025... our five new plants will be commissioned by then,” Mansukh Mandaviya told —FIB reporters.

FICCI NAMES SUBHRAKANT PANDA AS NEXT PRESIDENT

NEED TO BOOST CROP PRODUCTIVITY, MAKE FARMING PROFITABLE FOR GROWTH OF AGRI SECTOR: TOMAR

New Delhi: Agriculture Minister Narendra Tomar on Thursday stressed on increasing farm productivity and crop production as well as making farming activities profitable for the overall growth of the sector. He also said there is a need for balanced use of agro-chemicals and fertilisers by creating awareness. Tomar said the government has undertaken various reforms in the agro-chemical industry and the process would continue in consultation with the stakeholders. He assured them that the government will make efforts to address the challenges faced by the industry.

—PTI

HDFC LTD SECOND QUARTER PROFIT RISES 24% TO `7,043 CRORE

New Delhi: Mortgage lender HDFC Ltd on Thursday said its consolidated net profit increased by 24% to `7,043 crore in the September 2022 quarter. It had reported a `5,670 crore net profit in the year-ago period, HDFC said in a regulatory filing.

Its total income on a consolidated basis rose to `43,927 crore in the said quarter from `38,603 crore a year ago. On a standalone basis, its net profit increased by 18% to `4,454 crore from `3,780 crore a year —PTI back.

ESAF SFB TO REFILE IPO PAPERS BUT THE ISSUE SIZE TO BE LOWER NOW

Mumbai: ESAF Small Finance Bank is looking to refile its initial public offering (IPO) with a lower issue size, which will hit the market in FY24, a top official said on Thursday. The lender had in October filed for a nearly `1,000 crore IPO which was to include `800 crore of primary issuance and also a `200 crore offer-forsale from existing investors. Its MD and CEO K Paul Thomas said that the company is in the process of refiling the draft prospectus with Sebi and will be doing same by Dec. —PTI

PANEL TO SEEK FINMIN’S EXPLANATION FOR REJECTING PROPOSAL TO RAISE PENSION UNDER EPFO New Delhi: A Parliamentary panel will seek explanation from the finance ministry for turning down the labour ministry’s proposal to increase the pension of EPFO subscribers from the current `1,000 per month.

The quantum of increase proposed by the labour ministry could not be ascertained.

Top officials from the labour ministry and Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) on Thursday briefed Parliamentary Standing Committee on Labour chaired

by BJD MP Bhartruhari Mahtab on operation of the EPF pension scheme and management of its corpus fund.

—PTI

z The RBI Act requires the central bank’s MPC to report to the government reasons for failure to meet the retail inflation target z The retail inflation based on CPI has remained above 6% since January 2022. It was 7.41% in September

India offers stability: FM invites investors New Delhi (PTI): India offers policy stability, transparency and consultative process of governance to incubate investment, FM Nirmala Sitharaman said on Thursday as she invited investments in prospecting energy resources in the country.

Stressing that there is a need for investments in coal, she said, “We need greater investments also to help in gasification of coal.

I invite all of you to energetically participate in the (sixth round of commercial mines) auction processes which have been launched today and keep your options also further extended for greater extraction of minerals in India.” During this ‘Amrit Kaal’, India needs all the basic minerals as the country is in the process of rapid growth, she added.

“This is where action is.

leaders in quality, we will not be able to become a developed nation and leverage the fruits of international engagement that we are trying to expand.”

The time is right to engage with the private sector to build a

New Delhi (PTI): The government is mapping all food quality laboratories in the country in a bid to plug the critical gaps and modernise them to make India a quality-conscious country, Food and Consumer Affairs Minister Piyush Goyal said on Thursday.

State-run Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) has already mapped 3,000-odd

NABL-accredited non-diagnostic laboratories in the country. It is mulling how to map the n o n accredited nondiagnostic labs set up by PSUs, industries and education institutes like IITs. “Unless we are

Unemployment rate surges to 7.77% in Oct

Markets fall for 2nd day amid weak global equities

New Delhi: Unemployment rate in India surged last month on the back of significant increase in rural unemployment rate, reversing the decline registered in September. The data from the Centre for Monitoring Indian Economy shows the unemployment rate in India stood at 7.77% in October compared to a four-year low of 6.43% in September.

As per the CMIE, rural unemployment rate stood at 8.04% in October as against 5.84% in September while the urban unemployment fell to 7.21% compared to 7.7% in September.

Further, the rise in the unemployment rate in October was accompanied by a small fall in the LPR.

Mumbai (PTI): Benchmark indices finished on a weak note on Thursday, extending their previous day’s decline amid a negative trend in global equity markets after the US Fed hiked interest rates by 75 basis points.

The 30-share BSE Sensex declined 69.68 points or 0.11% to settle at 60,836.41.

During the day, it tanked 420.95 points or 0.69% to 60,485.14.

Similarly, the broader NSE Nifty dipped 30.15 points or 0.17% to end at 18,052.70.

From the Sensex pack, Tech Mahindra, PowerGrid, NTPC, Infosys, Wipro, HDFC, Tata Consultancy Services and Mahindra & Mahindra were the major laggards.

First India Bureau

` FALLS 8 PAISE TO CLOSE AT 82.88 AGAINST US DOLLAR

Mumbai (PTI): The rupee depreciated by 8 paise to close at 82.88 against the US dollar on Thursday, after the US Federal Reserve raised interest rates and maintained a hawkish stance. At the interbank foreign exchange market, the local unit opened at 82.87 and witnessed a high of 82.74 and a low of 82.92. It finally settled at 82.88 against the American currency, registering a fall of 8 paise over its last close of 82.80.

WTW GLOBAL GENDER WEALTH EQUITY REPORT

Gender wealth gap in APAC largest in India at 64% New Delhi: Women, on average, are expected to reach retirement with just 74% of the wealth accumulated by men, a new global study - The 2022 WTW Global Gender Wealth Equity report by advisory, broking and solutions company WTW has revealed.

Asia Pacific has one of the lower global wealth gaps on average for gender wealth equity. In the APAC region, women are expected to accumulate just over 76% of men’s wealth lev-

TOP TALKING POINTS z Women, on average, are

expected to reach retirement with just 74% of the wealth accumulated by men

z In the APAC region,

women are expected to accumulate just over threequarters (76%) of men’s wealth levels

els, two points above the global average. In APAC, the gender wealth gap is the largest in India at 64%.

The study found that one

CALL FOR BETTER FUTURE z Finance Minister Nirmala

Sitharaman on Thursday invited investments in prospecting energy resources in the country

z India needs all the basic

minerals as the country is in the process of rapid growth

We are definitely creating a policy environment through which greater transparency and greater policy stability guides and invites investments. The next 25 years are critical for India for both its growth and also for employment.

‘Govt mapping all food quality laboratories’

First India Bureau

Bhubaneswar: The FICCI on Wednesday named Subhrakant Panda as its next president. Panda, the MD of IMFA, is currently serving as the senior vice president of FICCI. FICCI said that Panda will succeed Sanjiv Mehta as president of the apex chamber at the conclusion of its 95th AGM to be held on Dec 16-17.

Panda has been active in FICCI for two decades and was the first chairman of the FICCI Odisha State Council.

—PTI

by RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das. The RBI Act requires the central bank’s MPC to report to the government reasons for failure to meet the retail inflation target as well as measures to bring it at 4% with a margin of 2%.

The meeting was called under the provisions of Section 45ZN of the RBI Act 1934. It was the first time since the monetary policy framework came into effect in 2016 that RBI had to give an explanation to the government.

The retail inflation based on CPI has remained above 6% since January 2022. It was 7.41% in September.

The six-member MPC headed by Governor Das factors in retail inflation while deciding the bimonthly monetary policy.

09

of the contributing factors for this can be the significant gender pay gaps in the country, which exceed the global average, par-

ticularly for professional and technical roles. Opportunities for women in leadership positions are also limited, with only 3%

of women in the workforce occupying senior positions.

Women also tend to assume childcare responsibilities at a young age, resulting in financial impacts from which there is limited capacity to cover. Compounding this is the fact that long-term financial decisions generally rest with men and financial literacy for working women tends to be lower.

Across the 12 markets in the APAC, gender wealth gaps range from 64% in India to 90% in South Korea.

roadmap to make India a “quality-conscious country” by strengthening infrastructure, adopting modern technology and focusing on sustainability.

“We have started the process of mapping laboratory infrastructure available in India. Now, we can make the assessment of critical gaps in lab infrastructure,” he said.

CURRENCY IN CIRCULATION DECLINES IN DIWALI WEEK Mumbai (PTI): The currency in circulation (CIC) declined by `7,600 crore in the Diwali week, making it the first such happening in two decades, a report said on Thursday.

This was made possible courtesy of a greater reliance on digital payments by people, the report by economists at SBI said, adding that the Indian economy is undergoing a structural transformation at present.

They clarified that the Diwali week in 2009 had also witnessed a marginal `950 crore decline in currency in circulation, but that was purely due to the economic slowdown amid the global financial crisis.

“The innovations in technology have changed the Indian payment system. Over the years, the Indian cash lead economy now has changed to a smart-phone lead payment economy,” they said.

The economists also said that a lower currency in circulation also is akin to a cut in the cash reserve ratio for the banking system as it results in lower leakage of deposits and will have a positive impact on monetary transmission as well.

A silent supportive presence is more powerful than a million empty words.

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

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2ND FRONT NEW DELHI | FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 2022

10

LET THE CORRUPT SCREAM,

YOU DO YOUR WORK: PM MODI Corrupt must not escape at any cost, PM tells govt’s probe agencies

CVC Suresh N. Patel (L) Prime Minister Narendra Modi addresses the Vigilance Awareness Week programme of the Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) at Vigyan Bhawan in New Delhi on Thursday. —PHOTO BY ANI

some people give arguments in favour of the corrupt who have been found guilty. It is very necessary for such people, such forces to be made aware of their duty by society. In this also concrete action taken by your department has a big role.

There is no need for institutions, which work against the corrupt and corruption, to be defensive in any way,” PM Modi said.

Stating that the institutions need not work on political agenda, PM Modi said that it is the government’s job to free the common man from the problems they are facing.

“We do not have to work on political agen-

Vulture stranded in 2017 in TN flown to Jodhpur First India Bureau New Delhi: A migratory cinereous vulture ‘Okhi’, who got stranded in Tamil Nadu and could not fly back was flown to Jodhpur to be released in the Machia Biological Park there, a senior forest official said on Thursday.

The forest department came to its rescue and helped it undergo rehabilitation for years.

The vulture was tem-

The bird was stranded in Kanniyakumari district during Ockhi cyclone in 2017 porarily housed at the Arignar Anna Zoological Park, Vandalur, for 3 days for acclimatisation.

The vulture boarded an Air India flight on Thursday and IAS officer Supriya Sahu shared the clip on Twitter.

‘AN EVIL WE MUST STAY AWAY FROM’

da. But it is our job to free the common man from the problems they are facing. We have to do this job. Those who have vested interests will scream. They will

EAM JAISHANKAR TO VISIT RUSSIA ON NOVEMBER 7 & 8 First India Bureau New Delhi: The external affairs ministry on Thursday confirmed that S Jaishankar will visit Russia on November 7-8 to meet Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and Deputy Prime and Minister of Trade and Industry Denis Manturov.

MEA spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said that discussions on a

Indian Army now has patent of new camouflage uniform New Delhi: The process for registration of the new Camouflage Pattern and Design of Improved Combat Uniform to establish ownership of the Indian Army has been completed by the Controller General of Patents, Designs and Trademark, Kolkata, informed officials on Thursday.

The new Digital Pattern Combat Uniform for Indian Army soldiers was unveiled on January 15, 2022 (Army Day). As per officials, the improved uniform has a contemporary look and functional design. The fabric has been made lighter, stronger, breathable, quick drying and easier to maintain.

The uniqueness of the uni-

TAILORS’ WORKSHOPS WITH NIFT

form is evident with gender-specific modifications for women’s combat uniforms. The exclusive ‘Intellectual

make attempts to strangle the institutions.

Attempts will be made to defame those associated with these institutions. I have been in this system for a long

time and have heard numerous abuses and allegations. There is nothing left for me. But people know the truth and when the time comes, they even stand with the truth,” he said.

The Prime Minister further urged everyone to walk the path of truth to fulfil their duties with dedication and emphasised, “when you take action with conviction, the whole nation stands with you.”

The Prime Minister also suggested that institutions like CVC should keep themselves strict as well as inculcate awareness among other institutions like it to take action against corruption and those involved in such practices.­

Property Rights (IPR)’ of the Design and Camouflage Pattern now rests solely with the Indian Army.

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar visits the Passport Seva Kendra in Kolkata on Thursday. —PHOTO BY ANI

range of regional and global issues, including the war in Ukraine are expected. He said issues

‘GRAP curbs no obstacle to Noida Airport’ Noida (PTI): Implementation of Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) to check pollution in Delhi-NCR will not impact the construction work of the upcoming Noida International Airport, officials said.

As per officials, a delay in the completion of the project would also leave the Swiss concessionaire Zurich International Airport AG under a penalty of Rs 10 lakh per day.

“We have implemented additional measures to reduce dust at the site and minimise environmental impact,” officials said.

pertaining to bilateral economic cooperation will also figure in Jaishankar-Manturov talks.

In the last few months, India has increased the import of discounted crude oil from Russia notwithstanding increasing disquiet over it by several Western powers.

Jaishankar and Lavrov have met 4 times after the Ukraine conflict began in February.

Before ‘Axel’ & ‘Zoom’, ‘Backer’ died in line of duty in Kashmir Kunal Dutt Srinagar: Decades before the martyrdom of Indian Army assault dogs ‘Zoom’ and ‘Axel’, a canine warrior -‘Backer’ -- had made the supreme sacrifice while detecting an improvised explosive device (IED) during the early phases of militancy in the Kashmir Valley in the mid-90s.

‘Backer’, a 3-year-old Labrador deployed for road clearance, had sniffed out an IED in Anantnag. But it went off before it could be defused and he suffered fatal injuries, becoming the “first canine martyr of the Indian Army”, as mentioned in an old war diary maintained at the Srinagar-based unit he belonged to. The sniffer dog was part of the 12 Army Dog Unit (ADU), also known as the Chinar Hunters. An army official belonging to the unit said “brave ‘Backer’ saved the lives of many soldiers and others by sacrificing his own”.

“For us, our dogs are also like soldiers. These four-footed canine warriors are, in many cases, the first responders in counter-insurgency operations and they pursue one or multiple terrorists first. Hence their lives are at high risk but they help save many human lives by shielding, alerting the Army team,” the senior 12 ADU official said.

—PHOTO BY ANI

New Delhi (ANI): In a stern message against corruption, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday said that those with “vested interests will scream” and “strangle the institutions” for the action taken against the corrupt, but the agencies need not be “defensive” in their job.

The Prime Minister’s remarks came while addressing a programme marking Vigilance Awareness Week of the Central Vigilance Commission (CVC). PM Modi, in an apparent reference to the Opposition, said that there are some people who laud those who are sentenced to jail with corruption charges, adding that this situation is “not good for society”.

“We have seen that many times the corrupt people are glorified in spite of being jailed even after being proven to be corrupt. This situation is not good for Indian society. Even today,

Indian Army’s assault dog ‘Cain’ during a counter-insurgency operation drill, at 12 Army Dog Unit in Srinagar on Thursday.

—PHOTO BY PTI

ARMY GIFTS FOUR DOGS TO CAMBODIAN ARMED FORCES New Delhi (PTI): The Indian Army has gifted four explosive detection dogs to the Royal Cambodia Armed Forces (RCAF) in reflection of growing cooperation between the two sides, military officials said on Thursday.

The dogs were transported from New Delhi to Phnom Penh in a civilian flight on October 24, they said. The Army also conducted a four-week training on handling of the sniffer dogs to a number of RCAF personnel at the Remount Veterinary Corps facility in Meerut, they said. India gifted 15 sniffer dogs to that country in 2016.

Preferred breeds Both ‘Zoom’ and ‘Axel’ belonged to the Belgian Shepherd or Malinois breed, preferred for rearing as assault dogs, along with German Shepherds or Alsatians.

“For locating explosives, and search and rescue operations, the Labrador breed is preferred. ‘Mohita’ (6 years old) and ‘Moonie’ (oneand-a-half years old) are among our Labrador warriors,” the army official said.

“There are over 30 dog units under the Army. 20 units are located in areas under the Northern Command. 8 are located in the Kashmir Valley & 1 in Ladakh, besides

other units in Jammu region. Each unit has 24 dogs,” the senior 12 ADU official said.

K9’s prayer The spirit of loyalty & sacrifice which dogs have symbolised for ages is aptly described in a “K9’s Prayer” written on a poster hung near the main gate of Chinar Hunters, bearing an image of a dog looking towards the heavens.

“Dear God, protect my brave handler, grant your almighty protection; unite my handler safely with the family after the tour of duty has ended; I ask nothing for myself. Amen,” reads the last stanza.

—PTI

Will focus on economic and cyber offences: Rajasthan’s new DGP Jaipur (PTI): Rajasthan’s new Director General of Police (DGP) Umesh Mishra on Thursday said he would focus on checking economic and cyber offences, which he referred to as “emerging challenges”. Mishra took over from ML Lather, who retired from service on Thursday.

A 1989-batch Indian Police Service officer, Mishra said Rajasthan had done a lot of work to reduce the time taken in investigating cases and added that he wanted to raise the level of functioning of police stations to improve policing.

“The noose around professional criminals and organised crime

Newly-appointed Director General of Police Umesh Mishra with outgoing DGP ML Lather during the latter’s farewell ceremony at police HQ in Jaipur on Thursday.

—PHOTO BY PTI

will be tightened. Another big challenge is economic offences.

Many cases of cyber fraud and economic offences have come (to the police’s notice). The Kaman area in Bharatpur

district is notorious for this,” he told reporters.

Speaking on how he planned to improve the functioning of police stations, Mishra said, “Complainants should be heard, prompt action

should be taken and investigation should be fair. Core policing is done at the police station level. Once it is improved, policing in the entire state is improved.”

www.firstindia.co.in I https://firstindia.co.in/epapers/delhi I twitter.com/ thefirstindia I facebook.com/thefirstindia I instagram.com/thefirstindia NEW DELHI, FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 2022

STRIPE GEAR

AN ALL-TIME

CLASSIC The classic stripe is a girl’s best friend when it comes to patterns.

City First brings to the highlights from the timeless fashion!

UTTKARSHA SHEKHAR

uttkarsha.shekhar@firstindia.co.in

S

tripes are a perennial favourite because they can be worn in a variety of ways and have a special way of conjuring up summer. Although stripes have always been in style, this season is all about applying them in unconventional or non-traditional ways.

The most comfortable way to dress is in a striped pattern, which can be worn in a variety of ways. Men can wear striped shirts and slacks, while ladies can wear stripes in long gowns, short dresses, and shirt patterns.

The major benefit of stripes is that they go well with anything and can be worn with fusion clothing to provide some edge.

Mesh and shimmer stripes, fulllength vertical stripes, alluring swirly stripes on knit and lace, enormous athletic stripes in linear patterns, horizontal stripes, or a combination of all of the above. Wear a bikini, t-shirt, or dress with stripes to add visual liveliness to your outfit. The safer choice is always nautical stripes. If one frequents the beach frequently, one can invest in classic beach items.

“The classic navy, cherry, and

white stripes will never go out of style because they feature nautical accents like anchor designs and rope detailing.

To feel comfortable, we might wear a variety of stripes. The simplest approach to give your plain monochromatic stripes some edge is to add some colour to your outfit.

Try pairing strong shades with white, such as brilliant red and blue, or, if you’re feeling particularly daring, try a variety of hues. Wear the pattern from head to toe to up the ante on your stripes. Doubling or even tripling the number of stripes on striped clothing, is one of our favourite ways to modernise the tried-and-true stripe trend”.

Stripes are a timeless fashion staple, and irrespective of the season, they b l e n d well with different themes.

Dip-a-toe in this trend and experiment with different stripes ranging from mod zigzags to bold sailor motifs that are dominating the runways globally.

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ETC NEW DELHI | FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 4 , 2022

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BY KARTIK BAJORIA

The author is a Jaipur-based Communication Skills Educator & Writer

W

hen I was in my 20’s, I studied Literature. After that, I c h a n g e d tracks and studied Advertising, subsequently working in the Advertising Industry for a few years in Mumbai. Post that, I worked for an NGO back in my hometown in Jaipur before going off to Film School in Los Angeles and returning to Mumbai for a decade to work in various capacities across Film & Television. But that wasn’t the end of my exploration & experimentation. I finally moved back to Jaipur in 2013 and have been work-

1

ing as a Communication Skills Teacher & Writer ever since!

Do I propagate and endorse this way of life, of repeatedly changing tracks & careers? Of course not.

But do I feel that in the one life we have, it is worth deeply scrutinizing & finding one’s passion and then following it, no matter what the odds are?

The answer to this question is a resounding yes!

We are lucky enough to live in a free country. Yet, we seldom reward ourselves with true freedom! The leeway to become actualized adults that are complete yet unique realized yet open and whole yet differentiated, is seldom granted to us, and especially today, to young students and children.

Freedom to explore, and of thought & expression, to me, is the essence of individual freedom. However, in my observation, while our schools and educational institutions have ‘improved’ by

Freedom to Explore: Exploration of oneself is the only way we can truly ‘know’ ourselves. Our likes, dislikes, talents, interests and passions, makes up a delectable cauldron waiting to be sipped, tastedand savoured. Perhaps the only way of initiating this ‘exploration’ is to expose ourselves to a wide variety of experiences. In each interaction lies a unique experience. Be it listening to a particular kind of music, strolling through a park early in the morning amid the birds and the freshly awakened flowers, or watching a great Ted Talk. Each human encounter brings us rich new learnings. A chat with our auto-rikshaw driver, a discussion with an elderly uncle; so much knowledge and awareness can be imbibed.

2

leaps and bounds, sadly, these enhancements have been largely infrastructural, technological, digital, and for the most part – superficial. Smart Classes to Air Conditioned rooms & buses, state-of-the-art laboratories to the lavish sporting framework.

But where is the evolution in the embedded philosophy or the ethos of education?

Where is the strategy behind what kind of human beings we are producing to lead us into the future? Where is the identification and manifestation of the unique passions and talents of an individual?

I believe that along with all the wonderful progress that has been made by schools, and the ability of families & parents to provide greater exposure and tools to children, there must also be a very specific mandate to support, encourage and develop Exploration & Expression.

But how does one do this?

Freedom to Educate: Once something piques our interest, to educate ourselves in that sphere. Research. It can begin with a simple secondary search online using Google. Let’s say Gaming has caught your fancy. You can learn about a lot of the basics of the Gaming world by reading from reliable/credible/established sources online. Maybe you’ll realize it is not for you.

Maybe you will be even more convinced you’d like to know more! In the former scenario, you know you can leave this be and continue your quest of exploration.

In the latter, you can then start to find out about courses that you can take outside of your set school curriculum to explore and educate yourself further in that discipline.

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EXPLORE AND

EXPRESS, FREELY!

3

Freedom to Express: Too often we take things for granted.

Silly things. Illogical things. ‘dogs will bite, don’t go near them’. ‘pink is for girls, boys can’t wear that colour’. Prejudices and preconceived notions, big and small, surround us. We must build, having explored and educated ourselves, the will and courage to express our own opinions, even though they sometimes might seem contrary to the status quo, against the inherited set of values and morality. We must question, we must ask, we must explore, and come to our own conclusions.

Freedom is nothing if we don’t grant it to each individual.

Freedom is a spirit of genuine self-discovery and thoughtful expression of that self-attainment. Without it, we are denying this great, ‘free’ country of its independence. Because without people who can think for themselves and contribute an individual perspective, we stand the greatest risk of all – being enslaved by our ‘dictated’ way of life.

That, for this great young country of ours, will arguably be the greatest tragedy – if we end up with entire generations that are fed on a steady diet of pre-decided, pre-determined life paths.

They will be frustrated, angry, discontented, disconnected, passionless individuals who will make up an apathetic whole!

ETC NEW DELHI | FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 4 , 2022

www.firstindia.co.in I https://firstindia.co.in/epapers/delhi I twitter.com/thefirstindia I facebook.com/thefirstindia I instagram.com/thefirstindia

ADORABLE CHAMPI

Wonderfully weird ladies

O

n Women’s Day this year, Vicky shared a cute picture of Katrina posing with Veena Kaushal and called them both his ‘strength’.

Now, as Vicky’s mom Veena Kaushal is celebrating her birthday, the Uri actor took to his social media to wish her.

Vicky Kaushal shared a video on Instagram and it shows Veena Kaushal massaging Vicky’s hair with oil, while the actor recorded the vid-

Her post...

Her post...

eo. Posting the cute ‘champi’ video featuring him and his mom, Vicky wished her a happy birthday and expressed how much he loves her. “Happy Birthday Maa. Aapki maar aur maalish dono mein sukoon hai! Love you.” Katrina Kaif reacted to the video and dropped a heart emoji on Vicky’s post.

Katrina Kaif

DATING RUMOURS

A

lia Bhatt, who is one of the most loved actresses in town, is currently resting at home ahead of the arrival of her first baby.

Ahead of the baby’s arrival, it seems like the mommy-to-be is spending time with her mom Soni Razdan and sister Shaheen Bhatt. Alia, who has been keeping a lowkey affair on Instagram, has shared a sweet post for her mom Soni and sister Shaheen. She took to her handle and dropped an appreciation post. In her post, she called them ‘wonderfully weird ladies’. Alia is seen sporting a white t-shirt paired with a denim jacket and her mom is seen twinning as she is also wearing the same jacket. The trio looks beautiful as they flash their milliondollar smiles. Sharing the picture with fans, Alia wrote, “appreciation post for these wonderfully weird ladies.”

S Her post...

Alia Bhatt

Friends Forever K

iddhant Chaturvedi is currently rumoured to be in a relationship with Amitabh Bachchan’s granddaughter Navya Naveli Nanda. Now, in a new interview, the actor finally addressed the dating rumour with Navya.

Siddhant is busy promoting his horror-comedy film Phone Bhoot with Katrina Kaif and Ishaan Khatter. During his interaction with GoodTimes, Siddhant and Ishaan were asked to share one rumour about themselves that they wish was true. To this, the Gehraiyaan actor said: “That I am dating, seeing someone. I wish that was true.” Siddhant and Navya made headlines when they arrived at filmmaker Karan Johar’s 50th birthday party at the same time. The rumoured couple was also seen dancing with Shah Rukh Khan and the video from the same also went viral.

eerthy Suresh is one of the busiest actresses in the South film industry.

The Dasara actress is a close friend of Bollywood actress, Janhvi Kapoor. Keerthy and Janhvi bumped into each other in Hyderabad, where the latter is promoting her upcoming Bollywood film Mili. The Dasara actress shared a lovely selfie with the Bollywood star on her official Instagram handle and wrote: “Wishing you all the love on your release babe! God bless. #MilifromNovember4” Janhvi Kapoor, on the other hand, shared Keerthy’s post on her official handle with a special note. “Bumped into my fav after gushing about her all day during interviews!!” reads Janhvi’s Instagram story.

Janhvi Kapoor

Govinda Naam Mera

S

hashank Khaitan’s Govinda Naam Mera, which is headlined by Vicky Kaushal, Kiara Advani and Bhumi Pednekar has finalised their release date. “Govinda Naam Mera will release on December 16, 2022, on Disney+ Hotstar. The platform had a few dates in mind, however, they have finally zeroed down on December 16. It’s an important film for them, and they will make an official announcement soon,” informed a source close to the development. The film is backed by Karan Johar’s Dharma Productions and Viacom18 Studios.

Vicky and Kiara have earlier worked together in Lust Stories, while the actor has also collaborated with Bhumi in Bhoot – Part One: The Haunted Ship.

Kiara Advani

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Navya Naveli Nanda

D Deepika Padukone

Vacation TIME!!

eepika Padukone is currently on a high with the terrific response received by the teaser of Pathaan, her much-awaited upcoming film. Meanwhile, the gorgeous actress is having a great time away from the limelight, with her hubby Ranveer Singh.

Recently, Ranveer Singh took to his official Instagram page and shared a fun video, in which the lovely couple is seen enjoying a boat ride. In the video, Deepika Padukone is seen having a fun time with her hubby and giving him a pat on his leg as he filmed her. “#Cutie,” wrote Ranveer Singh, who is clearly in awe of his beautiful wife, in his Instagram story.

CITY www.firstindia.co.in I www.firstindia.co.in/epapers/delhi I twitter.com/thefirstindia facebook.com/thefirstindia I instagram.com/thefirstindia

PARAMPARA SERIES

STAY MASKED

GET VACCINATED

BUZZ

NEW DELHI | FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 2022

14

Jayateerth Mevundi

CITY FIRST

T

he 26th Edition Parampara Series, The National Festival of Dance & Music will be organised by Natya Tarangini established in 1976 by world-renowned dancing couple Padma Bhushans Dr Raja Radha Reddy and Kaushalya Reddy in the city from November 12. Natya Tarangini started the ‘Parampara’ Series National and International Festival of Music and Dance as a movement to preserve and enrich the cultural mosaic of our everyday life and today takes pride in the fact that it has largely succeeded in its endeavours. Natya Tarangini is conducting its 26th Edition this year with full dedication towards preserving our art & culture. As part of the Parampara Series, “Natya Tarangini” will be celebrating the festival by presenting mesmerising dance performances nationally and internationally with reputed artists for 3 days. cityfirstdel@gmail.com

Dr Raja Radha Reddy Dance troupe —PHOTOS BY SHAZID CHAUHAN

Aruna Sairam

Aditi Mangaldas Ustad Amjad Ali Khan

EVENTS!

Rama Vaidyanathan

Dr Raja Radha Reddy

—PHOTOS BY SHAZID CHAUHAN

During the book launch

BOOK LAUNCH!

During the cleaning drive City First

T

he Crowne Plaza Hotel in Greater Noida held a cleaning drive on Thursday in the city. The effort was carried out in the early hours by a team of employees led by General Manager Sharad K. Upadhyay. He said, “At CPGN, our goal is to deliver a sustainable and eco-friendly environment, to assure excellence in every aspect.” In addition to the cleanliness push, the management developed a cleanliness awareness program.

Such campaigns serve to keep the environment clean and green, according to Sharad K. Upadhyay.

“Unhealthy environments foster an unhealthy culture and a variety of ailments; we already live in an

I

CLEAN IT UP!

The star cast of the blockbuster Double XL, Sonakshi Sinha, Huma Qureshi and Saqib Saleem were spotted in the city for the promotions of their movie on Wednesday.

—PHOTOS BY SHAZID CHAUHAN

area with bad air quality, so we decided to conduct a drive in order to contribute to a healthy and clean environment around us”, he said.

Rishabh Tandon, Director of Human Resources, Crowne Plaza

Greater Noida, IHG believes in good, positive, and team spirit said, “I feel that such campaigns encourage individuals to keep their surroundings clean and educate them on the negative consequences.”

n the august presence of many invitees and art enthusiasts, notable artists Anjolie Ela Menon and Jagdish Dey recently presented “A-Drishya” (Art Dialogue Series-1), a book on contemporary India’s renowned artist Hemraj, written

by Abhishek Kashyap.

The book launch took place at Dhoomimal Gallery in Delhi. Hemraj is well known as one of the India’s top artist for his abstract paintings, which are capti-

vating and delightful to look at for many art enthusiasts around the country. They enable art lovers to participate in the artist’s work. He encouraged his audience to enjoy the moment and go with him in the same way that we listen to music, to let go of the weight of the ordinary and everyday, and to experience pleasure in simply existing and letting ourselves go with the universe’s rhythms, sounds, and colours.

MENTAL HEALTH: TOP GLOBAL PRIORITY —PHOTOS BY SHAZID CHAUHAN

During the session CITY FIRST

U

nder the exemplary leadership of Visionary Kapil Gupta, Founder Solh Wellness, in association with Shama Soni of Ashwika Foundation, a half-day event Solh Talks was hosted on Wednesday, November 2 at IIC in Lodhi Gardens, New Delhi.

The newly launched Solh Wellness App aims to become a preventive solution to people’s mental health issues.

Speaking at the event, Kapil Gupta said, “Everyone asks you to be strong and powerful, no one says how.

Solh App answers the how.

We want to enhance the overall mental wellness quotient amongst people and reduce those entering severe condi-

tions like depression. If we can make the minutest of change, the impact on society will be humongous.”

In an attempt to create awareness about mental health and well-being, Solh talks featured some of the most well-known names from a cross-section of fields including Akansha, Vir Philip, Sujata Parashar and Dr Geetanjali Kumar.