First India-Mumbai Edition-04th December 2022

FIR AGAINST SHUTTLER SEN, COACH, FAMILY FOR AGE FRAUD

Take a ‘Chill’ pill!

520 KMS IN 15 DAYS: BHARAT JODO YATRA ENTERS RAJ TODAY

Jaipur: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s Bharat Jodo Yatra will enter Rajasthan’s Jhalawar today late evening and will be here for 15 days, cover distance of 520 kms. Meanwhile, Namdev Das Tyagi joined yatra in Mahudiya on Saturday.

WB: 3 KILLED, MANY HURT IN BLAST NEAR ABHISHEK’S RALLY

Kolkata: At least three people were killed and several others injured in a blast near the venue of senior Trinamool Congress leader Abhishek Banerjee’s rally in West Bengal’s Purba Medinipur district, police said on Saturday.

JP NADDA CALLS FOR MEGA BJP MEET ON DECEMBER

5 AND 6

REMARKS ON CHHATRAPATI SHIVAJI

Those who remain silent on remarks against Shivaji are as guilty as Guv: Udayanraje

Mumbai: BJP MP and a descendant of Chhatrapti ShivajiUdayanraje Bhosalehas become aggressive against Governor Bha gat Singh Koshyari’s statement regarding Shivaji. On Saturday, under the leadership of Udayanraje, a meeting of Nirdhar Shiv Sam man was organized at Raigarh Fort. Address ing the gathering, Udayanraje attacked the political leadership in the state and said that ‘those who remain silent on the state ments of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj are as guilty as the governor who make controver

New Delhi: BJP National

Prez JP Nadda on Saturday announced a crucial meeting on December 5 and 6 in Delhi to be attended by all key office bearers of the party from across states to decide the road to the 2024 general elections. P6

1.45 CR TO VOTE TODAY:

DELHI SET FOR HIGHSTAKES MCD POLLS

New Delhi: Stage is set for high-stakes civic polls in Delhi on Sunday, with poll authorities and security forces all geared up for elections, largely being seen as a 3-way contest among AAP, the BJP & Cong. Votes will be counted on Dec 7.

sial statements’. It was after the erst while royal’s statement that Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray re

It has been started now. Also, Chhatrapati’s es cape from Agra, is be ing compared to be trayal. So the time has come to show what Ma harashtra is,” warned Uddhav Thackeray over Minister Mangal prabhat Lodha’s state ment.

Due to the icy winds blowing from the Himalayan mountains, the temperature in North and Central India has started falling gradually. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted a sudden drop in the temperature in many parts of the country in the next few days. MeT on Saturday has predicted light snowfall in

GUJARAT TO VOTE TOMORROW Campaign ends in 2nd phase

Ahmedabad: The cam paigning for the second phase of the Gujarat As sembly elections came to an end at 5 pm on Sat urday. Polling will be held on Dec 5 for 93 seats in 14 districts. Including CM Bhupendra Patel, Patidar leaders Hardik Patel, Alpesh Thakor, Jignesh Mevani, Shankar Chaudhary & many vet erans are in the fray.

EC URGES VOTERS TO TURN OUT IN LARGE NUMBERS

‘Navy aims to become ‘Atmanirbhar’ by 2047’

New Delhi: Indian Navy is contemplating wheth er to go for indigenous aircraft carrier (IAC) II or prefer a repeat order for IAC I, Chief of Naval Staff Admiral R Hari Kumar said on Saturday while setting a timeline of 2047 for making his force ‘Atmanirbhar’ (selfreliant). Kumar said proposed procurement of a fleet of the Predator drones from US is under pro cess, Navy is on course for major challenges.

WE NEVER FAVOUR WAR, VIOLENCE: RAJNATH

acted. “Thank you Udayanraj. I had said last time that Chhatra pati lovers in BJP should come together.

“Maharashtra lovers should come together. There is a need to make a self-respecting Maha rashtra in future also. Because if the govern ment is licking the feet of Delhiites for the chair. Therefore, it is better not to expect self-respect and hon our from them,” he said. More on P2

“Only he can ask to attend Oppn’s function”

Nagpur: On Saturday, veteran actor Nana Patekar praised Union Minister Nitin Gadkari.

Speaking at the inaugu ral function of MP Cul tural Festival 2022, Nana Patekar said, ‘Despite Ranjit Deshmukh being a Congress leader, Nitin Gadkari asked me to go to his program. It was only Gadkari who can do this.”

Nana Patekar said that the reason for his coming late in the pro gram was the unveiling

of Ranjit Deshmukh’s father’s statue at another place. “So Nitin Gadkari said that despite Desh mukh being a Congress

leader, you should go there. Only Gadkari can do this work, despite Ranjit Deshmukh be longing to a different

party,” he said.

Speaking at the cul tural festival, Patekar said, “When I am tired in the evening, I need some thing to cheer me up. For that you have to chat, you have to talk. The defini tion of happiness varies from person to person. To be honest, the person who thinks so hard after so many years is Nitin Gadkari. Gadkari has rightly recognized the power of cultural festival medium.”

After 1st phase of Guja rat Assembly polls that concluded on December 1 witnessed a relatively low turnout, ECI ap pealed to the voters to come out in ‘large num bers’ during the second phase to compensate.

Bengaluru: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Saturday said India neither disturbs others nor does it spare those who disturb the coun try. India never favoured war and violence. However, it cannot remain neutral to injustice and oppression.

Gangs ‘Ka Raj’ in Shekhawati

Man, who came with daughter to coaching centre, also shot

Sikar: A notorious gangster Raju Thehat was shot dead on Satur day morning in Udyog Nagar area of Sikar near his residence by some unknown miscre ants. Rohit Godara of the Lawrence Bishnoi gang claimed responsi bility for this attack saying it was to avenge the murders of his brothers Anand Pal and Balbir Banuda. Anoth er man identified as Tarachand Jat also suc cumbed to injuries.

Heavy police force

Sikar and surrounding areas, police said. Sup porters of Thehat re fused to accept the body or allow a postmortem until the accused are ar

rested. CCTV footage of this incident has gone viral which shows a group of four men fir ing openly at the vic tim. Four accused are visible in the video.

Those who remain silent on the statements of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj are as guilty as the governor who make controversial statements.

—Udayanraje Bhosale

Thank you Udayanraj. I had said that Chhatrapati lovers in BJP should come together. Maharashtra lovers should unite, because government is licking the feet of Delhiites for chair. —Uddhav Thackeray

Nana Patekar Nitin Gadkari

NANA PRAISES GADKARI

Raju Thehat

GANGSTER RAJU THEHAT SHOT DEAD IN RAJASTHAN

OUR EDITIONS: JAIPUR, NEW DELHI & MUMBAI

UMAR KHALID IS DISCHARGED IN DELHI RIOTS CASE; WILL STAY IN JAIL

Jakarta: A strong earthquake shook parts of Indonesia’s main island of Java on Saturday, causing panic but only minor damage just 2 weeks after an equally powerful quake killed hundreds. US Geological Survey said magnitude 5.7 quake was centered about 18 kilometers southeast of Banjar.

New Delhi: A Delhi court on Saturday discharged former JNU student Umar Khalid and United Against Hate founder Khalid Saifi in a case related to 2020 northeast Delhi riots. However, they will remain in the jail since they were also arrested in other cases.

New Delhi: India’s number one shuttler Lakshya Sen, his family and former national coach Vimal Kumar were charged with cheating and age fraud in an FIR filed in Bengaluru. FIR fudged their age to get into playing age-group tournaments since 2010.

STRONG QUAKE SHAKES MAIN INDONESIA ISLAND

Indian Navy is keeping a close watch on all developments in the Indian Ocean, including the movement of Chinese Navy ships that operate in the region.

—R Hari Kumar, Navy Chief Admiral of Defence

plains of Kashmir on December 9 and 10.

DETRACTORS UNHAPPY WITH MAHA GOVT’S GOOD WORK: CM

Shinde targets Opposition as he responds to attacks over mega projects, other issues

Thane: Chief Minis ter Eknath Shinde on Saturday said his de tractors are trying to defame him and the state government as they cannot digest the “good work” done by the ruling Balasahe banchi Shiv SenaBharatiya Janata Par ty (BJP) dispensation.

His remarks came against the backdrop of the Opposition ques tioning the “silence” of the chief minister on state Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari’s re marks on Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj in which he had dubbed the warrior king as an “icon of olden times”.

The Opposition has also accused Shinde of looking the other way

amid the border dispute between Maharashtra and Karnataka.

“There is a competi tion going on to defame me and the state govern ment and allegations are raised. Those who in

dulge in such acts cannot digest the good work be ing done by the ShindeFadnavis government and hence they are in dulging in such acts,” he alleged while launching a series of projects in

DIVYANG DEPT

Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Saturday announced the setting up of a separate Divyang Department for the welfare of the different ly-abled persons with a fund allocation of Rs1,143 crore. He said Maharashtra is the first state to have such a de partment. “The govern ment has created 2,063 posts for the department which will formulate policies for the welfare of the disabled by taking into account views of stakeholders,” he said.

Thane, his home turf, to be implemented by the city civic body.

Shinde said he would reply to the allegations against him not through his words but through his work.

Without naming any particular project, the chief minister said in dustries do not go out (of the state) overnight.

“A lot of planning goes into it. Recently, a mega project had come to Ma harashtra and many more are in the pipe line,” he said.

The state govern ment is facing criticism for the flight of key pro jects like Vedanta-Fox conn to Gujarat.

Shinde said he could become the chief minis ter only because of his performance in Thane. He also added that he had a bigger role to play in the state and attend to various issues.

“I am keen that Maha rashtra grows and em ployment opportunities are generated,” added the CM.

BJP, Shiv Sena UBT clash over redevt of cess buildings

With Prez Murmu’s nod to law, redevt of stalled/incomplete bldgs will be possible

First India Bureau

Mumbai: With an eye on the upcoming Bri hanmumbai Munici pal Corporation (BMC) elections, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Shiv Sena - Uddhav Balasa heb Thackeray have entered into a credit war over the redevel opment of dangerous and cess buildings in Mumbai.

The Maharashtra Housing and Area De velopment Act Amend ment Bill was approved by the President Drou padi Murmu, thus pav ing the way for redevel opment of dangerous and stalled upkar (cess) buildings in the city.

Mumbai BJP chief Ashish Shelar hailed

Buildings deemed dangerous will now be eligible for redevt.

Shinde-Fadnavis gov ernment for processing stalled redevelopment of cessed buildings.

“Deputy Chief Minis ter Devendra Fadnavis had followed it up and now with the assent from the president, a new law has been en forced. For Mumbai kars this decision is worth celebrating like Diwali,” he said.

He further added that the government will take the onus and im prove conditions of transit camps. “Provi sions will be made at the same place where

people reside. Time frame has also been de cided. The owners will get their share from the tenants and from the sales component,” he said.

However, Shiv Sena UBT MP Arvind Sawant alleged that the bill to amend the MHADA Act, 1976 was passed by the state legislature un der Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government rule. “It was deliber ately kept pending by the Central govern ment, despite getting assent of the governor” said Sawant.

Nat’l award for Akola ZP for empowering differently-abled Fix criteria for appointment of governors: Uddhav

BY ANI

First India Bureau

Mumbai: Shiv SenaUddhav Balasaheb Thackeray chief Ud dhav Thackeray on Saturday called for induction of fixed cri teria for selection of persons for the post of state governors.

Thackeray referred to recent controversy stoked by Maharashtra Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari, where he “in

sulted revered figures like Chhatrapati Shiva ji Maharaj and social reformers Jyotiba Phule and Savitribai Phule.”

A state minister com pared Eknath Shinde’s “betrayal” (rebellion in June that brought down the MVA government) to the warrior king’s es cape from Agra and “such people continue to remain in office”, he added.

IN PRAYER

First India Bureau

Akola: A national award was bestowed on Akola district Zil la Parishad on Satur day for effective im plementation of schemes for empow erment of citizens with disabilities.

The Akola Zilla Pari shad’s Chief Executive Officer, Saurabh Kati yar, received the award at a ceremony held at Vigyan Bhavan in New Delhi from President Droupadi Murmu, said an official.

Union Minister Virender Kumar and Minister of State for So cial Justice Ramdas Athawale were also pre sent at the function held to mark International Day of Persons with

District authorities conducted door-todoor survey of persons with disabilities

Disabilities.

As per a release, a door-to-door survey of persons with disabili ties was conducted on behalf of the district administration and the Zilla Parishad, which became known as the “Akola pattern”.

The survey revealed that the district had 44,094 persons with dis abilities. In keeping with the results, the ZP will undertake various meas ures for the disabled in the district, it stated.

EXPRESSING DISSENT

A governor is the rep resentative of the President of India and there should be some cri teria on who can be appointed to such a post. I de mand such rules be framed.

—Uddhav Thackeray, Shiv Sena (UBT) chief

Reiterating his ap peal to people and citi zens to join hands against those insulting the state and its icons, Thackeray said, “We will announce a pro gramme in the coming days. We don’t want to just limit ourselves to a Maharashtra bandh (shutdown).”

Speaking on the bor der row between Maha rashtra and Karnataka, Thackeray said Chief

Minister Eknath Shin de was mum on the statement of his coun terpart Basavaraj Bom mai that ministers from here were not welcome to Belgaum there.

“Shinde and his MLAs should have gone to Guwahati (Assam) to pray to Kamakhya Devi to get Belgaum and oth er Marathi-speaking areas of Karnataka into Maharashtra,” said Thackeray.

Ashar’s appointment as MITRA vice prez puts target on Shelar

First India Bureau

Mumbai: The state government’s deci sion to appoint a close aide of Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, Ajay Ashar as the vice pres ident of Maharashtra Institution for Trans formation (MITRA) has created an ‘em barrassing’ situation for BJP Mumbai Pres ident Ashish Shelar. This is because Shelar had once ques tioned Ashar’s interfer ence in matters related to the Urban Develop ment Department. How ever, his government has now appointed the

same person on a cru cial post.

Taking a dig at the BJP leader, Congress Spokesperson Sachin Sawant tweeted a video of Shelar questioning Ashar in the Legislative Assembly at a session. He further said that not only the UD De partment, but Ashar would now take deci sions for the entire state’s planning.

‘Aakrosh’ launch at Raigad Fort against Guv Koshyari remarks

MARATHA OUTFITS PROTEST IN JALNA

First India Bureau

Mumbai: Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)

Member of Parlia ment, Chhatrapati Udayanraje Bhonsle, who is the direct de scendent of Chhatra pati Shivaji Maharaj, arrived at the Raigad Fort on Saturday to protest against Gov ernor Bhagat Singh

Koshyari and BJP leader Sudhanshu Trivedi over their al leged remarks on Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.

On November 19, Ko shyari had stoked con troversy as he called Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj an idol of “old en times”.

Following this, Bhon sle has announced to

launch ‘Aakrosh’ agita tion to express dissent. Notably, in his re

mark during an event in Aurangabad, Gover nor Koshyari had said,

“If someone asks who your idol is, you don’t have to go out looking

for one. You will find them right here in Ma harashtra. Chhatrapati

Shivaji Maharaj has be come an old idol now, you can find new ones from Babasaheb Ambedkar to Nitin Gad kari (Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways).”

This statement sparked a massive out burst and drew censure from Maratha outfits and Opposition leaders alike. Nationalist Con gress Party (NCP) chief Sharad Pawar slammed Koshyari over his re marks on Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and

said that Maharashtra Governor has crossed “all limits”. He further sought intervention from Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the matter.

During a press meet, Pawar had said, “It’s wrong to give big posts to people who make such irresponsible statements.”

Bhonsle also wrote to President Droupadi Murmu and PM Naren dra Modi and demand ed that the governor be sacked from his post.

First India Bureau

Chief Minister Eknath Shinde at the inauguration of several developmental works of Thane Municipal Corporation in Thane on Saturday.

BOWING

Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde’s wife Lata and other family reached Ajmer city in neighbouring state Rajasthan to visit the Khwaja Garib Nawaz Dargah on Saturday. They paid obeisance with a velvet chadar (blanket) and flowers at the shrine. Later, they went to Mehandipur Balaji temple, but could not pray as the gates were closed.

Direct descendent of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj holds protest, calls for sacking of Governor Koshyari

Chhatrapati Udayanraje Bhonsle protesting with supporters at Raigad Fort on Saturday.

President Droupadi Murmu confers the National Award for Individual Excellence 2022 to a recipient in New Delhi on Saturday.

—PHOTO

Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray —FILE PHOTO

HC STAYS SHINDE GOVT DEVT WORK SUSPENSION ORDER

First India Bureau

Mumbai: The Bombay High Court has stayed implementation of two orders passed by Chief Minister Eknath Shinde-led state government sus pending work on a de velopment project at a Pune district village.

The project was initi ated by the previous Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) dispensation led by former CM Ud dhav Thackeray.

A division bench comprising Justice RD Dhanuka and Justice SG Dige, in an order passed on November 28, noted that suspension of such work would result in lapse of the budget earmarked for the project.

The bench was hear ing a petition filed by Belewadi village pan chayat in Pune, which had sought quashing of

orders dated July 19 and 25 passed this year by CM Shinde and Dep uty Chief Minister Dev endra Fadnavis. By these orders, the state government had sus pended the developmen tal work across the state initiated by the prede cessors in the office, in cluding that of Belewa di village panchayat.

“In our prima facie view, the state govern

ment, already having is sued orders after having approved the budget for the said work to be car ried out in the village of the petitioner pan chayat, cannot suspend such work. It would re sult in lapse of the budg et already earmarked for the said work and that too without any ba sis,” said the court.

As per the plea, the MVA government had

BMC set to open two new swimming pools in Jan

First India Bureau

Mumbai: The Brihan mumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has announced the opening of two swim ming pools for public in Malad and Dahisar in the month of Janu ary next year.

The newly-construct ed pools are located at Chacha Nehru Garden in Malad West and Gyandhara Garden in Dahisar.

The size of each pool is 25x15 mt having a ca pacity of 1,632 members a year. The registration of member will start soon as the pools open for public.

The BMC has com mitted to construct one swimming pool in each ward.

Earlier, the civic body initiated construction of six new swimming pools in Mumbai. Worli Hill Reservoir, Chacha Nehru Garden in Malad West, Indira Gandhi Entertainment Park in Andheri West, Kondivi

ta in Andheri East, Ra jarshi Shahu Maharaj Kridangan, Tagore Na gar, Vikhroli East and Gyandhara Garden in Dahisar are among them.

Out of the six pools, two will be open next month while two more swimming pools - Worli

The annual fees of the membership for new pools has been brought down to Rs8,000 from the previous Rs10,100. The timings have although in creased from 45 min utes to one hour per person.

With the entry and exit at the pool surveyed through online logging process, the timings are closely monitored.

on March 31, 2022 sanc tioned construction of gutters in the village.

Work order for the pro ject was issued on July 14 to the contractor.

However, the state gov ernment suddenly sus pended the work with out recording any rea sons on July 19 and 25, claimed the petition.

The petitioner claimed that the work had to be completed be

MATTER AT HAND

The bench was hear ing a petition filed by Belewadi village panchayat in Pune, which had sought quashing of orders dated July 19 and 25 passed this year by CM Shinde and Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. By these orders, the state government had suspended the devel opmental work across the state initiated by the predecessors in the office, including that of Belewadi vil lage panchayat.

fore March 2023, and if it is not done, then the earmarked budget would lapse.

The bench, while staying implementation of the suspension or ders, posted the matter for further hearing on December 12.

No curfew in Mum, Section 144 imposed to ensure peace: Cops

First India Bureau

Mumbai: The Mumbai police on Saturday said that the rumours about a curfew im posed in the city were false and appealed to people to not panic.

The police have im posed Section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC) from De cember 03 to 17 to pre vent unlawful gather ings and rallies.

Vishwas Nangre Pa til, Joint Commissioner of Police (Law and Or der) clarified that this was not a curfew and the move is taken rou tinely to ensure peace in the city and avoid dis ruptions in public or

Section 144 of the CrPC imposed from Dec 03 to 17 to prevent unlawful gatherings and rallies

der. The rumours that a curfew has been im posed in the city are false and are creating misunderstanding among people, Nangre Patil said in a video message.

‘’I want to clarify that the order is imposed every 15 days to check on people taking out ral lies without police per mission and trying to disrupt law and order,” the senior official said.

Man kills friend during quarrel, held

Mumbai (PTI): A 42-year-old man was on Saturday ar rested for allegedly killing his friend during a quarrel over paying for alcohol in the western sub urb of Mahim area in Mumbai.

The police had found the body of an unidenti fied man with multiple

injuries on Thursday, fol lowing which a case of murder was registered.

The victim was later identified as Ganesh alias Akash Bhalerao (29).

The police scanned 136 CCTV cameras and detained 57 suspects, before zeroing in on the accused, who was ap prehended from Dadar, said an official. On the day of the in

cident, a quarrel erupt ed between them about who would settle the bill for drinks and in a fit of rage, the accused allegedly stabbed the victim to death, he said.

A case under section 302 (murder) and other relevant provisions of the Indian Penal Code has been registered.

NMMC, CIDCO demolish illegal church in Seawoods days after BJP raises objection

First India Bureau

Navi Mumbai: Two days after the state President of Mahila Morcha of BJP Chitra Wagh met the Munici pal Commissioner Rajesh Narvekar re garding the illegal church in Seawoods, the anti-encroachment department of Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC) and CIDCO demol ished the church on Friday.

The pastor of the church was already ar

INTO THE WILD

NMMC

rested by NRO Coastal police for allegedly sexu ally assaulting minor girls given shelter in the church. Multiple cases were registered against the pastor who is cur rently in jail.

According to NMMC officials, since some in mates were yet to be re habilitated, it led to de lay in action. The demo lition drive was conduct ed in the presence of civic and CIDCO officials

The pastor of the church was arrested by NRO Coastal police for allegedly sexually assaulting minor girls given shelter in the church

along with heavy ma chinery including JCB.

The church that was illegally constructed at plot number 29 in sector 48 of the Seawoods area was razed in the pres ence of police security.

4 cubs found dead in Tadoba Andhari Reserve’s buffer zone

First India Bureau

Chandrapur: Four ti ger cubs were found dead in the buffer zone of the Tadoba Andhari Tiger Re serve (TATR) in Chan drapur district on Saturday, a forest of ficial said.

Injuries were found on the cubs, which indi cate that they were killed by a tiger, he said.

According to the re serve’s Chief Conserva

tor of Forest Dr Jiten dra Ramgaonkar, the carcasses of two male and two female cubs, aged three to four months, were found at Shivni forest range in the buffer zone this morning.

The carcasses were spotted in compartment no 265, close to where a tigress (T-75) was found dead on November 30, he said.

“Injuries were found on the cubs, which indi

CRUCIAL READ BARS, LIQUOR SHOPS IN DADAR TO REMAIN CLOSED ON DEC 06

Mumbai: According to a circular issued by Mum bai Collector Rajeev Ni vatkar, liquor shops and bars in Dadar and its nearby areas have been asked to remain shut on the occasion of Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar’s death anniversary on December 06. Deputy Superintendent of the state excise department Pravin Tambe informed. The circular issued on November 30 stated that it is 66th “Mahaparin irvan Divas”. Hence, it has been declared as a ‘dry day’.

MILD TREMORS OF 2.5 MAGNITUDE FELT IN PALGHAR

Palghar: The state’s Palghar district expe rienced a mild tremor of 2.5 magnitude on Saturday. There were no reports of casu alty or damage in the area. The tremor was recorded at 3.27 pm on Friday and was felt in Dahanu, said Vivekanand Kadam, Chief of the District Disaster Control Cell. A number of tremors of varying magnitudes have hit Dahanu ta luka in Palghar since November 2018.

POLICE ARREST 23 PEOPLE IN BAR RAID, RESCUE 13 WOMEN

Mumbai: Mumbai police’s social services branch on Saturday arrested 23 people, including 13 women during a raid at an illegal orchestra bar in Worli area of the city. As many as 13 women were rescued and around Rs1.7 lakh worth of cash, a laptop, and other materials were seized from the place, said an official. A case under relevant laws has been regis tered against 26 people, of which, 23 have been arrested, he added.

FIRE BREAKS OUT AT 22-STOREY IN MALAD, 1 INJURED

Mumbai: A huge fire broke out at a flat in a 22-storey building in suburban Malad area of Mumbai on Saturday. At least one person was injured in the blaze, said a civic official. The blaze erupted in the flat located on the third floor of Marina Enclave building in Jankalyan Nagar at around 11 am. At least four fire tenders were rushed to the spot and the fire was doused within 15 minutes, he said.

17 STUDENTS SUFFER FOOD POISONING AFTER EATING CHOCS

Injuries were found on the cubs, which indicate that they were killed by the tiger. The forest team has not ed the presence of two tigers and a tigress in the area, because of which the identity of their mother is not confirmed.

after the presence of a tiger was reported in the vicinity, the official said.

cate that they were killed by the tiger. The forest team has noted the presence of two ti

gers and a tigress in the area, because of which the identity of their mother is not con

firmed,” Ramgaonkar said. The carcasses will be sent to the transit treatment centre for au

identity of the mother, he said.

A search team of the range forest officer of Shivni and other staff had been monitoring the movements of the cubs since December 2,

Intensive monitoring to track the movement of other tigers will con tinue in the area with the help of camera traps and by deploying field personnel, the of ficial added.

Nagpur: Seventeen stu dents suffered food poi soning in Nagpur district on Saturday after eating chocolates distributed by an unidentified man. According to an official, all are hospitalized and out of danger. The man told students of Class III, IV and V of Madan Gopal High School that it was his birthday, said another official. Police have launched a man hunt for the man, who some students have claimed came in a black car, while others said he wore a mask.

topsy. Tissue samples of the cubs and the dead tigress will be analysed to ascertain the

Carcasses of two male and two female tiger cubs, aged three to four months, were found at Shivni forest range

A tigress with her cub at Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve.

—FILE PHOTO

—Dr Jitendra Ramgaonkar, Chief Conservator of Forest

Allocated budget will lapse if the project is not completed in time, says division bench

Construction of gutters in Pune dist village was approved by previous MVA coalition

Hill Reservoir and Kon divita pool in Andheri East will be opened for the public in summer next year.

The newly-constructed pools are located at Malad West and Dahisar

The size of

and CIDCO demolished the church which was illegally constructed at plot number 29 in sector 48 of the Seawoods area.

PM NARENDRA MODI’S STELLAR PERFORMANCE AT G20 MEET IN BALI

Jail. Conditions were better than the Cellular. On 1st March 1927 Mahatma Gandhi met Savarkar at Ratnagiri.

SOME IN SOCIETY WANT TO KEEP DALITS UNDER THEIR THUMB

I hold no brief for Savarkar. I was against a stamp being issued with his photo on it, during Shrimati Indira Gandhi’s regime. His portrait hangs in the Central Hall of Parliament, opposite that of Gandhiji. Savarkar invented the word Hindutva. Savarkar was arrested on 5th February 1948 after Gandhiji’s assassination on 30th January 1948. Nathu Ram Godse was the murderer

At the Bali G20 Summit, Prime Minister Narendra Modi played a stellar role. Without his efforts the Bali Declara tion would have been a huge ly fractured one. India has now become an expert in or ganising large and vastly im portant intenational confer ences. The beginning was made in 1983, when the Non Aligned Countries Summit and Commonwealth Summit were held in New Delhi, un der the Chairmanship of Shrimati Indira Gandhi. Over forty Heads of State and Government attended.

I was Secretary General of the NAM Summit and Chief Co-Ordinator of Common wealth Summit. The late Queen Elizabeth inaugurat ed the Commonwealth Sum mit. Prime Minister Modi took over the Presidentship of G20 on 1st December for a one year term. President Joe Biden on last Friday said that he would back “my friend Prime Minister Narendra Modi” during India’s G20 presidency for taking for ward the sustainable and in clusive growth. President Biden quoted Prime Minister Modi’s about India’s G20 agenda that would be inclu

President Joe Biden, on last Friday, said that he would back “his friend Prime Minister Narendra Modi” during India’s G20 presidency for taking forward the sustainable and inclusive growth

sive, ambitious, action-ori ented adding that “India is a strong partner of the U.S and I look forward to supporting my friend Prime Minister Modi during India’s G20 pres idency”. This, if I am not mistaken is the first time a President of the United States has called India’s Prime Minister a friend.

President Nixon used foul language against Indira Gan dhi in 1971 during the IndiaPak war in which Pakistan was soundly defeated and Bangladesh was born. Prime Minister Modi said priorities would be shaped in consulta tion with not just the G20 partners, but also “our fellow travellers” in the Global South. He emphasized that the great challenges of the World were climate change, terrorism, pandemics, could not be solved “by fighting but by acting together. India’s G20 agenda will be inclusive, ambitious and decisive. Let us join together to make In dia’s G20 Presidency a Presi dency of healing, harmony

LET ME END BY QUOTING FROM ONE OF ANCIENT PRAYERS: “Common be your prayer, Common be your end, Common be your purpose, Common be your deliberation, Commons be your desire, Common be your hearts, Common be your intentions, Common be the union among us.”

RAHUL’S CRITICAL REMARKS ABOUT VD SAVARKAR AMID YATRA

When the Bharat Jodo (India has not fallen apart) Yatra reached Maharashtra the leader of the Yatra, the lika ble Rahul Gandhi was report ed to have made critical re marks about VD Savarkarthat he helped the British. What was the necessity of dragging his name during in the Yatra.

Savarkar, while studying in London met the forty year old Gandhi, who makes a ref erence of this meeting in his autobiography. Savarkar passed his Bar-at-Law exami nation the same year, but was not allowed to practice.

He was arrested in London on 13 March 1910 and deport ed to India. From 1911 to 1924 he was in the dreadful cellu lar jail in the Andaman’s. His cell was tiny and his treat ment appalling. In 1924 he was transferred to Ratnagiri

I hold no brief for Savarkar. I was against a stamp being issued with his photo on it, during Shrimati Indira Gan dhi’s regime. His portrait hangs in the Central Hall of Parliament, opposite that of Gandhiji. Savarkar in vented the word Hindutva. Savarkar was arrested on 5th February 1948 after Gandhi ji’s assassination on 30th January 1948. Nathu Ram Godse was the murderer. Godse considered Savarkar as his Guru. On February 10, 1949 he was acquitted and re leased. Now I come to Pavan Verma’s excellent and revit ting book, “The Great Hindu Civilization”, published in 1921. He mentions Savarkar’s name 35 times. Pavan Verma is both critical and laudatory about Savarkar. He pitches into M.S. Golwalkar and his pro-Nazi book, “We or Our Nationhood Defined”. I once quoted from Golwalkarji’s book in the Lok Sabha. I asked Advaniji if he agreed with the author’s views. He avoided a direct answer.

Pavan grants that Savarkar was a patriot. “His burning passion was to see an India free from Britain rule, and he paid a very high price for the courage of his convictions..”

Here is a telling and powerful quote: “The truth is that where transformation of Hinduism into a modern and progressive religion was concerned, Sa varkar was nothing short of a revolutionary. He was reso lutely against the caste system and the practice of untoucha bility. His dismissal of scrip tural injunctions was devas tating”. Savarkar said, “With all due respect to them, they need to be discarded. I will not allow them to become fetters in my feet and retard my pro gress towards modernity.” He was against cow worship, which attracted abuse from orthodox Hindus. Savarkar“Elevating an animal that eats garbage and passes excreta anywhere and everywhere to the status of a Goddess is in my view insulting to both hu manity as well as divinity. The urine if an animal suddenly becomes soul purifying to us!” I must frankly add that the other side of the Savarkar coin is far from agreeable or acceptable.

BJP LENDS DIGNITY TO CONG DISCARDS

Congress leaders from Punjab who were humiliated or sidelined by their party bosses in Delhi were bestowed with dignity and important party positions by the Bharatiya Janata Party. That they will be accommodated was ex pected but making them part of the party’s national execu tive was not. Former Punjab Chief Minister Capt Ama rinder Singh and Sunil Jakhar have made it to the BJP’s national executive. Former spokesperson of the Congress Jaiveer Shergill is now the national spokesper son of the BJP.

With the Congress leader ship out of Navjot Singh Sid hu’s hand, Amarinder Singh was not even given time by

Former Punjab Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh and Sunil Jakhar have made it to the BJP’s national executive. Former spokesperson of the Congress Jaiveer Shergill is now national spokesperson of the BJP

the Congress leadership for listening to the Punjab stal wart’s point of view. With Sidhu poisoning their minds, Rahul Gandhi and his sister Priyanka, who call the shots in the party, unceremonious ly sacked Singh from chief minister’s post. As a conse

quence of the sibling’s blind faith in the cricketer-turnedpolitician and their lack of political sagacity, Congress was routed in Assembly polls.

The BJP also did not fare well enough to form a gov ernment but the latest devel opments point to the party’s preparations for the 2024 LS elections. Congress mean while is busy with Bharat Jodo Yatra. Despite Kharge having taken over as Con gress president there’s no sign of change in the party’s functioning. Tough but wise decisions, like in the case of Rajasthan, are deferred. The BJP is ever ready with its net spread out for any catch com ing its way. The party also has to contend with AAP in Punjab. That’s two too many for a comatose party.

nti-Dalit mindset is not confined to In dia’s northern parts where the Scheduled caste voters are wooed to form governments. When it comes to seeking their votes they are wooed with such entreaties that one can’t but ap plaud the hypocrites for their art of beguiling people.

Once elections are over soci etal frictions begin to manifest in ugly incidents. In Tamil Na du’s Erode district six Sched uled Caste community students of a Panchayat Union Primary School were made to clean the school toilets.

The headmistress of the school at Palakkarai Perundurai block, was arrested on Saturday. In the neighbouring Karnataka’s capital Bengaluru a Dalit youth was tied to a tree and severely beaten by three upper caste men who were on motorcycles.

A Dalit bridegroom is still scared of riding a horse in Uttar Pradesh. About a week back 60 cops had to escort a wedding procession in Sambhal because the Dalit bridegroom was riding a horse. These incidents may be few and far between but they show that the schism on caste lines still exists in society and without concerted and sus tained efforts it will not go away.

SPIRITUAL SPEAK

MAHENG/2022/14652

Printed and published by Anita Hada Sangwan on behalf of First Express Publishers. Printed at Dangat Media Pvt Ltd, No.22, Dighe MIDC, Vishnu Nagar, TTC Industrial Area, Dighe, Navi Mumbai-400701. Published at Plot No. 3 Scheme C of Manglorean Garden Home, CHS Limited, Survey No. 5, 6C (Part) Ville Parle East, Mumbai 400057. Phone 022-46031417.

Editor-In-Chief: Dr Jagdeesh Chandra

Editor: Kartikey Dev Singh responsible for selection of news under the PRB Act

and hope. Let us join together to shape a new paradigm- of human-centric-globalisa tion.” Nobel words.

THE VIEWS EXPRESSED BY THE AUTHOR ARE PERSONALA

Narendra Modi @narendramodi

Happy Gita Jayanti to all countrymen. Srimad Bhagavad Gita has been guiding humanity for centuries. This great book on spirituality and philosophy of life will remain a guide in every age.

Nitin Gadkari @nitin_gadkari

Under the leadership of Hon. PM Shri @narendramodi ji, we are endeavoring to provide them opportunities in every sphere of life and to make their life easier and happier. #International DayofPersonsWithDisabilities

He only is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall not be shaken.

Bible

K NATWAR SINGH

The author is Former Minister of External Affairs of India

Crucial

READ

3 KILLED IN ROAD ACCIDENT IN UP’S UNNAO DISTRICT

Unnao: Three people died in a fire that broke out following a collision between two trucks and a dumper on the LucknowKanpur highway on Sat urday. The deceased have been identified as Pappu Singh (52), Balvir Singh (42) and Satish Kumar (46), a police official said on Saturday.

CUSTOMS SEIZE GOLD WORTH

PM ‘BHASMASURA’ FOR ANTI-NATIONALS, GOD FOR COUNTRYMEN: RAVI

ABUSIVE WORDS FOR PM IS NEW NORMAL THING FOR CONG: PATRA

Kochi: The Customs at Kochi airport on Friday caught a person trying to smuggle gold worth Rs 70 lakh inside small packs after a Kozhikodebound plane was diverted to Kochi following hy draulic failure. Malap puram native, Samad, was arrested when the Spice jet flight from Jed dah was diverted to Kochi airport and Customs seized 1,650 g of gold from him, the Customs officials said on Saturday.

HU PROF SUSPENDED FOR SEXUAL ASSAULT OF FOREIGN STUDENT

Hyderabad: The Hy derabad University on Saturday suspended Prof Ravi Ranjan, hours after he was arrested by the police on allegations of trying to sexually assault a foreign student. The university placed Professor Ravi Ran jan of the department of Hindi under suspension with immediate effect.

21-YEAR-OLD SOCIAL MEDIA INFLUENCER MEGHA THAKUR DIES

Bengaluru (ANI):

Hitting back at Con gress for its choice of words against Prime Minister Narendra Modi, BJP national general secretary CT Ravi on Saturday said only the corrupt and anti-nationals see the PM as “Bhasmasura”, but for the people of the country Modi is “Lord Narayana”.

Addressing report ers here, the BJP leader said, “PM Modi is against the corrupt and anti-nationals so for them he’s ‘Bhasmas

ura’ but for country men, he’s like Lord Narayana. PM Modi is in power to ‘bhasma’ (burn and turn to ash es) the corrupt.” For mer Congress MP VS Ugrappa on Friday called PM Modi “Bhas masura” just days after his party chief Mall ikarjun Kharge de scribed the prime min ister as “Ravana”.

Ravi also said that leaders like Siddara maiah call Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) communal.

“Leaders like Sid

daramaiah call Hindu tva and nationalist leaders like me com munal and people like Dawood Ibrahim secu lar. They call RSS com munal and communal people secular. It is Congress’ mentality,” said Ravi.

“Congress can give a certificate to Dawood Ibrahim for being secu lar,” he added.

Even in 2020, Ugrap pa created a controver sy by calling PM Modi a “Bhasmasura” and Union Minister Amit Shah “Shani”.

New Delhi (PTI): The BJP on Saturday said that using abusive words against Prime Minister Narendra Modi has become a “new normal” for the Congress.

BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra cited re ports of Karnataka Congress leader VS Ugrappa calling Modi “Bhasmasur”, a demon in Indian mythology, to hit out at the opposition party. He noted that it comes close on the heels of Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge

Yogi Adityanath calls for Congress ‘mukt’ Gujarat, cites UP example

New Delhi: Megha Thakur, Canadian TikTok star, died “suddenly and unexpectedly”, her parents have announced. She was 21. Thakur, who had over 930k followers on TikTok, was known for promoting body positivity. She also frequently shared videos of her dancing. In an Insta gram post from her profile, her parents shared that she died on November 24. Her parents described Megha as a confident and inde pendent young woman.

SUKESH DUPING CASE: PINKI IRANI SENT TO JUDICIAL CUSTODY

New Delhi: A Delhi Court sent Pinki Irani to judicial custody till December 21 in a probe into a Rs 200 crore extortion case involv ing jailed conman Sukesh Chandrasekhar. The police said, Mumbai-based Irani is said to be a close aide of Chandrasekhar and introduced him to actor Jacqueline Fernandez.

Ahmedabad (PTI): Ut tar Pradesh Chief Min ister and senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Yogi Adity anath on Saturday ap pealed to people to rid Gujarat of Congress which he said would solve all problems.

He was addressing a rally in support of the BJP contestant in Khambhat town of Anand district on the last day of the cam paigning for the second and final phase of the Gujarat Assembly polls.

Polling for 89 seats was held on December 1. The remaining 93 constituencies will vote on December 5.

Adityanath dubbed both Congress and Aam Aadmi Party as a “threat to security and a barrier to development”.

“Mahatma Gandhi had once said the Con

BJP BANKING ON EX-CONG MLA KOTWAL TO WIN TRIBAL-DOMINATED KHEDBRAHMA Khedbrahma

(PTI): The tribal-dominated Khedbrahma Assembly segment in Gujarat’s Sabarkantha district has remained a Congress fortress. This time, the BJP wants to breach it with the help of tribal leader Ashvin Kotwal who has crossed over to the ruling party from the Congress. Kotwal had won the Khedbrahma seat in northeastern Gujarat as a Congress candidate in the 2007, 2012 and 2017 assembly polls bagging on an average of 50 to 55 per cent votes. He joined the BJP in May this year and has been fielded from this seat.

gress party should be disbanded once India achieves Independence. Now it is your responsi

bility to do that. A ‘Con gress-mukt’ Gujarat will solve all your prob lems,” he said.

DR RAJENDRA PRASAD’S BIRTH ANNIV

Ahmedabad: All eyes are once again on the lessin-number yet influential Patidar community of Gujarat, which had put the BJP on the edge in 2017 polls that took place in the shadow of Hardik Patel-led quota agitation to secure OBC status for the com munity. While political analysts believe that most Patidars will vote for BJP this time, former quota stir leaders think that many young voters from the community are open to other options.

Murmu, Dhankhar, PM Modi pay tributes

New Delhi (ANI): Pres ident Droupadi Murmu, Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar and Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday paid rich tribute to India’s first President Dr Rajen dra Prasad on his birth anniversary and called him a legendary leader who epitomized courage and scholarly zeal.

President

MAKE EDU ACCESSIBLE

FOR PWD: PREZ MURMU

New Delhi: President Droupadi Murmu on Saturday stressed on maximum use of technology to remove language-related barriers in education and to make education more accessible to children with disabilities.

She presented the National Awards for the Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities for 2021 and 2022 here.

Paying

GOVT FOCUSED ON ACCESSIBILITY: MODI

New Delhi: On the Interna tional Day of Persons with Disabilities, PM Narendra Modi on Saturday said his govt has taken many initia tives to create opportunities for them. “Our Government has undertaken numerous initiatives which have created opportunities for persons with disabilities and enabled them to shine,” PM Modi tweeted.

firmly rooted in India’s culture and also had a futuristic vision for the country’s growth.

throwing “Ravan” barb at the prime minister.

It has become an is sue of common occur rence as far as the Con gress is concerned. The Congress has become an abusive party, he alleged at a press conference.

Citing US President Joe Biden’s statement that he stands with his “friend” Modi as India took over the G-20 presi dency, Patra said on one hand the world stands with him and on the other, the Congress uses such language for him.

“This is sad and wor

risome,” the BJP spokes person said.

Drawing on the epic Mahabharata, he said the Congress has thrown “100 abuses” at Modi and people will wield ‘Sudarshan Chakra’ like Lord Krishna to finish off the opposition party demo cratically in the Gujarat assembly polls.

The BJP leader cited several development and welfare initiatives of the Modi govern ment to assert that such a leader cannot be a “Bhasmasur”.

BJP IS TRYING TO MISUSE MY REMARKS: KHARGE ON ‘RAVAN’ ROW

Ahmedabad: Fac ing flak from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) over his “Ravan” jibe at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge has accused the ruling party of mis using his remarks for electoral gains in Gujarat, and said that politics is not about individuals but policies. In his first reaction over the controversy, Kharge told PTI that he believes in “per formance politics”, but the BJP’s style of politics often lacks the spirit of democracy as “they make it about one person only, who is everywhere”.

Pradhan counters CM Patnaik, asks Padampur voters not to trust him

Bargarh (PTI): Cam paigning in poll-bound Padampur in Odisha on the last day, senior BJP leader and Union Min ister Dharmendra Pradhan on Saturday urged its people not to trust the ruling BJD.

He said Chief Minis ter Naveen Patnaik, who pledged to accord district status to Pad ampur sub-division on Friday, had “betrayed” the people of neigh bouring Bijepur.

“Though he(Patnaik) claims that he works more and speaks less, the BJD president sim ply utters lies. He had assured a delegation to make Padampur a dis trict very soon in 2019. Now he is saying that he will do it by 2023. There fore, do not trust him,” Pradhan told a poll meeting at Jagdalpur in Padampur area.

JP Nadda calls for mega BJP meet on December 5 and 6

New Delhi (ANI): BJP National President JP Nadda on Saturday an nounced a crucial meet ing on December 5 and 6 in the national capital to be attended by all key office bearers of the party from across states to decide the road to the 2024 general elections. Those in the know of the matter have said that Nadda will preside over this two-day meet ing, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi is also likely to address the concluding session vir tually on Tuesday. With last day of campaigning for the Gujarat Assem bly elections coming to a close on Saturday and that for the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) polls over on Fri day, the meeting will focus on future strate gies and will see the at tendance of all the na

tional office bearers.

According to the par ty sources, the meeting has been called to dis cuss the strategy and preparations for the 2024 Lok Sabha elec tions and 2023 assembly elections in several states.

Besides, the national office bearers of the party, in-charge and coin-charge of all the states, state presidents and organization gen eral secretaries of all states have also been called for the meeting.

Bharat

Jodo

Yatra is the voice of ‘loktantra’, says Rahul Gandhi

New Delhi (PTI): Con gress leader Rahul Gan dhi on Saturday at tacked Prime Minister Narendra Modi over high prices of petrol, diesel and cooking gas, saying the Bharat Jodo Yatra is the voice of ‘loktantra’ against his “loot-tantra”.

The Congress has been attacking the gov ernment for not reduc ing the price of petrol and diesel in the coun try despite global crude oil prices going down considerably.

PM Modi is against the corrupt and antinationals so for them he’s ‘Bhasmasura’ but for countrymen, he’s like Lord Narayana. PM Modi is in power to ‘bhasma’ (burn and turn to ashes) the corrupt.

CT

RAVI, BJP National Gen Secy

Congress has thrown “100 abuses” at Modi and people will wield ‘Sudarshan Chakra’ like Lord Krishna to finish off the opposition party democratically in the Gujarat assembly polls.

SAMBIT

PATRA, BJP Spokesperson

UP CM Yogi Adityanath campaigning in Gujarat. —FILE PHOTO

WITH PATIDARS ON ITS SIDE, BJP HAS AN EDGE THIS TIME

JP Nadda

PADAMPUR BYPOLL

Murmu paid floral tributes to Dr Rajendra Prasad on his birth anniversary at Rashtrapati Bhavan.

Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar re membered the former President on his birth

anniversary and said he had played a pivotal role in shaping the des tiny of the country.

tributes to Dr Rajendra Prasad, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said Prasad was

President Murmu pays floral tributes to Dr Rajendra Prasad.

MP: GOVT SCHOOL TEACHER SUSPENDED FOR TAKING PART IN CONG’S BHARAT JODO YATRA

Barwani: A govt school teacher has been suspended for attending the Rahul Gandhi-led Bharat Jodo Yatra in Madhya Pradesh’s Barwani district, an official said on Saturday. Rajesh Kannoje, a teacher with a primary school under the state’s Tribal Affairs Department in Kanasya, was suspended on November 25, a day after he took part in the yatra. The issue came to light after his suspension order surfaced on social media.

Rahul Gandhi with specially-abled people on International Day of Persons with Disabilities ‘Bharat Jodo Yatra’, in Agar Malwa.

`70 LAKH AT KOCHI AIRPORT

BRIEFS

RBI’s digital ` a ‘game changer’: SBI chief

New Delhi (ANI): The Re serve Bank of India’s pilot project on retail digital Ru pee is a “game changer”, said SBI Chairman Dinesh Khara, and added that it will have durable ef fects which would ensure better monetary transmis sion at much lesser costs.

New Delhi: Singapore has once again been ranked as the most ex pensive city to live in, sharing the top spot with New York City this year, according to the Econo mist Intelligence Unit (EIU). This is the eighth time in 10 years that Sin gapore topped the list.

The 10 most expensive cities to live in, in 2022 are New York & Singa pore, Tel Aviv (Israel), Hong Kong & Los Ange les, Zurich (Switzerland), Geneva (Switzerland), San Francisco (California), Paris, Copenhagen. —FIB

OYO TO DOWNSIZE 3,700-EMPLOYEE BASE, CUT 600 JOBS

“The anonymity factor is critical for its acceptance.

It collaborates, comple ments and completes the currency architecture in vogue, while also incubat ing further innovation,” Khara said in a statement. The

OTHER STORIES

CNRI TO RESOLVE GLOBAL CRISIS AND PROMOTE GREEN TECH

New Delhi: OYO on Satur day announced it will downsize about 10 per cent of its 3,700-employ ee base by cutting 600 jobs in the technology and corporate verticals and hiring 250 members, pri marily in the relationship management teams. “OYO will downsize 10% of its 3,700-employee base, which includes fresh hir ing of 250 members and letting go of 600 employ ees,” a firm said. Product and engineering teams are being merged for smooth er functioning. —PTI

POWER MIN WAIVES INTER-STATE FEE ON HYDRO PROJECTS

New York: India’s leading non-governmental organisation Confederation of NGOs of Rural India (CNRI) at a UN confer ence made a strong case for developing a global framework of collabora tive governance to resolve the global crisis and promote green technologies. Speaking at Town Hall Meeting, Secretary General, CNRI, Binod Anand said, it is es sential to promote clean energy technologies & energy efficiency solutions. Anand emphasised that energy efficiency and net zero energy systems will contrib ute to an affordable, clean, and sustainable future for all. —ANI

New Delhi: Office rentals in Bengaluru is expected to grow by 5-7 per cent — highest in the Asia-Pacific region -- during the next year, according to Knight Frank India. In its latest report on ‘AsiaPacific Outlook 2023’, property consultant Knight Frank said that rent growth in the APAC region is expected to moderate in 2023 as corpo rate occupiers are looking to optimise overheads and generate savings. “The steady performance of the Indian office markets seen in 2022 is expected to sustain in 2023,” it said. —PTI

GODWOKEN TO ORGANISE FIRST BLOCKCHAIN GAMING CONFERENCE IN BENGALURU TO CREATE AWARENESS

Bengaluru : Over 500 participants including Blockchain experts and technology innovators are expected to attend the Premier Block chainXGaming Conference. In order to create awareness around Blockchain gaming, the on ground event will also witness sessions on emergence of advanced technology, use of cut ting-edge technology and the potential that lies in Blockchain-based gaming. Elaborating about the conference, Anubha Maneshwar, Developer Education and Events Manager, Godwoken Games, said, “India is a very promising market for Blockchain-based gaming and we want to reach out to the gaming community, developers, professional coders, tech experts and aspirants with this event as we are committed to sup port them with our innovative tools to develop new-age games. —ANI

activities

RBI exec director

New Delhi (Agencies): In order to maintain stability in the banking system, banks’ senior management and board members have to ensure that none of the core banking activities of a bank are outsourced to any third party at any point in time, said Ajay Kumar Choud hary, executive director, RBI on Saturday. Choudhary said, “In line with our outsourcing guide lines, the board and senior management must ensure that at no point of time, the core activities of banks are outsourced”. “While out sourcing it is very impor tant that adequate safe guards are established to seal the situation as well as the financial stability of the banking system,” he said.

PILOT PROJECT ON DIGITAL RUPEE

z It will have durable effects which would ensure better monetary transmission at much lesser costs

z Citizens will be able to make or receive payments in currency in completely digital mode via mobile app, a video clip posted on social media by the Reserve Bank of India

make

receive payments

bile app, a video clip posted on social media by the Re serve Bank of India said on the day of the launch.

The pilot will cover a few cities with select banks.

Transactions can be both person-to-person (P2P) and person-to-mer chant (P2M). Payments to merchants can be made us ing quick response (QR) codes displayed at mer chant locations, according to the RBI statement re leased before the launch.

As per the central bank, 8 banks have been identified for phase-wise participation

in this pilot. The first phase will begin with four banks, namely State Bank of India, ICICI Bank, Yes Bank and IDFC First Bank in four cit ies across the country. Four more banks, namely Bank of Baroda, Union Bank of India, HDFC Bank and Ko tak Mahindra Bank will join this pilot subsequently. RBI said the pilot would initially cover 4 cities, Mumbai, New Delhi, Ben galuru and Bhubaneswar & later extend to Ahmedabad, Gangtok, Guwahati, Hy derabad, Indore, Kochi, Luc know, Patna and Shimla.

FULLY SUPPORT INDIA’S G20 AGENDA, SAYS IMF

Washington (PTI): The IMF “fully supports” the G20 agenda of India, which is planning to use the ongo ing global crises as an op portunity to seek consen sus on issues that require urgent attention, a senior official from the interna tional financial body has said.

India formally assumed the G20 Presidency on Thursday.

“They (India) are put ting together a collective agenda for a much more prosperous future,” Ceyla Pazarbasioglu , Director of the Strategy and Policy Review department at the International Monetary Fund (IMF), told a group of reporters ahead of her trip to China and India next week. “They (India)

INDIA’S CRUCIAL ROLE IN G20

z The IMF official said India has been leading the way in digital public infrastructure which is important for good governance and current circumstances

z India is putting together a collective agenda for a much more prosperous future, the IMF official said

Odisha bags investment proposals worth `8.90 lakh cr in biz summit

New Delhi: The Power Ministry announced a waiver of inter-state trans mission charges on wheel ing electricity for 18 years for new hydropower pro jects. The waiver is already available to solar and wind power projects. The gov ernment has set an ambi tious plan to have 500 GW of generation capacity from non-fossil energy-based sources by 2030. Hydro power projects, being clean, green and sustaina ble will be of paramount importance in our clean energy transition journey essential for the integration of solar & wind power, which are intermittent in nature, the govt said. —PTI

ACRE UNIQUE INITIATIVE FOR COTTON FARMERS

MARUTI SUZUKI OFFERS DISCOUNTS AHEAD OF PRICE HIKE

New Delhi: Maruti Suzuki is ready to increase the prices of its cars from next year. However, the automaker is offering heavy discounts on some of its cars in December 2022 ahead of the price hike. Notably, the company is offer ing benefits worth ₹50,000 or more on some selected models. These discounts include benefits like exchange benefits, cash discounts and corporate offers besides accessories or comple mentary services. Unfortunately, the latest models of Ertiga, Brezza, XL6 and Grand Vitara come under this list. —AGENCIES

Amaravati: A day after Amara Raja Batteries announced plans to invest Rs 9,500 crore in Telangana to set up research and manufacturing facilities for lithium-ion bat tery, Telugu Desam Party (TDP) president N. Chandrababu Naidu on Saturday alleged that Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy-led government in Andhra Pradesh is driving away companies. Am ara Raja, whose chairman and managing director is TDP MP Galla Jayadev, on Friday signed a Memorandum of Understand ing (MoU) with the government of Telangana. —AGENCIES

Bhubaneswar (PTI): The Odisha government said that it has bagged 325 in vestment proposals valued at over Rs 8.90 lakh crore till the fourth day of the ongoing business summit.

Four new projects were inaugurated during the five-day ‘Make In Odisha Conclave 2022’ that began on November 30, and the groundbreaking of four others was also done, a sen ior official said.

The metal, mineral, ancillary and downstream sectors received the high est number of investment proposals at 46, followed by agriculture and food processing at 43, Informa

tion Technology at 24 and power and renewable energy at 22.

UK group to invest ` 2 lakh crore to set up semiconductor unit

United Kingdom-based SRAM & MRAM Group

vice-chairman Gurujee Ku maran Swami on Saturday announced that the group will invest Rs 2 lakh crore in Odisha to set up semi conductor unit in the state.

The announcement was made at the Make in Odisha (MIO) Conclave, 2022.

‘I carry India with me wherever I go’: Google CEO

Nagpur: Solidaridad Asia, Centre for Responsible Business & regenagri an nounced the launch of the Alliance of Cotton & Tex tile Stakeholders on Re generative Agriculture (ACRE) to promote regen erative cotton farming practice in India. The adoption of such practice will help fix at least 1 mil lion tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 while improving the liveli hood of over 500,000 cot ton farmers and their community in India.

Washington (PTI): “In dia is a part of me and I carry it with me wherever I go,” Google and Alphabet CEO Sundar Pichai has said, as he received the prestigious Padma Bhush an award from the Indian envoy to the US.

Indian-American Pichai was awarded the Padma Bhushan for 2022 in the Trade and Industry catego ry. The Madurai-born Pi chai was named one of the 17 awardees earlier this year. He received India’s third-highest civilian award in the presence of his close family members

in San Francisco.

“I am deeply grateful to the Indian government and the people of India for this

immense honour. It is in credibly meaningful to be honoured in this way by the country that shaped

me,” Pichai said while ac cepting the award from In dia’s Ambassador to the US, Taranjit Singh Sandhu.

“India is a part of me. I carry it with me wherever I go. (Unlike this beautiful award which I will keep somewhere safe),” he said.

“I was fortunate to grow up in a family that cher ished learning and knowl edge, with parents who sac rificed a lot to make sure I had opportunities to ex plore my interests,” Pichai said. India’s Consul Gen eral in San Francisco, T V Nagendra Prasad, was also present during the event.

Sandhu said that Pichai represented the limitless possibilities of technology for transformation.

plan to use the ongoing (global) crises as an oppor tunity to seek consensus on issues that really re quire urgent attention,” she said on Thursday.

Pazarbasioglu was ap parently referring to the food and energy crises due to the ongoing RussiaUkraine war. The IMF “ful ly supports” the G20 agen da of India, she said. The theme of India’s G20 presi dency is “One Earth, One Family, One Future.”

“This means that India is prioritising the need to set aside differences and work at the local level, the federal level, the international lev el,” explained the IMF offi cial. India, she said, played an important role in nego tiating the G20 declaration in Bali, Indonesia.

RUSSIA SAYS ‘WILL NOT ACCEPT’ PRICE CAP ON OIL EXPORTS

Moscow (Agencies): Rus sia “will not accept” the price cap imposed by EU and G7 countries on its oil exports, the Kremlin said on Saturday. “We are ana lyzing it now. Some prepa ration has been made,” Kremlin spokesman Dmit ry Peskov said.

“We will not accept this cap, and we will inform you … after the analysis, which will be carried out quickly,” he added. EU countries agreed on a $60 per barrel price cap for Russian crude oil exports transported by sea, and have been joined by the G7 states and Australia.

The move aims to hit Moscow’s revenues from crude oil exports and sales as the Ukraine war ap proaches 2023, its second calendar year. The agree ment goes into effect on Monday, when the EU will begin cutting off crude sup plies from Russia by sea.

The parties will ensure that the Russian price cap is set at least 5% below the market price of crude oil, and G7 countries will ban their shipping companies from facilitating Russian oil shipments if they are sold for over $60 a barrel.

NYC AND SINGAPORE

MOST EXPENSIVE CITIES TO LIVE IN: EIU

RBI on Thursday an

nounced the launch of a digital rupee retail pilot for a closed user group.

Through the use of the token-based digital rupee, citizens will be able to

or

in currency in completely digital mode through a mo

Core

of a bank should not be outsourced:

BENGALURU MAY SEE HIGHEST RISE IN OFFICE RENT IN ASIA-PACIFIC

JAGAN GOVT DRIVING AWAY COMPANIES: CHANDRABABU NAIDU

BY TRIDIB RAMAN

WHOM IS MANOHAR LAL INDEBTED?

Recently, Haryana CM Manohar Lal Khattar had invited his old friends and cam paigners for a meal at the CM’s residence. The food menu was as sim ple as his agenda, ‘Invit ing old friends over Makke ki Roti and Sar son ke Saag.’ His cam paigner friends ex pressed happiness say ing, ‘You have left be hind the records of all the 3 sons (Devilal, Ban silal and Bhajanlal).We want your tenure as CM to set new records.’ On this, Khattar calmly said, “10 years is enough time, I did not expect that much.’ He then told his friends that he had met the PM in the past and the PM asked him, “Manohar Lal ji are you happy?” To this I said, “I am happy, satisfied and eternally grateful to you that you gave so

many chances. I didn’t even think that I would ever become an MLA.”

ALLIES’ ADVICE TO RAHUL

When Rahul Gan dhi’s Bharat Jodo Yatra entered Maha rashtra, Aaditya Thack eray, accorded Rahul a grand welcome saying, “Welcome to our prov ince. Then I would also say that this time your visit should have been in Gujarat instead of Maharashtra.” To which Rahul replied na ively saying, “My visit is neither political nor for political gains.” Af ter this Sharad Pawar’s daughter Supriya Sule, also bluntly asked Ra hul, “Your Yatra was in Kerala for 17 days while you are spending only 3 days in UP?” Rahul re sponded in the same manner as he did to Aaditya. When Jairam Ramesh came to know about this, he called Aaditya and said,

right.” When Aaditya narrated the incident to his father, Uddhav, stressed that Jairam Ramesh doesn’t have the political maturity, which the late Ahmed Patel had.

WHAT WILL HAPPEN IN HIMACHAL?

The Congress is up beat about the pos sible results of the Himachal Pradesh polls, while BJP is con fident that even if they fall short of a few seats to form the govern ment, the party will manage it, as many in dependents are expect ed to win there this time. On the other hand, if the Con gress wins, then there will be at least three strong contend ers for the post of CM. One is Muke sh Agnihotri.The other is Sukhwind er Singh Sukho, and the third

RaGa defamation case hearing adjourned to January 07

Mirch Masala

FIRST INDIA SUNDAY SPECIAL

one is the royal family there i.e. Rani Pratibha Singh, on whose behest 20-25 tickets have been distributed. If any one of them gets a chance to become the CM, then BJP can pull the strings on the ‘disgruntled’ group.

FEEDING TWO LAKH PEOPLE, COURTESY A ‘PAUPER’!

P radeep Singh, the Saffron Party’s MP from Bihar’s Araria as sembly seat, was once one of the poorest LS MPs. His mother Shy ama Devi passed away on November 22. So on this Monday i.e. Decem ber 5, Dwadasha Kar ma, Shradhanjali and Shanti Bhoj have been organised for the peace of the departed soul. If sources are to be be lieved, the MP has sent invitations to 2 lakh people of his constitu ency to participate in this programme. The MP expects that more

than one lakh people will attend the func tion. MP’s close aide claims that “This, is, in a way, is the beginning of preparations for 2024 polls, that is why invitation letters have been distributed on such a large scale’.

MOHAMMAD SAAD IN CONGRESS’ CAMPAIGN

Maulana Moham mad Saad of Niza muddin Markaz, who became popular during the Corona period, was seen campaigning for the Congress during Delhi Municipal polls. It is said that this prop aganda was a part of a well thought out strat egy. In fact, the Dalit and Minority commu nities, which were once Congress’s vote bank in Delhi, have now become part AAp’s core vote bank There is a direct contest between AAP and BJP in Delhi, so if Congress makes even a small dent in the

Muslim vote bank, it can be beneficial for BJP. Perhaps this is the reason why all cases registered against Saad have been shelved in a hurry.

TEACHING A LESSON, THE WAY A LEADER UNDERSTANDS IT!

Recently, BJP’s Or ganisation Gener al Secretary BL San tosh called an impor tant meeting of senior party leaders and MPs of Delhi. In this meet ing, BJP’s West Delhi MP Pravesh Verma’s exaggerated way of talking annoyed San tosh. Turning to Ver

But when the election results came, we could not win even one of your 10 seats. When the meeting was over, Pravesh took Santosh at a lone corner and plead ed saying, “All these things. You could have explained to me even in private.” On this San tosh said, “If you had said these things in pri vate, we would have an swered you in private.”

QUESTION ON RAHUL’S VISIT

his platform. For exam ple, when Sachin Pilot joined the Yatra in MP, Rahul was surprised to see him and said ‘Achha aap bhi aaye hai?’ But Pilot did not get a place on the stage. Big leaders of UP are continuously keeping distance from the Yatra and thus eve ryone is wondering what is the meaning of this?

...AND FINALLY

Thane: The defamation case hearing against Congress national lead er Rahul Gandhi was on Saturday adjourned to January 07 by a court in Bhiwandi of Thane dis trict. The move comes after Gandhi was grant ed exemption from per sonal appearance by Bhiwandi Judicial Mag istrate First Class IC Wadikar, as the former is occupied with the na tionwide “Bharat Jodo Yatra”.

“The defamation matter came up for hearing on Saturday. It has been adjourned for January 07, when argu ments will be heard re garding permanent ex emption of Gandhi,” the Congress leader’s advocate Narayan Iyer told mediapersons.

The complainant, Ra hul Kunte, was not pre sent in court either dur ing the day as he is out of station.

The defamation case pertains to comments made by the Congress leader during a speech on the Rashtriya Sway amsevak Sangh (RSS) and the death of Ma hatma Gandhi.

ED BUSTS INDO-ORIGIN BETEL NUT SMUGGLING SYNDICATE

Agency raids 17 premises in Mum, Nagpur, seizes 290 MT stock worth `11.5 crore

New Delhi: The En forcement Directorate (ED) has uncovered a well-organized syndi cate of suppliers of Indonesian betel nut, commission agents, lo gistic providers, trans porters, hawala opera tors and buyers who were smuggling it into India.

The agency conducted searches at 17 premises across Mumbai and Nag pur under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002, cover ing office and residential premises of various per sons allegedly involved in smuggling of betel

nuts of Indonesian ori gin, which were smug gled mostly via the IndoMyanmar border.

Officials initiated an investigation on the basis of a First Information Report (FIR) filed by Cen tral Bureau of Investiga tion (CBI) in Nagpur dated March 05, 2021.

As per the FIR, many Nagpur-based traders, in connivance with various public servants, were in dulged in smuggling of sub-standard betel nuts/ areca nuts of Indonesian origin and falsely claim ing the same to be origi nating from member countries of South Asia

THE CRIME

As per the FIR, many Nagpur-based trad ers, in connivance with various public servants, were in dulged in smuggling of sub-standard betel nuts/areca nuts of Indonesian origin and falsely claiming the same to be originat ing from member countries of South Asia Preferential Trad ing Agreement (SAP TA) and South Asia Free Trading Agree ment (SAFTA) by using fake certificates of origin, the agency said in a statement on Saturday.

Preferential Trading Agreement (SAPTA) and South Asia Free Trading Agreement (SAFTA) by using fake certificates of origin, the agency said in a statement on Saturday.

The agency said the accused used bogus and undervalued bills/in

voices, thus causing eva sion of payment of cus toms duty. Further, the revenue intelligence authorities had also in vestigated the illegal smuggling of betel nuts and issued eight show cause notices.

“Fabricated domestic invoices were made and transported smuggled betel nuts brought to Nagpur and Gondia dis tricts of Maharashtra.

During searches, 289.57 MT unaccounted stock of betel nut valued at roughly Rs11.5 crore has been seized at Nagpur.

The godown owner could not supply the KYC of traders who de posited the betel nut and failed to furnish support ing documentation like stock register, bills, in voices, quality certifi cate, transport etc. ED has seized Rs16.5 lakh in cash and various incrim inating documents and digital devices,” it said in the statement.

W

hen Rahul Gan dhi reached Mad hya Pradesh on his Bharat Jodo Yatra, a press conference was called. As soon as Jairam Ramesh started telling reporters that ‘We have worked hard to prepare the route for the Yatra,’ Rahul inter rupted him saying, ‘This is not a Congress Yatra and neither is my Yatra political.’ But the ‘pain’ of Maharashtra Congress President Nana Patole was that ‘when we are in politics, how can our be nonpolitical? Rahul is seen with masses, but isn’t giving place to the leaders on

During a ‘roadshow’ of AAP supremo Arvind Kejriwal for Guj polls, Harbhajan Singh, Radhav Chadha & Pun jab CM Bhagwant Mann were with him on the campaign truck. Sud denly, a young man from crowd started waving a steel glass to wards Mann. When Mann turned towards him, he said, ‘Cheers’. Mann’s facial expres sion changed, Kejriwal started waving his hand in the other direction ignoring this scene.

PM Modi to inaugurate Mum-Nagpur Samruddhi Expressway on Dec 11

India Bureau Nagpur: Inauguration of the Mumbai-Nag pur Samruddhi Ex pressway in Nagpur will be done by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on December 11, said Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Saturday.

The prime minister will inaugurate the com pleted stretch from Nag pur to Shirdi, while the remaining stretch of the expressway will be fin ished in the next six months, he said. The “Hindu Hrudaysamrat Balasaheb Thackeray Maharashtra Samrud dhi Mahamarg” is a sixlane access-controlled highway. It is the second expressway in the state after Mumbai-Pune Ex pressway.

“It is a matter of joy and pride for us that PM Narendra Modi will be inaugurating the Nag pur-Mumbai Samruddhi Expressway. He will in augurate the 500 km

The remaining stretch of the expressway will be finished in the next six months

stretch from Nagpur to Shirdi, which has been completed, and the re maining stretch will be completed in six months,” said the deputy chief minister. A new economic corridor will come up on the express way route, and 14 dis tricts will be integrated and connected to the port through this expressway, he said.

“I feel that this ex pressway will bring ‘samruddhi’ (prosperi ty) to Vidarbha, Marath wada and the entire Ma harashtra,” Fadnavis added.

NCP slams Maha govt, BJP and Centre for ‘eerie silence’

Calls out Karnataka CM Bommai for stoking dispute, ‘not permitting dialogue’

First India Bureau

Mumbai: The Nation alist Congress Party (NCP) on Saturday questioned the “eerie silence” of the State government, the Bharatiya Janata Par ty (BJP) and the Cen tre on the statements made by Karnataka

Chief Minister Basa varaj Bommai on the border dispute be tween the two states. The party claimed that controversy had brought differences to the fore again.

Bommai had recently sought a merger of “Kannada-speaking” ar eas in Maharashtra’s

Akkalkot and Solapur and had also said some villages in Jat taluka in Sangli district wanted to join the southern state.

A day earlier, he said the visit of Maharashtra ministers Chandrakant Patil and Shambhuraj Desai to Belgaum was not good in the given situation.

“Why is an eerie si lence being maintained by the Central govern ment, BJP and CM of

Maharashtra on the un called for statements made and issues raised on the border row by Karnataka CM Basa varaj Bommai?” asked

Talking will always help in getting a solu tion to the border issue, so why is Karnata ka CM not permitting dialogue? Bommai should not be allowed to dictate terms. Therefore, it is important for the Centre to intervene and stop him in his tracks and make sure peace is maintained in both the states.

—Clyde Crasto, NCP Spokesperson

NCP National Spokes person Clyde Crasto.

“Firstly, he (Bommai) made statements on the sub-judice border issue, which led to disturbance

of peace in both the states. Now, he says min isters from Maharashtra should not come to Bela gavi as the situation is not conducive, given the

differences over the bor der,” he added.

“Talking will always help in getting a solu tion to the issue, so why is Karnataka CM not permitting dialogue? Bommai should not be allowed to dictate terms. Therefore, it is impor tant for the Centre to intervene and stop him in his tracks and make sure peace is main tained in both states,” he added.

First India Bureau

First

First India Bureau

Fabricated domestic invoices were made and transported smuggled betel nuts brought to Nagpur and Gondia districts of Maharashtra. ED has seized Rs16.5 lakh in cash and various incriminating docu ments and digital devices.

—Enforcement Directorate

Rahul Gandhi —File Photo

TO

The author is a journalist and political commentator and views expressed are his personal

ML Khattar

Rahul Gandhi

BL Santosh

Bhagwant Mann

—Dr

PERSONIFIED

the next chapter of her life.

n ace model and a stunning fashion aficio nado, Chahat Singh is a young woman with vivid dreams and a fierce passion to achieve all that she aims for. She walks with grace, poses with panache and moves like melodies. As she swayed to the Bol lywood tunes during the talent rounds, she left a lot of mouth gawking in absolute awe and fascination. In conversation with City First, Chahat spills the beans about her career trajectory, family and

When asked about her background, the dynamic beauty claimed, “I was born in Haryana and brought up in Mumbai. I have a background in science, and I’m presently clini cal psychology. I choose to major in psychology to raise consciousness about mental health in our nation.” She fur ther added, “I want to get rid of the idea that people with mental ill nesses should be ashamed of them selves.”

When asked what led to her interest in the field of fashion and modelling, the diva claimed, “It ain’t solely about fashion and mod elling. I’ve been danc ing since I was three years old, and I’ve had training in several dif ferent dance genres, in cluding hip-hop, bonebreaking, and begin

With an unfettered spirit, Chahat Singh from Mumbai, made for a stunning finalist at the First India Queen 2022, held at Jade Ballroom, Hotel Sahara Star, Mumbai on October 21!

MITALI DUSAD mitalidusad01@gmail.com

Chahat Singh at the grand finale of First India Queen 2022

IMPACT OF AI ON FUTURE

JOB ROLES

ARIES

MAR 21 - APRIL 20

Things move positively on the academic front and encourage you. Good man management will help you in completing a project in time. Travelling with your near and dear ones to the countryside will prove immensely fulfilling. Blessings of someone close will find you fulfilling your expectations.

TAURUS

APRIL 21 - MAY 20

Switching to healthy foods will be the key to remaining fit and active. A family issue may need to be deliberated upon, so that it does not disturb domestic harmony. An out of town invitation will tempt some to undertake the journey. Spirituality may bring a special meaning to your life.

GEMINI

MAY 21 - JUNE 21

LIBRA

SEPTEMBER 24 - OCTOBER 22

You are likely to experience a positive phase in your existence. Favourable decision can be expected regarding a piece of property under dispute. Those in tourism and hospitality sectors will find new opportunities knocking at their door. You may take the initiative of organising a family gathering.

SCORPIO

OCTOBER 23 - NOVEMBER 22

A trip with friends will be both enjoyable and therapeutic. Family life will remain stable and provide you a firm foundation from where to venture forth. This is the best time for launching your ideas at work. Money multiplies through excellent financial planning. The day turns out well for you.

SAGITTARIUS

NOVEMBER 23 - DECEMBER 22

Although these state ments and observations certainly raise alarms, there is a growing con cern and ap prehension that tech nology is on the verge of replacing human jobs soon, as a result of the emergence, evo lution, and expansion of artificial intelli gence.

There is no doubt in our minds that tech nology has engulfed almost every field and sphere of life in almost all its incarnations in the modern world.

While it appears to be under its control, we are not certain to what extent it is under its control. As the saying goes, there is always more than one side to a story. There is no ex ception to this rule when it comes to tech nology as well. In terms of using artifi cial intelligence as a tool for creating more jobs, there are two schools of thought. Some view it as a threat to human jobs, while others see it as a tool that can assist in creating more of them.

I believe that robots and artificial intelli gence, in my view, are not there to steal our bread and butter. In stead, they are there to make our lives a bit easier in some way. A lot of opportunities will be presented to human beings in the future as a result of robots and artificial intelligence. Although almost 1.7 million jobs have been lost to auto mation since 2000, ac cording to the predic tion and the study, ar tificial intelligence is expected to create 97 million new jobs by 2025, although almost 1.7 million have been lost to it since 2000.

There is no reason and no way that a hu man mind can keep up with an artificial intel ligence machine by 2035.”

—GRAY SCOTT

“Sooner or later, the U.S. will face mounting job losses due to advances in automation, arti ficial intelligence, and robotics.”

—OREN ETZIONI

Essentially, you are now beginning to see how this technology can serve as a tool for humans to help them in the long run and it cannot just be viewed as a negative thing. There is no doubt in my mind that artificial intelligence is going to be the driving force soon. It will have a pro found impact on the world as we know it in the not-too-distant fu ture. A lot of differ ences exist between people, and one of them is that some peo ple are very excited

when they learn some thing new, whereas others have a rather gloomy or doomy pic ture in their minds as they are learning about the same event.

Many fields can be aided by the techno logical advancements of artificial intelli gence soon, including all those mentioned above. But these can’t replicate the human touch or emotional string that these fields require.

As we enter the era of digitalization, there is a demand on the

part of humans to join hands with a new world, and of course, we will have to do so with the help of tech nology, since the pres ence of technology in our daily lives requires that we adapt to its presence. The benefits that AI can bring to the workplace are in high demand. Despite this, however, it should not change the fact that the human touch will always be a trend as well as a necessity.

According to ex perts, the role of artifi cial intelligence will

be a boon to mankind. There is a possibility to reduce the amount of time that humans spend doing tedious tasks that are undoubt edly a part of their overall responsibili ties. The result? It is expected that the re source will be able to focus on camp pro jects. This will allow him to be of greatest benefit to both the em ployer and the re source.

It is a fact of life that change is constant. There is no way to avoid the consequenc es of change, but we must be prepared to adapt to them. To sur vive, we must become comfortable with the idea that things will change from time to time.

There is an enor mous change cominga better, more ad vanced, new world is on its way - and we’ve got to pull our socks up because it’s time for a big change. It is only a matter of time before we start taking action instead of whining about it. In the context of re-adjustments, there are a lot of sacri fices involved. It is un fair and reckless to not prepare for the future and to only despair in the present. In addi tion to that, a person’s ability to show kind ness, compassion, em pathy, and love for one another is always go ing to be valued as an asset not only in the present but also in the future.

As there is intense competition between all types of jobs, ma chine learning and ar tificial intelligence jobs face considerably less competition than jobs in other types of jobs. This is even though there is in tense competition be tween all types of jobs. There are an increas ing number of special ized engineering jobs on the market, but there are still a great number of positions that have not been filled. An additional factor that contributes to the shortage of skilled talent on the market is the scarcity of qualified people to fill these jobs. The AI research spectrum is expanding.

Change of diet will improve health. A difference of opinion may pit you against a family elder. Those compelled to travel are likely to find interesting company. Some of you will be able to add to your wealth and even plan to buy property. You are set to enjoy the exclusive company of people

CANCER

Meeting someone new is likely to enlarge your social circle. Your ideas will work on the professional front and speed up the progress. Your financial condition is not bad, but you do possess the potential to earn much more. So, be determine towards it. Overall health remains good .

CAPRICORN

Appease someone in the family to have your way.You may have to put your foot down against a trip you are reluctant to go on.

LEO

JULY 24 - AUGUST 23 Businesspersons are likely to do good business today and earn well. The day proves excellent for you. Appease someone in the family to have your way.You may have to put your foot down against a trip you are reluctant to go on. Keep a close track of the progress of construction initiated by you.

VIRGO

AUGUST 24 - SEPTEMBER 23

Those in the financial sector can hope to start making profits. You may think up ways of improving your health.

A major renovation work may be undertaken at home. A journey is likely to take you down the memory lane. Owning a house is indicated for some.

DAY

AQUARIUS

JANUARY 21 - FEBRUARY 19 You will be able to get the study stream you desire on the academic front. Going is likely to get better. Purchasing a new car or an expensive appliance is indicated. The day is favourable to get a project underway. Efforts to grow financially strong are likely to show positive results soon.

PISCES

FACEOFTHEDAY

SHAILY KUMAR,

Horoscope by Saurabbh Sachdeva

VIMAL DAGA, founder of linux world (p)ltd, technology expert and philanthropist

KAREENA CASTS

HER MAGIC SPELL

With the year almost about to end, we have seen our Bollywood divas serving us some breathtakingly gorgeous looks. Many ensembles have given us style ideas for our events and the rest have been saved in some corner of our hearts. Well, talking about Kareena Kapoor Khan, never fails to leave us drool ing over her beauty and charisma. Fashion may keep changing but Bebo’s swag always remains ever green. She makes sure that every one looks at her ‘dobara mud ke’. Well, last night the 3 Idiots actress exuded royalty with her looks at the Red Sea International Film Festival and we cannot stop look ing at her. Kareena Kapoor kept it simple yet stylish and trendy in her teal blue Monique Lhuillier gown. This gown had a fit and flare style serving as a perfect look for the press meet. The neck line extended to the sleeves, giving a balloon style. We love how she kept it chic in a ponytail and sig nature glam look.

Sonam Kapoor Nervous?

Sonam Kapoor is on cloud 9 these days after she gave birth to her first child with hubby Anand Ahuja. Recently the actress left for Jeddah to be a part of the Red Sea International Film Fes

Recently Sonam took to her Instagram handle to share a video of her giving a glimpse of her journey from Mumbai to Saudi Arabia. The video begins with her slaying the red carpet of the Red Sea International Film Festival. We can then see a clip of Sonam seated in her car as she leaves for Mumbai airport. We can hear someone asking her that is she going to miss Vayu? She replies, “I’m go ing to miss him so much. I’m very nervous to leave him behind even if it is just for a day. He is with my mom and my sister so I am not that stressed. I have figured out a way to leave in the morning and come back.”

Positive vibes & energy

icky Kaushal and Katrina Kaif are one of the cutest and most loved couples in Bollywood. Well, Vicky is all geared up for the release of his upcoming movie and is leaving no stone unturned to promote Govinda Naam Mera. In a recent inter view, the Sam Bahadur actor opened up about his relationship with his wife Katrina and how he is in a happy space. Vicky Kaushal expressed that he feels if you are with the right person then you become the best version of yourself. According to him being in love brings peace and happiness not just to the heart but to the mind as well. Vicky Kaushal said, “Being with that right person is the most beautiful feeling in the world and being in love is the most beauti ful feeling in the world.” He added, “I think if you are with the right person who really gives you peace and happiness in your heart and mind, it just makes you the best version of yourself. It creates positive vibes and energy.”

EVENTFUL, HARD, AND TOUGH

For the past 1.5 years, Tabu has worked extreme ly hard, as evi denced by the growing popularity of her ca reer. Even so, she ex pressed how much fun it was to work on all of her films. The And hadhun actress de scribed the experience as “eventful, hard and tough” because she was working on four to five movies simulta

neously. Each of us on the film team put in a lot of effort over the past 1.5 years, includ ing me. Routine test ing led to COVID, which was then con tracted by individuals. We weren’t used to this situation, so it was unusual. Howev er, I was loving my work, which I was do ing for Bhool Bhulai yaa 2, Khufiya, Kuttey, and Drishyam 2.

WORK OF ART

Qala, starring Triptii Dimri, Babil Khan and Swastika Mukherjee, was re leased three days ago on Netflix. The psychological drama film, revolves around the tumultuous relationship between an aspiring singer and her mother. Now, Anushka Sharma has shared her review of Qala on Instagram after watching the movie. Anushka Sharma took to her Instagram story to share a poster of Qala. Sharing her thoughts about the movie, she called it a ‘work of art.’ “A daughter’s heartbreaking yearning for her mother’s love. Qala is a work of art. It’s heartbreaking and exhilarating equally. Exhilarating because of the genius of each department that comes through in telling this detailed story and heartbreaking for portraying emotional abuse by an emotionally unstable parent in a way that’s never been done before by a film,” wrote Anushka.

Anushka Sharma

Kareena Kapoor Khan

Sonam Kapoor Ahuja

Katrina Kaif

Kareena in teal blue

Monique Lhuillier gown at Red Sea International Film Fest

Mouni’s custommade outfits

Mouni Roy’s prowess in fashion has never gone unnoticed to date. Be it on-screen or offscreen, she always appears in style. Even in her recent music video ‘Fakeeran’ sung by Zah rah S Khan, she looks effervescent as ever as she dons some stunning looks which were custom-made just for her. All of Mouni’s outfits, from the two-piece red outfit, the black dress with bejewelled stockings to the black leather co-ord set, none of them were generic off-therack looks. They were all cus tomised by her choice her stylist Anuradha Khurana which she carried off with equal finesse. Not only her outfits but her mesmerizing moves and charms have amazed us throughout. We can not wait to see the style icon amaze us with her future projects.

BHUMI FINDS HER LATEST FILM EMPOWERING!

ly inspiring roles is Bhumi Pednekar.

Right from an obese wife who does not let her weight define her in Dum Laga Ke Hai sha to a lesbian sports teacher who does not let the societal norms structure her life in Badhaai Do.

punchlines on screen because it changes the status quo in the industry. After all, a man used to always mouth the best dia logues in a genre like romantic comedy!

The talented cast of Nazarandaaz

T-Series and Kath putli Creations

Shah Rukh Khan recent ly was at the Red Sea In ternational Film Festival in Dubai where he was be stowed with Honor ary Yusr. The festi val was attended by

some of the most

Gone are the days when actresses were in films just for the glamour quo tient. Now, they hold their ground and are an equally impactful part of the story. To day, actresses are also preferring to play more such roles that not only define their ca reer but also their talent as an actor.

One such ac tress who has ever since her de but played some real

Bhumi is all ready to play Vicky Kaush al’s hottie wife in Shashank Khaitan’s Govin da Naam Mera.

The young ac tress, who has be come a force to reck on with in Indian cin ema with stellar per formances in every film that she has done so far, has been get ting praise for her acting in the film, and especially for the mike-drop moments due to her hilarious dialogues!

Bhumi is thrilled that the makers have empowered her char acter to deliver the

Bhumi says, “I honestly have loved delivering the punch es in the film and I have to admit that I have been given some of the most hilari ous punchlines by Shashank!

What I love the most about my dia loguebaazi in Govin da Naam Mera is that they are from the heroine’s side and that’s refreshing for a romantic comedy in the Hindi film indus try because tradition ally only heroes used to get all the great dialogues in a genre like this and make people laugh.”

She adds, “I’m glad that my producer Karan Johar and my

director Shashank Khaitan thought of subverting the norm and empowering a girl to deliver some of the most cracking di alogues that I have seen on screen in re cent times. Gauri Waghmare is literally one of most favourite characters that I have played on screen.”

About her charac ter, Bhumi further adds, “She is equal to a man and constantly reminds a man that her gender doesn’t make her inferior and that she is the master of her own actions and decisions. I hope I can entertain every one with this role and audiences laugh their hearts out when they see the film.”

Also starring Kiara Advani and produced by Dharma Produc tions, Govinda Naam Mera will stream on Disney+ Hotstar from 16th December.

Production slice of life drama ‘Nazarandaaz’ starring the finest talents of the industry including Ku mud Mishra, Divya Dutta and Abhishek Banerjee directed by Vikrant Desh mukh is set to stream on Netflix from 4th December 2022.

As the film won the hearts of audiences with a heartfelt mes sage clubbed with fun and frolic moments. Ab hishek Banerjee’s ex ceptional comic timing, Kumud Mishra’s acting skills and Divya Dutta’s

ness a beautiful sto ryline but also the fin est performances of the powerhouses. I am glad this film will find its wider audiences through Netflix and the messaging will touch the hearts of audiences across the globe.”

there are times when even the biggest names have their fan mo ment and Sharon had hers at the fes tival.

The actor could be seen gasping and mouthing “Oh My God!” when she realised Khan was sitting right next to her. While addressing everyone present at the film festival, SRK said that if Stone let him sit be side her, he would look only at her for the rest of his life. This statement by him got an over whelming gasp from the actress.

Her family and close friends, includ ing Sanjay Kapoor and his wife, Harsh vardhan Kapoor and Reema Kapoor Jain, attended the gri ha pravesh puja.

It was previ ously claimed that Janhvi Kapoor had bought a luxuri ous duplex residence in Mumbai’s Bandra neighbourhood. The lavish duplex also has a garden outside,

a pool, and five park ing spaces.

According to an other report, Janhvi has reportedly joined the lengthy list of Bollywood stars who own homes in Bandra. In July of this year, she sold Roohi costar Rajkumar Rao her luxurious triplex flat on the 14th, 15th and 16th floors of a Juhu tower for a stag gering Rs 44 crore.

achieved

Quite

HIT:

His

anytime soon.

Major fame, Adi vi Sesh has done it again.

recent film

HIT 2 has received a massive box office open ing of 11.27 crore just for its Telugu version.

a few films, even though starstudded fail to reach such a mas sive opening at the box office. Adivi Sesh’s

The Second Case managed to reach this number just on its first day.

Adivi Sesh has

this milestone not once but twice this year. First, earlier this year with his critically acclaimed film Major which was based on a real-life hero Major Sandeep Unnikrishnan, who laid his life for the citizen during the 26/11 attacks and now towards the end of the year he has done it with HIT: The Second Case. Adivi Sesh’s streak of giving one blockbust er after another doesn’t look like it’s going to stop

ASHISH TIWARI cityfirst.mumbai@firstindia.co.in

renowned artists from the entertain ment world, includ ing Hollywood actor Sharon Stone, Brit ish Director Guy Ritchie, filmmaker Oliver Stone, AR Rahman, Priyanka Chopra and many

lywood. But

Janhvi Kapoor

Poster of the film

Shah Rukh Khan

Divya Dutta Bhumi Pednekar

Mouni Roy

Poster of the film