First India-Jaipur Edition-5th January 2023

CAR BOMBS KILL 35, BURN HOUSES IN SOMALIA

AIR-LIFTED TO

NATIONAL JAMBOREE, A ‘MINI YOUNG INDIA ’: PREZ

Mumbai: India wicketkeeper batter Rishabh Pant was on Wednesday air-lifted to Mumbai’s Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital on Wednesday from Dehradun’s Max Hospital.

During the day, BCCI said Pant will undergo surgery and subsequent procedures for ligament tears and will continue to be monitored by their medical team.

DNA CONFIRMS BONE, HAIR SAMPLES ARE THOSE OF SHRADDHA

New Delhi: In a major development in the Shraddha Walkar murder case, Police on Wednesday said that samples of hair and bones recovered by them matched that of Shraddha. Samples had matched with victim’s dad and brother, Police said.

WALMART GETS $1 BN TAX BILL FOR SHIFTING

PHONEPE HQ TO INDIA

Bengaluru: Walmart and other shareholders of digital payments app PhonePe will have to pay tax worth around $1 billion after the fintech firm shifted its headquarters to India from Singapore last year, agency reported on Wednesday, citing people familiar with the matter.

 National Jamboree begins in Rajasthan after 67 years  ‘Mahakumbh’ of 37k Scouts, Guides

Pali: President Droupadi Murmu inaugurated 18th Nat’l Scouts and Guides Jamboree at Rohat in Pali district on Wednesday. Welcoming more than 37,000 Scouts & Guides from different countries including India, she said that there is unique enthusiasm and energy in this conference of youth.

“This gathering of youth is Mini Young India. Scouts work wholeheartedly for humanity and social service. It is a matter of pride that the highest number of Scouts in entire country are from Rajasthan, a symbol of courage and valor,” President Murmu said.Murmu unfurled flag of Bharat Scouts, Guides, viewed Parade & band. More on P8

IT IS A PRIDE TO BE A SCOUT-GUIDE, SAYS CM GEHLOT

pride. I myself have been associated with scouting since childhood. Here one learns to be disciplined, do social service and follow the great culture of the country. National Jambo-

Day after Jain monk’s death, CM Gehlot speaks to J’khand CM Soren over issue

First India Bureau

Jaipur: CM Ashok Gehlot on Wednesday spoke on phone with Jharkhand CM Hemant Soren and discussed regarding the demand of Jain society regarding Tirtha Shri Sammed Shikhar. Soren assured Gehlot that issue would be resolved soon. Jain

A

The third National Conference of Heads of Police Investigation Agencies, hosted by the Bureau of Police Research & Development, will begin in Jaipur today, officials said on Wednesday P3

IPS officer Hemant Priyadarshy has been posted as acting ACB-DG. He issued an order that the name and photo of an accused or suspect should not be made public. P3

monk Sugyesagar Maharaj, 72, who was fasting over Sammed Shikhar issue, had breathed his last on Tuesday in Sanganer in Jaipur.

THE JAINS’ ISSUE

The Jharkhand government has declared Parasnath hills in Giridih district as a tourist place. People of Jain society across the country have been protesting against this decision.

Parasnath hill is famous as Sammed Shikhar, highest pilgrimage among the Jains.

ree is giving the message of unity in a country with different culture, language and tradition. Coming generations will get great values from Scouting. Turn to P8

A BIG RELIEF FOR THE YOGI GOVERNMENT Top Court stays HC order on OBC quota in ULB polls





UP

Apex

First India Bureau

New Delhi: In a big relief for UP CM Yogi Adityanath, SC on Wednesday put a stay on the Allahabad HC order directing the state government to hold urban bodies elections by January 31 without reservation for the Other Backward Classes (OBCs).

A bench comprising CJI DY Chandrachud and Justice PS Narasimha took note of the submissions made by Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for State, and directed that a panel appointed by State will have to decide the OBC quota-related issues for local bodies poll by March 31, 2023.

The Supreme Court permitted State govt to appoint administrators to run the affairs of the local bodies after the expiry of the tenure of the elected representatives. It said that administrators will not be empowered to take major policy decisions.

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YOGI WELCOMES TOP COURT’S DECISION

UP CM Yogi Adityanath has welcomed the Supreme Court verdict on civic body elections in Uttar Pradesh and said his government will cooperate in holding the polls within the apex court time limit while implementing reservation for the OBC.

The Supreme Court has rejected to hear a plea by Samajwadi Party leader Azam Khan in which he had requested to transfer the cases against him out of Uttar Pradesh.

The apex court ruled this on 4th January 2022.

 SC judge Justice Bela M Trivedi on Wednesday recused herself from hearing pleas challenging pre-mature release of 11 convicts, who had gang-raped Bilkis Bano. Bench of Justices

Ajay Rastogi and Bela M Trivedi ordered that matter be listed before bench of which Justice Trivedi is not a part.

 The Apex Court will hear today a petition challenging the Uttarakhand High Court’s order to vacate 29 acres of railway land in Haldwani as residents of the 4,000-odd home continue to protest, pray, and beseech officials not to go ahead with the demolition.

Passenger faces 30-day ban for urinating on woman

First India Bureau

New Delhi: Air India on Wednesday said it has imposed a 30-day flying ban on a passenger who had urinated on a female co-passenger onboard a flight from New York to Delhi in November last year and set up an internal panel to probe whether there were lapses on the

part of their crew in addressing the situation.

Aviation regulator DGCA said it has sought

a report from the airline on incident, which happened on Nov 26 & will take action against those found negligent.

AI said it has filed a police complaint about the incident but did not specify when the 30-day flying ban on passenger came into effect. Delhi Police said teams have been formed to catch the passenger.

PARIS-BOUND AIR INDIA MAKES EMERGENCY LANDING IN DELHI AFTER TECHNICAL SNAG

An Air India flight bound for Paris was forced to return to New Delhi on Wednesday after a snag was detected midair. Flight carrying 210 passengers landed safely at the airport. Senior DGCA official informed flight was involved in an air turnback due to a “Slats Drive” snag message, probe has been ordered.

INDIGO AIRCRAFT SUFFERS TAIL STRIKE WHILE LANDING AT THE KOLKATA AIRPORT

IndiGo on Wednesday said one of its Airbus A321 aircraft suffered a

MULTIPLE BLASTS HEARD IN AFGHAN

New Delhi: The Union Cabinet, chaired by PM Modi, has approved National Green Hydrogen Mission. Cabinet has approved an expenditure of 19,744 crore for implementing National Green Hydrogen Mission, I&B Minister Anurag Singh Thakur said on Wednesday. “Under the NGHM, 50 lakh tonnes of green hydrogen will be produced per annum by 2030,” Minister Thakur said.

CAPITAL: REPORT Kabul: Afghanistan’s capital Kabul, on Wednesday, was reportedly rocked by several blasts in the city, According to local reports, multiple blasts were heard in the country’s capital city. However, Taliban officials are yet to comment on the explosions. The latest incident came barely three days after at least 10 people were killed and eight others seriously injured in an explosion that occurred at the Kabul military airport, on January 1.

New Delhi: Family members of Anjali Singh, who was dragged to death by a car in Delhi on Sunday, issued a statement on Wednesday claiming that her autopsy report showed no signs of her having alcohol on the night of the horrific accident.

SONIA GANDHI IN HOSPITAL FOR TREATMENT OF VIRAL INFECTION

New Delhi: Former Cong Prez Sonia Gandhi was on Wednesday admitted to Sir Ganga Ram Hospital in Delhi for treatment of a viral respiratory infection. During the day, both Rahul and Priyanka Gandhi returned to Delhi from UP where yatra is currently at.

Union Minister Anurag Singh Thakur speaks to media in presence Dr L Murugan and Satyendra Prakash in New Delhi on Wednesday.

—Anurag Singh Thakur, I&B Minister

government, which had earlier challenged the HC’s order, told SC that the OBC Commission has already been formed, will complete its task by March

Court directs State Election Commission to hold polls by January 31 after transferring OBC seats in the draft notification to general category

OTHER COURT NEWS

PANT

MUMBAI HOSPITAL FROM DEHRADUN

tail strike while landing at the Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport in Kolkata. The incident took place on Monday as the aircraft, with flight number 6E1859, was coming to Kolkata from Dhaka. No injuries were reported.

PRESIDENT DROUPADI MURMU INAUGURATES 18TH NATIONAL SCOUTS AND GUIDES JAMBOREE

Rajeev Gaur, Subhash Trivedi, Dimple Sharma and Deepti Gautam

President Droupadi Murmu being presented a memento by Rajasthan Governor Kalraj Mishra, CM Ashok Gehlot and PCC Chief Govind Singh Dotasra on Wednesday.

President Droupadi Murmu during inauguration of 18th National Jamboree of the Bharat Scouts and Guides, in Rajasthan’s Pali. Also seen here is Niranjan Arya.

DGCA seeks report in the matter.

RAM STILL A ‘CHILD’ SO WE CHANT JAI SHRI RAM: TRIVEDI

Jaipur: Reacting to the Congress leaders’ jibe that BJP leaders avoid chanting Jai Siya Ram, BJP MP Sudhanshu Trivedi on Wednesday said that they say Jai Shri Ram because Ram is still in childhood and his temple is being built on Ram Janmabhoomi.

“After this Ram will grow up to become the king. Then Sita will come. We will chant Siya Ram then. Childish minded Congressmen will not be able to understand this,” said Trivedi while speaking during the press conference in the BJP office.

During the 2019 LS elections, Congress party had talked about abolishing the sedition law in its manifesto saying it was being misused. After 2019, it was first used by Congress govt in Rajasthan.

Some BJP MLAs ex-

ASSAULT ON JOURNO, WIFE: STATEMENT

RECORDED BY MAGISTRATE

Jaipur: The issue of brutal assault on a journalist and his wife by the employees of NH 52’s Tatiyawas toll plaza on Tuesday is snowballing. The police is going to present challan of Anoop Sharma who has been named in the FIR.

Chomu police station in-charge Vikrant Sharma said that the statement of the victim woman was recorded in a local court on Wednesday. He said the accused persons named in this case would be arrested.Meanwhile, former MLA Bhagwan Sahai Saini, Youth leader Chhutan Yadav spoke to victim.

said that

working even after tendering their

isn’t constitutional. Meena was speaking at a meeting of district officials over compensation to the farmers. He said that the assembly speaker has been unduly favourable to CM and state govt. Meena was in Dausa to address the issues related to farmers over compensation for their land occupied for the construction of expressway passing through dist. He summoned the district magistrate.

pressed their displeasure and Congress govt got cases filed against them under Sedition law. Due to this, the difference between the words and actions of Cong became known.

Trivedi said that in last 4 years, law & order situation in Raj has reached bad state.

Razing temple wall against religious feelings, Raje

First India Bureau

Jaipur: Reacting to the demolition of boundary wall of Devnarayan temple by public works department to widen road in Ajmer, former chief minister Vasundhara Raje on Wednesday said that by razing the boundary, state government has expressed its anti-religion policy once again.

“The process of crushing the sentiments of the people by the state government has not stopped,” she said.Raje said that sometimes the religious faith of the people of state is hurt and at other times the dreams of the students appearing for the examination are broken. She said boundary wall of a 200 year old temple was broken in Ajmer while earlier, Ram Darbar in Salasar was demolished.

Fatehpur records -0.7 degree Celsius temp

3.4

Jaipur (PTI):

Fatehpur recorded a temperature of minus 0.7 degree Celsius as cold conditions prevailed in parts of Raj on Wednesday.

Fatehpur was followed by Churu, which recorded a minimum temperature of minus 0.5 degrees Celsius, according to the Met centre here.

Anta recorded 1.4 degrees Celsius, Bhilwara 1.8 degrees,

Transfer orders of three junior engineers of JMCG stayed

First India Bureau

Jaipur: The Rajasthan Civil Services Appellate Tribunal on Wednesday stayed transfer orders of three junior engineers of Jaipur Municipal Corporation (Greater and Heritage). The three junior engineers were transferred to Kota UIT on December 16, 2022, following which, the junior engineers appealed against the transfer orders.

WINTER VACATION

EXTENDED

Sikar 2.0 degrees, Karauli 2.2 degrees, Pilani 2.7 degrees, Bundi

In Jaipur, the maximum and minimum temperatures were recorded at 17.7 and 4.6 degrees Celsius, respectively, in the last 24 hours. The weather office said dense fog blanketed state on Tuesday night. Dense fog was recorded in some parts of Bikaner, Jaipur, Bharatpur & Kota.

RHB will celebrate all festivals with its employees: Arora

TRADITIONAL VALUE

Students create ruckus at RU

First India Bureau

Jaipur: Students created ruckus at VC secretariat in Rajasthan university on Wednesday in support of research associate professors who have been on dharna for the last 9 days

The students broke through the back gate of the VC secretariat and climbed onto the roof and started shouting slogans against the

Vice-Chancellor as well as the registrar. They accused the university administration of bypass-

NATIONAL-LEVEL SHOW

ing the decisions taken in the Syndicate meeting. The ruckus went on for nearly 5 hours.

2-day Marwari horse show begins in Jodhpur

550 horses have reached to participate from different states in the two-day national-level show of the Marwari breed horses in Ransi village of Jodhpur district.

Jodhpur: The two-day Second Marwari Horse Show – 2023 was inaugurated in Ransi village here on Wednesday. The horse show was inaugurated by Agriculture Minister Lal Chand Kataria & RTDC Chairman Dharmendra Rathore. Organiser Sawai Singh Champawat informed that for second time in a row,national-level horse show of Marwari breed horses is being organized in Ransi village.

Member tribunal Anant Bhandari and Suchi Sharma stayed the transferred orders while hearing the petitions filed by junior engineer Sanjay Kumar Meena, Baldev Sharna and Sudama Yadav.

The petitioners in their petitions said that the state government had issued an order on August 1, 2022, banning transfers of those local body personnel whose duties are engaged in the Prashashan Sheharo Ke Sangh Abhiyan. However, the junior engineers were transferred despite the order.

Jaipur: A Paush vada programme was organized in Rajasthan Housing Board headquarters on Wednesday. Board commissioner Pawan Arora inaugurated the program by performing Ganesh Aarti. Arora said that celebrations and festivals spread positivity. The Board is continuously strengthening the tradition of celebrating every festival with the employees.

He said that the Board will collectively celebrate all the upcoming festivals. During this, Secretary Alpa Chowdhary, Financial Advisor Sanjay Shar-

ma, President of Rajasthan Housing Board Employees Union Dashrath Kumar, Executive President Bhagwati Prasad, General Secretary Pradeep Sharma, Joint Secretary Govind Natani and officers were present.

Vipra Welfare Board gives 17 recommendations for the Budget

First India Bureau

Jaipur: Vipra Welfare Board has made several recommendations to state government to include them in the state budget 2023-24. The recommendations include Vipra Meritorious Student Promotion Scheme & Parshuram DBT voucher scheme.

A proposal in this regard was passed in a meeting which was chaired by board chairman Mahesh Sharma. Other recommendations include setting up of Vipra Kalyan Kosh

for operating all schemes of Vipra welfare, residential Ved Vidyalaya at divisional level and Ved Vidyalaya at district level, Mata Renuka Scooty Distribution and Promotion Scheme, increase in

number of beneficiaries, expansion of hostels for students of economically backward classes.

17 recommendations have been made in the proposal passed in the meeting.

Shiv Prakash Purohit

“This year about 550 horses from different states have come to participate in show. Horse breeders from states such as Maharashtra,

Madhya Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Haryana, and UP are participating with horses. On the first day, competition like Adant Bacheri, Adant Bach-

era & Do Dant Bachera was held while on the second day, there will be 4 competitions & Best Animal of show,” said Champawat.

Mp said this as a counter to Cong leaders’ jibe over Jai Siya Ram slogan Aishwary Pradhan

Sudhanshu Trivedi addressing the media in the BJP headoffice on Wednesday. Also seen Laxmikant Bhardwaj, Ashok Singh Shekhawat and Ashok Bhadra. —PHOTO BY MUKESH KIRADOO

Minister Lal Chand Kataria and RTDC Chairman Dharmendra Rathore inaugurating the horse show.

degrees, Dholpur 3.6 degrees and Bikaner 4.6 degrees.

Ice accumulated on the crop in the field of a farmer in Sikar (inset top) A layer of ice on a water pot kept in the field in Ringas area of Sikar (inset bottom) ice on the roof of a car.

A lwar District Collector Jitendra Kumar Soni has ordered extension of winter vacation in government and nongovernment schools till January 7 due to the ongoing cold wave in the district.

RAHUL CONFUSED ON HINDUTVA MATTER

With Makar Sankranti ahead, a kite maker Gaffur in Handipura kite market lines up large cutouts of political leaders the Centre and the State. —PHOTO BY SUNIL SHARMA

Under the PSKS, JDA Zone 14 Deputy Commissioner Harphool Pankaj issuing the leases to Vidhani Kalyan Nagar residents.

Students atop the university roof. —PHOTO BY SUNIL SHARMA

RHB Commissioner Pawan Arora offering prayers to Lord Ganesha before inaugurating the paush vada programme on Wednesday.

Vipra Welfare Board Chairman Mahesh Sharma, VP Manju Sharma and other members during board meeting on Wednesday.

First India Bureau

Dausa: Bharatiya Janata Party leader and Rajya Sabha member Kirodi Lal Meena has

legislators

resignations

MLAS WORKING POST RESIGNATIONS IS WRONG: KIRODI

Sodala man tests +ve for XBB.1.5 variant of Covid

Experts say infection spreads 104 times faster than

Vikas Sharma

Jaipur: A patient of a new variant of Covid-19 has been found in Jaipur.

The patient is said to be infected with Omicron’s new sub-variant XBB.1.5. This variant of Covid-19 is from America and is said to be the fastest spreading variant so far. Its speed is 104 times faster than the earlier variant. Five cases of this variant have been reported in the country.

There is information about the detection of this variant in person in the report of genome sequencing conducted at SMS Medical College. Dr Bharti Malhotra, HOD, Microbiology, Medical College, said that this case is from Sodala area of Jaipur and came for investigation in the last week of December, in which the new variant has been confirmed.

Although the Health Department officials are not yet confirming this.

Jaipur CMHO Dr. Vijay Faujdar said that till now they have not received any information about this patient. After getting the information, further action will be taken by gathering information about the history of the patient and his contact person.

Sources say that the pa-

3rd Nat’l Conference of Police Investigation Agencies in Jpr today

earlier variant

Doctors’ names, other info must on hospitals’ display boards

First India Bureau

Won’t reveal accused’s ID until proven guilty: ACB

Anew variant of the virus that causes COVID-19 is spreading in the US, raising concerns about a potential wave of infections and reinfections to start the new year. The variant, called XBB.1.5, is a descendent of Omicron and a close relative of the XBB variant, which spread widely in Singapore and India this past fall. A December study in the journal Cell demonstrated that XBB is better at evading immune defenses gained from vaccination and prior infection, compared to other variants. This raises the risk of reinfection, a WHO group warned in October—though the group said at the time that XBB does not appear to cause significantly more severe disease than previous strains.

tient was found in Jaipur and came positive in December last year. It is

Jaipur: Now patients will not have to wander to seek information about services they can avail at hospitals under the Chief Minister Chiranjeevi Health Insurance Scheme. All the hospitals associated with the scheme will have to display on the boards the information about all the specialty facilities and doctors to be provided to the beneficiaries. Shuchi Tyagi, CEO of the State Health Assurance Agency, on Wednesday through VC, instructed the District Programme Coordinators posted in all the districts to ensure all these arrangements in two days.

First India Bureau

Jaipur: IPS officer Hemant Priyadarshy has been posted as acting DG in the State Anti-Corruption Bureau. After assuming office, the DG issued an order that the name and photo of an accused or suspect should not be made public. The order was issued to all outposts and unit in-charges of all ACBs.

office. On January 4, Mishra cancelled Anchalia’s attachment to the IG office in Udaipur. The order came after an FIR

Jaipur (PTI): The third National Conference of Heads of Police Investigation Agencies, hosted by the Bureau of Police Research and Development, will begin in Jaipur on Thursday.

The two-day conference is being held here at the Central Intelligence Training Institute, Jaipur.

Bureau Director Amandeep Kapoor said Union Minister of State for Home Nityanand Rai will inaugurate this national conference. Rajasthan Governor Kalraj Mishra will be present in the closing session on Friday evening.

“The objective of is to emphasise on the major issues of investigation and it will include the latest laws, judgments and their impli-

Post

BIG B TO ATTEND INT’L MEDICAL MEET TODAY

Bollywood star Amitabh Bachchan will come to Jaipur on Thursday and attend the International Conference of Indian Society of Gastroenterology (ISGCON-2023) to be held at JECC from January 5 to 8 and be the chief guest in the inaugural session. About 3,000 gastroenterologists from across the country will gather to discuss the latest technologies. Renowned Gastroenterologists like Dr Paolo Angeli from Europe, Dr Anita Afzali and Dr Nora Terott from USA, Dr Runsun from Malaysia, Dr Helmut Neumann from Germany, Dr Gerald Haltmann, Yama Moto from Japan will participate in the conference.

cations on investigation and prosecution, various amendments in criminal law,” he said.

also being told that the patient had returned from the US.

Tyagi said that all the officers associated with the scheme. She said that the beneficiaries associated with the scheme should not face any problem.

According to the order, the name of the accused or photo will not be made public in the department until proven guilty. The informatio will not be disclosed in the media. The investigation officer will have to ensure protection of human rights of the accused.

Inspection team finds 75% JMCH staff including all Gazetted Officers ‘absent’

First India Bureau

Jaipur: A team of the State Administrative Reforms Department on Wednesday conducted a sudden inspection of Jaipur Municipal Corporation Heritage. The seven-member team inspected the Heritage Nagar Nigam premises and found that 75 per cent of the staff officers were found absent.

Shockingly, the team could not find a single Gazetted Officer rank officer present, while lights and heaters were found switched on in their chambers.

The team led by Deputy Secretary of the Administrative Reforms Department, Kalla Ram

Meena reached the Heritage Headquarters at 9:30 am on Wednesday and found that the entire office was empty. The chamber of Commissioner Vishram Meena was also found

empty. The commissioner himself reached the headquarters at around 10:30 am.

“When we got the biometric attendance report of all the employees up to 9:45 am,

out of 489 employeeofficers, 360 were found absent. We will prepare a report and send it to the Principal Secretary of Administrative Reforms,” said Kalla Ram Meena.

VMOU PAPER LEAK University

probe teams

to submit report to VC

Bhanwar S Charan

Kota: The Vardhaman Mahaveer Open University, Kota has formed teams to investigate the paper leak case of BA second year Hindi literature leak case after the disclosure of First India. The incidents of paper leak have come to the fore at the examination centres of Jodhpur Regional Centre.

The teams that have left for the centres and will now submit the report to the Vice Chancellor after the investigation. Vice Chancellor Prof KC Sodani said that the paper leak happened due to the mistake at the centre level or the university exam-

New flight from Jaipur to Bangkok starts today

First India Bureau

Jaipur: With the increase in passenger load at Jaipur International Airport, the number of airlines and their flights are also increasing. Thai Smile Airlines will start a new Jaipur-Bangkok flight from 2.15 am beginning

TO REDUCE PEOPLE’S BURDEN

Secretariat,

Jaipur: Terming it as a step towards good governance, the Gehlot Government in Rajasthan has begun efiling in the desert State. According to Chief Secretary Usha Sharma, new electronic filing system has been implemented in the State Secretariat. Other departments will also follow the process from January 15. The step will not only smoothen

more depts to begin e-filing

on Thursday and will fly seven days a week. This 154 seater aircraft will fly daily from Jaipur to Bangkok at 2:15 pm. Before this, the aircraft will reach Jaipur from Bangkok at 1.15 pm.

This will be the second airline between JaipurBangkok. People will have to pay a fare rang-

ing from Rs 12,500 to Rs 16,600. Prior to this, ThaiAir Asia’s joint venture used to fly to Bangkok. The number of international flights will increase from 26 to 33 in a week. On an average, there is movement of more than 37,000 international flyers from Jaipur every month.

Karan Lamba hits 100 for Raj on Ranji Day 2

Naresh Sharma

Jaipur: On the second day of the RajasthanJharkhand Ranji match being played at the Sawai Man Singh Stadium, Rajasthan’s Karan Lamba gave the team a big lead in the first innings against Jharkhand while hitting a brilliant century in his debut match.

ination section level is yet to be probed.

The examination of HD-04 paper code was held on Tuesday at 115 examination centres across the state and 65 centres in Jodhpur. About 8,000 students were registered in the second shift exam at 3.30 pm but VMOU will now take a decision to reconduct the paper only after the report of the inquiry committee.

Jaisalmer admin stops helicopter joyride service

First India Bureau

Jaisalmer: The helicopter joyride service which was inaugurated by two Ministers and RTDC chief Dharmendra Rathore in Jaisalmer was stopped within a week due to violation of forest rules. The helipad is located in the eco-sensitive zone, adjacent to desert national park (DNP) which is the habitat of the endangered bird the Great Indian Bustard or Godawan.

the official working, it will also reduce people’s burden in visiting offices just for the sake of moving files.

As a first step, all the existing government files will be scanned and converted to e-files. After this, the files will

move virtually with comments by the officials concerned. The filles will complete their required journey

in the virtual world, after which, necessary instructions will be given to the officials for the ground action.

In the first innings, Jharkhand team was all out for 92 and Rajasthan was all out for 287.

For Rajasthan, Karan

Lamba scored 122, Ashok Menaria 24, Aniket Chaudhary 22 and Rituraj Singh contributed 15 runs. By the end of the second day’s match, Jharkhand had scored 66 runs in their second innings without losing any wicket.

There was no environmental clearance for this activity following which the forest department wrote a letter to the Jaisalmer district collector to ensure that the service was immediately stopped.

Dr Rituraj Sharma

State Administrative Reforms Department team conducts surprise check at JMC Heritage office on Wednesday. Lights were on and heaters were found running with no staff inside the rooms.

WHAT TO KNOW ABOUT XBB.1.5 VARIANT

TWO ANMs HELD WITH `3,000 BRIBE Kuchaman (Nagaur): The Nagaur ACB team has arrested the ANMs of Lichana and Gogor red-handed while accepting a bribe of Rs 3,000. Police inspector Sushila Bishnoi of Nagaur ACB office carried out the trap along with the team. ANN of Government Sub Health Center Lichana and Government Sub Health Centre Gogor took bribes in lieu of preparing papers for availing benefits of Rajshree scheme.

Jaipur: Director General of Police Umesh Mishra has issued orders to put DSP Jitendra Anchalia on APO. Now, Anchalia will have to mark attendance at the Rajasthan Police Headquarters.

Anchalia was reinstated in November after being suspended in the Kanhaiyalal murder case. After the restoration, he did not get the posting and was attached to the IG

registered in the Anti-Corruption Bureau on December 30, which mentions that a detailed investigation has to be done against DSP Anchalia.

DGP UMESH MISHRA PUTS DSP JITENDRA ANCHALIA ON APO

Hemant Priyadarshy

his karyakarta from Gujarat shares with us how Narendra bhai is the perfect karyakarta and how he lives by his ideals.

Narendra bhai has been the guiding light for her when it came to ways of accomplishing work at the ground level with precision. What stands out about Narendra bhai is his humility and sense of gratitude for every single person who has touched his life in a positive way.

Once an Akhil Bhartiya Sammelan had to be organized in Karnavati. Narendra bhai was working with us, I would say in the capacity of an advisor and he would guide as about the fundamentals of organizing such an event. At that time, I was a total newbie, a novice in such work. I had no idea how to proceed in this regard and had not taken up a lot of responsibility.

Soon it was time for the baithak to commence. We would get information and guidelines about all the work that had to be completed and we would accomplish all of that at the ground level. Now Narendra bhai used to be present in the meetings and we were all answerable for our tasks and of course, to the questions that Narendra bhai would put up to us. So it happened, Narendra bhai asked

me, “Saroj ji, so what about the mahila baithak (meeting of women)? Was it convened?”

I replied in the affirmative.

Next question, “So Saroji ji, how many behene (sisters) attended the meeting?” “About 20-22”, I answered cheerfully. Suddenly he asked me, “Were there 20 or 22?” Now I was confounded. I did not have the exact answer for this question. In my notes I had jotted down 20-22 women attended the meet. But I just did not remember exactly if they were 20 or 22. So this is the first lessons he taught me. Always be prepared with an exact answer. Narendra bhai is not someone who will take terminological inexactitude or imprecision in work lightly. If you are not prepared, you are sure to flounder.

I am happy that I got a lot of guidance and support from him. It was Narendra bhai from whom I learnt how to take down meeting notes, how to take down numbers with accuracy in the meeting register and how to meet work expectations. If I have been allotted some work, then how I am supposed to accomplish with perfection, this is something I learnt from him. Narendra bhai was never satisfied with work done at a superficial level. He expected us to dive deep down in our allotted tasks, understand the specifics and come up with details that were exact and precise.

I can never forget the way he guided us with the minutest details possible for the sammelan. Often, we would be scratching our heads, wondering how we missed out on some minute but vital aspects that Narendra bhai would point out to us with such simplicity and in a matter-of-fact tone!

I remember in 1980s there was an event in Aurangabad and Narendra bhai was one of the speakers in that event.

The subject for discussion was “Karyakarta” – what are the qualities of a good karyakarta, the duties and responsibilities of a karyakarta, who actually is a karyakarta, what is the differ-

ence between a swayamsevak and a karyakarta- and the way Narendra bhai dealt with each of these minor aspects was stupendous. His talk was remarkable for not just rhetorical finesse but for the way in which he explained and defined the concept of karyakarta. And you know what, Narendra bhai’s speech is never something that would appeal to you at just the intellectual level. It will stir your soul, in fact your entire being will be captivated to the point of numbness when you listen to him. This happens because when he speaks, he speaks

We use this often to refer to people who do not practice what they preach. But Narendra bhai stands apart from everyone as the lone stalwart who will never utter a word that is untrue to his own persona, his thoughts, his ideas and his actions.

from his soul. Narendra bhai, during this talk, became so full of emotion himself, it was as if someone had immersed fully in the waters of duty, service and responsibilities of a karyakarta that every word of his talk was coming straight from the depth of Narendra bhai’s core. He had become the spirit incarnate of karyakarta!

It is indeed rare to someone as eloquent, spontaneous and deep like Narendra bhai. Also, this speech by Narendra bhai about karyakarta was so impressive because every drop of his blood is steeped in the

selfless duties and devotion of a karyakarta. These quintessential qualities of a karyakarta that Narendra bhai enumerated in his speech that day have served as the lighthouse for him, irrespective of his stature in politics. Whether as CM or as PM, he has always served the country as the perfect karyakarta. When Narendra bhai says that a karyakarta behaves with equanimity with only his goal in sight, irrespective of whether he is praised or censured, we know he has lived by this quality practically every day of his life.

There is a saying in Marathi which translates to “Go and serve Brahmgyaan to people. But within your own being you are as blank as a rock.” We use this often to refer to people who do not practice what they preach. But Narendra bhai stands apart from everyone as the lone stalwart who will never utter a word that is untrue to his own persona, his thoughts, his ideas and his actions.

Last but not least, with great fondness I recollect the lunch at CM house for which he had invited all the prominent women karyakartas. No prominent dignitary had ever invited us to their residence in the past, not even the Mayor, who had eventually become my friend. So after presenting a bouquet to Narendra bhai, we shared with him our happiness and our sense of disbelief that a CM should invite us. Do you know what his response was to this? My eyes filled with tears when I heard him say, “When I was a pracharak, every one of you has served me food at your home. And from each one of those interactions, I gained one valuable thought. This lunch today is my way of expressing my gratitude to each one of you for helping me develop mentally, physically and spiritually.” I only pray that Narendra bhai continues to serve our country with his selfless sense of devotion and may he be blessed with success in all his endeavours! TO BE CONTINUED...

COMPILED

‘NARENDRA BHAI STANDS APART FROM EVERYONE’

‘NARENDRA HAS BEEN GUIDING LIGHT’

Narendra bhai has been the guiding light for her when it came to ways of accomplishing work at the ground level with precision. What stands out about Narendra bhai is his humility and sense of gratitude for every single person who has touched his life in a positive way.

There is a saying in Marathi which translates to “Go and serve Brahmgyaan to people. But within your own being you are as blank as a rock.”

Go and serve Brahmgyaan to people. But within your own being you are as blank as a rock.

—SAROJ MUJUMDAR

Prime Minister Narendra Modi

BHARAT JODO YATRA

IN UTTAR PRADESH LEG OF YATRA,

R a G a WALKS AGAINST ‘HATRED’

Uttar Pradesh: The Rahul Gandhi-led Bharat Jodo Yatra resumed from Uttar Pradesh’s Mavikala village Wednesday morning. The Yatra began following a fireworks display at the village in the early hours. The Yatra, which entered Uttar Pradesh Tuesday afternoon, will pass through Niwara, Saroorpoor, and Baraut and will halt for the day in Ailum. As the yatra resumed in Uttar Pradesh, Congress said it aims to uproot hatred from the state.

Rahul will walk through Uttar Pradesh for the next two days.

His Yatra will re-enter Haryana on January 6, after which it is likely to be in Punjab from January 11 to 20, with a day in Himachal Pradesh on January 19.

According to party leaders, the Yatra will arrive at Jammu and Kashmir’s Kathua district on January 20 and conclude in Srinagar on January 30.

FARMERS WELCOME RAHUL GANDHI WITH TROLLEYS FULL OF FLOWERS

Rahul Gandhi’s Bharat Jodo Yatra reached Uttar Pradesh’s Mavikala village on Tuesday night. After the night halt, the yatra resumed its journey from Baghpat district at 6 am today with a grand fireworks display. Farmers from nearby areas welcomed Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, who is leading the yatra, with tractor trolleys filled with flowers.According to the farmers, Rahul

IN THE COURTYARD

CBI MOVES PLEA IN SC CHALLENGING BAIL GRANTED TO I-T OFFICIAL IN GUJARAT

New Delhi: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Wednesday moved a plea in the Supreme Court challenging a Gujarat High Court’s decision granting anticipatory bail to Additional Commissioner of Income Tax Ahmedabad, Santosh Karnani, who has been accused in a corruption case. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta mentioned the plea before a bench headed by Chief Justice DY Chandrachud, who agreed to list the matter. Mehta apprised the bench that there is tutoring of witnesses and even CBI officials are being approached.

NCLAT DIRECTS GOOGLE TO PAY 10% OF `1337.76 CR PENALTY

Gandhi should walk not on the streets but on a path of flowers, and so they got 4 quintals of flowers to the yatra. Congress

Baghpat district unit Chief Yunus Chowdhary said the yatra will enter Baraut town later in the day where Rahul Gandhi will address a gathering of people before leaving for Shamli district. The foot march entered Uttar Pradesh on Tuesday via Ghaziabad’s Loni border.

OBC RESERVATION IN URBAN POLLS: SP FILES SLP IN COURT

New Delhi: Samajwadi Party on Wednesday filed a SLP in the SC, opposing the Allahabad High Court’s Lucknow bench order to hold the urban body elections without reservations for Other Backward Classes.Advocate Rajpal Kashyap, representing the party, said, “On the direction of Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav, we have filed SLP in SC. We hope that the court’s verdict would preserve reservations for OBC.”

BJY RESUMES FROM MAVIKALA, RAGA’S LOOK-ALIKE JOINS

Uttar Pradesh: Rahul Gandhi-led Bharat Jodo Yatra resumes from Mavikala in Baghpat District in Uttar Pradesh today morning. Rahul Gandhi’s look-alike Faisal Chowdhury who is a party worker from Meerut Congress also joined the Yatra today. The Yatra will cover the stretch from Mavikala to Baraut today. The Yatra was initiated with a fireworks display.Bharat Jodo Yatra entered its Uttar Pradesh leg on Tuesday afternoon after starting from the Marghat Hanuman temple, in Delhi.

CONGRESS FORMS COMMITTEE TO EVALUATE GUJ ASSEMBLY RESULTS

New Delhi: The Congress on Wednesday set up a three-member fact-finding committee to evaluate the party’s performance in the recently concluded Gujarat assembly elections and suggest corrective measures. The committee will be chaired by former Maharashtra minister Nitin Raut,

Nadda to address 119 booth workers on Jan 7

New Delhi (ANI): BJP National President JP Nadda will connect with 119 assembly booth-level presidents and workers through video conferencing, on January 7 in Telangana, according to party sources. The BJP National President aims to connect with the workers, who are expected to be in thousands. All participants will connect from their respective centres through video conferencing and approximately, three to four thousand people will join in each assembly.

A senior BJP leader informed that the party is gearing up to overthrow the KCR govt in Telangana and this is the reason why BJP is continuously doing one program after another in Telangana. Many important programs and schemes have been set by BJP for Telangana. BJP is completely focused on the upcoming assembly elections.

‘Vistarak Yojna’ to strengthen party for Assembly, LS polls

New Delhi: Ahead of the upcoming Assembly elections in nine states and the Lok Sabha elections in 2024, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has decided to deploy a force of about 3,000 ‘Vistaraks’ (expansionists) across the country to strengthen the party, sources said.Assembly elections are going to be held in Madhya Pradesh, Tripura, Karnataka, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Mizoram, Rajasthan, Telangana, and Chhat -

tisgarh. Out of these, the BJP or its allies rule all, save Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh (Congress) and Telangana (Bharatiya Rashtra Samithi). As per sources, these Vistaraks will work closely with the organisation at the local level in each assembly and Lok Sabha constituency and will report directly to the central leadership. They are also expected to prepare a ground report for the party ahead of the polls.

Karnataka CM Bommai hits back at Siddaramaiah

Karnataka: Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai, hitting back at opposition leader Siddaramaiah’s statement comparing him to a puppy, said that the people of the state would give a fitting reply to the Congress leader in the upcoming assembly election.

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Wednesday granted regular bail to Khushi Dubey, widow of Amar Dubey, an aide and relative of the slain gangster Vikas Dubey. A bench of Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud while granting bail took note of the fact that Khushi Dubey was 16-17 years of age at the time of the commission of the offence. It said the trial court would be setting the terms for her release.

New Delhi: In a setback for Google, an appellate tribunal on Wednesday refused an interim stay on the competition regulator imposing a Rs 1,337-crore penalty on the US tech giant and asked it to deposit 10 per cent of the amount. The NCLAT admitted the search giant’s challenge to the CCI slapping a Rs 1,337.76-crore fine for abusing the dominant position of its Android smartphone operating system in the country.

REPRESENTATION OF WOMEN IN JUDICIARY IS STILL VERY LOW, SAYS RETIRING SC JUDGE

New Delhi: Supreme Court judge Justice Abdul Nazeer, who retired on Wednesday, in his farewell function, said that representation of women in the judiciary is still very low. During his farewell function, SC Bar Association President Vikas Singh recalled that Justice Abdul Nazeer was part of the Ayodhya land dispute. He said that Justice Abdul Nazeer, being the only Muslim judge on Constitution Bench decided the controversial Ayodhya land dispute and he agreed to pronounce a unanimous verdict, which demonstrated his commitment to secularism and his willingness to serve judicial institution.

‘SAAMANA’ EDITORIAL SLAMS SC DECISION ON DEMONETISATION

HC QUASHES GENDER BIASED WELFARE NORM

Bengaluru: A married daughter remains a daughter in the same manner that a married son remains a son, the Karnataka HC has ruled while quashing a Sainik Welfare Board guideline that barred married daughters from availing dependent cards.

HC REJECTS MONDAL‘S BAIL PLEA IN CATTLE SMUGGLING CASE

Reacting to Siddaramaiah’s statement comparing the Karnataka CM to a puppy, CM Bommai told reporters that it shows the personality of the Congress leader.

AAP announces major reshuffle in Guj unit

DOG IS FAITHFUL, WILL DO MY JOB FAITHFULLY: BOMMAI ON ‘PUPPY’ REMARK

Karnataka: Karnataka Chief Minister Basavraj Bommai on Wednesday hit out at the Leader of Opposition Siddaramaiah and said that the people of Karnataka will give a fitting reply to Siddaramaiah in the Assembly elections. The statement comes in the backdrop of Senior Congress leader Siddaramaiah stroking a controversy after he said CM Bommai and BJP leaders shiver like “puppy” in front of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Reacting to Siddaramaiah’s statement of com-

paring the CM to a puppy, Bommai told reporters here on Wednesday, “It will show the personality of the Congress leader. The dog is a faithful animal and it’s doing its job faithfully. I will save by faithfulness for the sake of people. I have not divided society as Siddaramaiah did. We have given happiness and not the misfortune given by them. This kind of job is not done by us”.On Siddaramaiah inviting him for an open debate, Bommai said there is no big forum than the Vdiahana Soudha.

Europeans needed wake-up call: EAM on emerging new world order

New Delhi: Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud on Wednesday said Justice S Abdul Nazeer, who is demitting office, always stood for right and ensured justice is done.The CJI, who was sitting along with justices Nazeer and P S Narasimha in the ceremonial bench, commended the outgoing judge for his dedication and said he never allowed stress to get to him.“Justice Nazeer doesn’t belong to the class which would be neutral between right and wrong but he would find the right and stood for it and ensured justice is done. Unfortunately, I could not appear before him,” Justice said.

Maharashtra: In a strong dissent to the Supreme Court’s decision on demonetisation, Shiv Sena in its mouthpiece ‘Saamana’ on Wednesday said that calling the government decision “valid” means to “support the economic massacre of the country”. The editorial termed the demonetisation “economic terrorism” and said, “To say that the decision of demonetisation is valid is like supporting the economic massacre of the country. One has to bow before the decision of the Supreme Court, saying, in the case of demonetisation, Modi is right.”

Kolkata: The Calcutta HC rejected a bail prayer of TMC leader Anubrata Mondal, who was arrested by the CBI in connection with an alleged cattle smuggling case.Mondal had prayed for bail, submitting that he has been in custody for over 145 days. The CBI opposed the prayer, claiming that he may derail the investigation into the cattle smuggling case by trying to influence witnesses being probed by it.

RELIEF TO RAWAT AS SC SETS

ASIDE CBI PROBE

New Delhi: The SC on Wednesday set aside an order of the Uttarakhand High Court which directed the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to investigate corruption allegations against former chief minister Trivendra Singh Rawat.

Gujarat (ANI): In a major reshuffle in the party’s Gujarat unit, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Wednesday appointed Gopal Italia as the national joint secretary. According to the official statement of the party, Gopal Italia who was the state president of Gujarat AAP has been made the national joint secretary. Italia will also be a co-in charge of AAP in Maharashtra. Isudan

Gadhvi, the CM face of the party in the latest state assembly elections, has been appointed as the state president of the party. Apart from the President, the Aam Aadmi Party has divided Gujarat organizationally into six zones with separate working presidents for each zone.

After winning five seats in Gujarat, the AAP got the status of a ‘national party’.

Vienna: External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar advised the European countries on the new world order, the Ukraine war, and the Chinese challenge and apprised that they need a wake-up call to understand the shaking up of international order, reported Die Presse.

He said, “ Europeans needed a wake-up call to understand that the difficult aspects of life are

JAISHANKAR MEETS NADELLA

New Delhi : External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar

not always taken care of by others, adding, no region will be stable if dominated by a single power.”

EXTENSION OF BHARAT JODO YATRA

domain,” Jaishankar tweeted.

Sukhu launches ‘Haath Se Haath Jodo Abhiyan’

Himachal Pradesh (ANI): Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Wednesday launched ‘Haath se Haath Jodo Abhiyan’ in Dharamshala’s Kangra district, calling the campaign an extension of Congress’ Bharat Jodo Yatra.

CM Sukhu asked the party workers to orchestrate strategies for Abhiyan’s advertising, involving print and electronic media in its

promotion, including creating Whatsapp groups at the village level.

The campaign will commence in the state on Republic Day, i.e. January 26 and is expected to reach upto the village and block level in two months.

“At least one meeting must be ensured in every village under ‘Haath Se Haath Jodo’ Abhiyan,” Sukhu said.

Co-in charge of Congress for Himachal

Pradesh,

ing to ANI, Digvijaya Singh told that the preparations have been made for the ‘Haath se Haath Jodo Abhiyan’ and a door-to-door cam-

paign will be held after January 30. “We will spread the message of Rahul Gandhi and his yatra among everyone,” said Singh.

Sukhu, on his first visit to Dharamshala on January 3, addressed the ‘Jan Aabhar Rally’, where he expressed gratitude to the people of Kangra district for their massive mandate in favour of the Congress Party in the recently held assembly elections.

Earlier, while speak-

Sanjay Dutt, presented a detailed outline of the events planned during the campaign.

Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu launching campaign in Dharmshala.

“The dog is a faithful animal and it’s doing its job faithfully. I will save by faithfulness for the sake of people. I have not divided society as

Siddaramaiah did. We have given people happiness and not the misfortune that was given by them. This kind of job is not done by us.”

met Microsoft Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Satya Nadella on Wednesday and discussed several issues including governance and security in the digital domain.“Great to meet Chairman and CEO of Microsoft Corporation @ satyanadella. Discussed delivery, governance and security in the digital

Rahul Gandhi during the party’s Bharat Jodo Yatra, at Mavikala, in Baghpat on Wednesday. —PHOTO BY ANI

who also heads the party’s SC department. The other members

of the committee are Shakeel Ahmad Khan and Saptagiri Sankar Ulaka, an official communication from the party said. “The Congress president has constituted a fact-finding committee to evaluate the results of the recently concluded assembly elections in Gujarat and suggest measures to be taken, with immediate effect,” it said.

BJP National President JP Nadda

Basavaraj Bommai

S Jaishankar meets Satya Nadella, in New Delhi on Wednesday.

SC GRANTS BAIL TO RELATIVE OF SLAIN GANGSTER DUBEY

CENTRE SENDS 18 ADDITIONAL CRPF TROOPS

New Delhi (ANI): The Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) will send additional 18 companies to Jammu and Kashmir in the wake of recent killings of civilians in two fresh terror attacks in Rajouri district, sources familiar with the development said.

The 18 CRPF companies - approximately 1,800 personnel - will be rushed to the Jammu region for deployment mainly in Poonch and Rajouri districts. As per inputs, eight CRPF companies will be deployed very soon from nearby locations of deployment in Jammu and Kashmir while 10 CRPF companies are being rushed from Delhi. The move followed a recent order issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs amidst intelligence input about the terror attack in the

Jammu region, said the source.

Six persons, including two children, were killed and many more injured in two separate terror attacks in Upper Dangri village in Jammu and Kashmir’s Rajouri district on Sunday

WHO concerned by China Covid surge, calls again for data

evening and Monday morning.

In the latest terror attack, two children were killed and several others injured after a suspected Improvised Explosive Device (IED) blast took place in Rajouri’s Upper Dangri

village on Monday morning.

ADGP Mukesh Singh cautioned people as another suspected IED was spotted in the area near Upper Dangri village, which is about eight kilometres from Rajouri town.

‘BJP BENIFITS WHEN PEOPLE ARE KILLED IN KASHMIR’

Srinagar : Days after six civilians were killed by terrorists in J&K’s Rajouri, People’s Democratic Party chief Mehbooba Mufti on Wednesday accused the BJP of running a “narrative against minorities” in the country. “The BJP is benefitted when innocent people are killed in Kashmir as they run a narrative against minorities in the country and demonise Kashmiris. There is no accountability to the question of why did this incident happen?” Mufti said while addressing a press conference here today.

TOTAL SHUTDOWN IN J&K’S POONCH AGAINST RAJOURI TERROR ATTACK

NIGHT CURFEW IMPOSED ON INT’L BORDER

Srinagar: A

border

Jammu (PTI): The bandh against the twin terror attacks in Rajouri that killed six people and injured 11 others entered its second day in the border town of Poonch on Wednesday while protests were held across the Jammu region. Security was beefed up in the border districts of Poonch and Rajouri in view of the bandh, of-

ficials said. Shops and business establishments remained closed in the district as hundreds of people, braving cold weather, came out to hold protests.

Raising anti-Pakistan slogans, the protestors burnt tyres and demanded enhancement of security in and around minority places in districts of the Jammu region.

the Samba district of J&K in view of the increasing movement of terrorists on the border, informed officials on Wednesday. As per an order from the District Commissioner of Samba Anuradha Gupta, the night curfew will be applicable from 9 pm to 6 am in areas up to 1 km from the International Border. “Appeal to people not to move unnecessarily,” said Deputy SP, Garu Ram Bhardwaj, SOG, J&K police.

Gwalior records lowest temperature at 4.5 degree

Madhya Pradesh (ANI): Cold conditions continue across Madhya Pradesh and the weather department issued an alert regarding cold waves in the state, a meteorologist said on Wednesday.

Geneva (Agencies):

China’s COVID-19 data is not giving an accurate picture of the situation there and underrepresents the number of hospitalisations and deaths from the disease, a senior official at the World Health Organization said on Wednesday.

The U.N. agency was preparing to meet Chinese scientists again on Thursday as part of a wider briefing among member states on the global COVID-19 situation as concerns grow about the rapid spread of the virus in the world’s No. 2 economy.

On Tuesday, China’s top scientists presented data to a WHO technical advisory group showing no new coronavirus variant had been found in the country of 1.4 billion people.

That might ease some concerns about the outbreak since Bei-

FOUR BF.7 CASES DETECTED IN WEST BENGAL

West Bengal: Four cases of Omicron subvariant BF.7 were detected in West Bengal, a health official said on Wednesday. Genome sequencing of the four people, who have recently returned from the US, confirmed that they were infected with the new variant of the coronavirus, he said.Of the four people, three are from Nadia district, while one person hails from Bihar.

jing abruptly reversed its “zero COVID” policy last month.

But comments by WHO officials on Wednesday were the clearest criticism yet of China’s recent handling of the pandemic.

It underscored worries about the accuracy and availability of Beijing’s data.

Gwalior has been the coldest in the state as it recorded the lowest temperature at 4.5 degree celsius. This time Guna became the second coldest region in the state where the dip in mercury was recorded at 5.7 degree celsius. Similarly, Bhopal recorded the minimum temperature at 7.4 degree celsius. Me-

teorologist S N Sahu told ANI, “There can be cold days in Bhopal, Sagar, Gwalior and Rewa division of the state. Gwalior

has been the coldest region in the state where temperature was recorded at 4.5 degrees.”

“If we talk about fog

Police arrests one in BJP-CPI (M) clashes near Deb’s residence

Agartala (PTI): Two persons have been injured following the BJP-CPI (M) supporters’ clashes near former Tripura Chief Minister Biplab Kumar Deb’s ancestral house in Gomti district, police said on Wednesday. The incident occurred on Tuesday night after a group of priests arrived at Deb’s residence at Rajdhanagar in Jamjuri area of Udaipur to perform a Yajna in the annual Shradh ceremony of Deb’s father, Hirudhan Deb.

Starting Wednesday, a four-day yagna was to

be held on the death anniversary of Deb’s father at their ancestral home Jamjuri for which BJP activists decorated the house and the nearby area.

Meanwhile, a group of CPI(M) supporters also put up party flags in the

MARKING SUCCESS

area for their programme.

“Some of CPI(M) flags were allegedly found torn and thrown away”, following which the clash broke out near the BJP Rajya Sabha MP’s residence.

“One vehicle owned by a guest of Deb was allegedly torched by the CPI(M) supporters during the clash and two BJP activists suffered injuries. Angered BJP activists then set four shops of CPI(M) workers in the village on fire,” said Udaipur SubDivisional Police Officer Nirupam Dutta.

then there will be fog in the northern parts of the state. The fog will also be seen in western areas of the state. The

CBI files chargesheet against power firm

New Delhi (PTI): The CBI has filed a charge sheet against CG Power & Industrial Solutions Ltd and its former promoter Gautam Thapar in an alleged bank fraud of ₹ 2,435 crore, officials said on Wednesday. The agency has alleged that the accused had availed loans from a consortium of 13 banks against the same securities without disclosing finances taken from other banks. The CBI has alleged that the accused also borrowed funds from the bank by misrepresentation.

SpaceX launches 114 satellites in 1st mission of 2023

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The Aerospace company has launched 114 satellites in the first mission of 2023 crossing the milestone of the 200th successful launch

New Delhi: After successfully launching one satellite every week in 2022, Elon Musk’s SpaceX is in no mood of taking any breaks. The Aerospace company has launched 114 satellites in the first mission of 2023 crossing the milestone of the 200th successful launch in its space exploration history.

The Transporter mission was the sixth dedicated smallsat rideshare mission for the

company, which lifted off from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. SpaceX

used its Falcon-9 rocket to launch the satellites into Low Earth Orbit and said that this was the fifteenth launch and

landing of this Falcon 9 stage booster.

“Falcon 9 carried 114 spacecraft to orbit that was set to deploy across 82 deployments, 78 of which have been confirmed. Teams are continuing to review data for the remaining payloads, though it may take customers some time to provide additional information on the status of their payloads,” SpaceX said in a statement. Among the 114 satellites, about

three dozen were Earthobserving satellites, which are the size of a loaf of bread. These satellites are built and operated by the San Francisco-based company Planet. While the company launched 114 satellites, it still lags behind its own record of lifting off 143 satellites to space in a single mission.

The first launch of the year comes on the back of 61 successful launches in 2022.

MAN DIES DUE TO COLD WAVE IN MADHYA PRADESH’S INDORE

Madhya Pradesh: A man died allegedly due to cold weather under Tukoganj police station limits in Madhya Pradesh’s Indore district on Wednesday, police said.The man was identified as Ramakant (40). The residents of the locality saw the body in the lanes on Wednesday morning and they informed the Tukoganj police about the incident. The police rushed to the spot and sent the body for post mortem. Assistant Sub Inspector Rakesh Singh Parihar said, “In the preliminary investigation, it seems that Ramakant died due to cold.”

weather conditions will remain the same for the next two days whose temperature will revolve around 7 degree

RAM TEERTH KSHETRA TRUST HOLDS MEETING

Uttar Pradesh: Shri Ram

Janmabhoomi Teerth

Kshetra Trust held its meeting in Ayodhya to discuss the progress of the construction of the Ram Temple. The meeting held at the Circuit House was presided over by Nipendra Mishra, chairman of the building construction committee. As per sources, on January 4, Ram Janmabhoomi Trust Board will have another meeting on the subject.

celsius,” he said, adding that after two days, the temperature will increase gradually by 1 and 2 degrees.

“The

WB: NIA RAIDS 17 LOCATIONS IN VIOLENCE CASE

New Delhi: The National Investigation Agency on Wednesday carried out searches at 17 locations in West Bengal in connection with the Ekbalpore-Mominpur clashes that occurred in the state on October 9 last year, sources said.The raids are being conducted at the house and office premises of the suspects, an official source privy to the development told ANI.

said.

New Delhi: A Gujarat bill facilitating registration of criminal cases against persons who stage protests in violation of Section 144 of the CrPC has received Presidential assent, officials said Wednesday. The Code of Criminal Procedure (Gujarat Amendment) Bill, 2021, was passed by the State Assembly in March last year. The bill seeks to make any violation of prohibitory orders issued under Section 144 CrPC a cognisable offence under IPC Section 188 (disobedience to an order duly promulgated by a public servant).

Uttarakhand: Former Chief Minister and senior Congress leader Harish Rawat sat on an hour-long silent fast at his residence in Dehradun in support of the people of Banbhulpura of Haldwani. Stating that the matter was in front of the Honourable SC, he said, “We are praying to god for justice. We are hoping that nothing happens to the homes of people.” He further said that through the silent fast, he urges the Chief Minister of the state to intervene.

CM is the guardian of the state. My silent fast for an hour is dedicated to the Chief Minister,” he

PREZ APPROVES GUJ BILL GIVING POWER TO TAKE ACTION AGAINST PROTESTERS

FORMER U’KHAND CM SITS ON SILENT FAST TO SUPPORT HALDWANI PROTESTERS

night curfew has been imposed along the International

in

—Image for representational purpose.

Kashmiri Pandits take part in a candle march in Jammu.

—Image for representational purpose.

Biplab Kumar Deb

—Image for representational purpose.

Proposal for new city in Kota sent to the Centre

Jaipur: The State Government has sent a proposal to the Central Government to build a new city in Kota, the home district of Urban Development Minister Shanti Dhariwal.

Eight new cities are to be developed across the country for which the Centre will give Rs 750 crore for each city.

Earlier, the land was identified in Shambhupura of Kota but plans for Kota UIT are already proposed there. Now, 150 hectares land has been identified in village Ranpur of Kota. The Centre has announced to give Rs 6,000 crore to the states under the incentive scheme in the field of urban development with which

eight new cities will be developed across the country. However, this amount will be used only for Viability Gap Funding (VGF) for the development of cities.

First India Bureau

Jaipur: The Rajasthan High Court has issued notices to the Chief Secretary, ACS- Home, ACSTransport, Principal Secretary – Forest and others in cases related to protection of cows and accidents caused by stray animals in State.

A division bench of CJ Pankaj Mithal and Justice Shubha Mehta issued the notices asking how Rs 1,100 crore, collected as cow cess, was used for cattle. The notices were issued on a PIL filed by Councilor Laxman Singh and others.

They said in the PIL that the state government imposed 10 percent cow cess on stamp duty for the protection of cattle through which the collection was Rs 13.16 crore in the year 2015-16, Rs 138.44 crore in 2016-17, Rs 257.98 crore in 2017-18, Rs 266.13 crore in 2018-19, Rs 292 crore in 2019-20, Rs 345.99 crore in 2020-21 and Rs 418.72 crore in 2021-22.

However, no work is being done for cow protection in the state and accidents are happening every day across the state with cows and other stray animals.

The state govt had first identified Jaipur, Pali, Kishangarh, Barmer and Kota. Out of these five, the first two cities Pali & Kota were chosen for setting up

Alwar (ANI): The IndoTibetan Border Police (ITBP) on Wednesday got the first two trainee hostels in any Central Armed Police force with fully central air-conditioning systems.

A total of 800 trainees can stay in these two hostels located in Berawas village of Ramgarh, 25 km from Alwar city in Rajasthan. Union Minister of State for Home Nityanand Rai on Wednesday inaugurated these two hostels and 83 family residences at ITBP’s Central Training College (CTC) in Alwar. As per the ITBP, these buildings are meant for the use of the trainees of and their families.

the city. 200 hectares of land was identified at Rohat in Pali. 412 hectares of land in Kota’s Shambhupura was identified for the development of new city.

Jaipur (FIB): Rajasthan minister PS Khachariyawas has said that the last date for distribution of food supplies under the National Food Security Scheme for the month of December has been extended to January 15, 2023.

Khachariyawas said those deprived of wheat in the month of December can now avail it from the fair prices shops until January 15.

Khachariyawas said the Food Corporation of India depots didn’t work to their optimum in the month of December, which caused the delay.

Med colleges face cadaver shortage, looking to acquire unclaimed bodies

Kota: Medical college authorities have sought the Rajasthan govt’s permission to claim bodies of the destitute and those abandoned in shelter homes amid a crippling shortage of cadavers for students.

Medical colleges in Kota and Jhalawar are grappling with severe shortage of cadavers, being forced to manage practical studies by grouping students together.

Govt Medical College in Kota is conducting practical classes for its 250 students with 8 to 10 cadavers. Government Medical College in Jhal-

awar, on the other hand, has only 6 cadavers for its 200 students. This practice, however, runs contrary to the National Medical Commission’s guidelines of one cadaver for 10 students. Cadavers are human bodies used by medical students, physicians and other scientists to study

anatomy, identify disease sites and determine causes of death.

Accepting the shortage of cadavers, Govt Medical College in Jhalawar Dean SB Sharma said he wrote to the state govt two months ago to request permission for claiming bodies from shelter homes.

First India Bureau

Jaipur: Cases worth more than Rs 129 crores have been settled under the amnesty scheme of mines departmental in Rajasthan. ACS Mines Dr. Subodh Agarwal said that the field officers have been instructed to contact the concerned defaulters directly and encourage them to deposit dues by taking ad-

DGP

Mishra

Jaipur: The Rajasthan Police has got great success in the campaign to reduce the pendency of cases. In this campaign, which run under the direction of DGP Umesh Mishra, Rajasthan Police has disposed of a large number of cases in 2022.

In the last days of 222, the police had launched a large-scale campaign to reduce the pendency of the cases across the state, which has got good success. In 2021, where 23.68 percent cases were pending in

PENDENCY METER

Kota Rural: 5.93% in 2021, 3.60% in 2022

GRP Jodhpur: 14.38% in 2021, 4.14% in 2022

Jhunjhunu: 12.23% in 2021, 4.74% in 2022

Banswara: 16.02% in 2021, 4.79% in 2022

Baran: 18.02% in 2021, 5.69% in 2022

Rajasthan Police, after the end of 2022, the number has reduced to 16.45%. The Police has reduced the pendency of cases by

about 8% in 1 year. DGP Umesh Mishra gave instructions to Range IGs and SPs in several meetings to minimise the pendency of the cases. It was only after the instructions of the DGP that the Crime Branch of the Police Headquarters had started a campaign regarding this across the state, which has been completely successful.

The performance of Kota Rural Police has been the best with only 3.60% cases pending. Bikaner, Dausa, Jaipur East, Jaisalmer, Jalore, Jodhpur East, Sirohi, Tonk and Udaipur are the districts where the number of pending cases has increased in 2022 as compared to 2021.

IIT-J, Rishabh Instruments ink MoU for clean energy

Jodhpur: The Indian Institute of Technology Jodhpur signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Rishabh Instruments Ltd. and Ivaan Foundation to set up the Rishabh Centre for Research and Innovation in Clean Energy. The MoU was signed be-

tween Dr Santanu Chaudhury, Director, IIT Jodhpur and Narendra Goliya, Chairman and Managing Director, Rishabh Instruments Ltd and Ivaan Foundation. For the establishment of the centre, Ivaan Foundation has committed to provided financial support of around 70 crores.

The centre’s main aim is to facilitate basic and applied research by utilizing the knowledge base of faculty and researchers at IIT Jodhpur. The centre will also look for opportunities to engage with other academic institutions, technology centres, startups and industries spread all over the country.

First India Bureau

Jaipur: BJP state president Satish Poonia, on Wednesday, met the family of Samod resident, who died in a road accident in Sikar’s Palsana. BJP spokesperson and local MLA Ramlal Sharma also accompanied him.

Expressing condolences, Poonia and Sharma consoled Kailash and Suvalal. People present told the leaders about the economic condition of the family after which Poonia and Sharma announced to give one month’s salary to the dependents of the deceased. He also said that the bank account will be opened in the name of the deceased’s dependents.

Poonia said that financial aid will be provided through BJP workers & Bhamashahs.

CORONA WARRIORS AND MARTYRS’ KIN FELICITATED

Event

Pradeep Garhwal

Jhunjhunu : A ceremony to felicitate corona warriors and renowned dignitaries of Jhunjhunu was organized by First India News at SS Modi Vidya Vihar Shikshan Sansthan, Jhunjhunu on Wednesday. Chief guest of the program was Jhunjhunu MP Narendra Khichar while special guests were District Collector Laxman Singh Kudi, SP Mridul Kachhawa and CMHO Jhunjhunu Rajkumar Dangi. The program was presided over by First India’s Senior Editor Jinendra Singh Shekhawat.

vantage of the scheme. He said that the amnesty scheme- 2022 has been implemented for cases of dues on contractors

of mining leases in minor minerals, quarry licenses, dead rent of temporary work permission issued for gravel, royalty, excess royalty etc. (cases) till March, 2021. In the scheme, along with the interest waiver, the maximum 90% and minimum 40% relief has been given in principal amount in different slabs.

Instructions have been given to the con-

cerned Mining Engineer and Assistant Mining Engineer to automatically waive off the entire interest amount in cases where only the interest amount is outstanding.

This scheme has been implemented for 6 months from Aug 29, 2021. Agarwal said that Rs 17.60 cr have been deposited in a maximum 179 cases in Jodhpur circle under the scheme.

The special guests inaugurated the program by lighting the lamp. Jinendra Singh Shekhawat started the program while anchor Megha Kaushik managed the stage. During this, outstanding talents who played their important role in the global pandemic Corona and other works in the district were honoured.

Sunita Devi, widow of Martyr Sena Medal awardee Shivram Gurjar who had killed Pulwama attack mastermind Kamran Ghazi and two other terrorists, was felici-

tated. Tarachand Bangadwa, whose two sons were martyred in the service of the

country, was also honored. The guests hailed the unique initiative of First India,

Abhishek Shrivastava

Shivendra Parmar

under which the channel is felicitating the people doing excellent work in the districts.

Special campaign was run by

Umesh

to reduce pendencies

Case pendency reduced to 16.45% in 2022: Raj Police

Earlier, the land was identified in Shambhupura, Kota. —FILE PHOTO

Mridul Kachawa, Laxman Singh Kuri, Narendra Kumar, Jagmal Lotasara, Jinendra Singh Shekhawat, Jawed Alam Siddiqui, Vishal Mathur, Mahendra Saini, and other dignitaries during the lighting of the lamp on Wednesday.

Guests and Jhunjhunu District First India team with Awardees of ‘Jhunjhunu Ke Ratna’ on Wednesday.

Mridul Kachawa, SP Jhunjhunu, Laxman Kuri, District Collector Jhunjhunu, Narendra Kumar, MP, Jhunjhunu, Jagmal Lotasara (Retired RPS), Rajkumar Dangi, CMHO Jhunjhunu, and Jinendra Singh Shekhawat, First India News ’s Senior Editor during ‘Jhunjhunu Ke Ratna’ awards on Wednesday.

First India Bureau

There is a guideline for one cadaver on 10 students. —FILE PHOTO

Sangeeta Sharma

Dr Santanu Chaudhury, Director, IIT Jodhpur & Narendra Goliya, MD, Rishabh Instruments Ltd during MoU signing on Wednesday.

ITBP gets 1st two trainee hostels in any CAPF with fully central AC

Sikar accident: Poonia meets victim’s family

HC issues notice to CS, ACS over stray animals

JHUNJHUNU RATNA SAMMAN CEREMONY OF FIRST INDIA NEWS

Sunita Devi, widow of Pulwama martyr being

Tarachand

PREZ MURMU: SCOUTS & GUIDES

WORK FOR SOCIETY’S WELFARE

Rajeev Gaur, Subhash Trivedi, Dimple Sharma & Deepti Gautam

Pali: President Droupadi Murmu on Wednesday said that Scouts and Guides do not work for their personal gain but for the benefit of the society. “There are many examples from all over the world including Martin Luther King Jr. who campaigned against racism, and Bill Gates, who revolutionized technology, who also worked as scouts in their lives.

This organization inculcates a sense of universal values and ethos in the youth, which helps them throughout their life,” the President said after inaugurating the 18th National Scouts and Guides Jamboree at Rohat in Pali district.

“During the COVID-19 pandemic, the

Bharat Scouts and Guides have shown exemplary courage in serving the society. Immediate remedial meas-

ures have to be taken for the adverse effects of climate change. Scouts & Guides can play an important role by adopting

CM inaugurates exhibition, motivates Udaan beneficiaries

First India Bureau

Pali: Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot inaugurated the development exhibition depicting the public welfare schemes of the State govt on Wednesday at the 18th National Jamboree at Rohat in Pali.

While visiting the exhibition, he also interacted with the beneficiaries of various schemes.

Gehlot encouraged women self-help groups at the stall of Rajasthan Rural Livelihood Development Council by taking information about sanitary napkins produced by their Cluster Level Federation (CLF).

The women of the

group told that the sanitary napkin making unit has been established by CLF in association with NGOs. The women thanked CM for distributing sanitary

renewable energy, reducing carbon footprint and making sustainable efforts,” she said. “Youth are future builders of

This organisation associated with discipline, service & dedication is associated with the Indian culture of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam. Sacrifice & service are special qualities of Scouting. With this feeling life can be made meaningful.

nation. Urge them to move ahead with full faith in themselves to face upcoming challenges,” the President said.

Mount Abu: President Droupadi Murmu woke up at 3.30 am on Wednesday after a night’s rest at Gyan Sarovar in Mount Abu. She then practiced meditation and also attended the regular spiritual Murli class of the Brahma Kumaris. While addressing the members present in the class, the President said that Baba has always supported her. “I did not know Hindi language, but with the blessings of Shiv Baba, I acquired

whatever

Shiv Baba gets it done’

the knowledge of Hindi language. Even today Baba always wakes me up by holding hand at Amrit Bela (around 4 am). I don’t do anything, whatever happens, Shiv Baba gets it done,” she said while sharing her spiritual insight.

After the Murli class, the President’s convoy reached the Pandav Bhavan,

where she visited Brahma Baba’s cave and paid floral tributes at Baba’s cottage and tomb.

President Murmu also visited the History Hall and Chardham, took lunch at Gyan Sarovar and after that left for Rohat in Pali district. Ministers Sukhram Vishnoi and Dr BD Kalla were present with the President’s convoy.

First India Bureau

First India Bureau

First India Bureau

napkins prepared by SHGs through the Udaan scheme. Scoutsguides & other participants took information about various schemes of State government.

Jaipur: PM Narendra Modi has written a letter to Sang Singh, brother of groom Surendra Singh, expressing grief over demise of 35 people in a gas cylinder blast during a wedding at Bhungra village of Jodhpur district. “I can understand how heartbreaking it must be to lose so many people of the family. Words can’t express the pain of this irreparable loss. I wish speedy recovery to injured and pray to God to provide you the strength to face the difficult situation. Om Shanti,” the letter read.

Jaipur: The Congress has now started appointments to posts of organisation that have been running vacant for nearly two and a half years and the first appointments have been conducted of Block Presidents.

Congress has ap-

pointed 100 block presidents. Efforts have been made to accommodate all factions in the appointments of block presidents. District Prezs and the remaining 300 Block Prezs are to be appointed this week. Notably, last week Congress in-charge Sukhjinder Randhawa

had claimed to make appointments within two days. Attention to opinion of MLAs has been given in appointment. There are 400 blocks in the Congress. Currently Block Presidents in 25% blocks have been appointed and Prezs in 75 per cent blocks still need to be appointed.

Pali: Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot held a public hearing at Pali Circuit House on Wednesday evening. He reached among the common people and listened to their problems and directed the officers for quick solutions.

In the public hearing, people from Pali and surrounding areas informed about their problems. Gehlot also took information from District Collector Namit Mehta about the issues.

Jaipur: The State government has now put a stop to the process of transfers going on for a long time in all the departments of the state. Orders in this regard have been issued by the Administrative Reforms Department. However,

the orders to stop transfers will be effective from January 15.

In urgent cases, transfers will be possible only after the approval of the CM. In the orders, it has been said that on March 23, 2022, the State government had lifted the ban on transfers of officers and employees and

Collector denies RAS from taking charge, Govt gives him ‘bigger chair’ than Collector!

Rajendra Chhabra

Jaipur: There is an age old adage in Hindi, ‘Kabhi Gaadi Naav Mein, Kabhi Naav Gaadi Mein,’ which holds true for two officers in Bharatpur. RAS officer Parshuram Dhanka was posted by State Government as ADM Bharatpur, however, Collector Alok Ranjan didn’t allow him to join, As a result,

the senior RAS had to be embarrassed in the bureaucracy, along with this, he had to sit at home while being APO for past two months. But don’t know what did the DoP think, it posted Dhanka in Revenue Appellate Authority in Bharatpur. In the administrative systems, Collector conducts hearing of appeal of RAA revenue cases in districts. Thus,

now Parshuram Dhanka will conduct hearing of appeals on Collector Alok Ranjan’s orders and give decisions as well, which means that Dhanka is effectively on a ‘higher chair’ than Ranjan!

It is worth noting that in districts, RAA conducts hearing on cases related to Land Revenue Act and Tenancy Act. RAA comes directly under Board of Revenue

and the Collector doesn’t have the control on them. Although this is an administra-

tive discrepancy that the decisions and orders given by an IAS can be appealed before a ‘junior’ RAS cadre officer.In several states of the nation, an appeal on Collector’s decision is heard by Divisional Commissioners & in Rajasthan, the IAS lobby has been demanding this for a long time. But due to objection by politicians, the situation has remained

as it is. Secondly, land revenue cases are dime a dozen in districts & thus, villagers can approach RAA with ease whereas, since there are seven Divisional Commissioners in State, it will become cumbersome for the aggrieved to approach divisional headquarters. The post of RAA is considered extremely important in the RAS cadre.

since then transfers of officers and employees were going on continuously in all the departments.

But now after about 10 months, the government has banned the transfers. The orders banning transfers will also apply to all corporations, boards and autonomous institutions.

During this, Marwar Junction MLA Khushveer Singh Jojawar, former MP Badriram Jakhar and other public representatives and senior officers were present on the occasion.

It is a pride...

This is the biggest asset of our future, which will always be there. With the efficient management learned here, we will be able to face future challenges easily.

National Jamboree will further strengthen youth’s resolve to serve the nation. State Govt has fully cooperated in organising Jamboree,” the CM said.

Gehlot said that there are more than 12 lakh Scouts & Guides in Raj.

“They have played an important role in Covid management by acting like a disciplined sol-

dier,” CM said as he welcomed Scout-Guides and officials from different states and also from different countries including Ghana, Malaysia, Saudi Arabia, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka etc. Governor & CM welcomed the President by presenting mementos at the ceremony. Jamboree souvenir, special cover and Jamboree magazine were also released by the President on the occasion. During this, a meeting was held on the theme of ‘Ek Bharat, Shrestha Bharat’. Cultural programmes were organised.

First India Bureau

‘I don’t do anything,

happens,

The organisation inculcates a sense of universal values & ethos in youth, Prez says

‘Role of Scouts & Guides crucial in adopting renewable energy, reducing carbon footprint’

Ashok

Kumawat & Kamlesh Prajapat

During her stay at Brahmakumari’s institution in Mount Abu, President Murmu meditated and also attended the regular spiritual Murli class

President Droupadi Murmu pays tributes by laying a wreath at the Shanti Stambh, the memorial of organisation’s founder Brahma Baba at Pandav Bhawan, the international HQs of the organisation in Mount Abu on Wednesday.

President Droupadi Murmu being presented an album showcasing photographs of her visit to Rajasthan by Governor Kalraj Mishra in Jaipur on Wednesday. (Inset) Folk artistes perform during the inauguration of 18th National Jamboree of the Bharat Scouts and Guides in Pali on Wednesday.

CM Ashok Gehlot inspects the development exhibition organised during the 18th National Scouts & Guides Jamboree in Rohat village of Pali. Also seen here is GS Dotasra and others.

The letter written by PM Modi to kin of cylinder blast victim.

—Kalraj Mishra, Governor

CM

POSTER

P1…

FROM

CM holds public hearing, assures quick solutions

Parshuram Dhanka

CM Ashok Gehlot addresses peoples’ concerns during public hearing at Circuit House in Pali.

Randhawa & Dotasra congratulate newly elected chiefs saying that they will work to strengthen the party

FUSION FASHION FUNDA!

Globalization has made it possible to recognise and incorporate other fashion cultures and moods. Indo-Western fashion, which combines Western and Indian fashion, is one example of this combination. City First brings to perfect attire to carry your every mood!

becoming more common in Indian culture and are now preferred for both formal and casual occasions as well as for business attire. There are several designers that specialise in creating Indo-Western fusion clothing. As a result, the market is filled with various items of this clothing.

Like many other things, Indian attire has also been influenced by Westernization. A sizeable portion of Indians now favours Western apparel over traditional outfits like sarees and dhotis, including jeans, trousers, skirts, T-shirts, suits, and shirts. However, a substantial segment of the populace likes

Indo-Western fusion clothing typically combines Indian motifs with Western-style patterns. Usually, ornate stoles are worn as an accessory to enhance the look of salwar kameez in Indo-Western fashion. Another kind of fusion that is prevalent nowadays is the employment of regionally specific Indian ethnic embroidered designs, like Punjab’s phulkari and Rajasthan’s mirror work, on clothing with Westernized patterns. There are other instances when more ornate embroidery techniques like Meenakari, Kundan, Resham, and Zardozi work are employed. In India right now, denim jackets and pants with embroidery and other decorations done in Indian style are all the rage. Both men and women like wearing the shorter form of the kurta, known as the “Kurti,” which is typically worn with a pair of denim slacks or trousers.

Bridal clothing has progressively caught on to the IndoWestern fusion fashion trend. Grecian-style draping of sarees is getting more popular, and the design of saree blouses is becoming more and more Westernized. Another example of Indo-Western fusion clothing that is becoming acceptable for a wedding dress is lehengas worn with halter tops.

Accessories also contain this blending of aspects from Indian and Western civilizations, particularly jewellery. Indian traditional jewellery typically receives a slight Westernization so that it may be used with fusion clothing. In addition, big, hanging earrings, beads, and elaborate bracelets are popular with fusion clothing.

UTTKARSHA SHEKHAR uttkarsha.shekhar@firstindia.co.in

GHAR GHAR AUSHADHI YOJANA FOR GOOD HEALTH!

About Author:

When we published a pioneering paper about the pragmatic action plan for the treatment of COVID-19 through Ayurveda, the world was already at the clench of the pandemic.

People laughed at us when it appeared online ahead of print on 23 April 2020. Our team of three included two of the greatest Vaidyas of India—Prof. Dr Sanjeev Rastogi of Lucknow and Padmshri Prof. Dr Ram Harsh Singh of Banaras Hindu University. After having saved tens of thousands of lives, today, it is the world’s most cited paper on COVID-19 and Ayurveda. It has been referred by almost all the leading clinical trials related to Indian systems of medicine. Indeed, it has also been cited by the practitioners of modern medicine, including Dr Naresh Trehan, in their research. Our paper also became a leading source of evidence for the Ghar Ghar Aushadhi Yojana (GGAY) of the Government of Rajasthan. Here, in this reappraisal of evidence that accumulated since, I deal with the question if GGAY herbs—Tulsi, Kalmegh, Ashwagandha and Guguchi—can confer good health in general, and help us overcome COVID-19 in particular.

Does a question arise that how can these plants be used by the families?

With the help of the Department of Ayurveda, information has already been made available.

Vaidyas can provide information, but we must be careful not to get into the clutches of the medicalization of Ayurveda. It is the science of life practised in every household. In many viral and other diseases people not only rely on their traditional knowledge and plants available at home. Grandmother's remedies based on local traditional knowledge have been saving lives

for generations.

GGAY should not be misunderstood as a plant distribution programme. It also provides ideas related to healthcare and personal protection. It also takes us close to nature. It also helps us prevent multimorbidity by empowering people to take charge of their long-term preventive healthcare.

Ayurveda can keep us healthy through herbs, Rasayanas and many non-pharmaceutical interventions such as physical activity and healthy lifestyles.

A fear has been raised that promoting Ayurveda may increase self-medication and thus hamper public health efforts. These are valid assumptions, but discriminatory against Ayurveda. The knowledge here is not limited to medicine. It is a way of life for all in society. Medicalization and condemnation that selfmedication is entirely a problem of traditional medicine constitute an epistemic injustice.

Blaming Ayurveda alone and ignoring the widespread self-medication in conventional medicine is flawed and inconsistent with the global misuse of drugs. Educating the population at large to take charge of their preventive health is the way forward.

Let us explore the clinical evidence base of both Ayurveda and modern medicine. By now, 4,23,600 research papers have been published on COVID-19. There are 12,267 papers on GGAY herbs, and 2,314 of these are particular about the treatment of COVID-19.

Furthermore, there are 5,189 papers that employ Ayurvedic medicinal

plants against COVID-19, but often conveniently forget to cite Ayurveda. To give you a little more descriptive statistics, clinical trials published to date have 4,598 papers, including 114 trials in Ayurveda. Beyond COVID-19, there are about one million research papers on the medicinal plants of Ayur-

unequivocal evidence to save lives. There is neither any evidence for the efficacy of medicines tested through SOLIDARITY Trials, nor they are necessarily safe.

veda against enumerable diseases. The basket of facts presented here may or may not give you confidence. For, confidence comes through faith and faith is a personal preference that doesn’t care about evidence; it simply cares about personal predilection.

Guidelines promoted by the conventional medical establishment have limited support in published science—including more than 4000 clinical trials and 217 meta-analyses of clinical trials—yet. To our knowledge, no metaanalysis of clinical trials provides any conclusive evidence whatsoever that one can quote unequivocally. Indeed, the evidence for the contrary is now large. For example, the world’s largest and most talked about SOLIDARITY Trial, coordinated by the World Health Organization has failed to provide

On the other, there is evidence to note that Ayurveda classics, contemporary scientific studies, and experiential knowledge have all found Tulsi, Kalmegh, Ashwagandha and Guduchi as life-saving selections against numerous diseases and comorbidities. They also enhance overall immunity and confer good health and wellbeing. Ayurveda restores the equilibrium of bodily functions, not just the removal of disease. If Indians fail to extensively employ the world’s longestsurviving healthcare system to treat COVID-19, it will be a great loss to humanity. There are now more than 100 clinical trials that provide reasonable guidance and evidence that Ayurvedic plants such as Tulsi, Kalmegh, Ashwagandha and Guduchi are indeed helpful in the treatment of COVID-19.

On prophylactic or preventive aspects, scientific evidence based on long-term research indicates that Ayurveda Rasayanas such as Chyavanprash, Ashwagandha and Guduchi are helpful. Kalmegh is a powerful antiviral herb. A protocol along with supporting evidence has also been presented on prevention and treatment by the Ministry of AYUSH, Government of India.

The pandemic has played havoc with more than 65.9 crore confirmed cases and 66.9 lac

deaths worldwide as of 29 December 2022. There have been 4.47 crore cases and 5.30 lac deaths during the same period in India. Despite large research and 4,23,600 research publications, there is still no known, clinically proven and completely evidencebased medicine against COVID-19. The widespread failure of socalled mainstream conventional medicine is evident globally now.

First, known cases of COVID-19-positive patients treated entirely with Ayurveda should have actually encouraged healthcare policymakers to quickly use Ayurveda. Since then, a large number of publications as noted earlier have confirmed the usefulness of Ayurveda medicines, containing mainly Tulsi, Kalmegh, Ashwagandha and Guduchi, among others.

Overall, prompt clinical improvement in all clinical features has been found in both standalone Ayurveda groups and add-on groups that also received modern medicines. The duration of hospital stay in Ayurveda groups gets substantially reduced.

Even the widely promoted non-pharmaceutical interventions against COVID-19 including quarantine, cordon sanitaire and social distancing and healthy lifestyles have their origin in Ayurveda. These are erroneously thought to date back to 14th-century Europe. In reality, these originated in India back in the 5th century BC. In a city now known as Varanasi, a legendary teacher and king of Kashi, Lord Dhanvantari explained to a class of his students how infectious diseases spread, and what needs to be done to contain the social spread of infections. The renowned scholar of Ayurveda and surgery, Sushruta, was one of the students in the class. He

compiled one of the most ancient scientific treatises of surgery known to humanity. This treatise now known as Sushruta Samhita made Sushruta the father of Surgery. About the infectious diseases, Sushruta notes: Contact with the body of the infected person, breathing in the air containing the exhaled air of the patient, eating, sleeping and sitting together, using cloths, garlands and cosmetics used by an infected person - all these actions transmit diseases such as skin infections, fever due to infections, pulmonary tuberculosis, ophthalmia or conjunctivitis, and other contagious diseases from one person to the other. Consequently, complete avoidance of these actions is necessary to prevent the transmission of infectious diseases in the community.

So, what’s the way forward? Scientific advancements occur only when the knowledge produced by a scientific enterprise is robust, irrefutable and unequivocal. This applies equally to both Ayurveda and conventional medicine. This is important to understand that every healthcare system existing and practised in the world has a primary motive of providing optimal healthcare to their followers. A health care system has an uninterrupted history of its practice and knowledge transference for, over five millennia, itself speaks about the potential utility it may possess. Perpetual animosities between vaidyas and allopaths should end for the common good of humanity. The solutions against COVID-19 are complex, multifaceted and recalcitrant. We, therefore, require evidence-based decision-making on multiple fronts. A way forward is to acknowledge that scientific research has strengthened the evidence base, yet if Ayurveda was non-scientific, it wouldn't have survived 5000 years. Denial of the generations of practice-based evidence, as well as evidence from contemporary studies, is indeed a form of pseudoscience. We must draw on all systems of knowledge rather than be enslaved by western medicine that

currently lacks both evidence and directions.

DR DEEP NARAYAN PANDEY  Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Head of Forest Force), Rajasthan

Dr Deep Narayan Pandey is in the Indian Forest Service; was awarded the highest national honour in forestry—the IPVM Award for the year 1994 and; the Dhanvantari Award of the Department of Ayurveda, Government of Rajasthan for his exceptional contributions to Ayurveda. He has more than 38 years of experience working with national and international organizations. The views expressed here are personal and driven by the principle of the Global Common Good. They do not in any way represent the views of the institution or service to which the author belongs.

Sidharth-Kiara’s Jaisalmer wedding Tamannaah again on top!

Sidharth Malhotra and Kiara Advani jetted off to Dubai a few days ago to celebrate New Year with Karan Johar, Manish Malhotra and Rani Mukerji. Pictures from their New Year celebration went absolutely viral on social media. Now, Kiara and Sidharth have returned, and they were spotted at the Mumbai airport in the wee hours on January 3. While neither Kiara nor Sidharth have openly confirmed their relationship, the two have been rumoured to be dating for quite a while now.

Reports of their upcoming wedding in February have also taken social media by storm! Now, we came across some more exciting updates about Sidharth and Kiara’s highly-anticipated wedding.

Scroll down to find out.

Sidharth Malhotra and Kiara Advani’s wedding will be a grand Punjabi wedding, complete with band-baja and elaborate ceremonies. A source informed the publication that the wedding ceremonies will take place over two days, while a grand reception will be hosted by the couple in Mumbai for their industry friends after the wedding festivities in Jaisalmer.

Most Bollywood celebrities live luxurious, lavish lives, and own multiple properties for investment as well as for self-use. In 2022, a lot of celebrities such as Vivek Agnihotri, Janhvi Kapoor, Ranveer Singh, and others bought expensive properties in Mumbai. Sonam Kapoor, who bought a property in Bandra Kurla Complex in Mumbai in June 2015, sold it last week. As per documents obtained by SquareFeatIndia, Sonam had bought the flat in June 2015 for a whopping Rs 31.48 crore, and the actress sold it on December 29 for Rs 32.5 crore. The flat was located on the 3rd floor of a building called Signature Island, and it has a built-up area of 5,533 square feet. The buyer of the property has reportedly paid Rs 1.95 crore as stamp duty for this deal. Apart from the flat, the new owner will also have access to 4 car parks in the building.

SHANAYA GOES COSY IN TEDDY-LINED JACKET

Keeping yourself warm kind of a season and Shanaya Kapoor just bundled up like chocolate. Her outfits are accented in shades of brown and this is a dream colour. The

Tamannaah has turned enough heads with her style statement.

One of her looks that grabbed a lot of attention was the sequin co-ord set that she wore at Karan Johar’s 50th birthday party. Known for experimenting with her fashion choices.Tamannaah Bhatia is flaunting her toned legs in neon pink sequin attire that gives a perfect blend of boldness with chicness.Tam opted for this sheer tulle covered in light-catching sequins that gave a liquid-like shine which makes it perfect for a party number. The outfit, in total costs worth Rs. 2,27,830 from David Koma’s shelves.

oured Bottega Veneta mini Jodie.

She textured and knotted handbag has been a staple in her looks earlier on a movie screening night to a birthday bash. Not exaggerating, we’re pretty fond of its size. For her outing at the Palais Garnier, she kept her hairdo

Kriti is a slayer in a Shahin Mannan combo

The Bollywood actress arrived back in Mumbai dressed in a denim coordinated set. Sported by this stylish star post her New Year beach vacation, the Bhediya actress opted for a Shahin Mannan thin-washed denim ensemble. What is as satisfying as an outfit that brings with it a message, glitter, hearts, and rainbows to embrace? Believe in a casual look as easy to pull off as this. The 32-year-old’s jacket featured colourful sequin and thread embroidery, flap pockets, snap buttons, three-quar-

Nora, who recently made India proud at the FIFA World Cup 2022, is currently in Dubai. She welcomed the New Year with her friends while enjoying fireworks at Burj Khalifa. Nora and Aryan’s dating rumours started doing the rounds after their pictures with a fan were shared on social media.

In the pictures, the duo was seen posing with a fan individually. The pictures raised eyebrows after everyone noticed that the pictures were taken at the same venue. A user took to Reddit and shared a collage featuring them.

Along with the picture, the user wrote, “Saw a post earlier saying that Nora seems to all of a sudden be super close with KJO and his friends...she was also recently spotted hanging out with Aryan at dinner and was also at the New Year’s party.

Sonam Kapoor

Sidharth Malhotra and Kiara Advani

Tamannaah Bhatia

Shanaya Kapoor

Spotted

Spotted!

CELEBRATIONS

MEET & GREET!

MUCH-AWAITED FILM FESTIVAL!

CITY FIRST

Jaipur International Film Festival ‘JIFF’ will kick off on January 6 in Maharana Pratap Auditorium, Jaipur. The magnificent opening ceremony will have Grammy Award Winner Ricky Kej, Hollywood star Pamela Jaye Smith and Sumathy Ram as stars of the evening. On the special occasion, Jia Nath, and Sanatan

INSPIRATION TO SOCIETY

CITY FIRST

The 5th edition of

BITS-Pilani

Alumni Global Meet 2023 (BGM 2023) is being jointly organised by Birla International and BITSAA Jaipur Chapter to be held from 6 to 8 January 2023 at Birla Auditorium in Jaipur.

Chairman, BGM 2023, Kailash Gupta informed the Chief Guest on the inaugural will be the Governor of West Bengal, Dr C V Ananda Bose and the guest of honour will be Anil Agarwal (IPS – Additional Secretary, DPIIT Govt. of India); Kumar Mangalam Birla, Chancellor BITS

Pilani will be addressing the alumni during the meet. BGM, one of its kind meeting will feature speakers who have built successful empires and have emerged as an inspiration to society as well as the coming generation – Dr Gulab Kothari chief editor Patrika; Anil Agarwal

(IPS 88 UP Cadre), Dr G. Ravindra Kumar are some who will share their wisdom and experience.

‘Envisioning India @ 2047’ is a session in which different leaders will envision a roadmap for India’s transformation in the next 25 years. A flagship session ‘Pilani Sharks’ - in which on-spot funding will be offered to the top 10 BITS Alumni startups.

‘Jay Vigyan, Jay Anusandhan’ – a session to discuss the frontiers of knowledge and shaping the future will be discussed keeping in mind disruptive technologies, Scientific Breakthroughs and Innovations for Net Zero.

Chakravarthy will perform a dance show, as a tribute to the legendary singer Amir Khusrow. Our beloved pink city will witness such a fan-

tastic evening for the first time, where such prominent world-famous artists will perform for the art enthusiasts.

In the same episode renowned Indian actress, director, and screenplay writer Aparna Sen will be honoured with the Life Time Achievement Award of Jaipur International Film Festival ‘JIFF’ 2023. Aparna Sen is known worldwide for her body of remarkable works in Bengali cine-

DURING THE DAY!

ma and has received numerous accolades of international repute. Sen has won 9 National Film Awards, 5 Film Fare Awards, and 13 Bengal Film Journalist’s Association Awards. For her matchless contribution to the area of art, Sen has been honoured with the Highest Civilian Award – Padma Shri Award. Kamlesh Pandey and Hanu Roj will honour Aparna Sen by giving the award.

CELEBRATING SUCCESS!

Jagdeesh Chandra was greeted by Kapil Chopra, Joint secretary, the Xaviers College Alumni Core team, at his residence on Wednesday, January 4, as the former was invited to be part of St Xaviers Alumni Coffee Conversation, which will be held under the guidance of Fr. A Rex Angelo, Director XCA at St Xavier’s College, Nevta. Aparna Joshi, President and Amir Khan, Vice President were also present on the occasion.

During the Jaipur Paush Bada Mahotsav Pipleshwar Hanuman Temple, Purohit ji ka Katla and Gulab Singh Maharaj Bhomiya Purohit Ji Katla were decorated with flowers and celebrated the mahotsav with enthusiasm recently. Devotees across the city gathered to be part of the pious festival.

Jaipur filmmaker Tanmay Singh’s short film, ‘Marilyn Lights’ is streaming now on Disney+ Hotstar. The film marks the return of former Miss India Sayali Bhagat in the acting arena, the film also organised a grand festival run before its OTT release. The Film has earlier been showcased internationally in Toronto, Chicago, New York, Virginia, Spain and the Netherlands amongst others and also garnered 20 plus awards including those of ‘Best Film’ and ‘Best Director’. Tanmay’s next venture is a feature-length documentary film called ‘Abhinetri’ which explores the history of Indian cinema via the contribution of female actors. ‘Abhinetri’ features actresses like Nandita Das, Rasika Duggal, Swara Bhasker, Rohini Hattangady, Tulip Joshi, Manjari Fadnis, Renunka Shahane and Madhoo amongst plenty of others. The film festival circuit is eagerly awaiting its premiere in the year 2023.

Jagdeesh Chandra was greeted by BJP leaders Madhu Sharma and Sunita Vaishnav during the courtesy meeting at the former’s residence on Wednesday.

The grand finale of Ravi Surya and Ananta Resort presents SKJ Jewellers Miss & Mrs India Glam, Season 4 took place at Ananta Spa & Resort, Delhi Road, Jaipur on Wednesday, December 28. To celebrate the glorious victory, the crowned beauties gathered together for a victorious pose on Wednesday. Neha Shekhawat (Miss India Glam 2023), Deepika Singh, Harshita Tanwar, Heena and Flyera were present on the occasion.

For the first time in Rajasthan, International judges including Japan’s Tomonori Aizawa and Philippines’ Simon Sim will judge different breeds of dogs gathered from all over the country in the ‘Jaipur Dog Show 2023’ to be organised by the Canal Club of Rajasthan on January 8 in Jaipur. Viren Sharma, Secretary, of the Rajasthan Chapter of Canal Club of India said that Rajasthan has obtained this qualification of KCI in which international judges can come for dog shows. Earlier, international judges have participated only in dog shows held in Delhi, Mumbai or Bangalore. This will be the first time in Rajasthan. During this, an on-the-spot registration camp will also be organised by the Municipal Corporation and the Canal Club of India, in which dog owners will be able to get the necessary registration done for their dogs.

THE DOG SHOW!

Jagdeesh Chandra with (L-R) Aparna Joshi, Kapil Chopra and Amir Khan

Rajendra Boda, Hanu Roj and Amitabh Jain during the Press Conference

Aparna Sen

Neha Shekhawat, Deepika Singh, Harshita Tanwar, Heena and Flyera

-File Photo

Shivani Chauhan

Jagdeesh Chandra with (L-R)

Madhu Sharma and Sunita Vaishnav

The New Year celebrations for the First India employees was held in both Newspaper and the Channel office in Jaipur on Tuesday. The occasion was all the more special as Dr Jagdeesh Chandra graced the celebrations and greeted all of them amid cake cutting and cheers. During the occasion, a jointbirthday celebration for the First India employees whose birthdays fell in the month between September to December also took place in the Newspaper office during which Dr Chandra also gave birthday gifts to members.

—PHOTOS BY SANTOSH SHARMA AND SUNIL SHARMA

Jagdeesh Chandra cuts the cake. Also seen are Moni Sharma, Sharat Verma, Mahesh Sharma, Vinod Sharma, Santosh Sharma, Dinesh Mathur, Gajraj Singh Bhati, Poorvashree & Uttkarsha Shekhar

Jagdeesh Chandra greeted by Moni Sharma. Also seen are Mahesh Sharma, Sharat Verma, Vinod Kumar Sharma, Dinesh Mathur and others at First India Newspaper office

Jagdeesh Chandra with Vijendra Singh Solanki, Jinendra Singh Shekhawat, Mahesh Sharma, Shishir Awasthi, Shaan, Fahad, Deepika Singhal and others at First India News Channel office

Jagdeesh Chandra cuts the celebratory cake with Jinendra Singh Shekhawat, Deepika Singhal and Shikha Sharma. Also seen are Mahesh Sharma, Shishir Awasthi, Vijendra Singh Solanki and others