First India-Delhi Edition-5th January 2023

CAR BOMBS KILL 35, BURN HOUSES IN SOMALIA

PRESIDENT DROUPADI MURMU INAUGURATES 18TH NATIONAL SCOUTS AND GUIDES JAMBOREE

NATIONAL JAMBOREE, A ‘MINI YOUNG INDIA ’: PREZ

New Delhi: The family of Anjali Singh, who was hit and dragged by a car, on Wednesday rejected the statements of her ‘friend’ that she was drunk at the time of the incident, and said they had never seen or heard of Nidhi, while police quizzed seven people present at a New Year party attended by the two women before the accident. P3

PANT AIR-LIFTED TO MUMBAI HOSPITAL FROM DEHRADUN

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

BCCI said Pant will undergo surgery and subsequent procedures for ligament tears.

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.

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.

Delhi Police personnel from PCR unit to be questioned in Kanjhawala incident

New Delhi (PTI): Delhi Police personnel, including those from the PCR unit, will be questioned as part of the inquiry to ascertain if there was any laxity on their part in handling the New Year incident where a 20-year-old woman was hit and dragged by a car.

Special Commission-

er of Police Shalini Singh, who is heading the inquiry, on Wednes-

day visited the Sultanpuri police station to examine the case files related to the Kanjhawala accident.

“The inquiry is still on and a detailed report will be submitted soon,” an officer said. Union Home Minister Amit Shah has sought a report of the incident from the Delhi Police.

CM GEHLOT

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

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

l

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.

YOGI WELCOMES TOP COURT’S DECISION

UP

l The Supreme Court has rejected to hear a

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.

l 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.

l 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.

`19,744 crore nod for National Green Hydrogen Mission

First India Bureau

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.

PARIS-BOUND AIR INDIA MAKES EMERGENCY LANDING IN DELHI AFTER

An Air India flight

INDIGO AIRCRAFT SUFFERS TAIL STRIKE WHILE LANDING AT THE KOLKATA AIRPORT

PM to chair national meet of chief secys

New Delhi (FIB): Prime Minister Narendra Modi will chair the second national conference of chief secretaries here on January 6-7 to discuss six themes covering MSMEs, infrastructure and investments, minimising compliances, women empowerment, health and nutrition, and skill development. In a statement, the PMO said on Wednesday that the three-day conference will host three special sessions on Developed India: Reaching the

PM TO ADDRESS WATER CONFERENCE

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be sharing his remarks at the all-India water ministers’ meet on the theme ‘Water Vision@2047’ on Thursday. The Union Jal Shakti Ministry is organising the conference in Bhopal on January 5-6.

Last Mile, GST & Global Geopolitical Challenges and India’s Response. It will also witness deliberations on Vocal for Local, International Year of Millets, Role of States, and Emerging Technologies.

Nirbhaya’s mother Asha Devi meets family members of the victim on Wednesday.

SPIRIT OF NARI

SHAKTI: PM ON WOMAN OFFICER AT SIACHEN

Mogadishu: Two car bombs detonated by al Shabaab militants in central Somalia on Wednesday killed at least 35 people, including eight members of a single family, and wounded 40 more, a senior police officer said. The attack, claimed by Al Shabab, took place in the Hiran region of central Somalia.

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday lauded the deployment of Captain Shiva Chauhan, the first woman army officer at Siachen, saying this highlights the spirit of India’s “Nari Shakti” (woman power).

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

production of green hydrogen through various sources would lead to a reduction in carbon emissions of 50 million metric tons, and our import bill of `1 lakh crore would be significantly reduced as well.

—Anurag

Singh Thakur, I&B Minister

l UP 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

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

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.

plea by Samajwadi

TECHNICAL SNAG

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

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.

l

National Jamboree

begins in Rajasthan after 67 years

l ‘Mahakumbh’ of 37k Scouts, Guides

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

Rajasthan CM Ashok Gehlot has said that it is a matter of pride to host the National Jamboree in the presence of the President. “Being a Scout-Guide is a matter of

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

ANJALI’S

DGCA seeks report in the matter.

Delhi govt not inclined to pay for arbitral award to DAMEPL

First India Bureau

New Delhi: The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) on Wednesday informed the Delhi High Court that the state government is not willing to provide it over Rs 3,500 crore towards equity for payment of the arbitral award which was passed in favour of Reliance Infrastructureowned Delhi Metro Express Private Limited.

The DMRC submitted the Delhi government has said that shareholders cannot be held liable for payments arising out of disputes or contractual defaults, and that the Corporation may raise money from the open market or externally aided funds or as loan from the central government to meet this liability. Attorney General R Venkataramani, representing the DMRC and the Centre, informed Justice Yashwant Varma that the matter is under active deliberation by the central govern-

ment and hoped the issue will be resolved by January 16, when the meeting of the board of directors of the Corporation is likely to be held.

Taking note of the statement made by the law officer, the high court listed the matter for further hearing on January 19. The submissions were made by the DMRC in a pending application of the Delhi Airport Metro Express Private Limited (DAMEPL) which said DMRC paid it only Rs 166.44

crore on March 14, 2022 and sought a direction for payment of the remaining Rs 4427.41 crore.

The AG apprised the high court that the Delhi government has, in a December 21, 2022 letter, informed the DMRC that “it is not inclined to provide such money of Rs 3565.64 crore towards equity, the purpose of

NEW SUBWAY TO MAGENTA LINE

New Delhi: A subway was opened at the Indira Gandhi International Airport Terminal 1 on Wednesday to provide connectivity between DMRC’s Magenta Line metro station and the airport arrival area, officials said. Each entry and exit of the subway has two escalators and two lifts each, along with a staircase. The lifts which have been installed in the subway for passenger movement are more spacious than the general lifts installed in the Metro system and have a capacity of carrying about 26 people.

matter and, if the Delhi government continues to not participate in equity contribution, the Centre will take it to the logical conclusion.

Police ASI rams car into PCR van, 5 other vehicles

New Delhi (PTI): An Assistant Sub-Inspector of Delhi Police allegedly rammed his car into six vehicles, including a PCR van, with his car in southwest Delhi's Dwarka Mor area late on Tuesday night, officials said.

Six vehicles, including a PCR van, were damaged when the ASI rammed them at a red light in Dwarka Mor, the police said. The accident occurred around 12.30 am on Wednesday.

Three medico-legal cases have been received from hospitals related to the accident but none of the injuries are serious, they added.

COP SETS HIMSELF ABLAZE, SAVED

BY PCR PERSONNEL

New Delhi (PTI): Retired High Court judge Rajeev Shrivastva has been appointed as new chairman of the Delhi Electricity Regulatory Commission (DERC).

CM Arvind Kejriwal, in a tweet, extended his best wishes to Justice (retired) Shrivastava for a successful tenure as the DERC chairman.

Gatherings outside UNHCR office: HC seeks police stand

New Delhi (PTI): The Delhi High Court on Wednesday sought a status report from the city police on a plea by Vasant Vihar Welfare Association against the repeated gathering of foreign nationals outside the offices of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) located in South Delhi’s Vasant Vihar.

The association claimed the large gatherings cause constant nuisance to the residents of the area who are unable to commute

because the entire road in B Block, where the UNHCR offices are situated, is blocked.

Justice Prathiba M Singh issued notice to the Delhi police on the

which is solely to pay the arbitral amount with interest.”

“This is very unusual what is happening and these are unusual circumstances. We thought that GNCTD (Delhi government) will cooperate with us,” he said.

He said the central government was seriously considering the

“The DMRC would place the letter received from GNCTD dated December 21, 2022 before the meeting of its Board of Directors, which is likely to be held on January 16, 2023 and would seek further direction/ decision from its Board of Directors," the DMRC said in an affidavit filed in the high court.

The offending car is a private vehicle of an ASI of Delhi Police posted in the Outer District, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Dwarka) Harsha Vardhan said.

He was injured in the accident. A case has been registered against him and further legal action is being taken. His blood samples are being kept for alcohol content analysis, Vardhan added.

The ASI was returning from duty when the accident occurred. He first hit a car belonging to an ASI of Sultanpuri police station. The Sultanpuri police station ASI’s car then hit another car, leading to a pileup, the police said.

The accused ASI denied that he was drunk at the time but said he got distracted after he received a call, they added.

Non-essential construction ban lifted

New Delhi (PTI): With air pollution in DelhiNCR ameliorating, the Centre's air quality panel on Wednesday directed authorities to lift the curbs imposed in DelhiNCR under stage III of the Graded Response Action Plan, including a ban on non-essential construction and demolition work.

association’s plea and said it shall be ensured that the “clear” status of the road, as recorded in an order passed on an earlier petition, is maintained.

Delhi's 24-hr average AQI stood at 343 at 4 pm, improving from 385 on Tuesday. An AQI between 301 and 400 is considered 'very poor', and 401 and 500 'severe'.

New Delhi (PTI): A Delhi Police head constable set himself on fire at Rafi Marg here on Wednesday, officials said. The constable, identified as Kuldeep, was saved by the PCR personnel deployed at the spot, they said. According to police, Kuldeep has previously also attempted to set himself ablaze but the reason behind it is unknown. The head constable, who was posted at the secretariat security, is currently under suspension, a senior police officer said. He did not suffer any major injuries but received burns on his neck and chest, he said.

Head constable posted at Israeli Embassy shot himself: Delhi Police

New Delhi (ANI): The Delhi Police on Wednesday said the head constable in the Israeli Embassy residential complex allegedly shot himself and died by suicide in the national capital.

The deceased Head Constable was in the security unit of Delhi Police and was posted as a security officer in the Israeli Embassy residential complex in Vasant Vihar area of South Delhi. The police said that they have not recovered any suicide note and they had started investi-

No ‘dereliction of duty’, says transferred DUSIB CEO

New Delhi (PTI): Former CEO of Delhi Urban Shelter Improvement Board (DUSIB) K Mahesh on Wednesday refuted the reasons cited by LG VK Saxena for his transfer.

Mahesh was moved to Union Territory Civil Services as special director last week, after the LG on December 23 paid a surprise visit to shelter homes at ISBT Kashmere Gate and found lack of accommodation and toilet facilities.

Refuting the LG’s statement that 5,000 homeless people were

inhabited in Yamuna Pushta area against the total capacity of 600 at the night shelters at the sites, Mahesh claimed that the shelter homes in

gating the matter as soon as they received the complaint in the morning. Based on the preliminary probe, it seems that the head constable died by suicide because of personal and domestic reasons, though the actual reason will be known after the investigation completes, police officials said.

At India Gate, guards clash with vendors

New Delhi (PTI): Five security guards were injured in a clash with vendors near India Gate, police said on Wednesday. The incident took place on Tuesday at Children Park on Shahjahan Road, they said.

the area could collectively accommodate 2,115 people on December 23, the day Saxena paid a surprise visit to the sites.

A clash broke out between private security guards and vendors as they were not allowed to sell eatables in the area, DCP (New Delhi) Pranav Tayal said.

The India Gate stretch is a no-vending zone, the police said.

NIA’s case untenable, court grants bail to Kashmiri photojournalist

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The NIA had alleged Dar was conspiring, both ‘physically and in cyberspace’, for undertaking violent terrorist acts in Kashmir and major cities across India

New Delhi (PTI): A court here has granted bail to 25-year-old Kashmir-based photojournalist Mohd Manan Dar accused of plotting terrorist acts in Kashmir and major cities in India. The court said the allegation made by the NIA “does not appear to be cogent and true”.

Additional Sessions Judge Shailender Malik granted relief to in a case lodged under the stringent UAPA and sections of the IPC.

“Upon analysis of entire evidence and at least for the purpose of disposal of bail application it can be observed that accusation against the accused does not appear to be cogent and true,” the judge said in the order passed on Monday.

Dar was in jail since October 22, 2021.

The NIA had alleged Dar was conspiring, both ‘physically and in cyberspace’, for undertaking violent terrorist

acts in Kashmir and across major cities in India. The judge said “such allegation must be supported by direct

evidence of any such activities”.

“Mere assumptions or incomplete evidence to establish such facts

may not be sufficient. Therefore, taking into account all these evidence on face of it, it would be enough to ob-

serve for the purpose of bail application that such evidence do not connect or are not sufficient to indicate accused being part of conspiracy or other charges,” the judge said.

The NIA had alleged that Dar was working as an over ground worker of Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) and its off-shoot

‘The Resistance Front’, and “knowingly entered into a conspiracy with terrorist commanders based across the border

as well as active terrorists in the valley” to “assist unrest”.

Dar had claimed he was a freelance photojournalist who has covered news and conflict in Kashmir and contributed to agencies like Getty Images.

The NIA had alleged Dar and other accused were associated with online groups and were acting as “hybrid cadres” on behalf of the proscribed terrorist organisations.

Manan’s equipment at his residence in Srinagar. —PHOTO BY FPK

Upon analysis of entire evidence ... it can be observed that accusation against the accused does not appear to be cogent and true.

—Shailender Malik Addl Sessions Judge

DMRC Managing Director Vikas Kumar and other officials at the 130 metre-long underground pedestrian subway providing connectivity between Terminal 1- IGI Airport metro station of Magenta Line and the Arrival Terminal of the Domestic Airport Terminal 1 of IGI Airport, in New Delhi on Wednesday. —PHOTO BY PTI

This is very unusual what is happening and these are unusual circumstances. We thought GNCTD will cooperate with us —R Venkataramani, Attorney General

Damaged vehicles at the site after a Delhi Police ASI allegedly rammed his car into 6 vehicles, in Dwarka Mor. —PHOTO BY PTI

ASI denies being drunk, says got distracted by call

About 200 Delhi Home Guards on Wednesday gathered in Civil Lines area to protest against the Kejriwal government and demanded that they not be removed from their jobs.

—PHOTO BY PTI

LG Vinai Kumar Saxena meets a homeless person during his visit to a night shelter on December 23. —PHOTO BY ANI

Afghan refugees outside the UNHCR office in Vasant Vihar on Wednesday. —FILE PHOTO

Retd HC judge is new DERC chief

CRIMES AGAINST WOMEN SPIRAL OUT OF CONTROL IN NATIONAL CAPITAL

19-year-old woman gets ‘acid attack’ threat from neighbour

Woman stabbed by friend following tiff

New Delhi (PTI): A 21-year-old woman was allegedly stabbed by her friend following a fallout between them in northwest Delhi's Adarsh Nagar, police said on Wednesday. The incident took place on Monday afternoon. Accused, Sukhvinder Singh (22), has been arrested, the police said and added that the victim's condition was stable.

Singh and the victim had been friends for a long time but the victim ostensibly stopped talking to him after a minor argument.

On Monday, Singh called her near her house and confronted her for not talking to him. When she remained quiet, Singh stabbed her and fled, the police said.

Deputy Commissioner of Police (Northwest) Usha Rangnani said a case under Section 307 (attempt to murder) of the Indian Penal Code was registered at Adarsh Nagar police station.

The accused was apprehended on Tuesday while he was returning to Delhi from Ambala, she said.

New Delhi (PTI): A 19-year-old woman has accused her neighbour in east Delhi's Pandav Nagar here of threatening her with “acid attack” if she did not marry him, police said on Wednesday.

The matter came to light on Sunday after the victim filed a complaint, they said, adding efforts are on to nab the accused.

In her complaint, the victim alleged that Yagvender Yadav (27), who runs a grocery shop with his father in the area, had threatened her that he will throw acid on her if she does not marry him, they said.

The accused and the victim are known to each other, police said.

Autopsy report didn’t find alcohol in victim’s stomach, says family doc

New Delhi(PTI): The family doctor of the woman, who was killed after being hit and dragged by a car here, rejected her friend's claims that she was heavily drunk on the night of the incident, saying the autopsy report did not find any trace of alcohol.

The victim's friend, riding pillion on her scooty, had told the media that Anjali was drunk and had insisted on driving the twowheeler that night.

Anjali was killed in the early hours of the New Year after her scooter was hit by a car, which dragged her for 12

km. Her body was found in Delhi's Kanjhawala. “According to the autopsy report, there was food inside the stomach. If she were drunk, the report would have mentioned the presence of a chemical. But the report

SHOW OF CONCERN

says only food has been detected (inside the stomach),” Dr Bhupesh told reporters. He said this was not a normal murder.

“A murder is considered sadistic when a victim is brutally tor-

According to the autopsy report, there was food inside the stomach. If she were drunk, the report would have mentioned presence of a chemical.

—Dr Bhupesh, Family doctor of victim

tured before death. As per the autopsy report, she suffered 40 injuries,” the doctor said.

The victim's friend had earlier said the accused killed her deliberately as they kept driving despite knowing she was stuck under the vehicle.

On Sunday, Yadav asked the victim to come along with him but when she refused, he threatened her by saying that he was carrying acid with him, police said.

A case was registered against the accused under sections 341 (wrongful restraint) and 506 (criminal in-

timidation) of the IPC, DCP (East) Amrutha Guguloth said.

Subsequently, after the victim's statement was recorded by the magistrate, sections 354B (assault or use of criminal force to woman with intent to disrobe) and 354D (stalking) were added to the FIR, the DCP said.

DCW NOTICE TO DCP

Taking suo-moto cognizance of the matter, Delhi Commission for Women (DCW) chief Swati Maliwal issued a notice to the DCP of the east district. The Commission has sought a copy of the FIR along with details of arrests made in the matter along with the details of security provided to the woman. The panel has also sought an action-taken report in the matter by January 6.

"We are receiving such types of cases on a daily basis. I do not know when this brutality against women and girls will stop! We need to make our system more effective to deal with such cases. The accused should be arrested and strict action should be taken against him. The girl must be provided security as he has threatened an acid attack on her!" Maliwal said.

Dy CM Manish Sisodia visits family

No sign of victim present inside car: FSL

New Delhi (ANI): In a major development into the Kanjhawala death case, the Forensic Science Laboratory on Wednesday said that initial examination suggests no sign of the woman present inside the car has been found so far. It further said that the woman was stuck onto the front left wheel of the vehicle as most blood stains were found behind the front left wheel.

New Delhi (ANI): Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia visited the residence of the victim. “It is a horrific incident. The 20-year-old was the only earning member of the family. She had siblings and the entire incident is saddening," said Sisodia after meeting the family. Manish Sisodia said earlier CM Kejriwal had met with the deceased's mother and assured her that her medical treatment would be taken care of. The deceased's mother is reportedly suffering from kidney related ailments and is undergoing dialysis treatment.

“The Delhi government will take care of her dialysis treatment,” said Sisodia.

HOW DO GIRLS GET OUT OF HOUSE? SAURABH BHARDWAJ SLAMS BJP, LG

New Delhi: AAP National Spokesperson Saurabh Bhardwaj on Wednesday slammed BJP and Delhi LG over the recent incidents of crime against women and questioned "How do girls get out of the house?". He alleged BJP and LG have made Delhi a "Jungle Raj". Taking to Twitter, Bhardwaj said, "One more case - Attack on girl in broad daylight - What are BJP and LG doing?" "BJP and LG sir have made Delhi a Jungle Raj. How do girls get out of house?" he added

Stop questioning victim’s character: DCW chief

New Delhi (PTI): Hair and bone samples sent for DNA mitochondrial profiling by police have been confirmed to be of Shraddha Walkar who was killed by her 28-year-old live-in partner Aaftab Amin Poonawala, a senior official said here on Wednesday.

The bones and hair were recovered during searches from forest areas of Delhi NCR including Gurgaon and Mehrauli, the police said.

New Delhi (PTI): Delhi Commission for Women chief Swati Maliwal on Wednesday urged people to stop questioning the morals of the Kanjhawla victim in the aftermath of claims made by her friend who was accompanying her at the time of the accident.

Anjali's friend has put the blame on her. She was with Anjali when the accident happened. She left from the spot and went home. Didn't she feel the need to inform police or Anjali's family about what

Orange alert: Season’s lowest of 4.4o C in Delhi

New Delhi: Delhi shivered at 4.4 degrees Celsius on Wednesday, making it the coldest day of the season. Delhi's minimum temperature in the morning was lower than of Dharamsala (5.2 degrees) and Nainital (6 degrees Celsius).

A dense layer of fog lowered visibility to 200 metres, affecting the movement of road and rail traffic. At least 19 trains were delayed by one-and-a-half to fourand-a-half hours due to the foggy weather, a Railways spokesperson

said. With frosty winds from the Himalayas barrelling through the plains, the Safdarjung observatory saw the minimum temperature plummet to 4.4 degrees

Celsius from 8.5 degrees a day ago.

The Delhi Ridge weather station near DU recorded a cold wave with a minimum temperature of 3.3 de-

grees Celsius, the lowest in the capital on Wednesday.

“A cold wave is prevailing in Delhi and maximum temperatures are also low, lead-

had happened?

“She could have followed the car that was

Search on for leopard seen at Gr Noida society

Greater

dragging Anjali, who must have been crying for help. She could have

done something so that Anjali's life could be saved. What kind of friend is she?,” Maliwal said.

Maliwal said Singh died a painful death and she should not suffer ‘character assassination’. “She died a painful death. She was dragged on Delhi's roads for 12 kms and her body was found naked. The claims of her friend need to be probed. Anjali should not be blamed for what happened to her. The accused should be hanged,” Maliwal said.

ing to cold day conditions. Most places are likely to record maximum temperatures between 13 and 15 degrees C,” IMD Scientist RK Jenamani said.

There was panic among residents where the leopard was spotted.

"Seven teams have been working in the rescue operation and have been deployed at the spot since yesterday night," said DFO, Gautam Buddha Nagar, Pramod Srivastava.

New Delhi (PTI): Only 41 per cent of the over 8,500 trees transplanted in Delhi using modern technology in the April-September period last year have survived, according to the Delhi government's outcome budget for first two quarters of the current financial year.

According to the government data, 64 per cent of the 3,457 trees transplanted in 2021-22 have survived.

Between April and September last year, 8,508 trees were trans -

According to the forest dept, only 33.33 per cent of the 16,461 trees transplanted in Delhi over the last 3 years have survived

planted using modern technology and only 41 per cent are alive. A total of 23 projects requiring translocation of trees were approved during the period.

Efforts on to nab 27-year-old accused, who reportedly runs a grocery shop in Pandav Nagar

Family members of Anjali Singh, during a visit by DyCM Manish Sisodia at her residence, at Sultanpuri, New Delhi, Wednesday.

Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia arrives to meet the family members of the victim on Wednesday. —PHOTO BY ANI

AAP activists take out a candle march to demand justice for Anjali Singh, at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi on Wednesday.

—PHOTO BY PTI

First India Bureau

Hair, bones confirmed to be Shraddha’s

Anshika, sister of Anjali, being taken away after she fainted during a visit by DyCM Manish Sisodia at her residence in Sultanpuri area of New Delhi on Wednesday. —PHOTO BY PTI

The woman complainant said Yagvender threatened to throw acid on her if she didn’t marry him

A vendor serves tea to customers during a cold winter morning, in New Delhi on Wednesday. A labourer wrapped in a blanket walks at a market on Wednesday morning. —PHOTOS BY PTI

A cold wave is prevailing and maximum temperatures are also low, leading to cold day conditions. Most places are likely to record maximum temperatures between 13 and 15 degrees C.

—RK

Jenamani Senior Scientist, IMD

Noida (ANI): A search and rescue operation by forest department officials continued on Wednesday after a leopard was spotted in the basement of a residential complex here a day ago.

‘Only 41% transplanted trees survived in 2022’

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

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!

COMPILED

SAROJ

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

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.

SC GRANTS BAIL TO RELATIVE OF SLAIN GANGSTER DUBEY

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.

HC PERMITS ‘DOG AMMA’ TO PUT UP TARPAULIN ROOF

New Delhi (PTI): Octogenarian Pratima Devi, known as “Dog Amma”, was on Wednesday permitted by the Delhi HC to live under a tarpaulin shelter for the time being after local authorities bulldozed her makeshift shelter in Saket that also housed 200 stray dogs.

Justice Manoj Kumar Ohri asked the Delhi government and MCD to consider her rehabilitation.

SC REJECTS PLEA TO NOT CONSIDER LAWYERS IN TOP COURT FOR JUDGESHIP IN HIGH COURTS

New Delhi: The Supreme Court has dismissed with a cost of Rs 50,000 a plea seeking a direction to not consider advocates practising in the apex court for judgeship in the high courts, saying it is “meritless” and “complete wastage of judicial time”. A bench of Justices SK Kaul and AS Oka observed there is nothing in the Constitution which prohibits lawyers practising in the top court to be appointed as a judge of the high courts. Advocate Ashok Pandey, who filed the petition, had argued his petition citing Article 217 of the Constitution.

‘SAAMANA’ EDITORIAL SLAMS SC DECISION ON DEMONETISATION

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.

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:

New Delhi (PTI): Aam Aadmi Party communications in-charge Vijay Nair on Wednesday told a Delhi court that no purpose will be served by keeping him in custody any further and urged for bail in a money laundering case related to the Delhi excise policy. Nair made the submission before Special Judge MK Nagpal. Senior Advocate Rebecca John, appearing for the accused, told the court the investigation was already complete. The court adjourned the matter for January 13 after the ED sought time to argue on the application.

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.”

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.”

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

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.

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.

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.

“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

AAP announces major reshuffle in Guj unit

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’.

Siddaramaiah did. We have given people happiness and not the misfortune that was given by them. This kind

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

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.

com-

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

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

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

EXTENSION OF BHARAT JODO YATRA

JAISHANKAR MEETS

NADELLA

New Delhi : External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar 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 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

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-

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

Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu launching campaign in Dharmshala.

CBI MOVES PLEA IN SC CHALLENGING BAIL

GRANTED TO I-T OFFICIAL IN GUJARAT

of job is not done by us.”

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

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, 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

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

Basavaraj Bommai

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

EXCISE SCAM: AAP’S VIJAY NAIR’S URGES COURT FOR BAIL

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 night curfew has been imposed along the International border in the Samba district of J&K in view of the increasing movement of terrorists on the border, informed officials on Wednesday.

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.

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

—Image for representational purpose.

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

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

CRUCIAL READ

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.

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.

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

PREZ APPROVES GUJ BILL GIVING POWER TO TAKE ACTION AGAINST PROTESTERS

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

—Image for representational purpose.

Kashmiri Pandits take part in a candle march in Jammu.

—Image for representational purpose.

Biplab Kumar Deb

New Delhi : The government’s paddy procurement for the central pool rose 9.58% to 541.90 lakh tonne so far in the ongoing 2022-23 season.

Punjab, Chhattisgarh, Haryana and Telangana were the top contributors to the central pool. Normally, paddy procurement begins from October. However, in southern states, especially in Kerala and Tamil Nadu, it begins from September. The government aims to procure 775.72 lakh tonne of paddy in the 2022-23 season.

RISES

IN DECEMBER

Services sector growth hits 6-month high

New Delhi (PTI): The Indian services sector growth touched a six-month high in December, supported by a robust intake of new work and favourable market conditions, a monthly survey said on Wednesday.

The seasonally adjusted S&P Global India Services PMI Business Activity Index rose from 56.4 in November to 58.5 in December, highlighting the strongest rate of expansion since mid-2022.

For the 17th straight month, the headline figure was above the neutral 50 threshold. In Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) parlance, a print above 50

means expansion while a score below 50 denotes contraction.

“December saw a wel-

Nadella advocates tech use for empowerment

New Delhi: Gold price rose by `378 to `56,130 per 10 gram in the national capital on Wednesday amid a rally in the precious metal prices globally, according to HDFC Securities. The yellow metal had settled at `55,752 per 10 gram in the previous trade. Silver, however, declined by `147 to `70,675 per kilogram. In the overseas market, gold was trading higher at US Dollar 1,859 per ounce while silver was flat at US Dollar 24.24 per ounce. —PTI

VOLKSWAGEN INDIA

SALES GROW 85% TO 1,01,270 UNITS

New Delhi (PTI): Microsoft Chairman and CEO Satya Nadella on Wednesday highlighted the importance of driving inclusivity and empowerment through technology and economic growth and asserted that the company is “very committed to India”.

Nadella interacted with people who are making a difference in the society, by leveraging various Microsoft programs, initiatives.

“Looking at what you all have done, your passion, imagination and ingenuity is truly inspiring. One of the things that keeps me grounded is seeing our mission in action,” Nadella said. He urged the participants to think of growth in terms of social inclusivity.

“Inclusive growth... If I think about what it means

BY LEVERAGING MICROSOFT PROG

z Nadella interacted with teachers, students and professionals who are making a difference with Microsoft programs

for economic growth to include everyone. Today’s examples all around are tremendous...How do we make sure whatever growth we have, is aligned with the planet because that is one finite resource... Or trust in technology...”.

come expansion in Indian services activity, underscoring the resilience of demand as 2022 came to an

Citi cuts India CAD forecast to below

3% of GDP

New Delhi (FIB): Citigroup lowered its projection for India’s current account deficit (CAD) to 2.9% of gross domestic product (GDP) for the current fiscal year, citing the growth in the country’s service exports and a lower oil price forecast.

“The key surprise came from the phenomenal growth in services exports in the first half of the current fiscal year, which goes beyond just software services,” Samiran Chakraborty, chief economist for India at Citi, said in a note.

MAJOR OUTCOMES

z The seasonally adjusted S&P Global India Services PMI Business Activity Index rose from 56.4 in November to 58.5 in December, highlighting the strongest rate of expansion since mid-2022

end,” said Pollyanna De Lima, Economics Associate Director at S&P Global Market Intelligence.

Lima further noted that “as we head into 2023, companies signalled strong optimism towards the outlook for output. Around 31% of panellists forecast

z In December, more jobs were created and companies remained strongly upbeat towards the year ahead outlook for business activity

z On the inflation front, input costs at services companies rose further, with companies mentioning wage pressures

growth, while only 2% anticipate a contraction.”

Meanwhile, in December, more jobs were created and companies remained strongly upbeat towards the year ahead outlook for business activity.

“Positive sentiment and ongoing growth of new

Adani focus on building AI-ML, Cloud in 2023

New Delhi (FIB): Adani Group’s chairman Gautam Adani has been planning to roll out an enterprise 5G services and consumer apps this year, according to a TOI report.

As the Indian industrialist looks to expand his business outside the country, he will be focusing on building AI-ML (artificial intelligence & machine learning) and industrial cloud capabilities, and expanding data centres.

“While we are fully invested in building India, it is an opportune time to contribute to nation-building outside India,” TOI quoted Adani as saying in his New Year address to employees. In 2022, during the 5G auctions, Adani had stressed that it does not intend to enter the consumer

MOTOROLA TIES UP WITH JIO FOR 5G SMARTPHONES

New Delhi (FIB): Motorola on Wednesday announced that it has signed an agreement with Reliance Jio to ensure that its 5G smartphones in India support Jio’s advanced standalone 5G technology. The joint statement said Motorola provides Jios’ True 5G support in all its 5G smartphones, which includes support for 11-13 5G bands, by far the highest in the industry.

mobility space currently dominated by the likes of Reliance Jio and Bharti Airtel.

business continued to support job creation, but there were areas where capacities were reportedly adequate to cope with current requirements,” Lima said.

On the inflation front, input costs at services companies rose further, with companies mentioning wage pressures and higher prices for energy, food and transportation.

“Inflation trends were mixed, as input prices rose at a faster pace and the upturn in charges moderated. On the expense front, services firms reported pressure from energy, food, staff and transportation costs,” Lima said.

Google case: NCLAT refuses stay on

CCI penalty

New Delhi (PTI): In a setback for Google, an appellate tribunal on Wednesday refused an interim stay on the competition regulator imposing a ` 1,337-crore penalty on the US tech giant and asked it to deposit 10% of the amount.

The National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT) admitted the search giant’s challenge to the Competition Commission of India (CCI) slapping a ` 1,337.76-crore fine for abusing the dominant position of its Android smartphone operating system in the country.

Sensex snaps 2-day rally, slides

New Delhi: German automotive group Volkswagen’s sales in India grew 85.48% to 1,01,270 units in 2022, ŠKODA AUTO Volkswagen India Pvt Ltd said on Wednesday. The group’s sales in India stood at 54,598 units in 2021. “While challenges around the ongoing chip shortage and increasing input costs continued, we successfully re-calibrated, taking action with agility and speed to minimise the impact of these,” SAVWIPL Managing Director and CEO Piyush Arora said in a statement. The group’s exports from India stood at 33,397 units last year. —PTI

DOMESTIC AIR TRAFFIC TOUCHES

1.29 CR IN DEC 2022

637 pts to close below 61K mark

Mumbai (PTI): Market benchmarks Sensex and Nifty tumbled 1% on Wednesday amid continuous foreign fund outflows and a weak trend in index majors Reliance Industries and HDFC Bank.

The 30-share BSE Sensex slumped 636.75 points or 1.04% to settle at 60,657.45.

The broader NSE Nifty ended lower by 189.60 points or 1.04% at 18,042.95.

From the Sensex pack, Tata Steel, Tata Motors,

Wipro, Power Grid, Infosys, HDFC Bank, Reliance Industries and HDFC were the major laggards.

Maruti Suzuki and Tata Consultancy Services were the only winners on Wednesday.

RUPEE GAINS 18 PAISE TO CLOSE AT 82.82 AGAINST US $

Mumbai (PTI): The rupee recovered from its all-time low level and settled 18 paise higher at 82.82 (provisional) against the US dollar on Wednesday, supported by easing crude oil prices. At the interbank foreign exchange market, the local unit opened at 82.87 and touched an intra-day high of 82.74 and a low of 82.91 against the greenback. It finally settled at 82.82, registering a rise of 18 paise over its previous close.

TO ACCELERATE GROWTH OF BRANDS

Annapurna Finance applies to RBI for licence

Mumbai (PTI): The Reserve Bank on Wednesday said it has received an application from Bhubaneswar-based Annapurna Finance for setting up a universal bank. Annapurna Finance, according to the company’s website, was established in 2009, and is one of the top 10 NBFC-MFIs in the country. It provides loans to economically weaker sections of the society with a view to bringing them to the mainstream banking system.

OTHER STORIES

CERC TO COMPENSATE IMPORTED COAL-BASED POWER PRODUCERS FOR HIGHER RUNNING COST

New

New Delhi: The monthly domestic air passenger traffic touched 1.29 crore to cross the pre-COVID level in December 2022, with Civil Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia terming it as a healthy trend and a good sign for the industry. In December 2019, the domestic air passenger traffic stood at 1.26 crore. “2022 sets new record in air passenger movement,” according to a graphic shared by the minister on his Twitter handle.

RCPL forms JV with beverage maker SHBPL

First India Bureau

New Delhi: Reliance Consumer Products Limited (“RCPL”), the FMCG arm and a wholly owned subsidiary of Reliance Retail Ventures Limited. (“RRVL”), on Tuesday announced it will acquire 50% equity stake in Gujarat-headquartered Sosyo Hajoori Beverages Private Limited (“SHBPL”), which owns and operates a beverage business under the flagship brand ‘Sosyo’.

The existing promoters, Hajoori family, will continue to own the remaining

stake in Sosyo Hajoori Beverages Private Limited . Sosyo is a heritage Indian brand with around 100

years of legacy in carbonated soft drinks (CSD) and juices. Established in 1923 by Abbas Abdulrahim Ha-

ISHA AMBANI’S NEW VENTURE

HOUSING

New Delhi: The Indian residential market demonstrated resilience and total progress in the year 2022. The mixture residential demand, indicated by searches, elevated 19% from year in the past led by main cities similar to Mumbai with 52.1% rise, Noida 35.8%, Gurgaon 34.5%, Delhi 14.8% and Bengaluru with 33% progress, confirmed the Magicbricks’ PropIndex report for the December quarter. The common property rates elevated 13.9% from a year in the past.

NARCL HIGHEST NPV BIDDER IN SREI RESOLUTION

Kolkata: The governmentbacked National Asset Reconstruction Company Ltd has taken lead in taking over two stressed entities of the Srei group as it submitted the “highest net present value bid of `5,555 crore” among bidders. NARCL’s net present value bid, submitted in the 10-hourlong “challenge mechanism” conducted by the CoC on Tuesday, constitutes `3,200 crore in cash, a `1000-crore jump from the previous plans offered, he said.

INDIAN TYRE INDUSTRY TO SCALE TURNOVER OF

`1 LAKH CRORE

joori, the company is one of the leading players in the domestic soft drinks market.

IN NEXT THREE YEARS: ATMA

New Delhi: The Indian tyre industry will be able to scale a turnover of `1 lakh crore in the next three years on the back of new capacities available, Automotive Tyre Manufacturers Association said on Wednesday. The industry has completed investment of `35,000 crore in the last three years in new capacity creation and debottlenecking. “The new capacity will help the industry notch a turnover of `1 lakh crore in the next 3 years from `75,000 crore currently,” ATMA said in a statement.

heritage beverage brands”

GOLD

BY RUPEES 378; SILVER DECLINES BY `147

GOVT’S PADDY PROCUREMENT RISES 10% SO FAR

Delhi: Power regulator Central Electricity Regulatory Commission (CERC) has decided to fully compensate the power producers running imported coal-based plants for higher running costs required for supplying electricity under forced circumstances. The CERC order will come as a relief for imported coalbased power plants which ran to full capacity under the directions of the Ministry of Power for meeting demand. The order was passed by the CERC on a petition filed by Tata Power Company Ltd. —FIB

Cops reach Haryana minister’s home to probe sex abuse charge

Chandigarh (ANI): Chandigarh Police on Wednesday reached the residence of Haryana Minister Sandeep Singh who is charged with sexual harassment.

A case of sexual assault is registered against Sandeep Singh at Sector 26 Police station, Chandigarh. A police team including Sector 26 Police station SHO visited the residence of Haryana Minister Sandeep Singh.

The woman coach, who alleged sexual harassment by Haryana Sports Minister Sandeep Singh claimed that until the minister resigns, the investigation would be biased.

Speaking to the media after she appeared before the Special Investigation Team (SIT) of the Chandigarh Police on Tuesday, the woman said, “I heard the Chief Minister’s statement this morning, in which the Chief Minister himself is taking the side of Sandeep Singh. Until the minister resigns, it would be a matter of bias.”

She claimed that Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar is trying to influence the probe. “Chandigarh Police did not put any pressure on me. Haryana Police is trying to pressurize me,” she further added.

The coach’s advocate Dipanshu Bansal said, “Questions have been

We want to ensure that justice is delivered to the victim woman. Khap has given the government time till January 7. If Haryana Sports Minister Sandeep Singh is not sacked and arrested, we will protest extensively.

answered for the last eight hours. Whatever records my client had, we have already handed over to the police. The phone has also been given to the police. She was questioned for the fourth time.”

The advocate further added, “We will give 2 or 3 days time to the police for arresting Sandeep Singh. We will get the statement of 164 recorded by Tuesday itself.”

Meanwhile, the Khap panchayat warned of extensive protest if the minister is not arrested by January 7.

Bhartiya Kisan Union (BKU) leader Daljeet Singh told ANI, “We want to ensure that justice is delivered to the victim woman. Khap has given the government time till January 7.

If Haryana Sports is not sacked and arrested, we will protest extensively.”

arrest of Sandeep Singh. “He should have been arrested long back. Now, he should be arrested immediately and resign from the Cabinet,” she said. The woman coach’s advocate Deepanshu Bansal also demanded the resignation and arrest

MEDIA NOTICES MY T-SHIRT, BUT IGNORES POOR IN TORN CLOTHES: RAHUL GANDHI

Baghpat (PTI): Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday said the purpose of party's 'Bharat Jodo Yatra' is to remove fear from the people's minds and highlight issues like price rise and unemployment.

Amid raging talks about his wearing Tshirt in the winter during the yatra, Gandhi said the media is highlighting his attire but

"taking no notice of the poor farmers and labourers walking along with him in torn clothes".

Addressing a 'nukkad sabha' (street corner meeting) at Baraut on Baghpat-Shamli border during the yatra, Gandhi said despite covering a distance of more than 3,000 kms on foot in 110 days, he is neither feeling tired nor sizzling in the cold in T-shirt.

SP MLA Irfan Solanki’s judicial remand extended till February 2

Kanpur (PTI): A court on Wednesday extended the judicial custody of Samajwadi Party MLA Irfan Solanki till February 2 in a case under the Uttar Pradesh Gangsters and AntiSocial Activities (Prevention) Act.

Additional District and Sessions Judge (MP-MLA) Satyendra Nath Tripathi extended the judicial remand of Solanki and others till February 2 after the MLA from Sisamau in Kanpur was produced before the court here by the police.

The judge listed the Gangsters Act case against the SP MLA and others on February 2, Assistant Commissioner of Police (Kotwali) Ranjeet Kumar said.

Solanki’s judicial remand was extended till January 17 in another case of rioting and arson related to a land dis-

pute case by Additional Civil Judge (MP-MLA) Alok Yadav. The next hearing in the case will be on January 17.

As he was being escorted to a police vehicle, Solanki told reporters that he has full faith in the judiciary and exuded confidence that he will get justice from the court soon.

“Pen and paper are yours, but the judiciary is for all,” said Solanki who has been in prison since December 2, when

LG returns nominations file of DAWB members

New Delhi (PTI): Lt Governor V K Saxena has returned a file to CM Arvind Kejriwal on the nomination of members to the Delhi Animal Welfare Board, noting that the nominees lacked experience and one was even a “tainted” former bureaucrat, sources in the LG office said on Wednesday.

The LG has sent the file back with the observation to “review the proposal of the reconsti-

tution of DAWB & ensure that members being nominated possess impeccable character & integrity, have worked for the welfare of animals & board so constituted is representative of varied related organisations,” they said.

Reconstitution of the DAWB (executive committee) had been pending since Sept 2020 as the AAP govt took 27 months to nominate its members, sources claimed.

73 elephants among 63,000 animals killed by trains: CAG

New Delhi (PTI): Over 63,000 animals, including 4 Asiatic lions and 73 elephants, died on railway tracks between 2017-18 to 2020-21, the CAG has cited, raising concern over steps taken by the Union environment ministry as well as the railways in preventing such episodes.

In its report submitted to Parliament last month, the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) noted that the

railways should ensure that "joint advisories" issued by the Ministry of Environment & Forest and the Ministry of Railways be followed scrupulously to prevent animal deaths, which

in turn will also help in preventing derailments on this account. In these three years, the CAG found that 63,345 animals, including 73 elephants and four lions, had died after being run over.

The CAG said that to prevent train accidents involving elephants, general advisories approved by both the ministries had been jointly issued to the railways in 2010.

he along with his younger brother Rizwan surrendered before the police commissioner after being booked for rioting and arson in the land dispute case.

The SP MLA was brought to Kanpur from Maharajganj district jail where he was shifted on December 20 amidst tight security.

He was also kept at Kannauj district jail during night hours due to dense fog.

Ankita murder case: Pulkit Arya lists six questions for narco test

Dehradun (ANI): The main accused in Uttarakhand’s Ankita Bhandari murder case, Pulkit Arya has given a list of six questions which he wants to be asked during his Narco test scheduled to be conducted on Thursday.

In his application, filed through advocate Amit Sajwan, Pulkit Arya presented a twopage application from jail in the Kotdwar court on Tuesday and demanded the police to ask questions not only related to the VIP and mobile but also six other questions related to Ankita in the narco test.

Justice Nazeer retires, but not before flagging gender gap in judiciary

New Delhi (PTI): Outgoing Supreme Court judge S Abdul Nazeer Wednesday underscored the lack of adequate representation of women in the judiciary and said calling the Indian judiciary immune from gender inequalities was far from the reality.

Speaking at a farewell event organised by the Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) on his last day as a judge of the top court, Justice Nazeer stated that while the apex court "has come a long way since its inception" and was "set to face the challenges of today's

dynamic scenario" under the guidance of Chief Justice of India Justice D Y Chandrachud, there was room for improvement.

"Supreme Court has always strived for excellence and I humbly acknowledge that it has come a long way since its inception. I am certain under the guidance of CJI Chandrachud this apex institution is all set to face challenges of today's dynamic scenario," he said.

"There is always room for improvement and changes. For instance, if I were to say Indian judiciary is im-

mune to gender inequalities that exist within our society, I can't be farther away from the reality. The

February 17, 2017, Justice Nazeer was part of several constitution benches which delivered judgements on issues ranging from demonetisation of currency notes of Rs 1,000 and Rs 500 denomination in 2016, to reservation for Marathas in admission and government jobs and the fundamental right of freedom of speech and expression of high public functionaries.

talaq and the one that declared right to privacy a fundamental right.

In his address, Justice Nazeer also observed that people assume the state of affairs wrongly because of misinformation in the society and today's situation "is not as grim as it used to be earlier" and that there is no tool for development more effective than women empowerment.

representation of women in the judiciary is still very low," he added.

Elevated as a Supreme Court judge on

He was also part of several path-breaking verdicts including those on the politically sensitive Ayodhya land dispute, instant triple

The farewell event was attended by CJI Chandrachud, Attorney General R Venkataramani as well as other judges of the Supreme Court and members of the Bar.

New Delhi (PTI): Chief Justice DY Chandrachud on Wednesday said Justice S Abdul Nazeer, who is demitting office, always stood for right and ensured justice is done. The CJI 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. But, I sat with him on the Ayodhya matter and saw what a great states-

man he is. I’m saving my important comments for the Supreme Court Bar Association farewell in the evening today,” Justice Chandrachud said. The CJI said there is a tradition on the cricket field that the skipper of the cricket team always allows the best performer on the field for that session to lead the way back to the pavilion. “In that tradition, I would request Justice Nazeer to lead us back to the pavilion (chambers),” Chandrachud said. Justice Nazeer said he spent almost six years in the apex court as a judge and was feeling emotional on his last day.

A case of sexual assault is filed against Sandeep Singh at Sec 26 Police Station, Chandigarh

The woman coach who alleged assault claims that until the min resigns, the probe would be biased

Police personnel outside the residence of Haryana Sports Minister Sandeep Singh in Chandigarh on Wednesday. —PHOTOS BY PTI

—Daljeet Singh, BKU leader

Samajwadi Party MLA Irfan Solanki after appearing in court in Kanpur on Wednesday. —PHOTO BY PTI

WOMAN COACH RECORDS STATEMENT BEFORE DISTRICT COURT IN HARYANA

JUSTICE NAZEER ALWAYS STOOD FOR WHAT IS RIGHT: CJI DY CHANDRACHUD

Chandigarh (ANI): The woman coach, who charged the Haryana Sports Minister Sandeep Singh with sexual harassment, on Wednesday recorded her statement at a district court in Haryana. “I have recorded my statement under 164 CrPC. I have been called to record my statement. I am cooperating from my side, and for the fifth time, I am recording my statement, continuously for 8-9 hours without any rest, despite giving my phone to them without any hesitation,” the woman coach said. The woman complainant also demanded the immediate

of Haryana Sports Minister Sandeep Singh.

The woman coach talks to the media after recording her statement in the District Court in Chandigarh on Wednesday.

Justice S Abdul Nazeer (right) with then Chief Justice of Karnataka HC Subhro Kamal Mukherjee, after a farewell programme for Justice Nazeer at the High Court on Jan 30, 2019.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi with padyatris during the party’s ‘Bharat Jodo Yatra’, in Baghpat on Wednesday.

—PHOTO BY PTI

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

YOJANA FOR

HEALTH!

About Author:

hen 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-phar maceutical in terventions such as physical activity and healthy lifestyles.

A fear has been raised that promoting Ayurveda may increase self-medica tion 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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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

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

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

Sidharth Malhotra and Kiara Ad vani jetted off to Dubai a few days ago to celebrate New Year with Karan Jo har, Manish Malhotra and Rani Mukerji. Pic tures from their New Year celebration went absolutely viral on social media. Now, Kiara and Sid harth have re turned, and they were spotted at the Mumbai air port in the wee hours on January 3.

While neither Kiara nor Sidharth have openly confirmed their rela tionship, the two have been rumoured to be dating for quite a while now.

Reports of their upcoming wedding in February have also taken so cial media by storm! Now, we came across some more exciting up dates about Sidharth and Kiara’s highly-an ticipated wedding.

Scroll down to find out.

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

Tamannaah

again on top!

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.

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

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

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.

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

Aryan Khan & Nora Fatehi are dating?

Nora, who recently made India proud at the FIFA World Cup 2022, is currently in Dubai. She wel comed the New Year with her friends while enjoying fireworks at Burj Khalifa. Nora and Aryan’s dat ing 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 indi vidually. The pictures raised eyebrows after everyone noticed that the pictures were taken at the same venue. A user took to Red dit and shared a col lage featuring them.

Along with the pic ture, the user wrote, “Saw a post earlier say ing that Nora seems to all of a sudden be super close with KJO and his friends...she was also re cently spotted hanging out with Aryan at din ner and was also at the New Year’s party.

Kriti is a slayer in a Shahin Mannan combo

Sonam Kapoor

Sidharth Malhotra and Kiara Advani

Tamannaah Bhatia

Shanaya Kapoor

Kriti Sanon

Kiara Advani

Nora Fatehi

Spotted

Spotted!

CELEBRATIONS

NEVER STOP DREAMING

Believe in yourself, there will be days when you will feel dull, upset and like giving up but remember only you can help yourself. Always remember why you started and keep pushing, then see the magic,’ said Shruti.

Shruti is from Chattisgarh, Bhilai and is having three sisters and a mother and father in her family. She is the youngest, her mother is a housewife and her father is an ex-army man and presently a government teacher. She had a very disciplined childhood and was not allowed to put on nail paint or grow nails or open hair. She is a Madhya Pradesh School of Drama, Bhopal (MPSD) trained actor.

How did your journey begin?

“Bhilai steel Plant conducts a Drama Competition every year, all of a sudden I got a call from a theatre group to act with them in that competition and I said yes. Even in school, I used to actively participate in arts, dance and singing. My father encouraged me to do theatres,” says Shruti. She is doing theatre for 9 years now, with almost 35-40 street plays and a lot of plays, even some self-written.

What were some of the battles you fought and are still fighting in your journey?

The financial cri sis is the biggest battle Shruti faced, she has even delivered tiffins and did anchoring in Malls and small functions to earn. The battle she is still facing and which hurts her a lot

pened so nicely! I’m from Rajasthan so I wanted to bring back my native language in the indie pop manner and yes here we are!

Talk to us about your achievements.

I did an independent film called ‘Powai’ which got selected for the New York film festival, film bazaar India, Berlin, Moscow, and Florence and it recently got featured in Best Indian Film Poster. I am the Promotional face of Axis Bank and have done a few digital ads and TVCs. I worked in a few films like Love Ajkal 2, A Thursday, Helmet, Upcoming film Patna Shukla.

QUALITY OF LIFE

CITY FIRST

The Tourism & Hospitality Skill Council (THSC), an approved awarding body under NCVET, signed an important Memorandum of Understanding with the American Hotel and Lodging Educational Institute (AHLEI), one of the foremost providers of quality resources to educate, develop, and certify hospitality educators, students, and professionals. It is widely recognized as a prominent leader in hospitality education and certification. The agreement was signed

by Mr Rajan Bahadur, CEO of THSC and Mr Ed Kastli, International CVP AHLEI in presence of Shri Atul Kumar Tiwari, IAS, Secretary Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship, Govt of India, Ms Jyoti Mayal, Chairperson THSC along with 50+ prominent industry partners recently. This agreement will help both organisations to share knowledge, benchmark standards and provide access to globally recognised certifications. Since its inception in 2014, THSC has enrolled over 1.5 million

and successfully certified over a million youth. One of the largest trade hotel associations in the world with 35,000 hotel members and became part of the National Restaurant Association (NRA) in 2017.

Over 2,000 schools, academies and universities globally entrust AHLEI for its high quality, industry-driven, researched, and practical learning content. Both organizations are honoured and thrilled to collaborate in India, offering world-class skill and certifications for a better society.

more artists. With each musician it’s different, and I learned how to see music from the other side.

Give some insights about your latest Rajasthani IndiePop music video ‘Naina Ri Patang’ featuring Sidhika Sharma and Ashish Drall. Wonderful experience and superb kickstart with Machaao Music & Talent.

I did the music part and I discussed my vision with Machaao Team, rest of everything they have taken care of - from storyboarding to shooting to release everything hap-

You had sung Mauka Mauka for India vs Pakistan match documentary and have worked with eminent singers like Benny Dayal, Ankit Tiwari, Shefali Alvares and many more, share your experience.

Working with your seniors and experienced talented artists /brands is always a joy, u get to learn and adopt a lot of things from them.

I personally cherished those moments and I want to collaborate with more and

Describe your creative process. There is no such process for me but I’m a lyrics composer basically. I always need words, phrases or lyrics to start with. And then I move to final composing + final lyrics.

The major step is music production and what sound will suit my song so yes it’s a step-by-step thing and I like to move very calmly and logically too in music.

The music video was

curatively shot in the exotic locations of Gujarat, how difficult it was to work in an extreme climate?

It was tough because it was raining and we had a lot of struggle to save equipment, match tim ings with the weather and save our cos tumes too haha.

But somehow the team made it very nicely and we got what we all wanted.

What were some of the battles you fought and are still fighting in your journey? The battle

is equals to maximum potential, that’s all I can say, rest I feel I’m capable enough to fight. The more you burn the more you shine.

Like everyone else I also have gone through

many phases of life and have seen a lot of transitions too.

Talk to us about your achievements? Working with star sports - been 5 years now and still counting. Working with Machaao music, Music Garage, yellow strings entertainment, MTV Kaanphod, white light entertainment and a lot more. Got the opportunity to be Wynk’s number 1 artist and India’s first Facebook sound collection Artist and also First Rajasthani

Indian Artist.

that people in the industry don’t actually see our talent but your social media followers.

Shruti Pandey, an actor shares her inspiring journey with City First

AISHA GUPTA cityfirst@firstindia.co.in

Pop

Shruti Pandey

Prateek Gandhi

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