First India-Jaipur Edition-05th June 2023

CHINESE CHECKERS IN THE SOUTH CHINA SEA

The recently culminated exercise, co-hosted by the Republic of Singapore Navy and the Indian Navy, aims to promote maritime cooperation and enhance trust, mong ASEAN and Indian navies. Successfully conducted in two phases, the Harbour phase and the Sea Phase, allowing participating navies to develop closer links in coordination and execution of operations

India conducted the first-ever ASEAN-India maritime exercise (AIME-23) and it was a pleasant site until the movement of the boats deployed by the maritime militia operating under the Chinese People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) sailed in close proximity. The Chinese vessels kept an eye on the ongoing drill, which was held around the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) of Vietnam in the South China Sea.

As a new cold war is brewing in the South China Sea and is likely to spread to the larger Indo-Pacific, the Indian Navy along with like-minded navies of the South East Asian region conducts joint maritime exercises. In the Indo-Pacific, China stretches its footprint to cover the small island nations in the South Pacific as well as other countries’ EEZs dotting the region, creation and unlawful claiming of artificial islands such as the Spratly and Parcel are well-known facts. Spying and Listening ports of Coco Islands leased out from Myanmar in the Bay of Bengal and docking its spy vessel Yuan Wang-5 at the Hambantota port in Sri Lanka are all features of PLAs larger ambition of snooping on

India’s activities in order to checkmate her moves, especially in the maritime domain.

India’s stepping up its military drills and wartime preparedness exercises with various like-minded countries and groups amid Chinese belligerence. Similar war exercises are taking place in the Indian Ocean, the South China Sea, and elsewhere in the Indo-Pacific and East Africa. Marching forward, there would be joint exercises in the South Pacific and the East China Sea as well.

The recently culminated exercise, co-hosted by the Republic of Singapore Navy and the Indian Navy, aims to promote maritime cooperation and enhance trust, friendship, and confidence among ASEAN and Indian navies. Successfully conducted in two phases, the Harbour phase and the Sea Phase, allowing participating navies to develop closer links in the coordination and execution of operations in the maritime domain. INS Delhi and INS Satpura and a P81 Maritime Pa-

trol aircraft participated in this exercise, reinforcing India’s commitment to the “Act East” policy to ensure SAGAR “Security and Growth for all in the Region”.

The Chinese Politburo claims the South China Sea governed by the ancient nine-dash lines as a historical trading route under the Chinese territory. Hence, it believes this region which is a treasure trove for at least six other sovereign states, namely, Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Vietnam and the semi-autonomous state - Taiwan to be sovereign territorial waters of China. Based on these

unethical claims, the dragon continues flexing its muscles and advances in this region.

At this juncture, China believes that the South China Sea is an important piece of the larger China-centric jigsaw puzzle or China-dominated world order. For instance, China chose Indonesia to launch its multibillion-dollar maritime silkroad economic belt under the Border and Road Initiative (BRI). In its strategy, Beijing seeks to influence critical global supply chains, diverting the flow of international trade via critical sea lanes, railway lines and seaports. Having access to seaports, railway lines, power stations and inter-regional highways in the South China Sea and surrounding regions increases China’s strategic, economic and political reach. Much of this assistance is through loaning the assets to Chinese investors at petite interest rates and creating huge debts for the countries not just in the neighbouring regions but in East Africa as well

as other South Asia and East Asian regions. Most countries are aware of the functioning of the Politburo and the Communist Party and how they tend to first make or offer heavy investments in the name of infrastructure, development and connectivity and later due to non-repayment of large loans leads to debt creation and this strategy known as the “Debt Trap Policy”. However, the smaller and economically strapped states fall prey to this strategy.

With stepping up as the comprehensive strategic partner of ASEAN, holding its first joint maritime exercise, Indian Chief of Defence Staff attending this month’s Indo-Pacific meeting in the U.S. All envisage a bigger role in assisting neighbouring emerging economies by providing maritime security support, coast guard patrol boats, domestically produced equipment, and other infrastructure cooperation is aiming for changing the modus vivendi in the larger Indo-Pacific region. Additionally, India, Indonesia, and Vietnam in South East Asia should brace up their manufacturing base to land companies looking to exit China. This would strengthen domestic manufacturing units and help distressed countries in the process of de-coupling from China.

To counter-action this dubious strategy, India is working on its Necklace of Diamonds strategy, the International NorthSouth Transport Corridor (INSTC) and working towards securing an open, free and rulesbased African Indo-Pacific. As India has historical trade routes with the Arabic and the EastAfrican region, and buttressing its economic prowess, it tends to secure and ensure prosperity in both – the East and the West.

THE VIEWS EXPRESSED BY THE AUTHORS ARE PERSONAL

The Writer is a former colonel of the Mahar Regiment

INDIA’S STEPPING UP ITS MILITARY DRILLS AND WARTIME PREPAREDNESS EXERCISES WITH VARIOUS LIKE-MINDED COUNTRIES AND GROUPS AMID CHINESE BELLIGERENCE

PRESIDENT DROUPADI MURMU’S SURINAME VISIT BEGINS

New Delhi: President Droupadi Murmu began her six-day visit to Suriname and Serbia on Sunday. It is her maiden visit to Suriname while this is also her first state visit since assuming in July 2022.

READ Crucial

NAIDU-BJP LEADERS’

MEET SPURS TALK OF TDP-BJP ALLIANCE

New Delhi: TDP president

N Chandrababu Naidu’s meeting with Union Home Minister Amit Shah and BJP national president JP Nadda in New Delhi has triggered speculation of the two parties reviving their alliance. The meeting took place on late Saturday. P7

PAK WOMEN TO GET

JAILED FOR ATTACK ON ARMY INSTALLATIONS

Lahore: The women supporters of ousted Pakistan premier Imran Khan who have been arrested in connection with arson attacks on military installations will be jailed for 10 years for their “unpardonable crime”, an official has said on Sunday.

DRI OFFICERS SEIZE 10

KG GOLD WORTH `6.2 CRORE IN MUMBAI

Mumbai: Revenue Intelligence officers have seized over 10 kg gold worth about Rs 6.2 crore in two separate cases at Mumbai airport and arrested four persons, the finance ministry said on Sunday.

PLANE WITH UNION MINISTER, 2 MLAs

DIVERTED TO ASSAM

Dibrugarh: A Dibrugarhbound plane of IndiGo was diverted to Guwahati on Sunday after pilot suspected a snag in engine. Over 150 passengers were travelling on flight, including Union MoS for Petroleum Rameswar Teli and two Assam BJP MLAs.

NIA IN BHOPAL TO PROBE HIZB-UL-TAHRIR

TERROR MODULE

Bhopal: A team of National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Sunday arrived in Bhopal to interrogate the arrested members of the terror module Hizb-ul-Tahrir (HuT), reliable sources in the investigating agency said.

“MINOR WRESTLER WITHDRAWS CASE

AGAINST WFI CHIEF”

New Delhi: Reliable sources have revealed that the minor wrestler has withdrawn her complaint against Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief Brij Bhushan Singh. Sources said the complaint was withdrawn on June 2 at Delhi’s Patiala House court.

MONSOON MISSES DATE WITH KERALA, MAY ARRIVE IN 4 DAYS

New Delhi: The monsoon missed its onset date in Kerala on Sunday with the MeT Department anticipating a further delay of three to four days. IMD had said it might arrive in Kerala by June 4.

ODISHA TRAIN CRASH

US DEFENCE SECY LLOYD AUSTIN ARRIVES IN INDIA

New Delhi: US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin on Sunday arrived in New Delhi on a 2-day visit to discuss ways to expand bilateral strategic engagement ahead of PM Narendra Modi’s trip to Washington.

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HINTING SABOTAGE, RAILWAYS SEEKS CBI PROBE

l Driver error ruled out, possible sabotage being probed: Officials

Balasore/New Delhi

(PTI): The Railways on Sunday virtually ruled out driver error and system malfunction, indicating a possible “signalling interference” and hinting at “sabotage” and tampering of the electronic interlocking system behind the triple train accident that claimed 275 lives.

Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has sought a CBI inquiry into the accident. However, officials said the inquiry by the commissioner of railway safety (CRS) would continue.

Vaishnaw said that the “root cause” of the accident and the people responsible for the “criminal act” have been identified.

“It happened due to a change made in the electronic interlocking and point machine,” he told reporters at the site of Friday’s accident in Balasore district. More on P6

l Rly Minister Vaishnaw says people behind ‘criminal’ act identified

l Normal train services are likely to be restored by Wednesday: Minister

123 TRAINS CANCELLED, 56 DIVERTED

New Delhi (PTI): The railways has cancelled 123 trains, diverted 56, short-terminated 10 and rescheduled 14 trains due to the accident in Odisha in which 275 people were killed. These trains include those with journey commencing from June 3 to June 7. The cancelled trains include Sealdah-Puri Duronto, Howrah-Chennai Mail, Kanyakumari-Howrah Express, Shalimar Express, Tirupati Weekly Superfast Express, SMVT-Bengaluru Superfast Express, Santraganchi AC Superfast, PuruliaVillupuram.

“ELECTRONIC INTERLOCKING BEHIND ACCIDENT”

Balasore: Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on Sunday said the tragic train accident in Balasore occurred due to a “change in electronic interlocking”. Electronic interlocking is an arrangement of signal apparatus that prevents conflicting movements between trains through an arrangement of tracks. It is basically a safety measure to prevent signals from being changed in improper sequence.

HIGHLIGHTS

l Top officials say train received green signal, was not over-speeding

l Last year’s audit report flagged serious concerns on rail safety

This is a different issue. It is about point machine, electronic interlocking. The change that occurred during electronic interlocking, the accident happened due to that. Whoever did it and how it happened will be found out after proper investigation. —Ashwini Vaihsnaw, Railway Minister

Home Minister Shah appeals to lift blockades of NH-2 in Manipur

New Delhi (PTI): Un-

ion Home Minister Amit Shah on Sunday appealed to the people of Manipur to lift the blockades from National Highway-2 so that basic and essential goods such as food, medicines and fuel can reach the state.

Posting a tweet on his official handle, Shah asked members of the civil society to take the initiative in this context.

“My sincerest appeal to the people of Manipur is to lift the blockades at the Imphal-Dimapur, NH-2 Highway, so that food, medicines, petrol/diesel,

Hindu petitioner withdraws from Gyanvapi cases

Amit Shah

and other necessary items can reach the people,” he said. “I also request that civil society organisations do the needful in bringing consensus,” he added. Shah further said, “Together only we can restore normalcy in this beautiful state.”

3-MEMBER TEAM TO LOOK INTO VIOLENCE

New Delhi: The Central govt has formed a three-member commission to investigate the ethnic violence in Manipur that has claimed more than 80 lives since the beginning of May. The move came after Union HM Amit Shah’s visit to the state.

MANIPUR GROUPS’ BIG PROTEST

New Delhi: Members of Manipuri civil society and students’ organisations on Sunday held a ‘peace rally’ at Jantar Mantar here and demanded that the government check the influx of “illegal migrants” into the state from Myanmar.

IN HOMETOWN JODHPUR

Under construction bridge collapses in Bihar’s Bhagalpur

Bhagalpur (ANI): An under-construction bridge in Bhagalpur of Bihar collapsed into Ganga river it was being built on. The AguwaniSultanganj bridge in Bhagalpur has reportedly collapsed for the second time. A video, shot by the locals, has emerged on social media. A similar incident of bridge collapse happened last year as well.

l PIL in SC seeks inquiry panel headed by retired apex court judge

l Odisha police warns against bid to create communal disharmony

DDC Bhagalpur Kumar Anurag has informed that the Bihar bridge collapsed at around 6 pm on Sunday (June 4). No casualties or injuries have been reported so far from the under-construction bridge collapse incident in Bihar’s Bhagalpur.

“The incident of under-construction bridge collapse happened at around 6 pm. No casualties reported till now. Local administration on the spot, we have asked for a report from ‘Pul Nirman Nigam’,” DDC Bhagalpur Kumar Anurag said. A portion of a bridge that was built across the Burhi Gandak River in Sahebpur Kamal of Bihar’s Begusarai district collapsed and fell into the river, but no casualty was reported. As per the information, the 206-meter-long bridge had developed cracks. The front part of the bridge between pillars no 2 and 3 collapsed.

There are things bigger than politics when you step outside country: EAM

Varanasi (PTI): One of the main litigants from the Hindu side Jitendra Singh Visen has announced that he and his family are withdrawing from all cases related Gynavapi issue due to alleged “harassment”. His lawyer Shivam Gaur had earlier also withdrawn from the cases. “I and my family are withdrawing from all Gyanvapi-related cases that we had filed in the interest of the country and religion in various courts,” Visen, who heads the Vishwa Vedic Sanatan Sangh, said.

Cape Town (PTI): There are sometimes “things bigger than politics” when one steps outside the country, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has said, days after Congress leader Rahul Gandhi repeatedly attacked PM Narendra Modi and his government during his ongoing visit to the US. Addressing Indian Americans in Santa Clara earlier this week, Gandhi, a former Congress party president and an ex-MP, criticised PM Modi and also attacked the govt’s poli-

UNESCO should declare Jodhpur a heritage city: Gehlot

Centre did not cooperate with use in providing data under Ujjwala scheme: CM

Rajeev Gaur & Shiv Prakash Purohit

Jodhpur: Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot on Sunday said that Jodhpur is an important place from the point of view of tourism and UNESCO should declare it a heritage city. He said that the experience gained by him while serving the people in Jodhpur is being useful

He

gurating 2.3 kilometer long Rao Jodha Marg from Ghoda Ghati to Mehrangarh Fort in

Jodhpur built at a cost of Rs 10.90 crore.

In the programme, former MP Gaj Singh (II) thanked the CM for the construction of Rao Jodha Marg.

Meanwhile, speaking to the reporters at the airport, Gehlot said, “Through the Ujjwala scheme, we are giving gas cylinders to about 80 lakh families for ₹500 and this scheme has been implemented from April 1, but the central government did not cooperate with us in this. If we would have got the data

of Ujjwala Yojana families from the Centre, then it would have been easy for us to do direct bank transfer. The Centre did not cooperate, so we have collected data through DSO and gas agency and till now data of 10 lakh families has arrived,” he said.

Gehlot said that this time the Congress government is repeating in the state and there should be no surprise if the families associated with the BJP rise above the party and vote in favour of Congress. P8

14L BENEFICIARIES

TO GET `60CR TODAY

cies on various fronts.

Speaking at a diaspora event in Cape Town on Saturday (local time),

Jaishankar said that he can talk for himself and does not do politics while travelling abroad.

C

M Ashok Gehlot will today transfer the subsidy of Rs 60 crore in the bank accounts of 14 lakh beneficiaries by pressing a button. This will be done under Labharthi Utsav (Beneficiary Festival) to be organised in all 33 districts of the state in regard to the Indira Gandhi Gas Cylinder Subsidy Yojana under which the government is providing gas cylinders just for Rs 500. The state-level function will be organised at the Rajasthan Information Centre. P8

Bhagwat’s 4-day Raj tour starts, reaches Hindaun

Manish Bansal

Hindaun City: RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat reached here for a fourday stay during a state level training camp of Sangh Shiksha Varg-II year. He arrived in a train and reached Adarsh Vidya Mandir

in tight security cover. He will interact with the participants and will guide them on various topics. As many as 253 volunteers below the age of 40 are taking part in the camp. He will stay in the school campus and he has no other programme scheduled.

CM

CM Ashok Gehlot inaugurating Rao Jodha Marg in Jodhpur on Sunday in presence of Shakuntala Rawat, Suryakanta Vyas and Gaj Singh.

RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat arrives in Hindaun City on Sunday.

Restoration work underway at the train accident site in Balasore, Odisha on Sunday. —PHOTO BY ANI

An under-construction Aguwani-Sultanganj Ganga bridge collapsed, in Bihar’s Bhagalpur, on Sunday. —PHOTO BY PTI

Union Ministers Ashwini Vaishnaw and Dharmendra Pradhan take stock of restoration work, at the triple train accident site.

EAM S Jaishankar received by Namibia Minister Jenelly Matundu on his arrival in Windhoek, on Sunday. —PHOTO BY ANI

WOMEN MPs CORNER GOVT ON WOMEN ATROCITIES

STATE IS LEADING IN CRIME AGAINST WOMEN: BJP MPs

Diya Kumari and Jaskaur Meena also comment on wrestlers’ protest

Aishwary Pradhan

Jaipur: Two women MPs of BJP cornered the Congress government of Rajasthan in the matter of atrocities on women in the state. MP

Diya Kumari & Jaskaur

Meena held a press conference at State BJP HQs on Saturday. However, on the question of women wrestlers sitting on dharna in Delhi, MP Diya Kumari only said that the matter is in the court and the investigation is going on. She said that if something wrong has happened to any woman, then the central govt

stands with that woman.

Jaskaur Meena said that about 7,091 rape incidents happened in the state last year but no drastic action was taken in any of them. “The Ministers and MLAs son are rape accused and no action is taken,” she said.

Man strangles son to death over property dispute in Bharatpur

3 bike-borne killed after being hit by car in Udpr

First India Bureau

If something wrong has happened to any woman, whether she is a sportsperson or a common woman, then the central government stands with that woman. The wrestlers’ protest matter is in the court and investigation is going on.

Bharatpur (PTI): A 64-year-old man allegedly strangled his son to death over a property dispute in Bharatpur district, police said on Sunday. Lalaram Sharma, a resident of Gulal Kund area, lived with his three sons and had a property dispute with the eldest, Vipin Sharma (35), SHO Ramnath said. On late Saturday night, Lalaram strangled Vipin to death, he said, adding that police saw him roaming near the police station and when asked, he told officers that he had killed his son. The accused has been taken into custody and is being interrogated. A case has been registered against Lalaram under section 302 (murder) of the Indian Penal Code, the SHO said. The body was handed over to the relatives after the post-mortem on Sunday, he said.

NEWS DIGEST ❍ STATE LEVEL CELEBRATIONS ON WORLD ENVIRONMENT DAY TODAY

1 HELD FOR RAISING

SLOGANS DURING

HANUMAN CHALISA

Jaipur: In a quick action on objectionable slogans raised during mass Hanuman Chalisa recitation, the police arrested 1 accused and detained two minors. The mass Hanuman Chalisa recitation took place at the Hanuman temple located at Sanganeri Gate on Saturday. Objectionable slogans were raised against a particular community in this event. Police took immediate action on the basis of a viral video, said DCP (North) Rashi Dogra. “The organizers should keep an eye on such antisocial elements so that social harmony is not disturbed,” she said.

RAJ HC TO HAVE SUMMER VACATIONS FROM TODAY

Jaipur: Raj High Court will have summer vacation from June 5 till July 2. One summer bench each will hear urgent cases in the main bench Jodhpur and Jaipur bench. In the main bench in Jodhpur, Justice Dr. Nupur Bhati will conduct hearing from June 5-9, Justice Madan Gopal Vyas from June 12-16, Justice RP Soni from June 19-23 and Justice YK Purohit will conduct hearing from June 26-30. Similarly, in Jaipur bench, Justice Ashutosh Kumar will conduct hearing from June 5-June 9, Justice Praveer Bhatnagar from June 12-16, Justice Chandra Kumar Songara from June 19-20, Justice Vinod Kumar Bharwani on June 21, Justice Chandra Kumar Songara on June 22 and 23 and Justice Anil Upman will hold hearing from June 26 to 30.

CM to launch policies, flag off run

Nirmal Tiwari

Jaipur: Chief minister

Ashok Gehlot will flag off Run for Environment at 6 am on Monday on World Environment Day. He will also launch new conservation reserves, pollution checking centers and several policies at a state level function. Gehlot will flag off the run at the state level function at Albert hall.

Forest minister Hemaram Chaudhary and industry minister Shakuntla Rawat will also be present at the function. On this occasion, he will unveil the state e-waste manage-

ADOPT ENVIRONMENT FRIENDLY LIFESTYLE, URGES GUV MISHRA

ment policy, climate change policy and forest policy 2023. The celebration will begin at 6 am with ‘Run for Environment’ in which hundreds of people will take part to spread the message of environmental protection. The World Environment Day is going to be special in Rajasthan this year.

Mount Abu: On the occasion of World Environment Day on Monday, Governor Kalraj Mishra stressed the need to adopt an environmentally friendly lifestyle and reduce use of plastic to save people from the adverse effects of pollution. The governor called it important to spread awareness about the adverse effects of climate change and how to reduce pollution. Mishra also called upon everyone to take a pledge to protect forests, wildlife, and environment. Governor Mishra will begin the Environment Conservation and Plantation Week, being jointly organized by the Forest Department and District Administration, by planting saplings in Mount Abu on Monday.

Rathore slams Min Meghwal, seeks phone tapping details for investigation

First India Bureau

Jaipur: Reacting to the statement by Minister for Disaster Management and Relief, Administrative reforms and coordination Govind Meghwal, LoP Rajendra Rathore said that the government belongs to Congress, then why don’t the names of the MLAs be made public. He sought the details of phone tapping for investigation.

Ex-MLA Gunjal, family members booked in Kota

RAJENDRA RATHORE

@Rajendra4BJP

After CM now his fellow minister Meghwal is making unbridled allegations against the BJP regarding horse-trading and phone-tamping of MLAs. If FIR was lodged in the tapping case then why was FR imposed?

“FIR was lodged in ACB and SOG in the phone tapping case. Why was FR imposed? Congress leaders

should stop fulfilling their political interests and it would be better if they work towards public interest,” he said.

DEVASTHAN DEPT’S INITIATIVE

Kota (FIB): A police case has been registered against former MLA Prahlad Gunjal and his family members for abusing and assaulting UIT’s anti-encroachment squad. There was a campaign to free encroachment on about 350 bighas of UIT land in Dharmapura village when the incident happened. The case has been filed on the report of UIT engineer Mukesh Meena & Kamal Meena.

Dev Darshan Padyatra held in Jodhpur

The Padyatra was held at the divisional level to make public aware about oldest temples of city which have historical importance, says Minister S Rawat

Jodhpur : The Devasthan Department on Sunday organized a Dev Darshan Padyatra in Jodhpur. The procession started from the Gang Shyam ji temple and culminated at Ghantaghar while passing through nine major temples. The Dev Darshan Padyatra was flagged-off by Devasthan Minister Shakuntala Rawat.

“On behalf of the

state government, Dev Darshan Padyatra was organized at the divi-

sional level to make the public aware about the history of oldest tem-

Udaipur: Three people were killed in Salumbar town of Udaipur on Saturday after their motorcycle was hit by a speeding car, police said. Police informed the deceased has been identified as Kesar Singh (26), Umaid Singh (40) & Hamir Singh.

“The incident took place at around 11:15 pm on Saturday at Udaipur-Banswara mega highway in Salumbar. The three victims were heading to Bassi from Salumber on a motorcycle when a speeding car hit them from behind. One of them died on the spot while two succumbed to injuries on their way to the hospital. The dead bodies of the victims were kept in the mortuary of MB Hospital for post-mortem,” police said.

Committee room of RWC given to family court

Jaipur (FIB): After CM Ashok Gehlot accepted the demand for accommodation for the Family Court, the Rajasthan Women Commission ordered to hand over its committee room located on the ground floor to the Family Court. The Family Court Bar Association has been demanding for a long time that there are 5 courts in Family Court, but there is seating arrangement only for 3 judges. In this regard, Family Court Convenor Adv Poonam Chand Bhandari and Prez Adv DS Shekhawat were constantly demanding from govt and met various ministers.

3 TEENAGERS DIE ON SPOT AS BIKE COLLIDES WITH BUS; NO ONE WAS WEARING HELMET

Banswara: Three people on a bike died after a collision between a bus and their bike in front of the Garhi police station. All three died on the spot due to severe head injuries. The police have seized the bus but the driver fled the spot. The dead were taken to the Community Health Centre Partapur. The deceased youths are from Bori village of Garhi police station area and are aged between 13 to 19 years. The three youths have been identified as Kanhaiyalal, Aman and Jitendra. Eyewitnesses said that none of the three youths was wearing a helmet. —Subhash Mehata

First India Bureau

Tonk: Deputy LoP Satish Poonia during his one-day visit to Tonk on Sunday met the party workers at the Circuit House. He said that the law and order situation in Rajasthan is very bad and the promise of loan waiver was not kept. He said that Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot is only working to mislead the people of Rajasthan by making populist promises.

Poonia said that people know everything. “Ever since the government was formed, only the food supply is being done. Bundles of notes

Satish Poonia

and gold were found at the secretariat. The state government has hurt the public in fourand-a-half-years. Relief camps are only pretentious as elections are around,” he said. He added that this govt is stuck in saving its chair and has forgotten the promises made in the manifesto.

200 cops raid in Sri Ganganagar

40 teams raid at 80 places & nab over 80 miscreants

First India Bureau

Sri Ganganagar : The Sri Ganganagar Police on Sunday early morning raided more than 80 places in Suratgarh and Sri Karanpur town and arrested more than 70 miscreants.

Police officials informed that 40 teams, including 200 policemen, raided various

Police team in action in Sri Ganganagar on Sunday.

places in the two towns and seized vehicles, narcotics drugs and illegal liquor and arms.

“The police action was taken in nine police stations of Suratgarh and Sri Karanpur town. Six cases have been registered under NDPS Act while 7 cases have been filed under excise Act. In Khayaliwala and Gajsinghpur, illegal liquor production units were destroyed. More than 70 people have been arrested and are being interrogated,” the police official added while informing about the raids done on Sunday.

ples of the city which have importance from ancient times. Earlier, the padyatra was organized in Jaipur and Udaipur and now it has been organised in Jodhpur,” said Devasthan Minister Shakuntala Rawat. “The state government has announced a budget for the development of all the temples of the Devasthan department and has also decided to make panoramas,” added the minister.

BJP BACKING VARIOUS ‘CASTE SAMMELANS’ IN JPR!

I s BJP behind the caste sammelans being held for the past many days in Jaipur? Kumbh of Brahmin Samaj took place a few days ago in which Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw was the chief guest. Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla was present in the Mahakumbh of Kumawat Samaj. UP Deputy CM Keshav Prasad Maurya

and Om Birla attended the Mali Mahasangam on Sunday. The strategy of the BJP leaders was also

clearly visible behind the caste conventions. Gajendra Singh Shekhawat and Rajendra Rathore were also the center of attraction in the diamond jubilee program of Kshatriya Yuvak Sangh. In all the social events so far, only BJP leaders were seen as chief guests. Although Jat Mahakumbh and SCST class events can be called exceptions.

Shiv Prakash Purohit

Shakuntala Rawat during the programme in Jodhpur on Sunday.

CM Ashok Gehlot

The two injured were taken to MB Hospital in Udaipur in a loading tempo, where the doctors declared them dead.

Diya Kumari, Jaskaur Meena, and Nimisha Gaur during the press conference at the state BJP office in Jaipur on Sunday. —PHOTO BY MUKESH KIRADOO

—Diya Kumari, MP Rajsamand

‘CM misleading people with populist promises’

Raj: 4 killed in rain-related incidents, MeT issues alert

Department issues ‘Orange’ alert as thunderstorms and heavy rains wreak havoc in state

First India Bureau

Jaipur: Four people, including a woman and her two sons, died while three others were injured in rain-related incidents in Ajmer and Jaisalmer districts, police said on Sunday. The Meteorological Department has issued an alert for thunderstorms with heavy rains in many areas of the state on Sunday.

In Ajmer district, Nani (50) and her two sons Suresh Gurjar (22) and Gyanchand Gurjar (18) died after the wall of a house collapsed over them in Khutian village under Vijay Nagar police station area on Saturday night, police said. Two people were injured in the accident, they said. In Jaisalmer, a minor boy was killed while another person was injured after being struck by lightning on Saturday night.

Heavy rainfall and hailstorm occurred at isolated places in Rajasthan on Sunday, the weather department here said. Bundi was the hottest place with a maximum temperature of 41 degrees while Barmer recorded a high of 40.8 degrees Celsius.

STATE SEES 21.1 MM OF RAINFALL IN LAST 4 DAYS

112 villages in dark as electricity infrastructure takes massive hit

Mukesh Mathrani

Jaipur: In the last 24 hours, Bonli district in Sawai Madhopur recorded 6 cm of rain, Chittorgarh recieved 4 cm while the areas of Rashmi, Mavli and Kumbhalgarh recorded a rainfall of 4 cm each. Various places across the state recorded 1 to 3 cm of rainfall in varying intesity during the same period.

Barmer: The severe thunderstorms and heavy rain witnessed in Rajasthan’s Barmer district have caused massive damage in the district. Due to heavy thunderstorms lots of makeshift structures have also been damaged. Maximum damage has been caused to the Jodhpur Discom as more than 1250 electricity poles have fallen down and 50 power transformers got damaged leading to power outages at many places. Initial report revealed

There’s no issue between CM & Ex Dy CM: GS Dotasra

First India Bureau

Jaipur: The CISF personnel posted at Jaipur International Airport on Saturday arrested a passenger, Kaushlendra Singh after five live cartridges were recovered from his luggage.

“CISF SI Sandeep Yadav present at the security check screened the luggage at the airport and spotted something suspicious. When the bag of the accused was opened, five live cartridges were recovered. A police report was filed and the accused was taken into custody,” police said.

Husband prime accused in death of wife, four kids

Mukesh Mathrani

Barmer: A man in Rajasthan’s Barmer district had allegedly killed his wife and four children late on Saturday night and fled from the crime scene. Prima facie it was believed to be a case of joint suicide, where the woman had allegedly killed her four children, and later committed suicide. However, the deceased woman’s father had alleged that his daughter’s husband had killed all the five and es-

16-yr-old girl abducted and raped in Baran

First India Bureau

caped from the scene.

Police said that Urmila’s father Venaram has alleged that the husband Jetharam had killed his daughter and

her kids and that he had been harassing and beating the woman in past. Police said they have started an investigation in the matter.

Head master of school rapes multiple minors

Puneet Chaturvedi

PK Agarwal

Chittorgarh: PCC Chief Govind Singh Dotasra on Sunday took part in the Khel Mahakumbh in Badi Sadri town of Chittorgarh district. Govind Singh Dotasra, who was chief guest of the programme, while addressing the gathering said that there is no issue between state Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot

and former Deputy CM Sachin Pilot.

“The media does not have any news and that is why they are talking about this issue. The high command of the party has resolved all the matters. In Chittorgarh, the District President will be appointed as per the wishes of the party workers. No one’s quota will work here,” said PCC President Govind Singh Dotasra.

BUREAUCRACY TALES

power cut in more than 112 villages. Discom officials said that teams have been sent in the affected are-

as but it took at least two days to restore the supply. Till then the affected area may remain in the dark, officials said.

Baran: A minor girl was allegedly gangraped in Baran district. The 16-year old victim has registered a case against the two youths at Anta police station. ASI Ghanshyam Meena said that the victim told in the report that on the night of June 1, her parents had gone out to attend a wedding ceremony when the accused with covered faces entered her house and abducted her. She said that one accused raped and the other stood there.

Dungarpur: The headmaster of a government school used to call minor girl students and rape them not only at the school but also at his own home.

Police interrogation has made many shocking revelations of the accused headmaster.

DSP Rakesh Kumar

Sharma of Dungarpur said that the accused Ramesh Chandra Katara of local school was arrested on Saturday.

On Sunday, he was produced in a court and remanded to police custo-

dy. Katara used to call minor girl students to school even after summer vacations, take off their clothes and later rape them. DSP Sharma said that so far statements of 6 minor victim girl students have been recorded.

First India Bureau

Jaipur: Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot is going to take a crime meeting with the officers at the Rajasthan Police Headquarters on Tuesday. He will review crime, law and order, both district-wise and at the range level. A big list of IPS transfers can come after this review meeting. It is being reported that the CM had asked for a report on this subject from the Home Department the last month. During the meeting, crime branch will present district-wise crime graph. CM will also review the ongoing operations against arms and drug traffickers.

IAS Anandhi returning to Raj

Rajendra Chhabra

Jaipur: IAS officer Anandhi is coming back to Rajasthan due to premature repatriation. She went to LBSNAA Mussoorie on deputation for five years in Dec 2020 and was to return in 2025.

Anandi, an official of 2007- batch in Rajasthan cadre, has been promoted to the post of secretary in January 2023. The post of deputy director in Mus-

soorie, on which she was working, is junior to secretary and there is no secretary level post available for her.

After her return, important responsibilities can be assigned to Anandi, who has been

collector in 5 districts.

According to sources, she may be given the command of HCM (RIPA) as she possesses experience in this field.

On the other hand, 2005- batch IAS officer Aarushi Malik is also returning after one year study leave by June 15. She can also be given secretary level duties.

Similarly, 2003- batch IAS couple Rajan Vishal and Archana Singh is also returning from oneyear study leave abroad

at the end of June. The return of these four IAS officers will provide a lot of relief to DoP from the shortage of officers.

There is also good news for the state’s bureaucracy that Rajat Kumar Mishra, senior IAS officer has been empaneled as secretary in the center. Presently, he is working as Additional Secretary in the Department of Economic Affairs, Ministry of Finance.

A large number of transformers and electricity poles have suffered damage causing blackout in several villages across the state.

GS Dotasra being welcomed by Sanwaliyaji Temple Committee in Chittorgarh on Sunday. Also seen is Udai Lal Anjana and others.

Sand storm engulfs Bikaner. Several trees fell in Udaipur during the storm and rains that have been lashing the state since last several days.

CISF recovers live ammunition from passenger at Jaipur airport

CM Gehlot to hold police review meeting on Tuesday

Special team of Rajasthan police along with forensic experts investigating the crime scene.

RAILWAYS EXPLAINS BALASORE TRAIN CRASH

“Due to change in electronic interlocking”

New Delhi (Agencies):

The Railway Board on Sunday detailed the events leading to the catastrophic triple train accident in Odisha's Balasore on Friday night that killed at least 275 people and left over 1,000 injured. Railways Minister Ahswini Vaishnaw has said the accident was caused due to an issue with the "electronic interlocking system".

The Bahanaga Bazar station in Balasore, where the horrific crash took place, is a four-line station, the railways explained, adding that there are two main lines in the middle and two loop lines on either side.

There were goods trains loaded with iron ore on both the loop lines, Jaya Verma Sinha, Member, Operations & BD, Railway Board, said. She repeatedly stressed that only one train, the Coromandel Express, and not three, as has been

“3 Union Minister will be camping in Odisha”

Balasore (ANI): Union Minister of State for Tribal Affairs Bishweswar Tudu on Sunday expressed grief over the Balasore train accident and said that till all the passengers are sent home safely, 3 Union ministers including Railway Minister

allegedly speculated, suffered an accident.

"For some reason, that train met with an accident, and the engine and coach went over it," she said. It crashed into a goods train full of iron ore stationed on one of the loop lines, she explained, claiming that the goods train absorbed all the shock of the crash as it was very heavy. Coaches of the Coromandel Express got thrown off into the third track and rammed into a couple of coaches of the train approaching at high speed from Howrah, Sinha said.

The railways has said

that "Kavach", the indigenously developed automatic train protection system, was not available on the route where the accident occurred.

Sinha, dismissing West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee's question on the absence of Kavach, reiterated the Railways Minister's assertion that the crash had nothing to do with Kavach as it wouldn't have been helpful in averting such an accident. No technology in the world can avert some accidents, she said, citing examples of boulders suddenly dropping in front of vehicles as an example.

Ashiwini Vaishnaw will be camping in Odisha.

“We (Railway Minister Ashiwini Vaishnaw and Dharmendra Pradhan) will remain in Balasore until all the passengers are brought back to their homes safe and sound,” Bishweswar Tudu said on Sunday.

LAST YEAR’S AUDIT REPORT FLAGGED SERIOUS CONCERNS ON

RAIL SAFETY

New Delhi: Critics pointed to an audit report of the railways tabled in the Parliament last year, which flagged several serious lapses in rail safety. The Railway Board has detailed the sequence of events leading to the crash. The Comptroller and Auditor General, in a 2022 report on derailments in Indian Railways sought to find out whether measures to prevent derailments and collisions were clearly laid down and implemented by the rail ministry.

AIM TO RESTORE NORMAL SERVICES BY WEDNESDAY:

MINISTERS

Balasore (PTI): Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said on Sunday that the Railways is aiming to restore normal services on the affected tracks by Wednesday. Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan also said that the rescue teams are working on the restoration of tracks after the tragic train accident in Balasore.

On-leave NDRF jawan emerges as unsung hero in Odisha train tragedy

Bhubaneswar (PTI):

An on-leave NDRF jawan travelling on the Coromandel Express was perhaps the first person to alert emergency services about the train’s accident in Odisha’s Balasore before he joined initial rescue efforts, officials said.

National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) jawan Venkatesh NK was on leave and travelling from Howrah in West Bengal to Tamil Nadu. He had a narrow escape as his coach B-7, though derailed did not collide with coaches ahead of it, the officials

TRAGEDY ON THE TRACKS

LIC EASES CLAIM PROCESS NORMS FOR VICTIMS

Mumbai (PTI): National insurer LIC on Saturday announced many relaxations for the claim settlement process for the victims of the Balasore train tragedy. The accident involving two passenger trains and a stationary goods train has led to the loss of life of at least hundreds of people and left over 1,100 injured. In a late evening statement, LIC chairman Siddhartha Mohanty announced a slew of relaxations to the claim settlement process for the kin of the victims.

SHOCKED TN TRAIN CRASH SURVIVORS RECOUNT TRAUMA

Chennai (PTI): For several survivors of the Odisha train accident who arrived here on Sunday in a special train, the trauma they endured is unlikely to dissipate soon and it was more than shock and disbelief for them. A woman from Kerala said she had only seen accidents on televisions and when she experienced it herself, she was terrified. “The bed sheets given to passengers were used to carry the injured and it turned red with blood; a dreadful scene,” she said.

ANDHRA CM REDDY ANNOUNCES EX-GRATIA OF `10 LAKH

Amravati (ANI): Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy on Sunday announced ex-gratia of Rs 10 lakh each to the kin of the deceased in the Odisha train accident. CM Jagan Reddy also announced Rs 5 lakh for those who are seriously injured and Rs 1 lakh for those who sustained minor injuries in the incident. “At a review meeting held here on Sunday on relief and rescue operations, the Chief Minister directed the officials to pay ex-gratia of Rs 10 lakh each to the kin of the deceased, Rs 5 lakh each to those seriously injured and Rs. 1 lakh each to those who sustained minor injuries, in addition to the financial help extended by the Centre,” an official statement said.

CONGRESS

DEMANDS

RAILWAY MINISTER ASHWINI VAISHNAW’S RESIGNATION

New Delhi (PTI): The Congress on Sunday demanded the resignation of Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw over the Odisha rail tragedy. Addressing a press conference, Congress MP Shaktisinh Gohil and AICC’s publicity and media department head Pawan Khera alleged that the Odisha rail tragedy was a “man-made devastation caused by “utter negligence, serious lapses in the system, incompetence, and a narcissistic sense of know-it-all attitude of the Modi government”.

TOP OFFICIALS SAY TRAIN RECEIVED GREEN SIGNAL, WAS NOT OVER-SPEEDING

New Delhi (PTI): The railways on Sunday said the Coromandel Express was “not over-speeding” and received the green signal to enter a loop line on which a goods train was stationary, virtually clearing its driver of any role behind the accident that killed 288 people in Odisha’s Balasore district. Two key offi cials of the Railway Board - Principal Executive Director of Signalling Sandeep Mathur and Member of Operation and Business Development Jaya Varma Sinha - explained how the accident might have occurred. They described the functioning of the interlocking system which prima facie seemed to have been part of the problem which led to the accident.

“...Home Ministry is helping us”: Railways

New Delhi (ANI): The Ministry of Home Affairs is assisting the Railway Board in the rescue and investigation of the tragic train accident in Odisha’s Balasore that claimed hundreds of human lives. “Not NIA, Ministry of Home Affairs is assisting us,” the Member of Operation and

Business Development in Railway Board, Jaya Varma Sinha said on Sunday while addressing a press conference in the national capital. She told ANI that at least two railway lines are expected to be operational by Sunday night, but as of now the reason of accident can’t be authenticated.

PIL IN SC SEEKS SETTING UP OF INQUIRY COMMISSION HEADED BY RETIRED JUDGE

New Delhi (PTI): A PIL has been filed in the Supreme Court seeking a direction to the Centre for setting up an inquiry commission headed by a retired apex court judge to probe the cause of the train accident in Odisha’s Balasore district that left hundreds of people dead. The plea filed by advocate Vishal Tiwari also sought directions to the Centre to immediately set up an expert commission headed by retired judge of the apex court and consisting of technical members to analyse and review the risk and safety parameters in the railway system and to suggest systematic safety modifications for strengthening Railway safety mechanism and submit its report to the court.

said. He was in a third AC coach and his seat number was 58. The 39-year-old constable, posted with the NDRF’s 2nd battalion

in Kolkata, first called his senior inspector in the battalion to inform him about the accident. He then sent some pictures and the “live

Police warns against bid to create communal disharmony

Bhubaneswar (PTI): Odisha Police Sunday appealed to all sections to desist from circulating rumours giving a communal colour to Balasore’s triple train accident where at least 275 people have died and over 1,100 injured. The Odisha police also warned that severe legal action will be initiated

against those found trying to create communal disharmony by spreading any rumor. Taking to twitter, the Odisha police said: “It has come to notice that some social media handles are mischievously giving a communal colour to the tragic train accident at Balasore. This is highly unfortunate.”.

location” of the site on WhatsApp to the NDRF control room, and this was used by the first rescue teams to reach the spot, they said.

Doctors rushed to Odisha to attend injured in accident, says Mandaviya

Bhubaneshwar (ANI): Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya on Sunday took a review meeting with senior doctors and officials of AIIMS, Bhubaneshwar, where they discussed medical attention for those injured in the Odisha train accident.

They discussed the procedures regarding embalming of bodies of the deceased and subsequently handing them over to respective family members. Mandaviya informed that a medical team, comprising experts, from Delhi has reached Bhubaneswar to provide critical care.

Adani & Sehwag to sponsor education of kids who lost parents in accident

New Delhi (PTI): Billionaire Gautam Adani on Sunday offered to provide free school education to children who lost parents in the country’s deadliest train crash in decades, saying the train accident in Odisha was deeply disturbing.

In a tweet, Gautam Adani, who heads a conglomerate that spans ports to energy, commodities, airports and data centres, said it is a joint responsibility of all to support the victims and their families and give a better tomorrow to the children.

“We are all deeply disturbed by the train ac-

“LEAST I CAN DO”

Morgue crunch in Odisha as unclaimed bodies pile up

Bhubaneswar (PTI):

Odisha is facing a morgue crunch as a large number of unclaimed dead bodies from Balasore’s triple train accident, have piled up at its mortuaries. Unable to cope with the large numbers, the Odisha government has shifted 187 of them to Bhubaneswar.

cident in Odisha. We have decided that the Adani Group will take care of the school education of the innocents who have lost their parents in this accident. It is the joint responsibility of all of us to sup-

port the victims and their families and give a better tomorrow to the children,” he said in a tweet in Hindi.

The deadliest rain accident in nearly 3 decades left nearly 300 dead and hundreds injured.

However, here too a space crunch is making the situation a tough one for morgue administrators. While 110 bodies were kept at the AIIMS Bhubaneswar, the remaining have been sent to Capital Hospital, & others.

Jaya Verma Sinha

NDRF personnel during the restoration work at the site of Friday’s triple train accident near Bahanaga Bazar railway station, in Balasore district, on Sunday. —PHOTO BY PTI

Passengers wait for south bound trains to resume which remain suspended due to accident, at Howrah railway station on Sunday.

Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya interacts with the passenger injured in the Balasore train accident, on Sunday.

Restoration work on at the accident site in Balasore on Sunday.

Gautam Adani Virender Sehwag

Prez begins her first state visit; leaves for 6-day visit to Suriname

New Delhi (ANI): The President on Saturday left the national capital for a six-day visit to Suriname and Serbia.

This is the president’s maiden visit to Suriname and also her first state visit since assuming office in July 2022.

President Droupadi Murmu departs for visit to Suriname and Serbia from New Delhi on Sunday. —PHOTO BY ANI

CM Yogi ensures provision of pucca houses, listens to problems of 400 people

TEACH BEFITTING LESSON TO LANDGRABBERS: YOGI

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) Secretary (East) Saurabh Kumar on Friday informed that Presi-

dent Murmu will travel to Suriname and Serbia from June 4 to 9. Briefing about the Suriname leg of President Murmu’s visit, he said she will be in Suriname on a state visit from June 4-6, at the invitation of Suriname President Chandrikapersad Santokhi.

“This will be her maiden visit to Suriname. Maiden state

visit after she assumed the office of President.

The visit assumes historical significance as the President will be the chief guest at the 150th-anniversary celebrations of the arrival of Indians in Suriname, which would be celebrated on June 5,” the MEA Secretary (East) said during a special briefing on President’s visit to

Naidu-Shah meet spurs talk of TDP-BJP alliance

Gorakhpur (ANI): Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has directed the concerned officials to bring every needy person without a house under the ambit of the government’s housing scheme and ensure the provision of pucca houses to them.

Listening to the problems of around 400 people, including several women, at the Janata Darshan held in front of Mahant Digvijaynath Smriti Bhawan at Gorakhnath temple on Sunday, CM Yogi instructed officers to teach a befitting lesson to land-grabbers. ial a

Gorakhpur ((ANI): Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has directed the concerned officials to bring every needy person without a house under the ambit of the government’s housing scheme and ensure the provision of pucca houses to them, said a press release on Sunday. Listening to the problems of around 400 people, including several women, at the Janata Darshan held in front of Mahant

Digvijaynath Smriti Bhawan at Gorakhnath temple on Sunday, CM Yogi instructed officers to teach a befitting lesson to land-grabbers. The Chief Minister also told officers to prioritize public welfare work as well as address and resolve people’s problems promptly, added the statement. CM Yogi reached out to the people one by one, heard them out patiently.

Amaravati: TDP president N. Chandrababu Naidu’s meeting with Union Home Minister Amit Shah and BJP national president J.P. Nadda in New Delhi has triggered speculation of the two parties reviving their alliance.

The meeting happened late on Saturday.

This was Naidu’s first meeting with Amit Shah since 2018 when the TDP pulled out of the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA).

The meeting comes amid the buzz in political circles that the former Andhra Pradesh chief minister is keen to have an alliance with the BJP for Telangana Assembly elections scheduled later this year and the next year’s Assembly and Lok Sabha polls in Andhra

ALLIANCE WITH BJP

dent Santokhi. Saurabh Kumar, during the briefing, said the President “will participate in a number of activities to commemorate the arrival of Indians in Suriname and visit the sites associated with their history in that country. The President will also interact with the Indian community”.

Amritsar (ANI): The security in Amritsar has been beefed up by the deployment of Central forces ahead of the Operation Bluestar anniversary on June 6.

“Security arrangements have been made across the state. Meetings have been held with the stakeholders. Central forces have also been deployed. I appeal the people to maintain peace in the state and action will be taken against those who spread rumors”, said Additional Director General of Police

N. Chandrababu Naidu with Union HM Amit Shah —FILE PHOTO

Pradesh.

During an-hour-long meeting, the former chief minister is understood to have discussed with both Amit Shah and Nadda the proposal for TDP-BJP alliance in both the Telugu states.

Naidu, who is in Delhi to attend the consultative meeting of the leaders on G20, is likely

to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday.

Accompanied by TDP MPs K. Ravindra Kumar, Kesineni Nani, Rammohan Naidu and former MP K. Rammohan Rao, Naidu reached Delhi on Saturday evening. Rebel YSRCP MP Raghurama Krishna Raju received the TDP

Coal companies ‘Green initiatives’ effort soar

New Delhi (PTI):

From planting saplings to development of ecoparks, state-owned coal companies are taking various measures to reclaim abandoned mines, infusing multicore investments, coal and mines minister Pralhad Joshi said. Other initiatives of the ministry include adoption of modern

technologies like gasification of coal, installation of renewable energy projects, conservation of water bodies etc, the minister told PTI in an interview.

“Our Prime Minister (Narendra Modi) has set a vision to make India net zero by 2070. In line with his vision, our PSUs are

Our PM (Narendra Modi) has set a vision to make India net zero by 2070. In line with his vision, our PSUs are taking various efforts to make the coal mining a sustainable exercise. We are doing our bit for climate change issue. They are spending thousands of crores to meet this goal.

—Pralhad Joshi, coal and mines minister

taking various efforts to make the coal mining a sustainable exer-

cise. We are doing our bit for climate change issue. They are spend-

ing thousands of crores to meet this goal,” he said ahead of the World Environment Day on June 5. Public sector units have drawn a plan to develop a green cover area of 2,500 hectares (ha) planting 50 lakh saplings in the ongoing 2023-24 fiscal, taking the total count to over 42 million trees.

NIA probes HuT terror module in Bhopal

New Delhi: The autopsy report of the 16-yearold Sakshi, who was stabbed 34 times, kicked multiple times, and struck with a cemented stone six times by Mohammad Sahil Khan here in the Shahbad Dairy area on May 28, revealed that her skull was broken

into pieces and due to multiple stabbing by knife, her intestines also came out of the body, a source said on Sunday. According to sources, there were 16 deep wounds in Sakshi’s body, with excessive bleeding leading to her death

Bhopal: A team of NIA on Sunday arrived in Bhopal to interrogate the arrested members of the terror module Hizb-ul-Tahrir (HuT).

According to sources in the NIA, they had recently lodged an FIR in this connection and have started an investigation. The NIA is working together with Madhya Pradesh Police ATS to probe

the matter.

“We are trying to ascertain what was their possible future course

of action and determine the number of states they have targeted,” said an NIA source.

chief at the airport. From there, they drove to the residence of TDP MP Galla Jayadev.

Later, around 8.55 p.m., Naidu alone reached Amit Shah’s residence. A few minutes later, Nadda also reached there. The meeting among the trio continued till around 10 p.m.

Threat of pandemic far from

over,

Bharati Pravin Pawar inaugurating the exhibition at G20 3rd Working Group Meeting along with G Kishan Reddy.

Hyderabad (ANI): The threat of pandemics is far from over and there is a need to integrate and strengthen One Health-based surveillance systems, said Union MoS for Health, Bharati Pravin Pawar, while addressing the third Health Working Group meeting under India’s G20 Presidency on Sunday.

Underlining the im-

portance of global collaboration and partnerships, Pawar was quoted in an official statement that the COVID-19 pandemic highlighted that partnerships are most fruitful only when developed during peacetime and not amidst an ongoing pandemic and that there is a need to focus on creating resilient health systems, with primary health in focus.

Char Dham Yatra 2023: Number of pilgrims crosses 20 lakh

Dehradun (ANI): According to govt officials, in the ongoing Char Dham Yatra in Uttarakhand, the number of pilgrims has crossed 20 lakh and till now more than 40 lakh pilgrims have registered for the Yatra. According to the government, maximum 7.13 lakh pilgrims have visited Baba Kedarnath so far. The government has currently banned

online registration for the Kedarnath Dham Yatra untill June 15 to control the crowd.

According to the report of the Tourism Department, more than 60 thousand pilgrims are visiting Kedarnath, Badrinath, Gangotri and Yamunotri Dham daily when the weather is clear. The Char Dham Yatra consists of the four holy shrines: Gan-

gotri, Yamunotri, Kedarnath and Badrinath. The Kapat (door) of the

Gangotri and Yamunotri opened for devotees on April 22, on the

auspicious day of Akshay Tritiya. The doors of the Kedarnath Dham opened on April 25 and Badrinath Dham on April 27 .

On May 17, Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Singh Dhami inaugurated the Registration Office cum Transit Camp for Char Dham Yatris in Rishikesh at a cost of about Rs 22.25 cr.

CM Dhami said that

efforts have been made by the state govt to provide all possible facilities to the devotees for the Char Dham Yatra. On the occasion of the inauguration of the Registration Office cum Transit Camp for Chardham Yatris, Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami also inspected all the works being done for the convenience of Chardham Ya-

(ADGP) Arpit Shukla. Operation Bluestar was launched between June 1-6, 1984, by Indian Army to remove the separatists who were hidden inside the Golden Temple at Amritsar. The operation was ordered by the then PM Indira Gandhi, primarily to take control of the Harmandir Sahib Complex in Amritsar. The Indian military entered into the premises of the temple to drive out the Sikh extremist religious leader, Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale and his armed followers.

CRUCIAL READ

ROPEWAY CAR GETS STUCK IN MP, 6 RESCUED

Dewas: An accident was averted on Saturday evening near Mata Tekri temple in MPs Dewas after a cable car with six tourists got stuck on the ropeway. Deputy SP in Dewas Vivek Singh Chauhan said the cable of the ropeway came out from the pulley due to the storm. The people, stuck on the ropeway, were finally rescued successfully after an hour-long effort.

CRIMINAL WANTED IN 9 CASES HELD IN HARYANA

New Delhi: The Delhi Police’s Crime Branch arrested a 30-year-old criminal, who was wanted in nine cases registered in Haryana and the national capital, said an official on Sunday. The accused was identified as Rahul Sethi, a resident of Sagarpur in Delhi. He was also found previously involved in 50 cases of snatching, robbery, auto theft among others

MEHBOOBA MUFTI GETS PASSPORT AFTER 3 YEARS

tris. On this occasion, he also visited the hospital, registration office, inquiry & help centre in the transit camp and reviewed all the arrangements there.

Also, Dhami interacted with the devotees from different states who had come for Char Dham Yatra. He welcomed everyone to Devbhoomi Uttarakhand.

Srinagar: Former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister and president of PDP Mehbooba Mufti was issued a passport after three years. Mehbooba confirmed to reporters that she has got the passport from the passport officer.It must be recalled that the Delhi high court had asked the passport authorities in March to decide within three months the issuance of travel documents to Mehbooba.

Security tightened ahead of Op Bluestar

need to strengthen surveillance systems: Pawar

Shahbad murder: 'Girl's skull broken into pieces', report

RAF and police personnel patrol at the Heritage Street ahead of Operation Blue Star anniversary, in Amritsar. —PHOTO BY PTI

It is the beauty of the world that all of us are seeking the ‘Ultimate Truth’ without any proof of a person having found it.

MALI MAHASANGAM AT VIDHYADHAR NAGAR STADIUM IN JAIPUR

CROWD HAILS CM, HINDERING SPEECH BY DEPUTY CM OF UP

Om Birla didn't deliver speech and refused to accept any kind of felicitation because of the recently held Odisha train accident

First India Bureau

Jaipur: Slogans of 'CM

Ashok Gehlot Zindabad' were raised in front of UP Deputy CM Keshav

Prasad Maurya in the Mahasangam of the Mali Community in Jaipur on Sunday. Due to continuous sloganeering by Gehlot supporters, Maurya had to stop his speech midway.

Lok Sabha Speaker

Om Birla did not give a speech in the event due to the Odisha train accident. He even refused to accept any kind of felicitation on the stage.

Birla and Maurya were the chief guests at the Mahasangam held at Vidyadhar Nagar Stadium. As soon as Maurya got up to deliver the speech, Gehlot supporters started raising slogans. Maurya kept on giving the speech for a while, but when the sloganeering did not stop, he stopped but finished the speech after a while.

Former Minister Prabhulal Saini, MLA Shobharani Kushwaha and many leaders and workers of Mali community participated.

Former Minister Prabhulal Saini, MLA Shobharani Kushwaha and many leaders and workers of Mali community participated.

MAJOR DEMANDS

KEPT THROUGH

MALI MAHAKUMBH

z Mahatma Jyotibarao Phule & Savitri Bai Phule should be honoured with Bharat Ratna.

z Statue of Mahatma Jyotibarao Phule should be installed at new Parl House.

z Sept 5 should be celebrated as Teacher's Day in name of Mata Savitri Bai Phule.

z Saini, Mali, Kushwaha, Shakya, Maurya, Suman, Vanmali, Bhoi Mali community should be given 12% quota.

z National political parties should give at least 1 ticket to Mali Samaj in each district.

z Kushwaha Samaj Lavkush Board should be formed.

z Research Chairs should be set up in name of Mahatma Jyotibarao Phule couple in Universities of nation.

The way the people of the society are getting support, definitely the Congress government is going to repeat in Rajasthan.

Pilot won’t form new party, nor join other: Sources

First India Bureau Jaipur: Former Deputy CM Sachin Pilot will neither form a political party nor will join any other party. As per informed sources, Pilot will soon get new responsibility in Congress. A big Party leader & a leader close to the High Command gave these hints. Also a committee will be formed on issues raised by Pilot. The former Dy CM has been demanding action against corruption during previous BJP govt and in the paper leak cases.

Youth of Namdev Community playing imperative role in nation building: Birla

Bhanwar S Charan

Kota: The swearing-in ceremony of the National Executive of Namdev

Chhipa Mahasabha

Samiti was organised at Sant Namdev ITI in Mahavir Nagar Extension.

LS Speaker Om Birla in his address, said that Youth of Namdev are playing an important role in nation building.

With Lord Vitthal & Saint Namdev’s inspiration, community is working for the welfare of the underprivileged.

‘Suspend officers making wrong notings on files’

First India Bureau

Kota: UDH Minister Shanti Dhariwal on his tour to Kota, has warned officials of strict action on creating any hurdle in issuing leases under Prashasan Shehron Ke Sang drive. There have been complaints against officials that they put note on files against rules following which, the Minister has issued strict warning against such officials.

The Minister reprimanded Municipal Cor-

poration officials on plaints against them during Hath Se Hath Jodo padyatra in ward 27. He said that the officials, who make wrong noting on files will be suspended.

Udpr: Foundation stone of dairy plant to be laid today

z Resources be made available to connect extremely backward class with main stream.

z Amarpura Nagaur, birthplace of Sant Shiromani Likhmidas Maharaj be developed as a panorama & religious place.

z Report of Rohini Commission by Centre should be made public.

z Lawsuits filed in social and political movements against society’s people should be withdrawn.

Ashish Choudhary

Rajsamand: Nathdwara in Rajsamand dist will get another gift from State govt. On June 5, the Assembly Speaker Dr CP Joshi & four Mins, Pramod Jain, Ramlal Jat, Lalchand Kataria & Udai-

Lal Anjana will lay the foundation stone of a dairy plant of about 1 lakh litres. A new plant is being set up at Gunjol in Nathdwara Nagar for Rajsamand Milk Cooperative Society at a cost of Rs 48 cr, Dairy chairman Lakshmi Narayan Gurjar informed.

Overall development of State taking place due to welfare schemes: Gehlot

National

NRI DELEGATION INVITES BIRLA TO ARYA SAMAJ INTERNATIONAL GENERAL CONFERENCE

BIRLA SENDS INJURED MAN TO HOSP IN HIS CONVOY’S AMBULANCE

Kota: Showing sensitivity, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla noticed a man injured in a road accident and arranged to send him to hospital in the ambulance of his convoy. Birla was returning from a programme in Thekda area late on Saturday night. He noticed the injured man, Shubham Purohit following which, he stopped the convoy and took care of the man. He sent him to hospital in the ambulance. The LS Speaker also sent his doctor to the hospital with the injured man.

Rajeev Gaur

Jodhpur: Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot gave many gifts to the residents of Jodhpur on Sunday. Gehlot virtually laid 44 foundation stones and dedicated 16 development plans worth Rs 1,136 crore. He inaugurated and laid the foundation stone of Saran Nagar rain water channel, RTO drain, Bhairav drain and other development works in Sardarpura, Sursagar, Luni, Osian, Shergarh, Lohawat, Bho-

palgarh, & other assembly constituencies. CM addressed the public meet in Degadri. Praising the works of Devasthan Minister Shakuntala Rawat, the CM said that Devasthan Minister Shakuntala Rawat is doing a wonderful job. Shakuntala Rawat termed CM Gehlot the ‘Pride of Marwar.’ The CM announced construction of a 4-lane road of Bhopalgarh Veer Tejaji Road, PSC to CSC in Bu-

CM UNVEILS TIRANGA CIRCLE & 100-FEET TRICOLOUR IN PALI

Pali: CM Ashok Gehlot on Sunday inaugurated the Tiranga Circle and 100-feet National Flag in Pali. The roundabout and national flag is built at a cost of Rs 13 lakh by UIT, Pali. During the inaugural ceremony, CM said that State govt is committed to speedy redressal of the problems of common man & heard grievances of people during a Jansunwai. A delegation of Patel community reached the circuit house and thanked the Chief Minister for making Pali a division.

—Satyanarayan Sharma

CM WILL TRANSFER SUBSIDY IN BANK

ACCOUNTS OF 14 LAKH BENEFICIARIES TODAY

Jaipur: Labharthi Utsav (Beneficiary Festival) will be organised in all 33 Raj districts in regard to the Indira Gandhi Gas Cylinder Subsidy Yojana today. The state-level function will be organised at Rajasthan Information Centre where, CM Ashok Gehlot by pressing a button will transfer the subsidy of Rs 60 crore in bank accounts of 14 lakh beneficiaries. He will also have a dialogue with 10 beneficiaries. Video films based on Mehangai Rahat Camps and Indira Gandhi Gas Cylinder Subsidy Scheme will be shown.

Om Birla administers the oath to the newly formed

Executive of Namdev Chhipa Mahasabha Committee during the swearing -in ceremony held at Sant Namdev ITI in Kota on Sunday.

People excitedly shout slogans hailing CM Ashok Gehlot during the ‘Mali Mahasangam’ at Vidhyadhar Nagar Stadium in Jaipur on Sunday.

Om Birla and Prabhulal Saini wave at the crowd during the Mali Samaj Mahasangam held at Vidhyadhar Nagar Stadium in Jaipur on Sunday.

Keshav Prasad Maurya addresses the masses during the mega event in Jaipur on Sunday.

Vaibhav Gehlot speaks during the Mali Mahasangam in Jaipur on Sunday.

—Vaibhav Gehlot, RCA President & AICC Member

—PHOTOS BY SUNIL SHARMA

Kota: A delegation of Indian American citizens met Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla and invited him to the Arya Samaj International General Conference to be held in America. The Conference is proposed in June-July next year. The delegation was led by Dr Ramesh Gupta, an American citizen originally from Baran.

Shanti Dhariwal & Amit Dhariwal unveil author Dr Omkar Nath Chaturvedi’s book on ‘Suryamall Misran’ in Kota.

Dr CP Joshi inaugurates devp works worth Rs 10 cr at Shishvi village in Nathdwara on Sunday. Also seen are Devkinandan Gurjar, Rameshwar Khateek, Dalchand Dangi, KS Gaur & others.

chkala and satellite hospital in Saran Nagar.

Dr Jagdeesh Chandra paid a courtesy call on Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma at the Chief Minister’s Residence during his visit to Guwahati on Saturday.

CM Ashok Gehlot addresses the inaugural & foundation stone laying ceremony of development works worth Rs 1,136 cr in Jodhpur on Sunday. Also seen are Shakuntala Rawat, Rajendra Solanki, Ramesh Borana, Binaka Maloo, Hiraram, Mahendra Vishnoi, Manisha Panwar, Meena Kanwar, Kisnaram Bishnoi, Kunti Devda, Badriram Jakhar, Aaidan Saran, Naresh Joshi, Salim Khan, Prof Ayub Khan & others.

CM Ashok Gehlot boards the State plane from Jodhpur to Jaipur on Sunday. He is accompanied by Shakuntala Rawat, Suparas Bhandari, Niranjan Arya and others.

MISS RAJASTHAN 2023 AUDITIONS

GAME OF POISE & PASSION

The grand audition of Miss Rajasthan 2023 took place at the Hotel Grand Uniara, Jaipur on Sunday. City First brings to you glimpses from the mega auditions!

flecting the immense popularity and significance of the event.

Awave of dreams and aspirations swept across Rajasthan as thousands of young women flocked to participate in the prestigious Miss Rajasthan beauty pageant. With the support of their families and a burning desire to bring glory to their homeland, contestants from all corners of the state gathered in Jaipur, hoping to shine in the 25th edition of the renowned competition.

The Fusion Group, led by organisers Yogesh Mishra and Nimisha Mishra, hosted the final audition at the Grand Uniara, Jaipur on Sunday. This marked the conclusion of a series of auditions held across Rajasthan. An astounding number of more than 5400 girls had registered online and submitted their applications, re-

Out of this remarkable pool of talent, only 60 girls will progress to the interview round in the 25th edition of Miss Rajasthan.Top 28 shortlisted finalists will have the opportunity to showcase their unique qualities and vie for a place in the grand finale. The chosen 28 finalists will receive expert grooming and makeovers, culminating in the highly anticipated crowning of Miss Rajasthan 2023 at a magnificent event scheduled to take place on August 6th at the Birla Auditorium.

Various dignitaries from Jaipur, including Director of Nirvana Academy, Deepa Bhati, Makeover Expert Meenakshi Solanki, Ajay Singh Meena, Dr Deepesh Goyal, Kirti Jain, Arshad Hussain and Fashion Photographer Vasu Jain, who served as judges for the audition process.

As the contestants showcased their unique talents, grace, and charm, the panel of judges, consisting of Nimisha Mishra, Rashi Gandhi, Riya Jakhar, Asha Kumari, Sanjana Sharma, Tarushee Rai, Mansi Rathore, Paridhi Sharma, Aan-

chal Bohra, Mamta, Khushboo, Bhavna Vaishnav, and Gaurvanvi, carefully evaluated each participant’s potential.

The Fusion Group expressed their admiration for the tremendous response received from aspiring contestants across Rajasthan. They emphasized that Miss Rajasthan continues to be a platform that celebrates the beauty, intelligence, and accomplishments of the state’s talented young women.

The journey to claim the coveted title of Miss Rajasthan 2023 has begun, and as the competition progresses, the entire state eagerly awaits the crowning of a deserving winner who will represent Rajasthan with grace, pride, and distinction on a national

stage.

UTTKARSHA SHEKHAR uttkarsha.shekhar@firstindia.co.in

The participants of Miss Rajasthan 2023

(L-R) Paridhi, Mansi, Sanjana, Nimisha Mishra, Yogesh Mishra, Bhavana, Aanchal, Tarushee and Riya

(L-R) Mansi, Riya and Tarushree

Contestant of Miss Rajasthan 2023

ARIES

MAR 21 - APR 20

LIBRA

SEPT 24 - OCTOBER 22

WORLD ENVIRONMENT DAY

UNITE FOR A GREENER FUTURE

CITY

World Environment Day

(WED) is an annual event celebrated on June 5 to promote environmental awareness and encourage global action for the protection and preservation of our planet. Established by the United Nations (UN) in 1974, this significant observance serves as a reminder of our collective responsibility to safeguard the environment for present and future generations. World Environment Day offers an opportunity to reflect on the state of our planet and inspire positive change at individual, community, and global levels.

friendly future. The day offers an opportunity to engage in activities that promote environmental conservation, such as tree planting, clean-up campaigns, educational initiatives, and policy advocacy.

World Environment Day has a significant global impact as it encourages countries to collaborate and exchange ideas, experiences, and best practices in environmental management. The UN Environment Programme (UNEP) leads the celebrations, working with various stakeholders, including governments, non-governmental organizations, communities, and individuals. By fostering international cooperation and mobilizing resources, World Environment Day helps address global environmental challenges more effectively. While governments and organizations play a crucial role in addressing environmental issues, individual actions also have a profound impact.

It highlights the urgent need to repair, revive, and restore ecosystems around the world to address environmental challenges such as biodiversity loss, climate change, pollution, and land degradation. The theme emphasizes the critical role of healthy ecosystems in sustaining life and promoting sustainable development.

World Environment Day plays a vital role in raising awareness about environmental issues and their impact on the planet and human well-being. It serves as a platform for individuals, organizations, and governments to come together

World Environment Day encourages individuals to make sustainable choices in their daily lives, such as reducing waste, conserving water and energy, using eco-friendly transportation, and supporting local and organic products. Small actions, when combined, can create a significant positive impact on the environment.

World Environment Day serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of environmental conservation and the need for collective action. It urges individuals, communities, and governments to work together in addressing environmental challenges and promoting sustainable development. By fostering global awareness and encouraging concrete actions, World Environment Day paves the way for a greener, healthier, and more sustainable future for all. Let us seize this opportunity to make a positive

You will experience a change within yourself regarding what you want in a romantic partner. You will start thinking seriously and begin looking for your soul mate in earnest. Do not trust any complete stranger on money matters today as you are likely to bear considerable loss.

TAURUS

APR 21 - MAY 20

You are going to feel more dedicated today and you are going to finish off all the backlogs which may have accumulated today. Clearing this will give you a nice sense of accomplishment and this will be noticed by the people who matter to you. Finances will improve as your salary.

GEMINI

MAY 21 - JUNE 21

Your mind is very active today. You are full of ideas and inspiration. You will be constantly coming up with new plans which you will be able to plan and execute very easily. Your only problem today will be that you may feel overwhelmed by the flood of new ideas that will constantly fill your mind.

CANCER

JUNE 22 - JULY 23

Issues related to profession will get resolved. But no aggressive action, be it in words or in writing should not be taken till then. Those facing issues on personal front should make time for dear ones. Do take care of your health as you have been ignorant of it since long.

LEO

JULY 24 - AUGUST 23

You are likely to be involved in detailed planning of a project and you are going to be very thorough about it. You are feeling very industrious and this will be reflected in your job. You are also going to earn acclaim for this. A spurt of creativity will mark every aspect of your day.

VIRGO

AUG 24 - SEP 23

You may be cracking one of the biggest joint venture deals today. But you must mention explicitly once again your mission and goals to your partner. You may devote the end of the day towards your intellectual pursuits or in perusal of an artistic passion.

YOUR DAY

Horoscope by Saurabbh Sachdeva

You have great capacity to charm everyone. You are going to impress those around you with your wit and grace. You will win the admiration of everyone around you. Take advantage of this shining period to make new friends and mix with new people and new opportunities will open up in front of you.

SCORPIO

OCT 23 - NOVEMBER 22

A person who has been around you for a long time but whom you have never really noticed will now begin to play a pivotal role in your mind. It is not just a budding romance. Rather, it is a meeting of mind and spirit that is likely to leave you feeling overwhelmed. Take time to get used to the idea.

SAGITTARIUS

NOV 23 - DEC 22

New horizons are opening up in front of you. A talent which you have always treated as a hobby may become something more and you may find yourself making a living doing what you love. New developments are expected in every front which would broaden your ideas.

CAPRICORN

DEC 23 - JAN 20

This day is all about change. You may come in contact with someone who will bring substantial changes in your life or put you in touch with other people who can cause the change. However, not all the changes are good for you. You will need to analyze whether the change will be good for you.

AQUARIUS

JAN 21 - FEB 19

You will be feeling very creative today. You appreciate all beautiful things and want to create something beautiful. The day is especially favourable for artists.You may suddenly start feeling deflated a common occurrence after a surge of creativity and it may leave you feeling depressed.

PISCES

FEB20 - MARCH 20

You are going to be in an especially easygoing mood today. You may also play the role of an effective mediator in any dispute today. You are going to spread cheer and goodwill and you are also going to be the life and soul of any party that you attend in the evening.

—PHOTOS BY SHUBHANSHI PATHAK

HAPPY BIRTHDAY PAPA’

Parineeti Chopra got engaged to AAP leader Raghav Chadha on May 13 in Delhi. The actress has been sharing glimpses of her special day with her fans on Instagram. On Sunday afternoon, Parineeti shared a beautiful picture from her engagement ceremony to wish her daddy Pawan Chopra, on his birthday today. The picture features Parineeti, her brother Shivang and their dad Pawan. The brother-sister duo is

seen wiping the tears off their daddy's eyes and it is all things ador able. It seems like her father got a little emo tional during the cere mony. Along with the picture, the newly-en gaged actress wrote a special note for him. Her post read, "I learnt how to be strong from you. I learnt how to be soft from you. Eye of the tiger, heart of a baby. You are the best fa ther and human in the world. Happy bday papa. Love, Sahaj, Shivang and me."

Best thing on the internet

On Saturday, Alia Bhatt and her little princess Raha took social media by storm as they were spotted spending time at Kareena Kapoor Khan's house in Bandra. The mother-daughter twinned in white outfits as they were clicked by the paparazzi. However, Alia tried to hide Raha's face to avoid the media but her pictures revealing a little glimpse have stormed the Internet. Netizens can't stop gushing over the star kid's first glimpse. Interestingly, another video surfaced on social

media featuring Taimur Ali Khan. In the new video, Alia and Raha are seen leaving Bebo's house. While the motherdaughter duo gears up to leave the venue in their car, the doting brother Taimur is seen

WRONG PUNJABI SONG

Romantic poster

Summer Days!

Priyanka Chopra is spending her weekend with her friends and family. Priyanka took to the story feature on Insta gram and shared a couple of photos from her day. In the picture, we can see the ac -

FA Cup Final

Anushka Sharma and Virat Kohli, the power couple in Bollywood never fail to make heads turn with their appearances and often melt hearts with their love and chemistry. On Saturday, they were spotted at Wembley Stadium with cricketer Shubman Gill by their side. Anushka Sharma and Virat Kohli, lovingly called by fans 'Virushka', were spotted at Wembley

Stadium, Lon don to witness the FA Cup Finals between two professional football clubs, Manchester City and Man chester United. They were invited by one of the most innova tive athleisure brands in the world and the prestigious Manchester City Football Club.

Kartik Aaryan and Kiara Advani have reunited for their second project, Satyaprem Ki Katha after the massive success of Bhool Bhulai-

yaa 2. The musical romantic saga is one of the most awaited films of 2023. Kartik and Kiara's leaked clips from the sets doubled everyone's excitement. On Sunday morning, the duo shared a new poster of their film and revealed the release date of the trailer. Kartik and Kiara took to Instagram and treated fans with a brand new poster. In the poster, they are seen lovingly looking into each other's eyes with cute decor in the backdrop. They make for a perfect on-screen couple. Along with the poster, Kartik wrote, "Aaj ke baad tu meri rehna #SatyaPremKiKatha Trailer OUT TOMORROW at 11:11 am #SajidNadiadwala #SatyaPremKiKatha #29thJune."

Priyanka Chopra

Anushka Sharma

Kiara Advani

Katrina Kaif

Her story...

Poster of the film...

Kareena Kapoor

Parineeti Chopra

Her post...

GREETINGS!

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma was greeted by Aishwary Pradhan, First India Correspondent, as he reached the Chief Minister’s residence during his visit to Guwahati on Saturday.

PROUD MOMENT!

Mehul Singh, a resident of Kalipahari, Jhunjhunu, has been selected under the Sakura Exchange Program of Japan program of the Ministry of Science and Technology, Government of India. Thirteen child innovators of the state, including Mehul Singh, will go to Japan with their projects in November this year to further strengthen their innovations technically with the help of technical experts there. On Mehul’s selection, a felicitation program was held at Dundlod Public School, Jhunjhunu. In which school secretary BL Ranwan and managing committee member Subhash Budania honored Mehul and his family members. Mehul was also included in the top 60 innovators of the country in 2022. Under which he was honored by His Excellency the President. Jitendra Kumar of Jalore, Shailendra Singh Deora of Udaipur, Indraprasad Gothwal of Tonk, Nikita Verma of Sikar, Afreen of Hanumangarh, among others were also honoured.

CITY BUZZ

Walk with selfless love

CITY FIRST

Rajasthan International Center, Jhalana Institutional Area, witnessed a remarkable event on Sunday as The Diwas Club organised the second season of the Super Mom Fashion Show and Award Ceremony. Aimed at strengthening the spirit of women’s em powerment and mother hood, this unique fashion show and beauty pageant showcased the incredible talents and achievements of women from various walks of life.

Collaborating with R Square Events, The Di vas Club presented a mesmerizing display of fashion and talent on the ramp. The event featured women dressed in diverse cos tumes, demonstrating their flair through captivating catwalks. Moreover, over 100 exceptional women were honoured during the award ceremony for their remarkable contributions to their families and society.

Distinguished guests, including Food Minister Pratap Singh Khachariawas and Water Supply Minister Mahesh Joshi, graced the occasion as chief guests. The program also had the

presence of notable figures like Dr Archana Sharma, Chairperson of the Social Welfare Board; Dr Hema Mudgal and Bhavuk Agarwal, industrialists and social workers; Raj Khan, Director of KTC Group; Rukshmani Kumari, member of Chowmun royal family; and Dr Manju Sharma, Managing Director of EHCC Hospital. One of the highlights of the event was the “Mother’s Walk with Baby Bump,” where pregnant ladies confidently walked on the ramp, symbolizing the strength and beauty of motherhood.

Kirti Sharma, Founder

and Director of The Divas Club, and Sankalp Vidhani, Director of R Square Events, expressed their excitement about the event. The Super Mom Fashion Show was divided into four sequences, featuring Western outfits in Indo-Western and Rock and Roll themes.

The regional round showcased the rich cultural diversity of India, with participants presenting costumes representing different states.

Additionally, the talk show “Zindagi Bedhadak” provided valuable insights into women’s health, featuring a panel of doctors from EHCC Hospital. cityfirst@firstindia.co.in

Beauty of Theatre CREATIVITY & DETERMINATION

CITY FIRST

Atheatre colour workshop was organised under the joint auspices of Rajasthan Sangeet Natak, Rajasthan Lalit Kala Akademi and Curio Children’s Theater Jaipur, for the children and teens of Kilkaari College which started on May 21 and will continue till June 11.

The Kilkari workshop’s session was an unqualified success, having a beneficial effect on both parents and

kids. In Jaipur, the programme is being held in the Rabindra Manch, Central Academy School, Sanskar School,

and Tagore School zones. The class gives kids and teens a place to practise their acting skills while encouraging creativity and posing special challenges. A parent session was held at the locations and major auditorium of Rajasthan Lalit Kala Akademi during this specific episode of Curio. Engaging activities such as Dodge ball,

Blind journey and Children’s Exhibition with patterns like New Era captivated the attendees. Notable personalities, including Vinay Sharma the exhibition officer of Rajasthan Lalit Kala Akademi, Curio Patron Asha Golechha and Raghavendra Rawat from the Film and Theater Atitarag Art Studio, graced the occasion.

CITY FIRST

Jaipur witnessed a captivating even-

ing as JKK kicked off its new initiative, ‘Kala Sansar... Madhuram,’ with the enthralling staging of actor-director Manav Kaul’s play, ‘Tumhare Baare Mein.’ The event drew immense enthusi asm from theatre aficio nados, showcasing the beauty of music, litera ture, and theatre on Sat urday.

True to its title, in spired by Manav Kaul’s book of the same name, ‘Tumhare Baare Mein’ explores the essence of relationships, the challenges they face, and the desires and ambitions

of women.

The play weaves the stories of three couples, which run parallel to one another, resembling different facets of their past, present, and future.

The play resonates with the echoes of Rabindranath Tagore’s enchanting song,

SEX CHAMPIONSHIP!

‘Tomay Gaan Shonabo,’ creating a soulful ambience. Poems like ‘I want to become a bird, I always want to fly’ serve as the voice of women’s aspirations, beautifully integrated into the dialogues of the play, featuring Manav Kaul’s new poems.

Priyanka Choudhary, Mansi Bhawalkar, Sakhi Gokhale, Kaustub Harit, Ghanshyam Lalsa, and Rishabh Kanti delivered captivating performances.

The play was brought to life by the talented lighting designer Vikrant Thakkar, while Sharad Joshi mesmerized the audience with his captivating musical compositions.

Sweden has formally recognised sex as a sport and will stage its first-ever sex tournament the following week. The contestants in the sex tournament will have daily sexual encounters that can last up to six hours. A panel of judges will select the winners of the sex competition, and the audience will also weigh in on the choices. The European Sex Championship will begin on June 8 and last for six weeks.

YOGA AND MID-BRAIN ACTIVATION CAMP DURING THE DAY!

A two-day yoga and mid-brain activation camp organised by Agrasen Shikshan Samiti, Jaipur was organised in a grand manner at the Utsav Park Rajasthan Police Academy premises on Saturday and Sunday morning, which was extremely successful. Councilor Manoj Mudgal was also present as a special guest. On the first day of the camp, Yogacharya Ramakant Mishra, Swapna Das, Rashmi Sharma and Jitendra Sharma conducted yoga exercises to keep the body and mind healthy through various yogic activities, in which hundreds of people, including the chief guest, took full advantage of it by practicing yoga. On the second day of the camp, Acharya Mahamandaleshwar Balmukund Hathoj Dham and DIG Rajasthan Police Pradeep Mohan Sharma were present as the chief guests whereas Prahlad Rai Agarwal Dadiya Wale and Mahendra Dani (CA) were present as special guests.

The Rajasthan Shooting Ball team showcased their talent at the recently concluded 42nd Senior National Shooting Ball Championship held in Banaras. The competition, which took place from May 26 to 28. Among the achievements, the Rajasthan Shooting Ball team emerged as the shining stars. To honour this feat, a grand reception was organised in Amer, on Sunday. The General Secretary of the Rajasthan Shooting Ball Association, OP Machra, led the delegation.

Quick Smart Smart Wash Company celebrated its 10th anniversary with the Anandam program held at Hotel Fairmount in Jaipur on Saturday. Aman Verma, a well-known actor delighted the occasion with his presence. He introduced each participant in the celebration while serving as the event’s host. Rakesh Sharma, the company’s founder, started the lamp’s illumination as a symbolic opening to the programme. Sharma stressed to the audience that Quick Smart is the only business giving complete end-to-end linen management services.

Gauraagini Arts in association with LM Eshwar Foundation organised a photography exhibition FOTOFUNGAMA 2023 for the students of Pink City School. 45 Students showcased their photography skills in this exhibition. The curators of the event Dr Raagini Eshwar and Dharamveer Bhatia shared that these students were given the following themes. Almost 87 pictures of 45 students were selected for the exhibition which was witnessed by eminent personalities of the city Tarot card reader Acharya Himani Jolly & Angelina Jolly, Chitra Khurana Educationists Dr

Sharma

—PHOTOS BY MUKESH KIRADOO

Shiphali

Maneesha Kaushik

During the performance

Manav Kaul

Participants of Mom Fashion Show

—PHOTO BY MUKESH KIRADOO

—PHOTO BY SUNIL SHARMA