First India-Delhi Edition-8th October 2022

Modi completes 21 years in office

MODI MUMKIN HAI

MODI MUMKIN HAI

Modi Hai To Mumkin Hai’ – it’s an allencompassing phrase, describing the Confidence, Trust and Faith in a leader, who inspires a vast multitude of populace within India and abroad. Never before has India witnessed such a cult following within the political landscape – a leader, whose popularity index scaled as high as 90% and even at its worst has not fallen below 68%. Political observers across the world are per plexed at this remarkable feat, but for Narendra Damodardas Modi, this is the norm.

Clocking the highest number of days in a public office – 7,670 and still counting – Prime Minister Modi stands taller than the Former Prime Minister, Jawahar Lal Nehru and Mrs. Indira Gandhi in terms of num ber of days in Public Office. Pursu ing an ‘India First’ policy, Modi has re-enforced the idiom of ‘Aat manirbhar Bharat’ – ‘Swatantra Bharat’ – ‘Vishwa Guru Bharat’. As India marches ahead, it reso nates the clarion call of its most popular leader – ‘Yeh Desh Jhuke ga nahi, Sar Utthakar – Seena Tan kar Aage Badhega’…. See P8

The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation: Chairmanship Opportunities for India

LABOUR LEADER WOOS INDIANS WITH VOW TO FIGHT HINDUPHOBIA

Politics in Britain seems to be getting divided on somewhat religious lines after last month’s violent clashes between Hindu and Mus lim groups in Leicester after an India-Pakistan cricket match.

India can assist in finding mutual and local solutions to the problems of Central Asia and introduction of a Silk Road Visa on the pattern of Shengen visa.

Indian participation in the International North South Transport Corridor, Chabahar Agreement & joining the Ashkhabad Agreement needs to be further consolidated

The Shanghai Cooperation Or ganisation (SCO) is a Eura sian political, economic, and security organization. It is the world’s largest regional or ganisation in terms of geo graphic scope and population, covering approximately 60% of the area of Eurasia, 40% of the World population, and more than 30% of global GDP.

The SCO is the successor to the Shanghai Five, formed in 1996 between the China, Rus sia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan. On 15 June 2001, the leaders of these na tions and Uzbekistan met in Shanghai to announce a new organization with deeper po litical and economic coopera tion; the SCO Charter was signed on 7 July 2002 and en tered into force on 19 Septem ber 2003. Its membership has since expanded to eight states, with India and Pakistan join ing on 9 June 2017. Several countries are engaged as ob servers (Afghanistan, Bela rus, Iran and Mongolia) or dialogue partners (Sri Lanka, Nepal, Turkey Armenia, Azerbaijan and Cambodia).

With Iran signing a member ship agreement to become a permanent member (Apr 2023) and Turkey the first NATO member announcing its bid for permanent mem bership, the SCO is inching closer to be viewed as an antiWestern alliance.

The SCO has been termed as the “Alliance of the East” and has been viewed as a Chinesedominated organization. How ever, considering the current membership, including Rus sia, India and other central Asian countries, especially in

the prevailing global socioeconomic environment, the SCO has evolved into a formi dable alliance, which the world is beginning to take a serious note of. Both Russia and China have initiated their respective ambitious projects in the re gion; the Eurasian Economic Union (EEU) and the Collec tive Security Treaty Organisa tion (CSTO) by Russia and China has launched its mega project Silk Road Economic Belt (SREB), often referred to as the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). The rotating presidency of the SCO to India that com menced in Sep 2022 is an op portunity as well as a chal lenge for India to carve out a niche for itself in a Region that is of vital importance to it.

THE CURRENT SCENARIO

The US withdrawal from Af ghanistan and re emergence of Taliban brings instability and possible turmoil in the region.

The region faces problems of security issues, fight against terrorism, ethnic separatism, religious extrem ism and economic and infra structural development.

Absence of any Western country or its allies as a SCO member makes it look like anti West and SCO has com menced broadening its base.

India joining the Quad-

comprising India, US, Japan and Australia and I2U2 with US, Israel and UAE irks Chi na and seen as a challenge to its growing global influence.

Russia, the CARs and Paki stan have all joined China’s controversial global infra structure programme BRI spanning over 100 countries minus India is a major point of concern.

Broadening of base by in cluding Bahrain, Maldives, Kuwait, UAE and Myanmar as the new dialogue partners, and process for Egypt, Saudi Arabia and Qatar are already in progress.

China aims to align with Russia to counter US and that’s why avoids any direct reference to Ukraine war. China intends to use the SCO platform to emerge as its strongest leader.

Russia aims to show to the West that it is not isolated and still holds international sway. Though there were no takers of its misadventures vis-à-vis Ukraine.

Modi’s position on Ukraine war has not really gone well with Putin but it has exhibited India’s will to exert its stand on international issues firmly.

The other challenges for SCO include - Adverse impact of Ukraine war on economy and environment, Sino-Indi an border tensions, Conflict on Kyrgyz - Tajik border, Con

flict on dialogue partners Ar menia and Azerbaijan bor ders, Indian concerns about food and fertilizers shortages and fuel security, Enhancing bilateral trade (US$6 trillion) among SCO members and Floods in Pakistan.

Indian Role and Opportuni ties in SCO. A milestone in India’s ‘Look North’ policy was achieved when the baton of the SCO Chairmanship has been passed to India and now the real challenge lies in over coming the current brewing issues and restoring credibility of the SCO as one of the most viable and biggest global fora.

India could change the ex isting narrative and add sub stance to their policy of “No Single” power shall dominate the Region.

Indian approach of multipo lar order in its immediate re gion and globally and not let ting the platform look like an anti-West arrangement.

India can assist in finding mutual and local solutions to the problems of Central Asia and introduction of a Silk Road Visa on the pattern of Shengen visa.

Indian participation in the International North South Transport Corridor (INSTC), Chabahar Agreement and joining the Ashkhabad Agreement needs to be fur ther consolidated.

India will have to deal with containing China’s expand ing national security narra tive, check further isolation of Russia and countering growing Chinese clout.

Amicable solution to border disputes among CAR members.

Handling arch rival Paki stan and its continuous efforts undermining Indian interests.

Encourage mutual cooper ation among members; create economic opportunities, and furtherance of existing In traregional trade.

Britain’s Indian-origin Home Secretary Suella Braverman said that the clashes happened because of failure to integrate migrant communities. Firing a salvo against Indians she brand ed them as “the largest group of people who overstay” their visas in the UK and hinted that she would not back a trade deal that promises more visa concessions to Indians. India has countered her claims and said that action has been taken on all cases raised by the Home Office.

Britain’s opposition leader came to the defence of Indians using, for the first time, the term Hinduphobia. Addressing a large group of British Indians, Labour Leader Keir Starmer vowed to fight ‘Hinduphobia’ and divisive politics.

With Indians forming the sin gle largest ethnic minority, Starmer’s outreach to Hindus is understandable. Next UK elec tions are due in 2025.

SPIRITUAL SPEAK

Just as the boyhood, youth and old age come to the embodied Soul in this body, in the same manner, is the attaining of another body; the wise man is not deluded at that. Bhagavad Gita

Delighted to meet Global CEO, @ Deloitte and dear friend Mr. @ PunitRenjen. Had good exchanges on harnessing the full potential of India’s talent, creating opportunities for our youth in smaller towns and on India’s rapid strides towards becoming a digital-first economy.

Rajnath Singh @rajnathsingh

RAJA RAJA BUILT SHIVA, VISHNU’S TEMPLES N

first Chola king, whose pow erful dynasty ruled southern India, Sri Lanka, Sumatra and Maldives for around three centuries. More precise ly, the debate is about whether the Chola king was a Hindu.

o history is com plete without con flicting claims and counter-claims.

From most Mughal architecture in north India being claimed as Hindu temples or belonging to Hin dus by self-claimed owner ship of land on which a monu ment stands, the debate has moved down South and is centred around the religious identity of Raja Raja 1, the

Tamil film-maker Vetrima ran stoked the controversy with his statement that the Chola king was not a Hindu.

Veteran actor Kamal Haasan stirred the pot by repeating Ve trimaran’s claim. “Continu ously, our symbols are being snatched from us. Saffronising Valluvar or calling Raja Raja Chola as a Hindu king is con stantly occurring.” The awardwinning film-maker made the remarks after the release of Mani Ratnam’s movie Ponni yin Selvan. It is based on a fic

tional account of Raja Raja Cholan. Kamal Haasan gave the controversy a new twist by claiming that Raja Raja Chola was not even a Hindu.

Telangana Governor Ta milisai Soundararajan called these statements as attempts to conceal Hindu cultural iden tities and warned that people will raise their voice against them.

The BJP’s H. Raja as serted that the Chola king was indeed a Hindu and asked the two film personalities to iden tify any church and mosque built by the powerful ruler.

Whether he was Hindu or not can be debated but there is evidence of Shiva and Vishnu temples, including the Brihadeshwara temple in Thanjavur, built by him.

Dharmendra Pradhan @dpradhanbjp

Visited Medanta Hospital, Gurugram, today & received information from the doctors about the health and well being of former Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, Shri Mulayam Singh Yadavji. I pray to God for his speedy recovery.

COL RAJESH BHUKAR

author has been Head Security Rajasthan

Cairn

DGM

INDIA OBJECTS TO AMERICAN ENVOY’S VISIT TO

BJP, VHP DEMAND IMMEDIATE SACKING FROM CABINET

AAP minister under fire for ‘renouncing Hindu gods’

l Gautam attended Dhamma Chakra Pravartan Din event to mark Ambedkar’s conversion to Buddhism in 1956

l NGO named Mission Jai Bheem, founded by Gautam, was one of the main organisers of the event, says an official l Kejriwal ‘extremely displeased’ with Gautam: Sources

Crucial

ASHWANI KUMAR IS PRINCIPAL SECY, HOME, IN DELHI

New Delhi: Ashwani Kumar, 1992-batch IAS officer of AGMUT cadre, was on Friday appointed as principal secretary in the home department of the Delhi government.

In addition, Kumar shall continue to be the special officer, MCD, as appointed vide Ministry of Home Affair’s order dated May 20, 2022.

DELHI: CLASS 5, 8 STUDENTS HAVE TO PASS EXAMS

New Delhi: The Delhi government has issued a new promotion policy for students of classes 5 and 8 starting from academic session 2023-24. Under the new guidelines, students of classes 5 and 8 “will not be promoted to the next class” if they “do not pass” the yearly examination.

AVALANCHE: 10

MORE BODIES FOUND, TOLL RISES TO 26

Uttarkashi: Ten more bodies were recovered from the site of an avalanche, taking the death toll to 26, the Nehru Institute of Mountaineering said on Friday. Two Cheetah helicopters took off from the Army helipad in Harsil to join the search operations, the officials said. The avalanche had occurred at a height of 17,000 feet on Tuesday.

NEW CBI CHARGE SHEET AGAINST LALU, RABRI

New Delhi (PTI): The CBI has filed a charge sheet against former railway minister Lalu Prasad, his wife Rabri Devi and 14 others in connection with an alleged land-for-jobs scam during his tenure in the Railways, officials said on Friday. Prasad’s daughter Misa Bharti is also named as accused.

NCB SEIZES DRUGS

WORTH `120 CR IN MUMBAI, GUJARAT

Mumbai: In a major drug haul, the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) recovered MD drugs worth Rs 120 crore, officials said on Friday. The drugs were seized at 2 places in Gujarat and Mumbai. A total of 50 kilograms of drugs were recovered from Mumbai. In Gujarat, a total of 10.350 kg were seized while four persons were arrested.

First India Bureau

New Delhi: A political row erupted on Friday over a video of Rajen dra Pal Gautam, social welfare minister in the Kejriwal government, at a Buddhist event in which hundreds can be heard taking an oath re nouncing Hindu deities. While the BJP demand ed Gautam’s sacking from the cabinet, the VHP said that the min ister should be jailed.

Sources in the Aam Aadmi Party claimed that the chief minister

was “extremely dis pleased” with Gautam.

During the pro gramme, about 10,000 people reportedly took vows to convert to Bud

dhism to follow Lord Buddha’s teachings and give up worship of Hin du deities. On October 5, Gautam himself had tweeted pictures of the

ing the sentiments of Hindus and alleged that “Gautam’s comments highlight the hate the party has for the com munity”.

Gautam showed “dis respect” towards Hindu deities in the presence of thousands of people, Delhi BJP president Adesh Gupta said dur ing a press conference.

NOBODY HAS THE RIGHT TO SPEW VENOM AGAINST HINDU GODS & GODDESSES: VHP

“We do not have any problem with people embracing Buddhism at the event. Hinduism and Buddhism are not separate. But the way our gods and goddesses were openly scorned at the event is not acceptable,” VHP na tional spokesperson Vinod Bansal said. The Delhi minis ter was openly administering such oaths to people from the dais at the event and “tearing the country’s secular ism into pieces”, he charged. “Nobody has the right to spew venom against Hindu gods and goddesses.”

event, saying more than 10,000 people pledged to join Buddhism.

BJP national spokes person Gaurav Bhatia accused AAP of hurt

“This is not an isolated incident. It is in the character of the AAP to insult Hindu gods. We demand that Kejriwal immediately expel Gau tam from his cabinet.”

NARSINGHANAND DISCIPLES OUTSIDE SUPREME COURT OVER ‘JIHADI’ THREATS

REAL

OF N-E BEGAN AFTER 2014: SHAH

Northeast was considered just a tourist destination earlier, says HM in Gangtok

Gangtok (ANI): Union Home Minister Amit Shah, who is on a threeday visit to the north east, on Friday said that the region was only con sidered a “tourist desti nation” before Naren dra Modi became PM.

Shah noted that the “real development” of the northeast began only after Modi took over the office of the Prime Min ister in 2014. The re marks of the Home Min ister came at a Coopera tive Dairy Conclave- 2022 of Eastern and Northeastern regions.

“In 75 years of inde pendence, before Naren dra Modi became the PM, the northeast was consid ered only a tourist desti nation. After he became the PM, the real develop ment of the northeast began,” Shah said.

He said that PM Modi-led government has decided to set up 65,000 active Primary Agricultural Credit So cieties (PACS).

“Modi govt has decid ed to set up around 65,000 active PACS. We’ve de cided that within five years every panchayat will have one PACS and a dairy each,” he said.

ED grills K’taka Cong president Shivakumar

New Delhi (PTI): The Enforcement Directo rate on Friday ques tioned Karnataka Con gress president DK Shi vakumar in the Nation al Herald money laun dering case. Shivaku mar told reporters here that he was a “law-abid ing citizen” and hence he was deposing before the agency despite not knowing why was he exactly called.

Govt asks CJI UU Lalit to name his successor

New Delhi: The Union government on Friday asked incumbent Chief Justice of India UU Lalit to name his suc cessor. According to the convention, Justice D Y Chandra chud is next in line to be come the CJI in order of seniority. He is likely to be named as the next CJI by Jus tice Lalit. Current CJI Lalit is to superannuate on November 8 after his brief tenure of 74 days.

BY ANI

Gyanvapi mosque: Judge says need clarity over ‘Shivling’

“OVERWHELMED” BY PEOPLE’S RECEPTION, SAYS HM AMIT SHAH

Gangtok: As Amit Shah reached Sikkim’s Gang tok on Friday, people were seen on both sides of the road to welcome the Home Minister with the national flag in hand. Sharing a video of the same, Shah tweeted, “Grateful to the people of Sikkim for such a warm reception in Gangtok. I am overwhelmed.” Shah is on a three-day visit to the Northeast. He inau gurated Sardar Vallabhb hai Patel’s statue at Raj Bhavan in Gangtok. State Governor Ganga Prasad was also present on the occasion.

Varanasi (Agencies):

The court of Varanasi’s senior-most judge on Friday deferred its or der on a plea seeking carbon dating of a pur ported ‘Shivling’ found inside the Gyanvapi mosque complex. The court will pronounce its order on October 11.

The plea by Hindu wom en petitioners sought scientific investigation, including carbon dat ing, of the ‘Shivling’

found during a video survey carried out on the orders of a lower court in the temple town earlier this year.

The court sought clarifications from the lawyers for the women petitioners on two points: Whether the purported ‘Shivling’ can be made a part of the case or not and whether the court can actually order any sci entific investigation.

MUKESH AMBANI TO OPEN FAMILY OFFICE

IN SINGAPORE, MANAGER HIRED: REPORT

New Delhi (Agencies): Asia’s secondwealthiest man, Reliance Industries Ltd. Chairman Mukesh Ambani, is setting up a family office in Singapore, according to people familiar with the move. The Mumbai-based billionaire has picked a manager to hire staff for the new entity and get it running, the people said, asking not to be identified because the matter is private. The Ambanis have also chosen real estate, one of the people said.

No intention of making Hindi alone national language: RaGa

Mandya: Cong leader Rahul Gandhi on Friday said there was no inten tion of making Hindi alone the national lan guage and threaten the identity of regional lan guages. He said this dur ing his interaction with representatives of edu cational institutions. “There was a discussion with Rahul about the identity of Kannada. He said everyone’s mother tongue is important,” said a senior leader.

Chennai: Senior Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge has emerged as the favourite for the party’s presidential poll among the cadres in Tamil Nadu after a majority shunned a meeting called by fellow contestant Shashi Tharoor. Of the 710 voters in the Congress electoral college from Tamil Nadu, a handful attended the meeting convened by Tharoor to seek support for his candi dature at the state Congress headquarters, Satyamoorthi Bhavan on Thursday.

Rajendra Gautam speaking at the event held at Karol Bagh on Thursday.

New Delhi: Police detained 10 people when they were protesting outside the Supreme Court on Friday with controversial priest Yati Narsinghanand claiming they had gone there to seek “legal sanction” to kill them selves due to repeated death threats from “jihadis”. Narsinghanand said his “nine disciples were arrested by Delhi Police and released around 5 pm”.

Amit Shah being welcomed upon his arrival, at Lebing Helipad, in Gangtok on Friday. He reached Gangtok to inaugurate the Eastern and North-Eastern Zones’ Dairy Cooperative Conclave.

Amit Shah during the unveiling ceremony of a statue of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, at Raj Bhawan in Gangtok. —PHOTO BY PTI

Muslim devotees come out after offering prayers amid tight security, at Gyanvapi Masjid in Varanasi, on Friday. —PHOTO BY PTI

CONG PREZ POLL: KHARGE AHEAD OF THAROOR IN TN

‘SHEER

AMIT SHAH, JP NADDA ARRIVE IN ASSAM

New Delhi: The Congress slammed the BJP-led Union govt in connection with the summons issued by the ED to DK Shivakumar to appear before it on Friday in the mid dle of its ‘Bharat Jodo Yatra’, saying that the BJP has lost sanity by directing central agencies to issue summons against Shivakumar.

Guwahati (PTI): Union Home Minister Amit Shah and BJP chief JP Nadda arrived in Guwahati on Friday to attend different programmes in the Northeastern state. Shah and Nadda arrived on separate flights. They were received at Guwahati airport by CM Himanta Biswa Sarma, Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal, state BJP presi dent Bhabesh Kalita, and party MPs. Shah chaired a high-level official meeting on the annual floods in Assam, and also hold discussions with the BJP’s Assam core committee at the state guest house later in the even ing. On Saturday, Shah along with the BJP president will inaugurate the party’s newly-constructed state office at Beltola, and also address a rally of party workers.

Rahul Gandhi with deceased journalist Gauri Lankesh’s mother Indira and sister Kavitha during ‘Bharat Jodo Yatra’, in Mandya, on Friday. Congress leader KC Venugopal is also seen. —PHOTO BY PTI

HC asks NIA to respond to plea for FIR copy

Order reserved on plea by Khan against ‘bad character’ tag

New Delhi (PTI): The Delhi High Court on Fri day sought response of NIA on a plea seeking a copy of FIR registered against alleged mem bers of the banned Pop ular Front of India (PFI) in a case lodged under the anti-terror law.

Justice Anoop Kumar Mendiratta issued no tice to the National In vestigation Agency (NIA) on a plea by one Mohd Yusuff, who was arrested from his resi dence in Chennai on September 22 in the case lodged under the UAPA.

During the hearing, the counsel for the NIA submitted that the Ad ditional Solicitor Gen eral who was to argue the case was unwell af ter which the court list ed the matter for Octo ber 10. Petitioner Yusuff, who claims to be a prac

tising advocate, sought direction to the NIA to provide him a copy of the FIR lodged by the agency in Delhi on April 13 and also to provide a copy of the grounds of arrest of each accused person. He also sought a copy of the remand ap plications filed by the NIA before a trial court.

“At the time of his ar rest, the respondent (NIA) did not communi cate to the petitioner any particulars of the

offence for which he has been arrested or any grounds of such arrest in clear violation of the statutory mandate pro vided under Section 50 of CrPC read with Arti cle 22(1) of the Constitu tion,” the plea submit ted. It said when the ac cused were produced before a trial court here, their counsel sought for a copy of the FIR on Sep tember 22 as well as on September 26.

However, the addi

tional sessions judge (ASJ) denied the appli cation filed by the peti tioner on grounds that the matter is of a sensi tive nature and that pro viding a copy of the FIR would hamper the inves tigation, the petitioner submitted.

“Till date the peti tioner is unaware of the particulars of the of fences or the allega tions against him de spite being in the cus tody of the respondent

Sons arrested for killing fathers

In Gurugram, murder due to property related feud

Gurugram (PTI): A 26-year-old man was ar rested almost a month after he allegedly killed his father in a fight over property, police here said on Friday.

The accused, Anuj, had killed his father on September 17 and dumped his body near the Kundli-ManesarPalwal (KMP) Express way in IMT, Manesar, said police. He had been absconding since.

Police recovered the body of Rakesh, 52, on September 18 but when no one came to identify it in 72 hours, handed over the body to civic authority for cremation.

After the cremation, an FIR of murder was registered at IMT, Manesar police station and a hunt was launched for the ac cused, police said.

Anuj was arrested Thursday night from Nawad village in Mane sar, they said.

According to police, Anuj’s grandfather had given a portion of his land to his father and

aunt. He took exception to the decision and de veloped serious a illwill towards his father and aunt.

“Due to this, on the intervening night of September 17 and 18 he killed his father with his car tool, crushed his face, and fled in his car. We are questioning the accused,” Preet Pal Sin gh Sangwan, ACP, Crime, said

New Delhi (PTI): A 34-year-old man was ar rested on Friday alleg edly for killing his fa ther and seriously injur ing his mother, attack ing them over money, police here said. Swarn jeet Singh, 65, was killed in the attack, while his wife Ajinder Kaur, 60, survived the blow but sustained some serious wounds and is critical, Deputy Commissioner of Police (West) Ghan shyam Bansal said.

Both were rushed to Deen Dayal Upadhyay hospital, where Swarna jeet was declared brought dead, and his wife was referred to Sir Gangaram Hospital, where she was shifted.

since September 22.

“The ASJ failed to ap preciate that Section 50 CrPC clearly provides that every police officer arresting any person without warrant is re quired to communicate to such person the full particulars of the of fence for which he is ar rested or other grounds for such arrest. No such information has been given to the petitioner till date,” the petition submitted.

New Delhi (PTI): The Delhi High Court on Friday reserved its or der on a plea by MLA Amanatullah Khan against the city police naming him a “bad character”, a decision the AAP leader claimed was mala fide and issued in a me chanical manner.

The Delhi Police, on the other hand, con tended the due proce dure was followed by the competent authori ties to arrive at the de cision under challenge, and that no “sufficient material” was placed before the court to prove any mala fide on their part. Justice Su dhir Kumar Jain, after hearing the oral argu ments of the parties, said, “Arguments heard. Judgement re served.”

Lawyer M Sufian Siddiqui, appearing for the petitioner, as

REWARDING TALENT

serted the authorities “acted in absolutely mala fide manner” while claiming a repli ca of the history sheet, which is a confidential document, was shared on social media by the spokesperson for a ri val party which has maligned Khan.

“It (history sheet) was in your (police’s) custody. This proves their mala fide con duct. Why are they shying away from an inquiry (into the leak)?” he argued.

It (history sheet) was in your (po lice’s) custody. This proves your mala fide conduct. Why are you shying away from an inquiry (into the leak)?

—M Sufian Siddiqui, Lawyer for Amanatullah Khan

Contending that the “entire history sheet was bereft of materi al”, Khan’s lawyer added such a decision has to be a “precau tionary order” for a person who is “habitu ally addicted to crime”.

The Additional So licitor General argued that applicable rules were duly followed by the competent authori ties in the case and a decision was arrived at in view of the material on record and after ap plication of mind.

2 teens held for murder of 17-year-old

New Delhi (ANI): Two teens were arrested by the Delhi Police’s Spe cial Staff of North West District (NWD) on Thursday in connection with a murder in Ja hangirpuri, 18 hours after the incident.

The two arrested per sons have been identi fied as Noni and Sachin, both aged 18 years, both residents of Jahangir puri. On Wednesday, a person was admitted with a stab injury at the BJRM Hospital. He was declared brought dead by the doctors. The duty constable of the hospi tal informed the police.

The person who came to admit the deceased said that he saw some quar rel at a park near G Block in Jahangirpuri. He saw the deceased with a stab injury on the chest and took him to the hospital.

Criminal held after shootout in Filmcity Delhi hospital performs 19th-century procedure to save Iraqi national’s leg

New Delhi (PTI): Doc tors at a city-based hos pital here treated a 40-year-old Iraqi nation al using the cross-leg flap surgery, an over a century-old technique, in which they lifted tis sue from one site and placed it on the affected area.

Noida (PTI): A crimi nal wanted in several cases was arrested on Friday after an encoun ter with police in Noida Filmcity, officials said.

Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police (Noida) Ashutosh Dwivedi said Danish (27) alias Sayar alias Cheeta had over 20 FIRs lodged against him for loot at various police stations in Delhi NCR.

Danish, a shooter of the Chhenu gang, was also wanted in two cases

in Noida’s Sector 20 po lice station.

“A police check was set up near Brahmapu tra Market on Friday and Danish was inter cepted. However, he fled the spot. Nearby police posts were alerted about the development,” Dwivedi said. “Teams from Brahmaputra Mar ket police post, Atta and Sector 18 posts chased him, leading them to Filmcity in Sector 16A where a gunfight ensued near the power house.”

The doctors at Fortis Hospital, Vasant Kunj, decided to perform the procedure a technique arguably first described in medical literature in 1854 as the newer and more sophisticated ones were not feasible due to the patient’s pre carious condition, the hospital said.

A flap surgery in volves lifting tissue from a donor site and placing it on the recipi ent site with an intact blood supply.

It was considered the

After much deliberation, we decided to adopt a complex, multi-step approach. Though the treatment spanned over five weeks, the outcome is satisfactory.

gold standard to recon struct soft tissue defects of the lower limb dur ing its heydays.

However, the tech nique fell into disuse with the advent of the highly sophisticated microvascular tech

niques, which enable doctors to join or re pair damaged blood vessels or nerves, the hospital said.

The road accident victim, who had under gone three unsuccessful surgeries in Iraq in

eight months, was brought to the hospital with acute dislocation of the left knee joint and a severely infected, pus-oozing leg, the hos pital said.

Investigations re vealed that the patient’s affected leg had no in tact blood vessel due to multiple injuries, which is necessary for the reconstructive sur geries currently in vogue. The doctors then decided to perform the cross-leg flap surgery.

“After much delibera tion, we decided to adopt a complex, multistep approach. Though the treatment spanned over five weeks, the out come is satisfactory,” said Dr Dhananjay Gup ta, Director, Orthopae dics & Joint Replace ment Surgery, Fortis Vasant Kunj.

Illegal arms factory busted in Nuh, 1 held

Nuh: In a major crack down, an illegal arms manufacturing unit was busted in Rajasthan’s Jhuppa village with the arrest of a supplier, po lice here said on Friday.

Five country-made pistols were recovered from his procession. The police also seized his mo torcycle.

Also seized were three country-made pistols, cartridges, and some other gun-making equip ment from the factory where the armaments were manufactured, po lice said. The supplier will be taken on remand after being produced in a court. According to the police, the caught sup plier, identified as Abdul Gaffar, a resident of Kathaul village in Bharatpur, was arrested Thursday night.

Arms case accused flees police custody

New Delhi (ANI): An arrested accused managed to escape from police custody on Thursday, while being taken for a medical examina tion, the police informed. The accused has been identified as Vicky Abhishek Sinha, 42, who is a resident of Indirapuram, Delhi. He was arrested in a fabricated arms licence case. The case against him was registered at the Cyber Police Station, Badarpur on September 30, 2022.

PFI Delhi unit president Parvez Ahmed and Secretary Mohammad Illiyas being taken from Patiala Court a day after their arrest, in New Delhi last week. —PHOTO BY ANI

MLA Amanatullah Khan

Union Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal presenting a memento to a young girl, which was earlier presented to him by All India Council for Robotics and Automation (AICRA) President Rajkumar Sharma, at the Global Artificial Intelligence Summit and Awards 2022, at Vigyan Bhawan, in New Delhi on Friday. —PHOTO BY ANI

Frist India Bureau

The 26-year-old arrested for allegedly killing his father, in Gurugram on Friday. —PHOTO BY ANI

In west Delhi, mother also left critically wounded

—Dr Dhananjay Gupta, Director, Orthopaedics & Joint Replacement Surgery, Fortis Vasant Kunj

Police personnel with the injured accused at the encounter site near Film City in Noida on Friday.

—PHOTO BY PTI

To

2 accused of rocket attack on Punjab Police HQs held n Juvenile tasked with ‘eliminating’ Salman also held n A grenade was fired at HQs in Mohali on May 9

New Delhi (PTI): Delhi Police apprehended two terror accused, includ ing a juvenile, in con nection with the May 9 RPG attack at Punjab Police headquarters in Mohali. The juvenile was also tasked with “eliminating” actor Sal man Khan, police said.

Apart from the juve nile, the Special Cell of the Delhi Police has ar rested another man, identified as Arshdeep Singh, in connection with the recovery of an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) in Haryana on August 4, police said.

According to police, the Lawrence Bishnoi and Jaggu Bhagwanpu ria syndicate tasked the juvenile along with Deepak Surakpur (pres ently absconding) and

Monu Dagar (in jail) with “eliminating” ac tor Salman Khan.

On May 9, a rocketpropelled grenade was fired at the Punjab Po lice's intelligence head quarters in Mohali.

During probe, it was established that the at tack was a conspiracy of the Babbar Khalsa In

CRUCIAL READ

AAM AADMI PARTY MLA TIES KNOT WITH PARTY VOLUNTEER IN PATIALA

Chandigarh: Aam Aadmi Party MLA from Punjab's Sangrur Narinder Kaur Bharaj on Friday got married to party volun teer Mandeep Singh in Patiala. The wedding took place at a gurdwara in Rorewal village in Patiala, a party leader said. Pun jab CM Bhagwant Mann's wife Gurpreet Kaur attended the marriage. Mandeep, who hails from Lakhewal of Bhawanigarh, has earlier worked as media in-charge of the party in Sangrur district.

MASSIVE FIRE

AT NOIDA SEC 3 PLASTIC FACTORY

ternational (BKI), backed by Pakistan's ISI and local gangsters, a senior cop said.

The police identified the attackers -- the juve nile, a resident of Faizabad, and Deepak of Surakhpur, Haryana, an official said.

"It was also estab lished that the attack

was orchestrated by gangster-turned-ISI stooge Harvinder Singh alias Rinda. Another fu gitive -- Canada-based gangster-turned-terror ist Lakhbir Singh Landa -- had also joined hands with Rinda in sharing of manpower, logistics and resources," the of ficer said.

The attack was orches trated by gangster-turned-ISI stooge Harvinder Sin gh alias Rinda. Anoth er fugitive -- Canadabased gangster-turnedterrorist Lakhbir Sin gh Landa -- had also joined hands with him.

Excise policy: ED conducts fresh raids at 35 locations

Noida: A massive fire broke out at a plastic factory in Noida Sector 3 on Friday. Several fire tenders were rushed to the spot to douse the flames. So far no loss of life has been reported. The cause of the fire and the extent of damage have not been iden tified as of now, the police said.

UPSC LAUNCHES MOBILE APP FOR INFO ON EXAMS

New Delhi: Union Public Service Com mission has launched an android mobile app to allow people to access exam and recruitment-related information. The app is available on Google Play Store. “This app, however, would not allow to fill application forms using mobile," a statement said.

Rinda's name had al ready cropped up in the grenade attack at Crime Investigation Agency (CIA) office in Nawan shahr after the arrest of four suspected Paki stan-linked terrorists in Karnal earlier this year, they said.

The juvenile was also wanted in the murder of builder Sanjay Biya ni on April 5 in Maha rashtra's Nanded and the killing of gangster Rana Kandowalia out side a hospital in Amrit sar on August 4 last year, the officer said, adding that Kandowalia was the main shooter of Lawrence Bishnoi gang.

Parsvnath Developers flouting pollution norms: Gopal Rai

First India Bureau

New Delhi: Alleging that realtors Parsvnath Developers had ‘flouted pollution-related guide lines’, Environment Minister Gopal Rai said here on Friday that Del hi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) has been asked to issue a show-cause notice to the company for the same. The violation concerns a construc tion site in Khyber Pass near Civil Lines.

Rai, on a visit to the site as a part of the gov ernment’s anti-dust campaign, said the firm was found in violation of several guidelines, and was found to have kept only one anti-smog gun instead of four, that too outside the construc tion site. Rai said con struction will be stopped until the company abides by all the 14-point guidelines.

“Installation of wind breaking walls of appro priate height around the periphery of the con

struction site and tar paulin or green net on scaffolding around the

area under construction and the building is a must. This construction site did not abide by that guideline too,” he said.

A month-long antidust campaign to check compliance of pollution norms at construction sites was launched in Delhi on Thursday and 586 teams have been formed for enforcement.

New Delhi (PTI): The Enforcement Directo rate on Friday launched fresh raids in connec tion with its money laundering investiga tion into alleged irregu larities in the nowscrapped Delhi excise policy, official sources said. The searches are being carried out at about 35 locations in Delhi, Punjab and some places in Hyderabad, they said.

The raids were con ducted days after the Central agency arrest ed Sameer Mahendru, Managing Director of Delhi's Jor Bagh-based liquor distributor In dospirit Group, in the case. Among the ac cused in the case are Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Siso dia, the then Excise Commissioner Arva Gopi Krishna, Deputy Commissioner Anand Tiwari and Assistant Commissioner Pankaj Bhatnagar.

Other accused are Manoj Rai, a former employee of Pernod Ri card; Amandeep Dhal, director of Brindco

NOTHING FOUND IN RAIDS BECAUSE SISODIA DIDN’T DO ANYTHING, SAYS KEJRIWAL

New Delhi: As the ED launched fresh searches in connection with the alleged Delhi excise policy scam, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Friday said hundreds of raids by central agencies to find evidence against his deputy Manish Sisodia have yielded nothing as he didn't do anything. Time of hundreds of sleuths of the Enforcement Directo rate and the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) is being wasted for "dirty politics", he said. The ED launched raids at about 35 locations in Delhi, Punjab and Hyderabad earlier in the day in con nection with its money laundering investigation into alleged irregularities in the now-scrapped Delhi excise policy, official sources said. Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia is an accused in an FIR registered by the CBI in connection with alleged irregularities in the formulation and im plementation of the Delhi Excise Policy 2021-22.

"Over 500 raids, more than 300 officials have been working round the clock for three months to find evi dence against Manish Sisodia. Nothing has been found because he has not done anything," Kejriwal said in a tweet in Hindi.

Sales; director of Bud dy Retail Amit Arora, and Dinesh Arora; au thorised signatories of

ED attaches Amnesty India’s `1.54-cr assets

New Delhi (PTI): As sets worth Rs 1.54 crore of a charitable trust linked to international human rights organisa tion Amnesty India have been attached under the anti-money laundering law, the Enforcement Di rectorate said Friday.

Noida (PTI): Over 1.25 lakh old vehicles reg istered in Gautam Buddh Nagar will be taken off the roads in compliance with a National Green Tribunal order on phasing out diesel and petrol vehicles older than 10 and 15 years, respectively, from the national capital region.

The district transport department has started a campaign to phase out such vehicles and begun contacting their owners from Oc tober 1 following an Uttar Pradesh govern ment order, officials said.

Assistant Regional Transport Officer (ARTO) Siyaram Verma said, “These vehicles will either be scrapped or a no-objection cer tificate (NOC) issued for their usage so that they could be used in some select districts that do not fall under NCR.”

FOLK FERVOUR

A provisional order for attachment has been issued under Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), it said.

The order has been is sued against the trust -Indians for Amnesty In ternational Trust (IAIT) -- in connection with a case linked to alleged violation of the Foreign Contribution Regula tion Act (FCRA) by the India arm of the global organisation.

The federal agency,

whose case stems from a CBI FIR against Amnes ty India, issued a state ment saying Amnesty Int’l India Foundation Trust (AIIFT) was grant ed permission under FCRA, 2010 during 201112 for receiving foreign contributions from Am nesty International UK.

“However, the same was cancelled and per mission/registration has been denied,” it said.

“Investigation by ED found that upon cancel lation of FCRA Licence of AIIFT, a new method was adopted by Amnes ty entities to receive money from abroad and Amnesty International, UK sent Rs 51.72 crore to AIIPL in the guise of ex port of services and FDI,” it said.

AAP fields BJP turncoat Satender Singh in Adampur

Chandigarh (PTI): AAP has decided to field Satender Singh as par ty’s nominee for the Ad ampur assembly seg ment bypoll next month, senior leader Sushil Gupta said on Friday. Singh, who was earli er with the BJP, had joined the Aam Aadmi Party in Hisar in pres ence of Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal last month. After joining the AAP, Singh had said he is influenced by the par ty’s ideology and that he will work for the devel opment of Adampur.

AAP is the first among major parties to announce candidate for the bypoll, necessitated by the resignation of Kuldeep Bishnoi as Congress MLA.

Will prefer serious listeners over many: Jodhpur RIFF director

lll Artists from eight countries, including Mexico, Wales, Ireland, Netherlands, Mauritius, Israel, Brazil & Turkey, will perform at the festival

New Delhi (PTI): The participation of those who truly appreciate music, and not high footfall, is what the or ganisers of the Ra jasthan International Folk Festival (RIFF) are seeking, as the music festival returns to Jodh pur after the pandemicinduced hiatus of two years.

The 5-day fest, which began on Thursday at the historic Mehran garh Fort in Jodhpur, will feature over 250

performers showcasing the best of Rajasthani, Indian, and global mu sic as well as inventive collaborations between their creators.

Artists from as many as eight countries, in cluding Mexico, Wales, Ireland, Netherlands, Mauritius, Israel, Bra zil and Turkey, will be performing at the festi val -- four of whom are performing in India for the first time.

“We are not in the number game, we never

were. Of course, we will be happy if we witness the footfall similar to 2019 and I won’t be sur prised if that happens.

What I am re ally looking forward to is the reassurance and confidence that people do want to listen to Ra jasthani folk musicians in spite of this 2-yr gap —Divya Bhatia, Festival Director, Jodhpur RIFF

looking forward to is the reassurance and the confidence that people do want to listen to Ra jasthani folk musicians in spite of this gap. The fact that there are seri ous listeners waiting for it to happen,” he added.

val, now in its 13th edi tion, promises to be a “step up” from its previ ous editions.

But then even the Edin burgh Festival, held in August this year, saw a 30 per cent drop in num bers compared with

2019. So we are not both ered about that,” Divya Bhatia, festival director of Jodhpur RIFF, said.

“What I am really

Founded in 2007, and widely credited to bring Rajasthani folk artists -- including the likes of Kutle Khan, Mame Khan and Bhanwari Devi -- to the cultural map of India, the festi

Besides a stellar lineup of soulful Indian and international art ists, the festival will introduce a new ‘indie music’ slot and for the first time present a new band ‘SAZ’, which in many ways is an initia tive of Jodhpur RIFF only -- comprising three young Langa mu sicians, Sadiq, Asin, and Zakir.

Special CP HGS Dhaliwal (Special Cell) joint press conference with DCP Pramod Singh Kushwah (2L), DCP Jasmeet Singh (L) and DCP Manishi Chandra (R) at Conference Hall, PHQ, in New Delhi on Friday. —PHOTO BY ANI

—Police official, Delhi Police

ARSHDEEP WANTED IN IED RECOVERY

Mahadev Liquors Sun ny Marwah, Arun Ram chandra Pillai and Ar jun Pandey.

Security personnel stand guard during Enforcement Directorate (ED) raid at the residence of Brindco Sales Limited Director Amandeep Dhal, in Okhla area in New Delhi on Friday. —PHOTO BY PTI

Over 1.25 lakh old vehicles to be deregistered in Noida

PM encourages India to take lead in Industry 4.0

He said that the industrial revolution is as much about new technology

Gujarat (PTI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said In dia has the potential to lead the fourth indus trial revolution and the government has worked on reforms to make the country a manufacturing hub of the world.

He said that the fourth industrial revo lution is as much about new technology, as it is about innovative think ing. “Due to various factors, India may have missed being a part of earlier industrial revo lutions. But India has the potential to lead Industry 4.0, because, for the first time in re cent history, we have many different factors like demography, de mand and decisive gov ernance coming to

Due to various factors, India may have missed being a part of earlier in dustrial revolutions. But India has the potential to lead Industry 4.0, because, for the first time in recent history, we have many different factors like demography, demand and decisive governance. —Narendra Modi, PM

gether,” he sai through a message.

The Prime Minister’s

dustries here at the con ference on Industry 4.0. Modi added that the industry and entrepre neurs play a key role in making India a vital link in global value chains.

Cong Prez poll: Shashi Tharoor releases poll manifesto

Chennai (PTI): Con gress leader Shashi Tha roor has favoured limit ing the term of office for state presidents in the party and called for Congress to be revived and re-ener gised to take on BJP in the 2024 general elec tions. Denying rumours that he may opt out of the presidential race due to meagre support, Tha roor said he was very much in the fray and has been receiving support from various quarters.

Mallikarjun rubbishes remote control remark

Ahmedabad (PTI):

Senior Congress leader and candidate for the party’s presidential polls Mallikarjun Kharge on Friday said there is no such thing as “remote control” in his party unlike the BJP, where every president is selected through a “consensus”. In the city to campaign for the election to the party’s top post, Kharge assert ed that if becomes the head of the grand old party, the remote con trol would be with him.

message was read by a Joint secretary of the Ministry of Heavy In

“We have worked on reforms and incentives to make India a techpowered manufactur ing hub of the world,” he added.

“My message is revive the party, re-energise it, empower workers, de centralise authority and be in touch with the peo ple. This, I believe will make Congress politi cally fit to take on Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his BJP in the 2024 general election,” Tha roor said.

Rajasthan is ideal state for investment: Gehlot

Naresh Sharma & Ziauddin Khan

Jaipur: Chief Minis ter Ashok Gehlot stressed, while ad dressing the inaugural session of Invest Ra jasthan Summit-2022 at JECC on Friday, said that investments are being made in the state on a large scale only because of the invest ment friendly policies of the state govern ment. The policy framework here are investor oriented with excellent road network

and quality human re source have played an important role in bringing investment to

the state, he said, and added that many im portant decisions have been taken by the State

Government to encour age investment in the State. Single window system and one stop

UP govt reinstates two suspended IAS officers TK Shibu & Sunil Kumar Verma

Ahtesham Siddiqui

Lucknow: The Uttar Pradesh govt has rein stated 2 IAS officers who had been suspend ed 6 months back. The officials include 2012 batch IAS officer TK Shibu and 2013 batch IAS officer Sunil Ku mar Verma. Both the officers are currently kept in-waiting and later the government will post them some where. IAS T K Shibu, DM Sonbhadra, was suspended from the post on 13 March 2022 by the government on

charges of keeping dis tance from public and public representatives and corruption in min ing. Meanwhile, IAS T K Shibu is a native of Alappuzha of Kerala and has served as DM of Shravasti and VC of

Prayagraj. Along with this, he has also done good work as CDO Har doi, Shahjahanpur, Un nao and as Joint magis trate in Prayagraj.

Along with this, IAS Sunil Kumar was also suspended from the

post of Auraiya Dis trict Magistrate on 4 April 2022 on charges of corruption and since then, a departmental enquiry was also being conducted against him. Sunil, a native of Rai Bareily, became IAS from engineering ser vice, and has also been CDO Sonbhadra & Var anasi and Joint Magis trate of Etawah and Agra.

After many years in the bureaucracy of UP, it was seen that the gov ernment has suspend ed 2 IAS and set up an inquiry against them.

G20 PARLIAMENTARY SPEAKER’S SUMMIT

shop has made it easier to get necessary per missions for setting up industries, he said.

He was replying to a query about the BJP’s claim that he would act as the “remote control” and “proxy” of Sonia Gandhi after being elected to the post.

Attacking the BJP, he said, “How many times has the prime minister held (party president’s) election? All the presi dents were selected through consensus, and you are teaching me?

India defends self on abstaining Xinjiang vote

New Delhi: India on Friday commented on the situation in China’s Xinjiang and said rights of people of the autono mous region should be “respected and guaran teed”. The remarks by External Affairs Minis try Spokesperson Arin dam Bagchi came a day after India abstained from voting on a resolu tion at the UN High Commission that called for a debate on concerns over the human rights situation in Xinjiang.

UP to host Indian Road Congress at IGP

Uttar Pradesh (ANI):

The four-day-long, 81st Annual Session of the Indian Roads Congress (IRC), will be held in Lucknow from October 8 to 11 at Indira Gandhi Pratishthan after 11 years, the official said on Friday.

Uttar Pradesh will be hosting the event for the fifth time and the PWD will be the nodal department for making all arrangements.

While Union Minis ter of Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari will be the Chief Guest at the inau guration ceremony, UP

‘Dialogue, diplomacy to resolve global issues’

lll India’s Parliament protects the interests of citizens and legislates purposively to fulfil their hopes and aspirations, Birla added

Indonesia (ANI): Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla participated in the con cluding session of P20 and stressed dialogue and diplomacy are the only ways to resolve global issues for world peace and prosperity.

Om Birla said that he invited the delegates to the next P20 Summit which will be hosted by India as New Delhi will be hosting the G-20 (Group of 20) leaders’ summit in New Delhi next year in 2023. “Par

A lot of people say I am a remote control and work from behind. They say I will do what Sonia Gandhi will say. There is no such thing as remote con trol in Congress, people take decisions togeth er. It is your thinking. A few people are creat ing this idea. Mallikarjun Kharge, Senior Cong leader

Where is the remote control in the BJP?

When I become presi dent, the remote con trol will stay with me.” Decisions would be taken by “our commit tee, elected members, working committee and parliamentary

board”, he said.

Hailing Sonia Gan dhi, Kharge said she had made a renowned economist the country’s prime minister (Man mohan Singh) rather than taking up the post herself or considering her son for it.

SUBMIT INFORMATION ON WELFARE SCHEMES FOR ELDERLY: SC TO STATES

New Delhi: The Supreme Court (SC) has asked states and union territories to furnish information on pension, old age homes and geriatric care schemes for the welfare of the elderly. Acting on a PIL filed by former Law Minister Ashwani Kumar, a Bench led by Justice Anirud dha Bose asked them to file status reports regarding the implementation of the Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act.

153 HC JUDGES APPOINTED THIS YR, MORE APPT. LIKELY

CM Yogi Adityanath will preside over the event. Union Minister of State General (retd.) VK Singh will also be attending the event.

Over 1,500 delegates from India and abroad are likely to participate in discussions about the use of technology in the construction of roads and bridges. About 200 delegates from UP will also par ticipate in the event.

After the convention, the participants will also be enlightened about the spiritual and cultural heritage of Ut tar Pradesh.

New Delhi: A total of 153 judges have been appointed to the various high courts in this cal endar year so far, with sources hinting at more appointments to the higher judiciary in the coming days. It is learnt that the government is also set to take a call on the elevation of Bombay High Court Chief Justice Dipankar Datta to the top court shortly.

SPECIAL COURT GRANTS BAIL TO JAYASWAL

New Delhi: The Rouse Avenue District Court in national capital granted bail to coal scam accused Manoj Kumar Jayaswal and others on Friday in a money laun dering matter related to the coal scam case.

The Special Judge Arun Bhardwaj in an order passed on Thursday said, “keeping in view the overall facts and circumstances.

BOBBY KATARIA SURRENDERS IN UTTARAKHAND COURT, GETS BAIL

Dehradun: YouTuber Bobby Kataria was on Friday granted bail after he surrendered in a local court here in a public drinking case, having been on the run for nearly two months. A video of Kataria consuming liquor in the middle of a road in Uttarakhand had gone viral on social media. The court of ACJM II Sanjay Kumar granted bail to Kataria after he furnished a personal bond of Rs 25,000. Kataria, who lives in Gurugram, came to court with a battery of lawyers from Delhi.

NPCL felicitates 15 students for securing 1st rank in UP board

hosted by India,” he said in a tweet.

“Mentioning that mu tual cooperation is the foundation of success for G-20, stressed on dia logue and diplomacy to resolve global issues for world peace & prosperi ty,” he added.

ticipating in Concluding Session of #P20, thanked Parliament of Indonesia for success

fully organising the Summit. Invited the Del egates to the next #P20 Summit which will be

In the session, he out lined India’s journey of democracy in the last 75 years and mentioned that the smooth transfer of power after every election has been the speciality of democracy.

New Delhi: As part of its CSR initiative, the Noida Power Company Limited felicitated 15 meritorious students from economically weaker sections who se cured the first rank in their respective schools in the class 10th and 12th UP board exams this year. NPCL MD and CEO PR Kumar handed over the prize money to these students in a spe cial ceremony at Great er Noida. The students of the 12th board were given Rs 10k while class

students, “All of you are the future of this coun try and you should think big and work hard to achieve your goals.”

10th students got Rs 5k cheque from NPCL.

Kumar congratulat ed the students and lauded their accom plishments. He told the

He also NPCL urged students to become role models for others in the environment and ener gy conservation. Apart from the cash prize, all the selected students re ceived a certificate of merit and a motivation al book written by Shiv Khera. Along with the children, their parents were also felicitated in this programme.

Mallikarjun Kharge addressing the media.

IAS Sunil Kumar Verma IAS T K Shibu

PR Kumar handing over the prize money to a student in a special ceremony at Greater Noida.

Om Birla met Duarte Pacheco on the sidelines of the P20 Summit, in Jakarta on Friday.

—PHOTO BY ANI

Prime Minister Narendra Modi

Gautam Adani addressing the media in the presence of CM Ashok Gehlot, Dr CP Joshi, Vaibhav Gehlot, Shakuntla Rawat, Mamta Bhupesh, Veenu Gupta and others on Friday.

CM Ashok Gehlot and Gautam Adani interacting during the Invest Rajasthan Summit that commenced at JECC Sitapura on Friday. Dr CP Joshi, Anil Agarwal, Shakuntla Rawat, and Rajiv Arora also seen.

—PHOTOS

BY SANTOSH

SHARMA

Jaipur: Tata Motorsowned Jaguar Land Rover on Friday reported a 4.9% decline in retail sales at 88,121 units in the sec ond quarter ended on September 30, 2020. The company had posted retail sales of 92,710 units in the same quarter previous fiscal. Sales of the Jaguar brand were at 17,340 units in the second quar ter as against 19,248 units in the year-ago peri od, down 9.9%. Similarly, sales of Land Rover brand were down 3.65% at 70,781 units as compared to 73,462 units.

RBI TO COMMENCE PILOT LAUNCH OF E-RUPEE SOON

Mumbai (PTI): The Re serve Bank on Friday said it will soon commence the pilot launch of e-rupee for specific use cases with a view to bolstering India’s digital economy, making payment systems more ef ficient, and checking mon ey laundering.

In a concept note on Cen tral Bank Digital Currency, the RBI said CBDC is aimed to complement, rather than replace, current forms of money and is envisaged to provide an additional pay ment avenue to users, not to replace the existing pay ment systems.

PTI

AUDI INDIA RETAIL SALES UP 29% IN JANUARY-SEPTEMBER

New Delhi: German luxu ry carmaker Audi on Fri day reported a 29% growth in retail sales at 2,947 units in the Janu ary-September period of this year in India. Audi In dia had retailed 2,291 units in the same period last year. The growth was driven by the new A8 and Q7, coupled with contin ued demand for the e-tron range, A4, A6, Q5 and the RS performance range, the company said. Also, Audi Approved: plus has grown by 73% in first 9 months of 2022.

GOLD PRICE RISES `37; SILVER RATES, TOO, GO UP BY `311

“Supported by state-ofthe-art payment systems of India that are afforda ble, accessible, convenient, efficient, safe and secure, the Digital Rupee (e?) sys tem will further bolster India’s digital economy, make the monetary and payment systems more ef ficient and contribute to furthering financial inclu sion,” the paper said.

CBDC is a digital form of currency notes issued

OTHER STORIES

TOP TALKING POINTS

z The Government of India had announced the launch of the Digital Rupee — a Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC) from fiscal year 2022-23 onwards in the Union Budget placed in Parliament on Feb 1

by a central bank. While most central banks across the globe are exploring the issuance of CBDC, the key motivations for its issu

DEVELOPING ECONOMIES WILL NEED $1 TRILLION IN RE SECTOR TO ACHIEVE NET-ZERO TARGET: IMF

Washington: The International Monetary Fund (IMF) on Friday said that developing economies needed an investment of $1 trillion a year by 2030 solely in the renewable energy sector to stay on track to achieve the net-zero greenhouse gas emissions target by 2050.

z CBDC can be classified into two broad types — general purpose or retail (CBDC-R) and wholesale (CBDC-W)

z Retail CBDC would be potentially available for use by all & while wholesale CBDC is designed for restricted access to select financial institutions

ance are specific to each country’s unique requirements.

The Government of India had announced the launch

of the Digital Rupee — a Central Bank Digital Cur rency (CBDC) from fiscal year 2022-23 onwards in the Union Budget placed in Par liament on February 1, 2022.

The central bank said: “The Reserve Bank will soon commence pilot launches of e? for specific use cases. As the extent and scope of such pilot launch es expand, RBI will con tinue to communicate about the specific features and benefits of e-rupee, from time to time.”

CBDC can be classified into two broad types -- gen eral purpose or retail (CB DC-R) and wholesale (CB DC-W). Retail CBDC would be potentially available for use by all and while whole sale CBDC is designed for restricted access to select financial institutions.

“For CBDC to play the role as a medium of ex change, it needs to incorpo rate all the features that physical currency repre sents including anonymity, universality, and finality,” the note said.

India still on course for 7% growth: CEA

First India Bureau

New Delhi: India’s Chief economic adviser V Anan tha Nageswaran said the country is still on course for 7% growth in the cur rent fiscal year although “downside risks dominate the upside risk” but it’s “better placed” than other countries.

“What gives us strength is the fact that domestic consumption is the biggest driver of growth,” he told ET in an interview on Thursday. “I would argue that once the current oneoff exogenous external shocks dissipate, I am still confident that the sustain able growth rate will be closer to 7%.”

He dismissed reports of

Rupee falls 15 paise to close at all-time low of 82.32/USD

PTI

Observing that emerging mar kets and developing economies account for two-thirds of global greenhouse gas emissions and many are highly vulnerable to climate hazards, the IMF said in a report released on Friday that developing economies would need significant climate financing in the coming years to reduce their emissions and to adapt to the physical effects of climate change.

INDIA, UK CARRYING OUT INTENSIVE DISCUSSIONS ON FTA, MEA ASSURES

New Delhi: Gold price in the national capital rose `37 to `52,300 per 10 grams on Friday amid de preciation in rupee, ac cording to HDFC Securi ties. In the previous trade, the precious metal had touched `52,263 per 10 grams. Silver also gained `311 to `62,022 per kg from `61,711 per kg. In the international market, gold was quoting lower at $1,711.16 per ounce while silver was up at $20.73 per ounce. Spot COMEX Gold last quoted at $1,711.16, while Indian gold prices trade higher amid a weaker rupee and strong physical gold demand.

New Delhi: India and the UK are carrying out intensive discus sions for a free trade agreement as both sides are keen to con clude it at the earliest, the Min istry of External Affairs (MEA) said on Friday amid indication that the previously-set Diwali deadline for the ambitious deal could be difficult to meet. The MEA’s comments came in the backdrop of UK Home Secretary Suella Braverman expressing reservations over the proposed pact on the grounds that it could increase immigration to the UK and go against the goals of Brexit.

PTI

PTI

VEHICLE REGISTRATION: TWEAKS SUGGESTED IN BH SERIES RULES

New Delhi: The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) has pro posed to allow conversion of regular vehicle registrations into Bharat Series (BH) numbers as part of measures to widen the scope of the BH series ecosystem. At present, only new vehicles can opt for BH series mark. In a draft notification, the MoRTH informed about the proposed amendments in the rules governing Bharat (BH) series registration mark which was launched for people who are in transferable jobs.

Mumbai (PTI): The rupee depreciated 15 paise to close at an all-time low of 82.32 (provisional) against the US dollar on Friday as a firm American currency and risk-averse sentiment among investors weighed on the local unit.

Moreover, a negative trend in domestic equities and elevated crude oil pric es sapped investor appetite, forex traders said.

At the interbank foreign exchange market, the local currency opened at 82.19, then fell further to 82.43 and finally settled for the day at an all-time low of 82.32 against the American currency, registering a de cline of 15 paise over its previous close.

On Thursday, the Indian currency for the first time closed below the 82 level against the greenback.

Meanwhile, the dollar index, which gauges the greenback’s strength against a basket of six cur rencies, declined 0.19% to 112.04.

SENSEX, NIFTY CLOSE MARGINALLY DOWN ON PROFIT BOOKING IN IT, FINANCIALS

Mumbai (PTI): Benchmark indices Sensex and Nifty closed margin ally down in a volatile trade on Friday following profit booking in financials and IT shares amid a weak trend in global equity markets.

Snapping its two-day gain ing streak, the 30-share BSE Sensex declined 30.81 points or 0.05% to settle at 58,191.29. During the day, it fell 370.95 points or 0.63% to 57,851.15. The broader NSE Nifty dipped 17.15 points or 0.10% to end at 17,314.65. Among Sensex shares, Mahindra & Mahindra, UltraTech Cement, State Bank of India, Tata Consultancy Services, Bajaj Finance and ITC were the major laggards. On the other hand, Titan, Power Grid, NTPC, Maruti, IndusInd Bank and Asian Paints were among the winners.

JP Morgan not including India’s sovereign bonds in a widely popular global in dex due to concerns about the country’s market infra structure.

“We have to understand that the stated reasons are not real reasons--this is a very specious excuse,” he said. “India’s infrastruc ture is far more advanced.”

India has made its stance clear about not giving up its sovereign right to tax, he said.

Countries with capital gains tax have had their bonds included in these in dices, the CEA said. “We have to wait and see where this conversation and socalled public diplomacy and public bargaining eventu ally converge,” he said.

GOVT NOTIFIES CREDIT GUARANTEE SCHEME FOR STARTUPS

New Delhi (PTI): The gov ernment has notified the credit guarantee scheme for startups to provide them collateral-free loans up to a specified limit.

In a notification, the DPI IT said that loan/debt fa cilities sanctioned to an eligible borrower on or af ter October 6, would be eli gible for coverage under the scheme.

“The Central Govern ment has approved the ‘Credit Guarantee Scheme for Startups for the pur pose of providing credit guarantees to loans extend ed by member institutions to finance eligible borrow ers being startups,” it said.

This scheme would help provide the much needed collateral-free debt funding to startups, it added.

MIs include financial in termediaries engaged in lending/investing and con forming to the eligibility criteria approved under the Scheme.

PTI

NET OFFICE SPACE LEASING JUMPS 2-FOLD IN JAN-SEPT

PTI

Growth slows of bank deposits: Kotak

First India Bureau

New Delhi: Net leasing of office space jumped over 2-fold in January-Septem ber across top seven cit ies to 30.26 million square feet, but is unlikely to breach the pre-COVID level this year, according to JLL India. Net leasing stood at only 14.63 mil lion square feet in the cor responding period of the last year across seven major cities, as the de mand was adversely im pacted because of the COVID-19 pandemic and lockdowns.

New Delhi: The growth of bank de posits across the mar ket has slowed down to 10% YoY as per the RBI’s data, said Kotak Securities Ltd in a report.

According to the report, there is a perceptible slow down in the bank deposit growth in metropolitan, semi-urban and rural In dia with household savings being relatively weak.

Further the bank branch expansion has slowed

PTI

MAJOR HIGHLIGHTS

z Growth

z There

down mainly by the public sector banks.

The report said private banks continue to gain market share but their dominance is much more

a

in urban markets as com pared to rural and semiurban markets.

The current account, savings account (CASA) deposits has slowed al

though the ratio has moved up higher to approximately 45% led by higher savings ratio in recent years.

The private banks have increased their market share in current account and in the corporate seg ment while public banks have been losing share steadily in the household and government sectors, Kotak Securities said.

As per the report, the du ration of term deposits continues to fall, especially post Covid and the share of non-individuals is quite high at 45% of the overall term deposits.

IDBI Bank: Govt, LIC to divest 60.72% stake

New Delhi (PTI): The gov ernment on Friday invited bids from investors for pri vatising IDBI Bank by sell ing a total of 60.72% stake in the bank.

The last date for submis sion of bids or Expression of Interest (EoI) is Decem ber 16.

Currently, Life Insurance Corporation (LIC) holds 529.41 crore shares repre senting 49.24% stake in IDBI Bank, while the gov ernment holds 488.99 crore shares or 45.48% stake.

Of this, the government will sell 30.48% and LIC

will sell 30.24% stake, ag gregating to 60.72% of the equity share capital of IDBI Bank, along with transfer of management control in IDBI Bank, De partment of Investment and Public Asset Manage ment (DIPAM) said while inviting bids.

JAGUAR LAND ROVER RETAIL SALES DIP BY 4.9% IN JULY-SEPT

Gujarat Model: A Global Success

Ajay Kumar

Popularly known as Narendra Bhai, Modi took over as Chief Minister of Gujarat on 7th Octo ber 2001 and still has close to 2 years in his current office before he faces another par liamentary election.

2001 was a year of disaster and distress in Gujarat. Ravaged by a devastating earthquake, torn apart by persistent so

Under the astute leadership of a visionary, who understood the pulse of the state he was born in, Modi steered Gujarat on the path of progress

cial and economic strife, the Gujarat Sto ry was all but fin ished… Under the as tute leadership of a visionary, who under stood the pulse of the state he was born in, Narendra Modi steered Gujarat on the path of progress. To

day ‘Gujarat Model’ of development is one of the most searched and researched concepts of inclusive, collabo rative, and participa tive development.

Under PM Modi’s stewardship, India stands as the 5th larg est economy in the

world. Unshackling itself from its colo nial past, India has displaced its coloniz er, Great Britain, and donned the mantle of the fastest-growing economy in the world, contrary to a world economy that reels under the shadow of an imminent reces sion. It takes a ‘Man’ like Prime Minister Modi, whose decisive political deftness en dears India to all inter national players.

18 SC JUDGES’ POSTS TO FALL VACANT IN 2 YEARS

SC collegium led by next CJI Chandrachud has task cut out

First India Bureau

New Delhi: The new collegium led by the next Chief Justice of India (CJI) Justice DY Chandrachud will have two years to fill up 18 vacancies — four cur rent and 14 set to arise between October 2022 and September 2024.

Justice Chandrachud will be sworn in as In dia’s 50th CJI on 9 No vember and will demit office exactly two years later, on 10 November 2024. Of the 14 impend ing vacancies — two later this year, nine in 2023 and three in 2024 — the last one will arise in September 2024, just two months before his retirement.

While the sanctioned strength of the apex court is 34, its existing working strength (29) is likely to drop to 27 with the retirement of two more judges, including incumbent CJI UU Lalit, over the next month.

The present collegi um, led by Lalit, may not be able to appoint any fresh judges to the top court on account of two reasons. First, the ensuing deadlock among members of the collegium over the pro

cedure for finalising candidates and, second, the age-old convention of an outgoing CJI not holding any meeting to deliberate on fresh ap pointments a month be fore he or she is due to demit office.

Collegium objects to CJI’s proposal

The difference of opin ion among members of the collegium over new appointments came to light last week when two of its members ob jected to CJI Lalit’s “un

Two soldiers die as tank barrel explodes during firing exercise

First India Bureau

Jhansi: Two Indian Army personnel, in cluding a junior com missioned officer (JCO), lost their lives after the barrel of a T-90 tank ex ploded during a field fir ing exercise today in Babina cantonment.

During the Annual Firing at Babina Field Firing Ranges on Octo ber 6, 2022, a tank bar rel burst took place. The tank was manned by a crew of three per sonnel. The crew was provided with immedi ate medical aid and evacuated to Military Hospital Babina.

As per reports, Indian Army officials informed that a Court of Inquiry has been ordered to

probe into the matter. After the explosion took place, the crew was pro vided immediate medi

A T-90 tank in a file photo dated Jan 13, 2021.

cal aid and was evacu ated to Military Hospi tal Babina, where the Commander and the Gunner succumbed to their burn injuries.

The Indian Army ex pressed deep condo lences to the bereaved families of the soldiers who lost their lives in the accident.

precedented” proposal, asking them for their written consent to ele vate four persons as judges of the top court.

Two judges declined to give their consent on the grounds that they believed the procedure adopted by Lalit was “constitutionally flawed”.

The judges, however, asserted that they had no objections to the names suggested by the Chief Justice.

Though Lalit wrote back, asking the two to reconsider their views, the latter, sources said, have not responded to his letter yet.

NOW, VANDE BHARAT HITS COW

First India Bureau

Mumbai: A day after the Gandhinagar-Mum bai Vande Bharat Ex press hit four buffaloes, the newly launched semi-high-speed train rammed into cattle again on Friday and suffered minor damage to its nose panel.

The incident oc curred near Anand sta tion in Gujarat, result ing in minor damage to the train’s nose panel.

A railway official said the semi-high speed train did not sustain major damage in the lat est incident but a small dent on the nose panel adding that the train is running smoothly and the damage will be re paired at the earliest.

The Vande Bharat Ex press met with a cattle collision for the second consecutive day en route to Mumbai.

RAILWAYS TO BID OUT 16 STATIONS VIA PPP ROUTE

Army veteran’s wife gives books penned by husband to PM Modi

First India Bureau

New Delhi: The wife of an Army veteran pre sented three books writ ten by her late husband Colonel (Retd) H K Suchdeva, to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday.

After meeting, PM Modi said he had a memorable interaction with Uma Suchdeva (90) and noted that her husband, was a widely respected veteran.

Dhaka (PTI): Unidenti fied persons destroyed the idol of a deity at a colonial-era Hindu tem ple in western Bangla desh, prompting police to launch a massive manhunt, officials said on Friday. Authorities of the Kali temple in Dautiya village in Bang ladesh's Jhenaidah dis trict found the idol smashed into pieces on Friday and dumped the idol's head on a road half a kilometre from the temple's premises, news portal bdnews24.com

quoted Sukumar Kunda, president of the temple committee as saying.

The Kali temple was a place of worship for the Hindus since the co lonial era, Kunda said.

In a tweet, Mr Modi said that during the meeting, Uma Suchde va gave him copies of three books penned by her late husband. Mr Modi said, two of them

are associated with the Gita and the third one titled ‘Blood and Tears’ is a moving account of Colonel Suchdeva’s ex periences during the traumatic period of Partition and its im pact on his life.

She was accompa nied by her nephew and former Army chief General Ved Prakash Malik (retd). She is blessed with great vig our and a spirit of opti mism, the prime minis ter Modi said.

CONCERN OVER MSY’S HEALTH

Lawyer urges SC to direct better process for adoption of child in India

New Delhi (ANI): A lawyer, who had adopted a girl child after a wait of 3 years, has urged the Supreme Court to direct the concerned authori ties to formulate a legis lative & administrative framework relating to the process of adoption in India. The petitioner Srisabarirajan, who is a lawyer practising in the Bombay High Court, has filed the petition through advocate Vish nu Kant. The Petitioner along with his wife have adopted a girl child, af ter a wait of 3 years.

The petitioner has sought a structure of ac countability, monitoring and reporting within the administrative machin ery and to make public on a half-yearly basis all statistics in relation to children in difficult cir cumstances, children in the stream of adoption, and children in the stream of foster care.

The Supreme Court has tagged the petition with other matters deal ing with adoption and listed it for further hearing

(L) Gandhinagar-Mumbai Vande Bharat Express after hitting a cow on Friday. (R) The train’s damaged nose panel after the accident on Thursday.

New Delhi (PTI): The railways will bid out 16 sta tions, including the Anand Vihar Terminal, under the public private partnership (PPP) model for re development purposes with a tender being floated over the next two months, sources said on Friday. The other stations to be redeveloped are Tambram, Vijayawada, Dadar, Kalyan, Thane, Andheri, Coim batore Jn, Pune, Bangalore City, Vadodara, Bhopal, Chennai Central, Delhi Hazrat Nizammuddin and Avadi.The railways plans to bid out these stations within the current year itself.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his interaction with Uma Suchdeva, wife of Colonel (retd) HK Suchdeva, on Friday.

Naib Risaldar Sumer Singh Bagaria and Sowar Sukanta Mondal

Idol of old Kali temple in Bangladesh smashed

A hoarding of popular PM Narendra Modi outside BJP office, New Delhi is the cynosure for all who pass and gathers eyeballs.

eople say diamonds are a girl’s best friend but you can’t help but disagree with this adage. Their absolute favour ite thing to do is collect ador able, brilliant small pearls that radiate nothing but pure beauty and elegance.

Everybody likes to present them selves in a unique form and nothing can be more elegant than dressing yourself in queenie attire. These shiny pearls decorate the whole body and highlight every groove. Pearl jew ellery acts as a very flexible wearing in the wardrobe but an extravagant pearl piece looks ravishing and pure on anyone irrespective to look, peak and figure. From celebrities to note worthy historical figures, everyone was fully drenched in the fashion of these priceless jewels. The origins of this fascination with pearls are as captivating as the pearl itself, more than numerous other gems because its very fragility has made a chrono logical record that much more chal lenging to preserve. This beautiful gem is produced from a tear that re sults from the injury of the oyster. This extraordinary piece of time and pressure depicts fashion in a different way because they don’t arise from the depths of the earth but from the sea.

Pearl clothes are more youthful, playful and allow people to wear them in a variety of ways and styles. A sim ple pearl beaded necklace looks ele gant at any type of event and in differ ent costumes, a pearl strand can add the required grace and elegance to any look and it has remained a classic piece in every woman’s heirloom. The craze for enviable pearls is increasing day by day. Pearls look great in any form. In whatever form, pearls appear beautiful. It might be a bracelet, an klet, necklace, ring, or bangle. Wear ing pearls is a timeless trend. It may be decorated at any time of the year be cause it is an evergreen material. This rekindled love for the ocean’s lustrous treasures has inspired a new crop of brands and inspired collections fit es pecially for the summer months.

Unique designs from some of the most compelling brands have re-designed pearls to contemporary lifestyles.

The timelessness of pearls reflects the fact that they are the most stylish of any gemstone! City First brings to you some style tips and significance of Pearl Fashion

Touch the sky with Glory

SHUBHANSHI PATHAK cityfirst@firstindia.co.in

The eighth of Oc tober each year is designated as Indian Air Force Day. This day is commemorated to honour the contribution and supe rior performance of the Indian Air Force. Since its establish ment on October 8, 1932, the Indian Air Force has taken part in a number of signifi cant operations that have contributed to the prosperity of the coun try. The Indian mili tary has also engaged in famous air fights that have enhanced In dia's standing on the battlefield and demon strated the capabilities needed to defend the country. This year In dian Air Force will be celebrated to honour India’s aviation indus try and the air force personnel who have

One of the first female fighter pilots in India is Bha wana Kanth. Along with two other members of her cohort, Mohana Singh and Avani Chaturvedi, she was recognised as the first combat pilot. Kanth was born in Darbhanga, Bihar, on December 1, 1992. Kanth enjoyed playing sports as a child, including Kho Kho, Badminton, swimming, and painting. All of the afore mentioned women serve as role models for other

—BHAWANA KANTH

Flight Indian pilot Lieutenant Avani Chaturvedi is from the Madhya Pradesh region of Rewa and was born on October 27, 1993. She and two of her colleagues, Mohana Singh Jitarwal and Bhawana Kanth, were recognised as the first female combat pilots. In June 2016, the group was accepted as a fighter squadron of the Indian Air Force. On June 18, 2016, they were formally commissioned by Manohar Parrikar, who was the defence minister at the time. Former President Ram Nath Kovind presented the Nari Shakti Puraskar to Chaturvedi.

Mohana Singh Jitarwal is one of the first female fighter pilots in India. She was de clared the first female combat pilot along with two of her co hort, Bhawana Kanth, and Avani Chatur vedi. In June 2016, all three female pilots were accepted into the fighter unit of the Indian Air Force. They were formally commissioned by Manohar Parrikar, the defence minister. These three women were the first to be chosen for the pro gram when the Indian government decided to open the fighter stream in the Indian Air Force to women on an experimental basis..

—MOHANA SINGH JITARWAL

In June 2007, Wing Com mander Khushboo Gupta received her appoint ment as an IAF helicopter pilot. She has an extensive op erational flying experience in the Ladakh and North East regions, includ ing the world's highest battleground, the Siachen Glacier. She graduated from Wellington's Defence Services Staff College and is a qualified flying instructor. She attended the Montfort Senior Secondary School and was born and raised in Delhi.

—KHUSHBOO GUPTA

An officer in the Indian Air Force (IAF) and former chopper pilot, Gunjan Saxena was born in 1975. She enlisted in the IAF in 1994, and she served in the 1999 Kargil War. She is one of two female IAF officers that participated in the Kargil War. She is one of only two women, the other be ing Flight Lieutenant Srividya Rajan of the Indian Air Force, to pilot Cheetah helicopters into a combat zone. Sax ena was the only female pilot in the Indian Armed Forces during the Kargil War. After seven years of service, her career as a helicopter pilot came to an end in 2004.

Ethnic ensembles are key items the Kapoor and Bhatt family followed a colourful and vibrant desi-style agenda at Alia’s baby shower.

The pictures from the private and at-home organised ceremony came to us in a mani fold and our fingers couldn’t wait but zoom into each one’s ensem ble. Each ensemble looked like

the one you’d buy now and wear forever come any season, any cel ebration. Let’s talk about the woman of the hour, mother-to-be Alia’s super yellow and mustard blend attire. Going forward, you could effortlessly and confidently step out in this attire which is worthy of being welcome at the earliest. You have Diwali coming up in a couple of weeks, so don’t you please forget!

The Brahmastra actor rocked a peach kurta and churidaar from Mard by Abu Jani and Sandeep Khosla. The actress donned a cus tom Raji Ramniq Anarkali set on this blessed day. Her desi look was impressive which was backed by celebrity fashion stylist, Ami Pa tel’s adeptness to make it look stunning on the whole. Alia is a true beauty and this outfit’s hues added to her glow.

RANBIR’S SWEET GESTURE

R

ashmika Mandana who made her Bolly wood debut with Goodbye opened up about Ranbir’s working style. The actress revealed that Ranbir Kapoor’s working style is similar to the one she follows. Rashmika further claimed that Ranbir is a director’s actor and so is she. She revealed that their captain is Sandeep Reddy Vanga and he is perfect but at the same time he is also very open with his ac tors. According to the Pushpa actress, Sandeep used to come and ask them if they were ok and if they found the scene ok. After this, she used to go to Ranbir to ask him if he feels she did well. In a recent interview, Rashmika shared that Ranbir did a sweet deed for her which made her cry on set. She said, “When we were shooting for Animal, I was complaining about my breakfast ki ‘itna boring tha’, and how sweetly he got me breakfast the next day. He made his chef cook the next day, and I started crying.”

in

or the unversed, Nushrratt made a mark in the Bollywood industry. On Thursday evening, the budding Bollywood actress informed fans that her upcoming drama thriller movie is titled ‘Akelli’. The film will be directed by debutant filmmaker Pranay Meshram under the production banner of Dashami Studioz. Unable to contain her ex citement for the film, Nushrratt soon tweeted about the development and wrote, “Apni Pe Aa Jaaye.Toh Ek Akelli Hi Kaafi Hai! #PranayMe shram @ninad_nv @vickysidana_

Priyanka Chopra is a global movie icon who has ventured into both Bollywood and Hollywood. She is currently the Goodwill Ambassador of UNICEF. Priyanka took to Ins tagram on Thursday as she heaped praises for Hillary Clinton, sharing a throwback photo.

Priyanka Chopra attended a seminar hosted by Hillary Clinton for the Women’s Leadership Forum, not too long ago. She shared photos with Hillary on her Instagram story.Priyanka, in her In stagram story where she shared pictures with Hillary Clinton, wrote, “Thank you HRC for an amazing evening! Throwback to the powerful seminar hosted by #HillaryClinton for Women’s Leadership Forum. She has worked tirelessly, to expand wom en’s representation and leadership in every sphere.” Based on what Priyanka has said, Hillary is working tirelessly, to expand women’s representation in every sphere.

Phone Bhoot starring Katrina Kaif, Ishaan Khatter and Siddhant Chatur vedi is one of the most-anticipated

Katrina shared a quirky video

Ranbir Kapoor

Rashmika Mandana

Alia

Gen V K Singh (Retd) gives “Pride of Nation” award to J K Jajoo

FIRST

The ‘Pride of the Nation’ Award ceremony was held at the Constitution Club of India in Delhi on Friday, October 7.

J K Jajoo was awarded this hon our for his outstanding contribu tion to the field of social welfare and education.

Gen Dr V K Sin gh (Minister of Road Transport and Highways and Civil Aviation, Govt of India) presented Jajoo with the award for his exemplary work which speaks volumes for itself.

Instituted by Veterans India, the Pride of the Nation award holds its

Hard work betrays none!

Describe yourself to us.

My name is Sangeeta Gha ru and I hail from Jodhpur, Rajasthan but current ly working in Delhi. I have been a very adven turous person, I like to explore the world and learn from it.

How did your journey begin?

My journey started af ter I witnessed tall and dark girls slaying the ramp with full confi dence in a movie called ‘Fashion’. From that day I wished to be a most successful model in my country.

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

My skin complexion is dark and there was a time I was not satisfied with my dark skin colour, I wanted to be fair and because of my complexion, I was scared to pursue my career in model ling. Criticism was the only thing which was on my mind but after getting praise for my work from de signers and directors my thought process

has changed. Now I be lieve no colour, size, or race matters in today's world and appreciating yourself in every as pect of life is what eve ryone must do. Hard work speaks louder and that's how my work is being displayed.

Talk to us about your achievements?

I have walked for the most prominent brands and designers such as Amazon fashion week, Lakme fashion week,

Apart from that, I have been a part of Vogue magazine. I have been a part of an Amazon prime web series called ‘Hush Hush.’

Where do you see yourself after the next 20 years?

I see myself as a super model, actor and busi ness women. The reason I want to achieve a lot is to teach every girl in my village who once dreamed to be a model.

place amongst the most prestigious awards in India and is given to the people who have made a notable contribution in their fields and in the process made India proud.

Jajoo is the founder and presi dent of the NGO Jagriti, which aims to provide quality valuebased education to the under privileged free of cost. Today, more than 5500 children are gaining quality education in over 18 schools adopted by Jagriti. The vision of Jajoo has enabled the underprivileged children of the ur ban slums of Jaipur & Ajmer to im prove their quality of life and dream big.

‘ART IS A MAD SEARCH FOR INDIVIDUALISM’

CITY FIRST

The debut collec

tion of Pavani Nagpal titled ‘My journey,' is set to be unveiled at India Art Festival, at Constitution Club of India, New Delhi from Octo ber 13 to Octo ber 16. The collection of Pavani exhib its the stark realities of the urban, modern so ciety that no one talks about.

While expressing her love for the art, she said “My art is very close to my emotions, my per sonal journey of being raised by strong, loving parents while seeing a dark world after I got married, any woman can relate to it because

it is all authentic. Wom en experience thou sands of emotions throughout their life, I have portrayed the ones I have experienced so far. I have nothing to hide!”

When asked why she picked this spe cific topic for her debut col lection, she explained: “The world of social me dia and fash ion influences a young girl’s life a lot! I too got distracted by such patterns in my life and now that I am aware of the realworld lies, I want to educate and empow er other women. The society which I come from is expected to have only “the good life”, peo ple forget we are human

beings too! I was stud ded with all the expen sive jewels one can dream of on my wed ding day, still, my iden tity became as patchy as Van Gogh’s paintings.

You will see that when you look at my art. I have put every little emotion that I car ry within me on my paintings.”

The Right to Sight!

—PHOTO BY SHAZID CHAUHAN

CITY FIRST

Areport titled ‘Cost-Benefit Analysis of In vesting in Child Eye Health’ by Orbis was unveiled at the 16th edi tion of VISION 2020: The Right to Sight - INDIA national conference on Thursday. The report in formed that the country loses an estimated USD 118 billion annually in cumulative gross nation al income (GNI) due to

childhood blind ness. The report is based on 2020 esti mates and reflects the economic losses incurred by India due to lost pro ductive years as a result of childhood blindness spanning over 35 years,

PRO KABADDI LEAGUE - SEASON 9

and rising to USD 158 billion for 40 working years. VISION 2020 is a national forum of con cerned stakeholders, gov ernment, INGOs, NGOs, Corporate working to gether for improving eye care through advocacy,

sharing of knowledge and best practices.

According to Dr Rishi Raj Borah, Country Di rector - India, Orbis, “childhood blindness not just affects the individu als, but also has the rip ple effect on socio-eco nomic levels in a commu nity and country at large.” India is home to 9.3 million visually im paired and 270,000 blind children, with more than 75% of that figure pre ventable or treatable.

DCD DELHI KABADDI CLUB STRENGTHENS ITS PARTNERSHIP WITH JK SUPER CEMENT

Dabang Delhi Kabad di Club, the defend ing Champions of the Pro Kabaddi league announced JK Super Cement as its title sponsor for the third year in a row on Friday. As part of this partnership, Dabang Delhi launched a special video.

Commenting on this an nouncement, Durganath Wagle, Director of Dabang Delhi KC said, “We are elat ed to strengthen our associ ation with JK Super Cement for the third year in a row. JK Super Cement has been a true Dabang brand in the Indian cement industry,

demonstrating strength, du rability, and safety. Dabang Delhi too has always played with grit and determination and emerged as the Champi ons in the last season. We look forward to another fruitful association with JK Super Cement and a suc cessful season ahead.”

Commenting on the partnership, Pushp Raj Singh, Group President of Marketing at Grey Ce ment said, “We are extreme ly pleased to support Kab badi, an Indian sport that celebrates grit, power and perseverance. We are excited and thrilled and look for ward to this partnership of strength, longevity, and a

pure bond of emotions. It’s amazing to see the appeal of Kabaddi among the youth and grown-ups alike. We truly believe in the skills and sportsmanship of JK Super ki Dabang Delhi. In the 8th season of Pro Kabaddi, Da bang Delhi was the Champi ons, and with their cur rent lineup of fine play ers, we don't see any chance of not making history in the 9th season. A glorious performance by the team is what we hope for as Title Sponsor. Our best wish es go out to the team for their upcoming matches.”

This year, in the PKL auc tions, Dabang Delhi K.C. has strengthened its squad

for the forthcoming Season 9 of the league by picking up a mix of young and expe rienced talent including Ravi Kumar, Sandeep Ku mar Dhull, Vishal Lather, Md. Liton Ali, Reza Ka toulinezhad, Amit Hooda, Anil Kumar and many more. Team also retained the star raiding duo Naveen Kumar Goyat & Vijay Malik who showcased the best of their performances in the previous season. The ninth season of Pro Kabaddi com menced on Friday and will be held in three cities, Ben galuru, Pune and Hy derabad. The matches will be aired on Star Sports Network and Hotstar.

The ADG of Agra Zone, Rajeev Krishna created an app called ‘Identity’, to extract the complete information of criminals with just a click. The app is available in eight districts including Agra. The app will play a huge role in capturing criminals within a small period. The constable of the beat, the cyber cell and all the police officials will be made aware with the Identity app.

"Hard work speaks louder than words and that's how my work is being displayed," says Sangeeta Gharu from Delhi while sharing her straining journey of being a model to The City First

Sangeeta Gharu

Pavani Nagpal

Glimpse from the event

Dr VK Singh felicitates JK Jajoo