First India-Delhi Edition-9th November 2022

NEW DELHI l WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 2022 l Pages 12 l 3.00 RNI TITLE NO. DELENG/2021/19840 l Vol 2 l Issue No. 70

AHEAD OF SEMIS TOMORROW, ROHIT ESCAPES INJURY AFTER HIT ON HAND

Melbourne: Skipper Rohit Sharma resumed his training on Tuesday after sustaining a blow to his right forearm. The Indian team somehow managed to survive a big injury scare ahead of their T20 World Cup semifinal against England on Thursday.

WOMAN RUN OVER BY VANDE BHARAT TRAIN IN GUJ Ahmedabad: A 54-year-old woman was run over by the Vande Bharat Express near Anand railway station while crossing the railway track on Tuesday afternoon, railway police confirmed. The deceased was identified as Beatrice Peter, a resident of Ahmedabad.

OUR EDITIONS: JAIPUR, NEW DELHI & MUMBAI

WILL MAKE BIG ANNOUNCEMENT ON NOVEMBER 15, SAYS TRUMP

Washington: Former US President Donald Trump suggested on Monday he would mount a 2024 presidential run as soon as next week, saying at a political rally in Ohio on Monday he would make a “big announcement” on November 15, 2022.

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WATCH THE NATIONAL HINDI NEWS CHANNEL BHARAT24 - JAHAN TAK BHARAT WAHAN TAK BHARAT24

Japanese companies set up base in Reliance’s MET City near Gurugram First India Bureau New Delhi: One of the four Japanese companies that are setting up base in a smart city developed by an arm of Reliance Industries Ltd near Gurugram, has done ground-breaking for a medical devices unit, which will be its largest manufacturing facility in India.

“Model Economic Township Limited (MET City), a wholly owned subsidiary of Reliance Industries Limited (RIL) is developing a world class

Crucial READ

1ST DEATH AT BHARAT JODO: CONG LEADER DIES DURING YATRA

New Delhi: Congress leader Krishna Kumar Pandey taking part in Bharat Jodo Yatra died on Tuesday. He was gen secy of Seva Dal. Confirming death Jairam Ramesh said Pandey was walking with Digvijaya Singh, he handed over Indian flag to him & collapsed later.

Greenfield Smart City near Gurugram,” Mukesh Ambani’s firm said in a statement.

“Nihon Kohden, one of the 4 Japanese companies and manufacturer of medical devices, recently did a ground-breaking ceremony on their plot at MET City,” it said.

“This facility of Nihon Kohden will be their largest manufacturing facility in India, and it will further enhance the position of MET City as a leading location for setting up companies in Haryana and

A view of the MET City, a wholly owned subisidary of Mukesh Ambani-owned RIL, in Jhajjar.

North India.”

MET City houses four leading Japanese companies in its integrated industrial township. Panasonic, Denso and T-Suzuki are the three others.

SV Goyal, CEO, MET

City, said, “With 400+ industrial customers, walk-to-work masterplan and world-class infrastructure, MET City today is one of the fastest growing greenfield smart city in North India.”

INDIA, RUSSIA TALKS: 1ST SINCE UKRAINE WAR

FOREIGN MINISTER S JAISHANKAR IN MOSCOW

“THIS IS NOT AN

ERA OF WAR”

A BIG JOLT TO CONG! RATHVA JOINS BJP IN GUJ, 26 IN HIMACHAL New Delhi: Ten-time Gujarat Congress MLA Mohansinh Rathva resigned from the party on Tuesday and joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Meanwhile, 26 leaders of the Congress party had joined the ruling BJP on Monday as Himachal Pradesh is set to vote for the 68 Assembly seats on P5 Saturday.

THAKUR’S PROMISE: IF BJP IS RE-ELECTED IN HIMACHAL PRADESH...

Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar being welcomed by Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov for talks in Moscow, Russia on Tuesday.

—PHOTO BY ANI

Since the Ukraine conflict began, PM Modi spoke to Russian President Vladimir Putin, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy numerous times, says S Jaishankar Jaishankar’s meeting with Sergey Lavrov comes amid growing huge global concerns over increasing hostilities between Moscow and Ukraine due to the war First India Bureau

Shimla: I&B Minister Anurag Thakur on Tuesday while addressing election rallies in Ghumarvi, Jhanduta and Sadar constituencies in Bilaspur district said BJP will implement ‘Project Shakti’ in state over the next 10 years to improve transport infrastructure. P5

AAP DECLARES CANDIDATES FOR POLLS IN NOIDA

Noida: The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) here announced its candidates for the upcoming municipal polls in Uttar Pradesh’s Gautam Buddh Nagar. The AAP has fielded Naveen Bhati as candidate for the Dadri Nagar Palika elections, according to a party statement.

Moscow: External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, who is on a twoday visit to Russia, on Tuesday said the talks with his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov focused on trade and investments, transport and logistics, and projects in energy sector.

During bilateral talks, EAM Jaishankar also raised the issue of the Russia-Ukraine conflict and asserted the “global economy is too interdependent to have any conflict”.

Urging Russia and Ukraine to return to dialogue, EAM said,

Where the international situation is concerned, the last few years of the Covid pandemic, financial pressures and trade difficulties; these have taken a toll on the global economy. India has substantial and time-tested ties with Russia and both nations have been trying to find ways to expand this relationship and make it more durable.

—S Jaishankar, Foreign Minister

“We exchanged views on international issues.

Ukraine conflict was dominant feature. As PM Modi conveyed to Prez Putin this is not an era of war.”

On buying oil from Russia, he said that the trade works to India’s

advantage and so the country wants to keep it going. Jaishankar also said that Russia a “steady partner” and urged the world to extend full support to the Taliban-ruled Afghanistan on the humanitarian ground.

“Being a Japan Industrial Township, we are very happy to have more Japanese companies coming to us and selecting MET City as their partner in India.

The plug-n-play infrastructure of MET City

is an added advantage for any company coming to us for their requirement,” he added.

Vaibhav Mittal, Vice President and Head Business Development, MET City, said attempts will be made to get more Japanese companies to MET City.

Kentaro Kusano, MD, Nihon Kohden India, said the haematology analyser reagent factory will be built on 16,135 square metres of land and will be almost four times bigger than the firm’s current factory in Gujarat.

MANUFACTURING HUB

ET City (METL) is a M 100 per cent subsidiary of Reliance, which is developing a world class greenfield smart city on over 8,000 acres land in Jhajjar near Gurugram in Haryana. The project has already seen completion

of trunk infrastructure comprising power infrastructure including 220 KV substation developed by MET City, water treatment plant, water distribution network, wide road network and extensive landscaping.

“This step is building on Nihon Kohden’s long-term commitment to the Indian market. India is one of the most important markets for Nihon Kohden Corporation, Japan.”

Anil Srivastava, Chief Operating Officer, Nihon Kohden India

Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam! l PM Narendra Modi unveils logo, website of India’s G20 presidency l India readies to display global muscle in the elite class grouping

First India Bureau New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday unveiled India’s logo, theme and website for its presidency of the G20, which reflects the country’s message and overarching priorities to the world.

The logo derives theme of G20 India 2023 – Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam: One Earth, One Family, One Future.

Modi said the logo of G-20 is not just a logo but a message, a feeling which is in our veins.

India’s G20 presidency is coming at a time of crisis and chaos in world. The world is going through the aftereffects of disruptive oncein-a-century pandemic, conflicts and lot of economic uncertainty. India will assume the G20 Presidency from Dec 1, 2022 where about 200 meetings in 32 different sectors will be held.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressing at the unveiling of logo, theme and website of India’s G20 presidency via video conferencing, in New Delhi on Tuesday.

—PHOTO BY ANI

SIGNIFICANCE OF THE G20 LOGO....

LK ADVANI TURNS 95!

The logo features Earth with lotus in the colours of Indian flag – saffron, white, green and blue where 7 lotus petals represent 7 continents.

PM Modi meets veteran BJP leader LK Advani to greet him on his birthday, in New Delhi on Tuesday. Rajnath Singh, BL Santhosh and family members of Advani are also seen. P5

India indebted to Manmohan Singh for reforms: Gadkari First India Bureau

New Delhi: Speaking at an awards function here on Tuesday, Union Minister Nitin Gadkari said the country is indebted to former prime minister Manmohan Singh as the economic reforms started by him as finance minister in 1991 gave a new direction to India and ushered in a liberal economy.

“Liberal economy ke karan desh ko nayee disha mili, uske liye Manmohan Singh Ka desh

Union Minister Nitin Gadkari speaking at the TIOL awards function in New Delhi on Tuesday. —PHOTO BY PTI

reeni hai (The country is indebted to Manmo-

han Singh for the liberalisation that gave a new direction),” Gadkari said.

He recalled that he could raise money to build roads in Maharashtra when he was a minister in Maharashtra in the mid-1990s due to economic reforms initiated by the former prime minister. He asserted that liberal economic policy is for farmers and poor.

The awards function was organised by a portal ‘TaxIndiaOnline’.

TOP COURT ORDERS Education is not a business to earn profit and tuition fees shall always be affordable, the Apex Court has said while upholding AP HC order.

A fast-track court in Varanasi adjourned the matter for Nov 14 on plea seeking worship of the ‘Shivling’ that Hindu side claimed to be found on Gyanvapi mosque premises.

Karnataka HC stayed the lower court order directing Twitter to block accounts of Congress and its Bharat Jodo Yatra handle. Relief is subject to the party removing copyrights materials.

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2012 CHHAWLA GANGRAPE-MURDER CASE

PROSECUTION FAILED TO PROVIDE CLEAR EVIDENCE, SAYS TOP COURT New Delhi (PTI): The Supreme Court acquitted three men sentenced to death for the gangrape and murder of a 19-yearold woman in Delhi’s Chhawla area in 2012, noting the prosecution failed to provide leading, cogent, clinching and clear evidence, including those related to DNA profiling and call detail records, against the accused.

The three men were accused of abducting, gang raping and killing the woman in 2012.

A bench of Chief Justice UU Lalit and Justices S Ravindra Bhat and Bela M Trivedi acquitted the convicts on Monday.

“The evidence with regard to the arrest of the accused, their identification, discoveries and recoveries of the incriminating articles, identity of the car, the seizures

35-year-old accuses brother-in-law of rape bid Gurugram (PTI): A 35-year-old woman has accused her brother-in-law of molesting and also attempting to rape her at their house in Subhash Nagar Colony here, police said on Tuesday.

In her plaint, the woman also alleged her husband and in-laws beat her up and kicked her out of house when she protested.

The alleged incident took place on October 27.

The woman said her brother-in-law found her alone in a room and grabbed her from behind. “When I protested, he tore my clothes and attempted to rape me. My husband and other family members favoured him. They beat me up, and along with my children, kicked me out of the house late in the night. I then managed to reach my maternal house,” she said.

‘TRIAL COURT A PASSIVE UMPIRE’ The bench said, “... material witnesses examined by the prosecution having not been either cross-examined or adequately examined, and the trial court also having acted as a passive umpire, we find that the accused were deprived of their rights to have a fair trial, apart from the fact that the truth also could not be elicited by the trial court... The accused are acquitted by giving them a benefit of doubt.”

The Supreme Court said the accused were acquitted on benefit of doubt.

and sealing of the articles and collection of samples, the medical and scientific evidence, the report of DNA profiling, the evidence with regard to the CDRs etc. were not proved by the prosecution by leading, cogent, clinching and clear evidence much less

unerringly pointing the guilt of the accused,” the bench said.

It said the possibility of tampering with the samples collected also could not be ruled out.

“The prosecution has to bring home the charges levelled against them beyond reasonable

doubt, which prosecution failed to do in the instant case, resultantly, the court is left with no alternative but to acquit the accused, though involved in a very heinous crime,” it said.

It may be true that if the accused go unpunished or are acquitted, a

kind of agony and frustration may be caused to society in general and to the family of the victim in particular, however the law does not permit courts to punish the accused on the basis of moral conviction or on suspicion alone, the bench said.

Charge sheet filed in 40 out of 83 UAPA cases within 90 days: Delhi Police to HC New Delhi (PTI): The Delhi Police has informed the high court here that out of 83 cases registered by it under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) since 2005, charge sheets were filed in 40 cases within 90 days, while an extension was sought in 20 cases.

The data was submitted on the direction of the Delhi High Court which was hearing a plea by a UAPA accused challenging a trial court order extending the 90-day deadline

New Delhi (PTI): The body of a man was found near Sanjay Van cremation ground in southwest Delhi’s Kishangarh area on Tuesday, police said.

The deceased was identified as Krishna Kumar of Meharauli.

He is survived by his wife and four children, police said.

According to police, information was received at 9am about a person, aged around 40, lying unconscious near the cremation ground.

The crime team has been called to the spot for collecting evidence, the police said.

A case was registered at Kishangarh police station, a senior cop said, adding further investigation was on.

Tushar Mehta to lead India at UN Rights Council First India Bureau

New Delhi: The Indian delegation at the 41st Session of Universal Periodic Review of the United Nations Human Rights Council will be headed by Solicitor General (SG) Tushar Mehta.

As per a statement, the session is scheduled to be held at Geneva from November 7 to 18. It will witness peer review of the human rights performance of all countries. India’s national report will be reviewed on November 10, added the statement.

It said senior officials from Ministry of External Affairs, Ministry of Women and Child Welfare, Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Ministry of Minority Affairs, NITI Aayog and the V-C of National Law University, Delhi, will accompany the SG to Geneva.

The statement said

that the national report of India, which was submitted on August 5, 2022, outlined the steps taken by the country towards the promotion and protection of human rights, including the implementation of recommendations accepted by the country in the third UPR cycle held in 2017.

Diverse stakeholders, including members from the judiciary, national human rights institution, academia, civil society organisations and the general public held serious discussions on the above subjects, leading to the preparation of this report, it added.

GURU PARAB

180 DAYS LIMIT

granted to the Delhi Police in the case against him.

The police said though a total of 98 cases were lodged under the anti-terror law, 15 of them were transferred to the National Investi-

gation Agency (NIA).

Justices Mukta Gupta and Anish Dayal had in October asked the police to place on record the number of cases under the UAPA where it filed the charge sheet within the stipu-

Delhi Metro introduces first-ever set of two eight-coach trains on Red line New Delhi (PTI): Delhi Metro on Tuesday introduced two eight-coach trains, converted from the existing fleet of sixcarriage trains, for passenger services on its Red line to boost the carrying capacity on the old corridor.

Red line connects Rithala station and Shaheed Sthal (New Bus Adda) , Ghaziabad.

“The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation has introduced its first-ever set of

Mehrauli man’s body found near cremation ground

02

The Red line connects Rithala and Shaheed Sthal in Ghaziabad.

two eight-coach trains, which have been converted from the existing fleet of 39 six-coach trains, for passenger services on the Red Line (Line-1 -- Rithala to

Shaheed Sthal New Bus Adda) from today,” it said in a statement.

With this induction, all the trains on the line will be stopping near the far end of the platforms.

lated 90 days period.

The high court had also asked the police to disclose the details of instances where a charge sheet was filed after seeking an extension of the 90-day deadline.

A devotee helps her child take a dip in the sacred pond at Gurudwara Bangla Sahib on the occasion of Guru Nanak Jayanti, in New Delhi on Tuesday. —PHOTO BY ANI

PIL against overcrowding in Tihar New Delhi (ANI): A Public Interest Litigation (PIL) has been moved in Delhi High Court against overcrowding of prisoners in Tihar Complex, Delhi.

The plea said number of inmates in Tihar Jail had exceeded the capacity of each barrack and it is on record that there is a huge increment in the total population of inmates in the Complex.

The petition has been moved by NGO- Nyaya Foundation stating that the unnecessary over-

‘13K INMATES LODGED’

The plea said number of inmates exceeded capacity of each barrack.

crowding amounts to the denial of the Fundamental Rights of inmates as guaranteed under Article 21 of the Constitution, wherein a peaceful and dignified lifestyle of

an individual is covered.

Due to the overcrowding of this prison inmates’ lives are largely affected as a result of mental and physical tortures caused to them, stated the plea.

Responding to an RTI, the office of the DG, Prisons had said that Tihar is one of the largest prison complexes in the world and comprises nine central prisons, has the capacity to house 5,200 inmates, but 13,183 prisoners are currently lodged in its different central jails. The prison complexes supposed to reduce Tihar’s burden are overcrowded too.

FATAL ATTRACTION

Seven held for killing ragpicker while performing car stunts First India Bureau Gurugram: A day after a ragpicker was killed and two workers of a liquor store suffered serious injuries after a car allegedly rammed into them while performing stunts outside a liquor store in Gurgaon’s Udyog Vihar Phase 4, the police on Monday arrested seven people in the case.

According to the police, on Sunday around 3 am, they received in-

formation that a man had been killed while some were injured outside a liquor store in the Udyog Vihar area, following which several teams rushed to the spot.

The deceased, a ragpicker, was yet to be identified, while two liquor store workers – Annu Kumar Gupta and Sushil Kumar – were admitted to a hospital for treatment.

In the police complaint, Gupta had said

ACCUSED WERE DRUNK, SAY POLICE

CCVT footage showed the horrific incident taking place.

that around 1.50 am, he and some workers doing inventory work inside the store heard a commotion and saw that some men in four

cars were hurling abuses and fighting among themselves. “…other workers from the store came outside. We stood near

the store’s gate and an unknown ragpicker who usually picks up scrap and empty bottles near the store was standing near us. Two

cars were performing dangerous stunts, while the two other car drivers were fighting.

They drove their cars at a high speed towards

the road outside,” Gupta said in the complaint. “Some minutes later, an Ertiga car drove towards us from far at a high speed and the driver pulled the handbrake just near the gate of the liquor store and rammed the car into me, a colleague and the ragpicker, deliberately with the intention of killing us,” he added.

Police said the ragpicker was rushed to a hospital, where he was

declared brought dead.

An FIR was registered against the accused under sections 302 (murder), 307 (attempt to murder), 323 (voluntarily causing hurt), 147 (rioting), 149 (unlawful assembly) and 120-B (criminal conspiracy) of the Indian Penal Code.

The police identified the arrested accused as Saurabh Sharma, Rahul, Ravi Singh, Vikas, Mohit, Mukul Soni and Luv.

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CANDIDATE CHECK

BJP RECEIVES BIODATA OF 15K PROBABLES FOR MCD POLLS

Party collects feedback on probables with good reputation, winnability in 2-day exercise New Delhi (PTI): Selecting candidates for the upcoming civic body elections is proving to be a difficult task for the BJP's Delhi unit, which has been inundated by recommendations and biodatas of over 15,000 probables, party leaders said on Tuesday.

Teams of observers collected feedback about probables from local BJP leaders during a two-day process.

Each team, comprising two central and Delhi unit members, visited each of the 14 districts on Monday and Tuesday to collect the names of probables with good reputations and high winnability factor, the leaders said.

Present and former MLAs of Delhi's 70 Assembly constituencies, presidents and general secretaries of 270 mandals (roughly as per ward boundaries) and 250 wards recommend-

DELHI BJP REVOKES EXPULSION OF EX-MAYOR

BJP MP Manoj Tiwari addresses a press conference ahead of MCD elections, in New Delhi on Tuesday.

—PHOTO BY PTI

KEJRIWAL SAYS HE IS 'JANTA KA LAADLA'

New Delhi: CM Arvind Kejriwal on Tuesday said he was "the darling of the people" and alleged the BJP was troubled by the love he was getting. "Before Punjab polls, PM Modi said Kejriwal is a terrorist.

Home Minister (Amit Shah) set up an inquiry. What happened to it?

Now, before the Gujarat and MCD polls, they are saying Kejriwal is corrupt. If Kejriwal is a terrorist or is corrupt, arrest him, no?"

Kejriwal said in a tweet.

ed the names of three probables each, said a senior leader of the

BJP's Delhi unit associated with the shortlisting process.

Media should flag government’s shortcomings: Manmohan Singh

TIOL Awards Trustee Shailendra Kumar accepts the TIOL Fiscal Heritage Award 2022 on behalf of Manmohan Singh from Union Minister Nitin Gadkari on Tuesday.

—PHOTO BY PTI

New Delhi (PTI): Former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Tuesday said media needs to remain vigilant and flag shortcomings of the government. In his virtual address at a function where he was conferred with the TIOL Fiscal Heritage Award, Singh asserted that India will continue to rise and

Manmohan Singh was conferred with the TIOL Fiscal Heritage Award show to the world the way forward by blending tradition with modernity.

The former PM also said that governments come and governments go, “but this great nation of ours is heir to one of the oldest civilisations known to humanity”.

Its history is marked by continuity and change, and a remarkable cultural plurality, he said, adding these are important strengths, he added.

New Delhi (PTI): Ahead of MCD polls next month, Delhi BJP president Adesh Gupta on Monday revoked the three-year-old expulsion of two party leaders, including a former mayor. Sarita Chaudhary, former South Delhi mayor and Mehrauli district president Azad Singh were expelled from the BJP on charges of indiscipline in October 2019. In separate letters to Chaudhary and Singh, Gupta said their expulsion was revoked with immediate effect keeping in mind their "dedication" towards the party. The action was taken against them after the estranged husband-wife duo were involved in a public spat at the Delhi BJP office.

Party leaders and workers aspiring to contest the elections

Man held for stealing `2.45L from paralysed uncle’s account New Delhi (PTI): A 27-year-old man was arrested for allegedly withdrawing Rs 2.45 lakh from his paralysed uncle’s pension account, police said on Tuesday.

Accused Rahul Baisla of Loni, worked as a salesman at a private company in Rani Bagh, they said.

The matter came to light after the victim’s son alleged that unidentified persons had fraudulently withdrawn around 2.45 lakh from his father’s account through multiple transactions since August 2021, the police said.

are also submitting their biodatas in large numbers at the BJP's Delhi unit office and to senior functionaries.

"We have so far received over 15,000 applications through these channels and the number will rise further," said the senior leader.

The nomination process for the polls, which started on Monday, will conclude on November 14.

"We are trying to process as many applications as possible but it is proving to be a tough task due to the short time available to file the nominations," said another senior Delhi unit leader.

"It has been decided to shortlist three probable candidates from each ward. The shortlisted names will be discussed by the national leadership before the candidates' names are announced around November 12," said the leader.

New Delhi (PTI): Schools in the national capital will reopen for primary classes from Wednesday and outdoor activities will be resumed for all classes as the air pollution in Delhi-NCR ameliorated over the last three days.

Schools have taken several measures to protect children, including introduction of breathing exercises in classes and mental and emotional wellbeing sessions.

Anshu Mital, Principal, MRG School, Rohini said they are planning to distribute a manual or written guide to teach students what types of foods, drinks and behaviour they should do adopt to ameliorate the situation we are living in.

"It serves both pur-

Winds of change blowing in Himachal, BJP will be ousted: Raj CM Gehlot Shimla: Rajasthan CM Ashok Gehlot on Tuesday strongly attacked the BJP, claiming that policies and principles of Congress have strength, and that ultimately the DNA of the country and the DNA of Congress are the same.

Gehlot was on an election tour of Himachal where he conducted a press conference and fired salvos at BJP and PM Modi.

“Those who say they will make a CongressMukt Bharat, they themselves will become ‘mukt’,” he said.

Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot addressing press conference in presence of Alka Lamba, Pratibha Singh, Shashikant Sharma and others at the Rajiv Bhavan in Shimla, Himachal Pradesh on Tuesday.

Gehlot stressed that Congress will win the Himachal Pradesh polls. Himachal CM Jai Ram Thakur will not be able to win the election by keeping Modi as the party face, he claimed.

Gehlot said, “BJP used to talk about character but now they have been exposed. There is loot in BJP-ruled states.

The old pension scheme will be implemented if the Congress govern-

ment is formed in Himachal Pradesh. We will do better financial management and will implement the old pension scheme. Black money did not go away with demonetisation.

Terrorism is not over.

No one is taking the name of Lokpal in the country for 8 years. No one is taking name of the coal scam and 2G spectrum. A conspiracy was hatched to defame the UPA government.”

Gehlot also targeted AAP and said, “Today you see what is happening in Punjab. Look at how Delhi has been hollowed out.”

BJP demands ‘televised’ lie detector test on Kejriwal First India Bureau New Delhi: The BJP on Tuesday staged a protest outside the AAP office here and demanded a ‘televised’ lie detector test for Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and jailed AAP minister Satyender Jain over allegations levelled by Sukesh Chandrashekhar.

BJP MP and the party’s former Delhi unit chief Manoj Tiwari demanded a televised lie detector test for Kejriwal, Jain and Chandrashekhar.

“The allegations by Chandrashekhar were earlier against AAP ministers and leaders but now he has directly charged Kejriwal, who needs to answer the questions being asked. The BJP demands that Arvind Kejriwal, Satyendra Jain and Sukesh Chandrasekhar undergo a lie detector test and it should be televised live,” Tiwari said at a press conference.

In one of his letters, Chandrashekhar, who

SUKESH NOW WRITES TO LG FOR CBI PROBE AGAINST KEJRIWAL Sukesh Chandrashekhar has written a fresh letter to LG VK Saxena seeking a CBI probe against Arvind Kejriwal and others, his lawyer said on Tuesday.

Chandrashekhar alleged that after his last complaint to the LG was reported in the media, he had received “severe threat” from the jail administration on behalf of AAP leader Satyendar Jain and then DG Prisons Sandeep Goel. “After my last complaint application was released on media, from last two days there has been severe threat that I have been receiving from the jail administration on behalf of Satyendar Jain and DG prisons Sandeep Goel that I will be taught a serious lesson...” he said in the letter written on November 4.

is lodged in Mandoli Jail here, alleged that he met Kejriwal and was asked to arrange Rs 500 crore for the party’s expansion into the southern states.

Tiwari alleged that the AAP had contest-

ed the Assembly elections in using money collected from the “liquor scam” in Delhi and a “similar” attempt was made to “recover” money from people like Chandrashekhar.

Primary classes restart today with safety nets for kids as AQI improves

RAJ CM GEHLOT’S DAY OUT IN AHMEDABAD, SHIMLA

Mahima Singh Tanwar

03

OPS should be implemented across the country today. I urge Modi ji to implement OPS across the country. When I implemented OPS in Rajasthan, there was a crowd for many days to meet me. In the end I had to refuse. One day time will come that Centre and all states will have to implement it.

—Ashok Gehlot, Chief Minister, Rajasthan

A student walks in an open field area shrouded in smog in New Delhi on Tuesday.

—PHOTO BY PTI

AIR QUALITY STILL 'VERY POOR' FOR FOUTH CONSECUTIVE DAY New Delhi: Smoky haze shrouded Delhi on Tuesday as its air quality deteriorated to the upper end of the “very poor” category due to calmer winds. It is forecast to become worse in next two days due to unhelpful conditions. Favourable wind speed is predicted to bring improvement from November 11. The capital’s 24-hr average AQI worsened from 354 on Monday to 372 on Tuesday. Farm fires in Punjab dropped from 2,487 on Monday to 605 on Tuesday. Their share in Delhi’s PM2.5 pollution dipped from 14 per cent on Monday to 9 per cent on Tuesday. Mahesh Palawat, vice president (meteorology & climate change), Skymet, said air quality is likely to become worse before improving on Friday.

poses. First, it ensures a proper continuity in their education without any interruption, and it also channelises a conducive environment in which there are no possibilities of health hazards.

"We have a proper medical treatment facility to take care of children if they face any discomfort or pain," she said.

Sangeeta Hajela, Principal, DPS Indirapuram, said, “We have administered many steps to safeguard students. Teachers encourage students to have a balanced diet with nutrient-rich fruits and vegetables. Antipollution masks are being distributed to students. Air purifiers have been placed at strategic locations.”

FROM THE QUEEN OF HILLS!

(Top) Dr Jagdeesh Chandra welcoming Rajasthan CM Ashok Gehlot with a bouquet at The Oberoi Cecil, Shimla on Tuesday. Gehlot had reached Shimla for election campaign while Dr Chandra was there to take stock of the Assembly election scenario.

(Bottom) Ashok Gehlot, Rajeev Shukla, Tajinder Singh Bittu, Dr Jagdeesh Chandra and Shashikant Sharma with others in Shimla on Tuesday.

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04

IN-DEPTH

DEMONETISATION: BLACK MONEY KEEPS TUMBLING OUT AND CASH STILL RULES

BENGAL PARTITION, AGAIN? ROBIN ROY

The writer is Senior Journalist and former Managing Editor, First India

T Mamata argued, “Formation of a Union territory takes away a people’s rights as it denies them of the benefits of statehood. I will not allow anyone to divide Bengal. UT means being at the mercy of New Delhi and losing all freedom. But I will not allow North Bengal or any other part of Bengal to lose its freedom and become dependent on New Delhi.”The longest and most violent agitation movement in North Bengal was for a separate territory for Gorkhaland which was resolved following a series of accords which finally saw the setting up of Gorkhaland territorial Administration

he politically heart-burning issue of dividing the state further into Union Territories seems to die. The “ghost” returns to haunt, it seems.

Triggering a controversy (again), Ananta Rai, who has been demanding a separate Cooch Behar comprising parts of north Bengal, on Friday met Union Minister of state for Home affairs Nisith Pramanik and said the creation of a new Union Territory is only a matter of time.

Rai who leads a faction of the Greater Cooch Behar had an hour-long meeting with Pramanik in Bhetaguri town of Cooch Behar district. “I believe it (new Union Territory) will happen soon. I cannot comment on the time and date. But you can be rest assured that the new union territory of Cooch Behar is only a matter of time,” Rai told reporters after the meeting.

Asked about Rai’s comments regarding union territory, Pramanik, the MP of Cooch Behar constituency, said, “I will comment on it when the time comes.” Rai’s organisation Greater Cooch Behar has been demanding an independent state comprising Cooch Behar and several other districts in the northern part of West Bengal.

His remark drew a sharp

AN AVOIDABLE ROW OVER ‘HINDU’ TERM

Rai who leads a faction of the Greater Cooch Behar had an hour-long meeting with Pramanik in Bhetaguri town of Cooch Behar district. “I believe it (new Union Territory) will happen soon. I cannot comment on the time and date. But you can be rest assured that the new union territory of Cooch Behar is only a matter of time,” Rai told reporters after the meeting

retort from the ruling Trinamool Congress which said it would never allow the division of West Bengal. “They can hold as many meetings as they want or say whatever they feel like. But there will be no division of West Bengal,” TMC leader and North Bengal Development Minister Udayan Guha said.

THE GEOGRAPHY North Bengal, with its eight districts including picturesque Darjeeling, is both economically important for West Bengal as it houses the money-minting tea, timber and tourism industries. The region is also strategically important for the country for its Siliguri corridor, commonly known as ‘chicken neck’, as it connects the North Eastern states with the rest of India.

The region, which shares a border with Nepal, Bhutan and Bangladesh, has witnessed several violent statehood movements since the early eighties by various ethnic groups such as Gorkhas, Rajbanshis, Koch and Kamatapuri communities.

The BJP’s Alipurduar MP John Barla and MLAs of Matigara-Naxalbari and Dab-

C

ongress working president in Karnataka Satish Jarkiholi has created an avoidable row with his definition of the word Hindu. The 60-year-old billionaire sugar baron from Belagavi ignited a controversy when he asserted that the word Hindu has a Persian origin with a very “dirty” meaning which will make Hindus “ashamed”. Jarkiholi is a leader of the Scheduled Tribe Valmiki Nayak community. Countering BJP’s claim on Hindutva, Jarkiholi stated that because of its Persian origin there was no link between the word Hindu and India. “How did ‘Hindu’ become yours,” he asked the BJP. He insisted that a Wikipedia search would confirm

gram-Phulbari seats, Anandamay Barman and Shikha Chatterjee respectively, have demanded that a Union territory be carved out of North Bengal districts. BJP MLA from Kurseong Bishnu Prasad Sharma last year had written to BJP national president J P Nadda demanding separation of Darjeeling Hills from West Bengal.

FOR SOME TIME This demand for carving out a Union Territory comprising North Bengal districts out of Bengal, made by two BJP MPs from the region in July 2021 had sparked off a sharp reaction with the ruling TMC with party Supremo Mamata Banerjee stating she would not allow any part of Bengal to lose its freedom and be dependant on the national capital.

Barla had told news agency PTI in a telephonic conversation, “I made the demand that there have been movements here for a separate Kamtapuri, a greater Cooch Behar and for Gorkhaland. My belief is that North Bengal should be detached and made into a separate union territory.”

The MP who has earlier led

The 60-year-old billionaire sugar baron from Belagavi ignited a controversy when he asserted that the word Hindu has a Persian origin with a very “dirty” meaning which will make Hindus “ashamed” his statement.

That may not be correct as the Wiki page describes the word Hindu as being derived from the river Indus or Sindhu which has originated from Sanskrit and the Indo Aryan. According to Gavin Flood who is regarded as an authority on Hinduism, the term Hindu “first occurs as a

D

an agitation for an autonomous tribal area in the last decade, said small states perform better. North Bengal is neglected, it also faces security issues. Our economy is affected, tea gardens are being shut down. We will be better off as a Union territory.

Barla, said that he along with others from the region would be meeting both Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Union Home Minister Amit Shah on this issue as well as would raise it in Parliament. BJP has four MPs from the region and at least one of them Jayanta Roy from Jalpaiguri said that though Barlas comments were made in his personal capacity, he supported them.

DIFFERENCE OF OPINION? However, Dilip Ghosh had said his party does not have any such agenda. “None of our officials has said any such thing,” he had said, claiming that attempts were being made by the TMC to malign the BJP by raking up various issues. “I want to make it clear that the BJP has no such agenda to divide Bengal or create a different state,” Ghosh had said.

The Trinamool Congress had come out strongly despite BJP’s denials. CM Mamata Banerjee had said, “They should be ashamed after their humiliating loss in the elections but, instead, they are trying to divide Bengal. In whose interest are they trying to split Bengal?”

emonetisation happened six years ago but not a year has passed without a review of its consequences on the quantum of liquid cash in the market which it was supposed to bring down to curb the circulation of black money and promote digital economy. In the last six years the digital economy has indeed made much progress with consumers and traders finding it more convenient. Stringent upper limits for cash transactions and bank withdrawals have had notable impact.

On the flip side, however, it did not bring down the currency in circulation to the desired level. A Reserve Bank of India report said that almost 99 percent of the Rs 3 to 4 lakh crore black money that was invalidated returned to the system. Fresh seizures of black money, which run into thousands of crores, prove that the exercise was futile. The dream of a cashless economy also lies shattered as currency with the public has increased to Rs 30.88 lakh crore.

Cash still rules.

SPIRITUAL SPEAK You have a right to perform your prescribed duties, but you are not entitled to the fruits of your actions.

—Bhagavad Gita

TOP TWEETS Narendra Modi @narendramodi

Hearty greetings on Prakash Purab of Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji. May their noble teachings continue to guide us in our efforts to build a just and compassionate society.

Amit Shah @AmitShah

THE VIEWS EXPRESSED BY THE AUTHOR ARE PERSONAL

Persian geographical term for the people who lived beyond the river Indus”.

Jarkiholi alone can explain his intention for raking up this controversy when Karnataka is preparing for Assembly elections and his party is on a weak footing.

The immediate fallout could be on Hindu votes consolidating behind the BJP at a time when the powerful Lingayat community is upset about the arrest of their chief pontiff in a sexual harassment case. Lingayats have so far been the biggest supporters of the BJP. To control the damage Randeep Singh Surjewala of the Congress, who is in-charge of Karnataka, condemned the remark and said, “Hinduism is a way of life…”

Hearty greetings to all on the 553rd Prakash Parv of the founder of Sikh Panth, Shri Guru Nanak Dev Ji. Guru Nanak Dev ji showed the path of truth, action and compassion to the entire mankind with the ideas of peace, equality and service to humanity. His teachings will always guide us.

l Vol 2 l Issue No.70 RNI TITLE NO. DELENG/2021/19840 Printed and published by Anita Hada Sangwan on behalf of First Express Publishers. Printed at Impressions Printing and Packaging Limited, C-21, 22 Sector-59, Noida-201301. Published at G-20, 3rd Floor, 309, Preet Vihar, New Delhi-110092. Phone 011-49846474.

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Several ministers, leaders greet LK Advani on 95th birthday Besides PM, Shah, Rajnath, Hardeep Puri, Jaishankar wish BJP stalwart New Delhi (ANI): PM Narendra Modi and several others on Tuesday visited the residence of veteran BJP leader LK Advani to greet him on his 95th birthday. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh also visited Advani to wish him on his birthday.

“Visited respected

Advaniji’s residence and wished him a happy birthday. I pray to God for his good health and long life,” Singh said in a tweet.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah also wished the senior BJP leader and said that he made an invaluable contribution to the de-

velopment of the country while being in the government.

“Wishing a very happy birthday to respected LK Advani ji. Advani ji, on one hand, strengthened the organization across the country with his continuous hard work, while on the other hand made an invaluable contribution to the development of the country while being in the government. I

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh presents a bouquet to veteran BJP leader LK Advani to wish him on his birthday. —PHOTO BY ANI

pray to God for his good health and long life,” Shah said in a tweet.

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar who is currently in Moscow wished Advani. “Warm birthday greetings to revered Shri LK Advani ji. His many contributions and services to the nation will always keep inspiring us,” he said.

Union Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas and Minister of

BATTLEGROUND HIMACHAL PRADESH

Housing and Urban Affairs Hardeep Singh Puri wished and said, “Birthday greetings to one of the leading lights of BJP, India’s political stalwart, a fine human being & veteran leader Sh LK Advani Ji.” Born on November 8, 1927, in Karachi, Advani was the Minister of Home Affairs in the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance government from 1998 to 2004.

He also served as the Deputy Prime Minister under Atal Bihari Vajpayee from 2002 to 2004.

He is one of the cofounders and a senior leader of the BJP. He began his political career as a volunteer of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). In 2015, Advani was awarded the Padma Vibhushan - India’s second-highest civilian honour.

GUJARAT ELECTIONS

BJP and Congress intensify Chidambaram targets BJP over Morbi bridge collapse campaign as poll inches closer

Shimla (Agencies): With only 6 days left for campaigning ahead of the Assembly elections in Himachal Pradesh on November 12, political campaigning has intensified with star campaigners and prominent leaders of various political parties holding public meetings and road shows across the state.

The star campaigners of BJP and Congress campaigned in favor of their candidates in different parts of Kangra, Hamirpur, Bilaspur, and Shimla districts, on Tuesday.

Several senior leaders of the BJP and the Congress are constantly addressing election meetings and surrounding each other on several issues.

Union minister Nitin Gadkari and UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath addressed election rallies back to back in various assembly constituencies of the Kangra and Bilaspur districts on Tuesday.

BJP national president JP nadda held a road show at Kusumpati in Shimla.

GADKARI PROMISES ROPEWAYS, CLEAN ENERGY PROJECTS FOR HIMACHAL Bharmour (PTI): Union Minister Nitin Gadkari on Tuesday promised more ropeways, cable railway system, tunnels and clean energy projects for Himachal Pradesh which is going to poll.

At a rally in the tribal area of Chamba, Gadkari said constructing roads here is difficult and new-age projects can solve the connectivity issue in the sub-Himalayan range of mountains. “Constructing roads is difficult here. There is a need for tunnel projects, ropeways and funicular train systems...if we can connect these mountains through the electric transport system, these will ease your travel and improve connectivity,” he said.

Anurag Thakur addresses a rally in Bilaspur on Tuesday.

BJP’S 5 YEARS RULE IN HIMACHAL HAS MORE WEIGHTAGE THAN CONS'S: ANURAG THAKUR Bilaspur (ANI): Union minister Anurag Thakur on Tuesday compared Congress’ 60 years of rule in Himachal Pradesh with five years of rule of BJP and said BJP’s rule had more weightage. “Compare Congress’s 60 years of rule to our 5 years of rule, and you'll see that our 5 years of the rule will have more weightage. They (Congress) have only stopped developments whereas we have brought developments,” Thakur said at a rally here.

On the other hand, Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gan-

dhi Vadra addressed a rally at Nagrota Bagwan in Kangra district.

ANYONE CAN LEAD CONG IN HIMACHAL, NEW LINE OF LEADERSHIP READY: SURJEWALA Shimla (PTI): The Congress on Tuesday said a new line of leadership has emerged in Himachal Pradesh and anyone can lead the party after the election results are announced. Claiming that the party was headed towards a two-third majority in the electionbound state, Congress general secretary Randeep Surjewala said Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur would have difficulty in saving his own seat. Surjewala said change is the law of nature. "A new line of leadership has already emerged in the Congress and anyone can lead the party," he told reporters at a presser here.

Ahmedabad (PTI): Ahead of the upcoming Gujarat Assembly polls, senior Congress leader P Chidambaram on Tuesday hit out at the BJP over its "arrogance", saying no one so far has apologised or resigned for the Morbi bridge collapse tragedy which claimed 135 lives.

Chidambaram, who was here to campaign for his party, also claimed that Gujarat was being “run from Delhi” and not by the CM of state.

The Gujarat polls will be held in two phases on December 1 and 5 and the counting of votes will be taken up on December 8. On October 30, a suspension bridge on the Machchuu river in Gujarat’s Morbi district collapsed, claiming 135 lives.

Chidambaram said,

CONG TO SEEK EXPLANATION FROM JARKIHOLI Bengaluru: After apolitical row erupted over Karnataka Congress leader Satish Jarkiholi’s comment on the word ‘Hindu’, the party has said that it would seek an explanation. Karnataka Congress president DK Shivakumar on Tuesday said, “Satish Jarkiholi’s statement is his personal opinion.” kas sabka vishwas”.

Speaking here to ANI, Minister Sudha-

LUNAR ECLIPSE!

Moon partially covered by the earth’s shadow during lunar eclipse, in New Delhi, on Tuesday.

—PHOTO BY PTI

kar said that the BJP is not in favour of appeasement politics.

New Delhi (ANI): The Election Commission on Tuesday announced the schedule of the bypoll for Khatauli Assembly constituency in UP. The election will be held on December 5 and the counting of votes will be done on December 8, with the result dates of the Gujarat and Himachal polls. The Khatauli seat fell va-

REMOVE MORADABAD DIV COMMISSIONER: SP

Lucknow (PTI): The Samajwadi Party demanded on Tuesday the removal the Moradabad divisional commissioner to conduct a fair bypoll in Rampur assembly seat next month. In a memorandum to the CEO, Samajwadi Party state president Naresh Patel said Aunjaneya Singh was the district magistrate earlier of Rampur, which falls under the Moradabad division. cant on Monday when BJP MLA Vikram Singh Saini was disquali-

fied after his conviction in a case related to 2013 Muzaffarnagar riots.

NET IS SET TO WIDEN

“4G network in N-E villages by Dec 2023” New Delhi (PTI): All inhabited villages in the northeastern region and border areas must be connected with 4G network by December 2023, Union minister Kiren Rijiju said on Tuesday.

After reviewing the 4G saturation project for providing 4G mobile service to all inhabited villages of the Northeast at a meeting here, Rijiju said as telecom revolution is happening, no remote area should remain uncon-

nected and this is the motto of PM Modi.

“By December 2023, all inhabited villages of the Northeast and bor-

der areas must be connected by the 4G network,” he told PTI. Rijiju said the purpose of the meeting was

Ahmedabad (Agencies): Former Finance Minister and Rajya Sabha member P Chidambaram on Tuesday urged the people of Gujarat to vote for Congress as it performs better than the BJP. It laid the foundation stone for a developed Gujarat from 1960 to 1995, he added. Addressing mediapersons in Ahmedabad, Chidambaram said that people should vote for change every five or ten years.

GUJ CONGRESS LEADER RATHVA QUITS Ahmedabad (PTI): In a jolt to the opposition Congress ahead of the Assembly polls in Gujarat, senior MLA Mohansinh Rathva on Tuesday resigned as a party member and legislator. Rathva sent his resignation letter to state Congress chief Jagdish Thakor. A prominent tribal leader, Rathva is a ten-time Member of the Legislative Assembly and currently represents Chhota Udaipur constituency in central Gujarat.

“As per my knowledge nobody has apologised or resigned for such a big tragedy. This is due to the BJP's arrogance.

If such a thing would have happened in a foreign country, there would have been immediate resignations.”

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi at a Guru Nanak Jayanti programme during the ongoing ‘Bharat Jodo Yatra’ in Nanded district.

—PHOTO BY PTI

Congress initiated appeasement UP’s Khatauli Assembly bypolls politics: K’taka Health Minister on December 5 & counting on 8 Bengaluru (ANI): Karnataka Health Minister K Sudhakar on Tuesday hit out at Congress and said that the oldest party of the country initiated appeasement politics in the nation and from the last 75 years they are the one who have been indulging in it adding that BJP’s mantra is “sabka saath sabka vi-

“GUJ PEOPLE SHOULD VOTE FOR CHANGE”

to ensure coordination among different stakeholders, bring all of them onboard and fill the gap if any.

“Reviewed the 4G Saturation project for providing 4G Mobile Service to all inhabited villages of North-East.

Secretary, Telecom & officials including from Armed Forces attended.

Proper coordination is worked out to complete the project timely as desired by PM,” the Minister tweeted.

IN THE COURTYARD JUSTICE CHANDRACHUD TO TAKE OATH TODAY AS COUNTRY’S 50TH CJI

New Delhi (PTI): Senior-most Supreme Court judge Dhananjaya Y Chandrachud is all set to become the 50th head of the Indian judiciary on Wednesday when President Draupadi Murmu would administer the oath of office to him at Rashtrapati Bhawan here. His illustrious father Y V Chandrachud was the longestserving Chief Justice of India (CJI) and remained at the helm from February 22, 1978 to July 11, 1985. Justice Chandrachud will serve as the CJI for two years till November 10, 2024. SC judges retire at the age of 65.

WAIT TILL NOV 17 FOR ACTION ON VCS: KERALA HC TO GUV

Kochi: The Kerala High Court on Tuesday told Kerala Governor, and Chancellor, Arif Mohammed Khan, that till it disposes of the petition filed by 10 Vice Chancellors against the show cause notice issued by him against them, he should take no further action. The court posted the case for November 17, and said that until then, he should not take any action.

UP COURT FRAMES CHARGES AGAINST SP'S KAIRANA MLA

Muzaffarnagar: A court in neighbouring Shamli on Tuesday framed charges against Samajwadi Party MLA Nahid Hasan in a 2019 attempt to murder case. Hasan, who is lodged in Chitrakoot jail, was produced before the special court in Kairana.

Charges were framed against the Kairana MLA under various sections of the Indian Penal Code.

KERALA HC ASKS GUV NOT TO TAKE ANY ACTION AGAINST VICE-CHANCELLORS Kochi (PTI): The Kerala High Court on Tuesday asked Governor Arif Mohammed Khan, who is Chancellor of the universities in the state not to take any action against the vice- chancellors who were given showcause notices by him until the court hears the matter.

Justice Devan Ramachandran gave three more days’ time to the chancellor to file his reply and posted the matter for further hearing on November 17. Khan, as Chancellor of universities, had issued show-cause notices to VCs of 11 universities in the state.

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throng gurudwaras NPR NEEDS TO BE UPDATED AGAIN, Devotees on Guru Nanak’s Gurpurab SAYS HOME MINISTRY’S REPORT Report underlines need to update NPR database across the country, except Assam New Delhi (Agencies): The Union Ministry of Home Affairs in its 202122 annual report has said that there was a need to update the National Population Register (NPR).

The report, published on Monday (November 7), has underlined the need to update the NPR database across the country, except Assam.

Through this, changes in the demographic data due to births, deaths and migration in the country will be identified and recording information of people and their families will also be possible, said the report.

The report stated that due to Covid-19 pan-

27 IAS officers transferred in MP Akhilesh Solanki Bhopal: 27 IAS officers including 14 district collectors have been transferred in MP. Indore collector Manish Singh has been made MD- AKVN while Ilayaraja T, who was Jabalpur collector, will be the new collector of Indore. Illayaraja T will be replaced by Saurabh Kumar, who was Chhindwara collector.

Burhanpur collector Praveen Singh has been sent to CM’s hometown Sehor. Chandramohan Thakur, who was Sehore collector, has been shifted to Pollution Control board as secy while Dewas collector Chandramauli Shukla will be the new commissioner in the Housing Board.

WORK IS ON

The report was published by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) on Monday.

—FILE PHOTO

demic, the work of updating the NPR and other field activities had come to a halt.

The home ministry added that the people will be able to update the NPR data themselves. No documents or

Chandigarh (Agencies): On the occasion of Parkash Purb of Guru Nanak Dev, Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann on Tuesday paid obeisance at Takht Sri Kesgarh Sahib and announced that Anand Marriage Act will be implemented for Sikhs to register their marriages in the state. Mann said the Act was notified in 2016 but had been hanging in fire since then. He said though several other states have already implemented this Act but Punjab had lagged behind.

toric Gurudwara Ber Sahib in Sultanpur Lodhi in Punjab.

Guru Nanak Dev is believed to have stayed at Sultanpur Lodhi for over 14 years and attained enlightenment after taking a bath in the Kali Bein. The first Sikh master used to meditate under a ‘ber’ tree.

New Delhi (Agencies): The National Investigation Agency (NIA), in its charge sheet filed before a special court in Mumbai, has claimed that underworld don Dawood Ibrahim led D-Company has set up a special unit to target politicians and businessmen and made available lethal weapons to be used against prominent personalities.

“The D-company set up the unit to strike terror in people by attacking eminent personalities, including politicians and businessmen. We have learnt that the arrested as well as wanted accused were “active members” of an organ-

New Delhi (Agencies): Six years after Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s demonetisation experiment, some commentators and economists are now citing strong growth in Goods & Services Tax (GST) collections to claim that demonetisation was a success, or at least not the disaster it was purported to be. Apparently, 23 quarters after demonetisation, last quarter’s strong GST collections are evidence of increasing formalisation of India’s economy and hence, the fulfilment of demonetisation’s stated goals. This is as bizarre as former US President Donald

2 HELD FOR MURDER OF RETIRED IB OFFICER IN MYSURU Kochi (Agencies): The Karnataka police have cracked the murder case of an 82-year-old retired Intelligence Bureau (IB) officer in Mysuru with the arrest of two persons. The police said the murder took place over a property dispute. Mysuru City Police Commissioner Chandragupta said on Tuesday that the arrested persons have been identified as Manu (30) and his friend Arun Gowda. Manu was into the construction business.

New Delhi (PTI): The CBI on Tuesday conducted searches at seven locations in Jammu, Pathankot, Rewari and Karnal in connection with the police sub-inspector recruitment scam in Jammu and Kashmir, officials said.

The searches were conducted at the premises of arrested mastermind Yatin Yadav and CRPF constable Surender Singh among others, they said. The CBI had taken over investigation into the case on August 3 on a reference from the Jammu and Kashmir government.

New Delhi (Agencies): Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia’s investigation of Covid-19 has come positive. It is being told that after getting viral fever, Scindia got his Covid test done in Delhi on Tuesday morning. Whose report has come positive. After which Scindia has requested all his supporters that all those who have come in contact with him should also get their Covid test done. Scindia also attended the BJP core committee meeting held in Bhopal.

line to witness the celebrations at gurudwaras, which were tastefully decorated for the occasion. They also offered prayers and listened to ‘shabad kirtans’.

The first Sikh guru was born at Nankana Sahib near Lahore (now in Pakistan) in 1469.

Devotees also offered prayers at the his-

GST collections suggest it was a success: Experts

J&K POLICE SI RECRUITMENT SCAM: CBI CONDUCTS SEARCHES AT 7 LOCATIONS

UNION MINISTER SCINDIA TESTED COVID-19 POSITIVE

provisions of the Citizenship Rules, 2003 made under the Citizenship Act, 1955.

The name, gender, date of birth, place of birth, place of residence, father’s and mother’s name were up-

Devotees light lamps at Golden Temple on Guru Nanak Dev’s 553rd birth anniversary in Amritsar, on Tuesday. —PHOTO BY PTI

NIA says Dawood set up unit to target bizmen

CRUCIAL READ SIKHS TO REGISTER THEIR MARRIAGE, SAYS PUNJAB CM

biometrics will be collected during the updation. The Central government has approved a budget of Rs 3,941 crore for the same.

The report stated that the NPR has been prepared under various

dated and Aadhaar number, mobile number and ration card numbers were collected. The ministry said that the register needs to be updated to include the changes due to births, deaths and migration.

The NPR was prepared in 2010 and was updated in 2015. Several political parties opposed it and alleged that it was a step towards making the National Register of Citizens (NRC).

According to the report, from April 1, 2021 to December 31, 2021, a toatl of 1,414 people across the country were provided certificates of citizenship under the Citizenship Act, 1955.

Chandigarh (PTI): Scores of devotees thronged gurudwaras in Punjab, Haryana and Chandigarh on Tuesday to mark the 553rd birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev, the founder of Sikhism.

Devotees reached shrines, including the Golden Temple in Amritsar, Sultanpur Lodhi in Kapurthala and Nada Sahib in Panchkula to pay obeisance.

In Punjab, devotees thronged gurudwaras in major cities — Ludhiana, Jalandhar, Bathinda, Mohali and Anandpur Sahib. In Haryana, gurudwaras in Kurukshetra, Ambala, Sirsa, Karnal and Yamunanagar also witnessed huge crowds for Gurpurab.

People of different faiths also queued in

CENTRE CALLS MEETING OF TELUGU STATES ON NOV 23

Hyderabad (Agencies): The Centre has convened a meeting of top officials of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana on Nov 23 to discuss unresolved issues between the two states.

The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has asked chief secretaries of both the Telugu states to attend the meeting to be held in Delhi. Union Home Secretary Ajay Bhalla will preside over the meeting which will discuss the pending issues after bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh in 2014.

ised crime syndicate working as a terrorist gang,” the probe agency has mentioned.

According to the NIA sources, the charge sheet was filed on Saturday against Dawood Ibrahim, Chotta Shakeel and three others in connection with carrying out terror activities across India.The charge sheet was filed against three arrested and two wanted accused.

SIX YEARS OF DEMONETISATION

PROVE NOTE-BAN ENDED BLACK, FAKE MONEY: NCP, CONG TO CENTRE Mumbai: Exactly six years after PM Narendra Modi had announced the demonetisation that left the Indian economy crippled, the govt has still not been able to justify that “blunder”, the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) said here on Tuesday. The Congress also took a swipe at the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party at the Centre on the move six years ago, on November 8, 2016, terming it as a “cruel” blow inflicted on the common man of India.

Trump claiming in November 2018 that since it was among the cold-

est months on record in America, global warming and climate change

are a hoax.

Modi’s cherished objective of demonetisation was the elimination of black money. While black money is a colloquial term with no precise definition, it is generally acknowledged as untaxed money. Such unaccounted money is typically used to buy real estate, gold, luxury goods, etc. and only a very small fraction is stored as cash. If there is a reduction in overall black money in the economy, it should logically be reflected as higher tax collections.

Black money may be routed as income or consumption expenditure or as business loans.

DEMONETISATION ANNIVERSARY: CONG DEMANDS WHITE PAPER FROM MODI GOVT New Delhi (PTI): The Congress on Tuesday alleged that demonetisation was independent India’s “greatest organised loot” and demanded a white paper from the Modi government on the 2016 move. Addressing a press conference on the sixth anniversary of demonetisation at the AICC headquarters here, Congress leader Gourav Vallabh said PM Modi had surprised all by declaring that currency notes of Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 were being scrapped on this day in 2016 and the decision triggered “panic, creating unspeakable problems linked to cash and destroying countless small and medium businesses”.

J’khand I-T Dept raids unearth `2 crore Om Birla to inaugurate cash, `100 cr unaccounted transactions CIC convention today New Delhi (ANI): Jharkhand’s Income Tax Department recovered Rs 2 crore in cash, Rs 100 crore in unaccounted investments/ transactions and a total of 16 bank lockers have been put under restraint after a series of search and seizure actions on 50 premises in various states.These raids were done on a few business groups engaged in coal trading/ transportation, execution of civil contracts, extraction of iron ore and production of

These raids were conducted on a few business groups engaged in coal trading/ transportation, execution of civil contracts etc.

sponge iron on November 4, 2022. Those searched include two politically exposed per-

sons and their associates. The searches were carried out at more than 50 premises spread over

Ranchi, Godda, Bermo, Dumka, Jamshedpur, Chaibasa, Patna, Gurugram and Kolkata.

The operation has led to the seizure of a large number of incriminating documents and digital evidence. A preliminary analysis of this evidence indicated that these groups have resorted to various modus operandi of tax evasion including inflation of expenses, transactions of loans in cash, payments/receipts in cash and suppression of production, sources said.

First India Bureau New Delhi: Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla will inaugurate the Annual Convention of Central Information Commission (CIC) titled, “Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav: Citizen – centric Governance through RTI” at Vigyan Bhawan, here on Wednesday. All present and former Chief Information Commissioners and Information Commissioners of the Central

Information Commission, CICs and ICs from State Information Commissions as well as First Appellate Authorities and Central Public Information Officers have been invited for the convention.

MARINE SURVEILLANCE

Oceansat to be launched on November 26 MoS Dr Jitendra Singh chairs the first ever Joint Society Meeting of Autonomous Institutes First India Bureau New Delhi: “Marine Surveillance” will get a facelift with support from Space applications for sharing valuable inputs with the Security

Agencies. The Oceansat will be launched on November 26.

This was stated by Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) Dr Jitendra Singh on Tuesday at the first ever Joint Society Meeting of Autonomous Institutes (IITM, INCOIS, NCESS, NCPOR, NIOT) of Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES) and called for breaking the “silos” to work with integration and “whole of government” approach.

Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh at the meeting on Tuesday.

All the five autonomous bodies Societies, that is, Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorolo-

gy (IITM), Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS), National

Centre for Earth Science Studies (NCESS), National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research (NCPOR) and National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT) have been merged into a single Society of MoES. Dr Singh said that the move is in tune with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s directive to avoid duplication and working in silos and to aim for greater integration to achieve the maximum output. He said,

PM Modi not only has a natural predilection for science but is also forthcoming in supporting and promoting science and technology based initiatives and projects in the last 7-8 years.

Apart from Dr Jitendra Singh, who is the President of the Society, Members, Dr M Ravichandran, Secretary, Ministry of Earth Sciences, S Somanath, Secretary, Department of Space, and others attended the meeting.

COMMODITIES

CURRENCIES

Commodity

Price

Change

% Chg

Currency

Price

Change

% Chg

GOLD

51,200.00

130.00

0.25 (Per 10g)

USDINR

81.91

0.00

= 0.00

SILVER

60,850.00

450.00

0.73 (Per 1kg)

GBPINR

93.06

0.00

= 0.00

*Rates till the edition went to print.

NEW DELHI | WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 2022

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07

business

Three Indians in Forbes Asia’s power-women list

SBFC FINANCE FILES `1,600-CRORE IPO PAPERS WITH SEBI

Singapore (PTI): Three top Indian businesswomen are featured in the Forbes Asia November issue highlighting 20 Asian women who came up with varying strategies that helped their businesses soar despite the uncertainty of the new normal and three years of Covid-19.

Soma Mondal, the chairperson of Steel Authority of India Ltd, Namita Thapar, executive director at India business of Emcure Pharma, and Ghazal Alagh, co-founder and

BRIEFS

New Delhi (PTI): Nonbanking finance company SBFC Finance Ltd has filed preliminary papers with capital markets regulator Sebi to raise up to `1,600 crore, through an IPO. The IPO comprises a fresh issue of equity shares aggregating to up to `750 crore and an OFS component aggregating up to `850 crore by promoter selling shareholders, according to the Draft Red Herring Prospectus.

Going by the draft papers, the company may explore a pre-IPO placement aggregating to `150 crore.

AUDI LAUNCHES Q5 SPECIAL EDITION AT `67.05 LAKH

New Delhi (PTI): German luxury carmaker Audi on Tuesday said it has launched Q5 special edition trim in India priced at `67.05 lakh (ex-showroom). The new trim features equipment enhancements, including a new black styling package and five spoke graphite gray diamond cut alloy wheels.

“The Audi Q5 is a volume seller and we are happy to introduce a special edition for our customers. The Audi Q5 special edition will be available in limited units.”

LIFE INSURERS REGISTER 15% RISE IN NEW BIZ PREMIUM

New Delhi (PTI): The new business premium income of India’s life insurance companies rose by 15.3% to `24,916.58 crore in October 2022, data from the Life Insurance Council showed. All the 24 life insurers had a collective new business premium income of `21,606.25 crore in the same month a year ago (October 2021). LIC -- the only state-owned and the largest life insurer in the country -- recorded 18% rise in its new business premium at `15,920.13 crore during the month, as against `13,500.78 crore a year ago.

PAYTM LOSS WIDENS TO `594 CRORE IN JULY-SEPTEMBER

New Delhi (PTI): Digital financial services firm One97 Communications, which owns Paytm brand, reported widening of consolidated loss to `593.9 crore in the second quarter ended September 30, 2022. The company had posted a loss of `481 crore in the same period a year ago, Paytm said in its regulatory filing. Paytm’s consolidated revenue from operations increased by about 76% to `1,914 crore during the reported quarter from `1,086.4 crore in the Sept 2021 quarter.

LEADING LADIES FROM INDIA z (from L) Namita Thapar,

executive director at India business of Emcure Pharma; Ghazal Alagh, co-founder and chief innovation officer of Honasa Consumer; and Soma Mondal, the chairperson of Steel Authority of India Ltd, are on the list.

chief innovation officer of Honasa Consumer, are on the list. Thapar is also an

author, an entrepreneurship coach, and a host of a YouTube talk show titled

‘Uncondition Yourself with Namita Thapar’.

Some of these women op-

‘India in stable eco situation, growth momentum is good’

...despite multiple crises taking place simultaneously: CEA Nageswaran Kolkata (PTI): Chief Economic Advisor (CEA) to the government V Anantha Nageswaran said that India is in a stable situation and the growth momentum is good despite the multiple crises taking place simultaneously and getting entangled with each other.

The Chief Economic Advisor said that the world is passing through a ‘polycrisis’, which is multiple crises of high inflation, tightening of monetary policy, high interest rates, slowdown in China which affected global supply chain, and the Russia-Ukraine war.

“The challenges that the country is facing are unprecedented since World

5G gear to become available

by March: DoT New Delhi (Agencies): Full-fledged indigenously designed and developed fifth generation (5G) equipment that includes core and radio network components could be commercially available by March next year, a top official said.

“The processes will take an extra three to four months. So, I potentially feel that by March next year, it (C-DoT) will be in a position to actually commercialise both radio and core equipment,” K Rajaraman, secretary, DoT told ET.

WORLD IN ‘POLYCRISIS’ z The CEA said that the

world is passing through a ‘polycrisis’, which is multiple crises of high inflation, tightening of monetary policy, high interest rates, slowdown in China, Russia-Ukraine war.

War II. But India is in a stable situation and the growth momentum is good.

India will have a growth rate of 6.5% to 7% in 202223, which is considered to be good despite a high inflation rate of 7.4%,” he said.

Nageswaran said that what India needs at the moment is to maintain macro-

economic stability, augment foreign exchange reserves and their judicious use, and finance the trade deficit due to high imports of crude oil.

“Financing the trade deficit is a challenge for the country caused by high crude imports. The flow of FDI is steady while portfo-

lio investments have become volatile as the USD is becoming attractive due to high interest rates in the United States,” he added.

The CEA said that although India has become the fifth-largest economy in the world, the country’s per capita income needs to increase.

IOC, HPCL, BPCL loss at ‘Inflation to slow `2,749 cr in 2nd quarter down digital New Delhi (PTI): Stateowned oil marketing companies IOC, BPCL and HPCL posted a second consecutive quarterly loss totalling `2,748.66 crore in July-September as a onetime LPG payout by the government could not mask the losses from petrol and diesel prices freeze.

According to stock exchange filings by the three fuel retailers, the losses were due to erosion in the marketing margin on petrol, diesel and domestic LPG. Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) on October 29 reported a net loss of `272.35 crore for the July-September quarter, which came on the back of `1,995.3 crore

transformation’ First India Bureau

loss in the previous three months.

On November 3, HPCL reported a loss of `2,172.14 crore in the second quarter of the current fiscal, on the back of its highest-ever quarterly loss of `10,196.94 crore in April-June.

BPCL on Monday posted a loss of `304.17 crore in July-September, according to a company’s stock exchange filing. In the first quarter, it posted a loss of `6,263.05 crore.

New Delhi: About 58% healthcare industry professionals globally believe that digital transformation initiatives would be slowed down due to inflation and rising costs, a new report showed on Tuesday.

About 63% of healthcare and pharmaceutical industry professionals in North America expected a disruption to digitalisation initiatives in their business units due to inflation. The same opinion was expressed by 55% of industry professionals in Europe.

DUE TO IMPROVED PRODUCTIVITY

Indian employees prefer hybrid work model New Delhi (Agencies): Indian employees are unwilling to go back to the office full-time as they are relishing the hybrid work model, which became a necessity in the last two years due to the pandemic, finds a new study.

According to a global survey by technology firm HP, Indian employees strongly favour the hybrid work model as they believe it improves their productivity and gives them a much-needed work-life balance. They also indicate a higher probability of staying in their current job if given a hybrid work option.

WORK-LIFE BALANCE

z Indian employees strongly

favour the hybrid work model as they believe it improves their productivity and gives them a muchneeded work-life balance.

z Findings reveal that

everyday individuals working in India believe in a higher retention capacity, owing to the hybrid model.

The hybrid model is seen to amplify employees’ chance to prioritise personal well-being. Most of

the responders prefer working from office for two-three days a week.

Findings reveal that eve-

ryday individuals working in India believe in a higher retention capacity, owing to the hybrid model.

erated in hard-hit sectors such as shipping, property, and construction, while

others continue to innovate in areas such as technology, pharmaceuticals, and commodities, Forbes said in release on Tuesday.

The Asia-Pacific region this year has mostly moved on to a post-pandemic era where governments, people, and businesses are learning to live with Covid-19, it said.

The other women on the list are from Australia, China, South Korea, Indonesia, Japan, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan and Thailand.

‘Great potential for Ind-US trade to grow’ Washington (PTI): Asserting that India and the United States share a strong bilateral relationship, US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen has said there is a great potential for the trade to grow between the two countries that will benefit their working people.

She also said the US and India have a strong belief in democratic values and a commitment to upholding the rules-based international order, especially at “this time of geopolitical risks”.

“We have a very strong bilateral relationship with India. I expect we will discuss efforts to strengthen the resilience of supply chains, issues pertaining to climate change, our great global climate ambition and climate finance,”

Yellen said.

“We certainly hope to deepen our trade relationship. We think there’s great potential to grow our trade in ways that will benefit the working people of both of our countries,” said the Treasury Secretary, who is headed to India later this week to participate in the US-India Economic and Financial Partnership on November 11.

She would also hold a bilateral meeting with Union Finance Nirmala Sitharaman.

OTHER STORIES COAL STOCK AT THERMAL POWER PLANTS AT 25.6 MT

New Delhi (PTI): The closing stock of coal at domestic thermal power plants as on October 31 was 25.6 million tonnes (MT), the govt said on Tuesday. The supply of coal to the power sector is regularly being supervised by the coal ministry in close coordination with the ministries of power and railways. The domestic coal supply to the power sector is 12% more than the same period of last year, which is the highest ever.

13 PRIVATE AGENCIES ACCREDITED FOR MINERAL EXPLORATION New Delhi (FIB): The Centre has given accreditation to 13 private agencies for engaging in mineral exploration. With this, there are now a total of 22 private agencies which are engaged in mineral exploration. With the amendment of Mines & Minerals (Development & Regulation) MMDR Act in 2021, private agencies can also participate in exploration for the mineral sector after getting duly accredited by QCI-NABET.

PRODUCTION OF MAJOR CHEMICALS EXCEPT PESTICIDES & INSECTICIDES UP 7.22%: DATA New Delhi (PTI): The production of major chemicals rose 7.22% to 32.56 lakh tonnes during the April-June period of this fiscal, as against 30.37 lakh tonnes in the year-ago period, barring pesticides and insecticides, according to the Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilisers.

Production of all major chemicals like Alkali chemicals, inorganic chemicals, organic chemicals has increased except pesticides, insecticides, and dyes and pigments in the said period, the ministry said in its monthly report.

INDIA SAW 6 PER CENT DECLINE IN HIRING IN OCTOBER: REPORTS

New Delhi (FIB): India saw a 6% drop in hiring activity (year-on-year) in October, amid changing patterns in the start-up ecosystem, funding winter and fears of an upcoming recession. However, with companies ramping up internal initiatives to facilitate growth and government interventions in promising sectors, hiring projections for the coming months are expected to pick up, according to Monster Employment Index.

INDIA NOW STRONG TRADE PARTNER OF RUSSIA: S&P GLOBAL

New Delhi (ANI): Amid significant bilateral trade volatility between Russia and nearly all other markets due to the war in Ukraine, India has emerged as a strong trade partner of Russia and is expected to remain so in 2023, according to a new S&P Global Market Intelligence report released on Tuesday.“The trade value of total imports from Russia has increased in recent months, primarily due to rising oil, gas and coal prices.”

Balance means adjusting our priorities based on the need of the moment- personal v/s professional.

—Dr Jagdeesh Chandra, CEO & Editor-in-Chief, First India

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2ND FRONT NEW DELHI | WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 2022

08

WHICH THAKUR WILL HOLD HIMACHAL'S REINS: JAIRAM OR ANURAG?

40

years ago, when you used to study in school, did you ever thought that one day you would reach such heights?

JP Nadda: No, I had never thought along these lines and I don’t usually think much about myself. Whatever responsibilities I would be given or the environment I would be in, I would shape myself accordingly. So, I had not thought of this, but circumstances became such that I entered the political field, where I had the chance to carry out several responsibilities and I make the effort to ensure that I give my best always. z I heard somewhere that your mother asked you not to join politics?

Yes. See every mother is apprehensive and considers politics to be akin to risktaking and they are worried about the future of their child. My mother was inclined towards education and was extremely understanding so when I tried to convince her, she agreed.

My father always listened to reason after which he would give go ahead on sound logic. So, I did a lot of things wherein, they completely supported me. Like for example, no father would give their child permission to swim across the Ganga, but he permitted me and said cross it if you can. So, I crossed Ganga six times in Patna. He used to look out for me using binoculars since Ganga’s swell is immense and the banks are far off. We had a group of about a dozen people where one person would always carry a tube with them so that in case of need, it can be used.

If you do it properly, then it would take 45 minutes to reach the other bank, but at times, people get carried over by the strong current of the stream so at times, it even takes over an hour to reach the bank. z So seated in Delhi, don’t you miss Patna and Shimla?

Definitely, old memories are refreshed, and when I get time, I meet old friends too.

And when I visit Patna, I sometimes visit my college and school. My political life, public life, or student life began in Shimla. I learnt student activism here. I grasped it there (Patna), but it was here (Shimla) that I activated it and came up as an activist. I would want you to visit this University, where about 4,000-5,000 people live here like a family.

Day scholars are less. There are a few shops there too like Panditji’s tea shop and Thakur Dhaba. So during my recent visit after several years, I met them also.

Thakur Sahab has grown old now, but I spoke to him over phone and requested to come to Dhaba to which he agreed. z Elections are going to be held in Himachal and Amit Shah had said that Gujarat is Modiji’s ‘Janma-bhoomi,’ but Himachal has been his ‘Karma-bhoomi’. What’s your take on this?

See, When Modiji became General Secretary and the

BJP CONTESTING UNDER JAIRAM...

PARL BOARD DECIDES ON MATTERS, BUT WE ARE FORMING GOVT: NADDA

Dr Jagdeesh Chandra in conversation with JP Nadda during The JC Show in Shimla.

first assignment that he took was of North-India and states like Haryana, Punjab, Himachal & J&K were under him and his ‘Centre’ was Chandigarh.

And Modiji has been habitual of working systematically since the beginning so he started making rounds, had set up the organisation and in a short period, he gave voice to BJP in this region and made it a powerful party. z That means you must have had regular interaction with Modiji at that time?

Yes, I was the LoP then.

When I was the National President of Yuva Morcha, I used to stay in Delhi and he used to work as National General Secretary. He had an immense interest in youth and used to guide the activities of Yuva Morcha. So, it was then that the contact grew and I got to work with him.

But soon after I came back here (Himachal) and contested the polls and became the LoP, it was then that he came to Himachal as State in- charge and so this is how I got a chance to work with him. z Once a government had also fallen and then you formed government...

Yes, under his leadership, we formed government in Punjab, Himachal Pradesh and Haryana. z Recently PM Modi came to Bilaspur, you were also there and a huge crowd has assembled for the rally. Does it mean even today he has huge popularity amongst the masses?

Yes, apart from popularity, there is a special bond and people from Himachal consider him their own, because he has toured so much on the grassroots

level and established connections with households.

People know him here like their own and there would be individuals saying Modiji sat here and spoke to people or that he ate food at this house or that Modiji chaired a ‘Baithak’ here and so many people attended that meeting. When we come to Shimla everyone says that Modiji used to sit in this coffee house and used to gauge the political atmosphere talking with journalists here and interacting with them. So, the journos from that time know him and Modiji too knows them. And what then happens is that people hear from others and there are several of his pictures from Mall Road area and the people who accompanied him in those pics also say that they spent time with Modiji. Recently, I chaired a meeting and a party worker asked me if I remembered the ‘Baithak’ that Modiji chaired and I said I do remember. z So the election is being contested on PM Modi’s face?

Modiji is the biggest personality in not just the party but the entire nation, and he has also established himself across the world and it is our good fortune that he is a soldier of BJP. So, if any elections are to happen, it is obvious that he too would be a part of it.

And even you know that the amount of interest he takes in administrating and running the government, he takes a similar interest in the organisation as well. He also makes all effort to take the organisational work forward. And hence, when elections occur, he carried out the work required of him in the best manner possible and as a result, the party gets strengthened.

BJP’s National President JP Nadda talks to Dr Jagdeesh Chandra, CEO and Editor-inChief, Bharat24-Vision of New India and First India; CMD, First India News about the Himachal Pradesh assembly elections, how PM Narendra Modi has not transformed his image but brought out one facet of his personality through spiritual visits and how Nadda used to swim across Ganga as a teenager, with his father encouraging him to do so. Excerpts... (Part-1)

Dr Jagdeesh Chandra during The JC Show.

z There was a time when he was addressed as ‘Pracharak Se PM’ and now we have seen a different spiritual side of him and now people say that he has transformed from ‘PM to AdhyatmGuru.’ This is a new side of his that has come fore, which has become extremely popular. What do you think about this?

Well, he has been spiritually inclined since the very beginning. Although, he does not talk much about his spiritual journey, but a little that we have come across, we know how he left home and right from Kedarnath to many other spiritual centres that he visited and came in contact with several spiritual gurus and masters. And then some Guruji told him that he should not go towards ‘Sanyas’ but should work for the society and that would be your ‘Tapasya.’ So after this, he came back and became a ‘Pracharak,’ where he worked and was handed the political life and quickly took the work forward. So, spirituality is deeply ingrained in him. Now, that today he is working as Prime Minister, what we call as cultural nationalism, he also tries to put this aspect before everyone in a proper manner. Over some time, what happened in our country was that the definition of secularism was attributed to the gover nment not saving or s a f e guarding the nation’s inherent culture. But it is not so. It is the government’s job to save the culture and to carry it forward. So, to enhance the facilities of spiritual and religious centres since lakhs of people visit

these places, Modiji has an immense interest in this.

So, perhaps people may have seen a ‘Dharma-Guru’ in him, but in reality, he has worked as a ‘Tapasvi’, even though he is in politics. z Amit Shah also came and conducted rallies.

How was the response?

The response has been great. It has been akin to an electrifying effect. z How do you rate Jairam Thakur as a Chief Minister?

Jairam Thakur ji is a silent and down-to-earth worker, and he is an incrementor. He is also successful in implementing ideas and policies. There is no two ways about it and everyone accepts that Himachal Pradesh can not work without the Centre’s blessings. And there is more than enough blessings of Modiji, and to bring that down on the ground, in letter and spirit, Jairam Thakur has played a huge role. Take the vaccination drive for example. Over 2,00 crore doses were administered across the nation, but first in administering the first and second doses as well has been Himachal. So, that was implemented by Jairam Thakur. And I believe that there is a massive difference between implementing this in say Delhi or any state in the plains and doing so in the hills. Just imagine the regions like Lahaul-Spiti, Malana, Chota Bangal and such places, where you may feel like you are in a different world and taking the vaccine to the people in these regions, and ensuring that the optimum temperature required for the vaccines is also maintained, Jairam Thakur has made Himachal ‘NumeroUno’ in this work. So, this is his silent-worker’ image.

And the people of Himachal praise a leader, who works silently, does not indulge in vengeance politics and works for the people. z There is another young and upcoming leader in BJP- Anurag Thakur...

Anurag Thakur is a young and energetic leader. He has been given an important responsibility and he is fulfilling that as I&B Minister and even in the election too. And handling the I&B Ministry, is a fulltime work since news never stops, so he too has to work round the clock along with that he is the Sports Minister too and that activity also he is handling.

So, he has been given this responsibility at a young age and this has become possible only because of Modiji’s leadership. z So Jairam Thakur and Anurag Thakur, which Thakur would be given the reins?

See we are contesting the election under Jairam Thakur’s leadership and the final call is taken by the Parliamentary Board. But yes, we are going ahead in the state keeping Jairam Thakur as the leader.

TO BE CONTINUED...

During the show #JCwithJPNadda trended top All-India on Twitter

www.firstindia.co.in I https://firstindia.co.in/epapers/delhi I twitter.com/ thefirstindia I facebook.com/thefirstindia I instagram.com/thefirstindia NEW DELHI, WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 2022

The pure expressions of human emotions, creative skills and imaginations in a visual form such as paintings or sculpture, producing works to be relished for their beauty or emotional power is called Art. City First brings to some flabbergasting works of art!

ART: ONLY

PERCEPTION OF TRUTH UTTKARSHA SHEKHAR

uttkarsha.shekhar@firstindia.co.in

M

y favourite artist once said, “I dream of painting and then I paint my dream.” And now I think that designers these days must have taken inspiration and have started carving his golden words on their canvases.

It is believed that fashion is a form of body art and a

component of visual culture. Due to this, numerous well-known fashion designers from over the world have created stunning collections that are inspired by art trends. History has seen a strong relationship between fashion and art. For their collections, several fashion designers have taken inspiration from art movements, allowing us to view fashion as a kind of art.

The art mostly helps us convey our thoughts and visions. Here are a few pieces of wearable art created by 20th-century fashion visionaries as an elegant monument to the history of art.

MADELEINE VIONNET:

The talented artist Madame Vionnet commonly known as ‘The architect of dressmakers’ was bedaz-

zled by the art and culture of the Greek and Roman civilizations and inspired by ancient goddesses and statues. Based on these artworks, she shaped her style aesthetic and combined elements of Greek sculpture and architecture to give a new dimension to the female body.

With her master skill of draping and bias-cutting dresses, she revolutionized modern fashion.

VALENTINO AND HIERONYMUS BOSCH

Pierpaolo Piccioli is the main designer of Valentino. He wanted to connect the late ’70s punk culture with humanism and medieval art, so he went back to his roots and the Renaissance, finding inspiration in Hieronymus Bosch’s painting The Garden of Earthly Delights.

His entire collection is interpreted as an allegory for sin.

DOLCE & GABBANA AND THE BAROQUE OF PETER PAUL RUBENS

Peter Paul Rubens besmeared women masterfully, ‘with love, scholarship and diligence.’ His art mostly talks about Venus and sexual desires, and his concept of ‘colours are more important than lines,” influenced several fashion designers including Dolce & Gabbana.

The Baroque style deviated from the spirit of the Renaissance abandoned peacefulness and smoothness and pursued instead elegance, excitement, and movement.

09

ETC NEW DELHI | WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 2022

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10

NEP-2020: DRAFT NATIONAL CREDIT FRAMEWORK

CREDITISATION OF LEARNING WILL PROVE TO BE A

Dean, Jaipur School of Economics And Schools of Humanities and Social Sciences JECRC UNIVERSITY

A

cademic institutions viz….

UGC, AICTE/ N C V E T , NIOS, NCERT, Ministry of Education and Ministry of Skill Development have jointly prepared a draft ‘National Credit Framework’. It will prove to be a game changer as the framework is holistic, integrative, flexible, realistic and comprehensive. The framework claims creditisation of all learnings, assignments, accumulation, storage, transfer and redemption of credit will mandatorily subject to assessment.

Credit for Academics accompanied by vocational and experiential learning has been for the first time has been quantified in an integrative manner. This will include classes, laboratory work, sports and games, yoga, physical activities, performing art, social work, field sits, NCC, training and skills, on-the-job training internship, apprenticeship etc.

SALIENT FEATURES

The framework will also take care of the equivalence between vocational and general education. Besides, it enables mobility and storage of credits through ‘The Academic Bank of Credit’. In addition, it determines pathways for multiple entry and exit opportunities for students.

it would be very difficult to implement. Especially educational institutions having an infrastructural gap and delivering specialized professional courses only will find it difficult to implement.

Implementing the idea of the Academic Bank of credits (ABC) a digital storehouse that contains the information of all the credits earned by the students which enable the students to study across the HEI has

BENEFITS OF CREDIT FRAMEWORK

Integration of academic, vocational and experiential learning.

Vertical and horizontal mobility of students.

Removal of the need for equivalence certification Provision of credit transfer.

Encourage the exchange of international students.

Faculty with foreign universities.

Formal education and learning ecosystem.

Learning through family inheritance- informal knowledge skills.

Removal of hard separation between general and vocational education.

Enables special assessment criteria for Divyang students.

There is the provision of National learning hours in which a student will be required 1200 hours per year to earn 40 credits.

Learning 1200 hours per year will thus man-

CHALLENGES AHEAD

Implementing National Credit Framework may prove to be a game changer in education and there will be a paradigm shift. The shift is towards outcomebased learning, achieving learning objectives, course objectives, and programme objectives have to be achieved which will be based on the quantum of learning on the one hand (1200 National Learning Hours rigorous continuous per year to earn 40 credits) and mandatory assessment of the quantum of learning or credit earned for the academic profession.

IT HAS BEEN LAUDED THAT THERE WILL BE CREDITISATION FOR WHAT MATTERS.

Blurring the boundaries between academics and vocational skills steam is a welcome measure but

many pros and cons before it gets implemented. If a student studies in the first year in one HEI and breaks his studies after the break. He wants to join another HEI in the second year his/her f credit earned the first year will be stored in ABC. It may prove to be difficult for the student to cope as courses offered in another HEI (Higher Education Institution) may be different. It will affect the organized and systematic structure of learning among HEI. Framework applauds about creditisation of what matters viz… critical thinking, problemsolving, holistic development and citizenship values. It affirms the generalization of education in the name of holistic education but to achieve specific customized skills.

SEPT 24 - OCTOBER 22

TAURUS

SCORPIO

APR 21 - MAY 20

OCT 23 - NOVEMBER 22

Sometimes we need to focus on specialized learning rather than generalized learning.

There are challenges to assessment and evaluation in this framework.

HEIs would need to evolve new vibrant and creative methods of assessment and evaluation of integrated kinds of learning as learning 1200 National learning hours will need a variety of assessment criteria. Academics, vocational and experiential learning can not be assessed with uniform measures.

It has been said that specialised assessment measures will be used for Divyang students but it has not been clear whether assessment measures for them will be less cumbersome for them as compared o normal students.

However, this is a special feature which showed us welcomes as it has been at least thought off for the first time in a policy document.

The framework gives more focus on those courses having the highest future linkages. The country needs to identify and create these courses which are futurelinked and hence can employ youth in large numbers. Framework expects to create employable, productive, inventive and responsible global citizens.

Finally, it has been said that this framework shall act as a broad enabling framework rather than a regulation. It is believed that NCRF will enable the transformation of India by providing HEIs with a greater opportunity to integrate effective skills to reap the benefits of youth dividends and future skills linkages.

GEMINI

SAGITTARIUS

MAY 21 - JUNE 21

NOV 23 - DEC 22

CANCER

CAPRICORN

JUNE 22 - JULY 23

DEC 23 - JAN 20

LEO

AQUARIUS

JULY 24 - AUGUST 23

JAN 21 - FEB 19

VIRGO

PISCES

AUG 24 - SEP 23

FEB20 - MARCH 20

You will enjoy good health by remaining regular in your workouts.

It will be in your interest to guide a family youngster on the academic front.

Scrumptious food is what you are craving for today. You may start a side business to earn extra money. You are not a jealous kind and you feel happy for others.

Your spouse is someone who can do anything for your happiness.

You are happy spending whole day at home.

Tensions on the family front are likely to get sorted out.

Help your mothers at home today. You are opportunist and this will make you successful one day.

You must create an environment of understanding at home. Your regular exercise routine promises to keep you fit and energetic.

You will succeed in any sort of examination if you put your heart and soul to it. You need a break from day to tensions and the way to cope up with stress is to meditate.

Pending paperwork concerning a property will be completed. Your spouse may make you spend more than you expected. Admit your faults in relationship. Fantastic day for investing money in stock market as you can make fortune. You miss your parents a lot and fear to loose them.

Don’t make friends for money and status rather make friends who will stick with you forever. You care about you lover but somehow hesitate in expressing that care. On social front, you may have to spend some extra money in buying gifts for someone for some specific occasion.

YOUR DAY Horoscope by

Fortunes are set to rise for those in trade and business. You love to live close to your family.

You are a child at heart and never let this child die.

You have a big heart and you always help someone if you can. Expected payments are likely to get released soon. Health will be satisfactory.

Family will be supportive of your ideas, but only to an extent.

You give tough competition to people. Many people get inspired by you. You will get special treatment from your dear ones. Good health is assured through own efforts. Meet people you get along with well.

You are very fortunate to have a great friend circle. Whatever you have in mind, you will manage to implement it at work. You are likely to feel much healthy and energetic today. Visit a doctor if you have any doubts about your health. You want to have your own house and you will work hard for it.

You make sure to make things work your way.

You are most wanted by your friends. You can have romantic affair in office and a serious one. You will invest money in clothes and accessories today. You are a God fearing person. Never demotivate someone even if someone is not capable enough.

This is the best time try something new with life give yourself a new purpose. You will feel amorous towards your wife. Work on your limitations, there can be no better time than this. You have more opposite sex friends than the same and you may be judged sometimes but don’t care.

Some family issues may need urgent resolution, so don’t neglect them. Some of you are likely to enjoy an excursion with friends.You will feel financially comfortable. Your personality will attract many eligible bachelors. Spend time talking with likeminded people as it will feel good.

FA CE OF TH ED AY

PROFESSOR N.D. MATHUR

datorily be subject to rigorous assessment for academic provision. Assessment bend 1to 8 for vocational education, 4 for school education, 4.5 to 6 for under graduation, 6 to 7 for post-graduation and 8 for PhD have been determined by the framework.

The proposed credit system will take into account the learning hours put in by a learner irrespective of stream of education (General or Vocational)

LIBRA

MAR 21 - APR 20

Today is a favourable day for business.

Listening to someone’s advice on the professional front will be in your interest. You are very generous by nature and also you are the backbone of your family. Be careful of the words. Your lover may finally say yes to get married to you.

GAME CHANGER

The framework offers not only freedom to choose learning trajectories by students and career choices but also incorporates midway correction and modification mechanisms as per students’ talent and interest. Extensive use of technology and innovative access and opportunities for DIVYANGS are special features of this framework. In this framework exams will no more be yearend appraise of the act of god but the continuous and multi-pronged realtime assessment of learning measured in terms of internalized capabilities are additional salient features of the framework. The obsession that grades are equal to learning will go now.

ARIES

Saurabbh Sachdeva

EKTA CHOPRA, Model

ETC NEW DELHI | WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 2022

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11

J

anhvi Kapoor is currently basking in the success of her recently released film Mili which is a survival story and it also stars Sunny Kaushal and Manoj Pahwa in pivotal roles. Recently, Janhvi opened up about the cultural shift in Bollywood which is inspiring filmmakers to focus on stories and not stars.

During the interview, Janhvi Kapoor was asked to share her thoughts on what she thinks about the claim that everyone is a star in this age of Instagram. Janhvi added, “I remember papa telling me stories about how Rajesh Khanna’s car would drive away and women would take the sand and put it in their maang. I don’t think they would do that for anyone today.” Janhvi emphasised that this isn’t a bad thing.

Janhvi Kapoor

KAREENA’S

PC SPILLS BEANS ON JEE LE ZARAA

ALL-BLACK LOOK

K

areena Kapoor Khan has always been on top of her game ever since she made her acting debut. When it comes to her fashion game, she has always been considered an icon. In many of her interviews, Kareena Kapoor Khan made it clear that she never believed in following trends in both her career and fashion choices.

The Laal Singh Chadda actress took to her official Instagram story and shared two mirror selfies. “Must pose and... Pout before stepping out,” Kareena Kapoor Khan captioned her Instagram stories.

Later, Kareena also shared a couple of fun pictures on her page, in which she is seen having a great time near a fireplace, with a cup of coffee in her hand. “The fireplace season. My favourite time of the year is here...,” wrote the actress in her post.

Kriti Sanon in Ranbir Mukherjee’s saree...

GRACEFULLY DRAPED!

K

riti Sanon recently stepped out with co-star Varun Dhawan for the promotions of her upcoming Bollywood film Bhediya. The actress was spotted all decked up in a colorful Ranbir Mukherjee saree.

Kriti paired her vibrant saree with a stylish off-shoulder blouse that definitely made the saree a sartorial ensemble.

With the upcoming wedding season, Kriti’s saree look is perfect to add an oomph factor to any basic saree look. While promoting her movie Bhediya with Dhawan, Sanon opted for a white saree with the brightest prints. The gorgeous flowy saree showcased an allover abstract print that featured bright colors like pink, yellow, brown and orange. However, the best part of the saree has to be the risqué striped blouse.

Alia, Priyanka and Katrina

F

ans have been anxiously awaiting news about ‘Jee Le Zaraa’ ever since Farhan Akhtar announced in 2019 that. Recently, Priyanka revealed in an interview that she had already phoned Alia and Katrina because she wanted to make a Hindi film about the “terms of women.” The film is written by Zoya Akhtar and Reema Kagti.

Her post...

MRUNAL’S FOCUS TURNS SOUTH

M

runal Thakur now feels more confident about broadening her horizons in the regional cinema business due to the positive reception to her Telugu debut Sita Ramam. Despite shifting her attention to the South, the actor has no intention of neglecting Bollywood. “As an actor, you need to be language and platform agnostic. You cannot park yourself in a segment or section. That’s when your growth is stagnant.

I will continue to be part of Hindi films as much as I will also seek and hope to work in films in the south,” Thakur added, “I have made my Telugu debut and there’s so much more to be offered and explored. I want to even work in other languages, someday even helm a strong Marathi film too”.

Janhvi Kapoor

Mrunal Thakur

Shanaya visits Golden Temple

S

Kareena Kapoor

Kriti Sanon

Shanaya Kapoor

hanaya Kapoor visited Sri Harmandir Sahib in Amritsar, also referred to as the Golden Temple. On the occasion of Guru Nanak Jayanti on Tuesday, she posted photos on Instagram of her offering prayers at Golden Temple. She went along with her maternal grandmother, Namita Sandhu, and

Her post...

was dressed in a white salwar suit. She covered her head with a dupatta as all devotees at the temple usually do. In one of the pictures, she offered prayers under a clear sky. In another picture, she posed with minimal makeup as she

stood with her grandmother with Golden Temple in the background. On the day of Kartik Poornima, which is the 15th lunar day in the Hindu calendar month of Kartik, Guru Nanak Gurpurab’s festival is observed.

CITY

GET VACCINATED

NEW DELHI | WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 2022

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—PHOTOS BY MANOJ KESHARWANI

A

Sunaina Anand and Subodh Gupta

12

INFINITE LIGHT

CITY FIRST

Dr Ambrish Mithal with his wife

BUZZ

STAY MASKED

solo exhibition titled ‘Infinite Light’ witnessed the opening show on November 5 at Bikaner House, Delhi. ‘Infinite Light’ was a major and multi-genre exhibition of the work of the renowned artist Paresh Maity. This body of work will also be showcased at the India Habitat Center from November 11. The art exhibition brought to-

gether by four galleries represented and is spread over five months, across the four metro cities of Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata and Bangalore.

This exhibition brings together the various art forms that Paresh explored during his artistic journey. The vast repertoire of artworks on display span a time frame from the 1990’s to his most recent creations, each one bearing his signature strength and mas-

tery over medium and colour, combining elements of paintings, large-scale installations, sculpture, theatre and soundscape.

“Paresh Maity’s art embodies a deep fascination with light as a shaping power, with colour as a ground of being and with the human being as witness and participant in epic-scale cosmic dramas. This exhibition maps his investment in painting, drawing, sculpture and installation, as well as

his quiet and lifelong preoccupation with ceramics. In each of these forms, Maity translates into aesthetic propositions his memories of landscape and riverscape, the sensations he has absorbed during his journeys across India and the world and his ceaseless excitement in the face of the world’s changing moods and seasons.” said Exhibition Curatorial Advisor Ranjit Hoskote during the event.

Amitabh Kant with his wife and Paresh Maity

Vimal Anand and Paresh Maity

Jatin Das

Sunaina Anand, Emmanuel Lenain, Jayasri Burman and Sakti Burman

Sharmila Tagore and Sakti Burman

Vimal Anand, Emmanuel Lenain and Sunaina Anand

Nida Mahmood

Sunaina Anand, Paresh Maity, Sharmila Tagore and Amitabh Kant

Kishor Singh and G R Iranna

Maite Delteil, Sharmila Tagore and Sakti Burman

Inna Puri

MP Golf Cup 2022 A DAY IN THE LIFE OF RAGAS

CITY FIRST

M

inister of State for External Affairs and Culture and New Delhi Lok Sabha MP Meenakashi Lekhi hosted the MP Golf Cup 2022 presented by Delhi Golf Club and supported by Just In Time Sports Foundation which was staged from November 4 to November 5. Meenakshi Lekhi invited all the members of the Delhi Golf Club, members of the diplomatic core and senior bureaucrats of Delhi to play at the Tournament.

Diplomats from at least 67 countries attended the Golfing event including countries like Spain, Italy, Britain etc.

During the event, Meenakshi said, “It has now become a tradition to organise this event every year during the season and I look forward to an enthralling weekend of golfing action at the DGC with the country’s top names participating in the tournament.”

The inauguration was commemorated by Arjun Munda (Union Minister of Tribal Affairs).

Notable names like Vinai Kumar Saxena (Governor of Delhi), Juan Angulo (Ambassador of Chile), Arjun Sharma, Andrei Rzheussky (Ambassador Republic of Belarus), Eleonora Dimitrova (Ambassador of the Republic of Bulgaria to

—PHOTOS BY SHAZID CHAUHAN

CITY FIRST

G Meenakashi Lekhi at Delhi Golf Club

Juan Angulo —PHOTOS BY SHAZID CHAUHAN

Deepak Dhawan and Tejinder Sachdeva

Eleonora Dimitrova and Ritu Dhawan

unijaan Research Art Culture and Education (GRACE) Foundation recently organised an evening of music aptly titled “In Concert” at Kamani Auditorium, New Delhi. The programme was presented by Grace Foundation and curated and managed by Pancham Nishad. A houseful auditorium witnessed a mesmerizing musical evening that started with a very scintillating Flute performance by Nash Naubert, a senior disciple of flute legend Pandit Hariprasad Chaurasia.

Nash started his performance with Raag

Ram Kumar Mishra, Jayateerth Mevundi and Paromita Mukhrjee

Puriya Kalyan and concluded his presentation with Raag Kedar. He was greatly supported by Ram Kumar Mishra on Tabla.

Later vocalist of Kirana Gharana Jayateerth Mevundi stunned the audience with his performance. He was accompanied by Ramkumar Mishra on Tabla and

A step towards generosity CITY FIRST

M Mayank Jaini and Rahul Seth

India), Vetsop Namgyel (Ambassador Major General), Agis Loizou (High Commissioner Republic of Cyprus), Rakesh Asthana (Former IPS officer), K K Bajoria (President Delhi Golf Club), Vipin

Maria Hartmann from Germany

Vohra (Chairman Continental), Tejinder Sachdeva, Ritu Kashyap Dhawan, Deepak Dhawan, Former Cricketer Kapil Dev, Mayank Jain and Rahul Seth MD were present as special guests at the event.

ornings on a few streets in Delhi begin with a heartfelt endeavour, you may spot lines of people availing of free medical assistance.

Most of those in queues are migrant workers who otherwise would not have been able to afford such checkups.

The doctors and volunteers are part of ‘Veerji Ka Dera’, an organisation started

Paromita Mukherjee on Harmonium.

Several artists and guests witnessed the evening with great warmth and love, eminent personalities such as Shashi Vyas with his wife, Ustad Akram Khan, Monika Gupta, Gaysil Naubert and others were present in the audience.

Jayateerth Mevundi

Ram Kumar Mishra and Nash Naubert during the performance

COLORS AND BEATS OF INDIAN CLASSICAL MUSIC CITY FIRST

by a resident named Tirlochan Singh in 1989. Singh took up the task after retirement, dedicating his life to the service of the poor.

“We are a group of volunteers and each one comes forward with the belief that we must perform seva.” says Kamaljeet.

The organisation also runs a 65-bed hospital.

T

he 18th Quarterly Baithak, a classical musical show by Pracheen Kala Kendra Chandigarh, is going to be organised on November 12, at Triveni Kala Sangam, New Delhi.

Delhi-based Sarangi recital Nabeel Khan will be opening the show with his magnificent performance accompanied by Jawed

Ahmed on Tabla.

Also, Mehtab Ali Niyazi (Sitar Recita) and Geetesh Mishra (Vocal recital) will be going to enthral the audience with their performances.

Pracheen Kala Kendra is a well-known institution imparting quality education and training under ancient Gurukul parampara in the subjects of Indian Classical Music, Classical Dances and Fine Arts.