First India-Delhi Edition-12th December 2022

ON THE AUSPICIOUS DAY OF SANKASHTI CHATURTHI, PM SAYS NAKSHATRA OF 11 STARS IN MAHARASHTRA

MODI’S ‘MAHA’ BLITZKRIEG!

Nagpur: Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in Nagpur on Sunday, launched development projects worth `75,000 crore. Speaking on the occasion, the Prime Minister said that on December 11, the auspicious day of Sankashti Chaturthi, a mega constellation of 11 stars will rise in Maharashtra.

PM Modi is in Nagpur to launch various development initiatives, including infrastructure, health and education projects. Addressing an audience after launching the The Hindu Hrudaysamrat Balasaheb

CM Pramod Sawant and other officers.

Thackeray Maharashtra Samruddhi Mahamarg (Expressway), he elaborated on the 11 stars, listing out specific projects dedicated to the people.

Elaborating on the various projects

SOURCES: AIR INDIA

NEARS HISTORIC ORDER

FOR UP TO 500 JETS

New Delhi: Air India is close to placing landmark orders for as many as 500 jetliners worth tens of billions of dollars from both Airbus and Boeing as it carves out an ambitious renaissance under the Tata Group conglomerate, industry sources said on Sunday.

KL RAHUL TO LEAD INDIA IN FIRST TEST AGAINST B’DESH

New Delhi: After suffering a dislocated thumb injury during 2nd ODI vs Bangladesh, Rohit Sharma has now been ruled out of the first Test and KL Rahul will lead, BCCI announced on Sunday. Cheteshwar Pujara will be vice captain.

BOMBAY HIGH COURT

CJ JUSTICE DIPANKAR

DATTA ELEVATED TO SC

New Delhi: Chief Justice of the Bombay High Court Justice Dipankar Datta was on Sunday elevated as a judge of the Supreme Court. Once he takes oath, the number of judges in the top court will go up to 28. Law Minister Kiren Rijiju announced Justice Datta’s elevation to the SC.

launched, PM Modi said, “I want to state this today to my young brothers and sisters, the 11 stars that I have mentioned will build your future, create opportunities, this is the right path.” P5

Nagpur AIIMS to benefit people in the Vidarbha region

Foundation stone of National Institute of One Health (NIO) laid Foundation of ICMR’s Centre for Research laid

The CIPET-CSTS inaugurated 10km from the Chandrapur City Nag river pollution abatement project in Nagpur

P-I of Nagpur Metro inaugurated, foundation stone for P-2 laid Launch of Nagpur-Bilaspur Vande Bharat Express train

Nagpur-Ajni railway station redevelopment project

12K horsepower rail engine maintenance depot launched Kohli-Narkher Section of Nagpur- Itarsi project laid

When 1st industrial revolution came, India could not take benefit from it. We lagged behind in the second and third industrial revolution, but today when it's time for 4th industrial revolution, India cannot miss it. A long-term vision is pivotal for stable growth and development. India cannot miss the fourth industrial revolution, opportunity won't come again.

Narendra Modi, Prime Minister

Sukhu takes oath as Himachal’s 15th CM

Sukhu is a 4-time

MCD lost, Delhi BJP chief quits, new face takes over

Shimla: Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu took oath as the new Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister on Sunday. The oath-taking ceremony was held in Shimla where party’s senior leaders were seen in attendance. Mukesh Agnihotri, leader of Opposition in outgoing Assembly, also took oath as Deputy CM. Soon after taking oath, Himachal CM Sukhu said, “We have given 10 guarantees and we will implement them. We will give a transparent and honest government. We will implement OPS in the first cabinet meeting.” More on P5

EMOTIONAL MOMENT!

New Delhi: Delhi BJP

chief Adesh Gupta on Sunday resigned from the post, taking responsibility for the party’s defeat in the municipal corporation polls. BJP Delhi vice-president Virendra Sachdeva has been appointed as the acting president.

“The resignation of Adesh Gupta as Delhi BJP president has been accepted as per the direction of BJP national president Jagat Prakash Nadda. Delhi unit vice-president Virendra Sachdeva is being appointed working state unit chief till the next order,” BJP’s national general secretary Arun Singh said.

Soon after taking over charge, Sachdeva exhorted party workers to start working for victory of the party on Delhi’s all seven Lok Sabha seats in the 2024 elections.

Gupta in a tweet welcomed Sachdeva on his appointment as working president.

Delhi BJP functionaries said Gupta’s resignation does not mean much as he was nearing the end of his term.

49 years after Vajpayee, Rahul rides bullock cart to protest against inflation

Ziauddin Khan, Jayati Mishra, Dinesh Tiwari, Bhanwar S Charan and Bhawani S Hada

Bundi: During the Bharat Jodo Yatra in Rajasthan on Sunday, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi gave a political message to the BJP by traveling in a bullock cart. During his visit to Bundi, Rahul Gandhi rode in a bullock cart with Congress workers. Notably, former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee had reached the Parliament in a bullock cart to protest against the hike in petrol prices.

Rahul Gandhi has launched Bharat Jodo Yatra to protest against rising unemployment and others issues in the country. However, the

BJP said that the prices of petrol and diesel are linked to international prices.

Rahul Gandhi’s yatra began on the 95th day from Arnetha in Bundi district. After this, they

reached Khurd village in Kota, where Rahul Gandhi had tea and breakfast and then travelled some distance on the bullock cart brought by former district head Mahavir Meena. Rahul

Gandhi was also seen steering the oxen. According to analysts, history has repeated itself after about 49 years when Vajpayee had protested in a similar manner.

First India Bureau

Virendra Sachdeva being congratulated by Leader of Opposition in Delhi Legislative Assembly Ramvir Singh Bidhuri and Delhi BJP General Secretary Kuljeet Singh. —PHOTO BY ANI

SACHDEVA PIPS SEVERAL TO POST

Sachdeva, who was associated with RSS earlier as a volunteer, pipped several leaders who were set to be in the race for the post, including MPs Parvesh Verma, Ramesh Bidhuri, Meenakshi Lekhi and Gautam Gambhir, party’s co-incharge for Jammu and Kashmir Ashish Sood, Kapil Mishra and state general secretary Harsh Malhotra.

Former RSS volunteer Virendra Sachdeva appointed as interim president

New Delhi: The CBSE examinations will begin from February 15, as per the tentative date notified by the Board. The official datesheet has not been released yet. CBSE released an official notice stating that practical exams for classes 10 and 12 would start from January 1, 2023.

Gandhinagar: BJP leader Bhupendra Patel will take oath as CM of Gujarat for 2nd straight term in Gandhinagar on Monday in presence of Modi, Shah and others. Ex-CM of Rajasthan Vasundhara Raje to attend swearing-in ceremony of Gujarat CM Patel.

UP BACKED OUT FROM WATER EXCHANGE PLAN WITH DELHI

New Delhi: Uttar Pradesh backed out from a plan to provide 140 million gallons per day of raw water to Delhi in lieu of equivalent quantity of treated effluent for irrigation despite LG VK Saxena making a request to CM Yogi Adityanath. P2

‘10 &

First India Bureau

LAUGHING OUT LOUD! Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde share a lighter moment at the foundation stone laying ceremony in Nagpur on Sunday.

MODI INAUGURATES GREENFIELD AIRPORT NAMED AFTER EX-CM PARRIKAR IN MOPA

PM Narendra Modi says he is happy that the International Airport in Mopa, Goa has been named after Late Manohar Parrikar Ji. Modi praised state govt by saying earlier govt never give preference to infra. He said, “The state-of-the-art airport in Mopa will significantly improve connectivity as well as boost tourism in Goa,” said Modi during inauguration of Mopa International Airport. Also present during the event were Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia,

PM Narendra Modi lays the foundation stone of ‘Nagpur Metro phase- II’ and dedicates ‘Nagpur Metro Phase I’ to the nation, in Nagpur on Sunday. Guv Bhagat Singh Koshiyari, CM Eknath Shinde, Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis and Union Minister Nitin Gadkari also present. —PHOTO BY ANI

Hindu Hrudaysamrat Balasaheb Maha Samruddhi Mahamarg

GANDHIS ON DAIS; RAHUL, PGV'S HUG AND MORE: CONGRESS'S SHOW OF STRENGTH AT HIMACHAL OATH

Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, Mallikarjun Kharge, Mukesh Agnihotri and Vikramaditya Singh greet during oath ceremony of HP CM-designate Sukhwinder S Sukhu in Shimla on Sunday.

Moni Sharma

HP CM Sukhwinder Sukhu and his 86-yr old mother Sansar Devi hug each other during oath ceremony on Sunday.

MLA & also head of Cong’s election committe Singh vows to implement OPS in 1st Cabinet meeting, Mukesh is new Dy CM

—PHOTO BY ANI

Congratulations to Shri Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu Ji on taking oath as Himachal Pradesh CM. I assure all possible cooperation from the Centre to further the development of Himachal Pradesh.

Narendra Modi, Prime Minister

UNITED WE STAND

l Senior leaders also took the opportunity to settle some ruffled feathers l Rahul and Priyanka were seen hugging Pratibha as her supporters have been unhappy with the decision to elect Sukhu as CM l Pratibha’s son may be accommodated in cabinet l CMs Baghel & Ashok Gehlot, Anand Sharma, Bhupinder Hooda, Rajeev Shukla were also present

Rahul Gandhi rides a bullock cart with supporters while leading the party’s Bharat Jodo Yatra, in Bundi on Sunday. Also seen are Govind Singh Dotasra and Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury. —PHOTO BY ANI

Priyanka Gandhi and Robert Vadra also joined the Yatra

UP backed out from water exchange plan with Delhi

A feasibility report the UP Jal Nigam sent to Delhi Jal Board (DJB) said the project was workable

New Delhi: Uttar Pradesh backed out from a plan to provide 140 million gallons per day (MGD) of raw water to Delhi in lieu of equivalent quantity of treated effluent for irrigation despite Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena making a request to Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, according to an RTI reply.

The plan involved supply of 270 cusecs (1 cubic feet per second) of fresh water from the Murad Nagar Regulator to the Sonia Vihar water treatment plant in Delhi and the release of an equivalent quantity of treated effluent from the Okhla sewage treatment plant in the Agra Canal.

Documents accessed under the Right to Information Act showed that the two states held multiple meetings on the water exchange plan starting May 3, 2018, and the then LG Anil Baijal and the then chief secretary Vijay

Kumar Dev had also requested the UP government to finalise the agreement.

A feasibility report the UP Jal Nigam sent to the Delhi Jal Board (DJB) on July 1, 2020, said the project was workable.

The DJB had paid Rs 70 lakh for the preparation of the feasibility report and the Delhi government had also agreed to bear the cost of laying pipelines and construction and repair work needed for supply of raw water from UP and the release of treat ed effluent into the Agra Canal.

Baijal discussed the issue with the UP chief minis ter on the phone on June 14 last year and wrote to him on June 23, requesting him to issue directions to the de partment concerned to pro-

In Karkardooma court, husband-wife assault, abuse woman advocate

New Delhi (PTI): A court here has dismissed the anticipatory bail plea of a woman accused of assaulting and criminally intimidating a woman advocate inside court premises.

The court was hearing the bail plea of Hameeda, against whom a complaint was registered by the advocate.

“Considering the overall facts and circumstances of the case, I am not inclined to grant bail to the accused. Accordingly, the present bail petition... stands dismissed,” Additional Sessions Judge Amitabh Rawat said.

The case was registered on the complaint of the woman advocate

that Hameeda was hurling abuses against advocates inside Karkardooma courts and when the advocate tried to stop her, a verbal altercation ensued, following which Hameeda’s husband also joined her and both manhandled the advocate.

The duo was joined by two other accused persons, one of whom touched the advocate inappropriately, pushed her and in the scuffle, took away the advocate’s chain and locket.

vide 270 cusec (140 million gallons a day) of raw water to Delhi from Murad Nagar.

“Delhi does not have enough water resources of its own and depends on neighboring states to meet its drinking water needs. Amid the increasing population, Delhi needs 265 MGD of additional raw water to fulfill the requirement.

Then chief secretary Vijay Kumar Dev had also requested the UP govt to finalise the agreement

CAPITAL DEPENDENT ON STATES

l Delhi requires around 1,200 MGD of water, while the DJB supplies around 950 MGD.

l Haryana supplies a total of 610 MGD of water to Delhi through two canals — CLC (368 MGD) and DSB (177) — and the Yamuna (65 MGD). CLC and the DSB are supplied water from Hathni Kund via Munak canal and the Bhakra Beas Management Board.

l Besides, Delhi receives 253 MGD from Uttar Pradesh through the Upper Ganga Canal, and 90 MGD is drawn from ranney wells and tube wells installed across the city.

“The feasibility report dated July 1, 2020 says it is possible for UP to provide 270 cusecs of raw water to Delhi. Therefore, I request you to please issue necessary directions to the department concerned in this regard,” the LG's letter read.

On February 2 last year, Dev wrote to the UP chief secretary, requesting him to finalise the pact. “I would like to thank you for the positive steps taken towards processing the request of Delhi...The offices of both the states have held various meetings, joint inspections and deliberations to take the matter forward.”

2 held for killing man, dumping body

New Delhi (PTI): Two men have been arrested for allegedly killing a 45-year-old man here and dumping his body in Uttar Pradesh's Baraut district, police said on Sunday.

The accused Rajkumar and Deepak killed Jaikumar, who was listed as a “Bad Character” at the Shahbad Dairy police station.

Police said Jaikumar went missing from his home on November 27 and his body was allegedly burnt and disposed of. On November 27, Jaikumar left home to meet his friends but did not return following which his family approached the police and filed a missing report, officials said.

“May I propose that the general understanding and consensus achieved by both the states till date may be formalised by way of a memorandum for understanding,” Dev wrote to UP Chief Secretary RK Tiwari.

However, the executive engineer of the UP government in a letter dated July 9, 2021, informed the DJB that the “competent authority” did not approve the feasibility report and “it may be treated as null and void.”

The UP government also returned Rs 70 lakh that DJB gave. —PTI

Take responsibility for party’s defeat: Gupta

New Delhi (ANI): Resigning from the post of Delhi BJP President, Adesh Gupta on Sunday said that he took the decision taking moral responsibility for the defeat in MCD elections.

“The party did not get the expected results in the MCD elections. Taking moral responsibility for the defeat, I have resigned from the post of Delhi BJP president,” Gupta said. “I sent the resignation to the party's national president yesterday and it was accepted today,” he added.

“We have to do an analysis of where our shortcomings were. After analysing that we

Boy killed as iron piece from flyover site falls

New Delhi (ANI): A minor boy died after a heavy piece of iron from a construction site fell over his head, police informed on Sunday.

The incident took place on Sunday morning, under the overbridge near Thokar No. 18 on Pusta Road. The iron piece was being dislodged during the ongoing work on the Delhi-Dehradun flyover when it accidentally fell off and hit the boy.

THE CON IS ON

In Delhi, BJP’s vote share has increased, which is a good thing. In the future, we will convert it into victory.

—Adesh Gupta, Outgoing Delhi BJP President

can say something,” he said. When asked whether the policies of the Aam Aadmi Party were responsible for BJP not getting many seats, he said, “In the past eight years, the AAP has not been able to provide several fa-

cilities to people. In the assembly polls, they got 54 per cent vote and now they got 44 per cent. This shows that people have lost trust in the AAP. Congress and AAP teamed up at some places and Congress gave a walkover to AAP.

Delegation from Russia visits Ganga Ram hospital

New Delhi (PTI): A delegation of medical workers from a healthcare institution in Russia visited Sir Ganga Ram Hospital (SGRH) here on Sunday to learn about its “best medical practices.”

The 21-member delegation from Moscow State Healthcare Institution's City Clinical Hospital No 1 named after Nikolay Pirogov, a Russian scientist, visited the hospital to “study best medical practices”

of the SGRH and to “establish working contacts” with doctors of the hospital, the hospital said in a statement.

Welcoming the delegation, Dr DS Rana, Chairman, Sir Ganga Ram Trust Society, said, “It is a matter of great pride that our Russian friends have shown interest in working of our hospital. I am sure that this visit will help foster new partnerships between the two healthcare organisations.”

BIG SHIFT TO NCR

Delhi parents want schools in Gurugram and Noida for their kids

lll

Parents are going the extra mile to admit their kids in schools in Gurugram, Noida and Ghaziabad which have a transformational education system

New Delhi: It is a never-ending struggle for parents to choose the right school for their kids and in the last few years, there has been a tremendous spike in the number of admissions in NCR-based schools.

Parents are going the extra mile to get admissions for their kids and choosing new-age schools in Noida, Gurugram, and Ghaziabad which have incorporated a transformational education system compared to the schools located in Delhi.

Parents, educators, and industry experts all attest to this shift in preferences from schools in Delhi to NCR. There are several reasons behind the move, but among them the top deal-makers or deal-

breakers are flexible and advanced curriculum, child-friendly learning environment, student-teacher ratio, infrastructure, focus on holistic development, and exposure to varied co-curricular activities.

TEACHERS’ LEARNING TRIP TO SIKKIM

In a bid to strengthen primary education, explore new learning approaches, experience innovative and alternate modes of classrooms, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government is planning to organise a ‘National Exposure Visit’ by taking senior primary teachers of Delhi government schools to Sikkim, officials said. The trip will be held from December 18 to December 24. The objective will help the teachers learn the best practices of various educational institutes in different states.

REASONS FOR THE SHIFT

INFRASTRUCTURE

It’s hard for Delhi schools to expand their premises. NCR schools are spacious, newly designed, and offer improved infrastructure for co-curricular activities including sports, performing arts, and visual arts.

CURRICULUM

STUDENT RATIO

FINANCES

The rising popularity of NCR schools is because private schools in Delhi are in poor financial health, with no major fees increase in the last few years.

Despite Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena making a request to Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath

First India Bureau

Ramagya School in Noida has been ranked as the ‘best CBSE School in India’ by Education Today.

Schools in Gurugram and Noida have a flexible and advanced 21st-century skillsfocused curriculum with a child-friendly learning environment.

Schools in Gurugram and Noida have healthy studentteacher ratios and each child is provided individualised attention and feedback in class.

Gaurav Saini

The Delhi Comic Con 2022 at NSIC Exhibition Ground, Okhla, came to a close on Sunday. Cosplayers and visitors thronged the three-day extravaganza over the weekend and posed for pictures. Penguin Random House India hosted DC, Marvel, Dark Horse, IDW and Kodansha, while Simon & Schuster brought in Viz Media. Indian publishers Amar Chitra Katha, Raj Comics and several new indie publishing houses also featured. —PHOTOS BY PTI

LG grants sanction to prosecute key accused

New Delhi (PTI): Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena has granted sanction to prosecute the main accused in the 'Sulli Deals' case in which Muslim women were "auctioned" online.

Aumkareshwar Thakur (26) will be prosecuted under section 196 of the CrPC, which pertains to prosecution for offences against the State and for criminal conspiracy to commit such offence, sources said on Sunday. Police need the LG's sanction to prosecute the accused under CrPC 196.

Thakur, who has studied Bachelors in Com-

puter Applications (BCA) from IPS Academy in Madhya Pradesh's Indore, had allegedly created the Sulli Deals App and Sulli Deals Twitter handle that auctioned Muslim women on social media platforms with the aim of insulting them and the Muslim community.

Hundreds of Muslim women were listed for "auction" on the mobile application with photographs sourced without their permission and doctored. The police had registered a case on July 7, 2021, and Thakur was arrested in January this year.

"The LG is of the considered view that a prima facie case is made out against the accused, and therefore, the sanction is granted for prosecuting him," a source said.

After Thakur's arrest, DCP (IFSO) KPS Malhotra had said the accused had admitted that

The LG is of the considered view that a prima facie case is made out against the accused, and therefore, the sanction is granted for prosecuting him.

—Source, LG offfice

he was a member of a group on Twitter and the idea to defame and troll Muslim women was shared there.

"Thakur had developed a code on GitHub. The access of GitHub was with all the members of the group. He had shared the app on his Twitter account.

The photos of the Muslim women were uploaded by the group members," the officer had said.

The probe has revealed that the accused had joined the group on Twitter by the name of "Tradmahasabha" in January 2020 using the handle @gangescion.

During various group discussions, the members had talked about trolling Muslim women, the police had said.

The police had gathered information on Thakur while interrogating Niraj Bishnoi (21), believed to be the creator d of the 'Bulli Bai' app, which also allegedly auctioned Muslim women.

‘Very poor’ AQI in Delhi; minimum temp 8.8oC

New Delhi (PTI): Air quality in Delhi was recorded in the ‘very poor’ category on Sunday even as the the maximum temperature settled at 28.4 degrees Celsius, four notches above normal, the India Meteorological Department said.

CBI questions K Kavitha for 7 hrs in Delhi excise case, supporters protest

Hyderabad (PTI): A team of CBI sleuths on Sunday interrogated Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao’s daughter and BRS MLC K Kavitha here in connection with the ‘Delhi excise policy scam’ and recorded her statement.

The officials, who arrived at 11 am, left her residence at 6.30 pm. The city police beefed up security near her residence.

According to sources, the CBI questioned the CM’s daughter for over seven hours.

Party sources said the former MP from Nizamabad requested the BRS cadre and supporters to not gather at her residence. As stated earlier when

After her name cropped up in a remand report by ED in a Delhi court on alleged kickbacks, Kavitha had said she was ready for any probe.

she was served notice, Kavitha reiterated she will be cooperating with the central agency, the sources added.

Posters in support of Kavitha were put up near her house by her supporters and also party workers carrying her photo along with slogans. One of the posters read ‘Daughter of Fighter Will Never Fear. #We Are With Kavithakka’.

The CBI had last week informed Kavitha that a team from the premier investi-

gating agency would visit her residence in the city on December 11 for examination.

Kavitha, who has been served a notice by CBI for recording her statement in connection with the case, recently said she will be able to meet the officials from December 11-15 (except for 13th).

CBI issued the notice under Section 160 of CrPC and asked her to intimate the place of residence as per her convenience for the “examination” at 11 am on that day.

The 24-hour average AQI was recorded at 306, according to Central Pollution Control Board. The minimum temperature settled at 8.8 degrees Celsius, the IMD said.

The relative humidity oscillated between 97 per cent and 41 per cent, they said. The weatherman has predicted mainly clear skies with mist and shallow fog on Monday morning with the maximum and minimum temperatures expected to hover around 28 and 9 degrees Celsius, respectively. On Saturday, the maximum temperature in Delhi settled at 27.6 degrees Celsius, three notches above normal, while the minimum temperature settled at 8.3 degrees.

NGT panel to report on alleged violations of green norms by Ghaziabad housing project

New Delhi (PTI): National Green Tribunal has formed a committee to obtain a factual report on the alleged violations of environmental norms by a housing project in Ghaziabad.

The green panel was hearing a petition alleging the Siddharth Vihar Yojana, a scheme or project by the Awas Vikas Parishad, was being developed through several builders in violation of environmental norms.

"In our view...let a factual report be obtained

by the tribunal, for which purpose we constitute a joint committee comprising the state PCB and DM, Ghaziabad, within one month," a bench of Jus-

NEED FOR COLLECTIVE EFFORT

The report besides covering issues like STP, developing plantation & others, may also provide status of existing infrastructure to carry treated sewage.

NGT Bench

lection and transportation systems for processing at identified sites."

It then directed a copy of the order be sent to the authorities.

The matter has been listed for further proceedings on January 12.

The bench also said, "The report besides covering issues raised like sewage treatment plant

(STP), developing plantation and others, may also provide status of existing infrastructure in the area to carry treated sewage (sewerage) and solid waste col-

According to the petition, some projects in the scheme were complete and allowed to be occupied in contravention of environmental norms, such as the noninstallation of STPs and non-development of green belt.

Kids getting addicted to gadgets, facing emotional, physical issues

First India Bureau

New Delhi: We already knew that many children and teenagers are spending a lot of time on social media, video games, and other activities on screens. Now a recent survey has revealed that kids aged between 9 to 13 years are spending over three hours a day on the internet, using social media watching videos or playing games, according to 42 per cent of urban parents who took part in the survey in Maharashtra.

The survey by LocalCircles, a community

social media platform, also said that 46 per cent of the children are using smartphones, thanks to easy access to devices with school activities going online.

Almost every parent stressed on how many hours their kids log on

their tablet, smartphone, or TV each day.

“During the pandemic, the majority of kids were mostly confined to their homes and the only pass time they had was online classes because the schools were all shut, and their best bet was

smartphones, tablets or laptops to watch videos, play online games and chat with peers. Studies have revealed an obsession with screen time increased more because of the pandemic,” said Sachin Taparia, founder of Local Circles.

Taparia said government, parents and schools need to work together to enable kids in such a way that they use the internet and gadgets constructively to get educated, learn from the best, collaborate and set themselves on the path of success in whatever career they pick.

tice Sudhir Agarwal and expert member A Senthil Vel said in an order.

CBI officials arrive at TRS MLC Kavitha's residence in Hyderabad on Sunday. —PHOTO BY PTI

White Buck at Delhi Zoo on Sunday.

Aumkareshwar Thakur

A painted stork at Delhi Zoo

Rhinoceros at Delhi Zoo

Clear skies, sunny morn and nippy weather apparently had a bearing on the mood of the inmates at Delhi zoo, who basked and frolicked amid the greens that the Sunday crowd of visitors enjoyed too. The minimum temperature was recorded less than 9 degrees Celsius.

n AUMKARESHWAR THAKUR CREATED APP TO AUCTION MUSLIM WOMEN

ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE SHAPING THE FUTURE OF HUMANITY

COL RAJESH BHUKAR

Artificial Intelligence (AI) leverages computers and machines to mimic the problemsolving and decision-making capabilities of the human mind. AI is shaping the future of humanity across nearly every industry. It is already the main driver of emerging technologies like big data, robotics and Internet of Things (IoT), and it will continue to act as a technological innovator for the foreseeable future. Several examples of artificial intelligence impact our lives today. These include FaceID on iPhones, the search algorithm on Google, and the recommendation algorithm on Netflix. You’ll also find other examples of how AI is in use today on social media, digital assistants like Alexa, and ride-hailing apps such as Uber. In 2022, artificial intelligence will have progressed far enough to become the most revolutionary technology ever created by man.

can connect with human thoughts and interpret them better but these are still work in improvement or progress. Self-aware AI (a thing of the future) will have an independent intelligence, and it will make its own decisions. These machines will be smarter than the human minds.

JOBS AI CAN REPLACE

Based on the nature and type of jobs replaceable by AI are customer service executives, chatbots, bookkeeping and data entry, receptionists, proofreading, manufacturing and pharmaceutical work, pharmaceutical labs, retail services, and courier services.

JOBS AI CAN’T REPLACE

Artificial Intelligence (AI) leverages computers and machines to mimic the problem-solving and decision-making capabilities of the human mind. AI is shaping the future of humanity across nearly every industry

is one, and should, therefore, be capable of intelligence equal, or even superior to human beings. As of today, all advances in the field of AI are manifestations of weak and specific AI.

ture-acquisition and recognition of human values. The AI machines will inevitably carry some errors and ethical issues with social implications.

WILL MPs CONSIDER CJI’S VIEWS ON CONSENSUAL SEX AMONG MINORS

And finally, they help us understand how people behave and react so that we can improve our own behaviour and reactions as well as develop better customer service based on what people want and need.

As AI forays into every aspect of human life, it is time for intervention by responsible actions by policymakers as well as industry stakeholders to counter its possible misuse

Artificial intelligence or AI simulates human intellect to machines. AI-enabled machines are capable of performing some of the specific tasks better than humans and mimic human actions. There are four types of AI: Reactive machines AI: This is the most superficial level of AI. Reactive machines can do basic operations. They cannot form memories or use past experiences to make decisions like the IBM’s Deep Blue. Limited memory AI can store existing data and create better output by using the data like Tesla’s self-driving cars. Theory of mind AI

Human creativity knows no limits and hence fields of strategic thinking, leadership, conflict resolution and negotiation, emotional intelligence, and empathy are qualities in jobs that AI cannot replace at any point in time. Following are some of the professions which would stand the test of time: Human resource managers, Writers, Lawyers (limited to Evidence processing), Chief executives, Scientists (limited to support analysis of data), Psychiatrists, Public relations managers, Software developers, and Project managers.

The final goal of AI is that a machine can have a type of general intelligence similar to a human’s is one of the most ambitious ever proposed by science. The design and application of AI that can only behave intelligently in a very specific setting is related to what is known as weak AI, as opposed to strong AI. Strong AI would imply that a properly designed computer does not simulate a mind but actually

The human brain is very far removed indeed from AI models, which suggests that so-called singularity-artificial super intelligences based on replicas of the brain that far surpass human intelligence-are a prediction with very little scientific merit. In fact, we can affirm that current AI systems are examples of what Daniel Dennet called “competence without comprehension”

TRULY INTELLIGENT AI

Among future activities, we believe that the most important research areas will be hybrid systems that combine the advantages of systems capable of reasoning on the basis of knowledge and memory use with those of AI based on the analysis of massive amounts of data, that is, deep learning. But they are more like black boxes with no capacity to explain and suffer from limitations of “catastrophic forgetting.” No matter how intelligent future artificial intelligences become, they can’t follow the same socialization and cul-

The new or latest developments in AI are the creation of new chips that help run deep neural networks faster. These chips can be used to train models to recognize images, speech and text more efficiently. Apart from this introduction of new AI concepts such as reinforcement learning, generative adversarial networks, and program synthesis. New algorithms allow for a greater level of control in operating rooms and medical centres around the globe. Similarly, self-driving vehicles and city infrastructure will benefit immensely from advanced AI algorithms and machine learning frameworks.

AI is now able to understand human emotions to some extent and has the capability to predict human behaviour. For example, some forms of AI can now tell if someone is lying or not. AI can now also be used for social good and in the future maybe even save lives and prevent crimes. Second, they allow us to predict what will happen in the future by using AI to create forecasting models that can tell us about future events or changes in trends. And finally, they help us understand how people behave and react so that we can improve our own behaviour and reactions as well as develop better customer service based on what people want and need. As AI forays into every aspect of human life, it is time for intervention by responsible actions by policymakers as well as industry stakeholders to counter its possible misuse.

THE VIEWS EXPRESSED BY THE AUTHOR ARE PERSONAL

UNSC LIFELINE TO TERROR OUTFITS

ndia justifiably abstained from voting on the UN Security Council (UNSC) resolution allowing aid to organisations under UN sanctions on humanitarian grounds.

The resolution was moved by the US and Ireland to give “humanitarian carve-out”, a humanitarian exception or exemption for terrorist outfits, including those based in Pakistan. Those who are aware of how Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) and the government si-

phon any financial aid to fund terrorists and India has been the biggest victim of this misuse.

It is not that the US is not in the know of such diversion of funds. Some of the US governments have turned off the tap in the past on that basis. Adding the word humanitarian will not change the conduct of aid recipients in spreading terror at any given opportunity. The reason why Pakistan was placed on the grey list of Financial Action Task Force (FATF) since 2018 was because of

“strategic counter-terrorist financing-related deficiencies”. It was removed from the global “terrorism” financing list only in October this year. One doesn’t know what guarantee Pakistan provided for the bailout.

While abstaining, India’s Permanent Representative

Ruchira

India justifiably abstained from voting on the UN Security Council (UNSC) resolution allowing aid to organisations under UN sanctions on humanitarian grounds. The resolution was moved by the US and Ireland to give “humanitarian carve-out”, a humanitarian exception or exemption for terrorist outfits, including those based in Pakistan

She said that these terror outfits use humanitarian aid as an umbrella to recruit fighters.

The resolution was adopted but India made its point very clear. The UNSC member countries must not turn soft on banned terror groups for their strategic interests.

Criminalisation of the consensual sex among minors under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act is an issue which the Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud wants Parliament to look at. Under the Criminal Law Amendment Act of 2013 the legal age for consensual sex is 18 years. The POCSO Act criminalises all sexual acts among minors even if it is consensual. This, the CJI said in his keynote address at the National Stakeholders Consultation on Child Protection, said, “…in my time as judge, I have observed that this category of cases poses difficult questions for judges across the spectrum. There is growing concern surrounding this issue, which must be considered by the Legislature in light of reliable research by experts in adolescent healthcare”. The CJI’s opinion becomes important in the light of condoms, alcohol being found in class 10 students’ bags in Bengaluru. Obviously, children are indulging in consensual sex at a minor age and society has to accept this fact.

SPIRITUAL SPEAK

There is no fire like passion. There is no shark like hatred. There is no snare like folly. There is no torrent like greed. Buddha

TOP TWEETS

I bow to the great Subramania Bharathi on his Jayanti. ‘Mahakavi Bharathiar’ embodied remarkable courage and outstanding intellect. He had a grand vision for India’s development and the empowerment of every Indian. We are working to realise his ideas across different sectors.

Let’s remember Mahakavi Subramania Bharati on his birthday. He was a pillar of Indian freedom struggle, a great scholar and a fighter for social justice. His thoughts are timeless and his poems have united and inspired millions of people in the Indian freedom struggle.

l Vol 2 l Issue No.103

l 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.

Editor-In-Chief: Dr Jagdeesh Chandra Editor: Anita Hada Sangwan responsible for selection of news under the PRB Act

Narendra Modi @narendramodi

Amit Shah @AmitShah

Kamboj called for “caution and due diligence to be exercised while extending humanitarian assistance to proscribed entities…who continue to thrive with full state hospitality in territories universally acknowledged as terrorist havens by the international communi-

ty”.

The author is a Post Graduate in International Studies, Alumni of Defense Services Staff College, Wellington and College of Combat, Mhow

India put forward vision of ‘One Earth, One Health’, says PM Modi

Panaji (ANI): Describing Ayurveda as a means of mental and physical well-being,

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday said India has put forward a futuristic vision of ‘One Earth, One Health’ before the world, which lays out a universal vision for health.

Prime Minister Modi on Sunday attended the 9th World Ayurveda Congress (WAC), organised by the Ministry of Ayush. The event showcased the scientificity, efficacy and

strength of the Ayush system of medicines at the global level in Panaji, Goa.

Addressing the event in Goa, PM Modi said, “The motto of Ayurveda is happiness and good health for all. Ayurveda promotes wellness. Ayurveda is not just about treatment, it also promotes wellness. Yoga and Ayurveda are the new hope for the world. We had Ayurveda’s result as well as effect, but we were lagging behind in terms of evidence. Therefore, today we

have to do the documentation of ‘Data based evidence’. Ayur-

veda teaches us how to live.” The Prime Minister said India has put

CHANGE OF GUARD IN HIMACHAL PRADESH

PM MODI GAVE GLOBAL REACH TO AYURVEDA: GOA CM

Panaji:

PM NARENDRA MODI PLAYS DHOL AT AIIMS NAGPUR’S INAUGURATION

forward the futuristic vision of ‘One Earth, One Health’.

WITH SUKHU’S ELEVATION CONG TRIES TO CULL NEPOTISM CHARGE

New Delhi (Agencies):

With Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu taking oath as the Chief Minister in Himachal Pradesh, the Congress has tried to emerge out of the shadows of Virbhadra Singh’s family that had been at the forefront in the party’s state politics for decades.

Sukhu’s swearing-in ceremony was attended by senior Congress leaders including party chief Mallikarjun Kharge, Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra.

The elevation of Sukhu is seen as the party’s efforts to cull nepotism and the charge of promoting families.

The newly sworn-in Himachal chief minister comes from a very humble beginning and has risen from the ranks.

That is why the party chose Sukhu in place of Pratibha Singh, who is from the royal family and wife of Late Virbhadra Singh, said sources. With no political dynasty, but wide organisational experience, four-time Congress legislator Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, 58, throughout his political career was not on the same page with the party’s tallest leader Virbhadra Singh.

Four-time legislator Mukesh Agnihotri, 60, took the oath of office as the Deputy Chief Minister at a ceremony that lasted less than 10 minutes. Both took the

EXAMPLE OF WHAT EMERGES WHEN CONGRESS FIGHTS UNITEDLY: KHARGE

Shimla (ANI): Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge who arrived here to attend the oath-taking ceremony of Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu on Sunday has termed it as the victory people of Himachal Pradesh.

Sukhu received the Congress president and Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot at Sanjauli helipad. Kharge, on the occasion, said that the party’s victory in the state Assembly polls is an example of what happens when the party fights unitedly.

“This is a victory

oath in Hindi. Anand Sharma in his tweet mentioned the humble beginning, “Congratulations to Sukhvinder Sukhu on becoming the next Chief

that belongs to the people of Himachal Pradesh. This is an example of what emerges when the Congress party fights unitedly,” he told ANI.

Ashok Gehlot said that the victory of the party in the state was a new beginning for Congress and the people of the state.

Minister of Himachal Pradesh. Richly deserved recognition of his life long commitment to the Congress party and acknowledged contribution.”

WE HAVE STOPPED BJP: HP DY CM

Shimla: Newly elected Himachal Pradesh Deputy CM Mukesh Agnihotri said that with the win in assembly elections in the hill state, the Congres has stopped BJP’s ‘rath’. “Earlier people said Congress will not come to power in any state, but today we have stopped BJP’s ‘rath’,” Agnihotri told ANI.

Sharma said he was grateful that the party leadership had taken a democratic decision and chosen the one who has risen from the ranks.

LORD RAM’S CITY

CAREER GRAPH OF SUKHU: A GRASSROOTS LEADER, SUKHU REACHES HIGHEST POST IN HIMACHAL PRADESH POLITICS

Tripura BJP forms 30 panels for 2023 polls

Agartala (PTI): The ruling BJP in Tripura announced the formation of 30 committees to carry out specific responsibilities in view of the Assembly elections due early next year, a senior party leader said on Sunday.

An eight-member election management committee, with the BJP’s state president, Rajib Bhattacharjee as its head, has been constituted with the approval of the party’s central leadership, said Sunit Sarkar, the party’s state media in-charge.

Law and Parliamentary Affairs minister Ratan Lal Nath has been made the convener of the committee.

The panel has been given the responsibility to chalk out strategies for the polls.

“As many as 30 committees have been constituted to handle the election effective-

“PM MODI TO RETURN TO POWER IN 2024, BJP WILL WIN 404 SEATS”

Vijayawada (ANI): BJP leader GVL Narasimha Rao has said that results of the Gujarat elections are a testimony that Narendra Modi will return as the Prime Minister for the third time in 2024.He said the party will win more seats in the southern states, a region where the BJP is putting in efforts to make inroads ahead of the respective Assembly elections and the 2024

ly. Responsibilities have been distributed among the commit-

general elections.

“The Gujarat elections have created a sensation across the country. In 2024, the BJP will have an undisputed victory in 404 seats,” he said. He stated that PM Modi has given special attention to the two Telugu states (Andhra Pradesh and Telangana).

tees for smooth conduct of campaign and elections”, he said.

Shimla (ANI): A loyalist of the Gandhi family, Sukhu is a four-time MLA (58) and former chief of Himachal Congress. Sukhu is known as an affable and approachable leader who has a vast network in the hill state due to his long years in the organisation. He also holds a broad organisational experience in the state owing to his connection with the grand old party for many years.

BJP sabotaged JD(U) in 2020 Bihar polls: Nitish

Patna (PTI): Bihar CM Nitish Kumar on Sunday accused the BJP of working against the Janta Dal (U) in the 2020 assembly elections despite being in an alliance at that time. He reaffirmed that parties opposed to the BJP can win with a “huge majority” in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls if they agree to join hands.

UP CM Yogi approves Ayodhya master plan 2031

As more than two crore tourists visit the city annually, experts called for a long-term tourism plan to create more employment

Lucknow (Agencies):

The master plan for the temple town of Ayodhya that will govern its development for the next decade has been approved by Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath.

The master plan aims at improving the living standards of about 12 lakh people who will oc-

cupy an area of 133.67 square kilometres.

The master plan 2031 was presented by the housing and urban planning department to the chief minister after disposing of 1,084 objections that were raised by the citizens. The department also had to finalise the facade control guidelines

and a common building code.

Principal secretary, housing, Nitin Ramesh

Gokarn said that approval of the Ayodhya master plan was fast tracked to promote ho-

listic growth of the city. The last master plan for the development of Faizabad/Ayodhya was prepared in 1983 and lapsed in 2001, he added.

The Yogi government approved the Ayodhya 2031 master plan before those of other cities.

Ayodhya Development Authority (ADA) vice-chairman Vishal Singh said, “The plan is going to be implemented in the city soon. The zoning regulations will be the first thing to be

taken up by the authority.” The experts who prepared the master plan noted that attention will be needed to transform seven slum settlements in the city which have close to 4,295 households.

As more than two crore tourists visit the city annually, the experts urged the local authorities to work on a long-term tourism plan to create more employment for residents and generate revenues.

Kochi: Kerala High Court on Sunday proposed an extension of the time of worship

at the Sabarimala temple by an hour on busy days.

The Devaswom Bench of the high court mooted the proposal after convening a special sitting on Sunday in this regard.

COURTYARD

Dehradun: The Kotdwar Court of Uttarakhand is scheduled to hear the plea seeking permission to conduct the Narco test of all the three accused in the killing of 19-yearold Ankita Bhandari on Monday, in-charge of the SIT probing the case P Renuka Devi informed.

HC STAYS TRANSFER OF CONSTABLE WHO COMPLAINED OF SUBSTANDARD FOOD

Raipur: A local court here on Saturday extended the Enforcement Directorate custody of Saumya Chaurasia, a deputy secretary posted in the office of Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel, for four days in a money laundering case linked to an alleged coal levy scam in the state.

Indore: A man was sentenced to imprisonment till the end of his natural life by a local court on Saturday for repeatedly raping his 13-year-old daughter. The court sentenced the 32-yearold man under relevant provisions of the IPC and the POCSO Act.

Prayagraj: The Allahabad High Court has stayed the transfer of Uttar Pradesh Police constable Manoj Kumar who had protested against the alleged substandard food being served at the mess at Firozabad police line. The order was passed by Justice Pankaj Bhatia on a petition filed by Kumar who was transferred from Firozabad to Ghazipur. The counsel for the petitioner argued though the transfer order dated September 20, 2022 claimed that it was on administrative grounds, Kumar was transferred as he had protested against the substandard food being served at the police mess.

Yogi Adityanath with LS Speaker Om Birla and his daughter Anjali.

PM Narendra Modi at 9th World Ayurveda Congress, in Panaji on Sunday. Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal, Goa Governor PS Sreedharan Pillai, Goa CM Pramod Sawant and other dignitaries also seen.

Highlighting the rich heritage of Indian traditional medicine, Goa CM Pramod Sawant on Sunday hailed PM Modi for giving “global reach” to Ayurveda. Speaking at the valedictory function of the 9th World Ayurveda Congress here, Sawant said, “PM Narendra Modi gave global reach to Ayurveda. Today I am announcing that we will create a Ministry of AYUSH in Goa for the AYUSH doctors of the state.”

Nagpur: Prime Minister Narendra Modi was welcomed in Nagpur with the beats of dhol. Elated by the gesture, the Prime Minister also joined the group of performers and tried his hands on the instrument.

for devotees

Priyanka Gandhi embraces HPCC chief Pratibha Singh at Sukhwinder Sukhu’s oath-taking as Mallikarjun Kharge & Rahul Gandhi look on.

Vacancies in HCs: Parl panel expresses its displeasure

New Delhi (PTI): Amid a standoff between the govt and the Supreme Court Collegium over the appointment of judges, a parliamentary panel has asked the Executive and the Judiciary to come up with “out of box thinking” to deal with the “perennial problem” of vacancies in high courts.

The department-related standing committee on Law and Personnel in its report tabled in Parliament on Thursday said it is not in agreement with the comments of the Department of Justice in the Union Law Ministry that “time for filling up of vacancies of judges in the higher judiciary cannot be indicated”.

The timeline has been drawn in the Second Judges Case and also in

the Memorandum of Procedure (MOP) regarding the appointment of judges, it pointed out.

“But regrettably, those timelines are not adhere to by both, the Judiciary and the Executive, which is leading to delay in filling up of the vacancies,” it lamented.

It said as per the data provided by the govern-

CRUCIAL READ

AK-47 RIFLES, PISTOLS RECOVERED BY BSF ALONG BORDER IN PUNJAB

New Delhi (PTI): A cache of arms and ammunition, including two AK-47 assault rifles, was recovered by Border Security Force (BSF) troops on Sunday along the India-Pakistan International Border in Punjab, officials said. The recovery was made around 12 noon. Two AK-47 rifles and four magazines apart from two pistols and four magazines and some cartridges were recovered by BSF personnel during checks in the Abohar sector of Punjab, a senior officer said.

UP: GOVT SCHOOL PRINCIPAL BOOKED FOR STUDENT’S RAPE

Meerut (PTI): The principal of a govt school here was booked for allegedly raping a 17-year-old girl student after giving her some intoxicating substance, police said on Sunday. The principal had on November 23 taken nine students of the school to a tour to Vrindavan and took two rooms in a hotel for lodging of the girl students. Eight students stayed in one room, while in the other room, the principal allegedly stayed with the 17-year-old girl, a Class 11 student. The complaint was lodged by the girl’s father.

ITBP RESCUES INJURED TREKKER IN U’KHAND’S AULI

Chamoli (ANI): Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) on Sunday rescued a trekker who was injured during Gorson Bugyal trek in Auli. As per the officials the trekker is a resident of Delhi and was reported to have suffered a leg fracture while trekking at Gorson Bugyal (11,500 ft) with a group.

ITBP jawans carried the injured trekker on a stretcher for 5 km and admitted him to Field Hospital, Joshimath. “A trekker from Delhi was rescued by M & SI, ITBP, Auli from Gorson Bugyal (11,500 ft) to Field Hospital, Joshimath.

SCHOOL STUDENT IN J&K’S BANDIPORA WRITES 900-PAGE QURAN WITH HANDS

Bandipora (ANI): Setting an example of dedication and devotion, Arbin Tahir, a high school student from J&K’s Bandipora has written Holy Quran consisting of 900 pages with her hands in six months. Arbin is an 11th class student of Giariyan Jamaat. “I had a dream to write the Holy Quran by hand and to fulfil my passion, I started learning calligraphy. I started to write the complete Quran and thanks to Allah, I succeeded in this task,” a media report quoted Arbin as saying.

ment, as on December 31, 2021, there were three high courts of Telangana, Patna and Delhi where vacancies were more than 50 per cent and 10 HCs where vacancies are more than 40 per cent of their respective sanctioned strength.

“These all are large states, where judge to population ratio is al-

ready skewed and such level of vacancies is a matter of deep concern,” the panel headed by BJP leader Sushil Kumar Modi observed.

The govt and the Judiciary, the committee noted, “should come up with some out of box thinking to deal with this perennial problem of vacancies in the HCs”.

GOVT’S STAND

On Nov 25, govt asked the Supreme Court Collegium to reconsider 20 files related to appointment of high court judges. The govt had expressed “strong reservations” about the recommended names. Out of the 20 cases, 11 were fresh cases and nine were reiterations made by the collegium.

The committee also said that it is “surprised” to note that the Supreme Court and the government have failed to reach at a consensus on revision of the MOP for the appointment of judges to the Supreme Court and the high courts, though the same is under consideration of both for “about seven years now”.

Mandous weakens over TN, K’taka and Kerala

Telangana (ANI): The low-pressure area (remnant of the cyclonic storm “Mandous” pronounced as “Man-Dous”) over north interior Tamil Nadu and adjoining South Interior Karnataka and north Kerala has weakened, said India Meteorological Department on Sunday. However, the associated upper-air cyclonic circulation persists over the same region and extends upto the middle tropospheric level. It is likely to emerge into the southeast and adjoining east central Arabian Sea off north Kerala and Karnataka coasts by December 12, added the IMD. Under its influence, a low-pressure area will likely form over the same region around December 13, 2022. It would move west-northwestwards away from the Indian coast gradually after that, as per the IMD.

Bomb detection squads inspect blast site at police station in Punjab’s Tarn Taran

RPG ATTACK

Tarn Taran (ANI):

The team of the Bomb Detection and Disposal Squads (BDDS) on Sunday arrived to inspect the Sarhali Kalan police station in Punjab’s Tarn Taran, where a low-intensity blast took place on Saturday.

Sarhali police station

SHO Parkash Singh was removed and Sukhbir Singh was appointed as the new SHO of the Sarhali Kalan police station. A low-in-

Every Jammu & Kashmir family to get unique ID

Jammu (PTI): The Jammu and Kashmir administration is planning to create an authentic database of all families in the Union territory with each of them having a unique alpha-numeric code — the objective being easy selection of eligible beneficiaries of various social welfare schemes.

The proposed move to allot “Family ID” has been welcomed by the BJP but panned by other parties which raised concerns over personal data safety.

tensity blast was reported at the Tarn Taran Police Sanjha Kendra in Punjab on Saturday, which the po-

lice said was a Rocket Propelled Granade (RPG) attack. It also said that they have registered a case under the

Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.

Meanwhile, Station House Officer (SHO) Parkash Singh has been removed from Sarhali Kalan police station and was replaced by Sukhbir Singh.

Following the attack, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) officials arrived at the Sarhali Kalan police station in Tarn Taran on Saturday evening as the officials had suspected for “terror link” in the incident.

Tiger kills man, injures 2 in MP; irate villagers beat veterinarian

Seoni (PTI): A tiger mauled a man to death and injured two others on Sunday, triggering a violent protest in which a veterinarian was injured and six government vehicles damaged at a village in Madhya Pradesh Seoni district.

Veterinarian Akhilesh Mishra of Pench Tiger Reserve (PTR) was rushed to Jabalpur, the divisional headquarters, for treatment, while two persons injured in the tiger attack have been moved to a hospital.

Police forces were

FIFA WORLD CUP

rushed to Gonde village, close to the buffer area of PTR, where locals armed with lathis and iron rods were ready to attack the big cat, which they claimed was lurking around, the

police said. PTR deputy director Rajneesh Singh said the tiger killed Chunnilal Patle (55) when he was relieving himself near the backyard of his house.

Under its influence, squally wind speed reaching 35-45 kmph gusting to 55 kmph is likely to prevail over

Kerala and Karnataka coasts during December 11-12.

Dr Singh attends ‘Divyang Parivar Maha-Samelan’ at Kathua district in J&K

Kathua:

The Union Minister said this during ‘Divyang Parivar Maha-

organization SAKSHAM.

Dr Singh said that from the day PM Narendra Modi took oath as the Prime Minister, certain drastic steps were taken by him for the welfare of Divyangs. Be that the fee remission for Divyangs in Civil Services Examination, two choices of home cadre for Divyangs qualifying civil services ex-

amination, increase in reservation for Divyangs from 3 percent to 4 percent, increase in the Divyang pension etc, every other step has been taken by this government for the welfare of Divyangs, he added.

For the welfare of Divyangs, Dr Singh said that 15000 posts meant for Divyangs which were earlier not filled were filled under a special drive by the government which was only possible under PM Narendra Modi who suggested that the term ‘Divyang’ (Divine Body) instead of ‘Viklang’ be used for persons with disability.

The MoS said that for making India reach the top leaving behind every other developed nation in terms of development in coming years, the Divyangs cannot be left out.

9,000 football-crazy Kolkatans in Qatar to watch final

lll

Kolkata (PTI): The euphoria surrounding this year’s FIFA World Cup has been “unprecedented” in footballmad Kolkata, with nearly 9,000 fans having already travelled to Qatar to witness the showpiece event and many more slated to arrive in the next few days, officials said.

The people are still making queries regarding ticket and accommodation availability and travel pack -

ages for Qatar, days ahead of the semi-finals and the final next week, they said.

“Around 10,00012,000 football fans have travelled to Qatar from eastern India so far, including close to 9,000 people from Kolkata. People are still very keen to make it to the semis and the final, and we expect at least another 1,500 Kolkatans to visit the Arab country,” Anil Punjabi, eastern region head

of Travel Agents’ Federation of India (TAFI), told PTI.

Though the craze for the business end of the world cup has died

down to an extent following the exit of giants such as Brazil and Portugal, Argentina’s advance to the semi-finals is reason enough for many of Kolkata’s football enthusiasts to pack their bags for Qatar.

“It’s all about Messi this time as it will be his last world cup. I had made up my mind months ago that if Argentina progresses to the semis, I will head to Qatar. Who knows, I

might actually see Messi lifting the coveted trophy, which would be an unreal experience,” Subham Mitra, a resident of Lake Gardens, said.

Mitra said he will depart for Doha (Qatar capital) in the early hours of Monday. The average return fare to Doha costs around Rs 55,000-60,000 at present.

Argentina will take on Croatia in the first semifinal on Wednesday.

Rampur bypoll: Mayawati smells BJP-SP collusion

Lucknow (PTI): Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) chief Mayawati on Sunday attributed the defeat of the Samajwadi Party in the recent Rampur bypoll to “planned low voting”, wondering whether there was a collusion between the SP and the BJP. The BJP for the first time won from SP leader Azam Khan’s bastion Rampur, which he represented before he was disqualified after his conviction in a hate speech case.

The people are still making queries regarding ticket and accommodation availability and travel packages for Qatar

Says it’s regrettable that govt, judiciary not adhering to timelines in filling up vacancies

The panel has asked the Executive and Judiciary to come up with “out of box thinking” in the matter.

southeast & adjoining east central Arabian Sea, along and off

Fishermen remove boats at Kasimedu in Chennai, on Sunday.

Kakinada: The KakinadaUppada road has been closed for the entry of tourists by the Kakiknada police. It was reported that the road had been completely destroyed due to strong winds and waves triggered by cyclone Mandous on the Uppada coast in the Kakinada district.

After inspection, the police said, “The storm had not subsided and the beach road from Kakinada to Uppada is wholly destroyed. The vehicles going from Kakinada to Uppada were diverted towards Acchampeta and the vehicles from Uppada to Kakinada were diverted via Pithapuram.”

CYCLONE MANDOUS EFFECT: KAKINADAUPPADA ROAD CLOSED FOR TRAFFIC

Punjab DGP Gaurav Yadav briefs media about the incident.

—PIC FOR REPRESENTATIONAL PURPOSE ONLY

First India Bureau

Union Minister of State Dr Jitendra Singh said on Sunday that PM Narendra Modi led govt is dedicated to those who were left out of mainstream by the previous governments.

Samelan’ organised at Kathua in Jammu and Kashmir at the initiative of a social

A man riding a two-wheeler passes by the poster Lionel Messi during the ongoing FIFA World Cup 2022, on outskirts of Kolkata.

MoS Dr Jitendra Singh interacts with people during the event.

BRIEFS

‘India’s aviation market has ample opportunities’

First India Bureau

New Delhi: The combined market valuation of five of the 10 most valued firms eroded by `1,67,602.73 crore last week, with Reliance Industries taking the biggest hit. While Reliance Industries, TCS, Infosys, Bharti Airtel and ICICI Bank were the laggards from the top-10 pack, Hindustan Unilever, HDFC Bank, Adani Enterprises, SBI and HDFC emerged as the gainers.

RIL retained its top spot in the list of most valued firms, followed by TCS, HDFC Bank, Infosys, ICICI Bank, HUL, SBI, HDFC, Bharti Airtel and Adani Enterprises. —PTI

FPIs INVEST ` 4,500 CRORE IN EQUITIES IN DECEMBER SO FAR

New Delhi: The Indian civil aviation market has exciting and significant opportunities but taxation has always been an issue which also makes the industry less competitive, according to IATA chief Willie Walsh.

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) is a global grouping that represents around 300 airlines, including those from India. India is seeing a “much stronger recovery” than the Asia Pacific region in general but there could be challenges in terms of getting new aircraft and spare parts.

“The market in India... The opportunity in India has to be considered to be very very significant. There are issues in India not unique to aviation but the regulatory regime and bureaucracy can hinder the pace (of growth),” Walsh said.

DGCA ISSUES RECORD 1,081 COMMERCIAL PILOT LICENSES SO FAR THIS YEAR

AIR INDIA PUTS IN PLACE ETHICS GOVERNANCE STRUCTURE

Explore trade in ` with more nations: Govt

New Delhi (PTI): Having facilitated rupee trade with Russia, Mauritius and Sri Lanka, the government has asked trade bodies and banks to explore such opportunities with more nations, sources said.

SVRA ALREADY WITH 3 NATIONS

New Delhi: After investing over `36,200 crore last month (October 2022), foreign investors continued their positive momentum and infused `4,500 crore in the Indian equity markets so far in December, mainly due to the decline in the dollar index.

However, foreign portfolio investors turned sellers in the last four trading sessions and pulled out `3,300 crore as they are adopting a cautious stance ahead of the US Federal Reserve’s decision on the interest rate.

POWER DEFICIT DECLINES TO 0.2% IN NOVEMBER 2022

While the Indian market has not seen the pace of growth that was seen in China, the potential exists, he said and emphasised that in India, he sees a re-

OTHER STORIES

New Delhi (FIB): According to official data, India’s aviation regulator DGCA has issued 1,081 commercial pilot licenses in 2022, which is the highest for any year in the last one decade.The record issuance of Commercial Pilot Licenses (CPLs) also comes at a time when the country’s civil aviation sector is recovering at a fast pace after being hit by the coronavirus pandemic and the domestic air traffic is inching towards the pre-pandemic level. As per senior official at the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) 1,081 CPLs have been issued in 2022 till December 6 and the number is likely to cross 1,100 by the year-end.This is also the highest for any year since 2011, as per the data. In 2014, the number of CPLs issued stood at 896 while the count was at 862 in 2021. An individual is eligible to apply for CPL after completing at least 200 hours of flying and fulfilling other conditions.

ally exciting market and opportunities.

After being severely impacted by the pandemic,

VODAFONE IDEA, ATC AGREE TO EXTEND `1,600 CRORE DEBENTURES DATE TILL FEBRUARY 28

New Delhi: Debt-ridden Vodafone Idea and its vendor ATC Telecom Infrastructure have agreed to extend the last date for subscription of `1,600 crore optionally convertible debentures to February 28, the telecom operator said in a regulatory filing. Vodafone Idea’s proposal to issue `1,600 crore debentures to mobile tower vendor ATC Telecom Infrastructure has lapsed in the absence of any response from the government on the conversion of interest dues into equity. PTI

NDTV TO GIVE 2 BOARD SEATS TO GAUTAM ADANI GROUP FIRM

the country’s civil aviation sector is on the recovery path. “When you look at India, I see massive opportu-

Sixth round of India-UK FTA talks to begin from today

Mumbai (PTI): Tata groupowned Air India has put in place an ethics governance structure and is also establishing committees at the apex and regional levels to bolster the ethics culture at the airline, according to an internal document.The apex ethics committee has been set up at the senior leadership level with Air India Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer Campbell Wilson as its head and includes the airline’s Chief Ethics Counsellor, Chief Human Resources Officer, Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operations Officer as its members.This committee has the mandate to formalise ethics-related guidelines, approve policies and procedures related to ethics, and will be the final escalation point for the regional ethics committees. Tata Group had in September announced a comprehensive transformation plan -- Vihaan.AI -- to put the loss-making airline on the path to sustainable and profitable growth.

nities, the size, population, growing wealth, lack of other alternative infrastructure for travel.

Indian banks have already opened special vostro rupee accounts with banks of these three nations, operationalising the rupee trade arrangement.

Recently, SBI Mauritius Ltd and People’s Bank of Sri Lanka opened an SVRA with SBI. In addition, Bank of Ceylon opened an account in its Indian subsidiary in Chennai.

Union Bank of India has opened special rupee account of Ros Bank Russia while Chennai-based Indian Bank has opened such accounts of three Sri Lankan banks, including Colombo-based NDB Bank and Seylan Bank.

In all 18 such special rupee accounts have been

z Indian banks have already opened special vostro rupee accounts (SVRA) with banks of Russia, Mauritius and Sri Lanka, operationalising the rupee trade arrangement

z Recenty, SBI Mauritius Ltd and People’s Bank of Sri Lanka have opened an SVRA with State Bank of India (SBI)

opened by 11 banks, including 2 of Russia and one of Sri Lanka, following approval from the RBI. The RBI issued detailed guidelines on cross-border trade transactions in the domestic currency in July.

The FinMin asked stakeholders to explore more countries and establish this mechanism as part of its plans to expand bilateral trades through SVRAs and internationalise indigenous payment modes.

G20 Finance Track to kickstart from Tuesday

New Delhi: Power deficit, or the gap between electricity required and supplied, has fallen from 2% in April this year to 0.2% in November 2022, as per latest government data.

However, the power deficit has increased sequentially from 0.1% (124 million units) in October 2022. It stood at 0.2% (233 million units) in November 2021. The data showed that the deficit was 2,752 million units (MU) in April this year, which came down to 199 MU in November 2022.

RUSSIA REMAINS

INDIA’S TOP OIL SUPPLIER IN NOV

New Delhi: NDTV has offered billionaire Gautam Adani’s group two seats on its board of directors for the pre-open offer 29.18% shareholding the portsto-energy conglomerate had acquired in the broadcaster, according to a stock exchange filing. The Adani group acquired a 29.18% stake in NDTV by buying a company backed by the television network’s founders, Radhika Roy and Prannoy Roy. Thereafter, it made an open offer to acquire an additional 26% from public shareholders.

PAYTM CAN’T USE IPO PROCEEDS FOR BUYBACK, SAY SOURCES

New Delhi: One 97 Communications Ltd, the operator of India’s largest digital payments provider Paytm, cannot use proceeds of its mega initial public offering (IPO) for the proposed repurchase of its own shares, as rules prohibit such a move, sources said, adding the firm will use its strong liquidity for the purpose. Paytm has a liquidity of `9,182 crore, as per its last earnings report. The company’s board is scheduled to meet on December 13 to consider a share buyback proposal.

New Delhi (PTI): The sixth round of negotiations between senior officials of India and the UK for a proposed FTA will begin here on Monday with an aim to conclude the talks at the earliest, an official said.

The last round of talks was held on July 29. “The sixth round of talks are starting from December 12,” the official said.

Trade in goods, including passenger vehicles, is one of the areas under the negotiations, which started on January 13, 2022.

In a free trade agreement, two countries either significantly reduce or eliminate customs duties on the maximum number of goods traded between them. The UK side is demanding duty concessions in the automobile sector.

New Delhi (PTI): The G20 Finance Track meetings under India’s presidency will start on Tuesday and deliberate on various matters of global relevance, including infrastructure development, sustainable finance, global health, international taxation and financial sector issues.

India assumed the G20 presidency on December 1 from Indonesia. The G20 Leaders’ Summit will be held in New Delhi in September 2023.

The first G20 Finance and Central Bank Deputies (FCBD) meeting, jointly

hosted by the Finance Ministry and the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), is scheduled to be held during December 13-15 in Bengaluru.

The meeting of the G20 Finance and Central Bank Deputies will be co-chaired by Economic Affairs Secretary Ajay Seth and RBI Deputy Governor Michael D Patra, the finance ministry said in a statement.

Their counterparts from G20 member countries, and from several other nations and international organisations invited by India, will participate in the meeting.

PTI

PTI

Three IPOs to hit primary market this week

First India Bureau

New Delhi: Russia has for the second month in a row remained India’s top oil supplier in November, surpassing traditional sellers Iraq and Saudi Arabia, according to data from energy cargo tracker Vortexa. Russia, which made up for just 0.2% of all oil imported by India in the year to March 31, 2022, supplied 9,09,403 barrels per day (bpd) of crude oil to India in November. It now makes up for more than a fifth of India’s oil supplies. —PTI

New Delhi: Three companies — Sula Vineyards, Landmark Cars and Abans Holdings — are set to launch their initial public offerings (IPOs) this week to collectively raise ` 1,858 crore.

The initial share sales of wine producer Sula Vineyards and Abans Holdings, the financial services arm of Abans Group, will open for public subscription on December 12, while that of automobile dealership chain Landmark Cars will begin

on December 13, data with stock exchanges showed.

This comes after 10 companies had floated their

IPOs in the month of November. In 2022 so far, as many as 33 companies have come out with their

SULA, ABANS, LANDMARK CARS

z The initial share sales of wine producer Sula Vineyards and Abans Holdings, the financial services arm of Abans Group, will open for public subscription on December 12, while that of automobile dealership chain Landmark Cars will begin on December 13

IPOs to mop up over `55,000 crore. In 2021, 63 IPOs raised more than ` 1.19 lakh crore, as per the data.

New Delhi (PTI): The government will take all possible measures to meet the 230 gigawatt (GW) single-day peak demand expected in April 2023, according to Power Secretary Alok Kumar.

The secretary said there are two parameters on which the government will work.

Firstly, it will ensure there should be enough power generation capacity, and for that companies have been directed to carry out maintenance work of their plants so there is no issue at that time, he said.

According to Kumar, the demand in April next year could be as high as 230 GW.

As per official figures, the maximum all-India power demand met at 2:51 pm on April 26, 2022 was 201.066 GW.

Markets to track inflation, interest rate this week

New Delhi (PTI): The trading activity in the domestic equity market this week will be largely driven by a host of macroeconomic data announcements and the US Fed interest rate decision, analysts said.

Industrial Production data and retail inflation rate are scheduled to be announced on Monday. Besides, wholesale inflation data will be released on Wednesday.

“This week is going to be crucial in terms of global cues, where the US inflation numbers and the outcome of US Fed policy deci-

sion will be the most important events for the market. “On the domestic front, our industrial production and retail inflation numbers will be announced on December 12, while wholesale inflation numbers will be announced on December 14,” said Santosh Meena, Head of Research, Swastika Investmart Ltd.

‘Govt will take all measures to meet 230 GW peak demand’

From gala dinner to excursion, ASI sites to host G20 delegates

Modi govt focused on restoring India’s rich traditions for benefit of world, says EAM Jaishankar

First India Bureau

Kunal Dutt

New Delhi: From Ajanta and Ellora Caves in Maharashtra to Qutub archaeological park in Delhi, India will showcase its centuries-old architectural heritage to G20 delegates by hosting excursions and gala dinners at many of the ASI sites, starting mid-December, official sources said.

The event lined up at a centrally-protected site, immediately after the Sherpa meet in Udaipur, is a half-day excursion for delegates to Elephanta Caves in Maharashtra from December 12-15, he said.

And, tentatively, the shortlisted monuments for delegation-level visit also includes Bhoga Nandeeshwara Temple in Karnataka, and a gala dinner, the source said, adding, itinerary for the DecemberMarch period only is known so far.

The tentative itinerary for first 3 months of 2023 begins with visits to sites in Pune mid-January (January 16-17), followed by half-day visit to Sanchi Stupa in Madhya Pradesh (January 19-20), the sources said.

In Pune, delegates will see the stunning Aga Khan Palace,

Shaniwar Wada and Shivneri Fort. G20 delegates will get to see the architectural and cultural diversity of India from all corners of the country, and from January 23-24, they will immerse themselves in heritage experience in Gujarat, they said.

“Site visits in Gujarat include Rani ki Vav in Patan, Sun Temple in Modhera, Teen Darwaaza or Tripolia Gate in Ahmedabad and Adalaj Stepwell near Gandhinagar,” the source said, adding the threemonth itinerary is tentative and there could be a few changes later.

Around January 28,

The tentative itinerary for first 3 months of 2023 begins with visits to sites in Pune (Jan 16-17), followed by visit to Sanchi Stupa (Jan 19-20)

half-day visit will be organised for delegates to Charminar and Golconda Fort in Hyderabad.

From January 31-February 2, they will be hosted at the famous Shore Temple of Mamallapuram in Tamil Nadu.

In early February, halfday excursion has been planned for the delegates to Mandore Fort and Mandore Garden in Rajasthan.

From February 8-9, they will pay a visit to

the grand Taj Mahal in Agra, the official said.

“Mid-February, the cultural stage will shift to Maharashtra again, with Ajanta and Ellora Caves playing the host for G20 delegates from February 13-14. A gala dinner will be hosted in the lawns of the premises with the caves in the backdrop,” he said.

Around February 1315, many delegates will also visit Lucknow to see the famed Imam-

ASI BEGINS RESTORATION WORK OF ICONIC RUMI DARWAZA IN LUCKNOW

First India Bureau

New Delhi: The Archeological Survey of India has begun restoration work on the iconic Rumi Darwaza in Lucknow to plug cracks and strengthen the more than two-century-old Nawab-era structure.

The iconic monument located in the Hussainabad area is a symbol of Uttar Pradesh and is a part of the historical Nawab era structures, which are tourist hotspots in the state

The restoration work will take around 5 to 6

months & the movement of traffic, particularly the entry of heavy vehicles, has been banned until the complete restoration work is done.

ASI officials said besides damage to the parapets, the monument has developed cracks in

its arch and water seepage has been seen in its central portion.

“Only two-wheelers and other small vehicles are allowed via alternate routes,” said Deputy Commissioner of Police (Traffic) Rayees Akhtar.

z ASI officials say they are using the same recipe of mortar for cementing and fixing gaps in the wall that was used originally during the construction of the 18thcentury monument.

z “The ingredients of the mortar include lime, powdered black gram (urad dal), surkhi (brick powder), sand, powdered black gram (urad dal) and natural adhesives along with jaggery.

Jute fibers will also be used for bonding and strengthening,” ASI officials said.

z Even as diversions near the monuments cause traffic congestion, locals have come out in support of the move.

In March, the focus will shift to Delhi and an excursion will be hosted at Qutub archaeological park, tentatively from March 1-2, the sources said. The planned G20 meetings are to be hosted not just in big metros but even in tier-2 & tier-3 cities, and the ASI too is gearing up to put its best foot forward.

bara and the Residency.

“Later that month, an excursion for them will take place in Khajuraho in Madhya Pradesh from February 23-25, and a gala dinner has been planned there too,” the official said.

In March, the focus will shift to Delhi and an excursion will be hosted at Qutub archaeological park, tentatively from March 1-2, the sources said.

A gala dinner has also been planned at Mandu Fort in Madhya Pradesh and visits to Dholavira, and again a visit to Bhoga Nandeeshwara Temple in Karnataka, they said. —PTI

New Delhi: External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, who is in Uttar Pradesh’s Varanasi, said on Sunday that the world is evolving at a rapid pace and “India should not be overlooked despite having rich in cultural and historical heritages.

S Jaishankar while emphasising the role of temples in Indian society, said that the country has umpteen temples that are “keepers of our culture and history” and the Modi government is focused on creating, rebuilding and restoring India’s rich traditions for the benefit of the entire world.

Jaishankar also said that global rebalancing is being expressed in culture as much as in politics and economics.

He opined that a truly democratic and pluralistic world order must

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar pays obeisance

see a full expression of India’s heritage, abroad as much as at home.

Jaishankar was addressing Kashi Tamil Sangamam on the subject ‘contribution of temples in society and nation building’ being held.

MAN WANTED IN BOMBAY 1992 RIOTS CASE NABBED

Based

The accused was wanted in a case of rioting that occurred in the jurisdiction of Dindoshi police in 1992, he said.

The police had named nine accused in the first information report (FIR) registered at the time and filed a chargesheet. Two of the accused were acquitted and one had died, the official said.

The remaining six accused did not appear before the court and were declared absconding and a warrant was issued against them in 2004, he said.

@RETREAT OF BRAHMA KUMARIS

Earlier in the day, the Minister visited the family of eminent poet and freedom fighter Subramania Bharathi on his birth anniversary. The minister also tweeted photographs of his meeting.

Country’s first infantry museum to be inaugurated in Mhow

New Delhi: The country’s first infantry museum will open on December 16 and will be available to the public on December 17 in Mhow cantonment in Madhya Pradesh’s Indore district, an Army officer said.

Lieutenant Colonel Vikas Tripathi informed reporters that final preparations for the opening of the Infantry Research Centre and Museum are underway at Mhow cantonment.

BY ANI

The construction of the museum has been completed and final touches are being given to the building and the surrounding garden, said Lt Col Tripathi who is posted at the facility.

The museum will showcase Infantry Corps' history from 1747 to 2020, in which the sacrifice of valour and valiant soldiers have been preserved in statues, murals and photo galleries, he said.

The first phase of the museum has been completed already, he said.

HIGH COMMAND IN HIMACHAL

To keep Mandi Lok Sabha seat, Congress kept away Pratibha Singh from CM’s seat

First India Bureau

New Delhi: Pratibha Singh, wife of six-time chief minister, the late Virbhadra Singh, was made the state unit chief of the Congress before the assembly polls and her son, Vikramaditya Singh, was also given a ticket.

However, after the elections which the party won handsomely, the Congress did not

do what Pratibha and her followers wanted – that she be made the chief minister.

Instead, former state Congress president Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu, who won the election from Nadaun, was appointed chief minister.

Sukhu is considered a confidante of the Gandhi family, especially Rahul Gandhi.

The party, however,

did accommodate a loyalist of the Virbhadra Singh family, Mukesh Agnihotri, as the deputy chief minister.

One reason why the Congress chose Sukhu over Singh could be that she is a Member of Parliament from the Mandi Lok Sabha constituency, winning that seat in a by-election following her husband’s demise last year.

The Mandi LS seat

has often changed hands between the Congress and the BJP.

In such a scenario, the Congress high command would not have wanted another byelection to this seat so soon.

If Congress had backed Pratibha’s candidature as the CM, it would had to face another by-election to the Mandi LS seat within a short period of time.

WINNABILITY IN DOUBT

Despite a strong sympathy wave following “Raja Sahab” Virbhadra’s demise, Pratibha only managed to win by a small margin of 8,766 votes in 2021. In 2014, Ram Swaroop Sharma of the BJP had defeated Pratibha by 39,856 votes. In 2019, Sharma had retained the seat, this time by defeating Aashray Sharma of the Congress by over four lakh votes. The saffron party had swept all 4 Lok Sabha seats in Himachal Pradesh – Mandi, Kangra, Hamirpur and Shimla (SC) – in both the 2014 and 2019 elections. In this election, in 17 assembly seats falling in Mandi LS constituency, the BJP won 12 while the Congress bagged only 5.

India to showcase its centuries-old architectural heritage starting mid-December

Himachal Pradesh Congress chief Pratibha Singh, party leader Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu after the Congress Legislature Party meeting, at the party office, in Shimla on Friday.  —PHOTO BY ANI

Union Sports Minister Anurag Thakur is welcomed during the 21st Foundation Day function of Om Shanti Retreat Center (ORC) of Brahma Kumaris, at Manesar in Gurugram on Sunday.

to Adi Shankaracharya at Kashi Viswanath in Varanasi on Sunday. (R) Jaishankar meets KV Krishnan, grandnephew of Tamil poet Mahakavi Subramania Bharathi in Varanasi on Sunday.

—PHOTOS BY PTI

SAME MORTAR

Mumbai (PTI): The Mumbai police have arrested a 47-year-old man wanted in connection with a riot case of 1992, an official said on Sunday.

on technical inputs, the police laid a trap and apprehended the accused from Dindoshi bus depot in the western suburb of Malad on Friday, the official said.

First India Bureau

Shore temple

Rani ki Vav

Ajanta caves

Qutub Minar

IS DISHA DATING ALEKSANDAR ALEX ILIC?

GAME OF ELEGANCE & STYLE!

Deeply embedded in the fabric of the Sun City, the magnificent ground titled the Maharaja Gaj Singh Sports Foundation Polo Ground witnessed the polo match, ‘’Mathuradas Mathur Exhibition Polo Cup’ on Sunday. The momentous match ushered in the prestigious 23rd Jodhpur Polo Season.

Maharaja Gaj Singh of the erstwhile royal family of Jodhpur graced the occasion as the Chief

hand, Dhruvpal Godara, Dhananjay Singh, Savir Godara and Shamshir Ali entered the fray from Team Suhana.

The match was organised by Vishaal Mathur, Grandson of the Late Mathuradas Mathur, Jodhpur. The match was witnessed

is noteworthy to mention that, the team of the national news channel Bharat 24 has

a polo match for the first time and with this the excite-

people witnessed this match on their television. Bharat 24 and First India aim to capture the news of every field including politics, social, entertainment and sports for its audience. The match was won by Bharat 24, where the team scored 9 goals against the Suhana team which set-

My congratulations to Team Bharat24 for winning the Exhibition Match at the Mathuradas Mathur Memorial Polo Cup on Sunday at Jodhpur. Best wishes to Team Suhana also played extremely well, resulting in an interesting match. We are committed to the promotion of sports at all levels and encouraging one and all to a fit and healthy lifestyle. My compliments to Vishaal Mathur for this initiative as part of the Jodhpur Polo Season 2022.

JAGDEESH CHANDRA,

CEO & Editor in Chief- Bharat24 and First India.

CMD- First India News

MATHURADAS MATHUR EXHIBITION POLO CUP WAS PLAYED AT THE MAHARAJA GAJ SINGH SPORTS FOUNDATION POLO GROUND JODHPUR ON SUNDAY, DECEMBER 11, WHERE TEAM BHARAT 24 EMERGED AS THE WINNERS. CITY FIRST BRINGS TO YOU GLIMPSES OF THE BREATHTAKING MATCH!

by Page 3 personalities including the Brand Ambassador of this exhibition match Rishee Miglani, members of royal families etc. It

entered

KAVITA CHAUHAN cityfirst@firstindia.co.in

—DR

Ritu Kuchal, Mandakini and Aaradhana

Vishaal, Angelene and Praveen

Gaj Singh, Vishaal Mathur, Rishee Miglani, Kavita Chauhan and Team of Bharat24 namely Bhanwar

Nikhlendra Singh, Jaisal Singh, Bhawani Singh Kalvi, Slyster Donavan and Jangjeet with winning trophy

The gorgeous spectators during the match

—PHOTOS BY SUNIL SHARMA

Kashiff Khan and Rukmani Singh

Gaj Singh and Vishaal Mathur

OUR HAPPINESS: HEALTHY SOUL IN A HEALTHY BODY!

The rational and philosophical views of religions prescribe. certain directions for keeping the soul fit and healthy. That is why there is a popular saying “A sound mind in a sound body! This denotes that a wise man always cares for the body as well as the soul to keep them happy and healthy. The standard directions in both cases are not contradictory but complementary to each other.”

We start our discussion by quoting the great Ancient Philosopher PLATO“If the head and the body are to be well, you must begin by curing the soul.” On the other hand, Lord Ma haveera stressed the same by saying - “The body is the boat and the soul is the sailor and the worldly ex istence is the Ocean.”

We as ordinary human beings care for the health of our bodies alone. But as a man, we are not bodies alone. We have embodied souls. This stresses that the health of the soul is no less important than that of the body. From one anoth er angle - we see that on a man’s death the embodied soul leaves the body and the body is disposed of or consigned to fire or to earth as per the practice of that community.

The general belief is that the soul travels to an other body giving birth to someone. This soul goes with good & bad deeds as the case may be. The Jain philosophy believes that the soul passes into anoth er body as per its noble or wrong deeds called Pap and Punya.

Here we may stress upon the health of the Soul which is eternal by nature and never dies be more im portant than that of the health of the body which is ultimately perishable after death. Present days medi cal science prescribes a number of directions for the health and betterment of our body and is more or less silent regarding the health of the soul. The

rational and philosophical views of religions prescribe certain directions for keeping the soul fit and healthy. That is why there is a popular saying “A sound mind in a sound body”. This denotes that a wise man always cares for the body as well as the soul to keep them happy and healthy. The standard directions in both cases are not contradictory but complementary to each other.

HOW TO MAINTAIN THE HEALTH OF THE SOUL?

There are a number of philosophies given by dif-

the earth moves around the sun. In modern economics ‘Artha’ has become a symbol of a good, happy and prosperous life. This has developed two distinct sections in our society -(i) of Haves & (il) of Havenots. This imbalance has resulted in negatively affecting mental peace, mutual cooperation, oneness and social equality etc.

This sort of ill consequence is being called ‘Capitalism’ which is the main cause of disturbed happiness of our soul, mind & body. Lord Mahaveera provides us with a

etc. are the results of this inner frustration.

Again Lord Mahaveera propounded -”Live and Let Live.” Every human being should learn to live in peace and must not disturb the peace of others by his own direct or indirect behaviour. Lord Mahaveera was in favour of an equitable social order free from exploitation. Exploitation is no less than violence. We the so-called learned people must learn to be the master of our life events and not their slaves. Here are the following

lines of renowned Hindi poet Jaishankar Prasad from his famous book Kamavani be our guide -Lord Mahaveera’s belowmentioned sermons are of utmost importance:-

The noble and enlightened soul feels no terror even at the time of death.

Truth is the only eternal reality; it is as high as Everest & as deep as the ocean.

Be always friendly & helpful to all living beings. One who succeeds in conquering his soul conquers all.

A pious soul always expe-

YOUR DAY

ARIES

MAR 21 - APR 20

Driving down with lover to a happening place is indicated today. A vacation you only dreamed about is likely to become a reality soon . Healthy eating will help prevent digestive ailments. Money will be no constraint in buying what you like.

LEO

JULY 24 - AUGUST 23

Wrong decisions may prove heavy on your finances. A family youngster may become a pillar of strength for you. Chance of going on a vacation with family is indicated and will be lots of fun.A most wonderful time can be expected in the company of lover.

SAGITTARIUS

NOV 23 - DEC 22

Your stars favour a bright beautiful day . A setback you have recently experienced can make you come out stronger. Tax advisor will be a big help in saving taxes, so don’t hesitate to contact one.It is difficult for the relationship of friends turned lovers to fall apart, so relax.

TAURUS

GEMINI

MAY 21 - JUNE 21

Try what you may, making your mark in a totally different field will be difficult. Some of you will fight an infection successfully. Helpful nature of a relative is likely to ease your job. Some of you may undertake an overseas journey. Good returns are foreseen from a rented property.

LIBRA

SEPT 24 - OCTOBER 22

You are likely to find the day most auspicious. Your knowledge about your line of work will be roundly appreciated and get you the thumbs up from higher ups. Friends and family may get together to give you a surprise. Business travel may leave little time for romance.

CAPRICORN

AQUARIUS

JAN 21 - FEB 19

Keep on doing whatever you are doing to remain healthy.

Some of you will have to curb your splurging ways. Family life will cruise along smoothly with much love and bonhomie. Don’t speed up on the road. Chance of moving to a new location on transfer is likely for some.

CANCER

JUNE

SCORPIO

OCT

PISCES

FEB20

Horoscope by Saurabbh Sachdeva

DR IM KHICHA cityfirst@firstindia.co.in

A resident of Beawar the author after retiring (A from the education department of Rajasthan has been engaged in spreading positivity in society through his writings.

TAYLOR TO DIRECT A FEATURE FILM

Taylor Swift left everyone impressed after directing the All Too Well short film set to her 10-minute track by the same name from her album, Red (Taylor's Version). The short film starring Sadie Sink and Dylan O'Brien won several awards in the long-form video category and following the success of the

same, Swift is now eyeing to take on the task of directing a fullfledged feature film.

Taylor Swift will be making her feature directorial debut with Searchlight Pictures. The singer has written an original script, which will be produced by a studio that has previously backed Oscarwinning projects. Details about the plot and casting of the film are

dents David Greenbaum and Matthew Greenfield spoke in a recent interview about col laborating with Taylor and said, "Taylor is a once-in-ageneration artist. It is a genu ine joy and privilege to col laborate with her as she embarks on this exciting and new creative

SHEHNAAZ dances with Salman

in Salman Khan starrer Kisi Ka Bhai Kisi Ki Jaan which is slated to hit the theatres next year. In a recent development, Shehnaaz grabbed headlines after she starred in the song ‘Ghani Sayani’

end Ka Vaar episode is going viral on social media at the moment. In larly known as ‘Punjab Ki Katrina side megastar Salman Khan on the song Dil Diyan Gallan. Later, she can be seen giving him a warm hug on stage and calling him

On the work front, Shehnaaz is nowadays hosting Desi Vibes With Shehnaaz Gill— a chat show hosted

‘Sunday mornings’

Alia Bhatt is undoubtedly one of the most talent ed actresses we have in Bollywood. Cur rently, the actress is enjoying the role of a new mom after she welcomed a baby girl on November 6, 2022, with her hus band-actor Ranbir Kapoor. They named her Raha. Ever since Alia has been enjoying her mater nity break and the actress often treats fans with a glimpse on her social media handle. Just a while back, the Gangubai Kathiawadi actress took to her Insta gram handle and

Singer Becky G gets engaged!

Singer

Becky G took to Instagram and shared an update about a new chapter of her life. She announced her engagement with her Sebastian Lletget on Friday, December 9. She posted some dreamy pictures from their proposal destination. The couple was seen twinning in black leather jackets in the clicks.

Becky G took to Instagram and shared a joint post with beau Sebastian Lletget to confirm their engagement news. The singer shared three pictures and captioned, “Our spot forever.” In the first picture it can be seen Sebastian Lletget down on one knee and proposing, the second click sees both of them hugging each other tightly and in the last one, Becky G is flaunting her beautiful oval-shaped diamond ring with a big smile.

Disha Patani

Shehnaaz Gill

Shehnaaz and Salman during the show

Becky G

Taylor Swift

Alia Bhatt

Her post...

CITY FIRST

‘ IT GOES ON ’ A

HOPE FOR MEN

solo exhibition of still and kinetic

sculptures titled ‘It Goes

On,' by Sunil Gawde was organised on Friday, December 9 at Gallery Espace, New Delhi.

This is Gawde’s first solo exhibition in India after a gap of 17 years.

The exhibition is an evolution of the ‘inner dimension-outer dimension’, a body of works that Gawde first unveiled in Taipei in 2016, and which later travelled to Paris, New York and Dubai. ‘It Goes On…’ presents some works from that series (never exhibited in India), adding three new, large sculptures.

Speaking about his practice and the recent show, Gawde expressed, “My art practice springs from a premise of duality, perceptions dichotomies in my life and the life around me. My reactions and observations sometimes with a sense of amusement are the starting points in approaching my creative process. The concept of time, or what we perceive, as time, fascinates me. My ideas can come from anywhere –my surroundings, experiences, distant memories, influences and readings or the imaginary bubble in my mind and they get ingrained in my subconscious. Quirk, humour, and dark comedy, which indicate the fragility of human life, become aspirational and appear/exist without inviting it. While transforming mundane objects into thought-provoking artwork I use deception or tricks of the mind sometimes….What I see with my eyes closed, I would like my

viewers to see and experience with their eyes open.”

Speaking on the upcoming show, Renu Modi, founder-director of Gallery Espace, says, “I am very happy to be showing Sunil Gawde, one of our most significant contemporary sculptors. Sunil’s practice, the way he uses contemporary industrial material and innovative technology to communicate profound philosophical and spiritual ideas has always resonated with me.”

Shen Bo-cheng, the Taiwan-based art historian and critic, had expressed a similar reading of Gawde’s art practice in an essay written alongside the 2016's exhibition.

Sunil Gawde trained as a painter but his practice has evolved in later decades to include sculptures and kinetic installations which animate the dichotomy between reality and perception, between what is and what seems, playing up the absurd and paradoxical in nature and life.

Gawde’s has shown at galleries, museums, fairs and biennales across the world. At the 53rd Venice Biennale in 2009, ‘Alliteration’, a two-ton kinetic piece, was included in ‘Making Worlds’, an exhibition curated by Daniel Birnbaum.

Kamal

13th Trifec-

-

the

Spartan year comes to an end at the Spartan world championships in Abu Dhabi it has been the most interesting, colourful and memorable journey. Covering over 13 countries this past year. Being able to represent India has been an honour and I am so proud to be Indian and British. To be

able to achieve what I have I hope this will inspire other women to take part in events.

I learned so much about myself and from others. I'm looking forward to continuing my journey with Spartan and getting back out in the mountains for the next challenge that's in the pipeline I hope.”

Men’s Rights Movement of India organised the most awaited Hope4Men Legal Awareness Seminar on Sunday, December 9 at Gandhi Peace Foundation, New Delhi. Save Family Foundation (SFF) and Men Welfare Trust (MWT) join hands for this SIF Seminar. Hope4Men is the name, recons the Seminar which Men and Families look forward to every year. This series of Legal Awareness Seminars were started in 2014 in Indore, Madhya Pradesh and it has been growing since then.

Hope4Men Seminar just not opens the eyes of all the attendees to the harsh realities of the Atrocities of men and the blatant ignoring that the Male Gender suffers from Authorities and Media, but it also helps them. More than 200 people attended the seminar.

This year, the Hope4Men seminar flashes uniqueness as Firstly,

Men Welfare Trust along with Hridaya (Kolkata) got a split verdict from the Delhi High Court in the Marital Rape PIL. It is pertinent to note that this unique feat was achieved when the Central and State Governments withdrew their respective stands from the High Court. Thus, the whole Legal Battle was between the huge feminist might vs MWT & Hri-

daya. MWT was covered by the online platform “JoshTalks”, resulting in more than 3 million views in less than 13 days. None of the male victim’s stories has ever reached so many lives. This also resulted in another spike in the help line calls which grew almost four times our daily average number of calls that the helpline receives daily.

GRANDMA’S ‘SECRET’ PARSI SPICE MIXES

CITY FIRST

Shelley Subawalla in Delhi is taking generations of Parsi family masalas and chutney recipes to the world through 'Zarin's Secrets' - named after her grandmother.

When Shelley first got married, she didn’t know how to cook. She’d call her grandmother every day to take instructions on the dish she was going to be making that day. Eventually, this led to Zarin sharing her recipes for spice mixes with her granddaughter. “

in an attempt to preserve the community, Shelley launched Zarin’s Secrets, lovingly named after her grandmother, in 2015. She sells around 25 authentic Parsi spice mixes made from her grandmother’s repository of recipes along with contributions by other

community members who wish to keep their family legacies alive.

Most of her marketing and selling take place through social media, mainly Facebook and Instagram, and word-of-mouth.

Alongside Zarin’s Secrets, she also runs Frenny by Zarin’s Secrets, which she began during the COVID-19 lockdown.

Under Frenny, named after her mother, she sells spices as well but includes mixes from all over India.

On her journey as a woman entrepreneur, she says, “When I had just started the venture, sourcing raw material was hard, because

many vendors didn’t know how to listen to a woman. I’d often have to make my husband speak to them instead. Of course, things have changed over the years, and now I can handle things on my own,”

From four products, Shelley now sells over 60 types of masalas and other food items in a mammoth mission to share her beloved heritage with people all over the world.

EXTRAVAGANCE IN THE CAPITAL

CITY FIRST

Delhi is a city that combines heritage, culture, and modernity.

Its rich history and legacy are a result of having been governed first by the Mughals and subsequently by the British. The five-star luxury hotels that can be found in Delhi exhibit the same grandeur. Everything about Delhi's luxury hotels is grand, from their expansive, fashionable lawns and large swimming pools to their spas, where you may have the greatest restorative treatments available.

HYATT REGENCY

Unquestionably one of the greatest luxury hotels in Delhi, the Hyatt Regency is a sizable luxury hotel located in South Delhi, near the airport and the city's key attractions. The hotel's 507 bedrooms and suites include beautiful marble bathrooms with separate walk-in showers and soaking tubs, making them cosy and contemporary.

TAJ PALACE

The renowned Taj Palace, New Delhi, which has been consistently rated as one of the world’s top hotels for almost 40 years, is situated in the heart of the historic Indian capital city. Taj Palace, one of Delhi’s top five-star hotels, is encircled by six acres of lush grounds and is renowned for its unmatched service and enduring luxury.

IMPERIAL HOTEL

Delhi’s first magnificent hotel, The Imperial Hotel, debuted in 1936. The Imperial Hotel is without a doubt one of the best locations to stay in Delhi

The Imperial, a seven-acre property in the centre of Delhi, offers a true refuge with a palm-lined entryway and a large pool after a day of traversing the congested streets.

LEELA PALACE

The Leela Palace, one of Delhi’s finest luxury hotels, offers luxurious amenities that have helped it become Asia’s second-best city hotel. This magnificent, modern castle perfectly captures the rich heritage of the city in every aspect—from design and decoration to gastronomy and hospitality.

CITY FIRST

Motivational Speaker, Life Coach and Mountaineer Kamal Kaur represented the country at the Spartan World Championship in Abu Dhabi on November 7, 2022.

has already gained her

ta at the Spartan Tri

fecta World Championships, held at Sparta Greece, the Mecca of

Spartan. On the occasion, Kam Kaur said “As

—PHOTOS BY SHAZID CHAUHAN

Manjunath Kamath and wife Suryaa with Ina Puri and Sunil Gawde

Ina Puri

Ashok Ahuja, GR Iranna and Veer Munshi

Amitava Das and Mona Rai

Shobha Broota

Shushma Bhalla Prayag Shukla

Vibha Galhotra

Nuzhat Kazmi

Samit Das and Mithu Sen Anandamoy Banerjee Renu Modi and Uma Nair

Glimpse of the event

Kamal Kaur

Shelley Subawalla

—PHOTOS BY SHAZID CHAUHAN