First India-Mumbai Edition-13th February 2023

Koshyari out, Bais gets Maha Raj Bhawan!

Kartikey Dev Singh

Mumbai: After much tussle over the past few months, on Sunday, Maharashtra Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari finally left the Raj Bhawan. A Rashtrapati Bhavan spokesperson on Sunday said President Droupadi Murmu has accepted the resignation of Koshyari.

WHO IS RAMESH BAIS?

z Ramesh Bais is the 23rd Governor of Maharashtra.

z He previously held the positions of Gov of Jharkhand from 2021 to 2023 and Governor of Tripura from 2019 to 2021.

z He is a member of BJP and has served as a Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Environment and Forests in the government of Atal Bihari Vajpayee.

z He has been elected seven times to the Lok Sabha, representing the Raipur constituency.

z He was born on 2 August 1947 in Raipur, MP and completed his Higher Secondary education at B.S.E., Bhopal.

z He was first elected to the Municipal Corporation of Raipur in 1978 and won the 1980 MP Assembly election from Mandir Hasod Constituency.

z He was elected for the first time to the Indian parliament as a member of the 9th Lok Sabha from Raipur in 1989 and was reelected consecutively from 1996 to the 11th, 12th, 13th, 14th,15th and 16th Lok Sabha.

In his place, Ramesh Bais, who was the governor of Jharkhand, has been appointed governor of Maharashtra.

Koshyari, who has been in the line of opposition fire over his remarks on Chhatrapati Shivaji, said last month that he had conveyed his desire to quit to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and

that he would like to spend the remainder of his life reading, writing and in other activities.

Koshyari, 80, took charge as Maharashtra governor in September 2019 at the time of a political turmoil in the state following Shiv Sena severing its ties with the BJP.

He had administered the oath of office

Opposition parties welcome Koshyari's exit as governor

First India Bureau Mumbai: The Nationalist Congress Party, Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) and the Congress on Sunday welcomed the exit of Bhagat Singh Koshyari from the post of Maharashtra governor, with NCP chief Sharad Pawar saying the state is now relieved, but the decision to replace him should have been taken much earlier by the Centre.

Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut also expressed similar views, while Maharashtra Congress chief Nana Patole said the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party will learn how costly this (decision to replace Koshyari after much delay) would prove for it in the forthcoming elections.

Reacting to the government’s decision to replace Koshyari, NCP chief Pawar said, “Maharashtra is relieved now. It is a very good decision, but should have taken much earlier. The state in its history has never seen such a person on this post. I am content with the Union government’s decision.”

Maharashtra Congress president Patole claimed the Raj Bhavan of Maharashtra had become the “BJP Bhavan”.

“I was consistently making the point that he should be removed, but he resigned and his resignation was accepted. It is in a way showing respect to him, and now the BJP will learn how costly it would be for them in the coming elections. People will take

the revenge for such acts (for the late decision to replace him),” Patole further claimed.

Shiv Sena (UBT) chief spokesperson Sanjay Raut said Koshyari’s resignation was accepted as a part of the Union government’s routine changes in several states.

“The Union government waited for his tenure to get completed and then made the changes showing it as a routine change. I do not consider it as some special favour being shown to Maharashtra. Going by his controversial comments on Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and Savitribai Phule, he should have been removed from the post much earlier,” the Rajya Sabha member told reporters.

The Union government waited for his tenure to get completed and then made the changes showing it as a routine change. I do not consider it as some special favour being shown to Maharashtra. Going by his controversial comments on Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and Savitribai Phule, he should have been removed from the post much earlier.

—Sanjay Raut, Shiv Sena MP

to Devendra Fadnavis as the chief minister and NCP leader Ajit Pawar as the deputy chief minster in a shock early morning ceremony, but that government lasted only three days.

When the Uddhav Thakeray-led Maha Vikas Aghadi was in power, he had several run-ins with the government on a range of

issues, including the appointment of 12 members to the state legislative council from the gubernatorial quota, which he never approved. The MVA had accused him of acting in a partisan manner.

The latest controversy surrounding Koshyari was about his remarks on Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj,

Maharashtra is relieved now. It is a very good decision, but should have taken much earlier. The state in its history has never seen such a person on this post. I am content with the Union government's decision. —Sharad Pawar, NCP Chief I was consistently making the point that he should be removed, but he resigned and his resignation was accepted. It is in a way showing respect to him, and now the BJP will learn how costly it would be for them in the coming elections. People will take the revenge for such acts (for the late decision to replace him).

— Nana Patole, Maha Congress Chief Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj’s coronation was performed by a priest from north India, and today the person who insulted Shivaji Maharaj has been sent back.

— Uddhav Thackeray, former CM

Big win for Maharashtra! The resignation of anti Maharashtra Gov has finally been accepted. He, who constantly insulted Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, Mahatma Jyotiba Pule and Savitri bai Phule, our Constitution, Assembly & democratic ideals, cannot be accepted as a Governor.

—Aaditya Thackeray, Shiv Sena (Thackeray) leader

BJP ON E-WAY TO 2024!

z PM Modi sounds poll bugle in Rajasthan as he unveils Ist leg of Delhi-Mumbai Expressway in Dausa

Aishwary Pradhan, Sikha Sharma & Laxmikant Sharma

Dausa: Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated a 246-km section of Delhi-Mumbai Expressway in Dausa on Sunday. PM pressed a remote button to mark foundation laying and inauguration of a total 4 projects, including the 1st phase of Delhi-Mumbai E-way, worth over ` 18,000 crore. “Investment on infrastructure attracts more investment. Cong govt was afraid of building roads in border areas of India,” he said.

z The expressway will benefit the Sariska, Keoladeo and Ranthambore National Park, stresses PM Modi

PROVISION OF `10L CRORE FOR INFRA IN RAJASTHAN: MODI

PM Modi said in this budget, his govt has made a provision of `10 lakh crore for infrastructure. He said, a huge benefit of this investment is going to be given to Raj, its villages, poor and middle class families. When govt invests on the NH, railway, port, airport.

GADKARI: WILL TRY TO MAKE OUR NHs AT PAR WITH U.S.

whom he de scribed as the “icon of olden times”. The remarks triggered protests from the opposition parties, who de manded that he be sacked.

4 BJP leaders, former SC judge among 6 new Guvs President

Droupadi Murmu appoints 6 new Governors, reshuffles 7 others

First India Bureau

New Delhi: The government on Sunday appointed 6 new faces as governors, including retired Supreme Court judge S Abdul Nazeer, who was part of the historic 2019 Ayodhya verdict, and four BJP lead-

ers, besides carrying out a rejig of the gubernatorial posts in the 7 States.

President Droupadi Murmu has accepted the resignations of Bhagat Singh Koshyari and RK Mathur as the governor of Maha and the lieutenant governor of Ladakh respectively.

THE NEW GOVERNORS ARE...

ARUNACHAL Lt General Kaiwalya T Parnaik

SIKKIM Lakshman Prasad Acharya

HIMACHAL Shiv Pratap Shukla

ASSAM Gulab Chand Kataria

ANDHRA Justice (Retd) S Abdul Nazeer

z LADAKH: Brig Dr BD Mishra (Retd)

z MAHARASHTRA: Ramesh Bias

z CHHATTISGARH: Biswa

Bhusan Harichandan

z MANIPUR: Sushri

Rajasthan is already known for its tourism sector and the attraction will increase further with the new infrastructure project. —Narendra Modi, Prime Minister

Union Road and Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari on Sunday said the government is making every effort to take the road infrastructure of the country to a level at par with America by the end of 2024. “We will try to make India’s highways at par with America’s.

JHARKHAND CP Radha Krishnan

Anusuiya Uikye

z NAGALAND: La Ganesan

z MEGHALAYA: Phagu Chauhan

z BIHAR: Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar

PM MODI IN RAJ

PM Narendra Modi, Nitin Gadkari, GS Shekhawat, Kailash Choudhary, Arun Singh, Vasundhara Raje, Satish Poonia, Rajendra Rathore, Dr Kirodi Lal Meena and others greet people during inauguration of the Delhi–Dausa–Lalsot section of Delhi-Mumbai Expressway, in Dausa on Sunday. —PHOTO BY

SANTOSH SHARMA

CM Gehlot urges PM Modi to declare ERCP as a nat’l project

Construction of the 54,000 km of roads in the State in four years, 46,000 km in progress: CM Gehlot

Naresh Sharma

Jaipur: Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot on Sunday reiterated his stand to declare the Eastern Rajasthan Canal Project (ERCP) as a national project. Gehlot said that availability of drinking water and water for irrigation in 13 districts of Rajasthan is very important.

Gehlot was addressing the ceremony of inauguration of DelhiMumbai E-way & work of 4 NHs. He skipped the event and addressed

Governor Kalraj Mishra and CM Ashok Gehlot met PM Narendra Modi before his departure at the Jaipur airport on Sunday.

the gathering through VC from the CMR. Gehlot termed connecting the DelhiMumbai expressway with Jaipur as useful. He said that along with the construction of new roads in the state, strengthening works are being done by the state govt.

Earlier, CM Gehlot paid a courtesy visit to PM Modi at airport and he informed about situation in State. As a courtesy, PM Modi also warmly met CM Gehlot and inquired about his wellbeing. It was speculated that CM Gehlot would not meet PM Modi but after meeting on Sunday, all such speculations ended.

Vasundhara Raje, Nitin Gadkari, Gajendra Singh Shekhawat and others greet PM Narendra Modi as he goes to address audience.

Truth shall prevail: Sanjay Raut on pleas in Apex Court

@rautsanjay61

Fadnavis

First India Bureau

Mumbai: Shiv SenaUddhav Balasaheb

Thackeray leader Sanjay Raut on Sunday

slammed Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis saying that “truth will prevail”.

Raut’s response comes a day after Fadnavis on Saturday said the ruling Eknath Shinde-BJP coalition in Maharashtra is a legitimate government. The Supreme Court will rule in their favour, he had added, in reference to a disqualification plea filed by the Sena (UBT) faction against MLAs of the Eknath Shinde-led group.

On Sunday, Raut in a tweet said, “Neither

Hon’ble Supreme Court nor Election Commission pay heed to what NON-ENTITIES say.

Truth shall prevail.”

He also tweeted:

“Who is Devendra Fadnavis to claim that Hon’ble SC will pronounce in their favour? & Narayan Rane announces that EC will give the Shiv Sena Symbol to Shinde?”

In the 2019 state Assembly polls, the BJP emerged as the single largest party by win -

ning 105 seats in the 288-member House.

The BJP’s then ally Shiv Sena (undivided) had won 56 seats, but the saffron allies fell out over the post of the chief minister. Fadnavis on Saturday had refuted the criticism that the state government was illegal and that many members (of Balasahebanchi Shiv Sena led by Chief Minister Eknath Shinde) will be disqualified (by the

3 Maharashtra-cadre IPS officers promoted to DGP

apex court).

“What we have done was legal, as per the Constitutional norms and the law was properly studied, and therefore, the result will be in our favour,” the BJP leader said, after Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena faction predicted the collapse of the state government which came to power in June after Shinde pulled down the tripartite Maha Vikas Aghadi government.

CM meets BJP MP Bapat; says Pune bypoll in the bag

Neither Hon’ble Supreme Court nor Election Commission pay heed to what NONENTITIES say. Truth shall prevail…. Who is Devendra Fadnavis to claim that Hon’ble SC will pronounce in their favour? & Narayan Rane announces that EC will give the Shiv Sena Symbol to Shinde?

“This message is being spread so that the remaining 10-15 MLAs (in the Thackeray-led Shiv Sena camp) don’t defect. Whatever we have done is as per the rules and adhering to the Constitution,” he added.

The Supreme Court last month said that it will commence hearing on February 14 on pleas related to the Maharashtra political crisis triggered by the Shiv Sena’s division.

Should be named Vande Mataram bullet train: Kelkar

First India Bureau Pune: Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, who met ailing Bharatiya Janata Party MP Girish Bapat recently in Pune has said that the parliamentarian assured him that the ruling alliance in the state will win the upcoming bypolls to two Assembly seats in Pune. Shinde, who was in Pimpri-Chinchwad town here on Saturday, went to meet Bapat, the Lok Sabha member from Pune, and enquired about his health. After the meeting, the CM said, “Girish Bapat is an old friend. I went to his place just to enquire about his health. I am sure he will be back in the next few days. He also assured me that we will win the bypolls in both the constituencies.”

The by-elections to Pune’s Chinchwad and Kasba Peth constituencies, scheduled for February 26, have been ne-

For the love of millets: Team makes 4K kg ‘bhagar’

cessitated due to the death of sitting BJP MLAs Laxman Jagtap and Mukta Tilak.

The Shinde-led Shiv Sena faction and the BJP came to power in the state in June last year after the collapse of the Maha Vikas Aghadi (comprising the Uddhav Thackerayled Shiv Sena, NCP and Congress) government.

The BJP has fielded its candidates in both the Assembly seats in Pune where the by-

The bypolls to Chinchwad and Kasba Peth constituencies, scheduled for February 26, have been necessitated due to the death of sitting BJP MLAs Laxman Jagtap and Mukta Tilak

polls are to be held later this month. The opposition Congress has fielded its candidate from Kasba Peth and the NCP from Chinchwad, despite CM Shinde’s appeal for an unopposed contest to honour the political tradition in the state to ensure unopposed bypolls to seats falling vacant due to the death of sitting lawmakers.

Chalisa’ protest outside Dy CM’s office today

First India Bureau

Mumbai: Three IPS officers of the 1998 and 1999 batches of the Maharashtra cadre--Rashmi Shukla, Atulchandra Kulkarni and Sadanand Date--have been promoted to the post of Director-General of Police (DGP).

The Appointments Committee of Cabinet (ACC) announced the new appointments after it approved the empanelling of 20 IPS officers from across the country on Friday.

Date, who now takes charge as Joint CP Law and Order and Joint CP Crime, has served on deputation as Additional director general of police (ADG), Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), for three years. Most recently, he was the Maharashtra ATS Chief, prior to which he was the Police Commissioner of Mira Bhayandar Vasai Virar.

Kulkarni, who is currently posted in the National Investigation Agency, has served in the Intelligence Bureau.

Uddhav Thackeray attempts to reach key vote bank in poll-bound Mumbai

Mumbai (PTI): Shiv

Sena president Uddhav Thackeray on Sunday said his party doesn’t discriminate between Marathi-speaking people and north Indians settled in Mumbai, remarks viewed as an outreach to the key vote bank ahead of the crucial city civic polls.

Addressing a gather-

ing of north Indians, the former chief minister called for unity and said Hindutva doesn’t mean spreading hate and dividing people.

“I fell out with BJP but I never abandoned Hindutva. The BJP is not Hindutva. Uttar Bharatiyas want answers on what Hindutva is. Hating each other is not Hindutva. We don’t discriminate between Marathispeaking and north Indian people residing in Mumbai,” Thackeray said, appealing to people to bury old hatchets.

Significantly, the Shiv Sena has always projected itself as the

He has also held the command of Joint CP in the Crime Branch of Mumbai Police and later served as the chief of the Maharashtra AntiTerrorist Squad. He has also previously served as the chief of Maharashtra Crime Investigation Department.

Shukla was the Police Commissioner of Pune from March 2016 to July 2018 and is currently posted in Hyderabad as ADG - CRPF, on deputation. She has been accused of tapping the phones of politicians.

APPEAL FOR UNITY

Thane (PTI): Sanjay Kelkar, MLA from Maharashtra BJP said that the Mumbai Ahmedabad high-speed rail corridor, popularly known as the bullet train project, must be given the name ‘Vande Mataram’. It should be called the ‘Vande Mataram’ bullet train, Kelkar, the Thane MLA told reporters. He said he would discuss this request with the central government shortly as it would foster “patriotism and fondness for the nation among citizens”. On February 14, Union Minister Anurag

Thakur visited Thane district as part of the BJP’s campaign for 2024 LS polls. Kelkar, who is the Kalyan LS seat, mentioned that several meetings will be conducted. Thakur will meet party cadre and several segments of society during his one-day visit to boost the BJP’s chances. Kalyan LS seat is represented by Shrikant Shinde, who is the son of Maharashtra CM Shinde. Shinde’s Balasahebanchi Shiv Sena and the BJP have been part of state’s ruling alliance since June last year.

between

I come here to open your eyes and not provoke you. Shiv Sena never discriminates among people while helping them when it comes to blood donation or taking patients to hospitals in their ambulances. If we are together for five years why should we be separate during elections?

—Uddhav Thackeray, Former CM

sole guardian of the sons-of-the-soil and has led violent agitations against north Indians in the past.

Thackeray said he walked out of the alliance with BJP to protect his dignity and joined hands with the NCP and

Congress to form the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) after the 2019 Assembly polls.

“Otherwise I would have been a slave with a collar around my neck just like some of my people have now become,” he said in an apparent reference to the rebel Shiv Sena MLAs who have moved to the Balasahebanchi Shiv Sena faction led by Chief Minister Eknath Shinde.

Thackeray accused the BJP of creating a rift among Hindus, adding that everyone should come together to protect the freedom achieved from the British.

First India Bureau Nashik: As much as 4,000kg of local savoury favourite ‘bhagar’ was prepared on Sunday in Nashik in Maharashtra in honour of the United Nations declaring 2023 as the International Year of Millets on a proposal by India.

Chef Vishnu Manohar said a team of 16 cooks used 400kg of barnyard millet, 250kg potatoes, 37kg salt, 125kg oil, 2,700 litres of water, 400kg curd, 100 litres of milk, 100kg peanuts and 12kg cumin seeds to prepare the dish in a pan that weighed 1.5 tonnes. The three ladles used to mix the dish weighed 22kg each, he explained. The food was given to various NGOs involved in welfare of the poor as well as medical colleges and other such units.

Nagpur (PTI): Members of women SelfHelp Groups (SHGs) will chant the Hanuman Chalisa in front of the office of Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis in Nagpur city on Monday to draw his attention to their demands.

On Sunday, the police in the city increased safety measures at the office of Deputy Chief Minister Fadnavis, who is the representative of the Nagpur south-west Assembly constituency, due to the demonstration that had been called for that day.

Members of women SHGs have been staging protests in Nagpur city, the hometown of Fadnavis, for a week demanding the release of the honorarium which they claimed has been withheld by the state government.

Members of women SHGs have been demanding that the state govt release the honorarium which they claim is being withheld

Nihal Pande, a representative of the protesters, announced that a march will be conducted from Samvidhan Square to Trikoni Park, close to the residence of Deputy Chief Minister Fadnavis, on Monday morning. “The women will read Hanuman Chalisa so that the eyes of Fadnavis will open,” Pande said.

Shiv Sena - UBT leader was responding to comments by Dy CM

Rashmi Shukla Sadanand Date Atulchandra Kulkarni

‘Hanuman

Workers of the Aam Aadmi Party protested against the Centre's lack of action over the Hindenburg-Adani row, outside Mumbai's Churchgate station, on Sunday.

BY BHUSHAN KOYANDE

‘Sena doesn’t discriminate

Marathi-speakers and north Indians’

14-year-old girl’s uncle and cousin held for raping her

Mumbai (PTI):

Mumbai Police have arrested a 14-year-old girl’s uncle and a cousin for allegedly raping her, an official said on Sunday.

The girl’s parents approached the Virar police with a complaint, after she told them of the incident, which allegedly took place when the girl visited her 50-yearold uncle’s home in suburban Borivali between 2014 and September 2022, he said, adding that the girl and her parents live in Virar town.

Based on the complaint, the police registered an FIR, the official from MHB police station in Mumbai said. The case was later transferred to the MHB police station as the incident took place in Mumbai, he said.

The city police swung into action and nabbed the girl’s uncle

Nine convicted for ‘filmy’ `1.65 cr heist in Mumbai

`25L govt aid for family of murdered journalist Warishe

First India Bureau

MAN ON THE RUN AFTER RAPING, IMPREGNATING 16-YEAR-OLD

Mumbai (PTI): Police are on the hunt for a man who is accused of raping a 16-year-old girl and impregnating her, officials said on Sunday. An offence was registered under Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act and Indian Penal Code after the minor gave birth on Saturday, he said.

and 19-year-old cousin brother on Saturday, the official said.

The case was registered against the accused under various Indian Penal Code sections including 376 (rape), 376-II (gang rape), and provisions of the Protection of Children for Sexual Offence (POCSO) Act, and an investigation has been launched into the case, the official added.

First India Bureau Mumbai: A court here has convicted nine people for robbing a businessman of Rs1.65 crore in a heist reminiscent of the plot of Hindi film Special 26—which itself was based on the real-life Opera House heist of 1987—by posing as Income Tax officers. Six convicts were sentenced to 10 years in jail, and the other three received fiveyear terms.

Pronouncing the crime “serious in nature,” Additional Sessions Judge of the Dindoshi court, MI Lokwani found the accused guilty of dacoity, trespassing and kidnapping in the order passed on February 01 and made available recently.

According to the businessman’s complaint, an acquaintance had visited his residence 20 days prior to the incident, and asked him to hold on to two bags for a few days. As a gesture of goodwill, he took the bags and

locked them in a separate cupboard, telling only his wife about them.

On June 02, 2015, a group of persons claiming to be I-T officers confiscated mobile phones and found the two bags— which contained jewellery worth Rs40 lakh, Rs1 crore in cash, and Indian and foreign watches worth Rs25 lakh—following their

35-minute “raid” at the businessman’s house.

Locking the businessman’s family in a room, they directed him to accompany them to the I-T office in Worli, the prosecution told the court.

Having loaded the complainant and the two bags into a car, the accused drove for a while, but eventually dropped him off and told him to

Lok Adalat settles 49K cases worth `128 cr

First India Bureau

Thane: The National Lok Adalat held in Thane has settled 48,988 pending cases, resulting in settlements totalling Rs128.07 crore, a District Legal Services Authority official said on Sunday.

More than a third of all cases—36.95%— were settled under the Negotiable Instruments Act, with settle-

Two killed in house slab collapse in Mumbai

ments cumulatively worth Rs47.32 crore, DLSA secretary Ishwar Suryavanshi said.

“This was followed by settlements worth Rs35.07 crore in MACT cases, Rs12.87 crore in cases under the revenue department, and Rs6.78 crore and Rs4.96 crore for cases under power and water supply departments, respectively,” he explained.

“Of the 2,29,589 matters that were taken up

at the Lok Adalat here on Saturday, 48,988 were settled. Thane led with settlements worth Rs47.89 crore, followed by Rs30.97 crore for Ul-

hasnagar and Rs11.30 crore for Belapur,” he said.

The settlement included one of Rs73 lakh between Vilas Mhatre

come to the office in the afternoon, it added.

The prosecution examined 21 witnesses, including the complainant and his family, during the course of trial.

The court in its order said the overall acts of the accused sufficiently make it clear that they have committed dacoity in furtherance of their criminal conspiracy.

Mumbai: The state government on Sunday announced financial aid of Rs25 lakh for the family of slain journalist Shashikant Warishe. The government will also give a permanent job to Warishe’s son, Ratnagiri district guardian minister Uday Samant said while making the announcement.

“Financial aid of Rs25 lakh, including Rs10 lakh from the chief minister’s relief fund, will be provided to Marathi journalist Warishe’s family,” Samant told reporters.

He said various organizations of journalists have been demanding that the government help the family of Warishe, comprising his grandmother and son.

Warishe (48) was mowed down by an SUV allegedly driven by land dealer Pandharinath Amberkar at Rajapur, some 440km from Mumbai, on February 06. He died in the hospital the next day.

Amberkar, arrested for murder, allegedly used to threaten any person who opposed land acquisition for a proposed refinery in the area.

An article written by

OLD WORLD GLAMOUR

Shashikant Warishe (48) was allegedly killed for writing an article against land dealer Pandharinath Amberkar, who has since been arrested

Warishe against Amberkar had appeared in a local Marathi newspaper on the morning of the incident.

The Maharashtra government has already ordered a probe by a special investigation team (SIT) into the alleged murder.

A day earlier, Shiv Sena - Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray leader Sanjay Raut had demanded that the state government provide aid of Rs50 lakh to Warishe’s kin.

Thane led with settlements worth `47.89 cr, followed by Ulhasnagar with `30.97 cr and Belapur with `11.30 cr

(43) and an insurance firm in a 2014 accident case at Kalyan panel, one of the 88 panels set up as part of the Lok Adalat, an official said.

4 injured in blaze at Badlapur MIDC chem unit

Thane (PTI): On Sunday afternoon, a fire broke out at a chemical plant located in the Thane district of the state. At 12.50 pm, the blaze was reported from Badlapur MIDC and four fire engines were sent to the spot to extinguish the flames. One worker was se-

verely burned and had to be hospitalized while the other three suffered minor injuries after they jumped from a high place to escape the fire. The fire was put out after three hours and cooling operations commenced at the site. The cause of the fire is being investigated.

First India Bureau

Mumbai: Two teens, identified as Rajkumar Dhotre (19) and Ramanand Yadav (18), were killed after the portion of a slab of a house collapsed in Mumbai’s Bhandup area on Sunday, a fire official said.

The incident took place at around 9.45 am when repair work was underway at the structure.

The teens were rushed to a hospital where they were declare dead, the official said.

Officials of the fire department, police and local civic body rushed to the spot and carried out rescue work, he added.

They might be almost 100 years old, but don’t discount the power of these beauties! Owners of about 150 vintage and classic cars lined up outside the World Trade Centre, in Mumbai on Sunday, to show off their wheeled treasures ahead of the ‘40th Annual Vintage Car Fiesta’, organized by VCCCI (Vintage & Classic Car Club of India).

Are BMC’s efforts to curb air pollution just smoke and mirrors?

Budget for FY 2024 highlights plan to tackle bad air days, including ` 10 cr for air-purification units

First India Bureau Mumbai: Even as the city administration plans to tackle air pollution, experts worry that this might be too little too late.

According to SAFAR (System of Air Quality

and Weather Forecast and Research) data, the city saw just one day of “satisfactory” air quality in the 92 days from November 01, 2022, to January 31, 2023; against 66 days of “poor” or “very poor” ratings on the air quality index.

With this in mind, the city’s budget for fiscal 2024 highlights measures to tackle pollution.

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation plans to spend Rs10 crore to set up five vehicle-mounted air purification units at the city’s most crowded areas by the end of the fiscal. These would “filter out Particulate Matter (PM)

2.5 and 10 and harmful gases such as carbon

monoxide and nitrogen dioxide,” a report in the Times of India said.

The same report also quotes BMC chief IS Chahal as saying that radio waves generated by the proposed smog towers—each 30 feet high and covering a 1km radius—”would enable dust particles to get ionized and thus further attract more dust particles”.

Theoretically, the technology would cre-

ate bubbles of clean air. However, not everyone is convinced, with officials admitting that setting up smog towers could take a while.

“Air pollution has reached unprecedented levels. BMC is trying to bandage the injury rather than ensure a diagnosis,” Bhagwan Kesbhat, of Navi Mumbaibased environment group Waatavaran Foundation, said.

MODUS OPERANDI

3 who posed as I-T officials to ‘raid’ bizman’s house get 5-year jail term; 6 get 10 years in jail

MODI TRANSFORMING INDIA INTO A SPORTS ‘SUPERPOWER’

PM Narendra Modi: Tapping the multidimensional capabilities of Indian youth

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has a great fan following among the sports community. The narrator shares with us how PM Modi supported her, encouraged her to grow in her career as a shooter. Not just this, he has been the harbinger of great schemes for the advancement of sports in the country.

Igot my first medal in 2010 games and that was when I received the most precious gift of my life. I got the first weapon of my life from Modi sir. Modi sir said to me “Go ahead and achieve your dreams! The government is with you!” I was super motivated by the words he said to me. I developed interest in the sport in 2006 and was determined to pursue my passion against all odds. I completed my NCC and then I received my own rifle from Modi sir. I worked very hard, got support from NCC, and then I won the first medal. There was a lot of happiness around me. My family was celebrating and I got a call from my father saying “Modiji will be calling you!” Obviously, I found that very hard to belief and dismissed it more as prank from some one than anything serious. And when I actually got a call from Modi sir, I still was in disbelief and I hung up. The phone rang again and now I was convinced that it was none other than sir himself. That was a huge moment for me. I recognised his voice and the way he congratulated me, praised my efforts and blessed me, I was filled with gratitude and happiness. Sir motivated me a lot and asked me to meet him after the competition. I

‘WHEN I GOT A CALL FROM PM MODI SIR, I STILL WAS IN DISBELIEF AND I HUNG UP’

My family was celebrating and I got a call from my father saying “Modiji will be calling you!” Obviously, I found that very hard to belief and dismissed it more as prank from some one than anything serious. And when I actually got a call from Modi sir, I still was in disbelief and I hung up. The phone rang again and now I was convinced that it was none other than sir himself. I recognised his voice and the way he congratulated me, praised my efforts and blessed me, I was filled with gratitude and happiness. Sir motivated me a lot and asked me to meet him after the competition.

‘IT IS A GREAT MOTIVATING FACTOR WHEN GOVT ASSURES TO SUPPORT ATHLETES’

T he turning point in my life came after my meeting with Modi sir in 2010. I feel fortunate that sir visited my house and he knows exactly how I have come up in life through my passion for shooting. All my struggles, challenges and difficulties — Modi sir has been a witness and because of his unrelenting support, not just me, many other sports persons have been able to successfully navigate their challenges in sports. It is a great motivating factor for any athlete to have that assurance that the government is there to support him or her.

It was my dream to bring shooting to the forefront as a sport and I feel I have been successful in doing that, thanks to Modi sir’s support. Today I have my own shooting academy where I train youngsters for the country

reached Gujarat after the competition and I got a call from CM office telling me that Modi sir will be visiting my house. When he came, he saw all my medals, my rifle and encouraged me to keep going. He asked me about my plans for the future. I said that this was just the beginning and that I wanted to go really far in shooting. I also expressed my desire to promote shooting as a sport in Gujarat. He assured me that his support and the support of the government shall stay with me, and that I must simply continue to work harder.

I was invited to Khel Mahakumbh that was organised in Gujarat in 2010. It was the first Khel Mahakumbh ever organised. I got the opportunity to be the baton bearer in the relay and carried the torch. What I can say is that Modi sir is like my father. I went on to win a medal in 2012 and then in 2013 I won a silver medal in World Cup in

Spain. This time again I received a call from sir. Well, this time I had full faith that Modi sir will be calling me and I was invited to the CM office once again. I received the second rifle of my life from sir that day. Of course he gifted me cash on both occasions but those rifles are very close to my heart!

More importantly, after my second visit, sir brought about major changes to the Shaktidoot Yojana. Earlier players would get support of upto 2 lakhs which was indeed very less. Modi sir increased this amount to 25 lakhs which would help players in their training and included cash rewards.

I recollect that I went to CM’s office with my mother and father. I did not feel at all that I was meeting someone so big and powerful. When I entered the room, he was standing and welcomed me with such warmth that I almost felt as if I was meeting

a relative. He hugged me and asked me how I was feeling. I felt really happy and was not scared of meeting him thereafter. I then showed my rifle to Modi sir. He look a careful look at it, read what all was written on it and then signed it. I was delighted to have got his autograph and have preserved it carefully. I have actually covered it with a paper so that it does not get erased.

I also had a long and detailed conversation with sir about my experiences at the game, about the arrangements, the environment and discussed the areas of opportunity in Indian sport. He wanted to bring about reforms in Gujarat so that more players benefited and could represent the country. I suggested increase in financial help, in infrastructure and that there should be more shooting ranges. Sir is a great listener and I have observed the tremendous transformation that has taken place in the

country, in not just the facilities but the way sports are perceived by youngsters!

Modi sir made me the Swachh Bharat brand ambassador in 2013-14. This time round I got to meet sir in Delhi. The best part about meeting him is that he always addresses you by your name.

In spite of being the PM and meeting hundreds of people every day, he still remembers people by their first name.

The turning point in my life came after my meeting with Modi sir in 2010. I feel fortunate that sir visited my house and he knows exactly how I have come up in life through my passion for shooting. All my struggles, challenges and difficulties - Modi sir has been a witness and because of his unrelenting support, not just me, many other sports persons have been able to successfully navigate their challenges in sports. It is a great motivating factor for any athlete to have that as-

surance that the government is there to support him or her.

Today sports in India has reached the level of Khelo India. Sports scenario in our country has seen massive advancement. Today we have a lot many stadiums, and they now match up to the world class levels in facilities, equipment and training.

It was my dream to bring shooting to the forefront as a sport and I feel I have been successful in doing that, thanks to Modi sir’s support.

Today I have my own shooting academy where I train youngsters for the country. Whatever cash awards I have won so far, I have invested in my academy. There was a time when I did not have a rifle and today, because of sir’s support, I have my own academy!

Prime Minister Narendra Modi

Lajja Gauswami Shooter, Commonwealth Games medalist

Dayanand Saraswati was beacon of knowledge: Modi

New Delhi (ANI): Remembering Maharishi Dayanand Saraswati’s contribution to Indian society on his birth anniversary, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday said he was a beacon of knowledge and spirituality.

Prime Minister inaugurated the year-long celebrations commemorating the 200th birth anniversary of Maharishi Dayanand Saraswati at Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium in the national capital on Sunday. Prime Minister performed puja and yagna on the occasion.

Union Ministers G Kishan Reddy, Arjun Ram Meghwal and Meenakashi Lekhi were also present.

Addressing the gathering at Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium, PM Modi said, “We bow to Maharishi Dayanand Saraswati Ji on his 200th Jayanti. He was a beacon of knowledge

J&K people want love, but BJP giving bulldozers: Rahul Gandhi

PM Modi inaugurates year-long celebrations to mark 200th birth anniversary of Maharishi Dayanand Saraswati, on Sunday. Gujarat Guv Acharya Devvrat & Union Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal also seen.

JAFFNA CENTRE SIGNIFIES INDIA-SL TIES, SAYS PM

the foundation stone of the Jaffna Cultural Center in 2015, shared some pictures from that special visit. “The Jaffna Cultural Center is an important initiative signifying the close cultural cooperation between India and Sri Lanka. It will benefit sev-

eral people. The august presence of President Ranil Wickremesinghe made the programme even more special. @ RW_UNP”,”PM Modi tweeted while acknowledging the presence of President Ranil Wickremesinghe on the occasion.

Cong vows to lay foundation of ‘5 Star Meghalaya’

CPI(M) to lose by aligning with Cong, says Shah

“pride in our heritage.”

He said Maharishi Dayanand revived the understanding of Vedas in the society. He said when Maharishi Dayanand Saraswati was born, the country had lost its confidence and weakened due to centuries of bondage. Dayanand Saraswati launched a strong campaign against social evils like social discrimination and untouchability.

Gandhi during Bharat

New Delhi (Agencies):

Former Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Sunday targeted the anti-encroachment drive in J&K and said that people there want love and not bulldozers. He launched a scathing attack against the ruling BJP at Centre.

In a tweet in Hindi the senior Congress leader said, “People of J&K want employment, trade and love but what are they getting? BJP’s bulldozer. The land which the people there worked upon with hard work for many decades, is being snatched from them. Peace and Kashmiriyat will be protected by uniting, not by dividing people.”

and spirituality. Today in the 21st century, when the world is engulfed in many contro-

versies, engulfed in violence and instability, then the path shown by Maharishi Dayanand

Saraswati ji instills hope in crores of people.” the PM said the country is calling for

4 HCs get new CJs; 2, including only woman CJ, will retire soon

First India Bureau

New Delhi: Chief Justices were appointed to 4 high courts on Sunday. The appointments were made to Gujarat, Gauhati, Tripura and Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh high courts. Law Minister Kiren Rijiju announced the fresh appointments on Twitter. He wrote on Twitter, “As per the relevant provisions under the Constitution of India, the following Judges are appointed as CJs of different HCs. I extend best wishes to all!”

JUSTICE SONIA GIRIDHAR GOKANI

Judge of the Gujarat High Court, was appointed the Chief Justice of Gujarat

JUSTICE JASWANT SINGH

Judge at the Orissa HC, has been elevated as Chief Justice of Tripura High Court

JUSTICES ARE...

JUSTICE SANDEEP MEHTA

Judge of the Rajasthan HC, has been appointed as Chief Justice of the Gauhati High Court

JUSTICE N KOTISWAR SINGH

Judge of Gauhati HC, has been made CJ of the HC of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh

Modi said, “Maharishi Dayanand ji also emerged as a logical and effective voice against the stereotypes that had flourished in society regarding women. He fought against discrimination against women and launched a campaign for women’s education. Efforts were made to make our history and traditions corrupt. At that very time, the efforts of Maharishi Dayanand ji appeared as Sanjeevani in the society and rejuvenated it.”

Agartala (ANI): Ahead of Tripura assembly elections, Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Sunday said that by aligning with Congress, CPI(M) proved that they are going to lose polls.

At ‘Vijay Sankalp rally’ in Chandipur, Shah said, “By aligning with Cong, CPI(M) proved that they’re going to lose polls. They couldn’t face BJP alone.” “Congress must feel ashamed, they aligned with CPI(M) who killed so many of their members. They have also made Tipra Modha a pawn,” he added.

Shah further stated that the BJP government has provided

BY PTI

health insurance and drinking water was supplied to all the houses.

He added, “Transported gas cylinders, did the work of building toilets, and did the work of giving food for free.”

If the work of giving respect rights to all was done, then it was done by the Manik Saha government under the leadership of the Modi government, he further added.

He stated, “In the last five years, we have brought peace to the region. Next year, we will make Tripura prosperous by following the formula, HIRA, given by PM Modi.”

“Cheating in exams will invite life term”

Dehradun (ANI): Taking a strong stand against the alleged recruitment scams and paper leak cases, Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Singh Dhami on Sunday said that those who will cheat in examinations will be given life imprisonment or undergo a sentence of 10-years.

“Our government will not compromise with the dreams and aspirations of the youth. Now anyone who will be found cheating in the recruitment exam will be given life imprisonment and 10 years of imprisonment. Along with this, their property will also be confiscat-

Jamiat Ulama-e-Hind head stirs row

New Delhi (ANI): Sev-

eral religious leaders walked off the stage from the 34th General Session of Jamiat Ulama-I-Hind, after the President of the organisation Syed Arshad Madani made a controversial speech.

Jain Muni, Acharya Lokesh Muni, who was also present on the stage expressed displeasure

Deep power crisis in Telangana: Sharmila

Hyderabad (Agencies):

YSR Telangana Party (YSRTP) leader YS Sharmila on Sunday alleged that Telangana CM K Chandrasekhar Rao has thrown the state into “a deep and dangerous power crisis”.

tune of Rs 50,000 crore. She said: “This is a blatant and crude exhibition of inefficiency and shortsightedness by KCR. The entire agri community in the state is pushed into a painful power crisis, where not even five hours of power supply is guaranteed.”

with Madani’s remarks and said, “We only agree with living in harmony, but all the story regard-

ing, Om, Allah, and Manu is all rubbish. He (Madani) completely spoiled the atmosphere of the session.” “The stories he said, I can narrate even bigger stories than that. I would even request him (Madani) to come for a discussion with me,” he said.

Earlier, Madani sparked controversy by saying “asked the Dhar-

New Delhi (PTI): Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s visit to Srinagar on June 26 in 2019 was to give the final touch to the government’s resolve for carrying out the abrogation of Article 370 in J&K, Lt Gen (retired) KJS Dhillon has claimed in his yetto-be-released book.

‘Kitne Ghazi Aaye Kitne Ghazi Gaye’, authored by Dhillon, will be released on February 14 as a mark of respect to the 40 Central Re-

ma Gurus that when there was no one, neither Shri Ram nor Brahma nor Shiva, then whom did Manu worship?” He added, “Some told me that they used to worship ‘Om’. I said that it is the ‘Om’ only, that we refer to as Allah, those speaking Farsi refer as ‘Khuda’ and those speaking English refer as ‘God’.”

ed,” he said while addressing a sports and cultural festival in Kalsi. Uttarakhand Governor Lt Gen (Retd) Gurmit Singh on Friday signed the Uttarakhand Competitive Examination (Measures for Prevention and Redressal of Unfair Means in Recruitment) Ordinance,

popularly known as an anti-copying Ordinance. Earlier, CM Dhami himself announced that he had approved the Ordinance following students’ protest against the paper leak cases in the State. Following the Governor’s assent, the Ordinance has now become a law.

Resentment in SP over Maurya’s remark on Ramcharitmanas

Lucknow (Agencies):

The controversy sparked off by senior Samajwadi Party leader Swami Prasad Maurya on the allegedly objectionable verses from Ramcharitmanas, has now started boomeranging on the Samajwadi Party itself.

Upper caste legislators in SP have started

ARTICLE 370 ABROGATION MEETING

serve Police Force personnel who were killed in a suicide car bomb attack in 2019 near Lethpora in South Kashmir.

Shah’s visit on June 26, 2019, was already touted to be a precursor for a dramatic announcement and “I got a call at 2 am in the morning, informing me of a meeting with the home minister at 7 am”, Dhillon said in his book.

Without divulging much about his meeting with the home minister,

the retired Lt General, who was the head of the army’s strategic Srinagar-based XV Corps,

wrote that “a lot of sensitive issues and key points were on the table for discussion apart

raising objections to Maurya’s statement and have even threatened to quit the party if

action is not taken against Swami Prasad Maurya. Rakesh Pratap Singh, MLA from Amethi, said, “Whether I remain in politics or not, whether I remain a legislator or not and whether I get a ticket or not, I will not remain quiet when my religion is questioned.”

from delectable food that include ‘aloo paratha and famous Gujarati dish ‘dhokla’ during our tete-e-tete”.

The discussions included understanding the reaction of Pakistan to the “path breaking declaration” that was now certain to be followed, he said.

“I must point out, and with absolute objectivity and great professional input, that the home minister was in absolute control and fully

conversant with the agenda and... he had obviously done extensive research and homework,” the retired Lt General said.

At the conclusion of the meeting, “I was asked about my frank and personal view, (and) my immediate response was ‘agar itihaas likhna hai, toh kisi ko itihas banana padega’ (we can write history only if we make history)”, Dhillon said in the book.

“We ate paranthas, dhokla, then 370 went off”

Union HM Amit Shah during one of his visits to J&K. —FILE PHOTO

Yatra.

New Delhi (PTI): Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Sunday said the promises made by the party in Meghalaya shall be the foundation of a ‘5-star’ state. The Congress has promised one job to each household, free healthcare for all and free education for all girls up to class 12, if voted to power. In its manifesto for February 27 polls which was released on Saturday by senior leader Jairam Ramesh, the Congress also promised free roofing materials, free power of up to 200 units and free LPG cylinders quarterly to BPL families across the state. Polling in Meghalaya for the 60 assembly seats will be held on February 27 and the counting of votes will take place on March 2.

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami. —FILE PHOTO

BURNING ISSUE

New Delhi (ANI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday called Jaffna Cultural Centre, which was inaugurated on Saturday, an “important initiative” signifying the close cooperation between India and Sri Lanka.The Prime Minister who had laid

—PHOTO

KHARGE CALLS OPPN MEET TODAY TO CHALK OUT FLOOR STRATEGY

Meeting will be held at Kharge’s office at Parliament before start of RS proceedings

SC Justice Hima Kohli

3rd day of protest against DDA’s demolition drive

New Delhi (ANI): Congress president and Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge has called a meeting of “like-minded” opposition parties on Monday.

The meeting will be held at Kharge’s office at Parliament before the start of the business of Rajya Sabha. The meeting is believed to be called to chalk out the strategy of the Opposition in Rajya Sabha on Monday. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Friday reiterated his party’s demand for a Joint Parliamentary Committee probe into the businesses of the Adani Group in the wake of the report by US short-seller firm Hindenburg Research.

At a press conference, Kharge said, “Shouldn’t there be an inquiry into the Adani scam? Shouldn’t the matter be referred to the JPC? Should not there be a discussion on the money that public sector banks invested in Adani’s businesses? Public money is involved in it. Why does the government have a problem

taking Adani’s name?”

Kharge alleged that PM Modi acted as an ‘agent’ for the Adani group of companies.

CRUCIAL READ

The Congress national president added, “Modi-ji acted as Adani’s agent and got him tenders in Sri Lanka

“DOES GOVT HAVE HAND IN ADANI’S GROWTH”: CONG

Kochi (ANI): Amid the row over the HindenburgAdani issue Congress general secretary KC Venugopal on Sunday attacked the Centre and said people of the country need an answer whether the government has hand in Adani Group’s growth or not. “Rahul Gandhi raised the Adani issue in Lok Sabha, but instead of giving answers, Prime Minister abused Con gress, he did it to run away from this issue.”

and Bangladesh. Everybody knows about this.”

Questioning the regulatory bodies of the country, Kharge said,

“The RBI, SEBI, ED, Corporate Affairs Ministry, Income Tax, and the CBI seem paralysed. Can they not see the corruption here? Is Adani invisible to them? With our institutions in inertia, it is our duty to question the government. The people sent us to the Parliament as their representatives and it is our responsibility to safeguard the public.”

“We tried to raise several issues in the Parliament. However, the Prime Minister evaded all questions and just gave an election speech, boasting about himself,” Kharge added.

Meanwhile, taking a serious note of the Opposition uproar on Friday over the demand for JPC probe into the Adani businesses in the wake of the report by US firm Hindenburg Research, Vice President and Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar lost his cool and warned the protesting MPs that “every transgression from both sides would not go without his deep reflection”.

The outburst came amid a heated exchange of words between Union Minister Piyush Goyal and Kharge, who is also the Leader of the Opposition in the Upper House, after the Congress alleged that PM Modi has ‘links’ with industrialist Adani.

SC judge lays emphasis on use of AI in legal practice

New Delhi (PTI): Artificial intelligence (AI) should not be viewed as a threat, but as an opportunity to enhance quality of legal practice, Supreme Court judge Hima Kohli said, terming it is a “game-changer” that has the potential to revolutionise the way lawyers work. Justice Kohli, however, flagged ethical concerns about the “accountability, transparency and protection of rights of parties”, which may crop up with the use of AI in the legal field. She said it is undeniable that technology has played a significant role in keeping the wheels of justice moving even during COVID-19 pandemic.

New Delhi (ANI):

The protest by locals against the Demolition Drive by the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) is underway for the third consecutive day in the Mehrauli for the third consecutive day on Sunday. The agitated protestors could be heard sloganeering against the government and the DDA. It has also been claimed from the site that the rag-

ing protestors threw red chilli powder on the security personnel at the protest site. Meanwhile, the Delhi Police said that suitable legal action will be taken against some women who allegedly threw red chilli powder on the police personnel. They also clarified that police did not conduct lathi charge on any individual there and no one was injured.

Delhi Police ropes in Truecaller to save people from impersonators, cyber frauds

New Delhi (PTI): The Delhi Police is all set to sign an agreement with caller ID verification platform Truecaller to help people identify verified numbers and protect themselves from cyber frauds and scams involving the impersonation of govt officials. In addition to educating Delhiites and holding a joint awareness

campaign against cyber frauds, Truecaller will also display official numbers of the Delhi Police

representatives on the app’s government directory services, police said.

“During the Covid pandemic, Truecaller helped us a lot as a lot of scams and frauds on the pretext of selling oxygen cylinders, concentrators, medicines and other essentials associated with treating the deadly virus were reported,” police said.

EX-KERALA

TREATMENT

CM CHANDY AIRLIFTED TO BENGALURU FOR FURTHER

Thiruvananthapuram: Senior Congress leader and former Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy was on Sunday airlifted to a private hospital in Bengaluru, party sources said. Chandy had been admitted to a private hospital in nearby Neyyattinkara for treatment after he was infected with pneumonia. The Congress veteran, who was taken out of the hospital in a wheelchair, thanked the doctors and staff of the hospital and said there was no basis for the concerns regarding the treatment given to him.

3 DIE IN BLAST AT FIRECRACKER GODOWN IN TN

Chennai: Three people died and seven people were injured in an explosion at a firecracker godown in Vaniyambadi, Tirupatthur district. Police said the explosion took place in the firecracker godown and investigation is on regarding the cause of the explosion. The police added that seven people were rescued.

Pak’s pavilion at int’l tourism event near Delhi piques curiosity of visitors

GIS shows developing UP’s pic: Thakur

MAN ARRESTED IN WOMAN COP’S SUICIDE CASE

New Delhi: A man, who was carrying a reward of Rs 20,000 on his head in connection with the suicide case of a woman Delhi Police Constable, was arrested by the Crime Branch from Uttar Pradesh’s Meerut, official said on Sunday. A senior police official said that the accused was identified as Sonu Bhalotiya (27).

MAN WANTED IN MISAPPROPRIATION OF ATM CASH HELD IN UP AFTER 5 YEARS

New Delhi: The Crime Branch of the Delhi Police on Sunday said that they have arrested an accused, who had been on the run for five years, in connection with a case related to misappropriation of Rs 2.22 crore meant for ATMs. A senior police officer said that the accused was identified as Mohammad Abdul Qadir, a resident of Lucknow. “Accused was wanted in a case of misappropriation of Rs 2.22 crore of Brinks India Private Limited, having a contract with national and private banks to replenish the currency available in ATMs,” the police said.

Noida (PTI): Presence of Pakistan’s pavilion to promote the country at an international travel and tourism event here piqued the curiosity of several visitors. People enquired about the country’s tourist destinations, tourism potential and cultural heritage, said an official at the Pakistan pavilion at the SCO Tourism Mart. Part of the Shanghai Corporation Organisation (SCO), Pakistan and other countries showcased their tourism products as well as cultural heritage at the event held as part of activities under India’s presidency of the grouping.

Lucknow (ANI): Record-level investments are coming in different sectors of the Uttar Pradesh at the Global Investors Summit, Union Minister Anurag Thakur said on Sunday.

UP Global Investors Summit 2023 is the flagship investment summit of the Government of Uttar Pradesh. The mega event is aimed to bring together policymakers, industry leaders, academia, think tanks, and leaders from across the world to collectively explore business opportunities and forge partnerships.

Talking to reporters here in Lucknow, the Union Minister said, “At the Global Investors

Summit, record-level investments are coming in for different sectors.

This shows the picture of new and developing Uttar Pradesh.”

“The image of UP has changed a lot in the last five years, which

has also increased people’s confidence. One trillion dollar economy is a huge thing in itself,” he added. He further said that the state is also becoming the sports capital of the world.

UP TO SOON HAVE MAXIMUM DOMESTIC FLIGHTS IN INDIA, SAYS SCINDIA

Lucknow: Uttar Pradesh will soon have the maximum number of domestic flight services in the country and also 21 airports in the coming days, Union Civil Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia said. Addressing a session on “Civil Aviation in Uttar Pradesh: The Emerging Opportunities” during the Uttar Pradesh Global Investors Summit-2023 here, Scindia also said that PM Narendra Modi and UP CM Yogi Adityanath have rejuvenated the country.

“UK TO INVEST IN DEFENCE, AEROSPACE & MEDICAL SECTORS IN UTTAR PRADESH”

Lucknow: The British Minister of State for Defence Procurement on Sunday said that the United Kingdom will invest in defence, aerospace and medical sectors in Uttar Pradesh. At Global Investor Summit, Alex Chalk, said, “It is a matter of pride for me to participate in GIS-23. Standing on this great land of Uttar Pradesh and inviting the whole world to invest is a big achievement.”

US envoy lauds growing ties with India

Bengaluru (Agencies): The “largest-ever” US delegation participating at the Aero India 2023, signifies the growing Indo-US ties in various sectors, US Charge d’Affaires A Elizabeth Jones said on Sunday. Jones, who will inaugurate the USA Partnership Pavilion at Aero India 2023 on Monday, said: “India and the United States are working together in so many ways to ensure a free and open, prosperous,

connected, and resilient Indo-Pacific region, where our democracies can thrive. As partners,

we’re working together to address climate change; improve global health and prepare for

97.64lakh cases settled in Nat’l Lok Adalat

The Aero India 2023 offers the perfect setting for companies from both countries to explore new opportunities

new pandemics; cooperate on cyber challenges; build quality infrastructure; and ensure

sustainable supply chains. We’re strengthening our cooperation on critical technologies, from space components to semiconductors.”

Aero India 2023, the biennial air show that India hosts in Bengaluru, set for inauguration on Monday, has evolved into one of the prestigious air shows in this part of the world. A host of US aeronautical and aerospace companies are setting up operations in India.

New Delhi (PTI): Over 97.64 lakh pending and pre-litigation cases were settled in the first National Lok Adalat of 2023, held under the guidance of the National Legal Services Authority in all 36 states and Union Territories on Saturday. The NALSA, under its executive chairman Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul, said according to the information received till 7.30 pm, around 97.64 lakh cases were settled in the Lok Adalat.

Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge with party leaders KC Venugopal (R) and Randeep Surjewala.

Union Minister Anurag Thakur, BJP MPs Hema Malini and Ravi Kishan during the last day of the UP GIS, in Lucknow, on Sunday.

New Delhi: The AAP on Sunday protested outside the BJP office demanding a probe into the allegations of fraud against the Adani Group in the Hindenburg research report. AAP leader Gopal Rai said a joint parliamentary committee comprising members from all parties should probe the matter. “BJP is running away from the probe. There is only one leader Kejriwal who is not scared of any investigation,’’ he said.

AAP PROTESTS OUTSIDE BJP OFFICE SEEKING PROBE IN ADANI ISSUE

DDA workers during a demolition drive at Mehrauli area in New Delhi, on Sunday. —PHOTO BY ANI

business BRIEFS

OIL INDIA REPORTS ITS HIGHEST EVER QUARTERLY PROFIT

Direct tax collections up 24% to `15.67 L cr

New Delhi (FIB): According to a data released by the Finance Ministry of India, country’s Direct Tax collections, between April 1, 2022, and February 10, 2023, rose 24.09% to `15.67 lakh crore.

MAJOR HIGHLIGHTS

and individual income tax

New Delhi: State-owned Oil India Ltd (OIL) reported its highest ever quarterly net profit in the third quarter ended December 31 on the back of a rise in oil and natural gas prices.

Net profit of `1,746.10 crore, or `16.10 per share, in October-December compared with `1,244.90 crore, or `11.48 a share, in the same period a year back, the company said in a statement. The rise in profitability was helped by higher realisation on crude oil and gas the firm produces and sells. —PTI

FPIs TAKE OUT `9,600 CRORE FROM INDIAN EQUITIES IN FEB 2023

OTHER STORIES

DOMESTIC MARKET OWNERSHIP RISES FOR FIFTH

QUARTER IN A ROW TO 24.44% IN DECEMBER

New Delhi: Foreign investors continue to desert Indian stock markets as they pulled out over `9,600 crore this month so far on costlier valuation of domestic equities compared to other emerging markets. The outflow comes following a net withdrawal of `28,852 crore by FPIs in January. This was also the worst outflow in the last seven months. According to the data, FPIs withdrew a net sum of `9,672 crore from equities in Feb 1-10. —PTI

SIX OF TOP-10 FIRMS LOSE `49,231 CRORE IN M-CAP

Mumbai: The equity ownership of domestic investors, including institutions and high networth individuals, touched an all-time high of 24.44% in December quarter, making it the fifth consecutive quarterly increase. Retail investors’ ownership in the market stood at 7.23% in December 2022, marginally down from 7.34% in September 2022. But in rupee terms, the same increased to `19.94 lakh crore from `19.48 lakh crore in the previous quarter, registering an increase of 2.35%. —PTI

HYUNDAI INDIA AIMS TO TAP RISING DEMAND IN RURAL AREAS

New Delhi: Hyundai Motor India is looking to tap growth opportunities in the rural areas with rise in demand for aspirational products like sports utility vehicles and feature-rich models. It is looking to enhance presence in the smaller towns and rural areas with more sales outlets and also initiatives like deployment of mobile service vans. The automaker’s sales outlets in the rural areas have crossed the 600-mark and it has also increased its manpower. —PTI

New Delhi: The combined valuation of six of the 10 most valued firms eroded by `49,231.44 crore last week, with FMCG major Hindustan Unilever taking the biggest hit. Last week, the 30-share Bombay Stock Exchange Sensex declined 159.18 points or 0.26%. While Bharti Airtel, ITC, ICICI Bank and HDFC twins were the other laggards from the top10 pack, TCS, SBI, Reliance Industries and Infosys posted gains. However, the combined market valuation gain of the four firms at `35,840.35 crore was less than the total loss suffered by the six companies. —PTI

BLINKIT LOOKING TO EXPAND DARK STORE COUNT BY 40%

INDIA’S TOY EXPORTS TOUCHED `1,017 CR

DURING APRIL-DEC

New Delhi: The country’s toy exports have touched `1,017 crore during April-Dec period this fiscal, according to the govt data. In 2021-22, the exports stood at `2,601 crore. “Made in India toys continue to tap global markets! India’s toy exports rose to more than 6 times in AprilDecember 2022 as compared to the same period in 2013,” commerce and industry minister Piyush Goyal said. During AprilDec 2013-14, the shipments were at `167 crore. —PTI

DUE TO EARTHQUAKE

After adjusting for refunds, the net Direct Tax collection was ` 12.98 lakh crore which is 18.40% higher than the net collections for the corresponding period of last year. This collection is 91.39% of the total Budget Estimates of Direct Taxes for FY 2022-23 and 78.65% of the Revised Estimates of Direct Taxes for FY 2022-23.

The Corporate Income Tax grew at 19.33% while Personal Income Tax saw

Macro data, global cues to guide markets

New Delhi (PTI): Trading activity in the domestic equity markets this week will be largely driven by inflation data, trend in global markets and foreign fund movement, analysts said.

Participants will also monitor developments related to the Adani Group crisis, which has been a major overhang recently, they added.

“...The movement of crude oil, the dollar index, and US bond yields will be other important factors.

The institutional flow will be important as FIIs’ selling has come down after relentless selling in January,” Santosh Meena, Head of Research at Swastika Investmart Ltd, said.

FIIs offloaded equities worth a net `144.73 crore last week.

India’s exports to Turkiye may get hit

New Delhi (PTI): India’s merchandise exports of commodities such as cotton, manmade yarn and textile dyes may be impacted in the short run to earthquake-hit Turkiye, according to exporters.

Exports to Turkiye increased to $6.2 billion during April-November 2022 against $5.1 billion in the corresponding period in 2021. Federation of Indian Export Organisations (Fieo) Director General

ROBUST GROWTH

New Delhi: Blinkit is looking to expand its microfulfilment centres or dark stores, targeting up to 40% increase in store count in the next 12 months, according to company CEO Albinder Dhindsa. The companycurrently has over 400 dark stores. “We’ve identified several new high potential neighbourhoods in existing as well as new cities. We should start seeing the net dark store number increase going forward,” he said. —PTI

Ajay Sahai said that the extent of the damage in Turkiye is yet not known and thus its impact on exports is difficult to ascertain.

However, the earthquake

z After adjusting for refunds, the net Direct Tax collection was `12.98 lakh crore which is 18.40% higher than the net collections for the corresponding period of last year

29.63% growth.

After adjustment of refunds, the net growth in corporate tax collections stood at 15.84% and that in personal tax collections is at 21.93% (PIT only)/ 21.23% (PIT including STT), according to latest data.

The govt further said

z This collection is 91.39% of the total Budget Estimates of Direct Taxes for FY 2022-23 and 78.65% of the Revised Estimates

z The Corporate Income Tax grew at 19.33% while Personal Income Tax saw 29.63% growth

that refunds amounting to `2.69 lakh crore have been issued during 1st April, 2022 to 10th February 2023, which are 61.58% higher than refunds issued during the same period in the preceding year.

The government has projected a 10.5% growth in revenues from corporate

to ` 18.23 lakh crore in the next fiscal.

FY23 revenue from direct tax, which includes income and corporate taxes, is projected to grow by over 17% to ` 16.50 lakh crore from ` 14.08 lakh crore in FY22.

Between April 1 last year and February 10 this year, growth in gross corporate income tax (CIT) and gross personal income tax (PIT) collections was 19.33% and 29.63%, respectively, from the year-ago period. After adjusting for refunds, CIT was up 15.84% and PIT was up 21.23%. PIT included securities transaction tax.

Telecom department starts doling out production-linked incentives

New Delhi (PTI): The Department of Telecom has started disbursing production-linked incentives to shortlisted manufacturers who have completed their target for 2021-22, a government official said.

Telecom gear maker GX Telecom, which has been shortlisted under the PLI scheme for promoting local manufacturing, said it received an incentive from the DoT under the scheme.

“Our vision for 2023 will be to develop products that are designed in India, made in India which will create skilled job opportunities in the direction of building India as a global hub ... With the incentive received further supporting new innovation to cater international market demands with indigenous products,” GX

will further depreciate Turkish Lira , which has significantly depreciated recently, and has touched its record low following the earthquake making imports costlier and impacting the demand, he said.

“Since textile manufacturing centres of Gaziantep and Kahramanmaras provinces are worst-affected, our exports of cotton and manmade yarn and textile dyes may be impacted in short run,”he said.

International Group CEO Paritosh Prajapati said in a statement on Sunday.

The company has a capacity to make 3.5 lakh units of GPON equipment which are used for rolling out broadband networks.

A DoT official said that the GX Group firm GX India is the first shortlisted entity under the scheme to have received the incentive.

Modified norms for some foreign investors soon

New Delhi (PTI): The I-T Dept is likely to come out with modified valuation rules under the I-T Act for ascertaining the fair market value (FMV) of shares of unlisted companies for the purpose of levying tax on non-resident investments, an official said.

The Finance Bill, 2023 has proposed amending Section 56(2)(viib) of the I-T Act, thereby bringing overseas investment in unlisted closely held compa-

42 COMPANIES SELECTED

z The government has selected 42 companies under the productionlinked incentives (PLI) scheme, of which 17 companies have applied for additional incentives of 1 per cent under design-led manufacturing criteria

TATA STEEL SUBSIDIARY MERGERS BY FY24, SAYS MD

nies, excepting DPIIT-recognised startups, under the tax net. Amendments are needed as I-T Act and FEMA provide different methodologies for calculating the FMV of shares of unlisted companies.

PUBLIC SECTOR BANKS’ PROFIT JUMPS 65% IN Q3

New Delhi (PTI): Public sector banks (PSBs) have logged a robust profit growth of 65% to `29,175 crore during the third quarter ended December 2022, with Bank of Maharashtra (BoM) emerging as the top performer in terms of percentage growth in profit.

The Pune-headquartered lender recorded a 139% jump in profit to `775 crore at the end of Dec 2022, according to quarterly results declared by the PSBs.

BoM was followed by Kolkata-based UCO Bank which posted a profit of `653 crore, 110% higher

than its earning in the third quarter of the previous fiscal. Two other lenders whose profit growth

was higher than 100% were Union Bank of India and Indian Bank. The Mumbai-based Un-

MARKET LEADERS

z Bank of Maharashtra (BoM) emerged as the top performer in terms of percentage growth in profit

z BoM recorded a 139% jump in profit to `775 cr at the end of Dec 2022

z BoM was followed by UCO Bank which posted a profit of `653 crore

ion Bank of India witnessed a 107% rise in net profit at `2,245 crore, while Chennai-based Indian

Bank reported a 102% increase at `1,396 crore for the October-December period of 2022.

All 12 PSBs cumulatively earned a profit of `29,175 crore in the third quarter of the current financial year, as against `17,729 crore in the same period a year ago, recording a jump of 65%.

For the first nine months of the current financial year, PSBs have earned a cumulative profit of ` 70,166 crore as compared to ` 48,983 crore in the year-ago period, an increase of 43%.

New Delhi (PTI): The merger of 7 subsidiary companies with Tata Steel is expected to be completed in 2023-24 fiscal year, its CEO and managing director T V Narendran said.

In September 2022, Tata Steel board had approved a proposal to merge six of its subsidiaries into itself for greater synergies, higher efficiency and reduce costs.

“We had already announced (merger of) 6 companies earlier. (Merger of) one more Angul Energy we announced recently,” he said when asked about the timeline for the merger.

However, the completion of the merger depends on the regulatory processes including NCLT clearances, post which the process is expected to be completed in the next financial year, the CEO said.

“We are dependent on the speed at which we can go through our regulatory requirements,” he added.

Reminiscing about good times is always joyful and rejuvenating, one should indulge in this too…sometimes!

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

Police ‘ baton-charged ’ farmers in Buldhana; suspend SP: Patole

Will try to make India’s highways at par with America’s: Nitin Gadkari

First India Bureau

First India Bureau

Mumbai: Maharashtra Congress president

Farmers were staging a protest for their demands to get right price for cotton & soybean Centre not paying heed to hurdles in agri exports: Pawar

Nana Patole on Sunday accused Buldhana police of unleashing a “brutal baton-charge” on farmers during a protest and demanded the suspension of the district superintendent of police (SP).

Patole also demanded that Saturday’s batoncharge incident be investigated by a joint committee of the state legislature.

Farmers will teach a lesson to the “antifarmer” Eknath Shinde-Bharatiya Janata Party government in the state, he claimed while talking to reporters here.

Patole alleged that the Buldhana police “brutally lathi-charged” farmers on Saturday while they were staging a protest for their demands to get right price for cotton and soybean and compensation for those deprived of crop insurance.

Congress district president Rahul Bondre and former minister Rajendra Shingane were also stopped by police while they were going to meet the protesting farmers, he claimed.

“Is protesting for your demands a crime

Is protesting for your demands a crime in a democratic state? What was the need to lathi-charge? We will not tolerate this bullying by the Shinde-Fadnavis government. The entire case should be thoroughly investigated and action should be taken against the guilty.

—Nana Patole, Maharashtra Congress president

in a democratic state? What was the need to lathi-charge? We will not tolerate this bullying by Shinde-Fadnavis government. The entire case should be thoroughly investigated and action should be taken against the guilty,” Patole said. “The state government has mercilessly attacked the farmers who are fighting for their justice and rights,” he alleged. Patole demanded that the Buldhana SP be suspended immediately and the entire matter be investigated by a joint

committee of the legislature. He slammed the Shinde-Fadnavis government and condemned “police atrocities” on the protesting farmers. Farmers are in trouble and are not getting the right price for their produce, he said.

Under the BJP’s rule, farming is not affordable anymore due to the high cost of fertilisers, seeds and diesel, he claimed. This (financial) year also, crops were damaged due to natural calamities and farmers from 16 districts suffered damages, he said.

My resignation is party’s internal matter, says Balasaheb Thorat

First India Bureau

Mumbai: Congress leader Balasaheb Thorat resigned as the leader of his legislature party following the dramatic developments in the Nashik graduate constituency during the Legislative Council elections.

After Thorat's decision, it was said that internal discord had started in the Congress. Meanwhile, now Balasaheb Thorat has made an important comment on his displeasure. Thorat interacted with the media after a meeting with Ma-

Thorat met with Maharashtra Congress incharge HK Patil and commented on his ‘displeasure’

harashtra Congress incharge HK Patil and commented on his 'displeasure'.

“I have not appeared in front of the media for the last several days. My resignation is an internal matter of the Congress. Today I had a discussion with Maharashtra Congress in-charge HK Patil. He has urged me to attend the Congress session in Raipur.

I am going to this conference," said Thorat, adding, "“Every organization has many questions. They are also in our organization. I have some questions. HK Patil believes those questions should be discussed with President Mallikarjun Kharge. It will be discussed. All these questions are for the strength of the Congress."

First India Bureau

Thane: Nationalist Congress Party chief and former Union agriculture minister Sharad Pawar has slammed the Narendra Modi government at the Centre for not doing enough to remove hurdles in the export of fruits and vegetables.

He was speaking to the media at an event in Sanpada in Navi Mumbai on Saturday.

The Centre is not paying attention to issues being faced in the export of fruits and vegetables, which was distressing farmers, especially those growing onion, a crop that needs to be exported in order to fetch a good price domestically, Pawar said.

He also flagged the increase in land acquisition for infrastructure projects like highways and expressways, rail routes and airports, all of which he

NCP LEADER FROM THANE JOINS BJP

Thane (FIB): A NCP leader from Thane district in Maharashtra joined BJP at the latter’s executive meeting in Nashik. NCP state unit vice president Dashrath Thiwre was welcomed into the BJP by Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and state unit chief Chandrashekhar Bawankule.

He said some 800 NCP workers joined the BJP along with Thiwre, who was vice president of Thane Zilla Parishad and chief of the NCP’s Thane rural unit and has a presence in the district’s Shahapur area.

He also flagged the increase in land acquisition for infrastructure projects

claimed also put load on the agriculture sector.

“The Centre must provide support for the modernisation of agriculture. The production of fruits and vegetables is on the rise but there are hurdles in its export, which the Centre is not paying attention to,” he added.

Dausa: The new Delhi-Mumbai Expressway passes through backward areas to give priority to the development of socially, economically and educationally backward districts, Union Road and Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari said here on Sunday.

The minister was addressing the inauguration ceremony of the first phase of the highway in Dausa.

He also said the government is making every effort to take the road infrastructure of the country to a level at par with America by the end of 2024. "We will try to make India's highways at par with America's," Gadkari said.

"Prime Minister Narendra Modi has talked about making India self-reliant and especially the infrastructure of international standards, which he has repeatedly put in front of us as a goal. We believe that before the end of 2024, under the guidance of the prime minister, we will try our best to make India's road infrastructure at par with America," the Union minister

❍ MUMBAI CIVIC POLLS

The government is making every effort to take the road infrastructure of the country to a level at par with America by the end of 2024. We will try to make India’s highways at par with America’s.

—Nitin Gadkari, Union Road & Transport Min

said. "It was the dream of Prime Minister Modi that development of socially, economically and educationally backward districts are given priority," he added.

Gadkari said he has identified around 500 blocks that are socially, economically, and educationally backward, and so, this highway is passing through backward areas and becoming a growth engine for these areas.

An electric cable will be laid between Jaipur and Delhi, and

e-trucks and e-buses will be able to ply on this highway, he said. "We are also making 670 roadside facilities in the state along this highway which will have handicrafts and food outlets... Under the PM's leadership, India's road infrastructure will improve and we will become self-reliant and a super economic power," Gadkari added. Prime Minister Modi inaugurated the 246-km Delhi-DausaLalsot section of the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway on Sunday.

BJP will register record win, says Bawankule

First India Bureau

Mumbai: The Bharatiya Janata Party's Maharashtra unit chief Chandrashekhar Bawankule on Sunday said his party would register a record win in the Mumbai civic polls, which are due since early last year.

Addressing the executive committee of the BJP's Mumbai unit, he said his party was confident of a "record win in the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation due to the leadership of Deputy Chief Minister

Devendra Fadnavis and (Mumbai chief and MLA) Ashish Shelar".

"Every BJP worker in Mumbai must visit at least 2,000 homes and increase the reach of the party. It is a now or never

Thackeray was probably the only CM who never carried a pen, Bawankule said

situation as we have governments that take good and quick decisions at the Centre as well as in the state," he claimed.

Ridiculing Shiv Sena (UBT) head Uddhav Thackeray, Bawankule said the former was probably the only CM in the state who never carried a pen. "He never signed or gave a remark

on any file or letter of request. On the other hand, Fadnavis gives orders, directives on every file and letter that comes to him," he claimed. Mumbai BJP president Ashish Shelar said the BJP and ally Balasahebanchi Shiv Sena of Chief Minister Eknath Shinde will together win 150 out of the 227 seats in the BMC.

"The BJP will appoints it own mayor. I want see even one work completed by the Uddhav Thackeray faction despite ruling the BMC for so long," Shelar said.

HK Patil meets Thorat, says all issues will be resolved amicably

First India Bureau Mumbai: The Congress’ Maharashtra in charge HK Patil on Sunday said there was no question of accepting the resignation of Balasaheb Thorat as legislature party leader and asserted all misunderstandings will be resolved amicably.

Thorat had last week resigned as CLP leader after criticising Maharashtra unit chief Nana Patole’s style of functioning.

Talking to reporters after meeting Thorat,

Patil said the former will attend the All India Congress Committee plenary at Raipur in Chhattisgarh on February 24 and will meet party president Mallikarjun Kharge and AICC general secretary (organisation) KC Venugopal. Patil said he had conveyed to Kharge and Venugopal about the “hurt feelings” of Thorat and the recent developments in the state unit of the party.

“I apprised them about the development’s and hurt feel-

ings. The Congress is a family and such issues crop up. We will resolve them among ourselves,” Patil said.

He also said such infighting will not hurt the party as “things are good and will improve”.

“There is no question

of accepting Thorat ‘s resignation as CLP leader. I requested him to attend the plenary session, which he has accepted,” Patil said, adding the Maharashtra Legislative Council poll setback for the party involving Satyajit Tambe was not discussed. The Congress was left high and dry after its official candidate for the Nashik division graduates seat Sudhir Tambe refused to contest and got his son Satyajit Tambe to stand successfully as an independent. After his win,

Satyajit Tambe had accused Patole of defaming his family and conspiring to deny him an opportunity to contest the MLC polls.

The Tambes are kin of Thorat, whose silence during the campaign to the MLC polls as he was recuperating from a shoulder injury, was misinterpreted as silent support by some segments of the party.

On the friction since the MLC polls, Patil said, “There has been no dialogue between Thorat and Patole. But it will happen.”

Thorat, who is recuperating from a shoulder injury, refused to divulge details of his meeting with Patil saying it was an internal matter of the Congress.

“There is no need for the media to blow things out of proportion. I will go to Raipur (for the plenary). All issues raised by me in the meeting with Patil were about strengthening the party,” Thorat said. Queried on whether he would continue as CLP leader. Thorat said it was an internal matter of the Congress.

Thorat will attend the AICC plenary at Raipur on February 24. I have conveyed to Kharge and Venugopal about Thorat’s “hurt feelings”, Patil said

Chandrashekhar Bawankule

PINK ROSE AS BEAUTIFUL AS A

PINK SYMBOLISES GENTLENESS AND LOVE. IT EVOKES POSITIVE EMOTIONS. CITY FIRST BRINGS TO YOU SIGNIFICANCE OF THE COLOUR IN THE FASHION WORLD...

Ttypically linked with gentleness, healing, and calmness, hot pink is frequently seen as being strong, daring, and terrifying. It is a colour that may evoke positive emotions like pleasure and joy as well as creativity and the arts. It is a kind, considerate love that prioritises being connected to the other. Pink clothing exudes warmth, friendliness, comprehension, and compassion. It is observant and insightful. According to colour psychology, the colour pink represents hope. It is a cheery colour that inspires feelings of cosiness, comfort, and assurance that things will turn out for the best. The most lov-

ing part of humans, including their need for receiving and providing love, care, and attention, is awakened by the colour pink. Pink is a non-threatening colour that seeks to garner attention, respect, and appreciation in the world of fashion. Pink symbolises riches, power, glamour, and striking beauty in its most potent forms. It is fun, daring and familiar all at once and it has an energising feel. It is neither obnoxious nor challenging to wear, in contrast to other vibrant hues. Pink has a vast variety, which enhances its beauty, and it will undoubtedly continue to be used in fashion. It acts as a hyper-saturated reminder of the excitement of fashion because of its capacity to confound expectations. As long as the fabric and cut suit their body shape and skin tone, everyone may wear the colour. Pink has the property of being strong without deliberately intending to be such, and it symbolises gentleness and love.

Close your eyes and HappyKiss Day

Valentine’s Week’s seventh day is known as Kiss Day. It’s an extremely popular event that takes place on February 13, the day before Valentine’s Day. It’s a day devoted to showing compassion and love with a kiss. It might be shared with a loved one, a member of the family, or a close acquaintance. On this day, people express their love and gratitude to those who are closest to them. It gives individuals a chance to show their love and devotion to those they cherish, setting the tone for a more passionate and private celebration on Valentine’s Day. In essence, it’s a joy ful and meaningful way to honour love and devotion. A kiss, whether it be between lovers, close friends, or family members, is a potent sign of affection and kinship that unites people. A kiss may express a variety of emotions, such as comfort and joy in addition to love and desire. A single kiss may in tensify the feeling of intimacy between two people and strengthen their bond. It is a global form of communication that transcends

age, culture, and geography. It’s a simple, intimate gesture that conveys a lot without saying anything. In addition to sharing passionate kisses, there are various ways to celebrate Kiss Day. Couples may spend time together, engaging in intimate conversation or just enjoying one other’s presence. As a sign of their love and affection, some couples choose to exchange presents like chocolates, flowers, or love letters. It feels very different the first time you kiss your lover. You step into a happy, innocent world where everything seems to be exactly right. Make the day as unique and exceptional as you can for the people you love by showering them with all of your happiness.

SHUBHANSHI PATHAK cityfirst@firstindia.co.in

Last moment entry

Ever since the trailer of Selfiee was released, moviegoers and fans are eagerly waiting for it to hit theatres. Meanwhile, the first track from the film, ‘Main Khiladi’, has also taken the internet by storm. And now, the second song from the film is also out, titled ‘Kudiye Ne Teri Vibe’ featuring Mrunal Thakur in a cameo.

In the song, Mrunal sports a new grunge glam look, and it has sparked excitement amongst fans. Besides this, we had earlier reported that Mrunal Thakur will be doing an extremely important cameo in the film. She is playing an actress on screen,

WON'T CAN'T T

STOP

paired opposite Akshay Kumar’s character in the film. In the visuals, Mrunal can be seen performing a highoctane action se quence with Aksh ay Kumar.

KOURTNEY FACES BACKLASH

of the gummies to promote her brand.

Gummies are chewable vitamins that come in varied flavors, colors, and forms. They taste just like gummy candies. Kourtney’s Lemme Purr, on the other hand, are chewable vitamins that promise to improve vaginal health. Kardashian wellness website “Poosh” describes this product as a “yummy little treat in gummy form with some effective features”. According to the website, it is full of Vitamin C supplements that help to prevent vaginal diseases like urinary tract infections (UTI) and bacterial vaginosis.

Baseless rumours

"#KANTARA 2 @rishabshettyofficial @hombalefilms loading #RS."

A source close to the production house has revealed that “All the rumors around Urvashi Rautela casting in Kantara 2 are totally baseless and untrue. Recently, Urvashi Rautela just happened to be on the same premises as Rishab Shetty, where she requested to meet the Kantara fame and he politely obliged." She posted the picture clicked with him with a cryptic caption, giving rise to these completely false rumours.”

As now we hear that all this buzz is baseless,

ROSÉ treats fans

For those of you who may not be aware, Rosé just turned 26 and seems to be living her best life. Amongst the Twitter trends and love showed her way, the singer decided to treat Blinks to a heartfelt cover, this time of Until I Found You.

The song, originally sung by Stephen Sanchez took over the internet for its deep and meaningful lyrics. Of course, today is the perfect day to drop the cover, considering it is her birthday and Valentine’s day is right around the corner.

Rosé is currently living her best life on tour, along with the rest of the Blackpink girls.

They have been on the Born Pink tour for months now, with several other countries left to be explored. While the tour has been met with a mixed reaction from fans, it hasn’t stopped Blinks from going gaga over their favorite girls. The viral hit, Until I found you was originally sung by Stephen Sanchez. In her cover, Rosé brought out her soulful vocals fit for the old-school style of the acoustic pop song.

Disha Patani

Her post...

Urvashi Rautela

Rose

Kourtney Kardashian

Still from the song...

Mrunal Thakur

DDLJ HAS BEEN THE DEFINING FILM OF OUR GENERATION! ”

ASHISH TIWARI cityfirst.mumbai@firstindia.co.in

The muchawaited Netflix docu-series 'The Romantics' is just around the corner. The series is a tribute to the legacy of Yash Chopra, the film studio - YRF and its cultural impact on the country over the past 50 years, the series is set to release this Tuesday, February 14. The Romantics will see the superstar of our generation Ranbir Kapoor.

Talking about how Aditya Chopra directed the all-time blockbuster DDLJ that gave shape to Indian pop culture Ranbir said, “DDLJ has been the defining film of our generation! I can't even tell you that feeling is still alive inside me. It influenced the way I dressed. It influenced the way I spoke to a girl. It influenced how I was with my parents… everything.”

From Aamir Khan

RMadhavan's son Vedaant is one of the rare celebrity kids who has made a name for himself in sports.

For India, the 17-year-old swimmer has won multiple medals. He won 3 gold and 2 silver medals at the just-finished Khelo India Youth Games 2023, adding another achievement to his resume. A happy father, R Madhavan took to Twitter and wrote, "With gods grace -Gold in 100m, 200m and 1500m and silver in 400m and 800m."

He also shared a few pictures of the team celebrating and penned on his Instagram handle, "CONGRATULATIONS team Maharashtra for the 2 trophies...1 for boys team Maha-

to Salman Khan, Shah Rukh Khan to Ranbir Kapoor, Amitabh Bachchan to Ranveer Singh, Rani Mukerji to Hrithik Roshan, Katrina Kaif to Anushka Sharma, the megastars and icons of Hin di cinema have come together and spoken about Yash Chopra and YRF’s contribution to Indian cinema in upcoming The Roman tics. The Romantics has been directed by Oscar & Emmy-nominated filmmaker Smriti Mundhra, who returns to Netflix after the phe nomenal suc cess of Indian Match-

making and the Never Have I Ever.

This four-part docuseries will also feature 35 leading personalities from the film industry, who have close-

Hai, Chandni, Jab Tak Hai Jaan, etc.

YRF is currently at an all-time high as their latest release Pathaan, the fourth film of YRF’s Spy Universe is breaking all records at the global box office. Pathaan is now the number one Hindi film worldwide and has become the biggest all-time blockbuster in the history of Hindi cinema.

coming and has caused quite the excitement within the fraternity.

Netflix will release The Romantics on Feb 14, 2023, as a tribute to Yash Chopra, who is

Mira decks up in Manish Malhotra

YRF is home to some of the biggest blockbusters that Indian cinema has ever witnessed like Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge, War, Sultan, Ek Tha Tiger, etc.

Sid-Kiara sign a multi-crore deal!

rashtra in swimming & 2nd THE OVERALL Championship Trophy for Maharashtra in entire the games. Blown by and was VERY grateful and humbled by the performances and achievements of @fernandes_ apeksha ( 6 golds, 1 silver, PB and records) and @ vedaantmadhavan (5 gold and 2 silver). Thank you @ ansadxb and Pradeep sir for the unwavering efforts and Govt of Madhya Pradesh @chouhanshivrajsingh Ji and @official.anuragthakur Ji. So

The Top 3 Finalists!

As new images from their Rajasthan wedding are still doing rounds, Sidharth Malhotra and Kiara Advani are still in the spotlight. There is one more thing, though, that is making headlines in B-town and might be a significant opportunity for the pair. Sid and Kiara reportedly agreed to a three-movie, multi-million dollar agreement with Karan Johar's Dharma Productions.

Sid and Kiara are unquestionably one of the

Jaya Bachchan TROLLED

best couples in the current crop, as their performance in the film Shershaah demonstrated. Additionally, the audience has shown a lot of affection for their relationship.

Now that he is a producer with a keen commercial sense, Karan Johar wants to capitalise on this popularity. Because of this, he intends to launch a franchise in the vein of Dulhaniya with this young married pair, similar to what he did with Varun Dhawan and Alia Bhatt.

HARDIK AND NATASA TO TIE THE KNOT

One of the most contentious reality TV programmes, Bigg Boss 16, concluded a 4.5-month ride. The finale episode has already started, and Salman Khan and Bharti Singh can be seen hosting the special episode. We already know the names of the top 3 contestants, yet we are all anxiously awaiting the announcement of the winner.

According to the

sources, when the housemates were asked to predict who would be evicted, they all chose Shalin Bhanot.

The reward money of Rs. 21 lahks was increased by Rs. 10 lahks because they correctly predicted it. The current amount is Rs. 31 lakhs.

As soon as this news got viral, Bigg Boss 16 fans started to chime in that Priyanka Choudhary will win the trophy this time.

Natasa Stankovic, who made her Bollywood debut in 2013 with Prakasha Jha's film Satyagraha, is all set to marry her husband and Indian cricketer Hardik Pandya. They got married three years ago. Back then, the duo opted for a court marriage.

The latest report suggests that Natasa and Hardik have planned a traditional wedding in Udaipur, Rajasthan. Recently, Sidharth Malhotra and Kiara Advani too tied the knot in Jaisalmer, Rajasthan. A reliable source

shares, “They got married in a court back then. Everything was rushed when it happened.

The idea of them having a lavish wedding has been on their mind ever since. They all are very excited about it.”

From what we have gathered, the wedding ceremony will kick-start on February 13 and will go on till 16.

While a white wedding has been planned, pre-wedding festivities such as Haldi, mehendi, and sangeet will be held with much gusto, says the source.

The world is aware that Jaya Bachchan can lose her composure at any time, anywhere, and that she is tragically known by this generation for having an aggressive reaction to most things. Due to her irate outburst at the Vice President in Rajya Sabha, who keeps asking to sit down in her position, Jaya Bachchan is currently trending top on Twitter.

There are humor-

ous memes made for the veteran actress because of her aggressive behaviour.

Jaya Bachchan is a member of Parliament and often such incident occur in the Parliament that is against the protocol of the place.

happy and Proud."

R MADHAVAN is a proud dad!

Ranbir Kapoor

Mira Rajput

Newly weds Sidharth and Kiara

Jaya Bachchan

R. Madhavan with Vedaant Madhavan R. Madhavan’s post... Hardik Pandya and Nataša Stankovic with son Agastya

Shiv Thakare, Priyanka Chahar Choudhary and MC Stan

Her post...

Poster of the series

Late Yash Chopra