First India-Jaipur Edition-13th March 2023

FORMER ANDHRA

CM KIRAN KUMAR REDDY RESIGNS FROM CONGRESS

New Delhi: Former Andhra Pradesh CM N Kiran Kumar Reddy resigned from Congress on Sunday. Sources said the veteran politician is likely to join the BJP but only after getting an assurance that he will be given a suitable position in national politics.

OUR EDITIONS: JAIPUR & MUMBAI

MODI, SHAH LEAD

FLYER HANDED OVER TO COPS FOR SMOKING IN FLIGHT

New Delhi: Air India handed over an unruly passenger who allegedly smoked in the lav of a London-Mumbai flight on March 10 and behaved aggressively with other people on board, to security agencies on arrival. Mumbai Police have registered a case against the passenger Ramakant (37), a US citizen.

UNION IT MoS TO MEET STARTUPS AMID CONCERNS OVER SVB ISSUE

I’M BUSY WORKING FOR PEOPLE, SAYS PM

Congress party busy digging Modi’s grave, PM stresses

Moni Sharma

Mandya: PM Narendra Modi on Sunday accused the Congress and other Opposition parties of being busy digging his grave, while he was striving for the development of the country and the welfare of the poor, as he also declared that blessings of the people is his biggest protection shield. On his sixth visit this year to Karnataka, where Assembly elections are due by May, he also asserted that the “double engine” govt is a necessity for the fast-paced development of the state.

Congress never bothered about pains and sufferings of the poor, he alleged, adding that, “it was a coalition government (at the Centre) running with the support of various types of people.” BJP govt has made all efforts to serve poor, to alleviate their sufferings, PM said.

PM MODI DEDICATES

WORLD’S LONGEST RAILWAY PLATFORM IN KARNATAKA

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday dedicated to the nation the “longest railway platform in world” at Shree Siddharoodha Swamiji Hubballi Station.

READ Crucial

BRAHMOS TO BAG $2.5

BN CRUISE MISSILES

ORDER FROM NAVY

PM inaugurates 118 km long B’luru-Mysuru E-way

PM HOLDS MEGA ROADSHOW AMID ‘MODI-MODI’ CHANTS IN KARNATAKA

Earlier on Sunday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi was showered with flower petals as he held a mega roadshow in Karnataka’s Mandya with crowd chanting ‘Modi-Modi’ on both sides of the road. Modi threw flower petals which got piled up on the bonnet of his car back at the cheering crowd at several places as he was given a rousing welcome during a massive road show in the district headquarters city of Mandya.

Shah urges people of Kerala to support BJP in 2024 general polls

New Delhi: Union minister of state for IT Rajeev Chandrasekhar said on Sunday he will meet Indian startups this week to asses the impact on them following the collapse of US-based Silicon Valley Bank. He shared this information on Twitter.

Central Govt opposes same-sex marriages

 Heterosexual marriages the norm: Centre opposes pleas in SC over same-sex marriages

 An affidavit, filed by the Central govt before the Apex court opposing the pleas is scheduled over for the hearing today

 Over 4 gay couples in recent months have asked SC to recognise same-sex marriages

First India Bureau

`

E-WAY HIGHLIGHTS

8,480 CRORE

The 118 Km long BengaluruMysuru Expressway project inaugurated in Maddur

75 MINUTES

From over 3 hours to 75 mins, Expressway will reduce the travel time between the two cities

6-LANING Bengaluru-Nidaghatta-Mysuru section of NH-275 and will act as development in the region

`4,130 CRORE Foundation stone for MysuruKushalnagar 4 lane highway laid by PM Narendra Modi

First India Bureau

Thrissur: Union HM Amit Shah on Sunday urged people of Kerala to support his party in the 2024 general elections, make India a secure and developed country and ensure a prominent place amongst the nations. Addressing the Jan Shakti rally organised by BJP in Thrissur, he said although the people of Kerala provided

Second leg of Budget session from today; Govt says our priority to pass Finance Bill

New Delhi: The Indian Navy is going to place orders for acquiring more than 200 BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles worth over $2.5 billion which would be equipped on all the frontline warships of maritime force, the officials said on Sunday.

ADANI GROUP PREPAYS

$2.15 BILLION LOANS

AHEAD OF DEADLINE

New Delhi: Adani Group on Sunday said it has repaid loans aggregating USD 2.65 billion to complete a prepayment programme ahead of March 31 deadline to cut overall leverage in an attempt to win back investors’ trust.

WEAPONS, NARCOTICS

SEIZED NEAR LoC IN J&K’S RAJOURI AREA

Rajouri/Jammu: Army troops guarding the LoC recovered small arms and narcotics from Rajouri district of J&K on Sunday, officials said. Two pistols, an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) and heroin was among the recoveries made, they said.

First India Bureau New Delhi: The second leg of Budget session will commence on Monday with the government asserting that its priority is to pass the Finance Bill and the Opposition planning to raise issues like the action of central agencies against the BJP’s politi-

cal rivals and allegations against the Adani group. Rajya Sabha

Chairperson Jagdeep

2 die after being run over by low-floor bus

Satyanarayan Sharma

Jaipur: Two people were killed after being run over by a speeding low-floor bus in Jhotwara area of Jaipur on Sunday. Police informed the deceased has been identified as Dilkhush (20), a native of Bihar and Radhey Shyam Singh (68), a resident of Tara Nagar C in Jhotwara area. “The incident occurred at 8:45am when Dilkhush was passing from the Khirni Phatak area. The bus ran-over him while his

two-wheeler got stuck in the bus,” police said.

“Dilkhush died on the spot while Radhey Shyam succummed to injuries during treatment in SMS Hospital. The bus driver fled from the spot after the incident, bus has been seized.

Dhankhar sought views of leaders of various political parties on ways to curb disruptions in the House at a meeting held on Sunday. Opposition members raised the issue of alleged misuse of central agencies against non-BJP govts and move to appoint Dhankhar’s personal staff on parl committees. More on P5

J&K’S BUDGET TO BE PRESENTED IN PARL BY SITHARAMAN TODAY

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will table budget for the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir for the year 2023-24 in Lok Sabha today. The UT is at present under the central govt rule. Nirmala Sitharaman will also present Supplementary Demands for Grants - Second Batch for 2022-23.

opportunities alternatively to the Congress and the Communists for the past several years, both have failed to deliver and could not bring any development in the state. He said India’s economy was in the 11th position when PM Modi took over, adding, Narendra Modi government took the fight to Pakistan’s soil following Pulwama and Uri incidents. More on P5

CM IN RASCON EVENT

New Delhi: The Centre in a filing to the Supreme Court on Sunday stuck to its earlier stand that same-sex marriage is not compatible with the concept of an “Indian family unit”, which it said consists of “a husband, a wife, and children which necessarily presuppose a biological man as a ‘husband’, a biological woman as a ‘wife’ and children born out of union between the two - who are reared by the biological man as father and the biological woman as mother”.

It is submitted that despite the decriminalisation of Section 377 of IPC, petitioners cannot claim right for same-sex marriage to be recognised under the laws of the country, it said.

OPS HAS GIVEN EMPLOYEES A SENSE OF SECURITY ABOUT FUTURE:

CM

Dimple Sharma

Jaipur: Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot once again reiterated that the old pension scheme (OPS) has been implemented in the state on the demand of the employees, which has given the employees a sense of security about their future.

“The future of the employees in the new pension scheme depends on the stock market. The opposition of the old pension scheme

by the central government and many economists is unjustified,”

Gehlot said. He said that unprecedented progress has

The notion of marriage itself necessarily and inevitably presupposes a union between two persons of the opposite sex.

—Centre

AFFIDAVIT STATES...

 Registration of marriage of same sex persons also results in violation of existing personal as well as codified law provisions

 Parties entering into marriage creates an institution having its own public significance, as it is a social institution from which several rights & liabilities flow  Family issues are far beyond mere recognition and registration of marriage between persons belonging to the same gender  It will not be permissible to pray for a writ of this court to change the entire legislative policy of the country deeply embedded in religious and societal norm

‘VIRAT’ VICTORY

Star Indian batter Virat Kohli on Sunday registered his highest Test score against Australia during 4th and final Test at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. ‘King’ Kohli, who hit his 1st Test century in over 3 years, surpassed his previous best of 169 against Australia in 2014 at the MCG.

KEJRIWAL, MANN TO LEAD AAP’S ‘TIRANGA YATRA’ IN JAIPUR TODAY

been made in all the fields while OPS is being implemented in country.

OPS does not hinder devp of India in any way.

Gehlot was addressing the swearing-in ceremony of the executive body of Rajasthan State Other Administrative Services Confederation in Jaipur on Sunday.

He also said that the role of employees is important in providing sensitive, transparent and accountable administration in Raj. Turn to P8

Ashok Yogi

Jaipur: Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal and Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann will lead the AAP’s “Tiranga Yatra” in Jaipur on Monday sounding the poll bugle in State. AAP leader Vinay Mishra said about fourand-a-half lakh people have become its members recently, AAP was optimistic about its performance in Assembly polls in Rajasthan. Kejri & Maan will also address gathering at Ajmeri gate. P8

IT’S RAINING FLOWERS! Prime Minister Narendra Modi receives a grand welcome on his arrival, in Mandya on Sunday.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurates Bengaluru-Mysuru Expressway and other developmental projects in presence of Union Minister for Road Transport & Highways Nitin Gadkari and Karnataka CM Basavaraj Bommai in Mandya district on Sunday.

Congress doesn’t know that the blessings of crores of mothers, sisters, daughters, and people is the biggest protection shield for Modi.

—Narendra Modi, PM

Amit Shah being felicitated by BJP workers in Thrissur on Sunday.

Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot during the swearing-in ceremony of the executive body of RASCON in Jaipur on Sunday.

BJP’S PUBLIC-WELFARE GOVT WILL BE FORMED IN 2023, SAY LEADERS

Preparations of the booth empowerment campaign and district Jan Aakrosh Mahagherav has started

Congress doing cheap politics to divide families of martyrs: Arun Singh

Dinesh Tiwari

Jaipur: National General Secretary of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and State incharge Arun Singh on Sunday took a jibe at Congress and said that the party is doing cheap politics to divide the families of “martyrs”.

IAF performs stunts at Air Force Station

Pooja Dubey

Jaipur: BJP state president Satish Poonia on Sunday said that BJP’s public-welfare government will be formed in 2023 which will fulfill the aspirations of the public and the dreams of Rajasthan. The district-level Jan Aakrosh Maha Abhiyan will start from March 15. He also said that in

2024, the party will retain power at the centre under the efficient leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

“With a landslide victory, the BJP government will be formed and Narendra Modi will become the Prime Minister for the third time. We all BJP workers are fully committed to these resolutions,” he said.

State office bearers,

district in-charges, and district presidents attended the meeting which was called for the preparations of the booth empowerment campaign and district Jan Aakrosh Mahagherav. He said that the sweat of BJP’s booth-level workers will become a big factor in BJP’s massive victory in the upcoming elections.

Vaibhav Gehlot gives info about various public welfare schemes

Harish Sharma

Lohawat (Jodhpur):

RCA President Vaibhav Gehlot was on a tour of Aau town of Lohawat assembly on Sunday. He was warmly welcomed by the Congress workers on reaching Aau along with Lohawat MLA Kisnaram Vishnoi to participate in the Haath Se Haath Jodo campaign of Hand the Congress. Vaibhav Gehlot, while addressing the general meeting, gave information about the various public welfare schemes being run by the state government

and the development works done in the last four years in the Lohawat assembly constituency.

“Every class including farmers has been

NEWS DIGEST

MAN, WOMAN DIE BEFORE TRAIN, POLICE SUSPECT IT TO BE LOVE AFFAIR

Suratgarh: A man and a woman died after being run over by a train late Saturday night near Rampura Rangmahal gate in Suratgarh. On receiving information about the incident, the GRP police station reached the spot and started an investigation. Police identified the deceased as Kesra Ram and K Sunita, residents of Ward No. 10. The deceased were brother-in-law and sister-in-law. Prima facie the police is looking into the matter by linking it to a love affair. The police got the post-mortem done & handed over the bodies to the relatives.

2 HELD ON CHARGE OF KILLING FATHER IN JODHPUR

Jodhpur: Two men were arrested in Jodhpur for allegedly killing their father over a petty issue of removing an electricity transformer from their farmland,” police said. “

The electricity bill of the farmland came to around Rs 2 lakhs, following which, the victim removed the transformer and wanted to waive the bill. However, accused wanted the transformer to remain in its place,” police said.

—Rajendra Patwari

NURSING EMPLOYEE HIT BY MLA’S CAR IN BIKANER

Bikaner: A nursing employee was injured after being hit by the car of Nokha MLA Bihari Lal Vishnoi in PBM Hospital of Bikaner on Sunday morning. Sources informed that a nursing employee, identified as Hasan, was on a motorcycle in the premises of PBM Hospital when Bihari Lal Vishnoi’s car rammed into the motorcycle. “Hasan fell on the road and his leg got fractured,” said a source.

YOUNG MAN SHOT IN STOMACH IN MARKET OVER MINOR DISPUTE, ADMITTED TO HOSP

Dholpur: In Lal Bazar of Nihalganj police station area of Dholpur, after a mutual altercation, the dispute escalated so much that a youth shot another youth in the stomach. After the shooting, the accused fled from there. Police reached the spot and sent the injured youth Himanshu (24) to the district hospital where he was referred after his condition became critical. The police is now also scanning the CCTV cameras installed nearby.SHO Vijay Meena said that the injured youth told the police in a written statement that he was going to his home from the market, and while on the way he found Arpit alias Bhura Pandit in an inebriated condition who shot him in the stomach.

“Congress party is doing cheap politics to divide the families of martyrs. At the time of the funeral of the martyred soldiers, the Congress ministers promised to build statues and provide jobs to the family members of the martyrs, and now instead of fulfilling the promise, they’re insulting the widows of martyrs,” Arun told the media.

Regarding the sloganeering against BJP state president Satish Poonia during the protest on Saturday, Singh said that such people could not be from the BJP and must be some outside antisocial elements. “Still if any party person does such act then action must be taken against him because this is a very serious matter,” he said.

3 killed, 2 injured as car collides with tree

First India Bureau

Sirohi: Three people were killed and two others were injured in the Pindwara area of Sirohi district on Sunday after their car lost its balance and rammed into a tree. Police informed the deceased have been identified as Pratap Singh, Karan Singh and Shiv Shankar Singh, all residents of Sardarshahar town of Churu district.

taken care of. It is the responsibility of theparty workers that the person sitting till last end can get benefits of the schemes of the state government,” he said.

“ The mishap took place on the national highway near Jhadoli. The victims were heading towards Gujarat when their car lost its balance,

Cong protest against Centre, Adani at Raj Bhavan today

First India Bureau Jaipur: The State Congress will march up to Raj Bhavan today to protest against Adani and crony capitalism. A meeting will be held at 8:30 am at the civil line gate. CM Ashok Gehlot, State Congress President Govind Dotasra, and other leaders will participate in this. Rajasthan Pradesh Congress Committee spokesperson Swarnim

Chaturvedi has alleged that this demonstration is being held in protest against the Central govt’s policy of crony capitalism in favour of the Adani group.

Rajasthan in-charge Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa, ministers, MLAs, MLA candidates, office bearers of state Congress, corporation-board chairman and vicechairman, and senior Congressmen will participate in the meeting.

jumped the highway and then collided with a tree. The collision was so strong that the car was completely damaged and three of them died on the spot,” police said.

First India Bureau Suratgarh: ‘Air Display 2023’ was conducted at Air Force Station Suratgarh on March 11 & 12. The event comprising displays by Surya Kiran Aerobatics Team, Akash Ganga Sky Diving Team, Air Warrior Drill Team, and Air Force Band were aimed to create awareness about IAF and motivate the youth to join the armed forces.

The spectacular air show by the Surya Kiran Aerobatic Team, displaying remarkable coordination, precision, and courage, infused tremendous thrill among the audience. The Akash Ganga Team carried out sky diving wherein they jumped from a height of 12000 feet with the Indian national flag and IAF flag. They formed several formations in the air.

OVERWHELMING RESPONSE FROM STUDENTS

The demonstration by the Air Warrior Drill Team was a hallmark of precision, discipline, and accuracy. The patriotic songs and martial tunes played by the Air Force Band brought out the feeling of patriotism and nationalist fervor in the audience. The static display of aircrafts and indigenously made weapon systems aptly demonstrated the might of the IAF. The station received an overwhelming response from students of various schools and colleges in the vicinity of Suratgarh. The event was also witnessed by the civil population, Indian Army, and the IAF personnel.

Om Mathur refutes factionalism, says BJP not party of one family

Narpat Joya

Didwana: BJP Central Election Committee member, Chhattisgarh BJP in-charge and senior BJP leader Omprakash Mathur while interacting with the media at Banwasa village in Didwana on Sunday said that BJP is not a party of any one family and here every decision is taken by the parliamentary board. Refuting allegations of any factionalism within the party Mathur said that the incharge has clearly said that programmes can be

held at four places simultaneously. “I assure you that the govt will be formed,” he said. Mathur linked factionalism in the party with political ambi -

1 held for molesting 20-year-old Bangkok girl on Holi in Jaipur

First India Bureau

Jaipur: A 20-year-old foreigner was allegedly molested by a man on Holi (March 7) when she was waiting for her cab in the hotel’s parking area. SHO Rajesh Gautam of Vidhayakpuri police station said that the victim from Bangkok lodged the report. Police have arrested the accused.

According to police, the victim had come to

Jaipur to celebrate Holi.

On March 6, she reached Jaipur and stayed at a hotel in the Manak Chowk area. She went to Khasa Kothi Hotel on MI Road to play Holi on

March 8. After playing Holi, she went to the hotel’s parking area around 11:30 pm. She was waiting for her cab when three men approached her. One of them wished her and said Happy Holi and applied colour on her cheeks. But one of them molested the foreigner. He fled when the victim protested. The victim then reached the Vidhayakpuri police station and lodged a complaint.

Brahmin leaders bat for reservation

Monu Singh Rajawat

Dausa: Vipra Mahakumbh took place on Sunday at Mehandipur Balaji in Dausa, where Brahmin leaders of Congress and BJP shared the stage. Rajya Sabha MP and senior BJP leader Ghanshyam

Tiwari said that he had nothing to do with the Special Backward Class (SBC) but wanted reservation. He said that the state government has no right to acquire temples.

“The priests are not only Brahmins but are Gurjars and Rajputs as

well,” he said. Tiwari said that if there can be a separate

Waqf Board, then a Hindu Religious Act should also be made. He said

that the government has given reservation to all sections of society. He said that they are not financially strong, so reservation on an economic basis was necessary. Brahmin society showed its political power in Vipra Kumbh in Mehandipur Balaji.

About 5 to 7 thousand Vipra brothers participated in the program. Politicians and dignitaries belonging to Brahmin society of all major parties were present.

tion and said that every person is ambitious and there is nothing wrong in being ambitious in politics, but there is no factionalism in the party.

First India Bureau Jaipur: A married woman was allegedly gangraped by two men in the Ramnagariya area, police said. Police informed the incident took place on March 10 near RK Swimming Pool located in the Ramnagariya area.

“The two miscreants came to the victim’s house and took her along stating that her husband was lying on the road in an inebriated state. The victim was taken to farmland where she was gangraped by the two men,” police said.

“The victim’s husband was also beaten by the accused, following which, both were taken to a private hospital. The matter is being investigated by Sanganer ACP Ram Singh,’ police added.

Arun Singh, Satish Poonia, Vijaya Rahatkar, Chandrashekhar & others at meeting in Jaipur on Sunday.

Dr Mahesh Joshi, Dr Raghu Sharma, Ghanshyam Tiwari, Archana Sharma, Gaurav Vallabh and other leaders participating in Vipra Mahakumbh at Mehandipur Balaji in Dausa on Sunday.

Vaibhav Gehlot addresing during the Haath Se Haath Jodo campaign at Aau town of Lohawat assembly on Sunday.

Om Mathur inaugurated the building built by a Bhamashah family at Banwasa village in Didwana on Sunday.

The mangled remains of the car on the national highway.

Married woman allegedly gangraped by two men in Jpr

Arun Singh addressing the BJP workers in Jaipur on Sunday.

Surya Kiran aerobatic team of Indian Air Force performing stunts at Suratgarh Air Force Station on Sunday.

PULWAMA MARTYRS’ WIDOWS BATTLE FOR ‘JUSTICE’

MARTYRS’ WIDOWS UNDER ‘HOUSE ARREST’

l Martyr’s widow Manju Jat appears after 60 hrs, alleges police of beating her

Satyanarayan Sharma

Jaipur: After 60 hours of martyr widow Manju Jat disappearing from the protest site outside the bungalow of former Dy CM Sachin Pilot, a video has surfaced in which she is seen under house arrest by the police at plot number 26, Anand Vihar, Harmada.

Police have been deployed all around the colony where Manju Jat is present. Manju has not eaten for many days and she is not even able to speak, people close to her claimed. Manju didn’t say anything even after asking several times. She is said to be in shock. In fact, Manju Jat, wife of martyr Rohitashv Lamba who died in the Pulwama attack, along with two other widows Sundari Devi Gurjar and Madhubala Meena, was sitting on a dharna in Jaipur.

At 3 am on March 9, the police forcefully removed all the three widows from the dharna site. After picking up Manju from the protest site, the police dropped her at her village Govindpura Basdi. Then she was admitted to Amarsar PHC.

Amid tech glitch, IAF chopper makes emergency landing

Rajeev Gaur

Jodhpur: A helicopter of the Indian Air Force (IAF) made an emergency landing on a farm in Pilwa village of Jodhpur district on Sunday after it developed a technical snag, police said.

Police officials informed that the helicopter was going to Phalodi from Jodhpur at around 3:30pm on Sunday.

“Around 20 air force officials were inside the helicopter when it reported a technical snag. The pilot did an emergency landing at a farmland in Pilwa village under Dechu PS area.

3 medical colleges get principals and controllers in Raj

OPPN MISGUIDING MARTYRS’ FAMILIES ON SCHEMES, CM GEHLOT HITS BACK

MIN MEGHWAL SLAMS CM FOR NOT KEEPING HIS PROMISE WITH WIDOWS

Kota: Union Minister of State for Culture Arjun Ram Meghwal, during his visit to Kota on Sunday, took on Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot for not keeping his promise made with the war widows. Gehlot had met the widows at their homes and promised that he would give a job to their brother-in-law. Meghwal said that the widows are still sitting on dharna.

RAJNATH, NADDA INQUIRE WELL BEING OF DR KIRODI MEENA

MP Kirodi Lal Meena is undergoing treatment in the ICU of SMS Hospital and according to the doctors his health is fine. He is also meeting leaders and people.

BJP state in-charge Arun Singh along with Satish Poonia met him at the SMS Hospital.

NO WAR WIDOW UNDER HOUSE ARREST, AdCP RASHTRADEEP DEBUNKS CLAIMS

After a war widow accused the police of assaulting them during dharna, Additional Commissioner of Police Kunwar Rashtradeep, in a damage control attempt, said that three widows were getting medical treatment. During the medical check-up on March 10, the health of two widows was said to be bad.

“That is why following the advice of the doctors, the police immediately admitted the two to the hospital near their residence and the third one was released at her residence. Neither there was any fight nor any of them is under house arrest,” he said, adding that the police got to know from the social media that people might protest outside their houses so, soldiers have been deployed there.

Key accused in Kota museum burglary case held from UP

Kota (PTI): A key member of an interstate gang that allegedly stole antique items and jewellery from the Rao Madho Singh Museum in the Kota Garh Palace has been arrested, police said. Arun Taiwatia (28), a resident of Gautam Buddh Nagar in UP, was arrested from Ghaziabad on Friday. On Saturday, he was produced before a court in Kota that sent him to seven days’ police custody, SP Kota City Sharad Choudhary said on Sunday.

Two other accused — Achin Jatav (24) and Prabhat Panchal (27) of Ghaziabad — were nabbed from Delhi on Tuesday and are being

interrogated in police custody, he added.

Taiwatia was nabbed on the basis of the duo’s disclosure by officers from the District Special Team and the cyber cell, Choudhary said. The senior official added that Taiwatia and Panchal were also involved in the burglary of Dr Ramnath Podar Haveli Museum at Naval Garh in Jhunjhunu on Feb 18.

‘Rajmata’ Sushila Kumari

CM Ashok Gehlot on Sunday defended the benefits reserved for the martyrs’ families under a state scheme saying that the BJP leaders are misguiding the people and maligning the image of Rajasthan. “The kind of package given by Rajasthan govt to the war widows, be it of the Pulwama, Balakot, or Kargil, doesn’t exist anywhere in the country. I had brought the package when I was CM around 25 years back,” Gehlot told reporters after attending a programme. He said that under the package the martyrs’ families are allotted land and housing, schools are named after martyrs, and jobs are kept reserved for their children. The Chief Minister’s remarks came on the heels of a protest being waged by three war widows, who have been demanding a change in rules so that their relatives and not just children can get govt jobs on compassionate grounds. “Why are they asking for jobs after four years? The BJP leaders are misguiding the people,” Gehlot said.

Ex-Min Gopal Kesawat’s wife held for assault

Jaipur (FIB): The wife of former state minister Gopal Kesawat has been arrested by Sanganer Police on Sunday. Police informed a case was registered against Gopal Kesawat and four others for allegedly beating a youth, identified as Gyan Singh, near Sanganer Bus Stand about a year ago. “Gopal Kesawat and others were arrested, but his wife has been absconding since then. The woman has now been arrested and is being interrogated,” police added.

Bkn royal family consigned to flames

Laxman Raghav

Bikaner: Sushila Kumari, once the princess of Dungarpur and then the queen of Bikaner, was given final farewell on Sunday. From people to members of the erstwhile royal family, everyone was immersed in sorrow.

The funeral procession of Sushila Kumari, known by names like “Data”, “Dadisa” and Maharani Sahiba, started at 11.30 am and reached Sagar via Junagarh, Public Park,

farewell

During the last rites,

Meghwal said, “The Chief Minister should do the right thing. If he had promised them, he must give them jobs.” Regarding the incident with MP Kirori Lal Meena, Meghwal said that the Congress government has

become unjust and tyrannical. “They misbehaved with MP Ranjita Koli, Kirori Lal Meena. Some Congress leaders also believe that the government should not do this, yet the government did it, it is very sad,” he said. —Bhanwar S Charan

SHEKHAWAT TARGETS CM OVER APATHY TOWARDS WAR WIDOWS

Jodhpur: Union Minister Gajendra Shekhawat, during his visit to Jodhpur on Sunday, targeted the state government over apathy towards Pulwama war widows. On reaching the Jodhpur airport, he was welcomed by BJP workers. He then went to his residence, where he met the general public. Shekhawat said that the martyrs sacrificed for the protection of the country and such behaviour with the widows was very painful as it has hurt everyone’s sentiments and there is resentment among the people.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and BJP National President JP Nadda are also learnt to have inquired about the health of Meena over the phone. SMS Hospital Superintendent Dr Achal Sharma said there was complaint of numbness and pain in hands and feet of Meena for which he has been examined. Several leaders including Arun Singh, Chandrasekhar, Vijaya Rahatkar, Ashok Parnami, Rajpal Singh, Ashok Lahoti, Vijender Poonia, Bhajanlal Sharma, Srichand Kriplani, Lakhan Meena, and Namonarayan Meena met MP Kirodi Lal Meena on Sunday. —Vikas Sharma

First India Bureau

Jaipur : The results of the interview for the post of Principal and Controller in three medical colleges of Rajasthan were announced on Sunday. According to the orders issued by the Medical Education Department, Dr Sangeeta Saxena (Senior Professor Radiodiagnosis) at Kota Medical College, Dr Vipin K Mathur at Udaipur College (Senior Professor Gastroenterology) and Dr Veer Bahadur Singh (Senior Professor Medicine) has been made Principal at Ajmer College. A total of 32 doctors from across the state appeared for interviews. They were interviewed by Chief Secretary Usha Sharma, Principal Secretary Medical Health Department T Ravikant, RUHS ViceChancellor Dr Sudhir Bhandari and Secretary Personnel Department Hemant Gera.

Jaipur Road. The eyes of the people who came to participate in the last journey were only towards Siddhi Kumari. Bikaner East MLA Sid-

dhi Kumari was engaged in the service of her grandmother.

Edu Min Dr BD Kalla, Deputy LoP Rajendra

Rathore, MLA Bihari Vishnoi, former minister Devi Singh Bhati along with Divisional Commissioner, IG and SP were present.

of erstwhile

(L) Pulwama martyr’s widow Manju Jat alleges beating by the police. (R) Police team outside her home at Harmada on Sunday.

Pulwama martyr’s widow Sundari Gurjar surrounded by a team of police during alleged ‘house arrest’ in Bharatpur on Sunday.

MLA Siddhi Kumari and others accompanying palanquin carrying body of ‘Rajmata’ Sushila Kumari as people bid

on the road. The last rites were performed in Sagar, Bikaner on Sunday.

Union Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal in Kota on Sunday.

Medical Education Department released the results on Sunday.

—Shiv Prakash Purohit

Arun Singh, Bhajanlal Sharma met Kirodi Meena in SMS hospital on Sunday.

Gajendra Singh Shekhawat and Naunad Kanwar praying at Shrinath temple, Nathdwara on Sunday.

INDIA COULD BE THE NEW CHINA OF THE 2020s

ous times considered.

It’s an option that the US has not pursued, but neither has either administration rejected it out of hand. “I don’t think we are ever again going to see a position where the United States is prepared to be the primary security provider and bear any burden or pay any price to uphold order in the Middle East,” said former Singaporean diplomat and chairman of the National University of Singapore’s Middle East Institute Bilahari Kausikan.

A NEW MULTIPOLAR WORLD ORDER

India’s regional relationships, ability to get its domestic house in order, and grow its economy will likely shape its place in a new 21st century world order. This year’s Indian chairmanship of the Group of 20, which brings together the leaders of the world’s 20 largest economies, is an opportunity for Prime Minister Narendra Modi to showcase where India is heading.

IN-DEPTH

BBC, TORY GOVT CRITICISED FOR CURBING SOCCER STAR’S REMARK

“India….can work with neighbors to build the peaceful and more prosperous periphery that its own development demands. It can participate in the remaking of the rules of the international system now underway… And it can reengage economically with the dynamic economies of Asia, participating in global value chains, to further its own transformation,” Menon said. The decade of India might finally have arrived.

This could be India’s decade if it plays its cards right. The subcontinental state is poised to be the next China, even if its path will likely be less straightforward than that of China and more of a Leninist two steps forward, one step backwards.

Leaving aside the multiple domestic issues India will have to address to realize its full potential, it is already, in the words of an Indian analyst, in a “geopolitical sweet spot.” Recently concluded defense and technology agreements with the US constitute a milestone. The agreements acknowledge reality, including that one underestimates the US at one’s peril and that, despite their domestic travails, the US and the UK still produce 50% of the global wealth as opposed to China and Russia’s combined 20%.

“For India, the West is the most important trading part-

PROTESTS IN ISRAEL TO SAVE DEMOCRACY

ner, the dominant source of capital and technology, and the major destination for the Indian diaspora,” said columnist and former member of India’s National Security Advisory Board C. Mohan Raja in a Foreign Policy article, titled ‘It’s Time to Tie India to the West.’ With India set to become the world’s third largest economy, Raja advocated turning the Group of 7 (G-7), which groups the world’s foremost democratic economies, into a G-8 with India as its newest member.

The agreements reinforce the notion that supply chain security and geopolitics have become as important as economics and pricing in creating and/or managing global value chains. Furthermore, they are a step towards enabling India to redress its trade imbalances skewed in China’s favor. Finally, the agreements constitute a building block for a potential future multilateral security arrangement in the Gulf in which India would be a key player.

INDIA AS A PLAYER IN THE GULF

Gulf security was not foremost in the minds of Indian

Israelis in tens of thousands have been protesting on Saturdays against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s proposed judicial reforms for greater accountability of the country’s SC. The protests have been going on since January. Israelis are opposing the proposal which they fear will mark end of democracy.

Netanyahu heads a rightwing coalition which came to power on December 29, 2022. Soon after, on January 4, 2023, the law minister Yariv Levin announced plans to reform the judiciary. The reform proposed to limit the Supreme Court’s powers to rule against the legislature and the executive and to grant majority to the right-wing coalition on

Leaving aside the multiple domestic issues India will have to address to realize its full potential, it is already, in the words of an Indian analyst, in a “geopolitical sweet spot.” Recently concluded defense and technology agreements with the US constitute a milestone

and US policymakers when they conceived the agreements. However, inevitably, that is where the Gulf is going for multiple reasons.

These include a US desire to rejigger America’s commitment to Gulf security and share the burden with regional players. The US is not yet at a point where it is willing to share control of Gulf security commitments with other external powers. Still, it is something that policymakers in both the Trump and Biden administrations have at vari-

Israelis in tens of thousands have been protesting on Saturdays against Prime Minister Benjamin’s proposed judicial reforms for greater accountability of the country’s Supreme Court

the judges’ appointment committee. Following this proposal, weekly protests began to be organized in the country. The last of them on March 11, the protesters’ count was estimated to be around 5 lakh.

Netanyahu is facing trial for corruption and wants to overhaul the system to restore bal-

One focus will be the impact of the rise of Hindu nationalism, the country’s increasingly strained intercommunal relations, and what India’s motto for its chairmanship, “One Earth One Family One Future” means in practice. So far, India, like China, has benefitted from Muslim-majority states emphasizing national interests rather than communal and identity concerns. However, that may prove to be a fragile proposition.

The US may have suffered the least, given its ability to marshal its allies in Europe and some in Asia to forcefully support Ukraine while remaining focused on its rivalry with China in Asia. Even so, as former Indian national security advisor Shivshankar Menon notes, “worries remain… about the United States being distracted by Ukraine from its roles elsewhere, particularly in the Middle East and Africa.” Those worries are compounded by the bungled US withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021 and concern about the impact of deep polarization in the US that is likely to be reflected in the campaign for the 2024 presidential election.

SOURCE: FAIR OBSERVER

ance between the different wings of the government as, in his view, the judiciary enjoys too much power over the legislature. Many in India would be keenly watching the developments as judiciary versus the legislature and judicial accountability have been the subject of much debate.

Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar has attacked SC for its judgment in Kesavananda Bharati case which said that Parl can amend Constitution but not its basic structure. The SC has stoutly defended its powers.

Vice President Dhankhar and the Union Law Minister Kiren Rijiju, on the other hand, have also questioned the Supreme Court’s power to quash the National Judicial Accountability Bill passed by the Parliament.

The BBC has been in turmoil ever since ‘Match of the Day’ presenter Gary Lineker’s suspension for comparing the Tory government’s policy on illegal migrants with that of Nazi Germany. The former ace footballer’s suspension has led to a boycott of programmes by several other sports presenters pushing the broadcaster in turmoil. Lineker was the leading scorer for England at the 1986 soccer World Cup. The boycotts have forced the BBC to air only “limited” sports programmes. Analysts and soccer players also extended support to Lineker, once a national hero. The BBC has come in for scathing criticism for political bias and curbing free speech. Known for unbiased reporting, the BBC has a Conservative Party supporter Richard Sharp as Chairman. In 2021 Sharp helped arrange a loan for Boris Johnson who was then the prime minister. So far there seems to have been no effort to resolve the crisis. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has urged the BBC and Lineker to settle their differences.

SPIRITUAL SPEAK

Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go. Bible

TOP TWEETS

India is witnessing fast development due to peace. People who had taken up Arms are returning back to mainstream due to the Govt’s people friendly actions. @ PemaKhanduBJP Govt is actively implementing the major schemes and policies initiated by

Big day for the cheetah reintroduction programme undertaken because of the decisive leadership of PM Shri @ narendramodi ji! Two cheetahs (one male and one female) have been released into the wild in Kuno National Park from their enclosures. Both cheetahs are doing good.

JAMES M DORSEY

The writer is an award-winning journalist and commentator on foreign affairs who has covered ethnic and religious conflict and terrorism across the globe for over 3 decades.

The Russia-Ukraine War, China’s intransigent rise, American fixation with China and Russia and other new geopolitical developments present a unique opportunity for India to step up in an emerging multipolar world

’S ZERO-TOLERANCE TO

CONTINUE AGAINST TERRORISM: HM

At CISF Raising Day, Shah lauds Force’s work in strengthening India’s economy

First India Bureau Hyderabad:

Union

Home Minister Amit Shah said on Sunday that the Modi government’s policy of zero-tolerance towards terrorism will continue in the times to come and the separatism, terrorism and antinational activities in any part of the country will be dealt with firmly.

He said the violence is coming down substantially in Kashmir, while insurgency in Northeast and Left Wing Extremism-affected areas has also reduced.

Addressing a 54th CISF Raising Day parade at National Industrial Security Academy (NISA) here, Shah lauded Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) for its work in strengthening India’s economy and said that Naxalities and terrorists are under control due to CISF.

The Union Home Minister said that the CISF will safeguard crucial ports and airports in the country as it has been doing for the past 53 years. This is the first time that CISF is holding the ‘Raising Day’ celebrations outside the National capital, New Delhi. It used to be held

CISF ‘RAISING DAY’ CELEBRATIONS

HELD OUTSIDE NEW DELHI FOR 1st TIME

Hyderabad (ANI): Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Sunday attended the 54th CISF Raising Day parade at National Industrial Security Academy (NISA) here. The CISF was set up under the act of the Parliament of India on March 10, 1969. Since then, CISF Raising Day is being celebrated on March 10 each year. This year the CISF’s annual Raising Day celebrations in being held here. As per officials, this is the first time that CISF is be holding the ‘Raising Day’ celebrations outside the National capital, New Delhi.

at CISF ground located on the outskirts of Delhi, in Ghaziabad.

“CISF has a very important contribution in the economic progress of the country because any country can pro-

Santanu involved in ‘money for transfer’ racket also, says ED

Kolkata (Agencies):

Trinamool Congress

leader Santanu Bandopadhyay, who was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Friday in the teacher’s recruitment scam in West Bengal, was remanded to three-day ED custody by a special PMLA court here on Monday. Although the ED counsel had made a plea for 14-day custody of Bandopadhyay, the principal nodal officer of Hooghly district Zilla Parishad, the judge granted remand till March 13. Bandopadhyay on Saturday claimed that he has been framed in this matter and that it had been done purposefully by those who are already in judicial custody in relation to the multi-crore scam. How-

BRS ‘GREETS’ HM WITH ‘WASHING POWDER NIRMA’ POSTERS

“PM Modi has proposed the vision of a 5 trillion-dollar economy for which the safeguarding of ports, airports, etc is very important. CISF will safeguard them as they have been doing for the past 53 years,” he said.

He further said that the Home Ministry will strengthen the CISF with all technologies in the upcoming times to protect the ports, airports and others.

gress only when the security of its industries, security of airports and seaports is ensured.

CISF has fulfilled all the objectives of the establishment of CISF in 53 years,” Shah said.

The Union Home Minister said that CISF worked as a first responder during the COVID-19 pandemic crisis at airports and railway stations.

Hyderabad (ANI): The Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) leaders set up a hoarding of ‘Washing Powder Nirma’ giving sarcastic welcome to Union Home Minister Amit Shah in Hyderabad on Sunday. In continuation to various posters that surfaced on the walls of Hyderabad against BJP leaders and Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday, another hoarding giving Amit Shah a sarcastic welcome has come up at JBS junction in Hyderabad today. Posters against BJP continue to surface in Hyderabad since Saturday when the BRS MLC and Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao’s daughter and MLC K Kavitha appeared before the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in connection with the case pertaining to the now-defunct Delhi excise policy. The BRS leaders have put up a hoarding that read ‘Welcome Amit Shah’.

Rahul, ED-CBI actions to heat up both the Houses

New Delhi: During the first phase of Budget session, Opposition parties created ruckus in both Houses of Parliament — Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha — over the Hindenburg report on the Adani group. On the last day of the first phase of session on February 13, the Lok Sabha proceedings went on smoothly throughout the day, but the uproar continued in the Rajya Sabha, following which Chairman Jaideep Dhankhar adjourned the House proceedings till March 13.

KHARGE MEETS VP DHANKHAR AHEAD OF 2nd PHASE OF BUDGET SESSION

BUDGET SESSION

New Delhi (PTI): Congress president and Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge met Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar here on Sunday, after which he asserted that opposition parties want a discussion during the second leg of the Budget session on every burning issue facing the nation. Kharge also asserted that opposition parties are keen to play a constructive role in making the government accountable.Kharge met Dhankhar, who is also the Rajya Sabha Chairman, at the Upa-Rashtrapati Nivas. “Met @VPIndia, ahead of the forthcoming session of the Parliament to seek his cooperation,” the Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha said in a tweet.

long break, which will likely affect the Parliament proceedings.

The relations between the ruling party and the Opposition have soured further in the month-

Former Deputy Chief Minister of Delhi has been arrested by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the Enforcement Directorate (ED). K Kavitha, daughter of Telangana

Chief Minister KCR and involved in the expansion campaign of Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS), has been questioned by the ED in Delhi. The investigating agency is continuously tightening its grip on RJD supremo Lalu Yadav’s family as well.

RSS annual 3-day meet begins in Haryana’s Samalkha town

Dimple Sharma

Samalkha: The RSS paid tributes to late Samajwadi Party (SP) leader Mulayam Singh Yadav, socialist leader Sharad Yadav, senior advocate Shanti Bhushan and Prime

Minister Narendra Modi’s mother Hiraben Modi at its annual general body 3-day meeting that began here on Sunday. Around 1400 RSS workers are participating in this meet that is being held in Haryana

after a long gap of 12 years. The Sangh also paid tributes to late Biju Janata Dal (BJD) leader and former Od-

isha minister Nabakishore Das, who was killed by a police officer. The list also included the names of Sagar Sahu and

Nagaland will be without Oppn, again!

Mahesh Sharma

ever, he did not name anyone specific on this count. Meanwhile, ED sources said that the agency has got definite proof that Bandopadhyay had direct links with TMC legislator and the former president of West Bengal Board of Primary Education (WBBPE), Manik Bhattacharya, who is currently in judicial custody along with his wife and son for their alleged involvement in the recruitment scam.

New Delhi: Nagaland was without an Opposition before assembly polls. All the parties in the state were with the ruling coalition. Although they were not a part of the government, but their support was to the government. After the elections, it seemed that there would be an Opposition in the state and perhaps a strong one. But within a week of poll results, it has be-

come clear that this time also Nagaland will be without Opposition. The Opposition will not have a single MLA in

the 60-member assembly as all 60 MLAs will support the govt. Think, the MLAs of the parties opposing the BJP at na-

tional level have also won, but they will also support the govt.

The two parties of the ruling coalition, the NDPP and the BJP, got 25 and 12 seats respectively, and an absolute majority. Despite this, all other parties have supported the government. Its old rival NPF has five MLAs and has not got the status of the main Opposition party and it too has already supported the government.

Budhram Kartam, the BJP leaders from Chhattisgarh who were “martyred in Naxalite violence”. The list of noted personalities who were paid tributes included the names of the prime minister’s mother, Hi-

raben Modi, actor-filmmaker Satish Kaushik, actor Javed Khan Amrohi and singer Vani Jairam. Sangh functionaries also paid homage to industrialists Jamshed J Irani and Vikram Kirloskar.

FIR against Palaniswami for ‘assault’ of AMMK worker

Chennai: Tamil Nadu

Police have registered an FIR against former Tamil Nadu CM and interim general secretary of AIADMK, Edappadi K Palaniswami (EPS). The case has been registered on a complaint by an Amma Makkal Munnetra Kazhagam (AMMK) functionary that he was assaulted by AIADMK men led by EPS. EPS was travelling from Chennai to Madurai and when he was

travelling in an airport bus to the airport, a person was making derogatory remarks against him. Then this incident happened.

Members have freedom to express views in House: LS Speaker

First India Bureau

Manama (Bahrain):

Lok Sabha Speaker Om

Birla has said that India has a robust participatory democracy along with a vibrant multiparty system where hopes and aspirations of the citizens find expression through the elected representatives.

“All members (MPs) enjoy the freedom to express their views and thoughts in Lok Sabha,” Birla said during

the General Debate at the 146th Assembly of Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) here. The 146th Assembly of the IPU is being held in Manama from March 11-15.

Birla’s remarks are being seen as a response to Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, who had alleged that mics were put off when Opposition members speak. He, however, did not mention the former Congress president’s name.

Reiterating India’s

long-standing view that all “global issues should be resolved peacefully through dialogue”, he

said “the Parliament of India has always held extensive and meaningful debates and deliber-

ations on contemporary global challenges such as climate change, gender equality, sustaina-

Birla’s remarks are being seen as a response to Rahul Gandhi, who alleged that mics were put off when Oppn members speak

ble development and the Covid-19 pandemic”. He emphasised that global institutions

propagating peace, harmony and justice are crucial for peace, prosperity, sustainability and a just world order.

Birla said that in global institutions like the UN Security Council, there is a broad consensus among many nations to bring about reforms to reflect the realities of a rapidly changing world order.

The Lok Sabha Speaker also stressed that “reform in the UN Security Council cannot be de-

layed any further”.

He said that it is crucial that the subject is included in future global agendas so that “we could contribute more and more to addressing challenges such as climate change, sustainable development, poverty, gender equality and terrorism”.

He said India is leading the world in the articulation of Global Climate Action Plan to combat the issue of climate change.

Union HM Amit Shah at the inauguration of first baffle range ‘Arjuna’ on the 54th Raising Day of CISF, in Hyderabad on Sunday. CISF Director General Sheel Vardhan Singh (R) also seen. —PHOTO BY ANI

Vice President and Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar chairs an all-party meeting before the second part of the Budget Session, at VP House, in New Delhi, on Sunday. —PHOTO BY PTI

Santanu Bandopadhyay was held in teacher’s recruitment scam.

Edappadi K Palaniswami

PM Narendra Modi with Nagaland CM Neiphiu Rio during latter’s swearing-in ceremony, in Kohima last week. —FILE PHOTO

INDIA, AUS HAVE DEEPENED TIES IN VARIOUS FIELDS: ALBANESE

l We have forged stronger links in education, culture, defence: Aus PM

Canberra (ANI): Aus-

tralian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on Sunday said that India and Australia have forged a deeper connection in education, culture, defence and trade.

“We’ve forged a deeper connection between Australia and India, from education and culture to defence and trade,” Albanese tweeted on Sunday.

The Australian PM also shared a video showing highlights of his India visit. Albanese on Wednesday arrived in Ahmedabad on a state visit to India.

The Australian PM was on an official visit to India from March

8-11. During the visit, the Australian PM met Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the Hyderabad House in New Delhi to hold bilateral

TALKS FOR COMPREHENSIVE FREE TRADE AGREEMENT ‘AS SOON AS POSSIBLE’

New Delhi (PTI) : India and Australia have agreed to conclude the negotiations for a comprehensive free trade agreement “as soon as possible” as there is huge potential to enhance bilateral commerce in the next 5 years, as per joint statement issued on Sunday. The statement was released after the meeting of Union Minister Piyush Goyal and Australia’s Minister for Trade and Tourism Don Farrell here on March 11. Both countries have already implemented an economic cooperation and trade agreement (ECTA) in December 2022 and are now negotiating to widen the scope of that pact into a comprehensive economic cooperation agreement (CECA). “Ministers look forward to concluding CECA as soon as possible,” the statement said.

talks.

The Australian PM also met External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar. The EAM said

DGP

ties to a higher level,” Jaishankar tweeted on Friday.

Albanese on Saturday thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the “extraordinary effort” to make his Australian delegation feel welcome in India.

Startup CEO decodes effects of US bank’s sudden collapse

New Delhi (Agencies):

The collapse of Silicon Valley Bank, a key lender to US startups since the 1980s, has also affected several startups in India, hitting their daily cash needs and other running expenses. US authorities swooped in and seized the bank’s assets after a run on deposits made it no longer tenable for the medium-sized bank to stay afloat on its own.

Ruchit G Garg , the chief executive of Harvesting Farmer Network, was among the startup owners in India whose business felt the ripple effect of Silicon Valley Bank’s (SVB) collapse, the biggest since 2008 when Wash-

ington Mutual sputtered and died.

“We have been banking with SVB for over 10 years. We have deposits that are right now stuck with them. Thankfully for us, the situation is a little bit better as most of our operations are in India,” Garg said.

“Just by sheer planning and luck we have a lot of money already

made as FDI in Indian entities. But still a large portion of our money is sitting in SVB,” he said. Many other startups, however, may be in a much worse situation, Mr Garg said, citing young companies that carry out a bulk of their operations abroad, especially in the US.

“Multiple startups have their money stuck in SVB, the most serious being the ones operating in the US. If they have been working mostly in India, they would have funds parked in Indian banks too. The problem is magnified for startups that have SVB as the only main banking partner,” said Garg.

UNION MIN CHANDRASEKHAR TO MEET REPRESENTATIVES OF INDIAN START-UPS HIT BY SILICON VALLEY BANK COLLAPSE

Albanese’s visit and today’s annual summit will take India-Australia ties to a higher level.

“Delighted to call on

Prime Minister @AlboMP of Australia this morning. His visit and today’s Annual Summit will take our

He tweeted, “Thank you to Prime Minister @narendramodi for the extraordinary effort to make my Australian delegation feel welcome in India. Having the pleasure of hearing The Triffids and The Go-Betweens on the sitar was unexpected and extremely touching.”

New Delhi (Agencies): Union Minister of State for Electronics and IT Rajeev Chandrasekhar will meet representatives of Indian start-ups affected by the collapse of the troubled Silicon Valley Bank (SVB) to understand how it has impacted them and how the government can help. “A few start-ups have reached out to me, and there is a general worry. Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of India’s ‘techade’ has a big role for the success of our start-ups and innovation ecosystem. We want to be supportive of our young Indians in whatever way we can. We won’t let the SVB failure slow their growth,” Chandrasekhar said.

UTTAR PRADESH GOVERNMENT TRANSFERS 8 IPS OFFICERS

New Delhi (PTI): The CBI has brought back a kidnapping-and-murder accused wanted by the Kerala Police through extradition from Saudi Arabia, the 33rd fugitive extradited since last year, under “Operation Trishul” on Sunday, officials said.

Mohammed Haneefa Makkata, a fugitive with an Interpol Red Corner Notice (RCN) issued against him, was

2006, a case that was probed by the Kunnamangalam police station in Kozhikode, the officials said. He was located in Saudi Arabia on the basis of the RCN, they added.

Srinagar (PTI): Attempts are being made round-the-clock to wipe out the remnants of terror in Jammu and Kashmir and the “enemy” is finding it hard to digest the prevailing peace, the Union Territory’s police chief Dilbag Singh said on Sunday.

Singh was speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the opening ceremony of the 71st BN Mullik Memorial All India Police Football Championship at the Bakshi Stadium.

Asked about the targeted killings, especially of minorities, in the Valley, Singh said while

some incidents are taking place, violence has largely come down.

“Targeted killings have also come down. Some incidents take place sometimes but we take those seriously and counter measures are being taken. Attempts are on day and night to wipe out the remnants of terror and these will continue,”

Singh, the Jammu and Kashmir director-general of police, said. The police chief also expressed happiness that youngsters who used to “play with grenades” are today taking part in sporting activities.

MADHURI’S MOTHER SNEHALATA DIXIT DIES AT AGE OF 90

Mumbai (PTI): Film star

Madhuri Dixit’s mother Snehalata Dixit died here on Sunday. She was 90. The Bollywood actor shared the news in a statement issued to the media. “Our beloved Aai, Snehalata Dixit, died peacefully this morning surrounded by her loved ones,” the statement said. Snehalata Dixit’s last rites will be performed at Worli’s Vaikunth Dham. Madhuri, who is the youngest of the four siblings, had shared a heartwarming post on her mother’s 90th birthday last year.

wanted by the Kerala Police in connection with the abduction and killing of one Karim in

CRUCIAL

The Interpol unit of Saudi Arabia informed the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) about Makkata’s location and sought a team to take him back to India, the officials said.

READ

SUSPECTED ‘DACOIT’ SHOT DEAD IN POLICE ENCOUNTER WAS A FARMER, FINDS PROBE

Guwahati (Agencies): A probe into the death of a person, suspected to be a dacoit, in a police encounter in Assam’s Udalguri district confirmed that it was a case of “mistaken identity”. The CID probe concluded that the person killed in the shootout was not dacoit Kenaram Boro (also known as Kenaram Basumatary) but a person identified as Dimbeswar Muchahary, who his family asserted was a “small-time farmer”. The police, however, claimed he was also a “hardened criminal”. The police claimed that two policemen were also injured in the “shootout”.

COUPLE ENDS LIFE AFTER FAMILY DISAPPROVES THEIR RELATIONSHIP

Muzaffarnagar (Agencies): A young couple have allegedly died by suicide in Muzaffarnagar. Pankaj (23) and Shivani (20) were pulled up by the girl’s family over their relationship. Moments later, Pankaj killed himself by consuming poison and his girlfriend, Shivani also followed suit. Circle Officer (Budhana), Vinay Kumar Gautam, said, “The two victims were distant relatives. They consumed poisonous substances and died during treatment. Further probe is on.”

NATIONAL FILM HERITAGE MISSION

Giving new lifeline to cinema: Thakur

New Delhi (PTI): Information and Broadcasting minister Anurag Thakur has said that nearly 1,300 feature and 1,062 short films and documentaries have been digitised under the National Film Heritage Mission (NFHM).

Thakur, who reviewed the progress made under the Mission during his visit to the National Film Archives of India in Pune, said an additional 2,500 feature and shorts films & documen-

UNION I&B MINISTER VISITS NFAI, PUNE AND REVIEWED PROGRESS OF NFHM

Raipur (PTI): Congress government in Chhattisgarh has given out-of-turn promotion to 77 police jawans posted in different districts of Bastar division to recognise their service in the fight against Naxalites, an official said on Sunday. The order for their promotion was issued by Chhattisgarh DG) Ashok Juneja on Saturday on the occasion of Holi.

4 TN FISHERMEN ARRESTED BY SRI LANKAN NAVY

New Delhi (Agencies):

Four fishermen from Pudukottai district of Tamil Nadu were arrested by the Sri Lankan Navy for trespassing into their waters. The arrest was made at 4.30 a.m. on Sunday.

The arrested were taken to the Sri Lankan Naval base at Paruthithurai in the island nation for further questioning. The arrested fishermen are L. Arokiaraj (54), A. Ashok (28), A. Karuppu (22) and S. Sakthi (21). All the arrested are from Kottaipattanam coastal village in Pudukottai district.

Dr. Ahtesham Siddiqui

Lucknow: The Yogi Adityanath government in Uttar Pradesh has transferred eight senior IPS officers. Many DIG and IG rank officers, including those in Lucknow and Kanpur have also been transferred.

IPS Piyush Mordia Joint CP Law & Order Police Commissioner Lucknow has been made the new ADG Zone of Lucknow Range. Until now, he was posted as Joint Police Law and Order Lucknow Commissioner in Lucknow.

Besides, DIG IPS

Upendra Kumar Agarwal of Devipatan Range has been made the new Joint CP in Lucknow

Police Commissionerate, while DIG IPS Amarendra Kumar of Ayodhya Range has been made the new DIG of Devipatan. IG Range Meerut IPS Praveen Kumar has been made the new IG of Ayodhya. IG IPS Nichketa Jha of Agra Range has been made the new IG of Meerut while DIG IPS of Aligarh Deepak Kumar has been made the new DIG of Agra Range Kanpur Commissionerate.

IPS Suresh Kulkarni posted in Aligarh has been made the new DIG while IPS Amit Verma posted in SIT has been posted as Additional Police Commissioner in Kanpur Police Commissionerate.

Indian & France Navy conduct Maritime Partnership Exercise

taries were in the pipeline to be digitised.

NFHM is giving a new lifeline to the heritage of Indian cinema, where

many films which were not previously accessible at all, will be made available to audience worldwide, Thakur said.

Film Archive of India (NFAI), Pune. As part of NFHM, 3 major projects are ongoing at NFDC-NFAI: Digitization of Films, Conservation of Film Reels and Restoration of Films. All these projects are colossal in nature in the field of film preservation and have never been attempted on this scale globally. Till date, 1,293 features and 1,062 shorts and documentaries have been digitized in 4K and 2K resolution. Additional 2,500 features and shorts and documentaries are in the pipeline to be digitized.

New Delhi (ANI): Indian Navy’s indigenously built guided missile frigate, INS Sahyadri participated in a Maritime Partnership Exercise with French Navy (FN) ships FS Dixmude, a Mistral Class Amphibious Assault Ship and FS La Fayette, a La Fayette Class Frigate, in the Arabian Sea.

As per Defence Ministry, the exercise witnessed a wide spectrum of evolutions at sea which included cross-

deck landings, boarding exercises & seamanship evolutions. The seamless conduct of the exer-

cise reaffirmed the interoperability and high level of cooperation between the two navies.

Wanted murder accused brought back from Saudi Arabia, says CBI

Ruchit G Garg

Attempts being made to wipe out remnants of militancy in J&K:

77 C’garh cops receive out-ofturn promotion

Aus Prime Min Anthony Albanese shares a picture of him hugging PM Narendra Modi. Aus PM Albanese shares a picture of bilateral discussions on his Twitter on Sunday.

JDA to connect southern parts of city to Agra road

Abhishek Shrivastava

Jaipur: The Jaipur Development Authority has started an exercise to materialize a road project which has been on paper for nearly 27 years.

The proposed road will connect southern parts of the city with Agra road which will not only reduce the distance by 10 to 12 km but will also ease traffic congestion on the Agra highway.

JDA had proposed the Bassi Jagatpura Link Road in 1996. This 200 feet wide road is

PROJECT’S BENEFIT FOR JAIPURITES

also in the master plan of Jaipur city. Several times after the year 1996, the file moved but the matter got stuck due to lack of concrete planning for land acquisition and compensation in lieu of acquisition.

CM Ashok Gehlot an-

CM to inaugurate 2-day ‘Rajasthan Millets Conclave 2023’ today

Kashiram Choudhary

GANGAUR FESTIVITY

nounced the construction of Bassi Jagatpura Link Road in his budget speech for the year 202223. After this, JDA has also sent the proposal of land acquisition under the new Land Acquisition Act to the district administration.

Rain, thunderstorm expected

Jaipur: With the prevailing western disturbances and anti-cyclonic circulation in the region, many districts in Rajasthan witnessed cloudy conditions and mild rainfall on Sunday. According to the meteorological department, parts of Bikaner, Barmer, Jaisalmer and Jodhpur districts reported cloudy conditions while drizzle was also witnessed in areas of Barmer and Jaisalmer.

Weather experts that thunderstorms and

lighting could be witnessed this week starting from March 14. Meanwhile, the weather remained dry in Jaipur, Ajmer, Udaipur, Kota, and Udaipur divisions. The maximum tem-

perature was recorded at 37.2 degrees Celsius in Barmer and Phalodi. Jodhpur, Jaisalmer, Churu, and Pilani also recorded maximum temperatures above 35 degrees.

At present, people have to go through Ghat’s Guni tunnel and go through Kho Nagoriyan to reach Agra road from the southern part of the city. After the construction of the project, the distance will be reduced by 10 to 12 kilometers. The project will save time and fuel because there would be no traffic jams on the highway till Bassi. Workers from many villages of Bassi tehsil have to go to the southern part daily for work and half an hour to one hour will be saved in the time taken for the movement. Getting direct connectivity will speed up the development of Bassi as a satellite town.

Jaipur: The two-day ‘Rajasthan Millets Conclave - 2023’ will be held in Jaipur from today. The millets conclave will be organised by the Agriculture Marketing Department at the State Institute of Agricultural Management in Durgapura. The chief guest of the program will be CM Ashok Gehlot, while the special guest will be Agriculture Minister LC Kataria and Minister of Raj Agriculture Marketing Murari Lal Meena. Minister Murari Lal Meena took stock of preparations and gave necessary directions.

5 chinkaras die, dog attack suspected

First India Bureau

Jaisalmer: A total of five chinkaras were found dead in Jaisalmer on Saturday. The carcasses of chinkara, a protected animal, were found near Gangaram ki Dhani in Lathi village of Pokaran area. Villagers and wildlife lovers informed the officials of the forest department.

Foresters Kanasingh Medatiya, Purkharam, Bhavruram and others reached the spot and shifted the carcasses

Dacoit Keshav’s brother Mukesh hiding in guise of a sadhu held

Vinod Tiwari

Dholpur: The Dholpur

Carcasses of chinkaras in Lathi village of Pokaran on Sunday.

which were later buried. In the forest areas of Bhadariya, Dholiya, Odhaniya, Chadhan villages, dogs often hunt different species of wild animals including deer, fox, and godavan.

Police on Sunday nabbed the brother of dacoit Keshav Gurjar, Mukesh Gurjar (48), who was hiding in Koli Wali Mata temple disguising himself as a sadhu. Police informed the accused is a notorious criminal and a reward of Rs 5,000 was announced on his arrest.

“Based on specific inputs, a special team was formed under the supervision of Bari Circle Officer Manish Kumar. The team also included SHO Yashpal Singh, Head constables Mohan Singh, and constables

Satyendra and Manoj.

The police team reached Koli Wali Mata temple in Moti Kotra village and saw a man looking like a sadhu. As soon as the police reached near, Mukesh Gurjar tried to escape.

However, he was held by the police team and

taken to Sona Ka Gurja Police Station. The accused was then handed over to Badi Sadar Police Station,” police said. “Mukesh Gurjar was wanted in a case involving kidnapping and serious assault registered in Bari Police Station,” police added.

An artist painting the small idols of ‘Isar’ & ‘Gangaur’ ahead of the Gangaur’s grand festivity in pinkcity, a commuter stops by it to have a look on Sunday.

—PHOTOS BY SANTOSH SHARMA

First India Bureau

Mukesh Gurjar in Dholpur Police custody on Sunday.

Clouds loom over Albert Hall on Sunday.—PHOTO BY SUNIL SHARMA

If one has to progress in life, we must take out time to introspect on our present and learn from our past, on a daily basis.

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

Will respect sentiments: CM on making Sikar a ‘division’

Tripti Gautam, Ramesh Sharma & Poonam Vishal

Sikar: Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot on Sunday said that the decision on forming new districts will be taken on the basis of the report of Ramlubhaya committee.

He said that the sentiments of the people of Shekhawati will be respected in this regard.

Gehlot reached Sikar to attend Shekhawati Mahotsav in Laxmangarh. When reporters asked him about making Sikar a divisional headquarters, Gehlot pointed towards PCC Chief Govind Singh Dotasara and said, “The Attorney General of the Supreme Court is standing beside me who has been telling me about this for the last 6 months. I told him to wait a while.”

He said that artists are being promoted in

the state and a budget of Rs 100 crores has been earmarked for it.

Gehlot said that earlier, 200 children from Rajasthan used to go abroad to study and now the number has increased to 500 and the government bears the expenses of travel, stay, food and fees.

Meanwhile, the ongoing Shekhawati Festival concluded on Sunday with the performance of

Behavioural Lab to be established in HCM RIPA, CM OK’s ` 1.22 cr

First India Bureau Jaipur: A Behavioural Lab will be established at Harish Chandra Mathur Rajasthan State Institute of Public Administration, Jaipur. For this, Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot has approved a financial proposal of Rs

CM approves Vet college in Sirohi, 58 new posts okayed

Bollywood singer Kailash Kher. Many MLAs and other public representatives of Sikar district including PCC Chief Govind Singh Dotasara and in-charge minister Shakuntala Rawat were present in the programme.

CM also addressed on the occasion. He said he was feeling good seeing the atmosphere of Laxmangarh today.

“It feels as if I am in

Jaipur. Laxmangarh is moving towards development,” he said. PCC chief Govind Singh Dotasra thanked Gehlot for making announcements for Sikar and Laxmangarh. The Chief Minister said that Shekhawati has been the land of heroes and industrialists belonging to Shekhawati influence the economy of the entire country.

First India Bureau

Jaipur: Students from Sirohi district will not have to go outside to pursue higher education in veterinary science. Now they will get opportunities to study in their own district as Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot has given approval to open a Veterinary Science College in Sirohi.

1.22 crore. This will be set up in the Patel Bhawan of Ripa. This will be the first behavioural lab in the country to be built with state-of-the-art technology. The lab to be set up in about 2,665.04 square feet area will be managed and operated by IIM

Udaipur. Faculty from IIM Udaipur will provide training on applied methods. Here PhD level certificate

courses will be conducted. International experts will also be involved for conducting experiments and workshops. Here human behavior will be studied with the help of innovative technology including state-of-the-art software, hardware.

Mukesh Mathrani

Barmer: All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) leader

Asaduddin Owaisi while addressing a public meeting at Gagariya village in Barmer, appealed to the people of Muslim, Dalit and Tribal community to create their own leadership. He said that till date Congress and BJP have used these communi-

ties as voters but did not ensure equal rights to them.

Owaisi said that this kind of politics cannot

that only this option will help them in getting equal rights as mentioned in the constitution. He said that till date Congress and BJP have used the minority communities as voters but from now instead of mere voters they should stand as leaders.

Gehlot has approved creation of 58 new posts and Rs 10.16 crore for the operation and educational activities of the college. As per the proposal, 58 new posts sanctioned include a post of dean, five posts of professors, four associate professors, 19 assistant professors, 10 technical staff and 19 supporting staff.

Animal husbandry training centres to be opened in 5 dists

First India Bureau

Naresh Sharma

Jaipur: A seven-member delegation led by Upen Yadav, who is fighting for various demands in Rajasthan, met Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot on Sunday. Gehlot has given positive assurance on the demands.

Submitting a memorandum of 17-point demands, Yadav, Chief of Rajasthan Unemployed Integrated Federation, said that there have been positive signs in the meeting held on the initiative of RTDC chief Dharmendra Rathore.

“The CM assured to get the recruitment processes done at a fast pace. He also promised to give priority to complete the under-process recruitment as soon as possible and the calendar of 1 lakh recruitment examinations announced in the budget to be issued department-wise as soon as possible,” Yadav said.

The delegation will soon hold talks with the CMO regarding various other demands. Upen is also demanding the suspension of the SHO who lathi-charged the unemployed youth.

last longer. He appealed to the people of Muslim, dalit and tribal communities to create their own leadership saying

Asaduddin Owaisi was in Barmer on a two days visit. He reached Barmer Saturday late evening.

Notably, in the budget of the year 2023-24, Gehlot had announced plans to open Veterinary Science College in Sirohi.

Jaipur: Animal husbandry training centres providing new techniques of training to animal rearers will be opened in Alwar, Nagaur, Bharatpur, Sikar and Ajmer. Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot has sanctioned Rs 5.18 crore for opening

the centre and necessary resources. As per the proposal, every training institute will have three batches of 30 cattle rearers every month. A total of 1080 cattle rearers will be trained in 36 batches in a year. In five years a total of 5,400 cattle rearers will be trained.

The repair work of

4.5L members joined in 20 days: AAP

Ashok Yogi

Jaipur: Vinay Mishra, the AAP’s in-charge for Rajasthan, told in a press conference, “I would like to appeal to people to connect with the yatra as it is important for Rajasthan where the BJP and the Congress formed governments alternately and worked to dupe people.”

Within 15-20 days of the party’s membership drive, about four-and-ahalf lakh people have taken membership of

Employees’ delegation hails CM for liberating contractual workers

First India Bureau

Jaipur: Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot met the delegation of the Employees’ Federation (Integrated) at the Chief Minister’s residence on Sunday. The delegation expressed gratitude for liberating the contractual employees from the contractors. They also thanked the CM for giving Old Pension Scheme in roadways, boards and corporations. They also demanded opening

the transfers of GradeIII teachers.

“This smile is my satisfaction. The decision to end the contract practice for the contractual employees of government offices by forming a government company and providing them a meaningful platform has been taken for their safety and respect. The state government will continue to do all necessary work for the rights of the employees,” Gehlot tweeted about the meeting.

the party, he said.

He said the party was optimistic about its performance in Rajasthan and cited its performance in Gujarat.

Replying to a question that the BJP is also

POONIA DENIES

MEETING KEJRIWAL

asking people to bring about a change in the state, Mishra said it is hard to comprehend whether the BJP is talking about a change in Rajasthan or in its leadership.

Jaipur: BJP State president Satish Poonia on Sunday refuted speculations about his meeting with Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal. Speculations were rife on social media after someone tweeted about the meeting between Poonia and Kejriwal responding to which AAP leader Vinay Mishra wrote that Satish Poonia is a senior leader and it might be a courtesy meeting. Poonia reacted to this on twitter and refuted the speculations.

“You are a senior, instead of running after rumours, you should have talked to your party leader,” he said.

PEOPLE PREFER ‘CONSTRUCTION AS PER VASTU’

existing buildings for the training centre and the construction work of new buildings will be done at a cost of Rs 4.50 crore. Another Rs 18 lakh has been approved for conducting training work at the centres and Rs 10 lakh per training centre for other resources.

FROM P1…

OPS has given… Employees have an important contribution in taking the benefits of the public welfare schemes of the state government to the last person. Gehlot said that the state government is protecting the interests of the employees. In this sequence, a decision was taken to conduct DPC twice a year, so that the employees could get the benefit of timebound promotion. Work is being done to regularise the contract workers as much as possible.

RHB to hold workshop on Vastu Shastra

lll

Technical engineers and officers of the Housing board will be given the training by Indian Council of Astrological Sciences Professor

Shivendra Parmar

Jaipur: Rajasthan Housing Board Commissioner Pawan Arora has prepared an action plan to take care of Vastu Shastra in the residential and commercial constructions to be made by the board after knowing the intention of the common people. In this side, a state-level workshop related to Vastu Shastra will be organised at the board headquarters, Awas

Bhawan on Tuesday. In the workshop, Indian Council of Astrological Sciences Professor, Architect and Jy-

otishacharya Satish Sharma and other experts will give training related to Vastu to technical engineers and of-

ficers of the board.

“The Board has always constructed buildings keeping in mind the sentiments of the common people and the changing times and demands. In today’s era, the priority of common people is to buy Vastubased buildings, but often the rules of Vastu Shastra are not applicable in the buildings being built on a large scale. To solve this, this important workshop will be organised,” he said.

CM Gehlot meets young sketch artist from Banswara, Arjun Shukla. Mahendrajeet Malviya and others look on.

Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot felicitates Singer Kailash Kher at the closing ceremony of Shekhawati Mahotsav on Sunday. GS Dotasra, Hakam Ali Khan, and Mustafa Qureshi look on.

Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot meets Employees’ Federation (Integrated) at CMR on Sunday.

CM Gehlot, along with Manish Kumar Sharma, Naresh Thakral and others, launches Mahatma Gandhi’s ‘Sandesh’ poster by Dept of Peace & Non-Violence.

AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi addresses a gathering in Barmer’s Gagariya village on Sunday.

AAP State in-charge Vinay Mishra, Sarita Oswal, and Yogendra Gupta interact with media. —PHOTO BY MUKESH KIRADOO

Owaisi asks minority communities to create own leadership in Barmer

Upen-led delegation meets Gehlot, calls meet positive

THE RAINBOW ARE THE STANDARD ICON OF HAPPINESS AND HOPES.

CITY FIRST BRINGS TO YOU RAINBOW FASHION IDEAS THAT WILL BRIGHTEM UP YOUR WARDROBE!

GLOW LIKE A

Dressing in vibrant hues is always a risk, and not every lady is brave enough to try it. Wearing multicoloured clothing requires bravery and a powerful personality. Because colours have tremendous power in our minds, they can alter our moods and emotions the moment we see them. And if are talking about colours, the great VIBGYOR is no behind. With the growing fashion trend, it’s no wonder that rainbow

fashion has become an enormous trend these days, from colourful sweaters and coats to rainbow miniskirts, dresses, purses, and even shoes! This year, designers are certainly embracing the rainbow style. The rainbow hues remind us of all of the most beautiful objects in the world, which are typically found in nature. We venerate hues like red, yellow, orange, blue, purple, indigo, and green, and we are smitten by all the bright colours around us!

BEAUTIFUL VIBRANT SLEEVELESS DRESS

is perfect for those who want to be the centre of attention!

TRADITIONAL MULTICOLORED SHORT SLIT DRESS

This traditional dress is ideal for wearing during the day and has a tube form, V-neckline, delicate straps, and multicoloured, shiny sequin patterns. Because of its refined tones, it pairs well with muted shoes and handbags.

EXQUISITE MULTICOLOR SHORT DRESS

This incredibly stunning gown is perfect for those who adore shine. It had a round closed neckline, a pucker design around the waist, long, semipuffed arms, and gorgeous broad patterns that were all covered in multicoloured sequins. This ensemble looks fantastic when paired with a gold purse.

DAZZLING VIBRANT STRIPED SKIRT

If you want to make a statement, this long skirt is an excellent choice for you. This gorgeous knee-length gown has a high waistline and beautiful, breathtaking patterns that finish in a pike. With such a lovely gown, some black or white shoes would be ideal!

UTTKARSHA SHEKHAR uttkarsha.shekhar@firstindia.co.in

YOUR DAY

Aries

MARCH 21 - APRIL 20

Yoga would help in raising energy levels and improve your metabolism. Some of you are going experience emotional fulfillment on romantic front. Place emphasis on domestic affairs to enhance the domestic tranquility and harmony. You will feel happy today.

Gemini

MAY 21 - JUNE 21

A sound monetary position would enable you to keep pace with changing times. Avoid raising controversial issues at home to maintain harmony. Successful implementation of new ideas and projects would add to your prestige on the professional front. connections.

Leo

JULY 24 - AUGUST 23

Chances of being misled by competitors in business are high, so remain alert. You may get a chance to pursue old hobby. Health tips from an expert will enable you to get closer to your fitness goals. Your generous behavior would enable to enjoy some lovely moments.

Libra

SEPTEMBER 24 - OCTOBER 22

Your hard work and dedication are likely to be noticed by seniors, paving way for promotion or increment. Better to consult an expert in financial matters before making an investment. Family will be supportive and encouraging of career aspirations.

Sagittarius

NOVEMBER 23 - DECEMBER 22

You will succeed in resolving misunderstanding with family members, normalizing ties. You will remain much in demand on social front. You need to stand by partner during testing times for stronger relationship. Seek opinion of expert before opting for a health supplement.

Aquarius

JANUARY 21 - FEBRUARY 19

Avoid being indulgent in your spending to balance budget. Continue to put in efforts at work and you will see promising opportunities coming your way. Matrimonial match for siblings will bring happiness for entire family. You will get a good price for your property.

IS SEVERE ADDICTION A PERSONALITY DISORDER?

Taurus

APRIL 21 - MAY 20

It is good day to confess your love as stars appear favourable for positive reply. Your sole dependency on friends may fail to bring any respite from loneliness today.A sound financial health of businessmen would enable to give monetary benefits to employees.

Cancer

JUNE 22 - JULY 23

Distant relatives may drop in for a surprise visit. Investment antiques would bring handsome financial gains. On professional front, recognition for good work would motivate you to work harder. Those awaiting an affirmation on romantic front are likely to get lucky today.

Virgo

AUGUST 24 - SEPTEMBER 23

Senior management will be appreciative of your creative inputs on professional front. Seek the opinion of your family before finalizing a property deal. An impromptu invitation to a function from an unexpected friend is likely to be received.

Scorpio

OCTOBER 23 - NOVEMBER 22

Rewards and recognition will come your way for your involvement in a social endeavour. It’s a very good day to take calculated risks in financial matters. Those suffering from chronic ailments may find remarkable improvement in their health with home remedies.

Capricorn

DECEMBER 23 - JANUARY 20

Develop a good adaptability to handle pressurized situation on professional front. Paying special attention to plan your career would give immense joy. You are likely to get clearance or approval for your construction plans. You find things moving in the way you want them.

Pisces

FEBRUARY 20 - MARCH 20

Don’t give a firm commitment in financial matters before considering the viability of the project. You will succeed in completing an important project. Disagreements on the family front are foreseen. Be careful about the legal apprehensions in the property.

Addiction to substances, alcohol and nicotine is an age-old problem. Besides these obvious things, people are strongly addicted to sweets, sugary drinks, tea, coffee and even food. Every addiction has its inherent problem even if it appears to be a benign addiction like love for sweets. In India, more people die prematurely because of their love for sweets than alcohol intake. But for practical purposes, the word addiction is usually restricted to drugs, alcohol and nicotine.

Some people believe that those who fall easy prey to addiction have a special personality which makes them vulnerable. They call it an addictive personality disorder. But the majority of psychologists, psychiatrists and social scientists disagree with this point and consider this concept as a dangerous thought because this gives addicted people an excuse to pursue their addiction. Almost all health organizations including the CDC ( Centre for Disease Control ) of the USA categorize addiction as a disease which needs monitoring and treatment. They believe that there is nothing like an addictive personality.

But deeper analysis indicates that there are certain traits which could make a person more prone to addiction than others. Impulsivity is one trait which pulls a person towards addiction if an opportunity emerges. Impulsivity is not a type of personality but rather a weakness in it.

Impulsive adolescents may indulge in addiction under the false notion that this might rid them of their anxiety.

People who seek the sensation or thrill of

SOME IMPORTANT FACTORS ARE AS FOLLOWS

1. Epigenetics - what we eat, how we live and converse, what is the environment in our home and family etc all affect our genes. This is called epigenetics. Some researchers believe that 40-60 per cent of addiction comes from epigenetics.

2. Social environment - some societies consider alcohol, opium, and smoking as essential parts of social interaction. Serving these things to their guests is a thing of honour. Many members of such societies cross critical boundaries and ruin their lives as addicts.

3. Early age use - some grandparents ask their grandchildren to light a cigarette or burn a chillum or even taste a drink. They never realize that they are pushing a young brain towards the slavery of substance. Early age use mostly leads to gross misuse.

4. Prescription of drugs - many doctors prescribe drugs without proper logic. The reasons can be many but none is fully justified. Innumerable people are addicted to so many drugs for a full life that a time has come to review the whole decaying system of medical practice. Nothing is sacrosanct hence

every system and method should be critically evaluated from time to time.

5. Stress and trauma - sleeping pills, tranquillizers, opioids, and antidepressants are all addictive with significant side effects. Isn’t it time to make advances in behaviour therapy and talk treatment? It, no doubt, is a very difficult task but can be tried in a select group of people.

Inequality, racism, religious discrimination, poverty, unemployment, undeserving richness, lack of education and chronic sickness are other reasons which create situations where addiction starts dominating many people’s lives. LGBTQIA+ face so much social discrimination that a significant majority of them have become victims of substance misuse.

Millions of people seek help to get rid of addiction mainly for their family members or friends but the success rate in deaddiction is painfully low. So many lives are lost and many more traumatized but the habit still lingers with no hope of significan’t success.

non-conformity tend to get addicted more easily than those who conduct their life regularly. Lower levels of tolerance, temporary emotional disturbance, stress and alienation are dominant situations of life which make a person vulnerable to substance use or alcohol abuse. For every human being,

childhood is a very critical phase. Any insecure attachment during childhood and early adolescence may stay for the rest of their life and makes a person very vulnerable to many situations of life including addiction. Studies have been conducted to identify factors which dominantly affect human life.

GREESHMA BASTAWALA, Model

Horoscope by Saurabbh Sachdeva

DR RAMAVTAR SHARMA cityfirst@firstindia.co.in

Have a glance over Peter Bradshaw’s thoughts. And can we just point to the frankly scary 11 out of 12 success rate his predictions achieved last year.

THE 2023 OSCARS MAY JUST BE INDIA’S MOMENT TO SHINE AT THE 95TH ACADEMY AWARDS TODAY

The 95th Academy Awards are upon us. The main Oscars ceremony will take place on today at 8 pm in Los Angeles, where a bevy of stars will grace the awards night. It’s that time of the year when you set that alarm to watch the Academy Awards. If you are a movie geek, then the Oscars is the top billing when it comes to award ceremonies across the world. The 2023 Oscars have an interesting mix of nominees who have edged out their fellow contemporaries at the award season throughout the year. The race for India this year is special. We have not one but 3 representations at the Academy Awards. Oscars love representation and springing up a surprise, so we can definitely see Yeoh there up on the big stage on Oscars night.

ACTRESS DEEPIKA PADUKONE WILL ALSO PRESENT AN AWARD DURING THE OSCARS 2023 EVENT

3 NOMINATIONS: SPECIAL RACE FOR INDIA

For the first time, India has managed to earn three nominations at prestigious international stage with the popular song ‘Naatu Naatu’ from

blockbuster ‘RRR’, and 2 documentaries ‘All That Breathes’ and ‘The Elephant Whisperers’. ‘Naatu Naatu’ has bagged a nomination for the Best Original Song, while

the documentaries ‘All That Breathes’ and ‘The Elephant Whisperers’ is running for the Best Documentary Feature and Best Documentary Short Film categories, respectively.

BEST ACTOR BEST PICTURE

While Austin Butler seems to the voters favourite and the Academy definitely loves a good biopic, no one can look past Brendan Frasers performance in the dark melancholic The Whale. While Butler is much younger than Fraser, the formers’ conviction at playing one of the most famous entertainers on the planet is likely to win him his first Oscar.

BEST ACTRESS

This is one tough category given how strong the performances have been. Both Yeoh and Blanchett have been front-runners at various shows through award season. Personally I prefer Blanchett’s insane performance of a music conductor gone astray in TAR to Yeoh, but that doesn’t mean the latter deserves any less.

If there is one title that has got unanimous praise and love from critics and the audiences this year then it is this crazy parallel universe themed drama titled Everything Everywhere All at Once. The only competition to this Daniel brothers directorial is Martin McDonagh’s The Banshees of Inisherin. I will be totally stoked if either of these titles win. The rest of the nominees are definitely weak compared to these two, but again remember Moonlight winning over La La Land ? So, yes, anything can happen at the Oscars.

BEST DIRECTOR

The Daniel brothers might make history after winning the third time a duo have jointly won for direction. EEAAO is a definite contender for Best Picture so it isn’t a surprise that it’s also up for Best Director. However, the one man who can beat this duo is Todd Field whose disturbingly raw and an emotional roller coaster drama Tar is one of the highest rated films of the year. So, we have to wait for results today.

PRE-OSCARS PARTY!

SCREENPLAY All Quiet on the Western Front

BEST DOCUMENTARY Navalny

BEST ORIGINAL SONG Naatu Naatu, RRR

BEST ANIMATED FILM Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio

BEST INTERNATIONAL FILM All Quiet on the Western Front

THE HOST

The late-night host and comedian Jimmy Kimmel will host the Oscars 2023. This will mark Kimmel’s third appearance on the Oscars stage after hosting the award show in 2017 and 2018.

IN LOS ANGELES AHEAD OF THE 95TH ACADEMY AWARDS, THE HOLLYWOOD AND BOLLYWOOD STARS HAVE BEEN TREATING FANS TO PICTURES FROM VARIOUS EVENTS THAT THEY ARE ATTENDING

MONI SHARMA

The writer is Editor (News) in First India, Jaipur

Austin Butler

Blanchett Jimmy Kimmel

Deepika Padukone is a presenter at Oscars 2023

HONOURING REAL HEROES!

CITY FIRST

Leher Sethi (Secretary , ICUNR & Founder –Something Creative), Neeraj Kumar (Founder – Le Magnifique Group) and Deepak Gupta (Chairperson - Heights fashion & AWPEM) hosted an afternoon to celebrate International Women’s Day on Sunday, at Hotel Fairmont, Jaipur in the presence of esteemed Chief Guest, Dr Krishna Kant Pathak IAS, Secretary – Finance on Sunday.

The panellists Anita Hada, Leher Sethi, Neetu Ramrakhiani and Addl. DCP Suneeta Meena discussed the topic “Women’s Safety: Challenges and the way forward”, moderated by Naini Jain.

The event was organised in partnership with Fortis Hospitals, Heights Institute of Fashion & Technology, COWE, 94.3 My FM and SGM Outdoors. The awardees were gifted products by Olive Life.

GREETINGS!

Yogi Adityanath, CM of Uttar Pradesh greeted Maharaj Vishal Bawa of Shrinathji Temple, Nathdwara by making him wear a shawl during a courtesy visit on Friday. During the visit, they also discussed various issues mainly in terms of Puthimargya tradition, Puthimargya art and culture, innovation taking place at Shrinathji temple and philosophy system for facilitating Vaishnava people, etc. On this occasion, Vishal Bawa also invited CM Yogi to visit Nathdwara.

WEDDING BELLS!

First Row (L-R): Manjeet Grover, Dr Shanoo Agarwal, Neelu Kanwariya, Sakshi Ahuja, Dr KK Pathak, Addl DCP Suneeta Meena, Pooja Sharma, Swati Gehlot, Leher Sethi and Dr Alka Gaur

Second Row (L-R): Rajiv Kapoor, Dr Anamika Sharma, Neeraj Kumar, Anjali Gupta, Chanchal Gupta, Deepak Gupta, Nirmala Sewani, Madhu Tyagi, Dr Mridhul Bhasin, Jui Sharma and Naini Jain

Asha, Neeru, Bindu, Anjana, Saroj, Pulkit, Prachi, Sheenu, Richa, Sharmila, Sanjana, Falgun, Rakesh, Shomil and Nihit

The guests were welcomed with a note by Rajeev Kapoor (General Manager - Fairmont Hotel) and the UN General Secretary Gener-

A tribute to Indian classical music

(L-R) Dr Vasudha Saxena, Prof Prem Dave, Dr Vandana Khurana, Pandit Vishwa

Mohan Bhatt, Kuldeep Raj Khurana, Kamlesh Khurana and Gaurav Jain

The book ‘Music Research Academy - Modern Gurukul of Hindustani Classical Music’ by Dr Vandana Khurana, Assistant Professor, Rajasthan Sangeet Sansthan was released by Pandit Vishwa Mohan Bhatt, Dr Prem Dave, former Professor of the Music Department of the University of Rajasthan, Dr Vasudha Saxena, Principal of Rajasthan Sangeet Sansthan and Dr Gaurav Jain, Assistant Professor of Sangeet Sansthan on Sunday. During the occasion, Grammy Award winner and Padma Bhushan awardee Pt Vishwamohan Bhatt said that there are few people left in the country who follow classical music and very few who research it. Recalling the activities of Sangeet Re-

search Academy in Kolkata and the services of its founders Ajit Narayan Haksar and Pandit Vijay Kitchlu, he said that Sangeet Research Academy is the only Gurukul of its kind in the country today, which has institutionalized the guru-shishya parampara.

On this occasion, Dr Vandana Khurana said that I have written a research book on the contribution of Sangeet Research Academy to the world of music for forty years. My aim in giving my research work as a book is to highlight the kind of contribution being made by the Sangeet Research Academy in the field of Indian classical music to all the scholars and students of the music world. I also want to place this before the entire corporate-industrial world.

cityfirst@firstindia.co.in

DURING THE DAY!

honoured by Prakash Sharma and Kapil Goyal. About 600 C, members and their family members played Holi.

al’s address was delivered by Leher Sethi, which was followed by the panel discussion and awards ceremony.

On this occasion, Le-

her Sethi, Secretary ICUNR said, “We need to keep talking about the need for equality while celebrating the victories of the amaz-

ing and empowered women all around us.”

Deepak Gupta of Heights fashion institute & AWPEM said, “Women deserve all the

love and support that the world gives them on this occasion. The contribution of women in every sphere of life is massive.”

Four Square Ages Cricket Cup 2023 Tournament!

CITY FIRST

AGES Cricket Cup Tournament 2023 sponsored by Four Seasons Threads, Mumbai was organised on Saturday, March 11 at Jaipuria Cricket Academy Grounds, Jaipur to mark the 2nd Season of the AGES Cricket Cup Tournament series and to celebrate Jaipur Garment Manufacturers and Exporters fraternity unity under the aegis of Association of Garment Exporters Sita-

Ashutosh Garg, Paritosh Garg, Monu Karnani, Subodh Pugalia, Aseem Singla, Dalpat Lodha, Shubhank Lodha, Manoj Tulsani, Dinesh Gupta, Arif Kagzi, Ashok Lalwani, Hazariram, Vinay Lalwani and Ankur Khanna Winners with the trophy

pura, Jaipur. The event was jointly inaugurated by AGES Patron Dalpat Lodha and Tournament Sponsor Manoj Tulsani MD. Four AGES Teams promoted by their respective member-owners played Two qualifyings and

BIRTHDAY BASH!

left: Puru Pareek, Shikha Tiwari, Divya Sahu, Harsha Yadav, Kamal Sen, Lakshya Sharma, Shalini Tiwari, Vikhyat Tiwari, Dheeraj Sharma, Shivangi Ajmera and Gagan Ahuja

one final match to carry the coveted AGES Cricket Cup 2023 trophy. Team Sekawati Sharks XI won the finals against Team Ohana XI and was awarded the AGES Cricket Cup 2023 Trophy. Three Trophies

for Man of three Matches were awarded to Inder Rajawat, Akhilesh Harsha and Monu Karnani for their excellent performance in the respective tournament matches. The trophy for the

Man of Tournament and Finals was awarded to Akhilesh Harsha of Team Sekawati Sharks XI for his outstanding performance in the entire tournament. The qualifying matches were followed by a Friendly Cricket

Match among the veteran members of AGES from the Garment Fraternity as a gesture of Goodwill and Cooperation.

The grand wedding ceremony of Pulkit, son of Sunita and Rakesh Pareek with Prachi, daughter of Nisha and Rakesh Vyas took place at Madhogarh, Sikar Road, Jaipur on Sunday, March 12. Various dignitaries reached to bless the newlyweds and wished them a happy married life ahead. Pulkit is the nephew of Alok Pareek, General Secretary of Jaipur District Congress. CITY FIRST

A crowd of appx 350 spectators of the AGES member families witnessed the spellbound Full Toss. The Tournament event was concluded with a Prize awarding Ceremony with honours done by MLA Amin Kagzi, Manoj Tulsani, Nilesh, President Sitapura Industries and members of TEAM AGES. cityfirst@firstindia.co.in

WHAT’S HAPPENING!

Lakshya Sharma, Digital Marketing & Social Media Expert and Shalini Tiwari, Advocate at Rajasthan High Court celebrated their birthday with much fervour and enthusiasm at Baramasi, Jaipur on Sunday. Wishes poured in from family and friends. On the occasion, he said, “I am overwhelmed by the love and blessings bestowed upon me. I am blessed to celebrate my special day with my family and friends.”

Filmmaker Arpit Gangwal’s new film RUBISHA got released on DisneyPlus Hotstar recently. In these changing times, the film reflects the different points of view on the relationship between parents and kids. Film’s lead actress Ishita Meena told the press that RUBISHA is a modern-day ‘Baghban’ that tells in detail about what parents and youngsters have to go through if someone tries to live their dreams.

Sidksha Tak, a student from Jaipur’s Hindustan International Academy School, secured the second position in the international rank of the SOF International Social Studies Olympiad organised by the Science Olympiad Foundation (SOF). The student has also obtained the first position in the zonal and school rank.

The 8th season of Corporate Golf League and the second season of BOB World Cup Corporate Golf League 2022-2023 was played at Rambagh Golf Club over three months. ThirtyTwo Teams with two hundred fifty-six players participated. Team Ananta Hotels & Resorts were the winners and Team Nirbana Tigers were the Runners up. Team ACE Golfers were the 2nd and 3rd Runner Up respectively.

—PHOTO BY MUKESH KIRADOO

All India Inter University Korfball Mixed Tournament, hosted by Apex University, Jaipur, was organised by the Association of Indian Universities, New Delhi (AIU) from Tuesday to Friday at the Apex Campus, Sitapura. The Calicut University of Kerala won the Gold Medal, the Apex University of Jaipur won the Silver Medal and Pune University won the Browse Medal. The Lovely Professional University of Punjab stood in the fourth position. 32 Universities from All over India participated in the competition.

(L-R) DCP Suneeta Meena, Dr Neetu Ramrakhiani, Leher Sethi, Anita Hada and Naini Jain during the panel discussion

KK Pathak felicitates Nirmala Sewani

KK Pathak and Deepak Gupta

Lakshya and Shalini

From

Col KS Garcha, Indu Garcha and Harinder Gacha with the Ireland team

CM Yogi Adityanath with Vishal Bawa

—PHOTOS BY MUKESH KIRADOO