First India-Mumbai Edition-14th December 2022

WINTER SESSION OF PARLIAMENT

India stands tall!

New Delhi: Defence minister Rajanth Singh on Tuesday said that the Chinese troops unilaterally tried to change the statue quo along the Line of Actual Control(LAC) in Arunchal Pradesh but Indian troops forces them to retreat to their side of the border. "On December 9 in Yangtse area of Tawang sector, the PLA troops encroached upon and attempted to change status quo. This attempt was tackled by our troops in a determined manner. Our troops bravely stopped the PLA from encroaching upon our territory and forced them to go back to their post," he said in LS. "Indian troops suffered no casualty or serious injuries," Rajnath said. "This matter has also been taken up with China through diplomatic channels. I want to assure the House that our forces are committed to guard our borders and ready to thwart any attempt that will be made to challenge it," the defence minister said in his statement.

SHAH TURNS TABLES ON CONGRESS IN PARLIAMENT

Oppn did not allow Question Hour to run. I condemn this act. Parl Affairs Minister clearly said that the Defence Minister will make a statement on Tawang faceoff in Parl, said Shah. “After seeing question number 5 in question hour list, I understood anxiety of Cong. Question was for cancellation of FCRA licence of Rajiv Gandhi Foundation (RGF),” he added. “If they would have allowed I would have answered that RGF grant of `1.35 cr from Chinese Embassy during 2005-2007, which was not appropriate. So as per rules, Home Ministry cancelled its registration.”

The Indian Army bravely prevented the PLA from encroaching on our territory, and forced them to withdraw to their posts. Some soldiers from both sides were injured in the skirmish.

Rajnath Singh, Defence Minister

MAJOR HAPPENINGS

l Congress MPs demanded a statement from PM Modi over LAC situation

SC judge recuses from hearing Bilkis Bano’s plea

Yangtse is under my assembly constituency & every year I meet the Jawans and villagers of the area. It’s not 1962 anymore. If anyone tries to transgress, our brave soldiers will give a befitting reply.

Khandu,

l Chinese foreign ministry said situation at border was ‘generally stable’

l IAF has increased the frequency of the sorties by its combat jets

l Air Force keeping close watch on China border in Eastern sectors

IAF SCRAMBLED JETS 2-3 TIMES OVER AIR VIOLATIONS BY CHINA

First India Bureau

New Delhi: SC Judge Bela M Trivedi on Tuesday recused herself from hearing a plea filed by Bilkis Bano, who was gang-raped and seven members of her family killed during the 2002 Gujarat riots, challenging the remission of sentence of 11 convicts in the case by the state government. The top court said that a new bench

LEAVES

What is the Prime Minister hiding, questions Sanjay Raut

field and Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut too has expressed his anger. Talking to the media in Delhi, he has questioned as to what is the Defense Minister of the country hiding?

New Delhi: With the nation coming to know about the clash between Indian and Chinese army personnel in yangtze of Tawang region of Arunachal Pradesh, reactions have started pouring in from the political

“Till the assembly elections in Gujarat as well as in the country, China was silent. China has now entered Tawang after Doklam. The rulers of the country should focus on weak borders instead of focusing on politics, investigative system, assembly, opposition par-

ties,” Raut said.

The Thackeray faction leader said that an enemy like China is entering from all three sides. “If we pay attention there, it will really serve the country. Opposition parties will raise the

IPS TRANSFERS IN MAHARASHTRA!

issue of national security in both houses of Parliament. Since the government is involved in politics; China, Pakistan and all other enemies are attacking and the government is not taking it seriously,” criticized Sanjay Raut, adding,“It is clear from the Tawang incident that the PM and Defense Minister have continuously tried to hide something from the country. The matter has come to light eight days after the clash. There is no way to know what is

Five police commissioners, ADGs, IGs shuffled to strengthen law and order

Sandeep Shukla

Mumbai: While the law and order situation is getting a little disturbed in the state, the Maharashtra government, on Tuesday evening, shuffled senior IPS officials.

According to the orders, Mira Bhayandar Police Commissioner Sadanand Daate has been transferred and will now be the Additional Director General of Police, Anti-Ter-

rorism Squad of the state. Also Brihanmumbai Joint Commissioner of Police Vishwas Nangre Patil has been promoted and has now been given the charge of Additional Director General of Police, Anti-Corruption Department

of the state. Pune commissioner Amitabh Gupta has been transferred and Retesh Kumar will be the new commissioner in his place.

Furthermore, Special Inspector General of Police Milind Bharambe has now been transferred as the Police Commissioner of Navi Mumbai. Meanwhile, Joint Commissioner of Traffic Police Rajvardhan has been promoted and posted as Additional Director General of Police, Security Corporation. Vinay Kumar Choubey will now

be the Police Commissioner of Pimpri Chinchwad while Amitabh Gupta will now be Additional Director General of Police Law and Order.

Furthermore, Amravati Commissioner Aarti Singh has been transferred as Additional Commissioner in the Armed Police while Navinchandra Reddy will now be the new Police Commissioner of Amaravati.

Notably, Amravati MP Navneet Rana had also filed a complaint in Parliament regarding the transfer of Aarti Singh.

the truth. How many of our jawans have been injured, or if some jawans been martyred.

Raut stressed that while the excitement of winning the elections in Gujarat was going on, Chinese troops were intruding into Tawang. “It means you have politicized and celebrated the security of this country. If you want to see to what level politics has reached, then Tawang incident is unfortunate for the country,” he said.

z SC on Tuesday granted anticipatory bail to businessman Raj Kundra, models Sherlyn Chopra and Poonam Pandey and one Umesh Kamat in a case in which a FIR was filed against them for creating obscene content and showing it on OTT platforms. The bench said that all must cooperate and join the investigation as and when required.

will be constituted and the matter will be taken up thereafter.

Pawar gets death threats, 1 arrested

Mumbai: While over the past few months, threat calls were being received related to bombs being planted at various railways stations or public places in Mumbai, on Tuesday, a shocking revelation was made when news spread that now death threat has been made to Nationalist Congress Party President Sharad Pawar. It was revealed that an unknown person had made a call at Pawar’s residence and issued threats to kill him. According to the sources, the person said, “Mumbai aaunga aur desi katte se uda dunga.”

Immediately, the NCP leader’s security team lodged a complaint with the Gamdevi police station which initiated an

investigation into the matter after registering a case under section 294, 506(2) of the IPC. NCP’s chief spokesperson Mahesh Tapase said the caller appeared to be mentally unstable, who had been calling Pawar’s residence at regular intervals and making such threats.

Meanwhile, taking swift action in the matter, the Mumbai police identified the caller and arrested a forty five year old male -Sonifrom Bihar’s Patna.

Uddhav faction to seek adjudication of cases by 7-judge bench on Jan 10

New

ceed with a plea for disqualification of MLAs if a prior notice seeking removal of the speaker is pending decision in the House.

In 2016, a five-judge constitution bench, while deciding the Nabam Rebia case, had held that the assembly speaker cannot pro-

This decision had come to the rescue of rebel MLAs led by Eknath Shinde, now the chief minister of Maharashtra, in the apex court on the ground of pendency of a notice for removal of assembly deputy speaker Narhari Sitaram Zariwal.

A five-judge constitution bench headed by Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud, while

hearing a batch of pleas related to the Maharashtra political crisis triggered by the Shiv Sena’s division, was told by senior advocate Kapil Sibal, appearing for the Thackeray faction, that he will be seeking refer ence of matters to a sevenbench to have a relook of the 2016 judgment in the Na bam Re bia case.

‘MAHA’

Kartikey Dev Singh

First India Bureau

Delhi: On Tuesday, the Supreme Court was apprised by the Uddhav Thackeray Shiv Sena faction that it will seek reference of cases related to the Maharashtra political crisis to a seven-judge bench to have a relook of a 2016 judgment on powers of assembly speakers to deal with disqualification pleas.

licitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the Maharashtra governor, said he would also like to submit a note on broader issues including the pre-poll alliance.

Sanjay Raut

Sharad Pawar

katte se goli mar dunga"

PRESIDENT

Mumbai: A man has been arrested from Bihar for repeatedly making threat calls at NCP president Sharad Pawar’s Mumbai residence, police said. N Soni (45) told “Mumbai Aake Desi Katte Se Uda Doonga,” said police official.

TEJASHWI YADAV WILL LEAD IN 2025: CM NITISH DROPS A BIG HINT

Bihar: Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Tuesday announced that his deputy Tejashwi Yadav would lead the ruling coalition in the 2025 Bihar election, designating him as his next-in-line and starting the countdown on his own term as Chief Minister.

PLA troops tried to change status quo in Arunachal Pradesh, India troops forced them to retreat, says Rajnath Singh in Parliament

Proceedings in parliament were adjourned soon after they began as the Opposition kept insisting that the border clash issued be discussed at once P6 Moni Sharma

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh delivers a statement in Lok Sabha on the India-China Line of Actual Control (LAC) clash during the Winter Session of Parliament, in New Delhi on Tuesday. Also present here are Anurag Singh Thakur, Pralhad Joshi, Dr Jitendra Singh, Arjun Ram Meghwal and others.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah speaks to the media in presence of Union Ministers Dharmendra Pradhan, Piyush Goyal and others after Parliament session in Delhi on Tuesday. —PHOTO BY ANI

Pema

Arunachal Pradesh CM

New Delhi: The Indian Air Force had to scramble its fighters jets 2-3 times over last weeks to prevent air violations by the Chinese drones along the LAC in AP. IAF mobilizations happened before the clashes between India and China troops last week.

CHINESE SPY VESSEL YANG WANG-5

THE INDIAN OCEAN REGION

The Chinese scientific research vessel Yang Wang-5, which had entered Indian Ocean Region (IOR) a few days back, has now moved out of the area, Navy sources said on Tuesday and noted that the vessel was being constantly monitored.

Bilkis Bano Bela M Trivedi

Udayanraje brings Pune to standstill, thanks people

Says ‘time has come to honour Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj’ amid positive response to city bandh on Tues

Pune: Hailing the people of Pune for participating in the bandh called over protest against ‘insults’ to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, his descendent MP Udayanraje Bhosale thanked them.

The shut down received a massive response from people belonging to various religions as well as social

and political organizations on Tuesday. Hundreds of activists took part in a silent march from Deccan to Lal Mahal in Pune city.

“Even as this love for Shivaji continues to grow, some people have to explain what he contributed to the country. It is time for us to insist that the maharaja be given due respect,” said

Udayanraje.

The MP also thanked various organizations for responding to the Pune bandh. He also demanded that immediate action be taken against political leaders who have “insulted” Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.

Addressing media persons on Tuesday, Udayanraje said, “Love for the great man of the

SUSHMA ANDHARE GETS TROLLED

Referring to MP Bhosale as “raja” backfired on Shiv Sena – Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray leader Sushma Andhare as she was heavily trolled on social media. “Udayanraje must have gone to Delhi to resign immediately. We have great respect for him. Maybe they (BJP) could not bear the humiliation of the great man and went to resign. He is not a king who controls a mob of ten thousand, rather Udayanraje is a king of hearts,” she said.

era, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, is more than ever today. When we went to Raigad (for Akrosh Morcha launch), I really felt the pain. We had decided on Raigad because Shivaji Maharaj was once given the greatest honour there. People make statements without reason. But, it will not diminish Shivaji Maharaj’s contribu-

tion to Maharashtra. The time has come for us to say that he should be honoured.”

Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) Rajya Sabha member also demanded that the government take action against Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari and BJP leader Sudhanshu Trivedi as it had done in Nupur Sharma’s case.

Shops in Pune shut as people answer ‘bandh’ call

Pune: Most shops and businesses remained closed in Pune city on Tuesday morning in response to a call for ‘bandh’ sounded by opposition parties to protest ‘insults’ against Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and other iconic leaders of the state.

While the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has not supported the bandh call, its Rajya

Rane condemns ‘Love Jihad’ at Patan meet

Patan: Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLA Nitesh Rane has strongly condemned the act of ‘Love Jihad’. While addressing the Maha Akrosh Morcha in Patan on Tuesday, Rane urged Hindus to take action against it.

In his speech, Rane said that if someone looks at Hindu girls, he will remove their eyeballs and place them in a museum.

“If such a big number of Hindus cannot stop a handful of ‘jihadis’, how can we bow down to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj?” Rane asked.

He went on to say that

and oppression. However, no action has been taken by the police.

The BJP leader further stated that as Hindus, we should ask each other why we are silent on this issue and vow to put an end to ‘Love Jihad’ in our state.

“All of us as a Hindu community can never get justice unless we create fear in the minds of those who look at our society unfairly,” he asserted.

Sambhaji Maharaj’s statue and ended at the Lal Mahal in the city.

Shiv Sena leader Sushma Andhare also participated in the march.

The Congress, Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), Shiv Sena - Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray, Sambhaji Brigade and some other outfits supported the bandh.

The Agriculture Produce Market Committee (APMC) in Pune also remained closed on the day.

A local traders’ body has extended support to the bandh by keeping the shops closed till 3 pm.

Officials of the Pune Mahanagar Parivahan Mahamandal said that most of its buses were plying on the roads. Only 10% of all buses were pulled off the roads, an official said.

The bandh call was originally given to protest Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari’s remarks on Shivaji.

Govt green lights various projects at cabinet meet

Author returns govt award over reversal of award to writer

First India Bureau

Mumbai: The state cabinet on Tuesday held a meeting under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Eknath Shinde to take crucial decisions on various projects.

It approved the Jalyukt Shivar Abhiyan 2.0, the flagship water conservation scheme of the erstwhile Devendra Fadnavis-led NDA government which was discontinued when Uddhav Thackeray-led MVA dispensation was in power post 2019.

Subsidies of around Rs1,100 crore were also granted to staterun schools at the meeting. Addressing media persons, School Education Minister Deepak Kesarkar shared, “The cabinet has decided to grant and increase the subsidies by up to 20% to all schools run by the state.”

First India Bureau

Mumbai: Marathi author Anand Karandikar on Tuesday announced his decision to return his award in protest against the state government’s withdrawal of the award given to Marathi translation of the memoir of alleged Maoist ideologue Kobad Ghandy by author Anagha Lele.

Karandikar said the government's move to take back Lele’s award of for the Marathi translation of Ghandy’s book is “absolute gagging of freedom of thoughts and freedom of expression.”

“I have written to the Maharashtra State Literature and Culture Board informing them that I want to return my award and the money” he said.

The government’s Marathi Language Department on December 06 announced the Late Yashwantrao Chavan

Literature Award 2021 for Lele for her translation of Ghandy’s “Fractured Freedom: A Prison Memoir”. The decision came in for criticism on social media because of Ghandy’s alleged Maoist links.

A Government Resolution (order) issued on Monday stated the decision of the selection committee had been reversed for “administrative reasons”, and the award (for Lele), which included a cash prize of Rs1 lakh, has been withdrawn. The committee has also been scrapped, the order added.

Karandikar, who has been selected for the Late Yashwantrao Chavan

Literature Award 2021 under the “General Literature” category for his Marathi book “Vaicharik Ghusalan”, said, “Though I do not agree with Ghandy’s line of thinking, he has the right to express his views in a democracy.”

HC refuses urgent hearing on Malik’s bail plea

First India Bureau

Mumbai: The Bombay High Court on Tuesday refused to grant urgent hearing on former Maharashtra minister Nawab Malik’s bail plea in a money laundering case linked to a land deal in which fugitive gangster Dawood Ibrahim and his aides were involved.

for many years, girls in our society have been subjected to injustice

BMC school kids to get skill devt training

Sandeep Shukla

Mumbai: Students of schools run by Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) are set to receive skill development training under a new education scheme approved by the state government.

Chief Minister Eknath Shinde signed the pilot project agreement in the presence of Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, School Education Minister Deepak Kesarkar, Skill Development Minister Mangal Prabhat

Lodha on Tuesday along with Skill Employment Entrepreneurship Department, Maharashtra Skill Development Society, state Education Department and BMC Education Committee.

Around 42,000 students above the age of 15 years will receive skill development training in select schools in the first phase. The scheme will cover 41, 774 students of Class IX and X across 249 schools. After gauging initial success, 96,922 students of Class VI to VIII will be covered.

However, Rane’s remarks sparked a war of words, with Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Ajit Pawar retorting that the legislation is not made on the desire of anyone.

The 62-year-old politician had approached the HC after a special court here rejected his bail plea on November 30.

The single bench of Justice MS Karnik denied Malik’s request for an urgent hearing on his plea and directed the Enforcement Directorate (ED) to file its response to the plea in

two weeks. The judge adjourned the matter to January 06.

As the matter was called out on Tuesday, Justice Karnik asked Malik’s counsel Amit Desai to first satisfy the urgency for hearing the matter. Desai then informed the court about the senior NCP leader’s

Meanwhile,

Citing the recent medical reports submitted by the hospital before the court, Malik’s

TRIVIAL PURSUIT?

court had on November 18 ordered that

Navlakha be placed under house arrest “without fail” within 24 hours and ordered some additional security measures to be put in place at the building where the activist will be kept under house arrest. Alleging that Navlakha’s medical report issued by the Jaslok hospital was “vitiated”, the National Investigation Agency had said proper treatment was given to him whenever required and his condition was manageable within the premises of Taloja central jail.

lawyer sought extension of his hospitalization. The court is likely to hear the matter next week.

leader is in judicial custody and currently undergoing treatment at a private hospital here.

Raut blasts CM over border row ‘2-minute meet’

First India Bureau

New Delhi: Shiv Sena – Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray leader Sanjay Raut on Tuesday fired salvos at Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai after their brief meeting in Gujarat. Both leaders were present for the Bharati-

ya Janata Party-led states’ CM meeting held by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Gandhinagar on Monday.

While speaking at a press meet, Raut alleged that the border issue between Maharashtra and Karnataka was resolved in two minutes at the Gujarat meeting.

“Did the border issue seem so low-level that

they talked about it for 2 minutes after a simple swearing-in ceremony? These leaders were around the governor (Bhagat Singh Koshyari)

and the home minister (Amit Shah) when the ceremony was held in the morning,” said Raut.

Commenting on Shinde and Bommai

meeting in Gujarat, Raut said, “The chief ministers met on the road to discuss the border issue. Is that a place to resolve border issues? The Maharashtra CM should understand that the Karnataka CM is defaming our state.

People have been struggling, fighting, and suffering for 55-60 years and you finish the matter in two minutes.”

Talking about the bandh in Pune, the Rajya Sabha MP said, “There is a bandh in Pune as the birthplace

of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj is in the district. The Central government should take note of it, along with the Maharashtra government and governor.”

Warning of a statewide bandh, Raut said, “If the bandh spreads across Maharashtra, the whole state will gradually shut down”

On December 17, Shiv Sena will march along with Congress, Nationalist Congress Party (NCP)—the entire Maha Vikas Aghadi coalition, he added.

First India Bureau

Sabha member Udayanraje Bhosale, who is a descendant of Shivaji Maharaj, joined a silent

march organized by the protesters. The march began from Chhatrapati

medical conditions.

Malik on Tuesday moved a plea before a special court seeking to extend his hospitalization citing his recent medical reports.

The senior NCP

First India Bureau

CMs Shinde and Bommai met on the sidelines of Gujarat CM Bhupendra Patel’s swearing-in ceremony held at Gandhinagar on Monday

ELGAR PARISHAD-MAOIST LINKS CASE: SC EXTENDS HOUSE ARREST OF NAVLAKHA New Delhi (PTI): The Supreme Court on Tuesday extended its interim order placing social activist Gautam Navlakha, accused of having links to Maoists and Pakistan's spy agency ISI, under house arrest till the second week of January. A bench of Justices KM Joseph and BV Nagarathna passed the order extending the social activist's house arrest. The top

First India Bureau

BJP leader calls on Hindu community to take action and end the practice

Kobad Ghandy’s memoir was translated by Anagha Lele. —FILE PHOTO

BJP MP Udayanraje Bhosale

—FILE PHOTO

Local traders kept shops closed on Tuesday. —ANI PHOTO

NCP leader Nawab Malik —FILE PHOTO

Shiv Sena (UBT)

leader Sanjay Raut —FILE PHOTO

Pune auto strike: Protestors threaten to fast unto death

Police lodge case against 37 drivers over ‘bike taxi’ ban demand demo

Pune: After police rounded up autorickshaw drivers who had parked their vehicles on the road in front of the Pune RTO late on Mon day night, organizers

of the protest have now threatened to fast unto death, if the government does not fulfill their demand of banning bike taxis in the city.

Pune police have registered a case

of the road in front of Pune RTO on Monday, after hundreds of autorickshaw drivers parked their vehicles on the road and left for home. This caused heavy traffic jams on

tions of the IPC, Criminal Law Amendment Act and Maharashtra Police Act against 37 drivers, including union leaders and office-bearers,” said an official. The rickshaw drivers forum ‘Baghtoy Rickshaw Wala’ headed by Keshav Nanasaheb Kshirsagar announced that they will continue ing meeting with Pune Collector Rajesh

“The police have tained many of our workers. Three of us will begin a fast unto death until the bike taxi is banned,”

IN RESPONSE

MACT grants ` 65.62 lakh compensation to kin of man killed in bike crash

First India Bureau

Thane: A compensation of Rs65.62 lakh has been awarded to the family of a man killed in a motorcycle accident in 2020 by The Motor Accident Claims Tribunal (MACT) in Thane district.

gar told reporters after the police action.

The autorickshaw unions have demanded that the ‘bike taxi’ service, operated by Rapido, an app-based aggregator, be stopped in Pune. Rapido Bike Taxi is a platform where people can book a bike ride on a mobile app. The bike taxi transports customers who ride pillion behind the bike rider.

Mum NCB busts inter-state drug trafficking ring

Mumbai (PTI): The Narcotics Control Bureau’s (NCB) Mumbai zonal unit has busted an inter-state drug trafficking racket by arresting five persons and seizing drugs worth Rs15 lakh, an official said on Tuesday.

In a four-day operation, NCB sleuths conducted raids at various places in Mumbai, Thane, and Navi Mum-

bai and seized more than 1,400 Codeine based Cough Syrup (CBCS) bottles and 6,000 Nitrazepam tablets from the possession of the five persons, including a woman.

Notably, Nitrazepam has sedative properties.

Initially, the NCB had received input about a syndicate operating from Dharavi, which is involved in

COPS LAY TRAP, ARREST MAN WITH 20 RARE INDIAN STAR TORTOISES IN MUMBAI

Mumbai: A 33-year-old man has been arrested for allegedly smuggling 20 rare Indian star tortoises in the western suburb of Borivali here, police said. Acting on a tip-off, the police laid a trap and nabbed the accused from Ganpat Patil Nagar area on Monday, an official said.At least 20 Indian star tortoises, worth Rs 3.5 lakh, were seized from the man, who had come to deliver the rare reptiles for sale, he said. The accused has been arrested under relevant sections of the Wildlife Protection Act. A probe is also underway to track down source and customer of the tortoises.

VACCINATION DRIVE IN THANE

FROM TOMORROW

Thane: A special MeaslesRubella vaccination drive will be conducted in Thane district from December 15 to January 25, 2023, a local health official said on Tuesday. MR1 and MR2 vaccines will be administered to children in the age group of 9 months to 5 years. The officials aim to vaccinate all children who need immunization, before January 26. To that end, a survey of children needing the vaccine is being conducted in the entire district with the help of Asha, Anganwadi, and Health Department workers. There will be special focus on kids with malnutrition.

ON ROLL WITHOUT CLEARING EXAM, CBI ARRESTS NINE

Nagpur: Nine Income Tax employees, who joined the department allegedly without clearing the mandatory recruitment examination and instead made dummy candidates write the test on their behalf have been arrested in Nagpur by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), said the central agency on Tuesday. The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) of the CBI arrested the nine accused on Monday, it said. In 2018, the CBI ACB had registered a case under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and the Prevention of Corruption Act after allegations over the matter surfaced.

2 NABBED FOR 6 BURGLARIES BETWEEN FEB-SEPT, 200GM GOLD SEIZED: COPS

Navi Mumbai: Police on Tuesday arrested two men wanted for six burglaries committed over the past 10 months from Nerul area of the city. Both have been identified as Saurabh Yadav (24) and Taufiq Shaikh (24), both residents of Mira Road in Mumbai. Officials have also seized 200gm gold from them. “The suspects mostly operated during the day, breaking into locked houses. They were part of a gang of four who were involved in several instances of theft,” said Assistant Sub-Inspector Sachin Dhage. They were involved in six house breaks between February and September this year.

the inter-state trafficking of illicitly diverted pharmaceutical drugs.

“During the investigation, a couple based in Koparkhairane in Navi Mumbai was identified.

They are dealing in the procurement and supply of drugs. 920 CBCS bottles were seized from their possession. They used to procure drugs from a person who was later apprehended from Sion in Mumbai,” an NCB official said.

The person based in Sion admitted to operating as a carrier cum peddler and managing the logistical support.

G20 MEETING

HM Bhosale, MACT member directed the owner of the offending vehicle and National Insurance Company Ltd, to make payment jointly and severally to the claimants along with interest at 8 per cent per annum from the date of filing of the claim.

The copy of the order passed on November 16 was made available on Monday.

Appearing for the petitioners, advocate ST Kadam informed the tribunal that Sandesh Shinde (35) was riding a motorcycle to Koparkhairane with his friend on the night of March 18, 2020, when a trailer rammed into the two-wheeler and

CRICKET TALES

ran over the victim.

The victim was working for a private firm and earned Rs32,655 per month.

He was also the only earning member of the family comprising his wife, two sons and his mother, he said.

While the owner of the trailer did not appear and the matter was decided ex-parte against him, the insurance company was represented by advocate KV Poojari who vehemently opposed the claims.

The compensation awarded to the claimants includes Rs63.96

The victim worked at a private firm and earned `32,655 per month; he is survived by 4 fam members

lakh towards dependency loss, Rs16,500 each towards loss of estate and funeral expenses and Rs44,000 towards spousal consortium, and Rs88,000 towards parental consortium.

Police asks citizens to plan travel accordingly as traffic snarls likely

TRAFFIC ADVISORY

Power discoms oppose Adani Elec’s entry into Thane and Navi Mumbai

First India Bureau

Thane: The Maharashtra State Electricity Workers Federation (MSEWF), representing 30 organizations, organized a protest at Mahavitaran office in Wagle Estate on Monday opposing the alleged privatization of the state utility and the entry of Adani Electricity into ThaneNavi Mumbai region.

BMC ISSUES NORMS; CONSTRUCTION WORK HALTED FOR 10 DAYS

Mumbai: In view of the G20 meetings being organized here, traffic in Mumbai was reportedly slow on Tuesday. Police had informed via an official press note dated December 12 that the traffic would be slow in certain parts of city and asked people to plan their journeys accordingly.

According to sources, traffic was reportedly slow between Vakola, Kherwadi, and Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC) from 8.30 am to 10 am.

The police had also suggested the citizens plan their journey ac-

cordingly as the vehicular movement is likely to be slower from 5.30 pm to 11 pm between BKC, Kherwadi, Bandra, Worli Sea link, Haji Ali, Pedder road, Bandstand, Marine Drive, Air India, Mantralaya, Regal Junction, Electric house, and the Gateway of India.

“Due to a pre-scheduled programme of delegates of G20 India Summit to Mumbai, tomorrow on 13th December 2022, from 08:30 hrs to 10:00 hrs between Vakola, Kherwadi, BKC and from 17:30 hrs to 23:00 hrs between BKC, Kherwadi, Bandra, Worli Sea link, Haji ali, Ped-

der road, Bandstand, Marine Drive, Air India, Mantralaya, Regal Junction, Electric house, Gateway of India traffic is likely to be slow. All citizens are requested to plan their journey accordingly,” the Decem-

Protests were also organized by the employees of Mahavitaran or Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company Limited, Maharashtra State Power Generation Company Limited, and Maharashtra State Electricity Transmission Company Limited at Prakashgad office in Bandra, Dharavi and Vashi.

According to the Joint Secretary of the federation Lileshwar Bansod, this is just the beginning and a series of activities are lined

up from a pen-down strike to a morcha to Vidhan Bhavan in Nagpur to an indefinite strike - in the next one month.

“We will return the mobile phone SIM cards given by the company, and no phone calls will be attended as part of the non-cooperation with the management,” Bansod said. On December 19, the federation has planned a pen-down strike across the state.

The winter session of the state legislature will commence in Nagpur on December 19, and the federation has planned a morcha to Vidhan Bhavan on December 23. On January 04, the employees have planned a 72hour

First India Bureau

ber 12 press note of the Mumbai Police read.

The first meeting of the Development Working Group (DWG) under India’s G20 Presidency is scheduled to take place in Mumbai from December 13 to December 16.

On Tuesday, traffic was reportedly slow between Vakola, Kherwadi, and Bandra Kurla Complex; 1st meet of DWG from December 13-16 in Mumbai

First India Bureau

Mumbai: Due to the poor air quality from the past few days, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) issued a set of guidelines to mitigate dust pollution level in air ahead of the G-20 Summit. The civic body has asked all the ward officers to clean the roads on a regular basis. Also, guidelines have been issued to the assistant municipal commissioners of 24 municipal wards for pausing construction and waste disposal works for the next 10 days. In several locations across Mumbai where the Air-Quality Index (AQI) stayed in the ‘poor’ or ‘very poor’ category, the civic officials have been instructed to spray water at the traffic junctions and on the roads that record heavy traffic movement.

strike, and an indefinite strike.

A series of activities are lined up from a pen-down strike to a morcha to Vidhan Bhavan in Nagpur to an indefinite strike

Vidarbha team captain Faiz Fazal plays a shot during the first day of the Ranji Trophy match against Railways at Vidarbha Cricket Association (VCA) Stadium in Nagpur on Tuesday.

PHOTO BY PTI

Officials conducted raids at various places in Mumbai, Thane, and Navi Mumbai

FOOTBALL ENSURES ‘YOU WILL NEVER WALK ALONE’

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

For almost three weeks now, some regions in India have had sleepless nights… No… not because of the Gujarat or the Himachal Pradesh Assembly elections. These people have had nothing to do with these polls (at least remotely). They have been staying awake for football’s biggest extravaganza, the FIFA World Cup 2022!Primarily, West Bengal, Kerala, Goa and the northeastern states have been India’s main “cheerleaders” for the football world cup.

drubbing during the penalties, Argentina fans are grinning but keeping their fingers crossed.

And mind you, all this excitement albeit the fact India may be 105th in world ranking. The Indian men’s national team maintained their 105th rank in the latest FIFA men’s rankings released (again) recently.

Bengalis swear by football even as the race’s biggest international sporting icon, Sourav Ganguly, has been a cricketer! Bengali’s passion for the game has been such that it sees a Bengali-yana in all teams. We may be 105th in world ranking but note the way Bengalis feel about the Bengali-yana even in the names of the following players and the way these names are pronounced

And for a month, there has been a sharp divide between people over supporting several teams and the main opposition has come from the Argentina and the Brazil camps. Initially, when Argentina was defeated by Saudi Arabia, the Brazil fans had mocked the team (Argentina) and now when they (Brazil) are out of the tournament after Croatia

There has also been a sharp divide between the cricket and football fans. Understandably, Indian cricket fans have had nothing to cheer about since mid-November as far as cricket is concerned and that is the time when the FIFA World Cup started. Since November, Team India have lost mostly everything they played. To be precise, we lost the T20 World Cup (needless to say how pathetically) and we also lost the ODI series to Bangladesh!

Our Men in Blue, of late, has had the habit of waking up after the requirement it seems. In a nonconsequential third ODI that was played for the record’s sake, Team India defeated Bangladesh but handed over the trophy to

them! And for this entire month that is between midNovember and mid-December, if you have had an encounter with an Argentine fan and by “mistake” if you have praised the OUR Men in Blue, you have had it…

The sharp retort would come in the following manner… “Chhere din dada, oi toh barota desh khele, tar aabar World Cup” (Just forget it brother, only 12 countries play cricket so what’s the big deal about its World Cup).

Bengalis swear by football even as the race’s biggest international sporting icon, Sourav Ganguly, has been a cricketer! Bengali’s passion for the game has been such that it sees

a Bengali-yana in all teams. We may be 105th in world ranking but note the way Bengalis feel about the Bengali-yana even in the names of the following players and the way these names are pronounced.

FROM DENMARK

z Oliver Christen-sen, Joachim Ander-sen, Andreas Christen-sen, Rasmus Kristensen, Jens Stryger Lar-sen

FROM BELGIUM

z Kevin-De, Romelu Lu-kaku

FROM ENGLAND

z Luke Shaw (pronounced as Luke Saha…!)

z Bukayo Saka (Upbeat Bengali fans also pronounce Saka as Saha)

A Winning World Cup Strategy for Arab World

MMAN — For decades, the Arab world has suffered from disunity. While it is connected by geography, language, and culture, the region’s lack of cohesion has long allowed foreign powers to plunder its resources. The legacy of colonial divide-and-rule tactics remains pervasive, and parochialism has prevented Arabs from leveraging their huge oil wealth and relatively educated populations. But the FIFA World Cup has shown us another way.

Football has emerged as a great unifier following a string of unexpected victories for Arab countries.

In November, Saudi Arabia beat Argentina, Tuni-

sia defeated France, and Morocco routed Belgium. Then, during the knockout stage, Morocco made history by eliminating both Spain and Portugal to become the first Arab country to secure a place

in the semifinals.

Morocco’s victories were the result of a perfectly executed plan devised by coach Walid Regragui, who placed goalkeeper Yassine Bounou at the center of the team’s strategy. Bounou re-

peatedly stymied Spain’s attempts to score, and Morocco went on to eliminate the team in penalty shootouts. Nor could Portugal’s attackers find a way to beat Bounou, and Regragui’s side pulled off a

Morocco’s success in the tournament has united Arabs throughout the Middle East and North Africa behind a common hope. Can the team’s winning strategies do something similar for the region’s politics?

stunning 1-0 win. “I’m trying to think of when such a shock as this has happened in the World Cup,” one commentator told the BBC. “Pinch me, I’m dreaming,” Bounou said.

SOURCE: PROJECT SYNDICATE

LAST BUT NOT THE LEAST…

z Lionel Messi from Argentina (whose name is pronounced by the aam Bengali in the following manner Lion Mashi)

YOU

IF

z An Indian who spotted an Argentinian with the Indian tricolour wrapped around her recently posted a video clip that has now amassed more than 7 lakh likes on Instagram. Leti Estevez was seen carrying the Indian national flag in a video shared by Yadil M Iqbal, a football fan from Kerala.

THOUGHT THAT THIS WAS IT, READ ON…

z Ask any Bengali about the description of the ball used for the matches, the type of surface of the playing arena… etc 90 per cent of them will give you near perfect answers

z Football is indeed a great game as far as its “attachment” with Queen’s language is concerned

z The game has given several idioms etc to the language… sample this z Referee blows the whistle… and the term that has entered our parlance

WHISTLEBLOWER

z Kick-off, a football term is widely used in our daily lives

z To be on the ball…

z And Shifting the Goal post needs no explanation

This is a fun piece and no-offence meant.

It is meant ONLY for fun reading!

z According to reports, the panchayat authorities had directed fans to remove the cut-outs of football icons to ensure free flow of water. But it was resolved soon and the “football giants” were not shifted. The FIFA website (fifa.com) shared pictures, bringing global recognition, which was acknowledged by Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan. He retweeted it with the words, “Kerala and Keralites have always loved football and it is on full display with Qatar 2022 around the corner. Thank you, FIFA for acknowledging our unmatched passion for the sport.”

z Malayali readers’ love for Latin American literature is also amazing, with writers such as Gabriel Garcia Marquez and Paulo Coelho being almost considered locals!

z Members of Goan Social Workers Qatar (GSWQ), a group formed by Goan residents working in this Gulf state, are hopeful that “aamcho munees [our man, in Konkani]” will help Portugal go all the way. Goa, a former Portuguese colony, still has many inhabitants, who speak the language and follow their customs and traditions.

SPIRITUAL SPEAK

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. Bible

Jagat Prakash Nadda @JPNadda Paid his heartfelt tributes to all the brave martyrs who laid down their lives while fighting the terrorists to thwart the terrorist attack on the Parliament House on 13th December, 2001. The country will always be indebted to you for your supreme sacrifice in the defense of the nation.

TOP TWEETS

Dharmendra Pradhan @dpradhanbjp Today one year has been completed for the inauguration of the grand Kashi Vishwanath Dham. The nectar period of faith, spirituality, knowledge, science and research has started in India under the leadership of the Prime Minister @ narendramodi. Along with Kashi Vishwanath Dham, other spiritual heritage of India are also being rejuvenated.

Jagdeesh

THE VIEWS EXPRESSED BY THE AUTHOR ARE PERSONAL

PM invites people to share inputs for 2022’s last Mann Ki Baat

New Delhi (ANI):

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday invited people to share their inputs for the upcoming episode of Mann ki Baat scheduled for December 25, informed the Prime Minister’s Office.

The scheduled podcast will be the last ‘Mann ki Baat’ of 2022 slated for December 25 at 11 am. Prime Minister Modi urged people to write on the NaMo App, and MyGov app or record their messages

on 1800-11-7800.

Sharing MyGov’s invitation, Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted, “2022's last

#MannKiBaat will take place on the 25th of this month. I am eager to receive your input for the programme. I urge you

to write on the NaMo App, MyGov or record your message on 180011-7800.”

Earlier on November 30, Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the 95th Edition of ‘Mann Ki Baat’ said that “our country is home to the oldest traditions traditions in the world. Therefore, it is also our responsibility to preserve our traditions and traditional knowledge, to promote it and to take it forward as much as possible.”

2022’s last #MannKiBaat

PM Modi to participate in birth centenary celebrations of Pramukh Swami Maharaj today

New Delhi (PTI): PM Narendra Modi will participate in the inaugural function of birth centenary celebrations of Pramukh Swami Maharaj in Ahmedabad on Wednesday, his office said. It said Swami Maharaj was a guide and guru who touched countless lives across India and the world.

“He was widely respected and admired as

a great spiritual leader. His life was dedicated to the service of spirituality and humanity. As the leader of BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha, he inspired countless cultur-

al, social and spiritual initiatives, providing comfort and care to millions,” it added. In his birth centenary, people from across the world are celebrating his life and work. The year-long celebrations will culminate in ‘Pramukh Swami Maharaj Shatabdi Mahotsav’ that will be hosted by BAPS Swaminarayan Mandir, Shahibaug.

Guwahati (ANI): The All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF) on Tuesday proposed forming a grand alliance of all the “anti-BJP political parties” at a national level to fight against Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in 2024 Lok Sabha elections.

AIUDF MLA Aminul Islam said that if people want to change the BJP government at the Centre with a secular government then it is imperative to form a grand alliance of all secular parties at the national level. “So, if a grand alliance is formed against BJP at the national level, there can be Congress or AIUDF. But, if both the parties joined the grand alliance, it would be not only Assam based, but the one at a national level,” Aminul Islam said in a conversation with ANI.

WORKING WITH A SENSE OF REVENGE ISN’T GOOD ’

the

state and claimed that the Congress was continuing its custom of stopping work and overturning the decisions of BJP in the region and said that starting work with a sense of revenge is not good.

“Congress, continuing its custom, started the work of stopping and overturning the decisions of our government, while the cabinet has not even been formed yet, but has started working with a sense of revenge. Starting work with a sense of revenge is not good,” tweeted Thakur. He also alleged that the current government was obstructing the development works in the state.

“School, college, hos-

THE COURTYARD

COURT DEFERS TO DEC 22 HEARING PLEA SEEKING CASE AGAINST

Jairam Thakur (R) with his successor Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu. Congress, continuing its custom, started the work of stopping and overturning the decisions of our government, while the cabinet has not even been formed yet, but has started working with a sense of revenge. Starting work with a sense of revenge is not good.

—Jairam Thakur, former chief minister, Himachal Pradesh

pital, police station, bridge, road, drinking water scheme... the work of hanging, obstructing and distracting all these works has started, for which the public will never forgive them. Starting work

with a sense of revenge is not good,” he added.

His remarks came after the newly appointed Himachal Pradesh CM Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu made numerous announcements in the first cabinet meeting.

Shimla (ANI): After assuming the charge of the Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh, Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu paid a courtesy call on Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar at Raj Bhavan, on Tuesday for the first time. While congratulating the Chief Minister, the Governor hoped that under his leadership Himachal Pradesh would achieve new heights of development. "I have seen the performance of Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu in Vidhan Sabha. He is a visionary leader and I hope, his team will perform all the administrative work smoothly", said Arlekar. The Chief Minister said that he would seek the guidance of the Governor to take Himachal Pradesh forward on the path of development.

BRS is rehabilitation shelter for abandoned netas: NV Subhash

Hyderabad (ANI): Telangana BJP spokesperson NV Subhash took a sharp dig at the upcoming Delhi office inauguration of K Chandrasekhar Rao’s Bharat Rashtra Samithi party on Tuesday and said BRS is nothing more than “a rehabilitation shelter for those politicians who have been abandoned or sidelined by their respective parties”.

Days after the Election Commission’s nod for a change of name of the erstwhile Telangana Rashtra Samithi party, Telangana Chief Minister and BRS supremo KCR will inaugurate the party's national headquarters in Delhi on Wednesday.

Ridiculing KCR’s new office space and a new name for the party, Subhash said, “A stage is set to provide employment to some leaders by K Chandrasekhar Rao in his new political outfit at Delhi tomorrow.”

MP Cong leader Pateria detained

Damoh (ANI): Congress leader and former minister Raja Pateria was on Tuesday detained by the Panna Police from his residence, in connection with his alleged “kill Modi” remarks.

CBI FILES CHARGE SHEET AGAINST EX-BARC CEO

New Delhi: The CBI has filed a charge sheet against former BARC CEO Sunil Lulla for allegedly manipulating viewership ratings of channels from “his ends” during his tenure in the ratings agency, officials said Tuesday.

During the probe that was started on a complaint from a Lucknow-based advertiser, the CBI did not find any evidence of alleged manipulation being done at the customer level by channels, they said.

ANKITA BHANDARI MURDER: NEXT HEARING ON 22

Dehradun: A local court here will on December 22, hear an application by one accused in Ankita Bhandari Murder Case seeking 10 days time to give consent for the Narco and Polygraph tests. The police said on Monday that out of the three accused, one has sought 10 days time for the narco and polygraph tests.

The body of 19-year-old Ankita, who worked as a receptionist at a resort run by Pulkit Arya, son of now expelled BJP leader.

SC COLLEGIUM RECOMMENDED

ELEVATION OF 5 HC JUDGES

A First Information Report (FIR) was registered on Monday afternoon at Pawai police station in Panna district against the Congress leader and former state minister for making remarks against the prime minister. Pateria has been booked under

sections 451, 504, 505 (1) (b), 505 (1)(C), 506, 153-B (1)(C) of the IPC. He was detained from his residence in Hatta of Damoh district early

2001

this morning.

State Home Minister Narottam Mishra on Monday ordered filing a FIR against the Congress leader.

MP CONG ISSUES SHOW CAUSE NOTICE AGAINST PATERIA

KAVITHA IS TRYING TO WHIP UP WOMEN’S SENTIMENTS: REDDY

Hyderabad (ANI): A new po-

Rachana

slammed TRS MLC K Kavitha and said that the latter was trying to gather women’s support a day after her interrogation by the investigative agency for her alleged involvement in the liquor scam. “The BJP has always respected the rule of law, equal protection of law and equality before the law. The matter of Kavitha’s role in the liquor scam is under investigation. We will not comment on it. Kavitha is speaking a day after her interrogation and suddenly reconvenes Jagruti,” Rachana Reddy added.

Nitish may pass on mantle to Tejashwi; drops hints

Patna (PTI): Bihar CM Nitish Kumar on Tuesday dropped hints that he was looking forward to passing on the mantle to his young deputy Tejashwi Yadav, leaders emerging from a meeting of legislators of the ruling ‘Mahagathbandhan’ said.

The JD(U) supremo, once again, ruled himself out as a prime ministerial candidate for the next Lok Sabha polls even as he maintained that a “united opposition” could defeat the Narendra Modiled BJP in 2024.

“The CM pointed towards Tejashwi ji and said he is the leader of the future, under whose leadership the 2025 assembly polls in the state would be fought,” said Mahboob Alam, the legislature party leader of CPI(ML) Liberation which supports the govt from outside.

Kerala govt’s nod to Bill to remove Guv as Chancellor

Thiruvananthapuram (PTI): The Kerala Assembly proceedings on Tuesday saw high drama as it passed the bill to replace the Governor as the Chancellor of universities in the State and appoint eminent academicians in the top post, while the opposition UDF boycotted the House over non-acceptance of its suggestions regarding the bill.

“The University Laws (Amendment) Bill is passed,” Speaker AN Shamseer said on

Tuesday.

The bill, which had undergone scrutiny by a Subject Committee of the House, was passed after hours long discussions during which the Congress-led UDF said it was not opposed to the removal of the Governor as Chancellor.

Leaders pay tribute to Parliament attack victims

New Delhi (PTI): President Droupadi Murmu, Vice-President and Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar and Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday led the nation in paying tributes to those who laid down their lives during the 2001 Parliament terrorist attack.

Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, former Congress president Sonia Gandhi and MPs across the party lined up to

pay tributes to the martyrs of the 2001 Parliament terrorist attack.

BACKGROUND

READY TO GUARD NEW PARLIAMENT IF DIRECTED, SAY CRPF HEROES

New

It has been a ritual for CRPF sub-inspectors D Santosh Kumar and Shyambir

to pay tributes to their

December 13 every year but a gush of adrenaline and

runs through them as they

2001 terrorist attack on Parliament. Both Kumar and Singh, decorated with the peacetime gallantry medal ‘Shaurya Chakra’ for thwarting the attack, say given a chance they will “love to come back” for security of the new Parliament building. It is expected that the Budget session of the Parliament, which usually begins during the last week of January, will be held in the new building, adjacent to the old structure.

Murmu said the nation will always remain grateful to the “valiant

martyrs” who laid down their lives in the 2001 attack.

Varanasi: A Varanasi court deferred the hearing to December 22 of a plea seeking the filing of a case against Samajwadi Party (SP) president Akhilesh Yadav and All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) chief Asaduddin Owaisi for allegedly hurting religious sentiments of the people of Kashi by making controversial remarks. The SP and AIMIM chiefs made the alleged controversial remarks regarding the Shivling-like structure found in the Gyanvapi mosque compound during a court-ordered survey on May 16 this year to December 22. The hearing was deferred due to the condolence announced after the death of a senior lawyer.

New Delhi: SC Collegium recommended elevation of 5 HC judges to SC. It recommended elevations of 3 CJs and 2 judges of HCs. Justice Pankaj Mithal, CJ of Rajasthan HC, Justice Sanjay Karol, CJ of Patna HC, Justice PV Sanjay Kumar and CJ of Manipur HC were the names recommended. Justice Ahsanuddin Amanullah of Patna HC and Justice Manoj Misra of Allahabad HC were also recommended.

AKHILESH, OWAISI

VP Jagdeep Dhankhar, LS Speaker Om Birla, PM Narendra Modi, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Home Minister Amit Shah and others paying tributes to the martyrs, on Tuesday. —PHOTO BY PTI

ago on Dec 13, LeT and JeM terrorists attacked the Parliament complex and opened fire. Their attempt to storm Parliament House was foiled by personnel from Parliament Security Service, CRPF and Delhi Police.

Delhi:

Singh

fallen comrades on

emotions

remember the

Prime Minister Narendra Modi. —PHOTO BY ANI

will take place on the 25th of this month. I am eager to receive your input for the programme. I urge you to write on the NaMo App, MyGov or record your message on 1800-11-7800.

—Narendra Modi, @narendramodi

FORMER HP CM JAIRAM THAKUR TARGETS CONG GOVT

Shimla (ANI): Former Himachal Pradesh CM Jairam Thakur on Tuesday slammed

newly formed Congress government in the

HIMACHAL CM SUKHU PAYS COURTESY VISIT TO GUV ARLEKAR

“Grand alliance at national level must to defeat BJP in 2024”

litical fracas came to the fore on Tuesday as BJP Spokesperson

Reddy

Bhopal: Madhya Pradesh Congress on Tuesday issued a show cause notice to its party leader Raja Pateria for using objectionable and condemnable words for PM Narendra Modi while addressing a meeting. According to the notice, the party asked him to reply within three days as to why he should not be expelled from the party. Pateria was heard saying on Sunday, “PM Modi will end elections, divide people on the basis of religion and Dalits face the biggest threat under his regime. You should be ready to carry out ‘Modi ki hatya’ if you want to save the Constitution”.

‘KILL MODI’ REMARKS

Raja Pateria under police detention on Tuesday. —PHOTO BY PTI

CLARIFICATIONS NOT ALLOWED ON SENSITIVE ISSUES: RS DY CHAIRMAN

First India Bureau

New Delhi: Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman Harivansh Narayan Singh on Tuesday refused permission to opposition MPs to seek clarification on Defence Minister Rajnath Singh’s statement on the clash between Indian and Chinese troops in Arunchal Pradesh, saying clarifications are not allowed on sensitive issues.

The Opposition parties led by the Congress, which stalled proceedings in the first hour of the session and thereafter raised slogans demanding a discussion on the border clashes, wanted to seek a number of clarifications after Singh made a statement in both houses of Parliament. Harivansh Narayan Singh, however cited four precedents to say queries cannot be allowed on sensitive issues.

Opposition members, however, were not satisfied and continued to raise the issue for sometime, before the Congress led them to stage a walkout of the House.

Rajya Sabha procedures allow MPs to seek clarifications on any statement by ministers.

The deputy chairman said the House will appreciate the valour and bravery of the Indian armed forces and their commitment to protect territorial integrity of the country.

New Delhi (ANI): The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) on Tuesday made it clear in the Lok Sabha that there was “no proposal” under its consideration for bringing crimes of caste terrorism under the purview of NIA.MoS (Home Affairs) Nityanand Rai replied to

23 MONKEYPOX CASES REPORTED TILL DEC 8: GOVT

New Delhi (PTI): A total of 23 confirmed cases of Monkeypox have been reported in India till December 8 this year, MoS (Health) Bharati Pravin Pawar told the Rajya Sabha on Tuesday. In response to a question on the present status of COVID-19 cases in the country, Pawar said the trajectory of the cases is witnessing a slow and sustained decline since mid-July 2022. As on December 8, a total of 4,244 active cases of COVID-19 are reported in the country.

We were told by the Leader of the House and Deputy Rajya Sabha Chairman that we would be given a chance for clarification but they did not give it and were not ready to listen to us. This is not good for the country.

Mallikarjun Kharge, Congress Chief

the query of a member of the Lower House D Ravikumar when he asked: “whether the government has any proposal to bring crimes of caste terrorism under the purview of National Investigation Agency (NIA), if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor”.

New Delhi (PTI): Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Tuesday said a significant portion of drugs like heroin, cocaine, and hashish are being smuggled into the country through sea route. In a written reply to a question in Rajya Sabha, she said as per inputs received

NO INCREASE IN CUSTODIAL DEATHS IN KERALA IN 2018-19: MoS RAI IN LS

New Delhi (ANI): According to data furnished by the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), no increase in custodial deaths in Kerala has been noticed in 2018-19, MoS (Home Affairs) Nityanand Rai informed the Lok Sabha on Tuesday.

The minister replied in writing to a query of Congress MP Kumbakudi Sudhakaran on “whether the government has taken note that custodial deaths in Kerala have increased

by 100 per cent in 2018-19, as per the records of NHRC”. Asked whether the government has taken note of the recent incidents of police brutality and human rights violations in Kerala, Rai said, “Police and Public Order are state subjects as per the Seventh Schedule to the Constitution of India.”“It is primarily the responsibility of the state government concerned to ensure protection of human rights of the citizens,” Rai added.

Some people keep questioning our Army, armed forces and para-military forces & their capabilities; for them, politics comes before nation, so I don’t want to comment on them.

from NCB, the main drugs smuggled through the sea route are heroin, cocaine, hashish and Amphetamine type Stimulants (ATS). “The percentage of these drugs smuggled through sea route vis a vis total seizures is significant, though their percentage varies from year to year,” she said.

GOVT: FCRA LICENCE OF 1,811 NGOs CANCELLED IN 3 YRS

New Delhi (PTI): The FCRA registration of 1,811 NGOs were cancelled between 2019-21 for alleged violation of law, MoS (Home) Nityanand Rai said in Lok Sabha on Tuesday. “During the last three years i.e. 2019 to 2021, the FCRA registration certificates of 1,811 associations have been cancelled under section 14 of The Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act, 2010 (FCRA, 2010) due to violation of provisions of the FCRA, 2010,” he said in a written reply.

It is unfortunate that we are not able to maintain good relations with our neighbours. Everyone knows about our relations with Pakistan but even with China we are not able to establish good relations.

Move for monetisation of Rly stations dropped

New Delhi (PTI): The railways ministry has dropped its proposal for monetisation of stations on public-private partnership mode, and projects are now being taken up under engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) mode, a source said.

The source said that the ministry of railways has been asked to expedite monetisation of other assets, including trains, goodsheds, hill rail, stadiums, railway colonies and railway land parcels among others.

“Largest asset class (stations) dropped. Stations earlier proposed on PPP mode are now being taken up under EPC mode,” the source said.

The ministry has so

far raised only Rs 1,829 crore against the target of Rs 30,000 crore in the current financial year, the source added.

“Likely realisation from asset monetisation of Indian Railways assets under NMP (National Monetisation Pipeline) in the current fiscal has been now estimated at Rs 4,999 crore,” the source said.

Finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman in a meeting with Niti

Will support India’s G20 Presidency, systemic challenges: G7 countries

Washington (PTI): Leaders of G7 countries have backed India’s G20 presidency and pledged to jointly address major systemic challenges and immediate crises while reiterating commitments towards an equitable world.

India formally assumed the G20 Presidency on December 1. The next G20 Leaders’ Summit at the level of Heads of State/Government is scheduled to be held on September 9 and 10 in New Delhi.

PM Narendra Modi said India will work to further promote oneness, inspired by the theme of “One Earth, One Family, One Future” and listed terrorism, climate change and the pandemic as

the greatest challenges that can be best fought together.

In a joint statement, the leaders of the G7 countries said they endorse a sustainable future for all. “Under the German Presidency, we, the G7, together with other international partners, have demonstrated our resolve to jointly address both major systemic challenges and immediate crises of our time,” the grouping said in the statement.

Aayog CEO Parameswaran Iyer on November 14 reviewed the progress of NMP implementation.

Earlier this year, the then NITI Aayog CEO Amitabh Kant had said the government’s plan to monetise railway assets by allowing private players to run trains did not attract enough investors due to lack of proper structuring and the railway ministry is looking at it afresh.

GoC Gosain, DGP discuss security situation in J&K

Jammu (PTI): General Officer Commanding (GoC) of 26 Infantry Division Major General Neeraj Gosain on Tuesday called on DGP Dilbag Singh and discussed the security scenario in Jammu and its peripheries.

The GOC, who met the DGP at the police headquarters here, discussed in detail the countermeasures being taken to foil the new designs adopted by Pakistan that include dropping of arms, ammunition and drugs through drones to disrupt the prevailing peace in J&K. The DGP appreciated the bond between the Army, police and paramilitary forces, which, he said, has contributed immensely in wiping out the ill intentions of Pakistan and its terror associates.

SURAT MAN HELD ON CHARGES OF SPYING FOR PAKISTANI INTELLIGENCE AGENCY ISI

New Delhi (PTI): The Gujarat Police on Tuesday apprehended a 33-year-old man from Surat on charges of spying and allegedly working for Pakistani intelligence agency ISI, official sources said. Deepak Kishor Bhai Salunkhe was arrested by crime branch sleuths from the diamond city, acting on inputs provided by the Military Intelligence from the Pune-based southern army command, they said. The man, a resident of Bhuvneswari Nagar in Surat, used to run a shop.

J&K: IED DETECTED, DIFFUSED BY SECURITY FORCES

Sopore (ANI): Around three kilogram of Improvised Explosive Device (IED) found along state highway was diffused by security forces in Tulibal area of Sopore on Tuesday. The Army in a statement said, “In the wee hours of the morning today, 2-3 KGs of improvised explosive device (IED) was detected by security forces of Uplona Rashtriya Rifles in Tulibal area alongside state highway at around 0630 hours.”

Naval chief on Lanka visit to strengthen bilateral ties

Colombo (PTI): Indian Navy chief Admiral R Hari Kumar arrived here on Tuesday to strengthen the existing bilateral maritime relations between India and Sri Lanka and enhance capacity-building initiatives towards ensuring peace in the region.

SELF

Tiruvannamalai (PTI): A man allegedly killed his wife and four children, including two teenage daughters and ended his life at his house in Chengam taluk in the district. Another daughter, aged about 9, who was admitted to the government hospital here with cut injuries initially, has been referred to the Government Hospital in Chennai for advanced treatment. The man, identified as Palanisamy, 45, was a labourer from Oranthavadi village.

GANGSTER’S PROPERTY ATTACHED IN UTTAR PRADESH’S PRATAPGARH DISTRICT

Amethi (PTI): The Amethi administration on Tuesday attached properties worth Rs 78 lakh belonging to gangster Bhimsen alias Raju following a local court order on December 5. Sub Divisional Magistrate (Amethi tehsil) Priti Tiwari said the property at a village in Antu police station limits of Pratapgarh district was attached on Tuesday. A brick kiln in the name of Bhimsen’s wife was also sealed and a notice pasted stating that the property was acquired using money earned from crime, she added.

Earlier in the day, indigenous INS Sahyadri, a multi-role missile frigate of the Indian Navy, also made a port call at Colombo to complement the visit of the Chief of Naval Staff

(CNS), according to a press statement.

The ship would engage in training engagements with the Sri Lankan Navy and participate in Maritime Partnership Exercises with it.

Airlines told to deploy more manpower

New Delhi (PTI): Amid congestion at airports, the Civil Aviation Ministry on Tuesday asked airlines to deploy adequate manpower at all check-in and baggage drop counters to ensure passengers’ smooth flow.

Besides, the ministry has requested the scheduled airlines to place real time data on their social media feeds regarding waiting time at respective airports’ entry gates.

The latest communication comes against the backdrop of rising

passenger complaints of long waiting hours at Delhi airport where the authorities have taken various measures to ease the congestion.

As per the ministry, it has come to the notice that the airline check-in

2023 MINI-AUCTION

counters at certain airports are found unmanned or inadequately manned during early morning hours leading to congestion at the airports, thereby causing inconvenience to the passengers.

PARL

PANEL

WITH DIAL

TO TAKE UP AIRPORT ISSUE

New Delhi: A Parliamentary panel will take up issue of congestion at Delhi airport with CEO of airport operator DIAL on December 15 amid passengers facing long waiting hours, according to the committee’s Chairman Vijayasai Reddy.

The Department-related

Over 400 cricket players to go under hammer on December 23

New Delhi (Agencies): It is that time of the year again, because the mini-auction for the 2023 season of the Indian Premier League will take place on December 23 at the city of Kochi, Kerala. Till now, the time of the auction was not known, but the BCCI have aofficially announced that the mega event will begin

from 2.30 pm on that day.

As many as 405 players will be up for auction, out of which 273 are Indians and 132 are overseas players. The teams will have a total of 87 slots to fill in the upcoming auction, out of which 30 are reserved for overseas players.

Out of the 273 overseas players, four are from associate nations. A to-

tion. A total of 991 players registered themselves initially for the

auction. However, the 10 teams at first shortlisted 369 players that would be put for sale in the auction. The teams then later requrested an addition 36 cricketers to be added to the final shortlist. A total of 19 overseas players will have the highest base price of Rs 2 crore. 11 players then fall under the bracket of a base

price of Rs 1.5 crore. 20 players, including the Indian batsmen Manish Pandey and Mayank Agarwal will go for a base price of Rs 1 crore. Manish Pandey was released by the Lucknow Super Giants, while Mayank Agarwal, who captained the Punjab Kings in the last IPL edition was also released by the franchise.

tal of 282 uncapped players from across the globe will be up for auc-

TAMIL NADU MAN KILLS 5 FAMILY MEMBERS,

Parliamentary Standing Committee on Transport, Tourism and Culture will be holding the meeting with the DIAL CEO.

Admiral R Hari Kumar met with V Adm N Ulugetenne.

Crowd at T3 IGI Airport departure, in New Delhi, on Tuesday.

RS Dy Chairman Harivansh. Opposition leaders walkout from Rajya Sabha after Defence Minister Rajnath Singh’s address.

Omar Abdullah, former J&K CM

Pushkar Singh Dhami, Uttarakhand CM

MHA: NOT MULLING TO BRING CRIMES OF CASTE TERRORISM IN NIA’S PURVIEW

BULK OF ILLICIT DRUGS BEING SMUGGLED INTO INDIA THROUGH SEA ROUTE: FM

BRIEFS

FIRST TO DO SO

India to hold satellite spectrum auction

New Delhi: Vedanta Group on Tuesday said that it has signed pacts with 30 Japanese technology companies to develop an Indian semiconductor and glass display manufacturing ecosystem. The pacts were signed at the Vedanta-Avanstrate Business Partners Summit 2022 held last week at Tokyo, Japan. The company is committed to make India a hub for electronics mfg. It is focussed on taking the lead in creating the electronics industry ecosystem rather than just tech transfers. —PTI

GOVT LIKELY TO ISSUE GREEN BONDS IN JAN-MARCH QTR

New Delhi (PTI): India will be the first country to auction spectrum for satellite communication, and it should be designed to attract investments in the sector, telecom regulator Trai chairman PD Vaghela said on Tuesday.

Vaghela said the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) will soon make recommendations to make permissions required for satellite communication from various ministries — Information and Broadcasting, Space and Telecom — seamless to enhance ease of doing business in the sector.

He also said Trai has received a reference from the Department of Telecommunication for the spectrum required to be put to auction and associated aspects of satellite-based communication.

TOP TALKING POINTS

z

‘Not good’ for govt to share data in aggregated form: Kant

Mumbai (PTI): India’s G-20 Sherpa Amitabh Kant on Tuesday pitched for the dissemination of data by the government in a granular form and said that sharing aggregated information is “not good”.

Kant said data is a key aspect to help any country meet her developmental goals and added that India has benefitted from the same.

Stressing on the importance of ensuring quality of data, the former civil servant who till recently worked as the chief executive of the government think-tank Niti Aayog made the reference to data aggregation practices by the government.

Banks wrote off NPAs over 10 lakh crore: Sitharaman

New Delhi (PTI): Banks have written off bad loans worth `10,09,511 crore during the last five financial years, finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman informed Parliament on Tuesday.

The non-performing assets (NPAs), including those in respect of which full provisioning has been made on completion of four years, are removed from the balance sheet of the bank concerned by way of write-off, she said.

z

“…Government data are provided as aggregates, which is not good. We should break down the aggregation,” Kant said.

“Banks write off NPAs as part of their regular exercise to clean up their balance sheet, avail tax benefit and optimise capital, in accordance with RBI guidelines and policy approved by their boards.

MAJOR HIGHLIGHTS

z Banks have written off bad loans worth `10,09,511 crore during the last five financial years

z The NPAs, including those in respect of which full provisioning has been made on completion of 4 years, are removed from the balance sheet of the bank concerned by way of write-off

New Delhi: Sovereign Green Bonds are likely to be issued during the January-March period of the current fiscal. The objective of Sovereign Green Bonds is to mobilize resources for green infrastructure as part of the government’s overall market borrowings in 2022-23. The framework for these bonds has been brought out. The bonds are likely to be issued from January to March 2023. The proceeds will be deployed in public sector projects which help in reducing carbon intensity of the economy. —PTI

INDIA IMPORTS

46.14 LAKH TONNES OF UREA IN APR-NOV

“I think India will be the first to handle the issue of auctioning the space base spectrum. We are working on it,” Vaghela said.

Trai will be coming out with some sort of model for the auction of space spectrum, he added.

OTHER STORIES

“But it should not kill the sector. That is very important. Any system that we will be bringing is to actually encourage and promote investment in the sector, and not increase any burden. I mean, that is the biggest challenge which we have, and we are conscious of that fact,” Vaghela said.

Trai is yet to come up

PLI SCHEME QUALIFIERS, STEEL MINISTRY TO INK PACTS TO MATERIALISE INVESTMENT PROPOSALS

New Delhi: Qualifiers of PLI scheme for specialty steel will soon sign agreements with the steel ministry to take their investment proposals forward. The selected players have already been sent letter of approvals post selection in the scheme, a senior steel ministry official said. On Friday, the government announced selection of 67 entries with an investment potential of `42,500 crore under the scheme. The proposed investments are expected to generate 70,000 job opportunities and add 26 million tonnes of speciality steel capacity in the country.

NCLAT ALLOWS

New Delhi: Urea production stood at 187.21 lakh tonnes during April-November period of this fiscal, while imports were at 46.14 lakh tonnes to meet domestic demand. As per the data, urea production stood at 250.72 lakh tonnes in the 2021-22 fiscal as against 246.05 lakh tonnes in 2020-21 and 244.58 lakh tonnes in the 2019-20 financial year.

Urea imports stood at 91.36 lakh tonnes in the last fiscal, 98.28 lakh tonnes in 2020-21 and 91.23 lakh tonnes in 2019-20. —PTI

with a consultation paper on the spectrum auction as per the standard process meant for satellite communication. When asked about the status of the paper, Vaghela said that Trai is in discussion with experts and regulators worldwide for a suitable model and the consultation paper will be floated after those discussions are over.

He said many a time, the quality of the data is also very poor and “we need to ensure that the data is de-clut tered, presented in a sim plistic way and it is not difficult to navigate”.

As per inputs received from RBI, Scheduled Commercial Banks (SCBs) wrote off an amount of `10,09,511 crore during the last five financial years,” she said.

As borrowers of writtenoff loans continue to be liable for repayment and the process of recovery of dues from the borrower in written-off loan accounts continues, write-off does not benefit the borrower,

Sensex snaps two-day losing streak, jumps 403 points

Mumbai (PTI): Benchmark indices ended in the green on Tuesday after retail inflation dipped below the RBI’s upper tolerance level of 6% for the first time in 11 months in November.

RUPEE DECLINES 36 PAISE TO END AT 82.87 AGAINST US $

she said.

Banks continue to pursue recovery actions initiated in written-off accounts through various recovery mechanisms available, such as filing of a suit in civil courts or in Debts Recovery Tribunals, filing of cases under the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016 and through sale of non-performing assets.

New Delhi: Gold price fell `8 to `54,534 per 10 grams in the national capital on Tuesday amid a fall in prices of precious metal in overseas market, according to HDFC Securities. In the previous trade, the yellow metal had settled at `54,542 per 10 grams. Silver, however, jumped `82 per kg to `68,267 per kilogram. In the international market, gold was quoting lower at $1,787.80 per ounce while silver was up at $23.48 per ounce. —PTI

SETTLEMENT

BETWEEN MCDONALD’S & BAKSHI

New Delhi: The NCLAT on Tuesday allowed US food major McDonald’s and its former estranged Indian partner Vikram Bakshi to withdraw their petitions filed against each other over Connaught Plaza Restaurants Ltd. The appellate tribunal also dismissed the intervention application filed by HUDCO earlier opposing the deal. CPRL (Connaught Plaza Restaurants Ltd) is now wholly-owned by McDonald’s after its estranged partner Vikram Bakshi transferred his share in the joint venture to the US-based firm. PTI

AIPEF SEEKS 3 MONTHS TIME ON ELECTRICITY AMENDMENT BILL 2022

New Delhi: The All India Power Engineers Federation (AIPEF) has sought a three-month time from the government to comment on the Electricity (Amendment) Bill 2022. In this regard, the body said it has written a letter to the Standing Committee on Energy. The government’s decision to invite comments from stakeholders on the Electricity (Amendment) Bill 2022 is a welcoming step, AIPEF said in a statement. “AIPEF has requested the Standing Committee on Energy on Monday to give a three months time.” PTI

The 30-share BSE Sensex climbed 402.73 points or 0.65% to settle at 62,533.30. During the day, it jumped 437.35 points or 0.70% to 62,567.92. The broader NSE Nifty advanced 110.85 points or 0.60% to end at 18,608. From the Sensex

BSE ADDS 1 CRORE INVESTORS IN 148 DAYS TO REACH 12-CRORE MARK

New Delhi (PTI): Leading stock exchange BSE on Tuesday said it has added 1 crore registered investor accounts to its platform in a span of 148 days, taking the total count to 12 crore. The exchange added one crore investors’ accounts between July 18 and December 13, BSE said in a statement. In comparison, the exchange took 124, 91, 85 and 107 days for the previous milestones of 11 crore, 10 crore, 9 crore and 8 crore, respectively. “BSE crossed the milestone of 12 crore registered users based on Unique Client Code (UCC) on December 13, 2022,” the exchange said. Of the 12 crore users, 42% fall in the 30 to 40 age brackets, followed by 23% in 20-30 years and 11% in the 40-50 age bracket.

Mumbai (PTI): The rupee declined by 36 paise to close at 82.87 (provisional) against the US dollar on Tuesday, weighed down by persistent foreign capital outflows from the capital markets. Risk aversion sentiment among investors ahead of the US Federal Reserve’s interest rate decision also impacted trading, forex dealers said. At the interbank foreign exchange market, the rupee opened lower at 82.63 against the greenback and witnessed a high of 82.60 and a low of 82.87. It finally settled at 82.87, down 36 paise over its previous close of 82.51. Meanwhile, the dollar index, which gauges the greenback’s strength against a basket of six currencies, fell 0.15%.

Passenger vehicle wholesales rise 28% in November

First India Bureau

New Delhi: Aided by robust demand for both utility vehicles and cars, the wholesales of Passenger Vehicles in India jumps by 28% year-on-year in November, industry body SIAM said on Tuesday.

Overall passenger vehicles dispatched from companies to dealers stood at 2,76,231 units last month as compared to 2,15,626 units in November 2021. Utility vehicle wholesales rose 32% to 1,38,780 units in November against 1,05,091 units in the year-ago period.

Similarly, passenger car dispatches increased 29% to 1,30,142 units from

1,00,906 units in November 2021. Van sales, however, dropped to 7,309 units last

month from 9,629 units in November 2021.

“Positive consumer and business sentiments have reflected in the better sales in the month of November 2022, compared to the previous year,” SIAM President Vinod Aggarwal said.

SUPER LUXURY CARS CLOCK 50% GROWTH IN INDIA

New Delhi (FIB): Despite a slowdown in growth across the globe and rising worries of recession, the demand for luxury cars in India continues to grow at a tremendous pace. This year has seen the highest-ever growth for such ultra-luxury cars in India as sales grew by 50% in 2022, breaking the previous record, which was achieved in 2018. The market is led by Italian super sports carmaker Lamborghini, and other big contenders on the list are Ferrari, Aston Martin, Bentley. All these luxury wheels have been in great demand since the end of post-pandemic restrictions.

New Delhi (PTI): The government on Tuesday said an amount of ` 60.46 crore has been received in tax from entities for transactions in virtual digital assets (VDAs), including cryptocurrencies, since the introduction of TDS provisions in July.

The government, from April 1, has brought in a 30% income tax plus surcharge and cess on transfer of crypto assets, like Bitcoin, Ethereum, Tether and Dogecoin.

Also, to keep a tab on the money trail, a 1% Tax Deducted at Source (TDS) under section 194S of I-T Act has been brought in on payments over `10,000 towards virtual digital currencies from July 1.

In a written reply to a question in the Rajya Sabha, Minister of State for Finance Pankaj Chaudhary said CBDT conducts outreach/ awareness programmes for deductors/ taxpayers and also takes appropriate action, including search & seizure operations, surveys, enquiries etc, as required.

“Post insertion of Section 194S in the Income-tax Act, 1961 through Finance Act, 2022, a total of 318 direct tax challans having TDS code 194S have been received having total amount of ` 60.46 crore,” Chaudhary said.

GOLD FALLS BY `8;

SILVER PRICE SEES A JUMP OF `82

VEDANTA INKS PACTS WITH 30 JAPANESE FIRMS

PTI

z Telecom regulator Trai chairman PD Vaghela said India will be the first country to auction spectrum for satellite communication, and it should be designed to attract investments in the sector

Vaghela said the Trai will soon make recommendations to make permissions required for satellite communication from various ministries

Trai has received a reference from the Dept of Telecom for the spectrum required to be put to auction

pack, IndusInd Bank, Bajaj Finance, Infosys, Tata Consultancy Services, HCL Technologies, M&M, Tech Mahindra and Bajaj Finserv were the winners.

DRIVEN BY ROBUST DEMAND

TaMo TO HIKE CV PRICES BY UP TO 2%

New Delhi (PTI): Tata Motors on Tuesday said it will increase prices of its commercial vehicle range by up to 2% from January to offset the impact of rising input costs. While the price increase will vary as per individual model and variant, it will be applicable across the entire range of commercial vehicles, the auto major said in a statement.

have to lead by example.

2ND FRONT

After BJP’s landslide victory in Gujarat, Modi is international media’s new ‘Hero’: Dr. Chandra

Describing how Rahul Gandhi is responsible for party’s loss in Gujarat and that his Yatra should have been started after the two recently concluded Assembly elections, CEO and Editor-in-Chief, Bharat24-Vision of New India and First India; CMD, First India News, Dr Jagdeesh Chandra stresses that Congress’ lack of leadership, uncertain decision making and Rahul Gandhi’s disinterest in aggressive campaigning in Gujarat assembly elections directly resulted in the abysmal performance of the party. Dr Chandra also says that Owaisi did not have any role in the election other than divide Congress’ vote which is the same with Kejriwal also. Excerpts... (Part-II)

z You must have seen the media coverage after Gujarat’s victory. Why is there so much appreciation for PM Modi in the national media?

Dr Jagdeesh Chandra: See what actually happens is that elections are like festivities for media. And in that festivity, the hero is always praised. And by and large, the media supports Modi and is touched by Modi’s talent. Let me cite you a few headlines here. Bhaskar carried a headline saying Gujarat’s chest is now 156 inch. Patrika carried ‘Gujarati maa Bolu, Tame Prem Karu Chu’. Media loves to give catchy headlines and elections, like I said, are like the festivals of Diwali or Holi. This time too, it happened and there was a competition as to who will file the best headline.

z So how do you analyse the positive projection about PM Modi in international media?

That was unusual and wonderful at the same time. Because it has been a general attitude of Indian leaders to see a ‘Down -sized’ version of PM since Modi has emerged as a global leader. Al-Jazeera, a channel that rarely supports Modi came in his support then several media portals also supported him. UK’s TheGuardian, the biggest media group also supported PM. And only one thing was said by all in their analyses that Modi has charisma and he is a combination of religion and development. So with Modi’s praise, the nationalists have felt proud that perhaps for the first time foreign international media has praised an Indian Prime Minister openly.

z Now that India has G20’s Presidency and the manner in which PM Narendra Modi has set its narrative, do you think BJP will get benefit of this in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections?

I have said this in the past too that Narendra Modi knows and even those near to him also

know which opportunity needs to be encashed how. They have a superb tuning in that matter. Similarly, G20 is an opportunity and PM chased that and a narrative came out that it is an opportunity to showcase the strength of India at the global level. So definitely, the government will get benefit from it going into the election. Moreover, Modi himself has said that the honour of G20 Presidency is not his, rather of each and every citizen of the nation. They have chased this opportunity and one can witness in days to come, an atmosphere about the G20 will be seen across the country and the Prime Minister’s Presidency in G20 will be encashed and publicised, which will ultimately benefit the party in elections.

Yatra, will he perhaps address these issues. In the meantime, Raghu Sharma has resigned and it is believed that more such resignations should happen.

z After Congress’ defeat in Gujarat, party in charge for Gujarat Dr Raghu Sharma resigned from the position, taking responsibility. Do you think other leaders from Gujarat will follow suit?

As of now, Congress is a ‘Leaderless’ party, even if Kharge and all other are there. Dr Raghu Sharma has resigned taking responsibility of the defeat, but it remains to be seen, if the party chief in Gujarat or the CLP leader resign taking responsibility. Even if they do, then also there is no relevance because they also lost. Raghu Sharma believes that for two years, there was no CLP leader of state chief in Gujarat which has affected the party. As far as Raghu Sharma is concerned, he is a good leader. He was a Minister in Rajasthan and won two bypolls for the party in Rajasthan. So whether this is a start or an end of such issues will have to be seen because only when Rahul Gandhi gets time from his

z How responsible is Rahul Gandhi for the loss? Should it be that the Bharat Jodo Yatra he has undertaken, have been started after the Gujarat elections? There are two things. Firstly, how responsible is he for the Gujarat debacle. Well, he is responsible for not taking decision. For two years the important posts of party leader and CLP leader were vacant which is akin to a joke. How will an organisation work in such a manner? There is no resource management there, neither is there any clarity. Ashok Gehlot was given responsibility, but there was no clarity there too. No one is free to make decisions. They (Rahul Gandhi) wasted 2 years keeping everyone on toes, if they will become Party President or not, & then they wasted 2 years in Gujarat. Well, he is responsible for the party since he is the undeclared president of the party and CEO of Congress. Then as far as the Yatra is concerned, so of course, as a politician, it was a wrong time to take out the Yatra. It was not appropriate. The Parliament is in session, Assembly elections have been conducted in Himachal and Gujarat. Even if one discounts Himachal that Priyanka Gandhi went there, even then, there is challenge in Gujarat and Parliament. But he

went for the Yatra. So even though he went to Gujarat and conducted rallies for two days, but that was a mere symbolic move and he should have stayed put there for 15 days. So, I feel that he is responsible to a large extent.

z Mallikarjun Kharge is the new Congress President, but do you think there still exists a lack of leadership in the party? Also, is there a tripartite power centre in Congress i.e. within the Gandhi family?

Of course, lack of leadership still exists in Congress. Although Kharge has become the Party President, but he has not been able to take decisions. How will he take decisions when he is a ceremonial President? Moreover, Rahul Gandhi does not have time. You are right in saying that there are three power centres in the party and there is no unanimity in decisions.

I said a little while back that Congress is like a headless party and the power centres are in their own spheres and Kharge isn’t able to work independently. So, even though, someone else has been made Congress President, the actual power still rests with the ‘Gandhis.’ So yes, there is still a leadership crisis in Congress.

z Priyanka Gandhi went to Himachal to campaign for the party and the party has won too. So how do you visualise Priyanka’s role? Her role was good. She went to Himachal as she has a home there. She went to five districts and conducted major rallies. These five districts had 22 seats and the party has won on these seats, so the party has won election due to Priyanka’s activities. Although no one persona can be singled out and given all the credit

for the party’s victory in Himachal. In fact, a few people were disgruntled as well saying that she has come to Shimla and her phone was switched off. The leaders wanted her to reach party’s office in Shimla to release the manifesto, but she didn’t go, so there was resentment as well. She was in Shimla, but such actions don’t bring about a connect or synergy with workers. But still on the face value, being fair to her, one can say that yes she had a role and she has won Himachal for the party.

z What was Owaisi’s or his party AIMIM’s role in Gujarat? Owaisi did do much as he got only 0.29 percent vote share. As far as 2024 is concerned, I don’t see Owaisi playing any major role. His and Kejriwal’s role is similar, that they want to upset the game and want to make their presence felt in it. So, Owaisi didn’t have any impor-

tant role in Gujarat.

z As far as workers are concerned, what exactly is the basic difference in cultures of Congress and BJP?

The basic difference is that the BJP is a worker- oriented party, while the Congress is a leaderoriented party. The second difference is organisation. They (BJP) work for the organisation and would not shy away from clashing for even single vote, and on the other hand, is Congress which does not have a proper organisation. You can see for yourself, Kharge has become President, but posts are still lying vacant on multitude of places including that of District President, Block President etc. Secondly, as far as culture is concerned, let me cite you an example. The Congress won Himachal Pradesh and party workers and leaders were hopeful that the doors of 10, Janpath would open, AICC would open its doors and celebrate the victory, distributing sweets among workers & leaders alike. But nothing of that sort happened as the leaders were in Sawai Madhopur’s Rathmabore Tiger Reserve observing wildlife. Since it was Sonia Gandhi’s birthday, so as family, Priyanka and Rahul were also there. They could have celebrated their birthday, but at least, they could have given a time to workers that they will meet them at a particular time and those who wanted to meet them, and celebrate the victory could come. Or they

could have asked to celebrate the victory at AICC or at the very least in Shimla, but nothing happened anywhere. So basically, neither are they sad over loss, nor happy over victory.

z Did Hardik Patel set his records straight by contesting the election on BJP’s ticket?

You can say so. He struggled a lot, but it did not find traction in ModiShah’s rule. Ultimately, he surrendered and joined BJP, thereby, winning by over 50,000 votes.

z AAP has made its entry into the Gujarat Assembly. Will this have any far reaching effect?

Definitely. Kejriwal is clear on this. He contests first election to lose, second to make other main parties lose & fights the third to win. Look at how they entered Punjab with 20 seats in 2017 & are now at 92 seats. Now, where will he go to cut other parties? In 2023, polls will be held for 9 assembly constituencies, specially in the Hindi belt of Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh. What happened in Gujarat will happen in these states also, where the vote share would be divided whose direct benefit would go to the BJP so it will have a far reaching effect. The only far reaching effect of AAP’s entry in any state would be Congress’s loss.

During the show #XFactorModi!trended top All-India on Twitter

Dr Jagdeesh Chandra with Sonika, Pooja Yadav, Aditi Nagar, Mimansa Malik and Poornima Mishra during The JC Show.

Dr Jagdeesh Chandra during The JC Show.

It is tough to guide your children towards developing into ideal adults, because you

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

www.firstindia.co.in

DELIGHT IN THE DETAILS

UTTKARSHA SHEKHAR uttkarsha.shekhar@firstindia.co.in

Just like most fashion

90s, and the trendy look has returned to stay thanks to the numerous ways to wear it. The reason why cold shoulder tops have become so fashionable in recent years is that they give a casual summer ensemble a hint of eroticism. Recently, a few let

nation of painterly blooms, gentle pastel hues, and airy chiffon fabric. Add a little roughness to the top with something like these faded jeans with the raw edge step hem. The bohemian style is enhanced by braided mules. It is Haute Hippie be

WOULD

Almost every living being is born with a survival triad - fight, flight and freeze. We fight when cornered, take flight if circumstances are grave and freeze to avoid getting noticed if that one is the most appreciated strategy. These all are natural survival instincts which help save the life of a trained practitioner.

Controlled anger is part of the fight strategy which everyone experiences off and on during their lifetime. There is no bodily impact by mild angry mood but the problem arises when one is unable to control oneself and gets excessively angry, thereby, impacting relationships and quality of life. Sometimes, anger may be responsible for gross injury or even loss of life. That is the simple logic to conclude that we should understand and manage anger, an emotion we are born with.

WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU ARE ANGRY?

Your heart rate races up, your breath becomes deeper and your stomach starts churning. Jaw clenching, teeth grinding, sweating, body shaking and trembling are part of a strong anger response.

If not controlled at this stage, the muscles get tense with feelings of fainting and leg weakness. Prolonged anger episode is characterized by shouting, abuse, threats, yelling, and crying which some people try to control by smoking or alcohol intake or throwing and breaking things.

Anger activates sig-

nificant inflammation in body tissues and re current episodes may lead to the develop ment of chronic dis eases as age advances. Hence, the cause of anger should be re solved at the earliest otherwise there would be a price tag in form of a lifelong ailment.

The underlying causes of triggering anger are numerous. A threat or an attack, frustration, powerless ness, deception, and unfair treatment all cause some degree of anger even in people well-trained to main tain their calm. What is important is the de gree of loss of temper.

There are so many issues with partners, coworkers, family members, friends and clients that may be re

ARIES

MAR 21 - APR 20 Today is a favourable day for business.

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

TAURUS

APR 21 - MAY 20

You will enjoy good health by remaining regular in your workouts. It will be in your interest to guide a family youngster on the academic front.

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

GEMINI

MAY 21 - JUNE 21

devastating effects. Many people take anger as aggression but there is a fine line between the two. Anger is an emotion while aggression is an action. An angry person may or may not show aggression whilst an act of aggression can be performed with no anger at all.

Overall, except for a well-controlled, wellunderstood emotion, anger is a negative and harmful behaviour trait and should be avoided. It is never easy to do so but yet, but it is possible. A pause of a few minutes before reaction, counting ten, breathing deeply and holding it, and relaxing the body may help avert the outburst. Listening to music or talking with someone leads to distraction and cools the temper. Since it is part of behaviour, counselling and behaviour therapy may do wonders. Religions and their places of worship used to provide significant calm and coolness in many people’s lives but no more are the older effects visible. The politicisation of religions across the globe has converted these places into dens of hatred and anger.

Your spouse is someone who can do anything for your happiness. Tensions on the family front are likely to get sorted out.

Help your mothers at home and give them a reason to smile. You are opportunist and this will make you successful one day.

CANCER

JUNE 22 - JULY 23

You must create an environment of understanding at home. Your regular exercise routine promises to keep you fit and energetic. You will succeed in any sort of examination if you put your heart and soul to it. You need a break from day to tensions and the way to cope up with stress is to meditate.

LEO

LIBRA

SEPT 24 - OCTOBER 22

Fortunes are set to rise for those in trade and business. You love to live close to your family. You are a child at heart and never let this child die. You have a big heart and you always help someone if you can. Expected payments are likely to get released soon. Your day will be blessed.

SCORPIO

OCT 23 - NOVEMBER 22

Family will be supportive of your ideas, but only to an extent. You give tough competition to people. Many people get inspired by you. You will get special treatment from your dear ones. Good health is assured through own efforts. You will feel happy today.

SAGITTARIUS

NOV 23 - DEC 22

You are very fortunate to have a great friend circle. You will manage to implement it at work. You are likely to feel much energetic today. Visit a doctor if you have any doubts about your health. You want to have your own house and you will work hard to make your dream come true.

CAPRICORN

AQUARIUS

VIRGO

PISCES

FACEOFTHEDAY

Horoscope by Saurabbh Sachdeva

DR RAMAVTAR SHARMA ramawatarf132@gmail.com

JANHVI IN VERSACE

The Mili actress was busy warming up the waters of Maldives and her beach bum mode deserves special attention. We took notes of the season’s sparkles, party favourite cut-outs, and backless dresses and holiday essentials such as denim shorts, a bikini top, and a printed monokini. If you’re not a keen enthusiast of a colour mash-up, follow this all-black look. And, no doubt this outfit can be your party wear.

Janhvi’s return to Mumbai was

marked by a round table conference which also had notable stars like Anil Kapoor, Dulquer Salmaan, Rishab Shetty, Ayushmann Khurrana, Vidya Balan, Rajkummar Rao, and a few others. The young actress was styled by Meagan Concession and her team in a Versace single-breasted blazer designed from a silk blend.

The Rs. 335,500 number had shoulder pads, a single Medusa button, peak lapels, and flap pockets.

The tailored construction here is sure to be the headliner, it’s classy.

OLIVIA WILDE TURNS ‘GOOFY’ AT DISNEYLAND

Olivia Wilde has been in the headlines for the past few weeks for her reported breakup with Harry Styles! Ever since news broke of the ex-couple calling it quits, Olivia has been multitasking between representing Don’t Worry Darling during awards season and spending quality time with her family and friends. Speaking of Wilde’s loved ones, the talented actress-director recently took her and Jason Sudeikis’ children to Disneyland. For the unversed, Olivia Wilde and ex-fiance Jason Sudeikis share two children; Otis, 8, and Daisy, 6. Taking to her Instagram page, she shared photos and a video of herself with Otis and Daisy enjoying a trip to Disneyland.

ANANYA TAKES SHANAYA TO QATAR

ATHIYA & KL RAHUL’S WEDDING

One of the most highly anticipated celebrity marriages of 2023 is not too far now. So, if you are sick of the humdrum of the wedding date confusion, don’t be! We’ve got you covered. The wedding dates of Athiya Shetty and KL Rahul and finally, the lovebirds will celebrate their wedding events from 21st to 23rd January 2023. Suneil & Mana Shetty’s beautiful daughter will walk down the aisle with Cricketer KL Rahul in the 4th week of January 2023. Their families and close ones have geared up for the bigfat wedding.

A Special Gesture for him

Ananya Panday jetted off to Qatar on Tuesday. The actress has taken her dad Chunky Panday to watch the semi-finals of the FIFA World Cup 2022. Ananya, who is a diehard football fan, has taken her BFF Shanaya Kapoor along with her to watch the match. A source revealed that the actress has been invited by Qatar Airways and the government to attend the semi-finals of the FIFA World Cup. On a Tuesday morning, they were spotted at the private airport. Shanaya was seen along with her father Sanjay Kapoor and brother Jahaan. It will be exciting to see their pictures and videos while watching the match.

hehnaaz Gill and Sidharth Shukla’s love story is one of the most beautiful stories of the decade. The duo met inside the Bigg Boss 13 house and their connection was very organic. But the sud den demise of Sidharth Shukla shocked his fans and loved ones. It was Sidharth Shukla’s 41st birth anniversary on December 12. The actress Shehnaaz Gill shared an emotional post on social media where she posted a picture of Sidharth Shukla and wrote in the captions, “i will see you again 12 12.”

Her story...

The actress commemorated the birth anniver sary of Sidharth Shukla by organising langar at a Gurudwara in Mumbai. She shared a post on so cial media on which it was written on a board, “joh koi insaan mujhe bhagwaan/parmatma tak paho cha de toh main uske charan/per chu lunga, aur prasad ke rup mein main apna jivan daaan kr dunga.”

There seems to be a new couple in H-town and it happens to be Dua Lipa and rapper Jack Harlow. After Harlow wrote a song after Lipa in his recent album, it seems the duo have gotten along well. The duo recently bumped into each other at the Variety Hitmakers Brunch in Los Angeles in November and it seems that’s where the two hit it off. After the duo ran into each other at the Variety Hitmakers Brunch, the Levitating singer has become quite smitten with the charming rapper, and the report also mentioned that the duo have been in “constant communication” ever since. An insider also informed that Harlow was already taken by Dua Lipa and added, “he was very interested in her, and was going to strongly pursue [the romance].”

Janhvi Kapoor

Ananya Panday and Shanaya Kapoor

Olivia Wilde

Athiya Shetty

Shehnaaz Gill

Dua Lipa

Janhvi in Versace single-breasted blazer

Jack Harlow and Dua Lipa

SHOW

Besharam Rang is my first song with Deepika : Vaibhavi Merchant

ASHISH TIWARI cityfirst.mumbai@firstindia.co.in

Producer Adi-

Anand unveiled the first song of Pathaan, Besharam Rang, on Monday which broke the internet! The song has been trending worldwide ever since it’s release and fans and audiences have gone berserk complimenting how SRK and Deepika Padukone are looking in the song and how hot the choreography is because the verdict is unanimous - Deepika has looked her hottest best in Besharam Rang!

Ace choreographer Vaibhavi Merchant, who is known to present the hottest versions of leading ladies on screenAishwarya Rai Bachchan in Kajra Re from Bunty Aur Babli, Katrina Kaif in Kamli from Dhoom: 3 to the scintillating Deepika Padukone in Besharam Rang, etc is over the moon with the response to the song.

She says, “In my body of work, I have probably consciously made an effort to ensure that the female leads are always presented very aesthetically. For instance, with Ash in Kajra Re, I made it a point to kind of enhance the expressions in the way she did her

adaakari. In Kamli with Katrina again, I kept in my what Katrina would look great doing.” She adds, “One must always study the actor you're choreographing for because it doesn't matter if the move ment looks great on me or my assistants, but it must look fantastic on the actor, it should bespoke to the actor.”

Vaibhavi further says, “Strangely, I’ve never been able to choreograph something for Deepika until Besharam Rang. So, this is my first song with Deepika and I knew I had to do something re

ally special for this one. It was very endearing for me to see her approach me and say finally we get to work with each other and I said Deepika I truly want to make this very special for you because this is our first and I don’t want to shoot a better song than this for you in fu-

Vaibhavi says she went all out in making Deepika look the hottest heroine that India has ever seen on screen.

She says, ”I wanted to go all out to present her in a way that she has never been presented before. I must give it to Shaleena Nathani for the costumes.

Deepika has a great rapport with her and I was pleasantly surprised to see her being so comfortable in her own skin. She owns the song and she is looking gorgeous in every frame.”

Vaibhavi adds, “Deepika put in a lot of hard work to look the

way she is looking in Besharam Rang. She had an entire crew - dietitian, her physical trainer and the stunning costumes by Shaleena. I was mighty impressed with the way she just approached all the costumes she's like, yeah, she's cool to wear this, she's cool to wear that. So, I think that really triggered a certain style in which this song should be shot. Because I was like, I can't make her wear those costumes and make her do steps in a way that we usually shoot songs.”

The song features a sizzling Deepika with Shah Rukh Khan, who plays a gun-toting spy with a license to kill in Pathaan. Both are looking their hottest and fittest best as Deepika flaunts her hot bod in bikinis and SRK - a perfectly chiselled eight pack! Besharam Rang was shot in Spain’s most gorgeous coastal towns Mallorca, Cadiz and Jerez.

SRK and Deepika are one of the biggest onscreen pairings in the history of Indian cinema given their epic blockbusters Om Shanti Om, Chennai Express and Happy New Year.

Pathaan is India’s biggest ever action spectacle for audiences. The visually spectacular Yash Raj Films’ action extravaganza, Pathaan, is part of Aditya Chopra’s ambitious spy universe and has the biggest superstars of the country Shah Rukh Khan, Deepika Padukone and John Abraham in it.

KYLIE SIZZLES IN BLACK

Kylie Jenner posted a series of steamy pictures of herself wearing a lovely black bikini on Instagram. A glimpse of The Kardashians star's preholiday getaway to the Colorado ski town of Aspen showed her having a good time there. For her vacation outfit, Kylie was spotted wearing a black bikini from Good American and fur boots.

Kylie dropped two blog postings from her most recent vacation. One post featured a collection of images in which she could be seen posing indoors while donning a plush robe and a sleek black twopiece. Kylie and a friend were

pictured taking a hot water bath. Taking the captions, The Kardashians star simply wrote, "Mamis." While Kylie's friends couldn't stop adoring her look, the best reaction came from el der sister Khloe Kardashian who wrote, "You’re going to melt the snow."

Ranbir's special cameo

Vicky Kaushal is gearing up for the release of his film, Govinda Naam Mera with Bhumi Pednekar and Kiara Advani. While the film has been making a lot of noise for its en semble cast, there seems to be another sur prise that the makers have packed in for the viewers. According to the latest reports, Ranbir Kapoor who is fresh off the success of Brahmastra will make a special cameo in Govinda Naam Mera!

Reports suggest that the actor will be part of the song ‘Bijli’ from the film

and will feature Kiara Advani and Vicky Kaushal. Reports said that although the song has been released online, Ranbir’s cameo has been

hidden as of yet, to avoid any spoilers for the fans. Ranbir had a brief cameo at the end of Vicky Kaushal’s Netflix rom-com, Love Per Square Foot. The chemis-

50 leaders awarded the WomenLead India Fellowship!

CITY FIRST

The inaugural cohort of WomenLead India Fellows was selected for work in Education, Rural Transformation, Sports for Development and Arts, Culture and Heritage. Through a 10-month programme, the Fellows will be provided with a course curriculum and access to a network of global leaders and influencers.

The Fellowship aims to enhance India’s development sector ecosys-

tem through women’s leadership Washington, D.C, USA / Mumbai, India, December 13, 2022: Women leaders who drive, enable and facilitate social change in India will be part of a new initiative that strengthens their capacity with a Fellowship and a strong support system.

Fifty inspiring women from India’s social sector have been identified for the inaugural WomenLead India Fellowship, a joint initia-

tive by Reliance Foundation and Vital Voices Global Partnership. Driving an ambitious urgent agenda for wom-

en’s leadership in India, the Fellowship invests in change makers, social entrepreneurs and social sector leaders,

with a support system to meaningfully grow their social initiatives and achieve the United Nations Sustainable De-

velopment Goals.

Speaking on the Fellowship award, Nita M Ambani, Founder & Chairperson, of Reliance Foundation, said, “My congratulations to the 50 exemplary women who have been selected for the first WomenLead India Fellowship. It has been a joy to learn about their inspiring journeys and transformational vision. I hope this Fellowship will be a force multiplier that further strengthens and amplifies their out-

standing work with communities across India. Reliance Foundation is privileged to partner with Vital Voices in this incredible initiative to support our WomenLead India Fellows and be a part of their story.”

“I commend these 50 women leaders for rising up to the challenges people face in their communities to steer the way forward. They are shining examples of what the WomenLead India Fellowship is all about and I

couldn’t be prouder that Vital Voices is a part of their journey. We are enthusiastic about making a longterm investment in this inaugural cohort of Fellows, whom we believe will use their power to empower millions of others,” said Alyse Nelson, Co-Founder, President & CEO, of Vital Voices. “We are thrilled to partner with Reliance Foundation on welcoming India’s next generation of women leaders into this esteemed Fellowship.”

Jagdeesh Chandra with the anchors of The JC Show (L-R) Sonika, Karishma Sachdev Tahlani, Varunavi Singh, Astha Khandelwal, Aditi Nagar, Mimansa Malik, Poornima Mishra, Amit Mishra, Shazia, Pooja Yadav, Amrita Garg and Ayushi Shekhawat during The New JC Show at Bharat24Vision of New India, Noida on Monday, December 12.

tya Chopra and director Siddharth

Kylie Jenner

Poster of the song

Vaibhavi with Shah Rukh Khan

Still from the song

Vaibhavi Merchant

Ranbir Kapoor