First India-Jaipur Edition-15th May 2023

PM MODI VISITS ‘JANA SHAKTI’ EXHIBITION AT NGMA

New Delhi: PM Narendra Modi on Sunday visited a thematic exhibition hosted at the National Gallery of Modern Art here to mark the 100th episode of his radio broadcast programme ‘Mann ki Baat’.

P5

EAM DISCUSSES INDO-PACIFIC, UKRAINE WITH COUNTERPARTS

Stockholm: EAM S Jaishankar has discussed a range of issues, including the Indo-Pacific and the Ukraine war, during his meetings here with his 8 counterparts in Sweden.

SHAH TO INAUGURATE TRAINING PROG ON LEGISLATIVE DRAFTING

New Delhi: Union Home Minister Amit Shah will inaugurate a Training Programme on Legislative Drafting here on Monday. It is aimed at creating an understanding of the principles and practices of legislative drafting.

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A ROYALS’ BATTLE SANS EXCITEMENT

RAJASTHAN ROYALS LOSE TO ROYAL CHALLENGERS BANGALORE

Naresh Sharma Jaipur: It was a Royal battle without any excitement. Hosts Rajasthan Royals faced Royal Challengers Bangalore in the 60th match

of Indian Premier League (IPL)2023 at SMS Stadium, here on Sunday. But the match proved to be a one-sided affair as host team suffering a batting collapse got all out for 59 to lose

Crucial

the match to RCB by 112 runs. Chasing 172 for a win, the Royals suffered a stunning batting collapse to be bundled out in just 10.3 over for the third lowest total in IPL history with only Shim-

ron Hetmyer (35 off 19 balls) and Joe Root (10 off 15 balls) scoring in double-digit figures. It was RR’s second lowest total as they just about managed to go past their earlier lowest

of 58 against the same opponents in 2009 by one run. RCB bowlers exploited the lack of application by RR batters and game sense as all of them returned with wickets. P7

BRIEF SCORES

ROYAL CHALLENGERS BANGALORE 171/5

Shivakumar vs Siddaramaiah

Poster war for “next CM” breaks out after Congress’ big win in Karnataka

Cong MLAs authorise party chief Kharge to pick new Karnataka CM

Bengaluru (PTI):

Newly elected Congress MLAs in Karnataka on Sunday authorised party president Mallikarjun Kharge to pick the next chief minister, party sources said.

2 KILLED AS DUST STROM SWEEPS

PARTS OF RAJASTHAN

Jaipur: As storm swept parts of State, Priya Gurjar (6) was killed in a wall collapse incident in Dudu town on Sunday. Her father and 2 family members were injured. In another incident, a 22-yrold differently-abled man, Anil Meghwal, died in Singhana police station area. P2

6 WOMEN DIE IN ROAD ACCIDENT IN ANDHRA PRADESH

Rajamahendravaram: Six women died on the spot after an autorickshaw in which they were travelling in collided head-on with a private bus in Kakinada district of Andhra Pradesh on late Saturday, the police said on Sunday.

GOVT TO MAKE `300 CR EQUITY INFUSION IN ALLIANCE AIR

New Delhi: The govt is set to make an equity infusion of Rs 300 crore in regional carrier Alliance Air, facing financial headwinds, a senior official said. Alliance Air, earlier part of Air India, is now owned by AI Assets Holding Ltd (AIAHL), a special-purpose vehicle formed by Centre.

CISCE RESULTS: PASS PERCENTAGE IN CLASS 10 AT 98.94, 96.93 IN 12

New Delhi: The CISCE on Sunday declared results for Class 10 and 12 with 98.94 per cent and 96.93

Bengaluru (ANI): After Congress registered a thumping victory in the Karnataka assembly election, the next question that arises is who would be the next chief minister.

The contest between its two top leaders, Siddaramaiah and DK Shivakumar, for the chief ministerial post has intensified with their supporters on Sunday putting up posters in support of their respective

Let’s build Twitter 2.0, new CEO tells Musk

New Delhi: The upcoming Twitter CEO, Linda Yaccarino, former Chairman of Global Advertising and Partnerships at NBC Universal, on Sunday said she is prepared to build Twitter 2.0 and transform the business together with Musk and millions of platform users. Full report on

RAJASTHAN ROYALS 59/All out in 10.3 overs

Polling centres in Turkiye close after election

WILL ANALYSE POLL

RESULTS: BOMMAI

Bengaluru: Outgoing CM

Basavaraj Bommai on Sunday said that the BJP has accepted the party’s “defeat” in the assembly election “humbly” and has decided to do a detailed analysis of the poll results and do the course correction to come back to power in Lok Sabha polls.

leaders. Supporters of Siddaramaiah, who is a former chief minister

of Karnataka, put up a poster outside Siddaramaiah’s residence in Bengaluru, referring to him as “the next CM of Karnataka.” Posters were also put up on Sunday outside the house of DK Shivakumar’s house in Bangalore wishing him an advanced birthday which is on May 15 with writing in them “Birthday greetings to the new Chief Minister of Karnataka”. More on P5

The Congress Legislature Party, which met at a private hotel here Sunday evening, passed a unanimous resolution authorising the party chief to pick its leader.

Earlier, the Congress central observers, along with AICC General Secretary KC Venugopal held a meeting with Leader of Opposition in the outgoing Assembly Siddaramaiah and Karnataka Congress president DK Shivakumar.

3 OBSERVERS FOR K’TAKA CLP ELECTION

Bengaluru: All India Congress Committee (AICC) president Mallikarjun Kharge on Sunday deputed former Maharashtra CM Sushil Kumar Shinde and two other party leaders as observers for the election of constituency Labour Party (CLP) in Karnataka.

“OBSERVERS WILL TAKE MLAs’ OPINION”

New Delhi: Mallikarjun Kharge on Sunday said the AICC observers will convey the opinion of the party’s MLAs in Karnataka to the high command which will then take a decision on the chief ministerial pick. Kharge returned here from Karnataka in the afternoon.

PRAVEEN SOOD, KARNATAKA POLICE CHIEF, TO BE NEXT CBI DIRECTOR FOR 2 YEARS

New Delhi: Praveen Sood, Karnataka police chief, has been chosen as the next director of the CBI. He will succeed current director Subodh Kumar Jaiswal, whose term ends on May 25. He was in news when DK Shivakumar accused him of protecting the BJP govt.

Ankara: Turks on Sunday finished voting in one of the most consequential elections in the country’s 100-year history, a contest that could end President Tayyip Erdogan’s 20-year rule and reverberate well beyond Turkiye’s borders. Polling stations in the elections, where voters have been selecting their choice for president as well as parliament, closed at 5pm local time (1400 GMT). The presidential vote will decide not only who leads Turkiye, a NATOmember country of 85 million, but also how it is governed, where its economy is headed amid a deep cost of living crisis, and the shape of its foreign policy.

Dhankhars offer prayers at temples in Pushkar & Nagaur

Anil Sharma and Sunil Puri

Pushkar/Nagaur: Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar offered prayers at Brahma temple in Pushkar town in Ajmer. Dhankhar along with his wife Sudesh Dhankhar reached Pushkar in a helicopter where they were received by Rajasthan Tourism Development Corporation (RTDC) chairman Dharmendra Rathore, divisional commissioner and other officers.

From the helipad in mela ground, they

Dhankhar also unveiled the statue of former Union Minister Late Nathuram Mirdha in Merta City

reached the temple amid tight security arrangements and offered prayers. Dhankhar later reached the famous Tejaji temple in Kharnal in Nagaur and offered prayers to the folk deity Veer Tejaji. He later unveiled the statue of former Union Minister Late Nathuram

Mirdha in Merta City.

He also took the progress report of the construction work of Veer Tejaji’s temple from the office bearers of the temple committee.

Former Union Minister CR Chaudhary, former Nagaur MP Jyoti Mirdha, former MLA Richpal Mirdha welcomed Dhankhar.

District Collector Piyush Samariya and SP Ramamurthy Joshi were present with him. After offering prayers at Kharnal, the V-P left for Merta. P8

RCB players celebrate their win against Rajasthan Royals at SMS Stadium in Jaipur, on Sunday.

RCA President Vaibhav Gehlot at the prize distribution ceremony. RR player Yashasvi Jaiswal takes catch of RCB’s Virat Kohli.

KPCC chief DK Shivakumar with Siddaramaiah and others at the Congress Legislative party meeting, in Bengaluru on Sunday.

—PHOTOS BY SANTOSH SHARMA

RAIN SETTLES DUST STORM

Temperature dropped by a few notch in State

First India Bureau

Jaipur. Once again the weather has shifted gears in Rajasthan. On Sunday there was a severe thunderstorm, dust storm and later it rained. This has registered a drop in temperature. The wind blowing at a speed of about 40-50 KMPH and the dust blown with it made the atmosphere dusty.

Everyday is Mother’s Day, says Shakuntala Rawat

Basic life support training was provided to women at SMS Trauma Centre

Vikas Sharma Jaipur: On the occasion of Mother’s Day, basic life support training was provided to women at SMS Trauma Centre here. The training at the Skill Lab in SMS Hospital was started by Industries Minister Shakuntala Rawat. During this, 39 women from different fields were associated with the campaign to save lives.

Rawat encouraged the women taking life support training during the programme. She said that whenever she sees an accident victim, she tries to help them. She said that the event is a good message for all. “Mother’s Day should be celebrated every day. Ashok Gehlot government has announced a reward of Rs 5,000 for taking the injured to the hospital,” she said.

Ashok Gehlot @ashokgehlot51

The journey seems easy even on tough roads, it seems to be effect of my mother’s blessings. Mom, I still miss you. Salute to Mother Power.

Vasundhara Raje @VasundharaBJP

Greetings to all mothers on #MothersDay! If God has sent any being in His image on this sacred earth, it is only Mother. Because... Mother and birthplace are more precious than heaven.

First India Bureau

Jaipur: CM Ashok Gehlot has approved the proposal to upgrade 158 sub-health centres to primary health centres, open three new primary health centres and a new urban primary health centre in Raj. Besides, he gave approval for appointment of 162 Medical Officers, 324 Class-II Nurses, 162 Women Health Guides, 4 Women Health Workers, 162 Pharmacists, 162 Lab Technicians, 324 Ward Boy and Cleaners for the upgraded and new PHCs. The creation of a total of 1,462 posts has been approved. According to the proposal various health centres in Sikar, Barmer, Jodhpur, Jaipur, Alwar, Nagaur, Bharatpur, Bhilwara, Rajsamand, Dausa, Pali, Ajmer, Udaipur, Banswara, Jaisalmer, Jhunjhunu, Jalore, Dungarpur, Hanumangarh, Dholpur, Sriganganagar, Churu, Chittorgarh, Sub Health Centres in Karauli, Bikaner, Tonk and Pratapgarh districts will be upgraded to Primary Health Centres.

`14 CRORE TO BUILD MINORITY HOSTELS IN FIVE DISTRICTS

CM Gehlot has approved the proposal to open 5 new minority hostels in the state. The hostels will be opened in Dholpur, Pratapgarh, Barmer, Karauli and Banswara districts. The hostels will be constructed at a cost of Rs 14 crore. Each hostel will have a capacity of 50 students. The Chief Minister had made an announce ment about this in the budget of 2023-24.

ONE NEW SANSKRIT SCHOOL IN BIKANER, 18 TO BE UPGRADED

500 NEW POSTS TO BE CREATED IN TRAFFIC POLICE

The Chief Minister Gehlot has also approved to create 500 new posts in traffic police for a smooth traffic system. This will strengthen traffic police force. With the approval, a total of 500 posts including 20 posts of sub-inspector, 80 posts of head constable & 400 posts of constable will be made. The CM had made an announcement in this regard in budget.

T he state government will open a new Sanskrit school in Bikaner district to promote Sanskrit education. Also, 18 Sanskrit schools in different districts will be upgraded. CM Gehlot has approved the proposal for establishment of new school and upgradation of school. In this, 5 Sanskrit primary schools of different districts will be upgraded to upper primary schools, 8 Sanskrit upper primary schools to senior Upadhyay and 5 Praveshika (secondary) Sanskrit schools to senior Upadhyay.

SATELLITE HOSPITALS TO COME UP IN JAIPUR AND CHITTORGARH

S atellite hospitals will be opened in Karbala area (Hawa Mahal) of Jaipur and Chittorgarh districts of Rajasthan. Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot has given approval to open the hospitals in the direction of realizing the concept of Nirogi Rajasthan. Approval for the creation of 98 new posts has also been given.

Exhibition

birth centenary of late Bhairon Singh Shekhawat organised

Aishwary Pradhan

Jaipur: The life and philosophy of former vicepresident Late Bhairon Singh Shekhawat was depicted at BJP state office on the birth centenary of the leader. The exhibition was inaugurated by BJP state president CP Joshi. Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Organization General Secretary Chandrashekhar, MP and senior leader Ghanshyam Tiwari, Rajendra Gehlot, former BJP state prez Arun Chaturvedi were present.

CP Joshi said that late Bhairon Singh Shekhawat was known for politics of purity. He said that Shekhawat was meritorious and despite difficult family circumstances, he served the

Raj Police and attained the highest position in politics. The coordinator of the exhibition, Ajay Vijayvargiya, said that photographs from Shekhawat’s life are displayed in the exhibition.

Two killed, 9 injured as bus rams into jeep Sikar (FIB): Two people were killed and nine were injured in Sri Madhopur town of Sikar district on Sunday after a jeep collided head-on with a roadway’s bus, police said. Police informed the deceased has been identified as Mahadev and Sita Devi.

“The jeep, loaded with passengers, was heading towards Sri Madhopur from Nathusar. Simultaneously, roadways bus was returning to Nathusar from Jaipur when both collided. The jeep was completely crushed,” police said.

Police nab over 721 in Special drive

First India Bureau Jodhpur/Bundi/ Jhunjhunu: Jodhpur

Commissionerate Police launched a special operation on Sunday and arrested the wanted accused. More than 300 wanted accused were arrested in the Commissionerate police station area, who were produced in the court later in the afternoon. In Bundi, more than

MAKING LEARNING EASY FOR STUDENTS

TWO TRUCKS OF ILLEGAL LIQUOR WORTH

RUPEES 70 LAKHS SEIZED IN BARMER

Barmer: Police on Sunday seized two trucks of illegal liquor. Market cost of the seized consignment is claimed to be rupees 70 lakhs, police said. Digant Anand, superintendent of police in Barmer confirmed the report. One truck carrying 1105 cartons of illegal liquor was caught by Pachpadra police while another carrying 325 cartons was seized by Gudamalni police, officials informed.

200 criminals have been arrested in simultaneous raids under operation ‘Vajra Prahar’. 45

Two Govt employees develop 250 mobile apps in 8 yrs

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Both Tetarwal and Ola known as “App Gurus” have developed more than 250 mobile apps to provide study material in Hindi to rural students free of charge

Jaipur (PTI): Two Rajasthan government employees have developed more than 250 mobile applications in eight years to provide study material in Hindi to rural students free of charge. Known as “App Gurus”, Surendra Tetarwal and Suresh Ola got to work in 2015 to make learning easy for students who were finding it difficult to get study content in their preferred language, Hindi, online.

Our mobile applications have been downloaded by lakhs of users and have crores of page views, during the Covid, students greatly benefited from these apps.

Tetarwal, Mobile App developer

Both Tetarwal and Ola, hailing from Sikar district, have postgraduate degrees in com-

puter sciences. While Tetarwal is a sales tax officer, Ola is a headmaster in the education

department. Tetarwal and Ola’s efforts to help students pursue education with ease have

won them recognition and both central and state governments have conferred them awards.

Among the major awards received by the duo include National ICT Awards 2019 by Union Education Ministry; Rajasthan Bhamashah Shiksha Vibhushan Samman 201920 for donating mobile apps to state govt for up-gradation of education in the state; and Rajasthan E-Governance Award 2016-17.

teams of 400 officers and policemen carried out raids at different places in the district

last night and caught more than 200 criminals. Bundi SP Jai Yadav said that coordinated action against criminals is being taken continuously under Operation Vajra Prahar.

In Jhunjhunu, police raided various places and detained 221 people. Following the directions from the IG office and SP Mridul Kachhawa, the raids were carried out in the wee hours of Sunday.

Maha Minister in Nathdwara

Ashish Choudhary

Rajsamand: Maha govt’s cabinet minister Sudhir Mungantiwar during his Udaipur tour visited Nathdwara in Rajsamand and participated in the Rajbhog tableau of Shri-

nathji. Mungantiwar said that the people of Maharashtra had given mandate to BJP and Shiv Sena, but Uddhav Thackeray, disrespecting the mandate, formed a government with Congress and the nationalists.

CP Joshi, Gajendra S Shekhawat, Ghanshyam Tiwari, Ramcharan Bohra, Onkar Singh Lakhawat, and others during the exhibiton at BJP state office on Sunday. —PHOTO BY SANTOSH SHARMA

(T) Weather took a U-turn in Rajasthan on Sunday as sudden dust storm swept followed by rain, commuters wade through rain in front of Vidhan Sabha. (B) Breathtaking view of lightning at Birla Mandir on Sunday. —PHOTOS BY SANTOSH SHARMA/SUNIL SHARMA

10-YEAR HIATUS OF TERMINAL-1 TO END

Operations to resume on May 21 with Haj flights

Kashiram Choudhary

Jaipur: After 10 years, the operations at the Terminal-1 of Jaipur International Airport will restart from May 21. The Haj flights will start operating from here from May 21 after which the scheduled flights will also start operating. Terminal-1 of the airport was closed on 16 July 2013.

In the last few months, the airport administration made efforts to restart it, but it

Heritage

did not fructify. The Airport Authority of India had completed the construction of Terminal-1. Terminal-1 has been redeveloped and been given a heritage look. After taking over the operations, the

NEWS DIGEST

Adani group had talked about improving it considering some technical flaws in its construction.

However, the absence of an aerobridge at Terminal-1 is a major drawback. It is necessary to

have an aerobridge for the operation of any international flight. Boarding and deboarding of passengers from the aerobridge also provides convenience for agencies like custom, immigration, etc.

CATTLE SMUGGLING IN ALWAR

Smugglers open fire at QRT, one arrested

z Built in an area of 11,500 square meters at a cost of about Rs 67 crore

z The building of Airport Terminal-1 has been made two-storey

z Passengers will move from the ground floor, offices built on the first floor

z 4 counters made in the arrival area and 2 counters in departure area of customs

z 8 counters of immigra-

tion made in arrival and 8 counters in departure area

z Initially only about half of these counters will start for Haj flights

z 10 check-in counters have been set up in the departure area for airlines

z 2 boarding gates were made on the ground floor for the passengers

z That means it will be possible to operate 2 flights at a time

First India Bureau Alwar: Unidentified armed assailants, involved in cattle smuggling, attacked Quick Response Team (QRT) in Alwar late on Saturday night. Police officials informed that based on specific information, seven cows were being smuggled in a Scorpio car at the Delhi-Mumbai expressway.

“The Gau Rakshak Dal alerted that a Scorpio car filled with cows was spotted in the Pinaan area of Alwar.

When the QRT team

chased the cow smugglers to catch them, they opened fire on the police team. The miscreants were gheraoed by Rajasthan Police and Haryana Police as they entered the Haryana border. Three of the four smugglers managed to flee from the spot while one was arrested by the police,” police said.

MAN

SHOT DEAD, ANOTHER HURT IN CROSS FIRING BETWEEN TWO GROUPS IN AJMER

Ajmer: A man was shot dead and another injured in a cross firing between two groups in Rajasthan’s Ajmer district, police said on Sunday. Jatin Jat, Bhag Chand Jat and Rajesh had gone for dinner at a roadside restaurant on Saturday night when three or four men had a quarrel with them. Some of them opened fire in which Jatin suffered bullet injuries. They also fired in retaliation in which Karan Singh Rajput (25) died, Arai Station House Officer (SHO) Guman Singh said.

RATHORE INSPECTS PLACES IN AJMER

FOR PANORAMA OF PRITHVIRAJ CHAUHAN

Ajmer: RTDC Chairman Dharmendra Rathore on Sunday visited Ajmer and inspected the places where the panorama of Samrat Prithviraj Chauhan will be installed. Rathore along with the Chairman of Rajasthan Heritage Protection and Promotion Authority and officials of various other departments visited places including Jhalkari Bai Memorial Prithviraj Nagar and discussed details about the project.

Sarpanch in ACB net after 1.7-year run

Kota (FIB): The AntiCorruption Bureau (ACB) on Sunday arrested the Sarpanch of Askali gram panchayat of Kota, Devendra Meena, on charges of demanding a commission of 13 per cent from a contracting firm for clearing the outstanding bills of Rs 15 lakh. ACB sleuths informed the complainant, Priyanshu Jain, had filed a complaint on September 25, 2021. “On Sunday, Meena was arrested from his house and produced before a court from where he was sent to judicial custody,” ACB officials informed.

Four use bluetooth-fitted wig in RPSC exam, held

Laxman Raghav Bikaner: Four youths were caught cheating during the examination conducted by the Rajasthan Public Service Commission (RPSC) on Sunday. They had put a bluetooth device in the wig. SP Tejaswini Gautam, who reached the centre in Bikaner’s Gangashahar area said that the youths are being interrogated.

The exam was for the post of Revenue Officer and Executive Officer. Those arrested are Mahendra Ojha from Savitri Devi B.Ed Col-

Rajasthan auto & e-rickshaw delegation meets CM Gehlot

First India Bureau

lege in Udayramsar and Manoj Kumar, appearing for exams at Murli Singh Yadav College, were caught. Apart from these, two other youths have also been arrested.

Jaipur: A delegation of members of Rajasthan Auto and E-Rickshaw Federation from all over the State met Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot at Chief Minister’s residence on Sunday. The CM said that our Government is committed to the welfare of the deprived sections. The Gig Workers Welfare Board has been set up to protect the interests of gig workers and protect them from exploitation. A budget of Rs 200 crore has also been approved for this.

Mohammad Hanif, as-

sociated with Kota Auto Union, said that for the first time auto drivers have been honoured by a Chief Minister by calling them at the CMR.

State President of Mahila Auto Union, Kota,

Najma Mansuri said that now women are also working as auto and erickshaw drivers in the state and women empowerment is being encouraged in every field by the state government.

NEW FEATURES AT THE HERITAGESTYLE TERMINAL-1 OF JPR AIRPORT

Wig with bluetooth inside.

CM Ashok Gehlot with Vijay Bhaskar Sharma, Kuldeep Singh, Shahid Belian and others of the delegation at CMR on Sunday.

PATH OF UNIFORMITY AMONG CITIZENS IS

COMMON CIVIL CODE

India is a country with a diverse population consisting of people from a variety of religions community including Hindu, Islam, Christian, Sikh, Buddhist among others each religious community has its own set of personal laws governing matters such as Marriage, Divorce and Inheritance, These laws are based on community religious texts and traditions of their community and are therefore specific to each community. In the early years of India’s independence the country’s leaders debated whether to adopt a common set of laws for all citizens or to allow each religious community to maintain its own personal laws. Ultimately they have chosen the latter approach and personal laws were enshrined in the Indian Constitution. In India the idea of a common civil code has been debated for decades with proponents arguing that is necessary for ensuring Equality and Justice, and opponents arguing that it would infringe on religious freedom. At the same time there have been ongoing efforts to strengthen family laws in country in order to provide better protection for vulnerable members of society and promote gender equality.

The Indian constitution was initially enacted in 1950 the inclusion of Article 44 as a directive principle of state policy in the Indian Constitution reflects the commitment of the framers of the Constitution to the principles of secularism and equality. The objective of including Article was to promote a secular state where religion of communities like Hinduism, Islamism, Sikhism, Christianity and others does not play a role in personal laws and to establish a uniform framework for all citizens, regarding of their religious affiliations. The issue of a Common civil code was one of the most debated topic during the Constituent Assembly debates.

The Dr BR Ambedkar the important person among the constituent assembly as Chairman of the drafting committee argued in favor of a uniform civil code stating that it was necessary to ensure equality and justice for all citizens, regardless of their religious views.

He argued that personal laws based on religion were a source of discrimination

Dr BR Ambedkar the important person among the constituent assembly as Chairman of the drafting committee argued in favour of a uniform civil code stating that it was necessary to ensure equality and justice for all citizens, regardless of their religious views. He argued that personal laws based on religion were a source of discrimination and injustice particularly for women.

The framers of the Constitution recognized that personal laws such as those relating to marriage, divorce and inheritance are closely linked to religious and cultural practices and are therefore sensitive issues. This was done to balance between the competing demands of secularism and cultural diversity. The inclusion of Article 44 as a directive principle of state policy reflects the commitment of the framers of the constitution to the principle of secularism.

The constitution of India contains several provisions that are related to the concept of a uniform civil code. Here are some of the keys provisions:

Article 25: This is a fundamental right that guarantees the freedom of religion to all citizens.

Article 26: This is a fundamental right that guarantees the freedom to manage religious affairs to all religious denominations.

Both the article 25 and 26 a comes under the fundamental rights . However these rights is subject to public order, morality and health and can be restricted in the interests of these factors,

Article 29: This is fundamental right that guarantees the right to conserve the distinct language, script and culture of any sections of citizens. This article recognizes the diversity of Indian society and seeks to protect the cultural and linguistic rights of all citizens.

Article 30: This is fundamental right that guarantees the right of minorities to establish and administer educational institutions of their choices. This article recognizes the importance of minority rights in a diverse society.

Although word minority is not defined in Indian constitution and the term minority used in Article 30 in context of religious and linguistic minorities.

The Supreme Court of India has given several judgments over the years in which they played an important role in shaping the interpretation of the term Minority the term minority and the principles that underlie its protection in the Constitution. Here are some of the key judgments:

l In the Champakam Dorairajan case 1951, the Supreme Court held that the state cannot discriminate against a citizen on the grounds of religion, race, caste, or language.

This case laid the foundation for principle of equality enshrined in Article 14 of the Constitution.

l In the In Re: The Kerala Education Bill case 1958 the Supreme Court held that minority institutions have the right to establish and administer

Piyush Goyal @PiyushGoyal

their institutions, but this right is subject to reasonable regulations by the state in the interest of maintaining educational standards and ensuring the welfare of the students.

l The term secular was not explicitly mentioned in the original text of the Indian Constitution. However the spirit of the Indian Constitution was always intended to be secular, as reflected in several provisions before inclusion of word secular in the Preamble which declares India to be a sovereign, socialist, secular, democratic republic, Indian Constitution has undergone several amendments since then to address various issues and challenges. One of the most significant amendments related to secularism was the 42nd Amendment act of 1976 which was during the period of Emergency in India. The amendment was primarily aimed at strengthening the position of the Prime Minister and limiting the powers of the Judiciary.

After 42nd amendment in Indian Constitution and inserted the word Secular in Preamble. The interpretation of term minority has changed in Judgments from the earlier delivered are:

l TMA Pai Foundation case 2002 the Supreme Court held that minority institutions have the right to administer their institutions, but they are also subject to certain reasonable regulation by the State. The Court observed that mi-

on its Foundation Day. The Institute continues to undertake pathbreaking reforms for ensuring quality & innovation in India’s packaging industry.

nority can be identified as a group of people who are numerically less than 50 percent of the total population of a given area and who are different from the rest of the population in terms of religion, language or culture.

COMMON CIVIL CODE

A Common Civil Code ( CCC) is a set of laws that would apply to all citizens of a country regardless of their religion or ethnicity. The idea behind a CCC is to ensure that everyone is subjected to the same laws, which would promote equality and Justice.

Article 44 of the Indian constitution is directive principles of state policy that states should endeavour to secure for the citizens a uniform civil code throughout the territory of India.

However the implementation of a uniform civil code has been a contentious issue in india due to the diversity of religious community and their personal laws. Also Constitution does not explicitly mandate the implementation of a Uniform Civil Code making it a contentious issue.

There have been several cases in which courts have discussed the constitutional validity of Article 44 and the concept of Uniform Civil Code.

In the case of Shah Bano Begum 1985 the Supreme Court held that government has the power to enact a uniform civil code and that it is essential to promote national integration and gender equality. However the court also recognized that the issue is sensitive and requires careful consideration.

In Sarla mudgal case 1995 The Supreme Court observed that the lack of a uniform civil code is a matter of national shame, and that is the duty of the state to ensure that all citizens are governed by the same set of laws. However the court also noted that it is complex issue that requires consensus building and political will.

In Lily Thomas case 2000 The Supreme Court held that the lack of a uniform civil code has resulted in the perpetuation of gender discrimination especially in matters of divorce and in-

SPIRITUAL SPEAK

But it is I who am the ritual, I the sacrifice, the offering to the ancestors, the healing herb, the transcendental chant. I am the butter and the fire and the offering.

—Bhagavad Gita

heritance. The Court noted that a uniform civil code would help in eliminating these discriminatory practices and ensuring gender justice.

In John Vallamattom case 2003

The Supreme Court observed that the Constitution makers had envisaged a uniform civil code as an important instrument for the integration of the nation. The court also noted that personal laws should not be given precedence over the constitutional rights of citizens, and that a uniform civil code would help in the realization of the constitutional goals of justice, liberty and equality.

STRENGTHEN

FAMILY LAWS

While a debate over a CCC continues, there have been ongoing efforts to strengthen family laws in India in order to provide better protection for vulnerable members of society and promote gender equality. One are where family laws have been strengthen is in the area of domestic violence. In 2005 the Indian government passed the protection of Women and Domestic violence Act. Which provides for a range of measures to protect women from domestic violence including the ability to obtain restraining orders and the right to reside in the matrimonial home.

Another area where family laws have been strengthened is in the area of divorce. In 2019 the Indian government passed the muslim women (Protection of Rights on marriage) Act which criminalizes the practice of instant triple talaq, which is a form of instant divorce that was prevalent among some muslim communities.

The Supreme Court has recognized the importance of a uniform civil code in promoting national integration and gender equality. However, it has also acknowledged that it is a sensitive issue that requires careful consideration and consensus building. Ultimately the decision to implement a uniform civil code rests with the government and the legislature. THE VIEWS EXPRESSED BY

The Supreme Court has recognized the importance of a uniform civil code in promoting national integration and gender equality. It has also acknowledged that it is a sensitive issue that requires careful consideration

Will implement all 5 promises: Kharge after Congress victory

New Delhi (ANI):

After Congress registered a thumping victory in the Karnataka assembly election, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Sunday assured the people that the grand old party will fulfil all the five promises made to the public in the party’s manifesto after the formation of the cabinet.

The Congress heavily banked on its five guarantees – Gruha Jyothi, Gruha Lakshmi, Anna Bhagya, Yuva Nidhi and Shakti – with the party leaders promising their immediate implementation if the party comes to power.

While talking to the media, Kharge said, “People of Karnataka have rejected BJP and brought the Congress party back to power. People have given us a record number of votes. We will implement all 5 promises that we made to the public in our manifesto after we form our cabinet.”

“CLP meeting will be held today and will hand over the report to the high command after which the high command will take its time to declare the name of the Chief Minister of Karnataka,” Kharge added.

People of Karnataka have rejected BJP and brought the Congress party back to power. People have given us a record number of votes. We will implement all 5 promises that we made to the public in our manifesto after we form our cabinet. CLP meeting will be held today and will hand over the report to the high command after which the high command will take its time to declare the name of the Chief Minister of Karnataka. — Mallikarjun Kharge, Congress president

OUTGOING CM BOMMAI WISHES

BOTH CM ASPIRANTS

Bengaluru (PTI): Outgoing Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai on Sunday wished “all the best” to Congress leaders Siddaramaiah and D K Shivakumar, who are in the race to become the next Chief Minister of Karnataka. The newly-elected Congress MLAs in Karnataka are meeting here this evening to discuss government formation with leaders eliciting their views on the Chief Ministerial candidate.

Atal Residential Schools to provide free edu to underprivileged kids

FOR NEXT 5 YRS WIN PEOPLE’S HEARTS:

SIBAL TO CONGRESS

New Delhi (PTI): A day after the Congress’ big win in Karnataka polls, Rajya Sabha MP Kapil Sibal on Sunday urged his former party to “win people’s hearts” for the next five years in the state. In a tweet, Sibal said, “Karnataka, winning elections is tough. Winning people’s hearts is tougher! For the next 5 years win people’s hearts by being: open, honest, non-discriminatory.”

Assam: AIUDF to join opposition unity to fight against BJP

Guwahati (Assam): Badruddin Ajmal-led

CONGRESS LEADER JAIRAM RAMESH SLAMS

BJP

Bengaluru (ANI): Congress general secretary in charge of communications, Jairam Ramesh on Sunday, came out hard against the Bharatiya Janata Party over the election results in Karnataka and claimed that people have become “tired” of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and were not even enthusiastic about his campaign. Speaking to ANI, Ramesh said, “His (PM Modi) language…double engine! What does he even mean by that? In his mind, a double engine means he himself sitting in Delhi, and his remote control sitting in Bengaluru, Bhopal or anywhere else. This is not double engine,” the senior Congress leader added.

ALL EYES ON LONG-PENDING CWC RESHUFFLE

New Delhi: All eyes are now on the reshuffling of the CWC, the party’s top decision making body, which has been pending for long. At the party’s threeday plenary session held in Chhattisgarh capital, Raipur in February this year, the Steering Committee unanimously had decided to authorise party president Mallikarjun Kharge to nominate all members of the working committee (CWC).

Assembly polls ahead of LS elections to keep political pot boiling

New Delhi (PTI): The assembly elections in Karnataka may be over, but a series of other state polls this year will keep the political pot boiling till the 2024 Lok Sabha battle.

At least three assembly election could also take place alongside the Lok Sabha polls.

After Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, Telangana and Mizoram would go for polls this year.

The northeastern states of Nagaland, Tripura and Meghalaya were the first to have assembly polls in 2023.

Mayawati accuses BJP of misusing govt machinery in UP

UPCOMING POLLS

Lucknow (PTI): Children of labourers and those orphaned during the COVID-19 pandemic in Uttar Pradesh will soon get access to stateof-the-art educational facilities, with the state government starting the admission process for the maiden session of the Atal Residential Schools. The residential schools named after BJP stalwart and former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee will provide free educa-

tion to children from classes 6 to 12. Students will also get full residential facilities.

Students will need to clear an entrance exam for admission in the 18 such schools in each administrative division of the state.

The session will start for class 6 in July, Uttar Pradesh Minister of Labour and Employment Anil Rajbhar said.

The schools will be managed by the Uttar Pradesh labour dept.

All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF) on Sunday decided to join the opposition unity to jointly fight against BJP. “From the beginning, we are in the UPA led by Congress. Now our party has decided to join in the opposition unity to jointly fight against BJP. All opposition parties in the country should come together on one platform and we want to uproot BJP in 2024. We also want that, Congress should also take part in this opposition unity,” Aminul Islam said.

CONG STRATEGIST TO LOOK FOR VICTORY IN MP

New Delhi: With the historic mandate in Karnataka, Congress strategist for the southern state, Sunil Kanugolu has now been tasked to bring similar results in Madhya Pradesh, people familiar with the development said. Kanugolu was brought into Congress fold in May last year and since then he has worked as a strategist for the party and was responsible for preparing surveys.

The last part of 2023 would witness a series of assembly polls with terms of legislative assemblies of Mizoram, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Telangana ending on different dates in December this year and January 2024.

While the term of the 40-member Mizoram assembly ends on December 17, the tenures of the Chhattisgarh and the Madhya Pradesh legislative assemblies conclude on January 3 and January 6, 2024, respectively.

The tenures of the Rajasthan and Telangana assemblies end on January 14 and January 16, 2024, respectively.

Polls in these five states being held together cannot be ruled out at this stage.

Lucknow (PTI): A day after results of the urban local body polls in Uttar Pradesh were announced, Bahujan Samaj Party chief Mayawati Sunday accused the ruling BJP of misusing govt machinery, & said her party will not sit silently over it.

The BJP on Saturday swept the mayoral elections, winning the posts in all the 17 municipal corporations in Varanasi, Lucknow, Ayodhya, Jhansi, Bareilly, Mathura-Vrindavan, Moradabad, Saharanpur, Prayagraj, Aligarh, Shahjahanpur, Ghaziabad, Agra, Kanpur, Gorakhpur, Firozabad and Meerut.

In a series of tweets in Hindi on Sunday, Mayawati said, “The BSP is not going to sit silently over the BJP’s misuse of govt machinery.” She also accused the ruling party of using any means (‘saam’, ‘daam’, ‘dand’, ‘bhed’) at its disposal, and said, “When the time comes, the BJP will definitely face the consequences.”

World Bank grant to help set up integrated road safety

Shimla (PTI): The World Bank has approved a grant of Rs 51 crore to set up an integrated road safety enforcement system in Shimla and Nurpur police districts and develop the Palampur-Sheela chowk in Kangra as a “safe corridor”, officials said here.

The project envisages the establishment of a traffic enforcement control room in Shimla and

the allocation of funds for interceptors and patrol vehicles, an intelligent traffic management

system, AI)cameras and rescue equipment, they said.

For the first phase of

2020 Delhi riots case: Court pulls up SI

New Delhi: Delhi’s Karkardooma Court has reprimanded the Investigating Officer (sub-inspector) for exhibiting “casual and unprofessional” conduct in a case related to the riots that took place in the national capital’s north-east area in 2020.

The court has referred the matter to Commissioner of Police, Sanjay

G7 MINISTERIAL MEETING

Arora, for further evaluation of the investigation.

Additional Sessions

Judge Pulastya Pra-

machala passed the order while hearing the case registered at Khajuri Khas police station. The case encompasses 10 different complaints, and on May 1, the court requested clarification from the Deputy Commissioner of Police (northeast) regarding the specific time of each incident and any relevant evidence.

of tech can help in achieving universal health coverage’



Dr Mandaviya also stated that India’s G20 Presidency has brought digital health as a specific priority & has proposed the convergence mechanisms of digital initiatives

New Delhi (ANI): Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare, Dr Mansukh Mandaviya addressed the G7 Ministerial meeting on Health Innovation in Nagasaki, Japan on Sunday.

Health Ministers of the G7 countries and invited “Outreach 4” countries of India, Indonesia, Vietnam and Thailand participated in the meeting.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr Mandaviya said, “Use of technolo-

gy and Digital Health Tools are an enabler and equalizer which can facilitate strengthened health service de-

Use of technology and Digital Health Tools are an enabler and equalizer which can facilitate strengthened health service delivery and aid in the achievement of Universal Health Coverage. The COVID-19 pandemic has catalysed the use of technology in health service delivery and also highlighted the need to focus on an enabling framework to bridge the digital divide across the countries specifically amongst low-and-middle-income countries. —Dr

Mansukh Mandaviya, Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare

livery and aid in the achievement of Universal Health Coverage.

The COVID-19 pandemic has catalysed the use

of technology in health service delivery and also highlighted the need to focus on an enabling framework to

bridge the digital divide across the countries specifically amongst low-and-middle-income countries.

the project, Shimla and Nurpur have been selected and a sum of Rs 42 crore will be spent on the twin police districts to strengthen their emergency response systems, DGP Sanjay Kundu told PTI.

The number of accidents in Himachal Pradesh has come down from 3,114 in 2017 to about 2,600 in 2022, he said, adding “We have worked very hard to re-

duce road accidents in Himachal, and emerged as a role model not only for hill states but all over the world.” The DGP added that the World Bank has approved a grant of Rs 51 crore for the project.

Superintendent of Police, Traffic, Sandeep Dhawal said 120 locations have been identified in Shimla district for installation of AIpowered cameras.

EAM discusses Indo-Pacific, Ukraine war with his 8 counterparts in Sweden

Stockholm (PTI): External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has discussed a range of issues, including the Indo-Pacific and the Ukraine war, during his meetings here with his counterparts from France, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Latvia, Lithuania and Romania.

Jaishankar is on a three-day visit to Sweden to participate in the EU Indo-Pacific Ministerial Forum (EIPMF). He met his counterparts on the sidelines of the EIPMF on Saturday.

“Glad to meet French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna. Share her enthusiasm for making PM Narendra Modi’s visit to the Bastille Day a success. Exchanged views on the Indo-Pacific and G20,” he tweeted.

Prime Minister Modi will attend this year’s Bastille Day Parade as the guest of honour on July 14. Modi was invited by French President

Emmanuel Macron to attend the Parade in Paris.

‘Use

Representational photograph shows people waiting in queues at a polling station to vote for K’taka Assembly elections in Bengaluru.

Mallikarjun Kharge reacts to media persons as he arrives at his residence after winning Karnataka assembly elections, in New Delhi on Sunday.

—PHOTO BY ANI

Dr. S. Jaishankar @DrSJaishankar Glad to meet French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna. Share her enthusiasm for making PM Narendra Modi’s visit to the Bastille Day a success. Exchanged views on the Indo-Pacific and G20.

S Jaishankar met Alexander Schallenberg in Sweden on Sunday.

Dr Mansukh Mandaviya addressing G7 Ministerial meeting on Health Innovation in Nagasaki, Japan on Sunday.

PM visits National Gallery of Modern Art

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday visited a thematic exhibition hosted at the National Gallery of Modern Art here to mark the 100th episode of his monthly radio broadcast programme 'Mann ki Baat'.

The exhibition 'Jana Shakti: A Collective Power' features works by many prominent artists.

Prime Minister Modi was taken on a walkthrough of the exhibition where artists got an opportunity to talk

‘IOA’s decision to take charge of WFI is first step for justice’

Say protesting wrestlers as they complete 22nd day of their protest

New Delhi (PTI): The protesting wrestlers on Sunday termed the Indian Olympic Association’s (IOA) decision to take charge of all the activities of the Wrestling Federation of India as the “first step” in their fight against Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, the former WFI chief.

The country’s top wrestlers, including Bajrang Punia, Sakshi Malik and Vinesh Phogat among others, have been protesting at the Jantar Mantar for the last 22 days demanding the arrest of Brij Bhushan for his alleged sexual harassment of women wrestlers.

The IOA, through its letter on May 12, asked the secretary general of WFI to hand over the of-

ficial documents including financial instruments to its ad-hoc panel, making it clear the outgoing office bearers shall have no role in the running of the federation. WFI said it has no issues in obeying the IOA order since they were already co-operating.

CISCE announces ICSE, ISC board exam results

New Delhi (Agencies): CISCE has announced the ICSE 10th and ISC 12th Results via a press conference. Along with the result, ICSE Toppers 2023 were also announced and Rushil Kumar and 8 other students have aced the CISCE Board 10th exam with and secured Rank 1.

While Riyaa Agarwal and 3 others have secured rank 1 in ISC exams. ICSE Results 2023 Class 10th is declared for around 1.5 lakh students who appeared for the exam. Uttar Pradesh students have dominated the merit list of ICSE (Class 10) and ISC

(Class 12) examinations, the results of which were declared by the CISCE.

“BE OUR VOICE”: FEMALE WRESTLERS

WRITE TO SMRITI IRANI & SITHARAMAN

The women wrestlers, protesting against Wrestling Federation of India chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, have written to Union ministers Smriti Irani and Nirmala Sitharaman, along with 41 other women leaders of the BJP, seeking justice. “We have been fighting for justice for the last 20 days. Being women Members of Parliament of the ruling party, we have a lot of hope from you and request you to help us. Please become our voice and save our dignity,” the wrestlers’ wrote.

The exhibition has been organised to mark the 100th episode of Prime Minister’s popular radio programme ‘Mann ki Baat’.

about their works and the themes of 'Mann Ki Baat' that inspired

them, the culture ministry said. He also viewed the

Manipur CM in Delhi to discuss violence issue with PM, Shah

Imphal (PTI): Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh and four members of his cabinet have gone to Delhi to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Sunday to discuss the situation in the northeastern state shaken by violence for the past several days, a source said. The issue of the ongoing suspension of operation with militant organisations of the state is also likely to be discussed, as per the source.

Minister Narendra Modi visits Jana Shakti, an exhibition at the National Gallery of Modern Art in New Delhi on Sunday.

immersive projection show of the 'Jana Shakti' exhibition at the

dome of the Jaipur House, a senior official said.

Kerala CM urges police to be ready for all situations

Thrissur (PTI): Kerala

Chief Minister Pinarayi

Vijayan on Sunday said police need to be better prepared to ensure security of the public when dealing with every dangerous situations, as sometimes unexpected incidents may happen -- in an apparent reference to the recent killing of a young doctor at a taluk hospital in the state despite the presence of officers there. Vijayan said that police often work in dangerous situations and their priority is always to ensure public safety and security.

"However, some unexpected situations arise and therefore they need to be better prepared to deal with the same," he said in his speech after inaugurating the new building of the Thrissur District Police Headquarters.

India imposes phased import ban on 928 defence items in self-reliance push

New Delhi (PTI): The defence ministry has approved a fresh list of 928 components and subsystems which will only be procured from domestic industry after a ban on their import kicks in under a staggered timeline of around 5.5years.

The ministry on Sunday said the aim of the move is in sync with the government's overall aim to promote 'Aatmanirbharta' (self-reliance) in defence production. It is the fourth such "positive indigenisation list (PIL)" comprising line replacement units, sub-systems and components used for various mili-

tary platforms, equipment and weapons.

"To promote 'Aatmanirbharta' in defence and minimise imports by defence public sector undertakings, the Ministry approved fourth Positive Indigenisation

MOTHER’S DAY EVENT ORGANISED BY RAJKOT POLICE

List (PIL) of 928 strategically-important line replacement units/subsystems/spares & components, including high-end materials and spares, with import substitution value worth Rs 715 crore.

Over 3K women join ‘Saree Walkathon’



On the occasion of ‘International Mother’s Day, a ‘saree walkathon’ was organised by Gujarat’s Rajkot Police on Sunday

Rajkot (ANI): Around 3,000 women participated in the city’s firstever ‘Saree Walkathon’, aimed at celebrating Mother’s Day and promoting the local saree attire of Bandhani and Patola.

The event which was organised by Rajkot Police along with 25 organisations, covered a distance of three kilometres before concluding at the starting point at the city’s Police headquarter. Only

women and girls dressed in sarees were allowed to participate. Rajkot Police Com-

missioner Rajubhai Bhargav expressed his gratitude to the women of Rajkot for taking

SUPERSONIC MISSILE

SUCCESSFULLY

TEST-FIRED FROM MORMUGAO WARSHIP

New Delhi: A BrahMos supersonic cruise missile was successfully test-fired from the Indian Navy’s frontline guided missile destroyer INS Mormugao, officials said on Sunday. The missile firing demonstrated the Indian Navy’s firepower at sea, they said. “INS Mormugao, the latest guided-missile destroyer, successfully hit ‘bulls eye’ during her maiden BrahMos supersonic cruise missile firing,” a Navy official said. “The ship and her potent weapon, both indigenous, mark another shining symbol of ‘AatmaNirbharta’ and Indian Navy’s firepower at sea,” the official added.

5 held by DRI for smuggling cigarettes

part in it and spreading the message of motherhood on Mother’s Day.

“Saree Walkathon has been organised here today. Around 3,000 women have registered for the event and women from Rajkot and also from various clubs and organisations have come to take part and have promoted saree of patola and Bandhani brand as well,” said Rajubhai Bhargav, Police Commissioner Rajkot.

ACCUSED HAS NO MENTAL ISSUES, SAY DOCTORS

Thiruvananthapuram: Doctors at a medical health centre in Thiruvananthapuram have held that the accused in the murder of Kerala woman doctor, Dr. Vandana Das, has no mental issues. Police had brought Sandeep for a mental health check as they were planning to house him in mental health institution if the doctors confirmed mental disorders for him.

MAN IN CUSTODY TURNS VIOLENT IN KERALA HOSPITAL

New Delhi: A 32-year-old man on Sunday, who was in police custody for breaking the glass panes of a house, turned violent when he was taken for a medical examination. Rafeeq was brought to Tirurangadi taluk hospital in Malappuram district in Kerala, when he attacked the policeman and hurled abuses at the doctor and paramedical staff in the hospital.

CRUCIAL READ

ACID ATTACK SURVIVOR & DAUGHTER OF PEON TOP SCHOOL WITH 95% IN CBSE CLASS 10 EXAMS

New Delhi: Setting an example for many girls in the country, Kafi, an acid attack survivor and the daughter of a peon, topped her school by scoring 95.02% marks in the CBSE Class 10 exams. The 15-year-old Kafi’s father works as a peon in the secretariat. When Kafi was 3 years old, her neighbours attacked her with acid due to jealousy, after which her entire face got burnt and she was hospitalized for 6 years where she lost her eyes. Since then, she has been studying through Braille script and she is very fast in reading.

1,272 NEW COVID

CASES IN PAST 24 HOURS, 3 DEATHS

New Delhi: India has logged 1,272 new coronavirus infections, while the active cases have dipped to 15,515, according to the Union Health Ministry data updated on Sunday. The death count has increased to 5,31,770 with three deaths. While two deaths were reported from Punjab, one was from West Bengal, the data updated at 8 am stated. The Covid case tally was recorded at 4.49 crore (4,49,80,674)

The active cases now comprise 0.03 per cent of the total infections, while the national COVID-19 recovery rate has been recorded at 98.78 per cent, the ministry said.

New Delhi: The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence, Mumbai branch on Sunday said that they have arrested five persons and recovered 1.2 crore sticks of foreign origin cigarettes worth Rs 24 crore. The accused were smuggling the cigarettes via containers, said the DRI.

STUDENT’S BODY FOUND IN DRAIN OF DELHI’S ROHINI AREA

New Delhi: A 18-year-old woman, reported missing earlier this week, was found dead in a drain in the early hours of Sunday in the Aman Vihar area of Delhi’s Rohini, police said. According to Delhi Police, the deceased was identified as Saraswati, a class 12 student. As per police, the body has been recovered and sent for postmortem to the Sanjay Gandhi Memorial Hospital (SGM) in the Mangolpuri locality of Delhi. After the postmortem, the body of the deceased was handed over to the family. “This is the third suicide incident reported from Delhi,” said the officials.

12 GIRLS SEXUALLY HARASSED GOVT SCHOOL BY COMPUTER INSTRUCTOR IN UTTAR PRADESH

Shahjahanpur: A computer instructor at a government school in UP allegedly molested 12 girls including some Dalit students, police officials said on Sunday. The accused computer instructor Mohammad Ali, headmaster Anil Kumar and assistant teacher Sajia have been booked in this connection, they said. Around 12 girl students, including Dalits, studying in a junior government school in Tilhar police station area, were allegedly molested by computer instructor Mohammad Ali, Circle Officer (Tilhar) Priyank Jain told PTI.

Prime

Wrestlers Vinesh Phogat, Bajrang Punia and Sakshi Malik address a press conference during their ongoing protest against the WFI chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh in New Delhi on Sunday.

The latest guided-missile Destroyer ‘INS Mormugao’ successfully hit ‘Bulls Eye’ during its maiden Brahmos Supersonic cruise missile firing as part of the ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ initiative, on Sunday.

Saree Walkathon event organised in Rajkot on Sunday.

Kerala Health Minister Veena George pay tributes to Dr Vandana Das, who was stabbed to death by her patient. —FILE PHOTO

ISC 12TH TOPPER

PM Modi visits Jana Shakti exhibition on themes from ‘Mann Ki Baat’.

—PHOTO BY ANI

RR REGISTER THIRD LOWEST SCORE AGAINST BANGALORE

RCB bowlers bundle out Raj for 59, strengthen play-off chances

Jaipur (ANI): Rajasthan Royals registered an unwanted record in their list after losing to Royal Challengers Bangalore in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023.

Chasing a total of 172, RR ended their innings by scoring the third-lowest score in IPL history. They bundled out 59 in 10.3 overs. RCB won the match by massive 112 runs in Jaipur on Sunday. RCB has the record of scoring the lowest total in the IPL tournament, they were bundled out of 49 runs against Kolkata Knight Riders in 2017. Meanwhile, RR also have the second-lowest total in their name as they scored just 58 runs against the same opponent RCB in the year 2009.

While chasing a target of 172, RR batters failed to deal with the intensity and aggression of the RCB bowlers.

asks

Lahore: Pakistan’s former prime minister Imran Khan called for nationwide “freedom” protests on Sunday, after his brief arrest and detention last week triggered deadly unrest. The one-time cricket superstar who has been tied up in dozens of legal cases since being ousted from power in April last year -- was freed on bail on Friday after his detention was declared unlawful by the Supreme Court.

Enraged by the arrest, supporters set fire to government buildings, blocked roads and damaged property belonging to the military, which they blame for Khan’s downfall.

“Freedom does not come easily. You have to snatch it. You have to sacrifice for it,” he said.

Marketa Vondrousova books spot in 4th round

ITALIAN OPEN

With a 7-5, 6-3 victory over No. 9 seed Maria Sakkari

Rome (ANI): Marketa Vondrousova continued her winning run in the Italian Open with a 7-5, 6-3 victory over No.9 seed Maria Sakkari to reach the fourth round. The Rome conditions have long suited

Sudirman Cup: New-look India eye elusive medal

VIRAT KOHLI’S ‘UNMISSABLE’ ACT FOR JAISWAL

Jaipur: In a video posted on IPL Twitter, Kohli was seen interacting with Jaiswal and sharing some tips with the 21-year-old batter. The video soon went viral on the social media as the fans were left touched by the sportsmanship from both the players. The post-match moment became a major highlight of the day as Kohli interacted with Jaiswal, who was dismissed for a duck.

‘POLITICAL TERRORIST’: BILAWAL SLAMS RIOTS OVER IMRAN ARREST

Islamabad: Commenting on the violence in protests sparked after the arrest of former PM Imran Khan, Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari termed his party “political terrorists” and asked how could talks be held with Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf. “We always supported talks and even convinced our allies for it. But now, how can we hold talks with terrorists? We can only hold talks with those who condemn terrorism and dissociate themselves from these political terrorists,” he said. Bhutto also criticised the judiciary for “becoming more political than needed”.

KKR remain alive in play-offs

New Delhi (Agencies): Kolkata Knight Riders emerged victorious over Chennai Super Kings by 6 wickets at the MA Chidambaram Stadium. Rinku Singh and Nitish Rana both scored impressive halfcenturies, contributing to KKR’s win.

Prior to this, Shivam Dube played a notable innings of 48 not out off 34 balls, helping CSK post a total of 144 for 6 in 20 overs. Varun

Chakaravarthy and Sunil Narine were the standout bowlers for KKR, each claiming

two wickets. CSK captain MS Dhoni won the toss and chose to bat first against KKR.

Suzhou (PTI): Star shuttlers PV Sindhu and HS Prannoy will look to hit top gear as the Indian badminton team begins its campaign at BWF Sudirman Cup with a clash against Chinese Taipei on Sunday. India have been placed along with Malaysia, Chinese Taipei and Australia in Group C with the 2 top teams qualifying for the knockout stage. On Monday, India will clash against Malaysia.

Vondrousova, who reached the quarterfinals in 2019 and the semifinals in 2020 and

now has a 10-3 record in the tournament. Her legendary drop shot was a significant weapon from the start of the match, with one breaking Sakkari’s serve in the first game. Vondrousova also outwitted the Greek player with precise passing shots and lobs, as well as a rock-solid serving effort. She won 75% of the points after landing 76% of her first serves.

Schedule out for Aus summer of cricket

Melbourne (Agencies): Cricket Australia on Sunday released the schedule of 2023/24 international home summer for both men’s and women’s teams, comprising six Tests, nine ODIs and nine T20Is to be played at 11 venues across 7 cities. Australia women’s team, currently holding both T20 & ODI World Cups, will begin home summer with a 3-match T20I series on October 1, 2 and 5 against West Indies.

CYCLONE MOCHA THREATENS BANGLADESH, MYANMAR

Three die as ‘severe’ storm makes landfall

Dhaka (Agencies):

Three persons were killed as “extremely severe” cyclonic storm Mocha made landfall in Myanmar’s Rakhine state on Sunday, the Associated Press reported.

Myanmar’s military information office said the storm damaged houses, electrical transformers, cell phone towers, boats and lampposts in Sittwe, Kyaukpyu, and Gwa townships.

Local media reports said that streets and basements of the houses in Sittwe’s low-lying areas were flooded and much of the area was cut off.

Over 400,000 people were evacuated in Myanmar and Bangladesh ahead of Cyclone Mocha making landfall, as per authorities.

‘INSPIRED BY ELON MUSK’

Let’s build Twitter 2.0 together, says new CEO

I’ve long been inspired by your vision to create a brighter future. I’m excited to help bring this vision to Twitter & transform this business together.

—Linda Yaccarino New Twitter CEO

New Delhi: The upcoming Twitter CEO, Linda Yaccarino, former Chairman of Global Advertising and Partnerships at NBC Universal, on Sunday said she is prepared to build Twitter 2.0 and transform the business together with Musk and millions of platform users.

Yaccarino, who will start in six weeks in her new position, will focus primarily on business operations.

“I’ve long been in-

spired by your vision to create a brighter future.

I’m excited to help bring this vision to Twitter

INDIA JEWELLERY EXPOSITION CENTRE LAUNCHED IN DUBAI

‘CYCLONE MOCHA MAY CAUSE BANGLA ISLAND TO GO UNDERWATER’

Dhaka: As Cyclone Mocha intensifies & winds are getting stronger, Saint Martin’s, the one and only coral island of Bangladesh, may go temporarily underwater, as per head of the Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD). “Since there is no major infrastructure on the island, the storm will not get obstructed anywhere and hit the island directly. As the centre of the storm passes over St Martin’s, water will move from one side of the island to the other, and due to the intensity of the storm, the island may be underwater for some time,” BMD Director Md Azizur Rahman said on Sunday.

CRUCIAL READ

and transform this business together,” she posted.

“I’m just as committed to the future of this platform. Your feedback is VITAL to that future. I’m here for all of it. Let’s keep the conversation going and build Twitter 2.0 together,” Yaccarino further commented.

There have been some concerns too regarding Yaccarino’s appointment as the new Twitter CEO.

Dubai: The Gem and Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC) has launched a first-of-itskind India Jewellery Exposition Centre (IJEX) in the UAE during a special event to commemorate the first anniversary of the UAE-India Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement. Announced during the CEPA Beyond Trade celebration, IJEX will provide a platform for India’s micro, small, and medium jewellery enterprises (MSMEs) to showcase their products to the Middle East market from its location in Dubai’s Gold Souq.

AUSTRALIA MEN SET TO HOST PAKISTAN AND WEST INDIES

Melbourne (Agencies): Australia will meet Pakistan in 3 tests & the West Indies in two in the traditional school holiday period. The Pakistan series will begin with a test in Perth from 14 to 18 December followed by the traditional Boxing Day test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground from 26 to 30 December. Australia also will play West Indies in 3 one-day internationals and 3 Twenty20 internationals in February. Cricket Australia is expected to discuss hosting arrangement with New South Wales state government.

Israel, Gaza militants agree to shaky cease-fire

New Delhi: A ceasefire between Israel and Palestinian militant group Islamic Jihad appeared to be holding on Sunday despite getting off to a shaky start.

Israeli and Egyptian media both reported on Saturday that a ceasefire agreement had been made and that the truce was reportedly set to begin at 10 p.m. local time (1900 GMT).

There were initial reports of rocket fire and airstrikes a short time after it came into force.

US WOMAN WHO MURDERED HUSBAND THREW A BIG PARTY AFTER HIS DEATH

New Delhi: A woman in the US who has been charged with murdering her husband reportedly threw a party the day after his death, People reported. As per affidavit obtained by The Salt Lake Tribune, Kouri Darden Richins ‘’invited her friends over for a large party’’ that day at her Kamas, Utah, home. Citing the affidavit for a search warrant, The Salt Lake Tribune reported, “The day after Eric’s death, Kouri closed on the home, alone. She later invited her friends over for a large party at her home where she was drinking and celebrating.”

NEPAL SHERPA BECOMES 2ND PERSON TO SCALE MOUNT EVEREST 26 TIMES

Kathmandu: A Nepali sherpa guide climbed Mount Everest for the 26th time on Sunday, hiking officials said, becoming the world’s second person to achieve the feat. Pasang Dawa Sherpa, 46, stood atop the 8,849-m (29,032-ft) peak, sharing the record number of summits with Kami Rita Sherpa, said Bigyan Koirala, a government tourism official. Kami Rita, who is also climbing on Everest now, could set another record if he makes it to the top. Pasang Dawa reached the top with a Hungarian client, said an official.

❍ IPL MATCH 61 CSK VS KKR

Royal Challengers Bangalore and Rajasthan Royals players greet each other at the end of their IPL 2023 cricket match, at Sawai Man Singh Stadium in Jaipur, on Sunday. —PHOTO BY SANTOSH SHARMA

Bangladesh and Myanmar braced Sunday as a severe cyclone started to hit coastal areas and authorities urged thousands of people in both countries to seek shelter.

CSK captain MS Dhoni and KKR captain Nitish Rana during their IPL match at MA Chidambaram Stadium, in Chennai on Sunday.

Khan

supporters to “Snatch Freedom”

A Thousand roads, hundreds of meandering paths, uncountable meanings – all lead to the ultimate truth of life – we have to walk to reach at it.

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

POSTAL REG NO. JPC/004/2022-24

V-P Dhankhar unveils ex-Union Min Nathuram Mirdha’s statue Pilot should have waited more for yatra:Randhawa

Aditi Nagar

Bhanwar Jitendra is Cong observer in Karnataka

First India Bureau

Sunil Puri

Nagaur: The VicePresident, Jagdeep Dhankhar along with his wife, Sudesh Dhankhar offered prayers at Veer Tejaji Temple in Kharnal village of Nagaur and later unveiled the statue of former Union Minister Late Nathuram Mirdha in Merta City on Sunday.

The V-P also addressed a public gathering and said that he will never get such a big opportunity in his life than unveiling the statue of Baba.

“Wrong deeds lead to dangerous consequences and law should not be taken into hands as no one is above the law. I appeal to the youth to stay away from drugs. It is your right to participate in government schemes. Be it agriculture or rural development, we have shown the way to the country and the world,” he added. “Farmers should keep pace with changing times and move ahead with a progres-

sive thought,” he said.

Former MP Jyoti Mirdha, Agriculture Minister Lalchand Kataria, former MLA

Richpal Singh Mirdha, former judge Harsukh Punia and other eminent people were also present in the event.

Assam Guv inaugurates 2 new buildings in Udaipur

First India Bureau

New Delhi: With the Congress having sweeping victory in Karnataka and hopes of repeating the government in Rajasthan, State incharge Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa also seems to have softened his stance towards former Deputy CM Sachin Pilot. He referred to his past relations with the Pilot family and called him a younger brother. However, Randhawa said that the timing of Sachin’s visit was wrong and he should have waited a little longer.

Randhawa was talking to the media in New Delhi on Sunday. Pilot’s ‘Jan Sangharsh Yatra’ regarding paper leak and corruption entered its 4th day on Sunday.

Terming Pilot’s yatra as his personal journey, Randhawa said the timing is wrong. “When Karnataka was voting, he should have waited. We all should first talk about the Congress,” he said. “He is a little aggressive. One should be ambitious, but not overambitious. He has got a lot of time in the party. Congress is not like BJP. Our leaders are

My father and Sachin’s father were best friends. We have family ties. He is my younger brother. I have talked to him on the phone earlier also. I am trying to take everyone along.

given more than they think. I will see who provoked, I didn’t not raise matters before I became the in-charge,” he said.

Regarding election face, Randhawa said that Rajasthan, MP and Chhattisgarh will contest elections unitedly. “Will contest elections with only one face, double face will not come. Gehlot is a very old leader, he has Congress in his heart and mind. He has the most experience in AICC,” he said.

Jaipur: After the Congress got a clear majority in the Karnataka elections, Bhanwar Jitendra Singh, former Union Minister and former MP from Alwar, has been given the responsibility of forming the government as an Observer. Congress leaders Sushil Kumar Shinde and Deepak Babaria have also been appointed along with Singh.

Jitendra Singh was also an Observer in the 2013 Karnataka Legislative Assembly elections and also made member of the Screening Committee. At that time, former Defence Minister AK Antony and Jitendra Singh were appointed. On his way to New Delhi, Jitendra Singh said that there is enthusiasm among the Congress workers due to the victory in Karnataka.

This will further strengthen the Cong in the assembly elections of Raj, MP and Chhattisgarh. The public rejected BJP’s agenda in Karnataka polls as they have been doing politics of caste, religion and division.

—Bhanwar Jitendra Singh, AICC General Secretary

PAYING LAST TRIBUTES...

BY MUKESH KIRADOO

First India Bureau

Jaipur: Former Dy CM Sachin Pilot, who is undertaking a five-day ‘Jan Sangharsh Yatra,’ on Sunday said, “We are getting people’s support because our issues are essential. The CM is state’s face & CM Ashok Gehlot and I will have to unitedly fight against cases of corruption. But the CM hasn’t taken

any action I have been writing letters for a long time to take action against issues of corruption. Pilot resumed his foot march from Mehla town in Jaipur & moved towards Mahapura on Sunday. He will hold a public meeting today near Kamla Nehru Nagar along the Ajmer highway on culmination of his ‘Jan Sangharsh Yatra.’

Jaipur (PTI): The Ashok Gehlot-led Raj govt follows a “zero-tolerance policy” on corruption and its action against the corrupt is visible to everyone except Sachin Pilot,the CM’s OSD Lokesh Sharma said on Sunday. Sharma added, “It is Sachin Pilot’s personal decision to take out the yatra. The state govt is following a zero-tolerance policy on corruption, which is visible to all,” he said, adding, “Despite this, if someone is creating an atmosphere against govt, decision has to be taken by party’s High Command.”

Udaipur: Assam Governor Gulab Chand Kataria inaugurated two newly constructed buildings at Mahaveer Sadhana and Swadhyay Samiti Ambamata on Sunday. 250 members of the committee contributed from their side for the building which was completed in 1.5 years.

Committee Chairman Prakash Chandra Kothari said that a budget of Rs 2 crore was raised for the building.

Along with this, 10 rooms have been built in the already constructed Dharamshala building in the committee premises. Kataria was the chief guest of the programme.

The special guests were Vallabhnagar

MLA Preeti Shaktawat, Udaipur Rural MLA Phool Singh Meena, and Deputy Mayor Paras Singhvi.

This building will be available for all programmes including ‘Chaturmas’ and ‘Vihar.’ Apart from this, the building built in the Dharamshala can also be used by the community members. However, a nominal fee has been fixed for this.

‘Padyatras’ aimed at listening to masses & taking feedback: Dhariwal

HAATH SE HAATH JODO CAMPAIGN IN KOTA lll

Even in the scorching heat, the ‘Padyatra’ did not stop anywhere.

There was a lot of enthusiasm among the residents of the area that both leaders visited

Bhanwar S Charan

Kota: Urban Development and Housing Minister Shanti Dhariwal and PCC member Amit Dhariwal took out ‘Padyatras’ in more than two dozen wards and listened to the problems of the common people and assured speedy solutions under the ‘Haath se Haath Jodo’ campaign.

Even in the scorching heat, the ‘Padyatra’ did not stop anywhere. There was a lot of en -

thusiasm among the residents of the area where the two visited. The ‘Padyatra’ reached

Borkheda’s Ward No. 10 on Sunday. The two discussed with the people of the area about the

relief camps and appealed to them to take benefits of the government’s various welfare

schemes. They gave instructions to the officials to resolve them at the earliest.

The Padyatra will reach every household. Instead of asking for votes, we are going door-to-door to listen to people and take feedback on the works in the area.

—Shanti Dhariwal, UDH Minister

Talking to the media regarding the ‘Padyatra,’ Dhariwal said that the aim of the campaign is dialogue with the public. “The Padyatra will reach every household. Instead of asking for votes, we are going door-to-door to listen to people and take feedback on the

works in the area,” the UDH Minister said. Dhariwal and Amit Dhariwal visited the Gurdwara at Gumanpura Vallabhnagar and offered prayers. Minister Dhariwal assured the committee to get a state-of-the-art Satsang Bhawan, which will be built soon.

Vice- President Jagdeep Dhankhar unveils the statue of Late Shri Nathuram Mirdha, former Member of Parliament, freedom fighter and a popular farmers’ leader in Merta City, Nagaur on Sunday. Also seen is Sudesh Dhankhar and others. Also seen here is Jyoti Mirdha and others.

Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankhar & his wife, Sudesh Dhankhar being welcomed by Dharmendra Rathore & his wife Hansa Kanwar at the helipad in Pushkar on Sunday. Also seen are IG Rupinder Singh & SP Chunaram. —PHOTOS BY ANAND SHARMA

Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankhar being felicitated by presenting him with an old photograph of his by the Priest during the V-P’s visit to the Brahma Temple in Pushkar on Sunday.

Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankhar offers prayers at the VeerTejaji temple in Kharnal village in Nagaur district on Sunday. Also seen is Sudesh Dhankhar and the priests.

Will never get such a big opportunity in my life than unveiling the statue of Baba, he says

—Sukhjinder Randhawa, Congress Raj State in-charge

Shanti Dhariwal and Amit Dhariwal during the padyatra undertaken under ‘Haath Se Haath Jodo’ campaign in Borkheda’s Ward Number 10 in Kota on Sunday.

Shanti Dhariwal and Amit Dhariwal offer prayers at the Gumanpura Gurdwara in Kota on Sunday.

‘CM & I will have to fight unitedly against corruption’

Sachin Pilot with enthused kids during the ‘JanSangharshYatra’ being undertaken from Bagru to Mahapura in Jaipur on Sunday.

—PHOTO

Raj govt’s action on corruption visible to all except Pilot, says Lokesh

CM Ashok Gehlot pays last tributes by laying wreath on the mortal remains of former Justice late Ashok Parihar at the latter’s residence and also attended his cremation in Jaipur on Sunday. The Chief Minister also consoled the family members and prayed to the Almighty to provide strength to the bereaved family to bear this loss. Also seen here is Sunita Gehlot and others.

Assam Guv GC Kataria during the inauguration of 2 new buildings in Udaipur.

A JOURNEY OF WONDER & THRILLS

The second runner-up of Miss Teen Diva, Anwita’s trip to Dubai was a journey filled with wonder, excitement and beauty, leaving an indelible impression on her heart and soul. City First brings to you glimpses of her mesmerizing journey to the city of dreams!

Anwita Sundaram, who bagged the title of second runner-up at the magnificent Miss Teen Diva, was born and raised in Gurgaon, Haryana and has recently embarked on an unforgettable journey to Dubai, and her experiences were nothing short of extraordinary. She visited the renowned Global Village, where she had the pleasure of exploring various country pavilions and indulging in their unique cultures.

From mouth-watering cuisine to traditional art, Anwita’s senses were captivated by the vivid displays of cultural

Another highlight of her trip was visiting the Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi, where she immersed herself in the exquisite beauty and intricate architecture of the Middle East.

Anwita was left awestruck by the grandeur and elegance of the mosque, which showcased the rich Islamic heritage of the region.

For those seeking thrills and excitement, Anwita recommends visiting IMG World, where she indulged in the adrenaline-pumping excitement of heart-stopping roller coasters. The excitement didn’t stop there, as Anwita also had the privilege of witnessing the stunning Burj Khalifa, the tallest building in

the world, a marvel of human engineering and innovation.

But it wasn’t just about the man-made wonders of Dubai. Anwita’s trip to the Miracle Garden was nothing short of awe-inspiring, where she witnessed the magnificent display of nature’s beauty, blooming in full splendour. The experience was a true testament

to the limitless potential of nature and human creativity.

Anwita’s trip to Dubai also included indulging in a plethora of Middle Eastern cuisine, tantalizing her taste buds with a range of exotic flavours and spices. She also enjoyed a serene and picturesque kayaking experience at Hatta Dam, surrounded by breathtaking scenery and the calming embrace of nature. Throughout her journey, Anwita remained grateful to her mother, Ashma Arora Sundaram who made it all possible. Her trip was a testament to the value of exploring new cultures, indulging in unique experiences, and treasuring the precious moments spent with loved ones. She said, “I’m so grateful to my mother for giving me the trip of my dreams and hope there are many more to come.”

UTTKARSHA SHEKHAR uttkarsha.shekhar@firstindia.co.in

MITALI DUSAD

mitalidusad01@gmail.com

very state in In-

Edia offers a fascinating and diverse culturerich heritage.

Rajasthan, a princely state offers one of the most fascinating holiday destinations in the country. The state, known for its rich history and culture offers picturesque beauty. The state is although a warm one; however, there are plenty of places that can be visited in the summers. With beautiful scenic tourist places, Rajasthan undoubtedly tops the list for a vacation in India. As Summer vacations are round the corner, City First highlights a less explored but culturally rich town with mesmerising beauty that will leave you awe-inspired, Ranakpur!

Ranakpur is a small quaint town nestled amid the secluded valley of Aravali Ranges in Rajasthan. Situated around 96 km North of Udaipur in Pali district, it is an important destination for Jain pilgrims. The place presents a unique spectacle of verdant greenery and gushing streams, an unusual sight in Rajasthan. Immersed in the vibrant culture with a myriad of enrapturing beauty in store, Ranakpur has earned its place on the list of mustvisit destinations in Rajasthan. It is named after Rana Kumbha, who donated some land for the place.

There are many temples dedicated to different Tirthankaras in Jainism like Adinatha, Parasnath and Chaumukha Temple with marvellous architectures. Besides the exalted temples, Ranakpur is also an epitome for natural beauty and the peaceful environment. When you walk through the fields, you are automatically transported to a place where the birds sing vividly. So take a break and visit this magical place where the nature is waiting for you.

A Spiritual Oasis in Aravali

RANAKPUR JAIN TEMPLE

This is one of the most religious pilgrimage spots located in Rajasthan that lies at the center of the city. It holds great importance for the believers of Jainism and is dedicated to Lord Adinath, Jain Tirthankara. One of the most attractive features of the temple, besides the pillars, is the beautifully carved idol of Parshvanatha. It has been made out of a single slab of marble. Its beauty in the detail is due to the 1008 snake carefully crafted around the idol. The same idol also has two chauri bears and yaksha and yakshi, who are halfhuman and half-snake. There are also two elephants carved, one on either side, that seem to be purifying Parshavanath. And you can’t find the end of the tails of these elephants.

MOUTH WATERING DELICACIES

You have to ignore the fact that alcohol and non-vegetarian food is banned in most of Ranakpur. Why? The place is renowned for its pilgrimage, and people here consider drinking and slaughtering a sin. However, foodies don’t return hungry from Ranakpur. The proximity to the Marwar region is a big reason why you should taste the traditional dish of the place. Dal Bati Churma can be the ultimate gift of strolling along the streets for good food. Bon appétit!

THE VIBRANT MARKETS AND HANDICRAFTS

The vibrant atmosphere of Ranakpur markets is one of the best places to visit in Ranakpur. Plus the variety and the colour of the products in the markets make Ranakpur a great place for women to shop for things to take back home. Keep your bargaining skills ready and jump into the market to buy some majestic pieces of silver jewellery, bangles made using precious and sparkling gems, pottery and a few more. Leave no shop unexplored as all these shops have some or the other attribute of the rich Rajasthani culture that will make your living room spectacular.

KING'S

It is the perfect get-away for friends and family longing to experience the serenity of long walks-ways, lush greens and lazy evenings. Visiting this home-away-fromhome will reveal an old look fortress, sitting aloft a hillock surrounded by nature. King's Abode is just close enough to the city of Udaipur to be easily accessible and yet far enough to offer a perfect wilderness weather. In the calmness and coolness of this resort you will find modern amenities, courteous service and a feeling of being welcome. It is arguably one of the best resorts in Ranakpur today, offering scrumptious cuisine, spectacular views, comfortable rooms. The resort is not only suitable for a short vacation but also for conferences, meetings and formal engagements.

OTHER FAMOUS

PILGRIM’S DESTINATION:

SURYA NARAYAN TEMPLE

This is another popular pilgrimage spot that is embedded with wall murals and sculptures dedicated to the Sun God or Surya Devta. You will find the structure of Lord Surya riding on his Chariot with seven horses.

MUCCHAL MAHAVIR TEMPLE —

This temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva or Mahavir and is situated in the Kumbhalgarh Sanctuary which is visited by thousands of devotees and tourists throughout the year. The prime attraction of this temple is the idol of Lord Shiva with a moustach.

TREKKING AND JEEP SAFARI

The unspoiled Aravali Range presents a pleasurable trekking experience. Discover the amazing natural beauty and learn about the local traditions while trekking through the rugged, rock-strewn countryside. You can even opt for a guided hike to make the most of this Ranakpur sightseeing experience. Ranakpur Jungle Safari is a retreat for animal lovers, and you even get a chance to treat your eyes with the leopards. Besides the leopard, the jungle will also give you the majestic views of many waterfalls and landscapes which are sure to give you goosebumps.

ABODE

MOTHER'S LOVE The heart of the family

A mother’s love knows no bounds. From the moment you're brought into her life, she is continuously giving, nurturing and showering you with her care and affection. It is because of this special bond that makes imagining your world without her feel unfathomable. City First brings to you lovely moments shared to us by our readers that define the magic of this lovely bond. While a lot of them celebrated the day with their mothers and family, some also remembered their loved ones, mother like figures who are no more, with fond memories and remembered, even if she isn't physically here anymore, her love and light live on forever

Dr Vaibhav Atolia with his mother Archana Atolia

Hanut Singh with his mother Dr Sunita

(L-R) Malvika Bhati, Marudhar Kanwar and Geetanjali Rathore

Arushi Saxena and Divyansh Saxena with their mother Jyoti Saxena Amit Sharma and Ankit Sharma with their mother Saroj Devi

Rishita Jhalani with her mother Sushila Jhalani

(L-R) Sonali, Sunita and Roohi

Mayak Kiradoo with her mother Rajkumari devi Shreya Gupta with her mother Seema Gupta Tushar Phalke with his mother Gauri Phalke

Alka Srivastava with her mother Rama Srivastava Rahul Faujdar with his mother Premvati

Vikas Bagra with his mother Mamta Devi

(L-R) Late Gayatri Rathore, Geetanjali Rathore, Rajkumari, Priyamvada Rathore and Rajshree Bhati

(L-R) Anita Tambi, Ankita Dusad and Suneeta Dusad

Samarth and Siddharth with their mother Vandana Dadhich Acharya

Astha Saxena with her mother Bharti Saxena

Representational Image

Flight to women’s dreams!

—PHOTOS BY MUKESH KIRADOO

CITY FIRST

Words like ‘Ghabara mat mein tere saath hoon’ were achoed on Sunday, the occasion was the beginning of the auditions of Miss Rajasthan 2023 organised by Fusion Group on the Mother-Daughter theme at Hotel Grand Uniara on Sunday. Miss Rajasthan for the last, 25 years is giving a big platform to girls from different corners of Rajasthan to prove them selves. Fu sion Group and Miss Rajasthan organisers Yo gesh Mishra and Nimisha Mishra said that this was the first time in Rajasthan that such a large number of girls came to audition to be a part of a beauty contest, girls from all the big and small cities of Rajasthan par ticipated.

Organiser Yogesh Mishra told that like eve ry year promotional events will be organised all over Rajasthan. The main objective of the program is to give a new flight to women’s dreams

and after 7 days of grooming training, the grand finale is

DURING THE DAY!

Circle Of Moms celebrated Mother’s day Coffee Klatch among their club members & their kids at Lantern Cafe & Bistro on Sunday. Everyone saluted their Mother’s and share special bonding by spending quality together. To strength the love & bond and to clean aura between mom kid, the workshop (mom & kids aura connection) was organised by celebrity astrologer Megha Sharma VP of ICOM. Directors of ICOM , Anshu sharma & Neha sharma informed that 100 mothers & kids celebrated this special day learning more values of their mothers in life .

organised. After the finale, women bring laurels to Rajasthan by going to national and inter-

national level. The winners of Miss Rajasthan are making their name famous across the coun-

Musical Evening Maa Ke Naam

CITY FIRST

On the occasion of Mother’s Day, a unique program

try and also mak ing India famous on the internation al platform.

Raj Bansal, Go vind Pareek, HC Ganesha, Jyoti Khandelwal, Mishri Devi, Mukesh Mishra, Rahul Mittal and Ajay Singh Meena were present as guests in the pro gram while Nimisha Mishra, Simran Sharma, Tanushree Rai, Priyan Sain, Mansi Rathor, Sanjana Sharma, Bhavna Vaishnav, Kum kum Choudhary, Bhavika Soni, Swara Choudhary, Asha, Suhani Khunteta, Gaurvanvi Sharma, Cheshta Mathuria, An shika and Sapna Singh were present in jury.

“Musical Evening Maa Ke Naam” was organised by Pratham Kadam Foundation at Rangayan Auditorium of JKK. In this program of the second season of Super Mom, where on one hand singers presented film songs dedicated to mother and motherhood, and praised the glory of mother, on the other hand, more than 100 mothers were felicitated for their contribution to the interest of the society. The special attraction of the program was 101-year-old Tija Devi, who was honoured by the guests by presenting with a turban and a citation and a gift hamper.

Founder Director

of Pratham Kadam Foundation Dr Piyush Shah and Kavita Panjwani said that the chief guest of the function was KTC Group Chairman and philanthropist Raj Khan, while Junior Delhi School Chairman Vishwa Deepak Gupta, Principal Directors Reema Shah and Anshu Sharma, IDFC Bank From Neha Gothwal, Managing Director of JK Spices Group Vikas Jain, RAS Pankaj Ojha from Rajasthan Civil Services Appeal Tribunal, social worker Madhusudan Dadhich and Chairman of Rawat Education Group B. S. Rawat were present as special guests.

Other invited guests of the event included Dr Alka Gaur from Hotel Souvenir Peppermint, Poonam Soni, Sunil Natani, Ajay Parivar, Dr Snehlata and Dr Rajesh Bhardwaj among others.

On the occasion of Mother’s Day, a state-level celebration was organised under the joint aegis of the recently formed Alumni Federation of the University of Rajasthan and Eternal Heart Hospital, a leading medical facility on Sunday. The program was coordinated by Alka Choudhary, Dr Pratibha Sharma, Basant Jain, Alok Gupta, Anil Goyal and Nitin Sharda Bhageria of the Uniraj Alumni Federation. In the program, Dr Richa Mittal and Dr Nishu Gaur of the hospital advised on food and kidney-related diseases in the mothers. Chief guest Rajsico Chairman Rajiv Arora while talking about organ donation gave a detailed description of the health policies of the Rajasthan Government and the policies of the state government related to organ donation and health. Rajiv Arora who is also the Founder Chairman of Uniraj Alumni Federation also signed an MoU with Eternal Hospital in the presence of other founder members Alok Gupta and Nitin Sharda Bhageria, in which all the members of Uniraj Federation were given a special discount from the hospital.

HAPPY B’DAY!

The birthday of IPS Satyendra Kumar was on Sunday, May 14. We wish him all the best!

A function was organised under the chairmanship of Satish Lashkari, Chairman of Round Table India, Jaipur Jewel City Round Table 191, whose chief guest was Avnish Kasliwal. In this function, 4 needy differetly abled people were provided with specially designed fully automatic 4 wheelchairs. This will bring a great change in their lifestyle. The estimated amount was 96400 per wheelchair. This ceremony was organised at Miss India MI Road.

In Time Tec, a global technology company, has been awarded the Future-Ready Organisation Award 2023-2024 by The Economic Times recently. The award recognizes In Time Tec’s outstanding entrepreneurship, business achievements, and contributions to the community. CEO Jeet Kumar expressed his pride in the company’s recognition and commitment to creating a better future and said, “I’m so proud of what In Time Tec is able to create and achieve on this planet. Living in the moment and creating the future is what we stand for as a company. Getting recognized by The Economic Times as a Future-Ready organization is the validation of what we say we do, and we do what we say!” The award was presented by ET HRWorld, a digital initiative by The Economic Times focused on HR in India.

Himanshi Sharma, a student of AN Public School, has again won the Chomu region in the Class XII examination results announced by CBSE. While Gargi Sharma got 91.20 and Anisha Yadav got 90.40 and Sandeep Raika got 90 percent marks. Director of the institution, Balveer Singh Chaudhary, Secretary, Dr Sumitra Chaudhary, Principal, Amrish Kumar, Coordinator, Dr Kanhaiya Lal Kumawat, welcomed the toppers in the school premises at the talent honor ceremony organised in the school. Director of the organization, Balveer Singh Chaudhary addressed the student parents. Principal Amrish Kumar motivated the students to study more strongly to face the challenges coming for their bright future for the success of the students.

FEELINGS THROUGH COLOURS!

Fatturam, a resident of Sangaria Municipality of Hanumangarh district, had started the work of his house under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, but the work stopped due to lack of money.

Household items were lying outside in the open. Showing sensitivity, Municipality EO Sohanlal got the money deposited in his account so that the work of the house could start.

CONGRATULATIONS!

City First extends its warmest congratulations to the students who have secured excellent marks in the CBSE 10th & 12th Board Examinations this year. The students have worked tirelessly to achieve their goals, and their hard work and dedication have paid off.

On the occasion of Mother’s Day, a drawing competition was organized on Mother’s Day at Ananda Society, Sanganer.

In this, children up to the age of 13 participated in drawing competition remembering their mothers. Around 100 children participated in the event. Prizes were also given to the winning children. It was an emotional occasion for the mothers present on the occasion when their children were putting their feelings towards their mother on paper through colors.

Yogesh Mishra and Nimisha Mishra

(L-R) Sapna Singh, Sanjana, Tarushee Rai, Simran Sharma, Mansi Rathore, Bhawana Vaishnav and Priyan Sain with others during the rampwalk

Vaishnavi Sharma

Tija Devi being feliciated by Kavita Panjwani, Raj Khan, Durga Devi, Piyush Shah and Nathu Duduwa

—PHOTO BY SUNIL SHARMA

Rajiv Arora with others during the celebration

Itika Gurjar, 12th Atul Gurjar, 10th Saanvi Gupta, 10th

(L-R) Khushi Pridhnani, Kiran Kanwar and Sheetal Bhati