First India-Mumbai Edition-16th December 2022

PUBLIC SERVANTS’ CONVICTION ON CIRCUMSTANTIAL EVIDENCE

“CHINESE GLASSES” COVERING

“RED EYE” OF MODI GOVT: KHARGE

New Delhi: Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge on Thursday took a dig at the Union government for trying to dodge a discussion in Parliament over the India-China Tawang clash of December 9.

Using terms like “lal aankh” and “Chinese glasses”, Kharge’s tweet in Hindi could roughly be interpreted as “the once glaring eyes of the Modi government have been covered with Chinese glasses”. Kharge also questioned whether permission was needed to speak against China in Sansad Bhawan. Opposition leaders raised the issue to hold a detailed discussion on the clash when the House assembled on Wednesday and Deputy Chairman Harivansh allowed ‘Zero Hour’. But when Chair disallowed a discussion on the issue, the 17 parties staged the walkout.

DNA from bones matches with Shraddha Walkar’s father

PM pays tribute to ‘Iron Man’ on death anniversary

New Delhi: PM Narendra Modi on Thursday paid homage to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel on his 72nd death anniversary and recalled everlasting contribution of the ‘Iron Man’ to India. The Prime Minister said, “I pay homage to Sardar Patel on his Punya Tithi and recall his everlasting contribution to India, especially in uniting our nation and giving impetus to all-round development.” Patel was born on October 31, 1875 in

PM TO START TRIPURA POLL CAMPAIGN

New Delhi: On December 18, PM Modi will kickstart 2023 Tripura Assembly elections campaign in the state and also hold a BJP core committee meeting. He will also address a public gathering in Agartala and inaugurate some projects.

Nadiad, Gujarat and rose to become one of the most influential leader.

New Delhi: The DNA samples extracted from some bones recovered from the forests of Mehrauli and Gurugram have matched with Shraddha Walkar’s father, sources said on Thursday. Senior officers believe that the findings will be crucial to the investigation. Sources reveal that the bones were from limbs and other parts with assault marks from a sharp weapon.

CHINESE TROOPS RESORTING TO HOOLIGANISM

New Delhi: Former Army General MM Naravane hit out at the Chinese Army for descending to the level of “prehistoric times” by using “clubs and barbed wires” in the scuffle and said that the Indian Army in warfare would rather open fire than resort to such ridiculous tactics. He said that based on assessments, the Indian Army felt that threat from India’s northern borders is increasing.

BEIJING GAINED LOT OVER TIME: GEN NARAVANE

New Delhi: General Naravane said that China’s attempts to change status quo on LAC by resorting to “salami slicing” tactics led to a “more assertive” response from Indian Army. He said that the Chinese army has been

DELHI HC RESERVES ORDER ON UDDHAV’S PLEA

PARLIAMENT SESSION Oppn walks out hearing Puri’s claims on VAT

New Delhi: Dissatisfied with the reply of Petroleum Minister Hardeep Puri on the increased prices of petrol and diesel in the country, opposition parties staged a walkout from the Lok Sabha on Thursday. Responding to a question during the Question Hour on Thursday, Union Petroleum Minister said, “While the average price of Indian basket of Crude oil increased between November 2020 and November 2022, the retail prices of Petrol and Diesel have increased in India by only 18.95 % and 26.5 % during this period.” “To insulate the Indian consumers from the impact of high interna-

BIHAR HOOCH DEATHS: BJP MPs PROTEST

Several BJP MPs from Bihar in Lok Sabha on Thursday sought strict action against those responsible for sale of illicit liquor in the state, while blaming the state government for deaths of more than 20 persons. Raising the issue during Zero Hour in Lok Sabha, BJP MP from Paschim Champaran Sanjay Jaiswal alleged that fake liquor is being distributed in Bihar through the local administration, which has led to deaths. P5

RS ADJOURNED TWICE AMID UPROAR

R S was adjourned twice for 15 minutes on Thursday following an uproar by the opposition members after being denied notices. Seven Opposition members had given notices to the chairman on various issues, but were not allowed. In reaction, the opposition members indulged in sloganeering and the House was adjourned twice, first from 11.12 a.m. for 15 minutes and second time from 11.35 a.m. to 11.50 a.m.

‘Jo piyega woh marega’: Nitish as hooch toll rises

INDIA CARRIES OUT SUCCESSFULLY NIGHT TRIALS OF AGNI-5 WHICH CAN REACH BEIJING!

After Bihar’s hooch toll climbed, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Thursday warned that if people drink spurious liquor, they may well die, as the prohibition policy of his government came under attack from various quarters. “Jo piyega woh marega” (those who drink spurious alcohol will die), thundered Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar who stood his ground maintaining that prohibition was “not my personal wish but a response to the cries of the women of the state”.

States ruled by the saffron party had the worst track records in terms of spurious liquor deaths. Madhya Pradesh and Karnataka stood at the top in terms of the number of hooch deaths while even Gujarat, a dry state, fared much worse than Bihar which is under the spotlight over the Saran hooch tragedy that has killed over 20 people

PRESIDENT’S RULE SHOULD BE IMPOSED IN BIHAR, SAYS BJP MP SUSHIL KUMAR SINGH

BJP MP Sushil Kumar Singh said that there is anarchy in Bihar. “Liquor and sand mafia are dominant and there is nothing left in the name of law and order, so the government of the Grand Alliance should be dismissed and President’s rule should be imposed in Bihar,” Singh said.

MEETING IN DELHI ACHIEVED NOTHING, FAVOURED KARNATAKA, CLAIMS UDDHAV

First India Bureau

Mumbai: Shiv Sena president Uddhav Thackeray on Thursday said that nothing came out of Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s meeting with the CMs of Maharash tra and Kar nataka over the border dis pute.

Speaking at a press confer -

ence after a meeting with his Maha Vikas Aghadi allies Congress and NCP, he also said it was difficult to believe that some tweets from the verified handle of Karnataka Chief Minister Basa

day’s meeting? It was rubbing of salt into our wounds. As always, the deliberations favoured Karnataka,” Thackeray said.

BORDER ROW

sue were not actually posted by

“What was achieved by yester -

The former chief minister demanded to know why Karnataka holds legislature sessions in Belagavi (the north Karnataka city which is the main bone of contention between the two states) and accorded it the status of second capital when the border

dispute was before the Supreme Court.

‘’Belagavi, Karwar, Nipani and other surrounding areas (of northern Karnataka) want to join Maharashtra. Why are there no answers to this demand,” he asked.

He also sought to know why Karnataka chief minister waited till Wednesday’s meeting in Delhi to clarify that some `fake’ Twitter handles were posting tweets in his name that fuelled tensions.

Mumbai Police’s EOW closes INS Vikrant fund case against Kirit Somaiya, his son

Mumbai: As reported by First India in its edition dated December 14; on Thursday, the Mumbai Police’s Economic Offences Wing (EOW) has closed a case of cheating and criminal breach of trust registered against BJP leader Kirit Somaiya and his son Neil for alleged diversion of funds collected under their ‘Save INS Vikrant’

campaign, an official said on Thursday.

The EOW officials, who probed the case, submitted a closure report before a local court on Wednesday, he said.

“In the investigation, the police did not find any criminality in the

case against Somaiya and his son, following which the C-Summary (closure) report was filed,” he said.

Bhubaneswar: Amid simmering tensions with China following the clashes between the two countries in Tawang sector of

NIRAV

New Delhi: SC’s Constitution bench on Thursday held that direct evidence of demand for bribe by public servants is not necessary to convict them under the (PC) Act and it can also be proved through circumstantial evidence.

New Delhi: Diamond merchant Nirav Modi suffered another setback in his legal battle against his extradition to India. The High Court in London denied Nirav Modi permission to appeal against his extradition order in the UK Supreme Court.

New Delhi: Delhi HC on Thursday reserved orders in Uddhav Thackeray’s appeal against an order of HC dismissing his plea challenging the Election Commission of India’s decision to freeze claim over the “Shiv Sena” party name and symbol.

To insulate the Indian consumers from the impact, Government reduced the Central Excise duty twice

‘WHY GOVT WAS NOT SHOWING ‘LAAL ANKH?’ CONGRESS SEEKS WHITE PAPER ON CHINA

New Delhi: The Congress on Thursday demanded a white paper on China, including the recent transgressions, and taunted the Central government by saying “why it was not showing ‘laal ankh’ (angry eyes) to the neighbouring country”. Leader of the Congress party in the Lok Sabha, Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury raised the matter during Zero Hour. Trinamool Congress leader Sudip Bandyopadhyay also sought a discussion on the China issue. Chowdhury was alluding to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s 2014 remark, when he had talked about showing “laal ankh” to the Chinese over repeated transgressions at the Line of Actual Control (LAC) and had also spoken about the might of a “56-inch chest”.

Congress MP Mallikarjun Kharge speaks in the Rajya Sabha during the ongoing Winter Session of Parliament, in New Delhi. —PHOTO BY PTI

W ith the landing of the 36th and the final fighter jet, the Indian Air Force (IAF) on Thursday received the delivery of all the aircraft for which it had entered into a Rs 58,000-crore deal with France’s Dassault Aviation in 2016. “The pack is complete. The last of the 36 IAF Rafales landed in India after a quick enroute sip from a UAE Air Force tanker,” the IAF said in an official statement.

THE PACK IS COMPLETE, SAYS IAF AS LAST OF 36 RAFALE JETS LAND IN INDIA

—Tejashwi Yadav, Deputy CM Bihar

Mallikarjun Kharge @kharge

It seems that the “red eye” of the Modi government is covered with Chinese glasses. Is it not allowed to speak against China in the Indian Parliament?

‘Find mastermind behind ‘fake’ tweets’

NCP leader also urged govt to engage services of advocate Harish Salve in border row case

Mumbai (PTI): Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Ajit Pawar on Thursday demanded that the Union government find out the “mastermind” behind the ‘fake’ Twitter accounts which allegedly fuelled tensions over the boundary dispute between Maharashtra and Karnataka.

He was responding to Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde’s claim that tweets in the name of Karnataka Chief Minister claiming some areas of Maharashtra were not actually posted by Basavaraj Bommai.

On Wednesday, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, who met the chief ministers of both the states, had said that fake tweets in the name

of top leaders also escalated the issue.

Talking to reporters in Mumbai, Pawar, who

Supreme Court, and if Karnataka CM Bommai had not made unwarranted comments, tensions would not have risen.

“This led to residents of border villages in Maharashtra talking about joining Karnataka due to lack of development,” he said.

“The mastermind behind the fake Twitter accounts, whose tweets hurt the sentiments and sparked protests, should be found out,” Pawar added.

The NCP leader also demanded that senior lawyer Harish Salve be engaged to represent Maharashtra in the case before the Supreme Court.

states to set up a sixmember joint ministerial panel to deal with the dispute and not make any claims till the SC pronounces its verdict.

The border row between Maharashtra and Karnataka recently heated up with incidents of violence being reported from border areas of both states.

BATTLE ON

‘Shivaji batted for Indian democracy’

First India Bureau

Satara: Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Udayanraje Bhosale on Thursday said people have forgotten the contribution of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj to the democratic India we see today.

Mumbai: Actor Veena Kapoor (73) has filed a non-cognizable case for defamation saying her photograph was used in a news report in place of that of a senior citizen who was murdered allegedly by her son in Mumbai’s Juhu area, a police official said on Thursday.

is the Leader of Opposition in Maharashtra Assembly, said the border dispute is before the

On Wednesday, UHM Shah had asked chief ministers of the two

The dispute dates back to 1957 after the reorganization of states on linguistic lines. Maharashtra laid claim to Belagavi, which was part of the erstwhile Bombay Presidency, as it has a sizeable Marathi-speaking population. It also staked claim to 814 Marathispeaking villages which are currently part of Karnataka.

Aurangabad bizmen wish for ease of doing business at ‘Friends of BJP’ meet

First India Bureau

Aurangabad: Businesspersons in Aurangabad asked the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to take more efforts to increase the ease of doing business. They were speaking at a function organized by the BJP in which state BJP unit chief, Chandrashekhar Bawankule, was the main speaker.

Mumbai: Senior journalist TJS George (94) has been selected for Mumbai Press Club’s National RedInk Award for lifetime achievement for his distinguished career as an editor and columnist. George was the editor of the Patna-headquartered newspaper “The Searchlight” in the 1960s.

NMMC CONDUCTS

“Installation tax being levied by the local body must be discontinued. A ministry must be made for merchants,” said Adeshpalsingh Chabda, head of Marathwada Vyapari Mahasangh. There should be law to prevent public money

being used for subsidies, said Mansingh Pawar, a local businessman.

Pramod Khairnar, state President of Confederation of Real Estate Developers Association of India (CREDAI) sought a “single window mechanism” for the construction sector.

Bawankule said issues raised by the busi-

ness community would be conveyed to the relevant authorities for action. The meeting was organized by the ‘Friends of BJP’, a platform for those people who cannot make it to the party’s functions due to their busy schedules, Bawankule said.

When a speaker expressing disappoint-

Will ensure farmers get `1K crop insurance: Abdul Sattar

ment at Devendra Fadnavis being made deputy chief minister and not CM, state minister Atuk Save said it was a “political compromise” to ensure the MVA dispensation was dislodged.

“If we would have thought about it, the MVA government would have continued,” Save said.

During a media interaction in Satara, Bhosale said, “Life has become hectic and these days thoughts of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj are being forgotten. This is happening despite the fact that it was Shivaji who had given the idea of equality of all religions back then (17th century).”

“Democracy came into existence after monarchy. Islamic countries still have monarchy. If Shivaji

Maharaj had decided to keep monarchy in existence here then, India would not be a democracy,” he said. But Shivaji Maharaj was of the opinion that people should participate in governance of a nation. And so, he introduced the concept of democracy to the people. Had dynastic rule came into existence, only people from a certain family could have ruled in India, he added.

BKS to hold ‘Kisan Garjana’ protest march over farmers’ issues in Delhi

First India Bureau

Nagpur: Bharatiya Kisan Sangh (BKS), an affiliate of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) on Thursday said it will hold a national level ‘Kisan Garjana’ protest march in Delhi on December 19. The farmers’ organization will seek various relief measures for cultivators to improve their condition.

BKS’s executive committee member Nana Aakhre said in a release that farmers, who provide food grains, vegetables, fruits, milk, etc, are “very disappointed” today due to lack of returns to their farm produce, and are commit-

ting suicide due to it.

“In order to address the woes of the farmers, the BKS demands profitable prices on all farm produce. Also, Goods and Services Tax (GST) should not be levied on the farm produce and the financial relief pro-

vided under the Kisan Samman Nidhi should be increased,” it said. Aakhre said that lakhs of farm workers from across the country will participate in the ‘Kisan Garajna’ rally in the national capital on Monday.

‘Civic polls must be held immediately’

First India Bureau

IN CITY COMMITTEE TO TACKLE MANJARA RIVER POLLUTION

Navi Mumbai: The Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC) has started an anti-plastic campaign and is taking action against the use of banned plastic in the city. The campaign is also a part of the preparations for the “Swachh Survekshan 2023”(cleanliness survey 2023).

Mumbai (PTI): Farmers eligible for crop insurance will get at least Rs1,000 against their claims, said state Agriculture Minister Abdul Sattar on Thursday.

He told reporters 50 lakh applications have been received for crop insurance and are being scrutinized.

exist much earlier but was getting frequent in recent years.

Aurangabad: A committee of government officials and experts has been formed in Latur to investigate the causes of pollution in the Manjara river and suggest remedies. The district administration will undertake a ‘Know Your River’ campaign from January 08.

“We will ensure each eligible farmer gets at least Rs1,000 against his claim. The crop damage assessment has been completed and a sum of

Rs1,902 crore has been disbursed. The total amount to be disbursed is Rs2,313 crore,” he said.

When asked about crop loss due to postmonsoon showers, he said the problem did not

“The state government has proposed that a committee be set to address this issue. Earlier, such showers that damaged Rabi production were not frequent. We have disbursed Rs760 crore to farmers so far for crop loss due to this reason,” he said.

The committee’s scope and structure will be finalized after CM meet, he added.

Thane: Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray on Thursday said elections to various civic bodies in the state, including Thane, must be held immediately. While the terms of several municipal corporations and councils have ended, polls have not been held so far due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

He also opposed the multi-member panel system in civic polls but said the Bharatiya Ja-

nata Party and the Nationalist Congress Party were supporting it

CYRUS MISTRY DEATH CASE

for reasons best known to them.

Slamming the Thane

Municipal Corporation, he said several civic services were being given by builders, who are earning from them, instead of authorities. The city is being run by builders and not the civic body, he alleged.

Interestingly, the Thane civic body has been traditionally controlled by Shiv Sena and the party is currently split into two factions. The Shiv Sena section led by Uddhav Thackeray is the ally of NCP and Congress in Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA).

Multiple challans issued to Pandole for speeding since 2020

norms in the past.

Latur: A Bharatiya Janata Party worker died while campaigning for his wife for the sarpanch polls in Latur district. The deceased, Amar Nade, was the party’s district secretary. While addressing a gathering in Murud on Wednesday night, he felt ‘uneasy’ and was declared dead on arrival by doctors, an official said. Nade was cremated on Thursday and most parties halted their campaigning for the day.

Mumbai: According to cops, Dr Anahita Pandole, who was booked on the charge of rash driving that resulted in the death of industrialist Cyrus Mistry in September, was issued challans for over-speeding on several occasions since 2020.

Palghar police, who are investigating the Mistry car accident case,

have uncovered her history of traffic rules violation during their investigation.

Former Tata Sons Chairman Mistry (54) and his friend Jehangir Pandole were killed after the Mercedes-Benz car hit the railing of the Surya river bridge in Palghar district on September 04 this year. Dr Anahita, who was at the wheel, and her husband

Darius suffered serious injuries in the accident.

All of them were returning to Mumbai from Ahmedabad.

The police official said that during the probe, it was found that the car was involved in violation of various traffic-related

“There were at least seven instances in which Dr Anahita was found behind the wheel and overspeeding, which was captured on speed cameras,” said Palghar Superintendent of Police Balasaheb Patil.

These instances were from 2020 till the day of the accident in September 2022, he said, adding the e-challans against her will now be made part of the charge sheet, he said.

“Those challans were issued for over-speeding

involving the same car that was involved in the Palghar accident,” he said.

The car was registered in the name of JM Financials and was used by Anahita Pandole, the official said.

Patil said the Palghar police would submit the charge sheet in the case by the end of this week before the local court, he said.

“Police have not recorded Dr Anahita’s statement in connection with the accident so far,” he said.

First India Bureau

Dr Anahita Pandole was driving the car (wreckage in picture) at

MNS chief Raj Thackeray —FILE PHOTO

Agri Min Abdul Sattar —FILE PHOTO

Bharatiya Kisan Sangh members during a rally. —PHOTO BY ANI

Maha BJP chief Chandrashekhar Bawankule. —FILE PHOTO

Issues raised by the business community would be conveyed to the relevant authorities for action.

Chandrakant Bawankule, President, Bharatiya Janata Party Maharashtra unit

NCP’s Ajit Pawar addresses media persons in Mumbai.

—PHOTO BY BHUSHAN KOYANDE

1.3K VEHICLES ‘CHALLANED’

on Mumbai-Pune E-way, old highway

Action taken under special road safety drive ‘Suraksha’ launched on December 01 to curb accidents

First India Bureau

Mumbai: The flying squads of the Regional Transport Office (RTO) have issued challans or traffic violation notices to nearly 1,300 vehicles for various offences, including over-speeding and lane cutting, on the Mumbai-Pune Expressway this month so far.

The squads issued challans to 268 others for over-speeding, 448 vehicles for lane cutting, 218 vehicles for wrongside driving and 365 others for driving without wearing seat belts, said a release issued by the Maharashtra Motor Vehicles Department.

The action was taken as part of a special on-

going drive “Suraksha”. The department launched this initiative from December 01 onwards on both the highways--the MumbaiPune Expressway and the old highway connecting the two cities-with an aim to curb the rising road accidents and inculcate discipline among drivers.

Deputy Transport Commissioner (Road Safety Cell) Bharat Kalaskar said, “The penalty for without seat belt driv ing is Rs500, for wrong-side parking is Rs500. The charge for lane cutting

Condonation of delay in filing appeal: Pillai opposes Paes's plea

Mumbai (PTI) : Tennis player Leander Paes’s former live-in partner Rhea Pillai on Thursday opposed his plea for “condonation of delay” in filing an appeal against a magistrate’s court’s order in the domestic violence case. In February this year, the Bandra metropolitan magistrate’s court held that Paes, an Olympics bronze medal winner, had committed various acts of domestic violence against Pillai.

It also directed him to pay monthly maintenance amount of Rs1 lakh to Pillai, the mother of his daughter, along with monthly rent of Rs50,000 on the condition that she left his flat on Carter Road.

The former tennis player moved the sessions court in November seeking quashing of the magistrate’s order. He also prayed for condonation of delay in filing appeal as the magistrate’s court had passed the order on February 11, 2022. In her reply filed through advocate Sana Usman, Pil-

lai said the condonation of delay plea was “devoid of any substantial and genuine grounds”. The statutory period for filing appeal is 30 days under section 29 of the Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005, the reply said.

Paes had been travelling with his current girlfriend Kim Sharma to various holiday destinations and social events during the seven months when he failed to move the court, it alleged. It also claimed that Paes’s claim that he was busy taking care of his father was false. The sessions court will hear the matter further on January 12, 2023.

CRACKDOWN MODE

PANVEL TRAFFIC UNIT OFFERS FLOWERS TO SEATBELT RULE VIOLATORS

2 SIBLINGS HELD FOR ATTACK ON POLICE, RESISTING ARREST FOR DRUG POSSESSION

Thane: Two persons were arrested for allegedly attacking policemen in Bhiwandi of Thane district, said an official on Thursday. “The incident took place near Gamdevi temple in Sangampada on Wednesday afternoon. The siblings had knives with which they attacked two policemen while resisting arrest for alleged possession of codeine phosphate, a banned drug,” said a Nizampura police station official. They have been arrested under relevant Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act for possession of codeine phosphate and other Indian Penal Code provisions for attacking police and resisting arrest.

MAN POSING AS LAND OFFICIAL ARRESTED BY ACB

is Rs1,000 and the same for over-speeding is Rs2,000 in case of cars and Rs1,000 in case

of driving without seat belt, 95 cases of overspeeding and 47 cases of wrong-side parking

Railways’ BMC water bill crosses ` 500-crore mark, services still on

First India Bureau

Mumbai: The Central Railway (CR) and Western Railway (WR) owe the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) over Rs568 crore in the form of unpaid water bills spanning decades. The information was revealed in a response to an RTI query.

As per the corpora-

tion records, as of November 01 this year, the Central Railway has Rs2,59,93,79,418 dues while the Western Railway has Rs3,08,85,65,247 unpaid bills.

The railway officials, however, said that they are making regular payments and that old arrears have snowballed into the huge amount.

There is a BMC rule that allows the civic

body to disconnect water connections if the bill amount is not paid within the due date. However, the list shows that some bills are pending since 2002. This raises the question as to why BMC did not disconnect supply and take legal action to recover the outstanding amount.

Civic officials said they had disconnected

RTI response reveals that CR and WR have pending water bills spanning decades

and restored supply to a number of railway units, and added that it was a continuous ongoing process.

Thane: The state AntiCorruption Bureau (ACB) has arrested a man, who allegedly posed as a Land Department staffer and tried to dupe a plot seller in Raigad district. The 45-year-old accused got in touch with a man who sold his land in Dhotregaon, pretending to be a “land record officer” and wanted the plot to be measured.

“The accused demanded Rs3 lakh to measure the land and issue a certificate.

He was held on Wednesday while accepting Rs1 lakh,” said an official.

FOUR DIE OF ELECTROCUTION IN DAM BACKWATER

House divided among two states, 4 rooms in Maha, 4 rooms in Telangana; taxes paid to both

First India Bureau

Chandrapur: This may sound strange but it is true. The Pawar family whose house happens to stand along the border of Maharashtra and Telangana in the village of Maharajaguda in Simavarti Jivati tehsil of Chandrapur district, has been paying property tax to both states for years. Reason: Four rooms in the house come inside Telangana while four rooms in Maharashtra.

Pawar enjoys the beneficiary schemes of both

states and even own vehicles with registration numbers of Maharashtra and Telangana.

While the kitchen is in Telangana, the bedroom and hall are in Maharashtra. A total of 13 members of families of two brothers Uttam Pawar and Chandu Pawar have been living in this 10-room house for years.

In 1969, when the dispute on the border issue was finally fixed, the Pawar family’s land was divided into two states. The house was also divided. However, no problem has

been faced to date by the family as they pay property taxes in both states.

Speaking on the matter, Uttam Pawar said, “Our house is divided between Maharashtra and Telangana, but till today we have not had any problem with it, we pay property tax in both the states and take advantage of the schemes of both the states.”

Both states have laid their claims on 14 villages along the Maharashtra-Telangana border. Even though the Supreme Court has ruled

The house is divided between Telangana and Maharashtra.

—PHOTO BY ANI

that the villages belong to Maharashtra, Telangana continues to claim the villages as its part.

Among them, one of the 14 villages is Maharajaguda village, which is divided between the two states.

TWO STATES

Pune: Four persons got electrocuted and died while they were trying to place a water pump motor in the backwater of a dam in Pune, police said on Thursday. The incident occurred near Nigde village in Bhor tehsil, they said. “The four victims were trying to place a motor pump in the Gunjawani dam backwater. While doing so, they got electrocuted and drowned in the water. Their bodies are being fished out,” said an official from Rajgad police station.

COPS SEIZE BANNED GUTKHA WORTH ` 7.11 LAKH; TWO HELD FOR SMUGGLING

Thane: Police have arrested two persons for allegedly smuggling banned gutkha worth Rs7.11 lakh in Bhiwandi of Thane district, a police official said on Thursday. The police got a tip-off that two tempos would be smuggling gutkha, acting on which police arrested the suspects from Mankoli bridge. “The gutkha was packed in 38 big bags in the two vehicles. A case has been registered under Indian Penal Code provisions and other Acts,” said Senior Inspector Madan Ballal of Narpoli police station.

FIRE BREAKS OUT IN HIGH-RISE, 2 FIREMEN INJURED

Mumbai: A fire broke out in a flat on the 22nd floor of a 61-storey residential building in Currey Road area of central Mumbai on Thursday. In response, more than ten fire brigade vehicles were dispatched to the site. Two firefighters Ramdas Shivram Sanas (37) and Mahesh Ravindra Patil (26) sustained minor injuries while dousing the flames. They were rushed to KEM Hospital for treatment and were discharged later. “The fire that started in a flat of One Avighna Park building at around 10.45 am was doused after three hours. Two fire brigade personnel suffered minor injuries while extinguishing it,” officials said.

MAN HELD FOR SEXUALLY EXPLOITING GIRL

Mumbai: Mankhurd police have arrested a man for alleged sexual assault, forced unnatural intercourse and mental torture of a 22-yearold girl since 2018. The accused Abdul Hamid Khan (31) befriended the victim on social media in 2018 and promised to marry, after which he repeatedly raped her and also forced her into having unnatural intercourse with him. The victim got pregnant in 2019 and was forced into an abortion, police said.

Khan has been charged with rape, forcible unnatural intercourse, cheating, causing hurt by means of poison, assault and other relevant sections, said a senior cop.

BMC CHANGES NAME OF BYCULLA ZOO, ADDS WORD ‘BOTANICAL’ TO IT

Mumbai: The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has changed the name of ‘Veermata Jijabai Bhosale Udyan and Zoo’ located at Byculla in the city by adding the word ‘vanaspati’ or ‘botanical’ to it. Municipal Commissioner and administrator Iqbal Singh Chahal on December 12 passed a resolution to change the name of the 160-year-old zoo to ‘Veermata Jijabai Bhosale Vanaspati Udyan va Pranisangrahalaya’. The word ‘vanaspati’, which means botanical, has been inserted before ‘udyan’ or garden in the earlier name. The garden, which is spread over 5,200 sq m, houses more than 6,611 trees of over 291 species that comprises 80% of the city’s flora.

Patole slams Centre for rise in drug addicts, smuggling

First India Bureau

Mumbai: Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) President Nana Patole on Thursday criticized the Central government for the increase in number of drug addicts among youths across the country. He also blamed it for higher frequency of drug smuggling.

Talking to media, Patole said, “India is seen as a ‘young’ nation, with around 50% of the population falling in the age group of 16 to 40

years. This generation, which is considered the future of country, is becoming drug addicts.”

An affidavit submitted by the Central government to the Supreme Court states that 1.5 crore children in the age group of 10 to 17

years are addicted to drugs. This clearly shows how serious the situation is and it has worsened due to massive increase in smuggling since the Bharatiya Janata Party government came to power in the Centre, he asserted.

Talking about drug smuggling crackdowns, the Congress leader said, “The younger generation getting addicted to drugs is not good for the future of our country. Drug trafficking has increased significantly in the last few years.”

Navi Mumbai: In order to create awareness among motorists to use seatbelts while driving or co-driver in the front seats of a four-wheeler, the Panvel traffic unit of Navi Mumbai police offered flowers to those motorists who did not wear seatbelts. “While traveling in a four-wheeler, it is mandatory for the driver and the passenger on the front seat to wear seat belts. There is also a traffic rule in this regard. Both the traffic police as well as RTO can take penal action against drivers who do not wear seatbelts,” an official from the traffic unit said. Despite the traffic department collecting huge fines from violators, some drivers do not follow this rule. “Seatbelt is very helpful and beneficial from a safety point of view. If the seat belt is not worn, airbags do not work in the event of an accident in many vehicles. They come out only if the belt is being used,” said the official.

The penalty for without seat belt driving is Rs500, for wrong-side parking is Rs500. The charge for lane cutting is Rs1,000 and the same for over-speeding is Rs2,000 in case of cars and Rs1,000 in case of two-wheelers.

—Bharat Kalaskar, Deputy Transport Commissioner (Road Safety Cell)

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE CASE

VEIL OF SHAME?

Green curtains put up outside Jogeshwari slums along the Western Express Highway, as Mumbai city plays host to several G20 meetings on Thursday. India secured the G20 Summit’s presidency last month.

—PHOTO BY PTI

MISSION POK

(Bangladesh Victory Season 2.0)

tional disputes. PM Modi is on record to say-“This is not an Era of war.”

China being member of UNSC will take the lead to declare India as an aggressor. Large no of economic and diplomatic sanctions will be slapped on India. Presently, India is a fragile economy with large portion of war equipment and oil being exported. After Ukraine war and prolonged sanctions, Russia will be too weak to support India and veto such resolutions, against the wishes of China. Therefore, India will be throttled to stop war, by the West and China.

CHAOS IN PAKISTAN

REVIEWING DELHI AIRPORT INFRA TO END WOES OF PASSENGERS

India is progressing well as the fastest growing economy in the world and today we are a power to reckon. Any misadventure will derail the economic progress and take the country back by more than a decade or so. War is a costly hobby and the price of war in terms of economy & human lives will have to be clearly weighed by decision makers

India celebrates VIJAY DIWAS on 16 Dec to commemorate 51 years of Victory in Bangladesh. Last month, Hon’ble Raksha Mantri Rajnath Singh was on a day’s visit to the India-China border in Eastern Ladakh. This was his second visit during a span of a few weeks. He made a specific mention of the part of the State of Jammu and Kashmir under Pakistan’s illegal occupation and said that India will take back POK in accordance with a resolution passed unanimously in Parliament in 1994. Is India preparing for Bangladesh War Season 2? Let’s have a reality check.

POLITICAL WILL

India had gone to UN in 1948 with the Kashmir issue and thereafter in various forums, India has always reiterated that sanctity of ‘Line of Control (LC)’ should be maintained. Pakistan leaves no opportunity to keep the Kashmir issue alive in international forum. LC is now accepted as ipso facto border between India and Pakistan. Even during Kargil war the sanctity of LC was honoured

THE DISSIPATION OF GALWAN ANGER

by India. India had 4 golden chances that Pakistan presented in the form of four wars they lost, but we didn’t do it that time. However, the Hon’ble Raksha Mantri’s statement on POK manifests the changed political will of New Bharat.

India is progressing well as the fastest growing economy in the world and today we are a power to reckon. Any misadventure will derail the economic progress and take the country back by more than a decade or so. War is a costly hobby and the price of war in terms of economy and human lives will have to be clearly weighed by the decision makers, before we undertake such bold action.

MILITARY CAPABILITY

India Armed Forces are among the world’s largest defence forces with experience of four wars. However, to undertake an offensive of the magnitude of taking POK back will need a detailed thought. The following aspects merit considerationl India and Pakistan have formidable defence system along the ‘Line of Control (LC)’ in J&K. The pace of operations will therefore be slow in such obstacle ridden rugged terrain.

l Any initiative of India in the context could result in a two front war with China and Pakistan.

l China has heavily invested

How quickly economic interests take over national sentiments is best illustrated by India’s relations with China. In a burst of justifiable anger after the violent clashes in Galwan in 2020, there were calls to boycott Chinese goods. The boycott call, strongly backed by the Confederation of All-India Traders (CAIT), especially targeted decorative lights, idols of Lord Ganesh and goddess Lakshmi and firecrackers which register brisk sale during Diwali. The CAIT expected a business loss of about 75, 000 crore to China. The response was significant as Chinese goods disappeared during that year’s festive season.

The patriotic fervour of

in POK and won’t let it slip out. It will provide all help to Pakistan thereby keeping India embroiled in the conflict without any tangible gains.

l Even if China doesn’t open up the Eastern Borders of India actively take part with Pakistan, China will certainly deploy it’s forces on LAC with India and tie down a large amount of Indian forces, in the Eastern theatre of war.

l India has three strike corps, as offensive forces. One is poised for China Sector, the second for deserts of Western Sector and only one strike corps is left for offensive in J&k. Therefore, taking entire POK with one strike corps may not be feasible and committing more troops in POK will unbalance the entire western front.

l Support of local population is essential for such operations but it’s not likely in the case in POK.

INTERNATIONAL OPINION

India’s stand of principled neutrality during Russia’s aggression in Ukraine has also not been taken kindly by the west and the USA. The socalled free world has framed a negative impression of India. India has also made it clear in the Ukraine conflict that it does not favour war as a means to resolve interna-

Pakistan is in utter chaos today due to economic crisis and political turmoil. Nature has also not been kind and ravaging floods have also added to its woos. Hardliners and extremist organizations are calling the shots over weakened Govt and non assertive Pak Army. Pakistan society today is almost on the brink of a civil war. Further rise in tempers will lead to more violence and civil unrest.

The POK region has also been linguistically and culturally marginalized by Pakistan rulers, for nearly 75 years. People of POK are being deprived of all basic rights by Pakistan and it remains an underdeveloped territory. China is making inroads into this territory to fulfill its ambitions. POK is presently at the crossroads of Conflicting Interests of India, China and Pakistan.

CONCLUSION

Crystal gazing into future indicates that there is considerable anti-China feeling spreading in Pakistan. USA is already alienated with Pak. India is making new friends in the Arab world and Pakistan has been snubbed many a times. It is possible that Pakistan may be isolated from its closest allies - USA, China and the Arab world. In the time-frame that this change comes about, India would be militarily powerful to take back POK by force, economically strong to withstand sanctions that will accrue and politically strong to justify the actions in the international forum. Once that is done, taking POK will be a cakewalk. It’s a ‘feel good’ factor whose time has not yet come but we can keep the pot boiling.

Stronger national sentiments are needed for the decoupling with China by replacing Chinese products with those made in India. Cost is one factor which makes Indian products uncompetitive in comparison to those from China

2020 didn’t last long. Chinese fancy lights were back to swarm Indian markets. Despite the after-effects of pandemic and inflation, demand was at its peak. China is understood to have exported $710 million worth of LED light related products, about

135% more than the corresponding period in 2020. Stronger national sentiments are needed for decoupling with China by replacing Chinese products with those made in India. Cost is one factor which makes Indian products uncompetitive in comparison to those from China. Besides import of fancy lights, China remains India’s 2nd biggest trading partner after US. While India exported $21.25 billion worth of goods to China in 2021-22, imports stood at $94.57 billion. These figures may wrongly be interpreted to suggest that China’s designs on India’s territorial integrity are being ignored. With Indian economy now on a brisk march, it will take some time to reduce the country’s dependence on Chinese products.

The frustration of being confined to their homes because of the travel restrictions due to the pandemic is being let out now with people rushing to catch the first flight to execute their travel plans. Lack of infrastructure is another reason for the overcrowding. So heavy is the footfall that Delhi international airport’s Terminal 3 has been witnessing chaotic scenes for the last few day. The seemingly unending breakdown of arrangements at the airport forced the Civil Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia to personally visit the airport to find out what the bottlenecks were. Other major airports also are witnessing scenes which some flyers compared with a ‘fish market’.

After the minister’s visit a slew of measures were announced. It was found that more counters of different airlines were needed and the process of security check at the entry point and baggage clearance needed to be expedited in view of long queues of travellers. The plans have not worked so far.

SPIRITUAL SPEAK

Work done with anxiety about results is far inferior to work done without such anxiety, in the calm of self-surrender. Seek refuge in the knowledge of Brahma. They who work selfishly for results are miserable.” BhagavadGita

MAHENG/2022/14652

Printed and published by Anita Hada Sangwan on behalf of First Express Publishers. Printed at Dangat Media Pvt Ltd, No.22, Dighe MIDC, Vishnu Nagar, TTC Industrial Area, Dighe, Navi Mumbai-400701. Published at Plot No. 3 Scheme C of Manglorean Garden Home, CHS Limited, Survey No. 5, 6C (Part) Ville Parle East, Mumbai 400057. Phone 022-46031417.

Editor-In-Chief: Dr Jagdeesh Chandra

Editor: Kartikey Dev Singh responsible for selection of news under the PRB Act

Piyush Goyal @PiyushGoyal

75 handwoven Saris commemorating 75 years of Independence.Be a part of this unique month-long celebration beginning tomorrow and show your support for our handloom weavers.

#MySariMyPride

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Accompanied the delegation of MPs from @BJP4Odisha to seek the personal intervention of Shri @mansukhmandviya for pursuing the Govt. of Odisha to implement #AyushmanBharat in the state for the larger benefit of 4.5 core people in Odisha.

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THE VIEWS EXPRESSED BY THE AUTHOR ARE PERSONAL

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The writer is a scholar soldier accredited with MA, MSc, LLB, MBA, M Phil (Def Mgt) and M Phil (International Strategic Affairs)

BIHAR HOOCH TRAGEDY DEATH TOLL SOARS TO 39

the

Saran (ANI): The death toll in the Chhapra hooch tragedy, due to the consumption of spurious liquor, in Bihar’s Saran district has soared to 39.

In the wake of the Hooch tragedy in Chhapra, the Station House Officer (SHO) Ritesh Mishra and Constable Vikesh Tiwari were suspended with immediate effect on the recommendation of Marhaura Sub-Divisional Police Officer, Yogendra Kumar. Bihar excise Minister Sunil Kumar on Wednesday had “confirmed” six people have died after allegedly consuming spurious liquor in the Chhapra area of state's Saran district. The minister vowed that govt would take “strict action” against culprits responsible for deaths.

“Process of filling an FIR is underway. I have spoken over the phone with SP. He confirmed the death of six people so far,” Sunil Kumar had said after being asked about police taking any action in this case.

Earlier on Wednesday, Bihar Minister SK Mahaseth urged the people of state to give up drinking alcohol. “Best if you give up drinking. Poi-

‘JO PIYEGA WOH MAREGA’, SAYS NITISH AFTER HOOCH TOLL RISES

CRORES DRINK,

SIT formed to probe case; whip cracked on errant officials

Chhapra/Patna (PTI): A special investigation team (SIT) has been set up to crack the hooch case in Saran district of Bihar, where 26 people have died and at least 12 others have taken ill since Tuesday night.

During a press conference in Chhapra, the district headquarters, Saran DM Rajesh Meena on Thursday said that action has been taken against officials concerned.

“We have also conducted intensive raids across the district in the last 48 hours and nabbed 126 hooch traders. More than 4,000 litres of illicit liquor have also been seized,” he said.

BJP’S BIHAR ALLY DEMANDS ENDING PROHIBITION, SLAMS NITISH KUMAR

New

TAKE ACTION AGAINST

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar who stood his ground maintaining that prohibition was “not my personal wish but a response to the cries of the women of the state”.

son and not liquor are coming here. If we build strength via sports, we

might tolerate it but people will have to build that strength. Give it up!

100 DAYS OF BHARAT JODO YATRA

Rahul Gandhi, leaders walk on road to Congress revival

Jaipur (PTI): As the ‘Bharat Jodo Yatra’ enters its 100th day Friday, Congress watchers feel it has found some answers the party had been looking for on the road to 2024 but questions remain whether it will yield electoral dividends going forward.

The Kanyakumari to Kashmir foot march has also courted many controversies in the last three months and led to several fiery exchanges between the Congress and the BJP including on Rahul Gandhi’s evergrowing grey beard and his Burberry T-shirt.

With over 2,800 km under his belt, Gandhi has managed to catch the attention of his supporters as well as detractors and seen quite a few celebrities including from the tinsel town and academia walking alongside him from time to time.However, some political pundits feel the party should have had more tangible political objectives for the yatra and questioned the party for skipping poll-bound states of Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh.

Amid questions over

AICC TO MEET WITH SENIOR LEADERS; CMs OF CONG-RULED STATES

In-charges, PCC Presidents and CLP Leaders is scheduled to be held on December 23, 2022, at AICC Office at 1430 hrs.” “The party will discuss “Hath se Hath Jodo Program and other Organizational issues,” the statement read.

the yatra translating into any electoral dividend, two recently- concluded assembly elections turned out to be a mixed bag for the Congress as it was drubbed in Gujarat to its lowestever tally while won in Himachal.

A clearer picture of the impact on the party’s electoral fortunes would emerge in the assembly polls next year, including in Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan, which were covered well by the Yatra.

It’s prohibited & being wrongly pushed here,” said Mahaseth.

Gujarat Assembly to elect Speaker on Monday

Gandhinagar: The Gujarat govt will hold Assembly session on Monday to elect the new Speaker and Deputy Speaker. Protem speaker Yogesh Patel will chair the proceedings, till the Speaker and Deputy Speaker are elected. The BJP has nominated Tharad MLA Shankar Chaudhary and Shehra MLA Jethabhai Bharwad as Speaker and Deputy Speaker respectively.

Superintendent of Police Santosh Kumar, who was also present at the press conference, declined to divulge whether the arrested persons included those directly involved in the latest hooch case, saying that “the matter is still under investigation and disclosing much at this stage could hamper the probe”.

policy has been a failure

a large number of people

liquor. The

that

New Delhi: BJP Lok Sabha MPs on Thursday termed the deaths in Bihar due to the hooch tragedy as “mass murder” and urged the Centre to take immediate action against the government under Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, holding it responsible for the incident. Raising the issue during Zero Hour, BJP’s Paschim Champaran MP Sanjay Jaiswal claimed that spurious liquor sale has been flourishing in Bihar under the protection of police officers despite a prohibition in place.

BJP-RULED STATES HAVE ACCOUNTED FOR MOST HOOCH DEATHS: TEJASHWI YADAV

“I

BJP chief JP Nadda takes jibe at BRS, says it will soon get VRS

Karimnagar (PTI): BJP chief JP Nadda on Thursday attacked the BRS government in Telangana for alleged corruption and said the time has come to bid goodbye to Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao, also addressed as KCR. Addressing a public meeting here to mark the conclusion of the fifth phase of the State-wide ‘padayatra’ by State BJP president

Will Rahul Gandhi take command in South and Priyanka in North?

Shamsher Singh

New Delhi: Rahul Gandhi started his Bharat Jodo Yatra from South India. It was not a spontaneous decision, but it was done after a lot of thought. Priyanka Gandhi Vadra also did not participate in the yatra anywhere in South India, but as soon as the yatra left the south, she joined the yatra in Madhya Pradesh with her husband and son, and traveled with her husband and daughter in Rajasthan. In future too, the states where Congress will go on

Sabha elections.

Rahul Gandhi will contest the Lok Sabha elections from the Wayanad seat in Kerala and will lead the party in South India, while Priyanka Gandhi Vadra will contest from the Rae Bareli seat and will lead the party in North India. However, this does not mean that Rahul will not campaign in the states of North India. He has emerged as the supreme leader

in the

COURTYARD

AGNIPATH SCHEME: HC RESERVES ORDER ON PLEAS

New Delhi: The Delhi High Court Thursday reserved its judgment on a batch of petitions challenging the Centre’s Agnipath scheme for recruitment in armed forces. Besides pleas directly challenging Agnipath, the high court also reserved its verdict on petitions concerning the recruitment processes for the armed forces.

GODHRA TRAIN BURNING ACCUSED

GETS BAIL FROM SC New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Thursday gave bail to a convict serving life imprisonment in the 2002 Godhra train coach burning case, noting that he has been in jail for 17 years. A bench took note of the submission of a lawyer of for one of the convicts, Faruk, that he be granted bail considering the period undergone till now.

COURT TELLS COPS

TO LODGE FIR AGAINST MP AJMAL Guwahati: A court in Kamrup Metropolitan district of Assam has ordered Guwahati Police to register an FIR against Lok Sabha MP Badruddin Ajmal for his alleged controversial remarks on women and Hindu men. The court asked the officer-in-charge of Hatigaon Police Station in Guwahati to register the FIR.

Bharat Jodo Yatra, she can join there. She campaigned fiercely in the hill state of Himachal Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh and also got the party to victory in

the Himachal elections. So, it looks like the Congress is going to divide the responsibility between Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra in the next Lok

of the party from the Bharat Jodo Yatra and the party will make full use of his new image in the campaign.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi with his sister and party General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra during Bharat Jodo Yatra.

Rahul Gandhi with athletes from Rajasthan during the party’s Bharat Jodo Yatra, in Dausa district on Thursday. —PHOTO BY PTI

INVITED

New Delhi: All India Congress Committee decided to hold a meeting, scheduled on December 23, with senior party leaders, including Chief Ministers of Congress-ruled states under the rubric of ‘Haath Se Haath Jodo Abhiyan’, party’s general secretary KC Venugopal said on Thursday. In a letter to party leaders, the party’s general secretary and MP Venugopal said, “Dear Friend, A meeting of AICC General Secretaries/

and MP Bandi Sanjay Kumar, Nadda said the TRS which has recently

been renamed as BRS would soon get VRS (voluntary retirement).

JP Nadda, senior leader BS Yediyurappa, Karnataka CM Bommai and State BJP chief Nalin Kumar Kateel, in Koppal, on Thursday.

In

wake of tragedy, SHO Ritesh Mishra and Constable Vikesh Tiwari were suspended in Chhapra with immediate effect

There is prohibition in Bihar as sale and consumption of alcohol were banned in Bihar by the Nitish Kumar government since April 2016

BJP MLAs holding placards shout slogans as they stage a protest over the Chhapra hooch tragedy during the ongoing Winter Session of Bihar Assembly, in Patna on Thursday. —PHOTO BY ANI

Patna: After Bihar’s hooch toll climbed, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Thursday warned that if people drink spurious liquor, they may well die, as the prohibition policy of his government came under attack from various quarters. Political strategist turned activist Prashant Kishor described the state's prohibition law as a farce and demanded scrapping of the prohibition law. "Jo piyega woh marega" (those who drink spurious alcohol will die), thundered

Delhi: BJP ally Rashtriya Lok Janshakti Party, headed by Union Minister Pashupati Kumar Paras, on Thursday demanded ending prohibition in Bihar, claiming that the

with

dying due to supply of spurious

party alleged

over 40 people have died in the hooch tragedy in Saran and said a delegation of its MPs led by Paras will meet Bihar Governor Phagu Chauhan over the incidents of deaths in the state due to consumption of spurious liquor and also the “deteriorating” law-and-order situation. Rashtriya Lok Janshakti Party spokesperson Shravan Kumar Agrawal said party members, including its four MPs from the state, will organise a protest in Patna on December 17 over the tragedy in Saran. “Prohibition should be ended,” he said.

SHOULD THEY DIE: SUSHIL MODI SLAMS BIHAR CM NITISH

New Delhi: Crores of people drink liquor in the country, should all of them die, senior BJP leader and Rajya Sabha MP Sushil Kumar Modi asked on Thursday, slamming Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar for his “jo piyega, woh marega” jibe as political heat rises in the state amid mounting toll in a hooch tragedy.

BIHAR GOVT: BJP LOK SABHA MPs TO CENTRE

(Top) Family members and relatives of people, who died after allegedly consuming spurious liquor, mourn near their mortal remains, at Ishuapur police station area in Bihar’s Saran district. (Left) A victim of Saran hooch tragedy being treated in Patna Medical College and Hospital in Patna on Thursday.

—PHOTOS BY PTI

Patna: Bihar Deputy CM Tejashwi Yadav on Thursday launched a counterattack on the BJP, claiming that states ruled by the saffron party had the worst track records in terms of spurious liquor deaths. The RJD leader gave a statement before the media, outside the Assem bly which is in session, claiming that Madhya Pradesh and Karnataka stood at the top in terms of the number of hooch deaths while even Gujarat, a dry state, fared much worse than Bihar which is under the spotlight over the Saran hooch tragedy that has killed over 20 people.

am reading out from a statement given on the floor of Parlia ment by Union Minister of State for Home Nityanand Rai, who incidentally hails from Bihar, on July 19... BJP leaders here may do well to wear this on their chests,” he remarked.

WINTER SESSION OF PARLIAMENT

LOK SABHA PASSES (ST) ORDER (2ND AMENDMENT) BILL

New Delhi (Agencies):

The Lok Sabha on Thursday passed the Constitution (Scheduled Tribes) Order (Second Amendment) Bill, 2022. The Bill will amend the Constitution (Scheduled Tribes) Order, 1950, with respect to its application to Tamil Nadu. The Order lists the tribal communities deemed to be Scheduled Tribes in states and union territories.

The bill includes Narikoravan and Kurivikkaran communities in the list of Scheduled Tribes in Tamil Nadu.

Replying to the discussion on the Bill, Union Minister for Tribal Affairs Arjun Munda said that under the leadership of PM Modi many schemes have been initiated by government for benefit of tribals.

Expenditure on scholarship for tribals has been increased and government has allowed all applications which come for scholarship. Many other members including Malook Nagar of BSP, Saugata Ray of Trinamool congress participated.

Nuclear plants are ‘well protected’ from all intrusions: Govt

New Delhi (PTI): The government on Thursday asserted that nuclear plants in the country are ‘well protected’ from intrusions including from cyber attacks.

Minister of State (Independent Charge), Department of Atomic Energy, Jitendra Singh also said the government has entered into Inter-Government Agreements with the Russian Federation for setting up Kudankulam Nuclear Power Project.

READ

He was asked about the steps being taken by the government to prevent cyber attacks on nuclear plants. "Cer-

1 DEAD, 41 HURT AS TWO BUSES COLLIDE IN INDORE

Indore (PTI): A 25-yearold passenger died, while 41 others were injured, four of them seriously, in a collision between two private buses on the Indore-Khandwa road in MP on Thursday, police and health officials said.

Accident took place under Simrol police station limits in Indore district when two buses coming from opposite directions collided with each other, a police official said.

2 KILLED BY ELEPHANTS IN JHARKHAND

Jharkhand: Two villagers were trampled to death at different places by a wild elephant in Dumka district on Tuesday, a forest department official said.

Thirty-five-year-year-old Sibudhan Hansda was caught by the elephant and trampled to death in Fatehpur village under the jurisdiction of Maslia police station in the morning, Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) Abhirup Sinha said.

TEEN HELD FOR RAPING, ABDUCTING & KILLING 8-YR-OLD GIRL IN CHHATTISGARH

Raipur: A 14-year-old boy was arrested for allegedly raping and killing an eight-year-old girl in Raipur, a police officer said on Thursday. The boy lives in the same building where the minor girl was staying. Raipur SSP Prashant Agarwal said, “A missing complaint on the eight-year-old girl was received on December 7 evening. Acting on the complaint, the police registered a case and started searching for the girl.” “Five days later, the minor girl was found dead at a deserted place just behind the colony where she lived.”

tainly there was one such report last year following which we have put in place a mechanism whereby

1,400 more CISF personnel to be deployed at IGI

177 FOREIGN SATELLITES LAUNCHED BY ISRO

New Delhi (PTI): Opposition members in RS on Thursday said the government should take a holistic approach by coordinating across various ministries and bringing agencies together to tackle the effects of global warming. Tiruchi Siva of the DMK, Pramod Tiwari of the Congress and Sandosh Kumar P of the Communist Party of India (CPI) raised a "short duration" discussion in the Upper House of Parliament on the serious effects of global warming and the need for remedial steps to tackle those. Siva said global warming is threatening not just India but the entire planet and humanity.

LAST 7

MORE AIRPORTS CONSTRUCTED’

PLUS COMPLAINTS AGAINST STATES, UTs IN PAST 3 YRS’

New Delhi (PTI): An additional 1,400 CISF personnel have been sanctioned to secure expanding terminal areas of Delhi Airport and also to meet the challenge of its growing passenger traffic, officials said on Thursday.

among others.

Meeting was called to review measures taken to ease the recent congestion reported at large airports, particularly in Delhi, Mumbai and Bengaluru.

different levels of screening is done and monitoring is done.

"I can assure this House that the nuclear

plants are well protected from all kinds of intrusions including the cyber attacks," Singh said in Rajya Sabha.

New Delhi (FIB): There were 24 international airports in the country before 2014. During last seven years, 6 more airports have been constructed/ declared as international airports. During the last seven years, four Greenfield airports namely, Kannur in Kerala, Shirdi in Maharashtra, Kushinagar in Uttar Pradesh and Mopa in Goa have been constructed as international airports. In addition, two existing airports namely, Vijayawada and Tirupati in Andhra Pradesh were declared as international airports in the year 2017, said MoS (Civil Aviation) Gen VK Singh (Retd).

New Delhi (PTI): Over 60 lakh public grievances were received against various states and Union territories between 2020 and November this year, the Rajya Sabha was informed on Thursday. “About 60,15,388 complaints have been received on Centralized Public Grievance Redress and Monitoring System (CPGRAMS) during the last three years from 01.01.2020 to 30.11.2022,” Union Minister of State for Personnel Jitendra Singh said in a written reply, “CPGRAMS allows filing of public grievances against central & States govt Dept.”

NPCL forms dedicated roof-top solar PV cell to facilitate consumers

Noida: Noida Power Company Limited has granted net-metering connections of around 24 MW to various consumers under the Rooftop Solar PV Regulations of the Hon’ble U.P. Electricity Regulatory Commission (UPERC). Under the net-metering arrangement, consumers can inject surplus

generation of their solar plants into the grid, which can be utilised by them on needed.

NPCL formed a dedicated roof-top solar PV cell to facilitate residen-

tial and agricultural consumers' applications for net metering connections. Consumers may seek information on procedure for the installation of a net meter for their roof-top solar PV plants through e-mail (rooftopsolar@ noidapower.com). Consumers may aapproach NPCL’s Customer Care.

BECOMES STRICT ON MULTI-POINT CONNECTIONS

Noida Power Company

will now deal strictly with those builders and societies that are reluctant to convert single point connections into multipoint connections. The company has sent notices to 9 builders in Greater Noida and Greater Noida West, asking them to install multipoint connections at the earliest.

IAF carries out air exercise in N-E region

5 RAFALE PARTS MADE IN DRAL TO BE INTEGRATED

MAN

KILLS LIVEIN PARTNER IN TRIVANDRUM

Thiruvananthapuram

(Kerala) (ANI): Kerala Police on Thursday took into custody a man accused of killing his live-in partner in broad daylight in Kerala capital Thiruvananthapuram. Rajesh, the accused, allegedly attacked his partner Sindu with a machete, a sword-like weapon, on Thursday morning. The victim was rushed to the hospital but was declared brought dead.

MAULVI

BOOKED FOR RAPING MINOR IN DELHI

New Delhi: A cleric (Maulvi) has been booked for allegedly raping a 12-year-old minor in Sarai Rohilla area. The accused has been identified as Mohammad Isran. Going by a report, Muslim cleric sedated the minor and had unnatural sex several times. “A 12-year-old boy was raped by an Ulema of a Madrasa. The accused is absconding,” said DCP North Delhi, Sagar S Kalsi.

ISI-RUN DRUGS NEXUS BUSTED WITH ARREST OF JUVENILE GIRL FROM LOC

Jammu: Security forces have busted a Pak ISI-run narcotics trafficking racket with arrest of a school-going girl living along the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir, official sources said Thursday. Juvenile, a student of class ten, lives in a village ahead of LoC fence in the Mendhar sector of the Poonch district and has been apprehended with 400 grams of “suspected heroin” in a joint operation conducted by the BSF and Police.

This was conveyed at high-level meeting chaired by Union Home Secretary Ajay Bhalla along with the representatives of the Civil Aviation Ministry, the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS), Bureau of Immigration

It was informed during the meeting that an additional force of 1,400 Central Industrial Security Force personnel would soon be deployed at the Indira Gandhi International Airport where expansion is going on at three terminals — 1, 2 and 3 — apart from its cargo area.

New Delhi (PTI): The Indian Air Force, bolstered by its full complement of Rafale combat jets, on Thursday launched a major exercise covering the Northeastern region amid a fresh spike of border tension with China along the Line of Actual Control in Arunachal Pradesh.

The two-day mega exercise is involving almost all its frontline fighter jets and other assets deployed in the region, people familiar

FIFA WORLD CUP 2022

Nagpur (PTI): Five Rafale parts being manufactured in the Dassault Reliance Aerospace plant in Nagpur are sent to France to get fitted in all the Rafale jets, not just the Indian ones. Consul General of France in Mumbai Jean-Marc Sere-Charlet and a delegation of regional economic service of embassy visited two French companies (DRAL) & Air Liquide.

France beat Morocco to set final clash with Argentina

Al Khor(ANI): Theo Hernandez and Randal Kolo Muani’s goals guide defending champions France to a 2-0 win over Morocco in the semi-final being played here at the Al Bayt Stadium and set up a final clash with two-time champions Argentina in the FIFA World Cup 2022.

France started off aggressively as in the fifth minute Antoine Griezmann’s assist helped Kylian Mbappe take a

left-footed shot from the centre of the box but it was blocked.

Theo Hernandez’s left footed shot from the left side of the six yard box went on to hit the bottom left corner giving the 2018 champions a 1-0 lead in the fifth minute of the match.

Morocco weren’t too far behind as Noussair Mazraoui’s assist helped Azzedine Ounahi’s right-footed attempt from outside the box was saved in the

bottom right corner. In the 11th minute, Antoine Griezmann

tries a through ball, but Kylian Mbappe was caught offside.

In the 17th minute, Achraf Hakimi’s rightfooted shot from outside the box was blocked coming from Selim Amallah’s assist. Ten minutes later Sofiane Boufal of Morocco was shown a yellow card for a bad foul.

In the 31st minute, Sofiane Boufal tried a through ball for Morocco but Noussair Mazraoui was caught offside.

Two minutes later Kylian Mbappe’s assisted Aurelien Tchoua-

meni of France’s rightfooted shot from outside the box was blocked.

There were numerous attempts made by defending champions France but they could not double their lead going into half-time with a solitary goal lead.

France had much lesser possession of 39 per cent in comparison to Morocco who had 61 per cent while both teams had the same number of shots on target of three each.

with the drill said. In a tweet, the IAF said the last of the 36 Rafale jets

joined the force. The IAF inducted the Rafale aircraft into its 101

Squadron of the Eastern Air Command at the Hasimara last year.

The Order lists Narikoravan and Kurivikkaran tribal communities deemed to be Scheduled Tribes in States and Union territories from now on

Proceedings of Lok Sabha underway during the Winter Session of Parliament, in New Delhi on Thursday.

—PHOTO BY ANI/SANSAD TV

CISF personnel at New Delhi airport. —FILE PHOTO

French team celebrates after France qualifies for the FIFA World Cup 2022 finals, at Al Bayt Stadium, in Al Khor on Thursday.

Indian Air Force’s ‘Surya Kiran’ team performs during the ‘Air Fest 2022’, in Nagpur on Saturday. —PHOTO BY ANI

OPPN ASKS GOVT TO TAKE MEASURES TO TACKLE EFFECTS OF GLOBAL WARMING

‘DURING

YRS, 6

‘60L

Union Minister of State for Science and Technology and Earth Sciences Jitendra Singh speaks in Rajya Sabha during the Winter Session of Parliament on Thursday. —PHOTO BY ANI

NPCL

Limited

—PHOTO BY ANI

BRIEFS

Mumbai: Led by retail-focused players, non-banking financial companies (NBFCs) are likely to close the current fiscal and the next with a loan growth of 10-12% and see around 50 basis points improvement in profitability, a report said. According to Icra Ratings, retail-focused NBFCs are expected to grow 12-14% while the housing finance companies may grow at 10-12%. The forecast is based on the asset quality improvement and the overall pick up in credit demand.

New Delhi: Electronics manufacturing services company Elin Electronics on Thursday fixed a price band of `234 to `247 per share for its `475 crore IPO. The initial share-sale will open for public subscription during December 20-22, the company said in a statement. The company has cut the public issue size to `475 crore from `760 crore planned earlier. Now, the IPO comprises fresh issue of shares aggregating up to `175 crore and an offer for sale of up to `300 crore by promoters and other selling shareholders. —PTI

GOLD FALLS `420; SILVER ALSO TUMBLES `869

New Delhi: Gold price fell `420 to `54,554 per 10 grams in the national capital on Thursday amid weak global trends, according to HDFC Securities. In the previous trade, the precious metal had closed at `54,974 per 10 grams. Silver also tumbled `869 per kg to `68,254 per kilogram. In the international market, gold was trading in red at $1,788 per ounce while silver was down at $23.14 per ounce. —PTI

HYUNDAI TO HIKE

VEHICLE PRICES

FROM JANUARY

New Delhi: Hyundai Motor India Ltd on Thursday said it will increase prices of its vehicles across models from next month citing rising input cost. The company joins the likes of market leader Maruti Suzuki India, Tata Motors, Mercedes-Benz, Audi, Renault, Kia India and MG Motor, who have also made the year-end announcements to hike prices from next month to partially offset the impact of rising input costs. In a statement, Hyundai Motor India Ltd (HMIL) said on Thursday. —PTI

‘

Govt focusing on last-mile connectivity to Tier-III cities’

New Delhi (PTI): Civil Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia on Thursday said the government is concentrating on last-mile connectivity to Tier-III cities to ensure democratisation of civil aviation in the country.

Scindia said India has tremendous connectivity between Tier I-II cities.

“What needs to be strengthened is last-mile connectivity to Tier-III cities. Our government is concentrating on last-mile connectivity to make sure the democratisation of civil aviation does truly take place in the country,” Scindia said.

The minister said the government is looking at the small aircraft scheme launched last year under which sub-20 seater aircraft are being used to provide last-mile connectivity.

In the last round of UDAN, 132 routes have been awarded of which in the major sectors, 16 are helicopter routes.

PAR PANEL GRILLS DELHI AIRPORT OFFICIALS OVER CONGESTION

New Delhi (PTI): Members of a Parliamentary panel on Thursday questioned officials of Delhi airport operator DIAL about congestion at the airport. The officials assured that the issues will be resolved by the end of this month. DIAL Deputy MD K Narayanarao told reporters after the meeting, “We are working with the government (to deal with congestion). We have been increasing the number of screening machines at the airport. Everything will be resolved by the end of this month.” He also said there is no conflict between private security guards and CISF personnel.

INDIAN CARRIERS NEED TO HAVE MORE WIDE-BODY PLANES TO CAPTURE LONG-HAUL SEGMENT: SCINDIA

New Delhi (PTI): India’s civil aviation market is poised for a double-digit growth in the next decade and the country’s carriers should have more wide-body planes to capture the long haul segment, Civil Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia said on Thursday. “We have 86 international carriers coming into India and only 5 national carriers taking people to international destinations outside India. However, these 5 carriers that fly overseas hold 36% market share. We have to look at increasing international to international traffic. That is why I have been urging all our carriers that we need to have more wide-body aircraft so that we can capture the long haul route market,” he said. He also said that Indian carriers’ share of international to international traffic is only around 2% compared to flag carriers of different countries.

Sensex slumps 879 points as hawkish Fed floors global markets

Mumbai (PTI): Equity benchmarks Sensex and Nifty faced heavy drubbing on Thursday, falling over 1% each, in tandem with weak global markets following the US Federal Reserve’s interest rate hike and its hawkish stance.

The 30-share BSE Sensex tanked 878.88 points or 1.40% to settle at 61,799.03.

During the day, it tumbled 962.3 points or 1.53% to 61,715.61.

The broader NSE Nifty plummeted 245.40 points or 1.32% to end at 18,414.90.

From the Sensex pack,

Tech Mahindra, Titan, Infosys, HDFC, ITC, Tata Steel, HDFC Bank, Tata Consultancy Services, and State Bank of India were the major laggards.

NTPC and Sun Pharma were the only winners.

INDIAN RUPEE FALLS 27 PAISE TO END AT 82.76 AGAINST AMERICAN CURRENCY

Mumbai (PTI): The rupee declined by 27 paise to close at 82.76 (provisional) against the US dollar on Thursday after the US Federal Reserve’s interest rate hike and its hawkish stance dented investor sentiments. At the interbank foreign exchange market, the rupee opened sharply lower at 82.63 against the greenback and witnessed a high of 82.41 and a low of 82.77. It finally settled at 82.76, down 27 paise over its previous close of 82.49.

SAYS CREDIT SUISSE

Upgrade: India growing faster than official data shows

Mumbai (PTI): India is growing faster than what is captured by the country’s official data, and it presents a case for an upgrade of equities outlook, a Swiss brokerage said on Thursday.

Upgrading Indian equities to ‘benchmark’ from ‘underweight’, Credit Suisse said there is a scope for a growth of up to 14% on the benchmark indices.

The brokerage firm’s head of research Neelkanth Mishra said the country will grow at 7% in FY24, as against the consensus estimates which peg the real growth to slip below 6%.

Mishra told reporters that the consensus estimates are based on official data alone, whereas the brokerage analysis has taken into account a broad data set to arrive at its expectation.

Mishra said the growth in dense fuels — which is typically below the real

MAJOR HIGHLIGHTS

z Upgrading Indian equities to ‘benchmark’ from ‘underweight’, Credit Suisse said there is a scope for a growth of up to 14% on the benchmark indices

z The brokerage firm’s head of research Neelkanth Mishra said the country will grow at 7% in FY24

GDP growth as fuel efficiencies go up — is over 4% per annum for the last three years.

Similarly, revenue growths of the BSE500 companies also point out to a faster growth, he said.

Elon Musk sells $3.58 bn worth of Tesla stock

First India Bureau

New Delhi: Elon Musk sold another $3.58 billion worth of Tesla stock this week, but it wasn’t clear where the proceeds were being spent.

The Tesla CEO, and new owner of Twitter, sold the shares from Monday through Wednesday, according to a filing posted Wednesday night by the US Securities and Exchange Commission.

Musk has sold nearly $23

Wheat stocks seen at 159 lakh tonnes on Jan 1, 2023: Govt

New Delhi (PTI): The government on Thursday said wheat stocks in the central pool will be about 159 lakh tonnes on January 1, 2023 as against the buffer norm of 138 lakh tonnes.

“Government of India has sufficient food grain stocks under central pool to meet the requirement of NFSA and its other welfare schemes as well as for additional allocation of PMGKAY,” an official statement said. About 159 lakh tonnes

of wheat will be available as on January 1, 2023, which is well above the buffer norm requirement of 138 lakh tonnes. As on Dec 12, around 182 lakh tonnes of wheat is available in the central pool. “Govt of India is well aware of the price scenario of wheat and is constantly monitoring it regularly on weekly basis along with other commodities and taking corrective measures, as and when required,” it said.

Avg construction cost stable since March

First India Bureau

New Delhi: The total construction cost of residential buildings has remained stable since March this year but it has risen 28% from the pre-pandemic levels, according to property consultant Colliers India.

In its report, the consultant has done analysis on prices of key construction materials and also the overall average construction costs for standard Grade-A residential buildings of 15 floors and also for standard pre-engineered Grade A industrial buildings.

The average cost of construction for residential buildings increased from `2,200 per square feet in No-

vember 2021 to ` 2,300 per square feet in March 2022. The construction cost remained stable at `2,300 per

DETAILED ANALYSIS

z In its report, Colliers India has done analysis on prices of key construction materials and also the overall average construction costs for standard Grade-A residential buildings of 15 floors. Colliers India has also analysed for its report standard pre-engineered Grade A industrial buildings

square feet in November this year as well with a softening of prices of many raw materials.

SOLD SHARE ON MON-WED

z The Tesla CEO, and new owner of Twitter, sold the shares from Monday through Wednesday, according to a filing posted Wed by the US Securities and Exchange Commission

of the electric vehicle and solar panel maker have collapsed, losing over half their value since Musk first disclosed in April that he was buying up Twitter

OTHER STORIES

stock. The falling shares have bumped Musk from his status as the world’s wealthiest person, with his net worth falling to $174 billion, according to Forbes.

He was passed last week by Bernard Arnault.

The takeover of Twitter has not been smooth, and some big companies have halted advertising on the social media platform.

Musk has said that Twitter had “a massive drop in revenue” due to the advertiser losses.

‘BUILDING, OTHER CONSTRUCTION WORKERS

New Delhi: Building and other construction workers’ boards in states and UTs have `38,209.59 crore lying with them which was collected through cess from construction firms as on November 1, 2022. The BOCW Welfare Cess Act, 1996 provides that state/UT governments are mandated to collect the cess. State/UT BOCWWBs are also mandated to maintain the data of financial status (cess details), registered workers etc. MoS for Labour Rameswar Teli said state BOCWWBs collected `87,478.79 crore cess and spent `49,269.20 crore till November 1, 2022. —PTI

project at Bikaner,” a statement said. —PTI

COUNTRIES WITH THRIVING ONLINE GAMING INDUSTRY LEVY GST ON GROSS GAMING REVENUE

New Delhi: Most countries with a thriving online gaming industry levy tax on ‘Gross Gaming Revenue or the fees charged by online gaming portals, said a report by law firm Lakshmikumaran & Sridharan. It said countries, like the United Kingdom and France, that are following the turnover tax model currently, are proposing to shift to the GGR tax model. In India, the online gaming industry currently pays GST at the rate of 18% on GGR amounting to over `2,200 crore per year, firm said. —PTI

billion worth of Tesla stock since April, with much of the money likely going to help fund his $44 billion acquisition of Twitter. The sale comes as shares

Remember, your first personal community is your family-Through them you can gain greater understanding, insight and wisdom.

—Dr Jagdeesh Chandra,

No respite from man-animal conflict in Chandrapur dist

across the state, a number which stood at 84 last year.

First India Bureau

Chandrapur: There seems to be no respite in sight for people living near forest areas in the state, as attacks by big cats continue despite ef forts of the satte Forest Department. A rise in such incidents has been recorded in the last four years, stated a Right to Information (RTI).

It is especially true for the Chandrapur district, where 50 deaths have been reported due to attacks by big cats this year alone. For ty-four of the at tacks were by ti gers and six by leopards. Over 86 people have been killed in wild ani mal attacks

According to the RTI reply to activist Abhay Kolarkar, a total of 298 human deaths occurred in Maharashtra between 2019 and November 09, 2022. The state government has paid more than Rs350 crore as compensation to affected families for loss of their loved

prone to animal attacks in Maharashtra. As many as 148 people have lost their lives due to wild animal attacks in the last four years. On Thursday afternoon, a 50-year-old woman was mauled to death by a tiger in the district. “Swaroopa Teletiwar was killed when she was plucking cotton in a field near Khadi village in Saoli range, some 60 kilometres from here,” said

Chief Conservator of Forests Prakash Lonkar. Chandrapur district, which has the highest tiger population in the state, is the epicentre of tiger-animal conflict. So far, 37 persons have died due to tiger attacks in the district this year. In 2021, 36 people lost their lives in attacks, whereas the numbers were 20 and 27 in 2019 and 2020 respectively.

COPS ON THE MOVE

‘Will focus on organized, cyber crime, narcotics’

INCOMING

Thane (PTI): Milind Bharambe, the new police commissioner of Navi Mumbai on Thursday said his focus would be on tackling organized crime, cyber crime and narcotics to ensure people are safe and secure.

Taking over charge from Bipin Kumar Singh, he also vowed to strive to ensure police services such as character and passport verification are done in a time-bound manner.

Bharambe also sought the cooperation of the people and his staff to maintain law and order and peace. “It (commissioner’s post) is a big responsibility. Women, senior citizens and children must feel safe in Navi Mumbai. The top priority would be to tackle organized crime, cyber crime, and narcotics to create a safe and secure atmosphere,” he said.

POLICE COMMISSIONER SADANAND

Maha min Shambhuraj Desai to hold public meet at

Mumbai: While there is optimism on the border issues, the Marathi people of the border areas have got confidence that Maharashtra is with them, as Shinde group minister Shambhuraj Desai will be visiting the border area.

In Maharashtra, a number of Gram Panchayat elections have been announced. Many political leaders are visiting different parts of the state.

Desai will visit the disputed border areas in connection with this and to learn about the sentiments of the Marathi people in the area.

Desai is scheduled to hold a meeting in Shinoli village near Belgaum city and in the border area of Kolhapur district.

On Friday, the minister will also visit Gadhinglaj in Kolhapur district, as well as the border area, to learn about the hardships that villagers are experiencing as a result of the border dispute. Desai will also be doing a tour in connection with the Gram Panchayat elections.

It remains to be seen whether the meeting of chief ministers with Amit Shah had a favourable impact. Meanwhile, Desai is doing everything he can to reach out to the people of the state and learn about their problems.

Glitch delays suburban train services on Harbour and Trans-Harbour lines

First India Bureau

Mumbai: Suburban train services on Mumbai’s Harbour and TransHarbour lines operated by the Central Railway (CR) were disrupted during the peak morning hours on Thursday due to a technical snag in the signalling system at a Navi Mumbai railway station, officials said.

The glitch occurred at the Juinagar railway station leading to a delay of about an hour on the Harbour i.e. Panvel to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT) and the TransHarbour i.e. Panvel to Thane routes, they said.

“Due to the glitch in the signal, a trackchanging point at Juinagar railway station got out of order from 6 am. Because of the problem, the suburban services were running only between CSMT to Vashi on the Harbour line and Thane to Nerul on the Trans-

Harbor route till the problem was rectified at 7 pm,” an official said.

Shivaji Sutar, Chief Public Relations Officer of the CR, said that although the issue got resolved and the services resumed later, it caused a delay on both the routes due to bunching of trains.

GO FIRST FLIGHT RETURNS DUE TO TECHNICAL SNAG

Mumbai: A Go First flight flying from Mumbai to Goa on Wednesday turned back due to technical glitches, informed its spokesperson. “Go First flight G8 371 from Mumbai to Goa did an air turnback due to technical reasons,” added the spokesperson.

“The aircraft was changed and departed with 181 passengers onboard at 2015 hrs,” said a Go First spokesperson.

OPENING NEW AVENUES

THANKS PEOPLE FOR SUPPORT

Thane (PTI): Mira Bhayander Vasai Virar Police Commissioner Sadanand Date, who stepped from his post, said the Commissionerate received wholehearted support from people which ensured that law, order and peace was upheld. Incidentally, it was formed amid the COVID-19 pandemic in October 2020.

Date thanked people for donating 5,700 CCTV cameras to the po -

DATE

lice for law and order monitoring under the ‘Ek Camera Shehrasaathi’ programme.

Date will take over as Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad chief. His current post will be succeeded by senior Indian Police Service (IPS) officer Madhukar Pandey, who said the emphasis will be on using technology to maintain peace, curb crimes and provide relief to people.

Elgar Parishad case: NBWs issued against two accused

First India Bureau

Mumbai: Non-bailable warrants (NBW) have been issued by a special NIA court against two absconding accused on Thursday in the Elgar Parishad-Maoist links case.

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) had filed a plea before Special Judge Rajesh Katariya seeking such warrants against alleged Maoist leaders Prakash alias Ritupan Goswami and Mupalla Laxman Rao alias Ganapathy.

The court allowed the probe agency’s plea and directed the investigation officer/prosecution to depute a special

team to execute the NBW against the two absconding accused. The special judge also issued a production warrant against an accused who has been arrested in Jharkhand.

The case relates to alleged inflammatory speeches made at the Elgar Parishad conclave held in Pune on December 31, 2017, which the police claimed triggered violence the next day near the Koregaon Bhima war memorial on the outskirts of the western Maharashtra city.

Mumbai to San Francisco direct flight will boost Maha’s industrial and tourism sectors, says CM

INAUGURAL CEREMONY

ing airport expansion work and plans to develop helipads in every talukas to increase air connectivity. He also said 1,50,988 travellers transited through Mumbai airport in 24 hours on December 10.

First India Bureau

Mumbai: Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Thursday said that the direct flight from Mumbai to San Francisco will boost the Maharashtra’s industrial and tourism sectors.

The CM also said that the direct service will connect America’s Silicon Valley to Mumbai and Pune, and will benefit the information technology sector of Maharashtra.

Civil Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scind-

ia on Thursday inaugurated Air India’s direct flight between Mumbai and San Francisco. The flight will be operated

thrice a week. Shinde joined the event virtually from Mumbai, while Scindia and other officials were in the national capital. On the occasion, the CM said the direct service from Mumbai is the

longest-distance air travel ever. He expressed his belief that this service will be offered three times a week and thereafter it will be started daily.

Shinde further added that the state is do -

The CM said Maharashtra is a favourite destination for investors and Maharashtra is top in foreign direct investment. Air India should take the initiative to connect important cities in Europe and America, he added.

Eknath Shinde

According to Eknath Shinde, the direct service will connect America’s Silicon Valley to Mumbai and Pune, and benefit the information technology sector as well

Maha-K’taka border

First India Bureau

Chief Minister of Maharashtra Eknath Shinde and Chief Minister of Karnataka Basavaraj Bommai met with Union Home Minister Amit Shahto discuss the Maharashtra-Karnataka border dispute.

IPS Sadanand Date —FILE PHOTO

IPS Milind Bharambe —FILE PHOTO

First India Bureau

Snag in the signal disrupted train services on Thursday morning.

This year as many as 50 people have lost their lives in attacks by the big cats

OTHER INCIDENTS TAKE STEPS TO CURB TIGER ATTACKS IN CHANDRAPUR: MUNGANTIWAR

On Friday, Desai will visit Gadhinglaj in Kolhapur to understand the problems that villagers are facing due to the border dispute

ADITI KUSHWAHA cityfirst@firstindia.co.in

You might not be an Ivy Leaguer, but because we’re all now enrolled at Harvard and the year is 1865, you best have your horse and carriage ready. Even though it had a quite different appearance at the time, the varsity jacket was initially created on the Harvard campus in Cambridge, Massachusetts. The original varsity was a thick knit sweater that athletes wore as a uniform rather than a jacket. The “letterman jacket” was first made when the Harvard Baseball team made the decision to sew enormous “H”s into the middle of their jerseys.

The letter came with some restrictions, too. If you were a good enough player, you could retain your jersey and the letter, but if you sat on the bench the entire season and

DRESS LIKE A BOSS

didn’t play, you had to give your jersey back at the end of the year, which added to the letters’ competitive appeal. After a decade, Harvard’s football team started wearing lettered jerseys, and gradually but surely, other colleges and teams all around the country began donning their own variations of the varsity sweater.

Of course, each team handled things somewhat differently, altering the letter’s size or type, moving it around, and eventually gradually modifying the style until, by the early 20th century, the letter had

found its final location on the side of the sweater.

Athletes started looking for something a little more substantial as the fashion gained popularity, and in the 1930s the varsity jacket was produced. The varsity jacket, which had a wool body and contrasting leather sleeves as well as, of course, a large and proud letter on the side, came to represent authority at one’s particular institution. According to the custom, a player would need to first demonstrate his skill on the field before being granted a letter. The athlete would then pur-

chase a varsity jacket to attach on so that everyone could see how tal ented he was. The fact that designers may tinker with fabrics and col ours to make a jacket for just about everyone shows that the varsity has always offered a lot of customis ing options. The varsity is gradually evolving into the typical man’s autumn wardrobe staple, from Gant Rugger’s neo-classic, vivid red Homerun Jacket to Comme Des Garcons’ darker version for the more avant-garde set.

www.firstindia.co.in I https://firstindia.co.in/epapers/mumbai I twitter.com/ thefirstindia I facebook.com/thefirstindia I instagram.com/thefirstindia

Every student during their time in high school and college loves winter because they get to wear these custom-tailored letterman coats. When individuals can connect themselves with their particular high schools or colleges, they feel proud. City First brings to you the significance of the Varsity Jacket

DEEPAK deepaklifemusings@gmail.com

Nadia Hashimi was born and raised in New York and New Jersey. Both her parents were born in Afghanistan and left in the early 1970s before the Soviet invasion.

Her mother went to Europe to obtain a master’s degree and her father to the US. He worked hard to fulfil his American dream and build a new, brighter life for his family. In 2002 they made their first trip to Afghanistan. It was a bitter-sweet experience for everyone, as the family found relics of childhood homes and reunited with loved ones. It culminated in Nadia writing her debut novel ‘The Pearl That Broke its Shell’- published in 2014. Her upbringing, experiences and interests came together in the form of stories based in the country of her parents and grandparents.

“Nadia Hashimi has written a tender and beautiful family story. Her always engaging multi-generational tale is a portrait of Afghanistan in all of its perplexing, enigmatic glory”Khaled Hossain.

‘”The Pearl that Broke its Shell’ is a story I simply had to tell. I am an AfghanAmerican woman and in my lifetime my reaction to my identity has changed drastically. Women lost so much in the violent years that followed my parents’ emigration. Our culture has been robbed. Decades of war and fundamentalist regimes left Afghan women battered and scarred, their rights buried under piles of rubble. Life as a girl is very different from life as a boy. The country is fraught with problems - child marriages, warlords, political unrest, drug addiction, corruption and much more. I wrote this story to share the experience of Afghan women

THE PEARL THAT BROKE ITS SHELL

ARIES

MAR 21 - APR 20

You are very generous by nature and also you are the backbone of your family. You may postpone your study plans. You are very fortunate to have a great friend circle. Be careful of the words that come out of your mouth. Your lover may finally say yes to get married to you.

TAURUS

APR 21 - MAY 20

You need a break from day to tensions and the way to cope up with stress is to meditate. You must create an environment of understanding at home. You will succeed in any sort of examination if you put your heart and soul to it. Promotion can be expected even if other are not.

GEMINI

MAY 21 - JUNE 21

Your spouse may make you spend more than you expected. Fantastic day for investing money in stock market as you can make fortune. You need help on academic front and you should not shy away from asking. You miss your parents a lot and somewhere fear to loose them. Admit your faults in relationship.

CANCER

JUNE 22 - JULY 23

LIBRA

SEPT 24 - OCTOBER 22

Visit a doctor if you have any doubts about your health. Don’t attack stress even if you don’t have any. Let go of things that are not in your control. You want to have your own house and you will work hard to make your dream come true. Do not panic in such situations.

SCORPIO

OCT 23 - NOVEMBER 22

You make sure to make things work your way. Never demotivate someone even if someone is not capable of doing something. You are most wanted by your friends. You can have romantic affair in office and a serious one. You will invest money in clothes and accessories today. You are a God fearing person.

SAGITTARIUS

NOV 23 - DEC 22

Your spouse is someone who can do anything for your happiness. You are opportunist and this will make you successful one day. There may be delays in property possession. You are happy spending whole day at home. Help your mothers at home today and give them a reason to smile.

CAPRICORN

DEC 23 - JAN 20

in a fiction work that is made up of a thousand truths”- writes Nadia Hashimi.

‘The Pearl...’ is a searing tale of powerlessness, fate and the freedom to control one’s own destiny. An Afghan woman is like a pearl imprisoned in the darkness of an oyster. Here we have two women, separated by a century, sharing a common dream of breaking their shells. Both are compelling, enduring hardshipsyet kindling hope! “The human spirit- a spirit that is harder than a rock and more delicate than a flower petal”. In 2007, in Taliban-ruled Kabul, Rahima- with four sisters and no brother- can only sporadically attend school. As they grow older, stepping out of the house becomes a nightmarish ordeal. Their mother struggles to support the family, as their father becomes increasingly addicted to drugs and highhandedness. Hope comes in the form of their auntKhala Shaima- sug-

gesting the ancient custom of ‘bachaposh’- which allows young Rahima to dress and be treated as a son until she is of marriageable age. As a boy, she has the kind of freedom that was previously unimaginablea freedom that will transform her forever.

Their aunt narrates the story of her greatgreat-grandmotherShakiba. Kabul 1900Shakiba, the daughter of a rural farming family, is disfigured in an accident as a child.

When her whole family perishes in a cholera epidemic, she has no one left to support her. She is treated like a slave by her relatives, who take possession of her land. She’s sold to various bidders- until she’s able to escape her life of drudgery by dressing as a man.

Through a rare stroke of luck, she becomes one of the guards of the King’s harem, in a lavish palace, in the bustling capital city of Kabul. She eventually makes a life for herself. Rahima and her sisters, Parwin and

Shahla, are forcibly married off to aged warlords with various wives, by their greedy father in lieu of money & drugs. Two of the sisters, living on either side of a common wall, never get to see each other. Each agonizes in their tortured lives. Parwin, the delicate, artistic girl- sets herself free through self-immolation. Their mother, unable to bear the pain, takes to drugs herself and the house condition deteriorates even further.

Although ‘The Pearl...’ is fiction, the struggle of womenfighting for their individuality- is very much a reality in the misogy-

nistic culture of Afghanistan. They’ve been subjected to slavish humiliation, bullying, physical and moral violence, forced marriage, sexual abuse polygamy, stoning to death and a lot more. The deplorable plight of Afghan women in a brutally patriarchal society will leave anyone aghast. This book is heartbreaking. Fortunately, it ends on a positive note- leaving the reader with a whisper of hope... “...the daughters of Afghanistan, may the sun warm your faces as you forge your path”. It is, indeed, a tender and beautiful family story.

You care about you lover but somehow hesitate in expressing that care. Don’t make friends for money and status rather make friends who will stick with you forever. On social front, you may have to spend some extra money in buying gifts for someone for some specific occasion.

LEO

JULY

You love to live close to your family. Best day to buy gold and silver or any precious metal for investment sake. You are a child at heart and never let this child die. You have a big heart and you always help someone if you can. Video gathering is possible as you miss your social circle like anything.

VIRGO

AUG 24 - SEP 23 You are a pro in your field and none can beat you. You give tough competition to people. Many people get inspired by you. You will get special treatment from your dear ones. Take stand where you need to, don’t run in the same direction where everybody else is going.

YOUR DAY

Scrumptious

food is what you are craving for today. You always maintain cordial relationship with everyone. You workout daily to keep yourself

fit. You may start a side business to earn extra money. You are not a jealous kind and you feel happy for others. You are a very grounded person.

AQUARIUS

JAN 21 - FEB 19 You will feel amorous towards your wife. This is the best time try something new with life give yourself a new purpose. Work on your limitations, there can be no better time than this. You have more opposite sex friends than the same and you may be judged sometimes but don’t care.

PISCES

FEB20 - MARCH 20 Spend time talking with likeminded people as it will make you feel good for now. Boisterous behaviour is what everyone needs right now. You will feel financially comfortable and infant you are in position to invest money in some new venture. You will feel happy today.

FACEOFTHEDAY

ANJALI SHARMA, ACTOR

Horoscope by Saurabbh Sachdeva

A JOLT OF SEXINESS

Rashmika Mandanna recently attended a red carpet event wearing a maroon cocktail gown by Gauri & Nainika. The Pushpa actress, as we all know has always experimented with her style statement, and this time again, she treated us with another surprise appearance in a backless gown. The incredible deep v of the dress proves that the lower back trend is here to stay forever.

Styled by Shaleena Nathani, Rashmika Mandanna’s worth Rs 2,65,000 cocktail gown came with whimsical botanical hand

embroidery. Rashmika, who is gearing up for the release of her second Bollywood film, Mis sion Majnu, man aged to put together a bold and risque outfit with equal pa nache and grace. The extended trail to the gown swept along is the new sexy! This velvet mermaidlike dress worked won ders on Rashmika Mandanna and how!

Talking about her makeup by Tanvi Chemburkar, Rashmi ka Mandanna upped her game yet again by going with a bold and glam look.

Heart-melting glimpses

Shehnaaz Gill is constantly melting the hearts of the masses, either with her talent or with her genuine personality.

A few days ago, Shehnaaz met Bharti Singh and Haarsh Limbachiyaa’s son Gola aka Laksh at the comedienne’s house and shared several adorable photos of the toddler on her Instagram.

On Thursday, Shehnaaz shared a few glimpses on her Instagram handle as she met Laksh again. It looks like the diva has formed

a great bond with Bharti Singh’s little munchkin. In Shehnaaz’s post, we can see the actress can’t stop adoring Gola and is happily playing with him. Sharing these photos, Shehnaaz cap

KATRINA’S

PUNJABI ACCENT

Vicky Kaushal and Katrina Kaif make for an adorable couple, and the two recently celebrated their first wedding anniversary. Vicky is currently gearing up for the release of his upcoming film Govinda Naam Mera, which also stars Bhumi Pednekar and Kiara Advani. He has been promoting the film in full swing, and in a recent interview, he revealed that his wife Katrina has learnt a bit of Punjabi.

Recently, in a conversation, Vicky was asked if Katrina can speak Punjabi, to which he replied, “Voti Punjabi bol leti hai thodi thodi (my wife can speak a bit of Punjabi).” He was then asked about his favourite Punjabi word, to which he replied, ‘Haanji’. He shared that he uses the word a lot and that it is the secret to a happy life.

ow, ahead of Govinda Naam Mera’s release, in a recent interview with Film Companion, Kiara was asked about her favourite film of 2022 which she wished to be a part of. To this, the Kabir Singh actress named Alia Bhatt’s superhit movie Gangubai Kathiawadi. “I couldn’t blink while watching that film. I thought Alia was phenomenal in the film. I think what Sanjay (Leela Bhansali) sir does, the way he brings it out of his artists is. I wish I had been a part of something like that,” said Kiara.

Alia Bhatt was clicked by the paparazzi as she made her way to the car post workout. She was seen in a laidback, relaxed athleisure look that is just perfect during winter! She kept her look fussfree in a black top which she wore under a grey cropped hoodie. She paired her cropped sweatshirt look with dark blue tights, and was seen in green sliders. She kept her hair tied up in a bun, while carrying a black gym bag and she flashed her million-dollar smile at the paparazzi.

Janhvi Kapoor has a strong social media game and the actress never fails to leave fans amazed with her stunning pictures on Instagram. She was recently vacationing in the Maldives and went on a photo-sharing spree on Instagram. Now, taking a break from her vacation pictures, she has shared a few pictures of her royal avatar, and it has left fans mesmerized. Shikhar Pahariya also dropped a comment on Janhvi’s post and it has garnered a lot of attention.

Janhvi Kapoor shared some stunning pictures of herself. She exuded regal elegance in the pictures and looked every bit royal. In her caption, she mentioned “Truly praying I get to do a period film soon till then old world photoshoots will have to do,” she wrote in her caption. Janhvi’s pictures garnered thousands of lovely comments from fans within a short span of time. Shi-

tioned, “gola gola gola mela pala bacha nona bache ko raat nini aa rhi thi phir bhi maine pareshaan kiya pappiya kar kr ke”

Rashmika Mandanna

Alia Bhatt

Katrina Kaif and Vicky Kaushal

Rashmika in a maroon cocktail dress by Gauri & Nainika

Kiara Advani

Alia Bhatt

Janhvi

Shehnaaz’s post...

‘Besharam Rang is a confluence of genres : Vishal-Sheykhar

ASHISH TIWARI cityfirst.mumbai@firstindia.co.in

Ace music composers VishalSheykhar have a penchant to deliver humongous chartbusters and this time they have delivered the party anthem of the year, Besharam Rang, for YRF’s Pathaan which has broken the internet!

Speaking about the instant success of the song featuring Shah Rukh Khan and Deepika Padukone, who look a million bucks together, Vishal Dadlani says, “Besharam Rang is a unique song. It is a confluence of genres that makes it very exciting musically. It is almost an old-school melody

paired with a modern beat, that is influenced by Afrobeat but is electronic. What I love most is how a true melody transcends language, because while Shilpa is singing it sounds like a very traditional Indian melody and Caralisa and I are singing a Spanish version of that melody and it sounds authentic there too.”

He adds, “It’s an ex citing crossover, we had a lot of fun making

it. I think Siddharth wanted to raise the bar in terms of the woman, the protagonist singing the song being very sensual and very empowered. It’s sexy and fun, and it’s a great groove that people are really going to enjoy dancing to it. A lot of heart has gone into it and I hope everyone enjoys it.”

Kangana Ranaut launches Manikarnika films

worked in films like War, Bang Bang, Salaam Namaste and composed hits like Khuda Jaane, Ghungroo and Hairat.

Sheykhar Ravjiani says, “Besharam Rang’s inspiration in all the old beautiful melodies we’ve grown up listening to, but infused with today’s vibe and sound. Siddharth

and understanding. It is one of those rare working relationships that is driven by a huge amount of passion, love for music and an ability to instantly grasp what we are collectively trying to achieve musically. The reason for the success of our combination lies in the joy of the process of making music and this joy is palpable when the audience hears the song.”

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

Athiya-Rahul’s impending wedding

L Rahul and Athiya Shetty’s romance has always grabbed headlines. But recently the news about their marriage has been doing the rounds. Right from sources claiming that the duo are prepping up for an intimate affair, the pair and their close ones have yet to confirm it. Many a time, they have denied any wedding taking place. While Athiya’s father, Suniel Shetty has always maintained his stance that he will let everyone know when everything is decided, he had a different answer this time around.

When media reached Suniel Shetty after Athiya-KL Rahul’s wedding rumours resurfaced, he replied, “Let me know when you get the confirmed dates so I can attend (the wedding).”Sources recently revealed that both families have planned a big fat South Indian wedding.

SHAHID’S NEXT RELEASE

hahid Kapoor has always been a formidable actor in the Hindi film industry. With him pushing his acting boundaries over the years, the star has brought forward some of the most amazing projects that fans still cannot get enough of. Currently, he is gearing up for his OTT debut with Raj and DK’s next, Farzi. The directorial duo who is fresh off the success of their web series, The Family Man, have kept the details about their upcoming project under wraps. All that is known about the project is its talented cast including Vijay Sethupathi, Raashi Khanna and Kay Kay Menon and its genre which is a crime

According to the latest reports, the film is all set to release in the month of February, next year. The source further added that the marketing and trailer launch will be done a month prior to its release.

The perfect romantic ballad

Kangana Ranaut is known for her ace acting and direction and now the Padmashri actress has added another feather to her hat. A year after the release of her directorial debut, Manikarnika: The Queen Of Jhansi, ac tress Kangana Ranaut inaugurated her new production house Manikarni ka Films at Pali Hill in Mumbai in 2020. Now, two years after the inauguration, the actressturned-director launched the official logo of her production banner. Sharing the same with her fans, Ranaut took to her verified social media handle and posted a video on her feed on Thursday.

The video features an animated sight of Ram Mandir, and a tiger roaring. An impression of a roaring tiger in the backdrop of Ram Mandir is now Manikarnika Films’ official logo. Instagramming the announcement video, the Queen actress wrote, “Here’s the official logo of Manikarnika films,” followed by a cam era emoticon.

Manikarnika films are producing films like Nawa zuddin Siddiqui’s Tiku weds Sheru and Kangana’s second directorial Emergency where the actress will also be playing the role of former prime minis ter Indira Gandhi.

Tu Tan Main, the love ballad that tells an endearing story of two individuals, has been making noise since its teaser was released. The Punjabi track is an emotional rollercoaster ride that warms your heart and Asees Kaur‘s voice is the perfect match for it. Talking about the song Asees Kaur shared, “The song is really heartwarming and simply will lighten up your day. I loved working on it and it was so much fun to collaborate with the entire team. I’m really looking forward to the audience’s reaction to this song and I hope they shower the same love as they have been doing so far.”

An Award Cabinet for Sharvari

Gorgeous debutant Sharvari has won unanimous praise for her acting skills in Kabir Khan’s ‘The Forgotten Army’ as well as her big screen debut in Bunty Aur Babli 2. A rank outsider to Bollywood, Sharvari has her eyes set on the prize to become a star who is known for her performances.

Sharvari’s parents

and sister have been proud of her feat and after every award ceremony celebrated her success at home - in their special way.Her sister, Kasturi who is an architect has designed a special cabinet where Sharvari can display all her awards. Talking about the award season and her sister’s gesture Sharvari shares “This year has been extremely gratifying. Bunty Aur Babli 2 is my first film that just keeps on giving. Ever since the

release of my debut film, I have been showered with love & appreciation in different forms. The most special has been the recognition I got from the industry this award season.”She adds “I’ve never seen my parents feel as proud as they do when I come back home holding an award. My sister Kasturi, who has her own architecture firm made a really special cabinet for me to showcase all my awards. My family has truly been my main cheerleaders.”

Sharvari Wagh

Kangana Ranaut

Vishal Dadlani and Sheykhar Ravjiani Still from the song

Athiya with KL Rahul

Athiya Shetty

Poster of the film

Shahid Kapoor