First India-Delhi Edition-17th October 2022

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INDIAN GRANDMASTER ARJUN BEATS CARLSEN IN CHESS TOURNAMENT

New Delhi: 19-year-old Indian grandmaster Arjun Erigaisi defeated reigning five-time World Chess Champion Magnus Carlsen during prelims of Aimchess Rapid online chess tournament. Erigaisi had earlier lost to Carlsen in September.

IREO: ED ATTACHES

OVER `1,300 CRORE

WORTH ASSETS

New Delhi: The ED has attached assets worth over Rs 1,317 crore of real estate group IREO, its managing director and vice president Lalit Goyal and associated entities as part of money laundering investigation. The ED took cognisance of 30 FIRs filed in various police stations.

PRESIDENT DROUPADI MURMU UNDERGOES CATARACT SURGERY

INDIAN BANKING ON A FAST-TRACK MODE!

l PM Modi dedicates 75 Digital Banking Units across 75 districts l Shift from ‘phone banking’ to ‘digital banking’ put India on sustained growth path, says PM

Moni Sharma

New Delhi: Prime Min ister Narendra Modi on Sunday attributed In dia’s sustained econom ic growth to the efforts of the BJP government to replace pre-2014 ‘phone banking’ with ‘digital banking’.

New Delhi: Prez Droupadi Murmu underwent a cataract surgery at the Army Hospital (Research and Referral) here on Sunday, a Rashtrapati Bhavan spokesperson said. Surgery was successful, she has been discharged from hosp, spokesperson added.

COVID +VE PLAYERS CAN TAKE THE FIELD IN T20 WORLD CUP

New Delhi: The ICC has made changes regarding ‘playing conditions’ for ‘Covid-positive players’ in the Men’s T20 World Cup 2022 in Australia. As per latest ICC norms, players will be allowed to play even after testing positive for Corona if cleared by the team doctor.

ANTI-HIJAB PROTESTS: SINGERS AND ACTORS IN IRAN FACE ARREST

Referring to the pre vious UPA regime, he said under ‘phone bank ing’, instructions were given on phone to banks regarding whom they had to lend to and at what terms and condi tions. The economic progress of a country is directly linked to the strength of its banking system, he said after dedicating 75 Digital Banking Units (DBUs) to the nation. Eleven banks in the public sec tor, 12 in the private sec tor and one Small Fi nance Bank are partici pating in the endeavour.

The banking sector has become a medium for good governance and better service deliv ery, the PM said, adding DBT has helped plug leakages and brought in transparency.

SALIENT FEATURES OF THE NEW DBUs

DBUs will be brick-andmortar outlets which will provide digital banking facilities such as opening a savings account, balance check, printing passbook, funds transfer, FDs, loan applications, application for credit or debit cards, and bill and tax payments.

The govt has so far transferred `25 lakh crore through DBT and the another installment under the PM-KISAN scheme will be transferred today.

—Narendra Modi, Prime Minister

9 people including 4 children die in 3-vehicle pile-up in Karnataka

Hassan (Karnataka)

3 GUJ RESIDENTS

‘` IS NOT SLIDING, $ IS STRENGTHENING’

Finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman, who has been speaking about India’s growth story and robust economy during her recent interactions, has said that in the current scenario, the Indian the rupee is not sliding, but the US dollar strengthening.

Xi’s vision for China’s next five years

WILL TROUNCE AAP IN DELHI, THUNDERS NADDA

SISODIA WILL BE HELD: AAP AFTER CBI SUMMONS

BJP President JP Nadda addressed a party workers’ sammelan at Ramlila Maidan in Delhi where he asserted that BJP will trounce the AAP in the MCD polls and thereafter, in the Assembly election. “Tell the people of Delhi about the AAP’s corruption,” he told party workers. P3

CBI to grill Manish Sisodia in Delhi liquor scam today

First India Bureau

New Delhi: Delhi Dep uty CM Manish Sisodia has been summoned by the CBI at 11 am today for questioning in the controversial liquor policy case. This is the first time that Sisodia — named as primary ac cused in the case has been summoned for questioning. His house was raided by the agen cy in August after a goahead for investigation from Delhi’s Lieutenant Governor. The ruling AAP — which has linked the liquor policy issue to the upcoming assembly election in Gujarat — has raised alarm, claiming Sisodia will be arrested. P3

The CBI raided my house for 14 hours, noth ing came out of it. They searched my bank locker, and found nothing. They did not find anything in my village. Now they have called me to CBI Head quarters at 11 am today. I will go and give my full cooperation.

—Manish Sisodia, Delhi Deputy CM Jail bars and hanging noose could not deter Bhagat Singh’s strong determination. This is the second fight for freedom. Manish and Satyendra (Jain) are today’s Bhagat Singh.

—Arvind Kejriwal, Delhi Chief Minister

Soap star Vaishali found dead

Suicide note mentions ex-boyfriend was harassing her: Cops

Tehran: Celebrities have confronted motion in Iran for supporting anti-hijab protests. Some have been arrested and later launched amid Iran’s greatest wave of fashionable unrest in virtually 3 years. A lady also chopped her hair off during protest.

(ANI): Nine people, in cluding four children, were killed and 10 in jured in a pile-up involv ing 3 vehicles here, po lice sources said. The accident involving a milk tanker, a Karnata ka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) bus, and a tempo travel ler took place in Ar sikere taluk here on late Saturday, they said.

All those killed were travelling in the tempo traveller, which was crushed between the bus and the milk tanker.

AMONG 7 KILLED IN 3 ACCIDENTS IN RAJ

Wrecked remains of a bus is seen after a head-on collision between tempo traveller and KMF milk vehicle in Hassan.

Jaipur: A couple and their daughter-in-law, residents of Nadiad in Gujarat, were killed and two others injured when the car they were travelling in collided with an SUV on Sunday in Udaipur district. In Bikaner, two persons died when a speeding car collided with a trailer. In Nagaur, two persons died at Ladnun town on Saturday when the car they were travelling in lost its balance and rammed into a wall.

Beijing: The party has be gun in Beijing on Sunday, as 2,296 delegates rep resenting over 90 million members of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) assembled to vote on a leadership that will lead the country for the next 5 years. Jinping said that China has achieved comprehensive control over Hong Kong, turning it from chaos to govern ance, while condemning what he said was interfer ence in Taiwan.

MBBS NOW IN HINDI

Bhopal (ANI): Popu lar TV actress of in Sasural Simar Ka, Vaishali Takkar breathed her last on Sunday. She died by suicide at her home in Indore. Vaishali was found hanging in her Indore home. In April last year, Vaishali said she was engaged to Dr Abhinandan Singh. However, just a month later, Vaishali informed everyone that she isn’t going to tie the marital knot with Abhinandan.

SHE WAS THE 1ST TO OPEN UP AFTER SUSHANT’S DEMISE

Vaishali Takkar was one of the first people to open up about late friend and famous TV and Bollywood star Sushant Singh Rajput’s demise. She believed it was a ‘planned murder’. She revealed how Sushant couldn’t be the one to die by suicide as he valued life a lot.

THE SUICIDE NOTE

Details of suicide note have now come to light. Vaishali mentioned in her suicide note that she was stressed for quite some time and it also specified that she was being harassed by her former boyfriend.

‘Hindi textbooks will help students overcome inferiority complex’

Union Home Minister Amit Shah releases country’s first MBBS course books in Hindi, a brianchild of Madhya

Chouhan

Bhopal: Releasing text books in Hindi for MBBS students in Mad hya Pradesh, a first in the country, Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Sunday termed the occasion as “histor ic”, a day that “will be written in history in golden letters.”

Shah said medical education in Hindi will help students overcome the “inferiority com plex” of not knowing English. He added that

Amit Shah

work is underway to start technical and medical

the country.

the

country should come out of their linguistic

complex as

—PHOTO

and they can showcase their abilities in their language,” Shah said.

today there is a govern ment led by Prime Min ister Narendra Modi

He said some people associate the usage of English language with intellectual ability, but there is no such rela tion. “Language is a me dium of expression whereas intellectual ability is a natural gift which can be improved through education. If education is given in the mother tongue, it proves very beneficial in improving intellec tual ability,” Shah said.

‘WILL BRING POSITIVE CHANGE’: PM MODI

medical education in Hindi at Bhopal

said it will bring a positive change in the country.

this, while

of students

many

of

be

their own

also

for them,” PM

Amit

PM Narendra Modi dedicates the 75 Digital Banking Units across 75 districts to the Nation, via video conferencing, in New Delhi on Sunday. Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das and DFS Secretary Sanjay Malhotra are also seen during PM’s address.

TN CM WRITES TO PM TO DROP BID TO ‘IMPOSE’ HINDI

Chennai: TN CM MK Stalin on Sunday wrote to PM Modi saying “the aggressive attempts of Union govt” to impose Hindi are “impractical and divisive in character”, and puts non-Hindi-speaking people in a very disadvantageous position in many respects.

Delhi turns into athletic arena

Regasa, Cheptai win at Delhi Half Marathon; Sable lives up to top billing among Indians

New Delhi (PTI): Chala Regasa of Ethio pia and Kenya's Irine Cheptai produced im pressive performances to claim the men's and women's titles respec tively in elite races at the Vedanta Delhi Half Marathon here on Sunday.

In the Indian elite men's category, it was an incredible photo fin ish as defending cham pion Avinash Sable and Kartik Kumar took the first two positions re spectively, receiving tremendous applause from the spectators.

The duo clocked an identical 64 minutes, but it was the top-billed Sable who was declared the winner by the tech

nical officials of the Athletics Federation of India (AFI) after going through the footage. There were no sur prises in the Indian women's elite race with Sanjivani Jadhav bag

One killed in street brawl with group of another community

New Delhi (PTI): A 27-year-old man was killed while his friend was injured in a fight with another group in Central Delhi’s Ranjit Nagar, police said on Sunday.

A call was made at Ranjit Nagar Police Sta tion to report a brawl near Chawla Bakery, Mandir wali gali, but when police went to the spot, they found no one there. According to po lice, there was a fight between two groups, with three people on each side.

The brawl happened on October 12 night when Nitesh, Alok, and Monty stopped three people on a bike alleg edly for honking horn and assaulted one of them who fell on the ground.

As the bike got disbal anced, the other two too fell on the ground and a

scuffle ensued between the two groups, a senior police officer said.

Shweta Chauhan, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Central), said that with the help of CCTV footage, police identified the assail ants as Adnan, Ujefa, and Abbas, all residents of Ranjit Nagar, and

The footage of the incident reveal that the quarrel was started by Nitesh and Alok. However, in the end, the other party overpowered them and assaulted them.

now on the run.

“The footage of the incident reveals that the quarrel was started by Nitesh and Alok.

However, in the end, the other party over powered them and assaulted them.

“Both Nitesh and Alok have previous criminal records,” the

DCP said, adding that ef forts are on to trace and apprehend the accused.

Since there was no statement by anyone, a case was registered un der section 308 (attempt to commit culpable hom icide) and 34 (common intention) of the IPC and investigation taken up, said DCP Chauhan.

ging the crown after two previous podium finishes, with a timing of 1:17:53.

Monika Athara and Priti Lamba were sec ond and third with 1:18:39 and 1:19:06 re

Interpol event: Traffic curbs from Oct 18-21

New Delhi (PTI): Ve hicular traffic on Jan path, Ashoka Road and Barakhamba Road, among other roads in central Delhi, will re main affected from Oc tober 18 to 21 as the city will host the 90th An nual General Assembly of the Interpol at Pra gati Maidan, police said on Sunday.

Delegations from 195 countries will attend the event, they said, adding that Prime Min ister Narendra Modi will inaugurate it on October 18 and Union Home Minister Amit Shah will address the valedictory function on October 21.

The traffic police said the commuters travelling in the vicin ity of New Delhi dis trict could encounter delays and may wish to consider alternative routes during the peri od specified.

spectively. Regasa, 25, came out on top of a thrilling three-man bat tle over the final kilo metre, sprinting away from Kenya's Felix Kip koech and fellow Ethio pian Boki Diriba with

400 metres to take the USD 27,000 first prize cheque. The interna tional women's race, however, was a onewoman show from just after halfway. Cheptai, who was in fourth place

Man kills transgender’s partner, arrested: Police

New Delhi (ANI): Del hi Police arrested a man for allegedly kill ing a man and attacking a transgender, said the police. According to the police, a PCR call was received at Paharganj Police Station on Fri day, regarding a fight with transgenders. The accused has been iden tified as Anil.

“On reaching the spot, blood was seen everywhere on the floor and it came to light from a lady that the ac cused, who has been identified as Anil, came to the first floor of the building, where Sunita, the transgender lived with Guddu, and two other transgenders,” stated the police.

“Anil started scuf fling with Sunita and Gudu and during the scuffle, he attacked them with a knife. Due to which, injury was caused to Sunita on the back and Gudu on his

The police recovered the knife used in the killing and the bloodstained clothes of the accused

neck. Both the injured were taken to hospital by one neighbour and accused Anil was appre hended from the spot by the police staff. Later, information was re ceived from the hospital that Gudu died during the treatment,” stated further.

During the interroga tion, accused Anil re vealed that in 2020, he came into contact with Sunita and they started living together. Later, Sunita left him after taking Rs. 40000 & start ed living with Gudu at Multani Dhandha.

History beckons as Cong gears up for 6th contest for party chief

New Delhi: With the Congress set to vote to elect its new chief, it would be the sixth time in its nearly 137-yearold history that an elec toral contest would de cide who would take up the mantle of the par ty’s president.

Asked about the sig nificance of the polls, Congress general secre tary in-charge commu nications Jairam Ramesh told PTI, “This is actually the sixth

time that the Congress is having internal elec tions for its president in its 137-year-history.”

“The media has high lighted 1939, 1950, 1997 and 2000. In fact, there had been elections too in 1977 when Kasu Brahmananda Reddy was elected,” he pointed out.

It was way back in 1939, when an electoral contest decided who would be Congress pres ident and in fact, Ma hatma Gandhi’s candi date P Sitaramayya had lost to Netaji Subhas

BY PTI

the top post. Surpris ingly, Tandon, seen as a Sardar Vallabhbhai Pa tel loyalist, had won the contest trumping the then PM Jawaharlal Nehru’s choice.

In 1977, following the resignation of Dev Kant Barooah as party presi dent in the wake of the defeat in the Lok Sabha polls, K Brahmananda Reddy defeated Siddhar tha Shankar Ray and Karan Singh in the par ty’s polls for AICC chief. The next election that needed a contest came

20 years later in 1997 when Sitaram Kesri squared off in a triangu lar contest with Sharad Pawar and Rajesh Pilot.

Except for Maharash tra and parts of Uttar Pradesh, all state Con gress units had backed Kesri. He had posted a landslide victory get ting 6,224 delegates’ votes against Pawar’s 882 and Pilot’s 354. The third contest came in 2000 and this was the only time a Gandhi fam ily member was chal lenged in the elections

with Jitendra Prasada taking on Sonia Gan dhi. Prasada suffered a crushing defeat at the hands of Sonia who garnered over 7,400 votes, while Prasada polled a paltry 94.

The upcoming polls would certainly be his toric as the new presi dent would replace So nia Gandhi, the longestserving party president who has been at the helm since 1998, barring the 2 years between 2017 & 2019 when Rahul Gan dhi took over.

the last time, finished more than a minute in front of Ethiopia's 2022 World Athletics Cham pionships 5000m bronze medallist Dawit Seyaum, who was sec ond in 68:02.

Drunk men stab siblings, one dead

New Delhi (PTI): A 33-year-old man was stabbed to death while his brother sustained grievous injuries after they were at tacked allegedly by two drunk men, po lice said on Sunday.

The dead brother has been identified as Lohit and the in jured as Anil, 32, who is undergoing treatment at a hos pital here. Both are residents of Bindapur, they said.

The accused were identified as Rohin, 30, and Varun, 25, and have been ar rested, police said.

Deputy Commis sioner of Police (Dwarka) M Har sha Vardhan said that the police was informed about a stabbing incident on Saturday night around 1.10 am at fish market in JJ Colony in Sector 3.

When police reached the spot, they found two peo ple in an injured state, and immedi ately rushed them to a hospital.

During treat ment, Lohit was de clared dead by the doctors. Anil is un der treatment and is out of danger, he said. According to the DCP, the ac cused revealed that they were in the fish market drunk, and had an argument with the two broth ers, during which they stabbed them.

Ethiopia’s Chala Regasa celebrates after crossing the finish line to win the men’s elite race, as Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena and Haile Gebrselassie, two-time Olympic gold medallist and International Event Ambassador of Vedanta Delhi Half Marathon, look on.

Deputy CM Manish Sisodia fires a shot to start the Vedanata Delhi Half Marathon, along with former athlete Anju Bobby George, at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in New Delhi on Sunday.

A participant of the Half Marathon poses for a photograph near India Gate.

Participants run during the Vedanta Delhi Half Marathon.

Senior citizens dance while they participate in the Half Marathon.

Gold medal winner Avinash Sable (centre) flanked by Silver medal winner Kartik Kumar (left) and Bronze medal winner Srinu Bugatha in the Indian men's category. —PHOTOS BY PTI

Asim

Chandra Bose. Then in 1950 came the Congress’ first election post-Inde pendence for the post of

party president when Purshotttam Das Tandon and Acharya Kripalani faced off for

DCP (Central Dist) Shweta Chauhan speaks to media over the death of the man.

—PHOTO BY ANI

RAF personnel deployed in Ranjeet Nagar area a day after clashes between two groups, on Sunday. —PHOTO BY PTI

—Shweta Chauhan, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Central)

Congress presidential candidate Shashi Tharoor at a roadside 'baati-chokha' stall during his visit to Lucknow on Sunday.

—PHOTO

AAP has broken records of corruption: JP Nadda

It must be packed off lock, stock and barrel, says BJP president at party sammelan in Delhi

New Delhi (PTI): The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government in Delhi has become syn onymous with scams and broken the records of corruption set by the Congress, BJP presi dent JP Nadda alleged on Sunday.

He also asserted that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) will "trounce" the AAP in the MCD election and thereafter, in the Delhi Assembly polls.

"The AAP has be come a party of scams. It has broken all re cords of corruption set by the Congress. It needs to be packed off lock, stock and barrel," Nadda said at the BJP's "Panch Parmeshwar Sammelan" held at the Ramlila Maidan here ahead of the Municipal Corporation of Delhi

(MCD) polls, which are likely to be held in De cember. "Panch par meshwars" or five workers in each booth have been appointed by the BJP in Delhi over the last 45 days. There are around 13,800 poll ing booths in the na tional capital.

The BJP chief said the Arvind Kejriwal-led party had promised to provide a clean and healthy government in Delhi, "but it has com mitted scams after

CRUCIAL READ

DU’S ‘CENTENARY EXAMINATION’ FOR COLLEGE DROPOUTS BEGINS

New Delhi (PTI): The Delhi University's (DU) "centenary chance examination" for college dropouts to complete their courses commenced on Sunday. DS Rawat, Dean of Examination, said the exams are being conducted in two shifts and attendance has been "good" so far. The dropouts have been given this one chance in view of DU's year-long centenary celebrations that started on May 1. Over 1,850 students are slated to appear on the first day of the exam. The exams will be conducted from October 16 to November 9.

DELHI’S AQI IN ‘POOR’ CATEGORY, TEMP DIPS TO 19.1

New Delhi (PTI): Air quality in the capital plunged into ‘poor’ category on Sunday, while the city’s maximum temperature settled at 32.6 degrees Celsius, the weather office said. The minimum was 19.1 degrees Celsius, it said.

According to MeT, on Monday, Delhi is likely to see maximum and minimum temperatures hovering around 32 and 19 degrees Celsius, respectively. Central Pollution Control Board’s Air Quality Index (AQI) for Delhi was 232 on Sunday

MORE THAN 4,000 KG OF ILLEGAL CRACKERS SEIZED

Gurugram (PTI): More than four quintals of banned firecrackers were seized in a raid at a warehouse in Farrukhnagar area here, police said on Sunday. The warehouse ‘Vashishth and Company’, built on six acres near Daboda village, was raided Saturday night by a team of Farrukhnagar Police Station, led by Inspector Jitender Kumar, they said. The godown had 10 rooms and eight of them were used to keep the banned firecrackers.

SC TO HEAR TODAY ST STEPHEN’S PLEA AGAINST HC ORDER ON ADMISSION POLICY

New Delhi (PTI): The Supreme Court will hear on Monday a plea of St Stephen’s College against a Delhi HC order asking it to follow the admission policy of the Delhi University.

Chief Justice Uday Umesh Lalit, in his administrative capacity, has ordered listing of the case of the minority institution before a bench comprising Justices Ajay Rastogi and CT Ravikumar, as on October 10 Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul recused himself saying he is an alumnus of the institution and would not like to judge the case due to present “vitiated” atmosphere.

AAP has committed scams after scams in the power and excise departments, in the purchase of DTC buses, in the con struction of classrooms and toilets.

scams in the power and excise departments, in the purchase of DTC buses, in the construc tion of classrooms and toilets and in the Delhi Jal Board".

"Five of their MLAs are out on bail," he add ed. CM Kejriwal had said he would enforce

—JP Nadda, BJP President

prohibition in Delhi if his party came to power, but opened liquor shops in every neighbourhood after AAP formed gov ernment, Nadda said.

There are no princi pals in 745 schools run by the Delhi govern ment, while 70 per cent of such schools do not

teach science and com merce to students, he alleged. Also, the Kejri wal government has not been able to build a sin gle hospital in the capi tal so far, he added.

The BJP leader said the Modi government gave a health cover of Rs 5 lakh a year to 10.74 crore poor families across the country under the Ayushman Bharat Yojana, but the AAP government did not implement it in Delhi.

Sisodia, Jain are today's Bhagat Singh: Kejriwal

New Delhi (PTI): With the CBI summoning Manish Sisodia for ques tioning in the excise policy case, Chief Minis ter Arvind Kejriwal compared his deputy and jailed minister Saty endar Jain to Bhagat Singh, and termed his government's fight with the Centre the "second freedom struggle".

The reaction came af ter the CBI summoned DyCM Sisodia for ques tioning on Monday in connection with the now-scrapped excise policy.

The probe agency has asked the AAP leader to appear before it at its headquarters here at 11 am on Monday.

"Jail bars and hang ing noose could not de ter Bhagat Singh's reso lute intentions. This is the second fight for free dom. Manish and Saty endar are today's Bhagat Singh. After 75 years, the country got an educa tion minister who gave good education to the poor and gave hope for a bright future. Prayers of crores of poor are with you," Kejriwal tweeted.

Satyendar Jain was arrested by Enforce ment Directorate on May 30 in connection with a money launder ing case.

WILL FULLY COOPERATE: SISODIA

Reacting to the CBI summons, Sisodia said he will fully coop erate. "CBI raid was conducted at my house for 14 hours, nothing came out. Searched my bank locker, nothing came out in it. They did not find anything in my village. Now they have called me to CBI Headquarters at 11 am tomorrow. I will go and give my full cooperation. Satyameva Jayate," Sisodia tweeted.

‘SISODIA WILL BE ARRESTED’

Addressing a press conference at the party headquarters, the AAP's chief spokesperson, Saurabh Bharadwaj, said the central probe agency has sum moned Sisodia to arrest him.

"We all understand that Manish ji is going to be arrested by the CBI tomorrow. Orders have already been issued in this regard," he said.

"But the move to arrest Sisodia has nothing to do with the alleged excise policy scam. It's about elections in Gujarat where the AAP is in direct contest with the BJP and the people are talking about change and want change," he claimed.

AAP doing ‘pressure politics’: BJP

New Delhi: The BJP on Sunday accused the AAP of doing “pressure politics” following the CBI’s summons to Man ish Sisodia and alleged he was more of a “cor rupt collection agent” of Delhi CM Arvind Kejri wal than deputy CM.

BJP spokesperson Gaurav Bhatia alleged Kejriwal, was “kingpin” of scams his ministers are accused of, for com paring the action against

Sisodia and Satyendar Jain with what the Brit ish did to Bhagat Singh.

“Arvind Kejriwal these days compare him self to god and his min isters with freedom fighters. He should be

No HC role in order asking sons to vacate father’s house

New Delhi (PTI): The Delhi High Court has refused to interfere with an order directing two sons to vacate their 90-year-old father's house here for peaceful existence of the senior citizen who fears for his life.

The high court said going into the nature or right or interest of the parties in the property in question, at this junc ture, would be counter productive for the ob

SONS

dismissed an appeal filed by the two men against the order of a single judge which had upheld the order passed by the Division al Commissioner who had ordered their eviction from their fa ther's house.

jectives of the Senior Citizens Act.

A bench of Chief

70-year-old ‘Chillar Baba’ killed by vagabond for refusing money for liquor

First India Bureau

New Delhi: An elderly man who ran a tea stall near Nigambodh Ghat here was reportedly killed by a vagabond when he refused to give him money to buy liquor.

The arrested accused Johan Kevat (44) re portedly kept his mon ey deposited with the 70-year-old known as ‘Chillar Baba’, the po lice said.

On the intervening night of October 13 and

14, the accused asked ‘Chillar Baba’ to give him his money for con suming liquor, but he refused and allegedly abused him instead. This infuriated the ac cused, who hit him with a stick while he was asleep and fled the spot as the man died, the police added.

Police went through the footage of 30 CCTV cameras placed near the Ghat and zeroed in on Kevat after interro gating around 30 vaga bonds.

“This court in not in clined to interfere with the findings of the sin gle judge that for peace ful existence of the re spondent no.2 (father), who is fearing for his

life, it is necessary for the appellants (two sons) herein, who have not been able to prove any right superior to the right of the respond ent no. 2 on the property in question, to evict the premises. The findings arrived at by the single judge are in consonance with the Senior Citi zens Act which has been brought for the welfare of the senior citizens,” the division bench said.

Athawale says he is ‘proud’ of Ambedkar’s 22 pledges

New Delhi (PTI): Un ion minister and BJP ally Ramdas Athawale has supported the 22 pledges BR Ambedkar had drawn up while con verting to Buddhism, and said he as a Bud dhist is “proud” of them.

These pledges, which include not worship ping Hindu deities, are at the centre of a politi cal row after the then Delhi government min ister Rajendra Pal Gau tam was forced to resign due to the BJP’s vehe ment protests against

the AAP leader’s pres ence at a conversion event where these vows were recited.

In a tweet on Satur day, Athawale said, “We accept these 22 pledges drawn up by Bodhisatt

va Baba Saheb Ambed kar and I as a Buddhist support these 22 vows. These 22 pledges taken by Ambedkar is some thing we are proud of and we all should accept them in our lives.”

Athawale’s tweet comes days after he had slammed the Aam Aad mi Party over Gautam’s presence at the event.

He had then said that people have a constitu tional right to follow the religion they like but they should not de fame or insult other religions.

ashamed to do so as his corrupt ministers are filling his coffers while Bhagat Singh sacrificed his life for country,” Bha tia alleged.

With AAP claiming Sisodia will be arrested on Monday, when he has been summoned by CBI for questioning in the al leged excise scam, Bha tia said the party should refrain from “pressure politics” against probe agencies.

Youth stages abduction to buy cab

New Delhi (PTI):

A 21-year-old man has been arrested for staging his ab duction to obtain Rs 2 lakh from his fa ther, police said on Sunday.

Accused Prem Chand of Najaf garh worked as a delivery boy for a company. He want ed to get money from his father to buy a car and run it as a taxi.

DCP(Dwarka) said the family re ceived a call inform ing them that their son was abducted by four-five men who were demand ing Rs 2 lakh for his release.

“The location of the mobile phone was traced and it was found active in Dhankot, Guru gram. A police team, along with the accused’s fami ly members, went to the spot and saw the accused on a motor cycle. The police ap prehended him af ter a chase,” he said.

BJP National President JP Nadda addresses the

Parmeshwar Sammelan' at Ramlila Maidan

Nadda with BJP National General Secretary Dushyant Gautam, former union minister Harsh Vardhan, Delhi BJP President Adesh Gupta, BJP MPs Ramesh Bidhuri & Manoj Tiwari and others at the ‘Panch Parmeshwar Sammelan’.

Arvind Kejriwal addresses a public meeting in Bhavnagar, Gujarat, on Sunday. —PHOTO BY PTI

Justice Satish Chandra Sharma and Justice Subramonium Prasad

Ramdas Athawale

Gaurav Bhatia

PRESERVING WILDLIFE FROM MAURYAN TO PRESENT TIMES

SANJEEV CHOPRA

The death of Aurangzeb, and the failure of the later Mughals to enforce their writ across the country coincided with the growing foothold of the East India Company. Their ascendance meant that wildlife was subjected to unprecedented rapaciousness of the company officials who killed for sport, prestige, and pelf

The administrative designa tions, as well as the sequence in which they are listed gives an idea of the priorities of governance in any given time period. Thus, we find that in the times of Chan dragupta Maurya around the third century before the com mon era, Kupadhyakhsa or the Superintendent of For ests was placed just after the Karmantika (superinten dent of agriculture) and Godhayksha – the keeper of cattle and Hastadhyanka –the trainer of elephants and Asvadamaka – the breeder and trainer of horse. These then were the principal offic ers of the Empire who con stituted the agriculture and allied sectors. The revenue department was headed by the Samahartta (the chief collector), and the civil mag istrate was called Dharm sathya, and the judge with criminal jurisdiction was the Kantak Sodhana.

Here in this column, we are discussing the manage ment of forest and more so, of the ‘hunt’ which was a popular pastime of the roy alty, nobility and the shresthi (top end business leaders). As such, the focus on the role of the Kupyadhyaksha or Forest Department Head. This officer was in charge of implementing the Game Laws laid down the Artha shastra, written by Kautilya, the then Prime Minister of the Mauryan Empire. This in effect became the first offi cial administrative docu ment to spell out wildlife con servation measures. Prior to this, there was a well-defined convention that a six-mile ra dius (shadkosh) around the ashrams of the Rishis was prohibited zone with regard to killing of anima

During the reign of Chan dragupta’s grandson Asho ka, the written laws on wild life conservation were imple mented in spirit as well His concept of Ahimsa included the birds and animals living in the forest. In fact, his pen chant for wildlife also ex tended to art and aesthetics as is evident from the sculpt

FOR HEARTH FIRE CLIMATE CAN WAIT

ing of the Ashokan pillar with four lions with their back to each!

Unfortunately, the patron age and good fortune that wildlife had enjoyed during the Vedic, Pauaranic and later Pauaranic period did not last forever. In fact, right up to the times of the founder of the Mughal empire, Babur, rhinoc eros, elephants, lions, tigers, and cheetahs were in abundance from Peshawar to the Indi Gangetic plains. However, as the Mughal empire stabilized, the kings took to ‘hunt’ as a ‘sport’ and as a ‘trophy.’

Ain-i- Akbari records the ‘valour of the Em peror,’ as well as a spe cial kind of hunting called ‘Gamargha Hunt,’ which involved hun dreds of beaters with

Environment can wait. Rising pric es of oil and gas, along with disrup tion in supplies due to the Russia-Ukraine war, have facilitated the re turn of coal as a key source of fuel. Europe which is heav ily dependent on Russian oil and gas, is making a quick return to coal for thermal plants. Moscow has cut its supplies to Europe in retalia tion of Western sanctions. Bulgaria and Poland are fac ing the brunt for their refusal to pay Moscow in rubles.

Germany is another coun try where drastic measures are being taken to face the harsh winters in view of ris ing energy prices. Previously the use of coal was to be grad ually reduced in Germany to

drums who would literally drive all the wild animals into a circle – thereby mak ing it easy for the royalty, in cluding the women of the royal harem to hunt the ani mals with spears, guns and arrows. The Ain also notes

the Akbar, and later his son and heir Jahangir, bred ti gers and leopards for hunt ing purposes in specific me nageries in Fatehpur and Agra. However, royal hunt ing continued to be a symbol of sovereign power. By his own admission, Jahangir hunted a total 17,167 big and small game in his reign of thirty-six years

The death of Aurangzeb, and the failure of the later Mughals to enforce their writ across the country coincided with the growing foothold of the East India Company. Their ascendance meant that wildlife was subjected to un precedented rapaciousness of the company officials who killed for sport, prestige, and pelf. In this, they found will ing accomplices among the local Rajas and nawabs who were happy to organize these hunts for their newfound for eign patrons. Some Mahara jas and Nawabs maintained an entire corps of shikaris mainly comprised of local tribals’ with an intricate knowledge of the jungle and its inhabitants. A Mir-Shika ri or expert hunter would of ten head this group. An invi tation by the provincial ruler to hunt game within their district was seen as a bonho mie gesture towards the colo nists but this misplaced ca maraderie between the colo nist and the princes resulted in irreversible damage to India’s wildlife in the eight eenth and nineteenth centu ries. This was the period when several animals were pushed towards their last existing refuge, as for exam ple the sole surviving Asi atic lion population in Guja rat and the one horned rhi noceros in North-East In dia. And some like the Cheetah had to be reintro duced into its erstwhile habitat from Africa.

Environment can wait.

Rising prices of oil and gas, along with disruption in supplies due to the RussiaUkraine war, have facilitated the return of coal as a key source of fuel. Europe which is heavily dependent on Russian oil and gas, is making a quick return to coal for thermal plants

protect the climate but that has become difficult in the current situation. The Ener gy Security Act of Germany provides for the use of “more

coal-fired power plants” to generate electricity in the fu ture to save gas for heating of homes and offices. In the UK, too, an old thermal power plant is being revived to tide over the impending crisis.

Sweden, the country of Greta Thunberg who became the face of the campaign to save the planet, has also pushed the global warming issue on the back burner as it revives an old oil-based power plant to face power shortages.

India was in the process of phasing out fossil fuels but it has now been hurdled by the global developments. If the war continues, which is quite likely to, the climate change issue will have to take a back seat to avoid putting addi tional financial burden on the people.

JOE BIDEN’S APT TAG OF UNSAFE NATION FOR PAK ON N-WEAPONS FOR N-WEAPONS

Pakistan summoned US ambassador to Is lamabad Donald to lodge its formal pro test against US Presi dent Joe Biden for calling it among most dangerous nations in world when it came to safety of its nuclear weapons. Pak countered Biden with PM Sha rif describing his country as ‘most responsible nuclear state’.

In 2011 US cables accessed by WikiLeaks said that not just the US but several other countries shared the concern over Paki stan’s nuclear arsenal. In 2008 American Senator Benjamin L. Cardin took up the matter with then PM Raza Gilani who said that state had control over the nuclear stockpile. Even Russia had voiced security concerns over political instability in Pak.

Main threat to safety of nu clear weapons in India’s neigh bourhood stems from unpredict ability of, and power wielded by, mullahs heading terror-linked outfits. That is unchanged.

Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in your midst? Bible

Kiren Rijiju @KirenRijiju

India is proud to have such a world class venue at Ekta Nagar. I’m very grateful to Gujarat Govt for proving full support for All India Conference of Law Ministers & Law Secretaries. I thank all the Law Ministers and Law Secretaries for their participation in the Conference.

Dr Jitendra Singh @DrJitendraSingh

#BHU, estabilised by Pt Madan Mohan Malviya in 1916, has emerged as a premier seat of integrated learning, blending traditional ethos with latest advancement in academics. Released Magazine and Annual Report during the “Varshik Mahotsav”. #Varanasi

SPIRITUAL SPEAK

Here in this column, we are discussing the management of forest and more so, of the ‘hunt’ which was a popular pastime of the royalty, nobility and the shresthi (top end business leaders)

To

‘

Believe in Modi ji and vote for BJP’

Gwalior (PTI): Union

Home Minister Amit Shah on Sunday laid the foundation for the new terminal building and expansion of the Raj mata Vijayaraje Scindia Airport in Gwalior city and accused the erst while Congress govern ment of stalling welfare schemes in MP.

Shah later inaugurat ed “Gatha Swaraj kiMaratha Gallery” gal lery at Scindias’ Jai Vi las Palace in the city.

Shah appealed to peo ple to re-elect Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Madhya Pradesh, going to polls in November of next year.

“Madhya Pradesh had experienced Con gress rule once. Now the elections are on the an vil again. Don’t repeat the mistake. Believe in Modi ji (Prime Minister Narendra Modi) and vote for BJP”, Shah said after laying the founda tion for the Rs 446-crore expansion of the air port and launching a Rs 4,300-crore project un der the Jal Jeevan Mis

THE

sion. Shah alleged the previous Kamal Nathled Congress govern

SC TO HEAR GOVINDACHARYA’S PLEA ON COPYRIGHT OF COURT LIVE STREAMING

New Delhi (PTI): The Supreme Court would hear on Monday a plea of former BJP leader K N Govin dacharya that the copyright of live streamed apex court proceedings cannot be surrendered to private platforms like YouTube. For the first time, the top court, on September 27, started to live-stream its Constitution bench proceedings related to the hearing of pleas challenging the reservation for the Economically Weaker Sections and the row over control of services between the Centre and the Delhi government. A bench comprising Chief Justice Uday Umesh Lalit and Justice Bela M Trivedi has listed an interim plea of Govindacharya for hearing.

UP MAN GETS LIFE IMPRISONMENT

FOR KILLING DAD

Basti (PTI): A man has been sentenced to life imprisonment by a court here for murder ing his father in 2018 Additional District and Session Judge Anil Kumar Kharwar on Saturday also imposed a fine of Rs 10,000 on the convict Jag dish Mishra. District Government Counsel Durga Prasad Upad hyay on Sunday said that Jagdish Mishra had attacked his father Ramdev Mishra with a sharp-edged weapon on February 24, 2018 in their house.

2006 COMMUNAL CLASH IN UP: 10 GET 5-YEAR JAIL

Muzaffarnagar (PTI): A fast track court here has sentenced 10 people to five years’ imprisonment in con nection with a com munal clash case in 2006. 14 people were acquitted due to lack of evidence. The court also imposed a fine of Rs 34,000 on the 10 convicts – Naseem, Kaleem, Nasir, Irfan, Tiyaz, Iqbal, Nadeem, Dilshad, Rizwan, and Sabir. According to government lawyer Ka mal Kant, a clash had broken out on February 24, 2006.

ment, which remained in power for 15 months till March 2020, stalled

welfare projects includ ing the PM Awas Yojana and Jal Jeevan Mission, which were meant for the poor. After becom ing chief minister, Shivraj Singh Chouhan expedited these projects to compensate for the loss that occurred dur ing the Congress re gime, he said.

Union Civil Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia, Agriculture Minister Narendra Sin gh Tomar and CM Chou han were present on the occasion.

HM calls Chintan Shivir of all states’ Home Ministers

New Delhi (Agencies):

The Union Home Ministry has called a Chintan Shivir of Home Ministers of all the states on Octo ber 27-28 at Sura jkund in Haryana.

West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee and her Rajasthan counterpart Ashok Gehlot have also been invited to join the meeting. Banerjee and Gehlot also hold the Home portfolio in their respective states. However, Ba nerjee’s presence in the meeting has not been confirmed yet.

The two-day brain storming session has been convened to dis cuss the issues and problems related to internal security.

The MHA believes that some problems related to internal

West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee and her Rajasthan counterpart Ashok Gehlot have also been invited to join the meeting.

security can be elimi nated on the basis of mutual coordination among the states.

Apart from this, is sues related to polic ing, public security, fire fighting etc. in the states will also be discussed.

Sources said along with the Home Minis ters, the Home Secre tary and Director Gen eral of Police of all the states will also take part in the meeting.

Kashmir’s ‘dying’ pottery craft gets a Diwali order

Srinagar (PTI): As Di wali draws closer, Mo hammad Umar Kumar, who is aiming to revive the “dying” art of glazed pottery in Kashmir, is working passionately to deliver 15,000 earthen lamps.

Kumar (27), a com merce graduate from the Ishber area of Ni shat here, says it is a tough challenge to re vive the age-old craft but he is not giving up.

A recent order for “di yas” (earthen lamps) for the festival of Diwali brought hope as well as money. “I received an order for 15,000 lamps for Diwali from a dealer in Kulgam district. The lamps must be delivered

before the festival,” Ku mar said. “However, I cannot rush into it. This is an art. I have to make sure the product is abso lutely fine,” he said.

The 27-year-old said the order has been a shot in the arm for the family, which is intri cately involved in the art of pottery.

Glazed pottery, known as “Dal Gate pot tery”, is unique to Kash mir. Originally, glazed tiles in deep green, blue, brown and ochre were made. This craft later bifurcated to tableware and vases made in red, green and blue glazes. Kumar has also en gaged his father and brother in the trade.

BJP will break all poll records in Gujarat, says Thakur

Ahmedabad (ANI): Union Minister Anurag Thakur while address ing the public on the fourth day of Gujarat Gaurav Yatra said that the BJP would break all previous records in the upcoming elections.

While addressing three public meetings in Surendranagar and Wadhwa in Gujarat, Thakur lashed out at the Opposition Con gress and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP). Taking a jibe at AAP’s Gujarat unit head Gopal Italia, Thakur said, “Earlier an Italian woman used to insult Narendra Modi Ji and today there

is an Italia who insults Modi Ji’s mother. Guja rat did not accept this earlier also and will not do so now. Gujarat will give a befitting reply.”

The BJP is organiz ing the ‘Gujarat Gaurav

Yatra’ from October 12 to October 20, in five routes. On October 12, BJP National President JP Nadda flagged off two routes, while on Oc tober 13, Union Home Minister Amit Shah

MAHENDRA SINGH IS BJP’S ELECTION

IN CHARGE FOR POLL-BOUND TRIPURA

New Delhi (ANI): The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Sunday appointed Mahendra Singh as the elec tion in-charge for the poll-bound Tripura. Mahen dra Singh is a former minister in Yogi Adityanath’s government in Uttar Pradesh. “BJP National President JP Nadda has appointed Dr Mahendra Singh, MLC Uttar Pradesh as the party’s election in-charge and Samir Oraon MP Rajya Sabha as co-incharge for upcoming legislative elections in Tripura,” the BJP said in a tweet.

flagged off three routes.

During this yatra, BJP aims to cover 5734 km across Gujarat. The ruling party has already taken out this yatra under the leader ship of Narendra Modi

Himachal Assembly polls: BJP CEC meet likely on Tuesday to finalise candidates

New Delhi (ANI): The BJP is likely to hold a meeting of the Central Election Committee (CEC) to finalise the can didates for the upcom ing Himachal Pradesh Assembly election, as per sources. The party can also release the first list of its candidates for the Himachal Pradesh Assembly elections any time in a few days.

A meeting of Himachal Pradesh’s core group has been called to be conducted in the na tional capital on Monday which will be attended

UNDER SIEGE?

by Union Home Minister Amit Shah, party chief JP Nadda, organization minister BL Santosh, state CM Jai Ram Thakur and the leaders of the state core group.

The party has “al most concluded” its preparations for con testing the elections in Himachal Pradesh for yet-another time this year. Amit Shah on Sat

urday had launched the party’s campaign song for the assembly elec tion ‘Himachal Ki Pu kaar Phir BJP Sarkar’ at a public rally in Himachal’s Sirmour.

This CEC meeting is expected to give a final list of the candidates for assembly polls in the state, after necessary consultation with the party’s senior leaders.

Is Lalu’s family being ‘surrounded’ by agencies?

lll

The latest case is of land for job, which is from the time when Lalu was Railway Minister. Central agencies have started action in this matter now

Sharat K Verma

New Delhi: The way the central agencies are laying siege to the Soren family in Jharkhand, similarly, Lalu Prasad’s family is being laid siege upon in Bihar. Lalu Prasad’s troubles in the fodder scam seemed to be end ing, so now the entire family has been entan gled in the alleged scam of job for land. The disproportionate assets case is also pend

ing against almost all the members of the family. The latest case

is of land for job, which is from the time when Lalu Prasad was Rail

way Minister i.e. be fore 2009. Central agen cies have started action in this matter after a decade and a half.

The CBI had regis tered a case in May this year in the case of giv ing jobs in lieu of land. Since then, the names of about one and a half dozen people have come in it. Along with many railway officials, the names of Lalu Prasad, Rabri Devi, Misa Bharti and Hima Yadav are also in it.

Bhola Yadav, who was a close aide of Lalu Pras ad in the same case, has been arrested and the CBI is interrogat ing Tejashwi Yadav’s close aide Sanjay Ya dav. The sword is also hanging over Tejashwi Yadav in a case of IRCTC, a railway re lated company. If the agency has arrested one accused in this case, then naturally the sword of arrest is hanging on the rest of the accused as well.

in 2002 and before the assembly elections in 2017. This time the Yatra will cover 144 of the 182 assemblies of Gujarat during which more than 145 public meetings will be held.

AAP RELEASES LIST OF 12 CANDIDATES FOR GUJ POLLS

Ahmedabad: AAP has named 12 more candi dates for the upcoming Gujarat polls. The party fielded Rajesh Pandoriya (Bhuj), Jayantibhai Parnami (Idar), Ashok Gajera (Nikol), Jasvant Thakor (Sabarmati), Sanjay Bhatasna (Tanka ra), Valjibhai Makwana (Kodina), Ravjibhai Soma bhai Vaghela (Mahudha), Udeysinh Chauhan (Balasinor), Banabhai Da mor (Morva Hadaf), Anil Garasiya (Jhalod), Chaitar Vasava (Dediapada) and Bipin Choudhary (Vyara).

4-day RSS national executive meet begins in Uttar Pradesh

Prayagraj (PTI): A four-day national ex ecutive board meet ing of the RSS, which will discuss the ex pansion work of the Sangh as well as the prevalent current is sues, began in Gauha nia here on Sunday.

RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat and general secretary Dattatreya Hosabale attended the meeting and paid flo ral tributes to a por trait of ‘Bharat Mata’.

Discussion will be held to review the ex pansion work in view of the centenary of the RSS as well as on current issues.

Discussion will also be held on vari ous issues raised by Bhagwat in his speech on the occa sion of Vijaya Dasha mi in Nagpur. The RSS chief had spoken about education in mother tongue, popu lation imbalance and social harmony.

On the first day, tributes were paid to some of prominent persons who passed away recently includ ing Shankaracharya of Dwarka Peeth Swa mi Swaroopanand, Panchpeethadheesh war Acharya Dhar mendra etc.

Amit Shah lays foundation for terminal building of Gwalior airport, inaugurates Maratha Museum

Union Home Minister Amit Shah with Civil Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia, Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Tomar, and Madhya Pradesh CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan during the foundation laying ceremony of the terminal building of the Rajmata Vijayaraje Scindia Airport in Gwalior.

Amit Shah greets as he arrives for the inauguration of the 'Gatha Swaraj Ki' Maratha Museum, at Scindia Niwas Jai Vilas Palace, in Gwalior on Sunday. —PHOTOS BY ANI

Father of potter Mohammad Umar Kumar carries earthen lamps at his workshop in Srinagar. —PHOTO BY PTI

Lalu Prasad Yadav with sons Tejashwi (L) and Tej Pratap.

Union Minister Anurag Thakur.

—FILE PHOTO

RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat and RSS Gen Secy Dattatreya Hosabale, in Prayagraj, on Sunday. —PHOTO BY PTI

‘

India will give a befitting reply to anyone who disrupts peace’

Defence Minister emphasises that strict vigil is being maintained at the borders

New Delhi (PTI): India has never tried to hurt any country, but a befit ting reply will be given if anyone tries to cast an evil eye on it, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said on Sunday, amid a lingering border row with China in eastern Ladakh.

In his address at a vir tual event, the defence minister emphasised that strict vigil is being maintained at the bor ders and that the coun try is ready to deal with all challenges. “India is a peace-loving nation which has never tried to hurt any country, but if any attempt is made to disrupt peace and har mony in the country, a befitting reply will be given,” he said.

The defence minister noted that bolstering the security apparatus by equipping the armed forces with indigenous state-of-the-art weapons is the top priority of the government. He also urged the citizens to contribute to nation-

building by transcend ing sectarian barriers and imbibing the quali ties of national pride and patriotism, found in abundance in every In dian soldier and free dom fighter, according to the defence ministry. The event, “Shaheedon ko Salaam”, was organ ised by an NGO named “Maruti Veer Jawan Trust”. Singh said the

CRUCIAL READ

ICG APPREHENDED SRI LANKAN BOAT WITH 5 FISHERMEN NEAR KANNIYAKUMARI

Kanniyakumari (Tamil Nadu) (ANI): The Indian Coast Guard (ICG) on Sunday said that it had apprehended a fishing boat with five Sri Lankans off the Kanniyakumari coast in Tamil Nadu. In a sea-air coordi nated operation, the Indian Coast Guard ship Shaurya apprehended a Sri Lankan fishing boat 74 nautical miles south of Kanyakumari.

5 ARRESTED IN GUWAHATI IN ATM FRAUD CASE

Guwahati (ANI): Assam Police have arrested five people in connection with two ATM fraud cases and recovered 68 ATM cards.

Police have also seized three vehicles. Police ar rested persons had fraudu lently changed the ATM cards of unknown persons.

DCP Sudhakar Singh said that two cases of ATM fraud were registered on October 4 and 5.

PYTHON FOUND ON SCHOOL BUS IN UP’s RAEBARELI

New Delhi (ANI): A giant python was found and res cued inside a school bus in Uttar Pradesh’s Raebareli on Sunday. According to reports, the python was hiding under the seat of the bus of Ryan Public School parked. CO City Vandana Singh and City Magistrate Pallavi Mishra reached the spot after getting the information and called the Forest Department team.

MAGICIAN OP SHARMA PASSES AWAY

Kanpur (ANI): Famous magician, OP Sharma, away at a private hospital in Kanpur, UP after being ill for a very long time. OP Sharma was from the Ballia district and was undergoing dialysis and took his last breath during treatment. Mukesh Gupta, OP Sharma’s relative said, “His health condition was not well from past two years after being diagnosed from Covid-19 and post that he suffered kidney problems and he had to go for dialysis twice in a week.”

Thiruvananthapuram (Agencies): Indian Meteorological Depart ment (IMD) has predicted heavy rains in many parts of the state for the next five days. The weathermen have an nounced yellow alerts in ten districts of the state, predicting heavy rains are expected to receive heavy rains till Tuesday.

Ahmedabad (Agencies):

At least 12 people were arrested during a raid on a flat where a liquor party was going on in Ahmedabad’s Vastrapur area, police said. The police raided the flat on Saturday night after getting a complaint.

According to the Vastrapur police station officer, the city control room received a call from Dy Commissioner Zone-5.

YOGA GURU BABA RAMDEV ALLEGES TOP BOLLYWOOD STARS TAKE DRUGS

Moradabad (Agencies): Yoga Guru Baba Ramdev has alleged that top Bollywood actors consume drugs. Baba Ramdev was speaking at a conference in Moradabad on Saturday, when he said, “Sal man Khan takes drugs, I do not know about Aamir Khan. Shah Rukh Khan‘s child was caught while taking drugs and remained in jail. As far as actresses are concerned, God alone knows about them.”

armed forces personnel, rising above the barri ers of region, religion, caste and language, serve the nation self lessly and protect people from various kinds of threats, the same way the “revolutionary” freedom fighters laid down their lives for the country’s independ ence. “It is the duty of every citizen to carry

forward the ideals and resolutions of our free dom fighters and sol diers, protect the unity, integrity and sovereign ty of our nation and play their part in build ing a strong, prosperous and self-reliant ‘New India’,” he said.

Singh further said In dia has never tried to hurt any country, but a befitting reply will be

Mathura CJM directs cops to lodge FIR against 20 including IAS Mandad

Ahtesham Siddiqui

Lucknow: The Chief Judicial Magistrate of Mathura has directed police to register a case against 20 people in cluding IAS officer Ravindra Kumar Man dad, then Municipal Commissioner of Ma thura Vrindavan Mu nicipal Corporation.

Mandad is currently posted as DM Rampur.

The matter is related to alleged manhandling with a BJP leader Rajen dra Hora by Ravindra Kumar Mandad and oth er officers of the Mathu ra Vrindavan Corpora tion on 4 September 2019.

Hora said that Mandal and other officers were conducting a field visit in Guru Nanak Nagar and other areas when he came out of his house and apprised the officers of the problems being faced by the leaders. He

Min not to procure

New Delhi (PTI): The government’s Covid vaccination programme is in its final leg with the Health Ministry decid ing against procuring more vaccines as of now and surrendering Rs 4,237 crore, or nearly 85 pc of the 2022-23 budget allocation for inocula tion purposes, to the Fi nance Ministry.

Official said that more than 1.8 crore dos es are still available with the govts at the Centre and in states and the stock is sufficient to continue the vaccina tion drive for around six months, given the low uptake of vaccines among people due to de clining Covid cases.

further alleged that the officers got annoyed and he was manhandled by them in which his hand got fractured. Hora said that police took no action on his complaint there fore he approached the court. Despite the court order, the Mathura po lice has not yet regis tered the case because permission from top of ficers is required before registering a case against the IAS officer.

India is a peace-lov ing nation which has never tried to hurt any country, but if any attempt is made to disrupt peace and harmony, a befit ting reply will be given. the citizens to contribute to nation-building by transcending sectarian barriers

—Rajnath Singh, Defence Minister

given if anyone tries to cast an evil eye on it.

Terming the support to the family members of the fallen heroes a national responsibility, the defence minister as serted that the govern ment is committed to ensuring the welfare of the next of kin of the serving as well as the retired security forces personnel.

Karnataka CM Bommai to visit Delhi soon

Bengaluru (Agen cies): With Assembly elections just months away Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai said that he would be visiting Delhi to discuss the cabinet expansion with BJP Na tional President JP Na dda and other senior leaders.

His remarks came during the ongoing Jan Sankalp yatra in the state. Addressing media on Saturday, he said everyone will be in formed when the high command gives permis sion for the cabinet ex pansion. When asked about Shiv Sena oppos ing the construction of Kannada Bhavan at Kaneri Mutt in Kol hapur, Bommai said, “Already there are Kan nada Bhavans of vari ous associations and organisations in tem ples and Yatri Nivas. In these issues, state or language barriers must not come.”

Emotional scenes at cremation of slain Kashmiri pandit

Jammu (PTI): Emo tions ran high as the mortal remains of a slain Kashmiri pandit were consigned to flames here on Sunday with the grief-stricken community expressing anger against the al leged failure of the gov ernment to stop selec tive killings by terror ists in the Valley.

Puran Krishan Bhat was gunned down by terrorists on Saturday outside his ancestral house in the Chowd hary Gund area of south Kashmir’ Shopi an district, where he had gone to look after his orchards.

The body of the de

‘HINDUS NOT SAFE HERE’

Jammu (Agencies):

The targeted killing of Kashmiri Pandit Puran Krishan Bhat jolted the nation on Saturday. Hours after his murder, the terror outfit Kashmir Free dom Fighters claimed responsibility for the attack and even hinted at many more similar instances that are yet to come.

ceased was received by the wailing relatives at his Muthi residence in Jammu late Saturday night.

Rahul to vote in K’taka’s Ballari, Sonia in party head-quarters

New Delhi (Agencies):

For the Congress presi dential polls on Mon day, Rahul Gandhi will vote at a Bharat Jodo Yatra campsite in Kar nataka’s Ballari while the outgoing interim president, Sonia Gan dhi will vote at the par ty headquarters here.

Congress General Secretary in-charge Jairam Ramesh said, “There’ve been queries on where @RahulGan dhi will cast his vote tomorrow for Congress Presidential election. There should be no speculation. He will be voting at the #Bharat JodoYatra campsite in Sanganakallu, Ballari along with around 40 other Bharat Yatris who are PCC delegates.”

Former Prime Minis ter Manmohan Singh

will also cast his vote at the party headquarters here.

For the October 17 polls, 67 booths have been set up in all the states, the party’s cen tral election authority (CEA) said.

PUZZLED SITUATION

“NO SHAME IN IT”: KHARGE ON TAKING ADVICE FROM THE GANDHI FAMILY

Bengaluru (Agencies): Senior Con gress leader Mallikarjun Kharge on Sunday said he would have no shame in taking the advice and support of the Gandhi family in running the party affairs, in case he becomes its President, as they have struggled and put their strength for its growth. The veteran leader said that he is the "del egates' candidate" in this polls to the party's highest post, scheduled for October 17.

‘CONGRESS WILL TOUCH 150 SEATS IN K’TAKA POLLS’

Ballari (ANI): Karnataka Congress President DK Shivakumar on Sunday claimed that the Congress would win more than 150 seats in the Karnataka Assembly elections next year. While addressing a conference the Congress leader said. “We will touch 150+ seats in the Assembly elections with out anyone’s support.”

Is BJP in dilemma over Jagan Mohan?

Mahesh Sharma

New Delhi: Elections are approaching in Andhra Pradesh and along with the Lok Sab ha, elections to the Leg islative Assembly would be held there.

That’s why the state BJP leaders are in a di lemma about how to deal with YSR Congress leader and state Chief Minister Jagan Mohan Reddy.

Jagan Mohan shows goodwill towards the Narendra Modi govern ment at the Centre. He also provides issue based support to the central government. He took blessings by touch ing the feet of Narendra

Modi in public and thus it has become difficult for the state BJP lead ers to attack him. To do the politics of the state, it is necessary that the party should open a front against the gov ernment. Thus there is going to be a two-day meeting of the party’s

state committee to con sider this.

This week party lead ers will meet and decide their stand towards the government and YSR Congress.

Party state leaders say that if it is not started now, it will be too late. Recently, when Union Home Min

ister Amit Shah visited Telangana, he met Jun ior NTR, the grandson of charismatic Telugu leader NT Rama Rao.

This had led to specula tion that he might join hands with the BJP.

There has also been talk of rapprochement with his family’s party and BJP’s old ally TDP.

The BJP had also pre viously tied up with film star Chiranjeevi’s brother Pawan Kalyan.

It is being told that all these options will be considered for the strat egy of the next election.

Since the BJP cannot align with Jagan’s par ty, the party will have to fight against him de spite all the goodwill.

FOUR CONGRESS WORKERS SUFFER ELECTRIC SHOCK

Bengaluru (ANI):Four Congress workers in Kar nataka were hospitalised after they suffered an elec tric shock during Rahul’s Bharat Jodo Yatra in Bal lari. The mishap occurred when they were tying flags to a pole. The injured workers were rushed to the Civil Hospital in Ballari where they are undergo ing treatment.

dies of heart attack

Kanker (Agencies ): Chhattisgarh Assembly Deputy Speaker and ruling Congress MLA Manoj Singh Mandavi died on Sunday follow ing a heart attack, party leaders said. Manoj Mandavi, 58, was taken to a hospital in neighbouring Dham tari town after he suf fered a heart attack where he died in the morning, state Con gress communication wing head Sushil Anand Shukla said. Mandavi, who repre sented Bhanupratappur constituency, was at his native village Nathia Nawagaon in Charama area of the district on Saturday night.

HEAVY RAIN LIKELY IN MANY KERALA PARTS THIS WEEK

TWELVE HELD FOR LIQUOR PARTY IN DRY GUJARAT

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh virtually addressing an event ‘Shaheedon ko Salaam’ organised by ‘Maruti Veer Jawan Trust’ to support the families of India’s fallen soldiers, in New Delhi on Sunday.

A woman mourns the killing of her brother-in-law, from the minority community of Kashmiri Hindus in Shopian district.

—PHOTO BY ANI

—PHOTO BY ANI

C’garh Deputy

Congress Interim President Sonia Gandhi along with her son Rahul Gandhi takes part in the party’s Bharat Jodo Yatra.

(Top) Rajendra Hora (Inset) IAS Ravindra K Mandad

Jagan Mohan Reddy

‘` isn’t sliding, $ strengthening’

$303 MN

PE INVESTMENTS IN RETAIL REAL ESTATE DIP

New Delhi: Private equity investments in retail real estate space fell 63% to $303 million during JanSept as investors were concerned about possible impact of high inflation on consumption, acc to Knight Frank. The PE in vestments in retail stood at $817 million in the cor responding period of the last year. However, the consultant felt that the re tail sector would continue to observe capital com mitments from invest ment platforms that re main bullish on its growth prospects.

SIX OF TOP-10 FIRMS LOSE `78,163 CRORE IN M-CAP

Washington (PTI): Fi nance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has said that the rupee has not weak ened but it is the dollar that has strengthened, as she defended the 8% slide in the value of Indian cur rency against the green back this year.

Speaking to reporters af ter attending the annual meetings of the IMF and the World Bank, she assert ed that the fundamentals of the Indian economy were strong and that infla tion was low compared to other parts of the world.

“First of all I would look at it as not rupee sliding, I would look at it as dollar strengthening, dollar strengthening incessant ly,” she said in reply to a question on weakening ru pee. All other currencies around the world are per forming against a strength ening dollar, she said.

TOP TALKING POINTS

New Delhi: The combined market valuation of six of the 10 most valued do mestic firms eroded by `78,163 crore last week, with Reliance Industries taking the biggest hit.

While RIL, Bharti Airtel, ICICI Bank, HUL, Bajaj Fi nance and SBI saw a drop in their valuation, TCS, HDFC Bank, Infosys and HDFC emerged as the gainers. However, the combined gain of the four firms at `30,467.03 crore was less than the total loss suffered by the six companies.

—PTI

FPIs WITHDRAW `7,500 CRORE FROM INDIAN EQUITIES

“And I’m not talking technicalities, but it is a matter of fact that India’s rupee probably has with stood this dollar rate go ing up, the exchange rate in favour of dollar strengthening is there and I think Indian rupee has performed much better than many other emerging market currencies.”

OTHER STORIES

z After attending the annual meetings of the IMF and the World Bank, FM asserted that the fundamentals of the Indian economy were strong and that inflation was low compared to other parts of the world

The rupee settled at 82.35 against the US dollar on Friday, having touched an other record low of 82.68 on Monday after which the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) is likely to have in tervened. Some analysts

EARNINGS, GLOBAL TRENDS TO GUIDE SHARE MARKETS IN INDIA THIS WEEK, SAY ANALYSTS

New Delhi: A New Delhi: Stock markets will be guided by the ongoing quarterly earnings season and global factors, analysts said, adding that foreign fund movement would also play a crucial role in dictat ing the terms. Besides, movement of the rupee and trend in international oil benchmark Brent crude will also influence trading, they added. In terms of global factors, macro numbers from the United States and China will be important. Move ment of the US bond yields, dollar index and crude oil will be other global factors to watch out for. Last week, the Sensex shed 271.32 points or 0.46 per cent, while the Nifty fell 128.95 points or 0.74 per cent. —PTI

‘SALARY IN CERTAIN SECTOR TO REACH 2019 LEVEL BY FISCAL-END’

New Delhi: Foreign inves tors have pulled out near ly `7,500 crore from the Indian equity markets in the first two weeks of Oc tober on concerns of monetary policy tighten ing by the US Federal Re serve and other central banks globally, which could hamper global eco nomic growth. With this, the total outflow by FPIs has reached to `1.76 lakh crore so far in 2022, data with the depositories showed. According to the data, FPIs withdrew `7,458 crore from equi ties during October 3-14. This came following an outflow of over `7,600 crore in September. —PTI

BoM SLASHES HOME LOAN RATE TO 8% IN FESTIVE OFFER

Mumbai: Salary level in certain sectors are expected to be re stored to the pre-pandemic mark by the end of this financial year aided by the recovery in economic ac tivities, according to TeamLease HRTech CEO Sumit Sabharwal. He said, as normalcy returned and the economy gradually recovered companies began giving increments that helped in narrowing the salary gap to the 2019 level. However, there is still a little gap of around 7-14% from the 2019 wage level in certain sectors. “We expect the recovery to reach the 2019 level by the end of this financial year,” he added. —PTI

REFORM, ECO GROWTH FOCUS TO BOOST FDI OPPORTUNITIES

New Delhi: India’s focus on reforms and economic growth will give rise to FDI opportuni ties of $475 billion in the next five years, a report said. As per the ‘Vision ‘Developed India’ Op portunities and Expectations of MNCs’ survey, 71% of MNCs considered India to be an at tractive investment destination for their global expansion, while an overwhelming 96% of the respondents were positive about the Indian economy in the long run. “India’s reforms focus and economic growth gives rise to FDI opportunity of $475 billion in the next five years,” the EYCII report said. —PTI

z The rupee settled at 82.35 against the $ on Friday, having touched record low of 82.68 on Monday after which the RBI is likely to have intervened

z India’s forex reserves stood at $532.87 bn in week through October 7, a far cry from $642.45 bn seen a year back

say the central bank may have spent nearly $100 bil lion in the past year to de fend the rupee.

Sitharaman said the RBI efforts aimed at only curb ing excess volatility and its intervention in the market

Festive sales cheer consumer goods industry

‘INDIAN GOVT KEEPING WATCH ON GROWING TRADE DEFICIT’

Washington (PTI): The Indian government is keeping a watch on the growing trade deficit to check if there is a dispro portionate increase in the gap against any one country, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has said. “Trade deficit is actually growing,” she said. “It is grow ing across the board, meaning we are importing a lot more than exporting. And the net is definitely going against us. But, we’re also keeping a watch as to if there’s a disproportionate in crease against any one country,” Sitharaman said.

INDIA TAKING ACTION AGAINST SPAMMING, SAYS FM

Washington (PTI): The Indian government is taking action against activities like spam ming and intrusion into privacy data, especially in the banking sector, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has said. She said the government has withdrawn the old data protection bill and the new one is likely to come sooner. In the meanwhile, action is being taken on spamming and unsolicited calls and messages. The government is working intensely to contain these kinds of activities which are not right, she said.

COAL IS GOING TO BE BACK AGAIN AS GAS BECOMING UNAFFORDABLE: SITHARAMAN

Washington (PTI): Given the global energy crisis, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has said that coal is going to be back again as gas has become unaffordable. Sitharaman said the western world has seen countries moving to coal.

“The Western world has seen countries moving to coal. Austria has already said, and today…they are going back to coal,” Sitharaman said. “The matter of fact, it is now reviving itself as a thermal unit. So, it’s not just India, many countries have gone back. And coal is now going to be back again, because I think gas cannot be afforded. Or it is not available as much as you want,” Sitharaman said.

are not to fix the value of the rupee.

“I think efforts by the RBI (are) more towards maintaining a certain... More towards seeing (that) there is not too much of volatility,” she said. “It is

not to intervene in the market to fix the value of the rupee. So, containing the volatility is the only exercise that RBI is in volved in. And I have said this before, the rupee will find its own level.”

Fuel sales soar on festive season demand

New Delhi (PTI): The on going festive season sales has brought cheers to the consumer goods industry with early trends from all channels indicating robust sales and traders’ body CAIT expecting up to Rs 2.5 lakh crore infusion into the market through sales and service.

Sales of products such as TV, home appliances, FMCG food and non-food, apparel etc from offline and e-commerce channels have recorded almost 8-10% vol ume growth over the last year’s festive season and consumers are willing to spend despite inflationary concerns.

Festive season sales start from Onam, covers Durga Puja, Dusshera and ends with Diwali.

WITH MARUTI SUZUKI LEADING THE SEGMENT

New Delhi: State-owned Bank of Maharashtra (BoM) on Sunday an nounced a cut in interest rate on home loans to 8% as part of its festive offer. The bank currently offers home loans starting at 8.3%. The rate varies de pending on the borrow er’s credit score. The Pune-based lender has also slashed interest rate on personal loans to 8.9% from the existing 11.35% effective Monday (October 17, 2022), BoM said in a statement.

New Delhi (PTI): India’s fuel sales soared in the first half of October with an across-the-board surge in transportation fuel de mand on the back of the economic activity picking up as festival season kicked in, preliminary industry data showed.

Petrol and diesel sales jumped 22-26% year-onyear while also rising month-on-month in the first half of October. Petrol sales soared 22.7% to 1.28 million tonne during Octo ber 1-15 when compared to 1.05 million tonne of con sumption in the same pe riod last year.

Sales were 31% higher than COVID-marred first half of Oct 2020 and 33.4% more than pre-pandemic Oct 1-15, 2019. Demand was 1.3% higher than the first half of Sept 2022.

Diesel posted a near 27% rise in sales in the first fort night of October to 3.08 million tonne when com pared to the same period last year.

Govt considering proposals for extending PLI to more sectors

New Delhi (PTI): The gov ernment is considering proposals to extend Rs 35,000 crore PLI scheme to different sectors such as leather, bicycle, some vac cine materials, and certain telecom products with an aim to boost domestic man ufacturing and create jobs, an official said.

PLI (production linked incentive) benefits are also being considered for toys, some chemicals and ship ping containers. “The pro posals are at discussion stage. Inter-ministerial talks are going on to extend PLI benefits to all these dif ferent sectors as there has been demand from indus try and certain depart ments,” the official said.

The government has al ready rolled out the scheme with an outlay of about Rs 2 lakh crore for as many as 14 sectors, including auto mobiles and auto compo nents, white goods, phar ma, textiles, food products, high efficiency solar PV

OBJECTIVE OF THE SCHEME

z The government has already rolled out the scheme with an outlay of about `2 lakh crore for as many as 14 sectors, including automobiles and auto components, white goods, pharma, textiles etc

modules, advance chemis try cell and speciality steel.

The official said there are some savings from this Rs 2 lakh crore which could be considered for other sectors, and is under

z The official said there are some savings from this `2 lakh crore which could be considered for other sectors, and is under discussions

z The objective of scheme is to make domestic mfg globally competitive and create global champions in manufacturing

discussions.

The objective of the scheme is to make domes tic manufacturing globally competitive and create global champions in manu facturing.

India’s passenger vehicle exports go up by 2% in 2nd quarter

First India Bureau

New Delhi: The exports of Passenger vehicle from In dia has gone up by 2% in the second quarter, with Maruti Suzuki India lead ing the segment with dis patches of over 1.31 lakh units, as per the latest data by Society of Indian Auto mobile Manufacturers (SIAM).

The total passenger vehi cle (PV) exports stood at 1,60,590 units in the JulySeptember period as com pared with 1,57,551 units in the same period a year ago.

Passenger car ship

ments saw a 5% dip at 97,300 units while utility vehicle exports rose 16% at 63,016 units during the pe riod under review.

Export of vans declined to 274 units in the Septem ber quarter as compared with 297 units in the same period last fiscal year.

Maruti Suzuki India (MSI) led the segment dur ing the period, followed by Hyundai Motor India and Kia India at the second and third positions, respectively.

MSI exported 1,31,070 PVs in the period under review, as compared with

1,03,622 units in the same period of the previous fiscal year.

MSI’s top PV export mar

kets include Latin Ameri ca, ASEAN, Africa, the Middle East and neigh bouring regions, while its

AS PER LATEST SIAM DATA

z The total PV exports stood at 1,60,590 units in the July-September period as compared with 1,57,551 units in the same period a year ago

z Passenger car shipments saw a 5% dip at 97,300 units while utility vehicle exports rose 16% at 63,016 units

top five export models com prise Baleno, Dzire, Swift, S-Presso and Brezza.

Hyundai Motor India’s

foreign dispatches stood at 74,072 units during JulySeptember period, up 11 per cent from 66,994 units in the year-ago period.

Similarly, Kia India ex ported 44,564 units across global markets in the peri od under review as com pared with 23,213 units in the last fiscal year.

Nissan Motor India shipped 25,813 units in the period under review as against 18,614 units in the year-ago period. Renault exported 18,614 units while Honda Cars India shipped 13,326 units in the JulySeptember quarter.

Modi, a global leader with no personal life, but a public life dedicated to the nation: Dr Chandra

Editor-in-Chief of First India and Bharat24, Dr Jagdeesh Chandra removes the mystery surrounding PM Narendra Modi’s recent visit to Mahakal Temple in Ujjain and reveals how the Opposition considers itself negligent on the political realm for the years to come. Chandra also throws light on the spiritual side of Modi and how he has a special place and a certain calling to revive the spiritual prowess of the nation.

Excerpts… (Part II)

z Whatever PM Modi does goes viral on social media, such is his stature and persona. How do you see this phenomena?

Dr Jagdeesh Chandra: He is surely a phenom ena, an enigma and even the Opposition leaders say so. I recently met a senior Opposition leader in New Delhi and we were discussing poli tics when I asked about 2024 general elections.

He pointed at me and said, “I say the fight is for 2029.” I said, alright then, what will your party do in 2029? To this he said, “We actually do not know.” I asked him why? To which he re plied as to what to do of Narendra Modi? He fur ther said that when we do something, he does something else and turns the game. When we try to reach at the same position as him, he moves ahead to other issue. Hence, Modi is an enigma, even for the Op position and will re main so for the times to come.

z Do you think ex perts choose what he should wear at a particular occasion?

See, like I told you, Narendra Modi does not need anyone. He is all in one. It is he who decides when to say what and when to wear what. He has perfec tion in what he does that everyone is left speechless. When he was the Chief Minister of Gujarat, we used to run a channel there.

While approaching the Government agency for advertisement, we were told that the out line and content of the advertisement will be approved by him. I used to say even then that Modi is nation’s top editor. Now, since you have asked about

his style and clothing, he had even said that whatever suits his per sona he will wear it. He is basically an intellec tual person and it seems that prior to be coming CM, he had a close connect with spirituality and so he does not need any agency or designer or anyone.

z But if, like you said, the Opposition does not have any answer to Modi; should the other parties give up the contest?

Well as they say, never loose your faith. Keep making the required effort and you may suc ceed someday. If not in 2024, then perhaps in ‘29 or in ‘34 they may see victory. Effort should continue as they say show must go on. So no one needs to loose heart, if they let go of the effort, the idea of life itself will be in vain. So the Op position should con tinue its effort.

z It is being said that through this spiritual revolution a long standing dream of RSS has been realised. How do you see that? Of course. There is no doubt in it. The Sangh is lucky to have Nar endra Modi as the Prime Minister, I feel so. Yes, it is right that Mohan Bhagwat has a bigger position than Narendra Modi since RSS is the soul of BJP. But did anyone ever think, with some other Government being in power, that within two years of the Supreme Court’s judgement, the temple would be constructed in Ayod hya? Did anyone think that a corridor would be created in Varanasi and the city would be

come one of the world’s most beautiful cities? Did anyone im agine that temples would be made in Kashmir or Article 370 would be removed or the Triple Talaq would be banned. And now there is talk of Uni form Civil Code? No one had thought of that. And, on top of that nationalism would take such a shape. No one had ever thought of that. Did anyone ever think that a Prime Minister would become Dhar ma-Purush and it would seem that this man has been sent for this work? So, it is nat ural that RSS should be elated with these developments or for that matter, any indi vidual that supports this ideology. Some one told me yesterday that if a Hindu-domi nated Government that has come to power on all these promises only, if they don’t do these works then who will. The person fur ther said that Pope di rects things sitting in Vatican, Mecca and Medina directs for sev eral other nations, so if we do something then what is wrong in it? Moreover, why is there an apprehension in joining in this agen da? I myself have been a secular person all my life, but when I read about the Ma hakal and other tem ples, I was surprised to learn that Muslim rulers have destroyed several temples. So if temples were de stroyed and they are being rebuilt now, then if such work is not done in the cur rent Government, when will it be done?

So RSS or anyone else who have a sentiment with the nation are all happy.

z So, do you think PM Modi will start rebuilding temples in Kashmir?

Definitely, and the work for that has com menced. The biggest roadblock in this work was Article 370 that has been removed. He has thus changed the politics of Kashmir, the life of locals there has been changed and Kashmir has come back to the main stream. Hotels there are booked for three months and you won’t find a place. The entire economy of Kashmir is tourism-ori

think there are about 1,842 temples and prayers are being of fered in 212 temples so he will get the work done in remaining temples too. There is a plan to improve the Raghunath temple in Srinagar and then there is another tem ple in Pehelgam. 7 to 8 temples have been identified in Srinagar that will be renovated. So, it is a fact that Kashmir is important to Hindu sentiments. But the agenda has been affected by the targeted killings since the issue surround

dits is not being resolved. But you

ist was released dec ades back after the plane hijacking, chants of Allah-huAkbar were heard across Srinagar and people came to mosques and for twen ty four hours no ad ministration was visi ble anywhere. As a re sult, the remaining Hindus left the valley, and you have not been able to establish them till now. This is one is sue which is painful for the BJP or Naren dra Modi or Amit Shah or Mohan Bhagwat that in spite of so much being achieved, this is one issue they have not been able to address. So let’s hope that too is achieved one day and it may be a slow process but it will happen one day. So, Kashmir is not an exception and the tem ples will be rebuilt there and the original culture of Kashmir will return and the Hindus in villages will not worry or be afraid any more.

z Do you think Modi has a special connec tion with Kedar nath, Badrinath and all these temples?

Definitely, Kedarnath, Badrinath or Gangotri are close to his heart and soul. As a youth, he left his home and for three years he stayed in the mountains around Kedarnath. The perso na that we are seeing today, its foundation was laid at that time.

When he was a Chief Minister, before taking oath, he reached Ke darnath and offered prayers. When he be came PM then he went there and offered prayers, and then right before the counting of Lok Sabha election, he went there and medi tated for seventeen hours in a cave. At that

time people had thought that it was a political gimmick, but it was not a gimmick rather he is like that in real life. The 2013 flood and calamity at Kedar nath destroyed so much, but Modi got working and brought the temple and sur roundings in better shape. About 700-800 crore rupees have been spent and three pro jects have been started.

He is also linking all ‘Char Dham’ with rail way and one such pro ject from Rishikesh to Rudraprayag is being built for twelve and a half thousand crores which will be complet ed in 2025. The road network and infra structure is being strengthened — cour tesy to Nitin Gadkari, and he has a Prime Minister who gets it ex ecuted too. Otherwise, it is not easy to get highways and roads constructed as there are various major is sues like land acquisi tion and others. So, these places have a spe cial place in Modi’s heart and the projects have been undertaken to connect the nation with the culture of this land. There was a time when it would take ten hours to reach Harid war from Delhi but now one can reach Dehra dun in four hours. So, all the projects have been undertaken to lessen the distances. So these places are close to his heart.

z PM Modi, during his visit to Mahakal, said, “The son was called, hence the son came.” Does this quote of Modi have a deep meaning? Has he been to Mahakal in the past as well?

Yes, he has been there in the past. I remem ber, once he had visited

during Kumbh too.

See, he expresses his heart and the by-prod uct of that is that ex pression becomes su perhit, it becomes a slogan and goes viral and the people of the nation become elated.

If you remember, in the past when he con tested from Varanasi, he had said that he has not been sent by BJP, rather he has been called by ‘Ganga’. He added that just like how a son feels seated in mother’s lap, he was also feeling in the same way. Perhaps he does not indulge in politics on every aspect and it is his natural being that transforms before people when visiting such spiritual places, considering his reli gious and spiritual background.

z We are sure people must be wondering what Modi might have asked for from Mahakal?

See, a person with fam ily or children would seek health and afflu ence or wealth for fam ily. But Narendra Modi is not bound by these things. He is not entan gled in the love for power, it does not at tract him. For him the only thing is the na tion and surely he must have asked some thing for the nation. Perhaps he may have asked for his health that he would continue to serve Mahakal for another fifty years, in any capacity, whether as PM or otherwise. So, it is difficult to pin point on what he may have sought from Ma hakal but one thing is sure that he is commit ted to the nation.

Dr Jagdeesh Chandra with Shweta Mishra, Aditi Nagar, Poornima Mishra, Astha Khandelwal, and Shashikant Sharma during The New JC Show.

CHARISMATIC DIVINE

INDIANS, FESTIVAL AND JEWELLERY WITHOUT A TINT OF GOLD IS VAGUE. GOLD REPRESENTS VIRTUE, NUPTIALS, OCCASION, FESTIVALS, HAPPINESS ETC. SO, CITY FIRST BRINGS TO YOU SOME DESIGNER ASTONISHING GOLD JEWELLERY WITHIN YOUR BUDGET!

GOLD JEWELLERY

old and gold orna ments are considered essential to Indian fes tivals and have major signifi cance in the coun try’s history and tradition. Gold is regarded as a sym bol of luck, pros perity, abundance and auspiciousness. In fact, people see gold as embodying Goddess Lakshmi, the divinity of for tune in it. So for Gold jewellery

Gold coin long necklace- It is legacy jewel lery also known as Kaasumala where kaasu means coin and mala means neck lace. The pattern features tiny gold coins bearing the goddess Laxmi’s likeness. The greatest settings for this long gold coin necklace include festivals, dancing perfor mances, and traditional clothing. It also complements bridal attire well. Kundan gold jewellery set- Wedding jewellery is highly essential, especially the Kundan gold jewellery set. The accessories that complement a bridal appearance include a necklace, chain, hand chain, bracelet, ear rings, headpiece, etc. It provides the wear er with a regal and stately appearance.

overpraises your look. Gold is used to assemble bangles, earrings, necklac es, bracelets, wrist lets, rings etc in various designs. In dian take a senti mental interest in purchasing gold. India has lately sur passed China in evolving as the larg

est importer of gold in the world. People consider it auspi cious to buy gold at festivals like Makar Sankranti, Dusseh ra, Navratri, Gudi Parva, Diwali, Ak shaya Tritiya and Dhanteras. It is viewed as highly auspicious to buy gold on Dhanteras.

ail is supposed to be an awful place where detainees dwell their entire life in dusky dark cells with the tortur ous behaviour of Jail Wardens. But all these things are way back now. Ad vancing an inspiring work culture is somewhat like what Jaipur Central Jail with other upcoming prisons is focusing on.

Situated at Jaipur Agra Road, near Ghat Gate the Jaipur Central jail is com pletely a Sudhar Grah trans forming the lives of inmates by imparting professional skills to them with an intent to procure a better living af ter their release.

Jaipur Central Jail’s unique initiative Aashayein, the first of its kind Jail shop in Rajasthan where the arti facts are crafted by the prison ers under the training of the master craftsmen, and re nowned designers like an ex pert from the textile industry Martand Singh, painter artist Yashwant Shrivastav, great fashion designers Bibi Russell from Bangladesh, Designer Duo Abraham and Tha kore and Professors of the National Institute of Design, Ahmedabad, among others.

The shop was inaugurated by the then Chief Minister of Rajasthan Vasundhara Raje Scindia and the then Home Minister of Rajasthan Gulab Chand Kataria. Situated out side the jail premises in the city market, as I entered the shop the ambience was so splendid. I was fascinated to see the front wall that was painted beautifully by the de tainees.

Most of the items in the shop have been crafted as per society’s needs. The shop has two sections, one where the quilts, bedspreads, table cloths, lehengas, tote bags, skirts, tie & dye dupattas, napkins, pickles, spices, pots, envelopes, and handmade pa per bags crafted by women cell inmates are displayed and in the other section prod ucts like furniture, cooler, wall paintings, rugs and or ganic vegetables designed by the male prisoners have been showcased. These items are available at very nominal prices and the price range varies from a 10 Rupees enve lope up to a 10,000 Rupees wall painting. It’s notewor thy to mention that prisoners themselves are designing their prison clothes. The items are designed not only by male and female prisoners of Jaipur Central Jail but also by the jail inmates of Bhilwara, Ajmer, Jodhpur, and Udaipur prisons.

Not only this, near the Aashayein shop, the prison department of Pink City in joint collaboration with the Indian Oil Corporation in

2020 opened a first-of-its-kind “Aashayein filling station” the petrol pump that is being operated by the jail inmates who have transferred here from various jails in Ra jasthan. The initiative’s aim is to provide opportunities for prisoners to earn money. The prisoners are trained by the Indian Oil Corporation and get Rs. 300/- per day. The revenue generated from the pump goes directly to the prison development board for various jail rehabilita tion programs.

In an interview with me, the then Superintendent of Jaipur Jail Rakesh Mohan Sharma said, “We are suc cessfully running this petrol pump with petrol, diesel, and CNG sale of Rs. 11-12 lakh per day. After their release, these prisoners get a bright prospect to work outside ow ing to the training we impart to them and the experience they gain through these ven tures. So far, we have released over 100 trained prisoners and they have engaged them selves in their hometowns well, as a salesperson at vari ous retail outlets of petrol pumps. The sole reason be hind these initiatives is to make the detainees occupied and help them earn a secure livelihood. The prisoners who are sentenced to life term jail or charged with more than 7 years imprison ment get the opportunity to work at the petrol pump or showcase their products in the shop. The revenue gener ated is used for the welfare of the convicts or jail infra structure development.”

Earlier, these detainees af ter a whole day of hardship earned a very small amount of only 20 rupees as their daily wages. But, through Aashayein initiatives by the prison department, these prisoners are getting 100-300 rupees per day. Through this money, detainees feel self-se cured and also satisfy their needs with other members of their family too. This pio neering effort of jail authori ties is fully supported by the Government of Rajasthan.

“By running these ven tures our objective is that whenever the prisoner goes back to society his integra tion in society should be very seamless,” said Rajeev Da sot, Director General, Jail (Rajasthan).

Gulab Chand Ka taria said, “The initiative has built a positive image of jail authorities among the public and a feeling of com passion for these prisoners has also been created. Detain ees’ keen involvement shows their level of satisfaction.”

Detainees of Jaipur jail premises produce organic vegetables too and make these veggies available to de tainees as well. These detain ees on the basis of their good conduct and by involving in these factory jobs get remis sion from 4 days to 3 months and later have a chance to shift to open jails too.

True to its name, Aash ayein is bringing a new ray of hope into the inert life of prisoners which will even tually lead them towards a dignified and stable life through the professional skills imparted to them.

The transformative journey of Jail Inmates

“Aashayein” brings a new ray of hope to the inert life of prisoners

Bibi Russell at the Jail Shop

Constable Mukesh

Detainees

Weaving work

Journalist Anubha Jain visits the Jail Shop

PC SUPPORTS MALALA YOUSAFZAI! P

riyanka Chopra took a dig at Hasan Min haj. The Citadel actor took to her Instagram stories and shared a screenshot revealing that she does not fol low Hasan on the social me dia platform, while he does. She also came out in support of Malala Yousafzai as she wrote, “Same girl same @ malala Looks like he prefers petty over funny.” She tagged Nick Jonas and Hasan Minhaj in her story too. Malala re cently unfollowed Hasan on the ‘gram. This came after the American comedian-ac tor-political commentator mentioned that he does not follow her on the app even though she does.

A few hours back, Malala also took to her Instagram stories and shared a reel by Hasan Minhaj. In the video, he can be seen saying, “All right, sh*t’s gotten out of hand. On October 4th I made a joke about Nobel Peace Prize Winner Malala Yousafzai.

Then on October 5, she retali

ated. Instead of doing a run off, she unfollowed me on In stagram. I’m sorry Malala. Follow me back. I don’t know if I will follow you through. I am that petty.” Sharing this clip, Malala wrote, “thanks to everyone who sent me this video because I no longer fol low this man.”

MALAIKA ACES THE HIGH-WAISTED MAXI SKIRT

Boney Kapoor sides daughter Janhvi

ALLURING ANANYA

he’s sunshine, she’s a bomb That’s the takeaway from Ananya Panday’s look as a showstopper for for Pankaj and Nidhi at the FDCI X Lakme

As the fashion rounds are continuously brimming with the best stories, Malaika’s appearance pumped up our day even more. A commoner on runways as a muse, she stayed committed to adding a notable spark. Mala’s showstopper look was extraordinary in a pool of organza and silk crepes as seen on models. They too were in their best, fashionable element as that placed resort wear ensembles under the limelight. Purple was the hue that ruled the diva’s showstopper threepiece set. The deft model and ace dancer donned a high-waisted maxi skirt that featured colourful prints of elephants, floral motifs and trees.

GORGEOUS IN GREEN!

Kgreen outfit by Sergio Hudson. The actress proves that when styled right, even flashy colors like green can look classy as ever. Styled by Ami Patel, Kat rina Kaif is no less than an inspira tion to pick that green skirt you’ve been terri fied to wear.

The look consists of a Sergio Hudson’s silkchiffon and mesh body

Rashmika wears mismatched heels

any Bollywood celebs, like Deepika Padukone and Ka reena Kapoor, were seen flaunting their love for the mismatched shoe trend. And now, years later, Rashmika Mandanna decided to bring back the good old fashioned days as she was seen wearing different colour heels. She did pull it off like a pro. In the photos, at a recent event, the Pushpa actress can be seen wearing an eye-grab bing outfit in a multicol oured jacket that she teamed with distressed denim and a white spa ghetti crop top. She capped her look with loose hair in soft curls, minimal makeup, con toured cheeks, and neutral lip colour. Howev er, what caught our eyes was her mis matched heels- one in pink and the oth er in blue.

Malaika Arora

Rashmika Mandanna

Janhvi Kapoor

Priyanka Chopra

Her story...

Ananya Panday

Janhvi Kapoor and Boney Kapoor

NEW JC

SWEET ESCAPE

ACITY FIRST capsule shoot was or ganised by Dr DM Mahajan (Skin Plus Clinic) and Dr Gaurav Grover ( In dia Luxury Founda tion) showcasing the captivating collection of Rina Dhaka, Sweet Escape at Dr D M Mahajans Skin plus clinic recently.

The divas also enhanced their beauty with the help of the treatment by renowned doctor DM Mahajan. The col lection is a mix and match of the craft, patchwork and laces using blanc as a canvas to rec reate and re-energise the crafts and details. Keeping the environment in mind Designer Rina Dhaka used sustainable prac tices such as reusing waste cloth to cre ate the mesmeris ing collection. I had a fantastic experience shooting for one of the stars of our fashion industry Rina Dhaka. Talking about the experience Khushi Verma said, “I love everything she designs and the stunning blue satin dress made me feel like a diva. The entire team takes a great initiative that promotes sustainable fash ion. I also want to thank Dr DM Mahajan (Skin Plus Clinic) and Dr Gaurav Grov er ( India Luxury Founda tion) for organising such an outstanding Photoshoot. Prior to this, I walked the ramp for Rina Dhaka’s fabu lous collection in Myanmar Embassy. Her designs are full of elegance & eco-friendly as well. I would love to work again with the entire team in future.”

CITY FIRST

Artist Pavani Nag pal made her debut by show casing her art collection, My Journey, a beautiful interpre tation of woman’s grace and power at the India Art Festival on Sunday.

The collection show cased the stark realities of the urban, modern society that no one talks about. Several eminent personalities including BJP Councillor Shikha Rai and Actor Nasir Ab dullah graced the event with their presence. The

audience witnessed the element of grace and fashion mixed with fun in her artwork.

“My art is very close to my emotions, my personal journey of being raised by strong, loving parents while see ing a dark world after I got married, any woman can relate to it because it is all authen tic. Women experience thousands of emotions throughout their life, I have portrayed the ones I have experienced so far. I have nothing to hide!”, said the artist. cityfirstdel@gmail.com

THE BLING

CITY FIRST

Label Meerakriti by Designer Rachana Chaudhary un veiled “THE BLING” festive collec tion for women to dazzle this festive season re cently at FILME FASH ION, India’s first multidesigner store, exclu sively for budding de signers.

The collection com prises an array of eth nic ensembles in bright hues, embellished with gota patti, mirror and hand embroidery. From anarkalis to shararas and straight cuts, the collection showcased varied styles, imbibing the different cultures of the country. Also, for the party season, there were Co-ord sets with stylish jackets and asymmetrical patterns, while some were embel lished with embroi dered patterns and se quence work. “It took me more than a month to design and create this collection as I sourced my fabric from various regions and the work done is exclusive for each of the outfits”, said Designer Rachana Chaudhary.

“We have received a very good response from our esteemed cli ents who always look forward to coming to our store for exclu sive designer outfits by young and talent ed designers. The designs are a great mix of tradition and trend”, said Jyoti Bhalla, Founder of Filme Fashion. cityfirstdel@gmail.com

Jagdeesh Chandra with (L-R) Shaan, Tripti Arora, Jinendra Singh Shekhawat, Vijendra Singh Solanki, Akanksha Bhalla, Astha Khandelwal, Shrishti Khatri, Shashikant Sharma, Aditi Nagar, Shweta Mishra Awasthi, Shikha Thakur, Poornima Mishra, Shishir Awasthi, Mahesh Sharma and Kavita Chauhan during The New JC Show at the First India channel office on Friday, October 14.

PHOTO BY SANTOSH SHARMA

Rachana Chaudhary and Moumita Sarkar

Ratika Anand

Poonam K Malhotra and Monica Kapoor

Akanksha Maheshwari

Tia Sardana and Akshita Sondhi

Simran Arora and Barkha Bharti

Pavani

Nagpal

Shikha

Juhi and Khushi

Shivali

Juhi

Dr DM Mahajan, Anjali Panjiyara, Khushi, Rina Dhaka, Juhi and Palak Wallia

Dr DM Mahajan, Anjali Panjiyara, Khushi, Rina Dhaka, Juhi and Shivali

—PHOTOS BY MANOJ KESHARWANI