First India-Delhi Edition-17th December 2022

CENTURIAN: 100 DAYS OF ‘UNITING INDIA’

I was also a little distant from public, I personally benefited a lot from the Yatra: RaGa

Jaipur: Walking his way from Kanyakumari to Kashmir, Rahul Gandhi and his ‘brainchaild’ -the Bharat Jodo Yatra- has completed a milestone of 100 days crossing the length of the nation. During this, the yatra, which was launched on September 7 in Kanyakumari, and

its ‘yatri’ Rahul, have traversed eight states Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh and now, Rajasthan. With over 2,800 kilometres under his belt, Gandhi has managed to catch the attention of his supporters as well as detractors.

On completion of 100

days of Bharat Jodo Yatra, the Gandhi scion addressed a presser in

RS ADJOURNED AMID UPROAR BY OPPOSITION

New Delhi: Rajya Sabha was adjourned till 12 noon on Friday amid uproar as the Opposition’s request to hold a discussion on the India-China border situation was disallowed by the chair.

Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman Harivansh repeatedly urged House members to allow the proceedings, citing rules. Congress MP Randeep Singh Surjewala earlier gave a Suspension of Business Notice under Rule 267 in Rajya Sabha to discuss the border situation with China.

He also asked the Chairman to ask the Prime Minister and the Government to make a statement on the issue.

Congress President and Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge also sought to raise the issue in the House.

More on P6

asserted that Foreign Minister Jaishankar should broaden his thinking and understanding. “China is preparing for war. The government is ignoring this issue and trying to hide information related to it,” he said, adding, “Our government hides the preparations of China. The Government of India does not work

strategically, it works on an event basis. When it comes to geo politics, events do not work there, strength does.”

Rahul said that no one is asking questions on China. “China occupied 2 thousand square kilometers of land. Martyred 20 soldiers of India. They are beating our jawans in Arunachal Pradesh,” he said.

The day Congress understands itself, it will win every election

Rahul Gandhi said that there are many reasons for BJP winning the elections. “They have huge money, they threaten people. We do not do this and we do not have these resources. We don’t have that much money. Turn to P8

Chhapra: As toll rises to 65, now Hooch kills 5 in Siwan, 1 in Begusarai

HOOCH DEATHS

Siwan: Days after the hooch tragedy in Bihar’s Chhapra claimed over 65 lives, at least 5 people died after allegedly consuming spurious liquor in the adjoining Siwan district in the state.

All five deceased are residents of Brahsthan and Sondhani villages of Bhagwanpur Police Station area. According to sources, the death toll is expected to rise. Angry family members of the deceased ob-

structed the SiwanChapra Malmalia main road and undertook a protest. Meanwhile, in the Begusarai district,

administration swung into action after one person reportedly died allegedly after consuming liquor. P5

Modi Cabinet approves bill to decriminalise minor offences

To marry and settle abroad, couple killed wealthy relative

Accused has MBA degree, is married and has a child; partner is a nurse who got married last year but her husband left her

First India Bureau

New Delhi: Madhur Kundra, 31, and his partner Amarjot Kaur Sandhu, 28, were arrested from a hotel in Amritsar on charges of killing a 56-year-old woman and decamping with cash and jewellery worth more than Rs 1 crore in Shalimar Bagh on December 13.

Both the accused wanted to marry each other and settle abroad. said Ravindra Yadav, Special Commissoner of Police (Crime). He said Kundra, who is the son of the sister-in-law of the deceased, identified as Rajni, knew that the woman was wealthy and decided to rob her.

The officer said that after one of the sus-

pects was identified, a team immediately rushed to Amritsar, raided a hotel and apprehended Kundra and Sandhu there.

Kundra is married and has a seven-yearold child. He has an MBA degree from Meerut and works as a medical products distributor. The co-accused is a nurse at a hospital in Amritsar. She got married in January 2021 but soon after, her husband left her and went to Dubai.

“Kundra had good relations with Rajni’s son Chetan. On November 27, Chetan visited him and during their conversation, Kundra learnt that Rajni was a wealthy woman. To execute his plan, Kundra stole the keys of Rajni’s house from Chetan’s bag,” the police officer said.

“On December 13, they reached her house, smothered her to death with a pillow and took off with jewellery and cash,” he said.

New Delhi: The Union Cabinet has approved a bill to decriminalise minor offences by rationalising related provisions under different ministries to ensure ease of doing business, sources said on Friday.

Sources said that the Cabinet discussed the Ease of Doing Business and Ease of Living (Amendment of Provisions) Bill, 2022 in a meeting and has approved it. The bill proposes to rationalise about 110 provisions across 35 Acts administered by 16 ministries/departments.

One of the sources said that taking the reform agenda to the next level, the government is focussing on reducing the overall compliance burden for businesses and citizens.

SHALIMAR BAGH MURDER & ROBBERY

Delhi Police Crime Branch team with the two arrested accused, Madhur Kundra and Amarjot Kaur Sandhu, in New Delhi on Friday.

—PHOTO BY ANI

INDIA-CHINA BORDER ROW

PLA PATROL WAS ‘FIRMLY CONTESTED’

BHUTTO’ PAKISTAN’S ‘PAPPU’: BJP

COURT TO HEAR AAFTAB’S BAIL PLEA ON DECEMBER 17

SC RELEASES MAN SENTENCED TO 18 YRS FOR POWER THEFT

MLAs CREATE RUCKUS IN HOUSE

PIL IN SC SEEKS SIT PROBE IN BIHAR

Kolkata: GOC-in-C Eastern Command, Lt Gen Rana Pratap Kalita on Friday said that the transgression by the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) patrol was “contested firmly”. He also informed that a flag meeting at the delegation level at Bumla has helped in further resolving the matter. “The PLA patrol transgressed and which was contested very firmly,” he said.

New Delhi: The BJP on Friday slammed Pakistan’s Bilawal Bhutto for his objectionable comments against Prime Minister Narendra Modi, saying that he represents a “morally, intellectually and financially bankrupt” nation which has no credibility due to its support to terrorism. Union minister Anurag Thakur said Bhutto’s comments might be an outcome of the pain in Pakistan of its loss to India.

New Delhi: Shraddha Walkar murder case accused Aaftab Poonawala on Friday moved an application in Delhi’s Saket Court seeking bail, which the court is likely to hear on Saturday. Poonawala, who has been arrested based on his confession of killing Walkar and chopping her body into 35 pieces to dispose it of, was arrested last month and is currently lodged in Tihar jail. On December 9, he was produced before a court via video conferencing and his judicial custody was further extended by 14 days.

New Delhi: The SC on Friday said if it were not to interfere in matters of personal liberty, then “what are we here for”, as it ordered the release of a man sentenced to 18 years in jail for electricity theft in nine separate cases.During the hearing, a bench headed by Chief Justice D.Y. Chandrachud said, “No case is too small for the Supreme Court and no case is too big because we have to answer the call of conscience and the cry of liberty of our citizens, that is why we are here.”

Patna: Opposition MLAs created ruckus in the Bihar Assembly on Friday as Deputy Chief Minister Tejashwi Yadav was speaking in the House on Friday. One of the Legislators could be seen carrying a chair.

New Delhi: A petition has been filed in the Supreme Court, seeking an independent probe by a special investigation team (SIT) into a recent hooch tragedy in Bihar, in which at least 30 people have lost their lives.

BJP leader Vijay Kumar Sinha with legislators shouts slogans during a protest against Bihar government over the Chhapra Hooch tragedy, in Patna on Friday. —PHOTO BY PTI

Congress members protest in the well of the Rajya Sabha during Winter Session of Parliament, in New Delhi on Friday. —PHOTO BY PTI

Our Yatra is another way of doing politics. This is Gandhiji’s way, and we have had the best response in Rajasthan,” he said.

Kartikey Dev Singh

Jaipur gave advice to the Foreign Minister on the issue of China. He

Bharat Jodo Yatra is getting strong support in Rajasthan as lakhs of people from all over the state are reaching for the yatra. Rahul Gandhi wants to remove fear and hatred from the country. This is not a political yatra

—Ashok Gehlot, Chief Minister

Rahul Gandhi walks during the yatra’s leg in Rajasthan as CM Ashok Gehlot, Govind Singh Dotasra, Sachin Pilot, Pratap Singh and Danish Abrar accompany him.

On this day in 1971, India defeated Pakistan’s army and after that crushing defeat, his (Bilawal) maternal grandfather wept bitterly. It seems that Bilawal Bhutto is probably still in his pain.Such a statement does not suit the Foreign Minister of Pakistan. The world has seen the real face of Pakistan

—Anurag Thakur, Union Minister

Hitting girl with scissors, teacher throws her off bldg

n Class 5 girl left with fractured facial bone

n Police arrest teacher, MCD suspends her

New Delhi (PTI): A teacher allegedly hit a Class 5 girl with a pair of scissors and flung her from the first-floor balcony of a municipal school, fracturing her facial bone, officials said on Friday.

The teacher was suspended and arrested.

According to the police, the teacher locked herself inside a classroom with students and “violently” threw water bottles before she picked up the girl, chop ped her hair and tossed her from the balcony.

According to doctors, the girl, aged around 11,

has sustained fracture in a facial bone.

The incident took place at around 11 am at the Delhi Nagar Nigam Balika Vidyalaya. Papers, books and bags lay scattered in the classroom as students ran out in panic, as she allegedly even threatened to harm some of them, police said.

Police said the accused teacher, identified as Geeta Rani Deshwal (26), has been arrested, and added the motive

behind the incident is not clear yet.

The girl’s father said his daughter was bleeding after she was thrown by the teacher, and she sustained injuries to her jaw and legs.

“We received information from the school about the assault. The teacher picked up my daughter and threw her from the balcony. She also cut my daughter’s hair,” he said He alleged the teacher allegedly beat up other

The accused teacher also broke bottles. She then caught hold of a girl and hit her head with a pair of small scissors. She then...threw her off the balcony

—Shweta Chauhan, DCP, Central Delhi

children and even used belts to harass students.

However, there was no confirmation from the police to these allegations.

A senior doctor at the Hindu Rao Hospital said the girl had suffered “small injuries in the scalp region”.

“We conducted a CT scan of her skull and brain which has come normal, and the ultrasound too has come normal. But, there is swelling on her face, so we

repeated the CT, and found she has sustained a fracture in a facial bone. Hence, the patient has been referred to the maxillofacial department of Safdarjung Hospital,” he said.

The girl, otherwise, is stable and further treatment is on, he added.

The tests and scan reports of the girl are “normal, and the child is safe, stable and responding well,” according to the municipal corporation.

DCP (Central Delhi) Shweta Chauhan said Deshwal came to the class first, then locked the door from inside and started threatening students.

“She also broke bottles. She then caught hold of a girl and hit her head with a pair of small scissors. She then...threw her off the balcony,” Chauhan said.

Cyber fraud: 3 foreigners held with fake passport of Aishwarya Rai

Sukesh reiterates giving `60 cr to Satyender Jain before LG-appointed panel

First India Bureau

New Delhi: Conman Sukesh Chandrashekhar has once again claimed that he had paid money (Rs 60-cr) to Aam Aadmi Party’s Satyendar Jain for protection in jail and a promised Rajya Sabha seat to him.

Sukesh reiterated this in a statement before a 3-member committee set by LG VK Saxena and headed by the principal secretary (Home) of Delhi government Jain in Tihar jail in a money laundering case registered by the Enforcement Directorate, while Sukesh is currently lodged in Mandoli jail. The committee members met Chandrashekhar in Mandoli jail and recorded his statement, sources said.

As per a report by the committee, Chandrashekhar reiterated his charge of giving Rs

To pay DAMEPL, Metro to raise equity share cap

Delhi govt can’t resile from CM’s announcement of `1cr for Covid death:

New Delhi (PTI):

Stating that the city government ought not to resile from the clear announcement made for ex-gratia payment, the Delhi High Court has asked the authorities to take a decision on payment of Rs 1 crore compensation to the family of a city police constable who died due to COVID-19.

Justice Prathiba M Singh, while dealing with a petition by the wife of the deceased, said there was a “clear communication” by the authorities as well as press clippings, which leave no manner of doubt that the ex-gratia amount of Rs 1 crore was announced for the deceased by Delhi government.

The petitioner’s husband passed away

‘NO MORE DELAY’

HC

The court said the present case was “hard” and required an empathetic consideration and payment of compensation cannot be delayed further. The deceased cop’s wife has submitted that she ran from pillar to post to secure the compensation promised by CM Kejriwal in a tweet on May 7, 2020 after the death of her husband.

on May 5, 2020 when she was expecting a child. The deceased, a young Delhi Police Constable, was posted at Deep Chand Bandhu Hospital to ensure adherence to COVID-19 lockdown measures.

Noida (PTI): Three foreigners staying in Greater Noida have been arrested allegedly for being involved in cyber frauds and were found to have in their possession a fake passport made in the name of filmstar Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, a senior police officer said on Friday.

The police had lodged an FIR of fraud on the complaint of a retired Army colonel who was duped of Rs 1.81 crore.

The investigation led to the three accused two from Nigeria and one from Ghana, police said.

DCP (Greater Noida)

The arrested were identified as Eke Uferemvukwe, Okoloi Damion, both from Nigeria, and Adwin Collines, who is from Ghana, police said.

Abhishek Verma said during the arrest, police also recovered USD 3,000 (around Rs 2.5 lakh) and 10,500 pounds (around Rs 10.60 lakh) from the three men’s possession.

The police also seized fake Indian currency notes worth Rs 10.76 crore, in addition to dozens of bundles of fake US dollar and British pound bills, he said.

“The case of fraud

with the retired Army officer was thoroughly probed and three main accused in the case all foreign nationals were arrested,” Verma said.

“When their computers were examined during probe, we found fake visa and fake passport copies from them. One of the fake passports purportedly had the picture of a popular actress,” the officer said.

New Delhi (PTI): The board of Delhi Metro Rail Corporation has approved the raising of the equity share capital of DMRC by way of the rights issue, to be subscribed equally by both the stakeholders -- the Centre and the Delhi government.

The funds raised will be to meet the liability arising out of an arbitral award of 2017 in favour of Delhi Airport Metro Express Private Ltd (DAMEPL). A rights issue is an invitation to existing shareholders to purchase additional new shares in the company.

60 crore to Satyendar Jain -- Rs 50 crore for securing a Rajya Sabha seat from AAP and Rs 10 crore as "protection money."

He has also claimed to have paid Rs 12.50 crore to the then Director General (Prison), Sandeep Goel, it said.

"He told the committee that he had all the

Whatsapp chats between him and Jain confirming the amount, its time of delivery and location, and he would provide this evidence if needed," sources said. The conman also claimed talking to CM Kejriwal through Jain’s phone to confirm delivery of installments of money paid by him.

Court acquits 4 of rioting with Hindu mob in 2020

New Delhi (PTI): A court here on Friday acquitted four people accused of rioting in 2020, saying charges against them were not proved beyond a reasonable doubt.

The court was hearing a case regarding the 2020 northeast Delhi riots against Dinesh Yadav, Babu, Sandeep, and Tinku, which was registered on the basis of five complaints.

The accused were part of the mob which committed rioting in the Johripur Puliya locality on February 25, 2020, the prosecution said.

“I find that charges against the accused, in this case, are not proved beyond doubt. Hence, accused persons are acquitted of all the charges levelled against them in this case,” Addl Sessions Judge Pulastya Pramachala said.

The court said though formation of unlawful assembly, riot, and vandalism along with injuries to several people were “well established,” as far as identification of the accused in the riotous mob was concerned, several witnesses did not support the prosecution’s case.

HC asks govt to ensure admission to EWS kids in pvt schools

New Delhi (PTI): Delhi High Court directed the government on Friday to ensure admission to children of weaker sections of society in private unaided schools, observing that it is high time the judiciary reaches out to people instead of waiting for them to reach out to it.

It said these kids are being forced to knock on the doors of the court for availing their fundamental right to education. The court said all

private unaided schools concerned shall ensure no student belonging to the "weaker sections" as defined in Right To Education Act and recom-

mended by the Directorate of Education (DoE) for being admitted in an academic session shall be denied admission or treated with conduct un-

MAJOR SUCCESS

welcoming of them on any pretext whatsoever, including that of suspicion of credentials.

The counsel representing the children

who were denied admissions by several schools submitted that to add insult to injury, the school gates were literally shut on the faces of the shortlisted students and their parents.

"One can just imagine the humiliation faced by the young children and their parents. This court, as a custodian of the Constitution, cannot remain a mute spectator to the outright bulldozing of human rights by those in the noble ser-

vice of imparting education, thus bringing a bad name and repute to the same," Justice CD Singh said in an 85-page judgment.

The court further said: "These children have committed no other crime but that they were born in poverty. This court's conscience is laden with the woes of the poor children and their parents. The state of affairs is appalling, anguishing and agonising.”

3 held for running illegal call centres to dupe US-based sr citizens

lll

The matter c ame to light after the FBI approached Delhi Police through Interpol Wing of the CBI with details of cyber criminals operating call centres from Delhi

New Delhi: Police have arrested three men for allegedly running illegal call centres here and duping senior citizens in the US .

Accused Jatin Lamba, Harshad Madaan and Vikas Gupta trapped US citizens in the pretext of providing them technology support against “malfunctioning” of their computers, officials said Friday.

Delhi police conducted overnight raids and

nabeed the accused whereas their counterpart Jayant Bhatia was arrested by Canadian Law Enforcement Agency from Toronto and Kulwinder Singh was arrested by FBI, USA from New Jersey, they said.

Police said Jatin Lamba with his brother Gagan Lamba was running a company from Ganesh Nagar here camouflaging as a tech support company and used to run call centres that targeted US citi-

zens. DCP (IFSO, Special Cell) Prashant Gautam said Gupta has been involved in the

scam as calling agent to provide tech support to fix the glitch in the computer of the victim.

FIRM TRACKED

proached Delhi Police through Interpol Wing of CBI with details of cyber criminals operating full-fledged call centres from Delhi and adjoining areas to defraud senior citizens of the US on the pretext of providing them tech support against malfunctioning of their computers.

the criminals based in India, causing revenue loss of USD 10 million to America between 2012 and 2020, police said.

According to police, the matter came to light after Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) ap-

According to the information shared by the US, there are over 20,000 victims fallen prey to such schemes of crime devised and executed by

The officer said popups were sent to a large number of targeted senior citizens who are not tech-savvy. They would be alerted to a Microsoft issue or some type of fraudulent activity that must be addressed immediately by calling a designated telephone number on the pop-up advertisement.

First India Bureau

The team of the Cyber Crime Unit, Intelligence Fusion and Strategic Operations Unit (IFSO) and Delhi Police Special Cell with the three arrested accused, Jatin Lamba, Harshad Madaan and Vikas Gupta, in New Delhi on Friday. —PHOTO BY ANI

ACCUSATIONS AGAINST KEJRIWAL

It is a travesty of justice & ... failure on the part of the State... Despite the children possessing confirmed admission letters, schools refused to admit them.

—Delhi High Court

DCP, Central Delhi, Shweta Chauhan at the MCD-run Prathmik Vidyalaya in Model Basti area on Friday. —PHOTO BY ANI

BJP protests against Bhutto’s remarks on PM

New Delhi (PTI):

Scores of BJP leaders and workers staged a protest near Pakistan High Commission here on Friday over Pakistan Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto's remarks against Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The protesters also demanded an apology for Bhutto's 'insensible' remarks.

The protesters held BJP flags and placards some of which read: 'Pakistan aukaat ma aao and maafi mango' (Pakistan stay in your limits and apologise) and 'Pakistan hosh mein aayo'

(Wake up Pakistan).

Lashing out at Bhutto for his personal remark against Modi, a party leader said, “We condemn Bhutto's remarks. How could he use such a language against Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He should always remember that his grandfather begged India for forgiveness. Pakistan should be thrown out of the United Nations for attacking the Indian leader. They harbour terrorists," said a party leader.

Another leader said Bhutto should not have used such words for In-

Man kills drug addict brother, comes to police stn to confess

New Delhi (PTI): The Delhi government has prepared a new school cab policy that will allow private cars to be registered as commercial vehicles and ferry schoolchildren, sources said.

Under the policy, the transport department plans to allow owners of private cars to operate their vehicles as commercial ones by making modifications like installing speed governors, and roof carriers.

The policy shall be placed in the public domain after it is vetted by all departments. Currently, if someone wants to run a cab for school children, they are supposed to buy a new vehicle and register it under the school cab category.

New Delhi (ANI): Police arrested a man for allegedly killing his brother and attempting to dispose of his body in Mangolpuri area.

The 26-year-old man, Lalit Kumar, on Wednesday walked into a police station and confessed to killing his brother Jaikishan alias Jaichand, 23, and disposing of his body with the help of their father, police said. “On December 14 at about 2.15 am, one Lalit Kumar came to police station Mangolpuri and disclosed that he murdered his brother Jaikishan alias Jaichand, son of Omparkash of Mangolpuri, and offered to locate the body which he had thrown in a park near his house,” Police said.

According to Lalit,

his brother was a drug addict and used to frequently pick up quarrels with family members over money.

After noting Lalit’s confession, the Station House Officer of Mangolpuri police staton rushed to the spot with a team and found Jaikishan’s body wrapped in a plastic sheet near Lalit’s house.

According to Lalit’s confession, On December 12 evening, Jaikishan beat up his mother after which she left the house. The next morning after his fa-

The father helped to dispose of his son’s body, which was found near their house

ther Omparkash (60) and another brother left for work at the shoe factory where they were employed, Lalit hit the deceased’s head with a hammer and hid the body under the bed.

Upon Omparkash’s return home, Lalit and he attempted to dispose of Jaikishan’s body but failed and had to return home. His mother also returned home on Tuesday evening and upon her request Lalit went to the police station and confessed, police said.

Gang of 3 kidnaps man for dog, frees him as police start search

First India Bureau

Noida: An unusual case has emerged from Greater Noida where a man was kidnapped because the kidnappers wanted his dog. Three men were charged in the case, which took place in Greater Noida's Alpha2 area on Wednesday evening.

The kidnappers have been identified as Vishal Kumar, Lalit and Monty, all residents of Aligarh, according to sources. The men used a Mahindra Scor-

The police expressed confidence that the three men will be caught soon. Rahul, the victim, meanwhile, is back with his family

pio SUV to kidnap Rahul Pratap, who was taken to Aligarh.

His brother Shubham told the police that the three men reached their house in Unitech Horizon society and demanded that Rahul hand over his pet to them, which he declined.

This resulted in an

argument between them and the three men then forced Rahul into their Scorpio and sped away.

Reports said one of the kidnappers used Rahul's phone to call his family. He told them to hand over the dog or they will kill him.

Sources said the gang released Rahul on the

road near Aligarh after learning that a case has been filed and cops are looking for them.

Rahul made it to Greater Noida in morning and reached the Beta-2 police station and filed a complaint against the three.

The police launched an investigation after registering a case under Section 364 (kidnapping) of IPC. The cops are looking for the men who are on the run.

The police said they will look at the motive behind the incident.

dian leaders.

"We won't tolerate such insensible statement against our leader. Pakistan should apologise," said Tahir Khan. Bhutto made the comments following India's External Affairs minister S Jaishankar's sharp attack on Pakistan over its support to terrorism at the UN Security Council meeting.

Bhutto claimed it has lost more lives to terror-

ism than India and thus there is no reason for Pakistan to support terrorism. He further said that while Osama Bin Laden is dead, the butcher of Gujarat is still alive and was even banned from entering the USA before becoming the PM of India.

“Political parties, civil society and common people in Pakistan, have been victims of perpetrators of terror-

ism. We have lost far more lives to terrorism than India had. Why, why, would we want our own people to suffer? We absolutely do not....I would like to remind Minister of External Affairs of India that Laden is dead but the butcher of Gujarat lives and he is the prime minister of India. He was banned from entering this country until he became prime Minister. This is the PM of RSS and the foreign minister of RSS. What is RSS? It draws inspiration from Hitler's SS," said Bhutto.

‘Councillors cleaning nook & corner of Del’

New Delhi (PTI): Newly-elected AAP municipal councillors are "cleaning every nook and corner of Delhi" along with sanitation workers, CM Arvind Kejriwal said on Friday and asserted that all councillors should get involved in sanitation activities.

In a tweet he also shared a post by a councillor from his party who had taken to Twitter to share an image of a spot in her ward, before and after its cleaning.

"For a few days, such pictures are being received from many areas. The newly elected councillors of 'AAP' are cleaning every nook and corner of Delhi along with the sanitation workers. These employees were earlier called bad. They are doing such a good job today. All councillors should get involved in cleaning their area like this," Kejriwal tweeted.

Sanitation was one of the major poll planks of the AAP in the keenly-watched municipal elections.

Demands apology for Pak foreign minister’s ‘insensible’ remarks against Modi in which he had called him the butcher of Gujarat

BJP supporters being stopped by police during a protest over the remarks by Pakistan Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto on PM Modi, outside Pakistan High Commission on Friday. —PHOTO BY ANI

This is the PM of RSS and the foreign minister of RSS. What is RSS? It draws inspiration from Hitler’s SS.

—Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, Pak Foreign Minister

Labourers prepare food at roadside before leaving for work during a cold winter morning, in New Delhi on Friday. (R) Homeless people have a meal at a night shelter (Rain Basera) on Friday morning. Ahead of the G20 summit, homeless people will reportedly be shifted to shelter homes run by the government.

—PHOTOS BY PTI

CHINA’S NEW SPACE STATION

OPENS FOR BUSINESS

The International Space Station is no longer the only place where humans can live in orbit

On Nov. 29, 2022, the Shenzhou 15 mission launched from China’s Gobi Desert carrying three taikonauts – the Chinese word for astronauts. Six hours later, they reached their destination, China’s recently completed space station, called Tiangong, which means “heavenly palace” in Mandarin. The three taikonauts replaced the existing crew that helped wrap up construction. With this successful mission, China has become just the third nation to operate a permanent space station.

China’s space station is an achievement that solidifies the country’s position alongside the U.S. and Russia as one of the world’s top three space powers. As scholars of space law and space policy who lead the Indiana University Ostrom Workshop’s Space Governance Program, we have been following the development of the Chinese space station with interest.

China’s space station is an achievement that solidifies the country’s position alongside the U.S. and Russia as one of the world’s top three space powers. As scholars of space law and space policy who lead the Indiana University Ostrom Workshop’s Space Governance Program, we have been following the development of the Chinese space station with interest.

Unlike the collaborative, U.S.-led International Space Station, Tiangong is entirely built and run by Chinahe successful opening of the station is the beginning of some exciting science But the station also highlights the country’s policy of self-reliance

Unlike the collaborative, U.S.-led International Space Station, Tiangong is entirely built and run by China. The successful opening of the station is the beginning of some exciting science. But the station also highlights the country’s policy of selfreliance and is an important step for China toward achieving larger space ambitions among a changing landscape of power dynamics in space.

CAPABILITIES OF A CHINESE STATION

The Tiangong space station is the culmination of three decades of work on the Chinese manned space program. The station is 180 feet (55 meters) long and is comprised of three modules that were launched separately and connected in space. These include one core module where a maximum of six taikonauts can live and two experiment modules for a total of 3,884 cubic feet (110 cubic meters) of

space, about one-fifth the size of the International Space Station. The station also has an external robotic arm, which can support activities and experiments outside the station, and three docking ports for resupply vehicles and manned spacecraft.

Like China’s aircraft carriers and other spacecraft, Tiangong is based on a Soviet-era design – it is pretty much a copy of the Soviet Mir space station from the 1980s. But the Tiangong station has been heavily modernized and improved.

The Chinese space station is slated to stay in orbit for 15 years, with plans to send two six-

month crewed missions and two cargo missions to it annually. The science experiments have already begun, with a planned study involving monkey reproduction commencing in the station’s biological test cabinets. Whether the monkeys will cooperate is an entirely different matter.

SCIENCE AND A STEPPINGSTONE

The main function of the Tiangong station is to perform research on life in space. There is a particular focus on learning about the growth and development of different types of plants, animals and microorganisms, and

there are more than 1,000 experiments planned for the next 10 years.

Tiangong is strictly Chinese made and managed, but China has an open invitation for other nations to collaborate on experiments aboard Tiangong. So far, nine projects from 17 countries have been selected.

Although the new station is small compared to the 16 modules of the International Space Station, Tiangong and the science done aboard will help support China’s future space missions. In December 2023, China is planning to launch a new space telescope called Xuntian. This telescope will map stars

Will 2023 Be a Year of Economic Crisis?

ar in Ukraine.

Protests in China and Iran. Energy shortages in Europe. Protectionism in the United States. Skyrocketing debt in developing countries. And soaring inflation and slowing growth almost everywhere. The last 12 months have piled one challenge for the global economy on top of another.

Multiple plausible scenarios may trigger what would qualify as an “economic crisis” in 2023. If the war in Ukraine escalates further, or tensions with China – for example, over Taiwan – intensify, supply chains may be affected, causing shortages and price increases. Cyberattacks can disrupt key infra-

structure at any time and anywhere, with potentially significant repercussions.

And since the financial system is as fragile, dangerous, and distorted as it has ever been (perhaps even more so), a crisis there is certainly possible. Regulators have repeatedly missed opportunities to reform the system

since the 2007-2009 crisis, making it clear that “further crises will come.”

An enormous buildup of risks across the financial system – often ignored by regulators and investors, only to emerge suddenly– is concerning. Many European banks already appear quite weak. According to a

A recent report shows that there is $65 trillion in hidden US-dollar debt in foreign-exchange markets – a much larger sum than prior to 2008 – and points to other risks. According to the World Bank, since 2000, the world’s poorest countries have been spending the highest share of their export revenues on debt-service payments to rich countries

2018 study, “off-balancesheet” debt levels have grown since 2007. A recent report shows that there is $65 trillion in hidden USdollar debt in foreign-exchange markets – a much larger sum than prior to 2008 – and points to other risks. According to the World Bank, since 2000, the world’s poorest countries have been spending the highest share of their export revenues on debt-service payments to rich coun-

tries, and debt-related risks are rising in low- and middle-income economies as well. Central banks routinely intervene to calm turbulent markets, as the Bank of England recently did to prop up the government-bond (gilt) market and protect pension funds. But a crisis involving multiple jurisdictions and key institutions with unsustainable commitments may not be easily contained.

SOURCE: PROJECT SYNDICATE

and supermassive black holes among other projects with a resolution about the same as the Hubble Space Telescope but with a wider view. The telescope will periodically dock with the station for maintenance.

China also has plans to launch multiple missions to Mars and nearby comets and asteroids with the goal of bringing samples back to Earth. And perhaps most notably, China has announced plans to build a joint Moon base with Russia – though no timeline for this mission has been set.

ASTROPOLITICS

A new era in space is unfolding. The Tiangong station is beginning its life just as the International Space Station, after more than 30 years in orbit, is set to be decommissioned by 2030.

The International Space Station is the classic example of collaborative ideals in space – even at the height of the Cold War, the U.S. and the Soviet Union came together to develop and launch the beginnings of the space station in the early 1990s.

By comparison, China and the U.S. have not been so jovial in their orbital

dealings.

In the 1990s, when China was still launching U.S. satellites into orbit, concerns emerged that China was accidentally acquiring – or stealing – U.S. technology. These concern in part led to the Wolf Amendment, passed by Congress in 2011, which prohibits NASA from collaborating with China in any capacity. China’s space program was not mature enough to be part of the construction of the International Space Station in the 1990s and early 2000s. By the time China had the ability to contribute to the International Space Station, the Wolf Amendment prevented it from doing so.

It remains to be seen how the map of space collaboration will change in the coming years. The U.S.-led Artemis Program that aims to build a selfsustaining habitat on the Moon is open to all nations, and 19 countries have joined as partners so far. China has also recently opened its joint Moon mission with Russia to other nations. This was partly driven by cooling Chinese-Russian relations but also due to the fact that because of the war in Ukraine, Sweden, France and the European Space Agency canceled planned missions with Russia.

As tensions on Earth rise between China, Russia and the West, and some of that jockeying spills over into space, it remains to be seen how the decommissioning of the International Space Station and operation of the Tiangong station will influence the China-U.S. relationship.

An event like the famous handshake between U.S. astronauts and Russian cosmonauts while orbiting Earth in 1975 is a long way off, but collaboration between the U.S. and China could do much to cool tensions on and above the Earth.

SOURCE: THE CONVERSATION

SPIRITUAL SPEAK

One who sees inaction in action, and action in inaction, is intelligent among men.

Bhagavad Gita

Rajnath Singh@rajnathsingh

Visited the War Memorial on Vijay Diwas today. Paid homage to Indian Armed Forces personnel who courageously fought in the 1971 War and laid down their lives in service to the nation.

TOP TWEETS

Nitin Gadkari@nitin_gadkari

Congratulations to Team @ DRDO_India for successfully carrying out the night trials of nuclear-capable ballistic missile #Agni5. This is another important step in the direction of Prime Minister Shri @narendramodi Ji’s clarion call for ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’.

Editor-In-Chief: Dr Jagdeesh Chandra Editor: Anita Hada Sangwan responsible for selection of news under the PRB Act

BIHAR HOOCH TRAGEDY

DEATH TOLL RISES TO 65

Chhapra (ANI): The toll of dead in Bihar’s Chhapra Hooch tragedy has soared to 65, with more people succumbing after consuming spurious liquor in Saran district.

Masrakh Station House Officer (SHO) Ritesh Mishra and Constable Vikesh Tiwari were suspended immediately after the Tuesday night tragedy on the recommendation of Marhaura Sub-Divisional Police Officer, Yogendra Kumar. Most deaths have occurred over Wednesday and Thursday creating an uproar both at the state and national level as sale and consumption of alcohol have been banned in Bihar by the Nitish Kumar government since April 2016.

Nitish Kumar’s former ally, BJP, have come down heavily on him with MPs of the Bharatiya Janata Party from the state raising the issue in the Rajya Sabha on Thursday.

Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, when questioned regarding the Chhapra Hooch tragedy, on Thursday told media that “if someone consumes liquor, they will die”, that has not gone down well with victim families among others.

“The liquor ban has benefitted several people. A large number of people have given up alcohol...This is good. Several people have happily accepted this. But there are some troublemakers. I have told officers to identify the actual troublemakers and nab them,” Kumar told the media in Patna.

Bihar Excise Minister Sunil Kumar have also promised stringent action against the culprits responsible for the deaths. “Process of filling an FIR is underway. I have spoken over the

Liquor ban has benefitted several.

A large number of people have given up alcohol... Several people have happily accepted this. There are some troublemakers. I have told officers to identify the actual troublemakers and nab them.

phone with SP,” Sunil Kumar had said on Wednesday.

Hours after the first few deaths were reported from Chhapra, the opposition had on Wednesday attacked the Bihar Chief Minister in the state assembly leading Kumar to lose his cool and scream back at the BJP leaders.

The Chhapra Hooch tragedy was one of the issues raised in the Rajya Sabha on Thursday, leading to the adjournment of the House thrice within a short span of 40 minutes as both the Treasury benches and the opposition raised their issues together with the commencement of the Zero Hour.

BIHAR GOVT RESPONSIBLE FOR HOOCH TRAGEDY

Chhapra: Bharatiya Janata Party MP Rajiv Pratap Rudy visited the village in his parliamentary constituency of Chhapra in Bihar and met with family members of those who died in the hooch tragedy that has so far taken at least 50 lives, as he accused the Nitish Kumar government’s policy for the lives lost.

BIHAR IS UNDER ‘POLICE RAJ’, FAMILIES ARE HIDING BODIES: SKM

number of deaths in the recent hooch tragedy was much higher. While speaking to a section of media, Modi said, “More than 100 people died after drinking spurious, illicit liquor. But, the numbers are being hidden. Even in Bihar, the media has put the death toll at around 50. The people are hiding the bodies of their kins fearing police inquiry. There is police raj in Bihar. This is not the first tragedy in Bihar.”

NO COMPENSATION TO THOSE WHO DIE AFTER CONSUMING LIQUOR: BIHAR CM NITISH IN ASSEMBLY

Patna: Bihar CM Nitish Kumar on Friday said no compensation will be given if a person dies after consuming spurious liquor. The CM’s remark comes amid severe criticism from the Opposition, led by the BJP, in the wake of the rising hooch deaths in the Chhapra district. “No compensation will be provided to people who die after consuming spurious liquor. We have been appealing to you not to drink. If you drink, you will die. Those who speak against prohibition will not bring any good to the people,” the CM said in the Assembly on Friday.

PLEA SEEKS SIT PROBE INTO HOOCH TRAGEDY, COMPENSATION FOR KIN

New Delhi: A petition has been filed in the Supreme Court, seeking an independent probe by a special investigation team (SIT) into a recent hooch tragedy in Bihar, in which several people have lost their lives. The Saran hooch tragedy toll climbed to 60 on Friday, the highest since Bihar went dry more than six years ago.

However, about the death toll, Saran District Magistrate Rajesh Meena told PTI over the phone that the number of people who have died in the tragedy since Tuesday night has gone up to 30.

Women at top positions will boost India’s resolve for development: Prez

First India Bureau

New Delhi: President Droupadi Murmu on Friday said more women at senior positions and in leadership roles will strengthen India’s resolve for inclusive development.

She was addressing the probationers of the Indian Statistical Service who had called on the president at Rashtrapati Bhavan here.

She asked them to do their duty with sincerity and commitment.

“Your contribution in steering India towards greater progress and development is going to be huge. The information and data analysis that you provide will be instrumental in making and implementing policies which ensure that no one is left behind in the journey of

development,” the president said.

Murmu said she was also delighted to know that lady officers comprise over 40 per cent of the officers present at the ceremony.

“More women at senior positions and in leadership roles will definitely strengthen India’s resolve for in-

clusive development,” the president added.

Murmu said India is at the cusp of a new phase of socio-economic transformation.

“Increased penetration of digital technologies has brought transparency and efficiency in the government functioning and has transformed the e-govern-

ment landscape. The flow of data through these initiatives provides support to the government in taking effective decisions,” she said.

Addressing the officers, the president said policy formulation and execution cannot be effective without the right statistical analysis.

—With PTI inputs

NHRC NOTICE TO BIHAR GOVT, STATE POLICE

New Delhi: The National Human Rights Commission has issued notices to Bihar govt and state’s police chief over the Saran hooch tragedy in which at least 30 people have died, officials said on Friday. The sale and consumption of alcohol was completely banned in Bihar in April 2016.

Now, Mizoram Dy Speaker Lairinawma resigns, too

Aizawl (Agencies):

Four days after Mizoram Social Welfare and Tribal Affairs Minister K Beichhua resigned, Assembly Deputy Speaker Lairinawma also quit his post on Friday. Though officially no reason was cited about the resignations, sources in the CM’s office said that Mizoram cabinet is likely to be reshuffled soon.

Beichhua, who was also holding Excise and Narcotics, Sericulture, Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Departments, had said that he was told by Chief Minister Zoramthanga, who is also the ruling Mizo National Front (MNF) President, to resign as he wanted to reshuffle the cabinet.

Siwan (ANI): Days after the hooch tragedy in Bihar’s Chhapra claimed over 50 lives, at least 5 people died after allegedly consuming spurious liquor in the adjoining Siwan district in the state.

All five deceased are residents of Brahsthan and Sondhani villages of Bhagwanpur Police Station area. According to sources, the death toll is expected to rise. Angry family members of the deceased obstructed the SiwanChapra Malmalia main road and undertook a protest. The distance between Siwan and Chhapra is around 10 kilometers. The deceased have been identified as Mahesh Rai (40), Sambhu Yadav (36), Amir Manjhi (45), and Awadh Manjhi (36) of Brahmasthan Village while Ramendra Pandit hailed from Sondhani village. According to locals, the death toll is expected to go up and the condition of some people are stated to be serious.

The bodies of the deceased are being transported to Sadar Hospital in Siwan. Police Circle Inspector reached the Sadar Hospital with a large police posse. He, however, refused to comment on the matter.

Meanwhile, in the Begusarai district, administration swung into action after one person reportedly died allegedly after consuming liquor. Two persons identified as Deepak Kumar and Shivam Kumar- who consumed alcohol with the deceased, are being interrogated by police.

Shah to chair EZC meet in Kolkata today

New Delhi (PTI): Union Home Minister Amit Shah will chair a meeting of the Eastern Zonal Council (EZC) in Kolkata on Saturday where issues like security along the inter-state borders, smuggling along the India-Bangladesh border, and connectivity will be discussed, officials said.

The EZC comprises West Bengal, Bihar, Jharkhand, and Odisha. It will be attended by CMs, ministers, chief secretaries, principal secretaries, and senior officers of the member states and senior officers of central government, a home ministry official said.

The meeting of the council is also expected to discuss power and other issues of common interests, the official said.

2036 OLYMPICS

Ahmedabad: Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Friday held a meeting with Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel and top government officials to review the state’s preparedness to host the 2036 Summer Olympic Games. Notably, the BJP government in Gujarat had earlier announced it was aiming to bag hosting rights for the 2036 Olympic Games.

As per the established procedure and practice, the zonal council meeting is preceded by a standing committee of the council, in which the agenda items to be placed before the council are scrutinised and listed in order of priority.

IN THE COURTYARD

HC REFUSES TO STAY ADHIKARI’S PROTECTION AGAINST FIRs

Kolkata: The Calcutta High Court on Friday refused to stay the immunity of the Leader of Opposition in West Bengal Assembly, Suvendu Adhikari against future FIRs granted earlier by a single-judge bench of the same court. On Thursday, the West Bengal government first approached the Supreme Court with the plea to vacate the immunity granted to Adhikari on December 8, by Calcutta High Court’s single-judge bench of Justice Rajasekhar Mantha.

GRANTS

SC

BAIL TO MAN ACCUSED OF RAPING MINOR

New Delhi: The Supreme Court has granted bail to a 20-year-old man who has been accused of kidnapping and raping a minor girl. A bench of justices BR Gavai and Vikram Nath noted that the accused has been in jail for more than two years.

PILs USED TO TARGET INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS: SC

New Delhi: Public interest litigation (PIL) matters are being increasingly used to target infrastructure projects, the Supreme Court observed on Friday while refusing to entertain a plea challenging the redevelopment of a plot of land in Mumbai.

Newly elected HP MLAs to take oath on December 22

Shimla (PTI): The newly elected Himachal Pradesh MLAs will take oath on December 22 when the three-day winter session of the state assembly begins, a notification issued here on Friday said.

This would be the first session of the 14th Vidhan Sabha.

According to the notice, the Speaker will be elected on December 23, which will be followed by the Governor’s address, a debate on which would be held on December 24 and it would be passed on the same day.

Senior most member of the newly-elected assembly Chander Kumar, who is a six-time MLA and former Lok Sabha member, was appointed as pro-tem Speaker on Wednesday.

He would administer the oath to the newly elected MLAs and func-

tion as the chairman of Vidhan Sabha till the new speaker is elected.

Himachal Pradesh Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar had allocated portfolios to the newly-elected Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu and his deputy Mukesh Agnihotri. Meanwhile, the cabinet expansion

is awaited.

In the November 12 elections, the Congress wrested the hill state from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) by winning 40 seats in the 68-member assembly, whereas the Bharatiya Janata Party won 25 seats with three independent candidates also emerging victorious.

Leader of Opposition in Bihar Legislative Assembly Vijay Kumar Sinha and BJP leaders march to Raj Bhawan to protest over the Bihar hooch tragedy during the Winter Session of the State Assembly, in Patna on Friday. —PHOTO BY ANI

Most deaths occurred on Wednesday & Thursday creating an uproar at the state and national level

In similar incident, 6 people died due to hooch in Siwan and Begusarai districts of Bihar

Now, spurious liquor kills 5 in Siwan, 1 in Begusarai

New Delhi: Former Deputy CM and BJP MP Sushil Kumar Modi lashed out at Nitish Kumar-led Bihar govt over the hooch tragedy in Chapra, and said the state was under ‘police raj’ and the

MP RUDY HOLDS

—Nitish Kumar, Bihar chief minister

President Droupadi Murmu meets with probationers of Indian Railways, at Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi on Friday. —PHOTO BY ANI

Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu being welcomed during his visit to Himachal Sadan, in New Delhi on Wednseday. —FILE PHOTO

SHAH REVIEWS GUJ’S PREPAREDNESS FOR

Amit Shah

PM holds telephonic conversation with Russian Prez

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday had a telephonic conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin, where he reiterated that dialogue and diplomacy is the only way forward to resolve the ongoing conflict with Ukraine. The conversation between the two leaders was a follow-up to their meeting in Uzbekistan’s Samarkand, on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit, in Sept this year. Both the leaders reviewed several areas

of bilateral cooperation like energy cooperation, trade and investments, defence and security cooperation.

Modi also briefed Putin about the key focus

India announces candidature for UNSC membership for 2028-29

New York: India looks forward to being back in the UN Security Council, External Affairs S Jaishankar said here on Thursday as he declared the country’s candidature as nonpermanent member for the 2028-29 term.

areas of India’s ongoing G20 presidency, sources said. The PM also looked forward to both countries working together during India’s chairship of the SCO.

Jaishankar arrived here on Tuesday to preside over two signature events on counter-terrorism and reformed multilateralism held under India’s current Presidency of the UN Security Council, be-

WINTER SESSION OF PARLIAMENT

fore the curtains come down this month on the country’s two-year tenure as elected member of the 15-nation top organ of the world body.

BOTH HOUSES ADJOURNED TILL

MONDAY AMID OPPN’S UPROAR

New Delhi: The clash along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in Arunachal Pradesh’s Tawang between Indian and Chinese troops has yet again trigger more disruptions in Parliament on Friday after both houses saw several adjournments this week. The opposition has been accusing the government of refusing a discussion on the matter.

On Thursday, Opposition parties in Lok Sabha had staged a walkout following Union minister Hardeep Puri’s response to the questions on petrol price rise. Discussions on women’s safety, petrol price hike are among the other issues that are likely to take place on the eighth day of the session.

The winter session that began on December 7 will continue till December 29, with a total of 17 working days.

Sixteen new bills have on the Centre’s agenda in this session.

Earlier on Friday, Rajya Sabha was adjourned till 12 noon on Friday amid uproar as the Opposition’s request to hold a discussion on the India-China border situation was disallowed by the chair.

Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman Harivansh repeatedly urged House members to allow the proceedings, citing rules.

Congress MP Randeep Surjewala earlier

IRANI, CHOWDHURY SPAR IN LS OVER

‘GENTLEMAN’ REMARK

New Delhi: Women and Child Development Minister Smriti Irani and Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury indulged in a spat in Lok Sabha on Friday over the use of the word ‘gentleman’.

Irani said Chowdhury was interrupting her reply to impress his ‘’political

today gave a Suspension of Business Notice under Rule 267 in Rajya Sabha to discuss the border situation with China. He also asked the Chairman to ask the Prime Minister and the Government to make a statement on the issue.

Congress President and Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha

NPCL’s weapon to check power theft in Noida

First India Bureau

New Delhi: Noida Power Company Ltd has found a unique weapon to check power theft in Greater Noida. Now NPCL will know immediately when and how much power is being stolen from which transformer in which area. NPCL has installed smart devices on all power distribution equipment and transformers in Greater Noida, make it possible to determine how much power is being stolen.

Under this special campaign, NPCL has identified about 300 such transformers in different villages, from which more than 50 percent of the power is being stolen. Besides, in those areas where power theft is more prevalent at night, it is also being ascertained which consumer is stealing power.

masters’’. Chowdhury was supported by another Congress member, K Suresh. Congress leader Sonia Gandhi was also pre-

Mallikarjun Kharge also sought to raise the issue in the House.

Earlier on Tuesday, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh informed both Houses that China’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA) troops tried to transgress the Line of Actual Control in Yangtse area of Arunachal Pradesh Ta-

sent in the House.

‘’I would...request the member who stands here trying to ensure that I do not speak to score political brownie points....

For him to presume that the gentleman is not a gentleman is an issue to deal (with) between the gentleman and the so-called member,’’ Irani said.

wang Sector and unilaterally change the status quo but they went back to their locations due to timely intervention of Indian military commanders.He assured that “our forces are committed to protecting our territorial integrity and will continue to thwart any attempt made on it”.

‘RULES IN PLACE’, SAYS CENTRE ON ONLINE GAMING

“I’m glad to inform you that we have declared our candidature for our next tenure at the Council for 2028-29 and we look forward to

being back, he said as India prepares to wrap up its 2021-22 tenure as elected Council member on December 31.

Jaishankar said that

December is the last month of India’s current membership of the Security Council, the eighth time that India sat at the powerful horse-shoe table.

“During this eighth innings of ours, we have attempted to bring many themes of contemporary relevance like maritime security, technology in UN peacekeeping, reforms of the UN and counterterrorism to the center of the agenda and of the debate in the UN, he said.

VIJAY DIWAS CELEBRATIONS

New Delhi: Union MoS for Electronics and Information Technology, Rajeev Chandrasekhar in a written reply to a question in the RS said rules on the regulation of online gaming were in place. “These rules cast specific obligation on intermediaries, including intermediaries offering online games,” the reply said.

NO PLAN FOR SEPARATE LAW TO REGULATE DIGITAL

MEDIA

New Delhi: Union Minister of State for Electronics and Information Technology Rajeev Chandrasekhar in a written reply to a question in the Rajya Sabha on Friday said there was no proposal to enact a separate law to regulate the digital media.“No proposal to enact a separate law to regulate the digital media is currently under consideration of the government,” said the minister

Vice Prez Dhankhar remembers bravery

Kochi

New Delhi (ANI): Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar on Friday paid tributes to those who lost their lives in the service of the nation on the occasion of Vijay Diwas.

“On Vijay Diwas, I join the nation in remembering the bravery and sacrifice of our armed forces, who led to our triumph in the 1971 war.

I pay my tributes to the martyrs, who lost their lives in the service of our nation.

#VijayDiwas2022,” Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar tweeted on Friday.

SELECTION OF HIMACHAL CM

Sukhu had full backing of Priyanka Gandhi Vadra!

Contrary to the popular belief that Priyanka Gandhi did not have say in selection of HP Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, the informed sources now reveal that Sukhu was actually Priyanka’s candidate.

“Sukhu has been

very close to the Gandhi family and Priyanka. IN fact, Sukhu has the power of attorney of Priyanka’s five-acre house in Shimla. Not

only this, Sukhu has been involved in the purchase of this land from the beginning,” said sources.

This five acre land

was in the name of 42 people belonging to one or two families. Some of them were in Shimla, some in Mumbai and some abroad. It was almost impossible to gather all these people at one place and get the registry done but Sukhu completed this work with great hard work and honesty.

This story is 10-12 years old and thus Sukhu has been close to the Gandhi family ever since. The 5-acre land was close to the Presi-

dent’s residence, where the President stays during summer. As such, this land could not be sold to Priyanka due to the security reasons. The then President Pratibha Patil gave NOC for this endorsement and Sukhu was always involved in this whole work. This loyalty and hard work delivered and the son of a bus driver and grassroot worker Sukhu became the new Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh.

FRESH FIRs AGAINST MEHUL CHOKSI, OTHERS

New Delhi: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Friday registered two fresh FIRs against fugitive businessman Mehul Choksi, Gitanjali Gems and Nakshatra Brands for allegedly defrauding a consortium of banks to the tune of Rs 6,300 crore. The FIRs have been lodged by Mumbai branch.

RAKUL PREET SUMMONED BY ED IN DRUG CASE

Prime Minister Narendra Modi & Vladimir Putin. —FILE PHOTO

United Nations Security Council.

First India Bureau

VIJAY DIWAS

J&K DGP LAYS WREATH AT BALIDAN STAMBHA

Jammu: Director General of J&K Police (DGP) Dilbag Singh on Friday laid wreath at the Balidan Stambha in Jammu on the occasion of Vijay Diwas, commemorating India’s victory over Pakistan in the 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War. The Union Territory’s top cop was accompanied by the ADGP Mukesh Singh during the wreath-laying ceremony.

Mahesh Sharma

Insiders say that Sukhu is very close to Gandhis and Priyanka

Rajnath Singh, Anil Chauhan, Manoj Pande, VR Chaudhari and SN Ghormade pay tribute to the Armed Forces personnel in New Delhi on Friday.

—PHOTO BY ANI

Proceedings of the Rajya Sabha adjourned due to a ruckus created by the Opposition MPs in the Wall of House during the Winter Session of Parliament, in New Delhi on Friday. —PHOTO BY ANI

Priyanka Gandhi with Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu.

—FILE PHOTO

Students perform a dance during the Vijay Diwas celebrations, in Prayagraj, on Friday.

—PHOTO BY PTI

CM PUBLICLY SUSPENDS OFFICIALS

Shivpuri: With Assembly elections only a year away, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Friday took non-performing officials to task and announced the suspension of two officers for negligence while speaking at a function in Shivpuri district.

BRIEFS

Budget to follow spirit of earlier ones: FM

New Delhi (PTI): Finance Minister Nirmala Sithataman on Friday indicated that her forthcoming Budget will continue to push growth on the back of public spending as she said it will “follow the spirit” of earlier Budgets.

capex last year stood at Rs 5.5 lakh crore.

Mumbai: Investments by private equity and venture capital funds have declined by 42% year-onyear to $4 billion in November, a report said on Friday. By the number of deals, November’s 88 transactions were 15% lower than the year-ago period and 13% higher than the preceding October. From a sectoral perspective, infrastructure was at the top in November 2022, driven by investments in clean energy, with $1.6 billion in PE/ VC investments across six deals, it said. —PTI

Sitharaman, scheduled to present her fifth straight Budget on February 1 for the fiscal starting April, had unveiled a massive public spending programme to support the economy, emerging out of the COVID-19 pandemic.

In the Budget, the finance minister had raised capital expenditure by 35.4% for the financial year 2022-23 to Rs 7.5 lakh crore to boost demand, while the

“It is very inspiring and motivating for me, especially at a time when we are readying the next budget for the country, a budget which will follow the spirit of the earlier Budgets. We are going to set the template, which was set to earlier but follow it and take it further for India’s next 25 years...,” she said.

The GDP growth has slowed in recent months due to global headwinds and rising interest rates globally to control spiralling inflation. This has prompted some to seek a further government push to revive the growth rate.

The Budget 2023-24 will

be presented in the backdrop of many institutions, including the Reserve Bank, slashing India’s growth forecast to 6.8% or so for the current fiscal.

The RBI projected the

Countries eager to sign free trade pacts with India: Goyal

New Delhi: Japanese car maker Honda on Friday said it is planning to increase prices of its entire model range by up to `30,000 from January to partially offset the impact of rising input costs and prepare products in compliance with upcoming stricter emission norms.

The company joins the likes of market leader Maruti Suzuki, Hyundai, Tata Motors, MercedesBenz, Audi, Renault, Kia India and MG Motor, who have also announced to hike prices. —PTI

CATHAY PACIFIC TO SCALE UP INDIA FLIGHT SERVICES

New Delhi (PTI): Countries across the world are looking at India as a trusted partner and want to sign free trade agreements with it after its emergence as a strong force in the world, Textile Minister Piyush Goyal said on Friday.

He said talks are underway with the European Union, Gulf countries, Canada and the United Kingdom for FTA and the FTAs with two developed economies of the UAE and Australia will be enforced in this year alone.

Goyal said after the prime minister’s efforts, India is emerging as a strong force across the world and once again the world is keen to increase trade with India and sign FTAs.

“I am happy to share with

you that in one year alone, FTA with two developed countries - UAE and Australia will be enforced. With the UAE, the FTA has come into force from May 1 this year, which is a record time, and the FTA with Australia will enter into force from December 29 this year,” the minister said.

“There are six Gulf Co-

operation Council nations with which FTAs are being discussed. Besides there are talks going on with the European Union, Canada and United Kingdom for FTA agreements. This shows that the entire world is looking towards India and they are seeing that India will be a trusted partner in the coming times.”

real GDP growth for 2022-23 at 6.8%, with the third quarter at 4.4% and the fourth at 4.2%.

Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth is projected at 7.1% for the April-June

WORK OUT STRATEGIES TO DRAW GLOBAL MANUFACTURERS TO INDIA: SITHARAMAN

New Delhi (PTI): Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Friday asked Indian industry to work out strategies as to how businesses operating in developed countries can look at India as a production or sourcing hub amid recession fears in the western countries. India has brought in a lot of facilitation and tweaking of rules to attract foreign investment into India and is also engaging with industries who want to co-locate in the country, the minister said.“As much you are preparing yourself for a longdrawn recession in the Western world, in the developed world, I think it is also the best time for you to work out strategies for drawing those manufacturers from there to India. “Even as they are headquartered there, it might be useful for them to think of sourcing many things from here and producing from here at least for markets in this part of the globe,” Sitharaman said.

period of 2023-24 and at 5.9% for the following quarter. The budget for the next year will have to address critical issues of elevated levels of inflation, boosting demand, job creation and

putting the economy on a sustained 8% plus growth path. It will be the fifth budget of the Modi 2.0 government and Sitharaman, and the last full budget before the general elections.

Mumbai: Hong Kongbased airline Cathay Pacific on Friday said it will scale up its flight services to and from India, including on Delhi and Mumbai routes, to 14 services per week, starting Jan 2023.

From Feb, the number of per week flights to and from India will go up to 15 from nine at present.

The full service carrier also announced it will operate an Airbus A350-900 aircraft on its B’lore-Hong Kong route, first time by the airline in the country, offering 280 seats, comprising 38 in business, 28 in premium economy and the remaining 214 in economy class. —PTI

New Delhi: Gold prices rose `107 to `54,222 per 10 grams in the national capital on Friday amid gains in prices of precious metal in overseas markets, according to HDFC Securities. In the previous trade, the yellow metal had settled at `54,115/10 grams. Silver, however, declined `120 to `68,001/kg. In the international market, gold was trading in green at $1,783.80 per ounce while silver was down at $23.07 per ounce. —PTI

Mumbai (PTI): Equity benchmarks Sensex and Nifty declined nearly 1% on Friday, in tandem with a weak trend in overseas markets amid hawkish tone of global central banks.

The 30-share BSE Sensex fell 461.22 points or 0.75% to settle at 61,337.81. During the day, it tumbled 506.5 points or 0.81% to 61,292.53.

The broader NSE Nifty declined 145.90 points or 0.79% to end at 18,269.

From the Sensex pack, Mahindra & Mahindra, Asian Paints, Dr Reddy’s, Tata Consultancy Services,

SENSEX AND NIFTY ON FRIDAY

z The 30-share BSE Sensex fell 461.22 points or 0.75% to settle at 61,337.81. During the day, it tumbled 506.5 points or 0.81% to 61,292.53

z The broader NSE Nifty declined 145.90 points or 0.79% to end at 18,269

Vehicle registrations: Govt tweaks BH series rules

New Delhi (PTI): The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) has allowed the conversion of regular vehicle registrations into Bharat Series (BH) numbers as part of measures to widen the scope of the BH series ecosystem.

Earlier, only new vehicles could opt for the BH series mark.

In an official statement, the MoRTH said over the course of the implementation of BH series registration mark rules, several representations have been received towards strength-

ening the BH series ecosystem. “Vehicles currently having regular registration mark can also be converted to BH series registration mark, subject to payment of requisite tax, to facilitate persons who subsequently become eligible for BH series registration mark,” the statement said released on Friday.

State Bank of India, Wipro, PowerGrid and Titan were the major laggards.

Hindustan Unilever, HDFC Bank and Nestle were among the winners.

Elsewhere in Asia, equity markets in Seoul, Tokyo and Shanghai ended lower, while Hong Kong settled in the green.

Equity exchanges in Europe were trading in the red in mid-session deals. The US markets had ended sharply lower on Thursday.

International oil benchmark Brent crude dipped 2.25 per cent to $79.38 per barrel.

India

to become $5 tn economy by FY25: Gadkari

New Delhi (PTI): India is the fastest growing major economy in the world and is all set to achieve $5 trillion GDP by 2024-25, Union Minister Nitin Gadkari said on Friday.

Gadkari said the central government is aiming to boost growth and employment to achieve sustainable development.

The road transport and highways minister said India will play a key role in achieving global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 2030. Gadkari noted that India needs to increase its exports and reduce imports. “We are also working on developing alternative, clean and green fuel like bio ethanol, bio-CNG, bioLNG and green hydrogen,” he said.

Mkts fall for 2nd day amid weak global trends

RUPEE FALLS 9 PAISE TO SETTLE AT 82.85 AGAINST US DOLLAR

Mumbai (PTI): The value of Indian rupee dropped 9 paise to close at 82.85 (provisional) against the United States dollar on Friday amid heavy selling pressure in domestic equities and a strong greenback overseas. However, receding crude oil prices capped the rupee’s loss, forex traders said. At the interbank foreign exchange market, the rupee opened sharply lower at 82.84 against the greenback and witnessed a high of 82.73 and a low of 82.89. It finally settled at 82.85 against the greenback, down 9 paise over its previous close of 82.76.

OTHER STORIES

NON-FOSSIL SOURCES TO MEET 62% OF IND TOTAL ENERGY DEMAND

New Delhi: India is expected to source about 62% of its energy requirements from non-fossil sources by 2030, about 12% more than the target, according to a senior power ministry official. “Going by the current pace and trajectory, India is likely to source about 62% of its energy requirements from non-fossil sources by 2030, exceeding the target it has set for itself for sourcing about 50% of energy requirements,” Tiwari said. —PTI

INDIGO SEEKS DGCA NOD FOR WET LEASING BOEING 777 AIRCRAFT

New Delhi: IndiGo on Friday said it has sought aviation regulator DGCA’s approval to wet lease Boeing 777 aircraft, which will be utilised for operating flights on the DelhiIstanbul route. This will be the first time that the carrier will be inducting wide-body planes into its fleet and the move also comes against the backdrop of global supply chain issues impacting aircraft deliveries. The airline will wet-lease two aircraft. —PTI

WINDFALL PROFIT TAX ON CRUDE SLASHED; TAX ON DIESEL, ATF EXPORT CUT

New Delhi: The government has slashed the windfall profit tax levied on domestically-produced crude oil as well as on export of diesel and ATF following a decline in global oil prices, according to an official order. The levy on crude oil produced by companies such as Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) has been cut steeply to `1,700 per tonne from `4,900, the order dated December 15 said.Crude oil pumped out of the ground and from below seabed is refined and converted into fuel like petrol, diesel and ATF. The government has also cut the tax on export of diesel to `5 per litre from `8 and the same on overseas shipments of ATF to `1.5 a litre from `5. The new tax rates are effective from December 16. —PTI

WHEAT SOWING UP BY THREE PER CENT SO FAR THIS RABI SEASON

New Delhi: Wheat acreage has increased 3% so far in the ongoing rabi season at 286.5 lakh hectare mainly on higher sowing area in MP and UP, the government data showed. The area under coverage for wheat, which is the major crop in rabi (winter-sown) season, stood at 278.25 lakh hectare in the same period last year. Sowing of rabi crops starts from October. Higher area under wheat has been reported mainly from MP, UP, Rajasthan. —PTI

FOREX RESERVES SWELL BY $2.91 BN TO $564.06 BN AS OF DEC 9

Mumbai: India’s forex reserves rose by $2.908 billion to $564.06 billion for the week ended on December 9, according to the Reserve Bank data released on Friday. In the previous reporting week, the overall reserves had soared by $11 billion to $561.16 billion. This is the fifth consecutive week of an increase in the reserves. In October 2021, the country’s foreign exchange kitty had reached an all-time high of $645 billion. —PTI

India’s textile industry faces tough times

First India Bureau

New Delhi: India’s $200 billion textile and apparel industry is facing a crisis as consumers in the United States, Europe and other big markets have cut spending on clothing following a surge in inflation after the war in Ukraine, industry officials said.

While the overall economy is relatively strong and is outperforming major economies, the textile sector is a notable exception and orders suggest the downturn will continue well into 2023, raising the

risk of layoffs. Exports, which constitute about 22% of the industry, have fallen for five months in a row - declining over 15% year-on-year in November to $3.1 billion.

Domestic sales are sluggish despite strong growth in the overall economy because of high costs and cheap imported garments, manufacturers say.

After bumper sales ear-

NOTABLE EXCEPTION

z While the overall economy of the country is relatively strong and is outperforming major economies, the textile sector is a notable exception and orders suggest the downturn will continue well into 2023

lier this year, local textile factories are now cutting production - contributing to a 4.3% contraction in manufacturing output in July-September quarter that has raised concerns.

HONDA TO HIKE

PRICES BY UP TO `30K FROM JAN

GOLD PRICES SEE A RISE OF `107; SILVER DECLINES BY `120

‘1971 WAR WAS TRIUMPH OF HUMANITY OVER INHUMANITY’

NIA chargesheet against 11 in Amravati pharmacist’s murder

First India Bureau

Shraddha Walkar’s father meets new MBVV police chief

First India Bureau

New Delhi: On the occasion of Vijay Diwas that marks India’s decisive victory over Pakistan which led to the birth of Bangladesh, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said that the 1971 war was the triumph of humanity over inhumanity and of justice over injustice.

Defence minister Rajnath Singh on Friday tweeted, “Today, on Vijay Diwas, the Nation salutes the exemplary courage, bravery and sacrifice of India’s Armed Forces. The 1971 war was the triumph of humanity over inhumanity, virtue over misconduct and justice over injustice. India is proud of its Armed Forces.

Every year, India celebrates December 16 as Vijay Diwas to remem-

ber its historic victory over Pakistan in the 1971 war. Around 93,000 Pakistani troops surrendered before the joint forces of the Indian Army and the “Mukti Bahini” on Dec 16, 1971, which paved the way for the birth of Bangladesh.

EAM S Jaishankar also saluted the brave Indian Armed Forces whose valour led to the victory in the war. “On Vijay Divas, join the nation in saluting our brave Indian Armed Forces whose valour led to a decisive victory in the 1971 war. We will always be grateful for their service & sacrifices,” he tweeted.

Army Chief Gen Manoj Pande hosted an ‘At Home’ event on the eve of the Vijay Diwas which was attended by President Droupadi Murmu and PM Narendra Modi among others.

ELGAR CASE: HC grants 4-day bail to Hany Babu for cataract surgery, medical check-up

Mumbai (PTI): The Bombay High Court on Friday granted temporary bail of four days to former Delhi University professor Hany Babu, an accused in the Elgar Parishad-Maoist links case, to undergo cataract surgery and a medical check-up at a citybased hospital.

Babu, who has been lodged in Taloja jail in Navi Mumbai since almost the last two years, had moved the high court earlier this month

seeking temporary bail on health grounds.

The activist, in his petition, had said that he needed bail for three

months for undergoing cataract surgery and getting treatment for upper abdominal pain and osteoarthritis at

Jamia Masjid Srinagar prohibits photography, men and women from sitting together in its lawns

Srinagar (PTI): The management of the historic Jamia Masjid here has issued a notification banning photography inside the mosque and asking men and women to not sit together on its lawns.

Entry of photography equipment is also prohibited, the Anjuman Auquaf Central Jamia Masjid said in the notification put up all around the mosque complex.

“Photographers or camera persons are prohibited to take any kind of photos or clicks inside the mosque. Even equipment used to click any kind of photos are totally disallowed and need to be stopped at the gate forthwith,” it read.

It also prohibited the carrying of eatables into the mosque prem-

ises. “Nobody is allowed to have lunch or any kind of eatables inside the mosque. As such, visitors need to be stopped at the gate itself,” the notification read.

The management of

the 14th-century mosque directed its security guards to implement the instructions immediately.

Women can enter a mosque if there is a designated place for them, separate from men.

the private Breach Candy Hospital here.

A division bench of Justices AS Gadkari and PD Naik, after hearing the arguments of both sides, allowed Babu to undergo treatment at the hospital in Mumbai for four days.

The court directed that Babu be taken to a hospital for the surgery and health check-up on Dec 20 and be brought back to the prison on December 24, his lawyer Yug Chaudhry said.

FROM P1…

Another reason why BJP came to power is that they spread hatred, they divide the country.

The day Congress understands what it is, that day Congress will win every election. Regional parties do not have a vision of the country. Regional parties represent caste, class, state.

I was also a little distant from the public, I personally benefited a lot from the journey Rahul Gandhi said that he has personally benefited a lot from the yatra. “I got to learn a lot. I also had a little distance from the public; that has ended. When we walk on the streets, there is some fatigue and pain, we meet and talk to millions of people. When we meet the farmer, he understands that the person who has come here has come with pain and has not come in vain. Then he speaks from the heart

and not from the mind. If the people of India speak from their heart then it is a different matter,” Gandhi said.

Rahul Gandhi said that a distance has developed between the leaders and the public. “Ego has come in between. I thought that the distance between the public and the leader has to end. The aim of the yatra was also to understand the pain among the public. I have received a lot of love from the public, I cannot explain to you. Our yatra is another way of doing politics. This is Gandhiji’s way, and we have had the best response in Rajasthan,” he said.

We give each state the freedom to decide

On the old pension scheme, Rahul Gandhi said that we do not tell every state what has to be done. “We leave it to the states to implement the OPS. They have the freedom to take deci-

New Delhi: The NIA, investigating the murder case of Amravati’s pharmacist Umesh Kolhe, filed a chargesheet against the 11 arrested accused. Kolhe was brutally murdered for a social media post supporting former BJP spokesperson Nupur Sharma over her controversial remarks about Prophet Mohammad.

A charge sheet was filed before the Mumbai NIA court. The NIA registered a case on July 2 on the directions of the Ministry of Home Affairs under IPC sections 120-B (criminal conspiracy), 302 (murder), 153-A (promoting enmity between different groups on grounds of religion, race, place of birth, residence, etc) & 153-B (imputations, assertions prejudicial to national integration), & provisions of Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.

The court had in Sept granted the central agency 90 days extension to file the charge-sheet.

First India Bureau

New Delhi: Vikas Walkar, father of Shraddha Walkar, met Madhukar Pandey, the new Police Commissioner of Mira Bhayandar-Vasai Virar (MBVV), to discuss the case with him on Friday. In the meeting, the new Police Commissioner assured that the proper investigation will be done for their complaint and action will be taken.

Walkar demanded action against the then police officer for not acting on Shraddha’s November 2020 complaint against her livein partner Aftab Poonawalla in which his

daughter alleged that Poonawala abused her, beat her up, tried to kill her and also threatened to cut her into pieces.

Walkar raised the issue of delay in action by the local police.

Walkar was accompanied by Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Kirit Somaiya, and Pandey.

MBVV police chief Pandey assured the delegation that the police will not spare anyone and appropriate action would be taken against the guilty.

On Dec 9, Vikas Walkar met Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister & Home Minister Devendra Fadnavis to discuss the case.

sions according to their circumstances. This (Rahul) person is roaming because he wants to eradicate fear and hatred. It’s not the first person walking around. I am not the first and not the last person. This is not my journey but people’s journey. People have done marches before against hatred,” Rahul stressed.

People love Congress

Rahul said that from Kanyakumari to Rajasthan, one thing has been understood from the ground that there is no dearth of party workers. “The response we got in MP, Maharashtra was amazing. People talk about twothree schemes in Rajasthan. People are talking about Chiranjeevi scheme that it is a good scheme. A lot has been said about the MGNREGA that it has minor problems. People in Rajasthan also complain. There is a problem of water here,” he said.

If we give place to grassroots worker then we will win

On the party’s CM face in Rajasthan, Rahul said the strength of the workers here is unmatched. If the lowerrung leaders are used well then elections will be won, he said.

There is no dictatorship in our party

On factionalism in the party, Rahul said that there is no dictatorship in the Congress. “There is discussion in the Congress, which is a good thing. We think that there should not be much loss to the party. If there is loss, then we take action. The general ideology is that if the party people want to speak, we do not silence by intimidation.”

When asked under whose leadership will the next elections be fought, Rahul said that Congress President Kharge should be asked this. “He’s the president, not me,” he said.

and others. Shubham and Aarti

between January 1, 2022, and May 6, 2022.

It was further alleged that in pursuance to the said criminal conspiracy, applicants from Punjab and Jammu submitted fake and forged letters purportedly written by a private company based at Bengaluru to the Consulate General of France, Bengaluru for issuing Entry Visas.

Says Def Min Rajnath Singh on the occasion of Vijay Diwas to celebrate India’s victory over Pak in the 1971 war to liberate Bangladesh

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh hands over Raksha Mantri Awards for Excellence to Delhi Cantonment Station Commander Brigadier RC Katoch during the Defence Estates Day function, at Raksha Sampada Bhawan, in New Delhi on Friday. Director General of Defence Estates Ajay Kumar Sharma, Defence Secretary Giridhar Aramane and other dignitaries also present.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh hands over Raksha Mantri Awards for Excellence to a specially-abled student during the Defence Estates Day function, at Raksha Sampada Bhawan, in New Delhi on Friday. Union Minister of State for Defence Ajay Bhatt also present.

—PHOTOS BY ANI

Vikas Walkar (R) with newly-appointed police commissioner of Mira Bhayandar Vasai Virar (MBVV) Madhukar Pandey.

THE LAST LIGHT

A view of Taj Mahal during sunset, in Agra on Friday. —PHOTO BY PTI

New Delhi (ANI): The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Friday registered a case against 6 people, including 2 earlier working in the Visa Department of the Embassy of France in New Delhi, on allegations of visa fraud in the embassy. The arrested accused have been identified as Shubham Shokeen, Aarti Mandal, Navjot Singh, Chetan Sharma, Satwinder Singh Purewal, Manpreet Singh

worked in the Visa Department of the Embassy of France in New Delhi and it was alleged that they conspired with others and perpetrated visa fraud during the period

A man reads a notification put up by Anjuman Auquaf at the main gate of Jamia Masjid regarding the ban on photography and videography inside the mosque and sitting of ‘ladies and gents’ together at its park, in Srinagar on Friday. —PHOTO BY PTI

BOWS, BLING & SPARKY THINGS

PERHAPS NO OTHER FASHION ELEMENT IS AS CONTENTIOUS AS THE BOW. THE BOW ITSELF IS A RELIC FROM THE DISTANT PAST. LET’S EXPLORE THE WORLD OF BOW FASHION WITH CITY FIRST!

www.firstindia.co.in

The bow is a shape that holds reams of significance and consistently elicits a strong

unique and expensive item, frequently made of the finest silk and in the most exquisite hues, in tales like Anne of Green Gables or Little House on the Prairie. We always adore the way a bow can complete an ensemble.

It seems to sense that designers are drawing influence from the Marie Antoinette style given that the cottage come subculture

MRIDULA SHARMA cityfirst@firstindia.co.in

JOY TO THE EARTH..!

ARIES

MAR 21 - APR 20

Praise of a family member by someone will make you proud. Getting unwell due to changing weather cannot be ruled out for some. You may need to monitor your finances closely. You are likely to win the day on the professional front by your original ideas. Keep options open on the investment.

TAURUS

APR 21 - MAY 20

Some of you may feel the home environment serene and restful. There is a fair chance of some property getting allotted to you.Opportunities are likely to appear on the academic front. Good health is assured through own efforts. A healthy bank balance will allow you to buy a major item.

GEMINI

MAY 21 - JUNE 21

A new plot, house or apartment can be acquired by some.Be more assertive in dealing with workplace issues, otherwise you can be taken for granted by others. Joining an online exercise routine is indicated and will prove beneficial. Those trying to boost income may figure out newer ways.

CANCER

LIBRA

SEPT 24 - OCTOBER 22

Your initiative will help mend fences with someone you were not in talking terms. Taking up a regular fitness routine will help you get into shape. Increase in household expenditure is possible, so take all steps to cut it down. You will need to choose the investment schemes wisely.

SCORPIO

OCT 23 - NOVEMBER 22

Things are likely to move favourably on the professional front. You will need to muster all persuasive powers to swing a deal in your favour. Your skills are likely to bring a lucrative deal within your grasp on professional front. You’ll get help in tying up loose ends on the domestic front.

SAGITTARIUS

NOV 23 - DEC 22

Do not misunderstand the motives of someone trying to help you. A friendly bet with a friend or a colleague may turn into a fight, so be careful.An exciting time lies ahead as travelling with friends is foreseen. You are set to grow professionally and attract new clientele.

CAPRICORN

Encourage the whole family to embrace this timeless holiday tradition as they cover the Christmas tree with homemade ornaments, weave in gorgeous garlands and pick out the perfect tree topper. To help make your holiday a little easier, City First has rounded up the best Christmas tree ideas to fit any aesthetic — whether you prefer traditional, modern, eclectic or rustic decor arrangements. These festive decoration ideas work well if you’re decorating a real Christmas tree (we love a fresh pine scent) or you’ve purchased one of the best artificial trees (choose a realistic style, and no one will know the difference).

You can go with a faux tree, try an elegant black or white Christmas tree — or maybe, choose to go even more untraditional with a DIY Christmas tree made of yarn, chalk or disco balls. If you’re looking for exciting ways to get the children involved, we’ve also found several simple tree ideas that rely on kid-friendly Christmas crafts (like making ornaments from paper, sand dollars and felt).

Decorating a small space? Don’t worry, we’ve sprinkled in beautiful space-saving ideas like mini Christmas trees made from stacked mason jars and tabletop Christmas trees that tuck neatly into corners. The options are endless!

z RUSTIC TREE

All it takes to recreate this natureinspired look are dried oranges, faux cranberries and pom-pom garland. Don’t forget the straw basket, as opposed to a tree skirt.

z CANDY THEME

If you’re feeling cheerful, go for a colourful candy theme. Start with a faux white Christmas tree and fill it with DIY candy cane ornaments, bright baubles and clear ornaments filled with small toys and candies. Complete the look with the rainbow garland made of pom poms and a straw tree topper.

z RED AND GREEN PLAID RIBBON TREE

Have some festive plaid ribbon left over from gift-wrapping? There’s no reason why you shouldn’t use it to bring some personality to your tree.

z COZY LODGE TREE

Fill your spruce tree with red and

z CHALKBOARD CHRISTMAS TREE

This minimalist Christmas tree idea is a fun project for the whole family, and it shouldn’t take longer than a few hours. It’s constructed using a metal sheet covered with chalkboard vinyl, which makes it magnetic. Quickly whip up a few DIY ornaments by adding a magnet on the back of felt cutouts.

z

CLASSIC CHRISTMAS TREE

From nostalgic ornaments to tinsel and a gold star topper, you can’t go wrong with a traditional Christmas tree to fill your space with holiday cheer.

z ORNAMENT-COVERED TREE

Ran out of space on your big Christmas tree to show off your ever-growing ornament collec -

tion? Go for this vintage-inspired look featuring styrofoam cones covered in colourful ornaments of all shapes and sizes.

z DISCO BALL TREE

Elevate your holiday home with a bit of glitz and glam with this striking disco ball tree. Start with a 24” foam cone or wire tree and use hot glue to layer disco balls of all different sizes.

z STATEMENT WHITE TREE

Dream up a winter wonderland in your own home with a white tabletop tree adorned in glitzy pastel-coloured ball ornaments.

z SUGAR PLUM TREE

Believe it or not, just about anything can be a Christmas tree ornament. For this sugar plum Christmas tree theme, decorate your Christmas Tree in adorable knit ornaments, pompom garlands, and whimsical mushrooms.

DAY

AQUARIUS

FACEOFTHEDAY

VANYA BAHL,

Horoscope by Saurabbh Sachdeva

Nothing brings holiday cheer to an interior quite like a well-decorated Christmas tree, whether you’re sticking with classic red and green baubles and twinkling lights or opting for a creative Christmas tree theme, like adorning your spruce with pom-poms, colorful ribbons or candy. As the festival celebration 10 days countdown begins, City First brings to you ways to steal the show quite as much as the tree in all its pine-scented, glowing glory!

MITALI DUSAD cityfirst@firstindia.co.in

burgundy baubles, classic beaded garland and thick snowflake ribbon to give your home a cozy, warm feel.

JACQUELINE TROLLED!

Janhvi’s reaction

Superstar Nayanthara will be seen next in the highly-discussed horror thriller Connect. As the sus pense drama is nearing its re lease on 22nd De cember this year, the makers re cently released the nail-biting trailer

of the movie. The preview has been getting a lot of positive reviews from the viewers and the latest to appreciate it is Bollywood beauty, Janhvi

VAANI KAPOOR OOZES SEXINESS

SHEHNAAZ FLAUNTS HER LOVE

Shehnaaz Gill rose to fame after her stint in Salman Khan hosted controversial reality show Bigg Boss 13. Her bond with late actor Sidharth Shukla became the highlight of the season, and both gained a huge fan following owing to their relationship. Sidharth's sudden demise shook many, but the actor lives forever in many hearts. Recently, a picture of Shehnaaz Gill's wallpaper is going viral on social media, and Sidnaaz fans noticed something. A still from a clip where Shehnaaz was spotted leaving in her car is going viral. Though Shehnaaz's face isn't visible, her phone's wall-

Recently we saw a clear picture of what we need for December from Ki ara Advani’s latest look. We thought dresses were hot but to load in an array of onesies could be the chicest in vestment. We were just so inculcated by the references to all sparkly and mini dresses. A little shift in style and a trustworthy lesson are all that it takes to pre-plan a very fabulous look. We see this jumpsuit as the bearer of compliments.

Does your calendar look a lot like Christmas? You could now agree with this jumpsuit in hand. To the days of heavy forethought, you may put in to create a mood board of what to wear where, this can be your dawn to dusk outfit. No in-between change of outfit is required, just a considerable amount of pee breaks of course. This doesn’t have to be chaotic, you will manage.

Rashmika’s FLAWLESS MAKEUP

fter GoodBye, Rash mika Mandanna is now all set for the release of her sec ond Bollywood project, Mis sion Majnu co-starring Sid harth Malhotra. Today, the Pushpa actress was seen wear ing a blue jumpsuit at the film’s promotion in Delhi. While she has always managed to turn heads with her comfy yet stylish looks, this time, Rashmika Mandanna went wrong with her outfit choice.

In the photos, Mandanna is sporting a blue jumpsuit with a polo neck and she is the only saving grace to the most regrettable look!

Vaani Kapoor raised the temperatures to a new high with

ing hot in a lilac bralette and skirt with a thighhigh skirt as

Kiara Advani

Rashmika Mandanna

Rashmika during the promotion

Janhvi Kapoor

Her post...

Jacqueline Fernandez

Shehnaaz Gill

Vaani Kapoor

Kiara in Cult Gaia jumpsuit

Jacqueline during the promotion

THANKYOU INDIA, BHARAT SHUKRIYA

India.

in gratitude for themselves and for the Mother country India they are raised.

Munjaal

The campaign aims to create awareness of the benefits of being deeply

grateful all across India. Ontologist and relationship expert Aashmeen Kaur Munjaal took her #thankyouindia Bharat Shukriya campaign to its next spot which is Madhya Pradesh.

Randeep And Rahul To Be The Special Guest

n the occasion of the 70th Anniversary of India-Japan diplomatic relations, an event will be held in the capital city on Sunday, December 18.

Noted Bollywood actor and Equestrian Randeep Hooda will be the special guest of the event, accompanied by close friend award-winning filmmaker and branding specialist Rahul Mittra.

While Indian Army Chief General Manoj Pandey will preside over the function, Japanese Ambassador to India Suzuki Hiroshi, Representatives of Japan Association Delhi, Japan Chamber of Commerce and Industry in India, Japan Foundation New Delhi, JETRO New Delhi Office, JICA India Office and JNTO Delhi Office, apart from top diplomats and corporate honchos of both countries are expected to attend this coveted event.

The anniversary celebrations will include Horse-riding performances of Yabusame, one of Japan’s traditional martial art and Tent pegging which is a cavalry sport of ancient origin widely played in India.

Japanese prime minister Fumio Kishida visited India on March 19 earlier this year for two days for the 14th India-Japan Annual Summit with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who had expressed his happiness to see the ties between both countries “deepened in every sphere, whether strategic or economic.

By, letting people know how to fulfil their dreams with the power of Gratitude, Aashmeen reached all over the nation and also internationally with her campaign.

More than hun -

dreds of participants had joined from across India and the world to learn, grow and practice the science and signs of the Law of attraction, Manifestation and Gratitude.

Delhi To South Korea

Squid Game is a survival thriller that has received a lot of love and praise all over the world.

Apart from the storyline, much talked about amid the cast is Indian actor Anupam Tripathi, who essays the role of Abdul Ali, a migrant worker from Pakistan who enters the game to provide for his family.

A Delhi-born actor,

Anupam began his training in singing and acting in 2006. He moved to South Korea in 2010, where he attended the Korea National University of Arts after being awarded a scholarship.

Anupam made his acting debut in the 2014 feature film Ode to My Father. He went on to play minor roles in popular K-Dramas. Anupam had to overcome the lan-

guage barrier in a new country to be able to fully soak in everything that the institute he was enrolled in had to offer.

In an interview with a South Korean agency, Anupam said “It’s very hard, and it’s diffi cult. But at the same time, I’ve always chal lenged myself. If I’ve come this far, let’s move one more step.”

CITY FIRST

In this culinary metropolis of ours, Chinese food is essentially adored by everybody! Chinese food is unquestionably the preferred cuisine for the majority of us due to its smoky flavours, mouthwatering dumplings, and other delectable dishes. With this in mind, we searched Delhi for the best, most renowned, and most liked restaurants serving the best Chinese food, and this is what we found.

THE CHINA KITCHEN

The China Kitchen is the greatest option if you want to treat yourself to the finest Chinese cuisine. This finedining establishment is well-known for its authentically styled Chinese food. Some of the

BEST CHINESE RESTAURANTS IN THE CAPITAL

sure that each of their recipes is given a contemporary spin. Cantonese and Schezuan cuisine, two of the best in Chinese cuisine, is used. When there, you must sample their delectable Jumbo Prawns, Diced Chicken with Cashew Nuts, and Toffee Banana for dessert!

NANKING

The

undoubtedly take you to Singapore and Hong Kong. The ingredients used are all freshly obtained and authentic, and they have integrated traditional and modern characteristics of

Cantonese cuisine. When you visit, don’t forget to try the Crispy Aromatic

Because of the deli-

cious meals that build a great mix of spicy, sweet, and sour Chinese flavours, this fine dining establishment is one of our favourites.

While keeping in mind their culture, they make

For ages, Nanking has been serving delicious Chinese food to Delhi residents. It is particularly well-known for its seafood selections. The staff is quite helpful in assisting you in choosing the proper foods based on your palate in addition to providing a cosy and relaxing atmosphere.

top choices include their Peking Duck, Beggar’s Chicken, and DanDan noodles.

ROYAL CHINA DELHI

opulent decor of Royal China Delhi will

Duck & Dimsums, which are a delectable blend of flavour and essence.

HOUSE OF MING - THE TAJ MAHAL HOTEL

Acampaign titled ‘Thankyou India, Bharat Shukriya’ by Ontologist Aashmeen

has now reached other cities in

All the way from Delhi, Aashmeen and her Shukrana Foundation team hosted a Gratitude Retreat at Pench, Madhya Pradesh to make individuals be

The Mission Majnu promotions began in Delhi with Sidharth and Rashmika. The Pushpa: The Rise actress sported a blue and white ensemble, while the Student Of The Year actor was dressed entirely in black. Fans were drawn to the pair’s friendship as the actor was spotted directing Rashmika and instructing her to gaze at which camera as they posed for the paparazzi.

Anupam Tripathi

Randeep Hooda

Rahul Mittra

Aashmeen Munjaal during the Thank You India campaign

Glimpses of the event