First India-Mumbai Edition-20th December 2022

Oppn walks out of RS as Dhankhar rejects Chinese incursions debate!

Meanwhile, LS passes bill to deal with maritime piracy and Appropriation Bills moved in RS

New Delhi: Opposition parties in the Rajya Sabha walked out on Monday after Chair rejected demands for debate on Chinese incursion on borders.

Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar rejected all the nine notices under rule 267 saying they were not in order. However, Congress and other parties kept insisting on their demand for suspension of business so the issue could be taken up.

But the chair did not relent, leading to MPs of the Congress, Left, DMK and other parties staging a walkout.

Meanwhile, the Lok Sabha passed a bill for the repression of piracy on high seas with life imprisonment along with death penalty for convicts. Foreign Minister Jaishankar said government is including option of life in prison.

Maha govt presents supplementary demand of `52,327

crore

First India Bureau

Nagpur: The Maharashtra government on Monday presented a supplementary demand of Rs 52,327 crore in the Assembly, including Rs 8,945 for the Urban Development Department, which is headed by Chief Minister Eknath Shinde. The supplementary demand presented by Deputy CMDevendra Fadnavis, who also holds the finance portfolio, has a sum of Rs 3,200 earmarked for compensation to farmers affected by unseasonal rains. The Rs 8,945 crore allotted to the UDD assumes significance as the terms of several civic bodies have ended and polls are due.

The Rural Development Dept has been given Rs 5,579 crore, while Rs 1,000 crore has been earmarked for basic infrastructure in rural areas and a similar amount has been allocated for the Hinduhriday Samrat Balasaheb Thackeray NagpurMumbai Expressway.

New Delhi: EAM S Jaishakar took strong exception to word “pitai” used for Indian soldiers by Congress MP Rahul Gandhi last week. Jaishankar said in LS that word “pitai” should not be used for country’s soldiers. “Our soldiers are standing at a height of 13,000 feet in Yangtse and guarding

our border. They should be respected,” Jaishankar said.

“INDIA DIDN’T EXPECT ANYTHING FROM PAK”

New Delhi: India’s level of expectation from Pakistanis is “never very high”, EAM S Jaishankar said on Monday, in his first comments over the personal attack made by his Pakistani counterpart Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari against Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Jaishankar said, “Our expectation levels with the Pakistanis are never very high.”

“Terror attacks down 168%, ‘naxalism’ by 265% in Modi govt”

New Delhi: Union Minister Anurag Thakur on Monday said that “terror incidents in J&K decreased by 168 per cent” since the Modi government came to power and “Left Wing Extremism incidents were down by over 265 per cent” since 2015.

Thakur said, “the Modi government undertook decisive actions which yielded definitive results.”

Surgical strikes in 2016 were in response to the Uri attack. Balakot Air strikes in 2019 were in response to the Pulwama bombing, so all these decisive actions yielded defini-

tive results,” Thakur told reporters here.

He said since 2014, violence due to insurgency has come down by 80 per cent, civilian deaths decreased by 89 per cent and 6,000 militants have surrendered.

Thakur said, “an era of peace has started in the northeastern region under the leadership of Prime Minister Modi.”

Millet Meal for Modi

Union Agriculture Minister

“millet-only”

Lunch being hosted to mark “Millet Year”, a special initiative by PM Narendra Modi, after which United Nations declared 2023 as the International Year of Millet (IYOM).

Pune: Social activist Anna Hazare on Monday said the proposed Lokayukta Act in Maharashtra on lines of Centre’s Lokpal legislation will be a “revolutionary” tool to fight against corruption. Hazare, who has been demanding the state government bring the Lokayukta law, congratulated and thanked Chief Min-

ister Eknath Shinde and Deputy CM Fadanvis for the decision to accept the draft. “I thanked CM Shinde and Deputy CM Fadnavis for deciding to bring the Lokayukta Law. I told them this Act will prove revolutionary to fight against corruption in the state,” said Hazare.

The 85-year-old anticorruption crusader said he had held several agitations and indefi-

nite hunger strikes seeking the Lokayukta Act.

“In 2018, I sat on a hunger strike in Ramleela Maidan

The then CM Fadnavis had promised to enact the (Lokayukta) act in the state but later that promise was not kept.

Besides the previous Fadnavis-led government, I had also asked its successor Uddhav Thackeray-led government to introduce this law but they also didn’t do anything,” Hazare told reporters at Ralegan Siddhi village in Ahmednagar district.

1ST DAY OF MAHARASHTRA ASSEMBLY'S WINTER SESSION

Special chefs from Karnataka to cater to MPs with delectable ragi Idlis, dosas. Other items like ragi and jawar rotis, bajra and jawar khichdi along with bajra kheer to be served among many others.

Millet was notified as a nutritiouscereal in April 2018 and was also included in the Poshan Mission campaigns.

Asia and Africa, primarily India, Nigeria and Sudan are primary producers and consumers of millet crops.

Border dispute, naxal threat heats up the political temperature in House

Home Minister has mediated the border dispute, taking this issue seriously, Shinde said

First India Bureau

Nagpur: The first day of the winter session of the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly began with an uproar by the opposition, with MLAs of the Mahavikas Aghadi holding placards protesting in the Vidhan Bhavan premises over the Maharashtra-Karnataka border dispute MLAs of NCP, Con-

gress and Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray Shiv Sena joined the protest.

Leader of Opposition Ajit Pawar raised the issue of the border dispute in the Assembly and said “A Lok Sabha member from Maharashtra has been stopped from entering Belagaum. In a meeting with Home Minister Amit Shah it was decided that no one would be stopped from going there, then how can the collector there take such a decision.”

Responding to the is-

sue raised by Pawar, Chief Minister Eknath Shinde said, “For the first time the Home Minister of the country mediated the border dispute, he has taken

Notably, after the House adjourned for the day, Deputy CM Fadnavis spoke to reporters in the Vidhan Bhavan complex, and addressing the blackade of Maharashtra Turn to P6

this issue seriously. We have presented the side of the border residents to him. Amit Shah has put forth his point in front of the border dispute. Now there should

be no politics on the border dispute. We should stand together with the border residents.”

Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis aligned with CM Shinde’s remarks and said that the government will look into the matter.

Nagpur: Maharashtra Dy CM Devendra Fadnavis on Monday said a political party was behind a sudden surge in the passing of resolutions by some villages in the border areas seeking to join Karnataka and Telangana. Speaking at a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) function in Nagpur, Fadnavis, who holds the Home portfolio, cited intelligence input to say workers of a political party in those villages held such meetings with an intention to defame the Maharashtra govt.

“There has been a surge in resolutions being passed by some villages in (border areas) of Maharashtra over the last few weeks seeking to merge with neighbouring Karnataka and Telangana. I am also a home minister and asked intelligence officials to find out the truth behind it. It was evident that workers of a particular political party in those villages held such meetings to defame the state government”, he said.

“Political party behind border villages resolving to join K’taka and Telangana”

First India Bureau

in Delhi.

Social activist Anna Hazare

—FILE PHOTO

WAR: HERO OF LONGEWALA

New Delhi: Work on railways’ ambitious bullet train project between Mumbai and Ahmedabad has gained momentum, with more than 98 per cent of land being acquired in Maharashtra. Piers have been erected for 118 kilometres, girders are being launched and the work on construction of bullet train stations has started.

Jodhpur: Bhairon Singh Rathore, a BSF veteran of the 1971 India-Pakistan war whose bravery at Rajasthan’s Longewala post was portrayed by actor Suniel Shetty in the Bollywood movie ‘Border’, died in Jodhpur on Monday. He was 81.

ELON MUSK ASKS TWITTER USERS TO VOTE ON WHETHER HE SHOULD STAY AS BOSS

Washington: Elon Musk has asked Twitter users to vote whether he should quit as head of Twitter. In a poll, Musk tweeted, “ “Should I step down as head of Twitter? I will abide by the results of poll”.

BULLET TRAIN: OVER 98% LAND ACQUIRED IN MAHA NATIONAL SECURITY

Should not disrespect our jawans: EAM objects to ‘pitai’ word by Rahul Gandhi

Opposition MPs walk out from the Rajya Sabha in New Delhi on Monday. —PHOTO BY PTI

Narendra Singh Tomar to host a

lunch for PM Narendra Modi and all the members of Parliament (MPs) on Tuesday in the Parliament premises.

‘WE SHOULD STAND BEHIND MARATHIS’

CM Shinde reiterates support to people in Marathi-speaking areas of K’taka amid border row

First India Bureau

Nagpur: Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Monday said in the Maharashtra Assembly the state should stand firmly behind people in the Marathi-speaking areas of neighbouring Karnataka. He also appealed to political parties not to behave in a way that would hurt them.

He was addressing the state Assembly on the first day of the Maharashtra Legislature’s Winter Session in Nagpur.

Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said the state government will initiate a special programme for the development of villages located along the border and resolve their pending issues.

The state government was making efforts for the release of the people and leaders detained in Karnataka, he said amid the ongoing boundary dispute between the two states.

Raising the issue in the Assembly, Leader of Opposition Ajit Pawar said Shiv Sena MP Dhairyasheel Mane (of the Shinde faction) was stopped from entering Belagavi in Karnataka, despite the intervention of Union Home Minister Amit Shah in the boundary dispute.

Responding to it, Shinde said there can be no dispute over the fact that the issue raised by Pawar is important in terms of Maharashtra.

“For the first time, the Union home minister intervened in the matter and mediated. He called a meeting and this has happened for the first time. He has taken the matter seriously,” said the CM.

“We should stand by the people residing in border areas, back their struggle and act in a way that does not hurt

NCP MLA arrives with newborn son to attend Winter Session

‘Gadchiroli youth not joining Naxal movement’

First India Bureau

Nagpur: Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadanvis on Monday said youth from the Naxalism-affected Gadchiroli district in Vidarbha region of the state are not joining the outlawed movement anymore. New recruits are brought from Odisha and Chhattisgarh, he added.

Speaking in the Maharashtra Assembly during on the first day of the Winter Session, Fadnavis, who is also the state home minister, said his stand remains the same as was of former Home Minister RR Patil, who acted tough against the left-wing ex-

tremism.

“Today, the youth of Gadchiroli are not joining the Naxal dalams. They have to bring recruits from Chhattisgarh and Odisha,” said Fadnavis.

He was replying to queries raised by opposition members over Nationalist Congress

OPPN PARTIES CONDEMN BELAGAVI VISIT BAN ON MP

Party (NCP) MLA Dharamrao Atram getting threats from Naxalites demanding stopping of the Surjagarh mining project in Gadchiroli district.

Leader of Opposition in the Assembly and NCP MLA Ajit Pawar demanded that Atram’s security be enhanced in

view of the threat.

NCP leader Dilip Walse-Patil said, “Naxalites have started activities to stop the mining project and steps should be taken to ensure nothing of that sort happens.” He said the project gives employment to over 4,000 people.

However, Congress MLA Nana Patole took a contrary stand. He said the Naxal movement was gaining strength due to the Surjagarh mining project.

“Do not take this lightly. I want to keep it on record. The iron content in the ore is 65% and the deposit could last for 300 years,” said Patole.

‘Old’ Sena office at Assembly goes to Eknath Shinde camp

Nagpur (PTI): Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) MLA Saroj Ahire Wagh caught everyone’s attention when she arrived at the Maharashtra Legislature carrying her twoand-a-half-month-old son to attend the Winter Session, which began here on Monday.

The MLA from Nashik was accompa-

them,” he added. Shinde said the state government urged the Centre that this issue is

nied by two members of her family, and her son Prashansak, who was born on September 30.

Speaking to reporters before entering the Vidhan Bhavan, Ahire Wagh said, “Apart from being a mother to a baby boy, I am also a public representative and have come to raise concerns of my constituency.”

related to the self-respect of Maharashtra and that it should take a firm stand in the favour

MP MANE BAN

Nagpur (PTI): As the Winter Session of the Maharashtra legislature began in Nagpur on Monday, opposition parties raised the issue of the boundary dispute with Karnataka. They also condemned the ban imposed on MP Dhairyasheel Mane from entering Belagavi district in the neighbouring state.

Talking to reporters in the Vidhan Bhavan complex here, Leader of Opposition in the Assembly Ajit Pawar said there was a meeting of the Maharashtra Ekikaran Samiti (MES) on Monday wherein some leaders and other people from Maharashtra were stopped by the Karna -

of Maharashtra and people residing in the border areas.

“We said vehicles

taka government.

“Shiv Sena MP Dhairyasheel Mane was not allowed to enter Belagavi. We condemn this incident,” said the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader. Pawar also demanded the government should collect information on this and inform the House about it.

On the state government’s plan to introduce a bill in the legislature to have a Lokayukta law which will also bring the chief minister and ministers under its ambit, the Leader of Opposition said it will be studied and there is no reason to protest against it if it is in the interest of the people.

First India Bureau

Nagpur: The Balasahebanchi Shiv Sena faction led by Chief Minister Eknath Shinde took possession of the existing Shiv Sena office on the premises of the Nagpur Legislative Assembly complex on Monday.

While Shiv SenaUddhav Balasaheb Thackeray faction

MLAs were allotted another office, the Shinde faction moved in making their desired adjustments to the 3-decade-old party headquarters. Prior to CM Shinde’s visit to the office, portraits of Uddhav Thackeray and his son were replaced with the portrait of Shinde’s political mentor late Anand Dighe.

from Maharashtra are vandalized and attacked. This is not in sync with law and order

Attack on Constitution: Uddhav ‘Sena’

Arvind Sawant calls for Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s intervention in the matter, demanded protection to Maharashtra Ekikaran Samiti’s leaders after Karnataka police action

First India Bureau

New Delhi: Shiv Sena - Uddhav Balasaheb

Thackeray faction member Arvind Sawant on Monday condemned the “ban” on the entry of party MP Dhairyasheel Mane into Karnataka’s Belagavi district and called it an attack on the Constitution.

Raising the issue during Zero Hour in the Lok Sabha, the south Mumbai MP also called for Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s intervention in the matter and demanded protection to Maharashtra Ekikaran

Samiti’s leaders following Karnataka Police’s action against some of them during a protest in Belagavi.

Sawant described the Belagavi district administration’s move as an “insult” to the home minister, saying it came close on the heels of Shah advising Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai and his Maharashtra counterpart Eknath Shinde on resolving the boundary dispute between the two states.

“The ban on the entry of leaders from Maharashtra is an attack on the Constitution. The worst is that our

home minister is being insulted by non-compliance with the advice

for maintaining peace,” Sawant said.

Mane was recently appointed as the chief of an expert committee formed by the Maharashtra government regarding a writ petition in the Supreme Court on the border dispute with neighbouring state Karnataka.

He had requested the Belagavi administration to make arrangements for his visit to the city. However, the district authorities banned his entry, saying a “possible inflammatory speech” by him might create law and order problems.

and democracy. Such things should not happen because there could be a reaction to an ac-

tion,” the CM said.

The Union home minister also gave instructions that such things

should not happen since the matter is (pending) before the Supreme Court, Shinde said.

Maha being misled over ‘fake’ Twitter account issue: Chavan

that he gave to the chief ministers of Karnataka and Maharashtra

“Karnataka chief minister is not following his (Shah’s) advice. We vehemently condemn it and demand that the Union Home Minister immediately intervene,” Sawant said.

Nagpur: Senior Congress leader Ashok Chavan on Monday claimed Maharashtra was being misled over the issue of Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai’s ‘fake’ Twitter handle amid the boundary dispute between the two states.

Speaking to the media in the Vidhan Bhavan complex here, Chavan asked why the Maharashtra government was silent in the matter and said it seemed the state government was helping Karnataka to brush aside the contro-

versy over the issue of the ‘fake’ Twitter account from which “provocative comments” were made.

The former chief minister added that the provocative language used in the tweets was objectionable.

“It was clarified that the Twitter handle was fake. But the handle was active since January 2015 and has been verified by Twitter. Till now, the official deci-

sions taken by the Karnataka government are posted on that handle,” Chavan said.

CM Eknath Shinde last week said tweets in the name of his Karnataka counterpart claiming some areas of Maharashtra were not actually posted by Bommai.

On this Chavan said, “The Maharashtra government is being misled over the fake Twitter handle issue,” he alleged.

First India Bureau

Ex-Maharashtra CM said the provocative language used in tweets was ‘objectionable’

Congress leader Ashok Chavan —FILE PHOTO

Shiv Sena - Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray MP Arvind Ganpat Sawant speaks in the Lok Sabha during the Winter Session of the Parliament, in New Delhi on Monday. —PHOTO BY ANI

Saroj Ahire Wagh with her 2-month-old son Prashansak.

Balasahebanchi Shiv Sena chief Eknath Shinde.

The ban on the entry of leaders from Maharashtra is an attack on the Constitution. The worst is that our home minister is being insulted by non-compliance with the advice that he gave to the chief ministers of Karnataka and Maharashtra for maintaining peace.

—Arvind Sawant, Shiv Sena (UBT) MP

CM Eknath Shinde addresses the Maharashtra Assembly in Nagpur on Monday.

We should stand by the people residing in border areas, back their struggle and act in a way that does not hurt them. We said vehicles from Maharashtra are vandalized and attacked. This is not in sync with law and order and democracy. Such things should not happen because there could be a reaction to an action.

—Eknath Shinde, Maharashtra Chief Minister

Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis addresses the Maharashtra Assembly in Nagpur on Monday.

Ajit Pawar arrives for the Winter Session in Nagpur on Monday.

—ANI PHOTO

Minor gang rape case: MSCW takes suo moto cognizance

First India Bureau

Palghar: Taking suo moto cognizance of the alleged gang rape of a 16-year-old by eight men in Palghar district, the Maharashtra State Commission for Women has directed police to take stringent action against the culprits, said Raupali Chakankar, the panel’s chairperson on Monday.

In a video message, Chakankar said the commission came to know about the incident through social media and has taken suo motu (on its own) cognizance of the same.

The commission has directed the Palghar district superintendent of police to take stringent action against the arrested accused, she said.

Chakankar said she has spoken to the police chief and got detailed information about the incident. The culprits will be convicted and stringent action will be taken against them, she said, adding the commission always makes efforts to ensure such incidents do not occur.

The incident took place during the intervening night of Friday and Saturday. The accused, including a friend of the girl, allegedly raped her at an unoccupied bungalow in the beach village before taking her to the seashore where they again sexually assaulted her, a police official said earlier.

In an official release on Sunday, the Palghar police said when the

CRUCIAL READ

WRITTEN PLEA FOR FIR TO COPS OVER ‘BESHARAM RANG’ SONG FROM ‘PATHAAN’

Mumbai: A written complaint has been submitted to Mumbai police seeking the registration of an FIR in connection with the saffron dresses worn by actor Deepika Padukone in the song “Besharam Rang” in the upcoming Shah Rukh Khan-starrer “Pathaan”. The complaint against the producer, director and lead cast of the film is for allegedly hurting the religious sentiments of people and “intentional” use of the colour saffron to offend Hindu religion was submitted on Saturday, said a Sakinaka police station official. The complaint by an activist alleged the song promotes vulgarity among the youth and could also cause law and order disruptions in society, he added.

COP HURT WHILE PUTTING OUT

FIRECRACKERS

Mumbai: A police constable suffered burn injuries while trying to put out firecrackers for safety reasons during a Urs procession near a school in Mahim area on Sunday night.

Police have booked three brothers for bursting the crackers. The procession was held last day of the renowned and heavily patronized Makhdoom Shah Baba’s death anniversary.

“Some people in procession were bursting crackers. The on-duty inspector, keeping the safety in mind, instructed the constable to put out the firecrackers.

While trying to douse the crackers with his feet, the constable suffered burn injuries” said official.

NOD TO `34.61 CR CIVIC STAFF EXPENSE BILL

Mumbai: Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation has approved an expenditure bill worth Rs34.61 crore generated by civic hospitals, assistant commissioners and their staffers for accommodation during the COVID-19 lockdown. Since essential personnel could not go to their homes back then, deans of the hospitals as well as assistant commissioners had requested the BMC to arrange accommodation for them. The BMC commissioner had issued a circular and directed the officials to give make arrangements as per their staffers’ cadres and also asked them to check bills and certify payments.

TWO ALLEGED BOOTLEGGERS KILLED IN NAGPUR; 4 ACCUSED ABSCONDING

Nagpur: Two men ferrying illicit liquor were killed in Wadi area of Nagpur, said a police official. Bodies of Yogesh Meshram (27) and Mahesh Gajbhiye (26) were found on road divider on Amravati Road near Gondkhairi when they were allegedly bringing cans of ‘mahua’ (liquor) on a motorcycle. “A car following them first rammed into the two-wheeler, and four men from the vehicle alighted and stabbed the duo. They then fled from the scene,” he said. A murder case has been registered, said Senior Inspector Pradip Raynawar of Wadi police station, adding teams from Crime Branch and Gittikhadan police station were helping in the efforts to nab the four.

FAKE DOCUMENTS

TO SECURE BAIL: TWO PEOPLE HELD

Mumbai: Officials of Crime Branch unit 03 have arrested two persons for allegedly producing fake documents to secure bail for under-trial accused in severe offences. The accused have been identified as Nitin Sarvade (49) and Mohammed Shareef Dhalait (50). “We found that accused, with help of a rationing officer, made fake ration cards, which they provided to various undertrials to secure bail,” an officer said. Investigation revealed that a group of people was involved in submitting fake documents in magistrate courts in Mumbai.

TICKET CHECKER ATTACKED BY PASSENGER

Thane: Sunil Kumar Gupta, a ticket checker of the Central Railway was attacked by a passenger at Ambivali railway station in Kalyan taluka of Thane, police said. While on duty at around 9 am, Gupta spotted a passenger who he suspected was travelling without a ticket. Upon approaching him, the accused allegedly pulled out a blade and attacked Gupta who sustained a cut to his neck. He was rushed to a nearby hospital. A complaint has been lodged under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).

girl did not return home on Saturday, her parents carried out a search for her. When they called her up, she kept crying. Later, they approached the police who traced the girl. She narrated her ordeal later.

Based on the victim’s complaint, the police arrested the eight accused in the early hours of Sunday and registered a case against

ON GUARD

them under various sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and also the Protection of Children from Sexual

BMC invites tenders worth `30 cr for manhole upkeep

First India Bureau Mumbai: Tenders worth Rs30 crore for the repair and maintenance of manholes in Mumbai have been invited by the stormwater drain department of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC).

“If we find broken potholes or if our employees receive complaints of leaking water from the manholes, it will be repaired in the next 12 hours. Accordingly, BMC has invited tenders from the contractors,” an official said.

the locality.

Offences (POCSO) Act.

The accused have been remanded in police custody till December 22, the police said.

There are more than one lakh manholes in Mumbai city and suburbs. Drainage lines of Mumbai are of the British era with several of them damaged. The current condition leads to the sewage water to come out through the manholes. It also poses risk to the health condition of people in

Notably. There have been a few reports of humans falling into manholes. According to the officer, the appointed contractor will be given a twoyear contract.

Till November end, BMC installed around 5,792 protective grills over manholes on stormwater drains and sewerage networks across the city. These protective grills are to protect people from falling down in manholes even if they are left open during flooding.

However, it has been noticed that the manhole cover gets stolen at many places as it fetches between Rs3,000-5,000.

Bombay HC directs Maha to appoint an appellate authority

First India Bureau

Mumbai: The Bombay High Court on Monday asked the Maharashtra government to expeditiously appoint an eligible person as the Divisional Commissioner, Konkan Division, Navi Mumbai, to decide (externment) appeals.

“It has been observed the appellate authority is not deciding the externment appeals expeditiously. It is submit-

ted that in some matters the dates are fixed after six months and even in cases where the order of externment is for a period of six months or more, the appellate authority is not hearing the appeal expeditiously,” the High Court said.

An affidavit to that effect will also have to be filed by the state government before January 05, 2023.

The bench of Justice

One dead, 10 injured as container truck rams into bus with 35 on board

First India Bureau

Mumbai: A container truck collided with a passenger bus on the Mumbai-Pune Expressway in Raigad district on Monday morning, resulting in the death of the bus driver and injuring at least 10 other passengers, said a Raigad police official.

There were 35 passengers aboard the bus, on their way to Shahpur from Sindhudurg, after returning from a wedding function, he added.

The accident hap-

pened when a container truck hit the bus from its rear side. The massive impact caused the bus driver to fall off the vehicle. He came under the wheels of the container killing him on the spot, said the official.

Ten other passengers were also injured in the incident and rushed to a nearby hospital for treatment.

The container driver tried to flee the spot, but was later detained by police. An investigation has been launched regarding the incident.

2022, for a period of eight months. On September 20, 2022, Dhabale filed an appeal

An affidavit to that effect will also have to be filed by the state government before January 05, 2023

thority.

Advocate Ganesh Gupta, appearing for Dhabale, pointed to the court that the post of Divisional Commissioner, Konkan Division, Navi Mumbai, is

vacant, and the charge had been handed over to the Collector, Raigad. The bench then observed that the Collector is a very busy person, and said, “It is, therefore, necessary that the state government shall take immediate steps to fill in the post of Divisional Commissioner, Division Konkan, Navi Mumbai, so that the appeals are heard by the competent authority.”

Loan agents circulate morphed photos of woman to extract money, case filed

First India Bureau

Navi Mumbai: The Kharghar police have registered a case against loan recovery agents of one instant loan application for allegedly harassing a 41-year-old Navi Mumbai woman by circulating her morphed photographs with her husband, and relatives to extract money.

According to the complainant, the victim received a message on her mobile in the first week of December 2022 regarding an urgent loan facility from an

app called ‘Paisa Home’. The victim is resident of Kharghar Taloja and works as marketing manager. On December 17 around 11 am, she received a message from an unknown mobile number saying Hello. Later, she received details of the loan she had taken from the loan app ‘Paisa Home’.

After a while, she received her morphed photo from the same number in which her face was clubbed with a nude photo. However, after some time, she received a message from her hus-

ANOTHER INFANT DEATH

band and relatives about receiving a message that they had taken out a loan and did not return.

The sender of the message threatened to circulate her photos on social

media platforms to defame her. According to police, the complainant woman had to return Rs31,000 in a week after receiving a loan

Family creates ruckus after infant loses life at Mum hosp

allegedly did not have any neonatal facilities.

The incident took place in the wee hours of Monday and a First Information Report (FIR) was registered based on the complaint of the girl’s father.

hospital did not have the neonatal facilities required as per law,”.

First India Bureau

Mumbai: An infant passed away within a few hours after she was born at a non-registered hospital at Shivaji Nagar, in the eastern suburbs of Mumbai, which

Police have arrested the hospital’s manager along with the nurse while they were still looking for the attending doctor and its owner.

According to Senior Inspector of Shivaji Nagar police station Arjun

Rajane said “The hospital is not registered, the nurses are not qualified, the doctors do not have the necessary qualifications and the

They said no doctor was present when the mother started to experience labour pain and an under-qualified nurse assisted the woman in delivering her baby.

The local police were informed about the incident. When the police team reached the RN Medical Hospital, a doctor, who has a Bachelor of Ayurvedic Medicine and Surgery (BAMS)

degree, jumped from the terrace and fled.

Rajane said Rabiya Khan, 23, was admitted to the hospital around 8 pm Sunday. Around 2 am, when she was about to deliver the girl, no doctors were present and the nurse, Soliha Khan, was asked to administer an injection by the BAMS doctor, Mehtab Khan, he said.

Soliha assisted Rabiya to deliver her baby in the absence of the doctor, the police said.

MSCW head asks Palghar cops to take strict action against culprits; accused in custody till December 22

Amit Borkar passed the order while hearing a plea filed by one Ganesh Dhabale who was externed on August 23,

before the appellate au-

in her bank account.

Victim received message on her mobile in the first week of December 2022 regarding an urgent loan facility

Baby’s father, who is an autorickshaw driver, had to ferry her in his vehicle

Messi - D10S (DIOS: GOD IN SPANISH)

LIONEL MESSI IS THE WORLD CHAMPION!

l Lionel Messi has won the World Cup Player of the Tournament for a second time

l As a result, Messi makes history to become the first player to win this prize twice

In a sport that produces superstars every year, what does it take to get immortalised as one of the greats for posterity? The answer could be very simple and yet quite complicated. In today’s day and age, when every move and tackle made, every pass completed and every goal scored makes it to the handsets of millions of football fans within seconds, it sure could be easy to become popular in the world’s most popular sport. Over the years, there have been several stars who have produced greatness on the greens, from Alfredo de Stefano to Johan Cryuff, Ferenc Puskas to Lev Yashin, Zico to Michel Platini, there are a plethora of names that one can recount. But when it comes to the list of the greatest of them all, they are all dwarfed by two names, Brazil’s Pele and Argentina’s Diego Maradona.

l The Argentina star scored seven goals in the tournament and got three assists

l Messi's most: 21 total World Cup goal contributions (13 goals, 8 assists)

l Messi became first player to win 5 Player of Match awards at a single men's WC

shattered several records en route to the trophy that Ar gentina has been pining for 36 long years since the great El Diego had done it for them. Having emulated his idol at last, Messi is truely now Argentina’s “Messiah”. Lionel Messi is ‘D10S’ (DIOS), a combination of the Spanish word for “God” with the No. 10 on his jersy. Before the 2022 World Cup, Messi had only scored six World Cup goals - meaning he more than doubled his tally from his previous four tournaments combined.

“World Champions!

I dreamed it so many times, I wanted it so much that I still haven’t fallen, I can’t believe it. Thank you very much to my family, to all who support me and also to all who believed in us. We demonstrate once again that Argentines when we fight together and united we are capable of achieving what we set out to do. The merit belongs to this group, which is above individualities, it is the strength of all fighting for the same dream that was also the dream of all Argentines... We did it! Go Argentina! we are seeing each other very soon,” Messi captioned a photo after winning

This is because apart from the exemplary skills and achievements that the two could boast of, leading their respective countries to the World Cup title ensured that their names have been written in the annals of footballing history in golden letters.

On Sunday, December 18, 2022, another name joined that rare and elite list of all.

Lionel Messi, not that his silken dribbling skills, innumerable goals at club and international level, were not enough to earn him a legendary status, but a World Cup win was just the stamp that he needed to become an all-time great. The magician himself was at the forefront, scoring 7 times in the tournament, including two strikes in the see-saw final encounter against defending champions France. He

The Argentina captain was part of the national team that lost to Germany 1-0 in the 2014 final, but the magic he produced game in, game out during his peak years for Barcelona never seemed to translate when wearing the blue and white stripes of his coun try. He has now surpassed Pele with 13 goals at World Cups and is tied for fourth with Just Fontaine on the all-time list. His seven in this year’s tournament surpassed Maradona’s five at the 1986 edition in Mex ico. In what may come as a relief to millions of football fans across the world, Argentine tal isman Lionel Mes si has an nounced that he will con tinue to play football for Argentina.

UK’S DECEMBER OF DISCONTENT

The UK is facing a winter of discontent against the Tory government led by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak. Major trade unions have threatened to cripple work demanding pay hikes. The earlier instance of such a massive strike was in December 1979 during the rule of Margaret Thatcher. It will be unfair to blame workers, including those from the health sector, for their drastic step as the inflation is at an all-time high and the cost of living has gone through the roof. The energy crisis because of the conflict between Russia and Ukraine has made life tougher. In line with Thatcher’s approach, Rishi Sunak is preparing to foil the strike by considering deploying an

The UK is facing a winter of discontent against the Tory government led by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak. Major trade unions have threatened to cripple work demanding pay hikes. The earlier instance of such a massive strike was in December 1979 during the rule of Margaret Thatcher

army if needed.

Most of the unions which have threatened to go on strike are mainly from the public sector like National Health Service unions of nursing, junior doctors, ambulance crews, midwives and physiotherapists. Railway workers

struck work. The country is faced with travel chaos this month with passport and border check staff going on strike unless Sunak and his Chancellor Jeremy Hunt agree to the workers demand for a pay hike, chances of which are remote as the economy is in recession.

The strikers are facing both criticism and support from the public. The criticism is on account of large-scale disruptions the strike would cause but those aware of the hardships being faced by the working class because of the unaffordable cost of living are sympathetic towards them. The government is refusing to give pay hikes saying that it will further fuel inflation. For Rishi Sunak these are testing times.

At 35, Lionel Messi seems to be keen on enjoying the feeling of playing as the world champion for Argentina, something that he has never done before in his long and decorated career. After winning the World Cup in Qatar, Messi confirmed he would carry on to play for Argentina, at least a “few more” times as he dismissed rumors about his retirement. “I wanted to close my career with this, it was the one that was missing so I can no longer ask for anything else,” said Messi and added “I was able to get the Copa America and now the World Cup that I had fought so hard for. I’ve got it at the end of my career. But I love football and I want to continue living a few more games being world champion.”

OM SHARMA

The writer is pursuing engineering from the University of Melbourne (Australia)

THE VIEWS EXPRESSED BY THE AUTHOR ARE PERSONAL

SPIRITUAL SPEAK

Those who cling to perceptions and views wander the world offending people. Buddha

Amit Shah @AmitShah Pt. Ram Prasad Bismil, Thakur Roshan Singh and Ashfaq Ullah Khan are the national heroes whose patriotism and contribution to the freedom movement inspires every Indian. The grateful nation will always be indebted to these sacrifices who happily laid down their lives for the freedom of the country.

Anurag Thakur @ianuragthakur Heartfelt salutations to the brave and hardworking sons of Mother India, Pandit Ram Prasad Bismil, Ashfaq Ullah Khan and Thakur Roshan Singh, the administrators of ‘Kakori Rail Action’, on their sacrifice day. Your sacrifice while fulfilling your duty towards the country in the freedom struggle will be remembered for generations.

TOP TWEETS

Only 38 died, higher death toll misleading: Bihar Govt

Patna (PTI): The Nitish Kumar government in Bihar on Monday put at 38 the number of people who died in the Saran hooch tragedy, asserting that higher death figures quoted by various quarters were “misleading”.

State Prohibition Minister Sunil Kumar made the averment at a hurriedly convened press conference inside the assembly premises on the last day of the winter session, when proceedings were disrupted by the opposition BJP over the deaths that took place in the dry state last week.

“The number of people who died after consuming spurious liquor in Saran is 38... higher figures are misleading,” said the minister.

BJP leaders have been claiming that “more than 100 people” have died. Most media reports have put the death toll to be more than 50.

The minister, however, added, “We may revise the death toll if we get any additional information which is found correct upon verification.”

KHAJURBANI VICTIMS GOT ` 4L, WHY NOT SARAN’S?: SUSHIL MODI TO CM

He promised Rs 4 lakh each to the kin of hooch victims.”

Patna (ANI): In the aftermath of Bihar hooch tragedy, state Excise Minister Sunil Kumar on Monday said that raids are being conducted at various places to nab all the accused. He added that further action in the hooch tragedy would be taken only after the post-mortem report. “Raids are being conducted at various places so that all accused and nonFIR accused can be nabbed,” said Sunil Kumar.

JD(S) releases first list of 93 candidates for K’taka elections

Bengaluru (PTI): The Janata Dal (Secular) on Monday released the first list of its 93 candidates for the Assembly election in Karnataka, due by May next year. The list has nominees from almost all the districts of Karnataka right from Khanapur in Belagavi in north Karnataka to Hanur in Chamarajanagar district of southern part of the state. The list was released after taking consent Ex PM HD Deve Gowda.

Veer Savarkar’s portrait in K’taka Assembly fuels row

The portraits of Swami Vivekananda, Subash Chandra Bose, BR Ambedkar, Basaveshwara, Mahatma Gandhi, Sardar Vallabhb-

Siddaramaiah, DK Shivakumar and others stage protest over Veer Savarkar’s portrait in Karnataka Assembly, on Monday.

hai Patel and Savarkar were unveiled by Assembly Speaker Vishweshwar Hegde Kageri and CM Basavaraj Bom-

Is change in Mamata’s attitude seasonal?

New Delhi (PTI): Expelled BJP leader Kuldeep Singh Sengar on Monday sought interim bail from the Delhi High Court in connection with a case in which he was sentenced to life term for raping a minor girl in Uttar Pradesh's Unnao in 2017. A bench of Justice Siddharth Mridul and Justice Talwant Singh directed that the case be listed before another bench for hearing on December 22. "List this application before a bench in which one of us, namely, Justice Talwant Singh, is not a member subject to obtaining directions of the chief justice," the court ordered.

AGAINST PACKED TIHAR JAIL

New Delhi (PTI): The Delhi High Court on Monday refused to entertain a PIL seeking to call for probation report of Tihar Jail inmates to consider releasing first time offenders accused of offences punishable with imprisonment of less than three years to reduce overcrowding.

A bench of Chief Justice Satish Chandra Sharma and Justice Subramonium Prasad, however, allowed the petitioner to withdraw the plea and file a fresh one after better research.

SC ASKS J’KHAND TO RESPOND BEFORE DEC 23

New Delhi (PTI): Taking note of the delay in the appointment of a new police chief in Jharkhand, the Supreme Court has directed the state government to respond to the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) to cure the defects in the proposal for recommending the names of officers for the post of the DGP. Incumbent Jharkhand Director General of Police (DGP), Neeraj Sinha, a 1987 batch IPS officer, is scheduled to retire on Feb 11, 2023.

She attended the PM's meeting in Delhi on December 5 and also attended the meeting of the North Eastern Zonal Council with the Union Home Minister held recently. Mamata, who kept distance from programs till now, not only attended the meeting with Amit Shah, but also gave him a grand welcome. Her

photo was released welcoming Amit Shah wearing a patka and talking to him holding his hand. Yet another photo, of her having food with Amit Shah, was also released.

Not only this, after the meeting she also took Amit Shah to her office in Nabanna, state secretariat. Together they reached Mamta's office from VVIP lift and there was a 15-minute conversation between two. It is being told that Mamata asked Shah for outstanding money of MNREGA.

PASSING ON THE BATON

mai, inside the Assembly chamber, before the commencement of the 10-day winter session of the state legislature.

Will delay in forming Cabinet in Himachal Pradesh lead to factionalism in Cong?

Shamsher Singh

New Delhi: The speed with which CM of the Congress took oath in Himachal Pradesh was a unique thing from the point of view of the Congress. Congress' own previous record shows that the party took so much time to decide the leader in many states that the other party's government was formed. This time the party did not take such a risk. The election results came on Thursday and the chief minister and deputy chief minister were

‘Himachal taking steps to reform transport sector, new EV policy’

Shimla (PTI):

Himachal Pradesh is taking steps to reform the state's transport sector with innovative ideas and will shortly introduce a new electric vehicle policy, Deputy Chief Minister Mukesh Agnihotri said on Monday.

Agnihotri test-drove an electric vehicle from the Secretariat and inquired about its technical aspects. He said positive efforts would be made to radically change the transport sector.

Discussions are being held at various levels to introduce the new policy, he said.

"Initially, the operation of electric vehicles will be promoted at the Secretariat. Thereafter, their use will be increased in public transport," Agnihotri said.

sworn in on Sunday. On the contrary, the leader of the BJP in Gujarat was already announced, yet a day later, on Monday, the Chief Minister was sworn in there. But in Gujarat all the minis-

ters were sworn in along with the Chief Minister and portfolios were also distributed among them. The BJP administered the oath of the government with full preparation. On the

contrary, in Himachal Pradesh everything stopped after the oath of Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister. It has been a week since the Chief Minister was sworn in and it is not certain when his government will take oath. Right now the government of Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister has been running for a week and this is not a new thing. Just a few days ago, govt of Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister, that is, 2 people, continued to run for a month in Maharashtra.

Amit Shah lays out plan for ‘BANGLA-VIJAY’!

New Delhi: It seems that the BJP top brass has finally taken a call on how the party wants to move ahead in the politically volatile state of West Bengal. After facing a defeat in the assembly elections, the party will put all its might in local outreach rallies.

Moreover, Shah has reportedly also asked the party leaders in state

Rahul’s Yatra is now Hooda’s responsibility!

New Delhi: Congress’ Bharat Jodo Yatra is now about to reach Delhi border. The yatra, led by Rahul, will reach Delhi on December 24 and take a week’s rest. After that, the yatra will start again on January 2 or 3 and will go to Haryana, Punjab and then Jammu and Kashmir via Ghaziabad. So, the responsibility of Rahul’s visit for the next few days is going to

fall on Haryana leader Bhupinder Singh Hooda. There is a big program to welcome Rahul’s visit in Delhi and the responsibility is also on him. Apart from this, for the duration of the journey in Haryana, he will have to make better arrangements than in Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan. Even when the Yatra reaches Punjab, his responsibility will not end. Keep in mind that whatever program is

organized by Cong in Delhi and NCR, responsibility of gathering

crowd and making all other arrangements remains with Hooda.

However, preparations are also being made in the All India Congress Committee to organize a big program on the arrival of Bharat Jodo Yatra in Delhi. The Congress party has called a meeting on December 23 to discuss its preparations. In it, all the party’s general secretaries, secretaries, state in-charges, state presidents and leaders of the Congress Legislature Party in the Assembly have been

called. It is being told that all these leaders will be present in the Congress visit on 24th December. Keep in mind that Congress has lost badly in the recent municipal elections in Delhi. In the last two assembly and two Lok Sabha elections, the party could not even open its account. For this, the party is making all-out efforts and along with Delhi, the leaders of Haryana and Raj have been engaged.

why has the left’s vote share increased while BJP’s hasnt.

In view of the 2024 General Elections, BJP has taken an aggressive stance in Bengal that has 42 Lok sabha seats. For this, rallies have been planned - about 30 in all - throughout 2023 and of these some mega rallies will also be addressed by PM Narendra Modi. No-

tably, Amit Shah, on Saturday, asked state leaders to focus on holding smaller rallies. It is also being said that every month 2-3 rallies will be held in approx two dozen constituencies already chosen by the high command. Amit Shah and BJP national President JP Nadda, it is being said, will address a dozen rallies each during this time.

CBI raids educational institution owned by DK

Bengaluru (Agencies): The sleuths of Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Monday conducted raids on educational institution owned by Karnataka Congress President DK Shivakumar in Bengaluru.

The sleuths raided the National Education Foundation located in Rajarajeshwarinagar in Bengaluru and conducted verification of documents. Shivakumar is the chairman of the foundation and his

daughter Ishwarya is the secretary.

Shivakumar stated that CBI has conducted raids on his educational institutions. “They (CBI) are conducting inquiries on our land and business,” he said.

Sharat K Verma

Higher death figures are being quoted by various quarters: Minister

BJP MLAs stage a protest outside Bihar Assembly questioning liquor prohibition in the state in the wake of Chhapra hooch tragedy during the Winter Session of State Assembly, in Patna on Monday.

BIHAR

TRAGEDY

Mahesh Sharma

New Delhi: West Bengal CM and Trinamool Congress leader Mamata Banerjee's attitude has really changed.

RAIDS ARE ON TO NAB ACCUSED: MINISTER

GIVE COMPENSATION TO VICTIMS’ KIN: BJP

T

he BJP MLCs staged a protest against the Nitish government outside Vidhan Parishad in Patna on December 19. The MLCs demanded compensation for the families of those who died in the hooch tragedy in Saran.IMPOSE PREZ RULE IN BIHAR: CHIRAG B ihar leader and MP Chirag Paswan demanded President’s rule in the state over Nitish Kumar govt’s mismanagement of the Hooch Tragedy. After at least 72 people died after allegedly consuming spurious liquor in Bihar’s Chhapra.

New Delhi: BJP MP Sushil Modi hit out at Bihar CM Nitish Kumar over compensation to the kin of victims who died due to hooch.

He said, “In 2018, as per media reports, CM said compensation will be given if liquor proved to be cause of death.

DK Shivakumar

HC JUNKS PLEA

UNNAO RAPE CASE: KULDEEP SENGAR MOVES DELHI HC FOR INTERIM BAIL

IN THE COURTYARD

Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu being felicitated at IYC office.

—FILE PHOTO

WINTER SESSION OF PARLIAMENT

OPPOSITION BEING OBSTRUCTIONIST, SAYS BJP

New Delhi (PTI): The BJP on Monday accused the Opposition, especially the Congress, of having an obstructionist approach and called for not politicising a sensitive issue like national security after several parties walked out of Rajya Sabha when their demand for a debate on alleged Chinese incursion was not allowed by the chairman.

Leader of the House in RS and senior BJP leader Piyush Goyal said there are several precedents of demands for a discussion or clarification on sensitive issues not allowed in Parliament when the Congress-led UPA was in power between 2004 and 2014.

It is unfortunate that opposition’s “frustration” has reached such a level that they have stopped respecting parliamentary rules and regulations or paying any heed to the chairman’s rulings, he told.

NOT 1962, BUT 2022 WITH PM MODI GOVT’, TAWANG MONASTERY MONKS WARN CHINA

Tawang (Arunachal Pradesh) (ANI): Following the Yangtse skirmish between the Indian and Chinese soldiers along the Line of Actual Control in Tawang sector, the monks of famous Tawang Monastery have warned China that, “it’s not 1962, it’s 2022” and “it is PM Narendra Modi government” at the helm. “Prime Minister Narendra Modi will not spare anyone. We support the Modi government and Indian army,” Lama Yeshi Khawo — a Monk of Tawang Monastery said voicing the concerns of all those present at the 17th-century monastery that has also witnessed the 1962 clash between the Asian giants. Yesi Khawo said that the Chinese government always “goes after” other countries’ territories and it’s totally wrong.

sensitive as national security should not be politicised, says Goyal

Did India-China row figure in Modi, Jinping exchange: PC

New Delhi (PTI): The Congress and treasury benches were engaged in a verbal spat in the Rajya Saba on Monday after ex-finance minister P Chidambaram sought to know if the border situation figured during the brief exchange Prime Minister Narendra Modi had with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Bali.

As the senior Congress leader referred to a video of Modi's brief chat with Jinping in Bali during the G20 summit last month, treasury benches raised a protest, alleging he was deviating from the discussion on supplementary grants.

Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar asked Chidambaram to place the video on the table of the House later

68 new airports by end of 2024: Scindia

govt's ambitious UDAN scheme, Union Civil Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia informed Parliament on Monday.

Replying to queries during Question Hour in RS, Scindia said UDAN is an ambitious scheme of the government of India, under

India is leading world in climate protection: Birla

New Delhi (FIB): The Speaker of Lok Sabha, Om Birla, inaugurated the orientation programme for Indian Forest Service officers at Parliament House Complex on Monday.

Speaking on the occasion, Birla said that India’s diversity is its strength and this strength of ours is enshrined in our Constitution. Unlike other democratic countries, democracy in India is associated with tradition and has been part of our lives.

Talking about the role of Indian Forest Service officers, Birla said that they should work for the protection of forests as well as increasing the

forest cover in the country. Birla also said that while implementing the laws, the officers should be sensitive towards those whose lives & livelihood depend on forests.

which during the last six years — since its inception in 2016 — nearly 1.15 crore people who had never travelled in an aeroplane were able to undertake journey.

He further shared that 11 airlines are currently part of UDAN, out of which three are

startups, whereas 70 new airports have been established.

“Apart from these we are going to establish 68 new airports by end of 2024 towards diversification of civil aviation sector,” said the minister.

UDAN (Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik) was started on October 21, 2016.

Referring to India’s commitment to climate conservation, Birla said that climate protection and worship of nature have been an integral part of Indian culture.

Bareilly (Agencies): An FIR has been filed against a Malta-based couple and an orphanage official here for ‘wrongful conversion’ of an abandoned baby girl who was adopted by the foreigners.

3 years ago, the baby was found abandoned in an earthen pot here and was adopted by the couple. Right-wing activists have now lodged an FIR against the orphanage in Bareilly and Malta-based couple that has adopted the baby.

This comes a week before child, named Sita, was supposed to travel to Malta.

PRASHASAN GAON KI ORE

New Delhi (ANI): As per National Monetization Pipeline (NMP), 25 airports of the Airports Authority of India (AAI) have been earmarked for leasing over years 2022 to 2025, said Ministry of Civil Aviation on Monday.

These are strategic and border roads in the northeast... We know who is threat in country’s northern and eastern parts. Have Chinese agreed to discuss the friction points in Doklam junction.

—P Chidambaram, former Finance Minister

in the day. Chidambaram said, “I just want to know, without going into de-

tails, was the border situation discussed? Don’t tell me what you discussed.”

Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury seeks discussion in Parliament on J&K

New Delhi (ANI): Congress Leader in Lok Sabha Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury on Monday sought time for a detailed discussion on J&K in the backdrop of ongoing exodus of Kashmiri Pandits tak-

18 pieces of J’khand woman’s body found

Sahibganj (Jharkhand) (PTI): Search is underway to trace the remaining body parts of a woman, who was found chopped into pieces in Sahibganj district, police said on Monday. Around 18 pieces of the 22-year old woman’s body were recovered on Sunday, they said. Her husband Dildar Ansari and several family members have been arrested for allegedly committing the crime following a feud on intervening night of Friday and Saturday, police said. Victim belongs to primitive Pahariya community, and was the second wife of Ansari. “Search operation

to retrieve other body parts of the deceased is on,” SP (Sahibganj) Anuranjan Kispotta said. Meanwhile, sparked a war of words between leaders of opposition BJP & ruling JMM-led combine on Monday. Ex Jharkhand CM and senior BJP leader Raghubar Das alleged that crimes against tribal women have been continuously.

ing place from valley due to targeted terror.

Speaking in the Lower House on Monday, Chowdhury said, “In this situation, a detailed discussion should be held on the issue of Jammu & Kashmir in the House.”

FROM PG 1

Border dispute... leader in Karnataka, said, “It was decided before the Union home minister that people from both the states will not be stopped from crossing the border and visiting the neighbouring areas. However, the Karnataka government did not allow people from Maharashtra to participate in a local morcha organised democratically. We will also discuss the issue with Karnataka chief minister.” Meanwhile, the issues of Naxalites and the recent threat to Aheri MLA Dharmarao Baba Atram from Gadchiroli also surfaced in the House to which DyCM Devendra Fadnavis said that the said MLA will be given apt security.

Ultimate litmus test is reaching remotest village: Singh

First India Bureau

New Delhi: Union Minister of State (MoS) (Independent Charge) Dr Jitendra Singh on Monday inaugurated the countrywide Good Governance Week celebrations from December 19-25, 2022, with a nationwide launch of “Prashasan Gaon Ki Ore” campaign.

Speaking on the occasion, the Minister said, the ultimate litmus test of good governance is

that

should reach the

citizen living in the remotest village of India.

dra Modi entails an outcome-based approach to assess real

the

ground. Modi had once said, “The country has sufficient resources to deliver benefits to the

last man in the queue in the true spirit of Antyodaya and the desired results can be achieved through Good Governance”.

MoS said that for sustainable development of rural India, Schemes must take into account the needs and wishes of the people in true bottom-up approach and should be implemented through latest technological tools in transparent, effective & accountable manner.

“The government has taken seriously the threat received by Naxalites to MLA Dharmarao Baba Atram, he will be given all necessary security. Naxalites are deliberately instigating people regarding the Surjagarh project. The government will complete the Surjag-

Minister of State for Civil Aviation VK Singh, in reply to a question in Rajya Sabha on Monday, said AAI airports are leased out in the public interest for their better management utilizing private sector efficiency and investment. States and passengers are the ultimate beneficiaries of enhanced airport infrastructure and facilities created by a private partner, who operates, manages and develops leased airport under Public Private Partnership (PPP), he said.

Minister further said airports have emerged as a nucleus of economic activities & have a multiplier effect on the economy of the State. According to the MoCA, airports namely Bhubaneshwar, Varanasi, Amritsar, Trichy, Indore, Raipur, Calicut, Coimbatore, Nagpur, Patna, Madurai, Surat, Ranchi, Jodhpur, Chennai, Vijayawada, Vadodara, Bhopal, Tirupati, Hubli, Imphal, Agartala, Udaipur, Dehradun & Rajahmundry have been earmarked for leasing.

arh project, Maharashtra will never stop fearing Naxalites, we will answer them, today we have stopped Naxalism in Gadchiroli up to a few tehsils, and the youth of Gadchiroli has stopped going towards Naxalism today,” said Fadnavis.

On the issue of villages looking to merge with other neighbouring states, CM Eknath Shinde, without naming former Maharashtra chief minister Uddhav Thackeray, said, “the earlier government had stopped schemes (pertaining to the welfare of people residing in border areas), while his government has again started them in four months. We have got information from the police which parties are behind the resolution (passed by some border villages of Maharashtra) to merge with neighbouring states. We have all the information.”

He said an irrigation project worth Rs 2,000 crore for 48 villages in Jat taluka in Sangli was cleared by the cabinet on Sunday.

FIVE KILLED, 33 INJURED IN ROAD ACCIDENTS DUE TO DENSE FOG IN UP

Auraiya (UP): 5 people were killed & 33 others injured in separate accidents here on Monday morning due to dense fog, police said. In Auraiya dist, 3 people were killed and 9 others were injured when a bus going to Lucknow from Dehardun rammed into a truck from behind on Lucknow-Agra Expressway, they said. Deceased have been identified as Mahesh Chandra, Neeraj Kumar and Aman Kumar, they said. Due to dense fog, some other vehicles including a bus and car were also affected by accident but no passenger riding on them was hurt, police said. Injured passengers were rushed to hospital in Etawah for treatment, they said.

its benefits

remotest

Dr Jitendra Singh said, the “Rural Regeneration” vision of Prime Minister Naren-

development on

It is in India’s, its democracy’s and everyone’s interest that an issue as

Piyush Goyal speaks during Winter Session of Parliament, in New Delhi on Monday. —PHOTO BY ANI

P Chidambaram speaking in the RS during the Winter Session.

Om Birla addressing probationary officers of Indian Forest Service.

Dr Jitendra Singh inaugurating Good Governance Week.

NATION-WIDE CAMPAIGN

Malta couple who adopted baby, charged with conversion

‘IT’S

Dildar Ansari

PRICES OF BIKES FROM

NiC rise 8% annually to `32 lakh crore: FM Sitharaman

First India Bureau

India is 2nd largest steel producer: Min

First India Bureau

IT DEPENDS ON REQUIREMENT

Mumbai (PTI): Italian superbike maker Ducati on Monday said it will hike the prices of its entire range of motorcycles in India from January 1. The company, however, did not disclose the quantum of the hike. Ducati India announces an increase in price on its entire motorcycle range to be effective on ex-showroom price from January 1, 2023, the luxury bike maker said in a statement. The revised prices will be applicable for all models and variants of the bikes irrespective of dealerships.

GOLD PRICES GAINS

`231; SILVER ALSO CLIMBS BY `784

New Delhi: Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Monday said note in circulation (NiC) has witnessed an annual growth of 7.98% to ` 31.92 lakh crore as of December 2, 2022.

The demand for currency depends upon several macroeconomic factors, including economic growth and level of interest rates, she said in a reply to the Lok Sabha. The quantum of cash or banknotes in the economy depends on the requirement for meeting the demand for banknotes due to GDP growth, inflation, replacement of soiled banknotes and growth in non-cash modes of pay-

Icra revises banking sector outlook to ‘positive’

ment. She stressed that the mission of the government is to move towards a less cash economy to reduce the generation and circulation of black money and to promote the digital economy.

Both the government and RBI have taken measures to promote a less cash economy and encourage digital payment, she said.

Minister of State for Finance Pankaj Chaudhary in a reply to the House said crypto assets are by definition borderless and require international collaboration to prevent regulatory arbitrage.

“Therefore, any legislation on the subject can be effective only with significant international collabo-

ration on evaluation of the risks and benefits and evolution of common taxonomy and standards,” he said. In another reply, Chaudhary said the total FDI inflow in the country increased from $81,973 million in FY21 to $84,835 million in FY22, reflecting increased foreign investment opportunities in India.

New Delhi: India’s steel production has reached a historic level of 120 million tonnes per year making it the world’s second-largest producer of Steel, the government said on Monday.

Steel Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia said India intends to double its steel production to 300 million tonnes per annum by 2030.

“There has been a doubling in the last eight years of steel production in the country, which has been

historic and which is why we have become the second largest steel producer in the world today,” he told Rajya Sabha.

The minister informed that steel production in the country has increased at a historic level. In 2013-14, we had only close to about 60 million tonnes per annum production of steel, we are today at 120 million tonnes,” he said.

“In terms of capacity, we had only 75 million tonnes, we are today at 154 million tonnes,” he said.

New Delhi (PTI): Gold price rose `231 to `54,652 per 10 gram in the national capital on Monday amid strong global trends, according to HDFC Securities. In the previous trade, the precious metal had closed at `54,421 per 10 gram. Silver also climbed `784 to `68,255 per kilogram.

“Gold prices traded higher in the Asian trading hours.

Comex gold prices are trading up by 0.32% at $1,795 per ounce,” said Dilip Parmar, Research Analyst at HDFC.

NET LEASING OF OFFICE SPACE LIKELY TO RISE BY

41-49%

Mumbai (PTI): Domestic rating agency Icra on Monday upped its banking sector outlook to ‘positive’ on healthy asset growth, improving asset quality and stronger capital buffers. The agency expects asset quality to improve to a decadal best of 4% from a gross NPAs perspective by the end of FY24.

Sensex, Nifty climb nearly 1% after two sessions of fall

Mumbai (PTI): Key stock indices Sensex and Nifty closed nearly 1% higher on Monday following heavy buying in banking, oil and FMCG shares after two sessions of losses.

Govt to take view on privatisation of PSBs after consultation

New Delhi (PTI): The government on Monday said it will take a view on privatisation of public sector banks (PSBs) after consultation with the concerned department and regulator.

consultation is undertaken with the ministries and departments concerned and, where necessary, with the regulator concerned,” he said.

New Delhi (PTI): Net leasing of office space is likely to rise by 41-49% across seven major cities this year on a lower base and improved demand postpandemic, according to JLL India. Net absorption or leasing of office space stood at 26.2 mn square feet in 2021, and it is likely to be in the range of 3739 million square feet this year across seven cities -Bengaluru, Delhi NCR, Chennai, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Mumbai and Pune.

Nevertheless, the net office leasing will remain lower than the record absorption achieved in 2019 -- the pre-COVID year -- at 47.9 million square feet.

The banking system’s credit growth will slow down to 11-11.6% in FY24, after a very healthy growth of 15.2-16.1% expected in FY23, the rating agency said. A bulk of the credit growth story will be led by state-owned lenders which are in far better shape now having recognised and provided for loan losses and also after some capital infusions, it said, adding that the market share gains for private sector lenders will slow down. Public sector lenders will witness a credit growth of 13.4-14.1% in FY23 and 9.5-10.1% in FY24, the agency estimated, adding that the same for private sector banks will be 14.5-15.5% and 12.6-13.5%.

Benchmark Sensex jumped 468.38 points or 0.76% to settle at 61,806.19. During the day, it advanced 507.11 points or 0.82% to a high of 61,844.92.

The broader NSE Nifty climbed 151.45 points or 0.83% to end at 18,420.45.From the Sensex pack, Mahindra & Mahindra, Power Grid, Bharti Airtel, Bajaj Finserv, HDFC, Hindustan Unilever, Maruti, ITC, Titan, Nes tle, Bajaj Fi nance and Reli ance Industries were the major winners.Tata Consultancy Services, Info sys, Tata Mo tors and In dusInd Bank were among the laggards.

Mumbai (PTI): The rupee gained 6 paise to settle at 82.69 (provisional) against the US dollar on Monday as robust buying in the domestic equities and a weak American currency against key crosses overseas boosted investor sentiments. At the interbank forex market, the local unit opened weak at 82.80 against the greenback and witnessed an intra-day high of 82.57 and a low of 82.80. It finally ended at 82.69 against the American currency, registering a rise of 6 paise over its previous close of 82.75.

Consideration of issues related to disinvestment and decision on selection, terms and conditions, etc. in case of strategic sale is entrusted to the Cabinet committee designated for this purpose under the

Government of India (Transaction of Business)

Rules, 1961, minister of state for finance Bhagwat Karad said in a written reply to Lok Sabha.

“Before such consideration for decision thereon,

In the Union Budget for the financial year (FY) 2021-22, he said, the government’s intent to take up privatisation of two PSBs and approval of a policy of strategic disinvestment of Public Sector Enterprises (PSEs) was announced.

New Delhi (PTI): The flexi staffing industry grew 6% in July-Sept as compared to the preceding quarter this year mainly due to rise in demand across all sectors due to festivities, a report said. “Buoyed by a strong festive season and rising demand across sectors, the ISF members added 78,000 new jobs in July-September quarter, a 6% rise in new jobs over previous April-June quarter,” said ISF’s Flexi Staffing Employment Growth report.

First India Bureau

New Delhi: Google will focus on investing in womenled early-stage startups through its ` 75,000 crore India Digitisation Fund, a senior company official said on Monday. The company had launched $10 billion -- about `75,000 crore as per the prevailing exchange rate at the end of 2020 -- to make access to the internet affordable.

Through Google IDF, the company bought a 7.73% stake in Jio for $4.5 billion and a 1.2% stake in Bharti Airtel for $700 million.

“Moving forward, as part of our IDF investments, we will be targeting support for early-stage

India

will

be big export eco: Pichai

New Delhi (PTI): India will be a big export economy and it needs to create a balance between safeguarding citizens and enabling companies to innovate with its framework, Google CEO Sundar Pichai said. Pichai said that the company is focussing on startups from India and out of its $300 million for the startups, around one-fourth will be invested in entities that are led by women. He said that the technology is working at a big scale and touching lives of people around the world, which calls for framing responsible and balanced regulation.

OTHER STORIES

SUGAR OUTPUT UP 5% DURING OCTOBER 1 TO DEC 15, 2022 PERIOD

New Delhi (PTI): Sugar production has increased 5% to 82.1 lakh tonnes between October 1 and December 15 period of this marketing year, while mills have contracted to export 45-50 lakh tonnes of sweetener, industry body ISMA said on Monday. Sugar marketing year runs from October to September. The production of sugar stood at 77.9 lakh tonnes in the corresponding period of the 2021-22 marketing year.

COAL PRODUCTION IN INDIA TO TOUCH 1BN

TONNES NEXT FISCAL

New Delhi (PTI): India’s coal production will touch one billion tonnes in the next financial year from 900 million tonnes this fiscal ending March, as the country gears up to stop the import of thermal coal by 2024-25, Union Coal Minister Pralhad Joshi informed Parliament on Monday. The Coal Minister said India’s domestic coal requirement will reach 1,500 million tonnes by 2030, for which the nation needs to scale up its production.

NTH TO OFFER EV BATTERY TESTING AT MUMBAI & KOLKATA CENTRES FROM NEXT FISCAL

New Delhi (PTI): Anticipating a

Google to invest in early-stage startups

MAJOR HIGHLIGHTS

z The company had launched $10 billion India Digitisation Fund to make access to the internet affordable.

z Through Google IDF, the company bought a 7.73% stake in Jio for $4.5 billion and a 1.2% stake in Bharti Airtel for $700 million.

companies with a particular focus on women-led startups,” Sanjay Gupta, Country Manager & VP,

Google India said.

The company announced several projects powered by artificial intelligence.

in

vehicles (EV), the government’s National Testing House (NTH) on Monday said it will

EV batteries and charging systems at its Mumbai and Kolkata centres from the next fiscal. Currently, the Manesar-based International Centre for Automotive Technology and the Pune-based Automatic Research Association of India (ARAI) are the two agencies in the country providing testing services for EVs and their batteries.

INDIA SEES ALMOST TWO-FOLD JUMP IN OILMEALS EXPORT

New Delhi (PTI): India’s oilmeals export saw almost two-fold jump at 23.92 lakh tonnes during the April-November period of the current fiscal, on record export of rapeseed meal, according to the latest data released by SEA. The country had exported 15.96 lakh tonnes of oilmeals in the same period last fiscal. According to SEA, the export of soyabean extraction rose to 3.26 lakh tonnes during April-November period of the 2022-23 fiscal.

JIO, AIRTEL GAIN SUBSCRIBERS IN OCT AT VI’S EXPENSE

New Delhi (FIB): Reliance Jio and Bharti Airtel gained 1.41 million and 0.8 million mobile users respectively in October, largely at the expense of cash-strapped Vodafone Idea (Vi), which continued to suffer heavy customer losses, unable to compete effectively with its financially stronger rivals. Vodafone Idea (Vi) lost a whopping 3.5 million mobile users in October, further shrinking its user base to 245.62 million.

LED BY WOMEN

DUCATI INDIA TO HIKE

JANUARY 1

z The quantum of cash or banknotes in the economy depends on the requirement for meeting the demand for banknotes due to GDP growth, inflation, replacement of soiled banknotes

RUPEE RISES 6 PAISE TO CLOSE AT 82.69 AGAINST US DOLLAR

INDIA’S DEVT WILL BE BASED ON PEOPLE’S VISION, SAYS BHAGWAT

Minority Rights Day: Officials’ absence

upsets activists

BJP MLA demands investigation into illegal excavation

First India Bureau

Mumbai: Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat has said India’s development will be based on the vision and aspirations of its people.

Speaking at an event in Mumbai on Sunday, Bhagwat said, “If India does it by looking at America and China, it won’t be India’s development. It may be development, but then India will become like China and America," he said.

“India’s development

will happen based on its vision, the conditions and aspirations of its people, culture and our country’s outlook towards the world,” Bhagwat said.

BHARAT JODO YATRA

Nafrat Ke Bazaar Mein, Mohabbat Ki Dukan Khol Raha Hu: Rahul

Talking about religion, Bhagwat said, “A religion which makes man prosperous but destroys nature is not religion.”

“If India becomes

“As India is becoming strong and prosperous, Indians all over the world are holding their heads high. Earlier, hardly anyone took notice, but now we have been asked to host the G20 Summit and granted its presidency,” he said. “We are telling Russia not to continue the war (with Ukraine) and it says India is a good country. Had we said so in the past, Russia would have shut us up. This shows India is growing and the reputation of Indians is growing,” said Bhagwat.

strong, we won’t wield the ‘danda’ (stick) as China and America do, but due to us those who wield the ‘danda’ will stop wielding them,” asserted the RSS chief.

India’s development model is not about developing itself and letting other countries fight with each other, the RSS chief said. “India’s development means progress of the whole world,” he added.

“As India is becoming strong and prosperous, Indians all over the world are holding their heads high. Earlier, hardly anyone took notice, but now we have been asked to host the G20 Summit and granted its presidency,” he said.

“We are telling Russia not to continue the war (with Ukraine) and it says India is a good country. Had we said so in the past, Russia would have shut us up. This shows India is growing and the reputation of Indians is growing,” said Bhagwat.

Jalna (PTI): Leaders of some political parties and functionaries of outfits rued the absence of government officials at the Minority Rights Day event in Jalna on Monday, though the district collector said it was due to staff being deployed for gram panchayat election duty.

Minority Rights Day, established in 1992, is celebrated nationwide on December 18, which was a Sunday, leading to the official observance of the day being scheduled this year on Monday.

Activists claimed that government officials remained absent despite the Jalna district administration issuing a press note about the day being observed on Monday.

Aurangabad (PTI): At least 80 to 90 acres of land was dug up illegally during the construction of the Mumbai-Nagpur Samruddhi Expressway in Maharashtra's Aurangabad, a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLA has claimed.

BJP MLA Haribhau Bagde has written to the administration regarding illegal digging carried out in his constituency Phulambri.

“The Deogiri Cooperative sugar factory has around 135 acres of land at Sawangi in Phulambri. While 20 acres had been acquired in Mumbai-Nagpur Samruddhi Expressway project, illegal excavation was carried out on the remaining land, which has been left unleveled,” Bagde said on Saturday.

An inquiry should be

conducted by the collector and administration into the illegal digging and land owners must be given compensation, he said.

“Illegal excavation was carried out in nearly 80-90 acres of land. The authorities should find out if the excavated soil was used for the expressway project or elsewhere,” he added.

Bawankule urges party to begin LS poll prep

vote share in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. He called on workers and leaders to begin preparations to achieve the target.

Mumbai: Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) state chief, Chandrashekhar Bawankule, on Monday said that the party plans to secure 51% of the

First India Bureau

Alwar: Former Congress president Rahul Gandhi was at his poetic best on Monday when, while addressing a mega crowd at Malakhera in Alwar district of Rajasthan, Rahul jibed at BJP leaders and stressed, “I do not find BJP leaders to be bad. When I go on the way, they point and ask what are you doing? I want to answer them that I am opening a shop of love in the market of hatred.

Come, you also open a shop of love in the market. Mahatma Gandhi, Subhash Chandra Bose, Sardar Patel, Ambedkar all had opened shop of love in the market of hatred,” the Gandhis scion said. Rahul said that the best scheme for the poor is in Rajasthan. “In the state before Rajasthan, people used to say that we have to get kidney transplant done, we do not have money. This does not happen in Rajasthan,” he said.

A one-day meeting of BJP state office-bearers and district presidents was called in Nagpur on the day to discuss preparations for the upcoming polls.

Addressing the gathering, Bawankule said, “During my visit to various districts of the state, I found that after the government led by

More than 98% land acquired for bullet train project in Maha

Mumbai: The ambitious bullet train project between MumbaiAhmedabad seems to be on the right track as the work on this mega project has gained momentum with the ministry claiming on Monday that more than 98% of the land has been acquired for the project in Maharasthra.

Piers have been erected for a distance of more than 118km , girders are being launched and the work on the

Nitin Gadkari said efforts are on to develop infrastructure to make Nashik a leading region in the country

First India Bureau

Nashik: Efforts are on to develop infrastructure to make Nashik a leading legion in the country for export-import of agricultural produce as well as automobile and other manufacturing items, said Union Minister Nitin Gadkari on Monday.

He was speaking at an event while inaugurating a few projects and

laying foundation stones for the upcoming ones.

“Rapid development, especially of good roads, will bring about employment opportunities. We want the export of grapes, onions etc as well as automobile sector items to take place directly from here. Efforts are on to make Nashik a leading region for export-import using the road, rail and air,” Gadkari said.

construction of bullet train stations has also started, the Railway Ministry said.

In a series of tweets, the ministry claimed that while 98.22% land

has been acquired in Maharashtra, in Gujarat, 98.87% land has been acquired and in Dadra and Nagar Haveli, 100% of the land has been acquired for the project.

INDIA’

Shinde and Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis came to power, support for the party has increased.”

On the BJP’s fight in Lok Sabha polls, the state unit chief said, “There is a fight for 51% in coming elections. We have to secure more than 50% of total votes, and to achieve that, we have to strengthen the party organization.”

Talking about state

polls, Bawankule reaffirmed BJP’s support to Shinde faction Balasahebanchi Shiv Sena.

“When Balasahebanchi Shiv Sena fields its candidate in upcoming polls, the support of BJP organization will be useful to them and ensure their victory. Therefore, we have to play an aggressive and active role to strengthen the party organization,” he said.

IMD says, Mumbai expected to have warmer days in this week

Mumbai: For the past couple of days, Mumbai has been registering high temperatures. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) recorded a maximum day temperature of 35.2 °C in the Santacruz observatory on Sunday.

According to meteorologists, warmer days are expected in this week too.

Health experts have

SMOOTH ROAD AHEAD

asked Mumbaikars to use of face masks to prevent the risk of respiratory ailments. Doctors have also suggested office goers to work from home and install-

ing air purifiers to ensure clean air indoors.

Experts blamed the cause of the air pollution on winds that have stagnated, trapping the pollutants.

He launched and laid foundation stones of 226km of road

worth Rs1,830 crore during the function held in Igatpuri.

“We are performing the bhoomipujan of seven road works with a to-

the MumbaiAgra Highway and the upcoming Mumbai-Delhi Expressway will converge.

tal length of 205km. These projects are worth Rs1,577 crore. They in-

clude works in Dhule Lok Sabha area as well.

The work on six-laning the Gonde-Pimpri Sado section will also start,” he said.

The Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways said the commissioning of the Nagpur-Mumbai Samruddhi Expressway will bring traffic pressure at Vadpe, where the Mumbai-Agra Highway and the upcoming MumbaiDelhi Expressway will converge.

“Vadpe will become a very important junction in the future. It will di-

rectly benefit JNPT Port near Mumbai. It will speed up export-import. From Vadpe, we will reach Delhi, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan in a quick time. This will increase the importance of Nahsik,” he said.

Moreover, some Rs10,000 crore of works of the proposed Rs80,000crore Surat-Chennai Expressway, will pass through Nashik, he said, adding the expressway will be 1,290km-long and motorists can reach the two cities in Gujarat and Tamil Nadu in 10 hours.

First India Bureau

Sandeep Shukla

Chief Minister Eknath

First India Bureau

Union Minister Nitin Gadkari launched and laid foundation stones of 226km of road worth `

during the function held in Igatpuri on Monday.

Reiterates BJP’s support for Shinde camp as party targets 51% vote share The Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways said the commissioning of the Nagpur-Mumbai Samruddhi Expressway will bring traffic pressure at Vadpe, where

A 54-km stretch of the Mum-Nagpur Expressway will pass through Aurangabad

The BMC has issued guidelines to reduce dust in the air.

Picture of the work under construction shared by Ministry of Railways on its Twitter handle @RailMinIndia.

Maha BJP chief Chandrashekhar Bawankule —FILE PHOTO

Rahul Gandhi, Mallikarjun Kharge, Sukhjinder Randhawa, CM Ashok Gehlot, KC Venugopal, Dr BD Kalla, GS Dotasra, Tikaram Jully, Mamta Bhupesh, Bhanwar Jitendra, Sachin Pilot & others at the public meeting held during ‘Bharat JodoYatra’ in Malakhera in Alwar.

RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat —FILE PHOTO

According to the RSS chief, the reputation of Indians is growing globally

India’s development will happen based on its vision, the conditions and aspirations of its people, culture and our country’s outlook towards the world.

—Mohan Bhagwat, RSS chief

INDIA INDIA!

SLAY THE DAY YOUR WAY

add extra glamour to your appearance then you can go with a stunning strapless outfit.

There are several alternatives available when looking for a dress to wear on a night out. It might be hard to attempt to narrow down your options on your own because different clothes work better for different body shapes, climates, and events. If you want to

A strapless dress or top has no apparent shoulder straps or other forms of support, yet it nonetheless fits snugly around the upper torso. The internal corset and/or brassiere are typically used to support the dress, and the tightness of the bodice prevents the garment from falling out of place.

Strapless fashion was born when women’s clothes got more open-minded in the 1960s and it became more popular and acceptable to expose

skin. Today, strapless dresses can also incorporate elements from other dress types, such as belts, fitted bodices, and long, flowing skirts like in maxi dresses. International fashion designers including Christian Dior, Alexander McQueen, and Stella McCartney all include strapless pieces in their designs.

In recent years, several celebrities have been photographed donning strapless gowns. Gisele, a Brazilian fashion model, was one of them and she was dressed in a long, flowing white dress by Christian Dior.

There are a tonne of

alternatives available for the strapless fash ion to add to your closet if you’re ready to incorporate the trend into your wardrobe.

There are so many interesting strapless designs that designers are embracing right now, from sculptural minidresses to chic maxis. Apart from styling a straoless dress the difficulties of wearing a strapless dress are numerous. Depending on the situation, if you style it cor rectly, the appear ance would have the desired style.

www.firstindia.co.in

MRIDULA SHARMA cityfirst@firstindia.co.in

FACE OF THE DAY!

Aries

MARCH 21 - APRIL 20

Limiting some items from your diet will have a positive effect on your health. There is much to achieve today and you will find yourself up to it. Academic front seems favourable. You are likely to buy something you have been longing for.You are likely to spend some time in self introspection.

Gemini

MAY 21 - JUNE 21

Family issues that are leading to disputes are likely to be resolved amicably. There is a chance of somebody taking you along for a function or a party. Keeping track of something or someone may prove an uphill task. Your standing in your professional circle is likely to get a boost.

Leo

JULY 24 - AUGUST 23

Financial front remains rosy and promises to bring in gains.

Guidance may become the key to further your career. A family member may make you proud with an achievement. Spending time with friends is possible. Some of you may decide to take your romance to the next level.

Libra

SEPTEMBER 24 - OCTOBER 22

You may want things differently on the domestic front, but will need to convince others about your ideas. A break from the routine is indicated and will give you time to do things you were not getting time. Change of season requires you to take good care of your health.

Sagittarius

NOVEMBER 23 - DECEMBER 22

You will succeed in wriggling out of a tight financial situation by curbing wasteful expenditure. An outing with family promises much fun. Prepare well for a long journey, if you want to travel comfortably. Shifting to a new house or a new city cannot be ruled out for some.

Aquarius

JANUARY 21 - FEBRUARY 19

Something being organised on the social front may get you totally involved. Expect immediate returns from the investments made by you. Workload is likely to increase on the professional front. This is a fine day on the financial front, as you manage to earn a lot.

Taurus

APRIL 21 - MAY 20

Your bank balance is likely to swell and make you financially secure.

Buying something expensive for the house is indicated. Responsibilities are likely to increase manifold. Those feeling lethargic and unwell may get back on the path to perfect health. Love is in the air and you are likely to enjoy.

Cancer

JUNE 22 - JULY 23

Problems faced on the financial front are likely to disappear. Someone who admires you will leave no stone unturned in appeasing you today. Those unwell are likely to recover soon through regular medication. Something may keep you from realizing your full potential on the academic front.

Virgo

AUGUST 24 - SEPTEMBER 23

Someone’s good advice will help in making the right decisions on the academic front. Things start looking up on the health front as you manage to remain regular in your workouts. Prospects of marriage for lovers are set to brighten. Some of you can book tickets to someplace exotic.

Scorpio

OCTOBER 23 - NOVEMBER 22

Something new may be acquired for the home by homemakers. An initiative on the health front is likely to give rich dividends. Those involved in a project will be able to give a good account of themselves. Someone you despise is likely to turn over a new leaf, so let bygones be bygones.

Capricorn

DECEMBER 23 - JANUARY 20

This is a positive day that proves special for some. Meditate to embark on a new spiritual journey. You will be able to regain lost ground on the academic front to come at par with the rest. Excellent showing at work will get you hand-picked for an important assignment.

Pisces

FEBRUARY 20 - MARCH 20

Going the extra mile for someone will be greatly appreciated by all.

Much hustle and bustle can be expected on the social front to your delight.Someone may not agree to your terms but that should not affect your productivity. You will get a chance to tap your potential on the professional front.

HAPPINESS IS , WARM FEET!

Now in case you are one of those who wish for winters to go away soon, we have something special for you! What if we told you, that you can love the Christmassy season, just as much as others and also keep your feet (and hands) warm and soft, how would you feel? Elated, right?

WEAR A WARMER SHOE: Give your feet a head-start by keeping your shoes indoors where it is warmer.

WEAR SHOES DESIGNED FOR YOUR ACTIVITY AND WEATHER: Avoid mesh running shoes. Instead, wear a hiking boot or trail shoe and something with a thicker sole, is water resistant or has water-proof features, especially around the toes and lower sides of the shoe.

WEAR A THICKER SOCK: Aim for wool or synthetic fiber socks rather than cotton, which can absorb moisture quickly, dry slowly and pull heat away from your skin, making it a fabric to avoid when there might be snow involved.

WATERPROOF CLOTHING: If you’re going to be in cold con-

ditions for an extended period of time, consider adding a liner between your sock layers, or even using plastic bags.

MOVE YOUR BODY: Starting to feel cold, walk faster, ski faster, run faster, do a few jumping jacks. Physical activity increases body heat and helps to get the blood moving faster to your extremities which alleviates that cold feeling.

Remember that if you use toe warmers or do warm water soaks, then you’ll want to make sure the toe warmer or water is not too hot as you can easily burn yourself. If you have neuropathy then you need to check the temperature with your hand or forearm first, as you cannot rely on your feet to tell you if it is too hot.

Don’t let cold feet keep you indoors during the winter. There is more to winter walking than just the treadmill. But your toes can get painfully cold, and you may even risk frostbite in bitter weather. You want to avoid getting sweaty feet, as that puts you at risk of developing a blister. You can protect your feet in cold weather with these tips.”

HOW TO KEEP YOUR FEET WARM AND SOFT DURING THE WINTER MONTHS

Take one tablespoon of ghee and heat the same in a small pan

Add about 2-4 almonds to the heated ghee and let the dry fruit turn black in colour

z On medium heat, let these two ingredients mix well and afterwards, just add it to a small container

z Every night, before sleep, ap-

ply this roasted almond ghee concoction to your toes and over the same, wear your socks for some time

z You can massage your toes and also your cuticles for nail health

z Do this for about 2 weeks and you will see the difference yourself. Not only will your feet stay warm but they will feel soft and supple (like the ones shown in ads)

TANISHA SANTOSHI, Artist

YOUR DAY Horoscope by Saurabbh Sachdeva

WHETHER YOU’RE AN AVID WINTER SPORTS ENTHUSIAST OR ONE THAT PREFERS TO STAY INDOORS AT ANY SIGN OF COLD OR WET WEATHER, IT IS IMPORTANT TO KNOW HOW TO KEEP YOUR FEET WARM AND DRY.

WHEN VENTURING OUT INTO THE ELEMENTS YOU MAY NEED SOMETHING MORE THAN JUST A RAIN BOOT OR A FANCY KNEE-HIGH. CITY FIRST BRINGS TO YOU SOME EASY SURVIVAL TIPS TO EFFECTIVELY KEEP YOUR FEET WARM AND DRY THIS WINTER SEASON!

MITALI DUSAD mitalidusad01@gmail.com

DEEPIKA UNVEILS FIFA WORLD CUP 2022 TROPHY

D

SHEER BEAUTY

As we speak about celebs, one such star who has always been attracted to avant-garde style is Fashion Queen Shehnaaz Gill. Time and again, Shehnaaz has simply stunned us with her fashion statement, and we are totally bowled over her wardrobe collection. Ditching the extravagant heavily embellished ensem bles, Shehnaaz hopped on the ongoing ombre saree trend and nailed it like a goddess. The actress shared a few pictures on her Instagram handle in which, she looks breathtaking draped in a pink and white ombre dupion silk floral printed six-yard and exudes elegance as she poses for the pictures. Her saree is beautifully adorned with floral motifs on the border and is draped very well. She paired her six-yard with a floral printed sleeveless blouse that per fectly elevates her look. Shehnaaz completed her look by donning diamond jewellery with her outfit. She went for subtle makeup and styled her hair into a bun.

SECRET ROMANCE!

Janhvi Kapoor is one of the most talented actresses in the industry. The Roohi actress always remains in limelight due to her personal and professional life. Janhvi, who dated Shikhar Pahariya in the past was recently spotted in Delhi with her ex-boyfriend at an event.

To note, Shikhar Pahariya is the grandson of Sushilkumar Shinde, the former Chief Minister of Maharashtra. The two dated each other for a few years before parting ways. However, they did not confirm their relationship.

On Saturday, Janhvi and Shikhar attended a fashion show in Delhi. Many pictures and videos of the duo

from the event are doing rounds on the internet and soon after fans wondered if they have rekindled their romance. One user wrote, “Are you guys back to gether?” While another user said: you both together again.” In the video, Janhvi is seen don ning a beige bodycon dress and paired it with a matching oversized blaz er, while Shi khar sported a sparkly outfit.

Kareena

Kapoor Khan is current ly going through an excellent phase in her acting ca reer, with some unique and promising projects in her kitty. The su premely talented ac tress, who recently won the hearts of audiences with her stellar perfor mance in Laal Singh Chaddha, is keen to play challenging characters. Kareena, who is also a great movie buff, often gives her followers rec ommendations on what to watch, and even re views her favourite films and shows. Simi larly, she recently re viewed the White Lotus Season 2, with an inter esting Instagram story.

Nora Fatehi

Kareena Kapoor

Zoya Akhtar

Janhvi Kapoor

Janhvi and Shikhar Pahariya during the fashion show

Shehnaaz Gill

Nora in Prada co-ord skirt

Deepika Padukone

Deepika unveils the trophy

Shehnaaz in silk floral saree

I LIVE FOR THE LOVE OF AUDIENCES: BHUMI PEDNEKAR

ASHISH TIWARI cityfirst.mumbai@firstindia.co.in

Young Bollywood star Bhumi Pednekar is getting rave reviews for her brilliant acting opposite Vicky Kaushal in Govinda Naam Mera.

Bhumi plays the role of the fiery and feisty Gauri Waghmere, Vicky's wife and she is unanimously loved for delivering a scintillating performance that also sees her deliver the best laugh-out-loud dialogues!

Bhumi says, “I live for the love of audiences and it is so heartening that people have always been kind enough to give a lot

of love to my performances. Since my debut, I have tried to choose roles that have a striking impact on screen and on the hearts of audiences and it is really encouraging to see them praising my performance in Govinda Naam Mera.”

She adds, “It is always interesting to play different roles in every film and live through so many characters and challenge yourself constantly. Gauri Waghmare is that character for me. She is a riot.

I have never come across such a character in life but more power to her.”

Bhumi, who has been sweeping awards and love for her incredible acting in films like Toilet: Ek Prem Katha, Shubh Mangal Savdhan, Lust Stories and Son Chiriya, Bala, Saand Ki Aankh, among others, further says, “I think I can be best friends

with her because she is witty, self-reliant and fiercely independent. I love women who don’t think of themselves as inferior to men and she will be one of the most fun characters that I have played on the screen to date.”

Bhumi has a mighty slate of 7 films, in cluding Govinda Naam Mera, that releases in the next 12 months. Her line-up includes An ubhav Sinha’s Bheed, Ajay Bahl’s The La dykiller, Sudhir Mishra’s Afwaa, Gauri Khan produced Bhak shak, Mudassar Aziz’s Mere Husband Ki Biwi and a couple of more unan nounced pro jects that will push the bar for cinema.

Starting with shows such as Remix and Left Right Left to hosting shows such as Dance Deewane and India's Got Talent, actor Arjun Bijlani has been a popular face on the small screen for quite some years now. Since most TV stars eventually venture into films, one might wonder if Bijlani has similar plans as well.

On asking how his big screen debut hasn't happened already, Bijlani shares that the TV shows he was part of, used to run for three to four years. So. he never had time for anything else. "Then there was the pandemic for 2.5 years and after it all opened up, I became a part of some reality shows and even a web show, Roohaniyat. Now, I do have the time because I have not done that kind of fiction TV for a couple of years now. But a good script needs to materialise." he explains.

KIARA AND SHARVARI SET GLAM GOALS

iara and Sharvari are both absolute fashionistas. The duo keep slaying fashion goals for us on a regular basis.

Ahead of the party season, these two divas were spotted in dramatic black gowns which made everyone unanimously skip a heartbeat.

Kiara recently

wore a sensational black gown that had a plunging neckline and a fitted bod ice which then flowed into an asymmetrical ruffled hemline and a daring thigh-high slit. The outfit featured a strappy low back and a long tail which added an extra zing to her look. The ensemble did jus tice to the actress perfectly. Sharvari on the other hand looked stunning and so very gorgeous!! The promising star was spotted on the red carpet wearing a black bodycon oneshoulder gown which was accentuated with full sleeves and a glove on the other side. The ensemble beautifully cascaded to backless and thighbaring detailing.

“I BELIEVE IT’S MORE IMPORTANT TO BE NICE”

Actor Shivin Narang, who has made a name on TV, is drifting towards OTT and films.

While he believes one needs to work hard to reach somewhere, as nothing comes easy, he is quick to add that he's not someone who would sulk on losing a project.

"In the process of finding work, if I lose out on a project, I do not believe in crying ki mujhe ye nahin mila," said the actor.

When asked if he faced any discrimination auditioning for films and OTT projects, Narang said, "Auditions are to

figure whether you're fitting a part or not. Even Kareena Kapoor auditioned for her part in Laal Singh Chaddha. So, we as artistes, need to understand that while acting,

NORA COPIES URVASHI

Bollywood's youngest superstar Urvashi Rautela is undoubtedly a fashion icon, always donning every outfit and the audience goes wow over her appear ance. Recently, actor-dancer Nora Fatehi was seen at the clos ing ceremony of the FIFA World Cup 2022, for the performance, she opted for an embellished black dress that featured frills, little did she know the outfit was already worn by Urvashi Rautela four years ago. Urvashi acces sorized the outfit with Dolce & Gabbana sunglasses, creating a gor geous combination. When Urvashi has worn the outfit in she made the fans go crazy over her looks as she always does. On that Nora is getting trolled by the neti zens saying the outfit is copied. Fans took to Nora’s social media and started troll ing the actress for copying actress Ur vashi’s outfit for such a big event that one of the trollers commented "this dress was already worn by @urvashi rautela a few years ago #copied", "look ing fab but @urvashirautela wore the same dress 4 years ago and now she has worn it ".

it's not about who you are, but if you can be a character or not. If you fit the bill, you get the role. It's that simple," he asserts.

However, Narang, who recently released the music video Deewana Deewana, adds that getting projects without auditioning also happens but it takes time to reach that stage. "That's when you have worked with someone and they have the belief that you're the right choice for a certain role, then you don't need to go through an audition," said Narang.

NTR JR AT THE GOLDEN GLOBE AWARDS?

It has been a couple of days since the Golden Globe nominations were announced. However, there was a quick Twitter trend that began as the nominations were missing men tions of everyone's favourite NTR Jr. A section of the Twitterati pointed out that they were disappointed by how The Golden Globe Awards have left Man of Masses NTR Jr out of the Best Actor category. They started the trend #NTRF forOscars #NTRGoes Global #ManOfMass esNTR urg ing the awards to

add one more nominee to the Best Actor category after the RRR superstar NTR Jr. won them over with his commendable acting skills, proving him to be a phenomenal artist. NTR Jr. has received a ton of affection from audiences not just in India but all around the world as a result of the success of his magnum opus film RRR. While still enjoying the popularity of RRR, NTR Jr. will shortly begin filming NTR30, directed by Koratala Siva of Janatha Garage fame. He also has NTR31 which will be directed by KGF director Prashanth Neel on the cards.

Bhumi Pednekar

Shivin Narang

Nora Fatehi

Urvashi Rautela

Sharvari Wagh

T. Rama Rao Jr.

Kiara and Sharvari donnes the black outfit

Arjun Bijlani