ized in high altitude warfare.
The issues related to the border have taken centrestage in the diplomatic relations between two countries with Minister of External Affairs S. Jaishankar repeatedly emphasizing that problems at the LAC are results of China’s actions during the summer of 2020. Beijing have been refuting these statements. In multilateral fora like the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) and the G-20, Indian and Chinese delegates have met only to disagree on the issue. Conversely, the 26th Meeting of Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination on IndiaChina Border Affairs was held on 22nd February 2023 in Beijing in person, a first since the 14th Meeting in 2019. Similarly, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, attended the G 20 Foreign Minister’s meet in New Delhi on March 1-2, 2023. These perhaps are the only signs of gradual thaw in the cold relations.
Aam Aadmi Party chief Arvind Kejriwal’s attempt to forge opposition unity before the Lok Sabha elections suffered a massive setback when the seven chief ministers of non-Congress and nonBJP ruled states did not turn up for dinner for which they were invited to Delhi recently. Kejriwal’s dinner was not found tempting enough by Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, West Bengal’s Mamata Banerjee, Tamil Nadu’s MK Stalin, Telangana’s K. Chandrasekhar Rao, Bihar’s Nitish Kumar and Jharkhand’s Hemant Soren. Named ‘Progressive Chief Ministers’ Group of India as ‘G 8’, the alliance was being formed as a third front which would take on the BJP.
are also however, aware of the importance of the border residents in the larger exercise of border management.
On the ground, however, at the LAC and at the IndiaChina border in general, a huge number of military forces stand in readiness, suspicious of each other’s movements and intentions. It remains to be seen, for what duration, two of the largest economies in the world can sustain such high altitude manoeuvres. Perhaps, the Siachen Glacier may serve as an example on the human and logistics costs of massive deployments at one of the highest battlegrounds in the world. Even for the economic strength of the Chinese, global power status will come with enormous expense
Even as the Russia-Ukraine conflict garners majority of global attention, the standoff on the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in Eastern Ladakh does not show any signs of abatement or resolution. Seventeen rounds of Senior Commanders Meetings have taken place between the Indian and Chinese forces at the border. At several patrolling points and contested areas the armies have disengaged, but at two points of contention namely Demchok and the Depsang Plains heavy deployment remains. Over the last three years developments, at the border and at the policy level from both sides have led to further deterioration of relations between New Delhi and Beijing. Recurring incidents at the border, most recent being the 9th December 2022 skirmish between soldiers of the Indian Army and the People’s Liberation Army in Arunachal Pradesh have led both sides to issue statements in support of their respective stance and territorial claims. Such incidents combined with the emphasis on building infrastructure at the border has created a race to achieve better mobility of troops and equipment at the border. India and China
The Chinese have taken to naming and re-naming places since 2017, an exercise reminiscent of European imperialism and their obsession with place names. These actions were formalized through a law which came into effect on 1 January 2022.
The law lists various responsibilities for civilian and military authorities in China to “safeguard national sovereignty”. The law covers delineation and border defence to immigration, border management and trade. India has repeatedly refuted such attempts and maintained that such efforts do not alter facts on the ground.
India’s approach, on the other hand, focuses on welfare of the border residents and seeks to integrate them into the larger ideas of development, which is a major goal and slogan of the Modi government. For several years, the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India undertook the Border Area Development Programme (BADP) to provide better civic amenities and facilities in the border zones. Its purpose was to cater to the basic needs of residents of the peripheral zones and perhaps to involve them into the bordering practices carried out by the state.
The BADP, since February 2023 has been replaced with the Vibrant Villages Programme (VVP) on the north-
Punjab government will have no answer to the simple question posed by the Punjab and Haryana High Court on the escape of Khalistan sympathiser Amritpal Singh despite the presence of 80,000 policemen on the alert after the fugitive gave his chasers a slip on the first day of crackdown. Punjab Police were upbeat about the arrest of some of Amritpal’s supporters and kin but the big fish clearly caught them napping and made his escape.
“How did he manage to flee despite you having all the information about him and such a heavy deployment of forces,” the court asked.
This was in response to a petition filed by Imaan Singh
Even as the Russia-Ukraine conflict garners majority of global attention, the standoff on the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in Eastern Ladakh does not show any signs of abatement or resolution. Seventeen rounds of Senior Commanders Meetings have taken place between the Indian and Chinese forces at the border
er border. VVP emphasizes on “comprehensive development of villages of blocks on the northern border thus improving the quality of people living in identified border villages. This will help in encouraging people to stay in their native locations in border areas and reversing the outmigration from these villages adding to improved security of the border” (MHA 2023). The idea is to provide for sources of livelihood and employment in the villages itself and involving the borderlanders in border work. Furthermore, India’s quest to achieve better transport and communications infrastructure at the northern border is complimented with the induction of more battalions in the Indo-Tibetan Border Police Force (ITBP). Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) recently announced 7 more battalions for the ITBP thereby enhancing the force by 9400 personnel. It adds to the recently raised Mountain Corps of the Indian Army special-
Punjab government will have no answer to the simple question posed by the Punjab and Haryana High Court on the escape of Khalistan sympathiser. Amritpal Singh despite the presence of 80,000 policemen on the alert, gave his chasers a slip on the first day of crackdown
Khara, the legal adviser of Amritpal’s Waris Punjab De. Khara’s petition suggested that Amritpal is in illegal detention at an undisclosed destination. Newspaper reports, however, indicate exactly how meticulously Amritpal planned his escape using a gurdwara. A TV news clip showed
With Xi Jinping, securing an unprecedented third term and unrelenting aggression in Chinese foreign policy, it is difficult to imagine an early resolution of the standoff. Chinese tactics in the South China Sea are maritime precursors to its actions at the LAC. India has done well to thwart the pressure while simultaneously engaging in diplomatic and military negotiations. In terms of its impact on India’s relations with China, the Galwan valley incident will remain a landmark. With an array of diplomatic and policy responses, New Delhi has sent clear and strong message that its territorial sovereignty is paramount. India’s actions to a certain extent enhance its regional stature and perhaps assure its neighbours, many of which share borders with China.
Lately, the standoff at the border has repeatedly figured in global geopolitical discussion as the United States of America has endorsed Indian stance that China has caused problems at the LAC. A recent Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) Report lists the issue as one of the flashpoints with possibility of escalation into a large scale war between India and China. Chinese, naturally, have strongly objected to such analysis and has argued that it is a matter of bilateral concern between New Delhi and Beijing and third parties should not meddle.
THE VIEWS EXPRESSED BY THE AUTHOR ARE PERSONAL
Amritpal switching to a motorcycle after changing his clothes in a village gurdwara.
Punjab Police’s defence was that Amritpal is an absconder and a hunt was on to nab him. An order to apprehend him under the National Security Act has already been issued. Amritpal is a proponent of radical ideology for the secession of Punjab from India using all means, including violence, to create Khalistan, said the Punjab Police in its affidavit.
By escaping from the police dragnet, Amritpal has left the cops on tenterhooks. Until he is arrested there will be apprehension of trouble in the state. Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has, however, assured that he won’t spare anyone fomenting trouble.
Kejriwal’s attempt to be a leader of the proposed third front met a sad end after the rebuff. Mamata also harbours ambition to be a national leader. So do Nitish Kumar and KCR. Stalin also would rather go with Congress than with AAP. Kejriwal may have to assure fellow CMs that he won’t insist on leadership.
We must pay the most careful attention, therefore, to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away. Bible
Jagat Prakash Nadda @JPNadda
On ‘World Water Day’, let’s join together in the efforts of respected Prime Minister for water harvesting and availability of clean drinking water. It is our commitment to solve the water crisis through ‘Amrit Sarovar’ and ‘Jal Jeevan Mission’. Water is the basis of life of all living beings. ‘If water is there, there is future’. #WorldWaterDay
Since ancient times, the holy land of Bihar has made its indelible mark as a land of religion, culture, education and innovation. Greetings to all the people of the state on the occasion of Bihar Day. I wish for restoration of the glorious glory of Bihar under the leadership of Modi ji and continued progress and prosperity of the state.
MUKESH AMBANI ONLY INDIAN IN TOP 10 HURUN GLOBAL RICH LIST
New Delhi: RIL chairman Mukesh Ambani was the only Indian to make it to top 10 billionaires on the 2023 M3M Hurun Global Rich List, with a net worth of $82 billion. 65-year-old industrialist has retained his title as Asia’s richest man for 3rd consecutive year.
JAIPUR & MUMBAI
New Delhi: Railways Ministry has issued an order to reduce price of AC-3 tier economy class ticket with effect from Wednesday, bedding will be made available as before. Fare for a 3-tier economy class ticket, which had been made equal to fare of AC-3 tier ticket through a circular issued last year, is reduced.
New Delhi: Adani Airports, part of billionaire Gautam Adani’s conglomerate, will bid for more airports across India in its ambition to become the leading airport operator, Chief Executive Arun Bansal said on Wednesday.
PEACE IN KASHMIR
AFTER SCRAPPING OF ART 370 : AMIT SHAH
President Droupadi Murmu with Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, MoS Nisith Pramanik and Padma awardees in a group picture at the Civil Investiture Ceremony-I, at Rashtrapati Bhavan, in New Delhi on Wednesday. (Right) PM Narendra Modi being greeted by Pandwani singer Usha Barle prior to receiving the Padma Shri award in presence of Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, Union Ministers Amit Shah, Smriti Irani and others. Of the 106 Padma awards that were announced, 6 are Padma Vibhushan, 9 are Padma Bhushan and 91 are Padma Shri. Former Union Minister SM Krishna, Aditya Birla Group chairman Kumar Mangalam Birla, Singer Suman Kalyanpur, Kantha embroidery artist Pritikana Goswami are among those who have been honoured at the ceremony. Of these, over 50 people were awarded on Wednesday. Rest of the awardees would be conferred the honour in another ceremony later. Balkrishna Vithaldas Doshi, Dr Dilip Mahalanabis, Mulayam Singh Yadav, Rakesh Jhunjhunwala, Narendra Chandra Debbarma, Areez Khambatta and Karma Wangchu were honoured posthumously. P6
Moni Sharma
Kupwara: Union Home Minister Amit Shah said on Wednesday that peace is being established in J&K after abrogation of Article 370. He was speaking after inaugurating Maa Sharda Devi Temple in J&K’s Kupwara through VC. P6
TREMORS FELT IN DELHI-NCR, DAY
AFTER MAJOR JOLTS
New Delhi: A day after a powerful earthquake jolted Delhi and neighbouring cities, mild tremors were felt in national capital and adjoining areas. The quake of 2.7 magnitude occurred around 4:42 pm on Wednesday.
PROTESTORS THROW INK AS SECURITY KEEPS THEM
AWAY FROM IHC IN UK
London: Pro-Khalistan protesters shouted slogans, threw water bottles and ink at London Metropolitan police, who were on other side of road from Indian High Commission. For protesters, immediate provocation was bigger Indian flag draped over walls of India House. P7
ORDER ON SATYENDAR
JAIN’S BAIL PLEA
New Delhi: The Delhi High Court has reserved the order on jailed former AAP minister Satyendar Jain and two others in a money laundering case after multiple hearings in the matter. Court reserved the order after all submissions.
UPSET OVER ILLNESS, MAN CHECKS INTO A HOTEL, DIES BY SUICIDE
New Delhi: The body of a 24-year-old man was found in a room at a Delhi hotel after he allegedly died by suicide, police said on Wednesday. The man was reportedly upset over the cost of treatment for his illness, police said.
New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday unveiled Bharat’s 6G Vision Document and inaugurated the new International Telecommunication Union (ITU) Area office and Innovation Centre.
At the event, PM also launched the 6G R&D Test Bed and the ‘Call before u dig’ App. PM Narendra Modi also assertained in the event that “telecom technology is empowering our citizens in India”. Noting that India has seen a rapid surge in the number of internet users in rural areas in recent years, he said “it shows the power of Digital India.”
ITU is the United Nations’ specialised agency for information and communication technologies (ICTs). Headquartered in Geneva, it has a network of field offices, regional Offices and area offices.
Today, when India is presiding over the G-20, reducing the regional divide is one of its priorities. When we talk about bridging the technological divide, it is very natural to expect from India.
—Narendra Modi, PM
ABOUT CALL BEFORE YOU DIG (CBuD) APP T he Call Before You Dig (CBuD) app is a tool envisaged for preventing damage to underlying assets like optical fibre cables, that occurs because of uncoordinated digging and excavation, leading to loss of thousands of crore every year.
TALKING 6G SOON AFTER 5G ROLLOUT
l 6G test bed launched to provide industry, academic institutions and others a platform to test & validate evolving technologies
l 6G testbed is being co-developed by a
Shivendra Parmar
Jaipur: Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot has said that criminals will be dealt with strictly for peace and brotherhood in the state. Gehlot said, “While doing politics in the name of religion, I would like to say that while there is time, work for the benefit of the state. Development happens where there is peace and harmony. This is our thought.”
consortium of various IITs, including those in Guwahati and Madras
lIndia is the second largest telecom market globally, with 1.2 billion digital subscribers
Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot addressing during convocation parade at the RPA on Wednesday as Umesh Mishra and Rajeev Sharma look on.
This time not only India but even other countries would listen to PM Narendra Modi’s 100th episode of the radio programme Mann Ki Baat. For the same, BJP is preparing in full swing. In every LS, in 100 places, 100 people will sit and listen to Mann Ki Baat, in which different groups of doctors, engineers, teachers, and social workers will listen to this program and all other sections of the society. Apart from this, those who are hon oured with Padma Bhushan or Padma Vibhushan will also be honoured and will be heard. BJP’s national gen secy Dushyant Gautam and Vinod Tawde are in charge of program, under their leadership, this programme is being conducted across dif ferent states on April 30.
Purpose of broadcasting the programme across the world is because PM Modi is a global leader. All the countries appreciate the work of the PM. People want to hear him. Our aim is that we broadcast PM Modi’s Mann Ki Baat to as many countries as possible. —BJP SOURCES
Over 100 FIRs have been registered and 6 people have been arrested by the Delhi Police in connection with objectionable posters, including those with derogatory remarks against PM Modi, across the national capital.
Rajasthan Cong will hold a demonstration in support of Rahul Gandhi today wherein senior leaders including CM Ashok Gehlot will be present. The PCC has called all the leaders at 10 am for which PCC Chief Govind Singh Dotasra issued instructions.
First India Bureau Chandigarh: Punjab
Police on Wednesday issued a lookout circular (LOC) and non-bailable warrant against Waris de Punjab chief and Khalistani leader Amritpal Singh, claimed reports. Sukhchain Singh Gill, IGP (HQ), Punjab, informed during a press conference that the Khalistani leader has not yet been apprehended.
The IGP said, “We are putting forth all attempts to capture him. It is difficult to say that we are
First India Bureau New Delhi: The SC Collegium headed by CJI DY Chandrachud has recommended names of 4 district judges for appointment as judges of the Madras HC. The collegium, which comprises Justices Sanjay Kishan Kaul and KM Joseph, recommended the names of R Sak thivel, P Dhana bal, Chinnasamy Kumarappan, and K Rajasekar. Collegium reiterated its earli-
across the State.”
SC: CENTRE DISTURBING
SENIORITY OF JUDGES BY DELAYING DECISIONS
The Supreme Court collegium has asked the Centre to expedite the pending appointments of judges, pointing out that withholding names of judges disturbs the seniority of the candidates.
er recommendation dated July 25, 2022, for appt of Senior Advocate Harpreet Singh Brar as a judge of Punjab, Haryana High Court.
AMRITPAL SINGH’S
WIFE AND MOTHER
Jallupur Khera: Police on Wednesday questioned absconding Amritpal’s wife Kirandeep and mother Balwinder at his native village Jallupur Khera. SSP Satinder Singh, however, denied questioning them but maintained that “it was a routine matter.”Cops remained at the house of Amritpal for an hour, didn’t speak to media later.
optimistic that we will arrest him soon. Other states and central agencies are fully cooperating with Pb Police.” P7
The Alwar ACB team arrested Rameshwar Singh Jatav, posted as Quality Control SE in PWD Department, red-handed while accepting a bribe of `6 lakh on Wednesday. P5
JDA commissioner Ravi Jain on Wednesday visited the IPD tower under construction on the SMS Hospital premises. He took information from the officers about the progress of the project. P5
Many brands of foreign liquor will be available in Raj for which new system of wholesale bonds is being implemented for first time by the RSBCL in Rajasthan. P8
Criminals will be dealt strictly for peace and brotherhood in the State: CM Gehlot
Hundreds of devotees prayed at Sheela Mata Temple, Amer on the first day of Navratri
Jaipur: The nine-day Chaitra Navratri began on Wednesday. Hundreds of devotees offered prayers at Sheela Mata Temple and sought the blessings of Goddess Durga. The ghat esthapna was done by the Sheela Mata Temple committee.
Jaipur Municipal Corporation Greater (JMCG) Mayor Dr Somya reached Sheila Mata Temple and offered prayers. Notably, the Sheela Mata Temple was established in the 16th century. Erstwhile ruler Raja Man Singh had brought the idol of Goddess Durga from Bengal.
Vikas Sharma
Jaipur: A state-level programme was organised in Jaipur on World Tuberculosis Day on Wednesday. The programme was held at a private hotel in the 22 Godam area wherein Medical and Health Minister Prasadi Lal Meena presided over the ceremony.
While addressing the gathering, Meena said that the State Government is doing a very good job by making the State TB-free by 2025.
“TB is an infectious
Ziauddin Khan
Jaipur: Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Minister Ramesh Chand Meena on Wednesday said that water is limited and it is the responsibility of all to recharge the groundwater through conservation efforts.
Sikar: The Jeen Mata Mela began on Wednesday with the commencement of the nine-day Chaitra Navratri. Thousands of devotees offered prayers at Jeen Mata Temple in Sikar while special arrangements were also made by the temple committee. Officials of district administration and nearly 800 police personnel were also deployed in the area to ensure the safety of devotees. CCTV cameras have been installed and strict monitoring is being done in the area. Bringing liquor, animal meat, and DJs are prohibited in the area.
BJP to hold protests against State Govt from March 27
Aishwary Pradhan
declared without determining the boundaries,” Rathore said.
disease and can also spread through droplets. To eradicate TB, it is necessary to get tested as soon as the symptoms appear. The TB eradication programme will be successful only when
Dinesh Tiwari
Jaipur: People from the Gurjar community were felicitated at a programme in Birla Auditorium on Wednesday on the occasion of International Gurjar Day. The programme was organised by Akhil Bhartiya Gurjar Mahasabha wherein family members of martyrs and people from the Gurjar community were honoured. Chairman of Devnarayan Board
First India Bureau
Jaipur: The enforcement squad of the JDA took action in the Abhaypura village on Wednesday and demolished the illegal constructions. The construction was demolished in Balaji Vihar Colony, which was being developed illegally on six bighas of land. About 20 days ago, JDA demolished gravel roads and other concrete constructions in the same colony.
Joginder Singh Awana and JMCG Mayor Dr Somya was the chief guest of the programme.
the TB-infected person sitting in the village can get the information about the schemes and treatment being given by the Government,” said Health Minister Prasadi Lal Meena.
Speaking at a programme on World Water Day, Meena said that the tradition of respect and protection of water has always been there in our culture.
The Minister also launched the second phase of Rajiv Gandhi
Jan Sanchay Yojna (RGJSY) under which works worth Rs 4,000 crore will be done in 4,800 villages in the State.
First India Bureau
Jaipur: In a bid to reduce the use of plastics, Jaipur Municipal Corporation Heritage has set up two bottle shredders in the city. Heritage Mayor Munesh Gurjar on Tuesday dedicated the machines to the citizens.
To get rid of the plastic waste causing untidiness in the city, Munesh Gurjar initiated a campaign with an NGO ‘Swavalamban’.
The NGO has presented two plastic bot-
tle shredding machines to the Heritage Municipal Corporation under its CSR. The first machine was installed adjacent to Indira Rasoi near Jal Mahal. “Being a tourist
area, it receives more traffic and thereby a large number of tourists daily, the Mayor said.
Mayor Gurjar said, “The second machine has been installed outside the gate of Heritage Headquarters, in front of the ticket counter of Hawa Mahal, as thousands of tourists come to Hawa Mahal every day and hundreds of citizens come to headquarters for corporation-related works and nowadays it is necessary to carry water in a plastic bottle.”
Jaipur: The State BJP once again targeted the Gehlot Government over the reorganisation of new districts in Rajasthan. Deputy Leader of Opposition Rajendra Rathore and State General Secretary Bhajan Lal addressed the media on Wednesday and put forward the upcoming plan of the party.
Lawyers resume court work after ‘Protection Act’
First India Bureau
Jaipur: Advocates resumed court work from Wednesday following the passing of the Advocates Protection Act in the State Assembly.
HC Bar Association
President Mahendra
Shadilya and Bar Association (Jaipur)
President Kamal Kishore Sharma said after talks with the five chief convenors of Jaipur and Jodhpur, the lawyers resume the court work.
Kashiram Choudhary
Jaipur: The recognition of nine animal husbandry diploma institutes will be cancelled. Seats of six institutes were increased from 50 to 100, while three new institutes were given direct affiliation of 100 seats. The affiliation was issued by the
ter to Veterinary University telling that the affiliation of all institutions is unfair and
against the rules.
“Orders related to seat increase and affiliation of all institutions should be cancelled,” said the order.
However, questions are now arising in this whole matter that the recognition was cancelled, but why are those who did wrong being spared? Why is no action being taken against the Vice Chancellor of the University, Dr. Satish Garg and other culprits?
They said that the Government announced formation of the district without completing the administrative legality.
“There is a provision in the Land Revenue Act that districts cannot be
State General Secretary Bhajanlal Sharma said that the second phase of BJP’s Jan Aakrosh campaign against the Rajasthan government has now started. BJP will hold big protests against the government at the district headquarters. It will start from Jaisalmer and Pratapgarh on March 27. After this, public outrage meetings, rallies and demonstrations will be held continuously in every district.
HALF-DAY HOLIDAY DECLARED FOR GANGAUR MELA
Jaipur: The State Government has declared a half-day holiday in Jaipur on the occasion of Gangaur Mela on Friday.
The general administration department has issued an order in this regard while necessary guidelines regarding administrative arrangements to all the departments were also issued. The Gangaur procession will pass through various routes and markets of the city, during which, domestic and foreign tourists will also be present.
GOVT INCREASES
190 MINISTERIAL SERVICE POSTS
Jaipur: A total of 190 posts have been increased in ministerial service. The posts increased are 51 of Assistant Section Officer (ASO), 55 of clerk grade-I and 84 of Clerk Grade- II. After this, the number of posts of ASO, clerk grade-I and clerk grade-II has increased to 453, 487 and 747 respectively. The department of personnel issued the orders after approval of the CM.
Jaipur: A wave of mourning spread in the media world due to the death of Palak Nandi, deputy bureau chief of Times of India, Rajasthan on Wednesday in Jaipur. Palak was doing morning walk with her brother in Rajasthan University when she fainted and fell on the ground. She was immediately sent to the hospital where doctors declared her dead. The cause of death is not known yet but cardiac arrest is suspected prima facie. Her family members took the body to Ahmedabad for cremation. Governor Kalraj Mishra, CM Ashok Gehlot, Vasundhara Raje, Dy LoP Rajendra Rathore and others expressed condolences. “Among top women journalists in the state, Palak was known for her non-partisan reporting. She leaves behind an indelible mark and a standard all young journalists can aspire to,” Raje tweeted. —Satyanarayan Sharma
Vikas Sharma
Jaipur: Health Minister Parsadi Lal Meena said that two types of authorities have been constituted at the state level regarding the Right to Health Bill. The problems of common people will be resolved in the State Health Authority for Logistic Grievances.
There will be a second authority ‘State Health Authority for Treatment Protocol’ for treatment and technical advice.
The second authority shall consist of all specialist doctors except one member.
If a person does not get treatment or there is any other kind of complaint, the complaint will have to be made to the incharge of the same medical institution within 15 days. If the institution in-charge does not resolve the complaint in 3 days, then the complaint will be forwarded to the District Health Authority which he has to dispose of in 30 days.
If the complaint is not resolved here, the case will go to the State Health Authority for Logistic Grievances.
Rajasthan’s Right to Health Bill will become
Navin Sharma and Ashvini Yadav
Alwar: The Alwar AntiCorruption Bureau team arrested Rameshwar Singh Jatav, posted as Quality Control Superintendent Engineer in PWD Department, red-handed while accepting a bribe of Rs 6 lakh on Wednesday. Even before this, Rameshwar Singh had once taken a bribe of Rs 2.5 lakh and once Rs 1.5 lakh from the contact.
The ACB received a complaint against SE Rameshwar Singh Jatav, posted in the Quality Control Department of the PWD Department,
Reacting to the Right to Health Bill which has been passed in the State Assembly on Tuesday, Health minister Parsadi Lal Meena said that there would be no amendment in the Right to Health Bill, as it has become a law and everyone has to accept it. Meena’s reaction came amid the strike of private doctors and hospitals
an example in the country. All types of OPD, IPD services in Government Institutions, ad-
regarding the Right to Health Bill. Talking to media, Meena said, “When this bill has been unanimously passed in the Assembly and a law has been made, then every one has to accept it and no one can disobey the law.” “The doctors should
vice, medicines, tests, emergency transport, procedures and services, emergency care fa-
think what is the justification for this strike. For the first time, doctors are included in the committees from the state level to the district level. The doctors are agitating despite their suggestions being accepted. This is not justified. They are demand-
cilities will be available completely free of cost. Road accident injured persons will get free
ing withdrawal of the bill, is it justified?” Meena asked. “CM Gehlot has also appealed to the doctors and I am also appealing to them to return to work, otherwise the government will take necessary action,” he added. Significantly, private hospitals and doctors in Rajasthan have been protesting against the RTH bill.
transport and free treatment in all types of hospitals through insurance.
Churu (FIB): Father and son were killed with an axe in broad daylight on the suspicion of tantra-mantra in Sadulpur. The temple priest father and his son were coming from Amarpura. The two were attacked on Churu bypass by accused Vikram of Lakhlan village. Bagdas temple priest Mahavir Shastri died in the attack, while treatment of injured son Shrikant continues in the hospital. The accused Vikram was hiding in the ambush on the bypass.
demanding a bribe of Rs 6 lakhs. On this the ACB got the matter verified. The complaint was found correct. ACB officials sent the contractor to Rameshwar Singh by giving Rs 6 lakh, which the contractor gave to the accused. Immediately after this the ACB team held Rameshwar Singh red handed.
Jodhpur: The SHO and ASI of Sadar Bazar police station were arrested by the anti-corruption bureau in a bribery case involving Rs 3.5 lakh. A team of ACB nabbed ASI Nandkishore in Sojati gate police chowki while taking Rs 3.5 lakh from the complainant for the SHO Suresh Potlia on Tuesday night. The role of the SHO was also examined. After initial interrogation, both the SHO and ASI were placed under arrest at around 2 am on Wednesday. The action continued till late night
Aishwary Pradhan
Jaipur: Union Forest and Environment Min Bhupender Yadav have approved the Nagar Van Scheme for Jaipur. Under the Nagar Van Scheme, a city forest will be built on the land of the forest dept in the Khatipura area of Civil Lines Assembly Constituency.
The Union govt has sanctioned an amount of Rs 1.10 crore for the construction of the Nagar Van and Rs 77.56
lakhs has been transferred to the state govt as the first instalment. Notably, MP Ramcharan Bohra met Union Min Bhupender Yadav in Delhi and expressed gratitude. Bohra said that tourism will get a boost in Jaipur and people will get employment.
BY MUKESH KIRADOOFirst India Bureau
Jaipur: JMC Greater has issued notices to 468 families living at Madhyam Marg in Mansarover for removing illegal construction within seven days. The notices have been served on direction by the high court. If the construction is not removed in time, the JMCG will take action to remove it after 7 days.
Mukesh Chaudhary
ZDC (Mansarovar) of the JMC Greater said
Officials pasting notice at SBI Bank branch on Madhyam Marg.
that the High Court, while giving an order on a petition, has given instructions to identify illegal constructions and give notices and take action on them. He said that a compliance report has to be submitted in
court on April 24.
“In pursuance of these orders, notices have been issued today asking to remove illegal construction or commercial activities which are being conducted in the residential area,” he said.
Udaipur (PTI): A G20 workshop on enabling finance for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) was organised on the second day of the G20 Sustainable Finance Working Group (SFWG) meeting in Udaipur on Wednesday.
The three-day G20 SFWG meeting began on Tuesday. It is the second meeting of this group under India’s G20 Presidency.
“The workshop presented the views and experiences of a wide range of stakeholders, including the public sector, private sector, and academia on the use of social impact investing as a tool for channeling finance towards social SDGs and measures to improve nature-related financial information in the future,” a release said. The outcomes of the workshop will contribute to building an understanding among G20 members.
tower, Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences will also be constructed in SMS Hospital.
Both the projects will be built at a cost of about Rs 588 crores and the IPD tower would be the biggest tower in the country. Parking will be developed on two
New Delhi (ANI): Late billionaire investor Rakesh Jhunjhunwala’s wife, Rekha, on Wednesday received the Padma Shri from President Droupadi Murmu during an investiture ceremony at the Rashtrapati Bhavan.
Jhunjhunwala, the founder of Akasa Air often referred to as India’s own Warren Buffet, passed away on August 14, last year. He was born on July 5, 1960 and grew up in Mumbai. After graduating from Sydenham College
in 1985, he enrolled at the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India and married Rekha Jhunjunwala, also a stock market investor.
The chairman of Aditya Birla Group, Kumar Mangalam Birla, was conferred with the country’s second-highest civilian honour, Padma Bhushan.
President Droupadi Murmu on Wednesday conferred Padma awards to distinguished honorees across diverse fields, including former Union Minister SM
Krishna and Narendra Chandra Debbarma, the late president of the
Indigenous Peoples Front of Tripura. Krishna received the
New Delhi (ANI): Amid the spike in influenza cases in the country and the rise of Covid-19 cases in the past 2 weeks, Prime Minister Narendra Modi chaired a highlevel meeting to assess in terms of preparedness of health infrastructure and logistics, the status of the vaccination campaign.
A comprehensive presentation was made covering the global Covid-19 situation including the rising cases in India by the Secretary, of Health, MoHFW. PM Modi was briefed that India has been witnessing a slight rise in new cases with average daily cases reported as 888 and weekly positivity reported as 0.98 percent in the week ending March 22, 2023.
“The action taken on the directions given by Prime Minister during the last Covid-19 review held on December 22, 2022, was also briefed. He was informed that
the availability and prices of 20 main Covid Drugs, 12 other drugs, 8 buffer drugs, and 1 influenza drug are being monitored.
PM Modi directed officials to enhance the Whole Genome Sequencing of Positive Samples with the designated INSACOG Genome Sequencing Laboratories & said that effective monitoring of IRI/SARI cases, & testing for influenza, SARS-CoV-2 and Adenovirus be followed up with States.
SUPREME COURT TO HEAR PLEAS SEEKING TO CRIMINALIZE MARITAL RAPE ON MAY 9
New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Wednesday listed the pleas concerning the constitutional validity of the Marital Rape exception on May 9, 2023. The batch of petitions, which was listed before a bench for 21st March 2023, could not be heard then owing to Justice Pardiwala’s absence. Accordingly, the matter was mentioned again today before the bench by Senior Advocate Indira Jaising and Advocate Karuna Nundy seeking a specific posting.
TILL APRIL 5
New Delhi (ANI): The Rouse Avenue Court on Wednesday sent Delhi’s former Deputy CM Manish Sisodia till April 5, 2023, in a money laundering case pertaining to alleged irregularities in the framing and implementation of the excise policy of GNCTD. The ED produced Sisodia before the Court at the end of the custodial remand period granted earlier. The ED didn’t seek further remand and moved an application for judicial custody.
PM TO ADDRESS ‘ONE WORLD TB SUMMIT’ AT VARANASI
New Delhi (PTI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address the ‘One World TB Summit’ in Varanasi on March 24 and launch projects worth over Rs 1,780 crore during the visit to his parliamentary constituency. On the occasion of World Tuberculosis Day, he will address the One World TB Summit being organised by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and Stop TB Partnership, a United Nationshosted organisation that amplifies the voices of people, communities and countries affected by the disease.
DATING OF SHIVLING BY APRIL 15: COURT
Prayagraj (PTI): Allahabad
HC has granted the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) the last opportunity to file its response by April 5 clarifying whether the process of carbon dating will damage an object, claimed to be a “Shivling”, found inside the Gyanvapi mosque or safe evaluation of its age can be done.
The Hindu petitioners have claimed the object to be a “Shivling”. The claim was disputed by Muslim side, which said the object was part of a “fountain”.
New Delhi (ANI): The SC on Wednesday said that it will constitute a bench to hear a plea challenging the pre-mature release of 11 convicts who had gang-raped Bilkis and murdered her family members during the 2002 Godhra riots. A bench said, “I will have a bench constituted. Need to break two benches for it. Will look at it this evening.” The CJI said this after advocate appearing for Bano, mentioned the plea seeking listing of the case and said that the matter is not getting listed.
INDIA BECOMING BIG EXPORTER OF TELECOM TECHNOLOGY: PM MODI
New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday said India is moving fast to become a big exporter of telecom technology from being only a user few years ago. Addressing a gathering after inaugurating the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) Area Office and Innovation Centre here, Modi said India is one of countries to have rolled out 5G mobile technology at the fastest pace. He said the services have been expanded to 125 cities within 120 days of the launch of 5G. ''Within 6 months of the rollout of 5G technology we are talking about 6G,'' Modi said. This, he said shows the confidence of the country. ''Before 4G, India was only a user of telecom technology, but now India is moving fast to become a big exporter of telecom technology,'' he said.
COVID CASES
New Delhi: India recorded 1,134 new coronavirus cases, while the active cases increased to 7,026, according to the Union Health Ministry data updated on Wednesday. The death toll climbed to 5,30,813 with five deaths with one each reported by Chhattisgarh, Delhi, Gujarat and Maharashtra and one reconciled by Kerala, the data updated at 8am stated.
Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala Health Minister Veena George, chairing a meeting to review the increase of Covid cases in the state on Wednesday, said it would be better if the aged, children and those with ailments use masks in public places. The Kerala Health Minister also said that the use of masks when visiting hospitals should be a must.
New Delhi (Agencies):
The Congress on Wednesday said that there could not be barter on the demand for a JPC (Joint parliamentary committee) in lieu of Rahul Gandhi's apology. While addressing a press conference, party spokesperson Jairam Ramesh, said, "There could be no middle path. The opposition will not back down from the demand of a JPC in Adani Group. There cannot be a barter on the JPC as Rahul Gan-
CRUDE OIL PRICES DECLINE, PETROL PRICES SHOULD COME DOWN: CONG
New Delhi: The Congress has demanded that the Centre transfer the benefits of declining crude oil prices to the consumers. In a press conference on Wednesday, Congress spokesperson Gourav Vallabh said that in March last year the price of crude oil was higher than what it is now, and the difference is Rs 16.75 per litre.He said, "The cost of crude oil for India is Rs 36.68 per litre this month and the prices were Rs 53.45 last year. So the benefit should pass on to the consumers. But, the government is profiteering at the cost of the consumers.
dhi's case is a matter of distortion." He said Rahul Gandhi has already written to the Lok Sabha Speaker to allow him to
speak in the Parliament under rule 357. The spokesperson said the JPC was formed in 1992 when the Congress gov-
ernment was in power, in 2001 during the Vajpayee government it was formed, both were on the stock market scams.
Padma Vibhushan from President Murmu at a grand presentation
ANI
ceremony on Wednesday, Debbarma, the late president of the Indigenous Peoples Front of Tripura, received the Padma Shri (posthumously).
PM Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah were in attendance during the presentation ceremony. Six distinguished persons this year were conferred with the Padma Vibhushan while 9 were conferred with Padma Bhushan. Another 91 persons were conferred with Padma Shri.
❍ AMIT SHAH E-INAUGURATES MATA SHARDA DEVI TEMPLE IN J-K
New Delhi (ANI): Union Home Minister Amit Shah said on Wednesday said that peace is being established in Jammu and Kashmir and the Union Territory is once again returning to the old civilization and traditions after the abrogation of Article 370. Shah was speaking after inaugurating Maa Sharda Devi Temple in J&K's Kupwara district through video conferencing. The Centre abrogated Article 370 and 35(A) from
AMIT SHAH TO VISIT KARNATAKA TWICE
IN NEXT 5 DAYS
New Delhi: Home Minister Amit Shah has lined up fresh visits to pollbound Karnataka. According to sources, Shah will visit Karnataka twice in the next five days. He will visit the state on March 24 and 26, ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to the state," a source said.
the erstwhile state on August 5, 2019. Jammu and Kashmir was bifurcated into two Union territories of J&K & Ladakh on the same day.
AMIT SHAH TO INAUGURATE ASSAM RIFLES COMPLEX IN MIZORAM
New Delhi: Home Minister Amit Shah will inaugurate the Assam Rifles complex and lay foundation stone for Laldenga Cultural Centre in Mizoram on April 1, officials said here on Wednesday. According to officials of the Aizawl Smart City Project, the proposed Rs 1.93 crore centre would be built on the northern side of Assam Rifles ground in the heart of the state capital. Officials said that the Union Home Minister would inaugurate Assam Rifles headquarters complex at Zokhawsang, about 15 km east of Aizawl.
Mahesh Sharma
New Delhi: Rahul Gandhi and his team should explain to Jairam Ramesh that he is not doing Rahul any good by publicly stopping him in a press conference. His job is not to prompt Rahul in the press conference.
If Rahul does something wrong then Ramesh’s job is to cover up that mistake later. Rahul said in the press conference ‘Unfortunately I
am MP’, but Ramesh stopped him and began to murmur in his ear. If
Ramesh hadn’t stopped him and murmured in his ear, perhaps no heed
THE FRACAS OF CONGRESS-BJP
OVER RAHUL GANDHI CONTINUES
New Delhi: The big problem with Congress is that many leaders of Congress, like BJP leaders, think that Rahul Gandhi needs an understanding. This situation is not good for Rahul. Later, to give the incident a twist, the Congress leaders started a narrative questioning if someone in the BJP can do the same to Modi as Ramesh did with Rahul? However, the truth is, in no political party whatsoever, no one can stop or interject a supreme leader and that is why the said leader is the supreme leader.
would have been paid to Rahul’s word, but Ramesh turned
show his knowledge that he does not understand that he is giving an opportunity in the hands of BJP to prove Rahul Gandhi as ‘Pappu’.
When Rahul Gandhi was in London for two weeks, he participated in five public events. Sam Pitroda was present with him everywhere. But nowhere did he stop Rahul from saying anything. Rahul was giving a speeches like a boss and kept on presenting his ideas.
Chandigarh (ANI):
Shiromani Akali Dal
President Sukhbir Singh Badal said that the party is ready to provide legal assistance to all the Sikh youth who are arrested by Punjab Police in their ongoing search hunt for fugitive Khalistani leader Amritpal Singh.
Akali Dal leader Sukhbir Singh Badal took to Twitter and said, “Shiromani Akali Dal has decided to provide complete legal assistance to all Sikh youth arrested in the ongoing extra-constitutional crackdown in Punjab and ensure their rights are not trampled upon by AAP Punjab”.
Shiromani Akali Dal has released the list of legal team helpline numbers: Arshdeep S
Kler 8054200007, Harish Rai Dhanda 9814220300, Gurmeet S Maan 9815533999, Bhagwant S Siyalaka 9815250589, Amardeep S Dharni 9815000026, Jaspreet S Brar 8054800034, Parampreet S Bajwa 7814400060, Parambir S Sunny 9872360026, Zubin 9855572302, Ravinder S Sampla 9814474445, SHIROMANI AKALI DAL OFFICE 01722639256.
INTEL: BID TO RADICALISE INMATES OF DEADDICTION CENTRES BY WARIS PUNJAB DE
New Delhi (PTI): While Amritpal Singh continues to elude the Punjab Police, Waris Punjab De (WPD), the organisation he heads, has also come under the scanner of the intelligence agencies with reports pointing to attempts by WPD associates to inculcate a radical and violent way of thinking in inmates of the drug de-addiction centres run by the outfit. “If the inmates do not subscribe to the radical views, they are physically beaten up till they start toeing the line of WPD,” a source said claiming that WPD uses inmates of drug de-addiction centres to stage violent protests. “Amritpal is involved in nexus of drugs and procures low quality cheap antidotes of drugs,” an officer said.
“SENSATIONALIST LIES”: INDIA’S HIGH COMMISSIONER TO UK ON PUNJAB SITUATION
New Delhi (Agencies): India’s High Commissioner to the UK, Vikram Doraiswami said that “there is no truth to sensationalist lies being circulated on social media”, while giving details of the situation in Punjab post the police crackdown on ‘Waris Punjab De’ and efforts to arrest Amritpal Singh. In a
New Delhi: The Union Law and Justice Ministry has extended the deadline for voluntary linking of Aadhaar and Voter ID from April 1 this year to March 31, 2024, as per a notification issued on Tuesday. The Ministry had on June 17, 2022, notified April 1, 2023, as the “date on or before which every person whose name is included in the electoral roll may intimate his Aadhaar number in accordance with the said section”.
Tuesday’s notification replaced the date with “31st March, 2024”.
Chennai: Eight people were killed and 13 injured in an explosion at a firecracker unit in Tamil Nadu’s Kancheepuram on Wednesday, said police. The injured have been admitted to the Kancheepuram district hospital. The reason for the explosion is not yet known. Police said 25 people were working in the unit when the explosion took place on Wednesday afternoon.
Four units of fire force reached the unit and doused the fire.
Patna (Bihar): A 28-year-old man was arrested jointly by the Gujarat and Bihar police from Surat, for allegedly making threatening phone calls to the Bihar chief Minister’s official residence at 1 Anne Marg, Patna. The accused was identified as Ankit Kumar, son of Vinay Kumar Mishra, resident of Madhusudan Etwarpur in Vaishali district. The police officials said the man will be produced before Surat court and brought on the transit remand. “A police team from Patna has also reached Surat for questioning the accused in connection with this case and the motive behind making threat calls on the official number of CM’s house. He reportedly obtained the phone numbers from Google and proceeded to make threat calls,” the officers said.
Ahmedabad: Indian Space Research Organisation chairman S Somanath on Wednesday said ISRO has successfully done significant collaborations on its space missions and is also discussing a possible mission to the moon with Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency. Somanath also said there is a good opportunity to launch a mission to explore planet Venus by 2028. He was delivering the inaugural talk on “Indian Capabilities for Space and Planetary Exploration” here.
OSAMA BIN LADEN
Farrukhabad: The UP Power Corporation Ltd (UPPCL) has terminated the services of an engineer for praising the slain Al Qaeda leader Osama Bin Laden. Ravindra Prakash Gautam, a Sub-Divisional Officer (SDO), had been suspended in June 2022 after he put a picture of Laden at his Kayamganj sub-division-II office in Farrukhabad district. A video of Gautam’s Kayamganj office with Osama’s picture hanging in it, had gone viral last year.
DELHI POLICE REMOVE EXTRA BARRICADES
New Delhi (PTI): Days after pro-Khalistan activists took down the tricolour at the Indian high commission in UK, the Delhi Police today removed barricades outside the British mission in the national capital. The police said that the barricades “were creating hurdles” for commuters and the security of the British high commission is intact.
AKALI DAL TAKES
New Delhi (ANI): After removing the barricades, they are now nowhere to be seen outside the British High Commission and outside the residence of British High Commissioner Alex Ellis at 2, Rajaji Marg in New Delhi. When asked about the same, a British official said, “We do not comment on security matters,”
AMRITPAL SINGH CRACKDOWN
Chandigarh (ANI): Sukhbir Singh Badal said, “Shiromani Akali Dal strongly condemns the indiscriminate arrests of innocent Sikh youth. We demand the immediate release of all innocents arrested in the ongoing crackdown”. He stated that by making these arrests, AAP government is trying to defame the Sikh community for communal polarization & electoral gains.
AMRITPAL AIDE’S
KIN FILES HABEAS
CORPUS PLEA
New Delhi (Agencies):
video address, he said, “The situation for travel is normal and visitors, including from the UK, are safe. Let me assure all our friends here in the UK, especially brothers and sisters with relatives in Punjab that there is no truth to sensationalist lies being circulated on social media.”
Actor Sarabjit Singh alias Daljit Kalsi’s wife has filed a habeas corpus petition at the Punjab and Haryana HC seeking his release from alleged illegal custody in Assam. Kalsi is one of the 5 associates of Amritpal Singh held as part of the Punjab Police’s crackdown on Waris Punjab De.
AMRITPAL SINGH SNEAKED INTO GURDWARA
New Delhi (Agencies): Fugitive Khalistani leader Amritpal Singh demanded food and clothes from people at a gurdwara near Jhalandhar at gunpoint after escaping on March 18. Amritpal Singh is still on the run even as the massive manhunt by the Punjab Police to nab him entered the fifth day on Wednesday.
New Delhi (PTI):
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday greeted people on the occasion of various festivals that mark the beginning of the traditional new year and wished people happiness and prosperity.
In tweets, Modi also wished people on the start of Navratri. With the day marking the start of the ancient ‘Vikram Samvat’, a traditional Hindi new year, the prime minister hoped that the country will reach new heights of progress.
He extended Cheti Chand greetings to the Sindhi community and wished people on Sajibu Cheiraoba, which is specially celebrated in Manipur.
President Droupadi Murmu on Tuesday
greeted citizens on the eve of different festivals marking the arrival of Indian new year and hoped that they bind different communities of India in bonds of love, harmony and affection.
Gudi Padwa is a Hindu festival that marks the beginning of the traditional new year in Maharashtra. It is celebrated on the first day of the Hindu month of Chaitra, which corresponds to March and April on the Gregorian calendar.
This year, as per the Marathi panchang, Gudi Padwa will be celebrated on March 22.
Navratri, the nineday festival dedicated to Goddess Durga, is widely celebrated across India twice a year. As per the Hindu calendar, Sharad Navratri is celebrated in the Hindu month of Ashwin (September-October) while Vasant Navratri or Chaitra Navratri is celebrated in the month of Chaitra (March-April).
New Delhi (ANI): The Delhi administration finally presented its budget document on Wednesday, a day after it was initially supposed to be tabled in the Assembly. The theme of the Delhi budget largely revolved around ‘Clean, Beautiful, and Modern Delhi’. The budget proposed for the year 2023-24 worth Rs 78,800 crore, was presented by Delhi Finance Minister Kailash Gahlot, which is almost two and a half times the expenditure of Rs 30,940 crore in the year 2014-15, and 8.69% higher than the revised estimates for 2022-23. Of the budgeted estimate of Rs 78,800 crore for 202324, Rs 56,983 crore is for the purpose of revenue expenditure and an outlay of Rs 21,817 crore under capital expenditure.
Notably, the share of capital expenditure as part of the overall budget has been raised 27.68% in this year’s budget. The proposed capital expenditure of Rs 21,817 crore is almost three times the capital outlay of Rs 7,430 crore in 2014-15.
Sonu Nigam’s father robbed of `72 lakh, ex driver arrested Mumbai (PTI): A former driver of singer Sonu Nigam’s 76-yearold father has been booked for allegedly stealing Rs 72 lakh from the senior citizen’s home in Mumbai, an official said on Wednesday. The singer’s father Agamkumar Nigam lives in Oshiwara, Andheri west, and alleged theft took place between March 19 and March 20, he said.
Nigam’s younger sister Nikita approached the Oshiwara police station on Wednesday with a complaint about the alleged theft, he said. As per the complaint, Agamkumar Nigam had a driver named Rehan for nearly 8 months but removed him recently as his performance was not satisfactory.
New Delhi(ANI): The meeting of the Chief Ministers of 8 nonBJP-ruled states was cancelled due to the unavailability of the Chief Ministers. Apart from Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann, no one confirmed their presence at the event. The meeting was to be convened at the invitation of Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal.
Chandigarh: After withdrawing it twice, the Haryana government has again reintroduced the Haryana Control of Organised Crime Bill of 2023 in the state Assembly. The first version of the Bill was passed by the Assembly in August 2019, but withdrawn in November 2020.
DMRC TO INCREASE OPERATIONAL SPEED OF AIRPORT LINE TO 100 KMPH
New Delhi (Agencies): The Delhi Metro Railway Corporation (DMRC) will increase the operational speed of the Airport Express Line from 80 kmph to 100 kmph from Wednesday. Media persons are also invited to the test. According to officials, the move to increase the speed will bring down the travel time between the New Delhi and IGI Airport stations from 19 minutes by around a couple of minutes.
Sharat K Verma
Mumbai: There is no doubt that there was a conspiracy against Maharashtra Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis. As part of the conspiracy, a bookie’s daughter approached Fadnavis’s wife, told her about her grief and made her wear clothes designed by herself (bookie’s daughter). Later, she tried to make a money-making scheme and give an advance of one crore rupees.
The question is whether Aniksha Jaisinghani wanted to get some benefit or did she conspire at her level? It can not be digested that the daughter of a bookie conspired on her own against the former Chief Minister and now the defacto CM of the state. Two days after the
arrest, the police have also alleged that she tried to blackmail Fadnavis’ wife Amrita and demanded Rs 10 crore. This allegation is also not acceptable. A very vicious thug may try to blackmail a businessman or an official but cannot try to blackmail one of the biggest leaders of the region. So this matter is not very straightforward. It has many layers and if examined objectively it can be quite revealing. It looks like a conspiracy of governments. Just think, this case was open in February and an FIR was registered on February 20. Why did the police take a month to take action? An English newspaper published the news on March 15 and the next day the accused girl was arrested.
India currently holds the year-long presidency of Group of 20, which comprises 19 countries across continents and EU
Gandhinagar (PTI):
Gujarat will host the next round of G20 meetings from March 27 to April 4, during which three conclaves will be held in the state on a range of issues, where delegates from different countries will converge for participation, an official said.
India currently holds
the year-long presidency of the Group of 20 (G20), which comprises 19 countries across continents and the European Union (EU).
Of these three upcoming events in the state, the first meeting on “Environment and Climate Sustainability Working Group (ECSWG)” will take place
between March 27 and 29 in Gandhinagar, a senior IAS officer, who is coordinating G20
events in Gujarat, said on Tuesday.
“This is the second meeting of ECSWG. It
will be inaugurated by G20 Sherpa Amitabh
Kant in the presence of several senior Central government officials and subject experts,” said Mona Khandhar, Principal Secretary (Economic Affairs), state finance department.
Some of these dignitaries include Leena Nandan, Secretary, Ministry of Environment, Forests & Climate Change, Debashree Mukherjee, Additional
Secretary - Water Resources, Ministry of Jal Shakti and G Ashok Kumar, Director General, Mission for Clean Ganga, she told reporters.
On the first day, discussions will be held on the subject “Best Practises on Water Resources” and other related topics. Later, guests will be taken to the famous Adalaj Stepwell, Narmada canal syphon on the Sabarmati river and the Sabarmati Riverfront.
There will be 4 bonds in Jaipur district and 2 each in Jodhpur and Udaipur
Abhishek Shrivastava
Jaipur: Many brands of foreign liquor will be available in the state for which a new system of wholesale bonds is being implemented for the
first time by the Rajasthan State Beverages Corporation (RSBCL) in the state. The proposal for bonds being received by the RSBCL. A total of eight bonds will be established in the state. There will be 4 in Jaipur district and 2 each in Jodhpur and Udaipur. Custom bond and wholesale bond will be
First India Bureau
Jaipur: The Rajasthan High Court on Wednesday made an observation on Rajasthan Public Service Commission (RPSC) in the matter relating to School Lecturer Recruitment – 2018. The single bench of Justice Samir Jain while hearing the case said that what type of experts are there in RPSC who do not even know what opinion they are giving.
“Unemployed youth are being harassed. At first, there are no recruitments and whatever happens, they get
First India Bureau
Sawai Madhopur:
To implicate his wife’s lover in a false case, a drug addict father reported the kidnapping of his eightyear-old school-going daughter at Abhay Command Center in the district. Acting on the information, the police compiled the intelligence and arrested the accused father Manish Bairwa (38) on the charge of giving a false report.
During interrogation, it was revealed that Manish had conspired to kidnap his wife’s lover Saravan Bairwa to implicate him in a false abduction case.
stuck in disputed questions and their answers,” the court observed.
The high court has asked the Additional Advocate General SS Raghav to inform the court about subjectwise posts and how many posts have been filled. The court asked the RPSC under which law the qualifications and details of the experts of the committee are kept confidential.
First India Bureau
Jodhpur: An incident of firing took place in the Devraj Nada area when 8 to 10 rounds were fired at two shops in broad daylight causing panic in the area. About 6-7 miscreants arrived at Devraj Nada in two SUVs. Miscreants Nimbaram Jat, Kesharam Jat and Bhanwarlal Jat, who operate a gang in the name of 0044 on social media, open-fired on Veer Teja Kirana Store. Due to this, items including the glass of the counter kept in the shop were damaged. Frightened by the sudden firing incident at the shop, the shop owner saved his life by escaping from his shop.
in the same premises. In the Excise Policy implemented in the state two years ago, it
was announced to implement the system of Bottling in Origin (BIO) Wholesale Bonds in Ra-
jasthan. Following this, proposals are being sought for franchisee under this bond by Rajasthan State Brewery Corporation. So far, RSBCL has received three proposals for Jaipur. This liquor coming from abroad comes to the state through an authorized company. Only RSBCL is authorized to procure this
liquor in the state. This liquor is supplied to shops through the RSBCL. In this system only limited brands of liquor are available in the markets. Many of these well-known brand liquors are not available for some time.
In such a situation, foreign liquor is brought into the state illegally from other states.
z A total of four wholesale bonds will be established in the state
z There will be 4 bonds in Jaipur dist and 2 each in Jodhpur, Udaipur dist
z In this model, RSBCL will give its franchise to a private company
z This agreement can be extended for a maximum of two years
z Franchisee agreement will be for five years
z Custom bond will be held in the same premises along with the excise wholesale bond
z Liquor will be supplied to the shops from the wholesale bond only
z Both the bonds will be under surveillance of RSBCL through CCTV
PM Narendra Modi and CP Joshi with delegation of people from Chittorgarh Lok Sabha constituency at New Delhi.
PK Agarwal
Chittorgarh: People of Chittorgarh Lok Sabha constituency met Prime Minister Narendra Modi under the leadership of MP Chandra Prakash Joshi. A total of 252 people met the PM in the Lok Sabha. During the interaction, the PM asked the people if they had seen the
speech given by their MP in the Parliament.
The PM asked the MP as to why less number of women were present in the delegation. People from each assembly of the Lok Sabha met the Prime Minister, who also spoke to each one of them about their daily routine and also got photos clicked with them.
n CM announced setting up of a Central Band of women police personnel
n DGP thanked CM for strengthening and modernization of Rajasthan Police
Shivendra Parmar
Jaipur: Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot said that high-level training teaches to strike a balance between duties and rights. He said that the sensitive behavior of the police towards the common man strengthens the basic spirit of the constitution of ‘right to equality’ and strengthens the faith of the public towards the police.
“The state government is determined to provide accountable, transparent, and sensitive police administration. The police administration is discharging the responsibility of maintaining law and
Bhilwara: Behror
44 accused held by 31 teams in back to back raids, 31 cases lodged: SP Bharatpur
First India Bureau
MLA Baljeet Yadav held a protest run in Shahpura town of Bhilwara district on Wednesday. Yadav wore black clothes and protested against the state govt and said that despite years of independence, poor people and farmers are deprived of basic facilities. He demanded to give 90 to 100 percent reservations to youths of Rajasthan in government jobs, reduce corruption and give appointment on five lakh vacant posts in six months. He started his protest marathon from Trimurti Chauraha in Shahpura and ended at Balaji Ki Chatri Chauraha.
thugs and those possessing illegal liquor and illegal weapons.
Shree Sanwaliya temple receives Rs 3.59 cr in 15 days
order in the society, curbing crime and providing security to the society with commitment,” Gehlot said
while addressing the convocation parade ceremony of the 53rd batch of trainee RPS at Rajasthan Police Acad-
Mukesh Mathrani
Barmer: Union Animal Husbandry Minister Parshottam Rupala and Union Minister of State for Agriculture
Kailash Choudhary have attended the famous Mallinath Cattle and Agriculture Fair organized at Tilwara in Barmer.
During this, the Union Minister honoured the best cattle herders and progressive farmers in various cattle competitions, farmer lotteries, and agricultural exhibi-
tions. On this occasion, beneficiaries under Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana were awarded the “Meri Policy, Mere Haath”.
The ministers distributed pre-announced prizes of 1 kg silver, 500 gm silver, and 250 gm silver respectively to the cattle herders.
emy on Wednesday. He took the salute as chief guest of the trainee police officers and inspected the parade.
Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot also congratulated the new trainees and wished them a bright future.
Kota (PTI): Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla’s younger brother Narendra Birla was injured when his car overturned near Palwal village on the Jaipur-Delhi highway, an official said Wednesday.
The accident took place on Tuesday night, the official at the Lok Sabha speaker’s camp office here said. The driver of the car was apparently drowsy when the accident took place, the official said.
However, it was not immediately clear as to how the car overturned.
Shiv Prakash Purohit
Jodhpur: The EVM (Electronic Voting Machine) will be used only where the number of voters is high and the need is felt in small elections. EVMs are more expensive to conduct elections than ballot boxes, said Madhukar Gupta, Chief Election Commissioner while talking to the media at
Circuit House in Jodhpur on Wednesday. He said that ballot boxes will be used at most of the places in the by-elections of Panchayati Raj and urban bodies.
Gupta had come here to take a meeting of divisional level election officers. “In small elections, the transportation and other expenses of EVMs are so high that it seems much cheaper to conduct
elections through ballot boxes. Having technology is a good thing but cannot use it unnecessarily,” he said.
He said that at the time of checking the affidavit itself, the candidate should be stopped if the crime is known. If someone gives a false affidavit, a police case can be registered against him. Meetings are being held at all the divisional level of the state, in which ADMs and their teams are also being made aware of this entire process.
Narendra Birla was rushed to a private hospital where he will be kept under observation for two days, the official said. The condition of the driver and another occupant of the car was stated to be stable.
Lok Sabha Speaker Birla is an MP from Kota-Bundi parliamentary area.
Bharatpur: The Bharatpur Police on Wednesday arrested 44 miscreants wanted in different cases. Police informed that 31 teams were formed and raids were given at different places in Bharatpur. Bharatpur SP Shyam Singh said that a total of 44 miscreants have been arrested and 31 criminal cases have been registered against cyber
“Those arrested include nine standing warranties and two absconders. Similarly, taking action against illegal liquor, 24 accused were arrested and 1427 illegal country liquor and 54 litres of raw liquor were seized. A bookie was arrested and Rs 5,200 was seized from his possession,” said SP Shyam Singh.
Chittorgarh: A donation of Rs 3.59 crore was received in 15 days in the Shree Sanwaliyaji temple in Chittorgarh district. The donation box was opened in 15 days. The total collection was Rs 3 crore 59 lakh 83 thousand and 268. The cash was Rs 3.09 crore, 64 gram 400 mg gold jewellery and 1.990 kg silver jewellery. The box was opened amid tight security.
First India Bureau
Bharatpur: The Bharatpur Collector on Wednesday approved the fund for compensation to farmers, which arose due to crop damage by unseasonal rains. Collector Alok Ranjan informed the amount of loss caused to the farmers has been approved by the government and now the amount will be distributed to the farmers soon.
An amount of ap-
Ranjan inspecting the crop damage in Bharatpur on Wednesday.
prox. Rs 16.3 crores will be distributed as compensation to farmers.
Notably, CM Ashok Gehlot is scheduled to visit Bharatpur on Thursday. Minister
Navin Sharma Jaipur: Rajasthan is becoming the most sought-after destination for luxury weddings. Not only domestic, but weddings of international celebrities have taken place in recent times at luxury hotels in the state.
Recently, Bollywood actress Kiara Advani and actor Siddharth Malhotra tied the knot
The expo will go a long way in fulfilling the vision of CMAshok Gehlot: Arora
Rajeev Gaur
Jodhpur: Three-day Rajasthan International Expo concluded on Wednesday evening with overwhelming success and record achievements
Chairman of Rajasthan Small Industries Corporation (RAJSICO) and Rajasthan Export Promotion Council Rajiv Arora addressed the
closing ceremony and said that this expo will go a long way in fulfilling the vision of Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot.
“With this, besides encouraging industrial development, preservation and promotion of handicrafts and exports in Rajasthan, multi-dimensional activities related to economic development will get support,” he said.
Industries and Commerce Commissioner Mahendra Kumar Para-
kh; Vice Chairman of REPC Mahavir Pratap Sharma; Commissioner
of Jodhpur Development Authority Navneet Kumar; Additional District Collector Dr. Bhaskar Vishnoi and others were present during the valedictory ceremony. Awards were given in different categories in the ceremony. Latiyal Handicrafts Private Limited and Bhandari Export was awarded in Wooden Handicraft category and several other firms were also honoured.
in Jaisalmer. Similarly, actress Katrina Kaif and actor Vicky Kaushal got married at Barwada Fort in Sawai
Madhopur.
“The state earns a good revenue while employment is also generated through royal weddings. Old forts and monuments were already famous from a tourism point of view, but they have now emerged as a preferred choice for destination weddings also,” said Vikram Sukhani, Director, of Tulsi Private Resort Limited.
Subhash Garg informed that whatever they said, the government had done that. The minister also expressed gratitude to Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot.
Minor stabbed to death by father in Hanumangarh
First India Bureau Hanumangarh: A 17-year-old minor boy was allegedly stabbed to death by his father in Kalibanga village of Hanumangarh district on Wednesday. During the investigation, it was revealed that father-son often had verbal spats on issues. The accused has been arrested and the matter is being investigated,” police added.
First India Bureau
Kota: The tiger ‘Nahar’ and tigress ‘Mahak’ were released in the display area of Abheda Biological Park on Wednesday following the completion of their 21-day quarantine period. Assistant Conservator of Forests (ACF) Raj Bihari Mittal informed that the tigress pair quota was shifted from Jaipur’s Nahargarh Biological Park to Abheda Biological Park on March 1.
The tiger & tigress were released after 21 days for the display in Kota on Wednesday.
“As per the rules, tiger Nahar and tigress Mehak were kept in quarantine for 21 days. The medical reports of the wild cats were found normal and were re-
leased for tourists sightseeing in the display area at 12.45 pm on Wednesday. The wildlife park is open from 8:30 am to 5:30 pm,” said Raj Bihari Mittal.
Once we develop an emotional connect to a project, the energy is just amazing leading to success and achievement.
—Dr Jagdeesh Chandra, CEO & Editor-in-Chief, First IndiaKashiram Choudhary
Jaipur: CM Ashok Gehlot has targeted BJP for politics in the name of religion. Gehlot said that the people against us talk a lot, I would not like to go into them.
“Tell me, are we not Hindus at all? Am I not a Hindu? What do you think? By doing HinduMuslim politics, they try to make us lose elections,” Gehlot said at the Pashupalak Samman ceremony at the State Institute of Agriculture Management campus in Durgapura, Jaipur on Wednesday.
“Why they defame us, is beyond our understanding. They talk about the cows. When I was the CM for the second time, the first directorate for bovines was opened in the country. The government changed and in the BJP rule it was made a department and neither the name changed nor the work changed. In five years of BJP rule, only Rs 143 crore was given as grant to Gaushalas, whereas we have given Rs 2,313 crore. Now we have made a grant of 12 months for Nandishalas,” Gehlot said.
In state- level Animal
CM honoured cattle rearers and announced that 25 cattle rearers will be sent abroad for training
In 5 yrs of BJP rule, only `143 cr were given to Gaushalas; While we have given `2,313 crore
First India Bureau
Husbandry Honour Ceremony, CM Gehlot honoured cattle rearers and announced that 25 cattle rearers will be sent abroad for training.
He said Rs 900 crore have been given to milk producers through a subsidy of Rs 5 per litre.
Rs 2,313 crore grant has been given to Gaushalas in 4 years.
“The result of all
these efforts is that today Rajasthan has become number 1 in milk production in the whole country. Now we have to take Saras to the forefront, leaving Gujarat’s Amul behind,” Gehlot said. The CM said that on milk production, the state government has started giving subsidy of Rs 5 per litre to milk producers from last
budget. Due to this, Rajasthan has become the number one state in milk production in the country.
Animal Husbandry Minister Lalchand Kataria was also present on this occasion. 422 cattle herders were honored in the event for their innovations in the field of Animal Husbandry. Two cattle rear-
Dhariwal to visit USA on March 24 to attend event by RANA
First India Bureau
Jaipur: UDH Minister Shanti Dhariwal will leave for America on March 24 night by Air India flight from Delhi’s IGI Airport. He will leave from Jaipur for Delhi today. Dhariwal will participate in RANA’s event in New York.
On March 25, he will participate in Holi festival & Hasya Kavi Sammelan. On March 26, Dhariwal will tour New York & he is scheduled to return to Jaipur by March 28.
ers Surendra Awana and Prem Singh Rao were honoured with Rs 50,000 each and citation.
After this, cattle rearers were honored at division level, district level and panchayat samiti level.
The CM also virtually inaugurated the Livestock Management Training Institute, Agra Road and the new
Dairy Plant at Malpura in Tonk.
“Compensation is not being given anywhere in the country for the death of a cow from Lumpy, but we have started giving Rs 40,000 compensation,” Gehlot said.
CM Gehlot said that the electricity bill of 1 crore 4 lakh farmers will come to zero.
On this occasion, Go Seva Aayog Chairman Mevaram Jain, Animal Husbandry Secretary Krishna Kunal, RCDF Administrator and Managing Director Sushma Arora, Animal Husbandry Director Dr. Bhavani Singh Rathore, Livestock Development Board CEO Dr NM Singh were also present.
Jaipur: Various delegations from Khajuwala, Sanchore & Salumbar expressed gratitude to CM Ashok Gehlot at CMR, on public welfare budget presented for overall development of the State on Wednesday.
Gehlot said on the occasion that relief has been provided to all sections “Time-bound implementation of budget announcements will be done to make the benefits of the schemes reach the masses. Along with this, the announcement
of creation of 19 new districts and 3 new divisions will give relief to the common man. With the creation of new districts, there will be timebound progress in all sectors including education, health and employment,” CM said & called upon people to publicise govt schemes. MoS GR Meghwal, expressed gratitude to CM for several budget announcements for Khajuwala including providing about Rs.650 cr for water & irrigation works, about Rs.500 cr for strengthening infra etc.
Yogesh Sharma
Jaipur: Congress has decided a new formula to win seats reserved for ST and SC in Rajasthan. Under the formula called ‘LDM’, the party will start the Leadership Development Mission Project on SC-ST reserved 59 seats.
Along with balancing the growing influence of BJP and regional parties, new Dalit and tribal faces will be searched there.
LDM coordinators will be appointed on reserved assembly seats.
K Raju, who is close to Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, held a meeting at PCC and began the LDM project.
Significantly, Con-
gress President Mallikarjun Kharge is also from Dalit class.
If 18 % Dalit and 12 % tribal votes are clubbed in politics of Rajasthan, then it becomes 30 % of total votes. Dalit community is a politically aware society. SC Reserve Sriganganagar LS Constituency is considered to be the most Dalit populated area in the country. Dalit vote bank is a core vote bank of the Congress party.
Some castes belonging to the Dalit class,
Rajendra Chhabra
Jaipur: A senior IAS of 2004 batch Rajasthan cadre is living the life of a ‘Yogi’ these days, away from the statecraft and even his family. The officer is Ambrish Kumar, who had gone on a five year private deputation, in July 2020, to Isha Foundation in Tamil Nadu’s Coimbatore. The organisation, started by Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev, works in bettering the lives of common man and bring about a change in life
style through spiritual powers.
Kumar is currently working as Project Director of ‘Isha Outreach’ and his working & lifestyle has the glimpses of a Yogi. On his display picture on Twitter, Kumar can be seen donning the clothes of a Yogi, standing outside a Temple.
Notably, it is the first instance of a Rajasthan cadre IAS going on deputation to a private organisation. There is a provision for this in the All India Service Rules
and there are umpteen examples of IAS from other cadres going on private deputations.
48 year old Ambrish Kumar was selected in the IAS after completing his B.Tech in Computer Sciences. He has served in Jhunjhunu, Jaisalmer, Sri Ganganagar & Pali & has also served as Director of Social Justice and Agriculture Departments.
Prior to going on deputation in July 2020, he went to Coimbatore several times after taking leaves. When he returns
in July 2025, he will have 10 years to his retirement. However, as of now it can’t be said whether he will return to IAS or will permanently remain a Yogi. It will be timely to
cite a story of another IAS. This 1980 batch IAs is Ashok Shekhar, who was never accorded an important posting in State govt. Old officers have revealed that in 1992, Ashok Shekhar suddenly stopped coming to office and when he didn’t turn up for 15 days, a search for him was initiated. He was found in an Ashram in Beawar, having donned saffron robes and living the life of an ascetic. The then CM Bhairon Singh Shekhawat had made several efforts to
bring him back and Shekhawat was successful too as the officer then served for several years. Interestingly, another IAS, who is set to retire in 2023, is also leaning towards meditation, Yoga & ‘Swadhyay’. As of now, this officer is HOD of an important department, but he conducts meditation camps in his office & takes regular classes of officers & staff! It is possible that after retirement he may immerse himself in Yoga and meditation.
especially Koli, Regar, Jatav, Khatik, and Valmiki castes have had an inclination to BJP to some extent. However, dominant Meghwal and Bairwa castes have always been with the Congress.
Now under LDM project, castes of Dalits are being brought closer to Congress which till now distanced from the party. On the other hand, tribal communities with a population of 15 % of state’s population have a lot of influence
Jaipur: The central leadership of Congress on Wednesday, constituted the Adiwasi Congress. Congress National General Secretary (Organisation) KC Venugopal appointed KC Ghumaria and Rachna Samleti from Rajasthan in the Adiwasi Congress. KC Ghumaria was appointed as National Coordinator while Rachna Samleti was appointed as Joint National Coordinator. KC Ghumaria said that he would try to fulfill the expectations of senior leaders and would leave no stone unturned to strengthen the Congress party from the booth level to the top.
in the state’s politics. In last few assembly polls, BJP’s vote share in tribal-dominated seats was almost equal to that of Congress.
8 RPS OFFICERS LIKELY TO BE PROMOTED
First India Bureau
Jaipur: 8 RPS officers may soon get promoted as IPS officers. For this, ACR viewing and other processes have started.
A total of 27 names will be sent to UPSC for nine vacancies. The RAS officers likely to become IPS are Krishnachand Yadav, Laxman Das, RK Yadav, Hanuman Prasad Meena, Rajesh Kumar Kanwat, Narendra Singh Meena and Rajendra Kumar Meena
The names have not been sent to UPSC be-
IAS, IPS TRANSFERS LIKELY SOON
GHUMARIA, SAMLETI APPOINTED IN ADIWASI CONGRESS With Assembly work completed, now govt’s focus is on administrative works. As a result, everyone’s eye is on IAS transfer list since lists of IPS & RAS have come during the session. But home work on IAS list couldn’t be completed. Now, word is that IAS list could be released in the current week.
cause a DPC meeting is likely to be held in the case of RPS Ramesh Maurya. After this, his name can be added to the list of possible contenders.
The exquisite Fashion Connect presented by First India and Bharat24- Vision of New India held at Oaks Ibn Battuta Gate Hotel Dubai on March 19. City First highlights the unique collection of the highly acclaimed Arpita Sulakshana showcased at the mega show!
which elevates each garment to a masterpiece. We are proud to present our latest collection, Rang Raas, inspired by the divine forest of God Krishna, also known as Nidhivan.”
Oaks Ibn Battuta Gate Hotel, the crowned jewel of Dubai, hosted one of India’s premier single-day fashion events called Fashion Connect, season 14, Presented by First India News and Bharat24-Vision of New India on Sunday, March 19. Jagdeesh Chandra graced the evening and appreciated the designer, Arpita Sulakshana for her artistic collection designed with perfection and tailored to last. His Highness Sheikh Juma Bin Maktoum Al Maktoum was present as the Chief Guest and Yakoob Al Ali, Executive Director and Private Advisor in His Highness Office attended the show as the special guest. Designer Arpita Sulakshana, showcased her scintillating couture collection ‘Rang Raas’. While describing her stunning collection, the mythical designer said, “My couture collection offers bespoke pieces for those who appreciate the finer things in life. At the heart of our brand is the unique art of hand painting,
“We believe that luxury should not only be about material possessions, but also about the experience of owning something truly unique and special. Our brand is built on the values of authenticity, creativity, and craftsmanship. We are committed to preserving the traditional art of hand painting and bringing it to a global audience. Our team of skilled artisans works tirelessly to create garments that are not just beautiful, but also ethically made. We love to create outfits for those who appreciate the beauty of art and the elegance of luxury and who seek something exceptional, a statement piece that will stand the test of time,” she added. The Rang Raas collection is an ode to the eternal love of Radha & Krishna, depicted through intricate hand paintings that capture the essence of the forest.
The First India Fashion Connect Season 14, presented by First India and Bharat24- Vision of New India, held at Oaks Ibn Battuta Gate Hotel, Dubai on Sunday was a unique fusion of traditional and modern collections which celebrated the heritage of India. Besides this, a ravishing merging of the cultures of UAE and India was also seen on the ramp. During the show, Luxury Lifestyle Awards 2023 were also held, wherein the who's who of the creative industries were felicitated. City First highlights some more glimpses captured by our senior photojournalist Santosh Sharma!
show but donned the cop costume for an ad shoot for a company called MyTeam11 that is indulged in online ‘fantasy’ gaming. Speaking over
What are all these rumours about Indian cricketer Shikhar Dhawan playing a cop in a daily soap? Well, after a thorough ‘knowaround’ we have found it exclusively that Dhawan will not be a part of the
CITY FIRST
The grand inauguration of ‘Vagisha RAS Academy’, a premier coaching institute for the preparation of RAS took place on Wednesday under the guidance of Galta Peethadhishwar Saint Avdheshcharya, Yuvacharya Raghavendra, at Gopalpura Bypass, Jaipur. Dr Somya, Mayor, of Nagar Nigam Greater Jaipur and Dr Archana Sharma, Chairperson of Social Welfare Board Government of Rajasthan were present as the Chief guest and inaugurated the ceremony.
Vagisha’s Founder and CEO RP Sharma, Advocate said that for the excellent preparation of Rajasthan Administrative Services, all the courses of RAS under one roof will be studied by highly qualified and experienced
faculty. Special classes and sessions of experts will also be organised from time to time. The biggest feature of our institute will be that apart from the middle class, economically weak students will be given fellowships so that they too can get a chance to prepare for administrative service without any hindrance.
A YouTube channel will also be started soon for RAS exam preparation. On the inauguration occasion, Galta Peethadhishwar Sant Awadheshcharya, Yuvacharya Raghavendra, Human Rights Commission Chairman Justice KK Vyas and Human Rights Commission Registrar Shailendra Vyas, Vipra Board President Mahesh Sharma, former District Judge JP Sharma and many more were present. cityfirst@firstindia.co.in
the same, a very close source and part of the shooting team confirmed that Shikhar Dhawan was part of the ad shoot and at the same time, the stars from other shoots took some pictures with him and shared them on social media, fuelling the speculations of Dhawan
featuring in Kundali Bhagya. Confirming further, the source revealed the company for which this ad shoot took place is situated in the capital
city of Rajasthan, Jaipur. “We recently did an ad shoot with the Indian cricketer and shared behind-the-scenes and fun videos from the sets too on our handles. I don’t know how and why these rumours of him being a part of Kundali Bhagya are spreading, but this seems interesting as we are just being an onlooker of the whole scenario until the truth comes out. Everyone should wait for the big surprise. It will be released soon”.
CITY FIRST
The solo art exhibition titled ‘Anantacharita Serenity: A sense of Transcending Peace’ by Daksh Mathur is being organised at the Sudarshan Gallery, JKK, Jaipur from March 22 to 24, and has created a buzz among the art lovers of Jaipur.
IAS Kuldeep Ranka graced the occasion as the chief guest and inaugurated the exhibition. Artist Daksh is an architect by profession but an artist from heart, while interacting with media, the artist said “The theme of the exhibition is Serenity. Basically, everything that gives me a sense of peace and
tranquillity. I try to deliver the same sense. The subjects mostly include travel, Bud-
dha, lanterns and nature etc.” He further explained that the special thing about this exhibition is the tranquillity of the painting. The paintings will depict the sense of serenity in
the atmosphere, he wants to return the peace he got from nature to nature through his art.
The paintings of the artist displayed in the exhibition are inspired by nature and wildlife. The exhibition showcases a variety of thought-provoking artworks that make art lovers feel happy. The unique style, technique, and inspiring performance of the artist are a wonderful display in these paintings.
The Annual Day 2023, ‘Ray, Hope & Exquisite’ was organised by Maharaja Agrasen Public Secondary School, Jaipur on Wednesday at Ravindra Manch, Ramniwas Bagh. Pratap Singh Khachariyawas, Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Minister graced the event as the chief guest whereas international artist Raghuvendra Singh and child artists Aadhya Sharma & Aarnaa Sharma were the special guests.
CM Ashok Gehlot felicitated Tikam Jain, the founder and MD of Fleeca India, a Tyre management and TPMS Startup Company with Rajiv Gandhi Innovation Award and a cheque of Rs. 75 Lakh recently. The Rajiv Gandhi Innovation Award ceremony was hosted by the Department of Information Technology and Communication (DOIT&C) of the Rajasthan Government. Fleeca India is a Tyre Management Company in the B2B heavy vehicles segment that empowers fleet operators with the hands-on technology of managing the health and wealth of tyres of their trucks.
MLA Kalicharan Saraf inaugurated the renovation work of the broken sewer line in Ward 126 Sector 11 with the amount sanctioned by Municipal Corporation Greater from the councillor quota. Local councillor Om Swami told that the sewer line of Sector 11 Malviya Nagar was broken and now it is being renovated by Municipal Corporation Greater with councillor quota, which was formally inaugurated by regional MLA Saraf. Suman Sharma, Shailesh Shah, Bane Singh, Lalchand, Mangal Meena and local people were present on this occasion.
Royal Sports Group-owned franchise Rajasthan Royals announced Luminous Power Technologies as the team’s Title Sponsor for the upcoming season of the IPL which is set to begin on March 31. Apart from this the newly launched ‘Jersey of the season’ was also unveiled amidst players of Rajasthan Royals, Preeti Bajaj (MD and CEO, Luminous Power Technologies), Neelima Burra (Senior VP and CST) and Amit Shukla, Senior VP - Energy Solutions Business) on Wednesday.
CITY FIRST
Raghu Sinha
Mala Mathur
Charitable Trust is organising the ‘Raghu Sinha ITF Tennis Tournament 2023’ at Jaipur Club Ltd., from 24 to 27 March. The tournament is being held under the auspices of the International Tennis Federation (ITF), UK. In its first attempt at hosting such a tourna-
ment, the event has received 153 entries, which is an outstanding number. Renowned players from across the country with good ITF rankings will be participating. The matches will be played on four clay courts provided free of charge by Jaipur Club Ltd. This was informed by the Chairman, Raghu Sinha Mala Mathur Charitable Trust and Organising Committee,
Surendra Golcha during a press conference held on Wednesday. On the occasion, the
Trustee, of Raghu Sinha Mala Mathur Charitable Trust, Sudhir Mathur said that this tour-
nament is being held in memory of the late Raghu Sinha. He was a unique person with ut-
The poster release ceremony of the Bhajan Sandhya, ‘Ek Sham Baba Khatu Shyam Ke Naam’ was held on Wednesday at Hotel Grand Safari. The poster was unveiled by Balmukundacharya Maharaj, Founder Director of The Diwas Club Kirti Sharma, President Anita Mathur, Safari Group Director Pawan Goyal, Raghav Goyal, former Major General Anuj Mathur, Rajasthan Public Trust Board and Devasthan Department member Basant Jain. The Bhajan Sandhya will be organised by the prestigious women’s group, the Diwaj Club of Gulabi Nagar on March 25 at Albert Hall, Jaipur.
ter simplicity, a glamourous well-known man of Jaipur, who earned so as to give away in philanthropy; a practical individual who was deeply religious and philosophical. He was an ardent lover of tennis and due to his passion, almost 40 years back, tennis courts were created at Birla House, Jaipur and tennis is being played even now with rules laid down by him.
On behalf of Mahila Jagruti Sandh Jaipur, Holi Milan and Gangaur Utsav were celebrated at Sant Sudhasagar Mahila Jagruti Vidha Sthali, Padampura recently. Shashi Jain, the President of the Sangh, informed that more than 80 members of the Sangh were given darshan of Bapu village and Padampura. Asha Garg and Asha Patni were present as the chief guests in the program.
