First India-Mumbai Edition-24th December 2022

New Delhi: The CBI has arrested former managing director and chief executive officer of ICICI Bank Chanda Kochhar and her husband Deepak Kochhar in a loan fraud case. Both Chanda Kochhar and her husband were arrested from New Delhi by the CBI after a long investigation into a money laundering case involving the bank and the Videocon Group, a consumer electronics and oil and gas exploration company. Chanda Kochhar quit ICICI Bank in October 2018 over allegations of irregularities in loans provided to the Videocon Group when she was heading the private sector bank.

BAIL TO RIYAZ KAZI IN ANTILIA BOMB SCARE & HIREN MURDER CASE

Mumbai: The Bombay High Court on Friday granted bail to Riyaz Kazi, co accused with Sachin Vaze in the Antilia bomb scare and Mansukh Hiren murder case. The court directed Riyaz Kazi’s release on a bail of Rs 25,000. P8

SOBHRAJ RELEASED, SAYS “I FEEL VERY GREAT”

Kathmandu: Confessed French serial killer Charles Sobhraj also known as “The Serpent” was freed from prison in Nepal on Friday after serving most of his sentence for the murders of American and Canadian backpackers.

DELHI COURT EXTENDS AAFTAB’S JUDICIAL CUSTODY BY 14 DAYS

New Delhi: Delhi’s Saket court on Friday extended the judicial custody of accused Aaftab Amin Poonawala in the Shraddha Walkar murder case by a further 14 days. The next date of hearing is on January 6, 2023.

16 ARMY BRAVEHEARTS ‘MARTYRED’

After Aaditya, now Uddhav stares at difficult times ahead!

Sandeep Shukla

Nagpur: Maharashtra minister Shamburaj Desai on Friday said next week the state government will bring a resolution on the border dispute with Karnataka, which will be “10 times more effective” than the one passed by

Zema: As many as 16 Army personnel were killed and 4 injured on Friday after a truck they were travelling in skidded down a steep slope while negotiating a sharp turn at Zema in North Sikkim, the Army said. The “ill-fated vehicle” was part of a three-vehicle convoy that moved from Chatten in the morning towards the Thangu area. En route at Zema, the vehicle skidded down a steep slope while negotiating a sharp turn, PRO Lieutenant Colonel Mahendra Rawat said. Prez Droupadi Murmu, PM Modi, Amit Shah, Rajnath Singh expressed grief over the death.

Oppn boycotts Maha legislature

Nagpur: Opposition leaders, on Friday, boycotted proceedings of both Houses of the Maharashtra legislature, accusing it of not letting them speak in both Houses. They also protested against the state government at the Vidhan Bhavan complex in Nagpur. The leaders of the MVA also condemned the suspension of senior NCP leader Jayant Patil for alleged derogatory remark against the Assembly Speaker Rahul Narwekar on Thursday.

The leaders were

seen sporting black ribbons to protest against the government and sat on the steps of the legislature complex.

Aaditya Thackeray

BORDER ROW

the neighbouring state.

The Excise Minister said the resolution will be passed by the state legislature on Monday.

Karnataka Legislative Assembly on Thursday unanimously passed a resolution on the border row with Maharashtra, resolving to protect the state’s interests and not to cede an inch of land to its neighbour.

“I only want to say that even after the meet-

said, “Unless and until the speaker gives us assurance that the opposition members will get an opportunity to speak, we will stay out.”

Mumbai: A day after the Maharashtra government ordered the Disha Salian case to be investigated by the SIT, after allegations that Aaditya Thackeray’s name has come up, it seems that after the son, the father’s - Uddhav Thackeray- problems would increase in the coming days. As Chief Minister, Uddhav Thackeray had reportedly called the officials regarding the investiga tion of the Umesh Kolhe case. The Intelligence Department will now in vestigate this phone call. Following the demand of MLA Ravi Rana, Minister of State Shambhuraj Desai has given these orders. The case of Umesh Kolhe’s murder was dis cussed in the Vidhan Sabha on Friday. MLA Ravi Rana raised the is sue in the assembly. Ravi Rana said that

AADITYA SAYS SALIAN DEATH LINK-UP BID TO ‘MALIGN’ HIM

First India Bureau

Nagpur: Aaditya Thackeray, on Friday, claimed that conspiracy has been hatched to malign him in the Disha Salian case. Talking to reporters, Thackeray said, “My (maternal) grandfather died on the same day. All I can say is that government is scared of a 32-year-old youth. We will continue to raise NIT land allotment case and demand the resignation of the chief minister. I am ashamed that these people were once with us.”

WILL SIT BRING BACK OUR DAUGHTER?

Disha Salian's family has reacted after Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis ordered an SIT probe. “Will the SIT probe bring back our daughter? Why is all this being done? Mumbai Police has already closed Disha's case. When there have been many inquiries about this then why inquire again? We are living in peace. We don't want anything.

Speaking to India Today, Disha Salian's family said, "Now we don't want to get involved in anything."

Umesh Kolhe was murdered only because Nupur Sharma’s post went viral and 11 to 12 accused have been arrested in this case.

“The MVA government investigated the case for a month for robbery on the orders of then CM Uddhav Thackeray. Why did he do this? Since CM was suppress

said, adding, “I had complained to Home Minister Amit Shah saying that CM of the state is trying to hush the matter. On this, Shah handed investigation of the case to the NIA.” He demanded that the matter be investigated by the SIT. On this, Shambhuraj Desai announced that an appropriate decision would be taken after examining the report of the State Intelligence Department on Uddhav Thackeray’s phone

ing of both (Maharashtra and Karnataka) chief ministers with Union Home Minister (Amit Shah), the Karnataka CM (Basavaraj Bommai) did not re-

spect what was decided.

Maharashtra CM (Eknath Shinde) and Deputy CM (Devendra Fadnavis) both want the issue to get solved through talks,” Desai minister said.

“After the resolution is passed, we will also convey to union home minister our strong displeasure over the leaders from Maharashtra being stopped from entering Karnataka,” he said.

New Delhi: With the BJP already in 2024 election mode and for this purpose it is already treating each and every election, be it assembly, bypoll or even local body, with a sense of extreme importance, there is a word going around in party’s ‘top echelons’ that saffron party will play its biggest masterstroke of recent times in 2024!

Rumour going on ‘relevant circles’ is that there is a strategy to make

Raj-Shinde meet raises political mercury in Maha!

Nagpur: MNS President Raj Thackeray met CM Eknath Shinde on Friday raising the political mercury in the state. Both leaders met at the CM Bhawan and during the meeting, there was a closed-door conversation between the two leaders for some time.

Notably, over recent past, both Raj and Shinde have met several times.

Notably, Raj Thackeray has strongly criticized the opposition in his speech in Nagpur on Friday and Raj Thack-

to

from

It is said that BJP top leadership is doing ‘exercise’ on this new strategy to strengthen South to compensate for possible losses in North India because recently many constituents of NDA have separated from BJP. Probably Kashi Tamil Sangamam in Varanasi is also a part of this strategy

However, Ramanathapuram is also the birthplace of former

President Abdul Kalam and it is from here where the Ramsetu starts from which Shri Ram had crossed into Lanka.

Moreover, Ramesh waram, one of 12 Jy otirlingas, is also lo cated in Ram anathapuram, TN.

In such a situation, if BJP wins from this seat, then 2 big roads will open. Firstly, BJP will make a big dent in Cong bastion of South and 2nd is that Modi will be accepted in Mus lim-majority area.

Maharashtra will pass resolution ‘10 times more effective’ than Karnataka’s: Desai

Resolution to be passed by state legislature on Monday

eray has given a statement that MNS is also going

retaliate against the opponents in the coming times.

MNS Chief Raj Thackarey meets Maharashtra CM Eknath Shinde, in Nagpur on Friday.

—PHOTO BY ANI

Shiv Sena (UBT) MLA Aaditya Thackeray along with Opposition MLAs stage a protest against the state government over Maharashtra-Karnataka border issue outside Vidhan Bhavan, in Nagpur on Friday. —PHOTO BY ANI

Ex-CM's 'phone call' in Umesh Kolhe's murder may be investigated

Kartikey Dev Singh

‘Modi Sarkar 3.0’ through Ramsetu! Will PM Modi himself contest

Ramanathapuram seat?

CHARLES

CBI ARRESTS FORMER ICICI CEO CHANDA KOCHHAR, HUSBAND

VIDEOCON LOAN CASE

TRUCK FALLS INTO GORGE IN NORTH SIKKIM

First India Bureau

Army personnel seen near the wrecked remains of an Army truck in Zema area of Sikkim on Friday.

A rescue mission was immediately launched, 4 injured soldiers were air evacuated from accident spot

President Murmu, PM Modi, HM Shah, Rajnath, others condole the deaths of Indian Army personnel

WOMAN’S IMMOLATION BID FAILS

Kavita Chavan poured yellow combustible on herself to protest remarks against icons

Nagpur: A 28-year-old woman tried to set herself ablaze outside the Maharashtra legislature complex in Nagpur on Friday to protest alleged derogatory remarks made against iconic personalities, including Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, by Governor BS Koshyari and some other leaders.

The woman, Kavita Chavan, came outside the Vidhan Bhavan complex at around 2.30 pm and poured yellowcoloured combustible liquid on herself. The police staff deployed at the gate of the legislature complex noticed it and overpowered her, said an official.

The woman, who is a resident of Solapur district, questioned the police why no action was being taken over the remarks against Shivaji Maharaj and social reformers Mahatma Phule and Savitribai

Kavita

Phule. Later, she raised slogans hailing Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar.

“Before she could set herself ablaze, the police stopped her. She

BJP had raised NIT plot issue against Shinde first: Pawar

WHAT HAPPENED?

month, Governor Koshyari had said that Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj was an “icon of olden times”, which sparked the ‘insults’ controversy. Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Spokesperson Sudhanshu Trivedi also came under fire when he claimed that the 17th century Maratha warrior king (Shivaji) had sought mercy from the Mughal empire. Their remarks caused statewide protests.

Nothing wrong in calling Speaker Narwekar shameless: Awhad

First India Bureau

Nagpur: With the controversy around Chief Minister Eknath Shinde’s allocation of plots meant for Nagpur Improvement Trust (NIT) to private persons refuses to die down, Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Ajit Pawar on Friday said the matter was first raised by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

Addressing the media at the Maharashtra Legislature complex in Nagpur, Pawar alleged, “A public interest litigation was first filed by the BJP in connection with the Nagpur land scam case. A plot worth Rs83 crore was sold for Rs2 crore. The matter was first raised during (former chief minister) Uddhav Thackeray-led government by the BJP, which has now formed a new government with Shinde.”

Sanjay Raut (Shiv Sena leader) also revealed this secret at a press conference and said that BJP state president Chandrashekhar

Bawankule, MLA Praveen Datke, and Vidarbha MLA Nagorao Ganar had raised this issue 1.5 months ago, he added.

The Leader of Opposition in the state Assembly further stated, “Raut claimed that the people of the BJP and the MLAs who believe in Devendra Fadnavis (Deputy CM) want Shinde’s corruption case to be exposed.”

“The ruling party (BJP) has been struggling for six months (since the collapse of the previous MVA government). However, the grievances of people in power are taken up while the ones of the opposition are suppressed, added Pawar.

CM Eknath Shinde has been accused of illegally allocating NIT plots to private persons when he served as the urban development minister in the previous MVA government.

was then taken to the Sitabuldi police station,” said Inspector Atul Sabnis, adding that action would be taken against her. The

Winter Session of the state legislature, which began on Monday, will end on December 30.

At an event held in Aurangabad last

Last Saturday, the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) alliance of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena faction (Shiv Sena – Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) and Congress had taken out “Halla Bol” protest march against the Eknath Shinde-Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government, where the opposition leaders demanded immediate removal of the governor.

Nagpur: The Winter Session that began in Nagpur on December 19 has been witnessing uproar among the leaders and over the past four days. Tension has been observed between the Opposition and the ruling party.

With both locking horns over the NIT land scam, Assembly Speaker Rahul Narwekar allegedly not allowing the Opposition leaders to speak and suspension of NCP leader Jayant Patil from the remainder of the Session, the Opposition is at loggerheads with the government.

In a fresh development, NCP leader Jitendra Awhad reacted

Assembly adjourned after tribute to MLA Mukta Tilak

The 57-year-old passed away on Thursday after a long battle with cancer

Nagpur: The Maharashtra Legislative Assembly was adjourned on Friday after legislators paid their respects to Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLA Mukta Tilak, who passed away after a long battle with cancer.

Tilak, 57, who represented Kasba Peth constituency in Pune, succumbed to the ailment on Thursday.

The House was adjourned for the day after legislators paid tribute to Tilak.

Recalling his interaction with Tilak, Chief Minister Eknath Shinde said when he had visited her during the Ganesh festival, the BJP MLA had discussed issues related to her constituency with him.

“Even when she was

ill, her concern was the work that needed to be done in her constituency, which showed her commitment,” said Shinde.

Despite her illness, Tilak made it a point to cast her vote during the Rajya Sabha and legislative council

polls, when she was brought to the state legislature in a wheelchair, he said.

Recalling Tilak’s participation in the House, Speaker Rahul Narwekar said her death was not only a loss to the BJP, but also for the Assembly.

FAMILY PERFORMS

LAST RITES IN PUNE

Pune (PTI): The last rites of BJP MLA Mukta Tilak were performed at an electric crematorium in Pune city on Friday. Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis paid tribute to Tilak at Kesariwadi, where her mortal remains were kept for people to pay their last respects. BJP state President Chandrashekhar Bawankule, state ministers Chandrakant Patil, Girish Mahajan and other BJP leaders attended her last rites. Tilak (57), who represented the Kasba Peth Assembly segment in Pune city, was battling cancer and died of the ailment at a hospital on Thursday. She was diagnosed with the disease five years ago and was admitted to the hospital 10 days ago. Before becoming an MLA in 2019, Tilak served as the mayor of Pune city. She was a great-granddaughter-in-law of freedom fighter Lokmanya Tilak. She is survived by husband Shailesh Tilak, a daughter and a son.

NO DICE

to the development of the past few days and indirectly challenged the Speaker. “Jayant Patil did not say anything wrong. Shamelessness is not an insult. A person without shame is called shameless, and there is nothing objectionable in it,” he said.

“For the last few

days, I have screamed at the top of my lungs in the House, but the Speaker did not allow me to speak even once. We are talking about issues. If you are going to crack down on this corruption, how is it going to work? This is the corruption that you have done,” criticized Awhad.

Mumbai: Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray, on Friday, advised his workers stay humble before everyone and not look down on people regardless of their status.

The usually fiery leader donned a different persona on the day while interacting with workers at the party office in Nagpur.

Addressing the workers, Thackeray said, “Nothing will be achieved by this (looking down on people), but you will be ruined.”

Thackeray also distributed appointment letters to party office-bearers.

He continued to preach on humbleness to those present at the gathering. “Never insult anyone, no matter what position you are in. Nothing will be gained

from this, but it will lead to your own ruin. You have only one post today. It is not that you were given the position because there were no other people. You have been selected for this position. Identify the responsibilities of that position and never underestimate anyone,” advised Thackeray.

He further stated, “Last time I came on tour, there were reports that MNS was not getting office-bearers. Parties keep winning and losing. It is something that every political party has gone through.”

‘Why are Shinde-Fadnavis silent on border row?’

First India Bureau

Nagpur: Leader of Opposition in the state Assembly, Ajit Pawar, on Friday appealed to Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and his deputy Devendra Fadnavis to defend their silence on the ongoing Maharashtra-Karnataka border dispute.

Speaking to reporters at the Vidhan Bhavan complex in

Nagpur, Pawar said, “A resolution has been demanded to show that Maharashtra stands by the Marathi-speaking population in Karnataka. However, our resolution has not come yet. The Karnataka government has decided not to give

even an inch of land to Maharashtra.”

Pawar also raised the suspension of Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) MLA Jayant Patil from the state Assembly for the rest of the ongoing Winter Session. “We (opposition) will discuss

A resolution has been demanded to show that Maharashtra stands by the Marathi-speaking population in Karnataka. However, our resolution has not come yet. The Karnataka government has decided not to give even an inch of land to Maharashtra.

whether to attend the Lower House (proceedings) or not. If we decide to attend, we will emphasize on the issues that needs to be given priority. If not, our walkouts will continue,” he asserted.

Jayant Patil has been a member of the As-

sembly for the last 32 years. Everyone knows his behaviour and manner of speaking. The government is behaving shamelessly. Some things are often said in the House, but these people are engaging in politics of convenience, added Pawar.

On state leader Chhagan Bhujbal terming Mumbai ‘a hen that lays golden eggs’, the NCP leader stated, “Chhagan Bhujbal was elected the mayor of Mumbai twice. He has been an MLA for several years and knows the ins and outs of Mumbai. All he meant to say was that Mumbai is a hen that lays golden eggs. The opposition created confusion on that.”

If our people speak, they (ruling coalition) makes a mess with the power of the majority. Opponents are expected to apologize, Pawar said while expressing his anger.

First India Bureau

Cops at the Vidhan Bhavan gate overpowered Kavita, foling her attempt. —FILE PHOTO

First India Bureau

Chavan came outside the Vidhan Bhavan complex at around 2.30 pm and poured yellow- coloured combustible liquid on herself. The police staff deployed at the gate of the legislature complex noticed it and overpowered her, said an official. She questioned the police why no action was being taken over the remarks against Shivaji Maharaj and social reformers Mahatma Phule and Savitribai Phule. She then raised slogans hailing Dr BR Ambedkar.

Tilak represented Pune’s Kasba Peth constituency. —FILE PHOTO

First India Bureau

Leader of Opposition in Maharashtra Assembly Ajit Pawar addresses the media outside Vidhan Bhavan during the Winter Session in Nagpur on Friday. —PHOTO BY ANI

BJP MLAs also want Shinde’s corruption exposed, says NCP leader

First India Bureau

Be humble, don’t put down anyone: MNS chief advises workers

Raj Thackeray —FILE PHOTO

With Karnataka Assembly passing resolution against Maha leaders, NCP’s Ajit Pawar expresses outrage on action

—Ajit Pawar, Nationalist Congress Party leader Senior NCP leader Ajit Pawar —FILE

PHOTO

HC DENIES RELIEF TO SII IN DEFAMATION CASE

First India Bureau

Mumbai: The Bombay High Court has denied immediate relief to the Serum Institute of India (SII) in its defamation suit seeking damages to the tune of Rs100 crore from organizations and individuals, who were allegedly posting defamatory content against the company.

During a hearing on Wednesday, Justice NJ Jamadar said that it would not be possible for him to hear the parties immediately for urgent relief. However, he granted liberty to SII to approach the vacation bench in case of urgent relief and posted the petition for hearing on January 03, 2023.

The institute moved HC for urgent prayers seeking an order to temporarily restrain some people from publishing and circulating any content against the company

or its employees.

In its plea, SII claimed that one Yohan Tengra and his organization Anarchy for Freedom India, and one Ambar Koiri and his organization Awaken India Movement, have been posting and circu-

CRUCIAL READ

MNS WORKERS SHED LIGHT ON POOR CONDITION OF POWER SUBSTATION

Navi Mumbai: Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) has written to Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company Limited (MSRDCL) about the poor condition of power substation located at Sector 5 in Ghansoli. As per party workers, power substation has become a den of anti-social elements.

Nitin Katekar, President of the unit said, “The substation door is broken and people drink alcohol there as many empty bottles of liquor can be seen.”

BMC TO DESILT EEH, WEH DRAINS AND CULVERTS

Mumbai: After taking control of Eastern Express and Western Express highways (EEH, WEH), the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation has nvited a tender to desilt drains and culverts on key arterial roads. The estimated cost of the work is around Rs46 crore. The estimated cost for desilting of WEH and EEH is around Rs15 crore and the work will be carried out till March 31, 2024. The work was earlier in the hands of the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA).

TYRE THEFT IN AUTOS ON THE RISE, UNION MEETS COPS

Navi Mumbai: Representatives of Navi Mumbai Riksha Mahasangh met the APMC police to draw attention to tyre thefts of autorickshaws in the city. They claimed that at least tyres of 10 to 15 autorickshaws have gone missing. According to the representatives of the rickshaw union, the theft was committed in the early morning in Turbhe and Vashi areas. They also provided contact numbers of a few rickshaw drivers and registration numbers of autorickshaws whose tyres were stolen.

ANTI NARCOTICS CELL SEIZE DRUGS

WORTH ` 28 LAKH, ONE IN POLICE CUSTODY

Mumbai: The Anti Narcotics Cell (ANC) of Ghatkopar unit on Friday arrested a drug peddler and recovered high-quality cocaine drugs from his possession worth Rs28 lakhs in the international market. According to the Mumbai police, a case was registered against the accused peddler under NDPS Act. As per the police officials, the accused was produced in court and is sent to police custody till December 28.

STREET FOOD VENDOR STABBED, INJURED BY MINORS

Thane: Two boys allegedly stabbed and injured a street food vendor over a petty issue in Thane, Police said on Friday. The incident took place in Kopri area, when the two accused were playing around a roadside stall. A plank from the stall fell over and the victim scolded them.

The duo stabbed and critically injured the victim in a fit of rage. He was rushed to a hospital nearby, an official said. A case under sections 307 and other relevant provisions of the Indian Penal Code has been registered against the boys, he added.

FOUR PERSONS STAB 20-YEAR-OLD MAN TO DEATH

Thane: A 20-year-old man was murdered allegedly by four persons in Mumbra of Thane district over previous enmity, a police official said on Friday. The deceased was identified as S Khan, he was murdered in the intervening night of Thursday and Friday. “The four accused, who stabbed Khan to death with sharp weapons over previous enmity, have been identified. Police is on the lookout to nab them as soon as possible. An investigation is underway,” said Senior Inspector Ashok Kadlag.

lating defamatory content against the vaccine-maker.

The suit emphasized that the defendants had also been posting incorrect information about the legal proceedings where SII was involved. Their websites were

Himalaya

CALL FOR ACTION

Covishield, a vaccine produced by SII to prevent the spread of COVID-19, was the cause of deaths of multiple persons due to side effects. The posts being released were not only targeting SII, but also its Chief Executive Officer Adar Poonawalla, it added.

In response, advocates Nilesh Ojha and Abhishek sought dismissal of SII’s plea on behalf of Tengra and Koiri. They also filed a counter-claim seeking prosecution of SII for making incorrect statements about the effects of the Covishield vaccine.

CBI files charge sheet against ex-Mum top cop, ex-NSE CEO

New Delhi (ANI): The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has filed a charge sheet at a court in Delhi against former Mumbai Police Commissioner Sanjay Pandey, former CEO and MD of National Stock Exchange (NSE) Chitra Ramkrishna and others in connection to the co-location scam case, officials said on Friday.

freely accessible without any subscription and thus could be accessed by many, stated SII in its application.

The company further stated that the individuals had been posting content that made allegations implying that

Justice Jamadar granted time to SII to respond to this counter-claim before the next date of hearing, which is January 03. Amid the advent of B.7 Omicron variant, SII CEO Poonawalla urged people in India not to panic given excellent vaccine coverage.

During the course of the investigation of another case related to the co-location scam in NSE, an act of illegal interception of the landline phones of NSE employees was unearthed.

It was alleged that unauthorized recording and monitoring of personal call lines in NSE started in 1997 when the MD and then DMD/MD of NSE connected call lines of NSE employees to a

Accused charged in connection with the National Stock Exchange colocation scam case

Digital Voice Recorder provided by a private company. During 19972009, the then DMD with the help of NSE employees allegedly supervised the interception.

The employees of the said private company were given unauthorized access to NSE

premises in a manner to listen to these calls and submit weekly reports to NSE officials.

The reports in turn were being shown on a regular basis to the MD and then the DMD/MD of NSE. The work order of said private company was renewed every year from 20092017.

It was found during the investigation that an accused (then Director of the accused private company) working as a police officer was allegedly managing the affairs of said company.

Developers oppose ICC in NAINA during hearing

Mumbai: The work of the Himalaya Bridge at the famous Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus is moving at a fast pace as in the fresh development, the girders have now reached the construction site. The Bridges Department is waiting for a no-Objection Certificate from the traffic police department as the bridge is scheduled to open to the public in February.

The nod from the traffic police department was pending owing to the G20 summit meetings in Mumbai.

The officials said they will be able to meet the deadline if the traffic police grants permission in the next two to three days adding that officials said five gird-

ers weighing 120 tonnes are on the site and each girder is 35.211metre.

Commonly known as Kasab bridge (as Pakistani terrorist Ajmal Kasab passed through it during the 26/11 attack to enter Cama Hospital), the bridge collapsed on March 14, 2019, killing seven people. After the incident, the BMC undertook a structural audit of all the bridges, flyovers and skywalks in Mumbai. The civic body repaired a few bridges and some of them are being demolished for reconstruction.

At the Himalaya Bridge site, pillars have been constructed on both the sides, and girders will be installed in the next few days. The BMC will spend Rs7 crore on the structure.

been

show cause notices and will face inquiries over various complaints about poor facilities, the Maharashtra government informed the State Legislative Council on Friday.

A special squad of the Social Welfare Department had conducted random checks at 54 government hostels in the state, Minister for Social Justice Sanjay Rathod said. Rathod was responding to a Calling Attention Motion moved by Shiv Sena (UBT) legislator Manisha Kayande, and BJP MLCs Prasad Lad, Nagorao Ganar and Ramesh Patil.

The Social Welfare Department had conducted a 'samvad' programme on July 27 and 28, during which offi-

cials themselves stayed in hostels and interacted with students living there, the minister said.

Officials found that some wardens were not living in the hostels. Apart from this, some hostels also lacked clean drinking water and hot water, libraries, proper food, cleanliness among a host of other facilities, he said.

After some of the complaints were found to be true, wardens of 28 hostels were issued show cause notices and were facing inquiries, the official said.

Navi

the proposed Infrastructure Contribution Charges (ICC) for issuing no-objection-certificates (NOC) for all transactions, including the sale and purchase of apartments, shops, land, built premises, and development on leasehold or freehold land in the Navi Mumbai Airport Influence Notified Area (NAINA).

According to the realtors, they will approach the state government to remove the proposed charges as these will directly impact the

“This kind of charge is not collected anywhere in the

The additional charge will increase the overall cost of construction and it will be a burden on the end-user or homebuyers.”

CIDCO had proposed to collect ICC for issuing a NOC for all transactions in NAINA. A notification was issued on November 04 proposing a few modifications in

First India Bureau

First India Bureau

Mumbai: During the hearing of objections and suggestions held on December 21, real estate developers have opposed

home buyers.

Developers have also

said that CIDCO needs to explore other options to meet the shortfall. President of NAINA Builders Welfare Association (NBWA) and General Secretary of Marathi Bandhkam Vyavsayik Association (MBVA), Prakash Baviskar said,

state.

the sanctioned Development Control and Promotion Regulations (DCPR) of NAINA.

Nagpur (PTI): Wardens of 28 government hostels have

served

Young adults decorate a Christmas tree made entirely out of strings, lights and streamers at the Our Lady of Glory Church, commonly referred to as Gloria Church, in Byculla area of Mumbai city on Friday.

—PHOTOS BY BHUSHAN KOYANDE

A couple of organizations have claimed that Covishield had caused deaths of multiple persons due to side-effects. —FILE PHOTO

Co. has claimed that a few individuals posted false info about Covishield

Former Mumbai top cop Sanjay Pandey is one of the accused in the case. —FILE PHOTO

STICKING WITH PLAN

And this leads us to a major task for any future Twitter CEO – and perhaps the heart of the problem with Twitter. Musk changes his mind frequently –sometimes within hours, as we saw recently when he appeared to walk back a policy change regarding users’ ability to link to other social media accounts. He may rethink stepping down, or even appoint someone only to sack them

In a strong response to a recent Twitter poll posted by Elon Musk, users of the platform have called for him to relinquish his position as CEO.

Musk has responded that he’ll step down when he “finds someone foolish enough” to take over as CEO, saying he will run the software and server teams instead. But any replacement will need to be able to steer Twitter back to calmer waters, with Musk remaining majority owner.

It’s been a tumultuous year for Twitter and Musk. He began building up shares in the company in January 2022 and his US$44 billion (£36 billion) bid to buy the platform was accepted in April. He then tried to pull out of the deal in July, before finally taking ownership in October.

Since then he has made – and sometimes walked back – numerous changes to the popular social media platform.

Indeed, Musk’s reaction to finally getting his hands on Twitter has been reminiscent of Christmas morning, when children rip open presents, display initial excitement and then quickly lose interest. Musk may have imagined that owning the website would be fun and make him feel powerful.

But the reality has been rather different. He has been criticised and abused, both online and in real life and now 57.5% of more than 17.5 million Twitter users have

DON’T FEAR, THERE’S HARMONY IN INDIA

3

LEADERSHIP QUALITIES

Musk’s replacement as Twitter’s CEO will need to have

BHARAT JODO YATRA IS SET TO ENTER A DIFFICULT TERRITORY

Musk has responded that he’ll step down when he “finds someone foolish enough” to take over as CEO, saying he will run the software and server teams instead. But any replacement will need to be able to steer Twitter back to calmer waters, with Musk remaining majority owner

voted for him to stand down as its CEO.

There has been some speculation that Musk has come under pressure from other Twitter shareholders and lenders to move on. Further, Musk has been selling billions in Tesla stock and its share price is down by over 60% this year. Shareholders in the car firm would probably like their hitherto successful CEO back full time.

So, if Twitter wants to find a new CEO, what sort of person should the troubled social media platform be looking for? As a student of leadership, I can see three key requirements for anyone considering – or being considered for – this role right now:

Once again the issue of Muslims’ insecurity has cropped up. This time it has been raised by Rashtriya Janata Dal’s senior leader Abdul Bari who said that he has asked his children to find a job abroad and, if possible, settle there as Muslims were insecure in India. Bari said that his son was studying at Harvard University and his daughter was a graduate of LSE and it was hard for him to ask his children to leave the country.

His worry was that his children may not be able to adjust in the prevailing insecure environment. The BJP spokesman Nikhil Anand responded that Bari should go to Pakistan if he felt sup-

1. CONFIDENCE AND INDEPENDENCE

A new Twitter CEO will want assurances that they will be free to take decisions about the direction of the business without being second-guessed by Musk as the majority owner. So the new CEO will need to be confident, perhaps even arrogant, and ready to stand their ground.

2. THE ABILITY TO FACE FACTS

The new leader will have to “confront the brutal facts” of the situation – according to management expert Jim Collins, this is how to begin productive change. Twitter is struggling financially.

Musk paid US$44 billion to

Once again the issue of Muslims’ insecurity has cropped up. This time it has been raised by RJD’s senior leader Abdul Bari who said that he has asked his children to find a job abroad and, if possible, settle there as Muslims were insecure in India

pressed and called his comments an insult to the Hindu community.

In 2015 actor Aamir Khan had also raised the issue of growing intolerance in the country and his wife Kiran

buy it, perhaps twice what it was worth. He has borrowed huge sums and sold large tranches of Tesla stock to help fund the acquisition. But he could now face interest payments to lenders of up to US$1 billion a year unless Twitter’s financial health can be turned around. These are the brutal facts a new leader must confront.

3. AN IMAGINATIVE APPROACH TO MANAGEMENT

The social media platform’s current position leads on to a third requirement for the new leader: imagination. Twitter is a resounding practical success. It is influential and powerful. It has certainly sped up the flow of information (admittedly, inaccurate information as well as the useful kind).

And it can be a force for good – for example providing data and advice during the COVID-19 pandemic or helping to highlight the failings of politicians or the media –even with the unpleasantness and abuse that seem to be an unavoidable part of tweeting.

This brings us to a very valuable leadership lesson that the maverick Musk has taught everyone in recent months: we should hesitate before labelling forceful people as great leaders in any setting until we have seen what their long-term impact has been.

SOURCE: THE CONVERSATION

Rao wondered if they should move out of the country. Like Bari he was also to either do ghar wapsi (convert to Hinduism) or go to Pakistan.

To malign the actor a fake video was also circulated showing him in the company of two Pakistani terrorists.

There is indeed increased intolerance. Early release of Bilkis Bano’s rapists from prison and the warm welcome they were given, the Dharma Sansad’s call to violence against Muslims did not evoke a feeling of safety in the minority community and with bulldozer becoming a new symbol of democracy the community’s feeling of insecurity was heightened.

Despite all this there is harmony in the country and there’s no reason to emigrate.

Bharat Jodo Yatra may not achieve its goal(s) but it continues to roll on. From Haryana it is expected to enter Delhi on Saturday and reach the Red Fort unmindful of the Covid-19 warning issued by the Union Health Ministry. Masks are on but social distancing is not possible when a crowd accompanies a leader. It will be interesting to see if the marchers are allowed to enter Delhi while Covid-19 protocols are not in place. There is apprehension that it may be stopped. Will the Congress gain any political mileage if it is?

That may not happen and the BJP may not lose any brownie points either as it is too strongly placed. It is the outcome of any political move that eventually decides its success or failure. The Yatra’s objectives of fighting fear, bigotry and prejudice are laudable but the acceptability of those objectives by the masses is doubtful. That will make Yatra’s unspoken agenda of Congress revival difficult.

Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. Bible

The news of the casualties of jawans in a road accident in Sikkim is extremely distressing. My heartfelt condolences are with the families of the victims. I wish speedy recovery of the injured. May God give place to the

MAHENG/2022/14652 Printed and published by Anita Hada Sangwan on behalf of First Express Publishers. Printed at Dangat Media Pvt Ltd, No.22, Dighe MIDC, Vishnu Nagar, TTC Industrial Area, Dighe, Navi Mumbai-400701. Published at Plot No. 3 Scheme C of Manglorean Garden Home, CHS Limited, Survey No. 5, 6C (Part) Ville Parle East, Mumbai 400057. Phone 022-46031417.

Editor-In-Chief: Dr Jagdeesh Chandra

Editor: Kartikey Dev

responsible for selection of news under the PRB Act

Singh

Amit Shah @AmitShah

Former Prime Minister Chaudhary Charan Singh ji fought for the interests of farmers throughout his life. He believed that prosperous farmers and strong agriculture system are the foundation of bright India. Remembering Chaudhary Saheb on his birth anniversary, I bow down to him and wish everyone a Happy Farmer’s Day.

Anurag Thakur @ianuragthakur

departed brave souls at his holy feet. Om Shanti!

SPIRITUAL SPEAK

Premature adjournment of LS is with consensus of all political parties: Birla

First India Bureau

New Delhi: The Winter Session of the Lok Sabha was adjourned sine die on Friday.

On this occasion, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, who was Presiding the House, said that during the 10th session of the Lok Sabha, 13 sittings were held and Lok Sabha sat for 68 hours and 42 minutes. The productivity of the House during the Session was 97 per cent and many important legislative businesses were transacted.

During the Session, 09 Bills were introduced and 07 Bills were passed. Some of the important bills which were passed are: The Anti-Maritime Piracy Bill, 2019; The Appropriation (No.4) Bill, 2022; The Appropriation (No.5) Bill, 2022; The Constitution (Scheduled Tribes) Order (Second, Third, Fourth and Fifth) Amendment Bill, 2022; and The Repealing and Amending Bill, 2022.

Supplementary Demands for Grants - First Batch for 2022-2023 and Demands for Excess Grants for 2019-2020 which were passed on December 14.

IMPORTANT BILLS WHICH WERE PASSED

z

The Anti-Maritime Piracy Bill, 2019;

z

The Appropriation (No.4) Bill, 2022;

z

The Appropriation (No.5) Bill, 2022;

z

The Constitution (Scheduled Tribes) Order (Second, Third, Fourth and Fifth) Amendment Bill, 2022;

The Repealing and Amending Bill, 2022

z

Speaker Om Birla said that 56 Starred questions were orally answered in the House during the Session. Answers to 2760 Unstarred Questions were laid on the Table of the House. Besides, 298 matters of public importance were raised under Rule 377.

Members raised 374 matters of urgent public importance during Zero Hour.

RAJYA SABHA ALSO ADJOURNED SINE DIE 7 DAYS AHEAD OF SCHEDULE

New Delhi (ANI): The Rajya Sabha was on Friday adjourned sine die seven days ahead of the scheduled completion of the 258th session. Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar adjourned the house sine die and said he felt privileged to be part of the August House. The Chairman extended his greetings to the members of the House for the upcoming festivals, including Christmas, Pongal, Lohri and others, and suggested that there is a need to be vigilant of the rising cases of Covid pandemic and take necessary precautions. “This session was marked with a display of wit, sarcasm, humour and intellect. I hope to experience more of it with greater indulgence from experienced members,” Dhankhar said.

MPs PAY TRIBUTES TO CHAUDHARY CHARAN SINGH ON

Bharat Jodo Yatra resumes from Sohna in Haryana

Sohna (ANI): Congress’s Bharat Jodo Yatra led by Rahul Gandhi resumed from Haryana’s Kherli Lala in Sohna on Friday. Many people were seen joining the march holding banners and party flags. The ongoing foot march of the grand old party had entered Haryana on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Thursday slammed the government for making excuses to stop the Bharat Jodo Yatra, alleging that the central government is scared of India’s truth.

‘It’s their (BJP) new idea, they wrote a letter to me saying Covid is coming and stop the Yatra. All these are excuses to stop this Yatra, they are sacred of India’s truth,” said Rahul Gandhi at a rally here.

CRUCIAL READ

4 DEAD, 4 INJURED AFTER VEHICLE FALLS INTO DEEP DITCH IN CHHATTISGARH

Kabirdham: Four people were killed while four got injured after the vehicle in which they were traveling in fell into a 40-feet deep ditch in Chhattisgarh’s Kabirdham district, on the intervening night of Thursday and Friday.

The police said that there were a total of eight passengers, including the driver in the car during the time of the incident.Those who died were identified as Fagu Yadav (60), a resident of Sakin, Sati Bai (35), a resident of Sakin Damakheda, Kaushalya (70), a resident of Sakin Kusmi and Malti (45), a resident of Sakin Bhanpuri.

BSF FOILS PAKISTAN DRONE BID TO SMUGGLE DRUGS, ARMS INTO PUNJAB

Chandigarh: The BSF in Punjab on Friday foiled Pakistan’s attempt of smuggling drugs and weapons across the border through a drone. The BSF personnel deployed at the border heard the buzzing sound of a flying object from Pakistan entering Indian territory near Mullakot village in Amritsar district. As per the drill, the troops tried to intercept the drone by firing. The area was cordoned off and the security agencies were informed.

SEARCH ENGINES LIKE GOOGLE CANNOT CLAIM TO BE 'CONTENT-BLIND': KERALA HC

Kochi: The Kerala High Court has held that search engines like Google cannot claim to be mere intermediaries with no control over the content that appears in search results. This came in a judgment by a division bench of Justices Muahmed Mustaque and Shoba Annamma Eapen on the right to be forgotten and the manner in which it applies to publication of court judgments and proceedings, in the absence of any specific legislation. The bench observed that even though making court judgments available in search results cannot be faulted, it cannot be said that Google has no control over the information that gets thrown up in search results.

New Delhi (ANI): The NIA on Friday carried out searches at 14 locations in Jammu and Kashmir against people involved in the spreading of terrorist activities by various proscribed terrorist outfits in the UT by targeting minorities and security personnel. The search operation was conducted by the NIA in Kulgam, Pulwama, Anantnag, Sopore and Jammu districts. Various incriminating materials such as digital devices, SIM cards and digital storage devices have been seized from the searched premises, the NIA said in a statement.

New

REMARKS

Nadda to launch BJP’s Lok Sabha Pravas 2.0 drive

New Delhi (ANI): With the BJP focused on the weak Lok Sabha seats for upcoming General Elections, the party’s national president JP Nadda will be going on a tour of two days to Tamil Nadu and Odisha. It may be noted that in these two states the BJP has been trying to find its foothold but has

been unable to form the government so far.

While the BJP is in an alliance with AIADMK in Tamil Nadu, in Odisha the saffron party has so far not been able to breach the Patnaik bastion.

“Nadda will travel across two Lok Sabha seats both in Tamil Nadu and Odisha spend-

Cabinet approves MSP for copra for 2023 season

First India Bureau

New Delhi: The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs chaired by PM Narendra Modi has approved Minimum Support Prices (MSPs) for copra for 2023 season.

The approval is based on recommendations of the Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices and views of major coconut growing states.

JITENDRA SINGH TO CII

The MSP for Fair Average Quality of milling copra has been fixed at Rs 10860 per quintal and for ball copra at Rs 11750 per quintal for 2023. This is an increase of Rs 270 per quintal for milling copra and Rs 750 per quintal for ball copra over the previous season. This would ensure a margin of 51.82% for milling copra and 64.26% for ball copra over all India weighted average cost of production, Union Minister Anurag Thakur said.

ing a day each in both states,” sources said.

“Kandhamal and Puri are the two Lok Sabha seats in Odisha and Nilgiris and Coimbatore in Tamil Nadu zeroed down for the visit of Nadda,” the sources said.

“During the visit, the party’s national president will meet the Man-

dal and booth president, parliamentary team handling these seats and other organisational meetings are on the agenda,” the sources said.

“The visit for Tamil Nadu is slated for December 27 and Odisha will be on December 28,” the sources further said.

We have administered 220 cr Covid vaccine doses till date, says Scindia

New Delhi (ANI): Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia on Friday highlighted the ongoing vaccination drive, launched by the Centre government, against Covid-19 amid the fear of a covid surge. Addressing a press briefing on the BJP government’s efforts towards a ‘Healthy India’ on Friday, the Union Minister said that 220 crore doses of vaccine have been administered till this Monday. “The

“Come forward to promote start-ups in J&K”

First India Bureau

New Delhi: Union Minister of State (MoS) Dr Jitendra Singh on Friday urged the industry body, CII to come forward in a big way to promote Start-ups in Jammu and Kashmir to provide gainful employment to youth.

Dr Jitendra Singh said, J&K has huge unexplored potential of Agri-tech Start-ups as the geography and climatic conditions here

favour the cultivation of medicinal and aromatic plants. He said, the success of Aroma Mission or ‘Purple Revolution’ bears testimony to the win-win proposition for both farmers and youth entrepreneurs.

Interacting with J&K Chapter of Confederation of Indian Industry, Dr Singh said, the real stakeholders from all walks of life should come out with an open mind for overall development of the UT. The

Minister recalled that Prime Minister Modi last year, while meeting

the political representatives from J&K called for removing Dilli ki

Doori (the distance from Delhi) as well as Dil ki Doori (the distance from the heart). He said, after Prime Minister Narendra Modi took oath for the second term, ‘Mission J&K’ was strongly emphasised, of which one of the important steps taken has been the extensive public outreach program involving Union Ministers, apart from several important developmental projects and new investments bestowed on the

newly created UT. Sayed Ehsan Javaid, Chairman of CII UT Council, J&K said, since the abrogation of article 370 post august 5th 2019, they have adopted the theme “Making J&K an Aspirational Destination” by playing a proactive role as a catalyst for sustainable development of the UT and making it an aspirational destination for Investments, Quality Education, and Advanced Infrastructure.

focus of our government is to transform health care into holistic health care. Following the PM's vision of ‘One Nation One Health’, we collectively handled Covid. 220 crore doses of vaccine have been

administered till this Monday,” he said. Shedding a light on the Modi govt’s steps in providing medical facilities in far-flung areas, the Civil Aviation Minister said, “drones are being used for the delivery of blood, vaccines, and medicines in remote areas. In 2014 there were only 6 All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) and today we have 22 AIIMS in the country,” the Union Minister added.

SHRADDHA MURDER CASE

Accused Aaftab’s narco test report prepared

New Delhi (ANI): The narco test report of Aaftab Amin Poonawala, who is accused of murdering his live-in girlfriend Shraddha Walkar, has been prepared, said the forensic team on Friday.

According to Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) team, the Investigation Officer has been informed to collect the report. A narco analysis test of Aaftab was completed on December 1 on Thursday at the

MoS

Minister of State (MoS) Dr Jitendra Singh during the meeting with the CII representatives on Friday.

NIA raids 14 locations in J&K in case linked to terror activities

Baba Saheb Ambedkar Hospital in the national capital's Rohini.

Meanwhile, Shraddha's father Vikas Walker along with BJP leader Kirit Somaiya arrived at Delhi Police headquarters on Friday.

During the Session, 13 sittings were held and Lok Sabha sat for 68 hours & 42 minute, says LS Speaker

MPs in the Lok Sabha during the Winter Session of Parliament, in New Delhi, on Friday. —PHOTO BY PTI

Rahul Gandhi with DMK MP Kanimozhi Karunanidhi and others during ‘Bharat Jodo Yatra’, in Sohna, on Friday. —PHOTO BY PTI

New Delhi (ANI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Congress MP Sonia Gandhi and other leaders on Friday attended the customary meeting at Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla’s chamber at the end of the Winter Session. Among leaders who attended the meeting included Union Minister Rajnath Singh and other top leaders. The Lok Sabha was adjourned sine die on Friday, six days ahead of the schedule.

New Delhi (FIB): LS Speaker Om Birla led MPs in paying floral tributes at the portrait of former Prime Minister Chaudhary Charan Singh in the Central Hall of Parliament House on his Birth Anniversary, on Friday. Defence Minister Raj Nath Singh; Minister of Commerce Piyush Goyal; Minister of Parliamentary Affairs Pralhad Joshi; Deputy Chairman of Rajya Sabha Harivansh; other Ministers, MPs and former Members also paid floral tributes to Chaudhary Charan Singh. A booklet containing the profile of Chaudhary Charan Singh, brought out in Hindi and English by the Lok Sabha Secretariat, was presented to the dignitaries who attended the function.

HIS BIRTH ANNIV

Faridabad: Congress leader Jairam Ramesh on Friday accused the govt of orchestrating the “Covid drama” to defame and derail the Rahul Gandhi led Bharat Jodo Yatra.

Delhi: Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi took a swipe at Rahul Gandhi after Jairam Ramesh’s criticism of the manner in which the govt had decided to curtail the winter session of Parliament and said “your leader is breaking the (Bharat Jodo) Yatra to holiday abroad”.

‘COVID DRAMA’ IS TO ‘DERAIL’ BJY: JAIRAM RAMESH

PRALHAD JOSHI SLAMS JAIRAM RAMESH’S

JP Nadda

Jyotiraditya Scindia

New Delhi: Buoyed by 5G push and a high installed base, the India smartphone market is projected to grow 10 per cent in 2023 to reach 175 million units, a report showed on Friday. India currently has more than 600 million smartphone users, a number which is expected to grow over time as more feature phone users migrate to smartphones. The replacement demand from these users will drive the market in 2023 and beyond, as per Counterpoint Research.

FLIPKART AND PHONEPE COMPLETE SEPARATION

‘

Avoid wrong practices to sell insurance’

New Delhi: Concerned over rising incidence of mis-selling, the finance ministry has directed heads of public sector banks to put in place strong mechanisms to avoid unethical practices for selling insur-

LATEST IRDAI ANNUAL REPORT

z On the advice of IRDAI, insurers have also been taking the issue of mis-selling seriously by doing a root cause analysis to identify the major causes and have taken suitable steps to prevent mis-selling

public sector banks said.

There have been instances where life insurance policies were sold to customers aged above 75 years in Tier II-III cities. Usually, branches of the banks push products of their subsidiary insurers. When resisted by customers, bank officials would sheepishly convince that they are under pressure. Insurance products are pushed when customers go to seek any kind

z The mis-selling cases stood at 23,110 in 2021-22. The number of mis-selling complaints per 10,000 policies sold was at 31 during the year

z No. of complaints disposed in favour of complainant has increased from 24% in 202021 to 27% over in 2021-2022

of loan or buy a term deposit. In this regard, it said, the department has already issued a circular wherein it has been advised that a bank should not adopt restrictive practices of forcing customers for getting insurance.

Also, the Central Vigilance Commission has raised objection, as incentives for selling insurance products bring not only pressure on the staff but the core business of banking also gets affected and quality is may get compromised.

GIVE LOANS AT LOWER RATES TO THOSE WANTING TO BUY CLEAN ENERGY VEHICLES: NITIN GADKARI TO BANKS

Thane (PTI): Union Minister Nitin Gadkari on Friday asked banks to give loans at reduced interest rates to those seeking to buy vehicles that run on clean energy, including flex fuel, electricity and hydrogen. Speaking at the golden jubilee celebrations of a cooperative bank in Kalyan in Maharashtra’s Thane district, the Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways said it was his dream that vehicles running on diesel and petrol get phased out in the next four to five years. He said banks must rate industries based on thee performance on various parameters over the past five years and give those scoring high marks loans within 24 hours, adding credibility and goodwill would be the biggest capital in the 21st century.

Gadkari said 406 projects with a total outlay of `3.85

lakh crore have stalled due to wrong decisions, but the minister went on to add that not taking any decision for fear of it going wrong is also undesirable. “Bal Thackeray once gave me a quote written in acrylic. It said I like people who can get things done. I like honest people who take the wrong decisions. I am even ready to appreciate people who are dishonest and take wrong decisions. I dislike people who don’t want to take decisions,” Gadkari said.

Bengaluru: Walmartowned e-commerce platform Flipkart and digital payments platform PhonePe, on Friday announced the full ownership separation of PhonePe as the company gears up for initial public offering. As part of this transaction, existing Flipkart Singapore and PhonePe Singapore shareholders, led by Walmart, have purchased shares directly in PhonePe India. Walmart will remain the majority shareholder of both business groups. —PTI

India economic growth ‘extremely fragile’, needs all support: RBI MPC

New Delhi (PTI): India’s economic growth is now ‘extremely fragile’ and needs all the support that it can get, as private consumption and capital investment are yet to pick up, RBI Monetary Policy Committee member Jayanth R Varma said on Friday.

Varma also said out of the four engines of growth for the economy, exports and government spending supported the Indian economy through the pandemic, but other engines need to pick up the baton now.

“

I like to think in terms of the four engines of growth for the economy: exports, government spending, capital investment and

private consumption. “... While exports cannot be the main driver of growth because of the global slowdown, government spending is necessarily limited by fiscal constraints. The critical question is whether the fourth engine of private consumption will remain buoyant after the pent-up demand dissipates over the coming months. ,” he said.

New Delhi(PTI): India received foreign direct investment (FDI) worth $3.21 million in defence industries during April-September period this fiscal year, Parliament was informed today.

The sector had attracted $2.36 million foreign investment in 2021-22, $0.63 million in 2020-21, $2.20 million in 2019-20, $2.18 million in 201819 and $0.01 million in 201718, according to data provided by Minister of State for Commerce and Industry Som Parkash. He said to promote FDI, the government has put in place an investorfriendly policy, wherein most sectors, except certain strategically important ones, are open for 100% FDI under the automatic route.

NDTV founders Roys to sell most of their stake to Adani Group

New Delhi (PTI): NDTV founders Prannoy Roy and his wife Radhika Roy on Friday said they will sell all but 5 per cent of their remaining shareholding in the news broadcaster to Adani Group for up to Rs 647.6 crore. Roys, who founded New Delhi Television Ltd (NDTV) as India’s first and largest private producer of news current affairs and entertainment television, lost their status of being the company’s largest shareholder in recent weeks.

This follows Adani Group becoming the majority shareholding of NDTV after first buying out a company backed by the founders and then acquiring more shares from the open market. Now,

Roys are selling 27.26 per cent out of their remaining 32.26 per cent shareholding in NDTV, according to stock exchange filings by the company.

The sale will happen on or after December 30 in one or more tranches, it said without disclosing the price. The volume-weight-

ed average market price of NDTV in the last 60 trading days is Rs 368.43, the filing said. Based on this price, the sale of 1.75 crore shares would fetch Roys up to Rs 647.6 crore.

Post acquisition of the founders’ stake, Adani Group will control 69.71 per cent of NDTV.

California: Facebook owner Meta has agreed to pay $725m to settle legal action over a data breach linked to political consultancy Cambridge Analytica. The long-running dispute accused the social media giant of allowing third parties, including the British firm, to access Facebook users’ personal data. The proposed sum is the largest in a US data privacy class action, lawyers say. Meta, which did not admit wrongdoing, said it had “revamped” its approach to privacy over the past 3 years. The company said settling was “in the best interest of our community & shareholders”. —AGENCIES

SENSEX FALLS ABOUT 1,000 PTS AS COVID CONCERN DAMPENS INVESTORS SENTIMENT

New Delhi (ANI): The losses in the domestic stock indices widened as the session progressed on Friday and they settled sharply lower, tracking weak global cues as the fear of the Covid surge kept investors at bay.

The benchmark indices extended losses for the fourth straight session and marked the sharpest singleday fall in about three

IMF WARNS OF HEADWINDS

Mumbai: The International Finance Corporation has extended a $400 million loan to mortgage major HDFC for financing green affordable housing units, as part of their efforts towards supporting climate goals. This loan will help improve access to climatesmart affordable homes by boosting green housing, which will support the country’s shift towards a more sustainable growth path, creating jobs and ensuring long-term business growth. —PTI

months. Sensex closed the session at 59,845.29 points, down 980.93 points or 1.61%, whereas Nifty closed at 17,806.80 points, down 320.55 points or 1.77%. Among the Nifty 50 stocks, Adani Ports, Adani Enterprises, Hindalco, Tata Steel, and Tata Motors were the top five losers.

As many as 47 of Nifty 50 stocks declined today. Cipla, Divis Labs, and Titan

were the only gainers.

“European stock markets edged higher Friday in thin holiday-affected volumes while most Asian markets indexes fell after forecastbeating US data fuelled expectations that the Federal Reserve will lift interest rates well into next year,” said Deepak Jasani, Head of Retail Research at HDFC Securities.

OTHER STORIES

GAUTAM ADANI’S GROUP ENTERS WAREHOUSING BUSINESS, SIGNS AGREEMENT WITH DA GROUP

New Delhi: Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone has entered the business of warehousing. It announced that its subsidiary, Adani Logistics, has signed a joint venture agreement with DA Group and its affiliates. The joint venture is a 50:50 partnership, and it will develop and operate logistics and warehousing parks in Ahmedabad and Kolkata, according to the statement from Adani Ports shared with stock exchanges on Thursday evening. Adani Logistics will nominate three directors to its board while DA Group will send two directors for the joint venture.

India should hike rates carefully: IMF

New Delhi: India’s future interest rate hikes should be carefully calibrated and its intervention in the foreign exchange market should be limited to managing volatility, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) said on Friday. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has raised its key policy rate by 225 basis points since May, taking the rate to the highest in over three years.

“Inflation pressures have led to an appropriate shift towards policy tightening,” IMF said in an annual consultation report. The report

is prepared by IMF staff in accordance with its Article IV of Agreement, which requires the fund to hold annual consultations with officials from member states about economic develop-

ment and policies.

“Additional tightening should be carefully calibrated and communicated,” it added. Last week, minutes of the RBI’s monetary policy meeting

IMF projected inflation

6.9%

the current fiscal

ends on March 31, 2023

showed a majority of ratesetters were concerned about elevated inflation and felt the central bank could not afford to prematurely pause its rate tightening cycle.

—AGENCIES

stood at $500.125 billion during the week to Dec 9, Weekly Statistical Supplement by RBI. —PTI

AIRLINES TO COMPENSATE PASSENGERS FOR TICKET DOWNGRADE, SAYS AVIATION WATCHDOG

New Delhi: Passengers will soon be compensated for any involuntary downgrade of their tickets for a particular class by an airline, with aviation regulator DGCA preparing to put in place new norms. Once the norms come into force, the airline concerned will have to refund the full value of such tickets, including taxes, and also the affected passenger will be flown free of cost in the next available class, according to DGCA.

‘GDP TO GROW AT 6.8% THIS FY’

The

at

for

year that

and said price gains would moderate gradually

Uncertainty around outlook is high, with risks tilted to the downside, the IMF said

Govt asks banks to desist from using unethical practices to sell insurance policies

India received FDI worth $3.2mn in def industries in April-September

Jayanth R Varma, Member, RBI Monetary Policy Committee (MPC)

2 MAOISTS KILLED IN POLICE

FIREFIGHT IN GADCHIROLI

Last week,

Mumbai: Two Maoists were killed in an encounter with police in Gadchiroli district of the state on Friday.

The gunfight took place at Aheri in Dhamacha village, located more than 900 km from Mumbai, close to the Maharashtra-Chhattisgarh border in the morning, said an official.

“Based on specific information, a police team led by Gadchiroli Superintendent of Police Nilotpal had launched a combing operation in the forest area. However, a group of Maoists opened fire at the police personnel, following which the latter responded,” he said.

The exchange of fire continued for some time and the police later chased the Maoists for around 10 km near the Chhattisgarh border, added the official.

“During a search conducted later, the police

MSRTC starts daily Mumbai Central-Panaji AC bus service

Mumbai (PTI):

The Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) launched an AC bus service from Mumbai Central to Panaji on Friday to cater to the passenger rush during the Christmas holidays.

The bus service, which will be operated daily till January 01, will reach the Goa capital through Panvel, Mahad, Chiplun, Kankavli and Sawantwadi.

The bus will depart from Mumbai Central at 4.30 pm and will reach Panaji the next day at 7 am, while the return journey will begin from Goa at 4:30 pm and arrive at 7 am.

Earlier

had received threats from Naxals over Surajgarh mining project

ing stopping of the Surjagarh mining project in Gadchiroli district. Leader of Opposition in the Assembly and NCP MLA Ajit Pawar demanded that Atram’s security be enhanced in view of the threat in the House earlier this week.

LEGAL

RELIEF

HC grants bail to dismissed policeman Riyazuddin Kazi

First India Bureau

‘SURAJGARH MINING PROJECT GOOD FOR REGION’

team recovered the bodies of a man and a woman from the spot,” he said, adding that both of the deceased were divisional commander-

level members of the Naxal Dalam.

Police also recovered one Insas rifle and one self-loading rifle from the spot.

Court refuses to stop release of web series on Abdul Karim Telgi

Mumbai: A civil court here on Friday rejected a plea seeking temporary relief against the release of a web series based on fake stamp paper scam convict late Abdul Karim Telgi.

Telgi’s daughter Sana Irfan Talikoti had approached the city civil court against the makers of a web series ‘Scam 2003-The curious case of Abdul Karim Lala Telgi’.

She had sought an injunction on its release claiming the producers had not obtained the family’s consent before the project was greenlighted.

Her plea seeking adinterim relief was rejected by the court, though a detailed order has not been made

Pune airport starts thermal screening

Pune (PTI): In light of the sudden rise in COVID-19 cases in some parts of the world and the Centre’s guidelines, the civic authorities have started thermal screening of 2% of passengers arriving at the Pune International Airport, an official said on Friday.

At least 600 beds have been readied at civic hospitals in case any patient needs to be kept in isolation, said Dr Ashish Bharti, health officer of the Pune Municipal Corporation said.

“Apart from Naidu

There are 3-4 dedicated COVID-19 hospitals that can be readied in 2-3 days

Hospital, preparations have been made at two more hospitals. There are three to four dedicated COVID-19 hospitals that can be readied in two to three days,” he said.

There is no need to panic, as no cases of BF.7 have been detected in Maharashtra so far, the official said.

available as yet, her lawyer said.

In her suit filed through advocate Madhav Thorat, Sana has alleged the series is based on a book that had factual discrepancies. The web series was in violation of the family’s right to privacy, dignity and self-respect, the suit claimed.

This incident comes on the heels of Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) MLA Dharamrao Atram receiving threats from Naxalites demand-

In response, Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadanvis had said that youth from the Naxalism-affected Gadchiroli district in Vidarbha region were not joining the outlawed movement anymore, adding that new recruits were being brought from Odisha and Chhattisgarh.

However, Congress MLA Nana Patole took a contrary stand. He said the Naxal movement was gaining strength due to the Surjagarh mining project. “Don’t take this lightly. I want to keep it on record. The iron content in the ore is 65 per cent. The deposit could last for 300 years,” Patole said.

Mumbai: The Bombay High Court on Friday granted bail to dismissed policeman Riyazuddin Kazi, who was arrested by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) for his alleged role in the ‘Antilia’ bomb scare and Mansukh Hiran murder case.

Kazi, who had closely worked with accused policeman Sachin Waze, was posted with the Crime Intelligence Unit (CIU) of the Mumbai Crime Branch when a gelatin sticks-laden Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV) was found parked near ‘Antilia’, industrialist Mukesh Ambani’s official residence in south Mumbai.

In his bail plea filed through advocate Hasnain Kazi, the former policeman said he was

Thane NCP leader booked for raising slogans against CM

Thane (PTI): An offence has been registered against the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Anand Paranjpe and others for allegedly raising slogans against Chief Minister Eknath Shinde during a protest in Thane city, police said on Friday.

Paranjpe, the NCP’s Thane City Unit Chief, and more than 20 party activists staged a protest and raised slogans against the chief minister outside the party's office in the city on Thursday evening, an official said. A functionary of the Shiv Sena’s Shinde faction approached the police with a complaint after seeing a video of the protest on social media, he said.

An offence under sections 153, 504 and

other relevant provisions of the Indian Penal Code and Maharashtra Police Act has been registered at Chitalsar Police station, while no arrest has been made so far, the official said.

Apart from this, two more offences have been registered against the protestors at two police stations in the city based on different complaints, it was stated. A com-

plaint has also been lodged by a Sena functionary belonging to the Shinde faction against the NCP leader and activists in Kalyan, police said.

NCP leader and former minister Jitendra Awhad in a tweet accused the state government of behaving like a gangster and said that the opponents were bound to oppose and this was expected in a democracy.

CANDID CONFESSION

not charged under the stringent Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) and the charges against him were bailable.

Additional Solicitor General Anil Singh, appearing for the NIA, had submitted that there was no evidence of Kazi's involvement in the planting of gelatin sticks in the SUV near 'Antilia' or of him being involved in Hiran's murder.

The evidence against him was of collecting crucial evidence, that of DVR of CCTV, without making official records like sealing and 'panchanama', and of destroying them, Singh

had said. After hearing both sides, the court granted bail to the accused.

A detailed order about this decision is not available yet.

An explosives-laden SUV was found near Ambani’s house in south Mumbai on February 25 last year, and Hiran, who had claimed that he was in possession of the SUV before it was stolen, was found dead in a creek in Thane some days later on March 05.

Kazi’s role came to light after Waze was arrested on March 13 last year. He is accused of destroying evidence pertaining to the case.

Police’s EOW files ‘C summary’ report in Kamboj cheating case

Mumbai: The Mumbai police’s economic offences wing (EOW) has filed a ‘C summary’ report before a Mumbai court in a cheating case registered against Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) functionary Mohit Kamboj and others.

A ‘C summary’ report is issued by the police in a matter when the criminal case is registered due to mistake of facts or the offence complained about is of a civil nature.

The EOW had registered a case against Kamboj and two others in June for allegedly causing losses of more than Rs52 crore to the Indian Overseas Bank (IOB).

Following investigation, the police on

Thursday submitted a ‘C summary’ report in a court as the case was neither true nor false, said an official.

The complaint lodged by the chief regional manager of the IOB had stated that Kamboj was one of the three directors of a company that took a loan of Rs52 crore from the bank.

Want to join ‘Bharat Jodo Yatra’ in Kashmir: Sanjay Raut

First India Bureau

New Delhi: Member of Parliament (MP) Sanjay Raut on Friday said that when Rahul Gandhi’s ‘Bharat Jodo Yatra’ reaches Kashmir, he wants to join it.

Currently, Raut is in Delhi to attend the Winter Session of Par-

liament. Speaking to the media during a press conference held here, Raut said, “The ‘Bharat Jodo Yatra’ will reach Delhi in the next two days. I have re-

The ‘Bharat Jodo Yatra’ will reach Delhi in the next two days. I have received a letter from Rahul Gandhi to participate in this yatra. But I myself had decided to participate in the yatra (footmarch) when it reaches Kashmir.

The Shiv Sena - Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray - leader further added that, we will consider participating in the yatra in Delhi as well.

In his address, Raut

inch of land? Essentially, we don’t want an inch of land; we want our rightful Belgaum, Karwar, and other villages. This is our legal contention.

However, Maharashtra’s CM and Deputy CM have remained silent on the issue,” Raut added.

also slammed the Eknath Shinde-led government and said, “Aren’t they aware of Karnataka’s Assembly’s resolution that it will not surrender Maharashtra even an

When asked about the clean chit given to Mohit Kamboj, he said, “The Shinde-led government has opened a clean chit factory. Tomorrow it will give clean chit to Bommai as well. If Dawood Ibrahim or Abu Salem joins BJP, they too will get clean chit.”

First India Bureau

First India Bureau

ceived a letter from Rahul Gandhi to participate in this yatra. But I myself had decided to participate in the yatra (footmarch) when it reaches Kashmir.”

Shiv Sena - Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray - leader is currently in New Delhi on the occasion of the Winter Session of Parliament

—Sanjay Raut, Rajya Sabha MP

Police recovered 20 loose gelatin sticks from the vehicle outside industrialist Mukesh Ambai’s residence ‘Antilla’. —FILE PHOTO

He was held by NIA for his alleged role in the ‘Antilia’ bomb scare and Mansukh Hiran murder case

Chief Minister Eknath Shinde —FILE PHOTO

BJP’s Mohit Kamboj

Abdul Karim Telgi

Sanjay Raut

—FILE PHOTO

—FILE PHOTO

BJP functionary stands accused of causing losses of more than `52 crore to IOB

Telgi’s daughter had approached the court against the makers of a web series

First India Bureau

NCP MLA

Incident occurred during combing operation of Gadchiroli police. —FILE PHOTO

this week, Deputy CM Fadnavis said the Surjagarh project is such that it can change the face of Gadchiroli district. People from the Naxal movement are misleading locals by saying that Surjagarh deity will be impacted. The project is far away from Surjagarh. With the initial success, the company (engaged in mining) has announced it will further invest `20,000 crore in the project which could change the face of the district, he said.

ABSTRACT OR ITTY-BITTY LOGOMANIA

ADITI KUSHWAHA cityfirst@firstindia.co.in

The popular shouty logo fad from the 1990s, known as logomania, is returning. Numerous high-end companies, like Fendi, Gucci, Burberry, Valentino and others have discovered a method to connect with millennials. The favoured method of appealing to a generation that thinks “if you’ve got it, flaunt it” is to emblazon big, bright brand logos on clothing. One of the main forces behind well-known logos making a comeback in the fashion world after a 20year absence is social media. For a generation that is dominated by social media, starting new trends or reviving existing ones is not difficult. Logos are a status symbol and a means to demonstrate your fashion know-how whether worn on tshirts or even skirts.

The best approach for companies to make money and promote themselves is to prominently display their logo. It has evolved into a tool for celebrities to spread the word about the company while growing their fan bases. Logos are a sta tus symbol and a means to dem onstrate your fashion knowhow whether worn on t-shirts or even skirts. The best ap proach for companies to make money and promote themselves is to prominently display their logo. It has evolved into a tool for celeb rities to spread the word about the company while growing their fan bases. As a fashion statement, people cover themselves from head to toe with their opulent in signia. Aside from social me dia, we also saw logo fe ver at Milan Fashion Week, not just on ap parel but also on footwear and socks.

Kylie Jenner, an American TV personality, offered a great example of how drawing attention to yourself by putting the insignia of popular businesses on your clothing. More than a million people liked Kylie’s Instagram image of her wearing a branded Fendi outfit.

The second use of large, strong logos is to signify a partnership, like in the instance of Fendi, which uses a soft F to signify its partner ship with the sportswear company Fila. Thirdly, wearing the brand you decide to represent yourself by wearing has always been a status signal.

Fashion is defined by what you purchase whereas style is defined by what you do with it. City First brings to you some amazing array of Logomania fashion!

How much new (different) is the subvariant BF.7?

BF.7 is accounted for more than 5 per cent of Covid-19 cases in the US and 7.26 per cent in the UK in October 2022. Cases of this variant are on raising hand from the last 3 months. BF.7, short for BA.5.2.1.7, is a sub-lineage of the OMICRON variant BA.5. BF.7 is believed to have an R0, or basic reproduction number, of 10 to 18.6. BF.7 carries a specific muta tion, R346T, in the spike protein of SARS-CoV-2 (a protein on the surface of the virus that allows it to attach to and infect our cells). This mutation, which we also see in BF.7’s parent variant BA.5, has been linked with enhancing the capacity of the virus to escape neutralising antibodies gen erated by vaccines or previous infection. Since the COVID variant OMICRON emerged in late 2021, it has rapidly evolved into mul tiple subvariants. The subvariant, BF.7, has been identified as the main variant spreading in Beijing and is contribut ing to a wider surge of COVID infec tions in China.

Reports of 2 patients in Gujarat are coming in showing they re covered at home. Does it make the sub-variant less fatal? BF.7 is believed to be less fatal as compared to the previous deadly delta variant and other sub-variant of omicron. The symptoms of an infection with BF.7 are similar to those associated with other omicron subvariants, primarily upper res piratory symptoms. Patients may have a fever, cough, sore throat, run ning nose and fatigue, among other symptoms. A minority of people can also experience gastrointestinal symptoms like vomiting and diarrhoea. BF.7 may well cause more serious illness in people with weaker immune systems.

Is it more infectious than before?

The BF.7 variant is reportedly more infectious than the other variants of coronavirus known so

far. The R0 value of this mutant as per studies is approximately 10-18.6 which means that any infected individual can infect 10-18.6 people around him. Reports from China indicate BF.7 has the STRONGEST INFECTION ABILITY out of the omicron subvariants in the country, being quicker to transmit than other variants, having a shorter incubation period and with a greater capacity to infect people who have had a previous COVID infection, or been vaccinated or both. To put this into context, BF.7 is believed to have an R0, or basic reproduction number, of 10 to 18.6. This means an infected person will transmit the virus to an average of 10 to 18.6 other people. Research has shown omicron has an average Ro of 5.08. The high transmission rate of BF.7, taken with the risk of hidden spread due to the MANY ASYMPTOMATIC CARRIERS, is understood to be causing significant difficulty in controlling the epidemic in China.

How immunity will play its role with the new BF.7 variant?

Compared with the BA.1, BA.2 and BA.5 variants detected previously, Omicron BF.7 has more immune escape capability, a shorter incubation period and a faster transmission rate. These mutations give BF.7 some immune-evasive abilities, which means it can escape immunity from the vaccine or previous infection.

How India can buckle up before the situation goes out of hand?

India with its focus on the five-fold strategy of testtrack-treat-vaccination and adherence to COVIDappropriate behaviour has been able to restrict the transmission of the coronavirus. BF.7 has been detected in several other countries around the world including INDIA, the US, the UK and several EUROPEAN COUNTRIES such as Belgium, Germany, France and Denmark. Despite BF.7’s immune-evasive characteristics, and worrying signs about its growth in China, the variant seems to be remaining fairly steady elsewhere. Outside of India, mRNA vaccines like Pfizer and BioNTech’s Bivalent vaccine and Moderna’s vaccine are being used from the point of view of boosting. India needs to buckle up. BF.7 may well cause more serious illness in people with weaker immune systems. At present, no vaccine being used in India is a bivalent vaccine. India needs BIVALENT vaccines, which target omicron alongside the original strain of SARS-CoV-2.

What age group is highly sensitive to this new sub-variant? Old age people, immunocompromised patients, pregnant females etc. are more prone to the infection by this variant.

Should India impose early restrictions on international flights?

BF.7 is highly infectious and has high transmissibility, hence to prevent the spreading of this highly contagious disease international travelling should be monitored carefully. The situation looks different ONLY IN China. BF.7’s high R0 might be due in part to a LOW LEVEL OF IMMUNITY in the Chinese population from the previous infection, and possibly vaccination too. However, we should be cautious about the data from China as it’s based on reports, not peer-reviewed evidence yet.

Dr Sudhir Bhandari

GAJRAJ SINGH BHATI cityfirst@firstindia.co.in

JEWELS OF THE STARRY NIGHT

The grand launch of the brand named ‘Its Ish’ took place with much fervour at Nebula, the rooftop lounge at Hilton Jaipur on Thursday. Rajiv Arora, Chairman of Raj Small Industries Corporation graced the occasion as the chief guest and launched the brand. Rishee Miglani, brand ambassador, First India Fashion Connect hosted the glamorous evening. Brand owner, Ishita Gupta is an aspiring fashion designer and soon will make her place in the heart of fashion lovers through her lovely brand. Various people from all spectrums kicked off their day with signature delicacies from Nebulae, Hilton.

Ravishing Ishita

Ayesha, Ishita, Priyambi and Astha Mangal

and

Prateek, Ayesha, Sidharth, Ajay, Natasha and Tina

Rajiv Arora, Raj Bansal and Ishita Ujawal, Karan and Honey

Jagdeep Singh, Meera Kataria and Natasha Rajiv Arora, JD Maheshwari, Kewal Miglani and Kewal Mehra

Kulsum, Anjana and Ashima

Vijay, Aarti, Reena, Deepak, Amitabh and Jagdeep

Minal and Reema Nimit, Kavita, Ayesha and Prateek

Rashi Agarwal, Khushi Sonkiya and Khushi Jain

Nishchay, Shaina and Ishita

Vatsal Goyal, Rishee and Ayan

Sidharth and Garima Anjana and Hemant

Sudhir, Vijaylaxmi and Devraj

Rishee, Ishita and Raj Bansal

Manish and Dushyant

Rishee, Ravi and Kapil

Himmat singh and Rishee

Enthralling performance by Iliyas Khan

Vinay Gupta, Samita Gupta, Ishita, JD Maheshwari and Rishee

Lokesh Sharma and Rishee Miglani

Suvrat Jain

PROUD MOMENT!

CITY FIRST

Dev Priya, a final year B.Tech student of IIT Delhi, scored 99.99 percentile in the Common Admission Test (CAT) 2022, the results of which were announced on Wednesday, December 21. Dev is the son of ADG Jyoti Narayan and he aspires to get a seat in the Indian Institute of Management and excel in a combination of B.Tech with management.

Sharing his secrets of scoring 99.99 percentile the scholar replied, “The CAT is highly competitive. This year, for instance, logical reasoning was very tough. My CAT exam day strat-

egy was to remain calm. I believe in hard work & consistency. I think my consistent hard work is behind this success.

Furthermore, the support that I got from my family, friends, and teachers helped me stay motivated throughout my CAT preparation.” A total of 11 students have scored the perfect 100 percentile in Common Admission Test 2022. Dev claims that his parents were supportive throughout his journey and always motivate him. He said, “They never pressurized me for marks and motivated me to prepare with positivity”. He claims that he used to do self-study for 6-7 hours daily.

‘

I NEVER LET ZIANA FEEL THAT HER MOTHER IS UPSET’

ASHISH TIWARI cityfirst.mumbai@firstindia.co.in

Charu Asopa is all set to make a comeback to acting with a new show and the actress is quite thrilled about the same. She spoke to First India for an exclusive chat recently and shared her excitement about the new show and also spoke about how she is going to manage her personal and professional life.

Sharing about coming back to the sets she shared, “I am feeling really great since long I was engrossed in my personal commitments. Now coming back to the sets is a beautiful feeling.”

Talking about her upcoming show she said, “I am working on a web show, about a couple whose journey is shown through the series.”

The actress is active on social media and has been posting trendy videos that keep her fans intrigued. Recently the actress posted a video on the trending song from Pathaan, Besharam

CELEBRITIES GATHER AT MALAD MASTI

Rang. While her fans showered love and adulation on the reel the actress also had to face a lot of backlashes and trolling for the post.

Speaking on the same she shared, “I just randomly made the reel and didn’t really expect the trolling that came through. I loved the vibe and beats of the song and as it was trending I thought I just had to do it. But I have gone through so much that I have realised that people who spread negativity are no one, they are faceless people.”

Charu’s social media is filled with posts and reels with her super adorable daughter Ziana. While Charu, who is a television actress and Rajeev, Sushmita Sen‘s brother, has been making headlines for

months, after announcing that they’re going to sepa rate earlier this year. They had previously patched up after being on the verge of divorce.

Sharing about spending time with her daughter she said, “Apart from the time that we are shoot ing she’s always by my side when I make videos she’s always around me so it’s fun to even include her in them.”

She further added, “If you see actresses who have got married and have become moms, they have not stopped working on themselves. Be it Deepika Padukone, Ka reena Kapoor Khan, Malai ka Arora. Kareena is still fit and beautiful and the hard work is visible. The mindset that now she has become a mother and her body struc

Shah Rukh Khan is back on the big screen after a gap of four years with Pathaan, creating hysteria amongst his fans! YRF dropped the second song Jhoome Jo Pathaan from their highly an ticipated tentpole film yesterday.

From setting the cash registers ringing with The Kashmir Files, to making an impactful appearance in Karthikeya 2 and ending the year by making the audience emotional in Uunchai, Anupam Kher has truly emerged as the biggest star of 2022. He came specially to share his experience with the audience.

MLA Aslam Shaikh made the people aware of child abuse. This is the fifth year of Malad Masti. Malad Masti is held on Sunday mornings. People come here in thousands to enjoy various types of games, such as Zumba, yoga, painting, Kickboxing and many other activities. The theme for this

Masti 2022 was organised near Inorbit Mall, Malad West. The idea of organising this event is to make people come out of their homes, leave their mobiles and meet friends, see new things and have fun. This event is not just an entertainment event but an opportunity to connect people and families.

Bosco Martis, who has choreo graphed the King Khan in the song, revealed, “In one of the sequences, we wanted to cel ebrate Khan Saab’s iconic pose while flaunting his chiselled body, but he was a little shy initially to show off his ripped physique. However, after seeing the outcome and now the audience’s reaction to it, we are thrilled to have shot this sequence.”

Vineeta Singh is a popular Indian businesswoman, who is the CEO and Co-founder of Sugar Cosmetics Corp. She rose to fame after becoming the judge of the show Shark Tank India. Vineeta was one of the sharks aka investors on the show.

Vineeta, Peyush Bansal and Aman Gupta were seen promoting the upcoming season of Shark Tank India. On being asked about whether Vineeta has been mobbed, the businesswoman gave a hilarious answer. ‘I had

been mobbed when I am with Aman Gupta because people are always like sir can I take a selfie’, she said.

Vineeta further shared an incident which she often experiences, “When people come to me, they are like ma’am you are do-

ing so good and you have inspired me so much and they go on and on. But then they are suddenly like ‘Can I take a picture with you, Namita?’ And this left everyone in splits. For the unversed, Namita is one of the sharks on the show Shark Tank India.

Way towards sustainable fashion!

CITY FIRST

Aditi Jaggi Rastogi, an internationally famous designer, who showcased her collection in India and well as Dubai Fashion Week launched her upcoming collection with showstopper PCS ADM Ritu Suhas, Mrs India 2019 walking the ramp in her designer outfit in Lucknow Times Fashion Week held at The Centrum, Lucknow on Wednesday, December 21. Her astonishing collection attempts to promote sustainable fashion. The very unique organic dying procedure from

AMA herbals is applied to all the sustainable fabrics by designer Aditi Jaggi Rastogi. The breathable fabrics and extraordinary properties of

herbal dying are put together to make a collection fresh, young, soulful and Commercially Viable. The designer and the herbal duo are looking forward to

starting a Global friendly Trend! Aditi’s experience varies from Pret, Luxe Fashion and sustainable fashion to Bollywood Designing. The designer is currently

working towards the globalization of Khadi and skill training of weavers and artisans to help them generate employment.

Anupam Kher, Sukhwinder Singh, Javed Ali, Sudesh Bhosle, Sudesh Lehri, Rashami Desai, Kanika Mann, Pratik Gandhi, Kritika Verma, DJ Shilpi Sharma and others attended the Malad Masti2022 event organised by MLA Aslam Shaikh.

year’s Malad Masti supported by Gold Medal Switches is Child Abuse Awareness. Malad

“SRK was a little shy initially”

Vineeta Singh

Shah Rukh Khan

Sudesh Bhosale, Sudesh Lehri and Shekhar Singh

Rashami Desai

Javed Ali and Aslam Shaikh

Sukhwinder Singh

Kanika Mann

Anupam Kher

Charu Asopa

ADG Jyoti Narayan with son Dev Priya

Ritu Suhas with Aditi Jaggi Rastogi

Stunning Ritu Suhas showcases the designer collection