First India-Delhi Edition-25th November 2022

MEA: INDIA UPSET AT UNWANTED REFERENCE TO MODI BY US OFFICIAL

New Delhi: India is upset at a reference to PM Modi by a US official while defending immunity it had extended to Saudi Arabia’s crown prince Mohammed bin Salman, who is facing allegations of killing journo Jamal Khashoggi. “I fail to understand how comment on PM Modi was relevant,” MEA spokesperson Arindam Bagchi.

JOURNALISTS THREAT: SRINAGAR POLICE CONDUCTS SEARCHES

Srinagar: J&K Police on Thursday conducted searches in multiple locations in various places in three districts in the Union Territory as part of its investigation into a case registered with the State Investigative Agency in connection with ‘online journalists threat’ case.

PAYTM’S 75% SLUMP IS WORLD’S WORST FOR LARGE IPOs IN DECADE

New Delhi: The SC on Thursday questioned what the “tearing hurry” was for the “super fast” appointment of ex-IAS officer Arun Goel as Election Commissioner, despite the government’s objection to a “mini trial” within the larger case on how the commissioners are chosen. The five-judge Constitution bench continuing with some stinging remarks on process for 3rd day went straight into the files on Goel that it had sought on Wednesday.

CENTRE ASKS COURT TO ‘HOLD ITS MOUTH’

OTHER ‘TOP’ COURT ORDERS

RICHA CHADHA APOLOGISES FOR ‘GALWAN SAYS

PM: BJP has only 1 goal, ‘Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat’

First India Bureau

Palanpur/Modasa/ Dahegam/Bavla: Continuing his campaigning in Gujarat, PM Narendra Modi on Thursday addressed public meetings in Palanpur, Modasa, Dahegam and Bavla. PM Modi spoke extensively on tourism, environment, water, livestock and nutrition. Modi spoke on development for next 25 yrs of Gujarat & said BJP has only 1 goal, ‘Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat.’

BAVLA,

New Delhi: The One 97 Communications Ltd., the operator of India’s largest digital-payments provider known as Paytm, has capped the worst first-year share plunge among large IPOs over the past decade — and the pain is worsening.

VIKRAM IS STILL ALIVE, CONFIRMS FAMILY AMID DEATH REPORTS

Mumbai: Veteran actor Vikram Gokhale’s family has clarified that the actor is still alive and is on life support. Vrushali Gokhale (wife of the veteran actor) said, “He slipped into a coma on Wednesday afternoon and post that, he has not responded to touch. He is on ventilator.”

The Centre vehemently resisted the observations, with the attorney general asking the court to “hold its mouth” for a while and look into the issue in entirety.

THE COURT STATES...

A sking about how 4 names were shortlisted from the officer database of the DoP, the court further remarked, “We are being blunt. If all these four names are carefully chosen, as yes men — we are concerned with the process of selection.” Bench said it is “struggling” to find reasons why Law Minister selected a panel of 4 names who were not going to complete the stipulated six-year tenure, as they would turn 65, the age of retirement from poll body, before that.

Jama Masjid revokes ban on entry of girls

New Delhi: After speaking with Delhi’s Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena, Shahi Imam Bukhari of Jama Masjid has agreed to revoke the order restricting entry of women in the mosque, Raj Niwas sources said. Delhi LG requested Shahi Imam Bukhari to rescind the order restricting the entry of women in Jama Masjid. The sources also informed that Shahi Imam Bukhari has requested visitors to respect and maintain sanity of Jama Masjid.

EARLIER IN DAY...

On Thursday morning, the administration of Jama Majid had decided to ban solitary and group entry for girls inside its premises. The office of mosque had also banned shooting of videos with music inside mosque compound. According to the Shahi Imam, decision was taken after some “incidents” were reported on premises.

AIIMS server still down, police file FIR

New Delhi (PTI): Various government agencies are probing the cyber security scare which has shut down AIIMS-Delhi’s server since 7am Wednesday.

Computer Emergency Response Team (CERTIN), Delhi Police, Intelligence Bureau, Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) representatives are probing the incident, sources said. Police have registered a case against unknown persons over the incident.

Shah assures Sangma as Meghalaya seethes over ‘police firing’

First India Bureau

New Delhi: A day after the Assam cabinet met in Delhi under CM Himanta Biswa Sarma to calm tensions after the Assam Police allegedly opened fire and killed five Meghalaya civilians, Chief Minister of Meghalaya Conrad Sangma along with his cabinet colleagues met Union Home Minister Amit Shah here on Thursday.

Talking to reporters after the meeting, Sang-

ma said that the Union Home Minister agreed to his request for a CBI probe into the “firing by Assam Police” and to his demand for justice.

The Home ministry spokesperson later tweeted that Shah has assured a CBI probe into the firing incident.

“Meghalaya CM @ SangmaConrad met Union Home & Co-op Minister @AmitShah and requested CBI enquiry into unfortunate incident on Assam-Meghalaya border. Govt of

Assam has also requested CBI enquiry into the matter. HM @AmitShah has assured that GOI

will conduct CBI enquiry,” the tweet said.

Sangma stressed that Assam Police personnel

had

Six people, including a forest guard, were killed in violence along the Assam-Meghalaya

(ANI): Massive queues of vehicles were seen at petrol pumps across Meghalaya on Thursday evening after the Assam Petroleum Mazdoor Union (APMU) sent letters to all PSU oil marketing companies, including IOC, HPCL and BPCL, informing them that workers will not load fuel in tankers meant for Meghalaya.

border in the early hours of Tuesday, after a truck allegedly laden with illegally felled tim-

ber was intercepted by forest personnel of Assam. Sangma said he briefed Shah on the situations and likely causes behind the firing incident and demanded an inquiry by a central agency so that necessary action as per law could be taken against the people responsible.

“I want to thank the Home minister for accepting our demand and the Centre will shortly set up an inquiry by a central agency,” Sangma said.

fired upon “innocent people” in Mukroh village of Meghalaya’s West Jaintia Hills.

Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma along with cabinet colleagues meets Union Home Minister Amit Shah in New Delhi on Thursday. —PHOTO BY ANI

Khandwa: Congress general secretary in-charge of UP Priyanka Gandhi with her husband Robert Vadra on Thursday joined Rahul Gandhi’s Bharat Jodho Yatra. On 2nd day of yatra’s MP leg, Rahul started the foot march from Borgaon in Khandwa district.

HI’ TWEET

Mumbai: Actor Richa Chadha has tweeted an apology after being slammed on social media for posting a tweet on the 2020 Galwan clash soon after the Northern Army Commander said the Army is ready to execute any order, including taking back PoK.

EX-ISI CHIEF LT GEN ASIM IS NEW PAK ARMY CHIEF

SECURITY BREACH DURING PM’S RALLY IN

DRONE SHOT DOWN, 1 ARRESTED

REWRITE HISTORY, CENTRE WILL SUPPORT: HOME MIN AMIT SHAH TELLS HISTORIANS

Bavla: Security breach was reported during PM Modi’s rally in Bavla on Thursday. NSG shot down a drone and took one person into custody. The drone was unarmed but it was flying at low altitude & was heading towards stage.

New Delhi: Union HM Amit Shah has asked historians to rewrite history in Indian context. “I am student of history and I hear a lot of times that our history has not been presented properly and is distorted. Maybe that is correct, but now we need to correct this,” Shah said at a function of the Assam government in Delhi. P6

First India Bureau

A Constitution bench headed by Justice KM Joseph and also comprising Justices Ajay Rastogi, Aniruddha Bose, Hrishikesh Roy and CT Ravikumar hearing pleas at the SC in New Delhi.

VK Saxena Ahmed Bukhari

Prime Minister Narendra Modi being garlanded by the BJP leaders and party workers during public rally ahead of Gujarat Assembly polls, at Palanpur, in Banaskantha on Thursday. —PHOTO BY ANI

Collegium headed by CJI DY Chandrachud on Thursday recommended transfer of 7 HC judges to different HCs in the country. The list of HC judges, who have been recommended for transfer, does not include Justice Nikhil S Kariel of the Gujarat HC

Jain’s continuance sheer shamelessness, says Shah

First India Bureau

New Delhi: Union Home Minister Amit Shah has slammed the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) for continuing Jain as Delhi government min ister and termed it as “shamelessness” of Ke jriwal government. Shah also called such instanc es unprecedented in pub lic life.

“I had also gone to jail and resigned as a minis ter. Later, we fought be fore the court and the court said it was a po litical conspiracy and the case is fake. If there is injustice with you, then approach law/ court. You can't act so shamelessly,” the home minister said.

When asked about Jain receiving special treatment at Tihar, Shah suggested that it should be posed to the Arvind Kejriwal-led Aam Aad mi Party to respond whether or not the video was genuine.

"If the video is genu ine, the accountability lies on them (AAP).

If there is injustice with you, then ap proach law/court. You can't act such shamelessly.

They have to respond that to their jailed minis ter, even after he going to jail, you don't suspend (him). And sitting in jail, he uses such facilities. I do not have to answer (to this question). Even to day he is the minister. I have never seen in such a long political life of mine that a party doesn't seek resignation of a minister even after his going to jail," he said.

When asked about provisions allowing the

Centre to remove a min ister in such a scenario, he said even the Consti tution makers had per haps not seen such things coming, and hence, there was no such provision. “They never imagined about such a public life that some body with such shame lessness would not re sign. So such a provision was left to be made by the constitution mak ers,” the home minister added.

hanging

New Delhi (PTI): An AAP leader was found hanging at his resi dence in west Delhi’s Rajouri Garden area on Thursday, police said.

Sandeep Bhardwaj (55), AAP’s trade wing secretary, was rushed to the Kukreja Hospital by his friend, they said.

The police received information from the Hospital that Bhardwaj, a resident of Rajouri Garden, was brought dead from his resi dence, Deputy Commis sioner of Police (West) Ghanshyam Bansal said. The crime team was called to the spot.

Inquest proceedings un der section 174 CrPC is being conducted as per law, police said.

HC asks Nair, Boinpally to respond to CBI's challenge

New Delhi (Agencies): The Delhi High Court Thursday sought response of businessmen Vi jay Nair and Abhishek Boinpally on a CBI plea challenging the bail granted to them in a corruption case related to the now-scrapped Excise Policy 2021-22.

MCD POLLS

BJP will scrap factory licences if voted to power, says Gupta

First India Bureau

New Delhi: BJP Delhi unit president Adesh Gupta on Thursday said that his party will scrap factory licences and adopt a simple online process to issue trade and health licenses if voted to power in the civic body elections.

Nair and Abhishek Boinpally

Justice Yogesh Khanna issued notice to Nair and Boinpally and asked them to file their replies to CBI's separate petitions while listing the matter for further hearing on December 5. The court also asked them to file replies to the CBI's application seeking to stay the trial court's bail order. Nair, the AAP's com munication in-charge, and Boinpally, however, are still in custody as they were arrested by the Enforcement Directorate in a money launder ing case related to the excise policy. During the hearing, the judge orally said, "They are al ready in custody (in ED case).Why do you want a stay on that order? What is the hurry? Let them file a reply then we will see" and deferred the stay application.

The CBI counsel contended that every reason ing given by trial court judge is "perverse". CBI counsel Nikhil Goel informed HC that from the date when the first arrest was made, the statu tory time of 60 days will expire on Friday when the agency will file its charge sheet in the case.

2020 riots: HC rejects Tahir Hussain’s plea over money laundering charges

New Delhi: The Delhi High Court on Thurs day rejected jailed Aam Aadmi Party leader Ta hir Hussain’s plea chal lenging the framing of money laundering charges against him in a case related to the 2020 Delhi riots.

"The petition and the accompanying applica tions are declined," said Justice Anu Malhotra. The judge had reserved the order on Hussain's plea on November 15.

The plea challenged a trial court's November 3 order by which charg es for the alleged of fence under Sections 3 (offence of money laun dering) and 4 (punish ment for the offence of money laundering) of the Prevention of Mon ey Laundering Act (PMLA) were framed against him.

Hussain argued be fore the court that no

property or proceeds of crime was seized from him to justify framing of charges under the anti-money laundering law.

The ED had opposed his challenge, contend ing that Hussain was part of a conspiracy to fund the riots by using the proceeds of crime.

The trial court had said in its order that prima facie Hussain conspired to engage in money laundering and the proceeds generated

DELHI VIOLENCE

"Earlier also we took various steps to ensure transparency and sim plify licensing proce dures in the MCD, thus doing away with Inspec tor Raj. This process will be sped up further and the trade and health li censes will be issued through a simple online process," Gupta said.

Gupta said multi-level parking will also be de veloped in all the major markets to ease the park ing-related problems faced by the traders.

Cong promises RO water purifiers to poor

First India Bureau

New Delhi: Launching its 'Saaf Paani Wali Dilli, Sheila Dikshit Wali Dilli' campaign on Thursday, the Congress promised to provide RO water puri fiers to the poor if voted to power in the municipal elections. Congress Delhi president Anil Chaud hary said the party's MCD election campaign will centre around issues affecting people and that only the Congress will provide solutions to the "water crisis situation" in the national capital.

Lashing out at the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), he alleged that Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has cheated the poor people of Delhi by promising free 20 kilolitres of water. The water people get is unfit for consumption, Chaudhary said.

“Our slogan for the MCD election will be 'Gan dhe Pani Ka Hal, RO Jal' to make Delhi 'Beemari Mukt' (free of diseases) as clean water is every one's right," he said.

The BJP is committed to providing all the facilities to the trad ers so that they do not have to keep on making rounds of the MCD of fices for paperwork.

Women traders complain of lack of toilets

New Delhi (Agencies): Women traders here during a meet cited lack of women toilets, park ing space, and harass ment over licence by authorities, as some of the issues they would want to have fixed by the government, the Chamber of Trade and Industry (CTI) said on Wednesday.

The CTI took sugges tions from women trad ers and will give the draft of the suggestions to the Aam Aadmi Par ty, which governs the city.

from the crime were used for the riots.

The agency claimed Hussain had paid for engineering the riots and that there was a criminal conspiracy to fund the communal conflagration.

According to the ED complaint, Hussain fraudulently withdrew money from the bank accounts of companies owned or controlled by him through bogus en try operators on the strength of fake bills.

New Delhi (PTI): A court here on Thursday acquitted an accused in a case related to the com munal violence in north east Delhi in 2020 of the charges of rioting and arson. The court was hearing the case against Noor Mohammad, who was accused of being a part of a riotous mob that set ablaze a shop in the Khajuri Khas area on February 24, 2020.

“I find that the charg es levelled against the accused in this case are not proved beyond rea sonable doubts. Hence, accused Noor Moham mad is acquitted of all the charges levelled against him in this case,” Additional Sessions Judge Pulastya Pra machala said.

MONEY LAUNDERING

BJP ‘failed’ to perform primary duty of MCD: Deputy CM Sisodia

Bureau

First India

New Delhi: Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia on Wednesday said the people of Delhi would give a "befitting response" to the BJP which had "failed" to perform the primary responsibility of main taining cleanliness during its 15-year ten ure in the civic body. He alleged that in the past 15 years BJP has con verted Delhi into a dumpyard.

Addressing public meetings at wards in Harkesh Nagar, Pul Prahladpur and Tu

ghlakabad, Sisodia said citizens of the national capital were "fed up" with the civic body and would choose the party that worked for develop ment this time.

“People are saying

that the BJP-ruled MCD has been cheating the public for the last 15 years. This time, the people will choose the party that works for de velopment," the deputy chief minister said.

Court defers hearing against Jacqueline Fernandez till December 12

lll

Actress, who was granted bail on Nov 15, was present before the Patiala House Court when the decision was announced

New Delhi (ANI): A Delhi Court on Thurs day deferred the argu ments in a money laun dering case allegedly involving actor Jacque line Fernandez, who is out on bail in the matter. The actor, who was granted bail on Novem ber 15, also appeared before the court during the brief proceedings.

Alleged conman Su kesh Chandra Shekar is also an accused in this

case. This matter per tains to Rs 200 crore money laundering case.

Special Judge Shailen dra Malik on Thursday deferred the arguments

on the charge till December 12.

Advocate Prashant

Patil for Jacqueline sub mitted that he has not been supplied some doc uments in the matter.

The court pulled him by saying, “What is this, earlier, the senior advo cate had said all the documents have been supplied, but now you are saying those are not supplied.”The special public prosecutor sought and granted time to argue on the point of charge.

The court also direct ed and granted time to file a reply on the bail application of V Mohan Raj. The court will hear the application on De cember 16.The court has directed to file a reply on the application moved by accused Pinky Irani seeking permission to go abroad. This applica tion would be heard on December 3.

The court also direct ed the Assistant director

Ratish Mishra (ED) to file a list of unrelied doc uments which not have been yet filed.

While granting bail to actress Jacqueline Fer nandez in the case, the court said that it is yet to be examined whether the gifts she received al legedly from Sukesh Chandrasekar were out of proceeds of crime.

She is entitled to relief as she was not arrested during the investigation.

‘SHE IS ENTITLED TO RELIEF’

Union Home Minister Amit Shah addresses during 400th birth anniversary celebrations of Ahom Commander Lachit Borphukan, at Vigyan Bhawan in New Delhi on Thursday. —PHOTO BY PTI

Slamming AAP govt, Union Home Minister says such instances unprecedented in public life

‘Never seen that a party doesn’t seek resignation of a minister even after his going to jail’

Videos have emerged showing Satyender Jain getting VIP treatment inside Tihar Jail

—Amit Shah, Home Minister

Vijay

AAP’s trade wing secretary found

at his home

First India Bureau

Court acquits accused of charges of rioting, arson

Union Minister for Information and Broadcasting Anurag Thakur during election campaign in support of party leader Jagmohan Mehlawat for MCD polls on Thursday. —PHOTO BY PTI

—Adesh Gupta, BJP Delhi unit chief

Deputy CM Manish Sisodia during election campaign for MCD polls on Thursday.

—PHOTO BY PTI

Jacqueline leaves Patiala House Court on Thursday.

Shocking to find this in ‘my India’: Visitor

New Delhi (PTI): A 22-year-old man from Bihar alleged that on Thursday his cousin was “denied entry” into the Jama Masjid, whether by herself or in a group with him and his friend. The man, who hails from Patna, said it is shocking and saddening that it is hap pening in “my India”.

“We were told outside the gate that we both men could enter, but not along with my sister. My sister, about my age, tried to enter the mosque premises alone too, but was denied en try at the gate. She feels dejected,” he said.

“We really wanted to see the Jama Masjid from inside as we like the tranquillity of this place. If the Masjid au thorities feel someone is doing anything inap propriate, then those people can be fined or asked to leave the prem ises,” he said.

“But such blanket prohibition is just wrong. We go for prayers in many mosques, no one has tried to stop us just be cause we were accom panied with a female person,” the man said.

The 22-year-old man said his cousin (sister) has in the past entered the Jama Masjid smoothly for admiring its architectural beauty and religious purposes,

DCW CHIEF FUMES: IS THIS IRAQ?

Delhi Commission for Women (DCW) chief Swati Maliwal termed the ban as a violation of women's rights and said she was issuing a notice. Maliwal on Twitter said, “It is completely wrong to ban the entry of women in Jama Masjid. The kind of rights a man has to praying, women also have the same rights.”

“I am issuing a notice to imam of Jama Masjid. Nobody has the right to ban entry of women in this way,” she tweeted. In a video, the panel's chief said that it was a “shameful” and “unconsi tutional” act. “What do they feel? This is not India. This is Iraq? Nobody will raise a voice against dis crimination meted out to women openly... Nobody is above the Constitution. For such a Talibanesque act, we have issued a notice to them. We will ensure that this ban is withdrawn,” Maliwal said in the video.

but what happened to day is “just shocking”.

Many visitors, in cluding women and girls, claimed that their Aadhaar cards were be ing checked before be ing allowed entry.

“We came all the way

Group’ arms gang gathers for

New Delhi (ANI): Four members of an arms smuggling gang that called itself ‘Azad Group’ were apprehended by the Delhi Police Special Cell, officials said on Thursday. The gang leader of the group has been identified as Abhishek Bharadwaj who created a YouTube channel in the name of “Azadgroupmunger”, an Instagram Id in the name of “azadgroup011” and a Facebook profile in the name of “Azadgroupmunger”.

Delhi Police Special Cell officers said that it was from these social media platforms that Bharadwaj came in contact with other associates and included them in his gang for an arms supply racket.

All four accused were apprehended from the roadside beneath Mahipalpur Flyover “U” turn, when they came to celebrate their gang leader’s birthday. The special cell officers recovered a cache of arms and ammunition that included two semi-automatic pistols, two extra pistol maga zines, 20 live cartridges one single-shot pistol and 2 live cartridges. The gang members were procur ing illicit arms and ammunition and selling them to their contacts in Vishakhapatnam, Bhubanesh war, Agartala, Ranchi, and Punjab for the last three years, informed officials.

from Patna to see this beautiful mosque. But we were denied entry because my cousin was with me. Why should a girl or a woman be treated any less than a man or a boy,” the visi tor from Patna said.

‘ANTI-WOMEN, UNCONSTITUTIONAL’

New Delhi (PTI): The Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) on Thursday termed as antiwomen and unconstitutional the ban on entry of ‘girls’ into Jama Masjid. “It's an anti-women, anti-Constitution move. The notices banning the entry of girls into Jama Masjid should immediately be withdrawn,” VHP national spokesperson Vinod Bansal demanded.

He contended that the Jama Masjid is a protected monument and comes under the jurisdiction of the Archaeological Survey of India. “Here, Muslim women are being deprived of their rights to offer namaz on the basis of their gender. The consti tutional authorities should take swift action to tighten the noose around those anti-women ele ments who were involved in banning entry of girls into the mosque,” the VHP leader said.

Women oppose: This will take us 100 years back

First India Bureau

New Delhi: Women from various fields crit icised the Jama Mas jid’s notice on banning the entry of “girls”. Many were of the opin ion that this would take women centuries back.

Ayesha Siddiqui, a professor, said, “How can we accept this? It is completely anti-women decision. It takes us 100 years back.”

Chandni Ansari, a lawyer, said, “Such a de cision is not valid in any case. This is against our constitutional rights. According to our constitution, everyone has equal rights and no

one can be stopped en tering the religious places. The decision is regressive and unac ceptable. The mosque administration should immediately take back its decision.”

Insia Kazmi, a media professional, said in stead of stopping entry there should be some guidelines for dressing and behaviour to main tain the sanctity of the place. “No one should allowed to make reli gious place a meeting point or doing improper acts,” she said.

Sahil Khan, a soft ware professional, said, “We are living in a pro gressive society and

cannot accept such dik tat. There is need to change our mindset. Youth should come for ward to oppose such rubbish decisions.”

Yogita Bhayana, a women’s rights activist, said, “This is not just regressive but shows what kind of mindset these religious groups have about girls. It is extremely unfortu nate.” Ranjana Kumari, another rights activist, said this is completely unacceptable. “What kind of 10th century mindset is this? We are a democratic country; how can they do this. How can they bar wom en?” she asked.

Mumbai (PTI): Retired Maharashtra Police of ficers on Thursday said the police in Palghar district should have taken serious cogni sance of the complaint lodged in 2020 by Shrad dha Walkar, in which she accused her live-in partner Aaftab of try ing to kill her and that she feared he would cut her into pieces.

They said that after her complaint, the local police should have re corded her statement, registered an offence against the accused and probed the matter. Some others, however, said that since Walkar had withdrawn her com plaint later, the police cannot be blamed.

Former ADGP Prem Krishan Jain said, “It was the police's duty to register an FIR and in

vestigate it according to the law.”

Walkar withdrew her complaint 20 days later, which itself indicates she was under pres sure, he said. Former Maharashtra DGP D Sivanandhan, however, said, “If the complain ant is not firm, then po lice can't do anything. There is no legal provi sion to take action if the complaint is with drawn.”

A ‘JOURNEY WITHIN’

AMIT SHAH PROMISES QUICK, STRICTEST PUNISHMENT

Replying to a ques tion on the Shraddha Walkar case, Union Home Minister Amit Shah said on Thursday that Delhi Police and the prosecution will en sure whosoever killed the 27-year-old woman gets the strictest pun ishment in the minimal possible time.

“I have my eyes on the entire case. I just want to tell the people of the country that whosoever has done this, through due legal process, Delhi Police and prosecu tion will ensure strict punishment in the minimum time,” Shah asserted while speaking at an event in Delhi.

New Delhi: The second session of the polygraph test on Aaftab Poonawala was done at the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) in Rohini, officials said on Thursday. FSL Rohini Director Deepa Verma said, “The test is going on and if need be, the ac cused can be called again on Friday.” Sources at the Ambedkar hospital said Poonawala’s medical test will be performed after the completion of the polygraph test and the results are expected in two days. Narco analysis of the accused test can only be conducted after getting his medical report. The narco analysis is likely to be done on Monday.

Art exhibition explores elements of spirituality

Based on artisit’s visits to monasteries in Ladakh, Ganga ghats, Kedarnath, Kanheri caves, temples of south India

New Delhi (PTI): In spired by her visits to religious places across India, an artist here has created a series of art works with elements of spirituality, evoking thoughts about “the creator”, the mysteries of the universe and the inner space.

The art exhibition, “Antarman: A journey within”, by Shruti Goenka at India Habitat Centre showcases art works based on her

visit to monasteries in Ladakh, Ganga ghats in Varanasi, Kedarnath temple, historical Bud dhist site Kanheri caves in Mumbai, and tem ples of south India.

The show is curated by Sangeeta K Murthy.

“The meaning of spirituality can be dif ferent to every human being. For some it can be an experience that creates a system of per sonal beliefs in a reli gion or god, for some it

can be just connecting with something bigger than yourself, for oth ers it can be in the form of service to humanity or connecting with na ture, art, yoga, medita tion etc”, Goenka said.

Be it the Buddha in ‘Vajradhara’ position, several forms of mind fulness and compassion through White Tara, Goenka’s subjects are depicted in her signa ture style wherein she

has used various hand mudras, lotus and lotus leaves, koi fish, water waves, ever expanding circles -- all made in vi brant colour schemes.

The artist, who be lieves that in all the

phases of life ‘karma’ is the only constant, has depicted this with a se ries of four artworks, titled ‘Karmanaye Va dhikarast’.

In fact, to bring kar ma into the picture, she has used human hands as a tool to showcase that one’s karma is in their own hands.

“Few of Shruti’s paintings focus on tra ditional forms of art. They recreate the spir itual and meditative strengths of Buddha” said the curator in a statement.

The exhibition will close on November 30.

Mumbai:

conducted a search in Bhayander creek near Mumbai for a mobile phone, an

said. The search was conducted with the help of personnel of the Mira-Bhayandar-VasaiVirar Police. The police team is camping in Vasai area near Mum bai, where Walkar and Aaftab had lived, for a week. The investigators also recorded state ments of Walkar and Poonawala’s friends, relatives and owners of the flats they had rented, among others.

History sheeter shot in leg in encounter with Noida Police

Noida (ANI): An en counter took place be tween the Noida Police and a history sheeter on Thursday morning, fol lowing which the latter was shot in the leg, a police official said.

The history-sheeter, identified as Jai Kishan alias Rohit, hailing from Bihar and cur rently living in Azad Nagar, Delhi, is an al leged mobile snatcher who has earlier been jailed under the Gang ster Act and was recent ly released, police said.

Following the encoun

ter where the miscreant was shot in his leg, he was arrested and shift ed to a hospita.

Additional Commis sioner of Police, Noida, Ashutosh Dwivedi said, “He was shot at, in re taliatory fire, and he has been sent for treat ment. He also has been to jail, and was released a few days ago.”

Paintings by Shruti Goenka on exhibition at India Habitat Centre.

The notice at Jama Masjid on Thursday. —PHOTO BY PTI

‘Azad

leader’s b’day, held ‘Cops should have acted swiftly on Walkar’s complaint’

The visibly injured Shraddha Walkar in a 2020 photo

Aaftab Poonawala at the Rohini FSL on Tuesday.

SECOND SESSION OF POLYGRAPH DONE AT FSL, NARCO ANALYSIS ON MONDAY

A team of Delhi police which is probing the Shraddha Walkar murder case on Thursday

official

COPS SEARCH BHAYANDAR CREEK FOR MOBILE PHONE

WORLD CUP PUTS THE SPOTLIGHT ON QATAR,

BUT ALSO BRINGS ATTENTION TO ITS HUMAN RIGHTS RECORD AND POLITICS

With the start of the World Cup on November 20, 2022, soccer teams from 32 countries and tens of thousands of fans have converged on Qatar, a tiny Arab country on a pen insula in the Persian Gulf. But search “Qatar 2022” on line, and the first nonsport results are about the coun try’s human rights issues.

Like its fellow oil-rich Arab countries, Qatar has enjoyed immense wealth that nur tured grand ambitions of eco nomic growth among rulers and citizens alike. Qatar and its neighbors, including Bah rain and the United Arab Emirates, have brought in mil lions of workers from other countries to support their fastgrowing cities and businesses over the past few decades.

ple who don’t know a soccer ball from a hockey puck to understand four aspects of Qatar’s politics that relate to its human rights challenges.

1. QATAR IS RULED BY A POPULAR KING

A sparsely populated country in a desert, Qatar gained inde pendence from Great Britain in 1971. With its large oil and natural gas reserves, Qatar has the highest income per citizen in the world. Qatar’s ruler is popular among citi zens. Sheikh Tamim bin Ham ad Al Thani is part a family dynasty that has run the ar ea’s politics since the 1800s, even under Ottoman and Brit ish control. This makes Qatar one of eight Arab countries governed by hereditary kings.

I am a political scientist and legal scholar of the Middle East who has lived and worked in Qatar.

Given the sudden media focus on the country, I think it is helpful for both World Cup fans and people who don’t know a soccer ball from a hockey puck to understand four aspects of Qatar’s politics that relate to its human rights challenges

Yet genuine global concern about rights in countries like Qatar and mistrust between the Middle East and the West will persist. Can new global awareness of Qatar lead to more nuanced understanding of both cross-cultural similarities and differences between Arab Islamic countries and the rest of the world? For the moment, this is as hard to know as which country will win the World Cup

In particular, about 30,000 workers came from Bangla desh, India and Nepal to con struct the World Cup stadi ums. At least 37 died, accord ing to official Qatari counts, while building the US$220 billion infrastructure for the games.

I am a political scientist and legal scholar of the Mid dle East who has lived and worked in Qatar. Given the sudden media focus on the country, I think it helpful for both World Cup fans and peo

SC IS RIGHT ON EC APPOINTMENTS

2. YES – WORKERS’ RIGHTS HAVE BEEN A PROBLEM

Doha, the capital of Qatar, has become a major media, educational, diplomatic and recreational hub over the past few decades. Its break neck development also re quired workers from all over the world. As a result, foreign workers make up about 85% of the country’s total popula tion, but they do not have the same rights as Qatari citi

The Supreme Court’s gaze is fixed on the ap pointment of Election Commis sioners and the Bench hear ing the matter is posing some probing observations regard ing lack of transparency in appointments and their short tenures. The court asked for the appointment file of EC Arun Goel to look at the mechanism that was followed and observed that “if there is no hanky panky then there is nothing to fear”. A former IAS officer of Punjab cadre Arun Goel is in line to be come the Chief Election Commissioner after the term of Rajiv Kumar ends in 2025.

The Supreme Court’s hard stance invited an equally tough response from the gov

zens. Qatari natives have been reluctant to share their extraordinary social welfare benefits, like free medical care, with millions of work ers from abroad. This makes for a system that gives many more rights to Qatari nation als than the millions of oth ers who live there.

3. YET QATAR HAS MADE MAJOR REFORMS

While workers’ rights have received appropriate West ern media attention, Qatar’s direct efforts to respond to

The Supreme Court’s gaze is fixed on the appointment of Election Commissioners and the bench hearing the matter is posing some probing observations regarding lack of transparency in appointments and their short tenures

ernment which said that there was no pick and choose and the selection was made on the basis of seniority. The government rejected out right the court’s suggestion to include a Supreme Court judge in the selection panel.

Attorney General Tushar

4. AND WESTERN CRITIQUES MAY CONCEAL OTHER AGENDAS

Qatari officials have suggest ed that international atten tion to foreign workers’ con ditions is part of a broader pattern of Westerners belit tling Arabs and Muslims. One blatant example is an October issue of the French right-wing satirical maga zine “Le Canard enchaîné,” which depicted Qatari soccer players as terrorists.

Calls in some parts of Eu rope for a widespread World Cup boycott add fuel to this and other arguments that the European and American im pression of Qatar is hypocriti cal and possibly Islamophobic. Though hardly a neutral ob server, Gianni Infantino, the president of FIFA, which car ries out the World Cup, reflect ed many Gulf Arabs’ views when he argued that Europe’s history of exploiting Middle Easterners and others gives it little moral high ground on is sues of non-Western rights.

SOURCE: THE CONVERSATION

Mehta told the Bench headed by Justice KM Joseph, “A pre supposition that only with the presence of judiciary in dependence and fairness will be achieved, that is an incor rect reading of the Constitu tion. Mere presence of some one from judiciary will en sure transparency is a falla cious statement.”

Barring TN Seshan no oth er CEC has shown spine to challenge the government whenever it was found want ing in sticking to norms. Be fore every election questions are raised over EC’s deci sions creating the perception that its decisions are influ enced by the government. After the Supreme Court, the poll panel is one institution whose autonomy should be sacrosanct.

IN-DEPTH

THE UNRESOLVED BORDER DISPUTES BETWEEN STATES CREATE FRICTION

Border disputes be tween states keep flaring up now and then without any resolution in sight. Assam and Meghalaya were to start their second round of talks to resolve their boundary dis pute when six people were killed in firing by the Assam police. Five of those killed belonged to Meghalaya. Assam Chief Minis ter Himanta Biswa Sarma de nied the incident had anything to do with the dispute over 12 stretches of their long border. The dispute had been resolved in six of these areas in March. While these two north-east ern states avoided provocation, another flashpoint emerged be tween two BJP-ruled states of Karnataka and Maharashtra.

Chief Minister Basavaraj Bom mai and his neighbouring state’s Deputy Chief Minister Deven dra Fadnavis engaged in a war of words over border dispute after some villages in Maha rashtra’s Sangli district passed a resolution to merge with Kar nataka following a water crisis. Fadnavis asserted that no vil lager was going anywhere. Bom mai found this provocative. Fes tering since 1960, when will the dispute be resolved?

SPIRITUAL SPEAK

l Vol 2 l Issue No.86

l RNI TITLE NO. DELENG/2021/19840

Printed and published by Anita Hada Sangwan on behalf of First Express Publishers. Printed at Impressions Printing and Packaging Limited, C-21, 22 Sector-59, Noida-201301. Published at G-20, 3rd Floor, 309, Preet Vihar, New Delhi-110092. Phone 011-49846474.

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

Amit Shah

@AmitShah

Millions of tributes on the martyrdom day of ‘Hind di Chadar’, the ninth Guru of the Sikhs, Shri Guru Teg Bahadur Ji. The ascetic life, sacrifice and teachings of Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji, the supreme symbol of struggle and sacrifice against oppression and injustice, will always remain a source of inspiration for the unity of the nation.

Rajnath Singh @rajnathsingh

Lachit Borphukan was a courageous military leader who fought valiantly for the honour and dignity of his people. On the occasion of his 400th birth anniversary, I bow to him for his exemplary courage and bravery. He will remain an inspiration for India’s coming generations.

God promises to make something good out of the storms that bring devastation to your life. Bible

local and international activ ism are less known. Qatar enacted the most significant labor rights reforms in the Arab world in 2021.

AAM AADMI PARTY TOPS THE LIST, FOLLOWED BY CONGRESS AND RULING BJP: ADR REPORT

‘21% CANDIDATES IN PHASE

1 FACING CRIMINAL CASES ’

Ahmedabad (PTI): A total of 167 candidates, out of 788 contesting the 89 seats in the first phase of Gujarat As sembly elections, have criminal cases against them, with 100 of them facing serious charges like murder and rape, a report by the Associa tion for Democratic Re forms (ADR) said on Thursday.

With this, 21 per cent of the candidates in fray have criminal cas es against them, while 13 per cent are facing serious charges.

The Aam Aadmi Par ty (AAP), which is con testing 88 seats out of the total 89, tops this list among major political parties in the fray with 36 per cent of its candi dates having criminal cases. Thirty per cent of its candidates are facing serious cases such as murder, rape, assault, kidnapping, among others, the ADR said in its report. The number of candidates having criminal cases fielded by the AAP is 32.

The Arvind Kejriwalled party is followed by

the Congress, which has fielded 35 per cent of its candidates with criminal cases. Twenty per cent of such candi dates are facing serious cases. The grand old party is contesting all 89 seats in the first

CRUCIAL READ

ARMY CARRIES OUT SEARCH OPERATION IN J&K’S POONCH

Jammu (PTI): The Army on Thursday carried out a cordon-and-search opera tion in the border belt of Jammu and Kashmir’s Poonch district, officials said. Based on informa tion about the movement of suspected terrorists, the Army cordoned off Bhata forest in the Mendhar border belt and carried out a search operation, they said. The security forces also resorted to ‘speculative fire’ to clear the area, they added. The search opera tion was going on at the time of filing this report.

Davanagere (Agencies):

A man in Karnataka’s Davanagere district was ar rested on Thursday for al legedly killing his 6-month pregnant wife and burying her body in the jungle – in a pit, he had prepared much earlier, police said. The accused is identified as Mohan Kumar, 25, a resi dent of Gangondanahalli near Channagiri town near Davanagere. Police have launched a hunt for the parents of Mohan, who are on the run. The deceased woman was identified as 21-year-old Chandrakala aka Rashmi.

FIRING: MOBILE INTERNET TO REMAIN SUSPENDED IN MEGHALAYA TILL SATURDAY

Shillong (Agencies):

GOVT’S INITIATIVE OF PROVIDING JOBS TO STATE’S YOUTH

New

of the state including the police will further hire in the upcom ing months. The PM said that the step will strengthen the Goa Police further enhancing the convenience of the people, especially tourists.

phase and the number of candidates with criminal cases fielded by it is 31, the ADR re port further said.

The ruling BJP, which is also contesting all seats in the first phase of the election,

has fielded 14 candi dates with criminal re cords. Percentagewise, such candidates ac count for 16 per cent of its total number and 12 per cent are facing seri ous charges, the ADR said in its report.

A LEADER WHO IS UNBEATEN FOR 32 YEARS IS BJP’S DWARKA CANDIDATE

Dwarka (ANI): The Dwarka Assembly constituency’s seat should be considered one of the safest bets for BJP in the upcoming Gujarat assembly elections. The reason is Pabubha Manek, an MLA who has not lost a single election in the last 32 years. BJP has entrusted Manek, to win the seat for the party for the third straight time. Pabubha Manek, who has never lost an election since 1990, won the first three elections as an independent (1990, 95, 98), then joined the Congress and won the seat in 2002. Later, he won the Assembly elections of 2007, 2012 and 2017 on a BJP ticket. Speak ing to ANI on the sidelines of his campaign, Manek, claiming the support and af fection of all communities in the constituency, said that he has been “selected and not elected” for this long.

The Bharatiya Tribal Party, which is contest ing 14 seats in first phase, has four candidates (29 per cent) with declared criminal cases. A total seven per cent of its can didates have serious criminal cases this time.

Will bring UCC through all democratic process, says Shah

New Delhi (PTI): Un ion Home Minister Amit Shah on Thursday said the BJP is commit ted to bring Uniform Civil Code (UCC) in the country but only after following all democrat ic processes and discus sions on it.

Addressing an event here, he also exuded confidence in BJP's vic tory in the Himachal Pradesh and Gujarat assembly elections as also in the MCD (Mu nicipal Corporation of Delhi) polls.

The home minister credited Prime Minis ter Naredra Modi for making the country's politics free from the "naasur" (canker) of casteism, dynasty and appeasement.

Talking about the UCC, Shah said it has been a promise of BJP since its days of Bhar tiya Jan Sangh.

New Delhi: Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Thursday said the Delhi Police and prosecution will ensure Shraddha Walkar’s killer will get the strictest punishment. “Delhi Police, prosecution will ensure whoever killed Shraddha Walkar will get strictest punishment in least time,” Amit Shah said at an event. Aaftab Amin Poonawala, Shraddha’s live-in partner, is accused of killing her and chopping her into 35 pieces before disposing them off in Delhi’s Mehrauli forest in May.

SHRADDHA MURDER CASE IS NOT ABOUT “LOVE JIHAD”, SAYS AIMIM CHIEF OWAISI

New Delhi: Citing the bone-chilling Shraddha Walkar murder case, AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi on Thursday called out the BJP for giving the issue a “religious angle” and said that the incident is not about “love jihad.” Owaisi said that BJP politics over this is completely wrong. “BJP politics over this is completely wrong. It’s not an issue of love jihad but of exploitation and abuse against a woman and that is how it should be viewed and condemned,” Owaisi said.

Cong set to attack Modi govt at Ambedkar’s birthplace

New Delhi (ANI): Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, who is lead ing the party’s ‘Bharat Jodo Yatra’, will ad dress a mega rally in Madhya Pradesh’s Mhow, the birthplace of Dr BR Ambedkar, on Constitution Day on November 26.

Through this mega event, Rahul Gandhi is expected to attack the Modi government at the Centre on the lines of “Save Consti tution Save Democra cy”, sources said. As per sources, Priyanka Gandhi who has al ready reached Indore may also join the rally.

Other than them, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge has also changed his programme for the event.

CONG CONDEMNS PM MODI OVER APPOINTMENTS “SCINDIA MAY HAVE INDICATD AT GHAR WAPSI”

New Delhi: The Op position party Congress alleged on Thursday that almost all appoint ments made by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and decisions taken by him were done by “tearing” convention and the Constitution without consultation. The remark comes on a day the Supreme Court observed that the appointment of a new election commis sioner was effected in a “tearing hurry”.

Shimla: Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia’s “welcome” remark for the Bharat Jodo Yatra in Madhya Pradesh could be an indication of “homecoming”, an AICC spokesperson said. The yatra entered Bodarli vil lage in MP’s Burhanpur district from Maharash tra on Wednesday morn ing. BJP leader Scindia had said, “Everyone is welcome in Madhya Pradesh”, referring to the march on November 23.

PM Modi to address Lachit Barphukan’s birth anniv today

New Delhi (ANI): Be fore accepting Aadhaar either in physical or electronic form as the proof of identity of an individual, entities should verify if it is gen uine, UIDAI has said.

The Unique Identifi cation Authority of In dia (UIDAI) said the verification of Aadhaar number, following the consent of the Aadhaar holder, is the right step to establish the genu ineness of any form of Aadhaar (Aadhaar let ter, e-Aadhaar, Aadhaar PVC card, and m-Aad haar) presented by the individual concerned.

The Union ministry of Electronics and IT said verification of Aadhaar prohibits 'unscrupu lous elements and antisocial elements' from indulging in any possi ble misuse of the iden tification document.

New Delhi (ANI): PM Narendra Modi will ad dress the closing cere mony of the year-long celebrations of the 400th birth anniversary of Lachit Barphukan on Friday morning at Vigyan Bhawan here.

It has been PM’s con stant endeavour to hon our unsung heroes in a befitting manner. In line with this, country is cel ebrating 2022 as 400th birth anniversary year of Lachit Barphukan.

The celebrations were inaugurated in Febru ary this year by former President Ram Nath Ko vind in Guwahati. Bar phukan (1622-1672) was the General of Ahom Kingdom of Assam who defeated the Mughals and successfully halted ever-expanding ambi tions of the Mughals under Aurangzeb.

HM TO ATTEND BIRTH ANNIV OF BARPHUKAN

New Delhi: Union HM Amit Shah will attend the 400th birth anniversary celebration of Ahom General Lachit Barphukan in here on Friday. The three-daylong event, organized by the Assam govt, began in the national capital on Wednes day. On the first day, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman inaugurated the exhibi tion, being organized as a part of the event.

New Delhi: BJP chief JP Nadda

Meghalaya

RAIDS CONDUCTED ON MARIJUANA FARMS IN KARNATAKA, 2 HELD

Yadgir (Agencies): The Excise teams on Thursday conducted raids on agri cultural farms cultivating marijuana in Yadgir district.

The raids were conducted in four locations — three in Ullesugur village and one in Evoor village in Surapura taluq of Yadgir — and two persons have been taken into custody in this connection. The authorities have also seized three kg of dry marijuana and another three kg of fresh marijua na. The investigations have revealed that the accused used to prepare marijuana and stored and sold it to potential customers.

AKHILESH HINTS AT CONTESTING 2024 LS POLL FROM KANNAUJ

Kannauj (PTI): Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav on Thursday indi cated that he may contest the 2024 parliamentary elections from Kannauj, which had elected him as an MP for the first time.

“It is our job to contest... what will I do sitting idle? I will contest from where I had contested the first election,” he told report ers here when asked if he will contest from Kannauj in 2024. The former Uttar Pradesh chief minister, however, said the party would take a decision at the right time. He was here to attend a function.

First India Bureau

New Delhi: Union Min ister of Environment Forest and Climate Change Bhupender Ya dav addressed the spe cial United Nations Country Team (UNCT) on the key themes and takeaways from CoP 27 (Conference of the Par ties) at the UN House, on Thursday. The meet ing was followed by the inauguration of the Cli mate Change Photo Ex hibition with the Swiss Embassy at the UN

congratulated the Gov ernment of India on its vitally important con tributions made at the recently concluded CoP 27 at Sharm elSheikh, Egypt. He re marked that India’s bold leadership on the climate agenda, and the innovative solu tions increasingly emerging from govern ment and private sec tor partners in India, are a beacon to the world for a more sus tainable, just and equi table global future.

PM Narendra Modi at a rally, in Dehgam town of Gandhinagar district, on Thursday. —PHOTO BY PTI

Rahul Gandhi with his sister Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, her husband Robert Vadra and other leaders during the Bharat Jodo Yatra in Khandwa, Madhya Pradesh, on Thursday. —PHOTO BY PTI

PM Modi being presented a Lord Ganesha idol at a rally, in Dehgam, on Thursday. —PHOTO BY PTI

Amit Shah being felicitated by Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma as Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal looks on. —PHOTO BY PTI

PM LAUDS GOA

Delhi: Prime Minister Naren dra Modi on Thursday lauded the Goa government in its step towards providing jobs to the youth via the distribution of appointment letters to the new recruits and said that several departments

K’TAKA MAN KILLS PREGNANT WIFE, BURIES HER BODY

The suspension of mobile Internet and data services that was ordered on Tuesday after firing by the Assam Police that left five civilians of Meghalaya and an Assam forest guard dead in West Jaintia Hills district, has been extended in 7 districts of Megha laya till Saturday morning, officials said on Thursday.

Home Secretary CVD Diengdoh, in a notification said that firing incident at Mukroh village in West Jaintia Hills district has a potential to disturb public peace and tranquility, and cause a threat to public safety in the seven districts.

PM MODI SHOULD SPEAK ABOUT BJP’S ‘MISRULE’ IN GUJ: CONG PREZ KHARGE

WILL ENSURE STRICTEST PUNISHMENT FOR SHRADDHA’S KILLER: AMIT SHAH

New Delhi: Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Thursday hit back at PM Narendra Modi over his attack on the party during the campaign in Gujarat, saying that instead of cursing the Congress, he should speak about the BJP’s “misrule” in the state. Modi on Wednesday had sought to corner the Congress for not supporting a tribal woman, Droupadi Murmu, in presidential poll. Hitting back, Kharge said in a tweet in Hindi, “Narendra Modi ji, instead of cursing the Congress, speak on the misrule of the BJP!”

NADDA ALSO PAYS TRIBUTES

on Thursday tweeted: “Veer Lachit Borphukan was a Gener al of Ahom Army whose unparalleled heroism and bravery is an inspiration not only to Assam but to whole India.”

Verify Aadhaar before accepting it as proof of identity: UIDAI

House in New Delhi. Shombi Sharp, Unit

ed Nations Resident Coordinator in India,

New Delhi: Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar will be addressing the valedictory session of UNESCO India Africa Hackathon as a Chief Guest at Gautam Buddha University, UP on Friday at 11am. Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan; UP Governor Anandiben Patel; UP CM Yogi Adityanath; Ast Director General (PAX), UNESCO, Firmin Edouard Matoko and Ministers of the 13 African Countries will grace the occasion. UNESCO India Africa Hackathon was inaugurated at Gautam Buddha University with a grand opening ceremony on November 22.

Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav at the special meeting of the United Nations Country Team (UNCT) on Thursday.

BRIEFS

India ’s inflation to ease: Fin Ministry

First India Bureau

New Delhi: Rooftop solar capacity installations in India fell 29% to 320MW in July-Sept 2022, ac cording to Mercom Re search India. The country added 448 MW rooftop solar capacity in the same quarter a year ago, the re search firm said. During January-September, the installations at 1,165 MW were also down 11% compared to 1,310 MW in the corresponding ninemonth period of the last year, the report titled ‘Mercom India Rooftop Solar Market Report Q3 2022’ said. —PTI

UNIPARTS INDIA’S

IPO TO KICK OFF ON NOVEMBER 30

New Delhi: According to a Finance Ministry report published on Thursday, on the back of macroeconom ic stability, despite global monetary tightening, India is well placed to grow at a “moderately brisk rate” in the coming years.

It further said inflation ary pressures will ease in the coming months with the arrival of kharif crops and at the same time job opportunities will in crease with improvement in business prospects.

The ‘Monthly Economic Review for October 2022’ also cautioned that the US monetary tightening is a “future risk” which could lead to dip in stock prices, weaker currencies and higher bond yields, result ing in higher borrowing costs for many govern ments around the world.

New Delhi: The initial share-sale of engineering systems and solutions provider Uniparts India will open for public sub scription on November 30. The three-day initial public offering (IPO) will conclude on December 2. The bidding for anchor in vestors will open on No vember 29, according to the red herring prospec tus (RHP). The IPO is en tirely an Offer for Sale (OFS) of 14,481,942 eq uity shares by promoter group entities and exist ing investors. —PTI

EVOLUTIONX DEBT

CAPITAL TO INVEST $35-40 MN IN UDAAN

It said a rapid deteriora tion in global growth pros pects, high inflation, and worsening financial condi tions have increased fears of an impending global re cession. The spillovers of the global slowdown may dampen India’s exports businesses outlook. How ever, resilient domestic de mand, a re-invigorated in vestment cycle along with strengthened financial sys

EXPORTERS DEMAND FISCAL SUPPORT IN BUDGET

New Delhi: Growth-stage debt financing platform

EvolutionX Debt Capital has committed an invest ment into B2B e-com merce platform udaan, a joint statement said on Thursday. While both the companies did not dis close the corpus, sources aware of the development said that the commitment is in the range of $35-40 million (about `286-326 crore). Udaan claims to have over 3 million retail ers across various cate gories including lifestyle, electronics, home and kitchen, staples, fruits & vegetables, FMCG, phar ma and general merchan dise. —PTI

VOLVO CAR INDIA TO HIKE PRICES OF SELECT MODELS

New Delhi (PTI): Export ers on Thursday demanded fiscal incentives, tweaking in customs duties on cer tain products and credit at affordable rates in the forth coming Budget to boost ex ports and create jobs.

In a pre-budget virtual meeting with Finance Min ister, the FIEO said the de preciation of the rupee against the US dollar is af fecting exports’ competi tiveness and the sector re quires more support.

“Creation of employ ment is the biggest chal lenge faced by the country... We would urge the govern ment to provide fiscal sup port to units which provide additional employment in the export sector,” the ex porter’s body said.

Noting

tem and structural reforms will provide impetus to economic growth going forward.

“In a world where mon etary tightening has weak ened growth prospects, In dia appears well placed to grow at a moderately brisk rate in the coming years on account of the priority it accorded (to) macroeco nomic stability,” the report

said. The ministry said, so far in current year, India’s food security concerns have been addressed and will continue to receive the utmost priority from the government.

“Easing international commodity prices and new kharif arrival are also set to dampen inflationary pressures in the coming months,” it said.

Lagged data a big hindrance for policy decision, says Patra

Mumbai (PTI): Reserve Bank Deputy Governor Michael Patra on Thurs day said formulating mon etary policy is a challeng ing task in a volatile envi ronment like the current one, given lagged data inputs, which are also frequently reviewed.

Patra said that next week, the deliberations will be starting for the next pol icy review to be announced in the first week of Decem ber and will have to depend on inflation data for Octo ber and growth data for July-September coming out on November 30.

“Monetary policy has to be forward-looking, and that is because when the policy rate is changed, it takes quite a while before it reaches lending rates and aggregate demand in the economy. Hence, we can only target future in flation, not yesterday’s,” Patra said.

“On the basis of one month ago and three month ago data, I will have to assess what is inflation and growth going to be one year down the line,” he added.

Patra, who over sees the impor tant mone

Sensex close at record high on Thursday, Nifty jumps 216 points

Mumbai (PTI): Equity benchmark BSE Sensex closed at an all-time high of 62,272.68 on Thursday, tracking a firm trend in global markets after the US Fed minutes indicated a slower pace of rate in crease that bolstered inves tors’ sentiment.

Extending its rally to the third straight day, the 30-share Bombay Stock Ex change (BSE) benchmark rallied 762.10 points or 1.24% to settle at 62,272.68, its record closing peak.

During the day, it jumped 901.75 points or 1.46% to its lifetime high of 62,412.33.

The broader NSE Nifty gained 216.85 points or 1.19% to end at 18,484.10.

From the Sensex pack, HCL Technologies, Info sys, Wipro, Power Grid,

ACCORDING TO INDUSTRY EXPERTS

New Delhi: Luxury car maker Volvo Car India on Thursday said it will in crease prices of its three models -- XC90, XC60 and XC40 Recharge -- by up to 1.8% with effect from Nov 25 in order to offset the impact of rising input costs. The ex-show room price of XC40 Re charge will rise to `56.9 lakh from `55.9 lakh cur rently. Similarly, prices of XC 60 will rise to `66.5 lakh and that of XC90 to `96.5 lakh from `94.9 lakh earlier. —PTI

Tech Mahindra, Tata Con sultancy Services, Hindu stan Unilever, HDFC, HDFC Bank and Mahindra & Mahindra were among the major winners.

Bajaj Finserv, Tata Steel, Bajaj Finance and Kotak Mahindra Bank were the laggards.

RUPEE GAINS 30 PAISE ON THURSDAY TO CLOSE AT 81.63 AGAINST US DOLLAR

Mumbai (PTI): The rupee appreciated 30 paise to close at 81.63 (provisional) against the US dollar on Thursday as a weak greenback in the over seas market and a rally in domestic equities boosted investor sentiments. At the interbank foreign exchange market, the local unit opened at 81.72 and touched an intra-day high of 81.60 and a low of 81.77 against the greenback. The local unit finally settled at 81.63, registering a rise of 30 paise over its previous close.

NRIs investing in large housing units in India

First India Bureau

New Delhi: According to industry experts, NRIs liv ing in the US, the UK and Singapore are investing in larger housing units in their hometowns, having learned from the painful experience of living in space-tight units during the lockdown in India, and as the Work from Home (WFH) mode has become a requirement.

The real estate experts also said that the Non Resi dent Indians are also set tling down with extended families, another lesson

from the pandemic that liv ing together with family members is much helpful in facing another COVID-19 wave type development in the future.

“There has been a para digm shift in the residen tial market in terms of liv ing and lifestyle,” said one of the market expert.

While another added

WFH IS NOW A REQUIREMENT

z NRIs living in the US, the UK and Singapore are investing in larger housing units in their hometowns, having learned from the painful experience of living in space-tight units during the lockdown in India, and as WFH is now a requirement

that WFH had become a re quirement and profession als are now seeking out ad ditional space to set up workstations within their residences.

TOP TALKING POINTS

z RBI Deputy Governor Michael Patra on Thursday said formulating monetary policy is a challenging task in a volatile environment like the current one, given lagged data inputs, which are also frequently reviewed

z Deliberations will have to depend on inflation data for October

tary policy function at the central bank, said there are shocks like the war in Ukraine, and the jump in oil and food prices, which the monetary policy has to contend with after the release of the dated offi cial data. Additionally, there is the risk of fre quent reviews as well, he rued, pointing out that in India, we have prelimi nary, partial, revised and final styles of account presentations.

The RBI has also been deploying artificial intelligence and ma chine learningbased sentiment analysis tools late ly which have come up with interest ing find ings, he added.

OTHER STORIES

GOVT TO AUGMENT COAL STOCKS AT POWER PLANTS

New Delhi: The government on Thursday said it is planning to augment coal stock at thermal power plants to 45 million tonnes by March-end. The coal ministry said that it further plans to increase the stock of fossil fuel at the pithead. “The Ministry of Coal is planning to build stock at domestic coalbased plants to the tune of 30 million tonnes by the end of November, 2022.” It has plans to keep building the stock so that by the end of March 31, 2023, coal stocks at TPP go up to 45 million tonnes. —PTI

Recession unlikely in APAC region in 2023:

Moody’s

New Delhi (PTI): A reces sion is unlikely in the APAC region in the coming year, although the area will face headwinds from high er interest rates and slower global trade growth, Moody’s Analytics said on Thursday.

In its analysis titled ‘APAC Outlook: A Coming Downshift’, Moody’s said India is headed for slower growth next year more in line with its long-term potential.

On the regional outlook, Moody’s said even though India, as well as other ma jor economies of APAC re gion are expanding due to their own delayed reopen ing from pandemic-related shutdowns, the expected slowdowns in Europe and North America, along with China’s sluggish economy, will cause 2023 to be a slow er year than 2022 for eco nomic growth.

“That said, a recession is not expected in the APAC region in the coming year, although the area will face headwinds from higher in terest rates and slower global trade growth,” Cochrane added.

ABOUT `400 CR TAX DEPOSITED BY FILING UPDATED ITRs SO FAR

New Delhi: The recently intro duced provision of allowing taxpayers to update their tax returns has seen as many as 5 lakh re-filings with about Rs 400 crore additional tax com ing in, a senior govt official said. The Finance Act, of 2022 introduced a new concept of updated returns, which permitted taxpayers to update their ITRs within two years of filing, subject to payment of taxes. “So far about 5 lakh updated ITRs have been filed and about `400 crore taxes have been paid,” he said.

CCI TO PASS VERDICT ON GST PROFITEERING COMPLAINTS FROM DEC 1; NAA TO WIND UP

New Delhi: From December 1, all complaints related to GST profi teering will be dealt with by India’s antitrust watchdog Competition Commission of India (CCI), in place of National Anti Profiteering Authority, a government notifica tion said. Currently, all consumer complaints of companies not passing on GST rate cut benefits are investigated by the Directo rate General of Anti-profiteering (DGAP), which then submits its report to the NAA. The NAA then gives a final ruling on such complaints. Since the tenure of NAA ends this month, its functions will be taken over by the CCI from December 1.

UAE BARS ENTRY OF PEOPLE WITH SINGLE NAME IN PASSPORTS

New Delhi: Individuals having only single name as sur name or given name in their passports will not be allowed to enter the UAE with new guidelines coming into force. “Any pass port holder with a single name (word) either in surname or given name will not be ac cepted by UAE immigration and the passenger will be considered as INAD,” accord ing to a circular issued by Air India and Air India Express, mentioning about the latest UAE guidelines.

TCPL, CHAUHAN IN DISCUSSIONS FOR SALE OF BISLERI

New Delhi: Veteran indus trialist Ramesh Chauhan on Thursday said he is scouting for a buyer for his packaged water busi ness Bisleri In ternational and is in talks with several players, including Tata Consumer Products Ltd. Tata Group firm also said that it is in discus sion with Bisleri International, for growth and expansion of the business of the company. However, the 82-year-old denied a report that a `7,000 crore deal has been finalised with TCPL.

New Delhi (PTI): There is a need to promote a circular economy to deal with the issues related to climate change, India’s G20 Sherpa Amitabh Kant on Thursday said. Kant noted different ministries and states are taking initiatives to promote a circular economy. He said in COP 27, India underlined its long-term low carbon emission strategy. India’s Presidency for the G20 from December 1 provides an opportunity to the country for an accelerated transition towards the circular economy, he added.

that there is a need to create a business environment for the circular economy, he said,” We need to ensure that regula tions do not become burdensome”.

Need to promote circular economy to deal with climate change issues: Kant

EX-LAW OFFICER OF TIHAR JAIL MAKES SHOCKING REVELATIONS

ILLEGAL PRACTICES NORMAL AT TIHAR’

First India Bureau

New Delhi: Amid a row over videos pur portedly showing Delhi minister Satyendar Jain getting “massag es” in his prison cell, eating packed food in side in another video, a former law officer of Tihar Jail Sunil Gupta has claimed that such “illegal” practices as VIP treatment were “normal” there.

Also, during his ten ure, he said, sexual fa vours were being ar ranged for influential inmates of Tihar Jail.

Gupta, who served as a law officer and spokesperson in Tihar from 1981 to 2016, claimed the “high and mighty people” used to get all kinds of favours and “special treatment” within the prison prem ises from officials as well as inmates in the country’s largest jail in which actions were also taken in some cases af ter he reported them.

However, Dheeraj Mathur, the spokesper son of Tihar Jail, re fused to respond to Gupta’s allegation.

Not only this, former Lieutenant Governor of Puducherry Kiran Bedi, who served as Tihar Jail DG from 1993-1995, said, “What Sunil is re ferring to perhaps of his tenures earlier than mine or after my depar ture. Hence (it) is only in his knowledge.”

However, Bedi admit ted that she used receive “all sorts of complaints” from prisoners, includ ing of sodomy.

Ambreesh Gaur, who served as senior jail su perintendent in several

VIP TREATMENT TO INFLUENTIAL INMATES

Gupta penned a book, Black Warrant, which highlighted how power ful prisoners have lived ’’luxurious’’ lives breaking every rule. Tihar is in the eye of a storm for alleged VIP treatment to influen tial prisoners after videos emerged in the public domain on November 19 showing Jain, who has been arrested on money laundering charges, get ting massages from some inmates, one of whom was later identified as a POCSO accused.

Use hair gel, colour grey hair, go bald if hairline receding: Air India grooming guidelines

New Delhi (ANI): Ta ta-owned Air India (AI) has released latest grooming guidelines for all its crew mem bers while giving clear instructions about the ‘No More Chalta Hai’culture.

Air India issued a cir cular of over 40 pages regarding the revised image and uniform guidelines, which clear ly mentions criterions for both male and fe male crew members.

“For the male crew, black uniform jackets must be worn through out the flight in all cab ins. (During boarding, service and deplaning).

“Use of hair gel is mandatory. Male crew with deep receding hairlines and male balding patches must keep a clean shaved head or bald look. The head must be shaved daily. A crew cut is not permitted. Grey hair is not permitted. Grey hair must be regularly coloured in a natural shade. Fashion colours

and henna are not per mitted. Rings - only one ring in wedding band design is allowed for men. Only one Sikh Kada with a maximum

NO RULES FOR WHITE COLLAR CRIMINALS

“I have seen rules being thrown to the wind to appease ministers, businessmen and indus trialists,” Gupta claimed. “Who would not want to align with and shower favour on influential peo ple? They promise jobs, legal aid, and money to poor prisoners and get their services in whatever form they want. “’Even jail officials dance to their tune as they are promised money or jobs to their relatives and others,” Gupta claimed.

I have even seen influ ential people

ing thrown to the wind to appease ministers, businessmen and in dustrialists,” Gupta claimed.

“Who would not want to align with and show er favour on influential people? They promise jobs, legal aid, and mon ey to poor prisoners and get their services in whatever form they want. Even jail officials dance to their tune as they are promised mon ey or jobs to their rela tives and others,” Gupta claimed.

Hindu Mahasabha to set up Savarkar’s statue in front of Cong HQ

New Delhi (ANI): Tak ing on Rahul Gandhi for his remarks over Veer Savarkar, Akhil Bhar tiya Hindu Mahasab ha National President Swami Chakrapani has urged PM Narendra Modi to “restrict” the Congress leader’s social and political activities for “insulting the free dom fighter”.

width of 0.5 cm thick ness in gold or silver without any design, logos or stones may be worn. (No bracelets),” the guidelines read.

prisons in UP, said that instances of sodomy among prisoners were reported to him when he was in service, how ever, he didn’t come across any case where an influential person was offered such thing as a favour.

The viral video hasn’t surprised Gupta and he said that this is “nor mal among the illegal activities” that he has seen happening within the prison.

“I have seen rules be

SIDDHU MOOSE WALA CASE

Court grants 10-day custody of Lawrence Bishnoi to NIA

New Delhi (ANI): A Delhi court on Thurs day granted 10-day po lice custody of Law rence Bishnoi to the National Investigation Agency (NIA) in connection with the Siddhu Moose Wala murder case.

The agency is prob ing the angle of links of Delhi-NCR’s gangsters with terror outfits. Spe cial Judge (MCOCA) Shailendra Malik of Pa tiala House Court granted 10-day custody to NIA after hearing the submissions made by the agency. NIA sought 12 days of custody of Lawrence Bishnoi.

During the hearing, the agency submitted before the court that it was investigating Sid hu Moose Wala’s case and need his custody.

The court asked the agency, “What is the lo cus of NIA in the Moose Wala murder case?”

The agency replied

that the material is coming from Pakistan and people like Moose Wala are targets. An in vestigation into the larger aspect is being carried out, and links are being searched.

COURT SMELLS A RAT

Asked if he reported such matters to the higher authorities, he said, “Yes, definitely, and in some cases, ac tions were also taken but it is difficult to put such corrupt practices to an end forever,” Gupta said.

“It is like the corrup tion prevailing in any other government office and department. People get into it for the lure of money hoping that they can get away with it,” he said while refusing to name any particular year during which such incidents happened,” Gupta added.

In a letter to PM Modi dated November 19, Chakrapani said that the Hindu Mahasabha has decided to install a statue of Veer Savarkar in front of the Congress headquarters in the na tional capital.

“Congress Party which is founded by Englishman AO Hume and its leader Rahul Gandhi has humiliated freedom fighter Veer Sa varkar again and again,” he wrote.

Calling Gandhi “mentally ill”, the Ma hasabha president said that the Congress lead er is committing a crime if he is “insult ing the great freedom fighter of India at the behest of the British”.

“Rahul Gandhi is

mentally ill and he needs mental treatment in Agra. If he is insult ing the great freedom fighter of India at the behest of the British, it is also a crime. For this, the government must ban Rahul Gandhi’s all political activities im mediately and put him behind bars,” he wrote.

A PEOPLE IN MOURNING

AIIMS cyber attack: Need new legal framework, says expert

New Delhi (ANI): With the recent ransomware attacks on AIIMS Delhi, cyber expert Pavan Duggal highlighted the need for a new legal framework and said that companies and organi zations across the coun try face a ransomware attack every 11 seconds.

“AIIMS has sensitive medical data. Tons and tons of medical data can

be attacked, a copy of it can be made and then it could have been encrypt ed using the ransom ware attack. As a result of this, the entire digital

services of AIIMS Delhi have been stopped and only manual services are going up,” said Dug gal. He also claimed that organizations across the country have been fac ing such attacks very frequently. “This kind of attack is a first on a premium health institu tion but ransomware at tacks are not uncom mon,” he added.

‘BEING SMALL IN SIZE, THE RATS HAVE NO FEAR OF THE POLICE’

lll

Police lawyer explains to court how rats ate 500-kg of confiscated marijuana

Mathura (ANI): The Mathura police in a re port submitted to a spe cial Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Sub stances Act (1985) court stated that rats ate over 5oo kg of confiscated marijuana stored in the warehouses of Sher garh and Highway police station.

The statement by the

police was made after the court asked them to produce the 586 kg of marijuana recovered in a case registered un der the NDPS Act. The Shergarh and Highway police station had seized 386 and 195 kg of marijuana in two dif ferent cases.

“There is no place in the police station

A study from Washington State University’s Integrative Physiology and Neuroscience found that rats exposed to cannabis vapour respond in much the same way as humans who smoke marijuana.

where the stored goods can be saved from the rats. The remaining marijuana from the huge consignment was destroyed by officers,” the police prosecutor told the court.

“Being small in size, the rats have no fear of the police, nor can the police officers be con sidered experts in solv

ing the problem,” the prosecutor said.

The court, in its or der dated November 18, referred to a case under the jurisdiction of the Highway police station, in which 195 kg of re covered marijuana was destroyed by the rats, ordered the SSP Mathu ra to get rid of rats and to deliver proof that

rats actually consumed 581 kg of marijuana.

Along with this, the po lice team has been or dered to submit a re port with evidence in this matter by 26 No vember. The court has also issued five-point directions for the auc tion or disposal of mar ijuana stored in police warehouses.

CCTV video images show jailed Delhi Minister and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Satyendar Jain getting fine treatment inside Tihar Jail in New Delhi. The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has alleged that the videos have been leaked by the Enforcement Directorate. —PHOTO BY ANI

asking for sexual favour and availing it. Sodomy is common inside Tihar and the powerful peo ple get such favours from inmates either mutually or with the help of jail officials.

—Sunil Gupta, Ex-law officer, Tihar Jail

The Hindu Mahasabha also urged PM Modi to rename Akbar Road as Veer Savarkar Road and award him with Bharat Ratna

Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma meets the family members of the victims of the Mukroh firing incident, in Jaintia Hills district, on Wednesday. —PHOTO BY ANI

—REPRESENTATIONAL IMAGE

FEMALE CREW MUST WEAR MAKE-UP

Delhi Police had said that Lawrence was using a mobile number which was being used by a member of Indian Mujahideen. The calls made by Bishnoi and his gang members were intercepted. The plea had submitted that on the ba sis of secret inputs it was revealed that one mobile number was being used in Tihar Jail by members of Indian Mujahideen terrorist group.

AGENCY PROBING TERROR LINKS

Swami Chakrapani, National President, Akhil Bhartiya Hindu Mahasabha.

FASHION CONNECT SEASON 13

FIRST INDIA TAKES LONDON BY STORM

The Fashion Connect set the bar high with the completion of its very successful previous seasons. With the huge response and netizens going gaga over the exemplary lineup and digital readiness, First India took Fashion Connect Season 13, to London and in association with India Fashion Week London the glamorous show was held at Novotel London Hammersmith on November 20!

After the successful sea son 12 of First India presents Fashion Con nect and designers em bracing old-school glamour in India, seems like the fashion police made the next stop in London in order to bombard our social media with the latest tea on what’s popping in the domain of style. Yes, you guessed it right, you’re about to have inside access to some of the ‘can’t miss’ moments at the First India Fashion Connect Season 13, in association with India Fashion Week London, held at Novotel London Ham mersmith, London on Novem ber 20.

With the whole aura beam ing in style, the front rows oc cupied by starlets and trends strutting down the runways, it’s almost as if we stepped afoot into the galaxy of glam, rotating in style.

Farah Ansari from Sewa, Ayesha and Radhika from Cit rine and Shalani Narukaa par ticipated in the grand event and showcased their ravishing designer collections. The audi ence was thrilled by a spectacu lar singing performance by First Kiss fame, Ipsitaa. Celeb rity Designer Samant Chauhan shed magic and concluded the whole show.

During the occasion, the grand launch of the cover page of the book ‘Unheard’ by Bha vini Bhargava was done by ace

If the top models with their catwalks aren’t enough for you to drool over the First India Fashion Connect Season 13, well then the designers and their unconventional approach sure should do the deed. Speak ing of which, just like every fashion week, the one in Lon don was nothing short of an

uber stylish series with jawdropping collections walking down the ramp every single second.

Rishee and Lokesh while paying gratitude to every one said, “This wouldn’t have been possible without Jagdeesh Chandra, though he could not make it for this season to London, his guid ance and perception have given it the boost to make Fashion Connect Season 13 at London, one of the best! Today, Fashion Connect rules the Fashion and glam our world as the best singleday fashion event and it is only due to the vision of Jagdeesh Chandra. The fas cinating history behind Lon don’s fashion industry has helped to shape the city into what it is today, and contrib uted to its remarkable repu tation as a central hub for innovative style. And with this Fashion Connect, we wish to take this around the globe.”

www.firstindia.co.in I https://firstindia.co.in/epapers/delhi I twitter.com/ thefirstindia I facebook.com/thefirstindia I instagram.com/thefirstindia 09

designer Samant Chauhan, Ip sitaa and many other dignitar ies.

MITALI DUSAD mitalidusad01@gmail.com

My congratula tions to First In dia and Fashion Connect teams for the huge success of Fashion Connect Season 13 in London. We are committed to showcase the Indian designers and promote our rich culture and tradition across the world and will continue to do so in the seasons to come!”

—DR JAGDEESH CHANDRA, CEO & Editor-in-Chief, First India

Designer Farah Ansari with the ravishing models

Lokesh Sharma

FACE OF THE DAY!

Aries

MARCH 21 - APRIL 20

Spend time talking with likeminded people as it will make you feel good for now. Boisterous behaviour is what everyone needs right now, do whatever you can do to cheer everyone up. You will feel financially comfortable and infant you are in position to invest money in some new venture.

Gemini

MAY 21 - JUNE 21

You need a break from day to tensions and the way to cope up with stress is to meditate. You must create an environment of understanding at home. You will succeed in any sort of examination if you put your heart and soul to it. Promotion can be expected even if other are not.

Leo

JULY 24 - AUGUST 23

You care about you lover but somehow hesitate in expressing that care. Don’t make friends for money and status rather make friends who will stick with you forever. On social front, you may have to spend some extra money in buying gifts for someone for some specific occasion.

Libra

SEPTEMBER 24 - OCTOBER 22

You are a pro in your field and none can beat you. You give tough competition to people. Many people get inspired by you. You will get special treatment from your dear ones. Take stand where you need to, don’t run in the same direction where everybody else is going.

Sagittarius

NOVEMBER 23 - DECEMBER 22

You make sure to make things work your way. Never demotivate someone even if someone is not capable of doing something. You are most wanted by your friends. You can have romantic affair in office and a serious one. You will invest money in clothes and accessories today.

Aquarius

JANUARY 21 - FEBRUARY 19

Scrumptious food is what you are craving for today. You always maintain cordial relationship with everyone. You workout daily to keep yourself fit. You may start a side business to earn extra money. You are not a jealous kind and you feel happy for others.

Taurus

APRIL 21 - MAY 20

SANYA KALSI, Influencer

You are very generous by nature and also you are the backbone of your family. You may postpone your study plans. You are very fortunate to have a great friend circle. Be careful of the words that come out of your mouth. Your lover may finally say yes to get married to you.

Cancer

JUNE 22 - JULY 23

Your spouse may make you spend more than you expected. Fantastic day for investing money in stock market as you can make fortune. You need help on academic front and you should not shy away from asking. You miss your parents a lot and somewhere fear to loose them.

Virgo

AUGUST 24 - SEPTEMBER 23

You love to live close to your family. Best day to buy gold and silver or any precious metal for investment sake. You are a child at heart and never let this child die. You have a big heart and you always help someone if you can. Video gathering is possible as you miss your social circle like anything.

Scorpio

OCTOBER 23 - NOVEMBER 22

You will succeed and move ahead in your professional life, as the year begins. Be careful, though, as your daily routine may be affected adversely. Your boss may be the reason for your annoyance. Pressure tactics can infuriate you. Probably, by 5th or 6th, you may think of taking up a new job.

Capricorn

DECEMBER 23 - JANUARY 20

Your spouse is someone who can do anything for your happiness. You are opportunist and this will make you successful one day. There may be delays in property possession and it won’t effect you. You are happy spending whole day at home. Help your mothers at home today.

Pisces

FEBRUARY 20 - MARCH 20

You will feel amorous towards your wife. This is the best time try something new with life give yourself a new purpose. Work on your limitations, there can be no better time than this. You have more opposite sex friends than the same and you may be judged sometimes but don’t care.

More people are becom ing increas ingly health conscious and choos ing healthy food options.

Millets are far more nutrient dense than wheat and rice. They are tasty and easily available. Since they are highly under-con sumed, we should make efforts to incorporate them into our daily menus in the form of rotis, bread or other food preparations.

Millets like sorghum (jowar), pearl millet (bajra), or barley have always been stereo typed as grains for the underprivi leged. They are associated with either seed given to birds or thick rotis to eat for a rural event or a dish to be had occasionally.

Fortunately, millets are gradually ac quiring impor tance. People are more and more becoming aware of the nutritional benefits of millet. Plus, seeing them on the racks of health stores has mo tivated many a per son to consume mil let more frequently.

If we were to draw a bar graph compar ing the nutrient con tent of millets and wheat or rice, the mil let bar would tower to a much greater extent. For example, the calci um content in finger millet (ragi) is nearly 350mg for 100g whereas in wheat and rice it is even below 50mg.

A few millets are eat en in the form of grains but most are pounded into flour and then used to make a range of dishes. Although add ing bran and soy flour to wheat would give it extra fibre and protein it will not increase the content of minerals and B vitamins. Nutri

NUTRITIONAL SIGNIFICANCE OF MILLETS

tionists are now advising their clients to con sume multi grain flour rotis and bread or switch to millet because of their high nutrient den sity. Due to the high

fibre content, they also aid in healthy weight loss. For example, in stead of two wheat chappatis, one can eas ily do with consuming just one bajra roti or one multi-flour chapa tti with added bran.

Nowadays a range of

bread made from mil lets and premixed flours of jowar, bajra, wheat, Bengal gram flour, and soya are also available. We just need to know their nutrient content to motivate ourselves to consume them on daily basis.

Horoscope by Saurabbh Sachdeva

MAULISHREE JHAWER, BHSc, MSc

BE FLAWLESS... NOT FLOSSLESS..!

FLOSSING DAY IS CELEBRATED ON THE FOURTH FRIDAY IN NOVEMBER, WHICH IS NOVEMBER 25 THIS YEAR. THE HOLIDAY STRESSES THE IMPORTANCE OF FLOSSING YOUR TEETH EVERY DAY FOR EXCELLENT ORAL HEALTH. CAN YOU BELIEVE THAT HORSEHAIR WAS USED AS DENTAL FLOSS BEFORE THE INVENTION OF THE MODERN FLOSS WE USE TODAY? CITY FIRST HIGHLIGHTS THE IMPORTANCE OF FLOSSING AND ORAL HYGIENE!

WHY ISN’T BRUSHING ENOUGH?

The tooth has 5 surfaces, but your toothbrush can only reach 3 of them. The two untouched surfaces are very close to the sides of other teeth, making it easy for food to get trapped in between. When food gets stuck in these gaps, it creates a breeding ground for bacteria to build up, creating plaque. This is where floss comes in handy – as an interdental cleaning tool, it can get into these tight spaces and remove 80% of plaque.

MITALI DUSAD mitalidusad01@gmail.com

Are you flossing regu larly?” is probably a question you get asked every single time you visit the dentist. And that’s be cause it’s important! Many people hate the feeling of moving a piece of floss between their teeth, and therefore leave flossing out of their daily teeth cleaning routine. But just brushing your teeth often isn’t enough to remove plaque and prevent cavities. Helping you main tain a healthy smile by protecting your teeth and gums and protecting you from other diseases, here’s why flossing needs to be a part of your daily routine.

HOW TO OBSERVE FLOSSING DAY

Commit to flossing at least once a day: Flossing is not only essential to your oral health but also your overall health. So by committing to flossing once a day, you’re committing to keeping yourself healthy. Schedule a time — 2 to 3 minutes — every day when you would floss.

Visit the dentist: If you haven’t visited the dentist in a long while, here is the perfect time to do that. Book an appointment with a dentist or check your calendar for your closest free day and make that appoint ment. Remember that your oral health is your overall health.

Educate other people about the health ben efits of flossing: Flossing Day is all about raising awareness of the importance of flossing to people’s oral health. You can con tribute to that effort by encouraging your family and friends to floss every day. Also, you can use social media to influence people within your network to start flossing.

WHY FLOSSING DAY IS IMPORTANT

Flossing keeps your teeth healthy: Accord ing to the American Dental Association (A.D.A.), employing interdental cleaners such as floss help prevent the buildup of plaque in-between the teeth. Without floss ing, the plaque buildup can lead to gum disease or cavities.

Flossing promotes overall body health: Excellent oral health means a healthy body. The mouth is the window to various parts of your body, including the heart, and when it’s not properly taken care of, it caus es several health complications.

Flossing is good for your appearance: In addition to other good oral practices, such as brushing, flossing helps ensure healthy gums, whiter teeth, and a brighter smile. You can keep the confident vibes flowing by flossing away the trapped little bits of food in your mouth that can cause a real stink. It’s true; a comprehensive oral care routine will reward you with fresh breath.

PROTECT YOUR GUMS

When you neglect flossing, plaque and bacteria can easily build up. If they are not removed properly the bacteria will eventually begin to irritate gum tissue, and this will get worse as bacteria increases. When left untreated, this can eventually cause Gingivitis – a periodontal disease that causes red and puffy gums to bleed easily.

5 INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT YOUR TEETH

Teeth are not bones: Although the hu man teeth and bones are primarily made up of the same material and con tain nerves and blood, teeth do not pro duce bone marrow – unlike bones. They’re the hardest substance in the body: Contrary to popular opinion, tooth enamel is harder than bone, making it the hardest part of the body.

Teeth can’t self-repair: Because teeth are coated in enamel, which is not liv ing tissue, they cannot repair them selves once damaged.

Teeth are unique to each person: Like your tongue print and fingerprint, no one has the same set of teeth as you do. So why hesitate when you can take care of your teeth with just a few care ful steps.

A 200 lbs bite force: The bite force of an adult human is almost comparable to that of a pit bull, which is 235 lbs.

VANQUISHING THE REEL LIFE!

and Television Institute of India. My style is minimalist, but I prom ise my work speaks exu berance.

What were some of the battles you fought and are still fighting in your journey?

have Dusky skin and am not skinny.

Talk to us about your achievements?

WINTER COLLECTION BY SAMANT CHAUHAN!

This season, Chauhan’s immersive collection created a world of per manent winter inhab ited by eleven women in regal gowns. Using delicate Chikankari embellishments, swathes of black, and ethereal silvery hues, the collection showed the beauty to be found in the dark er human emotions. Designer Samant Chauhan presented the collection ‘Winter Rain’ in New Delhi on Wednesday which tells a beautiful yet melan choly story with icy metal lics and intricate detailing. Known for his conceptual collections, this season Chauhan used the run way to create an entire winter landscape with snow, clouds, and leafbare trees. The collec tion was refined and kept a formal air and told his story through beautiful detailing on clas sic silhouettes of gowns, cock tail dresses, and tailored sets. A Grey linen base gown

with organza fabric, beautifully hand embroidered with silk thread and patchwork is a per fect match for evening gather ings. Cotton silk-based kaf tan style dress with se quence and silk thread embroidery, perfect for fun par ties and brunch.

CITY FIRST

Delhi-based Mith ilesh Kumar Sin gh has created an urban vertical garden using PVC pipes to save on cost and space and also runs Veg Roof, a farming startup that shares gardening tips.

“I completed com puter science engineer ing in 2007 and moved to Delhi like every oth er youth, with the hope to land a well-paying job. But I couldn’t make it to any company and followed my passion for writing by turning into a content writer,” Mithilesh said.

Over the years, he worked for different portals and an interna tional media content company. The 38-yearold and his wife Vind hyavasini had a garden on their terrace. Mith ilesh explains, “We live

on the top floor of an apartment and initially used the terrace to grow ornamental plants. When the pandemic be gan, we thought of grow ing vegetables too.”

“Despite the abundant information out there on several channels and sites, many people still find gardening a strenu ous task. I found that growing veggies on PVC pipes largely solves this problem. I’ve started a pilot project of giving plants that I grow in PVC pipes to people in my lo cality. This way, they un derstand it is possible and get an initial push,” he says.

“My aim is to make the people of the city eat what they like, free of poison. Living in the city myself, I’ve come to know that it is a big chal lenge to get organic veg etables here,” adds Mithilesh.

CITY FIRST

School of Per forming Arts and Indic Stud ies, REVA Uni versity scheduled a classical dance show titled 'Pancavaktram' a beautiful tapestry of Bharatanatyam, Kuchipudi, Mohiniat tam, Odissi and Kathak which is going to be held on November 26 at Fountain Lawn, India International Centre, New Delhi. The pro duction, with its aim to spread awareness

about climate change, showcases the impor tance of gender equality and sav ing natural sourc es through de lightfully juxta posing stories from our an cient Puranas and Indian phi losophy. The dance show aims to exhibit how the five ele ments, manifested by the five faces of Shiva, are based on some rare stories that are sourced

CITY FIRST

Celebrated historian and filmmaker Shiv Kunal Ver ma’s latest book, Life of an Industani: Six Degrees of Separation, published by BluOne Ink, was recently launched at the Valley of Words International Lit erature & Arts Festival in Dehra dun. Not only were avid readers and many of the author's batch mates present at the launch, but many dignitaries also graced the occasion, and each one showed a keen interest in his work. The 500odd page action-packed thrillerlike read was unanimously regard ed as a book that was less autobi

ography and more a contemporary look at Indian history through the eyes of one who had lived life to the hilt. The book’s spectacular launch was moderated by the ef fervescent Sana Durrani, who co ordinates the Welham Boys’ School Military Seminar.

Aisha Gupta, a 20-year-old as piring actor and a journalism student shares her in spiring journey with City First

Tell us something about yourself

I am a simple girl and I believe that an actor has is their blind faith that they are who they say they are today, in any scene. Ever since I came to know that something like acting exists, one can become an actor I wanted to be the same.

Where do you see yourself after the next 20 years?

I envision myself cheer fully training aspiring artists all over the world, assisting them in honing their acting while also teaching them the morals that my last 11 years in the corporate world taught me. Nothing above eth ics! I would like to do something great in the field of acting.

How did your jour ney begin?

Haven't done anything major but have done a few theatre plays and short films, also studied acting to understand it better. Have done diplo ma in Acting from the Gulshan Kumar Film

It's difficult to switch careers after more than a decade. Every field in cludes battles, though. The obstacles persist regardless of where your career is in its de velopment or where you are in it; we just find more effective strategies to overcome them. Though my par ents are very support ive of it they get to hear a lot of negative from my other relatives and people nearby but they ignore them and sup port me anyways.

I’m yet to achieve a lot, however, I have done many plays with Black Pearl Arts and also at TSeries Stageworks. Worked in short films and have done a lot of backstage work for the atre and tv serials.

The chief guest of the show will be Pad ma Bhushan Dr Raja Reddy and Radha Reddy and Dr Sachchidanand Joshi, Member Secretary, IGN CA. While Pad ma Shri Pratib ha Prahlada, Guru Jaikishanji, Padma Shri Rama Vaidyanathan, Pad mashri Shasswati Sen, and Vidushi Jayaprabha Menon will going to grace the event as the Guests of honour.

from medieval texts re lating to one tatva and its corresponding form of Shiva.

UTTKARSHA SHEKHAR uttkarsha.shekhar@firstindia.co.in

Operating Officer, of Barbeque Nation Hospi tality Limited, said, “We are delighted to continue with our expansion in Delhi with the launch of outlet in Laxmi Nagar.”

Aisha Gupta

—PHOTOS BY SHAZID CHAUHAN

—PHOTO BY SHAZID CHAUHAN