First India-Mumbai Edition-26th September 2022

ITALY EXPECTED TO ELECT ITS 1ST FEMALE PRIME MINISTER

Cat and Mouse game between Congress MLAs and party High Command keeps Raj’s political future ‘suspended’!

Rome: Italy on Sunday started voting for general election that could yield the nation’s first female Prime Minister, Giorgia Meloni Far-right Brothers of Italy party – led by Meloni – is poised to make significant gains after collapse of 2 govts since the last election, if her party wins, she could also become Italy’s 1st PM.

30 SHANTIES

DAMAGED DUE TO METRO ‘VIBRATIONS’

Mumbai (PTI): More than 30 shanties from a locality in the city’s Vile Parle area suffered damages on Sunday night, apparently due to the strong vibrations caused by the ongoing Metro rail work there, said an official. Nobody suffered a major injury. Two fire engines were rushed to the spot and 24 adjoining shanties were vacated.

INDIA BEAT AUS BY 6 WICKETS IN THRILLER GAME, WIN SERIES 2-1

Hyderabad: Virat Kohli and Suryakumar Yadav’s half centuries put India in cruise mode but Australia then put squeeze in the death overs. India lost Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul early but Kohli and Suryakumar’s sensational 104-run stand for 3rd wicket, which came in just 62 balls, almost took game away from Australia.

PUNJAB GOVERNOR APPROVES SEPT 27 ASSEMBLY SESSION

Chandigarh: After days of squabble between Raj Bhavan and the AAP government over holding an assembly session, Punjab Governor Banwarilal Purohit Sunday gave his nod to convene the House on Sept 27. As per order, Governor has summoned a daylong session on Tuesday.

MUKUL ROHATGI DECLINES ATTORNEY GENERAL’S POST

Jaipur: It seems that the politics of Rajasthan, and more specifically of Cong, has come at cross roads. While on one hand CM Ashok Gehlot is gearing to file nomina tion for the post of Cong Prez and Sachin Pilot is

being considered as high command’s choice as CM, but, Gehlot camp has become angry with Pilot’s name & ‘rebelled’ against supposed nomi nee of high command.

Even before legisla ture party meeting on Sunday, MLAs of Gehlot faction gathered at house of Dhariwal and resigned after reaching Joshi’s house. Cabinet minister Pratap Singh

Khachariyawas claimed that 92 MLAs have re signed. “Our only de mand is that CM should

not be made out of the people who rebelled. There is displeasure among the legislators as

ANKITA CASE

VICTIM’S LAST RITES PERFORMED AMID PROTESTS

The father of the girl questions State govt over demolition of resort

Moni Sharma

Rishikesh: Mortals re mains of Ankita Bhandari was taken to NIT ghat from mortuary in Srinagar, Pauri Gar whal for the last rites on Sunday. During the day, the family of a 19-yearold woman receptionist agreed to conduct her last rites after they re ceived a call from Utta rakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami. The family had earlier refused to conduct the last rites until the full post-mortem results were revealed.

The father of the girl has also questioned the Uttarakhand govern ment over the demoli tion of the resort and asked, “Why was the resort razed when it had evidence?” A massive protest had erupted out side mortuary where Ankita’s father arrived to take her body. Pro tests have blocked the road with people assem bling in protest and even making their own food and staying on. The protesters also block Badrinath-Rishikesh highway demanding ac tion against culprit.

MERA BETA SEEDHA SADHA HAI: EXPELLED

BJP LEADER VINOD DEFENDS SON PULKIT

Expelled BJP leader Vinod Arya and father of the main ac cused in the Uttarakhand receptionist murder case on Sun day said his son Pulkit Arya is a “seedha sadha balak". The former BJP leader denied all charges against his son and maintained that Pulkit is innocent, “Seedha sadha balak hai. He is only concerned about his work. I want justice for both my son Pulkit and the murdered woman,” Arya said. “He would never indulge in such activities,” he added.

ACCUSED PULKIT ARYA TRIED TO MISLEAD ANKITA’S FRIEND, REVEALS CALL RECORD have the the police station;

After WhatsApp chats, a phone call recording has come to the fore to add another twist to the murder case of 19-year-old receptionist Ankita Bhandari. Pulkit Arya told Pushp on call, “We left with Ankita in the evening and came back to the resort at 9 pm after visiting Rishikesh. Ankita also came with us and had dinner. But she was not found in her room the next morning, hence we started looking for her.”

New Delhi: Senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi has declined central govt’s proposal to be appointed as next Attorney General for India. Rohatgi was to be replacing KK Venugopal. Asked about his decision, Rohatgi said there is no particular reason for declining offer, “thought about it again” and decided not to take up the offer.

2 TERRORISTS

KILLED IN J&K’S

New Delhi: 2 unidentified militants were killed in an encounter near LoC at Tekri Nar in Machil area in north Kashmir’s Kupwara on Sunday.

“Identification of the killed terrorists being ascertained,” a J&K police spokesman said. 2 AK 47, 2 pistols & 4 hand grenades recovered.

Late on Sunday night, Shanti Dhariwal, Dr Mahesh Joshi, Pratap Singh Khachariyawas, and Sanyam Lodha met Maken at Hotel Marriott with a 3-point agenda prepared after discussion with all MLAs.

1ST AGENDA: CM should be made out of 102 loyal MLAs.

2ND AGENDA: CM deci sion should be taken after October 18. 3RD AGENDA:

to why decision was not taken after asking legis lators,” PSK said. It is being told that Cong in-

CM should be made after Gehlot's consent. Later, they also went to CMR but talks failed. Late night MLAs returned to their homes.

charge Maken briefed high command & spe cifically Sonia about whole situation in Raj and after that Sonia di rected Maken to speak to MLAs on a one to one basis.

BJP’S ONE-UP AGAINST AAP!

New Delhi: Prime Min ister Narendra Modi ad dressed the nation on his monthly radio pro gramme Mann Ki Baat on Sunday. “As a tribute to the great freedom fighter, it has been de cided that the Chandi garh airport will now be named after Shaheed Bhagat Singh,” PM Nar endra Modi said.

RETURN OF THE CHEETAHS TO INDIA

“People from all corners of the country have ex pressed happiness over the return of cheetahs to India. 1.3 crore Indi ans are elated and filled with pride.” “A task force will monitor Chee tahs, on the basis of which we’ll decide when you can visit them.”

EMPHASIS ON THE VOCAL FOR LOCAL

“On occasion of Bapu’s birth anniv on Oct 2, we have to take a pledge to intensify ‘Vocal for Lo cal’. Through our reso lution, we now include local artisans & crafts men in joy of festivals.”

MODI SPEAKS

IMPORTANCE OF INDIAN SIGN LANGUAGE: A lot of emphasis has also been given in the National Educa tion Policy to maintain a fixed standard for Sign Language.

INTERNATIONAL MILLET YEAR: Celebrating 2023 as ‘International Millet Year’. I have received many letters in which people have written how they have made millets a part of their daily diet.

TB FREE CAMPAIGN: “Many people are coming forward and are adopting 1 TB pa tient or the other, taking lead in ensuring a nutritious diet.

DISCOURAGING USE OF PLASTIC ITEMS

“A long human chain

‘Swachh Sagar - Surak shit Sagar’ was formed, in which about 5,000 young friends from NSS collected more than 30 tonnes of plastic in Goa after the Ganesh utsav.”

WHY SHIVAJI PARK MATTERS TO SHIV SENA?

Tradition of annual Dussehra rally has been continued by supremo Bal Thackeray’s son Uddhav, which was last held before COVID-19 pandemic

Prashant Rangnekar

Mumbai: When the Bombay High Court on Friday ruled that the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena can hold its Dussehra rally at the Shivaji Park ground in central Mumbai, Thack eray’s supporters erupt ed in joy.

The dispute over

whether it is the Thack eray faction or the one led by Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde the real Shiv Sena is before the Su preme Court.

But for the Thacker ay-led Sena, the HC rul ing was a symbolic vic tory in the aftermath of Shinde’s rebellion be cause the ground is

closely associated with the party’s history.

It was here that Sena Founder, Bal Thacker ay, held his first rally

NCP SUPPORT

and addressed several Dussehra rallies there after. When he died in November 2012, his cre mation Turn to P6

When the controversy over which Sena faction should be allowed to hold the rally at Shivaji Park this Dussehra broke out, Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) President Sharad Pawar said Shivaji Park is synonymous with the Shiv Sena. “When one says Shivaji Park, it brings to mind the Shiv Sena led by Balasaheb Thackeray. And that Shiv Sena is now Uddhav Thackeray’s Shiv Sena. So their demand for the Dussehra rally is not wrong,” Pawar told reporters.

The park has a special place for Shiv Sena as its founder Bal Thackeray held his first political rally here on the day of Dussehra 56 years ago.

PHOTO BY PTI

People gather to block the Rishikesh-Badrinath highway in protest against killing of a receptionist Ankita Bhandari, at Srinagar in Pauri Garhwal district on Sunday.

PHOTO BY ANI

Bihar CM Nitish Kumar met Congress chief Sonia Gandhi in Delhi on Sunday with RJD chief Lalu Yadav in a strong message of importance of Congress in any Oppn front against BJP. ‘We met Sonia Gandhi and talked about Opposition unity to defeat the BJP in 2024. She said meet with again after the Congress polls,’ Yadav BY ANI

Aditi Nagar, Amit Mishra, Yogesh Sharma, Naresh Sharma, Laxman Raghav, Ashvini Yadav and Ziauddin Khan

Shanti Dhariwal, Ram Lal Jat, Tikaram Jully, Babu Lal Nagar and other Congress MLAs leaving from Dhariwal’s home to Speaker Dr CP Joshi’s residence late on Sunday. —PHOTO BY SUNIL SHARMA

LEADERS MEET MAKEN WITH THREE-POINT AGENDA BUT THE LATE NIGHT TALKS FAIL

MANN KI BAAT: SUNDAY MARKS 93 EPISODES OF THE SHOW

Chandigarh airport will be named after Shaheed Bhagat Singh, says Modi

NOT EVEN ONCE...: NADDA HAILS PM MODI BJP nat’l prez JP Nadda on Sunday praised PM Modi for not referring to politics, “not even once”, dur ing his radio programme ‘Mann ki Baat’ in last eight years.

AMARINDER SINGH SAYS ‘GRATEFUL TO PM’ Former CM of Punjab and new member of BJP Captain Amarinder Singh thanked Modi for grateful deci sion to rename Chandigarh Airport after Bhagat Singh.

PENDING DEMAND OF PUNJABIS FULFILLED Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann wel comed the announce ment, saying a long pend ing demand of Punjabis has been fulfilled.

‘METRO, OTHER PROJECTS STALLED FOR 2.5 YEARS BEING PRIORITIZED’

CM took a jibe at MVA by saying that his govt had ‘removed negativity’

First India Bureau

Thane: Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Sunday said Metro rail and other projects stalled in the state in the last two-and-ahalf years have been taken up on priority by his government.

“We do not take deci sions sitting in Mantra laya (state secretariat), we take decisions on the spot. Our government has removed negativity and brought in positiv ity in the state. This has brought ‘nav chaitanya’ (new consciousness) among citizens,” said Shinde.

GOVT ACTION

‘MVA govt did nothing for investment in Maha’

First India Bureau

Pune: Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Sunday said the previous Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government did nothing to at tract investment in the state during its two-and-half year tenure and spent time “slamming and insulting” the Cen tral government.

His remarks to re porters in Pune city come a day after Shiv Sena leader Aaditya Thackeray led a pro test in Talegaon against the shifting of the Vedanta-Foxconn semiconductor chip manufacturing project to Gujarat from Maha rashtra.

“The projects in the state, including Metro, which were stalled in the past two-and-a-half years have been taken up on priority and start ed now,” he said.

One has to see the list of the industries which have come up in the state in the past two-and-ahalf years, he said ad dressing a rally held in the memory of Mathadi

In the wake of the Vedanta-Foxconn multibillion semiconductor project going to Gujarat, Shinde said, “What if one industry has gone out of the state? We will get better ones.”

Villagers attack cop probing ganja plantation case

First India Bureau

Kalaburagi: A police inspector, who was in quiring into the Gan ja plantation case, was brutally attacked by villagers of Maha rashtra’s Umarge vil lage. The incident took place on Satur day, when inspector Srimant went to a lo cation near the Kar nataka-Maharashtra border in connection with the case.

Srimant suffered se rious injuries and was admitted to a private hospital in Karnataka’s Kalaburagi district.

According to the doc tors, although his or gans were functioning normally, the inspector was put on a ventilator.

“He has got a head injury, multiple rib fractures and facial bone injuries. His kid ney and other func tions are normal, cur rently, he is on a venti lator,” said Dr Vikram

Siddareddy, while men tioning that the doc tors were “closely mon itoring him”.

“He along with a team went to a location near the KarnatakaMaharashtra border for a probe where 30-40 locals from Umarge vil lage attacked them,” said Isha Pant, Super intendent of Police, Kalaburagi.

The attack on the in spector took place after a team of cops headed by Srimant visited the Osmanabad district in Maharashtra, after they arrested one per son in connection with the ganja case.

Kalaburagi Deputy Commissioner Yeshwanth Gurukar, along with Pant, visited Srimant in the hospital.

Nagpur: Naxalite footprint in Gadchi roli, one of the two districts in Maha rashtra affected by left-wing extremism, is shrinking with a significant drop in their activities over the last five years, say police officials.

The police also claimed the Gadchiroli

district, which shares a border with the state of Chhattisgarh, has bare ly seen any Naxal re cruitment in the last few years, and their strength has gone down considerably.

Senior officials at tribute the decline in Naxal activities to a multitude of factors, including the elimina tion of top leadership in the district—

leader late Annasaheb Patil in Navi Mumbai.

“We are here for satya (truth) and not for satta (power),” said the CM, adding that his was a “double engine govern ment” and detractors were afraid of it.

Shinde became chief minister on June 30 this year after a revolt led by him against the Shiv Sena leadership led to the collapse of the Ud dhav Thackeray-led Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government, which comprised the Sena, Nationalist Con gress Party (NCP) and Congress.

In the recent Ganesh festival, there was a business of Rs9,000 crore and this was possible as “we had lifted restrictions on the festivals” (imposed earlier in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic), Shinde pointed out. Shinde said his government has set up a war room to monitor the progress of various projects on a day-to-day basis. “No one can stop Maharashtra’s development as we have the Centre’s support,” he said. He also announced the appointment of Narendra Patil as chairman of the Annasaheb Patil Arthik Vikas Mahamandal, working for the development of the Mathadi community.

He also slammed the Sena leader for claim ing that a medical equipment manufac turing cluster project slated for Maharashtra had been bagged by neighbouring state of Gujarat.

“Let them show me

Maha sees 541 COVID-19 cases, two deaths

First India Bureau

Mumbai: Maharash tra on Sunday report ed 541 COVID-19 cases, including 108 in Mum bai, and two fatalities, taking the tally to 81,19,345 and the toll to 1,48,329, said state health department.

With 546 patients dis charged during the day, the cumulative count of

one piece of paper to prove this project was slated for Maharash tra. The previous MVA government did noth ing during its tenure. They only managed to slam and insult the Centre,” he said. In Pune to attend the an nual day of the Mah

ratta Chamber of Com merce, Industries and Agriculture, Fadnavis said his government was committed to make the state the fore most investment desti nation in the country.

“Some people staged protests and played politics on the Vedanta-Foxconn pro ject. Until we do not improve the industrial environment of the state, no investment will come here. Our government will make Maharashtra the country’s top invest ment destination,” said Fadnavis.

THE NUMBERS

New Cases- 541 Total cases-81,19,345 Fatalities- 02 Death Toll- 1,48,329 Active Cases-3,702 Recoveries- 79,67,314Mumbai region recorded 191

recoveries in the state rose to 79,67,314, leaving the state with 3,702 ac

tive cases, the depart ment said in a state ment. The two COV

ID-19 fatalities were re ported from Navi Mum bai and Nagpur divi sions.The case recovery rate in Maharashtra currently stands at 98.13% and the fatality rate is at 1.82%.

Mumbai region re corded 191 fresh cases, which raised the num ber of COVID-19 cases to 23,78,847 and the death toll to 40,099.

‘Govt to take action against ‘extortionists’ in mahadi sector’

through police encoun ters, cadres’ arrest or them voluntarily giv ing up their arms—and also the effective imple mentation of rehabili

tation programs.

“Naxalite activities and their presence have declined in the district in the last fivesix years, considerably

banded, especially in the north Gadchiroli region.

“The number of dalam members has fallen from 180 to 120,” he said. According to Goyal, only 10 to 12 dalams are operational now.

First India Bureau

Thane: Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minis ter Devendra Fad navis on Sunday warned about the en try of “vasooli sam rats” (extortionists) into the ‘mathadi’ (headload workers) sector, which was de faming everybody as sociated with it.

Addressing a rally of headload workers in Navi Mumbai, he said these persons were for cibly collecting money from workers of the sec tor. Fadnavis also added that the government would soon take action

against them through the police. ‘Mathadi’ or headload workers are an integral part of the sprawling APMC Mar ket in Vashi as well as various other industri al nodes of Navi Mum bai and the rest of Thane district. And un rest among them often affects economic activ ity in the region.

In his speech, Fad navis praised Chief Minister Eknath Shin de, who he referred to as “dashing CM” for walk ing two kilometres to listen to woes of people who will be displaced by the Worli-Sewri elevated road in Mumbai.

in the last two to three years,” Gadchiroli Su perintendent of Police, Ankit Goyal, said, add ing that many Naxalite dalams have been dis

As per sources in Gadchiroli police, 137 Naxalites were killed in encounters with po lice from 2017 till Au gust 31, 2022. Similarly, 196 alleged Naxalites were arrested from 2017, while 91 others surrendered, till Au gust 31 this year.

Police achieved a ma jor success when top Naxalite leader Milind Teltumbde, and 26 oth ers, including many leaders from North Gadchiroli, were gunned down in an en counter with the police in the Mardintola forest on November 13, 2021.

Goyal said Naxalites are facing a serious leadership vacuum from middle to top level in the district, especial ly in the north Gadchi roli region.

Goyal said senior Naxalite cadres exist only in the south Gad

chiroli region, and though north Gadchi roli still sees such ac tivities, they dropped significantly.

“The Naxalite re cruitment has come down close to zero in Gadchiroli. The re cruits are mostly from neighbouring Chhattis garh,” Goyal said. He attributed the success to various measures adopted by the police and local ad ministration—includ ing youth outreach with job-oriented voca tional courses and placements.

Charles Salve

Effective rehab programmes by local officials one of the factors for the drop in Naxal numbers.

CM Eknath Shinde with Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis and state Labour Minister Suresh Khade being garlanded by Mathadi leader Narendra Patil and others, during an event at Vashi in Navi Mumbai on Sunday. —PHOTO BY PTI

Former CM Uddhav Thackeray led the previous MVA govt in Maharashtra, which collapsed recently. —FILE PHOTO

Uddhav Thackeray-led previous coalition only insulted Centre, claims Fadnavis

—FILE

PHOTO

Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis —FILE PHOTO

Family members & relatives of comedian Raju Srivastava during a prayer meeting held at ISKCON temple in Mumbai city on Sunday.

—PHOTO BY PTI

Govt can’t afford to fill 67,775 teachers’ posts?

First India Bureau

Mumbai: Even as schools across Maha rashtra wait for teachers to fill 67,775 vacant positions, the government has es sentially said it can not afford to fill them since doing so would “put a massive finan cial burden on the state exchequer.”

According to the United District Infor mation System for Edu cation (UDISE), as of 2020-21 there are 1,10,114 schools across the state and 7.67 lakh teachers.

Of the total 67,755 va cancies, 40,000 posts are in Zilla Parishad and other government-aid ed schools.

Coordinator of Mar

athi Shala Sansthacha lak Sangh and a mem ber of Marathi Abhyaas Kendra, Sunil Shejule alleged that the govern ment is not doing

—FILE FINANCIAL CRUNCH

become a matter of con cern, marred with ir regularities and graft.

The state has also conducted investiga tions into irregular re cruitments, but to no avail. In a 2015 survey, “irregular recruit ments” were unearthed.

returned. In all, the gov ernment identified 6,000 cases of irregular ap pointments in state-aid ed schools across Maha rashtra undertaken af ter 2012. This led to a freeze on new appoint ments in 2016.

enough. “We have con tacted the School Edu cation Department sev eral times since 2012, but even after a decade, there has been no reso

lution,” he said.

The state has been grappling with the issue for more than a decade, having prohibited re cruitment of teachers

in primary, intermedi ate, and upper second ary institutions after May 02, 2012. Since then, the process of appoint ing school teachers has

Wild elephants destroy crops in Gondia district

First India Bureau

Gondia: A herd of as many as 23 elephants that have reportedly strayed into Maha rashtra from neigh boring Chhattisgarh, has been destroying crops in villages near the Arjuni Morgaon forest range in the Gondia district, a for est official said.

He further added that the officials are tracking the move ments of the herd of elephants that has been destroying crops in the nearby villages. The herd of elephants entered Gondia dis trict from the nearby

Gadchiroli district, he added.

“The herd, had traveled from Odisha to Chhattisgarh and

12 infants rescued as fire breaks out at NICU

First India Bureau

Amravati: As many as 12 infants kept on ventilator support were rescued after a fire broke out in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) at a government-run hos pital on Sunday, said an official adding that no one was hurt during the rescue op eration.

The fire broke out at the NICU portion of the District Women Hospi tal in Amravati city at around 11 am. Fire offi cials suspect that the incident was caused by a short circuit.

“The hospital staff noticed smoke coming out from the NICU.

They immediately in formed the fire brigade and rescued 12 newborn babies, who were kept there on ventilator sup port, and avoided a ma jor tragedy,” a district official said.

“No infant was in jured. The babies were shifted to a super-spe cialty hospital and oth er medical facilities nearby,” he added.

According to the of ficial, Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fad navis, who was recently appointed as the guard ian minister of the dis trict, has directed au thorities in Amravati district to submit a re port with regards to the incident in the next 24 hours.

then took to Gondia via Gadchiroli. Ele phants usually move during the night and sleep during the day,”

he said. fficials are monitoring the move ment of the herd and are taking steps to en sure that it causes minimum destruction and is kept away from human settlements.

The forest team is also assessing the loss es incurred by the peo ple, said an official, adding that they would be compensated under the norms.

Forest teams from Arjuni Moregaon, Navegaon, and Gothangaon along with a rapid response team are working to keep the situation un der control, the forest official added.

FOREST TEAMS WORKING TO TRACE MAN-EATER TIGER

First India Bureau

Gondia: Forest teams have been searching for a man-eater tiger who killed a man in the Gondia district earlier this week, in formed an official on Sunday.

Traps have been laid by forest teams in Gondia and Bhandara districts for the tiger identified as CT-I killed a 45-year-old man in Ar juni Morgaon tehsil on Wednesday, he added. A cage and a live bait were also kept near the

area by the forest team, but the man-eater man aged to kill the bait and run i, assistant conser vator of forest Roshan Rathod said. Accord ing to officials, CT-I has killed 11 people till date in forest ranges of Bramhapuri, Lakhan dur, Wadsa and Armori, and is now roaming in Gondia and Bhandara.

This was followed by the then state education commissioner declar ing 32 illegal recruit ments in Pune and 98 in Washim. All these ap pointments were can celled and salaries that had been drawn in the preceding three years were instructed to be

The state government has recently sought in formation on the num ber of vacancies and teachers employed since 2015 in a circular issued to the School Ed ucation Department. Besides, a list of schools in the state with only 0-20 students, has also been sought.

CRUCIAL READ MAN, WIFE FORCE GRANDDAUGHTER TO BEG, BOOKED

NGO for ban on glue traps to save wildlife

Also known as rat bait stations, they are boxes used to catch rodents with an adhesive strip by luring them

Mumbai: A city-based wildlife organization wants glue traps— commonly used to catch and kill rats and pests—to be banned, as they be lieve them to be a threat to wild ani mals.

According to Res qink Association for Wildlife Welfare

(RAWW), wild animals often get unintention ally caught in these, grievously or fatally injured after coming in contact with these de vices.

RAWW has thus written to the Maha rashtra government, seeking a ban on pro duction, sale and use of these glue traps, citing that use of such devic es was in violation of

to the device, it gets stuck and dies a slow and painful death.

The use of glue traps was not only an inhu mane way of dealing with pests, but several protected species were also falling prey to this, stated Pawan Sharma, RAWW Founder, and honorary wildlife war den, in the letter writ ten to the state Forest Department’s chief wildlife warden and principal chief conser vator of forests (PCCF), wildlife.

So far, RAWW has rescued squirrels, bats, kingfishers, owls, py

thon and monitor liz ards from such traps, he said.

According to veteri narians Dr Rina Dev and Dr Priti Sathe of the RAWW, if a bird gets stuck in a glue trap, its feathers and wings get damaged and this can result in per manent loss of its abil ity to fly.

Reptiles and mam mals lose their skin when they get stuck and their internal or gans are left exposed, which can lead to death if they are not provided timely medical atten tion, they said

Thane: An 82-year-old man and his wife have been booked by the police for pushing their 7-year-old granddaughter to beg, said the police in the Dombivli area of Thane district on Sunday. Railway police officer Mukesh Dhage informed that Nilya Kale and his wife Nashika Kale (72), are from Bitkewadi in Ahmednagar are yet to be arrested and were booked under the Maharashtra Prevention of Begging Act and Juvenile Justice.

WORKER FOUND HANGING IN A FACTORY SITUATED IN DOMBIVLI INDUSTRIAL AREA

FINAL YEAR MEDICAL STUDENT COMMITS SUICIDE AT HOME Mumbai: A medical named Shreyasa Pathkar student allegedly hanged herself to death at her residence situated in the Agripada area of Mumbai, said the police on Saturday. No suicide note was found at her house, the police said. She allegedly hanged herself when her family members were not at home. The police soon reached the spot and sent the body for post-mortem.

“The family members have not expressed any sort of suspicion. We are investigat ing the matter,” said a police official adding that the police have filed an Accidental Death Report (ADR).

Nashik: A 54-year-old man was allegedly killed by his wife following a quarrel at their house, police said on Sunday. Dilip Rangnath Kadam was found dead at his house in Wadalagaon area in Indiranagar late on Saturday night. Local residents alerted the vic tim’s relatives, when a foul smell started emanating from the house, said an official. The victim’s hands and feet were tied with a rope and he was attacked with a sharp weapon on his stomach, he added.Kad am’s wife had quarrelled with him, and allegedly killed him with the help of accomplices two days ago.

DUMPER HITS 8 TOLL; REPORTED

As of 2020-21 there are 1,10,114 schools across the state and 7.67 lakh teachers, UDISE data shows

First India Bureau

the Prevention of Cru elty to Animals Act, 1960 and the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.

Glue traps, also known as rat bait sta

tions, are boxes with a strip of adhesive used to catch rodents. These traps are activated by placing food items, and once a rodent steps on

HUMANE

Very

WIFE KILLS HUSBAND AFTER DOMESTIC QUARREL IN NASHIK

Thane: Two persons named Rohit Uttam Gaikwad (30) and Sandeep Murlidhar Pawar (27) have been arrested for cheating the railways by posing as ticket collectors and checking commut ers at a station in Thane district, said the police on Sunday. They were caught at Kasara railway station after the railway police received a tip-off, said senior inspector Avinash Andhale of Kalyan Railway Police station.

FRAUDSTERS POSING AS TICKET COLLECTORS HELD

Thane: A worker, identified as Sunil Yadav (35) was found hanging on Saturday on the premises of a factory situated in the industrial area situated in Dombivli in the Thane dis trict. No suicide note has been found at the place where the man was found hanging by the ceiling in the yard, said the police on Sunday. The investi gation with regards to the death is still on, informed the police personnel posted at the Manpada police station.

Navi Mumbai: A dumper travelling from Mumbai to Panvel hit eight vehicles at Vashi toll naka in Navi Mumbai on Sunday. Two people sustained injuries in the accident, and have been admitted to a nearby hospital, where they are undergo ing treatment. No fatalities have been reported so far. According to eyewitnesses, the vehicle was being driven at a high speed at the time of the mishap.

Activists of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) staged a protest against the Metro car shed project set to be built in Aarey forest area, in Mumbai, on Sunday. —PHOTO BY PTI Zilla Parishad and government-aided

The forest team is also assessing the losses incurred by the people because of these wild animals, said an official

SKILLS & STRATEGY OF

MARKETING PREMIER BRANDS

OPPOSITION SHOW OF UNITY HAS TOO MANY CHALLENGES TO SURMOUNT

There is no science involved to realize that all the above skills that need to sky rocket the sales of a premier brand are acquirable and adaptable. The popular military saying of “The more you sweat in Peace…. The less you bleed in War” is equally applicable here. The Brand CEOs must realize on training their teams before they are introduced to a new arena with a new product

As a Corporate training expert and a strategist, I was called upon by many premium brands to establish and iden tify the choke points that pre vented the brand from being accepted far and wide by the customers. During the pro cess of my thorough audit of the entire marketing chain, I was surprised to realize that while the company had in vested a fortune in not only making a top-class product, it had also incorporated AI in selecting a colour scheme, logo and the SM platforms for promoting it. Needless to mention the swanky show room in an upmarket place.

During this analytical jour ney I observed that while near ly all organizations blamed the failure of their brand on almost everything from Grih, Nakshatra, the Gods, the un predictable markets and er ratic behavioural pattern of the customers, they failed in providing quality training to their sales executive.

As a subject expert, I thought it is time to share my insights for the benefit of all affected corporate houses. We have to remember that state of the art technology in manufacturing a product and

NO PERMISSION; NOW PERMITTED

its public display at a costly high-end market may not be the end all and be all of the marketing. A customer may be drawn to show room but closing of deal may illude us.

Therefore, the people in volved in the chain of mar keting have to concur that ‘Closing a deal is a battle of Mind’. The analytic time that customers spend processing information about brand de serves close management scrutiny. In a nutshell, it de termines how much atten tion is devoted by customers to the brand. This playing field, like any other, has boundaries, barriers and rules. An understanding of how the game is played will allows building a competitive advantage in the market.

Only if we remember that the most important part of the product is the sales team and how they look, behave and are perceived by the buyers. It is a good idea to recall that custom ers need to buy your sales ex ecutive before they are willing to buy your product or service.

So, are there any set of skills that are needed in sales of a premier product? The short answer is YES and ob viously. In my opinion the skill set needs three specific attributes which are firstly, customer facing sales skills, secondly, core sales skills and finally the soft skills. If a cor porate is willing to establish a kinship in the three skill sets the product will for sure cast a niche in the market.

During this analytical journey I observed that while nearly all organizations blamed the failure of their brand on almost everything from Grih, Nakshatra, the Gods, the unpredictable markets and erratic behavioural pattern of the customers, they failed in providing quality training to their sales executive

While the customer facing skills include Storytelling, Problem-solving, Customer en gagement and Presentation skills the traits needed by the team in core selling are Prod uct knowledge, Negotiations, Customer success manage ment and the art of deal clos ing. Before undertaking launch of any premier product, it is desired to prepare sales teams with the above skills.

Now comes in the third and the most important as pect of the strategic selling of premium product and that is the soft skills. The top most is Active Listening which means the ability to hear and understand what the client says. When active listening is practised, speaker has plenty of time to share his/her thoughts and we get clues to

respond to the specific points a client wishes to know.

It is followed by Empathy and that is the ability to relate emotionally to another indi vidual. Empathic sales profes sionals can place themselves in the client’s position and develop personalised solu tions from their point of ref erence to solve unique issues.

Next in line of soft skills are a combination of two, as I would recommend, and these are Communication and Self-Motivation. A sea soned sales professional should communicate clearly with others both verbally and in writing. Choosing the most effective words and phrases for the conversation remains the key to wooing a customer.

On the other hand, every executive must be self-moti vated and diligent. This ca reer does present both ups and downs, but a sales profes sional should maintain a steady forward motion, work ing as hard after a big sale as they do after losing a client.

There is no science involved to realize that all the above skills that need to sky rocket the sales of a premier brand are acquirable and adaptable. The popular military saying of “The more you sweat in Peace…. The less you bleed in War” is equally applicable here. The Brand CEOs must realize on training their teams before they are introduced to a new arena with a new product.

THE VIEWS EXPRESSED BY THE AUTHOR ARE PERSONAL

Punjab Governor Banwari Lal Puro hit has relented after a week of wrangling over whether he could ask for de tails of the agenda which Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann had decided for the proposed Assembly ses sion. Aam Aadmi Party ques tioned the governor’s powers to know the business of the House and pointed out that as per rules seeking governor’s nod was a mere formality. At this Purohit hit back and asked Mann to read the Con stitution. Mann had convened the Assembly session for a trust vote but the legal advice sought by the governor said that the Punjab Vidhan Sabha rules had no particular provi sion for summoning the House only for confidence mo tion. The controversy arose

Punjab Governor Banwari Lal Purohit has relented after a week of wrangling over whether he could ask for details of the agenda which CM Bhagwant Singh Mann had decided for the proposed Assembly session. AAP questioned the governor’s powers to know the business of the House and pointed out that as per rules seeking governor’s nod was a mere formality

after the governor withdrew his permission for the session after allowing it earlier. What prompted Purohit’s change of heart is not yet clear. The wrangling once again brought the role of governors in opposition-ruled states. For

mer West Bengal governor had a running feud with Mamata Banerjee, Kerala governor’s regular spat with the state gov ernment has been much writ ten about. The Bengal and Kerala government’s tried to undermine the governor’s powers to appoint vice-chan cellors of state universities. The issue that gained greater attention was the alleged role of governors as agents of the BJP instead of acting as friend and guide of a government.

There’s nothing new about the tussle between state gov ernments and governors. Consequently, the governors have themselves tailored their roles in accordance with the requirements of respec tive Central governments. The strait-jacket definition laid down in the Constitution has been variously interpret ed leading to friction.

Opposition unity ef forts took a step for ward with a pro posed mega show of strength at the Indi an Lok Dal’s Devi Lal Samman rally in Haryana. Ironically, led by Om Prakash Chautala, the INLD is fighting for its own sur vival having just one legislator in the state Assembly. Neverthe less, several top opposition lead ers including Nitish Kumar, Sharad Pawar, Sukhbir Singh Badal, Sitaram Yechury, Tejashj wi Yadav attended the rally. Om Prakash Chautala is said to have sent invitations to Mamata Ba nerjee, K. Chandrasekhar Rao and Chandrababu Naidu. The only notable absentee was the Congress but with Nitish Ku mar and Lalu Prasad Yadav ex pected to call on Sonia Gandhi, who is caught up with her par ty’s first presidential election in decades, it may join forces.

In what could be the founda tion-laying event for a loosely cohesive third front, it assumes some political significance be fore the 2024 Lok Sabha elec tions. However, managing the disparate groups and their po litical ideologies will be a chal lenge for Nitish Kumar.

Conquer anger with non-anger. Conquer badness with goodness. Conquer meanness generosity.

Warmest greetings for Rosh Hashanah @yairlapid, Israel’s people the Jewish over the world. the new year bring good health, peace and prosperity to everyone. Shana Tova!

Amit Shah @AmitShah

SPIRITUAL SPEAK

Narendra Modi @narendramodi

Shubho Mahalaya! Greetings to all Bengali sisters and brothers on the auspicious occasion of Mahalaya. May the divine blessings of Maa Durga fill everyone’s life with good health, happiness and prosperity.

COL ANUPAM JAITLY (RETD)

The writer is Defence expert, Motivational Speaker & Corporate Trainer

OPPOSITION NEEDS TO UNITE TO DEFEAT BJP IN 2024, SAYS NITISH

At INLD rally, Oppn leaders call for forming anti-BJP front with Cong for 2024 polls

Fatehabad (Agencies):

Several senior Opposi tion leaders, including NCP supremo Sharad Pawar, Bihar Chief Min ister Nitish Kumar, CPI(M) Sitaram Yechury, and Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) president Sukhbir Singh Badal, gathered at Fatehabad, Haryana, on Sunday for the INLD’s major rally.

The event commemo rates the 109th birthday of former Deputy Prime Minister Devi Lal, but it is also considered to be an attempt by Indian National Lok Dal chief to unite the Opposition against the BJP.

Recalling his time spent with political vet eran Devi Lal, Nitish Kumar said, “I can nev er forget those days when I was young and Devi Lal guided and in spired me.”

Nitish Kumar urged the Opposition parties to unite, saying, “If all these parties come to gether, they (BJP) will not be able to win at all in the 2024 Lok Sabha

elections.” He went on to say that he talked at length with Sharad Pa warand asked the Con gress to join them.

together,” he said.

JDU leader KC Tyagi said the Bihar CM has come from Patna to fight the Sultanate of Delhi at a time when eight former Congress CMs have joined the BJP. Kumar, he claims, has no fear of the ED, income tax, or other government agencies.

“I would like to seek blessings of Om Prakash Chautala and urge him that he should do get more Opposition parties

Nadda slams Kerala CM over lawlessness, corruption in State

Kottayam (Agen cies): BJP national president JP Nadda on Sunday hit out at the CPI(M) govern ment in Kerala for the alleged rise in fringe elements and ram pant corruption in the state, claiming that the heat of the “gold scam” has even reached CM Pinarayi Vijayan’s office.

Nadda is on a twoday visit to Kerala from Sunday as he continues with his travel to different re gions of the country as part of the party’s organisational pro grammes and politi cal outreach.

Addressing BJP workers, Nadda said, “The present CPI(M) government in the state is trying to cre ate a situation where the government will be in a debt trap; debt almost doubled now.

Even the CM’s office is not out of the frame of corruption. The heat of the gold scam has even reached the CM’s office.”

The smuggling case came to light in July 2020 after 30 kgs of gold, hidden in a package camouflaged as a diplomatic consignment ad dressed to the UAE consulate in Kerala, was seized by the cus toms department.

BJP STATE IN-CHARGES MEETING TO BE HELD ON TUESDAY

Cong has a soft corner for terrorists: Anurag Thakur

Bihar deputy CM and RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav and Arvind Sawant of the Shiv Sena also attended the rally being held in a show of Opposition unity.

Fatehabad (PTI): Bihar CM Nitish Kumar said that there is no fight between Hindus and Muslims and accused the BJP of trying to create disturbances. At the INLD rally, Nitish Kumar said, “My only wish is that we all need to come to gether at the national level… We need to bring together more parties,” he said. The rally, organised to mark former deputy prime minister Devi Lal’s birth anniversa ry, was also attended by NCP supremo Sharad Pawar and Shiromani Akaki Dal’s Sukhbir Singh Badal, among others. “I’ll urge all parties, in cluding Congress, to get together and then they (BJP) will lose badly,” Nitish said.

New Delhi (ANI): Un ion Minister Anurag Thakur strongly reacted to Congress leader Dig vijay Singh’s statement comparing RSS with PFI, and said that the Congress is in this con dition today because of Singh’s “Badbolapan” (or impudence).

Thakur on Sunday targeted Digvijay Singh and said, “If someone calls terrorist Osama as “Osama Ji” when strict action is taken against the terrorists, then it can be understood that it is being done for the vote bank.” Taking a jibe at the Congress and Gan dhi family, He further said “During the UPA, the govt used to run not from 7 Race Course Road but from 10 Janpath.”

Claiming to strength en the security of the country, Anurag Thakur said, “The gov ernment has been work ing continuously and rapidly to strengthen both internal and exter nal security and devel opment. Continuous action is being taken against infiltrators and terrorists.”

Rahul Gandhi resumes Yatra on 18th day in Thrissur in Kerala

Thrissur (PTI): Con gress leader Rahul Gan dhi on Sunday resumed the Bharat Jodo Yatra from Thiroor in the dis trict accompanied by hundreds of party work ers holding banners and placards against the high cooking gas prices in the country.

The morning session of the 150-day-long yatra covered a distance of around 11 kilometres before concluding at Wadakkanchery.

Senior leaders in cluding, K Muraleed haran, KC Venugopal, Ramesh Chennithala, Leader of Opposition, VD Satheesan and MPs among others joined Gandhi in his walk.

The Congress work ers were carrying plac ards in the shape of LPG cylinders highlighting steep cooking gas prices in the country.

Earlier on Saturday, the Congress had re sumed its Bharat Jodo Yatra, after a day's break, from Perambra junction in the Thris sur district of Kerala.

THAROOR TO FILE NOMINATION FOR THE POST OF CONGRESS PREZ ON SEP 30 New Delhi (ANI): Senior Congress leader Shashi Tharoor will file a nomination for the post of party President on September 30, according to the sourc es. Tharoor had said that he will be approaching delegates from various states as he has taken 5 sets of nomination papers, for which he'll need 50 delegates as proposers for his candidature. This will be the first time in 25 years that Congress will see a non-Gandhi chief after Sonia Gandhi defeated Jitendra Prasad in 1998. The last time the party had a non-Gandhi chief was in 1996 when Sitaram Kesri defeated Sharad Pawar and Rajesh Pilot.Shashi Tharoor

RAHUL PAYS HIS LAST RESPECTS TO ARYADAN MUHAMMED

Thrissur (ANI): Congress leader Rahul Gandhi went to Nilambpur in Mal lapuram on Sunday to pay his last respects to senior party leader

Aryadan Muhammed (87) who passed away earlier on Sunday. Rahul Gandhi said that his death is a great loss to the party as he was a pillar of the Congress party. “He was a pillar of the Congress party... it is a tragedy for us,” Gandhi said. Muhammed, who was an eight-time MLA and represented the Nilambur constituency, was undergoing treat ment at a private hospital in Kozhikode and died in the morning. The veteran leader had entered poli tics as a member of the Congress party in 1952 and remained the part of Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee till 1958.

ONSET OF FESTIVE SEASON

New Delhi (ANI): Senior BJP leader Sushil Kumar Modi on Sunday slammed Congress MP Digvijay Singh for comparing RSS with the PFI organi sation and said that he should be “ashamed” for doing so. “Digvijay Singh has always supported those who are terrorists, who were the supporters of the terrorists of Batla House. Today, his condition is such that he has not been able to come to the power in Madhya Pradesh even after 20 years. He is comparing it with RSS whose patriotism is unquestionable,” he said.

CRUCIAL READ

CADET’S DEATH: 6 IAF OFFICERS BOOKED IN MURDER CASE

Bengaluru: Six Indian Air Force officials were booked for murder after suspicious death of a trainee cadet. The deceased youth, identified as 27-year-old Ankit Kumar Jha, was training at the AFTC in Jalahalli campus for one and half years, according to police. He had allegedly committed suicide by hanging after being discharged from service following a court of inquiry.

UP: WEDDING GUESTS ASKED TO SHOW AADHAAR CARDS

New Delhi: In a bizarre inci dent, guests at a wedding in UP’s Amroha were asked to show their Aadhaar cards be fore dinner. The incident took place in Hasanpur where two sisters were getting married at the same venue. Their family began panicking when they saw a huge turnout of guests, many of whom strangers, and then they asked the guests to show their Aadhaar cards.

SR IAS OFFICER RAJENDRA KUMAR APPOINTED ESIC DIRECTOR GENERAL

New Delhi: Senior bureaucrat Rajendra Kumar has been appointed the director general of the Employees’ State Insur ance Corporation, as part of a senior-lev el bureaucratic reshuffle effected by the Centre on Sunday. Kumar, a 1992-batch Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer of Tamil Nadu cadre, is currently an additional secretary in the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology.

HOUSE ATTACHED FOR SHELTERING

MILITANTS IN J&K

New Delhi: A house in Bandipora was attached by J&K Police on Sunday over wilfully providing shelter to militants. The police said, “The residential house of one person, namely Bashir Ahmad Mir, son of Abdul Sattar Mir of Wanpora Gurez at present Watrina Bandip ora, was attached after ob taining legal sanction from the competent authorities.”

GHULAM NABI AZAD TO UPDATE ON HIS OWN PARTY TODAY

Jammu: Weeks after leaving the Congress and announcing the formation of his own party, former Jammu & Kashmir Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad on Sunday said he would be holding a press conference on Monday. While he has announced key details about his party, the suspense on the name of the party lingers.

Mamata Banerjee begins Durga Puja festivities

Kolkata (Agencies):

West Bengal Chief Min ister Mamata Banerjee began the Durga Puja festivities on Mahalaya by debuting as a singer in her latest album of special songs, titled ‘Ut saver Gaan’, released on Sunday.

She has not just sung a song ‘Dhak dumad um’, along with singerturned-politician Indra nil Sen and Aditi Mun shi, but has also written the lyrics of all the songs and composed the

music of the album.

The album compris es of eight Puja-spe cial songs sung by the likes of Jit Ganguly, Sriradha and Mono moy, besides her Tri namool Congress par ty MLAs Babul Supri yo and Indranil.

Meanwhile Supriyo released a separate Puja-special album ‘Jai Ma Durga’, dedi cating it to Banerjee on Mahalaya, which marks the beginning of the 10-day festival.

This year, the festival is more special as it was been inscribed on Unesco’s list of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

Album apart, Baner jee, otherwise also have been busy since Thurs day as this year’s festi val got a soft launch

three days before Maha laya with the chief min ister inaugurating three Durga Pujas in north Kolkata - Tala Park Prattoy, Sreebhu mi Sporting Club in Lake Town and FD Block Durga Puja in Salt Lake. From Maha laya, September 25, the chief minister - who has been flooded with invitations from several hundred puja organis ers - will go on a puja inauguration spree over the next week.

JP Nadda with Kerala BJP President K Surendran, party MP Prakash Javadekar and others pays tribute to Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya, on Sunday. —PHOTO BY PTI

New Delhi: The BJP will hold a meeting of state in-charges on Sep 27. BJP national general secretary (Organization) BL Santosh will pre side over this meeting. BJP chief Nadda might also attend the meeting. Before this meeting, all the in-charges are also visiting the respective states under their charge. For strengthening the party in states, meetings are being held and the central leadership are visiting different states.

BJP OFFICE IN NE

Mamata Banerjee lights lamp during the inauguration of a Puja pandal for upcoming Durga Puja festival, in Kolkata on Sunday.

(From L) Sukhbir Singh Badal, Sitaram Yechury, Sharad Pawar, OP Chautala, Nitish Kumar and Tejashwi Yadav at a rally on 109th birth anniversary of former deputy PM Devi Lal, in Fatehabad, on Sunday.

‘BJP WANTS TO CREATE RIFT BETWEEN HINDUS AND MUSLIMS’

BJP ALLIES HAVE LEFT IT: TEJASHWI

DIGVIJAY SINGH SHOULD BE ASHAMED FOR COMPARING PFI WITH RSS: SUSHIL MODI

New Delhi (ANI): VHP Chief Alok Kumar on Sunday said Congress leader Digvijay Singh is known for making wild remarks and it is unacceptable to make such statements against the RSS and VHP, which have both originated in India and are flag-bearers of India's Sanatan Dharma. VHP Chief Alok Kumar criticised Congress leader Digvijay Singh's statement and said that the Sangh works for the country's progress.

VHP CHIEF SLAMS DIGVIJAY SINGH'S REMARKS AGAINST RSS, VHP

Anurag Thakur

Sushil Kumar Modi

Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Deependra Singh Hooda.

BHARAT JODO YATRA

‘India really matters more in current polarised world’

New York (PTI): India matters more in the current polarised world and is perceived widely as the voice of the glob al South, External Af fairs Minister S Jais hankar has said, assert ing that New Delhi al ways speaks for many developing nations and highlights their press ing problems at inter national forums.

Jaishankar wrapped up the New York leg of his visit to the US as he addressed the high-lev el UN General Assem bly session on Saturday, concluding a hectic week of whirlwind dip lomatic engagements during which he met over 100 of his counter parts from around the world and held several bilateral and multilat eral meetings.

“There’s no question this UNGA reflects the state of the world, which is particularly polarised at this mo ment.”

What the state of the world actually reveals in a way is that India matters more. We are a bridge, we are a voice,

‘19 people held for vandalizing properties’

There is no justification for terrorism: EAM

United Nations (PTI): In a strong message on terrorism, External Af fairs Minister S Jais hankar said that no rhetoric, however, sanc timonious, can ever cover-up blood stains and asserted that na tions who defend pro claimed terrorists in the United Nations neither advance their own inter ests nor their reputa tion, a signal to China and Pakistan.

support for India’s member ship recently. US President Joe Biden during his address to the UN general assembly categorically said America supports India’s bid. In addition to this, there’s a growing chorus among G4 countries (Germany, Japan, Brazil, and India) to become permanent members of the UNSC and for representation of African countries.

India is a stirring place in space: ISRO

tankulathur near here.

In his address to the high-level UN General Assembly session here, Jaishankar said those who politicise the UNSC 1267 Sanctions regime, sometimes even to the extent of defending pro claimed terrorists, do so at their own peril. “Hav ing borne the brunt of cross border terrorism for decades, India firmly advocates a ‘zero- toler ance’ approach. In our view, there is no justifi cation for any act of ter rorism,” he said.

Chennai (Tamil Nadu) (ANI): Nineteen per sons who vandalised properties during the protest against the NIA’s raids on houses of the PFI leaders are arrested and sent to remand, in formed the Tamil Nadu Director General of Po lice C Sylendrababu on Sunday.

“Nineteen persons who vandalised proper ties are arrested and sent to remand. Few from specific organiza tions hurled petrol bombs on a few organi zation functionaries’ residences and cars,” Tamil Nadu DGP told ANI.“Those who involve in criminal acts which disturb public peace will be booked under the National Security Act,” warned Tamil Nadu

RELIGIOUS

Madurai (ANI): As many as three petrol bombs were hurled into the house of a Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) member in the Madurai district of Tamil Nadu. The incident was captured in the CCTV foot age which as per the times tamp took place around 7:38 pm on Saturday at Mel Anuppanadi housing board area in Madurai at the residence of MS Krishnan.

The CCTV footage shows bike-borne men were seen approaching the house and hurling petrol bombs before the duo sped away.

Police are probing the incident. “Three petrol bombs were thrown at RSS

DGP. “Criminal cases have been registered on this and investigations to nab the anti-social el ements are going on.

Chennai (PTI): The world is looking at In dia as an inspirational place with what the country has achieved in the space sector in the last 60 years, chair man of Indian Space Research Organisation S Somanath said on Sunday.

Somanath said he was witnessing a great transformation in the sector by bringing in startups, incubating them in space technol ogy and bringing great

Why Shivaji Park was held on the same ground. But it turned into a virtual battleground re cently when both the Thackeray group and the Shinde faction staked claim to it for their re spective Dussehra rallies.

Shinde became chief minister in June this year after splitting the Sena and pulling down the Ud dhav Thackeray-led gov ernment.Citing a possi ble law and order prob

applications to develop rockets and satellites.

“The whole world is looking at India as an inspirational place and it is wonderful to see what is happening in

lem, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) denied permis sion to both factions, but on Friday the High Court granted the Thackeray group permission for the rally.Sena’s deputy leader and former Mumbai Mayor Kishori Pednekar said the Dussehra rally is now a party tradition.

Sena Spokesperson, Arvind Sawant, said that Bal Thackeray continued to hold people in thrall at

India, especially in the space sector, with the startup eco system,” he said at the 18th convoca tion of the SRM Insti tute of Science and Technology at Kat

Somanath, who also received the honorary degree of Doctorate of Science (honoris causa) in recognition of his contribution to the field of science, said, “We al ways believed (others) but others never be lieved we can do such things — building rock ets and satellites in this country ourselves — be sides having a large per centage of our own con tribution (of satellites) to build them.”

his Dussehra rallies at Shivaji Park for five dec ades. “Later, Uddhav ji guided us from there as party chief. So it is natu rally our right (to hold the rally there). It also houses the Shakti Sthal (a memorial to Bal Thackeray),” he said.On Friday Uddhav Thack eray won the battle for Shivaji Park. Only time will tell if he is able to win the battle for his fa ther’s party. –PTI

AGMUT CADRE

UP IAS Surendra Singh gets new posting

Ahtesham Siddiqui

Lucknow: Commis sioner of Meerut and CEO of Greater Noida Authority IAS Surendra Singh has been sent to the AGMUT cadre for three years by the centre government. IAS Suren dra Singh, a 2005 batch officer, has been the col lector of 10 districts in

exemplary work in the parliamentary constitu ency of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. As Dis trict Magistrate of Vara nasi, he was praised by the state government as well as by the union gov ernment. Later, Suren dra Singh became spe cial secretary to Chief Minister Yogi Adity anath, followed by other

Rakhi Sawant responds to Hema Malini on poll jibe

Hema Malini recently took a jibe at Kangana Ranaut, where she dragged in Rakhi Sawant.

Now, Rakhi has responded to Hema’s statement

New Delhi (ANI): Re sponding to actorturned-politician Hema Malini’s statement the previous day that even Rakhi Sawant can be come (a poll candidate), Sawant said apparently in a mock serious way that she would contest the 2024 elections and thanked the Lok Sabha MP from Mathura for saying this.

Rakhi Sawant thanked Hema Malini and PM Narendra Modi for this.

“I would like to thank Prime Minister Naren dra Modi Ji for putting

of this. Thank you for giving me the opportu nity of contesting the election as Hema Malini Ji has already announced,” Rakhi Sawant said.

She also said that if PM Modi can become PM by making tea, she too can become the Chief Minister.

serve it. When our Prime Minister can be come the PM by making tea, then why can’t I be a CM after working in Bollywood? Definitely, I will and I need the best wishes of you all,” Sawant said.

important postings. Sources in the bu reaucracy believe that his transfer to the AG MUT cadre is a planned decision of the govern ment. IAS officer Suren dra Singh is likely to be given a bigger responsi bility in Delhi or some north-eastern state. An order was issued by DoPT in this regard.

member house and we are investigating in this regard. No one was injured and damaged in the accident,” Shanmugam Madurai South’s Assistant Commis sioner said. In this regard, RSS member Krishnan and BJP Madurai district president Suseendran filed a petition to the Keerathurai police. After receiving his petitions, the police assured to arrest the accused soon.

Special teams have been formed to nab them. So far, 250 suspects have been investigated on this matter,” he added.

UP Govt transfers IAS, PCS officers

Ahtesham Siddiqui

Lucknow: The Uttar Pradesh government on Sunday transferred four IAS and four PCS officers. The UP govern ment has appointed Ravindra Kumar as Special Secretary in the Excise Department, while IAS Pawan Ku mar will take over the responsibility of Spe cial Secretary in the Public Works Depart ment.

Similarly, IAS Dhirendra Singh Sachan has been sent to Health Welfare and Family Welfare Depart ment as special secre tary and IAS Ashutosh Kumar Dwivedi has now been given the re sponsibility of Special Secretary in the Public Works Department.

Likewise, IAS Amit Ku mar Prasad has been transferred to ACS, de partment of Khadi, vil lage industries and MSME.

23 on way to temple die as boat sinks in B’desh

the great responsibility on my shoulders and considering me worthy

“As far as I am con cerned, I have been serving society from childhood itself. I was born to serve the coun try only and I want to

The Bollywood actor, however, said it would be a “surprise” against whom she would be con testing. “So, I will be contesting the 2024 elec tions, but against whom it will be a surprise,” Sawant said.

Dhaka: At least 23 peo ple were killed and sev eral dozen more were missing on Sunday after a boat capsized in a riv er in Bangladesh, police said. “We have recov ered 23 bodies. Fire fighters and divers are searching for more bod ies,” local police official Shafiqul Islam told. The boat was packed with up to 50 Hindu pilgrims, police said.

They were travelling to a centuries-old tem ple when the vessel sud denly tipped over and

“WILL FIGHT ELECTIONS IN 2024...”

lll

we are a viewpoint, a channel,” Jaishankar told a group of Indian reporters here as he

highlighted some of the big takeaways of his week-long visit to the UN and the city.

He headed to Wash ington DC on Sunday for the second leg of his US visit.

Jaishankar says it’s not usual that many countries referred to India at UNGA

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar in a meeting with United Nations Secretary General António Guterres, in USA. —PHOTO BY PTI

RUSSIAN MINISTER BACKS INDIA FOR UNSC PERMANENT SEAT

United Nations: During the 77th Session of the UN General Assembly, the Russian Finance Minister expressed his support for India, becoming a perma nent member of the Security Council. Russian FM Sergey Lavrov said, “We see pro spective of making Security Council more democratic via representation of countries from Africa, Asia, and Latin

America. India and Brazil, in particular, are key interna tional actors and should be counted for permanent membership in council”. The US also has shown explicit

One-day state-wide strike by PFI leaders in Tamil Nadu on Sunday. —PHOTO BY ANI

3 PETROL BOMBS THROWN AT HOUSE OF RSS MEMBER IN TAMIL NADU

In a video Rakhi Sawant reacts to Hema Malini’s remarks.

‘Pindi daani’ gather to perform rituals for their ancestors on the last day of ‘Pitra Paksha Mela’, on Gaya on Sunday. —PHOTO BY PTI

Uttar Pradesh. The bu reaucrat came into the limelight after he did

ISRO chief S Somanath

TECHNOLOGY

IAS Surendra Singh

PROTEST

sank in the middle of Karotoa river near Boda in northern Bang ladesh. Another police officer said up to 25 peo ple were still missing.

A boat carrying over 50 people capsize in Karotoa river, in Bangladesh on Sunday.

New Delhi: The combined market valuation of seven of the 10 most valued firms eroded by `1,34,139.14 crore last week, with Reliance In dustries taking the big gest hit. Barring Hindu stan Unilever Limited, Bajaj Finance and ITC, others in the top-10 club suffered erosion in their market valuation. The val uation of Reliance tum bled by `40,558.31 crore to reach `16,50,307.10 crore. But despite that it retained its top spot in the list of the most valued Indian firms. `1.34

Weakening rupee to further fuel inflation

New Delhi (PTI): The In dian rupee sliding to a his toric low of 81.09 to a dollar will make import of crude oil and other commodities expensive further fueling inflation which for the past several months has re mained above the Reserve Bank’s upper tolerance level of 6%.

The pressure on the do mestic currency, which is mainly due to repeated hikes in interest rate by the US Fed, is likely to con tinue with rise in trade deficit and gradual with drawal of funds by institu tional investors.

The Reserve Bank, which is scheduled to an nounce its bi-monthly monetary policy later this week, is expected to in

crease the repo-rate or the short-term lending rates by 50 basis points in a bid to tame inflationary pressure.

For a nation that is 85% dependent on imports to

meet its oil needs and 50% for gas requirements, a weakening rupee has a bearing on domestic price of fuel. “A depreciating INR will partly counteract

Economic activity of India still below pre-pandemic level: ADB

the benefit of lower com modity prices on infla tion,” said Aditi Nayar, Chief Economist, ICRA.

Solvent Extractors’ Asso ciation of India Executive

CHALLENGING TIMES AHEAD

z The pressure on the domestic currency, which is mainly due to repeated hikes in interest rate by the US Fed, is likely to continue with rise in trade deficit and gradual withdrawal of funds by institutional investors

z The RBI, which is scheduled to announce its bi-monthly monetary policy later this week, is expected to increase the repo-rate or the shortterm lending rates by 50 bps

Director B V Mehta said the cost of imported edible oils will go up. The country im ports about 13 million tonnes of edible oils every year. “Ultimately, this will

OTHER STORIES

be passed on to consumers. However, the only silver lin ing is India’s oilseed sector exports...The rupee depre ciation will boost export realisation and support export,” he said.

Imports of vegetable oils stood at $1.89 billion in Au gust 2022, up 41.55% over the same month last year. As per the SBI report, no central bank can prevent currency depreciation cur rently and RBI may allow the rupee to depreciate for a limited period. Foreign currency assets of RBI have declined by $75 billion since Ukraine War, in order to protect the rupee, it said and added that this has led to reduced import cover of nine months, which is at the lower end.

RESERVE BANK OF INDIA SET FOR FOURTH STRAIGHT RATE HIKE TO QUELL INFLATION

New Delhi: After infusing more than `51,000 crore last month, foreign inves tors have slowed down the pace of equity buying in India in September so far, as they invested a lit tle over `8,600 crore, on sharp depreciation in ru pee. Going forward, FPIs are unlikely to buy ag gressively amid rising dollar, Chief Investment Strategist at Geojit Finan cial Services, said. Ac cording to the data, FPIs have bought equity to the tune of `8,638 crore during Sept 1-23.

—PTI

MFs ADD 70 LAKH INVESTOR ACCOUNTS IN 5 MONTHS OF FY23

New Delhi (PTI): With economic activity still to reach pre-pandemic levels, the RBI may slow down the pace of rate hikes until next year to quell soaring inflation while supporting growth, the Asian Develop ment Bank (ADB) says in its latest report.

The multilateral funding agency has raised the infla tion forecast for the cur rent fiscal year ending in March 2023 to 6.7% from its earlier projection of 5.8%.

For the next fiscal year too, the forecast has been revised upwards to 5.8% from 5% earlier.

Inflation will remain el evated this year and the next, ADB said in an up date to its flagship Asian

Development Outlook (ADO) 2022 report.

“This Update forecasts the inflation rate averaging 6.7% in FY2022 (fiscal end ing in March 2023) before moderating to 5.8% in FY2023 (ending in March 2024), just below the central bank target range of 2 –6%,” it said.

Both forecasts are high

IND’S INFLATION FORECAST RAISED

z The agency has raised the inflation forecast for the current fiscal to 6.7% from its earlier projection of 5.8%.

For the next fiscal year too, the forecast has been revised upwards to 5.8% from 5%

er than ADO 2022’s projections.

Even though supply pressures are expected to ease in the current fiscal year, upward pressure on inflation could continue because of demand-side pressures caused by in creasing economic activi ty, according to the ADB report.

Pune (PTI): Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has said representatives of the lo cal cooperative sector were “extremely happy” with various steps taken by the Centre for their benefit.

She said, “I had a meet ing with representatives of different cooperative institutions such as banks and sugar (mills) and they are extremely happy and there were claps after claps for various steps being taken such as relief to be given to them, taxation concession that was extended, waiving of the long pending arrears of one of the cooperatives. They all were appreciated.”

‘FTA talks in final phase with deadline in sight’

New Delhi: With increase in digital access and growing awareness about mutual funds, asset man agement companies (AMCs) have added close to 70 lakh investor ac counts in the first five months of the current fis cal, bringing the total to 13.65 cr. This came fol lowing an addition of 3.17 cr investor accounts in 2021-22 and 81 lakh ac counts. The sharp in crease in MF folio count implies that a lot of new investors are coming into the capital markets and are embracing MFs as their preferred vehicle for investing.

—PTI

393 INFRA PROJECTS COST OVERRUN OF `4.65 TRILLION

London (PTI): The free trade agreement (FTA) talks between India and the UK are now in their final phase and despite some outstanding issues to be re solved, there is optimism on both sides that the Di wali deadline for a draft will be met, according to the Lord Mayor of London.

“It was a really good time to be in India with the FTA negotiations entering into their final phase,” Vincent Keaveny, the 693rd Lord Mayor said.

“PM Modi has made it clear that he wants to sign the FTA by Diwali. There are some outstanding is

LORD MAYOR OF LONDON IN INDIA

z Vincent Keaveny has just returned from a four-day visit to India following meetings with leading Indian businesses and investors and finance chiefs at the Reserve Bank of India and SEBI

RBI interest rate decision, global trends to drive mkt

New Delhi: As many as 393 infrastructure pro jects, each entailing an in vestment of `150 crore or more, have been hit by cost overruns of more than `4.65 lakh crore, as per a report. “Total origi nal cost of implementa tion of the 1526 projects was `21,26,460.93 crore and their anticipated com pletion cost is likely to be `25,91,823.45 crore, which reflects overall cost overruns of `4,65,362.52 crore,” the ministry’s lat est report said.

New Delhi (PTI): The do mestic stock market may face volatility amid the monthly derivatives expiry scheduled this week, while investors would mainly await the outcome of RBI’s interest rate decision on Friday, said analysts.

Global market move ment would also continue to drive sentiment amid a bearish trend recently fol lowing rate hikes by the US Federal Reserve and other central banks.

The RBI may take cues from its global counter parts to raise interest rate for the fourth time in a row

to control inflation.

Vinod Nair, Head of Re search at Geojit Financial Services, said for the week ahead, investors will keen ly watch the outcome of the RBI monetary policy on September 30.

“We expect the market direction will be led by global developments and FIIs’ action,” Nair added.

z Lord Mayor’s visit was aimed at strengthening IndiaUK financial services links, building strong and sustainable two-way capital flows

z His visit comes amid reports that Modi may be planning a visit to the UK to sign the FTA around Diwali

sues to be resolved but I think there’s a lot of opti mism on both sides that we will get that done. Whatev er the content of the agree ment, it will be a real posi tive for the relationship between India and the UK across the board in the coming years,” he said.

His visit comes amid re ports that Modi may be planning a visit to the UK to sign the FTA around Diwali, which falls on October 24.

Asked about the pros pect, the Lord Mayor ex pressed optimism: “It is a tight deadline but there is optimism.

WITH COMFORTABLE COAL STOCKS

Mumbai: The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) may take cues from its global counterparts, including the US Federal Reserve, to raise interest rate for the fourth time in a row on Friday to tame stubborn inflation. The RBI Governor-headed Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) is scheduled to start its three-day deliberations on Wednes day. The decision of the rate-setting panel would be announced on Friday (September 30). The US Fed delivered third consecutive rate hike after it raised the rates by 75 bps to take the target range to 3 - 3.25%. The central banks of the UK and the EU have also gone for rate hikes to tame inflation.

NATURAL GAS PRICE TO RISE TO RECORD LEVEL THIS WEEK

New Delhi: Prices of natural gas, which is used to generate electricity, make fertiliser and is converted into CNG to run auto mobiles, is likely to rise to record levels at the rate review scheduled this week, sources said. The government-dictated price for natural gas produced in the country is to be revised on October 1. After factoring in the spike in energy prices witnessed in recent months, the rate paid for gas produced from old fields such as of state-owned Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) is likely to rise to $9 per million British thermal units from cur rent $6.1. —PTI

—PTI

ENGG SEC MSMEs SEEK PRODUCTION LINKED INCENTIVE SCHEME

New Delhi: An engineering sector’s body of MSMEs has demanded from the govern ment to announce a production linked incen tive scheme (PLI) for the industry to boost domestic manufactur ing, exports and job creation. In a communication to the commerce ministry, Ludhianabased Hand Tools Association said that the sector provides employment to 7.25 workers for every `1-crore sale per year on an average as com pared to the job creation ratio of 4.75 in bicycle industry and 5-6 in textiles. Exports of hand tools industry is about `3,200 crore annually. —PTI

PIRAMAL GROUP AND ZURICH INSURANCE MULL JOINT BID FOR RELIANCE GENERAL INSURANCE

New Delhi: Piramal Group and Zurich Insurance plan to form a joint venture for taking over Reliance General Insurance, a subsidiary of debt-ridden Reliance Capital undergoing a resolution process. Both Piramal and Zurich, which had submitted separate non-binding bids for the general insurance busi ness of Reliance Capital in August, may hold 50% each in the proposed special purpose vehicle (SPV), sources said.

Piramal had valued Reliance Capital’s general insurance business at `3,600 crore, while Zurich had quoted `3,700 crore for the same. As per the actuarial valuation, sources said, Reliance General Insurance is valued at `9,450 crore.

—PTI

NO POWER CRISIS THIS FESTIVE SEASON

New Delhi (PTI): India is unlikely to see a repeat of the 2021 energy crisis this festive season as coal-fired power stations across the country have comfortable levels of the fuel stock to meet electricity demand of the world’s fastest expand ing major economy.

Learning lessons from the October 2021 energy cri sis, when power stations were put on outage alert, due to coal stocks falling to the lowest level in years, the ministries of coal and pow er as well as railways this year have worked out a plan to ensure adequate fuel

stocks at electricity gener ating units, officials said.

With coal used to pro duce almost 70% of elec tricity, officials are confi dent that the 2021 crisis will not be repeated this

LESSON LEARNT FROM PAST

z Learning lessons from the October 2021 energy crisis, the ministries of coal and power as well as railways this year have worked out a plan to ensure adequate fuel stocks at electricity generating units

festive season that kicks in a week’s time. Electricity demand in India has soared with a rebound in indus trial activity after easing of pandemic-related curbs. And the increased light

ning needs during the fes tive season is likely to send the demand shooting. Acc to a coal ministry of ficial, the coal stocks at power plants are at “com fortable” level as of now.

FPIs PUMP IN 8,600 CRORE RUPEES IN SEPTEMBER SO FAR

Co-op sec happy with Centre’s decisions: FM

Don’t believe rumours of child lifting gang: Cops

PFI PROTEST SLOGAN VIDEO

PUNE COPS TAKE U-TURN, REVOKE SEDITION CHARGE

First India Bureau Nashik: Cops in Nashik city have asked citizens not to put stock in fake social me dia messages about child lift ers. “Don’t be lieve in rumours and fake messag es about childlifter gangs being active in the city,” officials said on Sunday.

Although there have been such messages making rounds on social media over the past few days, none of them are true, as sured an official.

An official re lease from the po lice issued on Sun day said: “The fact is, there is no such gang active in the city and it is a ru mour. No one should believe it and do anything wrong.”

The statement also said strict ac tion would be tak en against those who assaulted peo ple on suspicion, adding that the duty of the public in such cases was to inform police immediately.

An official said the child lifting ru mours might have started after a 21-year-old man tried to prank his friend by wearing a burqa on Septem ber 23. Passersby got suspicious when they noticed a person in burqa wearing men’s shoes.

The man was pinned down and beaten up by a mob; he was later charged under var ious sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) for causing panic.

Police have registered case against 60-70 activists for unlawful assembly outside the Pune Collectorate on September 23

First India Bureau

Pune: In a U-turn, city police on Sunday evening denied adding the sedition charge in connection with the alleged raising of proPakistan slogans dur ing a protest organ ized by the Popular Front of India (PFI).

Earlier,a Bundgarden police station officer said they have added sections 109 (An act committed in conse quence of abetment), 120B (Criminal conspir acy), 124A (Punishment for sedition), 153 A and B (Promoting enmity be tween different groups) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) in the First Infor mation Report (FIR).

Police had registered a case against 60-70 sus pected PFI activists for unlawful assembly in

FAILURE OF LAW & ORDER IN MAHA: AADITYA

Mumbai: A day after “Pakistan Zindabad” slogans were allegedly raised during a Popular Front of India (PFI) protest in Pune, Shiv Sena leader and former Maharash tra minister Aaditya Thackeray attacked the state govern ment and said there is a major law and order failure in Maharashtra. “The government must come down swiftly and hard on those who indulged in pro-Pak slogans. The fact that someone dared to do so, and is yet roam ing free, means this is a major law and order failure in Maharashtra,” Thackeray told media persons.

connection with the pro test held outside the dis trict collector’s office on Friday.

“We did not add sec tion 12A in the case. The Supreme Court order says this section cannot be invoked as one case pertaining to this is al ready going to court,”

said an official. registered cases against activists of PFI on Friday. The videos which were available on social media will be sent for forensic investiga tion,” said DCP Sagar Patil, (Zone II).

Notably, the Supreme Court in May put on

hold the colonial-era pe nal law on sedition till an appropriate govern ment forum re-exam ines it and directed the Centre and states to not register any fresh FIR invoking the offence.

A video had surfaced on social media, which purportedly shows that

the “Pakistan Zindabad” slogan was raised a cou ple of times when the agitating PFI activists were being bundled into a police vehicle.

The protest was or ganized against the re cent nationwide raids on the outfit and the ar rest of its activists. Dur ing the protest, the po lice detained around 40 protesters.

Earlier on Sunday, Maharashtra Home Minister Devendra Fad navis directed the Pune police commissioner to slap the sedition charge.

“We do not support such slogans. The antiIndia slogans will not be tolerated in the state as well as in the country. I have instructed the Pune police commissioner to file a case invoking sedi tion in the matter,” he told reporters in Pune.

The raising of contro versial slogans had led to a huge outrage, with leaders from BJP and MNS demanding strin gent action. Congress had demanded a ban on organisations like PFI.

First India Bureau

Pune: Union Finance Minister Nirmala Si tharaman has said representatives of the local cooperative sec tor were “extremely happy” with various steps taken by the Cen tre for their benefit.

Those who exploited the cooperative sector for political gains never thought of creating a separate ministry for it, and it was Prime Minis ter Narendra Modi who set up the cooperative ministry, she told re porters on Saturday af ter concluding her three-day tour of the Baramati Lok Sabha constituency in Pune district.

Notably, Baramati is the home-turf of Na tionalist Congress Par ty (NCP) chief Sharad Pawar, the former Un ion agriculture minis ter whose party has a significant presence in the cooperative sector.

NCP leader and Pa war’s daughter Supriya Sule is currently the Lok Sabha member from Baramati.

Meanwhile, Bharati ya Janata Party (BJP) state President, Chan drashekhar Bawankule, on Saturday said that he will speak to CM Shinde on the matter. FRONT

Sitharaman said, “I had a meeting with rep

The Union finance minister wrapped up a three-day tour to Baramati Lok Sabha constituency

resentatives of differ ent cooperative institu tions such as banks and sugar (mills) and they are extremely happy and there were claps after claps for various steps being taken such as relief to be given to them, taxation conces sion that was extended, waiving of the long pending arrears of one of the cooperatives. They were all appreci ated.”

Asked about her tour of the constituency, the minister said she held several meetings and reviewed the imple mentation of various central schemes.

To a query on how important Baramati is for the Bharatiya Jana ta Party (BJP), she said the purpose of her visit was to strengthen the party organization and assess what more needs to be done.

PAYING HOMAGE

Kids in learn to make for

lll

Under an initiative, they have become proficient in making ‘bhakri’, and other food items; this is to enable them to stay at home and not dropout to follow their migrant labourer parents for work

Pune: Children of mi grant labourers from a small village in Ma harashtra are master ing the skill of mak ing their staple food ‘bhakri’, as well as other basic meal items in an attempt to continue studies and not drop out of school when their parents are not around.

The initiative, start ed by a teacher at the Kulalwadi Zilla Pari shad School in Jath tehsil of Sangli, has not only improved the enrollment rate of stu dents, but other

schools in the region are also following the initiative, said Ansar Shaikh, Education Ex tension Officer, Sangli Zilla Parishad.

The parents of most of these students are sugarcane labourers and migrate from Kulal wadi village to other regions to cut the crop before the cane crush ing season starts ahead of Diwali festival.

As the children ear lier had no option but to go with their parents, they would drop out from school, discontin uing their studies.

Bhaktraj Garje, a teacher at the Kulalwadi

ZP School, floated an idea in 2016 to help these students of Class I to VIII continue their edu

cation even in the ab sence of their parents.

He encouraged them to stay back home, learn

making bhakri and oth er basic food items and at the same time study at the school.

‘Bhakri’ is part of the staple meal in Maha rashtra and is made by flattening jowar, bajra or rice flour dough with one’s palms.

To generate the inter est of these children in learning the art of mak ing a perfectly round ‘bhakri’, Garje also started organizing com petitions in the school.

“Today, we have 240 students enrolled in the school as compared to 80 a few years ago, and the dropout percentage is nearly zero. The par

ents are also happy that their children do not have to leave their stud ies and also not follow them wherever they go,” Garje said.

As a result of the ini tiative, by 2019 all these children became inde pendent, started mak ing ‘bhakris’ and other food items like curry, dal and rice, and took care of their house in the absence of their parents, he said.

With the sugarcane cutting season coming up this year, Garje said he is hopeful that none of the students will leave the place with their parents.

It (the ini tiative) has improved the enrollment per centage in the school and the dropout rate due to migra tion has also come down. Taking in spiration from the Kulalwadi school, other schools in the region, where the migration of farm labourers is high, are also implement ing this initiative.

Sandip Kolhatkar

Students from Kulalwadi Zilla Parishad School show their perfect round shaped bhakris, in Sangli district. —PHOTO BY PTI

—Ansar Shaikh, Educa tion Extension Officer, Sangli Zilla Parishad

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman. —FILE PHOTO

Co-op sector happy with Centre’s decisions, says Fin Min Sitharaman

PFI activists in custody of NIA officials.

—FILE PHOTO

Men honour the souls of their departed ancestors through prayers and food offerings at Banganga Tank near Walkeshwar. Getting heads shaved at the culmination of ‘Pitru Paksha’ is also one of the traditions followed diligently. Meanwhile, Shiv Sena workers also conducted a 'Pind Daan' ritual for 40 rebel MLAs of CM Eknath Shinde's faction at Ghatkopar Hindu Crematorium, in Mumbai, on Sunday. —PHOTOS BY ANI, PTI & BHUSHAN KOYANDE

glance at beauty and glamour was witnessed in the second auditions of the fashion ex travaganza of Elite Miss Ra jasthan at the Pratishtha Banquet, Jaipur on Sunday. During the auditions, girls from different parts of Ra jasthan registered in the auditions. Along with this, in the talent round, partici pants showcased their tal ents including dancing, singing, public speaking, beatboxing and much more on the stage. Around 1550 girls registered themselves from all over the state.

Jagdeesh Chandra graced the event as the chief guest and motivated the participants with his encouraging words.

Patron JD Maheshwari, Director Gaurav Gaur, Na kul Vijayvargiya, PN Doo dy, Anil Bhattar, Yashil Pan dey and Ajit Soni were also present on the occasion.

Supermodel Aditi Hyun dai, Charvi Tanya Dutta, Akanksha Bhalla and Elite Miss Rajasthan 2021 Aastha Khandelwal were present as judges to test the talent of all the girls who ap peared for the auditions. While addressing the me dia, director Gaurav Gaur shared that before Jaipur, the auditions of this sea son were organised in Jodhpur, Udaipur, followed by Jaipur and now the last audition round of this sea son will be held in Kota on October 2. The show will further announce the top 30 contestants on October 10, while the finale will be grandly held on October 16 in Jaipur.

THE SECOND AUDITIONS OF THE FASHION EXTRAVAGANZA OF ELITE MISS RAJASTHAN WAS HELD AT THE PRATISHTHA BANQUET, JAIPUR ON SUNDAY

—PHOTOS BY SUNIL SHARMA

KAVITA CHAUHAN cityfirst@firstindia.co.in

The stunning participants at the Jaipur auditions of Elite Miss Rajasthan

Jagdeesh Chandra walks the ramp.

Gaurav

BHAKTI HI

MRIDULA SHARMA cityfirst@firstindia.co.in

he nine-day Navratri festival takes place in the month of Ashvin. This year devotees will witness the auspicious Navratri festi val from today, September 26 to October 5. ‘Nav’ means nine and ‘Ratri’ means night. It frequently con cludes with Dussehra, also known as Vijayadashami observed on the tenth day of Navratri. In some re gions of India, Dussehra is celebrated as the festival’s main event, essentially ex tending its duration from nine to ten days. Addition ally, because Navratri is based on the lunar calen dar, it might sometimes last eight days, with Dussehra falling on the ninth day.

There are four related holi days known as Navratri that take place throughout the year. Nevertheless, the early-autumn festival known as Sharad Navratri is the most essential. It starts on the same day as Durga Puja, a 10-day cele bration honouring the God dess Durga’s victory that is especially cherished in some eastern states.

In varied ways, Navratri is observed throughout In dia’s many regions. While some people use this time for dancing and feasting, while many use it for reli gious thoughts. Keeping a strict vegetarian diet and avoiding alcohol and spe cific spices are some fast ing habits. Dances are per formed, particularly the Garba in Gujarat. The nine nights of the festival are typically devoted to various facets of the divine femi nine energy or shakti.

The first third of the festi val often concentrates on features of the Goddess

dess Lakshmi, and the last third on the Goddess Saras vati, however, the pattern varies significantly by loca tion. Offerings and ceremo nies are frequently per formed in honour of the Goddesses and all of their incarnations. Kanya Puja, which occurs on the eighth or ninth day, is one wellknown ceremony. Nine young girls are costumed as each of the nine goddess facets honoured during Navratri in this rite.

The celebration is also known as the Durga Puja, especially in Bengal and Assam. The puja or cere monial, days are commem orated with public perfor mances, recitations, dra mas and fairs in addition to home celebrations.

In some areas, the festival of Navratri is considered to be of ten days which in cludes Dussehra. Dussehra is a time to rejoice in the triumphs of good over evil, whether it is during the en tire festival or only on the tenth day.

FASTING DURING

NAVRATRI

Fasting is a fairly popular practice among Hindus ac cording to the Hindu calen dar. Devotees practise fast ing to show their devotion and love towards Goddess Durga and her nine ava tars. They think that fast ing satisfies their desires and demonstrates their adoration for the Gods and Goddesses. Hindus cele brate the nine glorious in carnations of the goddess Durga, also known as Nav aDurga, during the festival

of Navratri. Most common ly, fruits, kuttu aata, sabudana, samak rice, dairy items, and sendha namak can be consumed during the festival. The two food items that are prohib ited from the diet are on ions and cloves of garlic.

STORY BEHIND NAVRATRI

Hindus commemorate the goddess Durga’s victory over the devil Mahishasura during the festival of Navratri. Lord Brahma, had granted Mahishasura the gift of immortality, en suring that he would never perish. The only individu al who would be able to beat Mahishasura would be a woman, hence this gift did have one restriction.

Mahishasura was pleased with the bargain because he didn’t believe women could kill him.

No god was able to stop Ma hishasura and his warriors as they became stronger and began assaulting peo ple on Earth. The three most powerful Hindu Gods, Lord Brahma, Lord Vish nu, and Lord Shiva, ulti mately chose to unite in order to defeat Ma hishasura and created Goddess Durga, a for midable woman. Before fighting Mahishasura, the Gods gave Goddess Durga a variety of weapons. The demon battled Durga for ten days and it was challenging since he constantly changed his appearance to trick the Goddess. But when he at last transformed into a

On the 99th Birth anniversary of Dev Anand, City First cajoles you to dreamland with Tere Mere Sapne, a medical drama which brings to the fore the relationship of marriage and partnership with Mumtaz and Hema Malini, tuned to perfection in the hands of Vijay Anand.

Dev Anand…

FOREVER!

sonal peace, hobbies, friends and more and realizes at one time that the top of the ladder is lone ly and precarious and one can’t climb down wilfully, nobody will let you.

VijayAnand, the despairing al coholic doctor who cannot cope with reality anymore and one who finally once again finds meaning is a character who stays with you.

Jaise Radha ne mala japi … croons the beautiful schoolteacher Mumtaz to show her refusal of marriage to the young idealistic doctor Dev Anand is actually a ‘yes’!

Tere Mere Sapne is a movie which is still relevant in India as the few young and idealistic doc tors who complete their studies with dreams of serving the na tion and the Hippocratic Oath ringing in their ears and hearts finally give up ideals and seva to shake hands with the system.

Tere Mere Sapne is for every young couple who comes to the city even today from small towns and fights to belong, where be longingness may mean putting aside family values and vows taken and given. Sometimes they walk together on this path and sometimes a chasm develops leaving one behind… as do Dev Anand and Mumtaz.

Tere Mere Sapne is for every young aspiring celebrity like Hema Malini’s character who climbs higher and higher leaving behind floors strewn with per

Each character of Tere Mere Sapne are all too human and you cannot but feel for them and feel like them. The shades of grey abound but for me, it was the marriage – a marriage based on trust, love and strength – of Dev and Mumtaz which forms the pil lar of the idealism and then its loss for the young doctor, which makes this movie worth a watch. Mumtaz is a strong woman, an equal partner to her husband supporting him when he needs her most but also standing strong and showing him the right path as he flounders.

Dev Anand woos you with his idealism and then with his bro ken-hearted despair. As he floun ders and fumbles, we sway with him, wanting to support him and understand him.

Haan maine kasam li among the sunflowers is pure romance and the chemistry between the two is vibrant. Jeevan ki bagiya mehkegi is poignant with dreams. The other songs frankly did not make much of an impact on me and these are the two songs I remember till date.

Late Dev Anand

MITALI DUSAD

Fairmont Jaipur, the crowned jew el of the pink city, hosted one of In dia’s premier single-day fash ion events called Fashion Connect.

Fashion Connect set the bar high with the comple tion of its very successful previous seasons. Fash ion Connect Season 12, presented by First India News and Bharat 24- Vi sion of New India, the show was appreciated by everyone present.

With the huge response and netizens going gaga over the exemplary lineup and digital readiness, the show scored an amazing win over the fashion in dustry. Fashion designer Manish Malhotra show cased his exquisite collec tion at this year’s Fashion Connect event. The show case included 80 garments donned by 50 models.

Jagdeesh Chandra graced the occasion with his presence and wel comed everyone to Pink City. While addressing the audience, he said, "It is indeed a privilege to have

Flight of a new future in FASHION

amid us Fashion designer Manish Malhotra. This is the first time in Ra jasthan, that a legend like him showcased his rav ishing collection. Along with our endeavour to showcase the beauty and talent of charismatic models and fashion en thusiasts, with Season 12 of Fashion Connect, we also strive to empower the young generation, espe cially women by trans forming them into strong er individuals who are aware of their creden tials." He further congrat ulated Rishee Miglani, Brand Ambassador and Youth Icon along with Show Director Lokesh Sharma for putting up the grand show.

Manoj Jagyasi, Chief Business Officer and stra tegic analyst of Bharat 24- Vision of New India, was also present on the oc casion with his beautiful wife, Kinjal Jagyasi.

Manish Malhotra paid immense gratitude to eve ryone on the occasion and felicitated the pillars of support behind the suc cessful show on the occa sion. The magical evening witnessed a decorated guest list of lovers of art, craft, fashion and opu lence.

Surprise Birthday celebrations of Simba Nagpal

Prakash and Simba as the main characters. Pratik and Simba re cently posted a few pho tos on Instagram where they could be seen chat ting and casually pos ing together.

Simba has estab lished himself in the television in dustry by doing some experimental tel evision shows. The ac tor is best known for his roles in Shakti Astitva Ke Ehsaas Ki and Naa gin 6. On Sunday, Sep tember 25, Simba Nag pal is celebrating his 26th birthday and the actor loves to spend the day with his mother. Be fore that Simba and his BFF, Pratik Sehajpal joined in for his birth day celebrations of Simba on the sets of naagin along with Ash ish Tiwari of First In dia.

Since Bigg Boss 15, Simba Nagpal and Pra tik Sehajpal have been close friends. Pratik joined the cast of Ekta Kapoor's Naagin 6, which stars Tejaswi

Pratik on working with Simba Shared, “Simba Is a very hard working, we never thought we would end up working together it just manifested itself. We have a fun and laughter riot when we are together. We have super intense scenes with each other and end up laughing at that time.”

Simba also opened up on having Pratik on the show, “The work was going on earlier also but since Pratik has joined the show the atmos phere on the sets has changed, he’s working very hard for his char acter and I believe he’s totally killing it.”

Speaking about two heroes in the same show, Pratik shared, “Usually it’s seen that actors have complexed feelings but between us, there are no such feel

ings.”

Pratik and Simba on their big boss connec tion quoted, “The bond that was formed in the big boss house is going to stay forever. We’ve been through worse to gether so now we tend to understand each oth er better."

On asking what’s his birthday wish he said, “Not just today, I wish every day that all my near and dear ones should be happy and there should be just peace in the world. But

if for myself specific I will wish for more and more time from the de ity to spend with my family."

Wishing Simba on his Birthday Pratik shared, “ I don’t wish him any thing I know he’s going to achieve what he wants and even beyond that. I see him as a su perstar working on big Bollywood movies. There are only a few people who are so genu ine in this world. Simba is one of them.”

Pratik was recently

added to the lineup for the Ekta Kapoor show. Meanwhile, Simba Nag pal, a model, and TV ac tor turned a year older on Sunday. The actor has garnered a lot of fans over his brief ca reer thanks to his per formances in a number of daily soap operas and reality shows. He first appeared on televi sion when he took part in the Rannvijay Singha and Sunny Leone-host ed 11th season of Splits villa. cityfirst.mumbai@firstindia.co.in

Btress who will be seen in Mani Rat nam's magnum opus Ponniyin Sel van: 1 was travelling with the star cast of the film to promote it. Aish warya Rai looked jaw-droppingly beautiful in a red Anarkali suit as she travelled to Hyderabad.

The diva wore a striking red anarkali suit. It consisted of a kurta, well-fitted pants and a dupatta. The kurta was heavily-embroidered with intricate golden threadwork all over. The pants were also adorned with golden embellishments on the hem. The dupatta also featured similar delicate embroidery on the border. The actress styled the en semble with gold stilettos.

To accessorise, Aish warya opted for an op ulent gold necklace, matching state ment earrings, bangles and a gold ring. Her makeup was onpoint with dark eyeshadow, eye liner, eyelashes, a hint of blush, high lighter and dark lip stick.

Shah Rukh Khan will be soon seen in Pathaan co-starring Deepika Padukone and John Abraham in the lead roles. SRK has treated his Insta family to his new shirtless picture from Pathaan. Sharing the post, the superstar wrote, "Me to My Shirt today: 'Tum hoti toh kaisa hota...Tum iss baat pe hairaan hoti, Tum iss baat pe kitni hansti... Tum hoti toh aisa hota...'" He con cluded the post by writing, "Me also waiting for #Pathaan."

More Trouble for Ajay Devgn and Sidharth Malhotra's Thank God as Kayastha Sa maj members in Rajasthan file complaint.

The trailer for Ajay Devgn and Sid harth Malhotra’s Thank God, a fan tasy comedy, dropped a few weeks ago. But currently, it’s knee-deep in legal trouble for the 'indecent' representa tion of the Hindu deity, Chitragupta, played by Devgn.

The representatives of the Kayastha Samaj members in Rajasthan filed a complaint against the makers of

Thank God, Devgn, and a few others at the Nihalganj police station for an alleged indecent portrayal of Lord Chitragupta. The complaint was lodged against actor Ajay Devgn, pro ducer T-Series and others.

National senior vice president of Kayastha Mahasabha, Sanjeev Srivas tava, said that the film’s trailer shows Lord Chitragupta dressed in modern costumes and surrounded by "halfnaked women," hurting the religious sentiments of their community. He has also demanded that these objec tionable scenes should be removed.

Simba Nagpal and Pratik Sehajpal

ASHISH TIWARI

Aishwarya Rai Bachchan

Jagdeesh Chandra with (L-R) Manoj Jagyasi, Rishee Miglani, Lokesh Sharma, Anita Hada, Kavita Chauhan and Sonal Sharma

Jagdeesh Chandra with Manish Malhotra. Also seen are Rishee Miglani, Lokesh Sharma and supermodels

Supermodel walks the ramp showcasing Manish Malhotra’s collection

—PHOTOS BY SANTOSH SHARMA