First India-Mumbai Edition-27th February 2023

OUR EDITIONS:

MUMBAI l MONDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2023 l Pages 12 l 3.00 RNI TITLE NO. MAHENG/2022/14652 l Vol 1 l Issue No. 291

l ‘Mann Ki Baat’ has become a wonderful medium for expression of public participation.

l A few days ago, ‘Ustad Bismillah Khan Yuva Puraskar’ was conferred. These awards were given away to emerging, talented artists in the field of music and performing arts.

l Nowadays Indian toys have become such craze that their demand has increased even in foreign countries.

l Tele-consultants using e-Sanjeevani app has crossed the figure of 10 crores.

l Many countries of the world are drawn towards India’s UPI. Just a few days ago, UPIPayNow Link has been launched between India and Singapore.

l ‘Tribeni Kumbho Mohotshav’ was organized in Bansberia of Hooghly district in West Bengal.

l Swachh Bharat Abhiyan has changed meaning of public participation in our country. MORE ON

All the allegations of the opposition are baseless: Shinde

z All parties should support our efforts to pass the Lokayukta bill: Dy CM z People of have seen misuse of power in the previous MVA govt, Shinde said

Sandeep Shukla

Mumbai: “We have not left Shiv Sena, I am the real Shiv Sena. Those who have repeatedly accused us of breaking Shiv Sena should understand this. All the allegations of the opposition are baseless,”

Chief Minister Eknath

Shinde said on Sunday

He was addressing the press at the Sahyadri Guesthouse on the eve of the budget session.

CM Shinde slammed

Ajit Pawar as being “mentally unwell” after the latter raised objections to a food bill of “Rs2.38 crore” at the CM’s official bungalow Varsha Bungalow.

“It is our culture to give tea and water to any visitor who comes

to Varsha Bungalow,”

he said. On the allegation of law and order and action being taken against the leaders of the opposition, Shinde

said that false action is never being taken against anyone in this government.

Targetting the erstwhile Maha Vikas

CM Shinde slammed Ajit Pawar as being “mentally unwell” after the latter raised objections to a food bill of “Rs2.38 crore” at the CM’s official bungalow Varsha Bungalow

Aghadi government, he added: “The people of the state have seen the kind of misuse of power in the previous MVA government. Apart

ANOTHER TARGETED KILLING IN J&K'S PULWAMA

Pulwama: A 40-yearold man belonging to the Kashmiri Pandit community died after being shot at allegedly by terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir's Pulwama on Sunday, in the latest targeted killing in the Valley.

KASHMIRI PANDIT SHOT DEAD

SANJAY SHARMA, BANK SECURITY GUARD WAS FIRED UPON BY TERRORISTS WHILE HE WAS ON HIS WAY TO A LOCAL MARKET

‘Leader’ Rahul, ‘Target’ Modi; wraps up meet

Will raise the questions about Adani till truth comes out: Rahul at last day of Cong plenary

Raipur (FIB): Former Congress president Rahul Gandhi addressed party delegates on 3rd & final day of party’s plenary session in Raipur on Sunday. He shared memories that he cherished during Yatra. He also lambasted BJP-led govt and claimed that it destroyed country with a hate campaign and questioned relations between Adani & Modi. P6

EAST TO WEST: CONG PLANS NEW MARCH

The Congress is considering a Pasighat-to-Porbandar yatra, party general secretary Jairam Ramesh said on Sunday after Rahul Gandhi called for taking the "tapasya" of the Bharat Jodo Yatra forward.

“Terrorists fired upon one civilian from minority namely Sanjay Sharma S/O Kashinath Sharma R/O Achan Pulwama while on way to local market. He was shifted to hospital however, he succumbed to injuries. There was armed guard in his village. Area cordoned off,” Jammu and Kashmir Police said in a tweet.

According to DIG Rayees Mohammad, “Terrorists fired upon a member of a minority

Relatives trying to console the wife of Sanjay Sharma as they mourn his demise, at Achan, in Pulwama district on Sunday.

community when he was outside along with her wife. We are searching for the terrorist and we will neutralise them as soon as possible.” P5

My heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family. The administration has given a free hand to the security forces to deal with the terrorists and we will continue to combat such acts of terrorism firmly and decisively.

—Manoj Sinha, Jammu and Kashmir

Lieutenant Governor

from the action taken against Union Minister Narayan Rane, women MP Navneet Rana and Ketki Chitale, the people of the state and the whole country have seen how actress Kangana Ranaut’s house was demolished.”

Meanwhile, Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis stressed

Delhi Excise POLICY

First India Bureau

New Delhi: Delhi Deputy CM and Education Minister Manish Sisodia has been arrested after eight hours of questioning by the CBI. He was taken for questioning on Sunday over the alleged liquor scam which took place under the Delhi Excise Policy.

This comes after Sisodia, during a show of strength organised by AAP asked his party

the importance of “positive issues” being discussed in the House. “Efforts will be made to get the Lokayukta Bill passed in this session itself. I appeal to the opposition that all parties should support the implementation of the Lokayukta Act. In the session, we will focus on issues related to public interest. We have restarted the stalled schemes. Many projects have been started. The work on the projects in Mumbai is going on at a fast pace. Policy decisions will be taken in the session. The opposition is furious at losing power, which is why they boycotted the traditional tea party we hosted. We understand that, but the majority is important in a democracy and our government is the government of the majority,” he said.

‘I witnessed MVA conspiracy to arrest Fadnavis, Mahajan’

Sandeep

Shukla

Mumbai: In a sensational claim, Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Sunday said he was a witness to the conspiracy by the MVA government to arrest then leader of opposition and current deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis and his BJP colleague Girish Mahajan.

“I was a witness to the MVA government’s plan to put the Bharatiya Janata Party on the backfoot (by arresting) then leader of opposition Devendra Fadnavis and Girish Mahajan. That government had even planned to invoke

the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act 1999 against Mahajan. I cannot repeat what I had said that time to stop them,” Shinde said, adding, “Instead of changing the decision, I later toppled the whole government and made them (MVA) sit at home.”

When asked why his government was not taking action against those involved in this conspiracy, the CM said, “Dethroning is enough for them. I am well aware of who was indulging in such practices. If required, we will initiate an inquiry into the matter.”

CBI ARRESTS SISODIA AFTER 8-HOUR GRILLING

NON-COOPERATION BY DELHI

DEPUTY CM IN INVESTIGATION

CBI arrested Sisodia for not cooperating dur ing the investigation despite AAP claiming that it was an honest party and that the Deputy CM will fully cooperate with the agency. Sisodia was booked under IPC Sections 120-B (punish ment of criminal conspiracy) and 477A (falsi fication of accounts) and provisions of the Prevention Of Corruption Act including Section 7 (taking undue advantage to influence a public servant by corrupt or illegal means or by the exercise of personal influence).

members to take care of his family if he is jailed.

AAP leaders said that

the BJP is 'scared' of AAP which is why they are using Central agen-

Assembly elections: Stage set for polls in Meghalaya, Nagaland today

Shillong (FIB): The countdown has begun for Meghalaya Assembly polls, which will see over 21 lakh electorates will decide fate of 369 candidates on Monday. The polling is set to begin at 7 am and last till 4pm. It will be held at 3,419 polling stations across 59 Assembly constituencies. However, polling for the Sohiong

41.1% voter turnout in Chinchwad, 45.25% in Kasba assembly seat

Pune: A voter turnout of 41.1% was recorded until 5 pm on Sunday in Chinchwad Assembly seat and 45.25% in Kasba Assembly seat in Maharashtra, with several of those standing in the voting queue speaking about better roads, proper waste management and adequate water supply being the issues they want addressed.

There are 510 polling centres and 5,68,954 registered voters in

Results of these bypolls, for which counting will take place on March 02, will set the tone for the forthcoming elections in the state, including of the cash-rich BMC

Chinchwad and 215 polling centres and 2,75,428 registered voters in Kasba constituency. Counting will take

place on March 02.

Political analysts say the results of these bypolls will set the tone for the forthcoming elections in the state, including of the cashrich Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation and other civic bodies.

The bypolls in Kasba and Chinchwad were necessitated due to the death of their respective Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLAs Mukta Tilak and Laxman Jagtap.

Women polling teams head to their assigned polling stations in Nagaland on Sunday.

constituency was postponed following the demise of the state’s for-

NAGALAND BRACES FOR TOUGH CONTEST

Kohima: Nagaland will elect a new govt on Monday amid tight security. The election would seal fates of 183 candidates. The voting will take place in 59 out of 60 seats as BJP’s Kazheto Kinimi was declared winner uncontested after his opponent pulled out.

mer Home minister and UDP candidate from the seat, HDR Lyngdoh.

AUSSIES LIFT RECORD 6TH TITLE

cies like CBI and ED to attack 'innocent' people like Sisodia. P6

Crucial

READ

MUSLIM MEN KILLING: INTERNET SNAPPED IN NUH AFTER PROTEST

Chandigarh: Haryana Govt on Sunday ordered suspension of mobile internet and SMS services in Nuh district for 3 days over apprehensions of communal tension and breach of peace following a call for more protests over abduction-murder of two men from Rajasthan.

2 ACCUSED IN SIDHU MOOSEWALA DEATH CASE KILLED IN JAIL

Chandigarh: 2 gangsters, who were held in the connection with singer Sidhu Moosewala murder case and lodged in Goindwal Sahib Central Jail in Punjab’s Tarn Taran district, were killed in a clash among inmates on Sunday. They were facing other charges as well, SP said. P6

CAF JAWAN KILLED IN IED BLAST IN CHHATTISGARH

Australia made it a hat-trick of women’s T20 WC titles with a 19-run victory over South Africa as Beth Mooney’s 74-run knock proved pivotal to their record sixth trophy win here Sunday. Set a target of 157 for victory, SA were restricted to 137 for six as their hopes of lifting the trophy on their maiden appearance in the final went up in smoke.

Raipur: A 43-year-old security personnel from Chhattisgarh Armed Force (CAF) was killed in an IED blast in Orchha devp block of Narayanpur district on Sunday. This was the seventh killing of security personnel allegedly by Naxalites in last six days in the State.

Moni Sharma

Sanjay Sharma’s 5-year-old daughter Diksha Sharma.

CM Shinde and Dy CM Fadnavis addressed the press at Sahyadri Guest house on the eve of the Budget Session of Maharashtra Assembly, in Mumbai on Sunday. —PHOTO BY BHUSHAN KOYANDE

Govt spending extravagantly, ignoring key issues: Ajit Pawar

LOP announced that the Opposition was boycotting the customary tea party hosted by the CM on the eve of the Budget Session

First India Bureau

Mumbai: Senior Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Ajit Pawar on Sunday accused the Eknath Shinde-led state government of spending money in an “extravagant” manner while ignoring the key issues being faced by common people and farmers.

The Leader of Opposition in the Legislative Assembly addressed the media at Vidhan Bhavan, while CM Shinde hosted a tea party at the Sahyadri Guest House ahead of the Budget Session, which

begins on Monday.

“The state government is extravagantly spending crores of rupees to show their smiling faces, instead of solving the woes of the common man. We have decided to boycott the invitation for high tea. Instead, we will meet Governor Ramesh Bais, and share our concerns with him,” the former deputy chief minister said.

“None of the aid an -

‘Was born in Aurangabad, will die in Aurangabad’

First India Bureau

Mumbra: Following the Central government’s decision to approve the Maharashtra government’s renaming of Aurangabad as Chhatrapati Sambhaji

Nagar, All India Majlise-Ittehadul Muslimeen

Maharashtra Chief Imtiaz Jaleel on Saturday said that he was born in Aurangabad and will die in Aurangabad.

“Imtiaz Jaleel was an MP of Aurangabad and will remain an MP of Aurangabad. Some are jumping and dancing saying that they have changed the name of Aurangabad. But I was born in Aurangabad and I will die in Aurangabad only,” Jaleel said.

On Friday, the Centre approved the renaming of Aurangabad and Osmanabad as Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar and Dharashiv, respectively.

The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA)

Nashik to get VD Savarkar theme park, museum soon

None of the aid announced by the state government in the past few months, has reached the affected people or intended beneficiaries of schemes. I have noticed this during my recent visits to different places across Maharashtra. Inflation has led to rising costs of production but farmers are not getting a good price for their agricultural produce.

—Ajit Pawar, Senior NCP leader

nounced by the state government in the past few months, has reached the affected people or intended beneficiaries of schemes. I have noticed this during my recent visits to different places across Maharashtra,” he said.

Inflation is going up, due to which the cost of production has increased for farmers. However, the agricultural produce is not get-

ting a good price in the market, Pawar said.

He announced that the opposition parties were boycotting the customary tea party hosted by the Shinde government on the eve of the session.

Meanwhile, Leader of Opposition in the Legislative Council Ambadas Danve, who belongs to the Shiv Sena - Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray, addressed the issue of the change

in name of Aurangabad and Osmanabad. “The state government has changed the name of Aurangabad and Osmanabad cities to Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar and Dharashiv. The Union government’s communication to the state government clearly says that the names of those two districts can also be changed, but the state has not done that,” he said.

Nashik (PTI): A grand theme park and museum dedicated to Hindutva ideologue Vinayak Damodar Savarkar will come up in his native Bhagur village in Nashik district along with a circuit encompassing areas that are connected to his life, Tourism Minister Mangal Prabhat Lodha said on Sunday. He was speaking at an event in Bhagur to mark the death anniversary of Savarkar.

“The life and thoughts of Veer Savarkar are an inspiration to all. The Maharashtra government is taking efforts to ensure the entire world knows about his life and works. We will build a grand theme park and museum of international standard dedicated to Veer Savarkar,” Lodha said. The theme park will be managed by Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation and work on it will be completed quickly, the minister said.

“We will create Veer Savarkar Tourism Circuit, which will cover Bhagur, Abhinav Bharat Mandir in Nashik, Savarkar Chair Centre at Pune, Fergusson College hostel,

the Babarao Savarkar memorial in Sangli, Patitpavan Mandir (temple) in Ratnagiri and Savarkar Sadan, Savarkar Memorial in Mumbai,” Lodha announced.

Gadkari launches highway works worth `3,670 crore in Maha

First India Bureau Mumbai: Union Road Transport and Highways Minister, Nitin Gadkari, inaugurated and laid foundation stones for various projects in Maharashtra on Saturday.

These projects include five National Highway projects of 212km length at Nanded worth Rs1,575 crore, three National Highway projects of 75km length at Parbhani worth Rs1,058 crore and

Osmanabad and Aurangabad districts to be renamed too: Deputy CM Fadnavis

approved the proposal and said the central government had “no objection” to new names.

Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis welcomed the decision and said that the state government under the leadership of Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has “demonstrated” its resolve.

a National Highway project of Rs1,037.4 crore at Hingoli.

The projects are expected to improve the connectivity between Marathwada region of Maharashtra and its neighbouring states of Telangana and Karnataka. “The projects will help in improving industrial and agricultural development along with connecting religious places and promoting tourism," an official release said.

CLEANING UP

Earlier, Nitin Gadkari had expressed his belief that the BJP and NDA would remain in power both at the national and state level in the upcoming polls due to the progress made since 2014.

“We will win and once again the BJP and NDA will form the government in both Maharashtra and at the Centre. The good work done by Prime Minister Narendra Modi will yield good results,” Gadkari had said.

Gangster Arun Gulab Gawli’s fam members join Shinde’s Sena

First India Bureau

Mumbai: Two members of gangster Arun Gulab Gawli’s family joined Chief Minister Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena faction on Saturday night.

Members of Gawli’s political party Akhil Bhartiya Sena (ABS)

Vandanatai Pradip

Gawli and youth leader Pradip Gulab Gawli have joined the Balasahebanchi Shiv Sena.

According to sources, other members of Gawli’s family are in talks to

CRITICISM

join the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). In jail since his 2008 arrest, Arun Gawli was convicted by the Bombay High Court in December 2019 under the Maharashtra Control of Organized Crime Act (MCOCA).

The court also upheld his life sentence for the 2007 murder of Shiv Sena councillor Kamalakar Jamshandekar.

The court found Gawli had received Rs30 lakh as payment to carry out the hit on Jamsandekar by his rivals.

‘Uddhav, Pawar didn’t support Muslims in their time of need’

lll

AIMIM chief Owaisi hits out at Sena, NCP & Congress leaders over ‘harassment’ faced by community members

First India Bureau

Thane: All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) chief Asaddudin Owaisi targeted leaders like Shiv Sena’s Uddhav Thackeray and Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) President, Sharad Pawar, claiming they did not support the community members in their time of need.

He also asked the Muslim youth to be-

come a strong force in the country to fight for their rights.

Owaisi was addressing a rally in Mumbra area of Thane district on Saturday during his party’s national convention.

“If Ajit Pawar, Supriya Sule, Sharad Pawar, Uddhav Thackeray, Eknath Shinde and Devendra Fadnavis can become leaders, why can’t you?” he asked the Muslim youth. The AIMIM was

formed 65 years back and just a handful of people used to attend its meetings, but the number has now gone up to thousands, he said.

“We also have presence in Parliament, state Assemblies and local bodies and this growth should continue unabated and the youth should try to get into the administration as well through election,” he said.

He asked the youth to come forward, make the

My party will put up sher (strong) candidates against those who claim to be holding on to their bastions. You cannot purchase everyone with money and power. We still have some people who are loyal to us and with them we will defeat you.

—Asaduddin Owaisi, AIMIM chief

AIMIM strong and fight for the rights of Muslims and Dalits.

Owaisi targeted Shiv

Sena – Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray leader Uddhav Thackerary and sought to know why he kept silent when “our community members faced harassment”.

He further said NCP supremo Sharad Pawar wants to defeat Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and wants support from the AIMIM.

“But he forgets that when it comes to supporting Muslims at the time of their crisis, he never bothered to come forward and left us to our fate. What kind of secularism is this?” he asked.

He also hit out at the Congress, saying its leaders had time for the Bharat Jodo Yatra and other activities but did not turn up to console the families of those killed in mob lynching and other incidents.

‘GIVE SAVARKAR BHARAT RATNA’

Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari at the inauguration of a highway developmental project in Mumbai.

(L to R) Shiv Sena - UBT MLC Ambadas Danve, Leader of Oppn in Assembly Ajit Pawar and NCP leader Chhagan Bhujbal addresss the media at Vidhan Bhavan on Sunday. —PHOTO BY BHUSHAN KOYANDE

Volunteers of the Sant Nirankari Mission participate in a cleanliness drive along the banks of the Krishna river, in Karad on Sunday. —PHOTO BY PTI

9 months after woman’s death, police register case of murder

FOUL PLAY?

32 trafficked children rescued in two months

First India Bureau

Mumbai: The Special Juvenile Protection Unit (SJPU) of the Mumbai Police has rescued 32 minor children who were trafficked from other states, including six from Nepal over the past two months, an oficial said.

First India Bureau

Thane: Nine months after a 75-year-old widow was found dead in her Kalyan home, Thane police have registered a case of murder and destruction of evidence against her landlord, his wife and son, an official said on Sunday.

According to a complaint filed by the nephew of Waheedabi Noormohammad Shaikh, his deceased aunt’s landlord had been attempting to get her to leave the house she had occupied since 1990, as he wanted to redevelop the property.

The woman, however, had refused to vacate the house, the official from Bazarpeth police station said.

CRUCIAL READ WOMAN, LOVER HELD FOR STEALING

`

15.46L GOLD, CASH

Thane: A woman and her neighbour have been arrested for allegedly stealing gold and cash worth Rs15.46 lakh from her husband’s family before eloping in 2017, police said on Sunday. “The duo evaded arrest all this time by getting new identities and frequently moving from one place in the Konkan region,” Property Cell senior inspector Anand Ravrane said, adding that they were nabbed on a tip-off. The woman’s mother-in-law had filed a complaint in December 2017.

DEMOLITION WORK ON GOKHALE BRIDGE RESUMES

Mumbai: The work on breaking the slabs of Gokhale bridge in Andheri resumed on Saturday after a three-day break due to noise pollution complaints from residents. The Western Railway had stopped work on the bridge following instructions from the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation. Authorities, however, restarted work on the bridge after being unable to find a feasible solution. Abhijeet Samant, a former local councillor, said, “We are not opposing the dismantling work, but are requesting authorities to take the slabs to other sites and break them at isolated areas. There is no need to break them on the spot.”

MMRDA TO HIRE CONSULTANT FOR `25,000 CR DREAM

Mumbai: The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) has embarked on an ambitious project to transform the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR) as a growth engine and make it a Rs25,000 crore economy or $0.25 trillion in the next five years. The Development Authority has requested an agency to create a plan and provide examples from around the world of cities that have become major economic drivers for their countries. Currently, the GDP of the MMR stands at Rs14,000 crore.

The woman had complained to her nephew several times that the landlord was troubling her, the official said, citing the complaint.

The complainant said his aunt was fine when he visited her on May 13.

However, a few days later, he received a message that she died on May 16.

After the woman’s death, the landlord took

away the house keys from the complainant.

When he went there, the complainant found the body had turned black and there were blood stains around.

Following his request, the police sent the body for post-mortem, the official said.

As the complainant suspected foul play in his aunt’s death, he ap-

Thane drug menace: Officials to get tough

Thane (PTI): The Anti-Narcotics Committee here has directed local authorities inspect closed chemical companies and take action against the unauthorized cultivation of ganja and poppy, officials said on Sunday.

Additional Commissioner of Police (Crime)

Ashok Morale held a meeting with senior officials of various departments on Friday to discuss steps to check the cultivation of narcotics and drug trafficking in the district, an official release said.

Morale also directed the district agriculture officer to coordinate with the anti-narcotics cell and local police to take action against the cultivation of ganja and ‘khus khus’ (poppy seeds), the release said.

The official also directed the authorities to hold training sessions on various aspects of the Narcotics

ANC directs them to inspect closed chem plants, be on lookout for ganja, poppy cultivation

Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS). He also directed postal department officials and courier companies to report to local police about any suspicious parcels and initiate action in coordination with the police.

proached a court which in January this year directed the police to register an offence against the landlord and his two family members and launch an investigation into the case.

The Bazarpeth police on Saturday lodged a case against the three under Indian Penal Code Sections 302 (murder), 201 (causing disappear-

ance of evidence of offence), 120B (criminal conspiracy) and 34 (common intention), the official said, adding no arrest has been made yet. The FIR also said that the police, after registering a case of accidental death in May last year, have been carrying out an investigation into the woman’s death.

During this time, SJPU--which operates under the Crime Branch-has also arrested 16 people for their alleged involvement in trafficking, with nine FIRs being registered at various police stations in Mumbai. The police said the children were trafficked for cheap labour work or prostitution, mostly without their parents’ knowledge.

“Every child has a different story when it comes to trafficking. In some cases, they are kidnapped by agents. There are also times when the children do not have guardians or parents, so these agents pick them up under the guise of getting them jobs for money and shelter. We have also

‘Versova-Madh bridge will destroy locals’ livelihoods’

First India Bureau Mumbai: Activists have written to Chief Minister Eknath Shinde opposing the construction of a bridge connecting Versova and Madh citing harm to livelihoods of local residents. The dissent memo comes after the Maharashtra Coastal Zone Management Authority (MCZMA) gave clearance to the project.

In the letter, activists Godfrey Pimenta and Nicholas Almeida have claimed that the project will destroy the tranquility of the sparsely populated Madh Island.

Pimenta, who is one of the trustees of the NGO Watchdog Foundation, also said that the proposed construction of the bridge would increase the population in the region to 10 lakh in a few years.

retary of Maharashtra, Urban Development Department (UDD) Manu Kumar Srivastava and the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) Administrator Iqbal Singh Chahal.

seen cases where children are sold by the parents owing to poor financial conditions,” the Free Press Journal quoted a senior official as saying.

Most of the rescued children were found to be working in smallscale industries in areas such as Agripada, Govandi, Mankhurd, Nagpada, Oshiwara, Saki Naka, Shivaji Nagar and Worli. In other cases, they were found to be washing utensils, cleaning the tables, kitchen, etc., in small hotels, without any protection, proper wages or break hours, the FPJ report stated, adding

Forced marriages, child labour, domestic help and sexual exploitation are common reasons for trafficking, National Crime Record Bureau data shows

that the rescued children are usually sent to children’s homes in Dongri and Mankhurd, after coordinating with the Child Welfare Commission. Children old enough to share their parents’ identities were reunited with their families, officials said.

First India Bureau

Mumbai: A city-based gynaecologist has notarized a ‘living will’ and put it on social media in a bid to inspire others to do the same.

Dr Nikhil Datar’s will states that treatments to artificially prolong dying should be withheld or discontinued if the patient has an “incurable, irreversible illness” or if they become unconscious and there is a high likelihood that recovery is not possible.

Phone

The letter has also been sent to Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Chief Sec-

“The area commands a high premium due to proximity to the sea... the developers’ greed is leading to infrastructure boom,” the letter stated. The activists also claimed that the bridge would rob the locals of their fishing activities.

The official also directed the police to initiate action against those facing two or more cases under the NDPS Act, the release also stated. HI-TECH

Test kit by IITB alumni

health tests, said a Zilla Parishad official.

As part of the test, a person has to dip a card (part of the test kit) in urine for a second, click a photo of it on a phone using the ‘Neodocs’ app.

“The existing ferry service would be rendered non-operational thereby leading to loss of employment. We, therefore, demand that the Mumbai Development Control and Promotions regulation 2034 (DCPR), which has proposed affordable homes in the Madh region should be exclusively reserved only and only for the sons of the soil viz. East Indians, Kolis, Agris, Bhandaris and local Adivasis.”

On his decision, Dr Datar said, “The advocate was surprised to hear I wanted to notarize a living will. Many are still unaware of it.” He also sent a copy to the municipal commissioner. “I wanted to ensure that others too followed suit and the ‘movement’ to seek dignified death gathers momentum,” he

added. Backing up his decision, Dr Datar said. “Dying has become difficult, to some extent, due to progress in medical science. However, if I am diagnosed with a disease that causes severe impairment of physical and mental functions such as dementia, I wouldn’t like to undergo meaningless treatments,” he added. “Living will is about giving citizens control over their last days. Our Supreme Court has enabled this, and the remaining progress depends on people exercising their right,” he also said.

working on researching and developing instant test kits for various bio-fluids such as blood, vaginal discharge and semen.

First India Bureau Nagpur: Three alumni of the Indian Institute of Technology Bombay (IIT-B) have come up with a smartphonebased health test kit that uses urine samples to check for health issues.

Some public health centres (PHCs) in Nashik district have been using these kits for

“The photo gets uploaded on our cloud server, where an algorithm uses computer vision to scan the card and gives results within 30 seconds,” claims Manasvi Shah, the firm’s strategic partnerships manager.

The start-up, founded by Anurag Meena, Nikunj Malpani and Pratik Lodha, presented the urine test kit

during an exhibition at the recently held Indian Science Congress in Nagpur. Malpani said they realized the importance

of the quantification of health and the value of diagnostics during the pandemic-induced lockdown. These kits will help bring healthcare to

every doorstep and reduce the overall cost for testing significantly Meena said.

According to Lodha, they are currently

They began their venture with five basic instant urine test kits catering to their customers in a personalized manner, Nikunj said.

Apart from the wellness kit, the company also makes test kits for chronic kidney disease and age-related issues. There is also a maternity care kit, which allows women to screen for even the slightest risk factors throughout pregnancy, he said.

HEALTHY COLLAB

Case against her landlord, his wife and son also includes charge of destroying evidence

Fishing activities on Madh Island will be disrupted, say activists.

—FILE PHOTO

To lead by example, Mum doc notarizes & shares ‘living will’

‘checks’ health in 30 seconds

Founders of the Neodocs app (left); the wellness care kit offered by the start-up.

HADR: A CALL TO OUR CONSCIENCE

tal and National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) returned to India on February 20, 2023, after putting in a stupendous effort to provide medical relief to disaster victims in Hatya Province of Turkey hit by the earthquake. The effort has been applauded both at the National and International levels.

The Indian Army Field Hospital has treated 3604 casualties, provided emergency medical care, and performed 04 x significant surgeries, 63 x minor surgeries, 343 minor procedures, including 87 x POP applications for fixing fractures.

The Indian Army Field Hospital comprising of 99 personnel, including various Specialist Medical Officers and Paramedics, established their Hospital at Iskenderun, Hatay Province, Turkey on 08 Feb 2023, which included a fully functional OT and Trauma Care Centre. The Specialists have Medical, Surgical, Anaesthetists, Orthopaedicians, Maxillofacial surgeons, and Community Medicine specialists to assist earthquake victims. Besides this, a Lady Medical Officer has also been sent to render medical care to female patients/casualties.

IN-DEPTH

SISODIA’S ARREST AIMED AT REINING KEJRIWAL AND DERAILING AAP

Reminiscing the totality of Operation Dost, I would like to quote Mahatma Gandhi here, “Strength does not come from physical capacity. It comes from an indomitable will” – Yes, a will to safeguard humanity and do whatever it takes

SAYAN CHATTERJEE

The writer is a Delhi-based, DCC-qualified defence beat writer and independent contributor to print and online publications

Natural calamities are inevitable, and at times they showcase mother nature’s fury side. From massive earthquakes that rocked Turkey and Syria to the devastating forest fires that ravaged Chile and flash floods in the Southern Hemisphere, February has been a month of deadly natural calamities.

During any calamities, where we all return to our basics, i.e ‘humanity’ irrespective of class, creed, religion, gender, socioeconomic quo, or any other parameter of perpetual social differences that we all sadly follow, knowingly or unknowingly. While calamities are destructive and taxing, all they occasionally do to us - is knock our conscience.

And at this juncture, a military drill comes to the fore is – HADR (Humanitarian Assistance & Disaster Relief)

It is when we have seen the world to stand – secular in all truthfulness. Each time HADR support is extended for any victim nation, it is delivered through the Armed Forces being functional onground, reverberating to their call of duty. Be it the combat ready, Army – an ag-

IS SONIA RETIRING FROM POLITICS?

ile Air Force, the silent and cohesive Navy, or any specialized task force like – NDRF. All stand one, with a common objective to their super vigilant senses, i.e, to appease humanity and save lives.

Recently, HADR was extended to the quake-hit nations of Syria and Turkiye. Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India, was instrumental in sending the prompt HADR for both the victim nations. India has aided the victim countries in the spirit of its age-old tradition of –“Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam.”

India has provided lifesaving emergency medicines, protective items, medical equipment, critical care drugs, etc, as part of India’s HADR plan, calling it – Operation Dost this time.

On 6th February 2023, when two powerful earthquakes hit Syria and Turkey, three truckloads of relief materials were mobilized at Hindon airbase consisting of life-saving emergency medicines and protective items within 12 hours. Trucks started reaching by 10:00 am on 7th Feb, 2023, and handing over of the relief items to the Indian Air Force (IAF) began by 04:00 pm. The last truckload reached by 09:30 pm, and the flight departed to Syria with emergency relief material on the same day by 10:00 pm for the relief operation.

The consignment consist-

Sonia Gandhi’s statement at the Congress plenary that “her innings could conclude with Bharat Jodo Yatra” in Raipur on Saturday has set off speculation about her retirement from active politics. The Congress party’s clarification that what she meant was her tenure as party president was not of much help in the context of the tenor of her speech. Sonia said she had the honour of taking over as party president in 1998 and “over these 25 years” the “support, goodwill and understanding of each one of you and all the Congress party workers throughout the country have given us strength. Our victories in

Recently, HADR was extended to the quake-hit nations of Syria and Turkiye. Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India, was instrumental in sending the prompt HADR for both the victim nations. India has aided the victim countries in the spirit of its age-old tradition of – “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam”

ed of 5,945-ton emergency relief material, including 27 life-saving medicines, two kinds of protective items, and three categories of critical care equipment, valued at approximately ` 2 crore. On 10th February 2023, additional relief materials were arranged for Turkiye and Syria. The consignment for Syria consisted of 72 critical care drugs, consumables, and protective items of 7.3 tons, valued at ` 1.4 crore. Relief materials sent for Turkiye included 14 types of medical and critical care equipment valued at `4 crore.

It is learned that the medical corps of our Indian Army, with their Field Hospital, treated over 3,600 earthquake victims in Hatya Province of Turkiye. Furthermore, the Indian disaster relief team, comprising 99 personnel of the Indian Army Field Hospi-

Sonia Gandhi’s statement at the Congress plenary that “her innings could conclude with Bharat Jodo Yatra” in Raipur on Saturday has set off speculation about her retirement from active politics

2004 and 2009 along with the able leadership of Manmohan Singhji gave me personal satisfaction, but what gratifies me most is that my innings could conclude with Bharat Jodo Yatra”. Kumari Selja, a senior leader, said Sonia spoke in

In addition, the Indian Army Field Hospital provided Dental treatment to 242 patients, carrying out 283 precautionary X-rays on trauma victims. 14 x patients were admitted, and 97 x patients were detained and treated. 1159 Lab investigations were carried out on the cases reported for treatment. Indian Army has replenished the Field Hospital through Medical and Surgical bricks and Orthopaedic equipment.

On the administrative front, the team had also set up a reception desk for receiving donations and distributing them to the needy. Later, Prime Minister Narendra Modi interacted with and lauded the National Disaster Response Force members, Indian Army, and Indian Air Force, who were deployed on Operation Dost on Monday, February 20, 2023.

NDRF and the army finalized its team, and officials concerned at the ministry of external affairs worked till late on February 6, the day earthquakes hit Turkey and Syria, to issue a passport to everyone. Most of the team members needed passports. The rescuers had to be flown immediately, so MEA opened their offices and printed the passports. Separately, the Turkish embassy in Delhi also ensured visas on arrival for all the rescuers, as reported.

Reminiscing the totality of Operation Dost, I would like to quote Mahatma Gandhi here, “Strength does not come from physical capacity. It comes from an indomitable will” –Yes, a will to safeguard humanity and do whatever it takes.

THE VIEWS EXPRESSED BY THE AUTHOR ARE PERSONAL

the context of her tenure as party president. Another party member Alka Lamba said she was able to speak with Sonia on this, who told her that “she has never retired, nor she will do so”. The party may have played down any talk of Sonia retiring from politics but the reference to her statement coinciding with Bharat Jodo Yatra suggests that she is not giving up her faith in her son Rahul Gandhi. One must also not forget that she stepped down as party president in October 2022, when Mallikarjun Kharge was elected party chief. Party may have downplayed the import of her statement as that would have again triggered pro and antiRahul faction war within.

In a big blow to the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia has been arrested on alleged charges of corruption in liquor policy. The arrest was made by the CBI after several hours of interrogation. In an speech earlier, Sisodia asked Kejriwal to keep fighting for the people as Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scared of only one party which is AAP. Sisodia is the second high-profile AAP minister after Satyender Jain to be arrested by the CBI. Sisodia’s arrest will leave Arvind Kejriwal in a spot as the former has been his trusted lieutenant. He is in charge of 18 departments, a crucial fact when the party’s Budget Session is due to be tabled in March. The arrest is clearly aimed to weaken the AAP which defeated the BJP in Assembly and MCD elections. As Sisodia is also alleged to be involved in collection of political intelligence about AAP’s rivals, his road ahead is tough.

SPIRITUAL SPEAK

A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones. Bible

TOP TWEETS

Every moment of Veer Savarkar’s life was devoted to the motherland. Many tortures of the British and punishment of black water could not deter his resolve to make the country independent. Be it his struggle against untouchability or his thoughts of patriotism, Veer Savarkar will always be the center of inspiration for the country.

Anurag Thakur @ianuragthakur

Seeing the usefulness of Shree Anna in the economic empowerment of the farmers, under the leadership of the Prime Minister Shri @narendramodi ji, the Government of India is working towards making the country a global hub of millet food. Your valuable suggestions will be welcome in Millet Awareness Programs of @prasarbharati.

e-Sanjeevani’s reach reflects power of India’s digital revolution: PM Modi

REPLACE PLASTIC BAGS WITH CLOTH ONES: PM TO CITIZENS

New Delhi: Describing ‘waste to wealth’ as an important dimension of the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, PM Narendra Modi in his monthly radio programme ‘Mann Ki Baat’ on Sunday, called on fellow citizens to take a pledge to replace plastic bags with cloth bags. In his ‘Mann Ki Baat’ address, PM Modi said Swachh Bharat Abhiyan has changed the meaning of public participation (jan bhagidaari) in the country.

MODI REMEMBERS ‘LATA DIDI’, USTAD BISMILLAH KHAN

New Delhi: Remembering late melody Queen Lata Mangeshkar, Modi said, “Today on this occasion it is very natural for me to remember Lata Mangeshkar ji, Lata Didi. Because on this day ‘Unity Day’ competition started. Lata Didi had urged the countrymen that they must join in this endeavour.” He also invoked Ustad Bismillah Khan talking about how the popularity of some classical music instruments has decreased with time.

REVIVAL OF ‘TRIBENI KUMBHO MOHOTSHAV’ IN WB FINDS MENTION IN PM’S ADDRESS

JP Nadda chairs meeting with BJP general secretaries

New Delhi: BJP President JP Nadda chaired a meeting with general secretaries at party headquarters in Delhi.

General secretaries

PM NARENDRA MODI ADDRESSES UP ROZGAR MELA

First India Bureau

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Sunday that eSanjeevani app, which facilitates online medical consultations, reflects the power of India’s digital revolution, noting that over 10 crore people have benefitted from it so far.

In his monthly ‘Mann ki Baat’ broadcast, Modi said the app is becoming a life protection app for the common man, middle class or those living in remote areas.

“This is the power of India’s digital revolution,” he said.

He also referred to the recent agreement between India’s Unified Payments Interface

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday addressed the Rozgar Mela of Uttar Pradesh Government via a video message. In the Mela, appointment letters were provided to direct recruits for Sub Inspectors in UP Police and equivalent posts in Nagrik Police, Platoon Commanders and Fire Department Second Officers. Addressing the occasion, the Prime Minister expressed happiness that he is getting an opportunity to address a Rozgar Mela almost every week in BJP ruled states and the country is continuously getting many talented youth who bring new thinking and efficiency in the government system. Highlighting the special importance of the UP Rozgar Mela today, the Prime Minister said that this will bring happiness to 9 thousand families and will enhance the sense of security in Uttar Pradesh as the new recruitments will strengthen the Police force in the state.

(UPI) and Singapore’s PayNow so as to allow easy money transfer between people of the two countries to underscore the boost in ease of living brought by the country’s adoption of digital technologies.

The prime minister spoke to a doctor and a patient to highlight how

great boon for the people,” he said.

In his address, Modi also highlighted the cleanliness exercises adopted by people in different parts of the country to say that “Swachh Bharat” has become a mass movement.

“If we resolve, we can make a huge contribution towards a clean India,” he said.

helpful the app has proved in providing medical consultations.

“This is a big achievement. This is a living example of how the people of India have made technology a part of their lives. We have seen that in the time of Corona, E-Sanjeevani App has proved to be a

Chandigarh (ANI):

With reference to the Ajnala incident, former Punjab CM Capt Amarinder Singh on Sunday said if the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government cannot handle law and order, the Centre should intervene to deal with the situation.

On Sunday, the former Punjab CM said, “He (CM Bhagwant Mann) is not interested on what is going on in Punjab. He is afraid of taking any step. Police officials may have got orders not to take any step during the Ajnala incident. The law and order has deteriorated in Punjab.” “No government can run like this, the way this government is running. The

day when Ajnala incident took place, Bhagwant Mann was sitting in Mumbai with Arvind Kejriwal,” he added.

Notably, Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal and Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann on Friday called on former Maharashtra chief minister Uddhav Thackeray at his Mumbai residence.

The law and order situation in Punjab is horrible. The law and order is not the Centre’s subject. If they (Punjab govt) are not able to handle it then the central govt will have to take charge.

Captain Amarinder Singh raised concerns about the internal security of the country.

Thousands of supporters of Amritpal Singh, a Khalistan sympathizer, had on Thursday staged a massive demonstration in Amritsar to protest against the arrest of his aide Lovepreet Singh Toofan.

Various efforts being made to preserve and promote India’s cultural heritage also featured in his address.

Modi said the might of a country increases with the strength of society, adding interest in Indian sports and toys saw a big increase after they were mentioned by in the broadcast.

New Delhi: The revival of ‘Tribeni Kumbho Mohotshav’ at Bansberia in West Bengal found a mention in Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s monthly radio programme Mann Ki Baat, in its 98th episode, on Sunday. A section of his 32-odd-minute Mann Ki Baat address was dedicated to Bansberia’s ‘Tribeni Kumbho Mohotshav’. The age-old festival, celebrated on the banks of Ganga, dates back thousands of years but was stopped 700 years ago to be revived just two years ago. Tribeni in West Bengal has been known as a holy place for centuries.

NADDA & CO. LISTEN

‘MANN KI BAAT’ AT BJP HEADQUARTERS

New Delhi: BJP chief JP Nadda alongwith general secretaries, office-bearers and security staff listened ‘Mann ki Baat’ at party headquarters in Delhi. National general secretary BL Santosh (Organisation), general secretaries Tarun Chugh, Dushyant Gautam, Arun Singh, CT Ravi and others were also there. BJP chief spokesperson Anil Baluni along with security staff listened 98th episode of ‘Mann ki Baat’.

Youngsters can give new direction to society: Birla

Siliguri (ANI): Lok

Sabha Speaker Om Birla on Saturday addressed more than a thousand students from around 80 schools in 9 districts of North Bengal under India@G20 in Siliguri.

On this occasion, Birla said that it has always been his endeavour to meet young friends as much as possible, talk to them and listen to their experiences. “Young children have the potential, hopes, dreams, and determination to make them come true,” he said. “I am feeling more energetic among the children. The country’s education policy is not only developing the intellectual potential of the youth but also show-

BOOSTING SPORTING EXCELLENCE

ing the path of their multi-dimensional progress,” he said.

Speaking on “Theme Tourism”, Birla said that India is known all over the world for its cultural and geographical features. “From language to dress, from culture to food, diversity exists here in different forms. That is why tourism is important for India,” he added.

PM MODI TO RELEASE `16,800CR UNDER PM-KISAN TODAY

New Delhi: PM Modi will release the 13th instalment of financial benefits worth Rs 16,800 crore to over eight crore eligible farmers under the flagship PMKISAN scheme on Monday ahead of Holi and rabi harvesting. Under the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN), eligible farmers are provided with a financial benefit of Rs 6,000 per year in three equal instalments of Rs 2,000 each every four months.

Arun Singh, Dushyant Kumar Gautam, D Purandeswari, CT Ravi, Tarun Chugh, Dilip Saikia, Vinod Tawde, Sunil Bansal along with national general secretary (org) BL Santosh were present in the meeting. According to party sources, there will be a presentation about the position of the BJP in Tripura where elections have been held, apart from this the prospects of BJP will also be discussed in Nagaland and Meghalaya, where voting is on February 27. The leaders will also discuss G20. India is presiding over the G20 this year.

PM Modi had instructed party to ensure maximum participation of common people in the G20 programme, so the BJP is trying to increase the participation of more and more

RaGa ACKNOWLEDGED WHAT MODI

GOVT HAS ACHIEVED IN J&K: BJP

New Delhi (PTI): Rahul Gandhi acknowledged for the first time what the Narendra Modi government has achieved in Kashmir, BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra said on Sunday, reacting to the Congress leader’s remarks about people in the region hoisting the national tricolour. Addressing a press conference at the BJP headquarters, Patra hit out at the Congress and said the party was practising “negative” politics by portraying a picture of India as a country that is destroyed and where every individual is unhappy.

people in the events to promote the display India’s art and culture.

Along with this, Nadda will also review the preparations of the party for the Lok Sabha elections across the country.

In the meeting, the leaders will also discuss the steps which have been taken by the party so far to strengthen the 160 Lok Sabha seats that the BJP lost in 2019 general elections.

DPAP chief Azad condemns killing of Kashmiri Pandit in Pulwama

Srinagar (PTI): Democratic Progressive Azad Party (DPAP) chairman Ghulam Nabi Azad condemned the killing of a Kashmiri Pandit in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pulwama district on Sunday, saying it was a matter of grave concern.

“Any killing, especially a targeted killing, is a matter of grave concern and condemnable. We condemn it,” he said.

The former J&K CM said every targeted killing is condemnable, be that of a Kashmiri Pandit or a Muslim or a Sikh and whether the victim is from Jammu or Kashmir.

However, he said the most unfortunate part is that while many people were arrested in

Anurag Thakur launches sports centre in Hyderabad

First India Bureau

Hyderabad: Heartfulness International Sports Centre was inaugurated by Union I&B Minister Anurag Thakur, Telangana Excise Minister Srinivas Goud, Indian Badminton Coach Pullela Gopichand on Sunday.

The inauguration of the sports centre located at the world’s largest meditation centre, Kanha Shanti Vanam in Mallapur was done in

the presence of Kamlesh Patel ‘Daaji’, President of Shri Ram Chandra Mission, a press note informed.

The sports centre is a facility spanning 54,680 sq feet with modern infrastructure that includes 14 badminton courts, 3 squash courts, a 30-metre swimming pool and a gym.

The facility is open on a pay-and-play model. Coaches are available for the respective sports for those who

wish to learn from experts, said a release. Speaking at the inauguration Thakur said,

“I applaud Pujya Daaji’s vision to develop this Center at Kanha as a hub of Sporting Excel-

lence which shall inspire future development of sporting talent for our nation.

“In Daajis’ words, when Sport is imbued with the Heart, it takes Sports and the Sportsperson to the next level of his /her growth and evolution. It offers a pathway for holistic development for our society– one that inspires nourishment of individual body, mind and soul and development of our consciousness,” he said.

NOTHING POLITICAL IN ED RAIDS ON CONGRESS LEADERS, SAYS THAKUR

Raipur: Union Information & Broadcasting Minister Anurag Thakur has said the recent raids by the ED on the ruling Congress in Chhattisgarh should not be given political colour. Asked about the Congress accusing the Union govt of misusing probe agencies against its political opponents, Thakur said, “The probe agencies take action against those who indulge in corruption, and those who have not done corruption should not be scared of them.”

Ghulam Nabi Azad during at an event in Srinagar, on Sunday.

connection with such incidents over the last 30 years, “not one killer has been arrested for these targeted killings in the last two years”.

Sanjay Sharma (40), who worked as an ATM guard, was shot in the chest at point-blank range by terrorists in the Achan area of the south Kashmir district around 11 am on Sunday, police said.

MUFTI SLAMS BJP OVER KASHMIRI PANDIT KILLING IN PULWAMA

Pulwama (ANI): Slamming the BJP over the killing of a Kashmiri Pandit in Pulwama district on Sunday, PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti said “BJP has failed in protecting the lives of minorities.” “These incidents only benefit BJP whether it is in Haryana or Kashmir. BJP has failed in protecting the lives of minorities here. They only use minorities to show normalcy in the valley,” Mufti tweeted.

HM to attend birth anniv of Sant Sevalal today

New Delhi (PTI): Home Minister Amit Shah will attend on Monday an event marking the 284th birth anniversary of Sant Sevalal Maharaj, the spiritual and religious leader of the Banjara community.

The Union Culture ministry said the yearlong celebrations to mark his birth anniversary began on Sunday.

“For the first time ever, the yearlong commemoration of birth anniversary of Santh Sevalal Maharaj, spiritual and religious lead-

er of the Banjara community, is being celebrated by the Ministry of Culture.”

“The yearlong commemoration under the aegis of Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav begins from February 26,” the ministry said on Sunday.

Medical consultation app is becoming a life protection app for the common man, middle class or those living in remote areas, says PM

“Centre must intercede...” Capt on Punjab’s law and order situation

BJP chief JP Nadda holds a meeting with the National General Secretaries of the party, in New Delhi on Sunday. —PHOTO BY ANI

BJP chief JP Nadda with party National General Secretary BL Santhosh and party leaders listens to PM Modi’s ‘Mann Ki Baat’, in New Delhi on Sunday. —PHOTO BY ANI

PM Modi addressing UP Rozgar Mela.

Anurag Thakur participates in the GreenKanhaRun-23 at Kanha Shanti Vanam, Hyderabad on Sunday. —PHOTO BY ANI

—Captain Amarinder, Former Punjab CM

The Congress leaders at the 85th Plenary Session of Congress, in Raipur, Chhattisgarh on Sunday. —PHOTO BY ANI

We are open for tie-ups, want caste census: Cong

Party’s 85th plenary session ends with ‘Raipur Declaration’

Raipur (Agencies):

Congress’ 85th plenary session ended on Sunday with ‘Raipur Declaration’ asserting never to compromise with the politics of BJP-RSS, and mentioning its openness for alliances, caste census in the country and also called upon the party workers to ensure poll wins.

The declaration said, “The Congress party is the only party that has never compromised with the BJP/RSS and its despicable politics. We will always fight to protect our political values against the BJP’s authoritarian, communal and crony capitalist onslaught.”

Giving a big message on alliance, the declaration said, “We are prepared to work with like-minded political parties on the basis of a common, constructive programme to preserve and protect the Constitution in letter and spirit and to address the three main challenges facing the country: growing economic inequality, intensifying social polarisation and deepening political dictatorship.”

The same was reflected upon in the party chief Mallikarjun Kharge’s speech on Saturday where he said the party was open up for alliance.

The plenary gave full credit to Rahul Gandhi, common people and the workers of the Indian National Congress, who walked 4,000 kms from Kanyakumari to Kashmir during the Bharat Jodo Yatra.

Triple murder in Gorakhpur, woman held after probe

Gorakhpur (Agencies): A woman killed her husband and two step-sons by slitting their throat in her house in Sahabganj in Uttar Pradesh’s Gorakhpur district on Sunday.

The accused woman has been arrested and the knife used in the crime has also been seized.

According to reports, Avadhesh Gupta, 40, had remarried after the death of his first wife from whom he had two sons Aryan and Pihu.

His second wife Neelam hails from Sant Kabir Nagar and has a daughter from her first marriage.

According to sources, Neelam had relations with another man and wanted to get rid of her husband and step-sons.

After committing the crime, Neelam informed the police that some people were attacking her husband and step-sons.

AAP rank & file protests against Modi government

BEGINNING OF NEW CONGRESS: KHARGE AT PLENARY SESSION

Nava Raipur (PTI): Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Sunday said the party is facing several challenges, which it can meet but what is needed is unity, discipline and determination. In his concluding remarks at the party’s 85th plenary session here, he said the session may be ending but it heralds the beginning of a “new Congress”. “Today, we have many challenges before us, but none that the Congress cannot deal with. What is needed is unity, discipline and determination. Our strength lies in the strength of the party,” he said.

“Our conduct at the national level will have an impact on crores of party colleagues at every level,” he added. He said people’s aspirations and expectations change, new challenges emerge, but new ways are also found out.

CONG: WORK UNITEDLY TO ENSURE VICTORY IN POLL-BOUND STATES

Raipur: The Congress on Sunday gave a call to party leaders in poll-bound states, including Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh and Karnataka, to work with discipline and complete unity to ensure victory that will “set the tone” for 2024 Lok Sabha polls. In its five-point Raipur Declaration adopted at the party’s 85th plenary session here, the Congress declared that it is ready to work with like minded political parties on the basis of a common, constructive programme to preserve and protect the Constitution and address the challenges. “The coming year will see important state elections in Karnataka, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Mizoram, Rajasthan and Telangana. Party workers and leaders must work with discipline, solidarity and complete unity to ensure our victory.

CONG WORKERS HAVE COURAGE TO FIGHT BJP: PGV AT PARTY’S PLENARY

The police reached her house and saw Avadhesh and the two sons lying in a pool of blood. The police rushed the three to the hospital where the doctors declared Avadhesh dead. The two children died during treatment.

New Delhi (ANI): Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) workers were heard raising slogans against Modi government outside Fatehpur Beri Police Station in support of Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia, who appeared before the CBI for interrogation in connection with alleged excise policy scam on Sunday.

Later after Sisodia’s arrest, Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal said Sisodia is innocent and that his arrest was part of “dirty politics”.

“Manish is innocent. His arrest is dirty politics. There is a lot of anger among the people due to the arrest of of Manish. Everyone is watching ... our struggle will get stronger,” Kejri-

4 senior IAS officers in UP retiring on Feb 28; hunt on for new ones

Govt will have to deploy new officers

wal tweeted in Hindi. Sisodia was summoned to CBI headquarters. “As per SB input and local intelligence, there was an apprehension of a large gathering

of supporters, voters and leaders of AAP at CGO. All arrangements, including deployment of personnel, had been in place since Saturday,” an official said.

CRUCIAL READ

TWO GANGSTERS KILLED IN FIGHT AMONG INMATES IN PUNJAB’S GOINDWAL SAHIB JAIL

Chandigarh: Two gangsters lodged in Goindwal Sahib Central Jail in Punjab’s Tarn Taran district were killed in a fight among inmates on Sunday, police said. Both were connected with singer Sidhu Moosewala’s killing last year, they said. They were facing other cases as well, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Gurmeet Singh Chauhan said. One inmate was injured in the fight, he said.

Raipur: Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Sunday said ahead of Lok Sabha polls, there are expectations from Opposition parties to unite but most expectations are from the Congress. She exhorted Congress workers to take the message of the party and the “failures” of the govt to public. “Now only one year is left for us, there are expectations from us, that we will unite. All the Opposition parties and people whose ideology is opposed to them (BJP), must fight unitedly. There are expectations from everyone but the most expectations are from the Congress,” she said.

Lucknow: Former UP Chief Secretary IAS Rajendra Tiwari Chairman UPSRTC, IAS Arvind Kumar ACS Infrastructure and Industrial Development IT & Electronics IAS Aradhana Shukla ACS Ayush, IAS Shakuntala Gautam Commissioner Labour will retire on February 28. With this, important departments like Transport, Industrial Development, IT, Labour, AYUSH will have vacant positions.

The Uttar Pradesh government will have to deploy new officers as soon as possible. Many officers are lobbying for these departments.

On the other hand, while transferring two

FOUNDATION DAY OF DBT

IAS officers, the UP government has given IAS Prabhu Narayan Singh, Secretary, Revenue Relief, additional charge of Commissioner Consolidation, while IAS Uday Bhan Tripathi has been made Special Secretary, Urban Development, while IAS Sunil Chowdhary, posted in Urban Development, has been asked to wait.

First India Bureau

New Delhi: Union Minister of State Dr Jitendra Singh said on Sunday that the Government will promote Industrydriven Start-Ups to create wealth and jobs.

Addressing the 37th Foundation day of Department of Biotechnology (DBT) as Chief Guest at National Institute of Immunology, NII, Delhi, Dr Jitendra Singh called for equal stake with equal part-

nership and responsibility by Industry to sustain the Start-Ups boom.

The Minister said, Start-Ups will become sustainable, if Industry from the very beginning will identify the theme/subject/product and invest matching equity with the Government. The Minister assured that funds will not be a constraint under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Government to promote the “Innovation Eco-Sys-

tem” in the country.

Giving the example of PM Narendra Modi’s idea of an Atma Nirbhar Bharat, where In-

dia’s vaccine strategy brought together pharma, industry and academia in a partnership with an eye on meeting

the current as well as possible future challenges, Dr Jitendra Singh said, the idea behind initiatives like this is to have a sustainable partnership in the long run and provide a sustainable source of livelihood to India’s youth. He added that the Government of India, led by Prime Minister Modi, is encouraging industrial outreach by extending all possible support.

The Minister also pointed out that last

WB: DECOMPOSED

BODIES OF COUPLE, DAUGHTER FOUND

Aligarh: The body of a 15-year-old Dalit girl was found hanging inside her house here. A case of suicide has been registered and further action will be taken on the basis of the post-mortem examination, they said. The body was discovered by the girl’s family members when they returned.

BODY OF UP DALIT TEEN GIRL FOUND HANGING IN HOUSE Kolkata: Decomposed bodies of a couple and their daughter were found hanging in their accommodation in south Kolkata on Sunday, police said. The couple’s neighbours at Regent Park housing society had been complaining of a foul smell emitting from the residence locked from inside for couple of days.

MAN, GRANDSON KILLED AS TRUCK HITS AND DRAGS SCOOTY IN UP’S MAHOBA

Mahoba: In a shocking incident of another hit-and-drag case, a man and his grandson were killed after their scooty was hit by a truck that kept on speeding with the two-wheeler stuck under it for a distance. The incident is said to have taken place on Saturday on Kanpur-Sagar Highway. Both the man, and his six-year-old grandson died in the incident. A video of the incident went viral on social media.

Govt will promote Industry-driven Start-Ups: Dr Jitendra Singh

year he had launched Single National Portal “BioRRAP” for Biotech researchers and StartUps and also to cater to all those seeking regulatory approval for biological research & development activity in the country and thus offer a huge relief for “Ease of Science as well as Ease of Business”. He asserted that India is poised to become a Global Biomanufacturing Hub and will figure among the top 5 countries of the

world by 2025. Dr Jitendra Singh pitched for development of India’s own Molecule and said for Indian Problems, Indian Remedies must be devised. He said, Biotechnology is the technology of tomorrow as IT has already reaching its saturation point. The Minister emphasized that Biotech will be the key to Amrit Kaal Economy and also for making India a frontline nation in the world.

lll

MoS says Start-Ups will become sustainable, if industry identifies the subject/product and invest matching equity with the Govt

Delhi Deputy CM Manish Sisodia with AAP leaders Sanjay Singh and Saurabh Bhardwaj comes out of Rajghat after paying homage to Mahatma Gandhi before his questioning by CBI in the liquor policy case.

Dr Ahtesham Siddiqui

Rahul Gandhi shows affection to his mother Sonia Gandhi as party leaders look on in Raipur.

Rajendra Kumar Arvind Kumar Aradhana Shukla Shakuntala Gautam

New Delhi: The Delhi Police on Sunday detained around 50 AAP leaders, including Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh and MLAs Saurabh Bharadwaj and Gopal Rai, who were staging a protest near the CBI Headquarters here. They were taken to the Fatehpur Beri Police Station. The Delhi Police had imposed section 144 CrPC near the CBI’s headquarters to avoid unwanted gathering. The AAP workers had gathered outside Sisodia’s house and CBI’s headquarters to show their strength ahead of Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia’s questioning in the Delhi excise policy scam.

SANJAY SINGH, GOPAL RAI & BHARADWAJ AMONG 50 AAP LEADERS DETAINED IN DELHI

COMMODITIES

www.firstindia.co.in I www.firstindia.co.in/epapers/mumbai I twitter.com/thefirstindia I facebook.com/thefirstindia I instagram.com/thefirstindia

business

FPIs WITHDRAW `2,300-CRORE FROM EQUITIES IN FEB 2023

‘MAY FALL SHORT OF TARGET’

India’s economic growth fragile

New Delhi: Foreign investors have turned cautious and pulled out `2,313 crore from Indian equities so far this month ahead of the release of Federal Reserve’s latest meeting minutes. However, the pace of selling has come down compared to January, when Foreign Portfolio Investors (FPIs) took out `28,852 crore. This was also the worst outflow in the last seven months, data with the depositories showed. Prior to that, they made a net investment of `11,119 crore in December. —PTI

9 OF TOP 10 FIRMS

LOSE `1.87 LAKH CRORE IN MCAP

New Delhi (PTI): India’s economic growth appears to be ‘very fragile’ and it may fall short of what the country needs to meet the aspirations of its growing workforce, RBI Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) member Jayanth R Varma said on Sunday.

In India, Varma said he expects inflation to remain high in 2022-23 but come down significantly in 202324. “However, growth appears to be very fragile, and monetary tightening is compressing demand,” he said.

Explaining further, he said rising EMI payments increases the pressure on household budgets and dampens spending, and ex-

ports are struggling in the face of global factors.

While noting that high interest rates make private capital investment more difficult, Varma said the government is in fiscal consolidation mode, thus re-

‘DIGITAL ECONOMY CAN CONTRIBUTE 25% GDP’

New Delhi: Nine of the 10 most valued firms faced a combined erosion of `1,87,808.26 crore in market valuation last week, with HDFC Bank and Reliance Industries taking the biggest hit amid an overall weak trend in equities. Last week, the BSE benchmark tumbled 1,538.64 points or 2.52% amid concerns that the US Federal Reserve might raise interest rates further to curb inflation. Fresh foreign fund outflows also dented investor sentiments. —PTI

335 INFRA PROJECTS

SHOW COST OVERRUN OF `4.46 LAKH CRORE

New Delhi (PTI): Noted banker KV Kamath, who now chairs the National Bank for Financing Infrastructure and Development (NaBFID), expects the digital sector to contribute a quarter of the incremental GDP by the time the economy becomes a $ 7 trillion giant by FY29. Currently, the contribution of the digital economy is a low 4%, whereas it is as much as 40% in China.

The government and planners see the economy becoming the third largest in the world by FY29, overtaking Japan, with a GDP of $7 trillion from the present $3.3 trillion. The digital economy -the digital infrastructure, e-commerce and other digital payments and services segments--can be the coun-

try’s biggest growth-driver and can contribute as much as 25% of the incremental GDP by the time India becomes a $7-trillion economy by FY29. Currently, the share is a low 4%, Kamath said.

“As much as 40% of the Chinese economy come from the digital sector today, and I don’t see any reason why we can’t achieve this,” the former ICICI Bank chairman quipped.

Kamath said, the NaBFID is actively looking to fund key areas in this space such as data centres.

ducing the support to the economy from this source.

“Because of all these factors, I fear that growth may fall short of what we need to meet the aspirations of our growing workforce given our demographic

ACC TO MPC MEMBER VARMA

z India’s economic growth appears to be ‘very fragile’ and it may fall short of what the country needs to meet the aspirations of its growing workforce

z In India, Varma said he expects inflation to remain high in 2022-23 but come down significantly in 2023-24

context and income level,” he said.

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has projected India’s economic growth at 6.4% for 2023- 24. Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth is estimated at 7%

Nokia changes its iconic logo for the first time in 60 years

in 2022-23, according to the first advance estimate of the NSO.

The Economic Survey 2022-23 projected a baseline GDP growth of 6.5% in real terms for the next fiscal.

Varma, currently a professor at the Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad said he sees global inflationary pressures dissipating in the months ahead as the supply shocks from the pandemic and from the Ukraine war gradually resolve themselves.

“The world is learning to live with the war,” he said, adding that at the same time monetary tightening is putting growth at risk across the world.

India, UK Fin Ministers agree to make further progress on FTA

London (PTI): India and the UK have agreed to make further progress on the ongoing negotiations for a free trade agreement (FTA) and also to swiftly organise the next bilateral Economic and Financial Dialogue soon, the British government has said.

India has recently concluded the seventh round of talks with the UK.

At the conclusion of UK Chancellor Jeremy Hunt’s India visit for the G20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors meeting, held under India’s 2023 Presidency, the UK’s Treasury department said the finance minister held talks with Indian counterpart Nirmala Sitharaman with a focus on deepening bilateral economic and financial ties.

New Delhi: As many as 335 infrastructure projects, each entailing an investment of `150 crore or more, have been hit by cost overruns of more than `4.46 lakh crore. According to the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation, out of 1,454 projects, 335 reported cost overruns and as many as 871 projects were delayed. “Total original cost of implementation of the 1,454 projects was `20,59,065.57 crore and their anticipated completion cost is likely to be `25,05,248.43 crore, which reflects overall cost overruns of `4,46,182.86 crore.” —PTI

SERVICES EXPORTS

TO CROSS $300

BILLION THIS FISCAL

MAJOR HIGHLIGHTS

z India and the UK have agreed to make further progress on the ongoing negotiations for a FTA and also to swiftly organise the next bilateral Economic and Financial Dialogue soon

z UK’s Treasury department said the finance minister held talks with Indian counterpart with a focus on deepening bilateral eco and financial ties

z Hunt, on his first international visit as UK Chancellor, also met with business leaders in Bengaluru

and financial ties,” the Treasury department said in a statement on Saturday.

“They agreed to make swift progress on setting up the next UK-India Economic and Financial Dialogue,” it said.

Barcelona (Agencies): Nokia announced plans on Sunday to change its brand identity for the first time in nearly 60 years, complete with a new logo, as the telecom equipment maker focuses on aggressive growth.

The new logo comprises five different shapes forming the word NOKIA. The iconic blue color of the old logo has been dropped for a range of colours depending on the use.

“There was the association to smartphones and nowadays we are a business technology company,” Chief Executive Pekka Lundmark said.

He was speaking ahead of a business update by the company on the eve of the annual Mobile World Congress (MWC) which opens in Barcelona on Monday and runs until March 2. After taking over the top job at the struggling Finnish company in 2020, Lundmark set out a strategy with three stages: reset, accelerate and scale. With the reset stage now complete, Lundmark said the second stage is beginning.

“At a meeting with Indian Finance Minister Sitharaman, both sides agreed to make further progress on the UK-India Free Trade Agreement and deepen bilateral economic

DGCA plans to hire 400 tech staff in 1-2 yrs

PRESENT STATUS OF DGCA

z Currently, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has around 1,300 employees, including about 700 technical staff and it is expected to increase by 400

New Delhi (PTI): The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) plans to ramp up its technical staff to 1,100 by hiring another 400 people in the next one to two years as well as increase the number of offices to 19 as the watchdog strengthens the safety oversight capabilities, according to its chief Arun Kumar.

Kumar, who will be superannuating on February 28 after being at the helm for nearly four years, described his tenure as a

INDIA’S ENRON MOMENT?

New Delhi: Services exports are recording a healthy growth rate and going by this trend, the outbound shipments will cross $300 billion in 2022-23, and tapping global opportunities would help achieve $1 trillion target by 2030, SEPC said on Sunday. Services Export Promotion Council Director General Abhay Sinha said support measures in the forthcoming FTP would help further boost the exports. —PTI

“roller coaster ride” on Sunday.

Currently, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has around 1,300 employees, including about 700 technical staff.

“The number of techni-

cal staff is expected to increase by 400 in the next one to two years... also, the number of offices of the DGCA in different parts of the country will increase to 19 from the current 14 in the near term,” he said.

INDIGO, GO FIRST FACE P&W ENGINE HEADWINDS

New Delhi (PTI): More than 50 planes of IndiGo and Go First are on the ground due to Pratt & Whitney engine woes amid persisting supply chain headwinds, forcing airlines to explore wet leasing of aircraft and other options to minimise disruptions, according to officials. The country’s largest airline IndiGo is looking at various options, including slowing down redeliveries through lease extensions, exploring the re-induction of aircraft into the fleet, and evaluating the wet lease options within the regulatory guidelines.

Gautam Adani slips to No. 30 in rich list

New Delhi (PTI): Gautam

Adani was the world’s third and Asia’s richest man a month back but a damning report by a US firm triggered a massive sell-off in shares of his apples-to-airport group, plunging his own wealth by $80 billion and the tycoon slipping to No 30 on the world billionaire index.

Adani’s sprawling conglomerate, which spans from sea ports to airports, edible oil and commodities, energy, cement and data centres, is under attack by US short-seller Hindenburg Research.

SHARP FALL IN LAST 1 MONTH

z Gautam Adani, 60, a firstgeneration entrepreneur, has lost $80.6 billion in wealth, which was primarily based on valuation of his holding in group companies z He was worth $120 billion before Hindenburg report but now is ranked No.30 on the world

valuable company.

Group’s founder chairman Gautam Adani, 60, a first-generation entrepreneur, has lost $80.6 billion in wealth, which was primarily based on valuation of his holding in group companies.

He was worth $120 billion before Hindenburg report but now is ranked No.30 on the world billionaire index with about $40 billion networth.

Since the Hindenburg report, the group’s 10 listed companies have lost Rs

12.06 lakh crore, nearly

equivalent to the market capitalisation of Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) - India’s second most

Rival Mukesh Ambani, whom he had overtaken last year to become Asia’s richest is now ranked No.10 with $81.7 billion wealth.

Hunt, on his visit as UK Chancellor, also met with business leaders in Bengaluru and visited the offices of tech multinational Wipro which employs over 4,000 people in the UK.

OTHER STORIES

IOC TO SET UP GREEN HYDROGEN PLANTS AT ALL REFINERIES; LINES UP `2 LAKH CR FOR NET ZERO

New Delhi: India’s top oil firm IOC will set up green hydrogen plants at all its refineries as it pivots a `2-lakh crore green transition plan to achieve net-zero emissions from its operations by 2046, its chairman Shrikant Madhav Vaidya said. IOC is remodelling business with an increased focus on petrochemicals to hedge volatility in the fuel business, while at the same time turning petrol pumps into energy outlets that offer EV charging points and battery swapping options besides conventional fuels as it looks to make itself future-ready, he said. —PTI

NO BAN ON EXPORTS OF ONION, SAY COMMERCE MINISTRY

New Delhi: There is no ban on exports of onion and India has shipped the commodity worth $523.8 million during AprilDecember 2022, the commerce ministry said on Sunday. It said that only the export of onion seed is restricted. “Government has not restricted or prohibited the export of onions,” the ministry said in a statement. In December 2022, onion exports rose by about 50% to $52.1 million. —PTI

WITH

EARLY SUMMER

SEASON,

VECV EXPECTS UP TO 5% RISE IN VEHICLE PRICES FROM APRIL New Delhi: VE Commercial Vehicles (VECV), a joint venture between Volvo Group and Eicher Motors, expects prices of its models to rise by up to 5% with stricter emission norms coming into force from April this year. “As far as the cost increase is concerned, it is not going to be like the earlier BS IV to BS VI (transition), it will be much lower than that, which should be within, I think 3 to 5%,” VECV MD said. —PTI

& HOPES OF ELONGATED

AC MAKERS EXPECT 20% VOL GROWTH

New Delhi: Early onset of summer along with predictions indicating harsh temperature and an elongated season is making residential airconditioner manufacturers grin from ear to ear, expecting 15-20% volume growth this year. AC makers are expanding their portfolio by adding products in their lineup based on energy-efficient inverter technology and smart features such as IoT and air purifiers. They have also ramped up production to fill the stocks with their channel partners.

— Dr Jagdeesh Chandra, CEO & Editor-in-Chief, First India

ACTORS GOVINDA, MANOJ TIWARI GRACED ‘SUPER INDIANS’ EVENT

RAJASTHANI & BHOJPURI TO BE IN 8TH SCHEDULE: TIWARI

Actors Govinda, Manoj Tiwari described Dr Jagdeesh Chandra as a person who gives opportunities to talents

Rajeev Gaur

Jodhpur: Film actors Govinda and Manoj Tiwari graced the Super Indians event organised by Bharat24 and First India news channel and newspaper at hotel Radisson on Sunday.

The event was held under the aegis of Dr Jagdeesh Chandra, CEO and Editor-inChief, Bharat24-Vision of New India and First India & CMD, First India News in which erstwhile Sirohi royal family scion Padma Shri Raghuveer Singh, Jodh-

pur divisional commissioner KC Meena, IG Jai Narayan Sher, collector Himanshu Gupta, former MP Badri Ram Jakhar, Chairman of Rajasthan State Human Rights Commission Justice Gopal Krishna Vyas

and chairperson of the Rajasthan State Commission for Protection of Child Rights Sangeeta Beniwal were also present as special guest. After this, BJP MP Manoj Tiwari, remembering the early days of

Need to make Mumbai city of international standard: Shinde

BSS chief vows to win BMC elections, remove ‘clout of certain contractors’ & provide better roads, services to people

First India Bureau

Mumbai: Emphasizing on the need to focus on making Mumbai a city of international standard, Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Sunday said there is no need to dream of making Mumbai like Shanghai. With polls due at the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), Shinde vowed to win and remove the “clout of certain contractors” and provide better roads and services to the people.

He was speaking at a public function where

he launched works on 320 different projects in Mumbai.

“There is no need to dream of making Mumbai like Shanghai. We need to make the city of international standard. We are also setting up several sewage treatment plants which would treat the used water and release only clean water into the sea,” he said.

Shinde further said he will not to respond to criticism as he prefers to work rather than talk. “If you level one allegation against me, I

There is no need to dream of making Mumbai like Shanghai. We need to make the city of international standard. We are also setting up several sewage treatment plants which would treat the used water and release only clean water into the sea.

will carry out 10 good works in Mumbai city in response,” he said.

Uddhav Thackeray responsible for problems in Shiv Sena: Athawale

First India Bureau

Kochi: Union minister Ramdas Athawale blamed former Maharashtra Chief Minister, Uddhav Thackeray, for “problems in the Shiv Sena”.

Addressing a press meeting here on Saturday, Athawale said, “For the problems in Shiv Sena, Uddhav Thackeray is responsible. Because 2019’s mandate was that the government should be of Bharatiya Janata Party and Shiv Sena. But, Uddhav Thackeray left the alliance and joined hands with Congress and Nationalist Congress Party. Therefore, problems occurred. Otherwise, if Uddhav Thackeray could be with the BJP, then there could be no dispute between Thackeray and Eknath Shinde.”

He further said that

Union min calls out Sena leader for abandoning alliance with BJP after 2019 Assembly polls

incumbent CM Eknath Shinde’s government “is a very strong government and they are taking important decisions.”

Talking about the Congress’ plenary session, Athawale said, “I respect Sonia Gandhi.

But Rahul Gandhi is not a very strong man. He can’t lead the party. That’s why he resigned from the Congress presidency after the defeat.

Smriti Irani defeated Rahul Gandhi in Amethi. Comparing Rahul Gandhi to Narendra Modi, Rahul Gandhi can’t defeat Narendra Modi.”

Athawale exuded confidence that the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) will come to power again.

“There is no opposition. On one side, there is Narendra Modi and on the other side leaders of CPIM, CPI, Aam Aadmi Party, Congress, Mamata’s party (Trinamool Congress), Nitish Kumar’s party (Janata Dal United), and NCP. There is no problem for the BJP and the NDA from coming into power again,” he said.

The chief minister also took a dig at Shiv Sena - Uddhav Balasa-

heb Thackeray leader Sanjay Raut’s daily morning media interaction, comparing it to a “mill siren”.

“Earlier, Mumbai used to have mill sirens to which everyone used to pay attention. Now, there is only one siren and nobody needs to pay any attention to it,” he quipped without taking Raut’s name.

Warning Mumbaikars of inconvenience for next few months due to ongoing works, Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said it is because they were starting work on a number of projects in one go. “But once all the roads are properly constructed, there will be no traffic jams,” he said.

his career, said that Dr Jagdeesh Chandra gave him first opportunity in the music show on Bihar’s channel and did 286 episodes of it. Tiwari said that his music career started after this show.

Maha: BJP to launch ‘one crore selfies’ campaign

Aashique Hussain

New Delhi: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) will kick off the “one crore selfies” campaign on Monday, said National President of Mahila Morcha Vanathi Srinivasan on Sunday. The programme will be launched by Union Minister Smriti Irani.

“The ‘one crore selfies’ campaign with women beneficiaries of the welfare schemes of our beloved Prime Minister Narendra Modi ji government will be launched on February 27, 2023,” she said.

Sandeep Shukla

Mumbai: Heirs of sanitation workers in Maharashtra can now succeed their kin in steady government jobs, Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said on Sunday.

He also said that the benefit will extend to the “husband or wife, son or daughter, daughter-inlaw or son-in-law, widowed daughter, sister, divorced daughter or sister, abandoned daughter or sister, unmarried educated daughter or unmarried educated sister, grandson or granddaughter” of sweepers and manual scavengers.

In the case of an unmarried sweeper, his or her brother or sister may

also be considered. If an heir is unavailable, the job will then fall open to any person who promises in writing to take care of the sanitation worker, in keeping with the Mang Lad Committee recommendations. However, the successor has to be aged between 18 and 45 years, and will be appointed as a Class III or Class IV staffer based on their qualifications.

Ailing MP Girish Bapat votes from wheelchair PM Modi must act against hate speeches: AIMIM chief

Pune (PTI): Ailing Lok Sabha member Girish Bapat on Sunday cast his vote in the by-election to the Kasba Peth Assembly constituency in Pune.

Bapat, with his nasal cannula on, came to the polling station at Ahilyabai Highschool in a car to exercise his franchise. He was later taken inside the polling booth in a wheelchair.

Before winning the Lok Sabha election in 2019, Bapat had represented this Assembly segment located in the

NATIONAL CONFERENCE

heart of Pune five times.

Bapat, who had earlier stated that he would not be able to take part in the election campaign due to his poor health, had later addressed the Bharatiya Janata Party workers ahead of polls and expressed confidence that the party would win comfortably.

The Opposition, however, criticized the BJP, saying that the party remembered Bapat only when it sensed that its position in the Kasba Peth constituency was in trouble.

Passes resolution on violence against Dalits, Muslims, seeks dedicated MHA cell to counter ‘majoritarian religious radicalization’

First India Bureau

Thane: The All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) on Sunday passed several resolutions at the end of its two-day national conference in Mumbra in Thane district, including on violence against Muslims and Dalits and demands from some Sangh Parivar segments to make India a “Hindu Rashtra”. AIMIM chief Asadud-

din Owaisi, who chaired the conference, said:

“One resolution unequivocally condemns the continuing and increasing attacks against Muslims, other minorities and Dalits. It is the duty of the Centre and state governments to ban illegal and criminal organisations that have undertaken a systematic campaign of terror in the garb of cow protection, anti-conversion, Love Jihad etc.”

He said his party sought a dedicated cell in the Ministry of Home

Affairs to track and counter “majoritarian religious radicalisation”, while victims of “majoritarian violence” those who have been lynched or killed in the name of Hindutva must be compensated.

Other resolutions include one demanding that Prime Minister Narendra Modi and chief ministers speak out against hate speeches, while another sought reservations for Muslims on the basis of several commissions that have termed the community as socially, economically and educationally backward, Owaisi said.

“Moreover, Dalit Muslims and Dalit Christians must be classified as Scheduled Castes and get benefits,” he said.

Maha Chief Minister Eknath Shinde —FILE PHOTO

‘Maha government will give job to the heirs of scavengers’

Ramdas Athwale—FILE PHOTO

Asaduddin Owaisi

Eknath Shinde, Maha CM

Union Home Minister Amit Shah met ailing Lok Sabha MP Bapat earlier this month in Pune. —FILE PHOTO

Dr Jagdeesh Chandra speaking during the event on Sunday.

Govinda addressing the event at hotel Radisson in Jodhpur.

Manoj Tiwari interacting with the audience during the event.

Badri Ram Jakhar addressing the audience on Sunday.

Dr Jagdeesh Chandra, KC Meena, Sangeeta Beniwal, Govinda, Justice Gopal Krishan Vyas, Badri Ram Jakhar, Jai Narayan Sher, Himanshu Gupta, Manoj Jagyasi, Jinendra Shekhawat and Jawed Siddiqui during lighting of lamp at hotel Radisson in Jodhpur on Sunday. —PHOTOS BY SANTOSH SHARMA

Feel the blossom

Floral skirts are flirty, fabulous and enjoyable. City First brings to you the significance of floral skirts in the fashion world

Pretty floral skirts lead the list of women’s skirt trends due to their feminine allure. Floral skirt ensembles can appear beautiful if they are worn with the correct approach. These dresses are eye candy thanks to the lovely floral pattern. While the wide selection enables every lady to select the ideal one for her unique style. Floral skirts give an otherwise plain closet a celebratory vibe. They could be classified as a summer or spring essential. But the truth is that if you know the dos and don’ts of wearing them with other clothes, you can wear them all year round. Floral dresses come in a variety, just like actual flowers. They can be long skirts, mini pencil skirts, or short, stylish tennis skirts. They could also be bubble skirts, circular skirts with flares, or highwaisted skirts with pleats. In conclusion, you can order floral dresses in any length

and shape. The sort of floral skirt you choose will determine how you should arrange it. These gorgeous skirts can have a large-scale pattern with vibrant, evenly placed flowers. Alternately, they could be minuscule, grouped mini florals, which might be a good choice for understated designs. Darker designs appear more subtle, while vibrant flower prints are expressive and upbeat. The best method to dress a floral skirt is to give close attention to the floral pattern. The flowery design ought to be the focal point of your ensemble. To do credit to this fashionable item of clothing, it is essential to understand what top to pair with a flowery skirt and what layering choices can go with it. The measurements and hues of the staples you use to complement it must be accurate. This will help you put together an ensemble that is both cohesive and attractive to the

SHUBHANSHI PATHAK cityfirst@firstindia.co.in

YOUR DAY

Aries

MARCH 21 - APRIL 20

Happiness in the domestic sphere will only come with a changed mind set. Some of you are likely to become a part of an overseas official trip. Better to consult an expert in financial matters before making an investment. Harsh words may create a rift in your romantic relationship.

Gemini

MAY 21 - JUNE 21

You will succeed in resolving misunderstanding with family members. Despite your misgivings, you retain good health. You will do much to bring peace and harmony at home. You will remain much in demand on social front. Some of you can get romantically involved.

Leo

JULY 24 - AUGUST 23

Gifting something to your beloved is likely to make the day memorable. Matrimonial match for siblings will bring happiness for entire family. You will get a good price for your property. Those awaiting results are assured of succeeding with flying colours.

Libra

SEPTEMBER 24 - OCTOBER 22

Despite hectic schedule you will manage to find time for family. Seek the opinion of your family before finalizing a property deal. Your bold initiatives on romantic front bring back passion and spark in romantic relationship.Overall health remains fine.

Sagittarius

NOVEMBER 23 - DECEMBER 22

Your intuition will save you from a tricky spot today. Yoga would help in raising energy levels and improve your metabolism. You will manage to achieve your aim through travel. This is a great time on the academic front, when you mange to render your best.

Aquarius

JANUARY 21 - FEBRUARY 19

Avoid raising controversial issues at home to maintain harmony. Successful implementation of new ideas and projects would add to your prestige on the professional front. It is a wonderful day to build new connections. Your relationship requires you to be tactful.

Taurus

APRIL 21 - MAY 20

It’s a very good day to take calculated risks in financial matters. Your efforts on the professional front will be recognised. Opting for some healthy choices will ensure you remain in perfect health. You will feel much happy and contented on the family front.

Cancer

JUNE 22 - JULY 23

A friend or colleague may motivate you to take up a healthy activity. Parents may appear more than happy with what you deliver. Plans for overseas travel are likely to materialise. You are likely to get clearance or approval for your construction plans.

Virgo

AUGUST 24 - SEPTEMBER 23

Using your initiative at work will be much appreciated. You may get a chance to pursue old hobby. Health tips from an expert will enable you to get closer to your fitness goals. Your generous behavior would enable to enjoy some lovely moments with family.

Scorpio

OCTOBER 23 - NOVEMBER 22

Following a health diet will be a good idea. Luck favours you today on the professional front. Focussing on health now will help you in keeping physically fit. Clarity of mind and retentive power will help you forge ahead. Frustration on the romantic front is possible.

Capricorn

DECEMBER 23 - JANUARY 20

Family will be most supportive, when it really matters for you. Some of you may add to your list of properties by booking a new one. It is good day to confess your love as stars appear favourable for positive reply. A long drive is likely to help you get over mental tiredness.

Pisces

FEBRUARY 20 - MARCH 20

Distant relatives may drop in for a surprise visit. On professional front, recognition for good work would motivate you to work harder. Those awaiting an affirmation on romantic front are likely to get lucky today, as partner responds positively. You will feel happy today.

OFFBEAT SONGS FOR BRIDES WHO WANT TO GO VIRAL ON INSTAGRAM

main man and groove to chunnari chunnari. For a surprise performance for him, the remix version of bin tere sanam mar mitenge hum is an offbeat pick, sure to catch him off-guard. Vibrant hues and dancing to the lost melodies can do wonders for your grid.

Whether you want a minimum or a big fat celebration, be a minimalist or an OTT bride, the one thing that remains is the urge to hit a million views on your wedding reels, be the face of wedding pages, and revolutionize bridal trends as we know them.

Waltz in bridal dances, which thankfully, is no longer restricted to the traditional sangeet. Thanks, Shivangi Bafna. Your wedding had more dances than guests, and we’re not complaining. It definitely gave us some inspiration for good. With weddings getting more personalized as per the couple’s preferences (read the bride’s), there’s room for so much creativity, personality, drama, and va va voom. Here’s a low-down of some songs for every bride, every mood, and every occasion.

MEHENDI

Kick-starting your wedding celebrations can often be sentimental. Why not seal the moment with a father-daughter dance on I feel good from Anjana-Anjani and a little welcome for your groom-to-be on aaja re more saiyyan, Coke Studio? If you’re not the emo kind, bring a slice of your personality to the stage with phatte tak nachna and give your inlaws a taste of the storm they’re blissfully about to embrace. And if you really wanna talk trends, balaam thanedar with big black aviators is a fail-safe.

SANGEET

A Bollywood-buff bride deserves her sajna ji vaari vaari moment for the solo. For the classic, demure one, naino wale

ne from Pad mavat and main to piya se naina lada aayi re from Coke Studio are elegant choices. Of course, your friends are gonna tell your love story to the world, let it be with humne suna hai, tumne jeevan saathi chuna hai and join them at the end. You might just start a trend with this one, who knows!

And, when Mr groom comes to the floor, we say face-off. Ladki kyu from Hum Tum is just a pre view of your life ahead, thanks to the banter. Sapne me milta hai is also a suggestion if you just can’t stop flirting with your partner. Later, when you wanna get up, close and personal, a medley of shukran allah and adhura lafz is the way to romance.

COCKTAILS Now that you have no filter, zero annoying relatives and at least three shots of vodka in you, it’s time to get steamy. Yes, we’re going down and dirty with mayya mayya and ooh la la. Want to show off your moves just a tad more? Aga bai with its signature belly steps is the way to go. And, bring that party home with some good ol’ UP Bihar lootne. In

BRIDAL ENTRY

Wanna follow a trend?

Sajna, tere liye sajna, sensationalised by the likes of Karishma Tanna and influencer Meghna Chandwani is always a good idea. Should you want to make a statement of your own, ab kya kare dil deewana can be the next it-bridal song. And if the oldworld charm is what entices you, laal ishq and ek dil, ek jaan are Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s melodies that lend themselves to the bridal regalia. Finally, if you want to be a sassy 90s bride in 2023, thoda sa pagla, thoda siyana is your track.

KHUSHBOO CHAUDHARY, Influencer

Horoscope by Saurabbh Sachdeva

POORVI SINGHAL cityfirst@firstindia.co.in

Sunkissed selfie

atrina Kaif, who is one of the most loved actresses in town, has shared a new picture of herself on social media. The actress keeps treating fans with her stunning pictures. Lately, Katrina has been giving public appearances a miss which has left her fans quite upset.

To balance it

ROYAL BEAUTY

Everything is stellar when Sonam Kapoor Ahuja does it. With an absolute spot-on mind for fashion, last night was no shocker. That's her power and she has us ready for a glamourous OOTN. Honestly, from the look of her outfit, we are nowhere ready to make a debut in spring outfits. Layering still feels like a fresh moment and our deck loves the look of it. The

Veere Di Wedding actress was a fabulous guest on Saturday at the event which was organised by JW Marriott. She looked stunning in a couture creation by designer duo Abu Jani and Sandeep Khosla. With monochrome on her mind, she chose an organza Anarkali which featured 48-kali giving it a flared fit, stripe borders with silver and gota detailing, long sleeves and a plunging neckline. Royally alluring, Sonam's onesie was teamed with a black and white long coat.

out, on Sunday, she took to Instagram and dropped a gorgeous selfie with her fans.

In the picture, Katrina is seen enjoying a sunny Sunday at her house. She is seen sporting a black t-shirt styled with printed pants. She ditched the makeup and opted for open hair to complete her Sunday look. The actress looks all things fresh and beautiful in the sun-kissed picture. Along with the picture, Katrina wrote, ‘SunDaze’.

Thirteen years in the industry

Samantha Ruth Prabhu is one of the wellknown actresses who has been part of Telugu and Tamil cinema. She has recent ly gained a lot of fame after her sizzling performance in the song Oo Antava Oo Oo Anta va" from Pushpa: The Rise. The actress is quite active on her social media handles and never fails to amaze her fans with her whereabouts posts. Be it her workout posts, her photoshoots, her film promotions, or her vacation pictures, the Pushpa actress always gets love from her fans. In her re cent tweet, Samantha thanked her fan page as a hashtag made to cel ebrate her 13 years in the film industry started trending on Twitter."I feel all of this love…

RIHANNA getting married

Recently Rihanna hinted that she wants to re lease her next album before the year’s end which would be her comeback to creating music after more than five years. But as per The Daily Mail, Rihanna's much antici pated ninth album could be delayed so that the superstar can possibly get married to A$AP Rocky. Rihanna does have a few unused songs in her portfolio but she does not want to use those as the singer thinks that as you get older your prefer ence and taste changes. Fans might be disappointed with this new turn as they have been very eagerly waiting for RiRi’s comeback. According to the source, Rihanna's main priorities are right now getting married to A$AP Rocky and giving birth to the baby.

Kim Kardashian and her ex-husband Kanye West always had a strained relationship, so they were never referred to as a Hollywood trending couple.

Since the couple split up, there has been a lot of opposition between them, which has made several head-

lines after their separation.

He remarried Bianca Censori,

It is what keeps me going…

Now and forever, I am what I am because of you 13 years and we are just getting started ", her Twitter post read."

Sonam Kapoor Ahuja

Her post...

Rihanna

Kim Kardashian

Samantha Ruth Prabhu

Akshay Kumar on his flop films

GIn a recent interview, Akshay Kumar talked extensively about his Canadian citizenship, his late mother, as well as Bollywood's problematic era. The actor was asked about his string of box office failures during the same chat, and in response, he acknowledged that it is entirely his fault. He added that one must disassemble himself because the audiAkshay Kumar said about delivering box office flops, “This is not happening with me for the first time. In my career, I have had 16 consecutive flops at a time. There was a time when I had eight films in a row that did not work. Now, I have had three-four films in a row that did not work. The thing is that it happens

Kangana Calls Out KARAN

Kangana Ranaut has a pattern of commenting on every big film that releases in theatres, but she restricts her observations to box office numbers, usually. Kangana has now taken an interest in Selfiee.

This Friday, Akshay Kumar returned to the big screen with Good Newwz director Raj Mehta and producer Karan Johar’s Dharma production-backed Selfiee. Costarring Emraan Hashmi, Diana Penty and Nushrratt Bharuccha, the film has been garnering poor to mixed reviews from audiences and critics. While the film has reportedly opened to a poor collection, this indeed was a reason for Kangana Ranaut to take a jibe.

Comparing the first-day business of her last outing Dhakaad indirectly with Selfiee, Kangana wrote, “Karan Johar movie Selfie has hardly made 10 lakhs on the first day I don't see even one trade or media person talk about it forget mocking or bullying him the way they harass me…”

In another Instagram story, Kangana re-shared an article with

RANBIR TO PORTRAY SOURAV GANGULY

anbir Kapoor is currently preoccupied with promoting Tu Jhoothi Main Makkaar, his upcoming movie. He has his first collaboration with Shraddha Kapoor. The audience can't wait to see their enchanted connection on the big screen. The actor and former Indian cricketer Sourav Ganguly were spotted together on Sunday, promoting their respective movies.

Their admirers can't control their excitement after seeing photos of them playing cricket together leak on social media. The photos of

them have delighted moviegoers amid the rumors that Ranbir may play Sourav in the biography.

Ranbir can be seen in the photos sporting an all-black ensemble with the phrase ‘Ranbir's Makkaar’ inscribed over it. On the back of his t-shirt are printed ‘RK’and the number 8. However, Ganguly can be seen donning a white t-shirt with the words ‘Dada's Jhoothi’ printed on it. On the back of him are printed the words ‘Ganguly’ and the number 99. On the field, they can both be seen cheering for their team. It will be fascinating to watch Ranbir portray Ganguly in his biography.

Kisi Ka Bhai Kisi Ki Jaan reviewed by Salman's family

One of the most anticipated movies of the year is Kisi Ka Bhai Kisi Ki Jaan, starring superstar Salman Khan. The action comedy is slated for release on April 21 during Eid.

The report quoted a source as saying, ‘Kisi Ka Bhai Kisi Ki Jaan is Salman’s passion project. He has a certain vision for the action drama and wants it to translate well on the screen. He took a break from his editing duties

this week as he was exhausted after attending at some weddings.’ The report further said that Salman showed the film’s first cut to his family.

na chalna (a film not working). The audience has changed, you need to change, and you need to dismantle yourself. You have to start again because the audience requires you to see something else.”

He went on to add that one should take this as a great alarm. “Aapki film nahi chal rahi to galti aapki hai. When your films flop in a row, it is an alarm for you that it is time for you to change. Mai koshish kar raha hun, wahi kar sakta hoon,” said Akshay Kumar, Adding, “Do not blame the audience or anyone else. It is my fault, 100%. Aapki film na chalna is not because of audience. It is because of what you selected. Maybe you have not given the right ingredients in the film.”

Sanjay Dutt has established a reputation for playing villains, from Khalnayak to Kancha Cheena in Agneepath, and has proven that no one can equal his acting prowess while portraying an anti-hero. There have, however, been numerous rumours that Sanjay Dutt will appear in Hera Pheri 4 as a villain. And the actor talked candidly about playing the villain again during a recent interview. Sanjay Dutt recently spoke about how the linguistic barrier between the film industry has been removed, and now just cinema is produced. He said, “This is such an interesting period as an actor, where we get all sorts of roles from every corner of the country. The good thing is that the language barrier has disappeared now. With films like KGF and RRR, movies are simply movies now. I am excited about the kind of parts ten for me. This is the most fun I have had in

Ravie Dubey hosted a reunion!

Ravie Dubey is one actor who has a charming personality and infectious magnetism. ecently he threw a get-together at his home for the cult show Saas Bina Sasural.

Vipul D. Shah, Aishwariya

Sakhuja, Arvind Vaidya, Rishi Khurana, Megha Jadhav, Srman Jain and Rajinder Chawla turned up at the reunion. The entire gang was seen enjoying and recalling the moments of the cult show which was a big hit 12 years ago. Ravie Dubey posted on Instagram, “Happiness and warmth and love and bliss and everything nice that’s what we were like together 12 years ago and that’s what we are now”.

Ravie would be seen in the movie Farradday in December 2023. The first look of the movie has left netizens awestruck.

Akshay Kumar

Kangana Ranaut

Her story...

Sanjay Dutt

Glimpse of the reunion

Arvind Vaidya, Vipul D Shah, Pushpank Gawade with Ravie Dubey

Ravie Dubey with Aishwarya Sakhuja

Poster of the film

Ranbir Kapoor