First India-Jaipur Edition-27th December 2022

BJP’S GUJ WIN TO HAVE “POSITIVE IMPACT” ON 2024 ELECTIONS: SHAH

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RAHUL BRAVES DELHI COLD IN T-SHIRT, VISITS MEMORIALS OF FORMER PMs

New York: A deadly winter storm, that swept the United States on Christmas week, has so far claimed 32 lives and left over 20 lakh people without power. Life-threatening chills and icy winds have lunhed millions of Americans into deep freeze with temperatures dropping as low as minus 45 degrees Celsius in some areas.

BSF JAWAN BEATEN TO DEATH IN GUJARAT

Nadiad: A BSF officer was lynched to death in Nadiad, Gujarat, after he protested against the ciruclation of an obscene video of his daughter.

Meljibhai Vaghela, a BSF jawan, went to the house of a 15-year-old boy and complained to his family about his daughter’s objectionable video being circulated online by the boy.

Mumbai: The CBI on Monday arrested businessman and promoter of Videocon Group Venugopal Dhoot in a case pertaining to a loan of Rs 3,250 crore from ICICI Bank. The arrest came three days after federal probe agency arrested ICICI Bank’s former Managing Director and CEO Chanda Kochhar and her husband Deepak Kochhar in this case.

According to sources, Chanda Kochhar and Deepak Kochhar had close relationship and prior acquaintance with Venugopal Dhoot V (Chairman and MD of Videocon Industries Limited (VIL) and Promoter of Videocon Group) and Videocon Group of Companies.

Chanda Kochhar was also a shareholder in a company in which Dhoot had a substantial shareholding.

‘PRACHANDA’ TAKES OATH AS NEPAL PM FOR THIRD TIME!

CM also reviews preps for Scouts and Guides Jamboree to be held in Pali from Jan 4 to 10

Naresh Sharma

Jaipur: CM Ashok Gehlot on Monday said that the general public should use masks in public places while being careful regarding Covid. “Apart from Covid, the mask is also beneficial in other diseases.

By wearing a mask, a decline has been registered in the number of

I https://firstindia.co.in/epapers/jaipur

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PM Narendra Modi attends ‘Veer Baal Diwas’ programme, at Major Dhyanchand Stadium on Monday.

Moni Sharma

Mumbai: Bollywood actor Sushant Singh Rajput was found dead under mysterious circumstances at his apartment on June 14, 2020, a Cooper Hospital employee, Roopkumar Shah - who was a part of team that conducted the post-mortem in the high-profile case - claimed that the actor did not commit suicide but was murdered. Reportedly, postmortem had stated that cause

patients of many serious diseases including TB,” Gehlot said while addressing the Covid review meeting at CMR on Monday. He said that the immunity and vaccina-

registered by the CBI also alleges that loan of Rs 300 crore was sanctioned to Videocon International Electronics Limited (VIEL) by ICICI Bank on August 26, 2009 and on September 7, 2009 the same was disbursed to the firm VIEL

 FIR

CM Ashok Gehlot presides Covid review meeting with Parsadi Lal Meena, Usha Sharma, Akhil Arora, Kuldeep Ranka, Gaurav Goyal, Dr Sudhir Bhandari, Dr Prithvi and others at the CMR on Monday.

tion status is very good in the state and there is no need for the common people to panic.

RUHS Vice Chancellor Dr Sudhir Bhandari said that 96.4 percent

BAFFLING BOLLYWOOD DEATHS

‘The day will help us celebrate the past and would inspire us to build the future & encourage the youth,’ PM Modi said this day will forever remind us of the contribution of 10 Gurus, sacrifices of Sikhs for the pride and glory of the country. P5

On one hand, there was terrorism, and spiritualism, and communal mayhem while on the other hand there was liberalism...on one hand there were forces of lakhs whereas on the other hand there was Veer Sahibzaade who did not relent at all.

—Narendra Modi, Prime Minister

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy sought India’s support on Monday in implementation of his “peace formula” during a telecon with Modi, who strongly reiterated his call for an immediate cessation of hostilities between Ukraine and Russia. Modi said both sides should revert to dialogue and diplomacy to find a solution to their differences and conveyed India’s support for any peace efforts.

COVID-19 MOCK DRILLS ACROSS NATION TODAY

First India Bureau

—Ashok Gehlot, CM

people in the state have got the first dose of Covid vaccine and 90 percent people have got the 2nd. “So far, more than 11.53 crore vaccines have been given in Rajasthan,” Gehlot said.

New Delhi: A drill will be held today across a number of health facilities in several States and Union territories to ensure their readiness to deal with any eventuality related to Covid-19, following an advisory by the Centre.

Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya will visit Safdarjung Hospital in Delih. The drill is being conducted in view of rising Covid cases in some countries including China. P6

HIGHLIGHTS

foreigners test positive in Bodh Gaya, Mandaviya holds virtual meet with top IMA doctors

of the passengers returning from highrisk countries including China test positive for Covid

Sushant Singh Rajput was murdered: Autopsy staff

of his death was asphyxia due to hanging, and called it a clear suicide.

Shah said, when Sushant passed away, we had received 5 dead bodies for postmortem. Out of those, one was a VIP body. While postmortem process of Sushant, we saw there were several marks on his body and 2 to 3 marks on his neck as well. Postmortem needed to be recorded but authorities were asked to only click pics of the body. Hence, we did that as per their order.

When

I

—Roopkumar Shah, Autopsy staff

SHRADDHA MURDER FORCED BREAKUP WITH TUNISHA: SHEEZAN TELLS COPS

Mumbai: Amid probe of Tunisha’s death case, her ex-boyfriend Sheezan Khan told police that he was ‘so disturbed by the atmosphere in the country’ after the murder of Shraddha Walkar by her live-in partner Aaftab Poonawala, that he decided to end his relationship with the late actor. The actor reportedly said that he told Tunisha that their relationship was not sustainable due to their different religions and age gap. More on P6

I first saw the body of Sushant, I quickly informed my seniors that it is not suicide but a murder and even asked them they should work as per the rules. However, my seniors told me to click pictures as soon as possible and give the body to the cops. Hence, we performed the postmortem in the night only.

will not be able to comment on the same as the sisters have not told me about it. But I maintain that Sushant Singh Rajput’s death was not a simple suicide as there was a conspiracy behind it. And only CBI will be able to unravel the conspiracy behind his death. —Vikas Singh, SSR’s lawyer

Tunisha had recently tried to commit suicide a few days before her death, but at that time I saved her and told Tunisha’s mother to take special care of her.

—Sheezan Khan

First India Bureau

MINOR STOMACH INFECTION: FM SITHA ADMITTED TO DELHI AIIMS

New Delhi: Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman was admitted to AIIMS, New Delhi, on Monday reportedly due to a minor stomach infection and for a routine. 63-year-old will be discharged soon as her condition is stable.

Venugopal Dhoot before the CBI court in Mumbai on Monday. EVIDENCE RECEIVED AGAINST

Loan of Rs 300 crore, fiver other high value loans worth Rs 1,575 crore were sanctioned and disbursed by ICICI to Videocon Group during 2009 to 2011

Veer Baal Diwas stands for ‘Shaurya’, ‘Sikh balidan’: PM

Prime Minister Narendra Modi waves in presence of Hardeep Singh Puri, Arjun Ram Meghwal, Meenakshi Lekhi and others during ‘Veer Baal Diwas’ programme in New Delhi on Monday.

First India Bureau

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the programme organised to mark the remembrance of the supreme sacrifice by the sons of Guru Gobind Singh-- Sahibzades, and Mata Gujri Ji on the occasion of Veer Baal Diwas on Monday said that we need to come out of the narrow perspectives of the past if we want to take our country to reach newer heights of success.

P ushpa Kamal Dahal “Prachanda” was on Monday sworn in as the Prime Minister of Nepal for the third time, a day after the former guerrilla leader dramatically walked out of the pre-poll alliance led by the Nepali Congress and joined hands with opposition leader KP Sharma Oli.

Newly appointed Nepal PM Pushpa Kamal Dahal poses for a photo as he takes charge of his office, in Kathmandu.

US WINTER STORM CLAIMS 32 LIVES

New Delhi: Wearing a T-shirt on a chilling December morning on Monday, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi visited the memorials of Mahatma Gandhi and several former prime ministers, including Atal Bihari Vajpayee, and paid tributes to them in Delhi. While security, Cong leaders wore jackets and mufflers.

New Delhi: Union Home Minister Amit Shah noted that BJP’s massive victory in recent Gujarat Assembly polls will change “entire political picture”, while also confiding that it will have a “positive impact” on 2024 LS elections.

WITH COVID RAISING HEAD AGAIN, CM GEHLOT ADVOCATES WEARING MASK

The number of Covid patients has increased recently in many countries. But there is no such situation in Rajasthan. There is no need for the common man to panic.

PREZ ZELENSKYY SPEAKS WITH PM MODI, THANKS INDIA FOR HUMANITARIAN AID

Intense cold, fog hit normal life; Fatehpur shivers at minus 0.5

In Churu & Pilani mercury settled at 0 degree Celsius and 0.2 degree Celsius respectively

Jaipur: Intense cold conditions and fog affected normal life in parts of Rajasthan on Monday, with sub-zero temperatures being recorded in Sikar’s Fatehpur.

At a minimum temperature of minus 0.5 degree Celsius, Fatehpur was recorded as the coldest place in the desert state, followed by Churu and Pilani (Jhunjhunu) where the mercury settled at 0 degree Celsius and 0.2 degree Celsius respectively on Sunday night, according to the meteorological department.

Karauli recorded a minimum temperature of 0.5 degree Celsius, Sikar 1 degree Celsius,

Shabbir murder: Police arrests 6, manhunt on for

Alwar 2 degrees Celsius, Bikaner 2.4 degrees Celsius, Bhilwara 2.7 degrees Celsius, Na-

gaur 3 degrees Celsius, Sri Ganganagar, Sangaria and Vanasthali 4.4 degrees Celsius,

CHURU ALSO RECORDS ZERO DEGREE CELSIUS

Sirohi (PTI): The desert state of Rajasthan is experiencing a record dip in mercury this year with the hill station of Mount Abu experiencing snowfall and the city of Churu, the gateway to the Thar, recording zero degree Celsius. People on the high rocky Aravalli plateau of Mount Abu near the Gujarat border woke up to snow-covered grounds, and glass sheets on vehicles. The minimum temperature in another Rajasthan city Churu, which is known as the gateway to the Thar Desert also slipped to zero degree Celsius on Monday. Northern India is in the grip of severe cold with many parts experiencing cold wave conditions.

Congress only working on appeasement policy: Poonia

First India Bureau

Alwar: Citing the example of Alwar’s Rajgarh bus stand which is not functioning, BJP state president Satish Poonia on Monday said that the bus stand reflects how the Congress government works.

Shivling was demolished in the town which gave a strong message against Congress. They are only working on appeasement policy & discriminating on the basis of caste & religion.

welcomed by the party leaders and workers in Rajgarh. He also reached BJP district general secretary Shivlal Meena’s residence and expressed condolence on the demise of his mother.

Dholpur and Anta 4.5 degrees Celsius, Chittorgarh 4.7 degrees Celsius, Dabok 5 de-

Seven judicial officers transferred, Bansal is registrar admin of HC

First India Bureau

Jaipur: Seven judicial officers were transferred in the state on Monday. Suresh Chand Bansal was made the Registrar of Administration in the High Court Jaipur while Bharat Bhushan Gupta will be the Judge in Family Court-2, Bharatpur.

Judge Dinesh Tyagi was transferred to

Commercial Court-1, Jaipur Metropolitan- II, and Satishchand Kaushik was transferred to POCSO Court, Merta,

Nagaur as a judge.

Shilpa Sameer will be the new Special Secretary, Law dept (Drafting and J.T.LR), Jaipur whereas Pramod Kumar Malik was made the Special Judge, NDPS Court-1, JaipurI, and Aarti Maheshwari was transferred as Deputy Secretary (Action Planning and ADR), to Rajasthan State Legal Services Authority in Jaipur.

grees Celsius, Phalodi (Jodhpur) 5.2 degrees Celsius and Bundi 5.5 degrees Celsius.

Addressing a Jan Aakrosh meeting at the bus stand in Rajgarh, Poonia said that Shivling was demolished in the town which gave a

Satish Poonia, BJP State President

strong message against the Congress. Earlier, Poonia was

District in-charge Vishnu Chetani, former MLA Ramhet Yadav, Banwari Lal Singhal, ST Morcha state president

Jitendra Meena district president Sanjay Naruka & other leaders were present on the occasion.

Rape victim climbs water tank with son

First India Bureau

Jaipur: A rape victim climbed onto a water tank with her 8-year-old child on Monday and sat upstairs for about two hours. Her complaint is registered in the women’s police station in Barmer, and the investigation should be done by an honest officer. On receiving information, Sadar police reached the spot after this Civil Defence team was also called. The

Jaipur: The police have arrested the main accused in the Shabbir murder case in the Vishwakarma area.

The police have also recovered the knife and other weapons used in the murder from the miscreants. According to the police, there was a tussle between the deceased Shabbir, and the main accused Arif over the loading of goods in the vehicle of the courier firm. After a heated argument between the two, the management arranged for a settlement between the two. The very next day, Arif called some of his associates and severely assaulted Shabbir and he was attacked with a knife and other sharp weapons. In an injured condition, the police admitted him to Kavatia Hospital where he died during treatment.

Ticket is secondary, party is first: Mathur

Aishwary Pradhan

Jaipur: Senior BJP leader and former Rajya Sabha MP Om Mathur reacted to the speculation that the formula of cutting tickets of many leaders and giving them to new people will be implemented in Rajasthan like it was done in Gujarat.

“Getting tickets is not a big deal. People should join the party and new people should get a chance,” he said in a special conversation with First India. Mathur said about the Gujarat ticket formula that only 44 tickets were cut in Gujarat and new people were given opportunities. “This is not

a huge number. Tickets keep changing in Rajasthan too but an atmosphere is being created by spreading such rumours. If new people come to the party then they should get a chance,” he said.

Mathur targeted the Congress for raising questions on the lack of crowd gathering in Jan Aakrosh Yatras as compared to Bharat Jodo Yatra.

woman climbed on the water tank of Loco Colony at around 12.15 am. The 28-year-old woman

from Barmer said that she had given a complaint at the women’s police station, however,

Heavy rush of tourists leads to traffic snarls and chaos at many places in the Pink City

First India Bureau

Jaipur: Heavy inflow of tourists in the pink city led to traffic jams and chaos at many places in the city on Monday. The rush of tourists was high at places like Amber, Nagahrgrah fort, and Kanak Garden which led to traffic congestion at most of the places.

Hundreds of vehicles were stuck in the jam from Jal Mahal to Amber check post.

There was a jam of nearly 6 km from Amber to Gandhi Chowk, check post. The arrangements made by the traffic police

were insufficient.

The police blocked all roads leading from Delhi highway to Am-

IAS Verma stresses on mission-mode

First India Bureau

Jaipur: IAS Sandeep Verma, Principal Secretary, on Monday visited the Bengaluru Zonal Training Institute (ZTI) of the National Academy of Customs, Indirect Taxes, and Narcotics (NACIN) to conduct an orientation workshop on budgeting and procurement aspects of the Academy’s upcoming new campus at Palasamudram in Sri Sathya Sai District of

of a mission-mode, fast-

track approach focussed on ensuring speed, quality, and flexibility in budgeting and

EXTENDS THANKS

need for proactive identification and constant monitoring of potential hindrances and risks, in order t hat such roadblocks are cleared well ahead of time, thereby facilitating rapid project execution and faster roll-out within the strict timelines set by the Union Finance Minister.

ber due to which the vehicles had to cover an extra 20 km to reach Amber.

RTDC STARTS HELICOPTER JOYRIDE IN JAISALMER

Jaipur: To promote the tourism in Jaisalmer region, the Helicopter Joyride is being initiated by Rajasthan Tourism Development Corporation (RTDC). Helicopter Joyride will be started on Tuesday, December 27, from Sam Dhani, Sam, and Jaisalmer. CM Ashok Gehlot and Tourism Minister Vishvendra Singh will inaugurate this program virtually. Dharmendra Rathore, Chairman of RTDC said that with the aim of promoting tourism in Rajasthan, the helicopter joyride initiative is being taken from Jaisalmer under the aegis of RTDC.

she is very upset as no action has been taken on her complaint. She has also met Barmer’s senior officer and Barmer Superintendent of Police several times regarding the complaint but in vain.

Dejected by the police response, she decided to climb on the water tank on Monday. After this, the phase of convincing the woman started and at last they were brought down with the help of a snorkel ladder machine.

3 killed, two injured as car falls into gorge in Chittorgarh

PK Agarwal

Chittorgarh: Three people were killed and two others injured when their car fell into a gorge after colliding with a divider in Chittorgarh district on Monday, police said. The accident occurred early in the morning near Rati Mangri when the five passengers were returning to Chittorgarh from Udaipur, they said. The deceased were ABVP workers and identified as Sanwaria Somani (27), Gaurav Agarwal (22), and Raghunath Singh (24), ASI Balwant Singh of Mangalwad police station, said.

DGP Mishra meets policemen, listens to public grievances

Ravi Katara

procurement processes being adopted for the construction of the new campus. He stressed the

He also emphasised on adoption of a modular approach for campus building construction and operationalisation.

Umesh Mishra listening to problems of the public in Bharatpur.

The DGP also held a crime meeting at the SP office. On the copying gang mafia, the DGP said that they are seeking amendment in the

PASA Act. Education and society also suffered a huge loss, but the accused are usually saved on the fact that this was their first crime.

Satish Poonia addressing the Jan Aakrosh Yatra at Thanagazi in Alwar on Monday.

Andhra Pradesh. Verma stressed the need for the adoption

ORIENTATION WORKSHOP IN BENGALURU ZTI

First India Bureau

People were seen all covered during a cold and foggy Monday morning in Jaipur.

—PHOTO BY SANTOSH SHARMA

Mother & her son were brought down by snorkel ladder machine at Loco Colony in Jaipur. —PHOTO BY SANTOSH SHAMA

Deceased Shabbir

other accused

First India Bureau

Bharatpur: DGP Umesh Mishra, who is on a two-day Bharatpur tour, held a public hearing in the IG office on Monday and listened to the problems of the public also. Mishra also attended the culture night organized at the Maharaja Surajmal memorial and held a meeting with the policemen in the police line where the policemen told their problems to the DGP.

Sandeep Verma conducting orientation at Bengaluru Zonal Training Institute on Monday.

Amber Fort saw a huge rush of tourists ahead of New Year celebrations in Jaipur on Monday.

—PHOTO BY SANTOSH SHARMA

OPPOSITION PROTESTS, SEEKS CBI PROBE

Ajmer/Jaipur: The Opposition BJP and RLP on Monday held protests across Rajasthan against the 2nd grade teachers’ recruitment examination paper leak. The BJP and the RLP held protests separately in the state and demanded CBI inquiry in the case.

“A CBI inquiry should be ordered into the matter. It is the 11th paper that has been leaked in the state under the Congress rule. This is a betrayal with the candidates,” BJP MLA Vasudev Devnani told reporters in Ajmer. BJP

MP Bhagirath Choudhary and other party leaders participated in the protests, which were held in Jaipur, Jodhpur, Kota and other districts.

In Jaipur, the BJYM burnt the effigy of CM Ashok Gehlot by protesting in all the districts including the state capital Jaipur. During this, slogans were also raised against the government over the paper leak of teachers’ recruitment.

During this, there was a fierce scuffle between the BJYM workers and the police.

—with PTI inputs

Rajasthan being ruled by exam mafias: Rathore

Aishwary Pradhan

Jaipur : BJP national spox Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore surrounded the State govt on the paper leak issue. “Rajasthan is ruled by many types of mafia including gravel mafia, mining mafia, paper leak mafia. The law is at a standstill. Rajasthan has become a den of copying mafias and these mafias are getting

protection from above somewhere, that’s why these incidents are happening,” he told the media persons here on Monday.

Enforcement inspector, broker in ACB net for taking `10,000

First India Bureau

Bharatpur: On the instructions of the ACB HQs, the ACB team took action in Bharatpur and arrested Subodh Kumar, Enforcement Inspector, Logistics Department, Bayana, Bharatpur and his broker Bhagwan Das Garg (ration dealer) red-handed while accepting a bribe amount of Rs 10,000 from complainant.

DG of ACB BL Soni said a complaint was received by the ACB Karauli unit that Subodh Kumar Enforcement Inspector Logistics Dept Bayana, Bharatpur, in return for not allowing problems in the operation of fair price (ration) shops, demanding a bribe amount of Rs 20,000 through his broker Bhagwan Das Garg. A trap operation was carried out, in which, both caught redhanded while accepting the bribe of Rs 10,000.

Udaipur: A deputy jailor along with his middleman was arrested by the anti-corruption bureau while allegedly taking a bribe of Rs 3000 in Udaipur district. The accused Dharamveer, deputy jailor in Kotda sub jail of Udaipur, had demanded bribe from the complainant to give extra facilities to his brother who is lodged in jail.

After verification of the complaint, a trap

ACCUSED HANDLED SOCIAL MEDIA OF MINS

T he alleged mastermind of RPSC paper leak row, Suresh Dhaka`s pictures with leaders is going viral on social media, sources revealed that he managed the social media accounts of several ministers. Dhaka is a resident of Achalpur village, 20 km from Sanchore in Jalore. Sources have said that Dhaka handled the Twitter accounts and Facebook pages of many ministers. All his own social media accounts are verified. Earlier also Dhaka went to jail in a money laundering case.

RPSC ISSUES ALERT FOR GROUP C EXAM

Strict arrangements have been ordered in the Group C examination, after the question paper of RPSC's senior teacher recruitment examination was leaked. The Group C exam will be held on Tuesday. Instructions have been issued to the administration and the police to make strict security arrangements for the teacher recruitment exam. RPSC officials told that there is a need to check the internal system of question paper distribution and management in this exam.

R ajya Sabha MP Kirodilal Meena has revealed that he has obtained complete information on the GK exam paper leak case. This information has come at a point when the Rajasthan Police is yet to find any clue on exactly how the RPSC's senior teacher recruitment exam’s GK question paper was leaked. MP Meena has clearly said that the secret branch of the RPSC has put out the papers, and very soon he will reveal everything with proof.

Uproar during RU syndicate meeting

Bharat Dixit

Jaipur: The Syndicate meeting in Rajasthan University lasted for about 3:30 hours and ended without any decision.

There was more ruckus in the meeting.

During this there were several clashes between the police and the students, even mild force was used by the police.

About 10 proposals were mainly discussed in the Syndicate meeting that started at 11:00 am on Monday at the Rajasthan University.

The atmosphere was also seen when there was a proposal to make 6 research associates professors, there was a fierce debate between registrar and 2 members.

Not only this, all the DRs, including Rajasthan University’s registrar Nilima Takshak, left the meeting. The members of NSUI and ABVP gathered in large numbers outside the VC’s Secretariat for their demands. The contract workers and teachers of Rajasthan University also started shouting slogans for their demands.

The clashes between ABVP and NSUI members also happened due to which a student was hurt. On behalf of the teachers, they were demanding the implementation of the new regulation of UGC 2018, while the contract workers were demanding increasing the honorarium.

was laid and the accused was held while taking the bribe of Rs 3000.

Along with Dharmaveer, his middleman Karan Singh, a private man, was also arrested for his involvement in the case, DG ACB BL Soni said.

First India Bureau

Jaipur: Taking a sensitive decision, Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot has given relief to the dependents of deceased ration dealers, in total 61 cases of allotment of fair price shops on compassionate grounds received from different districts of the state. Due to the relaxation in these cases, the dependents will now be able to operate fair price shops. With this decision taken by Gehlot, the dependent families of the deceased ration dealers will get strength.

As per the proposal, the Chief Minister has given relaxation in total 61 cases related to minimum and maximum age, minimum educational qualification, delay in application period and other qualifications for dependents of deceased ration dealers.

KOTA COACHING SUICIDES

Kota: One more case has been filed against Associate Professor Girish Parmar of the RTU. The accused, being the principal of a private college, tried to molest a girl student on the pretext of marriage.

In this case too, breaking the silence, the victim has registered a

case at RK Puram police station. The accused used to threaten the student that he was the principal of the college and she had to come with him. When the stu-

COURTESY CALL

dent did not go to meet him alone, the accused had failed her. Then he tried to rape her on the pretext of marriage.

SP Kesar Singh Shekhawat told that after the incident of RTU came to light, the police had appealed that the people who is a victim of any kind of harassment should also inform the police.

First India Bureau

Sikar: Former Director of Enforcement Directorate Karnal Singh on Monday said that blaming the ED is wrong.

He said that the ED does fair investigation and scope of investigation increased after the increase in manpower.

“Govts do not interfere in the work of ED. If there is any problem with the investigation of ED, then the corrupt can go to the court. No case has been registered on ED till date. ED investigates on the basis of facts,” he said on Monday.

He hailed Shekhawati as the land of brave martyrs. He said that Shekhawati gave two Vice-Presidents to the country.

RSCPCR chief Beniwal meets students

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Beniwal said if there is any problem they can tell their coaching director and counsellor, but never think of taking a wrong step like suicide

Kota: Child Protection Commission Chairperson Sangeeta Beniwal reached the city on Monday after the suicide of three coaching students in last 12 hours and after that, a case of suicide of another coaching student came to the fore.

After reaching Kota, she first reached the coaching area located at the landmark where she interacted with the children in coaching insti-

tute. She tried to motivate the students.

After this, she went to the coaching institute in

Rajiv Gandhi Nagar and had talks with the students. Meanwhile, she called a batch topper stu-

dent on the stage, and while talking, the student became emotional. However, the reasons for this weren’t disclosed by the student. Beniwal told the students that if there is any problem, they can tell their coaching director and counsellor, but never think of taking a wrong step. The result will matter when you stay with your parents. So think about your parents before taking any wrong steps, Beniwal added.

Jaipur : To tighten the noose around smugglers, the customs department has decided to encourage people to share information about gold, drugs smuggling or tax evasion in lieu of which cash reward will be given by the department.

Under the depart -

ment’s scheme, maximum 20 percent of the value of the seized item will be given to the informer. Along with this, 20 percent of the penalty amount will

also be given. Rs 1500 per 10 gram of gold, Rs 3000 per kg of silver, Rs 6000 per kg of opium, Rs 1,20,000 per kg of heroin, Rs 2,40,000 per kg of cocaine, Rs 2000 per kg of hashish will be given.

Online information can also be given. Four officers of the department including one deputy commissioner have been assigned the responsibility for the scheme. Contact numbers of the officers have also been released.

Bhanwar S Charan

First India Bureau

First India Bureau

First India Bureau

First India Bureau

n Section 144 was imposed outside the RPSC due to the protest by the BJYM in Ajmer

n Fierce scuffle broke out between the BJYM workers and the police in Civil Lines, Jaipur

BJYM burning the effigy of CM Ashok Gehlot at Civil Lines crossing, Jaipur on Monday while police officials trying to stop the agitators. —PHOTO BY SANTOSH SHARMA

Accused Subodh Kumar and broker Bagwan Das in ACB custody.

Sangeeta Beniwal interacting with students in Kota on Monday.

Accused Dharamveer, middleman Karan Singh in ACB custody.

Another case of molestation against RTU prof registered, FIR lodged

To tighten noose on smugglers, Customs to reward informers

CM approves compensatory jobs in fair price shops

ED probes are based on facts, says ex-chief Karnal Singh

RCA President Vaibhav Gehlot paid a courtesy visit to Governor Kalraj Mishra in Raj Bhavan on Monday after he was recently re-elected as the head of the cricketing body.

MP Bhagirath Choudhary, MLA Anita Bhadel, MLA Vasudev Devnani, other BJP leaders in RPSC office, Ajmer on Monday.

RLP workers staging protest at Jaipur Collectorate on Monday.

‘I WILL REVEAL EVERYTHING WITH PROOF’ DR KIRODI ON PAPER LEAK

Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore.

People can also inform the officials online

NSUI members protest during syndicate meeting in Raj Uni on Monday. —PHOTO BY SUNIL SHARMA

INDIA BEATS BANGLADESH, STAYS IN HUNT TO REACH WORLD TEST CHAMPIONSHIP FINAL

India pipped Bangladesh by three wickets in an exciting 2nd Test to register a clean sweep in the twomatch series. With this victory, India retained their second spot on the World Test Championship table. But the close shave in the Mirpur game, which could have gone either way till the last moment, reflects that Team India has had an ordinary year. As the New Year beckons, there are serious concerns and challenges that confront India in test cricket.

India’s batting approach in the series with Bangladesh was a far cry from the aggression promised by KL Rahul and the team management. Knocking off the modest target of 145 should have been an easy task for India. It was only a superb stand between Shreyas Iyer and Ravichandran Ashwin that saved India from an embarrassing first-ever loss to Bangladesh in Test cricket. Indian batting in recent tests has often left a lot to be desired. While KL Rahul is going through a horror patch, even Virat Kohli has been far from his best in test cricket despite his recent resurgence in white ball format.

way for Rohit Sharma to become the skipper in all three formats.

But with Rohit remaining injuryprone at 35, the year saw a virtual musical chairs over captaincy.

Kohli’s resignation and Rohit’s injuries have created a situation whereby six players have led the team across formats this year.

Despite the hiccups and headaches, Team India still has a strong chance of qualifying for the World Test Championship final provided they win 3 out of 4 Tests against Australia who are currently the table toppers. If Indian batsmen can start firing at their best and the bowlers can retain the striking ability they have displayed in recent matches, Team India could well make it to the World Test Championship final in June 2023

The disappointing performance of the batting unit and some tactical mistakes raise lots of questions just before the upcoming home series against Australia. While Indian batters need not copy England’s aggressive batting style, known as ‘Bazball’, they can take a leaf out of their book in chasing 145. Just a few days earlier on a tricky Karachi pitch, England had chased down a target of 167 in barely 28.1 overs for the loss of only two wickets. The Indian top-order could surely learn a few valuable lessons instead of looking like rookies against the Bangladesh spinners.

The below par show in Bangladesh reflects clearly that things haven’t exactly gone as per plans in 2022 which has been a bittersweet year for Indian cricket. The year had begun on a promising note as India defeated South Africa in a convincing fashion in their first test at Centurion. But these were followed by two successive losses as the Proteas ran away with the series that India initially seemed set to win.

Defeat in South Africa led to Virat Kohli suddenly resigning as the Test captain, clearing the

Rohit Sharma’s injury-induced absence highlights one of the biggest headaches for the Indian team in 2022 – the non-availability of several key performers. Perhaps the most notable absence that has hurt India’s chances in a big way is that of ace-pacer, Jasprit Bumrah, who has hardly played for Team India since the tour of South Africa in January. The other huge loss has been the injury to Ravindra Jadeja which has affected the team’s morale and its balance.

The growing list of injured players reflects the urgent need for more effective workload management and greater emphasis on fitness regimens.

After the defeat to South Africa in January, the team thrashed Sri Lanka comprehensively in the two-test series in March. But in the only test against England this year, Team India floundered badly and were defeated by the Ben Stokes-led unit by seven wickets.

Despite the mixed bag in terms of results, India’s underrated bowling unit has done rather well. Even in the Bangladesh series, Indian bowlers got 40 wickets in the two tests though

WILL SP, BSP BACK BHARAT JODO IN UP

fter a gap of 9 days the Bharat Jodo Yatra (BJY) will enter Uttar Pradesh on January 3 for a short journey to three districts in the western part of the state. Congress has invited the Samajwadi Party leader Akhilesh Yadav and Mayawati of the Bahujan Samaj Party to join the rally. Om Prakash Rajbhar of Suheldev Bharatiya Samaj Party has also been urged to join the march which is out to spread the message of love and brotherhood to counter the hate being allegedly peddled by the BJP. Will Akhilesh and Mayawati accept the invite and send their representatives to join the march? The SP’s alliance partner the Rashtriya Lok Dal is under-

Congress

India pipped Bangladesh by three wickets in an exciting 2nd Test to register a clean sweep in the twomatch series. With this victory, India retained their second spot on the World Test Championship table. But the close shave in the Mirpur game, which could have gone either way till the last moment, reflects that Team India has had an ordinary year

their propensity to let the opposition tail wag nearly cost them the second Test. To win in Test cricket, a side needs to take 20 wickets and Indian bowlers struck with regularity throughout the Test series.

This brings us to the ticklish issue of arbitrary selections. Undoubtedly, the worst and most controversial was the dropping of left arm spinner Kuldeep Ya-

SUPERB STAND BETWEEN IYER AND ASHWIN SAVED TEAM INDIA

stood to have confirmed its participation.

The BJY will traverse the districts of Baghpat, Shamli and Kairana. Any hint of SP and BSP joining the second-leg of the march will be of extreme

India’s batting approach in the series with Bangladesh was a far cry from the aggression promised by KL Rahul and the team management. Knocking off the modest target of 145 should have been an easy task for India. It was only a superb stand between Shreyas Iyer and Ravichandran Ashwin that saved India from an embarrassing first-ever loss to Bangladesh in Test cricket. Indian batting in recent tests has often left a lot to be desired. While KL Rahul is going through a horror patch, even Virat Kohli has been far from his best in test cricket despite his recent resurgence in white ball format.

dav from the second test against Bangladesh. Despite taking 8 wickets, scoring 40 runs and winning the Man of The Match award in the first test, Yadav was axed to include a trundler like Jayadev Unadkat – a decision that defied all cricketing logic.

Despite the hiccups and headaches, Team India still has a strong chance of qualifying for the World Test Championship

political significance for 2024. So far Mayawati has distanced herself from the SP and the Congress and chances of their coming together seem remote. Towards the end of 2022 the possibility which seems strong is of a three-cornered contest. Those trying to smell the coffee read much into the BSP MP from Jaunpur, Shyam Singh Yadav, joining Rahul Gandhi’s foot march in Delhi for about three hours. On any normal day Mayawati would have called for his explanation. That makes one suspect that a tripartite arrangement between the three main players could be in the offing for 2024. The RLD, it is believed, will readily play tango. That should make the contest somewhat lip-smacking.

I

final provided they win 3 out of 4 Tests against Australia who are currently the table toppers. If Indian batsmen can start firing at their best and the bowlers can retain the striking ability they have displayed in recent matches, Team India could well make it to the World Test Championship final in June 2023.

Rajnath Singh @rajnathsingh

On the martyrdom day of Baba Zorawar Singh ji and Baba Fateh Singh ji, I bow down to their martyrdom. He sacrificed his life, not bowing down against oppression and tyranny. Celebrated today #VeerBaalDiwas will continue to inspire the future generations of the country with the success story of his bravery.

SPIRITUAL SPEAK

Winter, summer, happiness, and pain; Giving, appearing, disappearing; Nonpermanent, all of them; Just try to tolerate.

Bhagavad Gita

has invited SP leader Akhilesh and Mayawati of BSP to join the rally. Om Prakash Rajbhar of Suheldev Bharatiya Samaj Party has also been urged to join the march which is out to spread the message of love and brotherhood to counter the hate being allegedly peddled by the BJP

Jagat Prakash Nadda @JPNadda

bow down to ‘Veer Bal Diwas’ dedicated to the martyrdom of Sahibzade Zorawar Singh ji and Fateh Singh ji of Shri Guru Gobind Singh ji. Your patriotism and piety will always inspire every Indian to dedicate everything for the nation and culture.

TOP TWEETS

THE VIEWS EXPRESSED BY THE AUTHOR ARE PERSONAL

SIDDHAARTH MAHAN The writer is a specialist on Sports and Cinema who works as an actor in the Hindi film industry

Jagdeesh

Editor: Anita Hada Sangwan responsible for selection of news under the

Shah pays tributes to Guru Gobind Singh, Sahibzades, Mata Gujri

UTTARAKHAND CM PAYS TRIBUTES TO GURU’S SAHIBZADES

New Delhi (PTI): Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Monday paid tributes to Guru Gobind Singh, his two sons and Mata Gujri on ‘Veer Bal Diwas’.

Zorawar Singh and Fateh Singh, Guru Gobind Singh’s sons, laid down their lives while defending their faith. Their martyrdom day is observed as ‘Veer Baal Diwas’.

In a tweet in Hindi, Shah said Guru Gobind Singh’s sons bravely faced enemies at a young age to protect the motherland and religion.

The home minister said their bravery is

RaGa invites Akhilesh, Jayant, Mayawati to participate in BJY

New Delhi (Agencies):

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has invited Samajwadi Party (SP) President Akhilesh Yadav, Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) chief Mayawati and Jayant Singh of Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD) to participate in the Bharat Jodo Yatra (BJY), sources said.

A formal letter has been written by the Congress leader but its not clear that whether these leaders have given consent or not, the sources informed.

The Bharat Jodo Yatra will resume from January 3 from Ghaziabad in UP and it is said that Congress wants all like-minded parties to participate in the yatra.

Earlier, many nonCongress leaders and celebrities including actor and politician Kamal Haasan joined the yatra on Saturday.

As the Bharat Jodo Yatra entered Delhi on Saturday, senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi attacked BJP and RSS, saying that their policies are to spread hate but the common people want harmony.

“The policies of the BJP and RSS are to spread fear and hatred, we will not allow it. I

TELANGANA MLAs POACHING CASE

HANDED OVER TO CBI

New Delhi: The Telangana high court on Monday handed over the case relating to the alleged ‘buying’ of four Telangana Rashtra Samithi MLAs (TRS) by those who shared links allegedly with the BJP to the CBI. Justice Vijayasen Reddy was hearing a batch of petitions seeking CBI inquiry. The high court’s ruling in effect invalidated the TRS govt-appointed special investigation team, which has been carrying out the probe thus far. The development can be seen as a setback to K Chandrashekar Rao’s government, which has been cornering the Narendra Modi-led BJP at the Centre.

INDIAN YOUTH CONG TO TAKE MESSAGE OF BJY TO EVERY PART OF THE COUNTRY

New Delhi: The Indian Youth Congress will take the message of the Bharat Jodo Yatra, led by party leader Rahul Gandhi, to every part of the country, it said on Monday. The yatra entered Delhi on Saturday morning with scores of people from Haryana and Delhi joining the march at the Badarpur border amid slogans of “Bharat jodo” (unite India) and “Rahul Gandhi zindabad”. With the beating of drums and playing patriotic songs, the enthusiasm of the yatris was at its peak. Waving Tricolours, thousands of party activists walked behind Gandhi. In a statement on Monday, the Indian Youth Congress (IYC) said it held a three-day meeting of its national executive, which concluded with the resolution to “take the message of Bharat Jodo Yatra to every part of the country”.

CONG APPOINTS OBSERVERS FOR POLLS IN

3 N-E STATES

New Delhi: The Congress on Monday appointed observers for upcoming assembly polls in Meghalaya, Tripura and Nagaland early next year, with party MP Mukul Wasnik named senior observer for the three states. The Congress appointed two observers each for the states. “The Congress president has appointed senior observer and observers for ensuing assembly elections 2023 for the respective states, with immediate effect,” the party said in an official communication. Rajya Sabha MP Mukul Wasnik has been named senior observer for the elections in the three states.

have opened a shop of love in the hatred market,” he said.

After reaching the Red Fort on Saturday, the yatra has taken a break till January 3, 2023.

During the nine-day break, the containers will

the country’s heritage, remembering which the Modi government is observing ‘Veer Bal Diwas’.

“I pay my respects to

Allies cry foul over CBI reopening case against

Lalu

the bravery and sacrifices of the Sahibzades, Mata Gujri and Guru Gobind Singh,” he said. On the occasion of Guru Gobind Singh’s

Dehradun: Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Singh Dhami on Monday paid tributes to 10th Guru Gobind Singh’s four sons who laid down their lives while defending their faith, saying such great sacrifices laid the “foundation” of India’s independence. The martyrdom day of the 10th Guru’s sons is observed as ‘Veer Baal Diwas’. At an event

Guru Nanak Academy

Nanakmatta in Udham

birth anniversary on January 9 this year, the prime minister had announced that December 26 will be observed as ‘Veer Bal Diwas’.

Nagar district, Dhami said by deciding to celebrate this day as Veer Bal Diwas, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has paid true tribute to the martyrdom of Guru Gobind Singh Ji and his four sons — Baba Ajit Singh, Baba Jujhar Singh, Baba Zorawar Singh and Baba Fateh Singh.

BJP says Rahul ‘doing drama’ as he visits Vajpayee’s samadhi

New Delhi (PTI): The BJP on Monday attacked the Congress and demanded an apology over unsavoury remarks made against former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee by a leader attached to the Congress chief’s office, even as the opposition party distanced itself from the controversy.

“RATTLED

BY BJY’S SUCCESS, BJP TRYING TO DERAIL IT”

New Delhi: The Congress on Monday said that the BJP is so much rattled by the success of the Bharat Jodo Yatra and that it is desperately trying to derail it and defame Rahul Gandhi. The Congress also cited several instances of BJP’s “fake claims” made with an attempt to defame Gandhi and his Yatra, and demanded that the ruling party should apologise. Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh claimed that the BJP was sending Intelligence Bureau sleuths to the Bharat Jodo Yatra campsite and was “terrorising” those who met Gandhi during the Yatra.

be repaired and prepared for the harsh winter in the north, according to Congress General Secretary Jairam Ramesh.

“Also, many yatris will be able to spend time with their families after almost four months. The

IN THE COURTYARD

DELHI HC GRANTS PROTECTION TO UNNAO RAPE SURVIVOR IN FORGERY FIR

New Delhi: The Delhi High Court has granted interim protection from “precipitate action” to the 2017 Unnao rape survivor in an FIR registered by the UP police for allegedly forging her date of birth to attract provisions of the POCSO Act in the case in which the now expelled BJP leader Kuldeep Sengar was convicted. Sengar has since been disqualified as an MLA. Justice Anup Jairam Bhambhani issued notice on the anticipatory bail plea by the 21-year-old and directed that subject to the petitioner appearing before the trial court when required.

SC ISSUES NOTICE TO ED ON BAIL PLEA OF SUSPENDED IAS POOJA SINGHAL

New Delhi: The Supreme Court has sought the response of the Enforcement Directorate to a plea filed by suspended IAS officer Pooja Singhal in a money laundering case seeking interim bail to look after her daughter who is ill. A bench issued notice to the ED and others and sought their replies. “Issue notice returnable in the re-opening miscellaneous week of January, 2023 both in the SLP as well as on the application for interim bail,” the bench said.

journey will resume on January 3,” he had said earlier this week.

The yatra will commence from Ghaziabad on January 3 and then from Sanoli Khurd at the Panipat border on January 6.

Patna (PTI): The ruling ‘Mahagathbandhan’ in Bihar on Monday cried foul over reports of a corruption case being reopened against Lalu Prasad, the founding president of the RJD which helms the alliance.

The central agency which is often accused, by parties opposed to the BJP, of having become a political instrument in the hands of the party ruling the Centre, has reopened inquiry into a case against Prasad which it had closed last year.

Former state minister and senior RJD leader Vijay Prakash recalled the “caged parrot” remark of the Supreme Court, made long back while the Congress-led UPA was in power, to allege “misuse” of the agency by the “government at the Centre”.

Gaurav Pandhi, coordinator of Congress chief Kharge’s office and handles social media for him, had put out a tweet alleging that Vajpayee had sided with the British.

He later deleted it as the BJP accused Rahul

Shift KPs to safer Jammu till situation improves: GNA

Srinagar (ANI): Democratic Azad Party Chief and former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad has said that the Kashmiri Pandit employees of the Jammu and Kashmir government should be temporarily shifted to Jammu till the situation improves in Kashmir.

Questioning the safety of the Kashmiri Pandits, he said that life is more important than employment and the government should

transfer Kashmiri Pandits to Jammu. “The Government should transfer Kashmiri Pandit employees to Jammu and transfer them back only when the situation improves,” said Azad.

After Kamal Haasan raising political tempo, will it be Rajinikath next?

Shamsher Singh

New Delhi: Tamil actor Kamal Haasan had formed his own party named Makkal Nidhi Maiyam i.e. MNM and contested 2021 assembly polls in which his party got 2.52% votes. However, this much vote did not have any effect on the election results as the DMK alliance got more than three-fourth of the votes. But the DMK and its allies are worried about the future politics of Kamal Haasan’s party. They felt

that if they become part of any other alliance, the going may get tough for them. Keep in mind that Jayalalithaa’s friend Sasikala’s nephew TTV Dhinakaran had also formed the par-

ty and got 2.30% votes.

Only when the news of Kamal Haasan joining Congress’ Bharat Jodo Yatra came, along with the Congress, the DMK also heaved a sigh of satisfaction. He joined the

Congress yatra on December 24 in Delhi. That proved on which side he is, ideologically. After this, it is believed that Haasan will not contest the election alone. If he remains in active politics, he will join the DMK-Congress alliance in the state. It is also being said that now the pressure may increase on the second Tamil super star Rajinikanth. BJP wants him to engage in state politics with the saffron party. However, he has kept himself away from active politics.

Mathura Idgah survey: Owaisi finds fault with court order

Hyderabad (Agencies): AIMIM President Asaduddin Owaisi on Monday criticised Mathura court order for a survey of Shahi Idgah mosque complex, saying a survey in a civil case should be the last resort.

The Hyderabad MP said that in his opinion, the court is wrong. “I disagree with that order. Legal experts know very well and they have also told me that a survey is

ordered by a court only as a last resort when there are no papers to prove a title or anything,” he said.

He said the court used the survey as a first resort while legal experts believe that it should be the last resort. He said the court violated the Places of Worship Act, which is clear that except Babri Masjid, the nature of religious places that stood on Aug 15, 1947 can’t be altered.

Says 10th Guru’s sons bravely faced enemies at a young age to protect religion

Amit Shah @AmitShah

I pay my respects to the bravery and sacrifices of the Sahibzades, Mata Gujri and Guru Gobind Singh.

at

at

Singh

PM Narendra Modi waves at school students participating in a procession commemorating the ‘Veer Bal Diwas’, at Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium, in New Delhi on Monday. —PHOTO BY PTI

Gandhi of “doing a drama” of paying homage at Vajpayee’s memorial while party leaders use “abusive words” against the former PM.

Rahul on Monday visited ‘samadhi’ of Mahatma and of several former PMs, including Vajpayee whose birth anniversary was on Sunday.

Rahul Gandhi pays tribute to former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee at his memorial Sadaiv Atal, in New Delhi on Monday. —PHOTO BY PTI

PRESIDENT OFFERS PRAYERS AT SRISAILAM TEMPLE

tional welcome to her.

Kurnool (PTI): President Droupadi Murmu on Monday offered prayers at Srisailam temple in Andhra Pradesh's Kurnool district and laid foundation stone for various development works.

Arriving at Sun-

nipenta helipad from Hyderabad, she was received by Andhra Pradesh Endowments Minister Kottu Satyanarayana, Finance Minister Buggana Rajendranath, local MLA Shilpa Chakrapani Reddy, and senior officials.

From there, the President reached Srisailam temple by road.

Telangana Governor

Tamilisai Soundararajan and Union Tourism and Culture Minister G. Kishan Reddy also reached Srisailam along with the President from Hyderabad.

Andhra Pradesh's Tourism Minister R. K. Roja, other public representatives and senior officials received President Murmu.

Priests and temple officials accorded a tradi-

TUNISHA’S MOTHER ACCUSES SHEEZAN OF CHEATING ON ACTOR

Deceased’s mother accuses Sheezan Khan of cheating on actor

New Delhi (ANI): Tunisha Sharma’s mother Vanita has revealed new details about the actor’s relationship with her co-star Sheezan Khan. Tunisha allegedly committed suicide on the sets of her serial Alibaba –Dastaan-e-Kabul on Saturday. A case of abetment to suicide was registered against Sheezan under Section 306 of the IPC.

In a statement on Monday, Vanita, who had filed a complaint against Sheezan, said, “I want to tell you that Sheezan cheated Tanisha. First, he had a rela-

SHE HAD TRIED SUICIDE EARLIER ALSO, SAYS KHAN

New Delhi: Tunisha Sharma tried to commit suicide even before she actually ended her life on December 24. And her ex-boyfriend and 'Ali Baba: Dastaan-e-Kabul' co-star Sheezan Mohammed Khan had informed her family about it. Sheezan is now in police custody, having been accused by Tunisha's mother of causing her daughter mental trauma and driving her to commit suicide.

tionship with her saying that he will marry her and later broke up with her. He already was involved with another woman in spite of which he got involved

CACHE

TEA GARDEN

Dibrugarh: A cache of grenades and ammunition were recovered from a tea garden in Assam's Dibrugarh district, a senior police official said on December 26. Two Chinese grenades, two magazines of AK-series rifles, 12 bullets and a pistol silencer were recovered from South Jalan tea estate. Items were spotted by garden workers on Sunday night, Dibrugarh SP Shwetank Mishra. “We have interrogated some people,” Mishra added.

2 AFRICAN CITIZENS HELD FOR DUPING GUJARAT WOMAN

Ahmedabad: Two African nationals were arrested for allegedly duping an elderly woman from Gujarat's Ahmedabad of Rs 34 lakh by befriending her online using fake identities and asking her to pay money to get gifts and foreign currency released from Customs, police said on Monday. Some other gang members involved in the crime are yet to be arrested, he said. According to official, a 63-year-old woman approached Cyber Crime Branch on Dec 23.

with Tunisha and used her for three to four months. He should be punished for that. I have lost my daughter.”

Police allege the reason behind Tunisha

Sharma’s alleged extreme step could be her breakup with Sheezan Khan. Vasai court has sent Sheezan to police custody for four days in connection with death.

TMC BLASTS BJP FOR LINKING TUNISHA’S DEATH TO ‘LOVE JIHAD’ New Delhi: To call the BJP a ‘sick monster’ would be an understatement, Trinamool Congress (TMC) spokesperson Saket Gokhale said on Monday, as he lambasted the party over claims by some of its leaders that the death of TV actor Tunisha Sharma, who died by suicide on Saturday, was a case of ‘love jihad.’ “The post mortem on the poor woman's body isn't even complete yet let alone her being laid to rest. And the BJP has already begun to user her tragic death for their own hateful political agenda. To call the BJP sick monsters would be an understatement,” tweeted Gokhale.

She had darshan at Ratnagarbha Ganapathi Swamy temple.

The President later performed Rudrabhishekam to Srisailam Mallikarjuna Swamy and Kumkumarchana to Bramarambika Devi.

She launched various projects related to the development of Srisailam Temple.

Works worth Rs 43

crore were launched under National Mission of Pilgrimage Rejuvenational and Spiritual Heritage Augmentation Drive (PRASHAD) scheme of the Union Tourism Ministry. She also visited Sri Shivaji Spoorthy Kendram at Srisailam.

Murmu later returned to Hyderabad for five-day winter sojourn.

Earlier, she had arrived at Rajiv Gandhi International Airport, Shamshabad, in a special aircraft and later left for Srisailam by a helicopter. Tight security arrangements were made at Srisailam for the President's visit.

The temple authorities had suspended darshan for devotees and diverted traffic as part of the arrangements.

Zero visibility in many places after fog engulfs North India

New Delhi (ANI): As biting cold conditions engulfed entire North India, fog and poor visibility remained a severe cause of concern on Monday.

According to the India Meteorological Department, visibility across most of the northern states remained poor with Bhatinda in Punjab and Bikaner in Rajasthan recording "zero visibility". The visibility in the national capital here at just 50 meters. Not only in Bhatinda, visibility remained low throughout Punjab, with Amritsar recording visibility of 25 metres and Ambala 50.

Haryana too recorded low visibility. While places like Ambala and Hissar recorded a low of 25m and 50m respectively, visibility in Chandigarh was 200 metres.

According to IMD data, places like Sri Gan-

ganagar and Churu in Rajasthan also recorded low visibility of 25 and 50 meters, respectively.

Uttar Pradesh, Odisha and West Bengal also recorded very low visibility on the day with number dipping to 50 metres in Uttar Pradesh and Odisha, while North Bengal recorded visibility of 200 meters.

5 foreigners test Covid positive in Bodh Gaya

Patna (ANI): Five foreign nationals, four of them from Thailand and one from Myanmar, have tested positive for COVID-19 upon arrival in Bihar on a pilgrimage, official said on Monday.

According to Dr Ranjan Kumar Singh, medical officer in charge of Gaya district, the foreigners were tested at the international airport here in the weekend as part of a drill that is being followed for those visiting Bodh Gaya to attend the Dalai Lama's discourses scheduled this week.

Altogether 33 foreigners were tested during weekend, out of whom four of them females, have tested positive, said Singh. Their condition is stable.

K’TAKA: ILLEGAL SLAUGHTERHOUSE

RAIDED; BEEF SEIZED

Mangaluru (PTI): An illegal cattle slaughterhouse was raided in a village in Dakshina Kannada district of Karnataka and around 100 kilograms of beef were seized from the place, police said on Monday. A team of Konaje police station raided the slaughterhouse at Malar under Pavoor village in the district and confiscated the meat, valued at Rs 25,000 in market. Police said accused Jafar Sadiq, a resident of Malar Badriyanagar, managed to escape the raid.

DRUG TRAFFICKERS’ PROPERTIES RAZED, SAYS HARYANA CM

Chandigarh (Agencies):

Haryana CM Manohar Lal Khattar on Monday said legal action has been taken against those involved in drug trafficking and illegal properties of all such people have also been identified. Replying to a question by member Abhay Singh Chautala, regarding demolition of houses of people involved in drug peddling, on first day of Winter session, Khattar said action of demolishing properties as ethically wrong.

According

NIRMACOM

New Delhi (PTI): Pharmaceuticals firm Hetero on Monday said it has received World Health Organisation Prequalification of medicines programme (WHO PQ) approval for its generic version of COVID-19 oral antiviral treatment candidate ‘Nirmatrelvir.’

IMD PREDICTS HEAVY TO VERY HEAVY RAINS IN 10 TAMIL NADU DISTS

Kanyakumari: The IMD’s Regional Meteorological Centre (RMC) has predicted heavy to very heavy rains in 10 districts of Tamil Nadu on Monday as the deep depressions that have prevailed over Sri Lanka are likely to become a depression over the Kanyakumari sea and adjoining areas. The depression, according to the India Meteorological Department, is likely to move further west-northwestwards and weaken over the southeast Arabian Sea. This depression would lead to heavy to very heavy rains in many regions of south Tamil Nadu and in some places of north Tamil Nadu. Heavy to very heavy rains are expected in Theni, Dindigul, Madurai, Sivaganga, Ramanathapuram, Virudhunagar, Tenkasi, Thoothukudi, Tirunelveli, and Kanniyakumari districts. Chennai and its suburbs are likely to have partly cloudy conditions in the next 48 hours, and light to moderate rains is likely to occur.

Stay on EIA for the construction projects to

continue: NGT

New Delhi: National Green Tribunal has extended the stay on a Union Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change notification modifying the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) conditions for certain construction projects.

According to the notification dated Nov 14, 2018, the Union government delegated the power to ensure compliance with environmental conditions to local bodies.

PREP FOR HOCKEY WORLD CUP

1,200 workers, 24×7 shifts; Rourkela all set to host

Rourkela (PTI): The Rourkela hockey stadium, India’s biggest with a seating capacity of 21,000, will be inaugurated early January. (Express photo by Sujit Bisoyi)

When Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik laid the foundation stone for a new hockey stadium at Rourkela on February 16, 2021 — in the middle of a pandemic — and announced that it would be a second venue for the Men’s FIH

Hockey World Cup, many, even within the government, were sceptical about its timely completion. So much so that the International Hockey Federation had to give the state a deadline of November 30 to complete the main structure and lay the turf.

For two years since then, over 1,200 migrant workers — many of them from Bihar, Jharkhand and West Bengal — worked round

the clock in three shifts to construct the stadium. And less than three weeks before the first match, the grand sau-

cer-shaped steel structure, with a seating capacity of around 21,000, stands tall over 16 acres of land.

A total of 20 matches will be played in the new stadium to be named after freedom fighter and tribal icon Birsa Munda.

The Chief Minister is expected to inaugurate the structure, the country’s biggest hockey stadium, early in January.

Along with the Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar, it will host the World Cup from January 13 to 29. A total of 20 matches will be played in the new stadium to

be named after freedom fighter and tribal icon Birsa Munda.

At the stadium site, workers continue to toil round the clock to put things together. Though the stadium work has already been completed and the ground was used for a practice match between junior teams of India and South Korea, large cranes have been deployed to fix the aluminium facades and glass windows.

MANDAVIYA HOLDS MEETING WITH IMA

KARNATAKA MAKES MASKS MANDATORY

New Delhi: Union Health and Family Welfare Dr Mansukh Mandaviya on Monday interacted with doctors and representatives from Indian Medical Association (IMA) regarding the COVID-19 situation and preparedness. During the meeting, Mandaviya urged participants to refrain from making speculations.

Bengaluru: The Karnataka government on Monday announced that wearing face masks inside theatres, schools and colleges will be mandatory. Fresh guidelines were announced.

Bengaluru: The Karnataka Health department was concerned over the development of 12 passengers arriving from highrisk countries testing positive for Covid at the Kempe Gowda International Airport Bengaluru, sources confirmed on Monday. According to authorities, a 37-year-old man, who arrived from China, had tested positive for Covid at Bengaluru. The other 11 passengers came from high-risk countries. Four of them have been quarantined in a private hospital and the rest passengers have been kept in home quarantine. All the samples have been sent to genomic sequencing to the National Institute of Virology and results expected by Tuesday.

12 PASSENGERS RETURNING FROM HIGH-RISK COUNTRIES INCLUDING CHINA TEST POSITIVE

Kolkata: Two persons returning from abroad have tested positive for the Coronavirus infection at the Kolkata Aiport, airport sources said on Monday.

to sources, one of the positive passengers came from Dubai on Saturday while another came from Kuala Lumpur.

2 COVID POSITIVE CASES DETECTED AT KOLKATA AIRPORT

GETS PREQUALIFICATION FROM THE WHO

GRENADES’

RECOVERED FROM ASSAM

CRUCIAL READ

President Droupadi Murmu arrives to offer prayers at Srisailam temple, in Nandyala district of Andhra Pradesh on Monday.

A healthcare worker takes swab sample of a passenger for COVID-19 testing at railway station in Jalandhar.

A train runs at slow pace due to low visibility due to a thick fog on a cold winter day, in Gurugram on Monday.

—PHOTO BY ANI

—PHOTO BY ANI

Mumbai: TV actor Tunisha Sharma had lunch with the main accused and co-actor Sheezan Khan before hanging herself, sources said. The First Information Report, or FIR, in a case registered by the police, charging Sheezan Khan for abetment to suicide, revealed that the duo were in a relationship and had broken up 15 days before Tunisha's death.

SHEEZAN KHAN HAD LUNCH WITH TUNISHA ON THE DAY OF SUICIDE

She launched various projects related to development of Srisailam Temple

—PHOTO BY ANI

Kolkata (ANI): A court in Kolkata has taken cognisance of a charge sheet filed by the Enforcement Directorate against arrested Trinamool Congress (TMC) MLA Manik Bhattacharya and others in connection with the West Bengal teachers recruitment 'scam' money laundering case, the agency said Friday. ED had named six entities including the legislator, his wife Satarupa Bhattacharya, their son Souvik Bhattacharya, Tapas Kumar Mondal (owner of a teacher training centre), firms like Acuere Consultancy.

TEACHERS' SCAM: NAME OF TRINAMOOL PANCHAYAT MEMBER'S SON SURFACES

Jaipur emerging as centre of jewellery manufacturing: Rajiv

First India Bureau

Jaipur: The four-day Jaipur Jewelry Show (JJS) concluded on Monday. Organized at JECC, Jaipur spread over 2.5 lakh square feet, the show was attended by more than 45,000 visitors and traders over the four days. Not only the organizers, but also the exhibitors were very excited to see the positive response received at this year’s JJS.

Chairman, Rajasthan Small Industries Corporation, Rajiv Arora was the chief guest of the closing ceremony. He said that JJS which started with 65 booths has now grown to more than 900 booths which clearly shows its success. He said that networking is the biggest earning in the 21st century and JJS has played an important role in increasing it.

Arora further informed that Jaipur is now emerging as the fastest growing centre not only for colourstones but also for jewellery man-

ufacturing. In the Covid period, the work of jewellery manufacturing continued with protocols, that is why its market has increased

BY HIMANSHU SHARMA

from Rs 800 crores to Rs 6600 crores. He said that with design colleges and institutes, JJS provides a wide range of all types of jewellery.

ARORA PRESENTS BEST INSTITUTE AWARD TO IIGJ, SITAPURA

A rora presented the Best Institute award to IIGJ, Sitapura on the occasion. JJS Secretary, Mr Rajiv Jain informed about the 4-day journey of JJS. He said that in view of the increasing demand of the exhibitors in JJS, the number of booths in JJS may increase to more than 1000 next year. In the initial survey, most of the exhibitors have demanded to increase the size of the booth and clarify the nature of B2B and B2C. Jain said that all the exhibitors of Pink Club were very happy and satisfied with this new initiative. Next year the Pink Club will be given a new look and a wider scale. The vendors were given mementoes for their cooperation.

Kalwar cops solve 44 loots, nab two

First India Bureau

Jaipur: Kalwar police arrested two accused and busted the gang involved in many looting cases. The police have recovered 25 mobiles from their possession.

In the police interrogation, the accused have disclosed 44 incidents of loot so far.

The accused were active for one year and were committing crimes in a dozen areas of the city. According to the police, the arrested accused are Banwari Lal alias Pan-

chu Ishwar, resident of Mundota Road, Kalwar and Kailash Verma alias Nanchu, resident of Mohalla Kalwar.

The police said that on December 20, the miscreants had snatched a bike and looted money from an elderly person near Mundota Ghati in the Kalwar police station area. In another looting incident, they robbed the purse of a woman in Radha Residency Colony, Hathoj and confessed to the crime during probe.

Mock drill to deal with Covid eventuality today

Jaipur: A mock drill will be held on Tuesday across a number of health facilities in the states to ensure their readiness to deal with any eventuality related to COVID-19, following an advisory by the Centre.

The drill will be held in district hospitals, sub-district hospitals, all government medical colleges and affiliated hospitals. A video conferencing was held

in this regard in which Principal SecretaryMedical Education T. Ravikanth and Health Secretary Dr. Prithvi issued necessary guidelines to all Medical College Principals, CMHOs, Chief Medical Officers and other officers.

Ravikanth instructed to ensure availability of ICU beds, oxygen plants, medical staff, medicines and smooth operation of all related equipment in mock-drill.

LN Dadhich elected head of All India Dadhich Brahmin body

Younus Gesawat

Nagaur: Lakshmi Narayan Dadhich, a resident of Gaju, was declared elected in the election of the national president of the All India Dahima Dadhich Brahmin Mahasabha.

The election of All India Yearly Dahima Dadhich Brahmin Mahasabha was held at Dadhich Chowk of Goth Manglod Mataji Temple in Nagaur.

With 1337 votes, Dadhich defeated his

nearest rival Jagdish Prasad by 971 votes, election officer Shiv-

dayal Sharma said. Electoral board members Durgesh Sharma Bhilwara Sudhir Joshi Udaipur, Jitendra Dadhich Nagore, Khushbu Asopa Jodhpur, Bharat Vyas Bhilwara, Kailash Haled, Abhishek Dadhich Bhilwara, Suresh Chand Sharma, Bhagwati Lal Tiwari, Yog Guru Suresh Sharma Chittorgarh, Tapan Dadhich Deogarh, Ajay Vyas Nava and others made the election successful.

‘Enthusiasm and excitement among workers about BJY’

Jaipur: Nawalgarh MLA and Advisor to CM Dr Rajkumar Sharma said that there is enthusiasm and excitement among all the party workers after the Bharat Jodo Yatra, while the organization has also got a new lease of strength. Sharma said this during the public hearing at his

DIPR bags award for various innovations

Jaipur: The Department of Information and Public Relations of Rajasthan will be awarded the “Effective Government Communication Award” for the innovations made in the communication field to make the welfare schemes of the state government accessible to the masses.

The award will be presented in a national convention organ -

ized by the Public Relation Society of India in Bhopal.

Director of the department Purshottam Sharma said that near-

ly 20 lakh people have been connected with WhatsApp groups at all gram panchayats and ward levels across the state. Publicity materials are being sent daily on the WhatsApp groups.

He said that for the purpose of making the information of state schemes available to the general public, the department has made innovations like Information e-Bulletin, Sujas Video Bulletin and Sujas Awaaz (Podcast)

through which information about daily news, interviews of beneficiaries and important government decisions was made available.

Apart from this, a Sujas Mobile App has also been launched by the department in which all press notes, special articles, success stories, important photographs, e-bulletin, video bulletin, Sujas Awaz and live programs of schemes are displayed on mobile.

official residence in Gandhinagar. Moreover, the visit of Congress state in-charge Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa will boost the or-

ganization's strength and grassroots workers. Regarding the remarks made by former Minister Harish Chaudhary about the CM, Sharma said that now there is no time left for any kind of rhetoric. “We all MLAs have to solve the problems of the people as much as possible and take the govt’s plans to the public,” he said.

First India Bureau

Chairman, Rajasthan Small Industries Corporation Rajiv Arora with the JJS organizing committee members at the closing ceremony on Monday (inset) Visitors examining jewellery at the booths in the event held at JECC, Jaipur on Monday.

STRETCHED WINGS!

A purple heron flies over Ana Sagar lake in Ajmer during cold winter day on Monday.

DIPR has made innovations like Information e-Bulletin, Sujas Video Bulletin, Sujas Awaaz (Podcast) for publicity of schemes.

Lakshmi Narayan Dadhich being given the certificate.

Dinesh Tiwari

—PHOTO

First India Bureau

REVIEW OF THE WORK OF ORGANISING SCOUTS AND GUIDES JAMBOREE

THE NATIONAL JAMBOREE WILL BE HISTORIC, ASSERTS CM GEHLOT

Niranjan Arya gave detailed info about progress of works

First India Bureau

Jaipur: Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot, while reviewing the comprehensive preparations for the National Scout s& Guides Jamboree to be held in Rohat, Pali from January 4 - 10, 2023, said that this International level Jamboree will be the biggest event of Scouts and Guides in the state so far. He said that this jamboree is being organised in Rajasthan after 67 years and the

Jaipur: After 67 years, Rajasthan State Bharat Scouts and Guides will organise a mega event, ‘The National Scouts and Guide Jamboree’ from January 4 - 10, 2023 at Rohat in Pali district. Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot has also sent invitations to President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the event. Many competitions like Integrated Sports, March Past, Folk Dance, Physical Demonstration, State Day Exhibition, Band Performance, Pioneering Project, Adventure Valley, Global Village Development, Integration Games, Rock Climbing, Parasailing and Water Activities will also be organised in the Jamboree.

State Government will leave no stone unturned to make it historically successful. He said that such events spread the message of mutual

brotherhood and cooperation in the society.

It was informed in the meeting that along with concrete arrangements for the arena,

Jamboree site have been completed.

Jodhpur Vidyut Vitran Nigam Limited and Electricity Department will ensure uninterrupted power supply during event and 24hour emergency medical facilities will be made available by Medical & Health Dept.

roads, awning, stage and helipad, electricity, housing, ration and transport for state parties were made in Jamboree. Works at Vara

Regular publicity via various mediums will be done. Besides, Rajasthani cultural programmes will also be organised daily at the venue. A temporary police post, traffic arrangements, regular patrolling and CCTV monitoring will also be ensured at the site.

FACT FILE

z About 35,0000 scouts and guides from many countries including India will participate in the mega event.

z About 1,500 scouts and guides are likely to visit from countries other than India.

z The State Government has approved an amount of Rs 24.70 crore.

z A stadium like arena is being built by the PWD at the Jamboree site.

z About 3,500 tents have been made for stay.

z Recently a title song was also released for the promotion of Jamboree.

z Preparations are being done under the supervision of Chief Minister’s Advisor & State Chief Commissioner of Rajasthan State Bharat Scouts and Guides Niranjan Arya.

Leaders to discuss org issues in Cong Raj unit convention

The convention will be held at Birla Auditorium in Jaipur on Dec 28, the Foundation Day of Congress Party

The preparations at Rohat village in Pali district are going on in full swing ahead of Nat’l Jamboree.

A huge entrance gate has been erected, tents have also been set up at the venue & the jamboree site is being decked up with RajasthaniMandanas’ showcasing local culture.

First India Bureau

Jaipur: With caste increasingly becoming a major factor in politics, CM Ashok Gehlot, on Monday, dispelled all apprehensions about the ‘factor’ and said that he did not become CM because of his caste, but because the high command trusted him as all 36 commu nities stand with him.

“No one be comes CM on the basis of caste.

High Command trusts me. I am the only one MLA from my

community, but 36 communities love me,” Gehlot said in Ucchain. .. Tweeting on this, Gehlot said, “My efforts are for the last person, as explained by Gandhiji. I will wipe the tears of every poor of Rajasthan, irrespective of the community and

religion. It is my duty to give good governance in Rajasthan, which benefits everyone and Rajasthan develops. I have been AICC Gen Secy & CM thrice. The High Command has put so much faith in me. It is because of the affection of people of Rajasthan. Their blessings are with me and I have taken a resolution to serve till my last breath. Can anyone be more fortunate than me, to whom the public gave so much love, the high command trusted,” he said.

Aditi Nagar

Jaipur: AICC General Secy Priyanka Gandhi will lead a women’s march in Jaipur under ‘Hath Se Hath Jodo’ campaign starting from January 26. After its completion, a women’s manifesto will also be released.

Under this 2-month drive, Congress will strengthen the hold among women at state level.

Priyanka Gandhi will take charge of the campaign under which women’s march will be taken out in the capital city of every state.

It may be noted that

Rahul

Jodo

is in its last leg. In such a situation, to ensure that the impact of Rahul’s Yatra doesn’t cool down, Congress will take out a march to every village and polling booth under the ‘Hath Se Hath Jodo’ campaign.

MAN ON A MISSION

z Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot has sanctioned Rs 24.70 crore for organising the Jamboree. Also, approval has been given to transfer Rs 10 crore from the total sanctioned amount to the Rajasthan State Bharat Scouts and Guides.

Jaipur (PTI): A convention of the Rajasthan Pradesh Congress Committee will be held here on Wednesday to discuss organisational and other issues.

Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot and the party’s Rajasthan incharge Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa will also take part in the convention alongside the Congress’ state unit chief Govind Singh Dotasra.

The spokesperson added that organisational and social issues would be discussed at the convention and resolutions passed on important subjects. The convention is taking place barely a week after Rajasthan leg of Rahul’s ‘Bharat Jodo Yatra’. Party sources said some of the suggestions that came up during the ‘Yatra’ could also be discussed.

Jaipur (PTI): The Rajasthan government has approved a revised financial proposal of Rs 4,279.70 crore for the construction of 16 state highways.

The state government is constantly working to develop a strong road network in Rajasthan. In this sequence, CM Ashok Ge-

hlot has approved the revised financial proposal of Rs 4279.70 crore for construction of 16 state highways (14 state highways and two MDR roads), according to an official statement. Raj government is developing SHs with the help of external aid from World Bank & Asian Development Bank.

Jaipur: The 83rd All India Presiding Officers’ Conference (AIPOC) will be held in Jaipur from January 10 to 13.

Presiding officers from Lok Sabha and State Legislative Assemblies will take part in the conference which is being held in the state after 11 years.

A high -level meeting to review the preparations was held on Mon-

day. Assembly Speaker Dr CP Joshi chaired the meeting. Dr Joshi called upon the officers to make the conference memorable by better arrangements. He said that the Presiding officers’ conference will be

held on January 11 and 12 while the conference of assembly secretaries will also be held on January 10.

“There will be meaningful discussions on various points in the conference,” he said.

Akhil’s focussed approach sets record; In a 1st, State budget ready in Dec

Jaipur: The Finance Department has completed its preparations for budget and the State Government can present the budget any day in the State Assembly.

Keeping in view the preparations made by the Finance Department, the bureaucratic and political spheres are abuzz that CM Ashok Gehlot can present his last budget of the tenure sooner than

expected. Moreover, a political shape is also being given to the entire preparation.

Till now, it was only after the Union Budget that the State Budget would be tabled. Hence, the work related to budget preparations would go on till February. But what is more important is that under the leadership of Principal Secretary Finance, Akhil Arora, all these works have been completed in December.

Budget preparation is a complicated, long work that requires extreme caution responsible approach.

Initial BFC is held with all departments and discussions are held on budget proposals. Detailed examination is held of the fund requirement of departments. After this, the Principal Secretary holds a one -to -one meeting with Secretaries of all the departments. These high- level

discussions are conducted according to a calender within a time frame of 8-10 days.

An important part of budget preparation is

the Chief Minister’s meeting of the Tax Advisory Committee. This meeting, which is held in four parts, takes several days. In this connection, CM’s 4th meeting with women, youth and professionals took place on December 23.

According to knowledgeable sources, these works related to budget have been happening till now by January end or February. Whereas, considering the peoplecentric budget, consid-

ering it to be the current government’s last budget, the process had to take as much time.

However, energetic, hard working and result- oriented officer Akhil Arora’s work culture is unique. Completing the work with advance preparations and completing work well in time is his working style. He is enriched with extreme foresight and hence his planning also bears result. He is a ‘team builder’ and he

carries his team with himself. It is due to Arora’s these qualities, this year’s budget has been completed smoothly and quietly.

It has been completed also because CM Ashok Gehlot has immense faith in Akhil Arora, thus, when Arora scheduled meetings of the Tax Advisory Committee, CM immediately said yes to give time.

This also ensured close co-ordination between CMO and Finance De-

partment.

Officials, who have retired from the Finance Department, are stunned as to how did Arora complete the complicated & lengthy work of budget in December itself and everyone is now awaiting for the outcome of this preparation. Highly placed sources have claimed that although preparations have been made in advance, but budget will come on the same time as always.

Rajendra Chhabra

Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot reviews the preparations for the National Scouts & Guides Jamboree at the Chief Minister’s Residence in Jaipur on Monday. Also seen here are Usha Sharma, Niranjan Arya, Pawan Kumar Goyal, Kuldeep Ranka, Akhil Arora and others.

First India Bureau

Gandhi’s Bharat

Yatra

The conference will take place in Raj after 11 years

Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa CM Ashok Gehlot

Priyanka Gandhi Vadra

Dr CP Joshi chairs a high-level meet at the State Assembly to review the upcoming Presiding officers’ Conference to be held from Jan 10-13 in Jaipur. Also seen here are Usha Sharma, Mahavir Prasad Sharma, K Subramaniam, Akhil Arora and others.

Akhil Arora

CM GEHLOT INVITES PREZ MURMU, PM MODI FOR MEGA EVENT

Sneha Chaturvedi while sharing her inspiring journey in a candid conversation with City First!

YOU’RE IRRESISTIBLE WHEN YOU BLUSH

W

hat lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us.

If you look at what you don’t have in life, you’ll never have enough.

And I believe that we only live once, but if we do it right, once is enough. And in three words I can sum up everything I have learned about life: ‘It goes on’ said by a ravishing beauty Sneha Chaturvedi’s, whose inspiring story is a major

whatever. The fact that I used to be a fat chubby teen and I worked so hard to get myself into shape so as to participate in pageants and start my modelling career, speaks volumes about my determination.”

When asked about her journey the beauty said, “I always since my childhood had a passion for modelling but due to a lack of family support, I couldn’t confess it to them. But it was only a few years back during lockdown when my sister and mother saw a few of my pictures and persuaded me to start my career in modelling, that I was finally able to start my career. And it’s only their support and blessings that have kept me going since then.”

The diva strongly believes that hard work teaches us discipline, dedication and determination while sharing her vision and rookie mistakes, she said “If I could go in future, and tell myself one thing about my career it would be becoming a successful top model and the biggest mistake I feel I did was that I undermined myself and felt that I was a little less than others.”

The exquisite beauty further said, “I am immensely grateful to Dr Jagdeesh Chandra and Gaurav Gaur for providing us with this wonderful platform who made me believe that I got the potential to be a supermodel and supported me as well.”

The diva also shared that her rewarding moment was being a finalist in the reputed and well-known pageant Elite Miss Rajasthan which literally changed her life for good.

I believe that we only live once, but if we do it right, once is enough expressed Ravishing beauty

UTTKARSHA SHEKHAR uttkarsha.shekhar@firstindia.co.in

ARIES

MAR 21 - APR 20

Today is a favourable day for business.

Listening to someone’s advice on the professional front will be in your interest. You are very generous by nature and also you are the backbone of your family. Be careful of the words that come out of your mouth. Your lover may finally say yes.

TAURUS

APR 21 - MAY 20

TWO CONTRASTING ASPECTS OF SLEEP

attack or even death.

At this point of time, sleep deprivation has attained a pandemic proportion with people glued to their mobile with sleep-filled eyes. This behaviour is antinature and might be responsible for many cases of sudden deaths.

Sleep is a thing of joy, so blissful and so relaxing. But sleep is not a commodity which you can buy. It is a bliss that nature has provided within yourself. It is a gift which should be preserved for life.

Sleep is also a fascinating biological process that its innumerable users can neither control nor understand. A lion sleeps almost 20 hours a day, many birds sleep while flying, a horse sleeps standing with its knees locked, and seals sleep differently while in water than when on land.

Sleep makes life better to live and vibrant to enjoy just like your mobile performs better after a switch off and restart. The brain rests and recuperates during sleep to function optimally for a longer period of time. Since the brain is a master organ, its optimum function ensures better body performance and organ optimization.

For a body to function at its best capabilities, it should sleep for seven to eight hours a day, mostly during the night at a single stretch. Optimum sleep is not a waste of time and shouldn’t be discouraged because inadequate sleep may lead to early life heart

This same behaviour is responsible for so many cases of anxiety, depression and attention deficit issues. Beware of excessive LED light exposure.

Stress, a sedentary lifestyle and subsequent obesity have emerged as a dangerous triad affecting the lives of young people who are becoming victims of sleep disorders with a lot of life complications. Two major sleep disorders are being witnessed by medical professionals - insomnia and hypersomnia.

Insomnia is caused by poor sleep induction and then equally poor maintenance of sleep. As a result of this, even the daytime becomes stressful because the concerned person remains apprehensive about night sleep. Sleeping pills, too, become ineffectual and even burdensome in younger people. The pill-induced sleep is not significantly restful and there might be a hangover the next morning and a feeling of low self-esteem. Children and very young adults might have episodes of sleepwalking and

sleeptalking, both are actually signs of sleep deprivation. All these disorders are matters of grave concern.

On the other side of the sleep spectrum, there are people who sleep and sleep. This condition of excessive and uncontrollable

sleep is called hypersomnia. A person may sleep continuously for 48 hours yet doest feel awake and fresh. This type of sleep is not restorative.

Such a person can doze off during driving, talking, walking, working or even when

having meals!

This is a really dangerous and highly embarrassing situation. Both these contrasting situations have no tailored treatment and are very complex situations to manage. Nothing works definitely for hypersomnia and for managing insomnia only sleeping pills are prescribed. There are very few competent sleep professionals, and most of the socalled sleep clinics are mere farces with the prime motive of making money. Still, there are some genuine professionals but one has to find them. Management of sleep in many people may require multiple professionals like cognitive behaviour therapists, psychoanalysts, physicians to rule out underlying medical conditions, weight management experts and expert sleep therapists.

India needs lots of such people because of its rapid urbanization but most of the brilliant students know of only 7-8 professions and are wasting their energies there.

At this juncture, only a medical practitioner with extra interest in sleep disorders or a few specialized clinics is of some help.

You will enjoy good health by remaining regular in your workouts. It will be in your interest to guide a family youngster on the academic front.

Scrumptious food is what you are craving for today. You may start a side business to earn extra money. You are not a jealous kind and you feel happy for others.

GEMINI

MAY 21 - JUNE 21

Your spouse is someone who can do anything for your happiness. You are happy spending whole day at home. Tensions on the family front may get sorted out. Help your mothers at home today and give them a reason to smile. You are opportunist and this will make you successful.

CANCER

JUNE 22 - JULY 23

You must create an environment of understanding at home. Your regular exercise routine promises to keep you fit and energetic. You will succeed in any sort of examination if you put your heart and soul to it. You need a break from day to tensions and the way to cope up with stress is to meditate.

LEO

JULY 24 - AUGUST 23

Pending paperwork concerning a property will be completed. Your spouse may make you spend more than you expected. Admit your faults in relationship. Fantastic day for investing money in stock market as you can make fortune. You miss your parents and have a fear to loose them.

VIRGO

LIBRA

SEPT 24 - OCTOBER 22 Fortunes

in trade and business. You love to live close to your family. You are a child at heart and never let this child die.

You have a big heart and you always help someone if you can. Expected payments are likely to get released soon. You are a very grounded person.

SCORPIO

OCT 23 - NOVEMBER 22 Family will be supportive of your ideas, but only to an extent. You give tough competition to people. You will get special treatment from your dear ones. Good health is assured through own efforts. Meeting people you get along with well may make the day enjoyable for you.

SAGITTARIUS

NOV 23 - DEC 22

You are very fortunate to have a great friend circle. Whatever you have in mind, you will manage to implement it at work. You may feel much healthy and energetic today. Visit a doctor if you have any doubts about your health. You want to have your own house and you will work hard to make your dream come true.

CAPRICORN

DEC 23 - JAN 20

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

AQUARIUS

JAN 21 - FEB 19

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

PISCES

YOUR DAY

FACEOFTHEDAY

MANALI SHARMA,

Horoscope by

Saurabbh Sachdeva

DR. RAMAVATAR SHARMA

ramawatarf132@gmail.com

Christmas is, indeed, a magical festival that is all about sharing joy and happiness. The cute kids wait for the whole year to receive gifts from their favourite Santa. People across the world love to celebrate this festival in their way. Some like to decorate their house and tree with ornaments, gifts etc. Some people like to dress up in Santa Claus costumes and distribute gifts to children and spread joy all around. City First brings to you glimpses of the enchanting festival shared by our avid readers from all across!

The grand Christmas celebrations at Sudhir Mathur’s place

Sudhir Mathur celebrated the festival specially abled children of UMANG along with children of different NGO’s

Dhairya Sharma

Srishti Khandelwal

Angel

Jayesh Gwalani with other kids at St. Edmunds School, Jaipur

Kuhu and Pihu with Ishu

Aarudra Modi

Aaradhya Singh Bhati

Vivaan Baliyan

Isha Singh and Harshita Sharma

Aarudra Modi with other children of MPS Sanskriti Pre Primary School

Aarvi Kedia

FASHION TRENDS BY LITTLE CHAMPS

CITY FIRST

The country’s biggest and national-level kids’ fashion show “India’s Little Fashion Hunters Chapter 6” a designer runway show was organised by Infinity Takeovers in association with Rudrav Production at Zee Stu dio, Sitapura in the capi tal Jaipur. In which 2 to 15-year-old kids models from across the country show cased the dres sage collection in a total of 11 sequences on dif ferent designer themes. This time in the show, kids en thralled everyone by walking the ramp with their mis chievous acts on unique themes like Desi Fi rangi, Rock star, Poshak, Disney Devil, Abhiyaan, Winter Collection, Devil Angel, Mumkins,

Queen of Nifada. Show organiser Anoop Chowdhary shared that this is the sixth chapter of this kid’s fashion show. This year more than 1000 registrations were received from all over the country out of which 100 have been selected for the mega finale. Before the grand finale, all the kids were given a two-day grooming workshop.

He further told that in this event, the collection of designer dresses was presented by

han, Bharat Saraf, Anshika, Abhishek, Preeti Sharma, Vimla Verma, Anjali San, while the kids’ makeover was done by Amita Makana of Short and Curly Salon. Kid model & actress and show’s brand ambassador Heer Verma was present as a celebrity guest at the event. The Fashion Institute partner of this event is Poddar Institute, Choreographer Rahul Sharma, Management Head Lavishka Rajawat,

VISION BEYOND THE LENS

CITY FIRST

The 10th Annual Photo Exhibition organised by the Jaipur Photographers’ Club concluded with a prize distribution ceremony at the Chaturdik Art Gallery of JKK on Sunday. On the occasion, all the winners of the photo contest and participants of JPC Calendar 2023 were felicitated with certificates, JPC Medallion, JPC Look Book and JPC Goodie Bag as prizes. Prizes were distributed to the winners by Anand Swaroop, Director General, Directorate of State Revenue Intelligence, Jaipur, who was the chief guest at the ceremony. Nakul Kanchal, Ram Chand Khubani, Sher Bahadur Singh, Panvesh Arora,

Khushiram Pandey, Gaurav Aggarwal, and Anuj Tiwari were present in the programme as special guests. Anil Khubani, Founder of, the Jaipur Photographers’ Club thanked all the supporters, participants and volunteers for their commendable work. The book is about the journey of Odisha on wheels by Anil and Shibu and showcases the tribals, monuments and life of Odisha along with the famous Chilika Lake.

December 24 saw some of the most eminent names in Jaipur gathered under the starry sky for the grand launch of ‘MRP: Most Recommended Place’, a lounge that took place at Opp Alka Cinema, Sikar Road, Jaipur on Saturday. The place drips with luxury and glamour and offers a regular buffet and a nice

The night also witnessed an energetic musical performance by the band ROCJNAAMA. During the occasion, Vaibhav Gupta said, “I am extremely humble and happy to have such a great launch, on day 1, people really enjoyed the ambience food and music and it boosts me up for the upcoming days.” cityfirst@firstindia.co.in

WEDDING BELLS!

PROUD MOMENT!

Photography Partners Ashish Kumawat and Anchor Preeti Sax-

Jagdeesh Chandra greeted Omprakash Mathur, Senior BJP leader and in-charge of Chhattisgarh during a courtesy meet at the latter’s residence at Ajmer Road on Monday.

Jagdeesh Chandra launched the poster of Miss and Mrs India Glam, Season 4 at his residence on Monday. The grand finale of the event will be held at Ananta Spa and Resort, Delhi Road, Jaipur on Wednesday, December 28. During the occasion Pawan Tank, Director Miss and Mrs India Glam along with Shivani Chauhan, Managing Director were also present.

The wedding ceremony of Arpit, son of Anita and Sajjan Singh Kothari with Grazia was solemnized on Sunday, December 25 at Bhanwar Singh Palace, Bagru, Jaipur. Jagdeesh Chandra reached to bless the couple and wished them a happy married life ahead.

The 2022 Presidential Environmental Medal by the President of the Republic of Guatemala was presented to Rajasthan-based Barefoot College International (BCI) for its environmental work in Guatemala. This award was last presented in 1992. The award is a testament to the dedication and efforts of civil society in training women in solar electrifying rural Guatemalan communities. Barefoot College International (BCI) has been supporting rural and indigenous women in Guatemala.

An international seminar on the topic ‘Indian Culture Worldwide: Yoga and Sanskar’ was organised at Apex University on Friday by Vishva Gurudeep Ashram Research Institute. On this occasion, Yoga trainers and scholars associated with Yoga and Sanatan Dharma from India and abroad expressed their views about the importance of Yoga, Sanatan Dharma and Indian culture. Motivated the students to do regular yoga and adopt a vegetarian life.

Inaya foundation in association with RCSCE Shiksha vibhag, RHI Magnesita organised Good Touch- Bad Touch workshops in Alwar District. More than 1700 students were trained on this sensitive topic “Samajh Sparsh ki Chuppi Todoh” with support of ppt presentation. Songs. Founder member of Inaya foundation Nitisha Sharma said we need to bring awareness among rural children about Good touch & Bad touch. CDO Poonam Goal informed these kind of awareness will definitely make the children aware.

The prize distribution ceremony of Kodai Premium League 2022 was organised at Kodai Sports Academy Suez Farm. The chief guest of the program was MLA Kalicharan Saraf and the special guest was Yes Society President Ashish Saraf and former Ranji player Sharad Joshi and Anil of Kodai Group.

Pratit Goswami of Kodai Sports told that Kodai Premium League is organised every year. A prize distribution ceremony was also organised in which man of the match, best bowler, best batsman, best fielder and winner and runner-up were awarded. Social workers Jagannidhi Jatti, Sunil Jain, Shashank Maheshwari, Lalit Bhardwaj, Natwar Kumawat Dr KK Sharma, Mukesh Saini, Rajesh Sharma, Krishna Nayak Dilshan, Ravi Saini were present. The stage was operated by Surendra Brahmbhatt.

Polki, Kundan, Meena and Jadau’s work was seen in Naulakhe Ranihar decorated with colourful gems in the four-day Jaipur Jewellery Show (JJS) which concluded on Monday, the event was organised at JECC, Jaipur. During the occasion, Gopal Saini from Mandwara Jewels said with this necklace made for 8 lakhs, we have introduced a range of low-cost heavy jewellery with the Navratan series. Almost 400 such jewellery pieces were displayed during the exhibition.

Jaipuria Institute of Management, Jaipur organised the AAGMAN-12th Annual Alumni Meet at Hotel Holiday Inn recently.

Dr Prabhat Pankaj, Director welcomed and thanked alumni for their gracious presence and for making a mark in the corporate world. He also said that the alumni are the ambassadors and the backbone of the institution. More than 350 alumni participated in the alumni meeting.

CITY FIRST

lineup from Saturday to December 31.

Sarita Rathore was honoured by Higher Education Minister in the field of both social service and writing, during the occasion, 21 women personalities selected from different fields doing excellent work in the country were honoured by the Higher Education Minister. The program was organised by Anunay Education and Welfare Society. Before this, Sarita Rathore received many national and international honours. She was awarded special honour for women’s empowerment by the state government.

Radhika, Manpreet, Simran, Anudita, Manisha and Divya Lokesh Sharma, Rishika Miglani and Rishee Miglani

Rakesh Pant, Vishal Taparia, Rekhit Pandel and Lashay Agarwal

(L-R) Gaurav Tiwari, Nakul Kanchhal, Bhavesh, Pankaj, Kishan Meena, Anil Khubani and Shweta Sharma

Anand Swaroop felicitated by Ram Chand Khubani

Jagdeesh Chandra with (L-R)

Sajjan Singh Kothari, Arpit, Grazia and Anita Kothari

Jagdeesh Chandra with Pawan Tank and Shivani Chauhan

(L-R) Shenya Singh, Sahitya, Kevalya, Tanmay Sharma, Kavya Anand, Heer Verma, Rutumbhara, Atharva, Vihana Gaur, Navya Sharma and Sian Kapoor

Aditya, Prajwal, Arisha, Avni and Saanjh showcasing their designer collection