First India-Jaipur Edition-28th October 2022

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DELHI-BOUND AKASA AIR HIT BY BIRD, NOSE DAMAGED; ALL SAFE

New Delhi: A Delhi-bound Akasa Air plane was hit by a bird during the climb on Thursday. The Boeing 737 Max 8 aircraft, suffered a radome damage due to the bird hit at 1,900 feet.

‘Aircraft landed safely and all passengers were deboarded, flight positioned for detailed inspection,’ Akasa Air said.

AZAM GETS 3-YR JAIL TERM IN HATE SPEECH CASE, GRANTED BAIL

Bareilly: SP leader Azam Khan was on Thursday convicted in a 2019 hate speech case and sent to 3 years in jail, and faces disqualification from UP Assembly. Court in Rampur granted bail to the MLA and imposed a fine of Rs 6,000, a government lawyer said.

After Article 370 abrogation, 34% decrease in terrorist activities: Shah

Narayanpet:

SACRED PORTALS OF KEDARNATH AND YAMUNOTRI CLOSED

Dehradun: The sacred portals of the Kedarnath and Yamunotri located in high Garhwal Himalayan region of Uttarakhand were closed for winter on Thursday. 3,000 devotees along with temple committee president Ajendra Ajay were present during the occasion.

TWO BAGS CONTAINING EXPLOSIVES FOUND AT JAMMU RLY STATION

Jammu: Explosive materials were recovered in a suspicious bag that was found near a taxi stand in Jammu Railway Station in J&K on Thursday, according to a police official. SSP GRP Arif Rishu said that 18 detonators and some wires were recovered from the spot.

Faridabad: Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Thursday addressed the inaugural session of the 2-day Chintan Shivir in Surajkund, Haryana. While speaking at the Shivir, Shah said after the abrogation of Article 370 in J&K, there has been a 34% decrease in terrorist activities, a 64% decrease in death of security forces and a 90% decrease in civilian deaths.

“We have to give importance to the 3Cs - Cooperation, Coordination and Collaboration, to be able to further our goals of cooperative federalism and whole-of-govt approach... Resource optimisation and integration necessary,” he said.

Various suggestions have been received regarding improvement in CrPC & IPC. I’m looking into it in detail, invested hours in it. We will very soon come up with new CrPC, IPC drafts in the Parliament.

—Amit Shah, Home Minister

Jaipur: Senior IPS Umesh Mishra will be the new DGP of Rajasthan as current DGP ML Lather will be retiring on 3 November and after then, Umesh Mishra will take charge of the post of DGP. Mishra elevation to the top post is an award of merit and loyalty by CM Gehlot. Known for his keen understanding of intelligence, among various other policing issues, Mishra will have on his hands a major challenge of crime control in Rajasthan and it is believed that he will fulfill the mandate of Rajasthan Police.

RAPED IN UDAIPUR DISTRICT, PROBE

Udaipur: A deaf and mute woman was allegedly raped in Udaipur district. The matter came to light recently when she was found pregnant during a medical examination at MB government hospital where she was taken from a shelter home after she hurt her leg in an attempt to jump the wall. SHO of Hiran Magri police station Ramsumer Meena said that with help of a sign language expert, girl told that she was raped. As per Meena, girl has identified 3 deaf and mute people.

Naresh Sharma

Jaipur: Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot on Thursday examined the medical system of the state for the purpose of providing quality medical facilities in the state. In a meeting with the prin-

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Pakistan committed atrocities against people in PoK: Rajnath

Srinagar: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Thursday said Pakistan is “committing atrocities” against people in its occupied Kashmir and will have to bear its consequences.

Hinting at retrieving Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), the minister said the goal of overall development in the twin Union Territories of J&K and Ladakh will be achieved “after reaching Gilgit and Baltistan” parts of PoK. “Terrorism has no religion. The only aim of terrorists is to target India,” he said.

The discrimination against the people of Jammu and Kashmir was ended under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi on August 5, 2019.

—Rajnath Singh, Defence Minister

MAKE-IN-INDIA! Tata, Airbus to make military aircraft in Gujarat

PM Modi to lay the foundation stone of the plant on Oct 30

European aviation giant Airbus and India’s TATA group will jointly manufacture at least 40 C-295 transport aircraft in India with the production unit being set up in Gujarat’s Vadodara as part of a `21,935-crore deal. The foundation laying of

HOLDS MEET WITH PRINCIPALS OF MEDICAL COLLEGES

same will take place on October 30 and will be attended by Modi. “For the first time, the C-295 aircraft will be manufactured outside of Europe,” Defence Secretary Ajay Kumar said on Thursday.

cipals of medical colleges of the state, the Chief Minister raised questions on the functioning of private hos-

pitals and private medical colleges. Gehlot clearly said that he patients are being looted, and he will not allow

Doctors are not saying anything. There is open loot from patients in many private hospitals. You should talk to the doctors of these hospitals. Humane approach should be undertaken in this era of inflation. Such hospitals should be identified and enquiry should be conducted.

—Ashok Gehlot, Chief Minister

CM ASHOK GEHLOT ON AN ELECTION TOUR IN GUJARAT FOR 4 DAYS STARTING TODAY

this to happen. Gehlot is of the clear opinion that just opening a medical college is not enough. Turn to P7

Jaipur: CM Ashok Gehlot will be on an election tour in Gujarat for 4 days from October 28 to 31. During this, he will hold public meetings at 6 places. Gehlot will also participate in the Bharat Jodo Padyatra in Banaskantha. According to the schedule, Gehlot will leave for Vadodara from Jaipur by special plane in the morning on October 28. He will address a public meeting in Garbada at 11 am. From there he will leave by helicopter and reach Fatehpura (Jalod) and will address the public meeting at 2 pm. Gehlot will also hold a press conference in Vadodara at 4.15 pm. He will reach Surat in the evening and will participate in a local program and will do a night

Moni Sharma

India’s Virat Kohli and Suryakumar Yadav during the match.

CM Gehlot directs at providing better medical facilities, stresses on self inspection of hosps to ensure people receive all benefits

Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot with (From Left) Dr Sudhir Bhandari, Parsadi Lal Meena, Anupama Jorwal, Usha Sharma, Vaibhav Galriya and Dr Rajeev Bagarhatta during the meeting with the principals of the medical colleges at the Chief Minister’s residence on Thursday.

First India Bureau

Amit Shah, Manohar Lal Khattar, Pinarayi Vijayan, Yogi Adityanath, Banwarilal Purohit, N Biren Singh, senior officers during the ‘Chintan Shivir’ of home ministers of all states in Faridabad on Thursday.

Rajnath Singh with Manoj Sinha being briefed during ‘Shaurya Diwas’, as Lt Gen ADS Aujla looks on, in Budgam on Thursday.

PM Narendra Modi to address ongoing Chintan Shivir of Home Ministers of States via VC today

Amit Shah with Ashwini Vaishnaw & Manohar Lal Khattar greets at ‘Jan Utthan Rally’, in Faridabad on Thursday. Shah lays fndn of projects worth `6,629 cr, said Hooda ran “3D” govt in Haryana. P5

First India Bureau

RAHUL GANDHI-LED BHARAT JODO YATRA RESUMES IN T’GANA

Govt looking for chopper on rent ahead of elections

Rajasthan govt issues tender to hire helicopter for 10 months

Dr Rituraj Sharma

Jaipur: After the pur chase of new state air craft and helicopters has been put on hold, the Rajasthan govern ment has issued a ten der for taking helicop ters on rent for 10 months. Earlier, the state government had hired a helicopter for 6 months but now with the time of expiry of six months contract ap proaching; a fresh ten der has been issued for taking a 5 to 8-seater helicopter on rent for another 10 months.

The company which offers a minimum bid with VVIP facilities in the helicopter will get the contract. It may be

noted that only one year is left for the state as sembly elections and the process of purchasing a new helicopter or a plane would take a time period from six months to one and a half years. Therefore, the plan to

purchase a new 12-seat er jet plane and the mul ti-turbine helicopter has also been put on hold.

In such a situation, the government decided to take a helicopter on rent for the election year in the State.

‘Auctioning’ of girls on stamp papers: NHRC notice to govt

First India Bureau

Jaipur: The National Human Rights Commis sion (NHRC) has taken action taking cogni zance of the horse-trad ing case of girls in Ra jasthan. The commis sion has asked the Ra jasthan govt to submit a report on the entire mat ter in four weeks.

Apart from this, Spe cial Representative of the Commission Umesh Kumar Sharma has also been asked to visit the affected areas and give information in three

months. On the other hand, the Rajasthan Child Protection Com mission has also come into action and called a meeting in Jaipur on Friday. Commission member Shiv Bhagwan

Smart classrooms in 500 madrasas soon

Rakesh Gaur

Sikar: The Ashok Ge hlot govt has decided to build smart classrooms in 500 madrasas across the state. Besides, digital libraries will also be opened in 344 residential schools. In the first an nual festival programme of the madrasa at the Madrasa Islamia Educa tion Society Senior Sec ondary School in Teliyan Mohalla on Thursday, Minister Saleh Moham mad said that by an nouncing 50 crore, 500 madrassas would be modernized.

PCC president Govind Singh Dotasra was the

chief guest, Waqf Board Chairman Khanu Khan Budhwali was the spe cial guest. MLA Hakam Ali Khan, Rafiq Khan and others were also pre sent. Dotasra said that the Narendra Modi gov ernment is doing politics in the name of religion.

“The Central govt will lose in 2024,” he said.

Naga said that this is a very serious matter and reports will be sought from the affect ed districts for what ac tion to be taken. After that action instruc tions will be given.

The helicopter is required for frequent visits during the elec tion year. At the same time, the need for a 10-seater helicopter is also being felt. The state government has already auctioned its jinxed helicopter. Sources said that other options like the purchase of B250, the latest version of B200 aircraft, could have been considered be cause the delivery of this 7 to 9-seater air craft could have been done in 3 months.

Now Karni Sena wants Maharana Pratap’s pic on currency notes!

First India Bureau

Jaipur: Arvind Kejri wal’s demand of depict ing Hindu God and Godess es on cur rency notes may have been political but now a new demand has arisen from Ra jasthan seeking depict ing Maharana Pratap on the Currency notes.

Shri Rajput Karni Sena Prez Mahipal Sin gh Makrana said, “It will be good if Lakshmi and Ganesha are given place but if the demand for Shivaji’s picture on currency comes, then our ancestor Maharana Pratap should also be depicted on the notes.”

Notably, a commemo rative coin in 2003 was released with the theme of Maharana Pratap.

MP Diya meets Rly Min Vaishnaw, seeks approvals for projects

First India Bureau

Jaipur: Rajsamand MP Diya Kumari met Union Railway Minister Ash wini Vaishnaw on Thurs day and exchanged Di wali greetings with him. She requested the rail way minister to improve facilities of railways in Rajsamand Lok Sabha Constituency. She urged the minister for early ap proval of gauge conver

sion of the Mavli-Mar war railway line. MP Diya Kumari also stressed to develop world-class facilities for passengers at Merta Road, Degana Station, Merta Road, Beawar and other railway stations falling on the route. She also demanded the es tablishment of a 4G net work in panchayats where there is poor mo bile connectivity.

CM sends Bhati to negotiate with unemployed

First India Bureau

Jaipur: CM Ashok Ge hlot’s visit to Gujarat starting from Friday may be marred by the unemployed youths pro testing since last 26 days. CM Gehlot is afraid that if the unem ployed youth create any disturbance, it would send a wrong message.

He has sent MoS for En ergy Bhanwar Singh Bhati to Ahmedabad to negotiate with the agi tating youths.

Bhati has asked Upen Yadav, who is heading the Rajasthan Unified Unemployed Union of unemployed youth, to

talk to him. It is be lieved that out of the 20 point demands, some of the demands will be ac cepted and they will also be persuaded to re turn to their state.

Poonia in Rajsamand attacks Cong for being tangled in internal conflicts

Rajsamand: The BJP is now in the election mode in Rajasthan. BJP state president Satish Poonia, who was on a visit to Rajsamand dis trict on Thursday, made a scathing attack on CM Ashok Gehlot and said that the BJP would come to power in the state in 2023. Poonia also got the Congress leaders to get the membership of BJP. He attended the Deepawali Sneh Milan gathering of BJP work ers organized at Miya la Ramdev temple of Bhim subdivision.

In this programme,

Poonia gave member ship of the party to Con gress leaders, including Congress Assembly Speaker Dungar Singh Rawat, NSUI President Yogendra S Solanki. Poonia while talking to the media at the Ram dev temple said that for the last four years, the

state govt has been bat tling with internal con flicts and squabbles. “When the ministers and MLAs of the Gehlot govt officially submitted their resignations, the question arises as to who is running the govt. Even Speaker has no an swer to this, ” he said.

JINX IN RAJASTHAN ASSEMBLY?

MIN GARG SLAMS UNEMPLOYED’S PROTEST IN GUJ

M inister of State for Technical Educa tion Dr Subash Garg has said that unemployed youths of Rajasthan should hold protests in Rajasthan itself instead of Gujarat. If they want to organise demonstra tions in Gujarat, then they should protest against PM Modi and HM Amit Shah. video regarding his statement surfaced on social media recently wherein some of the youths met Minister Subash Garg in Bharatpur.

New police circle office in Bundi’s Talera okayed

First India Bureau

Jaipur: Important deci sions are constantly be ing taken by the state government to strength en law and order and establish good govern ance in the state. In this sequence, CM Gehlot has approved the pro posal for opening of new circle office at Talera in Bundi district and crea tion of necessary posts.

Gehlot has approved the creation of 7 posts including one post each of Deputy Superinten dent of Police, Head Constable, Constable Driver and Junior Assis tant and three posts of

Cong leader says there is spirit in new assembly building

First India Bureau

Jaipur: Ever since the construction of the new building of the Ra jasthan Legislative As

Bhilwara: In what could be termed as a shocking case of lackadaisical attitude of staff at Mahatma Gandhi Hospital in Bhilwara, two infants passed away within two days at the hospital due to the negligence of staff in maintaining heat in the electric warmers. The child that died on Thursday was merely ten days old while the one that died on Wednesday was twenty one days old. After the death of the innocent, the family members cre ated a ruckus in the hospital and local police was rushed to the spot to handle the matter.

er and former MLA from Nagaur Habibur Rahman has said that this is because of the presence of a spirit in the assembly

ing. Rahman has de manded that prayers be conducted to ward off the spirit. He said, “There is a spirit in the assembly building, who

That is why all the 200 MLAs could never sit together here. Measures should be taken to paci fy the spirit.”

The former MLA said that when Harishankar Bhabhada was speaker in the old assembly, then a delegation visited to build this new building. I was also in it. “The munici pal corporation used to throw gar bage on one side of this assembly land. On one side was the

crematorium. On one hand is children’s cem etery and on other side people used to cultivate. There was also a well.”

He further said that where the assembly building stands, people used to do agriculture.

“At the time when the land was acquired, the farmers would have been promised compen sation but they have not got it to date. Many have died without compensa tion. There is something here,” he said.

PROVIDING EASE FOR BETTER LAW & ORDER

W ith the formation of Talera Circle Office, while maintaining law and order in the area will be easy, on the other hand, the grievances of the general public in the area will be redressed at the local level.

constable for the new circle office in Talera. In this, the state govern ment will bear the an nual financial burden of Rs.76.05 lakh.

It is noteworthy that due to the large distance of the present circle of fice, the demand for opening of circle office in Talera area of Bundi.

Suraj Kund: Minister of State for Home Rajen dra Singh Yadav par ticipated in the Chintan Shivir being organized at Suraj Kund in Haryana where Home Ministers of different states of the country assembled to mull on various issues. The two day Chintan Shivir is being chaired by Union Home Minister Amit Shah and will culminate on Friday after which Yadav will return to Jaipur.

19-YEAR-OLD RAPED IN AJMER BY ACQUAINTANCE, PROBE UNDERWAY

Ajmer: A case of gang rape with a 19-year-old girl has been reported in Christian Ganj police station area and a case has been registered the police informed on Friday. The victim has accused three people of gang rape after making her drink an intoxicated cold drink, police said. The girl had gone out with her acquaintance 3 months ago. Another acquaintance called him. He and his friends made her drink a cold drink when and raped her. The accused also threatened that they would make her pay the price if she told anyone. CO Chhavi Sharma is investigating the matter.

DR CP JOSHI MEETS MEMBERS OF ASSAM LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY

M embers of the Petitions Committee of the Assam Legislative Assembly made a courtesy visit at the residence of Speaker of the Rajasthan Legisla tive Assembly CP Joshi on Thursday. Nijanur Rahman, Rupesh Govala, Mihir Kantshore, the chairman of the petition committee, Nijanur Rahman, Mihir Kantshore, the chairman of the petition committee met Joshi and then visited the Rajasthan Legislative Assembly building, the House and Galleries and the museum. Vidhan Sabha Secretary Mahavir Prasad Sharma presented the proce dure, manual and internal working of the committee.

‘Ghosts don’t let assembly run in full strength’ says Congress leader and former Nagaur MLA Habibur Rahman demanding to conduct prayers

For the visits of the Governor, the demand has been for a 12 seater aircraft as per the requirement of the staff. —FILE PHOTO

The commission has seek report within four weeks. —FILE PHOTO

GOVT MIGHT CHECK FOR OTHER OPTIONS, SUGGESTS SOURCES

Rajsamand MP Diya Kumari meets Union Raliway Minister Ashiwini Vaishnaw on Thursday.

Notably, the Yadav and CM had discussed this earlier too but as the terms of the agree ment were not imple mented, the movement began in Gujarat.

Energy Minister Bhanwar Singh Bhati with Upen Yadav and his supporters in Gujarat on Thursday.

First India Bureau

Govind Singh Dotasra in Sikar on Thusday.

BJP State president Dr Satish Poonia meets Nasirabad MLA Ramswaroop Lamba on Thursday.

1 MORE INFANT DIES AS WARMER OVERHEATS IN BHILWARA HOSP

MoS RAJENDRA SINGH YADAV ATTENDS MHA’s CHINTAN SHIVIR

GUV ATTENDS DIWALI GET-TOGETHER AT RUHS

First India Bureau

Jaipur: Governor Kalraj Mishra attended the Diwali get together function organised by Rajasthan University of Health Sciences at Pratap Nagar on Thurs day evening.

Doctors and distin guished people present in the function met Mishra and greeted him. The Governor con gratulated them for their remarkable work in the medical field.

Vice Chancellor of University Dr Sudhir Bhandari, PS Medical Education Vaibhav Ga laria, Principal Secre tary UDH K L Meena, SMS Medical College Principal Dr Rajeev Bagarhatta, adminis trative officers, teach ers and many other doc tors were also present.

Rajasthan Housing Board Commissioner Pawan Arora also at tended the ceremony and met the Governor.

Governor will go to Jodhpur on October 28 on a two-day visit. He will attend the first con ference of Western Re gion on Contemporary Judicial Development and Strengthening Jus tice through Law & Technology.

Linking CGST can’t be denied on basis of filling wrong form: HC

DIWALI CELEBRATIONS HELD AT ACB HEADQUARTERS

First India Bureau

Jaipur: Diwali celebrations were held at ACB headquar ters on Thursday morning. ACB DG BL Soni and other senior officials of police de partment were also present at the Diwali Milan samaroh organised in the lawns of ACB headquarters located in Jhalana Doongri area. ACB DG BL Soni expressed his wishes to all police person nel and appealed to work for

CS Usha takes care of drives of IAS officers

First India Bureau

Jaipur: The drivers of IAS officers were also taken care of in the Di wali Sneh Milan sa maroh of the IAS as sociation. A separate

arrangement was al ready there for the drivers who were giv en packets of delicious foods when they were returning after drop ping the officers. This arrangement of Chief

JODHPUR GAS CYLINDER BLAST

secretary was appreci ated by the officers. She also attended Diwali Sneh Milan programme or ganised at Rajasthan Police Headquarters on Thursday.

Human Rights panel chief meets victims’ families

First India Bureau

Jodhpur: High Court while dispos ing of a petition, has held that linking of CGST identification number cannot be denied on ground of filling incorrect form. HC has or dered that depart ment should open common portal so that petitioner can fill his information in prescribed form.

Thirty days’ time has been given to the department for this.

Hearing the matter in the Rajasthan HC in Jodhpur, before the division bench of Justice Sandeep Mehta and Justice Kuldeep Mathur, it was said on behalf of department that the petitioner did not apply for trans fer of CGST identifi cation number in correct format.

Form 29 was filled to cancel old number, whereas for this, form number 16 was to be filled. So, sys tem could not link application. After hearing, bench said petitioner is ready to deposit his out standing tax, but un necessary obstacles are being created.

Jodhpur: Chairperson of Rajasthan State Hu man Rights Commis sion Justice Gopal Krishna Vyas on Thurs day met family mem bers of victims of gas cylinder blast in Kirti Nagar area. He con doled the sad demise of the four people. The Chairperson also spoke to District Collector Himanshu Gupta on phone and inquired about the assistance be

ing provided to family members of deceased. District Collector Himanshu Gupta in formed that family

Fuel surcharge on power to continue for next 2 months

Vikas Sharma

Jaipur: Additional fuel surcharge in electricity bills of consumers of state will continue for next 2 months. Princi pal Energy Secretary Bhaskar A Sawant said third quarter of finan

cial year, the amount of fuel surcharge for Octo ber 2021 to Dec 2021 was fixed at 21 paise per unit. Sawant also clarified that calcula tion of fuel surcharge is implemented only after verification by in dependent auditor.

members of the de ceased are being given an assistance of Rs 5L each, while those in jured given Rs 1L each.

Grandsons stab elderly man to death

Pradeep Gadhwal

Jhunjhunu: In a shock ing incident in Sanwlod village under Singhana police station area here, two grandsons killed their grandfather by stabbing him with a knife & hockey stick. Their sister and un cle got badly injured

too. SHO Bhajana Ram said Hoshiyar Singh, 86, was beaten up by his 2 grandsons & was se

Direct flights from Jpr to Goa soon

Kashiram Choudhary

Jaipur: Flights from Jaipur to Goa will soon increase. The Directo rate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has issued a licence for the newly-built Mopa air port in Goa.

The flight operations will possibly start by December. Goa’s first airport built in Dabolim is by the Navy and only a limited number of civil flights are allowed. Private group GMR has

DGP Lather at Diwali Sneh Milan event ahead of retirement

developed a new air port. Right now about 80 flights operate from Goa airport every day. But this can be doubled now.

In the coming time, 2 to 3 flights may run daily from Jaipur to Goa. Sources informed that presently five in

ternational flights take off from Jaipur and this will continue for some time. “The Jaipur Airport Administra tion had issued a state ment on September 29 that four new interna tional flights will start from Jaipur Airport in the winter sched ule. New flights to Kuala Lumpur, Bang kok, Dubai, and Doha were scheduled to start from Nov, but no preparations have been done,” source.

verely injured. Police reached spot & brought them to Singhana Hos pital. Hoshiyar Singh died during treatment. Accused Amit Kumar & Manish Kumar fled. Amit Kumar was a po liceman who was dis missed. Accused were fighting with their sis ter that turned ugly.

reaches

First India Bureau

Jaipur: Royal train, Pal ace on Wheels, reached Jaipur on its third com mercial tour on Thurs day. The luxury train started operations after a gap of two-and-a-half years. The tourists were accorded a grand tradi tional welcome at Gan dhinagar station. Twen ty-seven tourists from five countries were on board the royal train.

These include 13 from India, seven from Britain, four from

Shivendra Parmar

Jaipur: As work re sumed in govt offices, Diwali Sneh Milan pro gramme was organised at Rajasthan Police Headquarters on Thurs day. All the top officials, including DGP ML Lather were present in programme organized on the lawns of Police Headquarters. IPS, RPS officers and other per sonnel participated in programme. Lather ex tended Diwali greetings to all police officers and employees.

Lather met all em ployees & officers & dis tributed sweets to them.

Addressing police offic ers and employees, Lather said, “Police men have worked hard for this. Many chal lenges came in front of police. Crimes & crim inals have become a challenge for police,” he said.

FIR against cops in Bhiwadi for beating councillor & 9 others

First India Bureau

Bhiwadi: A council lor & nine others were injured in Bhiwadi on Wednesday night after a clash broke out be tween the councillor and policemen. Sourc es informed that Sundar Singh, brother of Ward No. 22 coun cillor Kishan Nagar, was allegedly de tained by ORT team while he was standing out of his house. “As soon as councillor Kishan Nagar came out of his house and inquired QRT team as to why his brother had been forced to sit in police jeep, fuming po licemen started beat ing him.

Nearly ten people, including councillor and women, were beat en in incident,” said a

source. “Following the incident, Kishan Na gar’s relative Yogesh was referred to Guru gram for further treat ment. Later, people gathered at Hetram Chowk & raised slo gans against Bhiwadi police,” added source.

tourists

America, two from South Africa and one from Germany.The tourists got a red car pet welcome at the rail way station. The guests

were seen dancing to the tunes of folk music with folk artists. They took selfies with ele phants and then went on a sightseeing tour.

Palace on Wheels.

PHOTO

Governor Kalraj Mishra will be in Jodhpur today on a two-day visit to attend the first conference of Western Region

Governor Kalraj Mishra interacting with Nihal Chand Goel, Niranjan Arya, Dr Sudhir Bhandari and others at Diwali get-together organised by Rajasthan University of Health Sciences on Thursday.

POONIA AT DIWALI SNEH MILAN GATHERING IN BHIM SUB DIVISION

ADULTERATION IS BIGGER CRIME THAN MURDER: SHRC CHAIRPERSON Jodhpur: Chairperson of Rajasthan State Human Rights Commission Justice Gopal Krishna Vyas on Thursday took a meeting of Health and Food Department officials at circuit house in Jodhpur and directed them to take stringent action against food adulteration. Chairperson Justice Gopal Krishna Vyas said that adulteration of food items is a bigger offense than murder. “The Shudh Ke Liye Yudh Abhiyan is a good initiative undertaken by state government. CM Ashok Gehlot is serious about this campaign. However, due to lack of food inspectors, effective action is difficult. Adulteration is a bigger crime than murder,” said Justice Gopal Krishna Vyas, Chairman of the Rajasthan State Human Rights Commission.

MIN SHAKUNTALA RAWAT MEETS AWANA’S FAMILY ON BHAI DOOJ

DGP ML Lather wishing officials and giving sweets on occasion of Diwali Sneh Milan programme held at Police Headquarters.

Satish Poonia attended the Deepawali Sneh Milan of BJP workers organised at Miyala Ramdev temple of Bhim subdivision. Also seen Maan Singh Barhath and former Hari Singh Rawat.

On the occasion of Bhai Dooj festival, Shakuntala Rawat, reached residence of Joginder Singh Awana in Noida.

Hemant Priyadarshi, Dinesh MN, Yogesh Dadhich (inset) ACB DG BL Soni addressing the police personnel present at the event.

the benefit of people. ADG Hemant Priyadarshi, ADG Dinesh MN, SP Yogesh Dadhich and other police officials and employees of ACB were present on the occasion.

Rajasthan State Human Rights Commission Justice Gopal Krishna Vyas meeting family members of victims of gas cylinder blast.

First India Bureau

Post the clash a discussion was held between supporters of councillor and Bhiwadi police officials on Thursday.

CS Usha Sharma

ROLE AND CONCERNS OF INDIA IN SOUTH ASIA

COL RAJESH BHUKAR

Geographically, the Indian Subcontinent consists of the peninsular part of pre sent-day India, south of the Himalayas, on the Indian tectonic plate. From a po litical perspective, the In dian subcontinent consists of eight countries: India, Pakistan, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Af ghanistan and the Mal dives. The people of the Indian Subcontinent have shared ethnic, linguistic, cultural, and historical ties. Even today these na tions bear some marks of their origins. Both the terms - ‘South Asia’ and ‘Indian subcontinent’ are used in an interchangeable manner. The peace in the region is marred by unre solved territorial disputes like Kashmir, separatist and insurgent movements linked to global outfits, a broad range of ethnic, reli gious conflicts, the prolif eration of nuclear technol ogy, climate change and the ensuing water issues. In dia is generally viewed as an ‘Interfering Big Broth er’ by her neighbour.

As the largest country, India needs to promote re gional peace and stability in order to have a strong claim to be a major world player. India’s ability to in tervene in countries is lim ited by resentment at In dia’s paternalism towards its smaller neighbours. An assertive surge in Chinese economic and diplomatic involvement in the region has elevated long-linger ing tensions with India and poses a challenge as the regional economic and diplomatic heavyweight. The South Asian Associa tion for Regional Coopera tion (SAARC) is an eco nomic and political region al organisation of coun tries in South Asia set up in 1985. It aims to acceler

ate the process of econom ic and social development in its member states through increased intraregional cooperation but so far has characterized by weak institutionalism and is often constrained in their effectiveness.

India’s Relations With Its Neighbours

The relationship with Paki stan has been characterised by a virtually unbroken re cord of sustained hostility.

The continued Pak support to terrorism and its stand on Kashmir remains a major irritant between India and Pakistan. Despite change of government, the anti India stand still flourishes in Pak.

Indo-Bangladesh rela tions had become strained over the Farakka issue, the Tin Bigha controversy and illegal Bangladeshi mi grants and their alleged involvement in communal riots in India. The agree ment on sharing of Ganga waters and the pro Indian stance of Sheikh Hasina regime has definitely made some positive impact.

Despite increasing Chi nese influence the Indo Nepalese relationship are likely to see a qualitative improvement owing closer economic ties and better political understanding.

An assertive surge in Chinese economic and diplomatic involvement in the region has elevated long-lingering tensions with India and poses a challenge as the regional economic and diplomatic heavyweight. The South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) is an economic and political regional organisation of countries in South Asia set up in 1985. It aims to accelerate the process of economic and social development in its member states through increased intra-regional cooperation but so far has characterized by weak institutionalism and is often con strained in their effectiveness.

The renewed Mahakali Treaty and grant of over land transit route for its trade with Bangladesh by India underlines the posi tive shift, but border dis pute of Kalapani still re mains a major issue.

The renewal of $400-mil lion currency swap facility and helping hand extended to Sri Lanka facing severe economic crisis has become a positive milestone in Indo Sri Lankan relations. The main irritant in Indo-Sri Lankan relationship that still remains is issue of kill ings of Indian fishermen

by Sri Lankan forces.

The volatile situation in Afghanistan is of major concern to India. The fun damentalist regime in Af ghanistan is an insidious threat to Indian secularism and a potentially destabilis ing factor in the region.

Defence matters of Bhu tan have remained Indian responsibility but owing to Indian weak stance dur ing Doklam skirmishes with China, the Bhutan King has established a fairly good relationship with China. India is trying to regain the lost ground.

Who is Rishi Sunak, the new UK prime minister?

hen Rishi Su nak was elected by Conserva tive MPs as their new lead er and hence prime minis ter of the United Kingdom, the British nation breathed a sigh of relief: thank God it wasn’t Boris Johnson.

Had Johnson been re-elect ed leader it would have had serious consequences, not just for the Conserva tives, but in the real world too. Only the most obtuse political observer could have failed to see that the optics of cutting short your Caribbean holiday to try to resolve a cost of liv ing crisis was not good politics. It sounds hard to believe, but this was not obvious to everyone.

Johnson garnered pub lic support from some of the Brexiteer old guard like Jacob Rees-Mogg and

in the pro-Boris media. But in characteristic fash ion, Johnson exaggerated his chances. This latest act of self-promotion back fired and he withdrew from the leadership race on Sunday (regretably having missed half his holiday). Nevertheless, the fact that many Conserva

tives seriously thought a chaotic government could be brought under control by someone known for chaotic management, shows how deep the ideo logical divisions within the party have become.

With the third contend er, Penny Mordaunt, fall ing just shy of the 100 MPs’

Johnson garnered public support from some of the Brexiteer old guard like Jacob Rees-Mogg and in the pro-Boris media. But in characteristic fashion, Johnson exaggerated his chances. This latest act of self-promotion backfired and he withdrew from the leadership race on Sunday (regretably having missed half his holiday).

votes needed to send the leadership contest to a vote of the grassroots party members – a fate to be avoided at all costs after they forfeited the confi dence of MPs by installing Truss – Rishi Sunak will become the next prime minister of the UK.

Now such divisions

seem to be affecting the right of politics too. As we saw in the 2022 federal election in Australia, the right’s traditional sup port base is split between affluent moderates con cerned about climate change, and older social conservatives concerned about immigration. This appears to be happening in the UK too.

This internal division can be exploited by the op position as we saw with the fracking vote. On paper, Sunak should feel secure with a 71-seat majority in a 650-seat parliament. But the Conservatives have lost confidence. The party is behaving like one that has only the slimmest of majorities and is on its way out. Sunak’s premier ship may well be a case of the band playing on.

SOURCE: THE CONVERSATION

As the largest country, India needs to promote regional peace and stability in order to have a strong claim to be a major world player.

India’s ability to intervene in countries is limited by resentment at India’s paternalism towards its smaller neighbours

Despite Chinese over tures, the Maldives has remained fairly under In dian influence. During re cent elections a political party sought votes with the slogan “Keep India” out definitely needs to be watched out.

Indian Options Create effective and endur ing incentives for our neigh bours to remain sensitive to India’s security interests and emerging as a security provider for the region.

Lesser Intervention, due respect of the sovereignty

and use more powerful In dian economy to become an engine of growth of neighbours.

No physical presence of a hostile foreign power in a manner that would ad versely impact its security especially in a case of open borders.

It is in India’s interest to promote regional econom ic integration, and need to step up role of SAARC in regional co-operation, dia logue and regional eco nomic integration.

Enhance effectiveness of Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Techni cal and Economic Cooper ation (BIMSTEC) compris ing Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Thailand.

India’s needs to further its positive role in the new ly formed The Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) which is a dynamic intergovernmental organisation aimed at strengthening re gional cooperation and sus tainable development with in the Indian Ocean region.

To bring into use its proximity with the other countries, India requires efficient cross-border con nectivity both in terms of infrastructure and proce dures to allow the smooth and seamless transit of goods and peoples.

The economic and tech nological power of India is a vast and expanding mar ket. Even if this market were opened up fully to whatever our neighbours can produce and sell, this would constitute only a small fraction of India’s market but would mean a great deal for them.

Given its much more de veloped land and maritime transport system, India should develop its role as the partner of choice for trade and transportation. This will also create strong inter-dependencies with our neighbours, thus cre ating more sensitivity among them to our secu rity concerns.

India needs to counter Chinese influence by better management of Sanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), the Quad comprising four countries including US committed to supporting a free and open Indo-Pacific, UN through Security Coun cil present membership, the ASEAN member states and Pacific partners.

VIEWS EXPRESSED BY THE AUTHOR ARE PERSONAL

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Narendra Modi @narendramodi

Wishing you all a very happy Bhai Dooj - a symbol of immense affection and unwavering faith of brother and sister.

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Saddened by the demise of veteran actor Sh Nipon Goswami. He made immense contributions to the Assamese film industry and began his career as a child actor who captivated audiences through his diverse roles during his career. I express my condolences to his family and friends.

If I speak in human or angelic tongues, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. Bible

Anita Hada Sangwan responsible for selection of news under the PRB

India needs to counter Chinese influence by better management of Sanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), the Quad comprising four countries including US committed to supporting a free and open Indo-Pacific, UN through Security Council present membership, the ASEAN member states and Pacific partners

The author has been Head Security Rajasthan Operations of Cairn Energy and DGM HR in Jindal Saw Ltd

ABOUT THE SAARC

Hooda used to run 3D govt”

Faridabad (ANI): Launching a scathing attack on Congress leader Bhupinder Singh Hooda, Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Thursday said the former Haryana CM used to run a “3D” govt with the nexus of “darbaris, damad and dealers”.

Addressing the BJP’s Jan Utthan rally, Shah said, “I congratulate Manohar Lal Khattar for completing 8 glorious years of governance. When he became the CM, I was the BJP chief. When he came to meet me after the polls, I asked him who should be the chief minister. He told me 15 names except his own. Such a man is governing and developing Haryana for the last 8 years. In 8 years, Manohar Lal ji has done the work of changing Haryana.”

Shah remembered late BJP leader and former Haryana deputy CM Mangal Sein on his birth anniversary.

Attacking previous Haryana governments, Shah said, “Recall the Haryana that existed 8 years ago. When one govt used to come, there used to be corruption and when the other government came, hooliganism increased. Khattar-led BJP govt neither allowed corruption nor hooliganism.”

Surajkund (PTI): Most of the non-BJP CMs holding the charge of their Home Departments on Thursday skipped the ‘Chintan Shivir’ of home ministers of all states organised by the Centre here. Non-BJP chief ministers holding the home portfolios are Mamata Banerjee (West Bengal), Nitish Kumar (Bihar), Naveen Patnaik (Odisha) and MK Stalin (Tamil Nadu). Only two non-BJP CMs — Punjab’s Bhagwant Mann and Kerala’s Pinarayi Vijayan — attended the conference being chaired by Union HM Amit Shah. The rest of the nonBJP states were either represented by a cabinet minister or a minister of state holding charge of the home department.

Surajkund (ANI): Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Thursday announced to open branches of the National Investigation Agency (NIA) in all states by 2024 as part of the Centre’s plan to build an anti-terrorism network. The Home Minister made the announcement while speaking at the two-day ‘Chintan Shivir’ of Home Ministers’ of all states here to prepare an action plan for the implementation of the Centre’s ‘vision 2047’. “Government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has a zero-tolerance policy against terrorism and NIA and other agencies are being strengthened to achieve a decisive victory,” Shah said.

UNION HM INAUGURATES, LAYS FOUNDATION STONE OF PROJECTS WORTH `6,629 CR IN HARYANA

Faridabad (PTI): Union HM Amit Shah on Thursday laid the foundation stone of Haryana Orbital Rail Corridor and inaugurated three other projects here worth a combined Rs 6,629 crore. He inaugurated the projects virtually from an event at the Parade Ground. He laid the foundation stone of Rs 5,618-crore Haryana Orbital Rail Corridor project. He inaugurated a rail coach refurbishment factory worth Rs 590 crore in Sonipat’s Barhi and India’s first longest elevated railway track in Rohtak, built at a cost of Rs 315.40 crore.

Seven people fall sick after chlorine gas leaks in Bhopal

Bhopal (PTI): Seven people fell sick after chlorine gas leaked from a cylinder at a water filtration plant in Bhopal, bringing back grim memories of the 1984 gas tragedy in the Madhya Pradesh capital. A 900 kg chlorine cylinder leaked on Wednesday at the water treatment plant of the Bhopal Municipal Corporation at the Idgah Hills, Shahjanabad’s Assistant Commissioner of Police Umesh Mishra said on Thursday.

Seven people living in

slums near the plant complained of some health issues. They were shifted to hospital. Locals said after the gas leak, some people complained of breathing difficulties, coughing and vomiting. The snag has been fixed, he said.

Thousands of people were killed and more than five lakh affected after inhaling a toxic gas that spewed out from the now defunct Union Carbide factory in Bhopal on the intervening night of December 2 and 3, 1984.

BJP demands probe in TRS’ poaching bid charges

New Delhi: Former BJP MP Subramanian Swamy moved a plea before the Delhi High Court claiming that the Central Govt had failed to provide adequate security at his private residence as assured before the court. The application has been listed for hearing on Monday. In September the Delhi high court had asked Swamy to vacate the government accommodation. The matter was mentioned by the senior advocate Jayant Mehta before the bench headed by chief justice Satish Chandra Sharma.

NGT JUNKS PLEA TO SEEK MONITORING OF POLLUTION DEVISE

New Delhi: The NGT has refused to entertain a plea seeking a direction to monitor and test efficiency of a device to control air pollution. A bench headed by Justice AK Goel said the Tribunal’s role is to adjudicate on substantial questions of environment and not to test devices of commercial enterprises. "According to the applicant, he is an expert on the subject of control of air pollution and has invented a device to control air pollution. He has accordingly sought a direction to monitor and test efficiency of devices of the applicant.

New Delhi: The Delhi High Court on Thursday refused to pass an interim order extending tenure of last presiding officer of Delhi School Tribunal and granted time to the govt to state its stand on a plea seeking expeditious appointment to the currently vacant post. Delhi govt counsel Santosh Kumar Tripathi told the court that the rules for appointment have been changed and are pending approval before the Lt Governor and a “temporary arrangement” has been put in place until a regular selection is done.

MARRIED WOMAN ASKED TO DO HOUSEHOLD WORK FOR FAMILY NOT CRUELTY, SAYS HC

Mumbai: If a married woman is asked to do household work for family, it cannot be equated to the work of a maid and would not amount to cruelty, the Aurangabad bench of Bombay High Court said while quashing a case lodged by a woman against her husband and his parents for domestic violence and cruelty. A division bench on October 21, quashed the First Information Report lodged against the man and his parents. The woman had alleged she was was treated properly for a month after marriage, but thereafter, they began treating her like a maid servant.

Hyderabad (ANI): Rejecting the charge that his party was trying to poach Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) MLAs, Telangana BJP chief Bandi Sanjay on Wednesday said that Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao has scripted the raids at a farmhouse and demanded a probe by a sitting judge.

The BJP chief said that if KCR is not responsible for this then he should come to Yadadri Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy temple and swear on God. “Story-Screenplay-Direction by CM KCR at Moinabad Farmhouse Boomeranged and is laughable. It’s TRS’

farmhouse, TRS complained, TRS are victims, TRS are criminals. KCR if you haven’t scripted this, come to Yadadri Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy temple and swear on God - You fix time and date,” said Sanjay.

The BJP leader alleged that the TRS leaders are staying at a hotel for the last threefour days.

BJP URGES HC TO TRANSFER TRS MLAS’ POACHING CASE TO CBI Hyderabad (Agencies): The Telangana BJP has released a manifesto for the Munugode bypoll to be held on November 3, promising to develop the constituency in 500 days with the help of over Rs 1,000 crore in central government funds. Neither the ruling Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS), nor Congress or other contesting parties, including Independents, have released any manifestos for the by-poll. The eight-page, 28-point “master plan” promises allround development of Munugode, with funds and direct oversight of at least 10 Central ministries. As per the manifesto, the National Highways Authority of India will invest over Rs 200 crore to develop three stretches of highways that connect to Munugode. Under the Union Ministry of Textiles, a textile park would be developed with Rs 100 crore. The manifesto states that a central fluoride research centre attached with a 100-bed hospital will be established at Munugode, at a cost of Rs 100 crores. It will be managed by the National Institute of Nutrition, Hyderabad.

Hyderabad: Telangana BJP on Thursday approached the High Court seeking transfer of a case pertaining to the TRS MLAs’ poaching allegations against the party, to the CBI or to constitute a special investigation team to carry out a fair probe into the matter. In a writ petition filed by BJP State Genl Secy Gujjula Premendar Reddy, he claimed the “bias and unfair investigation” being carried out is with a “sole intention to frame the leaders” of his party.

BJP RELEASES MANIFESTO IN HIGH STAKES TELANGANA BYELECTION, CATCHES TRS, CONG OFF-GUARD

TRS, MIM USING BJP’S STYLE OF POLITICS, SAYS JAIRAM RAMESH

Hyderabad: The ruling TRS in Telangana and the Asaduddin Owaisiled AIMIM practice the same politics as that of the BJP, AICC General Secretary, in-charge of communications, Jairam Ramesh alleged on Thursday. Ramesh, who spoke to reporters during a break in the Bharat Jodo Yatra led by party leader Rahul Gandhi, said the main focus of Yatra is the “divisive politics” of BJP and the RSS, but in Telangana the challenge is also to face the ruling TRS.

Why not Ambedkar’s pic on notes: Tewari

Chandigarh (PTI): A day after Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal sought printing images of Lord Ganesha and Goddess Lakshmi on currency, Congress MP Manish Tewari on Thursday asked why not Bhimrao Ambedkar's photo on a new series of notes.

The AAP national convener’s demand drew sharp reactions

tive Hindutva” to outwit the BJP in pollbound Gujarat.

SC: ‘Custodial interrogation not needed’ not a ground for bail

“USE PM’S PIC”

from the Congress with its Punjab unit chief Amrinder Singh Raja accusing Kejriwal of resorting to “competi-

Reacting to Kejriwal’s statement, Tewari, a Congress MP from Punjab’s Anandpur Sahib, tweeted, “Why not Dr Babasahib Ambedkar’s photograph on new series of currency notes? On one side the great Mahatma (Gandhi) the other side Dr (B R) Ambedkar.”

NATIONAL EDUCATION POLICY-2020

New Delhi: The Supreme Court has criticised the practice of High Courts to grant anticipatory bail to accused in criminal cases on the ground that no custodial interrogation is required. A bench said there is a misconception that if no case for custodial interrogation is made out by prosecution then that alone would be

a good ground to grant anticipatory bail.

“In many anticipatory bail matters, we have noticed one common argument being canvassed that no custodial interrogation is required and, therefore, anticipatory bail may be granted. There appears to be a serious misconception of law,” the bench said.

It aims at de-linking degree from edu & livelihood: MoS Dr Singh

Dr Jitendra Singh gave full credit to the futuristic vision of PM Narendra Modi, who had given a call for Start-Up India, Stand-Up India in 2015 itself

First India Bureau

New Delhi: Union Minister of State Dr Jitendra Singh said on Thursday that National Education Policy (NEP-2020) aims at de-linking degree from education and livelihood opportunities. Addressing the students at Krishna Mahavidyalaya at Thakurdwar in Moradabad, Uttar Pradesh, Dr Jitendra Singh said, NEP-2020 also supplements Start-Up ecosys-

tem with the promise to open new career and entrepreneurship opportunities for students and youth in India.

Dr Singh said, NEP2020 introduced by PM Modi will reorient India’s Education Policy as per global benchmarks. Describing it as the biggest path-breaking reform in India since independence, the Minister said, the new policy is not only progressive and visionary but is also in keeping

with the emerging needs and requirements of 21st century India.

He said, it gives due priorities to the inherent

talent, knowledge, skill and aptitude of the students, rather than focusing only on degrees.

He said that linking

degrees with education has taken a heavy toll on our education system and society as well and one of the fall-outs has

been an increasing number of educated unemployed. He said, NEP2020 is having the provision of multiple entry/ exit option thus providing academic flexibility to the students.

Referring to Skill India Mission, he urged students to imbibe multiple skills to be successful in life as there are ample number of examples to show that those equipped with the latest skills are doing wonders in the world today.

He urged students to explore livelihood opportunities in the Startup sector. He said that only in August this year, the Uttar Pradesh government injected Rs 4,000 crore into the state’s start-up corpus for employment generation and economic activity. The fresh infusion of capital has been made to constitute the maiden ‘UP Innovation Fund’ that will be mandated to provide seed capital to start-ups.

SWAMY MOVES HC OVER CENTRE’S FAILURE TO PROVIDE SECURITY AT HIS PVT RESIDENCE

HC: WON’T EXTEND TENURE OF SCHOOL TRIBUNAL’S HEAD

Union Home Minister Amit Shah being greeted by Haryana CM ML Khattar, Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan, Uttar Pradesh CM

Sarma, Punjab CM Bhagwant

Sawant,

of home ministers of

Surajkund

Faridabad,

Thursday. —PHOTO BY PTI

plant,

Wednesday night.

Manish Tewari

BJP leader Bandi Sanjay

NIA BRANCHES IN ALL STATES BY 2024 TO BUILD ANTI-TERRORISM NETWORK, SAYS HM AMIT SHAH

MOST NON-BJP CMS HOLDING HOME MINISTRY PORTFOLIOS SKIP MHA MEET

T’gana leg of Yatra resumes after 4 days

Hyderabad (PTI): Af ter a gap of four days, the Rahul Gandhi-led Bharat Jodo Yatra re sumed from Makthal in Narayanpet district of Telangana on Thursday, sources in the Congress party said.

The yatra kicked off at 6.30 am from Makthal with State Congress president A Revanth Reddy, MP Uttam Ku mar Reddy, CLP leader Bhatti Vikramarka and a number of party lead ers joining Gandhi. This is the second day of the yatra in the state.

The Bharat Jodo Yatra entered the state via Gudebellur on October 23 morning, after exit ing Karnataka from Raichur. After a brief march, it took a break from Sunday noon till October 26.Gandhi who left for the national cap ital on October 23, land ed here last night and left for Gudebellur by road. The Gandhi scionled march is expected to complete 26.7 km, be fore halting for the day at Sri Balaji Factory,

CONG DEMANDS WHITE PAPER ON ‘PLIGHT OF KASHMIRI PANDITS’

New Delhi (PTI): The Con gress attacked the BJP over the alleged exodus of Kash miri Pandits from south Kashmir’s Shopian district and demanded that the Modi government release a white paper on the plight of the minority community during its eight-year rule.

Makthal for the night, according to party sources. From Makthal, the yatra will continue

CRUCIAL READ

ASSAM POLICE CONFISCATES GANJA WORTH `15 CRORE, TWO ARRESTED Guwahati (ANI): Assam police on Thursday foiled interstate smuggling by intercepting a truck carrying more than two thousand kilos of contraband drugs (Ganja) near the Jorabat area, along the Assam-Meghalaya border. “Two persons have been arrested,” officials said. Acting on a tip-off, an operation was launched by a team of Guwahati city police and intercepted a truck, on its way to mainland Assam from Manipur, carrying Manipuri Ganja, worth Rs 15 crore. Following the arrest of two persons, the truck and the high-quality Ganja have been seized, officials said.

LAUNCH OF BOOK ON FORMER PAK PM CANCELLED

Bengaluru (ANI): A book on former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan was set for launch in Bengalu ru on Thursday but had to be cancelled after Hindu outfits protested against the programme and de manded police not to give permission for the event.

The book titled “Imran Khan: A Living Legend” written by Sudhakar SB was set to be launched at Kalagrama near Mallatha halli in Bengaluru at 5pm on Thursday.

HP CM ATTEMPTS TO BUY PEACE AS REBELS HAUNT BJP

Shimla (Agencies): Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur paid a surprise visit to Karsog constituency in his home district Mandi. While such visits may be common in the run-up to polls, the purpose of Thakur’s visit was differ ent. The CM’s services had been sought to establish peace with the previous BJP MLA from the seat, Yuvraj Kapoor, who has filed his nomination as a rebel candidate.

FIVE INCLUDING TWO CHILDREN DIE AFTER DRINKING TEA IN UTTAR PRADESH VILLAGE Mainpuri (PTI): Five persons, including two children and their father died on Thursday here in a village after drinking tea allegedly spiked with a chemical, police said. Shivanan dan (35), his sons Shivang (6) and Divyansh (5), his fatherin-law Ravindra Singh (55), and neighbour Sobran (42) fell seriously ill after drinking tea made in his house in Nagla Kanhai village, Superintendent of Police Kamlesh Dixit said. All of them were taken to the district hospital where doctors declared Ravindra, Shivang, and Divyansh brought dead, the SP said. Sobran and Shivanandan were referred to Saifai in a serious condition where they both died later, he said.

The opposition party also hit out at the BJP-led Centre over the targeted killings of Kashmiri Pandits in Jammu and Kashmir and said the government must apolo gise for it.

for 16 days in Telangana state, covering 19 As sembly and 7 Parlia mentary constituencies

As terrorists carried out a number of targeted killings recently, 10 Kash miri Pandit families left their village, Choud harygund, in Shopian out of fear and reached Jammu, ac cording to residents.

spanning a distance of 375 km, before entering Maharashtra on No vember 7.

Will K’taka Cong witness a third power centre in Kharge faction?

Sharat K Verma

New Delhi: After Mal likarjun Kharge be came the Congress President, there may or may not be any new fac tion in the national politics of the party, but it is certain that a new faction will be formed in Karnataka, which will be called Kharge faction. It can also be called a high command group. At present there are two factions in Kar nataka i.e. Siddaramai ah and DK Shivakumar. Siddaramaiah has been the chief minister of the state but he is not a traditional Congress leader. He left the JDS and joined the Con gress and Rahul Gan dhi made him the Chief Minister. Shivakumar, on the other hand, is the state president, troubleshooter of the Congress and a re source-rich leader. Right now the entire party is divided be

tween these two lead ers. However, apart from these, there are many other big leaders like Margaret Alva and Veerappa Moily.

Kharge is from Kar nataka and has now be come the national pres ident of the party. In such a situation, the leaders who are not in any group have got a shelter. Keep in mind that Kharge being the grassroots leader of Karnataka, every small and big leader has di

Indian Army jawans celebrate Bhai Dooj with women at LoC

Poonch (PTI): The Jawans of Indian Ar my’s Durga Battalion on Thursday celebrated Bhai Dooj with women and girls at Line of Con trol (LoC) in Gulpur sec tor in Poonch district of Jammu and Kashmir.

Women applied ‘tika’ on the forehead of the army personnel and performed other rituals.“Our Battalion is posted here at Loc and today is the festival of Bhai Dooj. Our sisters are at home and we can’t

UP: Fight over rasgulla shortage

leaves 1 dead

Agra (Agencies): A 22-year-old man was killed and five others in jured after a fight erupt ed at a wedding ceremo ny at Etmadpur here due to a shortage of sweets, police said. The incident occurred on Wednesday night at the wedding ceremony of Mohalla Shaikhan resi dent Usman’s daugh ters, the police said.

FESTIVE FEVER

meet them but here the sisters of Poonch cele brated the festival with us,” said an officer. An

other Army Officer posted here at LoC said that the sister of Poonch has come to celebrate.

New Delhi (Agencies): On the occasion of Infantry Day, Chief of Defense Staff (CDS) General Anil Chauhan laid a wreath at the National War Memorial in the national capital on Thursday. Mean while, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will visit Sri nagar in Jammu and Kash mir to attend the ‘Shaurya Diwas’ program organized by the Indian Army. Later in the day, he will arrive in Leh on a two-day visit to Ladakh.

rect contact with him. Therefore, the leaders of the party can contact him in Delhi and speak their mind. This fac tion will also be formed because elections are going to be held in Kar nataka next year and both the big leadersSiddaramaiah and Shi vakumar - are busy pre paring their list of can didates. Any leader who is not in the list of these two will remain in Kharge or high com mand faction. So, Kar nataka politics is going to be interesting in the next few days. This dis cussion has also started among many knowl edgeable Congress lead ers that Kharge fell short of becoming CM thrice, and it could be that after becoming the national president, he may yet again become CM. Thus if Congress wins, Kharge may be the consensus candi date instead of Siddara maiah and Shivakumar.

Worldwide emissions will peak in 2025, says IEA

Paris (ANI): The Inter national Energy Agen cy (IEA) on Thursday released its World En ergy Outlook 2022 re port, which stated that global emissions will peak in 2025.

Based on the latest en ergy data and market developments, this year’s WEO explores key questions about the crisis, including set backs for clean energy transitions, government responses on energy markets and possible risks ahead on the path to net zero emissions.

“In the Announced Pledges Scenario (APS), the commitments in the NDCs bring about a fast er reduction in emis sions: global emissions peak before 2025 and fall to 31.5 Gt CO2 in 2030, which is around 15pc lower than in the STEPS,” the report said.

Gas tanker explodes after overturning,1dead

Dumka (PTI): One per son was killed and an other injured as a gas tanker overturned after hitting a bus that was parked on the roadside in Jharkhand’s Dumka district on Thursday af ternoon, following which it exploded and caught fire.The acci dent happened on State Highway 17 in Dhava tand area when the tanker was on the way to Hansdiha, Superin tendent of Police Am ber Lakra told PTI. Af ter the tanker exploded, it caught fire that rav

By Ahtesham Siddiqui...

aged at least three buses that were parked one after the other. Several trees were also burnt, police said. “There was an explosion after the tanker overturned. Three buses that were parked nearby and sev eral trees also caught fire,” police inspector said.

IAS Gothalwal may withdraw application for VRS: Sources

Lucknow: After the ap plications of IAS offic ers Juthika Patankar and Renuka Kumar for Voluntary Retirement Scheme were accepted, all eyes are on the 2003-batch IAS officer Vikas Gothalwal who has also sought VRS.

However, the matter of his VRS seems to be stuck in some technical issue. Gothalwal’s wife

Blinken hosts in-person Diwali reception

lll

The event, which follows the White House’s biggest Diwali event, received guests from the diplomatic and religious communities

Washington (ANI): US Secretary of State An tony Blinken on Wednesday hosted inperson Diwali recep tion following a gap of two years due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

This event, which fol lows the White House’s biggest Diwali event on Monday, received guests from the diplomatic and religious communities, from the private sector and from all across civil society. “Simply to you: it’s an honour - an hon

our to host you at the State Department for this first in-person Di wali since before the

days, Hindus, Sikhs, Jains, Buddhists have decorated their homes with rungolee; they’ve shared sweets; they’ve given thanks through pooja; they’ve lit spar klers.

as his Principal Staff Officer.

Gothalwal went abroad on academic leave from September 13 last year to September 1, 2022. Sources said that there is some issue re garding the payment of salary of this period due to which his VRS has not been approved yet.

Final decision on the VRS application will be

taken after this pay ment issue is resolved.

However, the in formed sources said that IAS Vikas Gothal wal may withdraw his VRS application at the last moment.

Meanwhile, the resig nation of IAS Vidya Bhushan, who sought resignation in the bu reaucracy of UP, may also be accepted soon.

Ensuring welfare schemes for everyone is ‘Ram Rajya’: UP CM

pandemic,” Blinken said in his remarks at a Diwali reception.

“Over the past few

All around the world, from the streets of New Delhi, to the parks of Kuala Lumpur, to right down the street at the White House, people have gathered to share in the simple joy of be ing around friends and family,” he added.

Gorakhpur (Agencies): Sharing the joys of Di wali with members of Vantangiya and Mush ar communities, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minis ter Yogi Adityanath on Monday said that Ram Rajya is all about en suring that the benefits of welfare schemes of the government reach every person honestly.

Inaugurating and laying the foundation stone of 288 develop ment projects worth Rs 80 crore for various gram panchayats of

the district at Van tangiya village, Yogi said that Ram Rajya is where compassion and facilities reach people together simultane ously.

‘MADRASA SURVEY ONLY TO ALLOW HOLISTIC POLICY’

Lucknow (Agencies): Uttar Pradesh Minister of State for Minority Affairs, Danish Azad Ansari said that the government’s objec tive for conducting a survey of unrecognised madrasas is to facili tate in developing ho listic welfare policy for all students. “It is up to madrasas whether they want to benefit from the government’s welfare scheme or not,” he said.

Dislodging BJP not possible without Congress, says Jairam Ramesh

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi interacts with the children during the party’s Bharat Jodo Yatra, in Narayanpet on Thursday. —PHOTO BY ANI

Cong Prez Mallikarjun Kharge

Army personnel gets tilak applied on his forehead on the occasion of Bhai Dooj festival, in Poonch. —PHOTO BY ANI

CDS ANIL CHAUHAN LAYS WREATH AT NAT’L WAR MEMORIAL

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken

UP CM Yogi Adityanath

Amrita Soni, is also a 2003 batch IAS of UP cadre, who is currently

posted in the office of Chief Secretary IAS Durga Shankar Mishra

IAS Vikas Gothalwal IAS Vidya Bhushan

RAJASTHAN TO GET NEW DCC, BCC PRESIDENTS SOON

Jaipur: With Mallikar jun Kharge becoming the National President of Congress, new Dis trict and Block Presi dents will be appointed in Rajasthan soon.

Sources said that the names for District Presidents and Block Presidents have al ready been finalised and sent to the election authority of the party in closed envelopes.

After the approval of the newly elected Presi dent, the announce ment of the new Dis trict and Block Presi dents will be made.

Contenders for differ

ent posts are also ap proaching leaders from Jaipur to Delhi.

The names of two Block Presidents in each of the 200 assem bly constituencies and city and rural presi dents in more than 20 districts have been finalised and now the election authority

CM: I know reality of hosps as I suffered from post Covid issues

From Pg 1...

It is also necessary to ensure quality treat ment and providing better health facili ties and full benefits of all government schemes to public in these medical colleg es. For this purpose, CM Gehlot held a meeting with the principals of func tional and newly constructed medical colleges of State for the first time. This meeting was also kept open to the public through so cial media.

During this, the medical facilities of the State were re viewed as well as dis cussions were held with the principals of medical colleges to further improve the implementation of health related schemes.

“We brought the Right to Health Bill, but some private peo ple protested, after which this bill was stopped in the As sembly. These pri vate hospitals and medical colleges earn a lot of money. These people have

looted, but it cannot be discounted. Rs 1cr or 2 cr in PG, do not know how much money is spent,” he said.

On the condition of govt hospitals, CM said that the govern ment comes with ma jor schemes for free medicine, yet it does not feel good if it comes to light that medicines are to be brought from outside the State. “Perhaps I suffered from post covid problems so I know the reality of hospitals. When I tour districts, I take feedback from pa tients. There are complaints of dirty beds in hospital.” CM praised cleanliness in hospitals in MLA OP Hoodla’s area.

“Get the work done by surveying hospi tals in a month. Don’t have to wait for hos pital offer. Get main tenance work done on priority,” Gehlot instructed Naveen Mahajan of PWD.

Health Minister Parsadi Meena ex pressed concern about the dilapidated condition of a hospi tal in Kota.

will make the an nouncement.

During the election of the National Presi dent, the process of ap pointment to these posts has been done across the state. Observ ers went to every dis trict and met with the potential contenders.

Apart from this, dis

cussions have also been held at the level of each District Congress Committee.

At present, only 13 District Presidents are appointed in Rajasthan & more than 30 District Presidents including city and District Presi dents are to be appoint ed across the State.

To win Gujarat, Gehlot urges senior leaders be fielded in election rallies!

Aditi Nagar

New Delhi: Ra jasthan Chief Minis ter and senior elec tion in charge for Gujarat has brought out a ‘mantra’ from his years of experi ence on winning elections. Gehlot has sought the support of the team of big leaders from Delhi and urged high com mand to activate senior leaders in elections. It is re ported that Sonia Gandhi herself also took this ‘election mantra’ of Gehlot seriously and word is that now Congress President Kharge and Treasurer Pawan Bansal will decide on this aspect.

CM Gehlot balms LIG with subsidised lease amount

People in colonies settled on agricultural land will be benefitted

Jaipur: Taking a sensi tive decision, Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot has approved the pro posal to give exemption in premium rate of plots to the people of low income group in the colonies settled on agri cultural land.

According to the pro posal, free hold lease would be provided for residential plots up to 120 square meters at the premium rate of Rs.5 per square meter and four times the premium rate on depositing onetime lease amount for ten years and on depos iting building approval fee of Rs.500. These in clude such colonies whose layout plans have

CM’s NOD TO RELEASE GRANT OF `13.88

CR FOR INDUSTRIES TO SET UP ETP

Jaipur: CM Gehlot has approved the proposal to release a grant amount of Rs 13.88 cr for estab lishing Effluent Treatment Plant (ETP) by industrial units under Rajasthan Investment Promotion Policy 2014 and 2019. With the above approval, the waste emitted by various industries will be properly treat ed and will help in environmental protection. It is noteworthy that a provision has been made by State Govt to provide 20% subsidy on the cost of plant & machinery to industrial units for setting up of ETP. The above scheme has been brought to encourage more and more industries to set up ETPs. The installation of ETP helps in the disposal of harmful industrial waste, it also avoids adverse effects on health of general public due to industrial waste.

been approved or the layout plans/ survey plans are to be approved by taking action under suo-moto survey and section 90-A.

It is noteworthy that before their formation in various municipali ties or before the imple mentation of the mas ter plan, various colo nies have been settled on agricultural land. In

these colonies there are plots of economically weaker income group, low income group and middle income group. With the approval of the Chief Minister, peo ple living in these colo nies will be able to get lease easily at conces sional rates and their dream of getting legal ownership of their plots will be realised.

2023 Assembly polls: Org changes in BJP State Unit on cards

Aishwary Pradhan

Jaipur: Ahead of the 2023-Assembly elec tions in Rajasthan, or ganisational changes in the BJP’s State unit are on the cards.

The State leadership of BJP may replace 14 District Presidents and Presidents of several fronts and cells.

The party sources said that many of the District Presidents, who are preparing to contest the elections themselves have of fered to leave the post. The issue has been dis

cussed with the Party High Command and the State leadership.

By the Assembly elec

tions-2023 and Lok Sab ha elections-2024, BJP wants to prepare such a team in the State,

14 BJP DIST PRESIDENTS WHO HAVE OFFERED TO SUBMIT RESIGNATIONS

T hose who have offered to resign are Jaipur city president Raghav Sharma, Alwar north president Balwan Yadav, Alwar south president Sanjay Naruka, Bikaner district president Tarachand Saraswat, Chru district president Dharmveer Pujari, Tonk district president Rajendra Parana, Sikar district president Indra Chaudhary, Jhunjhunu district president Pawan Kumar, Bharatpur district president Shailesh Singh, Karauli district president- Brijlal Dikolia, Bhilwara district president Ladulal Teli, Ajmer south rural district president Devishankar Bhutda, Jodhpur city president president Devendra Joshi and Barmer district president Aduram Meghwal.

which can remain ac tive and fulfill the re sponsibility of the par ty organisation only.

not wish to contest the Assembly or Lok Sab ha elections, have a strong hold and recog nition among the work ers and can spare full time for the party dur ing the elections for the next two years. Prelim inary work has also been done on this.

Yogesh Sharma

Jaipur: The Eastern Rajasthan Canal Pro ject which covers 13 dis tricts of the Eastern Rajasthan will become a major issue during Rahul Gandhi’s Bharat Jodo Yatra. It is a coin cidence that the ‘Pady atra’ of Rahul Gandhi will pass through those districts in Rajasthan which are included in the ERCP project.

Ministers, MLAs and Congress leaders are con

stantly targeting the Modi government on the issue while demanding from the centre to declare it a National Project.

In December, Gan dhi’s yatra will pass through Jhalawar, Kota, Baran, Sawai Madhopur, Dausa and Alwar dis tricts of Rajasthan, which are among the 13 districts covered under the ERCP.

ERCP is a major issue in these districts. CM Ashok Gehlot has writ ten letters to the PM de

According to sourc es, a list of such lead ers and workers is be ing prepared, who do

Kota: Birla meets people, celebrates BhaiDooj

Kota: Diwali-like celebra tion and enthusiasm was once again seen in Kota's station area on Thursday. The people of the area gave a wonderful wel come to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, who came to wish the people ‘Happy Diwali.’

Wherever Speaker Birla reached, people thronged to meet him.

During this, women also tied Raksha sutra to Speaker Birla’s wrist.

Due to being very close to the railway sta tion, the Bajaria area is usually crowded with people coming from outside. These people

were also shocked to see Speaker Birla mov ing like this.

They said for the first time, they have seen a politician handling such a huge constitu tional responsibility

mingling with the pub lic with such affinity. They said that as simple and cheerful he appears during the proceedings of the House, he was seen the same in the huge crowd of people.

On the other hand, Madhubala Meena and Mamta Rawat whose husbands were martyred in the Pulwama attack, tied ‘Raksha sutra’ on the wrist of Birla at the

FROM

GEHLOT ON...

Camp Office. Mamta had come to Kota from Agra for Bhai Dooj. Birla spoke to both of them about their problems and assured them of a prop er solution.

The BJP State Presi dent Dr Satish Poonia will soon make chang es in the organisation after talking to the State in-charge Arun Singh. With this move in place, many inactive office bearers will also be removed.

Appt of Retd IAS: Raj HC seeks reply from RERC officials, others

Jaipur: Rajasthan High Court has sought response from the Chief Secretary, RERC Secretary, Selection Board and others in four weeks in the matter of ap pointment of retired IAS Dr BN Sharma as the chairman of Electricity Regulatory Commission.

manding to declare ERCP a National Pro ject as promised by him during election rallies in the State.

ERCP, conceptualised by the former BJP gov ernment, is an ambi tious project which will provide irrigation and drinking water in 13 dis tricts.

The project aims at harvesting surplus wa ter available during the rainy season in the Chambal and its tribu taries Kunnu, Parvati and Kalisindh, and use it in 13 districts where there is a scarcity of water for drinking and irrigation purposes.

Jhalawar, Baran, Kota, Bundi, Sawai Madhopur, Ajmer, Tonk, Jaipur, Karauli, Alwar, Bharatpur, Dausa and Dholpur are the districts that will benefit from the project.

People of these dis tricts have huge hopes from this project. Many labourers from these districts have to mi grate in search of work.

People say that ERCP will address water needs & can transform Eastern Raj scenario.

On October 29, Gehlot will reach Navsari by helicopter from Surat at 10.30 am and will address a public meet ing. Gehlot will reach Dabok Airport in Udaipur, Rajasthan by special plane at 2 pm and will then reach Nathdwara in Rajsamand by helicopter at 3 pm. He will attend a program of Nath dwara Shiva Pratima Vishwa Swarupam at 4 pm and will return to Ahmedabad at 7 pm. On October 30, CM Gehlot will reach Banaskantha by helicopter at 11 am and will address a public meeting. After reaching

Kherbrahma in Sabarkan tha at 1 pm, he will hold another public meeting. The CM will address the next public meeting in Bhiloda, Aravali at 2.30 pm. He will reach Abu Road in Sirohi, Rajasthan at 4.30 pm and will hold the night stay there. The next day, Gehlot will leave Abu Road at 9.30 am and will reach Banaskantha in Gujarat at 10 am to participate in Bharat Jodo Yatra. After spending two hours in the padyatra, Gehlot will reach Dabok Airport in Udaipur, Ra jasthan at 12.30 pm and will return to Jaipur by a special plane.

A division bench of Chief Justice Pankaj Mithal & Justice MM Sriv astava has sought the re ply while hearing a PIL filed by one Mukul Bhat tani, who said in PIL that in Electricity Regulatory Commission, 2 members including the chairman are appointed. Out of these, one post of member is technical, whose quali fication is Engineering degree as well as work ex perience in power genera tion, transmission and distribution. On May 17, 2021, State Government appointed BN Sharma.

Aditi Nagar

l The names of 2 Block Presidents in each of the 200 assembly constituencies and city and Rural Presidents in more than 20 districts have been finalised & now the election authority will announce the same l Contenders for different posts are also approaching leaders from Jaipur to New Delhi

First India Bureau

First India Bureau

Om Birla celebrates the festival of BhaiDoojwith Madubala Meena & Mamta Rawat, the widows of Pulwama martyrs as they tie the Rakshasutra' on his wrist at the Camp Office in Kota.

Om Birla being warmly greeted by people as he extends festive greetings to them during his visit to the Station Area of Kota city.

Govind Singh Dotasra

First India Bureau



But other than establishing a synergy with the Young Gandhis, what other challenges do you see would befall Mallikarjun Kharge?

Dr Jagdeesh Chandra: Challenges abound but in Indian politics, the biggest challenge before him is how to take on or counter the behemoth Narendra Modi and Amit Shah. Then there is the challenge of winning elections since before 2024, 11 states will witness elections. Firstly election would be held in Kharge’s home state Karnataka, then in 2023 the three states of Rajasthan, MP and Chattishgarh would elect governments, immediately Himachal and Gujarat will undergo election in this year. All these are political challenges, which honestly no one expects Kharge to do miracles in. These are the challenges but he is not concerned or connected with it. If Congress does not do well in Himachal and Gujarat election, then perhaps no one would say that this loss is on Kharge’s leadership. Secondly, the challenge within the party is that now workers have started feeling a divide in the party between North and South. Workers feel that everything has been given to leaders of the south. Now look at their handling of events. Bhai Dooj was on 26th and that very day everyone was called for coverage as the new President would formally take over. Who all would come to witness this event and moreover, will people at homes across the North India get time to see this unfold? Had it been Pongal or other festival, this formal take over would not have happened. So basically, from day one, a trust deficit has occurred in their leadership that everything has been given to South and North has been differentiated against. So this is another challenge to counter. Moreover, he will also have to sort the gap between the old guards and the young brigade of Congress. Although the gap has lessened and issues have been sorted, but still some areas on concern remain. The formation of committees and boards in party has to be done, but he appears to be relaxed and I don’t think he is worried to much.

 It is said that Rahul Gandhi wanted the election process to be devoid of any intervention and held in a free and fair manner. But word is that Priyanka Gandhi called up various leaders and asked for votes in Kharge’s favour. How true is that?

It sometimes seem that Priyanka Gandhi is the ‘real boss’ whether it is anything to do worth Rajasthan or any other state. She handles issues, has a different thought process and moreover, she is practical while Rahul is more of a rule

book leader. It is my firm belief that Rahul Gandhi must have surely thought that the election should be free, fair and independent, but among the loyalists only. He may or may not want Shashi Tharoor to come to helm, nothing can be said for certain about Rahul Gandhi. So, he wanted free elections, but that is not what happened. If you try to find out, you will learn that Priyanka definitely called up leaders and calls were made to leaders from state PCC to vote in Kharge’s favour, which basically beats the sentiment of free and fair elections. As such a gap between the votes amassed by Kharge and Tharoor is so great that this sentence has no importance.

Shashi Tharoor was hardly a candidate to challenge Kharge, but the situation could have been different or tough had Digvijaya Singh been at helm. So by and large, it was fair but there were exceptions has people tried to influence the outcome at the level of Priyanka Gandhi.

 Rahul is a MP from Kerala’s Wayanad, KC Venugopal, the Organisational General Secretary, too is from Kerala and now the new President is from South Indian state of Karnataka.

Is it a well thought out strategy to give impetus and focus on South India or it is a coincidence?

No, this is merely a coincidence and not part of any strategy. Rahul Gandhi thought he would surely win from Kerala so he went there. KC has been a long time standard bearer for him. Ashok Gehlot denied becoming present and if he had become the Party Chief, then the President would have been from North. It was because of his denial that situation developed and Kharge’s name came in front and incidentally he is from South. So, this is merely a coincidence. Although this coincidence is hurting Congress, however, that is a separate issue. Basically, Congress is a North Indian political party, but over time, it has gained more prominence in Southern states.

 Rahul has started from Kerala and is still in Karnataka although so much time has passed.

Amid this, Kharge becomes the Party Chief.

Do you think, this is a part of Congress think tank’s strategy?

Well, the party is working on promoting the South Indian states and to strengthen its base there. They think that this would be beneficial for them since there are 52 eats in more than half are from South India. So, this is their strategy that they would first gain some momentum and popularity in south and then enter Northern states. So, this is a fact

Tharoor’s 1,072 votes a warning bell for Gandhis, their supremacy may be shortlived: Dr. Chandra

pected that it might come to this that the entire 8,000 votes roll to the other side. So, it is a word of caution for Gandhis. And if there is internal democracy in the party, the Sonia, Rahul and everyone deserves a vote of thanks.

 But there surely is a dissatisfied camp of G-23. Was Tharoor a candidate of that camp? But an even more important question is who backed him?

that the party would focus more on South and later enter North and as such they have less hopes from North primarily because of Narendra Modi and Amit Shah.

 It seems that BJP has taken a vow of silence on Kharge’s elevation as Party President. What does this entail?

It could be part of their strategy. Normally, they do not do this, but it could be a strategic move. But one thing is there. PM Modi showed large- heartedness. He called up Kharge and congratulated him. So, he behaved as a ‘Statesman’ and he is being praised everywhere for it, in Congress too. It is a fact that BJP did not engage in a large scale attack on this development, rather PM called up and spoke to Kharge conveying his best wishes.

 Kharge was asked about his take on Shashi Tharoor contesting against him and he said that the party and nation would be strengthened through this election. Is it really so?

Kharge is a decent and simplified individual. He knows its the same party, same family. So, its alright that he has given this statement for media’s consumption and for this, he should be commended.

 What are the similarities and differences between Kharge and Tharoor’s personalities?

See, the similarity is that both are well experienced.

Kharge is 80 years old, Tharoor is 62.

Both have been Cen-

tral Ministers, both have had good connect with general public. Kharge was in politics, while Tharoor was in the Foreign Services and UN for almost three decades. Speaking of differences, Kharge is a Gandhian leader, while Tharoor is the new age leader. Tharoor’s look is inspired with today’s fashion, while Kharge’s is of the age gone by. Kharge is a little senior to him but basically there is no comparison between the two, but broadly speaking both are senior, been former ministers and are well experienced. But the only

On face value, it may be termed as internal party politics, but in reality, this is a warning bell. Without any support or anything, he was voted for, by 1,072 voters, which is more than the combined vote share of the previous two leaders. So this is a new start. Moreover, there was heightened monitoring and vigilance by Priyanka Gandhi to ensure that no voter goes to the other side. And those who sided with Tharoor, on them an enquiry was called and they literally had to give an

apology. Even under an indirect control, against the theory of free and fair polls, 1,072 individuals went to the other camp. So this is a beginning. People thought nothing is going to happen as such even Shashi Tharoor hasn’t been punished for his past acts and is still working in the party. So, this is a start to end the Gandhis’ hold over Congress. Tharoor’s agenda was different and he said that he is a representative of change. So when there is a vision document for change, it is always against the establish-

He follows his own mind. I am sure he wasn’t a candidate of G-23. I know that when Gehlot denied, everyone in G-23 thought that Tharoor is contesting and hasn’t consulted anyone. So, they too wanted that Gehlot should contest and thus, they kept aside their differences also and supported Gehlot initially. Moreover, Hooda, Manish Tewari and others said that they can not contest against Gehlot due to their personal relations with him, so no candidate was left. So, his contesting the election was incidental and he was not a candidate of G-23.

 Why didn’t Kamal Nath or DK Shivakumar contest the Presidential election?

The same reason applies here too. Since Ashok Gehlot was contesting, so these and other leaders did not think of standing for the election, but when Gehlot declined at the eleventh hour, then the groups started taking action. It is said for Kamal Nath that he was given this offer once in the not so distant past, and perhaps the high command did not wanted to disturb Rajasthan at that time. Nath also, informally told the high command, as to how will he handle three bosses. Moreover he also reportedly said that he feels at home in Bhopal. The point is no one was ready to let go of the chair of the Chief Minister and in Rajasthan, the situation became such that Gehlot himself backed out. Had the Rajasthan crisis not occurred, it would have been Gehlot as Congress President. Similarly, Shivakumar is happy and content in Karnataka. So, all leaders are happy and satisfied in their concerned state capital and no one wants to come to Centre. Now you can imagine that the Congress’ honour is at stake since none of your own leader wants to come to the centre, leaving the state.

Dr Jagdeesh Chandra, CEO and Editor-in-Chief, Bharat24-Vision of New India and First India; CMD, First India News takes a decisive look at Congress’ ‘self proclaimed free and fair’ presidential elections, how Tharoor’s challenge highlights the underlying problem of faith in Gandhi leadership among Congmen, how Kharge has a mountain

challenges before him apart from managing the ‘Young Gandhis’, and if he will be able to revive

has maximum seats at present.

Dr Jagdeesh

with

FASHION!

ty greatly.

SHUBHANSHI PATHAK cityfirst@firstindia.co.in

or a while now, leather clothing has dominated the fashion world, but these days, the demand for leather clothing is soaring.

The fashion world of leather is evolving. It is utilised for both fashionable outerwear assortments and innerwear. Leather clothing is now available in a variety of colours and textures thanks to technology.

The texture of the leather clothing is referred to as its hand. The softer the hand of the apparel, the more expensive the piece of clothing. The quality of the hide affects the quality of the finished apparel to a great extent. Environmental conditions as well as the genetics of the animal affect the hide quali-

Initially, it was thought that leather clothing would only be appropriate for use in the winter, but modern technology has assisted in the development of leather clothing that is lighter, making it feasible to use it in the summer as well. These days, leather clothing comes in a variety of styles so that it can be worn all year round. Clothing made of leather is available for both men and women.

Numerous items, including hats, jackets, shoes, belts, pants, and jewellery are offered in leather and can be worn in various combinations. Leather clothing can be worn with other outfits to create a distinctive and current look. While leather pants can be worn with a simple cotton shirt, a leather vest can be worn with denim pants or a layered skirt. A leather jacket can also give an otherwise basic outfit a stylish appeal.

Comparatively speaking, leather

clothing is more expensive than other common textiles. However, the price is reasonable. They have a great degree of visual appeal and are quite appealing. Additionally, they are very durable. It can be worn repeatedly without losing its smoothness. It may be worn for a long time because it does not wrinkle easily. This makes it the best clothing for travel. Leather clothing is typically windproof and waterproof, making it perfect for use while biking, for example. Once worn, high-quality leather clothing stretches to fit the body. It is this leather quality that ensures a nice fit. They are comfortable for the user to wear because they are breathable.

The fashion industry has long favoured leather clothing despite protests from animal rights campaigners. Everyone can wear leather clothing. They can last nearly a lifetime if chosen wisely and taken care of properly.

Leather accents on pieces make it fun and spice up an outfit. City First brings to you the significance of leather clothing in the fashion world...

LIBRA

SEPT

You

VIRTUALLY PRIVATE

RISKS

z Your account might be hacked

z You might be targeted by trolls and harsh comments might be said about you and your statements

TAURUS

Make love to the uncertainty. As you do, let go of the need to find definite answers. You are healing and transforming into the version of yourself that

envisioned a long time ago. The same

that send challenging situations

send

GEMINI

MAY 21 - JUNE 21

1.2…5…10…53…247

As the number of ‘likes’ on any of my posts increases on Facebook and Insta gram, my excitement mounts. I can’t wait to see how far it goes. My pulse races. My heart pounds. How many people and who all have found my latest picture, or my most recent comment, cool? This feeling used to come to me ten years ago, and not much has changed since. We all crave acceptance and validation. I’m 42 years old, and I crave your acceptance, wondering if you liked my last column. You may be 12, 15, or 17. Different things de fine what makes you feel good. Social media though, is what unites us in our meas ure of self-worth. Nothing wrong with that. But hey, can I tell you a little secret?

About five years back my Facebook account got hacked. I tried and I tried to convince the administrators at Face book that it was indeed I who was trying to retrieve my ac count through my alternative email account. They just wouldn’t listen. I had lost eve rything. Years of memories, photographs, special mo ments, opinions, stories and posts. Gone. ALL taken away from me in a flash by some hacker who probably found one little statement of mine, offensive.

That’s when I realized that being on social media, voicing one’s thoughts, and sharing one’s life online, is well and good. But there are some very simple ways in which we can all ensure that we do not risk ourselves and our families. But first, we must understand what these risks are.

1. In an overall sense, think of your social me dia and online existence just as you would, your daily real-world one. Let me explain what I mean. If you met a stranger at the bus stop who asked you where you lived, would you tell that person? Probably, not right? Similarly, we have to exercise the same basic logic, online 2. Voice your opinions. I am not for a minute suggesting not doing

that. It is great to be bold and champion causes we feel strongly about. But do it politely. Remember how our country gained its independence?

3. Be well informed. Let’s say there’s some debate brewing on one of your social media sights that your school principal might be leav ing. First, find out the facts, then, if at all, add to the discussion. Par ticipating as one unit

WAYS

4. Be sensitive. Let’s say my pet dog has met with a terrible accident and I am at the vet’s clinic with him. I share an update on social media. Without even thinking about the gravity of the situation, I will have 50 likes in a matter of minutes. Only 2 people will say something that is helpful or sensitive to the situation. Does it make sense to ‘like’ this situation?

of a herd is a mentality that leads to chaos, rumour-mongering, and confusion which can, at times lead to fights, the spread of misinforma tion that has cata strophic consequences

z You might expose yourself and your loved ones to some psychologically disturbed people who may stalk you, follow you, and try to contact you and trouble you. You may give away too much information about your location, address, where you live, your social status which might solicit the wrong kind of attention from people who might want to take advantage of that

z Finally, with the latest data leaks that we have all been read ing about, we might expose too much infor mation about ourselves that might harm us socially, financially and in many other ways

WHY

The simple answer to this is that we may be one united human race but as a species that has this little thing called ‘free will’, we are all different in our thinking, philosophies, world views, morality, and what we consider right and wrong. If to me Djokovic is the world’s greatest tennis player, you might not agree. You may think it is Nadal or Federer. And if I was to get into an argument with you about it at school, who knows, we might even come to blows if each of us is very passion ately opinionated on the issue. This brings me to the simple ways of being online, but with a little privacy and caution.

help required to rise

Let go of your resistance today, Gemini. As you do, give yourself the permission to eliminate the negative beliefs that are keeping you from growing into the version of yourself you envisioned a long time ago. Know that you will one day bless the very thing that broke you.

CANCER

JUNE 22 - JULY 23

Instead of projecting your rage onto others, find a healthy outlet for it today. Offer the rage a seat at your table and listen to what it is urging you to transmute within yourself. Walk through the sacred fires of transformation. What you need to know is that Spirit is supporting you now and in every moment.

LEO

JULY 24 - AUGUST 23

Today the rage deserves a seat at your table, Leo. So, take a moment to listen to what it has to say. At the same, take a moment to be grateful for the soul lessons. Eclipse season reminder: the truth isn’t always pretty, but it is helping you realign your life in many ways.

VIRGO

AUG

Today, the cards are urging you to make space for the change you desire and deserve. To set the wheels into motion and to take a step in the right direction. Facing your fears can be a daunting process. The good thing is, you are fully supported in the process of transformation.

SCORPIO

OCT

Think of healing as a time of turning your wounds

wisdom and believing in the impossible.

The stars are talking about the presence of a partner who is not threatened by your power and is holding space for you to be the brightest and boldest version of yourself.

SAGITTARIUS

NOV 23 - DEC 22

Today, the stars are bringing your attention to your spending habits. Your need to constantly put your money on things that are neither bringing you joy, not satiating that hunger within. What you want to instead is sit down with that void and listen to what it has to say. Everything you seek already exists within.

CAPRICORN

DEC 23 - JAN 20

The onset of Scorpio season, coupled with the energy of the eclipses, is encouraging you to turn your gaze inwards and ask yourself difficult questions. Allow the truth to unravel as it must. You will find that the answers you are seeking will come to you in the most unexpected of ways.

AQUARIUS

JAN

You will get the emotional help that you are seeking for. Today, the cards are urging you to observe your resistance. The truth is, there is always more than one way to look at everything in your life. Ponder upon this as you get back into the flow of life. Please take good care of your health.

PISCES

FEB20

It is a time of growth and a time of progression. A time of moving mountains and achieving what you once considered impossible. So, honour the journey instead of being hung up on the idea of immediate results. At the same time, allow yourself to receive the help, support and resources you require.

DAY

by Saurabbh Sachdeva

5. Lastly, be discreet. With pictures, personal information and points of view. Just like in the real world if we wanted to really have a serious, meaningful conversation about

something, we would do it in private. If you feel you are starting to get agitated or disagree strongly with something or someone’s opinion – breathe. Be polite. It never hurts to say something like “I re spect your opinion but I beg to differ.” And then take the conversation to a private space. Maybe on Messenger where it is just you and that one more person. Better still, meet or call up or email the person.

Social Media and the worldwide internet are an absolute boon. It has connected the world for the better, be it for commerce, business, culture, sharing, or emergency assistance. So let us use it responsibly to our benefit, as a mature tool to make ourselves heard and to build up our profiles and uniqueness. We are all special individuals. We don’t need to follow. If only we exercise a little virtual privacy, we can be leaders.

KARTIK BAJORIA (the author is a Jaipur-based Communication Skills Educator & Writer)

SANON’S STUNNING SAREE APPEARANCE

Kriti Sanon is one such actress who has repeatedly demonstrated that, in addition to being exceptionally attractive,

she is also highly skilled and never fails to make her admirers’ hearts skip a beat when they glance at her. When it comes to fashion, she is a diva.

KIARA FLAUNTS GREEN DIOR HANDBAG

Kiara stepped out for the screening of rumoured beau Sidharth Malhotra’s latest Thank God. She was spotted in a soothing allwhite ensemble. The actress teamed up the pretty white outfit, with a bright green Lady Dior handbag that took her to look to the next level.

The Lady Dior green handbag paired with the all-white ensemble serves lessons on power dressing. The timeless bright green Dior bag is sleek and refined. Crafted in pine green patent calfskin, the bag is accentuated with cannage stitching that delivers an attractive quilted texture. Another element of the bag that adds to its charm is its pale gold-finish metal signature ‘D.I.O.R.’ charms that illuminates its look.

Kriti always carries herself in flair, whether she’s slaying like a queen or walking out in casuals. Western attires that are stylish and fashionable are cer-

tainly a favourite in any girl’s closet, but nothing rivals the allure of the desi saree. Especially when the sarees are as stunning and remarkable as the

ones worn by Kriti Sanon. She has provided us with some really lovely and wonderful saree styles that every girl wishes she could wear.

Rhea Kapoor has shared an adorable picture that shows Sonam Kapoor looking lovingly at baby Vayu during the Diwali party. Sonam Kapoor and Anand Ahuja hosted a Diwali bash at their residence on Monday in Mumbai and it marked their first Diwali post the birth of their

son Vayu. Pictures from Sonam Kapoor’s Diwali bash have been circulating on social media. A few of them show new mommy Sonam Kapoor looking gorgeous. Recently, we have stumbled upon another unseen picture of Sonam with baby Vayu from the Diwali party and it is just too adorable.

SARA DROPPED FROM ASHWATTHAMA

According to rumours, Sara Ali Khan was forced to leave Vicky Kaushal’s The Immortal Ashwatthama due to script changes. The reports said that the producers wanted a younger girl in the movie and Sara stepped in at that moment. However, once the script was altered, the dates clashed and it was no longer feasible. It was also reported that the producers intended to cast an older lady in the picture, which is why the source indicated that the producers are seeking another choice.

Deepika’s goofy mood

Deepika Padukone is a true entertainer and her recent posts on social media always show her fans her humorous side. Just a while ago, the actress, who made her Bollywood debut in Farah Khan’s directorial Om Shanti Om with Shah Rukh Khan in the lead, shared a fun video with Katrina Kaif as they came together for a workout session. The two actresses were seen goofing around in the gym.

Taking to her Instagram handle, Deepika captioned the video: “Me working really hard in the gym! Meanwhile, @katrinakaif is up to no good.” She added the song Survivor Eye Of The Tiger. In the video, Katrina can be seen doing aerial yoga.

GLIMMERING

hether it is dialling up a shimmer saree or pulling off a blingy lehenga, this Diwali Janhvi Kapoor proved she is the queen of fashion. If you are looking for festive outfits, you’ll be glad you stumbled upon this style guide inspired by Janhvi Kapoor. Janhvi Kapoor made us fall in love with her all love again with her first Diwali look as she stepped out for Manish Malhotra’s Diwali bash in a green mermaidstyle lehenga set by none other than Manish Malhotra. The glamorous ethnic fit of the actress was definitely the talk of the event. In fact, she managed to serve lessons on how to glam up your festive wardrobe.

Katrina Kaif

Deepika Padukone

Deepika’s post...

Janhvi Kapoor

Sara

Ali Khan

Kiara

Advani

Rhea Kapoor’s post...

Kriti Sanon

BLESSINGS!

CITY FIRST

hrimad Bhagwat Geeta, gyaan yagya saptah is being or ganised from Octo ber 27 to November 2 by Mahamana Ma laviya Mission, Jaipur at Brahmin Samaj, Shree Jan Upyogi Bhawa, Mansarovar, Jaipur. The Katha was narrated by Acha rya Shrivatsa Goswami (Vrindavan Wale). Jagdeesh

Chandra reached to offer prayers and seek blessings in the ongoing Katha. He also appreciated the efforts of the organisers for this wonderful initiative that offered every one spiritual peace and joy. During the Bhagwat Katha, the devotees were caught up in the rendition. On this occa sion, BK Sharma, KK Par ashar, Anirudh Singh, Kamal Parashar, Neeraj Gaur, Push kar Upadhyay and others were present on the occasion.

INDIAN DIASPORA LIGHT UP NY’S TIMES SQUARE!

Jaipur Foot USA in col laboration with the Association of Indi ans in America (AIA) New York chapter hosted a grand Deepavali event at NY’s Times Square, displaying the true spirit and grit of India away from home. Heads of many or ganizations, including AIA, FIA NYNJCTNE, RANA, Bihar Foundation of USA, ETZ, and REDIO came to gether to wish Deepavali to one and all. Harish Thakkar, President of the AIA NY

chapter, was accompanied by chief guest Dr Samin Sharma, a noted interven tional cardiologist at Mt Si nai, Prem Bhandari, Chair man of Jaipur Foot USA, Dr Varun Jeph, Deputy Consul General of In dia in New York, for the Deepawali celebra tions at Times Square. A poster with Deepavali greet ings from the leaders was also displayed at Times Square.

Srinivas Ranga, Corpo rate Vice President at New York life insurance compa ny, Dr Samin Sharma, John

Liu, New York State senator, and Prem Bhandari lit the lamp during the inaugural ceremony at Times Square.

Speaking on the occasion, Prem Bhandari, a promi nent voice of the Indian di aspora in the world, thanked PM Modi for the praising words and said “we are very thankful to Honourable PM Modi for making our parent organisation BMVSS part ner for India for Humanity initiative and under this program, our parent organi sation has done 17 interna tional camp and 18th camp is going on in Syria.”

MEET AND GREET

Acolourful Deep awali Sneh-Mi lan ceremony was organised by the IAS Association at the residence of CS on Wednesday. CS Usha Sharma and her hus band Electricity Regula tory Commission Chairman BN Sharma enjoyed delicious delicacies and fire works at the event, hosted by IAS and other officers. Hous ing Board Commission er Pawan Arora graced the occasion with his presence and congratu

lated CS Usha Sharma and Electricity Reg ulatory Commis sion Chairman BN Sharma on the occa sion. Additional Chief Secretary PK Goel, DGP ML Lather, Half DN Pandey, Police Commis sioner Anand Srivasta

va, DG ACB BL Soni, DG Intelligence Umesh Mishra, CM Principal Secretary Kuldeep Ran ka, CM Secretary Gaurav Goyal and Aarti Dogra, PSF Akhil Aro ra, and Principal Secre tary Aparna Arora were also present.

CITY FIRST

Jagdeesh Chandra performs the Maha Arti during the Ram Katha. Also seen are Kamal Kant Parashar, KK Parashar and DK Sajnani with others

CITY FIRST

CS Usha Sharma, Gaurav Goyal, Muhammad Junaid with a guest

CS Usha Sharma and BN Sharma with Mr & Mrs PN Bhandari and a guest

CS Usha Sharma, DGP Lather and his wife

(L-R) Harish Thakkar, Dr Samin Sharma, Prem Bhandari, Dr Varun Jeph and others

Jagdeesh Chandra greeted by Guruji Shrivatsa Goswami. Also seen are Kamal Kant Parashar, KK Parashar and Sandhya Goswami

Pawan Arora with Mahendra Soni, Mahesh Sharma, VP Singh, UD Khan Ujjwal Rathore, Shelly Kishnani and Sushma Arora with others