First India-Mumbai Edition-28th November 2022

Royal REBELLION ups the ante against Koshyari!

Mumbai: For the past few days, Maharashtra Governor

Bhagat Singh Koshyari has been the focal point of politics in the state. His comments on Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj have already united opposition par ties against Ko shyari and the BJP, with their demand that he be ousted from the state. Now, the protests against Koshyari have received a shot in the arm with the threat of a “rebellion”, courtesy Shivaji’s descendant— Sambhaji Raje Chhatrapati—of the erstwhile roy al family of

Kolhapur.

Sambhaji Raje has also taken an aggressive stand against Governor Koshyari and stressed that no action has yet been taken against Koshyari after his contro versial statement about Shivaji. He has warned the BJP and the Central govern ment that “there will be a rebellion if the gov ernment does not un derstand the senti ments of the devotees

of Shivaji.”

Raje, a former Rajya Sabha MP who has a massive public following, has once again de manded Koshyari’s resigna tion while threatening of agi tation in the state. “No action has been taken against Bha gat Singh Koshyari. Does the absence of action mean that the rulers agree with the statements made by him? No one should take the people of Maharashtra lightly,” he said in a tweet.

‘ONLY BJP CAN SAVE GUJARAT AGAINST TERROR’

PM Modi to address ‘Vijay Sankalp Sammelan’ in the four cities today

Surat/Kheda/Ne

trang: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sun day attacked the Con gress on the issue of terrorism, saying the Congress, which raised questions on the surgi cal strike, considers ter rorism as its vote bank.

“Our government in Gujarat was acting against terrorists, but the UPA government in Delhi was going soft on them. They (Congress) were instead busy at tacking me,” Modi said at his rallies.

‘Your one vote in 2014

has created a lot of dif ference in killing ter rorism in the country. Let alone cities of the country, terrorists have to think a lot even before attack ing our borders.

The new generation of Gujarat has not seen the serial bomb blasts of Ahmedabad and Surat. I want to caution them of those who are well-wishers of terrorists. Batla House encounter was questioned by Congress leaders.

—Narendra Modi, PM

Unfulfilled

AAP using appeasement politics as shortcut to power: PM Modi

95TH EDITION OF MANN KI BAAT

THACKERAY MULLING MAHA BANDH IN BID TO MOUNT PRESSURE ON STATE GOVT

Mumbai: With the opposition parties fi nally finding traction in their bid to corner the Shinde-Fadnavis gov ernment and the Union government, former CM Uddhav Thackeray on Sunday said that his party was seriously considering calling for a Maharashtra bandh against Governor Koshyari for his remark on Shivaji. His ‘deputy’

mouthpiece Saamana on Sunday. CitingHe Nupur Sharma’s exam ple, he said that she was suspended from the party when Muslim countries protested. He claimed that by keeping mum over the row now, BJP was supporting ‘those who insulted Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj’.

“There is a conspir acy to make Maharash tra impotent,’’ he claimed.

Pointing to the feelings of

Shivaji’s descendants Sambhaji Raje Chhatra pati and Udayan Raje, Raut stressed that it was indeed the feeling of the entire state.

“We have raised our voice over the issue and the manner in which BJP is insulting Shivaji, along with Karnataka CM attacking Maharashtra, I believe a decision will soon have to be made to take aggressive

FOB caves at Balharshah stn, 1 dead, 12 hurt

First India Bureau

Mumbai: A woman, Nilima Rangari (48), was killed and 12 others in jured as part of a foot over bridge (FOB) col lapsed at the Balharshah railway station at Chan drapur district’s Ballar pur town on Sunday.

bound train when a part of the pre-cast slab of the FOB connecting Platforms 1 and 2 col lapsed, causing some people to fall 20 feet onto the railway track,” a GRP official said, add ing that no train was running on those tracks at that time.

district information of fice said.

Rangari died while undergoing treatment at the private hospital. One more person, who was seriously injured is still being treated there.

But Congress questions our surgical strike,’ PM Modi said.

z The G20 Presidency is a major opportunity for India to focus on the global good z India sent its first rocket ‘Vikram-S’ into space on November 18 z Jointly developed by India and Bhutan, India launched a satellite suc cessfully on November 26 z Youth are doing won derful work in field of Space, Technology and Innovation

In the last 8 years export of musical instru ments from India has increased more than 3 and a half times

‘Lidi-Cro-U’ organi sation has undertak en work of reviving beautiful facets of Naga cul ture

MAHARASHTRA-KARNATAKA BORDER ROW

“A large number of passengers were using the FOB to board a Pune-

Thirteen persons were injured and were rushed to Ballarpur

China protesters, cops jostle as anger over Covid curbs mounts

Beijing: Cities like Bei jing, Shanghai, Urum qi, Nanjing, Guangzhou and at least a dozen other cities across Chi na saw hundreds of peo ple taking to the streets to protest against Presi dent Xi Jinping’s harsh zero-Covid policy that has allowed authorities to place millions of citi zens under prolonged lockdowns even if just a handful of cases are re ported. Some protesters were shown in videos shouting for President Xi to step down.

‘DEALING WITH CHINA IN G20 WILL NOT BE EASY’

The railways an nounced compensation of Rs1 lakh for those with serious injuries, and Rs50,000 for those with minor injuries.

Jaipur: Union Educa tion Minister Dhar mendra Pradhan tar geted Congress govern ment amid the ongoing political turmoil in Rajasthan.

Pradhan said Gehlot is unnecessarily accus ing others while his house is not in order.

“People have given him the mandate. Pilot is not a worker of BJP. Gehlot ji is unnecessar ily accusing me to hide the quarrel in his house,” said Pradhan

government to take ac tion against those who vandalized buses in Karnataka.

Mumbai: Villagers in Jat taluka of Maharash tra’s Sangli district are getting tired of trying to draw the state govern ment’s attention to their long-standing complaint of water scarcity.

On Sunday morning, villagers in Umrani gave the Maharashtra government an ultima tum: ‘Solve the water crisis in six months, or lose the village to Kar

natka.’ This comes barely a day after Tikondi put up a plaque in honour of Karnataka Chief Minister Basa varaj Bommai on the arch that marks the en trance to the village. While the plaque was quickly taken down by the police, Tikondi also bears placards stating some villagers are will ing to go to Karnataka.

This is significant given that the decades’ old row between the neighbours—both of which are headed by the

Bharatiya Janata Par ty—has hotted up in the

recent past, with oppo sition parties regularly raking up the issue.

“The Karnataka gov ernment is providing more facilities and sub sidies than Maharash tra. For the past four decades, the Maharash tra government has been promising to pro vide us with water from the Mahaisal scheme. Elections have been fought on this issue, but nothing has happened,” one villagers said.

Bommai

In a bid to corner BJP governments in both states, NCP spokesper son Clyde Crasto on Sunday called for action against Bommai’s “un wanted statements”.

Stressing that no in dividual had any right to take law and order in their hands or resort to violence, Crasto said Bommai’s statements hurt public sentiments, resulting in negative ac tions.

Rural Hospital, Chan drapur Government Medical College and Hospital (GMCH) and a private hospital, the

Marilyn Gore

Kartikey Dev Singh

Chhatrapati Sambhaji Raje

Bhagat Singh Koshyari

Kolhapur scion Sambhaji Raje dares govt to take action on Guv or face ‘consequences’

GOVERNOR’S REMARK ON ON CHHATRAPATI SHIVAJI

‘Unduly being accused for Cong’s infighting’

‘This is a conspiracy to make Maha impotent,’ claims Raut

Basavaraj Bommai

Nagpur: A 48-year-old woman died and 14 others were injured after a part of a foot overbridge (FOB) collapsed on Sunday evening at Ballarshah railway station under Nagpur division of Central Railway in Maharashtra.

EGYPT PREZ TO BE R’DAY CHIEF GUEST

New Delhi: Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi will be the chief guest at the upcoming Republic Day celebrations in January, India’s Ministry of External Affairs confirmed on Sunday.

Gwalior: Bharat Jodo Yatra keeps making headlines with warm and viral moments but Sunday is a fun day so Rahul Gandhi decided to take a break from the walk and rode a bullet in MP.

New Delhi: PT Usha is set to become 1st woman president of Indian Olympic Association (IOA) as she emerged as lone candidate for top post for Dec 10 polls. She filed her nomination papers on Sunday.

New Delhi: Dealing with China would be a “challenge” for India during its G20 presidency and New Delhi would adopt a “cautious approach” towards Beijing, judging it by its deeds and not words, former deputy national security advisor Pankaj Saran said on Sunday.

Protesters raise the blank sheets of white paper as a symbol of dissent against China’s strict Covid lockdown rules on Sunday.

First India Bureau

PM Narendra Modi greets while being garlanded by party workers during a public rally at Netrang, in Bharuch, Gujarat on Sunday.

Stop maligning national icons: Raj to Cong, BJP

Mumbai:

tra

(MNS) President Raj Thackeray has asked the Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Par ty (BJP) to stop ma ligning national icons like VD Savarkar and Jawaharlal Nehru and instead focus on important issues fac ing the country.

Addressing party workers at a convention here on Sunday, Thack eray said criticizing na tional heroes who fought for Independence was unwarranted as every one has “positive and negative aspects”.

“Does Rahul Gandhi have the stature to talk ill about Savarkar who was sentenced to 50 years of rigorous im prisonment? There is something called strat egy to come out of pris

on. How can it be termed as surrender or mercy?” he asked.

Gandhi had stoked a row by claiming Sa varkar had written mercy petitions to the British from the Anda man cellular jail.

“The BJP has been maligning Pandit Jawa

CRUCIAL READ

MORE THAN 40 HIGH-END MOBILE PHONES STOLEN DURING CONCERT AT BKC

Mumbai: More than 40 highend mobile phones were stolen by unidentified persons during a concert at the Bandra-Kurla Complex (BKC). Many concertgoers approached the police with complaints that their mobile phones were misplaced or stolen during the concert that took place at MMRDA ground on Saturday night, an official from BKC police said.

BY SPEEDING CAR

harlal Nehru and this should stop. There are important issues facing the country which should be addressed to. You will not benefit by criticizing national he roes who had fought for Independence. Every one has positive and negative aspects. There

is no need to highlight the negative side now,” the MNS chief said.

He criticised Maha rashtra Governor Bha gat Singh Koshyari over his remarks about Chhatrapati Shivaji and accused him of be ing “anti-Marathi” who insulted the 17th Cen

tury king.

He asked MNS activ ists to start preparing for the upcoming elec tions to the Mumbai civic body.

“I will make sure I de liver the civic body to you,” he said but kept mum on prospects of any alliance.

NCP urges Maha government to postpone BAMS, BHMS exams

First India Bureau

Mumbai: Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Dhananjay Panditrao Munde has pleaded with the Ma harashtra government to postpone the medi cal students’ exam scheduled to start in the month of Decem ber.

The NCP leader, in a formal letter issued to the Medical Education Minister of Maharash tra Girish Mahajan, said, “Students studying in B.A.M.S, B.H.M.S, Nursing, etc exams are starting from December 14. But the clinical post ing of the students will continue till December 01. Also, a number of stu

ED quizzes ex-Shiv Sena minister Anil Parab’s aide in PMLA case

First India Bureau

Mumbai: Sadanand Kadam, a close aide of Shiv Sena - Uddhav Balasaheb Thacker ay’s leader Anil Parab, was summoned by the Enforcement Directo rate (ED) in a money laundering case.

Earlier, Kadam was questioned in the money laundering case regis tered against Parab and others in connection with the Dapoli resort fraud case.

Navi Mumbai: In a shocking incident, a speeding car ploughed into two men on their morning walk in Ghan soli on Sunday morning. A video of the incident got widely circulated, in which two men are seen walking on the street and a vehicle comes from behind and flings them into the air. Both men suffered serious injuries.

Mumbai: Eleven-yearold lion Jespa died in Mumbai’s Sanjay Gandhi National Park on Sunday due to illness, a forest official said. The big cat, who was born in September 2011 to ‘Ravindra’ and ‘Shobha’, had not been keeping well for some days now, and had even been taken off the popular ‘Lion Safari’ here, he said.

TWO HELD WITH `3 LAKH MD POWDER, ILLEGAL FIREARMS AND LIVE CARTRIDGES

Mumbai: The crime branch has arrested two persons with 108gm MD powder worth Rs3.2 lakh and has also seized illegal firearms and live cartridges from them. The accused, Abhishek Kumar Mahto, 32, and Vijay Made, 20, who are both residents of Diva Nagar near Mumbra, were arrested near Y-Junction. “They are yet to be questioned,” said the police officer.

WOMAN ENDS LIFE, RECORDS VIDEO ACCUSING KIN

Nagpur: A 38-year-old woman allegedly com mitted suicide after re cording a video in which she accused a relative of mental harassment, a Nagpur police station official said on Sunday. The woman hanged herself in her home on November 20, and the 46-year-old woman rela tive was booked for abet ment of suicide on the complaint of the victim’s son, the MIDC police station official said.

Navi Mumbai: There will be no water supply in New Panvel and Kalamboli on November 28 from 9 am to 9 pm due to maintenance work to be carried out by Maharashtra Jeevan Pradhikaran (MJP). According to CIDCO, as per information received from MJP, emergency repair works at the Main Feeder pipeline will be carried out on Monday. The supply will resume from November 29.

The ED registered an Enforcement Case Information Report and began an inquiry. The agency had earlier conducted raids at seven locations of Parab

Parab has a resort in Dapoli which is alleged ly illegal, and he has al legedly also used under handed measures to build it.

Man pretends

Mumbai: The Maha rashtra police on Sat urday arrested a so cial media influencer for allegedly duping women by pretending to belong to a royal family of Rajasthan.

The police have in formed that the social media influencer used to extort money from the complainant by threatening to kill her and her eight-year-old daughter.

“A case has been

The accused used to extort money from the complainant by threatening to kill her and her daughter

booked against the in fluencer Rajwir Singh under section 386 (ex

Union Environment Ministry had declared

the resort illegal as it was found that rules were ignored to build the resort. The ministry lat er complained about this in the Dapoli Court.

Taking cognizance of the complaint, the ED registered an Enforce ment Case Information Report (ECIR) and began an inquiry. The agency had earlier conducted raids at seven locations of Parab.

BJP leader Kirit So maiya had even said that Dapoli Police agreed to consider his complaint and search for evidence against the unauthor ized resort.

dents have reported that most of the universities have cancelled the pre paratory leave of the stu dents.”

Many students have stated that they won’t have enough time to study because of the clinical posting and the upcoming examination, and if a subject is left be hind, students will suffer academically and finan cially, Munde said.

He further added, “Students should be giv en adequate time to pre pare for the exam, and potential losses should be minimized. It is a re quest that the exams, which are scheduled to begin on December 14, be postponed for at least 20 days and that there be at least a three to four days gap between the two papers.”

Sharing the letter on his Twitter handle, Ji tendra Awhad, NCP lead er, also sought the post ponement of the exams.

“The examination of medical students in the month of December should be postponed by at least 20 days,” the for mer Medical minister of Maharashtra said.

Winter likely to set in next week in Mumbai

First India Bureau

Mumbai: In the third week of November, the city witnessed a sud den drop in minimum temperature to 17 °C on account of a cold wave. However, by Tuesday, the tempera ture will begin to fall once again, heralding the arrival of winter.

Mumbai experienced a low of 17 °C due to the cold wave over Maha rashtra, making this No vember one of the cold est in the last ten years.

However, a meteoro logical system over Ta mil Nadu caused the minimum temperature to increase last week,

and it was between 21°C and 23°C at that time.

On Saturday, Santa Cruz recorded a min of 23 °C and a max of 34.3 °C while Colaba experi enced a min of 23 °C and a max of 34.8°C.

Prepare as if polls start tomorrow, says BJP leader Raosaheb Danve

First India Bureau

tortion), 354A, 506 II of the Indian Penal Code for allegedly extorting Rs 1,33,000 from her since April 2021,” sen ior police officer of Goregaon Police Datta ri Thope said.

The officer further said that the police ar rested the accused man from a private hotel in Goregaon. His social media handles disclosed how he pretended to be long to a royal family of Rajasthan and contact ed girls to extort money, Thope added.

Aurangabad: Minis ter of State for Rail ways Raosaheb Danve on Friday instructed workers of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to begin preparing as if the elections were to take place “tomorrow”.

Speaking to the party workers’ at Gangakhed in Parbhani rural, Danve said, “Think as if elections start tomor row, and start prepar ing. Polls will be held at

Danve mentioned that there is no question of sharing seats. He said, “Now, nobody

an appropriate time.”

He further added, “Some people say I am

hinting at early polls, but they should under stand that the day we win the elections, we start preparing for the next one.”

Danve also men tioned that now there is no question of sharing seats. “Now, nobody is with us (in alliance). We are all alone,” he said.

The Gangakhed as sembly constituency is represented by BJP al liance partner and Ra jya Samaj Paksha MLA Ratnakar Gutte.

‘Paltry’ crop insurance payouts leave farmers upset

back.

First India Bureau

Mumbai: With sever al of the state’s farm ers complaining about the ‘paltry’ amounts—as little as Rs90 in at least one case—they have re ceived as compensa tion for crop damage caused by excessive rainfall, Agriculture Minister Abdul Sat

tar has now promised that the situation will improve.

“It is true that some farmers received very low amounts, but we will try to widen the in surance coverage and make the claims settle ment system dynamic,” he said.

According to an offi cial from Maharash tra’s Relief and Reha

bilitation Department, 7.48 lakh farmers from Aurangabad district availed the govern

ment’s crop insurance scheme in the 2022 kha rif season. However, the claims of just 1.84

lakh farmers have been approved by the insur ance company, despite the excessive rains wit nessed prior to Diwali.

State government data also revealed that only 20,226 of the 1.03

lakh claims submitted for crop damage due to excess showers in Ahmednagar have been approved so far; Rs9.78 crore has been dis bursed.

Farmers are willing to talk to the press, but many do not want to be named for fear of blow

A farmer from Bal apur tehsil in Akola district said he paid more than Rs2,000 to insure his cotton crop against natural calami ties. “The excess rains badly affected the cot ton plantation over two acres, but I have been paid only Rs90,” he said.

Another farmer from Kinwat tehsil in Nand ed district said the crop insurance company has paid him just Rs356 as compensation.

First India Bureau

First India Bureau

Maharash

Navnirman Sena

2 MEN ON MORNING WALK GET FLUNG

NATIONAL PARK LION JESPA DIES OF ILLNESS

WATER CUTS IN NEW PANVEL AND KALAMBOLI TODAY

MNS President says criticizing national heroes who fought for Independence was unwarranted as everyone has “positive and negative aspects”

MNS President Raj Thackeray addresses party workers at a convention in Mumbai on Sunday. —PHOTO BY BHUSHAN KOYANDE

to be from royal family, extorts from women, held

According to the IMD, by the middle of next week, the minimum temperature is likely to dip below 19 °C

is with us. We are all alone.”

Does Rahul Gandhi have the stature to talk ill about Savarkar who was sentenced to 50 years of rigorous imprisonment? There is some thing called strategy to come out of prison. How can it be termed as surrender or mercy?

— Raj

Thackeray, president of Maharashtra Navnirman Sena

Former minister Anil Parab has a resort in Dapoli which is allegedly illegal.

Need assistance to stop illegal reclamation of wetlands: BMC

Shelter home staffer held for raping minor inmate

First India Bureau

First India Bureau

Mumbai: In a bid to conserve the city’s wetlands, the Brihan mumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has written to several stakeholders, warn ing of the dangers caused by the illegal reclamation of wet lands in Malad and Madh-Marve areas.

In a letter addressed to the police, Collector ate, Forest Department, the Maharashtra Hous ing and Area Develop ment Authority (MHA DA), and the Regional Transport Office (RTO), officers of the civic body’s P-North ward highlight the

damage caused by slums that have mush roomed in many ecosensitive zones.

Admitting that it does not have the resources to control illegal activi ties in such a large area, the civic body sought the help from the other stakeholders who share ownership of the wet lands. These include Mumbai Suburbs Col

lectorate (50% land), Forest Department (20%), and MHADA and BMC (10% each).

The letter further al leged that the illegal slum development in eco-sensitive zones is due to the blessings of various cartels.

Mangroves in the area are being cut down indiscriminately, caus ing environmental

New rules for food donors on Mahaparinirvan Diwas

damage, the letter said, quoting a report from the System of Air Qual ity and Weather Fore casting and Research (SAFAR), which attrib utes illegal reclama tion as one of the key reasons for Malad’s de teriorating air quality.

In addition to pro viding green cover and supporting rich biodi versity, wetlands also

aid in aquifer re charge, water purifica tion, flood mitigation and erosion control.

Meanwhile, BMC also increased the gen eral consultation fees for the coastal road by Rs5 crore to Rs50 crore, citing the extended completion period of the project. This is the third such hike in con sultation fees.

Nashik: At least half a dozen in mates of the Gyandeep Gu rukul Adhar Ash ram shelter home for girls have come forward to accuse Harshal More— the operator of the Nashik-based or ganization—of sex ual exploitation, a police official said on Sunday.

Five of his accus ers are minors.

More (28) has been arrested, and a case against him has been registered under the Indian Penal Code, Protection of Chil dren from Sexual Of fences (POCSO) Act and the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.

The investigation into More began after a 14-year-old filed a rape complaint at the Mhasrul police sta tion on November 24.

According to the original complaint,

At least 5 others— inlcuding 4 more minors—say they were sexually exploited by him

had forcibly taken the 14-year-old victim to a makeshift tin room in the parking area of the building, showed her an obscene video clip on his mobile phone and then raped her, officials said.

“The police record ed the statements of about 15 other girls living in the ashram.

Five more said More had sexually explot ed them.

“They have been

subject ed to a medical check-up and the reports are awaited. We have also recorded the state ment of the owner of the house from which the shelter was being run,” Deputy Com missioner of Police (DCP) (Zone 1) Kiran Kumar Chavan said. DCP Chavan said that the accused More, who also goes by the alias Sonu, was interrogated by senior police officers late into the night on Saturday.

More is in police custody till Novem ber 30.

Further investiga tion is underway, and details are awaited.

Mumbai’s air ‘poor’ with AQI value of 206

First India Bureau

Mumbai: The air qual ity in Mumbai was re corded in the “poor” category on Sunday with an Air Quality Index (AQI) value of 206, according to the System of Air Quality and Weather Forecast ing And Research.

AQI, a yardstick used to measure the quality of air in a given area, is measured from 0 to 500.

A higher value of AQI denotes a greater level of pollutants in the air and hence a more severe im pact on health.

In Malad, AQI was in

Mumbai: Anyone wanting to distribute food to visitors at Chaitya Bhoomi, Da dar West, to mark the death anniversary of Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar on Decem ber 06, must notify the police and the Brihanmumbai Mu nicipal Corporation (BMC) in advance.

The authorities have identified four loca tions for the same.

On Mahaparinirvan Diwas, lakhs of people congregate in Shivaji Park to pay homage to

Those

Dr Ambedkar.

After a two-year hia tus due to the pandemic, authorities are now an ticipating a large crowd and are making appro priate preparations.

Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and other institutions also provide food to vis itors at Shivaji Park on

December 05 and 07.

The Mumbai police and BMC authorities had a meeting to ar range the logistics. Ac cording to the decisions made, there will be four spots—near Raja Badhe chowk, the north side footpath of MB Raut Road, the footpath in front of Senapati Bapat statue and footpath be hind West Side on Th akkar Road—where food can be distributed.

“There will be a con trol centre at Raja Bad he Chowk for food dis tribution,” said an of ficial from G North Ward of BMC.

the “very poor” catego ry at 306. In Colaba, Bhandup, and Worli, the AQI remained “poor” at 269, 225, and 206 respectively. In BKC,

OFF TO THE MARKET!

AQI was in the “moder ate” category at 200.

In comparison, New Delhi clocked a “very poor” 301—meaning Mumbai’s Malad area

Prolonged exposure ‘poor’ AQI air may cause breathing trouble, becoming worse in people with existing heart diseases

sure, with effects being more pronounced in people with lung and heart diseases.

was worse off than the national capital. AQI in the “very poor” range is likely to cause res piratory illness in peo ple on prolonged expo

High levels of fine par ticulate matter, or PM2.5, is a concern for people’s health. These tiny parti cles in the air that reduce visibility and cause the air to appear hazy when levels are elevated.

Man duped of `2L in ‘credit card points’ scam

Nagpur (PTI): An employee of a finan cial firm was duped of Rs2 lakh by an unidentified person on the pretext of re deeming credit card points, a Nagpur po lice official said on Sunday.

20-day-old baby jungle cats found in field, reunited with mom

First India Bureau

Mumbai: Alert farm ers in Pune district’s Hivre village rescued two 20-day-old kit tens—so young that their eyes weren’t even fully open yet— and made sure they were reunited with their mother.

The farmers, who found the duo lost amid the tall and dense sugar cane crops on Friday, im

mediately stopped their harvesting work, moved them to safety, and got in touch with the Forest De partment and non-gov ernmental organization Wildlife SOS.

This is not the first such instance, given that several wild cat species regularly seek shelter in sugarcane fields, putting their young at risk of hu man discovery.

Once the kittens—one male and one female—

were examined by a vet erinary doctor from Wildlife SOS and con firmed to be healthy and fit to return to the wild, they were put into a “safe box” and left back in the field near where they were found.

The rescue teams then set up cameras, one of which later caught foot age of the mother gin gerly approaching her kittens. Once she was convinced that they were

Reunion operations are extremely sensitive and require several measures to ensure their success. Handling is kept to a mini mum to minimize anxiety in the kittens. If any ex aminations are required, they are performed gently with gloved hands. We also put the safe boxes near where the kittens were found, so it is easy for the mother to find them.

unharmed, she carefully picked them up one after the other and disap peared into the forest.

Sometimes mistaken

The accused called Mohnish Gajbhiye (36), a legal advisor with a financial firm, on No vember 13 and said his credit card points would lapse if he doesn’t claim them, and sent a link on his mobile phone to do the needful, the Sadar police station official said.

for small leopards, jun gle cats inhabit swamp areas with dense vegeta tion, feeding on small mammals and rodents.

“Once the victim clicked on the link to fill up an online firm for credit card point re demption, the accused debited Rs 2 lakh from the former ‘s bank ac count. A cheating case has been registered un der Indian Penal Code and Information Tech nology Act. Efforts are on to nab the accused,” he said.

Mumbai civic body writes to stakeholders who have part ownership of the sensitive ecosystems

DOUBLE TROUBLE

Wetlands are key to environmental conservation as they provide green cover, and other benefits including ample food for migratory birds, such as flamingos. —FILE PHOTO

First India Bureau

Preparations are going on in full swing at Shivaji Park to mark the death anniversary of Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar on December 06. —PHOTO BY BHUSHAN KOYANDE

who intend to distribute food will have to inform the Shivaji Park police station and BMC’s G North Ward office

Tractors loaded with sugarcane wait outside the Sahyadri Cooperative Sugar Factory, in Karad on Sunday.

—PHOTO BY PTI

PM2.5 are tiny particles in the air that reduce visibility and cause the air to appear hazy when levels are elevated. —FILE PHOTO

—Dr Chandan Sawne, Veterinary Officer, Wildlife SOS

FIFA WORLD CUP GROUP STAGE SCENARIOS

tionably win their group if they defeat Tunisia or draw with them, or if Aus tralia loses to Denmark.

l Australia: If Australia defeats Denmark, they will finish in the top two places. If Tunisia loses or draws their match with France, it will also qualify with a tie. If Tunisia wins and Australia draws, Tuni sia will finish second on goal differential. A loss would prevent Australia from qualifying.

l Denmark: If Tunisia draws or loses, Denmark must win to finish Second. If Tunisia and Denmark tie, the second-place will be determined by goal dif ference.

l Tunisia: If Australia and Denmark tie, Tunisia must win in order to finish second. Second place will be decided as stated above if Denmark wins. If Aus tralia wins. Tunisia is dis qualified.

DON’T SWALLOW ANTIBIOTICS IN LOW-GRADE FEVER, VIRAL BRONCHITIS

Here we take a look at what every country needs to do to qualify in group stages and keep their dream alive in FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022.

If two or more teams have an equal number of points, they will be divided in the or der listed below:

Overall group goal differ ence

Overall group goals scored

Head to head (H2H) result

H2H goal difference in all matches between the teams still level

H2H goals scored in all matches between the teams still level 6. Fair play points 7. Drawing of lots

GROUP A

l Netherland: With a win or a tie against Qatar, Netherlands will automat ically qualify, a loss will also qualify them if Ecua dor wins.

to-head scenarios would apply, and a draw will then be sufficient.

If Netherlands loses or draws, can win the group with a victory.

l Qatar: Have been elimi nated.

GROUP B l Iran: Iran will win the group if they defeat the United States and will fin ish in the top two if Eng land draws or loses. If Wales loses or draws, a draw will enough for Iran as well. Iran cannot con tinue after losing.

l England: England Can only be eliminated with a heavy defeat to Wales.Un less Iran wins or the Unit ed States wins by at least four goals, a draw will be sufficient for England to finish first in the group.

l United States: For the United States to succeed,they must beat Iran. Can top the group if England lose to Wales (or if England draw and USA win by four or more goals.)

Here we take a look at what every country needs to do to qualify in group stages and keep their dream alive in FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022. With a win or a tie against Qatar, Netherlands will automatically qualify, a loss will also qualify them if Ecuador wins

victory, or with a draw if Saudi Arabia draw/lose.

l Argentina: Argentina will automatically qualify if they defeat Poland and will advance as group win ners if Saudi Arabia draws or loses.Argentina presently leads Saudi Ara bia by two goals in goaldifference, however if both teams win, the win ner will be determined by group goal difference and goals scored.

GROUP E

Costa Rica’s shock 1-0 win against Japan means no country can either qualify or be eliminated.

Spain put themselves in complete control of the group if they beat Germany. All four nations would enter the final group games with three points if Germany can defeat Spain, and the Euro pean sides would be the heavy favourites to claim the top two slots.

GROUP F Belgium With a victory over Morocco will qualify to the round of 16, winning the group if Croatia and Canada draw. Canada will be knocked out if they lose to Croatia.

GROUP G Brazil can guarantee their spot in the round of 16 with a victory over Switzerland if Serbia wins or draws against Cameroon.

Managing a disease is a complex and costly affair. The easiest way out for a patient is to swallow antibi otics easily available over the counter. Excess and use of these antimicrobial medicines with out a doctor’s advice is causing more harm than good. A study by the World Health Organisa tion said that misuse of antibi otics in humans and animals is accelerating the process of de veloping resistance to them. The study found that diseases like pneumonia, tuberculosis, gon orrhea and salmonellosis have become drug resistant as antibi otics used to treat them have become less effective.

Unregulated usage helps bac teria become resistant to a drug as was found in the case of car bapenem which is used to treat pneumonia and septicemia in intensive care settings. As more diseases turn drug resistant, the Indian Council of Medical Re search has issued new guidelines advising against use of antibiot ics in low-grade fever and viral bronchitis. It has also advised doctors to follow a timeline while prescribing antibiotics.

SPIRITUAL SPEAK

If Portugal defeats Uruguay, they will win their group and go to the round of 16, even if South Korea and Ghana tie earlier in the day. Ghana Will be knocked out if they lose to South Korea.

l Ecuador: Ecuador are as sured of qualifying with a victory or tie against Sen egal. If they lose, they can only advance if Nether lands loses as well, in which case the goal-differ ence scenario would apply.

l Senegal: With a victory vs Ecuador, Senegal will un questionably qualify. If Netherlands loses, the goal-difference and head-

l Wales: Wales top the group if they defeat Eng land by four or more goals. To finish in the top two, Wales must defeat England and hope that Iran and the United States draw. Wales must defeat Eng land by four goals or more in order to finish ahead of USA or Iran if they win.

GROUP C

l Poland: To qualify, Poland must draw with Argentina. Will win the group with a

The old pension scheme has emerged as an im portant issue in Himachal Pradesh and Gujarat elections. In Himachal Pradesh the Con gress has promised restora tion of the old pension scheme (OPS) if voted to power. The OPS, which allowed the entire pension amount to be given to an employee, was discontin ued by the Central govern ment in 2004. Himachal Pradesh has 2.5 lakh govern ment employees out of which 1.5 lakh come under the new pension scheme which is be ing opposed as it allows 10 percent deduction from basic salary towards pension. The state government contributes 14 percent to secure the future of employees. Under OPS,

l Saudi Arabia: Saudi Ara bia will automatically qualify if they defeat Mex ico, and if Poland and Ar gentina draw, they will advance as group winners.

l Mexico: Mexico needs to defeat Saudi Arabia to have a chance, and a vic tory of four goals or more ensures qualification.

GROUP D

l France: France has already advanced to the round of 16, and they will unques

Switzerland can secure a spot in the round of 16 with a victory over Brazil if Came roon wins or draws against Serbia.

Cameroon will be elimi nated if Serbia defeats them and Brazil wins or draws.

GROUP H

If Portugal defeats Uru guay, they will win their group and go to the round of 16, even if South Korea and Ghana tie earlier in the day. Ghana Will be knocked out if they lose to South Korea.

Kejriwal has made a promise to government employees in Gujarat. “By January 31, we will issue a notification for implementing the OPS in Gujarat. I am not just talking. In Punjab we have issued the notification,” he told voters

pension was fixed at 50 per cent of the last basic salary drawn. Clearly, lakhs of gov ernment employees are re sentful of the loss in pension after implementation of NPS. The Aam Aadmi Party chief Kejriwal has made a similar promise to govern

ment employees in Gujarat. “By January 31, we will issue a notification for implement ing the old pension scheme in Gujarat. I am not just talking. In Punjab we have issued the notification,” he told voters not telling them about nonimplementation of OPS. Gov ernment employees believe that NPS is not in interest of retiring employees as they can withdraw only 60 of their entire corpus, 40% of which goes towards mandatory pur chase of annual payment from an insurance company.

Implementing the promise won’t be easy as it will entail a huge financial burden on any government. For in stance, Punjab has a pension bill of Rs 11,000 crore under NPS. The OPS will only in crease the burden.

MAHENG/2022/14652

Printed and published by Anita Hada Sangwan on behalf of First Express Publishers. Printed at Dangat Media Pvt Ltd, No.22, Dighe MIDC, Vishnu Nagar, TTC Industrial Area, Dighe, Navi Mumbai-400701. Published at Plot No. 3 Scheme C of Manglorean Garden Home, CHS Limited, Survey No. 5, 6C (Part) Ville Parle East, Mumbai 400057. Phone 022-46031417.

Editor-In-Chief: Dr Jagdeesh

Editor:

Chandra

Anita Hada Sangwan responsible for selection of news under the PRB Act

Nitin Gadkari @nitin_gadkari

Beginning of a New Era! Congratulations to @isro and NSIL on the successful launch of PSLV C54 mission. With the launch of 3 indigenous satellites by @PixxelSpace and @DhruvaSpace, India has carved a new milestone in Space technology.

Smriti Z Irani @smritiirani

Revered Lakshmibai Kelkar ji played an important role in awakening the mother power for the upliftment of women and responsibility towards the nation. He also established Rashtra Sevika Samiti to inspire women power for national service. Tribute to him on his memorial day today.

This one is for all those times you made an excuse for not accomplishing your goals.

Bhagavad gita

THE VIEWS EXPRESSED BY THE AUTHOR ARE PERSONAL

RAHUL FAUJDAR

The writer is First India staffer & a professional cricketer representing several clubs in Rajasthan

PM pours out his heart in monthly radio address

New Delhi: In his monthly Mann ki Baat radio programme, PM Narendra Modi on Sun day spoke of India’s G20 presidency, the space sector, the musi cal traditions in India, the lifestyle of the Naga community, and the treatment of muscular dystrophy.

As India readies to assume the presidency of the “powerful” G20, PM Modi said the coun try should focus on global good during its term and asserted that it has solutions to the challenges related to peace, unity, environ ment and sustainable development.

Noting that assuming G20 presidency is a “big opportunity” for India, Modi said the theme that India has given is “One Earth, One Family, One Future” which shows its commitment to ‘Vasud haiva Kutumbakam’.

“What a great oppor tunity has come for In dia, for every Indian!

This becomes even more special because India was awarded this responsibility during ‘Azadi Ka Amrit Kaal (75th year of India’s In dependence’),” he said.

—With PTI inputs

‘VikramS’. As soon as this first rocket of the indigenous Space Start-up made a historic flight from Sriharikota, the heart of every Indian swelled with pride,” he noted.

The G20 has a partnership comprising twothirds of the world’s population, three-fourths of world trade, and 85 per cent of world GDP. You can imagine India is going to preside over such a big group, such a powerful group, from December 1.

—Narendra Modi, Prime Minister

PRADESH

BJP will retain power, says ex-CM Dhumal

Hamirpur (PTI): For mer Himachal Pradesh chief minister and BJP leader Prem Kumar Dhumal on Sunday ex pressed optimism that the party would once again form government in the state.

Talking to the media here, he said heavy turnout of women vot ers indicates that the BJP would be victorious in the assembly polls held on November 12.

He said that the peo ple would reject the Congress as they are aware of the lofty prom ises made by the grand old party earlier which they failed to fulfil.

Dhumal said the “double-engine” gov ernment has given pace to the develop ment in the state.

He said that whenev er the BJP came to pow er, the development rose to its peak and when the Congress par ty came to power, the development was hay wire and corruption was at its peak.

The former CM said the claims of the Con gress party leaders to form their government would fall flat.

WE MUST UTILISE G20 PRESIDENCY BY

FOCUSING ON GLOBAL GOOD: PM

New Delhi (PTI): Assum ing the G20 presidency is a huge opportunity for India and the country must utilise it by focusing on global good, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Sunday. India will officially assume the G20 presidency from the current chair Indonesia on December 1. In his latest monthly radio address, Mann Ki Baat, Modi said that India is capable of providing solutions to the varied challenges being faced globally. “India will assume presidentship of powerful grouping G20 on December 1. For India it is a huge opportunity. In dia must utilise opportu nity of G20 leadership by focusing on global good and welfare,” he said. The G20 comprises Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Mexico, Rus sia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Turkey, the UK, the US and the European Union. “Be it peace or unity, sensitivity towards environment or sustain able development, India has solution to challenges related to all such things,” the PM said.

Only 139 women in fray out of 1,621 contestants

Ahmedabad (PTI): Even as women ac count for nearly 50 per cent of voters in Guja rat, the number of fe male candidates con testing the next month's Assembly elections is not very encouraging as only 139 of them are in the fray out of as many as 1,621 contend ers for 182 seats.

The ruling BJP and the Opposition Con gress have continued their tradition of offer ing tickets to only a handful of women, but still the number of such candidates fielded by them this time is more as compared to what it was in 2017 polls.

The BJP has given tickets to 18 women candidates as against 12 in 2017, while the Congress has fielded 14 women although that

JADEJA, ELDER SISTER

PARTIES

CONG CANDIDATE LANDS IN SOUP WITH COMMENTS ON AJMER AND

SOMNATH TEMPLE

Ahmedabad (PTI):

Jamnagar (PTI): Hours before cricketer Ravindra Jadeja travelled through the city's market in an open SUV as part of a BJP roadshow, his elder sis ter Naynaba Jadeja sought votes for the Congress, reminding voters of price rise under the ruling party and its “unfulfilled” employment promises. While the cricketer campaigned for his wife Rivaba Jadeja, his elder sister canvassed for Bipendrasinh Jadeja, highlighting the “sibling rivalry” that has added another layer of interest in the poll after BJP dropped its sitting MLA Dharmendrasinh Jadeja, locally better known as Hakubha.

figure was 10 in the last Assembly election. The two parties have also accommodated

Don’t cede space to BJP, says Mufti while urging J&K youth to participate in polls

Srinagar (PTI): PDP president Mehbooba Mufti on Sunday urged youths in Jammu and Kashmir to participate in future civic and as sembly elections, say ing it is their “'weapon”' to fight for their rights and they should not cede space to the BJP.

“It is not BJP’s India and, note it down, we will not let it become BJP's India,” Mufti said at a party function here.

The former J&K chief minister also warned the Centre not to behave “like those raiders from Pakistan who came to the valley in 1947” and were forced to flee by Kashmiris.

“India is not BJP. In dia which we joined is Jawaharlal Nehru’s In dia, (M K) Gandhi ji’s India, Maulana Abul Kalam Azad’s India. It

is India of Rahul Gan dhi who is travelling the country for HinduMuslim unity, it is Tushar Gandhi’s In dia,” Mufti said.

She again lashed out at the BJP for the scrapping of Article 370 in 2019.

“We have formed a bond of heart with this country, the constitu

tional bond, the bond of love, but what did you do? You played with our dignity, our identity. You destroyed the whole state. This will not work,” she said.

Mufti further said that the people of Kash mir were questioning the accession to India due to the current situ ation in the country.

WORK IN PROGRESS

MUFTI, EX-MLAS GET NOTICES TO VACATE FLATS WITHIN 24 HOURS

Srinagar: Authorities in Anantnag district of J&K Sunday asked PDP presi dent Mehbooba Mufti and seven former legislators to vacate government res idential quarters within 24 hours failing which action would be taken, officials said. Mufti was served an eviction notice for her 'Fairview' residence at the high security Gupkar area of the city here last month as well. Sunday's eviction notice, by the executive magistrate First class on the orders of the Anant nag deputy commissioner was issued to Mufti and others for the government quarters located in Hous ing Colony at Khanabal in the south Kashmir district, the officials said.

more number of wom en candidates from Dalit and tribal com munities this time.

Ahead of the upcoming Gujarat Assembly polls, a Congress candidate from Rajkot has courted a controversy with his comments about religious places Ajmer and Somnath during a public meeting. His rival Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidate claimed such remarks were objectionable for the Hindu community. In dranil Rajguru (in pic), the former Congress MLA who is contesting on the party ticket from Rajkot (East) seat, on Saturday told a gather ing, mostly comprising Muslim audience, in the constituency that they should chant “Har Har Mahadev” after him. The crowd members did the same.

Senior RLD leader, former MLA join BJP

Meerut (PTI): Senior Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD) leader Chaud hary Yashveer Singh along with several oth ers joined the BJP here on Sunday.

Singh, who was for mer regional chief of RLD, joined the saffron party in presence of BJP state president Bhupinder Singh Chaudhary. Besides, for mer RLD MLA Sudesh Sharma and other local leaders of the party also joined the BJP.

On the occasion, the UP BJP chief said the new joinings will strengthen the party and it would win Khatauli assembly seat in the re gion by a big margin.

Meanwhile, RLD lead er Surendra Sharma said that those who could

not face challenges in the present day politics are joining the BJP as they did not have courage to face the situation.

The polling for the bypolls on Khatauli, Rampur assembly seats and Mainpuri parlia mentary constituency will be held on Decem ber 5 while counting of votes will take place on December 8.

Yogi offers prayers at Ram Temple, reviews development works

Ayodhya (ANI): Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Sunday offered prayers at the Ram Janmabhoo mi temple in Ayodhya.

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath also chaired a meeting with officials over the development works in Ram Janmab hoomi temple.

Earlier on November 4, with a steady stream of devotees to Ayodhya amid the ongoing con struction of the Ram temple, the Uttar

Pradesh government approved three main routes to the temple site which will enable visi tors to have ‘darshan’. Work on laying two of these routes is already underway, government officials said. One of these three routes, to be named Ram Path, will span 13 kms and connect Sahadatganj to Naya Ghat. While the road is to be laid at a cost of Rs 400 crore, the tendering process has been com pleted. A committee has

also conducted a survey of the main route after it was approved by the

government. The locals on the route, who have homes

or run shops or other es tablishments, would be rehabilitated before

work on constructing the main approach road to the Ram temple begins.

The other route, to be called Shri Ram Janma bhoomi Path, will con nect Birla Dharmasha la to Shri Ram Janmab hoomi temple via Sug

reev fort. Work on lay ing this route is on in full swing. While the work was initially esti mated to be completed by November, officials now say that work will go on till December.

“We will have the route ready by Decem ber this year,” Navdeep Rinwa, commissioner, of Ayodhya Mandal.

The third route will connect Shri Ram Jan mabhoomi temple to Singar Ghat via Hanu mangarhi. Work on this

route is underway at a fast pace, officials said, adding that most of the land losers on this route have already been awarded compensation.

“After clearing some other areas, work will start. The route, once ready, will help draw more visitors to the temple. The Ram Jan mabhoomi Path Marg will not only save the devotees time but also enable them to have darshan,” an Ayodhya resident said.

First India Bureau

New Delhi: PM Narendra Modi on Sunday said the launch of ‘Vikram S’ rocket heralded a “new era” for pri vate space sector in India as he hailed the sector’s contri bution in the sphere of space technology. He said on Nov 18, the country witnessed “new history” being made in space sector. “On this day, India sent its first such rocket into space, which was designed and prepared by the pri vate sector of India. The name of this rocket is

‘VIKRAM-S’ HERALDED NEW ERA FOR PRIVATE SPACE SECTOR IN INDIA: PM

HIMACHAL

SAFFRON PARTY GETS A BOOST

Yogi Adityanath inspects construction work of Ram Temple. (Inset) Yogi offers prayers at the temple.

BJP leaders hold the roadshow for the upcoming Gujarat Assembly elections, at Keshod, in Junagadh. —PHOTO BY ANI

PDP President Mehbooba Mufti addresses a youth convention at Sher-e-Kashmkir Park, in Srinagar, Sunday. —PHOTO BY PTI

Prime Minister Narendra Modi. —FILE PHOTO

PM bats for solutions to challenges related to peace, environment and sustainable development

CRICKETER

BAT FOR DIFFERENT

RAHUL SHOWS HIS SOFT SIDE IN INDORE

Indore (PTI): The Bharat Jodo Yatra led by Congress leader Ra hul Gandhi reached In dore on Sunday on the fifth day of its Madhya Pradesh leg.

People from different sections of society in cluding a differentlyabled man, Manohar, also joined the foot march and Gandhi was seen pushing his wheel chair to some distance.

The man said he told Gandhi that the coun try now needs a change.

After a night halt at Mhow, the birthplace of Dr BR Ambedkar, the yatra participants re sumed the march on Sunday morning.

The yatra passed through the suburban area of Rau and reached Indore. A red carpet

was rolled out to wel come when the march reached Rau.

Indore Commission er of Police HC Mishra

said 1,400 personnel have been deployed in the city to provide secu rity to the yatra and barricades have been

with narrow streets have been temporarily evacuated to avoid the possibility of any unto ward incident during the march, he said.

Earlier, a sweet shop in Juni area of Indore received an anonymous letter by post on Novem ber 17, threatening bomb blasts in Indore city during the yatra.

The letter, which re ferred to the 1984 antiSikh riots, had also threatened assassina tions of Rahul Gandhi and MP Congress chief Kamal Nath. The police had arrested a person in this connection.

put up at various places on the yatra’s route.

Twelve dilapidated houses in the densely populated Rajwada area

The Congress’s Bharat Jodo Yatra, a mass contact initiative, will take a night halt at Chimanbagh Ground in the city, officials said.

CONG SEEKS TO BOLSTER HOLD ON KEY MP REGION WITH BJY; BJP LAUNCHES COUNTER CAMPAIGN

Bhopal (PTI): The politically crucial Malwa-Nimar region of Madhya Pradesh played a key role in propelling the Congress to power in 2018 after a gap of 15 years and the party is utilising Rahul Gandhi-led Bharat Jodo Yatra to strengthen its position in the belt a year ahead of the Assembly polls. The yatra’s focus on Malwa-Nimar during its MP leg will help the party revive its organization at the grassroots level and also allow it to reap electoral benefits, according to a section of Congress leaders and political observers. Mindful of the political significance of the region, which accounts for 66 of total 230 Assembly seats, the ruling BJP, too, has stepped up its efforts to consolidate its position in Malwa-Nimar and retain its hold on power in the state. Gandhi’s cross-country march reached Baroda Ahir village, birthplace of tribal icon and revolutionary Tantya Bheel in Pandhana tehsil in Khandwa district on November 24, a day after the yatra entered the state.

Khargone (PTI): A small snake was spotted in the food tent when the Bharat Jodo Yatra was in Manihar village in Khargone district in Madhya Pradesh on Saturday, a Congress leader said.

Leader of Opposition in Madhya Pradesh Assembly Govind Singh said a small snake was spotted in the food tent when participants of the Rahul Gandhi-led march were taking a break. Those present caught the snake and released it in the open some distance away, he said. Party functionaries said Gandhi was not near the tent when the incident occurred. The march, which began from Mortakka in Khandwa district on Saturday morning, broke for lunch at Manihar, after which it resumed from Umeria Chowki, before moving to Mhow, the birthplace of Babasaheb Ambedkar, in the evening.

RSS chief lauds role of freedom fighters with diverse ideologies

Patna (PTI): Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh chief Mohan Bhagwat on Sunday asserted that those who fought for the country’s Independence demonstrated how peo ple with diverse ideolo gies could come togeth er for a common cause.

He was speaking at a function on the penulti mate day of his four-day tour of Bihar in Mal khachak village of Sa ran district, held in the memory of lesserknown freedom fighters.

He was addressing the programme before visiting Darbhanga where he will interact with RSS workers from across the state. Bhag wat also released a book authored by journalist Ravindra Kumar.

Titled “Swatantrata Andolan Ki Bikhri Kadiyan”, the book claims to shed more light on India’s struggle for Independence.

connection with the video related to pro-Pakistani slogans.

CRUCIAL READ

SAD SUNDAY: FOUR KILLED IN TWO SEPARATE ROAD ACCIDENTS IN JAMMU

Jammu (PTI): Four people were killed and two injured in separate road accidents here, police said on Sunday.

In first incident, Jatin Manhas (18) and Mahruda Pratap Singh (15) died after two speeding motorcycles collided head-on with each other at Dablehar-Chak Mohd Yaar road in RS Pura area on the outskirts of the city on Saturday, the police said. Two others — were injured in the colli sion. In another incident, an apple-laden truck coming from Kashmir skidded off the road and fell into a deep gorge in Nagrota area late on Saturday evening.

4 INJURED IN BOMB BLAST IN BENGAL’S PARGANAS DISTRICT

Kolkata (PTI): Four persons were injured, one of them seriously, when several bombs exploded at Jagaddal area in West Bengal’s North 24 Parga nas district early Sunday triggering panic in the area.

Police said as per informa tion, an altercation took place between some wed ding party members and a local resident over playing music at the marriage hall on Saturday night.

3 KILLED IN ROAD ACCIDENT IN UP'S GHAZIPUR DISTRICT

Ghazipur (PTI): Three people, including a cou ple, were killed when their car was hit by an uniden tified vehicle in Nandganj area here, police said on Sunday. The accident took place on Saturday night, they said. Neeraj Kumar (45), his wife Moni (41), and friend Alok Kumar (44), all residents of Bi har, were on their way to Prayagraj when their car was hit from behind.

TEENAGER ABDUCTED AND RAPED IN BAIRIA VILLAGE IN UTTAR PRADESH’S BALIA DIST

Ballia (PTI): A 16-year-old girl was allegedly abducted and raped by a man in a village in Bairia area here, police said on Sunday.The accused identified as 23-year-old Munnu Yadav was arrested on Saturday. The girl was abducted by Yadav on November 15 following which an FIR was registered by the girl’s family members, Senior Sub Inspector Atul Mishra said. The girl was recovered two days ago and has been sent for the medical examination, he said.

FLIER FROM DUBAI NABBED WITH GOLD WORTH `48 L

Kochi (ANI): The Customs department seized 1192 grams of gold, worth Rs 48.5 lakh, at the Kochi air port on Sunday. The cus toms officers intercepted a passenger from Dubai at the Kochi Airport by flight IX-434. The accused was identified as Ali, a native of Kozhikode district. On examining the passenger, the customs officials found four capsules of gold in compound form, weighing 1010 grams.

3 KIDS CRUSHED TO DEATH BY TRAIN IN PUNJAB’S RUPNAGAR

Rupnagar (PTI): Three children were crushed to death by a passenger train near Sri Kiratpur Sahib here on Sunday, police said. The Punjab govern ment has ordered an in quiry into the incident. The incident took place when four children of migrant la bourers were playing near the railway track close to a bridge over Sutlej river. The fourth child was injured in the incident and was admitted to a hospital.

Dhankhar to give Shilp Guru & Nat’l Awards to craftpersons today

First India Bureau

New Delhi: Union Min istry of Textiles will be organizing Shilp Guru and National Awards to master craftpersons for the year 2017, 2018 and 2019 on Monday.

Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar will be the chief guest of the award ceremony.

Union Minister of Com merce & Industry, Pi yush Goyal will preside over the function. Dar shana Vikram Jardosh, Minister of State for Railways and Textiles will be the Guest of Honour at the event.

The Office of the De velopment Commission er (Handicrafts) has been implementing the scheme of National Awards for master craft spersons since 1965 and

Shilp Guru Awards was introduced in 2002.

These Awards are being conferred every year to legendary master craft spersons of handicrafts whose work and dedica tion have contributed not only to the preserva tion of rich and diverse craft heritage of the country but also to the resurgence of handi craft sector as a whole.

The main objective is to give recognition to out standing craftspersons in the handicrafts sector.

India-NZ second ODI match called off due to rain

Hamilton [New Zea land] (ANI): The sec ond ODI of three-match series between India and New Zealand was called off due to rain, with India scoring 89/1 in 12.5 overs at the time rain intervened for the final time and put any possibility of further action to rest. Shubman Gill (45* off 42 balls) and Suryakumar Yadav (34* off 25 balls) were at the crease unbeaten. Put to bat first by the Kiwis, India was at 22/0 in 4.5 overs when rain inter rupted the action for the first time. The match was resumed after rain as a 29-overs-per side af fair. After the match re sumed, India lost skip per Shikhar Dhawan early for just three runs. After that, Gill and Suryakumar added 66 runs for the second wicket. But rain played the spoilsport again.

FIFA WORLD CUP

“Those who fought for Independence demon strated how people with diverse ideologies could come together for a com mon cause,” he said.

People showcase creativity with snow sculptures in J&K

Srinagar (ANI): As winter arrives in the Kashmir valley, so does heavy amounts of snow fall. Now, although it creates many problems for locals, people have shown how to turn prob lems into opportunities using their creativity.

The youth and chil dren are the ones who are most active in this. They carve sculptures out of snow and create a 'universe' of happy mo ments. The people of Kashmir have shown time and again that there is no dearth of talent in the valley. Their creativ ity with snow is yet an other proof of this.

Also, the artworks of Kashmir often grab people's attention on so cial media. Several na tional and internation ally famous artists Za hooruddin Lone, Tasa deq Hussain, and sev

eral others teach snow sculpting skills to the children.

In another step in the direction, the school ad ministration in the Higher Secondary School Kalshe in the Talil area of Griz or ganized a unique Snow Art Competition for the students.

The students show cased their talents by

Messi, Fernandez guide Argentina to win

Lusail [Qatar](ANI):

Lionel Messi’s superb long-range strike and Enzo Fernandez’s stun ning goal guided Argen tina to a dominating victory over Mexico 2-0 in the Group C game at the Lusail Stadium, keeping their FIFA World Cup dream alive.

It may not have been a memorable perfor mance, but Argentina get the win they needed, beating Mexico 2-0 at the Lusail Stadium to keep their hopes of qualifica tion alive. After their shocking 2-1 loss to Sau di Arabia, Argentina

knew defeat would mean elimination. They laboured once more un til Messi’s 65th-minute intervention.

In a rough and tense match, the 35-year-old, who is likely playing in his final World Cup, scooped up Angel Di Ma

time, Argentina secured the victory thanks to a ball from substitute Enzo Fernandez, who cut inside and curled a beautiful goal past Guillermo Ochoa. Mes si then switched roles and became the game’s provider.

making 'snowmen' and models of other wild and domestic animals and birds. The school also appreciated the students' work and also awarded prizes to the students for encourag ing them.

It is noteworthy that this trend of making snow models during the winter is rising in popu larity every year.

IAS Sujata Sharma to go back to Andhra

Ahtesham Siddiqui

ria’s pass outside the box and fired a crisp shot into the bottom cor ner to break the score.

Three minutes from

The win moves Argen tina up to the second po sition in Group C, a point behind Poland, whom they will play in their fi nal match as they at tempt to secure a spot in the round of 16. As for Mexico, they have to beat Saudi Arabia to have any hope of qualifying.

Lucknow: IAS Sujata Sharma of 2006 batch is leaving from UP. She came from Andhra Pradesh to UP cadre on interstate depu tation for 3 years in December 2019. Now, the UP govt will relieve her on December 2, af ter she served for three years in the state. Shar ma has charge of Secre tary, Industrial Devel opment. She has to go back to Andhra Pradesh original carder.

Argentina’s Lionel Messi celebrates after scoring goal during match between Argentina and Mexico.

Tourists at Gondola rides Gulmarg ski resort, in Jammu and Kashmir on Saturday. —PHOTO BY PTI

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi walks with padayatris during the party’s Bharat Jodo Yatra, at Mhow, in Indore, Madhya Pradesh on Sunday. —PHOTO BY ANI

Rahul Gandhi with a supporter’s pet dog during the party’s Bharat Jodo Yatra, at Mhow, in Indore on Sunday. —PHOTO BY ANI

MP POLICE REGISTER CASE OVER VIDEO OF PRO-PAK SLOGANS DURING CONG’S BJY

SNAKE SPOTTED IN FOOD TENT IN MANIHAR VILLAGE DURING CONG’S BHARAT JODO YATRA

Khargone (PTI): The Madhya Pradesh Police have registered a case in connection with a purported video pertaining to pro-Pa kistani slogans raised during the Congress’s Bharat Jodo Yatra, an official said on Sunday. While the Congress alleged it was a doctored video with which the BJP was trying to defame the foot march led by Rahul Gandhi, the ruling BJP claimed the opposition party deleted the clip after a pro-Pakistani slogan was heard in it. Khargone’s Superintendent of Police Dharmveer Singh Yadav said the case was registered at Sanawad police station against unidentified persons under Indian Penal Code Sections 153 (B) (imputations, assertions prejudicial to national-integration) and 188 (disobedience to order duly promulgated by public servant) in

BRIEFS

GOLD IMPORTS FALL 17% IN APRIL-OCT TO $24 BILLION

New Delhi: Gold imports, which have a bearing on the current account defi cit, declined 17.38% to about $24 billion during April-October due to fall in demand. Imports of the yellow metal stood at $29 billion in the correspond ing period of 2021-22.

The imports during Oct this year also contracted by 27.47% to $3.7 bn.

Silver imports during the month too dipped 34.80% to $585 million.

The imports, however, jumped to $4.8 billion as against $1.52 bn during April-Oct 2021-22. —PTI

FPIs BUY SHARES

WORTH ` 31,630 CR IN NOVEMBER 2022

New Delhi: Foreign port folio investors have redis covered their liking for In dian equities, making a net investment of `31,630 crore in Novem ber on hopes of an end to the aggressive rate hikes, and positivity about over all macroeconomic trends. According to data available with the deposi tories, FPIs invested a net sum of `31,630 crore in equities during November 1-25. In comparison, there was a net outflow of `8 crore and `7,624 crin Oct and Sept, resp. —PTI

INDIAN PHARMA EXPORTS

RISE BY 4.22% TO $14.57 BN

Hyderabad: Pharmaceuti cal exports from India registered a growth of 4.22% to reach $14.57 billion during the AprilOctober period despite a negative trend last month, according to a senior offi cial. Udaya Bhaskar, Di rector General of Pharmexcil which is an organisation under the Ministry of Commerce, said he was hopeful of ending the current fiscal at around $27 billion as against $24.62 billion during the last financial year. There was a dip (-0.32%) in July and (-5.45%) and there was 8.47% positive growth in September. —PTI

MCAP OF NINE OF TOP 10 FIRMS

CLIMBS ` 79,798 CR

New Delhi: Nine of the top 10 valued firms to gether added `79,798.3 crore in market valuation last week, with IT majors TCS and Infosys emerg ing as the biggest win ners. In the last week, the 30-share BSE Sensex climbed 630.16 points or 1%. Barring Adani Enter prises, all the 10 most valued firms including Reliance Industries, HDFC Bank, ICICI Bank and Hin dustan Unilever Limited witnessed gains in their valuation. —PTI

‘

RUPEE WILL STABILISE ONCE THE US REDUCES RATE INCREASE SPEED’

First India Bureau

New Delhi: 2022 Nobel Me morial Prize winner in Economic Sciences, Doug las W Diamond says that it is difficult to predict ex change rates but the rupee should stabilise once the US “reduces the speed of its rate increases”.

According to him when the US raises exchange rates unexpectedly, the dol lar tends to appreciate and things will normalise when interest rates are closer to each other in US and India.

He was asked by PTI about the continuous fall of the Indian rupee against the US dollar to which he said, “It is difficult to pre dict the exchange rates. When the US raises rates unexpectedly, the dollar tends to appreciate. Once the US reduces the speed of its rate increases, the rupee should stabilise.”

Diamond, who had once observed that delegated monitoring allows savers to get access to safe and high returns, says bank monitoring works well when banks are well capi talised and there is little lending to bank insiders.

OTHER STORIES

MAJOR HIGHLIGHTS

z According to the American economist when the US raises exchange rates unexpectedly, the dollar tends to appreciate and things will normalise when interest rates are closer to each other in the US and India

“I expect this to continue in the future. For savers to get high returns, a reason able amount of bank com petition is needed as well,” he argues. Diamond, who

CUMULATIVE RECOVERY RATE UNDER INSOLVENCY RESOLUTION FALLS TO 30.18% IN

SEPT

z Diamond said bank monitoring works well when banks are well capitalised and there is little lending to bank insiders

z Diamond had collaborated with former RBI governor Raghuram G Rajan on theory of banking in 2001

had collaborated with Raghuram G Rajan on the ory of banking says one of their conclusions was that banks need to be a bit frag ile to discipline them.

New Delhi (PTI): NITI Aayog Vice Chairman Su man Bery on Sunday ex pressed concern over the revival of Old Pension Scheme by some states, saying it would burden fu ture taxpayers at a time when India needs to focus on fiscal prudence and pro moting sustained growth.

“I am slightly more wor ried about the return to the Old Pension Scheme (OPS). I think that is more of a concern because the cost will be borne by future tax payers and citizens, not the present,” he said.

The OPS, under which the entire pension amount was given by the govern ment, was discontinued by the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) govern ment in 2003 from April 1, 2004.

Under the new pension scheme, employees con tribute 10% of their basic salary towards pension while the state government contributes 14%.

“I think political parties have to exercise discipline, since we are all working for a common cause of growth of the Indian economy, and for India to become a devel oped economy, you know the long-term (objectives) needs to be balanced against the short-term (objectives),” Bery said.

BUDGET 2023-24

DATA PROTECTION BILL

Personal data access only in exceptional situations:

New Delhi (PTI): The gov ernment will not be able to violate the privacy of citi zens under the proposed data protection law as it will get access to personal data only in exceptional circumstances like nation al security, pandemic and natural disasters, Minister of State for Electronics &IT Rajeev Chandrasekhar said.

The minister said the Na tional Data Governance Framework Policy has pro vision for handling an onymisation of data — which is not part of the draft Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) Bill 2022.

Chandrasekhar also said the proposed Data Protec tion Board — which will adjudicate matters related to data protection — will be independent and will not have any government of ficer on the board.

MoS IT

NO GOVERNMENT OFFICER INVOLVED

z MoS for Electronics and IT Rajeev Chandrasekhar said the proposed Data Protection Board — which will adjudicate matters related to data protection — will be independent and will not have any government officer on the board

“Let us say that the gov ernment wants to essen tially violate the privacy of citizens with this law. Is it possible? That’s the ques tion. The answer is no. The bill and laws lay out in very clear terms what are the exceptional circumstances under which the govern ment can have access to the personal data of Indian citizens.... National secu rity, pandemic, healthcare, natural disaster.

QUARTER

Mumbai: The cumulative recovery rate under the insolvency resolu tion processes of debt-ridden companies declined to 30.18% at the end of the September quarter, indicating that lenders took more haircut on their exposure, shows a study. The recovery rate has fallen steeply from a peak of 43% in Q1 FY20. Of the `7,90,626.2 crore claims from the financial creditors admitted by various benches of the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT), only `2,43,452.5 crore or 30.18% have been recovered till the end of Q2 FY23, as per an analysis of IBBI data done by Care Ratings. —PTI

FIRST HERO-HARLEY CO-DEVELOPED BIKE TO HIT MARKET IN 2 YEARS

New Delhi: A bike jointly de veloped by Hero MotoCorp and Harley-Davidson could hit the market in the next two years. The launch is part of Hero MotoCorp’s plans to strengthen its position in the premium segment. “Over the next two-year timeframe, you will see models which are in the volume segment and the profitable segment of the premium as well, including the platform that we are develop ing jointly with Harley,” Hero MotoCorp CFO said. —PTI

ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS SEC HAS MAX DELAYED PROJECT

New Delhi: The road transport and highways sector has the maximum number of delayed projects at 243, followed by railways at 114 and the petroleum sec tor at 89, showed a government report. In the road transport and highways sector, 243 out of 826 projects are delayed. In rail ways, out of 173 projects, 114 are delayed, while in petroleum sector, 89 out of 142 projects are delayed, as per the latest flash report on infrastructure projects for Oct 2022. —PTI

New Delhi (PTI): Trading activity in the equity mar ket this week will depend on macroeconomic data an nouncements, monthly auto sales numbers and global trends, analysts said.

“This week, our Q2 GDP numbers and monthly auto sales numbers will be key domestic factors. On the global front, the market will keep an eye on data from the US and any fur ther movement of the dol lar index and US bond yields. Apart from this, news flow from China will continue to cause some volatility,” said Santosh Meena, Head of Research, Swastika Investmart Ltd.

Ajit Mishra said this week participants will be focusing on key macroeco nomic data -- GDP numbers and manufacturing PMI —for cues.

FIMI seeks withdrawal of export duty on bauxite

New Delhi (PTI): Miners’ body FIMI has sought with drawal of export duty on bauxite, stating that the move will lead to optimum utilisation of low-grade mineral resources as it will expedite reopening of closed bauxite mines, cre ate jobs and earn foreign exchange.

Bauxite is the principal ore of aluminum and therefore the mineral is the essential raw material for aluminium producers.

“The export duty of 15 per cent on bauxite is det rimental to the Indian nonmetallurgical bauxite pro ducers and exporters...

This Federation therefore request for complete with drawal of export duty on exports of bauxite,” FIMI said in its pre-Budget proposals to the finance ministry.

HUGE POTENTIAL

z Miners’ body FIMI said that India is not only selfsufficient in meeting its requirement but has huge potential to be a major player in the international bauxite market

Domestic alumina and aluminum producers have their own captive mines or meet their requirement from mines located in east ern and central parts of the country, which contain plant grade bauxite.

REQUEST

FMCG MAKERS HOPEFUL OF RURAL GROWTH

New Delhi (PTI): Leading FMCG makers are witness ing encouraging trends from the initial pickup of their winter products port folio, expect consumption to accelerate further as mercury dips, making them hopeful for growth from the rural areas.

Makers such as Dabur, Emami and Marico are wit nessing pickup in their winter-specific products portfolio ranging from skin care products to immunity products such as chyawan prash and honey.

Moreover, the makers are also expecting rural

sales to bounce back in the coming quarters helped by a good harvest and soften ing of general inflation. While winter products are

doing well on new-age channels such as e-com merce and modern trade channels.

Marico COO India Busi

ness and CEO New Busi ness Sanjay Mishra said winter has always been a crucial season for some products in their portfolio.

New Delhi (PTI): IDBI Bank will continue to oper ate as an ‘Indian private sector bank’ after its strate gic sale and the govern ment’s residual 15% stake in the lender post privatisa tion will be considered as ‘public shareholding’, the finance ministry said on Sunday.

An ‘appropriate dispen sation’ for the new owner to achieve minimum public shareholding (MPS) over an extended period is un der consideration and the winning bidder will have no restriction on undertak ing corporate restructur ing of the subsidiaries of IDBI Bank, it added.

These clarifications are part of the responses by the DIPAM, under the finance ministry, to poten tial investors’ pre-EoI queries.

CII urges RBI to moderate pace of interest rates hikes

New Delhi (PTI): India Inc has begun to feel the adverse impact of RBI’s in terest rate hikes of 190 ba sis points in the current financial year, industry body CII said on Sunday, as it urged the central bank to consider moderating the pace of its monetary tight ening ahead of the forth coming policy.

According to CII, domes tic demand is recovering well as mirrored by the per formance of a host of highfrequency indicators. How ever, the prevailing global

‘polycrisis’ is likely to im pinge on India’s growth prospects too.

“Given the headwinds to domestic growth, the RBI should consider moderat ing the pace of its mone tary tightening from the earlier 50 basis points.”

NITI Aayog VC Bery expresses concern over revival of OPS

Macro data, global trends to guide markets this week

IDBI Bank to continue as ‘Indian private sector bank’

Super Indians Rajasthan Chapter has colourful start in Lake City

Ravi Sharma

Udaipur: The Super In dians Rajasthan Chap ter organised by First India News Rajasthan and Bharat24 news channel had a colourful start on Sunday at Lake City Udaipur. The lamp lighting of programme

‘Assam Bhavan’ coming: CM; Raut plays wet blanket

was done in Ananta Re sort in the presence of Assembly Speaker Dr CP Joshi, Dr Jagdeesh Chandra, CEO and Edi tor-in-Chief, Bharat24Vision of New India and First India, and CMD, First India News, film actor Govinda, Ra jasthan Foundation Commissioner Dhiraj

Srivastava, former Me war royal family mem ber Lakshyaraj Singh Mewar, Chief Business Office and Strategic Ad visor Manoj Jagyasi, newly appointed Man aging Editor of Bharat24 Shamsher Singh and First India News Editor Jinendra Singh Shekha wat and other dignitar

ies. On this occasion, Dr CP Joshi threw light on the challenges of parlia mentary democracy and made it clear that the legislature, execu tive and judiciary all have their own chal lenges and responsibili ties, which need to be understood.

2 held with heroin worth `50 cr at Mumbai airport

First India Bureau

Mumbai: The Directo rate of Revenue Intel ligence (DRI) nabbed two Zimbabwean na tionals with 7.9kg of heroin, worth Rs50 crore, at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj In ternational Airport, an official said here on Sunday.

Acting on a tip-off, DRI’s Mumbai zonal unit laid a trap at the airport on Friday and intercepted a man and a woman travelling from Addis Ababa (Ethiopia). On search ing their baggage, the team found a few pack ets containing light brown powder con cealed in their trolley

bags, the official said. The powder tested positive for the pres ence of heroin and the

Navy Week: 4K students visited ships this weekend

First India Bureau

Mumbai: Ships of the Navy’s Western Fleet played host to around 4,000 children from more than 20 schools from across the coun try on Saturday and Sunday as part of this year’s Navy Week cel ebrations, a spokes person said.

The young visitors in cluded students from the National Cadet Corps, Sainik schools, Rotary schools, private and gov ernment schools, and National Association for the Blind.

First India Bureau

Mumbai: Chief Min ister of Maharashtra Eknath Shinde on Sunday claimed that he has approved As sam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sar ma’s request for the construction of an Assam Bhavan in Navi Mumbai.

The two CMs met in Guwahati, after which Shinde said that a Maha rashtra Bhavan will also come up in Assam. The meeting between the Ma harashtra CM and Sar ma took place in the same hotel in Guwahati where Shinde and other rebel MLAs from the Shiv Sena stayed for 11 days before toppling the Uddhav Thackeray-led Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government in Maharashtra.

According to a state ment released from

Shinde’s office, the two leaders discussed ways to strengthen mutual co operation between the two states in the field of industries, trade and tourism. It said Shinde also approved Sarma’s request to construct As sam Bhavan in Navi Mumbai, while the As sam government would provide land for the Ma harashtra Bhavan in the north-eastern state.

It also said Shinde thanked Sarma for his support during the pow er struggle in Maharash tra, and quoted Sarma as saying that when Shinde had realized his party’s (Shiv Sena’s) path was wrong and he wanted to correct it, all assistance was provided.

Shinde, his ministers and MPs along with their families visited Kamakhya Devi temple on Saturday.

Meanwhile, talking to

—Sanjay Raut, Rajya Sabha MP

the media here, Rajya Sabha member Sanjay Raut said the Assam Bhavan already exists in Navi Mumbai.

Taking his customary swipe at CM Shinde, he added: “The Assam CM is a former Congress man and Shinde is a for mer Shiv Sainik. Both became chief ministers after switching sides. So, the turncoats are getting along well.”

People from Assam live happily and peace fully in Mumbai and elsewhere in the state, he futher said, adding, “Kamakhya Devi is known as the Goddess of justice, we are sure she will do justice.”

“On board the ships, they were familiarized with the operational ca pabilities and roles played by the Indian Navy in ensuring the na tion’s maritime security.

During the visit, the stu dents saw a static dis play of various weapons in the Indian Navy’s in ventory, including sur face-to-air and surfaceto-surface missiles, and torpedoes launched by ships, submarines and

aircraft,” he said. “The aim of such vis its is to expose the next generation to the opera tions, activities, roles and relevance of the Indian Navy as an in strument of national policy,” he added.

Zimbabwean national were found to be carrying 7.9kg of the banned narcotic hidden in their bags

contraband weighed 7.9kg, the official said, adding that the seizure is valued at Rs50 crore

internationally. The accused were ar rested under relevant sections of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotrop ic Substances (NDPS) Act, and remanded to judicial custody by a special court.

The DRI is now inves tigating further to bust the drug syndicate in volved in the case.

State records 64 nCoV cases, 117 recoveries; active tally now at 451

Mumbai (PTI): Ma harashtra on Sunday reported 64 COV ID-19 cases, which took the state’s tally to 81,35,684, while the death toll re mained unchanged at 1,48,406, a health official said.

The day’s numbers come as a relief, given that the state had re ported 98 new cases on Saturday—a sizeable increase from Friday’s 72 cases. Both Friday and Saturday had also brought one fatality each.

The recovery count increased by 117 to touch 79,86,827, leaving the state with an active caseload of 451, he said.

On Sunday, Mumbai accounted for 16 of the

A WARM WELCOME!

new cases, which took the metropolis’s tally to 11,53,967, while the toll remained un changed at 19,743. Mumbai circle re ported 30 cases, which took the tally and toll to 23,87,634 and 40,130. It was followed by 23 cases in Pune circle, among others.

Meanwhile, Thane saw 14 new cases, tak ing its infection tally to 7,47,292, a health of ficial said on Sunday.

Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde meets Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, in Guwahati on Saturday.

—PHOTO BY ANI

Shiv Sena - UBT leader points

out that everyone seems to want a piece of land in Maha without reciprocity

Maharashtra BJP Vice President Kripa Shankar Singh (right) welcomes Uttar Pradesh cabinet minister Swatantra Dev Singh (left) on the latter’s arrival in Mumbai, where he attended the inauguration of the Harivansh Rai Bachchan Hindi Bhasha Bhavan at Mira Bhayandar.

Students were introduced to the various weapons used by the Navy, at the exhibition in Mumbai this weekend. —FILE PHOTO

Every state wants land in Mumbai. But, Maharashtra doesn’t have a place in other states. Its industries are taken away and even claims are staked on its own land.

Dr CP Joshi, Dr Jagdeesh Chandra, Govinda, Dhiraj Srivastava, Lakshyaraj Singh Mewar, Manoj Jagyasi, Shamsher Singh and Jinendra Singh Shekhawat during the Super Indians Rajasthan Chapter at Ananta Resort in Udaipur on Sunday. PHOTOS BY SANTOSH SHARMA

Dhiraj Srivastava speaking during the event in Udaipur.

Dr Jagdeesh Chandra addressing the event at Hotel Ananta.

Govinda interacting with the audience during the event.

Dr CP Joshi addressing the audience in Udaipur on Sunday.

l Assembly speaker Dr CP Joshi says that in Constitution India means Bharat and here First India News and Bharat24 both are present

l Dr Jagdeesh Chandra highlights the social concerns being raised by First India News Rajasthan and Bharat24 channel

FASHION CONNECT SEASON 13 X INDIA FASHION WEEK LONDON LONDON WANTS MORE

season, the fashion show is known for lifting the bar even higher. The previous edition in Dubai included several wellknown designers, like Michael Cinco, and this season was no different.

After the successful previous seasons, First India presents Fashion Connect Season 13 in collaboration with India Fash ion Week London decked up with glamorous ensembles of intricate designs with celebra tory craftsmanship and artistry. The mega fashion festival wit nessed some of the most antici pated global fashion calendars, celebrates fashion at the inter section of culture and is a global entertainment platform for

I am glad that Fashion Con nect was part of my event this year and I am looking forward to attend the next fashion event in Dubai.

incredible singing performance. The concert was ended by celeb rity designer Samant Chauhan, who then launched the official cover of Bhavini Bhargava’s book “Unheard” during the event. The London Fashion Week was nothing short of an ultra-stylish series with jawdropping collections.

While expressing their grati tude to everyone, Rishee and Lokesh stated, “This wouldn’t have been possible without the support and guidance of Dr Jagdeesh Chandra. Even though he was unable to attend Fashion Connect Season 13 in London, his leadership and insight gave it the boost it needed to be one of the best! Our vision is to pro mote fashion and creativity and to encourage revolutionary thinking globally with Fashion Connect.

First India presents Fashion Connect Season 13 in collaboration with India Fashion Week London, the magnificent event was hosted at Novotel London Hammersmith on November 20! The event received a fantastic response and netizens went crazy over the stellar lineup!

First India, The Fashion Connect Season 13 in col laboration with India Fashion Week London the spectacular show was hosted at Novotel London Hammersmith on November 20. Every

UTTKARSHA SHEKHAR uttkarshashekhar@firstindia.co.in

—MANNY SINGH

FACE OF THE DAY!

Aries

MARCH 21 - APRIL 20

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

Gemini

MAY 21 - JUNE 21

Following a health diet will be a good idea. Luck favours you today on the profes sional front. Focus sing on health now will help you in keeping physically fit. Clarity of mind will help you forge ahead on the academic front. Frustration on the romantic front is possible.

Leo

JULY 24 - AUGUST 23

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

Libra

SEPTEMBER 24 - OCTOBER 22

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

Sagittarius

NOVEMBER 23 - DECEMBER 22

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

Aquarius

JANUARY 21 - FEBRUARY 19

A friend may motivate you to take up a healthy activity.

Parents may appear more than happy with what you deliver. Plans for overseas travel are likely to materialise. You are likely to get clearance for your construction plans. You find things moving in the way you want them.

Taurus

APRIL 21 - MAY 20

A major purchase may make a dent in your savings, but will help in keeping up with the jonesses. Speculation may not be profitable and you can very well burn your fingers. Some of you may get hard pressed to find a good match for someone eligible in the family down, Saturn will save you.

Cancer

JUNE 22 - JULY 23

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

Virgo

AUGUST 24 - SEPTEMBER 23

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

Scorpio

OCTOBER 23 - NOVEMBER 22

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

Capricorn

DECEMBER 23 - JANUARY 20

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

Pisces

FEBRUARY 20 - MARCH 20

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

THE PLANET DAY

PLANET DAY, NOVEMBER 28,

OBSERVERS FOR

CITY FIRST HIGHLIGHTS SOME FASCINATING DETAILS ABOUT THE DAY!

CITY FIRST

Mars, the fourth planet from the sun, is famed for its rusty red appearance.

The Red Planet is a cold, desert world with a very thin atmosphere. But the dusty, lifeless (as far as we know it) planet is far from dull.

Phenomenal dust storms can grow so large they engulf the entire planet, tempera tures can get so cold that carbon dioxide in the atmosphere con denses directly into snow or frost, and mars quakes — a Mars ver sion of an earthquake — regularly shake things up.

It, therefore, comes as no surprise that this little red rock continues to intrigue scientists and is one of the most explored bodies in the solar system, according to NASA Science.

Every year on Novem ber 28th, Red Planet Day commemorates the launch of Spacecraft Mariner 4. It’s also a day to learn more about Mars, which is referred to as the red planet.

After 3 previous at tempts, Spacecraft Mar iner 4 became the first successful flyby of Mars. The spacecraft was launched on No vember 28, 1964, and reached Mars on July 14, 1965. The successful mission produced 22 pictures of the Martian surface. These pictures were the first-ever close-up photos to come from deep space. This mission, along with sev eral others that oc curred afterward, has helped us learn much about the red planet.

WHY IS MARS CALLED THE RED PLANET?

The bright rust color Mars is known for is due to iron-rich minerals in its regolith — the loose dust and rock covering its surface. The soil of Earth is a kind of rego lith, too, albeit one load ed with organic content.

According to NASA, the iron minerals oxidize, or rust, causing the soil to look red.

SIMILAR TO EARTH Named after the Roman god of war, Mars is the seventh smallest planet in the Solar System.

WHY WE LOVE RED PLANET DAY

IT FUELS THE IMAGINATION

If humanity is getting close to a manned mis sion to Mars — and all indications say “yes” — how long before a setting like the one in “Star Trek” comes true, with man interacting with other intelligent species from other parts of the universe? It’s just plain fun to think about!

IT ADVANCES SCIENCE

Did you know that velcro came about as a re sult of NASA’s solving a problem for its astro nauts, whose equipment kept on floating away in zero-G? It’s true. So imagine all the inventive by products that are going to come about — maybe even cures for diseases — when the engineering of a manned mission to Mars is really tested!

IT’S INSPIRING TO THOSE WHO HAVE LONG-TERM GOALS

The spaceflight community is currently dis cussing a manned mission to Mars in the dec ade of the 2030’s. And they’re putting a little work towards that goal, each and every day. So think like that on a personal scale. Where would you like to be in five or ten years? What would you like to be doing? Put a little work in every day.

Similar to Earth in many ways - it has the same rotational period and seasonal cyclesMars has 2 moons, Dei mos and Phobos, and has the largest volcano, Olympus Mons, in the Solar System.

Because of its simi larity to Earth, many astronomers and scien tists believe that at

some point in its histo ry Mars may have been a hospitable planet for life. Exploration of Mars has been high on the agenda of the space programs of many countries. NASA, the American space agency has estimated that it could send humans to the Red Planet by the 2030s.

POORVI SETH, Fashion Blogger

Horoscope by Saurabbh Sachdeva

RED

RECOGNIZES THE PLANET WHICH HAS CAPTIVATED HUMAN

COUNTLESS YEARS, MARS. RIGHT NOW, WE KNOW THAT MARS IS RED, THANKS TO PHOTOGRAPHS BEAMED BACK TO EARTH FROM

KATRINA STUNS IN PINK SALWAR KAMEEZ

K

DROOLWORTHY FASHION MOMENT

ime and again Sonam Kapoor has showcased her anointed love for kaf tans and being the style icon she is, she manages to pull them off in an entirely untried style every time she steps out. This time Sonam sported a kaftan look in a Taller Marmo fringed kaftan dress in an absolutely soothing shade. If you are looking for a state ment-making yet subtle party dress this luxe number is just the perfect pick. Right out of the racks of a Milan-based Italian label this dress featuring a stunning kaftan silhouette epitomizes luxury eveningwear.

While each Sonam look has its own showstealing aesthetic charm, this time Sonam Kapoor made jaws drop with her light blue fringed number. The dress featuring a fabu lously flowing fit that drapes the body is Taller Marmo’s Ross Fringed Scarf-neck Crepe Kaftan Dress in Light Blue. The Ital ian designer dress is carefully cu rated with crepe fabric and fea tures a satin scarf-detailed high neck, wide sleeves, button-fas tening keyhole at back, and a winning waterfall hem accentu ated with sweeping fringe detail.

Nora Fatehi is one of the phe nomenal dancers in the enter tainment industry and is cur rently seen judging the dance reality show, Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa 10.

On the grand finale of the reality show, the top six contestants, Rubina Dilaik, Gashmeer Mahajani, Nishant Bhat, Gunjan Sinha, Faisal Shaikh, and Sriti Jha gave their last perfor mances on the show. While Nora gave a perfect 30 score to Rubina Gash meer, Gunjan, and Nishant, it was Sriti and Faisal who failed to score perfect marks.

Nora Fatehi lauded Sriti Jha for her expressions and said, “This may not have been your best perfor mance but it touched my heart.” Nora further stated that this is her song, and she could totally relate to it as she was personally going through a situation back then. “I was going through a personal situation at that time and I could relate to the emo tions while shooting. I would just carry all my emotions to the set,” said the judge.

NORA RECALLS BEING BETRAYED IN LOVE SHANAYA’S CHRISTOPHER

Shanaya Kapoor’s envy-worthy wardrobe has always been domi nated by stunning white num bers. This time with her latest look the style icon convinces us, a white crochet dress is a no-brainer when we want to look nonchalant but put togeth er this party season.

Shanaya Kapoor paused and posed for the paps as she stepped out in a white ribbed cro chet dress. Styled with effortless ease and taste ful elegance, Shanaya’s Cutout crochet-knit maxi dress by Christo pher Esber worth $970 or Rs.79,219.85 features a drop waist silhouette in a stunning neutral hue. Featuring a statement cut-out-clad silhouette, this designer maxi dress encompasses a carefully crafted crochet-knit col umn that’s accentuated with sharp pleats, a scoop neck, thick straps, a side slit, and statement-making cutout details at the waist. The silhouette-defining dress is absolutely perfect for when you want your party look to gravitate towards a minimalist side. In fact, if you are a nondress girl looking for a fuss-free but fabulous dress, a ribbed crochet dress is definitely your answer.

dle and shared a video that summa rized her super fun bachelorette. In the fun video, Hansika Mot wani is initially seen in a white

ty in a white sequinned mini skirt and cropped white shirt. The video also shows glimpses of the actress's fun trip with her girlfriends. Han sika is also seen having a great time at the bachelorette party, which was hosted by

ever’ Kriti Sanon in Zimmerman

Kriti Sanon takes the fashion world by storm as she gears up for the release of her latest film Bhediya, co-starring Varun Dhawan. For the screening and promotional events of the movie, Sanon has been sporting a versatile range of statement-making OOTDs that include classic sarees, bold dresses, and everything in be tween. For her latest appearances, Kriti was seen slaying Zimmerman’s asymmetrical mini dress with hand-applied 3D molded stars through out the bodice and a Hel en Anthony ensemble.

Kriti Sanon proves she has certainly mastered the art of party dressing as she steps out in Zimmermann’s Celestial Zodiac Asymmet rical Sheath Dress worth Rs. 276,999. The head-turn ing mini dress was in a statement-making rosegold shade accentuated with 3D embroidery all over the bodice and be yond to deliver an asymmetrical hem line which makes it a perfect dance party dress. The sheath dress features a fit ted silhouette with a high neckline, lengthened sleeves, and accentuated puffy shoulders that create a fierce yet feminine look.

Nora Fatehi

Shanaya Kapoor

Kriti Sanon

Kriti in Zimmerman Celestial Zodiac

Asymmetrical Shealth Dress

Sonam Kapoor

Hansika Motwani

Katrina Kaif

Her post...

Shanaya in Christopher Esber dress

ANURAG KASHYAP’S SHOCKING REVELATION

Filmmaker An urag Kashyap spoke about the dark phase of his life when he had to go to rehab three times and coping up with de pression for more than three years. Anu rag Kashyap also re called this was around the same time when his daughter Aaliyah Kashyap ‘started get ting anxiety attacks’ especially after receiv ing rape threats on Twitter.

Anurag said that he got off Twitter be cause of all the nega tivity on the social media platform. Anu rag had earlier said that he had deleted his Twitter account in 2019 due to threats made to his parents and daughter. The filmmaker also said he did not stop work

ing even when he struggled with depres sion during a very low point in his life.

Recalling the time when he spoke against the (CAA) and went to Jamia Millia Islamia University to take part in anti-CAA pro tests, Anurag said, “This was the time I went off Twitter be cause my daughter

started getting trolled, getting rape threats and she started get ting anxiety attacks. So, I went off Twitter in August 2019 and I went to Portugal. I was shooting this (Al most Pyaar With DJ Mohabbat) in London and then, when the whole Jamia Millia thing happened, I came back to India. I

was like, ‘yeh mujh se bardaaasht nahin ho raha hai, koi kuchh bol nahin raha hai (I can’t bear it that no one is speaking up)’. I started speaking (on Twitter) again.”

Anurag Kashyap also spoke about suf fering a heart attack last year, and how his health deteriorated, in the same interview. The director under went an angioplasty last year. The film maker spoke about recuperating and re turning to films. He said, “Unlike other people, I don’t have the luxury to sit and wait.”

Anurag had opened up about his daughter getting rape threats on Twitter, and the im pact it had on Aaliyah Kashyap in a recent conversation with Tanmay Bhatt, and said, “I have an amaz

SHOOTING BEGINS!

After wrapping up five projects this year, Ra dhika Madan is now beginning the shoot of her sixth film of the year titled Happy Teacher’s Day. Produced by Dinesh Vijan under the banner of Mad dock Films, Happy Teacher’s Day will mark Radhika Madan’s fourth association with the production house.

Announcing the com mencement of the shoot, Ra dhika Madan posted an Ins tagram story where she was welcomed on the set of Hap py Teacher’s Day with a unique and interesting ham per. In tandem with the theme of the film, Radhika received a certificate of par ticipation in the film, along

with sports essentials used in school.

Having earlier collaborat ed for Angrezi Medium, Shiddat and Homi Adajania’s upcoming next, Radhika’s fourth association with Dinesh Vijan, Happy Teach er’s Day goes on floors today in Mumbai.

Radhika Madan is unstop

Bella Poses Nearly Nude As She Flaunts Her Figure

Bella Hadid is one of the world’s biggest su permodels and youth icons, known for serv ing looks and striking poses that are nothing short of iconic Bella Hadid has once again shared eye-popping pictures of herself which have instantly managed to achieve more than a million ‘likes’ in mere a few hours.

The supermodel bared it all as she posed shirtless to pro mote her new ‘About You,’ collection.

Meanwhile, the post has wit nessed a rave response from the fans. Many have even ap plauded Bella Had id’s response on the internet to the latest con troversial Balenciaga cam paign, which shows chil dren with stuffed ani mals using harnesses and other bondage items and which has been with drawn and they have

apologized. Sharing a car ousel of images, Hadid wrote, “My collection @ aboutyou, online now”. For her post, Bella can be seen posing topless in a black miniskirt and a white hat. In the pictures, she also posed with long braids and used her hands to cover her breasts.

pable with a string of upcoming pro jects lined up. Re cently, Radhika represented Indi an Cinema at the global level with the premieres of her two upcoming filmsKacchey Limbu and Sanaa at international film festivals, which re ceived a roaring response from the audience.

ing daughter. She is out there expressing herself but her anxie ty bothers me. And her anxiety started after those threats and things like that. Her anxiety literally made me drop everything and run to the US, and she came back here. Other than her anxie ty issues, she is just amazing.”

Anurag’s Almost Pyaar With Dj Mohab bat, featuring Alaya F and Karan Mehta, re cently had its world premiere at the 19th edition of the Mar rakech Film Festival. The movie, which is produced by Anurag Kashyap’s home ban ner Good Bad Films and Zee Studios, is scheduled to be re leased in January 2023. The filmmaker’s last release was the Taapsee Pannu-star rer Dobaaraa.

Adivi pays respects at the 26/11 memorial

Adivi Sesh, who portrayed Ma jor Sandeep Un nikrishnan in the movie Major, trav elled to Mumbai to hon our the troops who lost their lives in the hor rific attacks of 26/11, this Saturday. Adivi Sesh along with Sand eep Unnikrishnan’s family was seen paying his respects at the Me morial service for the 26/11 attacks. It is evi dent how much respect and reverence he has for all the people who laid down their lives for the safety of other citi zens. It was a very heartfelt and emotional moment for all of them. His love and respect for Major Unnikrishnan’s family are clearly visi ble. He says “Every time I come here, I feel it is an honour that I get to pay respects to these brave hearts in person. No one can ever forget the sacrifice they have made for the country. I care for them and re spect them like they’re my own parents and they too, treat me like their own son.”

SUNNY WISHES SON KARAN DEOL

into frozen lakes, swam in Grade 6 Rapids wa ter streams, got stuck between rocks and got hurt, but kept going on and on without a sec ond thought...just be cause you believed in me! When I was mak ing you do all this, as a father my heart was always in my mouth, as

a director my admira tion for you was scal ing mountaintops! You will succeed in your life my son because you take no shortcuts. I know it’s a lot of hard work, keep going, re spect elders, be kind and standup up for what is right! Happy Birthday, son! “

anushi Chhillar made her Bollywood debut ear lier this year with Ak shay Kumar’s Samrat Prithviraj. Looks like the former Miss World will soon reunite with Akshay for another movie. If recent reports are to be believed, Manushi Chhillar has been roped in for Ali Abbas Za far’s directorial Bade Miyan Chote Miyan.

Bade Miyan Chote Miyan is a big-ticket entertainer and the prep work is in full swing. The film will feature three female leads and the makers have locked Manushi Chhillar to play one of the three characters. She is all charged up to join Akshay Ku mar and Tiger Shroff on this actioner.

Both Akshay Kumar and Tiger Shroff will have dedicated looks in the film, which will be un veiled at the right time, once it goes on floors.

Manushi Chillar

Radhika Madan

Bella Hadid

Manushi

Sunny Deol and Karan Deol

Anurag Kashyap

Adivi Sesh with Sandeep Unnikrishnan’s family

Her story...