First India-Mumbai Edition-30th December 2022

NETANYAHU SWORN-IN AS ISRAEL’S NEW PRIME MINISTER

Bhagwat should stay alert as Eknath Shinde group may usurp RSS office, claims Uddhav

During his press conference, Thackeray also slammed the BJP on a Karnataka minister’s statement that Mumbai should be declared a Union

Kartikey Dev Singh

Nagpur: Uddhav Thackeray, who heads one of the Shiv Sena factions, on Thursday said Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat should stay alert as Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has an “evil eye” and he might usurp the Sangh office.

Thackeray’s statement comes hours after Shinde and Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis visited Hedgewar Smrutidir, the -

morial of RSS founder Dr K B Hedgewar, in Reshimbagh area of Nagpur. The two leaders paid tributes at the memorials of Dr Hedgewar and RSS ideologue M S Golwalkar. They also met the Sangh office-bearers. Addressing a press conference in the Vidhan Bhavan premises in Nagpur, Thackeray said, “Yesterday, they tried to capture our BMC office in Mumbai. Today, they went to the RSS office. Since RSS is strong, they could not take possession of its office. But RSS needs to be on alert henceforth...He (Shinde) has an evil eye.”

Replying to another query on Shinde’s visit to the Hedgewar Smruti Mandir, he said, “Mo-

han Bhagwat needs to stay alert as they (Shinde group) may take possession of the RSS office.”

During his press conference Thackeray also slammed the BJP on a Karnataka minister’s statement that Mumbai should be declared a Union Territory.

“BJP’s plot to break Mumbai and turn it into a Union Territory has been revealed by its minister,” he said and also demanded the resignation of Governor B S Koshyari for “insulting” the icons of Maharashtra.

“How can a person who insulted Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, Savitribai Phule and Mahatma Phule continue to occupy the post?” he asked.

AFTER GAMBIA, UZBEKISTAN COUGH SYRUP PLOT

POISON OR PROPAGANDA AT PLAY?

l Drug regulatory body initiates a high-level probe in connection with the death of 18 children in Uzbekistan on Wednesday l Indian authorities halts production at a pharmaceutical company under probe for a cough syrup blamed by Uzbekistan l Inspection of firm’s Noida site was carried out by teams of Uttar Pradesh Drug Control Department & Drug regulatory body (CDSCO)

Moni Sharma

New Delhi: The MEA on Thursday said that Uzbekistan has claimed that cough syrup made by Noida based Marion Biotech killed 18 children. Indian embassy has contacted the Uzbek authorities for the details. CDSCO has initiated a probe linked to a cough syrup manufactured by an Indian firm. The dept has collected samples for probe. The DCGI had said that India has been committed to rigorous monitoring of drugs and cosmetics.

KEY HIGHLIGHTS

l The chemical Ethylene Glycol was found in a batch of Dok-1 Max syrup during laboratory tests: Uzbek said

l Marion Biotech is manufacturer company and holds license for manufacturing of the ‘Dok-1 Max’ syrup

l Hasan Harris from legal dept of the Marion Biotech, said the govts of both countries are looking into probe

l Amid India probe, DCGI seeks more information regarding the incident from the Uzbekistan regulator

l Syrup which caused of death of 18 children in Uzbekistan was not being sold in India, says Min Mandaviya

We regret deaths.

CDSCO has been in touch with Uzbekistan’s national drugs regulator since December 27. Samples of syrup have been sent to the Chandigarh-based Regional Drugs Testing Lab.

—Mansukh Mandaviya, Union Health Minister

There is no problem from our end and no issue in testing. We have been there for the past ten years. Once the government report will come, we will look into it. For now the manufacturing has stopped.

—Hasan Harris, legal cell, Marion Biotech

The incident comes days after Gambia alleged that 70 children died in September because of cough syrups manufactured by Haryana-based Maiden Pharmaceuticals following which unit was shut for violation of manufacturing standards.

‘FOR POWER, UDDHAV CHANGES COLOURS MORE THAN CHAMELEON’

Despite opportunity, Sharad Pawar didn’t make Ajit CM: Fadnavis

Nagpur: With Ajit Pawar targetting and cornering the Shinde-Fadnavis government in the House on Thursday, Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis hit back at the leader of opposition and taunted him saying that even though Sharad Pawar had the opportunity, he did not make Ajit Pawar the Chief Minister.

“Ajit Dada discussed many things today. Ajitdada asked who became the Chief Minister. But I am sad about one thing. Sharad Pawar did not make Ajit Dada the Chief Minister de spite having the opportu nity. He got an oppor tunity in

2004. You (NCP) had more people elected. As per your agreement, who was most likely to be the chief minister? You did not get that opportunity,” Fadnavis said.

Fadnavis also responded to Pawar’s comment made on Amruta Fadnavis and said, “Ajit dada spoke about Amruta. But did you ask Sunetra Tai before making the comment. Your speech is always on point. But this year Ajit Pawar’s speech was not 100 per cent. 50 percent of it has hallmark of Jayant Patil. It appeared from your speech that even though Jayant Patil was not present in the hall, but half the speech was written (by him).”

Rahul violated protocols 113 times: CRPF on his security breach claim

First India Bureau

New Delhi: A day after Congress alleged a breach in Rahul Gandhi’s security cover, the CRPF said that the protectee violated security protocols more than 100 times in the last two years. The onus to provide security cover to the former Congress president is on the CRPF.

On Wednesday, Congress general secretary (organisation) KC Venugopal wrote a letter to

‘Godse glorified in Dy CM’s area, COPS ACTED AS

BYSTANDERS’

Nagpur: NCP legislator and Leader of Opposition in the Maharashtra Assembly Ajit Pawar fired salvos on DyCM and claimed that Gandhi’s assassin Nathuram Godse is being glorified in the deputy CM’s constituency while no action is being taken.

Pawar showed a photo of Godse’s picture being hung in Fadnavis’ constituency and said that this should not happen in the constitu-

eliance Industries (RIL) Chairman Mukesh Ambani’s son Anant Ambani on Thursday got engaged to Radhika Merchant. The couple had a traditional roka ceremony at the Shrinathji Temple in Rajasthan’s Nathdwara.

Radhika is the daughter of industrialist Viren Merchant, CEO of a pharmaceutical manufacturing company.

Reliance Industries (RIL) Chairman and Managing Director Mukesh Ambani, in a virtual address marking 90th birth anniv of RIL founder Dhirubhai Ambani said India can become a $40-trillion economy by 2047 as

ency of Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis.

“Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis also holds the post of Home Minis-

ter. But the flag of Nathuram Hindu Mahasabha has been hoisted in his own assembly constituency. If there will be an attempt to glorify such killers and no action will be taken against them, then how will the law and order be maintained,” he said, ading, “this incident happens and the police is playing the role of a bystander. I or other colleagues can give many such examples.”

SOURCES IN THE FORCES SAY...

world is seeing the 21st century as India’s century. Ambani’s ‘target setup’ for his 3 children in succession plan was also shared.

He spoke about his expectations from each of conglomerates’ businesses. Full Report P7

LOAN FRAUD CASE

Kochhars, Dhoot in custody till January 10

Mumbai: A special CBI court on Thursday sent former ICICI Bank CEO and MD Chanda Kochhar, her husband Deepak Kochhar and Videocon group founder Venugopal Dhoot to judicial custody till January 10, 2023 in connection with loan fraud case. The Kochhars were arrested by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) last Friday. Dhoot was arrested on Monday. The three were produced before special judge S H Gwalani at the end of their earlier remand on Thursday. The CBI has alleged that ICICI Bank had sanctioned credit facilities to the tune of Rs 3,250 crore to companies of the Videocon Group promoted by Dhoot in violation of the Banking Regulation Act, RBI guidelines, and credit policy of the bank.

Nagpur: Thackeray targeted Maharashtra CM Eknath Shinde leading the party’s rival camp, saying that those who do not have courage to build anything resort to stealing and capturing. Thackeray said the government is yet to give a proper response on the supplementary demands of Rs 52,000 crore, incentives for Vidarbha and farmers hit due to unseasonal rains. “Those who don’t have the courage to build anything steal and capture. They have an inferiority complex and then they steal others’ parties and offices,” Thackeray said.

THOSE LACKING COURAGE TO BUILD; STEAL AND CAPTURE: UDDHAV

Mumbai: Reacting to Thackeray’s barbs, state BJP chief Chandrashekhar Bawankule accused him of changing colours quicker than a chameleon. He said he was saddened by Thackeray’s statement on the CM, and added that the Sena leader could not “digest” Shinde’s visit to Reshimbagh. Thackeray had said several times in the past that Dr Hedgewar Smruti Mandir was a place where one derives inspiration, the BJP leader said. “He changes colours more than a chameleon for power,” Bawankule added.

Ajit Pawar

Jerusalem: Benjamin Netanyahu was on Thursday sworn-in as Israel’s prime minister for a sixth time, leading Jewish state’s most right-wing government to date. Netanyahu, 73, already Israel’s longestserving PM, has the support of the 63 lawmakers.

Kyiv: Russia fired scores of missiles into Ukraine early on Thursday, targetting Kyiv and other cities including Lviv and Odesa in the west, in one of its largest aerial bombardments that sent people rushing to shelters and knocked out power.

BLASTS ROCK UKRAINE AS RUSSIA LAUNCHES 100 MISSILES

SHAH LAUNCHES MOBILE APP ‘PRAHARI’ AND BSF MANUAL

New Delhi: Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Thursday launched the Border Security Force (BSF) mobile app ‘Prahari’. This app is a great example of proactive governance. He also launched the revised version of 13 manuals for the BSF. P5

Union Home Minister Amit Shah, alleging a breach in the security cover of Gandhi during his Bharat Jodo Yatra in

Delhi. According to the sources, the CRPF will take up the issue of security guidelines violations by Gandhi separately.

“Rahul Gandhi himself has breached security protocols at least 113 times since 2020. He has also been informed about this from time to time. During the yatra, all the measures were taken for no breach of security and all stakeholders including Delhi Police were informed on December 24 before the yatra entered Delhi,” said sources in the force.

Rahul Gandhi addresses people of Red Fort in New Delhi on Dec 24.

70 CHILDREN DIED IN GAMBIA IN SEPT

Akash Ambani, Anant Ambani, Radhika Merchant and others at the Shrinath ji temple on Thursday.

Mukesh Ambani greets during the Reliance Family Day ’22, in Mumbai on Wednesday.

WILL ASK K’TAKA TO STOP WORK ON ALAMATY DAM: FADNAVIS

harashtra districts.

The Wadnera report, submitted on May 27, 2020, said there would be no adverse impact in Kolhapur and Sangli if the height of the dams of Alamaty and Hippargi on the Krishna was raised.

Case registered against MLA Nitin Deshmukh

plaint alleged.

First India Bureau

Nagpur (PTI): Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has said the state will ask Karnataka to stop the work of raising the height of Alamaty dam on the Krishna river till an ongoing study to assess its flood impact in Sangli and Kolhapur is completed.

Replying to a question in the state Assembly on Wednesday, Fadnavis said if the Karnataka government does not heed Maharashtra’s request, it will approach the Supreme Court.

The two states are already locked in a border dispute and the matter

is pending before the Supreme Court.

The state government had appointed a panel under the chairmanship of Water Resources Department’s former Principal Secretary, Nandkumar Wadnera, to study the impact of Karnataka raising the height to 524 metres. It was to also examine its effect on flooding in Kolhapur and Sangli, Fad-

However, in September 2021, Wadnera wrote to then Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray, stating that when the report was prepared, there was no information about check dams in Karnataka which could lead to flooding in Kolhapur and Sangli.

“We will bring this to the notice of the Supreme Court and request Karnataka to stop the work till the time our study is not over, as it can have a very adverse impact on Maharashtra. If they don’t agree, then, parallelly, we will approach the Supreme Court to stop the work,” said Fadnavis.

Nagpur: A case has been registered against Shiv Sena (UBT) MLA Nitin Deshmukh and his associates for allegedly manhandling police personnel in Nagpur district, officials said. No arrest has been made so far, they said. The alleged incident took place on Tuesday evening in Nagpur, where the Winter Session of the Maharashtra legislature is currently underway.

Sub-Inspector Sakharam Kamble of Ajni police station claimed in his complaint filed at Sadar police station that Deshmukh and his as sociates were irked by security checking at the gates of Ravi Bhavan, a premises comprising cottages of legislators in the Civil Lines area, and got into a spat with police on Tuesday

evening. When Kamble intervened, there was a heated exchange and Deshmukh and his associates entered Ravi Bhavan while manhandling the policemen on duty, the com-

The police registered an offence under Indian Penal Code Sections 353 (assault or use of criminal force to deter a public servant from discharge of his duty), 186 (voluntarily obstructing public servant in the discharge of his public functions), 448 (house trespass), 294 (obscene acts or words in public), 506 (criminal intimidation) and 34 (common intention) again Deshmukh and others.

Shiv Sena (UBT) legislator Anil Parab raised the issue in the state Legislative Council on Wednesday and claimed this was a misuse of power by police. The police were not allowing Deshmukh and his associates to enter Ravi Bhavan and the police also insulted the MLA, Parab alleged.

NCP’s Pawar targets Shinde and Fadnavis over cabinet expansion BJP MLAs don’t clap for Shinde in House: Ajit Pawar

First India Bureau

Mumbai: Known for his flamboyant nature, Leader of Opposition in state Assembly, Ajit Pawar on Thursday lashed out at Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis over their behaviour during the ongoing Winter Session.

time, no BJP member (of Assembly) claps when Eknath Shinde speaks,” observed Pawar.

He further stated, “How many times did everyone clap (for Shinde)? I was looking at your face closely and saw that you (Fadnavis) were getting so upset.”

FADNAVIS, SHINDE COUNTER

PAWAR’S ALLEGATION

First India Bureau

First India Bureau

Nagpur: Leader of Opposition in Assembly, Ajit Pawar, slammed Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and his deputy Devendra Fadnavis over the issue of cabinet expansion and giving opportunities to women, on Thursday.

Pawar also asked Shinde and Fadnavis “not to panic” if the remaining MLAs in Shiv Sena’s Shinde camp and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leave after cabinet expansion.

The Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader was speaking during the ongoing Winter Session in Nagpur on Thursday.

“Devendra Fadnavis (Deputy CM) did not speak on issues. He

knows what to say, what not to say, and what to ignore. I raised the issue of them not having a single female minister in the cabinet, but Fadnavis did not even mention the subject,” said Pawar. Do not be afraid.

Once you hit 43 seats, you do not have to worry about the remaining MLAs leaving. In all, there are 20 ministers (in the cabinet). Therefore, the chief minister has the right to induct 23 more ministers, he added.

While addressing the House in the state legislature complex in Nagpur, Pawar said that no Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLA claps during the chief minister’s speech or announce-

ments. “Today, there were three motions, two from the ruling party and one from the opposition. Both the chief minister and the deputy CM answered questions together. While the deputy CM (Fadnavis) raises issues aggressively every

The NCP leader also called out CM Shinde for only sharing his intention to implement any project and not actually do it in reality. “I want to request the chief minister not to say ‘I will do it’ in the House,” said Pawar.

Nagpur: In response to Ajit Pawar’s claims of BJP MLAs not applauding during announcements or speeches of Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis and Shinde himself took the floor in the House.

Addressing the state Assembly, Shin-

de said called out NCP and Congress MLAs for only sitting in when their party MLAs were speaking in the House.

Meanwhile, Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis accused the NCP leader of “listening selectively” He also congratulated Shinde on the “comprehensive development plan of Vidarbha.”

‘Will stake claim on every aspect of Balasaheb’

First India Bureau

Nagpur: A day after a clash broke out between the two Shiv Sena camps at the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) headquarters in Mumbai, a Shinde faction MLA has expressed group’s intention to stake claim over “everything pertaining to Balasaheb Thackeray”.

While speaking to media persons, MLA Sanjay Gaikwad of the Eknath Shinde-led

Shiv Sena group, said, “Balasaheb Thackeray (Shiv Sena’s founder) gave us the idea of ‘bit-

ter’ Hinduism. He taught us to fight. A worker on farm construction has become an MLA today. But today Balasaheb Thackeray’s thoughts have been discredited.”

Uddhav Thackeray’s ‘team’ sits with the Congress and NCP (Nationalist Congress Party). Currently, Balasaheb Thackeray’s ideas are being undermined,

claimed Gaikwad.

Elaborating on the Shinde faction’s intent, the MLA said, “Currently, we have 40 MLAs and 13 MPs. Our party is the largest and it is for this reason that we have got the name Shiv Sena of Balasaheb (Shiv Sena Balasahebanchi). We are going to assert rights over everything related to Balasaheb.”

Rane, Hindu org demand law against faith conversion

ECHOING VOICES

often used by rightwing activists to allege a ploy by Muslim men to lure Hindu women into religious conversion through marriage

First India Bureau

Nagpur: Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLA Nitesh Rane has said he along with members of the Sakal Hindu Samaj have asked the Maharashtra government to enact a law in the state against ‘Love Jihad’ and religious conversion.

Speaking to the media in Nagpur on

Wednesday, Rane said that he along with women representatives of the Sakal Hindu Samaj met with Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, demanding a law against ‘Love Jihad’ and religious conversion in Maharashtra, on the lines of Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka, Gujarat and other states.

Rane further added that the CM and Deputy CM have assured to bring such a law soon in the state.

“The chief minister

and the deputy CM have taken our demands seriously and assured to bring a law soon in the state,” he said.

‘Love Jihad’ is a term

Rane said the Sakal Hindu Samaj has been taking out ‘morchas’ in every district of Maharashtra, demanding a strict law against ‘Love Jihad’ and religious conversion.

Fadnavis had last week said the government would study laws on ‘Love Jihad’ framed by other states and take an appropriate decision.

Notably, Maharashtra minister and BJP leader Girish Mahajan recently alleged the death of actor Tunisha Sharma last week was a matter of ‘Love Jihad’ and that the state was planning to bring a strict law to curb such incidents.

State BJP MLA Atul Bhatkhalkar on Wednesday demanded that a probe be conducted from ‘Love Jihad’ angle into Sharma’s death, in which her costar Sheezan Khan has been arrested.

‘LOVE JIHAD’ ROW

navis said. The study panel was set up after the devastating floods of 2019 in the two Ma -

CM Eknath Shinde and Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis have assured they will bring in such a law in Maha soon, says BJP MLA

Deputy CM raises ongoing study on flood impact in Sangli and Kolhapur by Maha govt in state Assembly

Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis in state Assembly. —FILE PHOTO

IN DEPTH

NCP leader Ajit Pawar

—FILE PHOTO

Also calls out current dispensation govt for not having single female minister

PAWAR MOCKS BAWANKULE’S

Ajit Pawar —ANI PHOTO

Deshmukh and his supporters allegedly manhandled police personnel outside Vidhan Bhavan on Tues

Shinde faction MLA Sanjay Gaikwad —FILE PHOTO

Sena factions face-off: Seal ‘drive’ at BMC

Misuse of power by CM, says MLA Bhaskar Jadhav

India Bureau

First

India Bureau

First

Mumbai: The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) administration has sealed offices of all political parties at the BMC headquarters in Mumbai following a face-off between the rival Shiv Sena factions.

Municipal Commissioner Iqbal Singh Chahal, who is also the BMC’s administrator, said on Thursday that the civic body took the step on Mumbai police’s instructions after the incident on Wednesday at the civic headquarters.

BMC has offices of all major political parties on the ground floor of the heritage building.

The rival Shiv Sena factions led by Uddhav Thackeray and Chief

CAR HITS THREE VEHICLES IN NASHIK, ONE HURT

Nashik: A speeding car hit three vehicles in Nashik city, leaving one person injured, a police official said on Thursday. “A speeding car on its way to City Centre Mall from Trimurti Chowk hit a two-wheeler, turned around on impact and rammed into one more two-wheeler and another car. One person was injured in the incident,” he said. “A case has been registered. The accused said he was driving his friend’s car,” he added.

Minister Eknath Shinde faced off on Wednesday evening at the party’s office at the civic headquarters in south Mumbai. Tension had prevailed for an hour on the premises till police intervened.

Sheetal Mhatre, Spokesperson of the Shinde-led Balasahebanchi Shiv Sena, said the civic administration has sealed offices of the Shiv Sena, Congress, Nationalist Con-

WOMAN ATTACKED WITH CHOPPER; NO ARREST YET

Palghar: A woman was allegedly attacked and critically wounded with a chopper by a man on Thursday in Palghar district, a police official said. She was first rushed to Kasa rural hospital in Dahanu taluka in critical condition and then shifted to a facility in Silvassa, where she is yet to regain consciousness, the police said. “We have identified the accused but no arrest has been made,” the official said.

UNHAPPY WITH ‘FRIENDSHIP’, MOTHER STABBED BY TEENAGE GIRL, HER BOYFRIEND

Thane: A 17-year-old girl and her boyfriend allegedly killed the former’s mother in the Mumbra area of Thane district after she objected to their friendship, police said on Thursday. The 37-year-old deceased had reprimanded her daughter over her friendship with the boy. This did not sit well with the teenager who hatched a plan and along with her boyfriend allegedly stabbed her mother with a knife. The duo fled the spot and still are at large. Efforts are on to nab them, an official said.

36-YEAR-OLD PROFESSOR KILLED IN ROAD ACCIDENT

Gondia: A woman college professor was killed after her two-wheeler was hit by an unidentified vehicle in Gondia, a police official said on Thursday. The deceased has been identified as Reena Mhaske (36). She was on her way to work in Sadak Arjuni, when the accident happened near Kapuri Nullah at 10 am. She died on the way to hospital. “Efforts are on to trace the vehicle that caused the accident and nab the driver,” a police official said.

‘MAR’ INFECTION DETECTED IN PIGEON PEA CROP

Hingoli: An outbreak of ‘Mar’ infection has damaged some pigeon pea crop in Hingoli of Maharashtra. Precautionary measures are being taken to curb the spread, an official said. The crop dries up due to the infection, causing losses to farmers, he said. “We have asked farmers to spray copper oxychloride. We have also told farmers to uproot the infected crop,” Taluka Agriculture Officer Balaji Ghadge said.

gress Party (NCP) and Samajwadi party at the civic headquarters.

A political activist said they found their party office located on the ground floor of the BMC headquarters sealed when they reached the office as usual on Thursday morning.

“Our party office was sealed before we reached here in the morning. The administration has sealed the

AFTERMATH

offices of all parties probably after the ruckus at the Shiv Sena office last evening,” he

Nagpur: Shiv SenaUddhav Balasaheb Thackeray MLA Bhaskar Jadhav on Thursday condemned the scuffle between the two Shiv Sena factions and said that the incident was the “misuse of power” by Chief Minister Eknath Shinde.

In another incident between the two Shiv Sena factions on Wednesday, a scuffle broke out between Shiv Sena - Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray and Balasahebanchi Shiv Sena units at the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) headquarters in Mumbai.

Mayor Naresh Mhaske, who participated in the scuffle and has nothing to do with the BMC, was a misuse of power from CM Shinde.”

He further said that CM Shinde is not a “hardworking person”.

This is very unfortunate and condemnable as this office belonged to Shiv Sena for years. The way MP Shewale was accompanied by former Thane Mayor Naresh Mhaske, who participated in the scuffle and has nothing to do with the BMC, was a misuse of power from CM.

—Bhaskar Jadhav, Sena (UBT) MLA

said.“The step has been taken as per the police instructions,” said Chahal.

Reacting to the scuffle, Jadhav said, “This is very unfortunate and condemnable as this office belonged to Shiv Sena for years. The way MP Rahul Shewale was accompanied by former Thane

“I know Shinde very well. He is not a hardworking person and neither has he worked on the ground. The term of the municipal corporation has ended, all the corporaters here are the ex-corporaters,” Jadhav added.

More than 11.5K cops to be deployed on NY's Eve

First India Bureau

Mumbai: In view of New Year’s eve celebrations, Mumbai police will deploy more than 11,500 security personnel at key locations in the city to avoid any unwanted incidents, an official said on Thursday.

Large gatherings are expected near the areas of Marine Drive, Gateway of India, Girgaum Chowpatty, Bandstand

Five booked for cheating Bhiwandi mobile phone businessman of `89 lakh

First India Bureau

Thane: Five people have been booked for cheating a businessman from Bhiwandi of Rs89 lakh. A spokesperson from the Bhiwandi police said on Thursday that the complainant, who sells mobile phones, was defrauded between April 2019 and November 2020. No arrests have been made yet.

While the businessman filed a complaint with the Narpoli police on Wednesday, the spokesperson did not explain why he approached them so late.

The official said the accused offered to help the complainant in his business and operated from his mobile shop.

They arranged loans for his customers from a lender but usurped the money using fraudulent means.

The five men allegedly tampered with the entries in the shop’s computer to cheat the businessman. They even made fake entries in the computer to show the sale of mobiles and later deleted them and sold the mobiles without any documents and pocketed the money, said the official.

in suburban Bandra and other prominent locations on December 31.

Security arrangements have been made to prevent any law and order problems, the official said.

Around 46 State Reserve Police Force (SRPF) platoons, three Riot Control Police (RCP) units and 15 Quick Response Teams (QRTs), along with more than 11,500 police

personnel will be deployed, he said.

Traffic police will also be on duty for the smooth vehicular management on December 31, he said.

As many as 10,000 police constables, 1,500 officers, 25 deputy commissioners of police and seven additional commissioners of police will be part of the security deployment, he said.

Red hot axle halts Jalna-CSMT

Janshatabdi Express for 2 hours

Mumbai (PTI): Railway authorities halted a Mumbai-bound Janshatabdi Express at Manmad station for about two hours on Thursday after the axle of a coach overheated and turned red. According to Central Railway officials, the train was detained over the “hot axle” between 11.05 am and 1.05 am for the replacement of the coach.

In “hot axle”, the temperature of the bogie axle increases turning it red and it is considered unsafe to ply, according to railway officials. Shivaji Sutar, Chief Public Re-

lations Officer of Central Railway, said that the red hot axle was detected in one of the bogies when the train reached Manmad junction in Nashik district.

The coach was detached and replaced, he said. After the replacement of the coach, the train re-

sumed its journey to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus around 1.05 pm, he said. The Central Railway runs a Janshatabdi Express between Jalna in Marathwada and CSMT every day. It departs from Jalna at 8.30 am and reaches CSMT at 4.20 pm.

Reacting to the incident, Maharashtra Minister and Balasahebanchi Shiv Sena leader Deepak Kesarkar on Wednesday said that the Uddhav Thackeray faction has to realize that they have “lost” the majority.

“I feel peace should be restored and they (Uddhav Thackeray faction) should realize that they have lost the majority. Even in Gram Panchayat elections, they were in the fifth position,” he said.

Customs dept to destroy 140kg drugs worth `538 cr

First India Bureau

Mumbai: The Customs Department in Mumbai will destroy more than 140kg of narcotic drugs worth Rs538 crore seized from the city international airport and other places here, an official said on Thursday. The drugs will be destroyed on Friday at the incineration facility operated by Mumbai Waste Management Limited (MWML) located at Taloja in Navi Mumbai.

“The seized drugs, collectively weighing 140.57kg, comprise 56.06kg heroin and 33.81 kg hashish, seized by the Mumbai Airport Commissionerate in 14 cases,” the official said.

Apart from that, 21.70 kg hashish was seized in a case booked at the Mumbai Air Cargo Export Commissionerate, whereas 3.29kg heroin was seized in a case by the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI), he said. “The process of incineration will start around 12 pm and will be video-recorded in the presence of senior officials of the Mumbai Customs and the police department,” he added.

CBFC asks Pathaan makers to make ‘changes’ in ‘besharam’ song

Mumbai (PTI): The Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) has directed the makers of Shah Rukh Khanstarrer “Pathaan” to implement “changes” in the movie, including its songs, chairperson Prasoon Joshi said on Thursday. The CBFC has asked production banner Yash Raj Films to submit a revised version of the spy action

thriller in accordance with board guidelines, Joshi said in a statement. He did not detail the changes suggested to the makers.

“Pathaan” found itself battling controversy and calls for a ban after the release of its song “Besharam Rang”, also featuring Deepika Padukone, on December 12. A sequence in the song

to

across India

“The

film went through the due and thorough examining process as per the CBFC guidelines.

“The committee has guided the makers to implement the advised changes in the film including the songs and submit the revised version prior to theatrical release,” Joshi said in a statement.

The aim of the CBFC, Joshi said, was

to strike a balance between the creativity of the makers and the sentiments of the audience and accordingly find a solution. “I must reiterate that our culture and faith is glorious, intricate and nuanced. And we have to be careful that it does not get defined by trivia which takes the focus away from the real and the true.

“And like I have said earlier as well, that the trust between creators and audience is most important to protect and the creators should keep working towards it,” Joshi added. The certificate for a film, according to the procedure, is issued after required modifications are carried out and the final material submitted.

Police personnel stand guard outside BMC headquarters in Mumbai after clash between Shiv Sena’s Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray and Balasahebanchi camps. —PTI PHOTO

Civic body shuts down offices of all political parties on its ground floor after hostilities on Wednesday

showing Deepika in a saffron bikini led

protests

for allegedly hurting “Hindu sentiments”.

film recently

reached the CBFC examination committee for certification. The

Prasoon Joshi Shah Rukh Khan in a still from song ‘Besharam Rang’

Security at prominent locations to be tight. —FILE PHOTO

INDIA - ASEAN RELATIONS CURRENT PERSPECTIVES

Motto of ASEAN: One Vision, One Identity, One Community

ASEAN members and Eight Dialogue partner countries, India, USA, Russia, China, Australia, Japan, New Zealand, and South Korea held in Siem Reap, Cambodia on 23 Nov 2022. The Indian RM asserted need to counter transnational and cross border terrorism in the region and have raised concerns on ongoing ASEAN-China negotiations on the code of conduct in South China Sea and asserted the need to abide by international law and should not be unbalancing the region peace and security.

The rise of China accompanied by its growing assertiveness in South China Sea and East China Sea has been a cause of concern for many ASEAN countries. These countries view India as a possible partner in their effort to maintain balance of power and peace in the region.

ANOTHER PHARMA COMPANY INVITES GLARE FOR ITS ‘KILLER’ SYRUP

Although the trade between both regions has crossed US$80 billion mark, however it is skewed against India. This is primarily attributed to Free trade agreement (FTA) with ASEAN resulting into flooding of cheap imported products into India. India’s geostrategic interests in the Indo-Pacific region depend on India’s bilateral and multilateral engagements with the countries in the region. Maintaining cordiality with ASEAN as an organisation and with the individual Southeast Asian countries remains crucial for India

Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), an international organisation was established by the governments of five countries Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore and Thailand in 1967 to accelerate economic growth, social progress, and cultural development and to promote peace and security in Southeast Asia. Subsequently Brunei, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam joined to make it a Ten Member organisation. This organisation facilitates economic, political, security, military, educational and socio-cultural integration among its members and other nations in Asia. Its secretariat is located in Jakarta, Indonesia. The motto of ASEAN is “One Vision, One Identity, One Community”. ASEAN is 3rd largest market in the world - larger than EU and North American markets and has Free-trade agreements (FTAs) with China, Japan, South Korea, India, Australia and New Zealand. Today’s Southeast Asia presents an example of varied cultures living together & thriving, despite region experiencing decades of conflicts.

The group acted as a platform for the member nations to resolve disputes from eco-

nomic aspects to strategic and security aspects. ASEAN has maintained stable relations with the great powers including China, India, Japan, Russia and the US. T he contribution towards regional peace, stability and prosperity goes to the wider Asia-Pacific region. However weak leadership, geopolitical conflicts and rivalries in the region have been some of the obstacles. Failure to deal with Intra-ASEAN security issues like Rohingya crisis, migration, human trafficking, pandemics, climate change, South China Sea and piracy have definitely weakened this organisation. In the recently held ASEAN Summit member countries agreed in principle to admit East Timor as the 11th member and the US elevated its relationship with the ASEAN to a comprehensive strategic partnership. The escalating tensions between the US and China and the lack of consensus on other critical geopolitical issues including Ukraine war and attitude of the junta in Myanmar have rendered ASEAN a bit ineffective.

India - ASEAN Relations and Issues of Interest : India-ASEAN relations can be traced to ancient times with deep cultural relations. Hinduism, Buddhism and Islam spread from India to the region and the imprint of this shared cultural heritage is also seen in art forms and architecture. In post Cold War era, India - ASEAN relations have evolved from just eco-

ANIL DESHMUKH ALSO GETS BAIL

Nationalist Congress Party leader Anil Deshmukh was released from Arthur Road jail on Wednesday after being incarcerated since November last year on the charge of alleged money laundering. The former Maharashtra Home Minister was arrested by ED on allegations of corruption by former Mumbai police commissioner Parambir Singh “based on hearsay”. The Bombay High Court refused the ED’s plea for his further continuation in jail as there was no proof against him except for the statement of a coaccused. Deshmukh claimed that the allegations against him were false. The other NCP leader Nawab Malik continues to languish in jail on

ASEAN, an international organisation was established by the governments of five countries Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore and Thailand in 1967 to accelerate economic growth, social progress, and cultural development and to promote peace and security in Southeast Asia

nomic ties to strategic and security concerns owing to common threats and aspirations. India’s ‘Look East Policy’ in 1990s marked the beginning of strong India-ASEAN relations which were further cemented by ‘Act East Policy’ in 2014. India became a member of ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF), a key forum for security dialogue in Asia and a Summit-level Partner in 2002. In 2015, India has also set up a separate Mission to ASEAN with a dedicated Ambassador to strengthen engagement with ASEAN. India and ASEAN region is celebrating 30th Anniversary of their ASEAN-India Dialogue Relations in 2022. The year is embarked as ‘ASEANIndia Friendship Year’. The year also witnessed few key bilateral visits and meetings. As part of series of such meetings the latest one was ASEAN Defence Ministers Meet (ADMM Plus) of ten

India looks at ASEAN not simply as an institution of economic development but also as an integral part of India’s vision of stable, secure and prosperous Asia. Establishing trade and connectivity links with South East Asian countries via North East has been one of the focuses, some initiatives in this regard are: India-Myanmar-Thailand Trilateral Highway, Kaladan Multimodal Transport and Mekong Ganga Corridor.

FORWARD

WAY

Delay in completing infrastructure projects - IndiaMyanmar-Thailand trilateral highway, the Kaladan Multimodal Transit and Transport Project, and the MorehMandalay Bus Services-due to various political and financial constraints, has impeded the progress of economic cooperation and this warrants immediate action.

There is a need to promote Mekong - India corridor and enhance physical and digital connectivity. Build stronger strategic, security and economic ties with greater interdependence with ASEAN countries to counter Chinese clout in the region. Need for robust maritime connectivity between India and ASEAN to realize full potentiality of trade and business activities and growth and development of strategically crucial Indo Pacific region. The two sides should also explore the unexplored domains of energy security.

NCP leader Anil Deshmukh was released from Arthur Road jail on Wednesday after being incarcerated since Nov last year on the charge of alleged money laundering. The former Maharashtra HM was arrested by ED on allegations of corruption by former Mumbai police commissioner Parambir Singh “based on hearsay”

money laundering charges. Shiv Sena (Uddhav) leader Sanjay Raut was granted bail by a special court in November after he had spent 100 days in jail. Raut was also arrested

in an alleged money laundering case. In Raut’s case the ED was left red-faced due to the strong remarks by the special court judge. Questioning ED’s case against Raut, the court termed his arrest illegal and rejected its plea to suspend the bail order. Coming down heavily on ED, special court said that Sanjay Raut “was arrested even though there was ‘nothing to show’ that he was a recipient of ‘proceeds of crime’”.

Sharad Pawar, NCP president, said that he will meet with PM Narendra Modi and Union HM Amit Shah to take up the misuse of a central investigative agency like ED to prevent harassment of MVA leaders. Meet he must, but Pawar should not expect the ED to be reined in.

fter Maiden Pharmaceutical company was accused by Gambia for the deaths of 70 children due to the consumption of its contaminated syrups which caused kidney failure, Uzbekistan has raised the red flag against another Indian drug manufacturer Marion Biotech whose syrup Doc-1 Max had allegedly caused the death of 18 kids. Like Maiden’s cough syrup Marion’s Doc-1 Max was also found to be contaminated with ethylene glycol which is an illegal, toxic adulterant used by drug manufacturers to cut down the cost of their product.

Any action against the two companies can be initiated only after the completion of a proper investigation despite the toxic adulterant used in cough syrups. It is surprising that the Drug Controller of India does not have strict and effective regulations to keep check liberal use of ethylene glycol. While the government awaits clinical details from Gambia, in Uzbekistan the syrup was administered without a doctor’s prescription and the dose also was more than the prescribed limit.

SPIRITUAL SPEAK

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 Chandra Editor: Kartikey Dev Singh responsible for selection of news under the PRB Act

Narendra Modi @narendramodi

On the sacred occasion of his Parkash Purab, I bow to Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji and recall his contribution towards serving humanity. His unparalleled courage will continue to motivate people for years to come.

Anurag Thakur @ianuragthakur

Heartiest congratulations to the immensely talented @SavithashriB on winning bronze at the #FIDEWorldRapidChampionships! You have made India proud by becoming only the 3rd Indian and 2nd woman to win a medal at this prestigious event. All the best champion!

Those who cling to perceptions and views wander the world offending people. Buddha

THE VIEWS EXPRESSED BY THE AUTHOR ARE PERSONAL

COL RAJESH BHUKAR

The author is a Post Graduate in International Studies, Alumni of Defense Services Staff College, Wellington and College of Combat, Mhow

UNION HM AMIT SHAH LAUNCHES

BSF’S MOBILE APP ‘PRAHARI’

First India Bureau

New Delhi: Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Thursday launched the Mobile App ‘Prahari’ and Manual of Border Security Force (BSF) here. Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Nityanand Rai, Union Home Secretary, Director General of BSF, Chief Secretaries of Union Territories and several senior officers of the Ministry of Home Affairs, Union Territories and BSF were also present on the occasion.

In his address, the Union Home Minister said that the BSF ‘Prahari’ app is a great example of Proactive Governance. Now jawans can get personal information and information related to accommodation, AyushmannCAPF and leaves on their mobiles. Be it GPF, Bio Data or grievance redressal on “Centralized Public Grievance Redress and Monitoring System” (CPGRAMS) or information on various welfare schemes, now Jawans can get all this information through the app

and this app will also connect them with the portal of the Ministry of Home Affairs.

Along with this, he congratulated BSF Director General Pankaj Kumar and his entire team for the awaited revision and update in 13 manuals which will increase the understanding of operations, administration and training and speed up the work. Shri Shah said that he is sure that this will facilitate the work of all ranks of BSF Jawans and officers. He said that these new initiatives will bring ease and convenience in the work of BSF.

NGT FORMS PANEL FOR REMEDIAL ACTION ON UTTAR PRADESH RIVULET POLLUTION

New Delhi: The National Green Tribunal has formed a panel to assess the ground situation and take remedial action regarding the pollution of a rivulet in UP connected to Rapti River. The Rapti river is a part of Ganga river basin. The tribunal was hearing petitions which claimed two sugar mills in Balrampur district were discharging untreated industrial effluents into a stormwater drain which was then released into the Suwaon Nala, a rain-fed rivulet, connected to Rapti.

OBC QUOTA IN LOCAL BODY POLLS: UP GOVT MOVES SC AGAINST HC ORDER

New Delhi: The UP govt on Thursday moved the Supreme Court challenging the Allahabad High Court order quashing its draft notification on the urban local body elections and directing the state to hold the polls without reservation for the Other Backward Classes. The state government, in its appeal against the December 27 order, has said that the high court cannot quash the December 5 draft notification which had provided reservation of seats in the urban body polls for the OBC – apart from those for the Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and women.

POLAVARAM PROJECT: SC NOTICE TO CENTRE ON PLEA ALLEGING VIOLATIONS

New Delhi: The Supreme Court has sought the response of the Centre and others on a plea alleging violations in environmental clearance granted to the Polavaram multipurpose irrigation project. A bench of Justices Sanjiv Khanna and MM Sundresh issued notices to the Centre, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and Odisha while seeking their replies. “Issue notice, returnable in the month of February, 2023,” the bench said.

EXAMPLE OF PROACTIVE GOVERNANCE

l This BSF ‘Prahari’ app is a great example of Proactive Governance, now Jawans can get personal and service related information, housing, Ayushman-CAPF and leave related information on their mobile.

l Be it GPF, Bio Data or grievance redressal on “Centralized Public Grievance Redress and Monitoring System” (CP-GRAMS) or information on various welfare schemes, now Jawans can get all this information through the app and this app will also connect them with the portal of the Ministry of Home Affairs.

l The Border Security Force has been awarded numerous gallantry awards including one Mahavir Chakra, 4 Kirti Chakras, 13 Vir Chakras and 13 Shaurya Chakras, BSF has fought so many battles with valour that a book could be written on each war.

AMIT SHAH ON 2-DAY VISIT TO KARNATAKA FROM TODAY

New Delhi (ANI): Union HM Amit Shah will be on a two-day visit to Mandya and Bengaluru Rural districts of the pollbound Karnataka from Friday. Shah will attend three events in Gejjalagere, Mandya, Palace Grounds, Bengaluru, and Sauharda, Bengaluru Rural district, all related to the cooperative sector. He will also

BJP got highest donations from electoral trusts in 2021-22: ADR

New Delhi (Agencies): The BJP received the highest amount of donations from electoral trusts (ETs) in fiscal year 2021-22, at Rs 351.50 crore making up 72.17 per cent of the total donations received by all parties, as per a detailed report by the Association for Democratic Reforms.

The Prudent ET donated the highest amount (Rs 336.50 crore) to the BJP, against Rs 209 crore contributed in FY 2020-21. AB General ET and Samaj ET donated Rs 10 crore and Rs 5 crore to the BJP in FY 2021-22, respectively.

After BJP, the Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) received the second highest amount of Rs 40 crore, with Prudent ET being the only donor.

The Congress and AAP have received a total of Rs 18.43 crore and

Some Opposition leaders

Shamsher Singh

New Delhi: Leaders of Congress’s old ally Samajwadi Party may participate in Congress’ Bharat Jodo Yatra in UP.

Along with the SP, leaders of its ally Rashtriya Lok Dal can also join the yatra and informed sources say that leaders of Rashtriya Janata Dal and Janata Dal U, allies of Congress in Bihar and Jharkhand, can also join the yatra in Delhi. It is being told

PM in Kolkata today with `7,800 cr projects for WB

Kolkata (Agencies): PM Narendra Modi will be on a short five-hour trip to Kolkata on Friday with a gift of projects worth Rs 7,800 crore for West Bengal, the formal announcement of which will be made on that day only.

Sources said, the projects will be under various schemes like sanitations, railways and metro railways, the 'Clean Ganga' mission, among others. As per the schedule of the Prime Minister's visit, his special flight will be landing at the Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport at around 10.30 a.m. From

FM Sitharaman discharged from AIIMS

there, his convoy will reach Howrah station at around 11.15 a.m., where he will be inaugurating West Bengal's first Vande Bharat Express that will run from Howrah to New Jalpaiguri.

His convoy will leave the station at around 11.45 p.m. and at around 12 noon, he will be garlanding a statue of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose adjacent to INS Netaji Subhash.

AP STAMPEDE TRAGEDY

Toll rises to 8, PM Modi, CM Jagan announce ex-gratia

New Delhi (ANI): Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman who was admitted to the AIIMS, Delhi with a minor stomach infection, was discharged from the institute on Thursday, sources said.

She was admitted to a private ward of the hospital around 12 pm on Monday. Sources also added she was admitted to AIIMS Delhi for a routine check-up. The union government is in the process of consultations to finalise the union budget to be presented on February 1 next year. Sitharaman has held pre-budget meetings to elicit views of various sections including representatives of chambers of commerce and industry.

Amaravati (PTI): One more person who was injured in a stampede during a programme organised by the Telugu Desam Party in Kandukur town in Nellore district succumbed while undergoing treatment on Wednesday night, taking the toll to eight, police said on Thursday.

The victims, including two women, died and eight others were injured on Wednesday after they fell in a drainage canal when Opposition leader N Chandrababu Naidu was addressing a roadshow there.

People gathered in large numbers at the venue and there was some jostling among the public during the meeting, leading to a stampede at the canal, they had said based on initial information.

POLL PANEL INTRODUCES ‘REMOTE VOTING’ FOR MIGRANT WORKERS

First India Bureau

Rs 21.12 crore from ETs, respectively. While there is only Rs 0.19 crore difference in the donations made by the Prudent ET to both parties, Independent ET

donated Rs 4.81 crore to the AAP, making AAP the bigger receiver compared to Congress. Small Donations ET donated only Rs 1.9351 cr to the Congress.

GRAND PLANS OF GRAND OLD PARTY

New Delhi: The Election Commission on Thursday said it has developed a prototype of the remote electronic voting machine for domestic migrant voters and has invited political parties for a demonstration on January 16.

The poll panel has also floated a concept note on remote voting and

sought the views of political parties on the legal, administrative and technical challenges in implementing it, according to a statement.

The multi-constitu-

ency remote EVM, developed by a public sector undertaking, can handle up to 72 constituencies from a single remote polling booth.

“After focus on youth and urban apathy, remote voting will be a transformational initiative for strengthening participation in electoral democracy,” Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar said.

What will Rahul Gandhi do during

Mahesh Sharma

that the way the allies of the Congress in the states of Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra etc. participated in the yatra,

the same way it will happen in Uttar Pradesh.

In fact, the Congress party has invited many opposition leaders from

UP to join the yatra. Both Akhilesh Yadav and Shivpal Yadav have been invited from the Samajwadi Party and BSP chief Mayawati and general secretary Satish Chandra Mishra have been invited from the BSP. Apart from these, the Congress has also invited BJP leader and former Deputy CM Dinesh Sharma to participate in Yatra. Significantly, he is currently a professor at Lucknow University.

New Delhi: Rahul Gandhi’s Bharat Jodo Yatra is on a nine-day break. The yatra was stopped after reaching Delhi on Saturday. It was officially said by the party that all yatris have been walking continuously for four months. Thus everyone needs a little rest and also need to meet their families. It said that there is a need to repair the containers in which the passengers stay on

the way so that people do not face any problem when the journey goes towards J&K in the midst of severe cold.

Congress has given all these reasons for stopping the yatra. Although BJP leaders are raising questions that the yatra

was not stopped during festivals like Dussehra, Diwali, but the yatra was stopped to welcome Christmas and New Year. However, the Congress has not revealed what Rahul Gandhi will do in the nine-day break? Regarding this also, it was said from the BJP side that Rahul is going to go missing for nine days. Surprisingly, many political experts and journalists also indicated that Rahul may go abroad.

will now join Rahul Gandhi’s Bharat Jodo Yatra!

the 9-day break from party’s Yatra?

Revised version of 13 manuals launched too; these manuals will increase better understanding of operations, administration & training and speed up tasks

Union HM Amit Shah launching BSF App in New Delhi on Thursday.

IN THE COURTYARD

Kochi (Agencies): A controversy has broken out here after local BJP leaders complained to police that the face of huge ‘Pappanji’ effigy erected as part of the famed Cochin Carnival resembles Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The Carnival is being held at Fort Kochi and the face became clear when the covering of the effigy was removed. The custom of the Carnival is the Pappanji is burnt at the stroke of midnight when the New Year is welcomed. The local BJP leaders are upset at the "insult" to the Prime Minister and the latest news is that the organisers of the event have said the present face of the massive effigy will be changed.

BJP PROTESTS OVER COCHIN CARNIVAL EFFIGY FACE’S RESEMBLANCE TO PM

Workers decorate a platform at Howrah Station ahead of PM Narendra Modi’s visit, in Kolkata, on Thursday. —PHOTO BY PTI

Narendra Modi @narendramodi Pained by the mishap at a public meeting in Nellore, AP. Condolences to the bereaved families. May the injured recover soon. An ex-gratia of Rs. 2 lakh from PMNRF would be given to the next of kin of each deceased and the injured would be given Rs. 50,000.

ANDHRA CM REDDY MEETS HM SHAH, DEMANDS NFSU CAMPUS IN TIRUPATI

New Delhi (PTI): Andhra Pradesh CM YS Jagan Mohan Reddy on Thursday called on Union Home Minister Amit Shah and requested him to consider setting up a National Forensic Sciences University (NFSU) campus in Tirupati. Reddy also reiterated the issues raised before PM Narendra Modi and Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav on Wednesday. During meeting with Shah, Reddy explained that Tirupati has grown into an educational hub and the setting up of NFSU would serve the growing demand for criminal investigation infrastructure, according to an official statement. He said the establishment of a NFSU campus will cater to the growing requirement of forensic experts in south India and assured that his government would allot the required land.

address public gatherings during his visit.

“Work in the UN will go on...we will continue to lend our voice”

New York (ANI): Work in the UN will go on even as we exit the Security Council as we have several important bodies which deal with critical issues where we will continue to lend our voice, Ruchira Kamboj said on Wednesday on how India will shape its roadmap in the year ahead at the United Nations.

As India successfully completed its tenure of December Presidency of the United Nations Security Council, Kamboj told ANI that India has several important bodies which deal with critical issues where it will con-

tinue to lend its voice. “As a key troop-contributing country, we will also be actively involved in issues related to peacekeeping. In the course of our December Presidency, you would recall the External Affairs Minister had launched a group of friends to ensure accountability for crimes against UN peacekeepers. As co-chair of this important group, we will continue to keep the focus on the safety and security of our blue helmets on the ground through sharing of best practices among member states and through guid-

ance to the UN Secretariat,” the UN Ambassador said as she recalled India’s successful December Presidency of UNSC.

India ‘excited’ about working with new Nepal govt: MEA

New Delhi (PTI): India is “excited” about working with the new government in Nepal, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said on Thursday. “Our PM congratulated Pushpa Kamal Dahal. Nepalese PM also responded and said he wants friendly relations. He talked about natural

affinity. Both our countries have unique bilateral relations. We hope to work together with the new government of Nepal. We are excited to work with the new government,” Bagchi said. CPN-Maoist Centre chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal Prachanda was on Monday sworn-in as the

Prime Minister of Nepal for a third time. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had congratulated Dahal on Sunday on being elected as the new leader of Nepal and said he looks forward to working with him to further strengthen the friendship between the two countries.

India’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador Kamboj, underlined the “full” agenda of the Council

for the month under India’s presidency in a wrap-up briefing earlier on Thursday for nonmembers of the Security

NIA conducts raids at 56 locations in Kerala in PFI conspiracy case

New Delhi (Agencies):

The National Investigation Agency conducted searches at 56 places across Kerala on Thursday in connection with the Popular Front of India conspiracy case.

The searches at the homes and offices of several suspects with ties to PFI cadres are still ongoing. PFI was banned by the Ministry of Home Affairs in September, along with its associates and affiliates, for a period of five years under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967, by declaring it an unlawful association.

The raids began early Thursday in coordination with state police in response to specific inputs against PFI cadres accused of involvement

in several terrorist acts and the murder of several people, including Sanjith (Kerala, November 2021), V-Ramalingam (Tamil Nadu, 2019), Nandu (Kerala, 2021), Abhimanyu (Ker-

Startups to get NRDC benefits from Jan 1

ala, 2018), Bibin (Kerala, 2017), Sharath (Kamataka, 2017), R.Ru (Tamil Nadu, 2016).

The MHA had claimed that the criminal actions and barbaric killings had been carried out by

REGISTRATION OF FOREIGN MEDICAL GRADUATES: CBI RAIDS 91 LOCATIONS

New Delhi: The CBI on Thursday

premises

Council on its work for the month of December before the holiday week.

Notably, on 1 December, India assumed the

UN Security Council’s (UNSC) monthly rotating presidency for the second time during its two-year term as an

elected member of the Council in 2021-2022. In August 2021,India had previously assumed the UNSC presidency.

TUNISHA SHARMA DEATH

Actor’s mother, uncle and driver to record statements

Mumbai (ANI): The Waliv Police of Maharashtra on Wednesday summoned Tunisha Sharma's mother Vanita Sharma, her uncle Pawan Sharma and her driver to record their statements in connection with the alleged suicide of the popular television actor. Waliv Police said the accused, Tunisha's boyfriend and co-star Sheezan Khan, was not cooperating with the investigators.

Union MoS Ramdas Athawale meets Vanita Sharma, mother of TV actress Tunisha Sharma, who allegedly died by suicide on the sets of a TV Serial.

probe, the investigators alleged.

GIVE ACTOR’S MOTHER `25 LAKH: ATHAWALE

New Delhi: Union Minister of State (MoS) Dr Jitendra Singh said on Thursday that beginning from January 1, 2023, National Research Development Corporation (NRDC) will undertake Technology Commercialization for benefit of Start-Ups.

Presiding over a meeting with Secretary, DSIR and Senior Officials of NRDC at CSIR Centre in New Delhi on Thursday, MoS Dr Jitendra Singh said, since inception, NRDC has concluded more than 5000 license agreements representing technologies in almost all industry sectors.

PFI cadres for the sole purpose of “disturbing public peace and serenity and creating a reign of terror in public psyche”.

The MHA further stated that the PFI had “international links

with Global Terrorist Groups,” and that some of its activists have joined the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) and participated in terror acts in Syria, Iraq, and Afghanistan.

The police said it was a serious and a highprofile case which requires a thorough investigation. But, Sheezan was neither giving proper answers to questions during interrogation nor cooperating in the ongoing

UP: Chief Secy Mishra may get extension

Ahtesham Siddiqui

Lucknow: The corridors of UP’s bureaucracy are abuzz with the question as to who will be the next Chief Secretary of the state as the present Chief Secretary — Durga Shankar Mishra — is retiring on December 30 (Friday).

Durga Shankar Mishra, country’s most senior IAS officer of 1984 batch, is counted among the most trusted officers of PM Narendra Modi.

Before the UP assembly elections, a big change was brought in the state bureaucracy, replacing IAS Rajendra Kumar Tiwari. The decision was taken by the central gov-

ernment to make Durga Shankar Mishra as the Chief Secretary of UP, giving extension of service for one year.

Notably, after Mishra, IAS Rajendra Tiwari is the second most senior officer of the state who is currently serving as chairman UPSRTC and whose retirement is in February 2023!

The third name is 1985 batch IAS Shalini Prasad who is also retiring in December 2022. The fourth name is 1987 batch IAS Arun Singhal who is posted in the center and he will retire in May 2025. State’s fifth most senior IAS officer Mahesh Kumar Gupta is 1987 batch officer serv-

PRESIDENT’S PLEA

ing currently as ACS Energy whose retirement is to be in May 2024.

Along with this, the names of 1987 batch IAS Sanjeev Kumar Mittal, Chairman Board of Revenue and 1988 batch Alok Kumar, Secretary, Ministry of Energy, New Delhi, as well as 1988 batch IAS Manoj Kumar Singh, are suddenly being discussed in the corridors of the bureaucracy.

If sources are to be believed then UP Chief Secretary Mishra may get another service extension as in view of 2024 Lok Sabha elections MIshra has proved to be extremely successful in making all the big

schemes of the Center accessible to the public.

He is considered to be a very hardworking and honest officer with a good hold in the bureaucracy in both center and state. Along with this, he will play an important role in the Global Investors Summit and G20 to be held in the year 2023.

Most of the senior officers of the state government are close to retirement while few are posted on central deputation. In such a situation the decision has to be taken by the center in which the most trusted officer Durga Shankar Mishra fits perfectly.

The police said they have seized three mobile phones, including two iPhones, over the course of its ongoing probe in the case.

The police further informed that they had retrieved Sheezan's chats with Tunisha, her mother and his mother from his phone that they had seized earlier.

Mumbai (PTI): Union minister Ramdas Athawale on Thursday met family of actor Tunisha Sharma, who allegedly committed suicide on December 24, in their home in Bhayander in Thane district and sought strict punishment for accused Sheezan Khan as well as Rs 25 lakh as compensation to the deceased’s mother. Sharma (21) was found hanging on the set of a television serial near Vasai in Palghar district and Khan, her co-star, was held for allegedly abetting her suicide.

CRUCIAL READ

RUSSIAN’S DEATH: KIN GIVE NOC FOR CREMATION

Bhubaneswar: Odisha Police on Thursday said that they received the No Objection Certificate (NOC) and power of attorney from the family members of the two Russian nationals, who died in a hotel last week, for the cremation. Sources said that the Rayagada Superintendent of Police received the NOC from the family members of both the deceased through the consulate in Kolkata.

“Take benefits of technology to the poorest of poor”

First India Bureau

Hyderabad: President Droupadi Murmu on Thursday underlined that the benefits of technology should reach the remotest areas and the poorest of the poor.

Technology should be used as an instrument of social justice, she said, addressing the students and faculty members of G Narayanamma Institute of Technology and Science for Women and also students of the BM Malani

Observing that engineering has played a big role in technological advancements including computers, medical equipment, internet, smart devices and digital payment systems, Murmu said the role of engineering as a profession becomes very critical in today’s world where unthinkable and unprecedented problems need quick and

sustainable solutions.

Engineers, she said, have the power to make the world a better place.

The solutions that they find and technologies that they would create

in the future should be people-oriented and environment-friendly.

Noting that India had recently at COP 27 reiterated its vision of a safe planet in a one-word

Mantra – LiFE which stands for Lifestyle for Environment, Murmu said; ”We have been achieving our climate targets and upgrading them. We are taking new initiatives in renewable energy, e-mobility, ethanol-blended fuels, and green hydrogen. These initiatives can start producing better results on the ground through technological innovations.”

The President said that technology in today’s world has social, economic, political, ed-

ucational, environmental and geo-political dimensions. It is continuously evolving and impacting every arena.

She hoped that engineers would come out with innovative technologies for benefit of the public at large and improve the quality of life of the people. She said they should also think about engineering solutions for the disadvantaged sections, senior citizens, divyang persons and other people who need special support.

CHINESE WOMAN DETAINED FOR SPYING ON DALAI LAMA

Bodh Gaya: A Chinese woman was detained by Bihar police on Thursday for an alleged threat to Tibetan spiritual leader Dalai Lama.

The woman, Song Xiaolan, had been living in India since 2020 overstaying her visa period, and she will now be deported, police informed in a press note. She had come to India to take “preaching” lessons from Tibetan spiritual leader Dalai Lama.

“She first came to India on October 19, 2019, to take preaching from Dalai Lama,” the release stated.

Bengaluru: MS Prabhakara, a senior journalist and writer better known by his pen name ‘Kamaroopi’ in Kannada literary circles, passed away on Thursday. He was 87. He died of age-related ailments at his residence in Kolar, sources said on Thursday. Sources further added that Prabhakara was unmarried and his body has been donated to MS Ramaiah Hospital here by extended family.

ED ATTACHES ASSETS OF FORMER APSC MEMBER IN PMLA CASE

VETERAN JOURNO ‘KAMAROOPI’ DIES AT AGE OF 87 EARTHQUAKE OF 3.5 MAGNITUDE HITS PARTS OF ASSAM

Guwahati: A 3.5 magnitude earthquake hit north-central part of Assam on Thursday, an official bulletin said. There was no immediate report of any loss of life or damage to property, it said. The earthquake took place at 12.27 pm, and the epicentre was in Darrang district on the northern bank of the Brahmaputra river. The depth of the quake was 10 km, it said. Residents of Morigaon and Nagaon felt the tremor, besides those in Udalguri, Tamulpur, Kamrup and Sonitpur districts.

Nursing College and Suman Junior College of Mahila Dakshata Samithi in Hyderabad.

New Delhi: Assets worth Rs 4.90 crore of a former Assam Public Service Commission (APSC) board member have been attached under the anti-money laundering law, the Enforcement Directorate said Thursday. The action has been taken against the board member Samedur Rahman and his family members as part of a money laundering investigation against them linked to a case of alleged illegal recruitment of candidates through the APSC.

India’s Permanent Ambassador to the United Nations Ruchira Kamboj speaks at a wrap-up briefing for non-members of the UN Security Council, in New York on Wednesday. —PHOTO BY ANI

Members of Popular Front of India (PFI) raise slogans during the one-day state-wide over the NIA raids in Kottayam and Kochi, recently. —FILE PHOTO

The searches at the homes and offices of several suspects with ties to PFI cadres are still ongoing.

—Sources

conducted searches at 91 locations across India at the

of certain Medical Councils as well as foreign medical graduates (FMGs) which led to the recovery of several incriminating documents, including fake pass certificates of FMG exam. The CBI registered a case against unknown public servants of the State Medical Councils and Medical Council of India, 73 foreign medical graduates and other unknown public servants. The allegations were about the irregularities in the registration of foreign medical graduates with Medical Councils in several states on the basis of fake certificates of qualifying foreign medical graduates examination conducted by the National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences (NBEMS).

First India Bureau

Arindam Bagchi

RELIANCE FAMILY DAY FUNCTION 2022

have achieved so far.

MY DEAR RELIANCE

FAMILY,

A very good evening to each one of you.

Today we have come together to celebrate Reliance Family Day… …to pay homage to our Founding Chairman Shri Dhirubhai Ambani … and to revel in the spirit of togetherness and oneness as one large Reliance Family...Dhirubhai’s Family.

Today we reaffirm our commitment to our Founder’s core principles that have sustained Reliance — integrity, excellence, empathy, mutual help, sharing and caring.

Years will roll.

Decades will pass.

Reliance will continue to grow bigger and bigger,

Like the proverbial Banyan Tree… its branches will spread wider… its roots will go deeper…

And it will touch the lives of an ever-increasing number of Indians, enriching them, empowering them, nourishing them, and caring for them.

But we will forever remember with gratitude our Founder who planted the seed of this Vata Vruksh forty-five years ago.

In Hindu tradition, Vata Vruksh is noble, it is sacred.

Whenever I think of Reliance and the mission for which my father founded it, I believe that there is, similarly, something noble and sacred about that mission.

Our mission is to make India prosperous by building world-class and world-scale businesses, and to bring happiness to the lives of all Indians.

Therefore, on Founder’s Day each year, all of us in the Reliance Family – including myself, Nita, Akash, Isha, Anant and you all – should remind ourselves that we are all trustees of this extraordinary and proud mission.

Friends,

As you know, we are living through a time when the world is beginning to see the 21st Century as ‘India’s Century’.

Our Honourable Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi ji, has aptly described it as India’s Amrut Kaal.

The next 25 years are going to be the most transformational in the 5,000 year-old history of India.

This is when India is poised to achieve exponential economic growth. We can become a $40 trillion economy by 2047 – the Centenary of our Independence — in a sustainable and stable manner.

This goal is realistic and achievable because India is blessed with…

The power of young demography; The power of a mature democracy; And the newly acquired power of technology.

From an era of shortages, scarcity and widespread poverty, India will enter an era of inclusive prosperity, abundance of opportunities, and unimaginable improvement in the ease of living and quality of life of 1.4 billion Indians.

Similarly, at a time when uncertainty, volatility and even regression can be seen in many parts of the world, India is being regarded globally as a SHINING SPOT.

Therefore, I would like every leader and every employee in Reliance to know that destiny has given us an opportunity — and also a responsibility — to make a pivotal contribution to realisation of the enormous promise of India’s Amrut Kaal.

Dear Reliance Family Members, Acutely aware of this opportunity and responsibility, Reliance has embarked on a journey of comprehensive self-transformation.

The end of 2022 is when Reliance will have crossed the half-way mark of its Golden Decade.

In five years from now, Reliance will complete its fifty years.

All of us are proud of what we

But the journey ahead is going to be far more exciting, more rewarding, but also more challenging.

Let me spell out my expectations from the leaders and employees in all our businesses and initiatives.

First: under Akash’s Chairmanship, Jio is rolling out the world’s best 5G network across India… …at a pace, which is faster than anywhere in the world.

Jio’s 5G deployment will be complete in 2023.

I heartily congratulate the entire Jio Team for further consolidating the Number 1 position in the digital connectivity business.

But Jio Platforms should now get ready for India’s next big opportunity – to provide unique digital products and solutions to both domestic and international markets.

Since every single village will have 5G connectivity, India has a historic opportunity to completely erase the rural-urban divide which has plagued our country for so long.

We can now ensure that no Indian will be deprived of access to high-quality education, high-quality healthcare and high-productivity economic activities.

This is how Jio can accelerate India’s inclusive development.

Second: under Isha, our Retail business has grown rapidly.

It has emerged as one with the widest and deepest reach in India, across all product baskets.

Most significantly, Reliance Retail

mits of success.

We are particularly proud of our JWC team that hosted the G20 in Mumbai and of course, our Lifesciences team that is going on and charting New Paths of innovation

Fourth: New Energy is Reliance’s newest start-up business with a potential to transform not just the company or the country, but the entire world.

It shows that we CARE FOR THE PLANET, and we CARE FOR ALL THE PEOPLE ON THE PLANET.

With Anant joining this upcoming Next-Gen business, we are making rapid progress in getting our Giga Factories in Jamnagar ready.

From being India’s largest and most valuable corporate, Reliance is now well on its way to also becoming India’s ‘Greenest’ corporate.

The goals before our New Energy Team are crystal clear.

Enable India to achieve security and self-sufficiency in energy by reducing the dependence on imports.

And remember, you can do so only by remaining agile and ahead of the technology curve.

Fifth, 2023 will also be a Year of Renewal and Revitalisation for Reliance Foundation.

Under Nita’s inspiring leadership, Reliance Foundation is working on even more ambitious new initiatives in education, healthcare, sports, women’s empowerment and ecological conservation.

Friends, When I look at the state of the

INNOVATIONS at Reliance. I am sure we will achieve trailblazing successes.

Friends,

On Founder’s Day, I naturally recall many great qualities of my father.

But his one distinctive quality that must forever serve as a beacon for all of us is his indomitable determination to WIN.

WIN against all odds. And WIN, whatever it takes. But he also taught me, and taught all his colleagues, that winning in business takes both LEADERSHIP and TEAM WORK.

Both must be developed in a mutually supportive way. You would perhaps appreciate this point better if I illustrated it by giving the example of the recently concluded WORLD CUP FOOTBALL TOURNAMENT in Qatar.

All of you who watched it will agree that the Final game was the most thrilling in the history of the sport.

But how did Argentina win the Cup?

It is because of the combination of LEADERSHIP and TEAM WORK.

Messi could not have won the Cup on his own.

Similarly, the Argentinian team could not have won without Messi’s inspiring leadership.

They faltered in the first game, but they did not give up.

Ultimately, they won because they were breathing victory, dreaming of victory, and doing everything needed to achieve victory…until the last penalty shot.

They were like Warrior Arjuna who could see nothing but the eye of the bird at which he had pointed his arrow.

This is how our Founder Dhirubhai Ambani also built Reliance.

Therefore, as we pay tribute to him today, let us further strengthen the WINNER’S MINDSET in every team and every team member in Reliance.

Talking about the Winner’s Mindset, let me share with you a thought that has inspired me all my life.

It is Swami Vivekananda’s thought.

Swamiji says:

“Take up one idea. Make that one idea your life; dream of it; think of it; live on that idea.

Let the brain, the body, muscles, nerves, every part of your body be full of that idea, and just leave every other idea alone. This is the way to success.”

Let’s follow this mantra. It will guarantee success in your personal life, and it will ensure unstoppable success of Reliance in the years to come.

has created over two lakh new jobs last year, becoming one of India’s leading employers.

I congratulate the Retail Team for setting new standards in disciplined execution, which is the key to its success.

But I know that all of you in the Retail Team are capable of chasing even more ambitious targets and goals.

Like Jio, the growth of our Retail business will also have a cascading effect on India’s inclusive development.

Our young people will have more jobs.

Our farmers will have higher incomes.

Our SMEs and large manufacturers will become more productive.

And our trader-partners will become more prosperous.

Third: We continue to build on our leadership in the O2C business with new capacities and capabilities.

In the E&P Segment, our team continues to work harder for providing energy security for India.

All of us are excited about the Media & Entertainment business and its integration with the digital services that will reinvent the industry completely.

My congratulations to all of you in these enterprises.

Keep doing your good work, and I am sure you will scale higher sum-

world today…at the global financial landscape, technological landscape and the supply chain landscape…I instinctively feel that we are going to see profound, astonishing and unexpected changes in the coming decade.

I can clearly see India riding this tsunami of changes and achieving what looked impossible earlier.

Therefore, as India’s leading corporate, Reliance has to rise to the call of times and fulfil the nation’s expectations.

To be able to do so, Reliance has begun implementing two important tasks.

First, we are empowering Reliance with new LEADERSHIP CAPITAL … especially with YOUNG LEADERSHIP.

Second, we are enriching Reliance with new TALENT CAPITAL …again, with YOUNG TALENT.

We will pay a lot of attention to developing CAPACITY, CAPABILITY AND COMPETENCE at all levels.

I would like our leaders to accelerate this process throughout the organisation.

All of us must realise that the next big cycle of growth in Reliance will not be Resource-driven but INNOVATION-DRIVEN.

I call upon you to make 2023 a YEAR OF BOLD and PIONEERING

Friends,

As we enter the New Year, here is another advice from me as the head of Reliance Family.

Spend more quality time with your loved ones, for the growth of your families.

Spend more quality time with your colleagues, for the growth of your teams.

And spend more quality time with yourself, for your self-growth.

I want to see each and every one of you happy and contented both in family space and work space.

Before I conclude, I must express my regret that we are once again having this year’s Family Day function in an online format.

But let me assure you that very soon we all shall get together for a joyful face-to-face celebration as in old times.

Finally, I, on behalf of my mother Kokila ben, Nita, Isha & Anand, their twins Aadiya & Krishna, Akash & Shloka, their son Prithvi, and Anant & Radhika, wish every one of you and your families a very Happy and Prosperous New Year and a great year of achievements.

Thank you…Jai Hind!

Jai Shri Krishna!

Today we reaffirm our commitment to our founder’s core principles that have sustained Reliance — integrity, excellence, empathy, mutual help, sharing and caring: Mukesh Ambani

Reliance Industries Chairman Mukesh Ambani’s daughter and son, Isha and Akash Ambani, address at the 44th Annual General Meeting of Reliance Industries Limited through video conferencing, in Mumbai.

Mukesh Ambani

‘Surajgarh project slowed Naxal movement’

More than 5,000 locals have secured employment under the govt project; a security academy will also be started, says

First India Bureau

Nagpur: Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has said the Naxalite movement in Gadchiroli district has slowed down since the Surjagarh iron ore mines project became operational.

Speaking during Question Hour in the state Legislative Council in Nagpur on Wednesday, the chief minister assured that local people would be given jobs in the project on a priority basis.

“Since the project was operationalized, the Naxalite movement in the district has slowed down,” he said, replying to a question by Jayant Patil, Ramdas Ambatkar and Abhijeet Wanjari.

Shinde said the pro-

ject, started in 1993, was stalled due to Naxalite activities for some time, but when he became the guardian

Centre, BJP should not target Gandhi family over security cover: Patole

minister of Gadchiroli he instructed the police to crack down on Naxalites in the area.

The project has now

Since the project was operationalized, the Naxalite movement in the district has slowed down. Now, more than 5,000 locals have been given employment in this project. A training centre will be set up to train them for skilled work...a security academy will also be started.

—Eknath Shinde, Maha Chief Minister

will be set up to train them for skilled work...a security academy will also be started,” said Shinde.

The government has received a revenue of Rs342 crore from the project, he informed.

Replying to a related question, Minister for Mining Dadaji Bhuse said 56 lakh tonnes of minerals have been extracted as part of the project.

been resumed and the company management has been instructed to give preference to locals in jobs, the chief

minister said. “Now, more than 5,000 locals have been given employment in this project. A training centre

Last week, Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadanvis had said that youth from the Naxalism-affected Gadchiroli district in Vidarbha region were not joining the outlawed movement anymore, adding that new recruits were being brought from Odisha and Chhattisgarh.

First India Bureau

Nagpur: Maharashtra Congress president Nana Patole has said the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Union government led by it should stop targeting members of the Gandhi family when it comes to their security.

Talking to the media on Thursday in the premises of the Vidhan Bhavan in Nagpur, amid the ongoing winter session of the Maharashtra legislature, Patole said, “On behalf of the Congress, party general secretary KC Venugopal wrote a letter to the Centre with a request to step up Rahul Gandhi’s security cover in view of a threat to his life, but the government today replied that he does not follow security protocols and meets people.”

Accusing the BJP of targeting the Gandhi family since it came in power, he said, “We request them not to target the Gandhi family when it comes to their security.”

Patole’s statement comes a day after the Congress wrote to Home Minister Amit Shah, alleging security breaches during Rahul Gandhi’s Bharat Jodo Yatra in the national capital and demanded immediate steps to ensure the security of Gandhi and others taking part in the march.

We want to ask the Centre and the BJP if Prime Minister Narendra Modi follows security protocol. During the (recently-held) Gujarat elections and public meetings held elsewhere in the country, he meets people. So will they reduce the PM’s security cover in view of this?

—Nana Patole, Maharashtra Congress President

However, government officials on Thursday alleged that on several occasions, violations of laid down guidelines on the part of Rahul Gandhi have been observed and this fact has been communicated to him from time to time.

“We want to ask the Centre and the BJP if Prime Minister Narendra Modi follows security protocol. During the (recently-held) Gujarat elections and public meetings held elsewhere in the country, he meets people. So will they reduce the PM’s security cover in view of this?” the Congress leader asked.

First India Bureau

Nagpur: Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis on Thursday visited Hedgewar Smruti Mandir, the memorial of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) founder Dr KB Hedgewar, in Nagpur. The two leaders paid tributes at the memorials of Dr Hedgewar and RSS ideologue MS Golwalkar in the Reshimbagh area. They also met

the Sangh office-bearers. Speaking to reporters, Shinde said, “I am here for the Winter Session of the Maharashtra legislature and I came to this place to pay homage. There is no politics behind it.”

Maha farmers to get 5L solar pumps under Kusum Yojana, says Fadnavis

First India Bureau

Nagpur: Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Thursday said that the Maharashtra government is planning to provide solar pumps to five lakh farmers under the Central government’s Pradhan Mantri Kusum Yojana.

Speaking in the Legislative Council, Fadnavis said the state government intended to generate income by leasing out land to install such solar pumps.

He also said farmers from Vidarbha region

will get new agricultural pumps and electricity connections on priority, while pending applications will be cleared by March next year. The Union government has

N CHANDRASEKARAN TO HEAD ECONOMIC ADVISORY COUNCIL

VIDARBHA’S

Nagpur (PTI): Maharashtra’s complete progress cannot be possible without development of Vidarbha, said Chief Minister Eknath Shinde in the Assembly on Thursday.

He said his government was fully committed to bring about progress in underdeveloped regions of the state like Vidarbha and Marathwada. “If Vidarbha is strong, the state will be strong.

Maharashtra’s complete progress cannot be possible without the progress of Vidarbha,” Shinde said while replying to a discussion in the House. Hailing the recently-inaugurated Nagpur-Mumbai

DEVT

IMP FOR MAHA’S PROGRESS: SHINDE

Samruddhi Expressway, Shinde said it passes through 10 districts and connects 14 indirectly. He said the mega-corridor will also cover districts like Gondia, Bhandara and Chandrapur in Vidarbha as well as Jalna and Nanded in Marathwada. “It is for the first time such a huge expressway has been built in the state. (Deputy Chief Minister Devendra) Fadnavis dreamt of bringing Mumbai and Nagpur together (through this corridor),” he said. Shinde said multinational firms have bought land along the corridor, which will “be a boon and gamechanger for Vidarbha”.

Maha CM pays tribute at Hedgewar memorial in Nagpur

the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) are together, what other message can be given,” he replied to another question.

To a question, Shinde said, “It is true that during my childhood, I used to attend RSS shakha. This place is like a source of inspiration. I came here to bow my head before it.”

“The Shiv Sena and

Shinde and Fadnavis also visited Deekshabhoomi, where Dr BR Ambedkar converted to Buddhism along with his followers in 1956.

On Tuesday, BJP legislators had attended the Sangh Parichay Varg (an introduction to the RSS) programme at the Hedgewar Smruti Mandir.

First India Bureau

announced the implementation of the Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme, for which a sum of Rs39,000 crore has been approved for Maharashtra.

Mumbai: Tata Sons chairman N Chandrasekaran will head the new Economic Advisory Council of Maharashtra. Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis made the announcement in the Legislative Council in Nagpur on Thursday. “To make Maharashtra a trillion dollar economy, the state government is setting up an Economic Advisory Council, to be headed by Tata Sons chairman N Chandrasekaran,” he said.

BLAME GAME

Mumbai: Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief Sharad Pawar on Thursday wrote a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, wishing a speedy recovery to his mother Hiraben (99) who is admitted to a hospital in Ahmedabad due to some health issues.

Pawar in the letter to the PM said, “I know how close your bonding is with your beloved mother and understand this difficult phase in your life. I wish her a speedy recovery and good health.’’

The NCP leader said

a mother is the purest soul on the earth. “Your mother has been the constant source of energy and sustaining force in shaping your life,’’ Pawar said in the letter.

The hospital on Wednesday in a statement said her condition is stable.

‘Only Shinde camp mins accused of corruption’

First India Bureau

Nagpur: Shiv Sena –Udhhav Balasaheb

Thackeray faction chief, Uddhav Thackeray, on Thursday remarked on only Chief Minister Eknath Shinde-led faction leaders being accused of corruption during the ongoing Winter Session of the state legislature in Nagpur.

Issuing a warning to the Shinde group, while speaking to the media, at the Vidhan Bhavan here, Thackeray said, “The ministers of the Shinde group should think why all the allegations of corruption are only being levelled against them. They should give a thought to how and from where exactly are these cases coming out.”

The former state chief minister stated, “These corruption cases also happened during my (Maha Vikas

Aghadi) government. However, I resigned as a minister when the allegations were made. That minister (in

reference to incumbent CM Shinde) was with my Shiv Sena then. Even now his (corruption) case has come out. Therefore, the Shinde group should think whether they are supporting or burying the BJP.”

Thackeray said that the opposition has made the ruling coalition of Shinde faction and the BJP sweat during proceedings.

He also talked about allegations against ministers. “There have been

allegations and discussions about scandals of each minister every day. However, I don’t think any of them will resign from their posts. In the last six months, people have come to know what this government is actually doing. What will the government do about the scams of (Agri Min Abdul) Sattar, min Uday Samant? Or is it the policy of this government to give a clean chit to those accused. The government should clarify on this,” said Thackeray.

CM Shinde

Uddhav Thackeray

—FILE PHOTO

Chief Minister Eknath Shinde speaks to media persons in Nagpur on Thursday as Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis looks on. —PHOTO BY ANI

Sharad Pawar wishes speedy recovery to PM Modi’s mother

CM Eknath Shinde pays floral tribute to RSS founder Keshav Baliram Hedgewar at RSS Smriti Mandir in Nagpur on Thursday. Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis also seen. —PHOTO BY ANI

Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis also visited Deekshabhoomi, where Dr BR Ambedkar converted to Buddhism along with his followers in 1956

Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis

—FILE PHOTO

Uddhav Thackeray asks govt to clarify stand on next course of action; claims Opposition sweat ruling coalition

tis, Boudhi Tree on the ramp.

In presence of founder Director of Miss & Mrs India Glam Pawan Tank, CEO of Kirti Tank, Chairman Ravindra Pratap Singh, Former Femina Miss India World and Bollywood

4 whereas Suman Byadwal won the title of Mrs India Glam Season 4.

Apart from these, Abhishekta Tanwar was declared the first runner-up of Miss India Glam, Deepika Singh second runner up and Ankita Rathod was the third runner-up. Sonu Shekhawat was declared as first runner-up, Gaganpreet Kaur as second runner and

he momentous grand Finale of Jewelers SKJ Jewellers Miss & Mrs India Glam, Season 4 presented by Ravisurya Group & Ananta Resort Jaipur and media partnered by First India News and Bharat24-Vision of New India concluded at the magnific Banquet Hall of Ananta Resort Jaipur on Wednesday. The models showcased gold and real diamond jewellery by SKJ Jewelers along with designer outfits by Mandakini Sarees, Ramaj Kur-

Actress Sayali Bhagat, Brand Ambassador of Rajasthan Khadi Board & Fashion Designer Himmat Singh, Big Boss fame Manu Punjabi, SKJ Jewelers Director Uday Joshi, Mandakini Sarees Director Prashant Pauddar and Sohit Taylor. Neha Shekhawat was declared the winner of Miss India Glam Season

Shweta Jain as third runnerup in the Mrs India Glam category. Along with this, Kavita Chaudhary was given the title of Miss India Glam Rajasthan 2023 and Anju Yadav was given the title of Mrs India Glam Rajasthan 2023 and Reena Singh was given the title of Miss India Glam International 2023. Many others titles were also given to various finalists based on their qualities. India Glam Star Awards 2023 were presented by Mrs India Glam Star Pooja Ranaut on this occasion.

Pawan Tank, Founder Director, India Glam organisation

informed that the models were groomed and the show was cho reographed by celebrity chore ographer Haider Ali and team, while RJ Devangana, who came from Mumbai, added to the atmosphere with her per formance. The main part ners of the program are Ravisurya Group, Ananta Spa & Resort Delhi Road Jaipur, SKJ Jewellers, Sony Fashion Studio, Manda kini Sarees, Winning Vega Wellness Coach, A Infinity Take Over etc.

The noteworthy grand Finale of SKJ Jewellers Miss & Mrs India Glam, Season 4 presented by Ravisurya Group & Ananta Resort Jaipur concluded with a grand crowning ceremony on Wednesday. City First brings to you some mesmerizing glimpses of the mega show!

KAVITA CHAUHAN cityfirst@firstindia.co.in

—PHOTOS

BY MUKESH KIRADOO

(L-R) Deepika Singh (Miss India Glam 2023 2nd runner up), Kavita Choudhary (Miss India Glam Rajasthan 2023), Neha Shekhawat (Miss India Glam 2023 winner), Pawan Tank, Sayali Bhagat, Kirti Tank, Harshita Babele (Miss India Glam International 2023), Abhishekta Tanwar (Miss India Glam 2023 1st runner up) and Ankita Rathore (Miss India Glam

KIM TAEHYUNG KING HEART! OF

I don’t know how to start

Because of this thousand words are not enough to describe his art

The first time when he was introduced, Killed us with his unique personality and made us confused!

It was difficult to survive his boxy smile, His deep baritone voice also made our bad times fragile!

Then comes his artistic sense and Tata mic face

Which got tangled in the hearts, just like a beautiful lace, Now we know that it is difficult to live without him

As he has filled our hearts with love, up to the brim!

He is the dream we have and the love we share

Oh yes, he is our Winter Bear

With an old soul, young eyes, a vintage heart, and a beautiful mind, Who is the ruler of benevolence, his clone is difficult to find.

The world before his eyes is finite, the universe inside his pure soul is infinite, Of all the hearts we loved, he is the one who makes our hearts smile!

His addiction has filled every army with stigmatisation and fantasy.

The world’s most handsome man Kim Taehyung one of the most popular music icons worldwide and has come a long way and it wasn’t the least bit easy. While his success with BTS is something that will go down in the history of music as the phenomenon that changed the world, his personal growth as an artist, a producer and a composer is worth all the love and appreciation in the world.

This is a man who makes you fall for him daily. He was born into the world with the beauty of a supermodel and the heart of an artist.

His talent is monstrous so absolutely enormous that it’s hard to describe and better to just experience it for yourself. Listening to a Kim Taehyung ballad means feeling understood deep down in your marrow. It is an embrace at your most lonesome.

He is like a blooming purple flower pushing out of the deepest snowdrift of winter. He has a heart full of love for everyone, and his lovely,

pure and tender personality has made us his fan. This sweet sentimental idol is always affectionately reminding us through Weverse posts, tweets, and interviews that ARMY is his best friend. His fans have gone above

and beyond to ensure that his birthday is a big celebration all over the world from opening cafes to adorning buses to giving donations, his fans have done everything nice to bring a smile to the face of their be-

loved artist. Not only this, his fans have highlighted the account to Big Hit Music. His exceptional musical journey from a doe-eyed trainee in a small company to a multimillionaire singer/ actor/ fashion icon who reigns supreme as the second-ever individual and firstever Korean artist to get a birthday ad on Burj Khalifa has said it all. Kim Taehyung, aka V of BTS, graced the cover of the October issue of Vogue Korea and was given the title “icon of an era” for his massive global influence and success. He also made history by becoming the first person to get six covers for the publication.

The South Korean singer turned 27 today. Fans have made special preparations for their favourite idol, Kim Taehyung, on his special day. The Indian fandom of V, known as the “Taehyung India Fanbase,” sent an advertisement video to Mumbai’s Infinity Mall, where it will be shown on the country’s biggest LED screen from December 29 to December 31, and to “Vardaan Market” in Kolkata, where it will be shown from December 28 to 31.

BTS’ V AND THE MOST HANDSOME MAN, KIM TAEHYUNG, TURNED 27 YEARS TODAY! WHAT BETTER WAY TO CELEBRATE THE OCCASION THAN CHARTING HIS EXCEPTIONAL MUSICAL JOURNEY FROM A LITTLE BOY TRAINEE IN A SMALL COMPANY TO A MULTIMILLIONAIRE SINGER/ACTOR/ FASHION ICON!

UTTKARSHA SHEKHAR uttkarsha.shekhar@firstindia.co.in

This art depicts the artistic personality of Kim Taehyung aka VanTae

This art depicts harsh reality of growing up inspired from his song ‘Inner Child’

B&W art on shell inpired from ‘Blue & Grey’

Around the world, people celebrate New Year’s Eve as a joyful event.

The new year has begun, according to the Gregorian calendar (which contains 12 months and January 1 is counted as the first day of a new year). Around the world, people start making plans and preparations for their new year’s resolutions a month in advance.

Regardless of caste or culture, it, like any other celebration, brightens the lives of numerous individuals all over the world. People of all ages enjoy celebrating and learning about New Year’s Eve. From Christmas Eve through New Year’s, almost all educational institutions declare a winter vacation (January 1). As the first day of the

year, Fresh Year signifies a new beginning while leaving the previous year behind, and as such, tends to bring happiness into people’s life.

HOSTING A GAME NIGHT

Even if you’re staying in this time, you don’t necessarily have to be alone yourself. Bring your group of friends or family members together and hold a card game competition all night long. Carom, Uno, or even infinite games of poker are possible options (which we did with our friends 2-3 years ago, using matchsticks for poker chips). To avoid becoming too immersed and losing track of time, you might switch between games every hour.

FIRE UP BARBEQUE

Putting a portable barbeque in your courtyard or on your patio is every-

easily found online in a range of price points and sizes. So, obtain one and put it up outside with high-quality coal.

You may use a variety of meats, including lamb, pig, lamb legs or breasts, and chicken. Paneer, capsicum, onions, tomatoes, and potatoes provide excellent grilling options for vegetarians.

PARTYING IN YOUR FINEST DRESS

You might host a dancing session in your home similar to karaoke. You might disguise the LEDs to seem like disco lights by covering them with sturdy, multicoloured cellophane. Then, order a few drinks, turn up the music, put on your finest attire, and begin the party! Additionally, be sure to get a recording done since you’ll want to remember the wild night you and your friends had. It helps you remain awake so you won’t miss the countdown, at which point you’ll leap and exclaim “Happy New Year” at the top of your lungs.

WATCH YOUR FAVOURITE SHOWS

Nothing compares to binge-watching your favourite

sion programmes with your loved ones while cozying up under a nice blanket. All you need is some beverages, popcorn, and preferably a big TV with decent sound. Dim lighting is also recommended. You might deliberately choose Christmas and New Year’s movies or TV series, for instance, watch all the Home Alone sequels or similarly theme episodes of everyone’s favourite F.R.I.E.N.D.S.

MAKING NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTIONS

Without making any New Year’s resolutions, how do you ring in the new year? Make intriguing and meaningful ones while seated with your loved ones. To remember them in the future, you may get a billboard to write them down or capture them on a camera. This will enable you to reflect on your progress in keeping your pledges to yourself the following year.

There are many ways to make your New Year’s Eve festivities at home in 2022 valuable and special; these were the ones we thought were

Celebrate endings for they precede new beginnings. City First brings to you some amazing ways in which you can make your New Year magnificent.

standing. Please share this article if you know of any other activities you may perform at home on New Year’s Eve in the comments section.

ADITI KUSHWAHA cityfirst@firstindia.co.in

ASHISH TIWARI cityfirst.mumbai@firstindia.co.in

Billionaire Mukesh Ambani’s son Anant Ambani had a traditional Roka (engagement) ceremony with Radhika Merchant at the Shrinathji Temple in Nathdwara, Rajasthan on Thursday, 29 December. The news was broken on the net by Reliance Industries Limited (RIL) Group President Parimal Nathwani.

The 27-year-old son of Mukesh and Nita Ambani is also the younger sibling to Akash Ambani and Isha Ambani. While speculations and rumours had been strife for quite some time owing to the doting presence of the Ambani parents at Radhika Merchant’s events, and vice versa, now the roka comes as an official confirmation of the forthcoming wedding of Anant Ambani and Radhika Merchant.

Several images from the ceremony have circulated online. For the occasion, Anant opted for a blue kurta that he paired with an embroidered jacket, while Radhika chose to wear a

beautiful saree.

The “Roka” (engagement) ceremony of Radhika Merchant, daughter of Shaila and Viren Merchant and Anant Ambani, son of Nita and Mukesh Ambani was performed at the Shrinathji Temple at Nathdwara in Rajasthan today in the presence of family members and friends and blessed by the priests of the temple. The young couple spent

the day at the temple seeking Lord Shrinathji’s blessings for their upcoming union and participated in the traditional Raj-bhogshringaar ceremonies at the temple. The family and friends will together celebrate the happy occasion later today.

Anant completed his studies from Brown University in the USA and has ever since served at Reliance in-

dustries in various capacities including as a member on the Boards of Jio Platforms and Reliance Retail Ventures.

He currently leads the energy business of RIL.

Radhika is a graduate of New York University and serves as a Director on the Board of Encore Healthcare. And at the same time she is a trained dancer in Bharatnatyam, Radhika Merchant hails from the Kutch area of Guja-

rat. She has trained in Bharatnatyam for eight years and is the disciple of Guru Bhavana Thakar of Shree Nibha Arts.

The ceremony today was attended by the Ambani and Merchant families and friends, and priests of the temple blessed the excited young couple. The family arrived back at the bay via a private jet at the Kalina Airport in Mumbai.

SRK’s inputs impacted Alia-Jasmeet

Alia Bhatt, Vijay Varma and Shefali Shah starrer Darlings were released in August 2022. The dark comedy marked the directorial debut of Jasmeet K Reen. Even new mommy Alia made her debut as a producer with Darlings. The film was released on an OTT platform and it ended up receiving an overwhelming response from the audience. Solid performanc es by Alia, Vijay, Shefali and Roshan Mathew grabbed everyone’s atten tion. The most celebrated directors like Jasmeet K Reen the director of Darlings spilt the beans on how Shah Rukh Khan, who was also the producer of the film, gave his input while they shot the film.

Actors Kiara Advani and Sidharth Malhotra were spotted at the airport on Thursday morning. They arrived at the airport one after the other to fly to an undisclosed destination ahead of New Year. Both of them were all smiles for the camera.

Recently, Kiara and Sidharth were spot ted together while leaving fashion de

NEENA RECALLS BEING VERBALLY ABUSED

Neena Gupta is one of the sought-after actresses in Indian cinema. She has been working in the film industry since the 1980s but only a few years ago that she finally started getting her due. Now the actress made a shocking revelation about the work culture in the 1980s.

Talking to a leading publication, the veteran actress recalled that the work culture in the 1980s was quite harsh. She claimed that the work environment can be attributed to a toxic atmosphere on the set.

Neena Gupta spoke about the time when she broke down after a director abused her in front of everyone. She said, “I was doing a film and I had a very small role in it. I just had

2-3 dialogues in a scene. I was in a larger group. On the day of the shoot, those dialogues were also cut. I had no role left.”

She further said, “I went up to the director and said ‘I just had two lines and you’ve cut those as well.’ He gave me maabehen ki gaali in front of everybody. Vinod Khanna was there, Juhi (Chawla), everybody and I just started crying because he abused me in front of everyone.”

Neena Gupta then laughed off the incident and said that this kind of work culture is not practised today, but soon corrected herself. “I don’t think this happens today, or maybe it happens but I am not in the same position. No one would give me maa-behen ki gaalis today,” she said.

Samantha Ruth Prabhu is an icon. There’s so much one can feel when looking at her. How strong, perfect and beautiful, she is. It’s inspiring. Her journey from 2010 has been like a best-selling novel if we can say. As everyone knows Samantha began her journey with a fair share of struggles and became a poster girl of how to dream and become big. With no financial support, numer ous rejections, and no godfather, she began her journey as an actress in the South film in dustry with Jessie in Ye Maay Chesave and proved she is here to rule. Her every performance in blockbuster movies is proof of it.

Neena Gupta

Samantha Ruth Prabhu

Alia Bhatt

Kiara Advani Sidharth Malhotra

Anant and Radhika at Private Mumbai Aiport

CELEBRATIONS! Jagdeesh Chandra hosted a grand dinner for the First India Newspaper family to celebrate the end of the year at Culture, Jaipur on Wednesday. Anita Hada, Kavita Chauhan, Jinendra Singh Shekhawat, Mahesh Sharma, Rashpal Singh, Sharat Verma, Moni Sharma, Shaan, Shishir Awasthi, Gajraj Singh Bhati, Dilip Solanki, Jawed Khan, Ashish Aman among other members were present on the occasion. GM Girish Yadav welcomed everyone and wished the entire team a Happy New Year in advance.

Jagdeesh Chandra greeted by Moni Sharma. Also seen are Kavita Chauhan, Anita Hada, Vishaal Mathur, Mahesh Sharma, Rashpal Singh, Jinendra Singh Shekhawat, Shishir Awasthi, Dinesh Mathur, Vinod Sharma, Sharat Verma, Santosh Sharma and others

Jagdeesh Chandra greeted by GM Girish Yadav Jagdeesh Chandra with photojournalists Mukesh Kiradoo and Sunil Sharma