First India-Mumbai Edition-31st December 2022

PASSING AWAY OF

A TRINITY...

DR. JAGDEESH CHANDRA

Every mother is great and special in a sense but if we try to describe the qualities of Heeraben ‘Hiraba’ Modi, mother of PM Narendra Modi, we would probably have to coin new words as the dictionaries of all the languages may not do justice to the woman who gave birth to a great and visionary leader like Modi and who herself was an icon in the values of simplicity and humility.

“Janani Janmabhoomischa Swargadapi Gareeyasi” (Mother and motherland are superior to the highest heavens), the hemistich of a Sanskrit shloka from Ramayana has, over eons, been the core value of the Bharatiya culture and ethos, as these words were said by Ram to his brother Laxman. This was truly the teaching that the centenarian Hiraba Modi ji, mother of PM Narendra Modi, also inculcated and planted in a young Narendra, which has, over the decades, now become

a towering tree, under whom the nation can ‘shelter’.

The entire nation is bereaved at the death of Hiraba Modi and we pay tribute to this mother who gave birth to a son like Narendra Modi who has made the country proud. The Motherland too is indebted to her and pays homage to her. Even though her son ‘Narendra’ is at the highest position, guiding the nation as the PM of the World’s largest democracy, she led her life as an epitome of simplicity and humility, indeed a lesson for all of us and a source of highest motivation. It is certainly true that regardless of the highest position that the son might be holding, the Mother will always remain supreme and higher than him and nobody knew, understood and lived this eternal truth more than Narendra Modi as he always lived under the shelter of the blessings of his mother at her feet.

In fact, even though she has been one of the epicenters of

his life, the other being the Motherland, she had only twice shared a political stage with his son – once after the success of Ekta Yatra of 1991 when he unfurled the Tiranga at Lal Chowk in Kashmir and the other when he was sworn in as the CM of Gujarat.

The close bond between the mother and her son was clearly visible even though she continued to stay at Gandhinagar, visiting PM’s official residence at 7 Race Course Road, now 7 Lok Kalyan Marg, in Delhi, only once. Hiraba Modi, a woman with a core strength of traditional values supported her son, Narendra Modi in all his endeavours, such as depositing her personal savings in PM-Cares Fund for Covid-19 pandemic.

Hiraba Modi lived past 100, and as PM Narendra Modi said remembering ‘Maa’ after her funeral, “In Maa, I have always felt the trinity, which includes the journey of an ascetic, the symbol of a selfless karma yogi and a life committed to values…”

PM

Hiraba with Narendra Modi when he was sworn in as Gujarat CM in 2001.

Modi with his mother Hiraba Modi in Gandhinagar when she turned 100 on June 18, 2022.

If I look back at my parents’ lives, their honesty and self-respect have been their biggest qualities. Despite struggling with poverty and its accompanying challenges, my parents never left the path of honesty or compromised on their self-respect. They had only one mantra to overcome any challenge - hard work, constant hard work!

M THER

Mother – is not just any other word in the dictionary. It encompasses a whole range of emotions – love, patience, trust, and a lot more. Across the world, irrespective of country or region, children have a special affection for their mothers.

A mother not only gives birth to her children, but also shapes their mind, their personality, and their self-confidence. And while doing so, mothers selflessly sacrifice their own personal needs and aspirations.

Today, I feel extremely happy and fortunate to share that my mother Smt. Heeraba is entering her hundredth year. This is going to be her birth centenary year. If my father had been alive, he too would have celebrated his 100th birthday last week. 2022 is a special year as my mother’s centenary year is starting, and my father would have completed his.

Just last week, my nephew shared a few videos of Mother from Gandhinagar. A few youngsters from the society had come home, my father’s photograph was kept on a chair, there was a kirtan, and Mother was immersed in singing bhajans while playing the manjeera. She is still the same - age may have taken a toll physically, but she is as mentally alert as ever.

Earlier, there was no custom of celebrating birthdays in our family. However, children from the younger generations planted 100 trees to remember my father on his birthday.

I have no doubt that everything good in my life, and all that is good in my character, can be attributed to my parents. Today, as I sit in Delhi, I am filled with memories from the past.

Mother never expected us, children, to leave our studies and assist her with the household chores. She never even asked us for help. However, looking at her work so hard, we considered helping her our foremost duty. I used to really enjoy swimming in the local pond. So, I used to take all the dirty clothes from home and wash them at the pond. The washing of clothes and my play, both used to get done together.

ONLY TAKE FOOD AS MUCH AS YOU CAN EAT, MOTHER SAID

Mother insisted on not wasting a single grain of food. Whenever there was a wedding feast in our neighbourhood, she would remind us to not waste any food. There was a clear rule in the house - only take as much as you can eat. Even today, Mother takes only as much food in the thali as she can eat and doesn’t waste even a morsel.

A creature of habit, she eats on time and chews her food to digest it properly.

mother’s image.

A mother’s penance creates a good human being. Her affection fills a child with human values and empathy. A mother is not an individual or a personality, motherhood is a quality. It is often said that the Gods are made according to the nature of their devotees. Similarly, we experience our mothers and their motherhood according to our own nature and mindset.

My Mother was born in Visnagar in Mehsana in Gujarat, which is quite close to my hometown Vadnagar. She did not get her own mother’s affection. At a tender age, she lost my grandmother to the Spanish Flu pandemic. She does not even remember my grandmother’s face or the comfort of her lap. She spent her entire childhood without her mother. She could not throw tantrums at her mother, as we all do. She could not rest in her mother’s lap like we all do. She could not even go to school and learn to read and write. Her childhood was one of poverty and deprivation.

Compared to today, Mother's childhood was extremely difficult. Perhaps, this is what the Almighty had destined for her. Mother also believes that this was God’s will. But losing her mother early in her childhood, the fact that she couldn’t even see her mother’s face, continues to give her pain.

Mother did not have much of a childhood due to these struggles – she was forced to grow beyond her age. She was the eldest child in her family and became the eldest daughter-in-law after marriage. In her childhood, she used to take care of the entire family and manage all the chores. After marriage too, she picked up all these responsibilities. Despite the onerous responsibilities and everyday struggles, Mother held the entire family together with calm and fortitude.

In Vadnagar, our family used to stay in a tiny house which did not even have a window, let alone a luxury like a toilet or a bathroom. We used to call this one-room tenement with mud walls and clay tiles for a roof, our home. And all of us - my parents, my siblings and I, stayed in it. My father made a machaan from bamboo sticks and wooden planks to make it easier for Mother to cook food. This structure was our kitchen. Mother used to climb on the machaan to cook, and the entire family would sit on it and eat together.

Usually, scarcity leads to stress. However, my parents never let the anxiety from the daily struggles overwhelm the family atmosphere. Both my parents carefully divided their responsibilities and fulfilled them. Like clockwork, my father used to leave for work at four in the morning. His footsteps would tell the neighbours that it is 4 AM and Damodar Kaka is leaving for work. Another daily ritual was to pray at the local temple before opening

his little tea shop.

Mother was equally punctual. She would also wake up with my father, and finish many chores in the morning itself. From grinding grains to sifting rice and daal, Mother had no help. While working she would hum her favourite bhajans and hymns. She loved a popular bhajan by Narsi Mehta Ji‘Jalkamal chhadi jane bala, swami amaro jagse’. She also liked the lullaby, ‘Shivaji nu halardu’.

Mother never expected us, children, to leave our studies and assist her with the household chores. She never even asked us for help. However, looking at her work so hard, we considered helping her our foremost duty. I used to really enjoy swimming in the local pond. So, I used to take all the

Mother

also take out time to spin the charkha to supplement our meagre income. She would do everything from peeling cotton to spinning yarn. Even in this back-breaking work, her prime concern was ensuring that the cotton thorns don’t prick us.

Mother avoided depending on others or requesting others to do her work. Monsoons would bring their own troubles for our mud house. However, Mother ensured that we faced minimum discomfort. In the searing heat of June, she would clamber over the roof of our mud house and repair the tiles. However, despite her valiant efforts, our house was too old to withstand the onslaught of the rains.

dirty clothes from home and wash them at the pond. The washing of clothes and my play, both used to get done together.

used to wash utensils at a few houses to help meet the household expenses. She would

—Narendra Modi

In my Mother’s life story, I see the penance, sacrifice, and contribution of India’s matrushakti. Whenever I look at Mother and crores of women like her, I find there is nothing that is unachievable for Indian women

On June 18 2022, Prime Minister Narendra Modi penned a personal blog on his mother Hiraba Modi's 100th birthday

I don’t understand your work in the government, but I just want you to never take a bribe.

—MY MOTHER SAID

MOM NEVER EXPECTED US TO ASSIST HER WITH HOMELY CHORES

As the year 2022 comes to an end, nation witnessed a motherly loss as PM Narendra Modi’s mother Hiraba Modi breathed her last on Friday. The year remained replete with tumultous events including Ukraine war, India’s G20 presidency and more. First India brings to you a ‘FLASHBACK’.

1940 TO 2022

GLORIOUS CENTURY RESTS!

Ahmedabad: Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s mother Hiraba Modi, 100, passed away at UN Mehta Heart Hospital in Ahmedabad on Friday. A glorious century rests at the feet of God, Modi said while informing about her demise.

FOOTBALL LEGEND PELE

DIES AT 82

P ele, whose real name was Edson Arantes do Nascimento, Brazil footballing legend and three-time World Cup winner, died at the age of 82 on Friday early. He was widely considered to be football’s first global superstar. Pele had been treated for colon cancer, following surgery to remove a tumour in Sept 2021.

Following Argentina’s WC triumph, Pele shared a photo of their team lifting the trophy on social media, praising squad leader Lionel Messi, France’s rising star Kylian Mbappe, and surprise semi-finalists Morocco.

Modi who reached Gujarat this morning first paid tribute to her at her Raysan residence in Gandhinagar and then carried the bier with the mortal remains to the crematorium for the last rites.

“We thank everyone for their prayers in these tough times. It is our humble request to everyone to keep departed soul in their thoughts and continue with their pre-decided schedule and commitments. That would be a befitting tribute to Hiraba,” family sources said.

She was admitted to the hospital on Wednesday due to some health issues. The hospital authorities on Thursday had said that her condition was improving. More on P6

Hrs after cremating mom, grief-struck Modi at work

PM Modi had also returned to work after his father’s demise too l Next 8 years will see Indian Railways on new modern journey: PM Modi l Nation’s 7th Vande Bharat Express between Howrah-NJP flagged off

New Delhi/Kolkata:

After virtually flagging off Howrah-New Jalpaiguri Vande Bharat Express, PM Modi said that a nationwide campaign is going on to transform the Indian Railway. According to PMO, Modi listed modern trains like Vande Bharat, Tejas Hum Safar and VistaDome coaches and the modernisation of railway stations including New Jalpaiguri, doubling and electrification of Railway lines as examples of this modernization. Modi also highlighted strides made in fields of Railway safety, cleanliness, coordination, capability, punctuality and facilities. He said while 20,000 route km rail lines were electrified in 1st 70 years of Independence, 32,000 route km have been electrified since 2014.

In Maa I have always felt that trinity, which contains the journey of an ascetic, the symbol of a selfless Karmayogi and a life committed to values. When I met her on her 100th birthday, she said one thing, which is always remembered that is work with intelligence, live life with purity.

—Narendra Modi, Prime Minister

Heera

WORLD LEADERS OFFER HEARTFELT CONDOLENCES

The

brings to an end the

Pant injured in horrific accident, cop says, ‘ he is lucky to survive’

First India Bureau

Narsan: Indian cricketer Rishabh Pant was seriously injured in a accident while driving home from Delhi to Roorkee at Narsan, Haridwar. According to police, he was alone in the car when his Mercedes GLE car hit divider railings on the DelhiHaridwar NH at 5.30 am.

SP Swapn Kishor Singh said that, “Pant sustained injuries on his forehead, a hand and right knee. Car was completely burnt, he is lucky to survive.”

MEMBERSHIP OF MARION BIOTECH SUSPENDED

New

TRUMP’S TAX RETURNS RELEASED

7 FEARED DROWNED AS BOAT CAPSIZES WITH

PEOPLE ON BOARD IN BIHAR’S MANER

area after collecting fodder from Saran diara area. Maner station house officer Rajeev Ranjan said rescue workers were scouring the river near Mahavir Tola ghat, where the incident took place.

WHY ‘Y PLUS’ SECURITY TO SHINDE GROUP MLAS, NONE TO OURS, QUESTIONS PAWAR

Nagpur: The winter session in Nagpur is over in 2 weeks. The opposition parties had sought to extend the term of the office by one more week, however, the session has ended within 2 weeks. Now, the budget session will be held in Mumbai from February 27. After the convention, Leader of the Opposition Ajit Pawar attacked the Shinde government over the remarks passed against historical icons in the

state, security given to ministers and many other issues.

Ajit Pawar interacted with the media outside the Legislature. “There were demands to sack ministers, issue strict warnings to legislators and to remove the governor. But these things were not even touched. The Chief Minister left the original Shiv Sena and formed the Shinde group. It is still not ready to come out of its dreams. What is the rel-

evance of speaking in the Legislative Assembly about statements

made by a person who is not a member of the House,” Ajit Pawar told the Chief Minister.

Pawar also fired salvos on the Shinde government claiming that money was being unnecessarily spent on ‘Y Plus’ security cover give to the legislators.

“Y plus security is being given to 30 to 35 MLAs of Shinde faction. A ‘Y Plus’ security cover costs Rs 20 lakh.

So why do they need ‘Y Plus’ security? They

should be provided security if needed. Be it the ruling party or the opposition party. Petrol bombs have been found outside Bhaskar Jadhav’s house, his life is in danger. Rajan Salvi is in danger and has written a letter to the Deputy Chief Minister. The security of several leaders in the opposition has been taken back, but the leaders in the government have been provided security,” Pawar said.

Ajit Pawar

PM NARENDRA MODI BIDS FINAL GOODBYE TO MOTHER HEERABEN “HIRABA”

The family of PM Narendra Modi expresses gratitude to everyone for their prayers for Hiraba Modi, who passed away at 100 on Friday, say the family sources of the Prime Minister

Moni Sharma

PM Narendra Modi carries mortal remains of his mother Hiraba Modi during her funeral procession, in Gandhinagar on Friday. PM Narendra Modi during cremation of his mother Hiraba.

President of India @rashtrapatibhvn Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s mother Hiraba’s hundred years of struggle is a symbol of Indian ideals. Modi imbibed the spirit of ‘#Matradevobhav’ and the values of Hiraba in his life. I pray for the peace of the holy soul. My condolences to the fam ily!

NATION STANDS WITH PM MODI, SAYS SHAH

BUS DRIVER AND CONDUCTOR SAVED RISHABH PANT’S LIFE

HM Amit Shah expressed grief over demise of Modi’s mother Hiraba. In a series of tweets, Shah said, “The struggles Heera Ba faced to nurture the family is a role model for all. Her sacrificial ascetic life will always be remembered. The entire nation stands with Modi and his family.”

Indian wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant was saved by the driver and conductor of a Haryana Roadways bus, when he met with an accident early Friday morning.

Japanese PM Fumio Kishida was one of the first world leaders to offer condolences to Modi over passing away of his mother, Hiraba. Nepal PM Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ also expressed sadness over death of Modi’s mother. Ex-SL PM Rajapaksa, Russian Ambassador to India Denis Alipov and others condoled demise.

demise of PM Modi’s revered mother

ba

life of an ascetic. Each and every Swayamsevak of the RSS offers tributes to the departed soul. Mataji remained committed to values and had an unwavering faith in the Almighty despite the extreme difficulties she endured in her life. She led a dutiful and meaningful life.

—Mohan Bhagwat, RSS Chief

The news of the demise of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s mother, Hira Ba is extremely sad. At this difficult time, I extend my deepest condolences and love to him and his family.

—Rahul Gandhi, Congress Leader

Charred remains of Rishabh’s car after it rammed into a divider and caught fire on Delhi-Dehradun NH, in Roorkee on Friday.

Injured Rishabh Pant receives treatment at a hospital.

Delhi: India’s pharma exports body the Pharmaceuticals Export Promotion Council of India (Pharmexcil) today suspended the membership of Marion Biotech Pvt Ltd after the company failed to reply to the council on the report on children’s death allegedly caused by their cough syrup.

14

Patna: At least seven people are feared drowned after a country-made boat with 14 people on board capsized in the river near Maner’s Mahavir Tola in rural Patna. Patna SSP Manavjit Singh Dhillon said that seven people went missing following the boat mishap, when 14 labourers were returning to Brahmachari village under Maner police station

DONALD

Washington: Democrats in Congress released six years’ worth of former President Donald Trump’s tax returns on Friday, the culmination of a yearslong effort to learn about finances of a onetime business mogul who broke decades of political norms when he refused to voluntarily release info as he sought the White House.

IRKED BY ‘JAI SHRI RAM’ CHANTS, CM

MAMATA REFUSES TO GO ON STAGE

Kolkata: WB CM Mamata Banerjee showed great statesmanship as she praised PM Modi for taking the time to honour his commitment to inaugurate a slew of railway projects.

Unruly scenes were witnessed at Howrah station before PM virtually flagged off the new Vande Bharat Express.

Mamata, who was present at venue along with Union minister Ashwini Vaishnav and other leaders of BJP, was greeted by chants of ‘Jai Shri Ram’ by crowd at the station.

This left Mamata irked and she complained about the crowd’s behaviour to Governor CV Ananda Bose.

First India Bureau

PM Narendra Modi during a ceremony to flag off Vande Bharat Express train connecting Howrah and New Jalpaiguri video conferencing on Friday. Also seen here flagging of train are West Bengal Governor CV Ananda Bose, Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnav, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee & others.

New

Rahul Gandhi’s security during the Bharat Jodo Yatra. The meeting was attended by Anil Chaudhary & others.

New Delhi: The government on Friday hiked the interest rates on small deposits — including post office term deposits, NSC and senior citizen savings scheme — by up to 1.1 percentage points from January 1, in line with firming interest rates in the economy.

GOVT HIKES RATES ON NSC, OTHER SCHEMES FROM JAN 1

SUU KYI FACES 33-YEAR PRISON AFTER FINAL CLOSED TRIAL

Bangkok: A court in military-ruled Myanmar convicted the country’s ousted leader Aung San Suu Kyi of corruption Friday, sentencing her to seven years in prison in the last of a string of criminal cases against her, a legal official said.

—PHOTOS BY PTI

Our govt will last full term: CM Shinde

have responded positively; targets Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray on last day of Winter Session

Nagpur (PTI): Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Friday asserted that the alliance of his Balasahebanchi Shiv Sena and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) will complete its tenure and return to power in the next elections.

In his reply to the opposition’s ‘last week resolution’ in the Legislative Assembly on the last day of the state legislature’s Winter Session, he also took swipes at Shiv Sena leader Uddhav Thackeray.

“Our government will complete the term and come back to power with a thumping majority after the next elections,” he said, adding that people have responded positively to the government’s performance and gave a landslide victory in the recent Gram Panchayat elections to the ruling alliance.

The opposition had no

GOVT’S SUCCESSES

On his government’s record in the last six months, Shinde mentioned that plans are afoot to build helipads in taluka places and develop facilities for night landing. He has approved industrial projects worth Rs70,000 crore and irrigation projects worth Rs18,000 crore which will bring 2.5 lakh hectares of land under irrigation, the CM said. Rice growers will be given a bonus per hectare, he said.

I have been attacked and targeted all these months. Do not mistake my silence for helplessness.... I know all the inside things. —Eknath Shinde, Maha Chief Minister

moral right to target him on corruption as the previous MVA government did not enact the Lokayukta Act which his gov-

lion split the Shiv Sena and toppled the Uddhav Thackeray-led MVA government in June this year, launched a scathing attack on Thackeray.

“I have been targeted all these months. Do not mistake my silence for helplessness.... I know all the inside things,” the CM said.

show a CM who did not step out of his house for two and a half years. We changed the CM and government, and saved that money,” Shinde said, in a jibe at Uddhav Thackeray, who had faced criticism for operating from home during the COVID-19 pandemic.

‘I will carry forward Balasaheb’s legacy’

First India Bureau

Nagpur: Acknowledging his allegiance to Shiv Sena founder Balasaheb Thackeray, Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Friday said he will carry forward his legacy.

Addressing the state Assembly during the Winter Session here, Shinde said, “Uddhav’s father) Balasaheb Thackeray may not have given birth to me, but he has given us our ideology. It is up to people to decide who carries forward his legacy, those who carry it forward or those who sell it for the sake of power.”

stantly berating me,” he added.

Shinde’s tirade came a day after Thackeray criticized him for visiting the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) headquarters in Nagpur.

First India Bureau

Nagpur: Maharashtra Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) chief Chandrashekhar Bawankule has sought the reaction of Congress leaders in the state on the comments of their Karnataka colleague DK Shivakumar on the border row between the two states.

On Wednesday, Shivakumar had asked Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai to lead an all-party delegation to Union Home Minister Amit Shah to get an assurance on the state’s stand on the border issue.

Speaking to the media in Vidhan Bhavan complex here on Friday, Bawankule wanted Maharashtra Congress chief Nana Patole and

other leaders to clear their stand on the aggressive statements made by Shivakumar on the border row.

Bawankule also brushed aside the noconfidence motion brought by the Opposition parties against Assembly Speaker Rahul Narwekar and said it would fall flat.

The Karnataka Legislative Assembly, on December 22, unanimously passed a resolution to protect its interests and called the dispute a “closed chapter”.

ernment did and also brought the office of chief minister in its ambit, Shinde said.

Shinde, whose rebel-

Without naming Uddhav Thackeray, he said it was ludicrous that someone who did not step out of house despite being CM should now speak the language of daring others.

“Someone had announced a reward to

“He speaks of resigning as a member of the legislature but continues as MLC (Member of Legislative Council). At least honour the commitment you made in public,” Shinde said, referring to Thackeray’s announcement of quitting as MLC when he resigned as CM.

Uddhav Thackeray “lost the right to touch” Bal Thackeray’s feet the day he joined hands with the Congress and Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) to form the MVA government, Shinde said.

“Apologize and be free instead of con-

Maharashtra orders investigation into alleged job fraud by Yuva Sena leader

Nagpur (PTI): The state government on Friday ordered an investigation into an instance wherein youngsters were duped with promise of jobs, which allegedly involved Yuva Sena leader and former minister Aaditya Thackeray’s cousin Varun Sardesai.

When a political party’s rising star and someone close to the party leadership faces an accusation, then it is a serious issue for the state, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLA Yogesh Sagar said referring to Sardesai.

Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis, who is also the home minister, said, “The issue is serious and the government will probe this.”

Sardesai is the leader of Yuva Sena, the youth wing of the Uddhav Thackeray faction of the Shiv Sena, and he is also Aaditya’s cousin.

Raising the issue of job fraud in the House, Sagar said Sardesai was the chairman of Hindustan Scouts and Guides, while Rupesh Kadam and Pankaj Chauragade were its secretary and treasurer respectively.

“At least Rs10 lakh were taken from youngsters and they were sent for training to Gondia. A school was built (in Gondia) and they were

trained there. After training, they were given appointment letters stating they will be hired by the school as trainers,” alleged the BJP MLA.

At least Rs8 to 10 lakh were taken from children of poor farmers, who had raised the money by selling land, he claimed.

When these youngsters went to the school

The MVA government came to power and he happened to be the CM’s (Uddhav Thackeray) relative. The youngsters also went to meet the then CM, but it is not clear if they met him.

later with their appointment letters, they were “driven away”, saying that the establishment was not connected to Hindustan Scouts and Guides, he said.

On contacting Chauragade, the youths were informed that their money was passed on to Sardesai, and the same will be returned to them once he gets the money back, Sagar alleged.

“I carry forward Balasaheb’s legacy, which is why I went to Reshimbagh (where RSS office is located) and not Govindbagh (NCP chief Sharad Pawar’s residence in Baramati),” said the chief minister.

The opposition has no right to preach to his government how to honour national icons, he said.

“Who asked

Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj’s descendants to show proof that they belong to his family? Who deliberately insulted (freedom fighter VD) Savarkar?” he asked, referring to opposition leaders’ past statements.

He visited Delhi on the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to attend a Veer Bal Divas program to mark the martyrdom of the sons of Guru Gobind Singh, Shinde said.

“And yet, I was targeted for visiting Delhi....it was an insult to the Sikh guru,” the chief minister added.

Opposition stage protest demanding Governor’s removal

First India Bureau

Nagpur: Legislators of Opposition parties on Friday staged a demonstration in the Vidhan Sabha complex demanding the ouster of Maharashtra Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari for his alleged remarks about icons of the state.

The legislators led by Leader of Opposition

Ajit Pawar, LOP in legislative council Ambadas Danve, State Con-

gress Chief Nana Patole, Rohit Pawar, among others raised slogans outside the House on the last day of the Winter Session.

The Opposition legislators holding black caps and a banner shouted slogans demanding Koshyari’s removal. The Opposition has been seeking the ouster of the governor since his recent remark that Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj was a “hero of the past”.

Nagpur: Maharashtra Assembly Leader of Opposition (LoP) Ajit Pawar on Thursday denied having any information regarding the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) legislators seeking to move a ‘No-confidence motion’ against Speaker Rahul Narvekar and said that he is not aware of any such developments.

The NCP leader, however, added that had he been aware of the motion, he would have

signed it as well.

“I am not aware of a no-confidence motion against the speaker. Today, at 9 am I went to the assembly and now I am coming out at 12 pm. As far as my knowledge is

concerned, the no-confidence motion against the speaker can’t be brought till one year.”

“If I was aware of this motion, then my sign would have been there. I have no information about this,” he added.

Earlier in the day, the MVA MLAs wrote a letter to Maharashtra legislature secretary Rajendra Bhagwat seeking to move the motion alleging that the Opposition members were not allowed to speak in the House by the Speaker.

First India Bureau

LoP Ajit Pawar (centre) with Maha Vikas Aghadi MLAs stage a protest demanding the removal of Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari outside state Assembly, in Nagpur on Friday. —PHOTO BY ANI

Chief Minister Eknath Shinde (in white) and Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis with the state Council Deputy Chairperson Neelam Gorhe and others at Vidhan Bhavan in Nagpur on Friday. —PHOTO BY PTI

Says people

BJP seeks Patole’s reaction on K’taka Cong chief comment

BJP MLA Yogesh Sagar (in picture)

accusations at leader Varun Sardesai. —FILE PHOTO

—Yogesh

Sagar, BJP MLA

Nagpur: The Legislative Assembly of Maharashtra was prorogued here on Friday as the two-week Winter Session of the Maharashtra legislature came to an end. The session had begun on December 19. Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari gave the prorogation order which was read by Speaker Rahul Narwekar. He further informed that the Budget Session will begin in Mumbai on February 27, 2023.

Res docs at BMC hosps to join MARD strike

HUMBLE REQUEST

tors of Nair

(NAIR MARD) and two months arrears

Cooper

First India Bureau

Mumbai: Resident doctors at Mumbai’s civic hospitals have threatened to go on strike from January 02, if their demands, including payment of arrears, are not met.

Their peers in government-run medical colleges in the state have already announced to skip work from Monday.

The strike by resident doctors, who get handson experience while

pursuing medical education, at Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) hospitals could potentially cripple outpatient department (OPD) services of the facilities. There are thousands of resident doctors attached to BMC hospitals.

The BMC wing of the Maharashtra Association of Resident Doctors (MARD), an umbrella body of resident doctors in the state, has said that resident doctors will continue to be a part of

emergency

'Koyta Gang' attacks civilians with machetes

Thane (PTI): The Mumbai police conducted an “All Out Operation” ahead of New Year’s Eve and arrested 29 accused wanted in various cases, an official said on Friday.

All senior officers of the city police were present on ground for the drive, which was conducted between 11 pm and 3 am on the intervening night of Thursday and Friday, he said. A combing operation was conducted at 223 places.

Notably, A man accused in a murder case, who had been on the run for 28 years, was apprehended at Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport.

Pune: The city of Pune witnessed terror by miscreants as in yet another incident, that could scare any resident, two men allegedly from the infamous 'Koyta Gang', terrorised the people in the Sinhagad Law College area in the Bharti Vidyapeeth Police Station jurisdiction with machetes in hand.

They also went to shops in the area and stabbed many people with their weapons, which led to chaos in the area. Everyone on the street was terrorised by these men showing a knife. Due to this,

Rape accused attacks lawyer after receiving lifer

Thane (PTI): A 52-year-old man accused of raping his daughters attacked and injured a public prosecutor during a hearing in a special court in Thane district on Friday.

The special court of Judge VV Virkar found the accused guilty of charges under relevant provisions of the IPC and Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act

and sentenced him to imprisonment for life (till his death).

After the judge pronounced the sentence, the accused ran to Special Public Prosecutor Rekha Hiwrale and allegedly attacked her, an official said.

The lawyer, who suffered minor injuries was rushed to a hospital, and an FIR was registered against the accused with Thane Nagar police, he said.

the commuters were also in shock. As soon as the police got the information, they rushed to the spot and reportedly beat up the men. The police chased and caught one of them while he was running with a machete in his hand.

After this, the injured youth has been admitted and is undergoing treatment at a private hospital. Meanwhile, students and residents of the Sinhagad College area recalled the horrible situation last night.

After the incident, citizens are complaining that Bharti Vidyapeeth Police are ignoring such incidents.

Akola(PTI): A 28-yearold woman allegedly hired a man to kill her husband and made it appear like a suicide at a village in Akola district, police said on Friday.

The 32-year-old victim was found hanging at Punda village in Dahihanda police station limits on Wednesday morning, an official said. The man’s body was tied with a rope and bore injury marks, which indicated murder, he said.

During the investigation, the police questioned the victim’s wife who confessed that she had plotted to kill him and hired another villager to commit the crime for Rs30,000, the official said.

PERILS OF DRUGS

resi-

KEM

We

authorities

“The

Underwater supply tank to meet water demand

Pune: To augment the water supply in South Mumbai, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) is set to create an underwater water supply tank in Malabar Hill.

For this, the civic body will reconstruct an existing 135-yearold underground water reservoir and enhance its capacity. Built in 1887, it is the city’s first water-holding tank.

Currently, this reservoir supplies water to the entire South Mumbai area, covering five municipal wards start-

ing from Malabar Hill and Nepean Sea Road, to Nariman Point and Cuffe Parade in the southernmost tip of the city.

The reservoir is located at a hillock just beneath the surface of Hanging Gardens and the current capacity of this tank is around 150 million litres per day (MLD). The decision of reconstructing this tank was taken up following a structural audit that was carried out in 2019.

The BMC has divided the work into five different phases and the first phase of the construction works will start in early 2023.

HAPPY NEW YEAR

For the first time since COVID-19 broke out, police have allowed terrace parties till 12.30 am while indoor parties can go on till 5 am

First India Bureau

Mumbai: After two years of hiatus, Mumbaikars can finally usher in the new year with the usual celebrations, sans COVID-19 restrictions. The police has allowed terrace parties till 12.30 am while indoor parties can go till 5 am on New Year’s Eve.

However, police have mentioned that those who wanted to play music at a terrace party would have to take a noobjection certificate from the society as well as permission from the local police station. Bars and pubs are allowed to operate till 5 am while restaurants can run till 1.30 am.

are

The BMC should provide adequate hostel facilities for the resident doctors of all BMC and GMC hospitals,” said the letter.

The resident doctors have pressed for the recruitment of 1,432 senior resident doctors as well as bringing parity in resident doctors’ salaries across the state.

It has also asked the government to fill vacancies of associate and assistant professors to overcome shortage of teaching staff.

LEOPARD CUBS FOUND ON SUGARCANE FARM REUNITED WITH MOTHER IN GONDIA

Gondia: Two leopard cubs found on a sugarcane farm in Bhiwakhidki village were reunited with their mother in Gondia district, a forest official said on Friday. The cubs were found on Thursday morning, and a Rapid Response team that reached the scene, took the cubs to a veterinarian, said Assistant Conservator of Forests (Navegaon), Dada Raut. The cubs were kept in a plastic crate and trap cameras were installed. At around 6.30 pm, a female leopard, presumably their mother, came back and took the cubs away, said the official.

WOMAN KILLED IN MULUND WALL COLLAPSE; 1 HURT

Mumbai: A 40-year-old woman died and her relative suffered minor injuries after a wall of an adjacent structure collapsed on their house in Mulund on, a civic official said. At around 5.30 am, the wall of an unoccupied single-storey house at Hanuman Pada, Mulund Colony, crumbled.

Two persons were reported hurt, he said. The victim, Laxmibai Katade, was taken to a hospital, where she was declared dead.

Her 50-year-old relative Raghunath Katade sustained minor injuries, the official said.

57-YEAR-OLD WOMAN DUPED OF MORE THAN `10 L

Thane: A 57-year-old woman was allegedly cheated of more than Rs10 lakh on pretext of profits in foreign currency trading, police said. According to victim, The accused got in touch with her through WhatsApp, claiming to be a manager of an investment company. On the promise of good returns in international currency trading, she invested Rs10.49 lakh between July and November 2021, the official said. The woman later realized that she had been cheated when the accused failed to respond to her messages.

30-YR-OLD HELD FOR LURING WOMEN INTO FLESH TRADE; 2 SENT TO RESCUE HOME

Thane: The Anti-Human Trafficking Cell of the Thane police has rescued two women, from being drawn into prostitution, said Senior Inspector Mahesh Patil on Friday. A raid was conducted at an outlet in a mall in Thane and a 30-yearold woman was arrested for allegedly trying to lure other women into the flesh trade, by offering them ‘good’ money. he said. Two women, aged about 25 years, were rescued by cops and have been sent to a rescue home. A case has been registered against the accused.

FIRE BREAKS OUT AT COACHING INST, NONE INJURED

Nagpur: A fire broke out in a private coaching institute located in a ground-plus four-storey building on Umred road in south Nagpur. No person sustained injury or loss of life was reported in the fire, said fire officials from Nagpur Municipal Corporation’s Fire and Emergency Services Department. “At around 9.30 am, a fire started in the electric meter in the basement of the Pyramid IIT-Medical Foundation Classes,” said an official.

MOUNT MARY CHURCH RECEIVES TERROR THREAT

Mumbai: The Mount Mary church in Bandra on Wednesday received a threatening email allegedly warning of an attack by the terrorist organization Lashkar-e-Taiba. A complaint has been filed with the Bandra police station in this regard. The email was sent in the evening at around 7.28 pm. According to sources, the complainant has also informed the police that another email was received at around 7.29.

AFTER TWO YRS, MUMBAIKARS CAN NOW PARTY ALL NIGHT!

driving under the influence of alcohol will have to pay the fine as per the norms.

Mumbai

The police will also go for single-use tubes on breathalysers to detect drunk drivers dur-

ing New Year celebrations, ensuring that the exercise does not spread COVID-19. Those found

Deputy Commissioner of Police (Traffic) Vijay Magar on Friday said, “For the last two years, the analyser was not used to prevent the spread of COVID-19. This year, the breath analyser machine will have use-and-throw pipes. One pipe will be used for one driver during the test, it won’t be reused. The decision has been taken to restrict the spread of the infection.”

According

will be deployed. Nirbhaya teams, comprising women police constables and officers in plain clothes, will ensure the safety of female passengers, it said.

According to senior police officer, strict vigilance will be main-

tained on the New Year’s Eve parties taking place in terraces

and other places in societies to avoid any unwanted Incidents.

services.

In a letter to the authorities, the BMC

MARD has sought the implementation of a Government Resolu -

tion on dearness allowance at BMC hospitals along with clear-

ance of arrears of dearness allowance from July 01, 2018.

payment of eight months of COVID arrears of resident doc-

Hospital

of

dent doctors of

and

hospitals

pending.

A strike may cripple OPD services at BMC hospitals in Mumbai as thousands of doctors are attached to them.

—FILE PHOTO

The doctors demand pending arrears, equal pay and appointments to vacant positions

Demands put forth by the Maharashtra Association of Resident Doctors include implementation of a Government Resolution on dearness allowance at BMC hospitals along with clearance of arrears of dearness allowance from July 01, 2018. They also asked for adequate hostel facilities, equal pay for all resident doctors across the state, and resolution of teaching staff shortage in government hospitals.

have requested

to kindly look into matter and take necessary actions for the same on immediate basis. If these long pending, genuine demands are not addressed, BMC MARD will have to take the harsh decision of withdrawal of non-emergency and OPD services from the morning of January 02. —MARD

First India Bureau

First India Bureau

Cops launch ‘All Out Op’; arrest 29 wanted criminals of city

Woman kills hubby, makes it appear like suicide in Akola

People gather at Juhu beach to see the fireworks on the occasion of New Year-2020, in Mumbai. —FILE PHOTO

6K GRP PERSONNEL TO MAN MUMBAI RAIL NETWORK ON NY

(PTI): More than 6,000 personnel of the Government Railway Police (GRP) have been deployed on Mumbai’s suburban railway network to prevent untoward incidents and ensure people’s safety on New Year's Eve, an official said on Friday.

to a release issued by the GRP, two deputy police commissioners, four assistant police commissioners, 114 police officers, Home Guards and Maharashtra Security Force personnel

In a unique campaign against drug abuse, activists of city-based organization Nashabandi Mandal dressed up as cartoon characters to create awareness on the habitual use of drugs. They also displayed placards on drug abuse outside Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT) station in Mumbai on Friday.

—PHOTOS BY BHUSHAN KOYANDE

Screen grab of a clip in which police is seen chasing the accused.

Leaders condole death of Hiraba Modi

CUTTING ACROSS PARTY LINES, LEADERS RECALL HER SIMPLICITY, HIGH VALUES

First India Bureau

New Delhi: Leaders

cutting across the political spectrum on Friday condoled the death of PM Narendra Modi’s mother Hiraben, recalling her simple and compassionate life that was an inspiration for all.

Hiraben, Hiraba to many, passed away at an Ahmedabad hospital on Friday at the age of 100.

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and party leader Rahul Gandhi, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee were among the host of leaders from the ruling party and others who mourned the death.

BJP National President JP Nadda said her life will always serve as an inspiration. Her affection and commitment to truth gave the country a glorious leadership, he said.

Veteran BJP leader LK Advani recalled that the prime minister often spoke about the special bond that he shared with his mother, about her simplicity and her caring persona, and said, these will always be remembered and missed by all.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said a mother’s demise creates a void that is impossible to fill.

“I am deeply pained by the passing away of Hira Ba, mother of

Prime Minister Shri @ narendramodi. The death of a mother leaves such a void in one’s life that is impossible to fill. I express my condolences to the Prime Minister and his entire family in this hour of grief,” Singh said in a tweet.

Paying tributes, Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari said it was the values which Hiraben imparted to her family through a difficult life

full of struggles that has given the country a leader like Modi.

Information and Broadcasting Minister Anurag Thakur said, “Losing a mother is one of the deepest sorrows. But her goodness, care, wisdom, and love will always be with you.”

Congress chief Kharge and former party chief Rahul Gandhi said they were deeply saddened to hear about the demise of the PM’s mother.

“... In this difficult

time, I express my deepest condolences and affection to him and his family members,” Gandhi said in a tweet in Hindi.

“Deeply saddened to hear about the demise of Smt. Heeraben Modi. My heartfelt condolences to Sri @narendramodi ji on the loss of his beloved mother. Our thoughts and prayers are with the entire family in this hour of grief,” Kharge said on Twitter.

Congress general

PM Modi virtually chairs National Ganga Council meeting in Kolkata

Gandhinagar (ANI):

PM Narendra Modi on Friday chaired the second meeting of National Ganga Council (NGC) meeting in Kolkata via video conferencing.

The meeting was attended by Union Jal Shakti Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, and other Union Ministers who are members of the council besides the Chief Ministers of Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand and West Bengal. Instead of Bihar CM Nitish Kumar, Deputy CM Tejashwi Yadav attended it.

The PM attended the meeting virtually after he performed the last rites of his mother Hiraben who passed away early this morning. PM Modi also inaugurated multiple projects of the Indian Railways.

The National Ganga Council has been given the overall responsibility for the superintendence of pollution prevention and rejuvenation of River Ganga and its tributaries. Namami

HOWRAH-NJP VANDE BHARAT: ALL TICKETS SOLD OFF IN HOURS

Kolkata: With sparkling red reclining seats offering an 180-degree rotation, the Executive Class tickets of the Howrah-New Jalpaiguri Vande Bharat Express, which was virtually flagged off by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday, were sold out within hours after the bookings opened.

Gange Programme is an Integrated Conservation Mission, approved as a ‘Flagship Programme’

BENGAL WELCOMES FIRST VANDE BHARAT EXPRESS WITH A ‘BIG SMILE’

Kolkata: People in West Bengal welcomed their first Vande Bharat express on Friday as PM Narendra Modi flagged off the semi-high-speed train that will run between Howrah and New Jalpaiguri. The nation’s seventh Vande Bharat express train between Howrah-New Jalpaiguri (NJP) has been flagged off through video conferencing by the Prime Minister minutes after the last rite of his mother Hiraben Modi. Modi took part in the flag-off from Gujarat as the train left Howrah station in Bengal. The train will cover a distance of around 550km and will take a little more than seven and a half hours to reach its destination, with only three stoppages from Howrah to NJP.

by Central Govt in June 2014 with a budget of Rs 20,000 crore to accomplish the twin objectives

‘Govt to start innovative schemes for redressal of public grievances’

Shimla (ANI): Himchal Pradesh CM Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Friday directed the officials of the Information Technology (IT) to strengthen the functioning of the helpline to facilitate the people in the redressal of grievances, a press release from chief ministers office said.

He also stressed starting innovative schemes such as Whatsapp Chatbots and Voice Bots for taking automated feedback from the citizens, read the press release. Later, the CM also vis-

ited the CM’s Helpline office and envisaged keen interest in its functioning.

CM Sukhu visited the multi-storeyed parking near Tutikandi where he directed the officers to ensure the timebound shifting of major

offices which were presently functioning from private buildings.

“Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu said that all the dead walls must be removed and replaced with spacious windows to ensure proper ventilation of the complex,”it added.

“He said that charging stations for HRTC buses will be established on the top floor of the parking lot. He also directed the concerned authorities to ensure that no private buses were allowed to be parked in the above-mentioned parking lot,” reads the press release.

of effective abatement of pollution, conservation and rejuvenation of the river Ganga.

WB CM should prioritise people's welfare over her ego: Amit Malviya

New Delhi: BJP leader Amit Malviya on Friday said West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee should start prioritising people’s welfare over her “fragile ego”.

“On the day, PM Modi, despite a personal tragedy, flagged off the Vande Bharat and launched projects worth 7,800 crore in WB, Mamata Banerjee chose not to share the stage with 4 central ministers and LoP. It is time WB CM starts prioritising people’s welfare over her fragile ego...” Malviya tweeted as Banerjee refused to go to the stage and sat beside the other govt officials during an event where PM Modi virtually flagged off the nation’s seventh Vande Bharat Express.

secretary Priyanka Gandhi and former Finance Minister P Chidambaram said the passing away of a mother is an irreparable loss.

Tamil Nadu CM MK Stalin also sent in his condolences. “Dear Prime Minister @NarendraModi, We all know the emotional bond you had with your beloved mother Hiraba. The grief of losing one’s mother is too hard to bear for anyone. I am deeply saddened and no words can describe how sorry I am for your loss.”

Other chief ministers, including Punjab’s Bhagwant Mann, Gujarat’s Bhupendra Patel, Maharashtra’s Eknath Shinde, Karnataka’s Basavaraj Bommai, Assam’s Himanta Biswa Sarma, Goa’s Pramod Sawant and Uttar Pradesh’s Yogi Adityanath, also sent their condolences at the irreparable loss.

“YOUR MOTHER MEANS OUR MOTHER”: MAMATA BANERJEE TO

Kolkata: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Friday expressed her condolence to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and said that “your mother means our mother”. Speaking at the inauguration of various Railway projects in West Bengal, which PM Modi was attending virtually, Banerjee said, “Respected PM, today is a sad day for you personally and it’s a great loss of your personal life. I pray to God, may God give you strength and bless you so that you can love your mother with your action and activities. I convey my gratitude to you because you were supposed to come to West Bengal but because of the sad demise of your mother you couldn’t come but have joined us virtually.” The Chief Minister also requested PM Modi to cut short the programme and to take rest as he had just come from the cremation of his mother.

BIHAR CM NITISH KUMAR CONDOLES DEATH OF PM MODI’S MOTHER

BJY: Delhi Police upgrade security around RaGa

New Delhi (ANI): The Delhi Police on Friday held a meeting at the Congress office in the national capital on Friday and assured to upgrade the strength of MP Rahul Gandhi’s security during the Bharat Jodo Yatra.

The meeting with the police officials was attended by Congress Delhi chief Anil Chaudhary and other representatives of Rahul. As per the Congress, now a special squad of Delhi Police will run around Rahul during the Yatra as a strong cordon will be made around him and no unauthorized person would be able to enter.

The police’s action came after Congress wrote a letter to Home Minister Amit Shah about the ‘poor security arrangements’ during the Bharat Jodo Yatra. It also lodged a complaint against the personnel of the Haryana Police in Sohna.

After the complaint of Congress, Delhi Po-

lice said that now a strong rope security cordon will be made around Rahul Gandhi and his security will be further tightened.

Referring to the huge crowd gathered near Rahul Gandhi during the Bharat Jodo Yatra on December 24, the party recently released a video accusing the Delhi Police of their shortcomings in the security arrangements.

The party’s organization general secretary KC Venugopal had also written a letter to Home Minister Amit Shah demanding adequate security arrangements.

SHAH’S SOUTHERN SOJOURN

Ghulam Nabi Azad-Congress reconciliation on cards!

New Delhi (ANI): Former Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad is likely to return to the party as the talks have been initiated between the two, sources said on Friday.

Azad quit the Congress on August 26 and announced his new political outfit ‘Democratic Azad Party’ in October. According to the sources, during the Gujarat and Himachal assembly elections, Azad claimed that only Congress can compete with the BJP. Meanwhile, Azad had said that he is not against the policy of Congress but had issues with its weak system.

After Azad’s statement, Bharat Jodo Yatra’s convenor, Digvijaya Singh openly invited Azad to be a part of the yatra, following which former G23 leaders contacted Azad and advocated his return to Congress besides him joining the Yatra.

Cong and JD(S) are both corrupt, says Shah

Mandya (PTI): Hitting the ground running in poll-bound Karnataka, Union Home Minister Amit Shah called both the Congress and JD(S) as ‘parivaarvadi’ (dynastic politics) and corrupt and urged the people of Mandya and Old Mysuru region to support the BJP and bring it to power with a majority in the state.

The BJP is considered to be weak in the Vokkaliga-dominated Old Mysuru region, and is focusing on this belt to gain complete major-

ity in 2023 state Assembly elections.

“Enough of JD(S)Congress, CongressJD(S) this time Man-

dya, the Mysuru region should make BJP win with full majority. Congress and JD(S) are both parivaarvadi (dy-

nastic politics) parties, they are corrupt parties,” Shah said while addressing the gathering on this occasion.

There are 15,210 village level cooperative dairies in Karnataka, in which about 26.22 lakh farmers deliver their milk daily and through 16 district level dairies.

PM Narendra Modi touches feet of his mother before her cremation; (R) People pay tributes to Hiraba in Gurugram on Friday.

PM MODI

Patna: Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Friday expressed his condolences over the demise of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s mother and said that it is an ‘unfortunate thing’. “It’s an unfortunate thing. We sent a condolence message when we came to know about it,” said Nitish Kumar on the demise of Heeraben Modi.

PM Modi chairs the NGC meeting, via video conferencing, on Friday. Union Minister Gajendra Shekhawat, Union Ministers who are members of NGC, CMs of Uttarakhand, UP, Jharkhand and WB also seen.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi

Union HM Amit Shah during a public meeting, in the Mandya, Karnataka on Friday. Union Minister Pralhad Joshi, Karnataka CM Basavaraj Bommai and other dignitaries are also seen. —PHOTO BY ANI

UNION MINISTER SHAH INAUGURATES MEGA DAIRY IN KARNATAKA

Mandya: Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah inaugurated Mega Dairy here on Friday. He said the mega dairy inaugurated on Friday at a cost of Rs 260 crore would process 10 lakh liters of milk per day. He said that when 10 lakh liters of milk is processed, prosperity reaches the homes of lakhs of farmers. Shah said that in Karnataka, the cooperative dairy is working very well.

BRIEFS

Telecom to attract `1.5 lakh crore investments in 2023

Sensex ends 293 points lower on last trading day of 2022

New Delhi: The Adani Group on Friday said it has acquired 27.26% equity stake in NDTV from Prannoy Roy and his wife Radhika Roy -- founders of the news broadcaster.

“RRPR has acquired a 27.26% equity stake in NDTV from Prannoy Roy and Radhika Roy by way of inter-se transfer...,” said a regulatory filing from Adani Enterprises.

On Dec 23, Prannoy Roy and Radhika Roy had announced to sell 27.26% out of their remaining 32.26% shareholding in the NDTV to Adani. —PTI

SKIPPER LIMITED

New Delhi (PTI): From connecting people with 5G services to lowering the cost of operations, the country’s revitalised telecom sector is witnessing the bloom of reforms, and is set to attract more than `1.5 lakh crore investments to build up networks in the new year.

Once the poster boy of India’s growth story, then a debt-laden segment that saw many players withering away and now riding the wave of reforms as well as big-ticket investments, the telecom sector turned a new chapter in 2022.

While the Adani group is yet to unveil its full-fledged plan for the telecom business, Reliance Industries Chairman Mukesh Ambani has committed ` 2 lakh crore investment for rolling out a 5G network across the country by December 2023.

New Delhi: Power company Skipper Limited on Friday said it has secured new orders worth `2,570 crore from BSNL. The contract is for the supply and erection of groundbased telecom towers, infrastructure as a service provider for supply, installation of infrastructure items and subsequent O&M. The projects are to be executed under capex and opex model in Rajasthan and Odisha for 5 years, extendable to 5 more years in the uncovered villages. —PTI

CRISIL REVISES INOX WIND’S OUTLOOK TO POSITIVE

“It has been an exciting year because of the launch of 5G, a much-awaited technology for 4-5 years. This is a big step forward. We look forward to a robust rollout of 5G next year because this year is just the beginning.

“We are all working on use cases. We are telling state governments, ministries, startups and innova-

OTHER STORIES

tors to come out with innovative use cases in the Indian context, which will unlock businesses and will also solve some public problems, some challenges,” Telecom Secretary K Rajaraman said.

He also said the government will continue to take measures that will lower the cost of operations for

COAL SECTOR CONSTRUCTS 8 ECO PARKS TO PROMOTE MINE TOURISM, 2 MORE BY MARCH 2023

New Delhi: In a bid to give a fillip to mine tourism, eight eco-parks have been constructed recently in different parts of the country and two more will be completed in the ongoing financial year, the government said on Friday. The said eco-parks are being developed on reclaimed land. In line with the sustainable development and greening initiatives coal/lignite PSUs have planted around 47 lakh saplings on 2300 Ha land from January to November this year.

PTI

New Delhi: Inox Wind on Friday said that CRISIL has upgraded its ratings on the long-term and short-term bank facilities and has revised its outlook from stable to positive. CRISIL has upgraded its ratings from Crisil BBB to Crisil BBB+ (long-term rating), Crisil A3+ to Crisil A2 and outlook has been revised from stable to positive in relation to ratings of its banking facilities, Inox Wind Ltd said in a statement. The rationale for upgrading Inox Wind’s outlook reflects CRISIL’s expectation of an improvement in business risk profile to be driven by higher revenue. —PTI

ADB

GOVT HIKES INTEREST RATES ON NSC,

POST OFFICE DEPOSITS

New Delhi: The government on Friday hiked the interest rates on small deposits — including post office term deposits, NSC and senior citizen savings scheme -- by up to 1.1 percentage points from January 1, in line with firming interest rates in the economy. However, the interest rates on PPF and the girl child savings scheme Sukanya Samriddhi has not been changed. NSC will yield a 7% interest rate compared to 6.8% at present.

Similarly, the senior citizen savings scheme will give 8% interest against 7.6%. —PTI

GRANTS $100

MILLION TO SHRIRAM FINANCE

New Delhi: Multilateral funding agency Asian Development Bank (ADB) has sanctioned $100 million (about `830 crore) to Shriram Finance Limited (SFL) to provide vehicle loans to women entrepreneurs. The $100 million External Commercial Borrowing is a five-year loan and is under SFL’s Social Finance framework to provide credit towards the purchase of new and used vehicles throughout India, Shriram Finance said in a statement. —PTI

COMMERCE MINISTRY SEEKS CUT IN GOLD IMPORT DUTY

New Delhi: The commerce ministry has sought a reduction in the import duty on gold in the forthcoming budget with a view to push exports and manufacturing of the gems and jewellery sector, sources said. In July this year, the centre hiked gold import duty to 15% from 10.75% to check the current account deficit (CAD) and rising import of the yellow metal. The basic customs duty on gold is 12.5%. Along with the agriculture infrastructure development cess of 2.5%, the effective gold customs duty will be 15%. —PTI

telecom operators, a move that will result in higher margins for the sector, which had been reeling under a debt burden for more than a decade.

Reliance Jio has committed `87,946.93 crore for the spectrum that it has to pay over a period of 20 years, leaving a balance of ` 1.12 lakh crore.

April-November

fiscal

gap widens to 59 per cent

New Delhi (PTI): The government’s fiscal deficit in end-November touched 59% of the full year Budget Estimate on increased capital expenditure and slow growth in non-tax revenue, according to Finance Ministry data released on Friday.

In actual terms, the fiscal deficit, which is the difference between expenditure and revenue, was `9.78 lakh crore during the April-November period of 2022-23.

In the corresponding period last year, the deficit was 46.2% of the Budget Estimates of 2021-22.

The government has budgeted fiscal deficit to be `16.61 lakh crore or 6.4% of the Gross Domestic Product in the current year ending March 2023. The deficit is funded by market borrowings.

Mumbai (PTI): Benchmark BSE Sensex and NSE Nifty pared all intra-day gains to end the last trading day of the year on a bearish note due to fag-end selling amid early losses in the European markets.

The 30-share BSE Sensex fell 293.14 points or 0.48% to settle at 60,840.74 on Friday. During the day, it had risen by 258.8 points or 0.42% to a high of 61,392.68.

The broader NSE Nifty declined 85.70 points or 0.47% to end at 18,105.30.

The BSE barometer closed 2022 with a 4.44% gain or 2,586.92 points while the Nifty ended the year higher by 4.32% or 751.25 points.

Sensex touched its alltime high of 63,583.07 points on December 1 after hitting its 52-week low of 50,921.22 points on June 17.

Sensex jumped 10,502.49

points or 21.99% last year.

From the Sensex pack, ICICI Bank, Bharti Airtel, HDFC, ITC, Nestle, Larsen & Toubro, Asian Paints, Mahindra & Mahindra, Power Grid and IndusInd Bank were the major laggards on Friday.

In contrast, Bajaj Finserv, Titan, Bajaj Finance, Tata Steel, Tata Motors, Wipro, Kotak Mahindra Bank, Tech Mahindra, Reliance Industries and State Bank of India were the major winners.

` GAINS 14 PAISE TO CLOSE AT 82.73/$; ENDS 2022 WITH 11% FALL

Mumbai (PTI): The rupee gained 14 paise to close at 82.73 (provisional) against the US dollar in the last trading session of 2022, as the American currency retreated from its elevated levels and a rising appetite for riskier assets among investors. The local currency, however, ended the year on a negative note, with a loss of 844 paise or 11.36%, primarily led by a strong dollar against its major crosses overseas. At the interbank foreign exchange market, the local unit opened at 82.77 and touched an intra-day high of 82.70 and a low of 82.82 against the greenback. It finally settled at 82.73, registering a rise of 14 paise over its previous close of 82.87. On December 31, 2021, the rupee settled at 74.29 against the US dollar.

Wheat acreage up 3.59 per cent till December 30; crop prospects bright

New Delhi (PTI): As the sowing of rabi crops almost comes to a close, the total area under wheat has gone up by 3.59% to 325.10 lakh hectare (ha) from over the year-ago period, according to the agriculture ministry data released on Friday.

Sowing of wheat, the main rabi (winter) crop, had begun from October onwards. Maize, jowar, gram and mustard are other major rabi crops. Harvesting of these crops will begin in March/April next year.

According to the latest data, farmers have sown wheat in more area in 325.10 lakh ha till December 30 of the current rabi season of the 2022-23 crop year (July-June) against 313.81 lakh ha during the same period last year.

The higher area was reported in Uttar Pradesh (3.59 lakh ha), Rajasthan

WHEAT EXPORTS RISE 30% IN APR-NOV

New Delhi (PTI): Wheat exports rose 29.29% to $1.50 billion during April-November this fiscal from $1.17 billion in the same period the previous year, the commerce ministry said on Friday. Though the government banned wheat exports in May, some shipments are allowed to meet the food security needs of the countries that request it. The ministry said that Basmati rice exports too increased by 39.26% to $2.87 billion during April-November 2022, while that of non-basmati rice registered a growth of 5% to $4.2 billion in the same period.

(2.52 lakh ha), Maharashtra (1.89 lakh ha), Gujarat (1.10 lakh ha), Bihar (0.87 lakh ha), MP (0.85 lakh ha), Chhattisgarh (0.66 lakh

Equity investors turn richer by `16.36 lakh crore in 2022

ha), West Bengal (0.21 lakh ha), Jammu & Kashmir (0.08 lakh ha), Assam (0.02 lakh ha) and Jharkhand (0.03 lakh ha), it added.

GOLD PRICES MAY TOUCH `60K/10 GM LEVEL IN 2023

New Delhi (FIB): A yellow glow is likely to stand out amid grey geopolitical clouds in 2023, with gold price projected to touch `60,000 per 10 grams in the Indian market as more investors veer towards safehaven assets.

In a year where volatility was more a norm than an exception, gold prices in the international market oscillated from a peak of $2,070 per ounce in March to a low of $1,616 per ounce in November and is steadily recovering since then, according to market experts.

At the beginning of 2022, gold prices were around $1,800 an ounce.

Currently, the yellow

metal price is hovering around $1,803 an ounce on international markets and ` 54,790 per 10 grams on

GOLD RISES `205; SILVER DIPS BY `30

New Delhi (PTI): Gold prices rose by `205 to `55,210 per 10 grams in the national capital on Friday amid positive global trends, according to HDFC Securities. The precious metal had touched `55,005 per 10 grams in the previous trade. Silver, however, declined by `30 to `69,698 per kg. In the overseas market, gold was trading in green at $1,817.4 per ounce while silver was marginally down at $23.83 per ounce.

commodity stock exchange MCX at a time when the rupee is at near 83-level against the US dollar.

Going forward, a raft of factors, including geopolitical situation, recession concerns, inflation trends and low appetite for crypto assets, are expected to boost gold prices since the yellow metal is always considered as a safe haven in uncertain times.

“Gold in the international market is expected to trade in a range of $1,6702,000 with a positive bias in 2023. On the MCX gold may trade in a range of `48,50060,000,” Kotak Securities Vice President and Head Commodity Research Ravindra V Rao said.

New Delhi (PTI): Dalal Street investors became richer by more than `16.36 lakh crore this year as the equity market scaled new highs despite persistent geopolitical uncertainties and inflation worries.

Analysts attributed better macroeconomic fundamentals, the confidence of retail investors and foreign investors investing again in the domestic equities towards the latter half of 2022 as the key factors that led to the outperformance of the Indian market in comparison to many other stock markets worldwide.

The market capitalisation of BSE-listed firms has zoomed ` 16,36,254.63 crore to ` 2,82,36,466.18 crore till Dec 29 this year.

On December 5, the market capitalisation (m-cap) of BSE-listed firms reached an all-time high of ` 290.46 lakh crore.

In 2022, five months saw Sensex making overall monthly gains while it was a fall in the remaining seven months.

July turned out to be the most rewarding month for equity investors as the BSE benchmark jumped 4,662.32 points in that month.

In 2021, equity investors reaped handsome rewards as their wealth grew nearly `78 lakh crore while Sensex gained 10,502.49 points or 21.99 per cent.

New Delhi (PTI): Production of eight infrastructure sectors increased by 5.4% in November against a 3.2% growth in the same month last year on a better show by coal, fertiliser, steel, cement and electricity segments, according to the official data released on Friday. Crude oil, natural gas and refinery products, however, recorded negative growth in November this year. The production growth of eight key sectors slowed down to 0.9% in October.

The growth rate of eight infrastructure sectors -- coal, crude oil, natural gas, refinery products, fertilisers, steel, cement and electricity -- stood at 8% in April-November this fiscal as against 13.9% during the same period last fiscal.

CORE SECTOR OUTPUT UP 5.4% IN NOV

TOP HIGHLIGHTS 10

In a historic moment, India formally assumed the G20 Presidency, from Indonesia, December 1. On the occasion, PM Modi said that India looks forward to a Presidency of healing, harmony and hope. The 43 Heads of Delegations - the largest ever in G20will be participating in the final New Delhi Summit in September 2023.

MODI’S BJP RETAINS THE POWER IN GUJ

The BJP won a whopping 156 seats of the 182 seats in the Assembly elections of which the counting of votes was done on December 8. Modi’s electoral visits across the state brought a “pro-BJP storm” in Gujarat.

CONGRESS’S BHARAT JODO YATRA BEGINS

Bharat Jodo Yatra, mass movement started on Sept 7 by Congress. Rahul Gandhi is walking by foot from Kanyakumarito the union territory of Jammu and Kashmir, spanning 3,570 kilometres over 150 days.

MURMU: FIRST TRIBAL WOMAN PRESIDENT

MORBI BRIDGE COLLAPSE IN GUJARAT

Over 141 people declared dead after a century-old cable bridge collapsed into Machchhu river in Guj’s Morbi on Oct 30. Reports alleged that the bridge was opened without a fitness certificate. 9 were arrested in connection with collapse including 2

Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched 5G services at the India Mobile Congress in New Delhi on October 1. The Prime Minister also witnessed demonstrations of the unique use cases of 5G at the event. The event, along with PM Modi and Telecom Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, was attended by Mukesh Ambani, Sunil Bharti Mittal, and Kumar Mangalam Birla.

Showcasing India’s growing prowess of

Samajwadi Party founder Mulayam Singh Yadav passed away on October

Arvind Kejriwal’s Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) became India’s ninth national party.

schools.

Droupadi Murmu became the first tribal woman President of the country on July 25. Coming from the tribal community, Murmu had earlier been the Governor of Jharkhand and a Minister in the Odisha Government.

The Sri Lankan economic crisis started mostly as a fallout of the COVID-19 pandemic. Since about mid-2021, economic conditions started growing difficult for everyday Sri Lankans. Fuel and cooking gas became increasingly expensive and difficult to get as inflation soared. The government clamped import bans.

Leaders of the Islamic Republic of Iran saw in 2022 perhaps the most vociferous challenge to their rule since coming to power in 1979. The protests started in September, when Mahsa Amini, a 22-year-old, was arrested for not properly covering her hair and died in police custody. Hundreds gathered to condemn her death and Iran’s mistreatment of women. Protests quickly spread across the country as Iranians of all social, economic, and ethnic backgrounds joined together.

US President Joe Biden administration’s National Security Strategy released in October pointed to Beijing’s militarization of the South China Sea, its support for Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, its efforts to intimidate

The world population touched 8 billion on November 15, with India being the largest contributor to the milestone, according to the United Nations (UN). India added 177 million to the final score.

The UK had a most dramatic 2022, what with losing its beloved Queen and having three Prime Ministers in one year. The drama started with former Prime Minister Boris Johnson resigning on July 7 after facing a string of scandals. Liz Truss was named the new Conservative leader after a fierce leadership battle in which Indian-origin MP Rishi Sunak came in second.

Queen Elizabeth II, the longestserving British monarch, died on September 8 at Balmoral Castle in Scotland on September 8. Elizabeth II, who became Queen on the death of her father King George VI on February 6 1952, reigned for 70 years, seven years more than Queen Victoria did.

Pandemics eventually end. Three years after COVID burst onto the scene, the world appears to have turned the corner on the first global pandemic in a century. In September, the head of the World Health Organization declared that the end of the pandemic is “in sight.” However, in December end, a new sub-variant BF.7, which is driving the huge Covid surge in China, came to haunt the world.

Since early May 2022, cases of Monkeypox, now renamed to Mpox by the World Health Organisation (WHO), have been reported from 110 countries. As of December 15, WHO recorded 82,828 confirmed cases of the virus.

After a legal battle, billionaire Elon Musk finally bought Twitter for $44 billion in October. The eccentric business tycoon took control of Twitter on October 28 after firing its top executives, CEO Parag Agarwal, CFO Ned Segal, and head of legal policy, trust and safety, Vijaya Gadde.

Musk initiated the acquisition of Twitter, Inc. on April 14, 2022, and concluded it in October.

Argentina beat France 4-2 on penalties to win the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 at the Lusail Stadium, with captain Lionel Messi scoring twice in his last World Cup match.

Insecure over Ukraine’s growing closeness to NATO members, Russia on February 24 launched what it called a “special military operation” to force the “demilitarization and denazification of Ukraine.”

CONG LEADER CRITICIZES MAHA’S LOKAYUKTA BILL

THE ORIGIN

First India Bureau

Mumbai: Congress leader Sachin Sawant on Friday criticized the Lokayukta Bill passed by the state legislature after it was approved without any debate in either of the Houses.

A bill to amend the Lokayukta Act on the lines of Central government’s Lokpal Act to curb corruption was passed in the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly earlier this week.

Taking to his Twitter handle, Sawant tweeted, “The UPA government brought the Lokpal Act in 2013 as an effective weapon against corruption. But the Modi gov-

ernment, which came to power (in 2014) with the promise of making the country corruptionfree, removed the effect of the Lokpal Act by passing the Amendment Bill in 2016. The bill was neither put up for public vote nor was it discussed and approved in Parliament. The result of this is that

even after the appointment of the Lokpal in 2019, not a single officer has been allowed to prosecute, which is a complete failure of Modi’s Lokpal Act. The state government has brought the Lokayukta Bill along the lines of this Lokpal Act.”

He also stated, “Apart from this, the bill (ap-

Meeting regarding tribal community to be held with CM Shinde in Jan: Gavit

Minister of Tribal Development also assured that funds will be made available to solve problems of tribals residing in Mum’s Aarey Colony

First India Bureau

Mumbai: Minister of Tribal Development Department Vijaykumar Gavit on Friday assured that funds will be made available to solve the problems of tribals residing in Aarey Colony and other issues. He also told the state Assembly that a meeting will be held in January with Chief Minister Eknath Shinde.

Aarey in Goregaon (East), which falls in the Jogeshwari (East) Assembly Constituency, has 27 tribal padas and non-tribal settlements.

There are 45km of internal roads leading to

tribal padas and nontribal settlements.

Shiv Sena - Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray MLA Ravindra Waikar brought to the minister’s notice increase in number of vehicular accidents due to poor road conditions. Residents are constantly protesting on this issue, said Waikar.

“As the Dairy Development Department does not have enough funds for the repair of these roads, it is not possible for the Aarey administration to repair the roads,” said Waikar.

He further added, that the Aarey administration has sent a proposal of Rs70 crore for asphalting and cement concreting of about 173 units to the state finance department, but no decision has been taken on this issue yet.

Gavit, in his response, announced that the allocation of funds will be made to solve the problems faced by tribals in Aarey and also other issues related to Aarey. He pointed out that a decision will be taken at the meeting with the chief minister in January.

After the creation of the Lokpal Act by the Central Government, it was expected that the state governments prepare drafts of the Lokayukta Act on the same lines within a year. However, there was no such law in the state till now. According to Deputy CM Fadnavis, the new Lokayukta Act has been drafted by accepting all changes suggested by the committee and will be important for transparent governance.

proved by state Assembly) was neither tried for public opinion nor discussed in the legislature, as per the modus operandi of the Modi government. Is it fair to say that there should be no discussion on the law that has such an impact on state management? It is surprising that Anna Hazare, who

said that the Modi government weakened the Lokpal Act, now praises the Lokayukta Act. Did Anna intend that this law should come without discussion?”

The Central Lokpal Act does not have the post of deputy prime minister on the Lokpal Selection Committee, so why has the post of deputy chief minister on the Lokayukta Selection Committee? (in Maharashtra). This bill has been passed without discussion, added Sawant.

Defending the Lokayukta Bill passed by the government, Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, said, “Discussions were held with the opposition regarding this bill, and they also supported it. A better message would have been sent (to the public) if they (opposition members) had been there (in the House) when the bill was passed.”

Ajit Pawar slams Shinde after Thackeray tirade

First India Bureau

Mumbai: The final day of the state legislature’s Winter Session saw Chief Minister Eknath Shinde launching a verbal attack on Shiv Sena – Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray faction chief Uddhav Thackeray.

Objecting to the remarks made by the CM, Leader of Opposition in the Assembly, Ajit Pawar, expressed his displeasure during proceedings.

Speaking after him, Pawar took objection to Shinde devoting most of his speech to attacking Uddhav Thackeray and his son Aaditya Thackeray.

“You are the chief minister of 13 crore people. Let your spokespersons comment outside the House on a person (Aaditya) who is your son’s age. The Assembly is meant to discuss

and deliberate on policies and programs. I request you to leave the past behind,” said the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader.

Criticizing Shinde for his attacks on the Thackerays, Pawar further stated, “The final week in any state Assembly is crucial for motions moved by the opposition. They are answered by the chief minister and his deputy. Maharashtra knows what happened six months ago (collapse of previous MVA gov-

ernment). I have been a member of the House for 32 years. Even before that, I used to listen to other people’s speeches. However, back then the chief minister’s speeches were never political.”

Chief minister (Shinde), come out of it. You have got the majority and have become the CM of this state. Don’t worry too much about such small things. The people of the state will not like this at all, commented Pawar.

Nadda to address rally in Aurangabad on Jan 02

BJP will contest seat in 2024 polls, says Union Minister Karad

Aurangabad (PTI): Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) National President JP Nadda will address a rally in Aurangabad on January 02, as part of the party’s aim to win 45 out of 48 Lok Sabha seats in Maha-

rashtra, in the 2024 general elections, Union Minister Bhagwat Karad said on Friday.

Karad also said Nadda’s tour was aimed at bolstering the party’s prospects in LS seats, including Aurangabad, which were left for allies earlier.

The Aurangabad seat used to be contested by the undivided Shiv Sena when the two parties were in an alliance.

the 12 jy-

MMRCL to launch first phase of Metro-3 corridor by next year

Mumbai (PTI): The Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation Limited (MMRCL) on Friday said it will roll out the first phase of AareyBandra Kurla Complex (BKC) line of the Colaba-Bandra-SEEPZ Metro-3 corridor in 2023.

In a release, the MMRCL said it received all eight coaches of the metro train, manufactured in the Alstom Plant in Sri City of Andhra Pradesh on

Thursday, and these will undergo mandatory tests on a 5-km stretch between the

"We

from Aarey to BKC, this 2023," MMRCL's Managing Director Ashwini Bhide said.

As per the release, the MMRCL had completed tunnelling of the entire 54.5-km Up and Down line on November 30.

"We required 17 tunnel boring machines (TBM) and 1,700 workmen to complete 100 per cent tunnelling for the 33.5km long corridor," SK Gupta, Director (projects) of MMRCL said.

Testing at Maha airports: Four nCoV cases detected since Dec 24

Mumbai: Four persons have tested positive for COVID-19 after samples of 1,926 of the 97,805 passengers who arrived in Mumbai, Pune and Nagpur international airports were examined since December 24, a Maharashtra health department official said on Friday.

This includes an in-

ternational flyer from Pune who was detected with the infection in a test conducted at the airport there during the day, he added.

The four positive cases detected at these airports comprise two from Pune, one from Navi Mumbai, while one patient is from neighbouring Goa. Samples of all four have been sent for genome sequencing to

find out the variant that has caused the COVID-19 infection.

The screening of a

percentage of travellers arriving at the international airports in the state started on De-

24

tionary measure against the surge in cases in countries like

China, South Korea, Brazil and the United States of America.

Meanwhile, Maha -

rashtra on Friday reported 18 COVID-19 cases, which took the tally in the state to 81,36,633, while the death toll stood unchanged at 1,48,417, a health official said.

The addition to the tally was lower than the 27 cases reported on Thursday, which had also seen a death.

Mumbai led with eight cases, followed by six in Pune circle, two in Aurangabad circle and one each in Nashik and Nagpur circles.

otirlingas in the country. He will also go to Parbhani and Osmanabad later,” Karad said.

He said the BJP had not contested the Auranganad Lok Sabha seat despite making preparations in 2017 for the 2019 polls. It was eventually won by All India Majli-eIttehadul Muslimeen’s Imitiaz Jaleel.

“I have faith that this time the seat will be contested by BJP,” he said.

MSRDC may start work on Dharamtar bridge in Jan

Mumbai: After extending the bid submission deadline a few times, Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) is expecting to have a contractor on board in January to construct a bridge on the Dharamtar Creek between Revas and Karanja. The bridge will cut short the travel time between Mumbai and Alibaug with the missing link on the Revas Reddi Coastal Highway being put in place. The project is estimated to cost Rs897.68 crore and the timeline set for its completion is three years. This means that it will be ready by mid-2026.

ramp at Sariput Nagar and Sahar.

will roll the first phase of Metro Line-3

First India Bureau

“Nadda will address a rally here on January 02 and then meet some 200

BJP workers. He will visit the Grushneshwar Temple, one of

Alleges lack of discussion and debate in state legislature; slams it for being similar to Centre’s Lokpal Act

Leader of Opposition in Maha Assembly Ajit Pawar addresses the media on the last day of Winter Session in Nagpur on Friday.

Sachin Sawant

—FILE PHOTO

—PHOTO BY ANI

Vijaykumar Gavit

—FILE PHOTO

BJP National President JP Nadda —FILE PHOTO

Tunelling work was completed in November. —FILE PHOTO

First India Bureau

Quench the thirst for style

The cropped cardigan style is really popular right now because it combines a whimsical edge with the comfort of a cardigan. As we bid adieu to 2022, let’s dive into the chic fashion!

MRIDULA SHARMA cityfirst@firstindia.co.in

As we all know, the first few weeks of the season may leave us in a fashion bind because it’s frequently too warm to break out your bulky winter coat yet too chilly to go bareshouldered. The answer is a cropped cardigan. Even the most warm-weatherready slip dress seems a little more wearable in the winter whether you want them to be fitted or a little sloppy.

The cropped cardigan is very different from the cosy knits of our grandma. The little sweater, which grazes the lowest ribs, is a great choice to layer over a miniskirt or bold jeans.

When you want to keep things brief,

sweet, and sensual, use this one.

This modernised version of a granny classic is short and stylish, making it the ideal cover-up for days when it’s only a little chilly as spring approaches. This standout piece has the ability to look great worn over a dress to keep it classy or paired with a distressed pair of denim jorts for a unique look.

You’ll see this garment in action on Kendall Jenner on

the Jacquemus cat walk and on Bella Hadid outside the show. Looking closer to home, Khushi Ka poor rocks this look effortlessly as she walks across the city wearing a cropped jacket and corduroy leggings. By taking inspiration from her Instagram-worthy outfit, you can wear yours with sneakers, a baguette bag, and high-waisted denim jeans. This piece con tinues to make a statement in every closet, whether you choose a fuzzy one in a vivid pink or subdued tones to keep it cool.

Cropped sweaters are adaptable gar ments that may be dressed up or down with ease.

If you want to show off your midriff, you can dress your at tire differently.

For instance, keeping covered and seeming formal enough for the office can be achieved by layering a blouse under a cropped sweater.

Try pairing your cropped sweater with skinny jeans or a midi skirt for more infor mal settings where you want your stomach to be on display.

TRY OUT A NEW COFFEE SHOP IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD

Making resolutions like “go outside every morning for a walk” can seem too overwhelming. But if you’re going out to try out a new place and grab a quick cup of coffee, this goal suddenly becomes much more attainable. It can be an inexpensive endeavor, no matter how complex your coffee order is, and you’ll feel great supporting a neighborhood spot that needs your help to stay open.

FIND A YOGA YOUTUBER

YOU’VE BEEN PUTTING OFF

Booking that one appointment you’ve had on your to-do list for months is one important step toward living a healthier life. You might even find that seeing your doctor is way less intimidating and stressful than you remember it being.

If you’ve been putting off going to the dentist or any other routine checkup for financial reasons, try reaching the doctor.

UNIQUE THINGS TO DO TO SET THE TONE FOR 2023

e have an embarrassing confession: our New Year’s resolutions for 2023 are nearly identical to the resolutions we made for 2022 (which were remarkably similar to 2021, 2020, and pretty much every year as far as we can remember).

A year ago, we held such

lofty ambitions. We would exercise more, use social media less, rise earlier, read more books, eat healthier, write more, reduce our carbon footprint, learn to meditate….

We started strong. But a few weeks in, as January’s cold morphed into the slushy days of February, our resolve slackened. Twitter reappeared on our

phones and we doomscrolled late into the evening. Our warm beds seemed to grip us tighter when the alarm went off for our morning jogs. We began to hit snooze, once, twice, then three times. And, well, meditation never had a hope. We had largely failed. Will this stop us from doing the same thing this New

Year’s? Absolutely not. But we have learned to approach our New Year’s resolutions in an entirely different way and we think you should too. Instead of thinking of something huge and grand that intimidates you, try thinking of a smaller, more attainable resolution, one that might even put you on

track to complete a larger goal in the future.

For example, if you want to lower your blood pressure in the new year, start by subscribing to a healthy meal cooking service, where you can choose hearthealthy recipes. That way, you have an exciting new dish to look forward to each week with -

out the stress of creating a health-conscious shopping list and sourcing ingredients on your own. Trust us: Once you place that order, you’ll already start to feel accomplished. Here are a few more resolutions you can try out this year that can help you start small and lead to bigger, lifechanging moments.

BUY FROM LOCAL VENDORS

While you think of shopping for your new year party, you can consider local vendors. There are probably dozens of small vendors around you who are working hard to make ends meet. All you need to do is go out and shop for your party needs from them. It can be ethnic clothes or traditional food, a touch of local culture can make your new year 2023 exciting. It’s never a bad idea to support someone and help them enjoy the little luxuries of life with an extra income.

DONATE TO CHILD EDUCATION

Children are the future of the world. Millions of children do not have access to good quality education even today. You can gift someone the most precious thing this new year by donating to an NGO for child

THINK ABOUT THE STRAYS

New Year also brings low temperatures, especially in the northern part of India. Apart from the people, animals also suffer because of this. The stray animals in India suffer because of complete disregard and also cruelty of some people. You can help them by feeding them or providing them warm covering. The animals do not speak but it does not mean they should be left to suffer in silence. You can also support causes that help stray animals or those animals who are injured or rescued.

being engaged in our work life.

MITALI DUSAD mitalidusad01@gmail.com

Janhvi on Mom Sridevi being paired opposite older actors

ASHISH TIWARI cityfirst.mumbai@firstindia.co.in

Actor Janvhi Kapoor reflected on her South Indian roots and said that she can connect more with her mother’s culture than her father’s Punjabi side. Janhvi is the daughter of the late icon Sridevi, and film producer Boney Kapoor.

Superstar Sridevi was one of the most successful actresses in Hindi Cinema and her tragic death in 2018 left a huge void in the industry that cannot be filled. Sridevi is dearly missed by her fans and family members, especially her daughter Janhvi Kapoor.

In a new interview, Janhvi spoke about her mother’s films and

said that even though it was the norm back in the day, it was definitely not okay for Sridevi to be paired opposite grown men when she was 13, and then with their sons just a few years later.

The Dhadak actress said when Sridevi was 21 she was a heroine to the sons. Janhvi called it wrong and also revealed what she would do if she was paired with an older actor. She was quoted saying,” She was 13 when she was a heroine to the fathers, and she was 21 when she was heroine to the sons,” Janhvi said with a laugh. She added, “It’s actually very wrong, but it’s how it was back then.” She didn’t however, rule out being paired with an older male actor herself. She said, “If it happens in life, and if it’s consensual, then art imitates life and life imitates art, so why not. And there are so many talented actors that I would… Even in Hindi, most of

the actors I want to work with aren’t in my age bracket.”

Janhvi Kapoor has often spoken about her

and Anshula Kapoor, and brother Arjun Kapoor as her mentors in life. Describing herself as ‘more Ayyappan than Kapoor’, she said, “I feel an affinity, a comfort and a security in that environment. The minute I meet someone who’s South Indian, who has that accent, I feel automatic, ‘This person I like the most, this person is my best friend’.” Earlier the actress had also mentioned that how her mother, the late actor Sridevi, was “obsessed” with her name.

Rakul Preet shares Holiday Postcard

Rakul Preet Sin gh checked into Phuket, Thailand and she documented pic ture-perfect moments from her vacation on her Instagram profile on Friday. The ac tress shared a bunch of happy pictures of herself from the des tination and she cap tioned it “Smiling to wards 2023... Bring it on.”

Rakul Preet Sin gh flew to Phuket with his boyfriend and film producer Jackky Bhagnani

The ‘Animal’ movie makers with their unique title announce ment earlier, left fans and movie buffs spellbound and wanting more.

The makers of T-Series, Cine1 Studios and Bhadrakali Pictures are now all set to unveil the first look of the film on the New Year’s Eve (Midnight of 31st December 2022).

Starring Ranbir Kapoor along with Anil Kapoor, Rashmika Mandana, Bobby Deol and Tripti Dimri in key roles, the fans have been waiting with bated breath to see/know more about this crime drama. Written and directed by Sandeep Reddy Vanga, this magnum opus is slated for a Worldwide release theatrically on 11th August 2023 in 5 languages and will be showing Ranbir Kapoor in a never seen before Avatar.

bond with her family members. In an interview, she described her dad Boney Kapoor, sisters Khushi Kapoor

Janhvi made her acting debut with the film Dhadak in 2018. It was released just a few months after Sridevi’s death. She has since worked on several high-profile films such as Gunjan Saxena: The Kargil Girl, Roohi, and most recently, the crime comedy Good Luck Jerry and the survival thriller Mili. Next year, she’ll be seen opposite Varun Dhawan in director Nitesh Tiwari’s Bawaal.

The much-anticipated movie, Ved, is making all the noise for all the right reasons, starring actor Riteish Deshmukh and actress Genelia has hit the theatres today. Ved marks the directorial debut of the former and sees Genelia’s debut in the Marathi film industry.

The film received thumbs up from notable film industry professionals after a special

screening. Lagaan director Ashutosh Gowariker shared on his Twitter account, “What a SPARKLING debut as a Director @Riteishd with #Ved - a wholesome entertainer!! What a DREAMILY WONDERFUL performance @geneliad! Both of you are a delight together! Musically brilliant @ AjayAtulOnline My fav #Besuri with an INSANE picturization! GOOD LUCK for tomorrow!!”

Meanwhile, Ravi Jadhav shared a post saying, “Riteish - Genelia and my family’s relationship is beyond friends. Yesterday, I saw the movie ‘Ved’ which he fondly nurtured. Seeing them together on screen is a pleasant experience. Many incidents between these two make you laugh and suddenly bring tears to your eyes. The duet of experienced Ashok Saraf and Vidyadhar Joshi makes us think while laughing.

Urvashi Rautela’s Cryptic Post for Pant

Actor Urvashi Rautela confused social media users with a cryptic post on her Instagram handle shortly after cricketer Rishabh Pant’s accident. The post has been shared with a glamorous photo of the actor that has left her followers scratching their heads. It shows the actor dressed in a lacey white suit with silver embroidery, silver jewellery and a glimmering tiara-like headgear.

Pant had a miraculous escape when his Mercedes car crashed into a road divider and caught fire after he dozed off at the wheel on the Delhi-

Rakul Preet Singh