First India-Delhi 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…”

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

PM 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

Mother’s life story,

Mother

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

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

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

SUU KYI FACES 33-YEAR PRISON AFTER FINAL CLOSED TRIAL

SECURITY NEAR RAHUL GANDHI DURING YATRA UPGRADED

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

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

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.

The

life

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

Co-operative policy for country soon: Amit Shah in Karnataka

Bengaluru (PTI): Union Minister of Cooperation Amit Shah on Friday said the government has initiated the process to come out with a cooperative policy for the country. He said this while addressing the ‘Sahakar Beneficiaries Conference’ here.

“There is also a plan to set up a cooperative university in the country to fulfil the manpower needs. The work of creating a national da-

tabase of all the cooperatives in the entire country is also going on, and a co-operative policy has also been initiated,” Shah said.

He said a committee has been constituted under the Chairmanship of former Union Minister Suresh Prabhu to work regarding the policy.

“Also, we are going to expand the role of NCDC (National Cooperative Development

Corporation) along with NABARD (National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development) so that cooperative societies can get finance in a better way. Elections should be transparent so that a model act has also been prepared and sent to all the States,” he added.

Karnataka CM Basavaraj Bommai and Union Minister Parlhad Joshi were also present at the event.

NURTURING THE NATION

Union Home and Cooperative Minister Amit Shah with Karnataka CM Basavaraj Bommai in Bengaluru on Friday. —PHOTO BY PTI

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

WORLD LEADERS OFFER HEARTFELT CONDOLENCES

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 Heera ba brings to an end the

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 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.

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 Delhi: 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 was attended by Anil Chaudhary & others. P5

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

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.

BJP’s 15 years vs AAP’s 3 weeks’ campaign today

AAP ACCUSES BJP OF RENEGING ON ITS PROMISE TO SLUM DWELLERS

New Delhi (PTI): The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Friday accused the BJP of reneging on its MCD poll promise of in-situ rehabilitation of slum dwellers in the national capital.

New Delhi (PTI): The Aam Aadmi Party will start its 'BJP's 15 years Vs AAP's 3 weeks' campaign on Saturday to showcase the work done by its councillors in the last 20 days, AAP leader Durgesh Pathak said.

He also said the AAP will share a report card on the work done by its councillors in the last 20 days.

On December 7, the AAP won the MCD polls with 134 seats, ending the 15-year rule of the BJP in the municipal corporation and reducing the Congress to just nine seats in a house of 250.

LG, DEPUTY CM CONDOLE DEMISE OF PM MODI’S MOTHER

Though the oath-taking ceremony for new councillors is yet to be held, Pathak said those from the AAP have started working in their wards. "Huge changes" can be seen across the city in just 20 days after the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) results, he claimed.

"It has been just three weeks and our councillors have started working in their respective

wards. We will start a campaign called '15 years Vs 3 weeks' and we will update everyone about the work done by our councillors in the last 20 days," he said on Friday.

He further stated that after the results of MCD were announced, drains have been cleared, parks cleaned and the sanitation workers are being treated with respect by the AAP councillors.

At a press conference, AAP MLA Atishi said just before the MCD polls on December 4, the prime minister had inaugurated 3,024 flats at Kalkaji and handed over the keys to eligible beneficiaries at Bhoomiheen camp.

She said the BJP had told around 40,000 inhabitants of Navjeevan camp and Jawahar camp, located opposite the Bhoomiheen camp, that they too will be given flats at their location.

"It's not been a month and the DDA has pasted notices at the Navjeevan and Jawahar camps, informing the people living there that they will be shifted to Narela and that the JJ clusters will be razed," Atishi said citing the notice.

She said the Arvind Kejriwal government will not let the BJP bulldoze the JJ clusters till the time these people get their houses.

"People must have noticed this on their social media that Delhi looks changed in just 20 days.

LG issues notification to fight off cyber attacks against power infra

New Delhi (PTI): In view of a potential cyber attack threat to the power system in the national capital, LG VK Saxena has approved a notification to declare critical information infrastructure (CII) of power utilities and associated computer resources as 'protected systems.'

The person authorised in writing by the power utilities to access these 'protected systems' will also be notified through the notification.

Saxena, in a tweet, prayed to God to provide strength to the prime minister to bear the loss.

“Deeply saddened by demise of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s mother Hiraba. Wish Moksha to mother along with crores of countrymen in this hour of sorrow. I pray to God to give strength to the prime minister to bear the loss of his mother,” the LG said.

Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia said the news of her death was very saddening.

"This will ensure that critical power infrastructure in the city will be protected from any kind of attack or breach," said a statement from the LG office.

In 2020 2021, cyber security monitoring agencies of the Centre had observed some cyber attack attempts aimed at disrupting the power system operations.

The Ministry of Power had on March 8, 2021, written to the chief secretaries of all states and UTs for precautionary steps.

Cyber attackers are increasingly targeting the power sector, hence

JAIL UP TO 10 YEARS

The notification to be issued now will authorise persons specifically identified by these utilities and be approved by the power department of the Delhi government. Any person who secures access or attempts to secure access to these protected computer systems, in contravention of the provisions of the laid down procedures, will be punished with imprisonment for up to 10 years and also be liable for a fine, it said.

taking preventive measures and mitigating threats to protect the Indian Power System needs the special attention of all power sector holders, the Ministry had then pointed out.

The notification approved by the LG would help put into place certain checks, including information security practices and procedures, and access control.

They will ensure that the computer resources of the power utilities Delhi Transco Ltd (DTL), State Load Dispatch Centre (SLDC), and discoms TPDDL, BRPL, and BYPL will be secured against any incapacitation or destruction, the statement said.

The computer resources of these utilities fall in the category of the 'Critical Information Infrastructure'.

Our councillors have been working hard for the betterment of the city," Pathak said.

Sanitation worker ‘assault’: AAP protest outside BJP MLA’s house

New Delhi (PTI): Aam Aadmi Party leaders on Friday staged a protest at Laxmi Nagar here against local BJP MLA Abhay Verma for allegedly assaulting a sanitation worker.

This comes a day after the AAP-ruled Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) registered a complaint with Delhi Police against "unidentified goons having close association" with Verma for allegedly assaulting the sanitation

The BJP is a party of goons. In this party, the more hooliganism a leader indulges in, the higher the post he gets. The BJP is against Dalits and hence it hasn’t taken any action against Abhay Verma. —Kuldeep Kumar, AAP MLA

worker in east Delhi.

The civic body cited a purported video circulating on social media where a few men are seen thrashing and assaulting the MCD employee. Carrying posters, several party leaders and workers gath-

ered outside Verma's residence and raised slogans against him and the BJP. The protest was led by AAP MLA Kuldeep Kumar, who alleged that Verma thrashed a sanitation worker as he belongs to the Dalit community.

Court acquits man 'roaming around' in lockdown

New Delhi (PTI): A court has acquitted a man, who was allegedly roaming around during the lockdown in May 2021, from the criminal charge of disobeying the order of a public servant, saying the charge was not proved beyond a reasonable doubt. The court observed that the analysis of material and crucial aspects showed "many a shortcoming" in the prosecution's case.

The court was hearing a case against Rajeev, who was accused

of intentionally disobeying the curfew order of the Assistant Commissioner of Police, Shalimar Bagh.

According to the prosecution, the accused was

found "roaming around" near Azadpur Mandi on May 15, 2021, during the spread of COVID-19 pandemic, without any permit for movement or a satisfactory reason.

14 years after FIR, court acquits 2 women of soliciting for prostitution

New Delhi (PTI): Over 14 years after an FIR was registered, a court has acquitted 2 women of the charge of soliciting for prostitution, saying the prosecution's case had "material omissions" and "missing links" in the chain of circumstances.

As per prosecution, a raid was conducted at a locality in New Usmanpur area in Shahdara on the basis of a tip-off about a prostitution

MEMORIES OF A LEGEND

The court was hearing a case against accused Afsana and Seema, who were charged with section 8 (seducing or soliciting for purpose of prostitution) of the Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act

racket on Oct 16, 2008.

"I find that there are material omissions in the prosecution version and missing links in the chain of circumstances sought to be proved by the prosecution. Therefore, I hold that the state

has failed to prove beyond reasonable doubt that the accused Afsana or Seema indulged in seduction or solicitation for purpose of prostitution," Metropolitan Magistrate Rupinder Singh Dhiman said.

When King Pele enjoyed ‘beautiful game’ with school kids in Delhi

lll

Pele was the chief guest at the boys’ U-17 final of Subroto Cup inter-school football tournament at the Ambedkar stadium on Oct 17, 2015

New Delhi: “It’s an honour for me to celebrate the world’s greatest sport with the children of India,” these words from Pele seven years ago will ring forever in the ears of football fans in Delhi.

It was the first time in October 2015, Pele, considered by many as the greatest footballer of all time, set foot on Delhi and he simply won the hearts of foot-

ball fans of the capital city, not by his dazzling

FANS AT LARGE

Delhi was the last time he interacted with Indian football fans and public at large. He was the chief guest at the boys U-17 final of Subroto Cup inter-school football tournament at the Ambedkar stadium on October 17, 2015.

the Subroto Cup final on October 16. He gave away the trophies to the two teams with Chief of Air Staff Arup Raha in tow.

HC seeks DU reply on plea against LLB seats allocation

New Delhi (PTI): The Delhi High Court has sought response of the Delhi University on a plea alleging arbitrariness in the “seat pattern allocation” adopted for admission to its law course this year.

The petitioner claimed that the candidates belonging to the reserved categories, who secured more marks than the candidates figuring in the merit list of the general category, have not been moved to the general category, which is against the “basic idea of reservation” and hinders more reserved category students from taking admission.

skills on the field but as a true ambassador of the ‘beautiful game’. His two-day visit of

Just a few days ahead of his 75th birthday, Pele sent the 20000-capacity Ambedkar stadium into frenzy as he made a round trip of the ground on an open top Indian Air Force jeep ahead of

His reception at the Delhi airport on October 15 was not a grand affair as a little over 100 people turned up just after 8pm. Pele, who was restricted in movement due to three surgeries he had that year, including on his hip, stood up from the car and waved to the crowd with a wide smile. —PTI

The petitioner, who had appeared in the LLB entrance examination, contended that he was “otherwise eligible” for securing admission under reserved OBC category (OBC) but was unable to do so on account of such seat allocation.

Justice Vikas Mahajan recently issued notice to DU on the plea and granted it time to file its response.

n AAP will share a report card on the work done by its councillors in the last 20 days, says party leader

AAP workers celebrate at party headquarters after victory in MCD polls,

in New Delhi.

—PHOTO BY ANI

AAP members stage a protest outside the residence of BJP MLA Abhay Verma on Friday.

Philem Dipak Singh

Art students make a portrait of Brazilian footballer Pele to pay him tribute, in Mumbai on Friday.

—PHOTO BY PTI

LG Vinai Kumar Saxena flags off a bio-mining waste truck at Bhalswa landfill site in New Delhi on Friday. —PHOTO BY ANI

New Delhi (PTI): LG VK Saxena and Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia on Friday condoled the passing away of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s mother.

A deserted Connaught Place during the lockdown. —PHOTO BY ANI

Relatively better air in 2022, but Yamuna gasping for life

The average AQI in month of November stood at 320, second best after 2019 when it was 312

Gaurav Saini

New Delhi: Delhi breathed comparatively less polluted air in 2022 thanks to proactive implementation of antipollution plans and favourable meteorology but the city government's shambolic efforts failed to improve the water quality of the Yamuna.

Bold efforts of conservationists and the forest and wildlife department saw several wildlife species recover, including the striped hyena and leopards, in the urban jungles.

A dip in incidents of stubble burning, few delayed spells of rains, an early Diwali and favourable meteorology prevented the capital from turning into a gas chamber following the festival.

Delhi saw its secondbest air quality (average AQI 210) in October since 2015, when the

Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) started maintaining AQI data. The average AQI in November stood at 320, the second best after 2019 when it was 312.

The PM2.5 level this October-November has been 38 per cent lower compared to OctoberNovember of 2016 which was the worst in the last eight years.

The Yamuna, one of the main sources of raw water in Delhi, struggled to survive the assault of sewage and industrial effluents.

A government report showed that the pollutant load in the Yamuna has increased substantially over the last five years. The Delhi government had promised

to clean the river to bathing standards by 2025.

Dramatic scenes played out on the banks of the Yamuna in October when BJP MP Parvesh Verma threat-

Police upgrade Rahul’s security

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 one-and-a-halfhour meeting with the Delhi Police officials was attended by Congress Delhi State President Anil Chaudhary and other representatives of Rahul Gandhi.

According to the Congress, now a special squad of Delhi Police will run around Rahul Gandhi during the Bharat Jodo Yatra as a strong cordon will be

made around him in which 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, Delhi Police said that now a strong rope security cordon will be made around Rahul Gandhi and his security will be tightened.

ened a DJB official over the use of a chemical to dissipate foam in the river, a result of heavy pollution, ahead of Chhath Puja.

Challenged in the presence of TV camer-

as, the DJB official bathed in the water taken from a stretch of the Yamuna where the utility sprayed the chemical.

The Asola Bhatti Wildlife Sanctuary saw

an increase in animal population. Forest and wildlife department also thwarted attempts to dump civic waste in the Bhatti mines, which are part of the Asola Sanctuary. —PTI

Delhi govt to study impact of jeans dyeing units on environment

New Delhi (PTI):

The Delhi government will study the environmental impact of units engaged in dyeing or washing of garments and metal surface treatment activities such as electroplating and phosphating.

According to officials, effluents from such units operating in non-conforming and residential areas flow directly into the Yamuna, increasing its pollution load.

Their effluents have high concentrations of ammonia and phosphates, one of the primary reasons behind the thick foam on the river.

The Delhi Pollution Control Commit-

tee (DPCC) has called for proposals from academic institutions by February 28.

GRAP stage III: Non-essential construction work banned

New Delhi (PTI): In view of a spike in air pollution, the Centre's air quality panel on Friday directed implementation of curbs under stage III of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) in Delhi-NCR, including a ban on nonessential construction and demolition work.

Delhi's 24-hour average air quality index stood at 399 on Friday, just two notches below

New Delhi (PTI): A 25-year-old labourer was killed and another injured when a portion of a concrete road allegedly caved in while they were fixing a water pipeline in Vijay Vihar area here, police said on Friday.

The deceased has been identified as Harender and the injured as Sonu (22), residents of Aligarh in Uttar Pradesh.

Police said the incident took place on Wednesday evening.

The two labourers were buried under the debris.

Excise dept seizes illicit liquor in drive ahead of New Year

New Delhi (PTI): Delhi's minimum temperature rose to double digits for the first time in 15 days on Friday, but the respite is predicted to end soon.

The Safdarjung observatory recorded a minimum temperature of 10.7 degrees Celsius, four notches above the normal.

Cold wave and cold day conditions are predicted to wallop parts of Delhi on New Year's eve and the winter chill would intensify further in early January, meteorologists said.

New Delhi (PTI): Ahead of New Year celebrations, the Delhi Excise Department has intensified raids to seize illicit liquor, with the latest being the recovery of 1,037 bottles of high-end brands from the Tagore Garden area here.

The seizure was made from a godown on Thursday, officials said. The liquor was sold through Whatsapp and delivered to people after verification to keep the entire operation under cover.

The seized liquor was of brands such as Glenfiddich, Glenlivit, Black Dog, Chivas Regal, Teachers, Jack Daniels, Bacardi, Absolut, Grey Goose, Jacob Greek, Gold Re-

serve and Johnnie Walker Black Label.

The department's excise intelligence bureau had received information that a large number of liquor bottles of prominent brands had been hidden at a godown at the Tagore Garden Extension area.

Based on the information, a team of the bureau led by Assistant Commissioner of Police Rajesh Meena raided the godown in the Rajouri Garden police station area.

NO EXIT FROM RAJIV CHOWK METRO STATION AFTER 9PM TODAY

New Delhi (PTI): Passengers won't be allowed to exit from Rajiv Chowk metro station from 9 pm onwards on the New Year's Eve to manage crowds, officials said.

The Rajiv Chowk metro station is is nestled in the Connaught Place area.

"As advised by the Delhi Police, to ease overcrowding on New Year's Eve (December 31), exit from Rajiv Chowk Metro station will not be allowed from 9 pm onwards. However, entry of passengers will be allowed till the departure of the last train from the Rajiv Chowk Metro station," the DMRC said.

the severe category.

The Sub-Committee on GRAP, at a review meeting, noted that the AQI is likely to slip into the severe category due to calm winds and stable atmospheric conditions. Curbs under Stage III include a ban on non-essential construction and demolition, closure of stone crushers and mining activities in Delhi-National Capital Region.

View of foam-covered water, as a result of pollution, as seen from the banks of river Yamuna near Kalindi Kunj in New Delhi in February.

Vehicles commute in dense smog due to rising air pollution, in New Delhi in November. —PHOTOS BY ANI

Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena plants a sapling during the conclusion of Van Mahotsav 2022, at AsolaBhatti Mines sanctuary.

MORE WILDLIFE

An MCD worker sprays water on a road to curb pollution, in New Delhi. —PHOTO BY ANI

Effluents discharged from such units have carcinogenic chemicals, dyes, and heavy metals

Rahul Gandhi leads the Congress’s Bharat Jodo Yatra in Delhi.

Labourer killed, another injured in road collapse

Minimum temp in double digits, but not for long

—REPRESENTATIONAL IMAGE

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.

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 PM MODI

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

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.

Manufacturing at Noida-based pharma firm halted: Minister

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.

New Delhi (ANI): Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya on Friday said that all the manufacturing activities of the Noida-based pharma company have been stopped in view of the reports of contamination in cough syrup Dok1 Max.

“Following inspection by @CDSCO_INDIA_ INF [Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation] team in view of reports of contamination in cough syrup Dok1 Max, all manufacturing activities of Marion Biotech at NOIDA unit have been stopped yesterday night, while further investigation is

We await the reports, factory was inspected. We have halted the production of all medicines. It needs to be found why cases came from a single hospital there.

—Hasan Harris, Marion Biotech Pharma Company legal head

ongoing,” Mansukh Mandaviya said in a tweet. Noida-based Marion Biotech has come under a cloud as reports of children dying after consuming cough syrup made here came in from Uzbekistan.

SHAH’S SOUTHERN SOJOURN

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.

UNION MINISTER SHAH INAUGURATES MEGA DAIRY IN KARNATAKA

Home

Mandya:

Shah

Dairy

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. 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 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.

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

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

and Cooperation Minister Amit

inaugurated Mega

here

Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya

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

GOVT HIKES INTEREST RATES ON NSC,

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 GRANTS

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

$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

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

cricketer of the year.

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.

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.”

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.

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

NEWSMAKERS OF NEW DELHI

The 2022 news makers of Delhi made headlines mostly for the wrong reasons. The greater part of the year was spent in blames and counter blames, mutual mudslinging, political slug fest and venomous press conferences, which culminated into the much-hyped MCD elections. Kejriwal’s development blitzkrieg kept pace with his political ambitions, though his generals Sisodia and Jain were getting rigorously blindsided by probe agencies. While one ended up in jail, the other went into combat mode.

The election year needed him to make more noise about everything to outsmart his main rival, the BJP. On the ground, the city of Delhi that he governs has started creaking and cracking. Now with MCD in his pocket, people’s expectations are high. If he fails, next elections might be scary and his pan-India dreams will suffer a blow.

NEWS THAT MATTERED IN 2022

l POLLUTION: Pollution is a perennial problem of Delhi and 2022 was no better. The AQI of the national capital region remained upwards of 300 for greater part of the year, sometimes spiraling to over 400, taking the city air to ‘severe’ category. Despite several sporadic measures. things haven’t improved much. Not just air pollution, the pollution in the Yamuna, garbage mountains on the city outskirts, and general lack of cleanliness in Delhi have also been highlights of 2022.

THEATRE OF PROTEST

l EXCISE POLICY ‘SCAM’: The BJP held massive protests as it trained its guns at the AAP government and especially Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia after the Enforcement Directorate and the CBI both started to investigate allegations that the excise policy formulated by Sisodia benefited a ‘cartel’ of liquor barons and vendors. So far, nothing has been found to incriminate Sisodia.

l AAP VS LG: The AAP missed no opportunity to hold protests against LG VK Saxena, accusing him of working at the behest of the BJP and foiling all noble efforts of the Kejriwal government to improve Delhi government services.

l CONMAN’S CLAIMS: When imprisoned ‘conman’ Sukesh Chandrashekhar claimed that he paid Rs 50 crore to fellow inmate in Tihar Jail, AAP minister Satyender Jain, for ‘protection’, it led both the BJP and the Congress to demand that Kejriwal resign.

l CONGRESS VS BJP: The Congress tried to revive itself by organising a nationwide campaign against the Centre. Priyanka Gandhi led the protests on the ground.

l

YOUTH CONGRESS

MANOJ TIWARI

The actor-turned-politician was another among the most frequent faces in Delhi politics and media. Mostly known for his naive theatrics surrounding insignificant issues, Tiwari maintained his star power in the political field too. Most of the issues he raised fizzled on their own and didn’t even

TOP HIGHLIGHTS 04

l The Supreme Court while permitting EWS and OBC reservations in NEET, explained that reservations are not an exception to merit but rather a holistic conception of merit.

l Antrix Corporation of ISRO sold space spectrum to Devas Multimedia. Later, this sale was cancelled. Devas initiated an international arbitration. The government took steps to wind up Devas which was upheld.

l Supreme Court reinstated a district judge who had been forced to resign after she alleged sexual harassment by an HC judge in MP.

l The Foreign Contributions Regulations Act was amended in 2020, and made more stringent. This amendment was challenged. The SC rejected the challenge and upheld the amendment.

l In Vivek Krishna v. Union of India the court declined to impose a cooling off period before bureaucrats can contest elections and left it to the wisdom of the legislatures.

l Bail is the rule: In Satender Kumar Antil v. CBI, the SC said bail applications should be decided in two weeks. Court wanted these rules to be crystallised by way of a “Bail Act”.

BJP RAISES THE HEAT

CONGRESS

CAMPAIGN

Life is a fragile thing — a priceless treasure — guard it and enjoy it to the best of your ability.

—Dr Jagdeesh Chandra, CEO & Editor-in-Chief, First India

Indian Youth Congress (IYC) supporters holding placards raise slogans during a protest over the allegations leveled against Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Satyender Jain by jailed conman Sukesh Chandrashekhar, near party office in New Delhi.

Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra jumps over a police barricade placed near AICC HQ during the party’s nationwide protest over price rise and unemployment, in New Delhi.

BJP leader Parvesh Verma during a protest demanding Deputy CM Manish Sisodia’s resignation over alleged corruption, in New Delhi.

AAP supporters protest outside LG Saxena’s residence over delay in ‘Red Light On, Gaadi Off’ campaign.

AAP VS LG

Diptiman Chakraborty picks out highlights of the political game

dent AAP’s fortunes at the hustings nor raised political heat.

KEJRIWAL

Call him the Man Friday of Kejriwal, the CM’s chief troubleshooter or the AAP’s face of the press— he fits the bill in every role he is offered. Ever since the raids on his house and office in the excise policy case, Sisodia is seeing red.

Caught in money laundering allegations, Satyendar Jain, once in the thick of government affairs in Delhi, is now stuck in Tihar jail. Though Sisodia and Kejriwal continue defending him, he is fast losing traction and face value.

The non-political representative of the BJP, LG Vinai Kumar Saxena sounded the most politically correct in 2022. He sat like a hawk on AAP’s head with his prying eyes latching on to each of AAP’s slightest goof-ups.

MANISH SISODIA

SATYENDAR JAIN

LG SAXENA

l DENGUE: Dengue has also been a long-standing problem for Delhi.

In 2022, the number of patients exceeded 4,000, even by conservative estimates. Apart from dengue, there was a substantial number of malaria and chikungunya patients as well.

l SHRADDHA MURDER: The gory murder of Shraddha Walker by Aaftab Amin Poonawalla was the most shocking incident of 2022. Graphic descriptions of the modus operandi staggeringly came out in the media.

CHOKING AIRPORT: The choking crowds at Delhi airport drew everyone’s attention in 2022. The situation didn’t improve for weeks, so much so that the civil aviation minister had to come down to lecture the airport management.

l BEAUTIFICATION: The beautification of Delhi was a buzzword in 2022. The newly laid Kartavya Path with Netaji Bose’s statue at India Gate were new additions, but that didn’t change the bigger picture of a crumbling city.

l MCD POLLS: The Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) polls generated excitement for months, with the political slug fest hogging the limelight. The unseating of the BJP by AAP was seen as a major shift in the political landscape of the city.

l MINISTER IN TROUBLE: After persistent raids and probes against several AAP leaders, including Deputy CM Manish Sisodia, the agencies finally found something clinching in Satyender Jain’s case and locked him up in Tihar. Jain’s jail luxuries next made the news.

A road rage case against Navjot Singh Sidhu which had many ups and downs since 1988 was finally decided. The Supreme Court sentenced Sidhu to rigorous imprisonment of one year.

The SC agreed to review its verdict on PMLA in Karti Chidambaram v. UoI.

Abu Salem will be released after a prison term of 25 years, the SC confirmed.

4Bails granted to three persons, who were imprisoned on different allegations relating to different events, were in the news – Varavara Rao, Siddique Kappan, and Teesta Setalvad.

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.

YOU’VE BEEN PUTTING OFF

Booking

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.

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.

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 education.

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

THE TRENDS IN ETHNIC WEAR

CITY FIRST

Indian brides strive to embrace the latest choices and trends in bridal designs and explore them to the utmost level. This year’s wedding fashion ranges from embellished to elegant pastel designs, bridal lehengas etc. Arshi Singhal, a wellknown name in the fashion industry for designing several authentic, stylish, and comfortable collections under ‘Label Arshi Singhal shares some latest trends in ethnic wear with City First.

Seasonal TrendsEach season has its own pattern. People have embraced more resham work with fewer jewels for their daily outfits. We have noticed more teal blue and royal purple

tones for Autumn and Winter, and the work is not quite shiny; it is very brittle.

Fabric preference- Organza is a highly fashionable and trendy fabric right now. It has a Shining Sheer that provides an excellent combination of traditional and contemporary Indi an aesthetics. Following organza, imported cloth material was in demand.

This year’s net outfits were the least favoured.

Key features- When it comes to fabrics with Indian embroidery, all hand embroidery like Resham dabka, nalki and chikankari, whether it patches or all through the same work or sequential repeat work, tops the list. With the rising demand, the craftsmen were working more on hand embroi dery rather than ma chine embroidery.

Embroidery- Machine

embroidery on lehengas has been done using a variety of doris and gota. This is gaining popularity as the 80s tra dition comes back in In dian ethnic. As a result, there is a lot of dori, gota and even mirror work in the machine

HIGHLIGHT YOUR NATURAL BEAUTY

CITY FIRST

Khoobsurat Salon ties up with Sylvie Designer Academy and shall extend their partnership in the upcoming year at Dwarka. They shall be launching professional hair and makeup courses. The students shall seek high-intensity training and knowledge to attain proficiency in the field. They shall be handed a professional certificate of international recognition. The courses offered by the institution shall be personal grooming, hair (basic and advanced), and makeup.

Dr Sylvie Rodgers, the founder, of Sylvie Designer Academy, established the salon more than 30 years. She talks about the same expressing, “Working in this field and industry makes me really proud. We would love to support those who dream to pursue a career in hair and makeup. We shall provide extensive resourceful training and aid the students with the best. Looking forward to the same.”

Sylvie Designer Academy excels in providing the finest services including personal grooming, glam makeup, personal makeup, and hair, and makeup basic to name a few. Dr Sylvie Rodgers is one of the renowned hair stylists and makeup professionals in the country.

KINDNESS costs nothing

ev Dass Goswami devoted his entire life to the homeless and people who hail from a poor families. However, what bothered him most were the corpses that he found along the highways. They belonged to people who had been run over by vehicles, and their bodies had no tak-

“More often than not, these bodies were mangled beyond recognition. I’d stop my vehicle, carry the bodies and carry out a proper burial. In addition to that, I started providing food and water to people I would meet during my

drives through the highway,” said Goswami.

In 1984, Goswami got married to Tara, who was so moved by his selflessness and commitment that she too decided to devote her entire life to the cause.

For the last 35 years, the couple has bathed, fed and sheltered approximately over a hundred people.

Goswami is particularly proud of his wife. The duo has been doing all this work mostly with their own money, and are also helped by the monetary contributions of people who were moved by their steadfast service to the homeless.

In 1992, the couple decided to open a shelter where they could house these folks, and by 2008, it was registered as a non-profit organisation named DAVO.

Currently, they run two homes for the homeless. One is in Dwarka, New Delhi and houses 60 people, and the other is in Sonipat and houses 70 people.

DURING THE DAY!

Motherly care for your little ones

CITY FIRST

Neha Goenka Shroff and Swarna Daga Mimani started ‘Yobler’ a platform to sell pre-loved baby products after realising how many products, in perfectly good condition, go to waste as kids outgrow them.

“I have a trunk full of my son’s old clothes. If you buy a pair of shoes today for a two-monthold, a few weeks later they don’t fit anymore. What a waste,” exclaims Rima Thapa, a 28-yearold mother.

Many new mothers share that besides all the tiring mornings and

sleepless nights, what bothers them the most is their babies outgrowing everything in no time and the products going to waste!

Yobler sells babyrelated products, such as books, toys, bicycles,

clothing, bedding, furniture, equipment etc, for children ranging from 0 to 14 years of age.

Explaining how their marketplace works, Swarna says, “We know young mothers don’t have much free

time, so we’ve kept the platform simple and easily accessible. Anyone can register and log on to our website, become a seller and list their products with pictures and videos. One can register both as a

seller and a buyer on the website.”

“We have an end-toend integrated process for sellers and buyers. Our backend team verifies and approves the products, and only then, do the products get listed on the website. We also hold back payment to the seller for a few days, so that if there is any issue with the product, the buyer can raise it and we can work on it,” says Neha.

At the core of the company are sustainability and reducing landfills. Every sale made in Yobler is saving a product that would have ultimately ended up in landfills.

The official Twitter handle of DCP Central Delhi shared a glimpse of a health check-up camp which was organised at PS Rajinder Ngr, Central District in collaboration with NGO Indraprastha Sanjeevan. About 150 Public, Police personnel and their families got their medical checkups done. During the camp, wheelchairs are also distributed among needy people.

After completing its successful journey following 7 locations across the nation, the grand finale of the biggest Design exhibition in India, BRDS Design Exhibition 2022 reached its final destination Ahmedabad at Shree Shakti Convention Centre recently. Following the delightful exhibitions in the cities of Jaipur, Delhi, Pune, Bangalore, Kolkata, Lucknow and Mumbai, Ahmedabad saw the grandeur of creativity and innovation.

Ravishing models showcasing designer outfits

Designer Arshi Singhal with actress Amyra Dastur

Dr Sylvie Rodgers while giving a beautiful makeover to the bride

Neha Goenka Shroff and Swarna Daga Mimani

Dev Dass Goswami with his wife Tara Goswami