First India-Jaipur Edition-06 October 2020

JAIPUR l TUESDAY, OCTOBER 6, 2020 l Pages 12 l 3.00

P5

IN FRESH FIR, UP POLICE CLAIMS ‘INT’L PLOT’ TO DEFAME YOGI GOVT

RNI NO. RAJENG/2019/77764 l Vol 2 l Issue No. 121

RAHUL CLAIMS MODI ‘FINISHING’ FARMERS, LABOURERS WITH 3 LAWS

OUR EDITIONS: JAIPUR & AHMEDABAD 21°C - 37°C

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GST COUNCIL MEETING

SCHOOL CHALE HUM!

India’s edu back on track after Oct 15 Schools told to follow NCERT’s alternative academic calendar as session is delayed due to lockdown Kavita Pant New Delhi: Union Education Ministry on Monday issued guidelines for reopening of schools after October 15 during Unlocked 5 phase. The guidelines have been issued in accordance with Department of School Education and Literacy.

As per the guidelines, schools and coaching institutions can open in a graded manner after October 15. However, the decision on whether to reopen educational institutions with States and UTs. However, the Ra-

z No assessment up

to 2-3 weeks of school reopening.

jasthan government has decided to continue the suspension of regular classes at schools, colleges, educational and coaching institutes till October 31 in the wake of the rising Covid-19 cases. State government has, however, allowed 50% teachers and non-teaching staff to be called to schools.

Meanwhile, Education Ministry has said that States/UTs may adopt or adapt the SoP as per local context and requirements and may take a decision in respect of the reopening of schools and coaching Turn on P6

z Schools should

arrange for thorough cleaning & disinfecting of all areas in campus and ensure air flow in indoor space.

z Will have to form

task teams like emergency care support, hygiene inspection, general support teams with responsibilities. their own SOPs.

z Physical distancing

JAGAN TO MEET MODI TODAY New Delhi: The YSR Congress Party chief and Andhra Pradesh chief minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy is set to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday, sparking buzz that the party from Andhra Pradesh could join the Bharatiya Janata Party-led National Democratic Alliance.

Speculation has been gaining ground that such a move is in the offing. Just last week, Shiromani Akali Dal, NDA’s oldest ally, junked the alliance over its opposition to the controversial farm bills.

Last year, it was the Shiv Sena, who jumped ship over the issue of chief ministership in Maharashtra. Jagan Reddy left for New Delhi on Monday evening and is scheduled to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi at 10.30 am on Tuesday. “The Prime Minister is likely to invite the YSRCP into the NDA to strengthen his hands,” the party leader said. —Agemcies

during the class.

etiquette and screening before entry into the school. Students to attend only with the written consent of parents.

z Maintaining hand

z Ensure availability of

z Wearing of mask

to be ensured, by keeping a minimum 6 feet gap, while planning the

Andhra CM YS Jagan Mohan Reddy

—PTI

seating, plan staggering entry and exit timings.

z Schools may make

hygiene and respiratory

2 CRPF men martyred, 3 hurt in militant attack in J&K Srinagar: Two motorcycle-borne Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) militants opened indiscriminate fire on a security forces party in Nowgam area of the city here on Monday, killing two CRPF personnel and injuring three others, police said.

The injured include an assistant sub-inspector of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), they said.

Militants fired upon a security forces party near Kandizal Bridge in Nowgam, Srinagar this afternoon, a police official said.

He said five CRPF personnel, including an ASI, were injured in the firing.

The injured personnel were taken to the Army’s 92 base hospital, where the doctors declared two of them -- Constables Shalinder Pratap Singh and Devndra Kumar Tripathi -- brought dead, the official said.

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a full-time trained health

No consensus on compensation, next meet on October 12 FM: This year’s compensation cess of `20K cr, to be disbursed to states

EDUCATION MINISTRY’S SOPs

YSRC open to talks to join NDA if promises kept: Senior leader Hyderabad: The ruling YSR Congress in Andhra Pradesh was open to a dialogue on joining the NDA at the Centre if the special category status to the state was accorded and all promises made in the AP Reorganisation Act are fulfilled, senior YSRCP leader and Chief Whip in the Assembly G Srikanth Reddy said on Monday.

His comments came on a day when CM YS Jagan Mohan Reddy left for New Delhi to participate in Apex Council meeting on water issues on Tuesday and is also scheduled to meet PM Narendra Modi.

Srikanth said they were open for a discussion on joining NDA if Centre fulfilled all promises made in the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act & accords Special Category Status which were promised by during state’s bifurcation to carve out Telangana.

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care attendant/nurse/ doctor. z Flexible attendance

and sick leave policies for both students and staff & students may opt for online classes.

New Delhi: The Centre and states on Monday could not reach any consensus on the issue of borrowing to make up for compensation shortfall at the 42nd Goods and Services Tax (GST) Council meet, according to sources. GST council has decided to meet again on Oct 12.

“10 states demand that full compensation should be paid to the states during the current year as per clauses in the law and centre should borrow. Decision was postponed to the next meeting on 12th of October,” Kerala finance minister Thomas Isaac said.

“This year’s compen-

Dr Anita New Delhi: The Election Commission of India organised a briefing meeting for observers, to be deployed for the forthcoming Bihar Assembly Elections and also by-elections across the states. This meeting was uniquely positioned as a blend of virtual and physical gathering with more than 700 General, Police and Expenditure Observers

CEC Sunil Arora

joining virtually from 119 locations across the country and about 40 Observers posted in Delhi joining in person.

Speaking to Observers, Chief Election Commissioner Sunil Arora gave a global perspective on impact of Covid on election schedules around the world and detailed deliberation and assessments done by ECI before taking decision to conduct elections in Bihar.

He underscored the need to be extra careful as this election will be keenly watched by the world community being the

3 WIN NOBEL PRIZE IN MEDICINE FOR DISCOVERY OF HEPATITIS C VIRUS Stockholm: British scientist Michael Houghton and American scientists Harvey J Alter & Charles M Rice were on Monday jointly awarded the 2020 Nobel Prize in Medicine. They were awarded “for the discovery of Hepatitis C virus.”

Harvey J Alter

Michael Houghton

l Masks being distributed during the

campaign should be of quality, so that the purpose of preventing infection can be fulfilled, Gehlot instructed l Expert doctors demand limiting use

of firecrackers this festive season as excess pollution can cause trouble to recovered Covid-19 patients Jaipur: Despite being unwell for the past few days and suffering

CM Ashok Gehlot, Dr Raghu Sharma, Subhash Garg, Rajeeva Swarup, Kuldeep Ranka Abhay Kumar among others during corona review meeting at CMR on Monday.

largest election in the world to be held amid the pandemic. He reiterated ECI’s commitment to conduct an election that is free, fair, transparent, ethical and also Covid Safe. He stated that the strength of a democracy rests in its primary stakeholder- the voter. All efforts must be made to instil confidence in the voter to come to the polling station on election day to cast her/his vote safely and freely.

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Rahul Gandhi may visit Rajasthan soon

Charles M Rice

Aditi Nagar

Jan Andolan having good effect among people: CM

from fever, Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot took out time on Monday to review the Jan Adnolan being run by

sation cess collected amounting to `20,000 crores will be disbursed to the states tonight,” finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman said.

“GST Council has also decided to extend compensation cess beyond June 2022,” the finance minister added.

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Polls during Corona! Needed extra vigil as world will watch Bihar keenly: Arora

CORONA REVIEW MEETING

Naresh Sharma

Nirmala Sitharaman

the state government to counter the spurt in corona infection.

Gehlot has said that the intention with which the State Government has started the ‘Jan Andolan Against Corona’ and ‘No Mask, No Entry’ campaign is resulting in a good effect among the people of the state as along with the protocol of wearing masks and keeping proper distance, people are also cooperating extensively in the task of

distributing masks.

He directed that the masks being distributed during the campaign should be of quality, so that the purpose of preventing infection can be fulfilled. Gehlot was reviewing the condition of corona infection and Jan Andolan at CMR on Monday. “This movement was conceived to reduce the number of infections due to the increasing number of corona infected and to ensure health Turn on P6

New Delhi: On CM Ashok Gehlot’s invitation, Rahul Gandhi has reportedly given an ‘inprinciple’ approval of consent to his likely one day Rajasthan visit to attend a massive farmer’s rally on the pattern of Punjab and Haryana.

The choice of the venue of the rally has been left to Gehlot, whereas the exact date and timings of Rahul’s Rajasthan rally will be shortly conveyed to the Chief Minister by Rahul’s office in a day or two. This move is likely to further strengthen the position of Gehlot in the relevant power circles in Jaipur and New Delhi.

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JAIPUR | TUESDAY, OCTOBER 6, 2020

Gandhigiri over Hathras rape!

CONG HOLDS MAUN SATYAGRAH

02

HALLA BOL: Raj BJP

leaders court arrest

‘UP CM Yogi is acting like North Korean leader Kim Jong-un’, says Chief whip Joshi Yogesh Sharma Jaipur: As the opposition Bharatiya Janta Party (BJP) held protests against the Rajasthan government on Monday, the ruling Congress resorted to gandhigiri by holding a two hours maun satyagrah (silent demonstration) in the light of Hathras gang rape incident.

The Congress leaders compared Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adiyanath with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un over the gangrape-cum-murder of a 19-year-old girl and her hurried cremation in UP’s Hathras district.

Senior Congress leader and Chief whip Mahesh Joshi made the comparison during the

Bhagwat to address BMS founder’s jayanti event

RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat at his residence in Kota.

First India Bureau Kota: RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat will address a programme on the occasion of 100th birth anniversary of Shri Dattopant Thengadi in Kota today.

Thengadi was the founder of Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh, Bharatiya Kisan Sangh and Swadeshi Jagaran Manch. 100 persons will attend the programme due to covid-19 pandemic and the programme will be live on BMS’s Facebook page. Covid-19 test of all 100 persons has been conducted and the venue was sanitized before the event.

Mahendra Singh, who is looking after works related to the DNT, said that the RSS worked for the nomadic people during lockdown.

Congress leaders Mahesh Joshi, Parsadi Lal Meena, Mamta Bhupesh, Ganga Devi, Indraj Gurjar, Krishna Poonia, Manoj Mudgal, Archana Sharma and others stage ‘Maun Satyagraha’ on the incident of gang rape in Hathras.

—PHOTO BY SANTOSH SHARMA

protest at Shahid Samarak even as the opposition BJP staged a ‘Halla Bol’ protest alleging deteriorating law and order, rise in the number of rapes and atrocities against females and dalits in Ra-

jasthan.

“UP CM Yogi Adityanath is acting like North Korea’s dictator Kim Jong-un. The victim’s family is being suppressed and such things have never happened in the country’s

history. We have no hopes from the UP police. The way they are working cannot be trusted,” Joshi told the media after the protest was over.

Joshi said the BJP has no moral right to

raise questions. They should demonstrate to get justice for the Hathras victim and against the Yogi government instead, he said.

When asked about the crowd despite section 144 of CrPC and violation of social distancing during the protest, Joshi said that all efforts were made to maintain social distancing.

Industry Minister Parsadi Lal Meena said probably no government in history committed such a crime.

State Congress chief Govind Singh Dotasra led the silent demonstration in Sikar. He said that the Congress party would fight for justice to the victim’s family.

JEE Adv: Raj’s Kanishka tops among girls Bharat Dixit Jaipur: Pune boy Chirag Falor on Monday bagged the top rank in the Joint Entrance Exam (JEE)-Advanced with a score of 352 out of 396 marks.

In total, 1.6 lakh students had registered for the exam and 1.5 lakh appeared for it. Over 43,000 candidates, including 6,707 girls, have cleared the exam.

Vijayawada’s Gangula Bhuvan Reddy and Bihar’s Vaibhav Raj bagged the second and

JEE Advanced results bring cheer to Vaibhav Raj, R Muhendra Raj, Kanishka Mittal, Lakshya Gupta and Sindhuja Gutta.

third rank respectively.

Kanishka Mittal, who bagged the 17th rank, is the topper among girls.

She scored 315 out of 396 marks, highest in

Central team to visit illegal mining affected areas Nirmal Tiwari Jaipur: A central empowered committee will visit sand mining affected areas in Rajasthan next week. Illegal sand mining in Rajasthan increased after SC imposed a ban on sand mining in the state on November 17, 2017.

The prices of bajri increased from Rs. 20 per feet to Rs. 70-100 per feet.

The illegal mining could not be curbed despite attempts by government following which Bajri Truck Operators Welfare Society president Navin Sharma filed a contempt petition in SC. ACS mines

the girls’ category. She is also the topper of IIT Roorkee zone.

Gangula Bhuvan Reddy begged second position, Vaibhav Raj

was on 3rd position, 4th rank was secured by R Muhendra Raj while Keshav Agrawal was on 5th rank, Hardik Rajpal on 6th rank, Vedang Dhirendra secured 7th position.

“I congratulate students of #JEEAdvanced and request them to work for #AtmaNirbharBharat in future. Plenty of opportunities are available for students who couldn’t get their desired rank. An exam cannot define them,” Ramesh Pokhriyal said.

Aishwary Pradhan

LEADERS FLOUT COVID-19 NORMS

Jaipur: The state Bharatiya Janta Party (BJP) on Monday held protests at all district headquarters alleging deteriorating law and order, rise in the number of rapes and atrocities against females and dalits.

The party leaders said that the protest, termed as Halla Bol, were held to wake up the Ashok Gehlot government from its slumber. State BJP president Satish Poonia, who recently recovered from corona infection, led a protest march in Jaipur from the party headquarters to Civil Lines railway crossing. Poonia and other party leaders courted arrest and were taken to Ashok Nagar police station from where they were released later.

A large number of the party leaders and workers attended the

P

‘Compensation should be given to the state for loss’ Dr Rituraj Sharma

Subodh Agarwal, mines department director Kunjbihari Pandya, representatives of Dastak NGO and Navin Sharma took part in VC. Department admitted that transportation of illegally mined sand could not be curbed.

Yesterday the committee decided to conduct a visit for verification in all areas where illegal sand mining activities are happening.

Satish Poonia alongwith Ramlal Sharma, Mahant Balaknath and other leaders protest against increasing rape and crimes in the state on Monday.

—PHOTO BY SANTOSH SHARMA

Jaipur: Rajasthan raised the issue of GST compensation of Rs. 8765 crore in 42nd meeting of GST council on Monday, which was attended virtually by UDH minister Shanti Dhariwal.

Dhariwal said that the state’s GST compensation of Rs. 8765.06 crore from 2017-18 to 30 September is pending with the centre and the amount should be released.

He said that in the 37th meeting of the Council, a revival of 14 percent revenue growth

Shanti Dhariwal

was considered the norm for GST compensation, which was rejected by all states.

Then in the 41st meeting, the Center arbitrarily presented two options based on the Attorney General’s opinion and a period of 10 days was given to choose one option but consensus was not reached but on choos-

ing one option but the centre warned for not releasing the compensation amount on not choosing one option which, he said, was unfair in democracy.

The minister said that legal provisions should be made to remove contradictions until a consensus is formed.

He said that there has been an arrangement for compensation from the Centre for 5 years but GDP is declining since 2019-20. Dhariwal said that compensation should be given to the state governments for loss of revenue due to uncertainty.

PANDEMIC IMPACT ON CRIC

An uneventful year of RCA, hopes from the next one 

On Oct 4 last year, Gehlot was elected as RCA prez as panel swept six posts in tensionridden election, it remained uneventful due to pandemic

Naresh Sharma Jaipur: The Rajasthan Cricket Association (RCA) governing council completed its one year in office under the leadership of its president Vaibhav Gehlot, son of Rajasthan CM Ashok Gehlot.

The year remained uneventful largely due to coronavirus crisis but Gehlot has to his credit the agreement with the state government for allotment of

Vaibhav Gehlot

land for a cricket stadium and allotment of budget for the renovation of Barkatullah stadium in Jodhpur. Ge-

hlot was on October 4 last year elected as president of RCA as his panel swept all six posts in a tension-ridden elec-

tion. There have been no major disputes among the governing council members during the past year but the cricket matches also could not happen due to the coronavirus crisis.

The sports enthusiasts hope of hosting IPL and international matches in Rajasthan in the next year. “We will soon get land for RCA’s own stadium, which has been possible due to efforts of Vaibhav Gehlot. We will organise domestic

cricket in the state as soon as the BCCI guidelines are released. For the next two years, we will take Rajasthan cricket to the heights,” said RCA secretary Mahendra Sharma. The general meeting of the RCA is likely to be held the next month for which the office bearers have started preparations, said the official sources. The meeting date would be fixed in a day or two and finalised by the RCA president.

protest and social distancing norms were openly flouted. “The state government has been sleeping for 20 months and we had hold Halla Bol protest to wake up the government. The crime rate is increasing in the state and the law and order situation has deteriorated,” Poonia said. He said Rajasthan has become the crime capital of the country. “In the last 20 months, 4.35 lakh FIRs were registered of which 11,200 are crimes against women,” he said.

BJP MLA Kalicharan Saraf said Chief Minister Ashok Ge-

hlot, who looks after the home department, has failed to keep the crime under control.

Former state president Arun Chaturvedi, state vice president Ajaypal Singh, chief spokesperson Ramlal Sharma, Alwar MP Baba Balak Nath and other leaders attended the protest. Similar protests were held at all district headquarters and letters were handed over to district collectors.

Deputy leader of opposition Rajendra Rathore said in Churu that criminals from other states come, execute crime and leave.

Vagad leaders meet CM, PCC chief with demands

Congress leaders Dinesh Khodania, Chandmal Jain, Jinendra Trivedi and others from Vagad submitted memorandum to CM.

First India Bureau Jaipur: In the aftermath of the violence which engulfed the parts of Southern Rajasthan a delegation of Congress leaders from the Vagad area submitted a memorandum to CM Gehlot, PCC chief Dotasra laying down 4 principle

demands to bring back the normalcy.

The delegation came to Jaipur for redressal of their demands. The four demands included compensation of approx Rs 8 cr to middle-class traders and businessmen.

The delegation raised voice for 1167 vacant posts, which was the root cause for agitation.

‘Lighting crackers to affect Covid patients’ First India Bureau Jaipur. A committee of senior doctors has endorsed a report prepared by experts of SMS medical college, Jaipur regarding not firing of crackers on the occasion of Diwali and its effects on Covid-19 patients.

The Rajasthan Human Rights Commission had on Sunday directed the state government to protect the environment from the pollution caused by

firecrackers on Diwali.

The single bench of Justice Mahesh Chand Sharma, acting chairperson of the RHRC, issued the direction while taking cognisance of media reports regarding pollution due to crackers hazardous for Covid19 patients.

In the report, the committee has cited various scientific research publications and observations.

The RHRC has sought a report by October 12.

RAJASTHAN JAIPUR | TUESDAY, OCTOBER 6, 2020

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14 more Corona deaths in Raj On Monday, 450 new cases were reported in Jaipur, 365 in Jodhpur & 273 in Bikaner First India Bureau Jaipur: The state reported 2,165 new cases of Corona on Monday apart from 14 deaths.

Maximum whopping 450 new cases emerged from Jaipur, followed by 365 from Jodhpur, 273 from Bikaner, 190 from Alwar, 112 from Ajmer, 109 from Bhilwara, 49 from Jalore, 47 from Udaipur, 42 from Bharatpur, 40 from Dholpur, 35 from Churu, 34 from Jhunjhunu, 31 from Barmer, 30 from Ganganagar, 28 from Tonk, 27 from Rajsamand, 25 from Kota, 24 each from Chittorgarh, Dungarpur & Sirohi, 22 from Nagaur, 18 from Karauli, 17 from Hanu-

A medic checks the temperature of a tourist as part of precautionary screening in the wake of sudden spike in Coronavirus cases, at a hotel in Bikaner.

—FILE PHOTO

mangarh, 14 from Banswara, 13 each from Jaislamer & Sikar, 12 from Jhalawar, 11 from Baran and 10 each from Bundi, Dausa, Pratapgarh & Sawai Madhopur.

Jungle Raj at its peak in state: Raje targets Gehlot govt First India Bureau Jaipur: Former CM Vasundhara Raje left for Delhi to attend the meeting of national office bearers in Delhi.

All the recently appointed office bearers of the national executive of the BJP will be attending the meeting scheduled to begin at 11 am today with national president JP Nadda and national organisation general secretary BL Santosh presiding over the meeting. Earlier on Monday Raje met former Union Minister CR Choudhary and for-

mer state minister Banshidhar Khandela at her 13, civil lines residence. They discussed normal party affairs during their courtesy meet. Reacting rather late but very sharply attacking the Gehlot govt, former CM said that there are hardly any headlines in Rajasthan media which dont’t speak of rampant rape incidents in the state. She said that the latest gang rape in Nawan has proved that the state is at its peak of ‘jungle raj’ in which the state govt has no control over the police.

AVINASH PANDE @avinashpandeinc My sincere tributes to senior Congress leader and former incharge of Rajasthan Shri Gurdas Kamat ji on his birth anniversary.

Kalla urges people to wear mask to keep Corona at bay Suneel Sihag Ganganagar: Energy Minister BD Kalla on Monday, appreciated Ganganagar district administration’s initiative ‘No Mask, No Entry’ and encouraged people to wear masks whenever they step out of their homes.

He unveiled a poster of the campaign in Ganganagar.

The minister, who is in-charge for Ganganagar district, distributed masks to people in the market and requested them to wear masks to stay safe from Corona infection.

He even pasted posters on walls in the market and motivated people to be aware against COVID-19 and also flagged off tempos through which aware-

BD Kalla

ness activities will be carried out in the district.After participating in the awareness activities, the minister held a meeting of the Corona Management Committee, which was attended by District Collector Mahaveer Prasad Verma, SP and other officials.

1 crore masks will be distributed to people under the State Government’s mass movement against Corona, Kalla said.

The total number of the corona infected patients so far has reached to 1,46,195; Out of these 21,215 are under treatment.

As per the health bulletin released by the De-

partment of Health, 1,22,371 people have been discharged after treatment till now. In the meanwhile, the death toll stands at 1,559 with 2 deaths each from Jaipur & Jalore and one

death each from Ajmer, Alwar, Banswara, Baran, Bhilwara, Bikaner, Dungarpur, Jodhpur, Pali and Sikar on Monday.

Rajasthan government launched a statewide anti-COVID campaign aimed at defeating the pandemic through various preventive and precautionary measures. With “No Mask-No Entry’’ theme, the campaign was inaugurated on Oct 2 while maintaining social distancing norms.

One crore masks will be distributed among people under the mass campaign, which has started in other districts of the state as well from October 3.

03

Verdict in Thanagazi gang rape case likely today Ashwani Yadav Alwar: A local court is likely to pronounce its judgment on Tuesday in the infamous Thanagazi gang rape case that had led to nationwide uproar last year. The incident had led to uproar as the police had delayed in filing the case.

The likely judgment is important amidst uproar over Hathras gang rape case. A Dalit woman was allegedly gangraped by five men on April 26, 2019 at Duhar Chaugan area of Alwar district. The police had allegedly delayed in filing the FIR after which the Ashok Gehlot government decided to re-

vamp the procedure for registering of complaints. The state government has been taking regular feedback in the case while Alwar Superintendent of Police Tejaswini Gautam has been personally monitoring the case to ensure sure shot conviction of the accused.

The case will come up in the court of judge Brajesh Sharma, who is

likely to pronounce the verdict. The police expects severe punishment for the accused who were booked under various sections of the IT Act. The police have included the evidence recovered from the mobile phones of the accused along with getting sample matches for the semen recovered from the clothes of the accused and the victim.

PERSPECTIVE JAIPUR | TUESDAY, OCTOBER 6, 2020

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DRDO: THE WAY TO SELF RELIANCE

IN-DEPTH

BENGAL HEADED FOR VIOLENT ELECTION

F

rom the time when the Communist Party of India (Marxist) ruled the state to the present when the Trinamool Congress is in power, killing of political rivals has been a special feature of politics in West Bengal. Prior to and after every election violence escalates in the state and that is what is being witnessed now when state assembly elections are approaching. The Bharatiya Janata Party and the TMC are involved in a bloody race for power and neither side is ready to give the other any quarter.

After the panchayat election in 2018, 35 people were killed in large-scale violence. The state government argued that the toll was less than in 2003 when 74 people were killed in poll related violence.

This remains the highest death toll till now but the number, it is feared, will be high in the forthcoming assembly elections. In a pointer of things to come a BJP councilor Manish Shukla was gunned down by two assailants riding a bike in North 24 Parganas district. Since June 12 political workers have already been killed on both the sides.

As he has been doing in previous cases Governor Jagdeep Dhankhar expressed concern over law and order and summoned the state’s police chief and additional chief secretary (home). The BJP blamed its political rival for the murder but the TMC fended off the attack saying the incident was fallout of infighting in the BJP. Both the parties are capable of indulging in violence to win the next election. It does not matter to them if democracy is the loser.

RETD. COL ANUPAM JAITLY Defence expert, Motivational speaker & Corporate Trainer

L

DEADLOCK OVER GST CONTINUES

I

n signs of economic recovery, the gross Goods and Services Tax (GST) collection for September rose to Rs 95,480 crore. In comparison, the August collection was Rs 86,449 crore. But that was not enough for Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman to meet the demands of the states clamouring for their share of the tax to tide over the financial crisis. At the last meeting of the GST Council, the finance minister gave the states two borrowing options to meet their revenue shortfall. In the first option both the principal and interest would be serviced via the cess fund. Twelve states opted for the first option and agreed to borrow Rs 97,000 crore for compensation of revenue shortfall. Barring Odisha and Andhra Pradesh, the remaining were all BJP-ruled states. Ten Opposition-ruled states rejected both the options arguing that the Centre should borrow on their behalf. A stalemate followed with the Centre saying that it was not obliged to compensate the states and the GST Council unable to give the states their share of the revenue.

It is in this backdrop that the GST Council met on Monday hoping to find a way out but failed.

One positive development of the day was that the Centre will disburse Rs 20,000 crore GST collection of this year. Also, for the 12 states ready for option 1 the borrowing limit has been raised from Rs 97,000 crore to Rs 1.1 lakh crore. But a consensus eluded the meeting as some states were not ready to take the borrowing route, and they are justified in rejecting the offer.

DRDO’s vision reads “Make India prosperous by establishing world-class science and technology base and provide our Defense Services decisive edge by equipping them with internationally competitive systems and solutions”

ooking through the lens of a defense veteran, the advanced defense industry of a nation is the hallmark of that nation’s power and world ranking.

Countries that are more advanced in producing sophisticated weapons have greater say in world affairs. For example, America, Israel, and China.

However, India also has shown phenomenal success in science and technology in the last few decades. The notable organizations that have contributed to the development of defense industry fall under the umbrella of DRDO. The crowning R&D feature, DRDO was established in 1958.

And later it grew to be a mammoth organization with 50 laboratories all over India. The mindset then was that the DRDO was treated as a vendor and the three services HQs as customers. Because these HQs themselves did not have any design or construction responsibility, they tended to treat the nascent defense industry at par with their corresponding designer in the world market. If they could get a MiG-21 from the world market, they desired a MiG-21 from DRDO. The fact is that DRDO, DARPA (US Defense Industry), and Israel defense R&D came into being around the same time zone. Yet, while the latter two proved to be the world leaders in innovations and providing a clear edge to their armed forces, DRDO remained on a weak footing for a very long time.

Where does the fault lie? In my opinion, it starts with the vision document itself. DARPA says, its vision is to eliminate the technological surprises to the US from foreign countries and to surprise foreign countries with superior technology.

Whereas DRDO’s vision reads “Make India prosperous by establishing world-class science and technology base and provide our Defense Services decisive edge by equipping them

with internationally competitive systems and solutions”.

There is no element of surprise.

In addition to this, to my perception, there are many impediments that remain outside of DRDO’s control. For example the USA spends over $3 billion compared to less than half of it

by India, while Israel spends 13 - 15% of its earnings on defense R&D. Secondly, there is a lack of bridging between the university-Industry connection in India. We have not reaped the benefits of our NITs and IITs to their fullest potential yet.

Needless to mention, we also suffer from a poor innovation Ecosystem and we lack (stateof-the-art) manufacturing and testing facilities in India. Some of our talented youth are more fascinated/interested (for various and multiple reasons) in foreign R&D centers than in Indian. Leading to BRAIN DRAIN of our super-intelligent minds.

Nevertheless, having stumbled and struggled in initial years, DRDO did proud to the nation by producing worldclass Missile Systems, Radars, Helicopters, Guns, Ammunition, and Naval crafts. Since its establishment, DRDO has created many major systems and critical technologies such as aircraft avionics, UAVs, small

THE CROWNING R&D FEATURE, DRDO WAS ESTABLISHED IN 1958.

AND LATER IT GREW TO BE A MAMMOTH ORGANIZATION WITH 50 LABORATORIES ALL OVER INDIA. THE MINDSET THEN WAS THAT THE DRDO WAS TREATED AS A VENDOR AND THE THREE SERVICES HQS AS CUSTOMERS

arms, artillery systems, EW Systems, tanks, armoured vehicles, sonar systems, and command & control systems. Tejas, Prithvi II and Abhyas are the latest success stories of the revered organization. Today, DRDO is excelling in all spheres of technologies and innovations may it be groundbased, airborne, or ship-borne weapon systems.

It is evident that technological advances have had a huge impact on the conduct of warfare. Technological prowess, therefore, is crucial in giving us that slight edge over our adversaries. This is the sole rea-

Critical minerals and the new geopolitics T

he climate crisis and the Fourth Industrial Revolution – with its breakthrough technologies such as artificial intelligence and 5G networks – are setting the world on a geopolitical collision course. Both the drive to decarbonize and the battle for global technological supremacy depend on critical minerals like rare earths, lithium, and cobalt – all of which are highly concentrated in a few locations, including China.

The scramble to control these elements’ supply chains is intensifying. For example, the electric vehicles made by Tesla and other automotive firms run on lithium-ion batteries, but just a handful of countries produce most of the world’s lithium. The tension between the geographic concentration of critical

04

resources and the increasing global competition for supply will further unsettle geopolitics in the twentyfirst century.

A long era of stable resource competition is thus rapidly ending. Historically, empires locked in their economic supply chains and managed competition. And in the long post-1945 cycle of decolonization, the United States, as the global economic hegemon, backstopped the rules and norms of world trade. At the same time, supplies of critical resources – in particular, fossil fuels – became more dispersed as improved geological information and new technologies (like deep-sea drilling and fracking) helped to loosen OPEC’s grip.

But today, conditions have flipped. Critical minerals for the digital and post-carbon economy are highly concentrated geo-

graphically, while the end of US unipolarity and increasing global trade uncertainties have triggered a rush to secure them.

China’s global rise underpins the competition-concentration tension. Industrial innovation and production are no longer the exclusive purview of the OECD economies, especially the US, European Union member states, and Japan.

These major powers previously secured critical inputs through colonial expansion and resource carveups, but China’s export ambitions, and its control of key supply chains, have changed the game. Moreover, China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) – a transnational infrastructure investment scheme with participating countries across Africa, Eurasia, and South

America – openly challenges earlier models of access and cooperation.

Governments in the Global South, where many critical resources are located, are frequently willing to strike exclusive deals. They have welcomed China’s one-stop-shop financing schemes, increased engagement, and narrative of “win-win partnerships” that offer a reliable alternative to Western funding and norm-setting.

China’s resource domination is reshaping geopolitics. In 2010, China halved its export quotas for rare earths, and also reportedly banned their sale to Japan following a trawler incident near Japan’s Senkaku Islands, which China calls the Diaoyu Islands and claims as its own. The episode awakened other leading economies to the fact that a major competitor and rival

controlled 97% of the global supply of these vital inputs for magnets, glass, electronics, defense systems, wind turbines, and hybrid and electric vehicles.

How might rich-country governments best manage the competition-concentration tension regarding critical minerals, especially if traditional global institutions are on the wane? One option is to revive the old colonial model of carving up regions to manage the competition. But although China has been able to extend its global economic influence without the baggage of having been a colonial power, the EU, the US, and Japan can no longer play that game successfully.

Smaller developing countries now have other options and preferences, and often side with China, Russia, India, or other powers..

SOURCE: PROJECT SYNDICATE

son why countries and companies have relentlessly pursued development of newer technologies. Needless to mention that India needs to increase its investment on the lines of the USA, Israel and China to catalyze the growth of its civilian and defense industries which will in turn complement its emergence as a technologically modern, militarily strong, and a prosperous nation.

In the past few decades, India has taken quite big strides in developing her defense industry. But if India is to lead from the front in regional and global leadership dynamics, it has to enhance and empower its R&D and of course not to mention add an element of surprise in the vision document. The current scale of importing 70% of our defense needs from world markets, needs to tilt in favor of our DRDO to make India self-reliant. This can only be ensured by strong political will, effective policies, transfer of technologies, collaborative projects, and of course huge reallocation of financial resources. We, as a nation and citizens have to place faith and abide by our own R&D and defense industries to synergies all our resources in making India a global power.

THE VIEWS EXPRESSED BY THE AUTHOR ARE PERSONAL

Top

TWEET Dharmendra Pradhan @dpradhanbjp Killing and culling democratic voices at will is all that “Didi” and her neo-nazis are good at. But, Rahul Baba and his ‘Selective Outrage Gang’ will keep silent on the killing of #ManishShukla,because for them lives do not matter if the victim does not fit in their propaganda.

KC Venugopal @kcvenugopalmp Karnataka by-poll election in the offing, no surprise! BJP came with the same script.BJP’s tactics to deter our efforts by conducting CBI raids on Shri @ DKShivakumar & Shri DK Suresh will only make us stronger! BJP’s continued misuse of agencies is an attack on our democracy.

Spiritual SPEAK

Do not toil to acquire wealth; be discerning enough to desist.

—Proverbs 23:4

Vol 2 Issue No. 121 RNI NO. RAJENG/2019/77764. Printed and published by Anita Hada Sangwan on behalf of First Express Publishers. Printed at Bhaskar Printing Press, D.B. Corp Limited, Shivdaspura, Tonk Road, Jaipur.

Published at 304, 3rd Floor, City Mall, Bhagwan Das Road, C-Scheme, Jaipur-302001, Rajasthan. Phone 0141-4920504. Editor-In-Chief: Jagdeesh Chandra. Editor: Anita Hada Sangwan responsible for selection of news under the PRB Act

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HATHRAS INCIDENT

IN FRESH FIR, UP POLICE CLAIMS ‘INT’L PLOT’ TO DEFAME YOGI GOVT

05

CBI raids DK Shivakumar’s premises in B’luru

This comes after CM Yogi Adityanath cautioned BJP workers of “conspiracies” against his government Lucknow: The Uttar Pradesh Police claimed they have uncovered an “international plot” to instigate riots along caste lines and defame the Yogi Adityanath government over the brutal assault and alleged gangrape of a 19-year-old Dalit woman in Hathras. On Sunday, an FIR was registered against unidentified persons at the Chandpa Police Station in Hathras under several stringent sections of the IPC, including sedition.

According to sources, a website, justiceforhathrasvictim. carrd.co, which had information on how to protest safely and avoid the police, has been linked to the conspiracy. The site has been taken down and is currently unavailable.

Chandpa police station in-charge confirmed that an FIR has been lodged, but refused to talk more about the case. ADG Law and Order Prashant Kumar could not be reached for a comment on the matter. The FIR was registered under various acts of the IPC.

FIR REGISTERED AGAINST BHIM ARMY CHIEF, 500 OTHERS

CBI officials conduct a raid at the residence of KPCC President D K Shivakumar& his brother D K Suresh in Bengaluru on Monday.

Chandpa police station in-charge confirmed that an FIR has been lodged, but refused to talk more.

INK THROWN AT AAP LEADER SANJAY SINGH AFTER HE MEETS VICTIM’S KIN IN HATHRAS New Delhi: An unidentified person on Monday threw ink at Aam Aadmi Party MP Sanjay Singh in Hathras, Uttar Pradesh where he had gone to meet the family of the 19-year-old who was allegedly gangraped last month. As Sanjay Singh came out of the victim’s house in Hathras village after meeting her family, an unknown man threw ink at him. Police have detained the person. A delegation of Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leaders, led by Sanjay Singh, met the family members of the alleged gangrape victim in Hathras. When Sanjay Singh was about to speak to media persons from TV news channels after meeting the family, a man threw ink on his white kurta while shouting “PFI dalal wapas jao. The Popular Front of India (PFI), an alleged radical group, has been accused of funding some protests against the that took place across the country earlier this year.

Hathras: An FIR has been registered with UPPolice against Bhim Army Chief Chandrashekhar Azad & 400-500 unnamed people under multiple sections of IPC & Epidemic Diseases Act, for violation of Section 144 Code of Criminal Procedure in Hathras. Azad, along with supporters, had reached Hathras to meet victim’s family members on Sunday. After a ruckus, he along with a few of his supporters was finally allowed to go and meet the family. FIR states that despite the police trying to make him understand that they were flouting COVID-19 norms & 144 CrPC which was in force in the area, they had sat on a dharna on the road.

BJP LEADER SLAMS UP GOVT ON MISHANDLING PRIYANKA VADRA Mumbai: Maharashtra BJP vice president Chitra Wagh demanded that Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath take “strict action” against a policeman who held Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra by her clothes at the Delhi-UP border on her way to Hathras Chitra Wagh’s stand drew support from Congress leaders who claimed she had not forgotten her “sanskar” despite crossing over to the BJP last year. In a tweet in Hindi, Wagh said, “How dare a male police officer lay his hand on the clothes of a woman political leader!”Police should always be mindful of their limits, she said.

TARGETED POLITICAL KILLING ‘RaGa can scrap farm laws in next life’ Mamata ignored ‘10:47 pm’ urgent message: Dhankhar Hyderabad: Slamming Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, who is in Punjab to protest the new farm Acts, Union Minister of State for Home Affairs G Kishan Reddy on Monday said that if he wanted to scrap the laws, he could do so in “next life” as the farmer would not give him an opportunity in this.

“The whole country knows who Rahul Gandhi is and what his cognitive capabilities are.

The farmers will not give him an opportunity to scrap the farm laws and throw them in the dustbin. Not in this life. The farmers know it’s a good law. Rahul Gandhi has every right to tear the farm bills (opposition members has last month tore the Bills in Rajya Sabha) and throw them in a wastebasket. He can do so in his next life when

G Kishan Reddy

he comes to power,” said Reddy. “But the people of India will not give Rahul Gandhi the chance to throw the bill.

These bills are in the favour of the farmers,” he added.

He also alleged that the Congress is playing politics over Hathras case. “The accused must be punished severely and all parties must come together against this issue rather than just playing politics.”

He said about SSR’s death that CBI is doing its work. —ANI

PM NARENDRA MODI ADDRESSES RAISE 2020 VIRTUAL SUMMIT New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to address the Responsible AI for Social Empowerment (RAISE 2020) summit which took place on Monday evening. “Looking forward to address The Responsible AI for Social Empowerment (RAISE 2020) Virtual Summit at 7 pm this evening. This summit

brings together tech leaders from across the world to discuss aspects relating to AI,” the PM had tweeted. The summit was a global meeting of minds to exchange ideas and charter a course to use AI for social empowerment, inclusion, and transformation in key areas like Healthcare, Agriculture, Education sectors.

WB Governor Jagdeep Dhankar meeting with CS Alapan Bandyopadhyay in Kolkata on Monday.

Kolkata: Expressing shock over the ‘targeted political killings’ in West Bengal, Governor Jagdeep Dhankhar on Monday accused Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee of not responding to his urgent messages over the situation.

BJP Coucillor Manish Shukla had allegedly been murdered yesterday in Titagarh. The BJP had called for a 12hour bandh in Barrack-

pore over the issue.

“Alarming nosediving law and order scenario Mamata Banerjee. Targeted political killings in spite of alert by Constitutional Head. Neither ACS Home nor DGP West Bengal Police responded. To CM at 10.47 PM “Would like to speak to you urgently!”

Only silence that speaks volumes,” Dhankhar’s tweet read.

Dhankhar has sum-

DELHI RIOTS: KHALID SENT TO 14-DAY JUDICIAL CUSTODY New Delhi: Former JNU student leader Umar Khalid has been sent to 14-days judicial custody by a Delhi Court in connection with a case related to the northeast Delhi violence in February.

Khalid was on Sunday produced before Metropolitan Magistrate Dev Saroha, who remanded him to judicial custody, and also directed prison authorities to provide him adequate security. The court asked the authorities to ensure no harm is caused tohim in jail. Khalid had sought adequate security during his period of judicial custody.

moned the West Bengal Additional Chief Secretary (Home) and the Sirector General of Police today (Monday) in the wake of “worsening law and order situation” leading to the dastardly killing of Councillor Manish Shukla in Titagarh.

BJP’s Central Observer for West Bengal, Kailash Vijayvargiya demanded CBI probe into the matter. —ANI

SEXUAL HARASSMENT CASE

Hearing on case involving Tejpal adjourned till Oct 15 New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Monday adjourned to October 15 hearing in the sexual harassment case against former Tehelka Magazine Editor Tarun Tejpal, after Solicitor General Tushar Mehta submitted the victim was suffering from lung cancer. A three-judge bench of the apex court, headed by Justice Ashok Bhushan, fixed the matter for further hearing to October 15 after Mehta, appearing for the Goa Police, submitted that the victim was suffering from lung cancer.

The bench also granted more time to Tejpal, accused in a 2013 sexual assault case, to file his response on a plea filed by the Goa Police, seek-

MP EMERGING AS CAPITAL OF RAPE, UNEMPLOYMENT: KAMAL NATH Jabalpur: Slamming the Shivraj Singh Chouhanled BJP government, Madhya Pradesh Congress chief Kamal Nath alleged that the state was passing through turbulent times and emerging as the country’s “capital of rape, unemployment and farmers suffering”.The ruling BJP, however, hit back at Nath, saying he

Bengaluru: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Monday carried out searches at the Bengaluru residence of Congress leader DK Shivakumar after booking the former state minister in a case of disproportionate assets. The agency also carried out searches at 13 other locations spread across Delhi, Bengaluru and Mumbai on premises associated with Shivakumar’s relatives and associates.

“CBI has registered a case against then minister of Karnataka government and others on the allegations of acquisition of disproportionate assets. Searches are being conducted today at 14 locations including nine in Karnataka, four in Delhi and one in Mumbai,” CBI spokesperson RK Gaur said.

Sources said the raids

should stop making “irresponsible” statements.

It also said the Chouhan government was sternly acting against the perpetrators of crime against women in the state.

“Madhya Pradesh is becoming national capital of rape, unemployed people and farmers’’ suffering.

All of us are witnessing it,” Nath told media.

Tarun Tejpal

ing an extention of time for completion of the trial against him. In August last year, the apex court had refused to quash the charges framed by a Goa trial court against Tejpal for allegedly sexually assaulting his former junior colleague in 2013.

Claiming innocence in the case, Vikas Singh senior lawyer and former ASG appearing for Tarun Tejpal. —ANI

have already resulted in the seizure of Rs 50 lakh in cash and several incriminating documents.

Among the premises being searched, sources said, are that of Shivakumar’s brother DK Suresh and his close associate Sachin Narayan.

While Suresh is a Lok Sabha MP from Bengaluru rural, Narayan is a businessman with interests in real estate and hotel industry. Sources said it was based on a reference from ED that CBI registered a case of disproportionate assets against Shivakumar.

ED had initiated its money laundering probe against the Congress leader in September 2018, based on tax evasion findings of the I-T department. Congress reacted to the development by calling it ‘Raid Raj’ and a ‘game of intimidation.’ —ANI

‘Hear cases on lawmakers through VC’ New Delhi: Some HCs have sought directions for conducting trials through VC for expeditious disposal of cases against sitting and former lawmakers but lack of infrastructure and non-availability of funds is a major hurdle, the Supreme Court was informed on Monday.

A report filed by senior advocate Vijay Hansaria in the apex court said the total number of cases against sitting and former lawmakers is 4,859, a jump of 400 cases since March, when it was 4,442.

“Some of the High Courts have sought directions for conduct of trial through video conferencing, where the accused/witnesses are in another district/state, without requirement of physical presence of the accused/witnesses”, said the report,

1 KILLED, 2 INJURED AS HIGH SPEED JEEP RAMS SHOP IN UP Banda: A 70-year-old man was killed and his son& daughter-in-law were seriously injured after a high speed jeep rammed a puncture repair shop in Uttar Pradesh’s Banda district, police said. The incident took place on Saturday night.

Arvind Kumar Trivedi, Station House Officer of Kalinjar police station, said the speeding jeep rammed the puncture repair shop, seriously injuring shopkeeper Jagannath Kushwaha, his son Kishorilal and daughter-in-law Kallo. They were rushed to the community health centre.

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Active cases limited below 10L mark EDUCATION MINISTRY RELEASED GUIDELINES ON MONDAY FOR REOPENING SCHOOLS New Delhi: Data for the 14-day period from September 17 to 30 suggests that India may have crossed the peak of COVID-19 caseload, a report by the economic division of the Finance Ministry has noted.

Meanwhile, Union Health Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan along with UP CM Yogi Adityanath on Monday digitally inaugurated the Super Speciality Block (SSB) at Motilal Nehru Medical College, Prayagraj.

The 220-bedded facility has been dedicated as a COVID Hospital (DCH) to the nation, according to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. Launching the COBAS 6800 high throughput machine, Dr Harsh Vardhan said:

EX-UNION MIN DIES OF POSTCOVID ISSUES

POWER Gallery FOUR AGMUT CADRE IPS OFFICERS TRANSFERRED

Four IPS officers have been shifted in Joint AGMUT cadre. Accordingly, Rishi Pal and A V Deshpande have been transferred to Delhi, while Amit Sharma and Anuj Kumar were posted to DNH&DD. 2 AGMUT CADRE IAS OFFICERS SHIFTED

Devinder Singh has been shifted to Delhi, while Amit Satija was posted to DNH&DD in Joint AGMUT cadre.

SIX SENIOR ISS OFFICERS RESHUFFLED

The Ministry of Statistics & Programme Implementation (MoSPI) has issued orders for the fresh posting of as many as six senior ISS officers. Accordingly, Supriya Mukherjee was appointed as DQAD, NSO, MoSPI, Kolkata, while NK Sharma is PSD, NSO, MoSPI, New Delhi.

Similarly, SVR Murthy has been posted as NAD, NSO, MoSPI, New Delhi; Awadhesh Kumar Mishra as SSD, NSO, MoSPI, New Delhi; MM Hasija as IIICU, NSO, MoSPI, New Delhi and Bhawna Singh was posted with Ministry of Power, New Delhi.

Passengers stand in a queue to get there antigen COVID-19 test amidst the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak at Nizamuddin Railway station in New Delhi on Monday.

“The COBAS 6800, a fully automated, highend machine for performing real-time PCR testing for COVID-19 will provide quality, high-volume testing with a high throughput of around 1200 samples

in 24 hours. COBAS 6800 can also detect other pathogens like Viral Hepatitis B and C, HIV, MTb (both Rifampicin and Isoniazide resistance), Papilloma, Cytomegalovirus, Chlamydia, Neiserreia etc.”

Adityanath said that 29 new medical colleges have been established in the state and medical blocks have been set up in two AIIMS and six super specialty medical colleges in 3.5 years.

Speaking on the time-

ly importance of the new SSB built under the scheme that has been converted into a COVID Hospital, he said that people of adjoining districts like Kaushambi, Chitrakoot, Banda will be greatly benefitted.

TWO NEW MDS SBI LIKELY THIS MONTH

Two DMD’s are going to be elevated to MD in the State Bank of India this month.Interviews are to be held today.

Rahul claims Modi Have complete trust in PM, Nitish Kumar ‘finishing’ farmers, did not fulfill Bihar’s expectations: Paswan We had many expectations from labourers with 3 laws the present Bihar CM, but he

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi with Punjab CM Amarinder Singh in Sangrur’s Bhawanigarh town.

Sangrur : Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Monday alleged that Prime Minister Narendra Modi was finishing farmers and labourers with the three farm laws introduced recently just as he had destroyed small shopkeepers with demonetisation and implementation of GST. Addressing a public gathering in this Punjab town, Gandhi claimed that none of the policies of the Modiled Central government during the last six years were meant to benefit the poor, farmers or labourers. All of its policies are made for their three-to four select friends, he said.

Gandhi underscored the need for removing the shortcomings in the food procurement and Public Distribution System. There is a need to strengthen this system. More mandis need

06

to be set up. There is a need to guarantee MSP (minimum support price), to give infrastructure to farmers, to set up silos, he said.

Narendra Modi is not strengthening the system... If Modi gives better PDS, guarantees MSP and brings more mandis, then Ambani and Adani cannot make money, the Congress leader alleged. He claimed the new agriculture-related laws were not only against farmers and labourers but the entire nation and were meant to snatch the country’s freedom. Like he (Modi) finished small traders and small and medium enterprises with GST (Goods and Services Tax) and demonetisation, he is finishing farmers and labourers the same way and slashing your throats with these three laws, he said. —PTI

New Delhi: Expressing “complete trust” in Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Lok Janshakti Party (LJP) chief Chirag Paswan on Monday said that Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has not been able to fulfil expectations of people of Bihar and said the spirit of “double engine ki sarkar” should be followed correctly to implement the vision on the ground.

“I have complete trust in PM Narendra

hasn’t fared well on those counts.

Today, it’s a matter of concern for me what is the Bihar CM’s idea of development. The benefits of schemes haven’t reached the grassroots —Chirag Paswan, LJP chief

Modiji. The spirit with which the Prime Minister mentioned 'double-engine ki sarkar' (double-engine government), if it is followed correctly, then his vision can be im-

plemented on the ground,” Paswan said.

He also said LJP will not form an alliance with the opposition 'Mahagathbandhan' after Bihar elections.

“We have never done

Expelled RJD member killed: Lalu’s sons among 6 accused Purnia: A day after an expelled Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader was shot dead by three masked men at his home in Prunia on Sunday morning, six persons, including top party leaders Tejashwi and Tej Pratap Yadav, were booked in the case on Monday. Police said action would be taken against anyone against whom evidence is found.

SP Vishal Sharma said an FIR was registered against six people, including the sons of Lalu Prasad Yadav, in connection with the murder of former party secretary Shakti Malik. “Three men,

who had covered their faces with scarves, shot dead Malik. An FIR was registered against RJD leaders Tejashwi Yadav, Tej Pratap Yadav, Anil Sadhu and Kalo Paswan, besides Sunita Devi, and Manoj Pas-

treated. Experts demanded from the state government to limit the use of firecrackers during the upcoming festivals. Expert doctors believe that the corona virus has a long-term effect on the lungs of infected people who are now cured and it is very important to protect such people from smoke and pollution. The state Human Rights Commission has also sought a response from the state government till October 12 on this subject.

ner in consultation with the respective schools/institutions management and based on the local situation.

For this purpose, States/UTs will prepare their own SOP regarding health and safety precaution for reopening of schools based on the SOP to the Ministry of Education, Government of India. States/ UTs may adopt or adapt the SOP as per local context and requirements,” the guidelines read. —ANI

School Chale... institutions after October 15 in a graded man-

No consensus...

The total shortfall in collection of GST esti-

FIR has been filed against RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav

wan on the basis of the statement of the deceased’s wife,” he said.

He added that an analysis of the deceased’s phone and initial questioning of his relatives revealed that Malik was expelled from the RJD on September 11.

“A preliminary investigation revealed that Malik had a political rivalry with accused Kalo Paswan and both had often levelled allegation against each other on various platforms. We recovered some videos of the time when he was alive. The family has made these videos the premise of their FIR,” the SP said. —ANI

a post-poll alliance. We have always been into the pre-poll alliance,” he said. He said the benefits of development schemes have not reached grassroots under Nitish Kumar. —ANI

‘Request Rahul to scrap farm laws when he is PM’

CHAUDHARY AND SWAMINATHAN TO BE NEW MDS SBI?

DMD and Chief Development Officer Alok Chaudhary and another DMD Swaminathan are expected to be new MDs of the State Bank of India.

VIRENDER SHARMA AWARDED IPS CADRE IN HP

Virender Sharma of Himachal Pradesh Police Service has been awarded Indian Police Service (IPS) cadre.

IS THE IPS ASSOCIATION UPSET?

It is said that the IPS association is unhappy over action against the IPS officers in Uttar Pradesh.

UP DGP ON WAY OUT?

Grapevine has it that UP DGP Hitesh Chandra Awasthi is being changed. He is 1985 batch IPS officer.

DESHWAL CREATES RECORD IN HISTORY OF IPS?

S S Deshwal, DG, ITBP has earned a reputation of an additional charge holder. He held additional charges of CRPF, BSF, SSB and NSG. This is the second time that Deshwal, a 1984-batch Indian Police Service officer, has been directed to lead the NSG in an additional capacity. He headed the National Security Guard in July last year when its then chief Sudeep Lakhtakia retired and Singh had not been appointed.

Deshwal has also headed border guarding force Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) as its DG while he has been the Border Security Force and Central Reserve Police Force chief in an additional capacity.

By arrangement with: http:// whispersinthecorridors.com

Sangrur: Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh requested Congress leader Rahul Gandhi to scrap farm laws when he becomes Prime Minister. “The law is made. The Bills have been passed. But who says that an amendment cannot be made. I request Rahul ji to scrap these black laws when he becomes PM with a majority in Lok Sabha,” he said. —ANI

China can never get better of us, says IAF Chief New Delhi: Amid tensions with China in eastern Ladakh, Indian Air Force Chief RKS Bhadauria on Monday said the Chinese would never be able to defeat India in a battle along the northern borders.

“In the ongoing standoff in the north, there is no way they (Chinese) can defeat us,” the IAF Chief said during his annual Air Force Day

press conference. Referring to deployment in Ladakh, IAF chief said that the force is deployed at all relevant operational locations.

“We are deployed at all relevant operational locations, required to access this area. Be rest assured that we have deployed strongly and firmly to handle any contingency,” said Bhadauria.

local election machinery, guide and handhold them and help resolve their issues. Election Commissioner Sushil Chandra emphasised the significance of role of Observers and advised them to ensure impartially while discharging their duties.

Speaking on the occasion, Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar reminded the officers that Bihar Elections needs to be showcased to the world as all attention is focussed on these Elections. ECI has made 14 observers, 5 police observers and 18 expenditure observers from Ra-

jasthan. IAS officers Niraj K Pawan, Dr Veena Pradhan, PC Kishan, Dr Omprakash (Assam cadre), Babulal Meena, Chhagan Srimali, Aradhna Saxena, Parmeshwar Lal and Ghanendra Bhan Chaturvedi, Rajendra Kishan, Kanhaiya Lal Swami, Abhimanyu Kumar, Omprakash Karesa participated in the meeting. IPS officers Vishnu Kant, Anshuman Bhomia, Harendra Kumar Mahawar, Vikas Pathak attended as police observers. 18 other officers including 15 IRS officers were also there in the training.

FROM PG 1 Jan Andolan... protocols in the public, which people have adopted with an open heart. Along with government machinery, non-government institutions and public at large is taking interest in the campaign, which has truely made it a people’s movement,” he said.

Officials informed in the meeting that positive feedback about the campaign has been received from various cities of the state. “People have started wearing masks more when they go out in the public and crowded areas and peo-

ple are also sensitizing each other about prevention of corona infection. Local organizations and organizations have come forward to participate in various activities including mask distribution,” officials said.

During this time it was also discussed that expert doctors have expressed the possibility of increasing the number of corona infected due to pollution and smoke from firecrackers during the upcoming Dussehra and Deepawali festivals and adversely affecting the health of patients being

mated at `2.35 lakh crore, said revenue secretary Ajay Bhushan Pandey. Out of the total shortfall, `97,000 crore is on account of GST shortfall, while the rest is due to COVID-19 pandemic. During the last meeting in August, the Centre presented two options before states to meet the GST shortfall. —Agencies

2 CRPF...

He said the other three personnel -- ASI Gorakh Nath, Constable Kirgain and Constable James -- are undergoing treatment and their condition is stated to

be stable.

The militants fled the spot after the attack.

Soon after the incident, the area was cordoned off and a manhunt was launched to nab the attackers. Senior officials also rushed to the spot.

Speaking to reporters, Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kashmir, Vijay Kumar said the attack was carried out by two LeT militants who have been identified.

Polls during...

He called upon the Observers to assume the role of friend, philosopher and guide to the

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07

WHO IS HATHRAS DM PRAVEEN KUMAR LAXKAR, WHOSE HEAD LEADERS, MEDIA ARE GUNNING FOR

The officer, who hails from Jaipur, is at the centre of several serious allegations levied by victim’s family Mohd Fahad Hathras: While several police officials have been suspended by the Uttar Pradesh government in connection with the alleged rape and murder of 20-year-old Dalit woman in Hathras, political parties along with media, and even the victim’s family have been demanding action against District Magistrate Praveen Kumar Laxkar.

Since the incident came to light leading to the victim’s unceremonious cremation in the dead of the night, all political

parties are demanding action against DM Kumar.

Here is what we know so far about the officer caught amidst the socio-political storm: Praveen Kumar Laxkar was born on July 1, 1982 in Jaipur.

Kumar is a 2012 batch IAS officer. Before preparing for IAS, he did MA and B.Ed in History.

Praveen Kumar’s first posting was in Sonia Gandhi’s Lok Sabha constituency Rae Bareli on April 18, 2013. Then he was posted in Aligarh as the Joint Magistrate on August 7, 2014 and he was there till April 20, 2016. He then served as Chief

Hathras District Magistrate Praveen Kumar Laxkar.

Development Officer in Lalitpur from April 21, 2016 till April 17, 2018. After that, he was brought to Uttar Pradesh’s capital city Lucknow as Special Secretary in Panchayati Raj Department on April 17, 2018 and was there till March 2, 2019. His current posting as Hathras DM began on March 2, 2019.

While victim’s family has accused the DM of repeatedly threatening them, the anger further escalated with as a video of him went viral in which he was seen telling the victim’s father, “Don’t hurt your own credibility. The media people will go away in a few days. But we are here with you. Now it is up to you, whether you want to keep changing your statements or not”.

The victim’s family mem-

Mumbai top cop: Not surprised by AIIMS report,

STOINIS SHINES AS DC BEAT RCB

those criticising our probe have vested interest Mumbai: We are not at all surprised by the AIIMS report on actor Sushant Singh Rajput’s death as the Cooper Hospital, Mumbai team too had found the same, said Commissioner of Police Param Bir Singh on Monday.

Talking to ANI after the AIIMS forensic team tasked with re-evaluating Sushant’s post-mortem report concluded that the actor died by suicide, and wasn’t murdered, Singh hailed the professionalism of both the Mumbai Police and doctors from Cooper Hospital.

“We have come to know that AIIMS has also come to the conclusion about the cause of death as hanging due to asphyxia and suicide.

We are not surprised at all by this, this was al-

Param Bir Singh

ways the finding of the Cooper team also, which is a very professional team,” Singh said.

“ADR (Alternative dispute resolution) investigation normally takes 3-6 months to conclude, sometimes it also takes one to two years to conclude, so there was no delay in investigation,” he added.

The top cop said that the Mumbai Police had remained truthful and professional during the course of the investiga-

tion.

“We always maintained that our investigation was a very professional one. The doctors at Cooper Hospital did a very professional job, a panel of doctors conducted the post-mortem and gave the report, which was very clear regarding the cause of death. When the Supreme Court directed that Bihar FIR be handed over to CBI, thereafter when CBI came over, we handed over all documents, evidence to CBI and I am sure they are doing a very professional job,” Singh said.

He also said that when the progress report of the Mumbai Police’s investigation had been submitted to the Supreme Court only five to six people had access to it as it was confidential.

—ANI

bers have now directly levelled several serious allegations against the District Magistrate.

These include not showing them the girl’s face before cremating her in a hurry, not letting them speak to the media, confiscating their mobile phones, and tapping their calls.

The sister-in-law of the victim alleged that the DM had told her father-in-law (father of the victim) that the DM told them they would not have received Rs 25 lakh compensation if their daughter had died of Covid-19 and wanted them to keep mouth shut since they are getting the amount.

With such multiple allegations, the pressure to sack the DM is constantly rising. Opposition is alleging that UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath is shielding DM Kumar.

SHIV SENA SEEKS APOLOGY FROM POLITICIANS, MEDIA Shiv Sena, on Monday, in its editorial Saamana, sought an apology from all those ‘who defamed the Maharashtra government’ and the Mumbai Police in Sushant death case. The party demanded an apology from the BJP, the media channels, and the politicians who allegedly tried to malign image of CM Uddhav Thackeray.

The article was written citing the AIIMS report submitted to the CBI in the case that ruled out the theories of murder and poisoning.

HC RESERVES ORDER IN KANGANA’S OFFICE CASE The Bombay High Court on Monday closed all arguments and reserved its verdict on the petition filed by actor Kangana Ranaut against the demolition of a part of her bungalow in Mumbai by the city civic body. A bench of Justices SJ Kathawalla and RI Chagla conducted hearings on the plea last week before closing it for orders on Monday.

Delhi Capitals’ Marcus Stoinis (53 of 26) plays a shot against Royal Challengers Bangalore during IPL 2020 in Dubai on Monday. DC (196/4) defeat RCB by 59 runs. —PHOTO BY PTI

Gehlot’s ‘indispensable’ good governance brigade!

Rajendra Chhabra

I

t is a worthwhile fact to know that under the current dispensation, there are merely fifteen IAS officials who have not been transferred even once. Since coming to power, the current government gave postings to these officials in December 2018 and since then these individuals are firmly ‘seated’ in their ‘strongholds’. This is when all the other IAS officer, whether a newcomer or an experienced and renowned name, all have been shuffled be it the Chief Secretary, Additional Chief Secretary or a low-level SDM. These fifteen IAS are - Veenu Gupta, Niranjan Arya, Shikhar Agarwal, Kuldeep Ranka, Aparna Arora, Roli Singh, Naveen Mahajan, Prithviraj, Arti Dogra, Rajan Vishal, P Ramesh, Poon-

am Chand Kishan, Arvind Poswal, Inder Singh and Zakir Hussain.

There are various reasons for the non-shifting of these officials. ACS level officer Veenu Gupta was posted in the PWD so that she could play as a check and balance for the minister of the department and not let the minister become the supreme authority in the department. Now that the minister isn’t there anymore, but being the senior-most, now Veenu Gupta is in the foray for the post of Chief Secretary.

ACS Finance Niranjan Arya is a close confidante and trusted official of Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot. So when the Chief Minister kept the finance portfolio with himself, he also appointed Arya as its ACS. The experienced bureaucrat is doing a good

Veenu Gupta

Niranjan Arya

Kuldeep Ranka

Naveen Mahajan

Aparna Arora

job in the Finance department and thus there is no need for him to be changed and if any change happens, it will be only for a ‘promotion’ to the higher post of Chief Secretary.

The continuity of Kuldeep Ranka and his team members - Arti Dogra, Amit Dhaka and Rajan Vishal - is due to the tradition and their outstanding performance. In fact, a softspoken and low profile Kuldeep has emerged as the most powerful and relevant person in Gehlot’s CMO and because of his positive attitude,

he remains popular among the middle and senior level bureaucracy. After ‘extra-vocal’ Ajitabh Sharma’s departure from CMO, now there is a complete ‘peace’ at CMO which is directly contributing to the result orientation of CMO. Shikhar Agarwal and Aparna Arora are among the most powerful officials in the previous government, and hence as soon as the current government was formed, it ‘accorded’ the duo the most sidelined postings as those in ‘power’ are miffed with

Agarwal and Arora and therefore they are kept ‘stationary’.

Meanwhile, Roli Singh has been given the important position in DOP mainly because she has a five-year experience from the Administrative Training Academy at Mussorie and this experience of her’s is paying well in handling the DOP. She is a silent performer who focuses on her work only and thus there is no need for her to be changed.

IAS Naveen Mahajan was Jaipur Collector in the year 2010 and had become extremely close to

CM Gehlot. There was speculation in December 2018, with the new government coming to power, that Mahajan would be positioned in the CMO, rather he was made the ‘chief ’ of a major department - Water Resources. It is being believed that he might be changed now.

It is indeed surprising and a point of wonder that inspite of several ‘controversies’ surrounding Prithvi Raj, the official has not been changed from the finance department and it appears that he has ‘rooted’ himself in the

system. It is perhaps that he is CM’s favor too that he has not been moved till now.

P.Ramesh was posted in the electricity department during the rule of the previous government and in the current government, he has been made the CMD of Power corporation too.

While four Secretaries (Energy) have been changed, Ramesh somehow stays put. Ramesh has a three-year experience of handling electricity-related issues from USA and four years in Andhra Pradesh and it is said that he is

‘linked’ with 10 Janpath in New Delhi. Inspite of his open ‘revolt’ against his own boss Ajitabh Sharma, Ramesh is not likely to be shifted because of his integrity and competence.

PC Kishan did a commendable job in MGNREGA and has become an expert in the field therefore the state government does not want to shift him. Interestingly, there are only three Collectors who continue to hold their position since December 2018. the reason for this is simple.

Leaders like CP Joshi have been backing Collector Arvind Poswal in Rajsamand, Pramod Jain Bhaya backing Inder Singh in Baran and local Congress leaders in Hanumangarh backing Collector Zakir Hussain is a strong reason for the officials to continue holding their current assignments.

Life is an adventure. The memoir of your life should be a collage of incidents and achievements not things!

2ND FRONT

—Jagdeesh Chandra, CEO & Editor, First India

POSTAL REG NO. JPC/010/2019-21

JAIPUR | TUESDAY, OCTOBER 6, 2020

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COVID-19 UPDATE

WORLD

INDIA

08

RAJASTHAN

10,43,696 3,55,75,515 1,03,600 66,81,953 1,559 1,46,195 CONFIRMED CASES

DEATHS

MAHARASHTRA 38,347 DEATHS 14,53,653 CASES

TAMIL NADU 9,846 DEATHS 6,25,391 CASES

DEATHS

CONFIRMED CASES

KARNATAKA 9,370 DEATHS 6,47,712 CASES

DEATHS

DELHI 5,542 DEATHS 2,92,560 CASES

CONFIRMED CASES

GUJARAT 3,512 DEATHS 1,44,026 CASES

Is Chandna emerging as the next Gurjar leader of Rajasthan?

Kartikey Dev Singh Jaipur: Businessman and sports enthusiast turned politician, minister of state for sports and youth affairs Ashok Chandna is a name that is well known in the Gurjar community across the state. The former state president of the Youth Congress also features well in the books of Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot and therefore with each passing day, Chandna is being delegated with additional responsibilities, which political observers believe, is a sure shot sign of the ‘youngster’ being modelled by the ‘veteran’ Chief Minister.

But being politically known within

the community, and having a pan-state poll appeal are two different aspects.

And it is perhaps this reason why Chandna has been ‘handpicked’ by CM Gehlot to ‘handle’ Karauli district, where a sizeable number of Gurjar community members reside.

It is said that one measure of any political personality’s rise can be gauged by how the contemporaries respond to him. If that, by any measure, holds true, then Monday presented a classic example of the same when MLAs who have claimed their allegiance to former deputy Chief Minister Sachin Pilot, were ab-

Sachin Pilot

sent from the meetings of Ashok Chandna at Karauli.

Chandna toured Karauli as minister in-charge and held several meetings while also taking part in various functions.

Raghu Sharma reviews corona situation in Tonk Ziyauddin Khan Tonk: Health and DIPR minister Dr Raghu Sharma was on his maiden tour of Tonk after he was recently appointed incharge minister of the district.

The tour started from Bharatpur guest house in Deoli where he had rested for the night, after he reached there by road late on Sunday night from Bhilwara. After meeting local Congress workers of Deoli, the minister reached the local govt hospital where he took the hospital management to task for lapses he found there. Dr Sharma then joined the Congress ‘Maun Satyagrah’ organised at the Gandhi park in Tonk against Hathras rape case. After the silent protest he along with Niwai MLA Prashant Bairwa and Uniyara MLA Har-

Dr Raghu Sharma flags off the coronavirus awareness campaign.

ish Meena attended the corona awareness campaign. The Congress leaders released posters for corona awareness.

Later, Dr Sharma chaired meetings at local collectorate regarding DMFT funds and Covid-19. The media was kept away from the 2 hour marathon meetings. Later, Dr Sharma met the media after finishing with taking stock of the district situation on various parameters he had pre-decided.

He said Tonk will be

having a corona testing facility by October 15. He also announced that the health department will soon install an oxygen generating plant on Tonk. He said that he had given some important tasks to the district administration related to roads, health, electricity, and water along with better implementation of the flagship schemes of the govt which will be reviewed in 30 days’ time. He submitted many memorandums before he left for Jaipur.

Ashok Chandana

During this time, the young minister was accompanied by Lakhan Meena while Pilot camp leaders Ramesh Meena and PR Meena were no where to be seen. Moreover, Bha-

rosi Jatav excused himself claiming to be unwell.

Pilot, a member of the Gurjar community, also has good support in Karauli district since the

eastern Rajasthan belt is considered to be the stronghold of Pilot family. And perhaps it is this reason that Chandna has been given the responsibility of one

of the eastern district of the state, to make in-roads in the stronghold, and perhaps to highlight the ‘chinks in the armour’.

It is worth noting here that Pilot was accorded grand welcome across the areas he visited on Monday where dozens of local Gurjar youth accompanied him to his engagements. Interestingly, even during the political crisis three months back, Chandna was being seen as a strong leader of his community, not by outsiders and media persons, but by the community members themselves and as a result hundreds of phone calls were made to him to

rally his weight too.

But instead of going ‘berserk’ like Pilot then, Chandna displayed exemplary political maturity and termed that the political issue of a tussle between higher forces and he was merely a party man who will always work within the party lines and limits.

Perhaps the discipline and strategies he has learnt on the polo field, have indeed given him an idea or two on how to conduct himself when difficulties arise, and this is why it would not be wrong to say that Chandna is indeed an emerging Gurjar leader of the state.

CONSTITUTIONAL National leaders reach Kota, offer condolence to Birla LEVERAGE!!

First India Bureau Jaipur: Is there a group operating in universities of the state which has taken to minting money by using its ‘deep connections’ and associations with ‘powerful and well placed individuals’?

Well, it appears that such a group is indeed active in the state whose ‘modus operandi’ depends to a great extent on individuals seated in power corridors, and in particular those in a constitutional institution of the state. Truth be told, this ‘gang’ of individuals approached the university administration for selling a ‘historic’ book for 2,500 rupees per book.

However,

since one book would not be enough, the university is literally forced into buying tens of these books by citing ‘reference’ of an OSD placed in a constitutional institution.

Therefore, from every university these operatives make a revenue of lakhs of rupees as the varsity administration crumbles upon the OSD’s reference!

Interestingly, no one has raised any objection to the operations being carried out by these groups but the real question is as to whose ‘backing’ do these men have that they can carry out their ‘task’ in such a seamless manner!

Sachin Ojha Kota: Large number of eminent people from across the nation continued to reach the Dada Bari residence of Lok Sabha speaker Om Birla on Monday as well to offer their condolences on the demise of eminent social worker and cooperative leader Late Shri Krishna Birla.

Guna MP KP Yadav, Solapur MP Dr J Siddheshar Shivacharya,, Bharatpur MLA Vishwendra Singh, Jaipur MLA Ashok Lahoti, Mandsaur MP Sudhir Gupta, former deputy CM of Haryana Ramvilas Sharma, Kheemach MLA Bheem Singh and BJP national secretary Alka Gurjar offered condolences on Monday.

Central agriculture minister Narendra Singh Tomar, Labour minister Santosh Gangwar, MP Ravi Kishan, Kan-

Ex Haryana CM and Mahendragarh MLA, Ram Vilas Sharma paying tributes.

Ramvilas Sharma, Rao Rajendra Singh, and others offer condolences to Om Birla.

nauj MP Subrat Pathak, Kushi Nagar MP Vijay Dube and Jhansi MP Anurag Sharma are expected to reach on Tuesday. The condolence meeting organised at

Basant Vihar witnessed huge crowd offering floral tributes to Late Birla and reiterating his life long commitment of helping everybody at one’s door.

UDH min inaugurates, lays foundation stone of development projects worth `1,371 crore

31,87, 585 to vote in third phase of panchayat polls

Naresh Sharma

Ashish Aman

Jaipur: Rajasthan Urban Development Minister Shanti Dhariwal on Monday inaugurated and laid the foundation stone for development projects worth Rs 1,371 crore in Jodhpur, Bikaner, Kota and Bharatpur.

Addressing the state’s elected representatives in an online ceremony, Dhariwal said the government is persistently working towards the development of Rajasthan.

Dhariwal laid the foundation of 14 projects of more than Rs 1,223 crore which will be de-

veloped by RUIDP, Smart City Mission, AMRUT) and UDH department in Jodhpur, Bikaner and Kota. He also dedicated to the public four projects developed at a cost of nearly Rs 148 crore in Jodhpur, Bikaner and Bharatpur.

“The state government under leadership of Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot is persistently working towards development of Rajasthan. It is a matter of delight that in a series of development works, 14 more projects are being initiated today,” he said.

On September 28, Ge-

Shanti Dhariwal, Sanyam Lodha, Bhawani Detha during the event.

hlot had laid the foundation for 47 projects in Jaipur, Ajmer and Udaipur at an estimated cost of Rs 1,037 crore.

The fact that the state government has maintained the pace of development works despite COVID pandemic drew appreciation of elected

representatives participating in the ceremony.

“In these critical times, the state government has been advancing towards progress. It is a matter of personal delight that among the works being initiated today, there are projects of nearly Rs 225 crore to be

developed in Sirohi,” said Sirohi MLA, Sanyam Lodha.

State minister for Technical Education, Subhash Garg also thanked the UDH minister for the works held in his electoral constituency of Bharatpur. He requested that efforts should be made to include the Bharatpur city in the list of Smart Cities and extended the due benefits.

Among the projects of which foundation was laid includes the 24X7 water supply system to be developed in Kota under the Smart City project.

Jaipur: 9975 gram panchayat will go to poll in the third phase of Panchayat elections on Tuesday as per the detailed corona guidelines laid by the state election commission.

17 observers have been deputed to monitor the elections where 31,87, 585 voters including 16.66 lakh male and 15.20 lakh female voters will be able to exercise their franchise, state election commissioner PS Mehra said.

He appealed to peo-

ple to wear masks, maintain social distancing during the polling so that they and others can stay safe from corona infection.

The voting for the post of Sarpanch and Panch will take place from 7.30 am to 5.30 pm.

After the voting is over, counting of votes will begin. The election for up-sarpanch will take place on Tuesday.

As many as 4906 candidates are in the fray for the post of Sarpanch and 10205 for the post of Panch in 975 gram panchayats where polling

will be held in the third phase. 32 Sarpanch and 5031 panch have already been elected unopposed. EVMs will be used for the polling for Sarpanch while ballot papers will be used in the polling for Panch.

In total, 3,848 gram panchayats will go to polls in the state in four phases. First phase of elections took place on September 28 in 947 gram panchayats and second phase was held in 1028 gram panchayat on October 3. The fourth phase will take place on October 10.

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City First remembers Vinod Khanna on his 74th birth anniversary, an actor whose career spanned five decades, a man who spent life on his own terms as an actor, Osho follower and politician. He did not believe in the numbers game but brought a rare synergy to each character he played!

REMEMBERING

THE MAVERICK! ANITA HADA

anita.hada@firstindianews.com

V

POLITICAL MEMORY...

inod Khanna had an edge, in the era of smooth heroes he stood out with a smouldering talent and style, a good body and that half mysterious- mocking smile.

With his good looks and charm, he had the potential to pose a threat to the stardom of Amitabh Bachhan but at the peak of his career in 1982 he chucked it all up to follow his heart and Osho.

I liked Vinod Khanna for the different definition he gave to love, he was amazing as the anti-hero and later on even as the hero always bringing something different to his role. I will always remember Chandani for Sridevi’s sarees and for Vinod Khanna. He plays a rich character in both Chandani and Qurbani as well as Kudrat – the person who sacrifices his love for others’ happiness.

The jodi of Amitabh and Vinod was amazing on screen! From Hera Pheri, Muqaddar Ka Sikandar to the multi-starrer Amar-Akbar-Anthony, each movie is a treat. In his career spanning five decades, he had played almost every role. After his sabbatical, he returned to the screen with two hits Satyamev Jayate and Insaaf almost effortlessly. I feel he brought a depth to Dabangg as Salman’s Khan’s father, both he and Dimple Kapadia were very sweet. His resurrection as the father figure in Dabangg and Wanted was much appreciated by his fan following too.

Dayavaan raised many an eyebrow with the bold scenes between him and Madhuri Dixit but the raw energy Vinod put in his character carried the film. His look as the dacoit in Mera Gaon Mera Desh is iconic! Vinod Khanna in the Cinthol Ad had many

a lady swooning, he was the poster boy of Bollywood with his good looks often adorning magazine covers. The charm was very much in place as he won three terms as a Bhartiya Janta Party MP. He stepped into politics, joining the BJP in 1997 and won thrice as MP from Gurdaspur. He also served as the Union minister of state for tourism and culture, as well as external affairs.

Part of the charm of Vinod Khanna was the aura surrounding him, there was a reckless air to him and the way he treated fame and money.

At the peak of his career, he left the film industry to become Osho’s gardener- the title Sexy Sanyasi stuck to Khanna after that and rightly so! He did not believe in the numbers game.

Battling advanced bladder cancer, he breathed his last on 27 April 2017.

09

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10

Can You Feel RINKAL HALDIYA KHANDELWAL

Scratched and torn, bitemarks that she born.

Pain and suffering, she was already trembling.

Forced and boozed, She almost snoozed.

Fear and hatred: depressed and scared.

Shivering and sobbing, her heartbeat sinking.

Helpless and shattered, her lips faintly uttered, ´kill those bastards´.

She lay on that stretcher; pale and panting.

Immersed in the pool of blood, not less than any flood.

Unwanted and bitter, almost like a clutter.

Succumbed to the desires, of these inhuman creatures.

FA CE OF TH ED AY

Uncanny and pervert, was that herd of cowards.

Just when they found her alone, sparkle in the eyes was shown.

Lost in longing and lust, ready to pounce and burst.

Merely an object; for them to inject.

Her shrieks and shrills, wouldn’t deafen them.

Her please and pleads, wouldn’t soften them.

In rage and anxiety, crushed her dignity.

They scared least, almost a beast, superior and manly, roamed around boastfully.

Anger and shock.

Outbursts that broke.

Headlines in the media, cracked the persona.

Isn’t she a part, of every female heart.

Jitters and shivers, racing down the spines.

Evoking the memories, of sufferers and survivors.

This wasn’t the first time, when most heinous of all crimes, had shaken the mankind.

This wasn’t doomed, but meticulously planned.

“Why don’t we lynch these bastards”?

Leaving aside all rules and standards, When we know this could be any one of us.

Neither the attire: nor the class: Neither the age: nor the place.

Could you imagine to be safe.

From the clutches of these maniacs; Hiding under the skin of chameleons.

Can you feel the dearth of emotions, underneath these hellish actions?

Blood boiled in every vain, Like a flicker in every flame.

Tears streaming from my eyes, ‘Cause my life is built on lies.

Overpowered by my fears, So I kept quiet for many years.

The secrets tore me up inside.

With a twisted mind and arms atied, They took their turns, So I buried the burns.

I grew up thinking it was my fault.

My fault for every rape and every assault.

Those dark memories still haunt my brain, And still I feel I’m the one to blame.

Did she have a choice?

She looks at him He stares back, condemning her She looks away, not guilty Did she have a choice?

He says she did For her it never was Silence would be death Did she have a choice?

YOUR DAY Horoscope by Saurabbh Sachdeva

When he came home The moon at its end The night its darkest Did she have a choice?

Of breath stinking Of crime and blood An innocent’s screams Did she have a choice?

His semen mixed forcibly

Did she have a choice?

Only a mother to her son?

A woman to herself The choice to be a human Did she have a choice?

No...

—SOURCE: Bevajah se Khyalat

But enough is enough.

Tonight I will stay tough And maybe for once they will see That they can no longer hurt me.

—SOURCE: Sabrina More By Sabrina

ARIES

TAURUS

GEMINI

CANCER

You have now become accustomed to this new life and you are no more complaining. Planning a good budget is your strength and your finances are always under your control. You are a smart person so its not easy for other to fool you.

Don’t forget to do revisions.

Do not flaunt where it isn’t needed. You can expect a huge profit from business and a good money flow cannot be ruled out for some. You may feel the work pressure in office today probably because of someone’s absence. You may meet your childhood friends today.

Just accept this new life and life will become easier.

You need to remain focused today, on work front as seniors may come or any high authority for some kind of checking. On academic front, sometimes you feel you are fully prepared, sometimes you don’t.

This pandemic has changed a lot but do not let your dreams die. You take wise decisions, and you can expect decent returns from your past investments. Family will help you by sharing some home burdens.

You will live upto expectation of your boss.

MAR 21 - APR 20

APR 21 - MAY 20

MAY 21 - JUNE 21

JUNE 22 - JULY 23

LEO

VIRGO

LIBRA

SCORPIO

You are sensitive and you are famous in your social circle but don’t let that effect you in a way that you feel forced to do things which will make you regret later. Your parents may need your emotional support so make sure you are by their side.

Someone close may need your care.

Someone rightly said health is wealth therefore eat right and in proportion is what you need right now. Those who have a wanderlust are not very happy due to restrictions but time will not be the same forever so patience should be your best friend as of now.

Just do not give up easily on your dreams before fighting hard. You won’t refrain from clearing all your debt in coming times, be rest assured about that. You have a strong bond with people in your professional life. You will get the chance to renew old relationships.

You are very sentimental about your parents, worrying a lot because of the pandemic situation but instead of worrying make sure that their life is at ease during these times. Fate is in your favour and indicates a huge profit from your investment in stock market.

JULY 24 - AUGUST 23

AUG 24 - SEP 23

SEPT 24 - OCTOBER 22

OCT 23 - NOVEMBER 22

SAGITTARIUS

CAPRICORN

AQUARIUS

PISCES

People call you a wise soul but sometimes you go astray from your path, so the solution is to get in habit of meditating regularly. All the financial decision you will take today will only make you more secure. You may find your parents nagging so try and explain to them how you feel.

Love and respect yourself before anyone else. What you need to do is to sit down and think about all your savings, assets and finances before stepping into a new venture.

On professional front, you will give a remarkable presentation even if virtually.

You always are in peaceful state of mind as only harmony prevails at your place. You will likely get your ancestral property but because of pandemic situations there may be little delays. You will out do yourself in terms of performance and your dedication will be appreciated.

It is not an obligation to always pay heed to your parents’s advice but listening and respectfully answering is what educated and sensible kids do. You will step into a new business which will run out to be successful in long run, do not concentration on short term goal.

NOV 23 - DEC 22

LARISSA D’SA, Travel Blogger

With her virgin blood Terror knocked loudly

Every night I lie awake, Wondering how much I can take.

If only someone would have listened To the screams and to the pleads.

Maybe I could have ended it all And still be able to stand tall.

DEC 23 - JAN 20

JAN 21 - FEB 19

FEB20 - MARCH 20

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JAIPUR | TUESDAY, OCTOBER 6, 2020

11

2 years down

Soothing & Comforting R

Place F

or actor Kangana Ranaut there can be “many amazing places in this world but the most soothing and comforting... is a film set”.

The actor, who was recently mired in controversy after comparing Mumbai with Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, shared this on Twitter on Monday, along with some photographs of her talking to director A L Vijay on the sets of her muchanticipated film ‘Thalavi’.

“Good morning friends, these are some stills from yesterday’s early morning scene discussion with my absolutely talented and most affectionate director A.L Vijay ji, there are many amazing places in this world but the most soothing and comforting to me is a film set #Thalaivi”,” the ‘Panga’ actor posted.

The actor is essaying the role of former Tamil Nadu chief minister J Jayalalithaa in the film. Kangana, who is sporting a saree and holding a face mask in the pictures, is seen discussing the shooting sequences with Vijay.

— ANI

Aamir Khan

SUPPORTING

WOMEN

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amir Khan along with his entire team is currently in Delhi shooting for his upcoming movie ‘Laal Singh Chaddha’. Aamir has instructed LSC team to employ women driven Sakha cabs for their entire Delhi schedule.

Aamir first introduced Sakha cabs in Satyamev Jayate appreciating their remarka-

ble work of providing employment opportunities to women who have been victims of domestic abuse and harassment. Ever since then, Aamir Khan has been providing them patronage and is an ardent supporter of their service. He promised them that whenever he would visit Delhi, he would use their service.

—Agency

Kangana Ranaut

B ... her post

Good News from Elsa

and will go on till October 23, a source shared that Pitt is asking for 50/50 custody to be put and stay in place.

On the other hand, Jolie wants to be “fair” when it comes to the custody as she’s very structured with their children.

Moreover, Brad reportedly has “high hopes” that Brangelina can try to

way there.”

Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt

STUNT-MAN

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regnant Victoria’s Secret model Elsa Hosk recently revealed that she’s having a baby girl. She shared a pregnancy photoshoot on Instagram with the caption, “Babygirl,” which let fans in on the sex of her soon-tobe-born baby with boyfriend Tom Daly. Fans were thrilled for the model, with some pointing out that fellow model Gigi Hadid just gave birth to a baby girl with boyfriend Zayn Malik. Romee Strijd, another member of Victoria’s Secret model squad, is also pregnant and getting ready to welcome a girl.

Elsa revealed her pregnancy news on Instagram only days ago.”Been keeping this angel in my belly a secret for a while...Feeling beyond excited and lucky to be having a baby and begin the next chapter of life with the man of my dreams!!!!” she wrote on Tuesday, adding Elsa Hosk that she was “Half

make it work because of the importance of co-parenting. “Brad, for the most part, has been respectful of Angelina’s parenting.

While he doesn’t agree with everything, he knows she loves the kids and wants the best for them. He also knows his love and presence are needed,” the insider added.

—Agency

T

Tom Cruise

Monday marked the two year anniversary of the film that won many accolades and even won the National Award and marking the ocassion, actress Radhika Apte shares how the film made an impact on her.

Radhika shares, “Andhadhun will always be close to my heart. It gave me yet another opportunity to collaborate with like minded colleagues, who inspire me and help me grow my craft. Working with a director like Sriram Raghavan and co-actor Ayushmann, was a great learning and experience.”

—Agency

Radhika Apte

EXCITING TEASER

HIGH HOPES

rad Pitt and Angelina Jolie’s divorce can only be finalised once an agreement is set regarding the custody battle for their six children - Maddox, 19, Pax, 16, Zahara, 15, Shiloh, 14, and twins Knox and Vivienne, 12.

While the custody trial reportedly begins today, i.e. October 5

adhika Apte and Ayushman Khurrana starrer ‘Andhadhun’ made headlines when it released for its intense storyline that has viewers by the edge of their seats and is one of the most widely loved films in Bollywood.

om Cruise is leaving no stone unturned to deliver an edge-of-the-seat experience with ‘Mission: Impossible 7’ and ‘Mission: Impossible 8’. Fans have been witnessing glimpses of the action scenes in the movie. Just when we thought he has already raised a bar, Cruise surpassed our imaginations when he performed a stunt sequence on a moving train. The actor, along with the crew, found a steady foot on the roof of a train in Norway and shot a fight sequence for the MI movie.

An onlooker, who goes by the name of Fotokjerring on Insta-

... the post

Poster of the film

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iquing fans’ excitement for his upcoming spythriller, actor Akshay Kumar on Monday dropped an intriguing teaser of ‘Bell Bottom’. “Go BellBottom! Here’s a thrilling throwback to the 80s. Presenting #BellBottomTeaser,” wrote Akshay as he posted a glimpse from the movie on Twitter. Pooja Entertainment’s ‘BellBottom’ has Akshay Kumar in the lead with the usual panache playing a RAW agent on the trail of a mystery and the film’s retro theme brings back the eighties rather convincingly. Also, ‘Bell Bottom,’ has become the first film in the world to start and finish its shooting during the pandemic.

—ANI

25 Years of Bobby

gram, shared a video taken from her car, showing the crew preparing for the scene.

—Agency

Lucky Ryan

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merican actor Eva Mendes recently dished on her love for husband Ryan Gosling and said that she likes spending time with her man.

The 46-year-old actor shared a gorgeous throwback photo of herself running on a beach and joked that she “went for a run on the beach this morning” before adding, “No I didn’t.”

“This picture was taken at least 15 years ago. Haven’t seen a beach this year. Haven’t been on a run this year,” Mendes joked.

However, one follower decided to comment on her post, “You need to tell Ryan to get you out more.”

—Agency

Bobby Deol’s post

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Eva Mendes and Ryan Gosling

arking the silver jubilee anniversary in the show business, actor Bobby Deol on Monday expressed his gratitude in the form of a heartfelt post. The ‘Yamla Pagla Deewana’ star took to Twitter and penned an emotional and overwhelming message as he celebrated a landmark in the industry. “It’s been 25 years at the movies for me... A journey that started in October of 1995.. an overwhelming and emotional one. I proudly say I’ve seen the highs and the lows. The one thing these 25 years have taught me is, to never give up; always bounce back and keep moving ahead!” tweeted Bobby.

—ANI

CITY BUZZ www.firstindia.co.in I www.firstindia.co.in/epaper/ I twitter.com/thefirstindia I facebook.com/thefirstindia I instagram.com/thefirstindia

MODEST FASHION Faspro Academy’s exclusive photoshoot portraying the fact that fashion is not always about exposure!

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WHAT’S HAPPENING!

NEHAL NAYAR

nehal.nayar@firstindia.co.in

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here are a lot of times when people mistake the term ‘fashion’ with exposure and nudity when it is actually all about glamour. If we look closely, there is nothing fashionable about anything that doesn’t have a hint of glamour in it. To portray the same thing, Faspro Fashion Academy in the Pink City opted for an exclusive photoshoot revealing the ‘glamour quotient’ of the city, with a lot of modesty.

Founder of Faspro Fashion Academy, Ravi Sharma stated, “We believe to showcase something exclusive and different every single time. Modesty in fashion is extremely important, as that is something the audience needs to know. In the future, we will come up with something more unique and exclusive- being different from the others is what we believe in.”

Poignant Song BIG ANNOUNCEMENT

The Asia Pacific Medical Technology Association (APACMed) brought to fruition the firstever hybrid virtual forum – Redefining Healthcare Agility on 25 September, that welcomed more than 130 world-class leaders from over 30 countries to share insights on how they are transforming the healthcare industry. The forum involved a plethora of interactive engagements, including live discussions, interviews, and demonstrations.

A webinar ‘Caring Elderly’ was organised under the joint aegis of Gautam Hospital and Research Center and the Indian Dietetics Association (IDA), where Dr Nimali Singh (Chairman IDA) welcomed everyone. On the occasion, CEO of Gautam Hospital, Rajyashree Gautam recited the poem ‘Vriddhi Hi Vrihad’. Taking care of the physical, mental, and social health of senior citizens, During the session, Professor Dr Shiv Gautam advised taking care of the physical, mental, and social health of senior citizens along with adopting positive thinking and attitude towards life. Senior Psychiatrist, Dr Manaswi Gautam gave information about dementia (memory defects), depression and diseases of cognitive impairment among people beyond the age of 60 years and shared the preventive measures. The program was conducted by Dr Medhavi Gautam (Joint Secretary IDA). The webinar was attended by 265 experts and others.

The one-day International Youth Development, Global Gandhi Conference and Awards 2020 was organised on 2 October. During the occasion, social worker Rakhi Shukla was honoured with the ‘Global Gandhi Peace Award’ for her outstanding social service.

BY IIHMR

CITY FIRST

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Ja i p u r based writer & Jeweller Vijay mesmerized music lovers with his latest song ‘Duniya ka Bhi Ek Rela Hai, Merne Ke Baad Bhi Ek Mela Hai’, which has been very popular on youtube.

The song, which was writVijay ten by Vijay, was sung by renowned Sufi singer Kailash Kher. Music Director Millan Harish has done amazing work on this song. The legendary Singer Lata Mangeskar also looked up congratulating him for his limpid song.

He has written more than three thousand poems and songs till now. In the coming days, Vijay plans to write many more songs for music lovers indeed. cityfirst@firstindia.co.in

JAIPUR | TUESDAY, OCTOBER 6, 2020

CITY FIRST

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he Indian Institute of Health Management Research (IIHMR) made a big announcement on 5 October, by declaring that it will soon launch a new School of Public Health- ‘S D Gupta School of Public Health’ in IIHMR U n i v e r s i t y, Jaipur. Dr Ashok Agarwal, Founder Trustee, IIHMR, announced this during its 36th Foundation

Day celebration through an online platform, witnessed by all faculty, staff, and students of IIHMR. Dr S.D. Gupta, who is the Trustee Secretary of Indian Institute of Health Management Research, and Chairperson of IIHMR

University is a renowned public health specialist and has given a new shape to the practice of public health in India.

Remembering the institute’s initial foundation years, Dr Agarwal said, 36 years back, we were trying to set up a new and different vision. I found a group of bright academicians who believed in my vision, and today IIHMR has three campuses in Jaipur, Bangalore, and Delhi. cityfirst@firstindia.co.in

GUJARAT: After seven long months, Heritage hotel Agashiye, the house of MG, reopened on Monday at Laldarwaja of Ahmedabad. The hotel was illuminated with lightings as hotels were closed for a very long time due to the COVID-19 pandemic —PHOTO BY HANIF SINDHI

AFFORDABLE EXCELLENCE CITY FIRST, GUJARAT

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Gandhian Engineering Idea Competition was organised

by AURO University, Surat on 2 October, to commemorate the 151 birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi. To participate in the competition, total 172 entries were received from various categories such as AgriTech, Technology - IoT, AI, ML, Green Business, Gaming E-Commerce, Food and Hospitality, Waste management, Textile, Logistics, medi-

Padma Vibhushan Dr RA Mashelkar

cal and healthcare. UG, PG and school students from across the nation with 32 Educational in-

stitutions, 4 institutes of national importance (NID, NIFT, NIOS and EID) participated in the

program.

Padma Vibhushan Dr R A Mashelkar, ‘Bhishma Pitamah’ of Indian

Innovation regime declared the prize winners of the competition. In his address, Dr Mashelkar explained the concept of ‘Gandhian Engineering’, which is all about “getting more performance from less resource for more and more people of the world”.

Dr Mashelkar said that the essence of Gandhian engineering is affordable excellence and also that it thrives on the principle of not mass production but production by mass. cityfirst@firstindia.co.in

RAJASTHAN: A poignant play ‘Haathi-Ghoda-Palki’ written by Amit Purohit and directed by Ruchi Bhargava was organised by Nettheat on Saturday. The show was based on the lives of eunuchs in which, despite being a part of society, they live completely isolated.

HAPPY B’DAY!

The Institute of Company Secretaries of India (ICSI) celebrated its 52nd Foundation Day virtually on Sunday, on the theme ‘Governance: From Grassroots to Global’.

Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs and Heavy Industries & Public Enterprises, Government of India, Arjun Ram Meghwal graced the occasion as the Chief Guest.

IAS Om Prakash Kasera celebrated his birthday on 5 October, Monday. We wish him all the best!