First India-Jaipur Edition-07 December 2020

JAIPUR l MONDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2020 l Pages 12 l 3.00

P5 OUR EDITIONS: JAIPUR, AHMEDABAD & LUCKNOW

WEST BENGAL GOVT DISTANCING ITSELF FROM RULE OF LAW: DHANKHAR 16°C - 31°C

RNI NO. RAJENG/2019/77764 l Vol 2 l Issue No. 181

227 FALL SICK IN ANDHRA, OFFICIALS SUSPECT WATER CONTAMINATION

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FARMERS’ AGITATION GETS POLITICAL COLOUR!

Cong, TRS, AAP, DMK join hands to embarrass Modi GRASSROOTS Kavita Pant New Delhi: As the farmer agitation intensified with a call for nationwide strike (Bharat Bandh) on December 8, by farmer unions which have been protesting on Delhi’s borders for 11 days, the Opposition too rallied behind them announcing to join in their protest to put pressure on Centre for repealing the farm laws.

In what may be called as a move to embarrass PM Narendra Modi, the Congress, TRS, DMK, AAP, RJD, SP, the newlyminted People’s Alliance for Gupkar Declaration in J&K, and a collection of Left outfits come together.

Meanwhile, Actor Kamal Haasan’s Makkal Needhi Maiam stated that it will take part in the ongoing protest.

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PAWAR TO MEET PREZ ON DEC 9 Mumbai: NCP chief Sharad Pawar is scheduled to meet President Ram Nath Kovind on December 9 over the ongoing farmers’ protest against agrarian laws, the party said here on Sunday. NCP spokesperson Mahesh Tapase said the former Union agriculture minister will apprise Kovind of the situation in the country in the backdrop of the protest. The meeting comes on the day of the next round of talks between the farmers’ representatives and the Centre after the previous round ended inconclusively on Saturday. NCP had staged a walk-out in Rajya Sabha when the three farm bills were introduced in September.

VIJENDER TO RETURN KHEL RATNA OVER FARMERS’ ISSUE A man fumigates at Singhu Border where farmers stage a protest against farm law, in New Delhi on Sunday.

—PHOTO BY ANI

BENIWAL’S RLP LENDS SUPPORT TO FARMERS, THREATENS TO EXIT NDA COALITION The Rashtriya Loktantrik Party, an ally of the Bharatiya Janata Party, on Sunday extended its support to the farmers’ agitation. RLP MP Hanuman Beniwal in a video message posted on Twitter said that he will also take a call on its support to NDA after December 9 if the government does not solve problems faced by the farmers. P8

Vijender Singh, who won a bronze medal at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, said on Sunday that he will return his Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna award if the demands of the protesting farmers at the Delhi border aren’t fulfilled. Singh, who is from Haryana, is the latest in the line of sportsmen, artistes and activists from across the country—majorly from the key protesting states of Punjab and Haryana—to have thrown their weight behind the “Delhi Chalo” protest, which entered its 11th day on Sunday.

GEHLOT to back farmers’ bandh Rahul Gandhi has been an ardent supporter of farmers says the Rajasthan Chief Minister Kartikey Dev Singh

Jaipur: Ahead of the ‘Bharat Bandh’ called out by farmer organizations on 8th December against the new agri laws passed by the central government, Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot, on Sunday, assured that the Congress supports ‘Bharat bandh’ on favor of the farmers.

Taking to micro blogging site Twitter, Gehlot said that former party chief Rahul Rajasthan CM Ashok Gehlot Gandhi

Agra Metro: PM to 17 volunteers given Russia’s Yogi’s Film City gets virtually inaugurate Sputnik V vaccine in Pune industry’s support construction works

First India Bureau New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the construction of the Agra Metro Rail Project (AMRP) on December 7 at 11.30 am through video conference.

Union Minister of Housing and Urban Affairs Hardeep Singh Puri, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and other dignitaries will also attend the event that will be held at 15 Battalion PAC parade ground in

Agra. Agra Metro project comprises two corridors with a total length of 29.4 km and connects major tourist attractions like Taj Mahal, Agra Fort, Sikandra with railway stations and bus stands.

PM had, on March 8 last year, inaugurated the Agra Metro project along with the commencement of commercial operations of Lucknow Metro on the entire 23 km long NorthSouth corridor from CCS Airport to Munshipulia.

—ANI

Pune: A total of 17 volunteers have been administered Russia’s Sputnik V coronavirus vaccine at a Pune hospital as part of the human clinical trials, doctors said on Sunday. Sputnik V vaccine has been developed by the Gamaleya National Research Center of Epidemiology and Microbiology and Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF).

As per reports, India has purchased 100 million doses of the candidate from Russia.

“17 healthy volunteers were administered Sputnik V vaccine in the last three days as part of human trials,” Dr SK Raut, Head of Clinical Research Department of Noble Hospital, said. The inoculation process began on Thursday, he added.The selection of volunteers was done as per laiddown norms as they need to be healthy. —PTI

AMARINDER SEEKS PRIORITY VAX FOR PUNJAB FROM PM

Punjab CM Amarinder Singh

Punjab CM Captain Amarinder Singh wrote a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday, seeking priority allocation of the COVID-19 vaccine on account of its higher mortality rate than other states.

PFIZER SEEKS EMERGENCY VAX USE NOD IN INDIA

QUEEN TO BE AMONG FIRST TO GET VAX IN UK

New Delhi: Pfizer India has become the first pharmaceutical firm to approach the Drugs Controller General of India seeking an emergency use authorisation for its Covid-19 vaccine in the country. It is to be noted that Pfizer India’s parent company Pfizer has already got emergency-use clearance in the UK and Bahrain.

Queen Elizabeth, 94, and Prince Philip, 99, are expected to be among the first to receive the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine, whose first consignment has arrived in the UK and is set to be administered first to those above the age of 80 from Tuesday.

Leading figures such as the Queen taking vaccine is expected to help overcome anxieties.

First India Bureau

Lucknow: As soon as the Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath unveiled the ambitious plan to open the world-class film city in Noida, the Indian Motion Picture Producer’s Association wrote a letter to Maharashtra CM Udhav Thackerey that explains why it is difficult for the producers to shoot in Maharashtra.

In the memorandum of demands, the IMPPA said, “Subsidies and Entertainment tax exemption which is made available only for all Marathi films by the Government should also be made applicable to all Hindi films. The film industry today is in dire need of financial assistance and today Hindi film producers are getting subsidies from various State Governments including UP and many others.”

has been an ardent supporter of farmers and every Congress worker stands with him.

“Congress party supports Bharat bandh in favour of farmers on 8th December. Turn to P6

Muslim clerics back CM Yogi’s new law Vishal Srivastav

UP CM Yogi Adityanath

“There are too many unions of workers and each political party has its own film-based union who visit and cause disturbance and disrupt shooting forcing the producers to shift out of the state for a harmonious working environment,” the letter added.

Producers prefer going to shoot at new locations because they found it reasonable rather than shooting in Maharashtra at a high price, the letter mentions.

In a letter issued by IMPPA, it is mentioned that producers are being harassed Turn to P6

Lucknow: The goodness of the newly framed law against forceful conversions in Uttar Pradesh is now gradually seeping into the Muslim community.

On a brighter note on Sunday, a number of senior Muslim clerics called for supporting Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath’s move against the forceful religious conversions.

The clerics have come out in full support of Yogi government’s call to put an end to forceful marriages in the name of religion and have issued directives to Qazis to not solemnise marriages that do not have consent from either of the family members of the bride and groom-to-be.

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In Yogi’s regime, Hindu-Muslim bury hatchet in Ayodhya Both communities refrain from any show of strength on Sunday, on occasion of Babri anniversary Vishal Srivastav Lucknow: Sunday was ‘just another day’ in Ayodhya. The Hindus and the Muslims went out for their routine chores just like they would, on any given day.

On a chilly morning, the Pundit Tea stall near the Ram Janmabhoomi had a veteran Muslim discussing with

a Hindu seer about the upcoming Ram Temple and how lavish it was going to be. The two have been knowing each other for quite some time now and would have tea together at the shop.

This isn’t just a oneoff incident in Ayodhya rather Hindus and the Muslims, seemed to have moved away from

THE VERDICT On Nov 9, 2019, the Supreme Court had ordered the Government of India to create a trust to build the Ram Mandir temple and form a Board of Trustees within three months. The disputed land is to be owned by the Government of India and subsequently transferred to the Trust after its formation. The Court ordered the entire disputed land of area of 2.77 acres to be allocated for the construction of a temple while an alternative piece of land of area of 5 acres be allocated to the Uttar Pradesh Sunni Central Waqf Board for the construction of a mosque at a suitable place within Ayodhya. The Court ruled that the 2010 Allahabad High Court’s decision, division of the disputed land was incorrect.

the tainted past.

“Kya rakha hai saab in baaton mein, sab bhai hi to hain

hamare,”said the Abdul Raees who too was present at the tea stall.

Though there was

quite a huge deployment of security forces including the paramilitary forces but there

seemed no need for it at all, especially to the locals. “What has happened, has happened,

we move on,”said Ramdhari Singh who works at a nearby grocery store.

On Sunday, it was the 28th anniversary of the demolition of Babri Masjid that fell approximately four months after PM Narendra Modi laid foundation stone for Ram Temple after Supreme Court verdict.

Members of both communities also decided to refrain from observing any kind of event to mark the anniversary.

Previously, Muslims used to observe the day as “Yaume-Gham” (day of sorrow) by displaying black flags.

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EYE-CATCHING MOMENT

View of a flock of annual migrating Seagulls flying all over the Anasagar lake which is a famous tourist attraction in Ajmer. They come flying in December and stay till February. To enjoy the winter guest, people go to visit Baradari and Chowpaty and often feed them biscuits. It’s an eye-catching moment to see people feeding seagulls.

—PHOTOS BY HIMANSHU SHARMA

Gehlot govt will fall of its own coz of internal conflicts: Poonia

Poonia said that Gehlot’s team looks like an old ‘C’ grade cricket team of Zimbabwe Aishwary Pradhan

CONG MANIFESTO

Jaipur: Ter ming the Ashok Gehlot gover nment as the most chaotic and indolent, BJP state president Satish Poonia on Sunday said the Chief Minister has failed to run the gover nment because he has no thinking of his own.

Poonia said that Gehlot’s team looks like an old ‘C’ grade cricket team of Zimbabwe which has failed the government.

“The ministers of the Gehlot government have no move, no face,

Satish Poonia issued a ‘’black paper’’ listing out the alleged failures of the government.

no character and hence this government has failed due to its ‘C’ grade category team,” Poonia said in a virtual press conference.

He rejected the allegations of the CM

against Union home minister Amit Shah and oil minister Dharmendra Pradhan of making efforts to topple the government and said that the Congress is suffering from

infighting and it will fall on its own.

“Gehlot is mentally disturbed, he can say anything. He is unable to handle the infighting in Congress. BJP never conspired to top-

‘Congress failed on every aspect’ First India Bureau Jaipur: Union Jal Shakti minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat on Sunday said that the Congress is buried under the burden of failed leadership and is blaming BJP again for the failed govt in Rajasthan.

“Internal conflict and factionalism are telling the condition of the party. The Gehlot govt should focus on its or-

Gajendra Singh Shekhawat received immense public support during the door-to-door contact program in Bangaon, West Bengal, near the Bangladesh border.

ganisation,” he tweeted in reaction to CM Gehlot’s allegations that BJP is conspiring to top-

ple his govt.

Shekhawat said the govt has failed on every aspect of management

and this information is with every resident of the state except the govt.

“The public wants to see not only Rahul ji’s comments but also the work of the govt. Please pay attention to the government,” he said in the tweets. Shekhawat, who is on an election tour of West Bengal, said that there that false cases are made against BJP workers there.

—With inputs from ANI

ple the government, it will fall due to its own actions and internal discord,” he said.

The BJP leader also issued a ‘’black paper’’ listing out the alleged failures of the government.

“From villages to cities, there is an antiincumbency wave against the government. There is resentment among the common people. The government has completely failed on various issues including electricity, water, roads, law and order, farmer debt waiver, crime,” Poonia said.

Two held with foreign cigarettes Vimal Kothari

‘BJP has no right to release black paper’

Cong govt may fall anytime: Devnani

First India Bureau

First India Bureau

Jaipur: Hitting back at the BJP for releasing ‘black paper’ against the Congress govt, transport minister Pratap Singh Khachariyawas said that those who do politics of betrayal with farmers and the common man have no right to release the black paper.

He said that the entire country has seen the misdeeds of the Central government.

“BJP has no right to release black paper. It has betrayed the farmers by bringing antifarmer laws. The farmers are sitting on roads and protesting against the farm laws but BJP leaders in Delhi are enjoying,” he said.

Jaipur: Rejecting allegations against the home minister Amit Shah of trying to topple the Ashok Gehlot government in Rajasthan, BJP MLA Vasudev Devnani on Sunday said that the Congress government is under threat because of growing resentment among the party MLAs. He said that Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot is levelling false allegations against the BJP just to save his government.

Devnani said that the promises made to the Congress and other supporting MLAs who were confined to hotels four months back have not been fulfilled yet and therefore there is resent-

Vasudev Devnani

ment among them; which may erupt.

“The government may fall anytime because it is unable to control the growing discontent among the Congress MLAs. From the very beginning, it has been dependent on a weak foundation of temptation, false assurances, and misuse of government machinery,” Devnani said.

BJP attempted to topple Congress govt: Dotasra

Jaipur: Rajasthan unit of DRI has seized a warehouse of foreign cigarettes and readymade garment which is said to have come from Myanmar. Two accused Nitesh Jain and Ashish Gupta residents of Sanganer have been arrested. The value of seized cigarettes is said to be about Rs 67 lakhs.

Govind Singh Dotasra addressed the farmers at Ratangarh in Churu.

GOVT CAN MAKE SOME AMENDMENTS

Yogesh Sharma

Farm laws will not be repealed: Choudhary 

“If necessary, some amendments to the Acts will be made to acknowledge agitating farmer’s demands.,” said Choudhary

New Delhi: Minister of State for Agriculture Kailash Choudhary on Sunday reiterated that the three laws passed by the government are in favour of the farmers, and added that laws will not be repealed, but if necessary, the government will make some amendments to the Acts to acknowledge agitating farmer’s demands.

“These laws passed by the government will give freedom to farmers. We always said farmers

Kailash Choudhary

should have the right to sell their crops wherever they want. Even Swaminathan Commission’s report recommends that.

I don’t think the laws should be repealed. If

necessary, some amendments to the Acts will be made to acknowledge agitating farmer’s demands.,” said Choudhary, MP from Barmer.

He reassured the farm-

ers that, as the government has said previously, the minimum support price (MSP) for crops will continue, and the Centre is ready to give it in writing as well.

“I think the Congress government in different states and also the party in opposition is trying to instigate farmers,” said the minister. Choudhary said that ‘real farmers’, who are still working in their farms, are ‘not bothered’ by the three laws. —ANI

Jaipur: Defending Chief Minister for his allegations against BJP for trying to topple the state government, PCC chief Govind Singh Dotasra on Sunday said that there are proofs that BJP had attempted to destabilize the Congress government.

Dotasra said that BJP leaders have gone mad and suggested them to introspect. He said that the state government will complete a fiveyear tenure. “It is just a trailer, the entire movie is yet to come,” he said.

“Did not you conspire to bring down the gov-

ernment in Rajasthan?

Did not you stop the Governor from calling the assembly session? Is the audio clip of Gajendra Singh Shekhawat fake? Has BJP not brought down governments in many states?”

Dotasra asked the BJP leaders.

“There is evidence that BJP had attempted to topple the elected government in Rajasthan,” he said at a press conference.

On the other hand, Dotasra addressed farmers in Sikar and Churu and highlighted the drawbacks of the agriculture laws.

Hitting out at the cen-

tre over the issue, Dotasra said that the Modi government has enacted the laws to hide its failures and to benefit certain corporate firms.

Dotasra alleged that through the “black laws”, the Modi govt has done the biggest betrayal with the farmers.

“The Modi government wants to ruin farmers by benefiting select industrialists. Industrialists close to prime minister Narendra Modi will buy grains from farmers at low prices and will do hoarding and black marketing,” he said in the farmers meeting in Sikar’s Fatehgarh.

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JAIPUR | MONDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2020

Marriage venue sealed, allowed as owner pays Rs 30, 000 fine

03

WEDDING IN COVID TIMES!

Tying knots in PPE kits as bride, mother test positive

The teams of mun corps are continuously checking wedding venues 20 fatalities,

2,089 fresh corona cases recorded in Raj

First India Bureau Jaipur: A day after the orders for action against marriage and banquet halls were issued, the municipal corporation authorities on Sunday cracked down on a marriage place and sealed it. The Ratan Garden in Banipark was sealed as it violated the norm of not exceeding limit of 100 guests. The establishment was however later open when the owner paid penalty of Rs 30,000, municipal officials said.

The municipal authorities have become active in issuing challans to the common people and establishments for not following Corona guidelines as the number of corona cases is on the constant rise.

An official of the municipal corporation said that they received information that the number of guests was too large at Ratanbagh marriage garden after

Alarming rise in Covid-19 cases spells fresh curbs on weddings, Ratanbagh marriage garden in city was sealed on Sunday for violation of government guidelines.

—PHOTO BY SANTOSH SHARMA

which a team went to check the venue. The officer said that the number of guests exceeded permissible limit of 100 as such challan was issued and the place was

Khachariyawas launches Yes Premia banking programme

First India Bureau Jaipur: Transport Minister Pratap Singh Khachariyawas on Sunday launched Yes Bank’s Yes Premia program. Khachariyawas, who was the guest of honour of the event, visited the Mansarovar branch of Yes Bank and launched the product.

Yes Premia is a premium banking program offering personalised solutions focused on specific requirements of key consumer segments including but not limited to business owners, salaried professionals and senior citizens. The product has

been carefully curated to provide customised banking solutions to bank’s customers to cater their financial and lifestyle needs with personalized banking solution.

The minister congratulated the bank’s staff on the launch. He advocated and complimented them for providing impeccable customer service to bank’s existing and prospective customers. The branch staff and customers of the bank were also present along with Regional Head Sunil Singh Chauhan, Gaurav Sharan, Kapil Arora & Ilesh Tripathi.

COVID TIES DREAMS

8 meat shops sealed, two licences cancelled in city

Jaisalmer: A minor boy was killed and another injured when an explosive material which they had picked up from a firing range exploded at Swagiya mata temple in Jaisalmer district on Sunday.

Shrawan Singh (11) and Mahipal Singh (12), residents of Bhadariya village, picked up the scrap from the firing range and reached the temple in the afternoon.

They were trying to open it when a blast took place, which left Shrawan Singh dead on the spot, police said.

Hearing the explosion, locals rushed to the temple and took the injured to the nearby hospital.

The police officials said that the postmortem and other formalities was concluded and the body of the deceased Shrawan Singh, resident of Bhadariya village was handed over to their families.

Bharat Dixit Jaipur: Taking action against illegal meat shops, Jaipur greater municipal corporation on Sunday cancelled license of two shops and sealed 8 shops in Pratap Nagar.

Mayor Dr Somya, who received complaints against the illegal shops, reached ward number 118 with the team of officials and took strict action against the illegal shops. Most of the shops had no licence and 980 kg meat was

Jaipur greater municipal corporation Mayor Dr Somya with the team of officials takes strict action against the illegal meat shops in Pratap Nagar on Sunday.

—PHOTO BY SANTOSH SHARMA

Repolling in Udaipurwati panchayat samiti today Ranveer Jhunjhunu: Repolling for Zila Parishad and Panchayat samiti elections at 2 voting booths in Udaipurwati panchayat samiti will be held on December 7.

In Booth number 268 and 269 ( panchayat samiti constituency area number 13, 15 and zila parishad constituency number 13 )in vil-

Students, parents experienced ceremony in an immersive 360-degree online stream Jodhpur: Medals and certificates to academically-outstanding students of Indian Institute of Technology-Jodhpur were awarded virtually through their computergenerated 3D Avatars on Sunday.

It was a thrilling experience for students and

Baran: Corona has changed the way people live and marriages are no exception to this. A bride and her mother tested positive for corona just seven hours before the wedding ceremony at Kelwara of Baran district.

Since the marriage could not be postponed, the rituals took place with the couple, close relatives, and the pandit wearing the PPE kits as per the Covid-19 protocols, said Rajesh Rajawat, medical officer Kel-

wara. The families were extremely worried when the report of the bride tested positive as they could not cancel the wedding at the 11th hour.

The families consulted the authorities who allowed the rituals to take place but with extreme caution. All other functions were cancelled and the final rituals were held at the Kelwara Covid centre, said Rajawat.

He said the pandit was also made to wear the PPE to perform the rituals. Those who came to bless the couple

Curiosity over explosive material kills minor, injures 1

lage Papda gram panchayat in Udaipurwati repolling will be held between 7:30, 5 pm.

DEO U D Khan has issued directions to the concerned SDMs to complete the required process in due time. He also directed the BLO to encourage voters to vote in this repoll and also conducted meeting related to arrangements for polling.

3D avatars receive degrees in convocation their parents, while sitting at home, to see the 3D Avatars receiving degrees and medals in the 6th convocation ceremony. They experienced the convocation ceremony proceedings in an immersive 360-degree live stream online.

The convocation was held in a mixed-reality mode in which degrees

First India Bureau

the marriage gardens to ensure guidelines are followed. The authorities are also visiting the markets and issuing challans to shopkeepers for violating rules.

6TH CONVOCATION OF IIT JODHPUR

Rajiv Gaur

Marriage in PPE kits as bride tested positive a day before the wedding.

sealed. However, it was open later when the deposited the fine of Rs 30,000.

The teams of municipal corporations are continuously checking

First India Bureau

(Left to Right) Sunil Singh Chauhan, Ajay Singh, Pratap Singh Khachariyawas, Nidhi Gaur and Sakshi Sareen at the launching event in Mansarovar on Sunday.

Jaipur: Twenty more fatalities related to the coronavirus infection took the death toll in Rajasthan to 2,429 on Sunday, while 2,089 new cases pushed the infection tally to 2.80 lakh, according to a health department bulletin.

Of the total caseload, 22,427 are under treatment while 2,55,729 people have been discharged after treatment till now, it stated.

In Jaipur, the death toll stood at 455, followed by 253 in Jodhpur, 198 in Ajmer, 163 in Bikaner, 147 in Kota, 113 in Bharatpur, 104 in Udaipur and 95 in Pali.

Of the fresh coronavirus cases recorded on Sunday by health officials, Jaipur accounted for 481, Jodhpur 221, Ajmer 105, Kota 101, Alwar 95, Udaipur 91 and Bhilwara 81. —PTI

GEOFFREY @ IIT VC

Students’ avatars took degrees in IIT Jodhpur on Sunday.

were awarded to 117 B. Tech. students, 51 M.Sc. students, 33 M.Tech. students and 31 Ph.D. students who graduated in 2020.

Turing award winner Prof Geoffrey E. Hinton was the chief guest of the ceremony and he delivered his address virtually from Toronto, Cana-

da. A newly-established School of Artificial Intelligence and Data Science (AIDE) of the Institute was also inaugurated on the occasion.

were also allowed in PPE kits only.

dumped in a dumping yard located in Mathuradaspura.

Residents were happy with the prompt action on complaints.

Dr Somya said that there were several complaints against illegal meat shops and she decided to accompany the officers during the action. Eight shops namely MZ chicken, Ahmed fish- chicken meat shop, Mashallah fish center, Bharat meat, Standard meat shop, Ahmed meat shop, Rajasthan meat shop-1, Rajasthan meat shop-2 were seized.

Three nabbed in Chittor for attack on sarpanch’s husband PK Agarwal Chittorgarh: Police has solved the case of attack on Sarpanch’s husband in Begun Chittorgarh after a one and a half month and has arrested three accused of life threatening attack and has also confiscated a bike used in the crime which took place in

the night hours of October 18 and has named five accused.

SP Deepak Bhargava revealing the case said that there was an old money dispute behind this incident and that the prime accused is still away from the clutches of police. In this matter, Sarpanch of Rayta village panchayat Nirmala Devi

Dhakad had named Parsoli police station incharge Sanjay Gurjar and Constable Durgesh along with two other constables in FIR. After the attack Hemraj Dhakad was rushed to Bhilwara for treatment and people had demanded the arrest of accused in this matter.

Two policemen, gravel trader held in assault on constable First India Bureau Jaipur: A constable, a police staffer, and a gravel trader were arrested on Sunday on charges of assaulting a head constable of Phagi police station. Jaipur Superintendent of Police (Rural) Shankar Dutta Sharma suspended the accused head constable and a clerk level police personnel.

In the report lodged by the victim constable Rajesh, it is mentioned that when he called

staffer Amichand for some work on December 5, he told him to be at the house of gravel trader Mukesh alias Goga on Diggi Road.

When Rajesh reached the spot, a liquor party was going on.

During a conversation between Amichand and the victim, Amichand suspected that Rajesh was recording the conversation. A few moments later, Amichand, constable Ramraj, and gravel trader Mukesh assaulted

Rajesh. Rajesh has claimed that he was attacked at around 11:00 om and the assault went on till 4:00 am. He said the accused also recorded a video of the incident and tried to implicate him in a case false by putting ` 2000 in his pocket.

Deputy Superintendent of Police Devendra Singh said the incdient happened due to misunderstanding. All the three accused were produced in the court and sent to judicial custody.

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04

COVID MANAGEMENT OF UP GOVERNMENT: A LESSON TO LEARN VISHAL SRIVASTAV BUREAU CHIEF FIRST INDIA, LUCKNOW

T

UP Medical Supplies Corporation ensured that procurement did not become a barrier to covid response efforts. Indeed, it was due to clear command lines and uncluttered instructions that helped build up a strong health ecosystem that could deal with such a medical emergency with consummate ease. As of now, all 75 districts of the state have at least one or more Level-2 Covid hospitals having provisions of ICU beds

he Covid management endeavour of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath led the Uttar Pradesh government to receive huge international recognition in the form of high praise by the World Health Organisation (WHO). The global health body has showered praise on Uttar Pradesh Government for its COVID-19 management strategy that helped in getting control over the coronavirus pandemic.

TEAM-11: In a novel initiative, later to be emulated by other states, the CM set up a Team-11 comprised of 11 senior officers, to review the measures taken by the government in the management of Covid. Each officer was given a specific task to be carried out by him in coordination with other officers. CM used to take meetings of Team-11 on a daily basis.

The prompt monitoring in such a manner helped the state control the spread of Corona better than any other state in the country. The officers/team was keeping in view the issues public was likely to face because of Covid restrictions. For example in the Agriculture sector, it was for the government to ensure hasslefree harvesting and in the Industrial sector, it was to be looked into that allimportant industries like those dealing with medicines, medical equipment’s were run without any difficulty.

Similarly, attention was paid to those units which were dealing with essential commodities. As a pro-active protective measure, the CM had sealed the inter-state and international borders of the state even before the countrywide Lockdown was imposed. In order to mobilise the required funds to supplement health services, the UP government created the ‘COVID Care Fund’. Bed capacity in the COVID hospitals was increased.

These steps were instrumental in keeping as low as 1.3 percent lockdown after Janta Curfew. The Janta Cur-

few was imposed countrywide on the appeal of Prime Minister Narendra Modi on March 22. The PM had termed it as the best preventive measure. Moving ahead in this direction, UP Chief Minister was the first to announce a three-day Lockdown but not before ensuring that the citizens get all necessary items during this period.

The Centre declared a nationwide lockdown from midnight of March 24. During this also, the state government catered to all the needs of the people ensuring they do not have to move out from their houses. The government arranged a doorstep delivery mechanism for this. Emphasis on testing COVID sample testing is the only way to identify a Corona-infected person.

Initially, Uttar Pradesh did not have sufficient testing facilities. Imagine, the state had only one testing lab and the testing capacity of just 60 on March 22.

It was all about how you muster and marshal your available resources. The result is evident by the fact that there are over 234 labs in the state including 131 government labs that conduct testing of about 1.75 lakh samples every day. Uttar Pradesh has already set a record of having conducted a total of over 1.30 crore tests. The state government was prompt to engage itself in an expeditious purchase of equipments like PPE kits, High Flow Nasal Canula (HFNC), Ventilators, Oxygen cylinders to provide ICU care.

The training to doctors and paramedics, which had started early in March itself, was also intensified. Contact tracing Uttar Pradesh government’s strategy about contact tracing of the Covid patients, which also won the WHO recognition’, came handy in controlling the menace and established as an effective preventive measure. An aggressive contact tracing strategy using Rapid response teams and ensuring testing for almost every identified close contacts of Covid positive patient came across as a defining tool in the whole Covid management process. Thousands of surveillance teams were formed to conduct surveys of the houses, acquaintances, and contacts of the patients.

In fact, an unprecedented surveillance effort to identify Influenza-Like Illness(ILI)/ Severe Acute Respiratory Infection (SARI) patients using multiple rounds of the house to house visit by frontline workers was afoot to identify potential threat perception in terms of Covid. he problem was the absence of exclusive Covid hospitals. Again, the challenge was accepted and now the state of UP has a total of 674 Covid hospitals inclusive of 571 Level One Covid Hospitals, 77 Level Two Covid hospitals, and 26 Level Three Hospitals. The total availability of beds in these hospitals has been increased to 1.57 lakh no mean achievement considering that the population size of 24 crores is being catered to and this number was zero in March.

UP Medical Supplies Corporation ensured that procurement did not become a barrier to covid response efforts. Indeed, it was due to clear command lines and uncluttered instructions that helped build up a strong health ecosystem that could deal with such a medical emergency with consummate ease. As of now, all 75 districts of the state have at least one or more Level-2 Covid hospitals having provisions of ICU beds.

ICCC Identifying the sturdy mechanism of monitoring is the need of the hour, the UP CM directed to set up the Integrated Control and Com-

mand Centre (ICCC) at the office of the Relief Commissioner at state headquarters.

The similar ICCCs were also established at every district headquarter to be manned by the concerned District Magistrate and Chief Medical Officer (CMO). ICCC became the focal point of Covid management from contact tracing, ensuring home visits by the health team for patients who were put in home isolation to ensuring testing for all eligible persons. Besides, the continuous dialogue with Covid patients was maintained through the CM helpline, all patients were given a call to know their wellbeing and any issue faced at the hospital level. Apart from these, the streamlined ambulance services, the introduction of online OPD services, telemedicine, and tele-consultation facilities were the other logistics employed by the government during Covid management.

Yogi government’s decision to hire trains to bring the migrants was yet another master stroke. As many as 1660 trains were run to bring in migrants from various places. The condition of the migrant who returned from various places of the country was also pitiable. The government started by ensuring basics like food and water to migrants. The community kitchens were opened which catered to migrant labourers and destitute persons. About 6.75 crore food packets were

distributed to them during the Lockdown period.

The returnee migrants, who were sent to home quarantine, after a proper medical check-up, were given ration kits with a 30-day ration. As a rare goodwill gesture, every migrant being sent home was given sustenance allowance of Rs one thousand each along with the ration kit. This helped them go through the initial uncertainty of relocating themselves. In addition to this, about 53 lakh construction labourers, street vendors, carriage pullers, and daily wagers of rural areas were also given rupees one thousand each through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT). The employers were persuaded to pay wages of the Lockdown period. The employers heard the government’s appeal and paid the wages to more than 5 million employees totaling more than Rs 2000 crore.

The ICCCs set up in every district became the ‘nerve centre’ of Covid response management. Manned by qualified Doctors, Administrators, Call Centre Operators 24X7 \ Every needy is being taken care of The government started distributing free food grains in April, irrespective of the place from where the ration card was issued to the beneficiary. The government paid a two-month pension in advance to as many as 86,71,781 beneficiaries under the scheme of old age pension, destitute pension, Divyang pension, and pension for

Trump’s idea of ‘war in space’ would be a catastrophe

I

n 2019, United States President Donald Trump declared “space is the new war-fighting domain”. This followed the creation of the US Space Force and a commitment to “American dominance” in outer space.

Other space-faring nations, and those who fear the acceleration of an arms race in space, were greatly concerned. At the latest meeting of the United Nations Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space, states noted with alarm that “preventing conflicts in outer space and preserving outer space for peaceful purposes” is more necessary than ever.

The election of Joe Biden as the next US president and Kamala Harris as vice-president suggests there is cause for hope. The

future of space may look more like the recent launch of NASA’s SpaceX Crew-1 mission to the International Space Station.

Onboard were US and Japanese astronauts, who joined Russian and US crew already living aboard the ISS. As the Falcon 9 rocket soared into space, the collaborative, cooperative, and commercial nature of space was once again clear for all to see.

COOPERATION, NOT CONFRONTATION The incoming Biden-Harris administration appears more interested in international cooperation, and much more cognisant of the challenges of climate change, pandemics and other global issues. A carefully calibrated space policy can do much to address “terrestrial” challenges, while still allowing for many positive

space activities.

Since 1967, human activity in space has been guided by the universally accepted principles embedded in the Outer Space Treaty. This has ensured we have had no military conflict in space, and re-

quired the exploration and use of space “for the benefit and in the interests of all countries”.

Any alternative vision of the future of space is dreadful to consider. Rhetoric about the inevitability of “war in space” makes

such conflict more likely and risks a “tragedy of the commons” in space.

Any space war would have no clear winner. In a complex, globally shared arena such as space, it is important that states abide by accepted rules and es-

tablished practices.

The US has great scientific and technological advantages and a robust and competitive commercial space sector. Instead of seeking dominance, it can better serve the world (and itself) by focusing its leadership on harnessing space for the benefit of all humankind.

In a promising sign, Biden and Harris’s NASA review team is composed of an outstanding group of space scientists as well as a former astronaut.

The current administration re-established the National Space Council, which is chaired by the vice president, and this has reinvigorated American investment and leadership in space exploration. This includes an ambitious plan to return to the Moon under the terms of the Artemis Accords.

lepers. Also, in the month of June, the pension was paid under PM Poor Welfare Scheme Package. 35818 Gram Sewaks were paid a total of 225.39 crores during the Lockdown. More than 17,64 lakh MNREGS labourers were given jobs in 53487 Gram Panchayats, as much as 4508. 25 crore honorarium was paid to them by creating 22.90 crore man-days. Incidentally, UP tops in the country on this count as well. Jobs to all The government made MNREGS job cards for returnee migrants and also of those who desired to work in the villages. It was ensured that they get work close to their homes.

The skill mapping of about 40 lakh labourers was done so that they get jobs according to their skill set.

A labour employment commission was set up for the social and economic security of labourers. Over 8 lakh MSME units were made functional where over 51 lakh labourers are employed. Rs 10744 crore of the loan was distributed among 4.35 lakh industrial units under Atmanirbhar Yojana. In addition to this, over 5.81 lakh new units were started and the loan worth over Rs 15541 crore was distributed under Atmanirbhar Yojana and over 25 lakh jobs were created.

The loans worth Rs 2447 crore were distributed online to 98743 units on a single day on May 14, 2020. The government came up with a new StartUp Policy to motivate youth towards self-employment. About 50,000 persons are expected to get direct and one lakh persons, indirect employment from this. During the on-going Unlockdown phases, things are being tried and are being streamlined.

Low death rate and high recovery rate The death rate due to Covid has come down to 1.3 while the recovery rate has shot up too close to 90 percent.

In fact, the ultimate recognition to the Yogi government came from none other than the Prime Minister himself.

“The vast preparations made by Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister saved at least 85,000lives, something unthinkable before 2017”- Prime Minister Narendra Modi on UP CM Yogi Adityanath’s deft handling of Corona crisis on June 26,2020.

Top

TWEET Dharmendra Pradhan @dpradhanbjp Indore Municipal Corporation also came up with a presentation on setting up of waste-to-energy plants. Happy to share that IMC has consistently eliminated garbage dumps, ensured 100% household-waste segregation and converted waste to usable products, like compost and fuel.

Adhir Chowdhury @adhirrcinc Request you not to make it a prestige issue Sh @narendramodi Ji. The Govt must bow to the supreme will & aspirations of the people and accordingly repeal the Farmer’s law at the earliest, as the livelihood of millions of farmers is at stake #FarmerProtest

Spiritual SPEAK

How much better to get wisdom than gold! To get understanding is to be chosen rather than silver.

—Proverbs 16:16

SOURCE: THE CONVERSATION

Vol 2 Issue No. 181 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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FARMERS’ PROTEST DAY 11

DELHI TRAFFIC REMAINS AFFECTED

DUE TO CLOSED BORDERS

05

‘Bengal govt distancing itself from rule of law’

THE TRAFFIC POLICE SAID JHATIKARA BORDER IS OPEN ONLY FOR TWO-WHEELER TRAFFIC New Delhi: As the ongoing farmers’ agitation entered the eleventh day, the traffic movement remained affected in the national capital region on Sunday morning with multiple borders between Delhi and neighbouring states still closed for commuters.

Delhi Traffic Police on Sunday appealed to citizens to take alternative routes as along with Singhu, Auchandi, Piao Maniyari, Mangesh borders, Tikri, and Jharoda borders are closed for all kinds of traffic movement. NH 44 is also closed from both sides.

The traffic police said Jhatikara border is open only for twowheeler traffic, while the Badusarai border is open only for light motor vehicles like cars and two-wheelers.

Commuters coming from Haryana are advised to take alternate routes via Safiabad, Saboli, NH8/Bhopra/ Apsara borders/ Peripheral expressway. —ANI

‘I STAND WITH BJP&FARMERS; GOVT THINKS OF FARMERS’ BETTERMENT’

Children play cricket on a blocked Highway where farmers are protesting against the newly passed farm bills at New Delhi - Gazipur border near Delhi on Sunday. —PHOTO BY ANI

SHARAD PAWAR THREATENS LUDHIANA VILLAGE PREPARES CENTRE TO RESOLVE ISSUE SOON SWEETS, SNACKS FOR FARMERS Mumbai: NCP chief and former Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar accused that the Centre passed the agricultural laws in haste and warned that if the situation is not resolved soon more farmers from across the country will join the protest. “Farmers from Punjab and Haryana are the main producers of wheat and paddy, and they are protesting. If the situation is not resolved soon, we will see farmers from across the country joining them, “ Pawar said. —ANI

Modi govt will take J&K’s dev to new heights, says min Jammu: Senior BJP leader Shahnawaz Hussain on Sunday asked militants to leave guns and pick up a pen as the Narendra Modi government is committed to take Jammu and Kashmir to new heights of development.

However, he warned those who did not shun the path of violence to get prepared to be wiped “all-out”.

“J-K is the crown of India and our government is sincere to take the development in the region to the top as well.

We will ensure electricity, water and better roads and no load shedding and darkness which is the hallmark of Congress and Gupkar gang,” Hussain, who is the BJP national spokesperson, told reporters here.

The former Union minister, who has been camping in Kashmir valley for the last 15 days in connection with the ongoing District De-

“J&K is the crown of India,” Shahnawaz Hussain also added.

GUPKAR GANG NEVER LET YOU VOTE: SAYS UNION MINISTER SMRITI IRANI Srinagar/New Delhi: Union minister Smriti Irani has accused the People’s Alliance for Gupkar Declaration of not extending voting powers to refugees from Pakistan, who have pride in the Indian flag.

“When the Gupkar gang had power, they never gave the right to vote to the refugees. But PM Modi understood that the families who chose Hindustan over Pakistan should get the right to go and vote,” said Ms Irani, one of the star speakers of the BJP for the DDC local body elections. —ANI velopment Council elections, reached Jammu on Sunday morning.

“PM Narendra Modi wants a pen in the hands of local youth Leave the gun and pick

PALGHAR MAN KILLS FATHER DURING FIGHT WITH WIFE Palghar: A man was arrested in tribal- dominated Jawhar in Palghar district for allegedly killing his 65-year-old father with a sickle after a dispute, police said on Sunday. Accused Sunil Potinda was arguing with his wife in their home in Zap village in the intervening night of Wednesday and Thursday and his

father Shivram tried to mediate, a police official said while informing about the incident. “An enraged Sunil picked up a sickle and hit his father, killing him on the spot.

The accused was arrested on Friday and has been charged with murder,” the police officer added while saying further probe in the case is underway.

up the pen as anyone indulging in terrorism will face (operation) all out,” he said, lauding security agencies for busting a plan of terrorists. —PTI

Ludhiana: In a small village of Punjab’s Ludhiana, Baddowal, local villagers are busy filling up packets with sweets and snacks prepared from pure desi ghee to be delivered to agitating farmers sitting on the borders of Delhi. “We plan to send a total of 300 kilograms of Khoya pinnis (laddoos) and namkeen matthis prepared in pure desi ghee by families in Baddowal village,” Lakhbir Singh Badwal of the Namdhari Sangat said. —ANI

Many leaders took money from me: Saradha boss Kolkata: Saradha ponzi scam prime accused Sudipta Sen has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee, alleging that several influential people, including prominent political leaders, have taken “financial advantages” from him.

In his letter, a copy of which is with the PTI, Sen, who is still undergoing trial in the multicrore ponzi scam case, requested the CBI and the state police to initiate action against all those who have taken money from him.

“Respected sir and respected madam, I, Sri Sudipta Sen, owner and director of Saradha Group of companies, want to say that there are many influential persons have taken huge financial advantage from me. No action has been taken.” —PTI

‘POLLS TO URBAN LOCAL BODIES IN MP LIKELY IN JAN’ Sagar: Elections to the urban local bodies in Madhya Pradesh are likely to be held next month, state minister Bhupendra Singh said on Sunday. A notification for the urban bodies’ polls is expected to be issued by the end of December, he told reporters. “These elections are likely to take place in January next year. Mayors of the urban bodies will be elected directly by the people as the government has already brought an ordinance in this regard,” the Minister for Urban Development and Housing said.

Chandigarh: Amidst the ongoing farmers’ protest against the farm laws, BJP Lok Sabha MP from Gurdaspur Sunny Deol on Sunday said that he stands with his party and with farmers.

He also said that the central government always thinks of the betterment of farmers.

Taking to Twitter, Deol posted a picture of his statement on the ongoing farmers’ protest.

“I request the whole world that it is matter between our farmers and the government.

Do not come between them, because both will find a way after discussions. I know that many people want to take benefits from it and are creating problems. They are not thinking of farmers.

They may have their own agenda,” he said.

West Bengal Governor Jagdeep Dhankhar

Kolkata: West Bengal governor Jagdeep Dhankhar on Sunday alleged that the TMC government has distanced itself from rule of law and the soul of BR Ambedkar, the architect of the Indian Constitution, is getting deeply hurt.

“I am deeply disturbed, concerned, worried and pained. The governance in the state of West Bengal is getting away from the path of the Constitution. It is distancing itself from rule of law. The soul of B R Ambedkar is deeply hurt,” Dhankhar said at a programme held to pay homage to Ambedkar on his death anniversary.

“High time @ MamataOfficial to ensure governance in accordance with constitu-

tion and render police & administration “politically neutral”. CS & DGP @WBPolice non responsive stance ignoring lawful accountability, letter & spirit of constitution is fraught with serious consequences,” Dhankhar tweeter later in the day.

TMC Lok Sabha member and spokesperson Saugata Roy reacted by saying that Dhankhar is not following ethics.

“He cannot make such statements in public every day. If he has anything to say about the government he can write to the chief minister or call her up.

What he is doing is not right. There is nothing wrong with law and order in Bengal. The governor cannot see the reality,” said Roy.

IN ALL ITS GLORY...

Villagers ride past a mustard farm on the outskirts of Amritsar on Sunday.

—PHOTO BY ANI

FIR OVER DEMONSTRATION IN PROHIBITED AREA

Arrest me if you can: Tejashwi to Nitish Patna: RJD’s Tejashwi Yadav has hit out at the Nitish Kumar government, daring it to arrest him for protesting in support of farmers’ demands to repeal the centre’s three contentious laws. A case has been filed against Yadav and 18 other leaders from

Tejashwi Yadav

DRI SEIZES GOLD WORTH RS 2.25CR FROM BIHAR; ONE ARRESTED Patna: The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence has seized over 4 kg of smuggled gold bars, valued at Rs 2.25 crore, from a Delhi-bound train at Patna station and arrested one person in this connection, an official said. Acting on a tip-off, DRI sleuths conducted a search operation in a coach of DibrugarhDelhi special train on

Friday and recovered 26 gold bars, he said. “The person, a resident of Sangli district of Maharashtra, was arrested as he could not provide any valid document for gold biscuits seized from his possession,” the official said. During interrogation, he revealed that gold bars were smuggled from Myanmar, he said.

various constituents of the Grand Alliance-led Opposition in Bihar for protesting without permission amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Reacting to the charges, Bihar LoP Tejashwi Yadav called his allyturned-foe, CM Nitish Kumar, a ‘coward.’ “The

government of Bihar, led by a cowardly CM, has lodged an FIR against us for raising voice of farmers. If you have any real power, then arrest us. If you do not, I will surrender myself. I am ready to be hanged for farmers,” Yadav tweeted. —PTI

12 NAXALS SURRENDER TO POLICE IN VISAKHAPATNAM Visakhapatnam: Twelve active Naxals surrendered before Andhra Pradesh Police in Chintapalle area of Visakhapatnam district during PLGA week. The Naxal members surrendered before Chintapalle ASP Vidhya Sagar Naidu and belonged to villages of Pathrudigunta of the Galikonda area, Panasalabanda, Akuluru, and Ramagadda. Naidu said, “The militia have become vexed with the barbaric acts of Maoists such as branding people as informers and killing them based on mere speculation.”

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Over 227 fall sick in AP, water contamination suspected

The number of people falling sick with this illness is increasing in Eluru and around 140 persons were admitted and discharged since last night.

New Delhi: A suspected incident of water contamination is believed to be the reason behind falling ill of at least 227 persons in the West Godavari district of Andhra Pradesh.

However, officials are not ruling out viral encephalitis. The incident happened in Eluru town; to be specific in four societies of Ashok Nagar and Arundhatipet. Water contamination was reported from

these two areas just 10 days back. Those taken ill include even children as young as just four years old, reports said.

“The number of people falling sick in Eluru is increasing. Around 140 persons were admitted and discharged since last night till this morning. Their symptoms include nausea and fainting. The reason for this sudden increase is not yet known,” Eluru Government Hospital

MYSTERY ILLNESS

superintendent Dr Mohan told ANI. About 100 additional beds have been made available at

the government facility in a precautionary measure. Blood samples of those fallen ill have been collected to find the reason behind the illness, said District Collector R Muthyala Raju, according to sources. A door-to-door survey is being done to check for water contamination in affected areas, he said. Teams of doctors from Vijayawada are on their way to Eluru to help the medi-

cal teams there and to probe the case of illness, according to Health Minister Kali Krishna Srinivas.

A medical officer said the patients had suddenly started vomiting and complained of burning sensation in eyes while some even fainted. Some of them were brought to the Eluru hospital in critical condition but are all now safe, he said, according to the report.

NEW CASES START TO FADE Total COVID-19 active caseload dropped to 4,09,689, according to health ministry New Delhi: The ministry said that the present active caseload comprises 4.26% of the total positive cases, and new recoveries have led to a net decline of 6,393 in the total active cases, the ministry said in a statement.

“India’s total active caseload has dropped below 4.10 lakh (4,09,689) today. This is the lowest after 136 days. The total active cases were 4,11,133, on July 22,” it said. The ministry said that for the past eight days, the daily new recoveries recorded in the country have been more than

Veteran actress Vijayashanthi quits Cong, to join BJP today

Hyderabad: Veteran actress Vijayashanthi has quit the Congress & will join BJP on Monday. She is expected to meet Home Minister Amit Shah after joining the BJP in New Delhi.

Telangana BJP chief Bandi Sanjay Kumar has reportedly left for Delhi from Hyderabad.

Vijayashanthi had first joined the BJP in 1998 and was made the secretary of BJP's Women's Wing. During the Telangana separate statehood movement, she worked closely with TRS chief KCR.

AIRCRAFT FOR VACCINE DELIVERY

Healthcare workers in protective gear coming out from an ambulance as they leave after collecting swab samples.

the daily cases.

India recorded more recoveries than the new COVID-19 cases for the last nine days, the active coronavirus caseload dropped to 4.03 lakh (4,03,248) on

Sunday, the lowest in 138 days, according to the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. As many as 482 case fatalities have been reported in the past 24 hours. Ten

PM Narendra Modi paid tribute to Dr BR Ambedkar on his death anniversary on Sunday.

states/UTs account for 79.05 per cent of the new deaths. As many as 7,924 people have succumbed to the infection.

Maharashtra saw a maximum, 95, casual-

ties. Delhi and West Bengal follow with 77 and 49 deaths respectively.

The health ministry stressed that more than 70 per cent of the deaths occurred due to comorbidities.

Kushwaha-Nitish meeting

‘CAA LIKELY TO triggers reunion buzz BE IMPLEMENTED FROM JANUARY’ Barasat: Senior BJP leader Kailash Vijayvargiya on Saturday said that the Citizenship (Amendment) Act is likely to be implemented from January next year as the Centre and the saffron party are keen to grant citizenship to the large refugee population in West Bengal. The BJP national general secretary accused the TMC government of not being sympathetic to the cause of the refugees. “We are hopeful that the process of granting citizenship to refugees under the CAA will begin from January next year,” he told reporters on the sidelines of the party’s ‘’Aar Noy Anyay’’

(no more injustice) campaign in North 24 Parganas district.

“The Centre has passed the CAA with the honest intention of granting citizenship to persecuted refugees coming to our country from neighbouring nations,” he added. Reacting to Mr Vijayvargiya’s comment, senior TMC leader and state minister Firhad Hakim said that the BJP is trying to fool the people of West Bengal.

Patna: Amid buzz that former Union minister Upendra Kushwaha and Chief Minister Nitish Kumar may join hands again, following their recent meeting here four days ago, the RLSP chief on Sunday downplayed the speculations as "premature guesswork".

Kushwaha said he had a cordial meeting with Kumar earlier in the week but denied

hammering out a deal for the homecoming.

He, however, did not rule out the possibility of a reunion in future.

Political circles had indicated that Kushwaha may merge his Rashtriya Lok Samata Party (RLSP) with the ruling Janata Dal (United), and he would subsequently be inducted into the state cabinet as a member of the legislative council.

Committed to fulfilling Ambedkar’s dreams: PM New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid tributes to Dr B R Ambedkar on his death anniversary & said his thoughts & ideals continue to give strength to millions. “Remembering the great Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar on Mahaparinirvan Diwas. His thoughts and ideals continue to give strength to millions. We are committed to fulfilling the dreams he had for our nation,” PM Modi tweeted. Ambedkar, the chief architect of the Indian Constitution and a Dalit icon, passed away in 1956.

Yellow alert avalanche warning in higher reaches of J&K: DMA Srinagar: A yellow alert avalanche warning has been issued for higher reaches of several districts in Jammu and Kashmir by National Disaster Management Authority (DMA).

These districts include Rajouri, Ramban, Kishtwar, Baramulla, Kupwara, Bandipora &

Ganderbal. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted heavy rain and snow over the region for the next few days. “Under the influence of a fresh Western Disturbance, scattered to fairly widespread precipitation very likely over Jammu and Kashmir, from De-

cember 7 to 9. Isolated heavy rain/snow also very likely over Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh, Gilgit-Baltistan, Muzaffarabad on December 8,” the IMD tweeted. On November 9, 5 passengers were rescued by Border Roads Organisation after a snow avalanche hit Zojila Pass.

the role of Governor and President in the entire issue. “When the central government will not listen to the public in peaceful demonstrations, will not communicate with the opposition and national farmer organizations, the Governor will not send bills passed by opposition party governments to the President and the President will not give time to meet the Chief Ministers of the opposition party government, then how will the public express their feelings to the central government?”

Gehlot further added,

“The attitude of Modi government is full of arrogance and fascist thinking, therefore they are not listening to the voice of the public and the opposition. Protest, memorandum, sit-ins and demonstration of any government are due to its policies and decisions which is necessary in a healthy democratic tradition. Opposing the government cannot be anti-national or treason. Today, farmers across the country are on the streets due to the Modi government’s way of suppressing the public’s voice instead of listening to them.

Moreover, even when Rahul Gandhi and Captain Amarinder Singh took out a tractor trip in Punjab in support of the farmers, had then the central government would have taken it seriously, the situation would not have come to what it is today.”

AMIT SHAH, JP NADDA PAY TRIBUTES TO BR AMBEDKAR

New Delhi: Union Home Minister Amit Shah & BJP President JP Nadda paid tributes to Dr BR Ambedkar.

"Tributes to Baba Saheb. He gave a futureoriented and inclusive Constitution to the country & paved the way for progress, pros-

perity & equality in the country," Home Minister said. While Nadda said, "The nation will remain indebted to Babasaheb who played important role in showing the way of social harmony and social reform in the country," Nadda said.

Terrorists attack joint party of Police, CRPF in Srinagar Srinagar: One Police personnel and a civilian were injured on Sunday after terrorists attacked a joint party of Police and CRPF at Sazgaripora, Hawal here in Srinagar.

The area has been cordoned off to nab the terrorists and both the injured were shifted to hospital. “Terrorists

fired indiscriminately upon a police party at Sazgaripora #Hawal in which 01 police personnel Farooq Ahmad Chopan and 01 civilian Muneer Ahmad got injured.

Both the injured were shifted to hospital. The area has been cordoned off,” Kashmir Zone Police tweeted.

while shooting in Maharashtra as a result of which producers prefer to shoot in the state only if absolutely necessary.

should solemnize the marriage only if both are Muslims. Inquiries should also be done about their families.

Qazis should not agree to the marriage if any of them has been forcibly converted as this would be against the tenets of Islam.

Nawab Qazi Mufti Mohammed Azhar Shamsi suggested that qazis should examine documents such as aadhar card, PAN card, voter card, passport or any other identification card and should keep a copy of attested and signed documents with them.

FROM PG 1 Farmers’ agitation...

To resolve the stand-off, an option to convene a special Parliament session is being considered, senior government source said. “It is not ruled out, but no decision has been taken,” the source said to a question if a special session was being considered. Both the sides have now agreed to meet again on December 9.

The joint forum of trade unions that has supported the farmers’ stir includes Indian National Trade Union Congress (INTUC), All India Trade Union Con-

gress (AITUC), Hind Mazdoor Sabha (HMS), Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU), All India United Trade Union Centre (AIUTUC) and Trade Union Co-ordination Centre (TUCC).

Grassroots Gehlot...

As we know Rahul ji has been raising the voice of farmers through his signature campaign, kisan and tractor rally. He has been an ardent supporter of the farmers of country and every Congress worker stands with him in taking this cause of farmers to every corner of the na-

tion,” he tweeted.

Gehlot then mounted scathing attack on the NDA and its policies, saying, “Due to the way the NDA government works, today farmers from all over the country have come on the roads and announced Bharat Bandh. The Modi government has blown all constitutional customs and democratic methods. Dialogue is most important in a democracy, but the new government did not talk to the state governments and farmer organizations on the new agricultural laws.”

He even questioned

Yogi’s Film... by the unions and the Maha government is not providing any kind of protection to them.

Describing the problems faced by the producers, the IMMPA in a letter explains that numerous difficulties are faced by the producers

Muslim clerics...

The senior clergymen of the Islamic faith have issued a set of instructions to be followed by Qazis when officiating Muslim marriages.

The Imam of Jama Masjid Subhaniya Takiya Kawaldah, Maulana Jahangir Ahmed Azizi, has said that Qazis should make inquiries about the prospective bride and groom, and

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07

Pandya’s heroics seal T-20 series for India Sydney: India sealed the T20 International series against Australia with a game to spare after a swashbuckling Hardik Pandya finished what Shikhar Dhawan had set out to achieve with a scintillating 36ball 52 in the second and penultimate match here on Sunday.

The visitors thus avenged their 1-2 ODI series loss, chasing down a challenging 195run target in 19.4 overs with six wickets in hand. India won the opener in Canberra by 11 runs on Friday.

This was India’s 10th successive win away from home in T20 Internationals.

Needing 25 of the final 12 balls after fetching 12 in the 18th over, Pandya brought the equation down to 14 in the last over with two fours. The all-rounder then hit two sixes to seal the match in India’s favour and also claim the player of the match honours.

Pandya remained unconquered on 42 off 22 balls.

India were off to a sedate start with no boundaries coming in the first two overs. But fours and sixes rained

India chased down Aus target with 6 wickets in hand and 2 balls to spare

Hardik Pandya and Shreyas Iyer celebrate win in second T20 international match against Australia at the Sydney Cricket Ground on Sunday.

from the willows of Dhawan (52) and KL Rahul (30) once the duo got their eye in. Rahul capitalised on a free hit by smashing Andrew Tye for a maximum over extra cover, India’s first boundary of the innings. Dhawan got him-

self a couple of boundaries and a six off Glenn Maxwell as India scored 34 runs in two overs to gain the momentum they were looking for.

The seasoned Dhawan, despite coming down the wicket early, managed to pull Sean

Activist demand inquiry in missing of tigers from reserves Naveen Joshi Bhilwara: In an alarming revelation, an activist claimed that 30 big cats are missing from Ranthambore national park, Sariska tiger reserve and Mukundra hills tiger reserve in Rajasthan and demanded inquiry by an independent agency.

“26 tigers are missing from the famous Ranthambore national park, 3 from Mukundra hills tiger reserve and 1 from Sariska and possibility of their hunting cannot be ruled out. The big cats are missing for a long time which shows the carelessness of the department in the monitoring of big cats,” Babu Lal Jaju, the animal activist, said. Seeking intervention of the chief minister Ashok Gehlot on the matter, Jaju said that 26 tigers including T-17 “Sundari”, T-42 “Fateh”, T-47 “Mohan”, cubs of T-34 Kalu and Dholu and

ENSURE TIGER CONSERVATION: DIYA

—PHOTO BY PTI

after a 10-ball 15 but it was debutant Daniel Sams, who gave the hosts their biggest breakthrough when he had Virat Kohli caught behind for a well-made 24-ball 40.

Earlier, stand-in skipper Matthew Wade led

smashed off the hip by the in-form Wade.

Sundar conceded 15 runs in the fourth over and then Wade scored 12 off Thakur as the hosts raced past 50 in the sixth over at the Sydney Cricket Ground whose shorter square boundaries aided batsmen.

However, the introduction of Natarajan into the attack saw Australia losing their first wicket in the form of D’Arcy Short.

Least perturbed by the dismissal, Wade continued to bat aggressively and brought up his fifty off just 25 balls with a boundary off Chahal. But the stand-in skipper got out in a comical fashion, run out after Kohli dropped another absolute sitter at cover, his second in two days. As the ball headed towards Kohli, Wade gave up, walked towards the dressing room and even though he was alerted by Steve Smith of the drop, he had backed up too far by that time. Before that, Pandya had dropped Wade.

However, the Australian onslaught continued unabated as the duo of Smith and Glenn Maxwell kept dealing in fours and sixes.

—PTI

Abbott over deep midwicket for another six.

Australia got their first breakthrough when Rahul gave a simple catch to Mitchell Swepson at deep point.

But India had still managed a strong start, reaching 60 for one at

the end of the Powerplay.

Having played some fine shots, Dhawan topedged an attempted slog sweep off leg-spinner Adam Zampa to give Australia their second wicket.

Sanju Samson got out

Guv, CM pay tributes to Ambedkar on death anniv

Write to your CMs, Union minister Gajendra Shekhawat urges children

First India Bureau

tiger Kaliya have not been spotted for several years. In Sariska, ST-11 is said to have lost life after being caught in a wire trap whereas ST-5 tiger is missing while in Mukundra, Jaju said, there is no lead on the whereabouts of MT-1 tiger and on the cubs of MT-2 and MT-4.

Jaju said that carelessness and negligence has led to a weak monitoring system and possibility of hunting cannot be ruled out.

Cattle blast at Ranthambore Meanwhile, the mouth of cattle got blown off after it ate a ball of flour laced with explosives in Ranthambore forest area. The farmers who are guarding their farms keep the explosives covered in ball of flour so that it could save produce in the farms from the stray animals. Moreover the possibilities of poachers also doing such thing cannot be denied.

Jaipur: Governor Kalraj Mishra, CM Ashok Gehlot among other leaders on Sunday paid tributes to BR Ambedkar on his 64th death anniversary.

“Remembering Baba Bhimrao Ambedkar, the father of the Indian Constitution, on Parinirvan Divas,” Mishra tweeted.

The chief minister said Ambedkar’s “principles and work will always be an inspiration”.

Former CM Vasundhara Raje tweeted, “Dr. Ambedkar’s principles, ideas and his personality are the inspiration for all of us. He fought against lifelong social injustice and instilled a sense of harmony in the society.”

Congress leader Sachin Pilot, state BJP chief Satish Poonia also paid tributes.

Jal Shakti Minister Gajendra Shekhawat interacted with children from all over the country in an online session during first Digital Bal Mela.

Meena Sharma Jaipur: Union Minister of Jal Shakti Gajendra Singh Shekhawat on Saturday urged children to play a vital role in water conservation in the country.

He was interacting with children from all over the country in an online session during the first Digital Bal Mela.

The children promised that each of them would save one litre of water every day.

The Union minister also urged the children to write to their respective chief ministers requesting to build a sewerage plant in their city or town for clear water.

He also heard poems of the children who joined the session from remotest parts of the country.

Shekhawat answered questions from the children during the session and appealed them to turn this creative platform into a structural organization. He also

Kunji Lal Meena: Jack of all trades for govt Rajendra Chhabra

S

from the front with a blistering half century and powered Australia to a strong total after a fairly commanding performance with the bat.

Leading the side in the absence of an injured Aaron Finch, Wade smashed 58 off 32 balls while Steve Smith made a breezy 38-ball 46 after India opted to field.

For the visitors, T Natarajan finished with fine figures of 2/20 in his four-over spell. Australia accumulated 62 runs in the last five overs after a few tight middle overs.

Wade started the Australian innings on a rousing note, launching into a flurry of boundaries and a six against an Indian attack that lacked in experience with the exception of Yuzvendra Chahal.

Wade collected 13 runs off the first over, pulling, driving and paddle sweeping Deepak Chahar for three fours. Bowling the second over, off-spinner Washington Sundar was hoicked over deep square leg for a six as the hosts looked to set a big total.

Shardul Thakur was welcomed into the attack with a boundary,

enior IAS Kunji Lal Meena is a confused man these days since he has not been able to gather why the state government has burdened him with excessive work.

Not just one or two, rather he has the responsibility of four major departments.

And these are the departments that are the most important for any government since they deal with the agriculture and rural sector

viz the Agriculture department, Cooperatives Department, Animal Husbandry and Horticulture.

Of all the bureaucrats sitting in the state Secretariat, it is Kunji Lal who has the utmost burden of work and it is perhaps the first time when an official has such a major work burden.

Those who know the inner workings of government and bureaucracy say that till now these departments needed one seniorlevel officer in each to be

Kunji Lal Meena

handled effectively.

It is worth noting here that it was 27 years ago in 1993 that the Agriculture and Cooperatives department were held by a single

officer. The current government has again gone on the same line by giving the responsibility of Agriculture and Cooperatives departments to Naresh Pal Gangwar.

And then in the IAS transfers conducted in July, both the departments were as it is handed over to Kunji Lal Meena along with Horticulture.

If the situation was not troublesome enough, the government then handed the additional charge of the

Animal Husbandry department ti Meena on 1st November.

1995 batch IAS Kunji Lal Meena, has experience of 25 years and does not shy away from hard work, but the problem is that he recently underwent heart surgery and the doctors have advised him not to overload himself with work neither to worry too much, however, the reality is completely opposite. Then he contracted Covid too and battled out of it to resume work.

informed them about the importance of Prime Minister’s Jal Jeevan Mission and the Ministry of Jal Shakti (Water Power).

The children were surprised to hear how many women in India spend all their life in fetching drinking water.

They were also told that rural women walk as much as four rounds of the earth in an average lifespan of 58 years.

10-year-old Janhvi Sharma of Jaipur, who

has started this innovation and moderated the session, introduced the minister. The endeavour of the digital fair is to keep children engaged during these times of corona.

The fair has been organized completely by children under the banner of Future Society and sponsored by LIC. Shekhawat congratulated all the children and described the Digital Bal Mela as the biggest innovation of the corona era.

Army’s 1971-km long cyclothon culminates at Longewala

First India Bureau

Jaisalmer: Swarnim Vijay Varsh Cyclothon, in the Western Sector, organised by Konark Corps was flagged in by Colonel HS Shekhawat, SM (Retd), 10PARA (SF).

The gallant officer was part of the famous CHACHRO RAID that was conducted by Indian Army during 1971 IndoPak war.

The last leg of the 1971-km expedition was spearheaded by Lieutenant General Anil Puri,

Sena Medal, Vishist SevaMedal, General Officer Commanding, Konark Corps. The flagging in ceremony for the team of Konark Corps was graced by the presence of Veterans residing at border town. The Cyclothon commenced on November 26, 2020 from the border post Lakhpat.

During Cyclothon, many medical camps at different locations across Gujarat and Rajasthan were organised where medical check-up of Veterans and their kin was done.

planned.

Remember, plans are good but you will only be remembered for what you did not what you

2ND FRONT

—Jagdeesh Chandra, CEO & Editor, First India

POSTAL REG NO. JPC/010/2019-21

COVID-19 UPDATE

08

JAIPUR | MONDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2020

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WORLD

INDIA

RAJASTHAN

1,538,550 6,71,37,639 1,40,590 96,76,801 2,429 2,80,585 CONFIRMED CASES

DEATHS

MAHARASHTRA 47,734 DEATHS 18,52,266 CASES

UTTAR PRADESH 7,924 DEATHS 5,54,944 CASES

DEATHS

KARNATAKA 11,856 DEATHS 8,93,006 CASES

CONFIRMED CASES

DEATHS

DELHI 9,643 DEATHS 5,92,250 CASES

CONFIRMED CASES

GUJARAT 4,081 DEATHS 2,18,788 CASES

BJP-ally RLP supports Even as Gehlot stirs ‘hornet’s Bharat Bandh call nest’, covert activities continue!

The BJP has termed it to be a faux, while the Pilot camp has been unusually silent First India Bureau Jaipur: Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot’s shocking statement that the BJP is conspiring against his government with a view to destabilise it, has stirred a hornet’s nest in the inner circles of Rajasthan politics. It is a widely known fact that Gehlot’s political ‘commentaries’ are made at the right time, & at the right moment, & thus, inspite of his comment drawing eye-balls, the BJP has termed it to be a faux, while the Pilot camp has been unusually silent.

Even as union minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat’s verbal attack on CM’s comments and the political ‘mercury’ rising

MLAS BEING APPROACHED AGAIN?

CM Ashok Gehlot

Sachin Pilot

in the bone-chilling winters of the desert state, the silence of Pilot group is confounding. During the previous political turmoil, Pilot camp had outrightly made several controversial statements; statements that were laid bare by Gehlot, who spilled the beans on how the Pilot camp MLAs met Shah & others, a fact that

they kept declining. However, it is interesting to note here that none of the Pilot camp MLAs came forward to issue a denial on allegations, rather the camp members’ ‘telephonic activity’ has increased manifold, since Gehlot’s comments on Saturday. Amidst all this, a retweet on social media

by Pilot camp MLA In-

State govt turns taxing Covid situation into opportunity

draj Gurjar has again generated much interest of the political community. A supporter of Indraj had tweeted that the government is not going to fall, rather CM is going to be changed and this tweet was retweeted by Indraj. Similarly, Abhimanyu Poonia, another Pilot camp MLA, tweeted “Jai Jai Pilot, Jai

Jai Rajasthan” & this tweet was also retweeted

by Indraj. It will be interesting to see how Congress acts on this development since political observers believe it is out right thwarting the party’s discipline since it raises the question that if a MLA can pass such comments against the CM?

RLP had earlier requested the Centre to alleviate the concerns regarding the newly passed farm bills Jaipur: The Rashtriya Loktantrik Party, an ally of the Bharatiya Janata Party, on Sunday extended its support to the farmers’ agitation.

RLP MP Hanuman Beniwal in a video message posted on Twitter said that he will also take a call on its support to NDA after December 9 if the government does not solve problems faced by the farmers.

Beniwal in his video message said, “We had decided very early which side we would choose. The farmers want these laws to be repealed. If the prime minister wants to help the farmers, he should implement the measures suggested in the

Jaipur: A robust financial management to keep the state moving despite all odds has been a key feature of Ashok Gehlot government’s functioning, which is going to complete two years in office on December 17.

With the strong financial management and austerity measures, the state government did not face the situation of overdraft, even after bearing interest on high debts taken by the former Vasundhara Raje government, and also received appreciation for covid management.

The state government turned the challenging situation of covid into opportunity and took austerity

Niranjan Arya

measures and at the same time; efforts to increase revenue were made.

In the circular for austerity measures issued by the top official Niranjan Arya in September, when he was ACS-Finance, instructions were given to officials to cut short expenses.

The officers were directed to travel in economy class instead of business or executive

class if travelling by air, approval of the amount to be given in lieu of earned leaves by state employees was postponed for the current fiscal year.

The expenditure on government tours of ministers, events, gifts were also brought down significantly. It is estimated that the measures are saving Rs 50100 crore. All the state programmes and ceremonies are being held with simplicity, there is a ban on opening new offices and purchase of vehicles.

Apart from the financial management, state government also performed well in covid management in the country and Prime Minister Narendra Modi too appreciated the state government for it.

First India Bureau

Jagdeesh Chandra greets Dr Somya, the newly elected Mayor of Jaipur Greater, during a courtesy visit at his residence on Sunday afternoon.

Gehlot cabinet to meet today First India Bureau Jaipur: The Gehlot cabinet will hold its meeting on Monday and highly placed sources reveal that discussion on the efforts being made to topple the government could be held.

Word is that the Cabinet will informally hold the

CM Ashok Gehlot

discussion on the issue while keping itself focussed on the state government’s achievements over the past two years.

Moreover, thought will also be given as to how will can the government’s people centric policies reach till the last person on grassroot more effectively.

BHUPENDER YADAV: BJP’S ‘DO-IT-ALL’ MAN! New Delhi: Bhupender Yadav, the name which was sysnonymous with the world of courts and legal system, is now the parallel of election strategist in the BJP. After ensuring that the saffron party wins the largest share of Bihar electoral pie, Yadav has once again proved his mettle by dismantling the ‘deccan’, the ‘Gateway to Southern India,’

which has been a long standing dream of the saffron party.

Over the years, Yadav has risen tremendously in his role, Yadav was the ‘war room’ strategist behind securing convincing victories for his party in the assembly elections of Rajasthan (2013), Jharkhand (2014) Gujarat (2017), & Uttar Pradesh (2017) & more recently was made the state in-charge for Bihar

for the recently concluded assembly elections.

With a CV as strong as Yadav’s, it was little surprise then that his mentor Amit Shah delegated another important job to him for t h e

Bhupender Yadav

er groups’ call for Bharat Bandh. I also urge the RLP workers to peacefully participate in the Bandh and extend their support to farmers.’

The Rashtriya Loktantrik Party had earlier requested the Centre to alleviate the concerns regarding the newly passed farm bills. — Agencies

The reporters had revealed damning video of privileges granted to docs accused in the Uday Shivanand Hospital fire

MIDAS TOUCH

Aditi Nagar

Swaminathan Commission’s Report.”

He also called the newly passed bills ‘black laws’ and said that after December 8 RLP officials will hold a meeting to decide whether they want to continue extending their support to the NDA-led government.

Beniwal said, “We fully support the farm-

FIR filed against four Rajkot journalists for sting operation

COURTESY MEET...

It is estimated that austerity measures issued by the government are saving ` 50-100 crore Dr Rituraj Sharma

Hanuman Beniwal

Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation polls, and it was his strategic political manouvers and handling of the affairs that swelled the party’s kitty from mere 4 seats to a whopping 48, effectively halting MIM’s bandwagon as well while dampening the hopes, if any, of TRS. Known as the right hand to the master strat-

egist Amit Shah, the election in-charge, Bhupender Yadav, ensured that even key leaders like Union Home Minister Amit Shah, party president J P Nadda, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, MoS (Home) G Kishan Reddy and BJYM national president Tejaswi Surya play a crucial role It is BJP national leadership’s trust on its General Secretary Bhupender Yadav that he

was made election chief and was asked to chalk out an electoral strategy for the city party unit to win the upcoming municipal corporation elections in Greater Hyderabad. Now, it is said that he will have a critical post in upcoming central cabinet reshuffle since he is the one man, who always believes in delivering and that is why he is said to be the closest with higher leadership.

Rajkot: In an outrageous move, Rajkot police on Saturday lodged an FIR against four journalists of a leading vernacular newspaper, including a crime reporter, for a sting operation conducted by them about the VIP treatment extended to doctors accused in the Uday Shivanand Hospital fire incident of November 27 that claimed the lives of five COVID-19 patients.

Malaviyanagar police station had registered a case against five doctors of the hospital, of which three were arrested on the night of November 30.

The case was then handed over to the taluka police station inspector and the accused were shifted there.

After failing to procure a proper response from both the Malaviyanagar and taluka police stations regarding the whereabouts of the accused, journalists of the vernacular newspa-

per stationed themselves at both the police stations to uncover the status of the doctors.

On December 1, they conducted a sting operation where it was revealed that special privileges were granted to the accused after their arrest. They were provided mattresses, fruits and mineral water in the staff room. The entire operation was reported by the vernacular newspaper on December 2 and its video was widely circulated on social media platforms.

Following the news report, taluka police head constable Jignesh Manu Gadhvi lodged an FIR against journalists Mahendra Jadeja, Pratipalsinh Gohil, Prakash Ravrani and Imran Hothi imposing Section 186/114 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), Section 72(a), 84 (b)(c) of the IT Act 2000 & Section 120 of the Gujarat Police Act. According to theplaint, journalists have hindered police procedure.

Uday Shivanand Hospital, where the fire incident occurred on November 27.

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09

JAIPUR, MONDAY DECEMBER 7, 2020

LEHENGA WITH TADKA

When it comes to Indian attire, you really cannot go wrong with a well-fitted lehenga; however, there are many ways to accentuate the beauty of your desi twopiece. I, for one, am dying to see ladies take their lehengas to the next level by carrying it in some smart and sassy way!

MITALI DUSAD

mitalidusad01@gmail.com

L

ehenga is not just a dashing ethnic outfit but also a versatile one and how one carries it is a whole different thing! Wearing the same type of lehenga can be pretty monotonous and boring. It’s quite easy to make your lehenga look unique and trendy in any event if you have an idea on all the possible ways you can carry it.

For bridal reception and parties, pairing lehenga with a crop top will stand out. If you like a comfy look, then teaming up a long jacket with a lehenga skirt can make you feel relaxed. If you simply down to earth and don’t want the ostentations that come with lehenga, then pair a simple plain skirt with a brocade blouse.

As you can see, the options are endless, City First brings you some amazing ways you

can carry your lehenga so that the attire adds more grace to your beauty!

Crop Top and Lehenga Skirt: Pairing a crop top or a long-sleeved jacket with the lehenga skirt is a beautiful type of fusion wear. You can ditch the blouse and the choli, and simply pair the lehenga skirt with a long slit top. This way you can give a new look to the typical lehenga and also wear the attire to a simple party.

Lehenga With a Belt: Using a belt along with lehenga is a perfect fusion style. This way you will not only look unique from the rest of the crowd but also your waist will look slimmer. This style is even coveted by many Bollywood celebs. Always choose shimmery belts as they complement the gorgeous attire.

Lehenga and Saree Hybrid: Lehengas and sarees are two traditional outfits and mixing them will produce gorgeous attire. You can wear your lehenga and then drape the dupatta like the ‘pallu’ of the saree. This saree-lehenga crossover would make you look unique and gorgeous.

ETC JAIPUR | MONDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2020

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10

BAND, BAAJA, BAARAT! AND... HAATHI MARIAM ABUHAIDERI thepersianladki@gmail.com

I

FA CE OF TH ED AY

t is wedding season; the pandemic hasn’t dampened the wedding spirit.

Neither should the absence of an animal.

Many bloggers create content about outfits, decor, and food. They often ignore some valuable advice, including that of engagement of animals in the baaraat. Well, not this blogger!

I love Indian weddings, and I look forward to attending them whenever I get a chance. The band baaja and baaraat, all sound so much fun! I have been part of many such baaraats, but each time I am also left saddened and disappointed. Given the subjects I have been writing about, you may have guessed correctly by now; that it is the part where the groom rides an animal (either a horse or an elephant) in

the baaraat that bothers me.

Since tradition is often cited as the reason we do what we do, I am sure there must be some reference to the link between riding an animal and lifelong happy marriage. Me being me, I decided to dig in deeper and find references to such rules in religion that is often what guides us. I hate to be the one breaking this to prospective grooms: Nowhere does it say that the groom must ride an animal in his baaraat!

Nowhere does it say the elephant brings good fortune to a marriage; nowhere does it say that a horse should endure loud music and gunshots; nowhere does riding an animal in a baaraat imply stature.

Yet our beloved grooms do it.

And they have every right to fulfill their childhood dream just as every woman does! And this is where the problem is. It isn’t education or financial stature. It isn’t caste or creed that determines our tradition. Grooms educated in the finest of educational institutions ride animals in their baaraat; grooms from

the middle class and less educated families also ride animals.

Royalty and commoners ride animals in their baaraat. It has nothing to do with formal education. And yet it has everything to do with an education rooted in ethos and compassion. It has everything to do with attitude.

The problem is the men are put in charge of planning the wedding and they walk in front of the groom and the animal. If the men walked alongside the

YOUR DAY Horoscope by

Saurabbh Sachdeva

animal they would witness the tears and the pain the animal has to endure. It is not a pretty sight. It will break even the strongest men with a heart.

If you must have an animal at the wedding, I suggest you do something different. Different makes the wedding memorable and talked about! Here are a few things to consider.

The comfort of the animal: For one any animal working in a different environment

Friends, talk your friend out of it: The bride and the groom’s friends could try to talk him out of it. Of course this can only happen if they themselves understand the sentience factor of animals. I am hoping someone near and dear to the groom can be persuasive enough to talk him out of it.

If friends fail, you could always reach out me: Yes that is right, I can be quite convincing.

I may even get you to donate to an animal charity! Heck, I might even talk you into adopting an animal.

And better yet, here’s a suggestion to grooms this wedding season and many more to come.

Ditch the haathi and the ghoda.

Opt for a classy ride instead.

How about a Mercedes or an antique ride instead? I would also endorse a convertible!

After all, why must something auspicious as a new relationship begin with pain for another living being? If my groom insists on riding an animal at our wedding, I will divorce him even before we are married!

ARIES

TAURUS

GEMINI

CANCER

Good health will keep you energetic the whole day today. You are likely to continue your exercise routine to stay in good health.

Moneywise, you will have enough to pay off a loan. Your sixth sense will prevent you from making a mistake at work.

Good financial management will help save money for spending on other major requirements.

You are likely to enjoy someone’s company today. A family member is likely to prove a great help around the house. Taking someone close seriously is important.

A conscious effort on your part will help boost earning. Good connections will help you further your interests on the professional front, but don’t bank too much on them.

Spouse may line up something special for you today. You can volunteer to accompany someone.

Your good performance and hard work will make it easy for you to enter the promotion zone. A financial crunch being experienced by some will soon be over. Those not feeling too healthy may have to embark on the road to fitness. You will arrange a get together for close ones.

MAR 21 - APR 20

APR 21 - MAY 20

MAY 21 - JUNE 21

JUNE 22 - JULY 23

LEO

VIRGO

LIBRA

SCORPIO

Financial worries become a thing of the past as a monetary issue is decided in your favour.

Unnecessarily worrying about health will serve no purpose. Nothing much may happen at work today, but you will need to be around. A fun time with family is foreseen.

An exciting time during a get together is envisaged.

You are likely to overspend on things which you don’t exactly need. Avoid junk food for the sake of health, as those not heeding may suffer the consequences.

Spouse may desire a change on the home front, so help him or her out.

Some of you may be gearing up to enter a new field on the professional front. Timely and correct decision will help you in saving a lot of money. Health drinks may not provide what they promise. Family appears responsive and eager to cater to your needs.

Good monetary decisions are likely to keep you financially secure. Those choosing a career must consult those already in the field.

Your calculations can go awry on the work front and put you in a spot. You may start an exercise regimen to counter workplace stress.

JULY 24 - AUGUST 23

AUG 24 - SEP 23

SEPT 24 - OCTOBER 22

OCT 23 - NOVEMBER 22

SAGITTARIUS

CAPRICORN

AQUARIUS

PISCES

Monetary condition will start showing signs of improvement. A business proposal presented by someone may seem exciting, but needs to be examined thoroughly. Health remains good, as you manage to regulate your diet well. You are likely to plan something with the family today.

Go in for any important financial transactions today. You will manage to overcome temptations to retain good health. You will be able to tackle distractions and interruptions at work. A job on the home front will be possible, as you have the money now.

Career planning may be on the top of your mind. You may enroll in fitness training just to get back in shape.

Learn to value money, as splurging seems to be your second nature. Some of you may take the initiative to make the home front aesthetically pleasing. A property issue is likely to be resolved.

New opportunity to make money is likely to be seized by some. Health remains good, as you remain regular in workouts. This is a good day that will find you doing well professionally. Family may have high expectations from you, so don’t disappoint.

NOV 23 - DEC 22

PRAJAKTA KOLI, YouTuber

should be entirely comfortable with the situation they are in.

Making sure they have an area that is their own, are kept away from unfamiliar or potentially threatening items such as bright lights or loud noises, and ensuring that your guests understand appropriate behavior around the animals is important.

Handle the handlers: Know where your animal is coming from and give their handlers special instructions. Most working animals are not treated well and the earnings from them do not benefit them. You must try to avoid supporting such owners.

Instead, spend some time with the animal owner and handler and ensure they understand that it is important for you that the animal be treated well.

Support an animal charity: You can have a designated area for your guests to interact with animals. Invite a local charity to bring in their animals. Ensure they have a comfortable spot and food. This encourages adoptions and compassion. And it also satisfactorily fulfills your dream.

DEC 23 - JAN 20

JAN 21 - FEB 19

FEB20 - MARCH 20

ETC JAIPUR | MONDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2020

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11

Girls Like Me

GIRL GANG

Black Eyes Peas

T

he Black Eyed Peas and Shakira recently released a new music video for their collaborative single, Girl Like Me, that pays tribute to Latin women. “I want a girl like Shakira/Esa Latina está rica/I want a familia chica Que sepa vivir y que viva la vida,” In their respective verses, Taboo shouts out the highlights of Shakira’s career, “Your hips don’t lie, they rock me” — and Apl.de.pl referenc-

Alia Bhatt’s post

W

ith COVID-19 induced lockdown restrictions being eased, actor Alia Bhatt is chilling with her girlfriends - and their mothers too! The 27-year-old actor on Sunday took to Instagram and posted a picture with her ‘special’ girl gang. The capture features Alia Bhatt with her sister Shaheen Bhatt and close friends Anushka Ranjan, Akanksha Ranjan, fashion designer Masaba Gupta and their mothers Soni Razdan (Alia’s mother), Anu Ranjan (Akanksha and Anushka’s mother), and actor Neena Gupta (Masaba’s mother).

—Agency

CHRISTOPHER NOLAN’S TENET

WONDER WOMAN 1984

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riyanka Chopra Jonas is back to filming for multiple projects across the globe and has currently made London her home. Taking to social media, Priyanka gave a shoutout to Gal Gadot’s Wonder Woman 1984 ahead of release. For the unversed, Warner Bros. Confirmed global release dates for Patty Jenkins’ directorial and announced that the ninth instalment in the DC Extended Universe will release in theatres and HBO Max simultaneously, according to Variety.

Sharing a fierce poster of Gal Gadot’s Wonder Woman avatar, Priyanka was all praise Priyanka’s post as she wrote, “She is a phenomenon! Just like the woman playing her!

Get it @gal_gadot! This looks amazing! #wonderwoman1984.” Gal Gadot was thrilled by PC’s wishes as she reposted the same on her Instagram Story with heart emojis.

—Agency

Poster of ‘Tenet’

Gal Gadot

es both Tejano icon Selena and Brazilian pop star Anitta. In the music video, the Peas rap around various largerthan-life set pieces, while Shakira dances and shows off her skateboarding skills.

Girl Like Me was featured on the Black Eyed Peas’ latest album Translation, released this past June. In August, the group performed at this year’s socially distanced MTV Video Music Awards.

—Agency

Shakira

Russo’s plans for Extraction No birthday

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enet movie review: Christopher Nolan’s latest science-fiction epic is the sort of head-scratcher that feels like it’s talking down to its audience, not worth the many months of wait. You should be instantly suspicious of anyone who claims to have understood Tenet after having watched it just once. Heck, you should doubt their every word even if they say they’ve seen it thrice. Enigmatic to a fault and exhaustingly dense, Christopher Nolan’s latest sci-fi spectacle leaves you with the unshakable feeling that you walked into the screening 15 minutes late. Like the director’s previous smash hits — Inception, and to a lesser degree, Interstellar, Tenet demands repeat viewings, but crucially, doesn’t encourage them.

— Agency

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Stills from ‘Extraction’

RESPONDING TO TREATMENT

uickly after its release in April, Extraction became Netflix’s mostwatched original movie ever, and a sequel was promptly greenlit. Now, cowriter and producer Joe Russo, best known for directing the third and fourth Avengers movies with his brother Anthony, has given an update about Extraction 2.

In a virtual appearance at the CCXP, the Brazilian Comic-Con, he said that they intend on kicking off production on the film around the fall of 2021. “Chris is a busy guy so we have to figure out his schedule, but that’s the intent at the moment,” he said.

—Agency

SARA TURNS POET

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ara Ali Khan has been channeling her inner poet on Instagram for a while now, and her penchant for the same continues even in her latest post. But this time, she also established fitness goals as she shared a workout video with fans that would give them the encouragement to hit the gym. Sharing her workout video, this is what the actor had to say- “When in doubt, You must workout. Push-ups and crunches, don’t lose count.”

— Agency

Rahul Roy

Sara Ali Khan

WHAT NOT TO WEAR

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ollywood actor Rahul Roy, who suffered a brain stroke last week, is recovering. The 52-year-old actor, who is currently hospitalised, has reportedly started walking and is also doing physio exercises. “Rahul has started eating. He is on a light diet to begin with. There is a small clot that is still there. It will be dissolved with thinners. Of course, the entire process will take time but so far so good,” the actor’s friend, producer Ashwani Kumar, told sources.

— Agency

celebration

Shekhar Suman

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hekhar Suman on Saturday revealed he will not celebrate his birthday on December 7, today, in honour of late actor Sushant Singh Rajput.

“I’m not celebrating my bday on the 7th dec. That’s the least I can do for Sushant. There is no mood for any revelry or excitement. Instead I will pray that his culprits are caught soon and this case is given a closure. #StayUnited4SSR,” Shekhar tweeted. Earlier this week, the actor had tweeted saying he is expecting a miracle to happen in the ongoing investigation of Sushant’s death case. —Agency

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ctress Diana Penty is pretty sure about what she will not wear on her wedding day. She also gave a hint of where she would like her destination wedding to be held.

“Wedding outfits are absolutely stunning and gorgeous, but they are also so heavy. I have made a mental note to never wear something too heavy. It is definitely going to be something light, easy and comfortable. Comfort for me is everything because only then can I have a good time. I don’t want to be tugging at my outfit and, by the end of it, feel my body hurt because of how heavy it is! I really don’t want to be in that position!” Diana said.

—Agency

Diana Penty

Late Sushant Singh Rajput

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

An appeal for Humanity!

JAIPUR | MONDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2020

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MEET & GREET!

MITALI DUSAD

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avin B Chawla was Chief Election Commissioner of India from April 2009 to July 2010. He is the Founder and Chairman of the Darshan Trust, based in Jaipur, which he started when he was an IAS officer.

In an interview with City First, he spoke about the objectives of the society and the challenges faced.

“The Trust educates about 50 very young hearing-impaired children from disadvantaged families. About 50 youth, who are completely hearing disabled, are taught computer skills.

Thereafter every effort is made to obtain employment for them”, said Naveen Chawla.

When asked Navin B Chawla

Jagdeesh Chandra with Rajeev Baradia and Vinod Baradia, during a courtesy meet at his residence on Sunday afternoon.

Darshan NGO

about the main objectives of the Trust, he mentioned about running a s c h o o l (Non-Formal education) for young Hearing-Impaired Children and to prepare dis-

abled youth for interrelated jobs.

He further added. “Since 2008, Darshan opened its doors to young hearing-impaired children. There no other such facility for such children. We provide them with hearing aids in each ear. The cost of the hearing aid is up to Rs26,000/- per ear. These have been donated by the generosity of Starkey Labo-

ratories free of charge. All facilities for these young children are provided without any charges.

Presently, there are 86 students in 10 classes (Playgroup, I std to IX std) With 11 special educators. We follow the Rajasthan State Board of Education. The last Board exam where 5 of our students appeared all were declared passed and one girl cleared

with 65% marks.”

He further appealed to the people to come up and help these children as due to pandemic, their classes are being held online and the students do not have access to technology. So people who have spare laptops, mobile phones or tablets in working condition can come up to help the hearing impaired children fulfil their dreams. mitalidusad01@gmail.com

Miraculous Recovery!

EVENTS!

RAJ: Rakhkosh Foundation in association with Inaya Foundation, Jaipur and Ma Bharti foundation, Chomu organised a blood donation camp in The Little Kids school Govindgarh on Sunday. 51 units of blood was donated. The Chief Guest on this occasion DYSP of Chomu tehsil, Sandeep Sarswat appreciated this effort by all and gave away mugs, t-shirts and mementoes to the blood donors.

Shubh Karan Arha with son CD Arha

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hubh Karan Arha, the father of CD Arha, IAS, had a fever, running nose and breathing discomfort towards the end of October and the family decided to have a covid test done.

On October 24, he was tested positive. Dr Arvind Singh Palawat of SMS immediately put him on covid treatment and at the behest of family request, he agreed to home isolation and care. A very strict protocol was followed and under the personal supervision of Dr Palawat treatment was commenced. On November 2, Shubh Karan Arha was retested, the family prayers and Dr Palawat’s meticulous care were rewarded and the report was negative. In the history of medical science, this was one of

the rarest cases where a patient contracted covid when he is over 100 years and accomplished full recovery. Dr Arvind Palawat said that the 102-year-old Shubhkaran Arha has defeated Corona simply due to his willpower and he has in fact given a very strong message to all the aged people that if we take proper treatment, maintain strong willpower and at the same time take care of our nutrition then even at an advanced age we can defeat Corona and it cannot harm us. Arha Sahab opted to stay at home and it was a learning experience for me also to treat him that where everybody is so scared of this pandemic his positive thinking and willpower are a source of inspiration.

—City First

Social activist helps Indians

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prominent social activist, Jaipur Foot USA Chairman Prem Bhandari, requested the Indian authorities to initiate measures such as granting emergency visas on departure to help Indian-origin families travel to their homeland for health or other emergencies amid the Covid-19 pandemic. He has written to the Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla, as well as the Civil Aviation Secretary Pradeep Singh Kharola and Home Secretary Ajay Kumar Bhalla.

Bhandari said in the letter that there should be more clarity in the information that edu-

Prem Bhandari

cates travellers on visa eligibility and required travel modalities.

In the letter, he suggested that all airlines flying into India under the air-bubble arrangement should proactively verify that travellers with foreign passports have eligible visas at the time they book their tickets.

—City First

Jairangam Theatre festival CITY FIRST

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o-partnered with 3M dot Band and Ministry of Culture-Government of India, on the second day of Fringes Jai Rangam Festival, five plays were performed

on Sunday. Being a weekend, a great number of audiences got entertained with these spectacular performances.

The second day of the Theatre Festival opened with Morning Raga at 9 a.m. Vedi Sinha from Delhi

played numerous compositions on Iktara, along with sharing the story of its origin and development.

Several workshops and masterclasses were conducted as well, where Gurleen Judge | Sauti Chakravarti | Ajit Rai

RAJ: After successful completion of auditions in various cities like Jaipur, Jodhpur and Udaipur, Elite Miss Rajasthan moved towards its next step, Personal interview round on Saturday.

Show director Gaurav Gaur informed that the top 31 finalists will be announced on December 14 while the finale will take place on 20 December at Samskara Resort, Jaipur.

| Ramanjit Kaur and Punit Krishna shared their worthwhile experiences. Two plays would be performed today at 9 p.m., Crossing Tali Kota directed by V. Bala Krishnan and Bernali Mehdi’s plays would be performed at the same time.

MAYO’S GOLDEN JUBILEE Divyanshi Soni

Digital Baal Mela Alumni of ‘70 batch

CITY FIRST

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igital Baal Mela witnesses peak from Rajasthan to North East. 1-yearold Swastika Sharma from Guwahati, Divyanshi Soni from Bhilwara, Prisha Solanki from Maharashtra and Navya Sharma from Churu sent their entries in the Fancy Dress Competition. cityfirst@firstindia.co.in

RAJ: Beautiful glimpse of Chhapan Bhog at Radha Govind Temple —PHOTO BY SANTOSH SHARMA in Jhotwara on Saturday.

T Prisha Solanki

he batch of 1970 of Mayo College celebrated its 50th anniversary of passing out virtually on Saturday. Owing to the pandemic, it was not possible for them to meet physically at the customary annual day of the well known Ajmer based school, since it had been cancelled. The batch members joined from all parts of the globe.

Deftly moderated by Deepum Bhatia, who was also the mainstay, the 2-hour virtual event began with remembering the 10 members of their batch who had passed away in the last 50 years. Pradeep Bhatnagar spoke about them and also welcomed the members of their family, who had also joined the event.

GUJ: After a recent fire in Civil Hospital, Asarwa area in Rajkot District of Gujarat, Ahmedabad, members of fire audit committee visited inside the city’s main Government Covid-19 hospital to check the fire safety and equipment. —PHOTO BY HANIF SINDHI

HAPPY B’DAY!

Vanya Sharma

Swastika Sharma

Phool Singh, Vasundhara Raje’s man Friday and a hard core loyalist celebrated his birthday on Sunday.

RAJ: Hindi album Iqrar Ho Chuka and Rajasthan film Tiko Leno Dikri poster were released at the Golden Inn, Jaipur on Sunday.

Director SP Nibawat’s film Kabaddi’s entire shooting was done in Jaipur. The film has received several awards.

—PHOTO BY SANTOSH SHARMA