First India-Jaipur Edition-12 November 2020

JAIPUR l THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 2020 l Pages 12 l 3.00 RNI NO. RAJENG/2019/77764 l Vol 2 l Issue No. 158

P5

JAVADEKAR HOPEFUL OF NEW AIR QUALITY COMMISSION REDUCING POLLUTION

CHIRAG BURNT HIMSELF WITH HIS OWN ‘CHIRAG’: HAM CHIEF MANJHI

OUR EDITIONS: JAIPUR, AHMEDABAD & LUCKNOW 16°C - 30°C

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A JUBILANT MODI ENDORSES NITISH’S CANDIDATURE AS CM

Thanking JP Nadda, PM said mantra for party’s victory was Sabka saath, sabka vikas & sabka vishwas; results endorsed the way we tackled COVID

Aditi Nagar

New Delhi: Addressing enthusiastic BJP workers following the victory of NDA in Bihar and impressive show in the bypolls, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday said the saffron party now had its footprint across the country and the results had made it clear that people would now support only those who work honestly for development.

“Polls results have endorsed the way we have tackled Covid-19 pandemic. No re-polling and peaceful conduct of voting were the distinctive features of Bihar elections. Earlier there used to be news of booth capturing,” Modi said. The PM, Turn to P6

Prime Minister Narendra Modi flanked by senior BJP leaders Amit Shah, JP Nadda, Rajnath Singh during the celebrations following the victory of NDA in Bihar Elections, at BJP headquarters in New Delhi on Wednesday. —PHOTO BY ANI

P6

BIHAR ASSEMBLY

243

125 NDA

110 MGB

1

LJP

7

OTHERS

NITISH KUMAR @NITISHKUMAR The people decide. I bow to them for giving the NDA a majority.

I also thank PM Modi for his support.

Thank you, not just because people voted for us but because we all celebrated this festival of democracy with great enthusiasm...

The election may have been held in only some parts of the country but entire country’s attention was focused on news channels, Twitter and the election commission’s website —Narendra Modi, PM

Nitish salutes people for giving NDA majority Patna: Chief Minister Nitish Kumar Wednesday “saluted” people for giving majority to the NDA in Bihar and thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his support.

“I salute people for the majority they have given to the NDA. I thank Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his support,” Kumar tweeted in his first reaction after the ruling coalition won majority in Bihar. The NDA won 125 seats in the 243-member Bihar as-

sembly against 110 clinched by the opposition Mahagathbandhan to pave the way for a fourth successive term for Kumar in the office.

Meanwhile, Bihar Deputy CM Sushil Modi reiterated that Nitish will be CM of Bihar.

More on P5

Suicide case: SC grants Govt to regulate online space, social sites interim bail to Arnab The court expressed concern over state govts targeting “individuals on the basis of ideology, difference of opinion” New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Wednesday granted interim bail to journalist Arnab Goswami in the 2018 abetment to suicide case, saying it will be a “travesty of justice” if personal liberty is curtailed”.

The apex court also expressed concern over state governments targeting individuals on the basis of ideology.

The court granted interim bail to two others in the case—Nitish Sarda and Parveen Rajesh Singh—on personal bond of Rs 50,000 each and directed that they shall not tamper with the evidence and shall cooperate in the probe.

A vacation bench of Justices DY Chandrachud and Indira Banerjee, which ordered that the accused shall not try to meet any witness in the case, said their

release should not be delayed and the prison authorities should facilitate this.

The bench said personal bonds are to be furnished to Superintendent of Taloja jail instead of the magisterial court.

During the day-long arguments, the top court said if state governments target individuals, they must realise then that there is

apex court to protect the liberty of citizens.

Observing that it would be a travesty of justice if personal liberty of a person is curtailed like this, the bench also expressed concern over state governments targeting some individuals on the basis of ideology and difference of opinion.

We are seeing case after case where high courts Turn to P6

New Delhi: The government has brought OTT platforms like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video and Disney+ Hotstar besides other online news and current affairs content under the ambit of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, giving it powers to regulate policies and rules for the digital space.

So far, there was no law or autonomous body governing digital content in India.

According to a notifi-

PM TO INAUGURATE AYURVEDA INSTITUTES IN JAIPUR, JAMNAGAR New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the Institute of Teaching and Research in Ayurveda (ITRA) at Jamnagar in Gujarat and National Institute of Ayurveda (NIA) at Jaipur in Rajasthan on the fifth Ayurveda Day on November 13 via video conferencing, a statement said on Wednesday.

cation issued by the Cabinet Secretariat on Tuesday night and signed by President

Ram Nath Kovind, the decision has been taken in exercise of the powers conferred by clause

(3) of article 77 of the Constitution, by amending the Government of India (Allocation of Business) Rules, 1961 and it will come into effect immediately.

“These rules may be called the Government of India (Allocation of Business) Three Hundred and Fifty Seventh Amendment Rules, 2020. They shall come into force at once.

With this, the Information and Broadcasting Ministry has the

Proactive CEC transforms ECI for better election management Aditi Nagar New Delhi: The 2020 Bihar Assembly elections and bypolls in ten states will go down in the history of India’s democracy as one of the finest moments for the Election Commission of India. For, in these few months, ECI, head-

Sunil Arora

ed by Chief Election Commissioner Sunil Arora has proved that challenges, how so ever gargantuan, can be overcome through sheer will and hard work.

With Corona proving to be a major hurdle to the democratic process, ECI was faced with a tough task of making

GEHLOT : 1, BAINSLA : 0.. AS GURJARS CALL OFF AGITATION! In a turn of events, Col Bainsla, after 5 hours of deliberations with Cabinet sub-committee, decides to end agitation for quota, seals the ‘deal’ after meeting Gehlot Naresh Sharma Jaipur: What was suspected to be yet another eye sore for otherwise peaceful state of Rajasthan, the Gurjar agitation was called off late on Wednesday night after the leader of one faction, Colonel Ki-

rori Bainsla, held a meeting with ministers of the state government and later with Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot.

Agitating since November 1, for reservation in government jobs, the ‘Bainsla faction’ had demanded unconditional compliance

GEHLOT’S MASTERSTROKE

Gurjar leader Col Kirori Bainsla meets CM Ashok Gehlot at CMR on Wednesday night.

to their demands while a separate faction had termed government’s deal to be all encom-

passing. The ‘brokered peace’ as a result of the interaction between Chief Minister and

power to regulate policies related to news, audio, visual contents and films available on online platforms.

The decision came in less than a month after the Supreme Court sought the Centre’s response on a PIL for regulating the Over The Top (OTT) platforms by an autonomous body.

Now, the OTT platforms, which were hitherto unregulated, are expected to come under rules and regulations.

‘Fauji’, is the culmination of the strategy devised by CM Ashok Gehlot to get Turn to P6

Jaipur: Known for his political thinking and strategising abilities, Gehlot has again proved to be the most stalwart leader in Rajasthan, a person in whose leadership, even agitating Gurjar leader Kirori Bainsla expressed complete trust in. Similarly, even Gehlot’s ‘bureaucrats’ who have been handpicked by the seasoned politician to handle the state - CS Niranjan Arya and DGP ML Lather - have also successfully completed the major task of getting the Gurjar agitation to end. The duo were present in the five hour long talks at RSEB Guest House on Wednesday and were instrumental in bringing the Gurjars to an understanding.

Therefore, it would not be wrong to say that the ‘peace process’ initiated by ‘non-violent’ Ashok Gehlot has yet again proved to be the right way forward. Gehlot’s approach has not only become an example for others to tread on but has ensured that the road of violence is never taken by agitators in future too. Truely, Gehlot hai to mumkin hai...

right decision and in these tough times, Arora proved to be a resilient pillar devising new ways to counter problem as well as ‘reinventing’ election process. Whether it was Rajya Sabha election, bypolls in ten states, or Bihar election, ECI has done an exemplary work.

Turn to P8

KC Venugopal’s mother dies at 80 First India Bureau

Jaipur: Mother of AICC general secretary KC Venugopal, Janakiamma, passed away on Wednesday. She was 80. Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot, PCC chief Govind Singh Dotasra, former deputy CM Sachin Pilot and other leaders condoled her death. “My condolences to AICC General Secretary & Rajya Sabha MP KC Venugopal ji on the demise of his mother.

May God give strength to the family members to bear this loss. May her soul rest in peace,” Gehlot tweeted.

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JAIPUR | THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 2020

Cong balances act, names 3 dy mayors from minority BJP GETS DEPUTY MAYORS IN JMC GREATER AND JODHPUR SOUTH

Newly-elected deputy Mayor Mohammad Aslam Farooqui with Mayor Munesh Puneet Karnavat was elected unopposed the deputy mayor in JMC Greater. Ram Gurjar in Jaipur Heritage.

—PHOTO BY SUMAN SARKAR Charan Bohra and Ashok Lahoti were also present. —PHOTO BY SANTOSH SHARMA

Nirmal Tiwari & Bharat Dixit Jaipur: The ruling Congress that was facing wrath of the Muslim community for not naming a single mayor candidate from the community, balanced the equations on Wednesday by fielding and getting elected three minority community deputy mayors.

The party got elected Mohammad Aslam Farooqui from Jaipur Heritage municipal corporation, Abdul Karim from Jodhpur North, and Farideen from Kota North. The party also got fourth deputy mayor Pawan Kumar Meena from Kota South.

In JMC Greater, BJP candidate Puneet Karnavat was unopposed

Municipal corporation

Deputy Mayor

Age

Party

Reservation

Jaipur Greater

Punit Karnawat

52

BJP

General 150

Jaipur Heritage

Mohd Aslam Farooqui

45

Congress OBC

100

56

Jodhpur North

Abdul Karim

43

Congress OBC

80

unopposed

Jodhpur South

Kishan Lal Ladha

53

BJP

General 80

48

Kota North

Sonu Qureshi

36

Congress General 70

50

Kota South

Pawan Kumar Meena

38

Congress ST

40

elected the deputy mayor. Names of Jitendra Srimali, Dinesh Kanwat and Puneet Karnavat were doing rounds for the post. Puneet stressed on the integrated development of Jaipur.

Farooqui got 56 votes

while BJP candidate Mahendra got 44 votes.

Farooqui said that the first priority in the Heritage would be to restore sewerage system. Mayor Munesh Gurjar congratulated the deputy mayor on his victory saying that

Dy mayor poll: It’s 1-all for Cong and BJP @ Jodhpur Rajeev Gaur Jodhpur: Congress and BJP won deputy mayor elections in Jodhpur north and Jodhpur south municipal corporation respectively.

Congress councilor Abdul Karim was elected as the deputy mayor in Jodhpur north while BJP’s Kishan Laddha won in Jodhpur south.

In Jodhpur south, BJP got two additional votes in deputy mayor elections. The party has 43 councilors and the support of 3 independents but Laddha got 48 votes in the deputy mayor election which indicates that two Congress coun-

VICTORY OF CONG

DEPUTY MAYOR ELECTION RESULTS

Deputy Mayor Abdul Karim along with newly elected Mayor Kunti Deora and Congress councillors.

cilors have voted for the BJP candidate.

Congress candidate Ganpat Singh Chauhan got 32 votes in Jodhpur south. Congress nominee for deputy mayor election in Jodhpur

north was elected unopposed as the nomination paper of the BJP candidate Surendra Joshi was rejected. After the results, celebrations broke out at both parties.

Total wards

80

Winner’s Votes

Kota South dy mayor elected through lottery Bhawar S Charan Kota: The deputy mayor of Kota South municipal corporation was elected through a lottery as the Congress and the BJP candidates got 40 votes each.

Congress councilor Pawan Kumar Meena was declared deputy mayor through the lottery.

In the election for the post of deputy mayor, BJP got one vote more than the mayor election and Congress got one vote less than the mayor elections. Both the candidates got 40-40 votes and therefore the name was de-

file his nomination for the deputy mayor. He accused MLA Rafiq Khan of marring his chances of becoming deputy mayor and warned the MLA of the next assembly polls.

Daraj, however, voted for Farooqui.

Kota: Urban development and housing minister Shanti Dhariwal reportedly reprimanded Kota city SP Gaurav Yadav for lathi-charge on Tuesday in which nine Congress workers were injured. The police had resorted to lathicharge during the mayoral elections.

Home secretary LN Meena and his team reached Kota late Tuesday night and

beat him and threw in a field before fleeing away with the parcels containing jewellery.

The accused came in a vehicle bearing Maharashtra registration number. The accused were stopped at police barricading twice but they posed as narcotics officers and escaped.

After the incident, the victim informed his owners who got a case registered at Neemrana police station on Wednesday.

Behror CO Mahavir Singh said that investigations are going in on all aspects. Different teams have been formed under the leadership of Bhiwadi SP Ram Murti Joshi.

Jaipur: ATS has arrested nine people from three places in Jaipur and Ganganagar for betting on IPL matches.

The ATS teams conducted raids at Karni vihar and Adarsh Nagar police station area in Jaipur and Suratgarh in Ganganagar.

Seven persons identified as Sunil Sekhani, Rahul, Ravindra, Pavan, Rupesh Prajapat, Jitendra Prajapat, and Narayan were arrested in Karni Vihar area.

The team also seized a cash counting machine, laptop, desktop computer, 30 mobile phones, and other items from their possession.

14,441 in fray for zila parishad, panchayat samiti Elections for 636 zila parishad, 4371 panchayat samiti members in 21 dists Dr Rituraj Sharma Jaipur: After the withdrawal of names for 636 zila parishad members and 4371 panchayat samiti members elections in 21 districts of the state, 1778 candidates are in the fray for zila parishad and 12,663 candidates for panchayat samiti members.

State Election Commission PS Mehra said that 2767 nomination papers were filed by 2545 candidates for 636 zila parishad members. Of these, 2109 nominations of 2008 candidates were found valid after the cancellation of 659 nominations. Out of these, 217 candidates were found to have withdrawn 100

PS Mehra

applications, while 13 members were elected unopposed.

The Election Commissioner said that in the same way, 19,018 nominations were filed

where Sonu Qureshi of Congress got 50 votes while BJP’s Gyanendra got only 9 votes in the deputy mayor election.

Qureshi was declared winner with 41 votes.

However, some of the BJP and independent councilors were absent in the voting.

Sources said they are close to the party leader Prahlad Gunjal.

didates contesting elections has been published. The voting will be held on November 23 for the first phase, November 27 for the second phase, December 1 for the third phase and December 5 for the fourth phase.

The counting of votes for all the phases will be held at all the district headquarters on December 8. The election of the head or chief will be held on December 10 and the

Injured Congress workers.

straight away reached the MBS hospital to take stock of the situation of the patients injured in the police Lathi charge.

On Wednesday morning the statements of the

victims and the Congress workers were recorded. Apart from this all the administrative and police officers related with the incident also recorded their statements at the Circuit House with the enquiry team. Kota Divisional Commissioner KC Meena, Collector Ujjwal Rathore, DIG Ravi Dutt Gaur, SP Gaurav Yadav, ASPs Praveen Jain and Rajesh Meel were also present at the Circuit House.

‘Women should become self-reliant’

First India Bureau

CANDIDATES IN FRAY

by 19,077 candidates for 4371 panchayat samiti members. Of these, 15,574 nominations of 15,011 candidates were found valid after the cancellation of 5142 nominations.

Of these, 2336 candidates withdrew their names, 563 applications were found discarded while 40 members were elected unopposed.

Mehra said the allocation of election symbols and the list of can-

clared by lottery.

In the mayor election, BJP candidate got 39 votes while Congress candidate got 41 votes.

With this, mayors and deputy mayors both the Kota north and Kota south municipal corporations are from Congress.

In Kota north, Congress was already in a comfortable position

First India Bureau

Men posing as CISF staff IPL betting loot `2.5 cr jewellery gang busted Jaipur. He told the poFirst India Bureau lice that the accused by ATS Alwar: A delivery boy of a courier company carrying gold ornaments worth about Rs 2.5 crore in 37 packets was kidnapped and looted on Tuesday night around 2 am near Janak Singhpura village on Delhi-Jaipur national highway. The accused posed as CISF staff and stopped the bus in which the victim was traveling. The accused, who were wearing uniform, said that the victim was involved in arms smuggling and dragged him out of the bus.

The victim Pramod Saini, an employee in Srivinayak air parcel courier, was carrying the parcels from Delhi to

Newly-elected Congress councillor Pawan Kumar Meena.

Probe into lathi-charge started, Dhariwal reprimands cops

unopposed

there is Congress government in the state and the JMC Heritage board is also of Congress as such development works would be coordinated better.

Congress councillor Umar Daraj raised slogans as he also tried to

02

deputy chief or deputy chief on December 11.

The elections will be held in the districts of Ajmer, Churu, Nagaur, Banswara, Dungarpur, Pali, Barmer, Hanumangarh, Pratapgarh, Bhilwara, Jaisalmer, Rajsamand, Bikaner, Jalore, Sikar, Bundi, Jhalawar, Tonk, Chittorgarh, Jhunjhunu and Udaipur. Mehra said that 24,187,946 voters in will be able to exercise their franchise in these districts.

Mamta Bhupesh, KK Pathak, Rashmi Gupta, Abha Jain and other officers were present.

Aishwary Pradhan Jaipur: WCD minister Mamta Bhupesh has appealed to the women to become self-reliant with the help of Indira Mahila Shakti Kaushal Samarthya Yojana. She said that if the women demand then they would also be given loan facilities under the Indira Mahila Shakti scheme.

She interacted with

the women trainees at the Women Empowerment Directorate on Wednesday. The WCD department is organising a training program in association with Asian Paints Colour Academy under their corporate social responsibility program in which a group of 20 women and girls is being trained in painting various articles.

Maken seeks report on JMC Greater mayor Yogesh sharma Jaipur: AICC general secretary in-charge for Rajasthan Ajay Maken has sought a report from PCC president Govind Singh Dotasra on nominating a candidate for mayor election in Jaipur greater municipal corporation despite not having a majority to win. Maken has expressed his displeasure over the lathi-charge on Congress workers in Kota and sought a report.

The ruling party nominated a candidate for mayor election in Jaipur greater municipal corporation where the BJP had got majority. Senior leaders had assured Maken that the Congress would get the advantage of infighting in BJP but the party candidate faced humiliating defeat and the BJP candidate won.

In Kota, police lathicharged Congress workers during the mayor elections in which a few workers were injured.

RAJASTHAN JAIPUR | THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 2020

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03

KHATU SHYAM TEMPLE REOPENS FOR DEVOTEES, ONLINE REGISTRATION MUST

On Wednesday Raj reported 2,080 new Covid-19 cases taking the total count of cases in the state to 2,17,151 Governor Kalraj Mishra addressing online seminar on NEP.

POONIA’S OPEN LETTER ABOUT FIGHT AGAINST CORONA

Jaipur: State BJP chief Satish Poonia has written an open letter to people to put an end to all speculations regarding his health. In the letter, Poonia has stated that how despite keeping all precautions he got infected with coronavirus and had joined party work after recovering within a gap of 15 days. Poonia wrote, he did not realise that returning so soon to public life had endangered his life as he was again infected with such gravity that he had to get treatment in Gurugram. He informed people that his personal office would be working daily from 9 to 11 am to assist people in their problems and he would join as soon as he fully recovers.

—Aishwary Pradhan

MLAs, SPORTS COUNCIL OFFICERS +VE Devotees at famous temple of Khatu Shyamji after it reopened on Wednesday.

First India Bureau Sikar: After a wait of eight months, the gates of the famous temple of Khatu Shyamji were reopened on Wednesday. The devotees will have to register online for visiting the temple.

Pratap Singh Chauhan of Shree Shyam Mandir committee andcommittee secretary Shyam Singh Chauhan launched a website http://www.shrishyam-

darshan.in for this purpose. People visited the temple on Wednesday and prayed for rescue from corona crisis.

The temple visits have been planned in four stages. Children of up to 10 years and elders above 60 years will not be allowed to visit the temple.

Pratap Singh Chauhan said the temple would remain closed on every Sunday of every month and Ekadashi and Dwadashi of Shukla Paksha.

SPEED NEWS CUSTODIAL DEATH: 3-MEMBER CID-CB TEAM STARTS PROBE Bundi: A three-member CID-CB team under ASP Lalchand Kayal reached the Ramnagar residence of alleged deceased Harji Kanjar who allegedly died in custody due to police brutality. The family of the deceased Harji Kanjar refused to give any statement to the CIDCB team on Wednesday. SP Kayal asked the family members to provide them the live video of the deceased in their possession on a CD and pen drive. The CID CB team is expected to return in a couple of days to record the statement of the family and collect the crucial evidence. It is noteworthy that along with the CID-CB, the custodial death case is also being inquired judicially. Range DIG Ravi Dutt Gaur had suspended the complete staff of the Sadar police station on Tuesday to ensure impartial police probe in the case.

PROPERTY DISPUTE: COURT STAYS ARREST OF CHOPRA COUPLE Jaipur: Judge Madhusudan Mishra stayed the arrest of the accused Arvind Chopra and his wife Seema Chopra in the Punjab Kesari group property dispute with the consent of the complainant.

Lawyers of the accused also said that since the complainant and the accused are relatives and therefore there is a possibility of a compromise between them. Both the sides to the case will be present at the mediation centre on November 23.

It is noteworthy that accused Arvind and Seema had applied for anticipatory bail in cases registered by Aditya Chopra in 2006 in Jyoti Nagar police station.

Case pertains to opening fake bank accounts in PNB Nehru Place branch in name of Ashwini and Kiran Chopra without their consent.

The complainant was represented by advocate AK Jain in the case for which Judge Mishra has set December 5 as date for hearing for the anticipatory bail application.

`2 L RELEASED FOR JAIPUR BOMB BLAST VICTIM’s DAUGHTER

Jaipur: In compliance with the relief package announced for 2008 Jaipur serial bomb blast victim late Hiralal, a committed relief fund of Rs 2 lakh was released for his daughter Mudrika who is getting married on November 25.

District collector Antar Singh Nehra said that Rs 1 lakh will be deposited in the account of late Hiralal’s wife Phoolo Devi while a fixed deposit of Rs 1 lakh in the name of Mudrika will also be done. Instructions for the same have been given to the manager of SBI, Collectorate branch. According to the terms of relief package announced for bomb blast victim, this amount of Rs2 lakh was to be paid after late Hiralal daughter Mudrika would attend the age of 18. It is noteworthy that Hiralal died in serial bomb blasts which rocked Jaipur on 13 May 2008. He hailed from district Madhubani of Bihar but was residing in Gujaron ki Bagichi in Indira Bazaar area of the city.

The temple was closed during lockdown in March this year and has now reopened with all arrangements of sanitisation in view of Covid-19. The visitors will have to wear face mask and social distancing norms will be observed during the ‘darshan’.

Meanwhile, Rajasthan on Wednesday reported 2,080 new Covid-19 cases taking the total count of cases in

Daring bovine smugglers open fire at Bharatpur cops

the state to 2,17,151. The total count of cases includes 2,019 deaths and 1,98,139 recoveries and discharges.

State Health Department said 11 Covid-19 deaths and 1,801 recoveries/discharges were reported on Wednesday.

Out of 2,080 new Covid-19 cases, Ajmer reported 141 cases, Bikaner (175), Jaipur (450), Alwar (115) and Jodhpur (310). The state has 16,993 active cases.

Khajuwala MLA Govind Ram Meghwal, Malviya Nagar BJP MLA Kalicharan Saraf, sports council officerSubrata Sen and council’s PRO Tejraj Singh have tested positive. Meghwal’s wife and daughter are contesting zila parishad polls but he remained away from nomination process as he is not well.

Saraf too tested positive and tweeted, “After the initial symptoms of corona infection, I got the test done in which my report came out positive today.

I request you all that whoever has come in contact with me should take special care of their health.

SWEET BOXES WITH SPECIAL MESSAGE

Jaipur: Officers of both Heritage and Greater municipal corporations of the city are pursuing an innovative corona awareness campaign during the festival where municipal officers have roped in sweet shops of city to put stickers displaying ‘No Entry Without Mask’ & ‘Never Move Out Without A Mask’ on the sweet and gift boxes they sell during the 5-day festival. The corporations will be distributing 3 lakh stickers to sweet shop owners who have readily agreed to do their bit.

Governor: Try to make university courses interesting Kashiram Chaudhary Jaipur: Governor Kalraj Mishra on Wednesday called upon universities to develop courses in science and technical and specialized knowledge areas in English as well as Hindi.

He emphasized that educational institutions should invite subject experts related to arts, literature and culture as guest lecturers and make students familiar with them and make regular courses interesting.

Mishra was addressing an online seminar on National Education Policy organized by Mohanlal Sukhadia University, Udaipur from

Raj Bhavan here today.

The seminar was attended by the principals, faculty heads, department heads and vice chancellors of 184 colleges of the state.

Pathena, men kidnap man, forcefully take `5L ransom

FESTIVE GAIETY

Deepak Lawania Bharatpur. The bovine smugglers of the infamous Mewat region are turning more fearless each passing day. In another incident at a police barricading near Gulpada village of Sikri police station they fired at the police team and escaped from the spot.

The smugglers left three vehicles containing 26 bovines which the police sent to a nearby gaushala. The police are now trying to search for the smugglers. It is noteworthy that the Bharatpur district area bordering Haryana is used by bovine smugglers on a daily basis and illegal activity continues despite constant police action. In most cases smugglers are very well connected and make sure that they are not arrested as their vehicles are released by court sooner or later.

E-CURRICULA IN REGIONAL LANG

First India Bureau

Walled City markets are all illuminated for the 5-day festival of Diwali.

—PHOTO BY SANTOSH SHARMA

Raje celebrates party’s poll win with workers Vinod Tiwari Dholpur: Former CM Vasundhara Raje celebrated the victory of BJP in Bihar and various by-elections in the country by sharing it with the party workers at the district BJP office

in the city. Amid the celebratory mood Raje congratulated all the party workers and called the victory as historic. Speaking to the media the former CM said that the trust on PM Modi had defied all the opinion polls. She

said the victory in Bihar elections is credited to the central leader-

ship of the BJP and the goodwill earned by the PM due to the welfare schemes run by the central government for farmers and the poor.

She said that BJP has once again proved that it is the most popular party in the country.

Jaipur. Known history sheeter Vinod Pathena and his gang not only kidnapped a person but also successfully recovered a ransom of Rs5 lakh from him without anybody knowing about the criminal act.

The victim could gather courage only on Wednesday, exactly 20 days after the incident took place, to register a formal complaint with the city police that also after the police itself convinced the victim of a firm action against the accused. An Informer told police that the victim was kidnapped while he was on his way to Lal Kothi when Pathena stopped his car and forcibly got into it.

Soon his gang members riding three bikes also joined Vinod who then bashed the victim and demanded a ransom of Rs 5 lakh.

SEVERE FUND CRISIS

Pvt schools forum calls on Guv over fees order Bharat Dixit Jaipur: A delegation of private school managements in Rajasthan on Wednesday met Governor Kalraj Mishra over collection of tuition fees during the lockdown, which they claimed to have led to a severe financial crisis.

Several schools, including CBSE, Rajasthan Board and missionary schools are on an “indefinite strike” from November 5, as they lack funds to pay salaries to their staff and face closure.

Schools in the state have not yet reopened after they were closed due to COVID-19 but many are holding online classes.

“A delegation of the private school management today have the Governor to apprise about the situation. Due to financial crisis, several schools have closed stopped even online classes,” said Sandeep Bakshi, a member of Forum of Private Schools in Rajasthan.

Earlier, the forum had requested Chief

Members of private schools sitting on hunger strike in Jaipur on Wednesday.

Minister Ashok Gehlot to help them in these tough times.

School owners have

requested the authorities to abide by the Rajasthan High Court order of September 9. A

single bench of the high court had issued direction to the schools to collect 70 per cent of

tuition fees. Yet, this order was later stayed in October by a division bench of the high court.

Recently, the state government had issued orders that CBSE schools and the Rajasthan board should reduce the tuition fees by 30-40 per cent in accordance with the reduced syllabus.

According to the forum, they want clarity on the part of the state government in the orders and said it is affecting 50,000 schools and 11 lakh employees.

Sponsored by Radhika Enterprises

PERSPECTIVE JAIPUR | THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 2020

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PAKISTAN ON SELF DESTRUCT MODE

IN-DEPTH

NEXT STOP BENGAL, AS BJP MARCHES ON

W

ith Nitish Kumar’s Janata Dal-United having been reduced to a minor status in the NDA, it can be said that Bihar is in Bharatiya Janata Party’s bag. The party got together at its headquarters in Delhi on Wednesday to celebrate the big victory.

Like in his campaign speeches, Prime Minister Narendra Modi stressed development as he spoke of politics in the 21st century. People will vote for those who work for the country’s progress. Indeed, voters in Bihar found the prime minister’s assurance on the development of the state more credible. The reason why the people keep reposing their trust in the BJP is good governance, Modi said and mentioned all the states where it has returned to power election after election. He recalled how the party operating from two rooms and with a two percent vote share has grown to reach every heart and rise to power in faraway Manipur and other eastern states.

The prime minister attacked family-run parties from Kashmir to Kanyakumari said that they pose a threat to the nation. With elections in Tamil Nadu due next year, the reference to DMK and AIADMK was obvious. With the party engaged in a bitter struggle for power in West Bengal where polls are due next year the prime minister, without naming the state, said that the killings of BJP workers won’t fetch votes.

The celebratory event and the prime minister indirectly mentioning West Bengal will galvanise workers to take on Mamata Banerjee’s challenge.

Having won in Bihar, it is only natural for the BJP to have Bengal in its cross-hairs.

COVAXINE ENTERS EFFICACY TRIALS

C

lose on the heels of American pharma giant Pfizer claiming 90 percent efficacy of their Covid-19 vaccine, India’s Bharat Biotech in collaboration with the Indian Council of Medical Research has started the third phase clinical trial of its Covaxin. The trial is being conducted at 25 centres in the country involving 26,000 participants, with the vice-chancellor of Aligarh Muslim University, Prof Tariq Mansoor, registering as the first volunteer. The university’s JN Medical College and Hospital is one of the centres where trials will be done.

Pfizer’s claim on the vaccine’s efficacy has raised confidence in nations battling Covid-19. All hopes are pinned on early availability of a vaccine to fight the virus which is still raging in several countries. America reported a two lakh single-day spike, France over 38,000 new cases, and UK 22,885 new cases. India too is witnessing a spurt and 44,000 new cases. The urgency for a vaccine is therefore understandable. The problem with Pfizer’s vaccine is that its availability in India may not be possible because of the requirement of deep freeze, production, storage, and transportation networks to ensure the cold chain does not break. Its production is said to be costly and shelf life short which will make it unaffordable in India.

The start of the third phase clinical trial of Covaxin is a big development. An indigenously developed vaccine will be much cheaper than Pfizer’s and depending on how the government prioritises its distribution, much more easily accessible to the domestic patient. Of course, everything will depend on the vaccine’s efficacy during the trial.

MAJ GEN CP SINGH, RETD

The writer is a scholar soldier accredited with MA, MSc, LLB, MBA, M Phil (Def Mgt) and M Phil (International Strategic Affairs)

I Pakistan was born as an insecure nation and grew up with a revisionist culture, feudalistic mindset, racial and lingual prejudices, and ideological fault lines. Pakistan, on its partition, had over 13 % of minorities residing within an Islamic population of 76 million. Today the minorities have declined to under 2.5 % living life virtually under seize with Blasphemy laws, human rights violations, forced conversions, military oppression, and systemic persecution

ndia and Pakistan were born together and got separated at birth. While India has focused on secular credentials and growth, while Pakistan embraced extremism. Today after 73 years, there is no comparison between the two. In the last 73 years, Pakistan has moved on a self-destruction course steadily with some leaders like President Zia giving it extra push towards death and destruction.

In the past 40 years, its per capita income has suffered almost a 90 percent net deficit relative to India and the gap is rising.

Unfortunately, when it comes to basic human rights and civil liberties, Pakistan is at least 100 years behind the modern world.

It’s a typical “Salim-Javed” type story of Bollywood films where one brother follows the righteous path and prospers while another rebel against society become a terrorist and ultimately dies a horrible death.

RELIGIOUS EXTREMISM Pakistan was born as an insecure nation and grew up with a revisionist culture, feudalistic mindset, racial and lingual prejudices and ideological fault lines. Pakistan, on its partition, had over 13 % minorities residing within an Islamic population of 76 million. Today the minorities have declined to under 2.5 % living life virtually under seize with Blasphemy laws, human rights violations, forced conversions, military oppression, and systemic persecution. Army and Islamist Mullahs are acting as the custodians of this disruptive ideology and defenders of radical Islam while politicians act as stooges. The nexus of the Army, the ruling elite, and the mullahs has turned this country into a place where only one-sided narratives against the world are allowed to live, according to the rules set by this troika.

RECENT CHAOS IN PAKISTAN ARMY POLICE CLASHES: The recent revolt by top police

officers against the Army in Pakistan’s Sindh province was unprecedented and shook the country’s military. A ‘civil war’-like situation developed in Pakistan amid reports of clashes between the Karachi Police and the Pakistan Army in the recent past, challenging the supremacy of Pak Army, for the first time. This was not a protest against an elected government or Prime Minister Imran Khan, but against the Army in Pakistan, which is supreme and never challenged.

UNREST ON THE RISE THE MILITARY-LED: Govt of Islamabad is perpetuating the barbarism, holocaust, massacre, and genocide creating dissension and unrest. Out of the four provinces of Pakistan, three are simmering and the fourth is caught in the division.

Even the so-called autonomous territories of POK and GilgitBaltistan remain a flashpoint with oppression and fascism at the hands of the Pak Army. Indeed, there are no parts of Pakistan which have remained unaffected by terrorism, discriminatory policies, and ethnic or sectarian/religious induced turmoil. This is the saga of a nation which has been dismembered (East Pakistan) earlier and yet again, awaiting an impending implosion.

POLITICAL UPHEAVAL: There is too much chaos in the Pakistani polity now. PM Imran Khan is heading a lame-duck govt with Army in full control.

Out of senses, Imran Khan

THE PAKISTANI ECONOMY IS NOW BELOW THE DUMPS. THEIR COMBINED DEBT TO IMF, THE GULF STATES, AND CHINA MUST BE BEYOND COUNT. MANUFACTURING AND EXPORTS HAVE COLLAPSED. EXTERNAL REMITTANCES HAVE DRIED UP

called Osama Bin Laden a ‘Shaheed’ (martyr) and the FATF promptly extended Pakistani presence in its grey list.

The Afghan situation is only worsening. There is active collusion between TTP and Afghan Taliban. FATA is in bad shape.

All things considered, there is chaos in Pak polity. How long will PM Imran Khan be able to hold on to his chair, is to be seen?

FRAGILE ECONOMY: The Pakistani economy is now below the dumps. Their combined debt to IMF, the Gulf States, and China must be beyond count.

Manufacturing and exports have collapsed. External remittances have dried up. Locusts have hit agriculture. There is uncontrolled inflation. Pakistan has once again turned to its allweather friend China for a loan of $1 billion to repay a $1 billion loan taken from Saudi Arabia.

Overall the country is steeped in debt, especially to China.

How well Pfizer’s Covid vaccine works P

reliminary data from the Pfizer/ BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine trial suggests it provides 90% efficacy at preventing the disease. At the very least, this news will result in a large sigh of relief across the vaccine community. It signifies a breakthrough – it is the first announcement that a vaccine can protect against SARS-CoV-2 infection in humans.

This shows it can be done. But how well it can be done is still a big question that no one has the answer to. These results are promising, but there is a lot more we now need to confirm.

The 90% efficacy is a strong result, but we should remember that this is an interim analysis, based on 94 cases of the

04

disease that have occurred across those receiving either the vaccine or a placebo. Pfizer has noted in its trial protocol that it needs at least 164 cases of the disease to occur across the study to reliably assess the vaccine’s efficacy.

If subsequent cases occur more frequently among those who have had the vaccine rather than the placebo, then this efficacy figure will fall. So we do not yet know if this number is truly reflective of the vaccine’s protective ability – meaning crucially, we need to get to the end of the trial.

But if this is the case, why announce these interim results now? An interim analysis of trial data like this is not uncommon, particularly in phase 3 vaccine trials, as it is not unusual for trials to fail during test-

ing. Therefore, you need to determine as soon as you can, with as much robustness as you can, whether pursuing the trial is worthwhile. Continuing when things are futile is a waste

of resources – and in some cases unethical.

The only way to see whether continuing is the right option is for the trial’s independent data and safety monitoring board to

look at some or all of the results. For Covid-19, where time is a major constraint, many efforts have been made to incorporate interim analysis into studies in a way that provides

an answer, with some confidence, in as timely a manner as possible.

This interim review was therefore planned at the start of the trial and has fulfilled its purpose. It is a very positive signal that the trial needs to continue – even if the actual data from the review leaves us with many questions.

One key thing these interim results do not tell us is how long protection lasts. Participants in this phase 3 trial received two doses of the vaccine, and measurement of its efficacy was taken seven days after the second dose was given. This is likely around the height of the initial immune response. It will be really important to understand how durable this initial protection is after this point.

SOURCE: THE CONVERSATION

SURRENDER TO CHINA: The bear hug of friendship from China is squeezing Pakistan, sparking fears that the country may be heading into a giant debt trap, to a point where the bonhomie could even encroach on its sovereignty. Pakistan owes China double the amount it owes to the IMF. It’s surprising how the bankrupt nation is getting submerged deeper and deeper into China’s debt trap. Pakistan is no longer a hot favourite of the USA and Saudi Arabia. Therefore, it has no choice but to fall in line with China, at the dictated terms.

CONCLUSION The condition of Pak is critical with financial bankruptcy, sectarian violence, police-Army clashes, and rising unrest amongst the masses. It survives on a Chinese respirator, on the verge of slipping into comma, with a fragile economy, poor human development index, alarming unemployment, and now in the Chinese debt trap of CPEC. This country is also the notorious epicenter of breeding, harbouring, and exporting terrorism beyond its national boundaries. It is time that the gods of this country realize that by creating fear and denying basic rights and justice to the masses they are gradually moving toward their own self-destruction. For India, having chaos in it’s neighbourhood is not a happy situation.

THE VIEWS EXPRESSED BY THE AUTHOR ARE PERSONAL

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TWEET Ravi Shankar Prasad @rsprasad Along with electronics and telecom sectors, PLI in other sectors of the economy, is indeed a visionary decision taken by PM @narendramodi in boosting the economic growth, developing #AatmaNirbharBharat and creating employment opportunities for Indian youth.

Dharmendra Pradhan @dpradhanbjp PM Shri @narendramodin in his address today requested Odia brothers and sisters to support local artisans, craftsmen and businesses and also follow Covid-19 appropriate behaviour and take all precautions ahead of the festive season.

Spiritual SPEAK

Better than a thousand hollow words, is one word that brings peace. —Buddha

Vol 2 Issue No. 158 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.

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ASSEMBLY ELECTIONS AFTERMATH

Nitish will be Bihar CM: Sushil Modi There is no confusion on the issue, the decision was taken before the polls and it will remain same, said the Bihar Dy CM Patna: Bihar Deputy SHAH CONGRATULATES JP NADDA ON Chief Minister and BJP leader Sushil Modi on Wednesday reiterated NDA’S VICTORY IN BIHAR ASSEMBLY POLLS that Nitish Kumar will be Chief Minister of Bihar and said, “there is no question of replacing him”.

While replying to a question over JDU) chief, Nitish Kumar’s future in Bihar, the BJP leader said, “There is no confusion on the issue of Nitish Kumar as Chief Minister of Bihar. The decision was taken before the polls and it will remain same.” “In alliance, sometimes a partner wins more and the other one is able to secure fewer seats. But we are equal partners, people voted for NDA,” he added. While reacting over a question on LJP, chief Chirag Paswan, the BJP leader said, “He is not part of our alliance in the state. I don’t want to say anything about it.”

On a question regarding Chirag Paswan’s status in the Central government, the BJP leader said, “I don’t know, I am only concerned with state politics, representatives of Central government can give you an answer about this question. But he is surely not a part of Bihar-NDA.” —ANI

Bihar CM Nitish Kumar pays tribute to India’s first Education Minister Maulana Abul Kalam Azad on his birth anniversary in Patna on Wednesday.

—PHOTO BY ANI

After MP, Digvijaya Singh now wants to destroy Bihar: JDU’s Sanjay Singh Patna: Hitting back at senior Congress leader Digvijaya Singh for advising Chief Minister Nitish Kumar to leave Bihar and enter national politics, Janata Dal (United) leader Sanjay Singh on Wednesday said that Digvijaya wants to “destroy Bihar like Madhya Pradesh”.

“He (Digvijaya) has already destroyed Madhya Pradesh, now he wants to destroy Bihar as well. It will

Sanjay Singh

be better if he keeps his advice to himself and Congress. We do not need it. Congress is already sinking, whoever gets on board, will sink with them,” Singh.

Reacting to RJD and Congress’ matter of raising the issue of Chief Minister Nitish Kumar allegedly influencing the counting of votes, Sanjay Singh said that they should accept their “defeat”.

“The public holds the power in a democracy. People gave their mandate to Nitish Kumar then why is that mandate being attacked? One should accept their defeat. the JDU leader said.

New Delhi: Union Home Minister Amit Shah visited the residence of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) national president JP Nadda to congratulate him for the party’s victory in the Bihar Assembly polls.

Shah said that BJP is dedicated to the development of the country under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. “I congratu-

Patna: Taking a dig at Lok Janshakti Party (LJP) President Chirag Paswan for contesting against the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) in the recently concluded Bihar Assembly election, Hindustani Awam Morcha (HAM) chief Jitan Ram Manjhi on Wednesday said he burnt himself with his own lamp. “ Apne chirag se bhasm ho gaye hain wo (he burnt himself with

Jitan Ram Manjhi

his own lamp),” quipped the former chief minister whose HAM won four seats on Tuesday.

Chirag translates to lamp in English. The

HAM leader went on to say: “There’s a saying don’t cut the branch on which you sit. Chirag Paswan worked towards defeating the fold he was part of. The result is clear, the branch has been cut, but he also fell,” Manjhi said.

Paswan’s LJP had broken away from the NDA and contested 137 seats in Bihar, but ended up winning only one seat as compared to two last time.

—ANI

Owaisi: AIMIM ready for Assembly polls in WB Hyderabad: All India Majlis-e-Ittehad-ulMuslimeen (AIMIM) chief Asaduddin Owaisi on Tuesday stated that he is ready to fight next year’s Assembly polls in West Bengal.

Lok Sabha member from Hyderabad, Owaisi said, “We will contest election in West Bengal, if our party member is ready to fight. Will surely take a decision on it.”

The Hyderabad-based party, AIMIM made gains in the recently concluded Bihar Assembly elections. The party has won five constituencies, in the state’s Seemanchal region - Baisi, Amour, Kochadhaman, Bahadurganj and Jokihat.

Party was also able to secure a vote share of 1.2 per cent in the total votes polled.

AIMIM had fielded

WIN IN 5 CONSTITUENCIES OF BIHAR

candidates under the umbrella of “Grand Democratic Secular Front” whose chief ministerial candidate was Rashtriya Lok Samata Party (RLSP), chief Upendra Kushwaha.

West Bengal Assem-

bly elections are scheduled to be held in 2021.

With 294 seats, a keen contest awaits the state as Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) tries to wrest power from Mamata Banerjee’s Trinamool Congress. —ANI

tory in the Bihar Assembly Election and by-elections in several other states. We, the

Digvijaya: BJP destroyed legacy of Ram Vilas Paswan, reduced Nitish’s stature Bhopal: Senior Congress leader and former CM of Madhya Pradesh, Digvijaya Singh accused BJP of destroying the legacy of late Ram Vilas Paswan and reducing the stature of Chief Minister Nitish Kumar by its “kootneeti” in Bihar. After losing the Madhya Pradesh bypolls and Bihar Assembly elections 2020, Congress leader Digvijaya Singh in a series of tweets said, “BJP has reduced Nit-

Chirag burnt himself with his ‘Bihar Cong chief Madan own ‘chirag’: HAM chief Manjhi Mohan Jha should resign’ Patna: Bihar Congress leader Rishi Mishra on Wednesday said that Congress state chief Madan Mohan Jha should resign on moral grounds over party’s performance in assembly elections as it could win only 19 seats of 70 it contested.

“Our government could not be formed because of Congress state president President Madan Mohan Jha. He has been doing politics in Mithilanchal for 40

lated BJP national president JP Nadda at his residence on the occasion of the party’s vic-

years. Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) gave you 70 seats and you won only 19. The Left parties performed better than Congress. I request Soniaji to save us. Jha should offer his resignation on moral grounds,” Mishra told reporters in Patna.

He said tickets were not distributed in proper manner and several candidates were not even aware of gram panchayats in their constituencies.

—ANI

Digvijaya Singh

ish’s stature by its strategy and ended the legacy of Ram Vilas Paswan ji.” Nitish Kumar-led NDA retained power with an absolute majority in with 125 on Wednes-

day. However, Chirag Paswan’s LJP, which fielded 137 candidates, managed to secure only one seat. Singh has also advised Nitish Kumar to leave Bihar and enter national politics.

“Nitish ji, Bihar has become small for you. You should join national politics. Do not let the Union’s policy of ‘divide and rule’. Help all socialists believe in the secular ideology. Do consider,” he added. —ANI

My aim was to dent JDU, not to affect BJP: Chirag Patna: Lok Janshakti Party (LJP) chief Chirag Paswan on Wednesday said that it was his aim to dent the Janta Dal-United (JDU) votes in the electoral battle and also make sure that his candidate should not affect the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). “It was my aim to dent JDU and I worked on it. I also focused that we should not affect the BJP and asked my workers to support it. My aim was to provide more seats to BJP and damage to

Chirag Paswan

JDU. The LJP will improve its performance in 2025,” Paswan said.

Paswan was satisfied with the LJP’s performance in the polls and will prepare for the 2025 Bihar election.

—ANI

workers of the party, are dedicated to the development of the nation under the leadership of PM Modi ji and Nadda ji,” Shah tweeted.

Earlier, the home minister had expressed gratitude towards the people of Bihar for choosing development, progress, good governance, and giving a “full majority” to the National Democratic Alliance in the state.

—ANI

At Cabinet meet, mins laud PM for Bihar poll win New Delhi: Union Cabinet ministers on Wednesday thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the victory of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) in the Bihar Assembly polls and the by-polls across the country.

Sources claimed that all Ministers, who virtually attended the Cabinet meeting, congratulated PM Modi and dedicated the victory of Bihar to his vision and support that he enjoys amongst the masses.

It was one of the moments that made the meeting even more pleasant, stated one of the highly placed sources. “The Prime Minister was smiling when he was congratulated on the victory. He was looking happy,” said another source.

“Can he not be happy? He has all the reason to be. The victory wasn’t an easy one and his charisma did wonders for the party as well as for the NDA,” added another source with a broad smile.

The PM was the lead campaigner for the NDA alliance.

—ANI

IN THE COURTYARD

Sivasankar, his CMO team was aware of gold smuggling: ED tells court Kochi: Accused Swapna Suresh has disclosed that former principal secretary of Kerala Chief Minister’s Office M Sivasankar and his team were fully aware of the gold smuggling, the Enforcement Directorate submitted before a Kochi court on Wednesday.

The ED, in its report, submitted that Swapna Suresh was shown certain Whatsapp messages exchanged between her and Sivasankar and asked to explain the context, after which she said that Sivasankar and his team at the CMO were fully aware of the gold smuggling and other electronic items sent through the diplomatic channels.

“Sivasankar was also

aware of the kickbacks given by Unitac Builders to Swapna and her close associates including Khalid, CFO, UAE Consulate in lieu of facilitating the award of a contract from Red Crescent under the Life Mission Projects. Out of which, an amount of Rs 1 crore (approx) which was subsequently seized by NIA from the lockers belonging to Swapna, which were opened on the directions of Sivasankar and was meant for Sivasankar,” the ED submitted.

After hearing the submissions in the matter, the Principal Sessions Court in Kochi extended by one day the ED custody of Sivasankar.

—ANI

Espionage case: HC seeks report on journo’s arrest New Delhi: Delhi High Court sought a status report from the Special Cell of Delhi Police on the bail plea of freelance journalist Rajeev Sharma, who was arrested in an espionage case under the Official Secrets Act. A bench of Justice Anu Malhotra directed the police to file a status report on the bail plea moved by Sharma’s counsel senior advocate Dr Adish C Aggarwala and lawyers Aditya Singh and Akshat Goel, and listed the matter for further hearing on December 2.

—ANI

Nothing more important than preserving life: SC New Delhi: Supporting the ban on firecrackers in view of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Supreme Court on Wednesday dismisses a plea against the ban of firecrackers in West Bengal during the ongoing festive season including Diwali.

A bench of Justices DY Chandrachud and Indira Banerjee dismissed a plea challenging the Calcutta High Court order against the firecracker ban. “We understand these festivals are important. But when lives are at peril, any effort to save human life should be made... We are very conscious about the importance of festivals but we are living amidst the pandemic and everyone should come out to support the decision which improves the situation,” Justice DY Chandra-

chud observed.

“There cannot be anything more important than the preservation of life in the current pandemic. Life is itself in danger now and people should come together to deal with the problem,” he added.

Calcutta High Court had last week issued a ban on the sale and bursting of firecrackers across West Bengal during the festival season including Diwali, Chatt Puja, Kali Puja, etc in view of the COVID-19 pandemic.

—ANI

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Pollution with COVID-19 may worsen situation: Guleria ‘High levels of air pollution will lead to an increase in mortality’

India, China agree on three-step disengagement plan

‘Delhi’s 3rd Covid peak longer than previous ones’

Image for representational purpose only.

New Delhi: High levels of air pollution, combined with Covid-19 will not only aggravate severe disease but can also lead to an increase in mortality, said All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) Delhi, Director, Randeep Guleria on Wednesday.

Speaking to ANI, Guleria said increased air pollution, specially during winters, can help the virus in surviving

longer, thereby affecting more people. He also added that both affect the lungs and blood vessels, thereby aggravating to the impact.

“If you have high levels of air pollution, especially during winter months, then due to pollution and inversion, pollutants stay at ground level for a longer period of time and the virus can also survive for a longer period

Synergise to save water, life and planet: Shekhawat New Delhi: Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Ministry of Jal Shakti has given the National Water Awards in 16 different categories in which Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, and Rajasthan bagged the first, second, and third prize.

The 2nd National Water Awards ceremony was held on Wednesday which was addressed virtually by Vice-president M Venkaiah Naidu in the presence of Shekhawat. Naidu called for a ‘Jan Andolan’ on water conservation and underlined the importance of people’s participation to make it a success.

Complimenting all the winners, including Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, and Rajasthan, he emphasised that the awards are meant to not only recognize the good

Gajendra Singh Shekhawat at the Second National Water Awards distribution ceremony.

MANAGEMENT

and therefore can spread to others. Also, air pollution itself causes inflammation in the lungs, it causes inflammation in blood vessels, and this has been documented in a large number of studies. Covid-19 also affects lungs and blood vessels so a combination of air pollution and Covid-19 can cause more severe disease,” Guleria told ANI in an interview.

Harak Singh Rawat sentenced to 3 months imprisonment Dehradun: Cabinet Minister Dr Harak Singh Rawat has been sentenced to an imprisonment of three months and a penalty of Rs 1,000

by Rudraprayag District Court for misconduct against the government employees during 2012 assembly elections.

During the 2012 Uttarakhand assembly elections, Dr Rawat and his supporters were booked for misconduct and indulging in violence against govt employees.

New Delhi: The duration of the third peak of the spread of COVID-19 in the national capital is longer than those of the previous peaks but it may subside in the next few days, Delhi Health Minister Satyendar Jain said on Wednesday.

Interacting with reporters, he asserted that the city government has significantly ramped up testing by nearly three times on an average per day compared to the number of tests conducted when the second peak had hit around September 16, when over 4,000 daily cases were being reported.

work done but also aims at motivating stakeholders for effective management of water resources in the country.

POWER Gallery NAGENDRA KUMAR TO BE MEMBER CBIC ?

Chances of D P Nagendra Kumar becoming new Member of the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) are now rated high. IRS (C&CE) officer of 1985 batch who is youngest in his batch is presently posted in Bangalore.

WHY DID DG LEVEL IPS OFFICER JYOTIRMOY CHAKRAVERTY OPT FOR VR ?

Image for representational purpose only.

New Delhi: In a major development, the ongoing India-China border conflict may be resolved soon as the armies of the two countries have agreed for disengagement from parts of the Eastern Ladakh sector under which they would be moving back to their respective positions before April-May timeframe earlier this year.

The disengagement plan was discussed between the two sides during the 8th Corps Commander-level talks which were held on November 6 in Chushul.

As per the disengagement plan which is to be carried out in three steps in one week from the talks in the Pangong lake area, the armoured vehicles including tanks and armoured personnel carriers were to be moved back from their frontline deployment to a significant distance from the Line of Actual Control (LAC) by both sides, sources told ANI. As per the discussions, the disengagement of tanks and armoured personnel carriers was to be carried out within one day.

AUTUMN COLOURS

1986 batch Assam-Meghalaya cadre IPS officer Jyotirmoy Chakraverty who was scheduled to retire in March 2022 has taken Voluntary Retirement (VR). He was Spl DG, SSB when he opted for VR. Though he was empanelled as DG in the Union Government, he didn’t get posting as DG in any CAPF. NOW NO MAJOR CHANGES IN BIHAR BUREAUCRACY

Since NDA has retained the power in Bihar therefore chances of major changes in the bureaucracy are unlikely, if Nitish Kumar continues as CM. CS LIKELY TO BE CHANGED IN BIHAR

In Bihar chief secretary is likely to be changed.

Deepak Kumar is already on extension. He is a 1984 batch IAS officer.

MS. MANISHA CHOUDHARY TO JOIN AGMUT CADRE ON ICD

Ms. Manisha Choudhary is joining AGMUT cadre Chandigarh segment on inter cadre deputation (ICD) for a period of three years. She is a 2011 batch IPS officer of Haryana cadre.

VISHAVAJIT SAHAY RELIEVED TO JOIN AS ADDITIONAL SECRETARY & FINANCIAL ADVISOR, S&T

Vishvajit Sahay has been relieved of cadre responsibility in order to join central deputation as Additional Secretary & Financial Advisor, Department of Science & Technology. He is a 1990 batch IDAS officer.

MUKESH MANGAL RETURNS TO PARENT CADRE

Mukesh Mangal, Director in the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), has been given premature repatriation in order to avail of the benefit of promotion. He is a 1992 batch ITS officer.

VIRESH KUMAR BHAWRA LIKELY TO JOIN CENTRAL DEPUTATION AT ADGP LEVEL

Viresh Kumar Bhawra is expected to join central deputation at Additional DGP level. He is a 1987 batch IPS officer of Punjab cadre.

D TIRUMALA RAO LIKELY TO JOIN CENTRAL DEPUTATION AT ADGP LEVEL Tourists walk along Chinar trees undergoing autumnal changes, at the Nishat Mughal Garden in Srinagar on Wednesday.

—PHOTO BY ANI

‘Hopeful of new Air Quality Commission’ New Delhi: Union Environment Minister Prakash Javadekar on Wednesday expressed hope that the newly-constituted Commission for Air Quality would reduce pollution in Delhi.

Speaking at the second Good Air Summit organized by the Integrated Health and Wellbeing (IHW) Council in Delhi, the Environment minister also said that

06

Rs 85,000 crores have been invested in the implementation of the BSVI standard with BS-VI

engine fuel, which could reduce pollution by up to 70 per cent. “I am hopeful that the

Commission for Air Quality Management will reduce pollution further. We have also invested Rs 85,000 crore in implementing the BS-VI standard - with BS-VI engine and fuel, pollution can be reduced by 70 per cent. The number of trucks entering Delhi has also reduced by 50,000,” he said while addressing the participants of the event.

not interfere today, we are travelling the path of destruction undeniably, Justice Chandrachud said, adding, the point is can you deny personal liberty of a person on these allegations. If the government targets individuals on this basis...You may not like television channels but this should not happen, the apex court said.

Even as meeting with Sports minister Ashok Chandana failed, there was a suspicion on the the build up to the meeting of Bainsla faction with ministers, as to whether it will be fruitful or without result. Bainsla held a meeting with labour minister Tikaram Jully, energy minister BD Kalla and technical education minister Subhash Garg at RSEB guest house and after conducive talks, Bainsla senior they met with CM Gehlot and announced to call off the agitation.

Meanwhile, Vijay

Bainsla said that a formal announcement would be done from the agitation site later.

Meanwhile Col Bainsla has now been admitted to IDH unit of SMS Hospital as his health worsened late in the night. It is believed that Bainsla might have contracted Corona.

Prior to the meet, speaking to First India Tikaram Jully had stressed that the sub-committee will listen to all demands by Gurjars and provide relief to the extent legally possible.

After a detailed, five

REDUCE POLLUTION

Prakash Javadekar

D Tirumala Rao is expected to join central deputation at Additional DGP level. He is a 1989 batch IPS officer of AP cadre.

IRPS OFFICER ANAND MADHUKAR RETURNS TO PARENT CADRE

Anand Madhukar, OSD (JS level) in the Department of Financial Services, has been given premature repatriation to his parent cadre on personal grounds. He is a 1997 batch IRPS officer.

G ANUPAMA IS ALSO NODAL OFFICER FOR GITA MAHOTSAV IN HARYANA

Ms G Anupama, Secretary to Governor, Haryana and Principal Secretary, Forests & Wildlife Department, is appointed as Nodal Officer for Gita Mahotsav 2020, in addition to her present duties.

She is a 1991 batch IAS officer of Haryana cadre.

By arrangement with: http:// whispersinthecorridors.com

FROM PG 1 A jubilant... who was joined by Home Minister Amit Shah, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and party’s National President JP Nadda on the dais, said the election was a victory of the development works in Bihar.

Thanking Nadda for the victory, the PM said the implications of the results are far-reaching. “From east to west, from north to south, we won. It was an extension of what happened in 2019 Lok Sabha elections. If you are working tirelessly for the development of the country, voters will re-

ward you,” Modi said.

In his victory speech, the prime minister attributed BJP’s electoral success to BJP’s governance. “ When people think of governance, they think of BJP,” the PM said.

Without naming Congress, the Prime Minister slammed the family-run parties from ‘north to south’ and said these parties are threat to democracy.

Nadda too hailed the victory of ruling NDA in Bihar assembly polls, saying people of the state have chosen ‘vikasraj’ instead of ‘gundaraj’. Speaking at the

event Nadda said the verdict shows how Narendra Modi government has taken welfare schemes to the masses.

Suicide case... are not granting bail and failing to protect personal liberty of people, the bench said.

The bench asked Maharashtra whether there was any need for custodial interrogation of Goswami, and said the issue pertains to personal liberty .

Whatever be his ideology. Least, I don’t even watch his channel.

But, if in this case Constitutional Courts do

Gehlot : 1,... the Gurjar leader to agree to the government’s terms and conditions, as envisioned by the three time CM of Rajasthan.

hour long discussion with the cabinet sub-committee, the deadlock finally came to an end.

A six-point agreement was signed by Bainsla and the sub-committee members, which says that a compensation of Rs 5 lakh will be given to the families of three men who got injured in agitations in the past and later died. Also one member from each family will also be given a job as per the qualification.

The agreement letter says that the department of personnel

has already issued orders to give regular pay scale to 1252 candidates of MBC candidates, a meeting will be held in every three months for the monitoring of withdrawal of police cases lodged during the past agitations and no intentional arrest will be made, a committee will be set up for the monitoring of recruitments which are under process.

Meanwhile, it is also said that the state government will also write a letter to Central government on inclusion of Gurjars in the reservation list.

TALKING POINT

Sponsored by Fidelity Traders

JAIPUR | THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 2020

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07

THE US MUST ACCEPT

CHINA’S RISE

DANIEL GROS

E

lections tend to bring differences to the fore.

That is certainly true of the United States’ recent presidential election.

Among the most bitterly contested elections in the country’s history, the outcome will have profound implications for many aspects of US policy. And yet there is one issue on which both parties seem to agree: the need to “stop” China.

The US government – and, increasingly, the European Commission – now largely believes that China has secured its economic and technological gains unfairly, thanks to its government’s pervasive influence over the economy. Geostrategists often push this view, imagining that a government can achieve technological superiority by investing in the fashionable sectors of the day.

But a more thorough analysis shows this to be misleading, at best. The most “successful” grand economic-development plans usually go with the grain, focusing largely on targets that, given the economy’s fundamentals, would be achieved anyway.

Crediting state intervention when those targets are met is thus inappropriate.

Japan provides a cautionary tale here. During its post-1945 growth spurt in the 1970s and 1980s, the Ministry of International Trade and Industry (MITI) acquired an almost mythical global reputation for the apparent success of its efforts to channel resources toward strategic sectors. Many countries were advised to emulate its model.

But in the 1980s, Japan’s realestate bubble burst, and growth slowed significantly. As it turned out, many of the sectors MITI supported had not actually succeeded. What had really been driving Japan’s growth was not MITI’s prescience, but a high savings rate and the rapidly increasing education level of a disciplined workforce – much the same factors that have driven China’s development.

Until fairly recently, China’s leaders seemed to understand the limits of state intervention.

In fact, the Communist Party of China’s general advice to authorities was to scale back the state’s involvement in the economy, because state-owned enterprises (SOE) generally remain far less efficient than private firms, and only about one-third

The US is keen to ensure that a technologically dominant China never materializes.

Yet, there is little the US could do to hamper, let alone arrest, its progress

as profitable.

And yet, while SOEs continue to underperform, compared to private firms, China’s leaders have radically changed their views on intervention. Now, the conventional wisdom is that the country owes its progress – and, indeed, its emerging global dominance – in some high-tech sectors to the state’s guiding hand.

The true driver of China’s success, however, is its high sav-

ings rate – nearly 40% of GDP, or more than twice the rate in the US and Europe. This gives China massive resources for investment in establishing the fundamentals for technological leadership. Notably, the country has made enormous investments in improving both the quantity and quality of education.

Regarding secondary education, China has already fully caught up with the West in at-

tendance. And testing by the OECD’s Program for International Student Assessment suggests that Chinese secondaryschool students are far better at solving problems than their American or European peers.

Moreover, tertiary education – the real key to technological leadership – has exploded in China over the last two decades.

According to the US National Science Foundation, China now

produces more than twice as many engineers, and more peerreviewed science and engineering publications, than the US. Similarly, it has surpassed the European Union in spending on research and development, and on current trends, it should catch up to the US over the next decade (some think it already has).

The US is haunted by the spectre of a technologically dominant China – and keen to ensure

it never materializes. And yet, given China’s fundamentals, there is little the US could do to hamper, let alone arrest, its progress. Huawei is just one example of a firm that has capitalized on China’s pool of millions of engineers to develop new products. Even if the US manages to destroy Huawei, many other Chinese high-tech companies are destined to emerge, driven by the same talent.

The so-called dual-circulation strategy that is set to shape China’s next Five-Year Plan is perfectly in line with the aforementioned fundamentals. As China’s economy grows, it is naturally becoming less reliant on exports, and its newly minted engineers will master a growing number of technologies. In other words, the government’s plans for the coming years would probably materialize, even without state intervention.

By contrast, the US strategy – which begins with an economic “decoupling” from China – has little chance of success. To be sure, the decoupling itself might be feasible. But it would also be counterproductive.

Trade always implies a twoway dependency. And while the US might like the idea of being “liberated” from China by severing trade ties, it would pay a high cost for “liberating” China from it. Shutting Chinese suppliers out of the US market provides an implicit subsidy to higher-cost producers. Ultimately, the effect of reducing bilateral trade would be equivalent to that of Trump’s failed tariffs against China: an implicit tax on US consumers.

And for what? Limiting China’s access to some key US technologies might make a difference in the short term, but it is unlikely to slow down China’s development appreciably.

The sheer scale of the human and financial resources China will be deploying over the next decade means that it is wellpositioned to dominate many high-tech sectors, with or without US inputs.

The conclusion is clear: The next US administration should accept China’s continued economic and technological rise. It may not like the idea of China overtaking the US – a milestone that will probably be reached within the next decade. But further attempts to stave off that outcome would be not only futile but also very costly.

SOURCE: PROJECT-SYNDICATE.ORG

Season’s Greetings on the occasion of Dhanteras. May this auspicious day bring wealth, health and happiness into our lives.

2ND FRONT

—Jagdeesh Chandra, CEO & Editor, First India

POSTAL REG NO. JPC/010/2019-21

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COVID-19 UPDATE

WORLD

INDIA

08

RAJASTHAN

12,85,014 5,21,49,585 1,27,945 86,69,744 2,019 2,17,151 DEATHS

MAHARASHTRA 45,560 DEATHS 17,31,833 CASES

CONFIRMED CASES

TAMIL NADU 11,415 DEATHS 7,50,409 CASES

DEATHS

CONFIRMED CASES

KARNATAKA 11,453 DEATHS 8,53,796 CASES

DEATHS

DELHI 7,228 DEATHS 4,59,975 CASES

CONFIRMED CASES

GUJARAT 3,779 DEATHS 1,83,844 CASES

GEHLOT WRITES TO SMRITI IRANI

Provide Centre’s share to Aangawadi, other honorarium workers: CM Naresh Sharma Jaipur: Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot has written a letter to the Union Minister for Women and Child Development Smriti Irani - drawing attention to the increase in the honorarium of Anganwadi workers, helpers and mini Anganwadi workers, and

requested to provide 60 percent contribution to the additional amount being provided by the state government.

In the letter Gehlot has said that a monthly honorarium has been fixed by the Central Government for Rs 4500 for Anganwadi worker working in Women and Child Development De-

partment, Rs 3500 for Mini Anganwadi worker and Rs. 2250 for assistants.

“Considering their work and responsibilities, this honorarium seems low and in lieu of this honorarium, Rs 7500 is being given to the Anganwadi worker, Rs 5750 to the mini Anganwadi worker and Rs 4250 to the

CM Ashok Gehlot

Proactive CEC transforms ECI for better poll management From P1

B

ut for ECI to reach at these heights of professional abilities, bettering itself in every manner and handling the affairs in a proactive manner, it has taken nearly three years of time. As soon as CEC Sunil Arora took over, he started a metamorphosis of the EC officials by holding trainings for them to take up the challenges of the future.

CEC Arora usherd in several electoral reforms as well for the voters. With over 70 recommendations for electoral reforms pending with the Centre, the Election Commission of India has pushed on

CEC Sunil Arora

these with the law ministry. The amendments needed for linking voter ID with Aadhaar, allowing multiple registration windows to a new voter and ensuring gender neutral rights for ‘service voter’ are at the top of the agenda.

The meeting held between the full commission, led by the chief election commissioner,

and the law secretary EC has urged the government to expedite implementation of simpler amendments of laws that can help increase voter turnout and the voter base.

In fact one evident change that the ECI underwent was its PC on Bihar election results at 1 AM wherein the EC was extra sensitive to-

DGGI recovers `1cr due GST from First Stone Builder grp Vimal Kothari Jaipur: DGGI raided the First Stone Builder group on Wednesday.

The raid was conducted at 4 offices of the group situated at Airport Plaza, Durgapura, Vaishali Nagar and Income Tax colony. According to reliable sources DGGI has recovered pending GST of around Rs 1 crore. The builder had not deposit-

TETE

TETE

-A-

Aditi Nagar New Delhi: Now that Bihar election results have gone against every exit poll by every major media house, on question still rings a bell. If the surveyors and media houses and even political parties got their facts completely wrong to this extent, then who was right or even had even

ed the GST despite recovering it from his buyers.

Jaipur regional unit of The teams seized many documents which are being examined.

In another action supervised by Additional Commissioner Sudhir Sharma under the leadership of Deputy Commissioner Rajnikant Kasva, a SGST team surveyed AS Trading-an aluminium channel and

net manufacturer in Sudarshanpura (22 Godam) and Sarna Dungar Industrial Area. The team recovered Rs 25 lakh on the spot as it caught goods being carried out of the factory premises without paying GST. The survey team of SGST, Jaipur zone-2 expects GST theft worth lakhs to be revealed on the detailed investigation of the documents seized.

wards criticism and addressed all the issues/ allegations promptly.

They even changed language of the PC to Hindi after they were criticized for speaking in English recently.

All these changes have been imparted by the proactive and progressive approach of CEC Sunil Arora, who has brought the level of transparency equivalent to US and European nations, where the people are kept updated at regular intervals during ther course of counting of votes. On these lines, ECI was also very prompt and systematic in updating the people about status of counting.

Rahul Gandhi’s trip to Jaisalmer cancelled

Aditi Nagar/Suryaveer Singh Jaisalmer: A three-day tour of former Congress president Rahul Gandhi to the Golden city of Jaisalmer was cancelled on Wednesday. The Gandhi scion was scheduled to arrive in Jaisalmer in a chartered plane. Sources say that he was planning adventure activities in Thar desert and all preparations were made under Revenue minister Harish Chaudhary. He was scheduled to stay at hotel Suryagarh Palace, where the party MLAs stayed during the political crisis in state, however, he reportedly cancelled the trip keeping in mind the poor performance of Congress in Bihar polls and a few other assembly bye-polls.

RIOT FOR JUSTICE

Anganwadi assistants.

In this, along with the 40 percent honorarium amount fixed by the central government, a top-up amount is also being paid by the state government.

“To ensure respectable living of over 1.12 lakh honorarium workers working in the state, in addition to the

Secretary and Bihar how to coordinate with Incharge Bhupendra JDU, which parties Yadav who can be and companions will termed solely respon- be with NDA and even sible for BJP and played a key role in NDA’s massive victory. ticket distribution.

And like they say, a The ‘silent leader is as good as performer’ his team, so too and omniwith Yadav, he present Yaraised his own dav single team for Bihar handedly election while mobilized keping the old the ‘forces’ horses at and made bay.

Inkey stratfact, BJP egies on Bhupendra Yadav

leaders from Bihar claim that Yadav’s strategy was full of risks and akin to riding a tiger, however, his patient evaluation of situation, his ability to form strategies suiting to a particular situation or environment and his past record of making the BJP soar high in Gujarat assembly and Bihar Lok Sabha elections, ensured complete faith in his abilities of the senior

charge, 2 will head to Centre

First India Bureau Jaipur: Chief Secretary Niranjan Arya on Wednesday sought report about achievements and problems about SGST in the state. Arya sent a letter to the Commercial Tax Department for the information.

He also sought information about efforts to provide relief to taxpayers. The official said that the CS has also sought information about circulars and announcements issued by the department. State Chief Commissioner SGST Abhishek Bhagotia is busy in preparations for submitting the report. A number of problems are still plaguing even after three years of implementation of GST law.

There are many pending cases of VAT law in effect before GST in state.

Dr Rituraj Sharma

Niranjan Arya

‘PROGRESSIVE CS’

Jaipur: On Wednesday, 3 IAS officers were given aditional charge. Virendra Singh got the additional charge of Commissioner, Settlement and Director, Consolidation till the time IAS Rohit Gupta returns from leave. IAS Alok Kumar got additional charge of Principal Secretary Revenue till Anand Kumar returns. Sreya Guha will hold the additonal charge of Principal Secretary Arts and culture and DG JKK, currently held by Mugdha Sinha.

Meanwhile, two IAS from Rajasthan - Anandhi and Bishnu Charan Malik - will head to Centre on deputation as a IAS transfer list is expected by Diwali.

School principal, jr asst of public prosecutor caught in ACB trap Jodhpur: The principal of Jawahar Navodaya Vidhyalaya in Jodhpur’s Tilwasni area was arrested by anti-corruption bureau for allegedly taking a bribe of Rs 10,000 for clearing a bill for installation of CCTV cameras. The accused principal Dharmendra Kumar Jain had demanded the bribe from the ven-

‘Silent’ architect of BJP’s Bihar victory: Bhupendra Yadav the slightest idea of what exactly was happening during the campaigning and buildup to the election.

With the build up around Tejashwi and Mahagathbandhan rattled several leaders of the saffron party, who then was the person who held the reins firmly and saw the saffron boat through the ‘storm’? Well, to tell the truth, it was the ‘unseen’ BJP General

also,” Gehlot said in the letter and requested the Union Minister to make adequate arrangements to make 60 percent contribution of the additional amount from the central government.

The CM expressed hope that proper action will be taken by making provision of percentage contribution.

CS Arya seeks report on 3 IAS officers implementation of SGST get addl

Rajeev Gaur

Jodhpur: The family members of eight persons who died in a wall collapse incident held a dharna in MD hospital on Wednesday demanding compensation. They were pacified with assurance of a compensation of Rs 10 lakh to the family of each deceased jointly by the industrial organisations and the factory owner.

amount of about Rs 270 crore received from the central government, the state government has made a provision of Rs 539 crore. The situation of difference in the honorarium prescribed by the Central Government and the honorarium being given by the State Government is present in other states

party leaders.

With BJP coming out as the single largest party in the state, there is still much to do before the saffron party but with the start that it has received, it should not be long before the party becomes a choice of people across the state and for that Yadav’s hardwork for ‘Mission Bihar’ leading to this result, will always be remembered.

dor Nand kishore Pareek for clearing the bill. Pareek’s firm had installed CCTV cameras in the school. Pareek complained to the ACB which was verified and the accused was held while accepting the bribe amount of Rs. 10,000 at his residence, additional SP ACB Durg Singh Rajpurohit said.

Meanwhile, in Jaipur A junior assistant posted in the office of spe-

cial public prosecutor NDPS cases was arrested by anti-corruption bureau while taking a bribe of Rs 2000.

The accused Pramod Kumar Jain had demanded the bribe from a lawyer for presenting a file related to a case in the NDPS court. After verification, a trap was laid and the accused was held while accepting the bribe, ACB DIG Dr Vishnu Kant said.

PAYING TRIBUTE Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla pays tributes to Maulana Abul Kalam Azad on the occasion of his birth anniversary, in New Delhi on Wednesday.

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09

JAIPUR, THURSDAY NOVEMBER 12, 2020

NEHAL NAYAR

nehal.nayar@firstindia.co.in

D

iwali is one of the most awaited festivals of the year, and with everything happening around this year, the festival of lights this time is going to be even more precious. Dhanteras, the first festival of the Di-

The festival of lights has finally begun, as today marks the very first occasion- Dhanteras. So, let’s shop our hearts out! wali season, is associated with purchasing new items, jewellery and gadgets.

Since the festival calendars are acting up a bit weird this year, Dhanteras will be celebrated on two days- 12 and 13 November, which is today and tomorrow. The festival is set to begin today, 12 November at 9:30 pm, and end tomorrow,

on 13 November at 5:59 pm.

More than the gadgets or the jewellery, the biggest ‘dhan’ or wealth is that the kids and women of the society are safe, protected and succeed in holding their heads high.

Talking about the history of this festival, it was believed that it was on this day that Goddess Laxmi

emerged from the ocean when it was being churned with a pot of gold and wealth. The God of Ayurveda, Lord Dhanvantari, is also worshipped on this day.

Lighting up the place with diya all around is what this festival is all about, apart from purchasing things, in order to radiate positivity. Well, it is some-

thing that everyone needs right now, isn’t it?

When it comes to dressing up, opting for festive outfits is the most sensible thing to do, as you would invite the feel of a festive season, in and around you. Like how every other festival has its own colour dedicated to it, gold is the colour which is worshiped the most during

Dhanteras. It is a common thing among women to opt for gold outfits, and pairing the same with contrasting colours. Oh, and how can we forget the amazing jewellery? That brings in the entire essence of the festive season.

City First wishes you a very Happy Dhanteras.

May this festival bring happiness and harmony in your lives, and give you enough wealth to provide you comforts you have ever wished for!

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DEEPAK’S CORNER

ETC

JAIPUR | THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 2020

10

DIWALI AMID THE CORONAVIRUS

SO DIFFERENT, YET THE SAME...

DECLUTTER

Clean up your surroundings, home, life, your relationships.

Make space. Give space. A joyful, positive, responsible person can better deal with challenging situations.

DEEPAK

deepaklifemusings@gmail.com

C

OVID, the global pandemic has largely subdued the vibe, energy and celebrations.

During this festive season, it is imperative that we start the journey to end the darkness within our lives. Fill it with love and light. Whether it is changing our lifestyle into a healthier one or becoming a better person. This is an auspicious occasion to start on these life changes. Whatever comes our way, let us strive to handle it gracefully. Life offers its wisdom generously. Everything teaches. Not everyone learns.

Sadhguru has expressed it succinctly- “I have been trying to knock sense into all of you for years. No use.

This little invisible virus comes and does it”!

In its own way, Covid has taught us many invaluable lessons. It’s not how we make mistakes but the way we correct them that defines us. IT’S A WAKEUP CALL!

NURTURE NATURE

It is essential. It is for your own survival. This is no service. By exploiting the present, we are doing irreversible damage to not just the flora and fauna but to our own future. This is the time to express our love, compassion, gentleness, humanity. Greed is insatiable. For everyone’s needs, nature has enough. It is the most benevolent.

DEEP BREATHE

would be fatal during the Covid times. Let us not choke the earth or even ourselves to death.

CHEERS

Enjoy the cool nip in the approaching winter breeze and bring warmth to some needy hearth. Wrap a blanket around the homeless person sleeping on the footpath. Donate. Help.

Share. Care.

NO LARGE GATHERINGS

Let us celebrate togetherness by maintaining social distancing.

MASK UP

Let your eyes show the emotions. Cover up the nose and mouth properly. Protect yourself and others.

GO DIGITAL

Bring in joy and gaiety to your home. Involve the family in the festive decor. Try your culinary skills. Say NO to outside food. Wake up the artist within you and make a Rangoli.

PROTECT YOUR LOVED ONES

This is the time to sit back, reflect and realise the fragile nature of our existence. Carelessness can be critical for the vulnerable members of the family and society.

LESS IS MORE

Keep it simple. Let’s go

FA CE OF TH ED AY

On-line school. On-line office. Why not virtual socializing.

Connect with family and friends around the globe. Create memorable moments. Make the most of technology. Resist forwards. Call. Talk.

Connect. Convey emotions. Share warmth.

Create rapport. Make it personal.

CELEBRATION TIME

back to our grassroots traditional feel of the festival. No jazzy electric lights. Relax. Step out. Admire the divine celestial display of the Amavas night skies.

BE SAFE

Focus on washing hands with soap and water rather than using sanitizers, which can be highly inflammable. Be safe.

SAY NO TO FIREWORKS

Complete boycott by ALL is the need. The air pollution level is already alarmingly high.

To make it more toxic

YOUR DAY Horoscope by

Saurabbh Sachdeva

THE GOLDEN WARM FLAME

Let’s purchase the simple, marvelous hand-

made mitti-deeyas, displayed so artistically on the footpaths. Behold the family ritual of filling oil, making the wick, lighting them, the artistic display on walls & narrow ledges, protecting the flame from the breeze, basking in the warm glow... Can this bliss ever be replicated!!!

GO WITHIN

Meditate. Bless all.

Light the divine deepak within. Focus on the NOW. The more we become conscious of our actions, the more we gain control over what happens within us.

TAKE CARE & BE SAFE!

GRATITUDE

Be thankful for the warmth of your home.

Food on your table.

Your leisure time. Acknowledge the selfless service of not just the medical professionals but also the security agencies, police, workers who manage the essential services. They risk not just their own lives but also that of their families. DO what you can. Every gesture counts.

NOSTALGIA

The senior citizens will definitely remember the

ARIES

TAURUS

GEMINI

CANCER

This is the right time to go for a new academic pursuit. Your desire for an exciting time on the social front is likely to be fulfilled today.

Those looking for buying a house can get a good bargain. Appreciation is in store for some homemakers. A professional victory is yours.

Your image on the social front is likely to get a boost. Getting into a favourable situation on the academic front is possible. Good luck promises to brighten your day. Some positive changes can be expected on the home front. This seems a good day for job seekers.

You will need to put your best foot forward on the academic front. Excess in food and drinks can get you out of action. A new deal is likely to come through and give you a taste of success. Those fond of travelling may get their chance soon. This is the time when you enjoy yourself.

A previous investment matures and promises to brighten the bank balance.

Some of you can get lucky and get selected by campus recruiters. A family youngster is likely to do you proud. A business trip is indicated and will achieve much.

MAR 21 - APR 20

APR 21 - MAY 20

MAY 21 - JUNE 21

JUNE 22 - JULY 23

LEO

VIRGO

LIBRA

SCORPIO

Good opportunities will come to those who have cleared a tough competition. Your reputation on the social front is set to enhance. Excellent opportunities may knock at your door. Professionals will be able to give their best in a new situation.

Good preparation by students will help restore their confidence. Your performance at work will be commendable. Your own happiness is in your hands today.

Spouse may need her space, respect that. This is a favourable day for completing pending jobs.

Going will be good on the academic front. You may wait for someone’s invitation for a trip. Your professionalism in handling problem areas will be appreciated. Tenant troubles are foreseen for some house owners. You will find family life more than fulfilling.

Success is foretold on the academic front. Your reputation is likely to boost your image on the social front. On the work front, you will manage to keep your superiors in good humour. This is an excellent day to spend time with family. A good job opportunity is yours.

JULY 24 - AUGUST 23

AUG 24 - SEP 23

SEPT 24 - OCTOBER 22

OCT 23 - NOVEMBER 22

SAGITTARIUS

CAPRICORN

AQUARIUS

PISCES

You will have to be more focussed on the academic front. You may get busy organising something on the social front. You may need to put your ideas into action, if you want to prove yourself. A party may be thrown in your honour at work. Your good performance is likely to be noticed.

You will manage to achieve what you had aimed for on the academic front. A celebration can find you in your element today. Praise and honour are likely to greet you in something that you have managed to achieve. You will be a pillar of strength to a friend or associate.

Good performance on the academic front will help enhance your reputation at work. Some favourable developments on the social front are foreseen. Buying new furniture or a major appliance is possible. With good networking, a prized posting can be yours. You will get your money back.

You are likely to take up someone’s cause and earn appreciation from all quarters on the social front. Remaining on the good side of those who matter on the academic front will help you achieve much.

Good tidings of your well wishers will keep you going.

NOV 23 - DEC 22

NUPUR SINGH, Content Creator

simple joy of ‘kheelpatasha- khilauna’ the sugar candies of our childhood. That’s how our Diwali day dawned!

Can we not treat some jhuggi kids to those childhood treats and share their joy.

Conscious breathing & daily pranayam can boost lung strength, manage respiratory ailments, improve immunity, lower stress and enhance the quality of life. Strengthen yourself. The wholeness of life is health. Radiate exuberance and joy.

DEC 23 - JAN 20

JAN 21 - FEB 19

FEB20 - MARCH 20

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MIKKELSEN’S NEW ROLE TOUCHED!

A

GOT SAGA REVEALED

F

ctor Johnny Depp’s hasty exit from the Fantastic Beasts franchise was indeed a shocker for many fans. As revealed by the actor himself, Warner Bros. requested Depp to resign from the role of Gellert Grindelwald which he accepted amid recently losing the UK libel suit. In Warner Bros.’ statement, whilst confirming Johnny’s departure from Fantastic Beasts franchise and thanking the 54-year-old actor for his work on the films to date, the studio also confirmed that Grindelwald’s role will now be recast. And, who’s the frontrunner to replace Depp as Grindelwald? According to reports, it’s Mads Mikkelsen!

—Agency

Mads Mikkelsen

11

JAIPUR | THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 2020

J

arhan Akhtar on Wednesday shared a heart-touching clip featuring a former prima ballerina dancer Marta C Gonzalez, who suffered from Alzheimer’s disease. In the clip, the ballerina after hearing music from ‘Swan Lake’ performs the dance steps while sitting on a wheelchair.

Farhan in the caption, shared that the clip was forwarded to him, and thanked its creator too. He noted, “This is the most beautiful thing you will see today. This video was forwarded to me and I thank the person who created it and shared it with the rest of the world.” —ANI

...his post

Farhan Akhtar

ason Momoa is revealing that he and his family were “starving” after his character was killed off of Game of Thrones in 2011 before the show became a mega-hit. After Khal Drogo’s exit from the show, the 41-year-old “spent several years struggling to pay the bills” at his home with Lisa Bonet and their kids Lola and Nakoa-Wolf. “I mean, we were starving after Game of Thrones,” Jason told. “I couldn’t get work. It’s very challenging when you have babies and you’re completely in debt.”

Things improved for him when he was cast in 2016′s Justice League and subsequently, Aquaman. —Agency

Jason Momoa

No public

... her post

‘One of my many firsts’

T

alking about one of her very first things that she has ever done, actor Taapsee Pannu on Wednesday got all set to start the race and shared a glimpse from the track and field from upcoming sports drama ‘Rashmi Rocket’.

She posted an intriguing picture on Instagram, in which she is all pumped up to start the race. Taapsee captioned the post as, “Get set.....#RashmiRocket.

This one is going to be one of many firsts!” (with running emoji). —ANI

Eye K

risten Bell and her husband Dax Shepard are parents to Lincoln, 7, and Delta, 5, but they have never shown their faces on social media. Now, Kristen is explaining why her kids haven’t been seen on social media.

“My feeling is that I chose a career in the public eye. I chose to be quoted, I chose to have my picture taken,” Kristen told Romper. “I don’t know them yet. I don’t know if they will want that. So I really don’t have the right to choose for them.”

—Agency

Shahid Kapoor

MID-WEEK THOUGHTS

I

Kristen Bell

ndulging into some mid-week thought process, actor Shahid Kapoor on Wednesday shared a ‘balance sheet of life’ that involved facts to be taken care of, alongside a quote by Persian poet Rumi.

The ‘Kabir Singh’ star shared a post on Instagram, in which he delineated deep motivational thoughts.

Sharing the post with his fans, he also penned down a quotation of the famous Persian postRumi. It read,- “The WOUND is the place

...his post

where LIGHT enters you . . . - Rumi.” Within a few minutes of sharing the post, fans started thanking him for the morning motivation.

—ANI

NO PLANS OF A BABY

W

ith almost every couple announcing pregnancy news on social media, fans wondered if Vatsal Sheth and Ishita Dutta are also embracing parenthood soon. A recent post of the duo left fans wondering on the same, who commented asking the couple if they are the next to make this announcement. Ishita and Vatsal have a hilarious spin to the comments and clarified that there is nothing like that and it is just the holiday weight showing.

Ishita said that while everyone has been going on a spree when it comes to speculating this, there is no truth to it whatsoever. She said, “No not true, not pregnant just a little holiday weight and a hint that I should hit the gym.”

—Agency

Vatsal Sheth and Ishita Dutt

MISSING FROM STAGE

B

Taapsee pannu

ritney Spears wants to be freed from her father. The pop star’s moves have been missing from stage and screen in a career hiatus that shows no signs of ending, but she’s been making all kinds of maBritney Spears

noeuvres in court in an attempt to gain greater control over her life and money after 12 years of a court conservatorship run mainly by her dad, James Spears. According to reports, on Tuesday afternoon, a Los Angeles judge

will hear arguments on Spears’ requests, the boldest of which would remove James Spears as co-conservator for what his daughter says is an unwillingness to share control of her more than USD 60 million in assets.

—Agency

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

WEDDING BELLS!

Kangana Ranaut

JAIPUR | THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 2020

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Kangana Ranaut and her sister Rangoli Chandel shared glimpses from their brother Aksht’s pre-wedding festivities on social media. Kangana looked gorgeous in a beautiful outfit as she joined her family at the Mehendi ceremony of her brother in Udaipur.

Festive Fusion Dessert

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

FOOD FESTIVAL

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o celebrate the beginning of the most awaited festival of the year with sweetness and merry, the ‘Festive Fusion Dessert Food Festival’ has been organised by Oven- the bakery at C-Scheme.

The festival offers the delighted pleasure of delicious Indian sweets with Western fusion. They have decided to serve some oven special sweet delights to the Jaipurites, like, Leaf Kesar Badam, Thandai Square, Crackle Kiwi Moose, Belgian Pettifer, Gulab Heaven, etc.

Mayank Gopaliya from Oven – The Bakery said, “Keeping the special eye on sanitation also, desserts have been specially prepared, egg-

NEHAL NAYAR

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rints Valley, a clothing brand from the Pink City seeks to bring the timeless culture of Indian Handcrafted Clothing and also vibrant prints. As a brand, they constitute to men, women and kids’ wear, and specialising in printed men shirts.

The brand will be launching its ‘Ikkat Tribe’ collection post the Diwali festival, focusing on a wide range of Ikkat prints. The team at Prints Valley has always ensured that the product range gives the customer the kind of confidence they require.

Owner of Prints Valley, Shankar Rawat stated, “Each product goes through extensive experimentations and quality checks before it finally reaches the customer. We work closely with our artisans to create unique hand block prints that are made using natural organic dyes making the garment skin-friendly and durable.” nehal.nayar@firstindia.co.in

Shankar Rawat

less. We have thoroughly used some of the Indian spices and ingredients like saffron, cardamom, black cardamom, coconut, rose water, dry fruits, cinnamon, khus-khus, etc. To serve a variety of flavours to the food lovers, we will also serve OvenSpecial Pizza, Garlic Bread and Potato Buns with the desserts.”

—City First

Jagdeesh Chandra greeted Senior Editor Syed Umar on his birthday on 11th November, Wednesday. Seen here during the cake cutting are special guests Kriti Garg and Yasheel Pandel along with the entire First India family.

DURING THE DAY!

RAJ: Youth Congress leader Sagar Sharma met and interacted with Congress workers while on his visit to Gram Panchayats Sadapur, Bidla, Dhanma, Kushayta, Naya Gaon and Undri in Kekri on Wednesday.

Mayank Gopaliya

VALLEY Envision X Vendesto

OF PRINTS

Rishee Miglani

CITY FIRST

T

he two-day event, ’Envision X Vendesto’ organised by the Department of Commerce in collaboration with the Department of Management started on Monday, 9 November, in the virtual presence of Jesuit authorities, faculties, guests and the students. The event deliberated over the new challenges that people are encountering on the virtual platform that has become pervasive in the postCovid world. Arjun Deshpande, founder and CEO of Generic Aadhaar, a philanthropist and an innovator, hooked the aspiring minds with his riveting talk on relieving oneself from the pressure from

parents, peers and society and focusing on what lies within to ignite one’s spark and passion.

The fest provided a great learning curve for the students, besides doubling up as a vessel of fond memories. This year was extra special as students from haloed educational institutions such as Narsi Monjee, Manipal, SKIT, DU, Amity, JKLU, Bhowanipore, Maharani, Mithibai and our very own St Xavier’s, Nevta, participated in the event. cityfirst@firstindia.co.in

RAJ: Babu Bazaar link road was seen bright with the Deepawali Lighting on Tuesday.

—PHOTO BY HANIF SINDHI

GUJ: To celebrate the Diwali festival uniquely, members of ‘Seva ej Jivan’ distributed food and clothes to needy people on Wednesday at Chanakyapuri area of Ahmedabad city. —PHOTO BY HANIF SINDHI During the session

BUZZ!

HAPPY B’DAY!

RAJ: Computerbased test for the vacant posts of Station Controller/Train Operator is being conducted by Jaipur Metro Rail Corporation on Thursday, 26 November from 02 pm to 04 pm at various examination centres in Jaipur. In the upcoming days, the hall ticket will be released on the Jaipur Metro website. Candidates should visit Jaipur Metro’s website for the information issued in this subject from time to time.

IPS (RAJ) Dr Amrita Duhan celebrated her birthday on 11 November, Wednesday.

We wish her all the best!

GUJ: After five days of maintenance, Seaplane Services resumed for citizens from Sabarmati RiverFront to Kevadiya Statue of unity on Wednesday.

—PHOTO BY HANIF SINDHI