First India-Jaipur Edition-17 November 2020

JAIPUR l TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2020 l Pages 12 l 3.00 RNI NO. RAJENG/2019/77764 l Vol 2 l Issue No. 161

YOGI TEAMS UP WITH RAWAT AT KEDARNATH Dehradun/Gopeshwar: Heavy snowfall on Monday hindered the departure of Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and his Uttarakhand counterpart Trivendra Singh Rawat for Badri-

nath after they had offered prayers at Kedarnath temple and attended a ceremony for the closure of its portals for winter.

The two chief ministers had arrived at Kedarnath on Sunday and

were scheduled to leave for Badrinath temple after the closure of Kedarnath gates at 8.30 AM on Monday.

Heavy snowfall began at Kedarnath on Sunday night and continued till Monday, de-

laying their departure.

Both the chief ministers, however, appeared to be enjoying the snowfall.

“Snow is the apparel of Baba Kedar. The snowfall is also good for the crops. It (snow-

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath along with Uttarakhand Chief Minister Trivendra Singh Rawat at Kedarnath in Rudraprayag district. Also seen is UP state BJP chief Swatantra Dev Singh and Uttarakhand Cabinet Minister Madan Kaushik.

fall) is a shower of divine blessings,” Rawat told reporters in Kedarnath.

When asked about their delayed departure, Rawat said with a smile, “We would follow Baba Kedar’s com-

NITISH TAKES OATH AS BIHAR CM FOR 4TH STRAIGHT TERM

RJD decides to boycott event 

Patna: Nitish Kumar was sworn in as Bihar chief minister for a fourth straight term on Monday at a ceremony in Patna in presence of Union Home minister Amit Shah and BJP chief Jagat Prakash Nadda even as RJD decided to boycott the event. Replacing Sushil Modi, who had been Kumar’s deputy for 15 years, BJP leaders Tarkishore Prasad and Renu Devi took oath as the Deputy Chief Ministers of Bihar.

Kumar, along with a 14-member council of ministers, was administered the oath of office at Raj Bhavan by Governor Phagu Chauhan, a day after the JD(U) chief staked claim for the formation of a new govern-

were scheduled to offer prayers at Badrinath temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu. Yogi also had to lay the foundation stone of a tourist guest house at Badrinath to be built by the Uttar Pradesh govern-

ment.

There has been heavy snowfall in Badrinath too.

The portals of Kedarnath and Yamunotri temples were closed for winter on Monday.

LIGHTING ONE FOR THE BRAVES!

Replacing Sushil Modi, who had been Kumar’s deputy for 15 years, BJP leaders Tarkishore Prasad and Renu Devi take oath as Deputy CMs 

Janta Dal-United National President Nitish Kumar after taking oath as the Chief Minister of Bihar at Raj Bhawan. (Right) Union Home Minister Amit Shah and BJP President JP Nadda upon their arrival in Patna to attend swearing-in-ceremony on Monday.

ment in the state.

Among those who took oath, five ministers were from the JD(U) while one each was from Hindustani Awam Morcha (HAM) and Vikassheel Insaan Party (VIP). JD(U) ministers included old

AHMED PATEL’S CONDITION STABLE AND OUT OF DANGER Aditi Nagar

New Delhi: Veteran Congress leader Ahmed Patel’s health condition remained stable for the last 48 hours at Medanta hospital at Gurugram. Ahmed, who was tested corona positive, was admitted to Faridabad’s Metro Hospital on October 1, but subsequently under the doctor’s advice, four days back he was admitted to Medanta hospital. Though he has

mands.” An information department official in Chamoli said the two chief ministers were in Kedarnath as their helicopter could not take off due to the inclement weather.

The chief ministers

hands like Bijendra Prasad Yadav, Ashok Choudhary and Vijay Kumar Chaudhary besides new faces Mewa Lal Chaudhary and Sheela Kumari Mandal.

Other than the two Deputy CM designates, those from the BJP in-

cluded Mangal Pandey, who held the Health portfolio in the previous government, and Amarendra Pratap Singh, Ramprit Paswan, Jibesh Kumar and Ram Surat Rai. HAM MLC Santosh Kumar Suman, son of Jitan Ram Man-

jhi, also took oath besides Mukesh Sahni, the founder of VIP. While Tarkishore Prasad belongs to the same Bania community as Sushil Modi, the BJP hopes to send a message to women, who are believed to have voted in larger numbers for the party than the men, with the selection of Renu Devi, who is a Nonia. She earlier served as BJP national vicepresident.

After taking oath, Nitish said, “Based on the public’s decision, NDA has once again formed the government in the state. We will work together and serve the people”. On Sushil Modi not returning as his deputy, Turn to P6

MAKEN COMES CALLING, FORCED TO CHANGE PLANS LAST MOMENT Naresh Sharma

been put on ventilator twice during the last two days, but according to doctors, he is out of danger. Ashok Gehlot, Shashi Tharoor, Anand Sharma and a galaxy of other Congress leader wished for Ahmed Bhai’s speedy recovery.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah along with wife Sonal Shah and granddaughter Rudri celebrating Diwali in New Delhi. “On the call of Prime minister on Diwali, We expressed gratitude towards our brave soldiers posted on borders by lighting a diya. I also salute the families of our soldiers. This nation will forever be indebted to you for your sacrifice and dedication,” Shah tweeted.

Jaipur: Finally, after a wait that spanned two months, Congress general secretary and Rajasthan Incharge Ajay Maken reached Jaipur on Monday evening around 6.15 PM. Prior to his arrival to the state capital, Maken spoke to Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot over phone from New Delhi during the day for his proposed visit.

Maken, who had visited Jaipur twice Olin Au-

Bhanwar Lal dies at Gurgaon hosp

IRONY OF SORTS!

Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot and Rajasthan Incharge Ajay Maken

gust and September, had to change his programs at the last moment due to Covid-19 spread in the

state, and although the situation is not much better than earlier, however for the benefit of party,

It is conspiracy of circumstances that whenever Maken has reached Jaipur, some mishappening has forced Maken to cut short his plans. After being named state incharge, Maken had reached Jaipur among much fanfare to take feedback of Jaipur and Ajmer divisions, however that plan was cut short with ex-President Pranab Mukherji’s demise and Maken was forced to hold his feedback of Ajmer division. Now that Maken is back in the state capital, around another shocking news, Master Bhanwarlal’s death, has again stalled Maken’s plan of holding a workshop for party members on Tuesday.

Maken has made a twoday visit to Jaipur where he is scheduled to meet party leaders.

Meanwhile, immediately after his arrival, Maken went to Khasa Kothi Turn to P6

Jaipur: Rajasthan Social Justice and Empowerment Minister Master Bhanwar Lal Meghwal died in a hospital in Gurgaon on Monday after a prolonged illness. He was 72. The Rajasthan government has declared a one-day state mourning.

P8

RAJASTHAN JAIPUR | TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2020

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Former Jaipur Mayor Nirmal Nahta is the incharge for Chomu municipality

BJP declares incharges for local body elections Aishwary Pradhan

Jaipur: Bharatiya Janta Party (BJP) state president Satish Poonia released the list of party in-charges for various municipalities of the state going to poll on December 11. Total 42 municipalities of 11 districts of the state including Jaipur will go to polls.

According to the schedule released by the State Election Commission, the notification for these elections will be released on November 23 after which the process of filing nominations will begin.

The last date to file the nominations will be November 27 while the re-

sults for all the municipalities will be declared on December13.

The BJP made former Jaipur Mayor Nirmal Nahta as the incharge for Chomu municipality. In Jaipur district, the BJP incharge for Sambhar municipality will be Rajesh Gurjar, Manoj Chaudhary – Chaksu, Shailendra Bhargava – Kotputli, Prem Chandra Bairwa – Phulera, Vikram Singh Banethi – Shahpura, Jitendra Sharma - Virat Nagar, Laxmikant Bhardwaj – Jobner, Rakhi Rathore - Bagru and Tej Singh has been made the incharge of KishangarhRenwal municipality.

8 urban local bodies in Bharatpur to go to polls on December 11 Deepak Lawaniya Bharatpur: 8 urban local bodies of Bharatpur will go to polls on 11 December. Notification will be issued on 23 November and nomination can be filed till 27 November from 10:30 am to 3 pm.

Scrutiny of nomination papers will be conducted on 1 December and the last date of nomination withdrawal is 3 December.

The polling will

Bassi cops seize adulterated paneer, milk cream being brought from Alwar

take place from 8 am to 5 pm on 11 December while counting of votes will start from 9 am on 13 December.

Similarly, public notification for the election to the post of chairperson will be issued on 14 December, nominations can be filed on 15 December from 10:30 am to 3 pm, scrutiny will be done on 16 December and nominations can be withdrawn by 17 December.

Elections for the post of chairperson will take place from 10 am to 2 pm on 20 December and counting of votes will begin soon after the voting is over.

The elections for the post of deputy chairperson will be held on 21 December.

For this, nominations can be filed by 11 am, scrutiny will start from 11:30 am and names can be withdrawn by 2 pm.

Rape survivor set on fire, accused held First India Bureau Jaipur: The Diwali night turned out to be a dark night for a 37-yearold rape survivor who was allegedly set ablaze by the rape accused who was absconding for seven months, the police said on Monday.

The victim’s minor daughter and the 28-year-old accused identified as Lekhraj Koli were also injured in the incident and have been hospitalised.

The police arrested Koli, his brothers Ramesh, 40, and Manmohan, 35, and their father 70-year-old Kanhaiya Lal Koli after booking them under section 307 (attempt to murder) and other sections of the IPC, SHO Kotwali Police Station Yeshwant Yadav said. The accused were presented in a court on

FOG ENVELOPES CITY

ing the adulterated paneer and milk cream being brought to Jaipur from Alwar. He said the police started a drive to check all the vehicles at Rajadhok toll plaza and seized pickups carrying adulterated milk products which did not require much of a diagno-

sis as they were stinking when the lids of the containers were opened. Later the pickup drivers told the police that adulterated paneer and milk cream was to be supplied in Malviya Nagar, Johri Bazar and Raja Park areas of Jaipur.

Farm Law issue: Cong gets signatures of 15L farmers Yogesh Sharma Jaipur: There is cheer within the PCC as it has crossed the target of signatures of farmers against the farm laws enacted by the Centre.

Against the target of 10 lakh signatures, the state unit of the party has got the signatures of nearly 15 lakh farmers. The party leaders are elated over the achievement.

“Rajasthan had got the task of 10 lakh sig-

nature but the party received a huge response from the farmers and close to 15 lakh farmers in the state have participated in the signature campaign,” senior leader of the party Mumtaz Masih, who monitored the campaign in the state, said. Congress has the target of 2 crore signatures in the campaign which was started on 2 October.

The party will hand over a memorandum to

the President Ram Nath Kovind in New Delhi with the signatures of the farmers. Maximum signatures are from Hanumangarh and Ganganagar, followed by districts in Shekhawati.

He informed the record of signature will be forwarded to party high command and a delegation led by Congress president Sonia Gandhi will meet President Kovind on 19 November to give a memorandum.

Jaipur woke up to a thick blanket of fog on Monday morning. —PHOTO BY SUMAN SARKAR

SATISH POONIA REMINDS DOTASRA OF HIS TWEET! First India Bureau Jaipur: State BJP president Satish Poonia has written a letter to education minister Govind Singh Dotasra demanding him to release the waiting list for teachers recruitment-2018 level-I and level-II. Poonia reminded the minister of his tweet in which he had said that the waiting list will be issued for the exam and said the

—Pic for representational purpose only

Sunday and taken on police remand till November 18. The police said that both the brothers and father of the main accused threw stones at the victim’s house and assisted the accused.

Yadav said that the woman had lodged a complaint against Koli, her neighbour, in April this year alleging that he had raped her in 2018. They live in Keshav Colony near Chaugan Stadium in Gangauri Bazaar.

Jaipur: Light rain, which was triggered by a western disturbance, was recorded in a few areas of eastern Rajasthan since Sunday and Bari in Dholpur and Mandrayal in Karauli both received 4 cm rainfall.

Sarmathura, Dholpur, Sapotra (Karauli) recorded 3 cm while a few other places received below 3 cm rains, according to the meteorological department here.

The temperature last night was record-

ed at 12 degrees Celsius in Jaisalmer and 19.2 degrees Celsius in Kota. A MeT official said that the western disturbance has passed and the weather in the state will remain dry during next four to five days.

An induced cyclonic circulation is over Central Pakistan and adjoining northwest Rajasthan. The temperature will also fall by three to four degrees due to northerly winds in the coming four to five days. —PTI

Councillor caught for stocking firecrackers First India Bureau

list has not been released yet and the candidates are waiting for it.

He demanded from the minister to issue the list for the posts which remained vacant after the exam.

On Saturday night, the accused entered the woman’s house and set her on fire after pouring petrol over her. The woman suffered 50 per cent burn injuries, the police said. She told the police that her husband had gone to a temple when the accused perpetrated the crime.

The victim said the burning incident happened as the police did not arrest the accused when she reported rape.

Light rain recorded in few areas of east Raj

First India Bureau Jaipur. In a major action the Bassi police seized three pickups carrying 1875 kg adulterated paneer and 115 kg adulterated & expired milk cream. The adulterated milk products had been brought from Alwar district and was to be supplied at various places in Jaipur.

Later the Jaipur district administration team got the adulterated milk products destroyed. Bassi SHO Shivkumar Bhardwaj said that he was tipped by an informer regard-

02

Nagaur: The police seized firecrackers stocked in the cattle shed of a local councillor despite the prohibition on the sale of firecrackers and fireworks by the state government. Before Deepawali, he had filled a stockpile of firecrackers in his cattle shed behind the government hospital at Makrana in Nagaur district. He also does not have the license to hold explosive

He also does not have the license to hold explosive material, the police said

material, the police said.

On the orders of SP Nagaur Shweta Dhankhar, Makrana police conducted a special vigilance campaign as per the instructions. On Saturday, during a police patrol led by Makra-

na SHO Roshanlal Samaria and probationer RPS Vikas Dhindhwal, he was informed that Ward 33 councilor Ajit Singh alias Khetu Putra in Makrana had illegally stocked the firecrackers in the cattle shed behind a government hospital. On this, probationer RPS Vikas Dhindhwal arrived at Ajit Singh’s cattle house.

The councillor started running on seeing the police but the police chased him and caught.

PROUD MOMENT FOR A SOLDIER’S DAUGHTER!

Diya Kumari gets emotional after seeing PM Modi with 10 Para SF lll

Diya’s father Bhawani Singh was commanding officer of 10 Para SF regiment in 1968. He led 10 Para SF in Chachro War in 1971

First India Bureau Jaipur: Describing the momentous occasion of PM Modi meeting the 10 Para SF Regiment jawans and officers, MP Diya Kumari said that it was the most unforgettable moment of her life.

What could be more meaningful for a soldier’s daughter when the regiment established by her own father is being inspected by one of the world’s

most renowned personas and the scene is being observed by the entire world with their own eyes, she said.

MP Diya Kumari said that the meeting with the brave jawans on the Jaisalmer border by our Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the Deepotsav festival enhanced the pride of all countrymen. When PM Modi met the soldiers of the 10 Para SF Regiment raised by her

Prime Minister Narendra Modi with the 10 Para SF Regiment officers and jawans on the outskirts of Jaisalmer.

father, Brigadier Maharaja Sawai Bhawani Singh, I was filled with pride. I can only imagine the moment when the regiment was set up.

We all express our gratitude to the Prime Minister for showing respect to such brave soldiers of the army who stand for the security of the country, she said.

It is to be recalled that Rajsamand MP Diya Kumari is the

daughter of Late Brigadier Maharaja Sawai Bhawani Singh.

Her father raised the 10 Para SF Regiment in the army. The feeling of love for the nation was so great that he joined the army, on only Re.1 remuneration a month.

That too only because no one should think that he was doing any favour to the army. His heroism in Chhachra war is well known.

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JAIPUR | TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2020

Raj reports 2,169 Covid cases, taking state tally to 2,27,986 No ‘Bhai Dooj’ State recorded 12 deaths pushing the number of fatalities to 2,078

First India Bureau

In view of the increasing case of corona in Jaipur, the Health Department has started increasing the services required in hospitals.

tive. He was present on November 13 when Mayor Somya Gurjar assumed charge.

State Advocate General MS Singhvi, Additional Advocate General Vibhuti Bhushan Sharma and the whole

staff of Sharma have also tested positive for corona.Minister of State Sukh Ram Vishnoi has been home quarantined at Sanchore after Covid like symptoms. His corona sample has been

taken report is awaited.

Meanwhile, Rajasthan reported 2,169 coronavirus positive cases on Monday taking the state tally to 2,27,986, a health bulletin stated. State recorded 12 deaths pushing the number to 2,078.

Jaipur: Corona pandemic has affected all festivals and its effects were seen on the bhai dooj, observed to celebrate brother-sister bond. Every year, sisters are allowed to visit their brothers in the jails and observe the festival by applying tilak and other rituals inside the premises.

Due to growing covid infection the celebration was suspended this year, said a jail administration official. However, arrangements were made for telephone talks so that sisters could talk to their brothers lodged behind the bars.

First India Bureau Alwar: The police booked a bank manager and his family members for dowry death after his wife, who was burnt a fortnight ago, died on November 14, the police said on Monday.

Sheela, married to

Energy Minister Dr BD Kalla, RPSC member Manju Sharma and her husband poet Kumar Vishwas paid a courtesy call on Governor Kalraj Mishra on Monday.

BJP seek ‘girdawari’ 2 killed, 9 injured in to assess crop loss clashes in Bharatpur

Hailstorm across the state on Sunday.

First India Bureau Jaipur: The opposition BJP has demanded girdawari (harvest inspection) in view of the damage done to the farmers due to hailstorms across the state.

Satish Poonia, Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Gulab Chand Kataria, Rajendra Rathore, Kailash Chaudhary, Ramcharan Bohra,

Jaskaur Meena, Ramlal Sharma, Ashok Parnami and others posted on SM demanding compensation from the state for the damages done. “Hailstorms in many districts of the state including Jaipur have damaged crops. We are with farmer brothers in this hour of crisis,” tweeted Gajendra Singh Shekhawat.

related to a panchayat election held in the past.

“Members of both groups clashed with each other and opened fire, which left Rohitash Jatav of one group dead. Asharfi Devi from the other group also died in the clash,” Circle Officer Kaman Pradeep Singh said.

He added that nine others were injured in the incident.

Multiple FIRs related to different matters have been registered by members of both the groups against each in the last twothree years on different matters, police official said.

—PTI

5 historic gates of Parkota will be revived at a cost of crores: Dhariwal during his Kota visit First India Bureau Kota: UDH Minister Shanti Dhariwal on a three day tour of his hometown took stock of the ongoing developmental projects in the city.

Accompanied by the district collector, UIT secretary and officers of UIT and municipal corporations, Dhariwal inspected 400 year old gates in the walled city area. After inspect-

Shanti Dhariwal taking stock of the ongoing projects in Kota.

ing Ladpura gate, Patanpole gate, Surajpole gate and the ramparts of fort, Dhariwal discussed the conservation and renovation of

the heritage structures. Speaking to the media the UDH Minister said that the state government will take up the conservation

CM Ashok Gehlot

Dr Raghu Sharma

First India Bureau

ered as a moral watchdog. “On the occasion of National Press Day, heartfelt greetings to all media personnel associated with journalism.

Freedom of the press and respect for rights are essential. Through the press, the expression of ideas on various subjects is expressed and the voice of the common man is elevated,” Sharma tweeted.

“Media affects society by giving a new direction to society. There is a need to uphold the values and ideals of journalism in today’s era,” he said.

Jaipur: Chief minister Ashok Gehlot and Directorate of Information and Public Relations (DIPR) minister Raghu Sharma on Monday greeted the members of the media fraternity on the National Press Day. “Greetings to all members of media on #NationalPressDay. A free and responsible press is most essential in a democracy,” Gehlot tweeted.

Minister of DIPR, media and health Dr Raghu Sharma said the Press Council India is consid-

Ajmer: A 60-year-old property dealer Nauratmal Jain was found murdered in the Bijaynagar area of Ajmer on Monday, the police said. The blood soaked body of Jain was found in the morning in a deserted area, about two km from Bijaynagar town.

Jain had left his house in his car on Sunday night and did not return till late, following which his family members started looking for him. His his car was found nearly three kms away from the body and the front windshield of the car was broken, the police said.

Ajmer SP, Kunwar Rashtradeep said that some people were taken in custody for questioning on the basis of suspicion raised by the family members.

Husband, in-laws booked for woman’s death

KALLA CALLS ON GOVERNOR

Bharatpur: Two people died and nine others were injured during a clash between two groups in Rajasthan’s Bharatpur district on Monday, police said.

The deceased have been identified as 34-year-old Rohitash Jatav and 60-year-old Asharfi Devi, they said.

Jatav was shot dead during the violence, police said, adding that the cause of death of Devi is yet to be ascertained.

The clash broke out between groups led by Asu Mev and Kundan Jatav, they said.

Police said that the reason seems to be old enmity over a matter

Property dealer found dead in mysterious condition First India Bureau

for prisoners in state jails

First India Bureau Jaipur: Senior Congress leader and former officer-on-special-duty to CM Gehlot has tested positive for corona. Parashar was busy in Jodhpur mun corp elections and is in home isolation now.

MLA Parasram Mordia, and IAS officers secretary LSG Bhawani Singh Detha, and secretary finance T Ravikanth have also tested covid positive. IAS Ravi Shankar Srivastava, chairman Rajasthan civil services appellate, has returned home after corona treatment.

So far, 17 IAS officers have been infected with corona.

Jaipur Greater Municipal Corporation CEO Dinesh Yadav has also tested corona posi-

Free and responsible media, need of the hour: CM, minister

03

project of the four hundred year old gates by spending crores on the project.

He informed that the DPR for the project is ready and the work on the sites will begin in January or February 2021 which will be completed by March 2022.

Dhariwal said that initially five heritage gates have been identified with a view to let people see actual heritage look of the gates.

bank manager Kapil Kumar, was burnt on October 30 but the family neither took her to a hospital nor informed her parents about the incident, the police said. The woman died on November 14 after which her father Babu Lal, a resident of Narnaul in Har-

yana, was informed on whose complaint the police booked Kumar and his family members under sections 498-A and 302 of the IPC. Kumar told the police that his wife caught fire while preparing tea and she was a psycho. For her not being admitted

to a hospital, Kumar said that she was being given treatment by a local traditional doctor.

Investigating officer Mukesh Kumar said there was no explanation for her not being taken to a hospital for treatment and matter is being investigated.

PERSPECTIVE JAIPUR | TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2020

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IN-DEPTH

POPULISM AFTER TRUMP

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efore he was US president, Donald Trump built a realitytelevision persona on the catchphrase, “You’re fired.”

Now, the American people have fired him. And Trump’s defeat has also dealt a devastating blow to nationalist populists in Europe and elsewhere.

Might it prove lethal?

The swamps that breed populist nationalism have not been drained. Too many people remain frustrated over their perceived (or anticipated) loss of economic and social status, and feel disregarded or maligned by establishment politicians. Wage stagnation, deindustrialization, and economic injustice continue to be serious challenges.

Many are convinced that immigration and cultural change pose a threat to their safety and way of life. The COVID-19 crisis has compounded these anxieties.

The persistence of these fears and frustrations was reflected in the US election results. Though President-elect Joe Biden won over five million more votes than Trump – a 3.4 percentagepoint lead – more than 72 million Americans still cast their votes for the outgoing president.

Nonetheless, Biden has demonstrated that populism can be defeated – and not just with more populism. Far from employing populists’ tactics, endorsing their worldviews, or pandering to their prejudices, Biden built a broad electoral coalition around a promise of positive change, sober moderation, and competent governance. This holds a crucial lesson for center-left and center-right political parties in Europe, which have at times succumbed to the populist temptation – such as by echoing their socially conservative, anti-immigrant views – to try to win votes.

Trump’s loss also amounts to a warning for other far-right populists, such as Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro and Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán. Earlier this year, Orbán proclaimed, “We used to think that Europe was our future; today we know that we are the future of Europe.” But with Trump’s defeat, his words ring hollow. Even if these leaders remain popular for now – in Bolsonaro’s case, thanks to generous COVID-19 handouts to citizens – the rise or persistence of far-right populism is hardly inexorable.

Beyond shattering this self-serving narrative of inevitability, Trump’s loss discredits his deeply flawed policies, thereby reducing their attractiveness to others. Over the past four years, Trump has pursued an approach that unabashedly purports to put “America first,” trampling on trade treaties and misusing sanctions to try to give US businesses and workers an edge.

SOURCE: PROJECT SYNDICATE

BIDEN WILL BE A BLESSING AFTER TRUMP K NATWAR SINGH

The author is Former Minister of External Affairs of India

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Trump is flouting every tradition of America’s great democracy. He has displayed little interest in governance. He has dismissed dozens of eminent, highly respected members of his Cabinet unceremoniously and with breathtaking frequency.

He has grossly mishandled the coronavirus pandemic.

Arbitrariness and whimsicality in both appointments and policies have been a hallmark of his Presidency

hat is happening to the oldest democracy in the world is mindboggling, deeply disquieting, unprecedented. Joe Biden emerged as the clear winner.

Donald Trump was the clear loser, but he refuses to accept defeat. By inclination and temperament, Trump does not genuinely believe in democracy. His many supporters are gun-toting, redneck racists. Many of them have found a hero in Donald Trump, a not so disguised racist himself.

Trump is flouting every tradition of America’s great democracy. He has displayed little interest in governance. He has dismissed dozens of eminent, highly respected members of his Cabinet unceremoniously and with breath-taking frequency. He has grossly mishandled the coronavirus pandemic. Arbitrariness and whimsicality in both appointments and policies have been a hallmark of his Presidency.

How did Donald Trump make it to the White House? Two reasons. One: The emergence of Barack Obama on the American national political scene, i.e., becoming a two-term President.

This was not acceptable to the rednecks, who looked to Trump as saviour. Two: Hilary Clinton was all but verbally demolished

by Trump, who has scant regard for political correctness, courtesy, or politeness.

He has instructed his officials not to co-operate with the Biden transition team. How long can Trump carry his defiance of reality? It is anyone’s guess. The amazing fact is that the Republican Party and Republican members of Congress have solidly stood behind him.

Another fact. The Supreme Court is packed with “ultraconservative justices”.

Trump will no doubt vacate the White House on 20 January 2021, but Trumpism will remain alive. He has divided America.

He has already declared that he will be a candidate in 2024. Incidentally, Fox News, rabidly pro-

Trump, refuses to call Joe Biden, “President-elect”. These are signs of immaturity, irresponsibility, and frustration.

In 2001, Sonia Gandhi led a Congress delegation to the United States. In Washington, Joe Biden hosted a lunch for Sonia Gandhi. Manmohan Singh, the late Murli Deora, and I accompanied her to the Biden lunch. That is the only time I have met Biden.

In the past few days, Joe Biden has spoken to a number of world leaders, but not to Prime Minister Narendra Modi so far. This is not surprising. At Houston last year the Prime Minister praised Trump with excessive enthusiasm.

Where will India figure in Biden’s priorities? Not very high to begin with, is my guess.

His first priority will be to apply the healing touch to a wounded and divided America.

He will drastically repair the damages Trump did to America’s relations with NATO, the European Union, the WTO, World Health Organization, the United Nations, and the Paris Climate Agreement.

Biden has vast experience in diplomacy and will be a much

BIDEN HAS VAST EXPERIENCE IN DIPLOMACY AND WILL BE A MUCH STEADIER HAND AT THE FOREIGN POLICY FIELD. THE CHANGE WILL BE EVIDENT BOTH IN STYLE AND SUBSTANCE. HE WILL BE MINDFUL OF CHINA’S CHALLENGE, HER CONCERNS, AND SUSCEPTIBILITIES IN A STATESMANLIKE MANNER

steadier hand at the foreign policy field. The change will be evident both in style and substance. He will be mindful of China’s challenge, her concerns, and susceptibilities in a statesmanlike manner. He will take a closer and more consistent interest in further enhancing In-

Our minds are wandering more during the pandemic

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any feel the coronavirus pandemic has changed not just our everyday lives, but also our inner mental lives. There has been talk of a mental health pandemic, but also of lockdown brain fog when we are awake, as well as reports of more frequent, vivid, and bizarre dreams when we are asleep.

We tend to think of our waking and dream lives as separate. But it is striking how deeply they are linked.

Spontaneous thought, or mind-wandering, occupies up to 50% of wakefulness.

Our thoughts and attention frequently drift away from what we are doing and what is happening in our immediate surroundings, with one thought following another along an associative trajectory.

Spontaneous thoughts and experiences are also

04

pervasive in sleep. The clearest example is dreaming, which has been described as an intensified form of the mind wandering that happens when we are awake.

Considering dreaming and mind-wandering together suggests the fluctuations in spontaneous experience, the natural ebb and flow of attention and somewhat erratic trajectory of thoughts continue throughout waking and sleep.

In normal circumstances, we mostly remain oblivious to the fact our minds have wandered. Most people also only rarely remember their dreams, but when awakened in the sleep laboratory can report multiple dreams per night. Like mind wandering, dreaming is also largely (with the exception of certain lucid dreams) beyond our control.

However, attention to our inner lives may be am-

plified at a time when control over our everyday lives is elusive.

Paying attention to your dreams when you first wake up in the morning drastically increases dream recall. And attempting to harness our thoughts and attention throughout the day can actually make us more aware of our failures, including lapses in attention.

If you have been paying more attention to your spontaneous thoughts during the pandemic, you might have become more aware of what was were there all along.

CHANGES IN SPONTANEOUS THOUGHT If you have been sleeping more during lockdown, you are probably experiencing

more early morning rapid eye movement sleep. Because such sleep is typically associated with the most vivid and complex dreams, this might lead to an increase in actual dreaming.

If you have also ditched your alarm clock, you are probably awakening directly from rapid eye movement sleep, which further increases dream recall.

The pandemic has also changed what we daydream and dream about. Waking concerns about the pandemic seem paralleled by more frequent nightmares and dreams about topics such as social distancing, contagion, or personal protective equipment.

Some changes to our spontaneous mental lives can indicate something is amiss. Anxiety and stress are linked to increased repetitive thoughts and rumination; trouble focusing, disturbed sleep, nightmares, and unpleasant dreams, all of which seem to have increased during the pandemic.

These repetitive, sticky and non-progressive thoughts contrast with the free, meandering movement that characterises most dreams and mind wandering.

do-US relations. I doubt if he will be in a hurry to visit India.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi should ensure that he appears high on the list of world leaders rushing to Washington. I am not suggesting unseemly haste.

Former Foreign Secretary Shyam Saran, in a recent article, has wisely written, “For India, a Biden administration will be a more predictable and steady partner, rooted in an overall convergence of strategic interests.

India will continue to matter to the US in geopolitical contestation with China…”

Biden will or could push us on Kashmir and our not so inspiring record on human rights. In India, glaring inequality persists.

On the whole, Biden will come as a blessing after the chronic erraticism of Donald Trump.

Bihar election results brought several surprises. The NDA coming number one, Nitish Kumar’s stature being eroded and Chirag Paswan’s failure.

What of Congress? The less said the better. Unfortunately, the Gandhis are passé.

THE VIEWS EXPRESSED BY THE AUTHOR ARE PERSONAL

Top

TWEET Ravi Shankar Prasad @rsprasad Sonia Gandhi Ji and Rahul Gandhi Ji, please tell the nation clearly and categorically that does the Congress party want restoration of Article 370 in the original form? Does Congress support the anti-national statements made by Farooq Abdullah and Mehbooba Mufti?

Dr Harsh Vardhan @drharshvardhan On #NationalPressDay I laud & appreciate all media personnel for their vital role in our fight against #COVID19. Disseminating correct information, reporting on-ground realities & courageously pointing out lapses in the system have been crucial during the #pandemic

Spiritual SPEAK

For the senses wander, and when one lets the mind follow them, it carries wisdom away like a windblown ship on the waters.

—Bhagavad Gita

SOURCE: THE CONVERSATION

Vol 2 Issue No. 161 RNI NO. RAJENG/2019/77764. Printed and published by Anita Hada Sangwan on behalf of First Express Publishers. Printed at Bhaskar Printing Press, D.B. Corp Limited, Shivdaspura, Tonk Road, Jaipur.

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

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7 killed, 1 injured after vehicle falls into rivulet in HP’s Mandi President Ram Nath Kovind, PM Modi expressed grief over the road accident New Delhi: Total seven people were killed and one suffered injuries after a vehicle fell down in Suketi Khad water stream near Pullghrat area of Himachal Pradesh’s Mandi district at around 3 am on Monday.

The deceased are believed to be labourers who hailed from Bihar.

The Mahindra pickup vehicle they were travelling in was on its way to Sundernagar from Mandi when it fell into Suketi Khud (rivulet) at Pulghrat, Mandi Superintendent of Police Shalini Agnihotri said.

Six people died on the spot, while two injured were taken to a zonal hospital where one of them succumbed to his injuries, the police said.

EC issues Tamil Nadu draft electoral rolls Chennai: The Election Commission of India on Monday issued the draft electoral rolls for Tamil Nadu ahead of the Assembly elections next year, wherein more women voters than men are registered.

As per the draft electoral rolls, out of about 6.10 crore voters in Tamil Nadu, 3.01 crore are males, 3.09 females and 6,385 transgenders.

Special camps will be held at voting centres to enable people to apply for corrections or changes in the electoral rolls.

The first camp will be held on November 21 and 22 and the next on December 12 and 13.

Seven killed and one injured after a jeep roll down to Suketi Khad, at Pull Ghat area in Mandi on Monday. —PHOTO BY ANI

The police have registered a case under IPC sections 279 (rash driving), 338 (causing griev-

ous hurt to any person) and 304 A (causing death by negligence).

Prime Minister Nar-

President Ram Nath Kovind

Prime Minister Narendra Modi

endra Modi expressed grief over the road accident and tweeted, “Extremely pained after hearing the news of a road accident in Mandi in Himachal Pradesh.

The government is involved in relief and rescue operations. I express my deepest condolences to the families of the deceased and wish the injured well soon.”

Earlier today, in a

tweet, President Ram Nath Kovind also expressed grief over the loss of lives in the accident and said “I am deeply saddened to learn about the road accident in Mandi, HP. Necessary steps are being taken by local administration to help the affected people. My condolences to bereaved families, wish a speedy recovery to injured.”

Around 300 terrorists present at each launching pad of Pak: BSF SC refuses Srinagar: Rajesh Mishra, BSF Inspector General (IG), Kashmir has said that there are 250-300 terrorists across the border, present at each launching pad in Pakistan.

“There are 250-300 terrorists across the border, present at each launching pad in Pakistan. Our security forces have been successful in thwarting their attempts of infiltration,” Mishra said on Sunday.

Mishra said that a lot of harm was inflicted on civilians, including damage to their properties, because of the recent ceasefire violations by Pakistan.

“Lot of harm was in-

Issue of human rights violation should be raised: Rajesh Mishra.

flicted on civilians including damage to their properties.

Issue of human rights violation should be raised,” said the BSF IG, on being asked if he has any message for the international community over ceasefire violations by Pak. On Nov 13, 3 Indian soldiers were

killed at two separate locations in J&K while foiling infiltration bids

by Pak-backed terrorists and ceasefire violations by the troops of the neighbouring country. Two soldiers were killed in the Uri sector while one was killed in the Gurez sector, Army sources said.

—ANI

Fresh spell of snowfall in surrounding peaks of Badrinath temple, Chopta Chamoli: Fresh spell of snowfall lashed Badrinath temple in Chamoli district on Monday and the devotees were seen enjoying the chilly weather.

The Badrinath shrine and houses of locals were seen covered with a thin layer of snow. Situated in the town of Badrinath in Chamoli district, Badrinath Temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu. It is

Badrinath roads covered with white-sheeted snow due to heavy snowfall, in Badrinath on Monday.

—PHOTO BY ANI

one of the four Char Dham that are widely revered by the Hindus.

Meanwhile, Chopta in Rudraprayag district

too received the first snowfall of the season.

Chopta is known for the Tungnath temple, which got closed on No-

vember 4 for the winter season. Situated at an altitude of 12,070 feet, Tungnath is one of the highest Lord Shiva temples in the world. According to the Indian MeT forecast, the state will witness very light to light rainfall/snowfall at a few places in Uttarkashi, Rudraprayag, Chamoli, Bageshwar and Pithoragarh districts and at isolated places in Tehri.

—ANI

Ravi Shankar Prasad addresses media in New Delhi on Monday.

said she won’t hoist tricolour unless J&K flag is restored,” Prasad said. “We applied Cen-

tral laws to Union Territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh...

They do not want cer-

Prez, VP, PM and others greet media fraternity New Delhi: Describing a free press as the ‘soul of democracy’, top leaders including President Ramnath Kovind and PM Modi on Monday commended media persons for their work as frontline warriors during covid pandemic.

In their messages on the occasion of the National Press Day, the leaders also stressed that any attack on the freedom of press is detrimental to national interests and must be opposed by one and all.

VP M Venkaiah Naidu and Union Ministers Amit Shah and Prakash Javadekar emphasised on the importance of freedom of press in the country and condemned any

attack on it. In his written message, which was read out during a webinar organised by the Press Council of India to celebrate the National Press Day, the president said the theme of this year’s National Press Day celebration, ‘Role of Media during Covid-19 and its Impact on the Media’, deals with the most serious crisis facing the world and the country.

“Democracy cannot survive without a free and fearless press.

Therefore, any attack on the freedom of the press is detrimental to national interests and should be opposed by one and all,” Naidu said.

The PM also lauded

the media for doing an exceptional service by spreading awareness against Covid-19.

Union HM Amit Shah greeted journalists and said that the government is committed towards the freedom of press.

Union Minister for I&B Prakash Javadekar said that with any freedom comes responsibility, Javadekar said, “Freedom of press is very important but it comes with responsibility.

To check TRP manipulation and address the issue, we have formed a committee which will give its report very soon.

There have been discussions on giving more power to the PCI,” he said.

—PTI

IN THE COURTYARD

to the UOI

SC refuses to pass order on Army’s plea

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Monday refused to pass any order or direction to the Union of India (UOI) to declare as null and void the elections of MLAs and MPs charge-sheeted for more than a year for offences punishable for five or more years of imprisonment.

A bench of the top court, headed by Justice L Nageswara Rao, while refusing to pass an order, said, “These are legislative issues, within the exclusive domain of Parliament, we do not want to pass any order on these issues.”

—ANI

New Delhi: The SC on Monday refused to pass any order on a petition filed by an Army couple seeking directions to the Centre for joint posting.

A bench, headed by Justice Dr DY Chandrachud said “There is selfrestraint on part of courts in matters like posting and others.”

Senior lawyer, former SG Ranjeet Kumar, appearing for the Army couple, pleaded to SC for a direction of joint posting. Kumar submitted to court that their posting is in different places, they have a kid, parents are bedridden.

—ANI

New Delhi: Justice Uday Umesh Lalit on Monday recused himself from hearing the PIL seeking the removal of YS Jagan Mohan Reddy from the post of AP CM over his “scandalising” remarks against the second senior-most judge of the Supreme Court NV Ramana.

Justice Lalit, who was heading the bench

said that he will not hear this case, as a lawyer, he had once represented for Reddy in a case at some point. The PIL contended that Reddy is allegedly facing more than 20 criminal cases including money laundering and corruption. Reddy should be removed from CM of AP for allegations against Justice Ramana. —ANI

MAHA GOVT TO SC Gold worth ` 97.7 lakh ‘Will not oppose seized in Chennai, 1 held Chennai: Tamil Nadu Air Intelligence Unit at Chennai Airport have recovered 1.85 kg gold, worth Rs 97.7 Lakhs from 5 passengers who were carrying the gold paste, in the form of bundles, in their rectum.

According to Commissioner of Customs, Chennai International Airport, the passengers had arrived from Dubai on Sunday. Commissioner of customs in a state-

‘Does Cong support Farooq, Mufti remarks?’ of Corruption Act in Jammu and Kashmir.

“People’s Alliance for Gupkar Declaration (PAGD) has declared the restoration of Article 370 as its agenda. It is contesting local body polls. There are 10 parties including National Conference and PDP and now Congress is also joining. Farooq Abdullah has no compunction in seeking the support of China for the restoration of Article 370... Mehbooba Mufti

NATIONAL PRESS DAY

Justice Lalit recuses to pass order from AP CM hearing

SEEKING RESTORATION OF ARTICLE 370

New Delhi: Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad on Monday hit out at Congress and asked if the party wants the restoration of Article 370 and supports the remarks made by National Conference (NC) leader Farooq Abdullah and People’s Democratic Party (PDP) chief Mehbooba Mufti.

Addressing a press conference, he said that the government applied various Central laws including the Prevention

05

tain laws including the Prevention of Corruption Act in J&K so that they can continue with corruption. People who have been CMs are saying that they will take the help of China for the restoration of Article 370. It is an anti-national activity,” he said.

He added, “Sonia Gandhi ji, Rahul Gandhi ji tell the national clearly and categorically does Congress want restoration of Article 370 in original form.” —ANI

ment said that five cases of gold smuggling were detected on Sunday.

“A total of 1.85 kg gold valued at Rs 97.7 lakhs was recovered and seized under the Customs Act. One arrested,” it said. The arrested person has been identified as Dhasthageer (34) of Ramanathapuram.

Further investigation is under progress, Commissioner of Customs said. —ANI

Thakkar’s bail plea’ Mumbai: The Maharashtra government on Monday told the SC that it will not oppose in a lower court the bail plea of Nagpur resident Sameet Thakkar, arrested for alleged offensive posts on the social media against CM Uddhav Thackeray and his Minister son Aaditya.

Senior Advocate Mahesh Jethmalani, representing Thakkar, sub-

mitted before a bench headed by Chief Justice SA Bobde that his client was treated inhumanely for his tweets, and he was also paraded in public.

The bench declined to admit Thakkar’s interim bail plea, following which Jethmalani agreed to withdraw the petition. 3 FIRs were registered against Thakkar for set of tweets.

Actor Sonu Sood funds liver transplant operation for 6-yr-old Telangana: After helping several migrants amid the coronavirus pandemic, actor Sonu Sood came to the rescue of a six-year-old boy, Harshvardhan, who had to undergo a liver transplant at Apollo Hospital here. The actor-producer extended a helping hand to the boy’s family and took care of all the finances required for the operation. The six-year-old has been keeping ill since he was six months old, told the mother.

Sonu Sood comes to the rescue of a six-year-old Harshavardhan who had to undergo a liver transplant.

—PHOTO BY ANI

“It was only a month ago that the doctor had said that my son’s liver has been damaged completely and that he needs to undergo surgery which would cost some-

where around Rs 20 lakhs, that his life would be in danger if no treatment received,” said Harsh’s mother. Dr Verma got to know about the case via Sood. —ANI

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COVID-19 VACCINE IS OVER 94% EFFECTIVE Moderna plans to submit applications for emergency approval in the US & around the world within weeks Washington: US biotech firm Moderna on Monday announced its experimental vaccine against Covid-19 was 94.5 percent effective, marking a second major breakthrough in the vaccine hunt.

Moderna released early results from a clinical trial with more than 30,000 participants, after US pharmaceutical company Pfizer and its German partner BioNTech last week said their vaccine was 90 percent effective.

Both vaccine frontrunners are based on a new platform called messenger RNA, which is faster to produce than traditional vaccines and effectively turn human cells into vaccine factories. “This positive interim analysis from our Phase 3 study has given us the first clinical validation that our vaccine can prevent COVID-19 disease, including severe disease,” said Stephane Bancel, Moderna’s CEO. The company plans to submit applications for

Image for representational purpose only.

emergency approval in the US and around the world within weeks, and says it expects to have approximately 20 million doses ready to ship in the US by the end of the year. The Moderna vaccine, which was co-developed by the US National Institutes of Health, is given in two doses 28 days apart, and the preliminary results are based on 95 volunteers of the 30,000 who fell ill with Covid-19.

Shimla district gets first November snow in 15 years: IMD

An army convoy moves on a snow covered road after the seasonsfirst snowfall, at Gulmarg in Baramulla district of north Kashmir, Monday.

—PHOTO BY PTI

Shimla: Shimla received its first early snowfall in over 15 years on Monday, bringing the temperature down by 5 to 6 degrees Celsius.

According to Manmohan Singh, the India Meteorological Department’s Himachal Pradesh Director, it is early snowfall this year for Shimla district.

“This is first November snowfall in over 15 years in Narkanda, Kharapathar, Kufri and dozens of villages in Shimla district. Thedistricts of Lhaul-Spiti, Chamba and higher reaches of Kullu and Kinnaur have already received snow-

fall this year,” said director Singh, adding the weather will be dry till November 19. “The temperature will drop down further during the next 24 hours in the state.”

Several other places in the state also received heavy snowfall and heavy to moderate rainfall during the last 24 hours. The higher reaches of the five different districts of Kullu, Lahaul-Spiti, Chamba, Kinnaur and Shimla received fresh snowfall of 10 to 40 cm on Monday morning. Sirmaur district received the highest rainfall in the last 24 hours.

Devotees throng temples as religious places reopen Mumbai: As religious places opened in Maha, after several months of closure amid COVID-19 induced lockdown, devotees thronged temples on Monday.

A large number of people visited Sai Baba Mandir in Shirdi. Rituals began with a grand “arti”

followed by “abhishek” at the temple. Similarly, devotees offered prayers at Mumbai’s Siddhivinayak temple.

The “darshan” has been resumed following all COVID-19 health precautions, according to the Siddhivinayak Temple Committee.

Nitish takes...

Kumar told ANI, “It is the decision of the BJP to not field Sushil Modi as the Deputy Chief Minister. They should be asked about this.”

There was no official word from the BJP, though sources said Sushil Modi might be accommodated in the Rajya Sabha in the seat that has fallen vacant with Ram Vilas Paswan’s death, and made a minister at the Centre, or named the Governor of a state.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the NDA family would together for progress of

Bihar. “Congratulations to Nitish Kumar on taking oath as Bihar’s CM. I also congratulate all those who took oath as Ministers in Bihar Government. NDA family will work together for progress of Bihar. I assure all possible support from Centre for the welfare of Bihar,” Modi tweeted.

Maken comes... where he rested for some time and then left for CMR to meet Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot. Notably, Maken was accompanied to Jaipur by minister

New Delhi: There will be no reimposition of lockdown in Delhi, clarified Health Minister Satyendar Jain on Monday while adding that the third wave of COVID-19 has passed its peak in Delhi .

“There will be no reimposition of lockdown in Delhi. I don’t think it will be an effective step now, wearing of masks by everyone will be more beneficial. The third wave of COVID-19 has passed its peak in Delhi,” said Jain. “Yesterday, 3,235 cases were reported, 7,606 people recovered and 95 died.

There is a lack of ICU beds. Yesterday, CM (Arvind Kejriwal) had a meeting with the Home Minister. He has again appealed to him to increase the ICU beds in central hospitals in Delhi. The Home Minister has assured to increase 750 beds,” he added.

“Fine worth Rs 45

WILL P K TRIPATHI MOVE TO DOPT?

New Delhi: India has named two more wetlands of international importance--Lonar lake in Maharashtra and Sur Sarovar in Agra-under the Ramsar Convention, Union Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change Prakash Javadekar said on Sunday.

“Happy to note that India has added two more Ramsar sites. Lonar lake in Maharashtra, the only crater lake of the country, and Sur Sarovar, also known as Keetham lake in Agra.

The Ramsar Convention on wetlands is an i n t e r- g ove r n m e n t a l treaty that provides the framework for national action and international cooperation for the conservation and wise use of wetlands and their resources.

New Delhi: Pollution levels were higher in Delhi this Diwali as compared to last year due to bursting of firecrackers and stubble burning, according to the Central Pollution Control Board’s (CPCB) report filed before the National Green Tribunal (NGT).

In the report, the CPCB said Pitampura recorded an increase in PM (particulate matter) and SO2 indicating the impact of firecracker bursting on Diwali. In 2020, on Diwali day, a decrease in PM 10 and PM 2.5 was observed as compared to pre-Diwali day by about 16 per cent and 18 per cent. This reduction is perhaps due to about 6 per cent reduction in the contribution of stubble burning this year, it added.

The board also apprised that as observed from real-time monitoring network (37 CAAQM stations), the hourly average concentration of PM 2.5 started increas-

Till midnight, the two party leaders were engrossed in discussions and it is reported that the duo spoke on political appointments and cabinet expansion. The duo also reportedly discussed Kapil Sibal’s comment on the party.

Around midnight, the four-and-a-half hour-long meeting between Maken and Gehlot finally culminated and the state incharge retur ned to Khasa Kothi. Maken is now scheduled to retur n to Delhi on Tuesday.

RBI GOVERNOR TO GET EXTENSION IN DECEMBER?

There are indications of RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das getting extension in December when his three year term ends. He is 1980 batch former IAS officer of TamilNadu cadre.

‘Pollution levels higher in Delhi this Diwali as compared to 2019’

Rajendra Yadav who welcomed Maken at Kothputli and then accompanied the state incharge to the state capital. Maken was scheduled to hold a workshop with Gehlot on Tuesday for party leaders however, owing to the demise of minister Bhanwarlal Meghwal, the program has been called off.

Meeting Gehlot at CMR, Maken was hosted by the Chief Minister over dinner where the two leaders spoke at length on various issues before the party.

POWER Gallery

‘3rd wave of Covid has passed its peak in Delhi’

Lonar lake, Sur Sarovar declared as Ramsar sites

FROM PG 1

06

ing since 11 pm on November 14, it reached a peak in most of the stations at around 1 am and continued at higher levels till 5 am.

“The city-level average calculated for PM 10 and PM 2.5 concentrations on Diwali, were 645 ug/m3 and 483 ug/ m3 respectively.”

According to the report, in 2019 the PM 10 was increased by 70 per cent and PM 2.5 was surged by 149 per cent on Diwali day in comparison to pre-Diwali day.

The ambient noise level was monitored at 16 locations -- 6 manual and 10 real-time noise monitoring stations.

Rumours are rife that Secretary Steel, P K Tripathi is being moved to the Department of Personnel.

He is 1987 batch IAS officer of J & K cadre.

GOI YET TO APPOINT INDEPENDENT DIRECTORS TO PSUS

Govt deliberating on holding next Parl session

W

ith no respite in the rising Covid-19 cases, the centre has taken a cautious approach and is likely to decide against holding the Parliament’s winter session this year. Sources in the govt stated that currently, deliberations are on the decision to not hold the winter session.

crore has been imposed on such defaulters in the past few days,” he added.

Whisper has it that the file of Independent Directors to be appointed to the various Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) has been gathering dust at the Appointments Committee of Cabinet (ACC) for more than eight months.

ED SANJAY MISHRA GETS ONE YEAR EXTENSION

Enforcement Director Sanjay Kumar Mishra has been given one year extension in his tenure beginning November 19. He is 1984 batch IRS (IT) officer.

DG OF CISF RETIRING THIS MONTH

Rajesh Ranjan, DG, CISF, is scheduled to retire this month. He is a 1984 batch Bihar cadre IPS officer. He was appointed to the post of DG, CISF in April 2018.

THREE ADDL DIRECTORS OF ED TO BE REPATRIATED

Three Additional Directors are likely to be repatriated from ED. According to sources, their deputation term is going to complete next month and their extension request has reportedly not been forwarded by the Directorate.

DID A YOUNG IPS OFFICER APPLY FOR VOLUNTARY RETIREMENT?

‘Digital media outlets must bring down FDI’ New Delhi: The central government on Monday asked digital news media outlets to comply with conditions that make them eligible for 26 percent FDI approved by the Union Cabinet last year.

“Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has today issued a public notice to facilitate eligible entities involved in uploading/ streaming of news and current affairs through digital media, to comply with the decision of Union Government on September 18, 2019, which had permitted 26 percent FDI under Govt approval route,” the ministry said in a release. The Ministry has laid out the detailed actions to be undertaken by eligible entities to comply with this decision, within a month.

A young IPS officer in Delhi Police has reportedly applied for Voluntary Retirement. Is it true?

TWO IRS OFFICERS TO JOIN GST COUNCIL

Two Asstt Commissioners- Harish Kumar and Joginder Singh Mor - have been posted in the GST Council Secretariat on deputation basis. Kumar will join as Dy Secretary while Mor as Under Secretary.

LT GEN HARINDER SINGH IS NEW CHIEF OF IMA

Lieutenant General Harinder Singh has taken over charge as the 50th Commandant of the Indian Military Academy (IMA), Dehradun.

EXTENDED TENURE OF RAJIV KUMAR ENDS IN DECEMBER

The extended deputation tenure of Rajiv Kumar, working as Joint Secretary in Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology, is coming to an end on December 17, 2020. He is a 1988 batch IFS officer of HP cadre.

CENTRAL DEPUTATION TENURE OF C M SANE ENDS

The central deputation tenure of C M Sane, working as Joint Secretary (Finance) in the Department of Space, has come to an end. He is a 1993 batch IA & AS officer.

SUDEEP SHRIVASTAVA LIKELY TO RETURN TO PARENT CADRE IN DEC

Sudeep Shrivastava, Director, Department of Health and Family Welfare, is expected to return to parent cadre in December this year after completion of his central deputation tenure. He is a 2001 batch officer of Indian Railway Service of Signal Engineers (IRSSE).

By arrangement with: http:// whispersinthecorridors.com

Law Committee to discuss fake invoices New Delhi: An urgent meeting of the Law Committee of the Goods and Service Tax (GST) Council has been convened on Wednesday here in New Delhi to discuss in detail the issue of fake invoices to claim input tax credit under the indirect tax regime.

The meet will deliberate on ways of further tightening of the GST registration process and work out other legal measures including necessary law amendment required in GST Act to do away with the menace of

fake invoicing, sources in the finance ministry said here on Monday.

The sources said that this meeting is part of the nationwide drive against the GST fake invoice frauds under which in last four

days Directorate General of GST Intelligence (DGGI) has arrested 25 persons including two professionals, identified about 1180 entities and booked 350 cases against unscrupulous elements involved in availing and passing on of ineligible input tax credit (ITC) fraudulently.

The crackdown which was carried out from November 9 to November 13 was resumed on Monday after Diwali recess.

Finance ministry sources said that the

fake invoices were not only issued for availing or passing on of the ITC but were also used as a conduit for nefarious activities leading to tax evasion, massive bank loan fraud, money laundering and hawala transactions.

This has a very serious impact on the economy in the long run. These activities have been largely carried out by non-existent or fly-by-night firms and by using a network of firms game the system to usurp ITC on commission basis.

NEWS JAIPUR | TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2020

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17-year-old’s head smashed with stone over PUBG craze First India Bureau Rajsamand: The craze for PUBG, a mobile game banned in India, led to murder of a teenager in Rajsamand district.

The victim, 17-year-old Hamid and the 14-year-old accused were crazy about the mobile game but the accused did not have a mobile phone for the last two months.

He sought the victim’s mobile phone in order to play the game but the latter refused, this enraged the accused and he attacked Hamid with stones killing him, the police said.

The victim was found dead in the hillocks near Jaitpura village on November 11. His parents told the police that they returned home after working in the fields

FI VIEW addiction PyourUBG can also harm mental health,

on November 9 evening but he did not return.

His phone was also switched off. The villagers searched for him and informed the police.

On November 11, a cattle grazer noticed the body. On investigating

his mobile calls and location, the police reached the accused, a class 8 student, and held him. On questioning, the accused told the police that they both used to play PUBG on thhe deceased’s mobile as he did not own a

2 killed, 3 critical as car turns turtle on NH 21 Deepak Lawania

Bharatpur: Saving a stray animal on National Highway No. 21 proved costly for a family travelling in a car on Sunday morning. The car, carrying five persons, turned turtle on their way to Mehandipur Balaji, where two brothers died on the spot. Condition of three others, including a 10-year-old, is said to be critical. The police informed their relatives and sent the injured to Mahwa Hospital, from where they were referred to the SMS Hos-

pital, Jaipur. Police supervised the post mortem and handed over the dead bodies to the family members. Sahab Singh, in-charge Kherli Mor said Vipin, 33, son Narendra Rastogi, his younger brother Kuldeep Rastogi

(29), his maternal uncle Rajendra Rastogi (52), cousin brother Kuldeep (45) and son Ujjwal (10) son Kuldeep Rastogi hailed from Meerut in Uttar Pradesh and were travelling in the car to Mehandipur Balaji.

phone as such asked Hamid to lend his phone for some time.

As Hamid refused, the accused hit him on his head with heavy stones and fled away with the phone, the police said.

Couple jumps before train, dies Nagaur: A couple committed suicide by jumping in front of the train on Monday in Degana town of Nagaur. The incident took place near the railway tunnel located at the Revant gate. According to the information, the couple was run over by the goods train near the Pole 478/9. The deceased Vijendra Meghwal (22) was a resident of Kirch and his girlfriend Munni Devi was married three years ago in Chardas. Reasons for committing suicide have not been revealed.

as recognized by the World Health Organization in 2018. PUBG Mobile can cause anxiety and stress in gamers, due to the lack of social interaction.

PUBGcan trigger aggressive thoughts, emotions and behaviour affecting the mental well-being of the players. These can create long-term impressions on the minds of young children. People gaming for long hours end up becoming less socially active.PUBG was recently banned in India due to security reasons.

Godman confines family, rapes girl during havan First India Bureau Jhunjhunu: A minor girl was raped by a baba in the Khetri Nagar of the Jhunjhunu district on the eve of Diwali. In the name of worshipping, the accused locked the entire family in a room and raped the 11-yearold girl. The police reached the spot but by then the accused had fled. A search is on to nab him..

According to the police, one Rajputan Kharkada, resident of the district, reported that on November 14, Gotha Tan Dhod Sikar resident Baba Lalchand alias Babulal Jangid came to the house to perform a havan around 8.15 pm. During the puja, the accused locked the family members in a room and forced

Jaipur: State president of the All Coaching Institutes Association of Rajasthan, R C Sharma on Monday announced the decision of the association to join the ongoing protest of Forum of Private Schools of Rajasthan (FOPSOR) from November 17. He said despite making repeated requests to the state government for the last three months it hasn’t taken the decision to reopen the

FOPSOR has threatened a state wide street agitation by 11 lakh employees of 50,000 private schools.

coaching institutes across the state which has created a precarious situation for the teachers and employees of the coaching centres.

Sharma said in the absence of any financial help by the state government they had no option but to re-open the coaching institutes.

COLLECTOR’S PR GONE BAD!

the fast unto death at Shaheed Smarak by Hemlata Sharma and Seema Sharma of FOPSOR entered the eighth day in the absence of any positive response from the state government. Later, Seema Sharma was admitted to a hospital due to ill health. FOP-

SOR representatives had met Governor Kalraj Mishra and requested him to take action on their demands. Governor had not only called the CM on phone but also written a letter to him regarding the resolution of the demands made by FOPSOR.

O

RK Jayaswal

he fell drastically short of his ‘response’ to MLAs and as a result, two ‘honorable’ legislators have been ‘heartbroken’. Such is the level of their disenchantment

with the Collector that these MLAs - Girraj Malinga and Khiladi Bairwa - have registered their discontent with the CMO, after which CM Ashok Gehlot called these legislators for a meet and learnt of the ‘problems’ faced by them and the ‘poor response’ given by the Collector towards these problems ‘faced by the general public’.

—Naresh Sharma

threatened the girl with dire consequences and also said he would kill her mom if she spilled the beans. Police have registered a case against the person and started investigation.

Cop dies in mishap Sirohi : A policeman was killed in an accident on the 4-lane highway near the Posalia village in Sirohi. The deceased Chunnilal Meena was on his way home from the agricultural well on a motorcycle. The incident happened while he was taking U-turn on the 4-lane road and a speeding Bolero smacked into the bike from behind leaving Chunnilal badly injured. The impact of the collision was so severe that it left the bike and Bolero terribly

DIWALI ‘GIFT’ TO SELF!

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hose who reach the higher echelons of bureaucracy know that as much as a bureaucrat’s public relation (PR) activities are important, an equally similar, if not more important, is the connect between bureaucracy and politicians, since after a certain level, it is the politician that is more important for the ‘career’ of a bureaucrat. Take for example the recent case with Dholpur Collector RK Jayaswal. Collector ‘sahab’ has been proactive in his PR with the people, however, it appears

the girl to seat at the havan site. About an hour later when the girl came into the room, she was too scared. When questioned, the terrified victim narrated the entire incident. After the gruesome act, he

Jaipur: Congress leaders Randeep Surjewala, Govind Singh Dotasra, Sandeep Chaudhary, Vivek Bansal, Qazi Nizamuddin, Kiran Chaudhary, Kumari Shailja, and MLA Rafiq Khan on Sunday condoled the death of Janaki Amma, mother of AICC General Secretary and Rajya Sabha MP from Rajasthan KC Venugopal at his residence in Kannur district of Kerala . 83-yearold Janaki Amma passed away on November 11 due to coronavirus infection.

Private School owners threaten state wide agitation on demands Jaipur. The Forum of Private Schools of Rajasthan (FOPSOR) has threatened a state wide agitation by 11 lakh employees of 50,000 private schools of the state if the state government does not display a positive attitude towards its demands. Meanwhile,

FI VIEW

CONDOLENCE MEET

Coaching units to join pvt schools’ stir Bharat Dixit

07

ne of the main reason why any politician can reach the top levels in their respective field is the fact that these politicians have a place to live in the political hub. It is a simple and well-known fact that being in the state capital gives several opportunities to any politician to get noticed and thus for a continuous stay in the capital, a house is needed. Perhaps that is why, keeping in mind their long term political goals, two Congress leaders have recently purchased separate flats for

mangled. After the incident, the Bolero driver fled. On receiving information, Paldi police station in-charge took Chunnilal to the hospital where he died during treatment.

themselves in the same building.

PCC Chief Govind Singh Dotasra and MLA Khiladi Bairwa have now become neighbours after buying a flat each on the eighth floor of a building in Mansarover.

Notably, several other MLAs, like Indraj Gurjar, have also taken a liking for this building.

Interestingly, the MLAs have recently shifted out of their quarters since a new building is being constructed for them and the rent being given to them in lien of the quarter will now be used to pay off the instalment of these flats.

—Naresh Sharma

As we look ahead, life will be full of challenges, the idea is to move on striving daily to live life with focus and clarity of thought.

2ND FRONT

—Jagdeesh Chandra, CEO & Editor, First India

POSTAL REG NO. JPC/010/2019-21

JAIPUR | TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2020

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COVID-19 UPDATE

WORLD

INDIA

08

RAJASTHAN

1,328,262 5,50,79,109 1,30,417 88,68,468 2,078 2,27,986 DEATHS

MAHARASHTRA 46,034 DEATHS 17,49,777 CASES

CONFIRMED CASES

TAMIL NADU 11,495 DEATHS 7,59,916 CASES

DEATHS

KARNATAKA 11,541 DEATHS 8,62,804 CASES

CONFIRMED CASES

DEATHS

DELHI 7,614 DEATHS 4,85,405 CASES

CONFIRMED CASES

GUJARAT 3,808 DEATHS 1,89,236 CASES

Minister Master Bhanwarlal Meghwal dies after prolonged illness Laxman Raghav Bikaner: State cabinet minister of social justice and empowerment Bhanwar Lal Meghwal passed away following a prolonged illness on Monday. Meghwal, 72, breathed his last at Medanta hospital in Gurugram where he was undergoing treatment.

State government has declared state mourning on Tuesday

in the light of Meghwal’s demise. All government offices in the state will be closed and national flag will be flown at half-mast as a mark of respect.

Many politicians including CM Ashok Gehlot, former CM Vasundhara Raje, expressed condolences.

PCC chief Dotasra condoled the death and prayed for the peace of the departed soul. He

informed that state government has declared 1 day mourning on Tuesday due to which the Congress party has also postponed a workshop, scheduled in Jaipur, for the party workers for upcoming panchayat elections.

Congress leaders Sachin Pilot, Vaibhav Gehlot, Mahant Kailash Sharma and a host of other dignitaries expressed their condolences.

PM UNVEILS STATUE OF PEACE IN PALI This marks 151st Jayanti celebrations of Jainacharya Shree Vijay Vallabh Surishwer Ji Maharaj

PM Narendra Modi unveils the ‘Statue of Peace’ at Vijay Vallabh Sadhana Kendra, Jetpura, in Pali, via video conferencing, in New Delhi on Monday.

—PHOTO BY ANI

First India Bureau New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday unveiled the ‘Statue of Peace’ in Rajasthan’s Pali to mark the 151st Jayanti celebrations of Jainacharya Shree Vijay Vallabh Surishwer Ji Maharaj, via video conferencing.

The 151-inch tall statue has been made from Ashtadhatu- 8 metals, with Copper being the major constituent, and is being installed at Vijay Vallabh Sadhana Kendra, Jetpura, in Pali, Rajasthan. After inaugurating the statue, the Prime Minister said: “Vijay Nityanand Surishwer Ji Maharaj used to say that the land of Gujarat gave us two Vallabh. In the political field, Sardar Vallabhb-

India has been an example of humanity, the path of peace, non-violence and fraternity for the whole world. The world looks forward to India.

—Narendra Modi, PM

hai Patel and in spiritual field Jainacharya Shree Vijay Vallabh Surishwer Ji Maharaj...

Both dedicated their lives for India’s unity and brotherhood. I am fortunate that the country gave me the opportunity to inaugurate the world’s highest ‘Statue

of Unity’ by Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. And today I am getting the privilege of unveiling the ‘Statue of Peace’ by Jainacharya Vijay Vallabh ji.”

“India has been an example of humanity, the path of peace, non-violence and fraternity for the whole world. The world looks forward to India,” he said.

Shree Vijay Vallabh Surishwer Ji Maharaj (1870-1954) led an austere life as a Jain Saint working selflessly and dedicatedly to spread message of Lord Mahavira. He also worked relentlessly for welfare of masses, the spread of education, eradication of social evils, wrote inspiring literature and gave active support to freedom movement. —ANI

PMO India @PMOIndia

Master Bhanwarlal Meghwal

Saddened by the demise of Rajasthan Cabinet Minister, Master Bhanwarlal Meghwal Ji. He was a veteran leader who was passionate about serving Rajasthan. In this hour of sadness, my condolences to his family and supporters: PM@narendramodi

Sibal’s comments have hurt partymen: Gehlot Naresh Sharma Jaipur: Hitting back hard at senior Congress leader Kapil Sibal, CM Ashok Gehlot, on Monday said, that his comments on the grand old party to a newspaper, “have hurt the sentiments of the party workers across the country.” In an interview to a newspaper, Sibal has been critical of Congress leadership after party’s poor poll show in Bihar.

In a series of tweets, Gehlot said, “There was no need for Mr Kapil Sibal to mention our in-

ternal issue in media, this has hurt sentiments of party workers across country,” he said.

“We have improved with each and every crisis and also formed UPA govt in 2004 under able leadership of Soniaji, we shall overcome this time too.” He added, “Each time rank & file of Congress Party has shown undivided and firm belief in party leadership and that is why we came out of it stronger and united after every crisis. Even today, Congress is the only party which can keep nation united.”

Ashok Gehlot @ashokgehlot51 Deeply saddened at the passing away of my ministerial colleague Master Bhanwar Lal Meghwal ji after a prolonged illness.

We have been together since 1980. My heartfelt condolences to his family members in this most difficult time, may God give them strength. May his soul RIP.

Om Birla @ombirlakota I mourn the demise of Master Bhanwarlal Meghwal, Minister in the Government of Rajasthan. He devoted his life for the welfare of all sections of society. God give the departed soul a place in his steps. My condolences to the bereaved family.

Dr. C.P. Joshi @drcpjoshi Shocked to hear about the demise of a stalwart of Rajasthan Politics Master Bhanwar Lal Meghwal ji . His work in the field of social justice and upliftment will be forever remembered .

May God provide strength to his family to bear this loss. May His Soul Rest in Peace.

RELAXED VACATION FOR UP GUV

Governor of Uttar Pradesh, Anandiben Patel, reached Sherpur helipad on Monday for a 4-day personal visit to Ranthambore. District collector Nannu Mal Paharia and SP Sudhir Chaudhary received Patel, who arrived in a chopper along with 8 member group accompanying her. Patel went to the Nahargarh Resort from the helipad where she will stay for a day and then shift to the Oberoi group hotel Van Vilas for the next three days.

Apart from taking the tour of Ranthambore National Park and taking rest amid pollution free natural beauty there is no other programme proposed in the itinerary of Anandiben Patel as the visit is strictly personal.

Dr Choudhary starts his poll campaign Younus Gesawat Nagaur: The election campaigning of the Congress candidate from ward number 43, Dr Sahdev Choudhary, for Nagaur district Panchayati Raj elections began on the customary ‘Rama Shama’ day, the day after Diwali with a bang.

The senior Congressman, Chaudhary, wearing a face mask is following all the corona guidelines while reaching out to people amid great zeal.

Jayal MLA Manju Devi Meghwal is also out on door-to-door campaigning in the villages in support of Dr Choudhary.

MLA

Congress candidate for Nagaur district Panchayati Raj elections, Dr Sahdev Choudhary addressing people during his campaigning on Monday.

Meghwal addressed public meetings in Khinyala and Rajod villages of the district and appealed to the people

to vote for Dr Sahdev Choudhary.

Speaking to the media on the occasion, Congress candidate Dr

Chaudhary said that he was telling the farmers the history of the Congress party and various schemes launched

by the Gehlot government for their benefit.

Dr Choudhary, apart from addressing chaupal meetings in Kadvasara ki Dhani and Ghatiyad villages also reached out to the voters via his door-to-door campaigning.

Dr Chaudhary was welcomed at many places during his campaign tour and he has tours listed till late night in his schedule for the coming days.

It is noteworthy that ward number 43 of Zila Parishad has around 42,000 voters and the Nagaur district election department has set up 57 polling stations for the polling day.

THE DREAM HOME!

With ‘Roti, Kapda’ sorted, its ‘Makaan’ woes for Raj bureaucracy!

Rajendra Chhabra Jaipur: While there are many stories around bureaucrats, MLAs, ministers and in general those in power, there are even more interesting stories about the government ‘quarters’ in Jaipur.

There are about one and a half dozen quarters lying vacant in Gandhi Nagar, Hirabagh and Chambal Colony. There are a few bungalows in Gandhi

Nagar that are vacant for the past two years while on the other hand several officials are running from pillar to post to get a government quarter allotted for themselves. But it appears the GAD is not interested in hearing their plight.

The reason for such abysmal state is quite interesting. Since the formation of Gehlot government in December 2018, ‘hopefuls’ are waiting for Cabinet ex-

pansion and political appointments and for these ‘new entrants’ in the government, the GAD has kept the bungalows vacant.

Only recently, the luxurious bungalow number 7 of Hospital Road has been vacated

by Ashok Singhvi and even a bungalow in OTS allotted to Niranjan Arya will be vacated.

Meanwhile, those officers who had been living in bungalows at

—Pic for representational purpose only

Hawa Sadak for the past decade and more, most of them have ei-

ther left for Delhi or have retired and even these bungalows are

locked.

There is an interesting fact about Gandhi Nagar. Till a few years back, the bungalows here were always allotted to senior IAS and only later a few IPS were allotted these bungalows. For the past one decade, even ministers have started living here.

One former minister spent Rs50 lakh to make the bungalow suit his whims, while another minister con-

structed rooms on the upper floor keeping all the rules and regulations on one side.

Then there was a minister who changed the colour of the bungalow to blue, however, later the GAD got the colour to the original cream colour.

The bungalows that are vacant for years now in Gandhi Nagar have termites harming the wood work and probably once anyone comes to live in them,

will the GAD take stock of the situation.

There is yet another interesting aspect about Gandhi Nagar. 3 retired Chief Secretaries have also started living here as after Nihal Chand Goel and DB Gupta, even Rajeeva Swarup have started living here.

Till the time the construction of his own house is completed, Swarup is getting a bungalow allotted from GAD to live in.

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JAIPUR, TUESDAY NOVEMBER 17, 2020

A DIFFERENT WOR LD?

KARISHMA GWALANI karishma.gwalani@firstindia.co.in

T

here’s no doubt that Showtime’s ‘The Real L Word’ has been a groundbreaking queer series till date; not because of its nude or semi-nude scenes, but because of its thought provoking lesbian-theme. This creatively erratic drama ‘The L Word’ is a fictional series about lesbians that had good seasons and others that erased all the initial buzz and made it into a reality series. It’s not rocket science, obviously, but you don’t need to be inherently cynical to understand why it did it.

Let’s start with the inception of the show: It launched on 10 June 2010, with the theme that was way ahead of its time. Within the first two minutes of The Real L Word, we hear the phrases that we’re not even allowed to print.

This may be the first group lesbian reality program to hit

mainstream cable during their time, but the show is anything but barrier-breaking.

Inspired by the original L Word series and produced by its creator, Ilene Chaiken, the series is a kind of Housewives meets Queer as Folk, purporting to show the “real” lives of “real” lesbians who, as the Showtime marketing spin puts it, are “every bit as glamorous, fashionable, fabulous” and “cutthroat” as their hetero housewife sisters.

The show follows six women at work & at play, and all the drama that comes along with it. There are Nikki and Jill, the Beverly Hills couple caught up in planning an over-the-top commitment ceremony. There’s Whitney, the show’s serial playgirl, caught red-handed with (multiple) women; and there is Tracy, a 29-yearold production exec, and Rose, the fiery party girl, both struggling to navigate the everyday challenges of each of their relationships. It’s dramatic, sexy, trashy, obnoxious and everything a good reality show should be.

But the question still remains, could there be a benefit beyond entertaining the masses at play in ‘The Real L Word’?

ETC JAIPUR | TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2020

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DR AJAY DATA

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ouch is fundamental to human development - a mother touch to baby or friends hugging or holding hand may have lasting impacts.

Inter-individual touch can be a desirable reward that can both relieve negative affect and evoke strong feelings of pleasure. However, in some cases sensory cues could indicate it is undesirable to interact with the touch.

We experience touch in our daily lives, and are witness to the power of it during stressed situations or sad moments.

We saw this when our Prime Minister Narendra Modi hugs or shake hands with invited guest he meet.

Seeing international, former President Obama embraced the families of the kids at Sandy Hook in 2012, and when Princess Diana broke royal protocol to hug an HIV-positive child in 1991. The power of hug continues.

Time and time again, we have seen touch wielding incredible power. It remains integral to our communication, even in an age of integrated technology – and it imparts emotion when verbal communication isn’t enough.

POWER OF TOUCH

Bring It Back

hugging patients and foster carers avoided hugging their children due to the dangers of overstepping boundaries and legal action. In 2020 Covid 19 takes the credit of creating the largest impact

against touch while advising to follow physical distance and touch was announced as possible action for decease.

Francis McGlone, a profes-

BUT FACT IS - TOUCH IS DECLINING

FA CE OF TH ED AY

In the 1960s, psychologist Sidney Jourard studied conversations between friends in different countries around the world. He found that friends in England never touched each other, friends in the US made contact twice, and friends in France and Puerto Rico made 110 and 180 points of contact, respectively.

There are a number of reasons for the decline of touch in the West.

We live in an age in which decades of sexual misconduct have finally come to light, and touch no longer feels safe. In 2018, doctors were advised against

YOUR DAY Horoscope by

Saurabbh Sachdeva

sor in neuroscience at Liverpool John Moores University, is worried about the natural consequences that may follow. “We have demonised touch to a level at which it sparks off hysterical responses and this lack of touch is not good for mental health. We seem to h a v e b e e n creating a touchave r s e world.”

Yet it would be naive to p o s i t touch as a universal good.

A mere handshake can communicate dominance, power and persuasion.

This 1984 study, titled The Midas Touch, found that servers who patted diners on the arm received a more generous tip, and people in care homes will eat more after physical contact. Power imbalances make touch a dangerous

ignored.

For now, as we find ourselves deprived of touch, we may find mediated solutions in fields such as extended reality (XR), a growing industry that received more than $4.1 billion of investment in 2019, led by major tech companies such as Apple and Facebook.

XR refers to all immersive technologies: augmented reality, virtual reality, and mixed reality. By blending the real and virtual world, XR creates a fully immersive experience that shows promising impact in not only the workplace and school, but at home as well.

Ofcourse while we use VideoMeet app for our virtual meetings and good for Corona times however I see world moving to the hybrid mode where touch is likely to come back more planned and systematic manner.

Incorporating touch into our digital communications could not only help mitigate the effects of skin hunger, but hopefully allow human bonding even when physically apart.

Holding hands with a loved one is much more than the simple perception of palm against palm — it is a reminder that touch holds emotion and power.

ARIES

TAURUS

GEMINI

CANCER

You should smile more often its good for health.

This year has changed your life in terms of fitness completely. Monetary benefits are on the chart. Trust your intuitive power and it will prevent you from making any professional mistakes. Your family support makes you strong.

The situation in the world right now can prevent you from travelling. Your good management skills will help you save more money to use for essential requirements.You will enjoy your work because of less pressure.

Your boss adores you so never disappoint when it comes to work.

You care about your partner more than anything in the world. Remember if you eat well than you for sure feel healthy so most importantly start paying attention to your food habits. If you really work hard, there will be a boost in your earnings. Your professional contacts can help you.

Your business will bloom if you add more variety of the products in it. You will easily get the promotion at a time when others will be struggling for it. Be rest assured no financial crunch will effect you in any big way.

You may have to adapt to healthy living as the need of the hour.

MAR 21 - APR 20

APR 21 - MAY 20

MAY 21 - JUNE 21

JUNE 22 - JULY 23

LEO

VIRGO

LIBRA

SCORPIO

You must not rely on people to get your work done. You must leave your worries behind in emotional matters, try and gain control on your thoughts as unnecessary thinking will serve no purpose. Value those who care about you without judging them about their past.

Loving your parents more than anything is a very special thing about you in today’s world. An exciting time is on the cards for those who are seeking some fun in life. Before choosing a career you must consult those who are from the particular field you are interested in.

Taking out time to spend with family is also important. Some of you will be really excited today for something that you have been waiting for long time to happen.

Family will be available to cater to your emotional and financial needs.

You will only hear your praises.

You have a very good control on your emotions and you don’t get bothered by problems that easily.

You will really feel financially secure by the decisions you will take today.

You may go to some spiritual place today to seek God’s blessings. You are really good at calculations.

JULY 24 - AUGUST 23

AUG 24 - SEP 23

SEPT 24 - OCTOBER 22

OCT 23 - NOVEMBER 22

SAGITTARIUS

CAPRICORN

AQUARIUS

PISCES

You are brave and your daring spirit will make you very successful. Facing unforeseen hurdles only makes your more and more confident.

Business proposal will prove to be really beneficial for you and make sure to examine all the details thoroughly.

You are on your way to success.

You may feel very desperate for your partner today. Keep your focus and and continue to forge ahead. Be very vigilant in official work as everything is under observation. For you its not hard to tackle with problems as you are always prepared for the worst.

We only understand the value of freedom when we don’t have it. Plan your career in advance and keep in mind your interest not just money.

Value what you have and those around you as without gratitude there is no happiness. Travellers may crave for more adventure. Be fair to your lover.

You love animals and have special place for them in your life. Opportunities are right in front you but you need to open your eyes to see them, simple. Professionally you are doing really well and your very satisfied with your work. Family have real high expectations from you.

NOV 23 - DEC 22

SHERRY SHROFF, Blogger

weapon, and these valid fears should be properly addressed for such situations.

Even so, French psychologist Nicolas Guéguen found that students who were given a friendly pat by their teachers were three times as likely to speak up in class. He writes: “These findings suggest that as we define and redefine the limits for this contact, we should not neglect the sense of comfort and confidence that might come through the right kinds of touch between strangers.”

While touch’s influence will never be limited to comfort alone, it would be wise to reconsider how we can integrate touch back into our lives while ensuring consent and safety for everyone.

Social distancing will have a lasting effect on our communication.

Handshakes and hugs may transform into more nontactile greetings, such as a wave or a bow.

Mother’s Touch reduces crying, Data shows that babies, who receive skin-toskin touch, cry less.

A mother’s touch produces a sense of security in the baby and this is what

stops the baby from crying.

We are extrapolate this in every relationship and situation.

Obviously, it will take time to get back to what was normal, physical touch remains a salient factor in our health, and probably should never be

10

DEC 23 - JAN 20

JAN 21 - FEB 19

FEB20 - MARCH 20

ETC JAIPUR | TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2020

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11

History of Grey’s

Anatomy

PEOPLE’S

E

llen Pompeo recently opened up about the history of Grey’s Anatomy in a new interview following the show’s shocking season 17 premiere. The actress, who plays Meredith Grey, appeared on Jimmy Kimmel Live following the premiere on Thursday night. Ellen revealed that in season one, ABC wouldn’t let her and cast members say the word “va**na,” though there was no issue with the word “p**nis.”

“There was a big fight — I may be butchering this story but — there was a big fight because with standards. She continued, “And that’s why … That’s where the term ‘va-jay-jay’ came from.

—Agency

ICON OF 2019

Priyanka Chopra Jonas

SENDING LOVE TO FANS

...her post

P

riyanka Chopra Jonas and Nick Jonas decided to light up our timeline with their Diwali wishes. The international actress and the Jonas Brothers singer sent their Diwali 2020 wishes all the way from London. The

lovebirds took to their respective social media platforms to wish their fans. In the identical photo shared by both on their Instagram accounts, Priyanka draped a gorgeous floral printed saree, matched with the printed blouse.

Whereas, Nick channelled the Diwali spirit in a black tee topped with a black jacket featuring floral work. Priyanka shared the photo with the caption, “Happy diwali to everyone celebrating. From our family to yours.” She revealed that the photo was taken by music producer and director Chase Foster. Meanwhile, Nick shared the photo with the caption, “Happy Diwali everyone! Sending love and light to all.”

—Agency

Jennifer Lopez

J

ennifer Lopez had to hold back her tears as the 51-year-old singer accepted her People’s Icon of 2019 award at E! People’s Choice Awards 2020, courtesy of a heartwarming congratulatory message from her 12-year-old twins Emme and Max Muñiz. Armie Hammer, who stars opposite JLo in upcoming flick Shotgun Wedding presented the prestigious award to his co-star as he shared, “Without many role models to guide her along the path, Jennifer inadvertently became one. Every step she took was the opposite of traditional and she pursued her dreams full force and never waited on somebody else to give her permission.”

—Agency

JUG JUG JEEYO

CHRISTMAS

F

PLANS

K

hloe Kardashian recently caught heat on social media recently for revealing her family’s potential Christmas Eve plans. The reality TV star, 36, said that their annual party, known for being huge, might still happen despite the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Kardashian was responding to a fan on Twitter who asked if the bash would be cancelled this year.

“I pray not!” she wrote. “I think it will have to be way smaller obviously. And I’m totally fine with that! But we’re definitely celebrating Christmas!” “It will just have to be small a n d s a f e.

M ay be do rapid testing before. We have to think of what is safest” the Good American founder added.

—Agency

I think it will have to be way smaller obviously.

And I’m totally fine with that! But we’re definitely celebrating Christmas!

Khloe Kardashian

Ellen Pompeo

Karan Johar’s post

ilmmaker Karan Johar on Monday kickstarted shooting for his upcoming film ‘Jug Jug Jeeyo,’ with actors Varun Dhawan, Kiara Advani, Anil Kapoor and Neetu Kapoor in Chandigarh.

The comedy entertainer marks Neetu Kapoor’s comeback in movies after seven years. She was last seen on screen opposite her late super-

star husband Rishi Kapoor in ‘Besharam’ in 2013. The film producer took to Twitter to share an image of the clapperboard from the film shoot to announce the beginning of the shoot. “Every elders blessing ... for a long and prosperous life #JugJuggJeeyo ... the journey begins today ... with your blessings,” he tweeted along with the picture.

—ANI

A HAPPY BIRTHDAY, INDEED

Recreating the DDLJ moment

T

he ‘Chhalaang,’ actors Rajkummar Rao and Nushrratt Bharuccha were on Monday seen enjoying their own ‘Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge,’ (DDLJ) moment as they recreated an iconic scene from the film.

The ‘Dream Girl,’ actor posted a video of herself and Rao where the duo is seen enacting Raj (Shah Rukh Khan) and Simran (Kajol) from the famous mustard field scene of ‘DDLJ.’ As the video begins, Bharuccha is seen standing in the middle of a mustard farm calling out, “Raj,” following which Rao whose back is facing the camera is seen calling out “Simran.”

—ANI

M

arking actor Aditya Roy Kapur’s 35th birthday, Zee studios and film producers Ahmed Khan and Shaira Khan on Monday announced a n e w film tit l e d ‘Om - The Battle Within’ starring him. The announcement was made on Zee Studios’ social media handles with a stunning shirtless picture of the ‘Aashiqui 2’ actor. “On the occasion of @adityaroykapur’s birthday, we present to you ‘#Om - The Battle Within’ produced by @zeestudiosofficial, @khan_ahmedasas, and @ shairaahmedkhan, directed by @ itskapilverma,” the caption of their Instagram post read.

—ANI

...still from the film

Amitabh Bachchan’s post

Lovely Wishes

M Aditya Roy Kapur

egastar Amitabh Bachchan marked the ninth birthday of his granddaughter Aaradhya Bachchan with a special collage constituting of nine pictures of the

birthday girl.

The 78-year-old actor took to Instagram to share the collage that of one picture each from Aaradhya’s growing years starting from a picture from the time when she was a baby.

—ANI

Nushrratt Bharuccha

CITY BUZZ JAIPUR | TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2020

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

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CELEBRATING THE FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS

GUJ: Family in Ahmedabad lighting crackers as they celebrate Diwali festival in the city.

RAJ: Heritage Municipal Corporation decorated Diwali lightings for the first time.

UP: Images of illuminated Saryu ghats, where 6 lakh ‘diyas’ were lit up to break the record.

Celebration time!

Govind Singh Dotasra during the ocassion

Digital Children’s Fair

CITY FIRST

T Jagdeesh Chandra greeted Youth Congress leader Sagar Sharma on the occasion of Deepawali at the former’s residence.

UP: Malini Awasthi, wife of ACS Home, UP, Awanish K Awasthi, worshipped her Gaumata Deepti and her calf Nandini on the occasion of Govardhan Puja.

RAJ: Aarav and Avika, grandchildren of Journalist Rajendra Chhabra celebrated Diwali without crackers.

he homebound kids of the state due to the raging corona crisis now have a new platform to showcase their talent in skills like painting, acting, cooking, singing, dancing, quiz and even short film making along with getting the honour of becoming corona warriors. Future society and LIC joined hands to organise the first Digital Children’s Fair (DCF), which was launched online on 14 November

by MoS (Education) Govind Singh Dotasra.

While congratulating the organisers for their initiative on corona awareness, Dotasra appealed to the children of the state to participate in the DCF in a big way. A video featuring the Education Minister along with children’s fair team member Jhanvi Sharma was also released which showcases proper utilisation of time by children during the corona crisis. The organisers said that the

BEWAJAH FROM SWAG

CITY FIRST

A Jagdeesh Chandra wished Vijendra and Poonam Solanki a Happy Deepawali on the festive occasion at his residence.

new brand of T-Shirts has been launched this Diwali by Jaipur based start-up ‘Sanguine World Artistes Guild LLP’ (SWAG). SWAG has launched the T-Shirts under the brand name of ‘Bewajah’ to offer a contextual, quirky and fresh line of thoughts, which one can wear on their

T’s and showcase their elements. The product is presently available on Amazon and soon these products would be available on all leading e-commerce portals.

Presently, these Tshirts are available in 2 colours with 3 broad themes namely – Bewajah, Spiritual and Fitness. The brand is already in the pro-

cess of launching 15 new themes with 250+ designs which will enthral the customers to explore their products on regular basis. It is also in the process of opening a customised theme option on their website, which will give power to the customers, to iterate the design as per their taste and preference. cityfirst@firstindia.co.in

DCF will not only help hone the skills of the kids but also contribute to their physical and mental development which had taken a back seat due to the corona crisis.

The DCF started on 14 November will accept entries until 14 December 2020 and the winners will be declared on 25 December. All the details regarding the participation and the prizes on offer are available on www.digitalbalmela.com cityfirst@firstindia.co.in

HAPPY B’DAY!

Mrs and Mr Navdeep Singh

WHAT’S HAPPENING!

—PHOTOS BY MUKESH KIRADOO

Anil and Tina Ambani along with their sons Anmol and Anshul left for Mumbai by a chartered flight from Jaipur on Monday, after four days of Deepawali vacation at Sawai Madhopur.

RAJ: A ‘Joy of Giving’ event was organised under the auspices of Maan-the Value Foundation. Manisha Singh, the event organiser, shared that the occasion of Children’s Day and Diwali has been celebrated with all the children, where fruits, stationery, toys, sweets as well as many joys were distributed during the event and children demonstrated their art by dancing and singing.

RAJ: Dr Sandeep Sharma, Preeti Sharma and Uttam Sharma distributed ration kits to the needy families during the pandemic.

Organiser, Michael Castelino shared that on the 15th of every month, 20 people are being given a kit of dry ration material.

(From top) IAS Alok celebrated his birthday on 15 November, Sunday and IAS Sudhir Kumar Sharma, IAS Aparna Gupta and IPS Abhijeet Singh celebrated their birthdays on 16 November, Monday. We wish them all the best!