Empowered by artificial intelligence technologies, computers today can engage in convincing conversations with people, compose songs, paint paintings, play chess and go, and diagnose diseases, to name just a few examples of their technological prowess. These successes could be taken to indicate that computation has no limits. To see if that’s the case, it’s important to understand what makes a computer powerful.
There are two aspects to a computer’s power: the number of operations its hardware can execute per second and the efficiency of the algorithms it runs. The hardware speed is limited by the laws of physics. Algorithms – basically sets of instructions – are written by humans and translated into a sequence of operations that computer hardware can execute. Even if a computer’s speed could reach the physical limit, computational hurdles remain due to the limits of algorithms.
These hurdles include problems that are impossible for computers to solve and problems that are theoretically solvable but in practice are beyond the capabilities of even the most powerful versions of today’s computers imaginable. Mathematicians and computer scientists attempt to determine whether a problem is solvable by trying them out on an imaginary machine.
Can a full-fledged quantum computer be built to factor integers and solve other problems? Some scientists believe it can be. Several groups of scientists around the world are working to build one, and some have already built small-scale quantum computers.
Nevertheless, like all novel technologies invented before, issues with quantum computation are almost certain to arise that would impose new limits
Spare the rod and spoil the child was an accepted adage until corporal punishment came to be considered an offence. Sometimes teachers used excess and unjustifiable force which physically harmed students and even left a few physically challenged. Worried parents sought legal help to stop corporal punishment of their children in schools but courts have only defended “use of reasonable degree of force” to discipline a child.
The Goa High Court is the latest to rule that a teacher can use force in school to correct a child so long as it is done without any mala fide intention. The court overturned the conviction of a primary school teacher for beating a student for drinking water of another student after finishing her own.
Empowered by artificial intelligence technologies, computers today can engage in convincing conversations with people, compose songs, paint paintings, play chess and go, and diagnose diseases, to name just a few examples of their technological prowess
The modern notion of an algorithm, known as a Turing machine, was formulated in 1936 by British mathematician Alan Turing. It’s an imaginary device that imitates how arithmetic calculations are carried out with a pencil on paper. The Turing machine is the template all computers today are based on.
To accommodate computations that would need more paper if done manually, the supply of imaginary paper in a Turing machine is assumed to be unlimited. This is equivalent to an imaginary limitless ribbon, or “tape,” of squares, each of which is either blank or contains one symbol.
Many problems are solvable using a Turing machine and therefore can be solved on a computer, while many others are not. For example, the domino problem, a variation
of the tiling problem formulated by Chinese American mathematician Hao Wang in 1961, is not solvable.
The task is to use a set of dominoes to cover an entire grid and, following the rules of most dominoes games, matching the number of pips on the ends of abutting dominoes. It turns out that there is no algorithm that can start with a set of dominoes and determine whether or not the set will completely cover the grid.
KEEPING PROBLEMS REASONABLE
A number of solvable problems can be solved by algorithms that halt in a reasonable amount of time. These “polynomial-time algorithms” are efficient algorithms, meaning it’s practical to use computers to solve instances of them.
Thousands of other solvable problems are not known to have polynomial-time algorithms, despite ongoing
intensive efforts to find such algorithms. These include the Traveling Salesman Problem. The Traveling Salesman Problem asks whether a set of points with some points directly connected, called a graph, has a path that starts from any point and goes through every other point exactly once, and comes back to the original point. Imagine that a salesman wants to find a route that passes all households in a neighborhood exactly once and returns to the starting point.
THE COST OF KNOWING EXACTLY
The best-known algorithms for NP-complete problems are essentially searching for a solution from all possible answers. Traveling Salesman Problem on a graph of a few hundred points would take years to run on a supercomputer. Such algorithms are inefficient, meaning there are no math shortcuts.
Practical algorithms that address these problems in the real world can only offer approximations, though the approximations are improving. Whether there are efficient polynomial-time algorithms that can solve NPcomplete problems is among the seven millennium open problems posted by the Clay Mathematics Institute at the turn of 21st century, each carrying a prize of US$1 mn.
NEW COMPUTATION
FORM BEYOND TURING
Could there be a new form of computation beyond Turing’s framework? In 1982, American physicist Richard Feynman, a Nobel laureate, put forward the idea of computation based on quantum mechanics.
In 1995, Peter Shor, an American applied mathematician, presented a quantum algorithm to factor integers in polynomial time. Mathematicians believe that this is unsolvable by polynomialtime algorithms in Turing’s framework. Factoring an integer means finding a smaller integer greater than 1 that can divide the integer. For example, the integer 688,826,081 is divisible by a smaller integer 25,253, because 688,826,081 = 25,253 x 27,277.
SOURCE: THE CONVERSATION
Exposing teachers to criminal prosecution for corporal punishment is definitely not a good idea for maintaining discipline in schools. That, however, does not allow short-tempered teachers to cross the line of reasonable degree to deal with errant pupils.
This one is for all those times you made an excuse for not accomplishing your goals.
Bhagavad GitaA
n innocuous-looking balloon hovering at a height of about 60,000 feet over American missile fields in Montana has led to a diplomatic row between the US and China. It has led to US Secretary of State Antony Blinken to abruptly call off his visit to Beijing. The high-level meeting was to take place after several years in an attempt to mend ties between the two countries. China reluctantly acknowledged that it was its balloon which had strayed into American airspace but said it was meant for monitoring weather and offered regret. American officials, including those from the Pentagon, insisted that it was meant for surveillance and
An innocuous-looking balloon hovering at a height of about 60,000 ft over American missile fields in Montana has led to a diplomatic row between the US and China. It has led to US Secy of State Antony Blinken to abruptly call off his visit to Beijing
was equipped with the necessary equipment for the purpose. Blinken described the intrusion as “a violation of our sovereignty” and called it an “unacceptable as well as an irresponsible action”.
The spy balloon marks a new low in the ties between
China and the US. It also raises the question about a balloon’s use for spying when China, like several other countries, has advanced satellites to monitor activities in other countries. Use of balloons for surveillance is as old as World War-II. The Japanese used balloons to drop incendiary bombs over US targets. The Americans and Russians also used it during Cold War days. The problem with the Chinese balloon is that Americans are hesitant to shoot it down for fear of falling debris causing injuries to people. The Chinese incursion is being interpreted as a message about the extent Beijing is ready to go to show its strength. Talks, meanwhile, might take place at a later date.
Sh TR Baalu & Dr @KanimozhiDMK. The new facility aligns with our “whole of aviation” approach to provide a time-saving, seamless travel experience to passengers.
Jammu: Union Minister Anurag Thakur on Saturday said govt has nothing to hide on Adani issue and Opposition parties are creating a ruckus in Parl to evade debate on people-friendly budget. Oppn insulted President Droupadi Murmu by stalling a discussion on motion of thanks to President’s address, they apologise to her. P6 www.firstindia.co.in I https://firstindia.co.in/epapers/jaipur I twitter.com/thefirstindia I facebook.com/thefirstindia I instagram.com/thefirstindia
New Delhi: The BJP on Saturday appointed Union minister Dharmendra Pradhan its in-charge for upcoming Karnataka assembly polls, a party statement said. TN BJP unit President K Annamalai will be co-incharge for high-stakes polls where both ruling party, Congress have launched intensive public outreach.
Moni Sharma
New Delhi: Addressing a gathering to commemorate the 73rd anniversary of the Supreme Court of India on Saturday, CJI DY Chandrachud said, “For the Court, there are no big or small cases -every matter is important. Because it is in the seemingly small and routine matters involving the grievances of citizens that issues of constitutional and jurisprudential impor-
SIT FILES 935-PAGE CHARGESHEET AGAINST FORMER ANDAMAN CS
tance emerge. In attending to such grievances, the Court performs a plain constitutional duty, obligation, and function.”
Chief Justice of Singapore Supreme Court Sundaresh Menon also attended the program and delivered a lecture on “The Role of the Judiciary in a Changing World”. Justice Menon said, adding that truth decay refers
5judges were appointed to the Supreme Court on Saturday with the Centre clearing the names recommended by the Collegium on December 13 last year. Once they take oath early next week, the strength of the apex court will go up to 32 judges.
z RAJASTHAN HC CJ
CJI DY Chandrachud with Singapore SC CJ Sundaresh Menon, Justices SK Kaul, KM Joseph and Ajay Rastogi on Saturday.
to the “proliferation of misinformation and devaluation of truth which attacks the justice system.”
Supreme Court of India is the busiest courts of the world and judges here are the most hard working ones.
—Sundaresh Menon, Singapore SC Chief Justice
Justice Pankaj Mithal
z PATNA HC CJ
Justice Sanjay Karol
z MANIPUR HC CJ
Justice PV Sanjay Kumar
z PATNA HC
Justice Amanullah
z ALLAHABAD HC
Justice Manoj Misra
New Delhi: The SIT probing a gangrape case against former Andaman and Nicobar Islands CS Jitendra Narain, has filed a 935-page chargesheet against him and three other accused. The team examined 90 witnesses and scientific, electronic evidence in the case.
MORBI BRIDGE CASE: GUJ COURT REJECTS
BAIL PLEAS OF ALL 7
Morbi: A sessions court in Gujarat denied bail to 7 arrested in connection with the Morbi bridge collapse incident that left 135 people dead in October, last year. Justice PC Joshi rejected bail pleas of 7 accused, including 2 managers of the Oreva Group.
RAIDS AT CHENNAI
FIRM LINKED TO LOSS OF VISION, DEATH IN US
The percentage of Adivasis declining in Jharkhand under Hemant Soren govt, says Amit Shah Soren government is the most corrupt in the country, says HM Amit Shah at ‘Vijay Sankalp Rally’
First India Bureau
Deoghar: Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Saturday offered prayers at the Baba Baidyanath Dham temple in Jharkhand's Deoghar. Home minister offered prayers at the temple with his wife, Sonal Shah.
Addressing BJP's 'Vijay Sankalp Rally' rally here, he said the population of Adivasis has deceased from 35 per cent to 24 per cent due to massive infiltration from across the international border. He alleged that infiltrators were grabbing land in the state after marrying tribal women.
SHAH LAYS FOUNDATION FOR `450 CRORE NANO UREA PLANT
Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Saturday laid the foundation stone of a `450-crore nano urea plant and township of the Indian Farmers Fertiliser Cooperative (IFFCO) in Jharkhand’s Deoghar. This will be India’s fifth nano urea plant. PM Modi inaugurated the world’s first nano urea plant in Gujarat last year, according to IFFCO. “Nano urea will benefit farmers and it is already being exported to five countries,” Shah said.
NEW ACTING CJs OF RAJASTHAN, PATNA AND MANIPUR HCs
z RAJASTHAN HC:
Justice Manindra Mohan Shrivastava
z PATNA HC: Chakradhari Sharan Singh
z MANIPUR HC:
MV Muralidaran
Prayagraj: Hinting at the recent talks that the judiciary was at loggerheads with the government on the issue of collegium system, Union law minister Kiren Rijiju on Saturday clarified that “there is no judiciary versus govt tussle in the country”. “The people who elect the government are supreme, and the entire system is being run as per the Constitution,” said Rijiju while speaking at 150th foundation day of Allahabad High Court Bar Association on Saturday.
SHOCKER IN THAR
Chennai: The Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation and TN’s Drug Controller conducted a late-night raid on Chennaibased Global Pharma Healthcare on Friday after US authorities flagged a possible contamination in a line of eye drops.
“The Hemant Soren government is the most corrupt in the country. Resources are being looted using railway wagons and tractors. People will unseat this govt from power in the state,” he said. More on P6
CM Gehlot may also meet Rahul Gandhi, other senior leaders
First India Bureau
Jaipur: Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot will be on Delhi tour today. He will leave for New Delhi from Jaipur at 3 pm by a government aircraft and reach New Delhi in about 1 hour by special flight and will go directly to Bikaner House from New Delhi Airport. There CM Gehlot
Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot
will inaugurate the Sculpture Park built at Bikaner House.
Significantly, this sculpture park is said to
be very special in itself. Due to ill health, Gehlot could not go to Jammu and Kashmir for closing ceremony of Bharat Jodo Yatra.
In such a situation, he is likely to meet Rahul Gandhi and congratulate him for successfully completing the Bharat Jodo Yatra. He may also meet Rajasthan Congress incharge Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa. During this, discussions can be held with Randhawa regarding political appts.
BJP will win all the 14 Lok Sabha seats in the State in the elections next year.
—Amit Shah, Union Home Minister
New Delhi: The Adani group has suffered massive losses to the tune of 100 billion dollars after the recent Hindenburg report, effectively stalling the group's upward trajectory. But even as the battle rages on, to beat the 'propaganda' against the company, and the fight is being fought on technical terms in the report; the markets remain volatile towards Adani group and in such an environment, it now seems that after an 'international strike' on the group, now reins are being pulled for a home grown 'domestic strike'. In what could be termed as a shocking news from Delhi, word in 'select circles' in the politico-business realm of the nation is that there is an immense pressure to cancel Adani Group's MoU with Rajasthan government. In this regard, it is believed that probably a signal is coming from the Congress high command. Few days back, the Gehlot government had signed a MoU
Adani Enterprises Ltd. has shelved a plan to raise as much as Rs 10 billion ($122 million) via its first-ever public sale of bonds following a market rout, according to people familiar with the matter. The flagship firm of Gautam Adani’s empire had planned the public note issuance for January, working with Edelweiss Financial Services Ltd (EDEL.NS), AK Capital, JM Financial, and Trust Capital, but activity has now stopped, the report said, citing people familiar with the matter.
THE ADANI GROUP CRISIS WILL HAVE NO IMPACT ON ECONOMY’S IMAGE: FM
with Adani group worth `60,000 crore for Solar Project in Rajasthan.
During the program, Gautam Adani himself gave a speech in the presence of Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot to encourage investors coming from outside the State.
Now there is a disturbance in the industrial
❍ BMC IS THE RICHEST CIVIC BODY IN THE COUNTRY
sector due to the possibility of cancellation of this MoU. However, this aspect can be discussed during Gehlot's visit to Delhi on Sunday. According to the sources connected with the high command, there could possibly be a discussion at the level of Rahul Gandhi.
of immortal voices of South Indian film industry, Vani Jayaram rendered songs in 19 languages.
In
First India Bureau
Mumbai: The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), the richest civic body in the country, on Saturday presented `52,619.07 crore budget for the year 2023-24, with the budgetary estimates crossing the `50,000 crore-mark for the first time.
The budgetary estimates this time are 14.52 per cent more than the 2022-23 amount of `
The first time that the civic body is going to spend 52 percent of the budget estimates on capital expenditure and 48 percent on revenue expenditure. Health, education, environment and transparent working are the four pillars of our budget. —Iqbal Singh Chahal, BMC Commissioner
New Delhi (ANI): A court here on Saturday discharged 11 people including student activists Sharjeel Imam and Asif Iqbal Tanha, who participated in antiCAA protests, in the 2019 Jamia Nagar case, saying they were made “scapegoats” by police & that dissent has to be encouraged, not stifled. Court said investigative agencies need to discern the difference between dissent, which has to be given space, and insurrection that should be quelled.
HM Amit Shah lays foundation stone of IFFCO’s fifth Nano Urea plant, in Deoghar on Saturday. Nishikant Dubey, Deepak Prakash & others are also seen here. Union Home Minister Amit Shah along with his wife Sonal Shah offers prayers to Lord Bholenath, at the Baidyanath Dham, in Deoghar on Saturday. Also seen here are Nishikant Dubey and other priests.First India Bureau
Jaipur: BJP Rajya Sabha MP Dr Kirori Lal
Meena marched to Jaipur on Saturday against the State government. Meena along with his supporters left for Jaipur’s Shaheed Smarak on Saturday and held talks with Minister of State for Home
Rajendra Yadav and Jaipur Commissioner of Police Anand Srivastava. Meena has been on dharna at Bassi on Agra Road for the last 12 days.
Rajendra Yadav told the media that amicable talks have been held
with the government.
“Investigation will be done in a week on their points under the monitoring of DGP. Whoever is guilty will not be spared. We will get try
to make exams more full proof. The state government welcomes those who have good suggestions. Going for investigation in CBI is not a solution,” said Ya-
dav. Meena said that 4 special paper cases will be investigated under the supervision of DGP.
“Government will take some major action in 7 days. Our demand
for CBI inquiry will remain the same. Our protest is suspended till February 12. If satisfactory action is taken in 7 days, we will not agitate further,” he said.
Ashish Mittal Bonli (Sawai Madhopur): BJP State President Satish Poonia was on the Bonli tour on Saturday. Poonia was given a grand welcome at various places including Bansda-Bane Singh, Bamboo Pulia, Bamboo-Torda, in the town. Poonia performed Pooja at Devnarayan temple at Bans-Torda and invited people for PM Modi’s Feb 12 visit to Dausa. He addressed a meeting organised in the temple premises and reached the municipal headquarter Bonli.
BJP State President Satish Poonia addressing the program in Bauli, Sawai Madhopur.
BJP’s Satish Poonia slammed the state government over the paper leak issue. He said that farmers have been cheated in the name of loan waiver, while Rajasthan remains at the number one position in the field of crime. Citing
increasing corruption, he called for the formation of BJP government in the upcoming assembly elections. Poonia appealed to reach in large numbers at Mumbai-Delhi Expressway inauguration program of PM Modi in Dausa on February 12.
2 BIKES; ANGRY VILLAGERS PELT STONES AT POLICE
4
First India Bureau
Bharatpur: A Lok Parivahan passenger bus hit 2 bikes from behind on the Deeg-Kama State Highway. Two girl and 2 male students were injured in the accident. The injured students are Satveer (18), Chanchal (16), Bharti (10), and Sumit (18). Police reached the spot and tried to persuade the crowd to unblock the highway. However, the angry villagers sat on a dharna on the road. Police had to use force as people got angry and pelted stones at them, in which 10 policemen including ASP Raghuveer Singh also got injured.
AAP’S MANISH SISODIA TO VISIT JAIPUR ON FEB 7
POLICE ARREST FRAUDSTER FOR `200 CR FRAUD
Jaipur: The devotees of Dera Sacha Sauda Rajasthan created a record on Saturday by giving a unique gift of cleanliness to every village, city, and division of the entire state including Jaipur. It was an occasion to celebrate the auspicious Bhandara after 5 years of Param Pita Shah Satnam Ji Maharaj. This cleanliness campaign was started simultaneously in the entire state. Gurmeet
Ram Rahim Singh started the campaign from Shah Satnam Ji Ashram Barnawa of UP by virtually sweeping and releasing balloons writ-
Jaipur: Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) is gearing up for the state assembly elections in Rajasthan. The preparations will take place in the presence of senior AAP leader in Rajasthan and Deputy CM of Delhi Manish Sisodia who will arrive in the state capital on February 7. The party will organise road shows of AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal in Rajasthan in March. The visit of Sisodia may attract some former MLAs and leaders of the BJP to get membership of the AAP party in the city on February 7.
Jaipur: Jhotwara police have arrested a fraudster who forced people to invest in land in Gujarat. The police have arrested Datar Singh of the gang on the charge of swindling Rs 200 crores. Singh, who is the director of Nexa Evergreen Company along with his accomplices, had tricked people into investing in land in Gujarat and cheated about 35 people of Rs 200 crore. The company has cheated people from many districts of Rajasthan. The accused is in police custody for interrogation.
Addressing the convocation ceremony, Mishra called upon universities to link quality education with fundamental research culture
First India Bureau
Kota: A nature walk was organised at Abheda Biological Park on the second day of Kota Mahotsav on Saturday. People enjoyed the boat race and multiple water sports were conducted. In the race, those who came first, second, and third got prizes. The photo exhibition at the Art Gallery and flower exhibition at Kishore Sagar Pal drew the maximum attention. The Kota Do-
ria Saree Fashion Show was also organised at Seven Wonders. The famous Kabir Cafe Band performed at the cultural evening at Maharao Umaid Singh Stadium. Heritage Walk from Mahatma Gandhi School to Garh Palace will be held today along with a dog show. Adventure activities will be conducted from 10 to 5 PM. Indian Idol fame Sawai Bhat will also perform at Maharao Ummed Singh Stadium.
ten with slogans related to the cleanliness campaign in the sky. In Jaipur, Bollywood actor and choreographer Vikas Saxena, JMCG May-
or Somya, Commissioner Mahendra Soni, Retired Judge Ram Singh Bhandari, & councilor Uttam Sharma swept the roads at Vidyadhar
Stadium, Statue Circle, and near Vidhan Sabha.
The volunteers also cleaned gutters, drains, sewerage, & public and community toilets.
First India Bureau
Ajmer: The Ajmer Discom has become the first Discom in Rajasthan to have a lab for testing smart meters accredited by NABL, Government of India. Ajmer Discom’s Managing Director NS Nirvana informed that Ajmer Vidyut Vitran Nigam Limited has now converted its Madar meter lab into a hi-tech lab where arrangements have been made for meter testing as per national and international standards. Nirvana also said that under RDSS, it is proposed to install smart meters for all consumers in the next 3 years.
The Managing Director added that a proper arrangement has been established for testing various types of meters
Subhash
Banswara: Rajasthan
Governor Kalraj Mishra on Saturday said the convocation ceremony is not the end of education but the gateway to a new life. Addressing the convocation ceremony of Govind Guru Tribal University in Banswara, Mishra called upon universities to link quality education with fundamental research culture. He also
laid emphasis on saving tribal traditions and culture. Expressing happiness over the number of girl students
being more than the male students receiving degrees at the convocation ceremony, he said this is a pleasant and
commendable achievement. Governor Mishra awarded gold medals to 30 toppers and Ph.D degrees to 11 research scholars at the function.
He expressed the need for undertaking research projects which can give modern vision to folk culture and traditions. He called for the creation of employment-oriented courses, skill development and student-centred activities for the all-round development of the stu-
as per national/international standards in the Hi-Tech Meter Testing Lab located at Naka Madar in Ajmer (of Ajmer Discom). Also, an additional meter testing system of 0.02
grade of high quality and accuracy, which is fully automatic, has been established. In this hi-tech lab, testing of all types of meters especially smart meters can be done.
First India Bureau Jaipur: Common Eligibility Test in Rajasthan Senior Secondary Level started on Saturday. Candidates were allowed entry into the examination hall after proper scrutiny. The entry gate was closed an hour before the exam. Some candidates, who could not reach on time had to return. To ensure a fair examination, candidates and invigilators were not allowed to use mobile phones. Exams are being conducted at 828 centres. Thirty-five centres are in Tonk and 183 are in Jaipur. The exam will be conducted today and on February 11 for recruitment of Forester, Hostel Superintendent, Clerk Grade-2, Junior Assistant, Jamadar Grade-2 and Constable. A total of 16 lahks 33 thousand 631 candidates will appear in the examination.
First India Bureau
dent community. Tribal Area Development Minister Arjun Singh Bamnia said that with the opening of Govind Guru Tribal University, there has been a revolution in the education level in tribal areas. He said the state government is working for all-round development in the field of education and has started several schemes for higher education and asked students to take advantage of them.
Jaipur: State Congress
President Govind Singh
Dotasra announced the names of 27 block presidents of Rajasthan Congress in the fifth list. A total of 339 block presidents have been appointed. Now, 61 additional presidents need to be appointed. The presidents of Jaipur’s Hawa Mahal block are yet to be appointed. The posts were running vacant for two-and-a-half years.
State in-charge
Sukhjinder Singh
Randhawa said that the appointment of district presidents will also be done this month.
‘Convocation is not end of edu but gateway to new life’
Interest of the borrowed amount is also mentioned in proposal: JDA
Abhishek Shrivastava
Jaipur: The Jaipur Development Authority has sent a proposal to the state government to share the required amount for the expansion of the Jaipur Metro Rail route. In the proposal, the interest of the borrowed amount is also proposed to be deposited in the account of the state government.
Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot had announced the expansion of Jaipur Metro Rail in the budget 2022-23. Presently, the Jaipur Metro Rail is running between Badi Chaupar
The length of the underground corridor will be 2.26 km, while the remaining route will be an elevated corridor.
The elevated corridor to be built in a length of 0.59 km will go up to Transport Nagar.
An underground metro station will be built at Ramganj Chaupar & elevated metro station at Transport Nagar.
to Mansarovar. Under the last budget announcement of the CM, the existing route of Jaipur Metro Rail is to be expanded from both sides of Badi Chaupar and Mansarovar. A corridor of two to three kilometers in
length will be constructed at both ends of the metro route. The metro corridor from Chandpole to Mansarovar was first constructed under Package One A. Under Package One B, underground metro corridor
Working Group meeting concludes
Rajeev Gaur and Shivprakash Purohit
Jodhpur : The Labour Bureau will conduct a demand-based survey to identify the gaps in skilled manpower in the country, an official has said. ‘’We going to start a demand-based survey. So far, we have been doing a supplybased survey that these types of people are there. But now, the Labour Bureau is going to conduct a demandbased survey in which selected industries will be asked, through sample survey, what type of skill is required,’’ Arti Ahuja, Secretary of the Union Ministry of Labour and Employment, said during a press conference on the concluding day of the three-day G20 Employment Working Group meeting.
First India Bureau
A two kilometer long elevated corridor will be built in Package One D.
This corridor will be built from Mansarovar to Ajmer Road intersection.
The total cost of expansion of metro route is `1192.32 crore.
Out of this, the total cost of Package One C is `993.51 crore.
was constructed from Chandpole to Badi Chaupar.
According to CM Gehlot's budget announcement, the Metro route is to be expanded under Package One C and One D. In Package One C, metro corridor
Finale today
First India Bureau
While the total cost of Package One D is `204.81 cr.
JDA has sent a proposal to the NCR Region Planning Board to arrange `1192.32 cr.
In this case, JDA will be able to get only `894.24 cr loan from NCRPB.
JDA has sent a proposal to the state govt to give the remaining of `298.08 crore.
will be constructed from Badi Chaupar to Transport Nagar via Ramganj Chaupar. An underground metro corridor will be built from Badi Chaupar to Ramganj Chaupar and beyond that to the boundary of the wall.
Jaipur : The tussle between RUSU president Nirmal Chaudhary and general secretary Arvind Jajda got over as both of them hugged each other and exchanged garlands at a meeting at the Jat hostel in Jaipur on Saturday. They said that they had no complaints.
Chaudhary said that Jajda had apologized and he had forgotten everything and forgiven him. Jadja, on the other hand, referred to Chaudhary as his brother and said that they were together during a meeting of the Jat Samaj. Jat community leader Vijay Poonia called Chaudhary and Jajda to Jawahar Jat Hostel in Malviya Nagar on Saturday where he talked to both the student leaders.
Former MLA Ranveer Pahalwan, many others of the Jat society were also present.
Ajmer(ANI): Uttara-
khand Police have arrested the mastermind of a fake ayurvedic doctors’ gang from Ajmer.
Imlakh, a bounty gangster, was nabbed from Kishangarh in Ajmer district on Thursday, the police said on Saturday. According to the police, Imlakh, infamous as the biggest education mafia of Uttar Pradesh, was the mastermind of the gang of Ayurvedic doctors practising in the state with fake degrees of Bachelor of Ayurvedic Medicine and Surgery (BAMS).
The gang was busted by U’khand STF, last month, and had held 7 in connection with the case.
“We have launched a manhunt for Imlakh, mastermind of the busted gang, and had arrested him from Kishangarh,” officials said, adding that the mastermind was carrying a bounty of Rs 25,000 on his head. As per police, many criminal cases have been registered against Imlakh for providing fake degrees. “He is called the biggest education mafia of UP,” police added.
SHRINGLA HONOURED WITH LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD BY JPR FOOT
Jaipur: With the beginning of the election year in Rajasthan, the political movement has also intensified. The final match of Jaipur Mahakhel will be played at Chitrakoot Stadium in Jaipur on Sunday. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will also participate in this through video conferencing at 1 pm.
Dholpur(FIB): Four days after the dacoit Keshav’s arrest, the police has now arrested his two brothers on Saturday. One of them is a prized dacoit with Rs 25,000.
The arrested accused are also indicted of conspiring to kill an MLA.
“The arrest of dacoits
Shishram Gurjar and Chhotu took place at around 9.30 am on Saturday morning near Pili Kachhar in the Sone-kaGurja area. Since the encounter with Keshav and his arrest, the police force has been conducting a search operation in the entire area.” said police.
C hief Coordinator of India
G-20 Presidency and former Foreign Secy Harsh Vardhan Shringla was honoured with the Life Time Achievement Award by Jaipur Foot USA in Jodhpur. Shringla was given this honour for providing excellent services during the Corona period and for doing remarkable work in various fields. Jaipur Foot USA Chairman Prem Bhandari said that Shringla did an excellent job during the Corona wave. A high teas was also hosted by erstwhile Jodhpur royal Gaj Singh.
She said that industries will be asked about the required skills, shortages, surplus, and whether the available skill is adequate. Inter-
Mukesh Mathrani
Barmer: Muslim community in Barmer have protested the controversial remark of Yoga guru Swami Ramdev over his controversial statement. Community members said that Ramdev had tried to disturb the communal harmony at the border. Community members have given a memorandum to the district collector in the name of CM.
Molana Sikander, Muslim community leader and also district coordinator of AIMIM, while talking to reporters here in Barmer said that they are condemning this statement. Sikander said that there is
no space for such hostility in our country, especially in this border region where Hindu and Muslims have been showcasing the example of communal harmony for decades. He said that with such a controversial statement, Ramdev has just tried to disturb the peace and harmony in this bordering region.
national organizations ILO and OECD highlighted the various types of imbalances between skills and qualifications in labour market.
During this, along with state BJP leaders and workers, sportspersons and general public will also be present. Mahakhel was started in Jaipur Lok Sabha constituency from January 15 by MP Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore in which 630 teams participated.
SUSHIL MODI IN JAIPUR TODAY WAQF REMOVES ENCROACHMENT
Jaipur: Former Dy CM of Bihar Sushil Modi will be in Jaipur on Sunday. He will interact with the media at 1 pm in the state BJP office. There will be a discussion on the Amrit budget at Indralok Auditorium at 4 pm. MPs-MLAs have been asked to give information about the budget to the people.
Jaipur: Raj Muslim Waqf Board Chairman Dr Khanu Khan Budhwali was seen in action mode on Saturday. The doors, drains and stairs taken out by the local people on the land of Waqf Board were demolished with the help of the JCB. n the coming days, an Ijtema will be held here.
RK SHARMA GETS EXTENSION FROM STATE GOVT AS RVUNL CMD FOR 1YR
Jaipur: The Energy Department of Rajasthan has issued an order on Saturday and appointed RK Sharma as the Chairman and Managing Director of the Rajasthan Rajya Vidyut Utpadan Nigam for a period of one year from the date of taking charge. In compliance of the order, RK Sharma has taken over the charge of Chairman and Managing Director of RVUNL at Vidyut Bhawan, Jaipur on Saturday afternoon. Sharma said that his main objective will be smooth operation of all the power plants.
Thakur on Saturday said the government has nothing to hide on the Adani issue and accused opposition parties of creating a ruckus in Parliament to evade a debate on the “peoplefriendly” budget.
He alleged that they had insulted President Droupadi Murmu by stalling a discussion on the motion of thanks to the president’s address and demanded that they apologise to her.
“We want discussion on President’s address and 2023-24 budget which will guide India from ‘Amrit Kaal to Swarnim Kaal’ and will lay the foundation of New India but the Opposition is running away from discussion,” Thakur told media here.
Parliament was adjourned for the second consecutive day on Fri-
day without transacting any business after the Opposition stepped up demand for independent investigation into the allegations of fraud against Gautam Adani’s companies that triggered an unprecedented stock crash.
Responding to query on Opposition’s demand, Thakur said, “The banks, LIC and RBI have already made their statements clear, while the govt has nothing to hide.” “The role of the Opposition is very unfortunate. Their response to the speech of the president is condemnable as they repeatedly humiliated her. They should immediately apologise to her,” he said.
Thakur said the Opposition was rendered speechless by the “people-friendly” budget and instead of having a discussion on it, they are creating a ruckus.
Hyderabad (PTI): South Central Railway on Friday said it was sanctioned a sum of Rs. 13,786.19 crore for year 2023-24 compared to Rs. 8,349.75 crore for year 2022-23, nearly 65 per cent increase over last year's allocation in the Union Budget. A press release from the SCR said Rs 3,374.44 crore was allotted for doubling, third line and bypass line works compared to Rs 1,531 crore last year.
SMRITI SLAMS CONG FOR DISRUPTING PARL HOUSES BUDGET 2023 TO PROVIDE JOBS TO YOUTH: MoS RAI
Kolkata (PTI): Union Minister Smriti
Irani on Saturday slammed the Congress for disrupting the proceedings in Parliament demanding an independent investigation into the allegations of fraud against billionaire Gautam Adani’s companies that triggered an unprecedented stock crash. She alleged it is a reflection of the animosity the party has towards President Droupadi Murmmu from the day she took office.
New Delhi (ANI): Minister of State (Home) Nityanand Rai on Saturday said that Union Budget 2023-24 presented by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will provide job opportunities to youths in the country with the resolution of ‘Sabka Sath, Sabka Vikas’. MoS Home Nityanand Rai addressed a press conference in Agra on Budget and said that this budget outlines the development of all sections of the society.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi to inaugurate facility on Monday
New Delhi (PTI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi will on Monday inaugurate a greenfield helicopter production facility of state-run aerospace behemoth Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) in Karnataka’s Tumakuru that will initially produce light utility helicopters (LUHs).
The defence ministry billed the 615-acre factory as India’s largest helicopter-manufacturing facility and it has been planned as a onestop solution for the country’s chopper requirements.
Officials said the HAL plans to produce more than 1,000 helicopters in the range of three to 15 tonnes, with a total business of more than Rs 4 lakh crore over a period of 20 years.
New Delhi: US defence major Lockheed Martin will showcase its F-21 fighter jet, S-92 multi-role helicopter, MH-60R Romeo multi-mission chopper and antitank weapon Javelin, among others, at the upcoming Aero-India exhibition in Bengaluru. The 14th edition of Aero-India will be held at Bengaluru in Karnataka from February 13 to 17. Almost all leading aerospace companies around the world are expected to attend the event at Air Force Station, Yelahanka.
PM MODI PRAISES BILL GATES FOR TRYING HIS HANDS TO MAKE ROTI
New Delhi: PM Narendra Modi on Saturday lauded Billionaire Bill Gates for trying his hands to make roti. The PM advised him to make millet dishes as well. Gates posted a video on Instagram where he was seen making a roti along with popular blogger Eitan Bernath. Sharing the video on his Instagram story, PM Modi said, “Superb!” He also said that the latest trend in India is millets, which are known to be healthy. “There are many millet dishes too which you can try making,” Modi said.
No panchayat will lack milk dairy, fisheries society in next 5 years: HM
Deoghar (ANI): Union Home Affairs Minister and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah on Saturday said that with the recently released Union Budget 2023-24, the Centre has made provisions and allocated adequete fund for the registration of over 2 lakh multi-dimensional Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS). He said that the PACS have been created to ensure that there remains no ‘panchayat’ which would lack a dairy or a fishery cooperative society. “To promote cooperation, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has introduced several schemes in the recently released Union Budget 2023-24.. The previous tax of 26 per cent which was used to be levied on cooperation in the field of production, has now
To promote cooperation, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has introduced several schemes in the recently released Union Budget 2023-24.
—Amit Shah, Union Home Affairs Minister and Cooperation Minister
been lowered to 15 per cent. We have also constituted a Ministry of Cooperation to check which all panchayats lack milk and fisheries society,” Shah said.
Amit Shah was addressing a function after laying the foundation stone of a nano urea plant of the Indian Farmers Fertiliser Cooperative (IFFCO) in
New Delhi (PTI): The Enforcement Directorate has questioned and recorded the statement of Alankar Sawai, a close aide of Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, in a Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) case in which TMC spokesperson Saket Gokhale was recently arrested by the agency in Gujarat, the Enforcement Directorate officials said. Sawai was questioned and also confronted with Gokhale in Ahmedabad over three days earlier this week, they said.
Chandigarh (PTI):
Suspended for her alleged anti-party activities, Congress’ Patiala MP Preneet Kaur Saturday said the party is welcome to take whatever decision it wants but asserted she always gave her best to the party.
The Congress on Friday suspended her and also asked her to explain why she should not be expelled for “anti-party activities”.
Kaur is the wife of former chief minister Amarinder Singh, who joined the BJP after leaving the Congress.
Jharkhand’s Deoghar, and said, “After the formation of the Ministry of Cooperation, we set up a data bank for Cooperatives across the country to identify which Panchayats do not have PACs, dairy, or, a Fishery cooperative society. Hence, after five years, there will be no panchayat that does not have a PACS.”
“The Congress is welcome to take whatever decision it wants. I have always given my best to the party and to the people who have repeatedly elected me. I owe it to
New Delhi (PTI): The Congress on Saturday released its first list of 21 candidates for the Nagaland assembly polls, fielding its state unit chief K Therie from Dimapur-I. The list was released after a meeting of the Central Election Committee, headed by party chief Mallikarjun
Kharge.
“The Central Election Committee of the Congress has selected the candidates for the
ensuing elections to the Legislative assembly of Nagaland,” an official statement said.
Among the other candidates in the party’s first list are S Amento Chisti from Dimapur II (ST), V Lasuh from Dimapur III (ST), Akavi Zhimomi from Ghaspani-I and Rosy Thomas from Tenning (ST).
Union Minister highlights role played by wetland ecosystem in securing the ecological, economic & climate security
First India Bureau
New Delhi: Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav on Saturday launched the ‘Save Wetlands Campaign’ in the presence of Gopa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant. This campaign is structured on a “whole of society” approach for wetlands conservation, enabling affirmative actions for wetlands conservation at all levels of the soci-
ety and involving all strata of the society.
This campaign over next one year will include sensitizing people of the value of wetlands, increasing the coverage of wetland mitras and building citizen partnerships for wetlands conservation.
Two publications were also released during the occasion, ‘India’s 75 Amrit Dharohar- India’s Ramsar Sites Factbook’ and ‘ Manag-
ing Climate Risks in Wetlands — A Practitioner’s Guide. The factbook is a one-stop resource of information on our 75 Ramsar Sites, including their values, threats they face and
management arrangements. The practitioner’s Guide on Climate Risk Assessment provides step-wise guidance on assessing the site-level climate risks and integration of adap-
tation and mitigation responses into the wetland management plan.
Yadav interacted with wetlands managers of states and heard their experiences about achievements and challenges. In his address, the Union Minister highlighted the critical role played by the wetland ecosystem in securing the ecological, economic and climate security. He also mentioned about various green initiatives taken by the Government in the budget 2023 under the leadership of Prime MinisterNarendra Modi
including Amrit Dharohar, MISHTI, PM PRANAM, Green credit and Green Growth aligned with Mission LiFE. Yadav also highlighted the achievements of the country in last about 9 years under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi during which country has not only developed economically but also with ecological balance. The Minister also emphasised on the importance of strengthening communication, education, awareness and participation for conservation of the wetlands.
them and will continue to serve them, as always. I derive my strength from my people. Everything else is secondary,” Kaur said on Twitter on Saturday.
Meanwhile, PPCC chief Amrinder Singh Raja Warring accused Preneet of weakening the Congress in Patiala, and said she should leave the party on her own. “It would have been better if Preneet Kaur ji quit the party on her own. She left no stone unturned in weakening the Congress in Patiala,” claimed Warring. The Congress’ disciplinary panel secretary Tariq Anwar had said the action against Kaur follows complaints against her from the PPCC chief Warring.
New Delhi: The Delhi High Court has directed a firm to pay Rs 2 crore as damages to pharma giant Pfizer Inc for committing “wilful” and “contumacious” contempt of court by disobeying its order. The court said if the director of the firm, Triveni Interchem Pvt Ltd, fails to pay the amount in two weeks, he shall be taken into custody and detained in a civil prison for two weeks at Tihar jail here. The court, in an interim order, had restrained the firm from making, selling, distributing, advertising, exporting or importing or dealing with any product having compound ‘Palbociclib’ or any pharmaceutically acceptable salt as it would infringe the patent of plaintiff Pfizer.
New Delhi: The special investigation team probing a gangrape case against former Andaman and Nicobar Islands chief secretary Jitendra Narain, has filed a 935-page chargesheet against him and three other accused. The team examined around 90 witnesses and scientific, electronic, technical and biological evidence, which will be crucial in the case. Narain and former labour commissioner Rishi Raj are the prime accused in the gangrape of a 21-year-old woman. The SIT has filed the chargesheet under 10 sections of the Indian Penal Code, including gangrape, criminal conspiracy, criminal defamation among others against four accused, including Narain. The investigation is still on.
New Delhi: A local court on Saturday discharged 11 people, including student activists Sharjeel Imam and Asif Iqbal Tanha, in the Jamia Nagar violence case, saying as the Delhi Police was unable to apprehend the actual perpetrators, it booked the accused as “scapegoats”. The court, however, ordered framing of charges against one accused, Mohd Ilyas. “Marshalling the facts as brought forth from a perusal of the chargesheet and three supplementary chargesheets, this court cannot but arrive at the conclusion that the police were unable to apprehend the actual perpetrators behind the commission of the offence, but surely managed to rope the persons herein as scapegoats,” the court said.
ED grills Rahul Gandhi’s aide in PMLA case
Washington (ANI):
New Delhi (Agencies):
Jammu: An army soldier was injured on Saturday in a landmine explosion along the LoC in J&K’s Poonch. Officials said that the explosion took place in Kerni sector of Poonch on Saturday.
“The explosion apparently occurred accidentally around 11.15 a.m., today. The injured soldier was airlifted to the command hospital in Udhampur,” they said.
Korba: A 37-year-old man was killed in an attack by a tiger in Manendragarh-Chirmiri-Bharatpur district of Chhattisgarh, forest officials said on Saturday. The incident took place at Kachod village under Kolhari circle of Manendragarh Forest Division on Friday evening. The deceased, identified as Budhram Agariya, was a local resident.
Patna: The Jehanabad Police in Bihar arrested a man, absconding for the last eight months, under POCSO Act on Saturday. The accused, identified as Sanjay Kumar Verma, is husband of Manju Kumari Verma, former JD-U district president. Poonam Chaudhary, the SHO of woman police station, confirmed the development. She said that an FIR was registered in August last year where Sanjay Kumar Verma was co-accused. He was facing the charge of shielding the main accused Sunil Kumar and Bittu Kumar, the police said.
Kolkata: A man was arrested at the Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport in Kolkata for carrying four bullets in his hand baggage. The arrest took place late Friday night during routine checking while the man, identified as Mohammad Ghalib, was attempting to board a Bengaluru-bound Air Asia flight, sources said on Saturday.
New Delhi: A man, who was acquitted in the 2012 Chhawla gang-rape and murder case, was arrested along with his associate for allegedly killing an auto-rickshaw driver in Dwarka. The accused Vinod and his associate Pawan were arrested for stabbing one Anar Singh (44) to death in Dwarka’s Sector-13 area early on January 26, police said.
The United States and India are looking at each other as trusted partners and their trust is seen in the initiative on Critical and Emerging Technology (iCET), Indian Ambassador to US Taranjit Singh Sandhu said.
Sandhu said, “US and India are looking at each other as trusted partners & that trust is being reflected in the iCET. The iCET is a historic beginning that provides a platform for both sides to move ahead together in the field of technology." He also said the relationship between US and India strengthened after Prime Minister Narendra Modi made his first visit to the US in 2014 and after President Joe Biden came into power, the interaction between the two countries and areas of discussion widened.
“One of the pillars of the India-US relationship has been technology which includes innovation & startup culture. All that comes together through the initiative on iCET and iCET takes it much further ahead,” he said.
He also stated, “The initiative on Critical
INDIA RELIABLE FRIEND OF SRI
LANKA: MoS MURALEEDHARAN
Colombo: India is always a dependable partner and a reliable friend of Sri Lanka, Union Minister of State (MoS) for External Affairs V Muraleedharan said on Saturday. His remarks came as he attended Sri Lanka’s 75th Independence Day. Several other foreign dignitaries also attended the event. Muraleedharan said he was happy to represent India at “friendly neighbour” Sri Lanka’s 75th Independence Day celebrations.
and Emerging Technology (iCET) is a unique initiative because this is perhaps the first time that not only the administration but academia
HILLARY
SEWA FOUNDER IN GUJ TODAY
Ahmedabad: Former US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton will be on a two-day visit of Gujarat from Sunday and will participate in programmes of the Self-Empowered Women's Association (SEWA) founded by social worker and Gandhian Ela Bhatt who died in November last year. Hillary will pay tribute to Bhatt in Ahmedabad and interact with SEWA members on Sunday, while on Monday she will visit Dhrangadhra.
& the scientific community have all come together.”
Earlier, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval made an official visit
Dr Ahtesham Siddiqui
Lucknow: The Uttar Pradesh Government has given the additional Labor Department to Principal Secretary PWD-II IAS Ajay Chauhan. This department was running vacant after the retirement of
ACS Suresh Chand of the Labor Department.
IAS Suresh Chandra retired on 31 January. After which the government has given the additional charge of 1998 batch IAS Ajay Chauhan here.
On the other hand, after the transfer of 11
Imphal (PTI): A powerful explosion took place on Saturday near the venue of a fashion show event in Imphal which actress Sunny Leone is scheduled to attend on Sunday, an official said.
However, no injuries were reported in the incident that took place in Hatta Kangjeibung area of Manipur’s capital.
The blast took place 100 metres from the venue at around 6.30am on Saturday.
It is not yet clear whether the explosion was caused due to an improvised explosive device or a grenade, he said. No militant outfit has claimed responsibility for the explosion so far.
IAS Ajay ChauhanIPS officers, 12 PPS officers have been transferred to make better law and order in the government. Ghaziabad, PPS Mahesh Tyagi ACP Noida, PPS Navina Shukla DSP Gonda, PPS Santosh Kumar DSP Shravasti, PPS Rajiv Dwivedi
DSP Aligarh, PPS Pawan Gautam ACP Noida, PPS Ajit Kumar ACP Ghaziabad, PPS Shahida Nasreen Circle Officer Aligarh, PPS Daddan Prasad DSP Sonbhadra, PPS Satya Prakash Sharma has been made ACP LIU Agra.
Thiruvananthapuram:
Legendary Indian athlete and president of the Indian Olympic Association PT Usha on Saturday complained about encroachments at her athletics school at Balussery near Kozhikode.
Usha said this was noticed at the 30 acre facility of her school which has several girls who are inmates.
“We have seen some construction that has begun in our property that was given to us for the
We have to be very careful as there are girls and hence safety and security are a must.
—PT Usha, Legendary Indian athlete and president of the Indian Olympic Association
school. I have lodged a complaint with CM Pinarayi Vijayan. We have to be very careful as there are girls and hence safety and security are a must,” said Usha.
After the complaint, the work was stopped. Usha added that this has happened after she recently became a nominated member of the Upper House.
With all G20 countries showing interest and commitment in constructively working towards the objective of the three priority areas of Addressing Global Skills Gaps, gig and platform economy and social protection and Sustainable Financing of Social Security set by the Indian Presidency, the first G20 Employment Working Group meet concluded on Saturday.
The three-day meeting of the Indian Presidency, led by the Ministry of Labour and Employment, had the mandate of addressing priorities of labour, employment and social issues for strong, sustainable, balanced, and jobrich growth for all.
The EWG meetings began on Thursday with panel discussion on ‘Exploring Strategies for
The 3-day meet of Employment Working Group was held from Feb 2-4 in Jodhpur
Global Skills and Qualifications Harmonisation and developing a Framework for Common Skill Toponomies’. Welcoming the delegates at the G20 Employment Working Group in Jodhpur, Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat called upon the members of the international community in the opening session of the second day to strive together to make meaningful progress in creating more opportunities for decent work and inclusive growth for all people.
to Washington from January 30-February 1. He was accompanied by senior government officials and leaders of Indian industry.
Delegates during the first G20 Employment Working Group meeting, in Jodhpur on Saturday. —PHOTO BY ANI
Bhopal (ANI): The Madhya Pradesh Police have arrested a member of the banned PFI outfit from Bhopal for allegedly conspiring against the government and indulging in unlawful activities, officials said on Saturday.
Officials said the arrest was made on Friday in connection with a case registered by the state police’s Special Task Force (STF) last year. The member identified as Wasid Khan, a Sheopur district resident of Madhya Pradesh, absconded in the case registered at STF.
“PFI member Wasid Khan (26), a resident of Sheopur, was arrested under Indian Penal Code (IPC) sections 121A (conspiracy to wage war against govt), 153B (assertions prejudicial to national inte-
gration) and 120B (criminal conspiracy) besides the provisions of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act,” officials said.
Khan was associated with the PFI and had been attending the organisation’s various programmes and secret meetings since 2017.
“He used to participate in secret meetings of PFI and was in contact with senior officials of the organisation,” the official said. After the arrest, he was produced before the court which sent him to police remand till February 8.
New Delhi (PTI): A day after its plant was inspected by Indian drug regulatory bodies over allegations that its eye drop was linked to vision loss in the US, Tamil Nadu-based Global Pharma Healthcare has been asked to stop manufacturing all ophthalmic products till the inquiry is completed, officials said on Saturday.
A three-member team each from the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) and the State Drug Controller visited the plant in Tamil Nadu's Kancheepuram, 40 km from Chennai, on Friday after the company recalled the eye drop.
The teams have also collected samples of eye drop — Artificial Tears — which were exported. The eye drop is not sold in India.
Khelo India
Winter Games will be held from 10th to 14th this month at Gulmarg in Jammu & Kashmir
First India Bureau
Jammu: Union Minister Anurag Thakur and the LG of Jammu and Kashmir Manoj Sinha on Saturday launched the third Khelo India Winter Games mascot, theme song and jersey. The Winter Games are scheduled to be held from the 10th to the 14th of this month. Approximately 1500 athletes
across the country will participate in the games that will take place in Gulmarg and will be played across nine sports events. Thakur mentioned, “The Winter Games, being hosted here in Gulmarg in Jammu and Kashmir embodies the visions of the Honourable Prime Minister Narendra Modi - on the one hand it has given a chance to the youth
of the valley to not just participate in the Games but also to witness an enthralling sporting competition with players from all across the country, in the comfort of their home town and it also acts as a springboard for talented athletes to showcase their sporting prowess.”
The Khelo India Winter Games started in 2020 and it is supported
by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports and is organized by the J&K Sports Council as well as the Winter Games association of the J&K. Thakur added, “In places like Shopian, where till not so long ago the youth was misled into performing acts of stone pelting, taking drugs and indulging in such activities.”
Mumbai: Reliance Jio on Saturday launched its True 5G services in Haridwar from Har Ki Pauri, taking the total number of Jio True 5G cities to 226 across the country. The telecom company said starting today, Jio users in Haridwar would be invited to the Jio Welcome Offer to experience unlimited data at up to 1 Gbps+ speeds, at no additional cost. Haridwar becomes the second city in the state after the capital city Dehradun to get Jio True 5G services, according to a company statement.
Last year was filled with unpredictable and tumultuous global events whose adverse effects percolated right down to the individual level. The Union Budget of 2023-24 was projected to include a relief for the middle and lower income class as well as push for infrastructure and job growth. The Budget has delivered on most of these expectations. The current government has done a splendid job of ticking all checkboxes by providing benefits to almost everyone be it the rural poor, youth, an average middle class man, senior citizens, corporates as well as startups. Let us look at some of the hits and misses of this budget.
BENEFITS FOR THE COMMON MAN
THE NEW TAX REGIME IS NOW THE DEFAULT TAX REGIME. HOWEVER, CITIZENS CAN CONTINUE TO USE THE OLD ONE TOO. THE PROPOSED NEW INCOME TAX SLAB IS AS BELOW:
This budget provides for `35,000 crore capital investment towards energy transition and net zero objective and energy security. `19,700 crore was allocated to the National Hydrogen Mission. The objective is to reach hydrogen production capacity of 5 metric million tonnes by 2030.
Exemption Rebate increased to `7 lakh from `5 Lakh i.e. there is no tax on income up to `7 Lakh.
Individuals with income of `15.5 lakh and above are eligible for standard deduction of `52,500 in the new tax regime as opposed to `50,000 in the old regime.
Currently, the highest rate is 42.74% income tax under the new regime. The Budget has proposed to reduce the highest surcharge from 37% to 25% in the new tax regime, thereby reducing the rate to maximum of 39%.
Limit on tax exemption for leave encashment is increased from 3,00,000 to 25,00,000.
From Jan 1, 2023, PM Garib Kalyan Ann Yojana is being implemented to supply free food grain to all Antyodaya and priority households for one year.
New Delhi: The 49th meeting of the GST Council is scheduled to be held in New Delhi on February 18, 2023, according to a tweet posted by the council. The GST Council meeting will be chaired by Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman. The 49th GST Council meeting is likely to take up issues relating to taxation on ‘pan masala’ and ‘gutka’ companies, setting up of appellate tribunals, and GST levy on online gaming, casino, and horse racing. —ANI
IND
SET TO ZOOM TO RECORD HIGH
The most awaited part of the budget -Direct Taxes- did not disappoint. The middle class happily welcomed the proposal of hiking rebate under section 87A from `5 lakh to `7 lakh in the new tax regime. Under the new tax slabs, individuals enjoy the benefits of lower taxes. For example, an individual with an annual income of `9 lakh will have to pay only `45,000 as opposed to `60,000 currently. Even the ultra rich benefit from the proposal to reduce the highest surcharge rate from 37% to 25%.
SAVING SCHEMES
Deposit limit for senior citizens’ savings scheme doubled from `15 lakh currently to `30 lakh. One type saving scheme for women introduced for deposit upto `2 lakh at 7.5% interest rate.
HUGE INFRA PUSH
The expected capital expenditure will be `10 lakh crore, up 33% year over year. Effective government capital expenditures will total `13.7 lakh crore, or 4.5% of GDP, which is favorable for the capital goods and infrastructure sector.
New Delhi: India has been going big on electronic manufacturing for the last few years and in December 2022, Apple became the first company from the country to export smartphones worth USD 1 billion in a month. According to a recent article, December was the record month for the industry with mobile phone exports of over Rs10,000 crore. Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision for 2023 is to have mobile phone exports with the segment featuring in the top 10 export category from India, Minister of State for Electronics and IT Rajeev Chandrasekhar said. —ANI
FISCAL DEFICIT TARGET MAINTAINED
Government has maintained prudence and set the deficit target for the current fiscal year to be 5.9%, a reduction of 50 basis points from this year’s target of 6.4%.
There was a major focus on rural development in this budget as the Union Finance Minister announced that the agricultural credit target will be increased to `20 lakh crore with a focus on animal husbandry, dairy, and fisheries. Allocation for PM Awas Yojna increased by a whopping 66% to over `79,000 crore which will en-
able the required infrastructure push as well as job creation.
MSME SUPPORT
While it was expected that the credit guarantee schemes brought in during the pandemic will be phased out, a revamp of the schemes has been proposed in this budget. With an investment of `9000 crore, a revised credit guarantee scheme for MSMEs would go into effect on April 1, 2023. This will allow for an additional `2 lakh crore in collateral-free credit guarantees, which will allow for a 1% reduction in the cost of borrowing. For MSMEs that are still recuperating from the effects of the epidemic, this is wonderful news. For enhancing ease of doing business, more than 39,000 compliances have been reduced, over 3,400 legal provisions decriminalized. Green Growth was one of the seven focus areas of the Budget `35,000 crore capital investment was provided towards energy transition and net zero objective.
No change in long term capital tax gain which was expected to increase.
Mumbai (PTI): Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Saturday said growth is the main focus of the budget for FY24 presented by her recently.
New Delhi: Proposed allocation of Rs7,000 crore in the 2023-24 budget for phase three of the eCourts Project will enhance judicial institutions and efficiency while ensuring courts reach every citizen, Chief Justice DY Chandrachud said Saturday. Addressing the 73rd anniversary of establishment of the Supreme Court, he said that during the COVID-19 pandemic period, the top court adopted video conferencing of court proceedings to reach out to people. —PTI
The budget proposals establish both fiscal consolidation and growth, especially inclusive growth, Sitharaman said during her maiden interaction with stakeholders outside the national capital since presenting the budget on February 1.
“Growth is the main focus. We want to sustain that recovery, sustain that growth,” Sitharaman, accompanied by the top ministry officials at the outreach event, said. She gave credit for ensuring growth to the people of the country, who absorbed the relief and policy measures introduced by the government since
We want to sustain that recovery, sustain that growth. Mumbai should be liking proposals.
—Nirmala Sitharaman, Union Finance Minister
the onset of the pandemic to make India the secondfastest growing economy.
The finance minister said it was the “express desire” of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to continue with the elevated public capital expenditure, due to which she has proposed a higher outlay of Rs10 lakh
SENIOR CITIZEN SAVINGS SCHEME: Maximum investment limit increased from `15 lakh to `30 lakh.
MAHILA SAMMAN BACHAT PATRA: One-time small savings scheme announced for women which accepts a maximum `2 lakh deposit for two-year period with fixed interest of 7.5%.
The capital account expenditure is estimated to be `10 lakh crore forming 3.3% of GDP, an increase of 33% year-over-year.
The outlay for Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana is being increased by 66% to over `79,000 crore.
50 additional airports, heliports, water aerodromes, and advanced landing zones are proposed to be revitalized.
100 critical transport infrastructure projects for steel, ports, fertilizer, coal, foodgrain sectors have been identified with an investment of `75,000 crore (`15,000 crore from private sources).
Railway outlay budgeted at `2.40 Lakh Crore which is the highest ever. It is over 9x times that of FY14.
NO CHANGE IN DEDUCTIONS
A few expectations which were missed in the Budget were increase in Standard Deductions by salaried individuals and increase in deduction level under 80C. As the government is pushing to make the New Tax Regime as the default regime, the old tax regime did not see any significant upgrades.
This is a big negative for insurance companies as the incentive of getting deductions on insurance premiums will no
New Delhi (PTI): The next e-auction for the sale of FCI wheat to bulk consumers like flour millers under the Open Market Sale Scheme (OMSS) will be held on February 15, the Food Ministry said on Saturday.
State-run Food Corporation of India (FCI) has been mandated to sell 25 lakh tonnes of wheat from buffer stock to bulk consumers under the OMSS to contain rising prices of wheat and wheat products in country.
crore under the head. She also thanked the budget-making team for making it possible to devote such a high quantum of resources for the task amid the myriad challenges like the need for fiscal consolidation. “Mumbai should be liking it (the proposals),” Sitharaman said.
The first sale of wheat through e-auction was held on February 1-2. About 9.2 lakh tonnes of wheat was sold from FCI depots in 23 states. The plan was to hold a weekly e-auction every Wednesday. In a statement, the Food Ministry said, “The second sale of wheat through e-auction will be held throughout country on February 15.”
longer look attractive. Insurance policies are often bought for tax planning which will reduce in future. Plus curbs on exemptions involving high-value insurance policies announced in this budget will also impact large ticket policy sales. The exemption benefit has been a major factor in the insurance industry’s growth in India. Huge chunks of policies are still sold during the tax planning season of January to March.
BOOST FOR PLI SCHEME MISSING
No new sectors were introduced as part of production linked incentives to boost manufacturing which was widely anticipated.
Health spending has been given an allocation of `88,956 crores, an increase of 2.7% or `2,350 crores from FY23’s allocation of `86,606 crores.
The budget allocates `7,200 crores to the Ayushman Bharat– Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojna (PMJAY), an increase of `743 crores or 11.5% from FY23 when it received `6,457 crores.
The Pradhan Mantri Poshan Shakti Nirman (PM POSHAN) has received `11,600 crores in funding, an increase of `1,366 crores or 13.4% from the `10,234 crores provided in FY23.
157 medical colleges that have already been operating since 2014, 157 additional nursing colleges will open.
The current government has chosen an inclusive approach while presenting its last Union Budget before the general elections. The focus of the budget was on stabilising macroeconomic factors and providing a strong impetus to growth and job creation. With a strong emphasis on infrastructure, health, agriculture, and green initiatives, the budget has made bold and forward-looking promises. If executed well, India is unquestionably set up for significant growth and stability, with benefits for all citizens.
New Delhi (ANI): The Indian government launched Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) in 2016 to address the issue of farmers’ inability to get crop insurance due to lack of money, high premium rates, and capping. The scheme has completed six years of its implementation.
The PMFBY is aimed at giving farmers a simple and affordable crop insurance option to ensure comprehensive risk coverage for crops against all natural risks from pre-sowing to post-harvest and provide adequate claim amounts.
The demand-driven scheme is available to all.
In this scheme, it has become easier for the farmer to report crop loss within 72 hours of any incident through Fasal Bima App, Citizens Service Centre, or nearest agriculture officer.
During this period,
claims of more than Rs1,24,223 crore have been paid to more than 11.73 crore farmer applicants. Farmers had paid a premium of about Rs 25,185 crore. That is, the farmers have received almost five times the premium paid (received Rs493 on payment of Rs100 premium) as claims.
The most important change had been that instead of 50%, the Centre now gives a 90% share in the subsidy for crop insurance to farmers of northeastern states.
proposals’
ON FEBRUARY 1, 2023, FINANCE MINISTER NIRMALA SITHARAMAN PRESENTED THE UNION BUDGET 2023-24 TO PARLIAMENT
The author is a journalist and political commentator and views expressed are his personal
TEJASHWI ON SAFFRON TARGET VIA CENTRAL AGENCIES!
Speculation has intensified regarding the re-merger of the Janata Parivar, wherein the Janata Dal (U), RJD, JD(S), INLD and the Rashtriya Lok Dal, the leaders of the opposition unit, get together to form the old Janata Dal or some coordination can be established between them. When the saffron camp came to know about this, its emissaries became active, its strategists contacted Tejashwi and told him that ‘if he only leaves Nitish’s side, BJP is ready to make him the Chief Minister of the state.’ A clear formula was worked out that RJD, being the largest party, should submit claim to the Governor to form Tejashwi’s government. When the time comes to prove ma-
jority in the house, BJP will walk out, as it once did when Mulayam’s government was in UP. But sources tell that Tejashwi flatly refused to get trapped in this saffron trap. After this, Nitish’s statement also came to the fore that ‘he will not go with BJP till death.’ Nitish also made it clear to Tejashwi that ‘he will leave the Chief Minister’s chair for Tejashwi in July-August and will become active in central politics’. Now it is possible that the central agencies may file several serious cases against Tejashwi in the month of May-June. It is said that these cases are related to the time when Tejashwi Yadav became the deputy CM of the state for the first time. The BJP hopes that Nitish will hardly be able to support Tejashwi on the matter of corruption, and thereafter, the only option before Tejashwi would be court.
LOK SABHA ELECTIONS 2024: BJP ‘JUGGLING’ TO HELP OBC CASTES
The latest Union Budget has tried its best to cater to the non-Yadav OBC castes, considering that this current Union Budget will prove to be the last full-time budget before the 2024 general elections. In a way, this is a completely election budget, in which provision has been made for an additional budget of Rs 2 lakh crore for the free ration scheme for the poor. If the claims of reliable sources associated with the central government are to be believed, then the present government may announce the general elections ahead of time in order to implement the ‘One Nation, One Election’ programme. These elections can be held along with the possible assembly elections of nine States. Keeping this idea in mind, ‘Pradhan Mantri Vishwakarma Kaushal Samman Yojana’ has been launched in the budget and it is believed that this scheme is going to benefit the non-Yadav OBC castes across the country, especially in UP. In UP alone there are more than 52% OBC castes, even if Yadavs are excluded from this, then this figure remains at 42%, which is a group of more than 140 castes and this group plays an important role in defeating or winning a candidate in elections. In the 2014 general elections also, the OBC castes played the most important role in forming the BJP government.
WILL ILTIJA MUFTI ENTER POLITICS?
Iltija Mufti, the elder daughter of former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti, is said to be all set to enter politics. In recent times she has been seen walking in step with Rahul Gandhi in his Bharat Jodo Yatra. Fluent in Hindi, English and Urdu languages, Iltija did her schooling from a boarding school in Shimla, then graduated from Delhi University and went to London’s Warwick University for her post graduation. After returning from there, she worked in a think tank in Delhi, then started working for ‘Gulf News’. After the abrogation of Article 370 in Kashmir, Iltija started making her video blog regularly — ‘Aapki Baat with Iltija.’ Even when asked, she says — ‘No, I don’t want to do politics,’ but no tell for sure what her future plans really are.
BJP TO RAISE UCC, POPULATION CONTROL ISSUES
NAGAR NIGAM KOTA SOUTH
Bhanwar S Charan
Kota: Amid fierce disputes, allegations and counter-accusations and uproar between the government and the opposition, the budget of Rs 605 crores of Municipal Corporation Kota (South) was passed on Saturday.
Two BJP MLAs Madan Dilawar and Sandeep Sharma also reached to attend the budget meeting. However, when Dilawar started alleging discrimination in works in North and South Corporation wards, the Congress councillors
got agitated and a huge ruckus was created. The matter went on increasing amidst sloganeering and dharna. During the board meeting, Acting Commissioner Ambalal Meena was also targeted by the
First India Bureau
Rajsamand: BJP MP Diya Kumari reached Bhim on a two-day tour of her Lok Sabha constituency on Saturday. The MP reached Brar area of Bhim, where she inaugurated a medical camp.
councillors. A board of Narak Nigam was installed right in front of the first commissioner, and a councillor Lekhraj Yogi presented a lollipop to the officiating commissioner.
During this, cases of
non-distribution of sports material to councillors also arose along with allegations of corruption. Some councillors tore papers and threw them at the officiating commissioner. Later, Leader of
Opposition Vivek Rajvanshi termed the budget as fictitious and paper and alleged that the officials have failed to provide a roadmap for the city’s development along with the budget.
First India Bureau
This question is being raised again and again in the corridors of power in Delhi that after the construction of Ram Temple in Ayodhya — to be completed by the year end — what will be the next agenda for the BJP? An ideologue associated with the Sangh says that neither the Sangh nor the BJP lacks issues. Now ‘Uniform Civil Code’ and ‘Population Control Bill’ are to come, whose threat can be heard anytime after 2024.
However, in a written reply in Parliament, Law Minister Kiren Rijiju had said the government had requested the 21st Law Commission to undertake an examination of various issues relating to uniform civil code and to make recommendations. “The term of the 21st Law Commission ended on August 31, 2018. As per the information received from the Law Commission, the matter related to uniform civil code may be taken up by the 22nd Law Commission for its consideration,” he had said. The implementation of a uniform civil code was a poll promise made by the ruling BJP in the 2014 and 2019 Lok Sabha elections.
K’TAKA POLLS: JD(S) KINGMAKER FOR BJP OR CONGRESS?
What the upcoming assembly elections in Karnataka mean for the BJP is known from the Union Budget presented in the Parliament on Wednesday as the irrigation scheme worth Rs 65,000 crore was announced for Karnataka. In any case, the recent opinion polls conducted by the party in Karnataka have raised eyebrows in the BJP leadership. So, to ensure its victory in the upcoming State Assembly elections, party strategists want to forge an electoral alliance with JD(S), a major party in the state. In this regard, when BJP strategists approached HD Deve Gowda, he bluntly said that ‘he can think of post-poll alliance with BJP.’ But the biggest problem before BJP strategists is that
Deve Gowda is more or less saying the same thing to Congress. Deve Gowda has an old friendship with Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge. So, even though Deve Gowda did not go to Kashmir at the conclusion of Rahul’s Bharat Jodo Yatra, he did issue a letter in support of Rahul, much to the dismay of the saffron strategists.
So, these people have recently approached Kumaraswamy, son of Deve Gowda, who is said to be more inclined towards BJP than Congress. So, while father Deve Gowda was issuing letters in support of Rahul, son Kumaraswamy was voicing his mind on a local TV channel that ‘the country does not like Rahul Gandhi’.
People thanked her for fulfilling the longstanding demand of the residents of the area for a broad gauge. The MP thanked the Modi government at the centre for fulfilling the dream of broad gauge and assured the work on the broad gauge line would start soon. After the completion of the
work in the coming time, the people of the area including businesses, and tourism will also get the benefit of easy travel.
“The BJP will take the state far in the dimension of development,” the MP said.
Kota: Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla has said that to stop migration of people to cities, the infrastructure of the villages will have to be developed and intensifying the efforts in this direction, in the coming days, constructions worth about Rs 150 crore will be done in Kota Bundi parliamentary constituency. Birla said this during an interaction with media after virtually laying the foundation stone of works approved under MADA scheme in Sultanpur and Khair-
Ramesh Sharma
Sikar: PCC Chief Govind Singh Dotasra targeted the BJP during a press conference here on Saturday by saying that Kirodi Lal Meena’s statement that State President Satish Poonia did not support him shows the rift in the BJP and people know this.
Dotasra said that the ‘Haath Se Haath Jodo’ campaign will start in Laxmangarh on Sunday. In the 15 kilometre yatra, people would be told about the public welfare schemes being run by the government.
Taking on the Narendra Modi government at the Centre, Dotasra said that people are worried due to inflation, constitutional institutions are being misused and there is an atmosphere of hatred and fear. “Under the campaign, we
will go to the people in every village and at the booth level as well. It will be my endeavour to make Shekhawati a division,” he said.
Programmes will be held in Bharatpur division in Kota on February 7 and February 8.
abad Panchayat Samitis of Kota district.
Besides, asphalting work in Panchayat Samiti Sultanpur is being done at a cost of Rs 7 crore. A playground is being developed in Aaton village, water tank in
Bislai, work of crematorium in Jhargaon, Bambula Rawatan, Khedabhopal, construction of track and other development works in playground in school of Jalimpura village and Peepalda Biram village.
Ashish Choudhary
Rajsamand: Speaker of the Rajasthan Legislative Assembly, CP Joshi got emotional on stage during the Matri Pitra Poojan Day programme at a private school at Nathdwara in Rajsamand district. Remembering his late mother, the Speaker got emotional.
Joshi is on a four-day visit to Nathdwara. Addressing the people at the programme, he said that even if children have studied in Hindi medium schools, he emphasised on English.
“Mother is the first
Kamal Kant
Jaipur: The Rajasthan High Court Chief Justice Pankaj Mithal will be the Judge in Supreme Court. Farewell reference of the Chief Justice took place in the Jaipur bench of the High Court on Saturday.
Chief Justice Pankaj Mithal gave an address in Farewell reference. “I have no words to sing the glory of the holy land of Rajasthan. It is my good fortune that Rajasthan has played an important role in taking
CJ
me towards the capital Delhi or should I say that it is Shrinathji’s grace only that they turned my face towards Supreme Court,” he said. He said that the land
of Rajasthan proudly adopted him. “It is an act of justice, it is a divine act. It is my good fortune that the Lord chose me for this. For this divine work, the
judge has to burn every moment like the sun with diligence, justice, wisdom, and simple nature,” he said.
The Union Ministry of Law and Justice issued a notification on Saturday appointing Rajasthan High Court Chief Justice Pankaj Mithal as a judge in the Supreme Court. Mithal had assumed office in the Rajasthan High Court on October 14, 2022. Before coming to Rajasthan, Mithal was CJ in the Jammu and Kashmir High Court.
teacher of any child and leads the child to success. Children learn manners from their parents. Time is changing and along with being modern, it is necessary that children should also be cultured,” he said.
First India Bureau
Dungarpur: The main fair will be held at Beneshwar Dham at Triveni confluence of Som, Mahi and Jakham rivers, on Magha Purnima on February 5. Mahant’s palanquin journey and royal bath will be the centre of attraction in the fair. Former Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje will also visit Beneshwar Dham on Sunday.
What is a day? Your life in miniature – as you spend your day so you will spend your life!
—Dr Jagdeesh Chandra, CEO & Editor-in-Chief, First India
Despite a heavy snowfall on the last day of the Bharat Jodo Yatra and the type of response Rahul Gandhi received in Srinagar, do you think Congress will be able to revive itself in Jammu and Kashmir considering that elections will also happen in State?
Dr Jagdeesh Chandra:
See his popularity at that moment had reached a new high. The journalists that went from Delhi returned astonished and claimed that if elections were to happen on the day in the State, Rahul Gandhi will witness a landslie victory. But elections are different and coming together of ten thousand people, temporarily, is something entirely different. Moreover, there is another variable in this equation i.e. Rahul’s behaviour in the coming days whther he stays a politician or gets back to old self. And when elections happen, those who stood with him and shared stage like Mehbooba Mufti or Omar Abdullah would go their separate ways. This may happen at the time of election but yes there has been a little sympathy for Rahul in the valley.
When Rahul unfurled Tricolour at Lal Chowk, the party workers propagated that after Pt Nehru, it is Rahul who has unfurled the national flag at Lal Chowk. How true is that? Secondly, how different is Lal Chowk now from the past?
Saying that only Pandit Nehru unfurled Tricolor at Lal Chowk is rubbish and factually not correct. Narendra Modi himself went to unfurl the Tricolour at Lal Chowk nearly three decades back and threw a challenge to anyone who can dare stop him.
And Narendra Modi’s daring needs to be praised that he did not fear the forces then and went to Lal Chowk and unfurled the Tricolor.
So Congress claiming that they did so is wrong. In fact, in the early stages, Congress leaders were of the view in Jammu that they shouldnt unfurl tricolor because this is RSS-BJP’s agenda, however later everyone including Rahul went there and did unfurl the flag. As of today, af-
ter abrogation og Article 370, Lal Chowk has been changed completely. Earlier Lal Chowk was a spot of terror and fear, people never used to think about going there. Those who live in Kashmir they too didnt used to go there claiming that terrorists and security forces clash at the spot since it was a centre-point of these clashes. But today the situation is different.
The Congress leaders and workers who went to Srinagar for Rahul’s service were seen taking selfies at Lal Chowk. In fact when I visit Srinagar, I become astonished at how normalcy has returned at Lal Chowk. Every person can come and go and at times I wonder if I am at Lal Chowk. When I go to Kashmir, one of the way to the airport goes through Lal Chowk and I ask my driver to take me through there since there is some love for that spot. The local life there in juice shops and sweet shops has taken a new turn, so Lal Chowk has changed completely.
CEO and Editor-in-Chief, Bharat24-Vision of New India and First India; CMD, First India News, Dr Jagdeesh Chandra lays bare how various parties may have come together in Kashmir during Rahul’s Yatra but would go their separate ways in elections, how Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s daring approach at taking on the challenge of terrorists regarding unfurling Tricolor at Lal Chowk decades back needs to be praised, how Congress’ claim that after Pt Nehru, Rahul unfurled Tiranga at Lal Chowk is wrong and how BBC was wrong in only showing Gujarat riots and completely missing the Delhi anti-Sikh riots… (Part II)
ything on riots that occurred under British Raj or under Congress rule. So, is this documentary a one way exercise?
During the Bharat Jodo Yatra, an issue of Congress workers removing Savarkar’s photo in Kochi came forward. What was that issue about?
I had also heard that.It was unfortunate, indecent and should not have happened. This happened on September 7 when Rahul Gandhi reached Kochi from Kanyakumari and across the city, posters of freedom fighters had been put up. Among these was Savarkar’s photo, which was removed by Congress workers and in its place Mahatma Gandhi’s photo was put up. The video of this went viral. This was unfortunate, it shouldnt have happened. One should be decent in politics. This is not the right way.
These days the BBC documentary on Gujarat riots has made headlines. However the documentary does not mention an-
Of course it is a one way exercise. If you make a documentary on riots then it will be good if you make it in totality, since it shows justice to the issue. Generally what happens is that when a documentary is made, those making the said piece focus on a small aspect or one issue. However, when this documentary was released and people gave their reactions to it, they realised that under Congress rule so many riots happened but you have not showed that. You have made Kashmir files, but you are not making 1984 Sikh files.
As far as riots are concerned, there was a riot in Bihar, decades back, in which about 1500 people killed. Then there was Mumbai riots after bomb blasts in which 800 people were killed.
One riot happened in Odisha where 1900 people were killed when Indira Gandhi government was in Delhi. After that 1984 anti-Sikh riots also happened, in which government itself accepts that three thousand Sikhs were killed. And if you compare these figures with Gujarat, then 1100 people were killed there including 300 Hindus and remaining being Muslims. So if
you see in terms of quantum, in Delhi’s anti-Sikh riots, the government has accepted three thousand deaths in Delhi, eight hundred in other places and it is said, in public sphere, that four thousand people were killed. So in comparison to Gujarat, Delhi’s anti-Sikh riots were almost five times
Just imagine how gruesome a view it would have been. Riots should not happen anywhere, but if you project riots, it would have been better that the BBC producers compared it to the Delhi’s anti-Sikh riots.
Before BBC released that documentary, Rahul Gandhi
fire. If this is true and how do you see this irresponsible remark?
If this is true, then the entire effort undertaken for Rahul Gandhi’s yatra is for nought. Finished. How irresponsible comment it is in London that all it needs is a spark as the nation has been doused in petrol. If the BJP runs this comment of Rahul during election, then it will be difficult for Congress to get votes. Providing them security will become difficult. You can target and attack BJP or RSS, but what are you doing, you are inciting the people. How serious a matter this is. If you want to say on such lines, you can do it before your confidantes, but you are saying it in a place from where papers, web and the entire media has picked up. If this is true, then it is most unfortunate and will kill the entire impact of this yatra.
But is there any worry in BJP’s top leadership regarding the Yatra? They aren’t worried, rather are concerned. The reason for this is that the feedback system of Narendra Modi and Amit Shah is extremely good. Even if a leaf moves, they know about it, they dont take any chances. The amount of feedback Rahul Gandhi has about the yatra, Modi-Shah have five times more feedback than the Con-
gress party as in what has happened in which state. This is because they are twenty four hours in the election mode, the entire week, the entire year they are in this election mode. When after discharging their respective constitutional duties, they go to sleep, even then for one hour they must be thinking about elections as to which election is to be fought how. This is their style. They do not want to loose even a single election, nor do they want anyone else to win. Their focus is on winning election, so they take notice of it and thus they have taken notice of the yatra and they will take step when the time comes.
So it is a fact that they are not worried but are concerned.
If we look at Mohan Bhagwat’s and Narendra Modi’s comments over the past some time, does it seem that their thinking regarding Muslims has undergone a change and that there are different ideas on this subject in the party?
This is a fact. I just told you that Narendra Modi and Amit Shah are mastermind individuals and take decisions according to the time. They dont take decisions based on their ego rather based on incidents and developments. At times they take a U-turn also, keeping in mind the people’s mandate and people’s mood and elections. Now they have assessed that they dont
have any threat in 2024. The so-called polarisation that had to happen has already happened, the Hindu vote is not going to veer away. So now they have shifted towards the reality, which was much awaited, so they have done so. Firstly, PM picked up the issue of Shahrukh Khan’s movie Pathan and in its background he said that it is unfortunate that BJP workers pick up trivial issues like the movie which should not happen. That day Modi became a hero in the Muslim community. That movie became a superhit and lakhs of people watched it. So, you cant match their vision, their role and their ability. Few days before this he said that wod with the Muslim community should increase and people should mix with them, specially with the Bohra community and sufis. So they are increasing their connect with Muslims and on the other hand RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat is holding meetings with Muslims. Something is happening which is good for democracy that they are taking them along and it is then that in its truest spirit the slogan of ‘sabka saath, sabka vikas’ will become a reality. So it is current that a change is coming in BJP’s strategy and an effort is being done to bring Muslims in the mainstream.
the show
Ishita Sharma, a young model born in Sikar, Rajasthan and currently hailing from the Pink City is known for her charisma and mesmerised everyone with her beauty in the recently held Queen of India, a national level beauty pageant. The list goes on, but what you need to know is that when Ishita puts her energy into something, she’s all the way in. This young beauty answers every question with frank openness and no lack of zany charm!
You can’t help but notice Ishita Sharma – the trailblazing fashion model is a savvy force to be reckoned with. The beauty made her runway and won hearts at Queen of India auditions.
Talking about her journey, the beauty said, “Fashion and glamour industry was nowhere close to my mind, I whole heartedly follow and promote fitness though. I finished my schooling and one day I was blessed with the opportunity to work for the beauty pageant I
took that opportunity and the rest is history. I couldn’t be more grateful to Jagdeesh Chandra Sir and the First India team for their support and guidance.” When asked about her family background, the star replied, “My family lives in Hyderabad and they have supported me all throughout. I have always been passionate aboput health and fitness and for the same I also run a sports and gym wear shop in Jaipur.” She further added, “I wish to make my family and my country proud by representing myself on international beauty platforms. I didn’t realize that so many people, especially from my hometown started to look up to me and I would want them to know that always believe in yourself. Listen to your heart and slay the world! My major motivation is for the women as I always strive hard towards uplifting my fellow ladies, everyone deserves to shine and build a place for themselves.
Aries
MARCH 21 - APRIL 20
Health tips from an expert will enable you to get closer to your fitness goals. Using your initiative at work will be much appreciated. You may get a chance to pursue old hobby. Your generous behavior would enable to enjoy some lovely moments with family.
Gemini
MAY 21 - JUNE 21
Following a health diet will be a good idea.
Luck favours you today on the professional front. Focussing on health now will help you in keeping physically fit. Clarity of mind and retentive power will help you forge ahead on the academic front. Overall a good day.
Leo
JULY 24 - AUGUST 23
Family will be most supportive, when it really matters for you.
Some of you may add to your list of properties by booking a new one. It is good day to confess your love as stars appear favourable for positive reply. A long drive is likely to help you get over mental tiredness.
Libra
SEPTEMBER 24 - OCTOBER 22
Distant relatives may drop in for a surprise visit. On professional front, recognition for good work would motivate you to work harder. Those awaiting an affirmation on romantic front are likely to get lucky today, as partner responds positively. You are most wanted by your friends.
NOVEMBER 23 - DECEMBER 22
Whatever you have in mind, you will manage to implement it at work. You are likely to feel much healthy and energetic today. Visit a doctor if you have any doubts about your health. You want to have your own house and you will work hard to make your dream come true.
JANUARY 21 - FEBRUARY 19
It will be in your interest to guide a family youngster on the academic front. Scrumptious food is what you are craving for today. You may start a side business to earn extra money. You are not a jealous kind and you feel happy for others. You are a very grounded person.
Taurus
APRIL 21 - MAY 20
Despite hectic schedule you will manage to find time for family. Seek the opinion of your family before finalizing a property deal. Your bold initiatives on romantic front bring back passion and spark in romantic relationship.Overall health remains fine.
JUNE 22 - JULY 23
Your intuition will save you from a tricky spot today. Yoga would help in raising energy levels and improve your metabolism. You will manage to achieve your aim through travel. This is a great time on the academic front, when you mange to render your best.
AUGUST 24 - SEPTEMBER 23
Avoid raising controversial issues at home to maintain harmony. Successful implementation of new ideas and projects would add to your prestige on the professional front. It is a wonderful day to build new connections. Your relationship requires you to be tactful. Help your mother and make her smile.
OCTOBER 23 - NOVEMBER 22
You must create an environment of understanding at home. Your regular exercise routine promises to keep you fit and energetic. You will succeed in any sort of examination if you put your heart and soul to it. You need a break from day to tensions.
DECEMBER 23 - JANUARY 20
Homemakers will get a chance to implement their ideas. You are likely to be recognised for your efforts on the professional front. Chance of a raise is possible for some. Timely and correct decision will help you in saving a lot of money. You will be able to de-stress yourself completely today.
FEBRUARY 20 - MARCH 20
Pending paperwork concerning a property will be completed. Your spouse may make you spend more than you expected. Admit your faults in relationship. Fantastic day for investing money in stock market as you can make fortune. You miss your parents a lot and somewhere fear to loose them.
Circa 95, for my life at the Doon School, was a world unto itself. Shielded in large part from the brutal reality that existed outside the hallowed boundaries of the ample campus; we were firmly placed in the school's embracing womb. No, I do not mean we were insensitive to the outside; just engrossed in boarding school life. Our days & nights are consumed with sport, competition, and a little bit of studying. A clan, a clique if you will. There were silly things that at the time seemed epic and swallowed our myopic minds and our racing hearts. Here's introducing that world within a world...
The House. Not all of us were fortunate enough to pick our houses. Second and third-generation Doscos aside; we got what we got. What's fascinating now is how attached we became to our respective houses. “Men love their country, not because it is great, but because it is their own”. Not to say our houses weren't great. My point is, irrespective of many factors including the kind of house mates, house masters, and the perception of the house; each boy's house was his own, and it was loved unconditionally, with utter devotion. The house then, Oberoi or Tata, Jaipur Kashmir or Hyderabad; was to each of its students, a staunch religion. We lived to uphold the honour of the house. From the PT Gong to the One Act Play Competition; the Cricket Trophy to the Music Competition; each student, with relentless focus, pursued every inter-house title for his respective house.
The House also provided an identity, much like a country does. And not unlike countries that sometimes garner the wrong kind of publicity; houses too were perceived more, or less favourably, at different times (depending mostly upon how many sporting trophies lined each house’s trophy cases in the Central Dining Hall). Whatever the prevalent perception of one's house, so was one's own identity and standing in the school's social order.
Beyond unconditional allegiance to one's house & the selfimage it endowed one with; the house was quite literally, the resting place. A safe heaven, a shaded sanctum (well at least when we became senior). A
place to return to after a hard day's work. The 'common room', our watering hole, and the 'newaad' beds, our counterparts to the luxurious memory mattresses we’d ‘sacrificed’ to be here, rejuvenating, completely restful. It was in the house where we celebrated every triumph, and rued each loss. It was in the house amid 'house drinks' that teams were either congratulated or hauled up. And it was in the house that each Doon schoolboy made his little family away from family. Safe, comforting, familiar, and reassuring.
The Sc. If the house was the country, the senior most class was its vanguard. A people who defined the consciousness of the rest of the house's student body. They set the tone for the house – cool, sporting, scholarly, whatever the case. Most importantly, it was from among these super-seniors that we picked our idols & mentors. We would sometimes easily, at other times justifiably, fashion ourselves on these seniors. The fellow who scored the maximum goals in the soccer tournament final; the guy who had the biggest following at a certain girls' school; even the bloke who dared to have his head clean-shaven! The reasons ranged from solid to plain bizarre; but we all, whether we admitted it or not, had our chosen 'gurus'.
Apart from providing invaluable 'guidance'; the seniors also served as 'protectors'. At least a few important (read those wielding immense influence thanks to high cool-quotient) ones, that every wise junior had the foresight to 'butter up'; would go on to bail us out in many questionable situations; even recommend us to that much-sought-after 'post' that the senior was occupying at the time!
The Sc formers then, the senior-most set of students on campus were a much-revered lot. Sure there were those among them that were not in the best favour with students they may have rubbed the wrong way; for the most part, though, they provided sheltering respite. They were our unsaid brothers, our insurance of a good time, our indemnity in moments of strife.
The House-Master. Arguably the most complex relationship that a student shared on campus, was with his housemaster. A house-master who really was like a foster parent; complete with all the love & hate trappings that are part of real parenting. The house being a country, the House Master was its ultimate authority, its Prime Minister. And God forbid the chosen House Master wasn't exactly Mr Popular, the house would
soon turn into a dictatorship, rather than a democracy.
In all fairness to the House Master, it was a particularly delicate balance that needed to be struck. A tightrope walks along the edge of fun & liberty on one side, and faultless supervision on the other. A fall on either side would straddle the resultant extremes of 'anarchy' and 'hate'. Despite this precarious prerequisite, most House Masters were happy, as were the boys in their respective houses. Perhaps the defining aspect of the student-house master relationship was that of the latter being a strong counsel. In a real victory of the boarding school system and its true ethos, decentralized governance meant that it was for all intents & purposes, good or bad, the housemaster that would decide a student's fate. It was the keen insight into each uniquely individual student, that a housemaster used to determine appropriate action. If one were caught in a bind, the housemaster was there to help. If one were caught flouting a rule, even then the housemaster would try to resolve the problem 'in-house'; quite like the patriarch of a real family would do.
As one became senior, the dynamic with one's house master matured, much like it does between a father & a son. Less formal, more friendly. Less fearful, more mentoring. The best part, a house master's blessed pupil found himself in the much-coveted position of house captain or school prefect. It was then largely incumbent on the housemaster, to shape a boy's life on campus. And to the student, the dynamic he developed with his respective house-master, formed the most critical relationship of his tenure at the school.
The School. With all these elements, the house, the house master and the students; Doon was our universe. House first, the school a very close second. Pride for the school, often perceived as misplaced snobbishness, was in fact and continues to be, ONLY respect. Respect for a universe that helped us define ourselves as young thinking adults. Thanks to the school that let us run wild and discover ourselves. Loyalty to an institution that cultivated our sensibilities. And indebtedness to an alma mater that is so deeply engrained in our consciousness, it would be impossible to shake off.
For all of us proud Doscos who spent between six to seven years of our growing up years on the campus; the gates of the Doon School don't symbolize Alcatraz like they might have when we join as freshers. They're the welcoming gates to our home. A world within a world, unlike any other.
All eyes are on Kiara Advani and Sidharth Malhotra ever since the news of their wedding has come out. According to reports, their wedding preparations have already begun in Jaisalmer. The couple has kept everything quite discreet. On Sat-
Lilly Singh, the comedian that rose to popularity with her massively successful YouTube channel is known for making the South Asian community proud. Recently, she shared a video with American model Hailey Bieber as they were grooving to a Bollywood song.
Taking to her Instagram handle, Lilly shared a hilarious reel where she was grooving to the iconic Bollywood track ‘Kaho Na Pyaar Hai’ along with American model and socialite
Hailey Bieber. In the video, we first see Lilly dancing and then the atter joined her and both of them were doing the hook step of the song. Along with the video, Lilly wrote ‘When you make a new friend… but they’re also a stunning model like hiiiii @haileybieber PS: had a blast shooting your show and becoming your new fav Canadian.’
hraddha Kapoor is one of the most talented actresses in the Bollywood industry owing to her good looks and unique acting skills. The actress is quite active on social media and enjoys a massive fan following.
Recently, the actress shared a funny video on the song ‘Tere Pyaar Mein’ which is getting immense love from the fans and their hilarious reactions will leave you
Taking to her Instagram handle, Shraddha shared a witty video of herself enjoying pani puri. In the video, the ac-
Jaisalmer airport.
That smile and glow on her face are proof of her happiness. Kiara Advani was dressed in an allwhite attire. She was seen wearing a white top which she paired with white trousers and wrapped a Pink coloured shawl around her. The actress has carried a golden-coloured sling bag with her and looks stunning as she has left her hair
riyanka Chopra grabbed all the limelight this week after she decided to reveal her daughter Malti Marie’s face at the event as her father Nick Jonas and his brothers received the Hollywood Walk Of Fame Star. On Saturday too she posted a couple of pictures as she enjoys a snow day out with her daughter Malti and her friends. Taking to her Instagram handle, Priyanka Chopra shared a couple of pictures from her ‘perfect day’. PeeCee looks stylish as ever while she hold Malti’s pram. Although, we cannot see Malti’s face but it is clear that she was in the pram and was enjoying the scenic beauty. Sharing these pictures, the actress wrote, “Creating Perfect Moments every day.”
alak Tiwari, the name that holds credit for flaunting jawdropping looks and making everyone drool! With evolving fashion trends, Palak has managed to be a step ahead and has never been afraid to experiment with quirky and stunning outfits. Though her beauty grabs eye-
balls, the charm she carries everywhere is just commendable and unbeatable! Time and again, she effortlessly became the talk of the town for her gorgeous photos, and there is no denying it.
Palak Tiwari shared new photos on her social media handle and took the internet by storm. In this new post,
Palak looks absolutely stunning as she is decked up in a maroon bodycon one-shoulder dress and poses by the beach. Palak's curves are flawless and her makeup is subtle. Fans were quick enough to praise and show their love on Palak's beauty as soon as the photos were up on the internet.
tress was grooving to the song ‘Tere Pyaar Mein.’
Along with the video, she wrote ‘Aap log kiske pyaar mein Bheege Bheege Bheege? Comments mein batao aur apni apni reels banao.’ As soon as she shared the video, fans flooded the comment section with hilarious responses.
The exhibition match of the Rajmata Padmini Devi International Shield was played at Rajasthan Polo Club today. The match was played between the team Diacolor India and RPC Argentina. RPC Argentina won the match by a score of 5–3. On this occasion, HH Rajmata Padmini Devi of Jaipur was present as the Chief Guest. She gave away the shield to the winning team. Mr. Raj Kumar Tongya of Diacolor India was also present on the occasion. Post the match, a high tea was organized in which the polo players, polo enthusiasts and the who’s who of the city were present. Spotted were Maharaja Padmanabh Singh, Maharaj Narendra Singh, Digvijay Singh, Himmat Singh Bedla, Nisha Singh, among others.
CITY FIRST
International Environment Conference was organised in Dubai by All India
CITY FIRST
The Valedictory Ceremony of the International Conference on Emerging Technologies in Computer Engineering: Industrial IoT and Cyber-Physical Systems (ICETCE-2023) was completed on February 4, at Swami Keshvanand Institute of Technology, Management & Gramothan, Jaipur, Rajasthan. The conference has drawn a diverse audience from a variety of industries, in addition to academics, researchers, and government officials.
Keynote addresses, research papers, and invited presentations covered a wide variety
CITY FIRST
On the second day of the 23rd Kala Mela was organised in JKK in collaboration with Rajasthan Lalit Kala Academy and JKK, and an Art Dialogue was organised. Along with this the National painting camp was inaugurated and painting exhibitions were also started in Art Galleries, where the works of the late artists were honoured and the excellent coordination of the creations of young and senior artists of the state and the country was seen.
In this, painter, writer and art critic Ashok Bhomik said that on the lines of foreign countries, nothing in India is
just a piece of art, here every piece of art has some story or reference attached to it. He further said that art is being created, but it is also necessary to understand the meaning of art. Pictures are not made to be understood, but to be experienced.
Sahil Choyal said that the condition of art in India is not very encouraging, there is no exposure to art which should be there from childhood.
Earlier, senior artist Himmat Shah along with officials of Rajasthan Lalit Kala Akademi inaugurated the National Painting Camp at Shilpgram in JKK, where live demonstrations of paintings by renowned artists of the country are being given.
(L-R) Anshu Harsh, Yash Kalra, Anup Soni & Somendra Harsh
of cutting-edge theoretical and practical computing accomplishments. Various renowned International and National Scientists, Industry Experts, Research Scholars and Students participated in the conference virtually. Prof. Samira Hosseini, Director of Writing Lab (IFE) & Professor (EIC), the chief guest of the valedictory ceremony presented the conference closure report. The winner of the best paper prize was selected from each track. Prof. Dr Anil Choudhary, Organising Chair ICETCE-2023 thanked all the keynote speakers, session chairs, organising team, paper presenters and other audiences.
In the Closing Ceremony of maginificent Panorama International Literature Festival 2023 (PILF), a plethora of overwhelming sentiments were shared within the Family of Writers Capital Foundation and with all delegates around the globe via social media. With the theme of Prana (Air) to nurture the nature and to spread awareness in the regard among people. Across the globe, representatives from 78 countries shared their opinions and words of art fulfil the motto behind the conduct of organising it.
Bishnoi Mahasabha
Mukam and Jambhani Sahitya Akademi Bikaner, under the auspices of Guru Jambheshwar Environment Conservation Research Chair and Gumbuk Sanstha United Arab Emirates on Saturday.
On the occasion, former Union Minister and President of Jammu and Kashmir Former CM Dr Farooq Abdullah said that wherever the message of environ-
MUKESH SHARMA/ BEAWAR
Shree Cement Limited Beawarbased Shree Sankatmochan Hanuman Mandir celebrated its 23rd anniversary with much fervour and devotion on Saturday. During the occasion, consecration and grand aarti were completed by Acharya Lakshminarayan. Company’s Chairman Emeritus BG Bangur, Chairman HM Bangur and Vice Chairman Prashant Bangur, Viraj Bangur and Vidush Bangur performed family consecration of Shri
mental consciousness conveyed by Guru Jambhoji’s Sabdavani and Jambhani saint poets goes, environment protection is ignited. Presiding over the program, former MP and Patron of Bishnoi Mahasabha, Bishnoi Ratna Chowdhary Kuldeep Bishnoi said that I am proud to
serve as the patron of the apex institution of the society with such a glorious history. Along with the spiritual revolution, he also brought unprecedented social change.
The program was addressed by special guests, former minister of the Punjab govern-
ment, Rana Gurmeet Singh Sodhi, former union minister Sanjay Singh, MLA Salil Bishnoi, film star Vivek Oberoi, former MLA Renuka Bishnoi where they expressed their views on various issues related to the environment. Various prominent speakers also addressed the conference.
Day 4 of RIFF saw a Workshop on ‘How to Present YourselfNourish Your Anchoring Skills’ by Anup Soni and an Open Forum on ‘Impact of OTT on Indian Film Industry’. In the workshop, the actor shared his experiences with the audience. The enthusiasm of the audience and students was high. The audience was eager to meet Anup Soni, listen and learn something new. Anup Soni taught anchoring tricks to the audience and students in the workshop and taught them a lot about the career. Regarding anchoring skills, Anup Soni said, ‘There is no special formula for anchoring. When I learned acting in the National School of Drama for 3 years, I also thought, what was I doing. But as I progressed in the industry, I realized its importance. I would like to say, first of all you choose what attracts you.
(L-R) Ananth Mahadevan, Animesh Verma, Anshu Harsh, Archana T Sharma, Ashish Sharma, Somendra Harsh and Anup Soni
Sankatmochan Hanumanji. Managing Director, Shree Cement Neeraj Akhoury along with Whole Time Director PN Chhangani, Presi-
dent Commercial Sanjay Mehta, Jt President Commercial Arvind Khincha were also present and sought blessings during the ceremony.
Senior officers from other units of the company attended the event too which is a major annual religious and cultural event of Shree Cement. During the an-
nual festival, Shobha Yatra, an amazing picturesque religious procession was taken out from Sri Sankatmochan Hanuman Temple premises based on Navagrahas, tableaus of deities decorated in the south Indian style. During the procession, the Bangur family seated the deity of the Lord ceremoniously in the divine chariot from their own temple with complete rituals. BG Bangur, the head of the Shree family, along with his family members also worshipped the deity.
During this, the Jiya Band of Jaipur enthralled everyone with
the melodious devotional tunes that the devotees dressed in colourful costumes could not stop themselves from dancing, dancing and singing on the melodious bhajans. On the occasion of the temple anniversary of the Shree Cement Complex, the entire temple was grandly decorated, which became the centre of attraction for the people. The festival will continue today also with a Sangeet Sandhya by the renowned singer and musician Pritam Chakravorty at the Shree Rangmanch at Beawar in the evening at 8 pm.
