HOLIDAY NOTICE
The offices of First India will remain closed on Monday and Tuesday on account of Holi. There will be no issue of the newspaper on Tuesday, March 7 and Wednesday, March 8. For the latest news and updates, visit www.firstindia.co.in —Editor
OUR EDITIONS: JAIPUR & MUMBAI www.firstindia.co.in https://firstindia.co.in/epapers/jaipur twitter.com/thefirstindia facebook.com/thefirstindia instagram.com/thefirstindia
Sanghavi says Dr Chandra has been an inspiration for many youth including me
We salute great leadership of PM Modi and HM Amit Shah, says Dr Chandra
Manish Desai
Ahmedabad: In an event named ‘Shoorveer’, Bharat 24’s channel honoured the Gujarat police personnel who showed bravery and valour during duty. Gujarat Home Minister Harsh Sanghavi participated in this program organized at the Sabarmati River Front, Ahmedabad on Saturday. Dr Jagdeesh
Chandra, CEO and Editor-in-Chief Bharat24Vision of New India and First India, and CMD First India News, and Gujarat DGP Vikas Sahay were also present during the programme. “CM could not come
KEY BJP MEET AT AMIT
SHAH’S HOME TO FORM
GOVT IN 3 NE STATES
Oppn parties write to Modi on Sisodia’s arrest, ‘misuse’ of central agencies There was no representation from Congress, JDS, JD (U), CPU, CPM in the letter
Moni Sharma
New Delhi: The BJP held a crucial meeting on Sunday at HM Amit Shah’s home regarding govt formation in 3 northeastern states where the party hopes to form government in the coming days. The big question was Tripura, where call needs to be taken on the CM post. P5
FORMER PAKISTAN PM
IMRAN ‘EVADES’ AR-
REST IN T’KHANA CASE
Lahore: Former Pakistan PM Imran Khan seemingly evaded arrest on Sunday after a team from the Islamabad police reached his Lahore residence to detain him in Toshakhana case. He said officials that he will appear at court on March 7.
New Delhi: 9 leaders of eight political parties on Sunday wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi accusing the BJP government at the centre of misusing the seat of the Governor and central agencies to target the opposition parties and their leaders, which has transitioned the country from being a democracy to an autocracy. The leaders alleged that the timings of the lodging of cases or arrests of the opposition leaders “coincided with elections” which makes it clear that the action taken was “politically motivated”. However, there was no representation from Congress, JDS, JD (U), CPU, CPM in the letter.
in our midst because of some important work. But his good wishes and blessings are with us. And anyway there is any function in Gujarat and if we do not remember PM Modi and HM Shah then function is incomplete so in their
absence we salute their leadership,” said Dr Chandra. Sanghavi started his address by praising Dr Chandra saying that at the age people plan for retirement, he has been an inspiration for many youth like me. Turn to P8
American Airlines bars Indian student from flying after urinating on US citizen
New Delhi (FIB): In another incident of unruly behaviour on air, a passenger was taken into custody on Sunday for allegedly urinating on a fellow passenger on a New York-New Delhi American Airlines in “drunken” state. It happened on an American
Airlines flight AA292, which took off from New York on Friday and landed at IGI airport in Delhi on Saturday, after a journey of 14 hours.
“The accused was in a state of inebriation and urinated while he was asleep,” DCP Devesh Kumar Mahla said
The victim, a male passenger, however was not keen on reporting the matter as the accused issued an apology and cited threats to his reputation and career. The airline, on its part, reported the matter to the ATC at the IGI airport. —Airlines official
Naresh Sharma
First India Bureau
PM MODI TO ATTEND
& TRIPURA
After a commendable win in the recently held Assembly elections in 3 NE States, PM Modi is all set to attend the oathtaking ceremonies of the CMs of Tripura, Nagaland and Meghalaya. The swearing-in ceremony in Tripura will be held on March 8, while in Meghalaya and Nagaland, it will be held on March 7. Conrad Sangma will be sworn-in as Meghalaya CM.
BJP government of softening the investigation against the opposition leaders who are being probed on different cases after they joined the BJP.
Jaipur: The victims of Sanjivani credit cooperative society scam met CM Ashok Gehlot and narrated their sufferings caused by the scam. The victims, who came from different districts of the state, apprised CM about cheating of their crores of rupees as well as deteriorating family and so-
Mallik, Azam Khan and others, the central agencies were working as extended wings of the BJP.
cial conditions. It may be noted that CM Ashok Gehlot has been repeatedly accusing union minister GS Shekha-
wat, who is the MP from Jodhpur, of being involved in the scam, a charge rejected by the minister. More on P8
Sirohi: Mandar police have seized `3 crore under hawala from a car stopped during the blockade. The police arrested two and they are being interrogated. During the preliminary inquiry both the accused informed that this money was to be given to someone in Gujarat. More on P3
BONDS
IN 2024
New Delhi: The Adani group, whose mostly debt-fueled breakneck expansion saw gross debt doubling in four years, has almost USD 2 billion worth of foreigncurrency bonds coming up for repayment in 2024, according to sources.
INDIA’S RUSSIAN OIL IMPORTS HIT RECORD
HIGH IN FEBRUARY
New Delhi: India’s imports of crude oil from Russia soared to a record 1.6 mn barrels/day in February and is now higher than combined imports from traditional suppliers Iraq, Saudi Arabia. Russia continued to be the largest supplier of crude oil.
Referring to the arrest of Manish Sisodia, the opposition leaders said the allegations against him are baseless and smack of a political conspiracy. His arrest has enraged people of the country.
Key politicians booked, arrested, raided, or interrogated by probe agencies under the BJP government since 2014, the maximum belongs to the Opposition.
Referring to the arrests of Lalu Prasad, Nawab
Timings of many cases lodged or arrests made have coincided with polls making it clear that they were politically motivated.
Offices of Governors in many States are acting in violation of constitutional provisions and frequently hindering governance.
THE SIGNATORIES ARE...
COURT
OF THREATENING TO KILL MODI
A Delhi court has acquitted a man accused of threatening to kill PM Modi in a phone call to police helpline 100, saying the prosecution had “miserably failed” to show any evidence to prove any threats to kill anyone was ever made by him.
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal (AAP)
Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao (BRS)
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee (TMC)
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann (AAP)
National Conference
chief Farooq Abdullah
Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief Sharad Pawar
Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray
Samajwadi Party (SP) president Akhilesh Yadav
Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Tejashwi Yadav (RJD)
Yogesh Sharma and Satyanarayan Sharma Jaipur: Ahead of the assembly elections due in Rajasthan later this year, Jat leaders on Sunday demanded greater political representation for the community and an increase in reserva-
tion for the Other Backward Classes (OBC).
Addressing the ‘Jat Mahakumbh’ Raja Ram
Meel
“The participation of the community leaders
should be increased in politics. There are two ministers at the Centre but both are ministers of state. The government is wrongly assessing our strength,” Meel said. He further said that there should be a caste census in Rajasthan, claiming that Jats’ population in the state is 22 per cent.
“Likewise, the OBC population is 55%. The OBC reservation should be increased from 21% to 27% in Rajasthan,” Meel said. More on P3
Govts started underestimating us, so we demonstrated strength, says Rajaram Meel(Left) Dushyant Singh, Govind Singh Dotasra, Suchitra Arya, Sonaram Chaudhary, Brijendra Singh Ola, Rajaram Meel, Yudhvir Singh, Rakesh Tikait and other leaders during the Jat Mahakumbh, at the Vidyadhar Nagar Stadium, in Jaipur on Sunday. Victims of Sanjivani credit society meet CM Ashok Gehlot on Sunday.
First India Bureau
Jaipur: Governor Kalraj Mishra, CM
Ashok Gehlot, Assembly Speaker CP Joshi and other leaders of the state wished for happiness and prosperity to the people of the state on Holi and Dhulandi.
Governor Mishra said that the festival of Holi is a symbol of social harmony and fills public life with enthusiasm and gaiety. CM
Gehlot said that various colours of Holi represent the culture of unity in diversity and inspire to make it stronger. Filled with colors and happiness, this festival teaches us to increase mutual brotherhood and love and harmony, he said.
Mukesh Mathrani
Ahead of Holi, Jaipur railway station witnessed a heavy rush of passengers on Sunday. First India photojournalist Santosh Sharma captured the hustlebustle at the station.
—PHOTOS BY SANTOSH SHARMA —PHOTO BY MUKESH KIRADOO
People buying colours and other items in Jaipur on Sunday. A seller adjusting bundle of hay in Jaipur.
Ex-Army man kills wife in Jhunjhunu
Jaipur: BJP MP Kidodi
Lal Meena continued his protest for the sixth consecutive day at Shaheed Samarak on Sunday along with the family members of three CRPF jawans who were killed in the 2019 Pulwama attack, alleging that the state govt has not fulfilled several promises made to them. Former Deputy Speaker of assembly Rao Rajendra Singh and former Chief Whip Kalu Lal Gurjar reached the spot and met Dr Kirori Lal and the families of the martyrs.
POLICE DENIES REPORTS OF MISBEHAVIOUR
R
First India Bureau
New Delhi: Governor Kalraj Mishra during his visit to New Delhi attended the Purvanchal Festival organized by ‘Mati’ Trust. Addressing the function, Mishra said, “There are a variety of folk cul-
tures, dialects, traditions, and food habits in the country and this shows unity in diversity. We can cherish the festive spirit only by connecting with the folk culture. Uttar Pradesh is a culturally unique state. Purvanchal is historically rich, he said.”
The accused, identified as Vijendra Jat, is absconding, they said.
On Saturday night, Vijendra thrashed his wife Saroj Devi (42) with a stick when she was in the kitchen, SHO Kotwali Surendra Singh said The woman was rushed to a nearby hospital where doctors declared her dead, he said.
ajasthan Police denied the reports of misbehavior with the protesting widows of martyrs during march to Raj Bhavan on Saturday. “No misbehaviour was done with any female. A female protester was to the hospital when she got sick,” a statement by police said.“Both of them used to suspect each oth -
CMD RK Sharma inspects Kali Sindh plant
Accused Vijendra.
er’s character,” the officer said. An argument broke out between the couple at night and Vijendra, in a fit of rage, hit her with a stick, he said. The couple’s 13-yearold son was present in the house when the incident happened, the SHO said.
Two women, a man of family killed after dumper rams bike in Udaipur
Udaipur: A speeding dumper rammed over bike-ridden people, killing three in the city on Sunday. The three dead in the accident include two women. The police reached the spot on the information of the accident and kept the bodies in the mortuary of the hospital. After the accident, the driver fled from the spot leaving the dumper on the accident spot. The accident happened at the turn near Dharta Jetpura Road.
According to the police, all three bike-ridden deceased belonged
to the same family. The husband-wife and their daughter-in-law died in the accident. The deceased identified as Shanti Lal (45), Rukmani (45) and Kaushalya
VEERANGANA SAMMAN(33) were heading to visit Ashapura Mataji. Meanwhile, near Dharta Jetpura Road, a sand-filled dumper coming from the front hit the bike.
them and they died on the spot. In another incident reported from Sadar police station The deceased were taken to the hospital in Barmer on Sunday.
area, a farmer who was working in the field died by a lightning strike.
Couple ends life by consuming poison
The deceased have been identified as Dinesh (30) and his wife Meena (25), SHO (Kaila Devi) Ramdayal said.
On Saturday evening, the couple consumed poison in their field. They were rushed to hospital where they succumbed during treatment, he said.
The deceased couple has a 12-year-old son and a 10-year-old daugh-
Honorarium of para teachers, others hiked
Jaipur: Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot has approved the proposal to increase the monthly honorarium of Gram Panchayat Sahayaks, Shiksha Karmis, Para teachers and Madrasa Para teachers to Rs 16,900. The hike has been done under the Rajasthan Contractual Hiring to Civil Post Rules-2022. The benefit of this increase will be given to the contractual workers having educational qualification of B.Ed, BSTC, or DLED.
Apart from this, the designation of Shiksha Karmi, Para teachers,
lll
“Our country is safe only because of soldiers. If the soldiers do not show their courage, our enemies could harm us,” Maurya said
First India Bureau
Jhunjhunu: Martyr Veerangana Samman ceremony was organised in Jhunjhunu’s Jangid Mangal Bhawan on Sunday in the presence of Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya. In the felicitation ceremony, 51 widows of martyrs of Kargil war were honoured with certificates and shawls. On the occasion, Rajya Sabha
MP Rajendra Gehlot, Municipal President of Bharatiya Janata Party Kamal Kant Sharma, senior leaders Rajendra Bhambhu, Pyarelal Dukiya, along with a large number of BJP officials and family members of the martyrs were present. Maurya said, “Our country is safe only because of soldiers. If the soldiers do not show their courage on the borders, our enemies could harm us.”
Gram Panchayat Assistant and Madarsa Para teachers has been modified in the proposal to Assistant Teacher, Junior Teacher, Panchayat Teacher and Education Instructor respectively.
The monthly honorarium has been hiked to Rs 29600 and Rs 51600 for the contract workers working on these posts after completing the contract service period of 9 years and 18 years and provision.
Before coming under these rules, if any contract worker is getting more honorarium than the newly fixed honorarium, then honorarium will be protected.
ter. The deceased was the youngest of 3 brothers The bodies were handed over to the family after post-mortem, he said. Further investigation is underway to ascertain the reason behind the suicide, the SHO said.
First India Bureau
Karauli: Assembly elections are going to be held in Rajasthan at the end of this year and the Aam Aadmi Party is making full preparations to contest. AAP MLA Vinay Mishra, who is in Todabhim in Karauli, will participate in the dialogue programme organized at Bhim Palace today.
On March 13, AAP supremo and Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal will come to Jaipur and be-
gin this with the Tiranga Yatra. Kejriwal and Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann will hold a roadshow. The AAP is now eyeing Congress-ruled Raj.
Kejriwal in Jaipur on March 13: MishraDeceased Dinesh. Kirodi Lal Meena with Kalu Lal Gurjar and other leaders at protest site at Shaheed Samarak in Jaipur on Sunday. Damaged bike of the deceased family members in Udaipur. Vinay Mishra also met people at Tijara in Alwar on Sunday. Governor Kalraj Mishra giving Mati Samman to a recipient in New Delhi on Sunday. BARAN: 1 DEAD, 2 INJURED Int’l badminton referee Anil Singh passes away in Jaipur Keshav Prasad Maurya being felicitated with a garland during the ‘Mali Saini Jan Chetna Rally’ in Jhunjhunu on Sunday. Also seen here are Ashok Saini, Pawan Manwdiya, Anupam Chandel, Murari Saini and others.
Next CM should be from the Jat community, says Rameshwar Dudi Hanuman and Narayan Beniwal did not attend the Jat Mahakumbh
Yogesh Sharma and Satyanarayan Sharma
Jaipur: Addressing the ‘Jat Mahakumbh’ held at Vidhyadhar Nagar Stadium on Sunday, Bharatiya Kisan Union leader Rakesh Tikait called on farmers to be ready for an agitation against the ban on diesel tractors older than 10 years.
Tikait said, “Farmers should be ready. A movement will have to be started again in the country against the policy to ban tractors older than 10 years. In the agitation, the people of Rajasthan would be on the forefront of the movement.”
“Whether it is the government of the state or the central government, we are not against any party. But if there is any wrong policy of the governments, then there will be an agitation,” he said.
In the Mahakumbh, Jat leaders from both the
First India Bureau
Sirohi: Mandar police have seized Rs 3 crore under hawala from a car stopped during the blockade. The police arrested two and they are being interrogated. During the preliminary inquiry both the accused informed that this money was to be given to someone in Gujarat. Further details about it were to be received later on the phone.
As per the police, the blockade was done on the Gujarat border on the instructions of senior officials. During this, a car coming from Revdar was stopped and questioned, the two people in the car appeared anxious. On interrogation, they revealed their names as Nilesh Patel and Surendra Patel, residents of Mehsana.
On suspicion, they
were asked to get out of the car and the car was searched. Bundles of Rs 500 notes were found hidden in a polythene bag under the seat and in trunk. In the prelim inquiry, the accused told that they were returning from Ramdevra to Mehsana via Jodhpur. During this, they took the hawala money from Jodhpur.
Congress and the BJP participated and talked on the issues pertaining to the community. Congress leader Rameshwar Dudi said that the next chief minister should be from the Jat community.
“The community always thinks of the number one seat - Which is the number one seat? The number one seat is of the chief minister. People in politics are
scared to speak this, but I am not afraid. Today I demand that the next chief minister of Rajasthan should be a
Jaipur (PTI): A Rajasthan Police trainee was suspended after she was caught with illegal firearms in Haryana, a senior police official said.
Naina Kanwal, posted as a trainee sub-inspector in the Rajasthan Police, has been arrested under the Arms Act, the officer said. Additional Director General
Jaipur (PTI): Having achieved success in reviving the population of big cats, the authorities at Sariska Tiger Reserve are now working to further enhance the biodiversity by introducing sloth bears. In the next few days, the national park will welcome two pairs of sloth bears being brought from the Sundha Mata forest area of Jalore district.
Sloth bears are found in Sundha Mata area in Jalore besides Mt Abu.
(Crime) of Rajasthan Police S Sengathir issued her suspension orders on Saturday. “She was
caught with illegal arms in Rohtak, Haryana. She was arrested there under the Arms Act. In this matter, she has been suspended,” Sengathir said. Police sources said that Naina was recruited under the sports quota.
Naina is an international wrestler and she has won many medals at National and International level.
Gul Mohammad
Kota: The ACB on Sunday arrested an executive engineer in Kota with a bribe of Rs 2000.
Police informed the accused, Shailesh Kumar, posted at Chabra Thermal Power Plant as an executive engineer, was taking bribes to pass the bills of a contractor.
“The complainant informed ACB that he supplies spare parts at Chabra TPP. Recently, he supplied spare parts worth Rs 80,000 and sub-
Accused Xen Shailesh Kumar
mitted the bills. The Xen Shailesh sought a bribe of 1% of the total bills.The complaint was verified and a trap was laid on Sunday. The accused was caught redhanded while taking bribe of Rs 2000 at his residence in Dadabadi, Kota,” police said.
farmer’s son, a Jat’s son.”
Rajasthan Congress chief Govind Singh Dotasra said it does not
Baran(PTI): Angry with her husband over not constructing a new house, a woman murdered her twomonth-old son by throwing him in a well in her father-inlaw’s field in Baran district, police said on Sunday. The accused, identified as Nishu (26), has been detained and booked under sections 302 (murder) and 201 (causing disappearance of evidence) of the IPC, they said.
“The incident is of Deveri village on Thursday. Woman often quarrelled with her husband over not constructing a new home like his 2 elder brothers. On the woman’s disclosure, the infant’s body was recovered from the well on Saturday and handed over to family members after postmortem,” police said.
First India Bureau
Jaipur: Rajasthan
Tourism will be promoted in the International Tourism Borse in Germany’s Berlin from March 7 to 9.
An exhibition to showcase the tourism products of the desert state of Rajasthan will be held in the international event. The luxury train Palace on Wheels
will also be promoted during a road show there.
This event is being organized for the first time after the Corona pandemic during which B-to-B meetings with travel agents around the world will be held.
matter which party he belongs to as he belongs to the community first.
“In whatever capacity I am, the leader of my party and even after rising above the ideology of my party, I belong to the community first.” He suggested not uttering a single wrong word against any other community and if the community is helping someone, then it should be
done silently. State BJP president Satish Poonia said the Jat people are known for social harmony, hard work, honesty and patriotism.“It is our character and strength. That is why all the communities use to stand with us in the Panchayati Raj elections but now attempts are made to create a divide... we need to understand this,” Poonia said.
Memons, did not want to follow the Shariat, but they were forced to do so under the Shariat Act, 1937. He further propounded that European countries had uniform laws applied even to minorities and that religion should be divorced from personal laws. He said for Hindus, too, personal laws were not uniform, there was the law of Mayukha applied in some parts of India; Mithakshara in others; and the law of Dayabhaga in Bengal. He further said “there is one important consideration which we have to bear in mind—and I want my Muslim friends to realise this—that the sooner we forget this isolationist outlook on life, it will be better for the country. Religion must be restricted to spheres which legitimately appertain to religion, and the rest of life must be regulated, unified and modified in such a manner that we may evolve, as early as possible a strong and consolidated nation.”
Despite opposition, the Draft Article 35 (now Article 44) found support of the majority of members who argued that the UCC was important to bolster the unity and integrity of the country. The argument that UCC would violate religious freedom was rejected and the Constituent Assembly paved the way for this social reform legislation to strengthen secularist and nationalist fabric of the country
The writer is IAS (Retd.)
Should India have a Uniform Civil Code (hereinafter referred to as UCC in short), a set of religion and gender neutral common family laws on marriage, separation, adoption, inheritance and so on? This poser was keenly debated by the Constituent Assembly of India in the twilight of nascent republic. Article 35 of the draft Constitution of India provided that “the State shall endeavour to secure for the citizens a uniform civil code throughout the territory of India.” The Constituent Assembly took up Draft Article 35 for debate on 23rd November, 1948.
Progressive as well as conservative views were expressed as on the floor of the Constituent Assembly. The debate on this Draft Article triggered conflict in the Constituent Assembly. Muslim members opposed the Draft Article and proposed amendments to keep personal laws out of Draft Article’s scope.
Mr Mohamad Ismail Sahib (Madras) proposed a proviso as an amendment to the following effect:
“Provided that any group, section or community of people shall not be obliged to give up its own personal law in case it has such a law.”
Mr Naziruddin Ahmad proposed that the following proviso be added to draft Article 35:
“Provided that the personal law of any community which has been guaranteed by the statute shall not be changed except with the previous approval of the community ascertained in such manner as the Union Legislature may determine by law.”
Mahbood Ali Baig Sahib Bahadur moved that the following proviso be added to article 35:
“Provided that nothing in this article shall affect the personal law of the citizen.”
B Pocker Sahib Bahadur (Madras) supported the motion moved by Mr. Mohamed Ismail Sahib to the effect that the following proviso be added to article 35:
“Provided that any group, section or community of people shall not be obliged to give up its own personal law in case it has such a law.”
Hussain Imam (Bihar) felt that “it would be all right and a very desirable thing to have a uniform law, but at a very distant date. For that, the country should first await the coming of that event when the whole of India has got educated,….when their economic conditions are better, when each man is able to stand on his own legs….”
All Muslim members pleaded that the Draft Article be enforced only with the prior assent of their community. Their arguments were:
Article 35 of the draft Constitution of India provided that “the State shall endeavour to secure for the citizens a uniform civil code throughout the territory of India.” The Constituent Assembly took up Draft Article 35 for debate on 23rd November, 1948
a) that UCC violated freedom of religion; b) the Draft Article would create disharmony and c) it was wrong to interfere with personal laws without the approval of religious communities. It was argued that the right to adhere to one’s own personal laws was one of the fundamental rights and that personal laws were part and parcel of religion and culture. They emphasized that UCC should not include family law and inheritance.
KM Munshi expressed that “it must also be remembered that if this clause is not put in, it does not mean that the Parliament in future would have no right to enact a Civil Code.” He felt that article guaranteeing religious freedom gave state the power to regulate secular activities associated with religion. He further expressed that certain communities amongst Muslims, for example, Khojas and Cutchi
Alladi Krishnaswami Ayyar expressed that “the objection was that religion was in danger, that communities cannot live in amity if there is to be a uniform civil code. The article actually aims at amity.”
Concluding the debate, Dr BR Ambedkar did not accept the amendments and defended the right of the state to interfere in the personal laws of different communities. He mentioned that many civil laws, such as, IPC, CrPC, CPC, transfer of property, negotiable instruments, law of contracts, etc., had already been made uniformly applicable to all. Besides, Muslims in NorthWest Frontier followed Hindu law of succession till 1937. He cited example of Muslims of North Malabar following Marumakkathyam Hindu matriarchal law to stress that Muslim personal laws were not immutable. He concluded by saying that “it is perfectly possible that the future Parliament may make a provision …………that the Code shall apply only to those who make a declaration that they are prepared to be bound by it.”
Despite opposition, the Draft Article 35 (now Article 44) found support of the majority of members who argued that the UCC was important to bolster the unity and integrity of the country. The argument that UCC would violate religious freedom was rejected and the Constituent Assembly paved the way for this social reform legislation to strengthen secularist and nationalist fabric of the country.
THE VIEWS EXPRESSED BY THE AUTHOR ARE PERSONAL
Copying a script used by some of the state governments against the media, the Kerala Police searched the office of Asianet News’ Kozhikode office. The news channel is seen as being anti-Pinarayi Vijayan government of the state. The channel is credited with exposing the government’s nexus with Swapna Suresh, an accused in the gold smuggling racket. The raid on Asianet office came a day after the Student Federation of India (SFI) ransacked its office in Kochi earlier. The SFI is a students’ wing of the CPI-M, the ruling party. Chairman of Asianet News Rajesh Kalra said that such attempts to browbeat the media won’t succeed. Asianet News belongs to Asianet News Online Private Ltd. which was launched in 2008 by Rajeev Chandrashekhar, who is now the minister for electronics and information technology. This fact explains the SFI and Pinarayi government’s action against Asianet News. It cannot be justified as it also is an attack on press freedom.
Death is as sure for that which is born, as birth is for that which is dead.
Bhagavad GitaOn his birth anniversary, I pay homage to Biju Babu, a remarkable leader and institution builder. He was a dynamic and multifaceted personality who has made an unparalleled contribution towards Odisha’s progress. His role in fighting the Emergency is also notable.
C
orruption in Karnataka’s power corridor refuses to go away. From the days of former Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa to Congress’ Siddaramaiah to the present incumbent Basavaraj Bommai whose regime has gained infamy as “40 percent commission government” for allegedly taking a 40 percent cut from contractors who are given any government work. This tag was given by the Congress after a contractor, who was unable to pay the required amount, levelled the allegation against Horticulture Minister Munirathna last year. Five contractors were arrested after the minister filed a defamation case against the accuser and four
WITH ELECTIONS A COUPLE OF MONTHS AWAY THE STATE GOVT IS STARING AT ANOTHER EMBARRASSING CORRUPTION CASE
other members of the Karnataka State Contractors’ Association.
With elections a couple of months away the state government is staring at another embarrassing corruption case. This time the option of filing a defamation case is not available to BJP MLA Madal Virupakshappa who, along with his son Prashant, is accused of seeking bribe for approving a contract. The Karnataka Lokayukta’s po-
lice, whose powers were withdrawn by the Siddaramaiah government, got its bite back under Bommai and raided the MLAs office and residence and recovered over Rs 8 crore.
The MLA, who is absconding, is close to Yeddiyurappa and belongs to the Lingayat sub-caste like BSY and Bommai. With the corruption narrative continuing to haunt the BJP, it is expected that the Lokayukta police would now aim at Congress leaders Siddaramaiah and DK Shivakumar. The BJP would be able to claim that it is earnest about fighting corruption only when the Congress is also pushed into a corner. That, however, will not guarantee eradication of political corruption.
Shri @
ji. Your passion and dedication towards the development of Madhya Pradesh is commendable. May you keep working for the welfare of the people of the state with this dedicated spirit. I pray to God for your good health and long life.
Agartala: The Tipra Motha on Sunday said it is ready to sit with the BJP for a “face-to-face meeting” to find a “constitutional solution” to Tiprasa people’s problems, after Assam CM Himanta
New Delhi: The BJP held a crucial meeting on Sunday regarding government formation in the three northeastern states where the party hopes to form government in the coming days. The big question was Tripura, where call needs to be taken on the Chief Minister post. Sources indicated that Manik Saha is the frontrunner, though a section in the state party is rooting for Union minister Pratima Bhowmik.
The meeting at the home of party’s chief strategist Amit Shah was attended by the party chief JP Nadda, Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma and Nagaland CM Neiphiu Rio.
Rio, whose party won 25 seats remains the Chief Minister. In Meghalaya too, the senior partner National People’s Party headed by Conrad Sangma will be in the driving seat. Sangma will remain in the top post.
The other crucial question for the meet was the number of berths to be allotted to the BJP in Mehghalaya and Nagaland. Sources indicated that in Meghalaya, one of the two BJP MLAs will get a ministerial berth.
In Tripura, Chief Minister Manik Saha submitted his resignation on Friday. Though the BJP had indicated that he will continue in the top post if the party returned to power.
Biswa Sarma stated that the party’s concerns should be addressed. Taking to Facebook, former royal scion Pradyot Manikya Debbarman, who helms the regional outfit, also gave assurance that his party will not let down people who had voted for him. “If we are respectfully invited for talks on constitutional rights - economic, political, language — we will participate ... We are ready for talks to find a constitutional solution to the problems of indigenous people,” he said.
Chennai: Chennai’s Cyber Crime Unit registered a case against Tamil Nadu BJP Chief K Annamalai over his remark linking the DMK to recent spread of fake news that Bihar’s migrant workers were attacked in the state. In a statement, Annamalai had blamed the DMK and said the party’s efforts in “mocking” the work done by North Indians is the reason why the fake news spread so quickly.
“Since DMK’s origin, it has been spewing hate against a particular community. Since the DMK came to power, the party’s ministers and MPs have mocked (North Indians) in their speeches countless times,” said Annamalai.
London (PTI): Stepping up his attack on the BJP govt, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has alleged that the structures of Indian democracy are under “brutal attack” and there is a full-scale assault on the institutions of the country. Gandhi, who is in London, said there are conversations ongoing within the Opposition to unite around an alternative vision for India and act upon an “undercurrent of anger” over pressing issues such as unemployment, price
LS PANEL CALLS BJP MP DUBEY
OVER HIS NOTICE AGAINST RAHUL
New Delhi (PTI): Lok Sabha’s committee of privileges has called BJP MP Nishikant Dubey on March 10 to hear him on his breach of privilege notice against Congress member Rahul Gandhi. According to a notice issued by the Lok Sabha Secretariat, Dubey has to appear before the committee, chaired by BJP MP Sushil Singh, in person on March 10. The secretariat had sought reply from Gandhi on the breach of privilege notices given by BJP MPs Dubey and Pralhad Joshi.
rise, the concentration of wealth and violence against women. He said recent income tax survey action against the BBC offices in New Delhi and Mumbai was an example of the “sup-
pression of voice across the country”, a motivating factor behind his ‘Bharat Jodo Yatra’ which he described as an expression of voice against the ruling BJP’s attempt to silence India.
Bengaluru (PTI): The BJP seems to be falling back on its seasoned oarsman BS Yediyurappa making him a key poll mascot, along with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, as it shores up campaign in pollbound Karnataka.
The octogenarian, who has already announced his retirement from electoral politics, is sought to be put on the pedestal by the governing party’s
Bhubaneswar (ANI):
Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik on Sunday unveiled former Chief Minister Biju Patnaik’s iconic “Dakota” DC3 (AT-AUI) aircraft for public display at Biju Patnaik International Airport in Bhubaneswar, said a statement.
As per CM’s office, “The iconic Dakota Aircraft belongs to erstwhile Kalinga Airlines and was founded by ExCM of Odisha (Late) Biju Patnaik. The said airlines operated nearly a dozen Dakotas and Late. Biju Patnaik was its Chief Pilot.” The statement further added, “This Aircraft was used by him to rescue former Indonesian VicePresident Md. Hatta and former Prime Minister
Sutan Sjahrir. For his effort, Late Biju Patnaik was given honorary citizenship of Indonesia and awarded the title of “Bhumi Putra” by the Indonesian Govt, a recognition rarely granted to a foreigner.”
First India Bureau
Union
New Delhi: The Congress on Sunday attacked the BJP over the acquittal of three accused in the Hathras rape-murder case and alleged that it has exposed “shoddy” probe done by UP Police and later by the CBI. A special court in Hathras on Thursday last sentenced the main accused in 2020 Hathras rape-murder case to life imprisonment, while acquitting the three other accused. Congress said the heinous crime in Hathras and then the govt’s role has exposed the BJP.
central leaders.
The reasons are not far to seek as to why Yediyurappa has been
OF CONDUCT
Bengaluru: Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to visit Karnataka on March 12 to dedicate the Bengaluru-Mysuru Expressway and Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) campus in Dharwad.PM Modi has already visited the poll-bound state five times this year for various developmental programmes. He is participating in public rallies and road shows. Congress party has objected to the repeated visits of central leaders, including PM Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh to Karnataka.
pushed to the top of the campaign plank, the four-time Chief Minister, who built the party
from grassroots level, has a mass appeal and connect — particularly the political influen-
tial Lingayat community — that no other party leader in the State commands.
Bengaluru: BJP MLA Madal Virupakshappa remained elusive on Sunday, three days after Lokayukta police caught his son Prashanth Kumar MV allegedly taking a bribe for a govt contract. Lokayukta police are making all efforts to trace the Channagiri legislator, who is the prime accused in the case. Officials had said, they will be issuing him a notice for questioning, in connection with the corruption scandal.
❍ UTTAR PRADESH GOVERNMENT’S CRACKDOWN CONTINUES AGAINST THE MAFIA NEXUS
Ghazipur (ANI): Uttar Pradesh govt on Sunday removed illegal portions of a residential structure belonging to deceased Kamlesh Singh “Pradhan”, who was a gang member of gangster-turned-politician Mukhtar Ansari, in the Ghazipur district. The removal action was carried out amid heavy deployment of the police force. The administration’s crackdown came amidst the State government’s ongoing drive against notorious criminals and goons.
Earlier last month, UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, during his
address at the state Assembly, said that the UP government will destroy the mafia nexus in the state [Mafiaon Ko Mitti Me Mila Denge].
Launching a scathing attack on Samajwadi Party for nurturing the mafia in the state CM
had said the UP government would destroy the mafia.
Chief Minister Yogi also held the previous Samajwadi Party ledgovernment responsible for nurturing and patronizing criminals and mafia in the state.
New Delhi: Union Minister Bhupender Yadav said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi border villages will be developed comprehensively through the Vibrant Villages Programme and said that stronger border villages will lead to a stronger nation.
As a part of Vibrant Villages Programme, 1400 border villages have been identified and Un-
Prayagraj: Umesh Pal, the slain lawyer who was also a witness in the murder of BSP MLA Raju Pal in 2005 in which jailed gangster Atiq was named as accused, was also at daggers drawn with the gangster’s associates over a plot of land that he owned in Dhoomanganj. Allegations are that Atiq’s aides in 2022 had taken possession of a plot of land that Umesh owned and were demanding Rs 1 crore to allow the lawyer its possession. Umesh Pal had lodged an FIR in this connection against five persons allegedly associated with Atiq with the Dhoomanganj police station on August 24, 2022.
Lucknow: The Uttar Pradesh Police Sunday announced a reward of Rs 2.5 lakh each for giving information about the five people, including gangster and former MP Atiq Ahmad’s son Asad, allegedly involved in the killing of Umesh Pal -- the prime witness in the 2005 BSP MLA murder case. Besides Asad, the other four accused are Gulam, Guddu and Sabir, a senior official said. Umesh Pal, the key witness in the BSP MLA Raju Pal murder case, and his police security guard Sandeep Nishad were shot dead on February 24 outside his home in the Dhoomanganj area of Prayagraj.
ion Ministers will visit and spend a night at the border villages to understand the issues faced by the people there and take steps to address them. Yadav was on a two-day visit to Ladakh on 3-4 March 2023 as a part of the Vibrant Villages Programme where he visited the border villages of Tsaga pasture, Rezang-La, Chushul among others.
At Changthang village, Tsaga pasture, Yadav was given a tradi-
tional welcome and witnessed Jabro dance, a traditional dance performed by Ladakhi women. The Union Minister interacted with the nomadic Rebo tribe, who live in tents and make the finest Pashmina wool. Yadav enquired about the problems faced by them and assured them that benefits of Union Govt schemes will reach them.
Addressing the gathering, the Union Minister said after the forma-
tion of the Union Territory of Ladakh, several road projects have been completed and long pending ones have been fast-tracked. Yadav said that funds have been earmarked for Green Hydrogen Projects in Ladakh and Rs 27,000 crores have been sanctioned to develop Solar Power projects to tap the untapped solar energy potential in Ladakh and generate employment opportunities for the people.
“Border
to be
Minister says connected, Educated and Developed Ladakh will be achieved through Vibrant Villages ProgrammeBJP chief JP Nadda, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma, Nagaland CM Neiphiu Rio and others at a meeting in New Delhi, earlier last week. —FILE PHOTO Naveen Patnaik unveils Dakota aircraft of Biju Patnaik for public display on his 107th birth anniversary, in Bhubaneswar on Sunday. Union Minister Bhupender Yadav meets local residents in Ladakh during his 2-day visit to the
“WE ARE READY FOR TALKS WITH BJP OVER TRIPURA’S INDIGENOUS PEOPLE”
The festival of colours Holi is knocking on our doors and so is the spring equinox.
India is a land of diverse cultures and traditions and Holi is one of the country’s festivals that fill one with jubilation and festive cheer. Holi is essentially the festival of colours, which signifies the victory of good over evil, but it is celebrated across the country in varied ways. Here are some of the inimitable and popular ways of celebrating Holi in different parts of the country
Hola Mohalla, a popular three-day-long fair that is observed at Punjab’s Shri Anandpur Sahib is a big festive event for Sikhs around the world. The festivities include a display of martial arts, horse-riding, and reciting poetry, primarily to pay homage to the bravery of Sikh warriors. Later the festival is followed by dance, music and spraying of colours.
RAJASTHAN
Popularly known as ‘Royal Holi’, Holi in Rajasthan is observed at a grand level and is organized by the royal Mewar family of Udaipur. People practise the traditional rituals of Holika Dahan a night before Holi, followed by the royal cavalcade including several decorated horses and the royal band proceeding through the city.
UTTARAKHAND
Holi celebrations are called Kumaoni Holi. Going by the name, it is apparent that the celebrations take place in the Kumaon region of Uttarakhand. The common names for the festival are Kahila Holi, Khadi Holi and Baithaki Holi. During the festivities, people make a ‘toli’ (gathering of people) and sing and dance to folk tunes going around the city, while sporting traditional attires. The musical affair also signifies welcoming the spring season– the start of the sowing season for the farming community. A night before Holi, people also gather around to light the Holika pyre.
First India Bureau
New Delhi: INS Trikand is participating in the International Maritime Exercise/ Cutlass Express 2023 (IMX/CE23) being held in the Gulf region. The exercise began on February 26 and it will continue till March 16.
The INS Trikand is participating in the exercise with participants from over 50 nations and international maritime agencies with the common aim of enhancing maritime security and keeping sea lanes in the region safe for maritime commerce.
IMX/CE-23 is one of the largest multinational maritime exercises in the world. While this
is Indian Navy’s maiden IMX participation, it also marks the second occasion where an Indian Naval ship is participating in an exercise conducted by the CMF.
Earlier, in November last year, INS Trikand had participated in the CMF led Operation Sea Sword 2.
Participation in exer-
New Delhi: Joining the Centre’s efforts to promote millets, the Kashi Vishwanath temple in PM Narendra Modi’s parliamentary constituency Varanasi will now offer devotees ‘prasad’ made from millets.
The ‘laddu prasad’ will now be known as ‘Sri Anna prasad’, a official said on Sunday.
Recently, PM Modi termed millets “Sri Anna”, which means “the best among all the foodgrains”. The deci-
sion to introduce ‘Sri Anna prasad’ was taken on the instructions of the UP government, the official said. Women self-help groups associated with the National Rural Livelihood Mission prepare ‘prasad’ for the temple.
cises like Sea Sword 2 and IMX/CE-23 enables the Indian Navy in strengthening relationships and enhancing interoperability and collective maritime capability with maritime partners in the IOR. It also enables the Navy contribute constructively to regional stability and security.
Kolkata(Agencies):
The adenovirus menace in West Bengal seems to be assuming alarming proportions as deaths of four more children, admitted in a Kolkata hospital with its symptoms, were reported in the last 6 hours, taking the death toll of children to 40 in nine days.
By Sunday morning, the deaths of two children - Atifa Khatun (18 months) and Aarman Gazi (4 years) - were re-
FIRST EDITION OF NAVAL COMMANDERS’ CONFERENCE OF 2023 TO BEGIN TODAY
New Delhi (FIB): The first edition of the Naval Commanders’ Conference of 2023 will begin on Monday. The conference serves as a platform for Naval Commanders to discuss important security issues at the military-strategic level as well as interact with Senior Government functionaries through an institutionalised forum. The novelty of this year’s conference lies in the fact that the first phase of the Commanders’ Conference is being held at sea, and for the first-time, onboard India’s first indigenous aircraft carrier, INS Vikrant.
RAJNATH SINGH TO ADDRESS TOP NAVAL COMMANDERS ONBOARD INS VIKRANT
New Delhi (PTI): Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and top commanders of the Indian Navy will on Monday carry out a comprehensive review of India’s maritime security challenges at a key conclave onboard indigenously built aircraft carrier INS Vikrant on the high seas. It is for the first time that the biannual commanders’ conference is taking place onboard an aircraft carrier, a move seen as a symbolic reflection of India’s priority to the maritime sphere amid China’s increasing presence in the Indian Ocean region.
NO CHILD ADMITTED IN NBMCH WITH ADENOVIRUS SYMPTOMS: SILIGURI MAYOR
New Delhi: Even as Kolkata and its adjoining districts in south Bengal reels from respiratory distress-related illnesses among toddlers, there is so far no child admitted at North Bengal Medical College and Hospital (NBMCH) with adenovirus symptoms, the facility’s patient welfare committee chairman Gautam Deb has said. Deb, who is also the Mayor of Siliguri, said that specialised facility for testing presence of adenovirus in a person’s body will be operational at NBMCH within 7 to 10 days.
ported from the B.C. Roy Children’s Hospital. However, by 4 p.m., four more child deaths had been reported from the same hospital, taking the number of
WOMEN’S PREMIER LEAGUE
The traditional manner how people celebrate Holi in Kerala is known as ‘Ukuli’ or ‘Manjal Kuli’. People visit the temple on the first day and continue with the festivities on the second day. Instead of gulal, the people of Kerala play Holi with turmeric or natural colours. Also, It may come as a surprise that Holi is not as widely celebrated in the southern states as it is in the north.
Here, Lathmar Holi is one of the most famous Holi celebrations that take place around the country. In Mathura and Vrindavan areas, that are known as the towns of Radha and Krishna, Holi begins from Basant Panchami and continues for more than a month. Thousands of devotees and tourists visit the towns to witness this frenzied version of Holi. On the day of Holi, women run after men with ‘lathis’ or sticks and playfully hit them during this celebration.
With great gusto and anticipation, the people here celebrate ‘Rang Panchami’ or ‘Shigma’. Festivities start after the sunset on Purnima with Holika Dahan, symbolizing the victory of good over evil. The next day, people apply gulal and spray water on each other. The celebrations are incomplete without the preparation of ‘Puran Poli’, a sweet buttery flatbread made with chana dal with the stuffing of jaggery, coconut, cardamom, and butter or ghee.
New Delhi (PTI): A day after a group of SFI activists allegedly barged into the Kochi office of Asianet News and intimidated channel staff over a news report, journalists’ bodies condemned the incident and called it yet another example of growing attacks against media and scribes.
Barging into media offices is “illegal” and should be considered as “an attack on press freedom”, the Press Club of India, Indian Women’s Press Corps, Delhi Union of Journalists and the Kerala Union of Working Journalists said in a joint statement.
“We expect the Kerala government to take strict action against those who attacked Asianet,” they said.
A group of Students’ Federation of India (SFI)
4 gold bars worth `1.95 crore recovered from aircraft’s toilet
New Delhi(Agencies):
activists allegedly trespassed into the office of Malayalam news channel Asianet News in Kochi on Friday and intimidated the staff over a report about the sexual assault of a girl, according to Kerala Police.
A case was later registered against 30 SFI activists, the students’ wing of the ruling CPI(M) in Kerala, on the basis of a complaint lodged by the channel.
Condemning the incident, the journalists’ bodies said, “We protest the attack on the TV channel Asianet News’ office in Kochi by the
activists of the Students Federation of India.”
“This is yet another example of the growing attacks against media organisations and journalists in the country.”
The journalists’ bodies said Asianet News had used “a mock video” to bring out the issue of drug and sexual abuse of a young girl in Kerala.
“Stamping such a programme as fake news suggests ignorance of the professional ways used by news organisations to protect the identity of victims of sexual assault,” they said.
COUPLE FINED `6
LAKH FOR INTERCASTE MARRIAGE
MAN TURNS CYBER STALKER AFTER RELATION ENDS, HELD
deaths to six in the day.
The common symptoms for this are flu-like including cold, fever, breathing problems, sore throat, pneumonia, and acute bronchitis.
Rahul Faujdar
Mumbai: Tara Norris, hailing from Philadelphia sealed the fate of the match in just two overs. In her WPL debut, she took wickets of some renowned batters in the world and became the first player to take a fifer in WPL, to guide Delhi Capitals to a 60-run victory over Royal Challengers Bangalore here on Sunday.
RCB tried hard with a valiant knock from
Megan Schutt (22) but her efforts went in vain.
RCB finished the match with a boundary and
their final score was 163/8. Delhi’s Tara Norris took a five-wicket haul. Norris took wick-
ets of Ellyse Perry (31) and Disha Kasat (9) in a single over. In the second match
of the day, Harris, Navgire half-centuries drive UP Warriorz to thrilling victory against Gujarat Giants in a what can be called a nail-biting match.
Earlier, Harleen Deol’s hard-hitting knock and her combination with Australian allrounder Ashleigh Gardner enabled Gujarat Giants to a respectable total of 169/6 in their match against UP Warriorz at DY Patil Stadium here.
The Customs officials on Sunday recovered four gold bars worth approx 2 crores from the toilet of an international flight at Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport on Sunday. Officials said that on the basis of input received and further developed by Customs officers at IGI Airport, an aircraft utilized for international Flight was rummaged on completion of its subsequent domestic trips at Terminal 2 of IGI, New Delhi.
The customs officers recovered a grey pouch found affixed with adhesive tape below the sink installed in the washroom. The grey pouch contained four rectangular gold bars total weighing around 3969 grams.
The rectangular gold bars are estimated to cost Rs 1,95,72,400, said an official statement.
Chamarajanagar (Agencies): In Karanataka`s Chamarajanagar district, a couple was fined and faced a boycott in their village for their inter-caste marriage. The incident had taken place at Kunagalli village in Kollegal taluk in the district. According to police, the couple got married five years ago but the villagers came to know about their different castes recently.
New Delhi (Agencies): A cyber stalker was arrested by Delhi Police for allegedly harassing his former female friend by creating a fake account of her father on Instagram and sending obscene messages to her relatives, officials said on Sunday. Both were in a relationship earlier, and due to some reason broke up. Police said that the accused was identified as Vivek (21).
Kolkata (Agencies): The ED probing the money-trail angle in the multi-crore teachers’ recruitment scam in West Bengal has found bank accounts registered in the names of beauty salons were used to divert the proceeds of crime. The central agency sleuths while checking the transaction details of arrested youth Trinamool Cong leader, Kuntal Ghosh came across certain transactions from these accounts, which showed an amount of Rs 50 lakh was transferred in phases to different bank accounts of one, Soma Chakraborty.s
MINOR GIRL RAPED IN HOOKAH BAR IN UP’S KANPUR DIST
Kanpur (Agencies): Minor daughter of a doctor couple was raped in a Hookah Bar under Barra police station circle in Uttar Pradesh’s Kanpur. The father of the girl has lodged an FIR against 8 including 3 named accused. The doctor told the police that his 16-year-old daughter had been called by one Vinay Thakur to the MG Cafe (Hookah Bar) on Friday where he gave her soft drink spiked with sedatives.
New Delhi (Agencies): The Police on Sunday said that they have arrested 2 Youtube inspired snatchers, including a national level basketball player, who were committing snatchings and robberies to repay their debt. Police said that the accused were identifi ed as Rohit Chhillar and Shantunu Rathi alias Ghora who is a national level basketball player from Haryana.
Prasad made of millets at Kashi Vishwanath temple
Adenovirus: 4 child deaths reported from Kolkata, toll rises to 40 in 9 daysIMX/CE-23 is one of the largest multinational maritime exercises in the world. Delhi Capitals players celebrate Shafali Verma’s spectacular catch against RCB. UP Warriorz bowler Deepti Sharma celebrates the wicket of Gujarat Giants player Ashleigh Gardner.
First India Bureau
Jaipur/Jodhpur: CM
l Victims told CM about their crumbling family & social conditions
Naresh Sharma
Jaipur: The victims of Sanjivani credit cooperative society scam met CM Ashok Gehlot and narrated their sufferings to him. “Many victims told that Union Minister GS Shekhawat had taken them into confidence for investment in the society with Society’s MD Vikram
Singh,” a release said.
“One of the victims, Shakuntala Sharma said that the agents had told her that society is in hands of minister and money is safe. She said that she had invested Rs 25 lakh in society,”
HAATH
First India Bureau
Kota: During his stay in hometown Kota, UDH Minister Shanti Dhariwal gave impetus to Congress’ Haath Se Haath Jodo’ campaign with his padyatra for the second consecutive day on Sunday. During this, Pradesh Congress Committee member Amit Dhariwal and Kota North Block Congress President Nevalal Gurjar, Congress leaders, including Dhariwal, were also present. While campaigning, they went to Ward-28 of Nadipar area of the city where Dhariwal went to
Ramesh Sharma
the release said.
A resident of Malpura in Jaipur, Vishnu, said that along with himself, he got an investment of about Rs 5 crore from his relatives.
The CM said, “I am sorry to hear of your
Shanti Dhariwal and Amit Dhariwal interact with people during the padyatra under the ‘Haath Se Haath Jodo’ Campaign in Balita in Nadipaar area of Kota on Sunday.
many streets and neighbourhoods and met people. People gathered at many places to congratulate Dhariwal for the works of infrastructure
Laxman Raghav
Bikaner: Union Minister of Animal Husbandry Parshottam Rupala on Sunday interacted with the pastoralist community of Western Rajasthan at ICAR-National Research Centre on Camel in Bikaner.
Union Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal was also present on the occasion. While addressing the gathering as the chief
development in the ward. Amit Dhariwal said that villages across the river have been transformed with the development works.
pain. If there is a need to change the law at the state government level, it will be done. Sanjivani Credit Co-operative Society has embezzled the hard earned money of thousands of people,” CM said. He said that the state government will make every possible effort to get back the deposits of the victims.
“Investing after consulting experts is the only way to avoid fraud,” the CM appealed to masses to invest wisely.
Ashok Gehlot’s scheduled visit to Delhi on Sunday was cancelled due to some reasons. He was to attend an award ceremony at Hotel Taj and from there go to Mumbai and attend an event in Pune from where he was scheduled to directly fly to Jodhpur.
CM Gehlot now will celebrate Holi festival in his home district Jodhpur. He will visit Jodhpur today and will take part in Holika Dahan programme in the evening. He will also meet locals on March 7and will participate in Holi Milan ceremony with Congress people. Police and administration are engaged in preparing for CM’s visit.
Sikar: Former Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje on Sunday offered prayers at the Khatu Shyamji temple in Sikar.
Temple committee
President Pratap Singh Chauhan and Secretary Shyam Singh Chauhan welcomed Raje.
Additional SP Ratan Lal Bhargava, SDM Pratibha Verma were also present during this.
On the occasion, Raje said that she visits temples on every birthday and this should not be seen as a show of strength. After the temple visit, she left for Jaipur.
Raje also worshipped cows and offered them fodder at Shri Balaji
Bhanwar S Charan
Kota: Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, during his visit to the Parliamentary Constituency held a Janata Darbar at the Lok Sabha Speaker’s Camp Office in Kota on Sunday and heard people’s problems.
A set of people met Birla regarding various demands of the Panchayats. Besides, saints from Haryana and Rajasthan also met Birla at the camp office, where cases of attacks on cows and saints were raised.
Dr Jagdeesh Chandra felicitates Gujarat Home Minister Harsh Sanghavi at the Bharat 24 channel’s event titled, ‘Shoorveer’ to honour the Gujarat police personnel who showed valour during duty at Sabarmati River Front in Ahmedabad. Also seen here is Manoj
Gaushala Sansthan.
The former CM then reached Bhairu Baba dham in Reengas and offered prayers. Former Minister Banshidhar
Bajia, former BJP District President Vishnu Chetani, BJP Reengus Mandal President Rajendra Bhatra welcomed her in Reengus.
guest, Parshottam Rupala said that we have decided that wherever
we go and as much as possible, we will have direct communication
with nomadic animal husbandry community standing at the lowest level in the field of animal husbandry. The Minister also emphasised that the Prime Minister’s announcement of people-centric good governance is the lifeline of our commitment. Later, the Union Minister also took part in the 14th National Cultural Festival at Dr Karni Singh Stadium.
First India Bureau
Ahmedabad: Bharat 24 channel organised an event, ‘Shoorveer’ to honour Gujarat cops for their exemplary services at Sabarmati River Front, Ahmedabad. Dr Jagdeesh Chandra, CEO & Editor-inChief Bharat24-Vision of New India and First India and
BJP workers welcome Assam
Guv Kataria with Guard of Honour in Udaipur
CMD First India News, said that this program of Bharat24 is first program in nation where the heroes of Gujarat Police were felicitated. Dr Chandra also thanked Sanghavi for successful organization of event. Gujarat Home Minister Harsh Sanghavi praised Dr Chandra & termed this campaign of
Bharat24 as a great initiative. “Whatever crime may be there, it is presented as a failure of police the next day. In such a situation, I would like to participate in this event to honour Gujarat Police. Thanks to the entire team,” he said adding that there is a need to change masses’ attitowards cops. He said
Udaipur: Assam Governor Gulab Chand Kataria arrived at the Dabok Airport in the city, where people arrived in large numbers to welcome him. Kataria has come to Udaipur for the first time after tak-
that it is Gujarat Police only, which has kept law & order intact & it is because of these cops that of Guj people feel safe. Sanghavi and Dr Chandra inaugurated the event by lighting the lamp. Business Head Manoj Jagyasi, Bureau Head Gujarat Manish Desai, poet Ankit Trivedi were also present.
ing oath as the Governor of Assam. In such a situation, the enthusiasm shown by the local people to welcome them was amazing. Gulab Chand Kataria was given a guard of honour at the airport.
‘This isn’t show of strength as I visit temples on my b’day’CM Ashok Gehlot interacts with victims of Sanjivani society scam, who called upon him at CMR in Jaipur on Sunday and narrated their ordeal to the Chief Minister . Also seen here are Pratap S Khachariyawas, BS Bhati Dharmendra Rathore, Shashikant Sharma & others. Victims of Sanjivani credit cooperative society scam raise their hands as they wait for their turn to speak to CM Gehlot at CMR. Vasundhara Raje worships the holy cow by feeding fodder and jaggery during her visit to Shri Balaji Gaushala Sansthan in Salasar on Sunday. Vasundhara Raje offers prayers at the famous Bhairu Baba Dham in Reengus on Sunday.
Birla lends a patient ear to masses in Kota
Kota: Shanti Dhariwal interacts with people, gives impetus to drive
This is the 1st event in nation, where Guj cops are honoured: Dr ChandraUnion Minister Parshottam Rupala interacts with pastoral community at ICAR-National Research Centre on Camel in Bikaner on Sunday. Also seen here is Arjun Ram Meghwal and others.
oli, the celebration of colours, is almost here, and we can hardly contain our enthusiasm.
Like any other festival, this festival also commemorates the triumph of good over evil, the arrival of spring and the end of winter, and the chance to meet new people. People are brought together to joke and play, to forget and pardon, and to mend broken relationships.
Religion, bonfires, and an excess of coloured chalk, it is one of the most gorgeous festivities on the planet but during this festival of sharing love most of the time, we are concerned with how to make our attire more enjoyable. However, Holi is an occasion where you must choose the ap-
propriate clothing, shoes, and even accoutrements to avoid malfunction or pain. Of course, we’d all like to get drenched in colours while still looking fantastic in that attire.
As a result, to make your Holi buying easier, we’ve compiled a list of dos and don’ts that you can follow to have a secure Holi and wear an ensemble that is both comfortable and stylish. The first and most important thing to do is to go out and buy a white dress, ideally ethnic; after all, we are honouring a traditional holiday. So it’s a white kurta and py-
jama for males and a white sari or churidar kurta for women. A white Salwar kameez or palazzo will not do because they will look sloppy when soaked, and the meaning of a ‘FILMY HOLI’ is to look glamorous despite, or rather because of, colours and water. If you are confident and at ease with your sexuality, go for a muslin fabric kurta and pair it with a carefully positioned patterned dupatta or stole to complete the ‘HEROINE’ look.
Holi is a festival that marks the beginning of spring (season) in India, the end of winter, and the blooming of love. For many, it is a joyous day to socialise with others, have fun and laugh, forget and forgive, and mend strained bonds. The ceremony also serves as a prayer for a prosperous spring harvest.
SIGNIFICANCE OF HOLIKA DAHAN
Holika Dahan (Choti Holi), also known as "the night before
People are joyful about the approach of the festival of colours. Holi this year will be observed on March 8 with Holika Dahan falling on March 7. The whole affair of this festival is very enjoyable and warm, as people dance to the tunes of breezy songs, play with colours and also eat popular Holi delicacies to celebrate the victory of good over evil!
Holi," is the official beginning of the Holi celebrations. Holika Dahan translates as "burning the demon Holika," while Dahan denotes the act of lighting something on fire. Holika Dahan (Choti Holi) will take place on March 7's Tuesday night in 2023.
People light a bonfire on the eve of Holika Dahan, the night before the Holi Festival, to symbolise the defeat of the demon Holika. When the blaze is burned to ashes, it symbolises the triumph of good over evil.
The event honours the tale of Prahlada, a child follower of Lord Vishnu, and his malevolent father, Hiranyakashipu, according to Hindu mythology. Hiranyakashipu was upset that his son wouldn't accept him as a deity and planned to murder him for it.
Hiranyakashipu was finally put to death by Lord Vishnu in the guise of Narasimha thanks to Prahlada's devotion to Lord
This "festival of colours" is linked with several traditional foods and desserts. For example, picture Holi without the delectable gujiyas and the chilled thandai. During celebrating Holi, especially in North India, they are a need.
To make things simple and time-saving so that you can fully enjoy the day, some advance planning is a smart idea. Similarly, with samosas or kachoris, the dough or filling can be made ahead of time and chilled. The same is true for the thandai paste, which may be made a few days before the festival and frozen or refrigerated.
UNIQUE & POPULAR HOLI
CUISINE
These are the traditional foods that Holi is unquestionably incomplete without. You have the option to make one, two, or all of them.
GUJIYA
A dessert made of crisp, flaky pastry stuffed with sweet khoya (evaporated milk solids) and dried fruits, gujiya is well-known and traditional North Indian treat. They can be both baked and fried. Make a filling with your preferred dried fruits, jaggery, and khoya, wrap it in a sheet of repurposed flour, and fried it to serve.
THANDAI
During the Holi celebration, the traditional and well-liked North Indian beverage called Thandai is created. In classic Thandai cui-
Vishnu, who protected him from his father's nefarious schemes. People congregate in public areas on the day of Holika Dahan and ignite bonfires to represent the burning.
Holika Dahan has cultural value in addition to religious significance.
The major activity during the Holi celebration is playing with coloured powders and water while exchanging sweets and food. In essence, Holika Dahan is a significant Hindu festival that represents the victory of virtue over evil. This is a time for people to get together, pray together, and rejoice with their loved ones.
sine, aromatic spices like green cardamom, fennel seeds, black pepper, saffron, and traces of rose are combined with nuts and seeds like almonds, pistachios, poppy seeds, and melon seeds. The milk is then added to the thandai powder or paste to create the reviving and cooling thandai beverage.
DAHI VADA
All of your favourite tastes and textures are combined in one delectable snack: fluffy, supple, soft, tangy, and sweet Dahi Vada. They are made up of handmade fried lentil dumpling fritters that are covered in sweet and sour chutneys and dipped in rich, whipped yoghurt. For a fun appetiser or sharing party dish, try my heirloom and traditional Dahi Vada recipe with step-by-step photographs.
SAMOSA A traditional and well-known Punjabi samosa dish with a crispy, flaky crust with a mixture of flavorful, tangy potatoes and green peas. As an alternative to deep frying, you may alternatively air fry or bake these samosas.
EASY HARA BHARA KABAB
Green peas, potatoes, and fresh spinach leaves are used to make hara bhara kabab. They are therefore tasty and nourishing. In India, hara bhara kebab is a tasty appetiser or snack. Burger buns may also be used to make sandwiches out of this green kabab.
One Holi song that I like is Soni Soni from the film Mohabbatein. I'll be listening to this song on this Holi. Other than that I'll be on my bed binge reading my book and annotating it while planning my next read. I like spending the rest of my day with great food and music comple-
Holi for me a festival which I look forward avidly each year. My typical Holi routine includes waking up early, ( voluntarily) gathering up friends and family to celebrate the festival of colour with Gulaal. I avoid playing with water, as I don't believe in wasting water carelessly which is a precious commodity. Tunes I love to jive up on this day are Rang Barse, Paani wala Dance and Mohe
India commemorates a large number of festivals throughout the year because it is a nation with many different customs, ethnicities, and religious beliefs. One of the most well-known holidays is Holi, which is essentially a feast of colours. However, as we delve a little deeper, we discov-
er that Holi has a wide range of symbolic meanings as well as historical, cultural, and traditional importance. Holi will be observed on March 8 this year. Some people believe that Holi is the celebration of the love that Radha and Krishna shared, a form of love that is unrestricted by name, form, or shape. Others see it as a tale illustrating how goodness always triumphs over evil. While Holi is an occasion for enjoyment, frivolity, forgiveness and kindness for many others. The Holi traditions span three days and start with a bonfire to represent the annihilation of evil on the first day, fol-
lowed by celebrations with colours, prayers, music, dance, and gifts on the other two days. The primary colours are used to symbolise a variety of feelings and concepts, such as love and fertility in red, Lord Krishna in blue, and fresh starts in green. On this day, it's impossible to avoid the colours, and it's equally difficult to resist bopping to the catchy melodies of Holi songs. Bollywood has always been at the vanguard of offering the finest
When one hears the word holi so the very first thing that would strike our minds is colours however there's lot more to it. Apart from the spiritual side holi is surely the festive to enjoy have fun and fall in love with every colour and everyone you come across. Also be it holi or anyother day i love to celebrate it with my loved ones specifically my best friend! Theres another level of enthusiam in me for holi as everything is so colourful even the air we breathe has colours. Dancing adds on to the joyful environment. About my favourite track for holi it's always been "Rang barse bheege chunar wali".
songs to its fans when it comes to festivals. City First brings to you how our readers will celebrate this auspicious festival and what are some of their favourite Holi songs to groove on.
Holi has been my favourite festival since I was a kid. I like to celebrate holi surrounded by family, with lots of colours and great food. One of my favourite times to come back home from college is to be surrounded by friends and family. On Holi I love to
Being brought up in a diverse environment and festivities around Holi has been one of my favourites. Waking up early morning despite the holiday, filling our water guns, flying colours in the air, eating gujias and not to forget some good songs. I grew up dancing and jamming to "Balam pichkari", "Ik junnon" and a lot more. I
Jagdeesh Chandra with Moni Sharma, Sharat Verma, Jinendra Shekhawat, Uttam Kumar Sain, Uttkarsha Shekhar, Rashpal Singh, Indraraj Singh Gujar, Shubhanshi Pathak, Ajeet Shukla, Anil Achora, Purvashree, CP Chaudhary, Pawan Bagra, Vikas Bagra, CP Bagra, Vijendra Singh, Dharmendra Mangal, Ravindra Kumar, Harsh and Sattar on the occasion of Holi celebrations at the First India Newspaper office on Sunday evening. —PHOTO BY SANTOSH SHARMA
Ahead of the Holi festival, the Phagotsav program was organised by the Hema Welfare Foundation at Shyoji Godha ki Nasiya, Jaipur on Sunday. Jagdeesh Chandra graced the occasion as the chief guest and wished everyone Happy Holi. Mamta Singh, Ankita, Pooja Kushwah, Neha Rathore, Jyoti Bhagwani, Kamlesh, Rekha kanwar, Sunita Rathore, Anita, Brijesh Kanwar, Mikki Shekhawat and Lavali Sharma were also present on the occasion.
CITY FIRST
Asolo art exhibition by Surjit Akre was organised at Juneja Art Gallery, Jaipur on Sunday.
Jagdeesh Chandra
graced the occasion as a special guest and appreciated the artwork during the exhibition. This is the 144th show by Juneja Art Gallery. While interacting with media, Juneja said “Art is my patience. I interpret the life of general people in my paintings, their Love, anger, strug-
BY SANTOSH SHARMAgle for life, dreams, suffering & all happenings in life. I also paint autobiographical paintings. The main medium which I love is oil on canvas because it is durable & I can also try different textures in this medium.
I also love to do pencil,
Jagdeesh Chandra was greeted by Hemant Sharma of the First India Family as he reached the former’s residence to seek blessings on Sunday, as his birthday was on Saturday, March 4.
IIHMR University Jaipur organised Diploma Awarding Ceremony for Post Graduate Diploma in Corporate Social Responsibility & Sustainable Development; and a Post Graduate Diploma in Health Entrepreneurship under the National Skill Qualifications Framework of the University Grants Commission. On this occasion, Dr PR Sodani, President, of IIHMR University congratulated the graduating students. Dr Goutam Sadhu, Dean, of the School of Development Studies at IIHMR University welcomed the dignitaries, faculty members and students.
The chief guest Rushabh Hemani, WASH and CCA specialist with UNICEF, Jaipur shared his insights on the challenges and opportunities in the field of CSR, public health and sustainable development and guest of honour Abhimanyu Singh, Co-Founder of Flexible and Hexpressions and a featured entrepreneur on Shark Tank India Season 2 shared his experience.
charcoal and drawings on paper. I have developed my own style, which took several years of practice & experience. When I see my art I feel that life is so beautiful, yet complicated & deep because my paintings are the mirror of life.”
Ahead of the Holi festival, Dr Mahesh Joshi, PHED Minister organised a Phagotsav program at Pondrik Park in the city on Sunday. Jagdeesh Chandra reached to Congratulate Dr Mahesh Joshi and wished him Happy Holi. Divya Joshi, wife of Dr Mahesh Joshi and Rohit Joshi were also present on the occasion. A large crowd was seen playing holi.
