First India-Jaipur Edition- 6th June 2023

RISE OF INDIA IS UNSTOPPABLE: SAYS JAISHANKAR IN NAMIBIA

Windhoek: The rise of India is unstoppable and it is taking its place in the world, EAM S Jaishankar said, citing India’s strong economic growth, its strong relationships abroad and support of diaspora worldwide.

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PAK DRONE DOWNED

NEAR IB IN PUNJAB; 3 KG HEROIN SEIZED

Chandigarh: The Border Security Force (BSF) shot down a Pakistani drone near the International Border in Punjab’s Amritsar and recovered over 3 kg of heroin, a Border Security Force spokesperson said here on Monday.

EXPRESSWAY TOLL STAFF BEAT CAR DRIVER TO DEATH

Ramanagar: The staff of the Bengaluru-Mysuru Expressway tollgate beat a car driver to death Ramanagar, police said on Monday. Deceased Pavan Kumar (26) was a resident of Karikal Tandya in Bengaluru South taluk.

NO INTERIM BAIL FOR SISODIA IN MONEY LAUNDERING CASE

New Delhi: The Delhi High Court on Monday refused to grant interim bail to AAP leader Manish Sisodia in a money laundering case linked to the alleged excise policy scam, observing that he is facing “extremely serious” allegations.

2 KILLED IN FIRING ALONG BORDER OF ASSAM & ARUNACHAL

Lakhimpur: 2 persons died and 3 went missing after alleged firing along Arunachal border in Assam’s Dhemaji district on Monday. Locals had arranged a plantation drive in area on the occasion of World Environment Day when the incident occurred.

BRIDGE COLLAPSE:

JD (U) MLA ACCUSES ADDL CHIEF SECY

Patna: After the collapse of an under-construction bridge in Bhagalpur, JD(U) MLA Sanjeev Kumar has levelled serious allegations against additional chief secretary of road construction Pratyay Amrit, who has been given task of conducting inquiry.

GADKARI GIFTS FOUR

PROJECTS OF `1450 CRORE TO ASSAM

Guwahati: Union Minister

Nitin Gadkari on Monday inaugurated 4-Lane Section between Nagaon BypassTeliagaon, and TeliagaonRangagara & laid foundation for Mangaldai Bypass and 4-lane section between Daboka-Parakhuwa in Assam.

SEVEN HELD WITH 4 KG

ELEPHANT TUSKS

WORTH `7.19 CRORE

New Delhi: The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) said on Monday that it has apprehended seven persons for allegedly smuggling two elephant tusks weighing 4.03 kg worth Rs 7.19 crore, a DRI official said. Further probe is on in this case.

‘MAHABHARAT’ FAME

ACTOR

GUFI PAINTAL DIES AT 79

Mumbai: Actor Gufi Paintal, best known for playing ‘Shakuni mama’ in the epic TV serial “Mahabharat”, died on Monday at a hospital here due to age-related issues, a family source said.

INDIAN ARMY CHIEF MEETS BANGLADESHI COUNTERPART

Dhaka: Indian Army chief Gen Manoj Pande on Monday met his Bangladeshi counterpart General SM Shafiuddin Ahmed here and discussed ways to further expand bilateral defence and security ties.

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India strongly raising issue of climate justice: PM Modi

First India Bureau

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday said developing and underdeveloped countries are paying the price for the “wrong policies” of some developed nations, and asserted that India has raised the issue of climate justice with every such advanced country.

In his video message at a World Environment Day event here, Modi said for the protection of the world climate, it

is important that all countries think, rising above vested interests.

“For a long time, the model of development in big and advanced countries was contra dictory. In this develop mental model, the think ing was that we first de velop our country then we can think about the envi ronment,” the prime minister said.

“With

INDIA, US FIRM UP ROADMAP FOR TIES IN DEFENCE SECTOR

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and his US counterpart Lloyd

Austin finalise roadmap

New Delhi (PTI): India and the United States (US) on Monday firmed up an ambitious roadmap for defence industrial cooperation to accord high priority to various projects for the co-development of military platforms and hardware, a move that comes against the backdrop of the Ukraine conflict and China’s increasing muscle-flexing in the Indo-Pacific region.

The roadmap was finalised during talks between Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and his American counterpart Lloyd Austin, two weeks ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s state visit to Washington.

At a media briefing, Austin said the US-India partnership is a “cornerstone” for a free and open Indo-Pacific and the deepening ties showed how technological innovation and growing military cooperation between the two “great powers” can be a force for global good.

India-US partnership is critical for ensuring a free, open and rulesbound Indo-Pacific region. We look forward to closely work with the US across the domains for capacity building and further consolidating our strategic partnership.

—Rajnath Singh, Defence Minister

We established an ambitious new roadmap for defence industrial cooperation with a fast-track (and) high-priority for co-development and co-production projects and to build closer ties between our defence industries. We look forward to advancing some of those projects during the upcoming visits.

—Lloyd Austin, US Defence Secretary

Mohan Bhagwat plants saplings in Hindaun

Manish Bansal

Hindaun: RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat on Monday planted saplings of Chiku and Amla at the Shishu Vatika premises along with the school management committee on World Environment Day here.

Bhagwat had reached Hindaun on Sunday night on a three-day stay of Sangh Shiksha Varg (2nd year).

As per an RSS statement, a campaign ‘Ek Ped Desh Ke Nam’ is being run. Under this

various training and environment related activities are being conducted. The concluding program of Sangh Shiksha Varg will be held on June 9. Bhagwat will stay in Hindaun till the night of June 7 and will then leave for Udaipur.

this, they achieved the goals of development, but the world’s environment had to pay the price for their development. Today also, the developing and underdeveloped countries of

the world are paying the price for the wrong policies of some developed countries,” he said. For decades, no one was there to object to this attitude of some developed countries, Modi

said. “I am happy that India has raised the question of climate justice with all these countries,” he said.

In the thousands of years old Indian culture, there is nature as well as

For a long time, the model of development in big and advanced countries was contradictory. In this developmental model, the thinking was that we first develop our country then we can think about the environment. With this, they achieved the goals of development, but the world’s environment had to pay the price for their development. Today also, the developing and underdeveloped countries of the world are paying the price for the wrong policies of some developed countries. —Narendra Modi, Prime Minister

progress, Modi said as he credited this to the country’s attention to ecology and economy.

The prime minister said as India is investing unprecedentedly in its infrastructure, it is focussing equally on the environment.

Talking about boosting economy and safeguarding ecology, he gave the examples of expansion of 4G and 5G connectivity on one hand and the increase in the country’s forest cover on the other.

ED raids 27 locations in 5 Raj districts

PAPER LEAK

Satyanarayan Sharma

Jaipur: The ED conducted searches at many locations in State on Monday in connection with money laundering probe into an alleged exam paper leak case for recruitment of govt teachers. The ED teams of 300 personnel and officers, with CRPF jawans, conducted raids at 27 locations in 5 districts including resi-

ED officials at house of former RPSC member Babulal Katara.

dence of former RPSC member Babulal Katara. The searches were held in Jaipur, Barmer, Dungarpur and Sanchore.

The ED suspects undeclared transactions

GEHLOT

ED SEARCHES IN RAJ ‘ANTICIPATED’ AS ELECTIONS ARE APPROACHING:

Jaipur: Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot on Monday accused the Centre of misusing its investigative agencies and said the Enforcement Directorate (ED) searches in the state were “anticipated” as the assembly elections are approaching. Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of an event here, Gehlot said the ED, CBI and the Income Tax department were “eagerly desirous” to enter Rajasthan, and accused the Centre of misusing these agencies in election-bound states for political vendetta He questioned why the ED was “intervening” when the state’s Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) was doing such a “good job” in investigating the leakage of papers in the government’s teacher recruitment exam. P3

worth crores of rupees.

While the BJP defended the ED action, Congress said the ED has come to Rajasthan on a “political task”. In the ED probe, many types of

NDRF ends operation; 1st Vande Bharat train crosses tragedy site

ODISHA RAIL ACCIDENT

New Delhi (PTI): The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) on Monday ended its rescue operation with the withdrawal of all its nine teams from the triple train accident site in Odisha’s Balasore district that has claimed at least 275 lives, officials said. The force rescued 44 victims and retrieved 121 bodies from the spot since the teams were deployed after the accident on June 2, they said.

CBI MEANT TO INVESTIGATE CRIMES, NOT RAIL

ACCIDENTS: CONG CHIEF KHARGE TO PM MODI

New Delhi: A day after the Railways sought a CBI probe into the Odisha train tragedy, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Monday wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, saying the probe agency is meant to investigate crimes, not railway accidents, and cannot fix accountability for technical, institutional and political failures.

GEHLOT’S GALORE OF GIFTS

documents and property including number plates of vehicles were found. Action was taken at the residence of contractor Bhajanlal Vishnoi in Barmer as well. P3

Let law take its course: Shah tells wrestlers

New Delhi: India’s top wrestlers, who have been protesting against BJP MP and chief of the country’s wrestling federation Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, met Home Minister Amit Shah on late Saturday.

Olympian Bajrang

Punia reportedly said on Monday that they met the Home Minister late on Saturday evening at his Delhi home. Sources say the meeting that began at 11 pm lasted for more than an hour and that it was attended by Punia, Sakshee Malikkh, Sangita Phogat and Satyawart Kadian. P6

BJP lost in Himachal, K’taka as it didn’t adopt OPS: CM

Gehlot transfers LPG subsidy in the bank accounts of 14 lakh registered beneficiary in ‘Labharthi Utsav’

Vikas Sharma

Jaipur: CM Ashok Gehlot on Monday claimed that BJP and PM Narendra Modi’s “stubbornness” in not adopting Old Pension Scheme (OPS) led to the BJP’s defeat in the Himachal Pradesh and Karnataka polls and the BJP was

set to lose in more states. Addressing the ‘Labharthi Utsav’ programme, he claimed that said Modi was advised by then CM of

Himachal Pradesh to adopt the Old Pension System for government employees, but he “remained adamant”. Restoration of the

A Cabinet meeting will be held in Jaipur today. To be chaired by CM Ashok Gehlot, meeting will start at 6.30 pm. Later, a meeting of council of ministers will be held at 7:15 pm.

OPS was one of the main promises made by the Congress in the 2022 Himachal Pradesh Assembly polls.

“There is no place for stubbornness in a democracy. In democracy, one has to bow before the voters,” Gehlot said. He also urged the prime minister to examine the Right to Health Bill, 2022, passed by the Congress govern-

ment in Rajasthan. During the ‘Labharthi Utsav’, benefits under the ‘Indira Gandhi Gas Cylinder Subsidy’ scheme were transferred to the bank accounts of 14 lakh registered beneficiary families. Under this scheme, launched on April 1, as many as 76 lakh families will be provided gas cylinders for Rs 500.

CM Ashok Gehlot during the ‘Labharthi Utsav’ transferring benefits under Indira Gandhi Gas Cylinder Subsidy scheme to 14 lakh registered beneficiary families. Ministers Mahesh Joshi, Pratap Khachariyawas and Mamta Bhupesh are also seen.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh meets United States Secretary of Defence Lloyd J Austin III, at Manekshaw Centre, in New Delhi on Monday. —PHOTO BY ANI

Vande Bharat Express passes by triple train mishap site near Bahanaga Bazar in Balasore, on Monday. —PHOTO BY PTI

ED’s eyes on benami property acquired from paper leak

—PHOTO BY SANTOSH SHARMA

RUNS , PLANTATIONS ACROSS RAJ

Brochures of Raj

E-waste Mgmt Policy, Raj Climate Change Policy also released

Nirmal Tiwari

Jaipur: Forest and Environment Minister Hemaram Choudhary said that single use plastic has been banned for a safe future for the coming generations and for pollution control. Along with this, plantation has been promoted in the new forest policy issued in the state. He was addressing the state level program organized at Albert Hall by the State Pollution Control Board as the chief guest on the occasion of World Environment Day on Monday. He flagged off a public awareness rally with the aim of creating awareness among the public about environment protection and inaugurated 33 new air quality monitoring stations in the state through video conferencing and laid the foundation stone of the Integrated Resource Recovery Park at Tholai in Jamwaramgarh.

Brochures of Rajasthan E-Waste Management Policy, Raj Climate Change Policy, Raj Forest Policy 2023, Plastic Waste Inventory Report were also released.

RAWAT APPEALS TO INDUSTRIES TO SET UP CTP PLANTS

Jaipur: On the occasion of World Environment Day, the residents of the city ran for the protection of the environment. While planting trees, ministers and departmental officers gave the message to save water, save girl child, and save trees and plants in the Shiksha Sankul.Cabinet Minister Shakuntala Rawat appealed to industries to set up CTP plants and common people to plant saplings on days like birthdays, marriage anniversaries. She said that the areas that had more trees were less affected by corona. —Bharat Dixit

Leaders ask workers to open front against govt

BJP’s Jan Aakrosh Yatra on June 13 in Jpr

First India Bureau

Jaipur: The BJP’s Rajasthan unit will take out a Jan Aakrosh Yatra here against the Congress government in the state on June 13, a spokesperson of the opposition party said on Monday.

Aishwary Pradhan

Jaipur: BJP has once again opened a front against the Congress government on issues like corruption, paper leak, and high VAT on petrol and diesel.

BJP State President CP Joshi, Leader of Opposition Rajendra Rathore, Rajya Sabha MP Kirodi Meena, Lok Sabha MP Rajyavardhan Rathore, former

state presidents Ashok Parnami and Arun Chaturvedi asked the workers in the meeting to demonstrate against the government.

Accusing the Congress government, CP Joshi said that the Congress government was nowhere to be seen in the state for four and a half years and ministers did not come out of their bungalows during the Corona pandemic.

According to the spokesperson, the BJP’s state unit president C P Joshi called upon the workers and public representatives of the party to ensure maximum participation in the march.

A meeting was held in the state office of the BJP on Monday to prepare an outline of the programmes to be held in the state for the next one month over the completion of nine years of the Narendra Modi government.

MAHA JANSAMPARK

ABHIYAN: SHEKHAWAT MEETS WORKERS

Jodhpur: Union Jal Shakti

Minister Gajendra Singh

CM SHOULD TELL WHERE IS THE BUDGET GIVEN BY CENTRAL GOVT FOR PANCHAYATS: ARUN SINGH

The biggest scam is happening with the youth. Exams are being canceled and papers are being leaked again and again. This has not happened anywhere in any state. In Rajasthan, the industry of corruption has been opened.

During the meeting, the Joshi took feedback from party MLAs and district unit presidents about the preparations for the Jan

—CP Joshi, BJP State President

Aakrosh Yatra. Leader of Opposition Rajendra Rathore and Rajya Sabha MP Kirodi Lal Meena also addressed the meeting.

GENERAL ELECTIONS OF RAJ TENNIS BALL CRICKET ASSOCIATION

Arora elected as chairman of Tennis Assoc

lll

Arora said that the result of the growing popularity of this game is that lakhs of youths got registered in the game in Rajasthan’s Rural Olympics

First India Bureau

Jaipur: The General Elections of Rajasthan Tennis Ball Cricket Association from 2023 to 2027 were held on June 4 at Hotel Karauli Inn in Karauli Headquarters.

Election Officer Sarvesh Gupta CBO Karauli, Man Singh Sports Officer Dausa was appointed as the supervisor of the Sports Council.

Amjad Usmani, Supervisor of Tennis Ball

Cricket Federation of India was also present. Gupta said that the office bearers of tennis

ball cricket associations of 20 districts of Rajasthan participated in the election process and ex-

Shekhawat reached Jodhpur on a one-day tour to finalize the outline of the programmes that will be organized in the three districts of Jodhpur under the BJP’s Maha Jansampark Abhiyan. A list of enlightened people is being prepared by the party. Shekhawat said that under the leadership of PM Narendra Modi, the Central govt is working for the nation. This campaign has been started to spread the message of the govt to the general public.

Arun Singh sharing lunch and interacting with the members of Pali BJP District Coordination Committee on Monday.

Pali: BJP state in-charge and national general secretary Arun Singh on Monday said that if there is any chief minister in the country who lies the most and only makes announcements, then it is Ashok Gehlot. He said that Gehlot does not know anything except wooing people by making announcements. However, he said, the people have made up their minds that they will uproot the incompetent Congress government in the upcoming elections. Singh said at a press conference in Pali that CM Ashok Gehlot should tell where is the budget given by the Central Govt for Panchayats. He said that the CM raised questions about the vaccine made in the country during the Corona pandemic. He said that during the time of Congress, 19 kms of roads were constructed per day whereas during the rule of BJP, 37 kms of roads were constructed every day.

Police nabs several hardened history sheeters across

State

ercised their franchise.

Rajiv Arora was elected unopposed to the post of Chairman of Rajasthan Tennis Ball Cricket Association.

Munshi Khan Dausa won the post of President by defeating Nitin Tiwari Rajsamand by eight votes. Shoaib Khan defeated Wasim Khan for the post of Secretary. Maheshpuri Goswami won the post of Treasurer and YK Khanna won the post of Senior Vice-President.

Police nabs 354, 109 & 12 wanted criminals in Banswara, Pratapgarh & Udaipur respectively

Ravi Sharma, Sanjay Jain & Subhash Mehta

Udaipur/Banswara/

Pratapgarh: SP Bhuvan Bhushan Yadav on the third day of his joining on Monday launched a crackdown against hardened historysheeters in the city. SP Yadav caught the accused from his

house. The team arrested about 12 accused in Surajpole police station area.

Meanwhile, in Banswara a total of 293 po-

lice officers and employees of 67 police teams in the district raided different places in the district and arrested 354 accused.

SP Bhuvan Bhushan Yadav inspecting crackdown in Udaipur.

Hemaram Choudhary, Shakuntala Rawat, Naveen Mahajan, Munish Garg, Munesh Gurjar & others flag off the awareness rally at Albert Hall in Jaipur on Monday. —PHOTOS BY MUKESH KIRADOO

Shakuntala Rawat, Zahida Khan & Rajiv Arora in tree plantation at Shiksha Sankul in Jaipur. —PHOTO BY SUNIL SHARMA

Jaipur airport’s Chief airport officer Vishnu Mohan Jha and other staff planted trees in massive tree plantation activity on Monday. A poster making competition was also organized on the theme BeatPlasticPolloution at Government School Sanganer.

DGP Umesh Mishra inaugurated the tree plantation program by planting saplings in the police headquarters premises on Monday. DG Law and Order Rajeev Sharma, DG Cyber Security Dr. RP Mehrada and DG Training Janga Srinivasa Rao also planted trees.

Governor Kalraj Mishra on Monday flagged off ‘Run for Environment’ at Raj Bhavan, Mount Abu. The run was organized under the aegis of Environment Protection Committee, Pollution Control Board and District Administration. He also started Environment Protection and Plantation Week by planting saplings at Raj Bhavan, Mount Abu. —Kamlesh Prajapat

CP Joshi addressing the party leader in Jaipur on Monday.

CP Joshi lighting lamp as Rajendra Rathore, Ram Charan Bohra, Ashok Parnami look on at the BJP office in Jaipur on Monday.

GS Shekhawat in Jodhpur.

ED’s RAJ ENTRY STIRS UP POLITICAL STORM

Raids in state with Assembly polls around the corner draw flak from govt

Satyanarayan Sharma & Mukesh Mathrani

Jaipur/Barmer: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) raids at multiple locations in Rajasthan on Monday in connection with a money laundering investigation into an alleged exam paper leak case have heated up politics in the state. The ED went to the house of paper leak mastermind Suresh Dhaka’s house and contractor Bhajanlal Bishnoi’s house in Barmer. The ED also searched the Dungarpur residence of former RPSC member Babulal Katara. Bhajanlal Bishnoi was arrested in the REET paper leak case. Bishnoi is active in contracting as well as in political field.

Regarding the case, MP Kirori Lal Meena demanded the ED to register a case alleging money laundering.

Only Congress has taken action on paper leak: Dotasra

Jaipur: Reacting to Enforcement Directorate searches in Rajasthan in connection with paper leak, PCC president Govind Singh Dotasra said that ED has come with a “political task” and it was “expected”.

“Modi-Shah’s central government does this in every state before elections but BJP should clear the misconception that elections are won by ED income tax. To

Vasundhara Raje distributes scooties to Bhil divyangs

win the election, one has to win the hearts of the people,” Govind Singh Dotasra told reporters at PCC office.

Inmates create ruckus at Juvenile reform home

First India Bureau Jaipur: Juvenile delinquents in the Jaipur Child Reform Home created a ruckus on Sunday night and tried to escape by breaking the channel gate. The Transport Nagar Police Station and the staff of the Reform Home tried to pacify them. Policemen and staff were attacked with an iron rod. The Superintendent of the Home has lodged an FIR.

Aishwary Pradhan

Jaipur: BJP leader

Vasundhara Raje distributed scooty to the differently abled of Bhil community during a programme at 13 Civil Lines organized by Kumbhalgarh social worker and BJP leader Neeraj Ranaut on Monday. A large number of people were present. She also interacted with the people present there. About 100 to 150 people came there.

Electric scooty was given to the economically backward youths of the Bhil community.

Babulal Kumawat, Vijay Singh Ladpura, Hazari Lal Bhil, Jeeva Ram Bhil, Mota Ram Bhil, Jeevan Lal Bhil, Bhairu Ram Bhil, Kishan Lal Bhil, Lalu Ram Gameti and others were present on the occasion.

Raje praised Ranaut’s initiative. Financial assistance of Rs 5100 was also given on the marriage of the girl child of Bhil society.

Ranawat had arranged two tubewells in every panchayat.

Meanwhile, CP Joshi met Raje at her residence, where they had political consultations.

He said that it is the Congress government which has taken action on paper leak cases, not BJP.

CM ASHOK GEHLOT PULLS UP CENTRE OVER ED RAIDS; SAYS CENTRAL AGENCY SHOULD COOPERATE WITH ACB

Jaipur: Reacting to ED raids in paper leak matter in Rajasthan, Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot on Monday said that the state’s Anti-Corruption Bureau was doing a “good job” in investigating the leakage of papers in the government’s teacher recruitment exam as such there was no need for Central agency. “Anti Cor ruption Bureau is

“We were waiting (for the ED to come) because Modi-Amit Shah’s central government always misuses ED, Income Tax and CBI by seeing political opportunity. Earlier they did it in Karnataka, are doing it in Chhattisgarh and now they have started their game in Rajasthan also. We will welcome them, whatever they do, whatever political task they have come up with, let them do, no one is going to panic,” he said.

doing such a good job, why are you intervening? Earlier also, the ED was sent in a paper leak case but what happened after that? Why do you interfere without any reason,” CM Gehlot asked. He also said that the ED should also cooperate with the ACB if the federal agency gets something in the course of its searches. Gehlot

he would

welcome any action that is taken as per the law, the action by the central government was taken for political vendetta and in order to create an atmosphere to defame the state government. “ED’s arrival and raids in Rajasthan were already anticipated. People are saying Enforcement Directorate officials who have come have been given a list (of names) and asked to see how many of them they can reach,” the chief minister said.

RAJENDRA RATHORE, CP JOSHI AND KIRODI LAL MEENA CORNER GOVT FOR STATEMENTS AGAINST ED RAIDS

Jaipur: Politics has heated up after Enforcement Directorate’s raids in Rajasthan on the premises of paper leak accused.

When the Congress accused the ED of bringing a political task, Leader of the Opposition Rajendra Rathore hit back and said that on the basis of continuous complaints and facts, the central agency has started investigation due to which Congress leaders are having stomach pain.

BJP state president CP Joshi called the Rajasthan government a “very corrupt” government. He said that it does corruption even in the name of

relief. He said that such a corrupt government has not come since independence. BJP Rajya Sabha MP Kirodi Lal Meena claimed that ED raids were underway due to which the paper leak mafia was panicking.

“The state government, which has been giving protection to them till now, is also afraid that if the truth surfaces, the chief minister who calls himself a Gandhian will be exposed,” he said. Defending the ED searches, Rajendra Rathore said, “ED will certainly come when there are transactions of lakhs and crores of rupees by looting jobs and selling papers.”

CJ Masih inaugurates new e-RTI Portal

Kamal Kant

Jaipur: The Chief Justice of Rajasthan High Court, Augustine George Masih on Monday inaugurated the newly developed e-RTI Portal for Rajasthan High Court and District Judiciary through video conferencing. During this, Executive Chairman of Rajasthan State Legal Services Authority Justice Manindra Mohan Srivastava and ChairmanSteering Committee Jus-

Woman found dead suspiciously in home

First India Bureau Ajmer: A married woman died under suspicious circumstances in Ajmer’s Ghughra area. She was married two years ago and had come to her parents home for delivery six months back.

The woman Anu Gurjar (21) was found hanging in her parents home. There was no one at home when the incident occurred.

tice Arun Bhansali were present. Masih said that this step would prove to be a milestone towards

achieving a transparent, efficient and accessible judicial system.

“The portal would en-

PRAYERS IN MP!

It is alleged that her husband took away the six-month-old child and people saw him leaving. After getting the information, police reached the spot and the body was shifted to the mortuary of Jawaharlal Nehru Hospital. The incident came to light when her younger brother reached home after grazing cattle. He immediately informed his father about the incident.

MINERAL EXPLORATION

Record auction of major mineral blocks planned

lll Government plans to expand basic facilities and speed up exploration work through RSMET, aiming to create a new record for auction of major mineral blocks.

Nirmal Tiwari

Jaipur: Apart from speeding up drilling, sampling, survey and related work in mineral exploration through RSMET in the state, basic facilities for these will be expanded. Along with speeding up the exploration work of the vast mineral wealth of the state, e-auction will be done on the portal of Government of India after preparing maximum blocks.

Exploration Trust at Udyog Bhavan.

In the first year itself, 72 mining lease blocks have been prepared for auction by RSMET, while the availability and quality of mineral deposits have been assessed by analyzing 13445 samples.

“Basic infrastructure facilities will be developed for various purposes in the state so that the exploration survey work can be taken further,” she said.

sure that this important legal right of the common man does not get entangled in complicated paperwork and long procedures,” he said.

He instructed all judicial officers to make maximum use of modern technology in daily judicial work.

Justice Manindra Mohan Srivastava said that the success of the portal would depend not only on technical prowess but also on collective commitment for its effective use.

First India Bureau Jaipur: The state government has issued a notification declaring 108 emergency services and Janani Express service 104 as- essential services for the next six months in view of public interest.

According to the notification issued by the Home Department in this regard on May 31, by the Rajasthan Essential Services Maintenance Act 1970, strike has been prohibited in the Janani Express along with 108 emergency services, Medical Counselling Service 104 and their Call Centers for the next six months. Strike in said services adversely affects the supply and maintenance of services, as a result of which the general public has to face immense difficulties.

Sanitation staff to go on strike once again

First India Bureau Jaipur: Valmiki cleaning workers announced to go on strike due to non-issuance of the amended notification regarding the cleaning staff recruitment. The decision was taken during the meeting of the Valmiki cleaning staff held at Heritage Municipal Corporation on Monday. Earlier, the sanitation workers had questioned the release in the recruitment process, which was later

cancelled by the department. Even before this, the workers went on strike. When the recruitment notification was not issued, the cleaning workers went on strike again.

Enforcement Directorate (ED) also conducted searches at the residence of Bhajanlal Bishnoi, an AA class PWD contractor, in Mahaveer Nagar, Barmer on Monday.

First India Bureau

Dial 108, 104 are essential services for next 6 months

CJ Augustine George Masih with Justice Manindra Mohan during the virtual innaugration ceremony in Jaipur on Monday.

ACS Veenu Gupta and other officials during a meeting of RSMET in Jaipur on Monday.

Vasundhara Raje distributing E-vehicles to specially abled members of Bhil community in Jaipur on Monday.

Sachin Pilot offering prayers at the temple of Goddess Sharda with Rajya Sabha MP and senior Congress leader Vivek Tankha in Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh on Monday.

Govind Singh Dotasra meeting youth, general public and party workers from across the state at PCC headquarters on Monday.

Initially, Ukrainian narrative was built by the people in a transparent and persuasive style so that, no citizen remained unconvinced that they have to push back Putin’s forces to survive. It indeed was a unique narrative in a society connected through social media network where all acted as one single unit with one single goal. this served the purpose of strategic narrative and kept them glued together. Though, after eight months in war, the contribution of Ukrainian leadership was laud in setting up the narrative by saying ‘after Ukraine, it could be other EU members falling to same danger’.

Alas, in my opinion, it was too little too late

Rajnath Singh @rajnathsingh

UKRAINE WAR CLASH OF NARRATIVES

front. The narrative as usual, blamed the Western leaders for their expansionist policies to degrade Russia.

The domestic political upheaval of Ukraine that started in the winter of 2013-14 under president Yanukovych’s unexpected refusal to sign the EU Association agreements (EUAA) went beyond its control and perception and Ukraine soon found itself entangled between the clash of two power blocks of cold war vintage trying to re-establish their superiority over each other. The decision of Zelensky in leaning towards EU and NATO resulted in annexation of 161,000 sq kms of Ukraine land by the Soviets.

As an observer of the European war, I feel it is pertinent to analyse conflicting narratives of all warring factions. It is the metanarrative of Ukraine, EU, Russian and America that are crucial to understanding this conflict where Ukraine is unfortunately caught in the crossfire like trampled mud in the fight of elephants.

So, now the question arises as to why a strategic narrative to continue in war is needed by the concerned players? The recent warfare history of Taliban offensive in 2021 against USA that turned out to be an ultimate success bears a testimony to this important aspect. This eloquent example showed how a supreme power be defeated by effectively steering the public opinion.

Actually, strategic narrative is a story that explains why the war is important and why participation of people is necessary.

India-US partnership is critical for ensuring a free, open and rules-bound IndoPacific region. We look forward to closely work with the US across the domains for capacity building and further consolidating our strategic partnership.

NOW, 15 MONTHS INTO WAR, THE UNITED STATES IS AT THE CENTRE OF AN EXTRAORDINARY CAMPAIGN TO FOIL KREMLIN, WITH A BROADER NARRATIVE OF BALANCING DEMOCRATIC VALUES AGAINST AUTHORITARIAN HEGEMONY. IT WANTS TO PROTECT THE INTERNATIONAL ORDER ESTABLISHED AFTER WW II IN EUROPE

It convinces locals to believe what all may happen to their identity if they lose the conflict. In other words, strategic narrative is misinformation, propaganda, or psychological warfare employed by opposing parties. Therefore, can there be a formula to work out a narrative?

The answer is a definite yes. Irrespective of thinking of the leaders, strategic narrative follows a familiar structure that includes four elements. First is the basic positioning to describe

who we are, who are our allies and the enemy to lay out the concepts of warfare. Second point is doctrinal order to specify objectives, likely gains and motivation for either warring faction. Third in the priority comes fallacy, folk lore and stories, real or imaginary to incite participation. And lastly, it relates to action describing ways people can contribute to the efforts of war to defeat the enemy.

Initially, Ukrainian narrative was built by the people in a

On #WorldEnvironmentDay, launched #SUGAM, (Sustainable Green Airport Mission), a booklet highlighting initiatives taken by @MoCA_GoI

transparent and persuasive style so that, no citizen remained unconvinced that they have to push back Putin’s forces to survive. It indeed was a unique narrative in a society connected through social media network where all acted as one single unit with one single goal. this served the purpose of strategic narrative and kept them glued together. Though, after eight months in war, the contribution of Ukrainian leadership was laud in setting up the narrative by saying ‘after Ukraine, it could be other EU members falling to same danger’. Alas, in my opinion, it was too little too late.

On the other hand, Soviet narrative was simple, centralized and state-controlled. It was dependent upon national TV channels, scores of Internet trolls and thousands of opinion influencers on social media. The KGB style work was on the fore-

“Arise, slay thy enemies, enjoy a prosperous kingdom,”

Contrary to the above, EU’s narrative stood divided between its political leaders supporting NATO and the younger generations and the intellectuals not willing to a war on behalf of US or the UK who remain unaffected by the happenings in the continent. A segment of their society believes that the contiguity of land with Russia be respected and all sanctions lifted to ease energy flow from Russia for economic growth of Europe.

Now, 15 months into war, the United States is at the centre of an extraordinary campaign to foil kremlin, with a broader narrative of balancing democratic values against authoritarian hegemony. It wants to protect the international order established after WW II in Europe. And therefore, America has supported Ukraine with over 30-billion-dollar aid to fight Soviets on their behalf. Narrative of Washington appears to be to make someone else bleed and suffer fighting American cause at dirt cheap expanses.

With so many meta narratives running parallel, Ukraine’s own narrative about its right to survival and sovereignty got shrouded. This constrained Ukraine’s ability to act. The fact remains that neither a focus solely on Ukrainian domestic choices, nor on Russia Vs West geopolitics will resolve the conflict. Unless peace brokering is done in a win-win to both warring factions, there is little hope of Ukraine avoiding this conflict in near future, let alone exercise choices about its future..

COL ANUPAM JAITLY (R)

The writer is defence expert, motivational speaker and corporate trainer

Nadda plants saplings at BJP HQ

Planters to be awarded under unique competition by Assam BJP MLA

New Delhi (ANI): Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) national president JP Nadda on Monday planted saplings at BJP Headquarters in the national capital on the occasion of World Environment Day.

Also, as part of the BJP’s massive outreach programme, ‘Maha Jansampark Abhiyan’, the party’s national president JP Nadda on Monday met former Army chief, Dalbir Singh Suhag, at the latter’s residence in Gurugram.

Madhya Pradesh CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan has said that he plants trees everyday and also urges the residents of the state to plant trees on their special days.

CM Chouhan made the remark while addressing a program organised on the occasion of World Environment Day at Ravindra Bhawan in the state capital Bhopal on Monday.

MAHA JANSAMPARK ABHIYAN

two mega public meetings of Assam BJP’s

Speaking on the occasion the CM said, “Do not exploit nature, instead use it. Take as much from nature as it can bear, there is no

FOR THE FUTURE

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday greeted Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on his birthday and lauded his leadership of India's most populous state.

PM tweeted, “Birthday greetings to UP’s dynamic CM Yogi Adityanath Ji. Over the last 6 years, he has provided great leadership to the state and ensured allround progress. On key parameters, UP’s development has been remarkable. Praying for his long & healthy life.”

Happy

ji. Under the guidance of Modi ji, the state government is doing commendable work under your leadership in bringing poor welfare and good governance to the ground in UP. I pray to God that you stay healthy and have a long life.

yan, Assam BJP said. As per Assam BJP, huge public meetings are to be held from June 11 to June 30 in Lok Sabha Constituencies of the state by Assam BJP in order to discuss in detail the policies and

harm in it. But the forests got cleared (deforestation), it is a sin. We all are responsible for that.” To protect and preserve the environ-

K’TAKA BUDGET TO BE TABLED ON JULY 7

Five poll promises top priority: Siddaramaiah

Davangere (PTI): The state’s Budget will be tabled on July 7, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said on Monday, as all eyes watch how the government will make the necessary funds allocations, given that it has undertaken to start implementing all 5 of its poll guarantees within the financial year.

The chief minister said the Cabinet has not yet discussed about the Budget but the Assembly session will start from July 3, and after the discussion on the Governor’s speech, the Budget will be tabled on July 7. When asked about the size of the Budget, he said he would be able to speak on the matter only after the Budget preparatory meeting starts.

The CM pointed out that the size of the budget tabled by the previous government ahead of the election was Rs 3.08 lakh crore.

BY PTI

schemes implemented by the Central Government under the leadership of PM Narendra Modi for the development of the country including Assam and preparations for upcoming Lok Sabha election.

ment and encourage people towards their involvement in tree plantation, an Assam BJP MLA of Golaghat district has organized a

Army chief meets Bangladeshi Counterpart

unique competition among local residents of his constituency.

Meanwhile, Tripura CM Manik Saha also attended a tree plantation

event and ‘Safai Abhiyan’ and said, “I urge people not to use plastics as much as possible. We need to maintain ecological balance.”

‘Key architects of modern India were NRIs’

‘COUNTRY FACES BATTLE

Minister

event on World Environment Day, in Bengaluru on Monday. Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah is also seen.

ELECTRICITY TARIFF

On the issue of hike in electricity tariff by `2.89 per unit, Siddaramaiah said the decision was not taken by the government but the Karnataka Electricity Regulatory Commission (KERC). “We do not decide hike in electricity tariff. There is Karnataka electricity regulatory authority, which has decided. It had decided in the past. We have only implemented it,” he explained. Regarding Indira Canteens, Siddaramaiah said he has directed the officials to make all preparations to start them again.

We are convening the Budget Session where we will table the Budget on July 7. We will make provisions for the implementation of the promises made in our manifesto. —Siddaramaiah, Karnataka CM

Dhaka (PTI): Indian Army chief Gen Manoj Pande on Monday met his Bangladeshi counterpart General SM Shafiuddin Ahmed here and discussed various aspects of mutual interest and explored ways to further expand bilateral defence and security ties. Gen Pande, who arrived on Monday on a two-day visit to Bangladesh also interacted with Lt Gen Waker-UzZaman, the Principal Staff Officer of the Armed forces division.

New York (PTI): Addressing the Indian Diaspora, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi claimed that the key architects of contemporary India were all Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) who kept an open mind about the outside world. His remark assumes significance as the BJP, which holds the reins of administration at the Centre, has often accused him of sullying India’s image on foreign soil. The saffron party has also alleged a larger global narrative to defame India.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi addresses at an event in New York.

The central architect of modern India, Mahatma Gandhi, was an NRI. The foundation for India's freedom movement was laid in in South Africa...Nehru, BR Ambedkar, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, Subhash Chandra Bose, all were NRIs and had an open mind about the outside world. —Rahul Gandhi

Maharashtra Cabinet expansion soon, says Devendra Fadnavis

Nagpur (PTI): Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister and BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis on Monday said the state cabinet will be expanded soon and the timeline will be decided by Chief Minister Eknath Shinde.

Devendra Fadnavis also said Shiv Sena, led by Shinde, and BJP will

BY LIMITING FOSSIL FUEL USAGE

fight all elections together, which was discussed during their

India can reduce pollution by 40%: Gadkari

We import fossil fuels worth `16 lakh crore every year: Union Minister Nitin Gadkari

New Delhi (PTI): India can reduce its pollution by over 40 per cent by not using fossil fuels like petrol and diesel, while the country imports crude oil worth `16 lakh crore every year, Union Minister Nitin Gadkari said.

“We can reduce 40 per cent pollution by not using fossil fuels like pet-

rol and diesel,” Gadkari said addressing Green Urja Conclave organised by Confederation of Re-

newable Energy Service Professionals and Industries in association with IIT-Delhi, IIT-Ropar and

University of Delhi.

He said,”We import fossil fuels worth `16 lakh crore every year. It poses a big economic challenge for us. It also causes pollution. Besides, we also import coal worth `12 lakh crore. We need to reduce our new technologies and improvise those also.”

He emphasised on the importance of institutions like IIT for bringing new technology for promoting clean and green energy.

PLASTIC POLLUTION A GLOBAL ENVIRONMENTAL CRISIS: NGT CHIEF

On the occasion of World Environment Day, Justice A K Goel, the chairperson of the National Green Tribunal, said plastic pollution has become a global environmental crisis that threatens our planet. He said reliance on single-use plastic has resulted in immense harm to our oceans, land, and health, and to address this challenge collective efforts and individual responsibility are crucial. ”We must raise awareness, reduce consumption of single-use plastic,” Justice Goel said.

meeting with Union Home Minister Amit Shah in Delhi.

BETWEEN 2 IDEOLOGIES’

C ontinuing with his offensive against the saffron party, the Congress leader said the country faces a battle between two ideologies -- one espoused by the Congress and the other by the BJP and its ideological parent, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). “There is a fight between two ideologies in India -- one that we (Congress) represent and other that is espoused by the BJP and the RSS,” the Congress leader claimed. Further, he added that the principles and ideology that the Congress holds dear are the same as that of the Father of the Nation, Mahatma Gandhi.

Delhi BJP accuses Kejriwal of ‘insulting’ national anthem

New Delhi: The BJP on Monday accused Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal of insulting the national anthem at an event organised on the occasion of World Environment Day at Thyagaraj Stadium.

In a video shared by the BJP, during the programme at the Thyagaraj Stadium, the commentator asks all to

stand up for the national anthem. Soon after the announcement, Kejriwal gets up and leaves.

IN THE COURTYARD

HC GRANTS BAIL TO NEPALESE NATIONAL IN ESPIONAGE CASE

New Delhi: The Delhi High Court on Monday granted bail to a Nepalese national arrested in an espionage case for allegedly leaking sensitive information to Chinese intelligence officers. Justice Vikas Mahajan said no useful purpose would be served in keeping petitioner Sher Singh, who was neither named in the FIR nor was any confidential document recovered from him, behind bars after completion of investigation, and granted him bail subject to conditions. The judge said the allegations and defence will be tested during the trial.

ANTILIA BOMB SCARE CASE: SC GRANTS 3

WEEKS INTERIM BAIL TO EX-COP SHARMA

New Delhi, Jun 5 (PTI) The Supreme Court on Monday granted three weeks interim bail to former police officer Pradeep Sharma, arrested in connection with the Antilia bomb scare case and the killing of businessman Mansukh Hiran, to file a fresh application seeking interim bail. A vacation bench of Justices Aniruddha Bose and Rajesh Bindal granted the relief to Sharma after noting that his wife has to undergo surgery. The top court said Sharma would be released on interim bail subject to conditions imposed by the trial court.

‘WOMEN OFTEN DENIED AUTONOMY OVER OWN BODY, NUDITY ARE NOT ALWAYS SYNONYMOUS’ Kochi: The right of autonomy over one’s body is often denied to the fairer sex and they are bullied, discriminated against, isolated and persecuted for making choices about their bodies and lives, the Kerala HC said while discharging a women’s rights activist in a POCSO case. A woman’s right activist, was facing charges under various provisions of the POCSO, Juvenile Justice and the Information Technology (IT) Acts for circulating a video in which she was seen posing semi-nude for her minor children, allowing them to paint on her body.

BJP national president JP Nadda waters a sapling on the occasion of World Environment Day, at party headquarters, in New Delhi on Monday.

—PHOTO BY ANI

Lok Sabha speaker Om Birla waters a Rudraksha sapling in Parliament premises on the occasion of World Environment Day, in New Delhi on Monday.

UP CM Yogi Adityanath waters a sapling on World Environment Day, at Gorakhnath Temple premises, in Gorakhpur on Monday.

"Great leadership": PM & HM extend birthday wishes to Yogi

Union Home Minister Amit Shah and BJP National President JP Nadda will visit Assam this month and they will take part in

Mahajanasampark Abhi-

Karnataka Deputy Chief

DK Shivakumar waters a plant during an

—PHOTO

Maharashtra CM Eknath Shinde and Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis meet Union Home Minister Amit Shah, in New Delhi on Sunday.

Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal gives a kit to a student on the occasion of World Environment Day.

Amit Shah @amitshah

birthday to Shri @myogiadityanath

India’s position better on distribution of vaccines & medicines: WHO

Hyderabad (PTI): India is in a strong position to develop an effective medical countermeasures framework involving all nations to ensure drugs, vaccines and diagnostic services equitably reach the needy, said a top WHO official on Monday.

Under its G20 presidency, India has proposed a medical coun-

termeasure coordination platform to effectively deal with challenges of any Covidlike pandemic.

Dr Michael Ryan, Executive Director at WHO Health Emergency Programme in Geneva, who is attending the third G20 Health Working Group meeting being held here from June 4 to 6, said the future of health

TRAGEDY ON TRACKS

ESTABLISHING REGIONAL NETWORK

Odisha train accident: 170 bodies identified so far: Chief Secy Jena

Chief Secretary also said that Odisha will bear transportation cost of all bodies

Balasore (ANI): The Odisha government on Monday informed that 170 bodies from the triple train accident that took place in Odisha’s Balasore district have been identified till today morning.

The Odisha government will bear the transportation cost of bodies of the triple train accident victims to different states, Chief Secretary P K Jena said on Monday. He said 170 bodies out of 275 have so far been identified in Balasore and Bhubaneswar.

“Arrangements for free transportation of the bodies by hearses to various destinations will be done to help bereaved families.” he said.

‘NO INTENTION TO HIDE DEATHS’: ODISHA GOVT

Bhubaneswar: Odisha Chief Secretary PK Jena said his government has no intention to hide the deaths in the Balasore train crash and the entire rescue operation was being conducted in full public view. Reacting to allegations, he said Odisha believes in transparency.

CRACK FOUND IN TRAIN COACH IN TN, MAJOR ACCIDENT AVERTED

A lert railways officials in Tamil Nadu prevented a major disaster after detecting cracks in the chassis of a train coach. The officials immediately detached the affected coach from the KollamChennai Express. The news comes days after a major train tragedy in Odisha in which 275 people were killed and 1,200 injured. The India's deadliest crash is being blamed on a technical glitch.

Army flags “malicious” social media posts claiming gunfight

New Delhi (Agencies):

The Indian Army has flagged as “malicious” social media posts that alleged a gunfight between the Manipur Police and the Assam Rifles in the violence-hit northeast state.

The Spear Corps asked people “to be wary of malicious attempts at disinformation” that tries to create a rift between two agencies that have been working hard to bring peace and normalcy in Manipur.

“All are advised to be wary of malicious attempts at disinformation as also create rift between two agencies.,” the Spear Corps tweeted.

TAdoption centre staff brutally assaults 2 girls in Chhattisgarh

ODISHA TO BOOST TOURISM WITH DIRECT FLIGHTS

Singapore (PTI): With the launch of direct fl ights connecting Bhubaneswar to Dubai, Bangkok and Singapore under the “Viability Gap Funding” scheme, the Odisha government is hopeful of doubling its foreign tourist arrivals in the state by 2025 from its pre-pandemic levels, a tourism offi cial said on Monday. A "Viability Gap Funding" (VGF) is a government grant provided to airlines to bridge the gap between the cost of operations and expected revenues. "The target is to double the foreign tourist arrivals by 2025 to 2.5 lakh from the pre-Covid peak of 1.2 lakh witnessed in 2019," Sachin Jadhav, Director of Tourism Odisha, said.

Over 30 held as security guards, students clash

Noida (PTI): More than 30 private security guards and students were taken into police custody after a clash broke out between them at the state-run Gautam Buddha University in Greater Noida, officials said on Monday.

The clash was triggered after security guards allegedly objected to some students smoking cigarettes at

SPORADIC VIOLENCE IN SUGNU AFTER SUSPECTED MILITANTS TORCH HOUSES

New Delhi: Manipur’s Sugnu town has now remained the key area of confrontation between the two communities at loggerheads in the northeastern state, where sporadic violence has continued for over a month. Over 200 houses, including that of Kangujam Ranjit, Congress MLA from Sugnu Assembly, were set on fire by suspected militants at Serou in Kakching district, local reports said. Constant gunfire, bomb attacks, and even snipers have been reported by locals since Friday.

JAMIA

and pandemic preparedness is stronger with the leadership of India in this meeting.

“We are discussing the pandemic preparedness and response and how to chart a future path so that we all respond better to the next pandemic.

“India in G20’s leadership is highlighting this issue and talking about how we work to-

gether on medical countermeasures — how we make better vaccines and drugs, how do we get them to people quicker, and how do we make the whole system fair so that people who really need things get them as soon as possible,” Dr Michael Ryan said, adding, “India is in a very strong position to do that.”

❍ WRESTLERS’ PROTEST ON

Kanker ( Chhattisgarh): A viral video from an adoption centre in Chhattisgarh's Kanker district shows the Programme Manager of the centre brutally assaulting two little girls, flinging them to the floor and then onto a bed. The Kanker Collector has ordered an FIR against the adoption centre employee. The adoption centre is home to orphans. Sources from the Kanker police said the Programme Manager, Seema Dwivedi, has been involved in several such incidents before this, but no action was taken against her, raising questions about the safety and well-being of children living there. They added the adoption Centre has a CCTV camera, but Dwivedi would turn it off. In the video, Dwivedi is seen hitting a little girl, holding her by the hair and then flinging her to the floor.

Sibal predicts ‘no arrest’ over action against Bhushan

New Delhi (PTI): Raj

Rajya Sabha MP Kapil

Sibal on Monday attacked the government amid the wrestlers’ demand for action against outgoing WFI chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, predicting that the BJP MP would not be arrested and a “wishy-washy” chargesheet would be filed, and then he would be granted bail.

The attack by Sibal, a senior advocate who represented the protesting wrestlers in the Supreme Court, comes af-

ter a delegation of the protesting wrestlers reportedly met Union Home Minister Amit Shah here late Saturday. Wrestler Bajrang Punia was quoted as saying that the wrestlers’ delegation met Shah. In a tweet, Sibal said, “Amit Shah meets team of wrestlers. Wrestling for solutions. My prediction: No arrest. Wishywashy chargesheet will be filed. Brij Bhushan will be granted bail. Then they will say matter is sub-judice!”

Tejashwi hiding truth over bridge collapse in Bihar: BJP

the Munshi Premchand Hostel inside the university campus.

“An argument broke out between the two sides around and blew into a clash after which 33 people were taken into custody by a police team which reached the spot. The police have received complaints from both sides and the matter is being probed,” the police said.

Patna (PTI): Bihar BJP on Monday alleged that Deputy CM Tejashwi Yadav was “hiding the truth” over the collapse of an under-construction bridge in the state. The saffron party slammed the RJD leader for his comment that “many structural defects” of the bridge have been pointed out by experts.

guards and college students.

RETAINS THIRD PLACE AMONG UNIVERSITIES

The bridge over the Ganga river was supposed to connect Khagaria district with Bhagalpur. Reacting to Yadav’s remark, senior BJP leader Nitin Nabin told PTI, “I must say that the deputy chief minister is hiding the truth”.

VC welcomes university ranking in NIRF 2023

New Delhi (PTI): Jamia Millia Islamia Vice Chancellor Najma Akhtar on Monday said the varsity had progressed from 83rd rank in 2016 to third rank in 2022 in the NIRF rankings, and attributed the achievement to improved perception about the university with regard to teaching and research.

The Ministry of Education’s National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) 2023

was announced by Union Minister of State for Education Rajkumar Ranjan Singh on

Monday. In the eighth edition of NIRF rankings announced earlier in the

DU TO BEGIN 3 BTECH PROGRAMMES

THIS YEAR WITH 360 STUDENTS

New Delhi: Delhi University will introduce BTech programmes from the upcoming academic session with a capacity of 360 students who will be admitted in three engineering courses through JEE Mains, an official has said. According to the official, the three courses which will be conducted by the Faculty of Technology are BTech Computer Science and Engineering, BTech Electronics and Communication Engineering, and BTech Electrical Engineering. A proposal in the matter will be presented before the university’s Executive Council on Friday, the official told news agency PTI.

day, Jamia Millia Islamia (JMI) retained the third position in the ‘universities’ category.

In 2021, it had bagged the sixth spot. In the overall category, the varsity bagged the 12th spot.

“TEAMWORK HAS PAID OFF”: IIT MADRAS CHIEF ON TOP NIRF RANKING

New Delhi (PTI): Collective effort, continuous assessment and improvement strategies were the key factors behind the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras retaining the top position in the National Institutional Ranking Framework, the premier institute’s Director V Kamakoti said here on Monday. It was quite easy to reach the top, but difficult to maintain it, and the recognition has given IIT-M a lot more confidence and motivation to work much harder, Prof Kamakoti said.

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar along with Deputy Chief Minister Tejashwi Yadav during the ‘Sampoorna Kranti Diwas’ program, in Patna on Monday. —PHOTO BY ANI

STRICT ACTION TO BE TAKEN AGAINST THOSE FOUND GUILTY: CM NITISH KUMAR

Patna: A day after the collapse of an under-construction bridge over the Ganga river in Bihar, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Monday said strict action would be taken against those found guilty in the incident. “The bridge is not being constructed properly and that is why it collapsed twice since April 2022. It’s a serious matter…The department concerned has already initiated a thorough probe into it. Strict action will be taken against those found guilty,” Kumar said.

CRUCIAL READ

CHHATTISGARH: 3 CRPF PERSONNEL INJURED IN BLAST OF IED PLANTED BY NAXALITES

Raipur: Three personnel of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) were on Monday injured when a pressure improvised explosive device planted by Naxalites went off in Chhattisgarh’s Bijapur district. The incident took place near Tekameta hill under Gangaloor police station limits when a joint team of the CRPF’s 85th and 222nd battalions was out on an area domination operation.

1 HELD FOR FIREARMS TRAFFICKING IN DELHI CBI ARRESTS BUILDER IN `280 CR FRAUD CASE New Delhi: A team of Special Cell/NDR has arrested an alleged inter-state firearms trafficker identified as Mukand Singh who was operating at the behest of handlers based in the USA and Dubai and recovered huge quantity of arms and ammunition from his possession.

New Delhi: The CBI has arrested Harresh Mehta, a leader building of South Mumbai in connection to a Rs 280 crore bank loan fraud case. As per officials, Mehta is the owner of Rohan Life Spaces Ltd and Rohan Constructions Ltd and was absconding for years.

Restoration work of train accident site underway, in Balasore on Monday.

A view of a damaged house at Loibol Khunou village amid ongoing tension in Manipur, in Kangpokpi district on Monday.

JMI VC Prof. Najma Akhtar received the award.

Among those detained are security

Kapil Sibbal

CM ASSURES BENEFICIARIES AT LABHARTHI UTSAV

CM TRANSFERS `60 CR IN ONE CLICK AS

INDIRA GANDHI GAS CYLINDER SUBSIDY

Vikas Sharma

Jaipur: CM Ashok Gehlot said on Monday that women in Rajasthan will soon get free smart phones.

“These mobiles will be given in lots of 40 lakh each. There is delay in giving free mobile due to chip related issues,” Gehlot was speaking at RIC Center in Jaipur on Monday when the CM released the subsidy in the accounts of the beneficiaries under the Indira Gandhi Gas Cylinder Subsidy Scheme.

With this, Ujjwala and BPL cooking gas collection holders in the state have started getting the benefit of this scheme from Monday. CM Gehlot told the beneficiaries in the program, “This scheme is not for elections. Our thinking is to give social security to the people as it happens in foreign countries. We want the Govt of India to pass such a law wherein people should get a pension worth living. Whether it is 2 thousand or 3 thousand.”

Meanwhile, Minister Pratap Singh Khachariawas while attacking the Central Governmentt said that said, “BJP people are saying that Gehlot is distributing Revdi. In the coming one month, the central government will be forced to end inflation.”

This Scheme is not for elections, our thinking is to give social security to the people, We want Central Govt to pass such law wherein people get pension worth living: CM

Joshi,

First India Bureau

Rathore question free cylinder subsidy scheme

Jaipur: LoP Rajendra

Rathore and BJP State

President CP Joshi on Monday targeted the Congress government in Rajasthan over the Indira Gandhi Gas Cylinder Subsidy scheme saying that CM Gehlot launched

the scheme due to shrinking mass base.

Rathore said that Gehlot, worried about the declining mass base in the state, has remembered to give subsidy in cooking gas cylinders to poor women in the election year. He asked why the promise of efforts to

RHB to plant over 90,000 plants before monsoon season across Raj

Shivendra Parmar

Jaipur: On the occasion of World Environment Day, Rajasthan Housing Board (RHB) Commissioner Pawan Arora directed the officials to take a pledge to plant more than 90 thousand trees and plants till the next monsoon in various housing schemes going on across the state including Jaipur.

Arora said this important thing on Monday during the review meeting related to plantation at ‘Awas Bhawan’, the headquarters of the Housing Board. He also directed the officers to issue all tenders related

to plantation by June 15 and work orders by June 25 to 30. He also gave strict instructions to the officials to complete the plantation work before the month of August.

Arora said that till the next monsoon, more than 20 thousand trees and plants will be planted in the city park which has become the lifeline

of Jaipur. “Similarly, a green corridor will be made by planting more than 15,000 trees with the help of Miyawaki technique near the railway line on Ganga Marg located in Indira Gandhi Nagar. The work of plantation will be done on a large scale in all the residential schemes of state till the month of July.

control prices of cooking gas in point number 54 of page number 39 of

the Congress manifesto was not fulfilled earlier?

He added that inflation relief camps are a personal campaign of the Congress in which people are called forcibly in name of re-registration.

board releases e-waste mgmnt policy

First India Bureau

Jaipur: Instead of giving used computers, laptops, cell-phones, phones, Air Conditioners etc. to the scrap dealer, people can now easily reach the e-waste recycler through toll free number.

The Rajasthan State Pollution Control Board will promote repair and refurbishment of ewaste items through the new e-waste management policy launched on Monday. For this, an e-waste park will be developed in the state capital Jaipur where e-waste will be collected from

scrap leaders and waste pickers etc.

A state level committee will be constituted under the chairmanship of Principal Secretary, Environment and Climate Change department to review the progress of implementation of the policy.

‘Work on increasing voting percentage’

Strengthen faith of people in democracy and its institutions, says Governor Mishra

Jaipur (PTI): Rajasthan Governor Kalraj Mishra on Monday said state election commissions play an effective role in strengthening the faith of common people in democracy and democratic institutions.

Addressing a conference on the ‘Role of State Election Commissions in a Strong Democracy’ held in Mount Abu, he also stressed

the need to ensure the maximum participation of citizens in the election process.

Mishra suggested participants of the conference discuss measures to bring down election expenditure and hoped that state election commissions would share innovations and experiences so that effective work can be done to strengthen democracy up to the

panchayat level, according to a statement. He said democratic institutions are strengthened when there is maximum par-

ticipation of citizens and this is the basis of free and fair elections.

Mishra said the state election commission is a constitutional body

and the Constitution protects the powers of the Election Commission. He said the poll body is working to strengthen democracy by effectively conducting elections in the Panchayati Raj institutions and municipal bodies.

State Election Commissioner Madhukar Gupta said the State Election Commissions need to be given the same powers, independence and autonomy the Election Commission of India enjoys.

Naresh Sharma

Jaipur: CM Ashok Gehlot said on Monday that journalists are vigilant watchdogs of democracy. In a democratic system, the importance of the party is only when the opposition exists, Gehlot said while addressing the statelevel press conference organized by the Small and Medium Newspaper Association in Durgapura on Monday.

He said that the state govt has taken many important decisions for the welfare of journalists. “The interests of newspa-

pers and journalists have been protected by the establishment of Journalist Welfare Fund and Samvad. The govt should take the suggestions of journalists positively. In a democracy, both side and opposition are important. There is no justification for the side without the opposition. The state govt is giving pension of `15,000 per month to the journalists under Senior Approved Journalist Samman Yojana. The state govt has allotted plots to journalists at many places including Alwar and Udaipur,” he said.

POLICE REVIEW MEETING ON WEDNESDAY

did not provide the data of Ujjwala Yojana, while the data of 76 lakh people has already been given, still you are giving subsidy to only 14 lakh people and in this subsidy 200 rupees from the Centre It belongs to the govt, this should also be told to common people.”

Raj govt soon going to recruit sweepers in large numbers

Bhanwar S Charan

Kota : The Rajasthan government is soon going to open recruitment in large numbers for sweepers in which priority will be given to those families who do not have a single member in government service. UDH Minister Shanti Dhariwal said this while addressing a programme of Divisional Safai Mazdoor Congress at Nayapura Ismail Chowk.

Dhariwal said that the Valmiki community has been associated with the Congress since the time of Mahatma Gandhi and the Con-

gress has always made every possible effort for the upliftment of the society. He also mentioned the welfare schemes of the state government.

He said that Rajasthan is the only state in the country where the government has implemented welfare schemes

to provide relief from inflation.

The minister was also overwhelmed by the grand reception given in the program. During the programme, Dhariwal honored Deepak Narwal, who won a medal in body building competition in Thailand.

Jaipur: CS Usha Sharma on Monday instructed officers to ensure speedy implementation of the construction works of budget announcements with proper coordination. She said that the process related to land acquisition should be completed soon for the completion of various under-construction RUB and ROB in the state.

The CS chaired a review meeting with the officials of Railway and

related departments regarding the works of various pending RUB and ROB. She said that CM Gehlot has announced various construction works and the

planning of these works should be done according to the future needs. The Chief Secy instructed officers to ensure that work is completed within the stipulated time.

Nirmal Tiwari

GUV MISHRA URGES STATE POLL BODIES AT SECs ’ CONFERENCE

CM Ashok Gehlot during the Journalists’ Convention in Jaipur on Monday. Rafeek Khan along with the senior journalists including Vichar Vyas, Radharaman Sharma, LC Bhartiya, Avinash Sharma, Padam Mehta, Rajkumar Gupta, Jaswinder, Shyam Sundar Sharma, Abdul Sattar Silavat, Pashupati Kumar Sharma were also present on the occasion.

CM Ashok Ghelot while transferring the amount to the accounts of the beneficiaries during ‘Labharthi Utsav’ at RIC in Jaipur on Monday. Also seen here are Pratap Singh Khachariyawas, Mahesh Joshi, Mamta Bhupesh, Rafeek Khan, Gopal Meena, Amin Kagji along with Usha Sharma, Kuldeep Ranka, Gaurav Goyal, Lokesh Sharma and other officials. —PHOTOS BY SANTOSH SHARMA

CM Ashok Gehlot addressing the event at RIC in Jaipur on Monday.

Dharmendra Rathore, CR Meena, Bharti Dixit, Lalit Goyal, Rajendra Sisodia, RC Chaudhary, Ramswaroop Chaudhary, Dr Shrigopal Baheti, Dr Rajkumar Mahendra Ralavata, Saurabh Bajad, SK Bansal, Norat Gurjar, Hemant Jodha and others joined and watched the programme from Ajmer’s Jawahar Rang Manch on Monday.

RHB Commissioner Pawan Arora during the review meeting of the board at Awas Bhawan in Jaipur on Monday.

UDH Minister Shanti Dhariwal and Amit Dhariwal during a felicitation programme in Kota on Monday.

Governor Kalraj Mishra during the conference of the State Election Commisioners of various states in Mount Abu on Monday.

Ajmer 54,694 Alwar 59,514 Banswara 25,615 Baran 29,246 Barmer 67,362 Bharatpur 58,515 Bhilwara 52,064 Bikaner 54,626 Bundi 26,613 Chittorgarh 41,445 Churu 56,618 Dausa 41,532 Dholpur 25,918 Dungarpur 19,718 Hanumangarh 36,979 Jaipur 80,100 Jaisalmer 17,584 Jalore 38,115 Jhalawar 39,115 Jhunjhunu 47,181 Jodhpur 65,767 Karauli 28,460 Kota 27,509 Nagaur 70,517 Pali 40,731 Pratapgarh 15,005 Rajsamand 27,873 Sawai Madhopur 26,499 Sikar 61,153 Sirohi 18,817 Sri Ganganagar 45,200 Tonk 38,950 Udaipur 51,553

R

A/C OF 14 LAKH BENEFICIARIES

Dhariwal:

Pollution

z 8478.00 MTA in 2018-19 z 17028.00 MTA in 2019-2020 z 20816.00 MTA in 2020-2021 z 46233 MTA in last 3 yrs CURRENT STATUS OF E-WASTE IN RAJ

The depth of truth is far deeper and expansive than mere facts and we would do well to remember this!

—Dr Jagdeesh Chandra, CEO & Editor-in-Chief, First India

PM Modi is more than a Prime Minister; an institution in himself: Himanta Biswa Sarma

z Dr Jagdeesh Chan-

dra: At the onset, let us pray for the peace for souls of those deceased in the Odisha train incident. We pray that the Almighty gives courage to their families.

Look at the leadership of Prime Minister that he reached on site to take a stock of the situation. Our heartfelt prayers with the families.

Himanta Biswa Sarma:

It is an extremely sad incident and everyone is pained with the tragedy.

It is such a major train accident and we all stand united with the people and families that have lost their dear ones in this accident. Representing the Assam government, I have contacted the Odisha government, that what ever help we can provide in this tragic incident, they can tell us and we are ready to do everything possible. Everyone is doing their best and Prime Minister Narendra Modi was also there. It is such a painful and tragic day that we can not say anything.

would be a huge deal for me. But by 2008-09, I had definitely started getting this belief in my heart.

z So what has your political journey been till now?

I contested my first election at the age of 27 years in 1996 and I lost my first election. I contested against main leader of Asom Gana Parishad, who even signed the Assam accord, Bhrigu Kumar Phukan, and I lost by 6 or 7,000 votes. In 2001, I won by 12,000 votes and in 2006, I won by 42,000 votes. In 2011, I won by 68,000 votes and in 2016, I won by 78,000 votes and this year, I won by 1,3000 votes. So from loss to victory, this has been my story.

z In the Congress rule, you had worked with two Chief Ministers. What was the difference in working of both the CMs?

z You started from student politics and then moved to advocacy. Did you ever thought at any moment that you will come into politics and reach such heights and become Chief Minister?

I belong to a middle class family and my father was a government servant. I used to take part in student agitations and was a part of Student Union in College and University. I had this in my heart that I will enter politics but owing to the situation of my family and my own, it never came in my mind that I will ever become a Chief Minister. But as I got more involved in politics, I will not lie, by 2008-09, I started believing that I can become CM or in a position to influence the future of the State. So when I started in 1996, I did not even think on these grounds and used to think that even if I become an MLA, that

See, Saikia Sahib brought me in politics and when Saikia Sahib was CM, I got a chance to contest. He passed away during that time in the middle of elections. So I did not get a chance to work under him as a Minister or MLA. But in five years, I literally spent my nights and days around him. So the relation that I had with him was administrative and not political in nature. With Gogoi Sahib I worked for 14 years, and with him, I did not share a personal connection but administrative and political connect was definitely there. With Saikia Sahib, I had more of a personal connect like the one shared by a father and a son.

With Gogoi Sahib, I had more of a professional connect like the one shared by CM and MLAs. So, with him, I was an MLA and then I became a Minister and then I got close to him. So that was an evolu tion, from not knowing him, to becoming close. This was because the relation between Sai kia Sahib and Gogoi Sahib were not too good. So when I was with Saikia Sahib, I never met Gogoi Sahib. So from not knowing someone and then to establish a close rapport with them, that took almost ten years.

z So then what is the basic difference between the two govern-

In a tete-a-tete with Chief Minister of Assam Himanta Biswa Sarma, Dr Jagdeesh Chandra, CEO and Editor-in-Chief, Bharat24-Vision of New India and First India & CMD, First India News finds out how under Prime Minister Narendra Modi the administration has taken a turn for the better, how the current leaders and public representatives are given the best treatment ever, how PM and Home Minister speak with CMs and leaders without delay. Sarma also spills the beans on how Congress is a feudal party, where even Chief Ministers are made to eat from a plate from which the Gandhi family’s dogs eat. Excerpts... (Part-I)

ments of Congress and BJP according to you?

There are a handful of things that I have realised. Congress is essentially a feudal party. Gandhi family is the ‘Supreme’ in the party and to maintain this supremacy, they give further concession to the State people, perhaps one or two leaders, and then these leaders would give power to lower leaders. So, it is as if there is a ‘Sultan’ and then there would be a ‘Paragana,’ so, Congress is structured like that. Feudalism at its peak and there is nothing other than feudalism that you can actually see or observe there. Even today if you see, in the name of regional ‘Kshtraps,’ there is regional feudalism and in the name of Gan-

dhi family, there is national feudalism. But the environment in BJP is, in totality, the environment of middleclass family. There is not an extremely formal relation with anyone and who so ever comes, the talks would start with taking news of the person’s family and their well being and perhaps share food during such talks. And this is more like a family. So this is the fundamental difference. Then there is policy difference and difference of ideology is known to all. But in totality, the difference is that in Congress you have to live in a feudal system and in BJP you can think that you are a part of a greater family.

z You said that in former PM Manmohan Singh’s time you would call the PMO and the reply would come by evening. But in current PMO, if you message, PM calls up soon after. What change is this?

See, when I worked with Sahib and Saikia

I saw that to take appointment from Prime Minister, or you speak with the Prime Minister or the Prime Minister calls you up; these three things used to become headlines of Assamese newspapers. Because it was considered a big news at that time that a CM has spoken

with PM. When I also started, for the first few days, when I used to speak with PM or if PM would call, for that I started a system of press release because I thought that I would perhaps get a chance to meet PM once in six months, or perhaps I would some day get a chance to speak on the phone or else I may not get that too. But as I moved forward, I saw the times of Covid as CM and even dealt a long time as a Health Minister, this phone is literally an issue of everyday. If there is any issue, you will be phoned immediately. In fact, even Home Minister too calls up, at times fifteen times a day, if there are floods or any other law and order issue or anything else. And even you too in return make the same number of calls. And when ever you go to meet PM, it takes forty five minutes or one hour and during this you talk in detail. When former CMs used to go to meet Manmo han Singh ji, I used to stand out of the office in waiting. They would go, stay there for five minutes, and they would return. We used to ask if they have met and we were told yes it was a good meeting. So five minutes with PM, according to them, were very useful time. That is why I said the other day that when there is this administration,

Modiji has changed the dynamics. Now there is accessibility, there is response, and from the sense of equity and justice, you are given the honour and treated with regard, that regard is given to my State.

z I heard you were recently in Delhi for three days and did you meet Prime Minister Modi on all three days?

All three days, I had the chance to meet Prime Minister. At times, it also happens that like in our national working committee meet we may meet him a dozen times in one day itself. You may meet him for breakfast or lunch etc. So meeting PM is now no longer a problem and not just for me, but for many other people. When I go to meet him,

our party people would be there in the room. So I think that during Congress rule, the leaders at that level never had the good luck of meeting the PM.

z I heard that it was due to Rahul Gandhi’s attitude that you left Congress?

See, first and foremost, at that time, such incident happened and right from their behaviour till the incident, several such things happened, but, in totality, by 2014, the situations worsened so much that Congress High Command had to send an observer to Assam to find out who has what number of MLAs in their side. This aspect is there in Ghulam Nabi ji’s biography as well.

About 55-60 legislators were with me and only a dozen MLAs were with Gogoi Sahib and in a way, it was sure that I was to be the CM.

And if I was not to be the CM, then there was an option that the then Speaker of Assam Assembly would be there and we suggested that if you do not wish to make me the Chief Minister, then that leader could be made CM since the State needs a ‘Sense’ because after about 15 years, the State is witnessing a fatigue and Congress will not be able to win.

That did not happen. Even then, I

stayed in Congress for one and a half years. I resigned from Gogoi S ahib’s Cabinet, but continued to stay in Congress, thinking perhaps the matter will get solved somehow. But when we did not get any response and in between several incidents kept on happening, then it came to me that time has come to leave Congress.

z So is that episode with dog true? Did that happen?

I think whosoever goes to meet him (Rahul Gandhi), they all see this. It was not a incident specific to me, rather it was a general incident. In fact, I met an Editor of a major news channel the very day and he told me that the same behaviour was met to him one week prior to the day it happened with me. That happening kept on continuing for a long time, but it ended after I exposed it. But otherwise, it is a day- to- day affair, nothing to do with me as an individual, but that is the environment in their house that the dog eats from that plate and even the CM also eats from the same plate. I did not eat, but Gogoi Sahib, our State President and others eat from that plate itself. So, obviously it pains.

During the show ##JCwithHimanta trended top All-India on Twitter

Dr Jagdeesh Chandra in conversation with Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma at CMR in Guwahati during The JC Show.

Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma

Dr Jagdeesh Chandra

Velvet fashion continues to enchant and inspire fashion lovers around the world. With its rich history, sumptuous texture, and timeless elegance, velvet garments have remained a symbol of luxury for centuries. City First brings to you timeless elegance of Velvet fashion.

Fashion trends come and go, but some styles endure the test of time, becoming synonymous with elegance and luxury. One such trend is velvet fashion. With its lustrous texture, rich hues, and regal appeal, velvet has remained a favorite among designers and fashion enthusiasts for centuries. This sumptuous fabric effortlessly adds depth, sophistication, and a touch of indulgence to any outfit.

Let's explore the allure of velvet fashion and why it continues to captivate us, season after season.

One of the most enticing aspects of velvet fashion is its unmistakable texture. The fabric's densely woven pile creates a soft and plush surface that

begs to be touched. Running your hand over velvet evokes a tactile pleasure that few other fabrics can replicate. Its unique ability to catch and reflect light adds depth and dimension to any garment, making it a standout choice for special occasions and evening wear. Contrary to popular belief, velvet is not exclusively reserved for the colder months. While it undeniably provides warmth and coziness during fall and winter, the fabric has evolved to be suitable for yearround wear. Designers have introduced lightweight versions of velvet, making it a viable option for spring and summer. Delicate velvet tops, breezy dresses, and even shorts in this fabric have emerged as popular

UTTKARSHA SHEKHAR uttkarsha.shekhar@firstindia.co.in

Women aren’t failing at science SCIENCE IS FAILING WOMEN

Female research scientists are more productive than their male colleagues, though they are widely perceived as being less so. Women are also rewarded less for their scientific achievements.

That’s according to my team’s study for United Nations University - Merit on gender inequality in scientific research in Mexico, published as a working paper in December 2016.

The study, part of the project “Science, Technology and Innovation Gender Gaps and their Economic Costs in Latin America and the Caribbean”, was financed by the Gender and Diversity Fund of the InterAmerican Development Bank (IDB).

THE ‘PRODUCTIVITY

PUZZLE’

The study, which looked at women’s status in 42 public universities and 18 public research centres, some managed by Mexico’s National Council of Science and Technology (CONACYT), focused on a question that has been widely investigated: why are women in science less productive than men, in almost all academic disciplines and regardless of the productivity measure used?

The existence of this “productivity puzzle” is well documented, from South Africa to Italy, but few studies have sought to identify its possible causes.

Our findings demon strate that, in Mexico at least, the premise of the productivity puzzle is false, when we control for factors such as promotion to senior academic ranks and selec tivity.

Using an econometric modelling approach, in cluding several macro sim ulations to understand the economic costs of gender gaps to the Mexican aca demic system, our study focused on researchers within Mexico’s National System of Researchers.

We found that women produce higher quality research than men, often publishing in more

FACEOFTHEDAY

prestigious scholarly journals with longer term impacts in the field.

Additionally, despite the common belief that maternity leaves make women less productive in key periods of their careers, female researchers in fact have only between 5% to 6% more nonproductive years than males. At senior levels, the difference drops to 1%.

Nonetheless, in the universities and research centres we studied, Mexican women face considerable barriers to success. At public research centres, women are 35% less likely to be promoted, and 89% of senior ranks were filled by men in 2013, though women comprised 24% of research staff and 33% at non-senior levels. Public universities do

slightly better (but not well): female researchers there are 22% less likely to be promoted than men.

Overall, 89% of all female academics in our sample never reached senior levels in the period studied (2002 to 2013).

In some ways this data should not be surprising.

Mexico ranks 66th out of 144 in the World Economic Forum’s 2016 Global Gender Gap Report and a 2015 report by the Organisation of Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) showed that among OECD countries Mexico has the widest overall gender gap in labour par-

Mexico is not alone. Our previous research in France and South Africa, using the same econometric model, found that gender inequalities there also prevent women scientists from being promoted to higher academic ranks. Examining French physicists working in the Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS) and in French public universities, we

ticipation rates. Some efforts are being made to improve gender equality in research. In 2013 Mexico amended four articles of its Science and Technology Law to promote gender equality in those fields, adding provisions to promote gender-balanced participation in publicly funded higher education institutions and collect gender-specific data to measure the impact of gender on science and technology policies.

Several CONACYT research centers have launched initiatives to promote gender equality among staff, but many of these in-

ternal programs are limited to anti-discrimination and sexual harassment training.

More aggressive programs include: the Research Centre on Social Anthopology’s graduate scholarship program, in collaboration with CONACYT and the National Commission for the Development of Indigenous Peoples, to promote higher education and training among indigenous women; and policies to increase women’s participation in higher academic ranks and management at the CIATEQ technological institute, which also gives childcare subsidies to female staff.

YOUR DAY

ARIES

MAR 21 - APR 20

Today is a favourable day for business.Listening to someone’s advice on the professional front will be in your interest. You are very generous by nature and also you are the backbone of your family. Be careful of the words that come out of your mouth.

LEO

JULY 24 - AUGUST 23

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 fear to loose your parents.

SAGITTARIUS

NOV 23 - DEC 22

You are very fortunate to have a great friend circle. 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. Overall an amazing day.

In South Africa, race plays an important role in amining the career paths of researchers from 2002 to 2011, we observed that ences in the promotion searchers by gender: 60.1% of white men were not promoted (even in cases where they applied for promotion), compared to 60.6% of women in the same period. But the gap widens dramatically

TAURUS

APR 21 - MAY 20

You will enjoy good health by remaining regular in your workouts. 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 a very grounded person.

VIRGO

AUG 24 - SEP 23

Don’t make friends for money and status rather make friends who will stick with you forever. You care about you lover but somehow hesitate in expressing that care. On social front, you may have to spend some extra money in buying gifts for someone for some specific occasion.

CAPRICORN

DEC 23 - JAN 20

You make sure to make things work your way. You are most wanted by your friends. You can have romantic affair in office and a serious one. You will invest money in clothes and accessories today. You are a God fearing person. Never demotivate someone.

But such examples are rare. Overall, women hoping to succeed in Mexican academia must work harder and produce more than their male colleagues to be even considered for promotion to senior ranks. This persistent inequality has implications not just for women but for the country’s scientific production: if Mexico were to eliminate gender inequality in promotions, the national academic system would see 17% to 20% more peer-reviewed articles published.

https://theconversation.com/womenarent-failing-at-science-science-isfailing-women-71783

white men and 69.2% of non-white women are not promoted. In Uruguay the same IDB gender gaps project identified a glass ceiling as well. There women are underrepresented in the highest academic ranks and have a 7.1% less probability than men of being promoted to senior levels.

Moreover, from Mexico and Uruguay to France and South Africa, a vicious cycle between promotion and productivity is at play: difficulties in getting promoted reduce the prestige, influence and resources available to women. In turn, those factors can lead to lower productivity, which decreases their chances of promotion. This two-way causality creates a source of en-

GEMINI

MAY 21 - JUNE 21

Your spouse is someone who can do anything for your happiness. You are happy spending whole day at home. Tensions on the family front are likely to get sorted out. Help your mothers at home today and give them a reason to smile. You will be successful one day.

LIBRA

SEPT 24 - OCTOBER 22

Fortunes are set to rise for those in trade and business. You love to live close to your family. You are a child at heart and never let this child die. You have a big heart and you always help someone if you can. Expected payments are likely to get released soon.

AQUARIUS

JAN 21 - FEB 19

This is the best time try something new with life give yourself a new purpose. You will feel amorous towards your wife. Work on your limitations, there can be no better time than this. You have more opposite sex friends than the same and you may be judged sometimes but don’t care.

dogeneity biases when including seniority as a variable to explain productivity in an econometric model. Only when we control for this, as well as for a selectivity bias (that is, publishing occurrence), do we find that female researchers are more productive than their male counterparts. Without these corrections, a gender productivity gap of 10% to 21% appears in favour of men.

The view that women are failing at science is commonly held, but evidence shows that, across the world, it’s science that’s failing women. Action must be taken to ensure that female researchers are treated fairly, recognised for their work, and promoted when they’ve earned it.

CANCER

JUNE 22 - JULY 23

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 to take a break from day to tensions.

SCORPIO

OCT 23 - NOVEMBER 22

Family will be supportive of your ideas, but only to an extent. You give tough competition to people. Many people get inspired by you. You will get special treatment from your dear ones. Good health is assured through own efforts. Meet people you get along with well.

PISCES

FEB20 - MARCH 20

Some family issues may need urgent resolution, so don’t neglect them. Some of you are likely to enjoy an excursion with friends.You will feel financially comfortable. Your personality will attract many eligible bachelors. Spend time talking with likeminded people.

Horoscope by Saurabbh Sachdeva

LORENA

A GLOBAL GLASS CEILING

Despite the common belief that maternity leaves make women less productive in key periods of their careers,

ritney Spears has shared an old photo of her son Jayden on Instagram.The 41-year-old pop star likes to keep active on her social media space. Every now and then, the Toxic singer posts archival photos on her Instagram feed, thus giving fans and followers a glimpse into her life. Moreover, Britney also does not shy away or mince her words when it comes to keeping her opinions or her side of the story in front of eagle-eyed critics and readers. A couple of days back, she took to her

Britney’s Monday MOSSBACK B

Instagram space yet again and shared an old photo of herself along with her youngest son Jayden.

THE KAPOOR WAY

Actress recently wrapped up the shoot of her film, Mr. and Mrs. Mahi, with Rajkummar Rao. Post her an intense shoot, the actress jetted off to Dubai to spend time with her dad Boney Kapoor and sisters Khushi and Anshula Kapoor. On Sunday, Boney took to social media and offered a glimpse of their vacation in Dubai. Sharing the picture with fans, he wrote, "My water babies after a good swim at the pool floor of Royal Atlantis Dubai." Anshula was busy having fun elsewhere."

Janhvi recently announced her new film titled Ulajh with Gulshan Devaiah and Roshan Mathew, whereas Boney was last seen in Tu Jhoothi Main Makkaar with Ranbir Kapoor while Khushi will make her debut this year with The Archies.

Multiplex Monday memo

Vicky Kaushal and Sara Ali Khan's Zara Hatke Zara Bachke, directed by Laxman Utekar, went from weekend. The film added around Rs 9.25 - Rs 9.50 crores nett on its third day, to take its weekend total to around Rs 21.50 crores nett. These are very heartening numbers especially for a film that didn't have a lot of expectations pinned on it before release. The numbers have been aided by the buy one get one offer but that alone can't drive this level of business and there is some thing about the film that has attracted moviegoers, be it the fresh pairing, novel concept or hit music.

Shehnaaz’s jaw- dropping ENSEMBLES

Shehnaaz Gill, the beloved Bollywood sensation and musical powerhouse, is not just adored for her enchanting personality, but also revered as a fashion icon. With an undeniable flair for fashion, Shehnaaz effortlessly steals the spotlight with her jaw-dropping ensembles. Brace yourselves folks, because she’s done it again! This time, she’s taken the world by storm with her breathtaking black

Ravishing IN RED; RAKUL

Rakul Preet Singh is having a whale of a time during her vacation in the Maldives. The actress took to social media and shared a few pictures of her having a gala time at the beach in a scintillating red bikini., she completed the look with black shades and minimal makeup.

Rakul posed in her red bikini amid the breathtaking picturesque location of the beach and sky. The frame looked like a dream and her toned figure is the highlight. Well, she is a fitness freak and we see the amazing result in the photos. Taking to Instagram, she captioned the post, "Wild and free , just like the sea."

ERAS TOUR GLIMPSE

Taylor Swift has been making headlines whether it is for her rumored romance with the 1975 frontman Matty Healy or for her shows at the Her concerts have been attended by several A-lister celebrities ranging from Selena Gomez to Emma Watson and Camila Cabello. Taylor Swift’s surprise segment dur ing her shows at the Eras Tour has made fans ecstatic. In the past, guests like Jack Antoff, Aaron Dess ner, and Marcus Mumford have featured during the shows. Most recently, Swift was joined by Maren Morris at Chicago. After the show, Maren Morris later also expressed her gratitude to Taylor Swift and the crowd with a black and white photo along with a heartfelt caption.

Her post...

Britney Spears

Janhvi Kapoor

Boney’s post...

Sara Ali Khan and Vicky Kaushal

Rakul Preet Singh

Taylor Swift

Shehnaaz Gill

Her post...

PLANTATION DRIVE

THINK GREEN & EMBRACE GREEN!

The people of Rajasthan are by and large extremely conscious for their green. Rajasthan has 32, 869 sq. km. of forest land which is 9.60% of our total land. There are 3 national parks, 26 wildlife sanctuaries, 19 conservation reserves and 4 tiger projects. The Chief Minister of the State, Ashok Gehlot has a deep concern for the conservation and growth of the green of Rajasthan. Distribution of medicinal plants of Tulsi, Ashwagandha, Giloy and Kaalmegh for each household was his unique initiative during the covid-19 period. Under this scheme, more than 518 lakh plants were distributed

during 2021–22, and 127 lakh plants were distributed during 2022-23. Rajasthan should become a model state for all other states in the country for its environment-friendly initiatives. This was stated by Chairman, RAJSICO, Rajiv Arora during the Special Address at the inaugural session of ‘Think Green & Embrace Green – Conference on Future Sustainability Roadmap’. The conference was organised jointly by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) and the Rajasthan State Pollution Control Board to mark World Environment Day. Arora further said that going green does not start with doing green acts, it starts with a shift in consciousness. In a global survey, it was

reported that globally 55% of consumers across 60 countries are willing to pay higher prices for goods from environmentally conscious companies.

Chairperson, Rajasthan State Pollution Control Board, Naveen Mahajan shed light on the initiatives being taken by the State Government on the occasion of World Environment Day. He highlighted the new e-waste policy of the State Government and said that it will not just help in guiding new ways to process ewaste as per global standards but also help in preventing the loss of precious materials such as gold, silver, platinum and palladium used in these electronic devices.

HORSE RIDING SCHOOL IN JAIPUR

The Rajasthan Polo Club has opened its revamped horse riding school, The Sawai Man Singh Polo and Riding Academy. Under the guidance of Padmanabh Singh, a renowned polo player and patron of the

sport, the academy aims to promote riding, polo, and other equine sports in Jaipur. In this context, a press conference was organised on Monday at the Rajasthan Polo Club. This conference was addressed by the Federation of International Polo (FIP) Ambassador of India, Narendra Singh, Secretary, RPC, Digvijay Singh, Joint Secretary, RPC, Vikramaditya Barkana and Coach Allan Michael.

The SMS Polo and Riding Academy offer riding lessons for indi-

DURING THE DAY!

viduals aged 6 years and above. With its recent transformation, the academy is now equipped to cater to the growing demand for professional equestrian training.

The academy's experienced coach, Allan Shaun Michael, hailing from Hyderabad, brings with him 15 years of coaching experience and is also a seasoned polo player. Currently, the academy boasts six well-trained polo horses, and additional horses are being procured to meet the growing demand.

Darshanam Art Gallery dedicated exclusively to traditional paintings was inaugurated in Vaishali Nagar on Sunday. Gallery director Abhinav Bansal told that this is the first art gallery of its kind in Jaipur where people will get to see a huge collection of Pichhwai paintings. The gallery also promotes the talent of local artists. The gallery was inaugurated by Vijendra Bansal, who himself learned Pichhwai art so that he could make people aware of this art.

On Monday, the National Service Scheme and Swachta Action Plan (SAP) of St. Xavier’s College Jaipur celebrated World Environment Day. The college participated in the Government call up for Lifestyle for Environment with their celebrations. As part of this, a tree plantation drive was conducted, bird feeders were hung and more dustbins were installed for clean & green Jaipur. Dr Fr S. Xaviers SJ, principal, urged the faculty members and students to proactively participate in pro-environment activities and initiatives.

A plantation program was organised by the Vyapar Mandal at Riddhi Siddhi Crossroads on Monday. Vyapar Mandal President Pawan Goyal requested everyone to do intensive tree plantation. Similar 100 trees will be planted on the divider on Gopalpura Main Road by the Board of Trade. On this occasion, Harish Malhotra, Lokendra Garg, Pawan Goyal, Dinesh Gadodiya among others were present on the occasion.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

The birthday of IAS Bhaskar Atmaram Sawant was celebrated on Monday, June 5. We wish him all the best!

On the occasion of World Environment Day, saplings were planted in the garden of Shubham Enclave Campus located in C-Scheme, under the joint auspices of Sonal Maheshwari Charitable Trust and Maheshwari Mahila Parishad on Monday. During the occasion, water pods for birds were also planted. Trust's founder, Gokuldas Maheshwari shared that the right purpose of celebrating World Environment Day is only when all people must plant a sapling and take good care of that plant till it grows into a tree. Archana Maheshwari, Lata Maheshwari, Archana Maheshwari, Meera Maru, Jyoti Birla, Kavita Mundda, Anju Falod, Poonam Karva and others were present.

In a heartwarming reunion, the students of the 1993 Maths batch from Bundi Government College embarked on a spiritual journey to the holy shrine of Vaishnodevi, accompanied by their families. The group set off from Kota on Saturday, eager to seek the divine blessings of the revered goddess.

Sapta Shakti Command joined the national and global initiative in commemorating World Environment Day 2023 under the theme ‘OLIVE GREEN-DEFENDING THE ENVIRONMENT. The occasion provided an opportunity to reflect on the significance of environment preservation and realign all stakeholders with renewed commitment towards creating a sustainable future for generations to come. Large scale tree plantation drive, wherein 30 thousand plus saplings were planted at all stations. Shakunthala Raju, Regional President AWWA, Sapta Shakti Command inaugurated an Environment and Adventure Park at Jaipur Military Station and shared her valuable thoughts to protect and preserve our beautiful planet for future generations. NCC cadets of Lzebra College under the aegis of 14 Raj Bn NCC Kota conducted ‘Puneet Sagar Abhiyan’ to commemorate ‘World Environment Day on Monday. During the event, 01 PI staff, 01xANO and 25 NCC cadets participated. The cadets cleaned up and collected waste including plastic waste from the banks of River Chambal at Rangpur Kota. The NCC cadets took the pledge to make possible changes in their life to protect the environment and participated in Debate & Essay writing competition. The cadets also resolved to motivate their family, friends and others about the importance of environmentally friendly habits.

SHOWCASING CULTURE & TRADITIONS!

CITY FIRST

The grand finale of Mr Supranational India 2023, the male beauty pageant took place at Shivvilas, Kukas on Sunday. Maharastra’s Raj Singh emerged as the winner. Alston D’Souza from Goa claimed the first runner-up position, followed by Vipin Raj from Delhi as the second runner-up.

Siddhant Jadeja secured the third runner-up spot, while Punjab’s Jason Bhagat stood as the fourth runner-up. A distinguished panel of judges evaluated the contestants through four rounds, including Bollywood actress Asha Bhatt, renowned for

her roles in the film “Junglee”.

The event witnessed the presence of esteemed personalities from the pageant industry, including National Director Himadri Bhatnagar, International Pageant Mentor and Creative Director Melvin Noronha from Goa, World 2000 Ignacio Cliché from Uruguay, Global Supermodel Rahyan Atrese from the USA, Miss Supra Congeniality 2022 Jessica Bailey from Canada, and pageant experts Henrique Fontes from Brazil, Luc Coutinho, and the Ambassador of Fit India Movement from Mumbai.

The event featured four distinct rounds that captivated the audience. The opening dance perfor-

mance round showcased the participants’ charm on the ramp, followed by a formal evening round. The swimwear round displayed the models’ fitness and physique, while the traditional round showcased their grace and elegance as they donned traditional Rajputi and Mewari attire. The participants also faced questions that tested their mental acuity and passion.

The show’s director, Himadri Bhatnagar, expressed enthusiasm for showcasing India’s rich culture and royalty on the global stage and emphasized the rigorous training and fitness preparations that will be undertaken to support the winner.

UTTKARSHA SHEKHAR uttkarsha.shekhar@firstindia.co.in

—PHOTOS BY SUNIL SHARMA

(L-R) Vikramaditya Barkana, Narendra Singh, Digvijay Singh and Allan Michael

A glimpse of polo enthusiasts at SMS Polo and Riding Academy

Himadri Bhatnagar, Asha Bhatt felicitating Raj Singh Raj Singh Alston De Souza

(L-R) Shikhar Jain, Nitin Gupta, Abhinav Banthia, Naveen Mahajan, Rajiv Arora, Nitin Seth, Arun Misra and Muthusezhiyan N

(L-R) Shikhar Jain, Nitin Gupta, Abhinav Banthia, Naveen Mahajan, Rajiv Arora, Nitin Seth, Arun Misra and Muthusezhiyan N releasing the Climate Action Charter Report