First India-Jaipur Edition-10th February 2023

‘MAGICIAN’ GEHLOT’S RAJ AWAITS ‘TRUMP-CARD’!

ADITI NAGAR

Friday, February 10 will be a day that will be etched in gold in the annals of political history of Rajasthan as the day would bring with it the creation of a new ‘story’. This story, revolves around a man, who, through his sheer will and instinct, will create a record, that perhaps will not be equalled for a long time to come.

The man of this ‘moment’ will be none other than Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot, fondly addressed to as magician Gehlot, for his innate ability of unfolding political ‘magic’ to ‘crush’ his opponents. Today, Gehlot will dole out a record 15th budget of his political career as CM of Rajasthan, which will not be short on his ‘magical pitch’ keeping in view the upcoming Assembly elections and the hopes of crores of Rajasthanis. Never before has any CM given as many budgets as Gehlot. The Chief Minister, who has been hard at work for the past few months and shaping the State’s finances and well as development for the next one year, is believed to give something to eve-

ry section. The people centric and poor friendly budget would satisfy professionals, businessmen and entrepreneurs, small businesses, farmers, students, women, cooperatives; all while attracting new investments in the State to boost Raj’s economy.

But what could be ‘mastermind’ Gehlot’s ‘trump-cards’?

For starters, Gehlot could address the long standing demands of new districts and local bodies. He could also make a crucial announcement regarding the Eastern Rajasthan Canal Project (ERCP) which will directly put Congress in driving position in thirteen districts of eastern Rajasthan. Further lowering of power tariff for farmers and farm loans at lower rates may also be announced. Similarly, exemptions may be given to startups and businesses under the ease of doing business scheme.

All said and done, one thing can be said for sure... Gehlot will definitely present a budget that will surprise the ‘Opposition’, will be welcomed with open arms by the public and leave a lasting memory of what a pro-people government and fulfill Congress’s pro-people manifesto!

Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot

SOUTH CHINA SEA CONFLICT

CHANGE IN INDIA’S STANCE DISCOMFORTS DRAGON

zones (EEZs), China has always used “Nine-Dash Line”, to justify its viewpoint. Even a judgement by International Court of Justice (ICJ) in 2013 establishing EEZ rights of Philippines in SCS have been rejected by China as it doesn’t recognise the ICJ ruling calling it as an encroachment on its sovereignty. China intends “to prevent an internationalization or regionalization of the dispute and would like to prevent or weaken any move towards solidarity within ASEAN on these issues and continue to address them on a bilateral basis.” The recent US initiatives like creation of AUKUS, new alliance group in the region among Australia, United Kingdom and United States, and the formation of QUAD to which India is also a part adds to Chinese discomfort.

INDIA’S STAKES AND CHANGE IN POLICY

TRIPURA RIVALS JOIN HANDS TO TAKE ON BJP FOR DEMOCRACY

With Tripura assembly elections approaching, all eyes are on Congress and the CPI-M. The two parties, which fought several elections against each other in the past, have entered into a pre-poll agreement to take on their two common rivals---the BJP and the Trinamool Congress. That makes Tripura somewhat different from West Bengal’s political scene where the Congress, TMC and CPM fought the state elections against one another. What makes Tripura battlefield interesting is that the Congress had been the ruling party for several years before the BJP dislodged it from power and is now allying with the CPM.

The author is a Post Graduate in International Studies, Alumni of Defense Services Staff College, Wellington and College of Combat, Mhow

India’s increased cooperation with US and QUAD for a free, open, prosperous and inclusive Indo-Pacific region. Indeed, the change is driven by the new perception in Indiathat there is no division between strategic interest and economic/business interest; both are very much part of national interest.

Second, security and business opportunities influence India to delve into the potential of the South China Sea. This change in stance must take a permanent shape and form while dealing with China in future

The South China Sea (SCS) has abundance of minerals and oil resources and estimated to contain 11 billion barrels of oil and 190 trillion cubic feet of natural gas. The area witnesses roughly 30% of the global maritime trade passing through it on its way to the highly trafficked ports in Southeast Asia. The conflict among the five states, namely the Philippines, Vietnam, China, Brunei, Taiwan, and Malaysia, has remained unresolved for decades. The claimant states, have divergent and sometimes overlapping territorial claims based on a variety of historical and geographical data. The current problems stem from the 1951 San Francisco Treaty, which followed Japan’s defeat in World War II. Within the terms of its surrender, Japan gave up its rights to its islands in the South China Sea, leaving a power vacuum in the region. No country was explicitly granted sovereignty over these waters, and China asserted its advantage by submitting the now infamous “nine-dotted line” claim covering almost the entire South

EUROPE RELUCTANT TO GRANT KYIV’S WISH

China Sea in 1947. This line became its official claim and is known today as the “NineDash Line”. In 1982, the United Nations law established the exclusive economic zones (EEZs) but China reiterated its nine-dash line, refusing to clarify the limits of this line and rejecting the claims of other claimant countries. Ever since, tensions have built up over who owns the South China Sea and now China turning seven reefs into seven military bases, has made the South China Sea one of the most contentious areas of sea in the world.

THE MAIN STAKES OF THESE TERRITORIAL DISPUTES ARE

The abundant natural resources of the region, the geostrategic situation of the disputed area which is the gateway to the strait of Malacca and the port of Singapore, a control over the Paracels and the Spratlys islands ensures control over the supply of the economies of Northeast Asia and finally the region is one of the most important economic and strategic regions in the world. As of now it looks like a frozen conflict where none of the states is ready to give up any ground to reach a common solution accepted by all and thus, risk of armed conflict breaking out at any time always remain high.

ladimir Zelenskyy presented Sir Lindsay Hoyle, the speaker of Britain’s Parliament with a unique gift. It was a helmet of a Ukrainian pilot with, “We have freedom. Give us wings to protect it,” written on it. He later told British MPs that Ukraine badly needs fighter jets and overhead missiles to keep Russians at bay. He made the same request with European Union members. So far there has been reluctance on the part of Europe, especially Germany and the US to equip Kyiv with their fighter jets which would pose a greater threat not only to Europe but also to the world as it will be treated as escalation of war by the West.

The South China Sea (SCS) has abundance of minerals and oil resources and estimated to contain 11 billion barrels of oil and 190 trillion cubic feet of natural gas. The area witnesses roughly 30% of the global maritime trade passing through it on its way to the highly trafficked ports in Southeast Asia

HINDERANCES TO THE CONFLICT RESOLUTION

Inability of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to arrive at any common decision and play a leadership role to resolve the conflict. Most members in the region have either total dependency for economic and trade development or are major trading partners with China who has always insisted on bilateral talks to resolve any conflict and hence the blockade to any real solution. Though the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) establishes the rights of a sovereign state over the continental shelf surrounding it and the creation of exclusive economic

Vladimir Zelensky presented Sir Lindsay Hoyle, the speaker of Britain’s Parliament with a unique gift. It was a helmet of a Ukrainian pilot with, “We have freedom. Give us wings to protect it,” written on it

Ukraine’s demand for modern fighter planes is akin to its request for Germany’s latest Leopard and America’s Abrams battle tanks. Zelenskyy is seeking war machines to “protect Europe’s way of life” but Eu-

India’s 55 % of trade passes through the Strait of Malacca which opens into the South China Sea. If China controls the region, it will upset the global trade practices and countries like India will directly get affected. India has historically taken a neutral position in the disputes along the South China Sea involving China and countries of Southeast Asia, even as the tensions have threatened the security in the region. The shock of last year’s border clash and continuing tensions along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) has upended most assumptions underlying India’s China policy. India has recalibrated its response to China both on land and sea. In a major message to Beijing, the Indian Army confronted PLA on land and the Indian Navy made its presence felt in the waters of the South China Sea when a task force of four warships sailed on a two-month deployment with India’s Quad partners, the United States, Japan and Australia, and also conducted bilateral exercises with naval forces from South China Sea littoral states, including Singapore, Vietnam, Indonesia and the Philippines. India has been pushing for a rules-based order in the region, including by means of upholding the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.

THE VIEWS EXPRESSED BY THE AUTHOR ARE PERSONAL

rope and the US realize the grave risks that will entail. Russians could treat it as a proxy war by NATO and may retaliate accordingly. The West is also wary of exposing its modern fighting machines to damage given the inexperience of Ukrainians in handling them. That is why the focus at present is to train the Ukrainians and provide them with more air defence systems and drones.

Reluctance to provide highend fighter jets and tanks to Ukraine is like keeping it guessing about its formal membership of the European Union. So far it is only an official candidate of the EU. Ukraine applied for EU membership only four days after Russia invaded it in 2022.

The Congress-CPM combination faces a challenge also from TIPRA Motha, a party of tribals led by the former Congress rebel Pradyot Kishore Manikya Debbarman. Pradyot has refused to join the Congress alliance although the BJP thinks he is in touch with the CPM. The non-BJP alliance minus the TMC is considered strong but it is the BJP which will have the last laugh.

SPIRITUAL SPEAK

Teach this triple truth to all:

A generous heart, kind speech, and a life of service and compassion are the things which renew humanity. Buddha

TOP TWEETS

PM @narendramodi’s speech revived the trust he has built among the poor, tribals and the deprived by giving them their due rights & lifting their living standards. And this bedrock of trust now cannot be shaken by the ones who kept them deprived for decades after independence. Anurag

Thakur @ianuragthakur

Adoption of best global practices, accreditation, standards & quality checks is the key to growth and innovation. India features in the world’s Top 5 accreditation systems, led by the national accreditation system under Quality Council of India! Overall QI infra is amongst top 10!

COL RAJESH BHUKAR

ERDOGAN ADMITS

‘SHORTCOMINGS’ AS

Nurdagi: Rescue efforts continued on Thursday as the death toll crossed 20,000. Turkish Prez Recep Tayyip Erdogan conceded “shortcomings” after criticism of his govt’s response to massive quake. Under ‘Operation Dost’ India’s 6th flight reached Turkey.

TWITTER BLUE SUBSCRIPTION LAUNCHES IN INDIA

New Delhi: Indian users will have to pay `900 on Twitter’s mobile app and `650 for Twitter on the website in order to avail the feature. Annual subscribers on the website will receive a discount of `1,000 and will have to pay `6,800 instead of `7,800.

NSA AJIT DOVAL MEETS RUSSIAN PREZ PUTIN IN MOSCOW

Moscow: National Security Advisor Ajit Doval called on Russian President Vladimir Putin and agreed to continue work towards implementing the IndiaRussia strategic partnership, the Indian embassy in Moscow said on Thursday.

‘Excited’ CM Gehlot to open ‘magic budget’ briefcase today

l With the resolution of savings, relief and growth, CM Ashok Gehlot finalized the State budget 2023

l CM Gehlot, who also holds Finance portfolio will present budget in the Assembly at 11 am today

l As per knowledgeable sources, ‘CHIRANJEEVI’ will help CM Ashok Gehlot to make a comeback

Naresh Sharma

Jaipur: Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot has finalised the budget 2023, on Thursday at his official residence, with the resolution of savings, relief and growth.

STATE BUDGET 2023

Notably, this will be the last budget of the current Gehlot government.

Rajasthan CM Ashok

Gehlot will present the budget in the assembly at

READ Crucial

JAL SHAKTI MINISTER

GS SHEKHAWAT GETS

Z-CATEGORY SECURITY

11 am on Friday. It is believed that CM can also announce the formation of 7 new districts. There has been a demand for creating a district in the state for a long time. To start new jobs, the government will bring a plan to give huge discounts and packages. There is also a possibility of a special focus on free schemes in the budget. There will also be an

announcement of a plan to provide food kits to every family to provide relief from inflation.

Moreover, there is a possibility of announcement of zero bill on 30 thousand liters of water

for domestic water consumers. Although no money is charged for up to 15,000 litres, but at present Rs 49 is charged as seepage charge and surcharge and this charge can now be made

completely free. Home facilities are likely to be announced and for this, a change in the service rules may be announced. The State Social Welfare Board had recently sent its

PARLIAMENT BUDGET SESSION

LOTUS WILL BLOOM ONLY IN MUD: MODI

New Delhi: Union Jal Shakti

Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat’s security cover was strengthened to Z-category. After ruckus in Jaipur’s Maharani College event, the IB’s security report was made. Beefed-up security will remain the same for him in Rajasthan as well.

5 KILLED AFTER BIKE COLLIDES WITH TRUCK IN RAJSAMAND DIST

Rajsamand: Five people were killed when their bike collided with a speeding truck in Rajsamand district on Thursday. Deceased were identified as Bhanwar (35), his 14 year old son Ajaypal and other relatives. The truck driver has been taken into custody, the police said.

FORMER JHARKHAND

CM SOREN TAKEN TO HOSPITAL IN RANCHI

Ranchi: Former Jharkhand

Chief Minister and head of the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha Shibu Soren has been admitted to Medanta Hospital in Ranchi. Doctors at the hospital said Soren was having difficulty breathing. He also has an infection in his lungs and kidney. Doctors are currently examining Soren’s condition.

BURT, LEGENDARY COMPOSER OF POP SONGS, DIES AT 94

New York: Burt Bacharach, the singularly gifted and popular composer who delighted with the quirky arrangements and unforgettable melodies of “Walk on By”, “Do You Know the Way to San Jose” and dozens of other hits composed by him died aged 94 on Thursday.

LITHIUM RESERVES FOUND IN JAMMU AND KASHMIR: MINES SECY

New Delhi: The government on Thursday said lithium reserves have been found for the first time in the country in J&K. Geological Survey of India has for the first time established

Lithium-inferred resources of 5.9 million tonnes in Salal-Haimana area of Reasi District of J&K.

Amid the Oppn shouting ‘Modi-Adani, bhai-bhai’, Modi says, ‘Desh dekh raha hai, ek akela kitno ko bhari padh raha hai’

Moni Sharma

New Delhi: Some MPs are bringing disrepute to the house, said Prime Minister Narendra Modi responding to the sloganeering of the Opposition members, during his reply to the Motion of Thanks on President’s address.

As PM Modi started his reply to the Motion of Thanks on the President’s address, the Opposition MPs started raising slogans of “Modi-Adani bhai-bhai” in Rajya Sabha. Modi further took a jibe at the Opposition with a Hindi Shayari, “Keechad uske pas hai, mere pas gulal... jo bhi jiske pas tha usne diya uchaal”.

“I want to tell the Opposition MPs, the more ‘keechad’ (sludge) you will throw at us, the lotus will bloom even more. So, you all have an equal role in making the lotus bloom, and I think all of them for that,” he said.

HOPE

TO CREATE MILESTONES, SAYS PT AFTER CHAIRING RS

Pilavullakandi Thekkeparambil Usha on Thursday presided over RS proceedings in the absence of Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar. Great power involves great responsibility as said by Roosevelt was felt by me in RS. I hope to create milestones as I undertake this journey with trust, faith vested in me by my people,” Usha tweets.

during

in New Delhi on Thursday.

MORE TROUBLE FOR ADANI

POPULIST ANNOUNCEMENTS ON CARDS

0

FREE

ELECTRICITY FOR THE FARMERS, IT CAN

500 priced gas cylinders to eligible families under Ujjwala Scheme NEW

proposal to the State Government. This announcement can be made to give a message to women employees in the election year.

Rajasthan Roadways buses are likely to an-

speaksMODI

 If Nehru was such a great person, why the family shies away from using ‘Nehru’ surname

 Our government’s aim is to provide permanent solutions for the problems faced by the citizens and empower them

 We understand the importance of Infrastructure, Scale and Speed for building a modern India

 Our thinking is not fragmented we do not believe in tokenism

 Indira Gandhi misused Article 356

fifty times to topple governments

 Congress never tried to solve permanent problems of country, troubled regional leaders

 We have succeeded and we are using technology for empowering common citizens

 The success of Digital India has drawn the attention of the whole world

 We have focused on national progress and also paid attention to regional aspirations

 It is our resolve that India becomes ‘Viksti Bharat’ by 2047

nounce 50 per cent concession in fare for women. At present women get 30 per cent concession in tarrif and it is proposed to increase this concession.

CM Gehlot has indi-

cated that special attention will be given to the youth and the unemployed in the budget. Due to 2023 being election year, everyone's eyes are on CM Gehlot's budget. More On P8

Apex court to hear plea seeking probe into reports today

First India Bureau

New Delhi: In the latest development in the Hindenburg vs Adani case, the Supreme Court has reportedly agreed to hear a plea seeking probe into the Hindenburg Research report on Friday.

As per latest updates, the plea is seeking a direction to the Centre to constitute a committee monitored by a retired apex court judget to investigate the Hindenburg Research report.

The setting up of committee has been sought as the Hindenburg Research report has made a slew of allegations against Adani-led firms, especially that con-

DELHI HIGH COURT GRANTS BAIL TO EXNSE CEO CHITRA

The Delhi High Court on Thursday granted bail to former NSE CEO Chitra Ramkrishna in the money laundering case related to alleged illegal phone tapping and snooping on stock exchange employees. She was earlier arrested by the CBI in the alleged NSE colocation scam, was arrested in the present case by ED in July last year.

glomerate has indulged in fraud. Advocate Vishal Tiwari, who filed the petition asked for the listing of the matter for urgent hearing before a bench led by CJI DY Chandrachud.

OTHER COURT ORDERS OF THE DAY

l SC remanded back to the Bombay HC for fresh adjudication in 4 weeks an appeal filed by the CBI challenging the nod granted to Mainak Mehta, the brother-in-law of fugitive diamantaire Nirav Modi, to travel to Hong Kong.

l The Supreme Court will soon have its full strength of 34 judges with the stage having been set for the elevation of two high court judges, top govt sources said. The notices for appointment are expected to be issued in the next few days.

l Bombay High Court dismissed a public interest litigation filed against Union Law Minister Kiren Rijiju and Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar for their remarks on judiciary and the collegium system for the appointment of judges.

SHARES TUMBLE FURTHER AS ‘RAID’ CONDUCTED AT ADANI WILMAR WAREHOUSE IN HIMACHAL

The officials did not find any irregularities in the operations and dealings conducted by the company, says

Adani Wilmar

First India Bureau

New Delhi: On the day when Adani Enterprises and Adani Ports were among the biggest los-

Gautam Adani

ers on the Nifty, one of the top businessman in the country, billionaire Gautam Adani’s FMCG

arm - Adani Wilmercame under ‘inspection’ late on Wednesday night when a team of Himachal Pradesh State Excise and Taxation Department raided the Adani Wilmar’s depot warehouse in Parvanoo, wherein the checking for documents continued at the warehouse till late in the night. Turn to P7

ADANI GROUP TO PRE-PAY

$500 MILLION LOAN

Mumbai: The Adani Group plans to prepay a $500 million bridge loan due next month after some banks balked at refinancing the debt following a short seller report that sent the group’s assets tumbling. Barclays Plc, Standard Chartered Plc and Deutsche Bank AG are among banks that lent Adani $4.5 billion to finance the purchase of Holcim Ltd cement assets last year. A portion of that loan is due March 9.

THURSDAY TRAGIC

 Seven school children were killed and four severely injured after the auto-rickshaw they were in collided with a truck in Chhattisgarh’s Kanker

SHOCKER SHARE: ADANI ENTERPRISES TOP LOSER

In Adani’s 10-stock pack, flagship entity Adani Enterprises was worst performer as it was locked in a 15% lower circuit limit at `1,834.9. Adani Ports NSE -2.83%, Ambuja Cements NSE -6.98%, Adani Power NSE -5.0%, Adani Transmission NSE -5.0%, Adani Total Gas NSE -5.0% and Adani Green NSE -5.0% - were trading 5% lower each. Adani Wilmar NSE 4.99% was the only stock in the group to be trading on a higher note.



At least seven workers died while they were cleaning a oil tanker in an oil factory in Peddapuram mandal of Kakinada in AP on Thursday

 A fierce fire broke out in the slum of Gagret subdivision of the Una district in Himachal Pradesh which allegedly killed four minors during the midnight hours of Wednesday.

The Rajya Sabha adopts the motion of thanks on President’s address after a reply by Prime Minister Narendra Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi replies to the Motion of Thanks on the President’s address in the Rajya Sabha during the Budget Session of Parliament, in New Delhi on Thursday. Also seen here are Union Ministers Pralhad Joshi, Piyush Goyal, Rajeev Chandrasekhar and others.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah at the Parliament House complex

Budget Session,

❍ HINDENBURG V/S ADANI

Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot with Akhil Arora, Krishna Kant Pathak, Rohit Gupta, Naresh Kumar Thakral and Brajesh Sharma after finalising the State budget for the FY 2023-24 at the CMR on Thursday.

PREPS IN FULL SWING FOR DELHI-MUMBAI EXPRESSWAY

A huge pandal is being set up at the Dhanavad interchange near Dausa

First India Bureau

Jaipur: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the movement of traffic on February 12 on the 1350-km-long

Delhi-Mumbai Expressway. Preparation for this is going in full swing. A huge pandal is being set up at the Dhanavad interchange near Dausa. Union Minister Nitin Gadkari, Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot, Union Ministers, MPs, and MLAs will also be present. On Thursday, the SPG team reached the venue. District Collector Kamar Chaudhary, Superintendent of Police, Regional Officer of NHAI Pawan Kumar,

Congress will bid farewell to State this year: Rathore

Aishwary Pradhan

Jaipur: Deputy Leader of Opposition Rajendra Rathore on Thursday attacked the Gehlot government over its five and final budget to be presented in the state assembly on Friday.

While speaking to media at the BJP office, Rajendra Rathore said that for the first time, the theme of the budget has been leaked. Along with presenting the budget, the Gehlot government will also bid farewell to the people of this state. “The Gehlot govt has already been into debt and now they will make crores of the announcement in the fifth budget. However, the announcements will be only imaginary. The state govt is trying to mislead the public but the Chief Minister will not succeed in his attempt. The BJP will expose the govt and budget inside and outside the house,” said Rathore.

Proceedings of budget session of Raj Vidhan Sabha may be extended

First India Bureau Jaipur: The days of the proceedings of the budget session of the Rajasthan Vidhansabha may be extended. Earlier, there was no sitting on Feb 11 and 12 after the budget presentation on February 10 but the house proceedings may now be held on both these days.

No resentment in party in paper leak case: Kirodi

Project Director Sahiram, and other officials took stock of the venue.

Traffic movement will start from New Delhi to Barka Para of

Lalsot. Delhi-Mumbai Express Corridor will give a boost to tourism and business. The eight-lane Axis Control Expressway is

built at a cost of Rs 1 lakh crore. Four designated lanes are proposed for electric vehicles, which would be the country’s first.

Dr Somya takes cleanliness oath by making a painting on the wall

First India Bureau Jaipur: The Greater Municipal Corporation is working towards making the residents of the city aware of cleanliness. Greater Mayor Dr Somya Gurjar administered an oath with the school students to keep the city clean. The mayor also gave a message by painting cleanliness messages for the common people on the wall behind the Rajasthan University. Gurjar appealed to the residents of the city to become concerned citizens and keep Jaipur city clean at all costs.

She urged the people to collect wet, dry, and domestic harmful waste coming out of the houses separately. Deputy Commission-

er of Health, Mukesh Kumar Mund, chairman of the cleaning committee, councillor, and many other people were present in the programme.

Congress party’s national convention will be held in Raipur, Chhattisgarh from February 24 to 26 and many of the party MLAs of Rajasthan will be appointed as delegates. For this, the MLAs will be busy for three days.

Meanwhile, AICC Members from the State have started getting calls for the convention.

First India Bureau Jaipur: BJP’s Rajya Sabha MP Kirodi Lal Meena’s tone has changed after meeting the party state general secretary (Organization) Chandrashekhar.The

BJP MP said that there is no resentment in the

party and everyone protested unitedly in the REET paper leak case. He said that the govt is taking him too lightly and he will hit the road again with lakhs of unemployed youths.

On PM Modi’s visit to Dausa for the inauguration of the Sohna-

Dausa part of the DelhiMumbai Expressway in Dasua on February 12, Meena said that lakhs of people would come to listen to the PM. On the live telecast of the budget in schools and colleges, he said the youth of the state is not going to listen it.

All seven fronts of BJP have become strength of the party in Raj: Poonia

Aishwary Pradhan

Jaipur: BJP State President Dr Satish Poonia addressed the sit-in demonstration by the BJP Minority Morcha. Poonia said that all our seven fronts, Yuva Morcha, Mahila Morcha, Kisan Morcha, SC-ST Morcha, and Other Backward Classes Morcha, all these fronts have become the strength of the party in Rajasthan today. BJP is not just a party of slogans, BJP is a party of concerns. That is why BJP workers did the maximum service dur-

ing the Covid period in the state.

During this, the officials of the Minority Morcha gave an ad -

dress outside the BJP headquarters for about one hour and surrounded the state government fiercely.

The workers of Minority Morcha in Rajasthan reached the Bais Godam and demonstrated there.

Free stay for students at Delhi’s Nehru hostel

First India Bureau

Jaipur: State BJP President Satish Poonia was on a visit to the Tonk district on Thursday. During his visit, he participated in the inaugural ceremony of the student union office of PG College in Tonk. While addressing the gathering, Satish Poonia said that this will be the last populist budget of Gehlot, but it will not be implemented on the ground.

“In this budget again, announcements will be made regarding inflation and generating employment, but it will be done just to woo the people. They are now

‘Right to Health’ bill with docs

First India Bureau

Satish Poonia participated in the inauguration ceremony of the Students’ Union office of Govt College in Tonk.

talking about giving cheap gas cylinders. The work should have been done in 2018, but they are doing it now. Earlier too, Gehlot played with the feelings of farmers and the youth. The loans of the farmers have not been waived,” said State BJP President Satish Poonia.

Jaipur: In news related to the ‘Right to Health’ bill, the select committee of the Vidhan Sabha will hold an open dialogue with the doctors. The meeting is proposed in the Vidhan Sabha on Feb 11. Medical representatives have been called to the meeting to know the reason behind the protest. Vice-Chancellor, RUHS, Dr Sudhir Bhandari, Pediatric Association

PSYCHOLOGICAL INTERVENTION

President Dr Lakhan Poswal, IMA Rajasthan Chapter Dr Sunil Chugh, Dr Satish Jain, President of Treatment Call Dr Sunil Kumar

PETA writes to CM to rehabilitate 2

A letter has been sent to CM urging him to ensure rescue of elephants Malti & Gouri, said Director of Advocacy Projects, PETA India

Jaipur (PTI): A volunteer organisation has sought Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot’s intervention for the rehabilitation of two elephants used for tourist rides at Amber Fort, near Jaipur. Video footage shows one of the elephants, Malti, repetitively swaying and bobbing its head, which are signs of severe psychological distress in captive elephants, said Khushboo Gupta, Di-

rector of Advocacy Projects, PETA India.

“Veterinary opinion confirms the elephant

is suffering psychologically. There is a need to rehabilitate the animal and shift it to an ele-

Garsa, Dr Lalchand Dhaka will be there.

All these doctors will interact with the select committee on various issues related to the bill.

elephants

Khushboo Gupta said that using such elephants for rides poses a risk to the lives of tourists

phant care center. Malti is used for tourist rides at Amber Fort despite having a history of running amok and

fighting with another elephant,” Gupta said. When contacted, an official of the state archaeology department said only those elephants which are found fit by the forest department are used for the ride at the Amber Fort.

“Medical examination of the elephants is done by the forest department and based on the reports, only fit elephants area used for the ride,” the official said.

First India Bureau

Jaipur: A youth hostel will soon be built in Delhi for students of Rajasthan taking coaching and preparing for various competitive exams. While speaking to reporters in the Youth Hostel on Thursday, State Youth Board President Sitaram Lamba gave information about the work to be done in 2023-24 and said that the construction of Nehru Transit Hostel in

Delhi will be done by the state government for Rs. 300 crores. “The hostel will give free-of-cost residential facilities to more than 500 students of economically weaker sections of Rajasthan to stay and study in Delhi. The construction will start soon and 250 rooms will be there in the Nehru Youth Hostel,” said Sitaram Lamba. He also discussed the suggestions given for the budget by the youth board.

Aerial view of the Delhi-Mumbai Express Highway where PM Narendra Modi will arrive. (Inset) Rajendra Rathore, Kirodi Lal Meena & Bhajan Lal Sharma taking stock of the venue in Dausa on Thursday.

‘This will be the last populist budget of CM’ Assembly panel to discuss

Dr Somya Gurjar along with Mukesh Kumar Mund, Chairman of the cleaning committee,Councillor, & school students at Swachh Survekshan programme in Jaipur on Thursday.

Doctors submitting memorandum to Rajveer Singh at a private hospital in Kotputli in Jaipur on Thursday.

Sitaram Lamba & others discussing suggestions given for the budget by the youth board in Jaipur on Thursday.

Kirodi Lal Meena, Chandrashekhar, Bhajanlal Sharma & others held a meeting with BJP office bearers and workers for the preparations to be held at Dhanavad in Dausa district.

Medical Dept has prepared SOP to appoint 1764 young doctors at hospitals

State to fill vacant posts; much qualified doctors on priority

Vikas Sharma

Jaipur: Soon 1764 young doctors will be appointed at hospitals with vacant posts across the state. With the release of the results of the Medical Officer Recruitment Examination, the Medical Department has prepared SOP for the posting of successful candidates.

Specially qualified doctors will get posted on priority and under SOP, priority will be given to abandoned widows. Senior, Junior Specialist, and Specialist Medical Officers will be

—REPRESENTATIONAL IMAGE

posted in the attached district hospitals of Rajmesh’s Medical College. Appointments will be done on a “merit cum

choice” basis at community health centers, subdistrict hospitals, satellite hospitals, trauma centers, and the MCH

3 die on spot after dumper rams into car in Banswara

First India Bureau

Banswara: Three died on the spot in a head-on collision between a dumper and a car on Thursday near the Hejamal area in Sajjangarh.

The deceased belonged to the same family & were heading towards Banswara to attend a function. The deceased in the accident have been identified as Hasmukh Lal Kalal, Ro-

THREE DIE AS CAR FALLS INTO DITCH

SAME DISTRICT FOR DOCTOR COUPLE

Man held for rape attempt on 4-year-old girl

Manoj Saini

Satyanarayan Sharma

Jaipur: The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) on Thursday arrested a fake official of the Enforcement Directorate (ED) for allegedly threatening a local businessman in Jaipur and demanding Rs. 40 lakhs.

Police informed the accused has been identified as Imran. “The victim, Vikas Jain (46), a resident of Jawahar Nagar, received a WhatsApp call on February 6 from the accused. The accused posed as ED Additional Director Sanjay Kumar. The accused threatened the victim to expose him saying financial irregularities have been found in his bank account,” police said.

“The miscreant demanded Rs. 40 lakhs from the victim, else ED will put a raid at his premises. Later, Vikas Jain filed a complaint and the ACB arrested the accused .

The Innova car was completely damaged by the impact.

hit, and Jayesh Kalal. The dumper driver fled from the spot leaving the dumper behind.

wing. MBBS candidates will get posted in rural CHC, PHC. Successful candidates of Medical Officer recruitment for

two postings will have to fill the options once again. There will be 20 options on the Rajasthan Health Portal.

Staff boycott work at Jhalana Leopard Reserve and RTR

First India Bureau

Jaipur: Forest employees held a demonstration outside Jhalana leopard reserve in Jaipur with their demands. They locked the reserve during the protest which created problems for the tourists visiting the reserve.

Safari vehicle operators also extended support to the employees.

In Sawai Madhopur, the forest department

ODA rly bridge blast case: 1773 page chargesheet filed against all accused

First India Bureau

Udaipur: The accused in the Oda railway bridge blast case of Udaipur were produced in a local court in Udaipur on Thursday. ATS filed a charge sheet against the 12 accused in court.

Additional SP Annat Kumar said that the 1773-page charge sheet was submitted in

—REPRESENTATIONAL IMAGE

court. One of them is minor. The chargesheet against 11 accused was filed in the session court while the

Nagaur SP files case in ACB against CI, head constable

Murari Gaur

Jaipur: Nagaur SP

Ram Murti Joshi filed a case in the ACB against CI Manoj Machra, head constable Sohan Lal, broker Hemant Joshi for accepting a bribe of Rs 2.50 lakh. The bribe was demanded from the victim in lieu of walking out from the police station and indi-

chargesheet against the minor was presented in juvenile court.

47 witnesses have been mentioned in the charge sheet. 3 accused were charged under the UAPA act. For this, ATS has obtained prosecution sanction from the Home Department while sections of the Explosives Act have been imposed against other accused.

KANHAIYALAL CASE

cating the fear of arrest. The bribe was taken from the so-called accused Naresh Agarwal. Nagaur SP had got the investigation done on receiving the complaint in which evidence was found against the CI, head constable, & broker Hemant Joshi. After the inquiry, the SP got the case registered in ACB.

employees closed the entry gate of Ranthambore national park. The forest employees from Karauli, Tonk, Baran and Bundi also joined the protest at Ranthambore.

Jaipur: In shocking news under the Kaladera police station area of Jaipur district, a 27-year-old tried to rape a 4-year-old girl at a wedding function. The girl was at the wedding with her parents. Meanwhile, the man saw the girl alone and abducted her and tried to rape her by taking her to a nearby farm. Two passersby heard the victim’s screams & rushed towards her but the man fled. On getting information, Kaladera SHO Harbendra Singh reached the spot and arrested the accused. The victim’s relatives have filed a case against the accused under various sections of Pocso Act.

Guv awards gold medals to 75 students in Jodh

Guv Kalraj Mishra speaks during convocation ceremony on Thursday. Shiv Prakash Purohit

Jodhpur: The 19th convocation ceremony of Jodhpur’s Jai Narain

Vyas University began on Thursday at the New Campus. Governor Kalraj Mishra, the chief guest of the programme, awarded gold medals to 75 students -41 girls and 34 boys. The Governor said that convocation is not the end

of education but the beginning. “Students will be able to make good use of the knowledge acquired for the nation and the society. Education which moulds a person and inculcates values of humanity is meaningful,” he said, while appreciating girls for getting gold medals. He also said that education frees people from their ego.

Saraf reviews theft case in Jain temple, directs cops to arrest culprits in 7 days

First India Bureau

Jaipur: Malviya Nagar

MLA Kali Charan Saraf on Thursday reached Shri Chandraprabhu Jain Temple located in Sector 10 and sought information about the theft incident that took place in temple premises on Wednesday night.

MLA Saraf called the Jawahar Circle Police Station SHO and directed him to arrest the

MLA Kali Charan Saraf visits Shri Chandraprabhu Jain Temple to seek information on theft incident on Thursday.

thieves within 7 days & recover stolen valuables. Former Chairperson of Rajasthan Wom-

en Commission Suman Sharma, Deputy Mayor Puneet, among many were present.

First India Bureau

Jaipur: In Kanhaiyalal murder case in Udaipur, the NIA court has taken cognizance of all the 11 accused in the challan. They have been accused of the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act and Arms Act.

CM Gehlot approves camel conservation scheme; Min Kataria launches web app

Kashiram Choudhary

Jaipur: Amidst the dwindling number of camels, Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot has approved the Camel Conservation Scheme in Rajasthan. Animal Husbandry Minister Lalchand Kataria inaugurated the integrated web application for the scheme. With

camel herders will be

The process for registration for the scheme has been started & nearly 1,000 applications have been received in the last 1 week.

istration of camel rearers, and tagging of camels have also been made in the application. A

grant of up to Rs 10,000 each will be given to camel herders by the state government.

The grant will be given on the birth of a camel’s calf i.e. Todi. The calf should be of two months or older. A grant of Rs 5,000 will be given when the Todi is 3 months old. After this, after the completion of 1 year of Todi, another 5 thousand rupees will be given.

extort money

NIA court takes cognisance of 11 accused

—REPRESENTATIONAL IMAGE

Over 16 lakh renounced Indian citizenship since 2011: EAM in RS

SUFFICIENT FUNDS BEING PROVIDED IN MNREGA, SAYS GIRIRAJ SINGH

New Delhi (PTI): More than 16 lakh Indians renounced their Indian citizenship since 2011 including 2,25,620 last year, the govt said in Rajya Sabha on Thursday.

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar presented the details.

He said the number of Indians who renounced their Indian citizenship in 2015 was 1,31,489, while 1,41,603 people gave it up in 2016 and 1,33,049 in 2017.

In 2018, the number was 1,34,561, while 1,44,017 Indians renounced their citizenship in 2019, 85,256 in 2020 and 1,63,370 in 2021.

The number in 2022 was 2,25,620. For reference purposes, Jaishankar said the data for 2011 was 1,22,819 while it was 1,20,923 in 2012, 1,31,405 in 2013 and 1,29,328 in 2014.

New Delhi: Domestic airlines reported 2,613 significant technical snags in their planes in the last five years, MoS (Civil Aviation) VK Singh told the Lok Sabha on Thursday. He said the regulations require occurrences relating to system and component failure to be reported to the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA).

IN THE COURTYARD

TOLD COLLEGIUMS TO INCLUDE MEMBERS

NOT REPRESENTED IN JUDICIARY: RIJIJU

New Delhi: Union Law and Justice Minister Kiren Rijiju replying to a question on reservations in the judiciary in the Rajya Sabha on Thursday, said that there is no reservation policy in the Indian judiciary presently but reminded the collegium to include those who are not represented adequately in the system. During Question Hour in the Rajya Sabha, the matter related to whether the government will consider the possibility of introducing a reservation policy in the appointment of judges was raised by DMK leader Tiruchi Siva. “As per the existing policies and provisions, there is no reservation in the Indian judiciary,” Rijiju said.

New Delhi (PTI): Those criticising the budgetary allocation for MNREGA should understand that the scheme is “demand driven”, Union Rural Development Minister Giriraj Singh said on Thursday, adding that the Narendra Modi government has always allocated sufficient funds for the programme. Amid criticism over the budgetary allocation for the flagship rural employment programme — Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme — Singh said the Modi government’s allocation are higher than that by the UPA govt. “Those criticising the allocation should understand what MNREGA is before saying that the allocation has gone down. In 2020, we had only Rs 62,000 crore allocation and the expenditure was Rs 1,12,000 crore,” Singh told reporters on the sidelines of an event here.

TRIPURA ASSEMBLY POLLS

BJP woos Tripura tribals with greater autonomy

Agartala: A week ahead of the Tripura assembly election, the ruling BJP on Thursday promised greater autonomy to tribals, increase in farmers’ financial assistance and setting up of rubber, bamboo and agarbased industries to make ‘Unnato Tripura, Sreshtho Tripura’. The BJP said that if it returns to power after the February 16 assembly polls, it would establish the Maharaja Bir Bikram Manikya Tribal University, provide cooked food three times a day at Rs 5 per meal under the PM Kisan -- increase the

NADDA, TRIPURA CM OFFER PRAYERS AT MATA TRIPURA SUNDARI TEMPLE

Udaipur (ANI): Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)

National President Jagat Prakash Nadda along with Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha offered prayers at Mata Tripura Sundari Temple in Udaipur on Thursday morning. While talking to ANI, Nadda said, “Today I got the opportunity to offer prayers at Mata Sundari Temple. Whenever I come here, I get new energy. Under PM Modi’s leadership we are taking society forward with the mantra of ‘Sabka Sath Sabka Vikas’.”

financial assistance from Rs 6,000 to Rs 8,000 per annum, double the per-family annual cap from Rs 5 lakh to Rs 10 lakh under the Ayushman Bharat Yojana and

housing to all registered beneficiaries. In party’s manifesto, Nadda also announced setting up a Regional Institute of Medical Sciences hospital in Agartala.

Confusion continues over BJP’s CM face in K’taka

COURT:

COMPLY WITH SOP ON ACCEPTING ELECTRONIC COPIES OF DRIVING LICENCES

New Delhi: The Delhi HC on Thursday asked the city govt to ensure strict compliance of the motor vehicle law, including the standard operating procedure, on accepting electronic copies of driving licenses and other transport-related documents. A bench observed that no further orders were required to be passed in the matter as the central govt has taken steps in this regard and the Delhi govt was strictly following the statutory provisions and protocols.

CONG WORKERS’ MURDER: COURT BANS PUBLISHING WITNESSES’ STATEMENTS

Kochi: A CBI court in Kerala’s Kochi on Thursday directed the media not to publish the statements of witnesses in the Periya twin murder case where two Youth Congress workers were brutally killed in the state’s Kasargode district in 2019. The accused include top local CPI-M leaders and also a former CPI-M legislatore. Special judge, CBI K Kamanees has also barred the entry of media in the court hall for reporting the case.

INDIAN WOMAN FILES SUIT AGAINST MADRID HOTEL IN ROBBERY CASE

New Delhi: An Indian woman has filed a lawsuit against leading hotel chain, Hilton Hotels, after she was allegedly robbed in its hotel in Madrid, Spain, where she stayed for business purposes. Jasmeet Kaur, CEO of KBI Industries and a resident of Noida, filed the lawsuit in the Court of Plaza de Castilla, Spain. Kaur shared her ordeal on social media and alleged that the robbers assaulted her and stole her belongings on January 27.

Bengaluru: Confusion continued over the BJP’s chief ministerial candidate for the assembly elections in Karnataka with former CM BS Yediyurappa stating that the final decision would be taken by the party high command.

Speaking to media Yediyurappa stated that the party, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the high command will take a call on who is going to

Bringing anti-copying law soon: U’khand CM Dhami

Dehradun (PTI): Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Singh Dhami on Thursday appealed to the youth not to let themselves be misled by anyone saying efforts are on to ensure that recruitment examinations are held in the state in a transparent way. “We are soon going to bring the strictest anti-coyping law in the country. It will be ensured that use of unfair

means in recruitment examinations stops completely and they are held in a transparent manner,” Dhami said.

be the CM candidate.

“Their decision is final. We do not have any objections if the high command decides to make any leader as the CM. The BJP is going to win 140 seats in the upcoming assembly elections and we will form the govt,” he said.

Commenting on the statements of former CM HD Kumaraswamy naming the BJP as the party of Brahmins,

Yediyurappa stated that earlier the BJP was called the party of Lingayats. Now, it is being called the party of Brahmins. “90 per cent of Lingayats are still with the BJP and we are with them,” he said. Asked about naming Shivamogga airport after him, Yediyurappa clarified that he had told the party not to go ahead with the plans and it is not correct.

BJP MULLS YEDIYURAPPA’S NAME FOR NEW AIRPORT, CENTRE TO TAKE CALL Bengaluru: The Union govt is taking a call regarding the naming of Shivamogga airport after party veteran, Lingayat strongman BS Yediyurappa. The BJP state government has cleared the proposal in the cabinet meeting and already sent it to the consideration of the Centre. All eyes within the BJP and other political parties of the state are on the decision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi government in this regard. Shivamogga airport is the dream project of Yediyurappa. During his successive terms as the CM of the state, Yediyurappa pursued the project. His supporters have been demanding that the airport should be named after him as a mark of respect to his commitment and work. However, the BJP insiders say that the party is also considering naming the airport after luminaries of the district or national heroes.

“Centre not helping in road work in T’gana”

Hyderabad (PTI): Telangana Municipal Administration Minister K T Rama Rao on Thursday accused the BJP-led NDA govt of adopting an unhelpful attitude towards the State govt in taking up the strategic road development programme (SRDP) works in defence lands at Secunderabad here.

Replying to a query in the Legislative Assembly on addressing traffic problems from Secunderabad to Bowenpally

and others in the city if the defence authorities don’t give permission to carry out SRDP works in defence lands, he alleged

that the Centre is not ready to cooperate though the State govt has been pursuing with the Centre since the last

eight-and-a-half years to address the defence land issues for building flyovers to address traffic problems.

“Though the government is in favour of building a skyway from Patny to Suchitra, similar to the PV Narasimha Rao Expressway (in the city), we have tried in Delhi several times, unfortunately, the Central government is not coming forward to cooperate. This is painful and also shameful,” he said.

PM shares student’s article ‘A day in the Parliament and PMO’

New Delhi (ANI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi has shared a “personal account” of a student named Lopoli Melo from Arunachal Pradesh, who got the opportunity to participate in the ‘Parakram Diwas 2023’ celebrations in the Lok Sabha secretariat.

“You will enjoy reading this very personal account of Lopoli Melo from Arunachal Pradesh.

I would like to laud Speaker Om Birla Ji for taking the lead for such

an initiative which also gave me the opportunity to meet bright youngsters,” PM tweeted. Parakram Diwas is celebrated on January 23 in order to mark the birth anniversary of freedom fighter Subhas Chandra Bose, who is fondly known as ‘Netaji. Lopoli Melo, student of Rajiv Gandhi University, Arunachal Pradesh, was selected to attend the ‘Parakram Diwas 2023’ celebrations in the Lok Sabha

secretariat. In her article titled ‘A day in the Parliament and PMO’,

she recalls her journey throughout the day. “I had to represent

my university, Rajiv Gandhi University (RGU), and my state in

the higher education institute (HEI) division in the Parliament for the

‘Parakram Diwas’, 2023 - a programme launched by the Parliamentary Research & Training Institute for Democracies (PRIDE) of the Lok Sabha secretariat,” Lopoli pens in her blog.

“My journey started on 21 January. My brothers were so scared to send me alone that they accompanied me till the Guwahati airport. From there, I had to do it all alone. Delhi was welcoming, and felt like home,” she said.

Lopoli says, “I was seated in the fourth column from the left, fourth seat from the first, exactly at the centre of the hall” And so he did, and gave us a good namaste.”

Finally, talking about her interaction with PM Modi, she says, “The long-awaited day ended with an interaction programme between the students and the PM at his residence at 7, Lok Kalyan Marg, New Delhi.

“2,613 SNAGS IN DOMESTIC FLIGHTS IN LAST 5 YEARS”

Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Singh Dhami at an event.

BJP national president JP Nadda, Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha and others during the Vijay Sankalp Rally, at Khayerpur, in West Tripura on Thursday. —PHOTO BY ANI

BS Yediyurappa

Telangana Minister KT Rama Rao. —FILE PHOTO

‘Parakram Diwas 2023’ participants pose with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. —FILE PHOTO

S Jaishankar presents the details in the Upper House while replying to a question

EAM S Jaishankar speaks in Rajya Sabha as Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman looks on.

84K cr orders pending, 55K cr more coming up: HAL chief

Ananthakrishnan says Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd order book position is comfortable

Bengaluru (ANI): In the wake of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent assertion that the state-owned Hindustan Aeronautics Limited has a huge number of orders for aircraft and choppers, the chairman of the PSU said that the state-owned entity has pending orders worth Rs 84,000, while orders worth Rs 55,000 were in the pipeline.

Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) CMD CB

Ananthakrishnan said, “We have been generating revenues of Rs 25,000 crores which has shown a growth of eight percent. We have sufficient contracts to be executed.”

“Almost Rs 84,000 crore orders are pending. Another Rs 55000 crore orders are in the pipeline, likely to materialize in next six months to one year. So, all in all, we will have a healthy

order book. Our capacity is 30 helicopters per annum,” he said.

“We will try to ramp it up to 60 helicopters. If demand is at its peak, then we can take it to 90 helicopters,” he stated.

He said sanction for the LCA (Light Combat Aircraft) Mark II, has come and that the Defence Research and De-

CRUCIAL READ

UNITED LIBERATION FRONT OF ASOM (IND)

MILITANT KILLED IN ENCOUNTER IN ASSAM

Tinsukia: An insurgent belonging to the banned United Liberation Front of Asom (Independent) outfit was killed in an encounter with security forces in Assam’s Tinsukia district on Thursday.Tinsukia Superintendent of Police Gaurav Abhijit Dilip said that a tip-off was received about seven to nine ULFA(I) militants, led by Uday Asom and Mrigankha Asom, taking shelter in Margherita and Lekhapani areas for the last 8-10 days.

VILLAGE HEAD KILLED IN BIHAR’S GOPALGANJ DIST

Patna: A village mukhiya (headman) in Bihar’s Gopalganj district was gunned down on Thursday, police said.

Mohammad Qurash, 32, was on his way from his house in Phalguni Panchayat village to his brick kiln in Thawe block on his bike. When he reached Narayanpur village, four or five gunmen opened fire on him indiscriminately.

WOMAN HELD FOR SMUGGLING GOLD IN COCHIN

Kochi: The Cochin Air Customs on Thursday took into custody a woman, who arrived on a flight from Riyadh in Saudi Arabia, for smuggling gold. She tried to get through the Green Channel by saying that she was having her monthly period. The woman was found carrying 582 grams of gold valued at Rs three million.

MINOR GIRL GANG-RAPED BY 5 YOUTHS AT BIRTHDAY PARTY IN HYDERABAD

Hyderabad: A minor girl was allegedly gang-raped by five youths after giving her sedatives at a birthday party in Hyderabad. The shocking incident occurred in the old city of Hyderabad on February 4, but came to light on Wednesday when the victim lodged a complaint with the police.The police also arrested a girl and her boyfriend for abetting the offence. The 16-year-old girl had gone to a medical shop in Chatrinaka area on the night of February 4. She was lured by another girl from the same area to come to a friend’s place at Bhoiguda for a birthday party.

PRESSURE COOKER BOMBS, WEAPONS FOUND IN J’KHAND

Ranchi: The police and paramilitary forces seized two pressure cooker bombs, among several other weapons of Maoists, from a forest in Latehar district. The weapons were hidden in an underground bunker in the forest and were recovered on Thursday.

Two rifles, a carbine gun, 33 live bullets and 8 charger clips were seized, sources said.

velopment Organisation (DRDO) and HAL will together be able to roll out the first LCA Mark II sometime in 2024-25. About HAL’s Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) project, the HAL chief stated,”We are also a design partner in building prototypes in this project. In another five to

six years, the product should be available.”

“The execution timeframe is starting from February 2024. We are confident that we will be able to deliver the first aircraft in February 2024,” he added.

PM Modi had while inaugurating a HAL helicopter factory in Karnataka’s Tumakuru

WBSSC to terminate 800 secondary teachers

Kolkata: The West Bengal School Service Commission (WBSSC) will soon terminate 800 illegally-appointed teachers at the secondary level in different staterun schools from service, the commission informed the Calcutta High Court on Thursday. It is learnt that the process will start after WBSSC issues an official notification on this count next week, in which the names of

PM to inaugurate Global Investors Summit 2023 in Lucknow today

New Delhi: Prime Minister will visit Lucknow on Friday to inaugurate the Uttar Pradesh Global Investors Summit 2023, read a statement by Prime Minister’s Office.The Prime Minister will inaugurate the Uttar Pradesh Global Investors Summit 2023. He will also inaugurate Global Trade Show and launch Invest UP 2.0, added the press release. Uttar Pradesh Global Investors Summit 2023 is scheduled from 10-12 February 2023.

these 800 teachers will be published. Sources in the state education department said that these 800 teachers will be those whose numbers in the OMR sheets varied from those in the central server of the commission.

recently lashed out at the Opposition for spreading “misinformation” about Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) in the past.

Modi also recalled earlier Parliamentary sessions that were disrupted by the Opposition over the demand for a Joint Parliamentary Committee probe into the Rafale deal.

“Tumakuru has got a big helicopter factory today. Karnataka is a land of young talent and innovation. The world is seeing the manufacturing power of Karnataka from drone manufacturing to Tejas fighter planes. The doubleengine government has made Karnataka the first choice of investors. The inauguration of the helicopter factory is an example of how the double-engine government works,” PM Modi said.

DELHI EXCISE POLICY CASE

ED arrests advertising company’s director

New Delhi (PTI):

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has arrested director of an advertising company, who is alleged to have ran the AAP campaign during the 2022 Goa assembly polls, in connection with its money laundering investigation into alleged irregularities in the Delhi excise policy, officials said on Thursday.

Rajesh Joshi, the director of Chariot Productions Media Pvt Ltd, was placed under arrest under sections of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). He was produced before a local court where the agency sought his custody in the case.

ADVT COMPANY DIRECTOR SENT TO TO ED’S CUSTODY TILL FEB 13

New Delhi: A court here on Thursday sent the director of an advertising company, who is alleged to have ran the AAP campaign during the 2022 Goa assembly polls, to ED’s custody for interrogation in a Delhi excise policy-related money laundering case.Rajesh Joshi, director of Chariot Productions Media Pvt Ltd, was sent for custodial interrogation

18 died in separate mishaps in 3 states, victims include 11 children

New Delhi (ANI): As many as 18 persons were killed, including 11 children in separate mishaps in three states on Thursday.

In an accident, seven school children were killed and four severely injured after the autorickshaw they were in collided with a truck in Chhattisgarh’s Kanker district, officials said.

In another accident, As many as seven la-

bourers reportedly died due to suffocation while they were engaged in the removal of oil sludge in an edible oil tanker on Thursday in

Andhra Pradesh’s Kakinada district. Officials immediately rushed to the spot and took up the investigation. The incident sent shock waves to the village.

In another mishap, a fierce fire broke out in the slum of Gagret subdivision of the Una district in Himachal Pradesh which allegedly killed four minors during the midnight hours of Wednesday.

till February 13.He was arrested by the ED on Wednesday. The agency sought his ten days’ custody, saying he was required to be confronted with other accused in the case to unearth the larger conspiracy. It said the links of the advertising company promoter with regard to alleged diversion of “kickbacks” for the Goa assembly polls in 2022 are under the ED scanner.

SHARES TUMBLE...

Adani Wilmar is a 50:50 joint venture between business conglomerate Adani Group and Singapore-based Wilmar. On Thursday, Adani Wilmar released a statement and said, “The officials did not find any irregularities in the operations and dealings conducted by the company. We would like to clarify that the concerns specific to GST payments in cash, citing GST law under Rule 86B, the company is not required to pay the tax liability.” “The staff extended their support during this routine inspection, fully cooperating with the officials and local authorities,” the company said, adding depot operations are functioning normally after the visit. The statement noted that this was actually a routine inspected by the authorities and not a raid and all its operations are in compliance with the relevant laws and regulations.Interestingly, it seems that Adani group is going through a ‘rough phase’ after the recent Hindenburg report followed by the dip in Adani’s shares. On the other hand, there are murmurs in ‘power corridoors’ that the sixty thousand crore rupees Adani Solar project’s MoU with Rajasthan government may also be cancelled. Notably, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi had recently targeted the Adani group in the Parliament.

PREZ AT BRAHMAKUMARIS EVENT

LABOURER FALLS FROM DELHI BUILDING, DIES

New Delhi: A 35-yearold labourer died after falling from the first floor of a building following the collapse of a wall during renovation work here on Thursday. The incident took place in northwest Delhi’s Subhash Place. Victim Raghubansh, who hails from Banka district of Bihar, was taken to a hospital where he succumbed to injuries.

Empower the families: Murmu

First India Bureau

Gurugram: President Droupadi Murmu on Thursday said the mindset that bringing up children and managing home are the responsibility of women only has to change while noting that in spite of their increased participation they fail to make the cut above a certain level owing to family responsibilities.

Inaugurating a national convention on ‘Women

as Foundation of Valuebased Society’ and launching an all India awareness campaign

‘Empowering the Family’ at the Om Shanti Retreat Centre of Brahmakumaris at Gurugram,

Pawan Hans launches helicopter routes in Assam

New Delhi: Pawan

she said women have played a very important role in shaping values and ethics in Indian society. Lauding the Brahmakumaris organisation for reviving Indian values by keeping women at the centre, Murmu said this is the world’s largest spiritual institution run by women and more than 46,000 sisters of this organisation are carrying forward the tradition of spirituality and Indian culture in about 140 countries.

Hans has started its helicopter services on six routes in Assam. These new helicopter services, launched under the RCS UDAN scheme, will provide connectivity on the Dibrugarh-JorhatTezpur-GuwahatiTezpur - Jorhat- Dibrugarh network.

The RCS UDAN of the Ministry of Civil Aviation is giving special impetus to providing air connectivity to remote places of northeastern states which have inadequate rail

and road connectivity. Officials said the RCS UDAN helicopter services in Assam will boost air connectivity within the state by offering the fastest mode of travel to connect Tezpur, Jorhat, and Dibrugarh from Guwahati. The services will play a key role in promoting tourism activities in the state.

HAL CMD CB Ananthakrishnan speaks to the media on Thursday.

HAL ON A HIGH

President Droupadi Murmu at the event in Gurugram on Thursday.

SUPER

Union Information & Broadcasting, Youth Affairs and Sports Minister Anurag Singh Thakur plays cricket amid snowfall. He was participating in the opening ceremony of 3rd edition of Khelo India National Winter Games, in J&K on Thursday.

FROM P1

A successful man manages the credit and debit, not just of his finances but also of his well-being, prudently.

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

YOUTH PIN HIGH HOPES ON STATE BUDGET

First India Bureau

Jaipur: Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot is going to present the State Budget in the assembly on Friday at 11 am.

The budget this time will focus on the youth and nearly one lakh recruitments are expected to be announced in different departments.

The government is likely to bring a plan to give huge discounts and packages to start new businesses.

There is likely to be a lot of focus on social welfare schemes in the budget. Announcements of many direct benefit schemes for youth, farmers, employees, elderly and women are likely in the budget. In order to reduce the budget of kitchen, the CM has already announced giving gas cylinders for Rs 500 to eligible families under the Ujjwala scheme. There would also be an announcement of a plan to provide food kits to every family to give them relief from inflation.

A new law is likely to be announced in the budget to protect work-

New law likely to be announced to boost State’s gig economy and for the welfare of app-based workers

Accident insurance likely to be hiked under Chiranjeevi Scheme; bonus expected for dairy farmers

All Govt, private colleges to live stream State Budget

First India Bureau Jaipur: Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot will present the State Budget 2023-24 in the assembly on Friday.

For the first time, the budget will be shown live in all government and private colleges of the state. The college education commissionerate issued an order on Wednesday directing all the government and private colleges of the state to show the budget live. The colleges have

been asked to arrange a live telecast of the budget speech in auditoriums/ meeting halls so that a maximum number of students, teachers and heads of institutions can watch it.

The budget will be telecasted live on social media platforms.

Prior to this, programs like Mann Ki Baat and Pariksha Pe Charcha of Prime Minister Narendra Modi have also been telecasted live in schools and colleges.

ers of app base platforms. New schemes may also be announced for the social security of such employees working in the gig economy. In a rally held in Alwar during Bharat Jodo Yatra, Rahul Gandhi had asked to bring schemes for social security of the workers working in businesses like Ola,

Uber, Amazon etc.

CM is likely to make an announcement for Metro Rail in Jodhpur, Kota and Jaipur may get the metro rail’s second phase from Sitapura to Ambabadi.

There is a possibility of announcement of zero bill on 30,000 liters of water for domestic consumers. There is no charge for water up to

15,000 litres, but at present Rs 49 is being charged as seepage charge and surcharge on it, now it is proposed to make it completely free. The CM is expected to announce the facility of work from home during periods for women government employees. For this, a change in the service rules may be an-

nounced. The State Social Welfare Board had recently sent its proposal to the State Government. This announcement can be made to give a message to women employees in the election year.

Also, 50 per cent concession in fair in Rajasthan Roadways buses for female passengers is likely to be an -

nounced. A new policy of water connection to religious places is also expected in the budget. There is a proposal to provide water to temples and other religious places on zero bill. The Water Supply Department had recently conducted a survey of religious places across the state. In the budget, the

benefits of Old Pension Scheme can also be given to the employees of boards, corporations, universities and autonomous institutions run with government assistance.

The CM had announced to give OPS to government employees in the last budget.

Pension scheme for farmers may be expand-

ed. The scheme is expected to be announced for all small farmers.

Indira Rasoi can be opened in areas dominated by daily wage workers and laborers. It can be opened in hospitals and areas with movement of people across the state. New districts are expected to be announced in the budget. In the last budget, the CM had announced the formation of a committee for the formation of new districts. The government formed a committee but the report is yet to come.

The government will make provision in the budget for new districts, new divisions and subdivisions. It is also possible that CM Gehlot may announce these in response to the debate on the Appropriation Bill, because the government has not yet received the report of the Committee.

A separate free hand budget would be given to the State assembly in the budget. The budget of the assembly can remain outside the purview of government audit.

Randhawa, Dotasra offer prayers at Khatushyam Ji, say will repeat Govt Delhi

YOUTH CONG MEMBERSHIP

Budget

First India Bureau

Make every village, house, family aware of State Govt schemes: Randhawa to workers

‘visit’ likely to shape State’s political roadmap

Yogesh Sharma

Ramesh Sharma

Sikar: Congress workers under the leadership of local MLA Virendra Singh and district president Sunita Gathla welcomed Rajasthan Congress in-charge Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa at the archway of Khatushyamji town in Sikar district. Rajasthan Congress State President Govind Singh Dotasra was also present. Randhawa told the Con-

gress workers that every village, house and family should be made aware of the flagship schemes of the government from now for the general elections to be held next year.

During a press conference, while responding to a query on whether the Congress will be able to form the government again in Rajasthan, Randhawa said that no one has gone empty-handed from Baba Shyam’s place.

Jaipur: The Delhi visit of Rajasthan Congress in-charge Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa and PCC Chief Govind Singh Dotasra is not just for the list. The visit was also important for the future political roadmap of the State. A discussion on combined AICC-PCC list has been undertaken but the current issue is regarding decisions to be taken post state budget as many decisions re-

garding government and organisation have to be taken. Moreover, appointments in UIT have to be undertaken while a shuffle and expansion of council of ministers is also proposed. Most of the ministers and legislators have received information about the nomination of AICC members.

However, according to sources, Shanti Dhariwal and Mahesh Joshi probably did not get any information.

team of

Jaipur: Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot’s team of officers which is headed by Akhil Arora has IAS officers KK Pathak, Nar-

Yogesh Sharma

Jaipur: Election Commissioner of Youth Congress Rajpal Bisht investigated the fake membership issue that surfaced during the State Youth Congress elections.

Rajpal Bisht and Mohammad Shahid closely examined the complaints related to fake membership and said that action will be taken against the wrongdoers.

While speaking to First India, Rajpal Bisht said that complaints have been received regarding fake membership of the youth Congress and whoever is found guilty could be disqualified from the election and punitive action will be taken against him.

MARITAL BLISS

Arora was also working on the post of Government Secretary (Budget) in Gehlot’s previous tenure (20082013). He is known in the bureaucracy for working tirelessly, studying serious subjects and going into the details of everything. Since the budget is the work of detailing, Arora is considered its expert officer.

5 spl officers of CM

esh Kumar Thakral and Rohit Gupta along with a senior officer of Rajasthan Account Service

Brijesh Kumar Sharma.

Pathak is working as Secretary to Govern-

KK Pathak is considered a philosopher officer in the bureaucracy because of his deep interest in philosophy and subjects related to religion. Pathak has mastered the art of understanding the problems related to common people.

The CM expected him to do something on measures to give relief to the common man in the budget.

Naresh Kumar Thakral is also considered as an officer working to the point. In such a situation, Thakral has remained the choice of Akhil Arora and Chief Minister Gehlot continuously since April-2021.

Shanell Irani, Arjun Bhalla tie knot at Khimsar

lll Special Rajasthani dishes were prepared at the fort for the guests. Nearly 70 guests from both sides were invited to the wedding

Younus Gesawat

Nagaur: The daughter of Union Cabinet Minister Smriti Irani and Zubin Irani, Shanelle was married to Arjun Bhalla on Friday at the famous Khimsar Fort hotel in Nagaur district. The wedding functions began on Thursday at heritage property, a 15th-century fort converted to a hotel, in the presence of close family members and friends. The fort was beautifully

decorated with kites and other items. Haldi and Mehndi rituals took place on Wednesday, a day before the wedding. After this, in the evening, a musical night program on sand dunes. Performances by Rajasthani folk artists were also given, sources said.

During this, guests from both sides were seen dancing to Bollywood and Rajasthani songs. Smriti Irani was clad in a golden-col-

oured saree. Special preparations were made for the wedding at the fort. The sand dunes were decorated with lights and flowers.

On Thursday evening, the groom arrived with a baraat procession on a white mare, where Union Minister Smriti Irani, her husband Zubin Irani, former Rajasthan minister Gajendra Singh and other members from the bride’s family welcomed the baraatis.

ment (Revenue), Rohit Gupta as Secretary to Government (Budget) and Thakral as Secretary to Government (Expenditure). Sharma holds the post of Director- Budget.

Brijesh Kumar Sharma is an officer of the Rajasthan Accounts Service. He holds the position of Director -Budget. This post is considered to be the backbone of the budget and finance department. A senior officer of the same service is always posted on this post. Sharma is said to know the ins and outs of State’s financial situation.

Rohit Gupta is considered an expert officer of statistics, facts, and comparative study. This type of calculation is very much needed in the budget. Gupta has been carrying out this work very seriously in this team.

Pilot writes to PM for ‘nat’l’ status to ERCP

First India Bureau

Jaipur: Ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s proposed visit to Dausa, former deputy Chief Minister of Rajasthan and Congress leader Sachin Pilot has written a letter to the PM urging him to declare the Eastern Rajasthan Canal Project (ERCP) as the national project.

“I have come to know that your programme is proposed on 12th February, 2023 in Dausa. In such a situation, the resi-

dents of the state including me expect you to declare the ERCP as a national project so that there can be a permanent solution to the drinking and irrigation water problems in 13 districts,” he said in the letter written on Thursday.

Fraudster will be disqualified, says poll chief

Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa, GS Dotasra, and Pratap Singh offer prayers at Khatushyam Ji Temple in Sikar on Thursday.

A scooty rider passes by State Government’s budget poster. —PHOTO BY SANTOSH SHARMA

Bridegroom along with family and guests arrives at the wedding venue in Nagaur’s Khimsar Fort on Thursday.

(Inset) Shanelle and Arjun stand before the guests.

SYMBOL OF PURITY

WHITE IS THE MOST POWERFUL COLOUR. IT’S OPTIMISTIC AND POWERFUL. CITY FIRST BRINGS TO YOU THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE COLOUR WHITE IN THE FASHION WORLD...

White is the lightest colour, meaning purity, innocence, and integrity.

It is considered to represent perfection, as it is the purest and most complete colour. It is the colour that represents new begging and erases any trace of past actions. It is like a piece of white paper not being written yet. It leaves the mind open and free to whatever it might create in the way. White colour is a classic, whatever the fashion of any particular time white is always in fashion. White is one of the few colours that is easy to match with most outfits and also never goes out of fashion, especially in the summer sunshine. The colour white is mostly worn during the summer. Although, it should be worn during the entire year and not confined to just one season. It is also not the easiest colour for wearing because it “gets dirty” quickly. White can be worn to feel uplifted. It conveys a feeling of newness, so it’s a nice colour to wear on the first day of a new endeavour. White is classic, simple yet versatile, and it looks great on Indian skin tones. Colours play a big role in the fashion sense but the white colour in fashion staples makes it a stand-alone piece. There are several white

outfits that are trendy and should be a part of every individual’s wardrobe. White-onwhite is considered an uplighting outfit and makes an individual feel more confident. More than men, women are seen using this colour as a symbol of power. The white shirt is the most common staple in everyone’s closet as it is a go-to outfit when nothing comes to mind. White shirts paired up with dark tops are one of the most common stylish looks. Brides are also dropping the idea of wearing traditional red and other vibrant colours in their wedding functions and choosing white lehengas instead. We can say that ‘white colour is the new dark’ currently. But not only white lehenga, other white ethnic outfits like sharara, saree, suits, sherwani, etc are also common these days. White is a universal colour and is everyone’s first choice when it comes to fashion, be it casual or traditional.

SHUBHANSHI PATHAK cityfirst@firstindia.co.in

We are excited to host the glamorous Fashion Connect event at Oaks Ibn Battuta Gate Hotel for the third time in a row. The first two editions were a success where we welcomed more than 200 invitees and VIPs and I’m sure this year the teams will go beyond all expectations to deliver an amazing show.

MARLON ABEYAKOON, GM

It’s a pleasure to have the Fashion Connect event at our hotel, Oaks Ibn Battuta Gate. We look forward to working again with their team and delivering a wonderful show to the invitees.

THE FASHION CONNECT SEASON 14

A FASHIONABLE INDULGE AWAITS

Oaks Ibn Battuta Gate Hotel, Dubai is all set to host the Fashion Connect Season 14 to be held on March 19, 2023!

This is our third consecutive year, doing our event in Dubai and we are grateful to the people of Dubai. I am thankful to Dr Jagdeesh Chandra for giving his full support. His ideas matter a lot and his motivation is what takes us all over the world after London it is Dubai now so I am super excited and I am really looking forward to this event.

This will be my first time working with the Fashion Connect team. I’m excited they chose our hotel, Oaks Ibn Battuta Gate for the third consecutive time. This is a big statement on how the first two editions were successful. Dordije Jabucanin

DORDIJE JABUCANIN Director of Sales

I am very excited as we will get to see the astonishing collection of famous Bollywood designer Anju Modi, I do a lot of shows in Dubai and this city is very close to my heart, and we will try to make this season more interesting from the previous seasons.

LOKESH SHARMA, Show Director

India’s favourite and one of the most popular single-day fashion events titled First India Fashion Connect are already set to host the fourteenseason in Dubai, the mega fashion show has lifted the bar with the completion of its successful previous seasons. The Fashion Connect season 14 will be held on March 19 at Oaks Ibn Battuta Gate Hotel Dubai. Season 11 and Season 9 were also held in Dubai and were

Heartiest Congratulations to Team First India and the Fashion Connect team for the 14th season of Fashion Connect to be held in Dubai with the renowned designer Anju Modi. I am sure the show will exceed all expectations this time also and set an even higher benchmark in the universe of Fashion and Entertainment!

—JAGDEESH CHANDRA

greatly appreciated by one and all. The inaugural worldwide Fashion Connect earned an incredible triumph over the fashion sector, with a big reaction and netizens going wild over the exceptional lineup and digital preparedness. This time, Ace designer Anju Modi, an eminent de-

ie Angrish, itsISH by Isha Gupta and Escape by Aishwarya will also showcase their beautiful collections during the fashion extravaganza. The whole event will be witnessed by the eminent personalities of the world.

INIFT Jaipur is proud to be associated with one of the most popular fashion events ‘Fashion Connect’. Our team is super excited to be a part of the grand event. Our good wishes are with the Fashion Connect Team and we are looking forward to the success of this event.

I am glad to be the jewellery partner of the Fashion Connect S-14 to be held in Dubai. We have some amazing designers on board with us including ace designer Anju Modi and I am really looking forward to be part of this magnificent Fashion event by First India.

We at shades are excited to be a part of a mega fashion event. We are looking forward to joining as a makeup & grooming partner for fashion connect season 14th on March 19 in Dubai. My Best wishes to the Fashion Connect Team members.

UTTKARSHA SHEKHAR uttkarsha.shekhar@firstindia.co.in

SAMPATH KANKANAMGE F&B Manager

—RISHEE MIGLANI, Brand Ambassdor

—NANDITA SHEKHAWAT, Jewellery Partner

—KAMLA PODDAR, Fashion Institute Partner

THE GRAND BIRTHDAY BASH

Kavita Chauhan of the First India family celebrated her birthday with much fervour and enthusiasm at Labrass, Diggi Palace, Jaipur on Wednesday, February 8, as her birthday was on January 19. The party was hosted by her husband Nimit. Jagdeesh Chandra reached to bless her on the occasion and wished her huge success. Various who’s who of the city including Narendra Singh, Ambassador, Federation of International Polo, Ram Rathore CEO at The Rambagh Palace, Riccha, Youth Icon Rishee Miglani, Fashion Connect Show Director Lokesh Sharma, Spiritual Guru Nirmala Sewani, Film Distributor Raj Bansal, eminent polo players, fashion designers among others reached to celebrate the day.

Jagdeesh Chandra with Kavita Chauhan and Himmat Bedla Jagdeesh Chandra with Mohan Singh Tada and Amarjeet Sangwan

Jagdeesh Chandra with Nirmala Sewani

Jagdeesh Chandra greets Kavita Chauhan. Also seen are (L-R) Anita Hada, Nimit Mathur, Raj Bansal, Ashok Raj Singh, Rishee Miglani and Lokesh Sharma

Bhuvneshwari, Indrani, Natasha, Kavita, Garima and Bhavini Karn and Priyamvada Abhimanyu and Tusharika

Roma Poddar, Abhishek Poddar, Ashok Raj Singh and Narendra Singh

Rohit, Shaurya, Gayatri, Siddharth and Trivikram

Kunal and Apra

Samriddh Sharma and Rohit Kamra

Jagriti and Nirbhay

Kavita Chauhan and Nimit Mathur

Rishee, Lokesh, Nirmala Sewani and Mohan Singh Tada Marcela Baur

Manisha, Abhishek and Himmat

Shakaib and Meheshi

Nivriti and Alankrita

Uttkarsha Shekhar and Mitali Dusad

Nimit, Ram, Riccha and Kavita

Anjali Gupta and Deepak Gupta

MEET & GREET

LIFE THROUGH LENS

In the series of Delphic Games organised by the Delphic Council of Rajasthan at JKK on Thursday, an exhibition of photographs of rural life and childhood joy of childhood in Surekh Art Gallery was organised by professional photographers in Surekh Art Gallery. IAS

Jitendra Kumar Soni, Ajay Mishra, NN Pandey, Ramesh Prasanna, IAS Veenu Gupta, IAS Sreya Guha, Janhobi Phuken and Ashok Singh inaugurated the series by lighting the

lamp. Senior IFS Arijit Banerjee, traveller Dharmendra Kanwar

WHAT’S HAPPENING!

Under the joint aegis of Sarthak Manav Kushthashram, Leben ohne Lepra, Germany and Lions Club AIIMS Jumme Lede Jumme, a huge free eye check-up camp was organised at Ramgarh Rehabilitation Center run by Sarthak Manav Kushthashram recently. Renowned Ophthalmologist gave his services in the camp. Free spectacles were also distributed in the camp. More than 500 persons around the center were benefited from this camp. Germany's famous social worker Astrid Mukli was present as the chief guest. MLA Gopal Meena presided over the function. Astrid said in her address that like her mother Thea Mukli, she will continue this caravan of social service. Gopal Meena said in his address that he will always be ready for every possible cooperation in this pious work of the organisation. Suresh Kaul, President of the organisation threw light on the activities of the organisation in detail. The funcction was conducted by Mukesh Sharma.

and photographer Umesh Gogna, who were part of the jury of

the exhibition, selected excellent photographs. Photographs of cine-

matographers Sikandar Khan, Avinash Mehta, Rajesh Kumar

Saini and Uday Dangayach were selected for the first prize and consolation prize. On this occasion, the President of Rajasthan Delphic Council and Principal Secretary Sreya Guha, District Collector, Alwar Jitendra Soni, Director of North Regional Cultural Center, Patiala Furqan Khan, IICD Director Tulika Gupta, RAS Kshipra Sharma, President of Indian Delphic Council NN Pandey, General Secretary of International Delphic Ramesh Prasanna, various officials, participants and art lovers were present.

PASSION FOR ART

CITY FIRST

The 23rd Kala Mela organised by Rajasthan Lalit Kala Academy and in collaboration with JKK concluded on Wednesday evening. Dr Chandrabhan, VC of, the Twenty Point Programme (Bisuka) was the chief guest of the closing ceremony. On this occasion, the Lifetime Achievement Award was given to artist Bajrang Lal Suthar for his remarkable work in the field of art. 15 artists selected from the participating artists of the Kala Mela were also honoured on the basis of various parameters. These artists are Trilok

—PHOTO BY

To celebrate Valentine’s Week, a grand Blogger Meet in association with Metro Creation was organised at The Night Jar on Thursday. The meet was hosted by Nidhi Kucheria. During the occasion, Bloggers wore shades of red & Pink and celebrated womanhood.

Chand Jangid, Usha Purohit, Neerja Shekhawat, Iqbal Hussain and Bharti Arya among others.

Along with this, the winners of the poster competition were also honoured. Senior artist Chinmay

S Mehta was also present on the occasion.

Dr Chandrabhan said in his address that the message of the welfare of the nation and society can be given through events like this Kala Mela. He said that after

The grand reception of Anil, son of Anju Devi and Girraj Prasad Banya with Sonal, daughter of Santosh Devi and Suresh Sokriya, took place at Mandana Marriage Garden, Bajri Mandi Road on Thursday. Various dignitaries reached to bless the newlyweds and wished them a happy married life ahead.

visiting this fair, he saw that women are ahead of men in the field of art, they have leadership ability, ideas and creativity. Earlier, Laxman Vyas, Chairman of Rajasthan Lalit Kala Academy welcomed all the guests.

The wedding ceremony of Ayush, son of Nikita and Vivek Jain with Jayati daughter of Shelly and Kuldeep Singh Bedi, took place at City Palace, Jaipur

STARS IN THE CITY!

The Prasadi for the marriage celebrations of Pranjul, daughter of Dr Pramila Sanjaya and Dr Sanjaya Saxena with Abhinav, son of Santosh and Maman Singh, took place at Khole Ke Hanumanji on Tuesday. Various dignitaries reached to bless the newlyweds and wished them a happy married life ahead.

The wedding ceremony of Neha, daughter of ASP Girdharilal Sharma with Mukul, son of Amar Chand Sharma was organised at Resort Miracle in Jaipur on Thursday. Various dignitaries including Dr Chandrabhan Singh, Chairman of Rajasthan Selection Staff Selection Board Hari Prasad Sharma, Sikar SP Kunwar Rashtradeep Singh etc reached to bless the newlyweds.

Shakti Film Production and Shakti Helping Hand are making a difference in the lives of many people who are struggling to make ends meet. The organisations are distributing free ration packets to the poor and homeless in an effort to alleviate the challenges faced by those in need. Recently, the organisations conducted a distribution drive in the Patrkaar Colony slum area, as part of their upcoming project "Ann Dan Bharat Yatra (ADBY)". This noble initiative, started by Ambalika Shastri, aims to bring hope and support to those in need by reaching out to every corner of the country. With this act of kindness and generosity, Shakti Film Production and Shakti Helping Hand are making a positive impact on the lives of many people who are facing hardships. As challenges persist, initiatives like Ann Dan Bharat Yatra serve as a beacon of hope, reminding us that even the smallest acts of compassion can go a long way.

Jagdeesh Chandra was greeted by Prabal Jain and Tithi Goswami, as they reached the former’s residence for a courtesy meet on Thursday.

Superstar Akshay Kumar and Indian film producer Kiran Rao were spotted at Jaipur International Airport on Thursday, as they were in the Pinkcity to attend a private event.

on Wednesday, February 8. Pawan Arora along with Union Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal reached to bless the newlyweds and wished them a happy married life ahead.

IAS Jitendra Kumar Soni, Ajay Mishra, NN Pandey, Ramesh Prasanna, IAS Veenu Gupta, IAS Sreya Guha, Janhobi Phuken and Ashok Singh during the lamp lighting ceremony

The mesmerizing dance performance

Union Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal with (L-R) Pawan Arora, Kuldeep Bedi, Shelly Bedi, newlyweds Jayati & Ayush,Shivsni Bedi and Shiva Bedi

During

event

(L-R) Dr Sanjaya Saxena, Bhuvnesh Sharma, Dr Sarita Sharma, Dr Pramila, Sanjaya, Pranjul, Abhinav, Jay and Sakshi

(L-R) IAS Sushma Arora, Pranjul, Abhinav, and Dr Rajesh Arora

—PHOTOS BY SANTOSH SHARMA

—PHOTOS BY MUKESH KIRADOO