First India-Jaipur Edition-14th April 2023

UMESH PAL MURDER CASE: GANGSTER ATIQ AHMED’S SON ASAD KILLED IN ENCOUNTER

50-DAY CHASE MADE MAFIAS ‘BITE THE DUST’

‘World sees India as a bright spot’

PM Modi distributes job letters to 71,000 new recruits in Rozgar Mela

First India Bureau

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday virtually distributed appointment letters to 71,000 new recruits in the National Rozgar Mela in various government departments and organizations. Addressing the gathering, PM greeted the nation on the auspicious occasion of Baisakhi.

PM says that startups have created over 40 lakh direct or indirect jobs

PM MODI HOLDS TALK WITH SUNAK

Moni Sharma

Jhansi/Lucknow: Gangster-turned-politician Atiq Ahmed’s son

Asad and his associate Ghulam was killed in an encounter with Uttar Pradesh Special Task Force in Jhansi, police said on Thursday. Asad was killed along with Ghulam, both of whom were wanted in the Umesh Pal murder case and carried a bounty of Rs 5 lakh on their heads. It was an almost 50-day chase. And it ended with a police encounter on Thursday. The UP STF team recovered a British Bull Dog revolver and a Walther pistol from the duo. The encounter killings took place on a day Atiq Ahmed was produced in court in the same murder case and sent to judicial custody for 14 days.

‘Mitti Mein Mila Denge’

CM Yogi Adityanath promising tough action against Atiq Ahmed’s gang

UP CM YOGI HOLDS KEY MEETING AFTER ASAD WAS GUNNED DOWN

U ttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Thursday chaired a high-level meeting on ‘law and order’ after the killing of gangster-turned-politician Atiq Ahmed’s son, Asad, in an encounter. He also praised the Special Task Force (STF) team which was involved in the shootout.

A team of UP Special Task Force surrounded the duo, when the officers asked them to surrender, they opened fire. Asad and Ghulam were killed in retaliatory action. 12 led by 2 DSP-rank officers carried out operation. A total of 42 rounds were fired during encounter at Jhansi.

—Prashant Kumar, UP ADG (LO)

Are Amritpal & Guddu Muslim in Rajasthan?

First India Bureau

Jaipur: Rajasthan Police along with other agencies is making all its efforts to nab the most wanted Amritpal Singh.

According to inputs from the Central agencies, he may be hiding in the border areas of Rajasthan. Search operations are being conducted in 5 dists of State as he may escape to Pakistan through border areas.

Meanwhile, another accused in Umesh Pal

K’taka Muslim quota row: SC pulls up govt

First India Bureau

MAJOR HAPPENINGS

 Co-accused Ghulam was also shot dead, British Bull Dog revolver and a Walther pistol recovered from duo  “Tribute to my son,” Umesh Pal’s mother thanks CM Yogi after Atiq Ahmed’s son killed in encounter

 I am responsible, said Atiq Ahmed after son Asad’s encounter

 So far, 4 accused, who gunned down Umesh Pal, have been killed in separate encounters with UP Police Full Report on P6

“This Rozgar Mela is proof of our commitment towards the youth of the nation,” PM Modi added. Noting that India is one of the fastest growing economies of the world, he said that the world is seeing India as a bright spot amidst the global challenges of recession.

Shah reviews functioning of J&K security

New Delhi: Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Thursday advised to strengthen routine policing, asked all agencies to work in a coordinated manner for a successful conduct of G-20 meet in Srinagar next month. P5

Randhawa meets Rahul over the Pilot fast issue

Today’s New India is moving with policies and strategies that have opened the doors for new possibilities. —Narendra Modi, PM

PM Modi on Thursday raised issue of security of Indian diplomatic establishments in UK in a telecon with his British counterpart Rishi Sunak and called for strong action against anti-India elements. PM Modi also sought progress on return of economic offenders wanted in India.

Murder Case, Guddu Muslim is also being searched in Rajasthan by UP STF, a bounty of `5 lakh is announced. It has been suspected that he could be in Ajmer, area has been cordoned off. P3

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Thursday observed that the BJP-led Karnataka government’s decision to scrap four per cent quota for Muslims is prima facie based on “absolutely fallacious assumption.”

The apex court also called the Karnataka government’s decision to raise 2 per cent quotas for Vokkaligas and Lingayats each “shaky” and “flawed”. P5

First India Bureau New Delhi: Congress in-charge of Rajasthan, Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa, met senior party leader Rahul Gandhi here on Thursday, two days after Sachin Pilot observed a fast in Jaipur. Rajasthan’s former deputy chief minister Pilot has accused the Ashok Gehlot government of inaction on the corruption allegations against the then Vasundhara Raje gov-

ernment of the BJP. After meeting Rahul Gandhi at his residence here, the two leaders also met Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge at his residence.

CM Gehlot says if Shekhawat is not an accused then why did he go to the High Court?

Vikas Sharma

Jaipur: Rajasthan HC stayed the arrest of Union Jal Shakti Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat in the case of Sanjivani scam, giving relief to Shekhawat in this case. CM Ashok

Jawan “dies by suicide” after 4

jawans shot dead

No link to Bhatinda military station firing incident, says Army sources

First India Bureau

Bhatinda: An Army jawan reportedly ‘died by suicide’ inside the Bathinda Military station late on Wedensday. The Cantt police station has received a complaint. “There is no connection whatsoever with the incident that took place at 4.30 am at Bathinda Military Station on Wednesday,” the Army said.

The Army on Thursday said the dead soldier was on sentry duty

AIMPLB CHIEF

MAULANA RABE

HASNI NADVI

PASSES AWAY

Lucknow: The president of the All India Muslim Personal Law

Board, Maulana Rabe

Hasni Nadvi, died in Lucknow on Thursday, aged 94, after being unwell for a long time. He was brought from Rae Bareli to Lucknow for treatment, where he died at the Nadwa Madrasa in Daliganj.

SANJIVANI CREDIT SOCIETY SCAM CASE

and he apparently committed suicide. The soldier died of a gunshot wound at approximately 4.30 pm on April 12 at Bathinda Military Station. He has been identified as Laghu Raj Shankar, said SHO.

CRUCIAL READ

PM MODI

TO VISIT ASSAM TODAY, GIFT PROJECTS WORTH `14,300 CRORE

ED files case against BBC for irregularities in foreign funds

First India Bureau

New Delhi: The Enforcement Directorate has filed a case against BBC India for alleged irregularities in foreign funding. The central agency registered the case under Foreign Exchange Management Act. The development comes two months after the Income Tax department conducted a “survey” at BBC offices in Delhi and Mumbai.

EX-IPL CHIEF LALIT MODI SLAMMED & ASKED TO APOLOGISE BY TOP COURT

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Thursday came down heavily on ex-IPL Commissioner Lalit Modi over his remarks against the judiciary in a social media post, and directed him to tender an unconditional apology. Observing that Lalit is not above law & institution, Justices MR Shah & CT Ravikumar said it was not satisfied with counter affidavit filed by him.

VERDICT ON RaGa’S PLEA ON APRIL 20

Surat: A sessions court here on Thursday said it would pronounce on April 20 its order on Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s plea for a stay to his conviction in a criminal defamation case over his “Modi surname” remark, said Justice RP Mogera. P5

7 DIE, 10 INJURED AS TRUCK HITS PILGRIMS

Hoshiarpur: Seven pilgrims on their way to celebrate Baisakhi at Khuralgarh Sahib in Punjab’s Hoshiarpur district were killed and ten were injured after they were run over by a truck near here early Thursday, police officials said after the incident.

CM stresses mujhe gussa ara hai; Gehlot ji ko gussa kyu ata hai: Shekhawat

Gehlot said that till now

Shekhawat was saying that he is not an accused in this case. “If he is not an accused, then what was the need for him to go to HC and

questioned Gehlot. Talking to the media on Thursday, CM Gehlot said, ‘Shekhawat, his family members and close people are all accused in Sanjivani scam case. This is a very serious matter, in which more than 2 lakh people are being ru-

ined. He should accept his mistake and repay money of people by selling property of friends and himself in country and abroad.’

Gehlot also said, mujhe gussa ara hai, why PM Modi has not sacked such a corrupt minister from his cabinet.

Shekhawat should say that he will pay public money.

It is a matter of great honour to become a Union Minister, what else did he want when he became a Union Minister. He has no moral right to remain a Union minister. The Prime Minister should sack such a minister. —Ashok Gehlot, CM

Rajasthan High Court grants interim relief to GS Shekhawat, orders stay on his arrest

First India Bureau

Jaipur: The Rajasthan High Court on Thursday granted interim relief to Union Jal Shakti Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat in the Sanjivani Credit Cooperative Society case and ordered a stay on his arrest.

Gajendra Singh

Shekhawat had filed a criminal miscellaneous petition seeking relief in the matter although he is not mentioned as an accused in the FIR registered in connection with the alleged scam of more than `900 crore. The Rajasthan

Special Operations Group is investigating the case.

A bench of Justice Kuldeep Mathur heard the petition and granted the stay on arrest. The court then listed the matter for further hearing after three weeks. Meanwhile,

Gehlot ji hates every political opponent of his. Just like Ravana used to get angry on his opponents, colleagues, his brother and the public by being shattered in his ego, he also has the same symptoms. —Gajendra Singh Shekhawat Union Jal Shakti Minister

Shekhawat took to Twitter and said, ‘Gehlot ji ko gussa kyu ata hai? Such anger of is harmful for people of State. More on P8

Rahul Gandhi Sukhjinder S Randhawa

said UP

Police personnel inspect a two-wheeler at encounter site in which jailed Asad Ahmed and his aide was killed by the UP STF, in Jhansi on Thursday.

Asad

Prime Minister Narendra Modi addresses at the distribution of 71,000 appointment letters under the National Rozgar Mela, via video conferencing, in New Delhi on Thursday. —PHOTO BY ANI

132nd birth anniversary of Dr Babasaheb BR Ambedkar

Celebrating Baisakhi

Amit Shah to visit Bharatpur tomorrow & will work to infuse enthusiasm among the workers for the election battle.

Row over statue ends in Bharatpur, pillar seized

Ravi Katara and Satyanarayan Sharma

First India Bureau

Jaipur: Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnav on Thursday took part in the ‘Rozgar Mela‘ (employment fair) in Jaipur and addressed the newly-inducted recruits. Ashwini Vaishnav was part of the program wherein Prime Minister Narendra Modi distributed about 71,000 appointment letters to newly-inducted recruits in government departments and organizations as he attended the job fair virtually. The program was held at 45 locations in

the country. During the ceremony, he said that everyone should adopt the mantra of nation

first. Describing the transparency of the ongoing recruitment processes in the Railways,

he added that the Railways conducted examinations in hundreds of cities in 15 languages

LATHI CHARGE ON BJP MLA, WORKERS IN ALWAR

MLA Sanjay Sharma admitted in ICU

Ashivini Yadav

Alwar : MLA from Alwar (City), Sanjay Sharma, was admitted to the district hospital on Thursday afternoon after he complained of internal injuries during a lathi-charge by police on Wednesday.

Notably, the MLA and BJP workers were protesting against the state government during the Jan Aakrosh Rally on Wednesday.

However, the police resorted to force to maintain the law and order situation. On Thursday, MLA Sanjay Sharma was admitted

Benefit of `500 LPG cylinder to select families from Apr 1: PSK

MLA Sanjay Sharma in the ICU ward of Dist hospital on Thursday. Pandit Jale Singh and Jitendra Rathore also seen.

to the ICU of the Alwar district for treatment.

Alwar SP Anand Sharma, however, refuted claims of any lathi-charge during the

CP JOSHI WRITES TO DGP SEEKING STRICT ACTION

M eanwhile, State BJP President CP

Joshi has written a letter to the DGP Umesh Mishra demanding action against the policemen for beating the MLA and BJP workers. MP Balaknath also reached the hospital to meet the injured party worker of BJP.

protest. Prior to Sanjay Sharma, a party worker was admitted to the hospital after suffering a fracture. At the same time,

Satish Poonia offer prayers at Tripura Sundari temple

Banswara (FIB) : BJP leader and Deputy Leader of Opposition Satish Poonia on Wednesday night reached Banswara and offered prayers at Tripura Sundari temple on Thursday morning.

First India Bureau

Jaipur : Food Minister Pratap S Khachariyawas said that under the Mukhyamantri Gas Cylinder Yojana in the state, the benefit of LPG gas cylinder for Rs 500 will be given to selected families under BPL and Ujjwala scheme from April 1. He was presiding over the meeting of District Logistics Officers organized at Indira Gandhi Panchayat Raj Institute on Thursday. He said that it was mandatory to get the registration done to get the benefit of the Yojana. He said that the registration will be done from April 24 in the dearness relief camps.

Khachariyawas said that out of 19 lakh 57 thousand 991 applications received for adding new names to the list of food security schemes in the state, wheat distribution has been started to 12 lakh 93 thousand 13 beneficiaries.

tional Secretary Mukesh Rawat, Talwara Panchayat Samiti Pradhan Hakru Maida were also present with Poonia.

for the recruitment of crores of youth with complete honesty and transparency, without any kind of paper leak, irregularity and not a single complaint has been received.

Union Railway and Communications Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw inaugurated the STPI Incubation Centre at Sitapura on Thursday. BJP MP Ramcharan Bohra, Col Rajyavardhan Singh, MLA Ashok Lahoti and Mayor of Jaipur Municipal Corporation Greater Dr Somya were also present on the occasion.

Bharatpur: The ongoing controversy over the installation of Bhimrao Ambedkar’s statue at Bailara intersection in Bharatpur’s Nadbai, ended on Thursday. The Divisional Commissioner issued an order to postpone installation for idols in Nadbai. A series of meetings took place with the administration and MLA Joginder Singh Awana. Awana convened a meeting of Nadbai Nagar Palika councillors and people of Jatav community in Circuit House on Thursday. Minister Vihvendra Singh’s son Anirudh also attended a meeting in Bailara. They demanded reg-

istration of cases against those sitting on hunger strike. In view of the seriousness of the district administration in the matter and the incident that happened late on Wednesday, the permission given by the committee was postponed, after

MLA Meharshi receives threat call from Godara

First India Bureau

Churu : Ratangarh

MLA Abhinesh Meharshi has registered a complaint against Lawrence Bishnoi’s henchman Rohit Godara for allegedly threatening him and demanding a ransom of Rs. 2 crores. Police informed the MLA received a threat call on Wednesday afternoon wherein the miscreant claiming to be Rohit Godara demanded a ransom of Rs. 2 crore and threatened that he will face the same

fate as like Raju Thehat. MLA Abhinesh Maharishi said that till the police investigation of the case is not completed, he will not comment on the issue. The complaint has been filed

in Ratangarh police station in this regard.

Meanwhile, State BJP President CP Joshi has written a letter to DGP demanding security for the MLA and his family.

SLP filed in SC over 2008 Jpr blasts

New Delhi (FIB): The families of the 2008 Jaipur bomb blast victims and Rajeshwari Devi on Thursday approached the Supreme Court to file a special leave petition (SLP) against the Ra jasthan high court order ac quitting all the blast accused. Leader of opposi tion (LoP)

Rajendra Rathore, along with the victims’ families had met lawyers in the national Capital to take forward the legal process. Senior party leader and former minister Arun Chaturvedi who has drafted the petition said there were several gaps in trial court & Raj HC judgements.

Drinking water supply connection to be given in multi-storey buildings soon

Naresh Sharma

Jaipur: PHED Minister Dr Mahesh Joshi on Thursday said that drinking water supply connections will soon be given to multi-storied buildings of Rajasthan and around 20 lakh people will be benefitted soon. In Jaipur, a population of 10 lakh will be benefited from the decision.

While addressing a press conference, Dr Mahesh Joshi said that people living in multistoried apartments will have to give an application to the concerned Superintendent Engineer’s office on behalf of the Resident Welfare Association or through

Dr Mahesh Joshi Representational picture of the High rise building.

JOSHI REACTS ON PM MODI’S STATEMENT

C an a child vote after one year of birth? Can a one year old child be considered as 18 years old?

PHED Minister Mahesh Joshi raised questions as reaction on PM Modi’s statement regarding rail line. Joshi said, “Nine years of Modi government and one term of Atalji’s government, and yet PM says that rail line should have come right after Independence.”

the concerned builder.

“The approved map of the multi-storey building will have to be

given along with the application. A fee of Rs 25 per square foot will have to be paid on the total

PROMOTE JUNGLE RAJ OF GEHLOT GOVERNMENT THROUGH SOCIAL MEDIA, INSTRUCTS CP JOSHI

which the administration heaved a sigh of relief. District Collector Alok Ranjan during a press conference said that the permission given by the Divisional Commissioner was postponed so that law and order could be maintained.

NEWS DIGEST

SACHIN PILOT TO UNVEIL STATUE IN KHETRI ON APRIL 17

Jaipur: Former Rajasthan Deputy Chief Minister Sachin Pilot will reach the statue unveiling ceremony of the martyr at Khetri in Jhunjhunu on 17th April. Pilot supporters have started in its preparations. According to sources, on April 17, while returning from Khetri, Pilot will also take part in a religious ritual being organized at Shahpura in Jaipur. However, since these are proposed tours of Sachin Pilot, changes can also happen at the last moment.

AIMIM TO RELEASE MINORITY REPORT IN JAIPUR TOMORROW

carpet area of the approved residential multi-storey building. Similarly, approved commercial multi-storey buildings will get water connections at the rate of Rs 42 per square foot,” said Minister Joshi. “25% amount will have to be paid at the time of giving drinking water connection, while the remaining 75% amount will have to be paid in 60 instalments along with 9% simple interest per annum. Domestic drinking water demand in multi-storey buildings will be calculated according to 5 persons per flat in flats up to 1500 sq. feet carpet area,” added Dr Mahesh Joshi.

S

tate BJP President CP Joshi on Thursday held a meeting with BJP’s social media, IT cell and media management team at BJP state headquarters. During the meeting, CP Joshi said that the present time is becoming completely a digital era. “The jungle raj of the Gehlot govt should be publicised to the general public through social media. Social media is going to play an important role in BJP’s organizational programmes and promoting schemes of PM Modi. Social media is an intellectual weapon through which policies of the present central government can be conveyed to the common people,” said CP Joshi. State media convenor Pankaj Joshi, media relations head Anand Sharma, Jogendra Singh, IT cell convenor Heerendra Joshi, Ajay Vijayvargiya and other workers were present in the meeting.

Ashiwini Vaishnaw, Rajyvardhan Singh Rathore, Ashok Lahoty, and Dr Somya at the inauguration of STPI Incubation Centre in Sitapura, Jaipur on Thursday.

Minister Vishvendra Singh’s son Anirudh reached the meeting organized in Bailara and worshiped pillar at the Bailara crossroads of Nadbai. He also installed a picture of Maharaja Surajmal (Inset).

Ashiwnin Vaishnaw, CP Joshi visited DGP Umesh Mishra and raised their concern over MLAs security in Jaipur on Thursday. Abhinesh Meharshi

RLY MIN ATTENDS ROZGAR MELA IN JAIPUR

Everyone should adopt mantra of nation first, says Vaishnaw

Six-day programme begins at HQ ahead of Raj Police Foundation Day

CM Ashok Gehlot to be the chief guest at the Foundation Day event on April 16

Shivendra Parmar

Jaipur: A six-day programme started at the police headquarters on Thursday ahead of the foundation day of Rajasthan Police on April 16. DGP Umesh Mishra launched the curtain raiser at the headquarters. Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot will be the chief guest of the main programme on April 16. The programme will be organised at 8:30 am at the Rajasthan Police Academy. A parade ceremony will be organised on the occasion of Foundation Day.

Mishra, while addressing the curtain raiser ceremony said that on the occasion, policemen will be given excellent service marks at the range level, best service marks at the district level. Along with this, DGP discs will be provided by the Inspector General at the range level and District Superintendents of Police at the district level. Senior police officers, including DGP, Director RPA Rajeev Sharma, DGP Training Janga Srinivasa Rao and DGP Civil Rights Dr Ravi Prakash Meharda were present on the occasion.

GUDDU MUSLIM HIDING IN AJMER: SOURCES

Ajmer: Guddu Muslim, a prime accused in the Umesh Pal murder case, is reportedly hiding in Ajmer. A team of Uttar Pradesh Police and UP STF was in Ajmer on Thursday after the location of Guddu Muslim was suspected in Ajmer. However, the Ajmer Police did not have any information about the movement of Guddu Muslim. Following the encounter of Asad and Gulam, the sleuths intensified their efforts to nab the Guddu Muslim, who is an expert in bombmaking. —Shubham Jain

Raj Police joins Central agencies to arrest fugitive Amritpal Singh

First India Bureau

Jaipur: Rajasthan Police along with other agencies is making all its efforts to nab the most wanted Amritpal Singh. According to inputs from the Central agencies, he may be hiding in the border areas of Rajasthan. Search operations are being conducted in five districts of the state as he may escape to Pakistan through these border areas.

Women-led devp country’s priority: Kant at W20 meet

First India Bureau

Jaipur: A two-day second Women 20 International Meeting commenced in Jaipur on Thursday.

Addressing the inaugural session, Sherpa of India in G20 Amitabh Kant said that womenled development is the key priority of India because we see women as drivers of prosperity and inclusive development. He said that women must set the agenda of development and they should be agents of growth.

Talking to the media, Amitabh Kant said that India has set new

dimensions in digital inclusion. Women’s bank accounts were opened, those accounts were linked with Aadhaar, and money for various schemes is being directly transferred to their accounts. A large number

Commercial construction in Mansarovar to stay put: HC

First India Bureau

of women are also getting loans under Mudra Yojana. This has empowered women. He said that these experiences are being shared in the meeting so that other countries also get the benefit of this experience.

Baisakhi to be celebrated in State today

said that until the search is completed, the operation will be kept confidential. According to sources, the Rajasthan Police, along with the Punjab Police, is conducting searches in the border areas adjacent to Sriganganagar, Hanumangarh, Jaisalmer, Bikaner and Barmer.

DGP Umesh Mishra said that on the basis of inputs received from the agencies, search is going on in some districts. Mishra

Central agencies along with the Rajasthan Police are also raiding the possible hideouts of Amritpal.

HATE SPEECH CASE

Breather for Ramdev as High Court stays arrest

First India Bureau

Jaipur: The Rajasthan High Court while giving relief to Yoga Guru Baba Ramdev has stayed his arrest in a matter wherein, he has been charged with making provocative remarks against a particular community.

The single bench of Justice Manoj Kumar Garg stayed his arrest and directed him to appear before the investigation officer by May 20. Petitioners advocate

Vivek Raj Bajwa and Nishank Madan argued the matter in court and said the case registered against Baba Ramdev is baseless.

Notably, an FIR was registered in the Chauhatan police station against Baba Ramdev for allegedly promoting enmity and outraging religious feelings over his provocative remarks at a meeting of seers in Barmer district. He allegedly made objectionable comments against a community.

BUDGET IMPLEMENTATION ON WAR FOOTING

Work on golf courses, eco-adventure, MICE centres will boost tourism in State: Rathore

Nirmal Tiwari

Jaipur: Rajasthan Tourism Development Corporation President Dharmendra Rathore said on Thursday that the RTDC management is working on a war footing towards the implementation of budget announcements related to tourism development.

Rajasthan Tourism Development Corporation (RTDC) Chairman Dharmendra Rathore

while presiding over the meeting of RTDC Management at the office located at Paryatan Bhawan said that special tourism services

are being made available to the tourists while continuously expanding the tourism facilities in the state.

The RTDC chairman said that in compliance with the announcement of construction of Dhola Maru Tourist Complex for the promotion of tourism, the work of marking the land has been completed and the department has prepared the DPR for the development of the

complex. Rathore said that to promote golf tourism in the State, EOI has been issued by RTDC for golf courses to be built in Udaipur, Jodhpur, Ajmer-Pushkar, Mount Abu and Alwar in the budget of 2023-24. Another EOI was also issued for setting up MICE (Meeting, Incentive, Conference, Exhibition) centres in Jaipur, Udaipur, Jodhpur and Ajmer.

Jaipur: The Rajasthan High Court on Thursday granted a big relief to the shopkeepers of Madhyam Marg in the Mansarovar area.

The division bench of Acting Chief Justice MM Srivastava and Justice Anil Upman while hearing the petition by Sadbhavna Vyapar Mandal and others stayed the order of the single bench which had ordered to remove the illegal commercial construction in

Covid threat looms large as State reports 293 new cases, 3 deaths

First India Bureau Jaipur: COVID-19 infections are on rise again, with Rajasthan recording 293 new cases and three new deaths on Thursday. It is for the second consecutive day that more than 200 people were found infected with Covid-19. A total of 6,459 people underwent a test on Thursday, of which, 293 people were found positive. Now, the total number of active patients has increased to 1474 in the state. The maximum number of coronavirusinfected people were from Jaipur with 121. Jodhpur reported 27 cases, Sikar, 24; Chittorgarh and Udaipur, 17 each; Bikaner, 18; and 10 people were found positive in Alwar. The positivity rate remained at 4.54 per cent.

residential buildings along with the violation of setback norms.

The court also issued notices to the State Government, Municipal Corporation, JDA, and Rajasthan Housing Board to file a reply in the matter. Notably, following the order of the single bench, the Jaipur Municipal Corporation (Greater) issued notices to shopkeepers at Madhyam Marg and asked them to remove illegal constructions within seven days.

First India Bureau Jaipur: Baisakhi, also known as Vaisakhi, will be observed on April 14. This festival of Sikhs brings hope of prosperity, happiness, and wealth. The day marks the anniversary of the founding of Khalsa Panth by Guru Gobind Singh in 1699. Special prayers will be held in Gurudwaras located in Hida Ki Mori, Malviya Nagar, Chandi Ki Taksal, Gurunanakpura (Raja Park) and other areas of the city.

Marriage in old age: Dotasra takes jibe at Rathore at Sikar event

Ramesh Sharma

Sikar: PCC Chief Govind Singh Dotasra on Thursday commented on Leader of Opposition Rajendra Rathore and said that Rathore had got married in his old age.

“Rajendra Rathore’s political senility also improved in the last eight months. Although, he says that he will remain a worker

and then why did he become the leader of the opposition,” said Govind Singh Dotasra. Dotasra was speaking at the felicitation ceremony of the representatives of the district in Sikar on Thursday. The function was organised by the Advocates Association after Sikar was declared a division while Neem Ka Thana was declared a district.

Tourism

Dept Dir holds Budget announcement review meeting

First India Bureau Jaipur: Director of the Tourism Department Dr Rashmi Sharma on Thursday reviewed the progress of budget announcements in Paryatan Bhawan. She interacted with the representatives of the Tourism business on various issues and gave necessary directions to the officials.

“As per the suggestions received, wide pub-

licity should be given to promote experiencebased tourism tours, nature walk trails, desert safaris, tracking and food trails across the state. This should be

done through social media, departmental websites, and publications so that more and more tourists are attracted towards state tourism,” said Dr Rashmi Sharma.

PoW, ON ITS LAST TOUR OF SEASON, REACHES JAIPUR

Jaipur: The luxury train ‘Palace on Wheels’ on Thursday reached Jaipur for its last tour of this session. The train reached Jaipur with 36 tourists onboard.

“Of these 36 tourists from six countries, ten are from India, five from the United Kingdom, nine from the US, six from Canada, and three each from Australia and France. The foreign guests were given a warm welcome at Gandhi Nagar Railway Station wherein folk artists also gave their performances,” said an official.

Rajasthan DGP Umesh Mishra, Rajeev Sharma, Janga Srinivasa Rao, and Ravi Prakash Meharda during the curtain raiser ceremony at Police Headquarters in Jaipur on Thursday. —PHOTO BY MUKESH KIRADOO

DGP Umesh Mishra

Dharmendra Rathore holds meeting with officials.

Dr Rashmi Sharma during the review meet with officials in Jaipur.

Amitabh Kant, Sandhya Purecha, and Indevar Pandey at the inaugural session of the 2nd W20 meeting in Jaipur on Thursday.

GS

Ramdev had, in a religious gathering, allegedly accused Muslims of resorting to terror and abducting Hindu women, in Barmer.

Contractual Computer Operator, working under the Chief Minister’s Free Medicine Scheme, hold protest alleging that they have not received any increment in their honorarium for over 8 years, at Swasthya Bhawan in Jaipur on Thursday. AAP leader Sangeeta Gaur also joined the protest.

—PHOTOS BY MUKESH KIRADOO

lateral trade volume almost thrice that of India poses the biggest challenge to Indian interests in the region. African nations are reeling under Chinese debt and their governments are realising the mistake as China may use debt to assert its aspirations to be a global power.

INDIA - AFRICA RELATIONS AND COOPERATION

Africa is critical to India’s security, especially the Horn of Africa region, because of its proximity to India. The threat of radicalism, piracy, and organised crime emerges from this region. Africa can help us in diversifying our energy sources, which is one of the stated objectives of India’s Integrated Energy Policy. Africa also contains a rich reservoir of valuable minerals, metals including gold and diamond. Africa provides a space for Indian investment and is critical in India gaining a permanent seat in the UNSC.

COL RAJESH BHUKAR

T

India has, over a period, initiated several economic collaboration arrangements with the countries of Africa including membership of the African Development Bank and assistance under the India’s Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) programme. India’s development partnership with Africa have been capacity-building initiatives, lines of credit, grant support, small development projects, technical consultation, disaster relief and humanitarian help, and military cooperation. Africa is the emerging market for Indian products and enterprise and an alternative source of energy security for India

TOP TWEETS

he geographical proximity between the Horn of Africa and the Indian subcontinent has played an important role in the development of close Indo- African relationship since ancient times. The foundation of India’s relations with Africa are conditioned and energised by our historical linkages and strong political foundations of the past. Africa is a continent on the move, characterised by huge scope of economic growth, rising educational and health standards, increasing gender parity and expanding infrastructure and connectivity. India has an intrinsic interest in helping Africa achieve progress. The spirit of “developing together as equals” defines this bilateral partnership. A resurging Africa and a rising India exemplify role model SouthSouth Cooperation and ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’, meaning “the world is one family”.

India has traditionally prioritised Africa in its foreign policy. However, the current regime of Narendra Modi has shown an extraordinary determination to strengthen India’s longstanding ties to the African continent. A large number of trips by the Indian leaders to various African nations and with even better reciprocation from African nations speak for rejuvenated engagement and commitment of Indo African nations. India is Africa’s 3rd largest trading partner and currently is the 5th largest investor in Africa and the Indian sup-

port to African nations during COVID pandemic time has further cemented Indo-African bond.

ENGAGEMENT OF AFRICA BY OUTSIDE POWERS

UNITED STATES: In the recent U.S.-Africa Leaders’ Summit, President Biden announced new initiatives that will empower African institutions and citizens with a plan to invest $55 billion over the next three years. The US main interest lies in economic exploitation of mineral and natural resources as well as containment of Chinese and Russian influence in the continent.

INDIA - AFRICA IN NUMBERSWAY FORWARD

l The fourth India- Africa summit, pending since 2020, should be held as soon as possible.

l Developing strategic partnership and deeper collaborations in health and digital technologies.

l Continue its role in peacekeeping in Africa and lending support to counter-terrorism operations, and contributing to African institutions through training and capacity-enhancing assistance.

l Improve the experiences of Africans staying and visiting India so that people-to-people connections between India and Africa flourishes.

l Promote government and private sector investments for mutual benefit and keeping alive commercial interests in Africa.

l To overcome the China challenge in Africa, increased cooperation between India and its international allies with focus on Africa.

l Enhance Indo-African defence cooperation to a higher strategic level and continue with AFINDEX, IADMC and SAGAR for mutual benefit and countering Chinese dominance.

EUROPEAN UNION (EU):

The Africa-EU Partnership is a multi-actor partnership guided by the EU and African Union (AU) Member States along with several non-state and civil society organisations and private sector players. The EU focus is primarily on mutual trade as well as keeping the African nations aligned to the Western interests.

RUSSIA: Russia has expanded its influence in Africa in recent years more than any other external actor with a prime motive to advance its geostrategic interests by securing a foothold in the Mediterranean on NA-

TO’s southern border, displacing Western influence, and normalizing Russia’s worldview.

CHINA: China has primarily invested in Africa in order to secure access to the region’s natural resources, to fuel its expanding economy. China now has pan Africa presence with enhanced military presence. An increase in its diplomatic military representation and overall presence is in a way to counter the US influence in the region. Undoubtedly, China has taken a lead in establishing its broader footprint in Africa through its Belt and Road Initiative(BRI) program and bi-

India has, over a period, initiated several economic collaboration arrangements with the countries of Africa including membership of the African Development Bank and assistance under the India’s Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) programme. India’s development partnership with Africa have been capacity-building initiatives, lines of credit, grant support, small development projects, technical consultation, disaster relief and humanitarian help, and military cooperation. Africa is the emerging market for Indian products and enterprise and an alternative source of energy security for India.

DEFENCE INITIATIVES

The Africa-India Field Training Exercise (AFINDEX) aims to promote a collaborative approach in capacity enhancement of African armies and project the efficacy of Indian indigenous new-generation military equipment to the troops of participating African nations. India-Africa Defence Ministers and Chief’s Conclave (IADMC) has been institutionalised and gives an opportunity for Indian and African armed service personnel to explore opportunities for joint ventures and investments in defence industry, cyber security, maritime security and counterterrorism. The Indian Navy has increasingly come on its own as a security provider in the Indian Ocean Rim (IOR). India’s concept of SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region), upholding a climate of trust and transparency, demonstrate sensitivity to each other’s interests, and work towards a peaceful resolution of maritime security issues has brought India and African countries closer. The Indian Navy participated in Exercise Cutlass Express - 2023, held covering the East coast of Africa and the Gulf region.

India-Africa Forum Summit (IAFS). It has been over seven years since the last edition of the IAFS was held way back in 2015 in New Delhi and the fourth Summit scheduled in 2020 was postponed owing COVID pandemic.

THE VIEWS EXPRESSED BY THE AUTHOR ARE PERSONAL

Amit

On this day in 1919, in the form of the Jallianwala Bagh massacre, the whole world saw the cruel face of the British rule. This massacre hurt the countrymen in such a way that the freedom struggle turned into an individual movement.

Anurag Thakur @ianuragthakur

Shah @AmitShah Kudos to @

SPIRITUAL SPEAK

However many holy words you read, however many you speak, what good will they do you if you do not act on upon them?

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

Amit Shah reviews J&K security

New Delhi (ANI): Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Thursday, reviewed the security situation in Jammu and Kashmir in a high-level meeting here in the national capital.

The meeting started at 3 pm at the North Block office of the Ministry of Home Affairs.

National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, J&K Lt Governor Manoj Sinha, Home Secretary Ajay Bhalla, Director General of Police Jammu and Kashmir Dilbagh Singh and other senior officers from the Ministry of Home Affairs and Central Armed Police Forces attended the meeting. Director Intelligence Bureau Tapan Deka, R&AW chief Samant Kumar Goel, National Investigation Agency DG Dinkar Gupta and Central Reserve Police Force Director General SL Thaosen also attended the meeting. Similar meetings

have been chaired by the Home Minister from time to time to review the status of J-K where several civilians and security force personnel are being targeted by militants over the years and several personnel have lost lives in such attacks.

Senior officials of the Government of India, including the officers from J-K also attend

the meetings.

The Home Minister in his three-day visit to J-K in October last year had also reviewed the security situation in the Union Territory. Shah also held a review meeting in New Delhi on December 28, 2022, over the security situation and development aspects of the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir.

NITISH ALLY JITAN RAM MANJHI MEETS SHAH, TRIGGERS BUZZ

New Delhi (PTI): Bihar CM

Nitish Kumar’s ally Jitan Ram Manjhi set political circles abuzz following a meeting with Home Minister Amit Shah on Thursday, more so as the development came amid the JD(U) leader’s talks with several opposition leaders as part of his effort to forge an alliance against the BJP. Manjhi, a former chief

Dissent will be pacified soon: K'taka CM

Mangaluru (ANI):

Karnataka CM Basavaraj Bommai on Thursday expressed confidence in resolving dissidence in the party stating that senior BJP leaders were engaged in attempts to convince leaders who are disgruntled on not being tickets to contest the upcoming Assembly polls.

“Change is normal, it happens. We will persuade those who are upset. The discontent in the party is being rectified. The workers are strong, there will be no harm from this and the party’s dissension will be eased in most parts,” he said. “The high command is talking to the

BOMMAI ESCAPES MINOR FIRE INCIDENT

Udupi: Karnataka CM Basavaraj Bommai on Thursday, escaped an accident in Udupi, after a minor fire broke out near his helipad in Udupi, the police said. The incident occurred at a temporary open field in Udupi, where CM Bommai’s helicopter landed. The CM left for the Kollur Mookambika temple when the incident took place. As per the police, the smoke candle reportedly fell on the ground due to the pressure from the rotors, after which the fire spread on the grass around 300 metres from where the helicopter landed.The police officials told reporters that the fire was minor in nature and was quickly brought under control.

to power,” he said.

disaffected. I have spoken to all the leaders. We are confident that the difference will be resolved soon. Savadi is a senior and has been in politics for a long time. There is also pressure from people for a place, it takes time,” he added.

IN THE COURTYARD

TRIAL NOT FAIR, NO NEED FOR MAXIMUM PUNISHMENT: RAHUL GANDHI’S LAWYER

Surat: Rahul Gandhi’s lawyer on Thursday argued in a court in Gujarat’s Surat that the trial in a defamation case over the Congress leader’s “Modi surname” remark was “not fair” and there was no need for maximum punishment in the case. The lawyer made the argument during a hearing currently underway on Gandhi’s plea for a stay on his conviction in the defamation case. A metropolitan magistrate’s court in Surat on March 23 sentenced Rahul Gandhi to two years in jail after holding him guilty for his remark “How come all thieves have Modi as the common surname”, made during an election rally on April 13, 2019.

ATTACK ON UNION MINISTER: SC SETS ASIDE HC ORDER

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Thursday set aside a Calcutta High Court order for a CBI probe in the alleged attack on Union Minister Nisith Pramanik’s convoy during a visit to his constituency in West Bengal in February this year and directed a fresh adjudication of the PIL filed by senior BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari on the issue.

Tamil culture and people are eternal, global in nature: PM

New Delhi (ANI):

Highlighting cultural heritage of Tamil language and community, PM Narendra Modi on Thursday said that Tamil culture and people are both eternal as well as global in nature.

Prime Minister took part in the Tamil New Year celebrations at the residence of Union Minister L Murugan in Delhi.

Addressing the gathering, PM Modi said, “Tamil culture and people are eternal as well as global.

minister, however, sought to quell any speculation. He asserted that he has sworn to remain with Kumar and rejected any possibility of joining hands with the BJP, saying that it has spoken against the existence of small parties like his. The Dalit leader heads the Hindustani Awam Morcha (Secular) and his son is a minister in the RJD-JD(U)-

Congress government in the state. Manjhi’s meeting with Shah was on his party’s demand that Dashrath Manjhi, whose single-handed feat of digging a road through the mountains over two decades, immortalised in local folklore and on celluloid after his death, be awarded the ‘Bharat Ratna’ — India’s highest civilian honour.

K’TAKA MUSLIM QUOTA: SC AGREES TO HEAR PLEA

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Thursday agreed to list for hearing a plea challenging the Karnataka govt’s decision to scrap four per cent reservation for Muslims in the state. A bench led by Chief Justice DY Chandrachud took note of the submissions of senior advocate Kapil Sibal that all the defects of the petition have been removed.

CENTRE IN SC: DATA ON ATTACK ON CHRISTIAN INSTITUTIONS “WRONG”

New Delhi: The Centre on Thursday refuted in the Supreme Court the figure pertaining to alleged attacks on Christian institutions and priests, terming the data “wrong” and claiming the petitioners wanted to keep “the pot boiling” to sully the image of the country abroad. The top court was hearing a PIL filed by Peter Machado of the National Solidarity Forum, Rev. Vijayesh Lal of Evangelical Fellowship of India, and others claiming violence against members of the Christian community. A bench was earlier told by the PIL petitioners that from 2021 to May 2022, 700 cases of violence against members of the Christian community were reported and a majority of those arrested were followers of the faith.

Claiming that Congress has no candidates for 60 to 65 constituencies, Bommai alleged that the party is now mulling inducting leaders from other parties.

“Congress does not have a competent candidate, they will not come

Earlier, denied a ticket for Assembly polls, State Minister and sixtime BJP MLA S Angara on Wednesday said that he would not campaign for the party and announced his exit from political activity.

From Chennai to California, from Madurai to Melbourne....you will find Tamil people who have carried with them their culture and traditions.

Be it Pongal or Puthandu, they are marked all over the world. Puttandu is a

Priyanka sounds poll bugle in Chhattisgarh

Jagdalpur (PTI): Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Thursday sounded poll bugle in Chhattisgarh, asking the people of the state to repose their faith in her party again and hitting out at the Opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

Speaking at a gathering at Lalbag Maidan in Jagdalpur city, the headquarters of the Bastar district, she said Bastar, earlier known for Naxalite violence, has now become a “brand” and “you (tribals of the region) have got identity across the country and

abroad because of your handicrafts, other arts and processed food products.” Assembly polls are due in the Congress-ruled state this year. During the event, titled ‘Bharose Ka Sammelan’, she and Chief Minister Bhu-

pesh Baghel launched the Adivasi Parab Samman Nidhi Yojana under which financial assistance will be provided to Gram Panchayats in the scheduled areas for organising tribal festivals, fairs and religious programmes.

festival of innovation in antiquity.” PM Modi said Tamil is the world’s oldest language and every Indian is proud of it. He said Tamil literature is also widely respected. “The Tamil film industry has given us some of the most iconic works to us,” he said.

RSS to hold route marches in Tamil Nadu on Sunday

Chennai (PTI): Permission has been granted to the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh to hold route marches on April 16 in 45 places across Tamil Nadu, the state police said on Thursday.

The ‘traditional’ rallies would be held in 45 places including Chennai, Vellore, Hosur, Salem, Chengalpattu, Kancheepuram, Tiruvannamalai, Arani, Coimbatore, Mettupalayam, Palladam, Karur, Tenkasi, Kanyakumari, Tiruchirappalli and Madurai, an RSS spokesperson said.

12K

govt websites prone to attack by Indonesian hacker

New Delhi (ANI): Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C) on Thursday issued an alert to all the States and the UTs about a possible cyber attack from a suspected group from Indonesia allegedly targeting 12,000 government websites across the country, top sources said. Ministry of Home Affairs’ I4C wing alerted the States and the UTs following their findings about the Indonesian cyber attack group hatching a conspiracy to implement their ill intentions.

BJP slams Opposition over meet on forging unity; terms

New Delhi: A day after Bihar CM Nitish Kumar met senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and his Delhi counterpart Arvind Kejriwal, the BJP on Thursday slammed the Opposition parties for attempting to forge a united front to fight the BJP in the 2024 polls.

Taking a dig at Rahul Gandhi, BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla told a press conference here that someone whose own party is in fragments from Rajasthan to Chhattisgarh, from Karnataka

Kejriwal India’s ‘Pinocchio’

SEVEN PARTIES TOGETHER

COULDN’T FACE

BJP IN BIHAR: SUSHIL MODI ON OPPN UNITY

Police said the permission was granted following the dismissal of Tamil Nadu’s appeals in the Supreme Court. Adequate security arrangements were in place, it added.

to Maharashtra was “advocating and extolling about unity”.

The BJP spokesperson said that what was even more ironic and strange was the “political conversion and Uturn “ of the “India’s political natwarlal and Pinocchio” — the Aam Aadmi Party leader Arvind Kejriwal.

Patna: Taking a dig at Opposition for striving to create a unified front, BJP Rajya Sabha MP Sushil Kumar Modi on Thursday said when seven parties of Mahagathbandhan failed to fight his party in a small state like Bihar, how will they compete against it in India in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls? His statement comes a day after Bihar CM Nitish Kumar met Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal. “Nitish Kumar failed to take care of his home (Bihar) but aspires to run the entire country. In the

Since last year, the RSS has been attempting to hold processions but could not do so. The government had refused permission and the matter also went to the Madras High Court.

past, we have seen three bypolls in the state where seven parties of Mahagathbandhan contested with full strength. Still, BJP defeated them in Gopalganj and Kurhani. They have failed to compete with BJP in Bihar. So how could they face the BJP in the country,” Sushil Kumar Modi added.

Is Ghulam Nabi Azad on Capt Amarinder’s track?

Mahesh Sharma

New Delhi: The kind of discussion that is going on now about Ghulam Nabi Azad, who left the Congress and formed a separate Azad Kashmir party, a year and a half ago, the same discussion was also going on about the former Chief Minister of Punjab Captain Amarinder Singh. He too left the Congress and formed a party named Punjab

Lok Congress. Last year i.e. for the February elections of 2022, the BJP had coordinated with his party. But what was the end result? Captain’s party did not get a single seat and the BJP was left with two seats, while it has three MPs in Punjab. After this extremely bad result in the election, Captain stayed out of the country for some time and when he returned, he merged his

party with the BJP. Since then, he is hoping to become the governor

of some state. Ghulam Nabi Azad is repeating the same

story. Elections are about to be held in Jammu and Kashmir and before that he has formed a separate party. It cannot be said if he too will amalgamate his party with BJP, like his old coleague Captain Amarinder Singh, as by doing so the purpose of forming a separate party would be defeated. Therefore inhouse adjustments are possible. He will be used to cut votes of

PDP, National Conference and Congress. It is more likely that like Captain, he will not be able to win any seat and will not be able to give much benefit to BJP. After that it is possible that he will merge the party with BJP and wait to become the Governor. The politics he is doing by forming a separate party is going to run after the Lok Sabha elections next year.

Union Home Secretary Ajay Bhalla speaks in the presence of Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval and other dignitaries during a high-level review meeting on the security situation in J&K, in New Delhi on Thursday. —PHOTO BY ANI

Basavaraj Bommai

Ghulam Nabi Azad.

—FILE PHOTO

Priyanka Gandhi pays tribute to martyrs in Bastar on Thursday. Chhatisgarh CM Bhupesh Baghel also seen. —PHOTO BY ANI

PM Modi taking part in the Tamil New Year celebrations.

Umesh Pal’s mother thanks Yogi after encounter

Prayagraj (ANI): Shanti Devi, mother of lawyer Umesh Pal who was killed in February, on Thursday thanked Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath and expressed her full faith in the Uttar Pradesh govt, for giving “justice” after gangster-turned-politician Atiq Ahmed’s son was shot dead in a police encounter.

“I thank CM Yogi ji for serving justice and I appeal to him to give us justice ahead also. We have full faith in CM,” said Shanti Devi, mother of Umesh Pal, the advocate who was killed in Prayagraj earlier this year.

“This is a tribute to my son. I thank the Chief Minister and the police department which discharged their duties,” Shanti Devi told reporters in Prayagraj on Thursday.

Asad along with his associate Ghulam, both of whom were wanted in the Umesh Pal murder case, were shot dead in an encounter with Uttar Pradesh Special Task Force in Jhansi on Thursday.

Jaya Devi, Umesh Pal’s wife also thanked the chief minister.

“I thank the Chief Minister who took such a decision. He gave punishment to the killers of his daughter’s husband.

It is justice. I expect that the Chief Minister will do good whatever he does. I express my gratitude to the Chief Minister who is like a fatherly figure,” she said.

Both Asad and Ghulam carried rewards of Rupees five lakhs each on their heads.

The police said that foreign-made weapons were recovered from the duo.

I thank CM Yogi ji for serving justice and I appeal to him to give us justice ahead also. We have full faith in CM. This is a tribute to my son. I thank the CM and the police department which discharged their duties —Shanti Devi, mother of Umesh Pal

Drone shot down near LoC in Rajouri

KILLING OF GANGSTER’S SON ASAD, GHULAM ‘HUGE SUCCESS’: UP STF

Lucknow: The Special Task Force (STF) of UP Police on Thursday termed the encounter of Atiq Ahmed’s son Asad and another accused Ghulam, wanted in the Umesh Pal murder case, as a “huge success”. A top cop said that both the wanted persons in the Umesh Pal

YOGI LAUDS STF FOR ENCOUNTER OF ASAD & AIDE

murder case has been eliminated and they were possessing foreign-made sophisticated weapons.

I AM TO BLAME FOR MY SON’S DEATH: AHMED

ASAD CHANGED SIX CITIES IN 2 MONTHS, CHANGED 10 SIMs

 Asad Ahmed was wanted for the February 24 murder of Umesh Pal, a lawyer and witness in the 2005 murder of a BSP MLA.

 As per police, Asad had fled to Lucknow after the shooting. After the murder of Umesh Pal police swung into action. Asad kept changing locations to escape the cops.

Rajouri (ANI): Security forces tracked and shot down a drone after it crossed the Line of Control (LoC) in LoC in Rajouri’s Beri Pattan area, officials said on Thursday.

“On the intervening night of Wednesday and Thursday, a suspicious movement of aerial objects was reported on LoC in Rajouri’s Beri Pattan area after which a cordon and search operation was launched and movement of a drone was tracked,” a statement by Defence Public Relation Officer said.

Five loaded AK magazines, some cash and a sealed packet were recovered from the drone, added the PRO.

A search operation is underway.

On April 1, the Border Security Forces opened fire at a drone allegedly belonging to Pakistan, forcing it to return to the neighbouring country.

“A drone was forced to return to Pakistan after BSF troops deployed at the India-Pakistan international in Sambha District fired towards a blinking light of a flying object observed,” BSF had said in a statement.

The drone was spotted around 12:15 am on Saturday on the international border in Ramgarh, Samba District. A search operation

4 KG HEROIN AIR-DROPPED

BY DRONE SEIZED IN PUNJAB BY BSF

Chandigarh (PTI): Border Security Force troops have recovered more than four kilogram heroin dropped by a Pakistani drone near the India and Pakistan border in Punjab’s Fazilka district, an official spokesperson said on Thursday. Around 10:50 pm on Wednesday, BSF personnel heard the buzzing sound of the drone entering the Indian territory from across the border in an area near Maharkhewa Mansa village, the official said. The troopers opened fire at the unmanned aerial vehicle. During an initial search, a bag containing two packets of heroin was found from a wheat field, the spokesperson said.

undertaken by BSF is underway, they added.

On March 28, The Border Security Force shot down a Pakistani drone in Punjab soon after it entered Indian territory carrying a consignment of contraband items, the paramilitary force said on Tuesday.

YADAV TERMS KILLING OF GANGSTER’S SON A FAKE ENCOUNTER TO DIVERT ATTENTION SPARE MY FAMILY, GANGSTER AHMED HAD PLEADED

Lucknow: Samajwadi Party

chief Akhilesh Yadav on Thursday accused the BJP government in Uttar Pradesh of carrying out a “fake encounter” to kill the son of gangster-turned-politician Atiq Ahmad and his associate in Jhansi. He alleged that the ruling party was trying to divert the attention of the people from the real issues plaguing the state. Yadav said the BJP government did not believe in the courts and was taking the law into its own hands. He said it was not right

Case against BBC over foreign funds’ irregularities

New Delhi (PTI): The Enforcement Directorate on Thursday registered a case against BBC India for alleged foreign exchange violation, officials said. This is not the first time that the UK-headquartered broadcaster came under an Indian agency investigation. In February this year, the BBC offices in India were searched as part of an investigation by the income tax authorities. BBC was embroiled in a controversy over its documentary on Gujarat riot India: The Modi Question, which was critical of then Gujarat chief minister Narendra Modi’s role.

The ED has called for the documents and recording of statements of some company executives under provisions of the Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA).

for those in power to pass judgement on who was right or wrong and to decide who should live or die.

“With fake encounters, the BJP government is trying to divert attention from the real issues. The BJP does not believe in courts at all. Today’s and recent encounters should also be thoroughly investigated and the culprits should not be spared. Those in power do not have the right to decide what is right or wrong. BJP is against harmony,” Yadav tweeted in Hindi.

Prayagraj: “I am totally reduced to dust, but please don’t trouble women and children of my family now,” Atiq Ahmad told media from a police van on Wednesday, CM’s “mafiaaon ko mitti me mila denge” warning probably playing on his mind. The former Samajwadi Party MLA, who faces more than 100 cases in UP, was taken from the Sabarmati Central Jail in Ahmedabad to a prison in Prayagraj by road in the Umesh Pal murder case.

Lucknow: Hours after the encounter killing of gangster-turned-politician Atiq Ahmed’s son Asad and his aide Ghulam, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath praised the UP Special Task Force team at a meeting on law and order on Thursday, news agency ANI reported. Yogi lauded the efforts of the DGP, Special DG (law and order) and the entire team. A report on the encounter was submitted before the CM, the chief minister’s office said. Atiq Ahmed’s son Asad and his aide Ghulam were killed in an encounter by the UP Police on Thursday in Jhansi.

India’s exports up by 14% to USD 770 bn in 2022-23: Goyal

Rome (ANI): Union Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal said that India’s overall exports scaled new heights to USD 770 billion in 202223, registering 14 per cent growth compared to the previous year’s figures.

He said, “It is an alltime high record, growing from USD 500 billion in 2020-21 to USD 676 billion in 2021-22”.

Goyal was addressing the India-Italy Business summit in Washington on Thursday.

“And now the country registers a further growth of nearly USD 100 billion to cross USD 770 billion in such challenging times, when the world is seeing softening of international trade, slowing of international trade, and when there are recessionary conditions in the developed world…” he said.

The minister said there were concerns about the export performance in the year gone by. “There were concerns because of the conflict in Ukraine,” Goyal said, adding, “They were concerns that piled up inventories in the developed

world may not help us achieve such a stupendous performance.”

He praised PM Narendra Modi, who in August 2020, had given a clarion call to Indian business persons, to the country’s missions across the world.

The Minister said the One District One Product initiative of Prime Minister Narendra Modi helped the government to identify specific jewels in each district in India and the district, while being developed as an export hub, truly transformed the landscape of India’s export performance. “It is indeed a matter of satisfaction that we

have grown both in goods and services. Our goods export, which was USD 294 billion in the year 2020-21 grew to USD 422 billion in the year 2021-22,” the commerce minister said, adding “And has further grown to USD 447 billion in the year just gone by. Our services exports, which were USD 206 billion in the year 2021, grew to USD 254 billion in the year 2021-22,” Goyal added. He said services exports have achieved new heights by crossing USD 323 billion and added that this was truly a sign of India’s expanding its international footprints.

Prayagraj: Atiq Ahmed, while being taken to Naini Jail, said he was responsible for his son’s death and also requested that he be allowed to participate in his last rites. Asad’s encounter came the same day his father, gangster-politician Atiq Ahmed was produced before the Chief Judicial Magistrate (CJM) Court in Prayagraj in the Umesh Pal murder case, along with his brother Ashraf.

 From Lucknow, Asad fled to Kanpur. Then he went to Meerut. He then went to Delhi, then to Ajmer. From there, he decided to flee to Madhya Pradesh. Asad changed 10 SIM cards to avoid being tracked, police said.

 UP police sources said they had an informer in Atiq’s gang. As Asad moved to Jhansi, police started raiding locations to catch him.

 Asad and his co-accused in the murder case, Ghulam, set out on a bike for MP on Thursday. He was in disguise to avoid being caught.

 A UP STF team, which was tracking Asad, intercepted the two on their way to MP. Police said, Ghulam opened fire on the police team. In retaliatory firing by the cops, Asad and Ghulam were shot dead.

CRUCIAL READ

LALU’S DAUGHTER GRILLED IN LANDFOR-JOBS SCAM

New Delhi: The ED on Thursday questioned Chanda Yadav, daughter of former Railway Minister and RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav in connection with its ongoing money laundering case linked to the alleged land-for-jobs scam. Ministry of Information National Broadcaster to launch a 2 part documentary on India’s glory under Modi. Chanda Yadav arrived at the ED headquarters earlier in the day.

40 DETAINED AFTER CLASHES DURING HANUMAN JAYANTI

Sambalpur: Internet services in Odisha’s Sambalpur were suspended for 48 hours from 10 am on Thursday in view of violence that broke out during a bike rally organised on April 12 for Hanuman Jayanti. “Violence broke out between two communities in Sambalpur district on April 12. Internet services suspended, Section 144 imposed in the district after the violence,” District Administration said.

24 HELD FOR SELLING INDIAN PREMIER LEAGUE TICKETS IN BLACK IN CHENNAI

Chennai: The police have arrested 24 people for selling Indian Premier League tickets in black near MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chepauk. The police on Wednesday seized a total of 62 tickets and cash worth Rs 65,700 from the accused. The match on April 12 was played between Chennai Super Kings and Rajasthan Royals. The police registered the case under the relevant section. On April 11, five people were arrested for allegedly printing and selling fake IPL match tickets, the police said on Thursday.

NODAL OFFICERS FOR 150 WATER STRESSED DISTS

New Delhi: The Centre has appointed nodal officers for 150 water stressed districts across the country to take stock of the work under the ‘catch the rain’ programme, officials said on Thursday. These officers would visit respective districts coordinating implementation of various rain water harvesting, conservation measures and source sustainability aspects, etc, they said.

3 ELECTROCUTED TO DEATH IN HYDERABAD

Hyderabad: In a tragic incident, three youngsters died of electrocution while trying to save each other in Paramount Colony in the Sheikhpet area in Hyderabad in the wee hours of Thursday, the police officials said. The incident occurred when they were trying to fix a broken water pump motor at their residence. According to police, two brothers and their friend died of electrocution, officials said.

IMD issues heatwave warning for four states



New Delhi (PTI): The India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Thursday issued a heatwave warning for four states - West Bengal, Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, and Bihar — over the next three to four days. According to the weather agency, heatwave conditions are likely in isolated pockets of Gangetic West Bengal until April 17, north coastal Andhra Pradesh and Odisha until April 15,

and in Bihar from April 15 to 17.

The IMD said that the maximum temperatures in several parts of the western Himalayan region and northeast India, West Bengal, Sikkim, Odisha, coastal Andhra Pradesh, and Kerala are three to five notches above normal.

Notably, a heat wave is issued if the maximum temperature of a station reaches at least 40 degrees Celsius in

the plains, at least 37 degrees in coastal areas, and at least 30 degrees in hilly regions.

Last week, the weather department had predicted heatwave conditions over parts of northwest and east India on some days between April 13 and 19.

“Now, temperatures are near normal but since dry conditions are expected to continue, heat will rise and a heatwave may set in

over isolated parts of northwest and east India after a week,” IMD scientist Naresh Kumar had said.

Shanti Devi, mother of slain lawyer Umesh Pal speaks to the media, as Pal’s wife Jaya Devi looks on, in Prayagraj on Thursday.

—PHOTO BY ANI

Pakistani drone that was shot down by the Army, in Rajouri.

The IMD weather forecast said heatwave conditions are likely in isolated pockets of Gangetic West Bengal until April 17

Union Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal. —FILE PHOTO

Boom in property registration

Rajasthan government earns `1697.33 crore revenue from property registration

First India Bureau

Jaipur: In the last financial year (April 2022 to March 2023), the state witnessed a boom in the registry of purchase or sale of over 27.26 immovable properties.

The Rajasthan government earned revenue of `1697.33 crore from the registries, which is 26 % more than last year. Most of the properties have been bought by men.

A report by the Stamp and Registration Department shows that the government received Rs 8189.23 crore towards registration

(stamp duty and registration fees). Although the government expected to get a revenue of Rs 8300 crore from this. About 88% of the properties were registered by men despite a 1% rebate given by the government on the reg-

Husband kills wife over suspicion of character

First India Bureau

Bhilwara: A husband allegedly killed his wife in the Jahajpur area of Bhilwara district on Wednesday following a suspicion over her character. Police informed that Moti Lal Bheel killed his wife Anita Bheel (35) after an argument broke out between them. “The woman had gone to her neighbour’s house to attend a religious program. After she returned home, an argument broke out between Anita and her husband. Anita was

beaten by her husband, following which, she died. The villagers saw the deceased body on Thursday and alerted the police. Moti Lal has been arrested and the matter is being investigated,” police said.

REGISTRY IN LAST 5 YEARS REVENUE IN LAST 5 YEARS

Possibility of Third front to target Cong & BJP in Raj

Yogesh Sharma

Jaipur: Ahead of the assembly elections, the speculations about the formation of a third front have again started in Rajasthan to challenge both principal parties of Congress & BJP.

istry and stamp duty on the purchase of property by women. If we look at the report of this year (2022-23) in Rajasthan, last year from April 1, 2022, to February 28, 2023 (in 11 months), over 24 lakh 40 thousand properties were regis-

tered in the state. Out of this, over 21 lakh 54 thousand properties were bought by men.

As per report of 11 months last year, over 2 lakh 85 thousand properties were purchased, which is only 12% of the total registered proper-

ties. The report from Covid time (April 2020 to March 2021), shows that maximum properties were bought by women. That year, 16.61 lakh properties were bought & sold, out of which 2.53 lakh properties were bought by women.

Dalit man murder case: Protest on as family refuses to take body

Mukesh Mathrani

Barmer: The deadlock did not end on the second day as the family members refused to accept the body till their demands are not met.

A 40-year-old Kojaram Meghwal, a resident of Aasadi village in Barmer was beaten to death by a group of 7 to 8 men on Wednesday when he was going to graze his cattle along with his daughters.

As the news spread, people of dalit community gathered outside the mortuary, where the

deceased body was kept, and launched a dharna.

Indraram (son of deceased) lodged a case & alleged that there are around 16 accused including a woman.Meanwhile, on Thursday, protestors gave a memoran-

dum to the Barmer district collector and superintendent of police & demanded immediate arrest of the accused, compensation of `1 crore & a government job for the 2 family members of the deceased.

Regional and other national parties are looking for an alliance against Congress and BJP in the state. The parties which can be called the third front are AAP, (which recently got the status of the national party), RLP, CPI (M), Tribal Party, AIMIM, & BSP. The talks of a third front happen ahead of

Tribals protest minor girl’s rape, murder

First India Bureau Udaipur: Thousands of people from tribal communities on Thursday took out a massive protest in Udaipur demanding justice for the eightyear-old girl, who was raped and brutally killed in Malvi village on March 29. The protestors submitted a memorandum demanding a death sentence for the accused. Around 18 to 20 people were arrested for disturbing the peace.z

every assembly election in Rajasthan but it does not get in a concrete shape as the parties do not get united. Despite this, the efforts for the formation of a third front started once again.

Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) wants to form an

alliance by taking other regional parties together. Arvind Kejriwal is in search of a big face for the CM post in the state. In the last elections, Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) showed its strength & won 6 seats in the last election. However, all 6 MLAs later joined the Congress. BSP did wonders in Jhunjhunu, Alwar, Karauli, & Bharatpur. The party had won Tijara, Kishangarh Baas, Nagar, Udaipurwati, and Karauli constituencies. BSP got about 16% of votes only in the Alwar district & 4.5% votes in the entire state.

Raj police seizes heroin worth over `70 cr, 3 held

Sri Ganganagar (ANI): Rajasthan Police have seized contraband drugs worth over Rs 70 crore, dropped from a Pakistani drone, in Sri Ganganagar district and arrested three persons in the case, police official said on Thursday. “Three bike-borne per-

sons, smuggling Heroin, valued at Rs 70 crore, were intercepted before they could enter Punjab,” Additional Superintendent of Police Banwari Lal said. The arrest was made by the police near the Anupgarh-Raisinghnagar National Highway.

Protestors during dharna demanding an immediate arrest of the accused in Barmer on Thursday.

Police officials during the investigation on Thursday.

Today we remember and pay tributes to the great Indian leader and philosopher Dr Bhim Rao Ambedkar.

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

India

8TH CONVOCATION CEREMONY OF RUHS, JAIPUR Will ensure OPS and RTH are a success in State: CM

Guv Mishra urges young docs to enhance medical services in rural areas

Vikas Sharma

Jaipur: CM Ashok Gehlot during the eighth Convocation ceremony of RUHS held at Birla Auditorium in Jaipur, “Even though OPS & RTH are being questioned due to political differences, but we will ensure that they are a success,” Gehlot said.

Governor Kalraj Mishra & CM Ashok Gehlot distributed medals and degrees to students. Governor Kalraj Mishra called upon young doctors to contribute towards strengthening medical services in backward, rural & tribal areas of

CM visits Gandhi Darshan Museum,directs officers to expedite project work

First India Bureau

Jaipur: Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot visited the under-construction Gandhi Darshan Museum in the Central Park premises on Thursday and inspected various development works. During this, he instructed the officers to complete the works visiting the campus without any delay.

Gehlot visited the museum premises and inquired about the activities going on there.

During this, the officials told him that in this campus, the youth will be prepared to play their role in good governance and social work by imbibing the teachings of Mahatma Gandhi. Items related to Gandhiji’s legacy will be directly displayed in the museum.

However, the Chief Minister wasn’t much happy with the progress work of the Gandhi Darshan Museum and directed officials to expedite the work.

Shah to visit Bharatpur on April 15

to motivate workers

First India Bureau

Bharatpur: The Bhartiya Janta Party (BJP), which is one the backfoot in eastern Rajasthan is now going to blow the election trumpet from there. For this, Union Home Minister Amit Shah will visit Bharatpur on April 15 and will work to infuse enthusiasm among the workers for the election battle. About 25,000 workers of the division have been called in BJP’s

Is Gehlot CM or something else: GS Shekhawat

Booth Mahasankalp

Sammelan and its preparations have started in full swing. The BJP is making all efforts to make Shah’s welcome, a historic one. This information was given by BJP’s Divisional Incharge Mukesh Dadhich, State General Secretary Bhajanlal Sharma and District President Rishi Bansal in a press conference on Friday. Shah is s scheduled to reach Bharatpur on April 15 at 1.55 pm

by helicopter and from there he will reach Hotel Laxmi Vilas at 2.05 pm.

After this, a meeting will be held from 2.05 pm to 3 pm and will leave for college ground at 3.15 pm.

From 3.20 pm to 4.20 pm, the Booth Mahasammelan will be held in the Bharatpur division and thereafter, Amit Shah will reach Bharatpur helipad at 4:25 pm and leave for Agra airport by a BSF helicopter.

First India Bureau Jaipur : Union Jal

Shakti Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat has hit back at Rajasthan

the state. He also called upon the doctors to pay attention towards reducing the increasing dependence on machines. Health Minister PL Meena said that Rajasthan is first state in country where free treatment up to Rs 25 lakh is being done. V-C of RUHS, Dr Sudhir Bhandari presented the progress report.

COURTESY MEETING

Venugopal, Kamal Nath, Randhawa to prepare formula on Raj’s political devp

Aditi

Nagar

New Delhi: The internal politics of Congress has intensified due to Sachin Pilot’s fast. In this episode, a round of meetings was held in Delhi on Thursday wherein Raj Congress in-charge Sukhjinder Randhawa and incharge Gen Secy KC Venugopal gave feedback to Rahul Gandhi in the matter and Rahul has told his view to both the leaders. Meanwhile, highly placed sources in the grand-old party have revealed that Rahul Gandhi-Mallikarjun Kharge entrusted the responsibility to Org Gen Secy KC Venugopal, Congress leader Kamal Nath and state in-charge Sukhjinder Randhawa to prepare formula on Rajasthan political developments.

Randhawa said, “We have not yet submitted the report in the mat-

CONDUCT OF SOME MINISTERS IS CONTRARY TO PARTY’S POLICIES: RANDHAWA IN REPORT

Sukhjinder S Randhawa

VENUGOPAL- PILOT’S TWO-HR-LONG MEET

New Delhi: Highly placed sources in Congress reveal that, a 2- hour long discussion took place between KC Venugopal and Sachin Pilot at Kamal Nath’s residence in Delhi wherein, Pilot put his side. Thus, time may be taken to decide on Pilot’s future as there will be no hasty decision in the episode. Acc to sources, Pilot also met Ajay Maken on Wednesday. —Aditi Nagar

ter. We have also discussed with Rahul Gandhi & Cong Prez. Now senior leaders will also talk about it. Decision making, in any case, takes time. We are looking at all aspects, no decision is taken in haste.”

Jaipur: It seems that Congress leaders of Delhi are in favour of ‘Balance Politics.’ Moreover, shocking ‘revelations’ are being told in the report of in-charge Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa. According to highly placed sources in the grand-old party, the report stresses that conduct of some ministers is contrary to party’s policies and that there is a need to change them immediately. Moreover, Pilot’s ‘fast’ has also been mentioned in detail in the report as in-charge Randhawa clearly wrote in his report, “Now the time has come when decisive decision should be taken regarding Congress in Rajasthan.” Notably, the report gave suggestions for future changes in power and organization.

—Yogesh Sharma

PILOT BLATANTLY REFUSES OFFER TO ACCEPT CENTRAL LEADERSHIP IN CONGRESS Jaipur: In what could be termed as the ‘latest update’ on political developments of Rajasthan, according to knowledgeable sources, Sachin Pilot was made an ‘offer’ to remain in the Congress’ central leadership, however, Pilot has reportedly rejected the ‘offer’. Sources reveal that Pilot was offered to work in central politics and the post of General Secretary in AICC was offered to him! However, Pilot, reportedly, bluntly said that he is interested in state politics only. It is believed that the offer was made by a trusted leader of the high command but Pilot denied moving to the central ‘grounds’ and stressed on state politics only. Now the ball is in the court of the Congress high command.

—Yogesh Sharma

Union Home Minister Amit Shah with newly appointed LoP Rajendra Rathore as the latter pays courtesy visit to Shah at his residence in New Delhi on Thursday. Rathore also called upon LS Speaker Om Birla in Delhi.

Puneet Chaturvedi

Dungarpur: Former CM Vasundhara Raje, on Thursday, made several gestures on prevailing political situation in Raj during the Bhagwat Katha organised by BJP MLA GC Meena in Myala village of Dungarpur district.

Raje said, ‘We are not concerned about them, they are concerned about us. Sudarshan Chakradhari is the protector of our boat.” She said, “Many may be strangers to you. Have faith in God and in your

Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot and questioned whether Gehlot is the CM or something else. Shekhawat said, “Gehlot ji is busy renouncing all his responsibilities in the conspiracy to prove me guilty, whereas I am neither. Why does Gehlot ji get so angry? Such anger of the chief is harmful for people. Congress should also consider giving him a break, as he wouldn’t leave the chair on his own.”

“The candidate against me in LS polls was his son, but it was Gehlot ji who fought the polls. The whole government got behind me. I stand in front of them with the support of the truth with the support of the public,” he said.

ability to fight, then no one can harm you. No matter how much propaganda one does, no matter how much conspiracies are created, every conspiracy of theirs’ will fail,” Raje said. She cited a story. Katha Vyas Uttam Swami Maharaj & Achyutanandan Maharaj blessed the former CM saying that Vasundhara Raje is walking on the path of truth, so victory will be of truth only.

In the meanwhile, Dr Satish Poonia left Dungarpur before Raje’s visit to the place.

Shivendra Parmar

Jaipur: The Rajasthan Housing Board has allotted 1,334 square metres of land to the GaurSanadhya Brahmin Foundation on the Shipra Path of Mansarovar. The office bearers of the Foundation and PHED Minister Dr Mahesh Joshi reached the RHB Headquarters on Thursday to collect the allotment letter. RHB Commissioner Pawan Arora handed over the letter of allotment to PHED Minister and Pa-

tron of the Foundation, Dr Mahesh Joshi in presence of officials.

A Community Centre and Pensioner Rest House will be construct-

ed on this land. On the occasion, PHED Minister Dr Mahesh Joshi expressed his gratitude to Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot, UDH Minister Shanti Dhariwal and RHB Commissioner Pawan Arora and said that after this allotment, the society will be able to discharge its social responsibility in a better manner. Many officials, including National Coordinator Anurag Sharma, National General Secretary Hari Sharma, National Upadhyay Avinash Joshi were present.

First India Bureau

Jaipur: The construction work of prestigious ‘NRI Club-21’ of the state will be started soon. For this, administrative, financial and technical approval of about Rs 30 crore has also been issued. RHB Commissioner and President of ‘NRI Club-21’ Pawan Arora said this on Thursday in the Club’s executive committee. He said that about 700 people had applied for the membership of the club, due to

which the Board has earned a revenue of about Rs 25 crore. “Ad-

ministrative and financial approval has been issued at the divisional

level to make the club functional, to develop other facilities including necessary construction and development work. In the coming days, the work of its rapid construction and decoration will be started,” he said. The Meet Brothers concert to be organised on April 16 was also discussed in detail. Arora informed that applicants who have applied for Club membership and those who will apply till April 15 will be able to enjoy the event.

RHB allots 1,334 sqm

RHB Commissioner Pawan Arora hands over the allotment letter of the land to PHED Minister and the Patron of the GaurSanadhya Foundation, Dr Mahesh Joshi at his chamber in RHB Headquarters in Jaipur on Thursday. Also seen are Anurag Sharma, Hari Sharma, Priya Gaur, Kamlesh Sharma, Devi Shankar Sharma, Pushpendra Sharma, Yogendra Sharma and others.

RHB Commissioner and President of ‘NRI Club-21’, Pawan Arora chairs the meeting of Executive Committee of NRI Club-21 at Board Headquarters in Jaipur on Thursday. Also seen are KC

Meena, Deepali Bhagotia, Lekhraj Jagrat, Anil Mathur, Shekhar Garg, Sanjay Harpawat, Nilesh Gadhiya, Alok Mehta, Rishi Pal Singh, DN Pareek & others.

CM Ashok Gehlot inspects the Gandhi Darshan Museum at the Central Park premises in Jaipur on Thursday. Also seen are Usha Sharma, Ravi Jain, Kuldeep Ranka and others.

Vasundhara Raje addresses the gathering after listening to Shrimad Bhagwat Katha organised at Myala village in Dungarpur on Thursday.

Governor Kalraj Mishra addresses the gathering during the 8th Convocation Ceremony of RUHS held at Birla Auditorium in Jaipur on Thursday. Also seen here are CM Ashok Gehlot, Dr Sudhir Bhandari, Parsadi Lal Meena, JL Meena and others.

Governor Kalraj Mishra and CM Ashok Gehlot give the degree to a student during the 8th Convocation Ceremony of RUHS on Thursday. Also seen here is Dr Sudhir Bhandari.

‘We are not concerned about them, they are concerned about us: Raje

Wednesday evening witnessed a rich cultural show where the finalists of Miss Teen Diva, an International level beauty pageant, presented by First India News and Bharat24-Vision of New India, walked the

Embracing Culture

ultural fashion gets inspiration from one’s heritage and upbringing.

Clothing and accessories falling under the category of cultural fashion evoke a sense of nostalgia while showing off pride for a rich culture.

Miss Teen Diva, an international-level beauty pageant, organised a National Costume Round, as a part of

their talent rounds, for the top 35 finalists on Wednesday at Zee Studios, Jaipur.

Jagdeesh Chandra graced the occasion as the special guest and while appreciating the rich traditions and culture along with fashion and glamour as a perfect amalgamation, he also congratulated Nikhil Anand, National Director, Glamanand Group and his team for the flawless training and grooming session given to the supermodels.

During the fashion show, contestants were judged based on aesthetics, individuality and the cultural twist to their outfits. Each contestant was given a chance to model their outfit and then answer various questions. These questions addressed the cultural inspiration for each contestant’s outfit, why they believed their attire stood out to the audience and the outfit’s overall significance.

The beauties turned up in costumes that were carefully curated, bespoke outfits which best represented their nation. While some wore the national costume inspired by the ethereal portrayal of India as the golden bird which is a symbol of the wealth of our rich cultural heritage along with the spiritual essence of living in harmony with diversity, some were seen gracefully dressed up in spiritual powers.

Jury Panel consisted of Brunda yerra Bali, Rabia Hora, Mannat Siwach, Mahika Biyani, Divija Gambhir, Asmita Chakraborty, Praachi Nagpal and Aishwarya Vinu Nai.

Aayushi Dholakia, reigning Miss Teen International and host for the evening won the hearts of everyone present on the occasion and crowned the beauties. Various who’s who of the city also graced the occasion with their presence.

MRIDULA SHARMA cityfirst@firstindia.co.in

—PHOTOS

BY SUNIL SHARMA

Nandini Gupta

Jagdeesh Chandra with Ngô Ngoc Gia Hân, Miss Teen International 2022 from Vietnam

(L-R) Udita Talwar, Kanggana Malik and Trishna Ray

A celebration of FASHION, TRADITION & GLAMOUR!

Fashion cannot exist without culture. The same was highlighted by Miss Teen Diva finalists under the dimly lit ambiance of Zee Studios, Jaipur on Wednesday. The ravishing models drew from their cultural background and described the impact their culture had on them, expressing sentiments widely shared via their costumes and expressions!

Brunda Yerra Bali, Rabia Hora, Mannat Siwach, Mahika Biyani, Divija Gambhir, Asmita Chakraborty, Praachi Nagpal and Aishwarya Vinu Nair

Khushpreet Kaur

Nikhil Anand

5 SAAL BEMISAAL!

Pradhan, Yogesh Sharma, Yakoob Khan and Jatin

The First India News Channel completed a successful 5 years of Jagdeesh Chandra taking over the reins. To honour this day, the First India family gathered to celebrate the special moment in the presence of Jagdeesh Chandra and Virendra Choudhary, Director, of First India News on Thursday. On the momentous occasion, he congratulated all the staff members of First India.

POWER TO EMPOWER

CITY FIRST

FICCI Ladies Organisation, Jaipur Chapter, under the leadership of its new Chairperson, Neha Dhadda, addressed FLO Members at the Inaugural Event of the term with Padma Shri Raveena Tandon, the sole representative of G20 from the Film Industry at Hotel Marriott, Jaipur on Wednesday. FICCI is the Secretariat of G20 and Neha Dhadda’s aim and motto for the term was Sustainable development and power to empower the underprivileged. FLO Jaipur Chapter has associated with the Tribal Cooperative Marketing Development Federation of India Limited, TRIFED, Ministry of India at the State level to work in sync for the welfare and betterment of the Artisans.

During the occasion, Raveena shared her views on how happy and content she is after receiving the award. She threw light on

many of her faces, being an animal activist, supporting Girl Child, her tremendous work during the pandemic, her own NGO and how she believes in whatever we put in the Universe comes back to us

WHAT’S HAPPENING!

Senior journalist Pradeep Kumar Shekhawat was appointed as the Information Commissioner of Haryana on Thursday.

Governor Bandaru Dattatreya administered the oath taken by Shekhawat as the Information Commissioner at the Haryana Raj Bhavan. During the occasion, Dr Kulbir Chhikara and Dr Jagbir Singh also took the oath. Speaker Jnan Chand Gupta and other leaders were present on the ceremony.

BIRTHDAY CELEBRATIONS!

nology has made it easy but a real struggle still exists juggling roles from taking care of home-works to being a homegrown entrepreneur and the unsaid household chores. She beautifully expressed that a Mother is the perfect example for her children, leaving foot

Jagdeesh Chandra with (L-R) Abhishek, Vinod, Ramesh, Harsh, Mahesh Sharma, Jayati, Iqbal, Rahul, Sandeep, Deepak, Vishal Mathur, Ashish, Mukesh Bagda,

The Celebration for the First India News employees whose birthdays fell in the month of December to March was held in the channel office on Thursday. The occasion was all the more special as Dr Jagdeesh Chandra graced the afternoon with his presence and greeted all. Amidst the cake cutting and cheers, he also presented birthday gifts to all.

FELICITATION!

in a bigger and Brighter manner. She made an em phasis on how tre mendously women and Child has re gressed in the past years during the pandemic, how tech

DPS Jaipur has been hosting the Devyani Jaipuria Tennis Championship series in association with AITA, backed by India’s National and Davis Cup Coach, Zeeshan Ali. The academy has witnessed a successful wrap of U-14 tournaments and is all set to begin the qualifiers for U-16 from April 15th. Devyani Jaipuria, Pro VC of DPS, expressed her elation towards the participants. She added that the academy has brought together the best coaches and looks forward to tapping and honing the top tennis talent in the country and guiding them to chart a successful sporting career.

The grand finale of season 4 of Rajasthan Ghoomar Queen 2023 was organised by the Sadbhavana Parivar Foundation at the auditorium of Poddar College, Mansarovar on Saturday. Mona Verma was crowned the new Rajasthan Ghoomar Queen 2023 and was awarded a cash prize of Rs. 21,000. The first runnerup was Pratima Bharadwaj and the second runner-up was Alka Shrivastava. The show director, Rohit Sharma, stated that the program aims to promote Rajasthan’s culture.

The State President of the council, Vijaypal Kumawat, appointed Tarusha Gaur Parashar (Bandikui) as the State President of the Women’s Wing Council on Thursday. He mentioned that in the upcoming days, a conference will be organised by the Women’s Wing, in which upcoming plans for the promotion of arts, culture and literature of the region will be discussed. Additionally, a roadmap will be determined for the upcoming assembly elections.

A recognition ceremony was held at the Medical College in Jhalawar, Rajasthan, to honour families who donated their bodies last year for eye and organ donation on Wednesday. Shine India Foundation, an organisation that works towards creating awareness about eye, organ, and body donation, was also felicitated at the event. The District Collector of Jhalawar, Dr Bharati Dixit, and the Dean of the Medical College, Dr Shiv Bhagwan Sharma, presented awards to the families. Dr Bharati Dixit, the District Collector of Jhalawar, was the chief guest at the event. During the ceremony, Dr. Dixit awarded certificates of appreciation to the families of three body donors who donated their bodies to the anatomy department of the Medical College, Jhalawar. Special guests at the event included Dr Kulwant Gaur of Shine India Foundation, Kamlesh Dalal and Sanjay Vijavat of Bhawanimandi and Manish Jain of Ramganjmandi.

The three consecutive polo matches under Jaipur Prema Bissa Memorial Junior Polo Cup, took place on Thursday. The first match took place between Team Himgiri and Team APC, in which Team Himgiri won the match by 2 goals. Himgiri scored 4 goals over 2 by Team APC. The second match took place between Blue Inc and Team Spice Court, which ended the match in a draw with 5 goals made by each team, and in the third match RRPC between Team Indiana, in which RRPC won the match by 4 goals. RRPC scored 7 goals over 3 goals made by Team Indiana.

On Wednesday, the 11th edition of the one-day-long gala event named “Celebrating Innocence” was held at the JECRC college campus. The chief guest of the event was none other than Abhigyan Prakash an Indian journalist, columnist and corporate and communication coach. Zarurat is a student-driven social group at JECRC College, Jaipur that works for the welfare of underprivileged children by providing them with quality and free education. Like every year, the event was organised by the college’s social club Zarurat which aims to provide all-around growth to children from

Jagdeesh Chandra and Virendra Choudhary with Rainu Singh, Jinendra Singh Shekhawat and Nirmal Tiwari. Also seen are (L-R) Shaan, Nandini, Dimple, Mitali, Shikha, Jayati, Ayushi, Moni, Megha, Aishwarya, Vikas, Yogesh, Lalit, Yakoob, Kamal, Jatin, Naresh Sharma, Zia, Navin, Ashish, Rituraj, Kashiram, Bharat, Abhishek, Shivendra, Abhishekh, Mukesh, Kamal, Lalit and Ramesh during the celebration Jagdeesh Chandra greeted by Rainu Singh

Jagdeesh Chandra and Virendra Choudhary cut the celebratory cake. Also seen are Rainu Singh, Jinendra Singh Shekhawat, Nirmal Tiwari, (L-R) Jayati, Ayushi, Megha, Aishwarya

Raveena Tandon takes the selfie Neha Dhadda and members of Ficci Flo

Raveena Tandon feliciated by Neha Dhadda and Neeta Boochra

Padma Shri Raveena Tandon

Ghanshyam, Bharat, Vikas, Gaurav, Devesh, Andaram, Rahul and Vivek Mani

—PHOTO BY MUKESH KIRADOO