First India-Jaipur Edition-16th January 2023

NEPAL GOVT ANNOUNCES A PUBLIC HOLIDAY

TO MOURN NATIONAL TRAGEDY

SECONDS

Pokhara/New Delhi:

At least 68 people died on Sunday in Nepal after a plane carrying about 72 people from Kathmandu crashed in Pokhara during morning, police said. There were 68 passengers and 4 crew members on board the plane that crashed just 10 to 20 seconds between the old and new airports in the city, located in western Nepal. The twin-engine ATR 72 aircraft operated by Yeti Airlines was en route from Nepal's capital Kathmandu. Rescue operations have been difficult because of a rag-

READ Crucial

RECORDS TUMBLE AT GREENFIELD AS INDIA THRASH SRI LANKA BY MAMMOTH MARGIN

BRAVEHEARTS!

VANDE BHARAT SHOWS THAT INDIA WANTS BEST: MODI

PRECIOUS LIVES

LOST, SAYS MODI

PM Modi condoled loss of lives in the devastating plane crash in Nepal.

“Pained by the tragic air crash in Nepal in which precious lives have been lost, including Indian nationals. In this hour of grief, my thoughts and prayers are with the bereaved families,” PM Modi wrote on Twitter tagging the PM of Nepal.

ing fire at the wreckage.

The search operation was halted late evening for Sunday and bodies are yet to be retrieved, said Army officials.

PM Prachanda calls emergency meeting

Nepal PM Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ called an emergency cabinet meeting. Nepal govt has formed a five-member commission of inquiry to probe the incident.

Prachanda expressed his sorrow and appealed for an effective rescue of passengers of the Yeti Airlines ANC ATR 72 plane crash in Pokhara.

INDIAN EMBASSY ISSUES HELPLINE

Helpline issued by the Indian Embassy are... KATHMANDU Diwakar Sharma: 977-9851107021 POKHARA Lt Col Shashank Tripathi: 977-9856037699

Key highlights

8TH

AND LAST NIZAM OF HYDERABAD DIES

Mukarram Jah, titular Nizam VIII, passed away at 89 in Istanbul, Turkey. As per his desire of being laid to rest in his home land, his kids will travel to Hyderabad with mortal remains.

J&K: WEAPONS SEIZED FROM TERRORISTS

Jammu: Security forces on Sunday busted a terrorist hideout in Jammu and Kashmir’s border district of Poonch, leading to the recovery of a huge quantity of arms, ammunition and explosives, officials said.

PRIORITY: TALIBAN

Kabul: The Taliban said that overturning restrictions on women is not a priority for the administration in Af, days after denying there would be a permanent university education ban on women.

Bengaluru: The Indian army is maintaining a strong defence posture along the Line of Actual Control (LAC), and is ready to deal with any contingency, Chief of Army Staff, General Manoj Pande said on Sunday. In his address at the 75th Army Day celebrations at Parade Ground, MEG & Centre here, he said northern border region has been peaceful and steps have been taken to maintain peace through established protocol and existing mechanism.

Pointing to the attempts to smuggle arms and drugs into Jammu and Punjab border regions using drones, General Pande said counter drone jammers were being used against such activities.”I request our Armed forces to develop adaptation capabilities according to time. We should bring into practice what we have learned from conflicts like Ukraine and keep ourselves updated,” Rajnath said. More on P6

Ceasefire at LOC continues and there has been a substantial reduction in violations. However, terror infra still remains on other side. Our counter insurgency mechanism is effectively foiling infiltration bid from Pakistan.

With

WISHES

PM Modi said that the countrymen are proud and grateful to the soldiers.

First India Bureau

Jaipur: Highlighting the contribution of the Vaishya community in the country’s economy, CM Ashok Gehlot said that the community has created its own identity

other

SC TO HEAR PLEA ON JOSHIMATH SUBSIDENCE TODAY

Joshimath: Two more hotels were dangerously leaning towards each other while wider cracks have appeared near Auli ropeway and in other areas of land subsidencehit Joshimath on Sunday.

in Joshimath

Also, the flow of water increased from a suspected underground channel burst in JP Colony in Marwari area of the town after a temporary decline a couple of days back. Muddy water has been percolating down from it constantly since Jan 2 but experts are not sure about its origins.

First India Bureau

Mt Abu/Jaipur: Cold wave conditions prevailed in parts of Rajasthan where Mt Abu and Fatehpur recorded the coldest with -7°C and 4.7°C on Sunday, MeT dept said. Mt Abu recorded the lowest temperature since December 12, 1994. P3

in whole country with its entrepreneurship.

“Vaishya community has an important contribution in country’s economy. Many personalities like Jamna Lal Bajaj, GD Birla worked closely with Mahatma Gandhi. In natural calamities, community has always gone ahead and cooperated in relief works,” he said.

Turn to P8

Nepalese rescue workers and civilians gather around the wreckage of a passenger plane that crashed near the Pokhara International Airport in Nepal on Sunday.

Moni Sharma

RAMPUR BANDIPUR

GORKHA

MANBU DHUNCHE BENIGHAT

pageant,

First India Bureau

Army chief General Manoj Pande: Strong defence posture being maintained at LAC

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh greets Chief of Army Staff, Gen Manoj Pande at Shaurya Sandhya event in Bengaluru on Sunday.

—General Manoj Pande, Chief of Army Staff

technology acquiring centre stage in today’s world, the majority of the weapons are operated through artificial intelligence, thereby eliminating the need for any in-person human presence.

—Rajnath Singh, Defence Minister

—PHOTO BY ANI

ARMY DAY PARADE CELEBRATED OUTSIDE NEW DELHI FOR FIRST TIME SINCE 1949

For the first time, the Army Day parade, which used to take place in Delhi, was moved out of the national capital and took place in Bengaluru at Parade Ground, MEG & Centre. The 75th Army Day was first-of-its-kind event, taking place outside Delhi ever since the celebrations started in 1949.

SALUTE ALL BRAVE SOLDIERS: PRESIDENT MURMU, PM MODI, OTHERS EXTEND

President Droupadi Murmu, PM Narendra Modi, Rajnath Singh, S Jaishankar and others conveyed wishes on Army Day. “Let us recall countless stories of IA soldiers’ sacrifices! They have always pushed frontiers of valour and courage and also acted as saviours in times of calamities,” tweeted Rashtrapati Bhavan.

MP CM’S CHOPPER SUFFERS TECH GLITCH, LANDS SAFELY: POLICE

Dhar: A helicopter carrying MP Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Sunday landed in Manawar town of Dhar dist from where it had taken off sometime back due to a technical glitch, police said. CM’s chopper took off from Manawar, said SDOP Dhiraj.

London: Former IPL Chairman and member of the Modi family trust, Lalit Modi, on Sunday announced his son, Ruchir Modi as the successor of the Lalit Kumar Modi (LKM) Branch of the KK Modi Family Trust (KKMFT).

Vaishya community has very important contribution in country’s economy: CM

Industrial houses from Rajasthan have made their own identity globally, says Gehlot

Istanbul:

WOMEN’S RIGHTS NOT

India’s captain Rohit Sharma holds the winner trophy after winning the 3rd ODI match against Sri Lanka, at Greenfield International Stadium, in Thiruvananthapuram on Sunday. P6

2 more hotels lean on each

PM Narendra Modi flagged off Vande Bharat Express, connecting Secunderabad via VC and said the Vande Bharat shows India wants ‘the best of everything’.

MODI WILL BE REELECTED AS PM IN 2024: AMIT SHAH

HM Amit Shah on Sunday seeks blessings of Jain Acharya Ratnasundar Surishwarji in Ahmedabad. He said Modi will be reelected as PM in 2024.

INSIDE

P5

Cousin into custody over suspicion of murder

Ravikant Sharma was found dead under mysterious circumstances

First India Bureau

Jaipur: The Shyam Nagar Police has taken the cousin brother of the deceased property dealer into custody for interrogation based on a suspicion of murder.

Police informed that 33-year-old Ravikant Sharma, a resident of Rewari, was found dead under mysterious circumstances at his cousin brother’s home in Nirman Nagar on Thursday evening. “The victim had

Niranjan Arya inaugurates 2 events in Pali & Jojawar

TAKING REVENGE

Poonia salutes bravery of Army at Memorial

First India Bureau

6 miscreants nabbed for firing gunshots in Jpr

First India Bureau

inspector in Transport Department.

First India Bureau

Pali: Chief Minister’s advisor Niranjan Arya inaugurated a post office made by a donor family in Thakural village in Pali. He was given a grand welcome by the villagers.

Shishupal Singh Nimbada, member of the Rajasthan Economic Backward Commission, and former MLA of Ahore

Shankar Singh Rajpurohit were also present with him. In another programme, Niranjan Arya and MLA Khushveer Singh Jojawar inaugurated the country’s first IVF center in Jojawar in Marwar junction. In this, cow breeding will be improved by embryo transplant. A team of expert veterinarians transplanted embryos in 37 cows on the occasion.

is a retired RTO Inspector while Vikas

An FSL team was called to collect the samples while the postmortem was also performed by a medical board,” police said. “It is suspected that Ravikant was killed in order to take revenge. Earlier, it was said that the victim incidentally shot him while he was checking the gun. However, there is a suspicion that where it was an accident or planned murder,” police added.

Jaipur: India will become the world’s biggest power in the coming times, in which the Indian Army will contribute a lot, BJP state president Satish Poonia said. He said that with a budget of Rs 94 thousand crores for defense production under the rule of PM Modi, the Indian Army today manufactures 411 defense equipment and also exports them to 75 countries. On the completion of 75 glorious years of the Indian Army, Poonia reached the Amar Jawan Jyoti Memorial and saluted the bravery and spirit of the Army.

913 docs, 119 commercial tax officers shifted across State

First India Bureau

Jaipur: In a jumbo transfer list, the health department on Sunday transferred 913 doctors on a large scale across the state.

Meanwhile, 119 officers of commercial tax service were also transferred. The Finance Department issued the order. Three officers were put on APO. Sudhir Sharma, Premchand Verma and Laxman Singh Rathore were put on APO. Officer Rajeev Kumar Sharma’s designation was changed. Ramendra Sharma’s earlier transfer was canceled.

A total of 36 engineers were transferred in the Mines Department. The orders were issued by Neetu Barupal, Deputy Secretary, Mines De-

Raj Chief Justice Mithal attends convocation at NLU, Jodhpur

India Bureau

Jodhpur: The 15th convocation ceremony of National Law University, Jodhpur was held on January 15 on the university premises in the presence of Rajasthan High Court Chief Justice Pankaj Mithal, Academic Committee, Executive Committee, General Assembly and High Court judges.

Quoting the Father of the Nation, Mahatma Gandhi, Chief Justice of the High Court Pankaj Mithal, said, “Youth is the agent of change”.

“Not only our nation

but the world is looking at the youth as the messenger of change in these uncertain times.”

Presenting the annual progress report of the University, Profes-

partment. Transfers of seven Superintending Mineral Engineers, 12 Mineral Engineers, 17 assistant mineral engineers are to be done.

Superintendent Mineral Engineer YS Sehwal has been appointed Additional Director Vigilance Udaipur Directorate

Arvind Kumar Nandwana has been posted as Superintendent Mineral Engineer, Bhilwara. Rajsamand to Kamleshwar Baregama, vigilance to OP Kabra, Bikaner. Sunil Kumar Sharma

has been transferred to Bharatpur, Directorate of Vigilance to Shiv Prasad Sharma, Yashwant Damor gets vigilance in Bharatpur.

Khemchand Goyal has been posted as Superintendent Mineral Engineer Vigilance Jaipur. Satyanarayan Kumawat has been appointed Mineral Engineer Bhilwara. Lakshmi Narayan Kumawat transferred to Rajsamand, vigilance quota to Puranmal Singhadia, Vineet Gehlot to Beawar, Shyam Kapri to Jodhpur, vigilance to Praveen Kumar Agarwal, Ajmer, Vigilance to Har Sukhram Bishnoi, Jodhpur, Jagdish Chandra Merawat to Chittor, Manoj Sharma to Bundi, Vigilance Udaipur to Gopal Bach and Pratapgarh to Lalit Bachhra.

HC orders officers to find abducted child by Jan 18

First India Bureau

Poonam Saxena, Vice-Chancellor of the University, said that the university has been consistently providing the best legal education to its students.

Jaipur: In the Rajasthan High Court, a division bench of Justice Pankaj Bhandari and Justice Birendra Kumar, expressing displeasure over not being able to find the abducted child from Khairthal police station area of Alwar within six months, has ordered to produced the child in the court by January 18. Failing to do so, the High Court has asked Bhiwadi's SP, Women's Crime Investigation Cell, Additional SP of Bhiwadi

and ASI to appear and give an explanation.

While hearing the habeas corpus petition, the High Court observed that perusal of the case diary shows that the minor was abducted by a truck owner. However, neither the truck was seized nor the truck owner arrested.

DISABILITY ECHOING

Jaipur: The Mansarovar Police on Sunday arrested six miscreants for allegedly firing gunshots at a family, police said. Police informed the incident took place on Saturday evening in the Mansarovar area wherein the accused tried to kill the victims.

“The miscreants fired three rounds of gunshots in the air. However, no one was injured in the mishap.

A country-made pistol and live cartridge was also recovered from the possession of the accused. Raids were giv-

en at different places and all the six accused were arrested within 12 hours,” police said.

Girl raped for two months in Jaipur Cong MLA invites Dotasra to join protest over illegal mining

First India Bureau

Jaipur: In a unique yet awkward move, Congress MLA Bharat Singh Kundanpur has sent an invite to PCC Chief Govind Singh Dotasra to join a protest over illegal mining. Bharat Singh has sent a letter inviting Dotasra to join the movement against illegal mining. Now, there are talks in political circles whether Dotasra will accept this invitation.Bharat Singh is known for opening front against his own govt and he has often cornered Mines minister Pramod Jain Bhaya. He has often shot off letters to CM Ashok Gehlot seeking action against illegal mining.

First India Bureau

Jaipur: A 21-year-old girl was allegedly blackmailed and raped for two months in Pratap Nagar area, police said. Police informed the accused, who is the neighbour of the victim, raped her in a sedated state and also filmed heobscene videos. “The 40-year-old accused was known to the victim as both were neighbours in Jagatpura area. Nearly two months ago, the accused took the victim with him to the market to purchase medicines. The accused mixed some intoxicating substance in the drink and gave her. When the girl became drowsy, the accused filmed her obscene videos and raped her,” police said.

PAYING TRIBUTE

Jaipur: A minor girl was allegedly raped by her stepfather in the Chomu, police said. Police informed the victim’s mother had a second marriage after getting divorced. “A few days back, an argument broke out between the accused and the victim’s mother. On seeing this, the victim shouted at the accused and revealed to her mother that she was raped by her stepfather. The incident took place first in 2016. The victim’s mother went into shock after hearing this,” police said. “A case has been registered under provisions POCSO Act,” police added.

High fluoride in water takes toll on villages in Rajasthan

Sambhar (PTI): Two cousins, one 18 and the other six, struggling with deformed limbs and stunted growth, and several others, including toddlers and elders, in the joint family coping with frequent joint pains knowing the water they drink could be the reason but doing so anyway because there are no options.

That’s the story of not just Singh family but others as well in the

villages of Devpura and Moondwara in Rajasthan’s Sambhar block, about 80 km from the Sambhar salt lake, India’s largest inland salt lake. The villagers, many of them unlettered, blame the lake water that has contaminated the groundwater as the main reason for high salinity and fluoride content in drinking water.

According to Om Prakash Sharma, head of the NGO Gram Chet-

na Kendra that works in the area, disability in the two villages about 50 km from

Jaipur averages about 10 in 1,000. The national number is 5 in 1,000 people. That is almost

VILLAGERS NARRATES INCIDENTS

told PTI.

skeletal fluorosis takes place if the fluoride level in water is more than 1 mg/litre, said Dr Aman Dua, director, joint replacement and orthopaedics, at Delhi’s Fortis Escorts hospital.

double the normal average, he pointed out.

The disability is directly linked to high

fluoride content in the area, a fact backed by studies, he said.

Long term effects of

“So there is widening of bones, deformities in joints and the symptoms are specially marked in the spinal column where they may lead to nerve compression and weakening of limbs because of long term use,” he

According to a Central Ground Water Board (CGWB) report, high fluoride in groundwater in Jaipur district where the villages are located is a matter of great concern with fluoride concentration going up to 16.4 mg/litre in some places at Sambhar block against the permissible 1mg/l. In the Sambhar lake itself, it is 2.41 mg/l.

The signs are there for all to see.

bullet injuries in his head. His cousin brother Vikas Sharma

wife Swati Dikshit is

First

sor

Deceased Ravikant Sharma.

High Court Chief Justice Pankaj Mithal presenting the degrees to the students at convocation ceremony of NLU in Jodhpur.

Niranjan Arya and Khushveer Singh Jojawar inaugurated the country’s first IVF center in Jojawar in Marwar junction.

Villagers struggling with several health issues because of water.

DCP (South) Yogesh

Goyal praised Mansarovar SHO Dilip Soni for arresting the six accused immediately after the incident.

Six miscreants in police custody for firing gunshots at a family in Mansarovar in Jaipur.

MINOR GIRL RAPED BY STEPFATHER IN CHOMU

Floral tributes were paid to former Chief Minister Late Jagannath Pahadia on his birth anniversary on Sunday in the Rajasthan Legislative Assembly. Navrang Singh, Purushottam Sharma were also seen.

Mt. Abu records -7°C, Fatehpur -4.7°C as cold wave prevails

Schools in Jaipur to open from 10 am as holidays will not continue; District collector issues orders district education officers, now DEOs can take decision to change time till January 18

First India Bureau

Mt Abu/Jaipur: Cold wave conditions prevailed in parts of Rajasthan where Mt Abu and Fatehpur recorded the coldest with minus 7 degrees Celsius and 4.7 degrees Celsius on Sunday, according to a senior MeT dept official. Mt Abu recorded the lowest temperature since Dec 12, 1994 when mercury dropped to -7.4 degree Celsius. Last year the minimum temperature of Mount Abu was -2 degree Celsius.

Severe cold wave with ground frost occurred at many places in West Rajasthan due to which minimum temperature dropped appreciably in Ajmer, Kota and Udaipur divisions, said the Met dept official. According to MeT, Chittorgarh recorded minus 1.4 degrees followed by 0.5 degrees in Sikar, 0.6 degrees in Bhilwara, 1.2 degrees in Bikaner, 1.6 degrees in Pilani, 1.7 degrees in Baran and 1.8 degrees in Sangaria. All major cities across the state recorded minimum temperature below 7 degree Celsius on Sunday night. State capital Jaipur recorded maximum and minimum temperature of 19.5 and 5.6 degrees respectively.

JK Jajoo receives ‘Vaish Gaurav’ award

Jaipur: On 15 January, 2023, JK Jajoo was felicitated with the “Vaish Gaurav” award at the International Vaish Federation Jaipur Central by the Hon’ble Chief Minister of Rajasthan Shri Ashok Gehlot for his fruitful impact and dedication in the field of social work. The ceremony took place at Birla Auditorium, Jaipur. The International Vaish Fed-

eration aims at community empowerment, the event was held in the same spirit to celebrate the people of this community who are making this society truly a better place.

Jajoo is a philanthropist, working in the field of education with his NGO Jagriti. Jagriti aims to battle illiteracy and provide free quality and value based education to the children living in urban slums.

First India Bureau

Jaipur: Former deputy CM Sachin Pilot will address a farmers meeting in Nagaur’s Parbatsar on Monday. He will also visit Veer Tejaji mandir in Kharnal.

The Congress leader will hold the night stay in Nagaur circuit house. Next day, he will go to Pilibanga in Hanumangarh and address the farmers meeting there.

Pilot will also go to Amarpura Bhadrakali temple in Hanumangarh after the farmers meeting.

Former MLA Suchitra Arya held a press conference in Nohar, Hanumangarh to brief the media about Pilot’s visit. Youth leader Rajesh Kandoi, former Sarpanch Vikram Singh and Krishna Mahiya were also present.

Jail staff fasting unto death; three female guards fall ill

First India Bureau

Jaipur: The jail employees are observing a state-wide hunger strike over discrepancies in salaries. On Sunday, a female constable in Tonk was admitted to the hospital after her health deteriorated due to the ongoing protest. The strike, being organised under the banner of Akhil Rajasthan Rajya Karmchari Sanyukt Mahasangh (Ekikrat). In Tonk Jail, 39 policemen are on a hunger strike and it is expected that more protesters will

be admitted to hosp as their health also deteriorating.

In Sriganganagar, the jail guards protested by boycotting the mess. After the health of two guards including a female guard deteriorated, they were

taken to the district hospital for treatment. In Gangapur City also, the jail personnel agitated for salary anomalies and other demands, here also the women personnel sitting on hunger strike fell illl in the sub-jail.

BSF nabs 2 with heroin worth ` 24 cr in Sgnr 9 new HC Judges to take oath today

First India Bureau

Sri Ganganagar : The Border Security Force (BSF) on Sunday seized 6 kgs of heroin, worth over Rs 24 crores, from Sri Ganganagar’s Raisinghnagar town. Police informed the drugs entered the Indian territory from Pakistan near pillar number 334/1S in Raisinghnagar.

“The BSF officials opened fire after they spotted smugglers. Two smugglers were caught with three packets of heroin. The packets weighed around 6kgs. However, three smugglers managed to flee

from the spot and later their vehicle was found in 62RB village. A WiFi dongle, clothes and other things were recovered from the vehicle. The value of narcotic drugs is around Rs. 14 crores in the international market. A search operation is being carried out to nab the three accused,” police added.

Cub of T-79 goes missing in S Madhopur

First India Bureau

Sawai Madhopur: The 14-month-old male cub of Tigress T-79 Sharmili has gone missing from Phalodi range area in Sawai Madhopur. The cub has not been spotted in the CCTV cameras installed in forest area.

The forest department has formed a team to search for the missing

Dotasra inaugurates CC road in Laxmangarh

First India Bureau

Sikar: Congress State President Govind Singh Dotasra during his oneday visit to Laxmangarh on Sunday inaugurated the CC road in Durga Colony on Mukundgarh Road. He was the chief guest at the felicitation ceremony organized by the All India Safai Mazdoor Congress Sangh.

SNEH MILAN

Dotasra said that he would take the demands of the sanitation em-

ployees to the chief minister. He announced the construction of a road from the city’s pucca pyau to the railway gate at a cost of about Rs 1 crore 14 lakh, Rs 5 crore for drinking water project, two classes for the community school building for Rs 15 lakh. He said that there would be no shortage of money for development work.

system. Ranger Phalodi Rajbahadur Meena said that the cub was not seen. Four tigers and tigresses have gone missing in the Mandrayal range. Tigress T-118 Varsha went missing a month ago. Her mother tigress T-92 Sundari went missing five years ago. Tiger Sultan T-72 disappeared about a year ago.

First India Bureau

Jodhpur: The newly appointed nine judges of the Rajasthan High Court will take oath on Monday here. Chief Justice Justice Pankaj Mithal will administer oath to all newly appointed judges. The oath taking program will be held in the court number 1. All the judges of Jaipur will join the program online.

The appointment orders have been issued for 3 judges from advocate quota and 6 judges from judicial officer quota. Ganesh Ram Meena and Anil Kumar Upman from Jaipur and Dr Nupur Bhati from Jodhpur have been appointed from the advocate quota. Rajendra Prakash Soni, Ashok Kumar Jain, Yogendra Kumar Purohit, and Ashutosh Kumar have been appointed from judicial officer quota.

LATHER TO TAKE OATH AS SIC TODAY

Newly appointed State Information Commissioner ML Lather, former DGP, will take oath on Monday. The ceremony will be held at 10:30 am in the State Election Commission office.

Demolition drive at houses of paper leak accused ends

Raj IAS Assn celebrates New Year, Makar Sankranti

Jaipur: On the occasion of Makar Sankranti, the New Year Sneh Milan ceremony of Rajasthan IAS Officers Association was organized on the OTS campus and the theme was Lohri. On the occasion, more than 75 officers along with their family members participated in the programme.

The programme started with Lohri pujan. Organized in the presence

of Chief Secretary Usha Sharma and other senior officers, the pro-

gramme was organized in a different form. The highlight of the

programme was the antakshari, which was organised on the initia-

tive of the Chief Secretary. The programme lasted for about two hours and aimed at promoting mutual harmony and administrative coordination. Recently retired IAS officers Gajanand Sharma, Dinesh Yadav and Deepak Nandi were also felicitated.

On the occasion, Pawan Arora especially thanked the Chief Secretary for the new dimension, direction and encouragement from her.

First India Bureau

Jaipur: The enforcement wing of Jaipur Development Authority (JDA) on Sunday razed the entire illegal construction from the house of Bhupendra Saran, an accused in the paper leak case.

The three-day demolition drive concluded on Sunday under the directions of Chief Controller (Enforcement) Raghuveer Saini. The demolition drive took place at Plot No. 67 of Rajni Vihar Colony located in Heerapura. As per the JDA tribunal’s or-

der, the civic body demolished the front 15-feet portion and 8-feet portion in the back that was constructed by covering the setback area.

“The building should have been ideally 8 metres in height. However, two more floors had been constructed over the 8 metres, and the tribunal accepted that these two floors were illegal. The two additional floors were also razed during the 21 hours of demolition drive in the last three days,” said a JDA official.

First India Bureau

RAJ REELS UNDER COLD

In Mt Abu, (Clockwise) dew and water freezes on the standing crops in the fields. Windshields of tourist’s car covered in snow. Tourists trying to get relief with hot tea amid bone chilling cold in Mt Abu on Sunday morning. —PHOTOS BY KAMLESH PRAJAPAT

(L) CS Usha Sharma and BN Sharma with Prakash Rajpurohit, Ujjwal Rathore, Pawan Arora, Rashmi Gupta, Samit Sharma, ML Chauhan and Jogaram during Sneh Milan. (R) Punabi folk artists present a mesmerising dance performance to energize the evening.

Sachin Pilot to address farmer’s rally in Nagaur today

cub using hi-technology. Continuous disappearance of tigers and

tigresses in the sanctuary have raised questions on the monitoring

First India Bureau

CM Ashok Gehlot felicitating JK Jajoo on Sunday. Subhash Garg, Ashok Lahoty, Jyoti Khandelwal are also seen.

GS Dotasra with AISMCS officials in Sikar on Friday.

JDA’s demolition work on Bhupendra Saran’s residence completed on Sunday.

Female cop undergoing treatment at Hospital in Tonk.

Two accused in BSF custody.

In Sikar, (L) dew drops froze on the fencing of farm in Sikar’s Fatehpur on Sunday morning. (R) Water coming out of the tap also freezes.

A BUDGET FOR BHARAT

While this extraordinary social safety net together with the big push for providing electricity, drinking water, sanitation and housing for all, succeeded in mitigating damage to those at the bottom of the pyramid, the structural reforms has made the economy more efficient

THIS

WILL BE THE LAST REGULAR BUDGET AHEAD OF GENERAL ELECTIONS NEXT YEAR

This year’s Union Budget — the 11th in a row from the BJP-led NDA — is being presented in the backdrop of exceptional circumstances. Not only is a deeply divided world facing an unprecedented economic challenge that is being compounded by climate change, this is also the last regular Budget ahead of the general elections next year.

fied Payments Interface (UPI), CoWin, Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC), Account Aggregators, Health Stack and Open Credit Enablement Network (OCEN), over the last decade.

not just in India but the entire world. Unlike other nations though, India did not opt for a fiscal stimulus to revive the economy.

This year’s Union Budget— the 11th in a row from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA)—is being presented in the backdrop of exceptional circumstances. Not only is a deeply divided world facing an unprecedented economic challenge that is being compounded by climate change, this is also the last regular Budget ahead of the general election next year.

commodity price shocks has brought the world-including the United States, the largest economy--dangerously close to a recession.

However, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, will have cause for cheer. India continues to challenge this grim global narrative with its economy poised to log an impressive 6.5-7 percent growth in 2022-23. Even better, the Finance Minister has sufficient cause to believe that this is largely the outcome of the policy playbook the NDA adopted since it assumed power in 2014.

THE NEW PLAYBOOK

The impact is yet to manifest itself as the Indian economy was busy repairing the damage caused to the banking sector by an unprecedented surge in bad debts. Further, the back-toback setbacks beginning with the pandemic, dampened the recovery process. However, with these one-off shocks fading the economy is poised for a rebound, providing a healthy backdrop for this year’s Budget. Over to Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman

Ever since the covid-19 pandemic struck in 2020, the world has been subjected to repeated shocks of unprecedented magnitude—the Russia-Ukraine conflict, followed by the ratcheting up of interest rates by the United States Federal Reserve, and most recently the fresh surge in the covid-19 pandemic in China.

The combined impact of the pandemic, geopolitical tensions, drying up of global liquidity and the

Since it assumed power nine years ago, the NDA has sought to pivot the Indian economy. These policy changes have been appreciated and validated most recently, by the global investment banks, World Bank and the International Monetary Fund.

It began with the rollout of the Goods and Services

Tax (GST)—the single biggest indirect tax reform— which, for the first time, economically unified the country. The GST principle, ‘One Nation, One Tax’, made the economy more efficient by dramatically reducing friction. Not surprisingly, monthly gross GST collections now average over Rs 1 lakh crore— in November the accruals to the exchequer was Rs 1.45 lakh crore.

To incentivise and revive private sector investments the union government slashed corporate tax rates to 22 percent from the prevailing 30 percent; in addition, it fixed a lower rate of 15% for companies incorporated after 2019—this scheme is extended till 2023.

Similarly, the passage of the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC) in 2016, helped with the mitigation of the legacy bad debts of commercial banks. According to the Economic Survey of 202122, financial creditors recovered Rs 2.55 lakh crore, of the Rs 7.94 lakh crore debt owed to banks, at the end of 30 September 2021. This repair of the financial sector, which also included capitalisation of

bank balance sheets, restored the ability of commercial banks to lend.

The NDA also undertook a major ideological reset after it formalised the policy of privatisation— the most recent example was the sale of Air India to the Tata group. Simultaneously the union government has taken to monetisation of idle assets owned by the public sector to generate funds for big-ticket Greenfield infrastructure projects—the underlying strategy is to crowd-in private investment.

The pursuit of fiscal prudence, unlocking of financial resources and buoyancy in tax collections has provided the wherewithal to the FM to fund infrastructure projects and the covid-19 relief packages. More importantly, it is now evident that the structural reforms which improved economic efficiency, proved to be a buffer against the economic devastation unleashed by the pandemic.

DIGITAL PUBLIC GOODS

The Indian economy also received an unexpected boost from the rapid rollout of Digital Public Goods (DPGs) like Aadhaar, Uni-

ELDERS YEARN FOR CARE, HEALTHY LIVING

The United Nations “World Social Report

2023: Leaving No One Behind

In An Ageing World” has called for urgent collective efforts to continued social and economic improvements for healthy ageing of the elderly whose population is on the rise. With the global population of those aged 65 and above is expected to double from 761 million in 2021 to 1.6 billion in 2050, the demand for long-term healthcare is also increasing. In India, the population of elders is expected to touch 149 million in 2031 after recording an increase of 41 percent over a decade. The World Health Organisation and the UN have marked 2021-

2030 as the Decade of Healthy Living.

On one hand the rise in longevity is a “success story caused by improved sanitation and medical therapies, greater access to education and family planning, and strides towards gender equality and wom-

en’s empowerment”, the report said. Notwithstanding the constantly improving “health and wealth” of countries the “inter-generational solidarity” will continued to be required to sustain old-age support.

The report points out that the “high and rising

levels of inequality threaten to become a defining feature of present and future generations”. This inequality in incomes extends to old age homes where class divide makes them as big a challenge as living in one’s own tenement. Doors of

The United Nations “World Social Report 2023: Leaving No One Behind In An Ageing World” has called for urgent collective efforts to continued social and economic improvements for healthy ageing of the elderly whose population is on the rise

old age home open with difficulty for those who can’t afford them. Some of these homes charge for rent, medical care and personal care from inmates as profit is their driving motive. Those run by government are generally in a bad state.

These DPGs have been created as an open digital ecosystem, which enables the private sector to use these digital rails to create innovations in payments, health care and so on. At the same time, by dramatically lowering the cost of entry, these DPGs accelerated formalisation of the economy and democratised access to identity, covid-19 jabs, payments, credit and more recently e-commerce.

Instead it pursued a calibrated strategy, wherein it initially focused on saving lives and then gradually put the spotlight on livelihoods—even while it bolstered the material basis of the vulnerable segments by rolling out the free food grain scheme for 80 crore people; which has now been extended till December 2023.

These public digital rails have also been used by the union government to accelerate the rollout of the Direct Benefits Transfer, estimated to be cumulatively over Rs25 lakh crore. The resulting disintermediation has also prevented leakages and savings to the exchequer upwards of Rs 2 lakh crore.

Further, these beneficiaries have become key stakeholders in the Indian economy—where previously they were outside looking in.

PANDEMIC BLUES

The onset of the covid-19 pandemic, consequent lockdown of the economy caused immense distress to both lives and livelihoods,

While this extraordinary social safety net together with the big push for providing electricity, drinking water, sanitation and housing for all, succeeded in mitigating damage to those at the bottom of the pyramid, the structural reforms has made the economy more efficient.

The impact is yet to manifest itself as the Indian economy was busy repairing the damage caused to the banking sector by an unprecedented surge in bad debts. Further, the back-to-back setbacks beginning with the pandemic, dampened the recovery process. However, with these one-off shocks fading the economy is poised for a rebound, providing a healthy backdrop for this year’s Budget. Over to Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman.

Surrender yourself to God, that is the biggest support. Anyone who has come to recognize this support is free from fear, worry and suffering. Bhagavad Gita

SPIRITUAL SPEAK

Amit Shah@AmitShah Indian Army is synonymous with valour and courage. On #ArmyDay, I extend my greetings to soldiers, veterans and their families. India is proud of our Army for their resolve to keep the nation safe. We salute our Bravehearts and bow down to their supreme sacrifices.

TOP TWEETS

at Bhaskar Printing Press, D.B. Corp Limited, Shivdaspura, Tonk Road, Jaipur.

Dr Jagdeesh Chandra, Editor: Anita Hada Sangwan responsible for selection of news under the PRB Act

Anurag Thakur@ianuragthakur Best wishes on Army Day to the brave soldiers and ex-servicemen of indomitable courage, extremely disciplined and dutiful Indian Army @adgpi. We are proud of the selfless service spirit of the brave soldiers of the Indian Army who are ready to sacrifice their everything every moment for the defense of the country.

THE VIEWS EXPRESSED BY THE AUTHOR ARE PERSONAL

ANIL PADMANABHAN The writer is a freelance journalist who tweets @capitalcalculus

‘

A symbol of New India’s vision’

The first train will run between Secunderabad and Visakhapatnam in 8 hours and 30 minutes

PAKISTAN MEDIA PRAISES INDIA'S RISING GLOBAL FOOTPRINT

Hyderabad (PTI):

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday virtually flagged-off the Vande Bharat train service between Secunderabad in Telangana and the port city of Visakhapatnam in Andhra Pradesh on the auspicious occasion of Makar Sankranti.

"Vande Bharat is a true replica of India which is coming out of the mentality of dependence and moving towards Atmanirbharta (self-reliance)," the PM said before flagging off the train.

"Vande Bharat is a symbol of New India's capability and resolve.

It is a symbol of that India which has chosen the path of rapid development," the Prime Minister said.

"This Vande Bharat Express symbolises that India which expects everything to be the best.

This Vande Bharat Express symbolises India

which wants to give better services to every citizen of its," he said. It was designed and made in India, he pointed out.

This train will be the eighth Vande Bharat Express to be introduced by Indian Railways and will be the first one connecting the two Teluguspeaking states. It will be covering a distance of around 700 km between Secunderabad and Visakhapatnam in eight and a half hours.

The way all important days and festivals connect the country, Indian trains also with their motion and journey give opportunity to join and understand, Modi said.

The PM said seven Vande Bharat trains (already introduced) have covered the cumulative distance of 23 lakh kilometres, equivalent to 58 rounds of earth. More than 40 lakh passengers have travelled in Vande Bharat trains so far.

Don’t need Shah to tell about revolutionaries’ role: Tushar Gandhi

Kozhikode (PTI): Mahatma Gandhi’s great grandson Tushar Gandhi has said there is no need for Home Minister Amit Shah to talk about the contribution of armed revolutionaries in the country’s freedom movement as “Bapu” himself had acknowledged their role.

Shah had recently said only one type of narrative of a non-violent movement during the freedom struggle has been “forced through education, history & legends”, whereas India’s independence was a result of collective efforts, in-

cluding the contribution of revolutionaries. “We do not need an Amit Shah to say these things. Shah needs to say these things because he does not have anything to say about himself. Bapu himself had acknowledged that independence was not achieved only because of his attempts,” he said.

Several roads to be closed today, traffic to be diverted

New Delhi (ANI): Delhi Police has issued a traffic advisory in view of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s roadshow in New Delhi on Monday.

“Bhartiya Janta Party is organizing a road show having mass public participation on Sansad Marg from Patel Chowk to Sansad MargJai Singh Road Junction on January 16 from 3 pm onwards. Prime Minister of India will grace the said road show with his presence.

Special Traffic arrangements will be in place to ensure smooth traffic management in the vicinity of the roadshow route,” said Delhi Police in a statement.

The traffic advisory said Ashoka Road (Windsor Place to Jai Singh

Remote EVM: 16 Opposition parties agree on joint stand

New Delhi (Agencies): Sixteen opposition parties gathered for a meeting, called by the Congress, on Sunday to discuss the joint strategy for the meeting convened by the Election Commission on Monday to demonstrate the concept of Remote EVMs for migrant voters.

The Election Commission has invited all recognised national and state political parties on January 16 to demonstrate the functioning of the multi-constituency prototype Remote EVM.

Road GPO Both Carriageways), Sansad Marg, Tolstoy Road (Janpath to Sansad Marg), Rafi Marg (Rail Bhawan to Sansad Marg), Jantar Mantar Road, Imtiaz Khan Marg and Bangla Sahib Lane will remain closed on January 16 from 2:30 pm to 5 pm.

Delhi Police further informed that Baba Kharak Singh Road, Outer Circle Connaught Place, Park Street/

Shankar Road, Minto Road, Mandir Marg, Barakhamba Road, Panchkuain Road, Raisina Road, Tolstoy Road, Janpath, Firozeshah Road, Rafi Marg, Rani Jhansi Road, DBG Road, Chelmsford Road, Bhai Veer Singh Marg, DDU Marg, Ranjit Singh flyover, Talkatora Road and Pandit Pant Marg are expected to experience a heavy volume of traffic during the roadshow.

Islamabad (ANI): In a first, a leading Pakistan daily, The Express Tribune, lauded India’s expanding global footprint and its growing stature and heft on the world stage under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, saying he has brought India to the point where the nation has begun to cast a wider net of its influence and impact.

The Op-ed column in the leading Pakistan daily further stated that under PM Modi, India’s foreign policy has treaded skilfully and its GDP has grown to over three trillion USD. Calling it ‘monumental progress’, Shahzad Chaudhry, a noted political, security and defence analyst, writing in The Express Tribune, called India a preferred destination for all investors. The writer further reiterated that India has, under the chairmanship of PM Modi, established its own domain on the foreign policy front. India is also a big producer of agricultural products and the IT industry, Chaudhry noted in his column.

Shah inaugurates Scout and Guide Training Centre

Ahmedabad (ANI): Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah on Sunday said that it is very important to inculcate the spirit of service, dedication and discipline in the citizens along with patriotism for making the country ‘great’.

“If any country is to be made great, the citizens of the country have to be great, and for that, it is very important to inculcate the spirit of service, dedication and discipline in the citizens, patriotism is also necessary,” Shah said addressing after the inauguration of the newly constructed training and residence building of Bharat Scout and Guide Gujarat Region.

“The responsibility of making India a developed and great nation in immortality rests with the children and youth

IT WILL TRANSFORM KIDS & YOUTH: SHAH

“Scout and Guide work to transform children and youth into ideal and complete citizens. We are here to endorse such exemplary activities of Scout and Guide. The children of the country should be made aware of the sacrifices of India’s freedom fighters, to celebrate the achievements of India in 75 years and to ensure that India is first in every field by the next 25 years,” Shah stated.

sitting here. If every citizen of the country takes one resolution, the entire country will fulfil 130 crore resolutions. Even a small decision can change a person’s life,” Shah said.

‘BSP will contest alone in Assembly, LS polls’

Lucknow: BSP chief Mayawati on Sunday ruled out an alliance with any party for the assembly polls in various states and the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.

Key states of Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh and Telangana would go for polls this year, besides states from the North-East.

The former Uttar Pradesh chief minister said, "I would like to make it clear that in the assembly elections of Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Rajasthan and in the Lok Sabha elections, which will be held next year, the BSP will not forge a coalition with any party, and will con-

ON BORDER DISPUTES

test the polls on its own strength." Mayawati said it became necessary for her to make the announcement as the Congress and some other parties, as part of a "conspiracy", are allegedly trying to create an impression that they would be forging an alliance with the BSP.

"In the electoral alli-

Our response to China was strong, firm: EAM

Chennai (ANI): EAM S Jaishankar highlighted India’s ‘strong and firm’ counter-response to China, which tried to unilaterally change the status quo on the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in May 2020, amid the Covid-19 pandemic, and more recently in the Tawang sector of Arunachal Pradesh in December, last year.

The External Affairs minister said, “On the Northern borders, China is seeking to change

the status quo by bringing large forces, violating our agreements.

Despite Covid, remem-

ber, this happened in May 2020. Our counterresponse was strong and firm.” He said the

Indian forces deployed along the border were continuing to safeguard the frontiers in the most

extreme and harshest weather conditions.

“These troops deployed in thousands, safeguard our frontiers in the most extreme terrain and harshest weather,” he added.

Expanding on why India mattered more to the world now, Jaishankar said the world saw in India’s response to China that it is “a nation that will not be coerced and will do what it takes to ensure its national security”.

ance made one or two times at the state level in UP and other states, barring Punjab, their votes (allies) have not been transferred to us, due to which the BSP has incurred loss," she said.

"Hence, our party has decided to contest the assembly polls and Lok Sabha polls on its own," she said.

‘BJP

LIED, GANGA VILAS-LIKE CRUISE SERVICE BEEN THERE FOR 17 YEARS’

New Delhi: Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav recently said that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is making false claims about the luxury river cruise MV Ganga Vilas. He said that he has been told that such a service has been running for a very long time. It has been in existence for the past 17 years. Talking to the media while attending the death anniversary of party leader Manoj Kumar Pandey’s mother, he said, “This water cruise has been running for many years, this is not new. Someone has informed me that it has been running for 17 years and only some parts have been added to it, and they are saying that they have started it.” “The BJP people are far ahead in telling lies and doing publicity. It has also been heard that...it also has a bar,” said Yadav, further adding, only BJP peo ple can tell whether there is a bar on the cruise or not.

BJP govts never imposed any ban on media houses: Rajnath Singh

New Delhi (PTI): Defence Minister and senior BJP leader Rajnath Singh on Sunday said those alleging violation of press freedom forget that the governments of his party had "never imposed any ban" on any media organisation, "nor curtailed" anyone's right to free speech. The Congress government had amended the Constitution to curb free speech, he said referring to the amendment of Article 19 in 1951.

Singh also said a de-

bate has again started in the country regarding freedom of expression.

"The interesting thing

is that those who allege a violation of media freedom today forget that whether it is Atalji's (former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee) government or Modi ji's government, they never imposed any ban on any media house, nor curtailed anyone's right to free speech & expression in any manner," he said.

Hitting out at Congress, he said the entire history of the grand old party is "replete with incidents of violation of all kinds of freedoms".

Prime Minister Narendra Modi flags off the Vande Bharat train connecting Secunderabad to Vishakapatnam, via video conferencing, on Sunday. —PHOTO BY ANI

Union Home Minister Amit Shah inaugurates scouts and guide residence, in Ahmedabad, Sunday. —PHOTO BY PTI

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar at the Tughlaq's 53rd Annual Day Function.

—PHOTO BY ANI

PM MODI’S ROADSHOW IN DELHI

Bahujan Samaj Party chief Mayawati addresses a press conference, at the party office, in Lucknow on Sunday. —PHOTO BY ANI

Rajnath Singh during the ‘Baat Bharat Ki’ programme, at The Ashok Hotel, in New Delhi on Sunday —PHOTO BY ANI

Tushar Gandhi

THE MATTER OF NATIONAL SECURITY

The External Affairs minister Jaishankar also said that the world saw through India’s response that it won’t be coerced and will do what needs to be done to ensure national security.

—Representational Image

‘Battle Squads’ to be converted into ‘Integrated Battle Groups’

Bengaluru (ANI): Chief of Army Staff (CoAS) General Manoj Pande on Sunday announced to convert the “Battle Squads” into “Integrated Battle Groups” in an effort towards structuring and optimization of the force.

General Pande made the announcement while speaking at the 75th Army Day event organised here at Govindaswami Drill Square ground.

“In an effort towards force structuring and optimization, we are planning to convert our Battle Squads into Integrated Battle Groups, which will contribute effectively to the battlefield of the future,” Pande said.

He further said that “old establishments and units are being disbanded, or are being revamped with suitable changes.”

To make the “teethto-tail” ratio effective with modernization and technological infusion, Pande said, “the Army will be rightsized so that human resource or manpower can be used properly”.

“Our aim will be to move from a manpower-intensive to a technologically driven Army,” said the Army chief, adding “our primary focus will be our soldiers, who will be fully prepared and equipped to face the challenges of the future.”

Bengaluru (ANI): Pande on Sunday said that the counterinfiltration grid of the Indian Army is continuously foiling the infiltrations at the Line of Control (LoC) in western border areas.Addressing the 75th Army Day event at the Govindaswamy parade ground in Bengaluru, the Army Chief said that the ceasefire violations have been brought down. “Ceasefire continues at LoC in western border areas and ceasefire violations have been brought down. But across the border, terror infrastructure still remains. Our counterinfiltration grid is continuously foiling the infiltration from there,” the Army chief said in his address. He also acknowledged the attempts being made to smuggle weapons and drugs drones in the ary sector areas of the country.

CRUCIAL READ

Pune: Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) MP Supriya Sule’s saree accidentally caught fi re during an event in Maharashtra’s Pune on Sunday. In a statement, Sule later confi rmed that she is safe and there was no reason to worry. The Baramati MP was at an event in Hinjawadi to inaugurate a karate competition when her saree caught fi re while she was garlanding a small statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. A video of the incident that went viral shows the NCP leader’s saree accidentally touching a lamp kept on a table while she garlanded the statute.

RLYS OFFICER HELD IN RS 50 LAKH

CORRUPTION CASE

New Delhi: The CBI has arrested an Additional Divisional Railway Manager posted in Guwahati in an alleged bribery case of Rs 50 lakh, officials said on Sunday. A 1997-batch Indian Railways Service officer Jitender Pal Singh was arrested along with a person identified as Hari Om while allegedly demanding and accepting the bribe, they said.

Lucknow: Former MLA from Haidergarh assembly seat and senior BJP leader Sunderlal Dixit died on Saturday after falling down the stairs at his home. The 80-yearold suffered a serious head injury during the fall and was rushed to Lohia Hospital in Lucknow where doctors declared him dead, family sources said on Sunday. Sunderlal Dixit was elected thrice from Haidergarh constituency.

MEMBER OF GOLDY BRAR GANG ARRESTED IN HIMACHAL PRADESH

Chandigarh: The Punjab Police on Sunday said it has arrested an active member of the Goldy Brar gang from Himachal Pradesh. Director General of Police Gaurav Yadav said Inderpreet Singh alias Parry was facing several murder cases in Punjab and Haryana. He was involved in a dozen cases of murder, including the killing of Pardeep Singh in Faridkot. “State Special Operations Cell @PunjabpoliceInd has arrested Inderpreet Singh @ Parry, operative of Gangster Goldy Brar from #HimachalPradesh,” said Mr Yadav in a tweet.

‘PRECAUTIONS TAKEN TO ENSURE SMOOTH R-DAY CELEBRATIONS’

A robust security grid is in place and adequate precautions have been taken to ensure smooth and joyous celebrations of the Republic Day in Jammu and Kashmir on January 26, a senior Army officer said on Sunday. “Things are under control. It (Republic Day) comes every year…. We take adequate precautions and are prepared both from the operational point of view as well as from the logistics point of view,” General Officer Commanding of the Army’s 19 Infantry Division, Major General Ajay Chandpuria, told reporters. He said a robust security grid has been put in place and all arrangements, coordination and synergy with the stakeholders are being ensured. Maj Gen Chandpuria said the situation in north Kashmir is nearly normal.

Rahul’s Yatra garners support in J&K region

New Delhi: The buzz created by Rahul Gandhi’s long march across India’s length, whose last leg through Jammu and Kashmir is about to begin, has ensured that it is going to have an impressive start right at the entrance to the Union Territory, from neighbouring Punjab.

Veteran politicians like former Chief Minister Dr Farooq Abdullah and former minister Choudhary Lal Singh have already announced that they will join Rahul Gandhi in his Bharat Jodo Yatra at Lakhanpur next week.

Congress leaders have informed the Yatra will reach Lakhanpur in the evening on January 19, and after a night halt there, will proceed from Kathua’s Hatli Morh next morning, they added.

Delhi to witness intense cold wave

New Delhi: The weather office has predicted a return of the cold wave over many places in Delhi-NCR between Monday and Wednesday.

The minimum temperature is expected to settle around 3 degrees celsius. Dense to very dense fog is very likely in some parts during night and morning hours over Punjab, Haryana, Delhi and Uttar Pradesh during the next 5 days.

The weather bureau said minimum temperatures are likely to fall further by about 2 degrees celsius over many parts of northwest and central India till January 17-18.

J&K: AVALANCHES HIT SEVERAL PARTS

New Delhi: Three avalanches hit Ganderbal and Bandipora districts of Jammu and Kashmir, but there was no loss of life, officials said. They said avalanche warnings have been issued for 12 districts of the Union Territory following moderate to heavy snowfall. Two simultaneous avalanches hit the Sarbal area of Sonamarg, in central Kashmir’s Ganderbal district, while another hit Gurez, in north Kashmir’s Bandipora, the officials said. The State Disaster Management Authority issued a ‘high danger’ avalanche warning for various districts.

MASTERCLASS PERFORMANCE

CONGRESS MP WHO DIED DURING YATRA CREMATED IN NATIVE VILLAGE

Chandigarh: Congress MP Santokh Singh Chaudhary, who died after suffering a cardiac arrest during the Bharat Jodo Yatra, cremated at his native Dhaliwal village in Jalandhar on Sunday. The 76-year-old two-time MP died on Saturday in Punjab’s Phillaur. The yatra was suspended for 24 hours following his death. Many political bigwigs including Cong leader Rahul Gandhi attended the last rites of party MP Santokh Singh Chaudhary. Wreaths were laid by Rahul Gandhi, ex-CM Charanjit Channi, PPCC chief Amarinder S Raja Warring and LoP Partap Bajwa.

New Delhi (PTI): Former Congress leader and Rajya Sabha MP Kapil Sibal on Sunday hailed the Bharat Jodo Yatra, saying that Rahul Gandhi has been able to bring together disparate elements of the society and made them realise how important it is to ensure unity in the country. Sibal, who had quit the Congress last year, said the party’s Kanyakumari to Kashmir Yatra “optically” seems to have succeeded and gotten the support of non-Con-

gress elements as well. Sibal said conceptually the Yatra is a “wonderful idea”. “I think that he (Rahul), made them realise how important it is to ensure unity in our country & that respect for diversity is at the heart of our nation moving forward,” the former Union minister said.

Encounter breaks out in J&K’s Budgam

New Delhi: An encounter broke out between security forces and terrorists in the Budgam district of Jammu on Sunday following a search operation in the region. Security forces had launched a cordon & search operation based on specific input about the presence of terrorists in the Redbugh area of Magam in the central Kashmir.

The official noted that the search operation turned into an encounter after terrorists fired upon a search party of the forces that caused retaliation.

Kohli, Siraj power India to monster ODI win

Thiruvananthapuram

(ANI): Team India became the first-ever team in ODI cricket to register a win by 300 runs or more, becoming the team with the biggest victory margin in terms of runs in the history of 50-over format on Sunday.

The Men in Blue accomplished this during their third and final ODI against Sri Lanka at Thiruvananthapuram.

Centuries from Virat Kohli (166*) and opener

Gill (116)

ered India to 390/5 in their 50 overs. In their

brutal powerplay spell. The visitors were bundled out for 73 runs and India won the match by 317 runs.

Previously, the biggest win by runs in ODI

fi

Shubman

pow-

chase of 391, Lanka did not put up even an inch of fight and the match

appeared to be over after Mohammed Siraj (4/32) delivered a

Chief of Army Staff General Manoj Pande reviews the parade during the 75th Army Day Parade, at Parade Ground, MEG & Centre, in Bengaluru on Sunday. —PHOTO BY ANI

Army personnel of motorcycle team ‘Tornadoes’ perform a daredevil stunt at MEG Centre, in Bengaluru on Sunday.

Balkaur Singh, father of late Punjabi singer Sidhu Moose Wala, walked with Rahul Gandhi during Bharat Jodo Yatra’s Punjab led in Jalandhar on Sunday.

‘RAHUL MADE PEOPLE REALISE HOW IMPORTANT UNITY IS FOR COUNTRY’

NCP MP SUPRIYA SULE’S SAREE CATCHES FIRE DURING PUNE PROGRAMME

New Delhi: The Indian run-machine slammed yet another century in the third and

nal ODI against Sri Lanka on Sunday. This was third hundred in his last four innings and 46th in the ODIs, just three away to equal Sachin Tendulkar’s all-time record of

FORMER UP MLA SUNDERLAL DIXIT DIES AT 80

CENTURION KOHLI GOES PAST SACHIN TENDULKAR

‘Perpetrators

will pay heavy price’ Jammu (PTI): J&K Lt Governor Manoj Sinha on Sunday said the perpetrators responsible for the recent terror attack on a village in Rajouri district will have to pay a heavy price for their heinous action.

Vehicles commute on the snow-covered Srinagar-Jammu Highway amid the cold winter, in Srinagar. —PHOTO BY ANI

CEASEFIRE VIOLATIONS BROUGHT DOWN ACROSS LOC: ARMY CHIEF

BIDEN DECLARES EMERGENCY IN CALIFORNIA

Indian players with trophy pose for photographs after winning the 3rd ODI match against Sri Lanka, at Greenfield Stadium, in Thiruvananthapuram, Sunday. —PHOTO BY ANI

BRIEFS

Amendments to comp law likely in Budget

New Delhi (PTI): The government is expected to propose amendments to the competition law after taking into consideration various suggestions of a Parliamentary panel, in the upcoming Budget session of Parliament, according to a senior official.

New Delhi: Rakesh Kumar Jain has taken over as the chairman of Indraprastha Gas Ltd, the firm that retails CNG to automobiles and piped natural gas to household kitchens in the national capital region and neighbouring towns. Jain, who is Director (Finance) at state gas utility GAIL (India) Ltd, took over as the company chairman on January 14, IGL said in a regulatory filing. IGL is a joint venture of GAIL and Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd (BPCL), and they hold 22.5 per cent stake each. —PTI

Besides, discussions are going on with respect to amendments to the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC) as well as the Companies Act, 2013.

The official also said that the corporate affairs ministry is examining a Parliamentary panel’s suggestions on having a new digital competition law.

The ministry is implementing the Competition Act, IBC and the Companies Act, and amendments to these laws are expected this year.

Domestic automobile ind scaling up efforts

A bill to amend the competition law was introduced in Parliament on August 5 last year and was later referred to the Parliamentary Standing

CII Business Confidence Index rebounds sharply to two-year high

New Delhi: Foreign investors offloaded around Rs15,000 crore worth of Indian equities in the first two weeks of January amid risks of Covid in some parts of the world and recession worries in US. Foreign portfolio investors (FPIs) have been adopting a cautious stance towards Indian equity markets for the past few weeks. As per data with the depositories, FPIs have made a net withdrawal of Rs15,068 crore from the Indian equity markets during January 2-13. —PTI

MCAP OF 7 MOST VALUED FIRMS JUMP OVER `1 LAKH CRORE

New Delhi (PTI): The domestic automobile industry is scaling up efforts to enhance localisation of electronic components in order to curtail dependence on other countries, especially China, as per auto component industry body President Sunjay Kapur.

In an interaction with PTI, Kapur noted that the Automotive Component Manufacturers Association of India (ACMA), Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM) and the Ministry of Heavy Industries are working together to achieve the target of localisation especially in electronics.

INDUSTRY BODY PRESIDENT SAYS

z There lies a great opportunity for the auto component industry with the big push towards electrification

z With growth in consumption of electric vehicles, the industry is witnessing fast transformation of the auto components sector

tion of the auto components sector to be an integral part of the electric vehicle manufacturing supply chain.

The component industry is making steady investments and acquiring technology companies.

New Delhi (PTI): The latest CII Business Confidence Index for the October-December quarter rebounded to its highest reading in almost two years of 67.6 from 62.2 in the previous quarter, reflecting optimism around India being in a ‘sweet spot’ despite the rising global uncertainties, the industry body said on Sunday.

The sharp improvement in the value of the index was buttressed by subsiding of concerns around the impending recession and its impact on the Indian economy, CII stated. The Index is based on the findings of a survey of over 120 firms of varying sizes and across all industry sectors and regions of the country.

However, a majority (70 per cent) of the survey respondents feel that the Indian economy will expand in a range of 6.5 per cent to 7.5 per cent in the current financial year ending March from 8.7 per cent in the last fiscal.

THE ACT IMPLEMENTATION

z Official said that corporate affairs ministry is examining a Parliamentary panel’s suggestions on having a new digital competition law

z The ministry is implementing the Competition Act, IBC and the Companies Act, and amendments to these laws are expected this year

Committee on Finance.

The panel tabled its report on December 13 last year and the ministry will now be coming up with an amendment bill after tak -

ing into consideration various recommendations of the committee.

The senior official said the bill to amend the competition law is expected in the Budget session of Parliament.

The introduction of a ‘Settlement and Commitment framework to reduce litigations’ and incentivising parties in an ongoing cartel investigation in terms of lesser penalty to disclose information regarding other cartels were among the proposals in the bill that was introduced in August last year.

In its report, the Parliamentary panel recom-

mended various changes to the bill to amend the competition law, including bringing cartels under the scope of settlements as a “pragmatic recourse”.

The Budget session of Parliament will commence from January 31 with President Droupadi Murmu’s address to the joint sitting of Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha.

The session will have 27 sittings and will continue till April 6 with a monthlong recess to examine the budget papers. The first part of the session will conclude on February 14 and after a break, reconvene on March 12.

Coal India should aim at providing power to nation at ‘just price’: Chief

New Delhi (PTI): Stateowned CIL chief Pramod Agrawal has said that the coal behemoth should aim at providing electricity to the county at “just price” as 80 per cent of the company’s supplies is directed towards coal-based power plants.

Coal India (CIL) accounts for over 80 per cent of domestic coal supply and three quarters of the country’s power generation is coal-based.

In a recent message to its employees, Agrawal who is the chairman and managing director of CIL said that “our role is to supply assured energy at affordable costs”. Stating that as

there is a sizeable scope for energy expansion in the country for the next few decades, he said that the company has a greater responsibility to shoulder.

“Aim for even loftier heights in the last quarter of the financial year and make FY23 momentous by

‘Qtr earnings, inflation data major factors to drive trends’

shattering the annual targets as well. And, not rest there. Once we achieve 700 MT production target that should be a benchmark base for further growth,” he said.

Agrawal asked the employees to make a concerted effort in meeting the country’s energy and developmental goals with unrelenting commitment.

“All the three performance parameters -- production of 479 MTs (million tonnes), supplies of 508 MTs and OBR of 1,155 M, Cu.M, till December, were ahead of the respective progressive targets,” the message said.

GST not payable for promoting RuPay card, says Ministry

New Delhi: The combined market valuation of seven of the top-10 most valued firms jumped `1,07,224. 82 crore last week, with IT majors Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) and Infosys emerging as the biggest gainers. Last week, the 30-share BSE Sensex climbed 360.81 points or 0.60 per cent. While TCS, HDFC Bank, Infosys, Hindustan Unilever, ICICI Bank, HDFC and Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) were the gainers, Reliance Industries Limited, State Bank of India and Bharti Airtel faced erosion from their market valuation. —PTI

GOVT EXTENDS

TENURE OF BOB MD

He noted that there lies a great opportunity for the auto component industry with the big push towards electrification.

With growth in consumption of electric vehicles, the industry is witnessing fast transforma-

“We will have to keep localising...We as an industry are very fortunate that we can work with the electronics industry as well.

Together with combined forces, we can look at scale for localisation efforts and that is something that we have to do,” Kapur stated.

New Delhi (PTI): WPI inflation data, the ongoing quarterly earnings and foreign fund trading activity would largely dictate terms in the equity market this week, analysts said. Global trends and Brent crude oil movement are also crucial factors to watch out for, they added.

“The Q3 season has begun with big IT names and this week we will react to earnings of some major names, including HDFC Bank, IndusInd Bank,

Asian Paints, JSW Steel and HUL.

“On the global front, the US market will remain shut on Monday on account of Martin Luther King Jr Day. However, we will have lots of macro numbers from the US, Europe and China. Apart from this, movement in crude oil prices, US bond yields and the dollar index will be other important factors,” said Santosh Meena, Head of Research, Swastika Investmart Ltd.

OTHER STORIES

New Delhi (PTI): Incentives paid by the government to banks for promoting RuPay debit cards and low-value BHIM-UPI transactions will not attract Goods and Service Tax (GST), the Finance Ministry said.

Last week the Cabinet cleared a Rs2,600-crore incentive scheme for banks to promote RuPay debit cards and low-value BHIM-UPI transactions in the current fiscal.

‘Devt gathered momentum post lockdowns’

New Delhi (PTI): Real estate developers increased the pace of construction during 2022 with 4.02 lakh housing units getting completed across seven major cities as compared to 2.79 lakh homes in the previous year, according to Anarock.

The construction works were affected during 2020 and 2021 calendar years because of lockdowns to control the COVID-19 pandemic.

units was highest since 2017. About 4.02 lakh homes were completed in 2022 across the seven cities, a 44 per cent increase from 2021 level when around 2.79 lakh homes got completed.

Of the total completed homes in 2022, the highest were in Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR) at 1,26,720 units, almost 80 per

combined witnessed completion of 81,580 units last year against 63,870 units in 2021.

As many as 23,190 units got completed in Kolkata during 2022 calendar year as against 11,620 units in 2021.

Anarock Chairman Anuj Puri said, “2022 was a watershed year for the Indian housing sector, with sales

5.44 lakh units are scheduled to be completed across these seven cities in 2023, he added.

“Construction activity will hopefully remain least impacted even if the pandemic resurfaces, so most completions in 2023 may be as per schedule. Certainly, developers are committed to completing previously launched projects before launching new ones,” Puri

New Delhi: The government has extended the tenure of managing director (MD) and CEO of Bank of Baroda (BoB) Sanjiv Chadha for about five months till June 30. The order dated January 14, 2023 comes ahead of his three-year tenure that ends on January 19. The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) has approved the proposal of the Department of Financial Services for extending the term of Chadha till June 30, 2023, sources said. —PTI

Real estate consultant Anarock, one of the leading housing brokerage firms, tracks primary (fresh sale) residential markets of seven major cities namely Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR), Delhi-NCR, Pune, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Chennai and Kolkata. It compiles data of sales, new launches, prices and construction status of projects.

As per the Anarock data, the completion of housing

FPIS WITHDRAW `15K CR FROM EQUITIES IN 2 WEEKS OF JANUARY

SANJIV CHADHA

RAKESH KUMAR JAIN TAKES OVER AS CHAIRMAN OF IGL

CHINTAN SHIVIR TODAY; CM TO TRACK BUDGET PROMISES

Ministers of all departments will present four-year progress reports before Chief Minister Gehlot

Jaipur: Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot will review the implementation of budget announcements and performance of all departments at a Chintan Shivir which will be organised at Harish Chandra Mathur Rajasthan Institute of Public Administration in Jaipur from Monday.

Ministers of all the departments will present the progress report of their departments’ four-year works, budget announcements, public manifesto, campaigns, implementation of innovations and other works before Gehlot.

In different sessions, discussions will be held

regarding the improvement in the present works as well as the proposed works for the coming year.

A cabinet meeting will be held at 10 am on the first day on Monday. After the cabinet meeting, detailed in -

formation about the outline of the camp will be given by Chief Secretary Usha Sharma following which Ministers Parsadi Lal, BD Kalla, Rajendra Singh Yadav and Subhash Garg will present the progress report.

Civil Service Exam: Raj becomes top IAS churner State, UP 2nd

Jaipur (PTI): With 24 of the 180 students selected in the IAS in the Civil Service Examination (CSE-21) hailing from Rajasthan, the state has now edged out Uttar Pradesh to churn out the highest number of civil servants.

Experts attribute the state’s good performance to the excellent coaching resources and rising awareness among the youth to appear for the examination.

According to the fig-

ures of the Department of Personnel and Training, in the past four years, Rajasthan has given 84 IAS officers and the year-on-year graph is on a continuous rise in the last three years.

A total of 16 candidates having domicile in Rajasthan state were selected in the civil service examination, 2019 conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC).

CM approves `1,377cr for animal shelters in 1,500 gram panchayats

Jaipur: Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot has given consent to the public participation scheme in the village panchayats for gaushala/animal shelter and approved Rs 1,377 crore for construction and operation in 1,500 gram panchayats in the first phase of the scheme.

Under the scheme, in gram panchayats where a competent executive agency (Gram Panchayat/Voluntary organization) will be available to run gaushalas/animal shelters, construction

will be on priority. An amount of up to Rs one crore will be used.

Under this, construction will be in 200 gram panchayats in 2022-23 and 1300 in 2023-24. In this, the state government will bear 90 percent and the executive agency will bear 10 percent. Rs 183.60 crore will be utilised in 2022-23 and Rs 1193.40 crore in 2023-24.

Youth Cong elections: Gen Secy seat reserved for transgender

First India Bureau

Jaipur: In the Youth Congress elections to be held in Rajasthan, a reserved seat has been kept for transgenders for the post of general secretary. For the first time in the political history of Rajasthan, a seat has been kept for a transgender in any party. Recently, Youth Congress elections have been announced in Rajasthan. In these elections, the Congress has increased the num-

ber of general secretaries in the organisation from 10 to 45. For the first time so many general secretaries will be elected.

Out of these 45 general secretaries of Youth Congress, 14 seats will be open. Apart from this, one seat will be reserved for transgender and one seat will be reserved for a handicapped. Eleven seats have been reserved for women. Besides, there will be two seats for SC-ST women.

CM Gehlot’s OPS vision being replicated in other States

First India Bureau

Jaipur: The vision of Rajasthan CM Ashok Gehlot is being implemented in other states ruled by the Congress.

Gehlot first played masterstroke in Rajasthan by reviving the OPS for state government employees. Rahul Gandhi, in a tweet, said that OPS has been implemented in Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh and Himachal Pradesh.

“Congress government fulfilled its promise without delay. A committee was formed to implement ‘Har Ghar Laxmi’ scheme in Himachal to provide Rs 1500 per month to women. All this shows that Congress means trust’ Rahul has given example of OPS and praised Gehlot’s vision on many occasions.

RCA officials meet CM

Gehlot at CMR

Naresh Sharma

Jaipur: The newly elected executive committee of Rajasthan Cricket Association and office bearers of District Cricket Associations met Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot under the leadership of RCA President Vaibhav Gehlot at CMR on Sunday.

CM Gehlot congratulated the newly elected office bearers and also organised lunch for them.

Chief Patron of

RCA and Assembly Speaker Dr CP Joshi was also present. CM Gehlot discussed the development of cricket in the state with the district officials. RCA officials thanked him for allotment of land for stadium in Jaipur and renovation of Jodhpur stadium.

Those district officers were also present in this meeting who were earlier in the Lalit Modi group, but this time Vaibhav Gehlot was made them elect president unopposed.

CM asks Collectors, Mins to hold ‘night chaupals’ twice a month

First India Bureau

Jaipur: To ensure good governance in State, CM Ashok Gehlot has instructed all Collectors & Ministers to organise public hearings and night chaupals twice a month. A detailed outline in this regard will be given to them in the Chintan Shivir to be held at OTS (Jaipur) on Jan 16-17.

Sources say that this is aimed at tightening the administrative ma-

First India Bureau

Jaipur: RANA President and Jaipur Foot Chairman Prem Bhandari, who arrived in Jaipur, discussed issues related to NRIs with UDH Minister Shanti Dhariwal and invited him for Holi milan ceremony to be held in USA. He expressed gratitude to the Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the 17th Pravasi Bhartiya Sammelan held in Indore.

Bhandari thanked First India for raising

the issues of NRIs and said that events like the one in Indore will prove to be milestones to help us remain connected with our motherland.

Bhandari said that in 2009, RANA gave a grand welcome to Dhariwal in California and in the history till date, the only minister from Rajasthan, Shanti Dhariwal, has been awarded the “Rajasthan Ratna Award”. Dhariwal said that he will prepare a program for the Holi meet and will help solve NRIs’ problems.

First India Bureau

Jaipur: Father of Adarsh Nagar MLA Rafeek Khan, Chotu Khan, passed away on

Sunday. He was 84. Chotu Khan was admitted to SMS Hospital 20 days ago for treatment, but could not recover. He breathed last at 2:30 pm

on Sunday while his family buried his remains at Nahri Ka Naka cemetery. Dr Jagdeesh Chandra paid the visit and consoled

Khan and his family. Ministers Pratap Singh Khachariyawas, Mahesh Joshi and others also paid tributes to Khan’s father.

to maintain peace, harmony in country’

Jaipur: Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot said on Sunday that it is necessary to maintain an atmosphere of peace and harmony in the country. This paves the way for development. He said that late Rajiv Gandhi had dreamed of taking the country into the 21st century through communication revolution, which is being realised today and elec-

tronic media has expanded on a large scale.

Gehlot was addressing the launching cere-

mony of the news channel ‘Sach Bedhadak’ on Sunday. He hoped that the channel would play

an important role in the field of social concern. During the programme, a film based on the pub-

lic welfare schemes of the state government was screened.

Assembly Speaker Dr

CP Joshi, Ministers Dr Mahesh Joshi, Bhajanlal Jatav, Subhash Garg, Lal Chand Kataria, RTDC Chairman Dharmendra Rathore, Mahendra Chaudhary, Pukhraj Parashar, Rajiv Arora, Kalicharan Saraf, Pawan Arora, Dr Somya, IPS Dinesh MN, Justice Pankaj Bhandari, and Founder-Group Editor of Sach Bedhadak Media Vinayak Sharma were present.

Earlier the Collectors organised night choupals regularly, but for some reason this could not be done in the last one or two years. Now, they will start it again.

—Dr Subhash Garg, MoS Night Chaupal held in Sikar district. —FILE PHOTO

chinery as well as gathering political feedback about govt’s performance. Theme of Chintan Shivir is ‘Good Governance, wherein, Mins

will have to give presentations about work done on budget announcements & manifesto promises & time to complete pending tasks.

IPS transfers likely post assembly session

First India Bureau

Jaipur: The transfer list of IPS officers was finally put on hold. The names of several senior IPS officers are there in the list which will now be issued after the State assembly session. There was a lot of buzz in the police department regarding the transfer list. In December last year, the State Department of Personnel (DoP) had promoted 100 officers of the IAS, IPS, and IFS ranks.

Vaishya community...

The CM was addressing the International Vaishya Mahasammelan organized at Birla Auditorium in Jaipur on Sunday. He said that today the people of the community are settled in every corner of India.

“The industrial houses that came out of Rajasthan have made their own identity in the country and the world. These industrialists have continuously maintained their association with their native areas and have worked for its pro-

gress,” he said. Gehlot said that during the Corona epidemic, the best corona management took place in the state. With the resolution that no one sleeps hungry, food and other arrangements were made available for the needy with the help of social workers. In this, the Vaishya community also went ahead and did a remarkable job.

Former Jaipur Mayor Jyoti Khandelwal, Sanganer MLA Ashok Lahoty, and people of the community were present in the programme.

First India Bureau

First India Bureau

First India Bureau

‘Necessary

Rafeek Khan’s father passes away at 84

CM Gehlot, Subhash Garg, Pukhraj Parashar, Bhajanlal Jatav, Kalicharan Saraf, Mahendra Choudhary, Dr CP Joshi, Vinayak Sharma & wife, Dharmendra Rathore, Rajeev Arora at the launch event.

Vinayak Sharma with Pawan Arora at the launch on Sunday.

CM Ashok Gehlot, CP Joshi, Mahesh Joshi, Dharmendra Rathore, Usha Sharma, Gayatri Rathore and others at Hawa Mahal Festival. —PHOTO BY MUKESH KIRADOO

CM Ashok Gehlot with CP Joshi, Vaibhav Gehlot, GS Sandhu and others at CMR on Sunday.

Minister Pratap Singh Khachariyawas and others visit MLA Rafeek Khan’s residence to pay tributes to his late father.

Dr Jagdeesh Chandra consoles MLA Rafeek Khan after his father’s demise on Sunday. —PHOTO BY SUNIL SHARMA

Jaipur: The sudden transfer of IPS officer Vishnu Kant has become a topic of discussion in the police force. Sources said that an audio is the reason for the instant transfer of Vishnu Kant, who is a senior IPS officer of 2005 batch. He was posted in the Anti Corruption Bureau for the last two and a half years. Now he was given a marginal posting in civil defence.

IPS VISHNU

FASHION THAT REFLECTS YOU!

MRIDULA SHARMA cityfirst@firstindia.co.in

CLOTHING STYLE. CITY FIRST GIVES

SOME INSIGHTS INTO THIS BREATHTAKING ARTISTRY OF MIRROR WORK FASHION

Mirrors have always been used to depict India’s stunning scenery and natural beauty. It has been a favorite in most millennial’ wardrobes due to its ageless appeal and adaptability. Mirror work, also known as sheesha and abhala bharat embroidery, is a kind of hand embroidery that entails sewing tiny mirror bits to cloth.

Mirror craftsmanship originated in Persia in the 13th century and traveled to India during the Mughal dynasty. The usage of mirrors and the art of mirror work come from traditional Islamic beliefs; mirrors assist to ward off ill luck and evil spirits by trapping or blinding the evil eye. Hinduism and Jainism adopted the religious practices, and shisha torans were placed on the entrance door to fend off bad spirits in these religions.

Mirror work also has a lovely heritage feel to it; this is something that may inspire you. It can be passed down through generations.

Different embroidery designs, colors, and silhouettes can be used with mirror work.

Dresses that have reflective mirror designs are more appealing. One of the best things about mirror work is that it can be created to meet the demands of the customer and look fantastic. Wear it traditional or western you can don both the look without putting in additional effort. If you wish to be the highlight of any event then a mirror dress will do the best for you.

Simply wear your Gold mirror dress and go for the natural makeup with a highlighter to get that glowy look. Wear simple metallic gold silhouettes to complete the look.

WHENEVER YOU FEEL A BIT DULL, JUST ADD SOME SPARKLE TO YOUR

YOU

UTTKARSHA SHEKHAR uttkarsha.shekhar@firstindia.co.in

estivals mark the spirit of joy and celebration, they have direct and indirect impacts on people through the opportunities they provide for; participation, skills development and volunteering, one such hazardous effect of a Makar Sankranti festival was seen on Saturday.

Kite flying has always been part of the celebrations in North and Western India. However, with a rising number of kites in the air and a sharperthan-ever competitive edge in kite-fighting, what was meant to be a celebration of nature’s rebirth has transformed these locations into killing grounds for their local and migratory bird populations.

The increasing usage of glass-coated, especially nonbiodegradable ‘Chinese’ manjha (kite string) composed of metallic/nylon yarn with an abrasive layer of broken glass bonded over it, has exacerbated the situation. Birds cannot see this tiny string while flying, and thousands of them become entangled and are maimed or killed each year during the event. After the kite flying is done, coils of this sharp manjha are seen hanging from trees and lampposts, posing a menace to both birds and humans.

Over the last few years, the Wildlife Trust of India (WTI) has been collaborating with government authorities and local NGOs to solve this issue.

This year’s Makar Sankranti festivities included a continuous awareness campaign in conjunction with the youthbased organisation Raksha to educate people in and around Jaipur about the long-term impact of kite-fighting, particularly with Chinese manjha, on bird populations in the area.

CUT STRINGS NOT WINGS!

CITY FIRST HIGHLIGHTS SOME

AMAZING WORKS DONE BY VARIOUS BIRD RESCUERS AND NGOS!

Hope and Beyond is a social organization that is committed to conserving wildlife and is famous as Wildlife NGO in Jaipur, Rajasthan, India. Our mission is to provide greater insight and appreciation of the natural world and the ways to protect it. We help to provide a haven to all animals in the wilderness. We have a team of committed, trained, and empathetic volunteers who excel in handling and rescuing reptiles and animals of feline, canine and avian family. Hope and Beyond strives to inculcate sensitivity about the importance of wildlife fauna among masses, especially the youth, by organising awareness programs, seminars, and symposiums.

ECO RESCUERS FOUNDATION

SAAHAS FOUNDATION

Saahas Foundation is working for the conservation of animals for the last 5 years. Whether it is treatment or any problem related to food or organism. The team of organisation has worked even during the

period. Right now our NGO has set up bird medical camps at three places in Jaipur. And many birds have been rescued and treated using designated open spaces and choosing cotton thread or natural fibre can help reduce the risks of related fatalities and save numerous lives.

IT IS TERRIBLE THAT THE THREAT OF SYNTHETIC MANJHA CONTINUES DESPITE A BAN BY THE GOVERNMENT.

OF THE

RAKSHA NGO Raksha is a youth based organisation, established by a small group of individuals inspired to start a movement and make lasting change to work against cruelty towards animals, to improve the health and welfare of animals, to protect the environment. Since its launch in January 2003, Raksha has rescued close to 15,000 birds, 1200 mammals and 6000 reptiles in and around Jaipur and released them into their natural habitats. It is the only fulltime bird and mammal rescue organisation in Jaipur.

SANTOSH SHARMA AND MUKESH KIRADOO

The Delhi-based non-governmental organisation Wildlife SOS in collaboration with Eco Rescuers Foundation is conducting a free bird treatment camp in the Malviya Nagar area of Jaipur, Rajasthan. The four-day camp was set up as bird casualties during the festival of Makar Sankranti are the highest because of the use of glass-coated or ‘Chinese Manjhas’ during the kite-flying which is part of the festivities. These strings easily cut through the soft flesh of birds and cause damage to their wings and limbs. The camp which was started on January 12 was inaugurated by Rajiv Arora, Chairman of Rajasthan Small Industries Corporation is equipped with a state-of-the-art medical operation theatre, medical facilities, and transport carriers for injured birds.

Corona

HOPE AND BEYOND

Preshati

GRAND LAUNCH!

RETURN OF ROYAL POLO CUP!

CITY FIRST

In a bid to promote the sport of Polo as well as the Tourism of the State, the Rajasthan Polo Club and the Department of Tourism, the Government of Rajasthan have joined hands for the first-ever Rajasthan Tourism Polo Cup which will be held from January 16 to 22 in Jaipur. This initiative will go a long way in promoting Rajasthan as an important MICE centre as well as a destination for niche tourism. This was stated by Principal Secretary, of Tourism, Gayatri Rathore at a Press Conference at the Rajasthan Polo Club on Sunday.

Rathore further said

that this Cup will become a regular feature of the Rajasthan Tourism Calendar. With the increasing tourist footfalls in the state after

the covid-19 pandemic, it will be a great offering for tourists as well. The tournament is also coinciding with the Jaipur Literature Festi-

val and will also be an attraction for those visiting the festival.

Sharing the highlights of the Tournament, the Ambassador,

teams – Bedla Polo- Trojans Polo, Rajnigandha Achievers, Krishna Polo and Samode Polo. The finals of the cup will be played on January 22 at the Rajasthan Polo Club.

Renowned players of the country such as Padmanabh Singh (+4), and Abhimanyu Pathak (+4) as well as international players including Chris Mackenzie (+6) and Daniel Otamendi (+5) will be playing in the Tournament. Two women players – Monique van Haarst (-1) and Dr Shivangi Jai Singh (-2) will also be participating.

GREETINGS!

of the Federation of International Polo, Narendra Singh said that for this tournament there will be 2 Pools with 4 participating

Also present on the occasion were the Director, of Tourism, Rashmi Sharma and the Secretary, of Rajasthan Polo Club, Digvijay Singh Shekhawat.

WEDDING BELLS

On

BEAUTY OF DESERT

CITY FIRST

On

one better song than the other including Nimbooda and Yaar Meri. Despite the severe cold, a large number of people remained here till late evening. Education Minister Dr B.D. Kalla, Rajasthan State Other Backward Classes Finance

—PHOTO

BY SUNIL SHARMA

Jagdeesh Chandra was greeted by Prem Bhandari, Manoj Kumar Soni and Sudhir Kukkad during a courtesy meet at the former’s residence on Sunday.

achieving the target of 100 children and successful completion of one year by ‘Shaping Future’, an organisation that helps economically backward promising children for higher education, a musical event was organised at Khandelwal Girls College, Jaipur on Sunday. Chief Convener Anil Khandelwal informed that after achieving the target of 100 children of Shaping Future, as the children pass, more children will be taken and after a while, the children who pass will become donors under Shaping Future. In this way, this chain will go on and the caravan of humanity and education will move forward. He further informed that soon Shaping Future - 2 will be launched in which courses like CS, CMA and BDS will also be taken. IAS Manisha Arora, Om Dangayach, Alok Kotawala, Ramesh G Gupta and Sohan Lal Tabi were present on the occasion. This program was completed under the direction of Raj Shree.

The grand wedding reception of Namit, son of Meenakshi Bhukar and Col. Rajesh Bhukar and grandson of Gita Bhukar and Prem Singh Bhukar with Somya, daughter of Komal Matta and Ravindra Matta and granddaughter of Shakuntala Matta and Late Amarlal Matta was held at Sapt Shakti Officers Institute, Military Station, Jaipur on Friday, January 13.

Various dignitaries reached to bless the couple and wished them a happy married life ahead.

Vani Foundation and Teamwork Arts will present this year’s Vani Foundation Distinguished Translator Award at the prestigious Jaipur BookMark (JBM). The award honours those translators who have consistently and qualitatively facilitated literary and linguistic exchange between at least two Indian or international languages. This award was deemed necessary in order to actively encourage direct exchange between Indian and international languages at a time when such endeavours were few.

A day to remember, Sunday eve saw some of the most eminent names in Jaipur gathered for the grand launch of ‘NOIR Cafeteria’, a 24/ 7 cafe that took place at Jai Club, Jaipur. Jagdeesh Chandra graced the occasion as the chief guest and inaugurated the event. The place drips with luxury and glamour and offers coffee cocktails with sourdough and French pieces of bread. Youth Icon Rishee Miglani and Elite Miss Rajasthan models including Rishika, Kalpana Gupta, Khushi Vijay, Sheena Parashar and Varunavi Singh were also present on the occasion.

—PHOTOS BY SUNIL SHARMA

Sunday, the last day of the International Camel Festival, a grand cultural evening took place at the dhows of Raiser. It was started by Padma Shri Anwar Khan with the song ‘Dharti Dhora Ri’ and the tourists present there cheered. He presented

and Development Commission Chairman Pawan Godara, Inspector Gen-

eral of Police Omprakash, District Collector Bhagwati Prasad Kalal, Additional District Collector (Administration) Omprakash, Treasurer of Rajasthani Language, Literature and Culture Academy Rajendra Joshi, Maharaja Ganga Singh University Deputy Registrar Dr Bitthal Bissa, Yashpal Gehlot and many others were present. Famous folk singer Usha Sharma presented the songs. Earlier, in the presence of Mahant Mohan Nath Siddha of Katariasar Dham of the Jasnath sect, performed a fire dance on flaming embers. On the occasion of Deepawali, an excellent presentation of the Bannati game to be held in Barahguwad was given.

DURING THE DAY!

AR Rahaman won the Best Music Award for the film Iravin Nizhal directed by R Parthiban at JIFF 2023 in JIFF INDIAN PANORAMA.

The music was directed by Didi Trone and AR Rahaman.

Payal Asudani, a student of Maheshwari Girls PG College, was awarded Gold Medal by Rajasthan Governor Kalraj Mishra for topping the University by securing the highest marks in her subject at the 32nd Convocation of the University of Rajasthan. Secretary of the college Dinesh Kumar Modani said that this success is the success the entire college.

The Winter Festival organised by Pinkcity Press Club was inaugurated on Sunday on the club premises. On this occasion, Club President Mukesh Meena, General Secy Raghuveer Jangid, Vice President Giriraj Gurjar and executive members inaugurated the festival. Pinkcity Press Club President Mukesh Meena, General Secretary Raghuveer Jangid, Vice President Giriraj Gurjar and Executive Members honoured Kavaljit Singh.

Jagdeesh Chandra with (L-R) Yakub Khan, Amzad and Rishee Miglani

Jagdeesh Chandra cuts the inaugural ribbon. Also seen are Rishika, Kalpana, Khushi, Sheena, Varunavi, Yakub Khan and Amzad

Rishika, Kalpana, Khushi, Sheena and Varunavi

Jagdeesh Chandra with Manoj Kumar Soni, Prem Bhandari and Sudhir Kukkad

(L-R) Col Rajesh Bhukar, newlyweds Namit & Somya and Meenakshi

Mesmerizing musical performance

Powerful Camel Race at the festival

Captivated audience

(L to R) Rashmi Sharma, Gayatri Rathore, Narendra Singh and Digvijay Singh Shekhawat at the Press Conference