First India-Jaipur Edition-16th April 2023

Congress leadership to meet each party MLA

As per the schedule, the dialogue will be held division-wise

Jaipur (PTI): Ra-

jasthan Congress Incharge Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa will hold talks with each party MLA separately next week to discuss political tussle in the party in the state.

According to a party spokesperson, Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot and state Congress president Govind Singh Dotasara will also accompany Randhawa.

The party is going to organise a one-day workshop here next week in which party functionaries and MLAs will participate.

The spokesperson here on Saturday said that Randhawa will hold ‘one-to-one’ dialogue with the Congress and its supporting MLAs. As per the schedule, the dialogue will be held division-wise.

On Monday, April 17, there will be a dialogue with the MLAs of Ajmer, Tonk, Nagaur, Bhilwara, Jodhpur, Jaisalmer, Barmer of Ajmer, and Jodhpur divisions.

Railway link up to Khatu Shyamji soon: Vaishnaw

CONG WORKSHOP TO BE HELD ON APRIL 19

Jaipur: A state-level workshop of Congress will be held on April 19 in Birla Auditorium. CM Ashok Gehlot, State In-Charge Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa, PCC President Govind Singh Dotasra, ministers, Congress MLAs, PCC, and AICC members, district presidents and other local leaders of the party will attend the workshop. Discussions will also be held on how to publicise the flagships scheme of the state government.

Dotasra inaugurates Cong OBC office

Jaipur: On Saturday, PCC Chief Govind Singh Dotasra inaugurated the OBC wing office of Congress during which a state-level OBC conference was also organized on this occasion. National President of OBC

Cell Captain Ajay Yadav was present in the program along with Rajya Sabha MP Neeraj Dangi, Deputy District Chief Mohan Dagar, and scores of leaders.

During the program, the National President

of the OBC cell Ajay Yadav said, “Where there is no support of OBC, there is no Congress government.”

Addressing the gath-

MLA Joginder Awana complains of death threats

First India Bureau Bharatpur: Nadbai

MLA Joginder Singh

First India Bureau

ering, Govind Singh Dotasra said on the issue surrounding Sachin Pilot, “There is no difference of any kind in the Congress party.

Jaipur: The Railway approved to conduct a survey to directly connect Khatu Shyamji, a major religious destination near Ringas, with the railway network for easy and safe travel of devotees. Senior DCM of Railway Rohit Malviya said that the devotees taking the train come till Ringas. Railway is working to provide rail connectivity to religious places under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Mission Heritage and Development. Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnav said that train service will start for Khatu Shyamji soon.

RU students protest after Geo paper leaked

First India Bureau

Awana has complained of getting death threats. He said that he complained several times about this but no action has been taken. A meeting was organized on Ambedkar Jayanti at Ambedkar Park in Nadbai on Friday. Awana, who left the BSP and joined the

Congress, was also present in the meeting. He raised questions about the politics of the government.

Pilot will not join BJP, says Khachariyawas

First India Bureau

Jaipur: Internal politics in Congress has intensified on the issue of Sachin Pilot. Food Minister Pratap Singh Khachariyawas has responded after Union Minister Gajendra Singh’s statement on the Pilot issue and said, “Sachin Pilot will not join BJP, I spoke to him,” Khachariyawaswas talking to the media at the conference of the Congress OBC department in Jaipur.

“There is no dispute between us. We were

together earlier also, when the government was formed. Even now we are together, so the government will be formed in the future also,” he said responding to the statement of Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat.

I had also informed the government and their higher officials that some people wanted to kill me. “I am very pained about this but I am not afraid of anyone. When I walk in Noida, I walk with a shroud on my head,” he said.

Awana had contested the elections on a BSP ticket and later extended support to the Congress government.

Ahir sammelan to be held in Jaipur today

First India Bureau

Jaipur: A huge gathering of the Ahir Community will be held in VT Road Ground of the Mansarovar area today.

The Ahir Jan Jagrati Sammelan was flagged off by the National President of Yadav Samaj Indra Yadav and the State President of Ahir Mahasabha Manju Yadav. The organisers held a press conference on Saturday & said that it is expected that nearly three to four lakh people of the Ahir Community will participate.

BJP-Congress did nothing for betterment of Muslims: Owaisi

Raj

Police Foundation Day ceremony to be held today

First India Bureau

Jaipur: The Rajasthan Police Foundation Day parade ceremony will be organised at the Rajasthan Police Academy Sunday where Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot will be the chief guest.

Various programmes are being organised at the state level as well as at the range, district, unit, training institute level. DGP Umesh Mishra said that a seminar

will be organised on the topic ‘Indian Police: Present Day Challenges and Roadmap for the Future’ at Rajasthan Police Academy Auditorium on

April 17. Dinner would also be organized at the RPA stadium at 7 pm on the 17th.

The RAC performed at Central Park on Saturday.

Jaipur: After REET, Constable, JEN in Rajasthan, the issue of paper leak of Geography in Rajasthan University has come to the fore. BA first year exam was to be conducted on Saturday and the question paper was viral on the social media minutes before the exam.

Rakesh Rao, Chief Controller of Examinations, Raj University, said, “The paper was conducted peacefully. Anti-social elements are spreading rumours about paper leak.”

RECORD MADE

PAPER LEAK SPOILS

RAJ’S IMAGE: POONIA

Deputy Leader of Opposition in the Assembly Satish Poonia said that law and order in Rajasthan has become worse. “Every recruitment exam paper is leaked. The image of Rajasthan is being tarnished due to this and the dreams of lakhs of youth is being shattered.”

First India Bureau Jaipur: AIMIM chief and Hyderabad MP Asaduddin Owaisi on Saturday released a report regarding the backwardness of the minorities, especially the Muslim community, in Rajasthan and lashed out at the BJP and the Congress. Owaisi said that the report reveals that BJP and Congress have not done any work for the betterment of Muslim society.

Talking to the media here, Owaisi said that he will hand over the report prepared on the

HISTORICAL OUTING

W-20 delegates visited Jantar Mantar & other tourist places in Jaipur on Saturday morning.

State Govt earns `1,321 cr revenue from minor minerals

Nirmal Tiwari

Jaipur: The state government has received a record revenue of Rs 1321 crore 37 lakh from five major minor minerals in the state. Additional Chief Secretary Mines and Petroleum Subodh Agarwal said that in the financial year ended March 31, 2023, compared to the year 2019-20, revenue from Masonry Stone, Marble, Granite, Sandstone and Limestone

Burning Minor Minerals has increased to Rs 400 crore.

ACS Mines said that in the recently concluded financial year, the revenue of more than Rs 7 thousand 211 crore from the mines sector and Rs 4 thousand 889 crore from the petroleum sector has been collected and more than Rs 12 thousand 100 crore from the mines and petroleum sector as a whole. A new record has been created in col-

The department is establishing new dimensions in all areas under the direction of Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot to encourage legal mining.

—Subodh Agarwal, Additional Chief Secretary, Mines & Petroleum

lecting revenue. He said that in the field of granite, compared to the revenue of 113 crore 73 lakh in the year 2019-20,

the increase has almost doubled with a revenue collection of Rs 226 crore 06 lakh in 2022-23. There has been a sig-

nificant increase in revenue receipts in all the five minor minerals.

Agarwal said that the department is establishing new dimensions in all areas under the direction of Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot to encourage legal mining and strict action is being taken against illegal mining and under the direction of Mines Minister Pramod Jain Bhaya.

Agarwal said that in 2019-20, a revenue of Rs

919 crore 41 lakh was received. After this, due to Covid, the revenue decreased to Rs 846 crore 98 lakh. He said that along with the efforts by the department to increase revenue, the monitoring system was strengthened. As a result, in the financial year ending March 31, 2023, masonry stone, marble, granite, sand stone and limestone burning mineral minerals revenue of Rs 1321 crore 37 lakh.

Asaduddin Owaisi released a report on ‘Muslims in Rajasthan’ in Jaipur on Saturday.

—PHOTO BY

condition of Muslims in the state to Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot and also to former Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje. Regarding the education of children in mad-

SHARMA

SANTOSH

rassas, Owaisi said that children study in madrassas because governments have not opened schools, and students from Muslim SC-ST and tribal drop out the most due to lack of money.

SOG recovers `19.50 lakh in paper leak case

First India Bureau

Jaipur: The SOG on Saturday recovered Rs 19.50 lakhs from the possession of Anil Kumar alias Sher Singh Meena, an accused in the senior teacher recruitment exam - 2022 paper leak case. Police said the money was recovered from the house of Sher Singh’s female friend located in Amarwasi-Bagad village of Jhunjhunu district.

“The money was recovered from a pot buried in the ground. The woman, Anita Meena, is unmarried and used to work in a bank located in C-Scheme. She was also arrested by the SOG on April 2. From where Sher Singh bought the paper in how much amount is yet to be ascertained. Also, he has not yet

disclosed his property details,” police said. Sher Singh Meena was working as Vice Principal in a government school in Bhavri village of Swaroopganj in Abu Road. He was later suspended by the education department. Shersingh Meena had earned crores of rupees in the paper leak scam. His partner business and property dealer Ramgopal Meena was also arrested on March 12.

Yogesh Sharma

Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot, Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa & Govind Singh Dotasra. —FILE PIC

Govind Singh Dotasra congratulating Harsahai Yadav on inauguration ceremony of the Congress OBC department in Jaipur on Saturday. —PHOTO BY SANTOSH SHARMA

Joginder Singh Awana

Umesh Mishra & others watching the RAC perform at Central Park on Saturday. —PHOTOS BY SANTOSH SHARMA

Dreams can’t be bigger than life: Min Rajnath to students

Referring to Kota suicides, Singh said, “If a student takes a step like suicide, then it is a failure of our society”

Ravi Sharma

Udaipur: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, while addressing as the chief guest at the convocation ceremony of Rajasthan Vidyapeeth Deemed to be University, Udaipur, said that an article by writer Thomas Friedman titled ‘Infosys vs Al Qaeda’ was published in a prestigious American newspaper.

“People wondered why there was a need to compare the two. He had written that the people working in Infosys are educated youths and in Al Qaeda also there are educated youths. Both are extremely dedicated towards their work but the biggest difference between the two is that the role of one is welfare of the society and other is destructive,” he said. He also unveiled the statue of Maharana

2008 Jaipur blast case accused file caveat in Supreme court

First India Bureau

Jaipur: After the family members of Jaipur bomb blast victims, the accused who have been acquitted in the case have also approached Supreme court and filed a caveat.

Six accused including Mohammad Salman have filed the caveat requesting the apex court to hear their side before giving any order on the petition of the victim families.

Earlier, the victim families had reached SC against the decision of Rajasthan HC to acquit the accused. The petition has challenged the decision of the Rajasthan High Court.

Cong becoming favourite party of all, says Dhariwal

relatives, teachers and friends that they should not evaluate students on the basis of exam results. Rather one should look at their hard work. Every person’s potential is different,” he said.

Singh said that before 2014, India was not heard on international forums.

Today, when India speaks, the world listens. At present, India is the 5th largest economy in the world. In the last 7 to 8 years, India has taken a leap. By 2027, it will be in the top three economies.

“Today, when India speaks, the world listens. At present, India is the 5th largest economy in the world. Before 2014, it was at 10 to 12 positions. In the last 7 to 8 years, India has taken a leap. By 2027, it will be in the top three economies.”

Singh advised the students not to be jealous of anyone. He said that today husband and wife go out to do jobs and send their parents to old age homes. “Decide for yourself what to do with such people,” he asked.

Minister Dhariwal also distributed e-shram cards to 1,250 beneficiaries

First India Bureau

Kota: UDH Minister

OVER 100 BJP WORKERS JOIN CONGRESS; INFLUENCED BY PARTY WORK: DHARIWAL

More than 100 BJP workers joined Congress and welcomed Shanti Dhariwal in the padyatra. The BJP members led by mandal president Mukesh Khangar joined the Congress. Dhariwal also welcomed them to the party. He said that the BJP workers are also influenced by the Congress works and performance, and are joining the party.

Pratap on the university campus. He said that if a person is cultured then his role will be for welfare, but if he is not cultured then his role

will be destructive.

The Defence Minister said that students are committing suicide every day in Kota. “I understand that everyone has

dreams but it can’t be bigger than your life. If a student takes a step like suicide, then it is a failure of our society. I want to tell parents,

Three of family die of food poisoning in Hanumangarh

First India Bureau

Singh and former Mewar royal family member Lakshyaraj Singh Mewar inaugurated the Department of Travel Tourism and Hotel Management on the university campus. After this both of them had dinner together.

Shanti Dhariwal on Saturday said that inflation relief camps organised by the State Government reflect the sensitivity of the Government. He said that due to development works and welfare schemes, Congress is becoming the favourite party of all. The Minister was giving information

about the camps to locals people in Saraswati colony in ward 21.

Dhariwal is continuously taking out padyatras under Hath Se Hath Jodo campaign in various areas of Kota and interacting with the people. He reached ward 21 during which people expressed gratitude to

Dhariwal for various development works done in the area. The minister interacted with the locals and told them about the inflation relief camps. He also distributed eshram cards to 1,250 beneficiaries. During this, PCC member Amit Dhariwal was also present.

Couple killed as trailer rams into bike in Shahpura

First India Bureau Jaipur: The surge in covid positive cases continued in Rajasthan with 419 people tested positive for the virus while three persons died due to infection.

Of the 419 cases, more than 100 cases have been found in Jaipur alone. This is the highest number of cases reported after August 31 last year.

Due to increasing cases of covid, the rate of infection in the state was above 13 per cent on Saturday. At the same time, the number of active patients has also increased beyond 2 thousand.

According to the report of the Medical and Health department, sample tests of 3093 suspected people were done, out of which 419 were found positive.

At the same time, deaths were reported

from Jhunjhunu, Jaipur and Alwar.

Maximum of 132 patients were found in Jaipur, 51 in Udaipur, 36 in Ajmer, 26 in Alwar, 15 in Bikaner, 31 in Dungarpur, 19 in Jodhpur, 22 in Pali and 12 in Pratapgarh.

More than 100 cases of covid have come in Jaipur after 8 months. Earlier, on August 31, 2022, 128 patients were tested positive in the state capital.

At present, the number of active cases in the state is 2,058, including 627 in Jaipur.

AIR CONNECTIVITY

Hanumangarh:

Three members of a family died in Pilibanga town of Hanumangarh district on Saturday after consuming contaminated food items.

Police informed the deceased has been identified as Krishna Lal Jat (43), his nephew Amit Kumar (22) and Harshit (9), residents of Pilibanga village.

“The victims were rushed to a local hospital after they complained of vomiting and diarrhoea. They were later taken to Hanumangarh for further treatment, but all three died during treatment,” police said.

“The deceased bodies were handed over to family members after the post-mortem.,” police added.

Post pandemic, Oman Air to resume operations from Jaipur in August

Kashiram Choudhary

Jaipur: Oman Airways will once again start its services from Jaipur International Airport in August. The flight from Jaipur to Muscat will begin on August 3.

Oman Air was operating regularly from Jaipur airport, but due to pandemic, the flights were stopped and did not resume since then.

Presently, Muscat’s second low-cost airline, Salam Air, is operating

from Jaipur Airport and Oman Air is considered a luxury airline. Salam Air will be operating from Jaipur till August 1 and Oman Air will start its operation

from August 3. Sources informed that flight number WY-273/274 will run three days a week and flight number WY-275/276 will run four days a week.

Last month, Oman Air celebrated its 30th anniversary, a journey which began in March 1993 with a single flight between the cities of Muscat and Salalah.

First India Bureau Jaipur: Heatwave-like conditions continue to prevail in Rajasthan with Sri Ganganagar district recording the highest maximum temperature of 42.1 degrees in the last 24 hours. In the rest of the State, the maximum temperature was recorded in the 39-41 degrees Celsius range. The temperature is likely to rise another 1-2 degrees in the next 48 hours.

A heat wave is declared if the maximum temperature of a station reaches at least 40 degrees Celsius in the

plains, at least 37 degrees in coastal areas and at least 30 degrees in hilly regions, and the departure from normal is at least 4.5 degrees.

According to the India Meteorological Department, a new western disturbance is likely to be active over the state on Tuesday-Wednesday.

First India Bureau Jaipur: A couple was killed after being hit by a speeding trailer in Shahpura area of Jaipur district on Saturday, police said. Police informed the deceased has been identified as Yogesh Meena (27) and his wife Sonia Meena (25), a resident of Bhanpura Kalan.

“The incident took place at a bridge built over Manoharpur Madhoveni River in Shahpura area. The victims were returning home on a motorcycle after purchasing goods from Shahpura,” police said.

COVID resurgence: 419 people test +ve, three die in State

Raj reels from severe heat, respite likely next week: IMD

Covid-19 testing is being coducted at SMS Hospital.

Tourists visiting Jantar Mantar use umbrella as a sunshade as temperature rises in the State. —PHOTO BY SANTOSH SHARMA

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Lakshyaraj Singh Mewar inaugurate Dept of Travel Tourism and Hotel Management in the Janardan Rai Nagar Rajasthan Vidyapeeth campus in Udaipur on Saturday.

Shanti Dhariwal, Amit Dhariwal and others being garlanded by locals in Kota on Saturday.

Rajnath Singh addresses students at the 16th convocation of Janardan Rai Nagar Rajasthan Vidyapeeth on Saturday.

—Rajnath Singh, Defence Min

PERSPECTIVE JAIPUR | SUNDAY, APRIL 16, 2023 04 www.firstindia.co.in I https://firstindia.co.in/epapers/jaipur I twitter.com/thefirstindia I facebook.com/thefirstindia I instagram.com/thefirstindia l Vol 4 l Issue No. 308 l RNI NO. RAJENG/2019/77764. Printed and published by Anita Hada Sangwan on behalf of First Express Publishers. Printed at Bhaskar Printing Press, D.B. Corp Limited, Shivdaspura, Tonk Road, Jaipur. Published at 304, 3rd Floor, City Mall, Bhagwan Das Road, C-Scheme, Jaipur-302001, Rajasthan. Phone 0141-4920504. Editor-In-Chief: Dr Jagdeesh Chandra Editor: Anita Hada Sangwan responsible for selection of news under the PRB Act Many congratulations to all the residents of Himachal Pradesh on the occasion of Himachal Day. I wish that the people of this state, famous for its natural beauty and tourism, always have a prosperous and happy life. Narendra Modi @narendramodi The decision to conduct CAPF constable exams in 13 regional languages, along with Hindi and English, is a testament to the visionary leadership of PM @narendramodi ji and the progressive mindset of Union HM @AmitShah ji towards promoting linguistic diversity and inclusivity. Jagat Prakash Nadda @JPNadda SPIRITUAL SPEAK Fear is not real, never was and never will be. What is real, always was and cannot be destroyed. Bhagavad GitaREMEMBERING SATTI AND THE CHAT CASTRO HAD WITH ARAFAT

K NATWAR SINGH The author is Former Minister of External Affairs of India

n 12th April 2023, a most moving and well-attended meeting in the large and attractive Hall of the Lalit Hotel at Barakhamba Road was held. The meeting was to remember Satinder Kumar Lambah, who passed away in June 2022 at the age of 80, after a prolonged illness that he faced with uncommon courage and good cheer. There was only standing room in the Hall. A large number of Satti’s relatives, friends, and former IFS colleagues were present. The meeting was opened by Nina Lambah. She made a memorable and moving speech, recalling their very happy marriage and the exemplary work Satti did as a special envoy of six Prime Ministers to address and find a solution to the IndoPak problem. Satti and his Pakistani opposite number, Tariq Aziz got on well and made genuine efforts to move ahead. India could not have chosen a more accomplished, experienced, and unostentatious diplomat for so difficult a task.

I first met Satti (everyone addressed him by this endearing name) in Islamabad in July 1980, I was Head of the Mission, and Satti number two. I soon concluded that Satti knew the IndoPak situation like the back of his hand. Both he and Nina had several close Pakistani friends in the Foreign Office and in the generally hostile media. He made my task easy in India’s most troublesome foreign post. Lightheartedly I used to tell Pakistani diplomats how easy their job was, “When in doubt blame India. When not in doubt blame India.”

Throughout this unsavory and unforgettable explosive episode, he kept his cool. I learned something that day from Satti, keep your distance when the great are meeting. Lesson two.

Keep your mouth shut, eyes and ears open

In the first week of March 1983, was held the seventh Summit of the Non-Aligned Movement in Delhi. Prime Minister Indira Gandhi was to take over as Chairman at the afternoon session from President Fidel Castro. Shrimati Gandhi select-

During the lunch break, Satti came running to me, “Sir, we have a hell of a crisis on our hands. P.L.O Leader Yassir Arafat has conveyed to us that he was immediately leaving Delhi as he had been insulted at the opening session in the morning. He has asked his pilots to get his special plane ready.” I was both surprised and worried. What a ball the media would have. “Who insulted the P.L.O Leader,” I asked Satti who said that “the P.L.O Leader had been asked to speak after the King of Jordan.”

I immediately spoke to the Prime Minister and requested her to come to Vigyan Bhawan and suggested that she bring President Castro with her. He was still the President of the NAM, till the afternoon when

tro had got in touch with the P.L.O Leader asking him to join him and Indira Gandhi. I and Satti stood at a distance and watched tween the high and

TOP TWEETS

President Castro asked the P.L.O Leader, “Are you Indira Gandhi’s friend?”

Arafat: “Friend, Friend, she is my elder sister.”

Castro: “Then behave like a younger brother and attend the afternoon session.”

kept his wits, Mr. Arafat would have caused a mass upheaval and all but ruined the Summit. Throughout this unsavory and unforgettable explosive episode, he kept his cool. I learned something that day from Satti, keep your distance when the great are meeting. Lesson two. Keep your mouth shut, eyes and ears open. Rest in peace beloved friend. We all miss you.

PM calls for people’s participation in Climate Change

Washington (PTI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said that an idea becomes a mass movement when it moves from “discussion tables to dinner tables” as he called for people’s participation and collective efforts in combating climate change. He also told a gathering of world leaders via video link on Friday that when people become conscious that simple acts in their daily lives are powerful, there will be a very

positive impact on the environment.

“People across the world hear a lot about climate change. Many of them feel a lot of anxiety because they do not know what they can do about it. They are constantly made to feel that only governments or global institutions have a role. If they learn that they can also contribute, their anxiety will turn into action,” Modi said while addressing the World Bank-organised

UK PARLIAMENTARIAN STERN PRAISES

PM MODI FOR CLIMATE CHANGE ACTION

Washington (ANI): Nicholas Stern, a Member of the House of Lords in the UK, lauded the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the World Bank Event ‘Making it Personal: How Behavioral Change Can Tackle Climate Change’ praising his LiFE global initiative to tackle climate change. “PM Modi has brought in a whole new story of growth and development. I listened carefully to his speech at COP 26 in Glasgow in November 2021 and what he set out, including LiFE, is what sustainable resilience and inclusive growth looks like,” he said.

“Making it Personal: How behavioral change can tackle climate

change” conference. Modi hailed the World Bank for organis-

ing the event on impact of behavioural change on climate change, saying this is an issue close to his heart, and it was great to see it becoming a global movement.

Citing “Mission Life”, which was launched by him and the UN secretary general last year October, Modi said the programme is about democratising the battle against climate change.

“Climate change cannot be fought from conference tables alone. It

has to be fought from the dinner tables in every home,” he told the conference being held on the sidelines of the annual spring meetings of the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank.

“When an idea moves from discussion tables to dinner tables, it becomes a mass movement. Making every family and every individual aware that their choices can help the planet can provide scale and speed,” he said.

KARNATAKA POLLS: THE CM EXPRESSES CONFIDENCE OF GETTING ELECTED & BREAKING ALL RECORDS

Bommai files nomination from Shiggaon

Haveri (PTI): Karna-

taka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai on Saturday filed his nominations as BJP's candidate from Shiggaon segment here for the May 10 Assembly polls and expressed confidence of getting elected again with the highest number of votes.

Bommai was accompanied by Public Works Minister C C Patil, Haveri-Gadag MP Shivakumar Udasi, and son Bharath Bommai among others as he submitted his papers to the Returning Officer.

Bommai, son of former Karnataka Chief Minister and Janata Parivar veteran late SR Bommai, has represented Shiggaon thrice since 2008.

With a saffron shawl on his shoulder, the 63-year-old Chief Minister visited Shiggaon's 'Dyamavva Devi' temple, before filing his

nomination.

"I have filed my nomination today. People of my Shiggaon constituency have supported me tremendously in the past and this time too, I'm confident of breaking all the records and getting elected with the highest number of votes. People here are aware voters and they vote for development," Bommai said after fil-

SIDDARAMAIAH DENIED TICKET, EX-BJP

LEADER SAVADI FIELDED FROM ATHANI

Karnataka (PTI): The Congress on Saturday announced its third list of 43 candidates for the May 10 Assembly polls in Karnataka, and turned down the request of senior leader and former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah to contest from the second seat—Kolar. Senior BJP leader and former Deputy Chief Minister Laxman Savadi, who joined the Congress on Friday, has got the ticket from Athani in Belagavi district.Also, senior JD(S) leader K M Shivalinge Gowda, who had joined the Congress recently, has been fielded from Arsikere.

ing his nomination.

Pointing out that he had submitted his nomination papers as there was a good muhurta (time) today, Bommai added that he will be filing nomination once again on April 19 in the presence of BJP national President JP Nadda and other senior leaders.

To a question that Congress was planning to field a strong candi-

CONGRESS ASKS CENTRE

Pulwama attack: Why CRPF personnel denied aircraft?

Prime Minister Modi said when people be come conscious that simple acts in their daily lives are powerful, there will be a very posi tive impact on the environ ment. The people of India have done a lot in this matter in the last few years, he said.

IN THE COURTYARD

SHRADDHA MURDER: COURT RESERVES ORDER ON CHARGE AGAINST AFTAB

New Delhi: Delhi’s Saket Court on Saturday reserved an order on the charge against Aftab Amin Poonawala accused in the Shraddha Walkar murder case. The court will pronounce the order on the charge on April 29. The court has also sought a reply from Delhi police on an application moved by Shraddha’s father Vikas Walkar seeking the release of the bones of the deceased. He has said that the bones should be exhibited soon so that he can perform the last rituals of Shraddha within one year of her death. Additional Sessions Judge (ASJ) Manisha Khurana Kakkar after hearing the submissions of the counsel for the accused and Delhi police reserved order on the charge.

EXCISE POLICY CASE: COURT FIXES APRIL 24 FOR ARGUMENTS

BENCH TO HEAR PLEAS FOR SAMESEX MARRIAGE

New Delhi (PTI): The Congress on Saturday demanded answers from the Centre on the outcome of the probe into the 2019 Pulwama incident in which 40 CRPF jawans were killed, asking why were the CRPF personnel denied aircraft and were made to commute via road despite terror attack threat.

Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh accused the BJP-led Union government of "minimum governance and maximum silence" and asked it to comment on the reported revelations made by former J&K Governor Satypal Malik on the incident.

"The government believes in the principle of minimum governance and maximum silence ... It is the government's responsibility to answer questions raised by the opposition," he said.

RAHUL GANDHI GRANTED EXEMPTION FROM APPEARANCE IN DEFAMATION CASE

date against him, the Chief Minister said, "Opponent is an opponent whether strong or weak, I will take everyone equally. If there are opponents, only then there will be a contest. I'm confidence in the people of my constituency, who have supported me." Mr Bommai won in Shiggaon in the 2018 Assembly polls by about 9,260 votes.

Hubballi (PTI): In a rebellious tone, former Karnataka CM Jagadish Shettar, who was asked by the BJP high command to drop his candidature for the Assembly election, has said denying him a ticket will have a bearing on at least 20 to 25 seats in the state.

Will UPA remain or will a new front be formed?

Mahesh Sharma

New Delhi: If the opposition parties unite for the Lok Sabha elections, then under what banner will that unity be held?

Will all parties join the Congress-led UPA or will a separate front be formed for the Lok Sabha elections? This question is being raised because many parties have objection to Congress joining UPA.

Not only this, there are many such parties, which are still in alliance with the Congress, but that alliance is not called UPA. Therefore,

some regional leaders are talking of forming a separate front on the lines of the United Front or the National Front, in which the Congress is also a constituent.

The present UPA was formed during 2004 LS elections and its command has been in the hands of Congress since then. It includes old allies of the Congress as constituents. But a separate front has also been formed in many states.

Like Lalu Prasad's party RJD is a constituent of UPA in Bihar, but Nitish Kumar's party JDU is not included in UPA.

New Delhi: Former prime minister & Janata Dal leader HD Deve Gowda on Saturday said that he will stand with Left parties in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. While talking to ANI, Gowda said, “I will stand with left parties in 2024 Lok Sabha polls.

New Delhi: Delhi’s Rouse Avenue Court on Saturday, fixed April 24 for the point of arguments on the Enforcement Directorate’s second supplementary chargesheet (prosecution complaint) in the excise policy case naming three individuals and five related firms’ names. The Special Judge on Saturday fixed April 24, 2023, for the ED’s arguements on cognizance points on the chargesheet filed against Raghav Magunta, Rajesh Joshi & Gautam Malhotra, who were named as accused.

New Delhi: The Supreme Court notified a five-judge Constitution bench to hear a batch of pleas seeking legal recognition of samesex marriage from April 18. Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud, Justices Sanjay Kishan Kaul, Ravindra Bhat, Hima Kohli & PS Narasimha will hear various petitions from April 18. On March 13, a 3-judge bench referred the matter to a constitution bench. In the batch of petitions, various petitioners have sought recognition of right of couples of the same gender to marry.

Mehul ‘cannot be removed’ from Antigua & Barbuda: HC

Roseau (ANI): Mehul Choksi, the diamantaire who is wanted in India in connection with `13000 crore fraud cannot be removed from Antigua and Barbuda, the country’s High Court said Friday as it gave the ruling in his favour.

The claimant, Mehul Choksi in his civil lawsuit has argued that there is an obligation on the part of the defendants, the Attorney General of Antigua and the Chief of Police to carry out a thorough inquiry and that he has an arguable claim that he was

subjected to inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment, Dominica based Nature Isle News reported. Demanding an investigation into his claims, Choksi has sought relief which includes a declaration that

FOR CONSTABLES IN PARAMILITARY FORCES

Thane (PTI): A court in Maharashtra on Saturday granted a permanent exemption to Congress leader Rahul Gandhi from appearing before it in a defamation case filed against him by a Rashtriya Sawyamsevak Sangh functionary. Bhiwandi First Class Judicial Magistrate C Wadikar who heard Gandhi's application observed that the Congress leader deserves a permanent exemption. The magistrate set June 3 for recording evidence in the defamation suit filed by RSS worker Rajesh Kunte.

Hyderabad (PTI): Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge said it was because of his party that a person like him with a humble background could have a long political career and become an MLA and MP. Kharge also said that Sonia Gandhi gave him an opportunity to work as the president of the Congress which is a huge responsibility.

suggests he is entitled to a prompt and thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding his forcible removal from Antigua and Barbuda on or about May 23, 2021.

The court order has prohibited the removal of the Claimant, Mehul Choksi from Antigua and Barbuda’s territory without a High Court ruling following an inter-party hearing and subject to the Claimant (Mehul Choksi) exhausting all available legal remedies, including appeals.

Exams to be held in 15 languages: MHA

New Delhi (PTI): In a landmark decision, the Ministry of Home Affairs has approved the conduct of constable (general duty) examination for Central Armed Police Forces isn 13 regional languages, in addition to Hindi and English. The CAPFs are the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), Border Security Force (BSF), Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), Sashastra

Seema Bal (SSB) and the National Security Guard (NSG).

“In a landmark decision under the leader-

AN ADDENDUM

The ministry and the Staff Selection Commission will sign an addendum to the existing Memorandum of Understanding to facilitate the conduct of the examination in multiple Indian languages, the statement said. Constable (general duty) is one of the flagship examinations conducted by the commission & attracts lakhs of candidates.

ship of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, (the) Ministry of Home Affairs has approved conducting constable (gen-

eral duty) examination for CAPFs in 13 regional languages, in addition to Hindi and English,” it said. In addi-

tion to Hindi and English, the question paper will be set in 13 regional languages -- Assamese, Bengali, Gujarati, Marathi, Malayalam, Kannada, Tamil, Telugu, Odia, Urdu, Punjabi, Manipuri and Konkani.

The announcement comes days after Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin wrote to Shah, calling him to include Tamil as a language for the written exam in the recruitment for CRPF personnel.

Congress leader K Selvaperunthagai during a protest over Rahul Gandhi’s conviction in a defamation case, in Chennai on Saturday.

Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai files his nomination from Shiggaon Legislative Assembly constituency for the upcoming State Assembly elections, on Saturday. —PHOTO BY ANI

Congress leader Supriya Shrinate, Jairam Ramesh, and Pawan Khera address a press conference on the 2019 Pulwama Attack, in New Delhi on Saturday. —PHOTO BY ANI

SONIA GANDHI GAVE OPPORTUNITY TO WORK AS PARTY CHIEF, SAYS KHARGE

"DENYING ME TICKET CAN COST 20-25 SEATS"

“WILL STAND WITH LEFT PARTIES IN 2024 LS POLLS”

—Representational Image

BJP slams Kejriwal, dares him to take lie detector test

BJP claims Delhi CM is “trembling with fear”; asks five questions ahead of CBI probe

New Delhi (PTI): The BJP on Saturday claimed that Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal was trembling in fear following the CBI summon to him in the excise policy case, and said he should take a lie detector test if he had nothing to be afraid of.

Addressing a press conference, BJP national spokesperson Gaurav Bhatia also slammed the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader for attacking the central government over the summons and said it was not the time for rhetoric but accountability.

Noting Kejriwal's past attacks on politicians cutting across parties over the issue of corruption, Bhatia said the AAP supremo should submit himself for the lie detector test to make things clear. He alleged that Kejriwal is the "kingpin" in the 'liquor scam' case in which the latter's confidant and former deputy CM Manish Sisodia is behind the bars. He asked 5 questions to Kejriwal, a day before Delhi CM’s questioning by the CBI in the alleged liquor policy case, according to PTI.

INDIA RECORDS

10,753 FRESH COVID CASES, 27 DEATHS

New Delhi: India recorded

10,753 fresh COVID-19 cases, taking the number of active infections to 53,720, according to Union Health Ministry data updated on Saturday. The toll has climbed to 5,31,091 with 27 deaths recorded in the last 24 hours.

6 deaths were recorded in Delhi, followed by four in Maharashtra, 3 in Rajasthan and 1 each in Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, J&K, Madhya Pradesh, Uttarakhand & UP. The figure also includes six deaths reconciled by Kerala, the data updated at 8 am stated. The daily positivity rate was recorded at 6.78 while the weekly positivity rate was pegged at 4.49.

SC, ST and OBC, women as chief”

DELHI CALLS FOR SPECIAL ASSEMBLY SESSION “PROBE AGENCIES

New Delhi (Agencies): Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Saturday claimed that courts are being lied to, people who have been arrested are being tortured and there isn’t a shred of evidence of any wrongdoing. He claimed that the CBI and Enforcement Directorate (ED) were going to extreme heights to target their strongest political rivals. Referring to AAP leader Manish Sisodia’s arrest and months of investigation, Kejriwal has said that these agencies have falsely claimed that 14 phones were destroyed, lying to the courts in affidavits, torturing suspects to extract falsified confessions.

CRUCIAL READ

VOWS TO FILE CASE AGAINST CBI

New Delhi (ANI): Union Law Minister Kiren Rijiju on Saturday reacted to Arvind Kejriwal remark that cases will be filed against CBI and ED officials and asked whether the Delhi CM would also file a case againt the court if the court convicts him. Rijiju said that law should be allowed to take its own course. “Forgot to mention that you will file case against Honble court also if it convicts you. Let law takes it own course & we must believe in rule of law,” Rijiju said in a Twitter post.

KEJRIWAL WRITES TO STALIN, SAYS ‘DEMOCRACY IS SUFFERING EVERY DAY’

New Delhi Agencies: Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal wrote a letter to Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin on Saturday over the state government’s confrontation with Governor RN Ravi. While extending his support to Stalin, Kejriwal said in his letter that “democracy in India is suffering from blows every single day.” The timing of the letter is interesting as it comes a day ahead of the Aam Aadmi Party Chief Kejriwal’s questioning by CBI pertaining to the Delhi excise policy case.

ED FILES CHARGESHEET AGAINST SUKESH IN ANOTHER CASE OF MONEY LAUNDERING

New Delhi: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Saturday filed a Prosecution Complaint (Chargesheet) against Sukesh Chandrashekhar in another case of Extortion and Money Laundering based on a complaint filed by Malvinder Singh’s wife Japna Singh. Sukesh who is facing several cases of Extortion, cheating and money-laundering case, was arrested by the ED on February 16, 2023, for allegedly duping former Religare promoter Malvinder Singh’s wife Japna Singh for 3.5 crore rupees.

HONG KONG-BOUND FLIGHT MAKES EMERGENCY LANDING AT KOLKATA

New Delhi: A Saudi Arabian Airlines cargo flight from Jeddah to Hong Kong made an emergency landing at the Kolkata airport on Saturday after its windshield developed cracks. The aircraft had four crew on board when a crack in the windshield forced the pilot to make an emergency landing. A full emergency was declared at around 11:37 am on Saturday for the cargo flight after a crack in its windshield was found. The Kolkata airport was readied for the flight’s landing and the Hong Kong-bound flight safely landed at around 12:02 pm.

MAN KILLS GIRLFRIEND HOURS AFTER CELEBRATING HER B’DAY

New Delhi: Police have arrested a Bengaluru man for killing his girlfriend over suspicion of her affair with another man. The incident occurred hours after the girl celebrated her birthday. The incident took place in the Laggere area of

Bengaluru. As per police, the accused, Prashanth, had planned an entire day of celebrations for his girlfriend, 24-year-old Navya. Police said Navya had her birthday on Tuesday, but Prashanth was busy that day and therefore, he had

planned a grand party to compensate for his absence. After primary investigation, it was revealed that Prashanth suspected that his girlfriend was in a relationship with another man and was texting him, which saddened him.

UGC now mandates SC, ST, OBC, and Women in Student Grievance Redressal committees

New Delhi (Agencies): The Delhi government has called a special session of the Legislative Assembly on April 17, a day after the Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has been summoned to appear before the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in connection with the alleged excise policy scam case. As per sources, the Assembly will discuss the fact that certain powers are creating an atmosphere against the developmental works being carried out by the the Aam Aadmi Party-led Delhi government. “In this special session, a committee report on the issue of unanswered questions from MLAs Rajesh Gupta and Atishi, and the Services Department, will be presented on the floor of the House,” the sources said.

New Delhi (PTI): The University Grants Commission has made it mandatory to appoint representatives from the Schedule Castes, Schedule Tribes, Other Backward Classes, and women either as chairperson or members of students grievance redressal committees.

The UGC (Redressal of Grievances of Students) Regulations, 2023, which will replace the 2019 guidelines, were notified on April 11 and have been aligned as per the new National Education Policy.

The commission on Thursday asked all higher education institutions to comply with the new norms that seek to provide opportunities for the redressal of grievances of students already enrolled in any institution, as well as those seeking admission to such institutions.

According to the revised guidelines, at least one member of the student’s grievances redressal committee or its chairperson shall be a woman and at least one

Gangster Atiq Ahmed fails

Prayagraj (PTI): The last rites of Asad Ahmad, the son of gangster-turned-politician Atiq Ahmad, were performed at Kasari Masari graveyard here on Saturday amid heavy police security, with few distant relatives and locals allowed inside the burial ground. The burial lasted for an hour, police said.

"The last rites of Asad Ahmad have been completed, and it went for an hour. A few distant relatives of Atiq and some people of the locality were allowed to go to the graveyard. This was necessary from the security point of view," Joint Commissioner of Police, Prayagraj, Akash Kulhari told PTI.

Earlier, Asad's uncle, Usman, reached the

RSS CHIEF MOHAN BHAGWAT @ GUJARAT UNIVERSITY

New Delhi: The STF has come across audio evidence that suggests that post Umesh Pal shootout members of the Atiq gang used code names to communicate with each other to evade arrest. While Atiq’s son Asad was named ‘Radhey’ apparently because of his hairstyle, his aide Ghulam was code named ‘Ullu’, as he used to stay awake all night to conduct recce of the targets. Police are on the hunt for ‘Murgi’ – the code name for Guddu Muslim–another accused involved in the Umesh Pal shootout as he used to run a business of supplying chicken feed.

graveyard with the body of his nephew. Media was strictly re-

‘Formation done for global welfare’

lll India was formed for the welfare of the world and the country must share its knowledge as a duty amid its rise in strength and prestige, RSS chief said

Ahmedabad (PTI): Addressing a gathering at Gujarat University here, Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh chief Mohan Bhagwat asked Indians to shed their doubts and lack of belief in the country’s ancient knowledge system and instead carry out research to find out what is relevant and share it with all.

“Our nation was formed because of the penance of our forefathers, who wanted the world’s welfare. That is

why it is our duty (to share knowledge),”

Bhagwat said after launching 1,051 volumes of the ancient Indian

knowledge system & related subjects prepared by Punarutthan Vidyapeeth, an Ahmedabadbased & RSS-linked

think tank. Even as India’s strength and prestige increases globally, it is required from us that we review our knowledge system as well as those existing in the world to “find new levels of knowledge and offer it to the world”, he said.

Indians should first gain knowledge themselves before working to share it with the world, as a lot of people are “doubtful and carry disbelief regarding this knowledge”, he said.

stricted from entering the heavily guarded graveyard.

New Delhi (Agencies):

Weather-roiling El Nino is threatening to play the monsoon spoiler.

Both private forecaster Skynet and the Indian Meteorological Department agree the monsoon won’t be especially abundant this year. But the potential June arrival of El Nino could upend the not-so-great rainy season forecast into a really bad one.

“The scare of El Nino this year is real and the second half of the (monsoon) season

NCERT

16 CBSE TEACHERS FOR SYLLABUS: GOVT

New Delhi PTI: The NCERT consulted 25 external experts and 16 CBSE teachers to carry out its syllabus rationalisation exercise as part of which portions on the Mughals, Mahatma Gandhi, his assassin Nathuram Godse, reference to ‘Hindu extremists’ and the 2002 Gujarat riots were dropped from school textbooks, according to the education ministry. Dropping several topics and portions from the NCERT textbooks has triggered a controversy with the Opposition blaming the Centre of “whitewashing with vengeance”. At the heart of the row is the fact that while the changes made as part of the rationalisation exercise were notified, some of these controversial deletions weren’t mentioned in them. This has led to allegations about a bid to delete these portions surreptitiously. NCERT has described the omissions as a possible oversight but refused to undo the deletions, saying they were based on the recommendations of experts.

member or the chairperson shall be from the SC, ST or OBC category.

“Student’s Grievance Regulations, 2023, provide an additional forum for redressal of complaints against caste-based discrimination. These regulations do not replace other

regulations/guidelines made/issued by the UGC from time to time to ensure that no student is discriminated against on the basis of caste, creed, religion, language, ethnicity, gender or disabilities,” said UGC Chairman Jagadesh Kumar.

Greater Noida (Agencies): Noida Power Company Limited secured an A+ rating in the 11th Annual Integrated Ratings of Power Distribution Utilities for the financial year 2022 by the Ministry of Power, Government of India. A total of 11 Discoms out of 71 Discoms in the country received an A+ rating, and NPCL is one of them. We're happy to share that NPCL is the only Discom out of 6 Discoms in Uttar Pradesh to achieve an A+ rating.

NPCL received the highest A rating for 41 Discoms in the General Discom category (Urban and Rural). With the highest A rating in the General Discom category in Uttar Pradesh, NPCL secured the 3rd rank in the consumer Service rating of discoms. The rating report

for Power Distribution Utilities is prepared by PFC and McKinsey for FY 2022, while the Discom Rating for Consumer Services for FY 2022 is based on the REC and E&Y study. The performance of NPCL was judged on various parameters that included financial, operational (power supply, metering, billing, new connections, consumer grievance redressal mechanisms), regulatory, and reform aspects of the power distribution utilities and their ability to sustain improvements year over year.

is likely to be impacted strongly,” Skynet’s weather team said on the forecaster’s website. Right now, Skynet expects the rains to be

below normal at 94% of the long period average – or LPA – while IMDsays the monsoon will be normal at 96% of the LPA.

RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat during a book launch programme to dedicate 1051 ‘granths’ (scriptures), in Ahmedabad on Saturday.

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal during a press conference over being summoned by the CBI for questioning in the Delhi excise police case, in New Delhi on Saturday. —PHOTO BY ANI

NPCL receives A+ rating from Ministry of Power

El Nino likely to play monsoon spoilsport, says weather experts

to attend son’s burial in UP

“Appoint

relatives

ACCUSED 'RADHE & ULLU' ELIMINATED, POLICE NOW HUNT FOR 'MURGI'

“IF COURT CONVICTS YOU?”: RIJIJU AFTER KEJRIWAL

CONSULTED 25 EXPERTS,

LYING, TORTURING THOSE ARRESTED”

Suspense over disputed prize land in Muhana Mandi area

Questions being raised regarding the role of responsible government machinery

Abhishek Srivastava

Jaipur: Many questions are being raised regarding the role of responsible government machinery in the case of disputed prized land in Muhana Mandi area of the state capital Jaipur. Instead of providing justice to those who are victims in the case, they are being deterred and on the other hand the construction is going on unabated. This matter pertains to a valuable land situated in Ramsinghpura alias Dhaulai Tehsil Sanganer. The two parties have their own claims regarding this land located in Muhana Mandi area. One side claims that they are allottees of Shri Lakshmi

Griha Nirman Sahakari Samiti’s scheme Mata Saraswati Nagar, while the other side claims that they are the allottees of the Maha Saraswati Nagar scheme of the same Housing Cooperative Society on the same land.

JDA had released the program of regularization camp on December

2 parties fight over Mata Saraswati Nagar and Maha Saraswati for the same land

the spot? After all, why the responsible officers of JDA are sitting blindly in the matter?

of contractual workers thank CM Gehlot for welfare decision

Naresh Sharma

First India Bureau

Udaipur : A gang of robbers on Saturday looted a container loaded with cellular phones, estimated to be worth Rs 2.5 crore in the Kheroda Police Station area of Udaipur district. However, due to police barricading, the miscreants left the container and fled away.

“The incident took place on Udaipur-Chittorgarh National Highway – 48 when the con-

During the investigation, the police gave a notice to Shri Lakshmi Grih Nirman Sahakari Samiti and asked for an answer. On receiving the notice, the cooperative society said that it did not create a plan in the name of Mata Saraswati Nagar. The Co-operative society also sent a letter to JDA saying that the society has not created any scheme by this name. However, the cooperative

22 last year assuming Mata Saraswati Nagar Yojana on the land. Prior to this, JDA issues 90

A based on the plan of land. Before the regulation camp, on 12 December 2022, one side lodged a case with the police and after the release of the program of regulation camp, the police sent a letter to JDA’s zone deputy commis-

society has not even accepted that it has created a plan in the name of Maha Saraswati Nagar. On the other hand, the list of allottees of Maha Saraswati Nagar has been uploaded in the JDA website on August 18, 2010, wherein 83 allottees have been mentioned in this list. Amidst this dispute between the two parties, construction is going on unabated on the plots on the land.

sioner. In this letter, information was given about the case registered with the police and after this letter, JDA’s Zone Deputy Commissioner postponed the regularization camp. While there is a mutual dispute between the two parties, it is the responsibility of government agencies to find out who is the victim in this

whole matter and with whom injustice is being done. Instead of providing justice to the victim, the case is being prolonged. In such a situation, many questions are arising regarding this whole matter.

When there is a dispute regarding the ownership of the land, then how are the construction works going on at

On behalf of one side of the case, a file, of JDA proceedings of 90 A of the land, has been sought under the Right to Information. JDA itself gave a demand letter for depositing the amount for giving information in RTI. -The applicant also deposited the amount for the photo copy of the letter on 23 February 2023 and despite this, why hasn’t the copy of 90 A of the said land been given to the applicant? Is there any possibility of any disturbance in the proceedings of 90 A?

A case was registered in the police station Muhana on 12 December 2022 but despite the passage of four months since the case was registered, the police have not yet completed the investigation. Govt agencies responsible in this disputed matter should take fair and prompt action, so that those who are the rightful owners of the land can get relief in the matter soon.

ACB nabs Sarpanch & Ward Panch with `50K

tainer was heading towards Mumbai from Delhi. The miscreants held the container driver hostage and then tried to open the container. However, the container had a number lock and the miscreants could not open it. The police immediately did a barricade at the main intersections. Seeing the police barricades in Debari road, the miscreants left the container and fled away,” police said.

RCA officials met CM Ashok Gehlot on Saturday and invited him for IPL matches to be played in Jaipur. RCA President Vaibhav Gehlot, Bhavani Samota, Rajendra Nandu, Vimal Sharma, Devaram, Sushil Jain, Shakti Singh, Pradeep Nagar, Rampal Sharma, Mahendra Sharma & Sushil Sharma were also present. CM’s wife Sunita Gehlot was also present.

KISSA KURSI

KA…

Does the size of a chair determine the authority and power of any individual?

If these two individuals, dealing with the ‘power’, are any measure, perhaps size does matter after all. An incident occurred in Vidyut Bhawan wherein the Board meeting of one company was to be conducted. In this Board, one member took part who is also the CMD of another company. It did not

Mayank Jain

Bundi: A couple that was reportedly in love allegedly committed suicide by throwing themselves before a moving train near Sumerganj Mandi Railway Station in Bundi district on Saturday. The bodies of two were found on the track. Police informed deceased have been identified as Ramkesh Meena & Bolanta Meena, residents of Jai Niwas Village under the Indergarh Police Station area of Keshoraipatan.

“The couple were in a love affair for a long time. The girl Bolanta Meena had married in Tonk district four years ago. On Friday night, the girl reached Sumerganj Madni and committed suicide with the boy. The mutilated bodies were kept in the mortuary and later handed over to families after post-mortem,” police said.

Accused Sarpanch Manish Kumar, Ward Panch Dhanraj Meghwal in ACB custody after the trap on Saturday.

Arif Mansoori

Jhalawar: ACB Jhalawar unit arrested Sarpanch Manish Kumar Nagar at Bapawar Kala, Kota on Saturday while taking a bribe of Rs 50,000.

Additional Director General of Anti-Corruption Bureau Hemant Priyadarshi (Addl. Charge Director General) said that the ACB received a complaint that Nagar demanded bribes in lieu of not getting an Anganwadi building constructed on his land and issued a lease.

Jaipur: A delegation of contractual workers from different places of the state met CM Ashok Gehlot on Saturday and thanked him for the decisions taken for the contractual workers. Addressing the members of the delegation at the CMR, Gehlot said that the state govt is committed to protect the contractuals from exploitation.

“In this sequence, the Rajasthan Contractual Services Hiring Rules-2022 have been implemented by the state

govt. This has paved the way for regulation of contractual workers and contract system in offices has been abolished.

The OPS has been implemented by the state government from human point of view,” he said

Addressing the gathering, RTDC Chairman Dharmendra Rathore said that the state govt has taken excellent decisions for contract workers. “The Central Govt should implement OPS across country,” he said.

go down well with this member that the Chairman’s chair was bigger than his own chair and thus, prior to the meeting, the member got the Chairman’s chair replaced with a smaller chair. When the Chairman learnt about his ‘Chair’ through the staff, he then asked the staff to bring back the old chair. But this irked the member so much

that he did not even attend the meeting and for the entire duration of the meeting, he sat in his office in the adjacent room. The member has argued that he is a senior in the Vidyut Bhawan and thus his chair can not be small while the Chairman stresses that since the Board meeting was of his company, hence, as Chairman, his

The ACB, under the supervision of the Superintendent of Police, Kota, Alake Srivastava, verified the details and laid a trap to arrest Nagar. The accused called victim to a private house near Bapawar bus stand to collect bribe amount. There in an office, Ward Panch Dhanraj Meghwal counted 50 thousand rupees and kept it on top of the papers in the middle drawer of the table.

As soon as the signal was received here, the ACB caught him. A probe is on in the case.

A: Conditions which needs to be complied prior to handing over of forest land by the State Forest Department:

1. The cost of compensatory afforestation at the prevailing wage rates as per compensatory afforestation scheme and the cost of survey, demarcation and erection of permanent pillars if required on the CA land shall be deposited in advance with the Forest Department by the project authority. The CA will be maintained for 10 years. The scheme may include appropriate provision for anticipated cost increase for works scheduled for subsequent years.

2. The State Government shall charge the Net Present Value (NPV) for the 18.567 ha forest area to be diverted under this proposal from the User Agency as per the orders of the Hon’ble Supreme Court of India dated 30/10/2002, 01/08/2003, 28/03/2008, 24/04/2008 and 09/05/2008 in IA No. 566 in WP (C) No. 202/1995 and as per the guidelines issued by the Ministry vide letters No. 5-1/1998-FC (Pt.II) dated 18/09/2003, as well as letter No. 5-2/2006-FC dated 03/10/2006 and 5-3/2007-FC dated 05/02/2009 and revision of NPV vide Ministry letter No. 5-3/2011-FC(Vol-1) dated 06.01.2022 in this regard.

3. Additional amount of the NPV of the diverted forest land, if any, becoming due after finalization of the same by the Hon’ble Supreme Court of India on receipt of the report from the Expert Committee, shall be charged by the State Government from the User Agency. The User Agency shall furnish an undertaking to this effect.

4. The non-forest land proposed for CA shall be transferred and mutated in favour of State Forest Department.

5. The non-forest land which is transferred and mutated in favour of State Forest Department for the purpose of compensatory afforestation shall be declared as Reserved Forest under Section- 4 or Protected Forest under Section- 29 of the Indian Forest Act, 1927 or under the relevant Section(s) of the State Forest Act prior to Stage-II approval.

6. The State Forest Department will construct 4 feet high boundary wall along the canals at the cost of user agency to prevent the forest area from encroachment towards the agricultural fields and habitations.

7. Copy of approved Catchment Area Treatment (CAT) Plan shall be submitted in accordance to para no. 4.8(i) of Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980 Handbook, if applicable.

8. The complete compliance of the FRA, 2006 shall be ensured by way of prescribed certificate from the concerned District Collector.

9. The boundary of the diverted forest land shall be suitably demarcated on ground at the project cost, as per the direction of concerned Divisional Forest Officer.

10. The KML file of the area to be diverted and the CA areas shall be uploaded on the e-Green watch portal with all requisite details, before issuing working permission towards linear projects or submitting compliance report for seeking Stage-II approval, as the case may be.

11. All the funds received from the user agency under the project shall be transferred/ deposited to CAMPA fund only through e-portal.

B: Conditions which needs to be strictly complied on field after handing over of forest land to the User Agency by the State Forest Department but the compliance in form of undertaking shall be submitted prior to Stage-II approval:

1. Legal status of the forest land shall remain unchanged.

2. Forest land will be handed over to the User Agency only after required non-forest land for the project is handed over to the User Agency.

3. Compensatory afforestation shall be taken up by the Forest Department over 18.567 ha non-forest land, Compartment/Khasra/Survey No. 812, 837 & 847 of village - Kota Khurd, Range indragarh, District- Bundi, Rajasthan at the cost of the user agency. As far as possible, a mixture of local indigenous species shall be planted and mono-culture of any species may be avoided.

4. User agency shall restrict the felling of trees to minimum numbers in the diverted forest land and the trees shall be felled under the strict supervision of the State Forest Department and cost of felling of trees shall be deposited by the User Agency with the State Forest Department.

5. No damage to the flora and fauna of the adjoining area shall be caused.

6. The layout plan of the proposal shall not be changed without prior approval of Central Government.

7. No labour camp shall be established on the forest land.

8. Sufficient firewood, preferably the alternate fuel, shall be provided by the User Agency to the labourer after purchasing the same from the State Forest Department or the Forest Development Corporation or any other legal source of alternate fuel.

9. The boundary of the diverted forest land shall be suitably demarcated on ground at the project cost, as per the directions of the concerned Divisional Forest Officer.

10. No additional or new path will be constructed inside the forest area for transportation of construction materials for execution of the project work.

11. The period of diversion under this approval shall be co-terminus with the period of lease to be granted in favour of the user agency or the project life, whichever is less.

12. The forest land shall not be used for any purpose other than that specified in the project proposal.

13. The forest land proposed to be diverted shall under no circumstances be transferred to any other agencies, department or person without prior approval of Govt. of India.

14. The User Agency shall submit the annual self compliance report in respect of the above stated conditions to the State Government and Integrated Regional Office, Jaipur by the end of March every year.

15. The User Agency shall comply with all the provisions of the all Acts, Rules, Regulations, Guidelines, Hon’ble Court Order (s) and NGT Order (s) pertaining to this project, if any, for the time being in force, as applicable to the project.

16. Violation of any of these conditions will amount to violation of Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980 and action would be taken as per the MoEF&CC Guideline F. No. 11- 42/2017-FC dt 29/01/2018.

17. Any other condition that the Ministry of Environment, Forests & Climate Change may stipulate from time to time in the interest of conservation, protection and development of forests & wildlife.

18. The compliance report shall be uploaded on e-portal (https://parivesh.nic.in/).

stature was bigger and thus he was right in having a large chair. This incident is one of the most discussed incident in the state bureaucracy these days.

—Rajendra Chhabra

After receipt of compliance report on fulfillment of all of the above conditions from the State Government, proposal will be considered for Final/Stage-II approval under Section-2 of the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980. The User Agency shall take up the work as per the guidelines in force and after ensuring that all necessary clearances for the entire stretch are in place. Working permission, if any issued, shall be intimated to IRO, Jaipur. Transfer of forest land shall not be effected till Final/Stage-II approval is granted by the Central Government in this regard.

Further, it may also be noted that this In-principle/Stage-I approval shall be valid for a period of 5 years from the date of issue of this letter. In the event of non-compliance of the above conditions, this Inprinciple approval shall be revoked after five (05) years.

Attempt to loot mobile phones in Udpr failed

Married girl ends life by jumping before train with lover in Bundi

Delegation

Ashok Gehlot, Dharmendra Rathore interacting with the contractual workers at the CMR on Satruday.

Think, most of the things we fear do not happen, but they cripple us. Free yourself from your fears to live a life of fulfilment.

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

BJP’S ‘BOOTH MAHA SAMMELAN’ IN BHARATPUR

Mirch Masala

FIRST INDIA SUNDAY SPECIAL BY TRIDIB

RAMAN

The author is a journalist and political commentator and views expressed are his personal

CONGRESS’ ‘PLAN KARNATAKA’ HAS EVERYTHING TO WIN

I

Gehlot Govt runs on ‘3-D model’, Pilot should give up hope: Shah

Shah held an important meeting of workers of Nagaur and Dausa Lok Sabha constituencies during his Bharatpur visit

n the Karnataka elections, the Congress is throwing everything it has, its people, its resources and its loyalty to the party. Both the party’s CM candidates i.e. Siddaramaiah and DK Shivakumar are making efforts for reconciliation from inside. On behalf of the Congress, its Karnataka in-charge Randeep Surjewala has been asked to ‘keep a communication bridge between DK and Siddaramaiah.’ If the situation arises, the leadership of the government should be handed over to Siddaramaiah and DK should be made the Deputy CM. By remaining silent on the issue of future CM, the party leadership has also worked to give a message to the Vokkaliga

community that ‘their representative DK is also in the race for the CM’s post this time.’ So, party strategists expect that ‘Vokkaliga votes may shift from JDS to Congress in a big way in this election.’ Siddaramaiah belongs to the backward caste Kuruba community, which is Karnataka’s third largest caste in terms of numbers. Siddaramaiah’s face is also enough to help with 30 percent OBC castes of the state. Recently, DK made a big bet by saying that he would be very happy if the party elects Mallikarjun Kharge as the next chief minister of the state. So, the Congress wants to keep all its five fingers dipped in ghee in this election.

BJP READY FOR EVERY SITUATION

The saffron party has already geared up to retaliate, at a time when clouds of doubt are gathering in the mind of the BJP top leadership regarding Karnataka. The dates for the Karnataka assembly elections were announced on March 29 itself, but in a hurry, on April 9, the Uttar Pradesh civic elections were announced, and the most interesting thing is that the date of voting in the UP civic elections has been extended by 4 more days. It has been fixed on May 11, but its result will also come on the same day i.e. May 13, the day Karnataka election results are to be announced. That means drums will be played in BJP offices and also in the studios of its favorable channels. So, even if the BJP’s bet in Karnataka goes in vain, after winning UP, the slogan that ‘This is the beginning of 24, it is Modi’s rule for the third time’ will resonate everywhere.

WHAT IS THE TRUTH OF UMESH PAL MURDER CASE?

BJP’S ‘SAFE PLAY’

The BJP is playing a very ‘safe play’ in the current assembly elections in Karnataka. Earlier it was decided that on the formula of Gujarat, the tickets of 40 percent of the existing saffron MLAs of Karnataka would also be cut. But seeing the rebellious attitude of BJP MLAs, the party had to come on ‘backfoot’. Tickets of only 19 MLAs were cut, out of these half a dozen MLAs’ family members and close relatives were given tickets to keep them calm.

17 MLAs from Congress and JDS had joined BJP, out of which

Aishwary Pradhan and Ravi Katara

Bharatpur: During his address at the BJP’s ‘Booth Maha Sammelan’ in Bharatpur on Saturday, Union Home Minister Amit Shah said that Gehlot has given 3D government to Rajasthan. “First D means Danga (riots), second D is Durvyavhar (misbehavior) with women and third D is atrocities on Dalits. This 3D government will not let the people of Rajasthan live.

“People of Rajasthan gave power to the Congress party. Your (Pilot) contribution to the Congress treasury is less. Gehlot’s corrupt govern-

Congress infighting in Rajasthan a fight for

chair, says Raje

BJP WORKERS’ CAR CATCHES FIRE IN BHARATPUR

Bharatpur: Nearly six BJP workers in Bharatpur had a narrow escape on Saturday after the car they were travelling in suddenly caught fire. The BJP workers were heading towards MSJ College ground to take part in the rally of Union Home Minister Amit Shah. “The incident took place near Shisham Tiraha when the moving car suddenly engulfed in fire. The car driver immediately stopped the car and the victims jumped from the car to save their lives. The car passengers tried to douse the fire, but the car turned into ashes within no time,” police said. Bhupendra Singh, a resident of Siras village of under Bhusawar police station area, informed that he along with other BJP workers was going to attend Amit Shah’s rally in Bharatpur.

ment has done the work of looting Rajasthan and this looted money has gone into the account of Congress,” said Amit Shah. Prior to this, Shah bowed down to Kaila Devi, Madan Mohanji along with all the deities of Bharatpur division along with all the folk deities of the state.

“I salute Maharaja

Bharatpur (PTI): Former Rajasthan CM Vasundhara Raje on Saturday said the fight between Sachin Pilot and Ashok Gehlot is a fight for chair and the people of the state are suffering because of it. Referring to tussle between CM Gehlot and Pilot, Raje said Gehlot accuses BJP of taking over other govts, but the truth is that the govts he formed in 2008 & 2018 were also formed by manipulation.

“The MLAs of his party are against him, his ministers keep talking about something or the other in protest eve-

ry day,” she said. Addressing the booth workers, Raje talked about the ERCP, which, she said, was envisaged under her govt to address the water problem in 13 districts of eastern Rajasthan.

Suraj Mal, who freed the country from Mughal rule. He built such a fort, which the Mughals could not conquer,” he said. Shah accused the Gehlot govt of appeasement and said that the Gehlot govt is the top govt in appeasement. Shah urged that if Modi is to be made the PM then show the trailer to Gehlot in ‘23 polls.

Committed to devp not ‘danga’: CM OSD Sharma

Jaipur (PTI): A Rajasthan government official on Saturday said the Congress government in the state stands for development, dedication, and dialogue and not ‘danga’ and ‘durvyavahar’ as al-

leged by Union Minister Amit Shah. Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot’s Officer on Special Duty Lokesh Sharma said this in response to Shah’s allegations earlier in the day, in which he called the Congress

government in the state to be marred with riots, and oppression of women and Dalits. “AmitShah ji, You have said correctly. Rajasthan is a 3D government. D Development, D- Dedication, D- Dialogue,”

Sharma said in a tweet. He said the Rajasthan government is dedicated to every individual. Be it regarding budget, health, or any social security scheme, every major decision is taken through dialogue, he

added. “Amit Shah must be aware that Vasundhara Raje did not even communicate with his ministers and MLAs whereas Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot directly interacts with the public,” Sharma said.

R

ecently, UP ATS, while showing promptness, killed Asad, son of UP’s Bahubali Atiq Ahmed, and shooter Ghulam in an encounter near Jhansi. Umesh Pal was an important witness of the Raju Pal murder case that took place 18 years ago. It is said that in that attack, Atiq’s henchmen had wiped out the entire gang of Raju Pal and Umesh Pal was the only person left in that attack, who secretly somehow saved his life. Umesh Pal was also accused that after this he shook hands with Atiq from inside so that his life was saved. Because of this, Pooja Pal, who was Raju Pal’s wife and seems to be Umesh Pal’s sister, stopped talking to Umesh Pal. It has been reported, quoting police sources, that Umesh Pal’s murder was more related to land grabs than testimony. In fact, one of Atiq’s closest builders, whose land is widely spoken in Lucknow and Prayagraj, some of his land was occupied by Umesh Pal, for which Atiq had talked to Umesh several times to vacate it. But after the Yogi government came to power in the state and government security to Umesh Pal, his morale was also high. So when he ignored Atiq’s warnings, he was brutally murdered in broad daylight on 24 January 2023.

BJP’S SIEGE ON DK AND SIDDARAMAIAH

Do BJP has laid a big trap to surround both the big leaders of Congress i.e. Siddaramaiah and DK Shiv Kumar in their house. Like Siddaramaiah on Varuna seat, BJP fielded its stalwart V. Somanna against him, while R. Ashok was fielded by the saffron party to challenge DK in his Kanakapura seat. But later Somanna Chamarajanagar and Ashok Padnabhnagar also went to contest election. This indicated that both these BJP stalwarts are not sure about their victory against Siddaramaiah and DK. That’s why they are scrambling for another place in search of a safe seat. Earlier, the BJP top is believed to have asked Yediyurappa to “field his son Vijayendra against Siddaramaiah from Varuna seat”. But this is his son’s first election and he does not want to take any risk for his son.

…AND FINALLY

Recently, when Nitish Kumar met Sonia Gandhi, it is said that Sonia invited him to join the UPA and said that ‘if he wants, he can become the convenor of the UPA.’ But Nitish told her that ‘he would form a new front of the opposition parties’. Preparing to form a front in which parties like BRS, Trinamool Congress, Samajwadi Party, AAP, JDU, Biju Janata Dal, Shiv Sena and YSR Congress can join. Parties which are currently part of UPA like RJD, JMM, NCP , DMK etc can also be a part of this morcha if they want. Congress can also join this front. The president and coordinator of this front can be from North-South. It is possible that Chandrasekhar Rao may be made the president of the morcha and Nitish may be its convenor.

11 MLAs were given tickets in the first list itself.

Due to Ramesh Jarkiholi, who was angry for not being made a minister in the state government, the BJP had to suffer a lot in the Legislative Council elections, but this time he was fully listened to in ticket distribution. Jarkiholi, who came from Congress to BJP, has a lot of influence in Belgami area. Not only were tickets distributed among the Jarkiholi family, but at their behest former state chief minister Laxman Savadi’s ticket was also denied, who later joined the Congress. Yediyurappa had submitted a list of 30 of his special people to the high command, most of whom were given tickets and his own son has been fielded from his traditional Shikaripura seat. Janardhana Reddy may have floated a separate party, but considering the Reddy brothers’ influence in Bellary, the BJP has given tickets to Soma Shekar Reddy and B Sriramallu. In Shivamogga, Coastal Karnataka and North Karnataka, tickets have been distributed at the behest of Yediyurappa.

RHB’s ‘Super Sunday’ today with ‘Meet Brothers Night’

Shivendra Parmar

Jaipur: Sunday, April 16 will be ‘Super Sunday’ for the applicants of NRI Club-21 as in the evening, famous Meet Brothers musical concert will be organized.

The concert will be on the theme of ‘ Tie your laces, to tap your steps on the dance floor’. Bollywood’s famous duo Meet Brothers and singer Khushbu Grewal will perform in the musical concert at NRI Colony, Pratapnagar, Jaipur.

RHB Commissioner and the President of ‘NRI Club-21’ Pawan

Bharat24 celebrates 5 years of Dr Jagdeesh Chandra in First India

First India Bureau

Arora said, “Only the applicants who have applied for the membership of the club will be able to enjoy the musical concert. Applicants can come from the club premises from 10 am on Sunday till 7 pm to get their free passes. A gala dinner has also been organised for club applicants along with the concert.”

New Delhi: On Saturday, Dr Jagdessh Chandra, a well known name in the media fraternity of the nation, completed 5 successful years as CMD of First India. Five years ago, Dr Jagdeesh Chandra took over the reins of First India News Channel and today First India has become the number one voice of Rajasthan under the leadership of Dr Chandra. The channel has worked as a bridge between the government and the public in

Cake cutting ceremony was organised at Bharat24 office in Noida on 5th anniversary of First India News with Dr Jagdeesh Chandra on Saturday. Raj Prakash Verma, Muzammil Ahmad, Shashikesh Ranjan, Poornima Mishra, Syed Umar, Sandeep Mishra, Amit Ojha, Pooja Yadav,Mahima Singh Kanwar, Arvind Kumar, Mohd. Arif Khan and others are also seen on the occaison.

the last 5 years. On the occasion of completion of 5 years, there was a celebration at the Noida office of Bharat24 channel as well.

Bharat24’s CMD and

Editor-in-Chief Dr Jagdees Chandra celebrated by cutting a cake in front of entire ‘Bharat24 family’ including Syed Umar, Senior Editor of Bharat24.

Gehlot camp asks high command to declare CM face

Jaipur: The Ashok Gehlot camp has given a suggestion to the Congress high command and has asked to declare CM face to enter the election season. The camp leaders have stressed that CM Ashok Gehlot should be announced as the CM face and thereafter Congress should enter the elec-

tion season so that Gehlot’s welfare schemes can be taken advantage of in public and Gehlot should be put forward as the “hero” of welfare schemes.

Some survey reports have been sent to the high command. Under these reporters, if the elections are held under the leadership of CM Gehlot, Congress will come to power. The re-

port of the survey conducted in the name of Ashok Gehlot has gone up to the top. It is also

being said that the theoretical solution to the Sachin Pilot episode has been found as during ticket distribution, seats will be divided between Gehlot and Pilot’s camp.

Big changes will be seen in the power and organization in the next few days as, reportedly, Pilot has been accepted regarding cabinet reshuffle expansion. Although Gehlot camp is still ada-

mant that Dhariwal and Mahesh Joshi should not be removed. Now state in-charge Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa will also hold a one-on-one dialogue with the MLAs on major issues. Interestingly, there are signs that Speaker Dr CP Joshi can be made a minister too! Meanwhile, a final decision on the role of the pilot is yet to be taken.

Yogesh Sharma

Amit Shah, Vasundhara Raje, Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Arun Singh, CP Joshi, Om Mathur, Dr. Sanjeev Balyan, Ranjeeta Koli during the programme in Bharatpur on Saturday.—PHOTOS BY MUKESH KIRADOO

Vasundhara Raje waves hand at public in Bharatpur on Saturday.

Vasundhara Raje welcoming Amit Shah in Bharatpur on Saturday. CP Joshi, Ranjeeta Koli, and others are also seen.

SHINE BRIGHT LIKE A

THE GRAND FINALE OF THE HIGHLY ANTICIPATED BEAUTY PAGEANT MISS TEEN DIVA 2022, PRESENTED BY THE ESTEEMED FIRST INDIA NEWS & THE VISIONARY BHARAT24-VISION OF NEW INDIA, DAZZLED AUDIENCES AT ZEE STUDIOS ON THURSDAY. THE RAMP WAS GRACED BY A BEVVY OF STUNNING MODELS, EACH EXUDING THEIR UNIQUE TALENT AND CHARM WITH EVERY GRACEFUL STRIDE!

SHUBHANSHI

PATHAK cityfirst@firstindia.co.in

he dazzling and highly anticipated grand finale of Miss Teen Diva, an esteemed and internationally recognized beauty pageant presented by First India News and Bharat24Vision of New India, was held at Zee Studios, Jaipur on Thursday. The ramp walk witnessed the most stunning models, each exhibiting their unparalleled talent and charm. The swimwear round was a feast for the eyes, as these beauties showcased their toned physiques in a spectacular display of poise and grace. Followed by the evening gown round, which was no less than a fairytale, with each model exuding elegance and sophistication in their exquisite gowns. The audience was left completely spellbound, as these models proved that they are much more than just pretty faces. The event also witnessed the top 9 contestants, who took the stage by storm in the Q&A round. Here, they were asked to expound upon the qualities that set them apart and made them deserving representatives of India on the global stage. Indeed, this was a night to remember, a celebration of talent, beauty and grace that transcends borders and cultures. Nikhil Anand, Chairman, Glamanand Group paid immense gratitude to Jagdeesh Chandra on the occasion for his constant support. He also added, “This year the jury had a tougher time shortlisting the winners and finalists since each participant was unique and each of them had put their best put forward. I congratulate all and wished them a bright journey ahead.” Friends and family members of the participants and various who’s who of the Pinkcity including supermodel and actress Akanksha Bhalla, Ritu Sharma, Kalpana Gupta and Srishti Khatri graced the evening. Aishwarya Vinu Nair, Miss Teen Earth India and Ashok Raj Singh from Bigg Boss were also present on the occasion.

—PHOTOS BY MUKESH

KIRADOO

Daniella Shirley Majao

Anwita Sundram (Miss Teen Diva Second Runners Up), Kashish Goswami (Miss Teen Grand India), Trishna Ray (Miss Teen Universe India), Karemma Khan (Miss Teen World India) Sejal Gupta (Miss Teen International India) and Parineeta Bakshi (Miss Teen Diva First Runners Up)

CLOCKWISE: Kanggana Malik, Guneet Kaur Sethi, Milan Kumari Panda and Palak Jain

Grace Night of elegance&

Miss Teen Diva 2022, presented by Bharat24- Vision of New India and First India took place at Zee Studios, Jaipur on Thursday. City First brings to you glimpses from the evening of style, sophistication, and unforgettable fashion where fashion meets elegance and confidence meets grace.

Majao bagged the titles Miss Fashion Icon and Top Model

Goswami bagged

Jagdeesh Chandra with (R-L) Anwita Sundaram, Kareema Khan, Trishna Ray, Parineeta Bakshi, Kashish Goswami, Sejal Gupta and Nikhil Anand at the

dinner hosted at Hotel Marriott, Jaipur on

of Bharat24

Jagdeesh Chandra with Aishwarya Vinu Nair, Karemma Khan, Sejal Gupta, Parineeta Bakshi, Nikhil Anand, Parineeta Bakshi, Trishna Ray and Kashish Goswami during the celebratory dinner at Rambagh Palace

Aayushi Dholakia and Wachi Pareek

Mannat Siwach, Rabia Hora and Brunda Yerra

Aishwarya Vinu Nair

Achievements

STORIES OF

The Adornment of Gods

CITY FIRST

Today we live in the industrial age where there is a dire need to preserve memory and thus the role of museums has become increasingly more important. Earlier an object has three aspects to it – Satyam (Function), Shivam (Story that made it auspicious) and Sundaram (Beauty). Now we are doing away with the story and narrative that makes the object special and are merely focusing on its function. Compared to Western countries, museums are not considered that important in India as people do not consider living in the past auspicious.”

This was stated by the author, Devdutt Pattanaik at the launch of the book ‘The Adorn-

ment of Gods’ at the Amrapali Museum in Jaipur on Saturday. The author was in conversation with the Managing Director of India’s only Museum consulting company, Eka Cultural Resources & Research, Promod Kumar KG. Earlier, they were joined by the founders of Amrapali Museum, Rajiv Arora and Rajesh Ajmera to formally release the book. The book ‘The

Adornment of Gods’ by Devdutt Pattanaik

chronicles the deep relationship between India’s mythology and her jewelled arts through the Amrapali Museum collection. The book curates fifty impeccable mythological art objects and their stories narrated by Devdutt Pattanaik from the collection of the Amrapali Museum. Talking about the importance of symbols, Pattanaik said that symbols are the medium through which ideas reach the common man. It helps in communicating an idea to the people who do not know your language as symbols have the power to travel across geographies.

It is worth noting that Amrapali Museum is an initiative by the founders of Amrapali Jewels. The museum is dedicated to Indian jewellery and jewelled objects, located in the city of Jaipur. cityfirst@firstindia.co.in

BOOK LAUNCH!

CITY FIRST

The book A Journey From Confusion to Conclusion by Jaya Gajawat was launched at RAS Club, Jaipur on Saturday. The remarkable book by the author Jaya Gajawat provides a simplified interpretation of the ancient Hindu text, Bhagavad Gita. Written specifically for young readers, the book presents a clear and concise understanding of the teachings and philosophy of the Bhagavad Gita, making it accessible and relatable for mod-

ern youth. Through practical examples and exercises, readers are guided on a journey of self-discovery, learning valuable life lessons on topics

ration to many and her commitment to empowering individuals to live their best lives is evident in the pages of this book. She has poured her heart and soul into crafting a book that is both insightful and practical and which offers map of this journey of

FLAWLESS BEAUTY AND BEAUTIFUL SOULS!

CITY FIRST

of joy and at the same time remembering the old tradition.

Olympian Divyansh Singh Panwar shot a score of 636.3 to beat the World Record of 635.4 set by China’s Sheng Lihao during the ISSF World Cup at the same venue in Bhopal, last month.

Besides the brilliant qualification round, the former World No.1 also topped the 25-shot ranking round and then beat Surya Pratap Singh Banshtu 16-12 in the gold medal match to win the men’s 10m air rifle T4 at the ongoing National Selection Trials. Among the other winners from the second day of the competition, Punjab’s Sift Kaur Samra, who won her first ever ISSF medal, a bronze, at the Bhopal World Cup, won the women’s 50m rifle three positions T4 after beating Olympian Anjum Moudgil 16-4 in the gold medal contest. Tejaswini Sawant, yet another Olympian in the fray, finished third.

A first of its kind in India, Optic Expo 2023 was inaugurated in Jaipur on Saturday. The expo was inaugurated by Export Promotion Council Chief and Rajsico Chairman Rajiv Arora. The Optic Expo was organised by the Rajasthan Opticians Association.

President Shanti Swaroop

Maharwal, Secretary Vinod Mitruka

Treasurer Jagdeep Singh, Chief Guardian of the Association Anand Meharwal, Education Secretary of the Association DS Sharma

Badiyal welcomed Rajiv Arora, and Chairman of Rajasthan Chamber of Commerce K L Jain and discussed the activities of the Association.

In the series of Net Theat program, a wonderful performance of mime drama was performed by Do Kadam Sanstha, in which senior theater artist Asif Sher Ali Khan brought alive the untouched episodes of acting through expressions. During the show, Rajendra Sharma Raju of Net Theat informed that a mime is a form of theatre where the actor displays the story only with his expressions, which is called pantomime.

The second day of the grand threeday, the Ms VogueStar India and Mrs VogueStar India 2023 beauty pageant and fashion week commenced on Saturday at Le Meridian Hotel, Jaipur, in which Miss Voguestar India and Mrs Voguestar India and four designers showcased their unique collections. Shreya Tomar, Priyanka Shekhar, Sanjana Sinha, Kirti Arora and Kirti Gulati were especially honoured on the occasion. Show director Kirti Choudhary said that the highlight of the second day was the fashion show by Amin Farishta which added to the charm of the entire event. Naina Thakur Chandwani’s collection will be presented on the ramp during the finale tomorrow, Sunday. It is worth mentioning that Voguestar is an inclu-

sive platform for women, that is ready to make them a unique identity. During the scanning round, Voguestar received registrations from 1200 women from 28 states and eight union territories who wanted to make a mark in society.

During the interview, where the girls told their first experience as thrilled, the elder women said about the purpose of participating in this proposal that we want to give the message that ‘One should not hold back in refining the talents and age is not a restriction in showcasing the talents, the figure of age is just a number, apart from this there is nothing, life becomes meaningful only if a person works according to his cityfirst@firstindia.co.in

Jagdeesh Chandra visited the channel office of Bharat24Vision of New India at NOIDA on Saturday. He also awarded the Top performing Anchors who garnered major attraction on the popular Social Media handles of Bharat24. Anchors Palak Sharma and Pooja Yadav were awarded for the highest views on Bharat24 Social Media platforms.

Jagdeesh Chandra awards Palak Sharma for crossing the 0.8 million viewership (highest number of viewers) on Bharat24 YouTube & Facebook platforms in the first week of April. Also seen are Shikha Thakur, Syed Umar, Amit Ojha, Palak Sharma and Pooja Yadav.

Jagdeesh Chandra awards Pooja Yadav for crossing 0.7 million viewership (second highest number of viewers) on Bharat24 YouTube & Facebook platforms in the first week of April. Also seen are Shikha Thakur, Syed Umar, Amit Ojha and Pooja Yadav

(L-R) Rajiv Arora, Devdutt Pattanaik, Rajesh Ajmera and Promod Kumar KG during the book launch

Devdutt Pattanaik and Promod Kumar KG during a discussion Saianki

Rahul Singh Kajla, Yash Kalra, Aashish Bohra, Sejal Gurshawney, Jaya Gajawat, Nandika Gajawat, Shivantika Saxena, Nishtha Mahawar, Akshat Jain and Aditi Mangal

Jaya Gajawat addressing the audience

Priyanka Patil, Kajal Ruturaj Bhoite Priyanka Shekhar and Manika nizhwan

Irene Nisha