First India-Jaipur Edition-17th January 2023

MCD MAYOR POLL IN DELHI TO BE HELD

Dr Jitendra Singh addressing the event at Taj Palace Hotel.

with

Navin Sharma

Jaipur: The Anti-Corruption Bureau on Monday arrested Additional Superintendent of Police (AdSP) of the Special Operations Group (SOG) Divya Mittal in connection with demand of Rs 2 cr bribe. The case was filed on January 14. Mittal is accused of demanding bribe from a man for not including his name in a case registered with the SOG under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act. Mittal said, “She has suffered due to tracking drug mafia. I have not asked for any bribe.”

Sources said, the officer was mounting pressure on complainant through her middleman. Complainant later reached Jaipur ACB office and lodged a complaint. P3

Jaipur: During the Chintan Shivir on Monday, CM Ashok Gehlot gave instructions to tighten the screws on Housing Cooperative Societies and Multi State Credit Cooperative Societies. The twoday Chintan Shivir is being organized at OTS Jaipur in which the cabinet ministers discussed about the work

FIR FILED OVER REMARKS ON CRICKETERS’ DAUGHTERS

NO SCARCITY OF FUNDS IN MODI’S LEADERSHIP: GADKARI

Bollywood

AT

ACB took a warrant from court on Sunday and started search operations at 5 premises of Mittal, including her office and residence in Ajmer, a flat in Jaipur, a resort and farm house in Udaipur and ancestral house in Jhunjhunu.

Nitin Gadkari and Dr Jagdeesh Chandra with Govinda, Swami Nijamritananda Puri, Dr Piyush Dwivedi, Sameer Sethi, Abhishek Sharma, Manoj Jagyasi and other dignitaries during the Bharat24’s highly anticipated initiative ‘Super Indians’ at the Taj Palace Hotel in New Delhi on Monday.

Nitin Gadkari is implementing Narendra Modi’s vision in the development of the roads.

Singh, MoS, PMO, felicitated the real heroes of New India at Bharat24’s Super Indians. Arjun Ram Megh-

wal, MoS for Culture and Ajay Bhatt, Minister for Defence & Tourism also spoke exclusively at the gala event

Govinda, as the Celebrity Host along with Bharat24’s known, and trusted anchors hosted multiple-panel discussions on topics varying from Health, Education, Business, Economy & Culture. Turn to P10

Dr Jagdeesh Chandra speaking during the event on Monday.

of their depts, budget announcements, public manifesto, campaigns, implementations and innovations of 4 years.

“We are against the elements playing with the future of the youth, the government is taking the strictest steps.

The state government has also brought an act with strict provisions to prevent paper leaks, copying. Papers keep getting leaked in other states also, but the ar-

case registered

rest of those involved and strict measures like dismissal of employees were taken only in Ra-

jasthan,” he said.

Gehlot further said, “A committee will be constituted under the chair-

It’s precise follow-up action on SC direction in NJAC ruling: Min Rijiju

First India Bureau

New Delhi: Union Law Minister Kiren Rijiju on Monday said the government’s demand for inclusion of its representatives and that of states in collegiums of the SC and HCs was the “precise follow-up action” suggested by the apex court while striking down National Judicial Appointment Commission Act. Rijiju had written to CJI DY Chandrachud in this regards.

 Delhi

DY Chandrachud

of Justice

as

P4 IRREGULARITIES IN COVID-19 CENTRE CONTRACTS

Rajasthan Coaching Institute Control, Regulatory Bill will come in this budget session and through this, effective control will be established on private coaching operators. Instructions have been given to discuss this bill with the concerned stake holders and general public.

—Ashok Gehlot, Chief Minister

Top Court held that default bail granted to an accused can be cancelled if a special and strong case is made out on filing of a charge sheet

ED records BMC chief Chahal’s statement

First India Bureau

the Maharashtra government’s ‘MODI-MODI’

as he recorded

manship of the Chief Secy which will decide on sanction of prosecution in respect of cor-

rupt officer-employee.

Senior officers of depts will be included in this committee.” More on P10

Naresh Sharma and Dr Rituraj Sharma

KERALA GOVT MAKES MASKS MUST Thiruvananthapuram: The Kerala government has issued an order making masks compulsory in all public places on Monday. The guidelines were issued as the State is at risk of a Covid-19 resurgence.

RS SESSION FROM JAN 31 TO APRIL 6 New Delhi: The 259th session of Rajya Sabha will commence on January 31 and end on April 6. Parliament’s Budget Session will begin from Jan 31 with President Droupadi Murmu’s address.

New Delhi: Days after 1st meeting to elect mayor, deputy mayor of MCD was adjourned due to a ruckus in House, Delhi’s LG VK Saxena approved January 24 as date for Mayoral polls.

New Delhi: Police in Delhi have registered an FIR against unidentified persons for allegedly making indecent comments on social media on the daughters of India cricketers Virat Kohli and MS Dhoni

to his supporters during a roadshow from Patel Chowk to Parl Street ahead of BJP meet at NDMC Convention Centre on Monday.

cussion

likely

The ACB team arrests (Centre) AdSP Divya Mittal on Monday.

Arjun Ram Meghwal interacting with the audience during the event.

Nitin Gadkari addressing the audience in New Delhi on Monday.

Syed Umar & Aditi Nagar

New Delhi: Nation’s Fastest Growing National Hindi News Channel, Bharat24 organised its highly anticipated initiative Super Indians at the Taj Palace Hotel in New Delhi to honour extraordinary individuals for their exemplary and contribution towards the Vision of New India.

Hon’ble Minister of Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari was the Chief Guest at the event. Him along with the Guest of Honour, Dr Jitendra

stars Govinda and Vidyut Jamwal deliver a ‘superhit’ event

—Dr Jagdeesh Chandra

ACB NABS SOG AdSP DEMANDING...

is accused of demanding bribe in a

SEVERE COLD CONDITIONS PREVAIL, NORMAL LIFE OUT OF GEAR IN STATE

The night temperature at most of the places in the state was below 4 degrees Celsius

Jaipur (PTI): Severe cold conditions kept normal life out of gear in parts of Rajasthan, with the mercury going down to minus 3.7 degrees Celsius in Sikar’s Fatehpur area last night.

The night temperature at most of the places in the state was below 4 degrees Celsius, a Met department official said. Churu’s minimum temperature was 2.5 degrees Celsius while Sikar recorded 2 degrees Celsius, Alwar and Bhilwara 0 degrees Celsius, Chittorgarh 1.5 degrees Celsius, Dabok (Udaipur) 2 degrees Celsius, Bikaner 2.4 degrees Celsius, Sriganganagar 2.6 degrees Celsius and Jaipur recorded minimum of 4.7 degree

2 killed, 4 injured in a clash between 2 groups in Dausa

Dausa (PTI): Two people, including a woman, were killed and four others sustained injuries during a clash between two groups in Dausa district of on Monday, police said.

Superintendent of Police, Dausa, Sanjeev Nain said members of two families in Peeloda village clashed with each other over an old dispute involving a road accident.

One group opened fire at the other leaving Heeralal Yogi, aged around 60 years, and a

20-year-old woman dead. The bodies are kept in the mortuary of a government hospital in Mahuwa town, he said.

Relatives of the victims are staging a dhar-

First India Bureau

Jaipur: There was a clash between unemployed doctors and the police while they were protesting over their demands. There is a demand of doctors to increase the posts of existing recruitment to 4500. The agitation was called on the call of All Rajasthan MBBS Doctors Association.

‘Rajasthan Investors Conclave’ begins in Jpr NATIONAL

First India Bureau

Jaipur: On the occasion of National Startup Day, a two-day ‘Rajasthan Investors Conclave’ started at Bhamashah Techno Hub in Jhalana on Monday. Budding young entrepreneurs of Rajasthan presented their business ideas to the investors in this event organized by iStart and Startup Chaupal. They were given success tips by experts. The conclave began with a fireside chat on the Startup Ecosystem in which Sumit Srivastava, Founder, Startup Chaupal, along with Mandar Joshi, Executive Chairman, MStrategy Global, discussed the topic. Motivating the

young entrepreneurs, Joshi said that while looking for an investor for any startup, it should be kept in mind that the investor should be from your industry, otherwise he must have a good understanding of the industry so that he can understand your idea well.

FACE-TO-FACE WITH INVESTORS

Sumit Srivastava said that the government and platforms like Startup Chaupal make you face-to-face with investors. Further work for funding depends entirely on your idea. This was followed by two other sessions on ‘Startup Valuation’ and ‘How to Give Elevator Pitch’.

Journalists’ struggle bears fruit; toll plaza staff changed for assault on a journalist

Vinod Kumar Sharma

Alwar: The bike-ridden brother and sister died on the spot in a bike-car collision near Daroda on Kathumar road in the town. According to the information, Shimla Devi (32) along with her brother was heading to the village Balraka to attend the wedding ceremony of their family. About 5 km from Khedli, near Tiware ka Daroda, both the siblings riding a motorcycle were killed on the spot after a collision with a white sedan car coming from Kathumar.

Liquor shop timing: 17 SHOs served notices

First India Bureau

Jaipur: Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot, on December 8, had instructed that liquor should not be sold after 8 pm in the state. Liquor, however, continues to be sold openly post 8 pm.

To stop this, DGP Rajasthan Umesh Mishra got a decoy operation done in 11 districts by the vigilance team on Sunday. Departmental proceedings have been initiated against 17 CIs in these 11 districts.

Mishra said that the team did not find any irregularities in the Chittorgarh district. “Departmental action has been initiated against 17 police station authorities on finding irregularities at other places,” he said.

na outside Mahuwa police station and efforts are being made to pacify them, he added.

The post-mortem of the bodies could not be done so far, the SP added.

The police stopped doctors taking out rally from Swasthya Bhavan so angry doctors started shouting slogans on the road.

Jaipur: Succumbing to the sentiments of journalists and the general public in the wake of a recent brutal attack and misbehavior with a journalist and his wife by toll plaza employees, the Nation Highway Authority of India (NHAI) put pressure on the Ridhi Sidhi Associates --the company that was manning the toll plaza-- and the latter has sublet the toll plaza to another company Mahadev Project.

Mahadev Project’s manager Deepak Verma

assured that now there would be no more complaints of misbehavior with the commuters by the toll plaza staff, nor would the vehicle owners face any inconvenience.

Chomu Press Club

president Jitendra Rangey said that the local journalists had ran a campaign on Twitter, Facebook, WhatsApp, and other social media about the incident of the attack on the jour-

Now a new company has taken over the control of the toll plaza. Police will conduct the verification of all the toll plaza employees and will ensure that they behave properly with the commuters.

—Rajendra Singh Nirwan, ACP Chomu

nalist and had urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari to terminate the contract of the company managing the toll plaza.

MP Yogi Balaknath slams RaGa, CM at JAY in Suratgarh

Rajendra Patwari

Suratgarh:

Guv inaugurates online booking

Jaipur (ANI): Rajasthan Governor Kalraj Mishra on Monday inaugurated the online visitor booking system for visiting the Constitution Garden at Raj Bhavan.

With this, the Constitution Garden built inside the Raj Bhavan has now been opened for general visitors to visit by making advance bookings from the link given on the Raj Bhavan’s website.

The garden can be vis-

ited twice a week on Friday and Saturday.

“With its opening to the general public, more and more people will be able to directly connect with the cul-

ture related to the Constitution,” he said.

“The historical journey of the Constitution, its making and its implementation has been preserved in various

Taking

of power. He said that the Congress government lied to the farmers and the youth.

Targeting the state government, Nath said that a paper leak shop is running in the present Congress government.

“The public has come to know him in 70 years and the last journey of this government is going to be from Rajasthan,” he said.

in

art

tution

ture,” Mishra said.

The

forms

the Consti-

Garden.

Constitution Garden is also an embodiment of the artifacts related to the ancient Indian cul-

Dr CP Joshi on Monday expressed condolences on the demise of MLA Rafeek Khan’s father Chhotu Khan who passed away on Sunday at the age of 84. He was admitted to SMS Hospital 20 days ago for treatment, but could not recover.

Yogi Balaknath at Jan Aakrosh Yatra in Suratgarh on Monday.

Relatives of the victims staging a dharna outside Mahuwa police station in Dausa on Monday.

Ridhi Sidhi Associates sublet the toll plaza to Mahadev Project.

First India Bureau

First India Bureau

Jodhpur: Former councilor from Jodhpur Rajesh Mehta levelled allegations against Union Jal Shakti Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat and claimed that he is associated with the Sanjivani cooperative. He also stressed that he will meet Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot and hand over a few documents.

Alwar MP and Mahant Yogi Balaknath during his visit to Suratgarh on Monday fiercely targeted Rahul Gandhi and the state government during the BJP’s Jan Aakrosh Yatra.

a jibe at Rahul Gandhi’s statement about the “shop of love”, he said that his shop is actually a shop of misuse

People relaxing under the Sun on Monday in Jaipur. Frost in Jobner fields. —PHOTOS BY MUKESH KIRADOO & SANTOSH SHARMA

Siblings die in road accident in Alwar

Clash between unemployed doctors & police

‘GSS associated with Sanjivani cooperative’

‘Rajasthan Investors Conclave’ started at Bhamashah Techno Hub in Jhalana on Monday.

Governor Kalraj Mishra inaugurated the online visitor booking system virtually on Monday.

ACB raids five locations of SOG

AdSP Divya, mobile phone seized

Navin Sharma

Jaipur: SOG AdSP Divya Mittal, arrested by the ACB, had herself spoke to the complainant first seeking Rs 2 crore and then Rs 1 crore after the complainant expressed his inability to pay so much amount.

The complainant agreed to pay only Rs 10 lakh, said an ACB official.

Mittal is learnt to have told the complainant, “This is not a shop of any baniya. This money has to be taken to highups also. Carried.” Finally the deal was fixed for Rs 50 lakh. Rs 25 lakh were to be paid the same day and Rs 25 lakhs after the marriage of the complainant’s sister.

“Meanwhile, after the ASP issued a notice to

him, the complainant reached her office in Ajmer where she demanded Rs 50 lakh to settle the matter. She said that he will have to give

the complainant and asked him to give Rs 25 lakh at the Ajmer bypass. “The trap failed because the middleman did not come to take the money following which a case was registered against the additional SP for demanding the bribe,” the officer said.

A search operation was conducted simultaneously at all the locations of Divya Mittal.

Jodhpur discom staff in ACB net with `6k bribe

MLAs’ resignations hearing held in HC

Kamal Kant

Rs 25 lakh on the same day and the remaining Rs 25 lakh after February 11,” the sources said.

After some time, the same middleman called

Economic condition of farmers is bad in country, reiterates Pilot

Narpat Joya

Nagaur: Former Deputy Chief Minister Sachin Pilot attended the Kisan Sammelan organized at Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Stadium in Parbatsar on Monday and addressed the Kisan Sabha. Pilot is organizing Kisan Sammelans in five districts of the state. He said that a few days ago, MLA Ramnivas Gavadia met him and told about holding a farmer’s conference, so he decided to hold a farmer’s conference.

“There are serious questions in front of the

country and the state regarding the farmers.

Our population is based on agriculture but the economic condition of the farmers is very bad. The central govt has not done anything for the farmers in seven years. The debt in the name of

the public in the country was Rs 56 lakh crore and now it has reached Rs 150 lakh crore,” Pilot said.He also said that the govt should catch the kingpin instead of those who take petty commissions for leaking papers.

Mob of 10-12 people kill youth in Jaitaran

Jaitaran (FIB): A young man returning home from a wedding ceremony was abducted and killed by a mob of 10-12 people on Sunday night in Sojat. The accused killed a youth named Kuldeep Singh Rajpurohit and escaped by dumping the body in Nimbol area of Jaitaran sub-division.

The search operation was carried out in front of Divya’s flat in ARG Society on Jaipur Road in Ajmer. Apart from Ajmer, raids were held at 5 places in Jaipur, Udaipur & Jhunjhunu.

The ACB also seized Mittal’s phone to investigate Mittal’s conversation as with whom and for how long talk lasted.

Jalore: ACB Jalore unit on the instructions of the headquarters arrested Rupnarayan Prajapat Technical Assistant (Lineman), Jodhpur Discom, taking a bribe of Rs 6000 from the complainant. Additional Director General of ACB Hemant Priyadarshi (Addl. Charge Director General) said that Prajapat demanded a bribe from the complainant in lieu of correcting the meter reading should be corrected and not filling VCR. The police verified the complaint and arrested Rupnarayan Prajapat. An inquiry is on and a case will be registered.

Jaipur (FIB): A tender to excavate river sand (Bajri) from a dam in the state has become a bone of contention between few ‘power weilders’ and in fact apart from the state polity, even the ‘role’ of an officer with years of experience is being claimed in tender. It is said that sand worth more than Rs 3000 crores has to be extracted from the bottom of the dam and a firm from Maharashtra has won the ‘game’, while the ‘old contacts’ of state firms did not work. Meanwhile the contract will be given for 20 years and over this, two ministers have come face to face in the matter. One minister is associated with Hadoti region and the other with Mewar region. Now, state firms are preparing to go to court as it is alleged that the final tender is being done at throwaway prices and matter is topic of discussion.

Now, track your buses, book tickets via app

First India Bureau

Kota : A 17-year-old male student, who was preparing for the JEEMains examination, allegedly committed suicide by hanging himself from a ceiling fan of his hostel room in Kota, police informed on Monday.

The incident happened in Mahaveer Nagar police station area on Sunday evening and as per the information the teenager prior to committing suicide was not attending classes for around a month.

Jaipur: Jaipur City Transport Services Limited (JCTSL) CMD Ajitabh Sharma has said that now the live location of low-floor buses can be known through an app. This app will be available to the public from January 18. The app, JCTSL JAIPUR CITY TRANSPORT, can

be downloaded from play store. Tickets can also be booked from this app. The trial of the app has been successful.

JCTSL currently has 300 buses. Out of these, 100 buses will break down in March this year. The administration is planning to induct 100 electric buses in the fleet this year for the convenience of passengers.

Jaipur: The reply in the matter of the resignation of 91 MLAs of the Congress party was presented in Rajasthan High court on behalf of the Principal Secy of Legislative Assembly on Monday. It was said in the reply that 81 MLAs, not 91, had sent resignations in which photocopies of the resignations of five MLAs were presented while six MLAs had presented these resignations. On behalf of the Secy, it was said that the MLAs have withdrawn their resignations by appearing in person. Legislators

can withdraw resignation under Vidhan Sabha Rule-173(4). It was said that the assembly Speaker rejected the above resignations on Jan 13 on the basis of withdrawal therefore the petition has become infructuous. On this, the bench of Justice MM Srivastava and Justice CK Songara asked the petitioner to present his counter-reply and adjourned the hearing till January 20.

RAJASTHAN HIGH COURT TO FOLLOW NEW ROSTER IN JAIPUR FROM TODAY

Jaipur: Hearing in the High Court Jaipur bench will be held according to the new roster from Tuesday. Three benches have been constituted for civil matters. Chief Justice Pankaj Mithal and Justice Shubha Mehta will hear in the first bench. In the second bench, Chief Justice Pankaj Mithal and Justice Sameer Jain will hear on Friday. Justice MM Srivastava and Justice Ganeshram Meena will hear in the third bench. Two benches have been constituted for criminal matters. Justice Pankaj Bhandari and Justice Ashutosh Kumar will hear in the first bench.

Justice Birendra Kumar and Justice Anil Kumar Upman will be heard in the second bench. Eight single benches have been constituted for civil matters.

Justice AK Gaur, Justice Indrajit Singh, Justice NS Dhaddha, Justice MK Goyal, Justice CK Songara, Justice Sudesh Bansal, Justice AK Dhand, Justice Sameer Jain’s single bench will hear civil matters.

issued notice to the State of Rajasthan,

said

Dotasra, 235 block Cong prez to meet today

Yogesh Sharma

Jaipur: PCC chief Govind Singh Dotasra will hold a meeting of 235 block Congress presidents on Tuesday following instructions of Congress National President Malikarjun Kharge. The party’s preparations for the ‘Hath Se Hath Jodo’ campaign will be discussed in the meeting.

BJP NATIONAL EXECUTIVE MEETING

However, the announcement of 165 block Congress presidents is yet to be made. The cam-

BJP shifts gear, starts prep for 2024 polls

New Delhi: The BJP has started preparations for the Assembly elections to be held in 9 states in 2023 and the Lok Sabha elections in 2024. In this sequence, the party executive meeting started on Monday at NDMC Convention Center in New Delhi. It will continue on Tuesday as well.

The state presidents of Rajasthan, Chhatisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Telangana and Mizoram will present their reports on Tuesday. Ra-

jasthan State President Satish Poonia, former Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje and other leaders are also participating. The tenure of BJP state president Satish Poonia has been

completed in Dec 2022. A decision can be taken in this meeting to extend his tenure or to appoint a new president. Necessary changes can be approved in the meeting for the purpose of tight-

ening the organization of the states having assembly in 2023 including Rajasthan.

Party President JP Nadda said in the meeting that 2023 is very important for the party.

Former CM Vasundhara Raje, BJP State President Satish Poonia, Leader of Opposition Gulabchand Kataria, Omprakash Mathur, Deputy Leader of Opposition Rajendra Rathod including Union Ministers Bhupendra Yadav, Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Arjun Ram Meghwal, former state president Arun Chaturvedi in the BJP National Executive meeting. , National Minister Alka Gurjar and National Spox Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore were present in the meeting.

POSTS VACANT IN STATE CONGRESS

president to be named at 5 districts. z Divisional presidents will be made.

paign is to start from January 26.

In the meeting, instructions will be given

z There will be a mandal of 15 to 20 booths.

z There will be participation of every class in the Mandal Congress Committee.

that Rahul Gandhi’s letter should be sent to every home and family under the campaign. The

purpose of Bharat Jodo Yatra is mentioned in RaGa’s letter.

After the Block presidents, there will be formation of Mandal Congress Committee. There will be a mandal of 15 to 20 booths and their work will be to work as a bridge between the district and the block. The focus will be on strengthening the booth level.

Aditi Nagar

(Clockwise) Divya Mittal in ACB custody. Flat in Ajmer, Udaipur resort and house in Jhunjhunu where searches were held.

The accused had sought money via broker; ACB raids at her bases in Ajmer, Udaipur, Jhunjhunu & Jaipur

The ACB also seized Mittal’s phone to investigate her conversation as with whom she had contacted

State firms to move to court over issue of ‘Bajri’ tender

JEE aspirant from UP ends life in Kota

First India Bureau

SC ISSUES NOTICE TO RAJASTHAN GOVT OVER UP ASI’s ANTICIPATORY BAIL PLEA

Jaipur: Justice Dinesh Maheshwari and Justice Hrishikesh Roy

after hearing the Interim Bail application of ASI Sonu Kumar Bhati on Monday. The matter was argued by Advocate Sunil Kumar Singh. Singh argued that the place to receive the

bribe is in Rajasthan and complainant does not want to proceed this matter from Police Station Bharatpur also nor does the complainant owes any money to SK Bhati and the complainant Israad is a habitual offender. This matter will be listed again on February 8, 2023.

Sachin Pilot during the Kisan Sammelan in Parbatsar on Monday. MLA Virendra Choudhary, Mukesh Bhakar, and others are also seen.

Satish Poonia addressing the gathering in New Delhi on Monday. PM Narendra Modi & JP Nadda are also seen.

JP Nadda & Vasundhara Raje during the lighting of the lamp on Monday.

Panthers spotted playing in Naharagarh Biological Park on Monday. —PHOTO BY MUKESH KIRADOO

Govind Singh Dotasra

Modi - PM of the world’s second biggest country

PM Modi has all the attributes of a great entrepreneur. He thinks big but first experiments on a small scale. All ideas and recommendations that can make a positive difference are executed at simply magical speeds. The narrator shows us how our PM has the uncanny ability to look through the telescope and the microscope at the same time making him the legitimate Startup PM.

had the good fortune of meeting our Hon’ble Prime Minister two years back. We discussed tourism and travel and the opportunities these sectors presented before us. I got 15 minutes for interaction and true to the time, the meeting started one minute before the scheduled time and continued for a few minutes beyond. But those 15 minutes were devoted to focused discussion on tourism and travel. PM Modi gives undivided attention in his meetings so much so that the person meeting him feels that there is nothing more important to the PM than the agenda at hand. The PM has vast and in-depth knowledge of travel and tourism that for

once I got a feeling that no one can know more about it than him and that he probably has only this industry to think about. Of course, he is the PM and is aware of every little aspect of governance in all sectors, but his interest and expertise in travel and tourism is simply remarkable!

He is the Prime Minister of the world’s second biggest country and the world’s largest democracy. You know he would only be thinking 30 thousand feet above, but he can have discussions which are right down there at the absolute ground level. He does not indulge in macro-conversations. Let me give some examples of it. Once we were discussing what has and what has not worked for us. I said what has worked for us is that we have gone to small property owners, and helped them develop their infrastructure and get revenue. What I have learned in India is that supply is the problem, not the demand. If we get good quality supply at the right price, consumers need them and they come forward. At the same time, India is an agrarian economy. We have a lot of farmers in our country and people like to visit villages, experience their stay in village accommodations and learn from it. So PM Modi suggested “Why don’t you try village tourism? This would enable some of these farmers to create a sustainable long-term source of income and help urban dwellers experience and know what village life truly is.” I have a lot of colleagues who hope that someday they can take their children to the village and show them how the village environment feels.

Now this was in the middle of Covid and we decided to go ahead and experiment with the idea. So we went to a village in Gujarat, spoke with a

certain number of villagers and started doing business with them. I am so happy to state that each one of these homes fetched the villagers more than Rs 50,000 of income per month throughout the pandemic. There is one of our owners, Raju bhai, who has not just one home, but got two rooms constructed. And today, he is on the path of becoming our reseller who is going and selling our services to other farmers. He tells people that he has been using OYO and how he has benefited from this in the same environment. So one bit of conversation with PM Modi, just a minute and a half, translated into an opportunity for so many of our farmers.

Not just OYO, any company can venture into village tourism that houses a large part of Indian population, and enable

consumers to have a unique experience and create an industry by itself. PM Modi has this ability to converse in terms of massive depth and massive breadth. He looks at large scale initiatives but tracks their execution very closely and this makes our Hon’ble PM truly a Startup Prime Minister. I mentioned to him that my mother for the longest time thought that me pursuing entrepreneurship was a bad idea. Some of my friends convinced me to be an entrepreneur and she felt it was not the right thing to do. The first time the PM talked about me in Startup India, my mom finally told me that what you are doing must be probably right.

In his interactions with other industry leaders, he discusses ideas, challenges and way

ahead with the same level of depth. I have heard him talking about data centre expansion, heard him talk about renewable energy right from the location of solar to ethanol resources, where to find the raw materials to manufacture these panels in India etc. When we think infrastructure, we only think of road, railway, highway. But I have heard industry groups have a conversation about consumer electronics. India this year probably will be single biggest country for consumer electronic manufacturing. Very rarely do people know about it. Recently there was a big drone policy and reform measures to promote India’s drone industry. India is becoming the hotbed of drone manufacturing and innovation. In each of these industries, such level of depth,

in my view is unparalleled and this is leading all these industries to grow.

He is an incredible listener. In an industry delegation, he would listen to every item on thee list. In one of pre-budget CII delegations, his clear perspective was that long term value is created by investing in infrastructure. So if tourism needs to expand, we should make large scale, long term infrastructure investment. Kevadia in Gujarat is a great example of this where the world’s tallest statue, the Statue of Unity is. But along with that, there are rapids for rafting, cactus gardens, garden based restaurants, jungle safaris and what not. It is a one-ofits-kind experience and I highly encourage people to visit Kevadia or Ekta Nagar. This infrastructure has now allowed a huge hotel industry to flourish there. We can look at Kashi Assi Ghat, railway station, Shri Kashi Vishwanathit is incredible how the city has transformed and has had a great knock-on effect on everyone in the ecosystem. Whether you are an auto driver, tourist guide, someone selling temple products, you are growing and so is the government! PM Modi is a long term reformist and a value creator. 100 unicorns don’t get created out of one initiative. Quite a few things had to come together for all of us to be here. The world and our own entrepreneurial ecosystem is in awe of how we have been able to get there! We are a country with a billion plus people with the aspiration and inspiration to be best in world. And we have a leader who says that we are not satisfied with status quo! TO BE CONTINUED...

COMPILED AND EDITED BY SHASHIKANT SHARMA AND SHWETA SHARMA

‘NARENDRA MODI GIVES UNDIVIDED ATTENTION IN ALL OF HIS MEETINGS’ PM Modi gives undivided attention in his meetings so much so that the person meeting him feels that there is nothing more important to the PM than the agenda at hand. The PM has vast and in-depth knowledge of travel and tourism that for once I got a feeling that no one can know more about it than him and that he probably has only this industry to think about. Of course, he is the PM and is aware of every little aspect of governance in all sectors.

‘MODI HAS ABILITY TO CONVERSE IN TERMS OF MASSIVE DEPTH, BREADTH’ Not just OYO, any company can venture into village tourism that houses a large part of Indian population, and enable consumers to have a unique experience and create an industry by itself. PM Modi has this ability to converse in terms of massive depth and massive breadth. He looks at large scale initiatives but tracks their execution very closely and this makes our Hon’ble Prime Minister Narendra Modi truly a Startup Prime Minister.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi

Ensure party does not lose any of 9 state polls in 2023: Nadda

New Delhi (PTI): BJP president JP Nadda on Monday underlined the importance of the nine state assembly polls to be held this year in the run up to the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, and asked the party's national executive to ensure it does not lose in any state.

Briefing media on Nadda’s address to the key BJP body, whose twoday meeting began here on Monday, former Union minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said Nadda noted that the ongoing year was very important in the prelude to 2024 Lok Sabha polls.

The BJP is putting in place a number of exercises to strengthen its organisation to ensure that it comes back to power in 2024 at the Centre for a third term.

Nadda, in his closeddoor address, lauded India’s progress under the Modi government.

It has become the world’s fifth-largest economy, second-largest manufacturer of mobile phones, thirdlargest manufacturer in the auto sector while the highway being built every day has risen to 37 km from 12 km earlier, Nadda said.

MEET AIMED AT SETTING AGENDA FOR ASSEMBLY, LS ELECTIONS

KEY TAKEAWAYS OF MEET: POLITICAL AND WELCOME RESOLUTIONS

Bhagwat to attend Netaji’s birth anniv event in WB on Jan 23

New Delhi (ANI): RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat will address a meeting at Shaheed Minar ground in Kolkata on 23 January, the birth anniversary of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose.

The programme will be organized at the Shaheed Minar ground in Kolkata. Sources said that, Sangh chief can give an important message on sensitive issues like amended citizenship law, and birth control bill. Preparations for this meeting are going on in full swing.

Sangh sources said, Bhagwat will talk about Netaji’s ideology, and vision, and how he fought for the freedom of the country. Thousands of volunteers from across the state will participate in the program. They say that Bhagwat is expected to arrive in Calcutta on January 18.

Born to advocate Janakinath Bose in Odisha's Cuttack on January 23, 1897, Netaji went on to play a key role in the freedom movement.

Bose is also known for establishing the Azad Hind Fauj.

While there is controversy over Bose's death in a plane crash in Taipei on August 18, 1945, the Central government had in an RTI in 2017 confirmed that he had died in the incident.

Bharat Jodo Yatra resumes from Adampur

Jalandhar (PTI):

The march started from the Kala Bakra area and several Congress leaders, including state party chief Amrinder Singh Raja Warring, were seen accompanying Gandhi.

The yatra will enter Hoshiarpur district later in the day as part of its journey in Punjab and will halt for the night at Urmar Tanda.

The march, which started from Kanyakumari in Tamil Nadu on September 7, will conclude in Srinagar by January 30, with Gandhi hoisting the national flag in the summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir.

Bengaluru

secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra said on Monday. At a women-centric convention here, she said she was brought up by two brave and strong women — her grandmother Indira Gandhi and mother Sonia Gandhi. She recalled that she was eight-years-old when Indira Gandhi lost her 33-year-old son. But the very next day of Sanjay Gandhi’s death, she went to work to serve the nation and that was the sense of duty and her “inner shakti”. Indira

IN THE COURTYARD

Ivan Sequeira, one of the accused in the case, had moved the CBI court to examine Ambani as a witness.

New Delhi: The Police on Monday filed a supplementary charge sheet in connection with the Rs 200 crore extortion case involving alleged fraudster Sukesh Chandrashekhar who has been accused of impersonating top government officials in order to extort about Rs 200 crore.

New Delhi: The Delhi High Court on Monday granted interim bail to expelled BJP leader Kuldeep Singh Sengar, who is serving life term for raping a minor girl in UP’s Unnao in 2017, to enable him to attend the wedding of his daughter. A bench suspended the sentence from January 27 to February 10 and asked Sengar to report to the SHO concerned on a daily basis during his release period.

New Delhi: The Jharkhand government on Monday told the Supreme Court it has received the names of three senior IPS officers from the UPSC and would appoint one of them as the new director general of police on February 12 after the current police chief demits office.

Rajya Sabha session from Jan 31 to April 6

New Delhi (PTI): The 259th session of Rajya Sabha will commence on January 31 and end on April 6. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will present the Union Budget 202324 on February 1. “The President has summoned the Rajya Sabha to meet on Tuesday, the 31st January 2023, at New Delhi. Subject to exigencies of business, the Session is scheduled to conclude on Thursday, the 6th April 2023,” a statement said.

Kolkata: Contry’s oldest litigation of a 72-year-old case was finally disposed off by the Calcutta High Court recently. The case pertained to the liquidation of the erstwhile Berhampore Bank Ltd. A bench decided the country’s longest legal dispute, a report in a section of the media said.

Kerala: All party meet over animal attack cases

Wayanad (PTI): An all-party-meeting held here on Monday, following the rise in number of man-animal conflicts in the forest district, decided that there should be an increase in the compensation paid to the victims of such attacks.

Kerala Forest Minister AK Saseendran said only the state cabinet can take a final decision on increasing the compensation to the animal attack victims.

“The recommendation of the all-partymeeting in this regard will be submitted before the cabinet meeting chaired by the CM,” he said.

MP CM Chouhan inaugurates Think-20 meet under G-20

Bhopal (ANI): Madhya Pradesh CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan inaugurated the two-day Think-20 meeting under G-20 at Kushabhau Thakre International Convention Centre) here on Monday.

Addressing the inaugural session, Chouhan said, “We heartily welcome all the delegates in the heart of India, Madhya Pradesh. We treat guests like ‘God’. In our country, we have

a tradition of Atithi Devo Bhava (the guest is God). Today, I feel that Bhopal has become the intellectual capital.” “We will work for with a notion of ‘One Earth, One Family and One Furture’. There is one earth and it is for everyone. One family represents that the entire world is a family in which trees and wildlife are also incldued with humna being,” the Madhya Pradesh CM added.

AAP vs LG: Kejriwal leads march over Delhi teachers’ Finland tour

New Delhi (ANI): Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal led a foot march of Aam AAP MLAs to Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena’s home as a mark of protest against alleged interference of LG in Delhi govt’s decisions.

The Aam Aadmi Party accused the Lieutenant Governor of rejecting a proposal to send Delhi school teachers to Finland for training. However, the Lieutenant Governor’s office has, denied rejecting any proposal and has said he only advised the state to record a cost-benefit analysis. The people of Delhi elect our government. It is taxpayers’ money. For Delhi’s education. What problem does the LG have?

He and other AAP MLAs carried placards reading: “Mr LG, allow the teachers to go to Finland”.

Modi shares snippets from Exam Warriors book

ams including interesting experiences of the same. It will surely motivate our Exam Warriors.”

First India Bureau

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has shared snippets titled ‘Your Exam, Your Methods-Choose Your Own Style’ from Exam Warriors book and urges students to share how they prepare for exams. In a tweet, the Prime Minister said; “In the book #Exam-

Warriors, one Matra is ‘Your Exam, Your Methods - Choose Your Own Style.’

As #ParikshaPeCharcha approaches, I urge you all to share how you prepare for ex-

Meanwhile at its National Executive meeting that began here on Monday, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) also held a discussion on a strategy to make Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s upcoming ‘Pariksha Pe Charcha’ (an interavtive event with board examinees) a success.

PM MODI, HM SHAH EXTEND GREETINGS TO PEOPLE ON THIRUVALLUVAR DAY

New Delhi (FIB):

I would also urge the youth to read the Kural.”

Union

Uri,

Pulwama attacks planned

by GoI: NC leader

UNNAO RAPE: INTERIM BAIL TO SENGAR

PM urges students to share how they prepare for exams

PARIKSHA PE CHARCHA

In his closed-door address, BJP chief lauds India’s progress under the PM Modi-led government

Yogi Adityanath, Nitin Gadkari, Rajnath Singh, ML Khattar, Amit Shah, Piyush Goyal and others at the BJP National Executive Meeting.

Rahul Gandhi with supporters during the Bharat Jodo Yatra.

New Delhi (ANI): BJP’s 2-day National Executive meeting that began here on Monday, is aimed at formulating the strategy for the assembly elections in nine states this year and the Lok Sabha elections to be held next year. The two-day national executive meeting of the BJP is being held at NDMC Convention Centre here. The BJP is focusing on issues that will fulfill the needs of the public, while the social security of Muslim women will be discussed separately.

New Delhi (ANI): At the Bharatiya Janata Party National Executive Meeting that began here on Monday, party’s National president JP Nadda received feedback on the roles and responsibilities given to central ministers in 160 Lok Sabha seats where the party is not on a strong footing. The meeting coincided with the two-day meeting of the National Executive, one of the key decision-making bodies of the BJP, which kicks off in the Capital later on Monday.

The Congress' Bharat Jodo Yatra resumed from Adampur here in Punjab on Monday, with scores of people marching along with Rahul Gandhi despite biting cold.

Shivraj Singh Chouhan at Think 20 meeting, in Bhopal on Monday.

Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal leads the protest march on Monday.

Jammu and Kashmir (ANI): Terror strikes in Uri in 2016 and the Pulwama attack of 2019 were “orchestrated” by the Central government according to National Conference (NC) leader Sheikh Mustafa Kamal who on Monday alleged that there were no photos or bodies of the soldiers and that those who had lost their lives in the two terror attacks belonged to the Scheduled Caste (SC) categories. Thus, he has started a new row.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi. —PHOTO BY ANI

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has paid homage to Thiruvalluvar on Thiruvalluvar Day and recalled his noble thoughts. PM also urged the youth to read the Kural. The PM tweeted: “On Thiruvalluvar Day, I pay homage to the wise Thiruvalluvar and recall his noble thoughts. Diverse in nature, they are a source of great motivation for people from all walks of life.

Home Minister Amit Shah also extended his warm greetings to the people on Thiruvalluvar day. In his tweet, Shah said that for centuries after centuries, the divine wisdom and life lessons taught by Thiruvalluvar have guided the path to a pious life. Shah wished that the day may unleash a nationwide renewed interest in reading of Thiruvalluvar books among the youth.

PM Narendra Modi with BJP chier JP Nadda at the meeting.

PM NARENDRA MODI ATTENDS BJP NATIONAL EXECUTIVE MEETING New Delhi: PM Narendra Modi on Monday attended the two-day National Executive meeting of the BJP at the NDMC Convention Centre here. BJP national president JP Nadda, Union Ministers including Home Minister Amit Shah, Chief Ministers of BJP-ruled States and other party leaders also participated in meeting. Sources said the three resolutions of the National Executive meeting encompass political, economic and international affairs.

Mumbai: A CBI court has rejected a plea to call Reliance Chairman Mukesh Ambani as a witness in a 1989 case related to an alleged attempt to murder businessman Nusli Wadia.

New Delhi: BJP MLAs entered the Delhi Assembly with oxygen masks and cylinders on Monday to protest against the alleged inaction of the AAP govt on tackling pollution, as both parties crossed swords in the House on the first day of the Winter Session.

New Delhi (ANI): Law and Justice Minister Kiren Rijiju on Monday while replying to Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said convenient politics is not advisable, especially in the name of the Judiciary, adding that the Constitution of India is supreme and nobody is above it. Tussle erupted after Kiren Rijiju recently wrote a letter to the Chief Justice of India and pitched for the inclusion of government representatives in the collegium.

(PTI): Italy-born Sonia Gandhi initially struggled to learn Indian traditions and disliked politics, her daughter and Congress general

Gandhi continued to serve the nation until she died.

Agnipath game changer in making armed forces future-ready: PM

New Delhi, Jan 16

(PTI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday congratulated first batch of Agniveers on being the pioneers of the Agnipath scheme, asserting that it is a transformative policy and a game changer in strengthening the armed forces and making them future-ready. Virtually addressing the new recruits, he said this “path-breaking” scheme will further empower women.

According to an official statement, the prime minister said the young Agniveers will make the armed forces more youthful and tech-savvy. De-

fence Minister Rajnath Singh called the Agnipath scheme one of the “most important and unprecedented reforms” in the armed forces. Addressing the Agniveers, the prime minister said technologically-advanced soldiers will play a “key role” in our armed forces, and added that the current generation of youth especially has this potential and Agniveers will play a leading role in the forces in the times to

‘SINKING’ JOSHIMATH

Joshimath will be rebuilt like Kedarnath: Uttarakhand Govt

Dehradun: The Uttarakhand government has taken a big decision regarding Joshimath, which is crumbling due to land subsidence. Like Kedarnath, now the government of Uttarakhand will also rebuild Joshimath affected by landslide. Uttarakhand

Disaster Management

Secretary Ranjit K Sinha has given this information. He said that CM Pushkar Singh Dhami has given instructions in this regard.

Sinha said in a press conference on Monday that ‘Joshimath will be redeveloped in the same way as Kedarnath was redeveloped. CM has directed that scientific investigation should be done in all the cities located in the mountains, we will do it.

‘MORE JOSHIMATH ABOUT TO HAPPEN’

Pithoragarh: Alleging use of explosives beyond permissible limit in widening of a border road in Dharchula, Congress MLA Harish Dhami on Monday said he will not let it “become another Joshimath”. “The company widening the 36 km road from Baluakot to Tawaghat is using explosives.”

CRUCIAL READ

12-YEAR-OLD GIRL GANG-RAPED IN MP’S JABALPUR; THREE ACCUSED ARRESTED

Jabalpur: A group of three youths allegedly gangraped a 12-year-old girl under Chargawan police station limits in Madhya Pradesh’s Jabalpur district, a police official said on Monday. The incident occurred on Sunday evening around 6 pm and all the accused of the case were arrested. The accused have been identifed as Pancham Thakur (22), Brijesh Thakur (around 22 years old) and Bali Thakur (23 years old).

RANCHI AIRPORT GETS INSTRUMENT LANDING SYSTEM

New Delhi: The Airports Authority of India has commissioned Facility Performance Category-I Instrument Landing System for Runway-31 at its Birsa Munda airport at Ranchi, the authority said on Monday.

The new ILS replaced the existing facility that had completed its recommended life span.

Birsa Munda Airport has been witnessing a steady increase in passenger movement.

INTER-STATE DRUG SUPPLIER HELD IN J&K’S ANANTNAG

Jammu: Police on Monday arrested an inter-state narcotics supplier in J&K’s Anantnag district, officials said. A police team conducted raids in Bijbehara area of Anantnag district and arrested Shamas-ud-din Ganai. He was brought to Samba and interrogated by police, they said. Police said that Ganai, who hails from Bijbehara in Anantnag, was wanted in J&K, Punjab and other states.

MAN HELD FOR RAPING 20-YEAR-OLD WOMAN IN UTTAR PRADESH’S MAHOBA

Mahoba: A 24-year-old man was arrested for allegedly raping a woman here, police said on Monday. The incident happened in an area under Mahobakanth police station area on Sunday night, they said. According to the police, the 20-year-old woman from the same village as the accused was sleeping when the man barged into her house and raped her.

SUKHU HOLDS MEET TO PRE-EMPT JOSHIMATH-LIKE CRISIS IN HIMACHAL

Shimla: In the wake of the Joshimath land subsidence, the Himachal Pradesh government has swung into action to avert the possibility of such incidents in the state.

Chief Minister Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu held a meeting on Monday, with disaster management officers and DCs of all the districts at the

secretariat regarding the possibilities of such incidents in Himachal Pradesh. After the Joshimath incident in Uttarakhand, the Himachal Pradesh government has also swung into action. CM Sukhu held a meeting with disaster management officers and DCs of all the districts at the secretariat on Monday.

SHELTER, FOOD FOR VICTIMS AT GURDWARA

New Delhi (Agencies): Joshimath Gurdwara has become a shelter for victims of land subsidence as well as rescue personnel in the Uttarakhand town. Sri Hemkund Sahib manages the gurdwara, which is dedicated to the 10th Guru of Sikhs, Guru Gobind Singh.A media report quoted Joshimath Gurdwara manager Seva Singh as saying: “More than 700 houses and around 15 hotels are affected in Joshimath.”

MEHBOOBA AIRS J&K’S CONCERNS

Srinagar: PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti has slammed the govt for its “recklessness” in not limiting number of pilgrims and extending roads in JK&, warning that Amarnath and Vaishno Devi can face a Joshimath-like situation. “Joshimath is just the tip of the iceberg,” she said.

EC starts discussion with parties over remote voting machines

New Delhi (PTI): Amid decision by various opposition parties to oppose the Election Commission’s proposal to introduce the remote voting machine for migrant workers, the poll panel on Monday began a discussion with parties on the politically sensitive subject.

After remarks by Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar, the poll watchdog will

demonstrate to the representatives of political parties the remote electronic voting machine (RVM).

It has invited representatives of eight na-

tional, and 57 recognised state parties for a demonstration here. EC has maintained that the RVM, developed by the public sector undertaking Electronics Corporation of India, will be a stand alone device not connected to the internet in any way.

The initiative, if implemented, can lead to a “social transformation” for migrants, the EC had said last month.

New Delhi (ANI): Addressing first batch of Agniveers, PM Narendra Modi on Monday highlighted that this transformative policy will be a game changer in strengthening our Armed Forces and making them future-ready. Under the Agnipath scheme, announced on June 14 last year, services are recruiting youths between age of 17-andhalf years and 21 years.

PM TALKS TO AGNIVEERS

New Delhi (ANI): PM Narendra Modi on Monday interacted with Agniveers through a video conference. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh was also present. Earlier on January 11, Brig Suresh G, Commandant, 1 EME Centre, briefed media at the Agniveers Training and Administration and Newly Conceptionalised and Constructed Outdoor Musketry Facility, in Secunderabad.

Ganga Vilas Cruise gets stuck in Bihar’s Chhapra

Chhapra (ANI): The flagship Ganga Vilas Cruise, which was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi last week, got stuck on the third day of its 51day journey in Bihar’s Chhapra due to shallow water in the Ganga, officials said on Monday.

The cruise which was scheduled to dock at the shore for the tourists to visit Chirand, an archaeological site, got stuck because of water deficiency in the Ganges near the Doriganj area of the district. Chirand Saran, situated 11 km southeast of Chhapra near Doriganj Bazar, is the most important archaeological site of the district. Stupanuma fillings built on the banks of the Ghaghra river are seen to be associated with Hindu, Buddhist and Muslim influences. However, owing to the shallow water at the shore, it was difficult to bring the cruise to the shore, the officials said on Monday.

New Delhi: While inaugurating the world’s largest longest river cruise titled Ganga Vilas, PM Narendra Modi called it “a new age of tourism in India”, but on the other hand, Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh has termed the service “obscene”. Taking to Twitter, the Congress leader said that the service would also endanger

India’s national aquatic mammal. “The river cruise on the Ganga unveiled by the PM is obscene! Who can afford Rs 50 lakh per night except the filthy rich? Ganga is still neither Nirmal nor Aviral. Now this Tamasha will also endanger India’s national aquatic mammal — the Gangetic dolphin,” Ramesh wrote in his tweet.

Sagardighi: West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee on Monday rued the “lack of central aid” for the annual Gangasagar mela, which is attended by lakhs of pilgrims, and said her government would continue to bear the expenses as per its capability. Banerjee noted that 70 lakh pilgrims have taken holy dip at the congregation this year. “At

First G20 Health Working Group meeting in Kerala

New Delhi (PTI): The first Health Working Group meeting under India’s G20 presidency will be held in Thiruvananthapuram during January 18-20, the Union Health Ministry said on Monday.

Tracking health emergencies, preparedness and response, strengthening cooperation in the pharmaceutical sector, and digital health innovation and solutions are the three priorities un-

26TH NATIONAL YOUTH FESTIVAL

der health for India in its G20 presidency, the ministry said.

Health emergencies prevention, and preparedness and response with a focus on One Health and antibiotic resistance is top on the agenda, and India will aim to play a major role in converging discussions in multiple forums for global health architecture and act as an enabler to reduce fragmentation and duplication, it said.

least 70 lakh people visited Gangasagar Mela this year from all over the country. They have crossed waterways to reach the (Sagar) island. Throughout the year, one crore people visit Gangasagar. It’s our ill luck that the Centre, despite the heavy footfall, does not spend a single penny on the event,” Banerjee said here.

Traffic restored on JammuSrinagar NH

Ramban (ANI): Jammu-Srinagar national highway was closed on Monday due to shooting stones near Ramban, affecting vehicular movement for several hours. However, NH-44 is through for traffic after clearance now. Informing about the development, Mohita Sharma, SSP Ramban tweeted, “NH 44 through for traffic after clearance. Travel with caution”.

Thakur addresses valedictory function in Dharwad

be utilized effectively in nation-building.

First India Bureau

Dharwad: Union Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports & Information and Broadcasting Anurag Singh Thakur addressed valedictory of 26th National Youth Festival in Dharwad, Karnataka on Monday.

The five-day event was inaugurated by the

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday.

Speaking on the occasion, Thakur invited the youth to join Y-20 Talks and Y-20 Walks and prepare documents for G-20 leaders suggesting solutions on various important issues.

The Minister urged the young generation to

actively join government initiative to build a clean, beautiful, empowered nation. Outlining the various youth

welfare measures initiated by the Narendra Modi Government Thakur urged that these measures should

He expressed happiness over the successful conduct of the National Youth Festival which was celebrated as Green Festival in Hubli-Dharwad. The Minister underlined the need for waste reduction initiatives in life to build a clean India. He called upon the youth to take a pledge in this regard.

Thakur said the National Youth Festival symbolizes unity and integrity as it literally

creates a miniature of India. The Minister asked the youth representatives to share with others the messages they carry back from the youth fete.

He noted that the country has achieved unprecedented growth and progress in almost all sectors. The 2019-20 National Youth Awards were conferred on 19 individuals and six organizations for excellent work and contribution in different fields on the occasion.

First India Bureau

Labourers re-construct a wall which got damaged as a result of land subsidence, in Joshimath.

State disaster management secy says it will be redeveloped in same manner like Kedarnath was

come. PM Modi, Rajnath Singh, Chiefs of three Defence Services at video conferencing on Agnipath.

PM MODI HAILS NEW SCHEME

GANGA VILAS “OBSCENE” AND A THREAT TO GANGETIC DOLPHIN: JAIRAM RAMESH

MAMATA BANERJEE LAMENTS LACK OF CENTRAL AID FOR GANGASAGAR MELA

“New India is filled with renewed vigour, and efforts are underway to modernise our armed forces as well as make them Aatmanirbhar.”

—Narendra Modi, PM

Union I&B Minister asks Youth to take initiatives to build a Clean, Beautiful, Empowered Nation

Union I&B Minister Anurag Thakur addressing the function.

CM

New Delhi (PTI): Maruti Suzuki India on Monday said it has hiked prices of its vehicles across models by about 1.1%. This is the second price hike that the carmaker is undertaking in the ongoing fiscal year, after increasing it in April 2022. In December last year, the company had said it would hike prices of its vehicles to offset the impact of rising input costs and make provisions to update the model range to conform to stricter emission norms which will kick in from April 2023.

IN INDIA,

1% own more than 40% of total wealth

Davos (PTI): The richest 1% in India now own more than 40% of the country’s total wealth, while the bottom half of the population together share just 3% of wealth, new study showed.

Releasing the India supplement of its annual inequality report on the first day of the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting here, rights group Oxfam International said that taxing India’s ten-richest at 5% can fetch entire money to bring children back to school.

“A one-off tax on unrealized gains from 2017–2021 on just one billionaire, Gautam Adani, could have raised ` 1.79 lakh crore, enough to employ more than five million Indian primary school teachers for a year,” it added.

The report titled ‘Survival of the Richest’ further said that if India’s billionaires are taxed once at 2% on their entire wealth, it would support the re-

OTHER STORIES

NETWORTH OF RICHEST-1% DOUBLE OF REST OF WORLD

Davos (PTI): The richest 1% have bagged nearly twice as much wealth as the rest of the world population put together over the past two years, a new report said on Monday. Oxfam

quirement of `40,423 crore for the nutrition of malnourished in the country for the next three years.

“A one-time tax of 5% on the 10 richest billionaires in the country (` 1.37 lakh

further said that billionaire fortunes are increasing by $2.7 billion a day even as at least 1.7 billion workers now live in countries where inflation is outpacing wages. The richest

crore) is more than 1.5 times the funds estimated by the Health and Family Welfare Ministry (` 86,200 crore) and the Ministry of Ayush (`3,050 crore) for the year 2022-23,” it added.

1% have grabbed nearly twothirds of all new wealth worth $42 trillion created since 2020, almost twice as much money as the bottom 99% of the world’s population.

On gender inequality, the report said that female workers earned only 63 paise for every 1 rupee a male worker earned.

For SC and rural workers, the difference is even

WEALTH OF ULTRA-WEALTHY TO CONTINUE TO RISE IN 2023: SURVEY

New Delhi (PTI): Nearly 9 out of 10 ultra-high-net-worth individuals in India saw an increase in wealth during in 2022, and the super rich expect their wealth to grow further this year, according to a Knight Frank survey. Among Indian respondents, the consultant said 88% saw a rise in UHNWI’s (ultrahigh-net-worth individuals) wealth in 2022. Going forward, the Indian respondents expect wealth of the ultra-wealthy to continue to increase in 2023. While 47% expect wealth to increase by more than 10%, 53% expect wealth to rise by at least 10% over the previous year.

INDIA INC MAY DOLE OUT 9.8% SALARY HIKE IN 2023: SURVEY

New Delhi (PTI): India Inc is likely to see an average salary increment of 9.8% in 2023, slightly higher than a 9.4% hike in 2022, and for top talent the increase will be much more, says a survey. According to Korn Ferry’s latest India Compensation Survey, organizations are focused on retaining critical and key talent through various talent management initiatives and formal retention and compensation plans.

starker -- the former earned 55% of what the advantaged social groups earned, and the latter earned only half of the urban earnings between 2018 and 2019.

“Taxing the top 100 In-

Greater Noida (PTI): Hyundai Motor India will increase its production capacity to 8.2 lakh units annually from June this year as it looks to reduce backlog orders with improvement in semiconductor supply issues, according to top company officials. The company, which is among the worst hit automobile manufacturers by chip shortage, currently has a backlog order of around 1.15 lakh units, with majority of them being its popular SUVs -- Creta and Venue.

MUTUAL FUNDS' SIP

COLLECTION JUMPS

31% TO `1.5 LAKH CR

IMPORTS OF COVID-19 VACCINES EXEMPTED FROM CUSTOMS DUTY TILL MARCH 31

New Delhi (PTI): The government has exempted customs duty on imports of Covid-19 vaccines till March 31, 2023 in a bid to ensure domestic availability amid fears of a surge in coronavirus infections. In a notification, the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) said Covid vaccines, when imported into India by central government or state governments, would be exempt from the whole of customs duty from January 14, 2023 till March 31, 2023. The government had, in April 2021, first exempted Covid-19 vaccines from 10% customs duty.

INDIA’S EXPORTS DECLINE OVER 12% Y-O-Y IN DEC 2022

New Delhi (PTI): India’s exports in December 2022 dipped by 12.2% to $34.48 billion as against $39.27 billion in the same month last year.

WPI inflation at 22-month low of 4.95% in Dec

Global recession likely in 2023: WEF survey

dian billionaires at 2.5%, or taxing the top 10 Indian billionaires at 5% would nearly cover the entire amount required to bring the children back into school,” it added.

New Delhi (PTI): Contributions to mutual fund schemes through SIPs remain unfazed from the market volatility in 2022 with inflow growing to `1.5 lakh crore in 2022, a surge of 31% from a year earlier, due to higher retail participation. In comparison, an inflow of `1.14 lakh crore through the route was registered in 2021 and `97,000 crore in 2020, data with the AMFI showed. Going ahead, SIP numbers are expected to continue to remain strong in 2023 as investors are increasingly appreciating the importance of regular investing through the route.

58% BUILDERS

EXPECT HOUSING PRICES TO RISE

Imports in Dec 2022 also declined to $58.24 billion as against $60.33 billion in the same month last year. During April-Dec this fiscal the country’s overall exports rose by 9% to $332.76 billion. Imports during the period increased by 24.96% to $551.7 billion.

AXIS TOPS RE-BOND LEAGUE TABLE FOR 16TH YEAR IN A ROW

Mumbai (PTI): Axis Bank has trumped every competitor for the 16th consecutive year in 2022 as a rupee domestic bond issue arranger, cornering 19.20% market share or `92,904.5 crore across 127 issuances. The second position in the list is maintained by ICICI Bank with a market share of 17.67% or `85,486 crore and HDFC Bank third with 17.29% or `83,667 crore of the total share.

PAYTM PAYMENTS BANK GETS NOD TO OPERATE AS BHARAT BILL PAYMENT OPERATING UNIT

New Delhi (PTI): Paytm Payments Bank on Monday said it has received final approval from the Reserve Bank of India to operate as a Bharat Bill Payment Operating Unit (BBPOU). Under Bharat Bill Payment System (BBPS), a BBPOU is allowed to facilitate bill payment services of electricity, phone, DTH, water, gas insurance, loan repayments, FASTag recharge, education fees, credit card bill and municipal taxes.

BBPS is owned by the National Payments Corporation of India.

New Delhi (PTI): The wholesale price-based inflation declined to a 22-month low of 4.95% in December 2022, mainly due to fall in prices of food articles, especially vegetables, and oilseeds. Last month, declining prices of vegetables and onions pulled down inflation rate of food articles to (-)1.25%. However, wheat, pulses and potato remained expensive, along with protein rich items like milk and 'egg, meat and fish'.

The last low level of WPI inflation was recorded in February 2021 at 4.83%.

Davos (PTI): A global recession is likely in 2023, but pressures on food, energy and inflation may be peaking, the WEF said on Monday in its Chief Economists Outlook survey.

At the same time, some economies in the South Asia region, including Bangladesh and India, may benefit from global trends such as a diversification of manufacturing supply chains away from China, the report said.

The WEF said globally businesses are expected to cut costs significantly in response to economic headwinds, but chief economists are optimistic about inflation and strong bal-

ance sheets.

A majority of the World Economic Forum’s Community of Chief Economists expect to see geopolitical tensions continuing to shape the global economy, and anticipate further monetary tightening in the United States and Europe.

Almost two-thirds of chief economists believe a global recession is likely in 2023.

Tel Aviv (PTI): The newlyelected President of the Israel-Asia Chamber of Commerce, Anat Bernstein-Reich, who has worked to promote Indo-Israel bilateral trade for more than two decades, has said the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between Israel and India will act as a catalyst in fulfilling the huge trade potential.

“India and Israel trade relations have reached new heights but have still not fulfilled their potential.

The long-awaited Free Trade Agreement will be a catalyst for the same”, Bernstein-Reich said.

Sensex drops 168 pts; Nifty below 17,900

Mumbai (PTI): Benchmark equity index Sensex and Nifty gave up early gains and ended lower on Monday as investor sentiment was hit due to unabated foreign fund outflows and losses in index heavyweights Reliance Industries and HDFC Bank.

The 30-share BSE Sensex declined 168.21 points or 0.28% to settle at 60,092.9.

The broader NSE Nifty

dipped 61.75 points or 0.34% to end at 17,894.85.

From the Sensex pack, Axis Bank, NTPC, HDFC,

Mumbai (PTI): The rupee pared initial gains and settled 21 paise lower at 81.59 (provisional) against the US dollar on Monday, tracking a rebound in the greenback overseas and a muted trend in domestic equities. At the interbank foreign exchange market, the rupee opened on a positive note at 81.29 against the greenback, but pared the gains and fell to an intra-day low of 81.73. The domestic currency finally settled at 81.59.

HDFC Bank, M&M, ICICI Bank, RIL and Maruti were among the major laggards.

Tech Mahindra, HCL

Sales momentum to continue in 2023

Greater Noida (FIB):

New Delhi (PTI): Around 58% of developers expect housing prices to increase this year because of rise in input costs, according to a survey. As per ‘Real Estate Developers Sentiment Survey’, by Realtors apex body CREDAI, real estate consultant Colliers India and property research firm Liases Foras, 43% of developers expect residential demand to remain stable in 2023, while 31% feel the demand would increase up to 25%.

Motors, Kia India and Hyundai are expecting sales momentum to continue this year as well after witnessing robust growth in dispatches to dealers in the last year.

Tata Motors, which crossed five lakh cumulative wholesale mark in 2022, is hopeful of robust performance this year on the back of new launches as well as better traction for its internal combustion engine models, electric vehicles and CNG trims.

“It (sales growth) will be steep, hopefully, it will not

be as steep as it was because the denominator used to be lower, now it is becoming higher,” Tata

ROBUST PERFORMANCE

z Tata Motors, which crossed five lakh cumulative wholesale mark in 2022, is hopeful of robust performance this year on the back of new launches as well as better traction for its internal combustion engine models, electric vehicles and CNG trims.

growth would be in single or double digits, he said: “Double digit penetration is what we are looking at.”

Technologies, Infosys, Wipro, TCS and Power Grid were among the major winners.

RIL suspends auction of gas from KG-D6

New Delhi (PTI): Reliance Industries Ltd and its partner bp plc on Monday suspended a planned auction for the sale of natural gas from their eastern offshore KG-D6 block after the government altered marketing rules to cap margins.

In a notice, Reliance and its partner BP Exploration (Alpha) Ltd (BPEAL) said the auction has been suspended indefinitely.

E-bidding for the sale of 6 million standard cubic meters per day of gas was originally planned for January 18 but was later pushed back first to

January 19 and then to January 24.

On January 13, the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas published new rules for the sale and resale of gas produced from discoveries in deep sea, ultradeep water and high pressure-high temperature areas with marketing and pricing freedom.

Tata

Motors Managing Director – PV and EV Shailesh Chandra told PTI. When asked if the sales

TaMo, KIA, HYUNDAI EXPECT

HYUNDAI INDIA TO RAISE PRODUCTION CAPACITY FROM JUNE

‘FTA will boost India-Israel relationship’

Shivendra Parmar

Jaipur : Average investigation duration in crimes against women in Rajasthan has decreased to 69 days in 2022 from 211 days in 2018, Rajasthan’s Director General of Police Umesh Mishra said on Monday.

Speaking at a press conference, Mishra said that the state police are working with the aim of providing accountable, transparent, and sensitive po -

lice administration to the people’s respect, life, and property. He said that the police took quick action and did a thorough investigation in the cases of POCSO Act/rape, due to which

in the last year 2022, the accused in such cases were sentenced to death in 5 such cases.

In 209 cases, rigorous imprisonment of upto 20 years was awarded to criminals. Mishra

Jodhpur to host G20 Summit from Feb 2

Rajeev Gaur

Jodhpur: G-20 conference will be organised from February 2 to 4 in Jodhpur for which preparations have already started. Dishes specially prepared from millets will be served for the Sherpas and delegates. The foreign guests will start their morning with a yoga session.

Sherpas and delegates from 20 countries including Australia, It-

aly, Japan, and China will come to Jodhpur. Every intersection of the city is decorated with Rajasthani culture and a special theme.

From Jodhpur’s Divi-

sional Commissioner KC Meena to District Collector Himanshu Gupta and Police Commissioner Ravidutt Gaur, in-charge minister Subhash Garg and in-charge secretary Jitendra Upadhyay are continuously monitoring the preparations.

Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot has also reviewed all the arrangements by taking an essential meeting in this regard.

There is a misconception that Raj ranks first in rape cases. The truth is Madhya Pradesh ranks first & then Raj and the reason is ‘uninterrupted registration. 41% of the total registered rape cases are found unproven in Rajasthan whereas the national average is 8%.

Umesh Mishra, DGP

said that the Rajasthan government has given importance to the ‘uninterrupted registration’ of FIR from June 2019 for complainants. This has yielded positive results.

STATE HAS HIGHEST CONVICTION RATE, SAYS DGP MISHRA

Jaipur: DGP Umesh Mishra said, “Despite foreshadowing the criticism of increasing the registration figure, we did not think of bypassing the policy of uninterrupted registration but tried to strengthen it further.

During this period, the police took action against the officers in 18 cases who did not register FIRs. As per data from National Crime Records Bureau in rape cases, the conviction percentage of Raj state is 47.9, which is much higher than the national level conviction percentage of 28.6.

Regular Add’l Dist & Sessions Court to open in Nagaur

First India Bureau

Jaipur: With a view to providing easy justice to the general public, courts are being established in different districts of the state.

In this sequence, Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot has approved the proposal to set up a regular Additional District and Sessions Court at Jayal in Na-

Rajasthan govt transfers 40 state administrative service officers

Dr Rituraj Sharma and Shivendra Parmar

Jaipur: Before the assembly session and with the commencement of Chintan Shivir, 40 RAS officers were transferred by the Gehlot government on Monday, making major changes in the administrative fleet.

In this, 8 additional collectors and 7 SDOs been shuffled. In this list, 6 important posts of urban bodies including the commissioner and two additional divisional commissioners have been transferred.

The District Logistics Officer of Baran has also been changed. Before the assembly session, these transfers are considered important because there is little possibility of extensive changes except for important posts during the entire assembly session.

In these transfers, importance has been given to the opinion of public representatives.

Through the shuffle, transfers made on a total of 6 posts including commissioners of urban bodies and two additional divisional commissioners have been changed along with Baran DSO.

Notably, 7 SDOs have been moved along with 8 Additional District Collectors. Notably, previous transfers of Vivek Kumar and Vikas Rajpurohit have been canceled. Interestingly, RAS Vivek Kumar has been transferred to 3 different places in the past and

l REKHA SAMARIA: Addl. Commissioner and Deputy Secretary (2nd) Panchayati Raj Department

l ASHOK KUMAR

MEENA: Addl. Director, Elementary Education, Bikaner

l SATYANARAYAN AMETA: District Logistics Officer, Baran

l PRABHATI LAL JAT: Addl. Commissioner (III), TAD, (MADA) Jaipur

l KAPOOR SHANKAR MANN: Deputy Commissioner, CAD, IGNP, Bikaner

l NANDKISHORE RAJORA: CEO, Zilla Parishad, Ajmer

l NARESH SINGH TANWAR: Dy Commissioner, JMC Heritage

l SANGEETA MEENA: Dy Director, Social Justice and Empowerment Department

l RAJESH MEWADA: ADM Bali

l SAROJ DHAKA: Dy Commissioner, JMC Heritage

l RAJENDRA SINGH-II, ADM, Ajmer

l DURGA SHANKAR MEENA: ADM, Baran

l SHEORAM VERMA: ADM, Didwana, Nagaur

l ARVIND SHARMA:

all three transfers have been canceled by the Personnel Department canceled. He was first

SDM, Phagi, Jaipur

l PRAMOD SIRVI: Protocol Officer, General Administration Dept, Jodhpur

l NARENDRA KUMAR MEENA: SDM, Keshoraipatan, Bundi

l MANISHA: SDM, Santhal, Dausa

l VIKAS MOHAN BHATI: SDM, Sarwad, Ajmer

l SUBHASH CHANDRA GOYAL: Commissioner, Bharatpur Municipal Corporation

l SUBHASH CHANDRA HEMANI: SDM, Seemalwada

l SUNITA YADAV: Land Acquisition Officer, Ajmer Development Authority

l BALBIR SINGH: SDM, Parbatsar, Nagaur

l BHAVNA SINGH: Special Officer (Land), City Development Trust, Kota

l PANKAJ KUMAR SDM, Marwar Junction, Pali

l KAJODMAL DUNDIA, MD, Finance and Development Cooperative Corporation, Jaipur

l Vasudev Malavat: Commissioner Municipal Corporation Udaipur

l HIMMAT SINGH BARHATH: Secretary,

posted as Secretary of, the Social Welfare Board but there was no RAS post whereas, in

City Development Trust, Chittorgarh

l Rajesh Verma: MD, SC-ST Finance Development Cooperative Corporation Ltd. Jaipur

l MAHAVIR KHARADI: ADM, Deeg

l ANURAG BHARGAVA: Commissioner, Municipal Corporation, Kota North

l SUNITA CHOWDHARY: Registrar, Agricultural University, Bikaner

l RATAN KUMAR: ADM Bharatpur

l SURESH KUMAR: ADM Dausa

l RAJPAL SINGH: Additional Divisional Commissioner, Kota

l KAILASH CHANDRA SHARMA: Addl. Commissioner, Panchayati Raj Department, Jaipur

l AKHILESH SINGH PEEPAL: Addl. Divisional Commissioner, Bharatpur

l RAKESH KUMAR: Chief Executive Officer, Sikar

l PRIYA BHARGAVA: Addl. Registrar, Revenue Board, Ajmer

l Suman Panwar: Dy Director, Sainik Welfare Board, Jaipur

l RAKESH KUMAR, ADM Sikar

Churu, the Zilla Parishad CEO was transferred which Vivek was about 8-10 years back.

gaur district. As per the proposal, a regular Additional District & Sessions Court will be established in place of the Additional District and Sessions Camp Court at Jayal in Nagaur district. With this decision, it will be easier for the parties to get justice at the local level and the cases pending in the courts will be disposed off soon.

Ranji match starts after 32 yrs at Barkatullah Stadium in Jodhpur

First India Bureau

Jodhpur : With the efforts of Rajasthan Cricket Association President Vaibhav Gehlot, the Ranji match started after 32 years at the Barkatullah Khan Stadium in Jodhpur on Monday. The match was with Chhat-

tisgarh on Monday. Apart from Ravi Bishnoi, Aniket Chaudhary and Mahipal Lamrod have also participated.

Altaf Merchant and Usha Prakash will be the match referees and Bhupendra Bhati, OP Sharma will be the scorers. The second service match will be played from January 24 to January 27. Entry is free for everyone and a medical team will be at the stadium.

873, 878, 879, 880, 881, 882, 884

DGP BREAKS SILENCE ON RISING OF RAPE CASES IN RAJASTHAN

DGP Umesh Mishra addressing a press conference along with Smita Srivastava and Hawa Singh Ghumaria (L) and Ravi Prakash (R) on Monday.

Average probe time in crimes against women reduced to 69 days in Raj: DGP

—REPRESENTATIONAL IMAGE

CM GEHLOT REVIEWS 14 DEPTS ON DAY ONE OF CHINTAN SHIVIR

9 newly appointed judges take oath at High Court, Jodhpur

Shiv Prakash Purohit

Jodhpur: Chief Justice Pankaj Mithal administered the oath to the newly appointed nine additional judges at a function organised at Rajasthan High Court’s main bench in Jodhpur on Monday. Three judges were appointed from advocate quota and six judges from judicial of-

Stern steps be taken against societies which loot hard-earned money of public: CM

Rajasthan has become a model state in the health sector, informs CS

Rituraj Sharma

Jaipur: A two-day ‘Chintan Shivir’ of the Rajasthan government began here on Monday for the review of the performance of all the departments. The shivir began with a meeting of the council of ministers chaired by Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot at the HCM RIPA in Jaipur.

The review of 14 de-

Health Minister Parsadi Lal Meena said that 4,498 medical officers have been recruited in 4 years and the recruitment of 200 new food safety officers is going on. He said that Rajasthan Model of Health will be developed on a large scale. Out of 27 announcements of Medical & Health Dept, 24 have been completed and work on 3 is in progress. It was told that institutional delivery in Raj is more than nat’l average.

partments was done on the first day.

CS Usha Sharma informed that Rajasthan has become a model state in the health sector. She said that in the last four years, 2,722 announcements were made and financial ap-

Education Minister BD Kalla informed about important achievements of the department. He said the state has secured the position in the first four states in NAS 21 ranking. In presentation of School & Sanskrit Edu dept, it was informed that out of 98 budget announcements, 62 are complete and 36 are in progress. 1702 Mahatma Gandhi English medium schools have been set up.

provals for 94 % of them have been issued.

The CM said that strict steps should be taken against such societies which loot the hard-earned money of the people of the state.

Ministers Hemaram Chaudhary & Rajendra

In the review of Higher Education Department, Minister Rajendra Yadav said that 70 out of 88 budget announcements were completed. Yadav said that 245 candidates have been selected so far under the Rajiv Gandhi Scholarship for Academic Excellence Scheme 2021. In the presentation of the Gopalan Department, it was told that out of 6 budget announcements, 4 have been completed and 2 are in progress.

Gudha skipped the shivir. Chaudhary accompanied Congress leaderSachin Pilot during his Nagaur visit while Gudha was busy preparing for Pilot’s public meet in Jhunjhunu proposed on Wednesday. Shakuntala Rawat & Vishvendra

griculture minister Lalchand Kataria said for the first time a separate agriculture budget was presented in the state last year.In the presentation of the Agriculture and Horticulture Department, it was told that out of 68 budget announcements, 40 have been completed. For the first time in the state, 11 missions have been implemented through the separate agriculture budget in the financial year 2022-23.

Singh didn’t attend the shivir. Rawat’s father-inlaw passed away recently, while Vishvendra has been advised by doctors to take rest. Minister ML Meena said that there is good progress in implementing budget declarations.

Jaipur: Chief Information Commissioner DB Gupta administered the oath of office and secrecy to former DGP ML Lather as the Information Commissioner in the State Information Commission office on Monday. Gupta said that after the appointment of ML Lather, now all the sanctioned posts of Information Commissioner in the Commission have been filled. Lather said that the present era is the era of transparency and he will discharge his duty with full devotion on this new post. In the programme, Informa-

ficer quota. From the advocate quota AAG Ganesh Ram Meena and Anil Upman from Jaipur and Nupur Bhati from Jodhpur were administered oath. Rajendra Prakash Soni, Ashok Kumar Jain, Yogendra Kumar Purohit, Bhuvan Goyal, Praveer Bhatnagar and Ashutosh Kumar took oath as HC judges from

the judicial officer quota. After appointment of these 9 judges, the number of judges has increased to 35 in the HC while total strength is 50 judges. With the appointment of Nupur Bhati, now the number of women judges has gone up to three. Now Shubha Mehta, Rekha Borana and Nupur Bhati are the women judges.

tion Commissioner Rajendra Barwar, Laxman Singh Rathore, Sheetal Dhankar, Commission Secretary Priyanka Goswami, Deputy Secretary Suman Meena and various officials were present. —Kamal Kant

Jaipur: Justice RS Jhala took charge as State Human Rights Commission member in the commission office. Commission president Justice Gopal Krishna Vyas, Commission member Mahesh Goyal and Registrar Shailendra Vyas were also present.

Bharat24 will continue to celebrate those contributing to Nation’s devp: Dr Chandra

Pilot sahab can give name of any accused and action will be taken.

Pilot’s suggestions will also be taken into consideration, Khachariyawas and Bhupesh told media at press conference

First India Bureau

Jaipur: The Gehlot government is going to clamp down private coaching institutes and colleges in the budget session of the assembly.

A bill is being brought in the session regarding arbitrary fees and other matters. In this bill, such medical colleges, engineering colleges, private coaching institutes will be reined in, who charge arbitrary fees from the students.

Along with this, more strict action will be taken against those involved in paper leaks.

The decision to bring this bill was taken in the two day Chintan Shivir which started in OTS from Monday. Food and Civil Supplies Minister Pratap Singh Khachariyawas told the media during the camp that strict action will be taken against paper leakers in Rajasthan from the very beginning. “The houses of the people who leak papers have also been de-

Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot has given instructions that strict action should be taken against such societies which cheat the public. In this, the screws will also be tightened on the Multi State Credit Cooperative Society. CM Gehlot has instructed that such societies are fraudulently embezzling the hard earned money of the people. They will not be spared under any circumstances.

—Pratap S Khachariyawas, Food & Civil Supplies Min

molished. The opposition is unnecessarily attacking the paper leak which have happened in many other states as well but action has been taken in Rajasthan,” he said.

He informed that a high-level panel will be formed to approve prosecution of corrupt people in govt. “This panel will look into such matters. There will be a long discussion on law & order in Chintan Shivir on Tuesday. The Gehlot govt is developing

Our government has been doing the development of the people for the last four years and will leave no stone unturned this year also. The public will form the Congress government in the coming elections. Government will bring Rajasthan Private Educational Institutions Regulatory Bill. Jan Aakrosh Rath has disappeared and the government is trying to live up to the expectations of the people.

—Mamta Bhupesh, Women & Child Development Minister

entire state. All the ministers are giving presentation of their respective departments in the two-day Chintan Shivir,” he said.

On Sachin Pilot’s Kisan Sammelan, Khachariyawas said that he is a senior leader and is doing party’s work. “Our government has fulfilled 86 % of its promises. If BJP debates on Congress manifesto & BJP’s manifesto of LS polls, then they will know how much work our govern-

ment is doing. The Modi government has even left the poor to die by imposing GST on food items,” he said.

They further said, “Pilot sahab can give name of any accused and action will be taken. Pilot’s suggestions will also be taken into consideration.”

Notably, Pilot in Parbatsar had said, “Instead of brokers of paper leak, catch the kingpin. I feel hurt whenever I hear the news of exam cancellation.”

New Delhi: Nation’s Fastest Growing National Hindi News Channel, Bharat24 organised its highly anticipated initiative Super Indians at the Taj Palace Hotel in New Delhi to honour extraordinary individuals for their exemplary and contribution towards the Vision of New India.

The star panelists included Bollywood Star Vidyut Jamwal, Swami Nijamritananda Puri, Administrative Director, Amrita Hospital, Sameer Sethi, VP & Head of Brand Marketing, Policy Bazaar, Abhishek Sharma, CBO, VidyaMandir Classes, Anita Nayyar, COOMedia, Branding & Communication, Patanjali Ayurved, among other think-tanks. Meanwhile, Bollywood actors Govinda and Vidyut Jamwal also shared insight on entertainment business and shared experiences of their Bollywood journey.

Speaking at the event, CEO & Editorin-Chief, Dr Jagdeesh Chandra, said, “Bharat24 will continue to celebrate individuals who are contributing to Nation’s devel-

First India Bureau

Naresh Sharma & Dr

Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot pays tributes to the statue of Mahatma Gandhi during the Chintan Shivir being organised at OTS in Jaipur on Monday.

CM Ashok Gehlot during the two-day long Chintan Shivir being held at OTS in Jaipur on Monday.

Also seen here are Shanti Dhariwal, Parsadi Lal Meena, Usha Sharma, Kuldeep Ranka, Akhil Arora, PK Goyal, Kunji Lal Meena, T Ravikant and other Ministers and senior officials.

A

‘RAJ HEALTH MODEL TO BE DEVELOPED’ RAJ AMONG FIRST FOUR STATES IN NSA RANKING: BD KALLA

70 BUDGET PROMISES COMPLETE: YADAV 11 MISSIONS EXECUTED VIA SEPARATE AGRI BUDGET: LC KATARIA

Amit Mishra, Laxman Raghav & Ashvini Yadav

opment through their initiatives”

Manoj Jagyasi, Chief Business Officer & Strategic Advisor to Board, in his address said, “After success-

fully organising the Rajasthan Chapter of Super Indians, we were able to scale the Delhi edition even bigger and I am delighted to say that Super Indi-

ans has become one of the most sought-after IP’s. I would like to thank our partners for their continuous support towards our endeavours.”

Dr Jagdeesh Chandra with Arjun Ram Meghwal, Dr Jitendra Singh and (L-R) Manoj Jagyasi, Dr Piyush Dwivedi & Govinda during Super Indians event at the Taj Palace Hotel, New Delhi.

Nitin Gadkari with Dr Jagdeesh Chandra and Manoj Jagyasi during the mega event.

Pratap S Khachariyawas briefs about the Cabinet meeting during a press conference at OTS in Jaipur on Monday. Also seen here is Mamta Bhupesh. —PHOTO BY SANTOSH SHARMA

Arjun Ram Meghwal during an interview with Mimansa Malik and Aditi Nagar.

Manoj Jagyasi greets Vidyut Jamwal during the event. Also seen here is Syed Umar.

Will discharge new duty with full devotion, says ML Lather

DB Gupta administers the oath to ML Lather at the SIC.

Chief Justice Pankaj Mithal administers the oath to the newly appointed 9 judges during a function organised at the Jodhpur High Court on Monday.

JUSTICE JHALA IS SHRC MEMBER

Oppn unnecessarily attacking paper leak, when action has been taken in Raj: PSK

ourage is the most important of all the virtues because without courage, you can’t practice any other virtue consistently, believes stunning Soni Yadav who is also one of the final-

beauty shared “I hail from the beautiful city of Alwar. I admire the quality of being grounded and being grateful for what I have. And if we talk about my hobbies, being on stage is something that gives me the utmost thrill as I love learning, testing, and proving myself. Apart from that, It’s my dream to represent our beloved country India internationally. ”

Stating about her future goals and her beautiful journey Soni mentioned, “In the next 20 years of my life, I would like to see myself as a

My journey started when one of my friends, Meenakshi Chaudhary, won Miss grand India 2018. It was then that I dreamt of getting into pageants. I can’t thank enough Jagdeesh Chandra Sir for giving me such an opportunity and believing in me. Thanks to Gaurav Gaur and all the Elite Miss Rajasthan team for their constant support and love.”

While sharing her achievements the diva conveyed, “I have won many prizes in dance competitions. Also, I was an academic topper in my class. And being an Elite

“I admire the quality of being grounded and being grateful for what I have,” expressed ravishing Soni Yadav from Alwar, Rajasthan who is also one of the finalists of the Elite Miss Rajasthan 2022

MRIDULA SHARMA cityfirst@firstindia.co.in

—PHOTOS BY MUKESH

KIRADOO

ARIES

MAR 21 - APR 20

RATZZ, RITZZY & TANAY GO FOR A PICNIC

Listening to someone’s advice on the professional front will be in your interest.

You are very generous by nature and also you are the backbone of your family. Be careful of the words that come out of your mouth. Your lover may finally say yes to get married to you.

TAURUS

APR 21 - MAY 20

It will be in your interest to guide a family youngster on the academic front.

Scrumptious food is what you are craving for today. You may start a side business to earn extra money. You are not a jealous kind and you feel happy for others. You are a very grounded person.

GEMINI

MAY 21 - JUNE 21

Your spouse is someone who can do anything for your happiness. You are happy spending whole day at home. . Help your mothers at home today and give them a reason to smile. You are opportunist and this will make you successful one day.

CANCER

JUNE 22 - JULY 23

You must create an environment of understanding at home. Your regular exercise routine promises to keep you fit and energetic. You will succeed in any sort of examination if you put your heart and soul to it. You need a break from day to tensions and the way to cope up.

LEO

JULY 24 - AUGUST 23

Pending paperwork concerning a property will be completed. Admit your faults in relationship. Fantastic day for investing money in stock market as you can make fortune. You miss your parents a lot and somewhere fear to loose them.

VIRGO

AUG 24 - SEP 23

You are very fortunate to have a great friend circle. You care about you lover but somehow hesitate in expressing that care. On social front, you may have to spend some extra money in buying gifts for someone for some specific occasion. Overall health will be satisfactory.

LIBRA

SEPT 24 - OCTOBER 22

In the everyday hustle of our overly busy lives, we often forget the smaller and most uncomplicated pockets of joy! Those laughter-filled dinners with family or a simple outing with friends can provide our brains with something we all jones for, some distraction. Let it be the most successful person in the world, we all have our troubles, and we certainly need some pick-meups. Ritzzy and I often take walks in nature or have quiet book-reading sessions. Our absolute favourites are the cute picnic times that help us let loose and connect with our loved ones. Those fun-filled lazy afternoons with delicious food, timeless board games and a lot of chatter are just what you may need to recall what life is all about.

As if the ultra-modern-

ism of this world was not enough, we had the pandemic. Lately, most of us have retired into small, safe and technologically advanced shells. Nobody likes to go to the parks or gardens anymore; it is more of a developmental side-effect than the fear of covid. If you keep a safe distance and are hygienic, going into nature can be rather therapeutic than troublesome. So as part of this new year resolution, the Cauldron Sisters decided to make more us-time having picnics. We took the baby boo, Tanay, for a picnic in Central Park (Jaipur).

It sits in the mid of the city (hence the name).

The Jaipur Development Authority-constructed park is free for everyone.

The beautiful greenery and picturesque views were most certainly something that we needed on a sunny winter day.

Ratzz, Tanay and I played, ate some tasty homemade food and enjoyed a lot during this picnic.

Ritzzy taught baby-boo how to make paper aero-

planes, and in return, he taught us how to make paper bombs (hehe).

There were popcorn, burgers and french fries to eat, lemonade in some spill-proof container and games to have fun. We had a blast playing frisbee; clearly, we were missing our childhood. Recently, with so much gadget usage, the world is losing touch with these simple physical games. However, we all must remember it is not nutritious food only, that is great for our bodies. We also made sure to check our phones only occasionally; this way, distraction was minimal, and we were present in the moment.

While Ritzzy is telling you about our ‘pic-adventure’, let me chime in with the planning details. Since a picnic is an outdoor event, carrying supplies proved helpful. Both of us have particular needs, and of course, Tanay does too. So we made a full-blown list to remember things as basic as a napkin.

IS THE LIST OF ITEMS THAT WE CARRIED. LET US KNOW IF YOU THINK OF ARTICLES THAT WE MAY HAVE MISSED

Bed Sheet – to sit on (you may also carry portable chairs/stools if you wish or know that the ground could be moist)

Food – to munch on (we packed home-made, but that is your choice)

Drinks – to sip on Napkins – to wipe on Cutlery – to rely on (the use and throw ones are also good options if you wish)

Games – to sport on Garbage Bag – to trash on (very important since a picnic does not equals littering)

Sunscreen – to put on (very significant for sun exposure)

The good things about a picnic are more than family/friends time; it is also the fresh air and sun. What we often forget while caring for our children is the value of the outdoors. Our

bodies need vitamin D, of which sunlight is a major source; we also need to breathe clean air that is present near trees and greenery. These vivid colours and our bare feet on the grass are also great for the eyes. Additionally, if you top it up with games, especially those that are physically and mentally challenging, it is an unmatched and wholesome activity.

Why shy away from something you wished you had done sooner? While choosing to be more healthy this year remember to pick your happiness first. Spend some time with yourself and your near-dear ones, especially without those pesky-little gadgets. We need more sunlight than blue light!

Tell us of such fun activities that you choose to do with your people…

Fortunes are set to rise for those in trade and business. You love to live close to your family.

SCORPIO

PISCES

Whatever you have in mind, you will manage to implement it at work. You are likely to feel much healthy and energetic today. Visit a doctor if you have any doubts about your health. You want to have your own house and you will work hard to make your dream come true.

Horoscope by Saurabbh Sachdeva

ABOUT CAULDRON SISTERS

Ratika & Richa Khetan, two Sisters, started Cauldron Sisters in 2015. It started as an exotic food gift hamper business, but their love for food encouraged them to start culinary workshops, food deliveries, and slowly and gradually it turned huge as restaurants and cafes started approaching them for consultancy.

IF YOU LOVE FOOD & YOU LOVE WITCHES, MAGIC IS BOUND TO HAPPEN!

Ratzz, Ritzzy & Tanay enjoying a picnic

Tanay basking under the sun

Tanay playing Badminton

We prefer to take homemade lemonade

We tried following this messy trend

HERE

Makar Sankranti is a festival of joy and fun. Flying the kites high in the sky is very fun-filled and exciting and is a major way of celebrating this season of togetherness, flying the kites high in the sky is very fun-filled and exciting. Youth Icon Rishee took an initiative to make this festival a little more amazing by throwing a grand Sakaranti celebration with lots of music, cocktails, snacks and dinner at Coco Cocktail & Company terrace kitchen 6 bar, Hotel Vienna, Jaipur on Friday, January 14. People were seen enjoying various delicious delicacies along with the festive aura to celebrate the ripening of winter crops as well as the start of a new harvesting season.

Wrickie and Vriti

Ankit and Kartika

Teena and Mudit Manisha

(L-R) Anjana, Kewal, Manish and Ruchi

DOCTORS PREMIER LEAGUE MATCH AWARD CEREMONY @JNU

TUNES OF GOLDEN SAND

CITY FIRST

Doctors Premier League match was organised by Cricket Association under the joint aegis of JNU Hospital and the Indian Dental Association in Jaipur. In which the doctors also demonstrated their sports outside the hospital. To award the winning teams, an award ceremony was organised at Jaipur Club, whose chief guest was Dr Sandeep Bakshi, Chancellor of JNU.

Congratulating the winning team, chief guest Dr Bakshi said that the way these doc-

tors displayed their skills on the field of play today is commendable. He has proved that if the doctors stay inside the hospital and work with hard work and are dedicated to saving the lives of the patients, in the same way, they can also play in the playground with full dedication and hard work with the spirit of sportsmanship. Around 70 teams participated in this Premier League match.

On this occasion, Indian Dental Association President Dr Sandeep Tandon also congratulated the participants of the Doctors Premier League match.

DURING THE DAY!

UTTKARSHA SHEKHAR uttkarsha.shekhar@firstindia.co.in

Bikaner Camel Festival is a colourful festival organised every year in Bikaner by the Department of Tourism, Art and Culture. The festival is celebrated in honour of the ‘Ship of the Desert’, the Camel, which began on Friday and concluded on Sunday. The event included spectacular camel performances like camel dances, camel races etc. The festivities started with a colourful parade of beautifully adorned camels dressed in vibrant bridles, traditional necklaces and heavy anklets showing off wonderful footwork to the lovely tunes on desert sands. City First interacted with the winners of the International

Camel festival about their experience.

Ravindra Joshi, Mr Bikana said that he is a folk artist and after much hard work and dedication, he has been awarded the title of Mr Bikana 2023, he said “I am really grateful for this golden moment of my life, I became Mr Bikana 2023, for which I want to thank my father-in-law, folk artist Kanhaiyalal Ranga for his guidance and district administration, tourism

department and friends for their support”.

Komal Sidh, Miss Marwan said “I am ex tremely grateful for this opportunity, I have been following fash ion trends since my childhood and winning this title was my dream. I have always been confident in front of the cam-

era and I think that is exactly what has led me towards this field.

Currently, I am working in the education sector in Directorate, Bikaner but I always wanted to walk the ramp and it is like a hobby that has turned into a passion now.”

Masha Art Unveils Muzaffar Ali’s Magnum Opus

by

CITY FIRST

Adistinguished gathering was collected to witness the unveiling of Muzaffar Ali’s exquisite artistry of paintings, sketches, furniture, and objects designed in multiple mediums on January 10 at the Bikaner House, New Delhi.

During the event, curator Uma Nair welcomed guests and the launch of the catalogue was done

Eminent guests during the launch include brilliant Design Diva Sunita Kohli and Former Solicitor General Harish Salve and other artists, writers, lawyers, dancers, and theatre personnel. Photographer Manoj Arora and Shubhra Singh, Commissioner of Bikaner House were also present

at the unveiling ceremony. “My horses live in the landscape of life, sometimes when I paint them rising on their hooves, it is like lightning, as if they can cut across many horizons. But my treatment is always abstract, for me the form of the horse is important, seldom do I show their hooves.” shared Muzaffar Ali while expressing his love for his subject.

Amitabh Kant and Aman Nath of Neemrana Hotels.

Jagdeesh Chandra greeted Upendra Rai, Chairman & Managing Director and Editor-in-Chief of Bharat Express News Network on the occasion of the latter’s birthday on Monday, at New Delhi.

The inaugural match of the Aam Aadmi Party Premier League was played at Ganpati Nagar, on Monday. Hundreds of teams from Jaipur participated. The league is being organised by AAP leader Archit Gupta. AAP leader Archit Gupta, Trivendra Pathak, AAP leader Devendra Shastri, KD Baharath etc were present.

Aarna Wadhawan met the children from an orphanage and spread awareness about how children should stand for their right to education especially girls recently. She said that she is proud to be a girl and educated which she will pursue and the sky is no limit. She said that girls need to educate themselves so that no one can pull them down for petty reasons.

According to UNICEF, girls who receive an education are more likely to lead healthy lives.

The oath-taking ceremony of Lyness Club Jaipur took place at a hotel on Monday. President Shobha Bhargava and Secretary Asha Khakholia said that RAJSICO’s Chairman Rajiv Arora, Oath Law Officer Lalita Mehta, famous architect Rashmi Gupta and star Aap The Day Kanak Dandiya were the chief guests of the program. Praising the service work of Lyness, Rajiv Arora called upon him to come forward in the program of organ donation and called service the ultimate religion.

—PHOTOS BY SHAZID CHAUHAN

CM Ashok Gehlot felicitated the Vaish Gaurav Award to Raj Bansal at the International Vaish Federation held at Birla Auditorium on Sunday for his fruitful impact and dedication in the field of social work. In the same episode, the CM Ashok Gehlot was greeted by JD Maheshwari.

—PHOTOS BY MUKESH KIRADOO

Commissioner Dhiraj Shrivastav

Muzaffar

Samarth and Sanat Mathur with a friend

—PHOTOS BY MUKESH KIRADOO

Energetic dance performance by folk artisans

Ravindra Joshi, Mr Bikana 2023

Komal Sidh, Miss Marwan 2023

Astonishing camel art by artist Megumi

During the event