Mumbai: Tech giant Apple is all set to open its first retail store in India at BKC business district in Mumbai today. According to reports, Tim Cook will also meet PM Modi on Wednesday.
VLADIMIR PUTIN CRITIC JAILED FOR 25 YEARS IN THE TREASON CASE
Moscow: Outspoken Kremlin critic Vladimir Kara-Murza was jailed for a quarter of a century by a Moscow court on Monday, harshest sentence of its kind since Russia invaded Ukraine, after it found him guilty of treason and other offences he denied.
4 PILGRIMS DIE IN TRUCK AND CAR CRASH IN DHOLPUR
Dholpur: Four pilgrims on their way to Kaila Devi temple in Karauli district were killed while four others injured when their car collided head-on with a truck, police said on Monday, incident occurred on late Sunday night. P7
SISODIA’S JUDICIAL CUSTODY IN CBI AND ED CASES EXTENDED
New Delhi: A Delhi court on Monday extended the judicial custody of Manish Sisodia in ED and CBI cases related to alleged irregularities in the now-scrapped excise policy. Court extended Sisodia’s JC in the CBI case till April 27 and the ED case till April 29.
SCAM
P5 Kolkata: Abhishek Banerjee, the nephew of WB CM Mamata Banerjee, got the CBI summons on Monday just hours after the SC paused probe against him for alleged corruption in recruiting teachers.
KRISHNA
Kolkata: CBI on Monday arrested TMC MLA
Jiban Krishna Saha after grilling him for 65 hours in connection with alleged irregularities in job of assistant teachers in govt schools in WB.
P5
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Moni Sharma
New Delhi: A day ahead of the constitution bench hearing in the Supreme Court seeking recognition of same-sex marriage in India, the Centre urged the top court to dismiss the batch of petitions stressing that the issues should be left to the wisdom of the elected representatives of the people.
A five-judge constitution bench headed by Chief Justice of India D Y Chandrachud, Justice
Sanjay Kishan Kaul, Justice P S Narsimha, Justice Hima Kohli and Justice S Narsimha is scheduled to hear the batch of petitions on Tuesday. The court has been seized of 15 petitions demanding legal recognition for samesex marriages. Hearing, consequential outcome will have significant ramifications for country where common people and parties hold divergent views on the subject.
A day ahead of hearing, Centre urged SC to dismiss the petitions
A five-judge constitution bench to hear batch of petitions today
Petitions before the court reflect urban elitist views for the purpose of social acceptance, do not represent the view nation.
The court must refrain from passing such omnibus orders. Proper authority for the same is appropriate legislature.
GOEL AS EC: BENCH RECUSES
FROM HEARING PLEA IN SC
A Supreme Court bench headed by Justice Kuttiyil Mathew Joseph on Monday recused from hearing a plea challenging appointment of Arun Goel as Election Commissioner. A Supreme Court bench of Justices Joseph and BV Nagarathna said, “List the matter before another bench”.
Police had intel that suggested 3 were under threat of attack
First India Bureau
Prayagraj: Lavlesh Tiwari, Sunny Singh, and Arun Maurya, 3 who shot and killed gangster
Atiq Ahmed and his brother, were shifted from Naini (Prayagraj)
Central Jail to Pratapgarh District Jail on Monday. Police had intel that suggested that 3 were under threat of attack behind bars in Naini jail. All three will be kept separately from other prisoners, special monitoring will be done by officials. More on P6
Lucknow: UP Police has formed a three-member Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe killing of gangsterturned-politician Atiq Ahmad and his brother Ashraf in Prayagraj, a senior official said on Monday. In order to ensure qualitative probe and time-bound action, a 3-member team of supervisors has also been formed.
PLEA IN TOP COURT FOR INDEPENDENT COMMITTEE PROBE INTO THE 2 KILLINGS
New Delhi: A day after gangster-politician Atiq Ahmad and his brother Ashraf were shot dead under police escort, a plea was filed in Supreme Court seeking the constitution of an independent expert committee headed by a former apex court judge to probe the killings.
REPLY ON KARAT’S PLEA
The SC on Monday asked the Delhi police to respond to plea in 3 weeks of CPI(M) leader Brinda Karat challenging Delhi HC’s order dismissing a petition against trial court’s refusal to order registration of an FIR against Union Minister Anurag Thakur and his BJP MP Pravesh Verma for their alleged hate speeches.
HC ORDER SUMMONING LAMBA
The Supreme Court on Monday set aside an order of the Rajasthan HC by which it had summoned an IPS officer Ajay Lamba for recording his evidence in connection with an appeal filed by self-styled godman Asaram Bapu in a rape case. “We have allowed the appeal and set aside the judgement,” the bench said.
First India Bureau
Bhatinda: A soldier was on Monday arrested from the Punjab’s Bathinda Military Station in connection with the recent firing incident in which four army personnel were killed in their sleep, Punjab Police sources said. The
This is the only constitutional approach permissible under Constitution while recognising any socio-legal relationship as an institution with sanction under the law.
The competent legislature is the only constitutional organ which is aware of the above referred considerations.
Marriage is necessarily a social concept and a
sanctity to said institution is attached under respective governing laws and customs as it is given sanctity by law on basis of social acceptance.
Social acceptance and adherence to societal ethos, common values, shared beliefs across religions, in case of recognition of “socio-legal institution of marriage” is not be confused with majoritarianism.
Any encroachment on the legislative powers solely reserved for the elected representatives would be against the well-settled principles of ‘separation of powers’ which is held to be a part of the basic structure of the Constitution.
accused, Army gunner Mohan Desai, confessed to the crime and said he shot his colleagues over personal disputes. “After sustained interrogation, we found that one weapon was stolen and used to kill the jawans. Later, one from Artillery unit was detained during probe,” SSP said.
Arrested jawan confessed to his involvement in stealing an INSAS rifle and killing four of his colleagues to the Police. Initial investigations indicate that this was due to personal enmity.
—Gulneet Khurana, Bathinda SSP
Gehlot inaugurates the Rajasthan International Centre and Centre of Excellence for Revenue Research and Analysis
Naresh Sharma
Jaipur: Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot said on Monday that due to the efforts of the state government, world-class infrastructure has been created in the state.
“The Rajasthan International Centre has
been constructed at a
India
Centre in Delhi. High level meetings, seminars and conferences can be organized in this centre, including cul-
tural, business, academic programs of national and international level. The main goal of the state government
is to make Rajasthan the first state of the country by 2030,” Gehlot said while addressing inauguration ceremony of Rajasthan Int’l Centre located in Jhalana, Jaipur on Monday. He said that construction works like Mahatma Gandhi Institute of Governance and Social Sciences, multi-storey IPD Tower in SMS Hosp, Constitution Club, Digital Museum in Vidhan Sabha, Gandhi Darshan Museum are being done by State Govt, due to which, Jaipur is emerging as world class city. P8
First India Bureau Bengaluru: The BJP on Monday released their third list of candidates of 10 candidates for the upcoming Karnataka Assembly Elections. The third list saw them fielding Mahesh Tenjinakai against turncoat Jagdish Shettar for the Hubli-Dharwad Central Assembly constituency. Shettar on Monday joined Congress, after he quit BJP for being denied ticket in the 10 May State Assembly elections.
First India Bureau New Delhi: India and Russia are working on firming up a bilateral agreement for the promotion and protection of investments and Moscow is looking at expanding trade ties with New Delhi, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Denis Manturov said on Monday.Addressing an event, Man-
FTA with Russia-led Eurasian Economic Union will make real difference to trade relationship.
—S Jaishankar, EAM
turov also said that Russia, along with the Eurasian Economic Commission, is looking forward to intensifying negotiations on a free trade agreement with India.
Yogesh Sharma
Jaipur: With just a few months left for Assembly elections, the ruling Congress in Rajasthan has swung into action mode and directed MLAs to leave no stone unturned to ensure the benefits of government schemes are passed on to the beneficiaries through inflation relief camps beginning next week.
AICC in-charge for State Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa, CM Ashok
Gehlot and PCC chief Govind Singh Dotasra
Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot, Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa and Govind Singh Dotasra in a meeting at the PCC office on Monday.
talked to MLAs about plan for countering anti incumbency, assessment of third force on their seats, social media presence & public mood regarding elections. P8
Trio gathers feedback from MLAs about govt schemes, local issues and caste equations. For this, party began one-toone dialogues with Cong and supporting MLAs.
First India Bureau
Yogesh Sharma
Jaipur: Congress MLA
Rajeev Gaur
Jodhpur: Under the leadership of BJP State President CP Joshi and Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, a massive gherao was held at the collectorate. The rally and the ‘Mahagherao’ started from 11:00 am on Monday. A memorandum was submitted to the district collector, by the BJP, accusing the government of increasing crime and breaking promises.
Under the leadership of BJP state president CP Joshi, several party officials reached the main gate of the collectorate and demanded the district collector to
come out and collect the memorandum. But the District Collector did not come out of office and remained adamant on taking the memorandum inside. After waiting for a long time, the BJP officials pasted the memorandum on the collectorate wall and returned. Addressing the
First India Bureau
Jaipur: A case of molestation of a schoolgirl by an e-rickshaw driver has been reported in Jaipur. The school pick-dropping e-rickshaw driver misbehaved with minor and lured her with money not to tell anyone. The victim’s mother has lodged a report at Bindayaka police station under POCSO Act. SHO Bhupendra Singh is investigating the case.
The complaint told the police that her 12-year-old daughter studies in school and commuted in erickshaw. On April 13, the accused driver brought his bike instead of the e-rickshaw and molested the girl child.
10-YR-OLD RAPED IN JPR, 2 HELD Jaipur: A 10-year-old girl was raped in an area under the Kotwali police station. The people caught two accused when the victim cried loudly. The accused were handed over to the police who filed a case and are investigating the matter.
12-YR-OLD RAPED IN CHOMU Jaipur: In another tragic incident 12-year-old girl was raped in Chomu area. The accused committed the crime by taking the victim to a deserted place. The relatives of the victim got case registered under sections of rape and POCSO Act. The accused was arrested and produced in the court.
Mahagherao, Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat said that CM Gehlot is repeating speeches of these days as well. “He focuses 30% of his speech on me only. ,” he said. BJP state president CP Joshi said that in today’s time, the govt of Rajasthan has hated saffron.
Jodhpur : The opposition BJP on Monday organised a division level party workers meeting to hold discussions on upcoming elections. The party’s state president CP Joshi, union ministers Gajendra Singh Shekhawat and Kailash Chaudhary, in charge Vasudev Devnani and other leaders motivated the party workers from Jodhpur division to work hard to bring the party to power
in the assembly elections. Office bearers from Jodhpur, Jaisalmer, Barmer, Jalore, Sirohi and Pali attended the meeting. They expressed commitment to win all 33 assembly seats of the division in the elections. Local leaders of the party Kamlesh Purohit, Jagdish Dhandiya and Manish Purohit said that the party workers feel motivated with such meetings and they are encouraged to work hard on ground.
Raghu Sharma on Monday backed the demand of former deputy chief minister Sachin Pilot that alleged cases of corruption under the former CM Vasundhara Raje led govt in Rajasthan should be probed. Sharma said Pilot is a senior leader of the party and the 2018 assembly elections in the state were fought and won under his leadership as the PCC chief.
"The allegations of corruption were levelled against the then BJP govt. It was a big issue in elections. We had made charges against the BJP, so prima facie that should be discussed," the former minister told reporters outside new PCC office.
Pilot had recently held a day-long fast in Jaipur seeking probe into alleged corruption cases of the former BJP govt. He said the Congress had made the corruption in the then Raje govt an election issue and promised probe on coming to power but more than four years have passed but the Ashok Gehlot led govt has failed to initiate a probe into allegations.
First India Bureau Jaipur: In the case of rape of a minor by her 46-year-old uncle, the accused has been sent to life imprisonment till natural death in the Chandwaji area. The incident came to light when the 17-and-a-halfyear-old victim became pregnant after this victim’s mother lodged FIR against her brother-in-law on January 27, 2021. The lawyer did
not appear to defend the accused arrested on February 9, 2021. Special Public Prosecutor Vijaya Pareek termed it a heinous crime, while POCSO Judge Sandeep Kumar Sharma also imposed fine of Rs 3 lakh.
Jaipur: In the case related to the kidnapping and raping of a 15-year-old girl, Diwakar Pandey, a resident of Rohtas, Bihar has been sentenced to 20 years of rigorous imprisonment. The accused took the victim by coaxing from Sanganer Sadar area on April 16, 2019. He tried to marry the victim by keeping her at home for 6-7 months and taking her to marriage court. On December 30, 2019, the sisterin-law of the accused brought the victim to Jaipur. Special Public Prosecutor Rachna Mann represented the state government and stated that the consent of the minor does not matter in the law. Besides the sentencing, the POCSO judge Hemraj Gaur also slapped a fine of Rs 55,000 on the criminal.
Satyanarayan Sharma
Jaipur: Some miscreants created havoc in a colony located in the Kartarpura area on Sunday night. The miscreants, who came in the car, threw stones at the cars parked outside the houses. They escaped after breaking the glasses of the cars with
The broken glass pieces of car.
their baseball bats. The misdeeds of the miscreants were captured in
Nirmal Tiwari
Jaipur: The Rajasthan Tourism Development Corporation finally announced relaxation in 12 categories on stay in corporation’s hotels across the state.
There will be 50% discount to Bharat Ratna, Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan, Padma Shri, Gallantry Award, Param Vir Chakra, Mahavir Chakra, Vir Chakra, Ashok Chakra, Kirti
Chakra and Shaurya Chakra winners. The exemption period will be valid from 1 April to 31 March next year.
50% discount for National Sports Promotion Award winners of Maulana Abul Kalam Azad Trophy, Arjuna Award,
Dronacharya Award, Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award, and Dhyan Chand Award will also be applicable.
Recently, RTDC Chairman Dharmendra Rathore had announced the exemption. The exemption will also apply to State government employees, central government employees, state employees of all states, students and youth appearing for competitive exams, and accredited journalists.
the CCTV footage installed in the colony. The people of the colony have given a complaint at the Mahesh Nagar police station. Based on the footage, the police are looking for the miscreants in the car. According to the police, the miscreants created a ruckus in Shanti Nagar located in Kartapura.
Raghu Sharma, Rakesh Pareek, and Suresh Tak gave suggestions regarding inflation relief camp at PCC office on Monday.
Khetri/Shahpura: Former Dy CM SAchin Pilot during his visit to Khetri commented that he will not back down from the issues that he raised against the Raje govt. “We fought against the Vasundhara government while being in the opposition. The issues on which we surrounded the govt and the public gave us a chance to form the govt. My fight is on those issues, we are not going to back down,” he said. Pilot also participated in Shri Sitaram Mahayagya organized at Parmananddham Khori Shahpura and offered sacrifice in the Yagya. During this, MLA Indraj Gurjar, MLA Vedprakash Solanki, Congress leader and candidate from Shahpura Manish Yadav, Mahant of Triveni Dham Ramrichpaldas were present also present on this occasion.
GUDHA CHALLENGES HIGH COMMAND: MoS for Soldier Welfare Rajendra Singh Gudha said that he has warned the Congress high command and the state in-charge. The minister said, “I want to challenge, if you have the guts, then take disciplinary action against Sachin Pilot.” Gudha was speaking at a meeting held after the unveiling of the martyr’s statue in Khetri on Monday. Former Dy CM Sachin Pilot was also present.
First India Bureau
New Delhi : In the famous single lease case of Rajasthan, clean chit to UDH minister Shanti Dhariwal from the Rajasthan high court has been challenged in the Supreme Court. The petition has been filed challenging the decision of the Raj HC. The division bench led by Supreme Court Justice
Jaipur(FIB): Cases of extortion are on the rise in Jaipur. One such case came to light in which the miscreant demanded Rs 2 crore from a businessman here. The caller threatened the business with dire consequences if he did not give the money. The victim has lodged a report at Jyoti Nagar police station. Police said that a
33-year-old businessman, resident of Sahakar Marg Jyoti Nagar, has a business of windows and doors. He complained that several calls were received from unknown numbers from around 10 pm to 12 am on April 13.
The caller used five different numbers. Police are looking for the miscreants.
First India Bureau
Jaipur: A man died by suicide by hanging himself in the walled city on Monday. Prior to it, deceased also made a video and accused some people including a local MLA of harassing him. On information of the incident, the Subhash Chowk police station team reached the spot.
The relatives alleged that deceased Ram Prasad was tortured so much that he took his own life.
The family members of the deceased refused to take the body and protested in Jaipur on Monday. —PHOTO BY SANTOSH SHARMA
The deceased use to work at transport company resides near the Kale Hanuman temple near chandi ki taksal area. The land of the de-
ceased was 200 meters away from here, which had an ongoing dispute.
The deceased sent the video made before the suicide to his daughter.
Suryakant issued notice on the petition. The bench has sought reply from Shanti Dhariwal, Home Secretary and ACB.
Jaipur: A case of the kidnapping of a twoyear-old girl has come to light in the Pratapnagar area of the city. The girl was saved due to the alertness of the people. The accused woman is said to be mentally numb. The family has registered a case of kidnapping at Pratap Nagar police station. The victim alleges that her daughter was playing outside the house on Sunday. Meanwhile, a woman tried to forcibly take away her child. The people present on the spot protested.
SANITATION WORKERS' DEMO AT DLB OFFICE
Jaipur: Sanitation workers demonstrated at the DLB office regarding their demands and handed over a memorandum to the DLB director. President of Sanyukt Valmiki Awam Safai Shramik Sangh, Nandkishore Dandoria told that we had an agreement with the govt to give priority in appointments to those who have worked till 2018. After this, CM announced the recruitment of 30,000 sweepers. But the administration is making recruitments on the basis of classification but the priority is ignored.
E-rickshaw driver booked for molesting minor while taking her to schoolSACHIN PILOT STICKS TO HIS DEMAND OF PROBE AGAINST PREVIOUS GOVT BIHAR MAN SENTENCED 20 YRS FOR RAPE, KIDNAP OF A MINOR Sachin Pilot unveiling the statue of Martyr Sheoram Gurjar in Khetri on Monday. UDH Minister Shanti Dhariwal Dharmendra Rathore
Both the games to begin together on June 23
Naresh Sharma
Jaipur: The Urban Olympic Games are set to commence with the Rajiv Gandhi Rural Olympic Games. In wake of the Rural Olympics’ huge success and the enthusiasm of the players, nearly Rs 130 crore has been approved by Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot for the event, and the Rural and Urban Olympic Games will be organised simultaneously.
Kashiram Choudhary
The Games will begin on June 23, 2023. The online registration process will start soon. Statelevel competitions are proposed to be held on Sports Day (August 29, 2023). Notably, the Chief Minister had announced
Rajiv Gandhi Rural and Urban Olympic Games in the budget 2023-24. The prime objective of the state government is to create an atmosphere for sports in rural and urban areas connecting people to the fields.
Nirmal Tiwari
Jaipur: Comedian Shyam Rangeela, popular for mimicking Prime Minister Narendra Modi, was fined Rs 11,000 for violating the Indian Forest Act 1953 and Wildlife Protection Act 1972. Rangeela had uploaded a video on his YouTube channel on April 13, in which he was seen getting down from the car and feeding Nilgai in the Jhalana Leopard Reserve.
On April 15, Regional Forest Officer Janeshwar Chaudhary had issued a notice to Rangeela, who appeared in
Jhalana on Monday and accepted his mistake.
The Forest Department imposed a fine of Rs 11,000 on Rangeela.
Kabaddi, Kho-Kho (women’s category), Shooting Ball (men’s category), Tennis Ball Cricket, Football, Volleyball, and Tug of War (women’s category) will be organised in rural areas. Whereas, participants will take part in Kabaddi, Basketball, Tennis Ball Cricket, Kho-Kho (women’s category), Football (men’s category), Volleyball, and Athletics (100, 200, and 400 meters) sports in the urban area.
First India Bureau Jaipur: Aspirants for competitive examinations in the State will now be able to sit for all the examinations through a one-time registration fee system.
The State Government has fixed a fee of Rs 600 for general category, OBC/Extreme Backward class applicants of Rajasthan’s creamy layer category and Rs 400 for the remaining.
Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot gave approval for issuing circulars regarding this. This will put a financial burden of about Rs 200 crore on the State Government.
First India Bureau
Karauli: Senior BJP leader Ashok Pathak has alleged corruption in the tenders for gravel road construction issued by the Municipal Council here.
Pathak said at a press conference that tenders worth Rs 5.5 crore have been floated by the council for gravel road construction in various wards. He alleged that in the wards where the gravel road has been proposed, CC roads
MINI RANTHAMBORE
have already been built. A gravel road worth Rs 1 crore was made in some of these wards last year as well which no longer exist, Pathak said, while claiming that the Municipal Council Chairman, Commissioner and the Chairman’s representative are colluding with the contract firms.
It was also alleged that development charges from rupees 30 to 40 thousand are being taken by the council for issuing the lease which is against the rules.
CURRENT APPLICATION FEE
RAJASTHAN STAFF SELECTION BOARD
OBC/Extremely Backward Classes of General Category/ Creamy Layer `450
Backward/MBC/EWS of non-creamy layer `350
All specially-abled/scheduled castes/tribes `250 Candidates whose annual family income is less than `
lakh `250
RPSC
OBC category of general/ creamy layer category of the state `350
OBC/MBC of noncreamy layer category of the state `250
Disabled, SC/ST category of the state `150
Jaipur: The assistant professor recruitment of Rajasthan Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Bikaner will be cancelled.
The committee had recommended the recruitment of 72 posts of assistant professor. The committee also accepted errors in recruitment process and recommended cancellation of the process.
The Department of Personnel (DoP) said on the report that the department concerned should decide on the matter.
The committee gave its report on April 4, now the minister and secretary will decide.
Jodhpur: Rajasthan
High Court has rejected an application of Special Operations Group (SOG) of Rajasthan police to revise an order on Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat’s petition in connection with Sanjivani cooperative society scam.
The High Court last week granted stay on the arrest of Shekhawat while hearing a
Nirmal Tiwari
Jaipur: Jhalana Leopard Reserve has become mini Ranthambore. There are about 76 tigers in Ranthambore spread over an area of 392 square kilometres while there are 45 leopards in the Jhalana in about 20 square kilometres. In terms of numbers, Jhalana has the highest density of leopards in the world. There are more than 90 per cent chances of leopard
INCREASING INFERTILITY PLAGUES STATE’S BIG CATS
T here has been an increase in infertility among tigers and tigresses of the State. Seven tigresses of Ranthambore and Sariska could not reproduce. Similar gene pool is believed to be one reason for this. In such a situation, the demand for bringing tigers from Maharashtra and other states has begun. However, inbreeding is possible in tigers and tigresses with human intervention. Five tigresses of Ranthambore and two of Sariska could not reproduce.
sightings here. Because of this, there are no rooms available in
Jhalana Leopard Reserve until April 31. There are almost 2
leopards for every square kilometer. For this reason, tourists are
RAJASTHAN’S WAIT FOR CHEETAH GETS LONGER
ajasthan will have to wait for cheetahs.
R
Under Project Cheetah, the big cats will be brought to Gandhi Sagar Sanctuary after Kuno National Park in Madhya Pradesh. It will get eight Cheetahs from South Africa in the third phase. Five female and three male Cheetahs will be brought to Gandhi Sagar Sanctuary. Despite Kuno being in proximity to Baran and Shahbad
Gandhi Sagar near Rawatbhata,
will have to wait for Cheetahs.
almost always assured of sighting at least one leopard, although the
average tourist generally spots more of them on a good day.
criminal miscellaneous petition filed by the Union Minister.
The SOG moved an
application in the high court saying that all facts were not presented before the court requested the court to amend the old order in view of the new facts.
However, the court rejected the application and directed to present the case in next hearing.
Shekhawat had moved a petition on March 24 for quashing the FIR in the case and transferring the probe to the CBI.
First India Bureau Jaipur: Hourly monitoring of pollution in the State and prediction will be possible as forecast stations have been set up in the pollution control board. Pollution monitoring radar has been installed in each district. Warnings can also be issued depending on the level of pollution.
Until now, only seven forecast stations were operational in the state. Three forecast
stations are in Jaipur. Now the pollution control board has linked each district of the state with the pollution monitoring system. There are 38 forecast stations in the state, including six forecast stations in Jaipur now.
There is important symbolism in absence.
Unlike several presidents and prime ministers before him, Modi steers clear of the sherwani and skullcap. While travelling to states, he uses headgear, turbans playing off on local culture and nuance, much like Prime Minister Indira Gandhi who liked to wear handloom sarees from the state that she was campaigning in. Internationally, he has chosen to dress for the occasion, often sporting sharply cut suits and scarves
Amit Shah
@AmitShah
TOP TWEETS
Last week, when pictures of Prime Minister Narendra Modi with a sketch of a roaring tiger as backdrop were shared, an Instagram fan page posted ‘Kitne tiger the?’ (How many tigers were there?) Dressed in a camouflage T-shirt, sunglasses, khaki pants and a wide hat, Modi was dressed like an experienced nature lover ready for a jungle safari. None of the rookie mistakes of wearing bright colours in the forest, thank you.
While his skills as a leader of the largest democracy may be constantly questioned by the Opposition, even his bitterest critics would concede that as a politician he has taken power dressing to the next level — whether it is the made-to-measure extreme cold weather suit that he donned at the army camp in Siachen while meeting soldiers or the numerous kinds of turbans, scarfs and headgear he sports while on election rallies and state visits.
He was “sage-like” during the pandemic with his overgrown beard and hair and gives vibes of a global leader when travelling overseas, says Nilanjan Mukhopadhyay, author of ‘Narendra Modi: The Man, The Times’.
Fashion designer and BJP leader Shaina NC says the days of politicians and their rustic look are long gone. “When I was
My heart is heavy with the passing of Mr. Sadasya who lost his life due to heatstroke while attending the Maharashtra Bhushan Awards yesterday. My condolences to the families of the deceased. I pray for the speedy recovery of those who are undergoing treatment.
growing up the image of a politician was that of Lalu Yadav in a ganji and dhoti. Times have changed. Today’s youth look up to the PM not just for his work but also his appearance, whether he is wearing jodhpuris, a kurta with bandi (waistcoat) and a tight churidaar, or T shirt while flying a kite or in camouflage clothing when he is at a wildlife sanctuary. He values how he appears before the public.”
Since he took over as PM in 2014, he has already created a signature style with the ‘Modi kurta’ a short-sleeved kurta and tight churidaar that has been copied and adopted by people across the country. He has also adapted and, some would say, appropriated the Nehru jacket— turning it into a Modi jacket with the use of vibrant colours unlike the black and white versions sported by PM Jawaharlal Nehru.
Fashion designer Rina Dhaka says that besides the Modi kurta and jacket which became ‘piece de conversation’, his second signature style, shesays, is the tight churidar. “Clothes and physical appearance can make a significant statement besides speeches. Modi uses coats, headgear and shawls to layer his look for his public appearances,” she added. Netas of all hues have used clothes for political messaging.
In India, Mahatma Gandhi used khadi to connect with the poorest in the country while Nehru’s achkan and topi brought a sense of inclusivity to a divided nation. Among contemporary leaders, TMC chief Mamata Banerjee’s chappal-
Dr. S. Jaishankar @DrSJaishankar
cotton saree combination endears her to her vote bank while AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal’s Anna topi and muffler givesthe vibe of a common working-class man who is seemingly untouched by the rough and tumble of politics.
FRENCH PRESIDENT
EMMANUEL MACRON
Internationally as well, many politicians let their clothes do the talking. French president Emmanuel Macron wore a ‘French blue’ (brighter than navy) suit just after winning a tough second term earlier this year and then turned up in working-class clothes — the humble hoodie — andstubble in what many said was an attempt to copy Ukraine president Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s olive-green hoodie.
UK PRIME MINISTER RISHI SUNAK
UK PM Rishi Sunak’s bespoke 3,500-pound suit and Prada shoes have drawn criticism of unfair privilege from the British public suffering from oil price hikes as much as global audiences have lauded. Perhaps Modi’s only misstep has been the monogrammed suit that he wore during President Obama’s India visit in 2015. Besides the ‘suit boot ki sarkar’ jibe, he was also criticised for his expensive accessories but since then ‘vocal for local’ has become his wardrobe trademark as well.
SHEFALEE VASUDEV OF VOICE OF FASHION
Shefalee Vasudev, editor in chief Voice of Fashion, says that Modi uses clothes to repre-
Congratulate FM Faysal Mekdad and the Government and people of Syria on their National Day. India remains committed to advancing its developmental partnership and people to people ties.
sent the diversity and complexity of Indian handlooms. “He wants to underline a certain identity through dressing as a political tool, yet instead of just wearing a bunch of India-proud clothes in a random way, he puts his love for clothes to smart and stylish use,” she says. The emphasis on appearance has been there from early on.
“In an old interview, Modi told me he was very particular about his clothes from his pracharak days. He kept his kurta and pyjama neatly folded under the mattress so it would appear ironed the next day,” Mukhopadhyay says. Mukhopadhyay adds that one of things to note is how carefully Modi uses saffron, choosing to wear it at occasions like the bhoomi pujan of the Ram Mandir at Ayodhya or the inauguration of the Kashi Vishwanath corridor and the new Parliament building.
There is important symbolism in absence. Unlike several presidents and prime ministers before him, Modi steers clear of the sherwani and skullcap. While travelling to states, he uses headgear, turbans playing off on local culture and nuance, much like Prime Minister Indira Gandhi who liked to wear handloom sarees from the state that she was campaigning in. Internationally, he has chosen to dress for the occasion, often sporting sharply cut suits and scarves. Dhaka says, “As a representative of the country, his emphasis is on comfort. He is both avant garde and traditional which gives him a youthful vibe and makes him very in sync with today’s generation. ”
SPIRITUAL SPEAK
Words have the power to both destroy and heal. When words are both true and kind, they can change our world. Buddha
PM Narendra Modi was “sage-like” during the pandemic with his overgrown beard and hair and gives vibes of a global leader when travelling overseas.
Today’s youth look up to the PM not just for his work but also his appearance, whether he is wearing jodhpuris, a kurta with bandi (waistcoat) and a tight churidaar, or T shirt while flying a kite or in camouflage clothing when he is at a wildlife sanctuary. He values how he appears before the public.
—Shaina NC, Fashion designer
—Nilanjan Mukhopadhyay, Author of ‘Narendra Modi: The Man, The Times’ Clothes and physical appearance can make a significant statement besides speeches. PM Modi uses coats, headgear and shawls to layer his look for his public appearances.
—Rina Dhaka, Fashion designer
Bengaluru (ANI): After prominent Lingayat leader Jagadish Shettar defected to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and joined the Congress ahead of the upcoming Karnataka assembly elections, Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai on Monday said the former Karnataka chief minister would be used and later thrown out by Congress.
“Shettar has gone to the party that expelled Virendra Patil, Bangarappa and Devaraj Urs. They first honour people and then insult them after the election. Jagdish Shettar will be used and will be thrown out. Till BS Yediyurappa is with us, the Lingayat community will be with us,” Bommai told reporters.
Asked about Jagadish Shettar’s allegation, the Karnataka Chief Minister said, “Someone has to give a reason when he leaves the party. BJP has given everything to Shettar in his political life over the last 25 years. There is no question of ignoring them.”
“HURT BY BJP”: SIDDARAMAIAH ON EX CHIEF MINISTER JOINING CONGRESS
Bengaluru (ANI): Congress leader Siddaramaiah today said that the way former Karnataka Chief Minister Jagadish Shettar was treated by BJP) should not be meted out to anyone. Speaking on the occasion, Siddaramaiah said, “The way he (Jagadish Shettar) was treated in BJP, this should not happen to anyone in any party. He is hurt now. BJP has disrespected its community and supporters. After Jagadish Shettar has joined us, we will win more than 150 seats. His joining will give a boost to the party.”
Bengaluru (ANI): After former Karnataka chief minister Jagadish Shettar joined Congress quitting Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) ahead of the Assembly elections in the State, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Monday said that the joining of the prominent Lingayat leader will empower the party. "This will empower (the party), there is unity. This shows that everyone is happy with the atmosphere that is forming in Karnataka today and all leaders are connecting with us...This is not a question of Lingayats, they are connecting with us by looking at our programmes. We welcome them," Kharge told reporters. Shettar arrived at the Congress office in Bengaluru this morning. His induction to the party took place in the presence of Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge, Karnataka state Congress president DK Shivakumar and Leader of Opposition in the state assembly Siddaramaiah. After joining Congress, Shettar said, "Many are surprised as an opposition leader, former CM and party president is joining Congress.”
Karnataka (Agencies): Jagadish Shettar on Monday said that despite being instrumental in the building and strengthening BJP in Karnataka he was humiliated, and hence he has joined the Congress. Terming it a matter of “self respect”, he said, “I will strengthen the Congress as I did in the BJP.”
CONG CHIEF FILES NOMINATION
Mahesh Sharma
New Delhi: If a new front of opposition parties is formed then who will be its leader?
Ever since Nitish Kumar met Congress leaders, this thing is being discussed. It has also been discussed that Nitish Kumar can be made the convenor of UPA. Keep in mind that the Congress-led UPA is headed by Sonia Gandhi and has never had a convenor appointed in nearly 20 years since its formation. The parties involved used the example of the NDA, whose convenor was always a leader of a partner party. But the Congress did not appoint a convenor. Moreover, Nitish Kumar's party has not even formally
become a part of the UPA. That's why it is premature to talk about his becoming the convenor of UPA. However, there is a basis for this speculation that the leaders of Nitish Kumar's party have been convenors of the NDA. When the NDA was a front of 25 parties, Jordan Fernandez was its coordinator. Later Sharad Yadav was also the convenor of NDA. Now Nitish's party is out of the NDA, so it is being said that Nitish can be the coordinator of the new alliance.
PATIL FILES
NOMINATION AS BJP
CANDIDATE FROM GULBARGA
Bengaluru (ANI): Chandrakanth Patil on Monday filed his nomination as BJP’s candidate from Gulbarga North Assembly constituency. He was accompanied by BJP Karnataka Incharge Arun Singh and other leaders. On Wednesday, the Bharatiya Janata party released its second list of 23 candidates for the upcoming Karnataka polls. This came a day after the saffron party announced 189 candidates in its first list as Karnataka goes to polls in a single phase voting on May 10 and counting of votes will take place on May 13.
Kanakapura (ANI): Karnataka Congress president DK Shivakumar today filed his nomination from Kanakapura constituency in the Ramanagara district for the State Assembly polls and said that the party will surpass the 150 seats mark in the 224-member Legislative Assembly.
BJP FALLING LIKE HOUSE OF CARDS: JAIRAM RAMESH
New Delhi (ANI): After prominent Lingayat leader and former Karnataka CM Jagadish Shettar defected to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and joined Congress ahead of the upcoming state assembly elections, Congress general secretary in-charge communication Jairam Ramesh on Monday took a swipe at BJP saying the ruling party in the state is falling like a house of cards.
Bhalki (PTI): Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Monday accused the ruling BJP and RSS of attacking democracy and spreading hatred and violence in the country. He also appealed to the people to support the Congress and ensure that the party wins at least 150 seats in the May 10 Assembly polls in Karnataka and comes to power with a full majority.
“Bidar is Basavanna’s (12th century social reformer) ‘karma bhoomi’. If someone first spoke about democracy and showed the path towards democracy it was Basavanna. It is sad that today across the country, people from RSS and BJP are attacking democracy,” Gandhi said.
Addressing a public meeting here, Rahul al-
RAHUL DECLARES
NANDINI AS BEST
New Delhi (Agencies): Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, who is on a twoday visit to poll-bound Karnataka, recently purchased a Nandini ice cream from a store in Bengaluru amid the ongoing controversy between Nandini and Amul brands. Gandhi termed the brand "Karnataka's pride" and praised it as the "best". His move comes following the state party leaders' endorsement of the local dairy brand amid concerns about its acquisition by Gujarat's Amul.
leged that BJP and RSS are attacking Basavanna’s ideals of- equal partnership, equal opportunities, and that everyone should move ahead together.
New Delhi (Agencies): The exchange between Calcutta High Court Justice Abhijit Ganguly and the ruling Trinamool Congress in West Bengal is reflective of the continuing tension between the state government and judiciary in the state.
In the latest instance, Justice Ganguly observed last week that the
New Delhi (PTI): The SC on Monday granted bail to Trinamool Congress spokesperson Saket Gokhale in a case related to alleged misuse of money collected through crowdfunding. A bench comprising Justices B R Gavai & Vikram Nath, while granting relief to the leader, noted that a charge sheet has already been filed in the case.
CBI & Enforcement Directorate can question CM Mamata Banerjee’s nephew Abhishek Ba-
nerjee if necessary, in reference to arrested TMC youth leader Kuntal Ghosh’s allegations
that central investigative agencies were pressuring him to name Abhishek in corruption cases. TMC state general secretary Kunal Ghosh shot back: “[Justice Ganguly should] leave the chair and directly enter politics. Are you in charge of the investigation? You are equally affecting the investigation, introducing bias in it.
New Delhi (ANI): Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Monday wrote to PM Narendra Modi demanding that the decennial Census that should have been conducted in 2021 be done immediately & a Caste Census be made it's an integral part.
In his letter to PM, Kharge said, "I am writing to you to once again place on record the demand of the Indian National Congress for an up-to-date Caste Cen-
PM Narendra Modi
sus. My colleagues & I have raised this demand earlier in both Houses of Parliament on a number of occasions as have leaders of many other Opposition parties."
The Congress chief said the first time the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government conducted a Socio Economic and Caste Census (SECC) during 2011-12 covering some 25 crore households. For a number of reasons, however, the caste data could not get published even though Congress and other MPs demanded its release after your government came to power in May 2024," he said.
RELIEF LIKELY IN NORTHWESTERN PLAINS
CBI ARRESTS TMC MLA JIBAN KRISHNA SAHA OVER BENGAL SCHOOL JOB SCAM
T he CBI Monday arrested TMC MLA Jiban Krishna Saha in connection with the alleged irregularities in the recruitment of assistant teachers in government schools in West Bengal. Sources said Saha was arrested early on Monday after he was questioned for 65 hours. Saha is the third MLA after Partha Chatterjee and Manik Bhattacharya to be arrested in the alleged school job scam.
Patna (PTI): Supporting the Congress’ demand for an upto-date caste census in the country, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Monday said it would be beneficial for all sections of the society. The survey report would help the government in better implementation of welfare schemes for the socially and economically disadvantaged groups, the chief minister said. “We have been in favour of the caste census right from the very beginning”, Kumar told reporters.
New Delhi (PTI): Heat wave conditions are predicted in parts of east India over the next four days and the northwest region of the country over the next two days, the Met office said on Monday.
The Gangetic West Bengal and Bihar may see heat wave conditions for four days on the trot. Sikkim, Odisha and Jharkhand may also experience heat wave conditions over the next two to three days.
Similar conditions are expected in isolated pockets over Punjab and Haryana on April 17, and western Uttar
Pradesh on April 18. Eastern UP may also be affected on April 18-19, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said.
Thane (Agencies): One more patient undergoing treatment after suffering from sunstroke at an award function in Mumbai has died, officials said on Monday. The death count in the incident has gone up to 12. A 55-year-old man from Kalyan, was critical, died late night. Two more persons are battling for life, a senior doctor at a civic-run hospital in Vashi said. On Sunday, at least 11 people died due to sunstroke in 'Maharashtra Bhushan' award function.
Mumbai: Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut on Monday blamed the Maharashtra government for the death of 11 people due to sunstroke after attending an award function and claimed politics prevailed over the convenience of people. The 'Maharashtra Bhushan' award event in Navi Mumbai on Sunday turned tragic with the death of at least 11 people due to sunstroke as the function, attended by lakhs, was held in an open ground in Kharghar area of Raigad district neighbouring Mumbai. The function was attended by Home Minister Amit Shah who conferred the award on spiritual leader and social reformer Appasaheb Dharmadhikari. Speaking to reporters, Raut said, “The Maharashtra Bhushan award function could have been held in the evening, but Union minister Amit Shah had no free time. Thus, the programme was held during the day time and people got exposed to the scorching heat and sunlight." "Politics behind the award prevailed over people's convenience,” the Rajya Sabha member said.
TMC MLA Jiban Krishna Saha being taken for medical checkup after he was arrested by CBI in connection with the alleged recruitment scam, in Kolkata on Monday.
New Delhi: The SC on Monday stayed the Calcutta HC’s April 13 order directing the West Bengal police not to lodge any FIR against CBI and Enforcement Directorate officers probing the school jobs-for-bribes scam. A bench which decided to hear the plea on April 24, also stayed the direction of a single judge bench of the high court that TMC leader Abhishek Banerjee and Kuntal Ghosh, an accused in the case, can be questioned by the ED and the CBI and such “interrogation should be made soon.”
New Delhi: The Delhi High Court on Monday asked the Centre to file reply on a plea seeking linking of immovable and movable property documents of citizens with their Aadhaar numbers to curb corruption, black money generation, and ‘benami’ transactions. A bench granted four weeks to the ministries of Finance, Law, Housing and Urban Affairs and Rural Development to file their responses to the petition.
New Delhi: The Supreme Court issued notice to the office of Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena on a plea of the Delhi government against LG’s approval with riders to send government school teachers to Finland for training and prohibiting teachers from receiving foreign training in the future. A bench sought a response from the office of LG on the Delhi government’s plea.
New Delhi: The SC directed a trial court in Varanasi to supply a legible copy of the charge sheet to Congress MP Randeep Singh Surjewala in a 23-year-old criminal case in which he is an accused. The SC was hearing a plea filed by Surjewala against the March 20 order of the Allahabad HC which had declined to quash the criminal case against him. The HC, however, had directed that in case Surjewala files an application for discharge before the court, the same be considered and decided expeditiously within 6 weeks.
Who is going to be a leader of the new front?
New Delhi (PTI): Panchayat elections should not cause bitterness among people in villages, President Droupadi Murmu said on Monday as she highlighted the Gujarat gov-
ernment’s Samras Gram Yojana that rewards villages electing panchayat representatives through consensus. Speaking at the National Panchayat Awards, the president
called for enhanced participation of women in panchayats. Murmu said panchayat elections at times cause bitterness and altercations in villages. “There is a provision
It has been observed that these elections sometimes generate bitterness among the people. Panchayat elections have been kept separate from political parties, keeping in mind that there should be no increase in mutual disharmony among the villagers due to elections.
President Droupadi Murmu confers National Panchayayat Award 2023 to Gram Panchayat during a ceremony, as Union Minister Giriraj Singh looks on, at Vigyan Bhavan, in New Delhi on Monday. —Droupadi Murmu, PresidentLucknow (PTI): The Uttar Pradesh Police has formed a threemember Special Investigation Team (SIT) to ensure qualitative investigation and timebound action in the killing of gangster-turnedpolitician Atiq Ahmad and his brother Ashraf in Prayagraj, a senior official said on Monday.
Citing a statement issued by Uttar Pradesh Director General of Police R K Vishwakarma, Special Director General of Police (Law and Order) Prashant Kumar said the SIT was formed on the instructions of the Commissioner of Police of Prayagraj.
A 3-member team is headed by the additional director general of police of Prayagraj. The other 2 members are commissioner of police of Prayagraj and the director of the Forensic Science Laboratory, Lucknow.
Gir Somnath (ANI): Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Monday emphasized the need for “cultural security” in India at the inaugural event of the two-week, ‘Saurashtra Tamil Sangamam’ or ‘ST Sangamam’ event at Somanth in Gir Somnath district.
Speaking at the most anticipated event which aims to highlight and rejuvenate the ties between Gujarat and Tamil Nadu, the Minister said, “Besides the security of borders, there is need for the cultural security.” “You are aware of economic security, social security, food security, energy security, environment security and cyber security. Besides these, there is a dimension that also needs security. I will call this dimension cultural security,” he added.
Prayagraj: The assailants of don-turned-politician Atiq Ahmad and his brother Ashraf were carrying Turkish Zigana F semi-automatic pistols that can fire 15 rounds of 9mm bullets. The killers Luvlesh Tiwari, Mohit Singh and Arun Maurya threw down their weapons immediately after shooting dead the duo in Prayagraj.
THAN UP: EX-CM
for panchayat elections every five years so that all social groups can participate… However, it is seen that sometimes these elections cause bitterness among locals,” the president said.
“To avoid this, political parties have kept away from panchayat elections,” she said. Panchayati Raj polls are non-party-based elections, in which candi-
dates do not use the symbol of any political party. The president mentioned the Samras Gram Yojana which envisages rural residents choosing their village heads through consensus rather than elections. The scheme, which seeks to avoid enmity between different groups in villages at the time of elections, was introduced in 2006 by then CM Modi.
SEARCH ON FOR 2 OTHERS
Lucknow: UP police on Monday arrested three people in connection with Atiq Ahmed’s killing, but the search for two others is still underway, said police sources. Police sources further said that the police have started looking for two people in the case of helping the accused persons who killed Atiq. In this regard, four people have been detained, and are being interrogated. Police said that the two people whom the police are looking for are being raided at five places.
UNDER PRESIDENCY OF BLOC
Patna: After gangster-turned-politician Atiq Ahmed and his brother Ashraf Ahmed were shot dead in Uttar Pradesh’s Prayagraj, former Chief Minister of Bihar Jitan Ram Manjhi said that Bihar has better law and order than the BJP-ruled state. “Right now Bihar has better law and order than Uttar Pradesh. Someone is going to the hospital and is shot near....it has been executed under planning, the probe should be done,” former CM said on Sunday.
New Delhi (ANI): Repor Gangster Atiq Ahmed was shot at least eight times with bullet injuries found in his head, neck and chest, preliminary results of an autopsy conducted on his body after his sensational murder that was caught on news cameras outside a hospital in Uttar Pradesh’s Prayagraj on April 15.
Sources said on Monday that three bullets pierced the body of Ashraf, the
New Delhi (Agencies): According to sources, the initial postmortem report detailed that Ashraf was shot five times. The duo was shot at by three miscreants posing as mediapersons and who were later caught by the police. The post-mortem report also said that, Ashraf was shot in his neck, back and waist in which the bullets pierced his body and went past him. Police are awaiting a detailed report of the autopsy, sources said.
brother of Atiq during the shootout that took place late on Saturday outside the hospital where police had taken them for a rou-
tine medical checkup. Both the gangsters collapsed on the spot after they were shot at nearly pointblank range.
New Delhi: The former chief of the AAP’s Gujarat unit, Gopal Italia, was arrested by the Surat Police and taken to the Crime Branch over derogatory statements against a state minister and the BJP’s state chief. He has now been released on bail. He was booked by the police for defamatory comments about the state Home Minister, Harsh Sanghavi, & Gujarat BJP chief CR Paatil.
Pune: Five people, including four women and a man, died after an iron hoarding board collapsed in the Ravet Kiwle area of Pimpri Chinchwad city in the Pune district. Two others were injured in the incident. The incident took place along the Mumbai-Pune highway in Ravet Kivale area on Monday evening and injured people were shifted to nearby hospitals, police officials informed.
The second Health Working Group in Goa, the 2nd Digital Economy Working Group in Hyderabad, and the
First India Bureau Mumbai: Uddhav Thackeray is fighting anti-democratic forces and the central agencies are targeting his party, Congress General Secretary KC Venugopal said after meeting the former Maharashtra chief minister in Mumbai today. Venugopal arrived in the city this evening for the meeting at the Thackeray residence, Matoshree. The meeting was attended by Shiv Sena (Uddhav faction) leader Sanjay Raut, sen-
leader KC Venugopal meets
Space Economy Leaders’ Precursor Meeting in Shillong are also being held on Monday, according to the MEA. India’s G20 presidency will continue till November 30.
Hello Mumbai!
The Apple Store in BKC, Mumbai is set to open today.
and Rahul Gandhi. The message is clear. Uddhav ji is fighting antidemocratic forces. The central agencies are targeting Shiv Sena (UBT).
London: Rishi Sunak’s wife Akshata Murty lost about $61 million Monday after shares in Infosys Ltd tumbled the most since he became UK PM. Murty owns a 0.94% stake in the Indian software giant co-founded by her father Narayana Murthy. The company nosedived Monday after its guidance painted a negative outlook for India’s technology sector, leading to a wave of downgrades by brokers.
New Delhi: A girl with the Tricolour painted on her face was denied entry into the Golden Temple. A video of the incident went viral. Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak panel General Secretary Gurcharan Singh apologised for any misbehaviour and said the flag painted on the woman’s face wasn’t a Tricolour. In the video, the Golden Temple staffer is heard saying, “it isn’t India, it is Punjab”.
Sambalpur: The Odisha government has extended the suspension of internet services in violence-hit Sambalpur district for another 24 hours till 10 a.m. on April 18, officials said on Monday. Following communal tension erupted during a Hanuman Jayanti rally on April 12, the state government has shut down the internet services in the entire Sambalpur district since April 13.
New Delhi: A row of shops caught fire in Delhi’s Sadar Bazar area on Monday, an official said, adding that there were no casualties reported. As per officials, as soon as the authorities were alerted regarding fire in shops, a total of 11 fire tenders were immediately dispatched to the location to bring the blaze under control. The cause of the fire is yet to be determined, and investigations are currently underway.
In order to ensure qualitative investigation, a 3-member team of supervisors has also been formedThe shootout took place late on Saturday outside the hospital where police had taken them for a routine medical check-up. —FILE PHOTO
DATA PROVIDED BY RAJ HOME DEPARTMENT
10,992 applications were received in 2015-2020 as compared to 4,500 in 2021-2022
Jaipur (PTI): The number of people applying for arms licences in Rajasthan saw an increase in 2021-22 as compared to the number of applications received during the 2015-2020 period.
According to the data provided by the home department in Rajasthan Assembly, more than 4,500 applications of arms licences were received in the year 2021-22 as compared to 10,992 applicants in 2015-2020. However, the number of licences issued remain low as only 454 licences were issued in 2021-22.
“There may be more people who want a licence for owning a weapon, but as far as the licensing authority is concerned, only few licences are issued after taking into account the reasons given by the ap-
STATE-WISE DATA
shooting. Some of them come from people having an army background who love to own a weapon,” he said.
However, a Jaipurbased gun shop owner, requesting anonymity, claimed the number of applications can also be attributed to security concerns that have increased in the recent past in the state.
Most of the applications that come are either from those who inherit weapons of their forefathers or those who are into professional shooting. Some of them come from people having an army background who love to own a weapon.
—Anand Srivastava, Jaipur police commissioner
plicants,” Additional Chief Secretary, Home, Anand Kumar said. Asked if the rising number of applications is due to poor security in the state, he said people have different rea-
sons to own weapons.
Jaipur police commissioner Anand Srivastava said in the Jaipur circle, there is no significant rise in the number of arms licence applications and it is al-
most steady from past few years.
“Most of the applications that come are either from those who inherit weapons of their forefathers or those who are into professional
Dholpur (PTI): Four pilgrims on their way to Kaila Devi temple in Karauli district were killed while four others injured when their car collided head-on with a truck in the district, police said Monday.
The incident occurred late on Sunday night. “A heavy collision happened between a truck and a car happened near Vishnoda on NH11B of Sadar Thana area. Four devotees died and four others were seriously in-
jured,” the police official said. Police Officials further informed that the injured were referred to the higher health centre and the
police officials have kept all the dead bodies in the mortuary. The victims were residents of Agra, SHO, Sadar, Hanuman Sahai said.
Two smugglers nabbed with weapons in Bhiwadi
First India Bureau
Alwar : The DST and Kishangarh Bass police station team arrested two smugglers and recovered a huge quantity of arms. Accused Nitesh Yadav (23), a resident of Kalakhana village un-
der the Bansoor police station area, and Rajneesh Yadav (22), a resident of Chandu Wali Dhani, were arrested. About 12 illegal country-made pistols, two pistols, 66 live cartridges, and three empty magazines were recovered from them.
TWO KILLED, 29 INJURED AS BUS
OVERTURNS
Ajmer (PTI): Two people were killed and 29 injured when a speeding bus overturned in Ajmer on Monday, police said. The incident took place in Kekdi Sadar police station area, they said. The bus driver was speeding and lost control of the vehicle, causing it to overturn, the police said. SHO Moti Lal said the deceased have been identified as Nirma Kharol (17) and Chetan Regar (40). Their bodies were handed over to their family members after post-mortem examination.
Jaipur (ANI): In a bid to help youngsters from minority communities in Rajasthan to learn English and other foreign languages, the State government has launched a scheme that will offer enrolled students a monthly stipend of Rs 1500, Minority Affairs Minister Shale Mohammad said.
The first phase of applications for the Chief Minister Minority Language Efficiency and Communication Skills Development Scheme launched by the department of minority affairs in
partnership with the Rajasthan Knowledge Corporation has begun, he said.
In view of the positive response from the candidates, the last date for application has also been extended from April 10 to April 25.
Jaipur: Cooperative Minister Udai Lal Anjana said that under the Rajasthan Rural Family Livelihood Scheme, 1.50 lakh families would be given an interest-free loan of Rs 3,000 crore for agricultural activities.
“Loans ranging from Rs 25,000 to Rs 2 lakh will be given to eligible applicants by the Central Cooperative Banks,” he said, while inaugurating the loan application
He said after increased presence of gangsters and extortion demands by them from businessmen and traders, people want to carry a weapon to avoid any untoward situation. Of late, extortion demands from affiliates of notorious gangster Lawrence Bishnoi have come to light forcing police to take action against them and those who follow them on social media, the shop owner said.
First India Bureau Jaipur : As part of the Rajasthan Police Foundation Day celebrations, a seminar was organized on Monday at the Rajasthan Police Academy Auditorium on the topic ‘Indian Police: Challenges of the present and roadmap for the future’. Retired IPS officers –K Vijay Kumar, former DGP, CRPF, D Sivanandhan, former DGP, Maharashtra and Shantanu Mukherjee, Security Advisor addressed the programme.
Former DGP Kumar expressed the need for an Emergency Response Station for quick action. He emphasized on the comprehensive knowledge of digital technology.
Sivanandhan emphasised on special vigilance for the prevention of organized crimes. Mukherjee emphasized on the need of organization at the international level to prevent cybercrimes.
िसतारेजों के साथ कृ ि िकम कनयमन हेतु आरिन ककया है। क्र. सं. नाम आवेदनकरा क्त्रफल वरतारज
890, 892 ककसान कशर कॉिोनरी सहमकत पत्र
2 श्री िररिाि पुत्र श्री कुनिन मि बागड़ा 402.56 849, 851 केशररी करहार (पिॉट सं. 59) आरंटन पत्र 3 श्री िररिाि पुत्र श्री कुनिन मि बागड़ा 200.00 849, 851 केशररी करहार (पिॉट सं. 36) जररये इकरारनामा 4 श्री अजु्वन िाि पुत्र श्री हरीराराम जाट 209.00 1130 पेट्ोि
portal by the I&T Dept for the Rajasthan Cooperative Rural Family Livelihood Scheme. Anjana said that CM Ashok Gehlot made this budget announcement for the deprived people in the rural areas. He said that RCDF has also been included in this scheme so that the cattle rearers in the dairy sector are benefited.
पुत्र श्री नाथूिाि कबडसर, श्री कपयूि कबडसर पुत्र श्री रामसररूप कबडसर, श्री गौरर कबडसर पुत्र श्री पूरण मि कबडसर 196.33 890, 891 कसान कशर कॉिोनरी बेिान पत्र
15 श्रीमत सरजू
Take hundred percent responsibility for your life, do not allow anyone to have the power to dictate who you are.
—Dr Jagdeesh Chandra, CEO & Editor-in-Chief, First IndiaYogesh Sharma
Jaipur: Senior Congress leaders in Rajasthan on Monday started a ‘one-to-one’ dialogue with its MLAs to take ground-level feedback from their constituencies ahead of the assembly elections due later this year. The first day of dialogue started with the MLAs of Ajmer and Jodhpur divisions.
AICC in-charge for
Rajasthan Sukhjinder
Singh Randhawa, Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot and party’s State President Govind Singh Dotasra interacted with the MLAs in the party’s new office here.
Former deputy CM and Tonk MLA Sachin Pilot skipped the meeting as he attended two programmes in Shahpura in Jaipur and Khetri in Jhunjhunu.
Legislators from Ajmer, Bhilwara, Tonk, Nagaur, Jodhpur, Sirohi, Barmer, Jaisalmer, Jalore and Pali reached PCC’s new office and
their meeting over suggestions for the ‘Mehangai
to be held under Rajasthan’s Mission-2030 at PCC office in Jaipur on Monday.
Congress will hold a one day workshop for formulating the election strategy on April 19. The workshop to be held from 11 am at Birla Auditorium in Jaipur will be attended by Ministers, MLAs, MPs, former MPs and MLAs, AICC and PCC delegates, PCC office bearers, Zila Pramukhs, Pradhans, Presidents of departmental cells of Congress , Block and Mandal Presidents. State in-charge Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa, CM Ashok Gehlot, State President Govind Singh Dotasra and senior ministers will give election tips during the workshop.
shared their feedback about their constituencies.
The MLAs of Udaipur, Chittorgarh, Pratapgarh, Dungar-
pur, Banswara, Rajsamand, Kota, Baran, Bundi, Jhalawar, Bharatpur, Dholpur, Karauli and Sawai Madhopur districts have
z What are the caste and religious equations in your constituency?
z How do you consider your position in your field now? If you had to give a number out of 10, how many would you give?
z Which five schemes have the maximum impact in your constituency?
z Do you have any suggestion or opinion regarding new districts?
been called today while on April 20, there will be one-to-one discussion with MLAs of Bikaner, Churu, Sri Ganganagar, Hanumangarh, Jaipur, Alwar, Dausa, Sikar and Jhunjhunu districts. 3 MLAs from Jodhpur division Baytu MLA Harish Chowdhary, Shergarh MLA Meena Kanwar, Bilara MLA Hiraram Meghwal didn’t attend the dialogue.
z What did you do to make ERCP an issue?
z Is there any third force on your seat, what is your assessment of its condition?
z What plans do you have to stop anti-incumbency against you?
z What is the status of your social media account?
z Do you operate your social media accounts? if someone else operates , then provide his name and phone number?
z What is your preparation to make the inflation relief camp successful?
z Any suggestion to reduce anti-incumbency in public towards the government?
z What do you think is the mood of the public regarding the elections?
z Want to give any specific opinion?
First India Bureau Jaipur: Congress incharge Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa has refused Kamal Nath’s intervention to resolve the dispute arising out of Sachin Pilot’s fast.
First India Bureau
Jaipur: Four BJP leaders from Rajasthan had a chance to hold a ‘closed- door’ meeting with Home Minister Amit Shah during his Bharatpur division last Saturday.
Shah was present with Arun Singh, Vasundhara Raje, Gajendra Singh and Chandrashekhar. He had to take a 15-minute break for coffee. Making good use of this time, he called the four leaders and held talks.
Arun Singh and Gajendra Singh Shekhawat were the first to enter the room with
Shah. Within a minute, Arun Singh came out of the room to call Vasundhara Raje as well.
Raje had reached there with Shah & State President CP Joshi.
When Shah could not see Vasundhara Raje in the room, Arun Singh came to call her following which, she went to the room where these four leaders held a discussion for 15 minutes,
He claimed to have solved it himself.
Randhawa said on Kamal Nath’s intervention to solve the pilot case –
“If I am in charge, I will solve it. I have no information about Kamal Nath. If you have any
Ex-Prez Kovind to attend an event in Jaipur today
First India Bureau Jaipur: Former President Ramnath Kovind reached Jaipur on Monday. He reached Jaipur from Delhi by Indigo flight. Protocol officer Tariq Mohammad received him at the airport. Kovind was scheduled to go to Raj Bhavan from the airport and attend a program related to an institute today.
letter of Kamal Nath, then show it.” Randhawa, who reached Jaipur for oneto-one feedback meetings with Congress MLAs, claimed that a proper solution would be found in Pilot’s case.
Randhawa initially took a tough stand regarding Pilot’s fast on April 11. Later his tone changed. The in- charge had issued a written statement on the night of April 10, terming Sachin Pilot’s fast as an anti-
party activity. After the statement, there were speculations of notice to Pilot but after intervention of Rahul Gandhi and in view of Karnataka polls, the party has put the matter in abeyance for the time being.
First India Bureau
Jaipur: In what could be termed as a ‘major turn’ in the Pilot’s ‘Anshan’ episode, word in the ‘relevant circles’ of the grand- old -party is the all the efforts of the high command, to convince the former Deputy CM Sachin Pilot, have failed so far. People had hope that due to the intervention of Rahul-Kharge-Kamal Nath-Randhawa, Pilot episode would be settled in the next few days. But on Monday again Pilot took an aggressive stand in Khetri and then repeated the same old allegations on the present government for not yet getting the investigation done on the alleged corruption charges against former CM Vasundhara Raje.
Now there is a million dollar question in front of the Gandhi
family: Will the reconciliation efforts of the high command still continue? Will the party issue notice to Pilot again?
On the other side, the Pilot camp is also in the mood of going through with the ‘uphill task’. According to sources, the Pilot camp itself also wants the high command to take some decisive step and then Pilot camp will decide its next step.
Similarly, in the last three-four days, Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Union Jal Shakti Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat also expressed indirect sympathy with Pilot.
So, will Pilot accept Gajendra Singh Shekhawat’s invitation in such a situation? Or will a third front be formed? These questions have now arisen as a result of Pilot’s comments in Khetri!
Naresh Sharma
Jaipur: Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot on Monday, Gehlot visited the main auditorium, convention hall, multipurpose hall, two mini auditoriums, two conference halls, board meeting hall, exhibition hall, lecture hall and library of Rajasthan International Centre and appreciated the archi-
Bhanwar S Charan
Kota: Country’s first of its kind heritage river front and UDH Minister Shanti Dhariwal’s dream project- Chambal River Front Kota - is going to open from next month.
UDH Minister Shanti Dhariwal along with architect Anoop Bartaria and officers visited the riverfront, which is almost ready. He said that the entire cabinet will
come to see the project and a cabinet meeting will be held in Kota. This project will be dedicated to the public in the month of May.
Dhariwal claimed that the project with a cost of Rs 1,200 crore has been completed in a record time of just 3 years. It has been built on both sides of Kota barrage with various monuments, heritage attractions and commercial blocks.
tecture of the building equipped with state-ofthe-art facilities. He honored the people who contributed in the construction work including Chief Architect Pramod Jain.
During this, the Chief Minister also launched the website of Rajasthan International Centre. Online booking facility will be available for meetings, func-
tions, seminars etc. to be held at the Centre through the website. On this occasion, Gehlot inaugurated the Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru e-library located in the Centre. He said that this e-library containing more than 1 lakh books would be available online in country and abroad. UDH Min Shanti Dhariwal said that excellent infrastruc-
ture is being developed in State under the leadership of CM Gehlot.
JDA Commissioner Ravi Jain explained about the Centre. UDH Principal Secy KL Meena gave life membership card of Raj Int’l Centre to the CM and thanked him. Gehlot also inaugurated the Centre of Excellence for Revenue Research & Analysis in Jhalana.
z LOWER GROUND FLOOR
z Two separate exhibition halls.
z Block C has restaurant with modern interiors with a capacity of 125 persons.
z central lobby; There is a reception counter on the right and lifts on the left
z GROUND FLOOR
z Convention hall with a capacity of 500 persons. Interiors of the hall are like the City Palace of Jaipur
z The interior of the prefunction hall of Block A is like the Hawamahal
z Block B has a grand central lobby with an entrance from the porch.
z The main auditorium is hi-tech with a capacity of 650 people
z FIRST FLOOR
z Two mini auditoriums with capacity of 172 people.
z A multipurpose hall with a capacity of 200 ; A board room with a capacity of 50 persons; Block C has two conference halls
Second floor z A library, 3 lecture halls
z A restaurant capacity of 156 persons in Block A.
Dhariwal: River Front Project to be dedicated to masses in MayCM Ashok Gehlot, Sukhjinder Randhawa and Govind Singh Dotasra with MLAS Mahendra Choudhary, Manju Meghwal, Gayatri Devi Trivedi, Chetan Dudi, Prashant Bairwa, Mukesh Bhakar, Vijaypal Mirdha and Ramniwas Gawriya during Rahat Camps’
Pilot turns the heat, plays the waiting game!
The dazzling grand finale of Ms VogueStar India & Mrs VogueStar India and Fashion Week 2023, which epitomizes elegance and sophistication, presented by Bharat24-Vision Of New India and orchestrated by the illustrious VogueStar was held at the luxurious Le Meridian Hotel on Sunday!
he much-anticipated and highly glamorous grand finale of Ms VogueStar India & Mrs VogueStar India and Fashion Week 2023, presented by Bharat24-Vision Of New India and organised by the illustrious VogueStar, was held at the luxurious Le Meridian Hotel on Sunday. Jagdeesh Chandra graced the event as the Chief Guest and uplifted the participants with his profound words of wisdom. During his address to the esteemed audience, he expressed his deep appreciation for the exceptional efforts made by Kirti Choudhary in promoting the exquisite world of fashion and showcasing unparalleled talent. With regards to the esteemed Bharat24-Vision of New India, he reassured the gathering
that their relentless efforts will continue to provide a magnificent platform to uplift, empower and encourage the morale of the remarkable women of our nation.
The illustrious panel of judges presiding over the event was none other than the esteemed Abhimanyu Tomar, founder of Styleskool, the eminent Anjali Gupta, director of HIFT, the stunning Swati Kumar, ex-crown holder, and the remarkable Kavita Kharayat. The event was segregated into two grand categories - Miss and Mrs VogueStar. The Miss category saw the crowning of the stunning Divya Nehra as Miss VogueStar India 2023, with Saianki and Mehak Joshi securing the first and second runners-up positions, respectively. Two additional sub-categories also
saw the crowning of Neshka Savera as Miss Rising Star VogueStar 2023 and Karishma Kakoti as Miss Congeniality VogueStar 2023.
The Mrs category was further divided into two segments, with participants aged between 1835 and 36-60 age groups. The highlight of the event was undoubtedly the felicitation of one of the groups by the resplendent Second Runners Up of the esteemed Elite Miss Rajasthan pageant, the radiant Sheena Parashar. The coveted Mrs VogueStar India title was clinched by Amrita Kumari Keshari from Goa and Sangeeta Pacchani from Assam, with Deep Kaur and Supriya Yadav securing the first runnersup positions and Ritu Salucha and Gullapalli Vinitha taking the second runners-up positions. Turn to P10-11
SHUBHANSHI PATHAK cityfirst@firstindia.co.in
FROM PG 09
The event also featured two additional sub-categories - Mrs VogueStar Beauty with Brains, where Pooja Chauhan and Charu Verma were crowned and Mrs VogueStar Goodwill Ambassador, where Deepa Jaweri and Kirti Gulati Raizada emerged victorious.
The aim behind this brilliant categorization was to ensure fair competition and the inclusion of women across all age groups and relationship statuses to showcase their best and most authentic
abilities. Elated by the incredible success of the VogueStar beauty pageant and fashion show, Kirti Choudhary, the visionary founder of VogueStar, expressed immense pride and satisfaction in seeing these talented women crowned after months of rigorous preparation. She praised the support of these women from across all age groups and reiterated her firm belief in creating equal opportunities for all women, regardless of their age, shape or size.
The grand finale, which was expertly choreographed by the talented Alison Woodham, displayed the incredible experimentation of
the top fashion designers in both fabric and silhouette.
VogueStar also invited budding and emerging fashion designers from across the country to represent their respective states during the event, with the 30 selected designers working tirelessly for months to create a stunning collection of exquisite jewellery and outfits. The event’s official jewellery partner was the renowned Sataara Fashions, which added a touch of sophistication and glamour to the already spectacular event.
CITY FIRST
The grand birthday celebration of Kiara took place at the Hotel Grand Uniara on Sunday with much love and enthusiasm.
The event was graced by the presence of esteemed dignitaries, including Dr Mahesh Joshi PHED Minister; Dr Archana Sharma, Chairperson of the Social Welfare Board, Govt of Raj; Sangeeta Beniwal, Chairperson of the Rajasthan State Commission for Protection of Child Rights;
RCA President Vaibhav Gehlot; Sunita Gehlot, the wife of the CM Ashok Gehlot, Himashi Gehlot, Kashvini Gehlot and Youth Icon Rishee Miglani with others. The dignitaries congratulated the parents of the birthday girl and extended their heartfelt wishes to the little birthday girl showering her with blessings for continued success and happiness in life. Kiara is the daughter of Dayadev Tak and Saloni Tak and the granddaughter of Dhirendra Singh Tak and Savera Tak. cityfirst@firstindia.co.in
event.
CITY FIRST
Ashish Tiwari
a celebrated name in the field of Journalism who now stands strong as the Managing Editor Entertainment of The First India News and Maharashtra Editor of Bharat24 Liv Entertainment with no doubt has brought a revolution in the world of media with his unfiltered interviews went ahead to carve his name on the trophy of India Brand Icon Award. He was felicitated by the legendary cricketer Brett Lee who was also the Chief Guest of the
During the media speech, Ashish was seen showering gratitude for the vision of the media maestro
Jagdeesh Chandra ( CMD- First India News and CEOBharat24) A channel that puts its emphasis on stories from around the nation.
India Brand Icon Awards 23 were held in Mumbai to celebrate and recognize those Achievers, Innovators and Leaders of the service sector for their commitment to excellence, best practices and innovative strategies for the continuing development of the eco-system.
CITY FIRST
Prabha Khaitan Foundation organised the ‘Kalam’ event series in Jaipur with Booker Prize winner Geetanjali Shree recently. During the event, Geetanjali Shree shared about her long career in writing in conversation with Educationist Jayshree Periwal. During the conversation, she shared that her mother played a very important role in her life. On being asked
about translations, she replied that translation cannot be measured. Reading a book is like making a relationship with it, it’s a fluid movement. The translation is the rendering of the work that cannot be read in that language.”she said.
The session started with the PKF anthem that showcases the various pillars on which the foundation stands and the areas in which it works. The opening address was given by Apra
Kuchhal, chairperson of We Care & Honorary Convener PKF- Rajasthan & Central India Affairs. A Memento & vote of thanks was given by Deependra Rana, General Manager, ITC Rajputana. The audience enjoyed interacting with the author during the open session. KALAM is an initiative of the Prabha Khaitan Foundation, in association with We CARE. It’s supported by Shree Cement as its CSR initiative.
UTTKARSHA SHEKHAR uttkarsha.shekhar@firstindia.co.in
An energetic Bollywood Night was organised by RHB at the NRI Colony in Pratap Nagar on Sunday.
Pawan Arora, RHB Commissioner, said that the musical concert was organised for applicants of Jaipur’s famous ‘NRI Club-21’ wherein, Club members & guests participated with their families.
The audience danced to the beats of high pitch songs by Bollywood’s famous Meet Bros and Khushboo Grewal and enjoyed the concert to the fullest. During the musical concert, Meet Bros and Khushboo Grewal shared their insights about their journey as singers in an exclusive interview with City First.
You both started out as actors initially and then shifted gears to emerge as music composers.
How did music happen to your life?
Meet Bros: Music was there from the start,
that time when we were trying to work on our album it was hard, this is a lengthy process and takes a whole lot of time and money to materialise. Since we were also actors simultaneously and had done a lot of acting but were struck by the lightening of music so we were in school when we made a son called ‘Jogi Singh Barnala Singh’ and it really got us famous.
That song is our debut single which became a huge hit and earned us our moniker ‘Meet Brothers’.
Khushboo Grewal: I did not plan anything in life. VJing, acting and now singing just happened. Though I acted for some time on TV and did Punjabi films one day, I got an opportunity to sing with Mikaji on stage. This changed my life.
You often come to Jaipur, the city that oozes history, culture, heritage and timeless charm and deserves to be immortalized in
song. So can we expect a song that captures the essence of Jaipur?
Ah, Jaipur! It is always great to be in Jaipur.
The city deserves to be immortalized on big screens, it is our favourite city and that is why we created ‘Thade Rahiyo’ with Kanika Kapoor and have used a lot of local talent from the city in the video.
You guys have worked with RHB many times, please share your experience from the mesmerizing night.
We have worked with Pawan Ji many times and it feels great to work with a visionary like him, who is focused on progress and growth of Rajasthan. He is a very kind and humble person who thinks of others. He is not just focused on achieving his own goals, but also on ensuring that those around him are able to thrive and grow. This selfless attitude is a rare quality in today’s world and is truly admirable.
