First India-Jaipur Edition-20th January 2023

GOING BACK TO MY ROOTS, SAYS RaGa AS YATRA ENTERS J&K

PM MODI VISITS THE POLL-BOUND KARNATAKA AND MAHARASHTRA

COLONIAL MINDSET IS BLATANTLY VISIBLE: INDIA SLAMS BBC DOCUMENTARY ON MODI

The external affairs ministry on Thursday slammed a recent BBC documentary on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, calling it a “propaganda piece designed to push a particular discredited narrative.”

govt

Mumbai: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday inaugurated and laid foundation stones of development projects worth more than Rs 38,000 crore in different sectors in Mumbai, giving a big push to infra-

structure, urban travel and healthcare ahead of civic polls, where the BJP and the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena will seek to showcase these ventures to take on the\political rivals.

Mumbai Metro Line 2A and 7 was inaugurated by Modi, to commence operations today.

OUR GOVT IS NOT FOR VOTE-BANK: MODI IN K’TAKA

PM Modi on Thursday laid foundation and inaugurated various developmental projects related to irrigation, drinking water besides a NH development project in Karnataka and said our govt is not for votebank politics, it is for development. P5

PROTEST

infra push! NOT ANOTHER DAY!

“The bias, lack of objectivity and continuing colonial mindset are blatantly visible,” EAM spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said.

Maliwal

Jacinda resigns as PM of NZ before elections

First India Bureau

Sydney: New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, a global figurehead of progressive politics, shocked the country on Thursday by announcing she would resign from the office in a matter of weeks.

The 42-year-old — who steered the nation through natural disasters, the Covid pandemic, and its worst-ever terror attack — said she no longer had “enough in tank”. “I am human.

Rakhi arrested after Sherlyn’s complaint

We give as much as we can for as long as we can and then it’s time. And for me, it’s time,” she said at a meeting of her Labour Party.

AI bans Mishra for 4 months

New Delhi (FIB): Air India has banned Shankar Mishra from flying for four months. Mishra is currently under arrest for urinating on a fellow co-passenger while inebriated onboard an Air India between NY and Delhi.

SCOOT AIRLINE APOLOGISES

Budget carrier Scoot Airlines on Thursday apologised for the “inconvenience caused” after 35 passengers were left behind due to rescheduling of a flight from Amritsar to Singapore.

SC backs gay lawyer’s appt as Delhi HC judge

New Delhi: Wrestlers protesting in Delhi over sexual harassment allegations against the federation chief and coaches on Thursday said they weren’t satisfied after talks with the government on Thursday and “won’t wrestle another day” till their demands are met.

“All these allegations, I hope she (Vinesh) writes them down and sends them to me. I will reply to what I can, and the rest can be probed by CBI or Police,” WFI president said and added that he would not resign from post of Prez.

BJP MP Brij Bhushan refutes sexual harassment allegations

As I came to know that wrestlers

started protesting in Delhi, I didn’t know what the allegation was about.

All the sexual harassment allegations are false, it was a well-planned conspiracy against him and I will commit suicide if they are found to be true.

New Delhi: Delhi Commission for Women Chairperson Swati Maliwal on Thursday said she was dragged by a car for 10-15 metres outside AIIMS in the early hours on Thursday when her hand got stuck in vehicle’s window and its inebriated driver drove on. Maliwal said car stopped in front of her when she was on way to Jantar Mantar.

Mumbai: Actress Rakhi Sawant was arrested on Thursday and brought to Amboli police station. Her anticipatory bail before Dindoshi Court got rejected on Wednesday. Sherlyn

First India Bureau

New Delhi: The SC Collegium has reiterated its earlier recommendation for appointing senior advocate Saurabh Kirpal, an openly gay person, as a judge of Delhi HC. Collegium headed by CJI DY Chandrachud, Justices S K Kaul and KM Joseph rejected the Centre’s contention that though homosexuality stands decriminalised in India, same-sex marriage is still bereft of recognition. Saurabh Kirpal is the son of ex-CJI BN Kirpal.

Pathankot: On Thursday, CM Ashok Gehlot reached Pathankot and took part in the ongoing Bharat Jodo Yatra where he walked along with Rahul Gandhi.

Speaking exclusively to First India CM Ashok Gehlot said, “We have implemented OPS in Rajasthan and many States have also accept-

ed OPS. We have implemented more than one scheme in Rajasthan. The public mood in Rajasthan is in our favour and there are no discussions against the govt. We all are working unitedly and we will form govt again. Every worker has the right to rally in the interest of Congress. Workers have the right to take out rallies and marches. Turn to P9

New Delhi: India on Thursday said it always wanted normal neighbourly relations with Pakistan, but there should be an atmosphere free from terror and violence for such ties. The comments by External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi came when asked at a media briefing.

Annapolis: Hyderabad-born Aruna Miller made history by becoming first Indian-American politician to be elected as the lieutenant governor of the US state of Maryland. Miller was sworn in as the 10th lieutenant governor of the state on Wednesday.

Lakhanpur: Entering J&K on last leg of his Bharat Jodo Yatra, Rahul Gandhi said his ancestors belonged to this land and he felt he was returning home. “I am going back to my roots, I know the suffering of people of J&K and come to you with a bowed head,” he said.

WANT

RISHI SUNAK SNUBS PAK-ORIGIN MP OVER BBC DOCUMENTARY ON PM MODI 47-YEAR-OLD

‘WOULD HAVE MET FATE LIKE ANJALI’

UK PM Rishi Sunak also snubbed Pak-origin British MP Imran Hussain, saying he “doesn’t agree with characterization” of his Indian counterpart. Rishi Sunak made these remarks on the controversial documentary that was raised in British Parl by Pakistan-origin MP.

Delhi court on Thursday sent Harish Chandra, man accused of molesting and dragging DCW Chief Swati Maliwal, to 14-day judicial custody. 47-yearold was arrested and his car was also impounded.

Swati Maliwal said she would have met the same fate as Anjali, who died after being allegedly hit and dragged by a car on January 1. She added that she was lucky that she had a narrow escape.

Vinesh Phogat speaks to media during a silent protest in presence of Bajrang Punia, Sakshi Malik and other wrestlers on second day of their protest at the Jantar Mantar, in New Delhi on Thursday.

Moni Sharma

Phogat says Brij Bhushan had been sexually harassing female wrestlers

Sports

ministry headed by Anurag Thakur asks the WFI prez to resign

We did not want to take the legal route because we had faith in the Prime Minister We have not got a satisfactory response; only assurances, no concrete action. We will not quit till the federation chief is removed, and he goes to jail. We have 5-6 girls with proof. If the govt does not act, we will go to the police.

—Vinesh Phogat, Bajrang Punia and Sakshi Malik

had

‘IF I’M NOT SAFE, THEN...’

DCW chief Swati

dragged by a drunk driver

First India Bureau

Swati Maliwal meets wrestlers Vinesh Phogat, Sakshi Malik & Anshu Malik at Jantar Mantar on late Wednesday.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi being presented with a statue of the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj by Eknath Shinde and Devendra Fadnavis in Mumbai on Thursday. —PHOTO BY BHUSHAN KOYANDE

 PM gifts `38,000 crore development projects to Mumbai

Eknath Shinde, Devendra Fadnavis target Uddhav

First India Bureau

Shinde-Fadnavis duo will help realise people’s dreams in Mumbai. The Double Engine government is committed to giving better amenities to poorest of the poor. —Narendra Modi, Prime Minister

First India Bureau

Chopra, who had filed a complaint against Rakhi Sawant last year for use of ‘objectionable language’, she tweeted about Rakhi’s arrest.

ORDER ON BAIL PLEA OF AJAY MISHRA’S SON RESERVED BY SC Supreme Court on Thursday reserved order on the bail plea of Union Minister Ajay Kumar Mishra’s son Ashish Mishra in Lakhimpur Kheri violence case. Earlier, UP govt opposed the bail plea and said SC, Ashish Mishra’s crime grave, heinous.

Apex Court refutes Centre’s objection

Rakhi Sawant

Jacinda Ardern

Sherlyn Chopra

Amit Mishra

Rahul Gandhi with CM Ashok Gehlot, KC Venugopal, Govind Singh Dotasra, Harish Chaudhary, Amrinder Singh Raja and others during the party’s Bharat Jodo Yatra in Pathankot on Thursday.

Senior

ATMOSPHERE OF ANARCHY IN STATE, ALLEGES SATISH POONIA

Bhilwara : BJP State President Satish Poonia attacked Congress leader and former Deputy Chief Minister Sachin Pilot fiercely over his statement that “how did the papers come out of the vault” on the paper leak issue. Poonia was in Bhilwara on Thursday ahead of the proposed visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi on January 28.

Poonia targeted the government and said, “There is an atmosphere of anarchy in the state. The youth have to bear the loss of Con-

gress’s discord. The people of the state will take account of this in the 2023 elections.”

Reacting to the state-

PM MODI TO ADDRESS HUGE RALLY IN MALASERI ON JAN 28: BHAJAN LAL

Jaipur: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Bhilwara in Rajasthan on January 28 to attend a programme. He will visit Malaseri Dungari, the birth place of Lord Devnarayan, which is considered a holy place for Gurjar community people. BJP state president Satish Poonia and union minister Arjun Ram Meghwal visited Bhilwara on Thursday to review the preparations for the PM’s visit. Party Leader Bhajan Lal Sharma said that Modi will address a public rally there.

Assembly session is going to be stormy, hints LoP Kataria

Aishwary Pradhan

ment given by Pilot, Poonia said that this was not a new thing as his displeasure was visible since 2018.

BAGRU MLA POSTPONES HUNGER STRIKE

Party leaders and workers from six districts of Bhilwara, Tonk, Sawai Madhopur, Rajsamand Ajmer and Chittorgarh will attend the programme. On the other hand, party president JP Nadda will also visit Jaipur on January 23. He will address the concluding session of BJP’s state working committee meeting. The meeting will take place at the party office on January 22 and 23.

—Aishwary Pradhan

Jaipur : Senior BJP leader and LoP Gulab Chand Kataria on Thursday said that the upcoming legislative assembly session is going to be stormy. GC Kataria said that it will be no surprise if the govt loses its majority during the debate in the assembly. While reacting to the rallies of Congress leader Sachin Pilot, Kataria said that Sachin Pilot is damaging Ashok Gehlot through his rallies.

“What was said earlier is now true. The state has suffered a lot

PSK reaches MLA Ganga Devi’s protest, farmer leader Bagda ends fasting

First India Bureau

Jaipur: Food and Civil Supplies Minister Pratap Singh Khachariyawas reached the protest site on Thursday where Bagru MLA Ganga Devi and farmer leader Badrinarayan Bagda had been sitting on a hunger strike for the past four days for the rights of the farmers suffering from Bisalpur Drinking Water Project and Jaipur Ring Road Project.

The minister assured

lem

MLA

Tigress Rajmata battling old age and injuries in Sariska

Nirmal Tiwari

Jaipur: Sariska’s Tigress ST-2, popular as Rajmata, is battling old age and injuries. On Thursday, a deep wound was seen on the left shoulder of the tigress, who was recovering in the enclosure. After this, in presence of ACS Shikhar Agarwal, ST 2 was tranquilized and her right shoulder

surgery was done. During this, Field Director Roop Narayan Meena, DCF Devendra Jagawat, Range Officer Jitendra Chaudhary, Senior Veterinarians Dr Arvind Mathur and Dr DD

Meena were also present. Earlier, on Aug 9, the forest officials tranquilised her and kept her in an enclosure. She is more than 17 years old. ST-2 was born in 2005. Ranthambore’s famous tigress Machli’s daughter ST-2 was brought here in 2008. ST-2 was mostly spotted in Akbarpur and Tehla range and in 2012, she gave birth to two female cubs.

they were postponing the strike indefinitely and not ending it. “We would be grateful to the government and the minister if our demands are met, otherwise action will be taken with people’s support,” she added. Notably, Bagru, MLA Ganga Devi along with her supporters was sitting on a fast for 4 days, demanding the introduction of water for the Bisalpur project in Bagru as per the budget announcement of the CM.

First India Bureau

Jaipur: The administration of Jaipur Municipal Corporation (Greater and Heritage) on Thursday took a respite after the sanitation workers called off their strike following an assurance by the government. The sanitation workers were on a strike for the last two days over their 17 point demand.

A delegation of Sanyukt Valmiki and

First India Bureau

Jaipur: Taking serious note of rising number of cyber frauds, the Rajasthan police have blocked more than 60,000 mobile SIMs. After the move, there has been a sudden decline in the incidents of cyber fraud.

In the investigation so far, it has come to light that fraudulent people used to buy SIMs from other states on the basis of fake documents and used them in Rajasthan to commit all kinds of cyber crimes.

When the details of these numbers came to the police, the police

reached the address given to the telecom company but the documents were found to be fake. On this, all the fake numbers were blocked.

DGP Umesh Mishra also believes that gangs are active in many areas in Bharatpur and Alwar. Mishra said that in order to catch these miscreants, the police of many outside states also camp in Bharatpur and Alwar.

Sikar: Even after his death, Ashok Saini, 21, a resident of Sikar, gave new life to four people.

After Ashok was pronounced brain dead, his relatives decided to donate his organs.

Ashok’s last rites were held in Sikar on Thursday in which Sikar District Collector Dr Amit Yadav and Sikar Tehsildar Amilal Meena were present. During this, former BJP District President Mahesh Sharma, Ramesh Jaldhari, District council members Parmanand

Saini, Rakesh Saini, Naresh Saini, Bajrang Saini and hundreds of people were present.

On January 11, around 2 o’clock in the afternoon, Saini went

The State has suffered a lot due to the infighting between the two leaders. Pilot’s allegations against Gehlot are correct.

—Gulab Chand Kataria, Leader of Opposition

due to the infighting between the two leaders.

Pilot’s allegations against Gehlot are correct. The bulldozer was used only on paper thieves and not on those who took out the pa-

Abhimanyu-Satveer in contest for Youth Congress president

First India Bureau

Jaipur: A fight between the two camps will be seen in the Youth Congress elections going to be held in Rajasthan. After nominations filing for Youth Congress elections, positions of leaders have become clear. 29 leaders have filed nominations for the post of state president. However, 14 of these were not there in the list released by the Congress. There is a possibility of their form being rejected during the scrutiny and the

their strike. The sanitation raised demands like recruitment of sanitation workers should take place on vacant posts, the appointment of a family member in place of an employee suffering from serious illness after 45 years, implementation of a system of centralized payment of salaries and allowances, payment of outstanding arrears-DA in both the corporations among others.

per,” said BJP leader Kataria. “There is sympathy towards Pilot among the public. If the fight continues like this, the Congress can drown anytime,” added GC Kataria.

‘Decision to raze houses in Pali is inappropriate’

Jaipur (FIB): Former CM Vasundhara Raje on Thursday reacted on the decision of govt to raze dilapidated houses in Pali and said govt’s decision to demolish houses that have developed cracks in interior of Pali city is not appropriate. “The State Govt would have vacated the houses by taking the victims into confidence and made alternative arrangements for their living. The affected should be given adequate compensation,” said Raje.

to his home from the Krishi Mandi in Sikar when he was hit by a public transport bus near Piprali intersection. He suffered a serious head injury.

Ashok was shifted to Manipal Hospital in Jaipur for treatment.

About Rs 8 lakh were spent in his treatment. He also underwent an operation but became brain dead on Thursday morning.

His relatives decided to donate his organs to save other people’s lives. Ashok’s both the kidneys, liver and heart were donated. His heart and a kidney have been sent to Jaipur’s Sawai Mansingh Hospital.

Another kidney and liver have been donated to two patients at Manipal Hospital itself.

Bharat dixit

Jaipur: A pre-budget meeting was held in Jaipur Municipal Corporation Greater on Thursday. The meeting was chaired by Mayor Dr Somya during which suggestions were sought from various stakeholders including businessmen, coaching owners, and public representatives of industries.

The stakeholders gave suggestions related to the segregation of garbage,

compliance with building by-laws, and development of a mobile application for the municipal body among others suggestions. After the meeting, Dr Somya said that good suggestions will be included in the budget and the suggestions to improve the working system will also be implemented.

Former Mayor Sheel Dhabhai, Commissioner Mahendra Soni, Balmukundacharya Maharaj, Subhash Goyal and others were also present.

Ramesh Sharma

Naveen Joshi

Satish Poonia addressing the party workers in Bhilwara on Thursday. Arjun Ram Meghwal, Alka Gurjar, and others are also seen.

JMCG pre-budget meet: Mayor seeks suggestion from various stakeholders

Safai Shramik Sangh held talks with DLB director Hardyesh Kumar Sharma on Thursday and then called off

state president will be elected from among 15 candidates. They are Abhimanyu Poonia, Ajay Jain, Arbab Khan, Ashish Bairwa, Ashok Kulhadia, CP Meena, Dimple Sindhal, Pooja Bhargava, Rakesh Gurjar,

Rajesh Raliya, Rakesh Meena, Satveer Chaudhary, Surendra Moond, Vikas Kumar Vyas and Yashveer Soora. The main contest will now be between the Abhimanyu Poonia and Satveer Chaudhary.

Night cleaning shift re starts in JMCH as the protest called off.

—PHOTO

BY SANTOSH SHARMA

Abhimanyu Poonia Satveer Choudhary

Dr Somya, Mahendra Soni during pre-budget meeting on Thursday. Sheel Dhbhai, Balmukundacharya Maharaj, and others are also seen.

Kataria also corners Congress over inside tussle, infighting

Ashok Saini’s (Inset) dead body was sent off after offering flowers at the Manipal Hospital in Jaipur on Thursday.

Bagda that he would discuss their demands with the officials and ministers concerned and address their prob-

after which Bagda ended the fast.

Ganga Devi and Bagda said that on the request of the minister,

Minister Pratap S Khachariyawas reached Sanganer on Thursday and urged MLA Ganga Devi to end her protest.

’

RU cancels syndicate meet as officials arrive sans ‘agenda

Fate of university teachers, contract workers left in limbo; Kagzi flays VC Rajeev Jain

Bharat Dixit

Jaipur: Suggesting lack of preparedness, a syndicate meeting of the Rajasthan University was cancelled on Thursday. All the syndicate members reached for the meeting, but the FA refused to come citing that the agenda was not ready. MLAs Amin Kagzi and Gopal Meena became furious and lashed out at the Vice-Chancellor of Rajasthan University Rajeev Jain.

About 20 agendas

were included in the meeting. If sources are to be believed, all these agendas were prepared by Jain. Rajasthan University Registrar Nilima Takshak after her

CM orders assessment of crop loss due to frost

First India Bureau

Jaipur: Rajasthan

Chief Minister Ashok

Gehlot has given instructions to district collectors to conduct Special girdawari to assess losses due to ground frost.

Compensation will be given to the farmers on the basis of the report under disaster management and PM crop insurance.

Earlier, former Deputy Chief Minister Sachin Pilot wrote a letter to Gehlot urging him to provide compensation to farmers for damage to standing crops due to cold wave and frost after getting an assessment done.

In his letter written

on Thursday, he referred to his visit to Hanumangarh district on January 17-18 and said that he was apprised by farmers about the damage caused to the mustard crop due to cold wave and frost.

He said that frost and cold wave have been continuing in the state for the past few days, in which the standing crops of the farmers have been badly damaged in many districts.

throat operation is on leave and the registrar’s charge is with the FA.

According to sources, on Wednesday, the ViceChancellor called the FA and had informed

UGC’S SENIORITY CIRCULAR ROW

State Govt suspends graft accused AdSP Divya Mittal

First India Bureau

him about the meeting.

The contract workers, who have been boycotting work for the last two days, were shocked because a discussion on the demands of the con-

tract workers was to be done during the meeting. Besides, the issue of seniority of about 400 teachers of Rajasthan University was also to be discussed.

Pilot raises issues of corruption in previous BJP Government

Subhash Trivedi

Pali: Former Deputy Chief Minister Sachin Pilot said at the Kisan Sammelan held at Sadri in Pali on Thursday that the government sitting at the Center makes false allegations against our leaders. “Case was filed against Rahul Gandhi and Sonia Gandhi and Income Tax sleuths questioned them. The Gandhi family is called for questioning, the security of a family that has sacrificed for the country is withdrawn. They were harassed and humiliated by filing false cases against them,” Pilot said.

The Congress leader said that our government is in Rajasthan,

Raj Cong orders appointment of 107 block presidents in fourth list

First India Bureau

Jaipur: Rajasthan Congress Committee on Thursday issued orders for the appointment of 107 block presidents as the committee released its fourth list in this regard. Before this, three lists have been released.

According to the list released by the Pradesh Congress Committee, 107 block presidents have been appointed in 10 assembly constituencies. Of these, block presidents have been appointed in Alwar, Bundi, Churu, Dausa, Dholpur, Jaipur, Nagaur, Pali and Sawai

Madhopur districts. Earlier, 100 block presidents were appointed in the first list, 88 in the second list and 47 in the third list. For the last two and a half years, 400 posts of block presidents were lying vacant.

Almost all the block presidents have been

appointed in Banusar tehsil of Alwar district. Supporters of Industries Minister Shakuntala Rawat have found a place in the list, while the supporters of Health Minister Parsadi Lal Meena have been made block presidents in Lalsot assembly constituency of Dausa district.

Block presidents have been appointed in Rajakheda assembly constituency in Dholpur where supporters of former Finance Minister Pradmuman Singh have got a place.

Block Presidents have been appointed in Jaipur Rural and City.

why don’t we take action against the BJP leaders who are involved in corruption.

“I do not want to work with a sense of vengeance, but those people whose corruption we exposed and came to power, will have to be held accountable. It’s been four years since the formation of the gov-

ernment, why don’t we take action on the scams of Vasundhara Raj on which we have accused, whose proofs are there? The central government is unnecessarily troubling the Gandhi family and why doesn’t our government in Rajasthan take action on the scams of the BJP rule,” Pilot questioned.

Jaipur: The State Government has suspended AdSP Divya Mittal, arrested by the ACB on bribery charges of Rs 2 crore. The State Home Department has issued the suspension orders. According to the order, during the suspension period of ASP Divya Mittal, the headquarters office will be the Directorate General of Police, Rajasthan, Jaipur.

Meanwhile, the SOG ADG had issued

Accused AdSP Divya Mittal.

a list of policemen who will be honoured on Jan 27. When the matter came to light, the ATS-SOG issued an amended list of officials and removed the name of tainted AdSP Divya Mittal.

Nine Pakistanis given Indian citizenship

First India Bureau

Jaipur: Indian citizenship was given to nine Pakistani migrants at Jaipur Collectorate on Thursday. They were living here for more than 15 years. The group of nine people, who got the citizenships include a 57-year-old woman and five other members age up to 25 years. All of them were given the certificate of citizenship on Thursday by ADM South Mohammad Abubakr.

The migrants provided with citizenship certificates include Rajian Mai (57), Kavita Darshan Lal (31), Anita (27), Sahil (23), Vicky (25), Mahavir (29), Payal (23), Kusum (20) and Harteek (19).

Mahavir thanked the

administration and said that after a long time, he felt proud that he has now become a citizen of India. At the same time, Vicky said that the financial condition of the house is not good. And due to lack of proof of citizenship, they were not able to get the benefits of government schemes, but now after getting citizenship, not only they have got recognition but now with the help of government schemes, they will be able to uplift their family.

SEXUAL HARASSMENT ALLEGATIONS AGAINST WFI CHIEF

Rajasthan athletes demand action

RAPE ACCUSED RPS OFFICER TRANSFERRED

Jaipur: The Ashok Gehlot government has transferred RPS officer Rajeev Rahad, embroiled in a honeytrap case in Rajasthan, to New Delhi. The police headquarters issued his transfer orders. Recently, a woman had filed a case of rape against Rahar, a DSP posted at the police headquarters in Jaipur.

State Vets on hunger strike for 34 days, 6 in Hosp so far

Jaipur: Veterinarians who saved the lives of lakhs of cows during the outbreak of the Lumpy disease are now on hunger strike. The main demand of the veterinarians, who have been agitating for the last 34 days, is that their pay scale should be at par with MBBS doctors and dentists.

Jaipur: The sporting fraternity of Rajasthan has extended their support to wrestlers, who are staging a protest in Delhi against Wrestlers Federation of India (WFI) Chief Brij Bhushan Singh over allegations of sexual harassment.

In Jaipur, a protest

SENDS PROPOSAL TO UDH DEPT

was held at Statue Circle and Shaheed Samarak wherein Rajasthan State Sports Council President and former Olympian Dr Krishna Poonia, Rajasthan Wushu Association President Hira Nand Kataria and other athletes raised slo-

gans against WFI Brij Bhushan Singh and demanded action against him. Dr Krishna Poonia and Hira Nand Kataria said that serious allegations have been levied against Brij Bhushan Singh.

“In such a situation

People living near power lines likely to get ‘pattas’

The right of way of high tension lines in Raj is wider than the Centre’s guidelines. Lakhs of leases may be issued if proposal is accepted

Jaipur: In a ray of hope for people living near high tension electricity lines for getting lease of their plots, the Jaipur Development Authority has sent a proposal to the Urban Development and Housing department to consider the guidelines of the centre.

The right of way of high tension lines in Rajasthan is wider than the centre’s guidelines and if these guidelines

are implemented, then leases of plots in a majority of colonies settled near the high tension lines would be issued.

The right of way is a

strip of land where the transmission line is constructed, erected, operated and maintained.

The JDA forwarded the proposal on repre-

sentation of Prithviraj Nagar Jan Vikas Samiti.

The Union Ministry had sent a letter to chief secretaries of all districts on July 16, 2020 in context of the right of way. If the provisions as per the ministry’s letter are implemented, then lakhs of leases may be issued in the state for plots located near the high tension lines.

The leases can be issued under Prashasan Shahron ke Sang campaign. Lakhs of people

live near high tension lines in many cities of the state. They live in colonies of housing societies. In Jaipur also, the number of such families is around 20,000 families who live in Prithviraj Nagar scheme.

A notification was issued by the UDH on February 3, 2015 according to which it is necessary to leave 105 feet of right of way below the high tension line of 132 KV.

the Union Sports Ministry should take immediate action against Brij Bhushan. If sports officials will harass women players, then where will the players go? Brij Bhushan Singh should be immediately dismissed from his post,” said the protestors.

Their Gandhian style movement has become the centre of discussion.

Generally, anti-government slogans are seen in any movement of employee unions. But in the movement of veterinarians, the scene is different.

The veterinarians protest while holding planks with written slogans like, ‘Jannayak Awaz Suno, Hamari Mange Puri Karo’, ‘Jannayak Ka Ho Farman, Sabhi Chikitsak Ho Ek Saman’.

The agitation has been peaceful and in a positive manner, but now the resentment among the veterinarians is now increasing.

During the agitation, the health of 6 veterinarians has deteriorated so far. These veterinarians have been admitted to SMS Hospital.

Barmer teachers accuse principal of harassment

Barmer: Female staff of a Government school in Barmer have levelled serious allegations of harassment on the school principal. Female teachers alleged that the principal is not only harassing them but the accused used to call them to his cabin and use abusive language against them. The incident came into light during the public hearing attended by district in-charge minister Sukhram Bishnoi.

District collector, superintendent of police and other higher level officials and public representatives were presented during the meeting.

On Thursday a public hearing meeting chaired by district in-charge minister Sukhram Bishnoi was organised at district headquarters in Barmer. In the meantime some female school teachers from Samdari government school reached there and complained against the principal Sharwan Jangid.

Abhishek Shrivastava

JDA

Sachin Pilot addresses Kisan Sammelan in Pali on Thursday.

Mukesh Mathrani

Kashiram Choudhary

—FILE PHOTO

Naresh Sharma

Krishna Poonia, Hira Nand Kataria and others hold protest at Shaheed Smarak on Thursday.

Union Sports Ministry should take immediate action against Brij Bhushan: Krishna Poonia

WE’RE COMMITTED TO SAVE NOMAD TRIBES’ CULTURE: PM

Kalaburagi (PTI): Impressed by the “vibrant and colourful” Lambani (Banjara) nomad tribes, PM Narendra Modi on Thursday said their attire, culture, traditions and food habits are the strength of India and his government is committed to preserving them all.

Seeking to strike an emotional chord with the economically and socially backward Lambani spread across various parts right from Rajasthan, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, Modi said during the 'Hakku Patra' (land title deed) distribution ceremony, that this community is culturally rich.

“The double-engine government (BJP government at the Centre and Karnataka) believes the traditions, culture, cuisines and

attire of every community in India as its strength. We are in fa-

My only dream is the unity of Oppn: Nitish day after KCR’s rally

vour of protecting and conserving this strength,” Modi told the

cheering crowd at Malkhed in this district in poll-bound Karnataka.

He was addressing the Lambani community, which is conspicuous with its distinct attire and language, especially the women who wear colour-rich Ghagra (Lehenga) with mirror and embroidery work. They put on cream-coloured bangles from wrist to shoulder and decorate themselves with silver made ornaments from hair to toes.

Leave politics, focus on law and order: Kejriwal to LG

New Delhi (PTI): Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal on Thursday asked Lt Governor VK Saxena to leave politics aside and focus on the law and order situation in the capital, after DCW chief Swati Maliwal was harassed and allegedly dragged by a car. Maliwal had claimed that she was harassed and allegedly dragged by the car for 10-15 metres outside AIIMS when her hand got stuck in the vehicle’s window and its inebriated driver drove on. The incident took place in the early hours of the day when the DCW chief was out to inspect women security in Delhi along with her team, who were stationed at some distance from her.

AIADMK demands explanation from TN govt on health scheme

Chennai (Agencies): The Opposition AIADMK on Thursday demanded an explanation from the Tamil Nadu government on its 'essential healthcare at doorsteps' scheme.

Patna: A day after a grand Opposition rally in Telangana, Bihar CM Nitish Kumar said he only had a single wish and that has nothing to do with himself.

“I keep saying. I want nothing for myself. I only have one dream — to see Opposition leaders unite and forge ahead. That will benefit the country,” Nitish said.

The Bihar CM’s comments come a day after

prominent opposition leaders addressed a joint rally in Khammam in Telangana on CM K Chandrasekhar Rao's invitation. Asked about his own absence at the event, Nitish said: “I didn’t know about a rally being held by KCR (Chandrasekhar Rao). I was busy with some other work. Those who were invited to his party's rally must have gone there.”

The AIADMK demanded that Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin, and Health minister Ma Subramanian should provide details regarding the 'Makkalai Thedi Maruthuvum' scheme of the state government which is taking essential healthcare to the doorsteps of people.

Leader of the opposition and AIADMK interim general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami (EPS) in a statement said that as per media reports, there are no reports available to the public regarding the scheme including the expenditure as well as the number of patients treated under the scheme.

Chennai: Tamil Nadu Governor RN Ravi has filed a defamation case against a now suspended worker of the ruling DMK party for his controversial remarks.

The case, sources say, was filed against DMK worker Sivaji Krishnamurthy by Governor RN Ravi in a Chennai court on Wednesday.

Sivaji Krishnamurthy had made the alleged derogatory remarks against the Governor after he skipped portions of a government-approved speech in the state assembly earli-

He charged that the health officers have pointed out duplication of patients in the num-

ANURAG THAKUR SAYS...

er this month.

Using expletives for Governor Ravi, Krishnamurthy had said if he can't take Ambedkar's name, he should go to Kashmir, so he would be gunned down by extremists.

ber of beneficiaries and added that transparency of the scheme was the need of the hour.

Rahul Gandhi-led foot march enters J&K

Lakhanpur (PTI): Congress leader Rahul Gandhi walked into J&K on Thursday, the final phase of his Bharat Jodo Yatra. As dusk fell and temperatures dipped, hundreds of people walked alongside the former Congress president. In a customary handover function, Punjab’s Congress unit gave the party flag to a leader from the J&K unit. Welcoming him into the union territory, National Conference chief Farooq Abdullah drew a parallel between the Shankaracharya and Rahul Gandhi.

Those opposing burqa should be paraded naked: Ex-SP MLA Khan

Aligarh (ANI): Reacting to an Uttar Pradesh college incident where students wearing burqa were stopped from entering the premises, former Samajwadi Party MLA Zameer Ullah Khan has said that “those who oppose burqa should be paraded naked to teach them a lesson”. “There should be no ban on the burqa and whoever imposes the ban, first parade them naked. What is this new dress code? Make them roam around naked, then they will know what is to be exposed,” said the former Koil MLA on the Moradabad’s Hindu College incident.

After an October 2022 direction on dress code at the college, the authorities on Wednesday stopped several girls in burqa from entering the premises, leading to widespread protests.

FAROOQ ABDULLAH RECEIVES

RAHUL TRAINS

GUNS AT BJP, RSS KHARGE

Pathankot: Rahul Gandhi launched a scathing attack on the BJP and RSS on Thursday, accusing them of creating an atmosphere of hatred, violence and fear in the country. At a rally here on the last day of Bharat Jodo Yatra’s Punjab-leg, Rahul Gandhi alleged that the BJP was making one religion fight against another.

❍

BJY IN PATHANKOT

Pathankot: AICC President Mallikarjun Kharge on Thursday joined ‘Bharat Jodo Yatra’ in Punjab's Pathankot, and also addressed a public rally there.

CALCUTTA HC RUCKUS ISSUE

Mamata slams BCI for sending probe team

Kolkata: West Bengal

CM Mamata Banerjee on Thursday slammed the Bar Council of India (BCI) for sending a threemember team to probe the incident of ruckus outside Calcutta High Court’s Justice Rajasekhar Mantha’s court.

At a review meeting at Alipurduar, she said that central teams rush to West Bengal even if there is a termite attack. “If there is a problem at the Calcutta High Court, the Chief Justice will look into it. The Bar Council of West Bengal is there. We are here. Then why was a team sent from Delhi?” she questioned.

She said that even bursting of firecrackers in the state prompts the Centre to send the National Investigation Agency (NIA) team.

“But when Border Security Force personnel shoot down innocent civilians at Cooch Be-

“Education getting digitized in villages”

Hamirpur: Union Minister Anurag Thakur on Thursday said the BJP government at the centre determined to provide digital education to people in villages across the country including Hamirpur.

The Union Minister distributed laptops to teachers of 140 ‘Ek Se Shrestha’ centres here and school bags and study tables to 2,500 children.

Thakur said that issues related to employment, migration and

the economy in the state can be solved only by giving proper education to the children.

The minister also started ‘Digital Ek Se Shreshtha’, an initia-

tive aimed at providing quality education to every village for a bright future for every child, in the Hamirpur parliamentary constituency and gave the slo-

140 panchayats of the Hamirpur parliamentary constituency where ‘Ek Se Shrestha’ centres are operational and employment opportunities are also being given at the panchayat level.

Children are provided with all necessary facilities for education like books, copies, whiteboards and stationery in these centres.

`35K FINE SLAPPED ON MAKE MY TRIP

gan of “Hamara Sankalp, Hamara Prayas, Sabko Shiksha, Sabka Vikas”.

At present, over 2,500 children are being imparted free education in

Thakur also urged the teachers to adopt modern ways of teaching and pay more attention to the overall development of the students.

“SPECIAL PLAYERS DESERVE EQUALITY”

people to deaf athletes as well while observing the two have to be treated equally and cannot be discriminated against each other. Court was dealing with petitions by four sportspersons having 100% speech and hearing disability.

First India Bureau

Attire, culture and cuisine of every community is India’s strength, says PM Modi

BANJARAS SEE AN EMOTIONAL MODI 71K YOUTHS TO GET JOB LETTERS TODAY

New Delhi: Addressing a large gathering of the people from the Banjara community at Mulakhed village in Karnataka’s Kalaburagi district on Thursday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi assured them that “their son is sitting in Delhi who would ensure the community’s progress”.

New Delhi: PM Narendra Modi will distribute about 71,000 appointment letters to newly inducted recruits in govt departments and organisations on January 20. According to the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), PM Modi will distribute appointment letters at 10:30 am via video conferencing.

har or South Dinajpur the Union government no inspection team is sent,” Banerjee said.

Union I&B Minister Anurag Thakur distributes laptops to teachers in Hamirpur, on Thursday.

PM Narendra Modi tries his hand at a “nagaara” during the distribution ceremony of title deeds to the eligible beneficiaries of newly declared revenue villages, in Kalaburagi on Thursday. —PHOTO BY ANI

Nitish Kumar with Tejashwi Yadav during the unveiling of statue of Maharana Pratap on his death anniversary, in Patna on Thursday.

WB CM Mamata Banerjee at a function. —PHOTO BY PTI

The Supreme Court on Thursday refused to entertain Google’s plea against an order of the National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT) refusing an interim stay on the competition regulator imposing a Rs 1,337 crore penalty on it. A bench of CJI DY Chandrachud and Justices PS Narasimha and J B Pardiwala granted the US firm seven days to deposit 10% of the penalty imposed by the Competition Commission of India (CCI).

New Delhi: The Delhi High Court on Thursday asked the Centre to take a decision on extending certain benefits available to para-sports-

TN Guv sues suspended DMK man after controversial remark

Tamil Nadu Governor RN Ravi. —FILE PHOTO

Do you send central teams when women are tortured in Uttar Pradesh? Do the central teams come when the farmers starve to death?

—Mamata Banerjee, Chief Minister, West Bengal

Rahul Gandhi-led Bharat Jodo Yatra of the Congress party enters Jammu & Kashmir’s Lakhanpur in Kathua district, on Thursday. —PHOTO BY PTI

BJY

Lakhanpur: Former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister and president of National Conference, Farooq Abdullah on Thursday travelled to Lakhanpur in J&K Kathua district to receive Rahul Gandhi during the Congress’ Bharat Jodo Yatra. Abdullah, accompanied by some senior leaders of the National Conference went to Lakhanpur to receive Rahul Gandhi on the latter’s entry into J&K.

JOINS

Ardern’s resignation as NZ PM is a game changer for 2023 election

WOMEN GRAPPLERS DESERVE JUSTICE IN THEIR BOUT AGAINST WFI CHIEF

My sense is that Labour knows who will take over. Front runners to be leader could include Minister of Justice Kiri Allan, who is a rising star and could be the first Mãori PM, though she is relatively new to politics. Minister for Education and Leader of the House Chris Hipkins was a high-profile and hard-working MP during COVID, and he and Allan could make a formidable team.

Housing, energy and resources minister Dr Megan Woods is also an experienced and senior member of the party, so could also be in the mix

ADETUNJI The writer is Editor, The Conversation UK

New Zealanders will have a new prime minister by February 7 and will go to the polls on October 14, after twoterm Labour Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announced her resignation to spend more time with her family.

“For me, it’s time,” she said, speaking from the Labour Party’s retreat. “I just don’t have enough in the tank for another four years.”

Ardern said she would stay on until April as a local MP.

Ardern’s resignation will come as a shock to many New Zealanders, and especially to people overseas – given the international reputation she earned as prime minister over the past five years.

But this is less of a surprise for close watchers of New Zealand politics. Back in November 2021, I wrote in The Conversation: “Might Jacinda Ardern stand down?”, after Labour changed its rules to make it easier for the party’s leader to be replaced.

FRAGMENTED OPPN CHARGES AT BJP

Ardern’s rise to power in 2017 was a game changer in New Zealand politics. Now she’s surprised everyone again with today’s decision to stand down, this could be a game changer for the October election.

Ardern is still higher in the preferred PM polls, ahead of National’s Christopher Luxon. So it’s not imperative for Labour to change their leader. But up until this moment, everyone has been picking a likely change in government to a National/Act coalition later this year.

Now that Labour is starting to trail in the polls, having a refresh of the leadership doesn’t necessarily ruin the party’s chances of winning in October. The social and economic fallout of the pandemic has been so profound that having a fresh new face could help Labour’s chances.

Former National PM John Key did a similar thing back in 2016, invoking the same “not enough in the tank” line as Ardern today, when he surprised everyone and stood down, handing over to Bill English. English and National actually did well in the following year’s election, gaining 44% of the vote. It was only

Opposition parties came together at a massive rally organised by the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) in Khammam was no show of strength. Rather, what stood out at the show of strength by Telangana CM K Chandrasekhar Rao was the absence of Nitish Kumar and his Janata Dal-U, Mamata Banerjee and the Trinamool Congress. Rahul Gandhi’s Bharat Jodo Yatra notwithstanding, Congress does not figure in KCR’s scheme of things. With these omissions one got the impression of a fragmented opposition driven by the ambition of ousting the Bharatiya Janata Party from power in 2024.

The participants included Arvind Kejriwal, Chief Min-

because of overall arithmetic that National was unable to form government and that Ardern went on to become PM.

JACINDA ARDERN’S REPLACEMENT COULD BE KNOWN WITHIN

DAYS Ardern made herself world famous for her management of the pandemic, and she did an extremely good job as a leader over that period. But Covid-19 also completely derailed her prime ministership, meaning she was stymied in pursuing many of the key social objectives such as child poverty and housing that she would have liked to put more effort into.

Opposition parties coming together at a massive rally organised by the BRS in Khammam was no show of strength. Rather, what stood out at the show of strength by Telangana CM K Chandrasekhar Rao was the absence of Nitish Kumar and his Janata Dal-U, Mamata Banerjee and the TMC

ister of Delhi, his Punjab counterpart Bhagwant Mann and Pinarayi Vijayan, Chief Minister of Kerala. Akhilesh Yadav of the Samajwadi Party and D. Raja of the CPI were also present. These leaders voiced concern over the threat to federal structure, social justice and equality from

I know Ardern personally, and what you see on TV is what you get in real life. She is a genuine person and politician, and you can understand the reasons she’s given about wanting more time with her fiancé and daughter.

My sense is that Labour knows who will take over.

Front runners to be leader could include Minister of Justice Kiri Allan, who is a rising star and could be the first Māori PM, though she is relatively new to politics. Minister for Education and Leader of the House Chris Hipkins was a high-profile and hard-working MP during COVID, and he and Allan could make a formidable team. Housing, energy and resources minister Dr Megan Woods is also an experienced and senior member of the party, so could also be in the mix.

Deputy Prime Minister Grant Robertson won’t be contesting the leadership, and Labour caucus has agreed that a vote will happen in three days’ time, on January 22.

A successful candidate will need more than 60% of the caucus vote, otherwise they’ve got to go to a primary-style process with the Labour membership, which could be messy, so they will want to avoid that.

Top women wrestlers have mustered courage to grapple with the issue of alleged sexual harassment by Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, BJP MP from Kaiserganj constituency in Uttar Pradesh, and president of the Wrestling Federation of India. The six-time MP was last in the news in December last year for his acquittal by MP/MLA court in a murder case allegedly because the police did not collect evidence properly. In 1992, his name also figured in CBI records for harbouring shooters of Dawood Ibrahim. Led by medal-winning Vinesh Phogat and Sakshi Malik have alleged that Singh and coaches sexually harassed wrestlers at national camps.

Singh has denied the allegations, while the Sports Ministry has given the MP 72 hours to explain his position. The wrestlers who went on protest against harassment are determined that they won’t give up the fight without a Swachhata Abhiyan cleaning the Augean stable. The government has a simple option of either sacking Singh or snubbing the protesters.

SPIRITUAL SPEAK

All tremble at violence; all fear death. Putting oneself in the place of another, one should not kill nor cause another to kill.

TOP TWEETS

Anurag Thakur @ianuragthakur

the BJP-led government. Akhilesh Yadav also took on the BJP for trying to demolish the federal structure.

Despite a speed-breaker ahead in the form of assembly election, KCR again showed his desire to play a national role based on his belief that the Congress will not be acceptable to most opposition parties in a leadership role after their respective successes against the BJP in state elections. The Aam Aadmi Party was there after its recent stupendous victory in Delhi Municipal Corporation elections, the TMC, which did well in West Bengal, is now aiming for Tripura where there is some discontent in the BJP. However, for the SP and CPI the road ahead may turn out to be arduous.

Employment opportunities are also being given at Panchayat level. Today, one of the best digital classrooms started by providing laptops to the teachers of 140 centres and school bags and study tables to 2500 children. Our resolution, our effort, education for all, development for all.

l Vol 4 l Issue No. 225

l RNI NO. RAJENG/2019/77764.

Printed and published by Anita Hada Sangwan on behalf of First Express Publishers. Printed at Bhaskar Printing Press, D.B. Corp Limited, Shivdaspura, Tonk Road, Jaipur. Published at 304, 3rd Floor, City Mall, Bhagwan Das Road, C-Scheme, Jaipur-302001, Rajasthan. Phone 0141-4920504.

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

Amit Shah

@AmitShah

My best wishes to the Bravehearts of the @NDRFHQ on the occasion of their Raising Day. The journey of the NDRF abounds with exemplary acts of courage and commitment to professional excellence. I salute them for all the lives they saved imperiling their own.

Buddha

A GAME CHANGING MOVE BEFORE THE ELECTION

THE VIEWS EXPRESSED BY THE AUTHOR ARE PERSONAL

JO

Beyond that, I have no plan. No next steps. All I know is that whatever I do, I will try and find ways to keep working for NZ, that I am looking forward to spending time with my family again – arguably, they are the ones that have sacrificed the most out of all of us

—Jacinda Ardern

India to bail out debt-ridden neighbour

Colombo: External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Thursday arrived here for a muchanticipated visit to Sri Lanka, where he will meet the cash-strapped country’s top leadership to finalise a debt restructuring plan to help Colombo carve out a path from its worst economic crisis. Jaishankar, who rounded off his official visit to the Maldives, was welcomed here by foreign affairs minister Tharaka Balasuriya.

Jaishankar is scheduled to have meetings later on Thursday with his Sri Lankan counterpart Ali Sabry and President Ranil Wickremesinghe, officials said.

Debt restructuring will headline Jaishankar’s talks with Sri Lanka’s top leadership during his two-day official visit. Sri Lanka, which is trying to secure a much-needed

USD 2.9 billion bridge loan from the International Monetary Fund (IMF), has been trying to get financial assurances from its major creditors China, Japan and India which is the requisite for Colombo to get the bailout package.

The IMF bailout has been put on a halt as Sri Lanka pursues talks with creditors to meet the global lender’s condition for the facility.

CRUCIAL READ

Malkangiri (PTI): Forest Department officials have seized two leopard skins in separate incidents in Odisha’s two tribal dominated districts of Malkangiri and Mayurbhanj and arrested six persons on the charge of smuggling of wildlife body parts, police said on Thursday. The market value of two leopard skin could be above Rs 2.5 lakh in international market, forest officials said. In Mayurbhanj district, the forest officials raided Badaolia village on the foothills of Similipal National Park and seized a leopard skin and cash of Rs 1.27 lakh, said SP Mayurbhanj Rishikesh Dyandeo Khilari.

‘FOOD POISONING’: EATERY’S HEAD COOK ARRESTED

Kochi (PTI): The head cook of an eatery in North Paravoor area of Ernakulam district has been arrested following hospitalisation of several people who ate food there. An officer of North Paravoor police station said that the cook was arrested on Wednesday. The suspected food poisoning incident occurred on Tuesday with over 68 people being admitted to various hospitals in Ernakulam with symptoms like vomiting.

1 KILLED IN TAMIL NADU FIREWORKS FACTORY BLAST

Sivakasi (Agencies): A worker died, and another was grieviously injured in a blast at a fireworks factory at Tamil Nadu’s Virudhunagar on Thursday, police said. The deceased was identified as Ravi, 60, while the injured worker is Jayaraj, 60. The fireworks factory owned by Krishnamoorthy at Sengamalapatti has more than 40 sheds and 100 workers working in these sheds. Sivakasi East police is holding investigations in the case.

On Tuesday, President Wickremesinghe said his government has “successfully” completed its debt restructuring talks with India

“I can tell this assembly that the talks are successful. Very soon we will have an answer,” Wickremesinghe told the Parliament.

On Tuesday, India’s Additional Secretary of the Finance Ministry Rajat Kumar Mishra in-

formed IMF chief Kristalina Georgiva that New Delhi has confirmed its support to Sri Lanka on the issue of debt restructuring.

Last week, Sri Lanka completed its debt restructuring talks with Japan. Extending a much-needed lifeline to a neighbour in need, India has handed financial assistance of nearly USD 4 billion to Colombo last year.

Before R-Day, pro-Khalistan graffiti appear in Delhi

New Delhi (ANI): The Delhi Police on Thursday said that “Khalistan Zindabad” and other anti-national slogans that cropped up as graffiti on walls in at least 10 locations in the national capital have been removed.

According to the police, gGraffiti written in Gurmukhi and Hindi with ‘Khalistan Zindabad’, and ‘Referendum 2020’ was seen painted on a wall in the Paschim Vihar area of the capital city today. The development comes days ahead of Republic Day celebrations for which security has

been stepped up in the city. Delhi Police said that it is not a “securityrelated issue” and that legal action would be taken against those involved in the matter.

“Anti-national, Khalistan-related graffiti appeared overnight at some locations in Delhi. The graffiti appears to have been painted under the cover of darkness and appeared in deserted and empty places. This is not a security-related issue. Legal action will be taken in this matter,” Suman Nalwa, the Public Relations Officer of Delhi Police told ANI.

INDIA TO BOOST SPORTS INFRA IN MALDIVES: EAM

Male: EAM S Jaishankar said on Thursday that India has extended a USD 40 million Line of Credit for developing sporting infrastructure in Maldives, as part of New Delhi’s efforts to bring PM Modi’s flagship projects into the ambit of the Neighbourhood First Policy.

“INDIA FUNDING 45 INFRA PROJECTS IN MALDIVES”

New Delhi: External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, who is on a diplomatic visit to Maldives, on Thursday said that India through its grant assistance has supported around 45 projects on the island country, spread across 16 atolls and 36 islands.

UN GENERAL ASSEMBLY PREZ CSABA KOROSI TO VISIT INDIA

New York (ANI): United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) President Csaba Korosi is scheduled to visit India at the end of this month and meet with senior officials, according to the spokesperson for the General Assembly president, Paulina Kubiak Greer. Addressing a briefing here on Tuesday (local time), the spokesperson said the visit of the UNGA President who has been invited by the Indian government will likely begin on January 29 and will include an address to the Indian Council of World Affairs, a foreign policy think tank.

Keeping watch on situation: Dhami

Dehradun (ANI): Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami held a review meeting on Joshimath relief work with officials on Thursday at the state secretariat and said that he is monitoring the situation every day.

The Chief Minister on Thursday while speaking to ANI stated that the state officials have been monitoring the situation in Joshimath every day. The water discharge which was at 570 lpm (litres per minute) has reduced to 100 lpm now.

MIGHTY SWORD!

New Delhi (Agencies): A Class 12 student stabbed a government school teacher with a knife in Delhi’s Indrapuri area on Thursday. The student stabbed the teacher in the stomach. The teacher was immediately rushed to the BL Kapoor Hospital in Delhi for treatment. A case was registered under section 307 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). The police have detained the juvenile for stabbing the teacher and the murder weapon has been recovered. Further investigation is currently underway.

MAN BURNT TO DEATH IN GURUGRAM FLAT

Gurugram (Agencies): A 46-year-old man was burnt to death after his house caught fire on the fifth floor of Tata Raisina Residency in Sector 59 on Thursday. The deceased, a resident of Jharkhand, used to work as a driver and was living in rented EWS flat at the residency, the police said.

Gulshan Kalra, deputy director (technical), Haryana Fire and Emergency Services, said the fire department received information around 12:25 p.m. and three firefighters were rushed to the spot.

HUGE FIRE BREAKS OUT IN HYDERABAD HIGH-RISE BUILDING

Hyderabad (Hyderabad): A fire broke out on Thursday in amulti-storied commercial complex and also spread to two adjoining buildings in Secunderabad. The incident occurred between 10:00 am and 10:30 am No casualties have been reported. However, at least six people were trapped on top of the building when the fire broke out. They were trying to get away from the fire and reached upstairs for safety. Six fire tenders have been fighting to douse the flames for more than four hours. A police also team reached the spot to control the situation.

UP Govt transfers 3 IAS officers including Muzaffarnagar collector Chandra B Singh

Dr Ahtesham Siddiqui

Lucknow: The UP govt has transferred three IAS officers, of which the most shocking transfer is of Muzaffarnagar Collector IAS Chandra Bhushan Singh.

IAS Chandra Bhushan Singh of 2008 batch SCS carder has been made Additional Transport Commissioner but at the same time he has also been given the additional responsibility of the outgoing Transport Commissioner.

Meanwhile, IAS Ara-

vind Mallappa Bangari has been made the new DM of Muzaffarnagar. Prior to the new appointment, Bangari was posted in Western Electric Supply Nigam from 11 October 2019 as its MD.

IAS Chaitra V has been made MD, Paschimanchal Vidyut Vit-

Yeti Airlines crash: Report hints failure to deploy full flaps

Joshimath: Cracks have developed in the walls of Garhwal Mandal Vikas Nigam’s guest house in the holy city of Joshimath in Uttarakhand.The cracks were noticed in the building, located near Gandhi Maidan, on Wednesday.

LAND SUBSIDENCE HITS BIZ DREAMS

Joshimath: Hundreds of people watch in dismay as rapidly deepening cracks write the epitaph of their businesses and homes in a sinking town that was bustling till just a few weeks ago.

Gadkari inspects A’bad-Dholera Expressway work

Ahmedabad (FIB): Union Road Transport & Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari on Thursday inspected the progress of Ahmedabad-Dholera Expressway. This 109 km long greenfield corridor is being developed at a total cost of ₹4200 crore. It will act as an important route to connect Ahmedabad and Dholera and connect several special investment zones of Dholera to Ahmedabad. This expressway will enable high speed travel between Ahmedabad and Dholera and reduce the travel time by about one hour.

Birla bats for joint efforts to address global issues

ran Nigam Meerut and was holding the command of Additional Commissioner Meerut Division and Additional Commissioner Industries Meerut Division.

Sources claim that IAS Chandra Bhushan Singh, who was removed from Muzaffarnagar, is considered a very special officer of the government. He was made the collector of Azamgarh as soon as the Yogi government came to power and then the collector of Aligarh And VC Aligarh.

Kathmandu (PTI):

The pilots of the Yeti Airlines aircraft that crashed in Nepal’s resort city of Pokhara may have failed to fully deploy the wing flaps while attempting to land, leading to a stall, a media report said on Thursday. On January 15, a Yeti Airlines aircraft crashed into a gorge near the newlybuilt airport in Pokhara, killing 72 all on board, including five Indians, in the country’s worst air disaster in 30 years.

CAQM ADVISORY

Use of coal stands completely banned in NCR

First India Bureau

New Delhi: Continuing its concerted efforts to abate air pollution arising out of emissions from highly polluting fossil fuels like coal, furnace oil, etc, the Commission for Air Quality Management in NCR & Adjoining Areas (CAQM) has advised

Coal India Limited (CIL) and State Governments of Haryana and Uttar Pradesh, to ensure that coal is not supplied/ allotted by various coal companies of CIL to various suppliers/ stockists/ agents of ClL operating in the National Capital Region (NCR).

Moreover, the Com-

—Pic for representational purpose only

mission has also advised the entities/ units/ industries including stockists, trad-

ers and dealers of coal to ensure compliance and discontinue coal supply in NCR for any

kind of usage/ stocking/ selling/ trading in entire NCR except for Thermal Power Plants (TPPs). Statutory directions of the Commission require complete elimination of use of coal and other unapproved fuels for various operations/ applications across all sectors (including industrial, commercial and miscellaneous applications), with effect from January 1 in the entire NCR.

Statutory directions

were issued by the Commission regarding permissible fuels for industrial/ domestic/ miscellaneous applications in the NCR in terms of Direction Nos. 64 dated June 2, 2022 and 65 dated June 23, 2022. Presently, use of coal now stands completely banned (except in TPPs) and it is not considered a permissible fuel within NCR as per the common fuel list under the Directions issued by the Commission.

2 LEOPARD SKINS SEIZED IN SEPARATE CASE IN ODISHA’S TRIBAL DOMINATED DISTRICTS

DELHI GOVT SCHOOLTEACHER STABBED BY STUDENT; JUVENILE ACCUSED DETAINED

21 industrial units found using highly polluting unapproved fuels, issued closure directions by CAQM

SL Foreign Minister Tharaka Balasuriya receives EAM Jaishankar. EAM with Maldives Prez Solih.

Locals stage a protest against the NTPC’s project in Joshimath town of Chamoli district, on Thursday. —PHOTO BY PTI

NOW, CRACKS IN GMVN GUEST HOUSE

Dar-es-Salaam: Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, who is leading the Indian Parliamentary Delegation to Tanzania, called on Tanzania PM Kassim Majliwa, on Thursday. Speaking on the occasion, Birla mentioned that there is a need for joint action to

address global issues like climate change. He said India and Tanzania are important maritime countries in the Indian Ocean region. He said that the historical ties between the two maritime nations have developed on basis of mutual political understanding.

Shivendraraje Bhosale, a descendant of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, carries 42-kg sword of Lord Khandoba during the Hindu Jagriti Morcha in Jejuri, near Pune on Thursday.

—PHOTO BY VIJAYKUMAR HARISHCHANDRE

BRIEFS

INDIA AIMS TO BECOME

Key semiconductor supplier for world

New Delhi: Walmartowned digital payments app Phonepe on Thursday said it has raised $350 million at a valuation of $12 billion in a funding round led by private equity firm General Atlantic.

“Marquee Global and Indian investors are also participating in the round,” PhonePe said adding the investment marks the first tranche of an up to $1 billion total fundraise that commenced in January 2023. The fundraise follows PhonePe’s recently announced change of domicile to India.

Davos (PTI): Sensing a huge opportunity in the global semiconductor market, India has set in motion an ambitious plan to become a key supplier for the world with the government itself putting in $10 billion, Communications Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said.

The minister said there is a very large market that requires semiconductor and India has a huge potential in terms of infrastructure, talent pool and technology. “Our university system that produces a large number of talent is also helping a lot as we have tied up with many universities to prepare right talent,” he said.

Asked about the government’s own investment plans, he said the government itself is putting in $10 billion and it has chalked out a long haul programme.

TOP TALKING POINTS

New Delhi: Maruti Suzuki India on Thursday said it has commenced exports of mid-sized sports utility vehicle Grand Vitara, with the first shipment on its way to Latin America. The country’s leading carmaker and exporter aims to export the model to more than 60 countries. “Expanding the product portfolio for exports has been one of the key pillars of success. By adding Grand Vitara, we now export a range of 17 vehicles,” MSI MD and CEO Hisashi Takeuchi said. —PTI

GOLD PRICES FALL

“We see a huge potential for India to become a key semiconductor supplier for

the entire world, that too for the latest requirements including for electric vehicles and for all cutting edge technologies. We are convinced that the demand is

BUDGET WISHLIST

Pharmaceutical and healthcare industry seek simplified regulations

New Delhi (PTI): The government should take measures to promote innovation and R&D while simplifying regulations for the sector in the upcoming Union Budget, as per pharmaceutical industry bodies.

New Delhi: Gold prices fell by `52 to `56,475 per 10 grams in the national capital on Thursday amid weak global trends, according to HDFC Securities. The precious metal closed at `56,527 per 10 grams in the previous trade. Silver also tumbled `850 to `68,500 per kg.

“Spot gold prices in the Delhi markets traded at `56,475 per 10 grams, down `52 per 10 grams,” said an analyst at HDFC Securities on Thursday. In the overseas market, gold was quoting lower at US dollars 1,901 per ounce while silver was up at 24.23 US dollars per ounce. —PTI

HUL Q3 NET PROFIT

RISES 7.9 PER CENT TO `2,481 CRORE

Outlining the wishlist for the sector in the upcoming Union Budget, Indian Pharmaceutical Alliance (IPA) Secretary General Sudarshan Jain said the domestic pharma industry is currently around $50 billion in size and aspires to grow to around $130 billion by 2030 and $450 billion by 2047. “To achieve this vision, the Union Budget 2023-2024 should help fuel

innovation and R&D, which will set the pace for propelling the pharmaceutical industry forward,” he said.

The budget should outline supportive policies, simplified regulations, and simple GST norms to aid in the development of the pharmaceutical industry, he added.

IRF SEEKS REMOVAL OF GST ON HELMETS

New Delhi (PTI): International Road Federation (IRF), a global body advocating for safer roads, on Thursday said that it has made a plea to the government to do away with the GST imposed on helmets. At present a GST of 18% is levied on helmets. “IRF...In a letter written to the Union finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman has demanded reduction of GST on life saving device helmets for safety of the twowheeler riders from present 18% to 0% in the forthcoming Union Budget 2023-24,” the global road safety body said.

going to be huge,” he added.

“The industry is going to double in size to $1 trillion in the next 6-7 years with the growth rate set to accelerate in a big way,” he said.

Mobile, internet key to India’s robust financial inclusion: SBI chief

Davos (PTI): Robust mobile and internet connectivity has helped India in a big way to expand financial inclusion, while a diverse network of banking correspondents and micro ATMs has ensured last mile reach, SBI Chairman Dinesh Kumar Khara said on Thursday.

He also said a lot is being done in the country to spread financial and digital literacy to help people with their banking needs and to safeguard them from any frauds.

“We are a country of 1.3 billion and the mobile phone connections we have are about 1.2 billion. We also have some 800 million internet connections and that has helped us a lot ex-

SBI CHIEF KHARA SAID



Robust mobile and internet connectivity has helped India in a big way to expand financial inclusion, while a diverse network of banking correspondents and micro ATMs has ensured last mile reach



INDIA BETTER OFF THAN MANY ECONOMIES, SAYS GOPINATH

A lot is being done in the country to spread financial and digital literacy

pand financial inclusion,” Khara said.

“During the pandemic, we also did another excellent job, that is distributing foodgrain also, rather than just distributing cash. That helped us contain inflation,” SBI chairman said.

Gopinath cautioned against growing fragmentation globally, saying it hurt the global growth rate. India though, she said, has been receiving lots of positive sentiments but at the same time added that greater reforms are needed for foreign direct investment in the manufacturing sector.

A lot of businesses and companies are looking towards India as an investment destination as they try to diversify away from countries including China.

Sensex, Nifty snap two-day rally amid global weakness; Asian Paints drops post Q3 show

Mumbai (PTI): Equity benchmarks declined on Thursday after a two-day rally, mirroring a weak trend in the US markets and fresh foreign fund outflows.

Weak US consumer data and hawkish comments from the Fed’s policymakers dragged markets lower.

The 30-share BSE Sensex declined dropped 187.31 points or 0.31% to settle at

60,858.43. During the day, it tumbled 329.19 points or 0.53% to 60,716.55. The broader NSE Nifty dipped 57.50 points or 0.32% to end at 18,107.85.

From the Sensex pack, Asian Paints, Tata Motors, IndusInd Bank, Kotak Mahindra Bank, Hindustan Unilever, Titan, UltraTech Cement, Bajaj Finserv, ITC and Nestle were the biggest laggards.

Doing my utmost to ensure FTA with India: Scholz

Davos (PTI): Asserting that Europe remains open for international trade, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has said he is doing his utmost to ensure that the free trade agreements with India and some other countries gets sealed.

The European Union, within which Germany is among India’s biggest trade partners, relaunched ne-

CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER CONFIRMS

New Delhi: FMCG major Hindustan Unilever Ltd on Thursday reported a 7.9% increase in its consolidated net profit to `2,481 crore for the third quarter ended December 31, 2022. The company had posted a net profit of `2,300 crore in the October-December quarter of the previous fiscal. Its consolidated total income during the quarter under review rose 16.355 to `15,707 crore against `13,499 crore a year ago, HUL said. —PTI

RUPEE FALLS 7 PAISE TO CLOSE AT 81.37 AGAINST US DOLLAR

Mumbai (PTI): The rupee settled 7 paise lower at 81.37 (provisional) against the US dollar on Thursday. At the interbank foreign exchange market, the rupee opened at 81.45 against the greenback, and finally settled at 81.37, down 7 paise over its previous close. During the session, the rupee also touched an intraday high of 81.27 against the American currency.

OTHER STORIES

gotiations last year with India for a Free Trade Agreement.

“I am doing my utmost to ensure that the free trade agreements we have successfully negotiated with Canada, Korea, Japan, New Zealand, and Chile will soon be followed by new ones: with MERCOSUR, India, and Indonesia,” he said.

Adani group has no plans for telecom sec

New Delhi (Agencies): Indian conglomerate Adani Group, owned by billionaire Gautam Adani, said on Thursday that it does not have any plans to enter the country’s telecom sector.

Adani, the world’s thirdrichest man according to Forbes, has been diversifying his empire from ports to energy to now owning a media company.

However, the Adani Group has stayed away from India’s telecom sector, where rival Mukesh Ambani’s Reliance Industries’ unit Jio became a dominant player by offering low-

cost services since its debut in 2016.

“We have no plans or ambitions in telecom,”

STAYING FAR AWAY

Adani has been diversifying his empire from ports to energy to now owning a media company.

However, the Adani Group has stayed away from India’s telecom sector, where rival Mukesh Ambani’s Jio became a dominant player

Adani Data Networks purchased airwaves worth nearly $27 mn in the country’s 5G auction in 2022.

GCMMF (Amul), Kribhco, NAFED and NCDC will jointly promote a newly announced national-level export cooperative society with an authorised share capital of `2,000 crore for the trading of goods and services in the cooperative sector. Last week, the CCEA approved a proposal to establish three new national-level multi-state cooperative societies. A national-level cooperative organic society, cooperative seed society and cooperative export society will be registered under the MSCS Act, 2002. —PTI

INDIA SET FOR CONSERVATIVE DIVESTMENT

Delhi: The Indian government is likely to set a conservative target for the funds it can raise through disinvestment of state enterprises in fiscal 2024 after mop-up fell short this year, analysts said. “We pencil in divestment receipts of 350 billion Indian rupees in 2022/23...For 2023/24, we factor in divestments of 500 billion rupees,” Kotak Institutional Equities said.

DOMESTIC PASSENGER TRAFFIC GROWS

13.69% TO 127.35 LAKH IN DECEMBER 2022: DGCA Mumbai: India’s domestic passenger traffic grew 13.69% year-onyear to 127.35 lakh in December, according to DGCA monthly traffic data released on Thursday. The number of passengers flown by the Indian airlines in December 2021 was recorded at 112.02 lakh, as per data. IndiGo, which carried 69.97 lakh passengers during the month, lost the market share further at 55.7%, while Air India and Vistara carried 11.71 lakh and 11.70 lakh passengers. —PTI

Jugeshinder Singh, Adani Group’s chief financial officer, said. Adani Enterprises’ unit

MARUTI SUZUKI BEGINS EXPORTS OF GRAND VITARA

BY `52; SILVER ALSO SEES A DIP OF `850

 Communications Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said there is a very large market that requires semiconductor and India has a huge potential in terms of infrastructure, talent pool and technology

He said the government itself is putting in $10 billion and it has chalked out a long haul programme

Vaishnaw also said the government is mindful of the environment and it will ensure that the new factories are supplied with green energy

New Delhi (Agencies): IMF deputy managing director Gita Gopinath has cautioned that India needs to work on labour markets and land, even as she hailed the country for doing better than many global economies.

Raj Pavilion grabs all attention at Fitur Int’l Travel Mart in Madrid

Indian Ambassador to Spain Dinesh K Patnaik inaugurates Raj Tourism Pavilion in Madrid

Nirmal Tiwari

Jaipur: Indian Ambassador to Spain Dinesh K Patnaik inaugurated the Rajasthan Tourism Pavilion, which has become a talking point at Fitur World Travel Mart in Madrid as foreign travel agents were thrilled to see pavilion.

Tourism Corporation President Dharmendra Rathore participated in a road show on Thursday. He was accompanied by Managing Director VP Singh.

Rajasthan Tourism’s Principal Secretary Gayatri Rathore, Additional Director Salim Khan, and Deputy Director Naval Kishore Baswal also welcomed

man

the guests. Travel agents and tour operators from different countries are participating in the event which will con-

tinue until January 22.

Over 200 B2B meetings will be held in Fitur, where Rajasthan will showcase its tourism

‘PADHARO MHARE DES’, SAYS RTDC CHIEF RATHORE IN SPAIN

NEET aspirant in Kota attempts self-immolation

First India Bureau

Mother, 2 daughters drown in Dhelana village’s pond

like the Palace on Wheels, tourist places, hotels, heritage hotels, jungle safaris, handicrafts, & others.

Jaipur: Rajasthan Tourism Development Corporation (RTDC) Chairman Dharmendra Rathore visited the pavilion of Rajasthan at Fitoor International Travel Mart in Spain. While interacting with tourists, travel agents, tour operators present there, he invited them to visit Rajasthan. Rathore gave his speech in Hindi in front of tourists from all over the country. Principal Secretary of Tourism Department Gayatri Rathore was also present during this. “The Chief Minister of Rajasthan has only one message- ‘Padharo Mhare Des’ and we have come to Spain from India with this message,” he said. Rathore highlighted the corona management done by the state government and said it was appreciated by the world.

Woman kills daughter, throws body from moving train with lover’s help in Rajasthan

Jaipur (PTI): A married woman and her lover have been arrested for allegedly killing her three-year-old girl and throwing her body from a moving train in Rajasthan’s Sriganganagar district, police said on Thursday.

CONFESSED DURING INTERROGATION

Sunita,

Indore (PTI): Police in Madhya Pradesh’s Indore city have booked a 32-year-old man from Rajasthan for allegedly giving instant ‘triple talaq’ to his 4th wife, an official said on Thursday. The Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Marriage) Act bans the practice of instant triple talaq and entails imprisonment up to 3 years.

The woman, a resident of Khajrana here, married accused Imran after the two got in touch through a matrimonial site, said subinspector Manisha Dangi of the local police station. Imran also allegedly promised to look after the complainant’s children from her earlier marriages. Disputes arose after the woman recently found that Imran already has 3 wives, official said.

As per police, on the intervening night of Monday and Tuesday, the woman strangled her daughter Kiran and wrapped her body in a bedsheet with Sunny’s help and went to Srigan-

FROM PG 1

No anti-incumbency....

Our aim is to take our schemes to the public. The mood of the people in Rajasthan is in favor of the government and there is no anti-incumbency wave. Every worker and leader should take part in padayatra, rally and Hath Se Hath Jodo campaign. Many schemes are excellent in the state but there has been a lack of publicity. Congress workers should take the schemes to the villages through publicity.”

Earlier, Chief Minister Gehlot’s addressed a gathering in Ferozepur of Punjab and said, “Lakhs of people are joining Rahul Gandhi’s yatra. People are coming forward to join the yatra. Inflation and un-

ganagar railway station. They boarded a train at 6:10 am and when it reached a bridge on a canal before Fatuhi railway station, they dropped the body from the moving train, Su-

perintendent of Police (Sriganganagar) Anand Sharma said. They wanted to dump the body in canal but it fell near the railway tracks, he said, adding it was recovered on Tuesday.

Kota: A NEET aspirant from Bihar attempted self-immolation here, police said on Thursday. Mayank, earlier used to study at a coaching centre. “The incident occurred in the Jawahar Nagar area.

Mayank’s father had come to meet him in Kota from Bihar and as soon as he reached the railway station, Mayank poured kerosene and set himself ablaze.

The victim sustained burn injuries and has been admitted to MBS Hospital,” the police said. “My son was not under any type of depression. He used to do self-study for NEET exams. We are not able to understand why he took this extreme step,” said Mayank’s father Sanjay Kumar.

First India Bureau

Lohawat: In a painful accident, a mother and her two daughters died tragically due to drowning in the pond in the Dhelana village. According to the information, Megharam Nayak’s family does agriculture work on the farm near the tubewell in Dhelana village.

Megharam’s 13-yearold daughter Budhi had gone nearby to graze goats when she slipped into the pond in the fields. Hearing the screams of the child, her mother Premi and sister Dhapu standing nearby also ran towards the pond to save her and jumped into the water to get her out.

Probably due to the

deep and slippery water, both of them also drowned in the pool.

After which the people of the neighbourhood also reached there and all three were taken out of the pool and brought to Lohavat CHC where the doctors declared all three dead.

Lohawat CI Badriprasad Meena, CO Noor Mohammad also reached the spot on the information of the mother and two daughters drowning in the water.

Pak drone shot down, two held with 6 kg heroin in Rajasthan

Sri Ganganagar (ANI): Pakistan is again in the spotlight with its nefarious act of smuggling drugs into India. A case of heroin smuggling has come to the fore once again from Pakistan through drones.

Two persons were arrested after a drone was caught at the Indo-Pak border in Rajasthan’s Sri Ganganagar on Thursday midnight.

BSF seized around 6.150 Kg of Heroin, while 3 other persons managed

to abscond. There have been more than a dozen attempts from the Pakistan side in the last month, informed Satnam Singh, Additional SP Sri Ganganagar.

“Pakistan is repeatedly trying to send heroin to

TO ENSURE COMPLIANCE WITH SAFETY STANDARDS

MINES DEPT TO UNDERTAKE CAMPAIGN FROM JANUARY 23

Nirmal Tiwari

Jaipur: Additional Chief Secretary (Mines) Dr Subodh Agarwal on Thursday took a review meeting of the mining department in the secretariat. ACS Dr Subodh Agarwal informed that 100 percent compliance with mining safety standards will be ensured by running a campaign in the state from January 23.

employment has increased. Rahul Gandhi has said that there is a gap between rich and poor. I would like to con-

gratulate Rahul ji, such a journey has taken place after independence. A young man has set out on issues.”

FOR DEVELOPMENT OF RAJASTHAN

“If safety standards are not followed during the inspection, strict action will be taken and mining work will be stopped. By ensuring compliance with safety standards, effec-

Australian High Commissioner meets Guv

Bureau

India

First

lll

Australian High Commissioner Barry O’Farrell AO discussed various issues related to the development of Rajasthan with the Governor

Jaipur: Governor Kalraj Mishra on Thursday met Australian High Commissioner Barry O’Farrell AO at Raj Bhavan.

The Australian High Commissioner Barry O’Farrell AO discussed various issues related to the development of Rajasthan with the Governor.

The Governor also apprised him of the possibilities related

to tourism in Rajasthan and sought Australia’s cooperation in various fields.

During the meeting, Governor Kalraj Mishra presented a copy of the English edition of his book ‘Constitution, Culture and Nation’ to High Commissioner Barry O’Farrell AO. The Australian High Commissioner too presented a book titled ‘Australia in Hundred Places’ to the Governor.

tive prevention of mining accidents and diseases caused by mining can also be stopped,” said ACS (Mines) Dr Agarwal.

Director (Mines) Sandesh Nayak said that detailed guide -

lines for the campaign starting from January 23 are being issued.

The field officers of the department will have to visit the mining areas and ensure that the safety standards are followed.

the Indian border through drones. Heroin consignment sent with the help of drones reaches Punjab & Mumbai. The amount of heroin seized yesterday was 6.150 Kg,” the Additional SP added.

2 miscreants injured in encounter

First India Bureau

Dholpur: Dacoit Kalyan Thakur and crook Ravi Kushwaha had an encounter with the police on Thursday. Both were running away after firing at a young man but got shot by the police in retaliatory firing. Both the miscreants who were injured due to bullet injuries have been admitted to the district hospital. Kalyan Thakur was an active member in the former dacoit Mukesh Thakur’s gang. Police said that miscreants had fired on a youth Raju Kushwaha in Khubipura village due to old enmity.

GUV INAUGURATES ‘JADUNAMA’ BASED ON JAVED AKHTAR

First India Bureau

The

While

He

values, films have contrib-

uted a lot in saving and propagating the words of Indian languages.

“In Indian culture, the word ‘Brahm’ has been given the noun of ‘Brahman’ and Javed Akhtar

an incomparable seeker of this time associated with the word Brahman.

The words that Javed Akhtar uses in the form of dialogues and songs of films are very true and he is a magician of words in the true sense,” said Governor Kalraj Mishra.

RTDC Chairman Dharmendra Rathore , Gayatri Rathore and other officials attend International Travel Mart FITUR in Spain

The accused in police custody have been identified as Sunita and Sunny alias Malta.

Rajasthan

faces case for giving ‘triple talaq’ to wife

Jaipur: Governor Kalraj Mishra on Thursday released the book ‘Jadunama’ based on the life of noted lyricist Javed Akhtar at Maharana Pratap auditorium in Vidyashram School.

book is written by Arvind Mandloi.

addressing the gathering, Governor Kalraj Mishra said that films not only entertain but also spread the message among the masses.

said that at a time when people’s vocabulary is getting limited due to market-fed

is

Additional Chief Secretary (Mines) Dr Subodh Agarwal

Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge with CM Ashok Gehlot in Pathankot on Thursday.

Javed Akhtar

Governor Kalraj Mishra gifts a copy of his book ‘Constitution, Culture and Nation’ to Australian High Commissioner Barry O’Farrell AO.

—Representational Image

who has five children, lives in Shastri Nagar with Sunny and her two daughters, whereas, three children live with her husband, police said. After identification of the girl, the police traced Sunita and called her for questioning, they said. During the interrogation, she confessed to killing her daughter following which the two accused were arrested, the police said.

RANDHAWA GIVES ‘CLEAN CHIT’ TO PILOT’S SIMULTANEOUS PROGRAMMES

No prob if leaders not going against party ’

Amit Mishra

Pathankot: Reacting to Sachin Pilot’s Kisan Sammelan in Rajasthan, Congress in charge for Rajasthan Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa on Thursday said what is the problem is any Congress leader is holding such programmes to strengthen the party.

“The only condition is that there should be nothing against the party,” Randhwa said.

“We cannot say to anyone that you cannot hold a meeting. I have not even seen the video of Kisan Sammelan. If there is any issue, I will definitely watch that

video,” he said. He said that it is necessary to maintain discipline in the party.

Randhawa said that he has asked Sonia Gandhi, Mallikarjun

Kharge and Rahul Gandhi that quota system in ticket distribution should be completely abolished.

He said that in the assembly elections, tick-

BJY is a historical journey, which was started to eradicate politics of fear & hatred. It is getting huge public support. It isn’t about polls, but to unite the nation.

—Sukhjinder Randhawa, Raj Cong in-charge

Gehlot. I will sit and talk with both Pilot and Gehlot about what they want,” he said.

Randhawa said that there is a need to take necessary steps for publicity of government’s schemes. On Rahul’s Bharat Jodo Yatra in Punjab, Randhawa said Punjab is a border state and very cold now, but despite this unexpected crowd has gathered in Yatra.

ets will be distributed on the basis of survey.

“No matter how big a leader someone is, ticket will not be given if there is no name in the survey,” he said.

HATH SE HATH JODO CAMPAIGN

Dhariwal, other leaders discuss campaign strategy during meet

First India Bureau

Jaipur: The achievements of the Gehlot government will be highlighted among public under Congress’ grand Hath Se Hath Jodo’ campaign, which will begin on the Republic Day. Along with Rahul’s message, the achievements of the last 3 governments of Ashok Gehlot will also be distributed to every household in form of leaflets. Feats of the two terms of Manmohan Singh govt will also highlighted.

Hath Se Hath Jodo campaign will not only be associated with Rahul Gandhi’s

achievements of the two-time UPA government at the Centre. The common man will be told how the Manmohan Singh government gave economic prosperity to India during economic recession.

Drives’s in-charge, RC Khuntia, said, “Today the nation is struggling with disparity. Poor are becoming poorer and rich are getting richer. The UPA government has guaranteed employment to the poor by bringing MNREGA.”

UDH Minister Shanti Dhariwal said that the Gehlot govt has done a lot of work for people during riod. Through paign, Congress has started nounced election campaign in

Jaipur: On Thursday, a meeting that took place at Minister Shanti Dhariwal’s residence, ended the consternation within the Congress party, that was going on for the past four months.

The meeting of Congress’ ‘Hath Se Hath Jodo’ campaign was held at Dhariwal’s residence. In this meeting of Jaipur District Congress, the campaign strategy was prepared

and addressed by AICC leader RC Khuntia and members of both the Gehlot and Pilot camps were present.

Jaipur District Congress meeting has been held at the house which

was famous for the parallel meet held 4months ago. The political meaning of this development can be taken that Shanti Dhariwal has got relief from Delhi. The in-charge of

IN HOT WATER...

‘

Hath Se Hath Jodo’ Campaign, RC Khuntia, and the in-charge of Jaipur, Shanti Dhariwal, didn’t found it appropriate to speak on old issue and talked about the drive only.

RC Khuntia while addressing the leaders and partymen clearly said that if everyone forgets their differences & joins the drive honestly, then no one can stop the formation of the Congress government in the State.

The senior Congress leader said that everything will be resolved between Ashok Gehlot and Sachin Pilot.

“Congress has given a lot to both Pilot and

On Manpreet Badal joining BJP, Randhawa said- “I never considered Manpreet Badal as a Congressman. He finished the Congress in Bathinda. I didn’t feel sad when he left Congress, I was happy.”

First India Bureau

Jaipur: During CM’s pre-budget dialogue with Employee Unions, Gehlot, in a jovial mood, took a jibe in the middle of the dialogue. When the official associated with the Steno Union said about lack of communication, Gehlot said stopping in the middle, “After the first term, our seats came to 56”. After the second term, we were reduced to 21. So what do you want now brother?”

Meanwhile, the Employees’ Union praised the government’s work during the period of Corona. In a sarcastic tone, Gehlot said, “Af-

ter Corona, a big Corona entered our party too.” On this, laughter broke out in the entire meeting on Gehlot’s statement.

On Wednesday, the CM called various employee organisations for a dialogue program me before the budget. In the programme, an employee leader complained to the CM for not meeting. On this, the CM interrupted him and said, “You are telling the truth. First I contracted Covid thrice. Later, a big Corona came in our party.” On hearing this, the people present burst out into a loud laughter.

Tax Board suffers as working stalled for four months!

Ravikant was given the additional charge.

Without Chairman, even the double and larger benches are not holding hearings and therefore, the number of cases in the Tax Board has increased exponentially

Jaipur: Working of Tax Board Ajmer has come to a halt for the past four months. In August last year, Ajitabh Sharma was transferred and the additional charge of Sharma’s responsibility was handed to Divisional Commissioner of Ajmer, Bhanwar Lal Mehra. But from day one, he could not strike a chord with advocates.

Mehra conducted hearings merely once or twice in the court and since then, he is merely

looking into the administrative affairs of the Board. Without Chairman, even the double and larger benches are

not holding hearings and therefore, the number of cases has increased exponentially.

In the current gov-

ernment, no Chairman has been able to stay in the position for a long time, After Giriraj Singh’s retirement in

April 2021, the chair of Chairman remained unoccupied for more than two months. Later, Finance Secretary T

But at that time, a question was raised that the appeal of finance cases is heard by T Ravikant in Tax Board as its Chairman. Then too hearing on cases had come to a halt.

Thereafter in September 2021, Naveen Mahajan was appointed as full time Chairman but after seven months, he was transferred and in April 2022, Ajitabh Sharma was given the responsibility of the Chairman.

But the Board’s func-

tioning had only started getting smoother when, four months later, Sharma was transferred. The tradition has been to hand over the additional charge of Tax Board Chairman to Chairman of Revenue Board, but in the current government, instead to handing over the reins to Chairman of Revenue Board, Rajeshwar Singh, the responsibility has been handed to firstly the Finance Secretary & later to Divisional Commissioner as additional charge.

Rajendra Chhabra

Yogesh Sharma

Sukhjinder S Randhawa addresses the gathering during a massive rally held in support of Bharat JodoYatra in Pathankot on Thursday.

A large number of people of Dera Baba Nanak at the massive rally held in Pathankot.

Shanti Dhariwal chairs a meeting on 'Hath Se Hath Jodo' campaign at his residence in Jaipur on Thursday. Also seen are Dr Mahesh Joshi, Pratap S Khachariyawas, Rajendra Yadav, LC Kataria, RC Khuntia, Khanu Khan Budhwali, Indraj Gurjar, Gopal Meena, Amin Kagzi, Alok Beniwal, Sitaram Agrawal, Archana Sharma and Prashant Sharma.

CM Ashok Gehlot

CM Ashok Gehlot holds a pre-budget dialogue with representatives of various organisations at Secretariat on Wednesday. Also seen here are Usha Sharma, Kuldeep Ranka.

he first morning of the Festival commenced with a soulstirring performance featuring the brilliant and award-winning Carnatic vocalist Sushma Soma. Soma’s rich and melodious voice transformed the energy at the Front Lawn and was the perfect build-up to the inaugural session

The inaugural session of the 16th edition of the JLF began with speeches from acclaimed personalities, including author William Dalrymple, Namita Gokhale and Sanjoy K. Roy. During the ceremony Roy shared how — with over 80% of attendees under the age of 25 in 2020—the Festival has found a niche among India’s youth. Further, through their partnership with Pratham Books, they will be setting up libraries across 50 schools for the

economically weak.

Namita Gokhale, writer, Founder & Co-director of the JLF, said, “Over the last 16 years, this annual literary pilgrimage, this Mahakumbh of readers and writers, this Katha Sarit-Sagar, this sea of stories—has been transformative for so, so many people.

William Dalrymple, author, historian and Founder & Co-director of the Jaipur Literature Festival, said, “…this year we have every single major

book award winner in the world present, the Nobel, the Booker, the International Booker, the JCB… the Women’s Prize and so on…It’s going to be cerebral heaven and an utterly magnificent feast of the mind.”

Sanjoy K. Roy, Managing Director, Teamwork Arts, producer JLF, said, “Our whole aim and focus from the very beginning has been - can we create a platform where young people come to engage with writers? We believe

that this

Addressing the audience, this year’s keynote speaker, winner of the 2021 Nobel Prize in Literature, Abdulrazak Gurnah said, “Writing, above all, is about upholding the ideas and beliefs that we think are important and that we value.”

Celebrated author and politician Shashi Tharoor was in conversation with the Pulitzer Prize-winning historian Caroline Elkins on Elkins’ new book, Legacy of Violence: A History of the British Empire. Together, Elkins and Tharoor discussed a variety of themes, including the global history of the empire, its violent undertones, the legal case that was filed against Britain and its manifestations in South Asia.

As a finale to the first day of the Festival, one of India’s leading pop icons and playback singers, Usha Uthup sang her rendition of the Filmfare-winning song ‘Darling’

is the generation that will bring about change in the world.”

from the movie 7 Khoon Maaf.

Usha Uthup Shashi Tharoor

—PHOTOS BY MUKESH KIRADOO & SUNIL SHARMA

Sanjoy K Roy and William Dalrymple light the inaugural lamp. Also seen are (L-R) Namita Gokhale, Abdulrazak Gurnah and Apurv Kumar

Katherine Rundell during Biographers’ Ball session

The Launch of Dr Purohit’s Book Rediscovering Mewar

MRIDUL BHASIN cityfirst@firstindia.co.in

The Jaipur Literary Festival had a distinctive book launch ‘Rediscovering Mewar’ written by Dr Sandeep Purohit Lakshyaraj Singh of Mewar and his wife Nivrati Kumari along with CP Joshi launched the book. This was preceded by a beautifully anchored dialogue by Swati Vashishtha CP Joshi addressed the question about the religious legacy of Mewar with EklingaJji being its ruling deity while Dr Purohit talked about the historic, well maintained monuments of Mewar, its religious commit-

ment to Srinathji and and Eklinga Ji, and its tangible and intangible heritage . Alongside he turned his journalistic gaze on the neglect of the Tribal of Mewar. Their crops and their land holdings have been neglected in the present time he said. The scenic beauty , the historic bravery of the Mewar clan, its tourist attractions all have been well preserved by the royalty that is very wrapped up in the development of tourism in this sector.

Lakshyaraj Singh Mewar spiced up the conversation with his sense of humor.

The book is in fact a good admixture of photographs and text and does justice to its natural beauty and historic monuments that reverberate with chivalrous tales. It is one state in Rajasthan that has grown in an organic way in the modern times. Its tribal treasures, their

crafts and their crops too deserve to be cared, the writer seems to underline.

After the session the audience had a crowded photography session with the royal couple while some academics talked to the writer Dr Purohit. Dr Purohit who has been the editor of Udaipur Patrika, is currently editor of Rajasthan Patrika, Jodhpur zone. His distinctive career and academic record made him work with ease in print, visual as well as digital media.

THE PERFECT AMALGAMATION

The inaugural session of the 16th edition of the Jaipur Literature Festival began with speeches from acclaimed personalities. The theme for this year is ‘Utsav’ celebrating the colours of Raj and displaying bright colours, even at the inaugural dinner held at Rambagh Place on Wednesday. The entire theme for this year is

Well played: from here to eternity

BY DR RAJEEV BAGARHATTA

MRIDULA SHARMA cityfirst@firstindia.co.in

Well Played’, penned by Jaipur’s renowned cardiologist and Principal and Controller, SMS Medical College, Dr Rajeev Bagarhatta, was launched on the first day of the Jaipur Literature Festival at the Front Lawn. The book was launched by Olympic athlete, Abhinav Bindra, and Chairman & MD, of Medanta, Naresh Trehan. Dr Bagarhatta was in conversation with the CEO of Access Health Care, Pariksith Singh. Talking about the book, Dr Bagarhatta said that

the book narrates the story of a simple human being and his unorthodox trajectory in life and his career. The book will not only inspire generations but will also showcase how a single passion can create wonders. Dr Bagarhatta said that even

though the thought of writing the book came when his father passed away but he knew even while growing up that his persona and story are worth being told. The transit he made from sports to cardiac rehab was something unusual

and unheard of.

Shedding light on the challenges he faced in writing the book, Dr Bagarhatta said that joining the dots of his father’s journey and weaving the story was the most challenging aspect.

However, writing about

the transformation from the field of sports to medicine was the most interesting part for the writer. Dr. Trehan lastly appreciated the efforts of Dr. Rajeev and said this book explains it's all your fault if you are stuck in a place.

The Queen of Indian Pop

Shrishti Jha's first book is a translation of a book written by her father about Usha Uthup's life 'Ullas Ki Naav'. The english translation called ‘The Queen of Indian Pop’ is filled with various nuances from her childhood to the singing in bars, and how she set her foot to become the Queen Of Indian pop.

When asked how difficult it was for Shrishti Jha to translate a book written in Hindi about

a Kannada woman, she said, “My father started working on Hindi books and I was a part of that narrative from the beginning..but me doing translation was out of the question. But the more I heard about Usha as a little kid, as a wife, a mother, and the pop star, the journey of her as a woman fascinated me. And I'm a modern woman, but I really value traditions.

In the hustle of life, we always forget to stop and think about the one thing that we just cannot afford to lose. The most important emotion in life is LOVE.

To know this side of this pure emotion, bestselling novelist Durjoy Datta talks about his latest book 'When I am With You & all things Love & Romance' and discussed the depth and background of his characters. Reflecting on his emotional distance from writing about young love as a 37-year-old father of one, Durjoy Dutta, in conversation with author Kiran Manral at JLF 2023, said that he

LOVE BEYOND EMOTIONS

doesn’t want to sound spurious by penning young age characters as he can’t relate to them anymore, so he chose to write on older characters, which is a reflection of his life and relationships today.

“I earlier used to say my books are successful because they’re relatable, now I no longer say that,” said Dutta, adding that his subject matter has evolved with his latest novel When I Am With You, which deals with a 28-year-old single mother who is balancing entrepreneurship and a new relationship."

In another session, Philanthropist and entrepreneur Surina Narula was in conversation with celebrated actress Deepti Naval where the diva discussed her memoir, A Country Called Childhood, which is based on her childhood in Amritsar. During the session, Naval shared her

insights and expressed how the issue of mental health informed her work along with discussions on the influences that made her different in the film industry. While discussing the beauty of memories the intellectual writer said, "My book is not just a regular book where tell people about all that I lived, rather I want to recreate my childhood for a reason, I wanted to take you to the corridor of memories setting up things the way I remember them, it is not a typical memoir."

Writer and rapper Sumit Samos was in conversation with celebrated author and politician Shashi Tharoor, and the duo spoke about how BR Ambedkar has been neglected for a very long time in Indian political discourse. Samos discussed the manner in which he is being used and appropriated by parties across the political spectrum and

what it means to be an Ambedkarite, citing the need to reconstruct histories from different parts of India and to believe in the autonomy to reclaim histories of the marginalised and build institutions. Tharoor discussed Ambedkar’s impact on women rights, the Constitution and legal mechanisms of India.

Besides the mind boggling session, Jaipur Music Stage kicked-off its day 1 with dynamic energy and vigour. Running parallel to the annual Jaipur Literature Festival, the musical extravaganza showcased outstanding musical performances by the ultimate fusion band, Pakshee and contemporary electronic

music production house, Lifafa.

Talking about their performance, Pakshee said that they were “overjoyed to be playing at Jaipur Literature

an amalgamation of Indian cultural heritage and its vibrant nature!

UTTKARSHA SHEKHAR uttkarsha.shekhar@firstindia.co.in

Festival 2023! It is one of the most sought after festivals. So it will be an honour for us to perform amidst some of the best artistes and literary minds in the country.”

SALONI KHANDELWAL cityfirst@firstindia.co.in

INSPIRATION TO MANY

FCITY FIRST ICCI LADIES ORGANISATION JAIPUR hosted a grand event in association with RAJAT BOOK CORNER & PUFFIN with Indian educator, author, philanthropist, and the chairperson of the Infosys Foundation Sudha Murty at the FLO Jaipur platform for all the esteemed FLO members and their kids. To Add to the grandeur and grace Jayanti Dalmia, the National President of the FICCI Ladies Organisation and an adviser in Dalmia Brothers Private Limited was present. FLO Jaipur chapter was very happy to host the eminent FLO leaders

Ritu Singh, Chairperson Jammu Kashmir & Ladhak chapter and Tehmina Khandwala Chairperson of Mumbai chap.

Mudrika Dhoka, chairperson of FICCI FLO Jaipur was very excited to welcome her special guests the national president of FICCI Ladies Organisation Dalmia and Sudha

Murty. For the first time such a grand event was curated keeping the next generation in mind, the focus was to create an inspirational evening for everyone present. All the students from prominent schools in Jaipur were getting enriched by the event.

Sudha Murty received a warm wel-

come from Dalmia, she shared her views motivating all the kids, “With a burning desire and definitive action, anything is possible.”

During the occasion, the school children were very happy and shared “We all see the glimpses of our lives in her stories and her vivid narration connects us to her so much.”

INSIGHT RAJASTHAN

CITY FIRST

Upendra Rai, Chairman, MD and Editor-inChief of Bharat Express News Network met Haryana CM Manohar Lal Khattar on Wednesday. During this meeting, senior journalist Upendra Rai apprised CM Manohar Lal Khattar about the objective of the news channel 'Bharat Express' to be launched on February 1, 'Truth, Courage, Dedication' and presented the vision document of 'Bharat Express'. Along with this, he invited Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar to the launch program of the channel.

At the same time, he also presented copies of his books 'Intervention' and 'Nazariya' to the Chief Minister of Haryana.

also presented copies of his books 'Intervention' and 'Nazariya' to Jairam Thakur.

Earlier, the Chairman of Bharat Express News Network had met Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Tuesday. During this, Upendra Rai informed the Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and Kashmir about the objective of 'Bharat Express' 'Satya, Sahas, Samarpan' and presented the vision document of Bharat Express news channel.

Along with this, he also presented copies of his books 'Intervention' and 'Nazariya'.

Art lovers in Jaipur will get to witness an award-winning group art exhibition ‘Insight Rajasthan’ at JKK in Jaipur, Rajasthan starting on Thursday. The 5-day group art exhibition is curated by Simran Kaur and her team of six passionate artists connected with deep roots of art and heritage from the most col-

ourful and incredible state of India.

The exhibition brings together the nourishment of a wealth of art forms whose journey has transitioned from being a seed to become a magnifi cent tree.

The most prominent art forms with their unique fea tures that are being show

cased are Krishna inspired by Bundi fort frescos, Phad from Shahpur, Kavad from Bassi, Miniature from Rajpur school of paintings, Charcoal Por traits of the local people of Rajasthan and Bhil Art from Banswara from renowned National Award Winning artists such as

Radhika Merchant and Anant Ambani got engaged today in a ceremony at the Ambani residence in Mumbai. According to a statement released by the family, The Ambanis, along with their close friends and family, were in attendance for the occasion. Apart from the rituals, the family members also performed a surprise dance number, led by Nita Ambani.

The families announced in 2019 that Anant and Radhika would get married.

“Age-old traditions such as the Gol Dhana and Chunari Vidhi – followed since generations among Gujarati Hindu families – were conducted with great enthusi-

asm in the family temple,” the Ambanis said in a statement.

The evening’s festivities started with members of the Ambani family, led by Anant’s sister Isha Ambani go-

ing to the Merchant residence to invite them and Radhika to the evening’s functions. Next, the couple and the families headed to the temple to seek the blessings of Lord Krishna.

The main functions be-

Bharat Express News Network Chairman Upendra Rai also met former Himachal Pradesh former CM Jairam Thakur and invited him to the launch program of Bharat Express News Channel. During this, he

Bharat Express News Network Chairman Upendra Rai met Madhya Pradesh CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan on nday. During this meeting, senior journalist Upendra Rai presented the vision document of the soon to be launched Bharat Express news channel. Along with this, he also discussed about the future plans of the channel.

cityfirst@firstindia.co.in

occasion. The rest of the family, too, were decked in shades of gold and blue.

The dance performance by the Ambani family wowed the crowd who cheered them on. After the festivity and rituals, the couple exchanged rings among good wishes and blessings from the gathering.

Anant Ambani, the youngest son of the Reliance chairman, will

lead the company’s new energy business. Reliance is vying to be at the forefront of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ambition to ramp up green energy capacity. The couple has known each other for several years now, and are slated to get married in the coming months. Anant is the son of Nita and Mukesh Ambani, and has been part of the Reliance industries family in various capacities. He

RIL.

Kalyan Joshi, Dwarka Prasad, Shan Bhatnagar, Durgesh Atal, Shersingh Bhabhor and Riyazuddin.

Jagdeesh Chandra was greeted by Sandeep Purohit, Editor of Jodhpur Zone Rajasthan Patrika, during a courtesy meet at the former’s residence on Thursday, January 19. During the meeting, Purohit also presented his book titled ‘Rediscovering Mewar’ to him. The book was launched at JLF 2023 on Day 1.

—PHOTO BY SANTOSH

SHARMA

gan with an auspicious Ganesh puja. Radhika was wearing a stunning gold embellished lehenga and Anant was seen donning a deep blue traditional kurta for the

studied at Brown University in the USA and currently leads the energy business of

Radhika studied at New York University and is the daughter of Shaila and Viren Merchant. She is a Director on the Board of Encore Healthcare.

ASHISH TIWARI cityfirst.mumbai@firstindia.co.in

—PHOTOS BY SANTOSH SHARMA

Sudha Murthy with the students during the session

Abhinav Bansal, Simran Kaur and Shan Bhatnagar with other

Anant Ambani, Mukesh Ambani, Radhika Merchant , Nita Ambani, Parimal Mehta, Isha Ambani, Akash Ambani & Shloka Mehta

Anant Ambani, Radhika Merchant and Nita Ambani

Haryana CM Manohar Lal Khattar greets Bharat Express News Network Chairman Upendra Rai

Mesmerzing artworks