First India-Jaipur Edition-21st February 2023

SUBRAHMANYAM IS NITI AAYOG CEO, PARAMESWARAN IS WORLD BANK ED

New Delhi: Ex-IAS officer BVR Subrahmanyam was appointed as CEO of Niti Aayog replacing Parameswaran lyer, who has been named as Executive Director of World Bank. Appointments Committee of the Cabinet approved on Monday.

Port Blair: Former Chief Secretary of Andaman and Nicobar Islands Jitendra Narain was granted bail by Port Blair circuit bench of the Calcutta High Court on Monday in the rape case filed by a 21-year-old woman.

KUSHWAHA QUITS JD(U) AGAIN, FLOATS ANOTHER PARTY

Patna: Disgruntled JD(U) leader Upendra Kushwaha on Monday announced his resignation from the primary membership of the party, and floated a new outfit, the Rashtriya Lok Janata Dal. He made the announcement at a crowded press conference here. P5

SHROUDED IN SECRECY: BIDEN’S SURPRISE VISIT TO UKRAINE AHEAD OF 1 ST ANNIVERSARY OF WAR

GESTURE OF SOLIDARITY!

Moni Sharma

BIDEN PLEDGES $500 MILLION IN NEW MILITARY AID TO UKRAINE

Biden delivered remarks at meeting with Zelenskyy at Mariinsky Palace to announce an additional $500 million - including shells for howitzers, anti-tank missiles, air surveillance radars and other aid but no new advanced weaponry.

MAJOR HAPPENINGS

 The US has warned off China from supplying Russia with arms and ammunition

 Russian Prez Vladimir Putin will counter Biden’s messages in Poland today

 China’s top diplomat, Wang Yi, is scheduled to

—Joe

Biden, United States President

When Putin launched his invasion nearly one year ago, he thought Ukraine was weak and the West was divided. He thought he could outlast us. But he was dead wrong. One year later, Kyiv stands. And Ukraine stands. Democracy stands. US would stand with Ukraine “as long as it takes.”

Crucial

READ

EX-TRIPURA CM DEB

NARROWLY ESCAPES ROAD ACCIDENT

Kyiv: US President Joe Biden on Monday made a surprise visit to Ukraine’s capital Kyiv. His visit came ahead of the first anniversary of the Russian invasion - it was on February 24 last year that Vladimir Putin launched “special military operations” in Ukraine. Biden said he is in Kyiv to meet his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelenskyy and reaffirm his “unwavering commitment to Ukraine’s democracy, sovereignty, and territo-

rial integrity”. Biden promised increased arms deliveries for Ukraine and vowed

BIG INFRA INVESTMENTS TO GENERATE JOBS: MODI

First India Bureau

New Delhi: Former Tripura CM Biplab Kumar Deb had a narrow escape after his car met with an accident on GT Road in Haryana’s Panipat on Monday. Deb was going to Chandigarh from Delhi when his car rammed into a stationary vehicle.

FLIGHT DIVERTED TO LOK AFTER ‘SPECIFIC BOMB THREAT’ CALL

New Delhi: IndiGo on Monday said its flight from Delhi to Deogarh was diverted to Lucknow following a “specific bomb threat”. After following all necessary security protocols, the aircraft was later cleared for takeoff, airline said in a statement.

SISODIA SUMMONED BY CBI AGAIN, ASKED TO APPEAR ON FEB 26

New Delhi: Delhi Deputy CM Manish Sisodia has once again been summoned by CBI in connection with the excise policy scam. As per sources, the central agency has asked Manish Sisodia to appear before it for another round of questioning on February 26.

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said his government is heavily investing in infrastructure in Uttarakhand to make life easier for people living in far-flung areas, besides generating a range of job opportunities PM Modi made the remark during the virtual inauguration of the ‘Rozgar Mela’ for Uttarakhand on Monday.

On migration of people from Uttarakhand to urban centres, he said improved digital and road connectivity in the hill-state will provide them with job opportunities, including in the domestic tourism sector, in their own locality. “We have to change the old thinking which said ‘pahar ka pani aur pahar ki jawani’ doesn’t serve the locals residing in the hills. We must change it,” he said.

—PHOTO BY ANI

AUSTRALIAN PM TO VISIT INDIA NEXT MONTH, MAY WATCH MATCH WITH MODI

Australian PM Anthony Albanese is set to make his maiden trip to India around March 8 with an aim to boost bilateral engagement in a range of areas, including trade, investment and critical minerals. Sources said that he and PM Modi may travel to Ahmedabad to witness the 4th cricket Test match between India and Australia.

Government taking steps to control inflation, says FinMin Sitha in Jaipur

Dinesh Tewari

Jaipur: Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Monday visited Jaipur for postbudget discussion with various stakeholders. She said that govt is taking a lot of steps to control inflation, will continue to focus on it. For instance, in case of pulses, govt is encouraging farmers to grow pulses to boost domestic production and has also reduced the import duty on some of pulses to improve local availability. P10

Chiranjeevi scheme revolutionary step in field of health, says Ashok Gehlot

Rajeev Gaur

Jodhpur: Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot has said that the tradition and culture of Rajasthan is sensitive. “We have always worked with the spirit of service. The state government is continu-

visit Moscow for talks and plans over Ukraine war

 This is US President Joe Biden’s 1st Ukraine visit since Russia’s invasion last year

 Beijing lashed out against US claims that China was sending arms to Russia

Washington’s “unflagging commitment” in defending Ukraine’s territorial integrity.

Joseph Biden, you are most welcome to Kyiv, Ukraine! Your visit is an extremely important sign of support for all Ukrainians.

COAL LEVY ‘SCAM’ ED raids multiple places of Chhattisgarh Cong leaders

Be it workers for construction, engineering, or raw material businesses and small traders, job opportunities are growing. With a rise in demand in the transport sector, youth (in Uttarakhand) are getting fresh employment opportunities.

—Narendra Modi, PM

INDIA AMONG 1ST RESPONDERS TO QUAKE-HIT TURKEY

PM Modi on Monday interacted with Indian rescue professionals of NDRF & other organizations involved in ‘Operation Dost’. PM heaped praise saying that India was one of 1st responders when recent deadly quake hit Turkey & Syria.

Raipur (FIB): ED on Monday conducted raids at multiple locations in Chhattisgarh, including premises linked to Congress leaders, in connection with coal levy money laundering case. Searches conducted at homes of Ramgopal Agarwal, Treasurer, Chhattisgarh Cong. ED also conducted raids on Bhilai MLA Devendra Yadav, Girish Devangan, RP Singh, Vinod Tiwari, Sunny Agarwal, etc. CM Bhupesh Baghel said BJP is rattled by success of Yatra & truth of Adani being exposed.

Security personnel stand guard as the ED team enters residence of Congress MLA Devendra Yadav in Raipur on Monday. BJP is frustrated with Bharat Jodo Yatra’s success & truth of Adani being exposed. This raid is an attempt to divert attention. After 4 days there’s Congress convention in Raipur. Our spirits can’t be broken by stopping our people engaged in preparations. —Bhupesh Baghel, Chhattisgarh CM

INDIA WINS, ENTERS SEMIS

With rain playing role in India’s progression to semi-finals, Harman Preet Kaur and Co. defeated Ireland by 5 runs on DLS score in their final G-B fixture of Women’s T20 WC in Port Elizabeth on Monday.

Dissolve EC, SC is last ray of hope: Uddhav Thackeray

First India Bureau

Mumbai: Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Uddhav Thackeray on Monday demanded that the Election Commission of India, which ruled that Eknath Shinde-led faction is real Shiv Sena, should be dissolved.

Medicity in Jodhpur on Monday.

Gehlot said that the aim in the education and health sector should not be only to earn profit, but it is also a means of service.

ously expanding health services while serving humanity,” Gehlot said

while addressing the gathering during the inauguration of Vyas

The name (Shiv Sena) and symbol (bow and arrow) of our party have been stolen, but name Thackeray’ cannot be stolen, he said at Sena Bhavan in Dadar. Thackeray’s media briefing came after Supreme Court, earlier in day, refused to entertain oral mentioning made by his faction to urgently list its plea challenging the EC decision. Court asked to mention matter today.

“If a person from other state also falls ill after coming to Rajasthan, he should also get proper treatment,” he said and urged that private hospitals should come forward and cooperate for this. Turn to P9

PORT BLAIR GANGRAPE: EX-CS NARAIN GETS BAIL

CM INAUGURATES VYAS MEDICITY

State govt’s aim is to provide better health services to the common man: CM Gehlot

Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot addressing the gathering during the inauguration of Vyas Medicity in Jodhpur on Monday.

—Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Ukrainian Prez

NIRMALA SITHARAMAN SPEAKS...

Nirmala Sitharaman addresses media after the post-budget interaction with stakeholders in Jaipur on Monday. —PHOTO BY SUNIL SHARMA

Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy hugs US President Joe Biden as he gets emotional during latter’s surprise visit to Kyiv on Monday. (R) Biden and Zelenskyy in front of St Michaels Cathedral.

Government is investing in Uttarakhand to make life easier for people living in far-flung areas, says PM during Rozgar Mela

Prime Minister Narendra Modi addresses the Uttarakhand Rozgar Mela via video conferencing on Monday.

Om Birla lays foundation stone of sports complex

Multipurpose indoor complex is built at a cost of ` 4.50 cr in Ramganjmandi

First India Bureau

Kota: Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on Monday laid the foundation stone of a multipurpose indoor sports complex to be built at a cost of ` 4.50 crore in Kota’s Ramganjmandi on Monday. He said that all sports facilities will be available in the complex and this fulfills the long pending demand of the sportspersons.

“Now the sportspersons will be able to prepare themselves for national level competitions by practicing at the local level,” he said.

Birla said that efforts would be made to provide international-level sports facilities at the complex and for

Officials of other states coming to review Raj Budget: Dhariwal

Bhanwar S Charan

Now, the sportspersons will be able to prepare themselves for national level competitions by practicing at the local level. Efforts would be made to provide international-level sports facilities at the complex.

—Om Birla, Lok Sabha Speaker

this, in the second phase, it has been asked to prepare an estimate of the stadium to provide facilities for all sports.“For this, discussions have also been

Puri criticises Gehlot for delaying Barmer refinery project

Union Minister Hardeep Puri addresses media persons in Jodhpur on Monday. Also seen here are Kailash Choudhary and others.

Shiv Prakash Purohit

Jodhpur: Union Petroleum Minister Hardeep Puri reached Jodhpur on Monday and was welcomed by BJP leaders and workers. During an interaction with journalists at the airport about the refinery project in Barmer, Puri took a dig at the Ashok Gehlot government for delaying it. He said, “The Central government has 75 percent participation in the refinery project, while the state government has 25% participation.”

The minister said that the work of the refinery in Barmer started in 2013 but the pace of work slowed down due to the pandemic and other reasons. He said that he would visit the project site and inspect work. He said that the project

should be completed as soon as possible by the state government so that employment opportunities are generated.A large number of BJP workers, including BJP leader Atul Bhansali was also present.

held with the Union Sports Minister. If all goes well, then in 2025 the stadium will also be ready here,” he said.

The Lok Sabha Speaker also launched

Int’l Union of Rlys & RPF organise 18th World Security Cong

Jaipur (ANI): The International Union of Railways & Railway Protection Force (RPF) will organize 18th World Security Congress in Jaipur from February 20 to 23, a statement said on Monday. The International Union of Railways represents the railway sector and promotes rail transport. RPF is a prime security and Law Enforcement Agency in the field of Railway Security in India. The event is centred around the theme of “Railway Security Strategy: Responses and Vision for Future”, & will be attended by the Heads of Security of Railway Organizations.

the “suposhit-maa campaign”. “It is our aim to keep every child and mother healthy. This campaign will continue till this target is met,” he said.

Kota: The officials from other states are coming to analyze the budget of the Rajasthan government and study the government’s formula for implementing the budget so that efforts can be made to implement the budget which provides relief in all sectors in their states as well, said UDH Minister Shanti Dhariwal while addressing the media during the Haath Se Haath Jodo Yatra at Sakatpura area in Kota on Monday.

“The budget presented by the Rajasthan government is to provide great relief to the people of the state in every sector.

There is an atmosphere of enthusiasm among the public since the coming of the budget. Common people are coming forward and praising the budget,” he said. During the Yatra, Shanti Dhariwal and Congress

leader Amit Dhariwal met the residents of the area, and took the feedback on the development works and wherever the problems were pointed out by the area residents, they also assured to get them repaired soon.

DGP honours winners of 23rd All India Police Shooting Championship 2022

First India Bureau Jaipur: Director General of Police Umesh Mishra, on Monday, felicitated the medal-winning players of Rajasthan Police Shooting Team in the 23rd All India Police Shooting Championship - 2022 organized by Tamil Nadu Police at Police Headquarters in Chennai.

Additional Director General of Police, Armed Battalions and Chief Sports Officer Vishal Bansal said that the players of Rajasthan Police have won 1 Gold Medal & 2 Bronze Medals, the Over All Carbine championship trophy, and the runner-up trophy of the All-State

Police. Vinita Thakur, Additional Director General, & Paris Deshmukh, Superintendent of Police participated in the competition. All the officers present in the ceremony congratulated the winners of the Rajasthan Police.

Govt to give free plots to gallantry award winners

Abhishek Shrivastava

Jaipur: The recipients of Param Vir Chakra, Mahavir Chakra, Vir Chakra, Ashok Chakra, Shaurya Chakra, and Kirti Chakra will get plots for free in Rajasthan.The state government has issued a notification for making changes in land disposal rules in this regard. In such cases, a plot of up to 220 square meters will be given.

DGP TO MEET WITH OFFICERS OF 5 STATES

Jaipur: DGP Umesh Mishra will hold a meeting with ADGs of 5 states today on Tuesday at the police headquarters. ADGs of Gujarat, Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, and Delhi will attend the meeting. The Inter-state plan to stop organized crimes will be discussed. The issue of ransom and firing cases by miscreants from other states, and interstate drug and liquor smuggling will also be discussed. —

Shivendra Parmar

Life of Science Expo in SMS Med College

Vikas Sharma

Jaipur: The occasion of the Platinum Jubilee Celebration upon completion of 75 years of establishment of the SMS Medical College, Life of Science Exhibition was organised here on Monday.

Health Minister Parsadi Lal Meena inaugurated the exhibition.

RUHS VC Dr Sudhir Bhandari, College Principal Dr Rajeev Bagrahatta and other doctors were present

on the occasion.Stalls have been set up by 44 departments in the exhibition. Meena said

that through the exhibition, school children and the general public will be able to know

BOLLYWOOD STAR PRAISES BARMER’S DAUGHTER

about the journey and innovations of the Medical College.

On the first day of the exhibition, a large number of school children arrived, who got a chance to understand the innovations of science through the human anatomy.Entry for school children was free. Whereas general visitors had to buy a ticket worth Rs 20. The exhibition will run until February 27 in the new academic block of the college.

Sonu Sood to adopt girl who hits ‘fours-sixes’

Barmer: Mumal Mehar, the village girl from Rajasthan’s Barmer district, who splashed on social media over the night with her batting skills, is again in news.

Film star Sonu Sood has announced to adopt the girl. Soon Barmer’s daughter will wear India’s jersey, actor Sonu Sood wrote on twitter.

Earlier, Master blaster Sachin Tendulkar could not stop himself

POONIA SENDS CRICKET KITS TO 3 GIRLS

Jaipur: With Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision to encourage sportspersons by providing them with modern facilities, BJP Rajasthan State President Satish Poonia provided cricket kits to girls across the state. Poonia sent a cricket kit to Simran and talked to her on phone and wished her progress and a bright future. Simran told him that she played with the children in the village and she dreamt of playing in the India team in the future. Poonia said that he would extend every possible help to her to enhance her skills.

Simran in Tonk received the kits after Renuka in Pratapgarh and Mumal from Satish Poonia.

in praising the little cricket star and shared her batting video on his social media handle.

“Kya baat hai.... Really enjoyed your batting...” Sachin Tendulkar wrote for the Barmer

girl. A team of ‘Sonu Sood Foundation’ contacted Mumal and announced to facilitate

her in all manners & informed the family members that they will bear the expenses of Mumal Mehar’s whole education and cricket coaching.

They also assured to ensure all sports facilities to the little star.

Besides Mumal, the foundation also announced to adopt her elder sister Anisha, who used to train Mumal and also played for the Under 19 Rajasthan team.

Till now, the plot was given at 50 percent of the reserved rate in these cases. Olympic and Para Olympic medalists used to get free plots under the rules but now the gallant defence personnel will also get the free lands.

Six killed in Two seperate accidents

First India Bureau

Dausa: Three youths riding a bike were killed while another youth was injured in an accident at the Lalsot police station area of the Dausa district on Monday. Dilraj Bairwa, Ramesh Gurjar, and Ramkesh Gurjar were killed in the accident. Police said that the victims, who were labourers, were returning home from work when the incident happened. The dead bodies have been kept in the mortuary of the local hospital for postmortem, while the injured youth has been admitted to the hospital for treat-

ment. The Bolero vehicle has been seized and the driver, who is absconding, is being searched. In an another incident in Churu, three persons including a driver died when two trucks collided face-to-face on a mega highway near Hariyasar. Long queues of vehicles on the highway were witnessed after the accident. All the three deceased are said to be residents of Jammu and Kashmir. Police reached the spot and removed the dead bodies from the truck. Traffic was made smooth by keeping both the trucks on the side of the road.

Mukesh Mathrani

Om Birla and Madan Dilawar perform ritual during foundation stone laying ceremony in Ramganjmandi in Kota on Monday.

SMS Medical College Principal Dr Rajeev Bagrahatta along with well-known personalities were present on Monday.

Director General of Police Umesh Mishra, Vishal Bansal, Vinita Thakur, Paris Deshmukh and others with medal-winning Rajasthan Police Shooting Team at the police headquarters on Monday.

‘WILL INSPECT WORK’

Shanti Dhariwal and Amit Dhariwal being greeted by party members and supporters at Sakatpura in Kota on Monday.

CM Gehlot reacts on ED raids at Cong leaders in Chattisgarh

CM Gehlot, in a video statement, accused the BJP of destroying the constitution

Naresh Sharma

Jaipur: Reacting sharply to the Enforcement Directorate’s raids to premises linked to Congress leaders in Chhattisgarh ahead of the Congress party’s plenary session, Rajasthan chief minister Ashok Gehlot on Monday said that there is anguish among all the Congress workers across the state.

He condemned the raids and said that raids are not carried out on the premises of BJP leaders and the ‘drama’ which is happening in the country is being watched by all.

CM Gehlot, in a video statement, accused the BJP of destroying the

CM Ashok Gehlot will go to Raipur to attend Congress session on February 23

GEHLOT, KHATTAR DISCUSS LYNCHING

Jaipur: Rajasthan chief minister Ashok Gehlot talked to his Haryana counterpart Manohar Lal Khattar in the matter of the alleged lynching case of two youths from Rajasthan and investigation conducted by Rajasthan police in Haryana. Haryana CM Khattar assured all possible help in investigation and action.

Chargesheet against RTU Prof, two students

Gul Mohammad

Kota: After the arrest of Associate Professor Girish Parmar of Rajasthan Technical University in December and the revelation of the entire scandal, the police have presented a chargesheet against the accused in the court. A chargesheet of more than 3000 pages was presented in the court on Monday against Parmar, accused students Arpit Agarwal and Isha Yadav.

Young faces seen as ‘Rahul Brigade’ in AICC appointments

Yogesh Sharma

constitution.

“Raids are one-sided, only Congress leaders are raided. There has been no raid at any BJP leader’s house. BJP people first accuse the Congress leaders, then catch them and take them to their party. The charges

against those leaders automatically end as soon as they join BJP,” he said. “The situation in the country is very serious. Ed, CBI, Income Tax are being misused continuously since 2014. In the state where elections come, first action

PM Modi, Owaisi will disappear from Rajasthan after polls: Pilot

Pilot to address media in Shillong today

Sunil Sihag

Sri Ganganagar : Former deputy CM Sachin

Pilot claimed on Monday that the frequent visits of PM Narendra Modi and AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi to the state in the election year are only aimed at garnering votes and once the purpose is served, they would disappear.

Pilot said Modi chose Dausa to inaugurate the Delhi-Dausa-Lalsot part of the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway only be-

cause he wants to visit places where the Congress is strong ahead of Assembly polls in Rajasthan, due by the year-end.

About assembly elections, Pilot said that if

there is better coordination, the Congress government will repeat here and he has given his suggestions to the high command and some suggestions have also been implemented.

there is taken by ED, CBI and Income Tax department,” he alleged. Gehlot said that the Congress party’s plenary session is going to be held in Raipur, Chhattisgarh and BJP being a national party knows its importance.

Hearing not held in OSD Lokesh Sharma phone tapping case

Jaipur (FIB): Interim relief of CM Ashok Gehlot’s OSD Lokesh Sharma in the phone tapping case continues as the hearing could not be completed in the Delhi High Court on Monday. The matter will now be heard on March 24. Sharma was questioned in Dec 2021 in the matter. In March 2021, on the complaint of Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, the Crime Branch had filed a case against Lokesh Sharma under several sections in the phone tapping case. The Delhi HC had stayed his arrest till July 14, 2022.

The SIT probing the matter claimed that all evidence against Parmar and the two students had been collected and they were trying to get a case registered under serious sections and get them punished. In December, a student at the University had accused Parmar of asking for identity in exchange for marks.

Jaipur : Many young faces have been included in the list of All India Congress Committee (AICC) members from Rajasthan, which is seen as the ‘Rahul Brigade’. Divya Maderna, Danish Abrar, Dheeraj Gurjar, Rehana Riyaz, Rajendra Vidhuri, Sitaram Lamba, Krishna Poonia, Chetan Dudi, Sudarshan Rawat, Rohit Bohra have been made the AICC members. At the same time, new faces like Sanjita Siyag, Vijay Jangid have been included in this team. Some of these faces have direct connections to Delhi while loyalty and allegiance to the Gandhi family was also the main factor. All these faces became the

PRIYANKA LIKELY TO ATTEND WEDDING OF BHANWAR SINGH’s DAUGHTER TODAY

Jaipur: The Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi is likely to visit Alwar on Tuesday to attend the marriage ceremony of the daughter of former Union Minister Jitendra Singh. Rahul Gandhi is also scheduled to come on February 22. Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot, Himachal Chief Minister Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, many former Union Ministers and guests from several erstwhile royal families will also attend the wedding function. Former Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje may also attend the function.

choice of Rahul Gandhi during Bharat Jodo Yatra. Only after this, a

Min Tomar

Jaipur (ANI): Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar on Sunday said that there’ll be a time when people will have money but not products to buy.

Tomar was addressing the Fourth convocation ceremony of Chaudhary Charan Singh National Agricultural Marketing Institute, Jaipur (Rajasthan) and inauguration program of the Incubation Center.

“There’ll be a time when people will have money but not products to buy,” he said while referring to the limited number of people in-

volved in the field of agriculture.

Highlighting the importance of agriculture in India, Tomar said, “We all know that the field of agriculture is essential for our country. Increased geographical

area, area of different climates and increased population dependent on agriculture, act as a challenge for us. Decreased interest of people in the field of agriculture is the main challenge for agriculture,”.

strategy was made to bring them forward on the front line.

CHO paper leak probe handed over to SOG

Jaipur (FIB) : The Rajasthan Staff Selection Board has handed over the investigation of the CHO paper leak case to SOG. Chairman Hariprasad Sharma informed that the investigation was given to SOG for quick action against the accused.

Meanwhile, the state president of the unemployed association Upen Yadav met the chairman on the issue of the paper leak. He also handed over the proof of paper leaks. He said that the president sent three persons with him as a delegation of the board to SOG for registering FIR.

NIA court sentences 7 yrs jail to ISIS terrorist Permission to be given for land sale after conversion

Govt issues clarification and guidance to JDA

First India Bureau

Jaipur : On Monday, the state government informed that now permission can be given, to build townships, in case of sale after land conversion. The government issued clarification in the matter as well on the guidance sought by Jaipur Devel-

opment Authority. According to this, if any land has been approved under 90A, and layout plan has been approved and endorsement done before issue of lease and then if the applicant has sold a part of the land, then the buyer will be able to get permission on the sold part and will get permission to develop township on the sold part.

First India Bureau

Jaipur: In the Gopalgarh case, DGP Umesh Mishra on Monday denied the role of Rajasthan police in assault on Srikant’s wife.

DGP said the Rajasthan police had gone to the accused’s place with local Haryana police and did not enter the house of accused Srikant.

“Rajasthan Police has not violated any-

one’s human rights. In this case, 8 people have been identified whose search is on,” said Mishra who has also talked to DGP of Hary-

AUTOPSY OF DEAD BODY OF A STILLBORN

BABY DELIVERED DONE IN BHARATPUR

Bharatpur: The autopsy of the body of a stillborn baby delivered by the wife of Srikant Pandit, one of the accused of alleged lynching of two men from Bharatpur was done in Haryana’s Nuh on Monday. The Haryana authorities on Sunday exhumed the body and sent it for autopsy to establish the cause of death.

ana for cooperation.

DGP Umesh Mishra said that apart from the arrested Rinku Saini, , some more people are also under suspicion.

Big revelations are expected today regarding the case, Range IG Gaurav Srivastava and SP did homework in Gopalgarh on Monday.

WILDLIFE STORIES THAT MATTER TO RAJ

9 Great Indian Bustards seen together in Sudasari

First India Bureau

Jaipur: The special court for NIA cases has sentenced Mohammad Sirajuddin to seven years imprisonment under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act and the Indian Penal Code for working for ISIS. Along with this, the court has also imposed a fine of Rs 26,000 on Sirajuddin, a resident of Karnataka. He was ar-

Reorganization of wildlife board soon

Nirmal Tiwari

Suryaveer S Tanwar

Jaisalmer: In a good news for wildlife enthusiasts, nine Great Indian Bustards were spotted in the Sudasari area of the Desert National Park in Jaisalmer. Danveer, a for-

est guard posted in the area, took pictures of them. It is believed that the good condition of grassland owing to good rains last year has led to an increase in numbers.

There were 150 birds already in Jaisalmer.

Ashish Vyas, conservator of forest depart, said that the Desert National Park is considered to be the most protected area for the GIB in Jaisalmer, where favourable conditions have been created for their breeding.

Jaipur: The preparation for the reorganization of the State Wildlife Board has been made. The threeyear term of of 13 members of the present board completed on February 6. Process of nomination and reconstitution of the board started at the state government level. Ravi Singh, Deepak Apte, Hemendra Kothari, Dr. Rajesh Gopal, KS Gopi Sundar, Sunny

Sebastian, Jaisal Singh, Simrat Kaur, Sunil Mehta, Dhirendra Godha, Surat Singh Poonia, Harsahay Meena and Nika Ram Garasia completed their terms. Some new faces are expected to be included in the board in election year. Journalists associated with forest and wildlife conservation journalism, wildlife experts, NGO representatives, environmentalists, retired IFS can be new members.

rested in December 2015. The court convicted him on February 17 under sections 13, 38 and 39 of the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act as well as the IPC. Special public prosecutor, appearing for the prosecution, told the court that Sirajuddin, who worked as a marketing manager in Indian Oil Corporation, was arrested by the ATS on December 10, 2015.

Lioness Suhasini shifted from Nahargarh to Kota

First India Bureau

Kota: After a long wait, a new guest has finally been brought to the Abheda Biological Park. After getting permission from Central Zoo Authority, lioness Suhasini was shifted from Nahargarh biological park in Jaipur to Kota Abheda Biological Park.

Earlier, the team conducted a health test of the lioness Suhasini, who was born in the year 2012. Suhasini was shifted

to Jaipur from Bangalore in 2016. The lioness was brought to Kota this afternoon and was released in the enclo-

sure of Abheda Biological Park. A team has been constituted by the department

CM Ashok Gehlot met senior Congress leader and his old colleague Premaram Patel at latter’s residence on Monday.

Sachin Pilot addressing the public gathering on unveiling of the statue of Dr BR Ambedkar in Sri Ganganagar on Monday.

Nine Great Indian Bustard clicked by forest official, Danveer in Sudasari of Desert National Park in Jaisalmer. Lioness Suhasini in Abheda National Park in Kota on Monday.

Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar during a departmental programme on Agricultural development on Monday.

People will have money but not products to buy, says

Rahul Gandhi

I FEEL WHAT YOU FEEL…

IN-DEPTH BIDEN’S VISIT TO KYIV SENDS A STRONG MESSAGE TO RUSSIA

Someone said, “Empathy is in our bones”. It moves caring people to help others.

An empathetic person keeps a balance by appreciating the importance of sentiments yet at the same time shunning the extreme of becoming overly sensitive by avoiding giving or taking offence. As long as one can sweeten another’s pain, life is not in vain!

We all feel weak at times. Some days, one might have no energy or may find it difficult to do what one needs to do. But imagine feeling this way for a long time. How would we want others to view us? One would want them to understand and show empathy.

Empathy is the quality by which one is able to enter into the thoughts and feelings of others. It is the ability to put oneself in the other person’s place.

Empathy requires that one slows down and patiently considers and thinks about another person. This may seem difficult to achieve with an overload of social media posts and rapid-fire texting. If technology controls us, responding to messages seem like another chore on one’s to-do list. Even if there is a delay in replying to a message, a well thought out response can be heart-touching than no response. Some struggle to show this skill because of their upbringing or adverse past circumstances. Stress and the prevailing attitude of people around can make a person indifferent. Also, what one feeds

PAY FOR FACEBOOK, INSTA TO STAY SAFE

into the mind, can influence how one feels about others. Appreciating others to keep doing their best strengthens them, especially when they feel low. Sometimes, a person may be blunt or critical of others in the family although one would not think of treating outsiders this way.

There is a difference between the way one feels when one discovers an error and corrects it, and the way one would feel when someone else brings a mistake to attention and asks one to correct it. Empathy will help us to appreciate that difference.

Giving suggestions and offering correction is an art.

Knowing what to say, when, where and how to say, without causing any embarrassment, wins the trust of others. Having understanding is more important than just good intentions. A machine can run smoothly with power but if the gears and bearings are not adjusted with proper lubrication, it will soon halt. Similarly, good intentions along with empathy, brings out the best in others.

A person is more amenable and in a receptive frame of mind when something favourable is said about him or her. Errors over trifles and non-essential details, if overlooked, help in keeping a balanced perspective towards others.

Gentleness and an empa-

Get ready to pay for Meta Platforms’ Facebook and Instagram if their experiment on the new “Meta Verified” paid services succeeds in Australia and New Zealand where it is being rolled out this week. If it succeeds the two tech giants are expected to gradually introduce it in other countries, including in India. Both Twitter and Meta are introducing the monthly subscription model to provide subscribers “more protection from impersonation” an important criterion when impersonators have been ruling the roast in India, USA and several other countries vitiating the political and communal atmosphere.

High fee being charged by Meta could be a dampener for

thetic attitude make it easier to accept a different point of view. One will need to learn all facts about a situation and then patiently, put up with inconveniences caused by the shortcomings of others.

Empathy enables one to see the potential in others without making quick judgements. A negative attitude will be mutually harmful and would close the door of friendship. No one likes others to be blind to their good points, so trying to find something commendable in others that may not be as obvious, is far more pleasing to look at.

Empathy increases one’s respect for others. If someone makes a blunder or gives a foolish reply, thoughtfulness will prevent one from having a superior attitude or laugh out in ridicule. By striving to understand another person’s struggles, one is less likely to criticise. One can see beyond the differences and ask oneself, ‘how would I react if someone made me feel inferior or valueless? How would I feel if others judged me before they

even got to know me? If I was in this situation, how would I feel? What would I need?

When we carefully observe and use imagination, we realize how similar we are to others in terms of feelings and reactions. This can prevent us from making negative judgements.

Some are sensitive about their age, weight, health or any physical defect, such as a birthmark. To call attention to any such tender spot, or make a joke of it, would be like treading on their toes, showing a lack of empathy.

One may needlessly offend others by one’s choice of words, which may be either too high toned and artificial or haughty and harsh.

The ones prone to offend others are usually most sensitive themselves, expecting others to be tactful. Such ones lack mental discernment and find the discomforts, handicaps or sufferings of others amusing.

Someone said, “Empathy is in our bones”. It moves caring people to help others.

An empathetic person keeps a balance by appreciating the importance of sentiments yet at the same time shunning the extreme of becoming overly sensitive by avoiding giving or taking offence. As long as one can sweeten another’s pain, life is not in vain!

THE VIEWS EXPRESSED BY THE AUTHOR ARE PERSONAL

As Russia-Ukraine is about to enter its second year, President Jo Biden made a sudden, unannounced visit to Kyiv on his way to Poland, NATO’s frontline state bordering Russia. This is Biden’s first visit to the war torn country. The war began on February 24, 2022. Biden tweeted that he was in Kyiv to reaffirm “our unwavering commitment to Ukraine’s democracy, sovereignty and territorial integrity” for which Biden will be announcing on Tuesday a new military aid package worth $500 million. The package talks of critical weapons but was silent on fighter planes which Kyiv is desperately seeking. Irrespective of whether Ukraine is armed with fighter planes or not, this was a hugely significant moment for the war-torn country which is clearly being used as a proxy by Western alliance against Russia. The repercussions of Biden’s visit would be known later when Russia launches a fresh attack in spring. Fear of a deadlier war looms over world peace and economy.

SPIRITUAL SPEAK

Finally, be strengthened by the Lord and his powerful strength. Bible

TOP TWEETS

Meta. Elon Musk, the eccentric Twitter owner, had earlier announced a new “Twitter Blue” for subscribers willing to pay $8 per month for the verified blue tick mark and some other features. The service has already been introduced in some countries. Meta proposes to charge

$11.99 a month for extra protection against impersonation on the web. On Android and Apple’s iOS system it will be $14.99 per month. Given India’s market size the price could be lowered. As mischievous users of social media platforms use fake identities Meta intends to introduce a new feature about authenticity and security. To avail of the service subscribers will be required to provide the national identity (it can be Aadhaar in India) and photograph for authentication. The minimum age criteria of 18 years, which is being egregiously violated in several parts of the world, would also be enforced. For those wary of impersonation of their accounts will be encouraged to opt for the service.

continue to prosper & grow as you contribute to India’s remarkable journey.

incredible diversity. May

Empathy is the quality by which one is able to enter into the thoughts and feelings of others. It is the ability to put oneself in the other person’s place

REKHA KUMAR The writer is a personal development skills facilitator. rekhakumar@protonmail.com

RaGa to blame for Cong’s falling standard: Shah

At an election rally in Nagaland, Shah strongly condemned a Congress spokesperson’s choice of words for PM Narendra Modi

Mon Town (PTI): BJP leader and Home Minister Amit Shah on Monday strongly condemned a Congress spokesperson’s choice of words for Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and said the standard of Opposition party’s members is falling by the day since Rahul Gandhi became its leader.

“The kind of language the Congress spokesperson has used (for PM) and the sort of reaction it has drawn from people from across the country... you will see Rahul Gandhi that the Congress will not be visible even through telescope after the Lok Sabha polls in 2024. People will respond through the ballot box,” Shah told a public meeting here.

Amit Shah neither made reference to he objectionable word nor named the Congress leader, but BJP leaders said it was in relation to Congress spokesperson Pawan Khera recently referring to the prime minister as “Narendra Gautamdas Modi”.

HOME MINISTER AMIT SHAH MAKES BIG STATEMENT ON UNIFORM CIVIL CODE

Home Minister Amit Shah made a big statement in Kolhapur over Uniform Civil Code. Amit Shah said, ‘We are moving in the direction of UCC’. Along with this, he praised the Modi government for law against triple talaq. Know in detail in this report what Amit Shah said on UCC.

Khera made the statement while criticising the government over the row involving the business conglomerate headed by Gautam Adani.

Modi’s full name is Narendra Damodardas Modi, with the middle

BJP-NDPP will retain power in Nagaland: Shah

Mon Town (PTI): Union Home Minister and senior BJP leader Amit Shah on Monday asserted that the BJP-NDPP coalition will retain power in Nagaland and it will solve all problems of the state.

the lives of the country’s 80 crore poor and ensured its security and development.

“For such a beloved prime minister of ours, the kind of language which has been used is something I strongly condemn,” he added.

He also assured the people of expeditiously bringing the Naga peace talks to a successful end and also addressing the issues of the Eastern Nagaland People’s Organisation (ENPO), which has been demanding a separate state.

AMIT SHAH TO ADDRESS ELECTION RALLIES IN MEGHALAYA TODAY

RAHUL TO CAMPAIGN IN MEGHALAYA, KHARGE IN NAGALAND

name Damodardas standing for his father’s name, a common practice in many parts of the country.

Shah said the prime minister is respected world over as he has brought happiness to

“It is a matter of concern for me and everyone concerned about the standards of public life that the standard of Congress functionaries is falling by the day since Rahul Gandhi became the party leader,” Shah further said.

“The NDPP-BJP coalition will form government in Nagaland after polls. We will solve all problems of the state,” Shah said, addressing an election rally here.

The organisers claimed that Shah’s visit is the first by any Union Home minister to this district in the eastern tip of Nagaland, which also shared boundary with Myanmar.

Shillong (ANI): Union Home Minister Amit Shah will visit poll-bound Meghalaya on Tuesday and address two rallies in Shillong. Meghalaya BJP chief Ernest Mawrie said Shah will address the first election campaign rally at West Shillong and the second at Pynthorumkhrah. “On February 14, BJP President JP Nadda visited Shillong. Shah will visit Shillong on Tuesday. He will address two election rallies in West Shillong and Pynthorumkhrah,”

Ernest Mawrie said. Shah will visit Nagaland today where he will address an election rally. He further said that PM Narendra Modi will visit Meghalaya on February 24 when he will also hold a roadshow in Shillong.

“We are now waiting for permission for the Tura rally, but the Prime Minister will take part in a roadshow in Shillong on February 24. The roadshow will be started from Central Library through the Police Bazar and lakhs of people will take part in the roadshow,” he said. “The Prime Minister will pay floral tribute to freedom fighter U Tirot Sing. The people of Meghalaya love Prime Minister Narendra Modi,” Ernest Mawrie added. This time BJP is contesting in all 60 seats. The Meghalaya assembly polls will be held on February 27 along with Nagaland. The counting of votes will take place on March 2.

New Delhi: Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi will be in Nagaland and Meghalaya, respectively, that will go to elections on February 27. Kharge will campaign in Nagaland on Tuesday and Gandhi in Meghalaya on Wednesday.

MEGHALAYA: 5 DIE AS TMC’S VEHICLE MEETS WITH ACCIDENT

Shillong: At least 5 persons died after a vehicle carrying TMC supporters for an election rally in Meghalaya met with an accident on Monday. The accident took place in Bolmedang near the Kharkutta area of the state.

IN

THE COURTYARD

SC ADJOURNS PILs

OVER UNIFORM LAWS ON DIVORCE

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Monday adjourned for four weeks on petitions seeking direction to the Centre to make gender and religion-neutral laws on uniform marriage age, divorce, maintenance and alimony. The court also observed that the question is to what extent the court can intervene in the prayer raised by the petitioner.

GODHRA CASE: GUJ GOVT SEEKS DEATH PENALTY FOR 11

New Delhi: The Gujarat govt on Monday told the Supreme Court that it will press for death penalty to 11 convicts in Godhra train burning case, as it was a ‘rarest of rare and grave offence.” The death penalty of these convicts was commuted to life term by Gujarat HC. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, representing Gujarat govt, submitted thie before a bench headed by CJI.

HATE SPEECHES: SC

ASKS DELHI COPS TO FILE CHARGE SHEET

New Delhi: The Supreme Court has taken note of Delhi Police’s submission that the probe in a case of hate speeches at religious assemblies in Delhi in 2021 was at an advanced stage, and asked them to place on record the charge sheet to be filed in the matter. A bench was told this by Additional Solicitor General KM Nataraj, appearing for the Delhi Police.

SC JUNKS EX-IPS

BHATT’S PLEA IN

1996 DRUG SEIZURE

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Monday dismissed a petition filed by former IPS officer Sanjiv Bhatt challenging a Gujarat High Court order which set a deadline for completion of trial in a 1996 drug seizure case.

A bench of Justices

BR Gavai and Aravind Kumar also imposed a cost of Rs 10,000 on Sanjiv Bhatt for filing a “frivolous” petition.

DIPLOMATIC MEETING!

Kushwaha quits JD(U) again, floats new party

Patna (PTI): Disgruntled JD(U) leader Upendra Kushwaha on Monday resigned from CM Nitish Kumar’s JD(U), less than two years after returning to the party, and announced formation of the Rashtriya Loktantrik Janata Dal’. JD(U) president Rajiv Ranjan Singh alias “Lalan”, however, berated

JP Nadda offers prayers at Sri Krishna Matha temple in Udupi

Udupi (ANI): Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president JP Nadda on Monday visited and offered prayers at Sri Krishna Matha temple in Karnataka’s Udupi.

Cabinet Secy-led panel to monitor Mission Karmayogi

New Delhi (PTI): Cabinet Secretary Rajiv Gauba will head a top panel, including a senior official from the Prime Minister’s Office and seven secretaries, to monitor the implementation of the Centre’s ambitious Mission Karmayogi programme for training of government employees, officials said on Monday.

gramme and partici-

pate in a bike rally in Chikkamangaluru.

During the visit, Nadda will also visit the Sringeri Mutt.

Kushwaha as an overambitious party-hopper, whose return was “opposed by all, but supported by the CM.

Ahead of the Karnataka Assembly elections, BJP president JP Nadda is on a three-day visit to Karnataka. According to BJP, Nadda

will address a public meeting in Udupi and Belur. He will also visit Mangaluru for a pro-

One of the holiest and most important Hindu pilgrim centres, Sringeri was one of the four Peethas (centres) established by Adi Shankaracharya.

Mission Karmayogi aims to create a competent civil service “rooted in Indian ethos” with a shared understanding of the country’s priorities, and working in harmonisation for effective and efficient public service delivery.

The mission, billed as one of largest capacitybuilding initiatives in govt organisations anywhere in the world, seeks to keep the civil service at the centre of all change, empowering it to deliver in challenging environments, officials said, adding that Mis-

Was Sharad Pawar really also a part of the plan?

Sharat K Verma

New Delhi: Maharash-

tra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has made a big claim. He has said that NCP supremo Sharad Pawar was aware of this plan, rather he was a part of the plan, after the 2019 assembly elections, when he took oath as Chief Minister and Ajit Pawar as Deputy Chief Minister. Fadnavis has said that he took oath only after Sharad Pawar’s consent. Sharad Pawar

has categorically denied this. He has said that he considered Fadnavis a cultured and good man but he is spreading lies.

Whoever is aware of the events of November 23, 2019, knows how hurt and angry Sharad Pawar was after this incident and how he did the operation to reunite the MLAs of his party with him.

The entire sequence of events indicates that Sharad Pawar was not aware of this. If Sharad Pawar had to play this game, he would have

done it openly, as he did in 2014. Keep in mind that even in the 2014 assembly elections, the BJP did not get a major-

ity and the Shiv Sena did not support it in forming the government. Then BJP formed the government only with the exter-

nal support of NCP. So if Pawar had to support the BJP, he could have done so openly. Anyway, the way Sharad Pawar became active immediately after the oath of Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar on the morning of 23 November and turned the tables within three days, it does not seem that he was a part of this plan.

Anyway, if he was a part of the plan and did not allow the government to be formed then Fadnavis and BJP leaders would have exposed

him at the same time. But nobody said anything then. Now after three years, Fadnavis is ‘laying it bare’. In fact, when Sharad Pawar made Ajit Pawar the Deputy Chief Minister in the MVA, this discussion is going on since then. Now Fadnavis has given air to this thing with a special purpose. He wants to create mistrust between Congress and Shiv Sena regarding Pawar. He is doing this to increase the contradictions within the Aghadi.

sion Karmayogi adopts a citizen-centric approach for civil service reforms.

The govt recently approved setting up a Cabinet Secretariat Coordination Unit or CSCU as part of the institutional framework under the National Programme for Civil Services Capacity Building (NPCSCB) or Mission Karmayogi.

The CSCU will have as members a nominee of PMO, secretary (coordination), cabinet secretariat, DoPT secretary, home secretary, expenditure secretary, environment, forest and climate change secretary, higher education secretary and revenue secretary.

Kamal Nath to be Cong’s face in MP polls, says Digvijaya

Bhopal (Agencies):

Former Chief Minister and Rajya Sabha MP Digvijaya Singh has said that state Congress chief Kamal Nath will be the party’s face in the upcoming Assembly elections due at the end of the year. Digvijaya Singh further said the party will contest the elections under Kamal Nath’s leadership, and therefore, “he will be the face”.

Amit Shah waves at supporters during a public rally, in Nagaland’s Mon, on Monday. —PHOTO BY PTI

Preparations underway for Amit Shah’s rally for the upcoming Nagaland elections on Monday.

NCP President Sharad Pawar. —FILE PHOTO

PM Narendra Modi and EAM S Jaishankar with Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer in a group picture with US Congressional delegation, on Monday.

Cabinet Secretary Rajiv Gauba

Nadda at an event in Udupi.

ARUNACHAL, MIZORAM STATEHOOD DAY

PREZ DROUPADI MURMU, PM MODI, HM AMIT SHAH EXTEND GREETINGS

President Murmu arrives in Itanagar on Monday afternoon on a two-day state visit

Itanagar/Aizawl: President Droupadi Murmu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah on Monday greeted the people of Arunachal Pradesh and Mizoram on the statehood day of the two northeastern states.

In a tweet, the PM said: “Statehood Day wishes to the people of Arunachal Pradesh, a state synonymous with dynamism and patriotism. The people from the state have contributed to India’s progress in many sectors. I pray that Arunachal Pradesh keeps scaling new heights of progress in the coming years.”

Arunachal Pradesh is celebrating its 37th statehood day.

Meanwhile, President Murmu arrived in Itanagar on Monday af-

ternoon on a two-day state visit. On Tuesday, the President would address the special ses-

sion of the Assembly. Arunachal Pradesh became a full-fledged state on February 20, 1987.

NPCL-Norway

MoU for better energy usage

A variety of programmes were organised across the state to celebrate the day. India’s second least populous state, Mizoram, also celebrated its 36th statehood day on Monday. On the occasion, Chief Minister Zoramthanga greeted the people of the state.

Chinese drone seized in Punjab’s town

Chandigarh (Agencies): The Border Security Force (BSF) said that it recovered a Chinese Quadcopter drone in Punjab’s Fazilka district on Monday.

“Initial plan was to show murder as road accident”

DELHI COURT EXTENDS SAHIL’S POLICE CUSTODY BY 2 MORE DAYS

BY ANI

Addressing a gathering in the day’s main programme in Aizawl, the Chief Minister requested the people to work unitedly and strive forward to make MIzoram as a self-sufficient model state in the country. “If the people work wholeheartedly and with all sincerity, Mizoram will be a selfsufficient state and its growth would go to a desired level,” he said.

Zoramthanga, who is also the President of the ruling Mizo National Front, paid tributes to the people who sacrificed their lives for creating present day Mizoram. The statehood day was also observed in all the 11 districts of the state. The mountainous state became a full-fledged state on February 20, 1987.

COLOUR OF DEVOTION!

New Delhi (ANI): Nikki Yadav’s live-in partner Sahil Gehlot during interrogation has claimed that his initial plan was to show the murder as a road accident, Delhi Police sources said on Monday.

Sahil further claimed that he had decided to push Nikki out of the car. However the plan could not be executed and he killed Nikki at Nigambodh Ghat, the police sources added.

Sahil is the prime accused in the Nikki Yadav murder case.

Delhi’s Dwarka court on Friday granted two-

days’ police remand of five the accused.

Delhi Police earlier told ANI that the Crime Branch had arrested five persons, including Sahil’s father Virendra in connection with the case on charges of helping his son in the “conspiracy”.

Sahil’s father, Ashish, Naveen, Amar, and Lokesh were arrested by Crime Branch.

According to police sources, Sahil Gehlot’s father Virender Gehlot expressed no remorse and had no qualms during the course of the interrogation.

New Delhi (PTI): A metropolitan court here on Monday extended the police custody of Sahil Gehlot, accused of killing his girlfriend Nikki Yadav and stuffing her body into a refrigerator in southwest Delhi, by two days. The link court of Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Samiksha Gupta remanded the other five co-accused in the case in judicial custody for 14 days. The investigation officer had sought a three-day extension of Gehlot’s custodial interrogation.

Sahil in police custody.

NPCL and Norway officials during the signing of MoU.

First India Bureau

Greater Noida: Noida Power Company Limited (NPCL) has signed a consortium agreement for carrying out a pilot project on Demand Response in Greater Noida under the India-Norway Energy Taskforce.

The agreement was signed in the presence of the joint secretary of the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, the Indian government, and the Norwegian government’s ambassador to India. NPCL will select the interested consumers who are willing to participate in the above demand response programme. Consumers

from across the categories may apply at NPCL’s Customer Care Centre at Knowledge Park-1 to be a part of the above programme.

Demand Response is an important component of modern energy management systems that enables electricity consumers to actively manage their energy consumption during peak demand periods. Demand Response allows consumers to adjust their energy consumption from peak hours to off-peak hours, which can help balance the grid and prevent blackouts, the officials said on this occasion.

On specific information, teams of the BSF and Punjab Police launched a search operation in the area of New Hasta Kalan village, and recovered the Quadcopter drone (DJI Matrice 300 RTK), made in China, from an open area on the outskirts of the village.

The BSF in coordination with Punjab Police once again was able to capture a rogue drone, it added. Punjab shares a 553-km long international border, with a barbed wire fence, with Pakistan.

COUPLE KILLED, TWO CHILDREN INJURED IN ROAD ACCIDENT

Sultanpur: A couple died and their children injured when a truck hit the bike they were travelling on near Maniyarpur in the Lambhua area on Monday.

Sant Lal Nishad (40) and his wife Kismati (35) died on the spot, and their kids Ansh (10) and Anshika (2) are undergoing treatment.

rough estimates, over two lakh devotees offered prayers at the temple on Somvati Amavasya that occurred after nearly three years. —PHOTO BY VIJAYKUMAR HARISHCHANDRE

CRUCIAL READ

AFTER JOSHIMATH, 28 HOUSES ON THE VERGE OF COLLAPSE IN KARNAPRAYAG TOWN

Karnaprayag: After Joshimath, cracks have developed in several houses in Karnaprayag in Chamoli district, which are increasing rapidly now. As many as 28 houses in the area are on the verge of collapse. Chamoli District Magistrate Himanshu Khurana, Karnaprayag SDM Himanshu Kafaltia, MLA Anil Nautiyal and disaster management officer NK Joshi inspected the affected areas in Bahuguna nagar, Subhash Nagar and Upper Bazar. The DM was stunned after witnessing the wide cracks on the walls of houses in Bahuguna Nagar. The residents requested the officials to make proper arrangements to guarantee their safety. Khurana instructed the officials to shift the affected people to safer places and install crackometres in the affected structures to monitor the cracks.

TRIPURA ASSEMBLY POLLS

WILD ELEPHANT TRAMPLES 4 TO DEATH IN J’KHAND

Ranchi: A wild elephant that got separated from its herd has trampled 4 persons including 2 women, to death in Lohardaga district in a span of 12 hours. The deceased have been identified as Jhalo Oraon, 28; Neha Devi, 20; Lal Mohan Mahto, 65, and Muniya Devi.

CPM’s Jitendra Chowdhary becomes CM contender!

Mahesh Sharma

New Delhi: In Tripura, Jitendra Chowdhary is the chief ministerial candidate from the CPM. Although the party gave him authority and has not formally made him a claimant but has cut the tickets of Manik Sarkar, who was the Chief Minister for 25 years and other MLAs who were ministers

with him. Jitendra Chaudhary is the only MLA from the CPM who won last time, who got ticket this time also. CPM also gave this message to him that he is the contender for the post of Chief Minister. Dr Ajay Kumar, in-charge of the Congress in the state, has announced that Jitendra Chowdhary will become the CM if a joint government is

Jitendra Chowdhary

formed between the Left and the Congress. Anyway, Congress

Namibian cheetahs to be released into the wild in a month

Bhopal (ANI): Madhya Pradesh Forest

Minister Vijay Shah said that the Namibian cheetahs would be released into the wild during the next one month.

“Will release two male cheetahs to jungle approximately in a month. A date has not been fixed yet. After monitoring male cheetahs and their situation, we will release the female cheetahs,” Shah said.

Although the CPM has not formally made him a claimant but has cut the tickets of ex-CM Manik Sarkar

does not have any ‘vote capital’ in the state. Its entire vote bank went

with the BJP. CPM got more than 42 per cent votes despite losing. This means that it has largely retained its votes. The Congress, on the other hand, came down to two per cent votes as its entire vote went with the BJP.

Despite this, the CPM has given 13 seats to the Congress. So, there is no special hope for the Congress. But Ajay Kumar, referring to Ji-

tendra Chaudhary’s tribal identity, declared him the CM’s claimant.

Both the parties can get the benefit of this.

The state has 20 seats reserved for tribals and is dominated by the IPFT, an ally of the BJP, and Tipra Motha, another tribal party.

Both CPM and Congress are hoping to make a dent in the ST vote by naming a tribal chief minister.

The first set of Cheetahs brought from Namibia was released by PM Narendra Modi in the Kuno National Park in September, when eight of the big cats were flown in to revive their population in India after over half a century it went extinct in the country.

Minister Vijay Shah earlier said,

“PM Narendra Modi has taken up the initiative of re-introduction of Cheetahs from Namibia and South Africa.

In September, of eight cheetahs, five were females, and they were flown in from Windhoek in Namibia to Gwalior and then transferred to Kuno.

Meanwhile, 12 cheetahs from South Africa landed at Gwalior Airport on Saturday. The big cats made their journey in Indian Air Force’s C-17 Cargo plane.

President Droupadi Murmu with the traditional dance troupes on her first visit, in Itanagar on Monday.

NIKKI MURDER CASE

Devotees throng Khandoba Temple in Jejuri, near Pune district of Maharashtra on the occasion of Somvati Amavasya. According to

Narendra Modi @narendramodi

Statehood Day wishes to the people of Arunachal Pradesh, a state synonymous with dynamism and patriotism. The people from the state have contributed to India’s progress in many sectors. I pray that Arunachal Pradesh keeps scaling new heights of progress in the coming years.

Nikki Yadav and Sahil Gehlot. —FILE PHOTO

—PHOTO

NORMS EASED FOR MIXED LAND USE ON ROADS

On recommendation of the committee, decisions were taken in a meeting chaired by UDH Minister Shanti Dhariwal

Abhishek Shrivastava

Jaipur: The construction of roads, confined to files so far, will now be easy, land use of leased plots will be easy, mixed land use will be possible on the roads. In many such cases the state government has eased the process and removed the hurdles.

Under the chairmanship of GS Sandhu, Advisor Urban Development Department, the state government has constituted a high powered committee in PSKS

Abhiyan. The committee brainstormed for procedural improvement in many cases related to UDH and Local Self Government Department.

RAJE RECEIVES WARM WELCOME IN AJMER AND PALI

First India Bureau

Pali/Ajmer: Former CM Vasundhara Raje halted for a few minutes near Panihari chauraha in Pali on her way to a wedding ceremony of Pali Zila Pramukh Rashmi Singh’s son in Rohat on Monday evening.

During this, hundreds of workers led by Pali MLA Gyanchand Parakh, Sumerpur

MLA Joraram Kumawat and former MP Pushp Jain gathered to welcome her. It appeared as if both the MLAs and former MP were showing strength in front of the former CM in the election year. After stay-

B’DAY CELEBRATION ON MARCH 4 AT SALASAR BALAJI

Jaipur: The birthday of former CM Vasundhara Raje will be celebrated on March 4 instead of March 8 at Salasar Dham, Churu by the BJP workers and her supporters. Due to the festival Holi falling on March 8, the birthday is being celebrated on March 4. Raje will celebrate her birthday by duly offering prayers at Salasar Dham and express her gratitude through her address to the people.

ing here for a few minutes, she left for Rohat. Raje was also welcomed at several spots in Ajmer.

T’gana roadways MD meets RSRTC officials

VC Sajjanar, Nathmal Didel and other officials of the Rajasthan and Telangana transport bodies on Monday.

Jaipur (FIB): Managing Director of Telangana State Road Transport Corporation and Additional Director General of Police VC Sajjanar on Monday inquired about the innovations and activities being carried out in Rajasthan State

Road Transport Corporation. He held a meeting with the Managing Director of RSRTC, Nathmal Didel, at the headquarters. Didel informed about online ticketing, UPI payment through dynamic QR code, Apni Bus Care Day (ABCD).

Raj: Pak drone carrying drugs shot down by BSF

New Delhi/Jaipur

(PTI): A Pakistani drone entering India from across the international border in Rajasthan has been shot down by the Border Security Force (BSF) on Monday evening, a spokesperson of the force said. The flying machine was downed

On the recommendation of this committee, decisions were taken in the meeting chaired by Urban Development Minister Shanti Dhariwal. According to these

decisions, detailed orders have been jointly issued by both the departments. In this order, where the government has given clarification and new provi-

sions have also been implemented.

Township Developers Association of Rajasthan and CREDAI Rajasthan had demanded the state government to remove the practical problems coming in the disposal of various cases.

According to this order issued by the government, now 10 shops have been made necessary for the informal sector on 100 plots in the township scheme. Earlier this provision was for 20 shops.

CM Gehlot to visit Pachkodia today

First India Bureau

MAJOR NORMS REVISED BY THE HIGH POWERED COMMITTEE FOR EASE

z Sector commercial scheme will be implemented in other bodies on the lines of Jaipur Development Authority

z With this scheme, it is easy to take private land for the road of zonal plan or sector plan

z If a road is to be built somewhere in 100 feet width, then land will be acquired in 150 feet width

z Plots will be given to the account holders in the width of 25-25 feet on both sides of the road as per mutual agreement

z Plots are allotted to account holders as compensation

z 24 meters and above in the cities having divisional headquarters

z There shall be a minimum buffer zone of 9 meters all around water body which is more than 10 mtr wide

z A minimum buffer of 6 meters will have to be kept around water body up to 10 meters wide

z A buffer zone of 6 meters will have to be kept around stairs leading to stepwell

Jaipur: CM Ashok Gehlot will on Tuesdayparticipate in the statue unveiling program in Pachkodia village of Kishangarh of Renwal of Jaipur.

The local administration has almost completed all the preparations regarding the program. On Monday, Agriculture and Animal Husbandry Minister Lalchand Kataria reached the spot to take stock of the preparations and observed all the arrangements.

in the Sri Ganganagar sector and five packets of “suspected” narcotics, that were being ferried, has been recovered, he said. In a related incident, a China-made drone was recovered by BSF and Punjab police along India-Pakistan frontier in Fazilka.

Vasundhara Raje being felicitated by her supporters with a painting during her visit to Ajmer on Monday.

Sanskriti Mahotsav: Prez Murmu to attend on Feb 27

Laxman Raghav

Bikaner: The 14th edition of Rashtriya Sanskriti Mahotsav will be organised from February 25 to March 5 at Karni Singh Stadium in Bikaner by the Union Ministry of Culture.

The nine-day cultural extravaganza will see artistes from across India participating in the event, Kiran Soni Gupta, Director of West Zone Cultural Centre, Udaipur, said, adding that on February 27, Pres-

ident Droupadi Murmu will inaugurate the festival.

Governor Kalraj Mishra, CM Ashok Gehlot, Union Culture Minister Kishan Reddy, Union Minister of State for Culture and Bikaner MP Arjun Ram Meghwal, and Union Minister of State for Culture

Meenakshi Lekhi will be present during the inauguration.

Meghwal said that this festival is a unique effort to bring recognition to India’s

CRESTING THE WAVES

ACB nabs education dept official with `50K bribe

Lokesh Tatwal

Sawai Madhopur: The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) Kota unit on Monday arrested an official of the education department for allegedly taking a bribe of `50,000, officials said.

MLA Baljeet Yadav runs to support farmers & unemployed

Advocates boycott work after murder of fellow lawyer

First India Bureau

Jodhpur: Advocates of Jodhpur boycotted judicial work on Monday in protest against the murder of lawyer Jugraj Singh Chauhan in broad daylight. The District Advocate Bar Association called for the protest and the entire judicial work remained suspended.

Association General Secretary Gajraj Singh Rajawat said that all the lawyers boycotted judicial work in protest against the brutal murder of Singh and demanded the Advocate Protection Act. He said that for many years the lawyers had been demanding the implemen-

STATE GOVT’S...

The Chief Minister said, “We have taken all possible steps in the medical field to make the concept of Nirogi Rajasthan a reality. The state government is committed to provide better health services to the common man. We are continuously strengthening our schemes,” he said.

Referring to the Chief Minister Chiranjeevi Health Insurance Scheme, Gehlot said that under the scheme, the insurance cover has now been increased from Rs. 10 lakh to Rs. 25 lakh, which is not the case in any country in the world. “At the same time, under the Chief Minister Chiranjeevi Acci-

various arts, cuisines and handicrafts at one place, according to an official statement by West Zone Cultural Centre. Gupta, the cultural centre’s director, said renowned artistes from across the country will present folk dance, music, and dramas in this festival. During

this, along with sand sculpture, an exhibition based on crafts and other arts will also be organised.

The nine-day event, a flagship festival of the Ministry of Culture, aims to preserve, promote and popularise the rich cultural heritage of India.

Praveen Saxena, an additional administrative officer in the District Education Officer’s office in Sawai Madhopur, had demanded a bribe of `75,000 from the complainant in lieu of taking action on a complaint filed in the DEO’s office, an ACB official said.

A matter was going on between complainant Sunil Dutt and female teacher Sanju

Meghwal working in Khedli, Sawai Madhopur. They had filed cases against each other and a departmental inquiry about availing job by concealing information was going on against Meghwal. To speed up this inquiry, the accused had sought a bribe of

`75,000 from Dutt.

The complainant approached the ACB, following which a trap was laid and the accused was caught accepting `50,000 as a bribe, he said. Saxena was placed under arrest under the Prevention of Corruption Act, the official said.

Residential leases distributed in Niwai

Israni said that within 2-year, the board has established new dimensions of development in Niwai city

Ashish Aman and Manoj Sharma

Niwai: Under the Prashasan Shehron Ke Sang abhiyan, residential leases were distributed today by Niwai Municipality chairman Dilip Israni and Executive Officer Mahima Dangi on Monday.

After getting the right of their house after a long time, the lease holders looked happy.

Talking to the media, Israni said that within

2-year, the board has established new dimensions of development in Niwai city. “Today Nagar Palika Niwai is in the first position in

Use new construction tech to prevent silicosis: CS Usha

First India Bureau

Jugraj Singh Chauhan

tation of the Act, but the government did not pay attention to it.

A delegation of the association will submit a memorandum in the name of the Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot to the District Collector today and demand an adequate financial assistance for the deceased advocate’s family, arrest of the criminals and strict action against them.

dent Insurance Scheme, the amount of accident insurance has also been increased from Rs 5 lakh to Rs 10 lakh. Now the package for organ transplant has also been allowed to be given to hospitals located outside the state,” he said.

The Chief Minister said that Rajasthan topped in Corona management also. “Taking everyone along, the state government managed the corona.

Bhilwara model was appreciated all over the world. With the resolution of ‘No one should sleep hungry’, the state government arranged food for all the needy people in the state.

About 1 crore people are

Jaipur: Chief Secretary Usha Sharma, while presiding over a meeting on the prevention of silicosis by the specially-abled directorate at the Government Secretariat on Monday, said that prevention is the cure for silicosis and new technology should be used in mines, construction sites, temples, etc. so that workers are not affected by silicosis. She said that the new technology would benefit employers by increasing the speed of work and would also be financially beneficial.

In the meeting, Sharma directed the District Collectors to promote IEC activities in silicosis hotspots in all the

districts and create awareness about the disease. She said that new technology and awareness videos should be made for the prevention of silicosis. Besides, mine owners, construction owners, and labourers must be made aware through camps. She instructed for regular monitoring of hotspot areas. “Jodhpur, Pali, Dausa, Bundi, Dungarpur districts have done

a good job in identification & rescue of silicosis victims,” she said, instructing that the districts must share practices with other districts. She directed the employers to conduc medical check-ups of the workers and upload the report on the Silicosis portal. “This will make it easier for them to identify silicosis victims & compensate them,” she said.

the Ajmer division. We distributed more than 4,000 leases in the area,” he said. He cited community building on 80 feet road, beauti-

Newly-wed couple dies in road accident

First India Bureau Jodhpur: The newlywed couple from Phalodi died in an accident in Nagaur on Sunday night. The accident took place near Kalpana Chawla School, Didwana Road under the Jayal police station area. The car they were travelling in collided head-on with another vehicle.

The couple got married only five days ago. The airbags of the car got inflated but the two could not be saved. The deceased girl’s brother, Krishna, was seriously injured in the accident.

According to the information, Kishore Mali (30), a resident of Phalodi (Jodhpur), was married to Kiran (28), a resident of Neem Ka Thana (Sikar).

fication of Pratap Stadium, Bhar Kua Talab, new roads and drains in 35 wards of the municipality area, and others.

Dangi said that their dream is that everyone should get rights and have their own home. She said that Ward number 16 and 19 have been lease-free till April 31, and the remaining lease holders of the entire municipal area will be disposed of very soon.

First India Bureau Jalore: Baljeet Yadav, Independent MLA from Behror, ran along with the unemployed youths from Neelkanth Mahadev Temple in Bhinmal town in support of their demands. Yadav said that the papers of all types of recruitments are being leaked in the Rajasthan government, but the government is not taking any action against the accused.

“Papers are leaked in connivance with the officials holding high positions in the government.

Thousands of unemployed people of Rajasthan are troubled every year,” he said, demanding 90-100% reservation to the youth of the state in Rajasthan government jobs, 75% reservation to the local youth in the non-government sector, quick recruitment to 5 lakh posts and appointment in four months. Yadav also ran in Jalore’s Raniwara supporting the 14-point demands of farmers, unemployed and labourers.

Pushkar to host Holi Fest from March 4-7

Shubham Jain

Ajmer: The International Holi Festival will be organized in Pushkar from March 4 to March 7 under the initiative of Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot to promote tourism in Pushkar. A meeting was held with the administrative officials under the chairmanship of Rajasthan Tourism Development Corporation President Dharmendra Rathore regarding the festival.

Preliminary preparations were reviewed in the meeting. Maha Aarti and Bhajan Sandhya will be organized on March 4, Camel and Horse show, Nagada Vadan Mahaarti on March 5, Bhajan Sandhya by Bollywood artists, Chang Kachchi Ghori Gair dances on March 6. Deepdan Maha Aarti, Fireworks Holi Dahan Gulab and Gulal Se Holi, Bhajan Sandhya and Gulal Holi Maha Aarti on March 7.

CM GEHLOT BREAKS SILENCE ON RIGHT TO HEALTH BILL

being given social security pension in the state and the minimum pension amount has been fixed at Rs 1,000. A budget provision of Rs 12 thousand crore has been kept in this. The central government should also

enact a uniform law regarding social security in the country,” he said.

The Chief Minister said that the state government has done allround development of every zone of the state by removing the prob-

lems of the common people. “In Jodhpur too, complete attention has been paid to development works in every field. All the prestigious institutes like AIIMS, National Law University, Ayurveda University,

Sardar Patel Police University, MBM Engineering University have been opened here. Announcement has also been made to open Marwar Medical University and Mahatma Gandhi Divyang University for Divyangjan

in Jodhpur,” he said.

Earlier, the Chief Minister reviewed the facilities available in the Medicity campus. He met the patients admitted in the hospital and inquired about their health.

Jodhpur: For the first time, CM Ashok Gehlot, breaking the silence in protest against the Right to Health bill, targeted the big hospitals. On the protest being done by the private hospital, he said, "Big hospitals are throwing tantrums regarding this bill. They should not do this because they earn money whereas it is service work." Gehlot is on a tour of Jodhpur for three days. He arrived on Monday to participate in the inauguration ceremony of Vyas Medicity located at Pali Road. At the function, he targeted doctors and hospitals opposing the Right to Health Bill. CM said, "You should know that even within the constitution, education and health have been kept in the category of service, not for earning."

Droupadi Murmu

Kiran Soni Gupta

Praveen Saxena in the ACB custody on Monday.

Fishermen at Anasagar Lake in Ajmer on Monday. —PHOTO BY HIMANSHU SHARMA

Dilip Israni & Mahima Dangi with lease holders in Niwai on Monday.

Usha Sharma, Samit Sharma and others in a meeting on Monday.

Dharmendra Rathore with other officials reviewing preliminary preparations of the festival in Ajmer on Monday.

CM Ashok Gehlot met the patients admitted in the Medicity campus. CM Ashok Gehlot felicitated Manish Vyas and others during the inauguration of Vyas Medicity.

FROM PG 1

ONGOING RAIDS ON CONG LEADERS IN C’GARH

No action executed with sense of revenge, says Sitharaman

CONGRESS SHOULD LEARN TO LISTEN WHILE SITTING IN THE PARLIAMENT, SAYS THE FINANCE MINISTER DURING A POST-BUDGET PRESS CONFERENCE

Jaipur (ANI): On a query over the Directorate of Enforcement’s ongoing raids on Congress leaders in Chhattisgarh, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Monday said no action is executed with a sense of revenge. She was addressing at a press conference in Jaipur on Monday.

The Finance Minister said, “Any agency first collects data and only then action is taken. No action is executed with sense of revenge.” She also said that Congress should learn to listen while sitting in the Parliament.

The ED on Monday conducted fresh searches at nearly a dozen locations in Chhattishgarh in mining and alleged coal levy scam. The places searched include residential and office premises of various Congress leaders namely Ram Gopal Agarwal, Girish Devangan, RP Singh, Vinod Tiwari ad Sunny

FIN MIN’S EVASIVE ANSWERS ARE BEYOND UNDERSTANDING: GEHLOT

Jaipur: Hitting back at Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman for her statement on OPS, CM Ashok Gehlot said that the Finance Minister should have clearly said that she is against the OPS so that people would know her intention. He said that the minister just gave evasive answers, which is not fair. “‘We are not doing mercy or favour to employees. It is a question of humanitarian approach towards the employees,” he said. Gehlot said that after long service, the employees should feel secure about future and should not be dependent on stock market. “Being the Finance Minister, she is giving such answers which have no meaning. The Finance Minister’s answers are beyond understanding. She should know that the Human Rights Commission has opposed it,” he said.

Agrawal, said sources.

The Finance minister also said if any party or state government wants to bring petrol and diesel under the purview GST, then it

ANOTHER ‘FEATHER IN RHB’s CAP!

Commissioner Arora honoured with ‘Visionary Leader’ and ‘Global CSR Excellence’ Awards

Shivendra Parmar

Jaipur: The effective working style of the state’s senior IAS officer and RHB Commissioner Pawan Arora is being appreciated across the country. In this series, Arora has been honoured with the prestigious ‘Visionary Leader’ award by the Times Group’s World HRD Congress in Mumbai and also the ‘Global CSR Excellence and Leadership’ award by the prestigious World Sustainability Organization. Due to the ongoing assembly session, Additional Chief Engineer Amit Agarwal, Dy Housing Commissioner JS Bugalia and Dilip Sharma received the award on behalf of Pawan Arora.

Arora said that respect is not given to the officer alone but to the entire team. “Working with enthusiasm, passion and utmost sincerity has been my pastime. Dept’s officials and employees entrusted to me by the State government worked with team spirit and even the seemingly impossible tasks became easier,” he said. Arora added saying. “The Board was running into losses, but the energy of the officers and personnel of the Board turned the ‘impossible’ into ‘possible.’ I believe all that is needed is will power and motivation. Since then, the Housing Board has now become synonymous with trust,” he said. It is worth mentioning that CM Ashok Gehlot & UDH Minister Shanti Dhariwal have praised RHB’s effective working style many times.

would be discussed only once it is placed before the GST Council, she said on a query about bringing petrol and diesel under the ambit of GST. She said it does

not depend on the government and only the GST Council can decide on this.

The Finance Minister added that if any party or state govern-

SITHARAMAN TAUNTS CM ASHOK GEHLOT

Jaipur: Union Fin Min Nirmala Sitharaman while taunting CM Ashok Gehlot, said that there is a lot wrong here. “He is reading last year’s budget this year. I pray for him. However, mistakes can happen to anyone,” she said. She said that after reading the previous budget, the CM put it in the box and when it was his turn to read the budget again, he opened the box and read the budget. “This is a huge mess and I will pray for them. The Cong govt is unable to face the questions asked on corruption.

If any party or state government wants to bring petrol and diesel under the purview of GST, then it would be discussed only once it is placed before GST Council.

—Nirmala Sitharaman, Finance Minister

ment wants to bring petrol diesel under the purview of GST, it would be discussed only after placing before the Goods and Services Tax Council.

Aishwary Pradhan

Jaipur: Union Minister Gajendra Singh

Shekhawat on Monday accused CM Ashok Gehlot of trying to do his political and character assassination by making repeated accusations against him from public platforms.

Responding to CM’s remarks made in Jodhpur wherein, he reiterated allegation of Shekhawat’s involvement in a scam committed by Sanjivani credit cooperative society, Shekhawat said “CM Gehlot is repeatedly doing my character assassination & trying to weaken me politically. SOG in its probe carried out in over 4 years & 3 chargesheets hasn’t noconsidered me involved in scam,” he told reporters in Jaipur. “The CM said that I took security to avoid arrest by SOG. If SOG calls me, I will myself go,” he said. He said that there should be no jeal-

CM Gehlot’s remark as Home Min of State is condemnable: Rathore

Jaipur: BJP leader & Dy

LoP Rajendra Rathore condemned Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot’s remark calling Union Minister GS Shekhawat an accused in the case of Sanjeevani Credit Society and taking Z-plus security due to the fear of arrest by SOG. Rathore termed the statement as a fabrication of conspiracy. Rathore told media that CM’s remark as the Home Minister of the State is condemnable.

“On what basis did he say this? When the Home Minister says something, the police gets influenced by it. It was a conspiracy in which judicial interven-

ousy of such a level. He also suggested that it could be CM’s frustration

First India & Dr Chandra hold such events to encourage people at forefront: Anjana

PK Agarwal

Chittorgarh: ‘Mewar

Gaurav Samman’ was organized in Chittorgarh by First India News to honour people who have done excellent work in the fields of cow service, agriculture, sports, government service, medicine, sanitation, public representatives, social workers etc.

Cooperative Minister Udai Lal Anjana, Member of Parliament Chandra Prakash Joshi, Heritage Authority Chairman Surendra Singh Jadawat, Zila Pramukh Dr Suresh Dhakar, MLA Chandrabhan Singh Akya, District Collector Arvind Kumar Poswal, Superintendent of Police Rajan Dushyant, City Council Chairman Sandeep Sharma, Nimbahera Municipality President Subhash Sharda, Badi Sadari MLA Mustafa Ali Bohra were present in the event. The people who did remarkable work in their respective fields in Mewar region were honored with ‘Mewar Pride’ by the guests.

Udai Lal Anjana, the chief guest of the programme, said that the First India News and Channel Head Dr Jagdeesh Chandra have always organised such events to encourage people working in the forefront while promoting positive journalism

in the society. “This inspires people to do more service. By organising such an event in Chittorgarh, its positive message will go to every section of the society,” he said.

Hailing Dr Jagdeesh Chandra, MP CP Joshi said that his efficiency infuses a new energy and people get inspired by organising such events to honour talents. Jadawat said that First India News, where it is always number one in the field of journalism, is also seen in a

leading role in social concern. Dr Suresh Dhakar said that it is not only a pride for us to organise such events in our district, but our district also gets an identity. Akya expressed gratitude to the First India family for organising the event.

Speaking at event, District Collector Arvind Kumar Poswal and SP Rajan Dushyant also appreciated the initiative to honour inno-

vative talents.

Dushyant said that he has got the opportunity to participate in three programmes of First India News so far and he always gets a new energy from such events.

Sandeep Sharma also said that in this negative environment, when such events are held, positive energy is transmitted and such talents also get new energy.

The guests also praised the patti system of the Channel as intro-

tion has taken place. The Court has given clean chit to Shekhawat. In such a situation, on what basis is CM Gehlot saying this. The person sitting on the highest chair of the state should follow some tradition and behaviour in politics,” he said.

— Aishwary Pradhan

as he (Shekhawat) had defeated CM’s son on Jodhpur seat in 2019 LS polls.

duced by Dr Jagdeesh Chandra. Almost all the guests said that the ‘pattis’ of First India News make their hearts beat faster. From talk of cabinet expansion to reshuffle, all eyes are fixed on the ‘pattis’ of First India News.

At the beginning of the event, Jinendra Singh Shekhawat, Editor of First India, welcomed all guests in his address. ChittorgarhBureau Chief PK Aggarwal performed the thanksgiving ceremony.

Megha Kaushik con-

ducted the ceremony. On channel’s behalf, VP Vishal Mathur, Business Head Ashish Aman, Javid Sahid, Shaan Bhai, Sirish Vasudevan, Hemant & other personnel associated were also present. Bhupalsagar Pradhan Hemendra Singh Ranawat, Gangrar Pradhan Lakshmi Kanwar, Kapasan Pradhan Bherulal Chaudhary, various dignitaries & large number of people from all over the district & talents who were honoured were present.

not wait too long to implement a new strategy or idea, act on it when the enthusiasm is at its peak.

Udai Lal Anjana, Dr Suresh Dhakar, Chandrabhan Singh Akya, Jinendra Singh Shekhawat, Chandra Prakash Joshi, Surendra Singh Jadawat and Arvind Kumar Polsal during the First India’s ‘Mewar Gaurav Samman’ held at Chittorgarh.

Vishal Mathur, Ashish Aman, Jinendra Singh Shekhawat, Chandraprakash Joshi, PK Aggarwal, Javed Siddiqui during the First India’s ‘Mewar Gaurav Samman’ held in Chittorgarh.

Udai Lal Anjana addresses the gathering during the mega event in Chittorgarh.

Surendra Singh Jadawat addresses during the gala event.

SP Rajan Dushyant addresses the esteemed guests during the event.

Udai Lal Anjana felicitates Shambhulal Jat. Chandraprakash Joshi, SS Jadawat during the programme.

Nirmala Sitharaman with Ram Charan Bohra, Sardar Ajay Pal Singh and Bhajan Lal Sharma in Jaipur.

GS Shekhawat addresses a press conference in Jaipur. BL Sharma & Mukesh Dadhich are also seen. —PHOTO BY SANTOSH SHARMA

‘CM doing my political and character assassination by repeated accusations’ Centre enhanced my security as I received threat calls: Shekhawat

Sanjay Sharma, KC Meena and Manoj Gupta.

LUXURIATE IN EXQUISITE SIMPLICITY!

Preppy refers to attire made for preparatory schools which explains why these looks are frequently distinguished by a

highly inspired by Ivy League uniforms. Preppy fashion is both traditional and modern, as well as feminine and humorous. Preppy attire is much more adaptable than that. Clean lines, timeless shapes, and subdued hues might be the focus, or it can be joyful and whimsical with vibrant hues and fanciful patterns. It employs wardrobe essentials like blazers, skirts, and pants to seem put-together and professional, but modifies the formula (using ultra-cropped cable knits or a reference to modern trends, for ex-

ample) to avoid looking stuffy or outdated.

So, if you want to attempt it, here are some pointers to get you going. Keep to traditional cutting and basic forms and dress in fitted attire. Make sure your clothing fits properly because the whole point of preppy fashion is to seem polished and professional. Keep in mind to pick gentle pastels or subtle hues. You might use natural fibres like cotton or linen instead. Use modest, timeless pieces as accessories. Simple pieces of jewellery, such as a

watch or necklace, as well as a belt or scarf, can be used to complement a preppy ensemble. Avoid going overboard since an outfit can quickly seem overloaded with too many accessories. Add some colour to complete the look. A splash of colour can liven up a conservative ensemble. Consider donning a colourful scarf, pair of shoes, or blazer. Traditional preppy elements can be dressed up with typically edgy materials, such as imitation leather, to lend intrigue to an otherwise classic ensemble.

The preppy aesthetic has never really lost any of its significance and is still present as one of the most popular fashion trends. Let’s dive into the world of preppy aesthetics with City First

MRIDULA SHARMA cityfirst@firstindia.co.in

HEALING SOCIETY THROUGH MENTAL WELLBEING

Society imposes strange, unreasonable paradigms on us. Men must never cry. Women must always sacrifice. The patriarchal edifice upon which our hypocritically gilded ‘mansion of pride’ is modelled, leads to trauma, suffering, pressures, unrealistic expectations, and in some extreme cases, solicits the worst fate – of life itself!

My wife Anuja Mishra's parents were both Delhi University Professors. Her late mother Professor Sadhana Mishra was a Literature Professor; alongside which she was an extremely socially-conscious & active citizen of Delhi, regularly galvanising support, and resources and leading protest marches against

and grieving family of a father & three children, Sadhana might have put an end to her suffering but inadvertently pressed the ‘play’ button on the family’s anguish! Suffice it to say that the trauma Anuja endured for decades had built to breaking point.

It was only recently that she sought professional therapy and quickly realized the transformative benefits of expert mental help. She was finally able to come to terms with the horrific demise of her mother.

In parallel, I too have endured a more-than-manageable share

of mental trauma. Sparing the gory details; all manner of Abuse on my mother and me at the hands of my father since I was a little boy of 6 (before being sent to Doon). A complicated relationship with my father until 5 years ago, when my mother (after 40 years of an agonizing marriage), my wife, our just-born daughter (at that time) and I decided to separate from my father. The day after we left him, he filed countless false lawsuits against us for Theft & Dissertation that we continue to be embroiled in, through a multi-city, protracted legal battle! The Thyroid Cancer that I was diagnosed with in 2019, I believe truly, to be a manifestation of Mental Trauma (rather than anything clinical). I too continue to be in Mental Therapy and both Anuja & I are vocal proponents of it; despite potential losses in terms of work we may get as educators & Writers, respectively!

In November 2022, Anuja decided, despite our modest means, to do an event in remembrance of Anuja's mother. We called it Driveway Devi, a 1 day Art Show, literally in the driveway of our home in Jaipur. When we began

prepping and spreading the word in the lead-up to this small little endeavour, we were inundated with support. Artists from all over the country sent in artwork. People, especially women from all ages, stages, and strata shared stories of Mental Health & Struggles. Sunday 18th December 2022 was the Art Show. Rukshmani Kumari, Sadhana Garg & Shamini Shankar inaugurated the show, and in 5 hours, we had raised a rather unanticipated, nearly 5 lacs! We received immense support from all quarters – bipartisan political patronage with an endorsement letter from Vasundhara Raje, an interview with Congress Spokesperson Aiyshwarya Mahadev, unprecedented support from Shraddha Murdia through her Kashti Foundation, Rajeev Singh through his Town Coffee,

FACEOFTHEDAY

ARIES

MAR 21 - APR 20

Horoscope by Saurabbh

Sachdeva

TAURUS

APR 21 - MAY 20

You care about you lover but somehow hesitate in expressing that care. Don’t make friends for money and status rather make friends who will stick with you forever. On social front, you may have to spend some extra money in buying gifts for someone for some specific occasion.

LEO

JULY 24 - AUGUST 23

You make sure to make things work your way. Never demotivate someone even if someone is not capable of doing something. You are most wanted by your friends. You can have romantic affair in office and a serious one. You will invest money in clothes and accessories today.

SAGITTARIUS

NOV 23 - DEC 22

Spend time talking with likeminded people as it will make you feel good for now. Boisterous behaviour is what everyone needs right now, do whatever you can do to cheer everyone up. You will feel financially comfortable and infant you are in position to invest money in some new venture.

and many other generous individual donors. We were extremely conscious of associating with an organization that was legitimate and doing actual, real, on-ground work (as most NGOs tend to be fraudulent fronts for their promoters to fill their coffers). We tied up with the Indian Women Impact which has been doing groundbreaking work with rural communities here in Jaipur. In conjunction with them, we have already started employing the funds from the Art Show to organize Mental Wellbeing Programs for the most marginalized women & girls.

After the show, Anuja & I realized that we cannot possibly stop! We felt compelled to carry on. And hence, Driveway Devi went from being a stand-alone Art Show to raising Funds & Awareness for Mental Healthto Driveway Devi, Mental Wellness Initiative. Under this, we plan to do 2 things. One, each quarter, organise an event with a different Sector for Mental Well-being - A Mental Health Festival at a School, and in a subsequent calendar quarter, A Therapeutic Writing Retreat squarely for Men, and so on.

Second, we want to keep the Conversation around Mental Health going on permanently, and to have the widest crosssection of individuals, including but not limited to Mental

You love to live close to your family. Best day to buy gold and silver or any precious metal for investment sake. You are a child at heart and never let this child die. You have a big heart and you always help someone if you can. Video call is possible as you miss your social circle.

VIRGO

AUG 24 - SEP 23

Your spouse is someone who can do anything for your happiness. You are opportunist and this will make you successful one day. There may be delays in property possession and it won’t effect you. You are happy spending whole day at home. Help your mothers at home today.

CAPRICORN

DEC 23 - JAN 20

You are very generous by nature and also you are the backbone of your family. Today is a favourable day for business. You may postpone your study plans. You are very fortunate to have a great friend circle. Be careful of the words that come out of your mouth.

GEMINI

MAY 21 - JUNE 21

You are a pro in your field and none can beat you. You give tough competition to people. Many people get inspired by you. You will get special treatment from your dear ones. Take stand where you need to, don’t run in the same direction where everybody else is going. Health remains perfect.

LIBRA

SEPT 24 - OCTOBER 22

Scrumptious food is what you are craving for today. You always maintain cordial relationship with everyone. You workout daily to keep yourself fit. You may start a side business to earn extra money. You are not a jealous kind and you feel happy for others.

AQUARIUS

JAN 21 - FEB 19

You need a break from day to tensions and the way to cope up with stress is to meditate. You must create an environment of understanding at home. You will succeed in any sort of examination if you put your heart and soul to it. Promotion can be expected even if other are not.

Health Practitioners. We already have a rich repository of interviews/interactions with a diverse set of people, including Students, Actors, Politicians, Civil Servants, Home-Makers, and Artists; all these people speak at length about observed and/or personal mental health battles. This conversation has a PROFOUND impact on Normalizing Therapy, a desperate need of the hour, given the life and times we are in - Globally, Politically and otherwise. All our work can be easily accessed through Instagram @drivewaydevi and/or through our website kartikbajoria.com

We anticipate that from 2023 onwards, Driveway Devi will be a ‘facilitator’ for all things Mental Well-being related. Events, drives, raising funds, awareness, advocacy, getting individuals and/or organisations in touch with the right resources; all this and more is planned. Most of all, together, we hope to reduce, if not annihilate, the stigma attached to mental health and help collapse all the barriers to getting mental help. It is time. Time to remodel the ‘mansion of pride’ I referred to at the outset of this article. To demolish, conceive afresh, and construct a society free of bias and patriarchy, judgment and labels, prejudices and persecution. Let us all come together and be Mentally Wealthy!

CANCER

JUNE 22 - JULY 23

Visit a doctor if you have any doubts about your health. Don’t attack stress even if you don’t have any. Let go of things that are not in your control. You want to have your own house and you will work hard to make your dream come true. Overall a good day.

SCORPIO

OCT 23 - NOVEMBER 22

You will feel amorous towards your wife. This is the best time try something new with life give yourself a new purpose. Work on your limitations, there can be no better time than this. You have more opposite sex friends than the same and you may be judged sometimes.

PISCES

FEB20 - MARCH 20

Your spouse may make you spend more than you expected. Fantastic day for investing money in stock market as you can make fortune. You need help on academic front and you should not shy away from asking. You miss your parents a lot and somewhere fear to loose them.

KARTIK BAJORIA

(Author is a Jaipur-based Communication Skills Educator & Writer)

Anuja and Kartik Bajoria presenting a painting made by IWI children to Dr Shashi Tharoor

Artists and Supporters gather for the Driveway Devi Art Show with Chief Guests Rukshmani Kumari, Sadhana Garg and Shamini Shanker

Children in their after-school classes as part of the IWI Bridge School

SPOTTED!

M

“While I do hate to rob you of running random baseless news stories that would have been much more accurately written by ChatGPT, you need to let this story die and leave all of these innocent people alone now,” the “Transformers” star finished her Instagram post.

Mehendi Glimpses

Her post...

S

Kundra are parents to two kids10-year-old son Viaan, and 3-year-old daughter Samisha. Their daughter turned 3 years old just a few days ago, and Shilpa Shetty wished the little one by sharing an ador able video of her trying on her mom’s heels. Two days ago, Shilpa Shetty and Raj Kundra hosted a grand birthday bash for Samisha, which was attended by Rani Mukerji, Karan Jo har’s kids Yash and Roohi, Tusshar Ka poor’s son Laksshya, and oth ers. Now, Shilpa Shetty has shared pictures from the Peppa Pigthemed bash, and looks like the kids had a blast at the party!

Hardik Pandya and Natasa Stankovic’s wedding pictures have been taken over Instagram! They have finally shared pictures from their haldi ceremony, and they are simply beautiful!

hilpa Shetty and RajFor the Haldi ceremony, Hardik Pandya wore a pink and white kurta with diagonal stripes over it, paired with a white pyjama.

Agastya Pandya twinned with his

SIX MONTHS OLD

months back Sonam Kapoor and Anand Ahuja welcomed their little bundle of joy, their baby boy, Vayu into their lives. On Monday, as Vayu turns 6 months, Sonam took to her Instagram handle to share an adorable picture and a video of her darling boy and it has melt ed our hearts. Taking to her Instagram handle, Sonam Kapoor shared a picture and a video of her son Vayu. In the first picture, we can see Vayu on Sonam’s lap. Both the mother-son duo were busy play

Priyanka Chopra

Megan Fox

COUPLE GOALS

Her post...

Shilpa Shetty Kundra

Ishita Chauhan Rakesh Bedi

Rumours

Natasa Stankovic

—PHOTOS BY MUKESH KIRADOO

Kalyo Kood Padyo Mela Mein

GREETINGS!

Jagdeesh Chandra greeted Kamlesh C Mehta on Monday at Jaipur, also present were Advocate AK Jain, Sushila Nagar and Amit Mehta.

Kamlesh Mehta is the founder of Forsyth Media Group, a renowned and popular IndoAmerican English media group in North America; he belongs to Rajasthan, having immigrated to USA in 1986.

CITY FIRST

On the second day of Shaharnama, a boutique literature festival Padmashree Gulabo and her fellow artists performed a tremendous dance on the song ‘Kalyo Kood Padyo Mela Mein’. Especially pre -

sent for this program, Shakuntala Saruparia from Udaipur narrated the song ‘Dharti Dhora Ri’.

Padmashree Gulabo and her fellow artists coloured the beginning of the Shaharnama program with their art. Padmashree Gu labo and her fellow artists performed a tremendous dance

BIRTHDAY BASH!

on the song ‘Kalyo Kood Padyo Mela Mein’. An artist from the team impressed the audience with his art of balancing a pot full of water with four glasses on his head. Especially present for this program, Shakuntala Saru -

paria from Udaipur narrated the song ‘Dharti Dhora Ri’. Yatindra Mishra and Sutapa Mukherjee talked to Smita Bhardwaj about the city of Ayodhya, where Yatindra Mishra shared that the people of this city with Ganga-Jamuna culture know how to leave. cityfirst@firstindia.co.in

Jagdeesh Chandra launched the poster of the Pan India Cricket Tournament Celebrity Cricket League at his residence on Monday. The event will be held at SMS Stadium Jaipur on February 25 and 26. Rohit Sharma, Suresh Choudhary, Mahesh Bohra and Aadil Khan were also present on the occasion.

PROUD MOMENT! FOLK FESTIVAL OF RAJASTHAN

CITY FIRST

CITY FIRST

Shweta Raje, title queen of Elite Miss Rajasthan

Season-9 2022 celebrated her birthday with much fervour and enthusiasm at LE CASA, Jaipur on Sunday, February 19. Jagdeesh Chandra reached to bless the birthday girl on the occasion and wished her huge success. Various who’s who of the city including Gaurav Gaur, director of Elite Miss Rajasthan

along with various supermodels including Akanksha Bhalla, Shrishti Khatri and friends and family reached to greet the beauty. On the occasion, the diva said, “I am overwhelmed by the love and blessings bestowed upon me. I want to express my gratitude to Jagdeesh Chandra sir for making my birthday so memorable. I am blessed to celebrate my special day with Gaurav Gaur and my EMR fam, truly a great day it was.”

GEMOLOGY PROGRAM

IN THE PINK CITY

CITY FIRST

The 14-week diploma program is offered in the hub of the coloured stone industry, Jaipur, India. The course was inaugurated on Monday and is designed to cater to beginners and professionals in the industry. The chief guests of the inaugural ceremony were Vikas Joshi, Additional Commissioner, Central Bureau of Narcotics, and Omprakash Dadhich, a Former member of CBIC. The special guests of honour were Dr Vibhuti Ral, Director

professor of geology and Dr AN Singh, Director of diamond exploration. The Colored Stone Professional Progam is designed by GSI’s global education team and delivered by experts with decades of industry experience. The Colored Stone Professional Program professionals across the country, with many expressing their interest in enrolling for the next batch. GSI is excited to welcome students to its advanced gemology course and hopes to play a significant role in shaping the industry’s future.

Pragya Mishra, an alumnus of JNU’s School of Law and Governance, has set a record by passing the Madhya Pradesh Judicial Service (Junior Division) examination recently. So far, 10 students of Jaipur National University’s School of Law and Governance have cleared the RJS exam, while Pragya Mishra, who has cleared the exam of judicial magistrate, is the 11th student of JNU to achieve the pride to be a judge. JNU Chancellor Dr Sandeep Bakshi congratulated Pragya on her achievement and said, “JNU is committed to the all-round development of students and along with getting up-to-date teaching training from here, students should work tirelessly in competitive exams and achieve the best positions.”

DURING THE DAY!

A10-day-long ‘Rajasthani Theatre and Folk Festival’ started on Sunday, i.e. 19th February on a high note. The festival set about with Walk Theatre ‘Rang Karvaan- A Theatrical Promenade’ which is an initiative by theatre group Rang Mastaaney. The Karvaan took off from JKK, continued till Hawamahal and returned back. This walk was comprised of unheard gripping stories about Jaipur, mono acts, musical acts, etc. This

walk also included performances by special guests including Vichitra Singh (Painting Artist, Mime Artist and Craftist), Rajendra Payal

(Senior Theatre Artist) and Vijay Banjara (Theatre Director). These skilled artists shared their theatre experiences and performed mime and story-

NATIONAL SANSKRIT FILM FESTIVAL

telling. This newfangled concept of experimental theatre extends its reach to the local public by giving them a beautiful platform for witnessing beautiful and engaging live performances, a chance to savour the local delicacies and discover the unheard stories about the pink city. The public enjoyed live performances on the roads while walking. The 10 days of festivity continues with its school outreach program on Monday where plays including ‘Akbar Birbal’ and ‘Vivekananda’ will be performed in schools.

The film Shakuntalam showing the makeup side of Sanskrit in the two-day National Sanskrit Film Festival in collaboration with RIFF Film Club concluded on Sunday at Gem Cinema , Jaipur. under the Akhil Bhartiya Magh Utsav being organized by Rajasthan Sanskrit Academy on the occasion of Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav. The films won the hearts of the audience present. The second and final day of the National Sanskrit Film Festival began with a talk show at Gem Cinema. The topic “Sanskrit Cinema & it’s Future” was discussed by Shakuntalam film director Dushyant Sridhar, Bhagavadzukham film director Yadu Vijayakrishnan, film critic Charles Thomson, actor Shubham Sehrawat, film actress Jwala and Yuvraj Bhattarai. Dr Saroj Kochhar, President of Rajasthan Sanskrit Academy and Somendra Harsh, Founder of RIFF Film Club were also present on the stage.

Sure Well Diagnostic and Health Care, a well-known diagnostic centre for health check-ups in Jaipur city, expanded its services by launching its fourth test centre in Jaipur on Monday. The auspicious function of the launch was completed by RAJSICO Chairman Rajiv Arora. Sure Well Directors Alok Gupta and Nitin Sharda Bhageria said, Sure Well is going to open a total of 11 stores in Jaipur in the near future and at least one store in each district of Rajasthan. RAJSICO Chairman Rajiv Arora said that the schemes brought by the Govt for public service in the field of medicine are being followed all over India.

MLA Kalicharan Saraf laid the foundation stone of both the asphalt roads constructed by the JDA at a cost of Rs 30 lakh from Imliwala Gate Kirana King to Kartarpura Gate. Local councillor Naresh Sharma told that the road from Kirana King to Kartarpura Gate was broken for a long time, on the demand of the local people, with the efforts of Saraf, the road is being constructed by JDA, which was inaugurated on Monday.

IVF Youth Wing, Rajasthan President JD Maheshwari inaugurated the SCIENCE OF LIFE EXHIBITION with Medical Minister Parsadi Lal Meena at Sawai Mansingh Medical College in Jaipur on Monday. On this occasion, the chairman also visited various departments of the medical college. On this occasion, the company of famous senior doctor Dr Sudhir Bhandari was also received.

The auditions of Rajasthan Ghoomar Queen 2023 season-4 by Sadbhavna Parivar Foundation were taken at Kapil Gyanpeeth School, Jaipur in which SPF President Manoj Pandey, Director Shivkanta Pandey, Chaman Vijay, Rohit Sharma, Seema Sethi etc were present.

In the series of Net Theat programs, the Shiv Stuti program was organised on the occasion of Mahashivratri on Saturday. Rising bhajan singer Anand Purohit enthralled the audience by chanting Om Namah Shivay. Net Theat’s Rajendra Sharma Raju said that bhajan singer Anand sang the famous Shiva bhajan Namami Shambhu Shiva Shambhu. After this, he recited Bol Shambhunath Bol Shambhu Nath and several famous Shiva bhajans.

Professional runner Vishnu Tak completed a challenging 5km race and 15 thrilling obstacles at the Maruti Suzuki Devils Circuit event held in Jaipur on Sunday. Vishnu displayed exceptional physical and mental strength to overcome the challenges with great skill and precision.

Neelima Dalmiya Aadhar, Apra Kuchhal, Amzaj Ali Khan and Vinni Kakkad with others

Tripti Pandey, Apra Kuchhal and Mozez Singh

Jagdeesh Chandra with Amit Mehta, Kamlesh Mehta, AK Jain and Sushila Nagar

Jagdeesh Chandra with Rohit Sharma, Suresh Choudhary, Mahesh Bohra and Aadil Khan

During the event

Shreya Chalana, Yashvini Saraswat, Rishika Sushi Chandani, Shweta Raje, Sheena Parashar, Khushi Vijay and Varunavi Singh

Jagdeesh Chandra with Shweta Raje

Shweta Raje and Gaurav Gaur

Omprakash Dadhich, Vikas Joshi, Ramit Kapur, Meenu Brijesh Vyas and AN Singh

Yuvraj Bhattrai, Somendra Harsh, Charles Thomsan, Dushyant Shridhar, Shubham Jaibeer Sahrawat, Dr Saroj Kochhar, Yadu Vijayakrishnan and Jwala S Parmeswar

Padmashree Gulabo Sapera

—PHOTO BY MUKESH KIRADOO