that in the long-run young and uncapped Indian players would emerge wiser from the experience of playing with the best and sharing dressing rooms with the most knowledgeable players in the world and gradually this will help them realize what they need to do to improve their skills.
Interestingly, it was just 3 years after the IPL in 2008 that the Indian Men’s team lifted the ODI World Cup in 2011. Cricket pundits believe that IPL exposure had a huge role in getting the team ready for tense situations.
Indian Women’s team would also hope that WPL gives them the much needed edge, both in terms of unearthing fresh talent from within the country and making them mentally stronger for knockout games in ICC championships, one which has been their Achilles heel in the last few years!
The inaugural season of the WPL ended with a thrilling finale as Mumbai Indians emerged victorious, claiming the title despite facing a tough challenge from the Delhi Capitals. The five-team competition culminated on Sunday with India and Mumbai Indians captain Harmanpreet Kaur finally leading a side to triumphant glory as Mumbai crossed the line with 7 wickets and 3 balls to spare.
In a nervy summit clash between the two best teams of the WPL, Mumbai spinners and the experienced duo of Nat Sciver-Brunt and Harmanpreet Kaur guided Mumbai Indians to the title. With Issy Wong picking up the first three wickets and Mumbai spinners Hayley Matthews, Saika Ishaque and Melie Kerr keeping things tight, the Delhi Capitals kept losing wickets regularly that saw them slide to 79/9. But in a rousing fightback, Radha Yadav and Shikha Pandey added 52 runs off just 24 balls in a thrilling 10th wicket stand. With both of them finishing unbeaten on 27 each, the Delhi side reached a respectable total of 131.
Despite the modest target,
the Mumbai Indians suffered a few early jolts and at 27/2 they had their second worst power-play of the WPL season. But a crucial partnership of 72 between Sciver-Brunt who hit a half-century and Harmanpreet, who got a vital 37, set MI on the road to victory.
Besides the grand finale, the WPL made a captivating debut and promised a bright future for young, aspiring female cricketers in India.
Mumbai Indians’ Saika Ishaque who took 15 wickets was the outstanding find among Indian talents. Though she lost the Purple Cap by just one wicket to her MI teammate Hayley Matthews, leftarm spinner Ishaque took the scalps of some of the world’s finest batters through the season though she had a modest spell in the final.
ongress leader Pramod Tiwari made a preposterous demand after Rahul Gandhi’s disqualification from the Lok Sabha. The Rajya Sabha MP who has not been a favourite of the Gandhis, said that the Gandhi family should be treated differently by the law because of the sacrifices the family has made for the country. The law must give minimum punishment. The BJP appropriately hit back with the charge that the Congress wants a separate set of laws for the Gandhi family and freedom for Rahul to abuse anyone he deems fit. By no yardstick can Tiwari’s demand be justified. On the contrary, BJP’s assertion that the Gandhi
The inaugural season of the WPL ended with a thrilling finale as Mumbai Indians emerged victorious, claiming the title despite facing a tough challenge from the Delhi Capitals. The fiveteam competition culminated on Sunday with India and Mumbai Indians captain Harmanpreet Kaur finally leading a side to triumphant glory as Mumbai crossed the line with 7 wickets and 3 balls to spare
While WPL did not throw up a huge number of young talents, Shreyanka Patil and Kanika Ahuja of Royal Challengers Bangalore made their mark on the big stage. While 20-year-old Ahuja showed raw talent at a young age with her explosive batting, Patil’s energy and enthusiasm in the field was quite impressive. Also, Yastika Bhatia from Mumbai became the emerging player and won Rs 5 lakhs in prize money. However, there was a clear gap between those from the Indian domestic circuit and the world’s best players who dominated the WPL. As Harmanpreet rightly acknowledged, little-known Indian players did not get many roles and opportunities to play in the first season of WPL. But experts believe
Congress leader Pramod Tiwari made a preposterous demand after Rahul Gandhi’s disqualification from the LS. The RS MP who has not been a favourite of the Gandhis, said that the Gandhi family should be treated differently by the law because of the sacrifices the family has made for the country
family considers itself “class apart, elite and above the Constitution” makes sense in the light of Tiwari’s statement.
The Congress has been observing satyagrah in several parts of the country to protest Rahul’s disqualification
Beyond young talents, some senior domestic players have also grabbed at the opportunity afforded by the WPL to showcase their skills and give their careers a boost. Among these, 33-year-old pacer Shikha Pandey was the most notable. The veteran pacer has often been ignored quite inexplicably but her 10 wickets for Delhi Capitals were seven more than the next-best Indian pace bowler. In addition, her power-hitting in the last wicket partnership in the WPL final, reflected Pandey’s huge utility. RCB’s 32-year-old spinner Asha Joy and 30-yearold wicket-keeper-batter Sushama Verma, who last played for India in 2020, are some of the other nearly-forgotten players for whom the WPL offered a great chance to show the selectors what they are missing and keep their national hopes alive!
The women’s version of the Indian Premier League has been a massive commercial success and the WPL has become the second-most lucrative domestic women’s sports competition after US professional basketball. The way the tournament was conducted, the response to the matches and the superb TV ratings made the WPL seem like a festival for women’s cricket. Now, the effort should be that this momentum is maintained going further so that the league can be a ‘game changer’ for women’s cricket in the years to come.
Interestingly, it was just 3 years after the IPL in 2008 that the Indian Men’s team lifted the ODI World Cup in 2011. Cricket pundits believe that IPL exposure had a huge role in getting the team ready for tense situations. Indian Women’s team would also hope that WPL gives them the much needed edge, both in terms of unearthing fresh talent from within the country and making them mentally stronger for knockout games in ICC championships, one which has been their Achilles heel in the last few years!
THE VIEWS EXPRESSED BY THE AUTHOR ARE PERSONAL
from the Lok Sabha. In Parliament, ruckus over the issue has led to proceedings being disrupted and adjournments of the two Houses on a daily basis. The BJP asserts that neither the party nor the government has anything to do with his disqualification. Even the Lok Sabha has no discretionary power “as the law is clear on the matter”.
Taking the issue to the street and disrupting Parliament may not benefit the Congress or Rahul. The institution which can grant reprieve to Rahul is the court but so far there’s no move to seek judicial redress. The Congress appears to be depending on sympathy, if any, for Rahul. Barring words of support from other parties, the Congress is alone in its fight.
How strong democracy is in Israel is to be seen in the response to a strike call given by its largest trade union Histradut asking all government employees to stay away from work. Instantly, all Israeli missions came to a halt and all consular services were shut until further notice. Histradut decided to give the strike call to mount pressure on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to drop his judicial reforms plan which, it is feared by millions of Israelis, will sound the death knell of democracy. Histradut has more than 700,000 members across various sectors. Over the last few months the Jewish state has witnessed unprecedented backlash over the proposed reforms. On Sunday Netanyahu fired defence minister Yoav Gallant for calling to halt the plan to overhaul the judiciary for giving the government greater control in judges’ appointment.
Jews account for 81 percent of the population while Muslims constitute 14 percent and Christians 2 percent. Almost all are united against judicial reforms.
Lovlina Borgohain on her spectacular win at the Women’s World Boxing Championships in the 75 kg category! Your passion, hard work, and focus have made all of us proud! Keep inspiring and shining!
KARNATAKA BJP
MLA MADAL ARRESTED IN BRIBERY CASE
Bengaluru: BJP MLA Madal Virupakshappa, who had stepped down as the KSDL chairman after his son was caught taking a bribe, has been arrested by the Lokayukta in a bribery case on Monday. The arrest comes after HC dismissed Madal’s anticipatory bail.
Bhopal: Namibian cheetah Sasha died due to a kidney ailment on Monday at MP’s Kuno National Park , a top forest department official said. The more than four-and-a-half years old female cheetah was among the eight cheetahs translocated from Namibia and housed in the KNP in Sheopur since Sept 17.
COPS SAFELY BRING ATIQ TO UP JAIL, COURT HEARING TODAY
The bench observed that it would not be overwhelmed by emotions in the case and would only go by the law
First India Bureau
New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Monday sought a response from the Centre, Gujarat government and others on a plea filed by Bilkis Bano, who was gang-raped and seven members of her family were killed during the 2002 post-Godhra riots.
Bano has challenged the remission of sentence of 11 convicts in the case who were granted remission by the Gujarat government and released on
August 15 last year. After issuing a notice to the Centre, the Gujarat government and the convicts, the top court posted the matter for hearing on April 18.
A bench of Justices K M Joseph and B V Nagarathna said there is a gamut of issues involved and it needs to hear the matter in detail and also directed the Gujarat government to be ready with the relevant files granting remission to the parties on the next date of the hearing.
New Delhi: India has requested Nepal govt not to allow Amritpal Singh, who is believed to be hiding in Nepal, to flee to other country and arrest him if he attempts to escape, sources said on Monday.
New Delhi: Gangster-turned-politician Atiq Ahmed and his brother Ashraf reached Naini Jail in Prayagraj on Monday evening. Police has filed an application in a Chief Judicial Magistrate’s court seeking permission to interrogate, hearing in the court today.
I n a setback for BRS MLC K Kavitha, the Supreme Court on Monday rejected her plea, seeking protection from arrest and challenging the summons issued by ED in a money laundering case linked to the alleged Delhi liquor policy scam. A bench of Justices Ajay Rastogi and Bela M Trivedi did not give any interim relief to her on protection from arrest and refused to stay the ED summons. SC has also tagged her plea, which said that a woman can’t be summoned for questioning before ED.
l The Supreme Court on Monday dismissed a petition filed by the Uttar Pradesh government challenging the Allahabad High Court’s order to consider giving a job to a family member of the Hathras victim and to relocate the family from Hathras.
l A Mumbai court on Monday sent the accused in the case of threat mail to actor Salman Khan to police
RAHUL ASKED TO VACATE GOVT BUNGALOW
BY APRIL 22
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, who was disqualified from LS following his conviction in a criminal defamation case, has now been asked to vacate the govt-allotted bungalow by April 22. Lok Sabha Housing Committee has served a notice to Congress leader Rahul Gandhi asking him to vacate the 12, Tughlaq Lane bungalow.
LS adjourned as MPs hurl papers at Chair, protest against Rahul’s disqualification
In a first, Trinamool Congress (TMC) joins opposition meeting in the Parliament
Moni Sharma
New Delhi: Opposition members in Lok Sabha stormed the Well wearing black clothes and 2 Congress MPs hurled papers towards the Chair, leading to adjournment of proceedings till 4 pm on Monday as ruckus persisted over Rahul Gandhi’s disqualification and the Adani issue. Rajya Sabha returned the Finance Bill 2023 with an amendment, as well as the J&K Budget 2023-24 and appropriation bills, to the Lok Sabha without discussion. Oppn parties held a joint meeting at the chamber of LoP RS, Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge. P6
RS returns Finance Bill 2023 to the Lok Sabha without discussion amid Opposition uproar
Rahul Gandhi
@RahulGandhi LIC’s capital, to Adani! SBI’s capital, to Adani! EPFO’s capital too, to Adani! Why is public’s retirement money being invested in Adani’s companies even after ‘Modani’ exposed?. Mr Prime Minister, no investigation, no answer! Why so much of fear.
PRIYANKA’S ARROGANCE TO COMPARE GANDHI FAMILY WITH LORD RAM: ANURAG THAKUR
Union Minister Anurag Thakur hit out Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi, saying it was out of “arrogance” that she compared the Gandhi family with the dynasty of Lord Ram. On Sunday, Priyanka criticised BJP for labelling Congress as a “dynastic” party.
NOW CONGRESS HAS TO TAKE THE SUPPORT OF BLACK MAGIC, SAYS MINISTER PIYUSH GOYAL
Union Minister Piyush Goyal on Monday said that Congress’ leaders came in black clothes in the Parliament, questioning, “Do they want to disrespect the law?” “Congress is so demoralised that now it has to take...support of black magic,” Goyal said.
custody till April 3. The accused, Dhakad Ram who is a resident of Luni in the Jodhpur district of Rajasthan was arrested Sunday and handed over to Mumbai Police.
l Islamabad High Court has granted bail to Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chief Imran Khan in seven cases registered against him in the wake of March 18 clashes at Federal Judicial Complex (FJC).
Vikas Sharma
Jaipur: Private doctors protesting against the Right to Health Bill took out a massive rally in Jaipur on Monday in a show of strength demanding its withdrawal. Thousands of doctors, their family members, and people associated with the medical profession including medical shop owners took part in the rally which started from resident docs hostel ground of SMS Hosp.
The rally passed through Suchna Kendra Tiraha, Maharani College Tiraha, Ashok Marg and Paanch Batti on MI Road. Medical services in govt hosps were also affected as doctors across the state boycotted work for 2 hours in solidarity with protesting pvt docs. The Bill was passed by Assembly last week. Private doctors say that the Bill will increase bureaucratic interference in their functioning. P5
BJP’s newly appointed State President CP Joshi took charge on Monday and called upon workers to defeat the Congress party in next assembly polls in State. Also seen here during the occasion are Satish Poonia, Arun Singh, Om Mathur, Arun Chaturvedi, Rajendra Rathore, Vijaya Rahatkar, Pratap Singh Singhvi, Chandrashekhar, Vasudev Devnani, Dr Somya and others. P10 PHOTO BY SUNIL SHARMA
Shivendra Parmar
Jaipur: Under a special campaign for 2nd consecutive day, Rajasthan Police on Monday arrested 2,518 miscreants. DGP Umesh Mishra said that in this campaign on Monday, 500 teams of about 3,750 police officers and jawans participated in the proceedings and raided ov er 2,860 places in the State. P4
Violence erupts as protestors pelt stones at BS Yediyurappa’s house by Banjara community over internal reservation for Scheduled Castes. P6 An explosion near the Afghanistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Kabul killed at least 6 people, injured many on Monday.
CM Ashok Gehlot has approved the proposal to amend the RTPP Rules 2013 to encourage startups in State
Naresh Sharma
Jaipur: Important decisions are being taken by the state government to promote startups. In the same order, now the state government has increased the limit of purchase without tender for startups from Rs 15 lakh to Rs 25 lakh.
New Delhi: Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot met Priyanka Gandhi during his visit to New Delhi on March 18. The meeting between the two took place for about an hour in which strategy was made for upcoming demonstrations by the party across the country. —Aditi Nagar
this, startups of women, specially abled, transgender, scheduled castes and tribes will be able to get an additional work order. Till now startups used to get maximum 3 work orders only.
Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot
Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot has approved the proposal to amend the Rajasthan Transparency in Public Procurement (RTPP) Rules 2013 to encourage startups.
In the Rajasthan Startup Policy, 2022, the number of work orders given to startups in a financial year has been increased to a maximum of 6. Apart from
It is noteworthy that in the budget of the year 2023-24, the Chief Minister had announced to increase the limit of procurement without tender from startups to Rs 25 lakh, in the implementation of which this approval has been given.
Bharat Dixit
First India Bureau
Jaipur: In perhaps one of its biggest coordinated action in recent times, the Rajasthan police detained a whopping 2,051 anti-social elements in one day and as a result, now fear is visible among the criminals of the state. In fact it is a clear effect of CM Gehlot’s instructions wherein Jaipur, Kota Range and Churu District Police launched a special campaign with 8,000 jawans and detained 2,051 criminals.
CM Gehlot patted the police and stressed that public safety, is the priority of his government.
“Police is busy arresting mafias, goons and criminals,” he stressed, thus
YOU READ IT IN FIRST INDIA ON
Ashok Gehlot @ashokgehlot51
Public safety, our priority!
On Sunday, 2051 anti-social elements were detained by a special operation of 8,000 jawans of Jaipur, Kota range and Churu district police. @PoliceRajasthan is engaged in arresting mafias, goons and criminals with full capacity, courage and conscientiousness.
lauding DGP Umesh Mishra’s ‘policing’ in state! In fact, the face of crime branch has also changed! PHQ’s crime branch was not able to leave an impact for the
last few months as it was limited only to the operation of catching opium but with the entry of ADG Dinesh MN, the face of crime branch changed.
Jaipur: Intensive police action took place across State on Monday. In the campaign, 805 miscreants have been arrested from Bharatpur, 460 from Dhaulpur, 530 from Karauli and 723 from Sawai Madhopur. In the Sawaimadhopur action taken under ‘Operation Sudarshan’. Late in the night, the police teams along with top officials raided several spots, arresting more than 723 old and new criminalsunder the supervision of SP Harshvardhan Agarwal. In Karauli, a special campaign of district police was run to curb the crime rate in the district. Around 500 officers and jawans along with 50 teams raided many places on Monday and about 530 criminals were rounded up in the district under the direction of SP Narayan Togas. In Bharatpur’s Bayana, the biggest Circle Police operation, several criminals were caught by raiding suspicious places. The police succeeded in nabbing over 100 in Bayana alone. —Shivendra Parmar
ATROCITIES AGAINST WOMEN
First India Bureau
Jaipur: In protest against the notice of the JMCG, the nine markets of Mansarovar’s Madhyam Marg remained closed for four hours until 2 pm on Monday. Only medicines and essential items were sold. Traders took out a foot march from Thadi market and raised slogans against the JMCG admin. The JMCG had issued a notice on March 23 to ‘illegal shops’ in the Mansarovar zone asking them to stop commercial activities within seven days. Removal of illegal construction was also mentioned in the notice.
The corporation issued notice to demolish 468 houses & shops. Notices were given in case of construction on setback. JMCG Commissioner Mahendra Soni said that action was taken after court orders. “We are ready to help people but we have to inform court. If someone wants he can go to go court,” he said.
CONTRACT DRIVERS OF JMCG SIT ON STRIKE SEEKING PERMANENT JOBS
D rivers on contract working with Jaipur Municipal Corporation Greater went on strike on Monday and protested outside the Municipal Corporation garage in Lalkothi. The drivers are opposed to the new tender and have demanded for permanent work. Garbage collection hoopers and sewer machines were not seen on roads. More than 150 contract drivers went on strike due to which hoopers did not reach for garbage collection. Corporation officials said that the employees are being consulted and no one has been removed. “The operation and maintenance of the resources of the corporation is done through tenders. Fresh tenders are being issued. Giving permanent work does not come under corporation,” the official said.
First India Bureau
Jaipur: The transport department has earned a record revenue in the current fiscal year. The revenue collection in the department is the highest in the department’s history.
Despite this, RTOs, DTOs and transport inspectors working in the field are troubled due to instructions from the headquarters regarding new targets.
An official on this commented whether the department wants to achieve the revenue collection target of the next financial year in this March itself.
Jaipur : A case of rape after befriending a girl has been reported in the Malviya Nagar area of city. On protesting, the accused assured to marry her, alongside made obscene photo videos during the rape. The accused now threatens to make the obscene video viral and blackmail the victim. The victim has lodged a re-
port against the accused at the Jawahar Circle police station.
The police are probing the matter. As per the police, a 22-year-old girl from Dausa has
lodged a report. According to the report, the girl works in the city and lives in rented accommodation in Malviya Nagar. In 2018, she met Omprakash Meena. During the conversation accused befriended her, on pretext of meeting, accused raped her and shot hte obscene videos. Troubled by the blackmailing, the victim lodged a report against the accused.
Indian Foreign Service (IFS) officers met Rajasthan Governor Kalraj Mishra on Monday. The trainee IFS officers of
2022, Bhavishya, Bhavesh Chowdhary, Amit Geet,
Raj
First India Bureau
Jaipur. Amending Section-54D of the JDA Act to give JDA the right to cancel the registered lease and implement this provision with retrospective effect, a division bench of Acting Chief Justice MM Srivastava and Justice Anil Upman in the Rajasthan High Court have issued notices to ACS UDH, Principal secretary law, JDA Secretary and others for their response.
In the petition filed in this regard, the High Court has been told that the JDA had issued pattas of residential plots to the petitioners, including others, on October 19, 2020. The peti-
Jhalawar: A 4-yr-old minor girl was allegedly raped in Jhalawar town, police said. Police informed the girl was brutally raped by the accused, following which, her family members filed an FIR. “After the FIR, the accused was detained and is being interrogated. The medical examination of the girl has been conducted and statements have been recorded,” police said.
Saras ghee gets costlier by `15
Jaipur (FIB): Saras ghee got expensive after an increase of Rs 15 per litre from Monday. A poly pack of the ghee would cost Rs 573 per litre as against the earlier price of Rs 558. Saras ghee’s tin pack will now be available for Rs 638 per kg against Rs 618. It may be noted that before this, Saras had increased the prices of Saras Ghee on November 2, immediately after the Diwali festival.
DEVASTHAN DEPT INITIATIVE
tioner also got the lease registered on 21 October. By amending Section-54D of its Act, JDA retained the right to cancel the registered lease and also implemented this provision from April 15, 2021. On December 16, 2021, the JDA also canceled the registered lease of petitioners with retrospective effect. JDA’s own provision of cancellation of lease is against the provisions of Transfer of Property Act.
124 passengers from Jaipur left in Volvo buses for Delhi airport
First India Bureau
Jaipur: The first lot of people under the Senior Citizen Pilgrimage Scheme of Devasthan Department left for Kathmandu to visit Lord Pashupatinath. A total of 124 passengers from Jaipur left in Volvo buses for Delhi airport. Devasthan Minister Shakuntala Rawat congratulated the pas-
Minister Shakuntala Rawat
sengers. The elders also looked happy for their first air travel. They will fly to Kathmandu from Delhi airport. Devasthan Commissioner Pragya Kevalramani said that the second batch will leave today. Passengers also got to visit the Vaishno Devi
and Golden Temple in Amritsar. 1150 senior citizens were taken to Wagah Border and Jallianwala Bagh. Under the scheme, in the new financial year, elders will be taken to more than 20 pilgrimage sites, including Ayodhya. The circuit of the yatra includes Vaidyanath Mahadesh Jyotirling (Jharkhand), Trimbakeshwar Jyotirling Nashik, Shravanabelagola Karnataka and Sammed Shikhar. The last train of this FY will leave for Rameswaram on March 29 with over 1100 passengers.
Shivendra ParmarJaipur: The crisis of public transport is going to increase further with the operations of 100 low floor buses set to be closed in Jaipur from April 1. People are already not getting the means of public transport easily and now the problem is going to increase as 100 low floor buses on six routes will go off routes from April 1. The buses will be removed because of their bad condition.
At present, 300 low floor buses are being operated by JCTSL, but from April 1 only 200 buses will be in operation. This will increase the waiting time for pas-
RAJ UDYOG
RATNA TO 7 ENTREPRENEURS
Jaipur: Seven entrepreneurs, including three women got the Rajasthan Udyog Ratna Awards. Rajasthan Hastshilp Ratna Award was given to handicraftsman Gopal Prasad Sharma of Durgapura Jaipur. Rajasthan Weaver Ratna Award to Abbas Ali of Kaithoon Kota. Saksha Design Corporation of Jaipur got an award in the micro enterprise category, Lunawat Gems in the small enterprises category, ISKCON Surgical Ltd., Jodhpur in the medium enterprise category. Jagannath Polymers Pvt. Ltd. in the Small Enterprise Category for Best Business Practices. In the Outstanding Women Entrepreneur Micro Enterprise category, One Pack India of Bharatpur got the award. Pooja Wood Industries Bagru will get an award in the small enterprise category.
FROM APRIL 1
sengers from 15 to 30 minutes and will reduce convenience. This will affect people in rural areas.
First India Bureau
Jaipur: The Muhana police station team arrested an accused supplying a large number of ganja (cannabis) in the city. The police recovered about 18 kg 630 grams of ganja from his possession. In the police inquiry, it was revealed that accused supplied cannabis in a luxury car worth Rs 30 lakh. The police are now ascertaining the source of ganja and their buyers to whom the accused supplied in the city. The accused is being questioned by the police. DCP (South) Yogesh Goyal said that the ‘Operation Clean Sweep’ campaign is being run in the city for the prevention of illegal drugs. The police had given instructions to arrest the criminals to curb the sale of drugs. The accused supplies ganja and other illegal drugs from a luxury vehicle.
‘Public safety, our priority’, tweets CM Gehlot praising the police action in State4-YEAR-OLD RAPED IN JHALAWAR the year Surbhi Goyal, and Pooja Kumari Jha, met the Governor at Bhavan. These officers have come for training in HCM RIPA. The Governor urged them to work dedicatedly for the nation. Institute’s Director General Hemant Gera informed about the training.
First India Bureau Jaipur: Rajasthan HC has asked to remove the name of the Advocate General as a party in the case of giving pension of about Rs 26 crore annually to 508 former MLAs of the state. A division bench of acting chief justice MM Srivastava and justice Anil Upman has directed the petitioner to present an application.
Rush of patients in govt hospitals as doctors protest across Rajasthan
Vikas Sharma
Jaipur: Private doctors protesting against the Rajasthan Right to Health Bill took out a massive rally in Jaipur on Monday in a show of strength and to press their demand for its
withdrawal, and threatened that their hospitals will not be part of any state healthcare scheme in the future.
Private hospitals and nursing homes in Rajasthan have been shut for several days due to a strike of private doctors, leading to a rush of patients in government hospitals.
Medical services in government hospitals were also affected as
doctors across the state boycotted work for two hours in solidarity with the protesting private doctors.
Dr Vijay Kapoor, the secretary of an association of private hospitals and nursing homes, said a decision was taken unanimously in a meeting after the rally on Monday that all the private hospitals of the state will not work in any scheme of the state
First India Bureau
government in the future. The decision was taken to mount pressure on the state government to withdraw the Rajasthan Right to Health Bill, which stipulates that every resident of the state will have the right to emergency treatment and care “without prepayment” at any “public health institution and designated health care centres”.
During the hearing on the PIL, AG MS Singhvi, on behalf of the government, sought time to present the reply and said that the petitioner has unnecessarily made him a party. On behalf of petitioner Milap Chand, the High Court was informed that according to the information received in RTI, about Rs 26 crore is being given annually to 508 former MLAs in the state as pension. Many of these are sitting MLAs. More than half a dozen former MLAs are being given pension amounts of more than one lakh rupees monthly.
Jaipur: In a step towards safety and protection of pets in the state, the Animal Welfare Board has made it mandatory to register dog breeders and pet shops operating in the state with the Animal Welfare Board. The Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Rules 2017 and 2018 have been implemented in the state for registration.
Chairman of the Animal Board, KC Bishnoi said that such pet shops and dog breeders’ organizations, which are in the category of registration
will be registered under the Board. It will be mandatory to apply in the prescribed form in the Welfare Board. A nonrefundable application fee of Rs 5000 will be payable. Licence will be given by the local govt dept which will be valid for five years, after which it will have to be renewed.
First India Bureau Jaipur: Directorate General Resettlement (DGR), Deptt of ExServicemen Welfare, Ministry of Defence is organizing an Employment Seminar/ Job Fair on 31 March 2023 at Maan Palace, Gandhi Path W, Vaishali Nagar, Jaipur to provide assistance to ESM for Re-Employment/Resettlement. The event is aimed at providing direct and instant interaction between the eligible ESM (JobSeekers) and Corporates/Employers.
NSUI protested against Rahul Gandhi's disqualification from the Parliament. The members raised slogans against the BJP on Jaipur streets on Monday. NSUI State Prez Abhishek Choudhary, NSUI leader Hemant Pujari and others were in the protest. —PHOTO BY SUNIL SHARMA
New Delhi (ANI):
Within minutes of the commencement of proceedings of both Houses were adjourned on Monday, amid Opposition MPs’ protest in the second phase of the Budget Session.
The Opposition members were sloganeering over the Adani Group issue and Rahul Gandhi’s disqualification.
Earlier, the Opposition MPs held a meeting at the chamber of LoP Rajya Sabha and Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge in the Parliament building on Monday to formulate the strategy for the day.
We welcome anyone who comes forward to protect democracy and Constitution and safeguard the people. We extend heartfelt gratitude to the people who support us.
Mallikarjun Kharge, Congress president
The Opposition parties which participated in the meeting include DMK, Samajwadi Party, JD(U), Bharat Rashtra Samithi, CPI(M), RJD, Nationalist Congress Party, CPI, IUML, MDMK, Kerala Con-
gress, TMC, RSP, AAP, J-K NC and Shiv Sena (Uddhav faction).
Trinamool Congress
MPs also participated in the meeting which came as a huge development following Rahul Gandhi’s suspension as
Bhubaneswar (Agencies): Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik-led Biju Janata Dal (BJD) has appointed topbrass leader Pranab Prakash Das as party observer for four districts -Dhenkanal, Angul, Sambalpur and Keonjhar in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls.
Bengaluru (ANI): Senior BJP leader and Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Monday chaired a meeting with the state BJP core committee in Bengaluru on Monday. Karnataka is scheduled to go to polls later this year.
BJP National Organizing General Secretary BL Santhosh, co-incharges Man Sukh Mandaviya, Annamalai, CM Basavaraj Bommai, ex-CM BS Yediyurappa, Union Minister Prahlad Joshi, State President Naleen Kumar Kateel, Union Minister Shobha Karandlaje and other core committee and election management committee members were present
in the meeting. Earlier on Sunday, Amit Shah lauded Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai and his immediate predecessor and BJP veteran BS Yediyurappa stating that both have provided “good governance” during their respective tenures.
MP from Lok Sabha. TMC chief and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, who has been a critic of the BJP, supported Rahul Gandhi.
Meanwhile, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge welcomed TMC’s move to participate in the meeting stating that anyone who comes forward to “protect democracy” is welcome.
Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan is likely to contest elections either from Dhenkanal (Angul district also comes under this seat) or Sambalpur Lok Sabha seat.
Besides, Sambalpur MLA segment is represented by Leader of Opposition Jayanarayan Mishra while BJP chief whip Mohan Majhi belongs to Keonjhar district. Both are strong critics of Naveen Patnaik government in the Assembly.
Kolkata (ANI): Leader of Opposition in West Bengal Assembly and BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari on Monday slammed Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee after her announcement of a two-day sit-in protest against the Centre.
Briefing media, he said, “TMC is not a political party but a private limited company. Elections before PM Narendra Modi came to power used to be held on three grounds – dynasticism, ethnicity, and appeasement – which has been rooted out except
for two states, West Bengal and Telangana.”
He alleged the West Bengal govt has already taken “thousands of crores of money” under the centrally-sponsored MGNREGA scheme.
He said around Rs 3.60 crore MGNREGA job card holders were registered during the time when the scheme was launched in the state. When the Centre announced the linking of the job cards with Aadhaar, the West Bengal govt deleted around 1 crore job card data. Suvendu Adhikari further alleged that West Bengal government took a significant amount of money on behalf of those 1 crore job cards in the last 10 years that were found to be fake.
Opposition MPs hold protest at Parliament House complex in New Delhi, on Monday.
New Delhi (ANI): In an attempt to show unity, the Opposition parties protested against Centre over Adani Group issue wearing black attire and marched from the Parliament complex towards Vijay Chowk in the national capital on Monday. The Opposition MPs raised slogans against the government at the Gandhi statue in the complex and demanded the constitution of a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) over the Adani issue. Congress president Rajya Sabha LoP Mallikarjun Kharge and UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi also joined the protest. During the march, Kharge was seen holding the hands of other MPs and marching. A banner of Satyameva Jayate was also seen. Other opposition MPs were seen holding placards. The MPs chanted slogans against the Centre and PM Narendra Modi.
Puducherry: A functionary of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Senthil Kumar, was killed at Villianur in Puducherry by unknown assailants following which the police have constituted four special teams to nab the killers, the police said on Monday.
Senthil Kumar was reportedly close to BJP leader and Puducherry Home Minister, A Namassivayam.
The police said that the incident took place at around 9 p.m. on Sun-
day when the BJP functionary was waiting near a tea stall.
Police said that a group of assailants who reached the spot on seven motorcycles hacked Senthil Kumar to death.
According to eyewit-
nesses, the assailants also hurled two country bombs at Senthil Kumar, following which smoke engulfed the area and they hacked him to death.
The gruesome murder occurred near a bakery adjacent to Kannaki Government High School. Tension prevailed in Villianur area with a large number of BJP supporters reaching the spot of crime. A heavy contingent of police is camping in the area.
SECURITY BREACH DURING HM’S VISIT:
2 HELD IN K’TAKA
Bengaluru: Karnataka
Police have arrested two students from Bengaluru and are grilling them for violating security during the visit of Union Home Minister Amit Shah, sources said on Monday. The arrested persons are identified as Imran and Zibran, both students from Bengaluru and residents of Neelasandra. The incident took place on Sunday late night when Shah was reaching HAL Airport.
Jyotiraditya Scindia’s restlessness is increasing. As elections to the Madhya Pradesh Assembly are nearing, Scindia has started uniting his supporters and is pressurizing the party high command to declare
him as the CM candidate. His supporters had started peddling a story that Shivraj Singh Chouhan was being removed and Scindia was being made the CM. But now no such mood is visible in the BJP which is neither going to change the CM nor is it going to declare anyone as the chief ministerial candidate. Informed sources of the party say that the party will contest the elections keeping Chouhan as the CM
Sources said if Scindia wants a ticket for his son as well, he will have to join Congress, as it is difficult in BJP
and will seek votes by promoting his schemes. Scindia’s supporters are now preparing to launch his son in polls.
It has been told that Scindia’s son Mahanaryaman Scindia can be contested from any traditional seat of the family. Although it is not easy in BJP. There are few exceptions in which both father and son got ticket and both are members of one house or the other. Keep in mind that Scindia himself is in Rajya Sabha and his Lok Sabha seat is also vacant, on which it is being said that he will contest the elec-
tions next year. That’s why he wants the party to give the assembly ticket to their son. For this, the son is being sent to public programs, inaugurations, laying of foundation stones, etc. are being done by him. Meanwhile, a knowledgeable leader at the Congress headquarters in Delhi said that if Scindia wants a ticket for his son as well, he will have to join the Congress, as it is difficult in the BJP.
New Delhi: Union Minister Hardeep Puri on Monday lashed out at Rahul Gandhi who was disqualified as Lok Sabha MP recently, and said that the Congress leader should fight the “court’s action in the court” instead of speaking against Veer Savarkar. “You are getting an ass to run a horse’s race... They really deserve to do some serious introspection...People of India would judge them for what they are...Fight Court’s action in the Court, you are invoking Mahabharat and Savarkar,” he said.
SUCH STATEMENTS
REVEAL THEIR OWN CHARACTER: CONG
New Delhi: The Congress on Monday slammed Union minister Hardeep Puri for his remarks against Rahul Gandhi, saying new entrants to the BJP often make outrageous remarks to strengthen their loyalties and it “reveal their own character”. “New entrants to the BJP especially those who become Cabinet Ministers often make outrageous statements to strengthen their loyalties,” Jairam Ramesh tweeted.
“CONG MAY DEMAND SEPARATE NATION FOR RaGa ONE DAY”
New Delhi: Launching an attack against expelled Lok Sabha MP Rahul Gandhi and Congress party, BJP’s Rajya Sabha MP Deepak Prakash on Monday said that both of them have no faith in democracy and the Constitution. Jharkhand BJP chief Deepak Prakash told Congress to pursue the matter in the court.
New Delhi: Union Minister Anurag Thakur on Monday lashed out at the Congress’ “drama” over Rahul Gandhi’s disqualification from Lok Sabha and questioned whether leaders of the Opposition party will “continue to wearing black clothes after their black deeds”. Thakur also took a jibe at Rahul Gandhi claiming that that he was not ready to accept the verdict by Surat court which convicted him in a 2019 defamation case on his ‘Modi surname’ remark.
STAY EXTENDED ON PROCEEDINGS AGAINST KEJRIWAL IN UP OVER POLL LAW VIOLATION
New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Monday extended interim stay on the proceedings against Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal in a case registered against him for allegedly making objectionable remarks against the BJP and the Congress in Uttar Pradesh during the 2014 parliamentary election campaign. Kejriwal has moved the apex court against an order of Lucknow bench of Allahabad High Court which had last month declined to discharge him in the criminal case pending before a trial court at Sultanpur.
FODDER SCAM: SC’S
NO TO ISSUE NOTICE
TO CBI PLEA ON LALU
New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Monday tagged with pending matter a plea of the CBI challenging grant of bail to Rashtriya
Janata Dal (RJD) supremo
Lalu Prasad Yadav in the Doranda Treasury case of Jharkhand wherein he was sentenced to five years in prison. A bench of Justices
Ajay Rastogi and Bela M Trivedi said it is not issuing notice but tagging the matter with the pending similar appeal also filed by the CBI. The bench said it will hear the matter together.
3 GET VARYING JAIL TERMS FOR ATTACK ON OOMMEN CHANDY
Kochi: A court in Kerala on Monday sentenced 3 men to varying jail terms after finding them guilty in a case of hurling stones at Oommen Chandy, when he was the state CM 10 years ago, during a protest organised by the CPI(M)-led LDF. Former CPI(M) local leader C O T Naseer, two other party workers, including Biju Prambathu and Deepak, were handed terms ranging from two to three years in prison by the Sub Court, Kannur.
KARNATAKA BRIBERY CASE: SC SEEKS BJP
MLA’S RESPONSE ON LOKAYUKTA’S PLEA
New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Monday sought the response of BJP MLA Madal Virupakshappa on a plea of the Karnataka Lokayukta challenging grant of anticipatory bail to him by the high court in the Karnataka Soaps and Detergents (KSDL) contract scam case. A bench of justices Aniruddha Bose and Sudhanshu Dhulia issued the notice to the BJP MLA. On March 14, the top court had agreed to hear the Lokayukta’s plea against the Karnataka high court order in the case.
New York (PTI): A number of pro-Khalistan supporters protested at the Times Square here in support of India’s fugitive Amritpal Singh.
The protesters took out a car rally from the Baba Makhan Shah Lubana Sikh Centre in the Richmond Hill neighbourhood and ended at Times Square in Manhattan city on Sunday afternoon (local time).
With blaring music and loud horns, a multitude of cars with Khalistan flags and LED mobile billboard trucks displaying photos of Singh criss-crossed the streets near the venue.
Men, women and children gathered in large numbers at the popular New York destination, carrying the Khalistani flags and raising slogans at the rally.
The protesters, carrying placards reading ‘Free Amritpal Singh’, held up photos of Singh as they raised anti-India slogans.
PROCESS BEGINS TO SELECT KERALA POLICE’S NEW CHIEF
Thiruvananthapuram:
With just 3 months left for retirement of state Police chief, Kerala govt is in the process of finalising a list of senior police officers to be sent to the Centre for consideration and pruning. According to the rules, state govt has to submit a list of eight officials, which will be pruned to three and sent back to the state to select any one. This rule is making Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan — who is also the Home Minister — uneasy.
MONGOLIAN BOY IS 3rd HIGHEST BUDDHISM LEADER
New Delhi: A Mongolian boy, born in the United States, has been named as the third highest rank in Tibetan Buddhism, by the Dalai Lama. A report said, Dalai Lama was pictured with the eight-year-old boy taking part in a ceremony held on March 8 in Himachal Pradesh’s Dharamshala, where the Buddhist leader lives in exile. The eight-year-old US-born child reportedly has a twin brother and is the son of a university professor and the grandson of a former Mongolian MP.
Chandigarh (Agencies):
While Khalistan sympathiser Amritpal Singh has been successful to dodge the police for last 10 days, his new picture with close aide has surfaced on the social media.
Chandigarh: As the hunt of fugitive pro-Khalistani leader Amritpal is still on, his close aide and gunman, who is an ex-serviceman, was arrested by the police for his alleged involvement in the Ajnala violence case.
The accused, Varinder Singh, belonged to Patti subdivision of Tarn Taran district in Punjab. Following the invocation of the NSA, he has been sent to Assam’s Dibrugarh jail.
RELEASE ARRESTED INNOCENT SIKHS IN 24 HOURS: AKAL TAKHT JATHEDAR
Amritsar: Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Harpreet Singh on Monday served a 24-hour ultimatum on Punjab Govt, led by Bhagwant Mann, to release “supporters” of Amritpal Singh, who have been arrested in the last 10 days.The decision was taken at a Panthic gathering at the Akal Takht, which was attended by more than 50 Sikh organisations. Following the Ajnala clash, the Punjab Police have launched a massive crackdown against supporters of Waris Punjab De head Amritpal Singh. During the Panthic gathering called to discuss “current atmosphere in Punjab’, Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Harpreet Singh allowed each representative of Sikh organisations to speak for two minutes. The Jathedar of the Akal Takht Sahib demanded that the National Security Act (NSA) imposed on all youths should be immediately removed. He said the impounded vehicles of Sikhs, who were peacefully protesting at Harike’s headworks, should be released immediately.
BORDER SECURITY FORCE RECOVERS 6 KG NARCOTICS DROPPED BY DRONE IN PUNJAB
Chandigarh: The Border Security Force (BSF) on Monday seized six kg narcotics dropped by a drone in Punjab’s Amritsar sector, an official said. “On March 26, at around 9.36 p.m., BSF troops deployed at the International Border heard the buzzing sound of a suspected flying object (drone) entering from Pakistan into the Indian territory near Toor village in Amritsar district,” the BSF said in a statement on Monday.
BLAST IN C’GARH’S BIJAPUR
Raipur: An assistant platoon commander of the Chhattisgarh Armed Force was killed in a pressure IED blast planted by Naxals in the Bijapur district of the state. The martyred officer was identified as Assistant Platoon Commander Vijay Yadav of the 19th battalion. The incident comes a day after an encounter broke out between the Naxals and a joint party of ITBP and District Reserve Guard in forest area of Chote Burgum.
WORTH `1 CR OF REAL ESTATE FIRM
New Delhi: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Monday said that they recently carried out search operations at three places in Bhubaneswar and one at Berhampur against Keshari Estates Pvt Ltd and its directors. The searched premises include two residential premises belonging to the directors at Bhubaneswar and one office premises each in Bhubaneswar and Berhampur.
SAHITYA AKADEMI AWARDEE POET CHANDRA KANTA MURASINGH PASSES AWAY AT 66
Agartala: Noted poet Chandra Kanta Murasingh (66), who was Sahitya Akademis first Bhasha Samman awardee, passed away in Agartala on Monday following a cardiac arrest. Murasingh, who wrote poems, prose and drama in both Bengali and Tripura’s tribal Koknorok language, is survived by two sons, a daughter and wife. In recognition of his contribution to Kokborok’ literature, Sahitya Akademi had conferred the prestigious Bhasha Samman award on him, which is given to poets and authors.
The selfie features the Waris Punjab De chief with his associate Papalpreet Singh while holding cans of energy drinks in their hands.
Papalpreet, who appears in the picture, is said to be Amritpal’s mentor. He was in contact with Pakistan’s spy agency ISI. In the photo, Amritpal is seen wearing a jacket, a maroon turban and sunglasses. His companion, sitting beside him, is in a sweatshirt. In the selfie, it can be clearly seen that Amritpal has a trimmed beard and moustache while he is drinking energy drink along with Papalpreet Singh.
Jammu (PTI): Family of the Dhangri terror attack victims on Monday threatened to migrate from their village to a “safer” place and return ex-gratia amount if govt fails to catch the attackers and bring them to justice.
Terrorists had struck Dhangri village in Jammu and Kashmir’s Rajouri district on January 1 and targeted villagers and fled before planting an Improvised Explosive Device (IED).
While five people were killed in the firing by terrorists, two others died in the IED explosion the next morning. And 14 were injured in the twin attacks. The attackers are still at large.
Saroj Bala, who lost two sons in the terrorist attack, said if the govt cannot provide her justice, it should “shoot me dead too”.
“We don’t need jobs. We don’t need money. We need justice by bringing terrorists and their supporters to book. If they don’t address our demand, we will all migrate from here,” she told reporters.
Nine people were arrested in this Uttar Pradesh district on Sunday for allegedly giving shelter to an accused in the 2005 murder case of BSP MLA Raju Pal, police said.
The accused were arrested from Purkhas Yusufpur village, located within the Sarai Akil police station limits.
With these arrests, the number of people nabbed so far in connection with the case has gone up to 19, police said.A huge cache of arms and ammunition, including eight country-made pistols, was seized from those arrested, they added.
Superintendent of Police (SP) Brijesh Kumar Srivastava said the arrests were made during a search operation to nab Abdul Kavi, who is wanted in the Raju Pal murder case.
“Those arrested are Mohammad Anas, Hameedul Gufran, Daniyal Kareem, Ehsan-ul Kareem, Satish Vishwakarma, Nafees Ahmed,
Shimla (Agencies): Former union minister and senior Congress leader Anand Sharma on Monday called on Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu at his official residence Oak Over and discussed various issues. The Chief Minister honoured Sharma with a Himachali cap and a shawl. Interacting with the media, the Chief Minister said Rahul Gandhi’s fearless campaigning to
BJP MLA raises stray
New Delhi: BJP MLA
Ajay Mahawar raised issue of stray dogs in the Delhi assembly. “Stray dogs killed two brothers in three days in Vasant Kunj. Over 100 people are attacked by dogs every day in Delhi”, he said.”A house committee was also formed under the chairmanship of the house member, Somnath Bharti, which gave its report in December 2019, this report should be implemented.
save democracy was a hitch to the Union government and the decision of his disqualifica-
tion from Lok Sabha has been attempted to suppress his voice. He said Rahul Gan-
The arrests were made during a search operation to nab Abdul Kavi, who is wanted in the Raju Pal murder case.
Akhtar Hussain, Ajit Pratap Singh and Nawaz Ashraf,” he said. Ten others were arrested from Bhakanda village on Friday and Saturday. The police action is being seen as a move to tighten the noose around gangsterturned-politician Atiq Ahmed.
dhi had started Bharat Jodo Yatra to raise awareness of the misdeeds of the Centre. He said people would give befitting reply to the BJP in the coming elections in the country.
Sukhu urged all Opposition parties to unite to save the democracy.
On the occasion, Anand Sharma said Rahul Gandhi has every right to speak in Parliament, but the Centre had targetted him under a conspiracy.
Kolkata (PTI): A 7-year-old girl was killed after being sexually molested by one of her neighbours in Kolkata’s Tiljala area, prompting local people to blockade roads and railway tracks and vandalise police vehicles on Monday.
The girl, a resident of Kustia’s Shri Dhar Roy Road, was missing since Sunday morning and after an extensive search, policemen found her body in one of the flats
in an apartment block in the locality, the police said. The flat owner was arrested and the body was sent for post-mortem examination.
WB
Temples being constructed at massive scale: Andhra Minister
Alleging that the police “delayed” in searching for the missing girl, locals staged protests outside the Tiljala Police Station.
Amaravati (PTI): Besides welfare and development work in villages, temples are being built on a massive scale, an Andhra Pradesh Minister has said. Minister Kakani Govardhan Reddy made these remarks while laying the foundation for Sri Radhakrishna Mandir at Mohammadapuram village of Podalakuru mandalam in Nellore district, which is being built with the funds provided by the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams Vani Trust. He said construction of 28 temples have been sanctioned in Sarvepalli constituency with cooperation from TTD, official custodian of the Tirupati Lord Venkateswara temple, until now.
Kolkata (ANI): President Droupadi Murmu arrived in Kolkata on Monday for a two-day visit to West Bengal.
State’s Governor CV Ananda Bose and minister Firhad Hakim received her. According to an official release on Sunday, the President will visit Netaji Bhawan in Kolkata to pay homage to Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose on March 27 (Monday).
“Subsequently, she will visit Jorasanko
Thakurbari — Rabindranath Tagore’s House to pay tributes to
Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore,” the official press release said.
The President will attend a civic reception to be hosted in her honour at Netaji Indoor Stadium, Kolkata on the same evening.
On Tuesday, President Murmu will visit Belur Math.”She will also grace the celebration of the completion of 80 years of UCO Bank in Kolkata,” the release said.
Later, the President will visit Santiniketan where she will grace the annual convocation
of Visva-Bharati.On March 19, President Murmu visited the Vivekananda Rock Memorial in Tamil Nadu’s Kanyakumari district.
“Visiting the iconic Vivekananda Rock memorial is a memorable experience for me. I marvel at the greatness of the late Eknath Ranade Ji who was behind the building of the spiritually charged complex”, tweeted the President’s official Twitter handle.
DEEPLY TOUCHED AFTER VISITING RABINDRANATH TAGORE’s ANCESTRAL HOUSE: PRESIDENT DROUPADI MURMU
Kolkata: President Droupadi Murmu on Monday said she was deeply touched after visiting Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore’s ancestral house, Jorasanko Thakurbari here. Murmu went around rooms where Tagore was born, where he breathed his last and where he spent most of his time in and expressed awe over the preservation of the centuries-old structure, Registrar Subir Moitra of Rabindra Bharati Universi-
ty, which is housed on the premises, said. Murmu, who is on a two-day visit to West Bengal, also went
AIR INDIA EXPRESS LAUNCHES DIRECT GOA-DUBAI FLIGHT
Panaji (PTI): Air India Express, India’s first international budget airline, on Monday said it has commenced operations from Goa International Airport, with four weekly direct flights on the Goa-Dubai route. The first flight IX 840 took off at 1:00 am on Monday with 148 passengers on board from Dabolim Airport. Aloke Singh, Managing Director, Air India Express and AirAsia India, said that the airline takes pride in being the only airline that offers direct connectivity to Dubai from Goa.
GOLD RATES FALL BY `640/10 GM; SILVER TUMBLES `700/KG
New Delhi (PTI): Stateowned Food Corporation of India (FCI) on Monday said wheat sale at discounted rates via e-auction to bulk consumers, institutions and state governments has been stopped for now as procurement of the fresh crop begins next month.
Under the Open Market Sale Scheme (OMSS), the FCI has sold 33 lakh tonnes of wheat till March 15 through e-auction, out of which, buyers have lifted 31 lakh tonnes of the grain so far. They have to lift the balance quantity by March 31.
“The last e-auction of wheat to bulk consumers was undertaken on March
15. The auction has been stopped for now as the procurement of the fresh crop will pick up in the coming days,” FCI Managing Director Ashok K Meena
z Under the Open Market Sale Scheme (OMSS), the FCI has sold 33 lakh tonnes of wheat till March 15 through e-auction, out of which, buyers have lifted 31 lakh tonnes of the grain so far. They have to lift the balance quantity by March 31.
z Sale of wheat to institutions like Nafed and state governments under OMSS has also been stopped.
sale under the OMSS. Out of the allocated quantity, FCI was mandated to sell a total of 45 lakh tonnes of wheat to bulk users till March 15 through weekly e-auctions.
New Delhi (PTI): Gold price declined `640 to `59,220 per 10 grams in the national capital on Monday amid weak global trends, according to HDFC Securities. The precious metal had ended at `59,860 per 10 grams on Friday. Silver also tumbled `700 to `70,140 per kilogram. “Spot gold prices in the Delhi market traded at `59,220 per 10 grams, down `640 per 10 grams,” Saumil Gandhi, Senior Analyst - Commodities at HDFC Securities, said.
OYO EXPECTS MORE THAN `5,700 CRORE REVENUE IN FY23
New Delhi (PTI): Hospitality and travel-tech firm
OYO estimates its revenue in FY23 to be more than `5,700 crore, up 19% from `4,780 crore it had recorded in FY22, according to its Founder & Group CEO Ritesh Agarwal. At a town hall on Monday, Agarwal told employees of the firm that OYO is aspiring to reach adjusted EBITDA of nearly `800 crore in the next financial year. In the presentation, Agarwal said OYO’s revenue for FY2023 is expected to be over `5,700 crore, up around 19% from the `4,780 crore achieved in FY2022.
ELECTRIC THREE WHEELERS LIKELY TO GAIN TRACTION
Mumbai (PTI): Electric three-wheelers are expected to gain traction due to favourable operating economics, and the government’s focus on cleaner means of transportation. According to a Icra report, the electric segment is likely to account for 14-16% of new three-wheeler sales (excluding rickshaws) by FY2025, up from 8% currently. Penetration is estimated to rise to 35-40% by FY2030 as the product gains more acceptance, as per the report.
said.
Sale of wheat to institutions like Nafed and state governments under the OMSS has also been stopped. The wheat auction
Mumbai (PTI): Equity benchmark Sensex climbed 126 points on Monday, propped up by buying in index heavyweights Reliance Industries, Maruti and SBI amid a higher opening in European equities.
The 30-share BSE Sensex climbed 126.76 points or 0.22% to finish at 57,653.86.
During the day, it jumped 492.45 points or 0.85% to 58,019.55.
The broader NSE Nifty advanced 40.65 points or 0.24% to end at 16,985.70.
Among the Sensex firms, Reliance Industries, Maruti, Sun Pharma, State Bank of India, UltraTech Cement, Infosys, Kotak Mahindra Bank, Hindustan Unilever, ITC and HDFC Bank
Mumbai (PTI): Vodafone
Idea or Vi stares at a bleak future, including the possibility of “shutting shop” due to factors triggered by heightened competition, a domestic brokerage said on Monday. It also expects telecom companies to start hiking tariffs only after the general elections in 2024. In the absence of the price hikes, Vi will not be able to keep up with the investments required and launch 5G services, which will lead to an erosion of subscribers.
will resume only if there is a need to intervene in the market, he added.
The government in January had announced plans to sell wheat in the open
market from its buffer stock under the OMSS in order to check rising wheat and wheat flour prices.
A total of 50 lakh tonnes of wheat was allocated for
New Delhi (PTI): S&P
About 3 lakh tonnes of wheat was earmarked for state governments and 2 lakh tonnes for institutions like Nafed for converting it into wheat flour and then selling at ` 27.50 per kilogramme. Under the OMSS, the reserve price of fair and average (FAQ) quality wheat was also fixed at a discounted rate of ` 2,150 per quintal, while for Under Relaxed Specifications (URS) wheat at ` 2,125 per quintal.
were the biggest gainers.
Shares of Reliance Industries climbed 1.54%, the most among the 30-share BSE constituents.
Power Grid, Axis Bank, Mahindra & Mahindra and Tata Motors were among the major laggards.
Mumbai (PTI): The rupee appreciated by 3 paise to close at 82.37 (provisional) against the US dollar on Monday. At the interbank foreign exchange market, the local unit opened at 82.36 against the American currency and finally settled at 82.37 (provisional) against the greenback, registering a gain of 3 paise over its previous close of 82.40. During the trading session, the rupee touched a high of 82.27 and a low of 82.42 against the dollar.
Global Ratings on Monday kept its forecast for India’s economic growth unchanged at 6% in the fiscal year starting April 1, before rising to 6.9% in the following year.
In the quarterly economic update for Asia-Pacific, S&P saw inflation rate easing to 5% in 2023-24 fiscal, from 6.8% in the current financial year.
It saw India’s gross domestic product (GDP) likely growing by 7% in the current financial year ending March 31 (2022-23), before slowing to 6% in the next 2023-24 fiscal.
“India leads, with average growth of 7% in 20242026,” the update said. GDP is projected to rise to 6.9% in the following two financial years -- 2024-
Lucknow (PTI): Global beverages major The CocaCola Company is bullish on the Indian market and is continuing to invest in the country through its partners, the company’s President and Chief Financial Officer John Murphy said on Monday.
India’s rapid progress in infrastructure, electrification and digitisation offer a long runway ahead for the economy to grow and it fosters confidence, he said.
A lot of development has taken place in urban and rural India, which has created an emerging middle class, ensuring growth for many years to come, he
said.
“When you have an economy growing, our industry typically benefits from economic growth,” he said.
“For us, there are tremendous ingredients to the growth equation that we are developing. And to manage growth, you have to invest. We are fortunate to have partners in India who believe in the opportunity they have and are investing in infrastructure and people,” he noted.
New Delhi (PTI): Real estate sector has received an equity capital of $32 billion during the last five years and is expected to attract $12-13 billion during 202324 with office assets likely to garner maximum fund, according to CBRE.
It has estimated that equity flows in real estate sector will remain steady with expected investment at around $12-13 billion over the next two years with an average $6-7 billion flow per year. Equity investments include those by private equity funds, pension funds,
z Real estate sector has received an equity capital of $32 billion during the last five years and is expected to attract $12-13 billion during 2023-24
z Equity flows in real estate sector will remain steady with expected investment at around $12-13 billion over the next two years
25 and 2025-26 and rising to 7.1% in 2026-27.
“In India, domestic demand has traditionally led the economy. But it has become more sensitive to the global cycle lately, in part due to rising commodity exports; and its year-onyear GDP growth slowed to 4.4% in the fourth quarter (October-December 2022),” the rating agency said. Pronounced core inflation in India suggests little slack in these economies, it said.
New Delhi (ANI): The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) is expected to pause their interest rate hike and the current 6.5% repo rate could be the terminal rate for now, said SBI Research in its latest Ecowrap report.The repo rate is the interest rate at which the RBI lends money to all commercial banks.
The next monetary policy meeting is scheduled for the first week of April 2023.
“The (RBI’s) stance could continue to be withdrawal of accommodation, even as liquidity is now in deficit mode. RBI can always keep the options open in June (monetary) policy,” the SBI Research said.
New Delhi (PTI): The retirement fund body EPFO is likely to announce the rate of interest on employees’ provident fund (EPF) deposits for 2022-23 at its two-day meeting beginning Monday. EPFO had lowered the interest on EPF for 2021-22 to an over four-decade low of 8.1% for its about five crore subscribers, from 8.5% in 2020-21 in March 2022. “The EPFO’s apex decision making body Central Board of Trustees (CBT) is likely to decide the rate of interest on EPF for 2022-23 at its two-day meeting beginning on Monday afternoon,” a source said.
THIS YEAR
New Delhi (PTI): German luxury auto maker BMW plans to introduce 19 car models, including electric vehicles, in India this year as it looks to sustain double- digit sales growth in the country. The car maker, which expects 2023 to be the best for it in terms of sales in the country so far, also aims for electric vehicles to account for about 15% of its overall sales this year. The group also plans to introduce three bike models in India this year.
sovereign wealth funds, institutional investors, real estate developers, investment banks, corporate
groups, and REITs, etc.
CBRE expects that office assets would continue to garner a majority share of
total institutional inflows, followed by Industrial & Logistics (I&L) and sites/ land parcels.
FOUR SAIL PROJECTS
WORTH `2,338 CR FACE
DELAYS: STEEL MIN
New Delhi (PTI): Four projects of Steel Authority of India Ltd (SAIL) worth `2,338 crore are facing delay due to reasons like delayed placement of orders and supply of materials/equipment.
“There is delay in projects... Mainly on account of poor performance of contractors/ sub-contractors, delay in placement of orders and supply of materials/equipment, etc. However, there is no cost overrun,” Union steel minister Jyotiraditya M Scindia said.
New Delhi (PTI): Mortgage lender HDFC Ltd on Monday said its board has approved raising funds through non-convertible debentures (NCDs) in tranches aggregating to `57,000 crore. The board has cleared issuance of unsecured, redeemable, non-convertible debentures under a Shelf Placement Memorandum, aggregating `57,000 crore, in various tranches, on a private placement basis, HDFC said in a regulatory filing.
Naresh Sharma
Jaipur: Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot has approved the proposal of a financial sanction of Rs 243.40 crore for the construction of various bridges and ROBs in the state.
According to the proposal, ROB will be built at the railway gate located at Jambheshwar Nagar on Jodhpur to Phalodi State Highway-61 at Lohawat, Jodhpur. A high-level bridge will come up on State Highway-122 Banas river between Bhuri hill and Hadauti in Sapotra, Karauli.
Bridges will also be built on Gundolav lake in Kishangarh, Ajmer, on Abapura to Jharnia Boria Palswani road in Banswara, on Sarmathura road drain in Dholpur, and other areas of the state.
ROB will be built at the railway gate located at Jambheshwar Nagar on Jodhpur to Phalodi SH-61 at Lohawat, Jodh
A high-level bridge will come up on SH-122 Banas river between Bhuri hill and Hadauti in Sapotra, Karauli
Jaipur: Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot has given financial approval of Rs 726.36 crore for 71 different works like construction, repair and upgradation of roads in the state. With this decision, the movement of the people of the area will be easy. Of these, 9 works in Jaipur, 7 in Bharatpur, 5 in Sikar, 4 each in Alwar, Baran, Sawai Madhopur and Udaipur, 3 each in Karauli, Nagaur, Pali and Hanumangarh, 2 each in Chittorgarh, Dungarpur, Jalore, Jhunjhunu, Bikaner and Bhilwara, and 1 each in Jodhpur, Rajsamand, Sirohi, Churu, Jhalawar, Barmer, Bundi, Ajmer, Dausa and Tonk. It is worth men tioning that the state government is constructing state highways, mega high ways, district roads and rural roads to strengthen the road infrastructure in the state. In this sequence, in the budget of 2023-24, Gehlot announced the construction and upgradation works of roads.
40-YEAR-OLD MAN DIES AFTER FALLING INTO CHEMICAL FACTORY IN BARMER
Barmer: A 40-year-old man died after falling into a chemical at a factory in Balotra. However, he was immediately taken to the hospital but doctors declared him dead. The deceased was identified as Babulal Meghwal, a resident of Bithuja in Balotra. According to the police, Meghwal was working in a chemical factory near the CTP plant in Balotra. On Monday Babulal was working in the factory, in the meantime, he accidentally fell into the chemical. However, other workers who were present pulled him out from the chemical and immediately took him to the hospital but he died on the way.
14 KIDS FALL ILL AFTER HAVING MID-DAY MEAL
Rajsamand: Fourteen students of a govt upper primary school in Nainpuria village of Rajsamand district fell ill due to food poisoning after having the mid-day meal on Monday. Fourteen students were brought to RK District Hospital for treatment where three boys were admitted and 11 were discharged after first-aid. According to the information, after having the food in the school, 14 children fell ill and complained of stomachache and other issues. The teachers called the relatives of the children and took all the sick children to the hospital.
Jaipur: The state government is working with commitment for the development of infrastructure and roads in the state. Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot has approved Rs 42.63 crore for the construction, upgradation and strengthening of rural roads and bridges in the state. This is an important decision in the direction of establishing a strong and quality road network in the state. With this decision of Gehlot, about 71.05 km of roads have been constructed in the villages of the state. A total of 20 works of strengthening and upgradation of long roads will be done. These include 7 works in Chittorgarh district, 3 works in Bharatpur district, 2 each in Alwar, Jaipur, and Kota districts, 1 each in Jalore, Jhalawar, Rajsamand and Sawai Madhopur districts.
Social security assistant held for demanding bribe
Shubham Jain
Ajmer: RTDC chairman Dharmendra Rathore on Monday inaugurated the Panchkalyanak gallery built 140-years-ago in Soni ji’s Nasiya by cutting the ribbon in Ajmer. Rathore, who was the chief guest of the ceremony, said that he is a fan of Jainism and tries to follow it. He said that spiritual power increases by following Jainism and the goal is achieved by hard work and dedication and he is loyal and
Rajeev Gaur
Jodhpur: The Rajasthan Literature Festival evoked a poor response from the audience even on the third and last day of the event on Monday.
ILLEGAL MINING IN TONK: 12 HELD FOR ATTACKING POLICE
Tonk: In the case of assault over the police team that went to stop illegal gravel mining, more than 12 accused were rounded up. After the police action, the people of Sureli village got mobilized and attacked the police team that reached Banetha to stop illegal mining. The tussle between the villagers and the police resulted in the injury of a policeman.In another news, under the joint action of the Mineral Department and Nasirda police about 150 trolley stock of illegal gravel was seized in the Raghunath Pura village area of the district.
WOMAN’S BLOOD-SOAKED BODY FOUND IN HER HOME IN BARMER, MURDER SUSPECTED
Barmer: The blood-soaked body of an 80-year-old woman was found in her house at Kosariya village under the Baytoo police station area in Barmer. On getting informed police reached the spot and recovered the body. Police said that prima-facie indicated that the elderly woman, who had been living alone, had been murdered. The deceased was identified as Saro Devi, a resident of Aadani Sarnno Ki dhani in Barmer. Meanwhile, the incident caused a stir among the locals who saw the blood-soaked body. They informed the police that the deceased was living alone in her house after she married off her only daughter.
In most of the sessions, the chairs were empty. The state government gave a budget of Rs 2 crore for organising the Rajasthan Lit-
erature Festival (Sahitya Kumbh-2023).
Leaving aside the organisers, booksellers,
security personnel, government officials, and employees, not even three thousand people
5 die by suicide in Kota and Jodhpur in separate cases
Kota (PTI): Two women and a 17-year-old allegedly committed suicide by hanging themselves at their houses in Rajasthan’s Kota within 24 hours, police said on Monday.
In Bambulia village, 28-year-old Mamta hanged herself at her home on Monday, two months after her husband Murarilal died in a road accident, SHO Dhanraj Meena said.
The woman was depressed after her husband’s death. Her 4-year-old son had sustained serious leg injuries in the same mishap, he said.
Jodhpur: In two separate incidents of suicide a man and a married woman committed suicide by hanging. The reasons for suicide are yet to be revealed. In the Balarwa area, the deceased married woman is identified as Geeta. While the deceased youth in the Balasamand area is identified as Himmat Raj. For both cases, the reason for suicide are yet to be revealed. The Luni police are investigating the matter.
On Sunday night, 17-year-old Krishna, a student of 12, died after hanging herself with a dupatta’ at her home in Itawa town here, SHO Meena said. Janki (35), a resident of Brijraj Colony
in Kota city, also hanged herself at her home on Sunday noon. She was mentally challenged and was undergoing treatment for her illness, Circle Inspector (Nayapura) Dayaram said.
came in three days. The organizers had to call students from schools and colleges for every session to attend the sessions.
Om Thanvi, the former vice-chancellor of Haridev Joshi Journalism and Mass Communication University, commented on the low presence in the pandal, “Whom are we telling… there are no listeners.”
trustworthy towards his family, society and business.
In the inauguration ceremony, social worker Pramod Soni informed Rathore about the problems being faced due to the elevated road and urged to build high-tech roads to facilitate the traffic around Nasiya ji.
Dignitaries of Jain society including Acharya Vasunandi Sansangh, Pravin Chand Jain, Mishrilal Gadia, Naveen Kumar Jain, Lokesh Jain, Ruby Jain and others were present.
First India Bureau Jaipur: The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) on Monday arrested a social security assistant in Jaipur while accepting a bribe of Rs. 6000. Police informed the accused, identified as Vikas Meena, was posted as a social security assistant in Regional Provident Fund Commissioner Office, Jaipur. “The complainant filed a complaint and stated that Vikas Meena was demanding bribe for early processing of his pension and PF funds. Subsequently, the complaint was verified and a trap was laid. On Monday, Vikas Meena was held red-handed while accepting a bribe of Rs. 6000. Searches are taking place at his residence and the accused is being interrogated,” police said.
First India Bureau
Bhim: Many Hindu organizations protested against the case filed against Pandit Dhirendra Shastri. The protest rally was taken out from the Hanuman temple to the subdivision headquarters. Hanuman Chalisa was recited at the gate of the subdivision headquarters. On reaching the headquarters, a memoran-
dum was submitted to the Bhim Tehsildar in the name of the Governor. Youths of many Hindu organizations took part in the rally.
Naresh Sharma
Jaipur: Jal Jeevan
Mission has gained momentum due to continuous monitoring and review meetings and the graph of Rajasthan in JJM is continuously going up. On March 26, the highest number of 16,742 water connections were made in the state in a single day so far. Earlier on 25 March, 16,594 connections were made. So far, 13.11 lakh connections have been made in the
financial year 2022-23.
In the daily water connections from January to March, Rajasthan has come in the top 5 states of the country. So far, 2 lakh 71 thousand 274 water connections have been made in the month of March alone. The average of this month has reached 10,434 per day. In Rajasthan, more than 38 lakh rural families are now getting water through taps.
Rajasthan ranks 12th in the country on the
basis of total water connections in JJM. Rajasthan has so far spent Rs 13,248 crore under the mission. Rs 6,845 crore have been spent so far in this financial
year. Rajasthan ranks 4th in the country in spending on JJM.
Jhalawar 72 percent, Bhilwara 66 percent, Kota 63, Chittorgarh 62, and Udaipur have
made 60 percent progress among the top 5 districts that have achieved the targets set for the Jal Jeevan Mission this financial year. Jaipur district has made more than 1 lakh water connections. Jaisalmer, Jodhpur, Jalore, Nagaur and Karauli are the 5 districts with the least progress. The districts with low progress were instructed to make more than 25 percent connections during the last review meeting.
Graph of Rajasthan in JJM going up, 16,742 water connections issued in a single day
At many a time, emotional attachment to a cause can liberate you to achieve more than possible.
—Dr Jagdeesh Chandra, CEO & Editor-in-Chief, First India
POSTAL REG NO. JPC/004/2022-24
www.firstindia.co.in I https://firstindia.co.in/epapers/jaipur I twitter.com/thefirstindia I facebook.com/thefirstindia I instagram.com/thefirstindia
CP Joshi reaches Bharti Bhawan & meets
RSS Pracharak Nimbaram and othersYogesh Sharma, Aishwary Pradhan and Dinesh Tiwari
Jaipur: Bharatiya Janata Party’s newly appointed State president CP Joshi, who took charge here on Monday, said, ‘We will neither sleep nor let you sleep for six months. Take a pledge that we will give sleepless nights to this Congress government and that the BJP government will be formed with a thumping majority in 2023.” He was referring to Assembly polls to be held in the state later this year.
Joshi, who is also the LS MP from Chittorgarh, stressed upon the workers to propagate the schemes and achievements of the Narendra Modi govt.
Former CM Vasundhara Raje joined the programme through VC while Kirodi Lal Meena couldn’t come due to health issues.
BJP National Gen Secy and in charge for Raj Arun Singh, said that the party performed well during the tenure of Satish Poonia as the state president and he effectively led campaigns against the
We will become Team Rajasthan & take the Party forward,” he told media in Kotputli
JAIPUR | TUESDAY, MARCH 28, 2023
Eligible applicants will get increased pension amount from the month of May 2023
Naresh Sharma
Jaipur: It is the duty of the State government to help all the weaker sections of the state. Keeping a humanitarian approach, Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot has approved the proposal to increase the monthly pension amount given under social security. At present, the pension amount payable at Rs 500-750 per month will now be minimum Rs 1,000 per month. With the approval of CM Gehlot, the pensioners will get financial support. El-
igible applicants for old age, single women, specially abled, small and marginal farmer pension will get increased pension amount from the month of May, which will be payable on June 1, 2023. The increase in pension rates in social security pension schemes will now put an additional burden
of Rs 185 crore per month and Rs 2222.70 crore per year on the state government. Now about Rs 700 crore are spent every month.
It is noteworthy that in the budget of the year 2023-24, the Chief Minister had announced to increase the minimum pension amount to Rs. 1,000 per month.
State government.
Union Ministers Gajendra Singh and Kailash Chaudhary, MPs Baba Balaknath, Diya Kumari, Swami Sumedhanand and other leaders were present on the occasion.
First India Bureau Jaipur: The divisionwise meetings of Rajasthan Congress will begin from today, wherein, CM Ashok Gehlot, Raj in-charge
Sukhjinder Randhawa and PCC Chief Govind Singh Dotasra will tour the divisions. The three leaders will meet in Bikaner today at 11 am and hold meeting of Congress leaders and workers of Bikaner division. Similarly, the
We will work as Team Rajasthan. I am a party worker and will work (as State President) with the guidance and support of senior leaders. BJP government will be formed with a thumping majority in 2023.
—CP Joshi, BJP State President
I was given the chance to head BJP in Rajasthan & Iworked for public welfare despite being infected with Coronavirus twice. The party will win the next assembly polls in the State under Joshi’s leadership.
Jaipur: The State govt has issued an order to provide a special discount of 50% on the retail sale of Khadi garments produced in the State. In this rebate, 35% share will be given by State govt and 15% by Khadi Commission, New Delhi. According to the order issued by Department of Industries & Commerce (Group-2), this exemption will be applicable from October 2 to January 30, 2024, the birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi.
Jaipur: Principal Secretary Energy, Bhaskar
A Sawant, has come up as an expert on Renewable Energy. He left a stamp of his knowledge regarding technical know-how and minute details at a conference in Jodhpur, which is being discussed across the bureaucratic realm.
meeting of Jodhpur division will be held in Jodhpur at 3 pm while the meeting of Udaipur division will be held on March 29 at 3 pm. and of Ajmer division on March 31 at 3 pm. Thereafter, the meeting of workers of Kota division will be on April 1.
The divisional level meeting in Bharatpur will be held on April 1 at 11 am followed by meeting of Jaipur division on the same day from 3 pm onwards.
Sawant gave an impressive and exemplary 45-minute presentation on the ‘Promotion of Renewable Energy Generation.’ Secretary of Government of India’s MNRE, Bhupendra Bhalla, who took part in the conference was also impressed and patted Sawant’s back.
In this one-day conference, officials like the CMD of NTPC, half a dozen GoI officials, RERC Chairman BN
Sharma, RREC Chairman Ashutosh AT Pednekar, Divisional Commissioners of Rajasthan, all Collectors and SPs of Rajasthan and a dozen developers of Energy Sector also participated.
Along with presenting the current station of renewable energy in Rajasthan, Bhaskar also informed the gathering that ‘for promotion of renewable energy, we not only invest in solar and wind but also smart meters and smart grid because this will help to use intermittent RE flexibly’. He also advocated that in transmission companies, investment in stat-comp, dynamic reactors, and other components is a must for promotion.
Sawant urged Secretary MNRE that Rajasthan deserved spe-
cial help from the Centre to evacuate large amounts of RS. He also explained at length the importance of distributed generation and consumption. Since Collectors were participating, Sawant elaborated on financial impact on projects because of land issues.
It was also told in the conference that in the year 2024-25, Rajasthan has set a target of 30,000 megawatt RE generation and as of now, the
state produces around 18,000 MW and thus is the premier state in the nation in RE generation. About 1.60 lakh hectares of land is available in western Rajasthan to set up Renewable Energy Plants. The World’s biggest solar capacity part of 2245 MW is established in Bhadla in Jodhpur.
Interestingly, Sawant has never been connected with energy and renewable energy in 28 years of his service and in September 2021, he has come to the Vidhyut Bhawan for the first time. He has not held the reins of Renewable Energy Corporation.
But in spite of this, it is laudable and appreciable that in merely 16 months, Sawant has gathered so much knowledge about the renewable energy sector.
Jaipur: CM Ashok Gehlot will visit Gujarat on March 29 for which, he will leave from Jaipur at 10 am and reach Ahmedabad at 11:15 am, where he will attend the press conference of Gujarat Congress at 12:30 pm. From Ahmedabad, CM Gehlot will reach Dabok Airport in Udaipur at 2:30 pm and will hold a meeting with workers at Gandhi Ground in Udaipur at 3 pm. The Chief Minister will reach Jaipur at 7 pm.
First India Bureau Jaipur: The trial run of the State’s first Vande Bharat train has started from Sunday. The train ran from Madar to Palanpur.
The train left Madar for Palanpur at 7 pm on Sunday. RPF is also on alert on the operations of the Vande Bharat train. In the first trial of the train, the speed
crossed 100 kilometres. Speed trial of the train will be done for 3 days from March 28 to 30. The speed trial will start from Ajmer railway station. The train will reach Jaipur from Ajmer at 9:45 pm and Delhi at 2:05 pm. Train will return to Ajmer on March 30. By the first week of April, the train will have a trial run on various routes.
Shivendra Parmar
Jaipur: On the instructions of RHB Commissioner and President of NRI Club-21, Pawan Arora membership of the Club has been started again at new rates.
Associate members can apply by April 15 by paying Rs 4 lakh and corporate members Rs 6 lakh. Club President Pawan Arora said that there was tremendous craze among the people towards NRI Club-21,
which is equipped with international and stateof-the-art facilities in Jaipur’s prestigious NRI Colony. He said that from January 26 to March 15, more than 700 people applied for membership and the Board has also received about Rs 25 crore on account of membership.
“In view of the huge demand, now limited number of memberships are being made available at new rates. Such applicants, who
have got registered till March 15 but haven’t paid the membership
fee, will also have to pay new rates. The website www.nriclub21.com can
be visited for membership at new rates & other info. A helpdesk facility has also been provided. Officers & staff of Centre & State govts can avail discount,” Arora said.
“On April 16, a musical night of Bollywood’s famous band ‘Meet Brothers’ & singer Khushboo Grewal will also be held at Club. Old & new applicants would be able to enjoy the event & dinner free of cost,” Arora added.
Jaipur: RHB Commissioner Pawan Arora while chairing a review meeting of Mansarovar & Pratapnagar Chaupatis, said that now a group of school students will be able to visit the Chaupatis from 11 am to 4 pm at a fee of only one rupee. “Mansarovar & Pratapnagar Chaupatis have become hot destinations of Jaipur. On huge demand of school operators, now a group of students up to class 12th will be able to visit the places at a minimum fee of Rs
1. A group of 20 or more students will have to inform in advance before visiting Chaupatis. Soon, a ‘Kids Arena’ would be developed for children,” Arora said & directed officers to inspect Chaupatis.
Jaipur: Four days are left to apply for various residential & one commercial scheme for more than 4500 flatvillas in 17 cities of 14 Raj districts. Applicants can apply till March 31. RHB Commissioner Pawan Arora said that people from all cities are actively participating in schemes. He said that the intention is to provide quality housing to the people for which wide publicity is also being done. On March 1, UDH Minister Shanti Dhariwal had launched important housing schemes of the circle, strengthening the theme of ‘Hamara Prayas, Sabko Awas’.
Rajendra Chhabracollection showcased at the Jaipur Couture Show, held at The Palace on March 13!
The three-day Jaipur Couture Show, presented by First India and Bharat24-Vision of New India organised at The Palace on Ajmer Highway on Jagdeesh Chandra graced the occasion as the chief guest and appreciated the designer, Kingshuk Bhaduri for his esoteric collection. Designer Kingshuk Bhaduri took everyone on a ride to the glittery world with evening cocktail colours white infused with metallic
silver vibes. While describing his gorgeous collection, the talented designer said, “The only aim I have in my mind is to showcase the world my designs and show people the indo-wester culture through my every piece. My motive since the start has been to promote the beauty that the Indian fashion industry has to offer through my designs and I just give them a little modern touch with my imagination. I am so grateful to actually show the world my work and Indian Culture Week 2023 is again a great opportunity for me. My long-term vision includes making an even bigger impact and I will put my
all into that, I am grateful to Gaurav Gaur for the great opportunity.”
Kingshuk Bhaduri, who is from the small UP town of Najibabad, has gained attention for his unique fashion pieces. Since class fourth, he had the dream of becoming one of the most successful fashion designers but he had hardships along the way. Being from a small town it was not easy to make people understand what fashion designing is and it was even more challenging to present his work. However, Kingshuk Bhaduri never gave up, he used to travel to Dehradun for his work and all that effort was worth it when he successfully launched his own brand Kamakhya. Various who’s who of the city including Supermodels, Elite Miss Rajasthan Winners, Models and Influencers were present during the electrifying fashion show.
The author is a
Jaipur-based Educator & Writer and Co-Founder of Driveway Devi – Mental Wellness InitiativesWise men and women have been advocating the virtues of a simple, frugal and spartan lifestyle for generations. Today, however, perhaps more than ever before, it is absolutely essential to embrace this simplicity. To live in a manner that is clean, elementary, and uncomplicated, so that both the individual and the planet, have a better chance at happiness and healing. But while it is easy to preach & dispense this wise-sounding advice, how does one really go about implementing this ‘sim-
The more material possessions we have, the more stress we give ourselves. We keep wondering if all our belongings are safe and secure. We have more things to maintain. We need to spend more of our parents or our own money. All this leads to an increase in our stress levels. The lesser possessions we gather, the less we will have to worry, and our stress levels will reduce significantly. So ditch the need for protective items such as bank lockers, safes and offshore accounts and you’ll quickly experience a lightness of mind & spirit that will be truly liberating, as well as empowering.
If we live simply, we have a huge impact on the planet. The environment is in dire straits. The increasing pollution, and the carbon footprint, it is all eroding the earth of its resources at an alarming rate. If we make a conscious decision to live more simply and more cleanly, we will spare the planet a lot of abuse. Lesser cars will mean reduced emissions of poisonous gases. Alternative energy use like wind and solar will mean less burning of the already diminishing fossil fuels. Cutting out many of the luxuries of our lives such as airconditioning will help the bruised planet heal. Again, like in the previous point, the idea is not to forsake life as we know it and become hermits. But a balance can be achieved quite easily. For instance, make a car-pool for your children’s school pickups and drops. This way you will ensure that rather than three or four vehicles going separately yet simultaneously to drop four individual kids, only one goes! Makes a monumental difference.
ARIES
MAR 21 - APR 20 Health tips from an expert will enable you to get closer to your fitness goals. Using your initiative at work will be much appreciated. You may get a chance to pursue old hobby. Your generous behavior would enable to enjoy some lovely moments with family.
LEO
JULY 24 - AUGUST 23
Family will be most supportive, when it really matters for you. Some of you may add to your list of properties by booking a new one. It is good day to confess your love as stars appear favourable for positive reply. A long drive is likely to help you get over mental tiredness.
SAGITTARIUS
NOV 23 - DEC 22
It’s a very good day to take calculated risks in financial matters. Your efforts on the professional front will be recognised. Opting for some healthy choices will ensure you remain in perfect health. You will feel much happy and contented. Today you will enjoy the trust of senior management.
TAURUS
APR 21 - MAY 20
Despite hectic schedule you will manage to find time for family. Seek the opinion of your family before finalizing a property deal. Your bold initiatives on romantic front bring back passion and spark in romantic relationship.Overall health remains fine.
VIRGO
AUG 24 - SEP 23
Avoid raising controversial issues at home to maintain harmony. Successful implementation of new ideas and projects would add to your prestige on the professional front. It is a wonderful day to build new connections. Your relationship requires you to be tactful.
CAPRICORN
DEC 23 - JAN 20
You will succeed in resolving misunderstanding with family members, normalizing ties. Despite your misgivings, you retain good health. You will do much to bring peace at home. You will remain much in demand on social front. Some of you can get romantically involved.
GEMINI
MAY 21 - JUNE 21
Following a health diet will be a good idea. Luck favours you today on the professional front. Focussing on health now will help you in keeping physically fit. Clarity of mind and retentive power will help you forge ahead on the academic front.
LIBRA
SEPT 24 - OCTOBER 22
Distant relatives may drop in for a surprise visit. On professional front, recognition for good work would motivate you to work harder. Those awaiting an affirmation on romantic front are likely to get lucky today, as partner responds positively. You will feel happy today.
AQUARIUS
JAN 21 - FEB 19
You will succeed in resolving misunderstanding with family members, normalizing ties. Despite your misgivings, you retain good health. You will do much to bring peace and harmony at home. You will remain much in demand on social front. Some of you can get romantically involved.
If we gather a large selection of gadgets around us, we expose ourselves to a heightened amount of harmful radiation and invisible waves. This unknowingly stresses out our bodies. Studies have chronicled the irreversible damage that cellular phone waves cause. If we feel that our bodies are our temples, we ought to treat them with respect and reduce our exposure to these detrimental devices. While one understands the indispensability of many of these items, one can certainly get entirely rid of appliances such as Microwaves and significantly minimize the usage of essential conveniences such as cell phones, by simply using one of many applications on one’s phone itself, that curtail consumption of social media; in addition, keep your phone as physically distant from yourself as possible, and at night, definitely switch it off altogether. With these little changes, you will create a balance between usage & health.
So how exactly can we begin to practise a less abrasive lifestyle? By adopting some simple practices. Clean out your desk. Get rid of all old and unwanted things, especially those made of materials that cannot be recycled. Put an end to plastic use. Similarly, clean out your wardrobe. Keep a few clothes that you need and like. Don’t hoard unnecessarily. Try to live green. Buy organic food and clothing. Use wooden toys rather than plastic ones. Limit the amount of media you are consuming. Reduce screen-time. Read instead. Spend time alone and among nature. Reflect. Introspect. Spend time alone and with yourself. Switch notifications from the countless apps and communication tools that we use. Essentially, adopt what is known as a ‘slow’ lifestyle, rather than a fast one. Slow fashion, slow food and slow pace.
Perhaps most importantly, say NO. The power and ability to say NO when buying something are extremely important. We tend to surround ourselves with possessions we don’t really need. In order to lead a contented life, we really only need very few things. If we learn to say no and keep our desires and copious greed in check, we would have accomplished a much more frugal, economical, and cleaner lifestyle.
A simple life does not have to be a life denouncing the pleasures of living. The key thing to realize is that it isn’t ‘things’ but people and feelings that give us joy. And the moment we understand this, our tendency to lead stress-filled and complicated lives will come to an end. We will, as a community, as a society, and as a collective whole, become more one with the planet and with one another, reduce discrepancies, disharmony and discord, and be more in sync.
CANCER
JUNE 22 - JULY 23
Your intuition will save you from a tricky spot today. Yoga would help in raising energy levels and improve your metabolism. You will manage to achieve your aim through travel. This is a great time on the academic front, when you mange to render your best.
SCORPIO
OCT 23 - NOVEMBER 22
Happiness in the domestic sphere will only come with a changed mind set. Some of you are likely to become a part of an overseas official trip. Better to consult an expert in financial matters before making an investment. Harsh words may create a rift in your romantic relationship.
PISCES
FEB20 - MARCH 20
Gifting something to your beloved is likely to make the day memorable. Matrimonial match for siblings will bring happiness for entire family. You will get a good price for your property. Those awaiting results are assured of succeeding with flying colours.
Katrina Kaif is not the most active celebrity on social media, but every now and then, she loves sharing pictures with her loved ones. On Monday, Director Karishma Kohli celebrated her 36th birthday, and Katrina penned a special note for her, and shared their pictures together!
Katrina Kaif shared a series of pictures with Karishma Kohli, and they consist-
Karishma a happy birthday. “My darling Karishmaaaaaaaaa it’s your very special 36th birthday, anyone who says otherwise is wrong Where would we be without the madness and joy you bring into our lives, your kindness, warmth, and positivity… through these years I’ve seen u battle so much with strength and courage,” wrote Katrina.
The Gangubai Kathiawadi actress celebrated her 30th birthday in London with her hubby, mother, and sister. We saw some cute snaps from her celebration and on Monday she shared another dump from her London trip we bet the pic -
tures are going to fill your heart with love.
Taking to her Instagram handle, Alia Bhatt shared a couple of her pictures from her London trip. In the first picture, we can see both Ranbir and Alia walking with their arms locked on each other's backs as they face
Sactress has been rigorously pro moted by attending interviews in Hyderabad and Mumbai. Now, a fan shared a beautiful edit of Saman tha and asked her to date someone, to which she responded. And her reply is currently winning hearts on Twitter. A fan took to Twitter and made a personal request to Samantha. The fan said, “I know it’s not my place to say but plz Date someone.” The actress’ replied to the tweet and wrote, “Who will love me like you do (sic),” with a heart emoji. She is part of the Telugu romantic film Kushi with Vijay De
their back toward the camera and walk on the streets of London. The couple is twinning in Black in the picture. The Brahmastra actor can be seen in allblack attire, a black cap, and black sneakers. Whereas, Alia is wearing a black puffer jacket over black pants and a white tee.
In the next pic, we can see the actress looking cute in a white hoodie as she smiles for the picture. The third one is of her sipping a cup of coffee as she walks beside the lake. Then there is a blurry pic of Ranbir who appears to be cycling followed by a pic of Alia hugging Shaheen.
Priyanka Chopra and Nick Jonas are proud and doting parents to Malti Marie Chopra Jonas. On Monday, Priyanka shared a glimpse of ‘bedtime stories’ with her daughter Malti Marie, while Nick Jonas shared a picture of his and Malti’s matching ‘daddydaughter’ shoes! Priyanka Chopra took to her Instagram story to post a picture
that shows Malti Marie fast asleep on her bed. While Malti’s face isn’t visible, she is seen wearing a blue and white printed outfit and has a blanket draped over her.
“Bedtime stories,” wrote Priyanka Chopra, with a red heart emoji. Meanwhile, Nick Jonas also took to his Instagram story a few hours ago and shared a glimpse of his and Malti’s matching sneakers.
The social media drama can be draining. Well, it seems like all the social media drama has taken a toll on Hailey Bieber. The 26year model approached Selena Gomez a couple of days back as she has been on the receiving end of death threats. Gomez made it clear that she does not support any kind of hate and is more thoughtful of other people’s mental health. Amid all this, Hailey Bieber stepped out for a Sunday brunch date with her husband Justin Bieber. On Sunday brunch date Hailey Baldwin Bieber and Justin Bieber were seen enjoying the weather in Los Angeles. The couple was also photographed sharing a kiss as they were leaving the Great White restaurant on March 26, 2023, in California. This was the first time that the couple was seen together for the first time since the 26-year-old model ap proached Selena Gomez about the esca
nushka Sharma and Virat Kohli are one of the cutest couples in Bollywood. In a recent chat on the red carpet of a Sports event, the actress shared what about Virat impressed her before they started dating. Anushka Sharma revealed that Virat Kohli has a very good memory. Even the Indian cricketer accepted this and
said that he remembers things better. Virat fur ther added that his mem ory is a little better so Anushka gives him im portant dates to remem ber so he has gotten better at remembering the dates. “She tells me beforehand, to be fair. I remember the important things, the small stuff I forget,” he concluded. Adding to this, Anushka said, “One of the things which I was very impressed before we started dating ki iski memory bohot achi hai (His memory is really good). This will really help me.”
Priyanka’s story...
CITY FIRST
Raghu Sinha ITF
Tennis Tourna-
ment 2023 took place at Jaipur Club on Monday. During the tournament, Gurudarshan Singh became the winner in the 50+ category by defeating Laxmikant Tanwar by 6-4 at the Jaipur Club clay courts in Pune. The chief guest of the closing ceremony, Anil Vyas, President of Jaipur Club, Secretary, special
The grand opening ceremony of Shutter Box Studio took place at Malviya Nagar, Jaipur on Monday. During the occasion, Gaurav Gaur, Director, Elite Miss Rajasthan along with various supermodels including Akanksha Bhalla, Soni Yadav, Shrishti Khatri, Saksham, Yoshita Arora, Sheena Parashar, Khushi Vijay, Ritu Sharma, Varunavi Singh, Aarzoo Choudhary, Rishika, Bhagwan Singh and
Chalana were present.
Manipal University Jaipur has initiated a Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) with the support of Manipal Foundation Bangalore, the CSR activities include a Cleanliness drive, donating dustbins, tree plantation which will promote cleanliness in the community. The inauguration of the Swachhata Abhiyaan program was done by President Dr GK Prabhu MUJ along with Registrar Dr Nitu Bhatnagar MUJ, Ridhikaran Parashurampuria, Shetaan Singh Meena, SojiRam Devenda, Sarpanch Ganesh Kumawat, Deputy Sarpanch, Sitaram and Principal Barkha. on Monday.
guest Dharmendra Kamthan, Chairman of the Organising Committee, Surendra Golcha and Secretary of Raghu Sinha Mala Mathur Trust, Sudhir Mathur presented the trophy and cash as prizes to everyone. In the speech, Surendra Golcha said that Raghu Sinha was a very sports lover, popular and rich in versatility and used to encourage all young and old in sports, we are overwhelmed by organ-
ising a wonderful tournament in his memory on this occasion. On behalf of the players, the organisation and arrangements of the tournament were wholeheartedly appreciated and further requests were made to organise this tournament every year. Tournament director Pradeep Jain thanked everyone, stage operation was done by Lalit Singh Taleda. cityfirst@firstindia.co.in
Hilton Jaipur is hosting a 10-day-long Punjabi Food Festival “Pind Da Swaad” curated by Chef Sweety Singh and Chef Abhishek Kukreti. The Festival is organised at the All-Dinning Restaurant, Aurum of Hotel Hilton situated at Hawa Sadak, Jaipur. Chef Sweety Singh has travelled all the way from Amritsar to curate this Punjabi Food Festival with in-house executive chef Abhishek Kukreti.
Finger-licking food & the traditional décor showcasing the Punjabi elements like well, khaat, Bhangra cutouts, and colour-
ful strings along with a fun photoop will take you to the lanes of Punjab without even leaving the city.
Known for his innovative and nostalgic take on Indian Food, Chef Sweety Singh has curated an array of authentic dishes right from the heart of Punjab. Explaining authentic
Punjabi cuisine Chef said“ My objective is to bring authentic ghar ka Punjabi khana to the people of Jaipur. Punjabi cuisine is served everywhere and is overhyped as a cuisine with too much mirch & oil. However, that’s not true for how I cook.”
Some of the signature dishes at the festival to try our Kesar Lassi, Tandoori Soya Chaap, Bhaati da Kukad, Ajwain Machai De Pakoda from the starters and Highway Paneer Tikka Masala, etc.
CITY FIRST
The first-ever book in Rajasthani about income tax was released on Monday by Justice (Dr) Vineet Kothari, who was present as the chief guest of the function. Former Bombay High
Court Judge Vijay L Kothari; Mangal
Prabhat Lodha, Minister of Tourism & Skill Development and Entrepreneurship; former Minister Raj K Purohit; ITAT Member Prashant Maharishi; film Artist Rahul Singh, officers of Customs, Income tax and Railways along with CA, Doctors, Advocates, industrialist, Journalists, businessmen and lovers of Rajasthani were present
during the release ceremony. 11,000 copies of the book were booked on the very first day of its launch. It is a record for a tax book written in any language. Justice
any language. Justice that it will inspire oth-
Kothari stated that Rajasthani deserves to be included in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution and should get its due place among the Indian Regional lan-
guages, that the book was the testimony of the potential of Rajasthani, that it will become a historical event in the coming years, that it will inspire others to write in Rajasthani. Impressed by the fact that after 75 years of independence, the first book about tax law in Rajasthani was published, he decided to forward copies of the book to the judicial officers and income tax practitioners of Rajasthan with his forwarding note.
A friendly T20 match between Aananda X1 Pro & Strikers took place on Sunday. During the match, the Strikers scored 150 runs in their 20 overs. Surendra Jangir and Lalit Gangwani were the top batters scoring 32 and 29 respectively. While Ashutosh, Satyavir and Lokesh lead the bowling unit for Pro X1, chasing the total Pranshu & Hitesh gave a solid start with a 70 runs partnership with Pranshu scoring 40 and Hitesh 27. Strikers gripped the match when wickets fell for Pro X1 in quick succession but in the end Anubhav, Kartik and Deepak held the fort and took the team to a last-over thriller. Ashutosh was adjudged as the man of the match for his disciplined bowling performance, 4 overs 29 runs 2, wickets.
In the series of Net Theat programs, young folk singer Manish Aggarwal enthralled the audience by singing folk songs in his alluring voice on Sunday in Jaipur. Net theat’s Rajendra Sharma Raju said that singer Manish made the atmosphere pleasant by singing Dal Badli Re Pani Saiya Kun To Bhare and various other popular folk songs. In the program, Shahid Hussain spread the magic of his fingers on the tabla along with Aryan Sharma on the synthesizer.
On behalf of Sabrang Sanstha, in memory of musician Pandit Gokul Chand Rao, the 40th All India Music and Honor Ceremony was organised in the auditorium of Pink City Press Club on Monday. Organisation Secretary Pt. Rajendra Rao shared that at the beginning of the program young singer Raghavi Mewal performed a bandish in Raag Yaman and then enthralled the audience with her melodious voice. Raghavi was accompanied by Dinesh Khingi on tabla.
Author of the book Rajendra a retired IRS officer is an Ex-Member of ITAT, Mumbai. CA Seema Balga, Raksha Rajpurohit and Miss Rashi anchored the programme in Rajasthani.
tired IRS officer is an
SPOTTED!
Singer Aish King was spotted at Jaipur International Airport on Monday.
Gangaur Festival was organised at Radha Nikunj Colony Mansarovar on Saturday under the chief hospitality of Mayor, Nagar Nigam Greater Jaipur Dr Somya at the residence of the President of the High Court Staff Association, Rituraj Sharma on Saturday. Mayor Dr Somya celebrated the traditional festival in traditional costumes with great fanfare. On this occasion, they sang auspicious songs and worshipped Gana Gaur mata.
In the 4th edition of Beauty, Wellness and Personal Care Excellence Awards, stakeholders in the fraternity were bestowed with honours for their achievement and contribution to the field of beauty wellness and personal care. Organised by ASSOCHAM these awards celebrated the groundbreaking ideas and progress made in the industry, honouring the hardworking individuals and companies that have helped make tremendous advances in this field. In addition to bringing laurels to the fraternity, the event gained great mileage for the participants. Richa Agarwal, beauty expert and founder of Cleopatra stated, won the award for the best makeup expert for her diligent work and dedication to her craft.
