First India-Mumbai Edition-6th March 2023

Monday and Tuesday on account of Holi. There will be no issue of the newspaper on Tuesday, March 7 and Wednesday, March 8. For the latest news and updates, visit www.firstindia.co.in —Editor

‘Slave’ to those in power, EC can never take Shiv Sena: Uddhav Thackeray

since he lost the Shiv Sena name and election symbol to the rival faction of the party led by Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, former CM Uddhav Thackeray on Sunday termed the Election Commission a “slave” of people in power.

Dubbing the EC a “chuna lagav” commission weeks after it allotted the “Shiv Sena” name and “bow and arrow” symbol to the Shinde faction, Thackeray said the poll body can never take away the party-founded by his father late Bal Thackeray-from him. He said it was Bal Thackeray who stood with the Bharatiya Ja-

8 PARTIES WRITE LETTER TO MODI

l Oppn parties write to Modi on Sisodia’s arrest, ‘misuse’ of central agencies

KEY BJP MEET AT AMIT SHAH’S HOME TO FORM GOVT IN 3 NE STATES

l There was no representation from Congress, JDS, JD (U), CPU, CPM in the letter

Moni Sharma

New Delhi: The BJP held a crucial meeting on Sunday at HM Amit Shah’s home regarding govt formation in 3 northeastern states where the party hopes to form government in the coming days. The big question was Tripura, where call needs to be taken on the CM post. P5

FORMER PAKISTAN PM

IMRAN ‘EVADES’ AR-

REST IN T’KHANA CASE

Lahore: Former Pakistan

PM Imran Khan seemingly evaded arrest on Sunday after a team from the Islamabad police reached his Lahore residence to detain him in Toshakhana case. He said officials that he will appear at court on March 7.

ADANI HAS $2 BN

BONDS DUE FOR REPAYMENT IN 2024

New Delhi: The Adani group, whose mostly debt-fueled breakneck expansion saw gross debt doubling in four years, has almost USD 2 billion worth of foreigncurrency bonds coming up for repayment in 2024, according to sources.

New Delhi: 9 leaders of eight political parties on Sunday wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi accusing the BJP government at the centre of misusing the seat of the Governor and central agencies to target the opposition parties and their leaders, which has transitioned the country from being a democracy to an autocracy. The leaders alleged that the timings of the lodging of cases or arrests of the opposition leaders “coincided with elections” which makes it clear that the action taken was “politically motivated”. However, there was no representation from Congress, JDS, JD (U), CPU, CPM in the letter.

Referring to the arrest of Manish Sisodia, the opposition leaders said the allegations against him are baseless and smack of a political conspiracy. His arrest has enraged people of the country.

COURT ACQUITS MAN ACCUSED OF THREATENING TO KILL MODI

A Delhi court has acquitted a man accused of threatening to kill PM Modi in a phone call to police helpline 100, saying the prosecution had “miserably failed” to show any evidence to prove any threats to kill anyone was ever made by him.

PM MODI TO ATTEND SWEARING-IN CEREMONIES OF MEGHALAYA, NAGALAND & TRIPURA

After a commendable win in the recently held Assembly elections in 3 NE States, PM Modi is all set to attend the oathtaking ceremonies of the CMs of Tripura, Nagaland and Meghalaya. The swearing-in ceremony in Tripura will be held on March 8, while in Meghalaya and Nagaland, it will be held on March 7. Conrad Sangma will be sworn-in as Meghalaya CM.

THE LETTER STATES...

l BJP government of softening the investigation against the opposition leaders who are being probed on different cases after they joined the BJP.

l Key politicians booked, arrested, raided, or interrogated by probe agencies under the BJP government since 2014, the maximum belongs to the Opposition.

l Referring to the arrests of Lalu Prasad, Nawab

Mallik, Azam Khan and others, the central agencies were working as extended wings of the BJP.

l Timings of many cases lodged or arrests made have coincided with polls making it clear that they were politically motivated.

l Offices of Governors in many States are acting in violation of constitutional provisions and frequently hindering governance.

THE SIGNATORIES ARE...

l Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal (AAP)

l Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao (BRS)

l West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee (TMC)

l Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann (AAP)

l National Conference

nata Party when it was politically “untouchable”, and dared his former ally to seek votes in Maharashtra using the Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s name, and without mentioning Thackeray senior.

“You (the EC) have taken away the party name and the symbol from us, but you can’t take away Shiv Sena from me,” he said, addressing a massive ral-

ly here.

“I have nothing to offer to you. I have come to seek your blessings and support,” he added.

Khed constituency in Ratnagiri district in the coastal Konkan region is the home turf of former Thackeray loyalist Ramdas Kadam, who has since moved to the Shinde faction.

In a show of bravado, Thackeray said, “If the EC is not suffering from cataract, it should come and see the ground situation. The EC is a ‘chu-

na lagav’ commission and a slave of those in power. The principle based on which the EC took this decision is wrong,” he said.

Thackeray said the party has appealed in the Supreme Court.

He said the BJP was trying to finish off Shiv Sena brutally and cruelly but won’t succeed.

He said the move to destroy Shiv Sena was akin to the attack on the unity of Marathi people as well as Hindus.

While he refused the

EC’s decision, Thackeray said he would accept the “people’s decision” if they decided not to give his party a mandate.

“People will have to decide whether they want me or Eknath Shinde. I will accept the verdict of the people but not of the EC. If people say they don’t want me, I will leave just like I left ‘Varsha’ (the official residence of the CM, after resigning from the post)”, he said.

When you see someone with a bow and arrow, he is a thief. Will you vote for him (a reference to Shinde)?…. Earlier, the BJP's dais used to be full of sadhus and sants but now it is full of opportunists. I dare the BJP to seek votes in Maharashtra only in the name of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and not Balasaheb Thackeray. —Uddhav Thackeray

Another ‘peeing’ incident on New Delhibound flight, ‘drunk’ Indian student held

American Airlines bars Indian student from flying after urinating on US citizen

New Delhi (FIB): In another incident of unruly behaviour on air, a passenger was taken into custody on Sunday for allegedly urinating on a fellow passenger on a New York-New Delhi American Airlines in “drunken” state. It happened on an American

Airlines flight AA292, which took off from New York on Friday and landed at IGI airport in Delhi on Saturday, after a journey of 14 hours.

“The accused was in a state of inebriation and urinated while he was asleep,” DCP Devesh Kumar Mahla said

The victim, a male passenger, however was not keen on reporting the matter as the accused issued an apology and cited threats to his reputation and career. The airline, on its part, reported the matter to the ATC at the IGI airport. —Airlines official

Pawar conveniently ignoring NE poll result: CM

Mumbai (PTI): CM

Eknath Shinde on Sunday said NCP president Sharad Pawar is conveniently ignoring the poll outcome in three Northeastern states but projecting the Kasba Peth Assembly bypoll result as an indicator of change.

Pawar had said the defeat of Bharatiya Janata Party in its bastion of Kasba Peth in Pune city to the Congress in the recently-held bypoll indicated that winds of

change were blowing across the country.

“Pawar is selectively looking at the poll results. He is ignoring the outcome of three states from the North East region but is talking only about the Kasba Peth assembly segment,” Shin-

de said, adding “I hope Pawar won’t doubt EVMs after the Kasba result.”

The BJP has retained Tripura in the recentlyheld Assembly polls and it will continue to be a ruling alliance partner in Nagaland. In Meghalaya, the BJP has supported the National People’s Party (NPP) of Conrad Sangma to form a government. In Maharashtra, the BJP shares power with the Eknath Shinde faction.

Another attack on media, say scribes’ bodies

First India Bureau New Delhi: A day after a group of SFI activists allegedly barged into the Kochi office of Asianet News and intimidated channel staff over a news report, journalists’ bodies condemned the incident and called it yet another example of growing attacks against media and scribes. P6

Not involved in talks held between Uddhav, Ambedkar: Sharad Pawar

Uddhav Thackeray and Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi (VBA) chief Prakash Ambedkar.

chief Farooq Abdullah

l Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief Sharad Pawar

l Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray

l Samajwadi Party (SP) president Akhilesh Yadav

l Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Tejashwi Yadav (RJD)

First India Bureau

Mumbai: Sharad Pawar, president of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), which makes up one-third of the tripartite Maha Vikas Aghadi alliance in Maharashtra, on Sunday said he was not involved in any kind of talks between

The Shiv Sena - Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray (UBT) and Congress are the other two parts of the MVA alliance.

On January 23, the Shiv Sena - UBT and VBA announced an alliance

ahead of the civic polls in several cities--a move was seen as an attempt by Thackeray to consolidate support among Dalit groups.

A few days after the Sena - UBT and VBA forged an alliance, Pawar had said that no talks had been held among the MVA constituents about

taking the Ambedkarled outfit on board.

“I am not involved in any kind of talks between them (Thackerayled Sena and VBA). My point of view is that Congress, NCP and Shiv Sena (UBT) should contest elections jointly,” Pawar said on Sunday, in response to a question on whether NCP will tie up with Ambedkar.

“The elections are not far away, so things will be clear soon,” Ambedkar said, reacting to Pawar’s statement.

‘My point of view is MVA should contest elections jointly’

‘I have nothing to offer to you. I have come to seek your blessings & support,’ he said

More than two dozen sugar mills close early in Maha

en, will close operations by the end of March, the official said.

Sugar mills in Maharashtra were operational until mid-June in 2021-22 as they harvested a record crop.

First India Bureau

Mumbai: More than two dozen of Maharashtra’s sugar mills have stopped crushing cane, leading to worries that the state will fall short of its estimated production of 13.8 million tonnes this year, a senior state government official said.

Last year, mills in India’s top sugar producing state were crushing sugarcane until April, thanks to a bumper crop. This year, however, the National Federation of Co-operative Sugar Factories Ltd (NFCSF) an umbrella organization of sugar cooperatives from across the country has predicted that Maharashtra and, by extension, India could see a drop

due to an extended monsoon and a “lack of sunlight” last year. Lower sugar output could prevent the world's second-biggest exporter from allowing

additional exports, potentially allowing rivals Brazil and Thailand to increase their exports.

Maharashtra, which accounts for more than a third of India's sugar

First India Bureau

Chandrapur: In order to curb incidents of man-animal conflict, the Maharashtra government has decided to relocate 30 tigers from Chandrapur to other parts of the state.

Making the announcement, state minister Sudhir Mungantiwar said that five felines will be relocated to the Navegaon-Nagzira Tiger Reseve in Gondia district in the first phase. In the second phase, 25 animals will be shifted to other places in the state, he added.

Mungantiwar, who is the state Forests and Cultural Affairs Minister as well as Chandrapur District Guardian Minister, was speaking on Saturday evening during a programme on ‘Opportunities and activities in fish business sector’ at Saoli tehsil in Chandrapur.

“The number of human beings dying in tiger attacks (in Chan-

drapur) is increasing by the day. Therefore, it has become imperative to take measures towards reducing the human-wildlife conflict. The count of tigers has increased in the district and they are intruding into human habitats,” he said.

“The tigers in Chandrapur district will be relocated in two phas-

es. In the first phase, five of them will be shifted to NavegaonNagzira Tiger Reserve in Gondia. In the second phase, 25 other tigers will be relocated to Sahyadri, Melghat and Sambhajinagar,” he added. The state government has taken necessary permission from the Centre, the minister added.

output, has produced 9.51 million tonnes of sugar in the 2022-23 marketing year that began on October 01 down from 9.73 million tonnes at the same point last season. In Solapur division, 13 mills have closed and another 20 will close in a fortnight, the state government official, who did not want to be identified, said. All mills in the state, except around two doz-

The closures come mere weeks after Union Cooperation Minister Amit Shah assured leaders from the state that the Centre would increase the export quota sugar and take steps to help the ailing sugar industry in the state.

“The export quota (for sugar) has been exhausted. Since Maharashtra is a coastal state, we can export sugar through our ports. The minister also took a constructive approach on the issue and assured us to increase the quota or take an appropriate decision in this regard,” Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis had told the press after his meeting with Shah in January.

Former Union min’s cousin shoots self dead with pistol

Latur (PTI): An 81-yearold relative of former Union minister Shivraj Patil Chakurkar allegedly committed suicide at the latter’s residence in Latur on Sunday, a police official said. Chandrasekhar, also known as Hanmantrao Patil, shot himself dead with his licenced revolver at around 8.30

am, the official said. “He is a cousin of former Union Home Minister Lok Sabha Speaker Shivraj Patil Chakurkar. Hanmantrao lived close to the former minister’s “Devghar” residence and would visit often. He was apparently distressed with some ailment he was suffering

from for several years,”" the official added. The minister's son was present when the incident happened, and senior officials, including Additional Superintendent of Police Dinesh Devre, Deputy SP Jitendra Jagdale and others are at the spot as part of the inquiry, he added.

Mumbai court accepts Akhtar’s plea for early hearing

First India Bureau

Mumbai: A magistrate court in Mumbai has accepted a plea for early hearing filed by lyricistpoet Javed Akhtar in the defamation case proceedings against actor Kangana Ranaut. Based on a complaint filed by Akhtar, a hearing was scheduled for April 19. However, after nod to the request made by the lyricist, the case will now be heard by the Andheri magistrate court on March 23.

Akhtar, through his lawyer Jay Bharadwaj, had filed an application stating that the case was last heard on November 23, 2022 and was listed for hearing after five months. On February 13, Akhtar moved the plea seeking an earlier hearing date. In his plea, Akhtar sought for proceedings to commence soon in the interest of justice. He said that it was a summary case and he is a senior citizen as reasons for his application.

Accountant held for embezzlement siphons `

Mumbai (PTI): A 31-year-old accountant working in a share-trading firm here was arrested for allegedly siphoning off Rs2.73 crore from a client’s demat account, police said on Sunday. The Mumbai crime branch arrested the accused from Kandivali on Saturday based on a complaint lodged by his employer at MRA Marg police station in January last year, an official said.

crore from client

ent’s account between 2019 and 2021 and embezzled around Rs2.73 crore, the official said.

As per the complaint, a person had opened a demat account through the share-trading company and the accused had helped him with the same, he said.

However, the accused did not carry out any transaction in the cli-

The accused, who had been on the run, was apprehended based on a tip-off, while another person involved in the crime is absconding, he said.

A case under section 420 (cheating) and other relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code and Information Technology Act has been registered, the official added.

The court then sought a response from Ranaut on the plea, who opposed the application stating that another plea seeking the examination of her sister and manager, Rangoli Chandel, was yet to be decided. Ranaut is facing charges of defamation based on a complaint filed by Akhtar alleging the actor had made defamatory statements against him in 2020 after the death of actor Sushant Singh Rajput.

ELDERLY MAN RESCUED FROM 22ND FLR OF BDLG

First India Bureau

Mumbai

A 70-year-old mentally challenged man was rescued by fire brigade personnel from the 22nd floor of a 32-storey building in suburban Kandivali on Sunday.

He said the local Fire Brigade received a call at around 5.15 pm that a man was sitting in the refuge area on the 22nd floor of the skyscraper.

The refuge area is a separate space in high-

rise buildings, where residents can take shelter in case of fire or other emergencies. Meanwhile, the man climbed the four-foothigh safety wall. He was found lying unconscious on the parapet wall located six feet down by rescuers, the official added. He was rescued safely using a safety harness, a rope and other tools with fire brigade personnel descending on the parapet wall, said the official.

All-rounder Harmanpreet Kaur shares secret of her terrific form

Mumbai Indians skipper led her team to a win against Gujarat Giants in opening match of tournament

First India Bureau Mumbai: Indian cricketer Harmanpreet Kaur’s knock of 65 off 30 balls in the opening match of the Women’s Premier League against the Gujarat Giants on Sunday night led Mumbai Indians to a terrific victory.

While talking in the post-match press conference, the Indian women’s team captain shed some light on how she was able to overcome pressure and score runs effortlessly.

“Well, I am someone who thinks a lot. You know my mind is continuously giving out

thoughts and ideas to me. I think when I am more calm and in the moment, it always gives me a lot of clarity. What I have to do and to be in that zone is not easy for me, but, you know I just keep talking to myself. I keep backing myself and then I am more clear on which areas to pick at the time,” she said.

“It was one of those days when I was more relaxed because our team is brilliant and everybody is so positive. They only talk about what we have to do and back each other.

It was one of those days when I was more relaxed because our team is brilliant and everybody is so positive. They only talk about what we have to do and back each other. I think when you have a character like that, you can go and enjoy yourself, and I think that is what really helped us today.

—Harmanpreet Kaur, Captain, Mumbai Indians

I think when you have a character like that, you can go and enjoy yourself, and I think that is what really helped us today,” Harmanpreet said in the

post-match conference.

As a captain, Harmanpreet recognized how crucial it was to win their first game of the campaign in such a fashion. She also re-

ceived the man of the match award for her heroics in the first innings.

Acknowledging the team’s effort, she said, “Obviously, it’s a great win for us. The approach of all the players was brilliant and I think we should give credit to them.” After securing the first victory of their campaign, Mumbai Indians will now face Royal Challengers Bangalore on March 06 at Brabourne stadium.

Maharashtra accounts for more than a third of India’s total sugar output. —FILE PHOTO

It does not bode well for India’s top sugar producing state WORRYING TREND

Former Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil’s cousin Chandrasekhar alias Hanmantrao Patil Chakurkar commited suicide in Latur on Sunday. —PHOTO BY PTI

2.73

30 tigers to be relocated to reduce man-animal conflict

The count of tigers has increased in Chandrapur district and they are intruding into human habitats, Min Mungantiwar said

Actor Kangana Ranaut —FILE PHOTO

—FILE PHOTO

Maharashtra woman rescued from Oman flesh trade racket

WHAT HAPPENED

11 Mumbai wards to face 10% water cut March 09-11

First India Bureau Mumbai: The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) on Saturday announced a two-day 10% water supply cut in 11 municipal wards of Mumbai. Reason for the low water supply is repair work undertaken by the civic body. The water cut will be implemented from 10 am on March 09 to 10 am on March 11.

Notably, Holi, the ‘festival of colours’ will be celebrated across the country on March 08

this construction work, BMC’s Mumbai - II trunk main pipeline has been damaged and water is leaking, the civic body said in a statement.

water and use it wisely. The areas that will face a 10% water cut include Mumbai west and east wards, Mulund East and West areas in T ward, Bhandup East, Nahur, Kanjurmarg and Vikhroli East areas in S ward, Vikhroli East, Ghatkopar east and west areas in N ward and Kurla east area in L ward.

First India Bureau

Thane: The promise of a better life abroad led a Thane woman into a nightmare, in which she was sold, tortured and extorted. But her ordeal could well be at an end, now that two persons have been arrested for allegedly luring her with a job offer and handing her over to sex racket operators in Oman, officials said on Sunday.

According to her police complaint, the 43-year-old single mother applied for a job she came across in an advertisement on an online employment site.

Thereafter, the accused contacted her with several job offers, including one in the Gulf kingdom, in July last year, Kashimira police station Senior Inspector Sandeep Kadam said.

“Once she reached the Gulf country, she was taken to a bungalow from the airport. She realized a sex racket was being operated there. When she tried to

Class XII Maths paper leak: 3 students among 4 booked

Mumbai (PTI): The Mumbai police have registered an offence against four persons after a Class XII student got the Maths question paper of the Maharashtra Higher Secondary School Certificate about 30 minutes before the exam commenced, police said on Sunday. The incident took place at Dr Antonio D’Silva High School and Junior College in Dadar area on Friday, when an exam moderator found a student with the Maths question paper on his mobile phone, an official said.

escape, she was beaten up. The two agents here who sent her to Oman started giving her evasive replies,” he said, citing the complaint.

“The woman realized the two agents, who have an office in Navi Mumbai, had taken Rs3 lakh from their Oman counterparts to send her there. She was not allowed to leave until last August, after she

arranged for the Omanbased agents to be paid Rs1.65 lakh,” he added.

The woman recently filed a police complaint, after which the two accused have been arrested, the official also said, adding that the police are continuing to investigate the case.

Notably, despite some differences, the woman’s story bears a resemblance to the case

A new bridge is being constructed by the Thane Municipal Corporation at Kopari in Thane (West). During

Owing to repair work, water supply in some areas and wards will be affected. The civic body has also advised citizens to store

of another Thane native, Ashish Dubey. The 31-year-old’s brother had filed a police complaint in October last year claiming he was being tortured by his Thai employer, who was demanding $3,000 for his release. According to the complaint, Dubey was being “mentally and physically tortured” to complete “his performance target” of convincing people to buy cryptocurrency.

The student had forwarded the question paper to another person to get all the answers on his mobile phone minutes before the exam commenced, he said.

The student was handed over to the police and an offence was registered under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) against four persons, three of them students, the official said.

CRUCIAL READ

FOUR PEOPLE HELD FOR ASSAULTING FIRM MANAGER WITH IRON RODS IN THANE DIST

Thane: Four persons have been arrested for allegedly assaulting a man with iron rods in Thane district on February 15, leaving him seriously injured, a police official said on Sunday. According to Senior Inspector Kishore Shirsat, the four persons arrested on Friday told the police that one of them had lost a furniture supply contract in the company where Surendra Mourya was a manager. Mourya was attacked as the main accused believed that he was the reason for the business setback. Manpada police are investigating further.

FIRE AT MUMBAI’S SHRI RAM COLLEGE; NO CASUALTIES

Mumbai: A massive fire broke out at Shri Ram College of Science and Commerce on Sunday morning in Mumbai’s Bhandup area, Fire Department officials said, adding that four fire tenders were dispatched to the spot to control the blaze. As of Sunday evening, no injuries have been reported in the incident, the reason for which is yet to be ascertained.

TUSSLE OVER FOOTWEAR GETS THANE MAN KILLED

Thane: A woman has been arrested in Thane’s Naya Nagar for alleging killing her 54-year-old neighbour following a scuffle over the placement of slippers near their adjacent front doors, an official said on Sunday. The woman’s husband also accused in the incident which took place on Saturday night is absconding, Naya Nagar police station Inspector Jilani Sayed said.

AHEAD

DAY…

On the island city, the entire B, E, F south and F north areas will experience water cut and the Bombay Port Trust and Naval areas in A ward as well.

Loose slabs, cracked pillars see 250 families displaced

First India Bureau

Thane: As many as 250 families had to vacate their homes after pillars in a residential complex with five buildings in Dombivli in Thane district developed cracks, fire brigade officials said on Sunday.

Some of the buildings’ slabs had started coming loose as well, an official added.

The loose slabs and cracked pillars were noticed around 11pm on Saturday, after which fire brigade, police and civic personnel arrived at the site and vacated the residents, he said.

“These buildings were constructed in 1998. They are not on the list of dangerous build-

There are no reports of anyone getting injured, and residents who have been vacated are finding alternate accommodation on their own

ings maintained by the Kalyan Dombivali Municipal Corporation. The ward officer will take a call on its future after structural checks are carried out,” civic sub fire officer Namdeo Chowdhary said. There are no reports of anyone getting injured, and residents who have been vacated are finding alternate accommodation on their own, Chowdhary added.

8 HURT IN GHATKOPAR WALL COLLAPSE

Mumbai: Eight persons received minor injuries after the wall of an under-construction ground-plus-one house collapsed in suburban Ghatkopar on Saturday evening, a fire brigade official said. The incident took place on RB Kadam Marg in Bhatwadi area. Three women from among those injured were taken to hospital but were later discharged.

All-women teams to manage 2 Mum Metro stations

sity and inclusivity in the workplace and the transportation sector,” he said.

bilities in the transportation industry and inspire others to pursue careers in this field,” said the official.

MAN

CHASED DOWN, NABBED BY COPS WITH 3,000 E-CIGARETTES WORTH `66 LAKH

Mumbai: A man was arrested allegedly with e-cigarettes worth Rs66 lakh after his car was stopped for checking at a police road block (nakabandi) in Masjid Bunder area of south Mumbai, an official said on Sunday. Ten boxes, each containing 300 e-cigarettes, were found in the car, after which a case was registered at Dongri police station, he added. The accused had tried to flee from the nakabandi but was pinned down following a chase, the official said.

and Eksar on Red Line 7, will now be supervised by an all-

women staff. Operations at Akurli and Eksar stations will be managed by a team of 76 female employees. Ac-

cording to an official, all personnel from the station manager to the security staff will be women.

“This initiative aims

to recognize and celebrate the contributions of women in the transportation industry and promote gender diver-

Staffers at the two Metro stations will be deployed for posts such as station controller, excess fare officer, ticket sales officer, shift supervisor, customer care officer. Their duties will include looking after the efficient operation of the Metro system and assisting passengers.

Additionally, women security and housekeeping staffers will ensure a safe and clean environment at the stations.

“This initiative will highlight women’s capa-

“We are proud to announce Mumbai Metro’s first all-women stations, run and managed by our female employees. We believe that gender diversity in the workplace is essential for driving innovation and achieving success. We hope that this initiative will inspire more women to take leadership roles in the transportation sector,” said SVR Srinivas, MMRDA Metropolitan Commissioner.

Two persons have been arrested for luring the woman with the promise of a job and then ‘selling’ her to agents in Gulf kingdom

This festive season, Mumbaikars take a stand against corruption, dirty politics, and inflation by creating a 40-foot personification of the ills plaguing society today, in lieu of the traditional ‘Holika Dahan’ bonfire, seen here in the city’s Worli area on Sunday.

—PHOTO BY BHUSHAN KOYANDE

UNIFORM CIVIL CODE – A HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE

Memons, did not want to follow the Shariat, but they were forced to do so under the Shariat Act, 1937. He further propounded that European countries had uniform laws applied even to minorities and that religion should be divorced from personal laws. He said for Hindus, too, personal laws were not uniform, there was the law of Mayukha applied in some parts of India; Mithakshara in others; and the law of Dayabhaga in Bengal. He further said “there is one important consideration which we have to bear in mind—and I want my Muslim friends to realise this—that the sooner we forget this isolationist outlook on life, it will be better for the country. Religion must be restricted to spheres which legitimately appertain to religion, and the rest of life must be regulated, unified and modified in such a manner that we may evolve, as early as possible a strong and consolidated nation.”

IN-DEPTH

PINARAYI GOVT CURBS MEDIA LIKE SOME OTHER PARTIES IN POWER

Despite opposition, the Draft Article 35 (now Article 44) found support of the majority of members who argued that the UCC was important to bolster the unity and integrity of the country. The argument that UCC would violate religious freedom was rejected and the Constituent Assembly paved the way for this social reform legislation to strengthen secularist and nationalist fabric of the country

The writer is IAS (Retd.)

Should India have a Uniform Civil Code (hereinafter referred to as UCC in short), a set of religion and gender neutral common family laws on marriage, separation, adoption, inheritance and so on? This poser was keenly debated by the Constituent Assembly of India in the twilight of nascent republic. Article 35 of the draft Constitution of India provided that “the State shall endeavour to secure for the citizens a uniform civil code throughout the territory of India.” The Constituent Assembly took up Draft Article 35 for debate on 23rd November, 1948.

Progressive as well as conservative views were expressed as on the floor of the Constituent Assembly. The debate on this Draft Article triggered conflict in the Constituent Assembly. Muslim members opposed the Draft Article and proposed amendments to keep personal laws out of Draft Article’s scope.

Mr Mohamad Ismail Sahib (Madras) proposed a proviso as an amendment to the following effect:

“Provided that any group, section or community of people shall not be obliged to give up its own personal law in case it has such a law.”

IMPORTANCE OF RAID ON K’TAKA BJP MLA

Mr Naziruddin Ahmad proposed that the following proviso be added to draft Article 35:

“Provided that the personal law of any community which has been guaranteed by the statute shall not be changed except with the previous approval of the community ascertained in such manner as the Union Legislature may determine by law.”

Mahbood Ali Baig Sahib Bahadur moved that the following proviso be added to article 35:

“Provided that nothing in this article shall affect the personal law of the citizen.”

B Pocker Sahib Bahadur (Madras) supported the motion moved by Mr. Mohamed Ismail Sahib to the effect that the following proviso be added to article 35:

“Provided that any group, section or community of people shall not be obliged to give up its own personal law in case it has such a law.”

Hussain Imam (Bihar) felt that “it would be all right and a very desirable thing to have a uniform law, but at a very distant date. For that, the country should first await the coming of that event when the whole of India has got educated,….when their economic conditions are better, when each man is able to stand on his own legs….”

All Muslim members pleaded that the Draft Article be enforced only with the prior assent of their community. Their arguments were:

Article 35 of the draft Constitution of India provided that “the State shall endeavour to secure for the citizens a uniform civil code throughout the territory of India.” The Constituent Assembly took up Draft Article 35 for debate on 23rd November, 1948

a) that UCC violated freedom of religion; b) the Draft Article would create disharmony and c) it was wrong to interfere with personal laws without the approval of religious communities. It was argued that the right to adhere to one’s own personal laws was one of the fundamental rights and that personal laws were part and parcel of religion and culture. They emphasized that UCC should not include family law and inheritance.

KM Munshi expressed that “it must also be remembered that if this clause is not put in, it does not mean that the Parliament in future would have no right to enact a Civil Code.” He felt that article guaranteeing religious freedom gave state the power to regulate secular activities associated with religion. He further expressed that certain communities amongst Muslims, for example, Khojas and Cutchi

Alladi Krishnaswami Ayyar expressed that “the objection was that religion was in danger, that communities cannot live in amity if there is to be a uniform civil code. The article actually aims at amity.”

Concluding the debate, Dr BR Ambedkar did not accept the amendments and defended the right of the state to interfere in the personal laws of different communities. He mentioned that many civil laws, such as, IPC, CrPC, CPC, transfer of property, negotiable instruments, law of contracts, etc., had already been made uniformly applicable to all. Besides, Muslims in NorthWest Frontier followed Hindu law of succession till 1937. He cited example of Muslims of North Malabar following Marumakkathyam Hindu matriarchal law to stress that Muslim personal laws were not immutable. He concluded by saying that “it is perfectly possible that the future Parliament may make a provision …………that the Code shall apply only to those who make a declaration that they are prepared to be bound by it.”

Despite opposition, the Draft Article 35 (now Article 44) found support of the majority of members who argued that the UCC was important to bolster the unity and integrity of the country. The argument that UCC would violate religious freedom was rejected and the Constituent Assembly paved the way for this social reform legislation to strengthen secularist and nationalist fabric of the country.

THE VIEWS EXPRESSED BY THE AUTHOR ARE PERSONAL

Copying a script used by some of the state governments against the media, the Kerala Police searched the office of Asianet News’ Kozhikode office. The news channel is seen as being anti-Pinarayi Vijayan government of the state. The channel is credited with exposing the government’s nexus with Swapna Suresh, an accused in the gold smuggling racket. The raid on Asianet office came a day after the Student Federation of India (SFI) ransacked its office in Kochi earlier. The SFI is a students’ wing of the CPI-M, the ruling party. Chairman of Asianet News Rajesh Kalra said that such attempts to browbeat the media won’t succeed. Asianet News belongs to Asianet News Online Private Ltd. which was launched in 2008 by Rajeev Chandrashekhar, who is now the minister for electronics and information technology. This fact explains the SFI and Pinarayi government’s action against Asianet News. It cannot be justified as it also is an attack on press freedom.

SPIRITUAL SPEAK

Death is as sure for that which is born, as birth is for that which is dead.

Bhagavad Gita

TOP TWEETS

On his birth anniversary, I pay homage to Biju Babu, a remarkable leader and institution builder. He was a dynamic and multifaceted personality who has made an unparalleled contribution towards Odisha’s progress. His role in fighting the Emergency is also notable.

C

orruption in Karnataka’s power corridor refuses to go away. From the days of former Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa to Congress’ Siddaramaiah to the present incumbent Basavaraj Bommai whose regime has gained infamy as “40 percent commission government” for allegedly taking a 40 percent cut from contractors who are given any government work. This tag was given by the Congress after a contractor, who was unable to pay the required amount, levelled the allegation against Horticulture Minister Munirathna last year. Five contractors were arrested after the minister filed a defamation case against the accuser and four

WITH ELECTIONS A COUPLE OF MONTHS AWAY THE STATE GOVT IS STARING AT ANOTHER EMBARRASSING CORRUPTION CASE

other members of the Karnataka State Contractors’ Association.

With elections a couple of months away the state government is staring at another embarrassing corruption case. This time the option of filing a defamation case is not available to BJP MLA Madal Virupakshappa who, along with his son Prashant, is accused of seeking bribe for approving a contract. The Karnataka Lokayukta’s po-

lice, whose powers were withdrawn by the Siddaramaiah government, got its bite back under Bommai and raided the MLAs office and residence and recovered over Rs 8 crore.

The MLA, who is absconding, is close to Yeddiyurappa and belongs to the Lingayat sub-caste like BSY and Bommai. With the corruption narrative continuing to haunt the BJP, it is expected that the Lokayukta police would now aim at Congress leaders Siddaramaiah and DK Shivakumar. The BJP would be able to claim that it is earnest about fighting corruption only when the Congress is also pushed into a corner. That, however, will not guarantee eradication of political corruption.

Your passion and dedication towards the development of Madhya Pradesh is commendable. May you keep working for the welfare of the people of the state with this dedicated spirit. I pray to God for your good health and long life.

SHRAWAN SAWHNEY

Key meet at Shah’s home to form Govts in 3 NE States

BJP chief Nadda, Assam and Nagaland CMs attend meeting

FIR against TN BJP chief for his remarks on ruling DMK

New Delhi: The BJP held a crucial meeting on Sunday regarding government formation in the three northeastern states where the party hopes to form government in the coming days. The big question was Tripura, where call needs to be taken on the Chief Minister post. Sources indicated that Manik Saha is the frontrunner, though a section in the state party is rooting for Union minister Pratima Bhowmik.

The meeting at the home of party’s chief strategist Amit Shah was attended by the party chief JP Nadda, Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma and Nagaland CM Neiphiu Rio.

Rio, whose party won 25 seats remains the Chief Minister. In Meghalaya too, the senior partner National People’s Party headed by Conrad Sangma will be in the driving seat. Sangma will remain in the top post.

Biju Patnaik’s Dakota aircraft opened for public view in Odisha

The other crucial question for the meet was the number of berths to be allotted to the BJP in Mehghalaya and Nagaland. Sources indicated that in Meghalaya, one of the two BJP MLAs will get a ministerial berth.

In Tripura, Chief Minister Manik Saha submitted his resignation on Friday. Though the BJP had indicated that he will continue in the top post if the party returned to power.

Agartala: The Tipra Motha on Sunday said it is ready to sit with the BJP for a “face-to-face meeting” to find a “constitutional solution” to Tiprasa people’s problems, after Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma stated that the party’s concerns should be addressed. Taking to Facebook, former royal scion Pradyot Manikya Debbarman, who helms the regional outfit, also gave assurance that his party will not let down people who had voted for him. “If we are respectfully invited for talks on constitutional rights - economic, political, language — we will participate ... We are ready for talks to find a constitutional solution to the problems of indigenous people,” he said.

Chennai: Chennai’s Cyber Crime Unit registered a case against Tamil Nadu BJP Chief K Annamalai over his remark linking the DMK to recent spread of fake news that Bihar’s migrant workers were attacked in the state.

In a statement, Annamalai had blamed the DMK and said the party’s efforts in “mocking” the work done by North Indians is the reason why the fake news spread so quickly.

“Since DMK’s origin, it has been spewing hate against a particular community. Since the DMK came to power, the party’s ministers and MPs have mocked (North Indians) in their speeches countless times,” said Annamalai.

India’s democracy is under brutal attack: Rahul Gandhi

London (PTI): Stepping up his attack on the BJP govt, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has alleged that the structures of Indian democracy are under “brutal attack” and there is a full-scale assault on the institutions of the country.

Gandhi, who is in London, said there are conversations ongoing within the Opposition to unite around an alternative vision for India and act upon an “undercurrent of anger” over pressing issues such as unemployment, price

LS PANEL CALLS BJP MP DUBEY

OVER HIS NOTICE AGAINST RAHUL New Delhi (PTI): Lok Sabha’s committee of privileges has called BJP MP Nishikant Dubey on March 10 to hear him on his breach of privilege notice against Congress member Rahul Gandhi. According to a notice issued by the Lok Sabha Secretariat, Dubey has to appear before the committee, chaired by BJP MP Sushil Singh, in person on March 10. The secretariat had sought reply from Gandhi on the breach of privilege notices given by BJP MPs Dubey and Pralhad Joshi.

rise, the concentration of wealth and violence against women. He said recent income tax survey action against the BBC offices in New Delhi and Mumbai was an example of the “sup-

pression of voice across the country”, a motivating factor behind his ‘Bharat Jodo Yatra’ which he described as an expression of voice against the ruling BJP’s attempt to silence India.

BJP falls back on BSY, makes him “Mascot” for K’taka polls

Bengaluru (PTI): The BJP seems to be falling back on its seasoned oarsman BS Yediyurappa making him a key poll mascot, along with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, as it shores up campaign in pollbound Karnataka.

The octogenarian, who has already announced his retirement from electoral politics, is sought to be put on the pedestal by the governing party’s

Bhubaneswar (ANI):

Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik on Sunday unveiled former Chief Minister Biju Patnaik’s iconic “Dakota” DC3 (AT-AUI) aircraft for public display at Biju Patnaik International Airport in Bhubaneswar, said a statement.

As per CM’s office, “The iconic Dakota Aircraft belongs to erstwhile Kalinga Airlines and was founded by ExCM of Odisha (Late) Biju Patnaik. The said airlines operated nearly a dozen Dakotas and Late. Biju Patnaik was its Chief Pilot.” The statement further added, “This Aircraft was used by him to rescue former Indonesian VicePresident Md. Hatta and former Prime Minister

Hathras murder case: Congress pulls up police for ‘shoddy’ probe

Sutan Sjahrir. For his effort, Late Biju Patnaik was given honorary citizenship of Indonesia and awarded the title of “Bhumi Putra” by the Indonesian Govt, a recognition rarely granted to a foreigner.”

New Delhi: The Congress on Sunday attacked the BJP over the acquittal of three accused in the Hathras rape-murder case and alleged that it has exposed “shoddy” probe done by UP Police and later by the CBI. A special court in Hathras on Thursday last sentenced the main accused in 2020 Hathras rape-murder case to life imprisonment, while acquitting the three other accused. Congress said the heinous crime in Hathras and then the govt’s role has exposed the BJP.

central leaders. The reasons are not far to seek as to why Yediyurappa has been

pushed to the top of the campaign plank, the four-time Chief Minister, who built the party

MODI TO VISIT

K’TAKA ON MARCH 12;

CONG PRESSES FOR CODE OF CONDUCT

Bengaluru: Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to visit Karnataka on March 12 to dedicate the Bengaluru-Mysuru Expressway and Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) campus in Dharwad.PM Modi has already visited the poll-bound state five times this year for various developmental programmes. He is participating in public rallies and road shows. Congress party has objected to the repeated visits of central leaders, including PM Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh to Karnataka.

from grassroots level, has a mass appeal and connect — particularly the political influen -

tial Lingayat community — that no other party leader in the State commands.

LOKAYUKTA RAID: KARNATAKA BJP MLA REMAINS ELUSIVE

Bengaluru: BJP MLA Madal Virupakshappa remained elusive on Sunday, three days after Lokayukta police caught his son Prashanth Kumar MV allegedly taking a bribe for a govt contract. Lokayukta police are making all efforts to trace the Channagiri legislator, who is the prime accused in the case. Officials had said, they will be issuing him a notice for questioning, in connection with the corruption scandal.

❍ UTTAR PRADESH GOVERNMENT’S CRACKDOWN CONTINUES AGAINST THE MAFIA NEXUS

Property of Ansari’s gang member razed in UP

Ghazipur (ANI): Uttar Pradesh govt on Sunday removed illegal portions of a residential structure belonging to deceased Kamlesh Singh “Pradhan”, who was a gang member of gangster-turned-politician Mukhtar Ansari, in the Ghazipur district.

The removal action was carried out amid heavy deployment of the police force. The administration’s crackdown came amidst the State government’s ongoing drive against notorious criminals and goons.

Earlier last month, UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, during his

First India Bureau

New Delhi: Union Minister Bhupender Yadav said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi border villages will be developed comprehensively through the Vibrant Villages Programme and said that stronger border villages will lead to a stronger nation.

As a part of Vibrant Villages Programme, 1400 border villages have been identified and Un-

address at the state Assembly, said that the UP government will destroy the mafia nexus in the state [Mafiaon Ko Mitti Me Mila Denge].

Launching a scathing attack on Samajwadi Party for nurturing the mafia in the state CM

had said the UP government would destroy the mafia.

Chief Minister Yogi also held the previous Samajwadi Party ledgovernment responsible for nurturing and patronizing criminals and mafia in the state.

UNION ENVIRONMENT MINISTER SAYS...

ion Ministers will visit and spend a night at the border villages to understand the issues faced by the people there and take steps to address them. Yadav was on a two-day visit to Ladakh on 3-4 March 2023 as a part of the Vibrant Villages Programme where he visited the border villages of Tsaga pasture, Rezang-La, Chushul among others.

At Changthang village, Tsaga pasture, Yadav was given a tradi-

Prayagraj: Umesh Pal, the slain lawyer who was also a witness in the murder of BSP MLA Raju Pal in 2005 in which jailed gangster Atiq was named as accused, was also at daggers drawn with the gangster’s associates over a plot of land that he owned in Dhoomanganj. Allegations are that Atiq’s aides in 2022 had taken possession of a plot of land that Umesh owned and were demanding Rs 1 crore to allow the lawyer its possession. Umesh Pal had lodged an FIR in this connection against five persons allegedly associated with Atiq with the Dhoomanganj police station on August 24, 2022.

Lucknow: The Uttar Pradesh Police Sunday announced a reward of Rs 2.5 lakh each for giving information about the five people, including gangster and former MP Atiq Ahmad’s son Asad, allegedly involved in the killing of Umesh Pal -- the prime witness in the 2005 BSP MLA murder case. Besides Asad, the other four accused are Gulam, Guddu and Sabir, a senior official said. Umesh Pal, the key witness in the BSP MLA Raju Pal murder case, and his police security guard Sandeep Nishad were shot dead on February 24 outside his home in the Dhoomanganj area of Prayagraj.

Vibrant Villages Programme”

tional welcome and witnessed Jabro dance, a traditional dance performed by Ladakhi women. The Union Minister interacted with the nomadic Rebo tribe, who live in tents and make the finest Pashmina wool. Yadav enquired about the problems faced by them and assured them that benefits of Union Govt schemes will reach them.

Addressing the gathering, the Union Minister said after the forma-

tion of the Union Territory of Ladakh, several road projects have been completed and long pending ones have been fast-tracked. Yadav said that funds have been earmarked for Green Hydrogen Projects in Ladakh and Rs 27,000 crores have been sanctioned to develop Solar Power projects to tap the untapped solar energy potential in Ladakh and generate employment opportunities for the people.

“Border villages to be developed under

Connected, Educated and Developed Ladakh will be achieved through Vibrant Villages Programme, says Union Minister

BJP chief JP Nadda, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma, Nagaland CM Neiphiu Rio and others at a meeting in New Delhi, earlier last week. —FILE PHOTO

Naveen Patnaik unveils Dakota aircraft of Biju Patnaik for public display on his 107th birth anniversary, in Bhubaneswar on Sunday.

Union Minister Bhupender Yadav meets local residents in Ladakh during his 2-day visit to the UT.

“WE ARE READY FOR TALKS WITH BJP OVER TRIPURA’S INDIGENOUS PEOPLE”

Rahul Gandhi in conversation with the Indian Journalists’ Association in London. —PHOTO BY PTI

THE ROLE MODEL

PM Narendra Modi with BS Yediyurappa. —FILE PHOTO

Property of Ansari’s gang member being demolished in Ghazipur.

The festival of colours Holi is knocking on our doors and so is the spring equinox.

India is a land of diverse cultures and traditions and Holi is one of the country’s festivals that fill one with jubilation and festive cheer. Holi is essentially the festival of colours, which signifies the victory of good over evil, but it is celebrated across the country in varied ways. Here are some of the inimitable and popular ways of celebrating Holi in different parts of the country

Here’s how Holi is celebrated in diverse parts of India

KERALA

PUNJAB

Hola Mohalla, a popular three-day-long fair that is observed at Punjab’s Shri Anandpur Sahib is a big festive event for Sikhs around the world. The festivities include a display of martial arts, horse-riding, and reciting poetry, primarily to pay homage to the bravery of Sikh warriors. Later the festival is followed by dance, music and spraying of colours.

The traditional manner how people celebrate Holi in Kerala is known as ‘Ukuli’ or ‘Manjal Kuli’. People visit the temple on the first day and continue with the festivities on the second day. Instead of gulal, the people of Kerala play Holi with turmeric or natural colours. Also, It may come as a surprise that Holi is not as widely celebrated in the southern states as it is in the north.

UTTARAKHAND

RAJASTHAN

Popularly known as ‘Royal Holi’, Holi in Rajasthan is observed at a grand level and is organized by the royal Mewar family of Udaipur. People practise the traditional rituals of Holika Dahan a night before Holi, followed by the royal cavalcade including several decorated horses and the royal band proceeding through the city.

Holi celebrations are called Kumaoni Holi. Going by the name, it is apparent that the celebrations take place in the Kumaon region of Uttarakhand. The common names for the festival are Kahila Holi, Khadi Holi and Baithaki Holi. During the festivities, people make a ‘toli’ (gathering of people) and sing and dance to folk tunes going around the city, while sporting traditional attires. The musical affair also signifies welcoming the spring season– the start of the sowing season for the farming community. A night before Holi, people also gather around to light the Holika pyre.

INS TRIKAND PARTICIPATES IN IMX/CE-23 2023 IN GULF REGION

First India Bureau

New Delhi: INS Trikand is participating in the International Maritime Exercise/ Cutlass Express 2023 (IMX/CE23) being held in the Gulf region. The exercise began on February 26 and it will continue till March 16.

The INS Trikand is participating in the exercise with participants from over 50 nations and international maritime agencies with the common aim of enhancing maritime security and keeping sea lanes in the region safe for maritime commerce.

IMX/CE-23 is one of the largest multinational maritime exercises in the world. While this

is Indian Navy’s maiden IMX participation, it also marks the second occasion where an Indian Naval ship is participating in an exercise conducted by the CMF.

Earlier, in November last year, INS Trikand had participated in the CMF led Operation Sea Sword 2.

Participation in exer-

New Delhi: Joining the Centre’s efforts to promote millets, the Kashi Vishwanath temple in PM Narendra Modi’s parliamentary constituency Varanasi will now offer devotees ‘prasad’ made from millets. The ‘laddu prasad’ will now be known as ‘Sri Anna prasad’, a official said on Sunday.

Recently, PM Modi termed millets “Sri Anna”, which means “the best among all the foodgrains”. The deci-

sion to introduce ‘Sri Anna prasad’ was taken on the instructions of the UP government, the official said. Women self-help groups associated with the National Rural Livelihood Mission prepare ‘prasad’ for the temple.

cises like Sea Sword 2 and IMX/CE-23 enables the Indian Navy in strengthening relationships and enhancing interoperability and collective maritime capability with maritime partners in the IOR. It also enables the Navy contribute constructively to regional stability and security.

Kolkata(Agencies):

The adenovirus menace in West Bengal seems to be assuming alarming proportions as deaths of four more children, admitted in a Kolkata hospital with its symptoms, were reported in the last 6 hours, taking the death toll of children to 40 in nine days.

By Sunday morning, the deaths of two children - Atifa Khatun (18 months) and Aarman Gazi (4 years) - were re-

FIRST EDITION OF NAVAL COMMANDERS’ CONFERENCE OF 2023 TO BEGIN TODAY

New Delhi (FIB): The first edition of the Naval Commanders’ Conference of 2023 will begin on Monday. The conference serves as a platform for Naval Commanders to discuss important security issues at the military-strategic level as well as interact with Senior Government functionaries through an institutionalised forum. The novelty of this year’s conference lies in the fact that the first phase of the Commanders’ Conference is being held at sea, and for the first-time, onboard India’s first indigenous aircraft carrier, INS Vikrant.

RAJNATH SINGH TO ADDRESS TOP NAVAL COMMANDERS ONBOARD INS VIKRANT

New Delhi (PTI): Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and top commanders of the Indian Navy will on Monday carry out a comprehensive review of India’s maritime security challenges at a key conclave onboard indigenously built aircraft carrier INS Vikrant on the high seas. It is for the first time that the biannual commanders’ conference is taking place onboard an aircraft carrier, a move seen as a symbolic reflection of India’s priority to the maritime sphere amid China’s increasing presence in the Indian Ocean region.

NO CHILD ADMITTED IN NBMCH WITH ADENOVIRUS SYMPTOMS: SILIGURI MAYOR

New Delhi: Even as Kolkata and its adjoining districts in south Bengal reels from respiratory distress-related illnesses among toddlers, there is so far no child admitted at North Bengal Medical College and Hospital (NBMCH) with adenovirus symptoms, the facility’s patient welfare committee chairman Gautam Deb has said. Deb, who is also the Mayor of Siliguri, said that specialised facility for testing presence of adenovirus in a person’s body will be operational at NBMCH within 7 to 10 days.

ported from the B.C. Roy Children’s Hospital. However, by 4 p.m., four more child deaths had been reported from the same hospital, taking the number of

WOMEN’S PREMIER LEAGUE

deaths to six in the day. The common symptoms for this are flu-like including cold, fever, breathing problems, sore throat, pneumonia, and acute bronchitis.

Delhi Capitals, UP Warriorz march ahead

Rahul Faujdar

Mumbai: Tara Norris, hailing from Philadelphia sealed the fate of the match in just two overs. In her WPL debut, she took wickets of some renowned batters in the world and became the first player to take a fifer in WPL, to guide Delhi Capitals to a 60-run victory over Royal Challengers Bangalore here on Sunday.

RCB tried hard with a valiant knock from

Megan Schutt (22) but her efforts went in vain. RCB finished the match with a boundary and

their final score was 163/8. Delhi’s Tara Norris took a five-wicket haul. Norris took wick-

ets of Ellyse Perry (31) and Disha Kasat (9) in a single over. In the second match

of the day, Harris, Navgire half-centuries drive UP Warriorz to thrilling victory against Gujarat Giants in a what can be called a nail-biting match.

Earlier, Harleen Deol’s hard-hitting knock and her combination with Australian allrounder Ashleigh Gardner enabled Gujarat Giants to a respectable total of 169/6 in their match against UP Warriorz at DY Patil Stadium here.

UTTAR PRADESH

Here, Lathmar Holi is one of the most famous Holi celebrations that take place around the country. In Mathura and Vrindavan areas, that are known as the towns of Radha and Krishna, Holi begins from Basant Panchami and continues for more than a month. Thousands of devotees and tourists visit the towns to witness this frenzied version of Holi. On the day of Holi, women run after men with ‘lathis’ or sticks and playfully hit them during this celebration.

MAHARASHTRA

With great gusto and anticipation, the people here celebrate ‘Rang Panchami’ or ‘Shigma’. Festivities start after the sunset on Purnima with Holika Dahan, symbolizing the victory of good over evil. The next day, people apply gulal and spray water on each other. The celebrations are incomplete without the preparation of ‘Puran Poli’, a sweet buttery flatbread made with chana dal with the stuffing of jaggery, coconut, cardamom, and butter or ghee.

Journalists’ bodies cry foul as SFI activists barge into Asianet office

New Delhi (PTI): A day after a group of SFI activists allegedly barged into the Kochi office of Asianet News and intimidated channel staff over a news report, journalists’ bodies condemned the incident and called it yet another example of growing attacks against media and scribes.

Barging into media offices is “illegal” and should be considered as “an attack on press freedom”, the Press Club of India, Indian Women’s Press Corps, Delhi Union of Journalists and the Kerala Union of Working Journalists said in a joint statement.

“We expect the Kerala government to take strict action against those who attacked Asianet,” they said.

A group of Students’ Federation of India (SFI)

4 gold bars worth `1.95 crore recovered from aircraft’s toilet

New Delhi(Agencies):

The Customs officials on Sunday recovered four gold bars worth approx 2 crores from the toilet of an international flight at Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport on Sunday. Officials said that on the basis of input received and further developed by Customs officers at IGI Airport, an aircraft utilized for international Flight was rummaged on completion of its subsequent domestic trips at Terminal 2 of IGI, New Delhi.

The customs officers recovered a grey pouch found affixed with adhesive tape below the sink installed in the washroom. The grey pouch contained four rectangular gold bars total weighing around 3969 grams.

The rectangular gold bars are estimated to cost Rs 1,95,72,400, said an official statement.

activists allegedly trespassed into the office of Malayalam news channel Asianet News in Kochi on Friday and intimidated the staff over a report about the sexual assault of a girl, according to Kerala Police.

A case was later registered against 30 SFI activists, the students’ wing of the ruling CPI(M) in Kerala, on the basis of a complaint lodged by the channel.

Condemning the incident, the journalists’ bodies said, “We protest the attack on the TV channel Asianet News’ office in Kochi by the

COUPLE FINED `6 LAKH FOR INTERCASTE MARRIAGE

Chamarajanagar (Agencies): In Karanataka`s Chamarajanagar district, a couple was fined and faced a boycott in their village for their inter-caste marriage. The incident had taken place at Kunagalli village in Kollegal taluk in the district. According to police, the couple got married five years ago but the villagers came to know about their different castes recently.

activists of the Students Federation of India.”

“This is yet another example of the growing attacks against media organisations and journalists in the country.”

The journalists’ bodies said Asianet News had used “a mock video” to bring out the issue of drug and sexual abuse of a young girl in Kerala.

“Stamping such a programme as fake news suggests ignorance of the professional ways used by news organisations to protect the identity of victims of sexual assault,” they said.

MAN TURNS CYBER STALKER AFTER RELATION ENDS, HELD

New Delhi (Agencies): A cyber stalker was arrested by Delhi Police for allegedly harassing his former female friend by creating a fake account of her father on Instagram and sending obscene messages to her relatives, officials said on Sunday. Both were in a relationship earlier, and due to some reason broke up. Police said that the accused was identified as Vivek (21).

MONEY TRANSFERRED TO BEAUTY SALONS IN BENGAL TEACHERS SCAM, FINDS ED PROBE

Kolkata (Agencies): The ED probing the money-trail angle in the multi-crore teachers’ recruitment scam in West Bengal has found bank accounts registered in the names of beauty salons were used to divert the proceeds of crime. The central agency sleuths while checking the transaction details of arrested youth Trinamool Cong leader, Kuntal Ghosh came across certain transactions from these accounts, which showed an amount of Rs 50 lakh was transferred in phases to different bank accounts of one, Soma Chakraborty.

MINOR GIRL RAPED IN HOOKAH BAR IN UP’S KANPUR DIST

Kanpur (Agencies): Minor daughter of a doctor couple was raped in a Hookah Bar under Barra police station circle in Uttar Pradesh’s Kanpur. The father of the girl has lodged an FIR against 8 including 3 named accused. The doctor told the police that his 16-year-old daughter had been called by one Vinay Thakur to the MG Cafe (Hookah Bar) on Friday where he gave her soft drink spiked with sedatives.

TWO HELD FOR CHAIN SNATCHING IN NEW

DELHI

New Delhi (Agencies):

The Police on Sunday said that they have arrested 2 Youtube inspired snatchers, including a national level basketball player, who were committing snatchings and robberies to repay their debt. Police said that the accused were identified as Rohit Chhillar and Shantunu Rathi alias Ghora who is a national level basketball player from Haryana.

Prasad made of millets at Kashi Vishwanath temple

Adenovirus: 4 child deaths reported from Kolkata, toll rises to 40 in 9 days

IMX/CE-23 is one of the largest multinational maritime exercises in the world.

Delhi Capitals players celebrate Shafali Verma’s spectacular catch against RCB.

UP Warriorz bowler Deepti Sharma celebrates the wicket of Gujarat Giants player Ashleigh Gardner.

COMMODITIES

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SINCE 2014-15

MCAP OF FIVE TOP COMPANIES CLIMBS

`88,605 CRORE

India’s per capita income doubles

New Delhi: Five of the top 10 valued firms together added `88,604.99 crore to their market valuation last week, with State Bank of India and ICICI Bank emerging as the biggest gainers. While HDFC Bank, ICICI Bank, State Bank of India, HDFC and Bharti Airtel witnessed gains in their market valuation, Reliance Industries, TCS, Infosys, Hindustan Unilever and ITC were the laggards. In the top-10 ranking, Reliance Industries retained the tag of the most-valued firm followed by TCS. —PTI

CFOs WARN ABOUT

JOB

CUTS IN EDUCATION SECTOR

New Delhi (PTI): India’s per capita income in nominal terms doubled to `1,72,000 since 2014-15 when the Narendra Modi-led NDA came to power but uneven income distribution remains a challenge.

As per the National Statistical Office (NSO), the annual per capita (net national income) at current prices is estimated at ` 1,72,000 in 2022-23, up from `86,647 in 2014-15, suggesting an increase of about 99%.

In real terms (constant prices), the per capita income has increased by about 35% from ` 72,805 in 2014-15 to `98,118 in 2022-23.

“You are looking at GDP in current prices, but if you account for inflation,

the increase is much less,” said noted development economist Jayati Ghosh on doubling of per capita income in nominal terms. She further said distribution is critical. “Most of

FinMin monitoring daily receipts and expenses

New Delhi: Top chief financial officers (CFOs) have warned about job cuts across the board in the education market over the next six months, as tech & media sectors bear the brunt of global economic slowdown. According to a survey of 600 CFOs by Coupa 100% of CFOs in education sector responded with “reduce workforce” for actions they need to take in the next six to 12 months to drive growth in the event of a recession, as per Fox Business. —PTI

INDIA’S RUSSIAN OIL IMPORTS HIT RECORD HIGH IN

FEB

New Delhi (PTI): The finance ministry on Sunday said it has started daily monitoring of the revenue receipts, including tax collections, as well as expenditure beginning March 1, with an aim to keep fiscal deficit in check during the current fiscal.

According to officials, the daily monitoring of tax and non-tax revenue collections will help the government in taking timely corrective actions, wherever needed.

“In order to keep a close track of receipts, expenditure and involving fiscal

position of the central government in the month of March, 2023, it is necessary to have updated information on a day-to-day basis,” the Controller General of Accounts (CGA) under the finance ministry said in an office memorandum dated March 1.

this increase has accrued to the top 10% of the population. By contrast, median wages are falling, and possibly even lower in real terms,” said the former JNU professor.

MAJOR HIGHLIGHTS

z As per the NSO, the annual per capita (net national income) at current prices is estimated at `1,72,000 in 2022-23, up from `86,647 in 2014-15, suggesting an increase of about 99%

As per the NSO data, the per capita income dipped during the Covid period, both in real and nominal terms. However, it has picked up in 2021-22 and 2022-23. Former director of premier economic research institute NIPFP Pinaki Chakraborty said as per the World Development Indicator data base, average growth of India’s

INDIA, SL MULL USING ` FOR TRANSACTIONS

z In real terms (constant prices), the per capita income has increased by about 35% from `72,805 in 2014-15 to `98,118 in 2022-23

z As per the NSO data, the per capita income dipped during the Covid period, both in real and nominal terms

per-capita income in real term for the period from 2014 to 2019 was 5.6% per annum.

“This growth is significant. We have seen improvements in outcome related to health, education, and economic and social mobility. Covid impacted us badly. However, we have seen significant economic recovery after Covid.

India ‘dangerously close’ to Hindu rate of growth: Rajan

New Delhi (PTI): Sounding a note of caution, former Reserve Bank Governor Raghuram Rajan has said that India is “dangerously close” to the Hindu rate of growth in view of subdued private sector investment, high interest rates and slowing global growth.

Rajan said that sequential slowdown in the quarterly growth, as revealed by the latest estimate of national income released by the National Statistical Office (NSO) last month, was

Global trends, FPIs trading activity to drive mkts this week: Analysts

New Delhi: India’s imports of crude oil from Russia soared to a record

1.6 million barrels per day in February and is now higher than combined imports from traditional suppliers Iraq and Saudi Arabia. Russia continued to be the single largest supplier of crude oil, which is converted into petrol and diesel at refineries, for a fifth straight month by supplying more than one-third of all oil India imported. From a market share of less than 1% in February 2022, Russia’s share of India’s imports rose to 1.62 million barrels per day in February. —PTI

` TRADE POLICY GATHER TRACTION; SRVA NEARS 50

Mumbai (PTI): Equity markets would be mainly driven by global trends and foreign fund trading activity in the holiday-shortened week, analysts said.

The BSE and the National Stock Exchange have listed March 7 (Tuesday) as a holiday on account of Holi. “Indian stock markets may remain volatile amid fear that the US FED will keep raising interest rates to control inflation.

Rising US bond yields and macroeconomic numbers will keep the market mood subdued in the near-term.

Investments by FIIs, who are turning out to be small net buyers at the

margin, and DIIs will be monitored.

On the global front, the Bank of Japan will decide on interest rates and the US macroeconomic data will be scheduled for release on March 10, while on the domestic front, India’s industrial production data

ANAROCK SURVEY

New Delhi: India’s policy of facilitating trade in rupee is gaining momentum with the total number of Special Rupee Vostro Account (SRVA) touching half a century mark. As many as 49 accounts have been opened so far and some are awaiting regulatory approval, sources said. These accounts would facilitate overseas trade in rupee with Russia, Mauritius, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Myanmar, Singapore, Israel and Germany. —PTI

Colombo (PTI): India and Sri Lanka are exploring the possibility of using the Indian Rupee for economic transactions and have discussed the initiative that will help in building a stronger and closer partnership through trade and investment-led measures. The High Commission of India had a discussion on the use of the INR for transactions.

worrying.

Hindu rate of growth is a term describing low Indian economic growth rates from the 1950s to the 1980s, which averaged around 4%. The term was coined by Raj Krishna, an Indian economist, in 1978 to describe the slow growth.

“Of course, the optimists will point to the upward revisions in past GDP numbers,

but I am worried about the sequential slowdown. With the private sector unwilling to invest, the RBI still hiking rates, and global growth likely to slow later in the year, I am not sure where we find additional growth momentum,” Rajan said. The key question is what Indian growth will be in fiscal 2023-24, Rajan said

OTHER STORIES

MSI EXPECTS CHIP SHORTAGE TO GO ON FOR NEXT FEW QTRS

“Representatives from the Bank of Ceylon, State Bank of India and the Indian Bank shared their experiences and informed the audience that they had started carrying out INRdenominated trade transactions through respective Vostro/Nostro accounts after the creation of enabling framework by the RBI and the Central Bank of Sri Lanka in 2022,” the High Commission said.

The participating banks also outlined the benefits of settlements denominated in INR which includes shorter timelines, lower exchange costs and easier availability of trade credits.

The beneficial impact of this initiative on the tourism and hospitality industry was also highlighted including its role in helping increase collections which could be utilised by other sectors.

ROAD TRANSPORT & HIGHWAYS SEC HAS MAX

DELAYED PROJECTS

will also be unveiled on March 10, Gour added.

Industrial production data for the month of January will be released postmarket hours on Friday.

Market investors will also keep track of the movement of the rupee against the US dollar.

Mumbai (PTI): India saved over $27 billion in key central government schemes through direct benefit transfer as it is swift and eliminates corruption, Ajay Seth, Secretary of Department of Economic Affairs said on Sunday.

“And since the transfers are all direct, end to end, and swift, there is little scope for corruption and leakages and removal of duplicate/ fake beneficiaries. In our own experience, DBT has entailed a saving of more than $27 billion just across key central government schemes,” the official said of Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI).

65% women prefer investing in real estate

New Delhi (PTI): Real estate consultant Anarock has conducted a survey that suggests that 65% women respondents prefer to invest in real estate, 20% in stocks and only 8% of them in gold. The sample size of the consumer survey was 5,500, out of which 50% respondents were women.

At least 65% women respondents prefer to invest in real estate, followed by 20% favouring the stock markets. Just 8% of women respondents favour gold, and 7% prefer FDs (fixed deposits), the report said.

Among other findings,

Anarock said that 83% of women respondents are looking at homes priced above `45 lakh.

“The ` 45-90 lakh budget range is the ‘sweet spot’ for 36% of women home seekers, and 27% prefer premi-

TOP TALKING POINTS

z At least 65 percent women respondents prefer to invest in real estate, followed by 20% favouring the stock markets

z Just 8 percent of women respondents favour gold, and 7percent prefer FDs

z 83 percent of womens are looking at homes priced above `45 lakh

um homes priced from ` 90 lakh to `1.5 crore. 20% prefer luxury homes priced more than `1.5 crore.”

New Delhi: Maruti Suzuki

India expects semiconductor shortage to continue for the next few quarters leading to further increase in order backlog of certain models. The country’s largest carmaker has seen its pending bookings stretch to 3.69 lakh units with Ertiga leading the pack with close to 94,000 bookings. Other models like Grand Vitara and Brezza have an order backlog of around 37,000 and 61,500 units, respectively. —PTI

New Delhi: The road transport and highways sector has the maximum number of delayed projects at 460, followed by railways at 117 and the petroleum industry at 90, showed a government report. In the road transport and highways sector, 460 out of 749 projects are delayed. In railways, out of 173 projects, 117 are delayed, while in the petroleum sector, 90 out of 152 projects are running behind schedule, as per the latest flash report. —PTI

FMCG, DAIRY FIRMS BETTING ON STRONG DOUBLE-DIGIT SALES GROWTH THIS SUMMER

New Delhi: Demand for ice creams and cold beverages like Cola have surged because of the onset of early summer and sales are likely to grow in strong doubledigits this season, according to top executives of FMCG and dairy firms. The summer season will also get a tailwind in the form of an abatement of the pandemic with increased consumer mobility. This will also help the out-of-home (OOH) segment, where the companies expect a sharp rise in sales after a slump of two years.

BRITANNIA LOOKS TO RAISE ITS WOMEN WORKFORCE TO 50%

New Delhi: FMCG major Britannia Industries is aiming to increase its women workforce to 50% from the present 41% by 2024. With 15 companyowned plants and 35 contract and franchisee units across India having a workforce of over one lakh people, Britannia currently has 41% women employees and would increase the strength to 50% by the end of 2024, Head of Manufacturing, Owned Factories, Indranil Gupta said. —PTI

GOVERNMENT REMOVES IMPORT

DUTY ON WHOLE TUR

New Delhi: The government has removed the basic customs duty of 10% on whole tur or pigeon peas as part of steps to check the local prices of the lentil. In a notification dated March 3, the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) said import duty on Tur (whole) will be ‘Nil’. The reduced duty is effective from March 4. However, import of tur, other than whole tur, continues to attract basic customs duty of 10%. —PTI

‘Centre saved $27 billion in schemes using DBT’

Greetings on the occasion of Holika Dahan and Dhulendi! May all our troubles burn in the holy fire and our lives be filled with the colours of joy. Happy Holi!

— Dr Jagdeesh Chandra, CEO & Editor-in-Chief, First India

BHARAT 24 HONOURS GUJARAT’S ‘SHOORVEERS’

There is a need to change attitude of people towards cops: Sanghavi

l Sanghavi says Dr Chandra has been an inspiration for many youth including me

l We salute great leadership of PM Modi and HM Amit Shah, says Dr Chandra

Manish Desai

Ahmedabad: In an event named ‘Shoorveer’, Bharat 24’s channel honoured the Gujarat police personnel who showed bravery and valour during duty.

Gujarat Home Minister Harsh Sanghavi participated in this program organized at the Sabarmati River Front, Ahmedabad on Saturday. Dr Jagdeesh

‘

Chandra, CEO and Editor-in-Chief Bharat24Vision of New India and First India, and CMD First India News, and Gujarat DGP Vikas Sahay were also present during the programme.

“CM could not come

in our midst because of some important work. But his good wishes and blessings are with us. And anyway there is any function in Gujarat and if we do not remember PM Modi and HM Shah then function is incomplete so in their

absence we salute their leadership,” said Dr Chandra. Sanghavi started his address by praising Dr Chandra saying that at the age people plan for retirement, he has been an inspiration for many youth like me.

Vindictive politics not good for BJP ’

First India Bureau

Mumbai: Less than a week after he pulled the rug out from under the Bharatiya Janata Party by winning the Kasba Peth Legislative Assembly seat, Ravindra Dhangekar is taking on Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis— the BJP’s most powerful leader in the state.

Talking to a local media house, Dhangekar called Fadnavis’s style of politics ‘vindictive’ and warned that it

would spell doom for the saffron party in the long run.

He said the state is

With CM by its side, BJP kicks off Mumbai ‘Aashirwad yatra’

Mumbai (PTI): The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) launched its “Aashirwad yatra” to connect with people in all six Lok Sabha constituencies in Mumbai on Sunday, the party’s Mumbai unit chief Ashish Shelar said.

Day One covered two Lok Sabha seats, while the next two will be covered on March 09 and the remaining two on March 11, with party leaders visiting key temples and other sites to connect to people, the Bandra MLA told reporters.

In the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, the BJP and then ally, Shiv Sena (un-

divided), had won three constituencies each in Mumbai.

The BJP won Mumbai North, Mumbai North East, and Mumbai North Central seats, while the Shiv Sena emerged victorious in Mumbai South, Mumbai South Central, and Mumbai North West.

Of the three Shiv Sena MPs from Mumbai, MPs from Mumbai South Central, Rahul Shewale, and Mumbai North West, Gajanan Kirtikar, are with the Eknath Shinde faction. Mumbai South MP Arvind Sawant is part of the Uddhav Thackeray faction.

known for “cultured” leaders such as Yashwantrao Chavan, Sharad Pawar, Balasaheb Thack-

eray and Prithviraj Chavan, the Indian Express reported.

“People praise Nitin

Gadkari and Sharad Pawar even behind their backs because of their constructive and inclusive politics of development. This is not the case with Fadnavis. He does more to destroy opponents than to build up the public. I feel that this attitude and outlook will lead the BJP into the abyss,” Dhangekar told a Marathi news outlet. He also said that while the NCP chief and Union roadways minister continue to receive goodwill even when they are not in power, Fadnavis will not share this privilege.

“People are watching everything, and they understand everything.

There’s an end to all these things,” he said. “He may get momentary pleasure from these things, but it won’t last. When he’s out of power, people won’t even greet him ,” Dhangekar added.

Under Fadnavis, Maharashtra BJP inducted politicians from the Congress and the NCP by pressuring them using government agencies, Dhangekar also said.

Notably, prior to Dhangekar’s win, the Kasba Peth seat had been a BJP bastion for 28 years.

Dhangekar beat BJP’s Hemant Rasne by more than 10,800 votes in the bypoll necessitated by the death of BJP MLA Mukta Tilak.

Teen to get `70K comp for crash injury

First India Bureau

Thane: The Motor Accident Claims Tribunal here in Thane has awarded Rs70,000 to a 12-year-old Palghar student who was severely injured in a road accident in 2018.

Nutan Kusal, a resident of Virar in Palghar district, had been on her way home from school on September 11, 2018, when a tempo

rammed into her. The accident, which took place on VajreshwariShirsad road, left her

severely injured. Her parents had to shell out Rs1 lakh for her medical treatment, Nutan’s

Aurangabad’s new name: AIMIM MP spearheads protest

First India Bureau

Aurangabad: All India

Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) MP Imtiaz Jaleel on Saturday began an indefinite fast to protest against the renaming of Aurangabad city to Sambhaji Nagar by the state government.

advocate SL Mane said. MACT chairperson and Principal District Judge Abhay J Mantri ruled that the girl receive Rs70,000 in compensation, including Rs5,000 towards hospital and medical bills, Rs25,000 towards conveyance, attendance and special diet and Rs40,000 for pain, sufferings and permanent disability, trauma and loss of amenities.

Several AIMIM party workers and their supporters also staged a demonstration in front of the collector’s office on the issue.

On the other hand, the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) launched a signature campaign to gather support for the move.

Jaleel has clarified that the protest was not led by his party, but by “Aurangabadkars” (citizens of the city/district)— individuals from various professional,

religious, and ideological backgrounds. “We have started our protest in a democratic and peaceful manner. People from different walks of life will join us. Nobody should give a casteist or religious colour to our agitation. Our protest is simply a voice of dissent of residents against the renaming of the historic city in an illegal manner,” he said. Protestors were seen carrying banners bearing the message “I Love Aurangabad”.

Meanwhile, the MNS signature campaign was headed by city unit President Sumit Khambekar. “A few elements are trying to create a hurdle in the renaming process. To foil their plans, we have started a signature campaign,” he said.

‘Article 370 abrogation only on paper, done to help BJP’

guarantee their safety.

criticized Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led Central government for abrogation of Article 370, which ended the special status of Jammu and Kashmir.

leaders have no answers to their woes.

First India Bureau Mumbai: Shiv SenaUddhav Balasaheb Thackeray leader Sanjay Raut on Sunday

The Rajya Sabha MP said that abolishment of Article 370 was only on paper and done to serve the political interests of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

In his weekly column “Rokthok” in party mouthpiece Saamana, Raut said Kashmiri

Pandits had not got their rights despite this move, and BJP

A Kashmiri Pandit was killed by terrorists in Pulwama recently, but the BJP poured water on the grief of the community by arresting Delhi Deputy Chief Minister and Aam Aadmi Party leader Manish Sisodia in the alleged excise scam (thereby diverting attention from the killing).

“Jammu and Kashmir was and will remain an integral part

of India. The abrogation of Article 370 is only on paper and was done to serve the political interests of the BJP,” he said.

In his column, Raut said he met Kashmiri Pandits during his recent visit to the northern Union Territory as part of the Rahul Gandhi-led Bharat Jodo Yatra, and community members told him about being forcibly relocated to the Valley, though the government was not ready to

He also said the Hindu Akrosh Morcha organized in Mumbai recently against Love Jihad and other issues alleged by right wing outfits, must be held in J-K to protest the killing of Kashmiri Pandits.

He expressed concern at the re-emergence of pro-Khalistan elements in Punjab, adding it was an issue related to internal security that cannot be left in the hands of the state government there.

Imtiaz Jaleel —FILE PHOTO

New Kasba Peth MLA Ravindra Dhangekar criticizes Dy CM

Congress candidate Ravindra Dhangekar and supporters celebrate his victory in the Kasba Peth Assembly bypoll in Pune on Thursday. —FILE PHOTO

Sena - UBT’s Raut rues plight of Kashmiri Pandits, accuses ruling party of diverting public attention from killings

Shiv Sena - UBT MP Sanjay Raut —FILE PHOTO

CM Shinde waves at the crowd during the Aashirwad Yatra, on Sunday.

—PHOTO BY PTI

Dr Jagdeesh Chandra speaking during the event on Saturday.

Harsh Sanghavi addressing the audience in Ahmedabad on Saturday.

Harsh Sanghavi and Dr Jagdeesh Chandra with Ankit Trivedi, Rajesh Bhai, Vikas Sahay, Shailesh Bhandari, Manish Desai and others during lighting of lamp at Bharat24’s event titled, ‘Shoorveer’ to honour the Gujarat police personnel at the Sabarmati River Front in Ahmedabad on Saturday.

CITY FIRST SHARES A FEW GLIMPSES OF THE FESTIVAL OF COLOURS WHICH PROMOTES LOVE, TOGETHERNESS AND JOY

MEIN UDE RE GULAL

oli, the celebration of colours, is almost here, and we can hardly contain our enthusiasm.

Like any other festival, this festival also commemorates the triumph of good over evil, the arrival of spring and the end of winter, and the chance to meet new people. People are brought together to joke and play, to forget and pardon, and to mend broken relationships.

Religion, bonfires, and an excess of coloured chalk, it is one of the most gorgeous festivities on the planet but during this festival of sharing love most of the time, we are concerned with how to make our attire more enjoyable. However, Holi is an occasion where you must choose the ap-

propriate clothing, shoes, and even accoutrements to avoid malfunction or pain. Of course, we’d all like to get drenched in colours while still looking fantastic in that attire.

As a result, to make your Holi buying easier, we’ve compiled a list of dos and don’ts that you can follow to have a secure Holi and wear an ensemble that is both comfortable and stylish. The first and most important thing to do is to go out and buy a white dress, ideally ethnic; after all, we are honouring a traditional holiday.

So it’s a white kurta and py-

jama for males and a white sari or churidar kurta for women. A white Salwar kameez or palazzo will not do because they will look sloppy when soaked, and the meaning of a ‘FILMY HOLI’ is to look glamorous despite, or rather because of, colours and water. If you are confident and at ease with your sexuality, go for a muslin fabric kurta and pair it with a carefully positioned patterned dupatta or stole to complete the ‘HEROINE’ look.

UTTKARSHA SHEKHAR uttkarsha.shekhar@firstindia.co.in

Khushi Vijay Akanksha Bhalla and Gaurav Gaur

Tripti Arora

Karishma Tak

Holi is a festival that marks the beginning of spring (season) in India, the end of winter, and the blooming of love. For many, it is a joyous day to socialise with others, have fun and laugh, forget and forgive, and mend strained bonds. The ceremony also serves as a prayer for a prosperous spring harvest.

SIGNIFICANCE OF HOLIKA DAHAN

Holika Dahan (Choti Holi), also known as "the night before

SOAK IN THE HUES J O Y OF

People are joyful about the approach of the festival of colours. Holi this year will be observed on March 8 with Holika Dahan falling on March 7. The whole affair of this festival is very enjoyable and warm, as people dance to the tunes of breezy songs, play with colours and also eat popular Holi delicacies to celebrate the victory of good over evil!

Holi," is the official beginning of the Holi celebrations. Holika Dahan translates as "burning the demon Holika," while Dahan denotes the act of lighting something on fire. Holika Dahan (Choti Holi) will take place on March 7's Tuesday night in 2023.

People light a bonfire on the eve of Holika Dahan, the night before the Holi Festival, to symbolise the defeat of the demon Holika. When the blaze is burned to ashes, it symbolises the triumph of good over evil.

The event honours the tale of Prahlada, a child follower of Lord Vishnu, and his malevolent father, Hiranyakashipu, according to Hindu mythology. Hiranyakashipu was upset that his son wouldn't accept him as a deity and planned to murder him for it.

Hiranyakashipu was finally put to death by Lord Vishnu in the guise of Narasimha thanks to Prahlada's devotion to Lord

DELICACIES OF HOLI

This "festival of colours" is linked with several traditional foods and desserts. For example, picture Holi without the delectable gujiyas and the chilled thandai. During celebrating Holi, especially in North India, they are a need.

To make things simple and time-saving so that you can fully enjoy the day, some advance planning is a smart idea. Similarly, with samosas or kachoris, the dough or filling can be made ahead of time and chilled. The same is true for the thandai paste, which may be made a few days before the festival and frozen or refrigerated.

UNIQUE & POPULAR HOLI

CUISINE

These are the traditional foods that Holi is unquestionably incomplete without. You have the option to make one, two, or all of them.

GUJIYA

A dessert made of crisp, flaky pastry stuffed with sweet khoya (evaporated milk solids) and dried fruits, gujiya is well-known and traditional North Indian treat. They can be both baked and fried. Make a filling with your preferred dried fruits, jaggery, and khoya, wrap it in a sheet of repurposed flour, and fried it to serve.

THANDAI

During the Holi celebration, the traditional and well-liked North Indian beverage called Thandai is created. In classic Thandai cui -

Vishnu, who protect ed him from his fa ther's nefarious schemes. People congregate in public areas on the day of Ho lika Dahan and ignite bonfires to rep resent the burning.

Holika Dahan has cultural value in ad dition to religious signifi cance.

The major activity during the Holi celebration is playing with coloured powders and water while exchanging sweets and food. In essence, Holika Dahan is a significant Hindu festival that repre sents the victory of virtue over evil. This is a time for people to get together, pray together, and rejoice with their loved ones.

sine, aromatic spices like green cardamom, fennel seeds, black pepper, saffron, and traces of rose are combined with nuts and seeds like almonds, pistachios, poppy seeds, and melon seeds. The milk is then added to the thandai powder or paste to create the reviving and cooling thandai beverage.

DAHI VADA

All of your favourite tastes and textures are combined in one delectable snack: fluffy, supple, soft, tangy, and sweet Dahi Vada. They are made up of handmade fried lentil dumpling fritters that are covered in sweet and sour chutneys and dipped in rich, whipped yoghurt. For a fun appetiser or sharing party dish, try my heirloom and traditional Dahi Vada recipe with step-by-step photographs.

SAMOSA

A traditional and well-known Punjabi samosa dish with a crispy, flaky crust with a mixture of flavorful, tangy potatoes and green peas. As an alternative to deep frying, you may alternatively air fry or bake these samosas.

EASY HARA BHARA KABAB

Green peas, potatoes, and fresh spinach leaves are used to make hara bhara kabab. They are therefore tasty and nourishing. In India, hara bhara kebab is a tasty appetiser or snack. Burger buns may also be used to make sandwiches out of this green kabab.

MRIDULA SHARMA cityfirst@firstindia.co.in

One Holi song that I like is Soni Soni from the film Mohabbatein. I'll be listening to this song on this Holi. Other than that I'll be on my bed binge reading my book and annotating it while planning my next read. I like spending the rest of my day with great food and music comple-

आज ना छोड़ेंगे खेलेंगे हम

Holi has been my favourite festival since I was a kid. I like to celebrate holi surrounded by family, with lots of colours and great food. One of my favourite times to come back home from college is to be surrounded by friends and family. On Holi I love to

Holi for me a festival which I look forward avidly each year. My typical Holi routine includes waking up early, ( voluntarily) gathering up friends and family to celebrate the festival of colour with Gulaal. I avoid playing with water, as I don't believe in wasting water carelessly which is a precious commodity. Tunes I love to jive up on this day are Rang Barse, Paani wala Dance and Mohe

India commemorates a large number of festivals throughout the year because it is a nation with many different customs, ethnicities, and religious beliefs. One of the most well-known holidays is Holi, which is essentially a feast of colours. However, as we delve a little deeper, we discov-

er that Holi has a wide range of symbolic meanings as well as historical, cultural, and traditional importance. Holi will be observed on March 8 this year. Some people believe that Holi is the celebration of the love that Radha and Krishna shared, a form of love that is unrestricted by name, form, or shape. Others see it as a tale illustrating how goodness always triumphs over evil. While Holi is an occasion for enjoyment, frivolity, forgiveness and kindness for many others. The Holi traditions span three days and start with a bonfire to represent the annihilation of evil on the first day, fol-

lowed by celebrations with colours, prayers, music, dance, and gifts on the other two days. The primary colours are used to symbolise a variety of feelings and concepts, such as love and fertility in red, Lord Krishna in blue, and fresh starts in green. On this day, it's im possible to avoid the colours, and it's equally difficult to resist bop ping to the catchy melo dies of Holi songs. Bolly wood has always been at the vanguard of offering the finest

When one hears the word holi so the very first thing that would strike our minds is colours however there's lot more to it. Apart from the spiritual side holi is surely the festive to enjoy have fun and fall in love with every colour and everyone you come across. Also be it holi or anyother day i love to celebrate it with my loved ones specifically my best friend! Theres another level of enthusiam in me for holi as everything is so colourful even the air we breathe has colours. Dancing adds on to the joyful environment. About my favourite track for holi it's always been "Rang barse bheege chunar wali".

songs to its fans when it comes to festivals. City First brings to you how our readers will celebrate this auspicious festival and what are some of their favourite Holi songs to groove on.

Being brought up in a diverse environment and festivities around Holi has been one of my favourites. Waking up early morning despite the holiday, filling our water guns, flying colours in the air, eating gujias and not to forget some good songs. I grew up dancing and jamming to "Balam pichkari", "Ik junnon" and a lot more. I

SHUBHANSHI PATHAK cityfirst@firstindia.co.in

Siddhivi

Neha Singh

Parul Mahajan

Nandini Ramola Das

Isha Singh

Zaeden & Amyra on Jaana, heartbreaks and more!

ASHISH TIWARI cityfirst.mumbai@firstindia.co.in

One of the most favourite and much-loved duos Zaeden and Amyra Dastur recently joined us for an exclusive conversation to talk about their song Jaana, rejections, heartbreaks and more!

Keep reading.

The song revolves around a heartbreak speech in which Amyra revealed her reaction to the story of the song, she said, " Zaeden did not tell me the story of the song. We usually talk over Instagram, we have known each other

for so long and we have always extended our support to each other throughout. The thing with Zaeden is if he tells me I have a song, I know the song and the story both are gonna be great without any doubts.

And when he told me about this song, he said it was a sad song. I became more excited about it because I wanted to do something emotional for quite some time now".

Speaking of how he comes up with such extraordinary heartbreak songs, Zaeden said, " Jaana is a really special song, it is about fighting for your love and that idea really struck me at a certain phase of my life. And for this particular song, I didn't think of anyone except for Amyra for this song.

Speaking of Amyra he said, " She is always

the first choice, I completely agree getting dates is a bit difficult but no one can do it better than her".

When asked about experiencing heartbreak, Amyra said, "We all go through heartbreaks at a certain point in our lives. And even I went through it. We all have that first true love, who always ends up breaking our hearts but later in life, we get inspired

by it to make something creative happen. And Zaeden has done the same with jaana. This song has particularly reminded me of my first love".

Talking about their experience of working with each other, Zaeden said, "I had to do some great level acting for it because Amyra is just a perfect co-star. She has given me some amazing

Anupam Kher hails Deepika

Actor Anupam Kher, has expressed his admiration for his student and his pride in her. The student in question is Deepika Padukone, a presenter at the upcoming 95th Academy Awards, which will take place on March 12. The actor feels grateful for Deepika taking an acting class at Anupam's acting school, Actor Prepares, after she had a

successful modelling career. Sharing a throwback picture of Deepika from her early days at his institute, Anupam Kher wrote on his Instagram, “Dearest @deepikapadukone! Congratulations on being one of the presenters at this year’s Oscar ceremony! Every time you climb one step higher on the ladder of success, we at @actorprepares feel proud to have been

part of your journey.”

Anupam Kher further mentioned in the note, “On a personal note as your teacher I always knew the sky is not the limit. You

tips for prepping up. I used her help mostly for the crying scenes, asking her how do you cry. And I thought it will take me at least 15000 takes to nail it.

Later they opened up on their respective journey. Zaeden revealed, " I used to play the tabla in my school but then later I realised I won't be getting girls of I to keep playing the tabla so I

learned guitar after that. And growing up music was always there. It is a medium through which I mainly express myself. I started playing DJ but then later I realised that I want to explore another thing to express myself. So I started writing and singing and yeah so far the journey has been great!".

Amyra said, " I remember I was just six-

teen and I was in school when it all started. I used to tell my mom that I want to be a model and an actress. No one from my family was from the entertainment industry. So I convinced my mom, that I'll do ads and as soon as I started giving auditions I got so many ads. Plus I was brilliant at modelling.

And after 3 years I got my first movie when I was just 18. And I re-

member I got so many positive responses for it that I bagged my second and third films after that. And I was in college during that time, so I had to match my shoot dates with my college exam dates. I have worked in Tamil and Telugu films and it is so far the toughest thing, I was so stressed. But so far it has been a great journey!".

Concluding the conversation they spoke about their rejections.

Amyra said, " I have definitely faced a lot of rejections and it used to affect me in the start. Because a thing about rejection is that it can eat you up. But over time, I am grateful for it all".

Zaeden concluded, " We all face rejections but it is completely on us how to deal with that low point in your life".

will go be yond!! Love and blessings always! Con gratulations to ‘Pathaan‘ too! Jai Ho!”

Sidharth's cheesy comment

Tagarh Palace will soon be a month away. The wed ding restored our faith in love because it appeared to be a scene from a fairy tale. The couple was regal in stunning ethnic clothing by Manish Malhotra. front of their close friends and family, Sidharth and Kiara dated for a consider able amount of time. They have attracted a lot of at tention since their wed ding since they are signifi cant couple goals. Recently, Sidharth and Kiara's PDA on Kiara's Instagram post made the admirers swoon. images from her recent photoshoot wearing a stunning pink Manish Malhotra suit on Saturday night. She posed in a se quin backless jumpsuit and looked amazing. Kiara uploaded the post with the caption, “Tonight I’m feel ing pink.” While the ac tress’s industry friends and fans commented on the post, one comment that stood out was Sidharth’s.

He wrote, “color me pink.” Which defi nitely got all of us in awe!!!

Holi fans across Mumbai are in for a treat, this summer !!! CBTF Rang Barse Holi 2023 powered by Bira and presented by HEX High Energy Experience & Khalid Ansari is all set to take you through a breathtaking experience of a Life Time. Mumbaikers can get ready to cheer for all their Celebrity DJs, Singers and International artists as they will be heading to the Country Club for one kind of Musical Holi Festival. So book your tickets for the showdown now to spot the who's - who from Bollywood as Celebrity and Star Performer Ali Merchant is going to mesmerize everyone with his High Energetic Music.

Nawazuddin slams wife

The team of Bollywood star Nawazuddin Siddiqui has responded to claims made by his ex-wife Aaliya Siddiqui that she was denied access to his home with their children.

Aaliya had previously uploaded a video of her standing on the street with her two kids, son Yani and daughter Shora, in front of the actor's villa. Nevertheless, an official statement from

Nawazuddin's team makes it clear that he has no authority to order anyone to vacate the home because the property is not registered in his name.

The statement by Nawazuddin Siddiqui’s team reads: “Nawazuddin Siddiqui’s ex-wife Aaliya Siddiqui has said that she was not allowed to enter the house but the truth is Nawazuddin has already named the property on his Ammi,

Mehrunisa Siddiqui, so Nawaz is devoid of any decision-making power on anyone’s entrance in the property. The caretaker of Mehrunisa Siddiqui states that only her grandchildren are allowed in the property and no one else as the property belongs to her now.”

They also denied Aaliya’s claim that she has no place to stay and revealed that the star already has bought a lavish home for her.

Zaeden and Amyra Poster of the song

Anupam Kher’s post...

Deepika Padukone

Sidharth Malhotra and Kiara Advani

Nawazuddin Siddiqui and Aaliya Siddiqui

HOLI FEVER!

Anupam with Deepika