First India-Mumbai Edition-10th January 2023

TN GUV SKIPS PREPARED TEXT, WALKS OUT

PM MODI INAUGURATES 17TH PRAVASI BHARATIYA DIVAS CONVENTION IN MP’S INDORE

DEEPENING ‘BHARATIYA’ BOND!

Moni Sharma

Indore: “India has the opportunity to become not only the knowledge centre but also the world’s skill capital.

This skill capital can become the engine of global growth,” PM Narendra Modi said while inaugurating the 17th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas Convention in Indore on Monday. Noting the enthusiasm among the next generation Pravasi Bharatiya Youth, PM Modi urged gathering to tell youth about their country & provide them with occasions to visit it.

PM said that each and every Bharatvanshi carries entire India with him or her. “India not only has capability of becoming a knowledge centre but also a skilled capital. Our youth has skills, values, honesty and determination toward work. Our skilled capital can become world’s growth engine,” Modi added.

3 GET DECADE IN JAIL

FOR HELPING

GANGSTER DAWOOD

Mumbai: A special court in Mumbai on Monday sentenced gutkha manufacturer J M Joshi and two others to 10 years in jail in a case pertaining to helping fugitive gangster Dawood Ibrahim and his aides to set up a plant of the product in Karachi in Pakistan. Joshi, Jamiruddin Ansari and Farukh Mansuri were convicted under the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act and IPC provisions by special judge BD Shelke. As per the prosecution, there was a monetary dispute between Joshi and co-accused Rasiklal Dhariwal, and the two sought the help of Ibrahim to resolve the dispute.

Mumbai: When the Shinde faction left the Shiv Sena fold, various allegations were levelled against the faction. But now Minister Girish Mahajan has said that this whole mission was not easy. “Quitting the Shiv Sena was not an easy mission for the Shinde group. 40 MLAs got fed up with Uddhav Thackeray and walked out,” Mahajan said on Monday making the startling claim and added, “We had the blessings of Maa Cha-

munda and the people with us. 40 people left as they got fed up with their government and stood with Eknath Shinde. We thought what if this mission fails in the middle? Gathering 40 people was not easy, but everyone was standing behind us.”

PBD is taking place in all its glory after a gap of 4 years

PM MODI SPEAKS...

Bombay HC calls Kochhars arrest illegal, grants bail

COMMEMORATIVE

POSTAL STAMP RELEASED BY PM PM released a commemorative postal stamp ‘Surakshit Jaayen, Prashikshit Jaayen’ & inaugurated 1st-ever digital PBD Exhibition on theme ‘Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav - Contribution of Diaspora in Indian Freedom Struggle’.

z I call all Indian diaspora as brand ambassadors of India. You all are ‘Rashtradoots’. Your role as India’s brand ambassador is diverse z G-20 is not just a diplomatic event but it should be turned into a historic event of public participation where one can witness the spirit of ‘Atithi Devo Bhava’ z India’s unique global vision and its role in the global order will be strengthened by Pravasi Bharatiyas during the Amrit Kaal z In Pravasi Bhartiyas, we see myriad images of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam and Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat

Govt doesn’t have guts to hold cabinet expansion: Chavan

First India Bureau

Mumbai: With the cabinet expansion taking centre-stage in the Maharashtra’s political equation, senior Congress leader Prithviraj Chavan took a potshot at CM Eknath Shinde and Dy CM Devendra Fadnavis claiming that the duo ‘do not have the courage to expand the cabinet’.

“The Shinde Fadnavis government has only 20 ministers in the 43-member cabinet. They do not have the

guts to fill remaining 23 ministerial posts because there is resentment among the people with the way this government came to power in state. So this government will realise what

is happening on streets. Due to these reasons many elections are also being postponed,” Chavan said.

The senior Congress leader further said, “BJP is constantly trying to spread hatred. We are trying our best to deal with it. We had highlighted this very thing in two-day camp. Be it RSS or BJP, their people are creating an atmosphere of fear among the people. But

Prithviraj Chavan has also said that we are united against it.”

Mumbai: In the ongoing

case investigation, the Bombay HC has granted bail to the former ICICI Bank CEO Chanda Kochhar and her husband Deepak. The orders by the Bombay HC mentioned that both the alleged accused have been granted bail as the arrests were “not in accordance with the law.”

Release of both Kochhars has been ordered on a cash bail of Rs 1 lakh. Since both were arrested by the CBI in December, they termed their arrest “illegal” and vouched against it.

Mumbai: Videocon Group founder Venugopal Dhoot, arrested by CBI in ICICIVideocon bank loan fraud case, on Monday moved the Bombay High Court seeking to quash the FIR, to declare his arrest as “arbitrary and illegal” and to be released on bail. Dhoot has sought for the probe to be stayed, as well as his release on bail. He was arrested on December 26, 2022, and is presently in judicial custody

Brazil’s top court springs into action, suspends Guv

Brasilia (FIB): In aftermath of unprecedented protest in Brazil, country’s SC expelled Governor of Brasilia for 3 months for failing to fix security lapses in capital. Action was taken after 3,000 pro-Bolsonaro protestors barged into presidential palace, SC against Lula being elected as Prez.

President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva launched blistering attack and complained about a lack of security.

Protest outside the Planalto Palace building in Brasilia.

I’m deeply concerned about Brazil riots: PM PM Narendra Modi on Monday joined world leaders in conveying concern about rioting in Brasilia that broke out after supporters of ex-President Bolsonaro attacked presidential palace and SC.

Shinde-Fadnavis government in the state is unconstitutional, says Sawant

5-member SC constitution bench to hold hearing, may be deferred to 7-member bench

Kartikey Dev Singh

Mumbai: On Tuesday, a five-member constitution bench of the Supreme Court will hear the matter of power struggle in the state and the split in Shiv Sena. It is also likely that a decision will be taken at this juncture whether to refer

the hearing to a sevenjudge constitution bench. Meanwhile, ahead of this hearing, Shiv Sena’s Thackeray faction MP Arvind Sawant along with the Shinde faction criticized the BJP government at the Centre. He had reached Yavatmal to join the Mahamorcha of the Thackeray faction.

“Tomorrow’s hearing is not just limited to the Shiv Sena or the power struggle in Maharashtra. When no one has a majority in the House. Then the party which

has more MLAs is invited to form the govern-

what basis did the Gover - nor administer

Who told this to the Governor? It was from here t the work of tearing apart the Constitution started and it was done at someone’s behest. The government in the state is unconstitutional,” said Sawant.

“The decision re-

garding the symbol will be taken by the Election Commission. We have given them proofs. The Commission had given the date of November 23 to submit this evidence.

The Commission had said that it will not be extended even for a day. But then the commission itself extended the date. So on whose advice was this decision taken?

That is the big question here,” he said and criticized that the work of attacking the roots of democracy is being done by the BJP government

at the center and in the state. He also said that the Supreme Court is the only place to get justice in the country and the long er this hearing drags on, the less the public will have faith in the judiciary.

He also targeted the state government for the delay in the local selfgovernment elections.

“The state government does not dare to conduct local self government elections. Everyday new reasons are being found to postpone these elections,” he said.

The decision regarding the symbol will be taken by the Election Commission. We have given them proofs. The Commission had given the date of November 23 to submit this evidence. The Commission had said that it will not be extended even for a day. But then the commission itself extended the date. So on whose advice was this decision taken? That is the big question here.

—MP Arvind Sawant

‘Wasn’t easy to leave Sena, but 40 MLAs stood with

First India Bureau

Videocon’s Dhoot moves HC against ‘illegal’ arrest by CBI, seeks bail

First India Bureau

Videocon loan fraud

RS SODHI STEPS

DOWN AS AMUL MD; JAYEN TAKES INTERIM CHARGE

New Delhi: The Aviation regulator DGCA on Monday said it has issued a show cause notice to Air India regarding two incidents of passenger misbehaviour onboard a flight from Paris to New Delhi last month. Both incidents happened on the Paris-New Delhi flight on December 6, 2022.

Gandhinagar: RS Sodhi, Amul’s MD, was ousted on Monday, and the position has been taken up temporarily by COO Jayen Mehta. Shankarsinh Rana, chairman of Gandhinagar Madhur Dairy said Amul will get a new MD after a few months.

OF THE ASSEMBLY

Chennai: Governor-govt tussle intensified in the TN Assembly on Monday with CM MK Stalin registering objection over Guv RN Ravi digressing from prepared speech. Ravi left Assembly in a huff even as CM was addressing it & before national anthem was played. P5

DGCA ISSUES ANOTHER SHOW-CAUSE NOTICE TO AI

members from 70 countries participate

PM Narendra Modi welcomes special guest of honour, President of Suriname Chandrikapersad Santokhi at Pravasi Bharatiya Divas, in Indore on Monday.

PM Narendra Modi, Chandrikapersad Santokhi, Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali, S Jaishankar, Mangubhai C Patel, Shivraj Singh Chouhan and other dignitaries launch the commemorative stamp at Pravasi Bharatiya Divas Convention, in Indore, MP on Monday. PHOTO BY ANI

PM Narendra Modi meets the chief guest, President of Guyana Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali at 17th PBD in Indore, MP on Monday.

PM MODI MEETS PREZ OF GUYANA, SURINAME Modi and Guyana’s Prez held talks on energy, infra, development, pharmaceuticals, health, tech and defence. “Wide-ranging discussions held between Modi and Suriname Prez,” MEA said.

Fadnavis, Pawar share car ride, stage in Pune; NCP says no big deal

Both leaders attended inauguration of hosp at Bharati Vidyapeeth Uni on Sunday

First India Bureau

Mumbai: The car pool ride of Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief Sharad Pawar and Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, who is also a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader, while travelling to the inauguration of a hospital in the city on Sunday, raised eyebrows in the political circles of the state.

Amid growing bitterness between the present ruling alliance and the Opposition in Maharashtra, the NCP on Monday clarified that Pawar and Fadnavis car ride hinted at no political development.

On Sunday, the two leaders first went for the inauguration of the Bharati Super Specialty Hospital at the Bharati Vidyapeeth University in Dhankawadi, before heading to the unveiling of the students’ housing complex on the campus. Later, Fadnavis and Pawar reached the hall where an event was held to felicitate Adar Poonawalla, CEO of Serum Institute of India, Pune.

Terming it an act of “mere courtesy”, the

NCP said not much should be read into the two leaders travelling together.

Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu and Congress leader and former minister Vishwajeet Kadam were also present at the event. At the function, Poonawalla was hon -

CASH WORTH `70,000, OTHER VALUABLES STOLEN FROM PALGHAR DISTRICT TEMPLE

Palghar: Unidentified persons allegedly broke into a temple in Palghar district and stole a donation box containing about Rs70,000 cash and other valuables, police said on Monday. The incident took place at Renuka Mata Mandir on the intervening night of Saturday and Sunday, they said. Based on a complaint by the priest, a case was registered against unidentified person,” said Sub-Inspector BM Pawar.

oured with the first Dr Patangrao Kadam Memorial Award.

“There is nothing political to be read into the entire episode. It is a courtesy extended by one leader to another. Our party chief (Pawar) has wide experience both at the Centre and the state. I am sure whatever discussions

There is nothing political to be read into the entire episode. It is a courtesy extended by one leader to another. Our party chief (Pawar) has wide experience both at the Centre and the state. I am sure whatever discussions both must have had must be in the wider interest of the state.”

—Mahesh Tapase, Maha NCP Chief Spokesperson

both must have had must be in the wider interest of the state,” said NCP state Chief Spokesperson Mahesh Tapase.

On the occasion, Chancellor of Bharati Vidyapeeth University Dr Shivajirao Kadam, Vice Chancellor Dr Vivek Saoji, Executive Director, Department of

Health Sciences, Dr Asmita Jagtap, and cabinet minister of Himachal Pradesh Sanjay Awasthi were present.

Another gesture that ruffled feathers was Dr Kadam touching Fadnavis’s feet to welcome him as he got down from the car. It caused some consternation in the Congress camp.

No alliance with BJP for municipal polls: MNS

First India Bureau

Mumbai: The growing closeness of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) over the past few days had become an excuse to discuss a potential alliance between the two parties.

However, MNS Spokesperson Prakash Mahajan on Monday squashed all speculations by clarifying that there is no

BJP to field its own candidate for MLC polls

Mumbai (PTI): The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Monday announced that it will field its own candidate for the upcoming election of the Maharashtra Legislative Council’s teachers’ constituency of the Konkan division.

Speaking to reporters, Chandrashekhar Bawankule, BJP’s State Unit President said, “Dnyaneshwar Mhatre will be the BJP’s official candidate in Konkan teachers’ constituency.”

The term of five MLCs will end on February 07, and elections for the same will be held on January 30.

MNS chief Raj Thackeray —FILE

possibility of an alliance between the BJP and MNS for upcoming municipal elections in the state.

Speaking to media persons in Mumbai, Mahajan said, “There is no possibility of

our alliance with BJP, at present. Party leaders will take a decision on it, but for now, we are thinking of contesting (polls) alone.”

Mahajan also expressed displeasure over members of the BJP and Chief Minister Eknath Shinde-led faction group claiming to be “friends” with MNS chief Raj Thackeray, but failing to withdraw cases and false charges against him.

Pawar set to undergo eye surgery today

Mumbai (PTI): Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) president Sharad Pawar will undergo an eye operation on Tuesday, senior party leader Ajit Pawar said on Monday, Speaking at a book launch event on Monday, Ajit Pawar said his uncle couldn’t attend the programme as he had to get himself admitted to hospital.

Pawar, 82, was to unveil a book on legislative speeches of senior NCP leader Sunil Tatkare.

“Today, Pawar saheb was supposed to unveil this book, but that could not happen as he has an

eye operation scheduled tomorrow and he had to get himself admitted. This is why he could not attend the event,” said Ajit Pawar.

He added the NCP chief had undergone surgery for one of his eyes sometime back.

Last year, he underwent a medical procedure to remove a mouth ulcer.

AAP to set up org in Maha, contest all civic polls: Italia

Defamation case against RaGa: Hearing on Feb 04

CRUCIAL READ BJP diverting attention from unemployment, inflation: NCP

YOUTH SHOT,

KILLED NEAR HINGNA TEHSIL OFFICE

Nagpur: A young man was shot dead at around 11 pm on Sunday in Nagpur close to the Hingna tehsil office. The deceased has been identified as 35-year-old, Avinash Ghumde. He reportedly used to sit with his friends close to the tehsil office on Sunday night. The killer ambushed him and shot him twice, the bullets hit his chest, killing him on the spot. Police have launched a manhunt to nab the suspect.

HISTORY SHEETER ARRESTED FOR STEALING PHONES

Thane: A man was arrested in Thane for allegedly stealing mobile phones, a police official said on Monday. The accused, on January 04, met two persons in Thane offered them jobs and stole their three mobile phones during the interaction, Assistant Commissioner of Police (Naupada) Sonali Dhole said. “A probe zeroed in on the 41-yearold accused, a resident of Mumbra. He was held from Dombivali,” he said.

MAHA GOVT SANCTIONS BYPASS TO REDUCE

TRAFFIC,

POLLUTION NEAR ELLORA CAVES

Aurangabad: The government has sanctioned the construction of a bypass road to reduce traffic congestion and pollution near Ellora Caves, a world heritage site, in Aurangabad district, an official said on Monday. A 1.7 km long and 15 meter wide bypass will be constructed at the cost of Rs 27.5 crore, the official said. A high-level committee meeting under the chairmanship of the chief secretary was held on Monday, where Collector Astik Kumar Pandey and other officials were present.

Mumbai (PTI): The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) will set up a full-fledged organization and contest “all small and big polls” in Maharashtra, party leader Gopal Italia said on Monday.

Its Maharashtra unit chief Preeti Sharma Menon said the Arvind Kejriwal-led outfit will fight the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections with all its strength.

Education, health, electricity, water, roads and cleanliness will be the major issues on which AAP will fight the civic polls, she added.

“Under the guidance of Arvind Kejriwal (AAP national conven-

or) a full-fledged party organization will be set up in Maharashtra. And we will contest all big and small elections in the state with full strength,” said Italia, AAP National Joint Secretary and Maharashtra in-charge.

No other party was serious about solving problems. The people now have an alternative in the form of AAP, added Italia.

Thane (PTI): A court in Bhiwandi town has adjourned the hearing in a defamation case filed against Congress leader Rahul Gandhi to February 04. The matter came up for hearing on Saturday before Judicial Magistrate First Class LC Wadikar.

After hearing the counsels of Gandhi and complainant Rajesh Kunte, the magistrate put up the case for hearing on February 04.

In 2014, Kunte had filed the case against Gandhi after watching his speech in Thane’s Bhiwandi town, where the Congress leader alleged that the RSS was behind the killing of Mahatma Gandhi.

Sena MLA Nitin Deshmukh served ACB notice

First India Bureau

Mumbai: The Amravati branch of the AntiCorruption Bureau (ACB) has sent a notice to Shiv Sena- Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray MLA Nitin Deshmukh over possession of alleged illegal assets.

Deshmukh has been called for questioning

on January 17 to investigate the illegal assets.

Speaking on the notice issued to him, Deshmukh told media persons on Monday, “I have been ordered to file an answer regarding the property on January 17.”

A few days ago, Bhavnatai Gawli filed a case against me under Sec-

tion 353 (assault) during the

FOR THE PEOPLE

Even if I receive a notice from ED, I will not panic, affirms Sena leader

Nagpur. Now thhe ACB notice has come from Amravati. I will present my case on the matter at

the given time, he added.

“No explanation has been proffered about the complainant. I will hold a press conference on January 17 and explain my position to the media. Bhaskar Jadhav spoke in the (Winter) session and immediately got a notice and now I have received one too,” said Deshmukh.

Thane (PTI): The Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) women’s wing on Monday accused the governments at the Centre and Maharashtra of trying to deflect people’s attention from key issues like inflation and unemployment.

Addressing the media during their “Jan Jagran Yatra” here, Fauzia Khan, National President of the Rashtrawadi Mahila Congress, said the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) doesn’t want to take up pressing matters either in Parliament or the Maharashtra Assembly.

“Till these two issues (unemployment and price rise) are addressed by the ruling party, we will continue with our agitations. They divert people’s attention from key issues and mislead the citizens of the country,” she said.

Bhujbal seeks caste census in Maha on lines of Bihar, writes to CM, Dy CM

Senior NCP leader emphasizes on the need for having accurate data on castes for welfare schemes through spearate budgetary allocations

First India Bureau

Mumbai: Senior Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader and former cabinet minister Chhagan Bhujbal on Monday demanded an independent castebased census in Maharashtra on the lines of Bihar, saying such an

exercise in other states has benefited citizens.

Bhujbal made the demand in a letter sent to Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis and cited the example of Bihar, where a caste-based head count has started.

The Mahagathbandhan (grand alliance)

government in Bihar on Saturday launched an ambitious survey of

castes in the eastern state with Chief Minister Nitish Kumar say-

ing the exercise would prove helpful for the upliftment of all sections of society.

The demand for a caste-based census in Maharashtra has been pending for a long time, Bhujbal said in the letter.

Tamil Nadu and Chhattisgarh, too, have conducted similar exercises which are benefiting residents of these states, he noted, in an apparent refer-

ence to welfare schemes rolled out based on the surveys.

The former minister, a prominent Other Backward Classes (OBC) leader, said Members of Parliament Sameer Bhujbal, Gopinath Munde and 100 other MPs had in 2010 moved a resolution in the Lok Sabha seeking a caste-based census at the national level.

Accordingly, a census

was conducted on economic and social status of rural and urban households between 2011 and 2014, but the Centre has not yet disclosed its findings, the NCP leader added.

“So, like the Bihar government, the state (Maharashtra) should conduct an independent (caste-based) census,” he said.

The census of scheduled tribes and sched-

uled castes has been happening for the last 150 years and these sections have separate budgetary allocations for welfare schemes, said Bhujbal, stressing the need for having accurate data on castes.

Bhujbal was in the news during the recently concluded state legislature Winter Session for calling Mumbai “a hen that lays golden eggs.”

NCP leader Chhagan Bhujbal

—FILE PHOTO

(L to R) NCP chief Sharad Pawar (in white), senior BJP leader and Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis (grey Nehru jacket) and Serum Institue of India CEO Adar Poonawalla (in blue) arrive for the felicitation event in Pune on Sunday.

MEET AND GREET

PHOTO

Winter Session of

Shiv Sena (UBT) MLA Nitin Deshmukh —FILE PHOTO

DIP IN TEMP ACROSS MAHA

AMID COLD WAVE

First India Bureau

Aurangabad/Pune:

With northern India under a cold wave, the minimum temperature in Maharashtra’s Parbhani district dropped to 5.7 degrees Celsius on Monday. The state is likely to witness wintry weather over the next few days.

Other places in the Marathwada region also witnessed a dip in the mercury due to the northern cold winds, an official said.

On Sunday, the minimum temperature in Parbhani was 9 degrees Celsius and it dipped by 3.3 degrees Celsius in just one day, said the official from Vasantrao Naik Marathwada Krishi Vidyapeeth, which

is an agricultural university.

“The temperature in Parbhani and other parts of Marathwada has gone down by nearly 4 degrees Celsius. In January, the normal temperature here remains around 10.3 degrees Celsius. Now, it is 5.7 degrees,” said KK Sakhare, a meteorologist from the university.

Meanwhile, as per the Shivajinagar observatory in Pune, temperature of 10.9 degree Celsius and lower has been recorded on Monday morning, which is likely to prevail over the next few days.

Pune is expected to experience cold to very cold weather as a fresh western disturbance has hit the northern

WEATHER FORECAST

part of the country. Other parts of the state are reporting temperatures below the 10-degree mark, as the cold wave is set to continue for the next few weeks.

After an unusually warm December, night and day temperatures in the country and the state have started dipping. Western disturbances, the subtropical storms from the Mediterranean region which bring winter rains and

cold to North India, are the main reason for the sudden dip in the temperature. A fresh set of such disturbances is predicted to hit the northern parts from December 10, which would contribute to lower temperatures across the country.

However, night temperatures have been above normal in Central Maharashtra, with a dip in Vidarbha region of the state.

Minimum temperature

in Parbhani drops to

5.7 degrees Celsius due to northern cold winds

6 SUVs, truck charred in highway accident, no fatality

AUSSIE WOMAN’S LOST VALUABLES

WORTH `7.5L FOUND

Mumbai: Gold ornaments worth Rs7.5 lakh that went missing from a hospital in Pune were subsequently recovered by police from some rubble on the hospital’s ground floor, officials said Monday. They belonged to an Australian woman. According to the police, the woman had come to the hospital where her son was undergoing medical treatment.

On Saturday evening, her bag went missing witht the valuables in them. Unable to trace the bag on her own, she approached the police.

WOMAN BURNT TO DEATH AT PAPER ROLL FACTORY

Navi Mumbai: A 40-yearold woman was charred to death after a fire broke out at a paper roll manufacturing factory in Navi Mumbai, a fire official said on Monday. The incident happened at the factory located in Airoli area at around 3.30 pm on Saturday and destroyed the unit, Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation’s divisional fire officer Purushottam Jadhav said.

After the cooling operations, firemen found the charred body of a woman, identified as Urmila Naik, the official said.

14 TOURISTS INJURED AFTER MINI BUS OVERTURNS IN NASHIK; SIX CRITICAL

Nashik: At least 14 persons were injured, six of them seriously, when a mini bus carrying tourists overturned in Nashik district. The accident occurred on Trimbakeshwar-Nashik road around 2 pm. The driver lost control of the vehicle while negotiating a bend, causing the mini bus to overturn. As many as 14 occupants sustained injuries and were rushed to Trimbakeshwar Hospital, from where six were shifted to the district civil hospital in Nashik and two to a private hospital, official said.

LIFT ROPE BREAKS KILLING TWO AT CONSTRUCTION SITE

Mumbai: Two labourers were killed after a lift trolley crashed at a 15-storey under-construction building in Worli on Monday, an official from the fire brigade said. The incident took place at Avighna Tower around 4.30 pm when the labourers were cleaning the glass on the exterior of the building, the official said. The rope of the lift suddenly broke and the contraption crashed to the ground floor, he said.

PARKED BUS CATCHES FIRE; NO CASUALTIES

Thane: A civic bus parked at a depot caught fire on Monday. No casualties were reported in the incident, said a civic official. The fire was reported at around 5.20 pm on a bus of the Thane Municipal Transport, which was parked at Lokmanya Nagar bus depot, said Avinash Sawant, Regional Disaster Management Cell chief. Firemen and RDMC team rushed to the scene and the fire was put out by 6.10 pm, he added.

Beautification works underway ahead of G20 meet

First India Bureau

Pune: Elaborate preparations, including road restoration and beautification works, are underway in Pune city ahead of the G20 meeting scheduled for January 16-17, officials said on Monday. The visiting representatives will be exposed to the rich legacy of the culture of Pune, a senior official said.

Pune’s guardian minister Chandrakant Patil reviewed preparations for the upcoming G20 infrastructural working

group meeting which will be attended by more than 120 representatives from 34 countries.

Patil said this is a good opportunity to showcase the culture of state and Pune to the world and appealed to the citizens to take part in welcoming the delegates.

“We are hosts and

Murder convict who jumped parole held

Mumbai (PTI): A 62-year-old murder convict, who jumped parole and was absconding for more than three years, was arrested from the western suburb of Saki Naka here, police said on Monday.

Acting on a tip-off, unit 10 of Mumbai police’s crime branch apprehended the accused gangster on Sunday night, an official said.

The accused was serving a life term at Aurangabad prison since 1995 in connection with the murder case, but was released on

emergency parole during the COVID-19 pandemic on May 9, 2020, he said. The prison authorities approached the police and lodged a complaint along with an FIR under section 224 (resistance or obstruction by a person to his lawful apprehension) of the IPC was registered against the accused, he said.

have the opportunity to showcase Pune’s culture and development. This is the way, good things from the city will go out in world,” he told in a press conference. The minister, who represents the Kothrud Assembly seat in Pune city, appealed to shopkeepers and residents to decorate their buildings and commercial establishments along the routes. By taking the utmost precaution of security, some citizens can welcome the delegates by waving the tricolour, Patil said.

“In a nutshell, think as if a guest is coming to our house. He/she should leave city with memories of wonderful hospitality,” he said. Queried about some agitations being held outside the administrative complexes such as Pune Municipal Corporation and collector’s office, Patil said he has instructed collector to request the agitators with folded hands to halt their protests as it would not be good to show such pictures during the G20 meet.

First India Bureau

Pune: A truck and a multi-axle container were heavily damaged with six high-end SUVs and cloth rolls, which they were transporting were completely gutted after the two vehicles caught fire in an accident that occurred at Khambatki Ghat on Pune-Bangalore Highway in Satara district Sunday. No casualties were reported in the accident.

The mishap also led to a traffic jam in the ghat section, prompting the police to divert the traffic to the opposite corridor on the highway. The Khambatki Ghat is located on the Pune to Satara stretch on the highway and has a one-way traffic flow. The ghat is located around 70 kilometre from Pune and 40 kilometre from Satara city.

The accident occurred near Datta Mandir in Khambatki Ghat around 1 pm Sunday. Officials said that the truck carrying rolls of cloth had suffered a brake failure. Near Datta Mandir, the truck’s

reverse movement could not be controlled by the driver and it hit a multi-axle container carrying six MG Hector SUVs. “The rear end of the truck hit the fuel tank of the container, starting a fire. The fire quickly spread to the two vehicles,” said Mahesh Ingale, in charge of the Khandala police station in Satara district.

After receiving information, the police called in fire tenders. Because of the high traffic flow on Sunday, the accident led to heavy traffic congestion in the ghat section.

1,600 locals buy motorbikes as eco health improves

ey. Within a year of getting a job, I bought a bike worth Rs1 lakh.”

Gadchiroli (ANI): The Surjagarh mining project, which had been lying dormant for decades, has resumed operations in the Naxal-affected Etapalli tehsil of South Gadchiroli district in Maharashtra. It has granted gainful employment to over 3,500 locals, who act as security guards in the area.

As the economic health has improved, it has enabled 1,600 people to buy motorbikes within a year of starting jobs.

According to Gadchi-

roli Assistant Collector, Shubham Gupta, “Ever since the Surjagarh project started, many local people have got jobs, due to which the economic condition of the people has also improved.

Around 1,600 people have bought bikes within one year of getting the job.”

is primarily known for

Earlier, we were entirely dependent on agriculture. When a company came to our area, I got a job in road security there. I am working and farming, as well. Earlier, we had to cover 20-25 km by autorickshaw or jeep and had to pay a lot of money. Within a year of getting a job, I bought a bike worth Rs1 lakh..

Rakesh Gawde, a road security guard in Todsa village, said, “Earlier, we were entirely dependent on agriculture. When a company came to our area, I got a job in road security there. I am working and farming, as well. Earlier, we had to cover 20-25 km by au-

Gawde, security guard, Todsa village

torickshaw or jeep and had to pay a lot of mon-

I am saving a lot on my expenses. I never thought that I would buy a bike with my own money one day, he added.

With Naxalites against the mining project, Gadchiroli district has had unrest in the region. In December 2016, Naxalites had threatened to stall the project by burning a large number of trucks engaged in it. This led to stalling of the project. Despite heavy opposition in the last year, the Surajgarh mining project is now operating in full-swing.

Maharashtra ATS nabs three aides of Punjab gangster

Mumbai (PTI): The Maharashtra AntiTerrorism Squad (ATS) has arrested three aides of Punjab gangster Sonu Khatri from the neighbouring Thane district, an official said on Monday. The three accused were arrested in a joint operation of ATS with the AntiGangster Task Force (AGTF) of Punjab Police from Kalyan in neighbouring Thane district on Sunday evening, the official said.

The trio was allegedly in contact with gangster-terrorist Harvinder Singh alias Rinda, he said.

Acting on specific information received by the Punjab police, ATS officials laid a trap at the NRC colony in Ambivali, he said. The ATS team,

comprising officials of Kalachowki and Vikhroli units, with the help of local police and Punjab police apprehended the accused from Yadav Nagar, he said.

The trio, who are in their 20s, were involved in cases of murder, attempt to murder, serious body offences, and carrying weapons and explosives, the official said, adding that the accused will be produced before a court by Punjab police.

Surajgarh mining project has given employment to over 3,500 residents

—Rakesh

Gadchiroli

agriculture.

—FILE PHOTO

DAREDEVILRY

A stunt performer rides a car on the walls of a makeshift wooden cylindrical structure referred to as the ‘Well of Death’ at Erangal fair, in Mumbai on Monday.

—PHOTO BY ANI

The truck carrying cloth rolls suffered a brake failure.

People in Maha are likely to feel the wintry air over the next few days.

ANI PHOTO

DEFENCE OFFSETS: AN OVERVIEW

COL ANUPAM

JAITLY (RETD)

The increasing tensions with China on our Northern Borders and strained relations with Pakistan, the modernization of armed forces demand huge investments by our country year on year forcing India to be a leading importer of defence equipment in the world. As per sources, the Indian Defence market is anticipated to record a Compound Annual Growth Rate of over 4% between 2020 and 2026. This, in turn, is likely to benefit selfsufficiency and ‘Make in India’ Defence Projects.

So, what is meant by Defence offset? In simple words, it is an obligation by foreign suppliers to invest in India and aid the domestic defence industry either through direct investment or by partnering with domestic defence players or by transfer of technology to an Indian defence enterprise.

The increasing tensions with China on our Northern Borders and strained relations with Pakistan, the modernization of armed forces demand huge investments by our country year on year, forcing India to be a leading importer of defence equipment in the world. As per sources, the Indian Defence market is anticipated to record a Compound Annual Growth Rate of over 4% between 2020 and 2026

in 2016 and then in 2020. In 2016 amendment, the foreign vendors were exempted from providing all the details of offset at the time of contract and were given the leeway of declaration either at the time of seeking offset credits or, twelve months before the discharge of offset obligations.

Moreover, India is not industry ready as on date to absorb large volume of offsets. The country’s public and private Sector Undertakings I defence are inefficient and lack adequate infrastructure to accept state of the art technology. This lack of absorptive capacity will for sure stymie our growth in defence industrial development. If we wish to leverage capital acquisitions to develop Indian defence industry, the only way is to augment the capacity for Research, Design, and Development related to defence production and services

Though the policy for offset in defence deals was initiated in 2005, the first offset contract was made in 2007. However, it was only in 2012 that the policy makers stated the objectives for defence offsets to support capital acquisitions to develop Indian defence industry by fostering development of global competitive enterprises, augmenting capacity for R & D related to defence and finally encouraging development of synergistic sectors like aerospace, and internal security”.

As it generally happens, the change of govt in Delhi got the policy tweaked again

TRAPPED IN SOCIAL MEDIA NETWORK

But in my opinion, the major change was brought in 2020 which raised the limit of offset obligation of 30% of the cost to the procurements exceeding Rs 2000 crore against the earlier limit of Rs 300 crore. In addition, the changes specified that the clause of offset are non operative if the deals are government-to-government or it is ab initio one vendor deal, or inter-governmental agreements. Nevertheless, all other foreign vendor competitive deals were to continue with the clause of 30% offset.

While the govt authorities went gaga on their policy making, the story was not as

rosy, if read with the perspective of ‘The Comptroller and Auditor General’ of our country. Auditors had defined relevant clauses as a mechanism established with a three-fold objectives of firstly, partially compensating for outflow of Indian resources. Secondly, ensuring induction of sophisticated new technology and thirdly, enhancing capacities and capabilities of defence industry in the country. It was considered an obligation on the supplier to either “reverse purchase goods manufactured in India or, execute export orders on such goods.”

Though the report submitted by the CAG is not fully in public domain, the sources in media reveal that all is not well in the defence offset deals. From the first contract signed in 2007 until March 2018, CAG said, 46 offset contracts have been signed for Rs 66,427 crore and till December 2018, Rs 19,223 crore

worth of offsets should have been discharged. However, the claimed discharge of the offset obligation by the end 2018 was Rs 11,396 crore only. The balance of obligation of Rs 55,000 crore is to be executed by 2024 for which the auditors are not very hopeful.

The report further reveals that besides financial failures, the offset policy has also not been successful in acquiring advanced technologies or even significantly enhancing industrial or manufacturing capabilities which is against the stated objectives of the offset policy.

There is no doubt that India has giant aspirations for its offset resources. But lamentably, the current state does not appear to be steering the country to its terminal aim of self-reliance in defence production.

If I may say, probably we are lacking the required strategic vision and systematised priority for implementing offset policy. As a result, we put the onus of developing offset projects on foreign firms whose natural inclination will never be aligned with our national aims. Moreover, India is not industry ready as on date to absorb large volume of offsets. The country’s public and private Sector Undertakings I defence are inefficient and lack adequate infrastructure to accept state of the art technology. This lack of absorptive capacity will for sure stymie our growth in defence industrial development. If we wish to leverage capital acquisitions to develop Indian defence industry, the only way is to augment the capacity for Research, Design, and Development related to defence production and services.

Seattle in the United States is too far away from India to attract notice but a suit filed by some public schools against social media companies must be taken serious note of. The lawsuit filed by the Seattle Public Schools in a US district court said that the social media was responsible for worsening mental health and behavioral disorders like anxiety, depression, disorderly eating and cyber-bullying making it difficult to educate students. The companies named in the lawsuit include Alphabet Inc, Meta Inc, Snap Inc and TikTok-owner ByteDance. Blaming the tech giants for exploiting “the vulnerable brains of youth” to hook tens of millions of students

Lawsuit filed by Seattle Public Schools said that SM was responsible for worsening mental health, behavioral disorders like anxiety, depression, disorderly eating and cyber-bullying, making it difficult to educate students

across the country to their platforms.

The suit also said, “Defendants recommend and promote harmful content to youth, such as pro-anorexia and eating disorder content.” It even quantified the damage done by these platforms

stating that in decade from 2009 to 2019 there was on average a 30 percent increase with students feeling “so sad or helpless almost every day for 2 weeks or more in a row.”

The use of social media has become a strong habit of children in India too. A study commissioned by National Commission for Protection of Child Rights showed that 42.9 percent of 3,400 schoolgoing children confessed to having social networking accounts. Besides, 37.8% and 24.3% of 10-year-olds surveyed had Facebook and Instagram accounts, which was against minimum age of 13 years for opening a account.

There’s little effort being made by the government to prevent children from falling into the social media trap.

IN-DEPTH

TAMIL NADU GUV AND GOVT FIND ANOTHER ISSUE TO MOVE APART

overnor RN Ravi kicked up a row in Tamil Nadu Assembly by skipping references to Dravidian leaders like EVR Periyar, CN Annadurai, K. Kamaraj and their model of governance. He even skipped reference to BR Ambedkar, the father of the Indian Constitution. In doing so he deviated from the official speech provided to him. The Constitution does not bar a governor to deviate from the prepared text but traditionally they have stuck to speeches provided by a government. The uproar was also due to the portions Ravi added to the speech. However, leaving out Ambedkar and some of the DMK stalwarts could have been avoided.

Relations between the Tamil Nadu governor and the DMK government MK Stalin have soured over various issues like the former sitting over about 20 Bills including one on banning online gambling. The governor’s suggestion to rename Tamil Nadu as Tamizhagam is the latest irritant between the two. The cooling of tempers is unlikely soon.

SPIRITUAL SPEAK

MAHENG/2022/14652 Printed and published by Anita Hada Sangwan on behalf of First Express Publishers. Printed at Dangat Media Pvt Ltd, No.22, Dighe MIDC, Vishnu Nagar, TTC Industrial Area, Dighe, Navi Mumbai-400701. Published at Plot No. 3 Scheme C of Manglorean Garden Home, CHS Limited, Survey No. 5, 6C (Part) Ville Parle East, Mumbai 400057. Phone 022-46031417.

Editor-In-Chief: Dr Jagdeesh Chandra Editor: Kartikey Dev Singh responsible for selection of news under the PRB Act

Dharmendra Pradhan @dpradhanbjp

With exams just around the corner there is lot of excitement and anticipation for #ParikshaPeCharcha.

are all geared up to chill and de-stress with PM @narendramodi ji, their best friend and mentor. Join

to become exam-proof and bring the best out in you.

Jyotiraditya M. Scindia @JM_Scindia

The diaspora of India is the harbinger of the country’s rich culture and traditions. Their contribution in making the world aware of Indian values is incomparable. Hearty greetings to all the overseas Indians on the occasion of #PravasiBharatiyaDivas2023 !

If you find no one to support you on the spiritual path, walk alone. There is no companionship with the immature. Buddha

THE VIEWS EXPRESSED BY THE AUTHOR ARE PERSONAL

The writer is Defence expert, Motivational Speaker & Corporate Trainer

“FILE AFFIDAVIT OVER APPOINTMENT OF NAGALAND

U’khand CM Dhami meets NDMA officials

Saying that PM Modi is monitoring the developments, Dhami appealed to everyone to work as a team to save Joshimath

HIGHLIGHTS

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Monday asked the Ministry of Home Affairs to file an affidavit within a week indicating whether an officer’s concurrence is necessary before empanelling him for appointment as the Director General of Police (DGP) of a state even if he is on the Center’s deputation.

A bench led by Chief Justice of India (CJI) DY Chandrachud has also asked the MHA to place the supporting rule relating to the concurrence.

MONEY LAUNDERING CASE: NOTICE TO ED ON POOJA SINGH

New Delhi: The Delhi High Court on Monday issued notice to Enforcement Directorate on a bail petition moved by Pooja Singh, said to be a close aide of jailed Leena Maria Paul, wife of conman Sukesh Chandrashekar in Rupees 200 crores money laundering case. Her bail plea was earlier rejected by the trial court. A bench on Monday sought a response from the financial probe agency in the matter and listed it for February 2.

TUNISHA DEATH: NO RELIEF FOR ACTOR SHEEZAN KHAN

First India Bureau

Joshimath: Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Monday appealed to everyone to work as a team to save Joshimath, adding that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is monitoring the developments of the region.

National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) submitted its report to Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami regarding recent damage to buildings and ground subsidence in Joshimath.

on January 5-6, 2023, to assess the exact damage to buildings and ground subsidence in Joshimath.

GOVT APATHY CAUSE OF JOSHIMATH CRISIS: EXPERT

‘UNFIT FOR LIVING’ BUILDINGS PAINTED WITH RED X SYMBOL IN ‘SINKING’ TOWN

Located at a height of 6150 feet (1875 m), Joshimath is a gateway to several Himalayan mountain climbing expeditions, trekking trails and popular pilgrim sites like Kedarnath and Badrinath.

More than 600 houses in the area have developed cracks in the wake of the landslide and subsidence, officials said.

A team from Central Building Research Institute reached Joshimath to analyse the damages caused to buildings for compensation. The team will be submitting its report to the state government.

Mumbai: A local court in Vasai in Maharashtra on Monday adjourned the hearing on the Bail Plea of Sheezan Khan, an accused in the Tunisha Sharma death case, till 11 January. “We have asked for another date further and we’ll be keeping our perspective in the court on January 11,” Tunisha’s family’s advocate Tarun Sharma said. The same court had earlier adjourned the hearing till January 9 (Monday).

CLEAR ARREARS UNDER OROP TILL

MAR 15: SC TO GOI

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Monday gave the central government time till March 15 to pay arrears under the One Rank-One Pension (OROP) to all eligible pensioners of the armed forces. A bench of Chief Justice of India (CJI) DY Chandrachud and Justice PS Narasimha gave a second extension for the payment after the Central government in June sought an extension of three months.

“We’ve appealed to everyone to work as a team and save Joshimath. (People of) 68 houses that were in danger have been shifted. A zone of over 600 houses has formed & efforts are underway to shift them. The PM is also monitoring it &has assured all possible help,” said Uttarakhand CM.

JOSHIMATH ‘SINKING’

An eight-member team led by Disaster Management Secretary Ranjit Sinha submitted the report after surveying Joshimath.

The secretary and experts from different institutions and organisations did a field survey

The report by disaster management team experts has pressed that the recommendations made in the report compiled in August 2022 on Joshimath should be implemented.

The experts also suggested that the houses which have been damaged to a large extent should be demolished, and debris should be removed.

The report suggested that an extensive survey of the soil and its strength should be conducted in Joshimath.

Bharat Jodo Yatra resumes from Kurukshetra district

Kurukshetra (PTI):

The Rahul Gandhi-led Bharat Jodo Yatra resumed from Khanpur Kolian here this morning as part of its Haryana leg, and will witness an all-women walk on Monday.

The foot march had entered Kurukshetra district from Karnal on Sunday with a large number of people joining the Yatra. State Congress chief Udai Bhan said the Yatra on Monday witnessed an allwomen walk.

Former Army chief Gen Deepak Kapoor and many retired top officers of the defence

services had joined the Yatra here on Sunday.

During the Haryana leg of the Yatra, Gandhi has been accompanied by senior party leaders, including former chief minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda, Kumari

Selja, Randeep Singh

Surjewala, Deepender Singh Hooda and Haryana Congress chief Udai Bhan. A large number of people joined the yatra as it passed through Kurukshetra district.

OWAISI’S TAKE ON 2024

Gopeshwar: Geological factors apart, failure of govts to act on the warnings by experts about possible hazards in Joshimath and adjoining areas has emerged as a major reason behind the land subsidence crisis that has now gripped the town, environmentalist Chandi Prasad Bhatt said. Yet another effort has been made by the state govt for a scientific study with the help of satellite imagery of the crisis in the sinking town, Bhatt said. However, a detailed zonation mapping of Himalayas in Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh, warning of the lurking dangers in Joshimath, was submitted to state govt more than two decades ago, he said.

DMK govt vs Guv face-off hits a new low in TN

Chennai: Tamil Nadu Governor RN Ravi staged an unprecedented walkout from the state assembly following a face-off with CM MK Stalin over the former’s customary address to members of the house in its first session of the year. In his address, Ravi skipped a few portions of the draft prepared by the government, prompting Stalin to move a resolution to expunge from records all such comments made by the governor that didn’t conform to the draft. It is customary that the governor adheres to the draft of his speech prepared by the government.

“Advantage to Modi if Oppn pits a PM face”

New Delhi (ANI): AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi has said the BJP will have a clear edge over the Opposition in 2024 Lok Sabha polls if a face is pitted against Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Owaisi said the Opposition needs to galvanise in each Lok Sabha constituency to defeat the BJP. He said, “The Opposition should look to put up a tough fight for all the 540 parliamentary constituencies. If a

single opposition face fights against BJP, the latter will benefit. If it’s Modi versus (Arvind) Kejriwal or Rahul Gandhi, the PM would be at an advantage.”

In 2019, Opposition had formed a grand alliance in a bid to unseat the Modi govt. However, the alliance did not succeed in its objective and eventually fell apart.

With the focus now on the 2024 Lok Sabha polls, the AAP recently claimed the battle for

2024 will be one between Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal and PM Modi. A known baiter of

If a single opposition face fights against BJP, the latter will benefit. If it’s Modi versus (Arvind) Kejriwal or Rahul Gandhi, the PM would be at an advantage.

Asaduddin Owaisi, AIMIM chief

the BJP at the Centre, Telangana CM K Chandrashekar Rao, too, remodelled his party, the

Telangana Rashtra Samithi into the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) and got recognised as a national party in a bid to upstage the saffron party in the LS polls.

About West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee, the AIMIM chief said, “Mamata Banerjee (recently) held a meeting with Union Home Minister Amit Shah. So one is not certain if she should be the Opposition face against PM Modi.”

Joshimath: With the prevailing situation in Joshimath grim in the wake of the land subsidence incident, the Chamoli District Magistrate Himanshu Khurana said all dangerous buildings in the holy town have been marked with a red ‘X’ symbol. After the district administration declared these buildings as “unsafe areas which are unfit for living”, the residents have been shifted to a safer place.

“Under the Disaster Management Act, we have marked some unsafe areas which are unfit for living. These areas include Sindhi Gandhinagar and Manohar Bagh,” Chamoli District Magistrate Himanshu Khurana said.

DECLARE JOSHIMATH CASE AS NATIONAL CALAMITY: CONG LEADER PAWAN KHERA

New Delhi: The Congress on Monday demanded that Joshimath case be declared as national calamity and appropriate compensation should be given to the affected residents from Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund. Addressing a Press conference, AICC media and PR chairman Pawan Khera said, “All the work regarding the tunnel should be stopped immediately which led to such calamity and all railway work should be reviewed first which is a threat to mountain ecosystem.”

The cause of the sinking is the NTPC tunnel & other construction projects for Char Dham. They should be stopped & this situation should be treated as a natural disaster. Affected residents should be given relief aid like it was done in Badrinath & Kedarnath.

Harish Rawat, Former CM Uttarakhand

AAP protests outside BJP headquarters

New Delhi (PTI):

the mayor and deputy mayor elections.

The protest was led by Delhi minister Raaj Kumar Anand, AAP chief spokesperson Saurabh Bharadwaj and party leader Adil Ahmad Khan. On January 6, the maiden meeting of the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) House was adjourned without electing mayor and deputy mayor as BJP and AAP councillors exchanged heated words and came to blows over presiding officer Satya

Sharma administering oath to the aldermen first and not the elected representatives.

Only four aldermen could take oath before the House plunged into chaos. The AAP alleged that the BJP made the aldermen take oath first in order to get them voting rights for

“We are here to protest against what was done on January 6. We feel that these nominated aldermen were administered oath first as they might be given voting rights. We want a statement from the LG that they will not vote and only then our protest will end,” said AAP’s mayoral candidate Shelly Oberoi.

Lt Governor VK Saxena had nominated 10 aldermen to the MCD House on January 3.

The AAP had alleged that all the nominated members were BJP workers and the civic body sent their names directly to Saxena without keeping the city government in the loop.

(Clockwise from left) SDRF personnel at a hotel after cracks appeared due to the gradual “sinking” of Joshimath on Monday; Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Singh Dhami at a meeting to review the situation; a resident shifts his belongings to a safer place.

MCD HOUSE RUCKUS

The AAP on Monday held a protest outside the BJP headquarters here over the aldermen nominated by the Lt Governor to the MCD House being administered oath before the elected representatives and accused the BJP of flouting rules.

BJP MP Parvesh Verma was detained during a protest against AAP in New Delhi.

AAP activists raise slogans during a protest against BJP in New Delhi on Monday. —PHOTO BY PTI

Rahul Gandhi during ‘Bharat Jodo Yatra’, in Kurukshetra on Monday.

‘INDIA HAS ROBUST DEFENCE MANUFACTURING ECOSYSTEM’

New Delhi (ANI): Emphasizing national efforts towards the ‘Make in India’, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Monday said that the self-reliance initiative is the beginning of a new paradigm of partnership with other countries and added it was neither isolationist nor meant for India alone.

Singh addressing the ambassadors’ round table conference at Aero India 2023 also said that India has been working towards enhancing its defence manufacturing capabilities, particularly in the emerging areas of drones, cyber tech, AI, radars and other equipment.

Underlining the robust defence manufacturing ecosystem in the

country he said that it would have the advantage of abundant technical manpower.

“We have created a robust defence manufacturing ecosystem in India which has the advantage of abundant technical manpower. It

has led to the emergence of India, as a leading Defence Exporter in recent years,” he added.

The Defence Minister further said that the country’s defence exports have grown by 8 times in the last 5 years and now India is export-

ing to more than 75 countries.

He lauded the abundant skilled workforce which has led to the creation of a thriving innovation ecosystem, led by start-ups in hightechnology areas.

“I believe that the In-

dian Aerospace and Defence manufacturing sector is well prepared to take up future challenges and capitalise on emerging opportunities. India has domestically produced Light Combat Aircraft. Manufacturing of Light Utility Helicopters has also commenced. Our large population and abundant skilled workforce have led to the creation of a thriving innovation ecosystem, led by start-ups in high-technology areas,” he said.

Highlighting India’s G20 presidency he said that the country’s endeavour is to build consensus within the G20 and shape the agenda for a more secure, prosperous, sustainable and just world.

TWO HELD FOR CONSUMING LIQUOR ON FLIGHT

New Delhi (PTI): Two passengers onboard a Patna-bound IndiGo flight were arrested on Monday as they created a ruckus mid-flight after consuming alcohol, airport authorities said. The incident took place on IndiGo’s Delhi-Patna flight 6E-6383. According to Robert Peter, Patna Airport SHO, no incident of assault or molestation has been mentioned in the written complaint.

CBI BOOKS EX V-C OF AGRA UNIV FOR EXTORTION

New Delhi (Agencies): The Central Bureau of Investigation has registered an FIR against Kanpur’s Chhatrapati Shahu Ji Maharaj University Vice-Chancellor Prof Vinay Pathak & others over allegations of extortion & cheating. The FIR was filed after the UP government sent a letter to the Centre, recommending a probe against Pathak, Ex-V-C of Dr Bhim Rao Ambedkar Univ, & others.

FLYERS ALLEGE GO FIRST FLIGHT TOOK OFF LEAVING 50 PASSENGERS BEHIND

Bengaluru (Agencies): A Go First flight took off from Bengaluru this morning with a busload of passengers still on the tarmac, some passengers alleged on Twitter, calling out the airline for egregious negligence. Flight G8 116 from Bengaluru to Delhi took off around 6.30 am leaving over 50 passengers, according to complaints on Twitter tagging the airline, Civil Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia and Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s office. Go First Airways, responding to at least three such tweets, urged users to share their details and said: “We regret the inconvenience caused.”

Canada-based Arshdeep named terrorist by MHA

New Delhi (ANI): Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) on Monday declared Khalistan Tiger Force associate Arshdeep Singh Gill alias ‘Arsh Dalla’ a terrorist under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967 for his involvement in heinous crimes such as murder, extortion and targeted killings besides terror activities.

The MHA made the announcement through a notification, stating that a 1996-born, Gill, who is a resident of Jagraon in Punjab’s Ludhiana, is presently based in Canada. Gill is very close to Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a designated terrorist under the UAPA and runs terror modules on behalf of him, states the notification.

As per the notification, Gill is involved in heinous crimes such as

murder, extortion and targeted killings besides terror activities.

Gill is involved in terror financing, cross border smuggling of drugs or weapons on a large scale and is accused in various cases registered and investigated by the National Investigation Agency including targeted killing, extorting money for terror funding, attempting

to murder, disturbing communal harmony and creating terror among the people in the state of Punjab.

The notification said the Central Government believes that Gill is involved in terrorism and he is to be added as a terrorist “in exercise of the powers conferred section 35 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967”.

KANJHAWALA CASE

Accused were aware of Anjali under car: Sources

New Delhi: In a significant revelation in the Kanjhawala case, in which a woman died after being dragged for several kilometres by a car, Delhi Police sources said that the accused were aware of Anjali being trapped under their car within minutes after her scooty was hit by them.

“The accused in the car did not take Anjali out because the accused were afraid that if they got down from the car and took Anjali out, they might get into legal trouble if someone saw them,” said the Delhi Police sources.

The accused told about their dilemma during their interrogation with the Delhi Police, however, the police say that there is a contradiction in their statements, so every angle is being investigated closely.

The six accused will be produced in court on Monday after the Rohini Court on Saturday granted bail to the seventh accused, Ankush, in the hit and drag case in outer Delhi’s Sultanpuri area.

INDIA LOGS 170 COVID CASES IN LAST 24 HOURS

New Delhi (ANI): India has recorded 170 new cases of Covid-19 in the last 24 hours, the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare said on Monday morning.

As per Health Ministry, India’s active caseload stands at 2,371. The Ministry further said that the total number of recoveries from the infection has increased to 4,41,47,002 with 221 in the last 24 hours alone. India’s recovery rate currently stands at 98.8 pc.

India’s Daily Positivity rate and Weekly Positivity rate currently stand at 0.20 pc and 0.11 pc respectively.

The Ministry also informed that 85,282 Covid tests were conducted in the last 24 hours, as on Monday morning, and conducted tests have so far reached a total of 91.21 crores.

The accused in the car realised minutes after the accident that the woman was trapped under their car.

THEY GOT OUT OF CAR 2 MIN AFTER HIT, SAW SOMEONE STUCK, SAYS DELHI COPS

New Delhi: Delhi police said they are investigating the ‘conspiracy’ angle and statements of 20 witnesses have been recorded so far. Police also told the court that the CCTV footages revealed that two of the accused got down from the car two minutes after the accident, and saw someone trapped under the vehicle. The accused had initially said they didn’t hear the woman was trapped under their car, as the windows were down and loud music was playing inside. However, they have now admitted that they knew the woman was stuck under the car, but did not stop out of fear.

COURT SENDS SIX ACCUSED TO 14-DAY JUDICIAL CUSTODY

New Delhi (PTI): A court on Monday sent 6 accused in the case involving the death of a 20-year-old woman, who had got trapped in the underside of a car and killed, to 14 days’ judicial custody. “14 days judicial custody granted,” Metropolitan Magistrate Sanya Dalal said. The prosecution said it was found during their interrogation that the accused were aware of the victim’s body being dragged under the wheels. The additional public prosecutor, however, did not disclose the identity of the 2 accused who got down from the car to inspect what was under the wheels. He said a new witness, who was around 100 metres from the spot of the accident, has also joined the investigation.

UP’s first SOG office inaugurated in Agra Commissionerate

Agra: The first Special Operation Group (SOG) office of Uttar Pradesh was inaugurated in the Police Lines of Agra Commissionerate.

While inaugurating the office, Commissioner of Police, Agra, Dr. Preetinder Singh said that there is a mess for policemen, separate arrangements for interrogation of the accused, and facilities for fellow policemen to stay in the

new SOG office. This office can also be jointly used by the surveillance cell and cyber cell along with SOG. SOG incharge Inspector Kuldeep Singh presented saplings to officers and guests. ACP Keshav Chowdhary, DCP Nagar Vikas Kumar, DCP West Satyajit, ACP Chatta Sukanya Sharma, ACP Hariparvat Mayank Tiwari, ACP Lohamandi Girish Kumar, and SOG in-charge inspector Kuldeep Dixit were present.

3 OF FAMILY RUN OVER BY TRAIN

IN KARNATAKA

7 DEAD AS AUTO COLLIDES WITH TRUCK IN BIHAR Chikkaballapur

(PTI):

Three members of a family including husband and wife were run over by a train in Gauribidanur on Monday, police said. However, police suspect it to be a case of a suicide.

Police said the incident occurred at Thondebhavi village in Gauribidanur Taluk where the mutilated bodies of a man, his wife & their daughter were found on the railway tracks.

Patna (Agencies): No less than seven people, including children, died on the spot after an autorickshaw collided with a truck full of passengers in Bihar’s Katihar. The accident occurred near Highway 81 Dighri Petrol Pump. At present, the authorities have reached the accident spot and the bodies are being pulled out of the three-wheeler with the help of locals.

Delhi colder than Shimla, Nainital and Manali

New Delhi (Agencies): A cold wave has gripped the national capital severely this time, breaking all records. Shockingly, the minimum temperature in Delhi has plunged lower than the prominent hill station of Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand.

According to India Meteorological Department (IMD), Delhi’s minimum temperature stood lower than Shimla (10.3 degrees), Manali

(6 degrees), Kangra (8.9 degrees), Dehradun (6.5 degrees), Mussoorie (11.3 degrees), Nainital

(6 degrees), Mukteshwar (7.6 degrees), Tehri (9.2 degrees) Chamba (8.7 degrees), Dalhousie

(9 degrees), and Dharamshala (9.2 degrees) for 5th consecutive day on Monday.

The minimum temperatures in the national capital rose marginally though. The Safdarjung observatory recorded a minimum of 3.8 degrees Celsius as against 1.9 degrees on Sunday. The weather stations at Lodhi Road, Ayanagar, and Ridge recorded a minimum temperature of 3.6 degrees, 3.2 degrees, and 3.3 degrees.

267 TRAINS CANCELLED DUE TO HEAVY FOG, POOR VISIBILITY: RAILWAYS

A n Indian Railways spokesperson said that 267 trains have been cancelled on Monday due to Delhi weather. Delhi witnessed very dense fog conditions on Monday, leading to poor visibility. Not only trains, many flights were delayed and three were diverted to Jaipur. The spokesperson said that out of the 267 cancelled trains, 82 were mail express trains, while 140 were passenger trains. As many as 40 sub-urban trains, one parcel express and four empty rakes were cancelled on January 9. Moreover, around 170 trains were running late due to Delhi fog and low visibility. Meanwhile, three flights were diverted from Delhi to Jaipur including Air India Express’ Sharjah to Delhi, SpiceJet’s Ahmedabad to Delhi and SpiceJet’s Pune to Delhi. This comes after 335 trains were delayed on Sunday, and 88 cancelled. Around 31 trains were diverted and 33 short terminated.

Says Def Min Rajnath Singh while addressing the ambassadors’ conference at Aero India 2023

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh chaired the Ambassadors’ Roundtable conference for the forthcoming Aero India 2023 in New Delhi on Monday.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh with the representatives from across the world during the Ambassadors’ Roundtable conference for the forthcoming Aero India 2023 in New Delhi on Monday.

Shubham Dubey

(From left) DCP City Vikas Kumar, additional commissioner of police Keshav Chowdhary, police commissioner Agra Dr Preetinder Singh, SOG incharge Agra Kuldeep Dixit.

—Representational Image

Train services continue to be disrupted due to the prevailing weather conditions in northern India.

OVL RETAKES 20% STAKE IN SAKHALIN-1 OIL AND GAS FIELDS

India trusted partner in supply chains: Goyal

New Delhi (PTI): ONGC

Videsh Ltd, the overseas arm of state-owned Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC), has re-taken a 20% stake in the Sakhalin-1 oil and gas fields in the far east region of Russia, an official said on Monday. Russian President Vladimir Putin in October last year disbanded Exxon Neftegaza regional subsidiary of US super major ExxonMobil - as operator of the Sakhalin-1 and transferred the project and all of its assets and equipment to a new operator.

MAHINDRA LAUNCH NEW VERSIONS OF THAR FOR `9.99 LAKH

Edison (PTI): India today is a land of opportunity and can be a “trusted partner” for global and American corporations in their supply chains and investment portfolios, Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal said.

He also exuded confidence that the country will soon be the third largest economy in the world, as transformational reforms and a young population drive future growth.

“I would urge all of you to take this message to the world, to the Americans and American corporations and to the sphere of influence that each one of you has that India is the place to be, India can be your trusted partner in your supply chains, in your

investment portfolio, in your business,” Goyal said on Sunday as he addressed diaspora and members of the Indian-American community.

While America “has given you a lot and I’m sure each one of you has given back to the US manifold,

today India is that land of opportunity.

“Today India beckons your contribution to make India a great superpower,” Goyal said to the members adding that as “we work towards making India a developed nation”, he is confident that the country’s

diaspora will also be contributing to take India back to the “old glory that we had a few 100 years ago” to the time when India was one of the largest contributors to global economy. “I think it’s time we got that glory back in our nation.”

Goyal highlighted that India quickly rebounded after the lockdown and economic stress unleashed by the pandemic, underlining that last year was a “record year in terms of growth in all spheres, including our international engagement.” He said India’s exports crossed $670 billion for the very first time in the country’s history and foreign direct investment was also at an all-time high, with nearly $84 billion FDI inflows in 2021-22.

No K-shaped recovery in India: SBI Economists

Mumbai (PTI): Economists at the country’s largest lender SBI on Monday dismissed the ‘K-shaped recovery’ critique, saying the pandemic was a ‘leveler’ which helped in reducing inequalities.

They said government transfers to the poor alone are adding up to `75,000 per household per annum.

It can be noted that in the months following the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, concerns were being raised about deepening inequalities in India, with some calling it as a ‘K-shaped’ recovery, where rich emerged richer while the poor slipped down further.

The SBI economists said, “… in hindsight, the pandemic may have been a leveller in terms of inequality with the poor getting protected through measures such as food transfers.”

It said India has delivered a sharp recovery after the pandemic and acknowledged that critics are still quoting it as a K-shaped recovery for India.

“… It is true that the strong rise in financial assets resulted in an increase in inequality in 2021. However, when correlated with short-run asset price movements, such fluctuations in inequality always prove transient,” the report explained.

“… In the Indian context, it is an incorrect conjecture to assume that inequality has worsened during the pandemic,” it added.

New Delhi (PTI): Mahindra & Mahindra on Monday launched new versions of its sports utility vehicle Thar with price starting at `9.99 lakh (exshowroom). The new range includes rear wheel drive variants in two engine options with manual and automatic transmissions, the auto major said in a statement. The two diesel-powered manual rear wheel drive trims are priced at `9.99 lakh and `10.99 lakh while the petrol automatic variant is tagged at `13.49 lakh.

AIRTEL AFRICA ACQUIRES 4G, 5G SPECTRUM

Working to create innovation platform

New Delhi (PTI): Switzerland is keen to accelerate bilateral ties with India by tapping more trade and investment opportunities, and both countries are also working to create an innovation platform, according to Swiss Ambassador to India Ralf Heckner.

Emphasising that his “expectations are very high”, he said innovation

and a free trade agreement can take the bilateral relations to the next level.Heckner said he sees a lot of convergence between both countries when it comes to

innovation. “Switzerland being the most innovative country and more innovations (are) being created in India, what I would like to see is the most strategic innovation relationship. We are working with the Indian government to create an innovation platform that will bring the best universities, IITs and federal institutes of technology.

Sensex rally after 3-day decline on firm global equities, surges 847 pts

New Delhi (FIB): Airtel Africa’s Nigerian subsidiary, Airtel Networks Limited (‘Airtel Nigeria’), has purchased 100MHz of spectrum in the 3500MHz band and 2 units each of 5MHz of 2600MHz from the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) for a gross consideration of $316.7 million. Airtel Africa is a subsidiary of Bharti Airtel. The payment for the purchased spectrum will be done in local currency, Airtel Africa said in a notification to its investors Monday.

INDIA’S THERMAL COAL IMPORTS UP NEARLY 15 PER CENT

Mumbai (PTI): Equity benchmarks ended over 1% higher on Monday amid positive trends in global markets and buying in Reliance Industries and IT counters.

The 30-share BSE Sensex zoomed 846.94 points or 1.41% to settle at 60,747.31. During the day, it jumped 989.04 points or 1.65% to 60,889.41.

The broader NSE Nifty climbed 241.75 points or 1.35% to end at 18,101.20.

From the Sensex pack, Mahindra & Mahindra, HCL Technologies, IndusInd Bank, Tata Consultancy Services, Bharti Airtel, Tech Mahindra, Wipro,

Infosys, Reliance Industries and Axis Bank were the major winners.

IT counters were in heavy demand ahead of earnings from TCS later in the day.

Titan, Bajaj Finserv and Maruti were the only laggards.

` GAINS 29 PAISE TO CLOSE AT 82.37/USD Mumbai (PTI): The rupee gained 29 paise to close at 82.37 (provisional) against the US dollar on Monday, supported by a weaker greenback overseas and a firm trend in domestic equities. At the interbank foreign exchange market, the local unit opened at 82.41 and touched an intra-day high of 82.25 and a low of 82.44 against the greenback. It finally ended at 82.37 (provisional), registering a rise of 29 paise over its previous close.

IN CONSTRUCTION AND REAL ESTATE SECTOR

New Delhi (FIB): India’s imports of thermal coalused mainly for power generation - grew 14.7% to 161.18 million tonnes in 2022, data from Indian consultancy Coalmint showed on Monday, driven by higher domestic production and shipments by utilities. Data showed that shipments of coal, which is typically used to manufacture steel, also edged higher.

Imports of coking coal rose 0.8% to 56.1 million tonnes, anthracite grew 12.2% to 1.79 million tonnes, and PCI coal shipments increased 8% to 13.43 million tonnes.

‘Black money is no more an issue’

New Delhi (ANI): Swiss ambassador to India Dr Ralf Heckner has said black money is not an issue anymore in financial relations between Switzerland and India, as both sides have already exchanged several batches of information. Heckner explained that he has been the Swiss ambassa-

India’s credit worthiness stable, says Moody’s

New Delhi (FIB): The credit worthiness outlook for countries in the AsiaPacific (APAC) region, including that of India, for 2023 is stable as compared to the negative outlook for sovereigns globally, Moody’s Investors Service said on Monday.

The debt sustainability and financial stability are relatively well anchored in the region, with contained government liquidity risks, broadly stable debt dynamics and generally sound external positions, the credit rating agency said in a report.

Women’s earn 30-40% less than men

First India Bureau

New Delhi: Informal women workers in Indian construction and real estate sector earn 30-40% less than male workers, according to a report that highlights about gender inequality in this sector.

Consulting firm Primus Partners and World Trade Center on Monday released a report ‘Pink Collar Skilling: Unleashing the Women’s Power in the Real Estate Sector’ stating that out of the total people employed in this industry only 12% are women.

“In the domestic construction and real estate sector, which employs 57 million workers, 50 million

TOP TALKING POINTS

z

dor for more than two years but he heard hardly anything about black money.

“The black money is-

sue has been dealt with by a bilateral treaty between Switzerland and India in 2018 on the automatic exchange of bank information between Switzerland and India. We had several batches of information exchange between Swiss and India, so the black money issue isn’t the issue anymore.

OTHER STORIES

‘FOOD DISTRIBUTION SCHEME MODERATED INCOME INEQUALITY’

New Delhi (PTI): Free food distribution of cereals during the pandemic has starkly reduced income inequality across laggard states and those at the bottom of the pyramid, according to a report. SBI Ecowrap started the research with a hypothesis of how the free food grain distribution is impacting the distribution of wealth on population quintiles. These states were Assam, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, MP, Odisha, UP, U’khand & WB.

PM MODI TO HOLD PRE-BUDGET MEETING WITH ECONOMISTS

New Delhi (PTI): Ahead of the Union Budget, PM Narendra Modi will meet economists and sectoral experts at NITI Aayog on Friday to discuss the state of the economy and measures to accelerate growth which is estimated to drop to 7% The meeting will also be attended by several Union ministers. Hit by weakening demand, the Indian economy is expected to grow at a slower rate of 7% in the current fiscal ending March 2023.

GOVT COMES OUT WITH QUALITY STANDARDS FOR DIGITAL TV RECEIVERS, TYPE-C CHARGER & VSS

New Delhi (PTI): The government on Monday said the BIS has come out with quality standards for three electronic devices -- digital television receivers, USB Type-C charger and VSS. The first is Indian standard IS 18112:2022 specification for digital television receivers with built-in satellite tuners. “TVs manufactured as per this Indian standard would enable reception of free-to-air TV and radio channels just by connecting a dish antenna with LNB mounted on a suitable place, at roof top/side wall of a building,” it said.

In the domestic construction and real estate sector, which employs 57 mn workers, 50 mn of the people employed are men, and only 7 mn are women

z

of the people employed are men, and only 7 million are women,” the report said. Further, it added that the

Informal women workers engaged in construction in India earn 30-40% less than their male counterparts

informal women workers engaged in construction in India earn 30-40% less than their male counterparts.

DIPAM SECY: IDBI BANK DIVESTMENT PROCESS TO COMPLETE IN FY24

New Delhi (PTI): The divestment process of IDBI Bank will complete in the fiscal year 2023-24, DIPAM Secretary Tuhin Kanta Pandey told ETNow on Monday. Pandey had earlier tweeted that multiple expressions of interest were received for the strategic disinvestment of Centre and LIC’s stake in IDBI Bank. Calling the process a unique one, Pandey claimed that there is no intention to have management control post divestment.

GOLDMAN SACHS TO START CUTTING THOUSANDS OF JOBS

New Delhi (FIB): Goldman Sachs Group will start cutting thousands of jobs across the firm from Wednesday, as it prepares for a tough economic environment. According to one source, the job cuts are expected to be just over 3,000, but the final number is yet to be determined. Goldman had 49,100 employees at the end of the third quarter, after adding significant numbers of staff during the coronavirus pandemic.

HECKNER SAYS, SWITZERLAND AND INDIA

What is his contribution to state cricket, Nitesh questions

MVA leaders not dimwitted, their brains are in knees: Raj Thackeray

First India Bureau

First India Bureau

Mumbai: NCP legislator and scion of the Pawar family - Rohit Pawar - has been elected as member and president of Maharashtra Cricket Association.

After Rohit’s victory in MCA election, party workers held various celebrations across state while various political leaders have congratulated Rohit Pawar on his election. Although Rohit has won unopposed, but Bharatiya Janata Party MLA Nitesh Rane has made a special tweet to congratulate Rohit Pawar.

Nitesh Rane said on

Monday, “Rohit Pawar has been elected president of the MCA unopposed. Congratulations to him, but I do not understand what is his contribution to cricket to be elected as the President. His grandfather brought cheerleaders in cricket, let’s see what he brings.”

Rohit Pawar’s grandfather and NCP President - Sharad Pawarhas also been the President of Maharashtra Cricket Association. On Monday, Nitesh Rane directly targeted Sharad Pawar on the selection of newly appointed President of Maharashtra Cricket Association.

It is also being said that Rohit Pawar has also been elected in the way relatives of other leaders have held important positions. So it will be important to see how Rohit Pawar reacts to Rane’s jibe.

Mumbai-Goa highway work been stalled for the last decade: Ajit Pawar

First India Bureau

Mumbai: Leader of Opposition in state Assembly and NCP leader Ajit Pawar attended the book launch ceremony of NCP MP Sunil Tatkare on Monday. On this occasion, he mentioned the stalled work of the Mumbai-Goa highway in his speech and expressed his displeasure.

Pawar said, “Sunil Tatkare should continue to work to enhance the glory of Konkan and Maharashtra. The work of the MumbaiGoa highway has been stalled for the last decade. This work should be done through Sunil Tatkare. As a Lok Sabha MP, he should have an important contribution to it. Through him, I hope to give more impetus to the development of Konkan. Many terms have passed, but that road is not made.”

Along with this, Pawar also praised the work of Tatkare and said, “Sunil Tatkare worked at various levels like Panchayat Samiti, Zila Parishad, Vidhan Sabha, Legislative Council and now Lok Sabha during his 30 years of political career. He is recorded as the youngest president of Raigad Zila Parishad. He has also held very important positions in the state cabinet and has been the state president of the party twice.”

The work of the Mumbai-Goa highway has been stalled for the

Work of Mumbai-Goa highwayhas been stalled for last 13 years. Konkan residents have started a protestunder the Mumbai-Goa Highway Mission Purti Committee to demand completion of this highway before Holi

last 13 years, and Konkan residents from Mumbai, Raigad, Ratnagiri, and other parts have started a protest under the leadership of the Mumbai-Goa Highway Mission Purti Committee to demand the completion of this highway before Holi. As part of this movement, a signature campaign has been started in Mumbai from January 1. So far, 1,785 people have joined this campaign.

Social and political organizations have protested several times for the completion of the Mumbai-Goa National Highway. But due to the neglect of the government and the administration, the work of this highway has stopped. Every year during the rainy season, this highway is in bad condition, and accidents occur.

Mumbai: MNS President Raj Thackeray said on Monday that the leaders of Mahavikas Aghadi are not only dim-witted, but their brains are in their knees. If one or two industries move out of the state, it does not matter to the state. At the same time, MNS leader Sandip Deshpande questioned why the industries are going to Gujarat, and termed it to be unfair.

Deshpande has severely criticized the Mahavikas Aghadi, along with Aditya Thackeray and Kishori Pednekar, while talking about the tender during the Corona era.

Deshpande said, “Mumbai Municipal Commissioner Iqbal Singh Chahal is lying. How did people relat-

Iqbal Singh Chahal is lying. How did people related to Aditya Thackeray and Kishori Pednekar get work? Who will be found guilty after the CAG inquiry?

ed to Aditya Thackeray and Kishori Pednekar get work? Who will be found guilty after the CAG inquiry? If no action is

TEMPLE WITH FAMILY

Nathdwara: Former Chief Minister of Maharashtra Uddhav Thackeray visited Shrinathji temple along with his family on Monday. The Thackeray family visited Shrinathji’s evening aarti tableau, where Uddhav Thackeray, his wife Rashmi Thackeray, both sons, former cabinet minister Aditya Thackeray and Tejas Thackeray were with him. Uddhav Thackeray refrained from answering any questions and said that his visit was personal. He accepted people’s greetings at the temple and in the market.After a brief stay at the Dheeraj Dham, they left for Udaipur by road.

UORFI JAVED-CHITRA WAGH FEUD

HC asks I-T dept how Act can have retrospective effect?

taken against him, MNS will punish him in its own way.” Deshpande also commented that they will be beaten on the road.

‘Who is protecting anti-social elements?’

First India Bureau

Mumbai: Controversy has been going on for a few days regarding the revealing outfits of actress Uorfi Javed.

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Chitra Wagh has filed a complaint with the police in Mumbai. Wagh said that when Maharashtra Women’s Commission has time to send notices to actress Tejaswini Pandit and director Sanjay Jadhav, but no action was taken against Uorfi Javed. After this, the dispute between Chitra Wagh and Commission President Rupali Chakankar has heated up.

Responding to this, MP Supriya Sule demanded Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fad-

navis to stop it. “As there is a girl in my house, similarly there is a girl in his house. The Women’s Commission will work according to its own rules. Why discuss it,” said Supriya Sule. After Sule’s statement, now Chitra Wagh has replied to Sule, “Where social welfare works are done, there is no need of politics.

Those who are jumping into politics, they were not called with jaggerycoconut. Supriya Sule

is asking to end the issue. I will stop myself, but, the fight is on to contain this malaise.”

Notably, Wagh also took a jibe at Rupali Chakankar comment that the former has studied less. “How much and what are your studies, that paper should be solved in the court of Supriya Sule. We don’t need to be told. It is not based on how much you study or not. Our education is extremely solid,” replied Wagh.

Mumbai: The Bombay High Court on Monday questioned Income Tax department’s move seeking to prosecute Reliance ADAG chairman Anil Ambani under Black Money Act for alleged tax evasion, and asked how Acts criminalising certain action can have a retrospective effect.

A division bench of Justices Gautam Patel and S G Dige, while hearing petition by Ambani challenging a show cause notice issued to him, asked how a person conducting himself or herself in a certain manner will know what the government is going to do in future.

The high court posted the matter for hearing on February 20 and extended its September 2022 order directing the I-T department to not take any coercive action against

Ambani till then.

The I-T department had issued a notice to Ambani on August 8, 2022, for allegedly evading Rs 420 crore in taxes on undisclosed funds worth more than Rs 814 crore held in two Swiss bank accounts.

As per the department’s notice, Ambani was liable to be prosecuted under Sections 50 and 51 of the Black Money (undisclosed foreign income and assets) Imposition of Tax Act of 2015, which stipulates a maximum punishment of 10 years imprisonment with a fine.

Mumbai: A few days ago, a person called the control room of the Mumbai police and threatened to detonate a bomb like 1993. In this case, the police arrested Nabi Khan alias KGN Lala. Meanwhile, BJP leader Ashish Shelar has criticized Maha Vikas Aghadi over the case. Shelar has also commented asking if the ‘so-called protectors of Mumbai protest now’. However, he did not take the name of Shiv Sena (Thakrey group).

“In this case, Nabi Khan alias KGN Lala has been arrested. Also, information about the identity of some of the accused in the 1993 bomb blast has come to light. How do these dangerous social elements get strength?” questioned Shelar.

“(They) Protected the affairs of Nawab Malik-Daud, decorated Yakub’s grave, will the so-called protectors of Mumbai even protest on this? Who is creating these dangerous folds of politics for political interest?”, Shelar said criticizing the Shiv Sena along with Maha Vikas Aghadi.

First India Bureau

Rohit Pawar elected President of Maharashtra Cricket Association

His grandfather brought cheerleaders to cricket, let us see what he does, jibes Rane

MLA Rohit Pawar has been elected president of the Maharashtra Cricket Association unopposed. Congratulations to him, but I do not understand what is his contribution to cricket to be elected as the President. His grandfather brought cheerleaders in cricket, let’s see what he brings.

—Nitesh Rane, Nationalist Congress Party MLA

THACKERAY VISITS SHRINATHJI

Sule asked me to stop, but the fight is to contain this malaise: Wagh

MNS President Raj Thackeray

BJP leader Ashish Shelar

Chitra Wagh

Supriya Sule

Anil Ambani

“Mumbai MunicipalCommissioner

Sandip Deshpande, MNS leader

Every time we act with love rather than fear, we become more of what we are meant to be, and we gently transform!

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

India

Rohit Pawar

Virat Kohli and Anushka Sharma are one of the most loved couples in town. Every time they share pictures on social media, they go viral in no time. Recently, the couple made news after a video featuring them and their daughter Vamika stormed the Internet. The duo jetted off to Vrindavan to visit an ashram to seek blessings. Vamika’s face was revealed in the video. Netizens were seen gushing over her cuteness. On Monday afternoon, Virat took to his Instagram handle and

dropped an aww-dorable picture with Anushka and Vamika from their recent vacay.

Virushka took their daughter to Dubai for celebrating the New Year with family. Today, the cricketer offered a glimpse of their quick getaway. In the picture, the trio is seen walking on the beach with their backs on the camera. Virat shared the picture with caption in Punjabi that read, “Rabba bakshiyan tu enniyan meherbaniyan, hor terto kuch ni mangda, bas tera shukar ada kardan.” The picture is all things cute.

‘Twinning & cool’

ashion trends have popped up again and our thoughts about the dress aren’t affected. We recently got a complete picture of what’s comfortable and best in one swoop for a travel look. Deepika Padukone and Ranveer Singh are back in town from a vacation where they recently ringed in the former’s birthday on the 5th. Their airport looks said ‘twinning and cool’,

when does it not, though? As an avid observer of all new things on the celebrity style block, many reports prove this dress opted for by the Pathaan actress is from Joslin Studio. A shopping success is what we define it, as is always the case with DP. The style setter donned a midi dress curated from organic cotton. Her Rs. 30,100.00 monotone white midi number followed the trapeze style and was honed around a strong set of fea-

PERFECT FITNESS INSPO

isha Patani drops a viral video of hers, kickboxing to Run BTS by Korean boy band BTS, and that is all the Monday motivation and fitness inspo we need to take us through the rest of the week. Check health benefits of the

Just when we thought nothing can push us out of our warm cosy heated rooms to face the cold weather outside and

burn the calories at gym, Bollywood hottie Disha Patani made us chew our thoughts and spring out of our quilts with rejuvenated ener gies to grind as she dropped a viral video of hers kickboxing to Run BTS by Korean boy band BTS. The diva gave fitness enthusiasts and fans a glimpse of their kickboxing session this Monday and that is all the fitness inspo and workout goals we need to take us through the rest of the week.

orsets are back in the fashion game, and we can’t deny how fast it has become a rage. Corset outfits add a sense of royalty and make one feel like majesty. It’s perfect to accentuate your curves and also to add a feminine touch to your boss lady look. Corsets are a chic way to look dapper for

coffee dates, college, and even parties. Known as a talented actress and internet sensation, Palak Tiwari leaves no stone unturned to make jaw drops with her bold and beautiful outfits. There is no denying that Palak has impeccable taste in fashion, and the diva has proved it several times by flaunting her glamorous outfits.

Disha Patani

Ranveer and Deepika hand in hand at Mumbai airport

Rakul Preet Singh

Palak donning a black corset

Anushka Sharma

Deepika Padukone

Virat’s post...

Palak Tiwari

City First brings to you some more glimpses from the thrilling and fun Jaipur Dog Show, a huge initiative by Jagdeesh Chandra, which was held at Dusshera Ground in Adarsh Nagar, Jaipur on Sunday. Organised by the Rajasthan Chapter of the Kennel Club of India (KCI) and presented by First India News and Bharat24- Vision of New India, the dog championship was judged by Tomonori Aizawa from Japan and Simon Sim from the Philippines. Jagdeesh Chandra along with Virendra Choudhary, Director, First India News, Lakshay Choudhary, and Manoj Jagyasi Chief Business Officer & Strategic Advisor, Bharat24- Vision of New India graced the occasion with their presence. Viren Sharma, Secretary of the Rajasthan chapter of the Kennel Club of India beautifully hosted the show. A large number of Indie pups were also adopted from the adoption camp at the event and a record was made.

The makers of Kashmir Files, Major and Karthikeya 2 bring us the highly anticipated action-packed entertainer - G2 (Goodachari 2). The biggest movie sequel was announced at a grand event in Mumbai. After the roaring success of the Adivi Sesh starrer ‘Goodachari’ which not only did great numbers but is also considered one of the Top 25 Telugu Films of the Decade, the makers are back with the sequel ‘Goodachari 2’ that promises to take the ac tion, thrill and enter tainment to the next

level.

The ambitious project was announced at a grand event in Mumbai where a 50 feet cut-out along with the film’s introductory video was unveiled at a packed venue with an excited audience.

“Goodchari 2 is an epic action film visualized by our brilliant director Vinay Kumar Sirigineedi.

Honestly, we envision this to be massive, fitting for a PanIndia audience. The film goes on floors this year and we can’t wait to bring audiences

ASHISH TIWARI cityfirst.mumbai@firstindia.co.in

Even after 27 years since his debut, he still rules the party chartbusters.

Ranging from Bollywood to hit singles, from Bolo Tara Ra Ra to Garda Uda Diya, there is a song for every event. Daler Mehndi is a musical trailblazer in every essence.

From his dancing scores to his musical notes, his fashion sense and his vocal range, he continues to rule the hearts of millions of people across the globe. He spoke to Ashish Tiwari of First India in an exclusive conversation spoke about his journey and more.

Speaking on the love that he received through the years he said, “It’s

DALER SINGH MEHNDI: A Musical Trailblazer

the love of the audience and especially my family. Since Childhood, I was told that I’ll be a singer. The one thing about my journey is that I have accepted what ever has come my way with open hands and heads down. That is the reason people shower so much love on me and my work.”

Indeed he has been the man behind pop culture when asked why is he so choosy about the project he does he shared, “ I have struggled for around 18 years with all the allega tions implied on me.

Every month I had to visit the court twice a month so the struggle was very bad, but I knew i would win someday so I went through everything with a smile but now I am

back and my song Gadbad love is coming and there’s a lot more for my fans that’s coming up this year.”

Sharing what goes

behind recording a classic he shared, “Whenever I am recording I am always scared I pray to the almighty that this life and voice is gifted by you I ask for the strength to deliver what I wish to do. Because life is very uncertain.”

“I believe and trust in good, I have the will to do more so there’s so much left to do there will be wonders. Today even after so many years at every party from Kashmir to Kanyakumari my songs are played. So I know I have made a name but there’s a lot more to achieve,” he mentioned speaking on how he dealt with fame over years.

MOST ANTICIPATED MOVIE!

IMDB just released its list of the top 20 most anticipated Indian movies of 2023 and Pathaan is leading that list. The visually spectacular Yash Raj Films’ action extravaganza, Pathaan, is part of Aditya Chopra’s ambitious spy universe and has the biggest superstars of the country in it. Hindi films dominate the Most Anticipated Indian Movies list with 11 titles, followed by 5 Tamil titles, 3 Telugu titles and 1 Kannada title.

CELEBRATION TIME FOR RANLIA

he fact that Ranbir Kapoor enjoys football is well known. Mumbai City FC of the Indian Super League is co-owned by the Bollywood star. Alia Bhatt and Ranbir Kapoor, who welcomed their first child on November 6, 2022, took a break from being parents to see Mumbai City FC play Kerala Blasters in the Indian Super League on Sunday at Mumbai Football Arena. They were seen in the crowd supporting Ranbir's co-owned team, Mumbai City FC, during the game. Their pictures have gone viral on social media. Not just that, a video

scroll down!

For those who are unaware, Janhvi has apparently been hired to play the lead role in NTR 30. There is no doubt that any actor, including Kapoor, would like to be a part of films from the South given the rising popularity of that genre. We have observed how Mrunal Thakur and Alia Bhatt, respectively, have garnered a great deal of praise for their performances in Sita Ramam and RRR. Janhvi Kapoor seems to be demanding a sum higher than Rashmika Mandanna and Mrunal Thakur. While the amount remains undisclosed, it will ultimately be seen if her demand is fulfilled if she ends up starring in those films.

Diljit Dosanjh has made his place in Bol lywood and is doing seemingly well here. The audience quite loves Diljit not just for his works but also for his grounded na ture. Diljit Dosanjh got can did and spoke about how he does not have a ‘safe career’.

“I live for pride. If I had cared about money, I would have done more films, more mar riage shows and 4-5 Pun jabi films every year. I never run after money. I always wanted to be famous ever since I was a kid. There is no limit to fame. I only want to do good work and enjoy my life. I am happy about what ever I am able to do and am grateful to God,” he said. “I am currently work ing with Imtiaz Ali. Yesterday only I rejected a big

shared by Indian Super League on Instagram shows Alia and Ranbir walking hand-in-hand as

they joined in on the celebrations post Mumbai City FC’s win against Kerala Blasters.

Esha Singh, daughter of Shamsher and Purnima Singh joined Amazon at Chennai on Monday after her campus placement from Maharaja Agrasen College, Indraprastha University, New Delhi. Her father Shamsher Singh is a former Managing Editor Bharat24Vision of New India and a leading journalist.

Diljit Dosanjh

Janhvi Kapoor

Indian Super League’s story...

Ranbir Kapoor and Alia Bhatt

Poster of the film...

Daler Mehndi

Poster...